April Edition 2022

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine

online since 1997 vol. 25, issue 4, April 2022

An Interview with…

Mr. Mulat Girmay Isabella Tours, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ADVENTURE Travel Where It All Began MEET THE BIDDER – SUCCESS in Warsaw, Poland LIMA’s Rainbow Hill 2022 From a PROMISING Year to Realistic Facts

LEPTIS MAGNA, LIBYA the forgotten monument of time

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 25, Issue 4, April 2022 edition – Online since 1997

Contents 5 Message from the Editor 7-10 ADVENTURE Travel Where it All Began 13 Global AVIATION Diplomacy 14 Random Pre-Flight ALCOHOL Test Daily 15 ETHIOPIA Airline’s CEO Steps Down 18-19 An Interview with…Mr. Mulat Girmay Managing Director of Isabella Tours

7-10 Adventure Travel …

21 About IT&CM China & CTW China 23 OTM Mumbai, India 24-25 MEET THE BIDDER – SUCCESS in Warsaw, Poland 26 62nd Annual ICCA Congress, BANGKOK - THAILAND 27 43rd International Tourism Fair, BELGRADE, SERBIA 30-31 LIMA’s Rainbow Hill 33 SAUDI ARABIA New Mountain Tourism Destination 35 Colonisation of the RED PLANET!

24-25 Meet The Bidder

35 USA ‘Gender-Neutral’ Passports 36 EGYPT Focus on Attracting BRITISH Holiday Makers 38 2022 From a PROMISING Year to Realistic Facts 40 The EASTERN AEGEAN ISLANDS of GREECE a Hidden Beauties

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine supporter of

30-31 Lima’s Rainbow Hill

Message from

Caroline-Artemis Welcome to April edition!

Over the past two years we have all got used to the words 'cancelled' or 'postponed'.

Everything was cancelled or postponed; from Christmas to weddings, events, workshops, parties, incentive trips and all travel and tourism in general for any purpose.

With all kinds of restrictions almost a thing of the past (for the time being at least!), getting together for business and leisure is back!

The joy on people’s faces when they meet up, the hugs and over-zealous handshakes show that after such a long break, even business colleagues are truly excited to see each other again.

This behaviour of course goes far deeper than meeting up, it is a human need to be social and back together face – to – face. No more online events or timed zoom meetings with complicated hour differences or trying to introduce yourself using your eyes because you had to wear a mask!

The ‘virus’ culture is over and human nature is taking control again!

Happy business travels!

Caroline-Artemis Laspas co-founder & editor

From the fictional Phileas Fogg and TinTin to Christopher Columbus, Darwin and Marco Polo, these men travelled the world and experienced new cultures, civilisations and inspired us to all become great explorers.

Here we take a look at one explorer who became famous for the many efforts he made ra ther than reaching the end goal, which he never did achieve.

Renewed interest in his epic adventures has been reignited recently following the discovery of his sunken ship the ‘Endurance’ which was found at the bottom of the Antarctic Ocean recently, years after many searches to find it failed.

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was born in 1874 in Ireland and died the other end of the world in 1922 in Grytviken, South Georgia.

Shackleton is best known as a polar explorer taking 4 expeditions down to the Antarctica.

The Trans-Antarctic (Endurance) Expedition in (1914–16) never reached the Antarctic but became famous for its incredible story of perseverance and survival.

An experienced maritime sailor, his expeditions to the South Pole are legendary. In 1901 he was 3rd Lieutenant on-board Capt. Robert Falcon Scott’s British National Antarctic (Discovery) Expedition and together with Scott and Edward Wilson, he took a sledge journey across the Ross Ice Shelf reaching the furthest southern point anyone had ever travelled.

In 1908 he returned to Antarctica as leader of the British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition. Another sledging attempt led by Shackleton reached within 97 nautical miles (180km) of the South Pole, followed by another attempt that reached the south magnetic pole. The expedition saw the 1st ascent of Mount Erebus. Upon returning to England, Shackleton was knighted and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

In 1914 Shakleton captained the British Imperial TransAntarctic Expedition. The journey would cross Antarctica from a base on the Weddell Sea to McMurdo Sound, via the South Pole. However the ship, the ‘Endurance’ became trapped in ice off the Caird coast and drifted for 10 months before being crushed in the pack ice.

The crew of the expedition then drifted on ice floes for 5 months and finally escaped in boats to Elephant Island in the Sout h Shetland Islands, living off seal meat, penguins, and their dogs. Shackleton and 5 others saile d 800 miles (1,300km) to the island of South Georgia in a whale boat, which took 16-days across a dangerous stretch of ocean. Shackleton was then able to get help and over the next 4 months he was able to rescue the remaining crew, all still alive on Eleph ant Island.

Such an experience did not deter Shakleton’s desire to reach the South Pole. He returned to England and served in the British Army during World War I, but was off to explore again in 1921 in a 4th attempt to reach his prized goal; the South Po le. The ship ‘Quest’ was home for the Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition, but it was not to be. Shackleton died in Grytviken, South Georgia on the outward journey.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton

This indeed helped put South Georgia on the map and today, the South Georgia Museum exists to protect, document and promote the cultural and natural history and heritage of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

It aims to make its history and heritage accessible to the visiting public and the rest of the world via the internet through online exhibitions and education programmes.

The museum’s artefacts reflects all aspects of South Georgia and its collections are categorised into groups; expedition and exploration, whaling, social history, natural history, maritime and military.

Needless to say, getting there is an ‘expedition’ in itself, (unless you are on an Antarctic Cruise Ship) with the nearest airport being a 4 day boat ride away. With very limited fresh food and bad internet connection plus extreme weather, makes South Georgia a destination for only exceedingly dedicated adventure tourists!

Also on the remote island, which only has approx. 20 non-permanent inhabitants is the equally interesting Grytviken Church. A simple wooden structure and home to the whaler’s library, it has many plaques and memorials relating to both Sir Ernest Shackleton and the station founder Captain Carl Anton Larson.

The church is still used for its original purpose, especially at Christmas, but has also been used to store food, as well as on occasion become a concert hall and cinema.

Shackleton’s funeral service was held in the church before he was buried in the cemetery close by.

With the ‘Endurance’ discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea a depth of 3,008m last month, 107 years after it sank, it appears to be in the same condition as when it sank. Under the International Antarctic Treaty, the wreck is a designated monument and must not be disturbed in anyway, therefore no artefacts can be removed.

However, for certain, now found, further in-depth dives will take place to find more details of this voyage which has captured the imagination for so many years.

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All Travel Transports News

GLOBAL AVIATION DIPLOMACY It has been a hugely challenging time for all airlines over the past two years, but yet again they are facing more difficulties with the huge rise if fuel prices, adding further uncertainty post-covid recovery.

However it goes deeper than that. With instability in Europe, airlines are facing route changes and no fly zones, making journey’s longer and therefore using more fuel.

Not many would consider aviation a diplomatic tool, but in many political conflicts, it is aviation that suffers first.

Aviation has become a crucial source of ‘soft power’ for nations by using airspace bans to make their point. On the flip side to this, when diplomatic agreement is made successfully, aviation benefits with simpler flight paths and enhanced air links, benefiting everyone. Aviation can also be used to help establish new links with countries by opening new trade routes be it cargo or passengers.

Global aviation creates new opportunities that allow for the engagement,education and trust between different peoples and cultures.

LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT LOOKING FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER

As the UK’s largest airport, London Heathrow is recruiting 12,000 new workers as it gets ready for a bumper summer holiday season. Predictions are that summer peak days could be 85% as busy as pre-covid.

In anticipation, the airport is reopening Terminal 4 in June as well as helping to reduce airline check-in times, as many predeparture checks for many airlines are still required.

DELTA INCREASES ITS ROUTES WITH EUROPE Delta Airlines plans to increase its transatlantic operations and launch new Experiences on board.

There will be more flights to Europe this summer with new routes and destinations, as well as more seats on offer in Delta's premium cabins, an increase of 143% more seats.

Delta has focused on rebuilding its network with up to 74 daily flights to 21 European Destinations from 10 US gateways. The summer schedule includes new flights between New York-JFK and Stockholm from June and between Salt Lake City and London-Heathrow in mid-May. Delta will operate up to 27 daily flights to 20 European destinations from JFK, including resuming services to Zurich, Brussels, Edinburgh, Copenhagen and Prague.

AEROFLOT LAUNCHES REGULAR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM SOCHI Aeroflot is offering a new programme of direct regular flights from Sochi to Armenia, Egypt, Israel, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Aimed at transit passenger traffic the flights cater for those travelling on routes via Sochi from Aeroflot base airports in Moscow (Sheremetyevo), Saint-Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk.

17 destinations from Sochi will be operated by Rossiya Airlines (a subsidiary of Aeroflot Group) on domesticmade Superjet 100 aircraft. Ten of this plane type will be based at Sochi to fulfil the flight programme.

Aeroflot is looking at developing international flights from Sochi as well as from other Russian cities.

This month sees Aeroflot resume its Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport flights to Tehran, Iran. It will also begin regular flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka 3 times a week.

GOL BACK IN THE SKIES OF PARAGUAY AND BOLIVIA Gol Linhas Aéreas is resuming flights to Asunción, in Paraguay, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia.

From this month the airline returns to the Paraguayan capital in 3 direct round trip weekly departures from Guarulhos Airport.

In May it the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra will receive non-stop flights departing from Guarulhos, with 4 weekly frequencies.

From August, there will be a further increase in non-stop flights to both international destinations.

The gradual resumption of international flights is due to the progress in vaccination in Brazil and around the world and to improvements in favourable conditions in the countries where it operates.

AIRASIA TO RESUME INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS IN APRIL AirAsia is to resume international flights from Don Mueang, Phuket and Hat Yai airports this month.

The airline plans to operate 18 routes in 7 countries, providing 38 flights a week with the aim of restoring 81 flights a week by May 2022.

With the easing of entry requirements and border openings, travellers can fly with AirAsia from Thailand without quarantine, while those arriving in Thailand will be able to avoid quarantine, with Test & Go, by registering for an entry certificate electronic Thailand Pass before departure.

AMERICAN AIRLINES MID-FLIGHT ALCOHOL SALES TO RESUME American Airlines is to resume selling alcoholic drinks on domestic flights after a 2 year break as the mandate to wear masks has been relaxed.

Soda, tea, water and snacks will continue to be provided on a complimentary basis.

The airline is to also begin its new domestic first class dining menu which includes mixed nuts, charcuterie and short rib in addition to new healthy food choices like grain bowls and heart-healthy entrée salads.

Long-haul international and transcontinental flights resumed their meal service last autumn.

RANDOM PRE-FLIGHT ALCOHOL TEST DAILY Aviation regulator ‘Directorate General of Civil Aviation’ (DGCA) have said that 50% of cockpit and cabin crew must undergo daily pre-flight alcohol tests. In addition, at flying training institutes, 50% of instructors and 40% of student pilots need to be tested. This comes as travel demand begins to increase in volume after the pandemic.

EMIRATES TO START FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL FROM JUNE 23 The UAE’s national carrier will begin flights to Tel Aviv, Israel from June using a Boeing 777300ER aircraft. The airline aims to provide new opportunities for companies and tourism and to enhance bilateral ties between the UAE and Israel.

ETHIOPIA AIRLINES’S CEO STEPS DOWN Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Airlines CEO has announced his retirement with immediate effect due to health reasons. His vision has made Ethiopia Airlines into Africa’s biggest and most successful carrier, with the newest fleet in the world.

He was CEO for 11 years and began with just 33 planes turning into a leading carrier with a fleet of 130 planes operating both local and international routes. The airline began carrying 3 million passengers and reached 12 million passengers preCOVID. Through his incredible business sense, he kept the company profitable and without requireing financial help throughout the pandemic by focusing on cargo.

Mr. Gebremariam has been recognised many times by the industry, winning a number of accolades including ‘African CEO of the Year’ and ‘Best African Business Leader’.

MEXICO CITY’S NEW AIRPORT The new Felipe Angeles International Airport located 45km from Mexico City has begun operations. However there are some who question its suitability as the site was an old military base. With supporting infrastructure still underway, the main highway between Mexico City and Felipe Angeles is being widened to double its current width as well as a new rapid bus line connecting the capital with the airport and a new train line that will open in 2023 will transport passengers from the city centre to the airport terminal in just 40 minutes.

INCREASED AIR FRANCE-KLM FLIGHTS TO INDIA

Air France-KLM is to increase its regular India flights from 20 per week in April and up to 30 per week in May, following the resuming of international flights after a coronavirus pandemic.

AIR NEW ZEALAND TO BEGIN NEW YORK ROUTE Air New Zealand will run a nonstop route between Auckland and New York Kennedy, 3 times a week with a Boeing 787-9 from September 2022. Originally it would launch in October 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. The route will be Air New Zealand’s longest route taking over 16 hours travel time northbound and over 17 hours travelling southbound.

The airline is to also double its long-haul schedule from March to May 2022, and will resume flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Singapore. Air New Zealand will return to Houston Bush Intercontinental and Honolulu in July.

AIRLINES RAISE TICKET PRICES DUE TO HIGH FUEL COSTS Even with higher prices for flights due to fuel increases, demand is still high from passengers. Airlines like Delta Air Lines, United and Southwest Airlines have all had to increase prices.

But despite the rise in prices, Delta recorded its highest ticket sales of all time recently.

Flights to almost all destinations where international arrivals are allowed, have seen strong growth in demand despite costs and the instability in Ukraine.

COLOMBIA TOURISM BEGINS AGAIN Medellín, Colombia

The tourism sector in Colombia sees air connectivity is the key element in the growth and return of tourism. Therefore authorities are working on new domestic routes, helping the rebirth of certain regions both for tourism and the economic recovery of Colombia.

Among the destinations, Tolú and La Macarena stand out. Tolú, which registered the arrival of 2,397 passengers on domestic flights in 2019, of which 78% arrived on regular flights. So far, 2021 traffic saw 8,372 arrivals confirming the areas interest among Colombians, for which a route from Bogotá is essential.

La Macarena will connect with Medellín. In 2019, it registered 17,772 passengers on domestic flights and only 15% of arrivals were made on regular flights, growth is expected with better connectivity.

In 2019, Providencia welcomed 34,701 passengers; 48% on regular flights, so beginning this route again will boost the areas recovery and sustainability.

Up to 7 routes aim to improve connectivity in tourist areas of Colombia; those operated by Avianca, Bucaramanga-Cali and Cali-Riohacha;

by Satena, with the Bogotá-Tolú and Medellín-La Macarena routes; by Easyfly, operating on the Barranquilla-Valledupar and PereiraVillavicencio routes, and the company Viva Air, flying between Cali and Montería.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES AND AIR DJIBOUTI PARTNER FOR CHINA-AFRICA SEA TO AIR TRANSPORT Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with Air Djibouti and Djibouti Industrial Park Operation (IDIPO) to commence sea-air transportation. The agreement will see Ethiopia Airlines transport cargo from Chinese destinations to Djibouti Free Zone by sea and then airlifted from Djibouti International Airport.

This will save both time and energy logistically as well as boost the cargo market growth in Africa. Most of the cargo is electronics and home appliance supplies.

Ethiopia is a landlocked nation and its main sea outlet is Djibouti port, which served as the main cargo logistics operation hub for the seaair freight flight operations The Ethiopian government see the future is the transport and logistics sector and has created a 10-year transport sector development plan, which sees the construction of many road and rail projects.

An Interview with…

Mr. Mulat Girmay Managing Director of Isabella Tours, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia In an interview with Mr. Mulat Girmay, Managing Director of Isabella Tours, with Dimitri Laspas - founder of MICE & TOURISM Around The World e-Magazine, Mr. Girmay reflects on the recent days and experiences during the ’health crisis’ and the progress through it, in attracting holidaymakers during the last 2 years and Ethiopia’s position in attracting more travellers. In addition, his opinion and expertise on how the industry of travel, tourism and M.I.C.E will be in the future and what he believes needs to be done to overcome the difficulties in positioning his services and his country, the magical Ethiopia, on the global tourism map.

What makes Isabella Tours a successful company?

Isabella Tours Operation (ITO) has been operating in Ethiopia’s tourism industry since 2014, aiming and expecting to grow significantly, capturing the major potential tourism markets worldwide.

We arrange different tour packages, make hotel reservations, and provide car rental services, as well as handling a post adoption process and family reunion cases. We work hard to provide and meet the highly designated services to meet our customer needs.

What is your comparative advantage over your competitors and are you offering something different to your clients?

As I mentioned above we don’t only sell tours and operator as an incoming tour operator but also lease the multi-option fleets, further to the family union business we handle on the ground.

What are Ethiopia’s biggest selling points? Why should tourists consider Ethiopia compared to its neighbouring countries?

Perhaps the best reason to visit Ethiopia is the fact that it’s on so few travellers’ “bucket lists”. Ethiopia is definitely one of the most underrated destinations that over delivers when it comes to history, diversity of culture, wildlife and much more. Ethiopia’s 3000 years history that we claim so often, aside from the fact that this association has scarcely any scientific basis, it represents too short a view of Ethiopia’s past. Archaeological and linguistic research in recent years has made it possible and necessary the adoption of a longer and more scientific perspective. The 4.4 million old bones of Homo Ramidus Afarensis, were found in Ethiopia’s Afar region — the previous record was held by “Lucy” or “Diminish” (Amharic for “wonderful”), who at 3.4 million years was a relative youngster; proof that Ethiopia’s long history has many historical places. Axum is Ethiopia’s most ancient city and the site of many remarkable monolithic stone stelae. At Lalibella there are remarkable rock-hewn monolithic churches. The 17th century city of Gondar and the 9th century city of Harar are the other historical attractions.

Ethiopia is a melting pot of different cultures, with over 80 ethnic groups and languages spoken. After a look at the different traditions, you will hardly feel like you have visited just one country. The Hamer tribe, the Mursi people, and tribes of the Omo Valley are a few of the many ethnic groups with spectacular, traditional ways of living.

That better way to get a glimpse of Ethiopian culture than to join its spectacular festivals, like the religious Meskel and Timket events to the great Ethiopian run and Adwa celebration, Ethiopia has exuberant and colourful festivals that have stood the test of time. The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is beyond having a sip of coffee - it’s a social event where people have conversations and catch up. From the Gelada Baboon, the world’s rarest ape, to the endangered Walia Ibex and Ethiopian wolf, Ethiopia has an extraordinary range of wildlife and endemic animals. It’s also one of the best places for bird watching, with birds like the White-cheeked Turaco, Rouget’s Rail, and the blue-winged Goose, which you can only see roaming the skies of Ethiopia.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and changes facing the travel sector today, both globally and in Ethiopia?

As Ethiopia reappears as part of the world post Covid-19 pandemic, the restriction on human movement, economic uncertainty, sustainable travel and climate change as well as war and security are highlighted as the biggest challenges facing the industry.

Can you tell us about Isabella Tours plans post-Covid for expansion abroad, cooperation and any new services? Are there plans to include new markets/destinations e.g. in the Gulf region, South East Asia and Europe?

The last two years was hard for us to stay on in the travel industry. Now, we have plans since restrictions have changed trends, and slowed down, we are now engaged in DMC, so we are more focused on incentives such as day trips, short and medium size customised tours, since Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and Africa. Yes, we are starving of tourists as much as possible we are trying to reach contacts in different parts of the world including the Gulf regions, South East Asia and Europe.

Here we are in Poland, both attending the ‘Meet the Bidder’ event. Can you tell us why you participated and what you expect from the Polish market? Do you plan to participate in the June 2022 edition of the event as well?

As I told you earlier Covid-19 and unfavourable situations affected us during the last two years. We are looking to attract a new destination and partnerships that is why we decided to attend the ‘Meet the Bidder’ event, which was successful, we were able to meet Polish companies, countries from Europe and other parts of the world in one place customising our time. Both sides have been starved after a long break and the B2B meetings were more than our expectations. Yes, we plan to participate in June 2022 too!

With limited travel opportunities over the past two years, due to various global travel restrictions, are you optimistic that as we emerge from the health crisis, it is a chance to create better opportunities for Ethiopia’s leisure and M.I.C.E sector?

Yes, I’m very optimistic, that’s why we are spending our money and time hoping the future will be better. We have been seeing the last two years by closing our doors it was hard for many of us and our customers too. Better to deal with this and apply the responsible measures.

Do you believe that domestic tourism will replace the international tourism market? If yes, do you believe that the necessary services and infrastructure are in place to cater for local holidaymakers and at the right price, considering that a big financial recession is predicted?

I don’t think so, if you take a look at our country’s economy status over the last two years, it has certainly been impacted by a lot of damages, however we still couldn’t complacent it with limitations but hoping in the future domestic tourism will grow slowly.

Finally, do you have any plans to expand towards luxury travel and services, from the Middle East, Central and Fast East Asia, as well as Europe?

As the world’s economy has been in major crisis and is now immerging from the lockdown and restrictions, right now, of course we have plans to customise itinerary for our clients.

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

SITE INTENSIFIES IN-PERSON EVENTS IN EUROPE Incentive Summit Europe brings 50 incentive travel professionals to Geneva & Montreux in advance of Global Conference in Dublin, 20 – 23 April.

SITE has concluded its 2nd annual Incentive Summit Europe in Geneva / Montreux, bringing over 50 incentive travel professionals from 18 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to Switzerland for 3 glorious days of connecting, learning and discovering a stunning destination.

Participants enjoyed a deep immersion in contrasting Swiss locations, Geneva and Montreux, engaging in unique destination experiences, including a 3-hour watch making workshop and an innovative wine listening experience, curated by Kim Arazi of Innosensi in Lavaux, a UNESCO heritage site comprising 13 traditional wine producing villages.

ABOUT IT&CM CHINA AND CTW CHINA The Leading International MICE Event In China Since 2007, IT&CM China has established itself as China’s leading international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) business, education and networking event, dedicated to “Promoting China to the World and the World to China”.

Bringing together Chinese and International MICE exhibitors and buyers in one dynamic marketplace, IT&CM China is the platform for international and leading Chinese players in the MICE industry to explore business opportunities on all fronts – inbound, outbound and domestic.

Delegates to the 3-day event receive the best return on their investment in business, education and networking through structured business appointments, exhibition showcase, seminar sessions, official networking functions and tours.

Co-located with CTW China as China’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel, IT&CM China is part of the IT&CM Events series organised by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media. This event is co-organised with CTG MICE Service Company Ltd.

中国首屈一指的国际会奖旅游(MICE)的博览会 自2007年以来，中国（上海）国际会奖旅游博览会已经成为中国首屈一指的国际性专业会议、奖励旅游、大会和展览(MICE)行业的商务、 教育及交流平台，致力于“让中国走向世界，让世界了解中国”的目标和宗旨。 中国（上海）国际会奖旅游博览会为中国及国际MICE行业的行业供应商及买家打造了一个充满活力的商务平台。这里汇聚了入境、出境及 中国国内MICE行业的前沿资讯及无限商务合作契机，国内外领先的MICE业内人士可以在此结识新的业内伙伴，加强既有合作关系，共同探 索新的商业机遇。 三天的展会期间，与会者可以通过精心组织的商务约谈、展览展示、研讨会、社交活动以及展前展后城市观光等活动中获得商务、教育及社 交方面的丰富的投资回报。中国（上海）国际会奖旅游博览会由以下机构共同主办: • TTG 亚洲传媒会展部 (TTG Events) • 中旅国际会议展览有限公司 (CTG MICE Service Company Limited) BUYER REGISTRATION IS OPEN: https://thenextravelmarket.com/itcmctwchina2022?sid=buyer_miceandtourismatw

26th INTER-AMERICAN CONGRESS OF TOURISM Ecuador is to host the 26th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism 2024.

The event will take place at Guayaquil and the event will bring together representatives of governments, the private sector, the world of academia and civil society.

The 35th edition was held virtually in Paraguay last October, as a space to address strategies aimed at mitigating the negative effects of Covid-19 on continental tourism.

EVENTS CLUB FORUM, SUSTAINABLY FOCUSED, COMING TO YOU SOON! Events Club Forum is The Meet-up and Market Place for the Event Industry to be launched in June 2022. The format of the forum offers the unique combination of prescheduled B2B meetings with an exhibition. A fantastic line up of industry speakers will top the event that allows only invited event and hospitality professionals. Even though more than 500 participants are expected, the show will include combined coffee breaks, lunches and a dinner party for all and at the same time, further enhancing networking.

Alain Pallas, Managing Director stated: “Large trade shows excel at bringing vast groups of people to the exhibition floor. That’s surely an amazing sight. At Events club Forum we see the power of a trade show in quality rather than quantity. We see it in the selection of participants, creating effective personalized schedules with targeted meetings, high quality catering and assuring we spend the maximum time together to maximize the business outcome for all. The very intense participant experience, with our team caring of all participants arrangements, assuring limited out of office time, creates the maximum time for attendees to create connections and take the maximum benefit.

Whilst the excitement is starting to grow and the registration is really picking up pace, participation is still possible. In order to timely book your spot, please get in touch with the Europe Congress team soon!

FITCUBA 2022 RUSSIA CONTINUES TO BE 'GUEST COUNTRY' Russia will still be the guest of honour nation at this year’s FITCuba taking place from 3-7 May. The international tourism fair was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, but this year, the Cuban resort of Varadero is host to the event.

Russia was announced as Guest Nation back at the 2019 event, with Russian tourists seeing big growth arriving on the Caribbean island.

FITCuba will include 3 simultaneous forums on business, technology and events and incentives. In addition, there will be a fair for exhibitors and tourism suppliers, in addition to activities throughout the tourist area.

FITCuba will bring together tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents and industry officials, among others. The Fair will be held Plaza América, which will be the main venue and will have the Meliá Las Américas hotel, located next to the Convention Center, as a sub-venue.

IPW RETURNS With 2 months to go until the return of IPW, the United States Travel Association's annual international trade show, registrations are high from international travel buyers and the media. IPW will be held in Orlando, Florida from 4-8 June. 280 national and 70 national press buyers, more than 1,400 international and national buyers and media are registered for IPW 2022.

The nations sending the largest international delegations in 2022 are the United Kingdom, Brazil and Canada.

Registration is still open.

An international arrivals forecast projects that 52 million people will visit the United States in 2022 (up 144% from 2021) and 68 million will visit in 2023 (up 30% from 2022).

IPW is the nation's leading international inbound travel trade show; generating US$5.5 billion in future travel to the United States.

VILNIUS WILL HOST EFIB 2022 Lithuania’s continues its strong record for attracting industrial biotechnology events with the forthcoming 15th European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy (EFIB) to take place from 26-27 October 2022 and will gather 600 top experts and leaders for plenary sessions and an exhibition in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius.

EFIB will take place for the 1st time in Lithuania. With the biotechnology sector now one of Vilnius’ keys sectors and one that is experiencing rapid growth around the world, it is of great importance to bring local and international industry leaders with common goals together to further develop this sector.

EFIB 2022 will focus on the industry’s NEXT hot topic – Next generation economies: Industrial biotechnology for a sustainable society.

The forum will be dedicated to innovation and the commercial delivery of industrial biotechnology and the Bioeconomy.

BUSY TRAVEL SEASON AHEAD AS WITNESSED AT OTM MUMBAI Delivering a strong message of rapid post-pandemic recovery, OTM Mumbai successfully culminated its 3-day grand reopening on a thrilling note. The marquee event consciously focused on rebuilding the travel and tourism economy in the post-Covid scenario.

Resurfacing after a two-year forced sabbatical, the iconic 3-day travel trade event rose to the occasion by hosting 800+ exhibitors from over 20+ countries, 29+ Indian States and 7 Union Territories.

Bombay Exhibition Centre once again played host to the leading travel trade show in Asia Pacific with much-anticipated fanfare and happiness. With the grand success of the 2022 edition, both in terms of participation and footfalls, OTM continues to reinforce its stance as the leading travel trade show in India and the Asia-Pacific. The event successfully brought together all destinations open for business including International Tourism Boards, National, and State Tourism Boards, Hotels & Resorts, Airlines, Destination Management Companies, MICE, Wedding Planners and Bloggers under one roof.

More than 25,000 trade visitors from all over India and abroad attended the 3-day B2B exhibition.

Mr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO, said in his opening address of the awards ceremony: “This edition has had a special significance as a booster of confidence in travel trade. The worst seems to be behind us and it is time to get back to business. As travel and tourism contribute about a tenth of the economic activities, it is imperative that the industry is put back on rails after such devastation in the last two years."

“With major travel markets like China having zero-Covid rules, travelling to and from there has become almost impossible at this point of time. Unfortunately, the European market too is beyond reach due to the current political upheaval. Travelling to the USA also comes with mandates like quarantining. Thus, India right now is in a unique position to fill these gaps. Indians, in turn, have also started taking keen interest in destinations closer to home, like Maldives, in order to have a relaxed time at a place where they are welcomed with open arms”, he added.

Maldives Tourism was present with a large delegation led by the Tourism Minister, extending its full support to OTM as a Partner Country. Azerbaijan Tourism Board and Nepal Tourism Board were also exhibiting as Partner Countries. Qatar Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, Singapore Tourism Board and the Department of Tourism of Philippines were showcased as Feature Countries at the event. Their travel suppliers, airlines and hospitality partners got the opportunity to network with selected Indian travel trade. Visit Brussels, Visit Utah, Seychelles, Fiji and Monaco were also showcased at the event along with International DMCs, Hotels, Tour Operators representing Greece, Dubai, France, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, among others.

OTM saw a major participation from State Tourism Boards in numbers and size for the revival of travel within India, including from Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Maharashtra was the Host State of the event. Other destinations like Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Jharkhand, Manipur, Punjab, Sikkim, Telangana, Haryana, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal were represented through their private stakeholders.

Another major highlight of the event was the OTM Forum, a knowledge-sharing platform that live-streamed for guests on Facebook and YouTube with massive viewers' login from India and abroad and Asia’s most influential travel leaders brainstorming on the future of travel in thought-leadership interactions. Panel discussions, master classes, and workshops were conducted by top-level executives from industry leaders and C-suite executives from over 100 top brands.

The next edition of OTM will take place on 13-15 September 2022 at the brand new Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai.

MEET THE BIDDER – SUCCESS IN WARSAW! After attending and cooperating with the organisers of MEET THE BIDDER, as an international media partner, MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine was present in Warsaw for the March 2022 edition.

Without doubt, MEET THE BIDDER has continued to excel in terms of organising and communication with suppliers and buyers, from A to Ω, thanks to the hard work of the dedicated team.

Over the years, from its first edition until the latest 2022 Spring edition, it is clear that MEET THE BIDDER has clearly became THE MICE event for Poland but also ranks highly across other European events. Another major factor of its success is the high level of suppliers, attentively listening to the buyers to find the best methods of cooperation during their meetings; it is not surprising that demand for attendance at MEET THE BIDDER grows with each edition.

Warsaw welcomed the latest spring edition of MEET THE BIDDER, which took place with enthusiastic like-minded industry professionals, keen to build connections, new business and strengthen ties with previous colleagues, at the Arche Krakowska Hotel, Warsaw-Poland.

The event saw 30 exhibitors with approximately 50 exhibiting personnel, presenting their products to 70 international buyers, during the targeted day-long event.

www.meet-the-bidder.com

Coverage of the event was conducted by approximately 12 tourism media and associations representatives, including MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine.

The day began with brief presentations on the Polish travel market, trends and best practises, with a dedicated presentation from the MICE sector by Ms Katarzyna Szelemej-Pobozniak – Board Member of SOIT, Vice-President of travel company Haxel Events & Incentive.

With meetings taking place throughout the day, the event also had a special Zone "Initiatives for Ukraine" with 3 dedicated tables: - Turystyka dla Ukrainy (Tourism for Ukraine) - Fundacja Leny Grochowskiej (Lena Grochowska Foundation) - Job Offers Exchange The President of Federation TUgether - Mr Lukasz Adamowicz - who described the idea of #HELPzone confirmed the use of some funds for the realisation of incentive events.

All participants were eager and ready to do business after two years of uncertainty. The desire to build back tourism and MICE in Poland was a priority for all.

The Spring edition partners of MEET THE BIDDER were: Grupa Arche, Arche Hotel Krakowska, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Poland (SITE Poland), Stowarzyszenie Organizatorów Incentive Travel (SOIT).

Media Partners were: MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine, THINK MICE, Wasza Turystyka, MICE Poland, Business Traveller, Rynek Turystyczny, Świat Podróże Kultura, nowaturystyka.pl i Travel Compass.

SAVE THE DATE! 14th June 2022 30th Jubilee Edition

www.miceandtourismaroundtheworld.com

62nd ANNUAL ICCA CONGRESS: 12-15 NOVEMBER 2023, BANGKOK - THAILAND The 62nd annual International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress, is scheduled for 12-15 November 2023 and will bring the global association meetings industry together in Bangkok, Thailand.

As a leading metropolis of Southeast Asia, Bangkok has extensive expertise in hosting countless international gatherings. It’s a worldrenowned tourism and business destination with smart city development, accommodating infrastructure, world-class congress facilities, wide variety of accommodations, and gracious Thai hospitality.

The Congress aims to help reimagine the city’s future together with ICCA and the global business events industry and benefit the local community. The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will support ICCA in convening a successful, creative, and enjoyable congress in 2023.

OTDYKH LEISURE 2022

The OTDYKH Leisure Expo will be hosting its 28th edition later this year from 13-15 September at the EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds in Moscow.

Last year the expo featured an impressive 450 companies from 41 Russian regions and 23 different countries. Over 10,000 people took part, both in person and online. This year, even greater participation is expected from international exhibitors. Among those who have already confirmed are China, Cuba, Bulgaria, Spain, Thailand and Cyprus.

This year at least 40 Russian regions will be participating in the fair including an exciting newcomer, the Chuvash Republic. Located in the Volga Upland, the region is full of natural beauty, with over 2,000 rivers and 400 lakes. The capital city of Cheboksary is home to the Public Order Russian Drama Theatre, a philharmonic orchestra and numerous other theatres.

One highlight for 2022 will be the bespoke B2B networking event where participants will be able to meet with leading Russian tour operators and media outlets. This is a prime opportunity to forge new and meaningful professional relationships with the best of the Russian travel industry.

BUSINESS EVENTS DRIVE MALAYSIA’S INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION AS BORDERS OPEN With Malaysia’s borders now open, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) have launched BEimpactful; a package by both bureaus for business events planners to cushion The post Covid-19 era on business events planning.

BEimpactful provides extended financial and in-kind incentives. It is applicable for physical, hybrid, and home-grown national and international conventions, exhibitions, and corporate meetings. For national and international corporate incentives, the event must be held physically only.

Under Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, which was launched by the Premier of Sarawak in 2021, the business events sector has identified as an aspiration to empower communities and conserve heritage, culture and biodiversity and promote investment and development in all sectors.

Another significant focus area during Tribal Gathering was a bid win announcement for 4 major national and international conferences under the Malaysian Institute of Food Technology, the Malaysian Society of Radiographers, IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (Malaysia) Society and the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists (MSA) and the College of Anaesthesiologists, Academy of Medicine Malaysia. These conferences are expected to attract an estimated 4,000 delegates to Sarawak; auguring well for Sarawak’s efforts to align with international objectives and standards in measuring the intangible benefit of business events known as legacy impact.

43rd INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR, BELGRADE, SERBIA rd

Following on from the success of SAJAM TURIZMA 2020, the 2022 edition was the 43 edition of the International Belgrade Tourism Fair, the first largest tourist event in the region and proved that tourism is an adaptable industry, overcoming current challenges.

At the same time two similar traditional events took place – the 17th International Fair of Hotel-Catering Equipment HORECAEQUIPMENT and the 12th International Wine Fair BEOWINE. In total the 3 events welcomed 32,115 visitors this year.

This year’s event saw great interest for domestic tourism, as well as destinations in Serbia. The Tourism Fair was attended by over 400 participants from more than 25 countries around the world: Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Tunisia, Egypt, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and individually exhibitors from Albania, Croatia and Slovenia. In addition, over 40 domestic tour-operators participated in the Tourism Fair.

For the First time this year visitors were exclusively presented 4 new, and globally famous, top notch destinations: the exotic Malaysia, the dreamy Maldives, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe, which is composed of two islands in the Gulf of Guinea in central Africa, as well as Angola, and exceptional destination the lovers of long sandy beaches.

Around 50 large buyers from abroad come from Turkey, Hungary, Switzerland, UAE, North Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Albania and other.

Around 700 journalists from more than 20 counties were accredited (Austria, Germany, Turkey, China, Slovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Italy, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary …).

2022 GLOBAL COMMERCE & RECREATION EXPO – CHINA (VIRTUAL) The first virtual exhibition in 2022 will be held during April 12-18th; Global Commerce & Recreation Expo.

All those international participants who register online to attend will be offered by the organising committee, a 3-night free hotel stay during a future edition of Asia Amusement & Attractions Expo (AAA) in the next few years.

The event brings together hundreds of manufacturers with new products, especially in the amusement industry, who are looking to conduct business and create new business opportunities around the world.

If you are looking for new amusement products or entertainment equipment and facilities, or find the right business partner, among other opportunities, don't miss this show!

Contact us via Mobile: +86 13 376 515 395 (WhatsApp); or Email: grand.hw@grahw.com; Website: https://en.yzdli.com/cloudexhibition/OLE20220120_28634680 (Invitation Code: 5905775865)

REGION OF CENTRAL MACEDONIA, GREECE AT TOURISM FAIRS IN BRUSSELS AND BELGRADE The Region of Central Macedonia as a multi-thematic tourist destination was present recently at exhibitions in Belgium and Serbia; Salon des Vacances in Brussels and IFT in Belgrade.

The Belgian market is an important market for Central Macedonia due to the direct flights Brussels-Thessaloniki and the interest in thematic forms of tourism related to nature and outdoor activities, as well as in cultural and historical tourism.

The interest for the Region of Central Macedonia also increased at the IFT exhibition in Belgrade, due to the direct flights that exist with Thessaloniki, but mainly due to the road approach to the Region.

Serbian tourists are still interested in a week-long vacation either by road or by air. The areas of Thessaloniki, Halkidiki and Pieria are preferred destinations by Serbian visitors.

"By approaching markets such as Belgium, we are targeting high-income visitors who travel all year round. In this way, we aim at the quality upgrade of the tourists who visit Central Macedonia as a destination of authentic experiences, as well as at the extension of the tourist season.

"Of course, we continue to approach markets that show greater interest in the 'sun-sea' diptych, for which Central Macedonia is an ideal destination, such as the Serbian market," said Deputy Regional Minister of Tourism Alexandros Thanos.

MCE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE FIRST EVENT OF THE YEAR, AND WHAT A SHOW! The 11th edition of MCE Central & Eastern Europe took place recently with a consecutive Fam trip for many interested event planners.

The renovated Radisson Blu Béke Hotel in the centre of Budapest offered host to nearly 125 participants from Europe and beyond, engaging in 2.5 intensive days of business introductions and networking.

The Budapest and Hungary Convention Bureau offered 2 wonderful tours, whilst highlighting some of its fabulous venues during the dinner programme.

The Museum of Fine Arts at the world-famous Heroes Square offered host to the opening dinner of the event.

TwentySix, the Budapest urban jungle, hosted the other evening programme. The venue greatly reflected the sustainable impact the event intended to have. Both evenings were filled with entertainment and lots of local highlights.

The following 2 days were filled with pre-scheduled meetings, matching the events’ needs of the participating hosted buyers with the right services and products offered by the many participating Convention Bureaus, Hotels, Audio Visual companies, DMC’s, Congress Centres and so on.

Traditionally, Europe Congress offers prime stage to the participating Convention and Tourism Bureaus, highlighting the regional concept of the events. Within a creative out-of-the-box concept, all of them received 2 minutes of stage time highlighting some of the unique features the destinations have on offer.

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LIMA’S RAINBOW HILL

by Eduardo Fernandez de Rodrigues

Lima, Chile

A huge multi-coloured mural that when finished will cover 320,000 sq.m is a new feature of Peru’s capital, Lima’s skyline.

Located on San Cristobal Hill the colourfully painted houses are already adding a rainbow to the capitals hillside that overlooks the city’s historic downtown.

Ideally viewed from afar, the bright pink, yellow, blue and red painted buildings are decoratively spread across the hillside.

The artwork is taking inspiration from traditional pre-Incan patterns and colours, giving a modern take on the country rich history.

With a total of 1,000 houses to paint, Project Rainbow is well underway and will be a striking addition to the city.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This is not the first time a cityscape has been transformed into a colourful tourist attraction.

The infamous favelas of Rio de Janeiro were transformed with hues of bright blues, greens, yellows, and pinks across the facades of 31 buildings of the favelas turning them into a massive work of art.

With the purpose to bring prosperity to the poorer areas of the cities in the above examples, other painted houses are also considered tourist attraction like Nyhavn in Copenhagen. Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, lined by brightly coloured townhouses that today house bars, cafes and restaurants.

Copenhagen, Denmark

In London, the Notting Hill area of the capital is full of streets with colourfully painted houses, which have become tourist attractions over the years.

London, United Kingdom

Hidden in the Venice Lagoon sits the island of Burano.

The pretty waterside of the canal is lined with brightly coloured fishermen houses and small shops.

Even the most run down, poor areas, or once thriving fishing towns can easily be reborn in a burst of colour and a big splash of paint in all the colours of the rainbow!

Burano, Italy

TOURISM News

• Neom

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA NEW MOUNTAIN TOURISM DESTINATION TROJENA IN NEOM TROJENA is a new global destination for mountain tourism which will be created in the NEOM project planned by Saudi Arabia.

The aim is for TROJENA to redefine mountain tourism by creating a place based on ecotourism, by preserving nature and enhancing the community’s quality of life, all part of the bigger Vision 2030 plan, while reacting over 10,000 jobs.

TROJENA will feature 6 districts: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun, all of which are designed to offer activities catering to a variety of tastes and needs. Each will be built taking into consideration environmental sustainability, preservation of all living organisms and nature. It will be set up in the centre of NEOM, 50km from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, in a region characterised by a mountain range with the highest peaks in the kingdom reaching 2,600m above sea level.

One aspect will be an all-year ski village, a stunning man-made freshwater lake, ‘The Bow’ Hotel, an architectural masterpiece and the Vault, a vertical village within the mountain with a fusion of technology, entertainment and hospitality facilities that will provide the main gateway into TROJENA. The development will also include the ‘Slope Residences,’ which will be located near the ski slope overlooking the lake, designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, as well as luxurious mansions with panoramic views designed to reflect the beauty of the environment.

WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL ELECTRIC CRUISE SHIP ON MAIDEN VOYAGE IN CHINA The ‘Yangtze River-Three Gorges Dam 1’ cruise ship, which is powered totally by electric batteries, has a capacity of 1,300 passengers and recently set off on its maiden voyage in Yichang City, Hubei Province.

The 100m long ship has 15 individual battery packs with a total capacity of 7,500 kilowatt-hour (kWh), the largest in a cruise ship, which roughly equals to more than 100 electric cars. The ship can sail 100kms at a speed of 16km per hour.

The ships charger can fully charge the ship's battery in 6 hours with green electricity from a hydropower plant.

The electric engine generates less vibration and noise, which ultimately benefit passenger experience.

COLONISATION OF THE RED PLANET! Elon Musk, creator of SpaceX is still dreaming of making Mars his home. Despite all the major problems on planet Earth, let alone that we have yet to get to the bottom of our Oceans, Mars is set to be our next home!

However colonising Mars means overcoming some major issues for future ‘Martians’ to survive. But these are all planned for as Musk is set to send into space by 2024 an unmanned starship with cargo and autonomous vehicles to Mars. By 2026 the first human crew will fly there! And by 2050 an autonomous settlement without needing to depend on resources from earth will be built on a neighbouring planet.

Building on Mars, which is currently not conducive to humans would involve many inter-connecting pods as well as Martians would need to grow their own food and create their own heat and light in order to survive. Their diet will be vegan or raw food based; if we can hardly survive on mars how are we going to rear animals?

Taking a step back, to get all the equipment to Mars would require about 5,000 starship flights, each carrying about 200 tons of cargo. In a perfect world, total inhabitants would be 5,000 people to avoid ‘pod overload’. We would still need to work out the necessary pressure for the pods (there can be no mistakes otherwise no one survives!)

In order to support life on the planet of 5000 Martians, it will require about 500 megawatts of electricity. Currently on Earth, a power plant with this capacity provides electricity to at least 50,000 homes. In addition, they will need to produce fuel, including for transport that will run between Mars and Earth.

This is where the idea of fission, fusion, or space solar arrays comes into play as there are no fossil fuels on Mars; however the latter is problematic due to Mars having weaker sunlight.

If ever achievable, future generations of Martians may well evolve to allow them to go outside without the need for oxygen masks!

THE USA ARE WONDERING WHERE THEY CAN TRAVEL DURING SUMMER 2022 The summer holidays are eagerly awaited by US citizens, who after 2 years of no travel, can now travel. However some nations may still operate restrictions, including vaccine requirements.

Nations that were totally closed are opening or plan to do so sooner than previously stated, like Israel, Morocco, Australia and New Zealand. Many European nations like UK, Ireland, Norway, Denmark and Poland have no travel restrictions. While other European nations like France, Greece, Spain, Germany, Austria and Italy have eased their border rules, but still require tourists to meet vaccination and mask or testing requirements.

In Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia are now welcoming American, Russian, African and European visitors, with some restrictions in place. Malaysia is currently allowing access to one tourist area.

USA: ‘GENDER-NEUTRAL’ PASSPORTS rd

The US State Department is to offer a 3 ‘X’ gender option on passports. The passport change is one of several transgender-focused policies. The extra option stands for those with ‘unspecified or another gender identity’ and they will not be required to show evidence proving either male or female gender.

The US is one of several nations, including Argentina, Canada, and New Zealand, who all issue ‘gender-neutral’ passports. Other nations issue third-gender passports to intersex or non-binary people in some circumstances.

ITALY CONTINUES ‘VIRUS CRISIS’ CONDITIONS From 1st April 2022 new rules applies in Italy. Without doubt these measures will continue to affect the summer tourism season with tourists opting for restriction-free destinations in preference. Combined with the knock effects of the ‘virus crisis’, as well as the increased food and fuel prices, means that Italian tourism will suffer.

From 1st April people can now stay in hotels and other structures without having a green pass.

Customers staying in hotels and facilities can also access bars and restaurants, gyms and swimming pools, wellness centres without the basic green pass.

Those who do not stay in hotels, etc must instead show the basic green pass for all the services found inside.

Access will also be free to: shops, public offices, post offices and banks.

From 1-30 April - in all indoor places a surgical mask is mandatory.

In discos’s etc, the mask can be removed at the time of the dance.

In bars and restaurants it must be worn when not at the table.

In the following places it is instead mandatory to wear the Ffp2 face covering in: - airplanes - ships and ferries used for interregional transport services - trains - tourist buses or for the connection of different regions - buses, subways, trams, school buses - cable cars, cable cars and chairlifts with dome screen - cinemas, theatres, concert halls, sports competitions in sports halls.

In all these places, however, it will be necessary to wear a mask and avoid gatherings. From 1-30 April the basic green pass, which is obtained with a certificate of vaccination, healing, or with an antigenic (valid for 48 hours) or molecular (valid for 72 hours) swab will be mandatory to access: - indoor bars and restaurants - public competitions, public and private training courses - interviews in prison - outdoor shows - stadiums - airplanes - trains - ships and ferries (excluding connections in the Strait of Messina and with the Tremiti Islands) - tourist buses or coaches links between regions.

From 1st May 2022 the green certification will no longer be required for any of these places.

THAILAND HEALTH VS BOOST TOURISM Travellers to Thailand will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test before boarding the plane, as plans to restart the tourism sector begin. Instead visitors will be tested on arrival in Thailand.

Hoping to bounce back, Thailand has gradually eased travel restrictions over the past 9 months, but hotels, restaurants and other tourist-dependent businesses are pushing the government to move faster to bring back tourists to its famous beaches and resorts.

Estimates are for approx. 5 million foreign visitors will travel to Thailand in 2022 - down from nearly 40 million in the year before the health crisis hit.

EGYPT FOCUS ON ATTRACTING BRITISH HOLIDAY MAKERS

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is talking with the UK tourism to attract more UK tourists to Egypt following a drop in visitors from Russia and Ukraine, which are 2 of Egypt’s biggest tourism markets.

Egypt will host the UN Climate Change Conference (Cop27), in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, proving it is ready and able to handle more tourists. The Red Sea region has been a popular destination for British and other Europeans tourists for many years.

Tourism is a pillar of the Egyptian economy accounting for 12% of GDP.

FROM A PROMISING YEAR TO A REALISTIC FACTS For two years Tourism, Travel, Airlines, M.I.C.E and all subsidiaries of it stopped due to the ‘’health crisis’’. Then the promises of a rebound and a ‘’booming’’ 2022 came, but now we have financial difficulties, the huge rise in the cost of living, energy price hikes and more instability, which are all pushing back any kind of real recovery to 2025 at the earliest.

The reality is that there will be a big reduction in bookings of tourist accommodation by leisure tourists and events and therefore turnovers across the sector will be less.

Which hotels will be able to maintain heating and lighting their properties with such huge prices? Which holiday makers are going to be willing to pay the new higher prices for the privilege? The knock on effect is huge. If people struggle to keep their household bills within their salary limit, how do they expect to go off on holiday, despite lifted travel restrictions, etc.

In addition, Europe has become used to tourist numbers being high, thanks to Asian, Chinese and Russian tourists. China is still relatively closed and the instability in Eastern Europe is not helping. Many are now looking to destinations in Latin America, South Asia and several countries of Africa, as well as the Gulf countries, which seem to be experiencing higher than normal reservations, but for how long.

Europe is seeing a major shift towards the middle upper class holiday makers who can afford the high prices due to inflation. There is less group travel and less packages, with increases in individual bookings and last minutes deals.

How is European tourism going to remain competitive, in comparison with the fast emerging markets? Stability is key and urgently needed otherwise it will take 5-10 years to re-establish tourism again as in the meantime, emerging markets will progress and become serious competition for Europe.

MEXICO FOCUSES ON EMERGING DESTINATIONS

The first Fonatur 2022 Technical Committee has just been held in Mexico and plans to decentralise the most internationally recognised places. The meeting was attended by the general director of Fonatur, the National Tourism Fund and the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, Miguel Torruco.

The plan is to bring the benefits of tourism to the poorest corners of the country, without detracting from the attractiveness and profitability of the most important destinations for local and foreign visitors.

Secretary Torruco stated 'the world has changed and tourism must too. For this reason, our national and international tourists expect developments that are not invasive, that are in harmony with the environment, with its traditions, with its history and its culture.”

One of the planned projects is the Mayan Train, as well as the Chetumal airport, the Nayarit Hub, the Sinaloa Hub and the airports of Tulum (Quintana Roo), as well as the highway that goes from the City of Oaxaca to Huatulco.

The Mayan Train, which is the largest project is expected to be completed in 2023.

UNITED KINGDOM NO MORE COVID TRAVEL RULES People arriving in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will no longer be required to comply with any Covid related rules or regulations upon arrival. The UK is leading the world in removing all remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions. As a result bookings into and out of the country have increased especially as the school Easter holidays begin.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CONTINUES TO RECOVER PUERTO RICO'S CRUISE SECTOR Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, and Silver Moon, a luxury cruise ship from the Silversea line, have recently docked in Puerto Rico.

Developing the tourism sector of the country is key to making it a world class destination. The arrival of the 2 cruise ships shows that Puerto Rico is an excellent alternative for tourists.

The island is working to achieve the full recovery of tourism post covid and to increase its contribution to the local economy by identifying key opportunities to increase visitors to all regions of the Island and encourage a greater number of cruises.

CUBAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM REVIEW Tourism is a key sector for the Cuban economy and at a recent meeting, the president of Cuba and Ministry of Tourism met to discuss the importance of the sector for the country. A review of 2021 and projections for 2022 were discussed. The forthcoming FIT Cuba was discussed as well as the potential of the destination, which now must also include developing an events sector as well as the revival of the beaches in the east of the Cuban capital.

CORALS CLOSE TO CHINESE ISLAND OF WUZHIZHOU HAS DOUBLED IN 5 YEARS In the waters off the Wuzhizhou Island, near to Sanya (Hainan Province, South China), the coral reefs have doubled in size in the past 5 years, after restoration work.

Back in 2016, the restoration project involved the combined efforts of the Hainan Wuzhizhou Tourism Development, together with the Institute of Oceanology of the South China Sea under the Academy of Sciences of the People's Republic of China. Reef-building stony corals were transplanted and special nurseries were built.

Over the 5 years, the team transplanted over 30,000 units of coral from 11 different species and the coral coverage has doubled to reach 37%. The restoration of corals reefs adds richness to local marine life and the development of tourism.

In addition, visitors can now get involved in planting their own coral. Since 2013 Sanya has implemented 19 projects to restore and protect the ecology and the marine environment.

INDIA RESUMES 5-YEAR VISA TO RUSSIANS Russian tourists with e-tourist visas will be able to enter India through designated sea and air checkpoints; mainly Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and 25 other points where there are international airports, as well as 5 seaports, including the ports of Mumbai and Goa. Crossing by land with an e-visa is prohibited. The visa will be issued by the Indian Embassy in Moscow and takes approx. 3-5days.

Goa, India

QUITO PROMOTED AS DESTINATION FOR TOURISM INVESTMENTS Quito Tourism participated at the recently held SAHIC Latin American & The Caribbean 2022 event in Panama.

The aim was to promote investment opportunities, establish contacts and promote the city as a suitable destination for tourism investments.

The delegation included Quito Turismo and the Quito Chamber of Commerce, who presented the city to over 5,000 attendees from around the world participated in the event to explore new projects and develop business networks in the region. A number of m ajor hotel groups expressed interest in visiting Quito in the coming months to learn about the potential, business climate, investment opportunities and contemplate the hotel expansion of their brands in the city.

FROM 2023 MSC CRUISES WILL OPERATE YEAR-ROUND CRUISES FROM NEW YORK From April 2023, MSC Meraviglia will sail several itineraries to the Caribbean, Bermuda, New England and Canada, departing from New York and operate all year round. Many of the cruises will visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company's stunning private island in the Bahamas.

This new homeport is intended to enhance MSC Cruises' presence in the North American market, complementing the wide variety of ships and itineraries sailing from Miami and Port Canaveral/Orlando in Florida, and will offer passengers the opportunity to extend their vacations with a stay in New York before or after your cruise.

THE EASTERN AEGEAN ISLANDS OF GREECE A HIDDEN BEAUTIES In a bid to help promote the islands of the Eastern Aegean in Greece, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will fund a EU€2 million marketing campaign. The islands has suffered greatly since 2014 and the never ending influx of asylum seekers onto Greek land.

The campaign will promote the East Aegean islands of Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos to domestic and international travellers.

The Greek National Tourism Organisation, has also successfully run a marketing plan for the tourism promotion of the Eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos/Mytilini, Leros, Samos, Chios, as well as other smaller islands in the region.

The campaign highlights, not only the traditional sea, sun and sand, but also the diversity of the destinations and the many archaeological sites, cuisine, traditions, local products, and the wide variety of experiences on offer to tourists.

Chios island, Greece