Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, has announced a summer deal for adventure-loving guests who dream of the ultimate family adventure in the Arctic. For a limited time (June 1 to September 20, 2023), kids, adolescents and teens travel free with their families on all Arctic 2023 voyages.

"Taking your children into the Arctic wilderness is one of the most educational and life-changing experiences you can provide your child," said Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. "I traveled to the Polar Regions with both of my children, when they were 14 and 15 years old, and the profound impact on them was astounding. Exploring the Arctic deepened their connection to nature and created family memories that we still talk about more than a decade later. As a parent, I look back at those Arctic moments as some of the most meaningful bonding experiences with my children. Their transformation was profound. So, what better way to celebrate the summer season than by announcing an offer that will enable guests to have the ultimate family adventure."

For a limited time (June 1 to September 20, 2023), kids, adolescents ad teens travel free with their families on all Arctic 2023 voyages to Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic and Spitsbergen. The deadline for this offer is June 30, 2023.

"The chance to sail down the historic Northwest Passage, visit Inuit communities to learn about their history and culture, and spot polar bears in the remote Canadian Arctic are the kinds of family experiences that create memories of a lifetime," said White. "Equally transformative are family adventures in Greenland, where guests and their children can go heli flightseeing over the Greenland Ice Sheet and camp overnight beside the 70-km long Tasermiut Fjord. And what child wouldn't love the chance to observe polar bears in the wilds of Spitsbergen!"

Quark Expeditions also offers a comprehensive educational program that's geared to guests of all ages.

About Quark Expeditions: Specializing exclusively in expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, Quark Expeditions® has been the leading innovator of polar adventure since the company took the first group of consumer travelers to the North Pole in 1991. Quark Expeditions has been innovating ever since. With a diverse fleet of specially-equipped small expedition vessels and icebreakers—some of them equipped with helicopters—Quark Expeditions delivers deeply immersive polar experiences—and is able to take guests deeper into the Polar Regions than anyone else. Led by passionate and seasoned expedition teams, including scientists, wildlife experts and researchers, Quark Expeditions offers an onboard program that enriches the passenger experience.

About Ultramarine:

The technologically-advanced Ultramarine, the newest addition to the Quark Expeditions fleet, is a game-changer in polar exploration. Equipped with two twin-engine Airbus 145 helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs and the largest portfolio of off-ship adventure options in the industry, Ultramarine changes the way guests explore the Polar Regions. Other features include a spa, sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, fitness centre, yoga space, spacious rooms and two restaurants plus a lounge and presentation theatre. Ultramarine has been designed with advanced sustainability systems that help preserve the pristine Polar Regions for the next generation of explorers. Ultramarine has an Ice Class rating of 1A+ and Polar Class rating of PC6, which contribute to the vessel's superior standards of safety standard. The ship's innovative sustainability features, which help reduce its environmental footprint, include a micro auto gasification system (MAGS), which is capable of converting onboard waste into energy, eliminating the need for the transportation of waste.

About Travelopia: Travelopia is one of the world's leading specialist travel groups. A pioneer in the experiential travel sector with a portfolio consisting of more than 50 independently operated brands, most of which are leaders in their sector. From sailing adventures, safaris and sports tours, to Arctic expeditions, each brand is diverse and focused on creating unforgettable experiences for customers across the world.

Business Travel Market with COVID-19 Impact, Size, Trends, Growth, Share Analysis, Report by Service (Transportation, Food & Lodging, and Recreation), Industry (Government and Corporate), Traveler (Group and Solo): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021–2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Travel Category.

The global business travel market size was valued at USD 695.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 2,001.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2021-2028.

Major Factors Driving The Growth Of The Business Travel Market

The development of smart hotels, the use of virtual reality for hotel reservations, personalization, and leisure travel are some of the emerging trends that are driving the business travel sector.

The expansion of the travel and tourism sector, the rise in government initiatives to develop the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector, and the acceleration of business globalization are the key factors driving the growth of the global business travel market.

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MARKET

The worldwide business travel industry is being driven by the rising trend of leisure, which combines work with leisure activities to reduce stress and increase productivity. The expansion of several online travel companies is assisting in the expansion of the world business travel sector. Additionally, the rise in government initiatives to develop the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) segment and SME sector, as well as an increase in business globalization, are what is driving the growth of the global business travel market.

It is predicted that rising infrastructure investment and brisk travel retail market growth would offer profitable chances for the expansion of the corporate travel sector. Corporate travel expenses are already back to pre-pandemic levels and will continue to rise, despite increased airfares and hotel costs. Since small businesses are driving the majority of demand, low-cost airlines may stand to gain more than their larger competitors. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the business travel market.

BUSINESS TRAVEL MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

The food and lodging category is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 14.2% during the forecast period, making it the fastest-growing area based on service in the business travel market.

According to the research on the business travel market by industry, the corporate sector dominated the market and is anticipated to develop at the quickest rate because of the expansion of business activities throughout the world. The corporate sector, which held 65.6% of the market in 2020, is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 14.1% throughout the course of the forecast period.

Travelers were the largest and fastest-growing sector, accounting for 59.5% of the market in 2020 and projected to expand at a substantial CAGR of 14.3% in the years to come. The group market is thriving because group travel has cheaper costs. The service providers also provide group travel discounts on lodging and transportation.

As a result of its quickly expanding infrastructure, conducive business environment, and government initiatives to draw in foreign investment, the Asia-Pacific area is the world's largest and fastest-growing market for business travel.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the aviation industry, with travel restrictions and flight cancellations severely impacting air travel over the past three years. Business aviation was one of the most impacted air travel sectors, as organizations opted for virtual meetings or found other ways to engage remotely with their clients and colleagues.

However, business travel has since rebounded, with many companies reporting that corporate travel budgets have returned to pre-pandemic levels despite the increased cost of airfare, according to Morgan Stanley. Executives at Airbus Corporate Jets anticipate that 2023 will see a higher number of business professionals choosing to fly on private or chartered flights. While surely welcome, what impact does this resurgence of flight demand have on the well-being of pilots?

Pilot Shortages and Fatigue

Even before the pandemic, it was predicted that a shortage of pilots was forthcoming, as members of the baby-boom generation neared the federally mandated retirement age of 65. At the same time, the costs and time required to obtain a pilot certification have continued to rise, serving as a major deterrent for individuals considering aviation as a career choice. The broader airline industry estimated a shortage of nearly 8,000 pilots in 2022. Unfortunately, this shortage is likely to persist.

Analysts predict that the industry will be faced with a shortage of nearly 24,000 pilots by the year 2026, which is equivalent to the elimination of approximately 23% of the current pilot workforce. With decreasing availability of qualified labor and rising air travel demand, the industry is acutely feeling the challenge. And pilots are carrying the burden with more work hours, declining productivity and increased fatigue.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects the airline industry as a whole to post a net profit of $4.7 billion in 2023. Perhaps this inflow of capital will help stimulate new investments to help tackle the problem of pilot fatigue. Ultimately, it is up to air operators to create safer working conditions for pilots and attract the skilled personnel needed to meet air travel demand safely and reliably.

The Causes of Pilot Fatigue

While the persistent shortage of pilots plays a significant role in pilot fatigue, there are other factors to consider. Flight delays due to antiquated IT systems and scheduling issues are also to blame. In April 2022, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association reported record-setting fatigue levels.

According to the organization’s president, Casey Murray, “A lot of our delays and issues that we’re having have to do with scheduling and connecting pilots with airplanes. It is inefficient scheduling processes that are affecting when we work in a very dynamic environment.” This is becoming not only a problem for aviation in the United States but globally. According to the Australian Transport Bureau, a third of pilots have reported removing themselves from duty because of fatigue, an action they unfortunately felt was looked down upon by superiors.

On top of scheduling practices, an often overlooked source of pilot fatigue is individual factors. A new baby at home. Online courses. A medical condition that makes it difficult to achieve high-quality sleep. The list of what can influence a pilot’s ability to get adequate rest each day is long and varied, but the fact remains: Arriving for duty rested and alert is as much a function of what’s going on at home as it is linked to the schedule at work. Just losing 30 to 60 minutes of sleep a night can quickly create a sleep debt that contributes to pilot fatigue.

Managing Pilot Fatigue Amid Increasing Air Travel Demand

As part of their overarching commitment to safety, air operators have a duty to remain aware of the dangers of pilot fatigue and take the necessary steps to mitigate risk. A key step toward this objective is to implement a comprehensive Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP).

An FRMP employs multi-layered defensive strategies to manage fatigue-related risks regardless of their source. It includes data-driven, ongoing adaptive processes that can identify fatigue hazards as they appear, perform risk assessments, implement and evaluate controls and mitigation strategies and monitor performance. A successful FRMP allows the organization to conduct operations not only more safely, but also more efficiently.

This flexibility is crucial to help the organization meet rising demand with resources that are fixed or expanding more gradually. A guide for utilizing fatigue risk management systems created in partnership with IATA, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) can help aviation businesses implement these invaluable tools.

Pulsar Informatics helps air operators develop and implement a complete FRMP that integrates fatigue risk management directly into their workflows. Our products are designed to enable operators to actively manage fatigue to not only improve safety and save costs but also manage growing demand and help meet evolving regulatory requirements.

The Global Aerospace SM4 Safety Program has revolutionized the way insurance specialists help their clients achieve higher levels of operational safety. SM4 was built on the concept of integrating four critical safety components: planning, prevention, response and recovery. Its mission is to help organizations manage risk, enrich training efforts, strengthen safety culture and improve safety management systems. https://sm4.global-aero.com/

The list of North America's 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on May 4, 2023 at Hacienda Los Picachos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The annual ranking features bars from the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. New York City's Double Chicken Please is crowned No.1 as The Best Bar in North America and The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier, with Mexico City's Handshake Speakeasy ranking No.2 and named The Best Bar in Mexico, followed by New York City's Katana Kitten at No.3.

Toronto's Civil Liberties (No.12) wins The Best Bar in Canada for the second year in a row, while Puerto Rico's La Factoría, at No.24, retains The Best Bar in the Caribbean. Overall, the USA leads the list with 28 bars, with Mexico fielding 14, Canada boasting seven and the Caribbean celebrating one top bar.

Double Chicken Please, New York City, is crowned No.1 at the second annual North America's 50 Best Bars

This year's list features 28 U.S. bars, 14 from Mexico, 7 from Canada and 1 based in the Caribbean

Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, at No.2, wins The Best Bar in Mexico

Civil Liberties, Toronto, at No.12, earns The Best Bar in Canada

La Factoría, Puerto Rico, at No.24, is named The Best Bar in the Caribbean

Cuban drinks legend Julio Cabrera from Miami wins the Roku Industry Icon

Manhatta, New York City, is awarded Campari One To Watch

Rayo, Mexico City, earns the London Essence Best New Opening

Yacht Club, Denver, wins the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award

Allegory, Washington, D.C., wins the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu

Overstory, New York City, is the Nikka Highest Climber

Bar Pompette, Toronto, wins Disaronno Highest New Entry

Mark Sansom, Content Director for 50 Best, says: "We commend Double Chicken Please and its visionary founders, GN Chan and Faye Chen, for reaching the peak of cocktail excellence on the North American continent. We congratulate the team for this deserved accolade, as well as all the other fantastic bars on this year's list."