MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine the global monthly online magazine since 1997
vol. 24, issue 9, September 2021
EUROPE’s Cities Reset Button to Quality Tourism THAILAND predicts its tourism market will not recover before 2026 Climate Change and a Lesson from the PERSIANS Event Industry TRENDS for 2021 An Interview with… MR. RAWAD SLEEM The Spirit of the OLYMPIC GAMES v/s Geopolitical Games National Museum of Contemporary Art, ATHENS, GREECE
MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 24, Issue 9, September 2021 edition – Online since 1997
Contents 7 EUROPE’s cities reset button to quality tourism 11 THAILAND predicts its tourism market will not recover before 2026 16-18 Climate Change and a lesson from the PERSIANS 21 Event Industry TRENDS for 2021…
16 Climate Change
22 SARAWAK as first Malaysian state to join global destination sustainability 24 The first European covid free fair, Thessaloniki, GREECE 25 CINDY HARTNER, new leadership role within the DMC network... 26-27 60th ICCA Congress Cartagena, Colombia 28 RURAL TOURISM and sustainable development conference 2021
34-36 The Olympic Games
30-32 An Interview with… MR. RAWAD SLEEM 34-36 The Spirit of the OLYMPIC GAMES v/s Geopolitical Games 40 By 2050 USA AIRLINES goal for flying with renewable fuels 43 AIRBUS A350, Made in China 44-46 NATIONAL MUSEUM of CONTEMPORARY ART Athens
44-46 NMCA Greece
Cover page photo: Mr. Rawad Sleem © NexTFairs, Qatar
Message from
Caroline-Artemis Welcome to the beginning of Autumn! A new season and for many a new term! The world continues to be in turmoil, but at least some of you were able to go on holiday and it was great to see and hear more planes in the sky! As the change in season comes, the potential for the re-instating of restrictions looms on the horizon, with seasonal bugs adding to a predicted re emergence of high COVID-19 cases. But this time we are more ‘’ready’’ to deal with life and viruses! So, it’s time to put your best foot forward and carry on! Make the most of the wealth of events that are set to take place in real life over the coming months (restrictions and health protocols permitting). We are delighted to be working with several events coming up including the inaugural Qatar Travel Mart (Doha, Qatar); IT&CM Asia & CTW (Bangkok & Virtual); MICE Trade Show (Venice, Italy); The Athens International Tourism Expo (Athens, Greece); The Global Wellness Summit (Boston, USA); Italy at Hand (Milan, Italy).
These events are proof that the wheels of tourism continue to turn and still offer a variety of opportunities for re -establishing business connections as well as for making valuable new ones. It is clear that across the world, we are still learning to live with a new model and it is still going to take some time for a ‘normal’ way of life to be established. We hope we can continue on this journey with you over the coming months and help keep the wheels of tourism going! Enjoy the MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine September 2021 edition
Caroline-Artemis Laspas co-founder & editor MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine London, United Kingdom
TOURISM News Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe
EUROPE’S CITIES RESET BUTTON TO QUALITY TOURISM, NOT MASS TOURISM For many European cities, tourism was becoming unsustainable, resulting in problems for the city’s residents. From Amsterdam to Barcelona, cities were no longer able to cope with the endless influx of tourists. Platforms like AirBnB turned regular rents into unsustainable levels. With tourism accounting for a large percentage of GDP and employment a delicate balance was needed. But then the ‘health crisis’ hit and everything stopped. The reset button was pressed. Tourism now, in a post-covid summer, sees these popular cities with tourists, but not uncontrollable numbers. However, these destinations rely on tourism revenues to survive. Many have now implemented new schemes and restrictive measures to ensure tourists arrive, but not in the numbers before. These cities cannot control the cost of flights, but they can target the attractions on offer to a different kind of tourist. Spreading tourists out across the city helps with newly promoted transport routes which highlight other areas and help spread tourism revenues. Behaviour rules are in place to stop tourists from leaving rubbish or sitting on steps with take-away meals, for example. This trend will see more and more selective tourism marketing from cities and destinations in the future.
INBOUND TRAVELLERS TO CAMBODIA QUARANTINE IN 2 PHNOM PENH HOTELS A new scheme now allows inbound travellers to Cambodia to select which hotel they spend their 14 day mandatory quarantine in; either the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence or the Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh. If they do not choose either hotel, they will be allocated to another hotel, as per the current s ystem. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, passengers who have booked at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel and Residence or Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh must do the following: – Present the necessary travel documents as in the case of regular travellers, such as a valid visa, a health certificate issued by the health authority recognised by the government within 72 hours before departure and a certificate of purchase of the required health insurance for foreign travellers for the treatment of COVID-19, showing a certified copy. – Show proof of booking for a 14-day stay to the competent official. The booking hotel must arrange transportation for passengers from Phnom Penh International airport to its location in accordance with the existing healt h rules. After quarantine at either hotel guests must pay the state expenses related to the quarantine. Travellers choosing other hotels wll need to pay a UK£1,458 deposit to cover costs on quarantine.
GREAT BRITAIN’S JOURNEY TO SPACE TOURISM Following the successful journey into space by British businessman Richard Branson (owner of Virgin Atlantic) in the Virgin Galactic passenger rocket, space tourism is a step closer. The Virgin Galactic reached 88kms above the Earth's surface and lasted an hour. The global space race for commercial tourist space travel has been hotting up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos rocket ‘New Shepard’ which aims to take passengers 100kms above the earth surface. The SpaceX already regularly travels to space with supplies for the International Space Station.
CRUISE TO NOWHERE China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has launched its first ever cruise to nowhere. The 3-4 day voyage on the Genting Dream sails out to sea past the Lei Yue Mun and Tathong channels, then into international waters and then returns. Unlike any normal cruise, this has no ports of call! This is one of many ‘health measures’ to keep any coronavirus outbreaks to a minimum. All passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated and tested for the virus before departure, with face masks required at all times on board the ship, apart from when dining and in the pool. The ship has its own contact tracing system that requires passengers to carry a tracking device wherever they go! They system will notify anyone within 1.5m of an infected person for over 15 minutes, thereby encouraging social distancing. Many cruise ships were hit badly from the virus due to the air circulation systems. The rooms on the Genting Dream, including cabins, each have independent ventilation systems that provide 100% fresh air. Finally, the ship operates at 50% passenger capacity.
THE NEW PULLMAN PARIS MONTPARNASSE The Pullman Montparnasse is now open again after a 4 year renovation. It is now the new flagship hotel of the Pullman brand. The 32-floor hotel contains 957 bedrooms, and 3 floors dedicated to professional events. Thanks to its ideal location on the Left bank there is easy access to the main sites and transport of the city. 55 meeting rooms are on offer as well as a 740m2 ballroom with a 7m high ceiling that can accommodate up to 726 guests. 19 rooms can also be adapted for conference room use. This new generation conference center of 1,500m², spread over 3 floors, welcomes your gala dinners, seminars and executive committees in a unique atmosphere. It is highlighted by 800m² of private green terraces. The Skybar, now the highest open-air rooftop in Paris (115m), is ideal for an afterwork with colleagues to sip signature cocktail s and admire the 360° view of Paris. The rooftop can be made exclusive under certain conditions for up to 150 people for cocktail p arties. The 5 restaurants and bars include an Italian restaurant offering a delicious aperitivo, and ‘Umami Burger’, a casua l place with a subtle mix of American and Asian dishes.
REBRANDED CHINA TRAVEL OUTBOUND is now ‘GUANXI’. Guanxi (pronounced gwan-she) in Chinese means personal trust like that between 2 business people wanting to create a strong relationship. Helena Beard, Founder and Managing Director of Guanxi, said “Good guanxi is at the heart of our work. It’s the reason our Chinese media, trade and industry networks are so strong, and it’s why our UK and Beijing teams work so well together. Most importantly, it’s how we build great relationships with our clients and help them grow their business from China.” Since China Travel Outbound was established as a travel specialist in 2013, the agency has grown to include clients in retail , education and hospitality in the UK, Europe, Middle East, North America and Asia. Services have expanded beyond PR and representation, to include Chinese social media and a global Market Research division. “During the pandemic, we have developed a specialist in the Chinese student mark et, strengthening relationships with UK universities and student influencers, and we have also become media owners with in -house Chinese social media accounts focusing on travel and tourism. The name China Travel Outbound no longer accurately reflects the scale and scope of the work we do. The new name, Guanxi, will support our ambitions for further growth and diversification.”
TOURISM DROP COULD SEE MASSIVE LOSE IN GLOBAL ECONOMY The collapse in tourism due to Covid-19 is expected to cost the global economy over UK£2.9 trillion for 2020 and 2021, far worse than predicted. This is especially difficult for developing countries, who rely heavily on tourism, but who have limited vaccine rollouts. The losses are despite some nations like the US, UK and France seeing a rebound in some tourism as they have higher vaccine rates. Developing countries could account for as much as 60% of the losses to global GDP due to lack of available vaccinations and there rollout. The tourism crisis is far from over. With many nations still implementing lockdowns, restrictions, etc, international tourists are not encouraged to venture outside their borders, especially to nations with low vaccination rates. International tourist arrivals were down 88% in the 1st quarter of 20 21, compared with the same period in 2019. At the earliest, it is thought a return to pre-pandemic arrivals of international tourists globally will not be seen until at least 2023.
THAILAND PREDICTS ITS TOURISM MARKET WILL NOT RECOVER BEFORE 2026 As Asia continues to see a new wave of the pandemic, with more lockdowns, Thailand has said that it does not expect tourism to return to good levels for another 5 years! This is not good news considering Thailand is one of the most tourism-dependent economies in the world. With such a long recovery predicted, many workers in the industry will be forced to find jobs in another sector.
Bangkok, Thailand
The country welcomed nearly 40 million visitors in 2019. The resort island of Phuket is open to tourists but with strict rules in place. It was due to be followed by 10 other destinations in October. The country only expects 500,000 visitors this year, a fraction of the 6.7 million who came in 2020 (almost all in the first 3 months of the year).
PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP INTRODUCES LAND-TO-AIR AIRPORT EXPERIENCE AT QINGDAO JIAODONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Plaza Premium Group, the world’s leading airport hospitality service provider, in joint venture with Qingdao International Ai rport Group and Capital Airport VIP Service Management Co. Ltd. has introduced its first land-to-air premium airport experience which features exclusive, integrated services and facilities, including four Plaza Premium Lounges, one Aerotel and a suite of VIP services including private meeting rooms, meet-and-greet, curb-to-apron escort services and fast track immigration clearance in China’s newest airport Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO). The unique land-to-air premium experience is offered in two areas: a three-storey VIP Building located at the Arrival area and 3 Plaza Premium Lounge outlets at the Departure area. Covering a total 6,500sq.m of the airport space, the multicomplex VIP Building offers end-to-end airport hospitality services from dining, lounging, meetand-greet to personalised concierge and accommodation. The tri-party joint venture is missioned to bring world-class airport hospitality to China’s new major aviation hub which spans 478,000sq.m and is equipped to host over 35 million travellers annually. Level 1: Houses 11 VIP rooms that offer designated spaces for corporations to provide private and premium airport services to affluent travellers. Services include private check-in, concierge, dining, lounge, and a special fast track or curb-to-apron service for those departing at the Domestic terminal. Continuing on page 13
Continuation from page 11 Level 2: Award-winning The 2,673sq.ft lounge tea rooms, an Aerobar, meeting rooms, individual Level 3: Aerotel Qingdao is Building and within a fivecheckpoint. Designed to with travellers’ needs and houses 54 comfortable crafted with quality bedding, powerful showers, highfirst and second floors of the of the extensive leisure Plaza Premium Lounge, as various locally inspired and international food options.
services by Plaza Premium Lounge. includes three private dining areas, 3 massage service, concierge, VIP work stations and a souvenir shop. rd
located on the 3 floor of the VIP minute walk to the nearest security promise a “Good Sleep at The Airport” convenience in mind, the Aerotel rooms across three suite types, pillow options, soothing lighting, speed Wi-Fi and in-room IPTV. On the building, guests can take advantage facilities inside the VIP Building’s well dine in the restaurant serving
Departure Experience: A relaxing journey at Plaza Premium Lounge for domestic travellers rd At the new airport, travellers are able to enjoy 3 pay-per-use Plaza Premium Lounges located on the airside 3 floor of Terminal 1, situated near the boarding gates, as well as on the East and West sides of the Central Landscape Area respectively. Varying based on the specific lounge, the Lounges offer fast track services, food and beverage options, showers, private resting area s, massage and beauty services, and VIP meet and greet. The unique land-to-air experience commenced on the opening of Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on 12 August 2021. All services are available for reservation on https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com/ or via partnered distribution ch annels and corporations. Since 2019, Plaza Premium Group has opened Aerotel at Beijing Daxing International Airport, and recently opened the first high-speed railway lounges at Changsha, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
TOSCANA RESORT CASTELFALFI LAUNCHES ECO-CONSCIOUS CULINARY EXPERIENCES Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, situated in the Tuscan village of Castelfalfi amidst 2,700 acres of protected countryside, has launched a series of nature-forward and organic foodie experiences. Recognised for its eco-conscious luxury hotel and villa rental offering, the newly reopened resort is part of an estate, home to diverse agriculture and wine production that is committed to supporting the local economy and resident community through sustainable values and practices. In an effort to connect travellers with the land’s deep rural roots and unique agricultural heritage, these new experiences showcase the ingredients and craftsmanship that go into creating some of Tuscany’s famed cuisine and popular dishes, taking guests on an immersive gastronomic journey throughout their stay. Highlights include: -Fine Wine and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tastings -Rosso Toscano Cooking School Classes -Truffle Hunting Tours with Local ‘Tartufaios’ -Vegetable Garden Farm-to-Fork Experiences -Adopt a Vineyard and/or Olive Grove Initiative With a castle, 15th century church, and a welcoming local community, Castelfalfi is a destination within itself, comprised of a 5* luxury hotel; apartments and villas to rent or buy; 27hole golf course; an expansive wellness spa; and 6 restaurants specialising in local cuisine. Within each dining establishment, the Castelfalfi team seeks out and sources ethical local suppliers to offer guests the most environmentally-friendly products. Additional activities on the estate include hiking, biking, golf, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, and more.
BILLESLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA PROVIDES A STAYCATION STEEPED IN HISTORY FOLLOWING UK£5.6 MILLION REFURBISHMENT
Discover a rich history and elegant new design at this Magnificent Elizabethan Manor House Hotel
As UK summer staycations continue to soar, luxurious hotel Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa is delighted to open its doors and welcome guests to the heart of rural Warwickshire, following an extensive UK£5.6 mill ion refurbishment. Guests can expect newly refurbished bedrooms complete with rich, warm designs, upgraded guest spaces with a contemporary twist, a stunning restaurant and bar featuring original 16th century oak panelling, and a newly renovated spa and we dding venue. This unique 125-year-old property boasts charming grounds, complete with an 11th century church and a listed, ornate topiary garden, steeped in history. A variety of conference spaces have also been refreshed, and an ambient library adorned with a ceiling of floating books provides a light filled area for relaxation or inspiration, said to be where William Shakespeare wr ote his famous comedy ‘As You Like It’. Rooms & Design Many of the bedrooms have been expertly upgraded with sumptuous new furnishings. Four poster beds, period fireplaces and contemporary fabrics ensure a charming blend of traditional and modern, with elegant and refined design. Communal spaces have also been enhanced with a new look, still in keeping with the former 16th c entury Elizabethan home’s historic charm. The incredible transformation includes the grand welcoming reception area, Great Hall, bar, lounge and galler y, and the Stuart Restaurant for guests to indulge in everything from themed afternoon teas to exclusive gastronomic delights with locally sourced produce. Drawing inspiration from the romantic English landscape, historic origins and the notable voices past and pr esent that have retreated to Billesley, the hotel is the perfect sanctuary for guests looking to feel re-energised and inspired. The hotel’s new makeover has kept its glorious floor-to-ceiling oak wood panelling complemented and elevated with a new rich colour palette of blues and golds. Plush, velvet furniture has been added throughout the property , whilst artwork by Pratiksha Tayal brings a contemporary twist to the traditional paintings that previously adorned the walls, creating a timeless luxury haven for all guests to enjoy. Woven through History Listed in the 1086 Domesday book commissioned by William the Conqueror, the Billesley Estate has an expansive history dating back to 705 AD. One of its most famous visitors includes none other than William Shakespeare himself, who allegedly married Anne Hathaway in the All Saints church next to the hotel, and who’s granddaughter followed suit by getting wed in the very same church. William Shakespeare famously wrote lines from his play ‘As you Like It’ from the library and as such many nods to Shakespeare can be found around the hotel from hand crafted feather pieces to more traditional artwork, allowing guests to become immersed in the rich tapestry of Billesley’s history. Wellness Retreat Those looking to wind down can experience a number of indulgent beauty therapies within the newly refurbished D ecleor spa. Guests can take a dip in the pool followed by a steam and a sauna, or make use of the secluded yoga hut and fantastic gym facilities. The romantic and historic topiary garden offers an idea backdrop for sunrise yoga and meditation which guests can enjoy on their own accord after picking up a yoga mat from reception. Bucolic Surroundings Located in 11 acres of beautiful countryside just outside the medieval town of Stratford -Upon-Avon and close to many engaging locations, this 16th Century country hotel provides a sanctuary from which to feel relaxed and inspired. Enveloped in rolling countryside, Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa draws inspirations from nature, creating spaces to reconnect. The exquisite, listed topiary garden planted over 125 years ago, has been curated and shaped to form giant chess pieces, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The exquisite setting provides another unique opportunity for guests to spend time unearthing the true s pirit of Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa.
www.bespokehotels.com www.billesleymanor.com
CLIMATE CHANGE
AND
A LESSON FROM THE PERSIANS by Dimitri Laspas
In this modern age of the 21st century we sometimes forget that many of today ’s inventions originate from similar ideas created millennia ago. One example is the ancient air conditioning system created 3,000 years ago by the Persians. The Persians were great engineers and many examples of ancient underground cooling systems, irrig ation systems and courier networks which would be equivalent to today’s postal systems have been discovered. Located in a desert city in central Iran sits Yazd an ancient city full of amazing engineering feats. Yazd is noted for its ‘wind towers’ or ‘bâdgir’ in Persian. These wind catchers can be seen all over the city and it is believed that the city has the most wind catchers in the world! The wind towers can be found elsewhere too in the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Located on the roofs of buildings, the impressive towers can be found as rectangular towers, but also as circular, square or octagonal shaped towers. The wind catchers can be uni-directional, bi-directional, and multi-directional. They are usually decorated too. With today’s climate change crisis a hot topic and as the planet continues to heats up, this ancient technology could be become the basis for an eco-friendly solution, able to cool our buildings, thereby limiting the amount of electricity we use to power the ever growing number of air conditioning units.
These ancient wind towers do not require electricity as they are energy efficient and a green air conditioning unit! The shape of the tower, as well as the layout of the house, the direction the tower faces, the number of openings it has, the pattern of the fixed inner blades, the height of the channels etc were all carefully designed and aligned to give optimum air capture and flow into and through the houses making them the perfect ventilation system. The principle of operation is simple, with two factors pulling air into the wind tower (i) the incoming wind and (ii) the change in direction with the temperature.
As warmer air rises above colder more dense air, the air is drawn in through the opening of a weather vane, and is blown down into the house, at the foot of the tower. The air then flows through the interior of the building, often over underground water ponds to make it even cooler. The warm air that was in the house will then rise leaving through another tower or opening, helped by natural pressure within the building. When working to implement this kind of system into our world today, other key benefits are that they cost very little to maintain, they are silent unlike air conditioning units and they will still work as they are powered by nature if the electricity supply fails. Of course they will not work everywhere and would need to consider local weather and microclimate conditions to give maximum benefit. So many of the solutions we need today can be found in our ancestors inventions. With modern materials and techniques they can be utilised successfully to create a better place to live for us all, in our unique home, the planet Earth.
M.I.C.E & Events News Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions & Venues
EVENT INDUSTRY TRENDS FOR 2021 It is clear that international events will not be the same as they were in 2019. As global events of all sorts begin to restart and many in ‘real life’ the event industry has changed and has needed to adapt quickly to create a new normal which includes stricter sanitation guidelines and entry protocols, as well as a number of new trends for 2021! Events are back – they just need a bit more thought and adapting when organising. Current trends include: Closer to Home Previously the attraction for faraway exotic places for incentive events was the incentive. Now event destinations are definitely closer to home with local or national options becoming more popular. Its easier to organise and attendees are more comfortable not travelling huge distances. Although we are getting back to normal, travel restrictions can change at short notice, so the risk is not yet worth taking. Individual Incentives Incentive travel programmes are great for motivating employees and celebrating their achievements. But mixing with big groups still makes some nervous, therefore individual incentive packages are ideal. They can include a plus 1 or limit the numbers to much smaller groups. The incentives can then also be spread across the year and include different locations, matched to the person going . Exclusive Destinations Demand for private and ultra-exclusive destinations which limit the amount of people ensures all safety measures can be implemented like social distancing, extra sanitation, etc. Private luxury islands are always a popular option. They can also limit the number of people who visit at the same time, and can be rented out exclusively by a company for an event. Online Events Even with in person events back on the map, online events will still run parallel and indeed become the norm from now on, especially as everyone has become expert in video calls and other apps for virtual meetings. Outdoor Events If limiting numbers will be difficult, a solution is to hold an outdoor event. This keeps plenty of fresh air circulating. Th ey also have the benefit of accommodating more people and it is easier to offer a comfortable distance between attendees.
Focusing on Sanitations The pandemic has led to far greater awareness of sanitation. Therefore lots of new protocols are now in place everywhere. To ensure your attendees feel comfortable, practice strict and visible sanitation procedures. Before, during, and after your e vent, rigorously cleaning of all areas should be completed. Face masks although may not be mandatory, many will still like to wear them so have spares to hand. Hand sanitising stations in several places will help too, especially at entrances to the venue.
Catering is an area where a lot of changes have been seen and will continue to progress. Buffet tables are out and prepacked individual meals are now accepted as a way forward. In addition, individual disposable recyclable cutlery and drinks containers should be used. Testing prior Entry As extra precautions, rapid COVID-19 testing prior to attending an event looks like it will be normal and part of final registration. While you cannot rule out infection, it would limit the risk and make attendees feel safer. Temperature checks are becoming routine at airports, big venues, arenas, so implement that too, helping to minimise the threat of transmission during your event.
PROFESSIONAL CONVENTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (PCMA) ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS AROUND THE GLOBE PCMA continues to expand as it announces new appointments in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Latin America (LATAM) regions. Florence (Flo) Chua is Managing Director, APAC, with the goal of expanding upon the momentum of region-specific events, thought leadership, community building, education and content. Chua, who will be based in Singapore, has more than 20 years of experience working with corporations and associations throughout the region. Lucio Vaquero has been appointed Regional Director, LATAM, with the goal of building PCMA’s presence in that region. Currently the association only has one established chapter, in Mexico City. Vaquero has more than 20 years of experience in the LATAM MICE industry, most recently as LATAM Business Development Director for MCI LATAM. He will be based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the EMEA region, Jaime Bennett was named Regional Director and is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Convening EMEA will be held October 17–19 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
SARAWAK AS FIRST MALAYSIAN STATE TO JOIN GLOBAL DESTINATION SUSTAINABILITY INDEX Sarawak has joined the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) for Business Events and Tourism by launching the GDSI Partnership Programme - Sarawak Region (GDSISarawak Partner) which comprises 30 committee members consisting of local government ministries and agencies, academia, associations, and industry partners. This initiative and partnership is a world first for Malaysia.
The GDS-Index is a globally recognised benchmarking system that will rank Sarawak’s business events and tourism sustainability performance. The assessment will be based on 71 indicators across 4 key areas which are environmental performance, social progress performance, destination supplier performance, and destination management performance. The Index is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Criteria which is part and parcel of Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) for Tourism to make Sarawak a leading destination for ecotourism and sustainable business events by 2030.
THE FIRST EUROPEAN COVID FREE FAIR, THESSALONIKI The 1st Covid-Free fair in Europe will be the 85th TIF (Thessaloniki International Fair), which will take place from 11-19 September at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. Greece is to open its exhibition sector from 1st September, making the 85th TIF the first exhibition event to be organised by Greece, which will send a message of respect for public health and safety. The organisers had prepared a detailed hygiene protocol and it is well prepared to respond to Covid Free fairs.
AZERBAIJAN TO HOST THE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM IN 2024 Azerbaijan continues to attract business events including large scale international association events like the University Scholars Leadership Symposium which it will host in 2024 with the participation of more than 2,000 young scientists from different countries. As the world begins to recover post-covid, Azerbaijan offers the necessary infrastructure for the MICE sector. Baku, Azerbaijan
SOUTH KOREA TO HOST YEOSU WORLD ISLAND EXHIBITION IN 2026 Korea is set to launch a new international event – the Yeosu World Island Exhibition, to be held in 2026. Located in Korea's island-filled south coast, the city of Yeosu is a scenic coastal retreat which served as the host city for the 2012 World Expo. Since the expo, the city has been a popular incentive tourism destination, attracting large-scale incentive travel groups from global companies and organisations. The city is also close to Suncheon, home to the new UNESCO World Heritage, 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats'. The ‘2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition’ will be held in Yeosu’s Dolsan Jinmo District from 17 July - 16 August 2026, with the theme ‘Connecting the Island, Sea and the Future’. The exhibition will feature 8 permanent exhibition halls showcasing the future, culture and ecology of the island as well as special tours including the Yeondo Bridge Tour and Healing Island Tour. The city of Yeosu anticipates over 2 million visitors from 30 countries to attend the event. Kwon O-bong, Mayor of Yeosu City, stated, “The Yeosu World Island Exhibition is the world’s first festival for countries with islands to gather and share the history and culture of islands. We will use this opportunity to develop Yeosu into a world-class marine tourism resort city.”
EVENTEX INDEX: THE TOP 150 EVENT ORGANIZERS AND AGENCIES IN THE USA FOR 2021 Eventex Awards announces “The top 150 event organisers and agencies in the USA for 2021” Index. The ranking represents consistent excellence in the meetings and events industry. It features the most awarded agencies and organisers in the USA from the latest edition of the top 20 most prestigious event and experience marketing awards worldwide. The company that crowns the USA Index is multinational corporation specialising in event marketing ‘George P. Johnson’. Texas nd based creative agency ‘In-house International’ is in 2 place and Philadelphia based woman-owned event and production agency rd ‘Katalyst Productions’ makes 3 place.
“Being among the top 150 Eventex USA Index is a tremendous accomplishment as it’s based on the number of accolades received not only from Eventex Awards but 19 other popular event industry awards from around the world. Every company on the list is a winner that has continuously delivered extraordinary event experiences and we wish to extend our deepest admirations for their excellent work.” comments Ovanes Ovanesian, Co-founder of Eventex. The Eventex Index with the full list of the top 150 event organisers and agencies in the USA can be found at https://eventex.co/index/usa/.
CINDY HARTNER NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE WITHIN THE DMC Network As part of the DMCN Network family since 2013, the DMC Network are delighted that Cindy Hartner has taken on a new leadership role within the Headquarter team as Senior Director of Global Sales for the company. Cindy has played central roles on both the sales and operations side of the DMC Network business and brings a key level of expertise. As well as being an expert in the meetings and events industry, Cindy is passionate about giving back to her community. Cindy is active with the MPI community, having served as President for both the MPI Washington State Chapter and ILEA Dallas Chapter, as well as serving on both the ILEA Seattle and MPI Dallas Ft. Worth boards. She has also served on the advisory board for SPIN and has spoken at numerous industry events and tradeshows.
52nd INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & EXPO ON NOISE CONTROL ENGINEERING INTER-NOISE WILL BE HELD IN CHIBA, JAPAN IN 2023! The 52nd International Noise Control Engineering Conference is set to take place in Chiba Japan. Inter-Noise is an international conference for sharing research results and related information on noise and vibration control. It has been held annually in destinations across the world since its start in 1972. The 52nd edition will be the 4th time the event has been held in Japan; it was held in Sendai in 1975, Yokohama in 1994, and Osaka in 2011. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) cooperated with Chiba International Convention Bureau and Makuhari Messe to support the attraction activities of the event.
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau 3-Year Roadmap for Conventions Upgrading Industry, Up-skilling Professionals, Upstaging the Country Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled a 3-year roadmap for the country’s conventions industry. Covering 2021–2023, the roadmap outlines an array of action plans to attract more conventions to Thailand and elevate the country’s international profile. It comprises three key strategies: To upgrade the Thailand’s conventions ecosystem through active lead generation and industry consultation; to upskill the industry with targeted developmental programmes; and to upstage Thailand in world conventions arena via international partnerships and global agenda conventions.
The roadmap reflects the shift in TCEB’s role from an industry supporter to a growth driver. It has been implemented with the partnership of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Thailand’s leading professional association for conventions. Under the upgrade strategy, TCEB will engage the entire conventions ecosystem to address demand-side and supply-side capability and capacity. This means raising awareness and know-how among local associations for hosting conventions in Thailand and building up a network of highly skilled and highly connected conventions professionals, who are capable of managing the entire life-cycle of an event. On the demand side, TCEB has begun reaching out to local associations through a variety of initiatives. An example is the Local Association Development and Ambassador Programme. With an understanding of the value of hosting a convention and the promise of industry and government support, local associations would be more confident and empowered to bid for a convention. Beyond advancing an association’s professional goals, a convention can also elevate legacies and positive economic, social, and environmental impacts for Thailand. On the supply side, TCEB has set up a conventions task force to explore innovative ways to reengineer Thailand’s conventions industry. The t ask force, structured as a think tank that meets every quarter, comprises representatives from academia as well as TICA’s convention experts, such as venues, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and Professional Congress Organisers (PCO). To complement the conceptual work undertaken by the task force, TCEB and TICA have also established teams of “Convention Connecters” to respond to market trends with greater agility. Each team is made up of two persons whose expertise in lead generation, bidding, and convention management will help associations build a strong case for organising a convention. The most immediate targets for these “Convention Connecters” are associations related to the so-called “Thailand 4.0” industries – the ones that will power Thailand’s economic transformation such as robotics, medical, agriculture & biotech, food and legal & professional services. The focus on Thailand 4.0 is in line with TCEB’s policy to use business events as a driver for economic development. Complementing the industry upgrade strategy in the roadmap is the upskill strategy, which is aimed at preparing industry professionals for a new conventions era. A key initiative – the Convention Bid Agent Training Programme – was launched in 2020 by TCEB in partnership with TICA and ICCA. It produced 16 qualified bid agents who have since joined Thailand Conventions Bidding Team. The second edition in 2021 offers more specialised content with the additional support of IAPCO. It s first two modules – Reflection Session and Beginner & Intermediate Programme – attracted more than 200 participants from academia, PCOs, associations, venues and CVBs. An advanced level, and last module for 2021, is scheduled for later this year. Designed to raise Thailand Conventions’ recognition in the global arena, upstaging strategy enhances TCEB’s relationship with international industry associations in a series of partnership programmes. TCEB is also working towards hosting global agenda conventions - the likes of the Annual Meetings of the W orld Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund that Thailand hosted in 1991.
60TH ICCA CONGRESS CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA The 60th Annual ICCA Congress will take us to Cartagena, Colombia on 24-27 October 2021 with the theme ‘Forward to our Future’. The ICCA Congress 2021 will set the stage for the association events of tomorrow. It will be a hybrid event. The ICCA Annual Congress is a must-attend event for all involved in international association meetings. Whether you join in from Cartagena de Indias, or a Congress Hub, or your living room, the congress promises an extraordinary programme!
Reasons you shouldn’t miss the 2021 ICCA Congress With a legacy 60 years in the making, the ICCA Congress is a unique platform for meetings industry professionals and association executives. Here’s why this prestigious, annual event is a must attend for all involved in international association meetings. • Vital insights: Gain the latest research and expert perspectives. Plus, get hands-on experience with cutting-edge event technology and new tools for successful meetings. • Business development: Your new partners await. Meet relevant leads and forge stronger relationships with opportunities to connect both digitally and face-to-face. • Networking: Reunite and have meaningful conversations with our global community in Cartagena, your Congress Hub, or on our stateof-the-art digital platform. With pre-Congress access, you can also start networking up to two weeks leading up to the main event. • Top-class education: An untraditional, immersive line-up designed to inform and inspire. Our exciting programme will refresh your outlook and deliver actionable strategies for overcoming today’s challenges. • Build Legacy: Be part of the crucial, change-making conversations that take place during ICCA Congress. Share and co-create best practices for accelerating industry recovery. Make a positive impact. • Flexibility guaranteed: Risk-free registration enables you to sign up now and change your registration type when ever you like. We invite you to join us in the way that best suits your needs.
YOKOHAMA TO HOST GLOBAL CONFERENCE On Robotics & Automation: Japan’s 2nd Largest City To Welcome IEEE ICRA 2024 Yokohama has been chosen to host the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA 2024). Organised by the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, the event will return to Japan for the first time since 2009. Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB), PACIFICO Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, City of Yokohama, Japan Tourism Agency, and Japan National Tourism Organisation attracted the conference, whose economic benefit is expected to be approximately JPY 1billion / UK£6.65 million . Japan’s high standard of research and Yokohama’s safety and convenience were among the deciding factors. An Innovation City, Yokohama will facilitate exchange between researchers and Yokohama-based businesses and academia at IEEE ICRA 2024. IEEE ICRA 2024 will be a hybrid conference with 25,000 participants (5,0 00 in-person including 4,000 from overseas) and 20,000 online, drawing on Yokohama’s expertise in holding hybrid conferences since 2020.
ASM GLOBAL LARGEST EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ASM Global has been appointed as the managing operator for Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. Set for completion in 2022, the project will mark the launch of the region’s largest exhibition and convention centre on a total site area of 309,000sqm. The centre will boost Bahrain’s position as a leading Business Events hub internationally with a total build-up area of 149,000sqm, offer 95,000sqm of exhibition space over 10 halls, a 4,000-seat tiered auditorium, 95 meeting rooms, Royal & VIP Majlis, supported by event organisers' offices and a 250-seat capacity restaurant. ASM Global’s renowned portfolio is anchored by the most iconic arenas, convention centres and stadiums across five continents. The brand-new destination will feature state-of-the-art technology, as well as having the highest level of flexibility to host a range of events from exhibitions and conventions to concerts, live events, weddings, seminars and more. Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nasser Qaedi said “The new centre will reinforce the Kingdom’s status regionally and internationally and Bahrain’s position in the MICE industry. We look forward to working with ASM Global to attract international exhibitions and conferences to be held in Bahrain”.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS ADAPT TO NEW NORMAL The recent annual ICCA Global association and business events transformation. One-to-one business need to come together to share path for the revival of the association
Association Community Forum brought together professionals to examine strategies for appointments also took place but now associations knowledge and best practices in order to create a meetings industry.
“At ICCA World, our aim is to support challenges they are facing. We do this support international association industry members with knowledge and with associations.”
the ICCA Association Community through whatever by delivering world class education and resources to meetings. We also provide our business events guidance to form long-term, sustainable partnerships
“Sharing ideas and strategies and everything that we do. In this way, we but we can truly transform the stronger and better future.” said ICCA
making connections must remain central to can not only get back to safely meeting face-to-face, international association meetings industry for a CEO Senthil Gopinath
According to research conducted in by the Strategic Information Portal of the Meetings Industry in Latin America: 60% will combine digital with face-to-face, but they will be much more selective. 27% will attend and actively participate in fairs and congresses. 12% will continue to use digital platforms to promote themselves. Those who do attend events face-to-face tend not worry about contagion anymore. With strict protocols in place for health safety, most participating companies be it exhibitors or visitors have them in place but it is the visitor who may not follow so tightly the protocols.
THE VIRTUAL RURAL TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2021 The Virtual Rural Tourism and Sustainable Development Conference is a half-day event that brings together thought leaders and tourism stakeholders from across the globe. The shift in travel behaviour towards rural tourism has created new opportunities for tourism stakeholders to rethink development in a way that is more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. By emphasising rural tourism and sustainable development, the industry can help ensure a fairer distribution of the benefits from tourism, including job creation, the protection of natural resources, infrastructure development and the empowerment of local communities. This in turn will allow rural areas to become more accessible and provide a higher quality of life for local communities and the overall destination. Comprised of expert speaker sessions and destination experiences from Huzhou and Wuxing District, China - The Town of World Rural Tourism, this event will address important issues within the responsible development of rural tourism.
LIMA WILL HOST THE CONGRESS OF THE FEDERATION OF ORGANISING ENTITIES OF CONGRESSES AND RELATED OF LATIN AMERICA - COCAL 2022 The 38th Congress of the Federation of Organising Entities of Congresses and Related of Latin America, COCAL 2022, will be held in Peru’s capital, Lima. COCAL is a benchmark of the meetings industry in Latin America and has the longest history in the region that brings together and represents the entire value chain of the congresses, conventions and related industry. The congress was scheduled to be held in Lima in March 2020, but was suspended due to the pandemic. The national MICE sector has been given the go ahead by the government to begin operating, allowing the industry to recover the international position that the Peruvian capital acquired as an event hub in the region over the past decade. COCAL was first held in Lima in 1980. Since then, the congress rotates between Latin American countries, generating not only a space for training and exchange of knowledge and experiences but also a platform for promoting the destination and networking.
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An Interview with…
Mr. Rawad Sleem Co-Founder & General Manager of NexTFairs Doha, Qatar This month we meet up with Mr. Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder & General Manager of NexTFairs, organisers of the inaugural Qatar Travel Mart set to take place this November 2021, in the capital city of Doha. Here we find out how Qatar’s tourism industry is placed to welcome international tourism players to the event and what has changed in the city over the past few years. What does Qatar offer tourists compared to its other regional destinations? Qatar offers experiences that combine old and new, the traditional with the modern; from lavish malls to desert adventures, to a cultural walk through Souq Waqif or fine dining at The Pearl Qatar, tourists can truly experience the best of both worlds. Qatar also has very diverse tourism offerings comprised of cruise tourism which brings in over a hundred thousand visitors a year, sports tourism held in international sports venues which hosts approximately 80 sporting events and world class competitions across a multitude of disciplines on an annual basis, and not to forget the upcoming FIFA 2022 World Cup which will be the first to be held in the region. MICE tourism which offers world class hotels and state of the art convention centres, strategic location as the crossroads of East and West with award winning airline, Qatar Airways, operating flights to interna tional travel hubs. Events and destination weddings also contribute to the diverse tourism offering of Qatar due to the vast array of luxury hotels and world class convention centers, as well as the unmatched Arabian hospitality.
Why has Qatar decided now to launch its own international tourism event? NeXTfairs aims to support Qatar’s National Vision with their 2030 strategy which aims to attract 5.6 million tourists by 2023 , tourism is expected to play a greater role in Qatar’s economy going forward, with huge investment from Qatar National Tourism Council in the hospitality sector, including floating hotels, entertainment island to feature six beaches, and creating a wor ld-class hub for culture, relaxation, adventure, history and sport. Especially after these challenging times, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to make the industry bounce back. As a business solution leader, we aim to connect people in the industry and be a motivator for Tourism as it once again opens new horizons and provides fresh opportunities in the industry. QTM 2021 intends to lead the way for the Tourism Industry to recover by promoting face-to-face interaction as a tool of the marketplace as well as to support industry peers and organizations post Coronavirus, create an opportunity to meet with industry partners in Qatar to generate business deals, take part of the investment plans to sustain demand in Qatar for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, provide a platform to promote and discuss change on the standards of travel and to strengthen efforts in reassuring the Traveling Public on safety post Coronavirus.
With the Football World Cup being hosted in Qatar in 2022, are there any special events at QTM to inform all travel trade visitors on the new projects (stadium/hotels etc) the country has undertaken in preparation for this global sporting event? Yes, definitely, besides having the major stakeholders who are involved in the organization of the World Cup exhibiting and promoting themselves at the show, there will also be a 3 day conference and a gala d inner which will allow visitors to engage with these stakeholders and gather vital information pertaining to the preparations and plans. QTM will offer a high profile hosted buyers programme which is sponsored by Qatar Tourism whereby they will be hand picking 24 high profile decision makers from all over the world to attend the exhibition along with our media fam trip which will showcase the culture and heritage of Qatar to the international media and VIP guests. Various hotel entities from Katara Hospitality, Kempinski and St Regis to name a few will be promoting their offerings along with their new projects and developments while the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy will be showcasing their plans and activations in the lead up to the much anticip ated 2022 World Cup. Can you tell us more about the MICE sector in Qatar? Qatar is a growing and competitive economic powerhouse in the GCC region and is quickly turning into a place that promotes smooth and easy business transactions in the global business community. While it quickly rises into a regional hub for conferences and exhibitions, the majority of its visitors are coming for business and most individuals come to attend a conference, a meeting, or an exhibition.
Doha, Qatar
When it comes to MICE facilities, Qatar boasts world-class venues such as Doha Exhibition and Convention Center as well as Qatar National Convention Centre; which host international events & exhibitions such as Project Qatar, Cityscape Qatar, Agriteq and Milipol Qatar as well as the Doha Jewellery and Watch exhibition and the Heya Arabian fashion exhibition to name a few an d of course the much anticipated Qatar Travel Mart Exhibition which will be held at DECC. Alongside these dedicated venues , Doha's vast number of 5-star hotels all offer supreme MICE facilities. As organisers of Qatar Travel Mart, you have had to implement new measures and protocols to enable the event to take place following the global pandemic. To reassure our readers, what can they expect when arriving in Qatar and attending the event in person. As the official organizer of Qatar International Tourism and Travel Fair, we are committed to working closely with the Ministry of Public Health to implement health and safety measures as well as to practice the highest international standards in organizing exhibitions
to provide a safe experience for exhibitors and visitors. With the recent opening of borders to fully vaccinated tourists, Qatar is ready to welcome the world again and we as the official organisers of Qatar Travel Mart 2021, have prepared a comprehensive risk assessment plan and have addressed current conditions to achieve the best levels of security and safety. With regard to the procedures for the QTM 2021, a team of specialists will apply daily sterilizations to ensure intensive sterilization of areas where visitors meet and communicate, particularly reception lounges and other common places, while maintaining a safe distance between individuals of at least two meters, checking the temperature of all staff, visitors and exhibitors daily and immediately isolating people in a designated area in cooperation with the Qatar Red Crescent and Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre in case any symptoms may appear and communicate with the competent authorities. Only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed access to the exhibition and no persons under the age of 18 will be allowed access. We will also provide visitors and exhibitors with a comprehensive guide to public safety procedures, as well as social spacing posters using signs and ground signals, reminding people to utilize masks at all times. In the event that the QTM is not able to run due to further Covid-19 outbreaks, what measures are in place to keep the event live? Due to the swift rollout of vaccines and the amazing effort by the Qatari Government to ensure that 80% of the population is fully vacinated by September, we are highly confident that the in-person event will roll out as planned and scheduled. We have however incorprated a virtual element to the exhibition which will be running in parallel to the exhibition, as a value add to the in person event and will allow our exhibitors and audience to have a further reach and pro -longed experience of all facets of the exhibition. This virtual platform is owned by us as NextFairs and is a highly engaging and user friendly platform whereby vis itors and exhibtors will be able to network and engage while also having the opportunity to partake in the various conf erence sessions, seminars and other ancillary events that will be taking part in parallel with the exhibition. Lastly, in your own opinion, for visitors arriving in Qatar for the first time, what 3 uniquely Qatari things must they experience. It's easy to be mesmerized by Qatar's authentic vibe and cultural attractions. Therefore when visiting Qatar, we suggest that you take a trip to the spice souq in Souq Waqif and be taken back to Doha's glorious trading past. If you feel more adventurous, you can head out to the Inland Sea and camp overnight, one of Qatar's natural wonders, and get amazed at its majestic view. And lastly, if you are a culture enthusiast, explore Qatar's heritage sites such as Al Zubarah, Barzan Towers, Al Koot Fort, and Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings.
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THE SPIRIT OF
THE OLYMPIC GAMES V/S GEOPOLITICAL GAMES by Caroline-Artemis Laspas
The Acient Olympic stadium, Olympia, Peloponesse, Greece
When we see our fellow nationals win Olympic medals, we do not always realise just how hard they have had to work to get there, in terms of earning a living with a normal job, the time given to training, the funding needed for equipme nt or to rent facilities in order to train and to the sacrifices their families have made to get them to that specific point in tim e. Almost always there is no big sponsorship deal or national funding, that only comes once you become a success. Therefore when you see the geopolitical games played between nations and organisations on a world stage at an event that should be held above such scenarios, it makes it hard for an athlete of either nation to maintain that deep spirit of achievement and success, especially if your nation has boycotted its participation or been banned for reasons far beyond any athlete’s control.
The Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame at Olympia, Peloponesse, Greece
Last month, Japan hosted the delayed 2020 Olympic Games and we are now months away from the Winter Olympics, which will be held in Beijing, China in February 2022. Both events brought and will bring together the world’s top athletes in their res pective sports to compete in the spirit of human competition, fair play, respect and to continue to uphold the values of the Olympics. These athletes are not competing to advance their nations political goals, they are there to prove that they can be the best and are proud to achieve success in the name of their nation. However, time has shown that the Olympic Games and other key events, over the past half century have been heavily politicised with calls for boycotts on nations by powerful countries trying to exert pressure on their rivals. They truly believe this method will succeed in helping them achieve their geological and business goals. A classic example is during the 1980 Olympics that were held in Moscow. This was the Cold War era, when U.S.A. vs Soviet Union rivalry led to the U.S. boycott of the Moscow games. Four years later, the Soviet Union did the same and boycotted the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. It was devastating for the athletes of each country more than for the politicians of each nation. Did they achieve what they wanted – I doubt it. This is where we need to take a step back and look at the true spirit of the Ancient Olympic Games. When the first Olympic Games took place in Greece in 776BC in the city of Olympia, the whole region called a truce to all conflicts for a set period of time (at that time the land of Greece was made up of clashing mini states and was not one country as it is today). This truce allowed for the safe travel of visitors and participants to and from the Games.
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The sacred truce was an essential and necessary precondition for the organisation of the games and it was inscribed in the Disc of Iphitos by the King of Elis city state. The ancient Olympics lasted until 393 and the truce was maintained throughout, without incident. The Greeks were obsessed with the human body and were passionate to push it to its limits in the form of sport. The games allowed them to show the power, skill and control needed to be a perfect warrior or example of the human form. The games held dear the excellence, friendship and respect of those taking part in the Games and this historical tradition was at the core of the revived Olympic Games in 1896 when the modern Olympic Games began. Political disagreements between countries are nothing new. However, the Olympic Spirit has nothing to do with these disagreements. When the host nation hands over the Olympic flag to the next hosting nation, with it goes the time-honoured values of the games and it gives both countries a huge opportunity to work closer together on many fronts to build relationships. The ancient Greek Olympic tradition will always aim to pass on its sacred values and to inspire the next host nation, now being Beijing 2022 to reaffirm the shared humanity and commitment to peace and diversity. As the countdown to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics begins, both Greece and China are nations that value history. Their co operation in working together from the Athens 2004 Olympics to the Beijing 2008 Olympics is proof of how such an eve nt can bring so many positive actions for both nations. Beijing will be the 1st city in the world to host both the Olympic and Paralympic Summer and Winter Games. As the birthplace of the Olympic movement, Greece’s Prime Minister has accepted gratefully the invitation of the Chinese President to attend the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. It is for this reason that during the opening Ceremonies, the Greek flag sits alongside the hosting nations flag as well as the Olympic Committee flag. In addition, it is always the Greek Olympic team who enter the stadium first in honour of being the birthplace of the Olympics.
As the founder of the modern Games Pierre de Coubertin said ‘The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part’. That means every man and woman can take part and strive to be their best, irrespective of their nations politics or internati onal disagreements.
Aviation, Airlines, Transportation & Travel News
AIRLINE RECOVERY 5 TRENDS BY 2024 It is clear that the pandemic has changed everything and that a new norm is now in operation. The aviation industry therefore needs to change too and we are already seeing changes in routes and services in response to making a recovery from the pandemic. From now on, if airlines want to survive they need to change. With most airlines seeing greatly reduced revenue from 2019 figures a full recovery is not expected until after 2024. Therefore to help speed up the recovery, the industry and its suppliers need to prepare for several new trends. 1) Leisure travel The leisure sector will be the first to come back. Business travel will remain low as so much is currently done on line that it will not be until 2024 that 80% of business travel will recover. Many airlines had, in recent years, invested in their business tr avel sectors and business long-haul flights as it was these that gave them greatest profit. Now, airlines must redefine their functions, especially with long-haul flights. Many people are deciding on more local or regional destinations and therefore airlines will have less need for bigger more costly long haul aircra ft. The interior of planes may see a reduction of business seats and more to economy. 2) High Debt In order to survive, the industry borrowed vast sums of money to keep it afloat. They will now have to begin to pay this back and this could increase ticket prices. Many airlines resorted to state intervention to rescue them. This now means that the airlines will have to work more closely with public authorities in future and this can be a positive step. For example sharing revenue betw een companies and airports, as they are no longer a one company owned entity. 3) Performance between airlines Each airline responded to the pandemic differently, likely their recovery approach will also be different. Some cut back and ran a very minimal operation while others kept going or moved passenger aircraft to run as cargo for the time being. Many airlines will require investment in order to recover. We could see changes in check -in and boarding services as a result.
4) Aircraft Stock Many airlines had placed orders for new modern planes as they upgraded their fleet. Now several have cancelled the orders or have returned newly leased aircraft as demand has dropped so much. Therefore there is excess stock of aircraft and with that, reduced purchase prices. That gives airlines the chance to actually bargain and buy the aircraft rather than to lease them. 5) High freight demand Cargo services soared during the pandemic, with cargo service revenues tripling in 2020. This was pushed by a huge jump in electronic sales and the dramatic reduction of passenger flights. The trend of continued online sales will remain therefore airli nes will be in demand for even more and stable cargo services making this sector a good investment.
6) Traveller Rules With people able to travel now, there are still new and at times, complex rules they must follow. The rules are still highly changeable and airlines must react in accordance to the nations they serve. Some countries have given the green light to trav el to some countries, but those nations may still have their borders closed to all travellers. Vaccinated and non -vaccinated… that is the question. Plus the Passenger Locator Form and the pre-fight PCR test all make travel more complex these days and these restrictions look set to last. Travel restrictions are ultimately designed to slow down the spread of the virus or any mutations. Considering that all four corners of the world live with the virus (the Delta variant), it begs the question that restrictions are in fact n ow meaningless. Next we get to the make of vaccine; WHO approved or not, nation approved or not? If you had a vaccine not recognised by your destination, you won’t be going! Surely this proves that travel restrictions should be universal, transparent and global; where the rules apply to all and we do not have this infighting and squabbling between nations.
FRANCE END TO SHORT DOMESTIC FLIGHTS France is to abolish domestic flights between destinations that also have good train links with a journey time of less than 2.5 hours in a bid to become more sustainable. This means that short flights from Orly Airport in the south of Paris to destinations such as Bordeaux and Nantes will no longer be an option. France is not the only EU nation that has tried this measure. Both Holland and Austria have similar policies.
BY 2050 USA AIRLINES GOAL FOR FLYING WITH RENEWABLE FUELS The US has set 2050 as the goal for airlines to fly with 100% renewable fuels, as one way to tackle climate change in the country. Incentives may be given to support private-sector production of sustainable aviation fuels, as it aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Many big aviation nations are looking for ways to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuels, which are 2-5 times more expensive than conventional aircraft fuels. Sustainable fuels are made from animal feed or cooking oils and are only account for a very small percentage of total aviation fuel use. Battery operated flights are a long way off due to the weight of the batteries.
CHINA EXCELERATES PRODUCTION OF ROBOCAR Chinese internet search giant Baidu Inc has unveiled a self-driving robocar with no steering wheel, and an upgraded autonomous driving service platform named Luobo Kuaipao, in a bid to make autonomous driving technology commercially feasible. The robocars will have, features like: L5autonomous driving ability; voice and facial recognition capacity, which can analyse the potential needs of users and proactively offer related services; selflearning and continuous self-improvement abilities. Automated gull-wing doors and a transparent glass roof, all with external sensors, the robocar challenges the traditional car design concept. The interior features zero-gravity seats and a large curved intelligent display and control pad, with no steering wheel and pedals.
GERMANY TO SELL STATES SHARE IN LUFTHANSA The German government is to sell a quarter of its 20% stake in Lufthansa, earning a good profit and with plans to sell the re st of its stake by the end of 2023. Its total stake is currently valued at over UK£728 million. The stake was bought for UK£258 million in 2020 as part of a recovery fund to help recovery during the health crisis. Lufthansa has received US$7 billion in bailout funds due to the pandemic. Its latest financial statement saw better than expected results for the Q2 of 2021. With a loss still of UK£801 million, the overall picture is more positive.
AEGEAN AIRLINES DYNAMIC RECOVERY
Aegean Airlines as seen positive cash flows in recent months as travel has resumed. It saw a loss of UK£241 million euros for the whole of 2020. With more people vaccinated and travel restrictions easing in many places, the airline has seen a good uptake of business over the summer months.
The airline said that ticket sales for the coming months were up between 70 -75% compared with the same period of 2019.
NEW QINGDAO JIAODONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPEN The new Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport has just opened with the aim to be an international hub airport in Northeast Asia. The new airport in East China's Shandong province will see 35 million annual passengers, 500,000 metric tons of cargo and 300,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings by 2025. The new airport will help place Qingdao as a gateway to Japan and South Korea.
It is the 1st 4F ranked international airport in Shandong province, the ranking being the internationally rated highest level for an airport. The new Qingdao airport will now have the same rank as Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It can accommodate big aircraft, like Airbus 380 and Boeing 747. Currently, the new airport operates 130 domestic destinations, including areas like Beijing -Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Internationally and regionally, the airport caters for 50 major global destinations including 17 in Japan and South Korea. Finally, the airport serves as an excellent transportation hub, with good public transport connections and high -speed rail connections.
CYPRUS AIRWAYS FLIGHTS TO HEATHROW Cyprus Airways has a new route connecting Larnaca Airport with London Heathrow Airport (Terminal 2). Travel between the two countries is a popular route. The new daily flight sees Cyprus Airways fly a more regular route as opposed to a seasonal schedule. Cyprus Airways connects Larnaca, through its international network, with 11 destinations: Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Skiathos, Preveza, Prague, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Malta and now London.
CHINESE MADE AIRBUS A350 Airbus has delivered its first A350 wide-body jet from its Tianjin, China production site to China Eastern Airlines. Tianjin it the first A320 assembly line outside of Europe.
AIR FRANCE – KLM FIRST TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT WITH SUSTAINABLE FUELS st
Air France - KLM has launched the 1 transatlantic flight using 16% sustainable fuels in an Airbus 350 between France and Canada. French petrol company Total produced the fuels using the processing of cooking oil. Soon all departing flights from France will be required to use sustainable fuels even at a rate of 1%, as part of the EU targets to shift fuel type. 2% must be used by 2025 and 5% by 2030.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
ATHENS, GREECE Caroline Laspas
Throughout the last 18 months we have all been affected in some way by the health crisis. Now we could all d o with some quiet time to reflect and help heal our mind, body and soul. The place most people are heading to for this are museums. They are proving to be a real form of positive mental wellbeing therapy. We all lost our routines with the pandemic and had to cope with unexpected changes, but are now getting back to a new way of life. Now that museums are open, they are increasingly helping to assist people in a healing process. This is not a new phenomenon, throughout time we have turned to art as a way to express and understand the complex emotional impact an event has on us, as individuals, a community or on human history. Museums are the best way to overcome this imposed artificial and anti-social life of further digitalisation and sanitation. A museum allows you to spend time wandering around its rooms and galleries viewing arts of all kinds and eras and styles. Within the walls of almost any museum, you forget what is going on outside and for a moment every day life stands still. One such museum is the almost unkown global museum; the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST), located in the Greek capital. Located in the former FIX brewery, which is a short walk from the centre of the city, the buildings reconstruction is now open to the public with a host of events and exhibitions on offer.
The museum acquires, safeguards, preserves, documents, researches and exhibits works of contemporary Greek and international art. In addition, the museum aims to promote the education of the arts and raise public awareness regarding contemporary culture, in combination with the development of scientific research and specialisation in museology, history and theory of contemporary art. One of its founding goals is to promot e innovative and experimental artistic movements and the production of audio-visual works via new media.
The museum offers visitors opportunities to interact with contemporary art through its exhibitions, activities, programmes an d publications. Its collection comprises the works of Greek and international artists based on different art mediums including painting, sculpture, video, installations, photography, engraving, industrial design, etc. It is not only the exhibits that inspire visitors, but the building itself has a soothing presence that is apt for this period in our lives now. In a constantly changing world, EMST represents the exchange of ideas and perspectives through contemporary art, enriching the daily lives of all who visit.
Core to the museum’s collection is a very important collection of works by Greek and international artists, such as Jannis Kounellis, Stephen Antonakos, Gary Hill, Vlassis Caniaris, Chryssa, Mona Hatoun, Emily Jacir, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Kim Sooja, Nikos Kessanlis, Shirin Neshat, Lucas Samaras, Costas Tsoclis, Bill Viola, Joseph Kosuth, Pedro Cabrita Reiss, Costas Varotsos, George Lappas, Oliver Ressler and Gulsun Karamustafa. So, now is the perfect time to visit this contemporary art museum during your next city break to Athens and absorb the clean, calm, cool galleries with inspiring unique works of art. Photos are courtesy from several sites
The museum address: Kallirrois Ave. & Amvrosiou. Frantzi Str. Athens, Greece
