Lufthansa Group Airlines plan to resume flights to Tel Aviv

• Start: January 8, 2024
• Initially 20 connections per week
• Flights to Beirut (Lebanon) resumed December 15

From January 8, 2024, the airlines of the Lufthansa Group plan to resume their flights to Tel Aviv. In a first phase, Lufthansa Airlines will initially offer four weekly flights from Frankfurt and three weekly flights from Munich. Austrian Airlines is planning eight weekly connections and SWISS five weekly flights. In a first step, the Lufthansa Group airlines will thus offer a total of 20 weekly connections to and from Tel Aviv. This corresponds to around 30 percent of the regular flight schedule. Aircraft from the Airbus A320 family will be used.

This flight schedule offers good transfer connections from Israel to North America and back via the hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.

The flight schedule will be published on Monday, December 18. Flights can be booked from this date.

Safety is always a top priority for the airlines in the Lufthansa Group. The Lufthansa Group continues to monitor the security situation in Israel closely and is in close contact with the local and international authorities. Possible flight schedule adjustments must be expected due to changing conditions.

Lufthansa Group Airlines suspended its scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv on October 9, 2023.

The flights to Beirut (Lebanon), which have also been suspended, were resumed today, December 15, by Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings.
* Media Relations at lufthansa-group@dlh.de

Best Tourism Villages of 2023

Lephis 

The United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO), has unveiled its selection of the Best Tourism Villages of 2023. It is a global initiative highlighting outstanding villages around the world, where ‘tourism plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and traditions, celebrating diversity, providing opportunities, and safeguarding biodiversity’ For 2023 UNWTO has recognised 54 villages worldwide that offer off-the-beaten-path adventures including : 

Lephis, Ethiopia 

Located some 160km from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa in the Lephis Forest, this lush village of is known for its stunning waterfalls, pristine hiking trails, rich flora and fauna, and awe-inspiring panoramic views. The village is involved in conservation efforts and ecotourism, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area is preserved for generations to come. Local artisans craft handmade souvenirs and organic products which reflect the harmony between nature and the village's culture. The Lephis Ecotourism Village is a community-based initiative to preserve local heritage and help the community. 

www.unwto.org/tourismvillages/en/villages/lephis/ 

Caleta Tortel, Chile 

Caleta Tortel

Caleta Tortel, in Chile's XI region, is a historic timber port located between the Northern and Southern Ice Fields. It's known for its charming Guaitecas Cypress wood boardwalks and structures and offers the chance to explore the local culture through conservation activities ranging from traditional Guaitecas Cypress raft construction to immersive beekeeping experiences guided by friendly locals. Travellers can also enjoy culinary adventures with dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal produce. 

www.unwto.org/tourismvillages/en/villages/caletatortel/

Biei, Japan 

 Biei is located in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, and is known for its picturesque poppy, lavender and sunflower fields. These flower fields are the life blood of the local economy and inspire visitor attractions and tourism offerings. With its undulating hills and vibrant patchwork of crops, Biei is known for being a model in sustainable farming. The town’s unique approach to crop rotation ensures fertile soil, prevents continuous cropping challenges, and promotes biodiversity, a testament to its commitment to responsible agriculture. www.unwto.org/tourismvillages/en/villages/biei/ 

Lerici, Italy 

Lerici 

Located on the Italian Riviera this seaside village is found along Italy’s northwest coast in the Liguria region. It offers pristine beaches and colourful homes without the overcrowding of other popular tourist locations such as Cinque Terre. It was recognised by the UNWTO as one of this year’s Best Tourism Villages for its commitment to the blue economy for its efforts to protect marine biodiversity. Lerici is home to the Santa Teresa Smart Bay, Italy’s first underwater laboratory for scientific research and monitoring. The pilot project enables scientists and marine biologists to monitor ocean acidification levels to protect the bay’s delicate ecosystem. The village has also banned single-use plastic and introduced solar panels among other sustainability initiatives aimed at protecting this colourful coastal village. 

www.unwto.org/tourismvillages/en/villages/lerici/ 

Douma, Lebanon 

 Known for its warm hospitality, natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Douma is an ancient village located 80km northeast of Beirut. It has traditional homes featuring redtiled roofs, verdant apple and olive orchards, views of the Batroun Mountains, centuries-old churches and outdoor souk. What distinguishes Douma is its commitment to preserving architectural and cultural heritage including harvesting of local spices and traditional food preparation techniques. www.unwto.org/tourismvillages/en/villages/douma/ 

* www.unwto.org/tourism-villages/en/news/unwto-names-its-best-tourism-villages-2023/ 

* Tatian Coelho at tatian@prm-global.com 

The British To Spend More On Holidays In 2012

Vietnam

Only 14 per cent of UK holidaymakers will slash their 2012 holiday budget, according to a poll of over 20,000 people by members-only travel club Voyage Prive.

Despite the current economic uncertainty, 33 per cent of those questioned intend to splash out even more on their holidays in 2012, with Portugal taking the top spot for bookings with Voyage Prive next year. The survey also revealed that 90 per cent of respondents will take the same amount or even more time out for holidays in 2012.

"It's clear that Brits are still holidaying despite the downturn, and with our wide range of affordable four and five star getaways we are well placed to take advantage of this trend," says John Bevan, Managing Director of Voyage Prive UK.

Voyage Prive's luxury holidays at up to 70 per cent off have proved a hit in 2011 as consumers show an increasing trend for exploring unusual and exciting destinations. With more and more people looking for something a bit different to spend their hard-earned cash on, Voyage Prive has unveiled its top five places to try in 2012:

Beirut- Lebanon's capital is alive and kicking and crammed full of beautiful people. A city with a troubled past, the trendy boutiques, coffee shops and clubs are juxtaposed with ancient history and mix to create a fascinating story of rejuvenation.

Vietnam- With a spectacular coastline, bustling cities and a fascinating history there is still plenty to be discovered in Vietnam, not to mention some of the most unusual cuisine in the world.

Bratislava- Rediscover the Slovakian capital and make a beeline for the city's cultural attractions or wander around the maze of pedestrian alleys dotted with coffee shops and cafes; perfect for people watching.

Oman- It's typically Arabian feel gives Oman the edge over its glitzier neighbours, but the country is modernising fast; explore the wadis of its mountainous interior for a contrast to the coast.

Mozambique- With its white sand beaches and turquoise waters not to mention a host of tropical island paradises, this wildlife haven is home to some of the world's richest coral reefs.

"Our membership has doubled in the last six months as more and more Brits search for a great deal. 71 per cent of our bookings show a discount of 50 per cent or more and people are coming back again and again," continues Bevan.

Contrary to the coalition government's cut backs, British holidaymakers are still taking multiple breaks; 16 per cent of Voyage Prive's sales are from repeat bookings and over 27 per cent of these have made three or more bookings.