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World Economic Forum Launches AI Governance Alliance

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World Economic Forum Launches AI Governance Alliance - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com Worlds First Restaurant Guide Based on AIGeneva, Switzerland, June 26, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Economic Forum has launched the AI Governance Alliance, a dedicated initiative focused on responsible generative artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative expands on the existing framework and builds on the recommendations from the Responsible AI Leadership: A Global Summit on Generative AI.

The AI Governance Alliance aims to address today’s most critical issues as humanity approaches a potentially transformative socio-economic era. By bringing together influential regional voices and multiple stakeholders globally, the alliance seeks to harness the benefits of generative AI systems and technologies while ensuring equitable and sustainable global impacts.

Leveraging the World Economic Forum’s 50 years of expertise in multi-stakeholder partnerships, the AI Governance Alliance combines private sector knowledge, public sector governance and civil society objectives to address the transformative nature of generative AI systems. With the support of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the alliance actively engages with various regions while contributing to shaping a global approach to address the transformative nature of generative AI systems.

– The AI Governance Alliance will provide guidance on the responsible design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.
– The initiative will prioritize three main areas: ensuring safe systems and technologies, promoting sustainable applications and transformation, and contributing to resilient governance and regulation
– The alliance aims to accelerate the development of ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for generative AI and maximize the economic and social value it can create.
– The World Economic Forum invites stakeholders from various sectors, including businesses, academia and regulatory bodies, to contribute their expertise and insights to the initiative.

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Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, emphasized the alliance’s significance: “The AI Governance Alliance marks a significant stride towards responsible and ethical advancements in generative AI technology. Given its potential to transform businesses and societies, it is crucial that generative AI be developed and deployed with an unwavering focus on societal progress and human-centric principles.”
The primary goal of the AI Governance Alliance is to formulate and implement practical recommendations for the responsible design, development and deployment of generative AI systems. This initiative prioritizes three key areas:

– Safe systems and technologies
– Sustainable applications and transformation
– Resilient governance and regulation

By delving into crucial themes such as informed technology decisions, responsible adoption, the societal implications of AI, and ethical governance, the initiative offers guidance, tools and resources that foster the responsible and inclusive global development and deployment of generative AI technologies.

Alliance’s Views

“As a society, we must be clear-eyed about both the promise and the perils of generative AI and work together to ensure AI is always in service to humanity. The AI Governance Alliance is an important forum to bring together perspectives from around the world, connecting industry, governments and civil society to better answer how we can govern AI responsibly and do so at the pace of technological change.” – Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President, Microsoft.

“The World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance will help ensure that AI is developed and used boldly and responsibly. We look forward to engaging with governments and civil society to establish 21st-century frameworks for 21st-century technologies. We’re seeing remarkable technological advances, and we welcome the AI Governance Alliance’s plans to further opportunity, responsibility and security – working together to build AI that helps everyone.” – Kent Walker, President, Global Affairs, Google and Alphabet

“It’s vital that powerful new technologies are developed openly, not just behind-closed-doors in Silicon Valley. Realizing the immense potential of generative AI while mitigating the risks will take hard work and a spirit of openness and collaboration across the tech industry, governments and civil society. The World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance provides a forum to address issues around generative AI openly and accountably, bring new voices and perspectives to the debate, and ensure guardrails are developed that keep people safe.” – Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, Meta Platforms

“AI technologies are quickly reshaping our world. We have an opportunity to create ethical guardrails and policy frameworks that will inform how generative AI is designed and deployed. The World Economic Forum is creating the AI Governance Alliance to address responsible generative AI, and IBM looks forward to contributing our own expertise to this work.” – Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman, IBM

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: June 19-23, 2023

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A couple of Canadian carriers scored top marks in prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards last week, while in other weekly news highlights: Sunwing Vacations reassured the trade; an Indian airline conducted the biggest buy of planes in history, Ottawa announced a major investment in sustainable aviation fuel; and a popular Australian tourist destination took a new name.

NEWS

With news swirling this week about the future integration of Sunwing Airlines into the WestJet fleet, the company’s tour operator arm reassured the trade that it’s “business as usual” and that the future is “brighter than ever.” Sunwing Vacations said it is fortified by its new status as part of the WestJet Group simply fortifies its standing and that plans for a robust 2023-24 winter season are underway and will include new destinations and routes, along with future plans to leverage WestJet network to provide “even more affordable choices to Canadians.”

The head of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) says businesses are struggling to stay afloat under a pile of debt and a dearth of overseas visitors. In a poll of tourism operators, some 45 percent said they were likely or somewhat likely to shut down within three years unless the government steps in to adjust their loan conditions.

The federal government said it will invest nearly $350 million to support decarbonization if the aerospace industry. In an announcement at the Paris Air Show last week, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the cash will flow to a new fund dubbed the ‘Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology.’ The goal is to foster a national network overseen by an industry-led board that backs collaborative research and development projects ranging from aircraft architecture to sustainable fuel.

Virgin Galactic says it will begin regular commercial flights to the edge of space beginning in August. The space tourism company has been working for years to send paying passengers on short space trips and in 2021 finally won the US federal government’s approval.

BY THE NUMBERS

BC Ferries reported the highest traffic in is 63-history, carrying 9.4 million vehicles and 21.6 million passengers, an increase of 11 and 21% respectively during its fiscal year ending March 31. To meet demand, the company delivered 86,835 round trips, an increase of over 4,000 trips over the prior year.

AIR

Singapore Airlines was named the World’s Best Airline at the 2023 World Airline Awards, the fifth time that the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year title in the 23-year history of the prestigious annual Skytrax rankings. Air Canada scooped a new award in 2023 for the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline, while Air Transat was named the World’s Best Leisure Airline.

In a record-setting order that underscores surging demand in India for air travel, IndiGo airline said it is buying 500 passenger jets from European plane-maker Airbus. India’s dominant carrier is buying the A320 aircraft in what the companies said was the single biggest purchase agreement in commercial aviation history.

Porter Airlines is adding Winnipeg to its growing network, with flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG). Service begins on Sept. 7, with two daily roundtrip flights. Meanwhile, Porter has agreed to sale and leaseback for 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The aircraft will begin deliveries later in 2023 and be operated by the airline as part of a previously announced confirmed order for 50 E195-E2s and the option to purchase 50 additional aircraft. Eleven E195-E2s are flying with Porter today.

DEALS

Summer deals from Transat and Air Transat present last-minute offers on flights to the South and packages to Cancun and Punta Cana when booked by July 3 for travel before Oct. 31. Best-selling resorts Barceló Maya Tropical in Riviera Maya,

Occidental Caribe in Punta Cana, Bahia Principe Grand Coba in Riviera Maya, and

Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in Punta Cana are among the all-inclusives that are available.

A new offer from Emirates gives travellers access to hundreds of offers via their airline boarding pass. The My Emirates Summer Pass program, in effect through September, includes discounts at top attractions, luxury spas, restaurants and retail stores across Dubai and the UAE.

TOURS

A new private chauffeur itinerary, the “Legendary Castles Stay” by Brendan Vacations, invites travellers to explore Ireland featuring exclusive experiences and stays at the iconic Ashford and Dromoland castles. Beyond the castles, guests will have a private chauffeur to lead them on a exploration of the island, including a Make Travel Matter culinary walking tour in Galway, plus much more.

A new interactive brochure for Quark Expeditions’ Antarctic 2024/25 season is designed to transport agents and clients to the destination through through instantly accessed videos, imagery and recorded guest testimonials, and well as taking virrtual tours of cabins and suites, requesting a quote directly from the brochure and more.  Featured are 30 departures ranging from seven to 23 days), a variety of booking bonuses, including up to 25% off select voyages. Click here to access.

HOTELS

Marriott International has plans to further expand in the affordable midscale lodging segment in Canada and the US with yet-to-be-named extended-stay brand intended to deliver reasonably priced modern comfort for guests seeking longer stay accommodations. The expansion follows the hotel company’s recent entry into the segment with City Express by Marriott in Latin America and is expected to have openings in late 2024 or early 2025.

The new Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort is now open for business. Located on the North End of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, the new construction is part of the elegant Cavalier Resort, which also includes the restored Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, and the panoramic Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Embassy Suites by Hilton brings an additional 157 luxury hotel suites to the Resort, none of which are street-facing but instead offer sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic coastline. Guests of the new hotel will enjoy the Embassy brand’s daily free Made-To-Order Breakfasts and complimentary evening receptions.

RESORTS

Extensive renovations are in store for Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek. Starting this Fall, the resort will see significant changes to its rooms, reception area, main restaurant, and bar. The all-inclusive property originally opened in 1969, making the property the first Club Med village to open in “the Americas.” Tucked away in the large coconut groves of Martinique facing Diamond Rock, the French Caribbean resort stands out along the beautiful coastline. Air Canada will offer direct flights from Toronto to Martinique beginning on Dec. 16 and clients can receive up to 40% off and get an additional 20% discount with the resort’s air-inclusive offer from Toronto.

With the launch of Impressions by Secrets Isla Mujeres in Mexico, Hyatt Hotels launched its 10th brand within its Inclusive Collection, Impression by Secrets, marking the introduction of an ultra-exclusive, adults-only brand that is “defined by the highest level of luxury all-inclusive service possible.”

CRUISE

GRAMMY-nominated artist Luis Fonsi, best known for the smash hit ‘Despicito’ will serve as the godfather of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Viva. The ship will be christened in Miami before homeporting in San Juan, Puerto Rico this fall. Fonsi will fulfill the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming Norwegian Viva at the Nov. 28, christening ceremony in Miami.

Affirming its long-term commitment to sustainability and conservation, Silversea Cruises has become the first tour operator to gain certification in environmental management in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The cruise line is the first operator to divert all waste from landfill disposal in the Galapagos to the mainland to be recycled or processed in line with regulatory procedures.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

At 136 years old and after extensive restoration efforts, the RMS Segwun, North America’s oldest operating steamship, will set sail again for the summer June 27 on Ontario’s Lake Muskoka. Multiple sailings are available weekly, including lunch and dinner cruises, and there will be a number of speciality departures such as on Canada Day. The vessel sails from the wharf in Gravenhurst, and info and tickets are available at realmuskoka.com.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Through Sept. 30, travel agents who sign up and complete Rocky Mountaineer’s TRACKS Agent Training will be eligible for a chance to win monthly prizes or a grand prize of a complimentary rail journey for two on select Rocky Mountaineer routes in Canada and the US. No purchase is necessary to complete the TRACKS training, which is open to certified retail travel agents and wholesale agents/partners globally. Hint: it takes most people less than an hour to complete! HERE is a flier with more info.

EVENTS

Registration is now open for the ACTA Travel Industry Summits to be held in Toronto, Richmond, BC, and Laval, Que., in September. Travel advisors, managers, senior leaders, consortia, and host agency teams are all invited to attend. The events are complimentary for ACTA members. Non-ACTA members will be asked to provide a $50 contribution to the Advocacy Fund. All those who register before July 31 will be entered into a prize draw of a $250 Visa gift card – one winner per Summit. Details as follows: Eastern Canada – Sept. 14; Register here; Western Canada – Sept 21; Register here; Quebec– Sept. 27; Register here

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario is advising that its annual meeting of members will take place virtually on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. Only members in good standing are entitled to participate in and vote at the meeting, while members of the public are invited to watch the event. More details and instructions will be provided in the official notice of meeting, which will be released at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Written notice must be received by the Secretary on or before Aug. 11, 2023, of any motions to be made at the Annual Meeting.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

HIS Japan has announced a leadership change at TravelBrands, Red Label Vacations, and Merit Travel. Nathalie Tanious will take charge of the companies following the decision of President and CEO Frank DeMarinis to step down from the organization, effective July 21. HIS says the transition will be “seamless” and that the company, which purchased Red Label Vacations Inc. from DeMarinis and his brothers Enzo and Joe in 2019, remains “fully committed to providing you with the exceptional service and support you have come to expect from us.”

After nearly 14 years at Transat Distribution Canada, Kimberley Wood has has resigned from her position of Director, Franchise and Affiliate Members at TDC to take on a new challenge. A recruitment process is under way to replace her; until then her functions will be maintained by Dana Glover and Karine Gagnon and the national support team.

Canadian travel industry veteran Vicki Ioannou-Theophilou has joined JacTravel to boost the British-based destination management company’s presence in North America in the role of regional sales manager. Having recently worked at Blue-Roads Touring/Topdeck as Director of Business Development, The Americas, and with experience in previous roles in sales management with tour operators, retailers, and wholesale companies, Ioannou-Theophilou will work closely with North American partners but focussing on Canada thanks to her roots in the Canadian marketplace.

DESTINATIONS

Canadian fishing aficionados are invited to join the IX International Sport Fishing Tournament 2023 in Cayo Guillermo, Oct. 25-30. “This is a great opportunity to showcase this paradisiacal place, surrounded by virgin keys where Canadians can enjoy memorable experiences and take part in several water-based options like fishing and diving”, says Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto. The registration fee is US$400 per team (1-4 people), plus $2,000 for boat rental. All gear and licenses, and snacks and drinks are included. Contacts: comercial@cco.marlin.tur.cu; director@enjoycuba.travel

jefe.producto@skediotravel.com.travel.

Popular tourist spot Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been renamed K’gari to officially recognize the native Butchulla People’s connection to the Australian island and the creation story that has been passed down for generations.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1887, Parliament passed legislation creating Banff National Park, which launched Canada’s national parks system.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

G20 Welcomes Roadmap to Make Tourism Key Driver of SDGs

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G20 Welcomes Roadmap to Make Tourism Key Driver of SDGs - TRAVELINDEX - UNWTOGoa, India, June 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has developed with the G20 economies a roadmap for making tourism a central pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As the knowledge partner of India’s G20 Presidency, UNWTO delivered the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the meeting of the Ministers of Tourism of the world’s leading economies.

A roadmap for people and planet

Halfway between the 2015 launch of the 2030 Agenda and the deadline to accomplish it, UNWTO called on G20 Tourism Ministers to lead the sector’s contribution to accelerating progress towards achieving the 17 SDGs. The Goa Roadmap, developed with the Tourism Working Group, builds upon the five priority areas under India’s G20 Presidency:

The Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the SDGs offers the G20 economies a proposed plan of action to lead the way forward towards a better future for all

  • Green Tourism: Recognizing the critical need to work towards climate action and environmental protection and related international cooperation, the Goa Roadmap incorporates recommended actions and good practices from G20 economies and guest countries on issues such as financing, sustainable infrastructure and resource management, integrating circular approaches in the tourism value chain and engaging visitors as key actors in sustainability.
  • Digitalization: The Roadmap makes clear the wide-ranging benefits of supporting businesses and destinations embrace digitalization, including enhanced productivity, improved infrastructure management and delivering a safer and more efficient visitor experience.
  • Skills: Reflecting one of UNWTO’s core priorities for the sector, the Roadmap emphasizes the need to provide tourism workers, particularly youth and women, with the skills employers need, to future-proof tourism jobs and to make the sector a more attractive career path.
  • Tourism MSMEs: With Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) accounting for 80% of all tourism businesses worldwide, the Roadmap emphasizes the importance of public policies and public-private partnerships in addressing key challenges, including financing, marketing and skills gaps and market access to support MSMEs through the digital and sustainable transitions.
  • Destination Management: The Roadmap presents a set of proposed actions to create a holistic approach to destination management that strengthens public-private-community partnerships and enhances a whole of government approach. It further shares examples of innovative programmes among G20 and invited countries. 

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “As tourism bounces back close to pre-pandemic levels, we must ensure that recovery is sustainable, inclusive and resilient. The Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the SDGs offers the G20 economies a proposed plan of action to lead the way forward towards a better future for all.”

Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, added: “Tourism can be instrumental in addressing many of the challenges faced by our societies while transforming itself to address its socio-economic impacts. Working together on a common roadmap for recovery and long-term sustainability will unlock its immense potential to deliver on the SDGs.”

Reducing waste and increasing circularity

On the occasion UNWTO and the UN Environment Programme hosted the side event “Towards a circular economy of plastics in tourism – the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative”, in association with the Ministry of Tourism of India.

  • The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative provides a common vision for a circular economy of plastics in tourism. The side-event provided delegates and participants with practical guidance to address plastic pollution in tourism operations.
  • Participants included country representatives (India, Indonesia), accommodation (ITC Hotels, Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts, The Indian Hotels Company Limited) and aviation (International Air Transport Association, IATA).
  • The Central Nodal Agency for Sustainable Tourism of India, a technical agency of the Ministry of Tourism, became a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, together with the Government of Punjab and the Responsible Tourism Society of India.

UNWTO, tourism and the G20

  • The G20 economies represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
  • In 2022, the G20 welcomed 74% of international tourists and 73% of tourism exports worldwide. In 2019, pre COVID-19 pandemic the Tourism Direct GDP reached 3.7% of the G20 economies.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Delegates from PATA Forum Discover the Rainforest World Music Festival 2023

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Delegates from PATA Forum Discover the Rainforest World Music Festival 2023 - TRAVELINDEXSarawak, Malaysia, June 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / All delegates, speakers, participants and media from the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 had the opportunity to discover, listen and dance the night away at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2023 held at at Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching.

The iconic Rainforest World Music Festival marks its legendary return, featuring a cast of world renowned performers never seen before in Sarawak. The annual three-day music festival celebrates the diversity of world music in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts.

This year’s festival will be making a ‘physical’ comeback from 23rd to 25th June at Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching. The festival’s line-up will feature a total of 199 musicians from 12 countries, across more than 3 continents to perform a diverse range of music genres.

Performers include Grammy Awards winner, ‘Gipsy Kings’ featuring Tonino Baliardo from France, ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica/USA, ‘Safi Theatre’ from Tanzania, ‘Rastak’ from Iran, ‘Fasylive’ from Maldives, ‘Afriquoi’ from the United Kingdom, ‘Chatusram’ from India, ‘Rizal Hadi & Folk’ from Indonesia and ‘Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band’ from Thailand. The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Rainforest World Music Festival (often abbreviated as RWMF) is an annual three-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music, held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts. Starting with only a few hundred people in the audience in 1998, the Festival has grown to an internationally recognized music festival, receiving awards among them as one of the Top 25 Best International Festivals awarded by Songlines Magazine for six consecutive years (2010 to 2015). The festival features a wide range of performances from traditional music, to world fusion and contemporary world music.

About Sarawak
A kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals: is the best description for Sarawak. Sarawak comprises 31 ethnic tribes with their own unique traditions, lifestyles, music and food, while sharing their warm hospitality. Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq kms, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches; where adventures are waiting to happen. Festivals are hosted throughout the year celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Chairman Peter Semone Urges for More Actions on Sustainability

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PATA Chairman Peter Semone Urges for More Actions on Sustainability - TRAVELINDEXKuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, June 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Peter Semone, PATA Chair called on delegates of the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia for more actions on sustainability.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with PATA, we are a not-for-profit membership association founded in 1951 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.

This year we are delighted to be working with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts of Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau to organise this event and we are honoured to be here to support them in the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Which is what brings us here for the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023., under the theme ““Sustainability in Action”.

The event gathers the top minds in destination travel for inspiring and insightful discussions on some of the major issues in marketing and managing tourism growth to discuss new opportunities to promote sustainability within the industry.

Alongside the conference and B2B adventure travel trade show over the next two days, yesterday’s technical tour provided a culturally immersive experience that allowed the delegates the opportunity to explore the various attractions and offerings of Sarawak.

I am proud to note that we have brought together 14 dynamic speakers from such organisations as the World Tourism Organisation, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the Asian Ecotourism Network, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, Intrepid Travel, Expedia Group Media Solutions and Sojern, as well as Audra Morrice, Masterchef Asia/and Singapore Host & Judge, to name a few.

Through this event, we hope to provide our delegates with an engaging and insightful programme that will touch on such topics as “Sustainability in Action”, “Climate Action Strategies for Destinations & Operators”, “Recalculating the Measurements of Success”, “Tourism’s Role for Development”, “The Power of Gastronomy Tourism for Destinations”, “Setting Your Sustainability Goals and Executing them”, “Leveraging New Trends in Sustainable Forms of Tourism” and “Using Digital Marketing to Drive Sustainability”.

Everyone at PATA hopes that by bringing together such a dynamic group of speakers, we can highlight the need to discuss, analyse and share various ideas with both the public and private sector to plan, build and promote a sustainable tourism industry.

I would like to once again thank our hosts not only for their help and support for this event but their commitment to the promotion of a responsible travel and tourism industry.

With their support and the support of our sponsors and supporters, we have brought together 272 delegates from 28 destinations to Sarawak for this event, with delegates having travelled from all corners of the world, including Australia, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (ROK), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and USA.

As travel and tourism becomes a greater contributor to the economic well-being of each destination, plans for the responsible development and sustaining those elements generating growth must be taken into consideration. It is through these partnerships with the public and private sector that help build and promote a sustainable tourism industry.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

South America Meets Southeast Asia at Restaurant Resonance

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South America Meets Southeast Asia at Restaurant Resonance - TOp25RESTAURANTSBangkok, Thailand, June 22, 2023/ TOP25RESTAURANTS / Experience a unique fusion of flavours when “South America meets Southeast Asia” at Restaurant Resonance. From Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th July, three gifted chefs will collaborate for a special six-hand dinner that promises to lead you on a journey of gastronomic discovery. Renowned Peruvian chefs, Jorge Muñoz and Francesca Ferreyros, together with our own Chef Shunsuke from Japan will present a sensational 10-course tasting menu in the intimate and stylish setting of Restaurant Resonance.

Drawing inspiration from the country’s long and rich culinary traditions, the cuisine of Peru has been reimagined by young, bold, and creative chefs and is currently hailed as one of the world’s most exciting food trends. One such chef is Jorge Muñoz. While at Patka restaurant in Barcelona, Chef Jorge worked alongside Chef Kioko Ii from Japan to create a tasting menu inspired by Nikkei cuisine, a harmonious synthesis of two food cultures that grew out of Japanese immigration to Peru in the nineteenth century. In 2014, Patka was awarded a Michelin star, and received a “Best International Restaurant” award from Spain’s ABC newspaper. From 2019-2022, he was Executive Chef at Astrid y Gastón, the restaurant credited with starting the modern Peruvian food movement. It also ranked No.1 in Latin America’s inaugural ‘50 Best Restaurants’ list and was a recipient of the prestigious ‘Art of Hospitality Award’. Following his return to Peru, Chef Jorge is now focused on a new venture in the capital city, Lima.

Joining Chef Jorge will be Chef Francesca Ferreyros, owner-chef of the renowned restaurant, Baan in Peru. In 2015, she moved to Spain to join the team at the three Michelin star, El Celler de Can Roca which is described by the esteemed guide as an ‘exceptionally high-calibre restaurant’. She then spent several years in Bangkok working at the internationally acclaimed two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gaggan. During her time in the city, her approach to cooking was strongly influenced by Thai cuisine. Upon returning to Peru, she led the team at the legendary Peruvian restaurant, IK. Today, Chef Francesca is considered one of the most important young talents on modern Peruvian food scene. At her restaurant Baan, she skillfully combines elements of Thai cuisine with the indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques of Peru and the Amazon.

Our own Chef Shunsuke has also absorbed international influences cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen and Tokyo. Here at Restaurant Resonance, Chef Shunsuke delights diners with his “Boundless Cuisine” concept – a changing menu of beautifully executed contemporary dishes that reflect his global experience, love of seasonality, and purity of flavour.

The collaboration between the two gifted Peruvian chefs and Chef Shunsuke is a recipe for a memorable evening of fine dining. At Restaurant Resonance, the 10-course tasting menu will delight and surprise diners with inventive dishes. Chef Jorge’s dishes will be created on the day of the dinner in response to his visit to the local market. Highlights from Chef Franscesca will include a Thai crispy flower with yellow curry manjar blanco and coconut ice cream, while Chef Shunsuke will serve a buckwheat crepe with anago fritto, grilled eggplant and summer pickled vegetables.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a unique fusion of flavours when “South America meets Southeast Asia” from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th July at Restaurant Resonance!

Dining options include:
10-course tasting menu: THB 6,900++
6-glass wine pairing for an additional THB 4,500++
6-glass tea pairing for an additional THB 1,500++

Reservations for the exclusive evening are available at 5p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

Restaurant Resonance
108/4 Sukhumvit 65
Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Restaurant Resonance is conveniently located in one of Sukhumvit’s most vibrant and fashionable districts. The contemporary restaurant features a stylish minimalist interior, allowing diners to relax and focus on exquisite flavours and artistry of Chef Shunsuke Shimomura’s seasonal tasting menus. Tea pairings are available when booked one or two days in advance. Restaurant Resonance is open Tuesday to Friday, 6 – 9 p.m. and Saturday, 12 – 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The elegant space is also available for exclusive parties and events.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sarawak Welcomes Over 270 delegates to PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart

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Sarawak, Malaysia welcomes over 270 delegates to the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 - TRAVELINDEXSarawak, Malaysia, June 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 (PDFM 2023), with the theme “Sustainability in Action”, officially began on Wednesday, June 21 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, attracting 272 delegates from 28 destinations.

The event, organised in collaboration with destination partners, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts of Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau, brought together delegates from the public and private sectors for inspiring and insightful discussions on some of the major issues in marketing and managing tourism growth as the travel and tourism industry looks for new opportunities to promote sustainability within the industry.

Delegates travelled from all corners of the globe including Australia, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (ROK), Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and USA.

“The PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023, under the theme “Sustainability in Action” is extremely relevant as the industry begins its road to recovery. Climate change and over-tourism are existential threats to Pacific Asia’s visitor industry. Coming out of COVID, there are really only two options: ignore the environmental and social consequences of mass tourism in a business-as-usual manner; or seize the opportunity to recalibrate how we measure tourism success and account for its invisible burden. As we look towards the future, we need to take concrete actions and avoid the mistakes of the past,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone.

“It is this type of collaboration with our destination partners, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts of Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau, that epitomizes the fundamental nature of PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. We as an industry must work together to create a better future for all by achieving long-term sustainability in conjunction with long-term growth and profitability.”

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor said,” Sarawak is the perfect venue for PDMF 2023 in highlighting on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel as these themes are very much aligned with Sarawak’s tourism philosophy that emphasises on Responsible Tourism, gastronomy and sustainability in its effort in making Sarawak a preferred eco-tourism destination, in the region.”

“I am happy that all delegates will have an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with Sarawak’s tourism industry stakeholders as well as from around the region to understand more on the importance of adopting sustainable practices, such as waste reduction, recycling, and responsible resource consumption, to minimize the negative environmental footprint of tourism while enhancing the overall visitor experience,” she added.

On Wednesday, June 21, delegates had the opportunity to join one of three different routes where they could fully experience the destination’s responsible tourism, ecotourism, and gastronomy tourism offerings that highlighted Sarawakian culture, heritage, and history.

During the conference on Thursday, June 23 and June 24, delegates will hear from a diverse line-up of experts from such organisations as World Tourism Organization, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the Asian Ecotourism Network, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, Intrepid Travel, Expedia Group Media Solutions and Sojern, as well as Audra Morrice, Masterchef Asia/and Singapore Host & Judge, to name a few.

From climate action strategies to digital marketing, the broad yet critical topics provided a clearer direction for the industry to embrace the new era of travel with greater responsibility and convert their plans into action.

Topics include ‘Sustainability in Action’, ‘Climate Action Strategies for Destinations & Operators ‘, ‘Recalculating the Measurements of Success’, ‘Tourism’s Role for Development ‘, ‘The Power of Gastronomy Tourism for Destinations ‘, ‘Setting Your Sustainability Goals and Executing them’, ‘Leveraging New Trends in Sustainable Forms of Tourism’ and ‘Using Digital Marketing to Drive Sustainability’.

Over these two days, buyers and sellers will also have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one networking and contracting opportunities during the table-top tradeshow to explore potential collaborations and business opportunities.

For more information about the event, visit www.pata.org/pata-destination-experience-forum-and-mart-2023 or email events@PATA.org.

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 including 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 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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

World Travel & Tourism Council and UNWTO Sign Historic MOU

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World Travel & Tourism Council and UNWTO Sign Historic MOU - TRAVELINDEXGoa, India, June 22, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In an historic first, the world’s two leading Travel & Tourism organisations representing the global public and private sectors agreed to work together across a number of key objectives.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed today by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UNWTO) at the G20 Ministerial meeting (Goa, India), focused on advancing public-private sector cooperation at the global level whilst promoting job creation, talent development and business opportunities around the world.

Strong public-private partnerships are the foundation to transform tourism and build resilience

Together, WTTC and UNWTO will promote tourism in the global and national agendas while working to progress skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment and the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient Travel & Tourism sector. The two parties will also foster community empowerment and inclusion and collaborate around crisis preparedness, management, and recovery, building on the lessons learned from COVID 19 pandemic.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “Through the signing of an historic new MOU, WTTC and UNWTO embark on a new chapter of collaboration together, uniting our expertise to pave the way for a prosperous future for the Travel & Tourism sector.

“Together, we can create a powerful synergy that will shape the global landscape, opening doors to endless opportunities and benefiting travelers, businesses, and destinations alike.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, underscored that “we are only stronger if we work together to respond to the interconnected challenges facing our sector. Strong public-private partnerships are the foundation to transform tourism and build resilience, and consolidating our partnership with WTTC will achieve exactly what we need – joining efforts to build a better future through tourism.”

The MOU was signed by WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil, alongside representatives of the public and private sectors.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Asia and Pacific Countries Advance Shared Vision of Tourism

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Asia and Pacific Countries Advance Shared Vision of Tourism - TRAVELINDEXPhnom Penh, Cambodia, June 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO’s Member States came together for the 35th meeting of its joint Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia to assess the major challenges to tourism development in the region for the years ahead.

UNWTO’s Members from Asia and the Pacific met as recovery from the impacts of the pandemic on tourism in the region steadily accelerates. According to UNWTO data:

  • Worldwide, twice as many people travelled internationally in the first three months of 2023 than in the same period of 2022, taking global tourism back to 80% of pre-pandemic levels.
  • For Asia and the Pacific, however, international arrivals got back to 54% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the quarter.
  • Recovery across the region is expected to accelerate following the re-opening of China to tourism. China was the world’s biggest tourism source market in 2019. Reflecting the significance of the moment, a high-level delegation from UNWTO visited China in February to mark the official re-opening.

Asia and the Pacific plays a key role in the state of our sector. It is a top source market, a hub of tourism innovation and home to many of the world’s leading businesses and most exciting destinations

“It is no exaggeration to say that, over the past year, all eyes in global tourism were on Asia and the Pacific,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Asia and the Pacific plays a key role in the state of our sector. It is a top source market, a hub of tourism innovation and home to many of the world’s leading businesses and most exciting destinations.”

Demonstrating Cambodia’s strong political support for UNWTO’s mission, Prime Minister Hun Sen met with the Secretary-General to discuss the steady acceleration of tourism in the region after the pandemic, while emphasizing the sector’s vital importance for sustainable development of tourism in the country and across the wider region.

UNWTO welcomed a participation to the joint Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia Joint Commission, including 15 Ministers, Deputy Ministers of Tourism and Ambassadors, and with 25 countries represented. The Meeting was held in conjunction with the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP), the 59th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA), the UNWTO Conference on International Code for the Protection of Tourists and the UNWTO Affiliate Members Roundtable.

Asia and Pacific Members Support UNWTO Priorities

Member States were provided with an overview of UNWTO’s achievements guiding tourism forward, based on its Programme of Work and current priorities including:

  • Education: Of the 300 education programmes certified by UNWTO’s Ted.Qual initiative, 160 are offered in Asia and the Pacific, to help tourism professionals grow in their careers. To support youth empowerment, UNWTO is also launching national versions of its Students League, with China currently developing its own edition.
  • Investments in Tourism: Fostering the implementation of sustainable investment frameworks for the promotion of tourism investments and job creation in a post-pandemic world was one of the main objectives of UNWTO’s Executive Training Programme in the Republic of Korea last November. And in Phnom Penh, UNWTO invited Members to join the 2023 World Tourism Day celebrations (27 September), to be held around the theme of “Green Investments”.
  • Sustainability: UNWTO announced that the Batanes Tourism Observatory in the Philippines has become the newest member of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), with an institution in Japan set to follow soon.

Advancing the International Code for Protection of Tourists

Ahead of the Commission meeting, UNWTO held a special conference on its International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT). Here:

  • Cambodia, the Maldives and Indonesia became the newest signatories to UNWTO’s International Code for the Protection of Tourists.
  • UNWTO’s Member States across the Asia and the Pacific region adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration on the ICPT, promoting its implementation to ensure clear, transparent and efficient frameworks to protect tourists as consumers to foster confidence in travel.

Affiliate Members Roundtable

Under the theme “Public-private cooperation at the core of tourism sustainable development”, discussions focused on the importance of finding mechanisms to reinforce the dialogue between all tourism stakeholders and showcased tangible examples of initiatives and projects implemented by Affiliate Members to foster sustainable practices in the tourism sector.

Looking Ahead

In line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from East Asia and the Pacific nominated China, Indonesia, Japan and Republic of Korea to represent the region on the UNWTO Executive Council.

The two Commissions for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia also agreed that:

  • The 36th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia will be held in Cebu, Philippines in 2024.
  • World Tourism Day 2025, to be held around the theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” will be hosted by Malaysia.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

VIRGINIA TOWN IS QUIRKY – AND PROUD OF IT

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There’s no place like Wytheville. Literally. Unlike Washington or ubiquitous Springfield (notably home of everyman family the Simpsons), the southwest Virginia town is the only place in the US with that name (and the entire world, they claim).

For the record, the burg – pronounced With-vil, and located in the Virginia “panhandle” – is named after US founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence George Wythe, who hailed from Virginia, but not the town – a quirky fact that perfectly sets the tone for the historic Appalachian town of about 8,000 people.

Here are just a few Wytheville fun facts:

• The town water tower is camouflaged as an inflight weather balloon (banner photo)

• Wytheville has Virginia’s largest pencil (image below) and smallest church

• Just to the west of town in Rural Retreat (once called “The Cabbage Capital of the World”) is the final resting place of Dr. Charles T. Pepper, namesake of the iconic soda pop

• Favourite daughter Edith Bolling Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson and dubbed “the first female president” when her husband was ill, was a descendant of Pochahontas

• The town had the highest per capita cases of polio in the US during the 1950 polio epidemic – an event dubbed the “Summer Without Children”

• Interstates 81 and 77 run together in a wrong-way concurrency for about 16 km., meaning motorists are travelling northbound on 77 and southbound on 81 at the same, while actually travelling due west.

But while admitting, “we embrace our quirk,” Shane Terry of the town’s convention and visitors bureau, says there much more to the Wytheville than its curiosities, a mindset he calls “beyond the exits” (on the Interstate).

Located in centre of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town’s convenient geographical setting serves as a gateway to the region’s rural natural attractions and activities, among them hiking, (mountain) biking, kayaking, and fishing – not least along the 100-km New River Trail and in the Crystal Springs and Big Survey Wildlife Management recreational areas.

Nearby is Big Walker Lookout, a 30-metre observation tower, and Wytheville serves as the hub for the scenic “Claw of the Dragon” driving route, which particularly gets motorcyclists’ motors running. The route features loops totaling over 565 km between Marion in the west and Galax to the east. The drive meanders through parts of seven Virginia counties but is easily accessible from Interstates 77 or 81.

As for Canadians – Terry says Witheville sees its fair share due to its position on the migratory route of snowbirds and families heading to South Carolina or Florida, and as a regional crossroads where the two interstates meet, as well as being smack dab along the “Great Lakes to Florida Highway” (Route 21), which is marked in a locale museum.

On a grander scale, the town is due south of Cleveland and Pittsburgh, just north of the Tennessee and North Carolina borders.

As such, a lot of Canadians have “either been to it or through it,” laughs Terry, of a town that is steeped in history and Americana, featuring plenty of homemade attractions and built on the passions of local families.

There’s a safari park, lavender and butterfly farm, Homestead Museum and interpretive centre, 250-seat dinner theatre, restored classic movie theatre (dating to the Vaudeville era in 1928), as well as local wineries and craft breweries. A vintage baseball team plays exhibition matches, and the puck will drop this fall as Wytheville joins the Federal Prospects semi-pro hockey league.

Accommodations are plentiful – 1,700 rooms around town – but visitors can also glamp in a covered wagon at the Conestoga Wagon experience, or stay at the newly re-opened Wythe County hotel, which dates to 1887, but was closed for the past half century. It features a large two-storey porch overlooking the New River.

All told, the town is worth the detour (or stop) for Canadians for a couple of days as they travel through southwestern Virginia, promises Terry, who adds, “If quirky and cool is your vibe, then look no further than Wytheville!”

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News