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Vina Properties brings new era, energy to Dalat Palace GC

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ITB Asia 2010 Opens With Asia Driving New Travel Industry Growth

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Dear Travel Weekly readers!

Welcome to the 39 Issues of Travel Weekly!

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42. PCMA to co-locate 2011 International Summit at IMEX America

44. WTM 2010: Travel Channel Interna-tional a Broadcast Partner

10. Nearly 4 million foreign visitors arrive in Vietnam in nine months

04. Miss Earth’s Traditional Costume Contest to be held in Binh Thuan

VIETNAM NEWS

07. Life Resort Da Nang cuts ribbon on new Senses restaurant

05. Aviation market gains strong grown in first nine months

12. U.S. newspaper praises Nam Hai Resort on Vietnam’s Central Coast

The second half of 2010 kicks off strongly21

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released pre-liminary figures for international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for the month of July 1. An international inbound growth of 15% highlights continuing strong demand for travel, taking into account the relatively depressed results of a year earlier (July 2009). For the first seven months of 2010, international visitor arrivals to the region grew by 12% year-on-year.

Vina Properties brings new era, energy to

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ITB Asia 2010 opened on 20 September in Singapore with the travel industry in Asia confident again and en-joying strong growth in leisure, meetings and corporate travel. Exhibitor numbers at the three-day B2B travel show are up 6% on last year, with growth in the travel industry reflecting much improved economic growth figures and demand in Asia.

ITB Asia 2010 Opens With Asia Driving

New Travel Industry Growth

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15. Novotel Nha Trang Hotel launches promotions for 2010 & 2011

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

20. Non Resident Nepali invest in Nepal tourism

Please see below a news item re. the ownership change at Dalat Palace Golf Club, Vietnam’s top-rated golf course. Saigon-based Vina Properties took the reins in June at both the course and its sister hotel, the esteemed Dalat Palace. This fall serves as the formal coming out party.

22 - 23. Thailand launches medical tourism campaign

25. Visa-free regime between Ukraine and Israel will starts in winter

26 - 29. Egypt’s tourism recovers strongly

31. Mövenpick Signs Three New Projects in Thailand

DO YOU KNOW

32. New at the ITB Berlin Convention 2011

TRAVEL EXPO

38. Holiday World Show wins best Irish consumer exhibition award

36. Carlson Marketing and IMEX America create powerful new marketing alliance

40. 2011: in Anticipation of Explosive Growth of the Russian MICE Industry

52 - 55. 10 Australian Culture and Traditions to know when travelling to Australia ( Part 2 )

Thursday 21.10.2010 www.travelweekly.com.vn

VIETNAM NEWS

The Vietnam National Tourism Administra-tion has recognized Life Resort Danang as a five-star resort for its every effort to be-come an ideal destination for both foreign and local tourists. Life Resort Da Nang includes 187 rooms with nine categories of accommodation, from 67 superior rooms and 91 deluxe rooms to suites and villas and one grand presidential suite.

Photos of Hanoi by French artist Dominique De Miscault are on display at an exhibi-tion in Paris. The exhibition entitled Hanoi Nowadays introduces the 1,000 year old city with photos of its ancient quarters and large landmarks like the Hanoi Opera House and the Metropol Hotel. Dominique De Miscault exhibited her work in the capital in 1994 and 1998 and in HCM City in 2003.

The Vietnamese resort town of Nha Trang is likely to see an increase in arrivals from Russia, with the launch of two new seasonal routes to Cam Ranh International Airport by Vladivostok Air. The Russian carrier will launch direct services from the cities of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok from mid-December to March 2011. Cam Ranh airport, which serves Nha Trang and Vietnam central coast region, became an international airport in December 2009.

A French Wine and Food Fair will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 22-23. The event, the first of its kind in Vietnam to be jointly held by the French Embassy and the Equatorial Hotel, will spotlight the best seven dishes and seven kinds of wine from different French regions such as AuA, Vins Descombe Vietnam, Daloc, Red Apron, Bacchus Corner and the Warehouse. The fair will now be held annually in the Equatorial hotel, include 14 stands for wine and two for other bever-ages.

Life Resort Da Nang Rates Five Stars

Hanoi through French photographer’s eyes

Nha Trang gets Russian tourism boost

French wine, food showcased in HCM City

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed the agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the European Union (EU) on aviation cooperation which illustrates an important step towards strengthening aviation relations between the two sides.

The agreement will allow any EU airlines to provide flights between any EU mem-ber state and Vietnam under their bilateral agreement.

The document will supposedly remove restrictions in bilateral air services agree-ments between Vietnam and EU member states.

Minister-Chairman of the Office of Gov-ernment Nguyen Xuan Phuc was assigned to seal the agreement with a competent EU representative.

The Government chief also gave a per-mission to temporally apply the agree-ment right after the signing.

According to the steering committee, the Miss Earth’s Traditional Costume Con-test 2010 will be held in Sea Links Beach Hotel, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne from 12-14 November. This is the first time a beauty pageant will be held in Phan Thiet to pro-mote its traditional culture and potential.

The events over the three days, includ-ing the national costume contest, a flower painting contest, a golf buggy parade and tree planting will be dedicated to saving the environment. The beauty contest was

first launched by the Philippines Carousel Production Company in 2001 to promote environmentally-friendly activities. Viet-nam is second only to the Philippines in hosting the annual pageant. HCMC, Hoi An and Nha Trang cities will also host parts of the pageant.

Miss Earth will be held in four provinces and cities – Khanh Hoa, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Binh Thuan by the Youth Newspaper and the Philippines Carosel Production Group.

Vietnam-European aviation agreement approved

Miss Earth’s Traditional Costume Contest to be held in Binh Thuan

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In Brief

Sea Links Beach Hotel, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne


VIETNAM NEWS 5

The aviation market in the first nine months saw a year-on-year increase of more than 20 percent in the number of passengers, estimated the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam.

The administration estimated that roughly 15 million passengers went through the country’s airports in the first nine months of this year, of which Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and Vietnam Air Service Co (Vasco) accounted for more than 11 million.

In the first nine months, the administra-tion also estimated that roughly 340,000 tonnes of goods were transported via air, an increase of 36 percent over the same period last year.

Industry insiders forecast the country’s aviation market in the last quarter will con-tinue to surge due to an increased number of flights licensed by the aviation authori-ties for foreign airlines including Turkish Airlines, Poland’s LOT and Qatar Airways.

Vo Huy Cuong, director of the administra-tion’s Air Transport Department, attrib-uted the steady growth to the continuing

strong expansion of the domestic seg-ment backed by flagship carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Cuong said that Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiary Vasco still account for the lion’s share of around 80 percent of the domes-tic market while the rest is covered by Jetstar Pacific.

With the introduction of Air Mekong and Blue Sky Air recently, which lifts the num-ber of operational airlines in the country to nine, it is expected that the competi-tion in the domestic aviation market will increase.

The administration expects that the country’s overall aviation market will grow roughly 20 percent in 2010, higher than the 14 percent figure it projected earlier this year, thanks to more domestic services and a significant increase in the number of international visitors.

The administration’s statistics showed that roughly 26.2 million passengers and 445,800 tonnes of cargo were transported by air last year, four times higher than in 2000.

Aviation market gains strong grown in first nine months


VIETNAM NEWS

Hoi An launches website to promote tourism

Thang Long Royal Citadel welcomes 300,000 visitors

Four countries join Da Nang Internation-al Fireworks contest 2011

HCM City targets 3.3 million int’l visitors in 2011

A website was launched in Hoi An City in the central province of Quang Nam to promote tourism of the well-known ancient town that boasts a world heritage site.

The website at www.hoian-tourism.com as collaboration between Hoi An City and the VnV Technology ST Company would intro-duce the various aspects including natural beauty spots and tourism activities there in the three languages of Vietnamese, English and Japanese.

Truong Van Bay, vice chairman of Hoi An City’s government, said the launch of the website would be helpful for the ancient city where tourism and commerce accounts for up to 64% of its GDP.

The Thang Long Royal Citadel, a world’s cultural heritage recently recog-nized by UNESSCO, has welcomed more than 300,000 foreign and local visitors since its first opening to the public on 2nd October. Thang Long Royal Citadel, which was recently discovered, covers a total of 19 hectares at 18 Hoang Dieu Street and the Hanoi’s ancient citadel.Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Preservation Center for the Co Loa – Hanoi Ancient Citadel historical site said that the archaeological area re-ceived 20,000-30,000 visitors a day. At peak days, the number rose to nearly 40,000; which created difficulties in receiving and guiding visitors. Together with visiting well-known historical sites such as the Flag Tower, Doan Mon, Dien Kinh Thien, Hau Lau, Bac Mon, and House D67 (the Gen-eral Headquarters of Vietnam People’s Army, visitors had opportunities to discover traces of the palaces from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties and spe-cial artifacts excavated in the archaeological area at 18 Hoang Dieu.The archaeological area continues open to the public everyday until the end of October.

Four foreign teams from the UK, South Korea, Italia and China will take part in the Da Nang International Firework Contest 2011 from April 29-30, an-nounced the People’s Committee of Da Nang City.Accordingly, teams including Jubilee Fireworks of the UK, Hanwha of South Korea and the host city of Da Nang will compete with each other in the first night.The last night will see firework displays by the Parente Fireworks A&C SNC of Italia and Panda Fireworks of China.The competition themed “Han sparkling river” will be held along the Han River banks in Hai Chau and Son Tra Districts.Spectators will also have a chance to enjoy music and dance performances and lantern floats during the event.

Ho Chi Minh City expects to receive at least 3.3 million foreign visitors in 2011, earning VND48 trillion (USD2.4 billion), according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In the first nine months of 2010, the number of international arrivals to the city reached 2.2 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 13 percent.

At this growth rate, the southern economic hub hopes to welcome the 3 millionth visitors in mid-December this year.

HCM City targets 2.8 million foreign tourists this year but the real figure may exceed 3 mil-lion.

The city’s tourism sector accounts for 60 per-cent of international arrivals to Vietnam, 45 percent of the country’s tourism revenues and 5.5 percent of its GDP.

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7VIETNAM NEWS

Life Resorts Da Nang officially opened its flagship eatery, Senses, last week with

a new chef from New Zealand, a new menu and a tableside spectacle that’s part-magic, part-chemistry lesson and wholly edible.

The 300-seat restaurant commands a spa-cious, high ceilinged venue, featuring an open show kitchen on one side and views of the mountainous Son Tra Peninsula and the East Sea through a bank of expansive windows.

The dining venue’s mix of wood and subdued stone, its tables and plush bench seating and its assertive overhead posts and beams create a setting that is at once relaxed and inspiring.

“As much as we wanted to set the stage for a fine meal, we aimed to design a space as memorable as any in the region,” said Chris Duffy, general director of the Life Resorts. “Once you’ve been here for a meal, you won’t soon forget.”

Especially if you’ve indulged the restaurant’s signature dessert – ice cream brought forth from liquid nitrogen. But… first things first.

The hotel’s cuisine trades on its seaside location, offering an array of selections including oysters shucked to order, live surf clams and prawns steamed table-side over hot rocks, as well as local sea bass.

The restaurant’s standard cut of grain-fed Australian Angus steak weighs in at 250 grams trimmed, a good 25% -35% more generous than the typical restaurant cut. Additional selections off the farm include pan-fried duck breast and Australian lamb cutlets.

Senses’ Mediterranean selections run the gamut from penne pasta and pappardelle, to risotto, as well as 11 kinds of classic pizza and 11 styles of gourmet pizza, including one five spice ‘pho’ pizza.

After dinner, the restaurant’s food fare kicks into higher gear when diners order liquid nitrogen ice cream. Contrary to the chemis-try in its name, liquid nitrogen ice cream is a natural alternative to typical commercial brands.

Can all that nitrogen be good for you? No worries, said Executive Chef Shane Bri-erly: “Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe. We enjoy nitrogen gas with every breath.”

Moreover, he said ice cream produced by liquid nitrogen eliminates the unnatural stuff that commercial ice cream makers add to the primary ingredients to keep the treat freezer stable and smooth. In the West, an ice cream produced by liquid nitrogen called Dippin’ Dots has won a mass follow-ing of new fans.

Prior to Life Resorts, Brierly spent two years in the south of Thailand, including a stint at the Centara in Krabi, and almost five years in the Middle East and Central Asia where, in Kazakhstan, he started using liquid nitrogen for his ice cream.

The new resort is owned by Hoang Tra Travel and Trading Co. and is managed by Life Resorts.

ABOUT LIFE RESORTS

Life Resorts owns and operates two resorts in Vietnam and manages two others, includ-ing the property in Da Nang. On Vietnam’s central coast, the 94-room Life Heritage Re-sort Hoi An evokes the colonial splendor of a bygone era on a quiet stretch of the Thu Bon River within walking distance of the trading port’s world-famous Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the south-central coast, the 63-room Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon is dedicated to the tenets of wellness, from yoga, tai chi and Pilates to an ample range of spa treatments and anti-stress and detox programs. Four hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Life manages the 84-room Blue Ocean Resort at Mui Ne, featuring a 153-meter beach, a 26-meter swimming pool and lush tropical grounds.

The Dutch resort company is also develop-ing a property on Halong Bay, scheduled to open later in 2010.

Life Resort Da Nang cuts ribbon on new Senses restaurant


VIETNAM NEWS

Saigon-based Vina Properties has acquired Dalat Palace Golf Club, long an iconic pres-ence on the Southeast Asian golf scene. Dalat Palace GC was voted the country’s top course in the most recent rankings from both Vietnam Golf magazine and Golf Digest U.S., whose Planet Golf ratings are the international standard. Vina Properties’ acquisition also includes two similarly re-vered hotels, the Dalat Palace Hotel and the Dalat du Parc. Vina’s diversified background in tourism-related development – which includes hotels, transportation, travel agen-cies, and other disciplines – should prove pivotal in the project’s future success. The firm’s other hospitality holding include the four-star Ramana Saigon Hotel, in HCMC, and the Royal Hotel, in Vung Tau.

“Operating a national treasure like Dalat Palace presents special challenges, as well as special opportunities,” said Lan Duong, the golf club’s new general manager. “Our goal is to bring the proper mix of creativ-ity and sensitivity to the task, to update the golf facilities while never compromising the qualities that make it a classic.

“There are several new courses poised to open here in the southern highlands. We welcome this development and see Dalat Palace Golf Club as the anchor to a superb new golfing destination — one that offers what other Southeast Asian destinations can-not: cool highland temperatures and classic

golf, all of it accented by French colonial elegance.”

While Vietnam has a sizeable and grow-ing number of first-rate golf courses, Dalat Palace stands alone in its combination of his-tory, terrain, climate and charm. Founded in the late 19th century, Dalat was the preferred cool-weather retreat of French colonials and Vietnamese royals; the last emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai, built his summer retreat here. The golf club’s exact provenance remains tantalizingly uncertain, but design and construction began in the 1920s - at the behest of Bao Dai, an avid golfer - and the first eight holes were opened for play in the early 1930s.

The routing of the original holes is attributed to Colt & Alison, the legendary British golf course architecture firm, after which the layout endured several cycles of disuse and

rejuvenation. It was completely renovated, and expanded to 18 holes, in 1995, thanks to collaboration between U.S.-based Danao International Holdings Limited, the previous owners, and Lam Dong Province. Today, as then, Dalat Palace Golf Club is notable for its clever mix of holes weaving through rolling topography that is nonethe-less eminently walkable; for its extraordinary landscaping featuring hydrangea, bougain-villea, red salvia, impatiens, and mimosa; and, thanks to the mile-high town’s cool climate; for its immaculate bentgrass greens, an extreme rarity in Southeast Asia.

Plans to revitalize the course itself, accord-ing to GM Lan Duong, include bolstering drainage capacity, re-lining bunkers, regard-ing cart paths and upgrading the golf cart fleet. The Le Tourquet-style clubhouse – first built as an estate villa during the 1920s, an era that saw construction of the opulent, hillside villas for which Dalat is famous – is now undergoing a renovation that retains its distinctive design vocabulary while modern-izing locker rooms, restaurant and pro shop. Ultimately, a new clubhouse will be built, said Lan Duong, but the existing clubhouse will remain — it is too rich an amenity to ever be excluded from the experience at Dalat Palace GC.

Of similar distinguished heritage is the grand Dalat Palace Hotel, a short drive from the golf course around Xuan Huong Lake.

Vina Properties Brings new Era, Energy to Dalat Palage GC

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VIETNAM NEWS

Set within a private five-hectare park overlooking the lake, the French colonial structure was built in 1922 and features 38 guestrooms and five suites, as well as fine dining, a spa, and numerous other amenities.

After a top-to-bottom restoration in 1995, augmented by another meticulous historical refurbishment in 2009, The Palace retains the period’s elegant style, most notably in its vaulted ceilings, rich wood paneling, and oversized-villa feel. Even the five-star hotel’s restored vintage 1952 Citroen roadster evinc-es a particular sophistication and gentility - and more upgrades (to meeting facilities and the pool) are planned.

“Fidelity to the the distinguished pedigree at the Palace is paramount in delivering the experience that guests want,” said Nguyen Viet Anh, the hotel’s general manager. “So improvements to the operation will focus mainly on innovative packages, special of-fers, and, of course, an approach to personal service to match the glamour of the wonder-ful atmosphere here.”

The Palace’s sister hotel, the four-star Dalat du Parc, is a brief stroll away. Ideal for both the business and leisure traveller, it boasts 140 rooms, multiple dining options, and an ambience that melds small-hotel sensibilities with large-hotel efficiency and versatility.

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VIETNAM NEWS10

Hanoi City People’s Committee worked with the organizing board of Long Bien bridge festival 2010 to hold the festival from 19-21November 2010.As scheduled, the festival would have been held from 6-9 October 2010 but it was postponed because there were many programmes and activities during the capi-tal’s millennium celebration. Many people rushed into the city. There was a need to ensure security and avoid traffic jams.Most of the contents of the festival will be held as scheduled.With this project, Long Bien Bridge will remember the past with an exhibition of photographs, documents and other artifacts depicting national defence over the past 10 centuries.The bridge will also host an exhibition of contemporary arts, including performanc-es of street art, while flying the flags of many nations.

Vietnam has welcomed nearly four million of for-eign arrivals in the first nine months of this year, a huge increase compared to previous years and up 34% against last year figure, according to statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tour-ism.

Of the tourists, around 37,500 traveled by sea, up 22% against the same period last year.

On October 15, Viet Excursion Company welcomed a five-star cruise liner named Diamond Princess at Phu My port in HCM City. The cruise ship carried 2,585 visitors and 1,063 crew members from 47 na-tions and territories around the world.

Meanwhile, HCM city’s tourism sector is organiz-ing more entertainment and art programmes for tourists in the hope of receiving its 3 millionth visi-tor late this year.

Long Bien Bridge festival 2010 to be held in November

Nearly 4 million foreign visitors arrive in Vietnam in nine months

mailto: [email protected]

http://caravellhotel.com/


VIETNAM NEWS

The Huffington Post newspaper on Oct. 13 saying Nam Hai resort on Vietnam’s central coast should be on

foreign tourists’ travel radar right now. Unlike the hastily built high-rise development that marked growth in the 70s and 80s, Nam Hai which opened in 2006, has won numerous accolades for its minimalist architecture.

The resort ‘is a study in low-key opulence, composed of clean-lined gray marble, infinity pools that melt into the horizon and glossy teak-paneled villas’ wrote the newspaper.

The paper also highlighted the spa at the Nam Hai which featured eight individual suites that over-look a lilypad-strewn lagoon. The resort boasts views of the Marble Mountains and makes use of the region’s sandy soil and dunes in its 18-hole course. A few proper-ties over, the just-opened Danang Golf Club features a Greg Nor-man-designed course that is the only one of its kind in Asia.

With so many new properties set to open in the next few years, the area covering Nam Hai resort and Hoi An town was on the verge of big changes, the Huffington Post predicted.

U.S. newspaper praises Nam Hai Resort on Vietnam’s Central Coast

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VIETNAM NEWS

U.S. newspaper praises Nam Hai Resort on Vietnam’s Central Coast

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VIETNAM NEWS14

http://www.la-residence-hue.com/


VIETNAM NEWS

Year-End time is the right time for ladies enjoying with total relaxation, the Spa of HAGL Plaza Danang respectfully submits to you The Special Promotion Program:- Promote to your Accompany (Buy 2 tickets of Body Massage, complimentary 1 ticket of Sauna & Steam-bath).- Beauty Salon with 20% off to all services for Ladies.The validity from 15/10/2010 to 31/11/2010.

For further information, please contact: Ms. Nguyet: 0948 776 750HAGL Plaza DanangAdd: 01 Nguyen Van Linh, Danang, VietnamTel: 84 511 2 22 33 44 Fax: 84 511 2 22 33 55Email: [email protected]: www.hagl.com.vn

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In order to thank you for your continuous support shown towards our hotel during last two years and continue receiving your full support during the above period, the Novotel Nha Trang Hotel is pleased to launch below promotions of bonus night stay & Dine for Free for year 2010 & 2011.

1. Dine for Free: when enjoy a minimum 2 nights stay, guest will get one free buffet dinner per person at The Square restaurant (maximum 2 persons per room. The third person and children from 6-12 year old will be charge for dinner)

2. Bonus night offered: experience Novotel Nha Trang and enjoy a Free Night: stay 3 consecutive nights for the price of 2

- Room rate: As per current contract rate- Terms & Conditions:* This promotion is not valid for group bookings (10 rooms and above).* Bonus night (s) is inclusive of breakfast* Bonus night (s) are not multiple, maximum 3 FOC nights per stay* Above rates are applicable for new booking only; existing booking made prior will be as per agreed.* Above offers cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any existing offer or promotions or reductions offered to your company for this period.

- Black out dates:* During Peak Season: 26th December 2010 to 15 January 2011 and 26 December 2011 to 10 Janu-ary 2012.* Vietnam Public Holidays: Lunar New Year from 3-6 February, 12 April, 29, 30 April, 1 May and 2 September.

For further information, please contact:

Novotel Nha Trang HotelAdd: 50 Tran Phu Boulevard, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, VietnamTel: 84 58 625 6900 Fax: 84 58 625 6901Email: [email protected] Website: www.novotel.com/6033

Vinpearlland Tourism JSC has announced a special half price offer for tickets to its fun park, for residents of Khanh Hoa Province and people aged over 60 until 20 December.

The special cuts the price of tickets to VND160,000 from VND320,000. Visitors to the park will get free two way transport by cable car or ferry to the island and unlimited access to indoor and outdoor games and entertainment at Vinpearl Water Park and Vinpearl Underwater World with a visit to Truc Lam Tinh Vien monastery. Tourists can also watch musical fountain shows, animal circus, and mermaid shows.

To qualify for the discount you need to show your ID card or passport, while chil-dren should have birth certificates or student cards.

For more information, contact 058 359 0611 or access the website: www.vinpearl.com or email [email protected]

Novotel Nha Trang Hotel launches promotions for 2010 & 2011

HAGL PLAZA Danang with Spa Promotion

Vinpearl Land offers half price for locals and elderly


VIETNAM NEWS

Following a search on the internet, we find that the derogatory slang phrase “five o’clock follies” was the daily

press briefing sponsored by the Joint United States Public Affairs Office in Saigon during the Vietnam War. (http://www.answers.com/topic/five-o-clock-follies). The website, http://everything2.com, con-firms that “Five o’clock Follies” is a deroga-tory term from the Vietnam War for the daily official military press briefings held for re-porters in Saigon. The “Five o’clock Follies,” became the baseline reporting on the war. Military officials provided news releases and verbal accounts of battlefield and air activity. They became infamous for their rosy scenarios about the war. “The Rex Hotel was a regular hangout for American officials and journalists during the Vietnam War. As they sipped drinks and looked down on the city from the roof top bar they could see and hear the unrest in the city before their eyes. The Roof top pool, although small is still a great place to relax in Saigon and can be visited for a reason-able fee, even if you are not staying at the hotel. The hotel was also the setting for the daily U.S. military attaché’s press briefing,

dubbed the ‘Five O’clock Follies’. (Updated by sourbugger on Oct 4, 2006 Asia Travel Guide)”Putting aside the past with all its political views, Rooftop Garden is still the famous place for not only foreign tourists but also for expats and locals as well. Crossing over a thousand miles, from “Five o’clock Follies” in Vietnam, there is a 42nd annual reunion to be held in mid October 2010 at the hotel Rex in San Francisco, California, among a large group of former American Vietnam War correspondents. The main reason why they choose that hotel is because it re-minded them of the Rex Hotel Saigon as that was where they spent a lot of time during Vietnam War. (As per Emily Oestreicher, Sales and Catering Manager, Hotel Rex - A distinctive Joie de Vivre Hotel)Everything has changed, except history. “Ho Chi Minh is not the Saigon it once was. Ev-erything changes following the developing trend”. Memories remain. The Rex is more than a hotel, as quoted by Tim Page* on the occasion of the gathering of over 100 foreign correspondents and veterans at the Rex’s Rooftop in May 2005: “...from the 5 o’clock follies to the freaky reunion of a hundred

Five o’clock FolliesPromotion:Five o’clock folliesEnjoy 15% discount on bev-erages and be entertained with showmanship by the hotels’ award winning bar-tender team.

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VIETNAM NEWS

comrades, four decades down line, the king of residences has surpassed the norm of provision”. Nowadays Rooftop Garden is an ideal place to hang out. It is acknowledged as “One of the Best Bars Of South East Asia” voted by the Newsweek Magazine in 1996, one of “1000 places to see before you die” listed by Patricia Schultz - the American Travel Writer. Listed as one of “30 of the world’s best bars” by Michelle Woo on Sept 15, 2010 on CNN.com. (Michelle Woo is a journalist and blogger, whose work has ap-peared in USA Today, The Arizona Republic, Detroit Free Press, Orange County Register). At our world famous bar you will be wel-comed by warm & friendly staff 24 hours a day, and enjoy a round-the-clock meals & snack or savour your favorite cocktail at sun-set. There is a variety of high quality drinks to suit everyone’s taste. The Rex continues to move with the times, its old face always evolving into the new. Its restaurants are among the best in town. Its new north wing is a nationwide as well as in-ternational focal point for elegant shopping and luxurious functions. Its new role in the city’s life is more prominent than ever. And

then there is still that famous older face: the rooftop bar. It’s a broad expanse, with three levels, decorated as it was in the beginning with porcelain elephants and topiary. Far from the madding crowd, who can be seen passing by way down below, on the Roof top sanctuary one can overlook the very heart of the city from the familiar image of the famous Rex crown. The hustle and bustle of people and commerce, day and night, keeps on passing.Changes progress onwards into the future, however, the nostalgia of the Rex Rooftop bar will always emotionally drown its guest in the mysteries of the past leaving memo-ries and un-explicable feelings they share all around the world.

For further information, please contact: Rex Hotel Saigon141 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMCTel: 3 8292 185 – Fax: 38296 536E-mail: [email protected]: www.rexhotelvietnam.com

REX hotel is going to organize “Hallow-een” festival at the “Rooftop Garden”, one of the most famous bars in Sai Gon. Here our guests can not only have a perfect place to view the city during the festival time but also enjoy the unique disguising program of the hotel staff which will bring the guests surprising horror feelings.Halloween festival originated from Xento, an old country in Western Europe. Ac-cording to the calendar of this country, October the 31 is the last day of the year.The residents of this country believed that the New Year’s Eve would have spe-cial magic and the gate between death and life would be opened. Therefore, the dead can turn back to their house to visit their families while the ghosts and monsters want to live the normal lives. Thus, on the October 31 people dressed up eccentrically as well as decorated the house ugly so that the devils did not pay attention to. However, the Xento went ev-erywhere to ask for food to feed the dead and they made lanterns from turnips to move at night.Nowadays, Halloween is not only the New Year day of the Xento or the holiday of the Westerners but also the annual disguising festival in many countries including Viet Nam. On this day, people together struggle for a world that is none of evils. Source: http://www.petalia.org/Funpage/lehoihalloween.htm With only 40USD++/1adult, 26USD++/1 child, you can drink as much house-wine as possible with many kinds of food on this special festival. Moreover, you can join interesting entertaining programs with professional DJ, unique majical programs, free make-up and attend con-tests with interesting prizes for the most impressive, funny and scary costumes during the festival night.Only 1 night on 30/10/2010Time: From 18h30Avenue: The Rooftop Garden of Rex Hotel15% discount for guests staying at REX10% discount for those who wear cos-tumes when joining the festivalThen what are you waiting for? Reserve a seat here to have the best position at REX.For more information, please contact 38292185. (Ext: 7135)

Halloween festival at REX Hotel

17

http://itcmchina.com/

http://www.travelweekly.com.vn/


INTERNATIONAL NEWS20

A total of 1.03 million people visited the World Expo in Shanghai, a record daily total for the event. According to a Xinhua report, the Expo has now received 64.6 million visitors, exceeding the previous record total of 64 million visitors set at the 1970 World Expo in Osaka. Organisers in Shanghai have set a target of 70 mil-lion visitors by the end of the event of 31 October.

The capacity of Bangkok’s BTS skytrain network will be increased following a THB2 billion (US$65.8 million) deal to purchase 35 new carriages, the Bangkok Post has reported. Skytrain operator, BTS Group, sealed the deal with German com-pany, Siemens, to supply one extra car to each of its 35 three-car trains, boosting the capacity of each train from 1,106 to 1,490 passengers.

A UK-based tour operator is searching for holidaymakers to strip off for a seven-night naked cruise. According to a Daily Telegraph report, eWaterways will run its first cruise for naturists in August 2011. A spokesperson for the company said that the GBP500 (US$799) cruise exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast would be espe-cially popular with German tourists, as they are “really into naturism”. It added that most of its customers are in their mid-40s.

Commonwealth Games Federation Presi-dent, Mike Fennell, has said that Delhi 2010 was a success. Despite a lot of negative reporting surrounding the Games, with Fennel himself expressing doubts before the start of the event, the president was re-ported saying that he was pleased with the Games. “Delhi has performed,” BBC Sport quoted Fennell as saying. “The competi-tion has gone well, the venues were of a high standard and the athletes are happy. We had to deal with a number of issues but the end result has been good.”

Visitor records tumble at World Expo

Bangkok to boost skytrain capacity

Tour operator offers naked cruise

Delhi 2010 a success, says Commonwealth Games chief

The first performance at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater after a lengthy period of renovation is slated for October 11, 2011, said Acting Mayor of Moscow Vladimir Resin.

According to him, all work proceeds ac-cording to schedule.

The large-scale reconstruction of the Bolshoi Theatre presupposes an extension of the main stage, something that is requisite for swift assembly and change of scenery.

Besides the historic foyer, additional lobbies and coffee shops, the Bolshoi Theatre will receive underground facilities to store scen-ery for several upcoming performances.

Members of the Non Resident Nepali (NRN) Association released plans earlier this week to invest in Nepal tourism in a bid to restore the country’s prosperity.At a NRN Day program, several members expressed their interest in redeveloping the country’s appeal to tourists, hoping increased tourism would play a role in the country’s development.Citizens of countries outside the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with Nepali heritage said Nepal had tourism potential but failed to grow this potential into actual visitor numbers due to a lack of campaigns.“We have been working for the development

of the tourism sector in Nepal,” NRN Con-servation Council Member Bhim Udas said.Mr Udas said the NRN is keen to assist the country despite living abroad and has com-menced a campaign to promote tourism for 2011.NRN Kaski LDO Guru Prasad Subedi said the group wants to assist the country’s tourism sector by dispersing information about “Nepal and enhancing its image in the international arena”.Minister of Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala said she has worked for months to develop relations between the Nepalis and NRN’s and has urged the group to invest in hydro-power and other sectors outside of tourism.

The Bolshoi Theatre to reopen October 2011

Non Resident Nepali invest in Nepal tourism

In Brief


INTERNATIONAL NEWS 21

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for the month

of July 1. An international inbound growth of 15% highlights continuing strong demand for travel, taking into account the relatively de-pressed results of a year earlier (July 2009). For the first seven months of 2010, interna-tional visitor arrivals to the region grew by 12% year-on-year.

Arrivals to the Northeast Asia sub-region expanded by 15% for the month, slightly slower than the robust growth of 19% seen in May and June. Japan led the way for the sub-region, with arrivals growth of 39% for the month. The revival of inbound tourism to Japan has been impressive, following a year-to-date expansion of 36% for the first seven months of the year. This robust growth has helped the destination to inch closer to the pre-recession level of 2008, and Japan could come very close to equalling the year-to-date peak in either August or September of this year. Strong demand growth was also seen for Hong Kong SAR (+32%), Korea ROK (+24%), Chinese Taipei (+23%), and Macau SAR (+23%). China saw its overall arriv-als, including traffic from Hong Kong and Macau, grow by seven per cent in July, with foreign arrivals growing much more strongly at 19%. Overall, international visitor arrivals to Northeast Asia recorded a growth of 12%

for the first seven months of 2010.

Growth in international arrivals to Southeast Asia also remained strong at 15% in July, boosted by double-digit growth in arriv-als to Vietnam (+51%), Singapore (+24%), Thailand (+14%) and Indonesia (+11%). Significantly for Thailand, this was the first month of positive growth in arrivals for three consecutive months and heralds a positive scenario as it heads into the traditionally ‘high’ season. The smaller destinations of Myanmar (+40%) and Cambodia (+22%) also recorded significant growth in July. For the first seven months of the year, arrivals to the Southeast Asia bloc increased by 13% year-on-year.

Arrivals to the destinations that make up South Asia grew by 11% for the month of July, comparatively slower than the average 15% growth seen in the first six months of the year but strong nevertheless. International arrivals to India grew only slowly at four per cent, however, arrivals to Sri Lanka , the Maldives and Nepal continued to record impressive growth rates of 50%, 29% and 26% respectively. During the January-to-July 2010 period, international visitor arrivals to the sub-region rose by 14%.

In the Pacific, international arrivals con-tinued to gain momentum after suffering through the ash cloud related slumps of

April. Following a strong 10% expansion in June, arrivals to the sub-region posted double-digit growth of 10% in July. Australia, with 11% growth for the month, led the sub-region’s strong performance. While weak economic sentiment continues to negatively impact travel from Europe and the Americas to Australia, arrivals from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia picked up strongly. Growth in arrivals to New Zealand was moderate at four per cent while most of the smaller destinations showed positive growth in July. Overall, the sub-region recorded an average growth rate of five per cent for the first seven months of the year.

Asia & the Pacific include the following sub-regions but exclude North America (Canada, Mexico and USA) for the pur-poses of press releases:Northeast Asia = China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea (ROK), Macau SAR and MongoliaSoutheast Asia = Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and VietnamSouth Asia = Bhutan, India, Maldives, Ne-pal, Pakistan and Sri LankaThe Pacific = Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu


Putra - Mosque, Malaysia



Thailand launches medical tourism campaign

Thailand launches medical tourism campaign



The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will launch its “E-Marketing Campaign for Medical Tourism in Thailand” and website www.ThailandMedTour-ism.com at the Emerald Hotel on Friday, October 15, 2010.

The event will kick off three marketing campaigns that will run through to April 2011 to enhance Thailand’s reputation as the “Global Centre of Excellence For Medical Tourism”.

The website collects and provides information on medical tourism providers in Thailand, including hospitals, clinics, spas, and Thai traditional medicine practitioners and their level of accreditation and standards. So far, more than 340 medical tourism providers are listed on the website.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “The online cam-paign will boost the number of medical tourists as well as increase the average time they stay in Thailand. And this will help other tourism related businesses, such as hotels, spas, and restaurants. All in all, it will benefit all the tourism indus-try and follow the Thai government’s strategy of promoting Thailand as the ‘Medical Hub of Asia’.”

The three marketing campaigns will start this month. The first, the “Medical Tourism Blogger Contest” campaign, will be officially launched in October. It is a competition for blog-gers to promote Medical Tourism in Thailand with the best invited on medical visits to places including Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Prizes are valued at more than USD 25,000 in cash and vouchers. Joining the competition is easy, for details visit: www.Medblogcon-test.com

TAT will launch the “Healthy Beauty Holiday in Thailand” in November. This sales promotion will offer exclusive rates for dental treatments, Lasik corrective surgery, cosmetic sur-gery, holistic and anti-aging treatments, and medical check ups. For this campaign, TAT has joined hands with partners including Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), which will offer 1,000 mileage bonus points when booking medical services un-der the campaign. Well-known websites will also take part, including www.asiawebdirect.com, www.phuket.com, and www.bangkok.com.Then, from December 2010, the “You are in Good Hands” campaign will debut and emphasize the credibility and safe-ty of the medical services offered in Thailand.

Tailor-made Travel SpecialistinVIETNAM - CAMBODIA - LAOS

Add: 130 Pho Duc Chinh - Ba Dinh DistrictHanoi - VietnamTel: +84-4 37153538

Fax: +84-4 3715 3540Email: [email protected]

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www.littleorienttravel.com



Angkor Wat has seen a 24 percent increase in visits by foreign tourists over the first nine months of 2010, compared to the same period last year. Some 804,170 foreign tourists visited the temple complex during the period, a 23.91 percent increase on the 648,972 tourists who visited during the first nine months of 2009, according to a senior official at the Apsara Authority, who wished to remain nameless.

Apsara is the management authority for the temple complex. Although total visits had in-creased, the Apsara official with knowledge

of the situation declined to release year-on-year revenue figures. Apsara Authority General Director Bun Narith said he could not immediately confirm revenues yesterday, as he was travelling. But he said that calcula-tions were not simply a matter of multiplying total visitors by tickets prices.

“There are some 200 to 300 government delegations attending meetings in Siem Reap, and they visit the Angkor Wat for free,” he said.

Some 70 to 80 percent of foreign tourists

travelling via bookings with the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents visit the Siem Reap temples, said association president Ang Kim Eang.

“Most guests think they did not see Cam-bodia if they miss visiting Angkor Wat,” he said. Siem Reap is the largest hub for foreign visitors to the Kingdom, according to Kong Sopheareak, director of the Ministry of Tour-ism’s Department of Statistics and Tourism Information. Foreign tourists pay US$20 to visit the temples for one day, $40 for three days, and $60 for a weeklong visit, he said.

Visa-free regime between Ukraine and Is-rael will be activated in late January - early February 2011.This was reported by Minister of Israel Tourism Stas Misezhnikov. According to his words, the Israel parliament will discuss the ratification of the agreement on visa-free regime with Ukraine in November this year.After that, according to the agreement between Ukraine and Israel, 90 days must pass before the ratification of the visa free regime enters into force.“With this agreement number of tour-ists between our countries will certainly increase. If today 70 thousand Ukrainians are visiting Israel per year, then the next two years we expect to triple that number. Also it’ll increase the number of our tourists in Ukraine. Now it is about 70 thousand

people “- said Misezhnikov.He also expressed a hope that visa-free regime will help to enhance economic cooperation between countries.“Israel businesses are investing in real es-tate, medicine, water supply. Also, we plan to cooperate in the field of road infrastruc-ture and security at the stadiums, which is important for Ukraine because of Euro-2012” - he said.In addition, he mentioned that Israel has started hotels gradation by star rating. In the coming year, all hotels will be star rated, depending on their characteristics.Recall, in July 21 the foreign ministers of Israel and Ukraine signed an agreement on mutual abolition of visas. New border crossing order will enter into force within 90 days after internal ratification of the agreement.

Visa-free regime between Ukraine and Israel will starts in winter

Visitors to Angkor Wat on the rise

Israel


INTERNATIONAL NEWS



Egypt’s tourism sector has staged an impressive rebound from a slump in 2009 blamed on the global finan-cial crisis. Arrivals were up 21 percent to 7 million persons while revenue jumped 17.6 percent to $5.58 billion over the first six months of 2010.

The third and fourth quarters, which include the peak summer travel season, are expected to continue that trend.Zoheir Garranah, the tourism minister, expects the country to bring in 15 million tourists and $13 billion by the end of the year, and Egypt has outlined an ambitious plan to expand its tourism sector to attract 25 million visi-tors and $21 billion per year by 2022.However, while the sector’s fundamentals remain strong, next year is expected to present challenges as the timing of Ramadan and uncertainty over the strength of the euro may discourage visitors from the Middle East and Europe respectively.In the wake of Europe’s debt crisis, countries such as Greece and Spain may present stiffer competition as the weaker euro attracts dollar- and pound-wielding travelers. Moreover, the euro’s depreciation against the Egyp-tian pound may translate into a decline in the number of European visitors, who typically account for 70 percent of Egypt’s tourist trade.Mona Mansour, the director of research at CI Capital, another investment bank, said that Europe’s financial dif-ficulties may encourage travelers to seek out budget destinations such as Egypt. “In the context of the financial crisis, Egypt’s tourism has performed well in comparison to other geographical areas of the globe,” she told the local media.Indeed, Egypt continues to be a very popular destination for budget travelers from Eastern Europe, and Russia in particular. The number of Russian visitors surged by 95 percent in the first quarter of 2010, as residents of that country sought to escape record low temperatures at home, and that trend shows no sign of abating.According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and the state tourism agency, Rosturizm, Egypt was the second most popular destination for Russian tourists in 2010, behind Turkey. Russia’s Federal Statistical Service reported similar findings in September, when it declared Egypt to be the third-fastest growing destination for Russian tourists, increasing by 65.4 percent year-on-year during the first half of 2010.Nevertheless, to forestall a potential downturn, Mansour said that Egypt should expand its marketing focus to regions with better growth potential such as Latin America and Asia.In July Rachid Mohamed Rachid, minister of industry and trade, traveled to Argentina, where he signed a free trade agreement with the mercosur group of states, whose members include Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Para-guay and Venezuela.



The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has also been making overtures to the Indian market that are beginning to pay off. Egypt hosted a record 34,400 Indian tourists in the first quarter of 2010 — which represents growth of 37.8 percent — and was recently voted the “perfect holiday destination” by the Pacific Area Travel Writers’ Associa-tion and the publication Safari India.“Despite the fact it is already well-established as a holiday destination, Egypt still holds enormous growth po-tential, particularly as it moves into new and non-traditional markets, including Eastern Europe and Asia,” Eng. Ibrahim Saleh, the vice president of Al Kharafi Group in Egypt, told OBG.However, a downside of appealing to budget travelers is that many arrive on package tours, seeking sun and sand at Egypt’s Red Sea and Mediterranean resorts. This means that they often do not visit other sites or inject much money into the local economy. One market that offers enduring appeal in the post-financial crisis environment is domestic tourism, according to local business leaders. “The Egyptian Red Sea, specifically around the Hurghada region, is slowly but surely becoming a popular ‘second-home’ destination for Egyptians as overseas European purchases slow down with tougher economic conditions” Mohamed Kamel, the CEO of Egyptian Resorts Company told OBG.Another is tourists from Arab countries. “On average, these tourists spend a lot more money than the others, and their stays are much longer,” Samy Mahmud, a spokesman for Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, told local media in August.Whereas European and American tourists tend to visit on low-priced, short-term package tours, many nationals from Arab countries book suites at luxury hotels for weeks at a time. Arabs currently account for 18 percent of Egypt’s roughly 12 million tourists, the highest share of Arab tourism in the world.Although the prospects for Egypt increasing its share of Arab tourism are generally strong, there is a hurdle in shape of the Muslim lunar calendar. For the next five years, the peak summer season will coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. During that time, many Arabs prefer to stay at home where they can celebrate iftar with their friends and family.In an attempt to lure visitors during the holy month, the Egyptian government is sponsoring a series of concerts, festivals, and folk shows, all of which are highlighted in a major advertising campaign. Meanwhile, EgyptAir and several luxury hotels have joined the effort by offering special travel and accommodation packages during Ramadan.Egypt’s tourism sector is strongly positioned for the long-term. In September, the US edition of the magazine Condé Nast Traveler ranked Egypt second, behind only Turkey, in its Reader’s Travel Awards. With brand recognition like that, Egypt’s tourism industry should be able to weather the falling euro and the timing of Ra-madan.


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

http://www.sofitel.com/gb/home/index.shtml


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has plans for three new properties in Bang-kok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui during the next three years and will operate five hotels in the country by 2014.

Building on the success of the Mövenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach Phuket, its first Thai hotel which opened in 2006, the company has signed a management agreement to operate the Mövenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Mae Nam Beach Koh Samui and the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Bangkok.

Kicking off the expansion will be the renovation of an existing hotel in downtown Chiang Mai, which will be rebranded the Mövenpick Suri-wongse Hotel Chiang Mai.

The 286-room hotel is located on the corner of Loikoh and Changklan Road, right at the heart of Chiang Mai’s landmark the Night Bazaar. The hotel is a short distance from Chiang Mai International Airport, the rail-way and bus station. It is due to open by mid-2011.

The hotel will feature innovative dining experiences, such as a Thai-Italian Restaurant, an all-day dining venue and wine bar. Shops and a wide range of wellness options, including a spa, pool and fitness centre will be available.

The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Mae Nam Beach Koh Samui coming up on the northern shore of the island will feature 81 exclusive villas with private pools offering views across the Gulf of Thailand and to Koh Pha Ngan.

Contemporary dining outlets, an extensive organic garden with a Thai restaurant and a signature spa will entice guests from around the world. The resort is slated to be operational by the end of 2011.

The Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Bangkok located in Phayathai near the Victory Monument area, will feature 266 modern, spaciously ap-pointed rooms and suites, in addition to 100 residences. The property includes a collection of loft-style guest rooms. Due to open by 2014, it will offer a privileged location for business and leisure travellers alike with easy access to the nearby sky train and the Airport Express link. The hotel will be located close to the major downtown shopping areas.

Existing projects in the country include the upcoming Mövenpick White Sand Beach Resort, located in Jomtien, close to Pattaya, an hour and a half drive from Bangkok.

Scheduled to open by 2013, the resort will offer a convenient get-away to enjoy the outdoors with a lagoon pool, entertainment for the family and a variety of tempting dining choices. The hotel aims to attract domestic, intra-regional and international leisure travellers. Extensive banqueting facilities and meeting rooms will be available to host incentive groups and world-class conferences.

Furthermore, the Mövenpick Residence Karon Beach Phuket recently introduced a new resort style residential development. The project comprises of five low-rise buildings, each housing six contemporary 130-square metre two bedroom apartments. The butler-serviced apart-ments offer a the chance of beach home ownership with investment po-tential and management rent-out programmes.

Mövenpick Signs Three New Projects in Thailand

31

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket


TRAVEL EXPO32

New at the ITB Berlin Convention 2011

A s the world’s largest tourism event of its kind, next year’s ITB Berlin Convention will be setting the tone once again. From 9 to 11 March 2011 numerous internationally recognised experts, scientists and

travel trade professionals will discuss the latest travel industry trends and exclusive, empirical survey findings. In 2011 the main sponsor and Culture & Convention partner is Mongolia. Visitors to ITB Berlin will be able to benefit, as a regular ticket for admission to the trade fair is valid for the convention.

In 2011 the Eco-Mobility Day will be a new key element of the wide-ranging ITB programme. The concept of individual motorised transport is undergoing fundamental changes. Au-tomobile manufacturers and energy companies are working feverishly to develop electric cars. Pilot projects using eco-friendly electric cars have already been launched at a number of tourism destinations. The Eco-Mobility Day on Friday, 13 March 2011 will outline the current situation, present visions for the future, and assess their relevance as regards the tour-ism industry.Also new at the ITB Berlin Convention 2011: visitors to ITB Ber-lin will be able to attend the PhoCusWright@ITB Travel Tech-nology sessions free of charge. This offers the wider public a chance to find out first-hand about internet and mobile tech-nology topics and other technology trends of the future.

The ITB Marketing and Distribution Days will discuss the lat-est strategies and practical examples of marketing tourism. Following its big success at the last fair, the ITB Media Summit will take place again during the ITB Marketing and Distribu-tion Days on Friday, 11 March 2011. Visitors to the ITB Desti-nation Days will be able to find out the latest about culture, city and river tours. The emerging markets in Asia are another key topic. In this context the experts of the Market Intelligence Unit of ITB Asia have provided valuable support. Taking place for the third time, the ITB CSR Day satisfies a growing demand for a discussion on corporate social responsibility issues in the tourism sector. Visitors to the convention will find out how CSR projects can be sensibly planned and implemented on a long-term basis. The ongoing success of the Future Day and Hospitality Day means that they are also set to continue. Once again, these theme days will provide visitors to the convention with valuable and thought-provoking ideas, present best prac-tice examples and survey findings on the future of the travel sector, and highlight the challenges facing the hotel industry.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention

ITB Berlin 2011 will take place from Wednesday, 9 to Sunday, 13 March. ITB Berlin will be open to trade visitors only from Wednesday to Friday. Parallel with the trade fair, the ITB Berlin Convention will be held from Wednesday, 9 to Friday, 11 March 2011. Mongolia is the Convention & Culture partner at the ITB Convention 2011. Full details of the congress can be found at www.itb-convention.com. ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show. In 2010 a total of 11,127 companies from 187 countries exhibited their products and services to 179,351 visi-tors, who included 110,953 trade visitors.


TRAVEL EXPO 27


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EIBTM 2010 Education Programme offers Best Ever Source of Inspiration, Learning & Information

E IBTM’s cutting edge professional education pro-gramme comprises a comprehensive and diverse series of seminars, workshops and conferences, addresses the latest issues and meetings indus-

try hot topics, underlying the event’s commitment to raising industry standards and encouraging learning and develop-ment.This year’s programme, running throughout the event from 30th November to 2nd December at the Fira Gran Via, Bar-celona, includes over 40 sessions, with a number of new fea-tures and highlights led by renowned industry experts. All of the Education Programme seminars will be evaluated by an online survey, facilitated by MeetingMetrics.

One of the highlights is the annual EIBTM 2010 Industry & Market Share Report session run by Rob Davidson on the show’s opening day, and repeated on the final day. This year, EIBTM is producing a new piece of research, comple-menting the Industry & Market Share Report, which surveys Planners, Tourist Offices and Convention Bureaux about their business over the past twelve months, their challenges, future perceptions, opportunities, influences of choice of lo-cation and business predictions for the next 12 months.A new Lecture Theatre, provided by ACS audiovisual so-lutions, on the show floor will haveDaily Technology Hours enabling visitors to keep up-to-date with the latest techno-logical advances in the industry. Topics include crisis man-agement and managing event interruptions, and effective use of mobile technology for meetings. Also in the Theatre, a series of daily Spanish seminars has been designed to-gether with MPI Spain for the local market. The sessions will be delivered in Spanish and will include topics such as workplace coaching, creative catering, ROI in event com-munication and recruiting and building member loyalty.Another new feature is The Green Room, a seminar area dedicated to sustainability, featuring ‘bite-sized’ panel dis-cussions, workshops and case studies, the sessions will highlight up to date issues affecting sustainability in the meetings industry. Subject areas include implementing and measuring best practices, as well as reporting and commu-nicating initiatives.The keynote session on the opening day, Brand Leverage – Challenge Assumptions to Strengthen the Output will fo-cus on branding. Pharmaceutical marketing consultant Lisa Hansen and creative director Phil Staff from Brandivity will demonstrate, from both client and agency perspectives, how the theory actually works in reality.A Women in Business session, Succeeding as a Female Entrepreneur will take visitors through vision and goal set-ting, building business networks and individuals as a brand, challenges and solutions, and motivation and balancing work-life issues.


On the final day of the show, Peter Pecotic, founding and man-aging director of Turningpoint Solutions and Daniel Tschudy, re-nowned expert on global issues in the meetings, event, sports and tourism communities, will focus on China. The session will take attendees through key tips and insights, as well as provid-ing valuable case studies for those considering China for their next Meetings event.

The education programme will also feature sessions in conjunc-tion with the Association, Corporate and Agency Programmes, which cater specifically to Hosted Buyers. Association sessions will address key issues including: future membership models; maximising results when negotiating with destinations and venues; improving participant experience and learning prefer-ences.

Devised for meeting planners from corporate organisations, the Corporate Programme seminars will look at the myths, chal-lenges and opportunities of strategic meetings management and increasing the value of meetings.

The Agency Programme seminar, which will be repeated over two days of the show is specially designed for agency staff, conference organisers and independent meeting planners. This year’s session will consider the value of meetings and how agencies can stay relevant in changing times.

Erica Keogan, EIBTM’s Education Content Manager said: “We are committed to developing stimulating multi-faceted event experiences that go far beyond the show floor. Hosted Buyers and trade visitors to EIBTM will have access to a world-class, comprehensive education programme, specifically geared to helping them focus on the issues that directly impact their sec-tor, while also giving them practical pointers on how to main-tain, develop and attract business.

Every year we add new content and hope that the knowledge gained through attending the education programme at EIBTM will have a direct impact on the running and success of their business.”

All education programme sessions are free to attend and the general seminars are open to all. Sessions in conjunction with the Association, Corporate and Agency programmes are open only to Hosted Buyers and places must be pre-booked.For further information, please visit www.eibtm.com


TRAVEL EXPO36

Carlson Marketing and IMEX America create powerful new marketing alliance

O rganizers of IMEX America announced today that they have entered into an alliance with one of the largest marketing agencies in the world, Carlson Marketing.

On October 10, 2011, a day before IMEX America begins, the rela-tionship, brand loyalty and engagement company, Carlson Market-ing, will conduct a dedicated educational event for corporate clients and its own buyers and account executives. The exclusive Las Vegas event expects to welcome up to 100 guests, each of whom will then attend IMEX America as part of the trade show’s unique hosted buyer program.

Carlson Marketing corporate clients represent some of the world’s biggest Fortune 1000 companies, chiefly in the financial services, travel, telecom, retail, consumer goods and automotive sectors. Those who attend IMEX America will be high level corporate meet-ings and events buyers with significant US as well as international spending power.

“We know the proven success of IMEX in Frankfurt and look forward to an energizing and productive North American show in 2011. We are excited to be involved in the first IMEX America. We know that travel engages and motivates, which makes this show an excellent fit for us and our clients,” said Fay Beauchine, president, Engagement & Events, Carlson Marketing.

Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman, explained: “Our agreement with Carlson Marketing sends another strong signal to the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry that we are serious

about making sure that IMEX America delivers high level business opportunities for all its exhibitors. Carlson Marketing’s client base of Fortune 1000 companies, plus the company’s unquestioned authority in the market is yet another stamp of approval for the show and dem-onstrates our ambition to make a big impact from day one.”

The involvement of Carlson Marketing complements several alli-ances already announced. These include many of the major hotels groups including Intercontinental, Marriott and Starwood along with travel, meeting and incentive companies such as Conference Direct, Experient, HelmsBriscoe, Global Cynergies, HPN, Maritz Travel and Northstar Meetings Group.

About IMEX AmericaThe new trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incen-tive travel industry; the inaugural IMEX America will take place Octo-ber 11-13, 2011 at the Sands Expo at the Venetian/Palazzo Hotel. The show’s strategic partner and major educational provider is MPI. It is endorsed by DMAI and Site and has an Industry Partnership with PCMA. IMEX America also has major partnerships in place with all the other leading industry associations across the world.

IMEX America will offer a unique model of trade show, new to the US market. It will assure exhibitors of meeting and making business appointments on their booths with in excess of 2,000 highly qualified hosted buyers. The majority (80%) of these hosted buyers will come from North America, with the balance from the rest of the world. In addition thousands of additional U.S. buyer attendees are expected to attend from across North America.


TRAVEL EXPO


TRAVEL EXPO38

Holiday World Show wins best Irish consumer exhibition award

C onsiderations on the cost of holidays has never been more impor-tant, while the importance of taking that well-earned break is also riding high on everyone’s list of priorities. Holiday World Show 2010 will provide holiday options for every budget, no matter how

tight, while not compromising on quality or imagination. Value for money in choosing your holiday is vitally important now, as is expert, one-to-one advice on what holiday options might best suit your needs. Instead of endlessly searching through website after website for lower prices or trying to guess the quality of accommodation or resorts, our experts have first hand experience, and can advise you in person on how to find better holi-days and pay less. Holiday World Show 2010 will give visitors outstanding value on all kinds of breaks, and expert advice from over 2,000 travel professionals to those seeking a well earned escape from reality, with affordability being the keyword.Family holidays with something to appeal to all ages, that romantic break for you and your partner, solo round-the-world trips, or a last-minute getaway in Ireland – information on all these and more will be available at Holiday World 2010, (www.holidayworldshow.com) at the R.D.S. Simmonscourt Dublin from Friday January 22nd to Sunday January 24th. The show guarantees to provide you with lots of ideas that will best suit your budget, and your own personal requirements. You can choose the destinations and holidays that suit you and your wallet, and your bank balance will certainly reap the rewards of a trip to the Holiday World Show!

New this yearThe format of the show has been improved for easier access for visitors. There is the opportunity to visit ten different “worlds” under one roof – Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterra-nean, the Americas, Home Holidays, Adventure Travel, a new Cruise World pa-vilion, an extended Caravan and Motorhome Show, and Angling World pavilion. We’re certain to have something that will appeal to all interests and locations around the world!Last year’s innovation of Holiday World Show Expert Travel Clinics will be en-hanced at the 2010 show with leading industry experts giving talks, and an-swering visitors questions on topics such as Far East travel, African holidays, Sports trips and holidays, Adventure Travel, Ski holidays, Caribbean holidays and weddings, the USA Deep South experience, as well as Home Holidays.

Global adviceWith some 70 countries attending, together with over 2,000 travel and tourism and tourism professionals ready to give advice and detailed, expert informa-tion which is not available anywhere else in Ireland – all this while providing an enjoyable day out for all the family.Instead of trawling through endless confusing websites, the experts on hand at the show will be able to give face to face advice and the information that visitors need to ensure an exciting holiday that’s best suited to them.

Other reasons to visit the ShowFares from Ireland have never been cheaper with more options than ever avail-able on the Irish market, outstanding value to the U.S.A., first advice on travel to South Africa for the World Cup, advice on the latest trend in “fun employment” tourism, meet the two long haul expert airlines out of Ireland, and get the best deals in the home market with five star hotels offering overnight stays from 99 euros per night.Many exhibitors will also be offering special “Show only” discount holiday deals along with hundreds of opportunities to win fantastic holidays at the show through free- to - enter competitions, which can be entered by visiting exhibi-tion stands.Edmund Hourican, Managing Director, Business Exhibitions Ltd., organisers of Holiday World Show Dublin 2010 said “our 2010 show will give visitors the best value in holiday prices, in a really colourful show, new destinations, ten “dif-ferent worlds” to explore, and Expert Travel Clinics. We have more to offer to the show visitors than ever before. And of course, it’s a great fun day out for the family, with entertainment and samples on offer from many of the exhibitors.”


TRAVEL EXPO

Dublin Castle Gate

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TRAVEL EXPO40

2011: in Anticipation of Explosive Growth of the Russian MICE Industry

MICE - a relatively new segment of the Russian business tourism market - continue their tri-umphant March. The overarching MICE ab-breviation stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. Six Moscow In-

ternational MICE Forums having been held annually at TC “Tishin-ka” in Moscow are a convincing proof of the MICE industry’s suc-cessful development. The 2010 event’s statistics was summarized by aigroup, the Forum’s organizer: 91 companies representing 47 countries and 1,118 visitors. Judging by the feedback from the past participants, the next show - Moscow International MICE Fo-rum 15 March 2011 - also should be very helpful in participants’ business expansion and this is the direct result of these events. However the indirect results are also noteworthy: activity in the MICE industry testifies to economic resurgence in this country.“As we organized the Moscow International MICE Forum in 2009, we were rather thinking about the need to keep the tradition,” pointed out aigroup’s president Kim Waddoup. “The crisis dealt a serious blow on the entire MICE industry. In 2010 we were confi-dent in success, however: the market has survived and we see an upward trend.” MICE remain a relatively new segment of Russian business, although this is by no means a recent development. The training period is far behind, rich experience has already been gained and certain traditions have taken root, which was dem-onstrated at the show. The experts assessing the event held by aigroup are unanimous that this was a very timely and requisite forum. “The Russian MICE industry certainly has a long way to go, - noted Alexei Krylov, General Director of UTS Travel, Vice President of the Russian Association of Tourist Operators. - For ex-ample, in Germany alone 900 companies specialize in this area. Nevertheless a professional community is gradually emerging in the course of this industry’s rapid development in Russia and the quality of services offered by companies is being constantly im-proved. And now we are looking forward to the next event on the 15th of March 2011”.“We’ve long been involved in business and incentive tourism, - said Pedro Vahe, expert in intercontinental markets at Fkanders (Belgium). - We are keenly interested in the Russian market as we see its great potential. But in order to actively work on this market, you cannot just sit on the sidelines. This is why I’ve come to Moscow. I think this must be done now. I am satisfied with the Forum: it is a well-organized and effective event.” Hugo Slimburg, Director of Strategic Partnership, Ovation Global DMC (Belgium) agrees that participation in MICE Forum is very useful: “It’s pre-mature to say that the crisis has been overcome, but there are signs of economic recovery in Europe. In this situation those who can properly assess the perspective will come out as winners. The MICE business must be getting ready for tomorrow”.“On the eve of resurgence,” “in anticipation of explosive growth,” forthcoming boom” - all those estimations could be heard from the Forum’s participants. The MICE industry is definitely bracing up for a new leap. Whoever is better prepared will garner suc-cess. “MICE is an intellectual business, - Mr. Krylov underscored. “In order to be a success in this sphere, organizational skills and networking are not sufficient. Creativity is also very important. Communication and exchange of experience are indispensible for the MICE tourism business. From these perspectives it is im-possible to overestimate the significance of the next event - the Moscow International MICE Forum 2011 - that will offer all of us excellent venue for discourse on the 15th of March 2011, at TC “Tishinka” in Moscow”.


TRAVEL EXPO

PCMA to co-locate 2011 International Summit at IMEX America

T he Professional Convention Man-agement Association (PCMA) has today announced further details of its Industry Partnership with IMEX

America. The powerful new partnership will mean that PCMA’s 2011 International Summit will be co-located alongside IMEX America when it takes place in October 2011 in Las Vegas.

PCMA will aim to attract 150 top associa-tion and corporate meeting planners to next year’s International Summit, October 13-14, all of whom will attend IMEX America, Octo-ber 11-13, as part of the trade show’s unique hosted buyer program. As the majority are di-rectors or higher in their organizations, their participation is likely to be a strong attraction for exhibitors.Aproximately 50 PCMA supplier members are also expected to attend. PCMA will pro-vide its signature education, allowing at-tendees to take part in sessions that address issues relating to conducting business in a global marketplace and have the chance to share best practice, fresh ideas and to learn from their peers and colleagues.

The power of the IMEX hosted buyer pro-gram is evident through research conducted amongst buyers following IMEX’s show in Frankfurt in May of this year. The research showed that hosted buyers placed orders worth $450 million USD with exhibitors dur-ing the exhibition and expected to place over $2.2 billion USD of business with IMEX ex-hibitors in the following 12 months.

The IMEX America hosted buyer program will follow exactly the same model as Frankfurt, with a focus on attracting only the best buyers in the industry. The model will give buyers the freedom to make their own appointments with exhibitors of their own choosing on their booths. Each buyer will take full control of the timing and content of their appointments and have exclusive access to personal diaries and planning tools using the IMEX online di-ary and appointment system.

As Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group, explains: “The profile of the PCMA Interna-tional Summit delegates fits precisely with the type of buyers we are committed to host-ing to IMEX America. These PCMA members

all plan and organise meetings and conven-tions internationally and so are influential buyers of products and services both inside and outside the US. IMEX America will deliv-er the largest hosted buyer program in North America, with 80 per cent of buyers from the US planning both US and international meet-ings, and 20 per cent from other world mar-kets. Being as closely involved with such a dynamic association as PCMA will give us a big advantage in fulfilling this promise.”

PCMA President and CEO, Deborah Sexton said, “PCMA members play an important and influential role in the international market-place and the co-location of PCMA’s Interna-tional Summit with IMEX America will provide attendees with new and cutting-edge solu-tions to the challenges they face in conduct-ing business globally, while offering a unique opportunity to network, make appointments, and conduct business with exhibitors and attendees from around the globe. The co-lo-cation of the PCMA International Summit and IMEX America creates one of the most pow-erful hosted-buyer events in North America.”

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TRAVEL EXPOAbout PCMAThe Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is the professional resource and premier educator for the meet-ings and convention industry. Founded in 1957, PCMA repre-sents the interests of meeting management executives from as-sociations, non-profit organizations, corporations, independent meeting planning companies, and multi-management firms who recognize the importance of meetings to their organiza-tion. PCMA empowers members with the tools they need to succeed as meeting professionals and to promote the value of the industry to their organizations and the general public. Head-quartered in Chicago, PCMA has 17 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. For additional information, please visit the PCMA website at www.pcma.org.

About IMEX AmericaThe new trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry; the inaugural IMEX America will take place October 11-13, 2011 at the Sands Expo at the Venetian/Palazzo Hotel. The show’s strategic partner and major educa-tional provider is MPI. It is endorsed by DMAI and Site and has an Industry Partnership with PCMA. IMEX America also has major partnerships in place with all the other leading industry associations across the world. IMEX America will offer a unique model of trade show, new to the US market. It will assure ex-hibitors of meeting and making business appointments on their booths with in excess of 2,000 highly qualified hosted buyers. The majority (80 per cent) of these hosted buyers will come from North America, with the balance from the rest of the world. In addition thousands of additional U.S. buyer attendees are ex-pected to attend from across North America.

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Thursday 21.10.2010

TRAVEL EXPO

WTM 2010: Travel Channel International a Broadcast Partner

Travel Channel International is pleased to an-nounce their continued partnership with World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, as official Travel Broadcast Part-ner for 2010.

Travel Channel, the largest pan-European TV channel dedi-cated to the travel experience in all its forms, is producing a ten minute feature from this year’s WTM to air throughout January 2011 within the series Travel Today.

On Thursday 11th November the channel is also producing the first ever WTM Pride of Travel Agents Awards, the lead-ing national awards recognising extraordinary achievement within the retail travel sector, supported by TTG and spon-sored by Virgin Holidays. The awards are being presented by Travel Channel’s Hannah Scott-Joynt, presenter of the channel’s commercial partner Cruise 1st TV and X Factor’s Jamie Archer.

World Travel Market Chairman Fiona Jeffery said:” We have been working closely with Travel Channel International for the past eight years and I am delighted that they are work-ing with us as official broadcast partner for 2010.”

Travel Channel CEO, Richard Wolfe said the station’s con-tinued partnership with World Travel Market was a natural progression for the company and a reflection of the grow-ing relationship, cemented in previous years.

“WTM provides its exhibitors with an unique and objective world view on the international travel and tourism industry and as a broadcaster specialising in travel our objectives re-flect those of WTM”. Travel Channel will be reporting from World Travel Market on the decisions that affect consumers and their holidays, and finding out how the industry’s mov-ers and shakers are responding to the challenges affecting the travel industry in the current economic climate.

About Travel Channel International Travel Channel is the leading international travel broad-caster, transmitting 24 hours a day to 117 countries in 19 languages across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region. It is operated by Travel Channel Inter-national Limited (TCI), an independent company head-quartered in London, UK.

Informative, entertaining and inspirational, Travel Chan-nel presents the full panorama of travel experiences- pro-grammes transport viewers to every corner of the globe, on backpacking adventures, culinary quests, eco-friendly holidays and luxury getaways. Flagship programmes in-clude destination guides Globe Trekker and Essential, the documentary series Great Scenic Railway Journeys and magazine show Travel Today.

For further information please contact Petra Shepherd, [email protected], 020 7 034 2511

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TRAVEL EXPO

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET SIGNALS NEW ERA FOR AIRLINES Boeing Chief Guest of Honour at Opening Ceremony

Boeing will discuss its revolutionary 787 Dreamliner with members from the global travel and tourism industry at World Travel Market’s Opening Ceremony in London on Monday 8 November.Ushering in a new era of air travel, Jeff Cacy, Boeing’s

Managing Director, Airline Marketing Services, will speak about what has been described as the most environmentally friendly airplane ever produced.The 787 is the fastest-selling commercial airplane in history. Japan’s All Nippon Airways is the first recipient of the aircraft next year.Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market, described the Dream-liner as a “glimpse into the future, a big step forward.”“The Dreamliner, with its ability to offer a vastly more comfortable flight and its superior economic performance, is set to change air travel forever,” said Jeffery.“World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, has become known as a reliable industry indicator of major interna-tional trends and developments and the birth of the Dreamliner and the way it will change travel, is of huge significance to the whole in-dustry.”Jeff Cacy at Boeing has supreme confidence in the way the Dream-liner will transform the travel industry.“Business travelers are willing to travel, but not in uncomfortable sur-roundings,” he said.“Airlines are buying the Dreamliner because of its efficiencies, but they are also buying it because the customer experience is profound-ly different and uniquely comfortable.”The 787 Dreamliner offers passengers a better flying experience and provides airline operators greater efficiency to better serve the point-to-point routes and additional frequencies passengers prefer.The technologically-advanced 787 will use 20 percent less fuel than today’s airplanes of comparable size, provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity and present passengers with innovations that include a new interior environment with cleaner air, larger windows, more stowage space, improved lighting and other

passenger-preferred conveniences.“Extra-large windows, coloured LED lighting, air purification, greater humidity and increased cabin pressure have been designed to make the Dreamliner the most comfortable aircraft on the market,” said Cacy.A “vertical gust suppression” system has also been installed to soften the up and down motions caused by turbulence.World Travel Market’s Opening Ceremony is at 11.30 am on Monday 8 November, Platinum Suite 4, ExCeL London. The event will also be broadcast on giant screens in the Central Boulevard.

About World Travel MarketWorld Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend four-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry.Almost 46,000 senior travel industry professionals, government min-isters and international press, embark on ExCeL - London every No-vember to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM.WTM, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009, is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals.WTM 2009 will generate £1,139 million of travel industry contracts, revealed independent research by Fusion Communications.WTM is owned by the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibi-tions (RE), which organises a portfolio of other travel industry events including Arabian Travel Market and International Luxury Travel Mar-ket.RE holds more than 500 events in 38 countries throughout Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific covering 47 industry sectors including aerospace & aviation, healthcare, manufacturing and sport & recreation.In 2008 RE, part of the Reed Elsevier group, brought together more than six million industry professionals from around the world generat-ing billions of dollars in business.

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TRAVEL EXPO


ITB Asia 2010 opens on 20 September in Singapore with the travel industry in Asia confident again and enjoying strong growth in leisure, meetings and corporate travel.

Exhibitor numbers at the three-day B2B travel show or-ganized by Messe Berlin (Singapore) are up 6% on last year, with growth in the travel industry reflecting much improved economic growth figures and demand in Asia.

“There is a real sense of new growth and consumer opti-mism once again in Asia,” said Mr Raimund Hosch, CEO of Messe Berlin. “At ITB Asia we can see that in increased demand for floor space and more companies position-ing themselves to get a bigger part of meetings business within the travel industry,” he said.

Mr Hosch told a press conference on the opening day of the third ITB Asia that the show this year was character-ized by five themes: exhibitor growth, better quality buy-ers, a much greater MICE (meetings) industry profile, the importance of Egypt as a partner country, and the fact that ITB Asia, with its broad appeal to multiple sectors of the travel industry, was now attracting other travel events to start up alongside ITB Asia.

“With the continued development of Asia Pacific as a destination and a thriving outbound market, much of the world’s travel and tourism growth is occurring in this region,” said Ms. Melissa Ow, Assistant Chief Execu-tive, Industry Development II Group, Singapore Tourism Board. “This is an opportune time for the travel and tour-ism industry to seize the prospects offered by Asia’s vi-brant economic growth. It gives us great pleasure to see ITB Asia broaden its influence and scope with the par-ticipation of new exhibitors and visitors this year. As the host destination, Singapore is proud to be a part of that growth.”

Reflecting renewed travel industry confidence, ITB Asia 2010 has attracted 720 exhibitor organizations. This rep-resents a 6% increase on last year when there were 679 exhibitors. There is representation from 60 countries, the same number as last year.

This year, ITB Asia has attracted 62 national and regional government tourist organizations. This is up from 54 last year.

New attendees this year include the Moscow Exhibi-tion and Convention Agency, Israel, the Korean National Tourism Organization, the Moroccan Government Tourist Office, the Nagasaki Prefecture Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Tourism Council of Bhutan, and the Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province in the People’s Republic of China.

On the aviation side exhibitors include IATA, Qatar Air-ways, THAI Airways International, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Vietnam Airlines and LAN Airlines from Chile.

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Greater MICE Appeal

The 2010 edition of ITB Asia has introduced Association Day, a first in Asia. The ‘day’ includes special events, networking and discussions spread over three days of ITB Asia. The objective is to empower the travel industry in Asia to attract more association events. These occur when professionals such as doctors, scientists, researchers, chemists and insurance executives convene for their annual, bi-annual or four-yearly association meetings.

Some 94 association and travel industry professionals have signed up for the inaugural Association Day at ITB Asia. Important associa-tion meeting organisations have combined to make Association Day a reality, including, the International Congress and Convention As-sociation, ASAE – The Center for Association Leadership, the Singa-pore Exhibition and Convention Bureau and professional convention organizer, ace:daytons direct.

One outcome is that the percentage of MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) travel buyers at ITB Asia this year has increased from 32% to 43%.

Improved Travel Buyers

This year Messe Berlin (Singapore) management is emphasizing the advances in the quality control of its 580 hosted buyers at ITB Asia.

“The quality and relevance of buyer-seller interaction is the founda-tion of nearly everything we do at ITB Asia,” said Hosch. “Therefore, this year we introduced an even more stringent vetting system for buyers.”

He said that this year buyers had to be recommended either by ex-hibitors or by other established high quality buyers who could vouch for the professionalism and relevance of the proposed hosted buyer.

Buyers who performed well at ITB Asia in 2008 and 2009 were also invited back. A staggered invitation process meant that a more bal-anced geographical market mix among buyers was achieved.

“I am very confident that ITB Asia exhibitors will appreciate the rigor-ous steps we have taken this year on our hosted buyer programme,” said Hosch.

Egypt as Official ITB Asia 2010 Partner Country

For ITB Asia 2010, Egypt, which uses the tagline, “Where it all begins”, will be official partner country. It will receive advanced and extensive branding and positioning before, during and after the show.

The Egyptian delegation to ITB Asia is being led by Mr Hisham Zaa-zou, First Assistant Minister, Ministry of Tourism. “Asian Markets are among the most favoured tourism markets for Egypt and we are al-ways looking for opportunities to attract more tourists to the jewels of Egypt,” said Mr Zaazou. “It is our pleasure to participate in large scale events such as ITB Asia and promote Egypt as an emerging international holiday destination.”

Egypt will host Egypt Night on 20 October for all ITB Asia attendees. During ITB Asia Egypt will promote specific elements of destination Egypt including Luxor as the “the world’s greatest open air museum,” the ruins and temple complexes at Karnak, and new luxury cruises on the River Nile on board the MS Darakum.


TRAVEL EXPO

More Empowered Travel Consumers

Web in Travel (WIT) 2010 - a large part of the new ideas and ‘conference’ element of ITB Asia - has attracted over 350 attendees and 80 speakers this year. WIT repre-sents the largest, most diverse and highest level gathering of travel industry profes-sionals in the Asian travel distribution, marketing and technology sector this year.

Speakers will assess a wide range of travel related online, technology and branding issues. Much of it will revolve around the empowered role of consumers using new mobile devices and applications to make travel decisions.

An intense two-day WIT conference, 19-20 October, at Suntec Singapore will be preceded by specialist WIT activities such as WITovation Entrepreneur Bootcamp (18 October), followed by the WIT Ideas Lab and WIT Clinics 21-22 October, which ITB Asia attendees can join at no extra charge.

ITB Asia’s Specialist Forums, Related Events

In his speech to mark the opening of ITB Asia 2010, Mr Hosch told the assembled media and guests that after only three years ITB Asia was becoming a “powerful nucleus” for other travel industry events.

He said specialist travel events such as Web in Travel, Association Day, the Luxury Meeting Forum and the Responsible Tourism Forum were increasingly important events within ITB Asia and each had their own loyal following.

Mr Hosch said: “Our partners at the Singapore Tourism Board have launched an in-novative festival of tourism events this week and next called TravelRave. As part of TravelRave some of the best minds in the travel business are at ITB Asia this week. Many of them are also participating in the Asia Travel Leaders Summit and Aviation Outlook Asia, both taking place this week in Singapore.”

He described ITB Asia as now being at the centre of a “perfect storm” of travel events in Singapore.


TRAVEL EXPO

Singapore a Stable Platform for ITB Asia

As part of its commitment to growing ITB Asia, Messe Berlin (Singapore) in September signed a new deal to keep ITB Asia in the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre for at least three more years – 2011 to 2013 inclusive.

Speaking at the opening of ITB Asia 2010, the show’s Executive Director, Mr Nino Gruettke, said that the continued partnership would allow the travel industry in Asia to “lock-in” ITB Asia into its annual marketing schedules and give travel companies confidence to plan ahead.

“Furthermore, we have an excellent working relation-ship with Suntec management team. They now antici-pate many of our needs and requests. Plus, Singapore has great access and infrastructure for major travel business events,” he said.

In other show news, visitors to this year’s ITB Asia can download a free guide to the show on their mobile phones. After the success at last year’s ITB Asia, the ITB Asia Mobile Guide again offers the entire show at one’s fingertips, including a list of exhibitors, a floor plan and information on press conferences and sight-seeing in Singapore. The ITB Asia Mobile Guide, pro-vided by GIATA & TOURIAS, will make it easy for ITB Asia visitors to find their way around Suntec. It contains the programme of Web In Travel 2010, the Associations Day programme as well as a list of ITB Asia events, presentations and receptions.

Summarising ITB Asia 2010 on its opening day, Mr Ho-sch said: “ITB Asia in only three years has grown to be more than twice the size of its long-established com-petitor events. We have a very effective team based in Asia and great partnerships with Singapore and be-yond. As CEO of Messe Berlin, I am optimistic that ITB Asia will continue to grow and attract quality partici-pants as the trade show for the Asian travel market.”

About ITB Asia 2010

ITB Asia will take place at the Suntec Singapore Ex-hibition & Convention Centre, 20-22 October, 2010. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. Egypt is the official partner country of ITB Asia 2010. The event will feature hundreds of exhib-iting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel. ITB Asia 2010 will include exhibition pavilions and tabletop presence for small and medium-sized en-terprises (SMEs) providing travel services. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destina-tions, airlines and airports, hotels and resorts, theme parks and attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facili-ties and travel technology companies are all expected to attend. At no extra charge, ITB Asia attendees can join the Web In Travel Ideas Lab and Clinics 21-22 Oc-tober. www.itb-asia.com


TRAVEL EXPO

Steering Group agrees the way forward for BoBI 2011

T he Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum Steering Group recently to consider the results from the recent exhibi-

tor and visitor surveys in terms of the strategic direction that BoBI 2011should take following the event this March at Olympia.The Steering Group - comprising over 40 representatives from various stakeholders such as national and regional tourist boards with their partners, hoteliers and wholesalers, attractions, trade associations and travel trade media – was initiated when BoB Events took over the running of the domestic travel trade show in March 2008. The Steering Group was set up with the objective to give the industry ownership of this flagship event and has proved to be an invaluable sounding board for BoBI’s overall direction.Whilst the post-show BoBI 2010 press release announced greater numbers for the trade days and an enhanced quality of visitors fol-lowing on from the inaugural launch at ExCeL in 2009, it also high-

lighted the need to review the event format and venue through an in-depth consultation with the industry. This de-brief Steering Group session was the culmination of that process and featured a very constructive, positive debate.The trade visitor analysis for BoBI 2011 had shown a marked im-provement in key qualitative statistics with 90% of the audience rating this year’s event ‘good to excellent’ compared to the previ-ous years plus three-quarters rating the overall reputation of the event as being ‘good to excellent’.There was also a marked increase in the meeting of trade visi-tor objectives across the board - from finding new or alternative contacts, new product and the strengthening of relationships with existing clients - to an increase in the quality and range of exhibi-tors.One of the key findings from the trade visitor research was that

around 40% of Olympia visitors had not previously visited BTTF, and this figure had been even higher in 2009. These figures, cou-pled with the geographic spread of the attendees, points clearly to the conclusion that both London and Birmingham can offer dis-tinctly different audiences.The exhibitor survey regarding preferred venue for BoBI 2011 re-vealed that the majority of exhibitors favoured a return to the NEC for a trade-only event, but with over two-thirds of exhibitors will-ing to consider the re-introduction of the consumer days in 2012 if a viable collocation arrangement can be secured with a suitable consumer show partner.On the basis of this exhibitor and trade visitor research, the Steer-ing Group concluded that BoBI should return to the NEC in 2011 as a trade-only event on March 16 –17th to again coincide with British Tourism Week, with the option to possibly introduce bien-

nial rotation with a return to London in 2012. A decision on this will be taken after next year’s event when exhibitor opinion will again be canvassed and the various options fully examined and debated by the BoBI Steering Group.Other key recommendations included the extension of the highly successful Domestic Hosted Buyer Programmes for major Coach Operators and Group Travel Organisers and the reintroduction of a simplified appointment system to allow the pre-scheduling of meetings at BoBI.BoB Events has also undertaken detailed research to thoroughly examine the attitudes of the domestic travel trade community, particularly amongst non-visitors to BoBI to identify possible new initiatives and innovations that will further strengthen the appeal of BoBI to would-be trade visitors.

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TRAVEL EXPO

T he Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum Steering Group recently to consider the results from the recent exhibi-

tor and visitor surveys in terms of the strategic direction that BoBI 2011should take following the event this March at Olympia.The Steering Group - comprising over 40 representatives from various stakeholders such as national and regional tourist boards with their partners, hoteliers and wholesalers, attractions, trade associations and travel trade media – was initiated when BoB Events took over the running of the domestic travel trade show in March 2008. The Steering Group was set up with the objective to give the industry ownership of this flagship event and has proved to be an invaluable sounding board for BoBI’s overall direction.Whilst the post-show BoBI 2010 press release announced greater numbers for the trade days and an enhanced quality of visitors fol-lowing on from the inaugural launch at ExCeL in 2009, it also high-

lighted the need to review the event format and venue through an in-depth consultation with the industry. This de-brief Steering Group session was the culmination of that process and featured a very constructive, positive debate.The trade visitor analysis for BoBI 2011 had shown a marked im-provement in key qualitative statistics with 90% of the audience rating this year’s event ‘good to excellent’ compared to the previ-ous years plus three-quarters rating the overall reputation of the event as being ‘good to excellent’.There was also a marked increase in the meeting of trade visi-tor objectives across the board - from finding new or alternative contacts, new product and the strengthening of relationships with existing clients - to an increase in the quality and range of exhibi-tors.One of the key findings from the trade visitor research was that

around 40% of Olympia visitors had not previously visited BTTF, and this figure had been even higher in 2009. These figures, cou-pled with the geographic spread of the attendees, points clearly to the conclusion that both London and Birmingham can offer dis-tinctly different audiences.The exhibitor survey regarding preferred venue for BoBI 2011 re-vealed that the majority of exhibitors favoured a return to the NEC for a trade-only event, but with over two-thirds of exhibitors will-ing to consider the re-introduction of the consumer days in 2012 if a viable collocation arrangement can be secured with a suitable consumer show partner.On the basis of this exhibitor and trade visitor research, the Steer-ing Group concluded that BoBI should return to the NEC in 2011 as a trade-only event on March 16 –17th to again coincide with British Tourism Week, with the option to possibly introduce bien-

nial rotation with a return to London in 2012. A decision on this will be taken after next year’s event when exhibitor opinion will again be canvassed and the various options fully examined and debated by the BoBI Steering Group.Other key recommendations included the extension of the highly successful Domestic Hosted Buyer Programmes for major Coach Operators and Group Travel Organisers and the reintroduction of a simplified appointment system to allow the pre-scheduling of meetings at BoBI.BoB Events has also undertaken detailed research to thoroughly examine the attitudes of the domestic travel trade community, particularly amongst non-visitors to BoBI to identify possible new initiatives and innovations that will further strengthen the appeal of BoBI to would-be trade visitors.


Australia, like most countries, has complex and distinctive cultures and traditions. With heavy British influences and a small population of indigenous people, the country has developed into a nation of in-dividuality. With their own brands of music and art, the entertainment industry has blossomed. Sports mingle with personal philosophy and new cuisines as Australia takes its place as a cultural center for the South Pacific. To much of the outside world, Australia is best known for its rough life in the outback and grilled meat---the barbecue is famously called the “barbie.” However, most Australians live in cities, and the cuisine of to-day is much more than shrimp, kangaroo and lamb on the barbecue.

DO YOU KNOW52

Australian Culture and Traditions to know when travelling to Australia ( Part 2 )


DO YOU KNOW 35

A Diverse Society The aboriginal peoples of Australia arrived there 40,000 years BC, and still have a strong presence in the country’s cultural identity today. In the 1600s, the Dutch arrived, followed shortly thereafter by the English. For centuries, the majority of the Australian population was of British ancestry, but the past fifty years has seen an explosion in immigrants from places as diverse as South Africa, Greece, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Japan and China. John F. Grabowski, author of “Modern Na-tions of the World: Australia,” writes that “Australia has become recognized as one of the most successful na-tions in building a culturally diverse society.” Twenty-five percent of the current population was born in a country other than Australia.

Social Customs Australians of all ethnic backgrounds tend to be polite. Acquaintances or those first meeting greet one another with a handshake; family and close friends greet one another with a hug and a kiss. It’s considered a cour-tesy to look one another in the eye during conversation, and to communicate with friends and co-workers on a first name basis, but keep new acquaintances under more formal address (Mr./Ms. and their last name). Those who don’t know one another well don’t discuss personal matters, but if unwanted personal questions are asked, Australians consider it best to politely de-cline to answer than not say anything at all. The major-ity of people say “please,” “thank you” and “no thank you” when offered or receiving something. Most also say “sorry” if they knock into someone, and “excuse me” after committing a social faux pas. Australians like to be on time and appreciate a phone call from those who are running late.


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An Outdoor Lifestyle Even though 85 percent of all Australians live in cities, there’s a strong tradition of an outdoor lifestyle, especially on the water. Surf-ing, swimming, sailing and yachting are among the most popular ac-tivities in Australia. Horseback riding is also extremely popular, and a high number of towns and cities have racetracks. Golf, tennis and cricket are also important sports in the national psyche, and not only for professionals-Australians are an active people who like to partici-pate in outdoor activities. Although a high percentage of Australians don’t live in the outback, those who do live that rough, outdoor life-style are representative of Australia to the rest of the world.

Traditional FoodsAustralia is home to many fruits and vegetables, such as melon, oranges, lemons, and limes, grapes, apples, cherries, spinach, to-matoes and almonds. The aboriginal people used these fruits and vegetables as well as the various seafood and bush meat (including kangaroos). Some of the oldest recipes of the land include lemon myrtle-seasoned calamari, pepper-crusted kangaroo filet, smoked salmon with a creamy tomato macadamia sauce and damper, which is fresh bread made of a mixture of water and ground seeds. The English brought their own traditional dishes like potato dumplings and jam pudding, but they also began to farm cattle and sheep, so lamb meat became very popular and remains so today.

New CuisineDue to globalization-both the ease of tourism and immigration, Aus-tralia’s cuisine has transformed through the years. The country now produces a wide variety of wines and Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne cultivate innovative, top chefs. Due to the drastic in-crease in immigrants from around the world, Italian, Greek, German, Asian and African food has all made its mark on Australian cuisine. Many of the immigrants use the abundance of fresh fish and other seafood as a base for their culture’s flavors, and the most innovative cooks blend their traditions with Australian traditions. An example of a dish from the new school of cuisine is the lemon myrtle curd tart served with Kangaroo Island clotted cream.


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