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MATTA Signs MOU with Estonia Finland and Poland at ITB Berlin

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MATTA Signs MOU with Estonia Finland and Poland at ITB Berlin - TRAVELINDEXBerlin, Germany, March 10, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) signed Memorandums of Understanding three European Tour and Travel Agency Associations at ITB Berlin marking a new level of cooperation between Malaysian tourism stakeholders and their European counterparts.

Memorandums were signed by MATTA President Tan Kok Lian and the Presidents of the following European associations:

• Anne Marjut, President of the Association of Finnish Travel Industry (SMAL)
• Pawel Niewiadomski, President of the Polish Chamber of Tourism (PIT)
• Kulli Karing, President of the Estonian Travel and Tourism Association (ETFL)

The signing was witnessed by:
• H.E. Dr. Adina Kamarudin (Ambassador of Malaysia to the German Republic)
• The Honorable Mdm. Christina Liew (Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah)
• The Honorable Mr. Loh Tze Yee (Perak State Executive Council of Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development)
• The Honorable Mr. Hee Loy Sian (Selangor State Executive Council of Tourism & Environment)

The memorandums, which places sustainable tourism as the centre of future growth, also focuses on enhancing consumer awareness of Malaysia as a safe and attractive holiday destination to the Polish, Finnish and Estonian markets.

This agreement with the global travel agency associations builds on and deepens the existing collaboration between the organizations to keep geared towards restoring travel to consumers.

“I am excited at the prospect of working very closely with our European counterparts to further develop inbound travel potential in to Malaysia. We will be developing new marketing and communication strategies to meet the demands for high-value tourism products,” said Tan.

“South east Asia is in expensive for European travellers but costly and excessive airfares and limited connectivity are the biggest obstacles for those looking to travel to the region. We hope that this renewed interest in Malaysia and the region will encourage airlines to establish more direct routes”.

MATTA, which has participated independently at ITB Berlin since 2018, has negotiated several Memorandums of Understanding with counterparts from high-potential source markets and is a member of the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA)

“Our participation in ITB Berlin and our commitment to the European market strongly underlines our sustainable tourism strategy, which we believe will be key to the future of our nation, its people and our economy on the long term,” he added.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alain St. Ange Addresses New Initiatives for World Tourism at ITB Berlin

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Alain St. Ange Addresses New Initiatives for World Tourism at ITB Berlin - VISITSEYCHELLES.org - TRAVELINDEXBerlin, Germany, March 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Alain St.Ange, the former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine took to the podium at the PATWA World Tourism and Aviation Leaders Summit to speak on the important topic of ‘New Initiatives for World Tourism.

St.Ange was part of a panel of speakers that included Shruti Shibulal, the CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences, Winnie Muchanyuka, the CEO of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, H.E. Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism in Bulgaria and H.E. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism in Jamaica.

After opening remarks by Yatan Ahluwalia, the SG of PATWA in front of a packed conference room, Alain St.Ange spoke about the need for Tourism Destinations and everyone involved in tourism to take stock of what existed before as key USBs (unique selling points) and to analyse why they did not bring the needed returns or if they had worked how to increase their potential further using the most sustainable approach possible.

St.Ange addressed at length the different niche markets and the potential each of them continues to carry and used Cruise Ship Business as one saying that more could be achieved if the merits of this vital industry was understood. He said it remained the Tourism destinations to work with cruise ship companies to get the maximum number of passengers to disembark at a port call and secondly to work to maximise followup potential from all passengers who do not disembark and to look at them as a tourism trade fair on a public day. “Each passenger on board has friends and family members who are potential visitors for the destination if the passengers were properly sold the destination. We should never miss such opportunities” said St.Ange before talking on future strategies and initiatives.

The Seychelles former Minister spoke about consolidation of the workforce and for destinations to ‘claim back’ their tourism industry as it had the potential to put money into the pockets of each and every citizen of their respective countries. “The time to walk alone is gone, join forces as regional blocks, create new tourism destinations as was done in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands. Make the USPs of one beclme the USPs of every member in the region. Be innovative and always bear in mind that together one is always stronger than being alone and isolated”.

Alain St.Ange ended his address on the essential need of increased visibility for each tourism destination. “Out of sight is out of mind and not relevant anymore as a possible holiday destination” he said in ending.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

EXOTIC ISTANBUL, WHERE EAST MEETS WEST

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Once known as Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine and then Ottoman Empires, Istanbul boasts a plethora of architectural marvels from mosques to harems to bazaars. Though the largest city in Turkiye (the country changed its name from Turkey in 2021) and once the capital, (Ankara is now the capital) Istanbul reigns as Turkiye’s main tourist attraction for myriad reasons.

No other city sprawls over the two continents. You have breakfast in Asia, lunch in Europe and dinner overlooking the Bosphorus Strait that joins them.

Istanbul offers diverse neighbourhoods and contrasts. Mini-skirted girls stroll the streets arm in arm with hijab-clad friends. Whirling dervishes spin and meditate in universal harmony while folks party ‘til dawn at the clubs on trendy Istiklal Street. Whether you want to splurge like a sultan or snack on street food with locals, in Istanbul your choices are vast and rarely boring.
(All prices approximated in Canadian dollars.)

THE “YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE” SPLURGE LIST

Fairmont Five-Star Luxury
Recognized as the “Best Luxury Contemporary Hotel” in the Globe by World Luxury Hotel Awards 2022, Fairmont Quasar Istanbul provides a sophisticated haven from Istanbul’s madding crowds. It’s Aila restaurant made the first edition of the Michelin Guide Istanbul 2023. Sip a raki after dinner. This national drink of Turkiye (formerly known as Turkey, the country changed its name in 2021) is a twice distilled grape brandy, similar in taste to ouzo. Enjoy a dip in the indoor or rooftop pool. Pamper yourself with a Turkish coffee exfoliation followed by a warm coconut oil massage at the Willow Stream Spa. The concierge has encyclopedic knowledge of his city. Allow plenty of time to graze at the bountiful breakfast buffet
www.fairmontquasaristanbul.com

Soak it up
After a busy day of shopping or sightseeing rejuvenate with a traditional Turkish bath (hammam). T. One of the best is Catma Mescit, designed in 1533 by one the Ottoman Empire’s greatest architects, Mimar Sinan. You put your clothes in a locker and wrap yourself in a thin Turkish towel called a pestemal. You enter the central area of the bath, the hot and humid caldarium. Marble basins are located in the corners where your attendant rinses you with warm water. Then you lie on the central heated marble slab where you will be exfoliated front and back, head to toe. This is no time more modesty. Next comes a bubble foam wash followed by a massage. Relax and cool off with some tea and sweets. I guarantee you will be squeaky clean. The VIP treatment at Catma Mescit costs about $200. The hammam offers complimentary transfers to and from most central hotels.
www.catmamescithamami.com

Culinary Backstreets Tour
We met our guide, Benoit, for the Two Markets: Two Continents tour at the Galata Bridge in the trendy Karakoy neighbourhood. We began with a traditional Turkish breakfast, a sumptuous spread of tomatoes, cucumber, cheeses, salted yogurt, jams, honey, simit (Turkiye’s answer to the bagel) and the ubiquitous little glass cup of hot black tea. (Turkiye may be famous for its strong coffee, but tea is probably even more popular with locals). The moveable feast covered both European and Asian sides of the city via a ferry ride across the Bosphorus. We had a smorgasbord of tastes at places I would never have found on my own. I learned about Turkish coffee (never stir it) Baklava (the real stuff isn’t made with honey) flatbreads, kebabs and much more. It was a rich stew of Turkish history and diversified dishes. We also learned about evil eyes and how to find a convenience store that sells alcohol. The tour ended with samples of Turkish Delight at the shop where it was invented by the confectioner at the Royal Palace during the Ottoman Empire. Come hungry. Cost is about $170 per adult for a full-day tour.
www.culinarybackstreets.com

Magic Carpets
Turkish carpets and kilims can be found on almost every corner of Istanbul. I can’t recommend any specific dealers, but I can offer some bargaining advice. The vendors can be aggressive and quite clever about luring you into their shops with offers of tea and sweets. When I told a sales guy I had no room in my house for another carpet, he countered with: “If I offered you a Ferrari, couldn’t you find a garage to put in in?” If you like a rug, let the seller open with a price and if you are still interested start your haggling by offering half.

Spices of Life
Enter the vaulted 17th century Spice Market (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar) and your nose will be assaulted by the heady aromas of exotic spices, tea mixtures, nuts, perfumes and more. Where to start? I suggest the Hayfene stall where owner Ahmet will demonstrate how to identify top grade saffron and give you a sample of some of his spice mixtures. Martha Stewart is a fan of the place. At Kalmaz Baharat, located in the market’s side wing, you can buy an aphrodisiac dubbed Turkish Viagra. For lunch, climb the tiled stairs to Pandeli restaurant for fine Turkish-Ottoman dishes such as eggplant pie or chicken pudding.

THE “CHEAP THRILLS” SAVE LIST

Take a Pass
Istanbul is a huge city straddling two continents. Often public transportation is your fastest and cheapest bet. Buy an Istanbul Transportation Card from yellow machines in most stations. It is good for subways, buses, ferries and trams. My husband and I put about $20 on a card that we could both use. We took at least 20 rides and we never ran out of credit. Taxis are another story. In touristy areas, cab drivers can charge you outrageous rates. We were quoted 50 Euros for a ride that would cost about $7 CDN using the metre. Tip: if you need a taxi, get your hotel to book it. Drivers like to maintain positive relations with hotels.

Crossroads of the World
Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s fascinating architecture starting in Sultanahmet Park where vendors sell simits (similar to bagels) and chestnuts, kids play tag under the palm trees, women in veils mingle with men in suits and tourists snap selfies. You are at the crossroads of the world and just steps from a modern tram stop. At one end of the square is the peachy-coloured Hagia Sophia, once the greatest Christian churches in the world, now a mosque. Behind it sits the sprawling Topkapi Palace, fabled home to Ottoman sultans and their harems. The dagger set with three whopper emeralds and diamonds in the Treasury is but one example of the staggering wealth of the sultans. Nearby is the eerily beautiful Basilica Cistern, a vast underground reservoir lined with columns where coloured lights are projected. At the far end of the square stands the imposing Blue Mosque, famous for its six minaret and blue tiles and currently undergoing renovations. You are standing in the middle of the 2,000-year-old saga of Istanbul.(Note: for entry into all mosques knees and shoulders must be covered and women should wear a head-scarf. Shoes must be removed.

Shop ‘til you Drop
Sultan Mehmet II ordered the Grand Bazaar to be built in 1461. This labyrinth of shops and pushy vendors is the world’s oldest mall that bustled Byzantine times, Ottoman eras and still thrives today with more than 4,000 shops. The jewelry store windows are blinding, the carpets beguiling and the fake designer bags and scarves overwhelming. Take a deep breath and be prepared to get lost for a few hours.

Arasta Bazaar
If the Grand Bazaar is too intimidating, consider a shopping spree in the smaller, cleaner Arasta Bazaar, behind the Blue Mosque. If you’ve visited a hamman you will be familiar with the Turkish towel called pestemal. They are not terry cloth but instead made of thin absorbent cotton. They come in various colours and sizes and make excellent souvenirs. Jennifer’s Hammam sells good quality towels, bathrobes and other textiles woven on shuttle looms using organic fibres. Other shops sell carpets, jewelry, ceramics and more.

Blue Mosque and Cisturn Basilica

Culinary Backstreets

Spices and pomegranates

Topkapi Palace

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PUBS, PATIOS & BARS: For whom the mojito tolls

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I’ll be honest, I don’t really get the Ernest Hemingway cult in Cuba (or elsewhere), but if you’re like a lot of visitors to Havana, at some point you’ll attempt to stop by the Old Town venue most commonly known as “the Hemingway bar,” otherwise known as La Bodeguita del Medio.

The 85-year-old hole-in-the-wall establishment and restaurant, found on Emperado St. – just off the Cathedral Square (look for crowds in the street) – actually boasts a rich and interesting history, which includes serving many notable patrons in addition to the author of “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “The Old Man and the Sea.”

However, it has mainly gained fame for a line that Hemingway purportedly wrote: “My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita.” which is now posted, along with an image of the author, above the bar.

(There are many theories suggesting that the line was never written and is in fact a forgery).

The bar is tiny and open to the street (prompting patrons to spill out into the cobblestone lane) and the walls are famously decorated by guest signatures (which were painted over several years back in a move that shocked and appalled guests, and have subsequently, though organically, been repopulated).

Interior

Tourists typically drop by for a mojito – the ubiquitous rum drink made with sugar and mint leaves, which, it should be noted, the bar also claims to have invented – but food can be ordered in the back section.

There are certainly less congested places to eat and drink, but without the notoriety and requisite instagramability of La Bodeguita.

The venue’s brand has been expanded to other cities in Cuba – including Varadero, where a more spacious, but no less colourful sibling exists, and includes outdoor seating, live music. There are also franchises in other cities around the world.

But then they aren’t the original. So, if you want to go with the flow, or simply embrace the hype in Havana, we salud you! Whether Hemingway drank there or not, the mojito is a good one, and that’s all that really counts.

Restaurant and famed wall signatures

With glass purposefully in hand, we at Travel Industry Today continue our series on some of the planet’s best bars, patios and rooftop venues. For more articles in the series, click here:

 

PREVIOUS ARTICLES: https://travelindustrytoday.com/pub-patio/

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Where would we be without The Doobie Brothers?

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If there’s a bad thing about our weekly music videos, it’s that some songs can make you feel old – like this week’s offering of The Doobie Brothers, which corresponds with the band’s ongoing 50th anniversary tour. Fifty years (yikes)! Conversely, they can also make you feel young again as you relive old favourites.

In this case, and despite Jack Wilder’s (Michael Douglas) lament in the 1999 film “Romancing the Stone” – “Dammit man, the Doobie Brothers broke up! S**t! When did that happen?” – we’re pleased to observe that Tom Johnston and company did reconvene and have continued rockin’ down the highway for a few decades more.

One excellent show in particular took place at Wolf Trap (a national park in Virginia) in 2004 – an epic performance that spawned both a CD and DVD in no small part because a full horn section helps put a fresh twist on a lengthy list of Doobies classics, such as “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” and our choice, “Long Train Coming,” a song that first appeared on the 1973 album “The Captain and Me.”

With performances like this, it feels really good to be young again.

Lyrics

Down around the corner, half a mile from here
See them long trains run, and you watch them disappear
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ove

You know I saw miss Lucy down along the tracks
She lost her home and her family and she won’t be coming back
Without love, where would you be right now
Without lo-o-o-ove

Well, the Illinois Central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin’ mama
You know they’re running late
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ve

Well, the Illinois Central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin’ mama
You know they’re running late
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ve

Well, the pistons keep on turning
And the wheels go round and round
The steel rails are cold and hard
For the miles that they go down

Without love, where would you be right now
Without lo-o-o-ve ooh
Where would you be now

Mmm, got to get you, baby baby, won’t you move it down?
Won’t you move it down?
Baby, baby, baby, baby, won’t you move it down?
When the big train run
When the train is movin’ on I got to keep on movin’
Keep on movin’
Won’t you keep on movin’?
Gonna keep on movin’

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Experience world’s fastest car in Coventry

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Ever wondered what it’s like to drive the fastest car in the world? With the reopening of the star attraction at the Coventry Transport Museum in February, museum visitors in the UK city now have the chance to experience what it feels like to break the sound barrier on land.

First opened in 2015, the 4D Land Speed Record Simulator had been closed since pandemic restrictions came into force in 2020, but has now reopening for the first time in three years.

Specially developed by Metropolis Entertainment, the 14-seat, full-motion Stargazer theatre attempts to recreate the experience of Thrust SSC’s record-breaking drive on Oct. 15, 1997.

Wing Commander Andy Green, who drove the extraordinary vehicle – more appropriately call a land-speed “rocket” – to its supersonic speed of 763 mph, said in 2015 that riding the simulator “still gave [him] goosebumps, bringing back memories of wrestling Thrust SSC’s steering and fighting to keep the 10-ton monster straight at over 600 mph.”

The reopening of the simulator follows hot on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the land speed record in 2022 – a record which remains unbroken to this day.

The 4D simulator is located in Coventry Transport Museum’s Land Speed Gallery, alongside the original Thrust SSC vehicle and its record-breaking predecessor Thrust2. Also, currently on display in the gallery is Bloodhound LSR – a vehicle designed to travel even faster than Thrust SSC, which is currently awaiting funding for its world record attempt. This Oct. 2 will mark the 40th anniversary of Thrust2 achieving a top speed of 622.407 mph.

The 4D Land Speed Record Simulator offers rides running every hour, on the hour, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Riding the simulator costs £3 p.p., £10 for a family of four or £12 for a family of five. Tickets are bookable in-person on the day of visit.

Transport Museum

Located in the West Midland’s city of Coventry, about an hour from Birmingham, the Transport Museum houses the world’s largest publicly owned collection of British road vehicles and record-breaking fast cars. Reflecting the city’s historical reputation as the “Detroit of Britain,” the museum boasts hundreds of exhibits, from antique bicycles (invented in Coventry) to war vehicles, fire engines, double decker buses, race cars, and the aforementioned land-speed rockets. There’s also a collection of miniatures, and, of course, classic cars from local companies, including 16 stunners you could only dream of owning in the Jaguar gallery.

Transport Museum

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hua Hin Magic during the 2023 Thailand Open

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Hua Hin, Thailand, March 8, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The 2023 Thailand Open Hua Hin presented, a WTA 250 Tournament which was held in Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan in February, still lingers in the minds of professional tennis players and remains their topic of conversation, even past its completion more than a month ago.

Hua Hin boasts a number of famous tourist spots, namely Vana Nava Water Jungle, Cicada Market, and its white sand beach, all of which are well known to foreigners who have visited before. In fact, this resort town actually offers a lot of charming aspects that are worth discovering. Thus, Proud Group and True Arena Sport Club, on behalf of the organizers, joined hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to carry out special activities to highlight Hua Hin as a city of culture and health to tourists from across the world using social media and word-of-mouth.

The first Player ACES activity was held at the Gallery Hua Hin, a vintage automotive museum located on the second floor at Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall. Attending the event were 2019 Thailand Open champion and former world No. 21 Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine, former world No. 26 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovak Republic and world No. 142 Katie Boulter of Great Britain. The classic collection piqued the interest of the three WTA players, who even had the unique experience of sitting in some of the classic automobiles.   A part from the antique cars, the gallery also displays paintings by world-class and local artists. The three players also received a tutorial on an Eco-printing technique, which showed them how to transfer colours and shapes of leaves onto cloth bags. In addition, the trio witnessed a session of shoe paintings by young students.

Another ACES activity focused on Muay Thai, the traditional form of self-defense that uses the fists, elbows, lower arms, feet, head and body in battle.  The program was made available to players by Tourism Authority of Thailand and the tournament’s organizers. On this occasion, world No 115 Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia and No 139 Nao Hibino of Japan donned gloves and honed their fighting techniques under the instruction of 2004 taekwondo Olympic bronze medalist and current boxing promoter Yaowapa Boorapolchai at the Legend Arena.

Meanwhile, the 96th ranked Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium and former world No. 105 Han Xinyun of China underwent beauty and body treatments conducted by doctor Chanunchida Choomwiset at Chevala Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of Bluport.

One of the more unique activities Tourism Authority of Thailand and the organizers selected for players was a local culinary class. 2019 US Open winner and former world No. 4 Bianca Andreescu of Canada, No. 41 Lin Zhu of China and No. 330 Ellen Perez of Australia participated in the activity named “Make Thai Cuisine at Proud Thai” where they learned how to prepare “Pineapple Fried Rice” at Proud Thai on the first floor of Bluport. While Pineapple Fried Rice is a well-known and well-liked dish among foreigners, pineapple is a famous product of Prachuab Khiri Khan. The players also learned how to make Taro Balls and Sweet Eggs in Coconut Cream, a tasty Thai sweet dessert menu. A great assortment of coconuts grown by Hua Hin agriculturists were chosen for the session.  During the cookery lesson, a dulcimer band was performing, and Andreescu was so captivated by the Thai instrument that she requested to give it a try herself.

Later in the same location, Andreescu, Lin and Perez observed provincial handicrafts that reflected the Thai way of life and charms from communities nationwide. These artefacts included Benjarong porcelain ware which are the traditional man-made ceramics from the Tha Hong Thai factory in Ratchaburi, bamboo weaving products from Chonburi, Yan Lipao products from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, reed mats from Chanthaburi, wooden items, woven fabrics, goldware, silverware, brassware, accessories and brassware.

Last but not least, during a welcome party on the beachfront of InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, Thailand Open players and VIP guests were mesmerized by a traditional Thai dancing performance by the Lookmai Nattasin Hua Hin group, which comprised of school and university students in the area. That was a part of the promotional campaigns run by the tournament organizers in response to the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s campaign which called for using The 2023 Thailand Open Hua Hin as a soft power tool to increase Hua Hin’s economy and tourism.

In the end, the The 2023 Thailand Open Hua Hin was a huge success. Chinese Lin Zhu was the last woman standing in the competition. She did, however, leave the Kingdom with a memorable experience of Thai culture in addition to the singles trophy.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Women Take Centre Stage in Tourism Development

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UNWTO - Women Take Centre Stage in Tourism Development - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, March 8, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism must continue to deliver on its potential as a driver of women’s empowerment and opportunity.

To mark International Women’s Day, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and UN Women have jointly reaffirmed their commitment to keep women’s empowerment ‘Centre Stage’ of tourism development.

With the ‘Centre Stage’ model we can help the sector work for women and we will not stop until the girls of tomorrow have the same opportunities as the men of today

Tourism as a gender equality leader

UNWTO research has previously shown the enormous potential of the tourism sector to empower women of all backgrounds. Fifty-four per cent of the global tourism workforce is female, the gender-wage gap is lower in tourism, and the proportion of women in leadership roles is higher than in other sectors. However, much progress is still to be made. Women are still concentrated in lower-paid, precarious and often informal work. Furthermore, UNWTO research has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic hit women in tourism harder than men. For instance, women were more likely to lose their job, have their hours or pay reduced and to shoulder more care responsibilities in all of the countries surveyed.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said “UNWTO has worked with our partners to study and document the huge contribution women make to tourism.  Now it is time for tourism to give back. With the ‘Centre Stage’ model we can help the sector work for women and we will not stop until the girls of tomorrow have the same opportunities as the men of today.”

Public and private unity

The pioneering ‘Centre Stage’ project was launched in 2021 to address this imbalance and expand tourism’s place in the development agenda and women’s empowerment.  Created by UNWTO, BMZ and UN Women, the project is geared towards creating a people-centred model for tourism development that puts the needs of women at its heart. In bringing together the public sector with tourism businesses and civil society organization, the project directly trained 1,800 people, saw 2,826 women get a promotion, surveyed 27,000 people and reached over 20 million in a global awareness raising campaign.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Celebrates Official Opening Of ITB Berlin: Tourism Always Comes Back

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UNWTO Celebrates Official Opening Of ITB Berlin Tourism Always Comes Back - TRAVELINDEXBerlin, Germany, March 7, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism is on track to achieve full recovery this year and ready to deliver on its potential as a pillar of peace and sustainability, UNWTO has told sector leaders at ITB in Berlin.

As the leading tourism trade fair celebrates its first in-person event since 2019, UNWTO data shows that more than twice as many people travelled internationally in January  as they did at the start of last year. According to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, the message is clear: “Tourism always comes back”, and the return of ITB, alongside the recent re-opening of China, is clear proof of renewed confidence in international travel.

Building a better tourism

Secretary-General Pololiksahvili was invited to be part of the official inauguration ceremony for ITB 2023, alongside Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey, and public and private sector leaders. While welcoming the positive data, he also stressed that tourism has a “responsibility to grow back better. We must speed up and scale up to a more sustainable and resilient tourism.”

Outlining UNWTO’s priorities for the sector, Mr. Pololikashvili urged both governments and businesses to recognize the importance of education and training, as well as the crucial role of investment – the “missing ingredient” for turning plans for greater sustainability and resilience into reality. Investment will be the theme for World Tourism Day 2023, to be celebrated on 27 September.

UNWTO at ITB 2023

At ITB 2023, UNWTO will be part of a special Industry Roundtable, focusing on ‘transitions in travel’, while also sharing key knowledge and insights into tourism’s climate action efforts, and expectations for tourist behaviour as the sector’s recovery continues. UNWTO will also provide an update of its leading work in tourism for rural development, including through the Best Tourism Villages initiative.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

GREAT GETAWAYS: Getting to know Chicago

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Lynn Osmond has lived in Chicago for close to 30 years, but the St. Catharines, Ont., native, who oversees tourism in the Illinois city, has a unique perspective on how Canadians view her adopted home – and what many of us are missing when it comes to awareness and knowledge of the bustling midwestern destination.

“The Al Capone days are a long time behind us, but that’s still people’s picture of what Chicago is – rather than a gorgeous city on the lake,” she laughs.

“We’ve got a river that runs through us with this amazing River Walk, and we have a fabulous lake front that is free and clear with miles of parks where you can ride your bike and hike.”

She adds, “I’ve hosted many a mayor down here and they’re very jealous.”

And then there’s the famed misnomer for Chicago, the “Windy City,” which Osmond points out isn’t any windier, nor the weather worse in general, than many other places, including Toronto. She explains that the nickname was actually coined in the past to describe Chi-town’s blustery politicians.

A year ago, Osmond took over as the first female president and CEO of Choose Chicago after holding the same title at the Chicago Architecture Centre for a quarter of a century.

So, it’s no surprise that she is also quick to highlight Chicago’s special architectural heritage, prompting its title, “the Architectural Capital of North America.”

Cloudgate

Recognized as the home of the skyscraper – The Home Insurance Company’s building on the corner of LaSalle and Adams Street is considered world’s first tall building constructed with an internal frame when built in 1885 – the city continues to boast some of the tallest buildings in North America.

“We’ve got a fantastic skyline,” Osmond enthuses, adding, “We just have some beautiful buildings. And we continue to build wonderful buildings, but we have a great legacy from the buildings of the 1920s – we kept them; (and) we have this great art deco period.”

Similar in nature to New York, she notes, however, that Chicago’s buildings are spaced further apart, meaning, “You can see things (here). Between the river and the lakefront, you really get view corridors in the city.”

And the best way to experience it, she adds, is on the water – specifically on one the city’s popular river cruises, where visitors can “sit on a boat for 90 minutes and go through this canyon of phenomenal buildings and look up and see this great architecture. It’s just a great way to float through the city and see these towers that go back to the early 1920s, and up to the current day.”

Such as the St. Regis Chicago, which became the third tallest building in the city when completed in 2020 and is the tallest structure in the world built by a woman – Jeanne Gang.

Beyond its marvellous buildings, the city’s tourism CEO cites fabulous museums, vibrant theatre and cultural institutions, great sports (including two baseball teams, one playing at historic Wrigley Field), and fabulous restaurants, which include 23 Michelin-starred restaurants and 55 Bib Gourmands.

There’s also the River Walk, a 2-km. long public space filled with restaurants, bars, cafés, parks, view corridors, and where people can rent a boat or kayak. “It’s just a lovely way to enjoy the riverscape and it’s one of the great tourist attractions,” Osmond says.

Meanwhile, there’s no shortage of current and future developments planned for the midwestern city that are certain to keep Chicago’s fire stoked:

A short list includes:

• St. Regis Chicago: The latest of downtown Chicago’s 151 hotels, the 101-story St. Regis Chicago has already changed Chicago’s famous skyline. The tower’s crystalline form was inspired by the facets of a shimmering gem and the building is coated in six varying shades of blue-green glass to reflect the changing colours of Lake Michigan.

Now expected to open May 1, the ultra luxury hotel will comprise the first 11 floors of the building, featuring 192 guest rooms, multiple signature dining options, a world class St. Regis Spa, indoor pool, and outdoor sunken terrace with scenic views. The hotel’s backyard is a 2.4-hectare botanical green space featuring a children’s play park and attractive ornamental and water gardens

• NASCAR Chicago Street Race: For the first time, NASCAR will roar into Chicago on July 1-2 for the first street race in its 75-year history, which will take competitors past and through many of the city’s downtown landmarks from the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain. The Cup Series will be part of a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment festival featuring concerts with bands such as The Black Crowes over the Fourth of July Weekend.

• Obama Center: Once complete, the Obama Center will serve as a marquee destination in Jackson Park, the former president’s home neighbourhood. More than a presidential library, the Centre will hold his archives and chronicle the legacy of America’s first Black president, but also to contribute to and transform the local community. Along with extensive landscaped gardens, the Centre is slated to open in 2025.

Kayaking

With so much to recommend it, Chicago certainly rates with the domestic US audience, having been named the #1 Best City in the US” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2022 for a record sixth consecutive time.

However, Osmond believes there’s a lot that Canadians still don’t know the city.

Describing it as a “kinder, gentler” New York, she says Chicago is a cleaner (due to its system of alleys behind buildings), a walkable city that similarly has “amazing shopping, wonderful restaurants, incredible culture, eight sports teams…” and 77 unique neighbourhoods to explore, including large Hispanic and gay villages, Little Italy and the largest Polish population outside Warsaw (including attendant culinary highlights, from famous deep-dish pizza to Polish perogies and paczki donuts, and her favourite, Ethiopian cuisine).

Accessible from Toronto by a 90-minute flight with Air Canada, United, or Porter, or via an eight-hour drive, Chicago makes for an ideal getaway for Canadians, Osmond says.

Direct flights are also available from Montreal and Vancouver. And a host of top Canadian tour operators with product into the city include Air Canada Vacations, Porter Escapes, Group Voyages Québec, NHG Tours, and Toundra Voyages.

Pressed for a top five must-do liar for Canadians visitors, Osmond says:

• Do the architecture river cruise
• Go to a free concert in Millennium Park
• Bike the lakefront
• Visit one of the city’s great cultural institutions, like the Art Institute
• Go up to the top of one of the tall buildings for a panoramic view of the city and Lake Michigan.

And, she smiles, “I’m going to give you six: Experience the cuisine of the city. Eat your way through!”

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News