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Early Bird Registration is Now Open for 26th OTDYKH International Russian Travel Market

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Following the success of the 2019 event, the dates for the upcoming OTDYKH Leisure fair 2020 have been announced. Next year’s highly-anticipated three-day event will take place at the Expocentre in Moscow from September  8-10,2020.

The largest tourism event in Russia, this fair is unmissable for major competitors in the travel industry seeking to tap into the vast and ever-growing Russian travel market. Despite having fluctuated in recent years, from 2016 to 2017 Russian outbound tourism increased by an impressive 25%, rising a further 5.8% in 2018. With a population of almost 145 million, and given its key positioning between Europe and Asia, Russia is a primary player in the global travel industry with huge potential for companies providing travel-related services.

Russians also reportedly spend on average 42% more per person, per foreign holiday than their European counterparts. In 2018 Russia placed 8th on an UNTWO report which ranked countries by their contribution to outbound tourism. Russia’s total spending amounted to $31.1 billion USD, up almost 30% from the previous year. These statistics point to a flourishing trend in Russian outbound travel, and well as lucrative opportunities for companies looking to harness the Russian market.

The OTDYKH Leisure fair of 2020 will see the return of the many spectacular business networking events of the 2019 edition. The 2019 event welcomed almost 15,000 industry experts with 600 exhibitors from 35 countries and 41 Russian regions.

Highlights of the expo included a series of exclusive B2B marketing events for exhibitors, such as roundtable meetings between leading Russian tour operators and international organisations. Other features included a sales-call service, expert workshops and the B2B Speed Dating service which facilitated one-on-one meetings at exhibitors’ stands.

The highly popular Hosted Buyer program will also be making a comeback in 2020, establishing hundreds of meetings between high-level buyers, tour operators and travel agencies.

The Business Program in 2019 comprised of 45 business events with over 150 speakers and almost 2,700 participants and will be a winning feature of the upcoming expo when the OTDYKH Leisure fair returns on September 8, 2020.

Early bird booking rates are on limited release until December 31, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ms. Anna Huber at [email protected]  

International office: +43 1 230 85 35

Seychelles Tourism Board meets Tourism Trade Partners

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The marketing body of the destination, the Seychelles Tourism Board  (STB) hosted its Annual marketing strategy 2020 meeting at Constance Ephelia Resort, this Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

The one-day meeting saw the participation of all core stakeholders of the tourism industry including the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation Ports and Marine Didier Dogley, the STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis, the Seychelles Tourism Board staff from the headquarters and all 17 points across the globe.

In his address Minister Didier Dogley mentioned his pleasure to be attending the meeting, which he says is a crucial one to understand the latest development in the tourism industry.

“This marketing meeting allows us to take stock of the status of our tourism industry and what has been achieved over the last six months, identify the challenges we face and formulate the appropriate responses,” said Minister Dogley. 

Minister Dogley further mentioned the important work being undertaken in the development of the Destination 2023 adjustment to the tourism masterplan. He mentioned that it is important that the stakeholders remain committed to better our tourism products and services. 

In her address, Mrs. Sherin Francis expressed her satisfaction that the STB is hosting this annual meeting, she further mentioned her satisfaction to see that tourism arrival figures for the month of January to June 2019 has seen an increase of 9%.

Aside from the 2018- 2019 analysis of performances on the various markets, Mrs. Francis’ state of affairs presentation also touched on the strategy for the coming year.

Mrs. Francis also took the opportunity to thank the various partners for their constant support throughout the year. 

The STB Annual marketing meeting at mid-year is an annual event that allows the tourism board to hold direct interaction with its local partners to discuss plans for the coming year.

 MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Malta to host US Tour Operators Association spring 2020 Out-of-Country Board Meeting

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Malta has been selected as the host destination for United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) annual Out-of-Country Board Meeting to take place in Spring 2020. Malta won the bid in a unanimous vote announced by USTOA Board Chairman, Dana Santucci, Vice President of Development, EF Education First. Turkish Airlines will be the official USTOA Malta Board Meeting air carrier; the global carrier that flies to more destinations and countries than any other airline in the world will provide flights for attendees and a two-day stopover in Istanbul will be included in the event program.     

Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Representative North America said, “Since MTA rejoined USTOA five years ago, the number of USTOA tour operators who have added Malta to their itineraries and those who are expanding their Malta tour product, has grown from five to more than 30 in 2019. Hosting the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will provide a great opportunity for the Board members to experience for themselves why Malta has become so popular for the North American traveler.”   

“USTOA tour operator members, along with the media, have widely recognized that Malta is definitely a country to be seen and heard from,” said Terry Dale, USTOA President & CEO. Dale added, “Malta’s proactive presence in the US market is making a huge difference in the minds of tour operators as well as consumers. The Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta will provide all the tour operators with an opportunity to experience first-hand why this hidden gem of the Mediterranean, is definitely trending in the US & Canadian travel market.” 

Crystal Lagoon, Malta – Photo – ViewingMalta.com

Malta tourism from North America has grown dramatically in the past few years. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, there was close to a 40% increase from just the US market over the same period of the previous year. In addition to Malta being a safe destination, and English speaking, Buttigieg attributes much of this growing popularity to several factors. “One is certainly due to the fact that Malta’s capital, Valletta, was named a European Capital of Culture in 2018,” said Buttigieg. “Another major factor, especially for the North American market, is the expansion and growth of luxury hotels in the past five years both with the well-known chains as well as with the opening of new luxury boutique hotels that were former Palazzos. Malta has focused on a strong consumer promotional push, resulting in major travel consumer media coverage, as well as taking a proactive approach with the travel professionals including USTOA members.” 

Turkish Airlines, an associate USTOA member, will be the official host air carrier for the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta. “Turkish Airlines provides excellent connections to Malta from its nine US gateways,” said Mr. Cenk Ocal, General Manager, New York, Turkish Airlines.  He added “Turkish Airlines has already co-hosted with Malta Tourism Authority a high level Tour Operator familiarization trip four years ago with great success. We are confident that the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will also yield great results by providing an opportunity for those tour operators who have never been to Malta, to discover the easy access via Turkish Airlines, the diversity of the tourism product and the special attraction that the destination has for American travelers!” 

For more articles about Malta, click here.

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 sights and was a 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority:

Michelle Buttigieg
Tel: (212) 213-0944
Fax: (212) 213-0938
E-mail: [email protected]

MTA US Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group
Karen Hoffman/ Bianca Pappas
Tel: (212) 447-0027
Fax: (212) 725 8253
E-mail: [email protected]

Bartlett attends UNWTO Executive Council Meeting Welcome Reception

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Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, seen left in the main photo, is keeping the Hon. Didier Dogley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine for the Seychelles and Dr. the Hon. Charles Banda, Chairman, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council, amused during the welcome reception for delegates to the 110th UNWTO Executive Council Meeting.

The event took place on Sunday, June 16, at the Mugham Club Restaurant in Baku, Azerbaijan. The UNWTO Executive Council meeting is taking place June 16-18 in Baku.

Above, the Jamaica Minister of Tourism Bartlett, seen on the left, poses for a photograph with Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General, and Mr. Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency. The three gentlemen met at the welcome reception for delegates.

The Executive Council, in consultation with ‎the Secretary-General, works to implement its own decisions and ‎recommendations of the Assembly.‎ The Council meets at least twice a year.‎

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

Bartlett to Attend 110th United Nations World Tourism Organization Executive Council Meeting

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is set to participate in the 110th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council Meeting, during the period June 16 – 18, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Minister Bartlett and his delegation will also use the opportunity to begin discussions with the UNWTO Secretary General, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili, regarding the 2020 CAM meeting as well as the 2020 Global Conference on Innovation, Resilience and Crisis Management, which Jamaica will jointly host with the UNWTO.

“We look forward to hosting the first ever Global Tourism Innovation Resilience and Crisis Management Summit in Montego Bay. Jamaica will also host the 2020 meeting of the Americas. This effort back to back will position Jamaica, not only as the central global reference for innovation, resilience and crisis management but also as the focus of the entire Americas in terms of the deliberations of CAM,” said the Minister.

In addition to the standard Agenda of the 110th Session, the UNWTO will host a special forum titled “Protect our Heritage:  Social, Cultural and Environmental Sustainability” on June 17, 2019. This is in line with the UNWTO’s key priority area and has been especially tailored for Government Ministers, who will have the opportunity to express their views and look for joint solutions.

Minister Bartlett is accompanied by Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary and Miss Gillian Baldeo, Communications Director, Product Development. They will return to Jamaica on June 20, 2019.

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