Journey to Excellence: Top Travel Websites Compete for Prestigious Best Travel Website WebAward

 The Web Marketing Association is looking for the best travel sites in the world as part of their 28th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 90 industries, including travel, airline and hotel & lodging websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for the best travel web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2024.

“Travel websites serve as a crucial portal, opening up the world to millions and sparking the desire for exploration,” stated William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “In an era where the internet has revolutionized travel, eliminating traditional agents as the primary source of information, travel websites have risen to the challenge, embodying innovation and user-friendliness. Our judges particularly commend the exemplary use of design, engaging content, and interactive features in these sites. The WebAward Competition not only highlights the industry’s finest achievements in website development but also provides invaluable feedback and marketing opportunities, setting the stage for future innovations and attracting a new wave of adventurers.”

Websites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry in the Travel category is judged against other travel entries and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All travel entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific criteria scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward’s professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the travel categories will also receive:
· A limited-edition Commemorative NFT
· Increased visibility for their company
· Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
· Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
· Social media posts for your company and personal feeds
· A highlight for your resume
· Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers
· Unlimited bragging rights

Each year, the Web Marketing Association names the Best of Industry for the various travel categories based on the score they receive from the WebAward judges.

Winners of the Best Travel Website include:

§ 2023 – The Okaloosa County Tourism Department and Miles Partnership for Design Fort Walton Beach’s Little adventire-focused website
§ 2022 – Louisiana Office of Tourism and Miles Partnership for Louisiana Byways
§ 2021 – Reichl und Partner eMarketing GmbH for Simon’s Best Travel GMBH Website
§ 2020 – 4 Roads for Natural World Safaris
§ 2019 – VERB Interactive for VBT
§ 2018 – Visit Huntington Beach for Surf City USA
§ 2017 – Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Miles Partnership for Pure Michigan’s New Leisure Website
§ 2016 – Experience Grand Rapids for Experience Grand Rapids Website
§ 2015 – TripCreator ehf. for TripCreator.com
§ 2014 – USDM for Colorado Springs
§ 2013 – Pixo Punch Limited for Hong Kong Summer Spectacular Campaign
§ 2012 – Boyd Gaming Corporation for B Connected Online
§ 2011 – Civic Resource Group for Wyoming Travel and Tourism Web Portal and Online Management System
§ 2010 – TravelChannel.com & Razorfish for The New TravelChannel.com
§ 2009 – VisitSweden for VisitSweden
§ 2008 – Teehan+Lax Inc for AirMiles Make Like Miles
§ 2007 – Arnold Worldwide for Hungry Suitcase
§ 2006 – Hospitality eBusiness Strategies for RIU Cancun Portal
§ 2005 – Yellowstone Journal Corporation for YellowstonePark.com
2004 – Quicksilver Associates for Seabourn Cruise Line
2003 – Apollo Interactive for Excalibur Las Vegas Resort Hotel & Casino
2002 – Arnold Worldwide for Alaska

Winners of the Best Airline Website include:

2022 – FirmStudio & Greater Bay Airlines for Greater Bay Airlines Corporate Website
2019 – Origo for Cabo Verde Airlines
2018 – FINE for XOJET
2016 – SapientNitro & China Airlines for China Airline Website Re-design
2015 – DigitasLBi for Virgin Atlantic Airways
2014 – Icelandair & TM Software for Icelandair
2013 – ROKKAN for JetBlue
2011 – Carlson Marketing for JetBlue – “TrueBlue Be True”
2010 – Lufthansa in partnership with Amadeus for Lufthansa in partnership with Amadeus
2009 – Blast Advanced Media for Nature Air – Eco Friendly Costa Rica Airline
2008 – Atmosphere BBDO for emirates.com
2007 – Cramer-Krasselt for AirTran Raceway
2006 – TM Interactive for American Airlines – We Know Why You Fly
2005 – TM Interactive for We Know Why You Fly
2004 – Cramer-Krasselt for AirTran Airways – E-Annual 2003
2003 – Agence Braque for Jetsgo

Winners of the Best Hotel & Lodging Website include:

§ 2023 – UP Hotel Agency for Bunk
§ 2022 – Evans Hotels for Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
§ 2021 – UP Hotel Agency for The Hari
§ 2020 – UP Hotel Internet Marketing for Maison Panthere
§ 2019 – UP Hotel Internet Marketing for Qbic (2019 Best of Show)
§ 2018 – TravelClick, Inc. for Thistle Hotels
§ 2017 – [D³] Digital Design + Development for Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – At The Center of Extraordinary (2017 Best of Show)
§ 2016 – HeBS Digital for Tsogo Sun
§ 2015 – HeBS Digital for Red Lion Hotels Website
§ 2014 – Forte Village Resort for Forte Village
§ 2013 – HeBS Digital for Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
§ 2012 – TravelClick Web Solutions for Puente Romano
§ 2011 – Sabre Hospitality Solutions for The Shores Resort & Spa
§ 2010 – TravelClick for Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel
§ 2009 – TravelCLICK for the Albert Hotel
§ 2008 – E-site Marketing for Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
§ 2007 – Cendyn for Stonewall Resort
§ 2006 – T3 (The Think Tank) for ExperienceMarriott.com
§ 2005 – Open World, Ltd. for Warwick International Hotels
§ 2004 – Interactive Sites for The New York Palace web site
§ 2003 – Open World Limited for Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts
§ 2002 – FreeRun Technologies for Simpson House Inn

Travel Websites can be entered into consideration for the 2024 Best Travel Website WebAward at the WebAward Website.

The 2024 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: PR.com, iContact, and eTailConferences. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.

Please Join the Web Marketing Association on Social Media: LinkedIn Page, LinkedIn Group & Twitter. Like and follow for news and award updates.

About the WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association was founded in 1997 to help define the standard of excellence for online marketing. Our internationally known award programs, such as WebAward Competition for Website Development, Internet Advertising Competition and the MobileWebAwards, recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective online marketing programs on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from assessment of their marketing efforts by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented by being recognized as an award-winning web developer.

Web Marketing Association
William Rice
860-558-5423
www.WebAward.org

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Final Book in Time Travel Romance “Time Corrector” Series Released

 In the shocking third installment of the Time Corrector series, super-genius Dr. Vincent Abajian finds himself in even greater turmoil, and this time, the fate of his beloved daughter is on the line. “The Reset” is a culmination of worlds colliding, timelines interweaving, and relationships that seemed indestructible, reaching dire breaking points.

“The heart of the story is love and sacrifice as experienced through the non-linearity of time and reality,” author Avi Datta, who is a professor at Illinois State University.

In “The Reset,” Vincent finds himself in the midst of an international political crisis created by his adversary, Philip Nardin. As he tirelessly works to offset the impact, Philip kidnaps Nozomi, Vincent’s daughter. As a last resort, Vincent relinquishes his time-correcting powers to Philip while the world leaders launch a devastating arms race to weaponize Intreton—the world’s purest energy source that can alter reality if mishandled. The two opponents, Vincent and Philip, unite against political and military forces to save reality from crumbling.

The first book in the series, “The Winding,” won the Global Book Award’s Gold medal in the Sci-Fi Romance category, and the Reader’s Favorite top five Sci-Fi-Time Travel Fiction. “The Movement,” the second book, won the 2023 Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Winner for the Best Sci-Fi Novel and The 2023 Global Book Award’s Gold Medal.

“The Reset” is poised to receive similar accolades and offer a satisfying conclusion to this exciting series. “I tend not to box my stories within the confines of one sub-genre. Instead, I challenge the core assumption that causality and time are linear,” Datta said.

“The Reset” is now available in paperback and eBook formats on major online retailers, including Amazon and Ingram. The book is distributed by Bublish, Inc. Connect with Avi at avi-datta.com. To learn about Bublish and its publishing services, visit bublish.com.

About the Author
Avi Datta is a professor of Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Illinois State University. He is also affiliated with the Institute of Innovation Research at Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan. He is also an avid painter, a coffee enthusiast, and a watch collector.

Avi works with Bublish, whose mission is to empower entrepreneurial authors with the tools, resources, and programs they need to be successful in today’s competitive book marketplace.

Bublish
Kathy Meis
843-513-7337
https://bublish.com
Avi Datta
https://avi-datta.com/contact/

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Altezza Travel Releases a 2024 Guide on Avoiding Crowds on Mount Kilimanjaro

MOSHI, TANZANIA, Jan 11, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Altezza Travel, the largest operator of Mount Kilimanjaro tours, has released a comprehensive guide for 2024. The guide explores the crowding problem on Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and offers expert guidance on crafting a memorable, crowd-free journey to the “Roof of Africa.”

Camp on Mt. KilimanjaroCamp on Mt. KilimanjaroSunset on a Kilimanjaro Expedition in 2024 (Altezza Travel)

Mount Kilimanjaro rises 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, earning the title of Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Scaling the diverse climatic zones of this ancient volcano to stand on its iconic glacier-framed peak is on the bucket list of many adventurers.

In 2023, a record 61,527 trekkers set out to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. They were assisted by over 150,000 guides, porters, and cooks, essentially making Kilimanjaro one of the world’s busiest trekking destinations. However, it’s still very much possible to experience this stunning trek while enjoying its tranquil and scenic wilderness. Altezza Travel’s guide shares useful tips on how to do that.

Unlike many popular high-altitude mountains that have the problem of overcrowding, Kilimanjaro offers more options for those seeking a quiet trekking experience due to the variety of routes and their availability all year round.

During peak seasons, popular trails get crowded. For adventurers who seek the “authentic” Kilimanjaro experience – a tranquil trek with no other groups in sight, a new planning strategy is essential.

Altezza Travel reports that over 90% of climbers ascend during the dry seasons from late June to middle October, and from late December through late February. So, one key to a serene experience lies in the right timing. Climbing Kilimanjaro is possible all year round, even during the rainy seasons. However, Altezza has identified three sweet spots during transition seasons when favorable weather coincides with dramatically fewer crowds:

March 1-15June 1-20October 15-31

Route selection is equally critical. Eight classic trails ascent the volcano from different sides, varying in difficulty and popularity. The Lemosho route, once a quiet “hidden gem,” attracted 17,000+ trekkers in 2023, becoming the most popular path alongside the Marangu and Machame routes. Conversely, some trails like the Rongai route, while still being beginner-friendly, see over 10 times fewer hikers than Lemosho.

Interestingly, the day you start the climb also matters. To make the most of vacation time, many hikers arrive in Tanzania before the weekend and begin their ascent from Friday to Monday. However, a start on Wednesday or Thursday can mean encountering nearly half as many climbers compared to a Sunday start. Opting for less popular routes midweek can result in up to 20 times fewer hikers.

Thomas Becker, Expeditions Coordinator at Altezza Travel, shares his thoughts: “Choosing off-peak times for your Kilimanjaro climb not only ensures a tranquil experience but also contributes to the preservation of this pristine environment and provides work opportunities for the local communities during the tourism downtime.”

For tailored advice on Kilimanjaro treks, connect with Altezza Travel’s experts. They will be delighted to offer you detailed professional guidance.

About Altezza Travel

Altezza Travel is a leading Destination Management Company in Tanzania and serves as the largest operator on Mount Kilimanjaro. Holding a #1 ranking on TripAdvisor, the company organizes nearly a thousand expeditions every year. Apart from leading the tourism industry in the region, Altezza Travel is proud to invest in local communities and champion sustainable tourism.

Contact Information
Thomas Becker
Expeditions Coordinator
press@altezza.travel
+255786350216

SOURCE: Altezza Travel


Topic: Press release summary

Hospitality and Travel Job Roles Soars With 169% Surge In Hiring: foundit Insights Tracker

foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of the leading talent management platforms, today published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for October 2023, formerly published as Monster Employment Index (MEI). According to the Malaysian fit report, job roles in the Hospitality and Travel sector have impressively grown by 169% over the past year.

The tracker also reveals a promising year-on-year (YoY) growth of 16% e-recruitment, as the index climbed from 69 in Oct 2022 to 80 in Oct 2023. Additionally, a month-on-month (MoM) analysis also indicated an increase reflecting a positive job market. The rising index values reveal a thriving labour market that will benefitemployers and job seekers alike.

Commenting on Malaysia’s job trends for May 2023, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “Our findings indicate a strong momentum and a promising future for Malaysia’s labour market. However, in this competitive landscape, companies are  emphasising on individuals with sspecialised skills. Hence, job seekers must always be aware of the changing demands of the industry and equip themselves with the required skills. Upskilling and continuous learning will be the key to unlocking new opportunities and thriving in this dynamic landscape.”

Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate follow an upward trend in hiring activity, while the Oil and Gas, BFSI and IT/ Telecom & BPO Industries witness a drop in recruitment.

The Hospitality and Retail industries continue to lead the way among the industries, showing steady growth. The Hospitality industry saw a remarkable YoY growth of 111%, driven by Malaysia’s booming tourism industry, which draws an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists. Similarly, the Retail industry at 108% marked noteworthy progress in e-recruitment owing to the huge retail sales. Being next in the rung, Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate industries also witnessed a YoY increase in October 2023 with a 42% rise in the hiring activity due to infrastructure developments, govt. policies, and rapid urbanisation plans of Malaysia. 

The Oil and Gas industry, along with BFSI, IT, Telecom/ISP, and BPO/ITES, recorded a substantial deceleration in hiring activity, with a YoY decrease of 11%, 9% and 6%, respectively. This trend can be attributed to economic slowdowns, or uncertainties that lead to reduced investments and lower demand for services.

However, barring these  industries, the overall hiring sentiment in Malaysia has been positive with Logistic, Courier/ Freight/ Transportation, Shipping/ Marine (+27%), Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations, Media and Entertainment (+17%) and Production/Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary (+12%) industries registered a substantial annual growth in October ’23. Overall, there has been an optimistic hiring in Oct ’23.

Hospitality, Retail & Real Estate Lead the Way in Hiring Trends

In terms of functional roles, Hospitality & Travel jobs continued to witness significant demand in Oct 2023, with a staggering YoY growth of 169% driven by international tourism. This economic recovery created an online demand for other job roles, such as Sales & Business Development (44%) and Marketing & Communications (12%) as well. A few of the other job roles that have showcased a robust YoY growth rate include Engineering/ Production, Real Estate (+10%), HR & Admin (+7%), Purchase/ Logistics/ Supply Chain (+6%) and Software, Hardware & Telecom (+5%)

The roles in Customer Service (-24%) were the sole function to exhibit a negative growth trend despite having a 19% increase over the last month. Several reasons can be attributed to this, including the advancements in technology that have led to the implementation of automated customer service systems such as chatbots and self-service portals. There have also been instances during challenging economic times where businesses need to prioritise cost-cutting measures, resulting in a decrease in hiring across various job roles, including customer service.

The foundit Insights Tracker is a comprehensive monthly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by foundit. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of online career outlets, the foundit Insights Tracker (FIT) presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide.

Period for the report 

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is Oct 2022 Vs Oct 2023.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East 

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 75 million registered users to find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-spersonalised job searches, and precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn’t define one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf,

Visit: www.foundit.com.ph|www.foundit.my | https://www.foundit.in| https://www.founditgulf.com | https://www.foundit.sg| www.foundit.com.hk | https://www.foundit.id

Contact:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+65-81383034


Topic: Press release summary

Travel Agency Owner and Private Travel Consultant Karan Morrow Becomes Certified AlUla (Saudi Arabia) Specialist

 Karan Morrow, Owner and Private Travel Consultant with Where2Next? Travel, LLC, recently received specialist certification from Experience AlUla (www.experiencealula.com). To earn the distinction, Morrow participated in Experience AlUla’s (North America) in-depth online five (5) module certification program.

Through the program, travel advisors gain knowledge to sell this new destination in Saudi Arabia with its incredible heritage, nature, adventure, arts and culture experiences, and more.

For 200,000 years, AlUla in the northwest of Saudi Arabia has attracted ancient civilizations and pilgrims who came to take advantage of the abundant resources offered by its fertile oases. Today, AlUla is an eloquent symbol of a great heritage. This largely undiscovered region holds a timeless mystery, from its human history to its incredible array of natural wonders, including dramatic rock formation, sand-swept dunes and archeological ruins as well as a green, lush oasis that traces the lives of the ancient civilizations who built their cities here.

Morrow has worked as a travel advisor for sixteen (16) years, specializing in private, custom luxury individual and small group travel and is a member of the American Society of Travel Professionals (ASTA) and the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP), and is certified by the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN). Morrow’s luxury clients have been on travel experiences all over the world, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Central America, Russia and the Middle East.

“Through Experience AlUla’s course, I found some very valuable new ways to serve the needs of my clients in a new and burgeoning destination,” said Morrow. “The population, as well as the travel industry itself, has undergone major changes in the past few years, with new destinations rapidly rising. By completing this program, I have the ability to stay on the cutting edge of these changes, and create opportunities for my clients.”

To book a luxury journey to Saudi Arabia or any other destination, contact Morrow at www.where2nexttravel.co or luxury@where2nexttravel.co. For more information about Experience AlUla’s certification program, go to https://us.alulaspecialist.com/.

About Experience AlUla
Experience AlUla provides valued trade partners with useful resources, including sales tools such as fact sheets, FAQs, itinerary suggestions, downloadable brochures and images to share with clients. Their online training program and portal have been designed to provide travel industry professionals with the knowledge and confidence to sell the unique destinations of AlUla and Saudi Arabia and become part of the journey.

Connect with Experience AlUla
AlUla General information and trade inquiries: alula@advocatetravel.com

AlUla USA Office, represented by Advocate Travel Marketing
1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 140
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 USA

Where2Next? Travel, LLC
Karan Morrow
470-480-9007
https://www.where2nexttravel.co

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