Wave Hello to Travellers’ Favourite Beaches for 2022: Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards

Turquoise Bay - Exmouth, Australia

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, announced the second of its annual Travellers’ Choice® Awards for 2022, the Best of the Best Beaches. 

Following the company announcing the hottest Destinations for 2022 in January, Tripadvisor is now revealing the Beaches around the world that travellers say are making a splash. 

Just as Summer comes to an end in Australia, Tripadvisor is sharing a dose of sunshine with its highly-anticipated annual ranking so that our community of travel lovers can guide you to your dream 2022 getaway.

For many sun seekers, visiting the beach is the reason they go on vacation. Sitting by the ocean with your feet in the sand is the hallmark of relaxation for many of us - especially over the past few years. Now, a recent Tripadvisor sponsored survey revealed that thirty-three percent of Australian travellers will take a beach trip in 2022. If you’re one of the many looking for a relaxing getaway, browse these award-winning beaches along with guidance from fellow travellers on the best ways to experience them to make your pick.

“We know a perfect day at the beach looks different from one person to the next. Some love classic soft white sand and sunbathing, while others love exploring rocky coves. This list has something for everyone, because it was determined by the millions of different travellers all over the world reviewing their favourite beaches on Tripadvisor throughout 2021. Although last year was still far from ‘normal,’ these are the beaches travellers visited and loved more than any others,” said Christine Maguire, VP, Global Media Business at Tripadvisor. “Whether you’re looking for a trip where you can continue to social distance outdoors, or are comfortable heading to spring break, beaches are the perfect place to be in 2022, and the Travellers’ Choice Awards can guide you to the best ones for you.”

The number one beach on the planet determined by travellers this year is Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos. With over 7,200 reviews to-date (90% of which are 5-bubble), this quintessential Caribbean paradise has travellers raving about its white sand and crystal clear water. If you’re looking to really explore the island, up-level your Grace Bay trip by booking one of travellers’ favourite experiences, 4 Hour Group Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Tour or Parasailing Adventure from Providenciales.

In the South Pacific, travellers have crowned a brand new winner for 2022: Turquoise Bay in Exmouth, Australia. The award-winning beach is also ranked as the third best beach in the world! Also making it to the World list is Cable Beach in Broome, Australia that came in at number 11.

Top 10 Beaches in the South Pacific for 2022 

1. Turquoise Bay - Exmouth, Australia
Traveller tip: “What a tranquil beach, you know why it’s the best in WA, even on a windy day it was still so clear and stunning… Heaps of fish and it’s an easy snorkel, just follow the signs and go to the dedicated swimming areas for safety. It’s an easy drive-in and toilets are here also.” - @joniquelife 

2. Cable Beach - Broome, Australia

Cable Beach - Broome, Australia

Traveller tip: “If you’re coming to Broome you’ll have to visit here, it’s a must see spot. Whether just for the sunset, swim, walking a long the beach or a camel ride there is so much to do here. Either spend the day or just 30mins you’ll enjoy it. Even the nearby parks and bars offer great views.” - @Granules2013 

3. Kaiteriteri Beach - Kaiteriteri, New Zealand
Traveller tip: “Everytime we travel up to Nelson we always spend a few days at this beach…. Big Kaiteriteri has a sheltered cove area, great for sunbathing and shallow waters for the kids to explore but watch out for strong rips. It's a good spot when it gets windy. Little Kaiteriteri is a lot more private and quiet. It has a side step access to go up to the clifftop to get a great view of the beach. Blue penguins can be seen on this side of the beach. Lots of rock pools to explore and possible surf fishing on the south end of this beach.” - @Breeze_NZ 

4. Greens Pool - Denmark, Australia
Traveller tip: “We have travelled the world and have never seen something so amazing…This is so safe and has an amazing array of fish. Snorkelling is a must! Get there early as parking is a challenge but recent upgrades have helped. Words cannot describe this paradise. Do not skip this place. It’s mind blowing.” - @W9903VNandrewm 

5. Matira Beach - Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Traveller tip: “Great public beach that is clean and has lots of fish to go snorkelling as well. It is not deep, so great for kids. We went in March and the water was not cold, the water was calm and it was not a lot of people. Very relaxing.” - @cyb72800 

6. Emily Bay - Norfolk Island, Australia
Traveller tip: “Nice beach for swimming. No waves. Good for snorkelling and families. Change room & toilets there. Plenty of parking. Launching place for glass bottom boats. Be wary not to swim there when stormwater run off is happening.” - @563giselaf 

7. Mooloolaba Beach - Mooloolaba, Australia
Traveller tip: “Huge beach, lots of space. Water is very clear & warm. Very clean. Well patrolled. Lots of cafes & restaurants close by. Good shower / bathroom facilities. Nice paved walkway with some shading - pleasant place to walk.” - @MissSWact 

8. Cape Le Grand National Park - Esperance, Australia
Traveller tip: “Stunning scenery and not too far from Esperance - a good day trip. Lucky Bay was beautiful and had a little coffee van with toasties! Turquoise ocean on a sunny day and a wallaby. Wharton Bay is also delightful. Gorgeous day out from Esperance.” - @JAHAustralia 

9. Whitehaven Beach - Whitsunday Island, Australia
Traveller tip: “Sand like powder & crystal clear water! Must do the walk to see the swirling sands and check out the huge lizards!” - @mellaw4221 

10. Tahunanui Beach - Nelson, New Zealand
Traveller tip: “You can take your dog to the back beach (west side) which has a lagoon at low tide. Poo bags are available to use too! Water was super warm. You can kayak, paddle board etc from the east end of the beach” - @NickiJ125

Varadero Beach - Varadero, Cuba 

Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2022 

1. Grace Bay Beach - Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos 

2. Varadero Beach - Varadero, Cuba 

3. Turquoise Bay - Exmouth, Australia 

4. Quarta Praia - Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil 

5. Eagle Beach - Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba 

6. Radhanagar Beach - Havelock Island, India 

7. Baía do Sancho - Fernando de Noronha, Brazil 

8. Trunk Bay Beach - Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands 

9. Baía dos Golfinhos - Praia da Pipa, Brazil 

10. Spiaggia dei Conigli - Lampedusa, Italy

See all the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Beach winners for 2022 here: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches.

5 Travel destinations and their internet restrictions

One of the benefits brought about by the advent of the Internet age is that people no longer have to stay in one place to stay abreast or updated with what’s happening in that specific place or in other locations. For instance, you can travel to your dream tourist destination, but still stay updated with what’s happening in your neighbourhood by actively searching for news articles or videos on the Internet. You can even access live satellite feed.

A lot of people think you can access anything anywhere in the world. But, there are travel destinations on earth where there are restrictions on Internet access. The good thing is that there are also innovations to bypass these restrictions. One work around to get past these Internet restrictions is by getting your own Virtual Private Network (VPN) such as VPN AU and other similar VPN arrangements.
Ways of Censoring The Internet

The Internet is censored in various ways. One of the most extreme examples is North Korea where almost the entire population has been cut off from the Internet. Only a very select segment of the population is allowed to access the Internet through a tightly controlled intranet.

Even in countries where majority of the population is given access to the Internet, governments can still find ways to censor or restrict access. Some of the most common restriction techniques are site blocking and content filtering. This is done by restricting access to entire websites. You’ve probably experienced this at times when you received a “404 error” or other similar connectivity access errors while surfing the net.

Technical Restrictions to Block or Filter Content

Censorship rules and regulations are often dictated by government policy. But, the only way to implement them is by requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs), apps, and websites to enforce the restrictions. The following are the different techniques used to block and filter websites:

• DNS filtering – This is a way of blocking Internet access by hijacking the DNS. The search will return the wrong IP address, or the domain will not be resolved.
• Packet filtering – Another technique employed by authorities to block access is by monitoring specific keywords included in a watch list. When the monitored words are detected, the TCP packet transfers are cut off.
• IP address blocking – This technique of blocking access is done by blacklisting certain IP addresses which are covered by the censorship. This has the inadvertent effect of including other websites or webpages hosted on the same server or located on the same IP address even though they have no inappropriate content.
• URL filtering – This technique blocks access based when sensitive terms are detected in their URLs
• Removing pages from search engine results – This technique blocks access by excluding specific websites from the results.
• Resetting the network connection – This method of blocking access prevents the user from reaching the site. It also stops the user from accessing other websites.
• Disconnecting the network – This method prevents the user from connecting to the Internet by blocking access to routers. This can be done by cutting off the connectivity of the hardware, or through the use of various software applications.

Countries with Censored Internet

There are several countries in the world with Internet censorships considered more stringent than those of western countries. When you travel to these destinations, the first time you turn on your computer and try to surf the Internet, you should expect some surprises. Here are some travel destinations with Internet restrictions:

1. Saudi Arabia
There are really nice tourist spots in Saudi Arabia. For one, the ruins of Al Ula are some of the best travel destinations in the Middle East. It features the remains of several ancient kingdoms, and you can even see the pillars of what used to be a monument to their civilization. Mada’in Saleh, which is the most famous of the ruins, contains 2,000-year-old Nabatean tombs.

But, Saudi Arabia is also one of the travel destinations with quite a high level of Internet censorship. All the international Internet traffic in Saudi Arabia, whether inbound or outbound, goes through the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, where there’s a content filter that removes all the information which is deemed by the Saudi government as inappropriate.

Some of the topics and sites restricted by the content filter are those which discuss Shia Islam, substance or drug abuse, human rights, pornography, gambling, how to circumvent or go around the filter, criticism of the Kingdom or the Royal Family, and many others.

In Saudi Arabia, progressive activists are closely monitored. Some of them have been detained for their posts on social media. There was a time when an online encyclopedia was banned during the height of a secret documents leaks incident. Access to other social media sites was likewise prohibited.

2. China
Another travel destination with Internet restrictions is China. This country is a paradox. It has the most widespread access to the Internet. A huge portion of the population has access to high-speed Internet, and a good number have basic access. But, China also has one of the most extensive coverage of Internet censorship and restriction. In fact, many foreign websites are blocked in China.

China has some of the most awesome travel destinations in the world such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Terracotta warriors in Xi’an, to name a few. There are even lesser known yet equally great destinations such as the Hongcun Ancient Village in Anhui and the Fortress Towers in Kaiping. But, be prepared to have restricted Internet if you travel to these places.

With an emergent technology sector comparable to Silicon Valley in the U.S., China has permitted the creation of companies, which provide popular sites and applications. Most of the well-known social media apps have their own counterparts in China. These are very tightly-controlled platforms there. Each of these platforms is required to enforce a restriction system, which is far more advanced and stringent than its western counterparts.

Researchers have found out that some of last year’s most censored subjects in China include the China-US trade war, US sanctions against a China technology company, and the ongoing case of an executive of a China mobile phone company. These are in addition to the usual topics which are categorized as taboo like the Tiananmen Square, pornography, the Dalai Lama, freedom of speech, and many more.

Aside from these banned topics, China is also implementing site blocking and content filtering. This is aimed at preventing those inside China from trying to access information through other channels. China also extensively monitors the Internet access of most of their citizens.

3. Vietnam
Vietnam has been included in international lists of where to go travel destinations. Among the most popular travel destinations in Vietnam are the resorts in the abandoned villages of the Dong Trieu mountains as well as the very scenic Ha Long Bay.

In Vietnam, the government wields a tight control over the flow of information. Unlike China, though, the censorship and surveillance systems of Vietnam are not yet that sophisticated. But, the punishments meted out by the Vietnamese authorities are quite heavy. They’re very effective in containing dissent and critical opinions.

Both individuals and organisations alike can be held liable for any content that they create, publish, store, share, or disseminate. If the content is deemed to be detrimental to the nation’s security, economy, or social order, the person who is deemed to have committed a violation could face severe repercussions. Even if the post only threatens its DNS servers, the consequences could be very serious.

Censorship in Vietnam is mostly performed at the ISP level. The authorities usually inform the ISP when they see content which they deem as inappropriate, and they tell the ISP to remove it and put it on a blacklist. When you try to visit a blocked page, you’ll either see an error message or a notice that the page has been blocked.

The government blocks content in two separate ways and covers quite a broad range of online content. Access can be restricted or denied if the content is deemed by the Ministry of Public Security to be politically controversial. Content such as websites of banned political parties, human rights organisations, and blogs that are critical of the government are classified as politically controversial and may be banned.

As early as 2010, Vietnam passed a law, which requires WiFi providers like Internet cafes, hotels, and other businesses, to track their users and log their identities using monitoring software.

Another law was passed in 2018 and went into force sometime in 2019. The new law contains regulations, which further restrict online expressions, especially statements, articles, or blogs which are deemed antithetical to the state.

This same law gives the government the right to force social media organisations to store their Vietnamese data within the country. They can also oblige social media platforms to remove within one day, content which is considered offending. The social media platforms can also be compelled to turn in the data about the person responsible for the offending post.

4. Cuba
Until recently, the large majority of the population of Cuba had very limited access to the Internet. A significant change came in 2015 when the government rolled out public WiFi hotspots in quite a number of places.

This was followed by the introduction of 3G (3rd generation internet technology) in 2018. Cubans could now access the Internet through their data plans. But, the Internet is still a bit too costly in relation to the average salary of Cubans.

Aside from the technological limits, there are also stringent restrictions in place. Publishers and bloggers that cover human rights abuses or those who criticise the system are covered by a strict censorship system. The censorship mainly targets local organisations.

5. Iran
Another Middle Eastern travel destination with a very rich history and culture is Iran, but the government there also exercises tight control over Internet access. Social media platforms that are popular in western countries are also banned from time to time. Similarly, sites featuring gambling and pornography are forbidden.

When you try to access these kinds of content over the regular Internet, and you get detected by the monitoring system, you’ll receive a warning the first time you get caught. But, subsequent offenses may result in prosecution.

The Iranian authorities currently impose a heavy restriction on access to many foreign media channels. The restriction includes web sites and blogs that express criticism of the government. Similarly, web sites that are deemed anti-Islamic or taboo within the culture are also forbidden. Citizens are heavily monitored, especially during times of mass protests or civil unrest.

Travelling and Surfing

Being able to travel freely to any part of the world and at the same time being able to freely surf the Internet there can perhaps be the best combination of experiences for anyone looking for a great adventure. But, there are places on earth which have very stringent Internet restrictions or intrusive censorship systems, though, they have some of the most interesting and culturally rich travel destinations.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

And the top beach in the world is…

1) Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil“As you walk through a small trail, you can't imagine what awaits you. The heavenly view seems like a mirage.”
4 Hotels
162 B&B and Inns
1 Holiday RentalsMORE

2) Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos“Shimmering white sand and warm enveloping waters. The colour of the water makes your heart leap.”
Shop for a place to stay
42 Hotels
12 B&B and Inns
472 Holiday RentalsMORE

3) Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba
“The sand is like flour. The ocean is so calm. All you need is a beach chair and a Piña Colada.”
Shop for a place to stay
7 Hotels
2 B&B and InnsMORE

4) Spiaggia dei ConigliLampedusa, Islands of Sicily
“The sand is golden, the water is crystal clear and there are plenty of fish, so definitely bring a snorkel.”
Shop for a place to stay
41 Hotels
39 B&B and Inns
43 Holiday RentalsMORE

5) Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Arraial do Cabo, Brazil“Beautfil Beach”
21 Hotels
94 B&B and Inns
115 Holiday RentalsMORE

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Beaches

TripAdvisor Announces Top 10 Beaches in the World

Baia do Sancho

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Beautiful beaches and stunning reefs await…

1) Baia do Sancho

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
“As you walk through a small trail, you can't imagine what awaits you. The heavenly view seems like a mirage.”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
4 Hotels
148 B&B and Inns
1 Holiday Rentals

2) Varadero Beach
Varadero, Cuba
“Beautiful paradise, friendly people”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
80 Hotels
91 B&B and Inns

MORE

Eagle Beach

Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba

3) Eagle Beach
Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba
“Aruba's most beautiful beach. Private, quiet, serene, amazing!”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
25 Hotels
5 B&B and Inns
206 Holiday Rentals

MORE

4) La Concha Beach
San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain
“Park, shop, and to the beach”
Best time to go: June - September
Shop for a place to stay
56 Hotels
87 B&B and Inns
391 Holiday Rentals

MORE

5) Grace Bay Beach
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
“Shimmering white sand and warm enveloping waters. The colour of the water makes your heart leap.”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
42 Hotels
11 B&B and Inns
328 Holiday Rentals

MORE

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater, Florida

6) Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, Florida
“The sugar fine white sand is a trademark of this fabulous beach. Perfect for a day in the sun. You might even spot a dolphin or two playing on the horizon.”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
95 Hotels
9 B&B and Inns
422 Holiday Rentals

MORE

7) Spiaggia dei Conigli
Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
“Lampedusa beaches ”
Best time to go: May - September
Shop for a place to stay
41 Hotels
36 B&B and Inns
32 Holiday Rentals

MORE

8) Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
“Want a beach vacation? Try this one.”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
12 Hotels
118 Holiday Rentals

MORE

9) Playa Norte
Isla Mujeres
“Calm turquoise waters, pure white powdery sand. Water so blue, it makes the sky look pale.”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
46 Hotels
50 B&B and Inns
149 Holiday Rentals

MORE

Seven Mile Beach

Negril, Jamaica

10) Seven Mile Beach

Negril, Jamaica
“Negril beach”
Best time to go: Year-round
Shop for a place to stay
80 Hotels
57 B&B and Inns
133 Holiday Rentals

MORE

TripAdvisor

Web: www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Beaches-a_Mode.expanded

Go Far on Wheels!

Nothing beats getting around on a set of wheels, whether it is somewhere under pedal power, gliding under electric, or in prestige chariots of (Italian rosso) fire. We have plenty of cool ideas to get around, get the wind in your hair and get experiences ticked off the must-see list.

There is the extraordinary bicycle tour at night through the streets and the historical buildings of the Old City of Istanbul – stopping at instaspots and taking in a taste of Turkey. Or there is heading off for a gourmet picnic – vineyard style on a bicycle ride through the fabled Cape winelands of South Africa.

Vineyards and lunch on wheels can also be experienced in Barcelona on a Segway, as can a great sightseeing tour of Kiev. And electric can also make you go further (and easier) by e-scooter. Paris offers a sightseeing tour with these eco-friendly transports, off on an exciting journey through stunning and varied places of the French capital, finishing in Marais. Riga’s e-scooters are more of a beast – with extra-wide wheels they feel more like surfing than riding on these machines that ride like Harley Davidsons. And think the hills of Lisbon are too much for your legs to power round? Let the e-scooter do the work and you take in the style and the stops of the Lisbon life…

For pure glamour wheels, head to Turin and gaze at the remarkable collection of iconic cars at the National Automobile Museum, before jumping into one of the latest Ferrari models and taking a unique luxury experience behind the wheel of one of the world’s most famous (and desired) cars.

Take a trip along the Malecon, and through Metropolitan and Modern districts of Havana, past countless Instagram opportunities - that includes iconic old American cars you travel in for starters!

And if it’s revving historical engines with a difference that appeals then head to Budapest and take the wheel of the very different but as legendary Trabant, where you can get down and dirty in a Trabant Rally.

However many wheels, two or four, powered or pedalled, there are plenty of experiences in our #euromictags series to take you further.

• BICYCLE TOUR AT NIGHT: EXTRAORDINARY EXCURSION -Istanbul
• ON YOUR BIKE! VINEYEARD STYLE – Cape Town
• VINEYARDS ON A SEGWAY - Barcelona
• INTRODUCING PARIS BY E-SCOOTER - Paris
• GET THE ELECTRIFIED CITY EXPERIENCE -Riga
• THEY SEE ME ROLLIN’… - Lisbon
• THE CAR HOME – FERRARI SELF DRIVE - Turin
• BRING ME MY CADILLAC - Cuba
• LET’S GET DIRTY WITH THE TRABANT RALLY - Budapest

DOWNLOAD #EUROMICTAGS ITINERARIES

CONTACT euromic
Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
12 Rue du Helder, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Life On The Water

Taking to the water, whether rivers, lakes or seas, is a great part of any incentive trip. Small craft or big boats, there a lot of ideas on how to connect with water.

There’s the Stand Up Paddle City Tour on the banks off Zurich offering the perfect combination of an outdoor activity, a guided tour of the city and the perfect way to cool down and be cool.

See the city of Copenhagen from the nerves of the city. Take a kayak out on the canal system. Paddle by old warehouses, under bridges and past monumental buildings all the way to the beach at the commune Christiana.

Or see a city by kayak by night instead. Take an adventure tour of Riga by the Riga City Canal, leading you under bridges, through parks and past fountains, all under the cover of darkness.

And to get the adrenaline pumping there is white water rafting all year round in Malaysia, or you could take a kayak on the violent, clear and wild Tara River in Montenegro. Both let you ride and admire the passes and rapids, abysses and steep banks that make this gorge rafting irresistible to thrill-seeking parties.

Continue the water fun and thrills in Montenegro with bigger boats. Get to grips with your own catamaran and race against your colleagues on the Bay of Tivat. Regatta time! There’s a whole day’s learning the ropes and the fine art of sailing in Malta to get up to speed and to get regatta racing too.

Some prefer a gentler pace. There a cruise on the River Medley in Thailand, with stop at markets and temples as you pass the inhabitants of Bangkok going about their daily life. Or just relax at the max, on catamaran cruises in Cuba, Costa Rica and Malaysia – life’s a beach, and you can see plenty of them...

If it is water activities that appeal, then we have plenty of ideas in our #euromictags series.

• STAND UP PADDLE (SUP) CITY TOUR - Zurich
• COPENHAGEN FROM A SEA KAYAK - Copenhagen
• WATERSIGHTSEEING ADVENTURE RIGHT IN THE CITY CENTER - Riga
• WHITE WATER RAFTING – ISLAND HOPPING – SUNSET CRUISE - Malaysia
• GORGEOUS GORGE – RACE AWAY - Montenegro
• LET’S SAIL AWAY – LEARN THE ROPES – AND THEY’RE OFF – Malta
• COOL CAT - Cuba
• CATAMARAN TO NOWHERE - Malaysia

DOWNLOAD #EUROMICTAGS ITINERARIES

CONTACT euromic
Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
12 Rue du Helder, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Tucan Travel combine Cuba with their mainland Central America tours

Latin America specialists, Tucan Travel, have launched two group tours combining the highlights of Cuba with two of their tours that visit Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

The adventure travel tour operator have always been known for their modular tours, where customers have been able to combine itineraries together to create their perfect adventure holiday. This is the first time customers are able to combine Cuba with other Central American countries on one itinerary.

Latin America Destination Manager Rolf Stanley was quoted “We are delighted to be able to give travellers more options in Central America. Cuba is a fascinating country and high on many people's travel bucket-lists and it's great to have the option to travel to neighbouring countries on one itinerary.”

The two new tours can be found below:
Mexico & Cuba Adventure / 17 days / Mexico City to Havana / From AU$2,932 plus local payment of USD130.

Combine the highlights of two of the most vibrant countries in Central America. Explore the ancient sites of Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza and taste your way around Oaxaca. Moving onto Cuba, immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of the island. From rural tobacco farms to pristine beaches, see why people fall in love with this stunning country.

Included: Teotihuacan entrance and guided tour, Monte Alban entrance and guided tour, Chichen Itza entrance and guided tour, Havana arrival transfer, visit Bay of Pigs, Playa Giron museum, Cienfuegos walking tour, 1x drink at the Palacio de Valle, Santa Clara walking tour, Che Guevara memorial and museum, Trinidad walking tour, mojito making class, salsa lesson, Vinales walking tour, visit to tobacco farm and plantation, lunch at an organic farm, Havana classic car tour, rooftop dinner in Havana, Havana rum museum visit, Partagas cigar factory visit.

Cuba & Central America / 15 days / Havana to Antigua City / From AU$2,827 plus local payment of USD140.

Start your holiday on the lively island of Cuba where you will visit tobacco farms, take salsa lessons and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of colourful Havana. Spend time on the island of Caye Caulker in Belize before exploring ancient Maya ruins in Tikal. Finishing your tour in Antigua, marvel at the volcanoes that surround the city.

Included: Havana arrival transfer, visit Bay of Pigs, Playa Giron museum, Cienfuegos walking tour, 1x drink at the Palacio de Valle, Santa Clara walking tour, Che Guevara memorial and museum, Trinidad walking tour, mojito making class, salsa lesson, Vinales walking tour, visit to tobacco farm and plantation, lunch at an organic farm, Havana classic car tour, rooftop dinner in Havana, entrance and guided tour of Tikal ruins.

Website: www.tucantravel.com

The Face of a New Global Backpacker Generation

• 'Tried and tested routes' are declining in popularity for Gen Z
• The top three destinations for future Aussie Gen Z travellers are Greece, Norway and Portugal
• Women are going on more extended backpacking trips than men
• The majority of hostel travellers are now employed young adults taking planned vacations, rather than students
• Over four in five (81%) recent travellers who went on extended trips chose to stay in hostels

Australia, June 12th, 2019, 9am AEST – Hostelworld, the world's leading hostel-focused online booking platform, has unveiled its 'Evolution of the Hostel Traveller' Report today. The global report breaks backpacker stereotypes and unpacks traveller behaviours across three generations, Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y.

The report, which surveyed over 5,000[1] people from different generations – including Australia, the USA, UK, France, Germany, India and Brazil – has revealed a noticeable shift in the activity's backpackers do when travelling across the globe and in hostels. Partying has taken a back seat, and in its place is volunteering, venturing to off-the-beaten-track destinations and long-term planning. 

Furthermore, Gen Z'ers are looking to explore beyond the traditional routes with a 33% decline in trips planned to 'tried and tested' destinations when compared to Gen X or Baby Boomers. 

Busting the backpacker behaviour

According to the study, there has been an 85% increase in Aussies looking to engage in volunteering whilst travelling compared with 20 years ago. Supporting this, we know that whilst nightlife is still an important part of the backpacking experience, the report shows that it is dropping down the priority list. Future travellers expect once in a lifetime experiences (34%) and culture (49%) to be more memorable than nightlife (17%).

However, it doesn't mean they don't want to socialise at all. Future hostel travellers want to meet new people from all over the world, with almost a fifth (19%) ranking social space as the most important consideration when choosing where to stay – an area where hostels excel.

Booking habits have also seen a substantial shift. Aussie Gen Z'ers are booking their accommodation 3-6 months ahead, a huge increase of 231% from past travellers. Similarly, there has been an 83% decrease in on the day bookings.

The report also showcases that there is a 57% increase in Gen Z travellers planning shorter trips during their university breaks, rather than taking a full year off after school. This is a trend that's showing a particularly strong growth for Indian (208% increase), French (70% increase) and Australian students (35% increase).

In addition to social space and free activities, future travellers want unique accommodation, not just your standard hotel décor but something a bit different. In fact, hostel décor is becoming an increasingly important factor to where millennial travellers choose to book (44% increase).

Gary Morrison, CEO, at Hostelworld said, “Our Evolution of the Hostel Traveller report shows how much hostelling has changed in the 20 years that we've been operating as the world's leading hostel-focused online booking platform.

“This is only the beginning of what's to come. Today we're seeing a booming hostel industry, as global demand to explore the world and connect with new cultures continues to rise. Travellers are evolving, and so are the hostels where they're staying, which is why I am excited to see what the next 20 years will bring.”

Tried and tested routes are declining. Off the beaten track routes are the winners

Latin America is the biggest emerging backpacker route for Millennial and Gen Z travellers. Whilst Europe captured the hearts of past jetsetters, Central America has created a newfound appetite for adventure, with a 61% increase in travellers heading there today. For Gen Z, South America is top of their list, as one in five (20%) 16-21-year olds surveyed intend to visit South America in the next three years.

According to the report, the countries with the highest growth in desire to visit for Aussie Gen Z travellers (by % growth in comparison to Millennial travellers) are:

1. Greece (41%)
2. Norway (39%)
3. Portugal (31%)
4. Sweden (28%)
5. Denmark (18%) / Canada (18%)
6. Belgium (15%) / USA (15%)
7. Ireland (11%)
8. Spain (10%)

Asia continues to reign supreme for Millennial travellers, with Eastern Asian countries taking the two top spots for the most growth as a travel destination for those recent travellers. The top three countries increasing in popularity for Millennials globally (by % growth) are:

1. South Korea – 276% increase
2. Japan – 151% increase
3. Cuba – 135% increase

The rise of female solo travel

The secret is out…female wanderlusters are seeing and experiencing more of the world. The new report reveals three-quarters (75%) of women across the world have gone or plan to go backpacking, compared to only two-thirds (67%) of men.

Where solo travel was once seen as brave and risky for female travellers, a shift in attitude has meant that it is now adventurous and exciting. A trend that can be seen through Hostelworld's own booking data reflects this trend with bookings made by solo female travellers increasing by a huge 88% over the past four years.

Aussie females are also more likely to want to engage in volunteering with 66% of females planning to engage in volunteering whilst backpacking compared to just 33% of Aussie men.

The growth figures for the destination's women globally plan on travelling to are also much higher than men.

Top 5 future destinations for men:

1. Cuba (25%) increase
2. Colombia (20%) increase
3. Australia (17%) increase
4. Portugal (10%) increase
5. Brazil (10%) increase

Top 5 future destinations for women:

• Brazil (75%) increase
• Iceland (67%) increase
• Chile (67%) increase
• Fiji (67%) increase
• Norway (67%) increase

This growth in desire for adventure-prone destinations is being driven by Aussie women for Brazil, a 179% increase compared with past travellers.

The Tech Traveller

With technology becoming more and more accessible every day, it is no wonder that travellers are looking to tech solutions to make their backpacking experiences more seamless. Hostelworld have seen a 54% increase in bookings via the mobile app in just two years. According to the latest figures in 2018, 40% of Hostelworld's customers booking via the mobile app compared to just 26% in 2016.

The Hostelworld app isn't just designed to make booking hostels quick and easy on the go, the in-app features encourage backpackers to get social and easily connect with each other. The most recent update saw Hostel Chat added to its functions, designed to allow travellers to easily speak to other guests regardless of languages. Find the full 'Evolution of the Hostel Traveller' report here.

Cuba: Destination of MICE Tourism

Cuba, the largest island of the Antilles, is undoubtedly a privileged destination because of its nature and culture but beyond these values it has positioned itself as an attractive destination for MICE tourism.

The country has several Convention Centers throughout the island such as the Havana Convention Center, the Plaza América Convention Center in the well-known Varadero Beach, the Bolivar Convention Center in the City of Santa Clara, the Santa Cecilia Convention Center in the City of Camaguey or the Heredia Theater in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba.

Cuba also features numerous Fairgrounds, the largest of which, Expocuba, hosts the International Fair of Havana every year. Another fairground is the Morro-Cabaña Historical Park, which this year will be the venue for the FITCUBA 2019 International Tourism Fair, to be held from May 6 to 11 and will be dedicated precisely to MICE Tourism within the framework of the celebration of Havana’s 500th Anniversary.

Many hotel facilities in Cuba are recognized for their facilities as venues for events, both in the city and in beach locations, hotels like Tryp Habana Libre, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Melia Cohiba, Melia Havana, Iberostar Central Park, Melia Marina Varadero, Melia Varadero, Melia Las Dunas in Cayo Santa María, Meliá Santiago are a must when dealing with the MICE segment, be it a Congress, a Fair or any type of event.

Therefore, it is no coincidence that the prestigious MITM Americas Fair has been held on three previous occasions in Cuba (2004 and 2009 in Varadero and in 2018 at Melia Cohiba in Havana) and that it will hold its twenty-third edition in October 2019 in Havana again.

To the already established hotel facilities are added the new investments made in hotels with a great orientation towards this type of tourism.

The Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel, which opened its doors in last September, located on Paseo del Prado in Havana and with beautiful views of the entrance to Bay of Havana, has five meeting rooms, with an independent entrance to the hotel and offers every kind of service for this type of clients.

More recently the Hotel Paradisus Los Cayos was inaugurated in Cayo Santa María and boats a wide range of luxury services with areas for adults only, others for families and specialized services for this exclusive MICE segment with all kinds of technology and facilities for events.

Finally, the New Jewel of Varadero the Melia Internacional, a majestic and classic 5-star hotel, one of the symbols of the mythical beach of Varadero, which has the most modern technological features in its reopening with a wide variety of catering and entertainment services.

Its rooms have a cozy and contemporary design and are equipped with automation technology, all guarantee absolute comfort and beautiful views. The hotel is distinguished by a large convention area of 1000 square meters that can be adapted to different formats and sizes of rooms to host all kinds of events.

As a complement to the numerous venues available in Cuba, our team puts at your disposal programs with a wide variety of novel and exclusive activities that combine the natural beauty of the island, its nature, its beaches with its history and the different cultural manifestations.

We offer the best budgets tailored to each client.

Solways Cuba - EUROMIC Cuba
Olga Sanchez Urrutia, Head of Groups, Congresses & Incentives
Address: Miramar Trade Center, Edificio Santa Clara, Oficina 403 / Calle 3ra. y 78 - La Habana - Cuba
Email: cuba@euromic.com
Website: www.cubagrouplanner.com
Tel: +53 7 204 66 32
Fax: +53 7 204 59 56