Category: Latest Travel News

Basel (Switzerland) – March 21, 2019 – (travelindex.com)  – Baselworld 2019 officially opened with a clear signal that it is heading towards a modern future. The ceremonial “Ribbon Cutting” was held this morning in Hall 1.0 to the Alphorn tones of Swiss musician Eliana Burki. The musician is renowned for her unconventional use of the alphorn in the funk, pop and jazz songs, symbolizing Swiss traditions in a contemporary form.

In addition to Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld and Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, CEO ad interim of the MCH Group, Federal President Ueli Maurer, Eva Herzog, Member of the Basel City Government and members of the cantonal governments took part in the symbolic cutting of the blue ribbon in Hall 1.0 on the occasion of the opening ceremony of Baselworld 2019.

After a tour of the show by the delegation and short visits to brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chopard and Hublot, the representatives of the international watch and jewelry industry and the media were welcomed on the stage of the new “The Show Plaza” event platform in Hall 1.2.

Challenges as a driving force for change
Michel Loris-Melikoff introduced himself to the audience as an industry novice with many years of experience in event planning and implementation. During his many trips over the past nine months, he noted that this sector was very special and that the show had global significance. But also that “our industry is undergoing a radical upheaval due to digitalization. This is a fact that presents us with completely new challenges.” The motivation for the new Baselworld team is to fundamentally transform the show. “The major changes in the watch and jewelry industry are affecting producers, retailers, the media and trade fair operators alike. Therefore, we can only tackle and master them together,” is his credo. The initial changes have already been implemented at Baselworld 2019. These included: modern communication strategies, strengthening the jewelry sector, expanding the gastronomic offerings at the show and coordinating the dates of Baselworld and SIHH from next year. As indicated at yesterday’s press conference, Mr. Melikoff reiterated that this was only the beginning of the comprehensive transformation that the show will undergo from 2020 onwards.

Linking the digital world with the realm of experience
Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard took the opportunity to thank those present for their encouragement and trust “especially during the past months fraught with challenges.” He emphasized that Baselworld was an eminently important component of the MCH Group and that everything possible would be undertaken to prepare the show for the challenges of the future. This is primarily about combining digital communication with real experiences and encounters. He promised that Baselworld would be transformed from a classic sales and distribution platform into a future-oriented experience event. “We listened carefully to the exhibitors and worked with them to develop a vision and concept for Baselworld 2020 and beyond.”

Trade fairs – meeting places, also in the future
In her speech, Eva Herzog, Councillor and Chairwoman of the Finance Department of Basel-City, recalled outstanding social achievements in which mechanical watches have always played an important role as time witnesses and timekeepers – from the Apollo 11 moon landing to the first ascent of Mount Everest to the crossing of the English Channel. She also emphasized the importance of getting to grips with the challenges of the digital age and reconciling them with the personal exchange. In this respect, she is optimistic about the future of Baselworld.

Federal President Ueli Maurer concluded the event at the Show Plaza with a passionate speech on the fundamental value of trade fairs for society. He explained that every civilization had begun with trade fairs and markets where opinions and ideas were exchanged as well as knowledge and goods. “Basel has been such a marketplace for centuries that it stands for growth and further development,” said Maurer. Because this exchange cannot be reduced to the screen of a smartphone, he is convinced that Baselworld, with its long fair tradition, would continue to play an important role in the future.

 

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 20, 2019 (travelindex) – Experience new journeys in Thailand with this activity—Open the Gate, Open to the New Shades. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has organized a popular activity, inviting foreign travelers to have fun learning to speak the Surin dialect and performing the “Kan-Treum”—Surin’s local dance.

Let’s see what happens when the door is opened by foreign travellers. Discover laughter, joy, and the unexpected shades of Thailand here! Open to the New Shades.

 

If the video “Open the Gate, Open to the New Shades” does not open, please click here.

Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR) – March 18, 2019 (travelindex.com) – While many observers bemoan the lack of female representation in the restaurant industry, one Hong Kong hospitality group is leading the charge and embracing the change. First and foremost, Black Sheep Restaurants is about the people in our team and the family we have created,” explains Syed Asim Hussain, co-founder of Black Sheep Restaurants. “If you look after your people, give them opportunities to grow and support them wherever possible, they will do the right thing for your guests.”

Discover the Top Restaurants for Fine Dining in Bangkok only at Top25Restaurants.com/Hong-Kong

Together with his partner, chef-trained Christopher Mark, the pair founded Black Sheep Restaurants with the intention of creating a dynamic community and telling compelling stories through food. “Community is our cornerstone and we are dedicated to ensuring our family flourishes. In less than seven years, we have grown our team to over 1,000 team members and half of them are women. While other restaurant groups struggle to achieve gender equality, or are reluctant to promote female chefs to senior positions, women are a driving creative force in our restaurants and leaders in their respective fields.”

Gisela Alesbrook
“My recipes have been passed down the generations from my mother and grandmothers.”
At the Wes Anderson-styled Hotal Colombo, Chef Gisela recreates the humble cuisine of her childhood in Sri Lanka, paying homage to her family’s treasured recipes and her native country’s vibrant street food culture. Of Dutch Burgher and Indian by heritage, Chef Gisela prides herself as being one of Black Sheep Restaurants’ very first hires.

Despite dabbling in a range of interests, from banking to lingerie design, Chef Gisela is happiest in the kitchen. In Hong Kong, she is excited to showcase her native culture and its underrepresented cuisine. Her dishes come with all the staple spices, colours and flavours you would expect in a local Sri Lankan eatery, presented with added finesse.

Lisette Magampon
“The most important class is technique. A great chef is first a great technician, and that only comes through endless repetition.”
Chef Lisette oversees Osteria Marzia, Black Sheep Restaurants’ coastal Italian restaurant. After a five-year stint at the renowned Gramercy Tavern in New York, Chef Lisette’s passion for Italian culinary began when she bought a one-way ticket to Italy determined to learn about its regional cuisines. After travelling the breadth of the country, she returned to New York to work as Sous Chef at Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria, a restaurant focused on the cuisine of Italy’s Umbria region.

One of the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry like F&B is that female chefs have to work twice as hard to prove themselves. She credits Philippe Bertineau, of Alain Ducasse’s acclaimed Midtown restaurant Benoit, and Jonathan Waxman, who pioneered Californian cuisine, for helping to shape her early career.

Discover the Top Restaurants for Fine Dining in Bangkok only at Top25Restaurants.com/Hong-Kong

Safia Osman
“For any skill, take your time to learn, study and stay in a place long enough to understand. To learn pastry, make it better and prettier than yesterday.”

As the pastry connoisseur who helms The Bakery, Black Sheep Restaurants’ central pastry kitchen, Chef Safia grew up with cereal and pie, the latter becoming a distinguishing part of her culinary repertoire.

Dedicated to creating sweet delicacies, she names honey as her go-to ingredient for its ability to bring classic sweetness to desserts and enhance savoury dishes with a layer of complexity. Born to Somali-American parents, she developed her sweet tooth from an early age. One of her earliest memories is discovering a local breakfast snack, Injera, comprising a layer of stacked sweet crepes with honey.

With over 20 years of experience, Chef Safia has worked alongside such celebrated pastry chefs as Claudia Fleming, winner of the coveted James Beard Award. After leaving the US, she worked in Dubai before arriving in Hong Kong in 2016.

Angie Ford
“Being able to be creative through food is extremely freeing.”
For Chef Angie, cooking presents endless learning opportunities. The Executive Chef of Buenos Aires Polo Club, Black Sheep Restaurants’ Argentinian steakhouse, Angie started her culinary career helping out in the family kitchen at the age of 11. She grew up learning the different roles in a restaurant, from serving and bartending to managing before finally beginning her apprenticeship when she was 18. She is continuing a family tradition as her three sisters are currently pastry chefs.

A vocal advocate of ethically-raised meat, her menus at Buenos Aires Polo Club demonstrate her expertise and ability to prepare various cuts of steak from one specifically-reared breed, the Aberdeen Black Angus. Chef Angie competed in Iron Chef Canada, which she recalls as “a super stressful hour but also extremely rewarding”. Her advice for surviving in the pressure-cooker world of restaurants: “Be a positive force in the kitchen, and do not lose your cool.”

Yen Chan
“Nobody is born as a chef, and it does not happen overnight. If you want to succeed, you need the right attitude.”
For La Vache Tsim Sha Tsui’s Yen Chan, her hobby became a passion and eventually her career. After studying Culinary Arts and Design in Canada, she worked front of house for five years before taking up the challenge to venture into the kitchen. Aside from overcoming a language barrier, she had to familiarise herself with the frantic pace of working in a large-scale line kitchen.

With the goal of one day opening her own restaurant, she was inspired by a visit to a fifth-generation sushi bar in Tokyo, where the resident chef produced a handmade piece of sushi every two seconds. “Watching that level of expertise is inspiring. It reminds you of the level of dedication required to hone your craft.”

Charrinn (Noom) Singdaechakarn
“Be a chef who never stops learning, and love what you do.”
Head Chef of Soul Food Thai, Chef Noom has been mastering the cuisine of her homeland since she was 24. While studying in Sydney, she took on a part-time job working in the kitchen of a Thai restaurant. Her passion for cooking began as a child. Living in a garden house, her mother would grow fresh ingredients to incorporate into their meals. Her appreciation for authentic ingredients extends to Soul Food Thai where everything is made from scratch. Originally from Issan, the Northeastern province of Thailand, her go-to dish is noodle soup. Although it looks deceptively simple, it requires lots of ingredients and patience to prepare and perfect.

For Chef Noom, the most challenging part of Thai cuisine is mastering the knife skills. Her mentor, Chef Chaiwat, helped develop these skills by having her “julienne the kaffir lime leaf into hair-like strands”.

About Black Sheep Restaurants
Niche, thought-provoking and story-driven, Black Sheep Restaurants is a Hong Kong-based hospitality group founded in 2012 by Syed Asim Hussain and Christopher Mark. Together they share decades of experience in hospitality and business development, along with a zest for travel and discovering dining subcultures.

Black Sheep Restaurants curates distinct dining experiences that tell a story about a particular time, place, culture or cuisine while celebrating the bounty of premium ingredients available both locally and from abroad. Always pushing boundaries, the group continues to expand rapidly within Hong Kong and beyond.

In December 2018, Syed Asim Hussain became the world’s youngest restaurateur to hold two Michelin stars when BELON and New Punjab Club were honoured with one Michelin star each. New Punjab Club is the world’s first Punjabi restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star.

Angeles City (Philippines) – March 15, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has celebrated the opening of its latest hotel in the Philippines: Best Western Hotel Metro Clark in downtown Angeles City. This impressive new-build hotel welcomed its first guests on March 15, 2019, introducing a new era of international midscale hospitality to this popular destination. Integrated into the Saver’s Mall and surrounded by major attractions, including the PAGCOR casino, Best Western Hotel Metro Clark is perfectly suited to all types of traveler.

Guests are welcomed with a large and inviting lobby, featuring lounge seating and direct access to the mall. This sense of space and connectivity continues throughout the 85 guest rooms and suites. The rooms blend contemporary comfort with cutting-edge facilities, including glass-enclosed bathrooms with refreshing rain showers, large TVs with international channels, working desks with integrated power outlets, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Guests can cool off in the dramatic outdoor infinity pool, which overlooks the city, or workout in the fitness center. The hotel’s bright restaurant features large floor-to-ceiling windows and serves daily breakfast and an all-day à la carte menu, including local, Asian and international dishes. Business services are also available.

Best Western Hotel Metro Clark was developed by J.A.D. Saver’s Development Company, Inc., a leading Filipino real estate group.

“Angeles City is an exciting destination that is attracting a growing number of domestic and international travelers,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia. “Best Western Hotel Metro Clark will cater for this rising demand by providing world-class midscale accommodation and superb facilities in a perfect downtown location, directly adjoining the Saver’s Mall on the main MacArthur Highway.”

“As a Special Economic Zone, the entire Clark Freeport area is experiencing a development boom, with exciting theme parks, shopping malls and attractions designed to suit all ages. This status is also attracting significant business investment. Best Western’s modern midscale concept and warm Filipino service will ensure all guests stay in comfort and style, at a very reasonable price point,” Olivier added.

With Clark International Airport less than 10km away, Angeles City is now directly connected to many of the world’s most dynamic cities, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and even Dubai. Manila is also less than two hours’ drive from the hotel.

Visitors to Angeles City have many world-class family attractions to choose from, such as Aqua Planet, Zoocobia and Dinosaurs Island, which features a 7-D “Super Screen” cinema. Shoppers also have a wealth of retail opportunities including the Saver’s Mall, SM City Clark and a series of duty-free centers, while golfers can tee-off on a choice of world-class courses, including the 36-hole Mimosa Golf & Country Club and spectacular Clark Sun Valley Country Club. Clark International Speedway offers adrenaline-fueled fun, while more relaxing activities can be enjoyed at the area’s spas and hot springs.

Best Western is already one of the leading international hotel groups in the Philippines, with hotels operating in a variety of vibrant business and leisure destinations, including Manila, Cebu City, Puerto Princesa, Subic Bay and San Fernando.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of over 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 16 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market. Best Western branded hotels include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, AidenSM, SadieSM, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through recent acquisition, Best Western now also offers WorldHotels® Luxury, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Distinctive brands. Completing its portfolio, Best Western offers SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, and SureStay Collection® franchises**. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including 66 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2018, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-midscale and midscale hotel brands respectively for two consecutive years, and Fast Company honoring Best Western Hotels & Resorts with a spot in the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality category. Best Western has also won 10 consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA/CAA’s nearly 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in breakfast (food and beverage category) by J.D. Power’s 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first for midscale; and second for upper midscale. Nearly 40 million travelers are members of the brand’s award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western-branded hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Google® Street View provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Contact information:
Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: phanintorn.Tangtrongjit@bestwestern.com

Best Western® Hotels & Resorts
BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd.|Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor Gaysorn Place Office Building
999 Ploenchit Road Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand
Phone: +662.656.1260 | Fax +662.656.1252| www.bestwesternasia.com

Seoul (Korea, South) – March 15, 2019 (travelindex.com) – As an honorary ambassador of Seoul, global boyband BTS will be featured on the Discover Seoul Pass. The pass is made by Seoul City and Seoul Tourism Organization. Pre-orders for the limited edition start March 15th.

The Discover Seoul Pass has become a must-have for tourists by offering exclusive benefits to the most popular attractions in Seoul. With a variety of landmarks covered, you can select your favorite attractions and plan your unique trip.

The Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition includes a photo postcard with all the members of BTS and an English tourist map. This edition can also be used for the Discover Seoul Pass free admission and discount attractions. Tmoney is not supported.

The Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition is a limited edition. It is possible to purchase the pass online and collect it in Korea, or purchase it directly at the Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center.

– Offline purchase is possible from March 20th at 10:00 from the Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center, located behind KEB Hana Bank main office. The pass is exclusive for foreigners. Passport or alien registration card must be presented to purchase.
– Offline purchase is possible between 10:00 and 18:00 from March 20th until April 10th. Available until stocks last.
– Purchase is limited to ten passes per person. Passes are sold on first-come-first-served basis and only cash is accepted. All customers have to sign the terms and conditions for resale, refund, and exchange policy.
– A list of international sellers can be found on the Discover Seoul Pass website and Visit Seoul website.
– Passes for online orders can be collected from designated collection points starting March 20th at 10:00. The collection points are at Incheon Airport T1/T2, Gimpo Airport, and Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center.

The Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition is available for online orders.

Annex 1. Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition – Summary

Name: Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition
Operated by: Seoul Tourism Organization
Type: 24 hour pass
Price: 39,900 KRW

What’s included:
Free admission to 35 major attractions in Seoul
Discounts to 29 attractions, including performances, duty free stores, and more
Countdown for 24 hours starts after visiting first free admission attraction
After synchronizing the pass with the mobile application, the mobile application shows the remaining attractions and time*Tmoney is not supported. Refund is allowed on the same day if unused and unopened.

Package:
– Discover Seoul Pass BTS Edition
– Exclusive Discover Seoul Pass BTS photo postcard
– English tourist map
– Online Purchase and collectionOffline purchase and collection of online purchase starts March 20th at 10:00.

Information on international online sellers
Discover Seoul Pass website (www.discoverseoulpass.com)
Visit Seoul website (www.visitseoul.net)

Pickup location for online purchase
Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, International Taxi booth (near gate 5, 24h)
Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, International Taxi booth (first floor, near gate 3, 07:00-20:00)
Gimpo International Airport, International Taxi booth (near gate 1, 10:00-23:00)
Offline purchase
Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center 66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Behind KEB Hana Bank Main Office)Hours: 10:00-18:00

Rockville, Connecticut (United States) – March 14, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Capitol Hotel is the latest property to join the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels International, Inc., a portfolio of unique, boutique, and historic hotels and resorts that reflect their surrounding community.

Located in the heart of downtown Hartford at 440 Asylum Street, the recently renovated Capitol Hotel offers leisure and business travelers alike chic accommodations, unobstructed views of Connecticut’s State Capitol building – after which the hotel is named – and convenient access to several nearby attractions, including the Connecticut Science Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Mark Twain House & Museum, and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center, as well as local colleges: Trinity College and St. Joseph College.

The Capitol Hotel is well positioned for business travelers visiting Hartford, which has been nicknamed the “Insurance Capital of the World.” The hotel is convenient to several corporate headquarters, such as Aetna, The Hartford Financial Services Group, and The Phoenix Companies, as well as the city’s Amtrak station and Bradley International Airport.

Other amenities of The Capitol Hotel include:
– A state-of-the-art fitness center
– Meeting and event spaces
– Onsite parking
– Complimentary breakfast

“As one of the nation’s oldest cities, and today one of the area’s leading economies, the city of Hartford marries modernity with rich tradition—which the Capitol Hotel captures perfectly,” said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. “We’re pleased to expand the Ascend Hotel Collection’s offerings in high barrier-to-entry markets like Hartford and look forward to advancing the brand’s growth in even more popular destinations around the globe.”

The Ascend Hotel Collection currently has more than 250 properties open and nearly 60 hotels in the pipeline worldwide. This year, the brand expects to open several hotels in major U.S. markets, including Brooklyn, N.Y.; Philadelphia; Long Island City, N.Y.; and Napa, Calif.

As a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection, guests of The Capitol Hotel can participate in the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty rewards program, rated a top hotel loyalty program by both USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years. Members can earn and redeem points towards free nights, airline miles, and more while staying at any of Choice’s participating branded hotels.

Ascend Hotel Collection: Let the Destination Reach You.
The Ascend Hotel Collection® global portfolio of unique, boutique, and historic independent hotels and resorts is part of Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest leading hotel companies. Recognized as the hotel industry’s first “soft brand” concept, the Ascend Hotel Collection has more than 250 properties open and operating worldwide, including in France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, and the Caribbean region. Membership with the Ascend Hotel Collection enables distinctive, independent properties to gain a global presence while maintaining their local charm.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 570,000 rooms, in over 40 countries and territories as of December 31, 2018, the Choice® family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences.

Berlin (Germany) – March 13, 2019 (travelindex.com) – WTA members include national tourism associations, influential tourism enterprises, academic institutes and other institutions from around the world. Messe Berlin, which is among the top ten trade fair and event organizers worldwide, has been officially awarded membership of the WTA World Tourism Alliance. ITB China is an international Messe Berlin spin-off and set to take place from 15 to 17 May in Shanghai for the third time. The partnership will help strengthen the communication between the global and Chinese travel industry. Through deep cooperation and the support and commitment of the WTA sustainable tourism growth from China can be fostered.

“In this multi-layered world the WTA truly plays a unifying role in the drive for global cooperation and development in tourism“, said Dr. Martin Buck, Senior Vice President, Travel & Logistics Messe Berlin. “Its message of integration and cooperative dialogue has convinced us in the same way as leading tourism representatives, destinations and institutions around the world. As the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show we share this vision too”.

TA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Liu Shijun attended multiple events at ITB Berlin and met with David Axiotis, General Manager of ITB China and Dr. Martin Buck to talk about possible initiatives and projects. “We are very much honored that Messe Berlin has joined WTA and confident that with its expertise and experience we can build a more competitive and responsible tourism industry for the benefit of all”, said WTA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Liu Shijun

About the World Tourism Alliance
The World Tourism Alliance (WTA) is the first global non-governmental, nonprofit tourism organization. Established in China on 12 September 2017, it is committed to promoting peace, global development and poverty reduction through responsible tourism. Working with travel and tourism industry around the world, it serves to drive global tourism exchanges and cooperation on all levels guided by its vision of a “Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World”. Up until March 2019, it has 182 members in 38 countries and regions, covering all five continents.

About ITB China and the ITB China Conference
ITB China 2019 will take place from Wednesday to Friday, 15 to 17 May, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in Hall 1. ITB China is a three-day business to business travel trade fair that focuses exclusively on the Chinese travel industry. The ITB China Conference will take place parallel with the show and is co-organized by the leading conference organizer TravelDaily.

About ITB Berlin, ITB Asia and ITB India
First launched 53 years ago, ITB Berlin is recognized as the most successful trade show for the global travel industry. Some 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries regularly attend this event. Every year in October for the last eleven years Messe Berlin has successfully organized ITB Asia in Singapore. Boasting more than 1,000 exhibitors from 127 countries, ITB Asia in Singapore has established itself as Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show. Messe Berlin will be organising the inaugural ITB India in 2020. The 3-day business-to-business travel trade show and convention will take place at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India, from 15 to 17 April 2020. The show will bring together industry leaders and buyers from cities across India, and international exhibitors from the MICE, leisure and corporate sectors.

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – March 12, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The world of tourism are all back in their respective countries after a week long program at the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin aimed at positioning their country as the No.1 Tourism Destination. Success will be determined as time goes on, but for now the challenges seen will be analysed and discussed with tourism stakeholders in the four corners of the world. What is clear is that tourism does not, and it will not be consolidate by itself and it requires a dynamic private sector trade working hand – in – hand with its facilitator, the Government.

Tourism Ministers of the Year named at event during ITB 2019

Greece and Jamaica Tourism Ministers are the Tourism Ministers for 2019. This recognition received during the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin comes after both these Tourism Ministers had been recognised for their continued dedication to their industry. The Minister from Greece is today being credited for having propelled her tourism industry to new heights and this is having the needed positive effects for the Greek Economy. The Jamaica Tourism Minister on his part has championed the sustainable tourism vision and spearheaded the creation of “The Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre”.

Connected – Gérard Lefebvre, President & CEO, Cleverdis

Gérard Lefebvre, the President & CEO of Cleverdis is not just a respected partner but he is also a good and sincere friend. Gérard Lefebvre’s group of companies is also responsible for Daily News Publications at most of the biggest and most important Tourism Trade Fairs such as The Daily ITB News Magazine.

The meeting at ITB in Berlin was the opportunity to discuss tourism today as it was an opportunity to renew our friendship. We discussed what lies ahead, and analysed together the avenues of cooperation between us. I remain so proud to be able to count Gérard Lefebvre as one of my dear friends.

Philippe Doki-Thonon of Reunion at the Maitres Cuisiniers de France

The Vanilla Islanders are on the move as we take note that Philippe Doki-Thonon of Reunion is a delegate at the 65th General Assembly of the Masters Cook of France taking place at the City Hall of Paris.

Philippe Doki-Thonon is a well known restaurateur of Reunion with the popular main street restaurant Roland Garros at St. Denis being part of his many businesses. He is also a keen scuba diver and has published his prized underwater photos for all to see.

Top25Restaurants.com, after the great success in the Asia-Pacific region, the world’s first restaurant guide based on AI is coming to Paris, France, Reunion Islands and Vanilla Islands soon. Watch this space!

Celebrating Her Awards making women visible in tourism at ITB Berlin 2019

Award winners from previous years always take part in presenting the outstanding women in tourism with the Celebrating Her Awards by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). The award – initiated by men, by the way – is supported by ITB Berlin and CSR Officer Rika Jean-François. Nothing is more effective than learning from one another – that is the motto of the women executives and entrepreneurs in tourism, politics, the media, and NGOs that come together at the Palais am Funkturm on the eve of International Women’s Day.

Women and their qualities shape the business world by mutually supporting each other, working tenaciously to improve working conditions for women and gender equality, exchanging views with one another, and by building and maintaining a close network of contacts. In this case, they each persistently shape their own area of tourism into a sustainable, peace-making, and flourishing industry. “Each one of you is a role model for every one of us,” said US Moderator and Strategic Advisor Anita Mendiratta of CNN’s T.A.S.K. Group.

“This is a very important moment for me,” said Rika Jean- François in her greeting, “it is more important to me than International Women’s Day.” The day does not reflect “the urgency that we women have.” The day is necessary, however, as was summarized by the seminar on improved working conditions for women that took place on the occasion of the UN’s second Global Report on Women in Tourism. The Celebrating Her Award is presented in five categories. This year, Egyptian Minister of Tourism Rania al Mashat was happy to receive the award for Tourism Policy and Leadership, her Greek colleague Elena Kountoura for Tourism Strategy and Resilience, and long-time fighter Mechthild Maurer, CEO of ECPAT Germany, committed to socially responsible tourism, for Child Protection in Tourism. ITB is a member of ECPAT as well. In her words of introduction, Anita Mendiratta spoke about how, for over 25 years, winner Jane Madden, managing partner of FINN Partners, has given a voice to the voiceless and looks where others turn away.

Jane Madden received the Sustainability Award for her dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility. Founder and President Helen Marano of Marano Perspectives was honored by the UNWTO community. The long-time advocate sent her thanks in a video message. Former UNWTO General Secretary Thaleb Rifai accepted the award on her behalf and thanked her for her commitment to forging global alliances that bring tourism forward as a powerful force towards positive development for all.

Alain St.Ange of Seychelles addresses PATWA 2019 conference in Berlin

Alain St.Ange, the former Minister of Tourism. Civil Aviation. Ports and Marine of the Seychelles was part of the invited speakers at the PATWA 2019 conference held at the ITB Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin.

St.Ange spoke about Global Tourism – its Trends and Challenges.

The former Seychelles Minister said as he opened his address that tourism was doing well as was being confirmed by the UNWTO and by our respective counties. He saluted Greece for having moved their tourism industry as never done before, and for making sure it helped transform their economy. This he said in the presence of the Tourism Minister of Greece amongst many other tourism Ministers from the Community of Nations.

On the point touching on trends and challenges facing Global Tourism, the Seychelles former Minister spoke with his usual eloquence without any prepared text but relying only on his knowledge as he spoke from his heart capturing the attention of the delegates present.

St.Ange spoke about airlines, security, threats and wars as challenges facing countries way beyond their own borders and outside of their own control.

Others speakers who took to the podium after Alain St.Ange were tourism ministers from Jamaica and Mauritius as well as representatives from India and the CEO of PATWA himself.

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 12, 2019 (travelindex) – Paul Hayward from Bangkok Thailand, a multi-talented business dynamo of investment and acquisitions juggernaut Panthera Group Thailand has recently taken over Whisgars, Bangkok’s premier whisky and cigar lounge chain as part of an expansion that may lead to a future IPO. Whisgars was originally the brainchild of Eddy Guerra and Hillman Lentz from California.

Panthera Group co-founder, Paul Hayward from Bangkok, who already oversees Thailand’s legendary Sugar Clubs in Bangkok and Phuket has impressive plans for Whisgars. An exclusive VIP room will be added for those who are a little more discreet and wish to enjoy their expensive Fuentes Opus X cigars in peace. An opulent Roman courtyard will be built, and there’s talk of a business suite. What better way to impress potential clients than over the finest of cigars and smoothest of cask whiskeys?

ul Hayward from Bangkok Thailand said, “Whisgars will be completely updated. The changes will see Whisgars become something special and iconic. Whisgars is already a high-profile establishment, our plans will make it even more so. We don’t want Whisgars to be a place people pop in and out of or come for late night last drinks. The clientele we want to attract are discerning whiskey drinkers. We want people to arrive when the doors open, spend the night, relax and enjoy their favourite dram in an upscale home away from home”.

Paul Hayward has a definite vision, Whisgars in Bangkok will be the very definition of cosmopolitan, attracting a new and younger crowd. However, the ambience will remain quietly sophisticated, which is just the way the Whisgars old guard like it.

Paul Hayward from Bangkok Thailand has overseen Panthera Group Thailand’s recent spree of acquisitions. As well as Whisgars, Panthera Group Thailand have also purchased popular Bangkok chain Birds Rotisserie that was voted best restaurant by Thailand Tatler.

Paul Hayward from Bangkok Thailand said, “Our recent acquisitions are part of a well-thought out expansion plan that has been in place for a while now. These are exciting times for Panthera Group Thailand and we have many more takeovers in the pipeline. 2019 is already shaping up to be an amazing year for Panthera Group and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead“.

About Panthera Group
Panthera Group is one of the fastest growing, privately owned companies in Thailand, with operations in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui. Paul Hayward from Bangkok Thailand is co-founder of Panthera Group.

The recently rebranded Group was formed over 17 years ago as an amalgamation of various Food & Beverage, nightlife, Hotel, Property, Investment and Management companies.

Since then the company has evolved into a diversified group with dozens of outlets throughout Thailand.

The Panthera Group operates according to a set of established values and beliefs enabling it to achieve and maintain excellence in their relevant business sectors, whilst generating strong consistent returns for their investors and stakeholders.

Jakarta (Indonesia)- March 11,2019    (travelindex.com) –  The Government of Indonesia, in partnership with the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), today announced new measures in the country’s ambitious national plan to reduce marine plastic debris by 70%, reduce solid waste by 30%, and to handle 70% of solid waste by 2025.

The Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will work with local businesses and stakeholders and global partners to evaluate viable solutions for plastic pollution, develop an investment and action plan to reduce it, prioritize investment opportunities and advance a roadmap for implementation. Hosted by the World Economic Forum, GPAP aims to redesign the global “take-make-dispose” economy as a circular one. The partnership has been designed so that Indonesia’s approach to addressing plastic pollution can act as an example to be adapted and implemented in other countries.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, whose ministry has been at the forefront of the region’s battle with plastic waste, said that if the plan is achieved, his children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy pristine waters around Indonesia that are rich in biodiversity and free of plastic pollution.

We want to see the next generation in Indonesia having a much better quality of life and health than our generation today,” he said. “Through collaboration and strong teamwork with the World Economic Forum, we can mobilize public, private and community support to safeguard the richness of our marine biodiversity for our children and grandchildren.”

GPAP is working with stakeholders across the plastics ecosystem to co-develop a roadmap of actionable solutions. Successful implementation will depend on the quality of underlying data and analysis.

To support this, Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIC will develop an analytical model for data-driven decision making. A team in Jakarta is collecting local waste management data and building a model that evaluates solutions that can contribute to the 70% reduction target. These solutions include:

• Reducing overpackaging
• Innovating recyclable plastic material
• Substituting materials
• Increasing recycling rates
• Improving waste collection rates.

For each solution, the model will estimate the investment needed, timeline, environmental footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the impact on people’s lives.

In Indonesia, the work of the partnership will be chaired by Minister Luhut. The partnership engages with business, civil society and government organisations from a range of sectors, including: Chandra Asri Petrochemical, Coca-Cola Amatil, the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Dow, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Evoware, Giti Group, the Indonesian Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), Indorama Synthetics, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, PepsiCo, Nestlé, The World Bank, and WWF Indonesia.

“Communities, entrepreneurs and government agencies across Indonesia are stepping up in the battle against plastic pollution,” said Dominic Waughray, Head of the Centre for Global Public Goods, Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum. “The uniqueness of the Global Plastic Action Partnership is to show to the world that through fast, concerted, science-based multistakeholder action, we can fix these seemingly intractable problems and preserve our natural heritage for future generations.”

Kristin Hughes, newly appointed Director of the Global Plastic Action Partnership said, “I am thrilled to be joining this important initiative. Thanks to the leadership of Indonesia’s government and the innovative approach of local industry, other countries will be able to learn from their experiences to turn commitments into actions.”

The effort is the first national partnership of GPAP, a public-private partnership launched last year to translate political and corporate commitment to address plastic pollution into tangible strategies and investible actions plans. These include, for example, the efforts of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance, the Ocean Plastics Charter as well as the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment from the  Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

GPAP is hosted by the World Economic Forum with support from the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom as well as global companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Dow, PepsiCo and Nestlé. It is an initiative of the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) and The Friends of Ocean Action.