June 2020 edition

M&TatW e-Magazine MICE & TOURISM around the World the global monthly online magazine since 1997 vol. 23, issue 6, June 2020

Exploring To Big Blue Sea: Deep Ocean Tourism 55 Hours in Oman Welcome to Europe’s Southern Mountain Ski Experience!

We Knew This Was Coming… But Did Anyone Listen?

Gibran Kahlil Gibran, The Lebanese Poet An Interview with… Ms. Žydrė Gavelienė, President of NTVA, Lithuania

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 23, Issue 6, June 2020 edition – Online since 1997

Contents 7-9 Exploring to Big Blue Sea: Deep Ocean Tourism

11-17 55 Hours in Oman

20-22 Welcome To Europe’s Southern Mountain Ski Experience!

26 We Knew This Was Coming …But Did Anyone Listen?

27 Alarm in Dubai 70% of Companies to Close 29 Celestyal Cruises Extends Suspension of Cruise Operations 29 Thailand to Promote Domestic Tourism 31 Cuba and Venezuela Review Tourism and Trade Agreements 32 Peru Tourism Recovery in 2025 33 Passengers Have Right for Refund 34-37 Gibran Kahlil Gibran, The Lebanese Poet 40 Travel With Permission 44-47 An Interview with… Mrs. Žydrė Gavelienė, Vilnius, Lithuania

BML International-UK www.bmlinternational.co.uk

Message from

Caroline-Artemis Welcome to the June edition of MICE & TOURISM around the World e-magazine.

Here we are again…. at least we are one solid fixture in the month’s that have passed since lockdown.

As we all come out of this crisis and into a ‘new world’, we are pleased to still be here to offer news and views and highlight different aspects on the world through the monthly e-magazine.

The future of our new tourism industry is still an unknown and so in this edition of the e-magazine we thought we would bring you an article on one of the world’s least well known poets; Gibran Khalil Gibran. Hopefully it will enlighten and inspire you!

Whatever the future brings in the coming months and years, ours is an industry born out of face–to-face meetings, live & active presentations and destinations, events where we see, hear, smell and take part in the cultures and traditions of the uniqueness of a destination or place.

With so many virtual events popping up online, while they try to keep communication going during this difficult time, let’s hope they do not become the ‘new norm’ for the future of our beautifully colourful, exciting, industry.

Keep safe, happy and well – Enjoy this edition of the e-magazine.

Caroline-Artemis Laspas co-founder & editor

Sponsored by

BML International-UK www.bmlinternational.co.uk

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

As we travel the planet to discover new lands and cultures, we are also looking to the sky to take tourism into space, but now tourism is well and truly going underwater too!

Humankind has explored approximately 5% of the oceans of the planet and so the potential for expanding this sector is huge. Several companies are keen to make submarine tourism more accessible and affordable to more people in order to discover the oceans of the world and not just in shallower waters; deep sea tourism is on the rise.

The highest point in the world is Mount Everest at approximately 8,850m / 29,035ft; the deepest location on Earth is the Mariana Trench located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is 11,034m / 36,201ft deep. To get an idea of that, if you placed Mount Everest at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the peak would still be 2,133m /7,000ft below sea level! In between that are vast expanses of seas and plateaus, waiting to be discovered as well as infinite numbers of sea life species.

Pacific Ocean

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Mariana Trench

Globally, submarines were traditionally made for scientific research or military expeditions. The first underwater submarine tours began in the 1960’s but these were in traditional heavy metal submarines with small windows giving just a glimpse of the ocean.

Today, with new lighter, greener and stronger materials, it is now possible to create a much more manoeuvrable and comfortable craft and most importantly, the strength of acrylic windows means modern submarine designs now features large windows with almost 360° views, creating an ‘inside-out aquarium’ for its passengers.

One company, Triton Submarines has launched the ‘Triton DeepView 24’, a new commercial tourism submersible. This vessel offers a unique guest experience, taking passengers to depths of up to 100m.

Four optically superior cylindrical sections form the focal point of the DeepView 24’s pressure hull, creating huge panoramic windows that truly immerse the passengers.

From the comfort of the luxurious air-conditioned interior, passengers aboard the 15.4m long submersible will experience the ocean in a way no other traditional tourism submersible has over done.

Designed to sit steady on the water surface, allowing for easy access, even for passengers with reduced mobility.

The Triton DeepView 24 is virtually silent in the water and is totally non-polluting and produces no carbon or effluent emissions, giving it a zero environmental impact or footprint.

Such vessels are being developed in response to the rise in demand for tourists wishing for new adventure and experience-based holidays. The ‘sub-sea tourism’ sector has grown hugely as interest in the oceans has become popular partly due to internationally recognised documentaries and TV programmes like ‘Blue Planet II’ as well as the awareness of the effects of climate change on the seas and oceans.

This new developing tourism sector offers an added guest activity that is safe, fun and exciting as well as being inclusive and accessible to all visitors, irrespective of age, mobility or physical capability.

The variation in sub sizes, with seating from 6-66 passengers means there are submersibles for a wide range of operators in many different locations.

These new deep sea experiences are a fantastic way to highlight and encourage people to promote environmental issues after directly experiencing the sea environment like never before.

Sub-sea tourism is taking our connection to the deep blue sea to a whole new deeper level.

DEEP-SEA TOURISM IS THE FINAL UNCHARTERED FRONTIER OF THE WORLD.

55 HOURS IN

OMAN

by Orinta Labutyte photographer and writer

The Wadi al Shab, Oman

“Traveling – It Leaves You Speechless, Then Turns You Into A Storyteller.”

Ibn Battuta

The Muttrah corniche, Oman

The Sultanate of Oman...

A unique place where huge powers of nature – mountains, valleys, the Empty Quarter, the sea and the Indian Ocean meet in complete harmony, by creating inexperienced atmosphere.

Because of its key strategic location – Oman controlled most of the ancient trade routes of the world. Today this country attracts many tourists offering them various experiences.

Muttrah fort is one of the best places to start your acquaintance with Muscat - the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. With a population of 1.72million, it lies on the coast, surrounded by the Al Hajar Mountains. In the 16th century, the Portuguese installed a number of bastions, which today is one of the most popular tourist attractions. From here, a wonderful panoramic view opens to the Old Muscat,

Corniche waterfront promenade, the Port of Sultan Qaboos. During the tourism season world-famous cruise ships come to this port, but the glory of the port is - the Fulk al Salamah (‘Ship of Peace’) measuring 159m, it is one of a few superyachts in the world and Al-Said – mega-yacht owned by the Sultan of Oman. Looking far to the distance, your eyes do not find any shiny glass skyscrapers, because they are prohibited to be built by law. That’s why wandering from the top of the fort, everyone can enjoy the natural, harmonious view, where nature and Omani architectural traditions dominate and complement each other.

The Royal Opera Muscat, Oman

The market is one of the best places to discover the country traditions, especially its crafts in detail. The busy fish market in the morning, or labyrinthine Muttrah souq, are worth a visit and to enjoy the magical smell of frankincense (or olibanum) – the resin of the Boswellia tree, which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years as well as a neutraliser of all bad smells. Oman is famous for its silver crafts. You will not find an Omani man without a dagger (khanjar), which is the symbol of Oman history and pride.

While standing on the terrace at the Muttrah market entrance, observe the promenade and slowly walking, like swans sailing, local men wearing a traditional robe – dishdasha with beautiful, highly detailed embroidered caps – kumma.

The chandelier of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman

‘Welcome to Oman’ with pride and a warm smile, people welcome you beside one of the most magnificent, iconic the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which melts into the fantastic aromatic and colorful garden surrounding this glorious example of modern Islamic architecture. It can house up to 20,000 worshipers. Once entering into the main prayer hall, the size of the second-largest carpet and chandelier leaves you speechless. It took around four years to produce the 1.700 million knots hand -woven, 21-ton, 60x70m classical, traditional Persian carpet. Indescribable feelings pass over you as you stand under the majestic, 14m and 8.5 ton chandelier, which holds around 600 thousand brightly shining Swarovski crystals, plated with 24 -carat gold. There is also time to enjoy and discover the beautiful mosaics and art patterns throughout the mosque with detailed and unique carvings. The Grand Mosque contains a number of galleries where each hall represents the design of a Samarkand, Mamluk, Islamic Indian Art, the Maghrib walls are one of the most beautiful mosaics to admire. The 5 minarets represent the 5 pillars of Islam and define the limits of the site. The main minaret reaches 91.5m tall.

Muscat really knows how to impress with another masterpiece of elegance and innovation worth a visit – the Royal Opera House Muscat. Shining white from afar it represents an architectural mix of East and West. The absolutely enchanting building is the first in the world equipped with Radio Marconi‘s multimedia interactive display seatback system Mode 23.

Al Alem palace, Oman

Continuing the journey through the most famous of Muscat’s places, I suggest not to miss the most important – Al Alam (‘Flag Palace’); the ceremonial palace of His Majesty the Sultan. The palace was built in 1972 and represents the best of extravagance in contemporary Islamic design in the world. This Palace is the venue for important state visits, where many international dignitaries are hosted

by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin

Said Al Said (1940-2020) and are hosted now by the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq. It is the most important of the six royal residences. To get acquainted more with the Sultanate of Oman and its heritage you can do so by visiting Bait Al Zubair, the heritage and cultural center and The National Museum, which is located just in front of Al Alam Palace.

Muscat, Oman

For a cup of Omani coffee with traditional sweet Omani halwa, visit one of the luxury hotels, or spend some time in Al Mouj. It is a new, fancy growing district with restaurants, shops, apartments, where you will be indulged with a deep new oriental experience.

Nature is what most people are attracted by to visit Oman. In the heart of the city - Muscat‘s most beautiful and longest beach – Qurum, offers fine sand, plenty of space to enjoy the sea view, have some snacks, or simply observe the locals.

The Bimmah sinkhole, Oman

About 90km away from Muscat - Bimmah sinkhole – a natural wonder not to be missed. The vividly turquoise water attracts many visitors, and you just have to be lucky to see it empty. It is a natural SPA under the sky for a perfect fish-pedicure.

The Grand Mosque door, Muscat, Oman

Not far from the sinkhole, is a trekker’s paradise where you can enjoy one of the biggest wadis in Oman – Wadi Al Shab. A beautiful gorge situated between the cliffs, with warm emerald water pools and hidden waterfall is a must for outdoor enthusiasts, who are ready to climb around the boulders, swim and even dive. Wadi Al Shab will be a hike to remember.

To complete the nature observance – Ras Al Jinz the green turtle reserve, is a true eco-tourism project, where at night and before the sunrise you can learn about green turtles and see the real nesting process.

It is one of the most important nesting concentrations on the Indian Ocean coast, to protect future generations of turtles from extinction. During the turtle hatching season around twenty thousand turtles come to Oman’s beaches and lay 50,000 to 60,000 eggs and bury them under the sand. Sometimes survival rates estimates from one in 1,000 to one in 10,000.

Oman is often called the ‘Switzerland of the Middle East’ and ‘the frankincense trail’. It attracts more and more tourists because it is safe to travel, offers outstanding nature, unique traditions, religious tolerance and genuine local Omani hospitality. Let it become a new destination in your travelling experience.

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

Kriti island, Greece

WELCOME TO EUROPE’S

SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN SKI EXPERIENCE!

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

The Greek island of Crete is the largest of all Greek islands. It is also the most southerly and is in fact closer to the coast of North Africa than it is to the Greek capital of Athens!

However, this is a unique place known for being the only place in Greece where men can legally carry a gun and their reputation precedes them!

With plenty of sun and sea holiday packages on offer to this beautiful island, with clear waters, wide sandy beaches and a delicious local cuisine, what is also on offer and little known about, but growing in popularity is SKI MOUNTAINEERING! Yes, plenty of white snow and skis in Southern Greece!

,

Mont Psiloriti, Kriti, Greece

Set in the centre of the island, Crete’s tallest mountain ‘Psiloritis’, sees its peak covered in thick white snow during the winter months.

Surrounded by a region that is still home to shepherds looking after the flocks, where local cheese is made and where farmers grow fruit and vegetables to supply the islanders, the rest of Greece and others part of the world.

In a bid to move away from the traditional tourism offering, a group of ski mountaineers is driving an alternative form of tourism on Crete, away from sea and towards snow!

Psiloritis is a ‘ski resort-free’ zone, so no ski lift; it offers free skiing across the mountain - ski mountaineering. It began with a small group of mountaineers wishing to explore the stunning mountain and led to what has now become an international sporting event.

Europe’s southernmost ski mountaineering event, ‘Pierra st Creta’, began in 2014. The 1 event welcomed an impressive 73 participants. The 2019 event saw 200 participants including 58 foreigners from a total of 11 different countries take part.

The race consists of 2 routes: a ski mountaineering race for top athletes (1,800m elevation difference with technical passes), and a shorter route for those taking part in a more amateur capacity (1,000m elevation difference).

It has become an event for young and old alike highlighting that ski mountaineering is not only fun, but could also be used to promote sustainable tourism development in a destination typically known for summer vacations only.

Keeping the whole event fun is key with energy bars replaced with delicious bananas from Arvi (a local variety), and rakomelo (a mix of raki with honey) being substituted for energy drinks. The prize for the winner of the races is a crate of beer from a local microbrewery.

As the event has become more established, it began to offer free skiing lessons for children, with its programme now part of the International Ski Federation; a global first for a destination that does not have a ski resort!

Indeed, this event is turning Crete’s traditional tourism on its head, with sustainability at its heart and proving there is no need for all the usual fixtures and fittings of a winter ski destination.

The fact that there is no ski resort in Crete is an advantage.

Ski mountaineering is growing in popularity everywhere; snow lovers no longer want to feel confined to ski resorts, they wish to truly explore the nature around them.

Welcome to the southernmost mountain skiing race in Europe! The next edition of Pierra Creta will take place in March 2021.

Tourism News Europe, Americas, Asia & Africa

WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING …BUT DID ANYONE

LISTEN?

For the past 5 years, from many different sources, it has been said that in 2020 and 2021, the economies of several countries will be hit by another financial crisis, far greater than that of 2009 and 2016, even over passing that of 1929.

However it has in fact become a worldwide crash.

Experts will tell you that it is not rocket science; once you have a financial crisis that lasts longer than a few years you enter a new scenario of a more serious issue.

The European crisis has lasted 11 years and was still getting worse with no light at the end of the tunnel.

The current worldwide crisis, is happening in the name of the covid-19 virus. From now on, we will throw everything on the ‘death’ virus, as this financial crisis cannot be hidden under the carpet as in the 2007 and 2011 crisis have been. As a result there will be huge consequences across all industries, along with the airlines, hospitality, tourism and M.I.C.E industries, with a sharp drop in the income of the tourism industry in countries where their GTP relies mainly on the leisure and business tourism sectors.

It is expected that the impact of the pandemic crisis on the tourism sector in those countries will be severe; a situation like no other, as no one was prepared or wanted to accept to see what would happen after 11 years of European crisis, which affected, so severely countries directly like Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

As quarantine and mobility restrictions get extended, it is expected that the loss of income will be so dramatic, that there will be a huge rise within the industry of companies shutting down and the resulting unemployment will be uncontrollable; a measure not taken into proper consideration. When it is realised, it will be too late for many small and medium businesses, while larger companies in the sector will have a way (as usual) to find a channel for extra financial support. In addition, sales of scheduled air transport services on foreign lands are another activity that will see a considerable drop, again blamed on the health crisis.

The majority of predictions and forecasts are all assumptions with a full glass of positivity in order to calm the industry, but it is well known that the carrot on a stick tactic does not work when the factors of reality cannot be hidden (unless the financial mass media do as they did for the past decade to hide the true level of the situation).

A pandemic crisis or financial crisis, or robotising industries, there is an urgent need to solve the global economy and its systems. If not, it will lead to many other serious factors, such as a catastrophic increase in unemployment, due to the closer of millions of industries related to the tourism and the M.I.C.E industries. If that happens than no magical carpet will hold down the real reasons for the situation we find ourselves in today.

WTO FORECASTS INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS COULD DROP 60/80% IN 2020 The number of international tourist arrivals could drop by 60-80% in 2020 due to the coronavirus, the World Tourism Organisation, WTO has forecast.

With widespread travel restrictions and airports closed as well as national borders, the drop will be the worst since the records began in the 1950’s.

In the first 3 months of 2020 tourist arrivals fell by 22% and by 57% in March alone, with Asia and Europe suffering the biggest declines.

The health and economic crisis has hit tourism badly with millions of job losses and businesses closing. Airlines too have suffered as well as hotels and cruise operators as well as travel and tour operators.

Before the crisis, it was predicted that tourism could grow globally by 3-4% in 2020, but that is no longer the case.

The full extent of the drop in international tourism will depend on the length of time that travel restrictions and borders remain closed, as well as how many airlines survive to transport tourists across the globe.

The figures for final job losses and loss in business revenue is mind boggling if the situation does not improve before the end of 2020.

The Covid-19 virus has truly taken its toll on tourism; in 2003 when the SARS outbreak happened, international tourism arrivals fell by just 0.4% and killed only 774 people worldwide.

Recovery is expected mainly from the last quarter of 2020 but mainly in 2021. Asia Pacific already seems to be recovery well. Globally, domestic and local regional tourism is expected to recover faster than international demand.

6 MEXICAN STATES CREATE A PROMOTION STRATEGY

The opera house, Guadalahara, Jalisco, Mexico

The Mexican states of Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas and Querétaro are to prepare tourism promotions to reactivate local tourism, with domestic tourism being the first market sector.

The 6 secretaries of tourism have agreed aspects like sanitation protocols for establishments in the sector such as hotels and restaurants, and cleaning measures and good practices in food handling, creating new experiences; as well as promotional campaigns in the media and institutional and promotional social networks.

FALKLANDS' TOURIST SEASON WILL BE ‘VERY TOUGH, VERY LATE, IF THERE IS ONE AT ALL’ The Falkland Islands said that the coming tourist season is likely to be, ‘very tough, and very late, if there is one at all’.

In addition, it is thought the normal cruise season which begins in October will be limited too.

Even if cruise ship employees could reach the starting port in South America, the problem is to still try and get people onto the boat, especially as all borders are shut and flights are not running, including those of the Falkland Islands!

ALARM IN DUBAI 70% OF COMPANIES TO CLOSE DUE TO COVID-19 A recent study showed that nearly half of Dubai’s hotels and restaurants, which usually receive international acclaim, are expected to be permanently closed next month.

A survey conducted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) revealed that 70% of the companies operating in Dubai will suspend their activities within the next 6 months, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent drop in demand.

27% indicated that they expect to lose their business during the next month, and 43% expected to suspend their activities within 6 months.

THE VATICAN TAPS THE GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE FOR COLLABORATION ON ‘RESETTING THE WORLD WITH WELLNESS’

As part of Pope Francis’s new commission to create a better world post-COVID, the GWI is contributing a series of white papers on how wellness can provide a roadmap for world healing and growth.

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a non-profit organisation with a mission to empower wellness worldwide, announced that they have been chosen by the Vatican to collaborate on their ambitious new initiative to create a better, healthier and less unjust world in the aftermath of the Coronavirus epidemic.

In early April, Pope Francis announced a new COVID-19 commission focused not only on confronting the current crisis but also to visualise the world we need to build post-virus. The future of health and wellness is a key pillar of the Vatican initiative (in addition to ecology, economics and public security), and the GWI has been selected to provide a series of 8 white papers proposing how a holistic concept of wellness could transform human life, including our workplaces, our built environment and our mental wellbeing.

GWI’s Vatican papers: GWI’s white papers for the Vatican integrate facts, data, and best practices; employ interdisciplinary thinking; and are a call to action, recommending strategies that could help ‘reset’ the world post-pandemic, with a new focus on prevention and a proactive wellnessbased mind-set.

Eight papers will be published; 3 are available now.

1) A New Vision for a Post COVID-19 Future summarises the key concepts and practices of wellness and outlines how wellness can provide a roadmap for healing and growth as the world emerges from the pandemic.

2) Healthy Built Environments for Healthy People describes how our unhealthy built environment can cause both chronic and infectious diseases, as well as the roles that communities, businesses and governments can play in building healthier homes and communities for healthier people.

3) Work, Health and Dignity spotlights how the dangerous, unhealthy, inequitable and stressful work conditions that have been exposed by COVID-19 can spark a collective will for radical change that is necessary to bring health and dignity back to our working lives and workplaces.

The other GWI Vatican papers will be on the following topics: mental wellness, physical movement, social wellness and community, food and nourishment, and travel and wonder.

PANAMA TO REOPEN AS HUB OF THE AMERICAS Tocumen International Airport has announced an adaptation and biosafety plan aimed at resuming operations once it receives authorisation from the Ministry of Health and the Civil Aeronautical Authority of Panama.

The Operations Restart Plan is aimed at normalising all air and commercial operations progressively, taking into account strict biosecurity measures as established by the Panamanian health authorities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plan includes the creation of sanitary safe spaces without neglecting the aspects of regular operational regulation to provide the best possible service to travellers.

Thermal cameras have been installed to monitor the body temperature of travellers, acrylic counters have been adapted and signs have been placed to promote distance between people.

CELESTYAL CRUISES EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF CRUISE OPERATIONS DUE TO ONGOING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND PORT CLOSURES UNTIL 30TH JULY 2020

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Celestyal Cruises has taken the difficult decision to extend the suspension of its sailings until 30 July 2020 due to the ongoing travel restrictions and temporary port closures within the region in which it operates.

The Greek government recently announced that the Greek tourism season will gradually recommence in the next few weeks with international flights from select countries resuming in July. The company will continue to monitor the phased opening of Greece to international tourists while working closely with the Greek authorities on the development of enhanced health and safety protocols.

Following the recent 2021 & 2022 digital brochure launch supported by the generous early booking promotional campaign ‘Escape To The Future’, an updated ‘peace of mind’ allows guests to change any cruise st that sets sail from now through 31 December 2021. st This applies to new bookings made until 31 August 2020. As long as the booking is changed at least 30 days before the sail date, a Future Cruise Credit for 100% of the value received by Celestyal will be issued.

The credit can be used toward any cruise st that sets sail through 31 December 2022.

THAILAND TO PROMOTE DOMESTIC TOURISM In a new tourism campaign, Thailand is promoting domestic tourism. As it prepares to restart national tourism, a bigger focus on lesser known cities will feature as part of the 'We Love Thailand' marketing campaign.

The campaign is a joint effort between the Thai Tourism Council, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Thai Tourism Authority, TAT, to encourage domestic tourism.

Promotion efforts will focus on new products and local attractions that benefit tourism communities. This focus will last for a year or two before the country opens to foreign tourism. The first countries expected to return include China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.

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ICELAND OPENS BORDERS ON 15 JUNE th

From 15 June the 14 day quarantine period will not be mandatory for passengers arriving at Keflavík International Airport. Instead, tourists and Icelandic residents entering the country will be given the option of being screened for the coronavirus.

After being screened at the airport, arriving passengers will go to their overnight accommodation, where they await the results. In addition, every arriving passenger will be asked to download the COVID-19 tracing app ‘Rakning C-19’ which helps authorities trace the origin of transmissions.

Iceland wants all travellers to Iceland to have in place measures to safeguard them and that controls the pandemic. Iceland's strategy of large-scale testing, tracing and isolating have proven effective so far.

The proposed border opening depends on the continued decline of cases in Iceland.

UAE TURN MOST OF THE HOTELS INTO OFFICE ROOMS With many people finding it hard to focus and have the space needed to successfully work from home, many hotels in the UAE are now doubling up as offices, with operators quick to spot opportunities by leasing space short-term. This will help keep hotels open until guests return.

These rooms double as private office spaces for those who want/need a break after working from home. Tea, coffee, water and wi-fi are typically included in the room charges.

CUBA AND VENEZUELA REVIEW TOURISM AND TRADE AGREEMENTS Cuba and Venezuela have reviewed their bilateral agreements on trade and tourism in order to strengthen both sectors. The CubaVenezuela cooperation agreement, allows for the continued promotion of trade between the two nations.

These sectors were debated at the national and regional levels in a post-COVID-19 world with the aim to maintain guided tourism between the two nations through free zones.

The original Cuba-Venezuela cooperation agreement was signed on in 2000 by Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, with the aim of strengthening common agreements in the areas of health, education, sport and other services, as well as other economic spheres.

PERU TOURISM RECOVERY IN 2025 The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) estimates that after the Coronavirus pandemic the full recovery of tourist activity in Peru will occur in 2025.

Forecasts are for arrivals in Peru of 4.45 million foreign tourists, the figure reached last year.

At the end of this year, Peru must have received 1million foreign visitors, a figure that was reached in 2000.

CANATUR welcomed the recent economic measures given by the government, but are waiting for specific measures in favour of tourism in reference to tax, labour and financial facilities.

Internal tourism is a focus for development and it is expected that between April / May 2020 and April 2021, a recovery of 30% of Peru's tourist activity.

Donde Chan (La Libertad), the Lord of Sipán and Tucume (Lambayeque) with the Moche Route and joining Kuelap with the Kingdom of the Chachapoyas (Amazonas), continuing with Selva Alta (Moyobamba, Rioja and Tarapoto) and Selva Baja, starting in Yurimaguas and ending in Iquitos on the Amazon river, becomes a wonderful axis and the 2nd Machu Picchu. It will be the most important circuit for local and foreign tourists to get to know and with a gastronomic, cultural, experiential and exquisite nature offering.

CANATUR also plans for a virtual fair to take place at the end of this year (November or December), in which the technological mechanisms to promote the destination of Peru and market with customers emphasising B2B at an international level would be sought.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ‘TRAVEL BUBBLE’ BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES New Zealand and Australia are discussing the potential for a ‘travel bubble’ between the 2 countries in order to begin to restart economies and tourism. This would allow two-way travel to be permitted by citizens from each country in the near future. The aim is for this to then be extended to include other countries in the future.

GREECE, CYPRUS AND ISRAEL, THE 'SAFE TOURISM ZONE'

The tourism ministries of Greece, Cyprus and Israel are looking to develop the creation of a 'safe tourism zone'.

The creation of this area comes after all 3 countries have successfully contained the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

This safe tourism zone would offer those from all 3 nations less willing to travel far in the coming months, a safe option wh ile giving the economies of Greece, Cyprus and Israel, which all depend heavily on tourism, a chance to rebound.

Part of the plan would involve all 3 countries introducing mandatory quarantines for international arrivals in order to ensure that travel is safe.

With Greece and Cyprus being members of the EU, with open borders under the Schengen Treaty, it means people can travel freely from other more highly infected nations. Therefore Greece and Cyprus are working to establish requirements that limit the possibility of someone with the coronavirus from entering Greece in the first place.

PASSENGERS HAVE RIGHT FOR REFUND With new measures in place, the airline industry can see a way forward to the future of flight.

They will not need to leave seats empty, but passengers flying in the EU will have to wear face masks on planes and in airports.

The airline sector accounted for 10% of the EU's economic output and employed almost 12% of its workforce.

It was also confirmed by the European Commission that passengers wishing to receive a refund on a previously booked flight are entitled to one and do not have to postpone their booking to another date.

Airlines not complying with this will be in breach of EU law by not ensuring consumers can get refunds for travel or holidays cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airlines will also need to further limit the risk of infection by using hospital-grade air filtering, personal protective equipment and limiting movements onboard (for example you will need to ask to go to the toilet on board to avoid queuing).

Airlines have already been advised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to check passenger temperatures, collect personal details for any contact tracing and to clean and disinfect terminals and equipment.

IATA, which has estimated the coronavirus crisis, could cost airlines a total of UKÂŁ254 billion.

Similar rules will apply to other public transport like buses and trains as well as to cruise ships. The Commission said the passenger numbers on cruises should be cut and ships must have cabins available to quarantine people if needed.

The European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Center for Disease Control are due to publish further safety protocols for airlines in the coming weeks.

Gibran Kahlil Gibran

The Lebanese Poet

by Dimitri Laspas

Throughout time, we have seen many iconic writers, poets and artists. It is said that the best-selling poet of all time is Shakespeare; second is Lao-tzu and third is Kahlil Gibran.

The latter owes his place on that list due to one book, ‘The Prophet’; a collection of 26 prose poems, delivered as sermons by a fictional wise man in a faraway time and place. Since its publication, in 1923, ‘The Prophet’ has sold more than 9 million copies in its American edition alone. There are public schools in the USA named after Gibran. ‘The Prophet’ has been recited at thousands of weddings and funerals and is quoted in books and articles on training art teachers, determining criminal responsibility, while its words turn up in advertisements for marriage counsellors, chiropractors, learning-disabilities specialists, and face cream.

‘’One day you will ask me which is more important?

My life or yours?

I will say mine and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life.’’

So why do so few people know of this iconic writer?

He considered himself to be mainly a painter and lived most of his life in the United States. His best-known works in English set him as th a key figure in a Romantic movement that transformed Arabic literature in the first half of the 20 century.

Educated in Beirut, Boston, and Paris, Gibran was influenced by the European modernists of the late 19th century. His early works were sketches, short stories, poems, and prose poems written in simple language for Arabic newspapers in the United States. These pieces spoke to the experiences and loneliness of Middle Eastern immigrants in the New World. His themes of alienation, disruption, and lost, rural beauty and security in a modernising world also rang out with the experiences of his readers.

In 1904 the editor of the New York Arabic newspaper alMohajer (The Emigrant), hired Gibran to write a weekly column. In the first, ‘Ru’ya’ (The Vision), Gibran describes a birdcage in a field at the edge of a brook. Inside the cage is a sparrow that has died of hunger and thirst, despite being within sight of water and food. The cage dissolves into a skeleton containing a human heart dripping blood.

The heart speaks, declaring that it has died from being imprisoned by human laws that bind the emotions.

‘’ To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.’’

By 1906 Gibran’s column in al-Mohajer, was now called ‘Dam’a wa’btisama’ (Tears and Laughter), were increasingly popular because of their difference from conventional Arabic literature. Gibran did not have the training to imitate the masters of Arabic literature: his education had been random and was as much in English as in Arabic, and as a result there is little evi dence of the influence of classical Arabic literature in his works. Instead, his Arabic style was influenced by the Romantic writer s of late 19th-century Europe.

Gibran’s first book in English, The Madman: His Parables and Poems, was completed in 1917; it was b rought out in 1918 by the young literary publisher Alfred A. Knopf, who went on to publish all of Gibran’s English works.

In 1919 Gibran published al-Mawakib (The Procession). The 200-line poem in traditional rhyme and meter comprised of a dialogue between an old man and a youth on the edge of a forest. The old man is rooted in the world of civilisation and the city; the youth is a creature of the forest and represents nature and wholeness. The old man expresses a gloomy philosophy to which the carefree youth gives optimistic responses.

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Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum, Bcharreh, Lebanon

‘’When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense.’’

Gibran’s masterpiece, The Prophet, was published in 1923. The work describes the prophet Almustafa preparing to leave the city of Orphalese, where he has lived for 12 years, to return to the island of his birth.The people of the city gather and beg him not to leave, but the prophetess Almitra, knowing that his ship has come for him, asks him instead to tell them his truths. The people ask him about the great themes of human life: love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, and many others, concluding with death. Almustafa speaks of each of the themes in 26 short chapters. As in many other earlier books, Gibran illustrated The Prophet with his own drawings, adding to the power of the work.

The Prophet received intense public support; the 1st edition sold out in 2 months; 13,000 copies a year were sold during the Great Depression, 60,000 in 1944, and 1,000,000 by 1957. Many millions of copies were sold in the following decades, making Gibran the bestselling American poet of the 20th century. It is clear that the book deeply moved many people.

Gibran’s 2nd most significant book was published 5 years after The Prophet. ‘Jesus, the Son of Man’.

Although popular, it did not have the ‘something for everyone’ which The Prophet had. It is, as the name suggests, about Jesus. It is not a book of advice or consolation, but a collection of 79 statements by people remembering Christ. Some are well known, like Pontius Pilate and Mary Magdalene, while others are inventions, from a Lebanese sheepherder, to a Greek apothecary. They all speak as if they were being interviewed.

Neither ‘The Prophet’ nor Gibran’s work in general are highlighted in 20th century American literature, though Gibran is universally considered a major figure in Arabic literature.

Bcharreh, Lebanon

The last of Gibran’s Arabic books was published in 1929. Al-Sanabil (Heads of Grain) and is a commemorative anthology of his works that was presented to him at an Arrabitah banquet.

Gibran’s final work to be published in his lifetime was ‘The Earth Gods’ in 1931. It is a debate among 3 gods: the first speaks for pessimism; the 2nd defends the potential for transcendence of the human world; and the 3rd reconciles the positions of the other two.

Upon his death Gibran was working on ‘The Garden of the Prophet’ which was to be the 2nd volume in a trilogy begun by ‘The Prophet’. It is the story of Almustafa’s return to his native island and deals with humanity’s relationship with nature. From the 3rd volume, ‘The Death of the Prophet’ only one sentence was written; ‘And he shall return to the City of Orphalese . . . and they shall stone him in the market-place, even unto death; and he shall call every stone a blessed name.’

‘’Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.’’

Gibran died on 10 April 1931 of cirrhosis of the liver. He was an alcoholic and had been in poor health since the early 1920s.

Gibran is a writer who broke with the old and rigid conventions of Arabic poetry and literary style and has a place among the great figures in the 20th century revival of Arabic literature. His Arabic works are read, admired, and taught, and they are published and sold as one of the classics of Arabic literature.

In English, his works are widely read and are highly regarded by people who do not often read such literature. Virtually all of his English works have been in print since they were first published.

M.I.C.E News Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions

TRAVEL WITH PERMISSION The UNTWO confirms that the Covid19 pandemic has led all destinations in the world introducing restrictions on travel that will affect the M.I.C.E industry as well. These are the toughest restrictions on international travel in history.

Monitoring restrictions by dates and by severity, the social and economic benefits that tourism offers may once again flow, paving the way for a sustainable recovery for both people and countries as a whole.

The latest analysis shows that, of the 217 destinations in the world, 45% have closed all or part of their borders to tourists (‘passengers are not allowed’); 30% have totally or partially suspended international flights (‘all flights have been suspended’); 18% prohibit the entry of passengers from specific countries or passengers who have called at certain destinations; 7% are applying different measures, such as quarantine or sel f-isolation for 14 days and measures related to visas.

BOURNEMOUTH AIR FESTIVAL CONFIRMED FOR 2021 They towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have extended the cancellation of outdoor events until the end of August 2020, due to the continued impact of COVID-19.

The affected events include the Bournemouth Air Festival, with new dates confirmed for 2-5 September 2021. Other affected events include Summer Fireworks, the summer events programme on Poole Quay, BSO Concerts in Meyrick Park, and Christchurch Food Festival.

Hugely popular summer events programme, including the Bournemouth Air Festival, attracts millions of visitors to the area bringing over UK£32 million income to the local businesses and supports the council’s services through its seafront offering.

In response to the recent Government guidance around the easing of lockdown, it will no longer be possible that events planned to take place this summer in public outdoor open space can go ahead.

Poas volcano, Costa Rica

COSTA RICA LOOKS AT WAYS TO SAVE TOURISM & M.I.C.E SECTOR The Costa Rican government is looking at a number of ideas to help save the country’s tourism and M.I.C.E. sector by refinancing the debts of the companies, reviewing the exchange rate policy (thereby making the destination less expensive) and recovering aviation security are some of the actions being considered.

In 2019 tourism contributed 7% towards the nations GDP. To prevent the tourism and M.I.C.E sector going bankrupt due to the covid-19 outbreak, companies must be saved through a rescue programme that includes financial support. Help will be needed for at least three years helping hotels, tour operators, car rental agencies, airlines and conferences. In terms of aviation security, the U.S. needs to restore category 1 for Costa Rica to assist the recovery.

THE DESIGN CONTRACT OF M. K. ČIURLIONIS CONCERT CENTER WAS SIGNED

Kaunas City Municipality has signed a contract with designers (UAB Paleko archstudija and UAB Baltic Engineers) for the M. K. Čiurlionis Concert Center. Located on the left bank of the Nemunas, next to the Vytautas the Great Bridge, it will stand out not only for its excellent acoustics, but also for its bold architectural design. The centre will have 2 concert halls, the largest of which will accommodate about 1,500sq.m, as well as a 700-seat conference centre. Multifunctional spaces will serve not only for high-level musical events, but also for congresses.

MEKONG TOURISM FORUM The 2020 Mekong Tourism Forum will be held On 25-26August 2020 in Bagan, Myanmar.

Hosted by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar, in collaboration with the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office in Bagan, the UNESCO world heritage town in Myanmar the 2020 MTF will focus on the theme of ‘Achieving Balanced Tourism’.

After the ‘MTF 2020 Official Opening’ the previous day followed by the ‘MTF 2020 Gala Dinner & Awards’, the ‘Village Experience’ in the morning will bring delegates to visit local businesses and sites around Bagan for interactive sessions relevant to the theme of ‘Balanced Tourism’, while in the afternoon, the ‘MTF 2020 Plenary’ will feature engaging keynotes and panel sessions will stimulate discussions. MTF 2020 will end with the traditional Mekong Food Festival, allowing delegates to sample delicious local cuisine and interact with local artisans showcasing their handicrafts. Learn more about the program, please visit https://mekongtourismforum.org/ The Mekong Tourism Forum provides a cooperative platform for stakeholders in the tourism industry to discuss the development, marketing and promotion of travel to, from and within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It presents an inclusive, interactive and results-oriented opportunity to encourage public and private sector participation in representing the GMS as a single destination. st

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) organised the 1 Mekong Tourism Forum in 1996 and led it for 10 consecutive years. The hosting of this influential annual event rotated among destinations within the GMS until 2005. In subsequent years the private sector initiated similar events around the region and continued to work to promote the Forum’s objectives.

The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) revived the forum in 2010 taking place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the theme of ‘New Roads, New Opportunities’. Followed by MTF2011 ‘Destination Mekong: The Making of a Star’ in Pakse, Laos. MTF2012 in Chiang Rai, Thailand with the theme of ‘20/20 Vision: Building on Two Decades of GMS Cooperation’, MTF2013 in Guilin, China with the theme ‘The Rise of the Chinese traveller: Optimizing the impacts for the GMS’, and MTF2014 in Mandalay, Myanmar with the theme ‘Tourism investment for the protection of Heritage and Culture’. The MTF2015 was hosted in Da Nang, Viet Nam with the theme ‘Unlocking the Mekong Region via Innovative Partnerships’. MTF2016 was hosted in Sihanoukville, Cambodia with the theme ‘Authentic Experiences along the Mekong River’. MTF2017 was hosted by Lao PDR in Luang Prabang under the theme ‘Prosper with Purpose’. MTF2018 was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand in Nakhon Phanom under the theme of ‘Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives’. MTF2019 was hosted by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism of P.R. China (MCT) in Yunnan under the theme of ‘Tourism – a driver for cultural heritage’.

HARPA CONCERT HALL AND CONFERENCE CENTER IN REYKJAVÍK READY FOR THE POST-COVID-19 ERA th

From 15 June, the 14-day quarantine will not be mandatory for passengers arriving at Keflavik International Airport. Instead, tourists and Icelandic residents entering the country will be given the option of being screened for the novel coronavirus.

It has been working closely with the Icelandic health authorities enabling international conference guests to be safely brought together this summer. The well-being of guests, organisers, and staff is of the highest priority, and it follows strict guidelines on personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, sanitation, and social distancing between people. They have implemented processes on how to divide its space into sections to fulfil current regulations on group size and social distancing. It has implemented cleaning procedures for the whole building with particular attention to frequently touched objects and surfaces. Microphones, pointers, keyboards and podiums are disinfected between speakers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available to all guests.

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center is well-known for its unique architecture, which is influenced by the exceptional and dramatic nature of the Icelandic landscape. Located in the heart of Reykjavík, situated on the picturesque Reykjavík harbour, which features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the North Atlantic Ocean, the centre offers. Not to mention its state-of-the-art software and technologically that gives event professionals the option of offering virtual or hybrid (online/on-site) events.

An Interview with…

Mrs. Žydrė Gavelienė President of NTVA and Managing Director of Estravel Vilnius UAB Vilnius, Lithuania In an interview with Mrs. Žydrė Gavelienė, president of the Lithuanian National Tourism Business Association (NTVA) and Managing Director of Estravel Vilnius UAB, and Mr Dimitri Laspas - founder of MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine, Mrs. Gavelienė reflects on the recent days and experiences during the pandemic crisis and the progress through it. In addition, her opinion and expertise on how the industry of travel, tourism and M.I.C.E will be in the future and what she believes needs to be done to overcome the unprecedented situation that humanity and businesses face.

Where are you and what is your daily working life like right now?

Daily work is about travel. Every morning I get up with an idea of how to make the world a better place through travel. My business life priority is to run the travel and destination management company Estravel here in Lithuania. I am in charge of organising the 40 most professional travel and meeting consultants' daily work.

I am also the leader of the National Tourism Business Association, and together with the association members, we are creating the culture of travel business in Lithuania.

For the last two years, my responsibility is to lead the Tourism Chamber of Lithuania. The most powerful organisation in the tourism industry in Lithuania.

What have you found to be the hardest aspect of this global pandemic situation?

Uncertainty about the future. I sincerely believe that there will be a tremendous need for highly professional people in the travel business worldwide in the long term. But as well, I do understand that in a short time, there is a challenge to maintain the same amount of jobs.

The second big challenge is the cooperation of business organisations, and the government, which is not efficient, at least in our part of the world. Only through the successful partnership of private businesses and the public sector can there be development of attractive meetings and tourism destination.

In light of the pandemic situation, travellers' confidence in travel agents reached new heights. Reality shows that the travel management companies handled the travel re-bookings most professionally. TMC helped not only their clients but the travellers who used to book all the travel services by themselves. One-third of the whole Lithuanian population lives abroad, and closing the borders within a week was challenging.

What impact do you expect this crisis will have on the global tourism/M.I.C.E jobs market?

I believe in the short term (a year), we will not need 40% of jobs in the travel industry, but at the same time, I do underst and that only companies/ destinations /countries who are the most flexible will survive.

In my life, it is not the first crisis, but I understood how travel is essential nowadays. It was usual for us to take a flight and visit the customer, celebrate Christmas with beloved ones in an exotic destination, go to an incentive trip all colleagues, or weekend trips to another EU country to visit a brother or a kid.

Despite many pessimistic forecasts, I believe the tourism industry will recover sooner or later. And this depends on public organisations and private business partnerships even at the EU level. Tourism needs a clear recovery roadmap and investments now.

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

Times of crisis have historically also been opportunities for change. Are you optimistic that as we emerge from this, it could be a chance to create a better economy and tourism / M.I.C.E sector?

The travel industry employs 10% of the worldwide population, and till the pandemic situation, it was only growing. No surprise, travel is the best incentive or bonus for many people. We travel for personal reasons to widen our horizons. As well we go for business as it is so vital to have a professional community and grow together. People make a difference in every aspect of our lives, and to be the most professional, you need the right contacts and experience, which is impossible without traveling.

For a certain period of time, mass tourism will be affected, how do you think tourism will be affordable or attractive to mass holidaymakers and how will any destination survive without the holidaymakers contribution to the tourism and travel economies.

I do not believe that cheap mass travelling is sustainable in the long term. We already experience that the first hotels to open in holiday destinations are the high quality. In the short term, travellers will choose the safest and healthiest destinations, hotels, and airlines.

To maintain healthy destinations, we need extra investments.

When Corona's situation is solved, we will come back to a sustainability priority again.

For sure, we will enjoy traveling much more after a very closed quarantine regime. Now travellers are questioning when we will have the same choice of travel deals, flights, and meeting options.

We, Baltic countries citizens, are lucky to have a very mild pandemic impact, and we believe in a shorter term of recovery fo r Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia tourism industry. Our Baltic travel bubble was very well accepted worldwide.

What do you see as being the most serious and/or damaging implications for the travel industry ahead as we head out of planetary lockdowns and into a global recession?

Some countries or regions after the Covid19 virus pandemic became more racists than ever. It is a shame to see how some parts of the world are trying to isolate themselves from China or Latin America instead of implementing COVID testing. I hope that common sense will take over, and soon every travellers will be greeted with love and respect. Fear is the biggest enemy in this case. The significant relief, of course, will be the Covid-19 vaccine.

The borders are starting to open, and there is no better music to my ears than news about Covid-19 restriction reliefs.

Starting from the first of June, travellers are welcome to Lithuania and the other Baltic States without self-isolation requirements.

As well we see the positive effect of lockdown. Destination marketers are becoming much more creative now. My hometown Vilnius spread great news around the world. Beginning of May, Vilnius' old town became one big open space restaurant. In the middle of May, the travellers were invited to travel the Mask fashion week route. Starting from April Drive-In movie theatre landed in Vilnius International Airport.

How would you advise and encourage holidaymakers to keep enjoying travelling?

First of all, travellers need to be healthy to travel. If you do not feel healthy enough or mentally strong, the best recommendation is to stay at home. I highly recommend travelling this summer because there have never been more safety measures implemented than now in the last decade. All the safe destinations will be much more attractive with a smaller number of travellers. It is safe to travel if you follow the recommendation of travel professionals.

Do you believe that domestic tourism will replace international tourism? If yes, do you believe that the necessary services and infrastructure is in place to cater for local holidaymakers and at the right pric e, considering a big financial recession is on its way?

Personally, I do not believe that domestic travel can replace international at all. Temporarily maybe it is possible but in the long term the travellers will travel even more. We all travel for different reasons and I can’t understand how one destination can meet all your needs. My personal moto is to travel as far as I can, as often as I can and as long as I can. And in the lockdown period I understood that I didn’t use every possibility to travel and from now I will spend as much time on travelling as I can.

Do you believe that travelling between countries will now be more tightly controlled, not only in terms of health checks, but also in terms of numbers from each destination, i.e. quotas from each country?

When the borders are open, there is no chance to control the number of passengers. There are so many ways to travel, and smart travel professionals will find the best ways to travel for their clients.

In the lockdown, we realised how important tourism is to our economies. Everyone needs to be strong health-wise and financially.

Finally, there are currently a number of digital platforms being used to keep businesses alive and running who are also offering a digital face-to-face aspect. Do you believe that if successful, this could be the new norm for exhibitions and MICE events? OR do you still believe in the importance of human contact; the face to face greetings, the building of trust in a person, which we are so much more used to?

I do believe that business travel and MICE events transform a lot. In the new reality, it is much more important to create more value for MICE delegates. Without technology, we will not survive, but the winner will be the company that combines technology in the most effective way and beauty of the destination.

Lithuanian National Tourism Business Association (NTVA)

www.ntva.lt