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IATA Launches CEIV Fresh

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International Air Transport Association (IATA)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new industry certification—the Center for Excellence for Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh)—to improve the handling and the transport by air of perishable products.

“Perishable goods is a growing market for air cargo. Ensuring that these delicate and short shelf-life products reach the customer unspoiled with minimal waste and loss is essential. Shippers will have assurance that CEIV Fresh certified companies are operating to the highest quality and standards in the transport of perishable products,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.


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The specific time and temperature requirements for food and plant products makes the handling and transporting of perishable products challenging. The CEIV Fresh program meets these exacting requirements primarily based on the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) which combines professional regulatory and operational input from industry and government experts.

CEIV Fresh Launch Partners

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) were the first organizations to pilot the CEIV Fresh program taking a community approach to certification. This unique community approach helps align the needs and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the handling of perishable goods.

“We took a community approach to developing CEIV Fresh recognizing that the successful shipment requires the alignment of many stakeholders. Shippers can have peace of mind knowing that every entity handling their goods is operating to the same standards. Understanding the value of this to the success of its customers, the Airport Authority Hong Kong pioneered the world’s first CEIV Fresh certified airport community,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Cargo.

“We are delighted to be the first airport community worldwide recognised by IATA under the CEIV Fresh programme, which is a big encouragement to and affirmation of the capability of the Hong Kong airport community in handling perishable products.  HKIA is the world’s busiest cargo airport since 2010. With the new certification, HKIA is well-placed to capture the increasing growth opportunities in the market for fresh and perishable goods,” said Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong.he International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new industry certification—the Center for Excellence for Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh)—to improve the handling and the transport by air of perishable products.

“Perishable goods is a growing market for air cargo. Ensuring that these delicate and short shelf-life products reach the customer unspoiled with minimal waste and loss is essential. Shippers will have assurance that CEIV Fresh certified companies are operating to the highest quality and standards in the transport of perishable products,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

The specific time and temperature requirements for food and plant products makes the handling and transporting of perishable products challenging. The CEIV Fresh program meets these exacting requirements primarily based on the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) which combines professional regulatory and operational input from industry and government experts.

CEIV Fresh Launch Partners

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) were the first organizations to pilot the CEIV Fresh program taking a community approach to certification. This unique community approach helps align the needs and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the handling of perishable goods.

“We took a community approach to developing CEIV Fresh recognizing that the successful shipment requires the alignment of many stakeholders. Shippers can have peace of mind knowing that every entity handling their goods is operating to the same standards. Understanding the value of this to the success of its customers, the Airport Authority Hong Kong pioneered the world’s first CEIV Fresh certified airport community,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Cargo.

“We are delighted to be the first airport community worldwide recognised by IATA under the CEIV Fresh programme, which is a big encouragement to and affirmation of the capability of the Hong Kong airport community in handling perishable products.  HKIA is the world’s busiest cargo airport since 2010. With the new certification, HKIA is well-placed to capture the increasing growth opportunities in the market for fresh and perishable goods,” said Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Jamaica is PATWA’s Destination of the Year

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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism, Donovan White accept the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA) International Travel Award for Destination of the Year, which was given to Jamaica

Jamaica was today presented with the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA) International Travel Award for Destination of the Year, in Berlin, Germany.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is truly honoured to once again receive a prestigious award from the internationally recognized PATWA organization.

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Our country has been continuously creating innovative initiatives aimed at improving the destination, as well as bolstering our marketing efforts in new and emerging markets. I am very happy that we have been recognized for our hard work, during this event, among other leading destinations.”

The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), a professional organisation of travel writers, which was founded in 1998, organizes the event. The awards recognize individuals and organisations that have excelled and/or are involved in the promotion of tourism from different sectors of the travel trade and service providers related directly or indirectly to the industry.

The Minister also noted that locally, the industry continues to break records for arrivals and revenue earned, making it a critical industry in the country’s growth agenda.

“Destination Jamaica has been performing exceptionally well. I am very proud to say that each year we continue to see an increase in the number of visitors to our shores – most of which have been to our island at least once before. This I am sure can be credited to our beautiful attractions and of course friendly people, who have also been able to earn from the industry,” he said.

The total visitor arrivals for 2016 stood at 3,837,243 with 2,181,684 being stopovers. In 2017, total arrivals broke the 4 million mark to end the year at 4,276,189. The record-breaking streak continued into 2018 when the country welcomed 4,318,600 visitors.

The statistics show that last year stopover arrivals exceeded the previous year by 5.1 percent but when compared to 2016, growth was a whopping 13.3 percent. The USA market in particular, grew by 7.5 percent in 2018 over 2017.

Preliminary figures for airport arrivals for the period of January 1 to February 17 2019 show Montego Bay recording 275,902 and Kingston 44,400 for a total of 320,602. That is 31,172 or 10.2 percent increase in arrivals over the 2018 corresponding period.

The country also welcomed 469,000 cruise passengers, last month, which is 43,000 more tourists compared to the corresponding time last year

Projected figures for the 2018/19 fiscal year show gross earnings at US$3.334 billion, an 8.8 percent increase over the last fiscal year. Stopover arrivals are also projected at 2.713 million, which is a 6.2 percent increase.

The ceremony forms part of ITB Berlin, which is the largest tourism tradeshow in the world – the foremost business platform for global touristic offers and a prime marketplace and driving force behind the international tourism industry. It highlights hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, airlines among others related to the travel industry. ITB is also the ideal forum for establishing new customer contacts and conducting business.

The Minister is joined by Director of Tourism, Donovan White and the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Events Manager, Lorna Robinson. He will return to the island on March 9, 2019.

CEO Pilar Laguana is fantastic news for Guam Tourism

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Pilar Laguana, an international tourism veteran, is now in charge of the Guam Visitors Bureau. She thinks out of the box, she has a global mindset, and she is a prominent figure in the global travel and tourism industry.

The new president and CEO, Pilar Laguana, was appointed on February 15, 2018 to lead the most important industry in the U.S. territory – Guam. She took over from former GVB President and CEO Nathan Denight

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The GVB Board of Directors unanimously voted Pilar Laguana as the new head of the agency. Board members also confirmed her nomination for Bobby Alvarez to serve as her Vice President.

The board could have not made a better decision.

Previously Ms. Pilar Laguaña has been the Marketing Manager of Guam Visitors Bureau since May 1987. She managed to position Guam as a major global travel and tourism destination.

Pilar always reached out to global markets. Her recent effort to include LGBT travelers to visit Guam was the first for Guam and well received.

Her tourism career began in 1977 as the first candidate under the GVB Management Promotions Internship Program.

Over the years, Ms. Laguaña advanced through the ranks of Promotions Specialist for various markets until she was promoted to Deputy General Manager in 1982. Five years later, she opted to continue her career as the bureau’s marketing manager.

In her role as manager, Ms. Laguaña is responsible for the establishment, overall planning, development, implementation, coordination and supervision of all the bureau’s worldwide marketing and promotional activities.

As a team player with skilled organizational, managerial, analytical and supervisory skills, Ms. Laguaña played a key role in opening up the Korea market in the early 1980s and consistent growth of international markets including Japan, Taiwan, North America/Canada, Hong Kong, Philippines, Micronesia, Australia, Europe, and China.

Ms. Laguaña is an active member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), which awarded her the prestigious PATA Award of Merit in 2009.

She is currently serving a second term as chairman of the National Tour Association’s (NTA) Leadership Team China Task Force. She also holds the longest tenure in the PATA Micronesia Chapter, in which she serves as the organization’s Marketing Committee Co-Chair.

She is a 2011 charter member of the Hawaii Pacific Export Council (also referred to as the District Export).

Ms. Laguaña has earned the Outstanding Young Woman of America award three times, and has been awarded several other honors including being named the Institute of Japanese Studies Awardee, receiving a Guam Legislation Resolution in recognition of her involvement in the research and production of the Jack DeMell Music & Legends of Guam, and being named a Governor of Guam Honorary Ambassador-at-Large.

Her past experience within the tourism industry includes work within the Travel Industry Association (TIA), terms on the editorial board of the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association (GHRA) and the GHRA Public Relations & Marketing Committee.

Ms. Laguaña acquired her high school and college education in Hawaii and also pursued her professional Japanese language and cultural training from The Tokyo School of Japanese Language – Institute for Research in Linguistic Culture, (Tokyo, Japan).

Malta attracts record-breaking 62,185 tourists from US and Canada in 2018

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Statistics released by Malta’s National Statistics Office for inbound tourism for 2018 show that Malta’s popularity in the North American market is still trending.

The Hon. Konrad Mizzi, Minister of Tourism for Malta, noted that the US was one of the fastest growing tourism markets for Malta, recording a dramatic increase of 31.9% from 2017 to 2018, with a total of 47,170 Americans visitors. The increase from Canada in 2018 was 6.6% (15,015 Canadians) bringing the total arrivals in 2018 from North America (US & Canada) to a record breaking 62,185. This sunny archipelago in the Mediterranean recorded an overall 2.6 million visitors (+14.3% between 2017 and 2018), bringing a record number of tourists to Malta from around the World.

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Malta is turning into one of the Mediterranean’s top all season destinations due to its success in developing a multitude of off-peak events, and mild year round warm, sunny climate. According to Michelle Buttigieg, MTA Representative for North America, “although the dramatic increase in 2018 is due in large part to the yearlong celebrations of Malta’s Capital, Valletta, as the 2018 European capital of Culture, Malta also has a rich and diverse annual calendar of festivals and events that continue to attract visitors for the off-season.”

Buttigieg continued, “if the overwhelming number of people stopping at the Malta Booth last month at the January 2019 New York Times Travel Show is any indication, this market will continue to boom.” The MTA is very proactive in North America, both with travel industry organizations such as the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), and Virtuoso, a network of luxury travel agents.

Buttigieg further stated, “MTA has also garnered major publicity in the US and Canada because of its proactive work with prominent journalists and social media influencers.” Buttigieg added, “an important part of Malta’s appeal to the North American traveler is that English is an official language, and that Malta is a safe, peaceful, and stable EU democracy.”

IMEX Frankfurt: Gain a head start with EduMonday

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Gain a head start with EduMonday

“Inspiration is one of our core values – we’re firm believers in the power of bringing people together to learn new skills, co-create fresh ideas and innovate. Every year IMEX sets out to lead from the front by offering high value, memorable experiences – EduMonday is fast becoming one of those special ingredients.”

This year’s EduMonday delivers this, with a free program of high quality learning designed to inspire attendees to create incredible events”, Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, introduces EduMonday, an afternoon of free professional education taking place the day before IMEX in Frankfurt, 21 -23 May 2019.

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EduMonday takes place on Monday 20 May and begins with the keynote at She Means Business, created in partnership with tw tagungswirtschaft. After this attendees can stay and be part of She Means Business, celebrating the role of women in the events industry, or mix and match from a program of 20 general sessions designed around professional or personal developments.

Fresh formats and free learning opportunities for all

There are premium learning opportunities for everyone coming to IMEX – both buyers and exhibitors. Education in both English and German taps into the latest trends and issues, covering business skills, innovation, sustainability, crisis management as well as wellbeing and personal development. With emotional intelligence increasingly incorporated into event planning, IMEX is offering the Event Design Certificate Program free of charge.

All education is delivered with a fresh approach using both time-honored and pioneering new learning methods – enabling attendees to learn in small informal groups and through immersive deep dives.

Attendees can also relax and recharge in the Be Well Lounge offering wellbeing sessions and quiet space to pause, reflect and digest.

Tailor-made learning

Event professionals from all sectors and all levels can explore topics and trends via a number of dedicated events within EduMonday, all specifically curated for various audiences. Association professionals from around the world are invited to Association Day and Evening, to share best practice and connect with peers. The Agency Directors Forum is a strategic exchange for small to mid-size meetings and events agencies. There’s also education and networking exclusively for corporate/in-house meeting and event executives at Exclusively Corporate.

Bauer concludes: “Learning and making the right connections are key to keeping up to date with rapid developments in our industry and for boosting confidence, personal brand and authority. Our preshow EduMonday allows attendees to gain a head start, soaking up insider knowledge from leading experts and mixing and meeting with others – and that’s all before the show has even begun!”

Attendees can then explore destinations, venues, tech providers and more at IMEX in Frankfurt from 21 – 23 May 2019. Among the many exhibitors already confirmed are New Zealand, Senses of Cuba, Barcelona Convention Bureau, Visit Brussels, Kempinski Hotels, Meliá Hotels and Latvia. During the three days of the trade show, planners can meet with more than 3,500 suppliers from every sector of the global meetings and events industry.

EduMonday takes place on Monday 20 May, the day before IMEX in Frankfurt, 21 -23 May 2019. It’s free to enter following registration for IMEX in Frankfurt. Registration for the show is also free of charge and open to all.