India focuses on northeast for tourism

With the gradual return of peace and normalcy, the Indian government is now taking steps to promote tourism in the northeastern area of the country.

As it is a well-known fact that the northeastern region of India has tremendous potential to become a tourism hub, be it through its natural beauty, rich biodiversity or diverse cultures, the region has a lot to offer.

Recently, a three-day Travel and Tourism Mart was organized in Guwahati to promote the tourism sector of the northeast.

Twenty-five participants from the country and foreign countries like China and Thailand set up information centre stalls at the fair.

The event gave a chance to the tourism departments and tour operators from the northeastern states to project the region as a potential tourist destination, as well as interact with participants from other parts of the country.

“The northeast is high on the priority list of the tourism ministry under the Government of India. That is why every year we are organizing International Tourism Mart in the northeastern states,” said Sanjay Shreevats, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism.

“We have organized it in Guwahati and Tawang, the next one will be in Shillong. The main purpose is to facilitate the growth of the tourism sector in the Northeast.

We have invited the media and tour operators from different countries so that they can see the Northeast and tell the entire world about the potential that the region has because of its diversity – in terms of music, food and culture,” he added.

WCTE outlines its agenda at UNWTO

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), which has been newly formed, have defined their main priorities in a meeting held at UNWTO headquarters this week.

Among those are accessible tourism, protection of children from all forms of exploitation, fight against trafficking and anti-poaching have been defined by WCTE. The Committee held this meeting to identify the major challenges facing responsible tourism and define its Action Plan for the coming four years.

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics is an impartial body responsible for interpreting, applying and evaluating the provisions of the the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

Under the chairmanship of Pascal Lamy, former director-general, World Trade Organisation, the World Committee on Tourism Ethics met for the first time in its new constitution as appointed by the UNWTO General Assembly in August 2013.

Lamy, said, “The World Committee on Tourism Ethics is not destined to solve major political and economic issues at the global level; it will be a useful instrument in interpreting a frontier area, which is tourism ethics, by binding people together in an operational way.”

Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, UNWTO, added, “One billion tourists crossing international borders every year can mean one billion opportunities but also one billion catastrophes; it is up to us to decide.

Governments, companies and tourists themselves need to ensure tourism works as a force of good and I am convinced that the new Committee on Tourism Ethics will assist greatly in this endeavor.”

Brand USA Launches New Social Media Campaign

Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, kicks off the Great American Road Trip campaign, this week. The social media campaign will feature 10 road trips covering 39 states and countless destinations through its Discover America channels.

Brand USA’s Great American Road Trip campaign is designed to inspire travelers to discover America from the open road and highlight both the well-known and less-discovered road trips by topic and geography. Social media influencers, from nine of Brand USA’s international markets, will travel on each road trip to discover first-hand the quintessential American experiences—sharing stories and photos with their social media followers along the way.

The content will be posted on Brand USA’s consumer facing channels and website, www.DiscoverAmerica.com. Each feature takes readers on a journey to ‘discover this land like never before’ and will include important attractions, points of interest, restaurants and other ‘must see’ locations along the route.

The first road trip kicks off on February 27 in California with the Pacific Coast highway. The campaign will run through July and feature a new road trip every few weeks. The featured road trips and markets include:

• February: Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway (Japan)
• March: Texas BBQ Trail (South Korea)
• April: Hawaii & the Hana Highway (China)
• April: Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles (Global)
• April: Great River Road (Australia)
• May: Craft Beer Trail (Germany)
• May: The Oregon Trail (UK)
• June: The New England Coast (Canada)
• June & July: Atlantic Coast (Mexico and Brazil)

As part of the launch, Discover America will also unveil its new Google Maps platform where travelers can explore these 10 road trips, save and plan their own journeys, and share their road trip experiences. Travelers will later be able to pin their favorite points of interest on the map and view other traveler’s images. Through a partnership with Spotify and Warner Music, Discover America followers will have access to curated playlists inspired by iconic routes and road trips.

UNWTO and CTO partner to advance tourism in the region

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration in promoting the tourism sector in the region as a key driver of sustainable development (Nassau, Bahamas, 19 February 2014).

The MOU aims to enhance the cooperation between UNWTO and CTO in areas such as the preparation of regional strategies and action plans for the development of sustainable tourism, the promotion of tourism investment, market intelligence and capacity building.

In signing the MOU with CTO’s Secretary General, Hugh Riley, the UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai stated that “We are very pleased to reinforce our collaboration with CTO, who is already an active and highly respected UNWTO Affiliate Member. This partnership enables our two organizations to work alongside on matters that will further advance sustainable development in the Caribbean and increase the competitiveness and resilience of the sector in the region.”

“As the organization responsible for leading sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean, the CTO is constantly seeking new ways to identify how our region’s economy and local communities in particular can gain the maximum advantage from tourism. Our collaboration with the UNWTO allows us to take this discussion to the global stage and to access international training, knowledge and resources for our members”, said the CTO secretary general, Hugh Riley.

The CTO is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories as well as a myriad of private sector allied members.

ITB Berlin: Celebrities attend opening of world’s leading travel trade show

The opening ceremony and the first ITB Summit, two events featuring high-ranking speakers, will signal the start of the 48th edition of ITB Berlin. On the eve of ITB Berlin, Mexico, this year’s partner country, will fascinate the guests at the opening event with sophisticated culinary delights, live music and dance performances. Celebrities representing politics and the tourism industry will address the audience at the opening ceremony, which will take place on 4 March 2014 at 6 p.m. in Hall 1 of the International Congress Center Berlin (ICC Berlin). On the eve of ITB Berlin the 600 delegates invited to the first ITB Summit will be able to find out about new trends and developments in online marketing.

 
The opening ceremony will be as unique, unexplainable and impressive as Mexico itself. At four individual stops inside the lobby of the ICC Berlin guests will be able to watch Mexican artists welcoming them with their performances. Opening the ceremony, Vice Chancellor and Federal Economics and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Berlin’s Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit and Messe Berlin CEO Dr. Christian Göke and will address the 4,500 guests. In their role as leading representatives of the travel industry Dr. Michael Frenzel, President of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) and Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will hold speeches. Representing this year’s partner country, H.E. Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, Secretary of Tourism of Mexico will also address those present.

 
Mexico will fascinate its guests with a dazzling programme of entertainment and a fascinating multimedia show featuring modern as well as traditional elements. This kaleidoscope of colours, photography and images will conjure a visual tour, bringing Mexico to life. At the subsequent reception and networking event a selection of culinary delights from the partner country and a welcome cocktail by master chef Enrique Olvera will await the guests.

 
On 4 March from 2 to 6 p.m., a new format at ITB Berlin will provide information on developments in online marketing. The first ITB Summit on the topical subject of omni-channel marketing will have valuable practical tips on how to combine online and offline sales channels. Leading speakers, including Lee McCabe, head of Travel Facebook, Claas van Delden, managing director of Seven Ventures, and Harald Kratel, managing director of Bundesverband Digitale Wirtschaft BVDW, will have useful information on mobile marketing and the prospects for social media securing new customers for the 600 delegates invited to this event. Rounding off the programme will be a thought-provoking discussion round in which members from various parts of the media will discuss the future of marketing communications. Jürgen Scharrer, editor-in-chief of Horizont, will moderate the ITB Summit.

Cruise Line Presidents and CEOs to Lead New Regional State of the Industry Sessions at Cruise Shipping Miami

In addition to Cruise Shipping Miami’s highly anticipated “State of the Global Cruise Industry” led by the heads of the four largest cruise corporations, three additional new panels of cruise line chief executives will analyze critical issues and trends in the world’s largest cruise markets — the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australasia.

As the rapid globalization of the cruise business continues, understanding the complex trends and forces shaping the industry becomes ever more challenging. Responding to that challenge, UBM, organizers of Cruise Shipping Miami 2014, created three panels that will examine and discuss the three major cruise markets.

“The plenary session Tuesday morning will paint the global big picture, and the new sessions will provide a tightly focused view of the cruise business within each region in 2014 and beyond,” said Daniel Read, director of UBM’s Cruise Events Portfolio. “The regional discussions will look at how each market might develop in the coming years, trends in consumer sourcing and the impact of new port developments and infrastructure.”

Tuesday afternoon the “State of the Industry: The Americas” will feature Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International; Rick Sasso, chief executive officer of MSC Cruises USA; and Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Wednesday morning the “State of the Industry: Asia & Australasia” session will empanel Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International; Tammy Marshall, senior vice president of Carnival Australia; and Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Wednesday afternoon’s panel will discuss the “State of the Industry: Europe,” featuring Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises; David Dingle, chief executive officer of Carnival UK; Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises and chairman of CLIA Europe; and Richard Vogel, chief executive officer of TUI Cruises.

Organizers expect to announce additional top-level regional panelists soon.

The “State of the Global Cruise Industry” will kick off the sessions Tuesday morning, March 11. Moderated by the BBC America’s Katty Kay, it will feature Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc; Richard Fain, chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Kevin Sheehan, CEO and president of Norwegian Cruise Line; and Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises.

Cruise Shipping Miami, scheduled March 10-13, 2014, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the global flagship of UBM’s Cruise Events Portfolio, which includes the annual Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific and the biennial Seatrade Med Cruise Convention.

New Pegasus Cargo General Sales Agentsfor Europe and the Balkans

Pegasus Airlines appoints ABDA Cargo Services LLC as its cargo general sales agency for Austria, Denmark, France, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, while Aviation Services is appointed for Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

Istanbul, 25 February 2014 – Pegasus Cargo, with its policy of an on-time and quality service, continues to expand its operations with the appointment of new sales agents. Serving 78 destinations in 31 countries, Pegasus Cargo now has cargo general sales agents in Europe and the Balkans with its new appointments.

Accordingly ABDA Cargo Services LLC is now responsible for Austria, Denmark, France, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland while Aviation Services becomes cargo general sales agent for Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia as part of this new structure for Pegasus Cargo.

Vice President of Pegasus Cargo, Aydin Alpa, says of the new sales agents: “In order to increase our share of the market, we at Pegasus Cargo have decided to change the structure of our network of cargo general sales agents, in addition to our in-house operations put in place in recent years. As a result of a tender for bidding we chose the cargo general sales agents that we thought would work best with and for Pegasus Cargo. With these partnerships we will continue to offer on-time and quality services in cargo.”

U.S. Airports Applaud Addition of Chile to Visa Waiver Program

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security that Chile has been designated for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program effective May 1:

“Chile’s designation to be included in the United States’ Visa Waiver Program is a significant step in opening up the full potential of business and leisure travel between both countries,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “ACI-NA and its U.S. member airports applaud this decision by the Department of Homeland Security, and we look forward to other nations joining the Visa Waiver Program.”

Under the Visa Waiver Program, travelers from eligible countries can enter the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, provided they meet certain requirements.

China encouraged to focus on visa facilitation to drive up International visitors

Travel & Tourism creates more jobs and contributes more to China’s economy than industries including automotive manufacturing and banking Improving visa access and visa processes for China is the key to opening the country’s doors to more International visitors. That is according to the CEO and President of WTTC, David Scowsill, who is unveiling research today which underlines the significant role which Travel & Tourism is playing in driving China’s economy.

 
Mr Scowsill says visa facilitation will help give China’s international tourism market a vital boost; “China’s domestic market is strong, but it is not getting the growth in international visitors it could be. There is strong potential from emerging economies across Asia and renewed optimism from long haul markets this year. To capitalise on this, WTTC recommends that the Chinese Government continues to strengthen its policies and strategies which will bring people from all over the world for business and leisure visits. Increased visa facilitation would drive visitor numbers, tourism receipts and jobs”.
WTTC is the global authority on the social and economic impact of the Travel & Tourism. WTTC’s 2013 Benchmarking research assesses the role which Travel & Tourism plays in comparison to other economic sectors. It shows that Travel & Tourism directly employs more people and contributes more to China’s economy (9.3%) than car manufacturing (7.7%), education (7.1%), banking (6%), communication services (5.2%) and higher education (1.5%).

 
The Travel & Tourism Industry in China, in fact, directly employs more people than all of the sectors looked at in the study:
• Travel & Tourism 22.7m
• Financial Services 20.7m
• Communication Services 10.8m
• Banking 10.7m
• Mining 10.3m
• Education 8.9m
• Chemicals Manufacturing 6.5m
• Car manufacturing 5.3m
• Higher Education 1.4m
The research also shows that other sectors in China benefit strongly from Travel & Tourism’s supply chain. For example, for every $1 million in spending on Travel & Tourism, the agricultural sector gains $150,000.

 
Mr Scowsill adds; “This latest research underlines the significant role which Travel & Tourism is playing in driving China’s economy and the even greater potential it offers, if the right policies continue to be implemented. China has something for everyone including incredible sights like the 2500 year old Terracotta Army, the Great Wall of China, pulsating modern cities as well as beaches to relax on. WTTC would recommend that China looks to increase bilateral and visa-free agreements with its near neighbours and takes steps to digitise its visa processes. Every step it takes to open its borders to travellers will reap economic rewards and see many more international tourists coming to enjoy its cultural and historical delights”.

Source:- WTTC

Ghana hotels lauded for transacting in local currency

Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), Mr Charles Osei Bonsu, commended players in the hotel industry for complying with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) directives to transact business in Ghana currency instead of other currencies.

The directive by the Bank of Ghana was to check the depreciation of the cedi and the dollarization of the economy in the country. Mr Bonsu said this during a tour of some selected hotels in East Legon, Tesano and Dzorwulu in Accra, to check whether the hotels are adhering to the BoG directives.

He said the tour was also to check if the companies have been collecting the Tourism Development Fund of 1 per cent on accommodation, restaurant and conferences.

Mr Bonsu explained that the Fund was expected to provide the resources for the authority to market and promote the activities and services of players in the tourism industry in Ghana.
“It will also facilitate capacity building for players in the industry and also embark on market research, development of tourism infrastructure and tourism education and training” he added.

Mr Bonsu said the GTA would sustain the exercise and extend it to other regions and urged the companies to continue complying with the directives to help address the economic issues confronting the country.

Nana Tuffour Antwi, General Manager of Royal Richester Hotel, said management has embraced the directives and was now charging in the Ghana currency as well as displaying their rates in Cedis.

He said a major problem they face was when guests come in late in the night and they have only dollars on them, and may not be able to get the services of the forex bureaus.

Source: travelandtourworld