HAVANA: Tourism to Cuba, one of the few bright spots in its ailing economy, has slid in the wake of Hurricane Irma and the Trump administration’s tighter restrictions on travel to the Caribbean island, a Cuban tourism official said on Monday.
Although the number of visitors rose nearly 20 percent in 2017, it fell 10 percent on the year in December, and is down 7-8 percent this month, Jose Manuel Bisbe York, the president of Cuban state travel agency conglomerate Viajes Cuba, said.
Arrivals from the US, which had surged in the wake of the US-Cuban detente in 2014, took the worst hit, dropping 30 percent last December, he told Reuters.
“Since Hurricane Irma, we’ve seen arrivals shrink,” Bisbe York said on the sidelines of the event organized by US travel agency insightCuba to dispel tourist misperceptions about Cuba.
Irma hit in September, just as the tourism sector was taking reservations for its high season from November to March.
Images of destruction put many would-be visitors off although Cuba had fixed its tourism installations within two months, said Bisbe York. Arrivals of Canadians, the largest group of tourists to Cuba, were down 4-5 percent.
“But we see this as a temporary thing and what we are seeing is that arrivals are recovering from month to month,” said Bisbe York, adding that Cuba would go ahead with its plans to launch more than 15 hotels island-wide this year.
“The first trimester will be the most difficult, because logically the change in the public perception takes time.”
Occupancy rates at the hotels in Cuba managed by Spain’s Meliá Hotels International S.A. were down around 20 percent on the year in December and January, said Francisco Camps, Melia’s Cuba deputy general manager.
“From February though, we are already reaching figures similar to those we had in previous years,” he said.
Republican President Donald Trump’s more hostile stance toward Cuba than his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama looks set to have a more lasting impact than Irma.
The number of US visitors had surged since the Obama administration created greater exemptions to a ban on tourism to the Caribbean’s largest island and restored regular commercial flights and cruises.
Arrivals reached a record 619,523 last year, up from 91,254 in 2014.
But the Trump administration in September issued a warning on travel there due to a spate of alleged health attacks on US diplomats in Havana. In November, tighter travel regulations also went into effect.
The double whammy seriously depressed US visits, American tour operators and a cruise line said at Monday’s event, although in reality the restrictions remain looser than before the detente and travel easier.
Cuba is also still one of the safest destinations worldwide, they said.
“While the regulations he changed very little the perception in the US was that you no longer could travel to Cuba legally,” said insightCuba’s Tom Popper, noting his agency’s reservations were down 50 percent this year.
“Part of hosting this event was to communicate that it is 100 percent legal to travel to Cuba.”
Cuba tourism slides in wake of Hurricane Irma
Cuba tourism slides in wake of Hurricane Irma
Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo explore Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia
DUBAI: Football star Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Argentinian model Georgina Rodriguez, are on a mission to explore Saudi Arabia — their most recent excursion was a visit to the Kingdom’s coastline, which the model shared on social media.
“Love in paradise. We keep discovering Saudi Arabia,” Rodriguez posted from a Red Sea resort, while tagging @VisitSaudi, the official tourism account of Saudi Arabia. The photographs include shots of the couple and their children enjoying a day at the beach before posing for a photograph on an overwater deck.
The Al-Nassr footballer often uses his downtime to explore the country and was spotted in AlUla in December.
“Amazed by the extraordinary human and natural heritage of AlUla here in Saudi Arabia,” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
The couple enjoyed a romantic dinner and visited AlUla’s Maraya, a multi-purpose venue that holds the Guinness World Record as the largest mirrored building with 9,740 glass panels. It is located 12 km from Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, Hegra.
Rodriguez has also been enjoying Saudi Arabia’s social scene without her famous partner —earlier in March she was seen at an event hosted by Saudi perfume label Laverne in Riyadh.
The Netflix star, who has her own reality show titled “I Am Georgina,” took control of the brand’s Snapchat account, offering followers an exclusive glimpse into her experience at the event.
In March 2023, Rodriguez collaborated with the brand on a campaign — and she answers candid questions about her time in the Kingdom in the new clip.
“I feel very safe in this country and really appreciate its family values,” she said in the stylish video posted on social media at the time.
Thai tourist hotspot Chiang Mai tops world’s most polluted cities
- High levels of pollution frequently hit Chiang Mai during the early months of the year when farmers often burn crops to clear land
- Located in the north, Thailand's second largest city has a population of 1.2 million people as of 2022
CHIANG MAI, Thailand: Thai tourist hotspot Chiang Mai was blanketed by hazy smog Friday, as residents and visitors to the usually picturesque northern city were left wheezing in the toxic air.
The country's second largest city topped air monitoring website IQAir’s table of the world’s most polluted cities early Friday.
Levels of PM2.5 pollutants — cancer-causing microparticles small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs — were classified as “very unhealthy” and hit more than 35 times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline.
“It’s very high. All I have is this mask which is the same one I used for Covid,” orange seller Kamol, 62, told AFP at the city’s Warorot Market.
Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was recently freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power following 15 years in self-exile, visited the market on Friday, donning a face mask while he posed for photos with well-wishers.
High levels of pollution frequently hit Thaksin’s hometown of Chiang Mai during the early months of the year when farmers often burn crops to clear land, and forest fires and exhaust fumes also add to the problem.
Rising awareness of the health implications has prompted some action from the government, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s cabinet approving a Clean Air Act to tackle the issue in January.
The premier is also due to visit later Friday and is expected to meet with organizations tackling forest fires on Saturday.
But Chiang Mai residents — like orange seller Kamol, who sighed and shook his head when asked — said they had received no help.
“I need to get my health checked every year, especially for respiratory diseases,” he said.
A government agency warned this month that more official action was needed, saying at least 10 million people required treatment for pollution-related health problems last year.
“The pollution is always high, especially this time of year,” said 50-year-old Sariya while shopping for groceries in Chiang Mai.
“There is nothing we can do about it since it’s always high.”
Sariya, who gave only one name, also said the city’s location — nestled between hills, trapping the toxic smog — made the situation worse.
But he was “more worried” about people living there with underlying health issues, adding: “We need to help ourselves.”
Last year, sky-rocketing levels of pollution saw international tourists discouraged from visiting, with vendors despairing for business, as the Thai Hotel Association Northern Chapter also warned domestic visitors were canceling bookings.
But in Chiang Mai on Friday, the streets were filled with ambling tourists who seemed unperturbed by the smog.
“I’m not afraid of the pollution,” said 32-year-old Chinese tourist Andy, visiting from Chengdu, who said his country also suffered from poor air pollution.
“I just enjoy the city because it’s very nice.”
French programmer Guillaume Tieufri, 44, said the pollution had not spoilt his four-day trip.
“You just have to go on and live your day.”
Work begins on Al-Urubah Park in Riyadh
- More than 600,000 trees and shrubs will be planted, covering 65 percent of the park’s area
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced on Sunday that construction work had started on Al-Urubah Park, which will span 754,000 square meters.
The park’s location, at the intersection of Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Road and Al-Urubah Road, will enable easy access from all parts of the city.
Al-Urubah Park will attempt to enhance quality of life by providing recreational spaces for residents and visitors, contributing to making Riyadh one of the most sustainable cities in the world.
This initiative is part of the Green Riyadh Project, one of the world’s most ambitious urban afforestation schemes, which aims to plant 7.5 million trees and increase vegetation cover to 9 percent of the city’s area.
The park will feature a 3 km panoramic path and a viewpoint showcasing the city’s landmarks. More than 600,000 trees and shrubs will be planted, covering 65 percent of the park’s area. Sports facilities throughout the park will cater to different age groups.
The design also incorporates modern technologies to showcase natural elements, offering visitors an interactive experience through augmented reality.
The unique garden design to international specifications was selected from among several ideas submitted by six contestants. The winning design concept achieves sustainability and conforms to environmental standards.
The Green Riyadh Project focuses on planting in residential neighborhoods, gardens, mosques, schools, government and public buildings, and parking spaces. In addition, a water network covering some 1,350 km is being created.
Discovering the dual history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: From tragedy to cultural gems
- The two cities were almost wiped out in 1945. They remain sobering but rewarding destinations for visitors
TOKYO: Hiroshima and Nagasaki will forever be infamous as the first cities to be targeted by atomic weapons. Nearly 80 years since the world entered the nuclear age, however, both are keen to promote the more positive parts of their histories and some of their unique attractions.
There is no getting around the fact, however, that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are on travelers’ maps today largely because they were nearly wiped off them completely in 1945.
Hiroshima — less than five hours south-west of Tokyo by bullet train — is spread across the delta of the Ota River. A distinctive T-shaped bridge on the northern tip of one of the delta’s long, slender islands was the target of “Little Boy,” the bomb dropped by the Enola Gay B-29 Superfortress at 8.15 am on August 6, 1945.
It detonated almost directly above the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall, a steel-and-concrete structure that, while almost everything within the blast radius of several kilometers was destroyed, withstood the explosion. Its skeletal remains are today known as the A-Bomb Dome.
Just across one branch of the river is the Peace Memorial Park, home to the sobering Peace Memorial Museum where survivors’ tales are interspersed with artifacts such as melted glass or thick steel that was folded by the force of the blast. An eternal flame burns in a cenotaph in the gardens where commemorations are held every August.
Nearby is the famous Children’s Peace Monument, which depicts a girl with her arms outstretched and an origami paper crane above her. The model for the statue was Sadako Sasaki, who survived the bomb but was diagnosed with leukemia in 1954. In hospital, before her death in 1955, she folded more than 1,000 paper cranes which, according to Japanese lore, would grant her a wish.
Hiroshima Castle, once the base of local warlord Terumoto Mori, is well worth visiting, even if it is a reconstruction, the original having been destroyed by the bomb. Its spacious grounds are the best place in the city to enjoy the cherry blossoms during the brief spring “hanami” season.
A short boat journey away is the island of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with shrines and pagodas dating back centuries. It is most famous for the bright orange “torii” gate that stands in front of Itsukushima Shrine and appears to float above the water at high tide.
Around 400 kilometers to the west of Hiroshima, on the island of Kyushu, is Nagasaki, which — under the national-isolation policy of the Tokugawa shogunate — was once the only port in Japan where Portuguese and Dutch traders were permitted to come ashore and trade. This enabled Christian missionaries to gain a foothold in the mid-1500s, which led to hundreds of Japanese converts being executed.
As trade grew, so did Nagasaki’s importance. When Japan emerged from a second bout of isolation in the mid-1850s, Western concepts, engineering and technology flowed through the city and it became Japan’s center of shipbuilding, thanks in part to Scottish merchant Thomas Glover, who arrived in 1859, and swiftly became involved in the construction of ships and railways, and the import of, among other commodities, guns.
Glover’s luxurious former home sits on a bluff overlooking the harbor and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries dockyards that are direct descendants of his ventures. A number of other historic buildings from the city’s foreign community have been preserved, giving a glimpse into the luxury in which expats lived at the time.
Nagasaki also has a thriving Chinatown district, which gets particularly raucous during New Year festivities, while Dejima has undergone extensive archeological investigation and reconstruction to return it to the fan-shaped isle that was built on the orders of the shogun in 1636, linked to the mainland by a footbridge to limit the early foreign traders’ interactions with locals.
A cable car can take you the 333 meters to the top of Mount Inasa, on the west side of the inlet, where the view is particularly spectacular at night. Further along the inlet, after it has become the Urakami River, is the spot that will forever connect Nagasaki to Hiroshima. Here stands a towering 10-meter statue of a man with his left hand extended in a gesture of peace while his other hand points to the skies.
The plutonium bomb, “Fat Man,” detonated 500 meters above this spot just after 11 a.m. on the morning of August 9, 1945. The man’s eyes are closed. The sculptor wanted him to appear to be in prayer for the dead.
Jeddah Al-Balad’s new heritage hotels offer glimpse into bygone era
- Launched by the Historic District Program, the restored houses fuse region’s rich history with contemporary comforts
JEDDAH: Nestled in the heart of Jeddah’s historic district are heritage hotels launched by the Jeddah Historic District Program under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and in partnership with Al-Balad Development Co.
These hotels, including Beit Jokhdar, Beit Al-Rayess and Beit Kedwan, have been meticulously restored while preserving their architectural features to provide guests with an authentic glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The restoration and rehabilitation of these heritage hotels was carried out in alignment with the highest international standards and the guidelines set out by UNESCO, which designated Jeddah Historic District as a World Heritage Site in 2014.
Tariq Omar Al-Saggaf, the project manager, told Arab News about the extensive work involved in reviving about 600 heritage buildings in the area. “These buildings are not only being restored but also repurposed for various functions ranging from hotels to residential, administrative, commercial and cultural purposes,” he said.
Through a harmonious blend of historical restoration and modern hospitality, these hotels offer guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and architecture of one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic districts.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The recent agreement between the Jeddah Historic District Program and Al-Balad Development Co. signals a new chapter in the operation of the heritage hotels. • Beit Jokhdar has one of the largest wooden facades in Al-Balad and distinctive elements such as stained glass. • Beit Kedwan, facing Beit Nassif, stands out for its wooden rawasheen and mashrabiyyas.
During an exclusive tour at Beit Jokhdar, Milica Markovic, the general manager of Al-Balad Historic Hotels, told Arab News that the restoration process aimed to maintain the original charm of the buildings: “80 percent of the building has been restored to how it originally was. This building has the biggest roshan window in Jeddah. It has nine rooms and suites and it’s the biggest out of the three that we have.”
She added: “So, that’s why the architecture is actually very unique. It is very important for us to reflect for the guests, although these are hotels (they have) a very homey, elegant vibe.”
The attention to detail in preserving elements such as the roshan window, wooden ornaments and oil lamp hooks gives guests an insight into the heritage of the region. Local craftsmanship and artistry are also integral to the interior design and ambiance of the hotels, reflecting the cultural richness of Saudi Arabia.
“The ceilings are also original with wood ornament carving that is handmade. We even preserved the old hooks, where they used to put the oil lamps to lighten up the room. Most of the art and furniture you see … most of it has been done locally, so we really try to showcase fully not just the interior design and architecture of Saudi Arabia but also ... the work of the artists,” Markovic said.
Each of the three heritage hotels showcases a different architectural design that highlights the historical and aesthetic value of the buildings.
Beit Jokhdar, for instance, has one of the largest wooden facades in Al-Balad and features distinctive elements such as plaster decorations, arches, stained glass and ornate wooden interiors.
Beit Kedwan, facing Beit Nassif, stands out for its wooden rawasheen and mashrabiyyas, while Beit Al-Rayess is celebrated for its location and architectural features both internally and externally.
Markovic said: “The whole renovation process, I believe, took a little bit more than two years. But to set it up at the hotel and the hotel operation … it’s been only actually three months so we’ve been hardcore working to set everything up for the year.
“The most beautiful thing about these hotels is we don’t have to come up with a fancy marketing strategy or anything, we can just embrace them and share this beautiful history story,” Markovic said.
“Prices go usually from SR5,000 ($1,333) and more per night, but depending on the seasonality event in Jeddah, it can go a certain percentage lower or higher depending on the occupancy.”
Hospitality and dining in all hotels is inspired by an authentic Saudi flavor, “We have hired fantastic young chefs that are basically developing dishes that are inspired by Saudi cuisine, but with a bit of a more modern fine dining and elegant twist,” Markovic said.
The recent agreement between the Jeddah Historic District Program and Al-Balad Development Co. signals a new chapter in the operation of the heritage hotels.
With 34 heritage houses set to be managed under this partnership, Al-Balad Hospitality aims to offer authentic hospitality experiences that celebrate the culture of the region.
The commitment to preserving the history and providing enriching experiences positions Jeddah Historic District as a sought-after destination for visitors worldwide.
The opening of the first three heritage hotels in Jeddah Historic District marks a significant milestone in efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage.