Latest news with #experiences
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Evacuees from Israel arrive in Cyprus and describe their experiences during Iran conflict
Young people gathered at the Limassol port in Cyprus and shared their experiences after being evacuated from Israel. (AP video by Lefteris Pitarakis)
Grazia USA
6 days ago
- Grazia USA
Beyond The Bucket List: How Hero Experiences Is Redefining Regional Travel
In a region known for record-breaking attractions and glossy, sky-high ambitions, one homegrown travel group is quietly rewriting the adventure playbook. Hero Experiences Group, based in Dubai, is not in the business of ticking boxes. Instead, it's carving out something much more personal: meaningful, high-end experiences that are immersive, culturally rooted, and memorable. Forget the usual tour bus experiences. This collection of adventure brands – spanning desert safaris, hot air ballooning, aerial observatories, and nature-based outdoor escapes – caters to the kind of traveller who's less interested in seeing and more intent on actually experiencing. A Different Kind of Desert Safari The group's flagship brand, Platinum Heritage, has redefined what a desert safari can be. Rather than speed through dunes in roaring 4x4s, guests are invited to slow down and step back in time – travelling in vintage Land Rovers from the 1950s, visiting a Bedouin-style camp built from natural materials, and dining under the stars on traditional Emirati cuisine. It's immersive, eco-conscious, and layered with cultural context. For those after something more polished, the Platinum Collection offers private Range Rover tours, fine dining in the dunes, and exclusive access to royal desert grounds. New heights Then there's Hero Balloon Flights, a premium hot air balloon operator offering sunrise flights over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – and, in Saudi Arabia, over the ancient sandstone formations of AlUla. These aren't your standard balloon rides. Guests take off from elevated sites in refurbished cabins, drift low enough to spot oryx and gazelles, and experience falcon shows mid-air before retreating to a secluded desert breakfast curated by Michelin-starred chefs. It's a rare mix of elegance, wildlife, and tradition, all in one quiet, golden morning. A unique view of Dubai Photo: Supplied More urban in spirit is The Dubai Balloon, a tethered helium balloon located on the edge of Palm Jumeirah (GRAZIA even hosted its very own immersive event there). It lifts passengers 300 metres into the air, offering panoramic views of the palm-shaped island and Dubai's greatest architectural hits. While it caters to tourists, it's just as appealing for locals looking for a fresh vantage point (or a unique place to propose). There's even an on-site café and retail shop to round out the visit. For the Adventurers For schools, corporate teams, or anyone craving something less polished and more rugged, Absolute Adventure delivers nature-based challenges designed to build confidence, foster connection, and ignite curiosity. From kayaking to canyoning and hiking, these outings are intentionally raw and stripped back, but executed with high safety standards and seamless organisation. The Saudi Expansion In Saudi Arabia, Hero Experiences is bringing its signature storytelling approach to one of the world's most exciting emerging destinations: AlUla. Platinum Heritage Saudi offers eco-luxury desert journeys through the Sharaan Nature Reserve, one of the kingdom's most pristine landscapes. Guests can explore ancient rock inscriptions, admire sandstone formations, and witness the biodiversity of the Arabian desert—all while steeped in cultural authenticity and a firm commitment to sustainability. Meanwhile, Hero Balloon Flights Saudi lets travellers take it all in from above. Floating over AlUla's otherworldly terrain, passengers witness 200,000 years of history from the quiet serenity of a sunrise balloon ride. It's a humbling, cinematic perspective on a landscape that has captivated explorers for centuries. For more information, visit topics: Dubai, UAE, TRAVEL, SAUDI, Hero Experiences
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Motivated by stronger Singapore dollar, Singaporean holidaymakers opting for better hotels, unique destinations
Singaporeans are opting for better hotels and unique destinations like Bhutan this June holidays, motivated by a strong Singapore dollar that stretches their budget. Travel agencies say that there's also been a shift towards what they call purposeful travel, with families prioritising meaningful experiences.
Skift
13-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Tripadvisor Is Turning 25. Here's What Its CEO Says About Its Future
Tripadvisor has come a long way in 25 years, but CEO Matt Goldberg did a lot more than just reflect on the past in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko talk travel every week. Learn More Tripadvisor is turning 25, and CEO Matt Goldberg joined Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko to discuss the company's evolution in this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast. Goldberg also offered his insights on the competitive landscape he sees, the role of AI in enhancing user experience, the importance of consumer trust in the travel industry, and more. Listen Now Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Five Key Points Focus on Experiences as a Growth Driver: Viator, Tripadvisor's platform for booking local experiences, has become the 'strategic and financial center' of the company. Experiences now outpace hotels as the company's primary area of expansion. Resilience of Travel Demand and Shift in Traveler Behavior: Despite economic uncertainty, travelers continue to prioritize experiences, showing strong discretionary spending resilience. Goldberg emphasizes a shift to more local, drive-to, and second-tier destinations (e.g., Lake George, the Adirondacks), which not only meets evolving traveler interests but also supports sustainability by dispersing tourism beyond major hotspots. Airbnb's Entry Validates the Market, Not a Threat: Goldberg said he isn't concerned about Airbnb's relaunched experiences product, adding that multiple players can thrive in the sector. Viator's Advantage: Focused Marketplace + Strategic Partnerships: Viator benefits from its exclusive focus on experiences, deep supply penetration, and partnerships with major travel brands like Expedia, Amazon, and thousands of travel agents. These partnerships bring in incremental customers without high marketing costs, helping Viator scale profitably and globally. AI is a Game-Changer for TripAdvisor and Viator: Tripadvisor is integrating AI across all its brands, using it for trip planning, review summarization, product listings, recommendations, and B2B tools. Goldberg says AI is seen as a foundational, transformative force that will optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and reshape the business model. Episode Summary Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg reflected on the company's journey from its humble beginnings during his chat with Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko. Goldberg explained how Tripadvisor was able to solve the challenge of finding trustworthy travel information, which sparked a revolution in democratizing travel advice. Goldberg outlined how Tripadvisor has been able to build experiences marketplaces through brands like Viator and The Fork. He also expressed admiration for Airbnb for relaunching its experiences product. However, he said his company, with its deep category focus on experiences through Viator and Tripadvisor, is better positioned than horizontal platforms like Airbnb to thrive in the sector. Goldberg also talked about what he calls a culture of experimentation and agility within Tripadvisor, likening the current moment to a startup era driven by a renewed sense of purpose and innovation.
Skift
11-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Hotels Shrug Off Airbnb's Push Into Experiences – But They Still Need to Compete
Airbnb's relaunch of its Experiences platform and new offering of hotel-style à la carte services might pressure hoteliers. But so far, many hotel execs seem unfazed. Airbnb's entry into selling experiences and hotel-style services is drawing a muted response from some hospitality industry leaders. A few have minimized the threat, though some analysts warn that hotel companies risk falling behind in the race to capture lucrative ancillary revenue. Airbnb aims to offer a marketplace for a range of services, including massage, spa treatments, and personal training. These are offerings expected at many hotels but not short-term rentals - "We're eliminating reasons why people wouldn't want to stay in an Airbnb,' the company's chief business officer Dave Stephenson told Skift in May shortly after unveiling the new products. One challenge will be delivering consistent quality. "They've gone on this journey before, and what they're trying to do is really difficult," said Chris Silcock, president of global brands and commercial services at Hilton. Silcock said Hilton isn't rushing to copy Airbnb's marketplace model. "We haven't gone down that route because we're in hospitality, the business of people serving people, and that's much easier to do in a building where we can guarantee a flow of customers and when we can meet or hire or contract with people to deliver the quali
