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Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta with Festivals, Fireworks and Culinary Delights

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Festivals, Fireworks and Culinary Delights

As the Holiday season approaches, one of the best things about spending time in Malta and its sister island of Gozo is being able to observe and experience some of the excitement of the Maltese national traditions as well as the culinary delights. Malta, the archipelago in the Mediterranean, with its year-round mild weather, offers visitors a perfect place to end the year and ring in a new one. 

Maltese Christmas Markets

  • Villa Rundle – December 1st – 23rd visitors can explore the beautifully decorated stalls offering seasonal artisan treats. 
  • Christmas Village at Valletta Waterfront– Dec 1st-27th enjoy Valletta as it turns into a picture-perfect Christmas Village. Visitors can indulge in free activities along the promenade, including; bands, choirs, cribs, food and a myriad of activities for younger Maltese visitors. 
  • Natalis Notabilis– December 11th- 15th visitors can enjoy Rabat which is transformed into a  winter wonderland with over 80 stalls and historic buildings will also be hosting Christmas related activities to enjoy during the 5-day event.

Visiting Cribs 

When visiting Malta during the Christmas season visitors will see nativity scenes or cribs on every street corner. Cribs are an important and popular part of the Maltese tradition during Christmas. Presepju or cribs in Malta differ from traditional nativity scenes. Maltese cribs include Mary, Joseph, and Jesus with a landscape that portrays Malta often rocky stones, Maltese flour, windmills, and ancient ruins.  

Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem – December 2nd – Jan 5th visitors can explore the customs and folklore at this Maltese crib. 

Festive Light

Visitors of the capital city of Valletta, the 2018 European Capital of Culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can admire the unique, colorful and spectacular Christmas lights. Republic Street and adjacent side streets are given a festive makeover with colorful light designs. The festive lights are switched on during a ceremony by the Minister of Culture.

The Malta International Christmas Choir Festival

Visitors can hear the angelic sounds of the holiday season at the Malta International Christmas Choir Festival which takes place between December 5th-9th. Guests will enjoy a number of choirs participating in the festival, ranging from male, female, youth, and gospel to folk choirs.

Manoel Theatre Pantomime 

Every year, a spectacular pantomime is staged at the marvelous Manoel Theatre in Valletta. This year, visitors can enjoy The Little Mermaid, from December 22nd to January 5th, a holiday tradition for Maltese adults and children. 

St.John’s Co-Cathedral

The iconic St. John’s C0-Cathedral in Valletta is worth visiting at any time of year. However, during the Christmas season is an especially exciting time to visit. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the church hosts a series of candlelit carol concerts and processions which are guaranteed to get visitors in the festive spirit.

Maltese Traditional Holiday Food 

With Malta celebrating 2020 being the year of gastronomy. Food plays a big part in the holiday season in Malta. Today the traditional Maltese Christmas menu includes turkey/pork, potatoes, vegetables, cakes, puddings, and mince pies. 

A real specialty is the Maltese Christmas Log, a lovely combination of crushed biscuits, condensed milk and a number of different festive ingredients.

New Year’s Eve Malta Style – Fireworks!

Valletta Waterfront

Visitors can end the year in style and welcome in the New Year at the Valletta Waterfront. Valletta itself, Malta’s Capital and the 2018 European Capital of Culture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Valletta’s romantic waterfront lined by restaurants with exquisite cuisine is the place to welcome the New Year with a glass of champagne in hand.  Travelers can ring in 2020 with a myriad of New Year’s Eve festivities featuring live bands, children’s entertainment and fireworks and confetti display at the stroke of midnight. Visitors can experience all of this with the breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour as the backdrop. Once the New Year begins a DJ will lead the festivities with various classics and popular hits.

For further information on the Holiday season and destination Malta, please see visitmalta.com 

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sites and was the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta
Live Christmas crib
Experience the “Most Magical Time of the Year” in Malta
New Year’s Eve fireworks in Grand Harbour

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority North America

Michelle Buttigieg

Tel: (212) 213-0944

E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com

MTA US Editorial Contact

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: info@bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao

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Seasonal fun with inverted Christmas tree and festive decorations, attractive accommodation and shopping offers, dining, entertainment and leisure

Warm things up at Sands Resorts Macao this winter with a wide range of celebrations, entertainment, accommodation and shopping offers plus dining for visitors to enjoy from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 10, 2020. With a stunning inverted Christmas tree, and attractive shopping and room offers, Sands Resorts Macao is the perfect destination for a magical Winter Wonderland getaway.

Winter Wonderland in Venice and Paris

At The Venetian® Macao, visitors will be enchanted by dazzling Winter Wonderland decorations throughout the lagoon area from Nov. 15, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, including a magnificent 48-foot Christmas tree and Christmas train featuring Santa and his grotto ready to welcome visitors.

Sands Resorts Macao will also welcome back its signature 3D light and sound spectacular, projecting festive themed images including a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region onto The Venetian Macao’s 43,000-square-feet façade. The state-of-the-art animated show will run every 30 minutes nightly from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Guests can also send Christmas greetings from the ‘Venice Post’ corner by the lagoon and take photos with Santa at The Venetian Macao from Nov. 15 – Dec. 25 (Santa not available Mondays).

Meanwhile at The Parisian Macao, visitors can enjoy a snowy wonderland and interactive decorations with a light show and dazzling colour scheme. There will be magnificent lighting all around The Parisian Forecourt, with all-new outdoor decorations throughout the gardens and Eiffel Tower offering perfect photo opportunities. The centrepiece will be an amazing inverted 50-foot Christmas tree at the rotunda lobby.

The Eiffel Tower’s Grand Illumination Show Christmas Edition will run over the festive season from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, 6:15 p.m.-midnight. Another highlight of the winter celebration will be a dazzling 3D light and sound spectacular – La Magie De Noël – which will delight audiences by projecting beautiful festive images on the sky ceiling of the Place Vendôme at Shoppes at Parisian between Nov. 14, 2019 ­– Jan. 2, 2020, every hour from 12-9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Countdowns

Guests and visitors can celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sands Resorts Macao with the biggest free countdown celebrations along the Cotai Strip. Taking place at The Venetian Macao’s lagoon area and The Parisian Macao’s Le Jardin, the evening will include live music, festive food and drink, giveaways and more. There will also be a spectacular countdown concert at Cotai Arena on New Year’s Eve.

Winter Shopping Rewards – Earn More by Spending More

The largest luxury duty free shopping experience in Macao with over 850 fashion and lifestyle outlets, Sands Shoppes Macao’s exclusive Winter Shopping Rewards offers shoppers an unbeatable deal. Spend at two different stores and redeem up to a maximum of MOP 10,000 worth of shopping vouchers to use at all participating outlets at Sands Shoppes.

A Delicious World of International Dining

Celebrate Macao’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status with superb dining at over 150 international dining options at Sands Resorts Macao this winter. The festive season offers the perfect opportunity to explore a Black Pearl-awarded and Michelin-starred array of great restaurants, including special festive menus at Portofino, Chiado and Brasserie, as well as celebration buffets at Le Buffet, Grand Orbit and Bambu.

Enjoy a Taste of the Suite Life

Guests can maximise their stay at one of Sands Resorts Macao’s seven world-class hotels by relaxing in the luxury of an indulgent suite. Families will love the Famille Rooms at The Parisian Macao and Family Suite at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, couples will adore the beautiful Champagne Suites at The Parisian Macao while The Venetian Macao’s Premio Suites are perfect for everyone! 

The Ambassador Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Macao features hardwood floors, plush carpets and eye-catching art. Enjoy panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows, customisable beds with your choice of mattress toppers and bathroom amenities by Bulgari.

Stay Longer and Save

Enjoy year-end savings on a luxurious stay at The Parisian Macao and The Venetian Macao. Stay two nights and save 25% off our best available rates, with rooms starting at HKD/MOP 899 a night. Stay three nights or more and enjoy even larger savings, with rooms starting at only HKD/MOP 798 a night. Book today and stay between now and January 5, 2020.

Stay Two Nights and Receive 25% Discount

Booking period:     Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Stay Period:          Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Length of stay:      Two nights maximum

Rate:                     From HKD/MOP 899* at The Parisian Macao /   HKD/MOP 1,124* at The Venetian Macao

Stay More, Save More

Booking period:     Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Stay Period:          Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Length of stay:      Three nights minimum

Rate:                     From HKD/MOP 798* at The Parisian Macao / HKD/MOP 998* at The Venetian Macao

Room Reservation Hotline

International call:                  +853 2882 8878

China toll free:                      4001 208 873

Hong Kong toll free:            800 906 309

India toll free:                        000 800 050 8006

To discover an exciting world of enjoyment at Sands Resorts Macao, as well as further promotions and offers, please go to https://SandsResortsMacao.com/WhatsOn 

About Sands Resorts Macao – Sands China’s Integrated Resort City

Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. Sands Resorts Macao, in the glittering heart of Taipa’s Cotai Strip, is an integrated resort city and international hub providing an industry-leading array of experiences for business and leisure travellers. Pulsating with life, both day and night, Sands Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao. This includes around 12,500 hotel rooms and suites, top international entertainment, duty free shopping with approximately 850 retailers and a huge range of name brands, meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings and well over 150 dining options, with Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and lounges. Sands Resorts Macao is a must-visit destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao; The Parisian Macao; The Plaza™ Macao (featuring Four Seasons Hotel Macao); and Sands® Cotai Central (incorporating the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn hotels as well as The St. Regis Macao), Sands Resorts Macao is Asia’s ultimate destination for both work and play. The Londoner® Macao, the British-themed reimagining of Sands Cotai Central, will open progressively over 2020 and 2021.

For more information about Sands Resorts Macao, please visit https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com.

Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao

Media contacts:

Glodow Nead Communications

sandsmacaopr@glodownead.com

415-394-6500

* Subject to 10% service charge and 5% government tax. Terms and Conditions apply.

Minister Bartlett: J$16 million in contracts earned from 2018 staging of Christmas in July

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Tourism Minister Hon, Edmund Bartlett says that his Ministry’s Christmas in July tradeshow has been a resounding success for local manufacturers, noting that last year at least 30 participants collectively received contracts valued at over J$16 million.

Last year the event, which is hosted by the Tourism Linkages Network and partners, attracted 118 suppliers and 550 buyers. A participants’ perception survey indicated that 50% of respondents received contracts worth $100,000 or less, 43% received contracts of over $100,000 to $500,000 while 7% received contracts worth over $1 million.

Minister Bartlett however stated that the Christmas in July exhibitors, while reaping the benefits of the exposure and contracts from the event, were unwilling to share information on the contracts they received, which limited the Ministry’s ability gauge the true success of this linkages initiative.

Speaking at Christmas in July, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel last week, Minister Bartlett lamented, “It is a pity that we did not receive information from all participants. I hope that this year exhibitors will be more willing to share information on their successes, so we too can see the return on our investment.”

Richard Pandohie, President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA), also stressed the importance of data sharing during his address at the event.

“Companies, business support organizations and governments across the world can analyze a variety of information which can provide new insights to make better and faster decisions and decide where to allocate scarce resources, but we can’t have data analytics if less than three per cent of the data is coming in,” he noted.

Christmas in July is an annual tradeshow, which gives local producers of authentic Jamaican gift and souvenir items the opportunity to display their products and network with corporate entities and various industry players.

It is hosted in partnership with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), and seeks to provide Jamaican producers of corporate gifts and souvenirs with the opportunity to access an alternative market segment while adding uniqueness and creativity to product offerings.

“Our linkages initiatives are challenging the private sector to do business differently, they are increasing the consumption of local goods, they are creating employment, and they are generating and facilitating the infusion of tourism spending into the local economy.

I am positive that this year’s staging will be equally fruitful for all participants, if not better. We have pumped some $10 million into this event,” said Minister Bartlett.

This year, some 120 local producers of authentic Jamaican gift and souvenir items displayed their products to corporate entities and various industry players at the event’s fifth staging.

Activities for this year’s staging included a “Style Jamaica Pop Up Fashion Show” – which featured jewelry, bags and accessories made by local artisans.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith (left), tests her artistic skills, with guidance from renowned artist Lennox Coke at the fifth Staging of Christmas in July at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on July 18, 2019.

It is also included a mini Artisan Village, where patrons were able to see products being made from start to finish. This is a preview of the Tourism Enhancement Fund-led artisan village that is being constructed at Hampden Wharf in Trelawny, slated to be ready by the end of the year, to coincide with the start of the traditional winter tourist season in December.

All products on display had to be made with materials sourced locally, proven to be at least 70 per cent locally manufactured or assembled highlighting strong Jamaican cultural influences and themes.

An online catalogue featuring all exhibitors will available in October 2019 for people to view products and place orders.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Ministers Bartlett and Green to address participants at 5th staging of Christmas in July Tradeshow

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, MP, will address participants at the 5th staging of the Christmas in July Tradeshow, which provides an opportunity for local producers of corporate gifts and souvenirs to promote their products to alternate market segments.

The event is a collaborative initiative of the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

The perplexing search for purplicious luggage and the perils of windmills

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April is Stress Awareness Month, but it is also National Humor Month, so I thought I’d go out on a limb and talk about something that stresses a travel bargain’s aficionado. I have Scandinavian blood, so just like the Vikings, I have a natural inclination to go out and explore the world. But I’m part Scottish, so I don’t want to pay for it.

I watch google flights like a hawk – I grab dirt-cheap first-class tickets when I see the price drop to the $500 range from Honolulu to anywhere in the Great Lakes region. First class comes with 2 bags per person, up to 70 pounds per suitcase. I have 400 Aloha-themed Christmas cards I bought for 75 to 90 percent off in January, plus all kinds of other Hawaiiana treasures to take back to the mainland.

My perplexing search for Parisian goods at Scottish prices yielded over 100 possibilities on Facebook Marketplace; however, every single seller I encountered was a scam artist. Everything I looked at was counterfeit Louis Vuitton brought over from Shanghai where the seller probably paid $20 for each piece. The Facebook ads read “Authentic Louis Vuitton,” but upon inspection, it only took 30 seconds to see these were illegal knockoffs. Realistically, what real person buys 10 Louis Vuitton suitcases for $2,700 each, then turns around and sells them for $1,000 each on Marketplace before even using them once? Nobody does that. But people do buy $20 counterfeit Louis Vuitton items in China, then illegally sell them to unsuspecting Facebook buyers in Hawaii – at an obscene mark up.

So I turned to a reputable store, one which is very popular in the American South, called Belk. They specialize in products that Baptist women with really big hair love to purchase. At least that’s what my Baptist aunts with 3-feet tall hair told me. You know, the taller the hair, the closer to God.

I found a great bargain: purple luggage set of 3, regularly $160, on clearance for $19.99. The description says the luggage “is featured in a vibrant purple hue so you never have to worry about your belongings or loosing [sic] your luggage on the baggage claim belt.” What exactly does that imply? Is it such a hideous shade of purple that nobody would caught dead with it? I don’t mind purple – the symbol of Scotland is the purple thistle, so with a few decals and gaudy embellishments they would make the perfect accessory for a red hat lady or a gay Scot.

I know a lot of women who love purple. The last time I bought a suitcase from the Aloha Swap Meet, it was purple, with hibiscus, and had the words “Aloha” and “Hawaii” printed on it. After using it to fly to Detroit, I placed an ad to sell it online – and it sold in under one minute.  So maybe purple suitcases would be something I should carefully reconsider, especially if they are prone to getting brodied by big-haired women.

When I read Belk’s small print for this item I noticed the warning: “This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause Cancer and Reproductive Harm.” Are they referring to pregnant women, or are they referring to my little soldiers under the category of “reproductive harm”?  I have to keep my little soldiers unharmed just in case Dolly Parton asks me to marry her. I know she’s 73 and probably has no plan to reproduce with me, but she’s got big hair and she would really appreciate my Pride of Dixie Belk luggage. And she’s the only woman on the planet who could turn me straight. Well, maybe Jane Seymour could, but I’d need to consult my shrink first. The $64,000 question, or the $19.99 question: are the purple suitcases worth getting cancer?

There has been much buzz about Mr. President’s announcement that windmills cause cancer. I guess that’s why all the people in Holland are dead. He said it had something to do with the spinning motion.  Now, these suitcases are “spinners” meaning you can spin them 360 degrees.

I’m Scottish by culture, but my DNA is Scandinavian. Scandinavians always place a high value on safety, which is why I bought a Volvo C70 convertible. Being both Scandinavian and Scottish led me to a great existential crisis – who am I – a cheap Scot or a safety-conscious Scandinavian? Is the bargain worth the stress of possibly getting cancer?

For a few minutes I pondered the issue. Maybe the cancer was caused by the spinning action. I thought, well, if I spin them backwards, would it cure cancer?

Having lost both grandmothers to cerebral tumors, I have a lot of emotional baggage when it comes to that topic. Except for basal cell carcinoma (a common problem for blue-eyed blond Scandinavians living in Hawaii) I have lived pretty much unscathed by cancer’s evil.

In the end, the Scandinavian “safety first” side of me won out. As much as I love bargains, I might have gotten more than I bargained for from this luggage set. There is always the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet to top off my 280 pound (4 suitcases) first-class checked-baggage allowance.  Any excuse to go to the Swap Meet is a Scot’s delight.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Maldives Tourism: Changes needed say local travel industry leaders

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The Corporate Maldives blog recently published an interesting analysis on how tourism leaders in the Indian Ocean Island Republic think.

The information sheds some light on what tourism professionals think, do and what issued they have in running the largest industry in the country during politically difficult times.

Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives making the biggest contribution to the GDP of the country. In order to further understand the views of those who are not from the country on Maldives, our team conducted a research through social media. Our research showed that many people thought of Maldives as an intense and expensive destination that only the rich can afford. Due to this, we had a sit-down with Mr. Ibrahim Inad, former Director of Sales at Velaa Private Island Island to discuss ways to change the mindset of such people and to market Maldives in the most effective ways possible. Below listed are the 5 key components he believes are required to be changed in order to properly promote our destination.

1. Finding a new concept in destination marketing

Maldives resorts are mainly made to fit into the concept of one Resort in one Island. Every resort markets itself as a seclusive getaway to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy world. Mr. Inad believes that it is more than about time that this concept changes and we get introduced to newer concepts. He acknowledged the CROSSROADS project as it is a multi-island resort development project. He requested other companies to find inspiration from the CROSSROADS project and bring about a change in the concept of Maldivian resort tourism.

CROSSROADS project which spans 9 islands and boasts 1,300 rooms and a retail space of over 11,000 sq m

2. Recognize demand level to know how to supply

With each passing year, more and more resorts are being opened, hence increasing the competition within the industry. However, how many of us actually took the time to think about whether or not we actually needed all these new resorts or not? According to Mr. Inad, with regards to the amount of tourists that visit Maldives on a yearly basis, we do not exactly need to open newer resorts every year without being able to have proper occupancy rates in the existing ones. He added that we should first let the demand grow to a point where we are unable to host anymore tourists, and that’s when newer resorts should join the market.

Angsana Velavaru

3. Know your competitors

When looking to promote the tourism industry of Maldives, we also need to consider that we have competitors who offer similar services in similar environments. Mr. Inad explained that it is wisest to keep an eye on our competitors to learn about their moves in order to come up with better strategies in marketing Maldives.

Sugar Beach, Sun Resort in Mauritius

4. Promote celebrations for special occasions

Mr. Inad shared that while working in Velaa, he found that many chose to visit Maldives for occasions such as their birthdays, Christmas, Easter, New Year and more. It is not a secret that so many resorts host exciting and marvelous celebrations for the previously mentioned occasions. This could be used as a point in our marketing strategy and in creating a position for ourselves in the market. Once we are able to develop ourselves as such a destination, we will be able to make ourselves a name in this cut-throat competition the industry puts forward.

Christmas tree at Kuredu Island Maldives Resort

5. Make use of digital marketing

While conducting the social media research, one thing we were able to gather was how people of our competing countries, used any opportunity to promote the cheap services available at their countries. They made sure to prove to convince people that their country was worth visiting. According to Mr. Inad, this sort of digital marketing is one aspect we really need to work on. If we, as individuals, promoted all sorts of tourism in the Maldives, it would reach a greater audience and hence, aid in bringing in more tourists to the country.

A phone displaying social media apps which can be used in digital marketing

So many more things need to change in order for our country to keep developing. We need to do proper marketing and show the world that we have the luxury to offer for all classes rather than just the high-end population of the world. We should make them feel like they do not need to have a luxury branded things in order to access the beauty Maldives has to offer. Once the correct message has been delivered, even more tourists will keep visiting the country and we shall keep improving more and more. Maybe one day will be able to become a destination able to compete with the biggest markets in the world.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Italy travel: Destination Baia and Latina steps into the video limelight

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In 2017,  “The Year of the  Borghi” was celebrated in Italy. According to the directive of the former Minister, Dario Franceschini, the initiative was created with the intention of enhancing lesser-known cultural tourist destinations among small towns and cities characterized by a broad historical and cultural heritage, representing ideal destinations for slow  and sustainable tourism.

Among the lesser-known villages is Baia and Latina, a smaller village rich in history and a historical and cultural heritage celebrated by Pliny the Elder for the pure air and the quality of the land. The municipality located between the Trebulani mountains and the course of the Volturno river, a crossroads of goods and cultures between Lazio, Campania, and Sannio, preserves the cultural characteristics of its own tradition favorable to evaluate and insert its presence in the list of the minor Borghi of Italy.

 

Baia and Latina, in the province of Caserta, the ancient belonging to an Etruscan colony has attributed the credit that Enea would have stayed in Latina and his father Latino would have built a temple sacred to Minerva and given the name to the village.

Other versions trace the origins of the borgo back to the Samnite period. The two villages today form a single municipality, a decision dating back to the period of French domination (1806-14) and the subsequent one, during the Bourbon domination.

The houses of the borgo have medieval conformations highlighted in part by the important structures: towers and castles perched to guard its territory. Together with the numerous palaces and archaeological finds dating back to the period of its origins.

 

What remains of the past reflects a historical reality that can be read on the stones of its houses, churches, noble palaces and castles. Structures that climb upwards through alleys and narrow streets that sometimes seem to disappear inside the houses and then re-emerge in an open space or a small square where the sunlight is finally free to radiate.

The doors of the houses maintain characteristics that evoke distant times. And therefore  charm, pleasure of being immersed in the lifestyle unchanged over time. Imagine living in distant ages just 50 km from the nearby metropolis: Naples and 25 from Caserta with its majestic Royal palace.

The Year of Italian Villages met with great interest by Italian municipalities from North to Sicily and developed promotional initiatives with highly encouraging results, creating new sources of tourism that have decreed success: the statistics published at the end of the Borghi year indicate an increase in 7% of national tourism and foreigners in particular from Asian countries – China and Japan.

 

The ambitious plan of the mayor of Baia and Latina, Giuseppe Di Cerbo, in office since June 2016 is to bring his borgo to the attention of an increasingly high number of visitors, more than those who arrived on the occasion of the celebration of ” Living Nativity “celebrated at Christmas 2018, artistically improved under his direction. And, create initiatives to stimulate daily visits, even to the extent of raising the destination slowly to success. Then enter triumphantly in the official catalog of the Italian minor villages.

With a visit to the borgo, the opportunity to get more information from the mayor presented itsel.

eTN: In the area of the ancient village, many houses have been identified in a state of abandonment and decay. Is there a plan for their recovery?

Mayor: The request for subsidies for the restoration was sent to the European Union (UE) without result as the granting of EU funds requires the participation of private capital to the extent of 25% of the total value for the restoration.

The owners of the buildings are unable to invest. But, we have obtained regional funding with an EU contribution to the settlement of water shortage.

eTN: What is your program to improve the life of the borgo?

Mayor: Among the priorities stands  the creation of a receptive system, that is the Bed & Breakfast and the expansion of the sewerage network. For this we are waiting for funds from the region. The redevelopment of the Volturno river, improving aid to buffalo farmers through the Rural Development Program (PSR) [is also a priority].

Baia and Latina the first small town in Italy equipped with video surveillance.

A historical plaque affixed to a building tells: “Here in the tormented years of the new kingdom of Italy, November 10, 1863, the mayor, Antonio Scotti, and his wife, Francesca Lacracchi, after heroic resistance disdaining surrender to the brigaders horde that had set fire to the house perished among the flames.”

eTN: Mayor, is this what motivated your project of video surveillance of the village?

Mayor: The project, in fact, was started by my predecessor as prevention of the national problem on the small delinquency that has also affected our territory. We believed it right to continue and delegated the public works councilor Antonio Brancaccio to finalize it to be active on the 24 hours, round the clock, with great satisfaction of the inhabitants (about 2,400).

The security cameras will be connected to the data reception center of the Carabinieri barracks. My plan includes the Internet system entrusted to the architect Christian Itri.

The village produces dairy products:  mozzarella cheese, salami, and honey. Vegetable production is mainly at the individual level: only private gardens! Visitors can take advantage of small dining options and a larger one in Baglio, the Arco restaurant, whose cuisine offers specialties utilizing local products.

Travel News | eTurboNews