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Global Tourism Resilience Center offers assistance for Kenya

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The official opening for the Global Tourism Resilience Center is planned on January 20, and the center is busy already reaching out to Kenya. In a statement today Crisis Management Centre founder, the Hon, Ed Bartlett already condemns the recent terrorist attack that was launched the Dusit 2 luxury hotel in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Tuesday, speaking for the Global Tourism Resilience Center.

“Attacks like these threaten the lives and live hoods of countries globally and we condemn them. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Kenya who have been affected and deeply impacted,” said Minister Bartlett.


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CNBS News reported that the attack Tuesday came three years to the day after al-Shabab extremists attacked a Kenyan military base in neighbouring Somalia, killing scores of people. The al Qaeda-linked group objects to the presence of Kenyan troops in the turbulent Horn of Africa nation.

As at today [January 16, 2019] CNN indicated that an American and a Briton were confirmed to be among at least 14 people killed in a terrifying attack at the hotel complex in Nairobi.

Minister Bartlett has also indicated that the Centre stands ready to support Kenya in their recovery programme, “These acts of terror have also brought to the fore the urgent need for strategic infrastructure and mechanisms to be able to detect, manage and recover and this is where the Global Resilience Centre comes in and will play its part in this regard.

The Centre therefore stands ready to support the recovery efforts.”

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which will be housed at the University of the West Indies Mona, was first announced during the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, held in Montego Bay last November, as a response to political turmoil, climatic events, pandemics, shifting global economies as well as crime and violence which can be devastating to travel and tourism.

The official launch is scheduled for January 20, 2019, during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Tourism Safety in Jamaica: Risk, reality and a new way forward

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Safety and security are becoming the center point and the basis of a new way forward for the visitors’ industry on this Caribbean Island nation according to Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett. 

Dr. Tarlow reports from Kingston:

I spent Yesterday in meetings dedicated to innovative ideas regarding tourism surety, that is the point where safety and security meet economic development and reputation.  During the day I had the chance to meet not only with the minister of tourism but also the minister of public safety and security.

We discussed a great many issues: From tourist security to security for Jamaica’s citizens, from technology to the need for police raises, from the fact that in the long-run prevention is less expensive than crisis management.  What we meant by that last statement was that the best way to handle a crisis is to avoid it if at all possible.  This discussion leads to the question of risk, and the reality that to be alive is to deal with risk.

Many of these same discussions are being held around the world.

What I have found unique here in Jamaica is not only the open dialogue, but the willingness intellectually to debate the issues and the realization that a tourism center must always seek ways to reinvent itself.  Tourism dare not be satisfied with past success but must also think creatively about future problems.

An example of the rapid changes faced by the world of tourism is the knowledge that we live not only in a world of social media but also in a hyper-connected world.

Ours is a new world where a smartphone can create a revolution, and where the solving of one problem all too often produces new problems and unintended consequences.  For those who have studied Hegelian philosophy, we see that tourism, like society, is a constantly changing dynamic and perhaps the industry’s biggest threat is the fear of meeting new situations, analyzing them, and seeking solutions in a world without permanent solutions.

What I have learned once again here in Jamaica is that in life there are no easy solutions, but despite this reality, we dare not flee from the challenges of an ever-changing world;  to do less is to run from the ethical and enter into a den of paranoia.

Having debated great issues all day with Jamaican colleagues I have come to understand that the real beauty of this land goes beyond its mountains and its beaches but in the creative spirit of its people.

They have taught me once again that change is a part of life and that either we control the change or it will control us.

Best wishes from Jamaica!

Dr. Peter Tarlow is leading the new eTN Travel & Tourism Safety Training Program, a partnership between  Tourism & More, Inc. and the eTN Group. Tourism and More has been working for over 2 decades with hotels, tourism-oriented cities and countries, and both public and private security officers and police in the field of tourism security. Dr. Tarlow is a world-renowned expert in the field of tourism security and safety. He leads the eTN Travel Security and Safety Training team. For more information, visit travelsecuritytraining.com.

Chinese Celebrity Xu Haiqiao brought diversity of Seychelles to Chinese audiences via social media

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) office in China collaborated with famous reality show actor, Mr. Xu Haiqiao, to increase the visibility of the exotic island paradise among the young Chinese audience.

“Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles” as the project was called, was shot in Seychelles between August 21, 2018 and August 26, 2018.

The actor graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, a public university aimed towards teaching dramatic art in Shanghai, China. Mr. Xu made his name known in his homeland through roles played in television series such as ‘The Dream of Read Mansions’, ‘The Journey of Flower’ and ‘Lost Love in Times’.

The promotional videos started airing on September 10, 2018 on the Chinese celebrity’s social media account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website. Mr. Xu has about 10.7 million fans on Sina Weibo. Followers had the chance to watch ‘Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles’ on other social media platforms such as WeChat and TikTok.

Through the vlog ‘The Orange Star Travels’, Mr. Xu shared with his audience his six-day shooting itinerary in the 115-island archipelago. For each of the six days spent in Seychelles, a themed video blog was created, each displaying a different aspect of life in the island nation. He showed the Chinese audience the beautiful nature of Seychelles, its diverse culture, adventures that can be had as well as interacted with the local people.

The audience experienced the country through six chapters: Preview – ‘Xu Haiqiao and Seychelles’, Chapter 1 – ‘Live Somewhere Else’, Chapter 2 – ‘A Nature Tour of 455square meters, Chapter 3 – ‘A tour of Adventure’, Chapter 4 – ‘Unexpected Lucky Gift’ and Chapter 5 – ‘The End of the Journey’.

Over 60million PV (page per view) were recorded after ‘Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles’ finished airing.

Commenting on Mr. Xu’s presence in the Seychelles, STB Director for the Chinese and Japanese Market, Jean –Luc Lai- Lam said that the initiative is in line with the strategy as presented by his office for the year 2018.

“This year, one of our main focus has been creating more visibility on the Weibo Chinese social media, in order to reach a greater number of audience, and this has been very successful in creating more visibility for the destination,” said Mr. Lai Lam

The project follows the one carried out this year by the award-winning Chinese actress, Ms. Dilraba Dilmurat, who showcase Seychelles through ‘Dilraba feels Seychelles’. Close to 1.53 Billion people watched the series of videos advocating the laid-back lifestyle and natural environment of Seychelles.

GVB visitor center renamed to honor Mr. Guam Tourism

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(L-R) Antonio Muña, Jr. (Vice President – GVB), Nico Fujikawa (GVB Acting Director of Tourism Research), Milton Morinaga (GVB Board Chairman), Raphael Unpingco (son of Bert Unpingco), Pilar Laguaña (GVB Director of Global Marketing), Virginia Lujan Taitano Unpingco (wife of Bert Unpingco), Gloria Unpingco Santiago (daughter of Bert Unpingco), Iowani Unpingco (grandson of Bert Unpingco), Nathan Denight (GVB President and CEO), Rose Q. Cunliffe (GVB Director of Finance and Administration).(L-R) Antonio Muña, Jr. (Vice President – GVB), Nico Fujikawa (GVB Acting Director of Tourism Research), Milton Morinaga (GVB Board Chairman), Raphael Unpingco (son of Bert Unpingco), Pilar Laguaña (GVB Director of Global Marketing), Virginia Lujan Taitano Unpingco (wife of Bert Unpingco), Gloria Unpingco Santiago (daughter of Bert Unpingco), Iowani Unpingco (grandson of Bert Unpingco), Nathan Denight (GVB President and CEO), Rose Q. Cunliffe (GVB Director of Finance and Administration).

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) has proudly renamed its visitor center to honor one of Guam’s pioneers in the tourism industry. The Norbert “Bert” R. Unpingco Visitor Center was unveiled during a special ceremony on December 18, 2018, at the GVB headquarters along Pale San Vitores Road in Tumon.

Fondly known as “Mr. Guam Tourism,” Unpingco assisted in developing Guam’s visitor industry since the 1970s. Upon learning Unpingco received the “Discover America Award” for his work in promoting tourism in the U.S. mainland, former Governor Carlos G. Camacho asked him to return to Guam to help in promoting the island. From there, Unpingco became the first GVB general manager, also holding other key positions within the public, non-stock and non-profit membership corporation. In addition, he helped to strengthen programs such as WAVE! (Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically), which encouraged locals to embrace tourism.

Senator Jim Espaldon authored a public law to initiate the formal change in renaming the visitor center to honor Unpingco’s work and commitment to the island community.

“I’m happy that the renaming took place to honor and celebrate Mr. Bert Unpingco – Mr. Tourism,” said Senator Espaldon. “He carried the håfa adai spirit wherever he went. The industry is where it’s at today because of him and we thank him for his decades of service to develop Guam as a world-class destination.”

Jim Espaldon (Senator of the 34th Guam Legislature), Dennis “DJ” Unpingco (grandson of Bert Unpingco), Pualei Unpingco (granddaughter of Bert Unpingco), Gloria Unpingco Santiago (daughter of Bert Unpingco), and Dennis Unpingco (son of Bert Unpingco).Jim Espaldon (Senator of the 34th Guam Legislature), Dennis “DJ” Unpingco (grandson of Bert Unpingco), Pualei Unpingco (granddaughter of Bert Unpingco), Gloria Unpingco Santiago (daughter of Bert Unpingco), and Dennis Unpingco (son of Bert Unpingco).

“When I first started as deputy general manager of the Bureau, Uncle Bert would stop by often and we would spend hours talking about tourism, as well as his ideas and contributions for Guam. His passion continues to live on in the work that we do,” said GVB President and CEO Nathan Denight. “Renaming the visitor center has a greater impact in honoring his memory and the role he played in Guam’s tourism industry.”

Unpingco passed away in 2017 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Lujan Taitano Unpingco, his 9 children (Gloria, Bonnie, Dennis, Carlos, Therese, Jeanine, Evangeline, Billy, and Raphael), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He resided in the village of Sinajana.

Malta celebrates Valletta, a 2018 European Capital of Culture

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As 2018 draws to a close, Malta will celebrate the culmination of a year of festivities honoring Valletta, a 2018 European Capital of Culture, with a final Valletta 2018 closing spectacle on December 15, 2018. For Valletta, 2018 set the stage for a more vibrant and welcoming capital city, and this special after party promises to keep spirits high!

The Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture festivities comprised over 400 events and encompassed a yearlong celebration of the culture and history of the island nation of Malta. The success of any European Capital of Culture is rooted in the passion, imagination, support, dedication, enthusiasm and generosity of its communities.

As such, Valletta 2018’s Closing Spectacle is all about celebrating community, life and culture while forging new friendships. Only together can one truly celebrate Valletta 2018’s year-long program of incredible events, initiatives and activities with the same energy and love that’s gone into it.

The festive closing event will take place in the heart of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors will experience an amazing celebration of Malta’s tenure as a European Capital of Culture 2018. Event-goers can expect to enjoy a spectacular line-up of live shows, music, tours, as well as a few unexpected surprises.

Highlights for the Valletta 2018 Closing Spectacle on December 15 will include:

• A contemporary performance from the Moveo Dance company
• Concert by the Valletta 2018 Chorus
• A colorful street performance featuring the Big Dancers’ signature giant marionettes
• Live painting by multidisciplinary artists, offering their own take on Valletta 2018
• Tours of the Old Abattoir (Il-Biċċerija) which houses the Valletta Design Cluster building

The Valletta 2018 Closing Spectacle will be a lively closing event, paying homage to the creative diversity that exists on the Maltese archipelago, in Europe and beyond. Visitors will join artists, curators, local residents, and the entire Valletta 2018 team in what will prove to be an exciting and memorable “after-party”!

“The amazing and diverse calendar of Events for Valletta 2018 generated great publicity and was a major factor for the dramatic growth in tourism from the US & Canada this year,” said Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority’s North American Representative. She added, “we want to congratulate Jason Micallef, Valletta 2018 Chairman and his entire team on their hard work to make the European Capital of Culture 2018 such a resounding success, not just for Valletta, but for all of the Maltese Islands.”

The Valletta 2018 Foundation is responsible for the planning of events for the European Capital of Culture program in Malta. Throughout 2018, they have partnered with various local and international communities to develop the programs for Valletta 2018.