MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine vol. 25, issue 9, September 2022 online since 1997 ATHENS, is Rising Welcome to the HOLIDAY INN WINCHESTER, United Kingdom Can we Cope with ULTRA-LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS? The Impact of The World Health Crisis on MICE COMPANIES CONVENTA 2022
THE MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Team
This year sees MICE & TOURISM around the Worlde-Magazine celebrate its silver anniversary 25 years in Wepublication.beganwith just 25 paper copies sent out to clients by post informing them of events and news from around the World. As technology advanced, so did we and soon we became an online publication in 1997. We have expanded and adapted over time and today we are one of the more unusual e-magazines serving the ever changing world of travel, tourism & MICE and all the sectors within. Always offering you a new perspective or an interesting feature, you can be sure we will be here for many more years to come. Thank you to all our readers for their continued support over the years.
MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 25, Issue 9, September 2022 edition Online since 1997 Contents 7-12 Athens is Rising 20-22 the HOLIDAY INN 34-37 Can we Cope with FLIGHTS?ULTRA-LONG-HAULAEGEAN 7-12 Athens, is Rising 15 Worst Airlines over the Summer 17 Thanks to China, AIRBUS is Reviving Again 18 Direct Flights between UNITED KINGDOM and CHINA 19 TURKEY Makes Tighter Rules on Pilots Wishing to Leave 20-22 Welcome to the HOLIDAY INN WINCHESTER, UK 26 Iconic PHOENICIA HOTEL Reopens in Lebanon 27 GULF TOURISTS Need Cultural Curiosity 28 VIENNA, Austria to Dim Street Lighting 29 CROATIA, Peljesac Bridge Opened 30 SAUDI ARABIA to Build 120km Long Skyscraper 31 GREECE Over Passed the 1 Million Travellers Arrivals a Week 34-37 Can we Cope with ULTRA-LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS? 41 The Impact of The World Health Crisis on MICE COMPANIES 42 IT&CMA 2022 Our First Hybrid Event Returns to Bangkok, Thailand 43 WTC Binh Duong New City Expo (WTC Expo), VIETNAM 46-47 CONVENTA 2022 48 Register at WTM LONDON 2022 Cover page photo: London Eye, © M&TatW eM Conveta photos: courtesy of Conventa by Mr. MarkoDelbello Ocepek WTM photos: courtesy of WTM London.
The long hot days in the warm summer sun are not only part of the holiday for most, but also do us a huge amount of good too!
Sunshine also helps heal various skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, jaundice, and acne.
A small amount of the sun’s UV rays is good for us. It creates vitamin D, which absorbs calcium. Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain healthy bones.
Other health benefits related to increased amounts of sunlight include cancer prevention. While excess sunlight can contribute to skin cancers, a moderate amount has cancer preventive benefits.
Sunlight also helps to improve our sleep (although it can be a hot night without a fan or AC!)
Caroline Artemis Laspas co founder & editor
Studies have shown that sunlight can also help reduce your blood pressure, so go ahead and breathe in those warm rays!
This year, summer has been a real breath of fresh air, with so many of us able to finally get away for holidays and trips that were postponed.
Warm sunshine is also proven to have lots of mood lifting benefits. Sunlight increases the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. This is a mood boosting hormone and also helps us feel calm and focused.
The sun's light actually helps to kill bacteria and using UV rays is a common method of sanitising the air.
So, the good news is that holidays are clearly an essential part of a healthy lifestyle!
Message from Caroline-Artemis
Welcome to a bursting SEPTEMBER edition of the e magazine!
Be sure to add a little sunshine to your life while reading this late summer edition of the MICE & TOURISM around the Worlde-Magazine!
There is so much talk about how bad the sun can be, but in moderation and with protection, the sun is the ideal pick me up.
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ATHENS IS RISING by A.E Laspas Plaka, Athens
Athens, the capital of Greece has always been at the forefront of tourism. Despite the financial crisis, and the health crisis, it just continues to be as resilient as ever and is still the place everyone wants to go to, be it for the culture, the history, the food, the beaches, the fishing villages, the nature; it is a destination that inspires all who visit her. From her myths to the birth of civilisation, to her trendy nightlife and easy going way of life, Athens is at the countries heart and is a must to visit, even if you are passing through. Following the lockdowns, people needed to travel; they needed to go somewhere they felt they knew what to expect so they could truly relax. They wanted somewhere not too far from home, as too many had experienced being stranded overseas with little notice to get back home. So, thousands of holiday makers chose Greece as their holiday destination this year the first real year of no Athensrestrictions.hasto be seen and experienced first hand to be really appreciated and enjoyed there is nowhere like it on earth! It remains a great city and offers some of the most beautiful and culturally significant attractions known to mankind.
Goddess Athena and the Academy, Athens Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world. Summer in Greece conjures up images of sun, sea and crystal clear water, which is there in plentiful amounts, but it, is also an ideal time to visit Athens. Most locals have departed the city on vaction, leaving it a calm and delightful yet still busy place to be.
The goddess Athena and the god Apollo, at the Athens Academy Athens remains a true capital city, with its noise, dust, people and shops. But it also has quiet cobbled streets, small green tranquil corners, unique independent stores, delicious bakeries, elegant cafes, traditional tavernas, and much more around every corner and all year round.
Lykavitos, Athens
Another wonderful street to explore is Athinas, with its traditional goat herding shop selling goat bells and shepherd crocks, a wood utensil store with butter spatulas and wooden bread presses. There are speciality stores selling products from the islands as well as unique stores, just off the main street that sell just wicker baskets, watering cans and all kinds of household delights.
Further along sits the neighbourhood of Monastiraki which is more quirky. The main shopping street in Athens is Ermou, which leads up to Syntagma Square, where the Greek Parliament sits and is protected day and night by the famous Greek soldiers with ‘pom pom’ shoes.
Greek gastronomy has truly been discovered and refined over the years. When you mention Greek food, you think of Feta cheese, olives and ouzo, but there is a huge variety of very special foods on offer and some unique to specific islands. The markets are great for discovering what locals eat too.
So, if you are visiting Athens, there are several things that are a ‘must do’.
Propylaea,
Around the bottom of the Acropolis sits the oldest resident area of ‘Plaka’. Full of neo classical buildings, lots of souvenir shops, small intimate shops, cafes, souvlaki shops, bars, tavernas and entertainment.
Even as you wander the streets, there is a wonderful mix of old and new, ancient and modern, relaxed and frenetic, but always full of life. Athens merges the past with the present in smooth harmony.
When someone says Athens, you automatically think of the Acropolis. But that is just one of many of the city’s great attractions! In fact, over the years, I have discovered many wonderful museums and walks that add to my love of this ‘home from home’ city.
As the birthplace of our western languages, philosophy, mathematics, democracy, poetry and drama, Athens offers an open air museum of world class cultural heritage while being the beating heart of the metropolis Named after the Greek Goddess, Athena; goddess of wisdom and inspiration, Athens certainly lives up to her name.
Acropolis, Athens
Sounion, Attika
The Temple of Zeus is a colossal ruined temple in the centre of the city. It was the largest temple in Greece, bigger even than the Parthenon in size. Originally with 104 columns, each 17m high, unfortunately now only 15 of the Corinthian columns remain standing today, but they still give a sense of the enormity of the original temple. For a quiet stroll, wander through the winding paths of the National Gardens, located next to the Parliament. Close by is also the Zappeion; Today it is one of the most important venues for conferences, exhibitions, and special events in Europe.
Anafiotika, Athens
1st Olympic Stadium, the ‘Panathenaikon’, Athens
The Acropolis, Athens While in Athens there are some great and varied outings too; take a stroll along the 2.5km tree lined pedestrian archaeological promenade which wraps around the Acropolis. Here you can admire the magnificent views of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Herodes Atticus Odeon.
While on top of Acropolis Hill, you can see another hill, Lykavetos with the church of Agios Georgios on top of it. Standing at 277m above sea level, it commands a clear view across the sprawling city and far out across the glistening Aegean Sea beyond. It is a popular place to go to see the sunset fall across the city. As home to the first modern Olympic Games, you cannot miss a visit to the Olympic Stadium that hosted the games in 1896. It is one of the city’s most popular touristic attractions and a stunning landmark. At the far end of the stadium is a tunnel that leads to the Museum, where all the flame holders for each Olympics are on display as well as a wonderful collection of official posters for many Olympics throughout its history.
For a taste of the islands, take a walk through Anafiotika. With narrow cobbled alleyways between small white washed houses, a few sleeping cats and brightly coloured bougainvillea; it is hard to think you are in the heart of the city. The men who built the area were from the island of Anafi. They were asked by King Otto I to come to Athens to build him a palace. This was their home from home.
Athens does not have skyscrapers to symbolise her modern civilisation; the Parthenon is enough considering that most of the important national buildings around much of the world are built in the image of this classic icon.
The parliament and the tomb of the unknown soldier, Athens
Greek
The Korinth canal Athens, a capital offering so much, continues to develop and offer visitors an ever changing scene of culture, traditions, cuisine, entertainment and business opportunities from dawn to dusk and beyond. Every minute in this magical city is spent well and that is enough to make you want to return again and again; as I have!
There are any number of museums to visit too from the Museum of Cycladic art, the Numismatic Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Aristotle's original Lyceum, located near the beautifully restored Byzantine Museum, the National History Museum and the Hellenic Motor Museum. From Athens there are also a variety of day trips that allow you to explore and discover more of the country. From a one day cruise that takes in 3 islands, or take a trip out to the 1st capital of Greece, Nafplion with a stop at the Corinth Canal and the famous Mycenae’s archaeological site too. Alternatively take a ride down the coast to the Temple of Poseidon, located on the headland of Cape Sounion and watch the sunset possibly my favourite place in the country.
The Byzantine museum, Athens
The Palamidi fortress, Nafplion
After dark Athens opens its doors to nightlife; there are plenty of options with quiet bars and lounges, urban chic bars, elegant roof bars, as well as nightclubs Athens is not only a top tourist destination but has established itself as a leading MICE destination too with a wide variety of hotels and venues that can meet any event needs.
BML International-UK London, United Kingdom Since 1995 visit our website or contact us www.bmlinternational.co.uk
Airlines & Aviation News
In a global world, more and more demand for internet access is needed, but systems are slow to cope with growing demand across the entire world. It is an important undertaking as by making broadband widely accessible to underserved segments of society it helps to reduce poverty, improve standards of living and is central to economic growth. Where terrestrial broadband cannot reach, SATCOM can fill the gap. Satellite communications providers and OEMs are working to develop products to take advantage of this huge growth opportunity. Companies such as Boeing, which is providing satellites to European service provider SES for their O3b (other 3 billion) constellation, and SpaceX, with their rapidly growing Starlink constellation, are leading the way to helps billions of people to get connected. In order to meet the need and opportunity, satellite communication providers and OEMs plan to increase capacity bandwidth by at least 20x over the next 5 years. Boeing, OneWeb, Viasat, SpaceX and others are expected to add over 100,000 satellites in the next decade. As such, the industry is changing the way in how it designs satellite systems, creates significant churn, as well as for new innovative Theapproaches.majorissue face them all is power. New satellite communication solutions need high performance processing, which means more power is required. Limited space and weight budgets place a premium on advanced power solutions with high density and high efficiency if these advanced communications systems are to succeed.
A large portion of the investment will refurbish interiors, retrofit cabins with new or reupholstered seats, add new panelling, flooring and other cabin features. The recently announced Premium Economy cabins will also be installed, which is scheduled for roll out in November.
GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY TO BE A REALITY
Most people who chose to fly on holiday this year, experienced chaos, delays and cancellations at many European airports. The top 5 worst airlines for flight cancellations among 19 carriers around the world were Virgin Australia, KLM, Air New Zealand, Qantas and Lufthansa. In comparison and it is no surprise, that Singapore Airlines was named as the best airline as it cancelled just 0.1% of its scheduled flights. Having made redundant thousands of staff across all areas of their business, due to the pandemic, the airline industry totally failed to re hire these key personnel in time for the return of travel Above were the top 5, but the list is still long of airlines making cancellations. British Airways is still cancelling flights and means that from April until the end of the summer season it would have cancelled almost 30,000 flights.
First class travellers will have access to cinema snacks like salted popcorn. Meanwhile, passengers will soon be able to tailor make their movie experience pre flight and then sync it with the on board entertainment system once on board.
EMIRATES AIRLINE TO REFURBISH FLEET INTERIORS
WORST AIRLINES OVER THE SUMMER
Dubai based Emirates Airline is to invest UK£1.6 billion to retrofit over 120 planes with new interiors, offer more food options, and sustainability focused choices.
The airline is adding vegan dishes and new desert options in all cabin classes on pre order, to cater to the growing numbers of customers pursuing this lifestyle.
Emirates only operates international services, has seen a 91% jump in revenue to UK£13.2 billion for the year ended 31 March 2022 as passenger numbers tripled to 19.6 million. It filled 58.6% of seats flown, up from 44.3% the year before, while the number of destinations served increased from 120 at the start of the financial year to more than 140 as of 31 March 2022.
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TO OFFER OVER 600 WEEKLY CONNECTIONS
The aircraft will be delivered from 2023 to 2027, with the majority expected from 2024.
China's huge aviation market accounts for a quarter of Airbus and Boeing deliveries in a normal year. Recently China has stepped back from the global aviation market due to the impact of COVID 19 and trade tensions with the US. But this deal firmly sees China favour the European supplier.
From Oslo, the Norwegian partnership will allow customers to book flights to domestic, Scandinavian and European destinations with connections onto Norse’s services to New York JFK, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Orlando.
THANKS TO CHINA AIRBUS IS REVIVING AGAIN
Maker completed its first hover test flight in December of last year and after each development and advancement, it is almost flying daily now, allowing the Archer Flight Test Team to evaluate speed increases and complex manoeuvres while in hover. The result of these tests also confirmed the strength of the aircraft’s take off and landing capabilities.
Norse Atlantic Airways has launched connectivity partnerships with easyJet, Norwegian and Spirit Airlines. The virtual interline agreement, will provide over 600 weekly connections to Norse’s transatlantic services at key international hubs of Oslo, London, Berlin, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Los Angeles.
With Spirit Airlines the offer gives greater choice for customers looking to travel between Europe and the U.S. as new destinations such as Las Vegas, Dallas, Nashville and Salt Lake City become accessible via Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Los Angeles.
ARCHER COMPLETES 2ND OF 3 KEY FLIGHT TEST PHASES
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NORSE ATLANTIC AIRWAYS
Partnering with easyJet will provide customers convenient access to many European destinations that connect with Norse’s flights from London Gatwick to New York JFK, Berlin to New York JFK and Berlin to Los Angeles.
China's 3 largest carriers have announced they will buy a total of almost 300 Airbus jets; the biggest order by Chinese carriers since the start of the health crisis. Air China and China Southern Airlines will each buy 96 A320neo family jets worth UK£10 billion at list prices. China Eastern Airlines confirmed it will buy 100 airplanes of the same type, worth UK£10.5 billion.
Norse Atlantic is in talks with other airline partners who will join the booking platform soon.
NEW AIRLINE PARTNERSHIPS
Archer Aviation has successfully completed all of its test flights, completing the 2nd of 3 key phases of flight testing. The tests were conducted to validate the crosswind capabilities of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft configuration and flight control systems. The company has now successfully flown Maker at increasing speeds of up to 15 knots, in various directions and attitudes.
New Australian airline Bonza has made its first flight arriving in Australia. It will fly initially to 17 destinations on 27 routes.
Aircraft builder, Boeing will represent the aviation sector in a new global alliance, jointly created by the USA Government and World Economic Forum, to speed up clean technologies and reduce carbon emissions.
BOEING TO HELP CUT AVIATION EMISSIONS AND SERVE AS ‘AVIATION CHAMPION’ IN GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE
Bonza aims to connect more Australians with convenient low cost travel options to more destinations for domestic holidays.
Saudi Arabian Airlines is offering discounts of up to 40% on flights to many USA and European destinations in addition to select domestic destinations.
‘BONZA’
SAUDIA FLIGHT DISCOUNT TO U.S.A AND EUROPE
The UK and China are to resume direct passenger flights; a sign that China is opening up to travel again after the 2 years ‘’health crisis’’ Chinese airlines will offer the 1st flights, while UK carriers are yet to get the go ahead.
RAYTHEON UK AND ALTA TO JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT WOMEN IN AVIATION
ALTA is a mentor matching platform hosted by the Royal Aeronautical Society, and developed with a range of partners, to provide mentoring opportunities and a support network to women in the aviation and aerospace sectors, due to a lack of females in the industry.
Raytheon UK and ALTA have joined forces to promote women in aviation and aerospace to further support a gender balanced industry.
Sinead O’Donnell, director of human resources and cultural transformation, Raytheon UK, said: “We have joined forces with ALTA as part of our commitment to building a fairer and more empowering industry for women. We will be actively promoting the ALTA platform with our women employees to provide them with more opportunity to develop their careers and their industry networks through mentoring. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce because we know it is key to unlocking our full potential.”
Sarah Minett, ALTA chair and managing director of Mission Systems at Collins Aerospace) said: “By bringing together the ALTA mentoring platform and Raytheon UK, more women than ever will have access to our ground breaking resources for mentoring and training specifically developed to support and enhance their career in aerospace. Underpinning both organisations is a commitment to equality, diversity and greater access for women at every level.”
The aim is to further connect the world to Saudi Arabia, as well as allow locals to explore other regions of the country that are opening up to tourism.
AUSTRALIAN NEW AIRLINE
DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA
China has begun to ease it tight pandemic border policy with mandatory quarantine now at 7 days and direct flights to the capital Beijing beginning again for the 1st time since 2020.
The ‘First Movers Coalition’ (FMC) was created to influence the purchasing power of major companies to speed up the pace of decarbonising industrial sectors like shipping, chemicals and trucking. Boeing in its new role will help support greater commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels and the advance of other low carbon technologies.
The flight tests the aircraft’s durability and energy storage capacity. It is powered by solar energy, with on board batteries to keep it airborne overnight, so it does not need to stop to re supply fuel. visit our website or contact us www.bmlinternational.co.uk
The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority said a ‘letter of consent’ from previous employer will be necessary for pilots who want to work for foreign airlines. Therefore if a pilot resigns without a consent letter, then their application for verification will not be processed for 6 months by the authority.
CONDOR AIRLINES RENEWS FLEET WITH AIRBUS A320NEO
“It is the logical next step for us to modernise our short and medium haul fleet as well. With our new A320neo and A321neo aircraft, we are consistently developing our fleet and ourselves as a company, and also taking care of our own aspiration to enable responsible and at the same time comfortable travel with significantly reduced CO2 emissions, significantly lower fuel consumption and less noise,” says Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor.
The aircraft will be delivered from the spring of 2024.
AIRBUS’ ZEPHYR DRONE BREAKS FLIGHT RECORD
TURKEY MAKES TIGHTER RULES ON PILOTS WISHING TO LEAVE
Airbus has broken the record for the longest flight of an unmanned aircraft. The solar powered Zephyr drone beat its own record for time spent airborne as an with 36 days completed so far, beating the previous record of 26 days in 2018.
The pilots union said this new rule is an intervention to pilots’ freedom of labour and individual rights and will raise the matter with the Transport Ministry and civil aviation officials.
German Airline Condor has modernised its fleet with an order for 41 aircraft of the A320neo family.
The aircraft has been flying 70,000ft over Arizona to Belize in Central America, and back again. The first stratospheric UAS of its kind, Zephyr can fly continuously for months at a time, high in the atmosphere, to avoid commercial air traffic and adverse weather. It has a wingspan of 82 feet and weighs less than 166 pounds.
As Europe cries out for staff including pilots, Turkey is trying to protects its aviation sector by changing the terms of leaving. There are approx. 10,500 Turkish pilots in Turkey and with Germany issuing fast track work permits and visas to attract foreign airport workers, it seems the situation is to empty one pot into another.
In a bid to limit the loss of more Turkish pilots, the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has tightened the rules for when Turkish pilots wishing to resign to work abroad for foreign airlines can leave their posts.
by Caroline Artemis Laspas
Welcome to the Holiday Inn Winchester, United Kingdom
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This latest trip away from home took us to the town of Winchester in the south of England. It is one of the oldest cities in the country with a wonderful 1,000 year history.
At just an over hour’s drive from South West London, Winchester is an easy day trip. With cobbled pedestrian streets, lovely shops, individual cafes and gifts stores, it is a gem of a city. It is also a hub for a number of locally produced products from honey, cocoa, beer, cider and ice cream to name a few It is also home to the UK’s oldest working watermill. You can buy the milled flour from the shop and across the road is the ‘Bishop on the Bridge’ pub, where we chose to have a summer garden lunch. Sitting on the River Itchen the pub had a variety of lunch options and drinks. After an unexpected day of shopping, our home for the night was the Holiday Inn Winchester. Located out of town, on the edge of the beautiful South Downs, but it is still easily accessible by car, bus or taxi. This is a benefit as once you arrive at the hotel you can indulge in the hotel and all it has to offer.
Once checked in, we headed to the Ana Spa for our pre booked spa treatment! A full body mud wrap began with body brushing, oiling and then applying the mud wrap. With warm ergonomic treatment beds, it was heaven. Our two masseurs were delightful and considerate and made the experience more special.
It was here that King Alfred the Great one the earliest Kings of England was buried in the stunning medieval Cathedral; one of Europe’s most well preserved.
The Legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table used to meet here and hanging in the Great Hall is an imitation of the legendary table. It does however date back to late medieval times. Made from English oak it measures 5.5m in diameter and weighs 1,200kg. Originally it would have been a table with legs, but has been hanging on the west wall since 1873. Before that it hung from the east wall where it had hung since at least 1540 or even since 1348!
As much as I love London, it is always a joy to see other parts of the UK, as there is such a variety of places to choose from.
In one the finest surviving aisled halls of the 13th century, Winchester Castle’s Great Hall is all that remains of the medieval castle, which was constructed in 1067.
The city’s history does not stop there!
Inn Winchester has been designed and is operated to be sustainable and to limit its carbon footprint. However, this is done without reducing or limiting the offering and providing a wonderful cosmopolitan feel and that of a special stay.
With a facial and head massage, while the mud did its thing, it was hard to consider moving let alone anything else! But all was not over… after showering off the mud wrap, a full body moisturise completed the deluxe experience. The spa facilities are simple and elegant with a large jacuzzi, relaxing recliners, a steam room, dry sauna, cold shower and a soothing foot jacuzzi, which we enjoyed several times. The whole experience was perfect at the end of a day in
Thetown!Holiday
With room service, private dining and events also available at the hotel, it is an ideal base from which to explore not only Winchester, but also the many other attractions around Hampshire.
Pre dinner drinks were in the modern open foyer and offered plenty of seating options and snazzy colourful décor. Dinner was at the hotel’s new Odyssey Restaurant, Bar & Pizzeria. With all your favourite options, this award winning 4* hotel offers something for everyone and it was a satisfying end to the day.
Our room as was big with twin double beds, a desk, and tea and coffee making facilities. The bathroom was compact, but functional and utilised eco bottles of shampoo and shower gel.
After a good night sleep, the buffet breakfast was set up in the main restaurant area. With the usual array of options and hot food to order too, it provided a good start to the day. We decided to explore a few other places en route home including the small village of Alresford with independent shops and pretty painted houses. Just out of the village was Long Barn Garden Centre. This delightful beautifully decorated shop come café offered foodie gifts, interior items, unusual clothing, accessories and plants of Ourcourse!final stop before home was the historic market town of Farnham. With its historical Georgian streets and well preserved period buildings, it is quintessentially English. Offering a range of independent boutiques and many high street shops, there are plenty ofAteateries.thetopof the hill overlooking the town sits the 12th century castle, built in 1138 AD and has been occupied for nearly 900 years. As we drove home through the green rolling hills of the South Downs, we realised there was still plenty more to discover in Winchester, the county of Hampshire, and so many more attractions, so for sure we need to return again soon online since 1997 the global monthly e-magazine www.miceandtourismaroundtheworld.com
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TOURISM News Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe & Oceania
The Lebanese diaspora is strong and approx. 1.2 million visitors booked hotels for the summer. This will help the tourism sector reach pre pandemic levels despite the cost of living crisis.
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ICONIC PHOENICIA HOTEL REOPENS IN LEBANON
The Phoenicia hotel was built in 1953. It had an iconic design and included several features of traditional Levantine architecture, including its high ceilings, grand staircases, and towering marble pillars. It opened in 1961 and ran almost at 100% occupancy all the time.
The Phoenicia is a true landmark hotel of Beirut. It has just reopened after being repaired following the damage caused by the port explosion in 2020. Work is still ongoing in the hotel’s original Phoenician Tower and its Roman Tower expansion, both due for completion by the end of the Tourismsummer.has always been a strong part of the Lebanese economy. It has tried to reach its own goal of again becoming the ‘Paris of the Middle East’, which it was back in the 1950 prior to the civil war in the mid 1970’s. Due to travel restrictions, political instability, and the collapse of the financial sector, the tourism sector is struggling.
NEW ZEALAND OFFERS NEW INVESTOR MIGRANT VISA
New Zealand has launched a new investor migrant visa to attract experienced, high value investors to invest in the country’s domestic businesses. The new ‘Active Investor Plus’ visa replaces the old investment visa and requires migrants to make investments in New Zealand businesses. The aim is to encourage more ‘active’ investment in New Zealand companies. Under the new rules, applicants will be able to invest over a 3 year period and maintain investments up to a 4th Theyear.minimum investment is UK£2.6 million. It will cap so called passive investment to 50% of a minimum UK£7.9 million investment. Applicants will also need to spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the 4 year investment period, or about a month a year. By spending time in the country, it increases the probability of further active investment.
When tourists from the Gulf countries go on holiday, they focus heavily on shopping, leisure, beaches, and the countryside things their either do a lot of at home or have never done due to the extreme climate they live in normally. As a general rule, they have no sense of cultural curiosity to find out more about the history or culture of the places they visit. With high living standards, Gulf tourists choose 5* hotels across the world when on holiday. As a tourist demographic, they are ideal for many destinations, due to being low key, law abiding and high spenders. They rarely see the opportunities for self enrichment that international travel offers. They would not consider a visit to a museum or a historical building. And even fewer take a guided tour of any kind. This therefore limits their broader knowledge of foreign cultures.
GULF TOURISTS NEED CULTURAL CURIOSITY
So, how are these Gulf countries going to move away from oil revenues and attract naturally cultural tourists from all over the world, if they can only offer shopping malls. Many of the Gulf nations aim to turn themselves into vibrant, knowledge based economies like France or Singapore. Surely to succeed they too need to be culturally enriched too.
What makes a culturally advanced country successful? Only by understanding its history and culture can you know a country’s strengths and weaknesses. Therefore the starting point to gain greater cultural interest in the Gulf from the start and work upwards.
The goddess Athena, Austrian Parliament, Vienna
DUBAI, U.A.E. SEES OVER 7 MILLION TOURISTS IN 1ST HALF OF 2022 Dubai welcomed over 7 million international visitors during the first half of 2022, a growth of over 183% on 2021 figures for the same period. It was also close to 2019 figures (8.36 million tourists).
By 2023 G C C nations will be able to travel to the UK visa free. They will be the first set of nations to use the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa scheme. Under the ETA, nationals from the G.C.C. (The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain) will be eligible for visa free travel to the UK, once the system begins at the end of 2022. The ETA will be valid for multiple trips to the UK over a set period of time, which is yet to be confirmed.
Between January June 2022, 34% of the 7.12 million tourists were from the Middle East and North Africa region, 22% from Western Europe, 16% from South Asia, and 11% from Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, and Eastern Europe.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA TO DIM STREET LIGHTING
The Austrian capital is well known for its Christmas markets and concerts, but this year, due to high energy prices, it will cut back on public lighting this winter. The lights at the Christmas market in the square will be switched only once totally dark and not at dusk. Austria is a popular destination at Christmas. In 2019, 4 million people visited Vienna’s famous Christmas markets.
THE UNITED KINGDOM OFFERS FREE VISA TO GCC NATIONALS
THE PERSIAN GULF
The project was a joint EU China collaboration under the ‘China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC)’. Taking 3 years to construct, the 2.4km cable stayed bridge with 6 pylons and steel box girders will be a significant reminder of the Croatians who have wanted for a long time to have the coast connected with the rest of the country, without the need to pass through their neighbouring country.
Reaching a height of 365m, the Ciel in Dubai Marina is a new stunning development that will be the world’s tallest hotel once complete. Ciel has a striking design, contemporary interiors and a stunning glass observation deck, offering 360 degree views across Dubai Marina, the Set to become the region's most famous building it will attract visitors from all over the world. Ciel received awards for Best International rise Architecture Arabia, at the 2019 International Property Awards
The Peljesac Bridge has again re opened. It connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula of Dubrovnik Neretva County, bypassing a short strip of land belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and giving Croatia better access to the area.
CIEL BALCONYHOTELOF
CROATIA PELJESAC BRIDGE OPENED
As part of its continuing expansion into tourism, Saudi Arabia plans to build a 120km long skyscraper across the desert as part of the NEOM megacity project. At a cost of US$1 trillion (£833 billion), the 487m high skyscraper will consist of 2 parallel, mirrored structures and other buildings which will accommodate 5 million people. Facilities will include vertical farming, a yacht marina and a sports stadium, as well as a high speed railway running underneath. The plan is to create a technology advanced and eco friendly megacity that will attract investment and companies from around the Itworld.willbe 33 times the size of New York City and offer flying taxis, an artificial moon and hologram teachers. The aim is to welcome residents by 2030.
SAUDI ARABIA TO BUILD 120KM LONG SKYSCRAPER
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Foreign arrivals have surged in Turkey, helping to boost tourism revenues by nearly 3 times in the Q2. In the 1st half of the year, foreign arrivals were close to pre 2019 levels.
TURKISH TOURISM REVENUES ALMOST TRIPLE
Turkey forecast for UK£30.6 billion in tourism revenues and 47 million tourists this year, a rise from its previous target of UK£29 billion and 45 million. Germans arrivals top the list of tourists in the first six months with over 2 million, followed by Russians with 1.5 million, Britons with 1.3 million, and Bulgarians with 1.2 million.
Istanbul, a top tourist destination welcomed 41.3% of all foreign visitors in the first half. Antalya came 2nd with 24.7% of tourists. Edirne in north western Turkey followed with a 10.7% share. Domestic tourism is not looking so positive mainly due to very high inflation with overnight stays increasing just 6.1% to 8.8 million in the Q1. In 2021 the number of overnight trips jumped 23.2%.
THE 1 MILLION TRAVELLERS ARRIVALS A WEEK
Greece has excellent entrepreneurs who, with effort, ingenuity and passion, offer travellers high level services that enhance the Greek tourism product. Greece welcomed approximately 1 million passengers a week from early July and estimates in August will over pass the 1.2 million arrivals, the real figures will be seen around mid of November the latest.
OVERGREECEPASSED
Revenues rose 190% from a year earlier to UK£7.20 billion from April June. In June, foreign visitors to Turkey leapt 145% from the same time in 2021, to over 5 million, with first half year figures reaching 16.37 million, up 186% from a year ago.
Saudi Arabia will host the WTTC's 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh this November. The country aims to exceed 70 million tourist visits this year, after attracting 62 million in 2022. Neom project, Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia
SAUDI TOURISM SET TO BE FASTEST GROWING REGION IN MENA REGION FOR TOURISM
Over the coming decade, Saudi Arabia's travel and tourism sector is forecast to grow by an average 11% per year, making it the fastest growing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The latest World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report (EIR), revels that such growth will be 6 times greats than the growth of the country overall economy. By 2032, tourism will contribute approximately UK£140 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP, representing 17.1% of the total economy. In line with that growth, travel and tourism employment is set to double over that period, expecting to create over 1.4 million jobs; almost 3 million employed within the sector by 2032.
The Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece The Austrian market increased by 32% and Israel by 24%, with which Greece this year is the number 1 destination for travellers from France, Israel, very high in the preferences of tourists from the Balkans, and in the Top 3 positions in Germany and Scandinavia'.
A dynamic return of tourists from the United Kingdom, German, Scandinavian and the US markets, whose arrivals increased by 52% in June compared to 2019 thanks in large part to the availability of more direct flights and excellent job from the Greek professionals in the travel, hospitality and tourism sectors..
MICE & TOURISM around the World e-MagazineLondon, United Kingdom How do you promote your DESTINATION at a low cost around the world? advertise with us… London, United Kingdom online since 1997 the global monthly e magazine www.miceandtourismaroundtheworld.com
Can We Cope With ULTRA-LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS?
by N M Laspas
Research has shown that for every hour of time difference, a person requires a day to adjust. On the return journey the jet lag affect is made worse as you travel over the time zones in a short amount of time, thus making the sleep rhythm even worse!
To limit the negative effects, when you arrive in the new time zone, switch into that local time and go to sleep as a local. Go outside into daylight, even if your body feels like its 3am, so it helps your body adjust more
Qantas plans to operate the world's longest duration commercial flight by the end of 2025; Sydney to London in 19 hours. However, flying such a long way presents a variety of challenges including the capability of planes, the commercial viability, as well as the health of both crew and passengers. Maximising your business trip with a non stop flight may be seen as convenient, but others may think it is just too long to even think of.
Whilequicklyon the plane, the oxygen levels are the same as on the ground, however, at high altitude, the change in air pressure affects how oxygen is absorbed in the blood. If you are healthy then we can cope easily,
Your mental health related to ultra long haul flights and the anxiety levels associated with the length of time in the air can present as a fear of flying aerophobia.
Jet lag occurs if you travel crosses 2 or more time zones. It puts your internal clock out of sync and tends to alter your sleeping pattern, memory and concentration.
Advance in flight continue to amaze us and most of the time we welcome the developments with open arms as they will make air travel, smoother, faster, greener and just better!
There are two groups of people who have fear of flying; those who have existing agoraphobia (the fear of enclosed, crowded spaces) and those who fear the plane will Ourcrash.physical health is also affected when flying, especially if we travel through many time zones. This causes ‘Jet lag’.
With aircraft technology now allowing for airlines to offer ‘Ultra Long Haul’ flights, the question now is, can we actually cope with being in the sky for that long! The idea of 13 hours in the sky was daunting enough, but now just over 19hours is all it will take to go direct from Sydney to London. We have got used to stop overs in cities around the world as a welcome break from spending hours in the sky getting from A to B.
As we have seen recently, travel is full of uncertainty and added stresses from the moment you get to the airport. Add into that getting on a plane with hundreds of strangers for 19 hours with no escape can really make the anxiety levels rise.
however someone with asthma of other breathing issue may feel the change drastically, making them feel quite unwell with headaches, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, coughing, wheezing, and confusion. Therefore drinking plenty on board is vital as altitude makes us dehydrated at any height or for any duration of flight.
We are all aware of the need to move our bodies while flying to prevent blood clots etc, but on ultra long flights the need is even greater. Airlines offering such long journeys are aware that the health and safety of passengers is paramount and have incorporated into the layout of the planes, more spacious seating as well as a ‘wellbeing zone’, so passengers can stretch their legs and move about. The rules of staying healthy while flying are well known and for these new flights just need to be implemented further to ensure no risk to passengers of crew is experienced. Currently, the longest direct flight is with Singapore Airlines, flying from Singapore to New York in 18hrs 40min. Qantas flies from Darwin in Northern Australia to London in 17hrs 55min. Singapore Airlines flies from Los Angeles to Singapore in 17hrs 10mins. There are two new proposed routes; Qantas flying from Sydney to London in 19 hours. If successful by 2025, it will be the world's longest duration commercial flight. Cathay Pacific is also planning a route to fly passengers from Hong Kong to New York direct in 16 For17hrs.thetime being, the question is, how will long haul flights continue after the knock on effects of the health crisis, with the changes in the travel industry, and with aviation, and major European airlines reducing their larger aircraft. This change was being seen before 2020 with Air France KLM, deciding to reduce their long haul flights by 50%, while Lufthansa had sold its 6 A380 aircraft in 2019. We are in a time of a lot of changes both in life and in the travel and tourism industry, but is clear that the aviation industry has made huge advances in the last 30 years and more changes and advances are for sure to come
M.I.C.E & Events News Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions, Venues & Events
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THE WORLD COMMITTEE FOR SPACE RESEARCH TO MEET IN FLORENCE
After a 2 year absence, the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), Kenya's flagship trade show, is set to make it return between 5 7 October at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. Attendance is expected from about 30 countries from across the world. Over 200 exhibitors from across Africa will exhibit with pre scheduled B2B meetings for hosted buyers. For Hosted Buyers there are fam trips to highlight to regions offering and the event will see greater involvement from DMCs and operators.
Magical Kenya Travel Expo is one of the fastest growing tourism events in the region and is currently positioned as the leading travel trade fair in East Africa. It aims at raising the profile of the destination Kenya and the region as a whole.
The 46th edition in 2026 is set for Florence who beat Prague. The event will take place at the Fortezza da Basso from 1 9 August 2026 and gather about 3,000 delegates from all over the world.
For the 3rd time Florence is the host city for the prestigious scientific congress the COSPAR Assembly in 2026. The 44th Assembly of the World Committee for Space Research (COSPAR), the committee that unites 46 national scientific institutions and 12 international organisations that study space: from the study of the Earth and climate, has just concluded in Athens, to the study of planets, stars, black holes, the most distant galaxies.
In addition to the undisputed attractions of the destination, both cultural and logistical and organizational, it is undoubtedly thanks to the consolidated reputation of the Italian scientific community in the field of space programmes Italy was the 3rd country in the world to send a scientific satellite to the space, in 1964 and to the unanimous support of the city, the Chamber of Commerce and the institutions that Florence managed to achieve this important milestone.
MAGICAL KENYA TOURISM EXPO 2022
The announcement of COSPAR 2026 comes as Florentine’s meeting industry and the destination, also secured another 3 important events over the next 3 years. The IEEE Vehicular Technology Society VTS Spring/Fall, an annual international conference that brings together about 600 scientists, engineers and students to discuss research and development issues of vehicle technology and mobile networks. In 2024 Florence will host the Congress of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), for which around 500 delegates are expected. Finally 500 international delegates will arrive in June 2025 for the Annual Congress of Computational Neuroscience (OCNS 2025).
Amongst destination cities, Montreal (19th) and Dubai (21st) were both outliers within their respective regions. Montreal was the only North American city in the top 20. Dubai ranked 1st for unaffected meetings and was the only Middle Eastern city represented in the 6 individual top 20 rankings. Meanwhile, Budapest, Porto, and Stockholm are all newcomers to the top 20 DPI for cities.
The countries and cities represented in the top 20 meeting destinations in 2021 are similar to the 2019 report, with a few exceptions. As in 2019, the USA is the top performing country for association meetings in the DPI as they ranked 1st in 4 of the 6 indicators (planned, virtual, digitalisation, and business continuation). The remaining 2 indicators, unaffected and hybrid, were topped by Spain and China P.R., respectively. Vienna and Lisbon were close in the DPI for cities but Vienna ultimately led due to having more unaffected meetings in 2021.
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has released new information on how the pandemic impacted the association meetings industry in 2021. The Public Abstract of the ICCA Annual Statistics report is now available for non ICCA members after a one year hiatus. Due to the transformational events of 2020, ICCA refined its approach to the report by including meetings that were affected by the pandemic as well as those that remained unaffected. Now, non ICCA members can also benefit from this new methodology, called the Destination Performance Index (DPI), which provides a more holistic view of how destinations have addressed recent challenges.
ICCA ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMING DESTINATIONS FOR
Additionally, the Public Abstract presents the top destinations for association meetings in 2021, based on estimated total number of attendees for hybrid and virtual events. It also provides a 3 year economic impact analysis, which is usually not available to non ICCA Themembers.DPIexamines
Overall, Europe was a strong performer as an association meeting destination during the pandemic. 70% of the top 20 countries and 80% of the top 20 cities are European. Denmark and Greece replaced Argentina and Brazil in the top 20 countries for meetings. Austria made the biggest jump, from 16th to 11th place. Italy claimed 5th place from the UK. Spain jumped 2 spots since 2019 to become the 2nd meeting destination globally.
The full report ICCA Annual Statistics report, available only to ICCA members, contains additional analysis on the top destinations, economic impact, regional/global business continuation and meeting subject matters.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
The entire chain involved in the MICE sector has suffered greatly due to the epidemic; events being postponed and then cancelled or cancelled altogether. As we recover, the situation is still not totally positive with staff shortages, supplier logistics, product delays, needing to source new suppliers as old ones went bust, the list is long! But how to solve these problems is at the forefront of people’s minds and it’s giving us a chance to change and do things differently and hopefully more economically and sustainably
THE IMPACT OF THE WORLD HEALTH CRISIS ON MICE COMPANIES
For now international MICE business is limited, partly due to budget, partly due to people not wanting to risk going too far from home. More events are being hosted locally or at the most regionally.
With stricter COVID policies than many other global meeting destinations, China P.R, Japan, and the Republic of Korea were forced to go hybrid. In fact, due to their high number of hybrid meetings, the Republic of Korea replaced the Netherlands in the top 10 country destinations.
8,000 international association meetings scheduled for 2021, based on 6 performance indicators (planned, unaffected, virtual, hybrid, digitalisation, and business continuation). When combined, the indicators represent the overall DPI, highlighting how destinations have performed with regard to winning the original bid, COVID policies, adaptability, and technological capabilities to convert on site events into virtual/hybrid events.
IT&CMA 2022 OUR FIRST HYBRID EVENT RETURNS TO BANGKOK Bringing back face to face business meets, engaging opportunities and more at the in person event, with added knowledge and networking access exclusively during the virtual networking event. Over 200 Exhibitors and over 350 Buyers 3 Day In-Person Event 20 22 September 2022 | Bangkok 9 Day Virtual Networking 20 28 September 2022 | Online •Table top / Destination and Brand pavilion exhibition and business meets •Brand engagement platforms •Knowledge sessions and workshops •Social networking and F&B functions •Pre and Post show tours •Hosting programme for eligible MICE, Association and Corporate buyers from around the world •Video highlights of Bangkok in person event •Knowledge content: recordings from Bangkok sessions plus exclusive virtual only content •Brand Showcase Presentations •Buyer Procurement Showcases •Live hosted sessions by brands •Networking and contact exchange between Exhibitors and Buyers
If the health crisis was over within a few months, the world would be in a much better shape. The crisis has played with our minds and made us all think twice about everything we do, both in business and personally, even if we do not realise it. Our need for human communication forced us onto online apps to just keep in contact and try to keep up to date with what was happening elsewhere. Trying to maintain communication with customers was a need, not that any normal business could be done. It also gave insight into how customers felt about what were important at events and how they would come back in person or not at all in some cases. No one was ready for this huge change in life and no one was ready to deal with working from home etc. Hopefully we will not have to be ready again, but we have learnt a lot and possibly that life is far too short to waste and communicating with everyone in any form is a must we are human after all!
BUSINESS OF EVENTS PUBLISHES
2022 INTERNATIONAL PLANNER SENTIMENT REPORT
Respondents were asked what areas they considered to be important when selecting a destination or major venue in a post pandemic environment. The questions focussed on 12 specific areas, ranging from accessibility and ease of travel, to venue quality and suitability. Respondents were asked to rank each on a simple scale of 1 10, (1 being not very important and 10 very important).
The International Planner Sentiment Report, surveyed 3 key business audiences from the international buyer community; Corporate Event Planners, Association Planners and Agency Planners from the UK, Western Europe and North America.
Following the 2022 programme launch, The Business of Events has published its 1st market sector report.
The Business of Events is a cross sector not for profit series of events and reports, designed to raise the importance and profile of business events in the UK, as an economic, policy and societal driver.
In November, the ‘The Business of Events: Global Destination Report’ will be published. The report is an annual survey of the leading global business events destinations, including NTO’s and CVB’s. The report is developed in partnership with VisitBritain and VisitScotland Business.
SPACE-COMM EXPO TO WELCOME GLOBAL COMMERCIAL SPACE INDUSTRY TO UK
A promising new exhibition facility is gaining momentum as an emerging MICE business destination in Southeast Asia.
The WTC Expo was established at the core of Vietnam’s first World Trade Complex, a 165,000sqm area in Binh Duong Province with modern infrastructure and good connectivity to the surrounding region. The complex has plans for the development of many residential and commercial buildings, multi purpose stadiums, shopping malls, and a metro station connecting to Ho Chi Minh City.
More than 130 of the leading space innovators around the world will be exhibiting and sharing future focused insight at the Space Comm Expo on 7 8 September 2022. Shortly after the Farnborough International Airshow, Space Comm Expo will be pushing the conversation on the future of the commercial space sector at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, UK, with a star studded speaker programme.
WTC BINH DUONG NEW CITY EXPO (WTC EXPO), VIETNAM
Commercialising space is an incredibly important focus for all Government departments, and Space Comm Expo provides the Government and aerospace industry with a collaborative platform to discuss the development of new initiatives to further the UK in this area.
BAE Systems, Airbus, CGI, Cornwall Space Cluster, Raytheon UK, Rolls Royce, Space Florida, PWC and Czech Republic Aerospace will be among the companies unveiling their latest strategies and showcasing their technology and innovations.
The WTC Binh Duong New City Expo (WTC Expo), launched on 8 August 2022; a promising new facility within the MICE community in Southeast Asia, and acts as an ideal platform for some of the largest trade shows, exhibitions, and events.
Organised by Hub Exhibitions, in partnership with the renowned aerospace events experts at Farnborough International, Space Comm Expo is the 1st exhibition to focus on the commercial future of space for business, defence and aerospace.
Binh Duong Province is an economic powerhouse located in the Southern Key Economic Region of Vietnam. The economic powerhouse has more than 4,000 FDI projects invested in the province with a total investment capital of nearly US$40 billion and recording the highest per capita monthly income in Vietnam with a figure of over 7,120,000VND in 2021.
Fredi is a well known face in the meetings industry, especially after his previous role in the Tourist Board
The WTC Expo is a column free facility specialising in hosting MICE related events. It has a total construction area of 22,000sqm, including an indoor exhibition area of 11,617sqm consisting of 3 halls.
It is because Binh Duong province has been developed based on the concept of an “innovation region”, encompassing residential complexes, universities, hospitals, and other social infrastructure, along with more than 30 large scale industrial parks.
In Vietnam, there is a MICE business entry barrier for overseas organisers as they need to be involved in complicated administrative procedures when applying for exhibition licenses.
A NEW ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAU APPOINTED
Portorož, where he has been in charge of MICE activities since 2017. His knowledge and expertise will contribute to the goals of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, as he will strive to attract international meetings to Slovenia. Fredi’s vision is to further develop competencies and facilitate innovation to ensure Slovenia’s meetings industry reaches its full social and economic potential given the right support.
The beginning of August marks another milestone for the Slovenian Convention Bureau as it’s welcoming a new acting director: Fredi Fontanot. Tadeja Pivc Coudyser concluded her mission after a few months at the Bureau. We heartfully thank Tadeja for her work over the past months at the Bureau and extend a warm welcome to Fredi.
Although Vietnam has recorded the world’s highest economic growth, it has been evaluated as lacking in areas related for facilities for international MICE events. Accordingly, the WTC Expo is expected to solve the issues related to the supply shortage of exhibition facilities and will become a driving force for a new leap forward in Vietnam’s MICE industry.
However, now with the introduction of WTC Binh Duong New City, the process is easier as they provide a one stop service for overseas organisers to host their events at the WTC Expo. They provide supporting services in administrative procedures and market research through cooperating with relevant government agencies when overseas organisers wish to host their show at the WTC Expo. They also have partnerships with overseas organisers that wish to expand their impact to Vietnam, but do not have a sales department or agency in Vietnam.
The activities of the Slovenian Convention Bureau will continue to promote the visibility and international presence of Slovenia as a boutique, green, active, healthy, and sustainable destination for the organization of meetings, events and incentive experiences. We wish Fredi the best of luck and success during his first one year term!
CONVENTA HERALDS A NEW ERA OF TRADE SHOWS
CONVENTA 2022
Last month the city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, welcomed buyers back to the ever successful event.CONVENTA As one of the only major events running this summer, the event attracted much attention and as always was very well organised and targeted for the regional offering and beyond.
MICE & TOURISM around the World e Magazine were present as international media partners and were pleased to meet new and old colleagues, all keen to get the event market back up and running with new vigour. ; the premier tradeshow of the meetingsCONVENTA industry in New Europe took place at the end of August and intertwined 3 events: the international tradeshow , the Crossover conferenceCONVENTA CONVENTA and the Best Event Award competition.CONVENTA An eventful 1st day at concluded with aCONVENTA networking dinner, where attendees could enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and share experiences and knowledge. Croatia Airlines received the coveted HallCONVENTA of Fame for their continued support, while Imre Diosi was presented with the AmbassadorCONVENTA Award, celebrating the trade show’s most valuable ambassadors. The ceremony took place in the Cukrarna Art Gallery, one of Ljubljana’s most unique venues. The spectacular evening included a mesmerising video mapping show by Virtual Europe Group.
The 14th trade showCONVENTA enticed attendees to get a glimpse of what the future holds for the meetings industry through its innovative format CONVENTA Academy. Hosted concurrently with the classic business trade show, the Academy hosted marketing experts. In addition, they had the chance to explore the virtual portfolios of technology providers and special venues. became a bustling hubCONVENTA for event organisers, meeting planners and industry professionals. 92 exhibitors and 145 hosted buyers from 33 countries joined the trade show this year, thus helping the regional meetings industry restart. made another recordCONVENTA with over 2180 meetings held at this year’s Trade Show. AtCONVENTA the end of the event, hosted buyers went off on post tours to discover regional destinations.
Reducing the event’s impact on the environment sits at the heart of ’s aspirations. will thus measure itsCONVENTA CONVENTA carbon footprint in cooperation with Climate Partner, thus ensuring that organisers provide the greenest possible wayCONVENTA of organising events. With that in mind, the organisers of are already preparing for . They encourage attendees to registerCONVENTA CONVENTA 2023 promptly. will take place from 1 2 February 2023. Crossover will take place from 28 29 August 2023.CONVENTA 2023 CONVENTA online since 1997the global monthly e-magazine www.miceandtourismaroundtheworld.com
Once again, WTM London will serve as the meeting point for the prestigious WTM, UNWTO & WTTC Ministers Summit.
Registration is now open for the foremost global event of the international travel industry World Travel Market London taking place at London’s ExCeL on 7 9 November 2022.
Responsible Tourism will also be on the agenda, while Travel Tech the event for cutting edge technology for travel and hospitality, will attract decision makers from across the globe.
This year’s show is back to its fully live, pre pandemic format, with hundreds of destinations exhibiting and brands from across the globe showcasing their new products to buyers. Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make WTM London 2022 the most memorable so far, with a packed conference programme across four themed stages: the Future Stage, Sustainability Stage, Technology Stage and the Insights Stage. Over 70 live sessions have already been confirmed, with more content being added every week.
Ms. Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London, said: “Buyers are telling us how excited they are about walking through the doors of ExCeL once again, where they can discover what’s new in the world of travel and what’s in store for the coming season.”
“For over 40 years, WTM London has been THE place to meet new and existing business contacts and nurture relationships, and as the industry builds itself back after a challenging time, this platform is more important than ever.”
“This year, WTM London guarantees inspirational conference sessions, plenty of new features and networking opportunities galore, as we all look ahead towards the future of the travel industry.” For registration, visit: www.wtm.com
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR WORLD TRAVEL MARKET LONDON 2022
Visitors will hear from top motivational speakers, celebrities and industry leaders from a variety of sectors during a tailored programme to help inspire, educate and guide bringing key insights and takeaways that are hard to find anywhere else.
Networking is back in full force and WTM London is offering plenty of opportunities for meetings, whether that’s specific buyer networking sessions, drinks parties or other opportunities where delegates can enhance their presence, make maximum connections and increase their business network.
