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Terror Attack on Shangri La, Kingsbury Hotel and three churches in Sri Lanka

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The Shangri La Hotel Colombo, the Kingsbury Hotel and three churches in Kochchikade and Negombo were targeted by terrorists today in Sri Lanka. This is another attack on the travel and tourism industry, an important sector of Sri Lanka’s economy.

At 11.10h local time, a happy Easter in Sri Lanka turned deadly. A major deadly terror attack in Sri Lanka with five explosions are reported. Two explosions in St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade and more in Negombo Katuwapitiya Church.

Another explosion in Kingsbury Hotel and 3rd floor Shangri-La in Colombo. The Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo overlooks the Indian Ocean and is located in the heart of the business district and the capital’s buzzing social scene.

The five-star Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo is located in-between Galle Face Green, the World Trade Centre, and the Dutch Hospital Precinct.

According to insiders, today’s terror attack in Sri Lanka is not local. It has roots outside. It may be a calibrated response.

50 dead and more than 280 injured. Since this is Easter, Churches are busy everywhere in the world. It’s unclear if tourists and foreigners are among the victims in Sri Lanka. T

 

 

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Which 3 Italian cities rank as top unique experiences?

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Italy is the homeland of the cities most appreciated by travelers according to reviews of users of an online platform. Coming in among the top 5 are Rome, Florence, and Milan. Amsterdam and Barcelona round out the top 5.

The Italian peninsula thus rose to the podium, winning 3 of the 5 positions in the ranking, according to the research conducted by Musement which analyzed 133 destinations distributed all over the world, based on beautiful landscapes, excellent culinary offers, and outstanding cultural attractions.

Analyzing the results of the research, the growth of interest in the national territory comes at the expense of medium- and long-range destinations emerges among the key factors, with long-haul destinations attracting less interest.

A surprising aspect is that once again Italy and the many experiences that the multiplatform provides users to get closer to the cultural traditions and landscape variety of Italy is emphasized.

Rome continues to be the most popular destination with a typically Mediterranean climate, cultural attractions, and unique tourist beauties such as the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. The city of Milan remains on the fourth step of the podium with international events such as My Photos Fair and the visit to the Cenacle in the rankings.

The second place is also Italian – Florence between the Boboli Gardens, the Uffizi, and gastronomic tours.

Among the top 5 destinations, some European cities also prevail, above all Barcelona, which wins third place with Park Guell and the Barcelona Aquarium.

The fifth position is Dutch. In fact, Amsterdam closes the standings thanks to the Van Gogh Museum, the cruise on the canals, and the Heineken Experience.

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Tourism plays a major role in poverty alleviation, says PM Imran Khan

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Calling the tourism industry as a major role in poverty alleviation and one of his top priorities, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has unveiled his vision and features of the Tourism Policy of Pakistan to develop tourism as an industry in the country.

Former cricketer, Imram Khan, published a pictorial “A journey through Pakistan” in the early 80s to promote Pakistan among his international followers as one of the top starts of the Cricket world. He brought several European celebrities to Pakistan during the 80s and 90s to show the beauty of Pakistan among such celebrities as the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

The Prime Minister, while addressing the Pakistan Tourism Summit on Wednesday, was of the view that Pakistan is one of the most beautiful lands on Earth, and still has virgin places offering explorers exceptional adventures, reported the DND News Agency.

His view of developing tourism is based on his view that the role of the state is to facilitate tourists by providing them infrastructure and security, and the rest should be done by private sector.

He believes that poverty has decreased due to tourism in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that tourism can be a major tool for poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

He stated that his government has opened its first International Information Tourist Corner in Belgium to introduce Pakistan as a tourism destination where tourists can get information about its unique culture, exceptional natural beauty of its northern areas, and the traditional lifestyle of its mountain people.

He stated that while collaborating with a Dutch Company, the Tourist Corner established in Brussels is the first-ever initiative by the Pakistani mission in Belgium to promote tourism products of Pakistan.

He stated that his government already started online visa processing for residents from 175 countries, and an e-visa facility is playing a role in attracting tourists.

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African Tourism Board Launch welcomes Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA)

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June Crawford is the current CEO of BARSA, The Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, and has held this position since 2014. She had previously held positions at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. June had also been appointed by the Honorable Minister of Transport to the position on a non-executive director of the South African ANSP, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (2008-2012) before becoming CEO.

Ms. Barsa will be attending the official launch of the African Tourism Board in Cape Town on April 11 along with many African leaders. The ATB opening event will take place on April 11 at 15.30 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Conference Theatre during World Travel Market Africa.

The Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA) represents the interests of its African and International members to government, airport operators and other stakeholders in the airline industry with the aim of facilitating and further developing a safe, efficient and viable aviation industry in South Africa. BARSA provides a single concerted voice on policy and other matters in relation to government and other stakeholders in transport, business and tourism.

Within this structure, and as members of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), BARSA remains at the helm; offering a voice to African and International airlines operating to and from the Republic of South Africa.

More on African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com 
More on BARSA: www.barsa.co.za

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Turkish suspect in Utrecht terrorist attack arrested

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Utrecht’s police chief has confirmed that the 37-year-old Turkish suspect in the deadly shooting on a tram in the Netherlands has been arrested.

Gökmen Tanis was arrested after a major manhunt following the shooting which authorities have confirmed killed three people and injured nine more. The terror threat level for Utrecht was reduced after the suspect’s arrest.

A police spokesperson said Tanis was arrested on Oudenoord street near where a red Renault Clio which he was believed to have been driving was found.

The attack prompted Dutch police to be put on high alert, with military police sent to national airports, railways stations and major roads as citizens were advised to stay indoors. Schools were also closed while the hunt was underway.

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte said during a press conference that the suspect’s motive is still unclear and that there are “many questions and rumors.” Earlier the Dutch counter-terror agency said it appears to be a terror attack.

Utrecht police had warned citizens to watch out for Tanis but not to approach him. Sources told BBC Turkish that the 37-year-old had previously been arrested over “suspected links” to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) a few years ago, but was later released.

Following the attack, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Turkish intelligence agency is investigating whether it was linked to terror.

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