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Archives for January 2021

TAT stages ‘Nang Yai’ shadow puppet theatre to enrich ‘Happy Quarantine’ experience

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Bangkok, 29 January, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to enhance and enrich the Amazing Thailand Happy Quarantine activities to help break the boredom of quarantine for tourists. This time through traditional ‘Nang Yai’ shadow puppet theatre performances.

The fourth episode of the ‘Amazing Nang Yai’ show at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel on 25 January, followed by the fifth episode at the Chor Cher Hotel on 26 January formed part of TAT’s ongoing efforts to lighten the mood for quarantined tourists. Both episodes delighted a total of 403 quarantined tourists who watched from the safety of their hotel balconies.

TAT stages 'Nang Yai' shadow puppet theatre to enrich 'Happy Quarantine' experience

‘Nang Yai’ is considered to be one of the oldest traditions of storytelling in the world, and today still retains massive cultural and ritual significance in many local communities around Thailand.  

The shadow puppet theatre combines the expertise of various Thai artisans and their respective forms. It showcases detailed craftsmanship, Thai classical dance, Thai music, and literature that are merged together to create a captivating performance that charms and entertains audiences.

TAT stages 'Nang Yai' shadow puppet theatre to enrich 'Happy Quarantine' experience

Puppets are made of painted buffalo hide cut into intricate patterns representing traditional characters, while the story is narrated by songs, chants, music, and improvisations.

TAT also emphasised the importance of safety for both the performers and audience by strictly following the DMHTT precautions as advised by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, and T – Thai Chana contact tracing application.

TAT stages 'Nang Yai' shadow puppet theatre to enrich 'Happy Quarantine' experience

In addition to the Nang Yai shadow puppet theatre shows, the Amazing Thailand Happy Quarantine activities also include the weekly ‘Happy DIY Set Competition’ and ‘Blog it down’ contest, which have taken place between December 2020 and January 2021.

For more information on the Amazing Thailand Happy Quarantine, go to www.tourismthailand.org/happyquarantine.

Prime Minister & Tourism Minister Welcome Investment in New Negril Attraction

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Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett have welcomed the latest investment of just under US$1.5 million in the tourism sector’s latest innovative attraction, the Red Stripe Experience at Ricks Café, Negril.

Ground was broken yesterday (January 27), for the iconic experience, which is slated to be ready for the leisure market in October 2021, offering an interactive audio-visual tour that captures the history of two world renowned brands, the acclaimed Red Stripe Beer and the award-winning Rick’s Café, interwoven into Jamaica’s exciting cultural mix.

In welcoming the investment, Prime Minister Holness urged tourism interests to make similar cash injections to improve their existing properties, amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. “It is also the time to look at your plant and get it up to scratch. Now is the time to do all those physical changes to the plant that you couldn’t do while you have guests,” he expressed. 

Minister Bartlett indicates that he is particularly pleased with investments such as that being made by Red Stripe, which will capitalize on the island’s natural assets by leveraging its culture and heritage to tell the authentic Jamaican story.  “Attractions like these will get visitors out of the hotels to experience the real Jamaica,” he outlined.

Welcoming the ground-breaking for the Red Stripe Experience at Rick’s Café as an example of the vision and investor confidence needed to jumpstart Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 recovery, Minister Bartlett said the pandemic-induced crisis was severely testing resilience across all sectors of the economy. However, he says there was a choice in facing this major test, of either being defeated or rising to the challenge.

Pre-pandemic the tourism industry was experiencing record growth, being responsible for 9.5% of GDP in 2019, contributing 50% of foreign exchange earnings and generating some 354,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs. “The Jamaica Tourist Board’s preliminary figures for 2020 indicate that we welcomed 1,297,094 visitors, comprising of 847,823 stopover arrivals and 449,271 cruise passenger arrivals, which brought in some US$1.3 billion in earnings. This represents just a fraction of 2019’s 4.3 million visitors and US$3.7 billion in earnings,” he emphasized.

“Despite the pandemic-induced setbacks, there is no doubt that the tourism players have an unwavering desire to bounce back. It is going to be a slow and arduous process, but we are doing everything we possibly can to get the tourism industry fully back on track, more hotels and attractions open and more workers back on the job,” assured Minister Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett said the pandemic had forced a rethink of strategies and charting of a new course towards effective recovery and sustainable development.

“Investment will be key to our recovery effort as we seek to uncover hidden opportunities in tourism amid the COVID-era economic crisis. I am therefore pleased that investors continue to show confidence in the Jamaican tourism market and are finishing projects already started,” he said.

More news about Jamaica

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Marriott International Earns 100% Perfect Score on 2021 Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

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Marriott International, Inc. today has been named, for the eighth consecutive year, among America’s top corporations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality, by again earning a perfect 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

As the national benchmarking tool measuring policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index is a primary driving force for LGBT workplace inclusion.

“At the core of Marriott’s people first culture is making sure all associates feel welcomed and included,” said David Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International. “We are honored to once again receive a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, recognizing our commitment to LGBT workplace inclusion.”

Marriott has consistently been recognized for its outstanding workplace and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. For a comprehensive list, please visit Awards and Recognition.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,500 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 132 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Ben Gerow
Marriott International
[email protected]