TravelWise with Phil Blizzard

The first TravelWise podcast of 2025 with Phil Blizzard talking to Bani Haddad, Co-founder and managing director of Aleph Hospitality, a Dubai based, independent hospitality management company, which will be 10 years old in 2025

The talk is about the services they offer to key markets across the MIddle East and Africa, their entry into Morocco and, of course, Saudi Arabia - the challenges and opportunities.

Along with a reflection on key activities in 2024 and  a look ahead to plans for 2025 - including further development of their Innovation Lab, their collaboration with 'Evolvin Women' and the development of Dubai's Jewel of the Creek.

TravelWise onboard the Star Legend luxury yacht in the Mediterranean for the inaugural 'Legendary Winter in the  Mediterranean' cruise. 

Join Phil Blizzard on board  Star Legend, from Windstar,  as he explores the luxury yacht as it sails from Rome to Barcelona.  He talks to key members of  staff about the facilities,  the various dining options, entertainment and the shore excursions available at ports of call along the way,  This boutique yacht has just over 300 passengers per sailing!

Ports on the cruise include Civitavecchia, Rome and Livono for Pisa in Italy, Nice  and Marseille in France and the arrival port of Barcelona, Spain.

Phil concludes this episode with Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Office, Windstar  and some exciting news about future 'Legendary Winter in the  Mediterranean' cruises for Winter 2024/25

If you are someone who is looking at a boutique cruise experience which is personal and friendly and takes you  to the less-visited places than this is the travel experience for you.

For further information about this cruise and the others operated by Windstar contact www.CruiseMaster-ME.com 

Travel Wise from Phil Blizzard - News, Views & Interviews, along with travel tips to enhance your journey.

Abu Dhai tourism news from Abdullah Yousef, Director of International Operations, Department of Culture & Tourism who talks to Phil Blizzard at the World Travel Market, London.

Listen to this comprehensive overview of the tourism development plans for the capital of the United Arab Emirates - from dedicated zones to the worlds largest entertainment sphere.

TravelWise on the road in the 'Land of Smiles' with Phil Blizzard and this trilogy which will take you 'off the beaten track' down south in Khao Tao, jungle trekking in Chiang Mai and a re-vist to the increasingly popular Hua Hin.  This episode begins in Wongamat, Northern Pattaya, which is close to U-Tapao the arrival point in Thailand for flydubai and their daily service from Dubai. 

Travelling south to the 'Royal Resort' of Hua Hin Phil catches up with Richard Jackson from English radio station Surf Fm to talk about the latest news on events, happenings & places to go. Plus information on a super affordable way to travel to the capital from Hua Hin airport in a comfortable air condition bus.

Plus my travel tips on where to stay, places to go in this 'The Royal Resort of Thailand'.

Featured hotel - Supatra Beach Resort Hua Hin - https://www.daviniaresort.com/

Featured High Spot - Vana Nava Sky Bar - Holiday Inn Hua Hin - https://www.vananavasky.com/

Recommended Transportation Service - Thanyakarn Ying Transport - https://www.facebook.com/ying.transport

The settings of the fabulous Brecon Beacons, Bannau Brycheiniog, in Wales is the location for this podcast whereby Phil Blizzard, in his studio, links up with organiser Janine Price to talk about the regions first Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Festival.

Further details - https://wellsynergy.wales

Location of the festival is Onnenfawr Leisure Ltd Crai LD3 8PY

Bannau Brycheiniog means “The Peaks of Brychan's Kingdom”, with Brychan a legendary king who is said to have ruled the Brecon area during the 5th century

Discover Qatar with Phil Blizzard talking to Phil Dickinson from Qatar Tourism who is responsible for the Leading International Markets & MICE marketing.  Highlights of the interview include the 'Discover Qatar Stop-Over' programme which, in conjunction Qatar Airways, offers visitor stays in 4* hotel from just US$14 per person per night, along with a 24hr check-in service!

Phil Dickenson also talks about the key aspects of their current tourism strategy programme which, following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 , is based around 'demand spaces' in the leisure, cultural and romantic stay sectors.

For more information visit the website - www.visitqatar.qa

Seychelles Tourism minister, HE Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism,  talks to Phil Blizzard about their developments and key focus for the future of this industry within the Seychelles islands. The podcast also features. Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary, Seychelles Tourism who talks about new hotels opening, the events and festivals taking place,  including the prestigious FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 which will be taking place in the capital Victoria in May 2025.

For more information visit: 

Seychelles Tourism  www.seychelles.com/culture/creole-rendezvous

Seychellois Creole Experiences  - www.kokosye.com

TravelWise podcast with Phil Blizzard and in this vignette epsiode we link up with travel and tourism expert Gemma Greenwood who is in Sydney, Australia. Gemma takes us away from  the city centre and it's iconic tourists magnets - Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This time her 'Off The Beaten Track' recommendation is a 9 hour drive up the coast from Sydney to Cabarita Beach in northern New South Wales! Listen to find out why!

TravelWise vignettes are short, snappy podcasts less than 10 minutes in duration, featuring all the essential information you need to know about a particular destination and this is what you will hear from Gemma.

A TravelWise vignette as Phil Blizzard checks into  Dubai’s newest destination the Jewel of the Creek – home to the glittering Marriott Marquis Dubai and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences. 

In this podcast he discovers what the destination has to offer by talking to  Anders Lingard-Johannesson, General Manager, Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences.

Jump onboard this podcast with Phil Blizzard for an exploration of the world's newest cruise ship the gigantic Sun Princess.   You will be taken on journey starting in Barcelona, cruising acoss the Mediterranean  to  Athens. Enroute you will be discovering the cuisine in its many restaurants,  with entertainnment galore and take a visit to the bridge for a conversation with Captain Craig Street.

For more information visitwww.princess.com

and 

www.cruisemaster-me.com