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Seychelles present at Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop in capital city of Czech Republic

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was present at the seventh Edition of the Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop held on Monday March 11, 2019, at the Kaiserstejnsky Palac in the city of Prague.

The opportunity gave the STB team the chance to meet major partners on the Czech market, which is one of the strongest economies in Central Europe and has shown growing interest in luxury travel over the past few years.

The workshop, which was attended by about 86 participants including Tour Operators, Travel Agents and airline companies was a series of pre-scheduled one on one meetings, presentations and free flow workshop. The evening ended with a networking cocktail and a Raffle draw.

Ms. Myra Fanchette, Paris based STB Senior Marketing Executive represented the organisation at the event, during which she presented Seychelles as a multi-faceted holiday destination offering a plethora of possibilities for leisure and relaxation.

The Destination’s representative through STB, stood alongside 19 other exhibitors including the Constance Hotels & Resorts, few Destination Management Companies, hotel representative from Maldives and the Jamaica Tourism Board.

Ms. Fanchette mentioned that STB’s participation at the Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop opened doors for new business relationships between the service providers from the Czech Republic and STB.

“It was an ideal platform for STB to meet with new Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, which so far Seychelles does not appear in their portfolio and they have demonstrated great interest in new destinations. We also maximised on our presence at the event to meet with our existing partners who wanted to know about any latest developments on the destination and discussed plans and activities for the year,” said Ms. Fanchette.

The Czech Republic has seen an increase of 43% on the visitor’s arrival from January to March 2019, compared to the same period last year. This is very encouraging and our continuous efforts to enhance the growth on the Eastern European markets are ongoing with various activities planned for the year, the next STB appearance will be on a dedicated Eastern Europe Roadshow, which will be held from May 27 to 30, 2019 in four different cities.

Travel News | eTurboNews

U.S. Travel honors its 2019 Travel Champions

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The U.S. Travel Association on Wednesday announced the recipients of the sixth annual Distinguished Travel Champion Award: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Sen. Rob Portman (D-OH), Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) and Acting Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Manisha Singh
Each is being honored for his or her exceptional leadership in advancing and protecting policies that strengthen travel to and within the United States.

U.S. Travel will present the awards today at U.S. Travel’s Destination Capitol Hill—the travel and tourism industry’s premier legislative fly-in event dedicated to educating policymakers about the power of travel and showcasing the industry as one of America’s most vital economic sectors.

“We always say that travel is neither a red or blue issue,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “This year’s Distinguished Travel Champions have a deep understanding of travel’s contributions to the American economy, and have consistently reached across the aisle to advance sensible policies that grow travel, enhance security and trade, and keep our economy moving.

“Our winners’ dedication to securing Brand USA’s long-term reauthorization, overhauling America’s infrastructure systems, preserving our national parks, rebranding and expanding the Visa Waiver Program, and upholding our nation’s Open Skies aviation agreements strengthen travel’s role as job creator and economic engine.”

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

Since entering Congress just two years ago, Cortez Masto has quickly become an advocate for the travel industry and a top congressional champion of Brand USA. Her tireless work and dedication to ensuring the reauthorization of Brand USA, a program crucial to the United States’ travel promotion and planning, is invaluable.

Said Cortez Masto: “I’m honored to receive the 2019 Distinguished Travel Champion Award. I say it all the time, Nevada is the gold standard for tourism and hospitality. We draw tourists to the Las Vegas Valley and from the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe to the scenic peaks of the Ruby Mountains. I’m so proud to support our $60 billion tourism economy and the jobs it supports in Nevada. As Senator, I’ll continue to fight for policies like Brand USA and those to increase efficient travel that strengthen our tourism industry for years to come.”

Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR)

DeFazio’s commitment to overhauling infrastructure systems within our country is crucial to increasing connectivity and facilitating travel growth across America. He has also undertaken laudable efforts to end the practice of diverting “9/11” security fees to other programs unrelated to air travel security.

DeFazio’s dedication to his home state’s $11.8 billion travel and tourism industry is commendable, as is his work to ensure local travel leaders have a voice in the state’s transportation planning.

Said DeFazio: “I am proud to be this year’s recipient of the U.S. Travel Association’s Distinguished Travel Champion Award. Travel and tourism promote economic prosperity, create jobs, and strengthen our national security through improved international relations. As Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am working hard to modernize our nation’s airports, increase federal investment in infrastructure, and ensure we remain on the cutting edge of innovation as it relates to transportation. All of these improvements will help encourage increased travel and tourism.”

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH):

Portman’s leadership on national parks issues, as well as many other important fiscal issues facing the country, is vital to the preservation of our public lands and the continued growth of the American economy.

Portman led efforts to pass the Restore Our Parks Act and to establish a dedicated source of funding for the $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog that will help ensure the viability of our parks for generations to come. Our national parks are some of the biggest draws for domestic and international travelers, and countless “gateway” communities across the country rely on well-maintained parks and robust visitation.

“It is an honor to receive the U.S. Travel Association’s 2019 Distinguished Travel Champion Award,” said Portman. “If we want our national parks to be here for generations of travelers to come we must address the nearly $12 billion backlog in long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service. I’ve seen this maintenance backlog firsthand at national park sites in Ohio, and it underscores why we must pass my bipartisan Restore Our Parks Act to ensure that that the National Park Service has the resources to continue preserving American treasures. I look forward to working to get this legislation across the finish line.”

Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC):

Rice’s co-sponsorship of the JOLT Act and commitment to strengthening and expanding the Visa Waiver Program is crucial to enhancing U.S. security and economic competitiveness.

Rice’s efforts to support towns and cities in his district devastated by Hurricane Florence, including tourism-dependent communities such as Myrtle Beach, have been critical.

“I am honored to receive the U.S. Travel Association’s 2019 Distinguished Travel Champion Award,” said Rice. “I will continue to advocate for policies that will support American jobs, strengthen national security, and grow South Carolina’s tourism economy.”

Acting Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Manisha Singh:

Singh has undertaken crucial efforts to uphold our country’s vital Open Skies aviation agreements, increase financial transparency and protect the interests of all U.S. aviation stakeholders. She has worked hard to elevate the travel industry as an essential export and economic driver.

Said Singh: “I’m honored to receive U.S. Travel’s 2019 Distinguished Travel Champion Award. The U.S. State Department is pleased to support the U.S. travel industry and American jobs by negotiating and helping to enforce Open Skies aviation agreements that bring flights, travel, and business to the United States from around the world.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Emirates flying travelers to Zagreb this summer

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Zagreb is a city with a rich history and culture and is known for its 18th century architecture. It is a major draw for tourists in the summer, and to accommodate the higher demand for travel to this popular tourist destination, Emirates airline will begin service this summer.

The airline will utilize the Boeing 777-300ER for the route that will operate to Zagreb until October 26, 2019. Partner airline flydubai will then begin to operate during the winter season. The strategic partnership between both airlines ensures capacity is deployed to best serve customer demand.

Flight EK 129 will depart Dubai at 8:30 and arrive in Zagreb at 12:35 local time, utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER. The return flight, EK 130 will depart Zagreb at 15:25 and arrive in Dubai at 23:00 local time. Due to the planned upgrade works on the southern runway at DXB from April 16 until May 30, 2019, Emirates’ flights to Zagreb will operate 4 times weekly on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. From May 31, 2019 onwards, the route will be operated as a daily service.

In Zagreb, visitors can discover the upper and lower town areas that hold some of the world’s most iconic cathedrals and museums. Travelers can also discover popular Croatian cities located on the Dalmatian Coast, such as Split and Dubrovnik. Emirates’ partner airline, flydubai, offers travelers flight options to Dubrovnik twice a week on Sunday and Thursday. Flight FZ 719 departs Dubai at 9:00 and arrives in Zagreb at 13:00 local time.

Travel News | eTurboNews

5 places to visit on your bucket list

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While everyone’s ultimate travel bucket list is different, there are certain destinations that really shouldn’t be missed, from American and Canadian destinations to places around the world, including these.

Ireland

The Emerald Isle is truly magical, even if leprechauns aren’t real, or are they? You can visit the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin to find out, but the highlight here is the scenery, and the castles, the music, the people. Visit ancient sites like Newgrange, even older than Stonehenge, constructed in 3200 BC, making it older than even the Great Pyramids of Giza too. Haunting castles and castle ruins dot the lush, green landscape, and there are beautiful beaches along the rugged coasts. Some of your favorite times might be found in the pubs, many of which host live music almost every night of the week, along with plenty of Guinness and craic.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music lovers especially should visit Nashville. Known as the “Music City,” it’s home to hundreds of live music venues that draw well-known names as well as up-and-coming artists. And, while you’ll find plenty of country, that’s not all. Its most famous venue is Grand Ole Opry, and at the historic Ryman Auditorium, visitors can even attend a live recording. The city also boasts a booming rock scene, with venues big and small, including The Basement, an intimate venue hosting everything from metal to acoustic shows.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

America’s top attraction with foreign visitors, the Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Up to 18 miles wide, a mile deep and 227 miles long, the canyon walls are made up of a stunning array of colors and erosional forms, made even more impressive at sunrise and sunset. You’ll want to do more than peer over the edge, though. You can enjoy an unforgettable adventure by riding a mule to the bottom, or head out to explore one of its more remote regions, making the long but rewarding trek to gaze at one of the world’s most breathtaking sights, Havasu Falls.

Antarctica

The ultimate bucket list destination, when your vessel gets through the waters of Orne Harbor, you’ll be welcomed by hundreds of squawking penguins tending their young in a desolate frozen landscape where iceberg peaks soar as much as 300 feet from of the sea. Minke and humpback whales, fur and leopard seals, are just a few of the other creatures you’re likely to encounter in one of the world’s last true frontiers.

Iceland

While its name might lead you to believe that it’s all about icy landscapes here, it’s anything but. The winters are similar to what you’d experience in major cities on America’s east coast, and the summer months are incredible with countless roaring waterfalls and hot springs in an otherworldly place of epic fairytale proportions. Soak in the legendary Blue Lagoon with its milky blue mineral-rich waters, or head to one of the more remote hot springs where you can soak in seclusion.

Travel News | eTurboNews

IMEX Frankfurt: Education speakers include former monk, game developer and ‘tech geeks’

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Learning opportunities delivering fresh perspectives from inside and outside the industry

What do a former monk, a game developer and a self-confessed ‘tech geek’ have in common? They’re all speakers at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21 – 23 May.

There are over 250 complimentary learning sessions in both English and German taking place throughout the three days of the show plus EduMonday, an afternoon dedicated to personal development, taking place the day before the IMEX show begins.

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Meet Germany’s most widely-read mindfulness author

The importance of mindfulness in talent management will be explored by Jan Esswein, one-time monk and now Germany’s most widely-read author on the subject of mindfulness. His session The mindfulness code: four improvements for a new quality of work will share tips on using mindfulness to improve employee communication, collaboration and creativity.

Following in the footsteps of 3M, SAP and Siemens

With diversity and inclusion being such a hot topic across both the events sector and worldwide, it forms an integral part of many learning sessions at IMEX in Frankfurt this year. For example, experts from the Association of Destination Management Executives International will explore Cultural differences and their impact on destination management, digging into cultural nuances as well as wider global traits.

Similarly, executive coach Melissa Lamson will pass on the best practice and communication models she has shared with global heavyweights including 3M, LinkedIn, SAP, and Siemens in her session Industry best practices on how to be an inclusive leader.

The role of events in supporting universal design, diversity and inclusion will be championed by the Events Industry Council in Redesigning inclusive events by overcoming unconscious bias – where planners can uncover their unconscious bias and learn practical ways of designing events to be more welcoming for all.

Emotional engagement in event design is explored by experts including James Morgan, Founder of Event Tech Lab. Morgan will discuss the role and importance of activating emotions through good event design in his session Emotional triggers, attendee participation and positive memories.

Separately, research by Cvent will help planners to get Inside the mind of the event attendee, with data detailing not only the differences each region faces, but also the differences in generational needs and some unexpected networking traits.

What a (food) waste

Also new for this year is the Red Lab where experts from outside the events sector will deliver fresh perspectives. Sigurd Ringstad, business developer from game-based learning platform Kahoot, joins facilitator Majbritt Sandberg to share the benefits of social learning to boost teamwork and innovation in Social learning: Connect. Share. Learn. Another session likely to draw a big audience will focus on taking a collaborative approach to sustainability. Collaboration lies firmly at the heart of What a waste! Finding solutions for world problems using co-creation – a session delivered by Laure Berment from Too Good To Go, the world’s number one app for fighting food waste.

Meet the geeks

Technology – and how to deal with information overload – will top the agenda in Meet the geeks – technology trends to enhance your skills in the 21st century where self-confessed ‘tech geeks’ and founders of Canvas Planner will show planners how to benefit from today’s innovations. They’ll also share wisdom on how to use technology to create a healthy work-life balance.

As usual IMEX is offering all attendees FREE education sessions designed across 10 tracks, including business skills, creative learning, research and trends, sustainability and health and wellbeing – all delving into the current issues and challenges faced by planners.

Finally, attendees can also learn about the latest in technology and experiential concepts at the show’s new Discovery Zone. This specially curated area will be packed with education and experiences to fire up the imagination of event planners and exhibitors alike, helping them question the conventional and be inspired to explore new approaches.

Buddhist World Peace Center Opens in USA

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The Fernwood Hotel and Conference Center in Pennsylvania, USA has been transformed into a Buddhist ‘World Peace Center’. The new owners want this to be a place the community can enjoy again.

The Jinyin Temple will hold its first public prayer ceremony there on Saturday. The new owners hope to spread compassion and kindness while deepening the friendship between Chinese and Americans.

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A shiny new statue of Buddha greets drivers on Milford Road; a sign the Jinyin Temple of Sino Esoteric Buddhism is open.

Inside, you’ll find 20-foot tall statues weighing three tons each. The Prayer Hall is adorned with elaborate statues shipped from overseas.

“Our aim here is to build a temple, I should say, to pray for world peace,” explains Jack Wang, construction officer.  The main Jinyin temple is in China, and this is the first location in America.

Temple leaders toured other potential locations, including in California, but ultimately decided to build here because it would be a challenge.

“We always build mandala or our temple in the most undeveloped area. I would say economically undeveloped area,” Wang says.

The property’s main draw, which once served as Fernwood’s event center, burnt down last summer. The new owners lost precious artifacts in the fire, but they vowed to continue on.

“It’s a setback but it’s not going to stop us,” Wang adds.

Later this year they plan to start offering public classes like meditation, yoga, calligraphy and kung fu. This is meant to be a place for different cultures and religions to come together as one.

“We’re open to local people, we also want to learn from them,” Wang smiles.

The master and other disciples traveled from China to be here.

“In a few years this is going to be a magnet for tourism,” Wang envisions.

Saturday’s ceremony starts with sign-in from 1-2 pm. The day continues with art and prayer, then wraps up with dinner from 5:30-6:30 pm.

Priests, volunteers and maintenance crews live on-site in the former hotel rooms.

SOURCE: IIPT

Seychelles Tourism departments conveys peers and other stakeholders to the first 2019 multi-sectoral meeting

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High officials representing various agencies, members of the tourism-trade and other stakeholders met again on February 1, 2019, three-months following their last assembly in October 2018.

The first multi-sectoral meeting of the year, which took place at the National House, was presided by Minister Didier Dogley, Ministers for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine.

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The meeting saw the presence of his counterparts Minister for Employment, Immigration & Civil Status, Myriam Telemaque; Minister for Environment, Energy & Climate Change, Wallace Cosgrow and Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning Maurice Loustau-Lalanne.

The agenda included presentations from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS), and the Seychelles Land Transport Authority (SLTA).

The presentations by the NBS kept the participants of the meeting abreast with the latest figures including tourism earnings and expenditures. The NBS team mentioned that the aim of the surveys conducted by its teams at the airport and the port aims at having accurate information on every market. They reported that for last year, $563,9 million was earned form the tourism industry, the country’s leading economic pillar. This represents a 16.7 percent increase from 2017’s earnings.

Seychelles ended December 2018 with 361,231 visitors that disembarked in the island nation, a figure which is four percent above that of 2017. The tourism industry is already seeing an increase in visitor arrivals for 2019 as figure have increased by 16 percent when compared to the same period last year. Since the start of 2019, over 33,700 tourists have set foot in the country.

On its part, the CBS reported on the balance of payment. They stated that Seychelles is primarily a service-based economy, where tourism accounts for more than 25 percent of the country’s GDP.

While the Department for Finance presented a brief on the operating cost in Seychelles, during his short intervention the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning Maurice Loustau-Lalanne mentioned that the department is actively working towards reducing business costs related tax considerably.

The two authorities explained the methodology of how data was collected and requested all stakeholders to collaborate in order to be as correct as possible.

The SLTA provided an update on the Road maintenance plan including all the development work on roads and their timeframe.

The Risk Management Section from the Tourism Department circulated their latest figures regarding the crime issues affecting the tourism industry in 2018, showing a 61% decrease in crimes as compared to the same period in 2017.

In his address to the press Minister Dogley expressed his convictions that the Multisectoral meeting adds to the benefit of all stakeholders, he confirms that various issues have been addressed through the meeting and other issues are being taken care of through the continuous meetings.

“What the country wants to see is meaningful and real growth in the industry in general. It is important that the meeting continues on this positive note and that all stakeholders engage in discussions in an effort to jointly identify and implement tangible solutions.” said Minister Dogley.

The aim of the multisectoral meeting is for the public and private sector, involved in the tourism industry, to continue to work together as partners. As a result, the tourism sector can be strengthened for the country to be able to draw more out of the industry and prosper.

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