Breaking Travel News - WTTC Global Summit 2017 - Special Edition

W T TC GLOB A L S U M MIT

SPECIAL EDITION

2017

WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL, GLOBAL SUMMIT 2017, BANGKOK, THAILAND

NEWS

WTTC CEO CALLS FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD “Is it Too Much to Ask?” was the opening line of the David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) speech, at the WTTC Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Scowsill urged over 900 leading figures from the public and private sector to stand up and make a real difference, to think about how we can be ‘Transforming our World’.

Scowsill called on the sector to lead the world in the “eradication of poverty, cleaning up the oceans, and protecting habitats”.

Travel & Tourism stimulates the economy by generating over $USD7.6 trillion globally, supporting over 292 million jobs,

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“This sector plays a vital part in the global quest for a more equal, inclusive and sustainable world. For our sector to continue to thrive we must focus on three elements; people need to be able to travel; we need successful businesses; and we need responsible practices”, Scowsill concluded. As part of the ‘Is it Too Much to Ask?’ campaign, WTTC asks everyone to pledge individual actions that collectively can make a difference to the world.

which is now 1 in 10 jobs worldwide. The sector has grown faster that the global economy consistently in the last six years.

Highlighted as a specific driver of three of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, business and leisure travel will help shape the global agenda for the next 15 years.

“We are now seeing the recalibration of global politics, it is becoming clearer that the economic growth we have enjoyed over the past half century, and the globalization that has driven it, is not working for everyone. Governments are calling into question some of the basic freedoms of people movement and trade, upon which all our businesses so depend”, Scowsill said.

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NEWS

WTTC HERALDS INDIA’S TOURISM POTENTIAL MOMENTUM HOUSE, LOWER ROAD, LONDON SE1 8SJ, UNITED KINGDOM Tel +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 www.breakingtravelnews.com To subscribe to the free daily newsletter subscribe@breakingtravelnews.com or sign up via the website EDITOR (editorial) Christopher O’Toole editor@breakingtravelnews.com ADVERTISING advertising@breakingtravelnews.com

India’s Travel & Tourism sector ranks 7th in the world in terms of its total contribution to the country’s GDP, shows a new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

GROUP SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Taylor EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Chris Frost GLOBAL BUSINESS DIRECTORS Sion Rapson Mike Sawicki Kevin Rolfe EDITORS Ben Roberts Ana Strack Anna Gouldman GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA TACTICIAN Sid Thaker HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Hakansson DESIGN / LAYOUT / ART DIRECTION one2love agency PUBLISHER Graham Cooke FOLLOW US IN A READER RSS FEEDS breakingtravelnews.com/feeds/ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER twitter.com/btn_news BTN YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.com/breakingtravelnews

According to the new data, Travel & Tourism generated INR14.1 trillion (USD208.9 billion) in 2016, which is the world’s 7th largest in terms of absolute size, the sum is equivalent to 9.6% of India’s GDP. Additionally, the sector supported 40.3 million jobs in 2016, which ranks India 2nd in the world in terms of total employment supported by Travel & Tourism. The sector accounts for 9.3% of the country’s total jobs.

India’s Travel & Tourism sector was also the fastest growing amongst the G20 countries, growing by 8.5% in

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2016. A further 6.7% growth is forecast for 2017.

India’s strong Travel & Tourism figures are predominantly generated by domestic travel, which accounts for 88% of the sector’s contribution to GDP in 2016.

Visitor exports, money spent by foreign travellers in India, only represents 12% of tourism revenues and in 2016 totalled INR1.5 trillion (USD22.8bn).

This is 5.4% of the country’s total exports, compared to a global average of 6.6%. Data from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) shows that

India received only 9 million international arrivals in 2016, placing it 40th in the world, and a tenth of those received by top-ranking France.

facilitation, which will help to boost international arrivals. WTTC data suggests that visitor exports will grow by 5.4% in 2017.

However, there is a lot of potential for India to grow their visitor exports.

Over the past few months India has already starting to address this gap and made significant changes to visa

David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “India is a tremendous Travel & Tourism economy and I am pleased to see the sector GDP is growing. However, we believe that these num-

bers could be even higher, and that the positive impact of our sector could be more wide-ranging. India has a huge potential to increase its international visitors and, in doing so, it can create more jobs and drive economic growth.

We encourage the Indian government to continue to adopt policies that encour-

age travellers, such as the new visa regime, enable investment in vital infrastructure, and allow companies to do business. India is a beautiful and diverse tourism destination, with the right policies in place it will no doubt continue to grow towards ranking even higher in terms of its tourism economy.”

DAVID SCOWSILL TO LEAVE WTTC IN JUNE 2017

The World Travel & Tourism Council announces the departure of David Scowsill, President & CEO, after six years at the helm of the organisation.

During his tenure as the third President in the 26 year history of WTTC, he has taken the organisation to new heights, championing the private sector views in high level governmental discussions and promoting the sustainable growth of Travel & Tourism.

“It has been a privilege to lead WTTC, representing the global interests of the private sector of Travel & Tourism, through advocacy with governments around the world. The membership of the organisation has doubled in the last period, but more significant has been the work with governments at all levels on the

Amongst the highlights of his time, the public/private partnership with UNWTO has produced 84 meetings with Presidents and Prime Ministers, where messages about the importance of the sector have been directed to these key leaders. As founder and Chairman of The Global Travel Association Coalition, he ensured that the travel industry spoke to governments with One Voice on the key issues – from travel facilitation and terrorism, to infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.

key strategic issues for the sector,” said Scowsill. “By making this announcement now, the Executive Committee has time to identify a successor and to work through a smooth transition in leadership. Working with a very talented team, we have consolidated the position of WTTC as the authority in the sector, whether through research, advocacy, or the impact of the Global Summits. I now look forward to focussing on new opportunities, knowing that I am leaving WTTC in great shape.”

Prior to WTTC, he served as Chairman or Director with various companies, working for six years in Private Equity and Venture Capital to execute a number of deals across the industry. He was Chief Executive of Opodo and the Minit Group, after holding executive and board positions at Hilton Hotels, American Airlines and British Airways.

David Scowsill has been President & CEO of WTTC since October 2010.

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“The Executive Committee thanks David for his service and is very appreciative of the many contributions he has made to the mission, growth and success of the sector over the past 6 years,” said Gerald Lawless, Chairman, WTTC. “Under his leadership and vision, WTTC is clearly positioned as the private sector authority on Travel & Tourism, reflected in the calibre and geographic diversity of the membership group. During this transition period it will be business as usual, as the Executive Committee works to identify a successor.”

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FANTASTIC SAINT PETERSBURG WELCOMES YOU! Due to dynamic actions of the Government of Saint Petersburg focused on development of tourist industry, objects of city’s tourist infrastructure received a number of awards justifying its high international status and quality of services rendered.

Opinions of tourists happen to be the most important assessment of the work done. We will keep on doing our best to ensure that travelling to Saint Petersburg provides true pleasure to guests in future and contributes to forming a bright and appealing image of the city where one wants to come back to over and over again.

A.Mushkarev, Chairman, St. Petersburg Committee for tourism development

www.visit-petersburg.ru www.saintpetersburgcb.com

To stroll around royal park-and-palace ensembles St. Petersburg like an Empress wears a rich necklace — a necklace of royal summer residences located in the suburbs of the city.

Peterhof impresses by its numerous fountains, cascades and park pavilions .

The Catherine palace in Tsarskoe Selo is best known for the Golden Enfilade of state rooms that includes the world-famous Amber Room.

Pavlovsk is a cozy royal palace with unique chinaware, and amazing landscape park.

To touch the Russian Imperial history Saint Petersburg is the city of the white nights, draw bridges, royal palaces, museums and theatres, the cultural capital of Russia. It is the second largest city in Russia and the third one in Europe (after Moscow and London).

At 313, Saint Petersburg is quite young, yet the city has an impressive history. For a long time St. Petersburg remained the capital of the Russian Empire, and it was St. Petersburg that laid the foundation of socialist regime in the country

To get warm in winter The best opera and ballet performances, theatre and music festivals are performed at the season when the rivers and canals stand still, covered with the white armour of ice. Incredible Pancake week is a tasty period — to eat Russian dishes and to feel the spirit of Russia.

To crown it all the museums in winter are not overcrowded and the prices in the hotels decrease. Winter is time for magnificent balls that allow their guests to feel themselves like an Emperor

Saint Petersburg: A place to meet Saint Petersburg provides excellent modern congress and exhibition facilities, enabling it to hold world-class events.

The incentive and event industry in Saint Petersburg offers endless capabilities for business events, team building, corporate leisure and even exciting adventures.

The city possesses a wide range of exhibition spaces, conference halls and venues, comfortable hotels, and cosy restaurants with excellent cuisine.

Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017 From 01 to 30 November in Saint Petersburg the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» will be held.

Since its foundation St. Petersburg has become not only the capital city but also a kind of trendsetter in architecture, culture, history, and the art of cooking.

Due to the fact that in the period of construction St. Petersburg the most famous and most talented European artists of the time were invited. With them our city began the tradition of cooking dishes from different European countries.

Chefs from France, Italy and Germany creatively reworked old recipes of Russian cuisine, so many Russian dishes and recipes have found an European tradition.

Later the influence of Petersburg’s cuisine began spreading across the territory of Russia, contributing to the diversity of traditional recipes from various regions of the country.

Nowadays we can confidently talk about the special Petersburg style of Russian cuisine imbued with the spirit of history, traditions, culinary experiments and innovations.

The program of the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» includes themed dinners in restaurants, parties, workshops and master classes, shows in cooking the meals of Petersburg cuisine’s, activities for children and a special children’s menu, as well as exhibitions, competitions and much more.

The full program of the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» you can see on St. Petersburg Official City Guide www.visit-petersburg.ru

Festival of Lights Festival of Lights is becoming one of the most exciting gala events in Saint Petersburg in spring and autumn.

The festival brings together artists, painters and musicians and thousands of visitors who enjoy all patterns of light on different historical monuments.

The festival will bring to life miraculous breathtaking art by newest 3D-mapping and audiovisual technologies.

To feel the city’s soul Modern St. Petersburg, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and canals, stands on more than 100 islands, which are linked to one another by more than 400 bridges. This is why the city is often called “the Venice of the North”.

Nearly every building in the downtown is considered to be a historic monument, hence the city’s definition — “open-air museum”. Its historical centre, palace and park ensembles are inscribed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Churches and cathedrals Saint Petersburg was planned as a Westoriented city and has always been renowned for its hospitality. Peter the Great encouraged foreigners, especially from Europe, to come to the new capital: they brought a new way of life, knowledge and traditions. To make foreigners feel comfortable in the city Peter the Great and his successors paid much attention to the construction of churches and cathedrals for people of various religions.

Though Saint Petersburg is known as a city of different creeds, it is the Orthodoxy that has long been the official religion of Russia.

That is why special emphasis was laid on orthodox churches. The world’s best architects built churches and cathedrals in Saint Petersburg. Sublimity of St.Isaac’s Cathedrals, proportion of the Nikolsky (St.Nicholas’) Cathedral, smartness of the Church of Resurrection of Christ (Spas-na-Krovi) always attract visitors of the city. The beauty and splendor of their inner decorations make indelible impressions upon guests’ minds.

To immerse yourself in St. Petersburg romantics During the “white nights” the Petersburgers flock to the banks of the Neva to see the sun set. The “white nights” period lasts from May to July. Countless festivals and concerts are held in the parks and on the city’s squares and embankments: Scarlet Sails school leavers festival, River Carnival, Festival of Ice Crackers, Festivals of garden art. During such days the city marks its anniversary – on May 27th. Every day from May to October sometime after two o’clock in the morning the multi-tonne wings of the bridges swing gently upwards to let vessels on the river pass.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2017/FIFA World Cup 2018 St. Petersburg city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism is one of the key sectors of the city’s economy. St. Petersburg welcomes up to seven million tourists each year, more than any other city in Russia.

In the same artistic tradition, a new state-of-theart 70,000-seat stadium is being constructed on Krestovsky Island facing the Baltic Sea. Resembling a spaceship, it was designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa. The stadium will have a retractable pitch, ensuring that the quality of the turf remains high regardless of the weather. The Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg will host the final of FIFA Confederations Cup on 2 July 2017 and the semi-final of FIFA World Cup on 10 July 2018.

To travel without visa The travelers arriving to St. Petersburg by sea (ferry or cruise ship) can get 72 hours visa-free entry and stay in the city if they have the tour program (voucher). The passengers can acquire the voucher on the board of a ship.

There are just 4 steps to visa-free entry: 1. Purchase an airline ticket to Helsinki There are more than 10 airlines that provide direct flights from European cities to Helsinki

2. Book a ferry cabin St. Peter Line ferries sail from Helsinki every two days according to schedule (at approximately 6 p.m.). Travel time is about 13–15 hours. Estimated time of arrival in Saint Petersburg is 9 a.m. the following day. The ferry sails back from Saint Petersburg 3 days later.

3. Book a transfer from the seaport of Saint Petersburg The ferry company will provide a transfer service to the city centre and also to some hotels. It is a paid service, but it is mandatory if you would like to purchase a visa-free cruise travel. The transfer fee is 25 euro.

4. Select a hotel to stay in the city centre After selecting a cabin and booking the transfer service you can select a hotel in the city centre from the list of hotels.

Please note that to use the visa-free stay option, you may only choose a hotel to stay from the list of hotels included in your tour group program.

Your travel agent will provide you with the full list of the hotels available for booking and the room prices, or, if you book a St. Peter Line Company ferry online, you can select a hotel online.

Murcia · Spain If there is one thing that defines La Manga Club, it is our unparalleled sports facilities.

Covering an area of around 1,400 acres, the resort’s award-winning facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre, eight FIFAapproved football pitches and modern cricket amenities.

If that wasn’t enough, La Manga Club boasts an array of four and five-star accommodation, a luxury spa and more than 15 bars and restaurants – plus one of the best climates in Europe.

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F E AT U R E

LA MANGA CLUB TO HOST 4TH ANNUAL WORLD GOLF AWARDS

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World Golf Awards has revealed that the fivestar La Manga Club resort, an unrivalled sports and leisure paradise in southeast Spain, will host its Gala Ceremony 2017 at the end of this year.

The most prestigious awards programme in the golf tourism industry will take place at the famous venue in Murcia, from 23-26 November 2017.

Attendees will be welcomed to Spain’s flagship resort for three action-packed days of networking events, dinners and exclusive golf experience activities.

The highlight of the event will be the red-carpet World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony on Saturday 25 November, where golf tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Central & South America and Australasia will gather together at La Manga Club’s Hotel Principe Felipe for the 2017 winners to be announced.

“The team and I are beyond excited to be bringing the World Golf Awards to Spain for the first time,” commented Chris Frost, World Golf Awards Managing Director.

“We look forward to welcoming industry leaders and luminaries to La Manga Club, Spain’s most exclusive sports and leisure resort, in November and I know it will be a weekend to remember.”

The official overseas training base of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the resort’s unrivalled facilities as a sports and leisure destination also include a 28-court tennis centre and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. In addition, La Manga Club features the choice of a fivestar hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses and more than 20 bars and restaurants.

José Asenjo, General Manager of La Manga Club, said: “It’s a great honour and privilege to be chosen to host the World Golf Awards for the first time, in what is a landmark year for the resort as we celebrate our 45th birthday.

“Every year the event attracts some of the most respected figures in the golf industry, and we’re very excited to have this opportunity to showcase our numerous world-class golf and leisure facilities to a key global audience and look forward to welcoming everyone here in November.”

Voting for the World Golf Awards is now open and will conclude on 1 October 2017.

Set across an area of 1,400 acres, La Manga Club has been at the forefront of European sports and leisure destinations since its inception in 1972.

Featuring three 18-hole golf courses, a nine-hole academy course and outstanding practice facilities, La Manga Club has enjoyed a rich golfing history over the last four decades. Golfing legends Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Seve Ballesteros all figure prominently in its past, while its array of other outstanding sports and leisure amenities, bars and restaurants has helped establish La Manga Club as a firm favourite with golfers worldwide.

MORE INFORMATION Please visit the official website, www.worldgolfawards.com. For further details about La Manga Club, go to www.lamangaclub.com

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OUR WORLD IS YOUR PLAYGROUND DUBAI CREEK CITY CENTRE

PULLMAN DUBAI CREEK CITY CENTRE HOTEL & RESIDENCES Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel is only 10 minutes away from the Dubai Internatioal Airport and boasts 317 rooms and suites with a sleek minimalist interior design epitomizes the contemporary sophistication of this modern hotel. It blends luxurious comforts with high technology to provide an exceptional space in which to work, live and relax. For meeting conveniences, a business centre of 9 rooms in a dedicated meeting space of 909 squaremeters allows flexibility to host groups of different sizes from board meetings, conferences, social events to formal functions. Guests can also enjoy contemporary dining at the “Medley” restaurant; enjoy a power lunch or sweet delights at “Le Café”. Watch the latest sporting action at “La Fabrique” or relax while glancing at spectacular views over the old Dubai skyline at “Azure Pool Lounge” rooftop bar. A newly enhanced hotel in the heart of Old Dubai, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel is situated in Deira, Dubai’s heritage hub.

Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Residences Providing guests a distinguished residential address to call your own, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Residences features a seamless contemporary interior that exudes simplicity with colourful accents throughout the design with its 133 apartments. Offering a cosmopolitan living that one expects while staying in such a centrally located place to live, it truly offers you the best of Old Dubai charm. With its connection to Deira City Centre Mall and Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel, both entertainment and service are at hand. Enjoy panoramic views of neighbouring Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. A quick walk through the mall leads you to the Dubai Metro giving you the most convenient way to navigate the city. All in one property, it is ready to indulge its guests with its world renowned offerings from business to leisure. The premise offers the ideal venue to enjoy an authentic Arabian experience, shop and stay getaways, meetings that are kept upbeat with innovative break activities and the contemporary art scene that Pullman surrounds itself with.

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F E AT U R E

CULTURAL TOURISM IN ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

With the World Travel Awards set to visit St. Petersburg in September this year for the Europe Gala Ceremony, the Russian cultural capital is leveraging its artistic wonders to become a true global destination. Here we find out more.

The cultural capital of St. Petersburg is unrivalled by any city in Europe. The artistic collection housed at the State Hermitage includes more than three million works alone, a showcase of world culture through the centuries. The museum starts its history from the collections gained by Russian empress Catherine II in a private capacity, and traces the lineage of artistic endeavour to the present day. The main expositions of the State Hermitage occupy 365 halls in the main museum complex, situated in the historical centre of St. Petersburg. It is represented by six buildings, built in the XVIII-XIX centuries, the most significant one of which is the Winter Palace - the former emperor’s residence.

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The Hermitage collection includes paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and sculpture by Michelangelo, which can be found nowhere else in Russia, as well as the largest collection of Rembrandts outside of the Netherlands. It is calculated that, in order to view each of the museum’s exhibits for one minute each, visitors would need to spend eight years in the museum without sleep!

Equally impressive is the Kunstkamera, which has been the symbol of the Russian Academy of Sciences since the early 18th century. Founded by Peter the Great’s decree, the museum opened to the public in 1714. Located on the banks

of the Neva in the centre of St. Petersburg, its purpose was to collect and examine natural and human curiosities and rarities. Today, its collections are among the most complete and interesting in the world, containing nearly one million artefacts and reflecting the diversity of traditional cultures in the old and new world.

Located to the north-east of the historic centre, next to the Tavricheskiy Garden, the Tauride Palace is one of the largest and most impressive in St. Petersburg. Nowadays the palace is home to the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and is not open for sightseeing. However, since 2010, the halls of the palace have been used to host Potemkin Evenings, concerts of 18th century music performed on authentic instruments by some of the best local ensembles.

The Tavricheskiy Palace was built between 1783 and 1789 by Ivan Starov, one of the leading court architects of the period, for Prince Grigory Potemkin, the close confidant and lover of Catherine the Great. The palace was built and named in honour of his key role in the annexation of the Crimea, for which he was awarded the title Prince of Tauris in reference to the Ancient Greek name for the region. Starov designed the palace in strict Palladian style, and its simple facades were in sharp contrast to the richly decorated interiors and the lavish lifestyle led by Potemkin when in St. Petersburg, as he threw a series of increasingly grand and expensive parties in an effort to shore up his waning influence.

Winter Palace, but in 1896-1897 it was relocated to the place where today the Palace Bridge is situated. The permanent iron drawbridge that now stands on the site was constructed in 19121916 by engineers A. Pshenitzkiy and R. Meltzer, with some of the wooden elements of bridge’s construction remaining unchanged till 1978. Palace Bridge is technically the most perfect one of all Neva’s bridges, with a unique mechanism allowing the lifting of the 700 ton bridge spans.

Perhaps most famous of all the sights in St. Petersburg is Alexander Column – built to honour the emperor Alexander I, who reigned from 1801-25. The monument is the focal point of Palace Square and celebrates the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon’s France. The column was designed by the French-born architect Auguste de Montferrand and was built between 1830 and 1834 with Swiss-born architect Antonio Adamini. The tallest of its kind in the world, it stands at 47.5 metres high and is topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. The statue of the angel was designed by the Russian sculptor Boris Orlovsky, while the face of the angel bears great similarity to the face of Emperor Alexander I.

RELIGIOUS TOURISM For those interested in the religious history of Russia, the Kazan Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in St. Petersburg. It was built in 1801-1811 by the architect Andrey Voronikhin on the orders of Emperor Paul I who wanted the cathedral to resemble St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The cathedral - one of the most venerated icons in Russia - is a monument to glory of Russian arms. The famous Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who won the most important campaign of 1812, was buried inside the Kazan Cathedral. In 1932-1991 it housed the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism.

MORE INFORMATION

Of course, as a city of many islands, St. Petersburg is also famous for its bridges. The first pontoon bridge connected Admiralteyskiy and Vasilievsky Isles in 1856, directly in front of the

Find out more about visiting St. Petersburg at www.visit-petersburg.ru

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

World Travel awards (WTa) honours the elite brands of the global travel industry and its Grand Tour is a search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world.

Each year, WTA hosts a series of red-carpet gala ceremonies held in the world’s finest travel destinations, with winners progressing to the Grand Final at the end of the year.

WTA continues its Grand Tour throughout 2017 and beyond with a growing roster of red-carpet extravaganzas, including its inaugural ceremonies in Rwanda as well as the historic Russian city of St Petersburg.

This Special Edition gives the lowdown of all the forthcoming host destinations in 2017. We’ll uncover the hippest upcoming destinations, hotels and resorts – those exclusive spots that are driving the travel industry to new heights.

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4 JUNe 2017 | GraNd KeMPINsKI HoTel sHaNGHaI | CHINa DESTINATION Shanghai, China Few cities in the world evoke so much history, glamour, mystique and exotic promise in name alone as Shanghai.

The city combines many cultures, with the traditions of the East blending with influences from the West. The city is emerging rapidly and in recent years a number of new buildings and aractions have been added, including the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China, which stands beside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.

Food is the hub of Chinese social life, and nowhere more is it exemplified than Shanghai. The mouth-watering restaurant scene is evolving by the minute, and includes over a thousand restaurants serving 16 different styles of Chinese food alone. Meanwhile the city has many colourful festivities, like the Shanghai Tourism Festival and Shanghai China International Art Festival.

VENUE Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai is situated in the heart of Shanghai’s financial district Lujiazui. Offering stunning views of the city’s gliering skyline, the hotel is perfectly located for both leisure and business visitors.

Guests can choose from a range of luxury rooms and suites and the hotel also provides four gourmet restaurants and three bars with incredible views of the city. There is an onsite health club which includes a spa, swimming pool and gym, and the city’s visitor aractions and shopping malls are also easily accessible from the hotel. www.kempinski.com/shanghaipudong

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MALDIVES

8 JUlY 2017 | THe sUN aQUa vIlU reeF | soUTH NIlaNdHe aToll DESTINATION Maldives The Maldives is a tropical paradise where the sands are white as the smiles of the locals, where fish swim happily in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, where the weather is a dream, and the deep rays of the sun wait to engulf you their arms.

In ancient times, the shores of the Maldives welcomed lost travellers. Still welcoming, these shores remain, providing a tranquil haven for visitors.

VENUE The Sun Aqua Vilu Reef The five star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef boasts a stunning seing as the single occupant of Meedhuffushi Island in the Maldives' South Nilandhe Atoll with pristine beaches and direct access to a crystal clear lagoon. The resort has an impressive array of amenities including 101 luxurious rooms and villas and restaurants and bars serving a range of international cuisine. Guests at the resort can enjoy a variety of sports and activities, with tennis, beach volleyball and snooker all available as well as a swimming pool and the PADI Gold Palm diving centre for beginners and experts. The Sun Spa allows guests to relax with a range of soothing treatments in beautiful surroundings.

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is approximately 145km to the north resort (airport transfer time is 35 minutes by seaplane from Malé). hp://www.sunaqua.com/vilureef/

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY2017

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RIVIERA MAYA 9 sePTeMBer 2017 | Hard roCK HoTel rIvIera MaYa | MeXICo DESTINATION Riviera Maya, Mexico The Riviera Maya is a stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico's north-eastern Yucatán Peninsula. From Cancun to the archaeological site Tulum, a sequence of natural formations have given the Riviera Maya an appeal that aracts growing visitor numbers every year. It is a privileged place of natural wonders, including beaches of white sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, impressive tropical forests, underground rivers and countless ancient archaeological sites of the great Mayan civilization.

VENUE Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Located by the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, the allinclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages with both the adults-only and family-friendly resort experiences.

Just a few miles offshore lies the island of Cozumel, home to outstanding diving in the world's second-largest barrier reef, as well as one of the largest underground cave systems ever explored.

The 1,264 lavishly-appointed guestrooms boast balconies, terrace views or sky terrace options with picturesque views and hydro tubs in each room. The ultimate crowdpleaser is Bret Michaels Rock Star Suite, the largest celebrity-branded Rock Star Suite in the Hard Rock International collection.

This is where luxury meets satisfaction on a stage of stunning tropical views, a private beach, and exclusive saltwater snorkelling areas. It’s all capped off with an inviting traditional design, legendary Hard Rock hospitality, and undeniable excess at every turn.

Visit hrhrivieramaya.com or hrhallinclusive.com.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS LATIN AMERICA GALA CEREMONY2017

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TURKS & CAICOS 16 sePTeMBer 2017 | BeaCHes TUrKs & CaICos resorT vIllaGes & sPa DESTINATION Turks & Caicos Though just 90 minutes by plane from Miami, the paradise islands of Turks & Caicos have played a canny game in remaining beneath the tourism radar, meaning those that discover this tropical castaway will find deserted beaches and unspoilt coral reefs.

The most fabled stretch of oceanfront is Grace Bay with its powdery-white sands that sweep the north-eastern fringes of Providenciales. The beach gently slopes into the ocean, which reveals colours so vivid no postcard could do them justice.

Pleasures here are pure and simple. Spend your days on the beach, snorkelling and soaking up paradise. You might also be tempted to charter a private yacht and explore the many deserted islands. turksandcaicostourism.com

VENUE Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa Located in the incredible Grace Bay, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is a Caribbean wonderland of adventure and fine living. Here, there are almost enough pools for each day of the week, and the last day is reserved for the largest pool of all, the clear turquoise sea bordered by a 12-mile stretch of glorious beach.

Beaches Turks & Caicos is home to pastel pink bungalows nestled in tropical gardens resplendent with graceful palms. Made up of four distinct areas, this multi-faceted paradise offers the seaside garden paradise of the Caribbean Village, the sophisticated style of the French Village, the monumental surroundings of the Italian Village, along with the Key West Village which features three and four-bedroom villas. beaches.com

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA GALA CEREMONY 2017

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ST. PETERSBURG 30 sePTeMBer 2017 | rUssIa DESTINATION St. Petersburg The majestic city of St. Petersburg is gearing up to welcome WTA to Russia for the first time with the Europe Gala Ceremony on 30th September 2017. Having itself been recognised as “Europe’s Leading Destination” and “World’s Leading Cultural City Destination” in 2016 by WTA voters, the capital of culture will take hosting responsibilities of the gliering red carpet gala ceremony.

World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “It will be an honour for World Travel Awards to visit for Russia for the first time in 2017. St. Petersburg is one of the most famous cities in the world and this is a fantastic opportunity for the city to take its rightful place as a top rank tourism destination."

A global cultural centre, St. Petersburg is more than just home to the Hermitage Museum and the Kirov Ballet. With an exceptionally rich history, centuries-old traditions and a bright future, this fascinating destination is built on more than 45 islands and has been modelled in the French style by some of the world’s great architects.

St. Petersburg Commiee for Tourism Development Chairman, Andrey Mushkarev, said: “We will be honoured to host the leading European tourism industry professionals in St. Petersburg in 2017.

“We are confident this event will be one of the best in the history of the World Travel Awards and we are pleased to invite everyone to the Europe Gala Ceremony in St. Petersburg; a city that is the pride not only of Russia and Europe, but of the whole world.”

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE GALA CEREMONY 2017

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RWANDA

11 oCToBer 2017 | radIssoN BlU HoTel & CoNveNTIoN CeNTre, KIGalI DESTINATION Rwanda The heart of Africa, remarkable Rwanda is a pristine wilderness of unrivalled biodiversity, including virgin rainforests, beautiful mountains and thundering waterfalls.

The thriving capital of Kigali is nestled along picturesque hilltops and renowned for its cleanliness, warm hospitality, and its thriving cultural and culinary scene.

Just a two-hour drive away is Volcano National Park – home to an estimated half of the world’s population of wild mountain gorillas. The dramatic landscape also offers thrilling hiking and visits to the fascinating golden monkeys. To experience a classic African safari head to the beautiful Akagera National Park. Meanwhile the Nyungwe National Park is an untouched natural rainforest, filled with biodiversity and home to chimpanzees. www.rwandatourism.com

VENUE Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali Situated just 5km from Rwanda's thriving capital, Kigali, and the Kigali International Airport (KGL), the five star Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre features the first convention centre in Rwanda with room for up to 5,000 delegates.

The hotel's plush 292 rooms and suites pamper guests: expect private balconies, deep soaking tubs, flat-screen satellite televisions and complimentary high-speed, wireless Internet. Other amenities include a 24-hour health club, dedicated concierge team, swimming pool, tennis court and a total of 18 meeting rooms – the standout of which is the state-of-the-art auditorium that can hold up to 2,600 guests for weddings or professional business meetings. hps://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-kigali

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA GALA CEREMONY 2017

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DUBAI

29 oCToBer 2017 | arMaNI HoTel dUBaI Many theories have been proposed as to the origin of the word "Dubai". One theory suggests the word was used to describe the souq, which was similar to the souq in Ba.[19] Another theory states that the name came from a word meaning "money", as people from Dubai were commonly believed to be rich due to the thriving trading center of the location. An Arabic proverb says "Daba Dubai" meaning "They came with a lot of money."

According to Fedel Handhal, a scholar on the UAE's history and culture, the word Dubai may have come from the word daba (a past tense derivative of yadub, which means "to creep"), referring to the slow flow of Dubai Creek inland. The poet and scholar Ahmad Mohammad Obaid traces it to the same word, but to its alternative meaning of "baby locust" due to the abundant nature of locusts in the area before selement.

VENUE Armani Hotel Dubai The first word in luxury, the last and most of those in between, Armani Hotel Dubai – the debut hotel from fashion designer Giorgio Armani – occupies 10 of the 160 floors in the iconic Burj Khalifa.

Accommodation consists of 78 rooms and 82 suites, which come in 11 different sizes. Regardless of which room you plump for, expect floor-to-ceiling windows, bespoke furnishings, king-sized beds and iPads that control everything - from the 40-inch flat-screen televisions to the curtains, lighting and front door.

However what really sets the Armani Hotel Dubai apart is its dedication to personalisation: every guest is assigned a personal butler-concierge whose only goal is to ensure you are spoilt non-stop. www.armanihoteldubai.com

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST GALA CEREMONY 2017

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VIETNAM

10 deCeMBer 2017 | JW MarrIoTT PHU QUoC eMerald BaY | vIeTNaM DESTINATION Phu Quoc, Vietnam The pristine island of Phu Quoc is a hidden lush paradise off the southern coast of Vietnam. Surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the island is renowned for its stunning beaches, unblemished habitat, relaxed atmosphere and world-class scuba diving and snorkelling.

Much of Phu Quoc Island is a National Park, providing ample opportunities for exploration and geing away from it all. Go kayaking in the bays, dive the reefs, trek through the lush rainforests, or just relax on the beach massage and dine on fresh seafood, Phu Quoc is the spot.

VENUE JW Marrio Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa Travel back to the bygone era of the early 20th century with Bill Bensley's whimsical design and exquisite detail in all 243 rooms, suites, and villas of the sumptuous JW Marrio Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. Experience culinary wonder at the resort’s three restaurants and contemporary bars. Talented chefs source local fresh produce and the finest ingredients from the world market, masterfully preparing authentic flavors.

A wide range of enriching experiences are waiting to be explored, from cultural events, artisanal shopping experience, ultimate indulgence at Spa by JW, to water activities at the resort's private beachfront. www.marrio.com/pqcjw

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL GALA CEREMONY 2017

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KITzBüHEL 17-19 NoveMBer 2017 | a-rosa KITzBüHel | aUsTrIa World Ski Awards™ is the only global initiative to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in ski tourism.

It's annual 3 day event is the only time that the international leaders of the industry come together to exchange local knowledge, innovations and principles of best practise on a global stage.

We are thrilled to announce that Kitzbühel – the home of legends – will once again host ski tourism's undisputed event of the year over 3 action packed days! A host of exclusive VIP networking events and once in a lifetime ski experiences will be built around the red carpet awards ceremony and the formal start of the 2017 winter ski season. www.worldskiawards.com

WORLD SKI AWARDS KITzBüHEL 2017

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SPAIN

23-26 NoveMBer 2017 | la MaNGa ClUB | MUrCIa | sPaIN DESTINATION La Manga, Murcia Located in the region of Murcia, La Manga and Cartagena offer a tourist everything they could possibly need to make it a top destination: • a city of unique cultural and historical interest • beautiful beaches • surrounded by the Mar Menor, Spain's largest salt-water lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea • Calblanque and Monte de las Cenizas Natural Park • Cabo de Palos, an internationally recognised marine reserve • the ancient city of Cartagena • a resort with average temperatures of 22ºC, the best climate in Spain with more than 300 days of sun a year.

VENUE La Manga Club La Manga Club is an exclusive vacation, sports and leisure resort located in a privileged seing bordered by natural parks and unspoilt beaches, offering luxury, leisure and sport with wonderful weather all year round.

Covering an area of 1400 acres (560 Ha.), the resort offers exclusive accommodations, first-class professional sports facilities and fine dining, ideal for those seeking exceptional tranquillity, security and privacy, coupled with superlative service.

Ever since it opened in 1972, La Manga Club has aracted holidaymakers and sports teams with its outstanding facilities, all designed to the highest international standards. www.lamangaclub.com

WORLD GOLF AWARDS SPAIN 2017

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VIETNAM

9 deCeMBer 2017 | JW MarrIoTT PHU QUoC eMerald BaY | vIeTNaM DESTINATION Phu Quoc, Vietnam The pristine island of Phu Quoc is a hidden lush paradise off the southern coast of Vietnam. Surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the island is renowned for its stunning beaches, unblemished habitat, relaxed atmosphere and world-class scuba diving and snorkelling.

Much of Phu Quoc Island is a National Park, providing ample opportunities for exploration and geing away from it all. Go kayaking in the bays, dive the reefs, trek through the lush rainforests, or just relax on the beach massage and dine on fresh seafood, Phu Quoc is the spot.

VENUE JW Marrio Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa Travel back to the bygone era of the early 20th century with Bill Bensley's whimsical design and exquisite detail in all 243 rooms, suites, and villas of the sumptuous JW Marrio Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. Experience culinary wonder at the resort’s three restaurants and contemporary bars. Talented chefs source local fresh produce and the finest ingredients from the world market, masterfully preparing authentic flavors.

A wide range of enriching experiences are waiting to be explored, from cultural events, artisanal shopping experience, ultimate indulgence at Spa by JW, to water activities at the resort's private beachfront. www.marrio.com/pqcjw

WORLD SPA AWARDS VIETNAM 2017

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The latest spa tourism news on the most significant developments in the wellness and spa tourism industry.

Find stunning photos, videos and interactive discussions with our group members.

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