Global Travel News

Thailand’s Impressive Performance at IT&CMA 2023

 700 441 wttc2
By:

Thailand's Impressive Performance at IT&CMA 2023 - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, October 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) led the Thai Team to an outstanding finish at the recent IT&CMA in Bangkok with a total of 405 leads across three exhibition areas, while Pattaya, one of Thailand’s MICE Cities, debuted its City Package at the show to lure overseas groups. The impressive number of generated leads follows TCEB’s 23 conference bid win performance concluded at the end of the bureau’s 2023 financial year on September 30.

Thailand Pavilion (40 exhibitors) generated 135 leads, a 43.6% increase from 94 leads achieved last year. Pattaya Pavilion (24 exhibitors) generated 150 leads, while Isan MICE Stand (10 exhibitors) generated 120 leads.

The leads from Thailand Pavilion – 133 for meetings and incentives (24,532 travellers) and two for conventions (2,200 travellers) – is valued at 1,764 million baht.

The leads from Pattaya Pavilion carry a potential yield of 30,000 travellers and 2,000 million baht of revenue. For Isan MICE Stand, the potential yield is 24,000 travellers and 1,600 million baht of revenue.

Pattaya, the designated MICE City for the Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, took a determined step forward by introducing an all-new incentive package for event planners and organisers called City Package.

Co-created with TCEB, the package offers bidding support, assistance in securing endorsement by relevant government agencies, publicity and promotion, recommendation on venues certified by the Thailand MICE Venue Standards (TMVS) and suppliers, and volunteer and traffic management.

At Isan MICE Stand, buyers met 10 exhibitors from three key cities in Thailand’s northeastern or Isan region – Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima. These cities are economic, transport, cultural, and education hubs for the region. Udon Thani is also the winner of the bid to host the International Horticultural Exposition 2026.

TCEB President, Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, said: “Thailand put up a tremendous showing at IT&CMA this year and we have the results to show for it – 405 leads. Pattaya and Isan had their standalone stands next to the Thailand Pavilion this year and contributed 270 of the total 405 leads. We noted that buyers are responding to our efforts to introduce potential destinations. More than half of the exhibitors at the Thailand Pavilion this year are from such destinations but that didn’t stop buyers from making enquiries and pushing the number of leads at the Thailand Pavilion well past the 94 last year to 135. We know a mix of novelty and quality is key and TCEB’s product development team and our four regional offices are keeping pace. Look out for more products emerging from every region of Thailand. We do hope our new and potential locations can attract future overseas delegates when they attend 23 conferences Thailand have won bids to host from now up until 2028.”

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dusit Thani College Students Exclusive Invitation to Sustainability Summit MENA

 1080 810 wttc2
By:

Dusit Thani College Students Exclusive Invitation to Sustainability Summit MENA - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comNowadays, there have been repeated reports about climate change all over the world. An issue which has been kept a close eye on globally is the northern polar ice and the white sheet in Greenland melting 6-7 times faster compared to what happened 25 years ago. The loss of 4,700 million tons of ice in Greenland partially accounts for an increase of sealevel 1.2 centimetres. This incident reflects how bad the Earth’s climate is now.

Therefore, sustainability becomes a topic that people around the world should prioritise. All sectors are working together to find sustainable solutions for environmental conservation for the next generation. One of the initiatives is the event by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) with the collaboration of the United Nations called MENA Climate Week 2023 (MENA = Middle East and Northern Africa). It was greatly held in the city of Riyadh to understand the issue of climate change which requires global recognition and urgent consensual actions among countries to solve this problem. The event also sets the directions and the future of sustainable tourism and hospitality industry worldwide. The summit featured a number of presentations beneficial for sustainable development, from conferences and workshops to innovative digital media. There was also Youth Forum 2023 for young generations whose interests place in tourism and sustainability.

To encourage the awareness of this event, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia invited students from over 80 countries around the world to participate in the summit. Dusit Thani College was an only educational institution in Thailand being invited to join this remarkable international sustainability and sustainable tourism event without any expenses since it is the first and only educational institution in Thailand specialised in tourism and hospitality businesses. The college brought 41 students on a flight to the city of Riyadh during October 8-12, 2023, considered an exclusive eye-opening experience for students of Dusit Thani College which could not be found anywhere.

“I had the amazing opportunity to meet, listen, and engage with many global leaders such as H.R.H Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman, H.H. Princess Haifa of Saudi Arabia, UN leaders, Delegates, and students from corners of the globe,” said Ms. Kamelia Ferdousi, a Hospitality Management (International Program) student of Dusit Thani College – as being one of the41 participating students. “The event displayed a marvelous youth engagement and our commitment as well as powerful contributions to generate positive change to the Earth. Surely, the MENA Climate Week Youth Forum facilitated a global network of future leaders to lead us to our beautiful planet Earth in a sustainable and cherishable way. We had a chance to visit The City of Light ‘Diriyah’ and the exhibition of NEOM with the visualisation of The Line project, which plans to house 9 million people in a first-of-a-kind fascinating futuristic development. Furthermore, MENA Climate Week enlightened me into a promising future considering the youth’s powerful involvement and awareness. This trip is considered an enriching experience that allowed me to visit a new country with distinctive culture and amazing Arab cuisine. The warm hospitality of the Arabian people has left an incredible mark on my heart.”

While Mr. Nitipon Tangsangakun, Culinary Arts and Kitchen Management Program student of Dusit Thani College, added that “It is a pleasure and honour of mine for having a chance to learn concepts, cultural exchange, and event planning in Saudi Arabia. I was able to witness the way of life of the locals here, from the way of living to lifestyle and communication which are different from Thailand. It was very heartwarming to be welcomed and given a great care by our host, especially for safety, comfortable accommodations, and meals. I also gained knowledge from attending activities in MENA Climate Change which could not be found in classrooms. I will utilise what I learned from this opportunity in my way of living to conserve our world’s environment. I would like to thank Dusit Thani College for granting this great opportunity to students.”

The opportunity of Dusit Thani College students to attend MENA Climate Week 2023 as future leaders of tourism and hospitality business is not only an oversea experience for them to harvest, but also an inspiration to make this world more livable. The event also visualises the guidelines for tourism businesses to develop following the current trend. The college wishes that a small start on the campus will lead to sustainable development in the future.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

INDIGENOUS GROUP OF SEVEN: Morrisseau monument boosts N. Ontario tourism

 600 275 wttc2
By:

Canada’s most famous indigenous artist, Norval Morrisseau, has a new monument in northwestern Ontario in the region he was born and raised. The installation at Nipigon’s Bridgeview Lookout is part of the Lake Superior North Shore Tourism Project and consists of an interpretive panel below a metal bird airbrushed with photos of Morrisseau, which all stand on a wooden platform.

The design is a reference to Morrisseau’s spirit name – Ozaawaabiko-binesi – meaning “Copper Thunderbird” in Cree.

“It makes me proud,” said Eugene Morrisseau, one of Morrisseau’s seven children, who was at the event late last week to see the new monument and gave a short speech.

Norval Morrisseau was born in the area and spent his formative years at Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (BNA) First Nation, approximately 65 km north of Nipigon, which is about 90 minutes from Thunder Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior, an area dubbed “Superior Country.”

“It’s a great honour for my father because he was born there – that’s his traditional area,” said Morrisseau. “For that to be held at Nipigon Bridge, I’m really excited, including myself and my siblings.”

Development of the monument was a collaborative effort between Superior Country staff, the estate of Norval Morrisseau, Joseph Sanchez, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, and the Red Rock Indian Band.

Morrisseau painting

“We are very excited to unveil a monument celebrating the successes of the Indigenous Group of Seven – and, specifically, Norval Morriseau who is from this region,” said Dan Bevilacqua, executive director of Superior Country.

The Nipigon Public Library actually houses “The Great Bear Spirit,” an original Morrisseau painting.

Bevilacqua noted that this is a big step towards greater awareness of the Indigenous Group of Seven – something he and staff at Superior Country hope to bring more of to the region and to travellers passing through.

“There’s been a big gap in the promotion of the Indigenous Group of Seven,” said Bevilacqua.

“While we see a lot of promotion around the Group of Seven, Indigenous Group of Seven hasn’t been touched upon. This is a great opportunity for us to really showcase the importance of Indigenous peoples to the area and the importance of art and culture to the area as well. Being able to celebrate Norval Morrisseau – who is right from this region – is very important to us.”

“For my father to be recognized, it takes time on stuff like that,” said Morriseau. “For people to know who he really was, for him to start this movement, to inspire a lot of people, even myself as a second-generation artist, it’s good.”

Norval Morrisseau passed away on Dec. 4, 2007.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Recognised for Outstanding Tourism Education

 720 1080 wttc2
By:

PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Recognised for Outstanding Tourism Education - TRAVELINDEX - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comThe School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was deeply honoured to be bestowed the 2023 ISTTE Institutional Achievement Award by the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) in recognition of its significant contributions to tourism education.

The latest honour was bestowed at the Annual Conference of the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators held in Toronto, Canada on 16–18 October 2023. The SHTM was praised for its leadership in advancing tourism education in the region and the world for its innovativeness in academic programming and world-class teaching and research facilities.

Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said that the accolade further underpins the School’s world-leading position in providing innovative programmes that advance the tourism and hospitality sector’s development. “As a global centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism education and research, the SHTM is well poised to continue to lead hospitality and tourism in the years to come,” he remarked.

The SHTM has made a lasting mark on hospitality and tourism education by being a two-time recipient of the ISTTE Institutional Achievement Award. The School first received the prestigious award in 2003, recognising its commitment to educational excellence. A ringing endorsement of the SHTM’s visionary leadership, dedicated researchers and innovative educational approach, the award confirms the School’s outstanding reputation and dedication in providing world-class hospitality and tourism education for Hong Kong and beyond.

Taking this opportunity, the SHTM is delighted to announce that the 43rd Annual ISTTE Conference will be held at Hotel ICON, Hong Kong on 14-16 October 2024. The year 2024 is a special year for the SHTM as it marks the School’s 45th anniversary. In hosting an international event as celebrated as the annual ISTTE Conference in such an auspicious year, the SHTM aims to further contribute to the ISTTE and to extend the frontier of knowledge in tourism and hospitality.

The International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators is an international organisation of travel, tourism and hospitality professionals representing all levels of educational institutions. A non-profit international organisation, the ISTTE is dedicated to improving the quality of education and research in travel, tourism and hospitality by promoting the exchange of information and ideas and outstanding service among its members.

About PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management

For over 40 years, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 for the sixth consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2022/2023 for six years in a row; rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017; and ranked No. 2 in the world among university based programmes in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for the seventh consecutive year, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.

The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of 90 faculty members from 20 countries and regions around the world, the SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, the SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, and inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

EYE IN THE SKY: Air Canada unveils upgraded Airbus A321

 600 275 wttc2
By:

A pilot’s-eye view of the take-off due to new exterior cameras connected to the aircraft’s seatback entertainment system is just one of the features on Air Canada’s upgraded Airbus A321, which the carrier unveiled to passengers on flight AC692 on the weekend.

The new camera feature, a first for a narrow-body aircraft, is one of several innovations unveiled on the upgraded Airbus A321, which has been redesigned from nose to tail.

Air Canada’s fleet says it is continuing to invest in its fleet of Airbus A321s and A320s, which will feature a new cabin interior, new technologies and services such as Bluetooth audio, and free high-speed internet sponsored by Bell.

The remaining 14 Airbus A321s and eight A320s will be retrofitted starting this fall through to the end of 2025. With the upgrades, customers will benefit from an elevated narrow-body cabin experience, in line with the cabins of the Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that comprise the majority of Air Canada’s narrowbody fleet.

The new cabin also reduces the overall weight of the A321 by approximately 240 kg, which will reduce fuel consumption for the entire fleet once the work is completed by more than 2.4 million litres and reduce GHG emissions by 6,256 tCO2 equivalent per year, or the equivalent of the electricity used annually by 4,185 Canadian homes.

Highlights of new cabin features:

Larger overhead bins – Latest Airbus Airspace XL design, the largest overhead bins in-class that will also be installed on the Airbus A321XLRs.

Upgraded seating – Presents a standardized product across the Air Canada narrowbody fleet in both Business Class and Economy. The new seats are designed to optimize passenger personal space, improve ergonomics, and provide more storage giving customers a more comfortable experience.

Bluetooth audio – Air Canada’s newest IFE system will feature a Bluetooth-enabled seatback monitor. Customers will be able to connect their personal headsets while watching video on demand, live TV, or listening to podcasts or music. This initiative helps reduce usage of single-use headphones and supports Air Canada’s sustainability objectives in reducing waste.

New exterior cameras – Customers can now watch their flight live thanks to a new first-in-class narrowbody tail and belly camera system providing high-resolution, real-time video of the aircraft exterior.

Full colour LED mood lighting – New cabin lighting system will allow different ambiances to be set depending on time of day and phase of flight.

Fast and reliable Wi-Fi – Upgraded satellite-based connectivity.

Power options at all seats – All customers have access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C.

The new IFE system being installed on the Airbus A321 and A320 fleets will feature Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment via screens at each seat, offering the most extensive content overall of any airline in the Americas. Customers can watch live TV on their flights with this new cabin, featuring BNN, CTV, LCN, RDS, TSN1 and TSN2, including when flying over the US.

“We’re proud to welcome customers on board to experience the comfort, convenience, and connectivity of our latest cabins. These upgraded fleet interiors will align the A320s and A321s to the highly popular A220 experience, further strengthening our industry leading product offering,” said Mark Nasr, Executive VP Loyalty and Product at Air Canada.

“Additionally, new features such as our inflight entertainment system streaming exterior aircraft camera feeds, Bluetooth connectivity, and free, fast internet connectivity will be extremely popular with travellers. We will continue advancing our product leadership by trialing more new in-flight experiences with this A321 and expanding those learnings to additional aircraft in our fleet.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHAT’S NEW IN PERU: New Transat flights and more

 600 275 wttc2
By:

Energized by new flights to the country by Transat starting this winter – the first direct flights from Canada since the pandemic – PromPeru hosted a gathering in Toronto last week to update the trade on the latest news from the South American country. Among the guests were reps from tour operators offering Peru tours and product: Goway, G Adventures, Intrepid, Collette, and TTC Tour Brands.

Among the news highlights:

Air

Air Transat: The carrier will offer exclusive direct flights to Lima from Toronto and Montreal, with previously announced seasonal flights now expanded to year-round. Besides being the only direct flights from Canada, Air Transat’s national sales manager Jhadyd Gonzalez said the best thing about the flight is the timing: it flies overnight, arriving in Lima at 6 a.m., giving travellers a full extra day in the capital. Moreover, flights are aboard ultra-comfortable new Airbus A321LR, featuring 199 seats in the widest single-lane air cabin available plus wider seats, state-of-the-art entertainment features and “perfect for sleeping.” Flights from Toronto will be operated twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting Dec. 20, and flights from Montréal will depart once a week on Fridays, starting Dec. 22.

Jorge Chávez International Airport: An expansion at Lima’s airport, expected to be completed by 2025, envisions creating the first Airport City in South America. This project covers an area of more than 890 hectare and will feature two future landing strips, a passenger terminal, and multiple commercial zones. The new Jorge Chávez International Airport will transform Lima into a significant regional hub, enabling growth in alignment with passenger traffic demands.

Accommodations

The NOMAD Hotels Group: The Peruvian “home-boutique” hotel network recently launched
its first hotel, NOMAD Urban AQP in the heart of Arequipa. The contemporary and ecofriendly hotel is a vibrant hub for digital nomads, with designated areas for work, meetings, and events as well as entertainment offerings, including the “Music Corner,” INDIGO restaurant, and AMBAR rooftop bar.

Andean Experience (AE): The company soft-opened Peru’s first tented exploration camp, PUQIO in September. An extension of AE’s Southern Route, including Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and CIRQA in Arequipa, PUQIO is situated in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes, a region rich with biodiversity – including a large population of Andean condor – hot springs, volcanoes and one of the world’s deepest canyons, the Colca Canyon. Guests can choose from three distinct and locally designed tents and anticipate a range of activities and outings, including trips to local markets, Andean fishing, visits to thermal baths, wildlife watching and more.

The company has also recently opened Fausto, a new guest house in the lively Miraflores district of Lima. Fausto is a contemporary six-room guest house that offers Andean Experience’s signature service in a smaller format. Like in a family friend’s house, Fausto’s open pantry is always full with daily-baked sweet and savoury snacks, fresh local fruit and other refreshments. Other house services and amenities include a hearty breakfast, welcome drink, teatime, house bicycles, work-out kits and morning walks around the neighbourhood.

Attractions

New Nazca Lines: Scientists from Japan’s Yamagata University announced that they had discovered new Nazca Lines in the Nazca Desert of southern Peru. The researchers reportedly used sophisticated Deep Learning AI technology to identify a human figure, a pair of legs, a bird, and a fish. Research is ongoing, and it’s believed DL technology will revolutionize the process of identifying more geoglyphs at increased speed.

Kuélap fortress: Atop the Cerro Barreta summit in the Utcubamba river valley, Peru’s crown jewel of the north-east – Kuélap – was recently re-opened following over a year of restoration efforts. Amidst the dense cloud forest of the Amazonas region, the fortress rests at an altitude of 3,000 metres and comprises administrative, religious and residential sectors meticulously crafted by the Chachapoyas culture between the 11th and 14th centuries. To experience Kuélap, visitors must travel to the city of Chachapoyas before making their way to the town of Nuevo Tingo where a cable car offers access to the fortress. Travellers can also opt to embark upon a 9-km hike to the site. Free access to the site will be available to 144 visitors daily until Dec. 19.

Tours

Intrepid: Along with the Lares and Salkantay treks, the 26-km Quarry Trail has emerged as an alternative to the Inca Trail for hikers looking to explore the Sacred Valley around Machu Picchu. Intrepid Travel has been offering Quarry Trail itineraries for several years, but starting in 2024, will include a new section of the trail previously unseen by travellers. Intrepid has worked with local communities in the area to develop this new section, and for every guest booked on a Quarry Trail trek, the company will donate to local organizations to ensure the ongoing protection and conservation of the historic area. Quieter than the Inca Trail and not requiring permits, highlights of the Quarry Trail include the Perolniyoc Cascade waterfall, the 4,450 metre-high Kuychicassa Pass, and a sun gate overlooking Ollantaytambo.

Gastronomy

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list: Peru is already recognized as a destination with a culinary scene that’s among some of the finest in the world. This culinary reputation was further solidified with Lima’s Central restaurant crowned The World’s Best Restaurant 2023 – and with three more Lima restaurants making the list. Led by award-winning chefs and spouses Virgilio Martínez and Pía Léon, Central showcases the diverse flavours of Peru’s indigenous ingredients sourced from 15 different altitudes. The restaurant has made remarkable progress since its initial appearance at number 50 on the list in 2013 and made history by being the first Latin American restaurant to secure the top spot in 2023.

Info

Travel advisors are invited to learn more about Peru by becoming specialists. Go to
https://peruagent.com/login

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Executive Council Welcomes New Members for Programme of Work

 700 399 wttc2
By:

 

UNWTO Executive Council Welcomes New Members for Programme of Work - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Executive Council of UNWTO met for the second time in a week to fulfil its statutory obligations and look ahead to a full two years transforming the sector.

At the 119th session of the Council, also held in Samarkand, Members endorsed the Organization’s Programme of Work for 2024 and 2025. This sets out its intentions for the two years, with both strategic objectives and programmatic priorities. As UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted: “We know where we are going, we know what we want, and we know our priorities for tourism.”

We know where we are going, we know what we want, and we know our priorities for tourism

New Members welcomed

The 120th session of the Executive Council was held in a clear spirit of international friendship and collaboration. In Samarkand, the Council thanked its outgoing Members for their service and active participation in helping guide the Organization over the past four years. Members also welcomed the new Members of the Council, namely Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Czechia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Saudi Arabia to continue as Chair

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue as Chair as Executive Council for 2024. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, thanked all Members for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing shared priorities and the Programme of Work. Secretary-General Pololikashvili thanked Saudi Arabia for their continued leadership and for his consistent and ongoing active support of the tourism sector.

Members also endorsed the Democratic Republic of Congo to serve as First Vice-Chair of the Council, and for Jamaica to serve as Second Vice-Chair.

Subsidiary bodies and looking ahead

The Council fulfilled its statutory obligations with elections to its subsidiary bodies, with a commitment to fair and equal representation of all global regions. Members voted on the countries that will serve on the UNWTO Programme and Budget Committee until 2025 or 2027, including representatives of the non-Council Member States and from the Affiliate Members Network. The composition of the Council’s Committees on statistics, competitiveness, sustainability and online education were also determined.

To conclude the meeting, Members agreed that the 121st Session of the UNWTO Executive Council will take place in Prague, Czechia, in the first semester of 2024.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thai PM Chairs Signing Between TAT and Eight Major Chinese Tourism Partners

 700 402 wttc2
By:

Thai PM Chairs Signing Between TAT and Eight Major Chinese Tourism Partners - TRAVELINDEXBeijing, China, October 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand’s Prime Minister Mr. Srettha Thavisin, during his first official visit to China this week, presided over the signing ceremony of a letter of intent (LOI) between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and eight leading tourism players in China – Huawei Technologies, Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Spring Airlines, Sina News, Alipay, iQIYI, and Jego Trip – to boost Chinese tourists’ confidence and quality tourism to Thailand.

Mr. Srettha said, “The Thai government places importance on reinforcing the comprehensive Thailand-China strategic partnership and strengthening cooperation in areas, such as trade and investment, education, art and culture, and tourism. To facilitate Chinese travellers, the visa exemption scheme has been put in place from now until 29 February 2024. This signing of the LOI will lay a framework for long-term strategic cooperation on promoting quality tourism and maintaining tourists’ confidence in Thailand.”

The LOI signing ceremony was held today at Kerry Hotel, Beijing, China. The agreement was signed between Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, and top executives of the eight strategic tourism partners – Huawei Technologies’ Mr. Walter Ji, Trip.com Group’s Mr. Sun Bo, Meituan’s Ms. Lu Menxi, Spring Airlines’ Mr. Wang Yu, Sina News’ Mr. Cong Song, Alipay’s Mr. Zhou Yi, iOIYI’s Mr. Yang Xianghua, and Jego Trip’s Dr. Yong Ji.

Ms. Thapanee said, “This LOI is the largest cooperation agreement that represents the greatest coverage of travel alliance businesses in the Chinese market covering all steps of the customer journey. From obtaining Thailand’s travel information through iQIYI and Sina News, planning and booking trips via the Trip.com Group, Meituan.com, Alipay, and Jego Trip to travelling to Thailand with Spring Airlines, TAT aims to leverage this partnership to elevate the positive image of Thailand as a tourist destination, boost Chinese tourists’ confidence, and roll out tourism promotions to stimulate more travel to Thailand.”

The cooperation with eight of China’s leading tourism players, including top tech companies, online tourism platforms, airlines, and online banking is expected to help strengthen cooperation in tourism-related technology for the Thai tourism industry as well as promote quality tourism to Thailand.

Ultimately, this will help reach the target of 4 million to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023, generating over 200 billion Baht, and bringing the overall number of this year’s tourist arrivals to 25-30 million.

From 1 January to 15 October 2023, Thailand recorded a total of 2,645,885 Chinese tourists, thus making it the second largest tourist market.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO General Assembly Concludes with Clear Vision for Tourism

 700 355 wttc2
By:

 

UNWTO General Assembly Concludes with Clear Vision for Tourism - TRAVELINDEXSamarkand, Uzbekistan, October 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Global tourism leaders have further advanced plans for a more ethical, diverse sector led by a growing UNWTO. The 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly convened for a second day to examine, discuss and approve the Organization’s work, with a focus on expanding its global presence, ethics and legal frameworks and the role of public-private partnerships

New Regional and Thematic Offices

UNWTO’s commitment to moving closer to its Members and being on the ground in every region was further emphasized as the Assembly was given an update on work to establish new Regional and Thematic offices. Members heard:

  • The Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2021, is an established hub for tourism education and tourism for rural development. From here, UNWTO has opened the Riyadh School for Hospitality and Tourism, launched a first Education Toolkit for high schools, and also launched the Best Tourism Villages initiative.
  • UNWTO signed an agreement with the Government of Brazil to establish a Regional Office in Rio de Janeiro, to be focused on investments.
  • The planned Regional Office for Africa in Marrakesh, Morocco, will focus on the priorities of innovation and investments in tourism.
  • The hosts of this Assembly, Uzbekistan, presented its proposal to establish a Thematic Office for Tourism on the Silk Road. The proposal was approved by the 119th session of the UNWTO Executive Council.

Ethics Committee

The General Assembly further built on UNWTO’s leading work to create a more ethical and accessible sector, while also increasing confidence in travel and tourism. The Global Code of Ethics were the foundation for UNWTO becoming a UN agency. In Samarkand, the Assembly approved new members to serve on the World Committee of Tourism Ethics, with a clear commitment to diversity. Members also looked ahead to the International Conference on Accessible Tourism, due to take place in San Marino in November.

During the Plenary Session, UNWTO formally welcomed those Members that have already agreed to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists. To date, Argentina, Brazil, Lebanon, Lithuania, Portugal, Senegal, Thailand, Uruguay and Venezuela have all agreed to adhere to the landmark legal instrument. The Code was designed during the pandemic, with the first harmonized international legal framework set to play a key role in restoring consumer confidence in travel.

World Tourism Day Report

Just three weeks after World Tourism Day 2023, Member States were given an update on UNWTO’s work growing the sector’s global day of observance. The Secretary of the Assembly provided a recap of the past two events and looked ahead to the two years to come.

  • World Tourism Day 2022 was hosted in Bali, Indonesia, around the theme of Rethinking Tourism, with the 2023 celebrations – the biggest to date – held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, around the theme of Tourism and Green Investments. The General Assembly agreed to adopt the “Tourism Opens Minds” pledge, introduced by UNWTO that day, and recommends that the Secretariat takes steps to advance the initiative, including through the funding of relevant programmes and campaigns.
  • Members of the General Assembly approved the themes and the hosts for the next two years. For 2024, the theme will be “Tourism and Peace”,  to be hosted by Georgia, and then Malaysia will host World Tourism Day 2025 around the theme of Tourism and Sustainable Developments.

Strong, stable Organization

In his report to the General Assembly during the First Plenary, Secretary-General Pololikashvili highlighted the ongoing work to strengthen and modernise the Organization. Members of the Assembly agreed to Extend the mandate of the Task Force on Redesigning Tourism for the Future until the 26th session of the General Assembly. The Task Force aims to reinforce UNWTO’s role in guiding the global sector forward through long-term strategy and vision. Nine Member States were approved to serve on the Task Force for the next two years. Members were provided with an update on the reforms to reinforce UNWTO’s compliance with UN standards, most notably through the Joint Inspection Unit.

The General Assembly voted with 73% in favour of Secretary-General Pololikashvili being permitted to present his candidature for a third mandate.

Affiliate Members

UNWTO’s Affiliate Members represent the broad diversity of the sector, counting on representatives from business, academia and civil society. The Report of the Chair of the Board of Affiliate Members gave the Assembly an update on work done over the past two years, with a clear focus on growing the Affiliates’ role in the mission of the Organization as a whole. Members welcomed the achievements of the Affiliate Members network, including in efforts to grow new areas of tourism to promote economic diversity and resilience.

Travelindex Group participated and contributed as international media at the just concluded UNWTO 25th General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Travelindex also introduced to UNWTO Members and Affiliates its groundbreaking and world’s first AI-Powered tool to unlock the potential of gastronomy tourism.

Saudi Arabia to host the 26th General Assembly

To conclude, Members agreed that the 26th session of the UNWTO General Assembly will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Offers Promotion to Support Aspiring Chefs

 700 410 wttc2
By:

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Offers Promotion to Support Aspiring Chefs - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, October 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School is accepting student applications for long-term programmes in 2024, featuring special promotions to delight cooking enthusiasts. Enjoy exclusive privileges by enrolling and paying full tuition for all long-term programmes for the 2024 academic calendar by the end of October 2023. Promotions include special tuition rates (before the new price increase) and scholarships of up to 10,000 baht, available to Thai and international students. Furthermore, interest-free installment plans are offered for programme fees (to 10 months with participating credit cards).

Those keen on pursuing their culinary dreams can apply for a special early bird promotion from today until October 31, 2023. The promotion applies to programmes for any term in the 2024 academic year. The limited promotion offers a chance to master the culinary craft at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, a renowned world-class culinary school.

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit’s long-term programmes include a certificate accredited by the Ministry of Education.

Students can choose from 5 programmes that cover culinary art, Cuisine, Patisserie, Bakery and Thai Cuisine. Learners will acquire techniques from world-class chefs that can be applied to future careers. The long-term programmes have varying durations, with weekday terms ranging from 3 to 9 months and Saturday terms spanning 6 to 18 months.

The academic calendar for weekday courses is divided into 4 terms: January – March, April – July, July – September, and October – December, while the Saturday semester comprises 2 terms: January – July and July – January 2024.

The learning process consists of two classes: Demonstration Class and Practical Class, both overseen by a chef instructor who provides guidance and advice. To complete their studies, students will undergo a final exam, encompassing both written and practical components. All instruction and learning will be conducted in English, with a Thai interpreter available in demonstration classrooms.

For additional information, please visit https://www.cordonbleu.edu/thailand/programmes/th

About Le Cordon Bleu Dusit
Le Cordon Bleu Dusit, a renowned culinary school in Thailand and ASEAN is located on the 17th floor of Central Tower, Central World, Bangkok, and stands as a beacon of culinary education excellence. With a proud history spanning 16 illustrious years since its establishment in 2007, the school is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu International and the renowned Dusit International, a leading name in Thailand’s hospitality domain.

Le Cordon Bleu Dusit offers culinary education to both Thai and international students from around the world. Rooted in the rich heritage of French culinary artistry, the school’s programs are recognized by the Ministry of Education, solidifying its place as a pinnacle of culinary education not only within Thailand but also throughout the ASEAN region.

The hallmark of Le Cordon Bleu Dusit’s approach is the “Watch, Learn, and Do” philosophy. This technique imparts fundamental cooking skills and techniques from basic to advanced levels. The school emphasizes practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge, allowing students to flourish in their culinary journey.

With a Le Cordon Bleu global network encompassing 35 schools across 20 countries, the school continues to stand at the forefront of culinary education. Here in Thailand, Le Cordon Bleu Dusit has nurtured over 20,000 graduates, who have gone on to become pillars in both the service and food industries.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News