Visit Panama City Beach announces executive promotions
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Travel Daily News
2 days ago
- Travel Daily News
Air connectivity at the heart of Europe's growth strategy, says ACI Europe Director General in Athens
Olivier Jankovec of ACI Europe highlights air connectivity's economic and social impact in a press briefing ahead of ACI Europe's 2025 Congress & General Assembly in Athens, Greece. Air connectivity plays a vital role in Europe's economic resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable development, according to Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe. Speaking during a dedicated press conference for Greek media on 17 June 2025, ahead of ACI Europe's Annual Congress & General Assembly (18–20 June), Jankovec offered a preview of the key findings and strategic messages that will shape the upcoming deliberations in Athens. Addressing the media at the start of one of the industry's most influential gatherings, Jankovec underscored how air connectivity remains underestimated in regulatory and policy frameworks, despite being a major driver of prosperity across the continent. 'We often overlook the true value of air connectivity,' said Jankovec. 'Yet it is what physically unites Europeans, directly enabling GDP growth, employment, and access to global opportunities.' Air connectivity's economic multiplier effect Jankovec presented highlights from ACI Europe's forthcoming Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2025, a data-driven analysis of direct, indirect, and hub connectivity trends across Europe's airport network. Although passenger traffic has almost fully rebounded from the pandemic, air connectivity remains approximately 9% below 2019 levels. The report quantifies the link between increased air connectivity and economic growth: a 10% rise in direct connectivity translates to a 0.5% increase in GDP per capita and a 1.6% increase in employment—a compelling argument for policymakers to prioritize aviation infrastructure and route development strategies. The broader aviation sector contributes around 5% to Europe's GDP, equating to approximately €551 billion, and supports 6% of the continent's workforce. However, Jankovec warned that these figures could stagnate or decline without concerted efforts to restore and expand air connectivity post-COVID. A bridge to sustainable development Jankovec also shared findings from ACI Europe's joint economic and social impact study with the European Commission, released in Brussels in October 2024. The research demonstrates a significant correlation between air connectivity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: Poverty reduction Quality education Gender equality Innovation and research Life satisfaction and wellbeing 'People today are shifting from material to experiential consumption,' Jankovec noted. 'Travel—and by extension, air connectivity—delivers life satisfaction, equity in opportunity, and access to culture and education.' Greece leads Europe in air connectivity recovery While many European countries are still below 2019 air connectivity benchmarks, Greece has emerged as a frontrunner. The country leads ACI Europe's rankings for recovery, with air connectivity now 35% above pre-pandemic levels. This performance is closely tied to Greece's robust tourism rebound and proactive route development strategies. Athens International Airport has played a key role, achieving: +33% growth in total air connectivity compared to 2019 +24% growth in direct connectivity A 92% increase in hub connectivity, one of the strongest in Europe These figures elevate Athens Airport's status from 20th to 10th in direct connectivity and from 22nd to 12th in hub connectivity among European airports. 'This success is the result of strategic engagement,' said Jankovec. 'Airports today must actively market their destinations and compete for airline capacity. It's a constant battle for visibility and investment.' Market trends and future challenges Jankovec also addressed the structural shift in Europe's airline industry. Since the pandemic, low-cost carriers (LCCs) have expanded their presence, whereas full-service carriers (FSCs) have retrenched, with some—like the Lufthansa Group—still operating below 2019 capacity levels. This trend has implications for indirect connectivity, often delivered via FSC hub networks. The decline in hub capacity contributes to the lag in total connectivity recovery, particularly in secondary and regional airports. ACI Europe's report uses KPIs developed by Amsterdam Economics to track four types of connectivity: Direct connectivity Indirect connectivity Hub connectivity Total connectivity (a combination of the above) 'Indirect connectivity is as crucial as direct routes,' added Jankovec. 'A reduction in hub networks limits access to long-haul destinations and weakens the competitiveness of Europe's airports.' Strategic positioning ahead of the future As the ACI Europe Congress begins in Athens, the central message is clear: air connectivity must be treated as a strategic asset for Europe's future. With Greece exemplifying best practices, the industry must collaborate across borders and sectors to ensure that aviation remains a catalyst for progress, not just a facilitator of tourism. ACI Europe is urging regulators, governments, and industry stakeholders to view aviation beyond environmental concerns, acknowledging its integral role in enabling mobility, cohesion, and opportunity across the European continent. Jankovec concluded his briefing by inviting delegates and media to engage with ACI's upcoming reports and discussions during the Congress, which will feature sessions on investment, sustainability, technology, and route development.
Travel Daily News
13-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
USTOA brings member delegates to the capitol
NEW YORK – The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) escorted a group of more than 50 Active Member tour operators and Associate Members to Washington, D.C., June 3-4, 2025, to advocate for tourism industry issues impacting the industry, from passport and visa processing to adequate funding of Brand USA and the National Park Service , among other urgent topics. 'In the 13th year of the USTOA Congressional Caucus, our advocacy efforts felt more important than ever,' said USTOA President & CEO Terry Dale . 'The Congressional Caucus is a vitally critical forum to engage directly with lawmakers on topics that will ensure the continued success and resilience of our industry and lead us toward a more responsible tourism future.' The morning of June 4 was packed with informative presentations on the 'state of the industry' from a number of industry representatives, including Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA; Jennifer Aguinaga, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism and Director, National Travel and Tourism Office; and Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association. Guest speakers included Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the Presidential Task Force for 2026 FIFA World Cup, who spoke about initiatives to improve visa wait times and approval as the US is set to host this international event, and US Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who provided insights into the top issues facing Congress. A small team of USTOA members met at the office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). In the afternoon, nine teams of USTOA members visited the Capitol for meetings with leading members of Congress to discuss the core issues. Promoting U.S. tourism abroad with continued funding of Brand USA, urging Congress to fund the administration's Air Traffic Control modernization plan, the impact of tariffs on international and outbound U.S. travel, supporting National Park Service funding and sufficient staffing, encouraging improvement in passport application processing delays, and urging expedited visa processing and backlog reduction are among the topics discussed. Additional conversation included the INVEST in our Communities Act which aims to boost much-needed tourism and economic development in light of the recent drop off in Canadian travel to the US; supporting the DOT-Aviation Consumer Protection; and supporting travel infrastructure including the backing expansion of TSA Pre-check and Global Entry as well as phased enforcement and flexibility for REAL ID until full compliance on May 7, 2027. Dale continued, 'USTOA remains committed to being an advocate for responsible tourism, and these meetings proved to be a highly effective platform to communicate that message to key lawmakers. We have learned that our collective voice does matter and can make a difference. The participation of our members and the members of Congress who took the time to engage in discussions on the issues that matter most to our industry is deeply appreciated.' The Caucus kicked off with an opening night reception and dinner at the Colombian Ambassador 's residence, hosted by Daniel Ávila Camacho, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Colombia to the United States. Special guest Charlie Sykes, regular contributor to MSNBC and former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, addressed the group about the importance to stay engaged in politics, among other timely topics.
Travel Daily News
13-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
Austria Center Vienna reports strong year for events in 2024
Vienna ranked top global congress city in 2024, with Austria Center Vienna hosting 60 events and advancing sustainability, modernisation, and workplace excellence. In 2024, Vienna was named the world's top congress destination in the ICCA ranking. Austria's largest congress centre played a significant role in this achievement, hosting 60 events with around 130,000 attendees, marking a highly successful year for the venue. Total revenue from events amounted to 15.4 million euros. 'We are very pleased to see that Vienna's status as the top global congress capital was reaffirmed in 2024. Conducted at regular intervals over recent years, studies show that every fourth or fifth participant at an association congress in Vienna visits the Austria Center Vienna. And to help maintain our position as an international hub for innovation, science, and sustainability, we have been steadily modernising the location over the course of the past decade. We are pleased to be in a position to celebrate this success with all of our partners in Vienna,' says Susanne Baumann-Söllner, Managing Director of the Austria Center Vienna. Level -2 modernisation project run in parallel with everyday operations Level -2 was unavailable throughout 2024 while a full modernisation project was carried out, in preparation for its official reopening in spring 2025. As expected, this led to a decline in revenue from events including partner commissions, with the annual total down 16% to 15.4 million euros from the 18.4 million euros reported in the record-breaking previous year. The total of 60 events held in 2024 attracted around 130,000 participants, evenly split between national and international events. Eighteen international events each drew over 1,000 attendees, with highlights including the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) and the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), each hosting around 19,000 participants, as well as major corporate events such as the SIXT World Conference and HPE Tech Jam. Solar energy for Austria's first green conference centre In 2014, the Austria Center Vienna became the nation's first Green Conference Centre. Organisers have access to a free sustainability consultation and certification for Green Meetings and Green Events. In 2024, 15 events took advantage of this offering. Following a greening initiative for the terraces and the main square outside the venue, the Austria Center Vienna is already working on the next phase. Michael Rotter, Board Member for Building and Property Management, explains: 'As part of our extensive modernisation programme, we are focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy. From autumn 2025, a large photovoltaic system on the main roof will cover our electricity needs, marking a key milestone.' In addition to operating the Austria Center Vienna, IAKW-AG is also responsible for maintaining the Vienna International Centre. Since 2021, under a partnership with Wien Energie, waste heat from the cooling system has been fed into the district heating network, supplying heat to around 2,000 households. Austria Center Vienna officially one of the nation's top employers Officially granting the Austria Center Vienna 'Best Workplaces Austria 2025' status, the recent Great Place to Work ranking is another highly encouraging development. Over recent years, the Austria Center Vienna has introduced numerous measures in this area. Among the employee benefits are annual public transport passes, meal subsidies, and a free gym. It also supports remote working and enables parents, including those in leadership roles, to work part-time. For the Austria Center Vienna, having a high proportion of women in managemen positions is a given. Other areas that set it apart include a diverse team working in a wide range of roles, as well as the very close cooperation between the event management and technology, sales and marketing, facility management and construction engineering departments.
