Global Travel News

GOWAY BRITAIN TOURS GO WEST (TO WEST MIDLANDS)

 600 202 wttc2
By:

From cosmopolitan (and quintessential) British cities to historic castles, and Shakespeare to Peaky Blinders, England’s West Midlands region shows another side of the country beyond the well-known attractions of London. And they’re attributes that Goway is eager to show off in a series of new tours recently introduced by the Canadian tour operator.

“The West Midlands is a largely undiscovered gem in England,” says Robert Miller, Goway’s Product Manager for Northern Europe & the UK, who notes that the area is ideal for repeat visitors to the UK, and features both urban and rural environments that pair the best that Britain has to offer.

Centrally located north and west of London, and including Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham, it’s also handy hub for exploring other regions of the UK, including the nearby Cotswolds.

Miller notes the region is also currently on a high, having hosted the Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2022 – a massive sporting event that provided high visibility for Birmingham and neighbouring host cities (like Coventry) in countries such as Canada, as well as pre-Games infrastructure enhancements that will continue to benefit visitors in years to come.

Why the West Midlands?

Miller offers just a few of the highlights that clients can discover on the tours:

• Peaky Blinders/Black Country Living Museum (where they filmed much of the show)

• Great cuisine and cosmopolitan atmosphere/diversity of Birmingham (including the city’s famed Balti curry triangle)

• Pretty countryside and cityscapes (not least the canals of Birmingham)

• Industrial and automobile history, including the excellent Coventry Transport Museum (featuring Jaguar car gallery)

• Lady Godiva (Coventry) and the wartime and post-war history of Coventry Cathedral

• Nearby Stratford-upon-Avon (not technically in the West Midlands, but often lumped together) is all things Shakespeare, including the Bard’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage (Shakespeare’s wife, not the actress), and a great boutique distillery imaginatively named Shakespeare’s Distillery

• Kenilworth Castle and Warwick Castle are two very different, very interesting places to visit.Tours

Goway’s most comprehensive itinerary for the West Midlands region is “Highlights of Birmingham & the West Midlands,” which Miller suggests is ideal for travellers who are looking for a quintessential English experience and at the same time mostly steers clear of the crowds at popular sites like Stonehenge and Bath.

The five-day tour starts in London with visits to key attractions and experiences in London (such as giving a spin on the London Eye, and a cruise along the Thames), and once they’ve moved on to Birmingham, guests will see the sights on a private walking tour, followed by two days of private touring outside of the city, including Coventry, Kenilworth and Warwick castles, and Stratford upon Avon (visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace and a distillery along the way).

Two other Goway tours also prominently feature the region:

• Six-day “Undiscovered England and the West Midlands” also starts in London and includes a day trip to Stonehenge-Windsor-Bath before heading up to Birmingham where car enthusiasts will revel in shifting gears to key in on the auto industry with visits to the Coventry Transport Museum, the Land Rover Experience, and the British Motor Museum. Additional stops include Liverpool and Manchester.

• And “Treasures of England,” over eight days, features three nights in London, two in Birmingham, and two in Liverpool. The tour includes a private walking tour of Birmingham and an exploration of West Midlands sites, including Coventry, Kenilworth, and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Miller notes that all of Goway’s curated FIT itineraries are customizable to a traveller’s specific needs and interests, including adding, subtracting, or changing overnights.

Goway can also arrange car rentals, and rail and attractions tickets.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort Joins World’s Top 100 Elite

 494 320 wttc2
By:

Maafushivaru Atoll, Maldives, March 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort has been selected by Luxury Lifestyle Awards as one of the Top 100 Hotels and Resorts of the World 2022. The judges also named the property’s General Manager, Mr John Allanson, as one of the world’s “Top 100 General Managers for 2022.”

Since acquiring and opening the resort in April 2022, Mr Allanson has led the luxurious 81-key all-villa property to a 5.0 “Excellent” rating on TripAdvisor based on more than 600 reviews.

The awards recognise an elite group of companies and leaders that represent the ‘best of the best’ as selected and assessed by industry sources, based on reputation, credibility, brand awareness, luxury experience and service excellence.

The organising committee said of the awards: “Your impeccable reputation and professional performance have been recognised and acknowledged.”

A TripAdvisor review of the resort in December 2022 is indicative: “Everyone – the wait staff, management, concierges, hosts, chefs, kitchen geniuses, grounds keepers, gardeners, water activity experts, spa therapists, security, and the excellent housekeeping team – blew us away. No business is a perfectly well-oiled machine and there are always issues that can be improved, but this one definitely does their absolute best to make guests believe that there are no imperfections.”

Outrigger Maldives General Manager, Mr John Allanson, said: “We are grateful to the judges at Luxury Lifestyle Awards and to all guests who went out of their way to leave a positive review. On behalf of all the dedicated and hard-working hosts at the resort, we appreciate it very much.”

Offering small-island charm with contemporary architecture and bespoke finishing touches, Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort offers guests an idyllic island experience, epitomising all that one thinks of when dreaming of the Maldives. The property is a convenient 25-minute seaplane journey from Male.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Accor Brings Emblems Collection to Vietnam’s Pearl Island

 700 402 wttc2
By:

Accor Brings Emblems Collection to Vietnam's Pearl Island - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMMEKONG.comPhu Quoc, Vietnam, March 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Accor Hotels continues to reinforce its leadership position with the announcement of a new flagship destination for its newest luxury brand, Emblems Collection in Phu Quoc. This marks the brand’s debut in the Vietnam market.

Emblems Collection is a carefully curated collection of independent hotels that are emblematic of their destination, designer or heritage. In recognition of their unique and charismatic personality, each property maintains its original elements and create bespoke and intimate guest experiences for seasoned modern luxury travellers who want to bring deeper meaning and emotion to their lives.

Set to open in 2025, the Emblems Collection hotel in Phu Quoc will be perfectly positioned on the soft sands of Sao Beach, overlooking the ocean close to the southern tip of Vietnam’s exquisite “Pearl Island”. This beautiful locally-inspired low-rise retreat, being developed by Dai Minh Phu Quoc Company Limited, will feature 122 bright, naturally-lit guestrooms and 24 breath-taking villas, all just steps from the crescent-shaped beach and aquamarine sea.

Throughout their stay, guests will be able to dine at a choice of two exceptional restaurants, grab light refreshments at the coffee corner, or unwind at the live music bar. The Emblems Collection hotel in Phu Quoc will also be a haven of wellness, with a soothing spa and bath house, a yoga studio and a fully-equipped fitness centre, as well as an inviting outdoor swimming pool and children’s pool. Finally, the event facilities and beach will promise to be outstanding locations for events on this island.

“We are delighted to introduce the Emblems Collection brand to Vietnam,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems for Accor. “Each property in this original hotel collection is completely unique and inspired by the essence of its destination. The Emblems Collection hotel in Phu Quoc will not be just another new resort on this popular island; it will become a flagship for Accor in Vietnam and a new destination in Phu Quoc’s tourism crown. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners at Dai Minh Phu Quoc Company Limited as we bring this iconic new property to life.”

“We are delighted to announce this strategic partnership with Accor for the first Emblem Collection resort property in Vietnam. The collaboration between Dai Minh & Accor has been carefully considered and we believe that our partnership will result in the creation of a rare jewel – a 5-star resort property on Phu Quoc’s most stunning beach – Bai Sao.” said Jean Pierre Gerbet, Chief Executive Officer of Dai Minh Phu Quoc Limited. Mr. Gerbet further added that, “Through this exciting project we aim to support the continuing growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry.”

The Emblems Collection hotel in Phu Quoc will be located a short 25-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport, which offers direct connections to key cities all across Asia, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai and Seoul, as well as multiple domestic routes within Vietnam.

Emblems Collection is Accor’s newest luxury brands, with a captivating portfolio set to expand to 60 hotels and resorts all around the world by 2032, with several global signings to be announced throughout 2023.

About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 230,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its global sustainability commitments (such as achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050, global elimination of single use plastics in its hotels’ guest experience, etc.), Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.

Emblems Collection
Emblems Collection is a captivating global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. Featuring unique properties that are ‘emblematic’ of their designers, demographics or destinations, hotels within the Emblems Collection stand apart as revered landmarks with character, history and aura. Signature elements include sumptuous surroundings in handpicked locations, charismatic service and exclusive bars. With its first signed property – Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection in China’s Guizhou province, the luxury brand is expected to grow to 60 select locations around the world by 2032. Emblems Collection is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,300 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mekong Tourism Forum Confirmed for April in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

 700 421 wttc2
By:

Mekong Tourism Forum Confirmed for April in Sihanoukville, Cambodia - TOURISMMEKONG.com - TRAVELINDEXSihanoukville, Cambodia, March 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The 2023 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF 2023), hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia and co-organised by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, will take place 25-27 April in Sihanoukville city, the capital of Preah Sihanouk province. The Forum will address the theme “Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalisation.”

Tourism Ministers, tourism leaders, NTOs, NGOs and private sector representatives, will discuss ways to rethink post-Covid tourism in China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as a collective and dynamic sub-region

The conference programme has been designed to address job creation, gender equality, food safety and hygiene, digital transformation and a more geographically dispersed tourism approach, so that the benefits of the travel industry spread beyond over-touristed hotspots.

At the Forum, tourism experts and political leaders will address five key ideas on 26 April: rethinking tourism to put people and planet first; developing local food production networks with a focus on safety and hygiene, while reducing food waste; using new digital technology to boost tourism startups and small- and medium-sized businesses; improving training so that tourism workers have the skills to adapt; and advancing equality of opportunity and fair treatment for women in the private and public sectors of tourism.

“The post-Covid- 19 tourism landscape now provides clear opportunities for us to take stock and rethink tourism for the better,” said H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism for Cambodia.

“With my tourism colleagues from around the Greater Mekong Subregion we will work hard to ensure that tourism re-establishes itself as an engine to create sustainable prosperity for our citizens. The MTF 2023 agenda has a clear focus and will address those issues,” he said.

The challenges of improving local food networks, to enhance safety and hygiene, will be addressed by Mr Luu Meng, a legend in the Cambodian culinary scene. The panel on smart tourism and digitalisation will be moderated by Mr Ben-Jie Lim, Group Head of Delivery, SuperApp, AirAsia. The expert panel debate on advancing human capital will be led by Mr Peter Semone, the Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, who will also keynote the Forum. Ms Veronica Mendizabal Jaffre of the Asian Development Bank will lead the panel session on women’s empowerment in tourism in the region.

As Preah Sihanouk province is the host destination, on 27 April delegates will have the opportunity to join many of the local excursions and post-tours such as Sihanoukville city tour, Koh Rong Island, diving, mangrove tour, kayaking, and community-based ecotourism exploration. Each trip will showcase sustainable tourism practices in the destination.

The MTF 2023 will also host a Sustainable Tourism Exhibit comprising over 20 exhibitors, showcasing responsible and sustainable tourism, community-based tourism and local community products. The exhibit will run on 25 and 26 April.

An estimated 150 international delegates are expected to attend the MTF 2023, which is free to join for leaders of the travel industry.

Registration is available through the new Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office website at https://mekongtourism.org/mekong-tourism-forum-2023/
Registration will close on 18 April, or when places are fully booked, whichever comes first.

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)- comprising Cambodia, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, is one of the world’s most dynamic tourist destinations. The six GMS governments established the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) in 2006, as a tourism collaboration framework, with its objective to develop and promote the Mekong Region as a single tourism destination. MTCO’s role is to coordinate activities that boost tourism’s contribution to inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability in the GMS. The MTCO work plan is guided by the GMS Tourism Working Group (TWG), which is made up of senior representatives of the National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) of the six member countries. MTCO activities are supported by the Asian Development Bank.

About the Mekong Tourism Forum
First held in 1996, the Mekong Tourism Forum is an annual government-led event dedicated to the tourism industry in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The event provides a cooperative platform for travel and tourism stakeholders to discuss regional tourism development, along with the marketing and promotion of travel to, from, and within the GMS. It presents an inclusive, interactive, and results-oriented opportunity to encourage public- and private-sector participation in promoting the GMS as a single destination.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Announces Resignation of CEO Liz Ortiguera

 700 458 wttc2
By:

PATA Announces Resignation of CEO Liz Ortiguera - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, March 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announces the resignation of Liz Ortiguera as its Chief Executive Officer. Upon her notification, PATA Vice Chair Benjamin Liao said, “Liz served PATA with distinction as the first Asian female CEO in the organization’s 72-year history. On behalf of PATA, I would like to thank her for her leadership of the Association during a difficult period for the industry.”

“We recognize her many accomplishments as PATA CEO including new agreements with the Singapore Tourism Board, the Saudi Tourism Authority and Trip.com as well as the expanded partnerships with Visa, MasterCard, and Airbnb. New projects included PATA’s first Annual Summit in the Middle East, the PATA-Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) APAC Travel Summit, PATA-World Bank Government Recovery Insights Forum Series, the Tourism Destination Resilience Program launch and the ongoing Weekly Asia-Pacific Destination Recovery Dashboard.”

Commenting on her tenure at PATA, Ms. Ortiguera said, “It was a true honor to have served as PATA’s CEO. I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, can continue to support and lead our industry’s recovery and growth. PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable business practices.”

“I am handing back the reins with thanks to PATA Members for the opportunity to lead at this critical time of global industry recovery. I had the opportunity to work with some deeply committed, hard-working and talented individuals within the PATA team as well as our valued members and partners. They embody the heart and the spirit of what PATA could be in everything they do,” Ms. Ortiguera added.

In response to Ms. Ortiguera’s departure, PATA Chair Peter Semone stated that, “the Executive Board has established five Expert Task Forces or ETFs to review critical elements of PATA’s development strategy, including Brand and Voice, Events, Membership Engagement, Organizational Design and Digital Readiness. The recommendations of these ETFs will help define PATA’s new direction strategically and operationally.”

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

IRISH EYES SMILING IN CANADA THIS WEEK

 600 275 wttc2
By:

Tourism Ireland’s annual sales mission is crossing eastern Canada this week as the road show rolls through London, Ottawa, Montreal, and concluding in Halifax on Thursday. The sales blitz to showcase the Emerald Isle to travel agents is supported by a delegation of 20 tourism enterprises from Ireland (plus three Canadian partners), comprising the largest delegation ever to Ireland’s fifth largest revenue market.

Set to attract over 320 agents, the events are designed to help advisors sell Ireland by targeting key consumer passion points of adventure and experiences, ‘craic’ and culture, history, and heritage as well as luxury travel via panel discussions by industry experts across the island of Ireland, with partners also connecting with top tier travel and lifestyle media and influencers at two of the events while in Ottawa and Montreal.

The events also celebrate what’s new for 2023 for Canadian clients with the aim of encouraging agents to drive bookings for 2023/24 and beyond.

Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Canada, says the sales mission is a key strategy in rebuilding tourism to 2019 levels in Ireland.

“This week’s sales mission… offers a strong opportunity for partners to connect with travel advisors selling the island of Ireland, encouraging them to expand their programming and ensure Ireland is top of mind when recommending destinations to clients,” she says. “Canadian holidaymakers are highly valued with 240,000 Canadian visitors delivering €209 million to the economy in 2019, and we look forward to re-building sustainable tourism growth from across the country this year.”

Tourism Ireland London, ON. tradeshow

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ALL ABOUT ACCOR: 10 top openings in 2023

 600 275 wttc2
By:

French based hospitality company Accor boasts 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. And with more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale, and economy hotel brands – names like Raffles, Novotel and Mercure – it stands to reason that there is always something in the pipeline. Among the dozens of properties this year alone, here is a shortlist of 10 new and notable hotels due to come onstream in 2023.

In no particular order:

ibis Styles Copenhagen Ørestad, Denmark (Now open) – The new hotel (banner photo) is designed to combine urban living with the serenity of nature – two themes brought to life in the hotel’s design in stark contrast. The stylish design-led hotel is ideally located within the vibrant island Amager district near Copenhagen city centre. Situated within the popular Nest45 project, the hotel is nestled within an eye-catching hub of offices and small businesses.

Maison Delano Paris (March) – Located in the heart of the ultra-chic 8th Arrondissement, Maison Delano Paris is an oasis within the bustling city. Occupying an 18th century courtyard building at 4 Rue d’Anjou, this is a place to experience exceptional and exclusive culinary concepts by three-star Michelin Chef Dani García, a fresh perspective on wellness and hyper-exclusive curated moments.

Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences (Mid 2023) – The first Raffles hotel in North America will open its doors this year, bringing a new level of elegance, glamour, and adventure to the Boston. Located in the prestigious Back Bay neighbourhood, the luxurious hotel features a stunning three-story sky lobby that is the first of its kind in the city. The distinctive 35-storey building offers a unique collection of 147 guestrooms and 146 residences, with pied-a-terre suites, one- to three-bedroom homes and magnificent penthouses.

Mondrian Singapore (Early 2023) – Located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Duxton Hill, a stone’s throw from the city’s Central Business District, Mondrian Singapore is nestled among the trendiest cafés, world-class eateries and bars, art galleries and independent boutiques. Rising above the historic and colourful Chinatown shophouses, the hotel is set to have some of the best views of the city skyline.

Raffles London

Raffles London at The OWO (Mid 2023) – This architectural masterpiece, located at the historic Old War Office in Whitehall, London, has seen its share of Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming. The landmark building has undergone a monumental transformation and now features 120 lavish guestrooms and suites, 85 spectacular private residences and 11 ultra-stylish restaurants and bars, plus an exclusive Guerlain spa and wellness facility.

The Hoxton, Charlottenburg (Mid 2023) – The Hoxton will be located in Charlottenburg in West Berlin, an area known for its eclectic dining scene and antique stores, and just a few minutes from the popular Kurfürstendamm shopping area. Settling into a former hotel, the brand’s first German outpost has been takes inspiration from the neighbourhood – which was at the heart of the city’s creative rebirth during Berlin’s Golden Twenties era – the hotel’s 234 rooms will be decked out in Art Nouveau-inspired forms, expressive design details and soft, muted tones.

Novotel Mexico City Centro Historico (Late 2023) – Popular mid-scale brand Novotel is bolstering its presence in Mexico City with a fourth property – located in the historic central district. At Novotel Mexico City Centro Historico, business travellers and families alike will find a welcoming, relaxed multipurpose social hub, with spacious rooms, and an elegant, modern design designed to create a warm, friendly atmosphere.

ibis Styles Bangkok Twin Towers (Mid 2023) – The largest ibis Styles hotel in the world will bring its creative and playful energy to the centre of Bangkok, steps away from the business district, shopping, and favourite tourist spots such as MBK, Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery. With more than 600 uniquely designed guestrooms, the trendy and economical hotel will offer three restaurants, meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and spa.

Novotel New Delhi City Centre (Mid 2023) – For travellers looking to relax and unwind, Novotel New Delhi City Centre will offer a calm place to enjoy a bit of downtime in the midst of the busy city. From the modern guestrooms to the lively social hub and kid-friendly family zone, Novotel is all about contemporary, comfortable spaces for travellers.

Mercure Tokyo Haneda (Late 2023) – The new Mercure Tokyo Haneda will be a sister hotel to the Mercure Tokyo Ginza, providing a dynamic and locally authentic experience of Tokyo. Mercure social hubs offer an all-day-dynamic with flexible places to eat, drink, socialize or work, while the hotel’s common areas and guestrooms are inspired by local Japanese culture and design aesthetics.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

DESANTIS TAKES OVER DISNEY DISTRICT:

 1080 502 wttc2
By:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that gives him control of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district, punishing the company over its opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.

The bill requires DeSantis, a Republican, to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services that the Disney district provides in its sprawling theme park properties in Florida.

“Today the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end,” he said at a bill signing ceremony in Lake Buena Vista. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and accountability will be the order of the day.”

The signing came as DeSantis gears up for an expected presidential run and marks a high-profile legislative victory for a governor whose leveraging of cultural and political divides has pushed him to the fore of national Republican politics. DeSantis, whose book, “The Courage to be Free,” is coming out Tuesday, has moved in recent weeks to expand his national profile and political network through fundraisers and meetings with donors, elected officials and conservative influencers.

The takeover of the Disney district began last year when the entertainment giant publicly opposed “Don’t Say Gay,” which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and lessons deemed not age-appropriate.

DeSantis moved to quickly to penalize the company, directing lawmakers in the GOP-dominated Legislature to dissolve Disney’s self-governing district during a special legislative session last year, beginning a closely watched restructuring process.

In February, DeSantis called on lawmakers to again return to deal with Disney and finalize state control over the district in another hastily called special session that signaled the governor’s willingness to wield the power of state government to accomplish political goals, a strategy that is expected to continue in the coming months ahead of his potential White House run.

The new law changes the district’s name from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and subjects it to various layers of state oversight. Board members are currently named through entities controlled by Disney.

It leaves the district and its financial abilities and debt obligations intact, addressing a chief concern of surrounding governments. It also prevents people who have worked with or contracted with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the district’s new governing board.

Having a separate government allows the district to issue bonds and provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its land. Republican critics of the district argue it gives Disney a commercial advantage unavailable to others.


That was then…

In a curious aside, it turns out that DeSantis married his wife Casey at Disney World in 2009. A choice of venue the governor now terms, “kind of ironic.”

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Young People Demand Healthier Food Environments in East Asia and Pacific

 700 450 wttc2
By:

UNICEF-Young People Demand Healthier Food Environments in East Asia and Pacific-TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, February 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Young people co-create and launch a campaign to support UNICEF’s ‘Fix My Food’ initiative for healthier food environments for children in the region. The food systems in East Asia and the Pacific, known for its diverse and vibrant food culture is changing rapidly. Traditional healthy fresh food diets are being replaced by an increasing consumption of highly processed ‘junk’ food and drink full of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Children across the region, are growing up in food environments that promote the sale and consumption of these ‘junk’ foods and drinks, rather than healthier alternatives. As a result, more than one in three adolescents are drinking at least one sugary drink a day; more than half consume a fast-food once or more a week; and less than half, are eating enough fruit and vegetables every day.

“Today, children and young people are surrounded by junk-food marketing wherever they go: online, on their way to school, college or university, on television, and even while standing in the checkout-line of the grocery store. The result is that too many children in East Asia and the Pacific have poor, unhealthy diets that are having a devastating impact on their health and well-being. It is about time that we change this.” shared Ms. Debora Comini, Regional Director, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific.

UNICEF has been working closely with governments and partners to introduce policies and legislation to curb the increase in marketing of unhealthy food and drink, such as bans on advertising and sale of unhealthy foods in and around schools, clear front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages amongst others.

To further promote the need for healthier food environments, UNICEF is supporting the “Fix My Food” campaign led by young people to raise awareness of the need to create healthier food environments in China, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Young people, together with celebrities and influencers from these eight countries were part of a two-day co-creation “Fix My Food” workshop in Bangkok – brainstorming ideas and identifying potential partners to help roll out the campaign in their respective countries.

Chef Nak, Ms. Ros Rotanak, Cambodia’s first female celebrity chef, and Miss World Vietnam 2019, Ms. Luong Thuy Linh were also part of the co-creation workshop and launch event.

Sharing her thoughts, Chef Nak said “I strongly believe in preserving, developing and promoting traditional Khmer cuisine as one of the world’s most remarkable culinary traditions. Food is much more than just what we eat. It is an essential part of our culture, our families and our communities. I am happy to support these young champions, to preserve, protect and ensure that our food environment is equally accessible to and benefits all.”

“I strongly believe in healthy eating and healthy lifestyles and have joined this campaign with the hope that together we will be able to change our failing food system. We need to ensure that people, especially children and young people, have the opportunity and the right to make healthy food choices, wherever they are, at home, in and around schools, and in their communities,” stated Ms. Linh, Miss World Vietnam 2019.

With the young people leading the “Fix My Food” campaign and support from celebrities and influencers, UNICEF hopes to create awareness on the impact of the changing food environment in the lives of girls and boys and the urgent need for governments, the private sector and civil society to take collective action to build a healthier food environment across the region.

Speaking at the event, 24-year-old Mr. Ricardo Valente, from Timor-Leste said “This campaign is unique, it is designed and led by us and will be implemented by each of us, back in our own countries. We are excited about being part of this movement to make the food environment healthier and more accessible for every child and every young person in East Asia and the Pacific.”

As part of UNICEF’s work to mobilize and empower young people to take action, this initiative will be implemented in the eight participating countries and will be supported by UNICEF country offices and partners.

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF East Asia & Pacific and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/eap

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Afternoon Tea at Holiday Home of Legendary Indonesian Architect

 900 599 wttc2
By:

Afternoon Tea at Holiday Home of Legendary Indonesian Architect - VISITBALI.org - TRAVELINDEXBali, Indonesia, February 27, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / If where you take your tea is as important as how you take your tea, then Bali may very well emerge as one of the world’ s premier destinations for stirring milk and honey.

In the lush, tropical uplands of Ubud, Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, is opening the doors on a suite of natural spaces for leisurely one-of-a-kind afternoon tea sessions inspired by the same man who conjured the spaces.

On the grounds of Tanah Gajah itself, which Hendra Hadiprana designed as a family retreat in the 1980s and repurposed as a resort in 2004, they’re wheeling out the tea in Panen Padi, a new dining destination that launched during the pandemic. The location is exclusive to in-house guests when it comes to afternoon tea. Once known as Pondok Margin, Panen Padi is where the late Hadiprana stayed when he retreated to the property with his wife, children and grandchildren.

After the 2004 repurposing, the Hadiprana family set up a second peaceful family abode in the tropical jungle nearby. Dua Dari, like Tanah Gajah, started as a home but the family has now opened it up to the public for stays. The warmth of the family looms large and the unique high tea in Ubud consists of the late patriarch’s favorite snacks.

Guests can choose between multiple locations throughout the property. There’s Balai Barong, a pillared, wall-less space that is open to nature and a gentle breeze. The building was designed by Hadiprana to be like the body of a Barong (a mythical panther-like creature), which stands as a symbol of health and good fortune.

A picnic-style afternoon tea, overlooking the swimming pool, is another popular choice and the setting is decorated with Balinese white umbrellas, while the table is adorned with wooden sculptures and fresh flowers. A mix of sweet and savory dishes are served on the family’s private collection of chinaware which have been a part of their collection since the ‘80s.

“In our daily lives many of us are in a rush, moving from one thing straight to the next,” said Deasy Swandarini, GM of Tanah Gajah. “Our afternoon tea experiences are designed to remind people to pause and take in not just delightful snacks but the stunning locations in which we serve them.”

At Tanah Gajah’s Panen Padi Lounge visitors are treated to panoramic views of the rice fields on one side, as well as the tranquil swan and water lily ponds on the other. The landscape changes with the season. At harvest time Balinese ducks play in the field. After harvest, white herons are often spotted hoping to catch worms from the freshly plowed fields. After the plowing season, the fields are submerged in water to keep the rice field wet, which creates beautiful reflections at sunrise or sunset. Eventually the rice fields become lush and green, ready for the next harvest.

Inside Panen Padi, guests are introduced to the founder’s history through a mural that adorns the restaurant’s ceiling. The artwork takes visitors on his journey from youth to his golden years, with imagery of Bali, the property, and from his time in the Netherlands.

The array of afternoon tea snacks varies by property and season but savory dishes like Balinese-spiced tuna satay, chicken curry puffs and finger sandwiches, as well as sweet treats such as Valrhona chocolate cake, mixed fruit tarts, jackfruit fritters and tiramisu are some examples of what’s on offer.

During his lifetime Hadiprana was passionate about building up and showcasing the work of local Indonesian artists. He opened his own gallery in South Jakarta ‘Galeri Hadiprana’ in the ’60s and it was the first art gallery in Indonesia. His passion for art, beauty, and nature run through both Tanah Gajah and Dua Dari’s offerings from the food they serve to the locations in which they serve it.

Afternoon tea in Ubud at the Panen Padi Lounge or at Tanah Gajah’s sister property, Dua Dari, is available exclusively to guests from 4pm – 6pm daily. Visitors staying off-site can enjoy afternoon tea at Tanah Gajah in the main restaurant, The Tempayan, or picnic style on the verdant grounds.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News