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Number of Hawaii visitors up but spending down

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Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.39 billion in February 2019, a decrease of 2.7 percent compared to February 20181, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. This is another dip following the 3.8 decrease in January.

In February, visitor spending increased from the U.S. West (+4.7% to $503.3 million) but declined from U.S. East (-6.7% to $370.9 million), Japan (-0.8% to $170.1 million), Canada (-0.7% to $150.7 million) and All Other International Markets (-15.3% to $188.7 million) compared to a year ago.

On a statewide level, average daily visitor spending was down slightly (-0.9% to $200 per person) in February year-over-year. Visitors from Japan (+3.3%), U.S. West (+1.2%) and All Other International Markets (+0.7%) spent more per day while visitors from U.S. East (-4.1%) and Canada (-1.0%) spent less.

A total of 782,584 visitors (+0.5%) came to Hawaii in February 2019, up slightly from the same month last year. Arrivals by air service (+0.3% to 766,293) were comparable to last February while arrivals by cruise ships (+12.1% to 16,291) increased. However, total visitor days2 declined (-1.9%) versus February 2018 due to a shorter average length of stay by visitors from most markets.

The average daily census3 of total visitors in the Hawaiian Islands on any given day in February was 248,244, down 1.9 percent compared to February last year. Arrivals by air service realized growth from U.S. West (+6.5%), Canada (+2.5%) and Japan (+1.1%) which offset decreases from U.S. East (-0.9%) and All Other International Markets (-17.2%).

Visitor spending on Oahu decreased (-1.6% to $613.0 million) while visitor arrivals (456,820) were flat compared to last February. Maui recorded increases in both visitor spending (+1.2% to $413.0 million) and visitor arrivals (+1.5% to 220,801). The island of Hawaii saw declines in visitor spending (-17.5% to $192.3 million) and visitor arrivals (-14.8% to 137,502). Visitor spending increased on Kauai (+4.7% to $153.5 million) while visitor arrivals were similar (+0.2% to 104,167) to February 2018.

A total of 1,010,961 trans-Pacific air seats serviced the Hawaiian Islands in February, up slightly (+0.5%) from a year ago. Growth in air seats from Canada (+10.9%), Japan (+6.3%), Oceania (+1.8%), U.S. West (+0.5%) and U.S. East (+0.5%) offset declines from Other Asia Markets (-25.1%).

Year-to-Date 2019

Through the first two months of 2019, visitor spending declined (-2.4% to $3.01 billion) compared to the same period last year. Visitor arrivals increased (+1.8% to 1,603,205) but a shorter length of stay (-1.8% to 9.43 days) resulted in no growth in visitor days. Average daily spending (-2.4% to $199 per person) was lower compared to a year ago.

Visitor spending decreased from U.S. West (-0.8% to $1.06 billion), U.S. East (-1.8% to $832.5 million), Japan (-3.8% to $349.6 million), Canada (-0.4% to $318.3 million) and All Other International markets (-7.5% to $443.2 million).

Visitor arrivals increased from U.S. West (+5.5% to 631,064), U.S. East (+0.7% to 356,943), Japan (+3.3% to 251,488) and Canada (+0.7% to 133,915), but declined from All Other International Markets (-7.9% to 201,981).

Other Highlights:

U.S. West: Visitor arrivals from the Pacific region rose 7.6 percent in February compared to the previous year, with more visitors from Alaska (+13.7%), California (+8.4%), Washington (+6.7%) and Oregon (+2.9%). Arrivals from the Mountain region were up 3.2 percent in February with growth from Arizona (+9.5%) and Nevada (+8.5%), offsetting declines from Utah (-5.7%) and Colorado (-1.3%). Through the first two months, arrivals from the Pacific (+7.4%) and Mountain (+1.8%) regions increased versus the same period last year.

Through February 2019, average daily visitor spending dropped to $182 per person (-2.4%) compared to the same period last year, largely due to decreases in transportation and food and beverage expenses.

U.S. East: Growth in February visitor arrivals from the East South Central (+1.6%) and East North Central (+0.6%) regions were offset by decreases from the West South Central (-4.1%), South Atlantic (-4.0%), New England (-2.4%) and Mid Atlantic (-0.7%) regions compared to a year ago. For the first two months of 2019, arrivals were up from the East South Central (+7.2%), West North Central (+2.6%) and South Atlantic (+0.7%) regions.

For the first two months of 2019, average daily visitor spending declined to $214 per person (-1.4%), largely due to a decline in transportation expenses.

Japan: In February, more visitors stayed in hotels (+5.2%) while stays in condominiums (-16.1%) and timeshares (-7.6%) decreased compared to a year ago.

For the first two months of 2019, average daily visitor spending declined to $238 per person (-4.4%), primarily due to lower lodging and transportation expenses.

Canada: In February, less visitors stayed in condominiums (-7.3%) and hotels (-1.6%). Stays in rental homes (+23.7%) and timeshares (+4.4%) increased from a year ago.

For the first two months of 2019, average daily visitor spending decreased (–0.7% to $177 per person) compared to the same period last year, due to lower shopping as well as entertainment and recreation expenses.

MCI: A total of 57,043 visitors came to the Hawaiian Islands for meetings, conventions and incentives (MCI) in February, an increase of 10.4 percent from last year. More visitors came to attend conventions (+18.6%) and corporate meetings (+2.2%) but fewer traveled on incentive trips (-1.0%). Contributing to the growth in convention visitors was the 2019 International Stroke Conference, held at the Hawaii Convention Center, which brought nearly 6,000 delegates. Through the first two months, total MCI visitors grew (+10.5% to 116,310) compared to the same period last year.

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Ontario tourism sector set for Rural Tourism Symposium

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Tourism industry professionals from across Ontario will gather at Lang Pioneer Village in Keene this April for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium. The one-day conference, with the theme “Redefining Success”, takes place 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, at the Peterborough County Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.

More than three million visitors visit Peterborough & the Kawarthas every year, including rural destinations such as Stoney Lake. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting tourism industry professionals from across Ontario on April 11, 2019 for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium in Keene.

Hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) in partnership with Chatham-Kent Tourism, the event is also supported by Grey County Tourism, Simcoe County Tourism, Headwaters Tourism, Kawartha Lakes Tourism, and Kawarthas-Northumberland (Regional Tourism Organization 8).

There’s no question that tourism is an important economic driver in Ontario, particularly for rural communities. According to PKED’s director of tourism and communications Tracie Bertrand, Peterborough & the Kawarthas alone draws around three million visitors every year who contribute approximately $300 million to the local economy.

“Part of our region’s competitive edge is that we offer the best of vibrant city, complemented by rolling hills of farmland and famed Ontario cottage country,” Bertrand says. “There are more than a thousand tourism businesses located in our region, ranging from retail to restaurants and from accommodations to attractions.”

But the April 11 symposium is not just limited to Peterborough & the Kawarthas: it’s been specifically designed to raise the profile of tourism in rural Ontario, and will attract rural tourism stakeholders, destination marketing organizations, and tourism businesses from across the province.

“We’re hoping this event sparks conversation and builds momentum for rural tourism in the province of Ontario,” Bertrand explains. “Industry professionals, both locally and from away, will gain insight from our expert speakers to leverage efforts at the provincial and national level, capitalize on opportunities, and create partnerships for success.”

The symposium begins with a keynote presentation entitled “Leverage Your Reach with Destination Ontario” by Lisa LaVecchia, president and CEO of Destination Ontario.

Legally known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Destination Ontario is an agency of the Government of Ontario that markets the province as a preferred four-season tourist destination in a globally competitive tourism market. Under LaVecchia’s leadership, Destination Ontario has produced innovative and award-winning brand campaigns, including the ‘Epic Is ON’ campaign for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and the ‘Where Am I?’ campaign.

The symposium also includes:

A presentation by Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, entitled “Stronger Together. Presenting a United Front for Rural Tourism” on how tourism industry professionals can collaborate with the association to achieve success.

An “Agritourism Farm Table Chat” led by the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s director of food tourism innovation Trevor Benson who, along with special guests, will discuss how to build bridges between the agriculture and tourism industries.

A presentation by Jewel Cunningham, director of Ontario Waterways with Parks Canada, called “Partnering for Success”. Cunningham will describe how partnerships can create exceptional visitor experiences and powerful economic impact in even the smallest of communities.

A presentation entitled “Showcasing Rural Ontario to National & International Visitors” by David Robinson of Destination Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Commission), a federal crown corporation that helps the Canadian tourism industry reach international markets. Robinson will explain how Canada measures up as a competitive hot spot for international travelers.

Finally, the symposium is also a stop on Canada’s national series of Tourism Town Halls, a partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and local industry partners. The Tourism Town Halls provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada to better understand efforts being made on national tourism issues.

“This tourism town hall will be especially important given the announcement of last week’s federal budget and the importance it placed on tourism as a high-growth sector,” Bertrand says.

The Tourism Town Hall includes a panel discussion with representatives from Destination Canada, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, moderated by Michele Harris, director of economic and community development with the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Reducing the negative impact on the environment is an important element of tourism, particularly in rural destinations, so sustainability is a focus of this year’s symposium. Rather than having print materials available at the symposium, information will be delivered digitally through a downloadable app. Waste, especially food waste, will be limited throughout the day and attendees will be encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and their own notepads or devices for making notes.

“We are excited to welcome tourism stakeholders from across the province and show them how we are redefining success in tourism in our communities,” Bertrand says. “We are equally excited to have our tourism operators come out and celebrate what makes our industry unique, right here in our own backyard at the Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.”

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Princess Cruises And Fincantieri Sign Contracts For Two Next-Generation Cruise Ships

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Princess Cruises and Fincantieri announced today the signing of the final contracts for the construction of two next-generation 175,000-ton cruise ships, which will be the largest ships ever built so far in Italy, with deliveries scheduled in Monfalcone in late 2023 and in spring 2025. This announcement follows the initial signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two parties in July 2018.

The vessels will each accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be based on a next-generation platform design, being the first Princess Cruises ships to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). LNG is the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel, which will significantly reduce air emissions and marine gasoil usage.

“Princess Cruises continues to grow globally — adding new ships to our fleet built by our long-time trusted ship building partner, Fincantieri, who brings decades of expertise to these next-generation cruise ships,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises President. “Even more exciting is that these two ships are being designed to include our MedallionClass platform, powered by OceanMedallion, the most advanced wearable device available within the global hospitality industry.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, commented on the announcement: “This result proves, once again, the trust we receive from the market, which allows us to look to the future with ambition. It honors our great work focused on innovation thanks to which we have been able to offer to the client a record-breaking proposal not only in terms of size. Besides we firmly believe that a new class of Princess Cruises’ ships, one of Carnival Group’s top brands, can stem from this promising project. In fact, for Princess Cruises, we have received orders for 21 ships, another unprecedented result in this industry.”

Considered a breakthrough in the vacation industry and recently honored with a CES® 2019 Innovation Award, the OceanMedallion is leading-edge technology that delivers personalized service on a large scale through enhanced guest-crew interaction, as well as enabling interactive entertainment. Guests are currently experiencing Princess MedallionClass vacations onboard Caribbean Princess and Regal Princess. By the end of the year, MedallionClass vacations will be activated on three additional ships, Royal Princess, Crown Princess and Sky Princess.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and United Nations reported that growth in the number of people cruising between 2004 and 2014 outpaced land-based vacations by over 20 percent, and CLIA projects 30 million people will take an ocean cruise in 2019, an all-time record. These stats signal a bright future for the cruise industry, as well as for professional travel advisor partners enthusiastic for more inventory to meet the growing demands for cruising.

With five ships being built over the next six years, Princess Cruises is the fastest growing premium cruise line in the world.

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the fastest growing international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as “Best Cruise Line for Itineraries.”
In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry’s most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. MedallionClass Vacations will be activated on five ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue across the global fleet in 2020 and beyond.
Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, “Come Back New Promise” – a $450 million-dollar product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will continue to enhance the line’s onboard guest experience. These enhancements result in more moments of awe, lifetime memories and meaningful stories for guests to share from their cruise vacation. The product innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; engaging entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet that include exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and more.
Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship under construction, Sky Princess, scheduled for delivery in October 2019, followed by Enchanted Princess in June 2020. Princess has announced two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests are planned for delivery in 2023 and 2025.  Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 and 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one for diversification and innovation. It is leader in cruise ship design and construction and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors, from naval to offshore vessels, from high-complexity special vessels and ferries to mega yachts, as well as in ship repairs and conversions, production of systems and mechanical and electrical component equipment and after-sales services.
With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 vessels built, Fincantieri has always kept its management offices, as well as all the engineering and production skills, in Italy. With over 8,600 employees in Italy and a supplier network that employs nearly 50,000 people, Fincantieri has enhanced a fragmented production capacity over several shipyards into a strength, acquiring the widest portfolio of clients and products in the cruise segment. To hold its own in relation to competition and assert itself at global level, Fincantieri has broadened its product portfolio becoming world leader in the sectors in which it operates.
With globalization, the Group has around 20 shipyards in 4 continents, over 19,000 employees and is the leading Western shipbuilder. It has among its clients the world’s major cruise operators, the Italian and the US Navy, in addition to several foreign navies, and it is partner of some of the main European defense companies within supranational programs.
Fincantieri’s business is widely diversified by end markets, geographical exposure and by client base, with revenue mainly generated from cruise ship, naval and offshore vessel construction. Compared with less diversified players, such diversification allows it to mitigate the effects of any fluctuations in demand on the end markets served.
www.fincantieri.com

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Why does Nigeria’s Health Minister say no to Medical Tourism?

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Nigeria Minister of Health Isaac Adewole has challenged physicians in the country to live up to their professional calling and find ways to discourage medical tourism in the country.

The Minister said that unless Nigerian professionals live up to the task of restoring sanity in the health sector, the challenges facing it will continue to linger if the potentials of health professionals are not harnessed.

The number of Nigerians leaving the country to seek medical treatment abroad is increasing, and this is having a $1.3 million impact in the way of lost revenue on the Nigerian economy.

Tens of thousands of Nigerians travel every year to the US, UK, India, Thailand, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and China, among other countries, to seek treatment for medical issues ranging from kidney transplants, open heart or cardiac surgeries, neurosurgeries, cosmetic surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, eye surgeries and other health conditions, and even delivering babies.

In his address, the Chairman of the West Africa College of Physicians, Abel Onunnu, described the migration of health professionals in the West African sub-region as worrisome, noting that the government must find a way to bring it to an end.

The minister made this statement at the annual conference of West African college of physicians that was held in Kaduna. The conference was held under the theme of enhancing performance of the health sector, and the event saw medical professionals discuss topical issues affecting the sector.

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Follow travel journalists of “The Bucket List Family”

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The Bucket List Family is a family of five, including three small children, who travel the world together documenting and sharing their adventures. The family will travel with LATAM Airlines throughout the South American region, checking off places from their bucket list with some of the most popular destinations in the region.

In addition, LATAM is bridging a partnership between The Bucket List Family and TECHO, a nonprofit organization that seeks to overcome the poverty situation that millions of people live in across Latin America through the joint work of its inhabitants and young volunteers.

During a yearlong adventure, LATAM will take the family to key destinations in South America to explore the variety of cultures, and via their partnership with TECHO, present the family with the opportunity to give back to the communities by collaborating with local leaders and share their efforts and accomplishments for building better communities.

“We are thrilled to fly with LATAM to amazing destinations and work with TECHO to help in its important mission of fighting poverty throughout the region, said Jessica Gee, matriarch of the Bucket List Family. “In every country we visit, we try to find local service opportunities where we can not only give back but impart valuable life lessons to our children. That’s why we feel this latest adventure is perfectly aligned with our mission and family values.”

Felipe Bogotá, General Director at TECHO added: “TECHO is proud to join LATAM in making The Bucket List Family´s tour an opportunity to build bridges and share on the disparate realities of life in Latin America with the world. Sharing stories is a substantial part of our work, which we have developed in part thanks to LATAM´s foundational contribution to our organization.”

The Bucket List Family will begin its tour in March of 2019, running through 2020. They are expected to visit Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru.

“LATAM is thrilled to take the Bucket List Family on this amazing adventure of discovery and purpose,” said Pablo Chiozza, Senior Vice President USA, Asia, Canada and Caribbean at LATAM Airlines.

Follow the journey and join the conversations at The Bucket List Family and use the hashtag #TheBucketListandLATAM.

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Summer Schedule 2019: Frankfurt Airport puts spring in its step

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New flight schedule to take effect on March 31 – Total flights expanding moderately

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) continues to strengthen its status as Germany’s leading international aviation hub. Starting on March 31, travelers will be able to fly from Frankfurt to a total of 306 destinations in 98 countries.

In this year’s summer season, the number of flights will increase moderately (by more than one percent) compared to last year. Seat capacity will also grow by between one and two percent.

European, domestic German and especially intercontinental flight offerings will all expand. A rise of between 1.5 and two percent of aircraft movements is expected in the intercontinental category, with seat capacity increasing by 1.5 to 2.5 percent.

 New long-haul destinations

United Airlines will introduce daily services to Denver (DEN) in early May. Lufthansa will also offer a once-daily flight to DEN, while adding Austin (AUS), Texas as a new destination in North America. Cathay Pacific is increasing the frequency on its Frankfurt-Hong Kong (HKG) route, thus bringing the total to three services a week. Qatar Airways will offer more seats on one of its two daily flights to Doha (DOH), which will now be operated by an Airbus A380.

The intercontinental connections available from Frankfurt are marked by an impressive diversity, serving a total of 137 destinations. Lufthansa is continuing the new services introduced last winter to Cancún (CUN) in Mexico and Agadir (AGA) in Morocco. Condor will retain its flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) in Malaysia while stepping up the frequency to Phoenix (PHX) in the U.S., Calgary (YYC) in Canada, and Mombasa (MBA) in Kenya. Air India will also maintain its Frankfurt-Mumbai (BOM) route.

More connections to Turkey from FRA

Holidaymakers who wish to spend their vacation in Turkey have quite a few options to choose from: 11 airlines will now fly from FRA to a total of 15 destinations in that country, 15 percent more than before. They include a new service to Bodrum (BJV) by Lufthansa, which is also adding two other European holiday destinations: Heraklion (HER) in Greece and Tivat (TIV) in Montenegro.

Lufthansa will also continue flying to the new destinations it inaugurated last winter. Among them are Thessaloniki (SKG) in Greece, Trieste (TRS) in Italy, and Tromsø (TOS) in Norway. The airline is also adding more frequencies to Tirana (TIA) in Albania and Sofia (SOF) in Bulgaria, as well as Palma de Majorca (PMI) and Pamplona (PNA) in Spain. German leisure carrier TUIfly is strengthening its services from Frankfurt to Lamezia Terme (SUF) in Italy, Larnaca (LCA) in Cyprus, and Djerba-Zarzis (DJE) in Tunisia. In late March, Ryanair will add more services to Dublin (DUB), the Irish capital, bringing the total to 12 a week. Altogether, the total number of European destinations served from FRA will climb to 154, and within Germany to 15.

The impact on Frankfurt Airport of recent airline insolvencies is negligible. Flybmi will no longer be serving Bristol (BRS) in the United Kingdom and Jönköping (JKG) and Karlstad (KSD) in Sweden but because the aircraft used on those routes had only limited passenger seating their cancellation is only minimally affecting FRA’s total capacity. Nor are the failures of two other airlines, Germania and Small Planet Germany, having more than a very slight effect on total traffic. 

Good preparation for a positive travel experience

The moderate growth in flight movements is fully in line with the expectations of Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport. To handle the increase, Fraport has been hiring more staff and allotting more space for additional security checks during the summer season. Nevertheless, passengers may still experience processing delays on peak days. They are therefore advised to check in online before leaving home, arrive at the airport at least two and a half hours before departure, and then head immediately for the security checkpoint. Travelers intending to drive to the airport and leave their vehicles there can book parking spaces online in advance. Passengers are also advised to observe the airlines’ rules on cabin luggage. Fraport recommends taking as few carry-on items as possible. Information and pointers on travel and carry-on luggage can be found at www.frankfurt-airport.com.

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African Tourism Board tackles visitor surety to keep Africa safe for visitors

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The official launch of the newly-founded African Tourism Board is only two weeks away, and the U.S.-based interim Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz explained the organization’s commitment to keep Africa safe for visitors.

“Knowing weak points and confronting problems is the best approach.”

The African Tourism Board is working with Dr. Peter Tarlow to offer his decades of knowledge and workable approach to African members in the public and private travel and tourism industry.

ATB invited Dr. Tarlow to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming African Tourism Board launch event on April 11 during World Travel Market.

A variety of international speakers are on the impressive list of the launch event. ATB will be introducing an African-based president, while the US-based interim chairman Juergen Steinmetz will stay on as an advisor as he hands over leadership to the new president.

Among the speakers are Dr. Peter Tarlow, head of certified.travel, which had recently merged activities with eTN Corporation.

Dr. Peter Tarlow has been working for over two decades with hotels, tourism-oriented cities and countries, and both public and private security officers and police in the field of tourism security.

Tourism and More international staff includes some of the leading experts in the field. Dr. Peter Tarlow is a world-renowned expert in the field and a highly-published author.

Dr. Peter E. Tarlow is an internationally-recognized speaker and expert specializing in the impact of crime and terrorism on the tourism industry, event and tourism risk management, and tourism and economic development. Since 1990, Dr. Tarlow has been aiding the tourism community with issues such as travel safety and security, economic development, creative marketing, and creative thought.

Dr. Tarlow is currently consulting the travel security team for the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism.

Peter Tarlow has worked with numerous US government agencies including the US Bureau of Reclamation, US Customs, the FBI, the US Park Service, the Department of Justice, the Speakers Bureau of the US Department of State, the Center for Disease, US Supreme Court police, and the US Department of Homeland Security. He has worked with such US iconic locations as the Statue of Liberty, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, the Empire State Building, St. Louis’ arch, and the Smithsonian’s Institution’s Office of Protection Services in Washington, DC.

Dr. Tarlow has been a keynote speaker for governors’ tourism conferences around the nation including those for Illinois, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington State, and Wyoming.

He has addresses large-scale US government meetings for such agencies as:

  • The Bureau of Reclamation
  • The US Center for Disease Control
  • The US Park Service
  • The International Olympic Committee

On the international scene he has addressed conferences such as:

  • The Organization of American States (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Panama City, Panama)
  • The Latin American Hotel Association (Quito Ecuador, San Salvador, El Salvador and Puebla, Mexico)
  • The Caribbean Chiefs of Police Association (Barbados)
  • The International Organization for Security and Intelligence – IOSI  ((Vancouver, Canada)
  • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ottowa
  • The French Hotel Association CNI-SYNHORCAT (Paris)

Additionally, Dr. Tarlow is a featured speaker for numerous US embassies and with foreign tourism ministries around the world. For example, in his role as an expert in tourism security, he has worked with:

  • Vancouver’s Justice Institute  (2010 Olympic games)
  • The police departments of the state of Rio de Janeiro (2014 World Cup Games)
  • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • The United Nation’s WTO (World Tourism Organization)
  • The Panama Canal Authority
  • Police forces in Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Curaçao, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Serbia, and Trinidad & Tobago

In 2013, the Chancellor of the Texas A&M system named him his Special Envoy. In 2015, the Faculty of Medicine of Texas A&M University asked Dr. Tarlow to “translate” his tourism skills into practical courses for new physicians. As such, he teaches courses in customer service, creative thinking, and medical ethics at the Texas A&M medical school.

In 2016, the international engineering firm Gannet-Fleming appointed Dr. Tarlow its Senior Security and Safety Specialist. Also in 2016, Governor Gregg Abbot of Texas named Peter as the Chairman of the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission. As such, he has wide experience in dealing with protest marches and other public events that touch upon that theme.

Dr. Tarlow organizes tourism security conferences around the world, including the International Tourism Safety Conference in Las Vegas along with conferences in St. Kitts, Charleston (South Carolina), Bogota, Colombia, Panama City, Croatia, and Curaçao.

He lectures and trains tourism professionals and security personnel in multiple languages on a wide range of current and future trends in the tourism industry, rural tourism economic development, the gaming industry, issues of crime and terrorism, the role of police departments in urban economic development, and international trade. Some of the other topics about which he speaks are: the sociology of terrorism, its impact on tourism security and risk management, the US government’s role in post terrorism recovery, and how communities and businesses must face a major paradigm shift in the way they do business.

Dr. Tarlow publishes extensively in these areas and writes numerous professional reports for US governmental agencies and for businesses throughout the world. He has been asked to be an expert witness in courts throughout the United States on matters concerning tourism security and safety, and issues of risk management.

As a well-known author in the field of tourism security, Dr. Tarlow is a contributing author to multiple books on tourism security, and he publishes numerous academic and applied research articles regarding issues of security including articles published in The Futurist, the Journal of Travel Research, and Security Management. His wide range of professional and scholarly articles include subjects such as: “dark tourism,” theories of terrorism, economic development through tourism, and religion and terrorism and cruise tourism. Dr. Tarlow also writes and publishes the popular on-line tourism newsletter Tourism Tidbits read by thousands of tourism and travel professionals around the world in its English, Spanish, and Portuguese language editions.

Among the books that Dr. Tarlow has authored are:

  • Event Risk Management and Safety(2002).
  • Twenty Years of Tourism Tidbits: The Book (2011)
  • Abordagem Multdisciplinar dos Cruzeiros Turísticos (co-written 2014, in Portuguese)
  • Tourism Security: Strategies for Effective Managing Travel Risk and Safety (2014)
  • A Segurança: Um desafío para os setores de lazer, viagens e turismo, 2016 published (in Portuguese) and republished in English
  • Sports Travel Security (2017)

At numerous universities around the world, Dr. Tarlow lectures on security issues, life safety issues, and event risk management. These universities include institutions in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Texas A&M University and also holds degrees in history, in Spanish and Hebrew literatures, and in psychotherapy.

Dr. Tarlow has appeared on national televised programs such as Dateline: NBC and on CNBC and is a regular guest on radio stations around the US. He is the recipient of the International Chiefs of Police highest civilian honor in recognition for his work in tourism security.

Peter is a founder and president of Tourism & More Inc. (T&M). Tourism & More recently joined forces with the eTN Corporation under certified.travel.

He is a past president of the Texas Chapter of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), and Dr. Tarlow is a member of the International Editorial Boards around the world.

For more on the African Tourism Board and the launch event in Cape Town on April 11, visit africantourismboard.com.

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World’s largest Residence Inn by Marriott opens in Calgary

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Marriott International, Inc. has announced the opening of Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District, the largest property in the brand’s global portfolio. The Residence Inn Calgary marks the 800th hotel for the brand.

Located in one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, the Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District was thoughtfully-designed to capture the unconventional charm of the city. Standing 33 stories high, the property features 390 well-appointed spacious suites, offering unbeatable views of the city, all while blending comfort and style. Built where the historic Alberta Boot Company once stood, the property stands out within Calgary’s iconic skyline and boasts unique design elements from floor-to-ceiling murals to cowboy boot stitching incorporated into all guestroom bed headboards, paying homage to Calgary’s western history. Steps away from the center of downtown Calgary, the property’s prime location offers guests close access to some of the city’s main attractions, including the Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary Tower, and Studio Bell.

“Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District has been one of our most highly-anticipated launches in Canada as it marks the brand’s largest in the world,” said Janis Milham Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader Classic Select Brands at Marriott International. “Canada has become a key market for the brand’s continued expansion and we look forward to Residence Inn’s continued growth in the country.”

“Stampede City is the perfect place for Marriott International to debut its 800th Residence Inn hotel, the largest Residence Inn in the world, and a flagship property for the brand, said Don Cleary, President of Marriott International in Canada. “Calgary is a key market for extended-stay travel and we are delighted to launch the city’s third Residence Inn, widening the accommodation options available to business travelers whilst also putting Calgary’s most popular cultural attractions within easy reach of our long-stay leisure guests.”

“We are thrilled to be opening a spectacular new addition to Calgary’s Beltline District,” says Gordon Johnson, Vice-President, Operations for Atlific Hotels, the hotel’s operator. “The Residence Inn Calgary Downtown/Beltline District was envisioned for today’s leisure and business traveler, who is looking to spend quality time in one of Canada’s most vibrant entrepreneurial cities, whether for work or play.”

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Tourisme Montréal celebrates excellence, pays tribute to Air Canada’s Calin Rovinescu

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Leaders from Montréal’s tourism industry were honored yesterday at the Distinction Awards, an annual gala celebrating innovative business strategies. The event, which took place at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, was organized by Tourisme Montréal and presented by Air Canada.

“Tourisme Montréal wishes to commend its industry partners for their outstanding work. Thanks to them, Montréal is considered one of the most attractive urban destinations in North America and is known around the world for being an open, vibrant and creative city,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

The event included a special tribute to Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada. Under his leadership, Canada’s leading air carrier has increased Montréal’s international connections, making it one of the world’s top 50 megahubs.

The 2018 winners are:

Bill Brown Leader of Tomorrow Award: Angèle Vermette, Guidatour
Tourism or Hotel Management Student Award: Alexandra-Jade Girard, ITHQ
Concierge Award: Yannis Triantafyllou, Hôtel Le St-James
Hospitality Award: Hôtel Monville
Destination Marketing Award – Under 50 employees: Festival MURAL
Destination Marketing Award – Over 50 employees: Festival International de Jazz
Innovation Award – Under 50 employees: MU
Innovation Award – Over 50 employees: Phi Centre
Business Meetings and Conventions Award: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Synergy Award: MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and ITHQ
Museum Award – Over 50,000 visitors: Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex
Sports Tourism Development Award: Olympic Park
Special Tribute: Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada, member of the Order of Canada

The Distinction Awards were made possible thanks to support from the following partners: Air Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Aéroports de Montréal, Le Journal de Montréal, Re Le Traiteur, Colette Grand Café, Restaurant Le XVI XVI, and the students of LaSalle College.

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Holland America Line explores Mexican Riviera in 2019-2020

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Holland America Line guests looking to bask in the Mexican Riviera’s sun-kissed climate and vibrant culture will have 20 cruises and three ships to choose from between October 2019 and April 2020. A seven-day series of itineraries will be offered aboard Oosterdam and Eurodam, while Maasdam’s popular EXC In-Depth Voyages expand to Mexico in 2020. All of the regular-season cruises conveniently sail roundtrip from San Diego, California.

Each itinerary features three Mexican ports of call, including an overnight at Puerto Vallarta, providing extra time to take a zip-line tour through the lush Sierra Madre Mountains, go whale-watching in Banderas Bay or take a side trip to one of Mexico’s enchanting Pueblos Magicos. All cruises also include calls at the popular Mexican ports of Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.

“Mexico continues to be a top cruise choice among our guests because it offers such a rich experience, from warm weather and beautiful beaches to diverse cultural and culinary landscapes,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “By visiting several iconic ports within this captivating country, we’re able to provide guests with an authentic, immersive experience that leaves them with a deeper understanding of this colorful part of the world.”

Oosterdam kicks off the season Oct. 6, 2019, with one of 14 seven-day cruises offered through April 18, 2020, including two holiday departures Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. Guests can enjoy an identical itinerary aboard Eurodam Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, 2019. Cruisers interested in a longer sailing can extend Eurodam’s Oct. 19 voyage by embarking four days earlier at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for an 11-day cruise that adds a call at Santa Barbara, California.

For an even deeper exploration of the Mexican Riviera, Maasdam’s 12-day EXC In-Depth Voyage departs April 3 and April 15, 2020, and includes seven Mexican ports that rim the Sea of Cortez. Along with Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, guests will enjoy La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas and Topolobampo. Maasdam’s April 15 departure can be extended for an 18-day Collectors’ Voyage that also visits Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco, California, before arriving at Victoria then Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where guests will disembark.

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