Category: Latest Travel News

Macau (Macao SAR) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The seventh edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF or the Forum) was unveiled today (23 October). A grand welcome dinner was hosted by the Macao Special Administrative Region Government at Wynn Palace tonight to welcome delegates from near and afar, and convey the best wishes to the Forum for a great success to inspire closer tourism cooperation across the globe with innovative insights.

The dinner was attended by over 1,000 Forum delegates. The dignitaries include Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah; Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Gao Yunlong; Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Yao Jian; member of the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Yu Qun; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Xu Ruisheng; Counsellor and Head of Trade Section, European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Eva Valle Lagares, and 28 representatives of the European Union (EU) delegation, among other guests.

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Alexis Tam, highlighted in his welcome remarks, “Arriving at our seventh edition, GTEF is still a young but vigorous aspirer setting eyes on the horizon ahead. With a different designated theme each year, we have been engaging in fruitful exchanges to steer the global tourism economy towards a sustainable future. 2018 is celebrated as the EU-China Tourism Year. It is also a pivotal year for our nation to map out the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

He continued, “With the guidance and support of the Chinese Central Government, the Macao Special Administrative Region stands strong to become a world centre for tourism and leisure, uniquely connecting the world as a bridge between the east and west. Last year, Macao successfully joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy. Together with our UNESCO-inscribed Historic Centre of Macao, we want to show the world that our city’s portfolio mirrors not only a rich trove of cultural heritage, but also an innovative and creative future. We strive to contribute as one of China’s windows for fostering international collaboration and concerted development with multilateral success.”

At the dinner, souvenirs were presented to representatives of the European Union (EU) as GTEF 2018 Partner Region and Guangdong Province as GTEF 2018 Featured Partner Chinese Province, as well as GTEF’s collaborative partner, supporting units and sponsors in token of appreciation for their support. International and local guests took the opportunity to connect and build friendships with each other during the dinner.

As a high-level exchange platform hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, the 7th edition of Global Tourism Economy Forum unfolds a series of thought-provoking discussions and panel sessions under the theme “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”. The Forum will continue tomorrow (24 October) with its Day 2 program, including two Special Keynotes on “Tourism Development in Greater Bay Area” and “Building a Travel Ecosystem and a New Lifestyle”; several discussion panels themed as “Greater Bay Area Session Part I – China Enterprises Perspective” in cooperation with All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC); “Greater Bay Area Session Part II – Macao Perspective” in cooperation with The Macau Chinese Enterprise Association; and “Technology – The Virtual Bridge” in cooperation with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

There are also an array of concurrent sessions namely Youth Leaders Roundtable Meeting in cooperation with Greater Bay Area Youth Federation, “China Outbound Tourism” in cooperation with Ivy Alliance, “Gastronomy, Creativity, Tourism” in cooperation with UNESCO, Trade and Business Presentation, and PET Conference in cooperation with European Tourism Association (ETOA) and The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA).

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally renowned speakers.

For enquiries, please contact Mazarine Asia Pacific:
Ms. Anita Yu
Tel: +853 8296 3608
Email: anita.yu@mazarineap.com

Singapore (Singapore) – October 25, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Worldwide Hotels was officially launched in Singapore, marking the consolidation of V Hotel, Hotel Boss, Hotel Mi, Value Hotel, Venue Hotel and Hotel 81 under one group. The launch event at Suntec City Convention Centre was attended by over 300 guests, as well as guest of honour, K Shanmugam, Singapore’s minister for home affairs and minister for law.

In celebration of the occasion, which commemorated the group’s 25th anniversary as well, Worldwide Hotels-Choo Chong Ngen Foundation donated S$2 million (US$1.4 million) to the Institute of Technical Education and S$50,000 to Chong Pang CCC Community Development and Welfare Fund in support of providing assistance to students from lower income families.

The consolidation is said to give Singapore its “largest homegrown tourist class hotel group”. Worldwide Hotels also plans to expand beyond the lion city, from its current overseas portfolio of eight properties.

In Singapore, Worldwide Hotels owns and manages all of its properties here spanning 38 properties and over 6,500 rooms, across the six brands. Beyond its home ground, Worldwide Hotels continues to expand its presence and has acquired properties around the world.

Ms Carolyn Choo, Managing Director of Worldwide Hotels Group says, “The consolidation of our brands under Worldwide Hotels marks a transition for us as we celebrate our 25th year. This sets our intention to expand worldwide, in line with the next phase of the group’s long-term growth. Worldwide Hotels strives to be a significant player in the global hospitality scene.”

With the first hotel established in 1993 by Group Chairman Mr Choo Chong Ngen, Worldwide Hotels has been steadily growing its portfolio and is rapidly expanding overseas with over 8 properties around Asia Pacific. More developments are in the pipeline as the Group continues to grow its footprint at home and beyond.

Worldwide Hotels will be celebrating its launch in conjunction with the group’s 25th anniversary in October 2018.

About Worldwide Hotels Group
Worldwide Hotels is the largest homegrown tourist class hotel group in Singapore. We currently own and manage all of our properties in Singapore. With the first hotel established in 1993, we have grown from one to six hotel brands spanning 38 properties and over 6,500 rooms. Worldwide Hotels offers a full range of hotel experiences, ensuring guests will always find a brand that will suit their needs. Guests can choose from six hotel brands including Hotel 81, Value Hotel, Venue Hotel, V Hotel, Hotel Boss, and Hotel Mi, each with its own distinct personality and concept.

Worldwide Hotels continues to expand its presence and with the recent acquisition of 8 hotels in Asia Pacific, we are rapidly expanding our international footprint. Our vision is to be the leading Singapore hotel group worldwide.

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Macau (Macao SAR) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Sam Smith performed two powerfully soulful, yet incredibly uplifting concerts in Macau inside the MGM Theater of MGM Cotai on Friday and Saturday nights. His blend of heartbreaking ballads and upbeat songs resonated with concert-goers who enjoyed an up-close and personal experience with Smith inside Asia’s first dynamic theater. His moving performance surpassed all expectations with The Thrill of it All.

Smith sang his hugely popular hits: “I’m Not the Only One”; “Too Good at Goodbyes”; “Lay Me Down”; his Grammy Award-winning song, “Stay With Me”; an acoustic version of “Latch”; the James Bond Spectre theme song “Writing’s on the Wall”; “Restart” and “I Sing Because I’m Happy”. He also performed a number of recent, uplifting songs such as “Omen” and “Promises” which were very well-received.

“We were thrilled to have Sam Smith to choose to perform in our new MGM Theater at MGM Cotai,” Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited said. “He has masterfully delivered two powerful performances that were so emotional and uplifting, he moved everyone in the theater.”

Smith came to Macau as part of The Thrill of it All tour to nine cities all across Asia. Since the release of The Thrill of it All in November last year, it hit the top of the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. The album’s lead single, Too Good at Goodbyes, reached number one in the UK and Australia, and became Smith’s sixth UK number one single.

In October 2012, Smith catapulted to fame when he was featured on Disclosure’s single, “Latch”. Two years later, he released his debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour, featuring “Stay with Me” which went on to become an international sensation, reaching number one in the UK and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2015, Smith garnered many prestigious accolades, winning four Grammy Awards; a Golden Globe Award and an Academy award for the Spectre theme song, “Writing’s on the Wall”; two accolades from the 2015 Brit Awards and three award wins from the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.

MGM Theater is Asia’s first dynamic theater designed by Scéno Plus, a leading performing arts and entertainment design firm. It is immersive, flexible and its agility allows the hosting of concerts, shows, corporate events and more. MGM Theater seats up to 2,000 people in more than 10 spectacular configurations. It is also the world’s first theater to feature a GALA revolving seating system in a 360-degree format surrounding stage. At a flick of a switch, this innovative seating system can be customized for the needs of any event, and within minutes, the theater can be transformed from an intimate dinner setting into a full-blown concert hall.

About MGM Cotai
MGM Cotai is the latest addition to the MGM portfolio in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM COTAI also offers Asia’s first dynamic theater and a spectacle to wow every guest who steps foot in the resort. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM Cotai is the largest property and the first mega-size complex project in Macau to achieve the China Green Building Design Label Three-Star Certification.

Book your hotel in Macao, Guang Dong Region and around the world in 55 countries at best rates available. Earn HolidayClick Points and pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts announced today the signing of an impressive new upscale hotel overlooking Ha Long Bay, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam. Developed by Doji Land Real Estate Investment Company Limited, the Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long is a spectacular new 31-story project that is currently rising in the heart of Ha Long City’s hotel district. It will feature more than 1,000 spacious guestrooms, outstanding business and leisure facilities and panoramic views of the bay. The hotel is scheduled to open its doors in the fourth quarter of 2020.

“Best Western is excited to announce the signing of the Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long, as this hotel reflects our brand’s commitment to bringing world-class hospitality to Asia’s most attractive destinations,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to providing travelers visiting the historically-rich and captivating coast of Ha Long Bay with the elevated style and luxurious amenities that are signatures of our Best Western Premier® brand.”

Upon opening, this exceptional hotel will feature 1,008 residential-style rooms with a minimum size of 35 square meters and a choice of one or two bedrooms. Each unit will feature contemporary décor, a private balcony and modern technology, including complimentary Wi-Fi.

Guests will be able to unwind with a full range of facilities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, business center, executive lounge and retail outlets, all supported by Best Western’s impressive service standards. A diverse collection of dining and entertainment options will feature a bright all-day restaurant, a chic specialty restaurant, a coffee shop, beer bar, cigar lounge and wine bar.

“Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long is a fantastic new hotel that provides international accommodation in an unsurpassed location, in the heart of one of the world’s most desirable destinations. As a globally recognized World Heritage site and one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature,’ Ha Long Bay is the jewel in Vietnam’s tourism crown. Our wonderful new waterfront hotel will perfectly showcase this breathtaking landscape,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“This landmark signing is a wonderful example of how Best Western’s portfolio is evolving in Asia Pacific. As a fully managed property, Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long will benefit from our company’s 70-plus years of hospitality expertise and extensive global support network. Sleek, stylish and spacious, this landmark hotel will combine seamless stays with stunning views. We look forward to working with Doji Land to bring their vision to life, and to welcoming our first guests to Ha Long Bay in 2020,” Olivier added.

Nestled in Quang Ninh province, northeast Vietnam, Ha Long Bay features approximately 2,000 islets and limestone karsts, jutting out from the water in a variety of dramatic shapes and sizes. This makes it an ideal destination for outdoor adventure and recreation, including boat tours, cave exploration and kayaking.

Quang Ninh welcomed 7.5 million visitors in the first half of 2018, including 2.5 million international travelers, which marked a 14 percent year-on-year increase. This number is likely to rise significantly in future as Ha Long Bay becomes more accessible than ever before. The recent opening of a new highway has slashed the traveling time from Hanoi down to just two hours, and the new Van Don International Airport is slated to start operating in late 2018, just 50km from Ha Long City.

Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long marks the latest phase of Best Western’s Vietnamese expansion strategy, following the recent signings of hotels and resorts in Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc and Quang Binh.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 13 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Sadie HotelSM, Aiden HotelSM, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western, and BW Signature Collection® by Best Western, as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. 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-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, 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 nine 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 58 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in J.D. Power’s 2017 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first in breakfast (food and beverage category) for midscale; and second in overall guest satisfaction. Over 35 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.
* All Best Western and SureStay-branded hotels are independently owned and operated.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact information:
Marketing Communications Department
Best Western Hotels and Resorts – Asia
Tel: +66 2 656 1260

Sirimanas Maungrod
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Orapan Sornnuwat
Email: orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com

Macao (Macao SAR) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in partnership with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC), presented its Asia Tourism Trends Report today at the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao (China). The report shows Asia and the Pacific outperforming all world regions in growth in international arrivals since 2005.

UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018, shows that international tourist arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew 6% in 2017 to reach 323 million, around a quarter of the world’s total. Of all world regions, Asia and the Pacific, the second-most visited after Europe, has grown the fastest in international tourist arrivals since 2005. Arrivals increased an average of 6% per year, above the world average of 4%.

Rapid economic growth in a region with over half the world’s population, coupled with rising air connectivity, travel facilitation and large infrastructure projects, have boosted international travel in the region. This has had a large impact on Asian destinations’ tourism earnings, which have steadily increased from 17% of the world total in 2000 to 29% in 2017. This is equivalent to US$ 390 billion in tourism receipts.

Asia and the Pacific plays a vital role as a source market as well, fuelling much growth in both regional and long-haul destinations. The region produced 335 million international travellers spending US$ 502 billion in 2017, 37% of the world total. Around 80% of these visits were concentrated in Asia destinations. Outside the region, 56% of the long-haul trips were to Europe.

EU-China Tourism Year

To celebrate the EU-China Tourism Year 2018, the report looks at international tourism between China, the largest economy in Asia, and the block of 28 European Union (EU) countries.

It finds that 5.7 million Chinese tourists travelled to Europe in 2016, of which 3.5 million went to the EU. In reverse, 5.5 million Europeans travelled to China in 2016, 3.1 million of whom from EU countries.

China’s Greater Bay Area – a major outbound area

The last chapter of ‘UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018’ provides an insight into the Greater Bay Area of China, a project to create a large socio-economic zone and tourism area comprising the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as nine cities in Guangdong Province. According to the report, the Greater Bay Area is China’s fastest-growing tourism region and the Pearl River Delta home to several cities with high tourism development including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Foshan.

Useful link:
UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends – 2018 Edition

Macao (Macao SAR) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) convened its Asia Leaders Forum in Macao, SAR, in which 150 CEOs, government representatives and regional leaders assembled to discuss critical issues facing the region’s travel sector. The agenda was packed with all the big issues: sustainable tourism, airport biometrics, emerging traveller trends, and even a bridge.

Here are the highlights:

1. By 2020, Macau will be the richest place on Earth
A historical overview of Macau’s tourism sector was provided by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macau Government Tourism Office. Once a merchant port, Macau was never truly competitive in the manufacturing sector and so turned to tourism as an alternative path to development. Once gaming was liberalised in 2004, tourism began to boom and now nearly half of all jobs in Macau are in the sector. Hotel rooms have also grown exponentially from 9,500 in 1999 to 39,000 last year. All of this growth and prosperity means that by 2020, Macau is expected to overtake Qatar as the richest place on Earth.

2. In Asia, 120,000 people relocate to the city everyday
Glenn Maguire, Principal Asia-Pacific Economist, Visa, enlightened the Forum on emerging trends in Asia. He reports that everyday in Asia, 11,000 people are added to the labour force; 1,000 industrial robots added to productive capacity; 120,000 people move from rural areas to live in cities; 372,000 people access the internet for the very first time; and 353,000 join a new social network.

3. Visible trends are stimulating travel patterns, including Game of Thrones
We are increasingly influenced by trends when we select our next holiday destination. Glenn Maguire announced that the next big travel destination, according to forecasts, is Girona, Catalonia, featured in HBO epic Game of Thrones as the fantastical and fictional city of King’s Landing. As a result of this feature, Girona has experienced high levels of growth as a travel destination, attracted high volumes of tourist arrivals, and had these growth rates sustained across four consecutive quarters.

4. Chinese cities dominate in new WTTC Cities Report
WTTC’s Cities Report 2018 was launched at the Forum, analysing the economic impact of Travel & Tourism on 72 cities worldwide. Of particular note, the Report showcases the dominance of Chinese cities in the sector. Four of the five fastest growing cities over the past ten years are located in China: Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. In fact, Shanghai is ranked as the largest city by volume in 2017, and by 2027 is expected to be double the size of Paris in terms of sector contribution to GDP.

5. Millennials target ‘daring’ destinations
It was revealed that as younger people continue to spend more of their money on experiences rather than goods, travel habits have become increasingly spontaneous, meaning more last-minute short-haul trips. Further, James Riley, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, shared that millennials are generally not targeting luxury brands when they travel, instead opting for ‘more daring’ destinations and set-ups. Anita Mediratta, Founder & President, CACHET Consulting, added that millennial isn’t a demographic but a mindset that tourists of all ages can adopt, meaning that millennial travel trends are not necessarily confined to younger generations.

6. World’s largest sea crossing opens in Macau
Hosted on the eve of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge’s opening, the Asia Leaders Forum became a platform on which to discuss the bridge’s completion and opportunities. James Tong, Director of Public Affairs, John Swire & Sons, detailed the decade-long journey of making the case for a bridge and then constructing it. The Bridge is now the world’s largest sea crossing stretching 39km (55 miles). Tong described it not only as ‘an important piece of infrastructure’ but also a ‘commercial and social initiative’ that will connect 100 million people in the Greater Bay Area and enrich the region.

7. Could airport technology spell the end of passports?
Biometrics has become a huge topic of discussion in Travel & Tourism, with airports, governments, travel and tech companies across the globe investing in new methods of processing passengers. Jane Sun, CEO, Ctrip, presented a framework for how the traveller journey could be streamlined so that formal documentation is no longer needed for passengers to get from A to B.

8. Sustainability means more standard-setting for Travel & Tourism companies
WTTC’s Buenos Aires Declaration, now with 107 CEO signatories, commits the Travel & Tourism sector to ending illegal wildlife trade. One of those signatories, Hamish Keith, CEO, Exo Travel, advocated that the sector go beyond this Declaration to cut illegal wildlife trade out of supply chains and engage in more standard-setting so that sustainability is at the centre of everything each travel company and authority does.

9. Ctrip sets out global standards for traveller safety
Jane Sun, CEO, Ctrip, outlined a plethora of ways that travel companies can assist their customers during crises, ensuring that they are prepared for and can manage emergencies. Sun detailed how important translation services, emergency transfers, and medical provisions are to tourists in crises. Companies also play a role in reissuing misplaced documents and recovering lost items.

About World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the body which represents the Travel & Tourism private sector globally. Members consist of CEOs of the world’s Travel & Tourism companies, destinations, and industry organisations engaging with Travel & Tourism. WTTC has a history of 25 years of research to quantify the economic impact of T&T in 185 countries. Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$8.3 trillion or 10.4% of global GDP, and accounts for 313 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet. For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making and raise awareness of the importance of the sector. WTTC’s annual Global Summit brings together over 800 delegates to discuss the opportunities, challenges and issues facing the industry, while its Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise the industry’s power to be a positive force in sustainability.

Book your hotel in Macao, Guang Dong Region and around the world in 55 countries at best rates available. Earn HolidayClick Points and pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

MGM Cotai Macao (Macao SAR) – October 24, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Under the theme of “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”, the Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao 2018 (GTEF or the Forum) features a series of thought-provoking discussions and exchange sessions, as well as business matching and an exhibition, among other program highlights. Various discussion panels were unfolded at MGM Cotai in Macao.

Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs

The two-day programme of the Forum is held on 23 and 24 October. In collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the signature session “Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs” unveiled the Day 1 agenda of the Forum. Coming from different countries, ministerial and government officials joined enterprise leaders to proffer their insights as guest speakers. Executive Director of UNWTO, Zhu Shanzhong, delivered an introduction of the session under the topic of “Strategic Partnership – Building Bridges of Cooperation for Shared Benefits”. Guest speakers led an insightful dialogue on the new opportunities brought by 2018 EU-China Tourism Year for China and EU member states to widen their scope of collaboration, as well as how to leverage powerful means such as innovation, technology, travel facilitation and connectivity to enhance cooperation leading to concerted and sustainable development.

The panelists include Director General for Tourism and Regional Policy, Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism of Austria, Ulrike Rauch-Keschmann; Vice Minister for Economic Development of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, Viljar Lubi; Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal, Ana Mendes Godinho; Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Alexis Tam; Undersecretary of Tourism Policy and International Affairs Division of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Mohd Daud Mohd Arif; Chairman of the British Council, Christopher Rodrigues; Chairman Emeritus of TUI Group and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Michael Frenzel; President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Gloria Guevara Manzo; Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Thomas Cook China, Alessandro Dassi; Chairman of Mystic Invest, Mário Ferreira; Chief Executive Officer of AS Tallink Group, Paavo Nõgene; and Chairman of the Board of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Company Limited, Qiu Jiachen. The session was moderated by Founder & President of Cachet Consulting and Special Advisor to the Secretary General of UNWTO, Anita Mendiratta.

In his introduction, Executive Director of UNWTO, Zhu Shanzhong, stated, “The China-EU Tourism Year highlights the bridges built for a common goal. It also brings forth the forces influencing the tourism flows which have been further strengthened by the revival of the Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative of China.”

Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Alexis Tam stressed that Macao has played its role as a platform, with the GTEF gathering parties from all sides to communicate directly and get a deeper understanding of each other, which is beneficial for boosting cooperating between partners. He specially seized this opportunity to promote the Greater Bay Area to the audience, heavily believing that this project will bring about new opportunities for tourism development. Another panelist responded that tourism between China and Europe is a two-way development, and reminded the audience to not forget that Europe is a large outbound tourist source market, adding that the tourism authorities can promote the Greater Bay Area in Europe and attract more European tourists to travel to China.

This edition of GTEF features the European Union (“EU”) as its Partner Region and Guangdong as its Featured Partner Chinese Province, to unveil a series of profound dialogues on how to encourage mutual visitations and enhance cooperation between China and the EU in tourism and the related economic scope. In addition, in support of the development plan mapped out by the Central Government for the city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Forum presents Special Keynotes and discussion panels which zoom in on cooperation across the Greater Bay Area. Since its inauguration in 2012, “GTEF” has developed into a prestigious annual tourism gathering for eminent leaders, tourism ministers, CEOs of international corporations and leading industry experts from across the world.

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally renowned speakers.

For enquiries, please contact Mazarine Asia Pacific:
Ms. Anita Yu
Tel: +853 8296 3608
Email: anita.yu@mazarineap.com

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MGM Cotai Macao (Macao SAR) – October 23, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Global Tourism Economy Forum Macao was unveiled with an opening ceremony at MGM Cotai in Macao. Under the theme of “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”, this edition of GTEF features the European Union (“EU”) as its Partner Region and Guangdong as its Featured Partner Chinese Province, and leads a series of profound dialogues on the new momentum of strategic collaboration between EU and China with a special focus on cooperation across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Over 1,500 ministerial officials of tourism and related fields, industry leaders, experts, scholars and participants from different countries and regions across the globe, including delegations from the 28 member states of the EU and Guangdong Province, convene in Macao for this edition of GTEF. Over 120 journalists from international and local media are here to cover the two-day event.

The opening ceremony of the 7th GTEF was officiated by distinguished guests including Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chui Sai On; Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Forum Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah; Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and Honorary Chairman of GTEF, Gao Yunlong; Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Zhang Rongshun; Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Shen Peili; Member of the Ministry Leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Yu Qun; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Xu Ruisheng; Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Carmen Cano De Lasala; Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zhu Shanzhong;

Secretary General of International Mountain Tourism Alliance, Former Deputy Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, He Yafei; Director General for Tourism and Regional Policy, Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism of Austria, Ulrike Rauch-Keschmann; Vice Minister for Economic Development of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, Viljar Lubi; Secretary of State of Tourism of Portugal, Ana Mendes Godinho; Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government and Executive Chairman of GTEF, Alexis Tam; Vice Chairman and Secretary‐General of GTEF, Pansy Ho; Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of UNWTO, Xu Jing, among other personages.

Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chui Sai On, stated in his welcome remarks, “Tourism growth and innovation contributes to the sustainable development of the global economy and creates favorable conditions for the achievement of the goals specified in the United Nation’s ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. Thanks to the thorough support of the Central Government, Macao is committed to its goal to develop into a world centre of tourism and leisure, besides capitalizing on the advantages given by our unique system and strengths of the city in the regional context. Through organizing the Forum in Macao, we can march forward to expand the scope of regional collaboration in tourism and widen the channels to build external relations, which can drive quality enhancement and innovative development of the local tourism industry.” He added, “We look forward to distilling collective wisdom through this edition of the Forum, to build a greater consensus, introduce new perspectives as well as gain new momentum for sustainable tourism growth and the Belt and Road development in parallel with the implementation of the development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

Forum Chairman of GTEF, Ho Hau Wah, expressed in his welcome speech, “2018 marks both the fortieth anniversary of our nation’s reform and opening, and the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of EU-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Under the theme of ‘Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future’, GTEF 2018 presents both EU-China Tourism Year and the Development Plan for a City Cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for a fresh perspective. The European Union is GTEF 2018 Partner Region. As the organizer of the Forum, Macao will showcase its distinctive platform role and join hands with China and the European Union to promote the diversified development of the tourism economy. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan is a national strategy designed, deployed and promoted by President Xi Jinping. Macao is both a critical junction of the Belt and Road, and an integral member of the Development Plan for a City Cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The nine cities in Guangdong Province, GTEF 2018 Featured Chinese Province, and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, are Macao’s partners in the Development Plan for a City Cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General of UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, said, “The Forum is an example of Macao’s focused and long-term economic vision, which prioritizes tourism development…This year’s Forum highlights the value of strategic partnerships for greater tourism momentum. We celebrate the Greater Bay Area vision for an economic and business hub connecting Macao with Hong Kong and nine cities in mainland China. The Greater Bay vision is symbolic of China’s progress, which has shifted power from the Atlantic to the Pacific in both economic and tourism terms. It proves China’s commitment to building the infrastructure that our connected world, and our tourism sector, needs for the future.”

Fully delivering a high-level platform for international tourism exchange and cooperation, GTEF facilitated the signing of ten agreements for tourism cooperation in this edition, including UNWTO & Macao SAR Training Programme Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Renewal, Collaborative Agreement of the Alliance for Developing Macao into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Tourism Education and Training Base, Partnership Agreement between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre regarding Joint Research on Asia Tourism Trends, and Macao Chinese Enterprise Association & GTERC MOU. In addition, China Chamber of Tourism and GTERC signed tripartite agreements separately with Guizhou Federation of Industry and Commerce, Hunan Federation of Industry and Commerce, Jiangxi Federation of Industry and Commerce, Shandong Federation of Industry and Commerce, Heilongjiang Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce to facilitate tourism development in the respective provinces.

The two-day programme encompasses thought-provoking discussions and exchanges, besides business-matching sessions joined by nearly 200 enterprises and organizations, as well as a GTEF exhibition featuring 20 of the above enterprises and organizations, providing a wealth of networking, investment and cooperation opportunities for delegates.

China-EU cooperation sets the tone for Forum discussions

In its Day 1 programme, GTEF not only featured its signature session “Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs” in collaboration with UNWTO and “Festivals – Bridging Traditions and Tourism” in cooperation with WTCF, but also included two Special Keynotes on “Strategic China-EU Economic Partnerships in the New Era” and “2018 China-EU Tourism Year – Beginning of a New Chapter” respectively, as well as the Special Keynote Interview – “Strategic Partnership in Motion”.

UNWTO and GTERC delivered their fifth joint research report on Asia Tourism Trends during the Forum. A collaboration of UNWTO and GTERC, the report presents tourism trends and outlook of the Asia-Pacific region, analyzes Chinese Outbound Tourism to Europe and European Union Outbound Tourism to China, and examines the development potential of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a new growth area of Asia.

Day 2 agenda zooms in on Greater Bay Area

The agenda of Day 2 includes Special Keynotes on “Tourism Development in Greater Bay Area” and “Building a Travel Ecosystem and a New Lifestyle”; discussion panels themed as “Greater Bay Area Session Part I – China Enterprises Perspective” in cooperation with ACFIC; “Greater Bay Area Session Part II – Macao Perspective” in cooperation with The Macau Chinese Enterprise Association; and “Technology – The Virtual Bridge” in cooperation with PATA. There are also an array of concurrent sessions namely Youth Leaders Roundtable Meeting in cooperation with Greater Bay Area Youth Federation, “China Outbound Tourism” in cooperation with Ivy Alliance, “Gastronomy, Creativity, Tourism” in cooperation with UNESCO, Trade and Business Presentation, as well as PET Conference in cooperation with European Tourism Association (ETOA) and The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA).

A lunch presentation was hosted by the EU, GTEF 2018 Partner Region, at Grand Hyatt Macau today (23 October) to introduce the unparalleled tourism attractions across Europe. On the other hand, Guangdong Province, GTEF 2018 Featured Partner Chinese Province, hosted the Guangdong Night – Presentation cum Dinner at MGM Cotai Theater last evening (22 October) to showcase the province’s profound cultural heritage and diverse tourism resources. Welcome remarks were delivered by Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Xu Ruisheng, Director General of Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, Wang Yiyang, and Director of Macao Government Tourism Office and Vice Chairman of GTEF, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, at the dinner.

The Global Tourism Economy Forum is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), initiated and co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China (invited), All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally renowned speakers.

For enquiries, please contact Mazarine Asia Pacific:
Ms. Anita Yu
Tel: +853 8296 3608
Email: anita.yu@mazarineap.com

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Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – October 23, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Didier Robert, the Regional President of Reunion Island has arrived in Seychelles for the coming Festival Kreol of the islands. President Didier Robert is in Seychelles with an important delegation and will be having s series of meetings with Government Leaders and Officials as well as the French Ambassador accredited to Seychelles. He will also mark this years Festival with the opening of the “Antenne Reunion” Office.

I had the pleasure of again sitting with President Didier Robert after his arrival in Seychelles and together we reviewed the spirit of cooperation in the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands, a point we have both believed in in the years we worked closely together in the Vanilla islands.

Vertical Integration

Last week, we touched on the Seychelles drive to “clip the wings” of the island’s tourism industry, BUT only that of the tourism industry in what is being called the Seychelles Vertical Integration policy. Already serious dissention is being felt, and a major tourism entrepreneur has filed a case in court to challenge this infringement on his right to work and carry out his businesses as he plays his part in the economic development of the islands. Other players are looking at moving some non-fixed assets to other shores which may hurt the Seychelles tourism industry in the long term. This subject has brought many letters and feedback on the matter and no one understands why is the
Government Vertical policy only targeting the tourism industry players.

Innovation Destination

As Seychelles is getting embroiled in its Vertical Integration rules and regulations other tourism destinations are launching Smart Cities and Innovation Destinations approaches to lure investors and visitors to their shores. In the Caribbean we see Hon Edmund Bartlett, the Minister of Tourism of Jamaica moving to launch a Tourism Innovation City in Montego Bay to develop areas of textile, manufacturing, and farming among others, to boost capacity to provide on the supply side of the tourism value chain. Jamaica wants to see the tourism cost go down and one Caribbean Island’s active drive will see the whole region ride a surf wave to their beaches. Minister Bartlett said:- “To build out a tourism economy that will be beneficial to Montego Bay, which is the heartbeat of tourism in Jamaica, the backward and forward linkages must be in place and when that happens tourism costs will begin to fall and revenues from consumption will increase, In the Dominican Republic, their revenue retention is 50cents on each foreign exchange earned and this is so because they own the supply side – they manufacture uniforms for the sector and have processing plants to make the chutneys and jams needed by the guests. This is where a Tourism Innovation City in Jamaica would help to produce more of the items needed in the sector.” The Tourism Minister from Jamaica went on to add:- “If Jamaica is to earn more of the foreign exchange brought in by visitors, we must be able to reduce importation of the inputs needed for the sector and increase our ability to supply on the demand. The tourism Innovation City will create a circular economy where nothing is wasted and everything is utilized fully and the resources, income, and earnings stay within that space. When we are finished building out grange pen and Barrett Hall, this will be a fertile area for this great experiment and I am in discussion with the Urban Development Corporation who is to do a design for this innovation city.”

Tourism Cost

The cost for a country’s tourism industry is determined on the ability to produce more locally and for Seychelles to push with vigour the “Made in Seychelles” label. It is also dependant on the Government’s ability to understand that a hotel in Seychelles are not competing amongst themselves by that instead the Seychelles needs to be seen as an appealing holiday destination when apples are compared to apples and pears to pears. Seychelles cannot be seen as the destination bleeding its tourism industry through taxes, fees and utility charges.

After Miss Regatta we now have Miss Creole 2018

Just weeks ago Seychelles saw the election of Miss Regatta and now last weekend Seychelles elected Ketsia Marie as its Miss Creole International 2018. The 1st princess is Tisha Loze and as 2nd Princess Nathasha Chetty. Both these beauty with a purpose pageants were private sector driven and with success. The Regatta is a Round Table event and Miss Creole International is the work of Telly Modelling Agency of Terry Carolla. Seychelles needs to congratulate both these organisers for proudly putting forward the talents of the islands and in so doing opening doors for them.

New Yellowfin Tuna Record For Seychelles

Albert Durand’s post on Social Media last week publicised that Seychelles was proud to be having a new record for Yellow Fin Tuna. The previous Seychelles ‘Rod & Reel’ Record stood at 96.1kg. The new Seychelles ‘Rod & Reel’ Record is now 100.6kg caught by Captain Sony Parekh and Angler Mohamed, a tourist from Oman who flew in to go fishing with Sony. This catch helps to position Seychelles as a destination for Big Game Fishing and comes as Sail Fish Season is kicking in. Denis Island has been recording excellent catches of Sail Fish as they continue to pursue their policy of ‘tag & release’.

South African Lavone Wittmann elected new president of Skal

South African Lavone Wittmann has been elected the new president of Skal. The elections took place during the 79th International Skal Congress that was help in Mombasa in Kenya. Minister Najib Balala, the Kenyan Minister responsible for Tourism had said earlier that Kenya had been gearing up for the biggest gathering of professionals within the hospitality and travel industry from all over the world. It was Kenya’s second city, Mombasa that was the host city for the 79th International Skal Congress.

Davos (Switzerland) – October 23, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The World Economic Forum objects to the proliferation of the use of the “Davos” brand for events that have nothing to do with its own activities. The Forum, together with the City of Davos, will use all means to protect the Davos brand against illicit appropriation. The Forum also draws attention to its policy not to organize conferences on behalf of a specific government, always preserving its independence and impartiality.

Since 1971, the World Economic Forum has been organizing the Annual Meeting of its constituents in the Swiss town of Davos, and the Forum and Davos brands are closely linked. Any use of “Davos” for another event can only lead to confusion and may mislead the public, members of the World Economic Forum and the media as it may imply that the World Economic Forum is responsible for, or part of, that event.

Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and the Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains: “The sole ambition of the Annual Meeting, which the World Economic Forum organizes every January in Davos, is to bring the leaders of all major governments, business and civil society together for collaborative efforts to address global, industrial and regional issues.”

The World Economic Forum, as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation, is not related to any political, commercial or personal interests. For the Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos, more than 30 heads of state and governments, and over 1,000 top executives of the world’s leading companies have already confirmed their participation.

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