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Starbucks Hawaii: Rotten food from the garbage and warm left over coffee

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Starbucks is not the only one to blame when human decency in America is under attack. Pearlridge Mall on the Island of Oahu is the second largest shopping mall in the State of Hawaii.  It’s far enough from the resort hotels, so visitors taking a bus or renting a car to explore the rest of Oahu don’t really find a lot of desire to visit Pearlridge Mall. This business center remains a very popular place for locals to shop, eat and to get entertained.


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Tourism stakeholders love for homeless people to remain on this part of the island. After all, hungry dirty and mentally challenged people are bad for Waikiki, bad for white sandy beaches and terrible for tourism business.

Starbucks is a popular place not only in Waikiki but also in Pearlridge.

This afternoon a well-groomed and well-dressed lady is sitting on a chair outside and by the entrance of Pearl-Ridge Starbucks asking everyone walking by for a Dollar. She is very polite, humbled and obviously desperate.

Right in front of the Starbucks entrance is a not so well dressed local homeless man searching through the garbage can Starbucks customers fill up. After checking 3 or 4 thrown away cups, he gets lucky and finds some leftover coffee to drink and even a once delicious frappuccino drink with some whipped cream left. The coffee may be lukewarm, but no complaints here.

It’s 3 pm now, and the obviously hungry homeless man found a container with leftover breakfast, someone threw away hours before. It appears to be hash browns and eggs. The man tried to eat it but had to spit it out. Apparently, it was already bad.

Welcome to the State of Hawaii, welcome to where America needs to be great again urgently. This is a part of the Aloha State today in midst of a homeless emergency.

As long as homeless people stay away from Waikiki and the tourist beaches the world is ok. It enables hotels and resorts to charge $500 = $1000.00 for a room night, pay minimum wages to staff, and later wire all the profits to their mainland-based headquarters.

Laws and city ordinances give the police power to make it illegal to remain on beaches at night, sleep in cars or on public land. Homeless are turned into vagabonds having to move their shopping cards belonging constantly. They have no friends, they feel no Aloha.

On the other hand, tourism Business is good.

Unfortunately, minimum wages are not living wages and cannot buy a roof over someone’s head in Hawaii.

Hotels sometimes donate to the food bank or to other charity, but overall the attitude remains, “It’s not the problem of the Hawaii tourist industry to take care of the homeless and drug users.”

The State is wasting billions for a rail system that has been in the making for years. There is no money to fix the thousands of potholes everywhere on the island, and there certainly is no money to seriously address the homeless problem.

In 2015 homeless people had a solution: Get naked! 

WRONG, it’s everyone’s problem. It includes Starbucks of course.
Tourism is everyone’s business in a place like Hawaii, where this is the number one money earner and business. Where is the Aloha Hawaii is so famous for?

www.starbucks.com

 

Travel News | eTurboNews

Monaco Government Tourist Authority welcomes new President and Deputy Director

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A new team has been appointed, as head of the Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority. Mr. Guy Antognelli, former Deputy Director becomes the new President of Monaco Tourism and Mrs. Sandrine Camia, who has been serving as head of the Monaco Convention Bureau for the past seven years, becomes Deputy Director.

Mrs. Camia has a strong experience in tourism; she has been working for 20 years for luxury hotel brands including Hotel Lutetia in Paris and Hotel Martinez in Cannes, which were then both properties of Taittinger Family. She held the position of Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication for two independent luxury hotels, Hotel Royal Riviera in Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat and Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. In 2011, she was appointed head of Monaco Convention Bureau and has been in charge of the promotion and development of MICE, while implementing new communication and marketing tools and ensuring the loyalty of the best customers.

Mrs. Camia about her appointment as Deputy Director: ” It is a new challenge and a recognition of the work accomplished at the Convention Bureau. These past seven years have been rich in experiences and successes.”

After a post-graduating in Finance Engineering at Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University, Mr. Antognelli started his career in a Monegasque subsidiary of a Swiss private bank, first in the back office then in the risk management and internal audit department.

During the next 10 years, he contributed to the development of an insurance company in Monaco, managing high end client portfolios using his financial expertise as well as his social skills.

In 2011, he has been appointed Head of Statistics Department of Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority. He has contributed to the development of this service and has extended his field of action to strategic and competitive intelligence.

In 2015 he took the position of Deputy Director and worked in closed cooperation with all services for promoting and developing tourism in the Principality.

Mr. Antognelli about his appointment as President: “This appointment is recognition of my work and a statement of trust from the Government. I especially look forward to working with the team who is dedicated to promote the destination and has achieved great results over the past years.

My aim is to lead all missions of Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority to ensure a high level of tourism throughout the year and maximize the economic benefits for the destination.

We have always been working closely with all partners in the Principality’s tourism sector.

We must deploy innovative tools within the framework defined for the promotion of the destination, in order to improve the good results of tourism in the Principality.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

IMEX shines a light on diversity and inclusion

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IMEX shines a light on diversity and inclusion

“Organizations which embrace diversity will see positive repercussions throughout their business – from staff motivation and engagement, heightened innovation and a boosted bottom line. Diversity means diversity of people, minds, ideas, and approaches and it’s something we value at IMEX and recognize as crucial to the future success of the events industry – that’s why it forms a core part of our offering at IMEX in Frankfurt this year”, Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains the show’s spotlight on diversity ahead of International Women’s Day this Friday, 8 March.

IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21 – 23 May, offers a wide range of experiences, education and experts enabling planners to discover the latest best practice in business, as well as developments in diversity and inclusion.

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A session taking place on EduMonday, a dedicated afternoon of education taking place the day before the show on Monday 20 May, focuses on cultural diversity. Cultural differences and their impact on destination management explores how to prepare for a culturally different client as well as the principles that should guide planners globally, regardless of local customs.

She Means Business

Also taking place on EduMonday is She Means Business, created in partnership with tw tagungswirtschaft, a conference celebrating the role of women in the events industry. As one of the inspiring speakers debating the crucial issues facing women today, Gernot Sendowski, Director of HR Global Diversity & Inclusion at Deutsche Bank AG, delivers a male perspective on gender equality and female empowerment as well as exploring the German and European diversity charters. Angela Dern, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), talks about gender equality as an economic imperative and details the UN Women 10x10x10 Impact Commitment, an initiative engaging 10 governments, corporations and universities around the world.

Inspiring inclusivity

Developing leadership skills to manage and motivate a diverse team is covered in Industry best practices on how to be an inclusive leader, one of the many education sessions taking place on the show floor during the three days of the show. The session at the Inspiration Hub explores the best practices and communication models required to become an inclusive leader.

The design of an event can impact inclusivity and this is discussed in Redesigning inclusive events by overcoming unconscious bias. The session shows planners how to uncover their unconscious bias and discover practical ways of designing events to embrace diversity and inclusion.

Planners, buyers and other visitors can 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 IMEX trade show, buyers can meet and making appointments with more than 3,500 suppliers from every sector of the global meetings and events industry.

She Means Business, part of EduMonday, takes place on Monday 20 May, the day before IMEX in Frankfurt, 21 -23 May 2019. It’s free to enter once you’ve registered for IMEX in Frankfurt.

Registration for the show is free of charge and open to all in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry.

International Women’s Day is on 8 March and celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

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).

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.