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Star Alliance’s Rio lounge Rio starts paid entry

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE 26 August 2022: Star Alliance has introduced paid entry to its lounge at the Rio De Janeiro (GIG) airport, the third Star Alliance lounge worldwide to offer a paid access service.  

The other two lounges offering paid access are located at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), Buenos Aires and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). There are six Star Alliance branded lounges worldwide; the other three are in Europe – Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. They are not currently offering paid access, but the option is in the pipeline.

Star Alliance vice president, customer experience Christian Draeger said: “We welcome more passengers to our Star Alliance lounge in Rio and will explore expanding paid access to more of our lounges in the future.”

Complimentary access remains a core benefit for Star Alliance Gold customers. Still, the three lounges in the Americas also welcome all other Star Alliance passengers, regardless of membership status or cabin class, for a nominal fee.

Those who already have free access to the lounge can now purchase access vouchers for family members, friends or colleagues travelling together so that their entire party can relax before a flight.

Entry vouchers are priced from USD55 for a three-hour visit to the lounge. Passengers will also gain a discount if they are a member of a Star Alliance airline’s frequent flyer programme.

Passengers can pre-book and purchase lounge access vouchers on Star Alliance’s website. Subject to availability at the time of booking, they would receive a confirmation email with a QR code valid for the day and time selected. At the airport, they can scan the QR code at the lounge entrance and walk in.

(Source: Star Alliance)

AAPA reports strong passenger recovery

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KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2022: Asia Pacific airlines report a strong recovery in international par passenger traffic according to the Preliminary July 2022 traffic figures released Thursday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

The region’s airlines flew a combined 11.3 million international passengers in July, surpassing the 10 million mark for the first time since February 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic led to a collapse in global travel markets.

The average international passenger load factor reached a pandemic high of 80% for the month, the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the region in early 2020. Demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) rose by 546.7% year-on-year, significantly outpacing the 157.3% expansion in available seat capacity.

By contrast, air cargo markets weakened further against falling export orders and worsening business and consumer confidence levels. For the month, international air cargo demand in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) dropped by 11.6% year on year, whilst freight capacity offered held relatively steady, edging just 0.4% lower. As a result, the average international freight load factor declined by 8.6 percentage points to 67.8% for the month.

Commenting on the results, AAPA director general Subhas Menon said: “Growth in travel markets continued to accelerate in July, bringing the total number of international passengers to 43 million in the first seven months, almost five-fold more than the 9 million recorded during the same period in 2019. However, full recovery remains a long way off, with traffic in July averaging only 34% of the corresponding pre-pandemic month.”

He added: “Meanwhile, prevailing supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions further dampened demand for air shipments. Nevertheless, the robust passenger travel recovery supports the industry’s return to profitability, even though cost pressures abound.”

Looking ahead, Menon noted: “Overall, 2022 looks to be a better year by far, although there will be bumps in the road to recovery. Immediate challenges include operational constraints resulting from manpower shortages and rising costs amid a distinct slowdown in global economic Growth.

“To further enhance the industry’s resilience, AAPA continues to urge stakeholders to work closely to expand smooth, safe and sustainable air connectivity, given the significant contribution of air transport to economic growth and social development,” he concluded.

(Source: AAPA)

Emirates nonstop to Auckland

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 26 August 2022: Emirates says it will restore its nonstop A380 services to and from Auckland and Kuala Lumpur, starting from 1 December.

The airline currently flies to both cities with a linked Boeing 777-300ER service, which stops in Kuala Lumpur before continuing to Auckland.

The start of A380 flights will see both cities delinked and served with direct services to and from Dubai. The latest update to the airline’s schedule will offer customers greater flexibility and much-needed seat availability. The new services will also provide more opportunities to travel across the Emirates network with reduced transit times after the delinking of services and faster connections to and from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

The nonstop services between Dubai and Auckland will become the longest route on the Emirates network, clocking 14,200 km.

Emirates’ direct flight EK448 from Dubai to Auckland will depart at 1005 and arrive at 1105 the next day. The return flight will depart Auckland at 2115 and arrive in Dubai at 0525 the next day. All times are local.

Emirates’ A380 service to Kuala Lumpur, EK346, will depart Dubai at 0330, landing at 1435. EK 343 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 0145, arriving in Dubai at 0505.

The reintroduction of the airline’s flagship A380 to Auckland and Kuala Lumpur will provide more choice for tourists looking to discover these exciting destinations and also offers travellers a chance to experience the A380’s signature products and services across all classes. New Zealand is ramping up its visibility with a global campaign in key markets to encourage more visitors to come and re-live the country’s incredible experiences and stunning natural attractions. To promote Malaysia as a unique travel destination, Emirates recently signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with the Malaysia Tourism Board to develop inbound visitor traffic into the country from key markets across the airline’s network.

The Emirates A380 experience remains highly sought after by travellers for its spacious and comfortable cabins and signature products that offer the best experiences in the sky, like the Onboard Lounge, First Class suites and Shower Spa. The A380 experience is rounded off by award-winning hospitality, regional culinary creations and authentic tastes, and the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, with more than 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment.

The airline is accelerating the deployment of its flagship A380 aircraft in line with the growing global demand for air travel, with 32 destinations being served on a scheduled basis and more to be announced in the coming weeks and months.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

Phuket event calls for tourism rethink

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 26 August 2022: PHIST, an influential sustainable hotel and tourism event, returns to an in-person format this September after a two-year pause delivering environmental social and governance workshops (ESG), green products and an expo.

Co-organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, Greenview and C9 Hotelworks, Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST 5) will take place from 0900 to 1900, 26 September, at the integrated Angsana Laguna Phuket resort. The event is backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

Now in its fifth year, PHIST 5 will bring together expert resources on forward-looking and practical applications to deliver sustainable tourism. A wide range of topics will cover ESG and circular economy to renewable energy and EV transport. Experts will address issues concerning green financing for hotels, sustainable tech start-ups, cannabis tourism, environmental education and how to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

“The global pandemic has created the most significant opportunity for tourism to rethink, reimagine and act for a sustainable future,” said C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett a key player behind the success of PHIST’s five editions. “The pandemic is a catalyst for key stakeholders across Thailand and Southeast Asia to gather together and frame ideas, create conversations, and ignite inspiration to play it forward for future generations.”

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phuket-hotels-for-islands-sustaining-tourism-phist-5-tickets-300536220927

(Source: C9 Hotelworks)

Carnival Luminosa sails to Australia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 26 August 2022: Carnival Cruise Line announced Thursday that reservations are open for the inaugural season of its newest ship Carnival Luminosa.

The ship will debut from Brisbane, Australia, on 6 November 2022 before repositioning for seasonal cruises from Seattle to Alaska next May.

When Carnival Luminosa arrives in Australia this November, it will be the latest Carnival ship adorned with a new spectacular livery first introduced on the ship Mardi Gras in 2021. The new livery has been added to half of the Carnival fleet, with the red, white and blue hues long associated with Carnival Cruise Line.

“We couldn’t be prouder to welcome Carnival Luminosa to our fleet and to start our highly anticipated sailings from Brisbane followed by unique bucket-list itineraries in Alaska,” said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy.

Full details on Carnival Luminosa’s itineraries can be found here. Among the many exciting and fun-filled itineraries to choose from:

  • Seven-day Alaska cruise from Seattle (7/20/2023) – Juneau, Alaska; Haines, Alaska; Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska; and Victoria, BC, Canada.
  • 11-day Carnival Journeys Papua New Guinea sailing from Brisbane (11/19/2023) – Conflict Islands; Alotau, Papua New Guinea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; and Kiriwina Island.
  • 22-day Carnival Journeys Transpacific sailing to Seattle from Brisbane (4/13/2023) – Noumea, New Caledonia; Suva, Fiji Islands; Papeete (Tahiti), Polynesia; Moorea (Tahiti), Polynesia; and Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • 30-day Carnival Journeys Transpacific sailing to Brisbane from Seattle (9/14/2023) – Ketchikan, Alaska; Icy Strait Point, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier, Alaska; Kushiro, Japan; Aomori, Japan; Tokyo, Japan; Hiroshima, Japan; Nagasaki, Japan; Puerto Princesa, Philippines; and Bitung, Indonesia.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival Luminosa visit www.carnival.com.

(Source: Carnival Cruise Line)

Centara packages private villa stays

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 25 August 2022: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator with hotels across Asia and the Middle East, is making it easier for families to book a luxurious last-minute summer holiday or autumn vacation this year with the launch of a new package which is perfect for parents who want to unwind in plenty of personal space and create lifelong memories with their kids.

“The Place to Call Your Own” package lets guests discover a heavenly home-away-from-home in paradise, with a choice of spacious and stylish villas in many dream destinations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. To make every vacation completely stress-free, travellers are offered complimentary daily breakfast and dinner throughout their stay, and up to two children can stay free of charge.

With seamless indoor and outdoor living areas, modern amenities, views of lush tropical gardens or sparkling seas, and even private swimming pools in many properties, families can chill out together and revel in the joy of freedom and seclusion.

The Deluxe Private Pool Villa at Centara Villas Phuket provides plenty of outdoor space for guests to unwind.

This enticing offer is available at participating hotels and resorts in many highly desirable locations across Thailand, including Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani and Chiang Mai in Thailand, plus Mui Ne in Vietnam and Muscat in Oman. So, whether families are longing for a blissful beachfront vacation or an enchanting upcountry escape, everyone can find a “Place to Call Your Own” with Centara this summer.

This attractive package is valid until 31 December 2022, and rates start from just THB 3,315++ per night! At properties where villas are not available, the promotion applies to suites. For more information and to book, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara-place-to-call-your-own.

Every guest will enjoy complete peace of mind when staying with Centara Hotels & Resorts. Under the Centara Complete Care programme, the company adheres to the strictest health and hygiene protocols to keep every family safe and secure.

To learn more about Centara Hotels & Resorts, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

ITB Asia lines up conference sessions

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 August 2022: ITB Asia, organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore), has announced the line-up of conference and keynote sessions for this year’s ITB Asia Conference.

Alongside MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, ITB Asia will be held as an in-person event from 19 – 21 October at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

Go Big & Go Forward: Travel Industry on the Road to Recovery and Growth will be the overarching theme for this year’s conference.

“Tourism reopening across countries worldwide has been having a positive impact on global travel demand, and the Asia Pacific is seeing a strong and growing pent-up demand for travel. Travel and MICE businesses need to go big to tap on and maximise the growth potentials created by various trends in specific industry sectors and go forward to overcome the challenges in the market, including the competition and also the global economy,” said Messe Berlin (Singapore) managing director Katrina Leung.

The 2022 conference programme will have over 3840 minutes of high-powered content over 90 sessions during which over 160 leading industry leaders and innovators in three conference theatres discuss topics critical to the future of MICE, corporate travel, leisure travel and travel technology.

Conference Partners

The 15th instalment of the annual trade show and conference also welcomes several new and established conference partners, including Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE).

Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA): Day Three, 21 October 2022

10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Knowledge Theatre

International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE): Day One, 19 October 2022,

3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. and Day Two, 20 October 2022, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., MICE Show Asia Theatre

International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO): Day Three, 21 October 2022, 12.30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m., MICE Show Asia Theatre

Meeting Professionals International (MPI): Day One, 19 October 2022,

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Day Two, 20 October 2022, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., MICE Show Asia Theatre

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE): Day One, 19 October 2022,

12 p.m. – 1 p.m., MICE Show Asia Theatre

Keynote presentations

On Day One, 19 October, ITB Asia’s keynote presentations focus on what’s happening in Asia Pacific’s travel, tourism and MICE markets and discuss strategies driving the industry forward.

At 0900. Michael Dykes, Vice President, Market Management (APAC), Expedia Group will kick off with his keynote presentation named “Travel in Action, Digitally”, where he discusses how technologies transform products, enabling a seamless traveller journey, as well as empowering the travel industry for greater efficiency and creativity.

The following keynote address at 0915  will be delivered by Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (Excluding Greater China), Marriott International, who will be talking about “Rebuilding Confidence: How COVID-19 Fostered a More Resilient Future for Travel”. The morning keynotes conclude with a Fireside Chat on “Looking Toward 2025: Where Travel Will Be” at 0930 with the keynote speakers Michael Dykes and Rajeev Menon, offering a glimpse into the future.

Knowledge Theatre: Session Highlights

The Knowledge Theatre features an address by Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Booking.com, titled: “Adapt and Pivot: Delivering Authentic Experiences While Prioritising Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Growth”. Houldsworth will highlight the real opportunity for the industry to realise its potential as a key sector in the transition towards a greener economy and how to rebuild with a renewed focus on sustainability.

The series of NTOs’ Talks will feature leaders from National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) across APAC and beyond, discussing ideas and setting actions for destinations to come back stronger than before. The NTOs’ Talks “Destination Rediscoveries” will be led by senior executives from the South African Tourism, Tourism Australia, Saudi Tourism Authority, Spain Tourism Board and Visit Maldives, who will identify the changing behaviours, priorities and preferences of travellers to pay attention to.

“Recovery and Opportunity” is the name of the Hotel Leaders’ Panel which will be moderated by Kwee Wei-Lin, Senior Vice President, Hotels, Pontiac Land Group, President, Singapore Hotel Association. Together with C-level speakers from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), Pan Pacific Hotels Group, and The Ascott Limited, they will discuss how the post-pandemic psyche affects the way people travel in 2023 and their choice of accommodation.

As international tourism resumes, it is time for the travel industry in Asia to quickly seize the opportunities to recover in the new contexts. In the Travel Associations’ Talks, titled, “Where to Next? The New Adaptive Strategies”, Nigel Wong, Honorary Treasurer, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), Eddy Soemawilaga, President, ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) and Tadashi Shimura, President, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) will discuss how the industry can reinvent itself. What strategies it needs to reopen and expand connections with international markets and other issues will be addressed by a variety of C-level speakers and experts from Agoda, Austrian National Tourist Office, BWH Hotel Group, Collinson, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, The Travel Corporation, TUI Musement and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

(Source: ITB Asia)

Tourism Malaysia’s roadshows go Downunder

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TTR WEEKLY
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PERTH, Australia 25 August 2022: Tourism Malaysia embarks on a roadshow to Australia this week to reconnect and create new partnerships with travel trade partners in enhancing opportunities to boost tourist arrivals to Malaysia.

Headed by Noor Azlan Abu Bakar, senior deputy director, International Promotion Division (Americas, Europe, & Oceania) Tourism Malaysia, the delegation consists of Pahang and Sabah state tourism boards, five travel operators, hoteliers and two medical tourism industry players.

The Malaysian sellers and Australian buyers participate in travel mart sessions, destination presentations, and networking dinners in the cities of Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The roadshow is organised by Tourism Malaysia and supported by Malaysia Airlines.

Noor Azlan said: “We are excited to re-establish networking after a two-year hiatus to drive travel interest to Malaysia. This roadshow presents a platform for Malaysian partners to share their latest offerings, and we look forward to strengthening business relationships with our Australian counterparts.

“Australia remains a key market for Malaysia. In 2019, we welcomed 368,281 arrivals from Australia, and more than 80 per cent of Australian tourists came to Malaysia for holidays.”

Malaysia has relaxed the entry procedures for fully-vaccinated travellers without requirements to undergo quarantine or pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests, including children aged 17 and below.

(Source: Bernama)

Travel insurance is also not a prerequisite for foreigners entering Malaysia, and inbound travellers no longer need to fill in the Traveller’s Card on the country’s contact tracing app, MySejahtera.

Malaysia’s latest attractions include the newly opened outdoor theme park in the highlands – Genting SkyWorld, and the magnificent Merdeka 118 Tower in Kuala Lumpur, the world’s second-tallest building.

There are currently 121 weekly direct flights from Australia to Malaysia via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Batik Air, with a seating capacity of 31,600.

Vistara resumes Abu Dhabi flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 25 August 2022: Vistara, a joint venture airline owned by Tata group and Singapore Airlines, confirms it will start nonstop daily flights between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, effective 1 October 2022.

The airline will operate daily flights between the two cities using its A320neo aircraft. Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and travel agents.

Vistara, chief executive officer  Vinod Kannan said: “We are delighted to expand our presence in the UAE, with a second Emirate, and offer the choice of flying India’s best airline on one of the busiest international routes from India. We are confident that greater connectivity between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi will complement the growing trade and tourism between the two countries. We are certain that customers from India and the UAE will appreciate experiencing our award-winning product and services on the route.”

Vistara complies with all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements in both countries, as specified by the respective government bodies and encourages customers to fully understand these guidelines before booking.

Introductory all-inclusive, round-trip fares are as follows:

SectorEconomyPremium EconomyBusiness
Mumbai – Abu Dhabi – MumbaiINR 17,749INR 22,949INR 45,949
Abu Dhabi – Mumbai – Abu DhabiAED 799AED 1,199AED 3,999

Schedule of flights to/from Abu Dhabi, UAE, effective from 1 October 2022:

SectorFlight No.Days of OperationDepartureArrival
Mumbai – Abu DhabiUK 0255Daily1910 Hrs2040 Hrs
Abu Dhabi – MumbaiUK 0256Daily2140 Hrs0235 Hrs (+1)

* All timings shown are in local time zones *+1 indicates next day arrival

Singapore ranks high among seaside cities

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 August 2022: Singapore is the top coastal destination in Asia to relocate to, according to new research from money.co.uk.

Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo all made it to the top 10 coastal cities, with Singapore coming in at third place below the top destination Miami and second-placed San Francisco. 

The research by the mortgage experts at money.co.uk analysed 50 of the highest-rated coastal cities in the world on factors such as average salary, average annual temperature and rainfall, life expectancy and average download speeds to reveal the best coastal places to relocate to in the world.

With millions of Brits dreaming of a life outside the UK, the new research reveals the world’s best coastal cities to relocate to, and surprise, there was only one Spanish destination, Barcelona, ranked eighth in the top 10.

If you want to relocate somewhere where you can enjoy the fresh sea air, then Miami just pips San Francisco, with a relocation score of 6.72. Miami has been named the best coastal city to live in. Known for its stunning beaches with an average sea temperature of 26.3°C,  it has the edge over the colder waters of California.

San Francisco comes in second here, with a relocation score of 6.44 out of 10, as the city itself isn’t mainly known for its beaches and climate, with calmer winds than Miami. However, it’s still a great city, topping the rankings for nature & parks and download speeds.

In third place is the city-state of Singapore, which has the warmest average sea temperatures of any city in this ranking at 29.1°C, and an overall relocation score of 6.39. Singapore is diverse and has a thriving expatriate community with many British families calling it home.

More study insights

The relocation destination with the warmest weather is Dubai, UAE, with an average annual temperature of 28.2ºC.

Abu Dhabi, also in the UAE, is the relocation destination with the lowest amount of average yearly rainfall at 42mm.

Miami, USA, has the highest number of restaurants at 900 restaurants per 100,000 people.

The best-connected relocation destination is San Francisco, California, with average download speeds of 213.97 MB/s. The Californian city is also the best city for earnings, with an average salary of USD99,954, as well as ranking as the top relocation destination with an overall relocation score of 7.76

Atlanta, USA, is the best relocation destination for job opportunities, with 65,781 job listings per 100,000 people.

You can view the full research here: https://www.money.co.uk/mortgages/world-relocation-report-2022

The 10 best coastal places to relocate to in the world

RankCity, CountryAverage annual temperature (°C)Average annual rainfall (mm)Number of parks and green spaces per 100,000 peopleRestaurants per 100,000 peopleLife expectancyAverage download speed (MB/s)Average salary (USD)Job listings per 100,000 peopleRelocation score /10
1Miami, USA24.61,11312.89007787.08$64,39356,4126.72
2San Francisco, USA13.558113.556077213.97$99,95449,3376.44
3Singapore26.72,3663.221384135.31$37,7802,2976.39
4Los Angeles, USA17.63572.72687793.93$76,88810,7666.00
5Dubai, UAE28.2683.04107855.60$26,9613075.89
6San Diego, USA16.72727.53087769.03$77,84916,8485.83
7Hong Kong22.61,7964.41808579.28$45,6934715.61
8Barcelona, Spain15.56142.517382186.66$37,0445675.44
9Tokyo, Japan15.21,4821.827585175.58$36,2709575.22
10Dublin, Republic of Ireland9.49196.419582158.26$42,1892,4145.11
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