For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister will deliver remarks at launch of Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operation Summit

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett will deliver remarks at the launch of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS).

The event brings together nearly 300 regional and international investors and operators, as well as the region’s leading decision makers.

Attendees network and discuss the region’s markets and possibilities, while analyzing the most important trends that can impact their investment decisions.

The 2019 staging will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from November 14 – 15.

WHAT: Launch of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit

WHEN: Tuesday, May 07, 2019 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: The Pavilion, Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, 17 Waterloo Rd, Kingston

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

Tourism stakeholders presented with Destination 2023

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Following the consultative process to review and update the Tourism Master Plan 2012-2020 in May 2018, it was seen necessary that a concrete action plan to guide the Tourism sector be developed. Last Friday, at the STC Conference Room, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Didier Dogley launched the validation workshop for Destination 2023, a tourism strategy which will guide the tourism sector for the next 5 years.

The aim of the validation workshop was to discuss, validate findings and present recommendations as well as provide clarifications, prior to finalising the strategy document. This strategy has been drafted following meetings conducted with more than 300 persons across both private and the public sector, including but not limited to, tour operators, hoteliers, restaurant owners, as well as boat and yacht charter operators during  a period of 1 and  a half year.

The workshop was also attended by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune, Principal Sectary for Finance, Damien Thesee, the Attorney General and representatives from both Public and private sector.

In his opening remarks, Minister Dogley said: “Destination 2023, is the strategic tool elaborated to galvanise our efforts towards a common national vision and strategic goals and provide us with clear and specific steps necessary to achieve our set objectives and targets. It is the blue print for our tourism industry for the next 5 years.”

The consultants commissioned for the Tourism Master Plan, Mrs. Daniella Larue of Valsen Consulting and Mr. Guy Morel presented the 8 priority areas that should be collectively achieved by 2023. This include Driving brand development, Investing in market penetration and development, Improving product diversification, Addressing Seychelles competitiveness as a Tourism Destination, Investing in local talent development and management, Increasing Investment in Sustainable Tourism Practices, Delivering key enabling factors and Increasing Capacity of Government Agencies to facilitate tourism.

The consultants were commended by the Trade and the Principal Secretary for Tourism in her closing remarks for presenting a clear guiding strategy that will act as a roadmap for the sector’s sustainable growth. Following its validation by the Trade, the Destination 2023 strategy will be submitted to the Government for final approval.Once approved, the Department of Tourism will develop detailed action plans with monitoring measures and ensure its implementation to meet the set goals and objectives of the strategy.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Travel News | eTurboNews

Pakistan establishes 19 Integrated Tourism Zones to promote tourism

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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a meeting in Islamabad on development and promotion of tourism in the Country, at which it was apprised that Integrated Tourism Zones are being established to promote tourism while simultaneously ensuring eco-tourism, biodiversity and natural beauty of tourist resorts.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, the Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) Haroon Sharif, the Punjab Minister for Tourism Yasir Humayun, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Tourism Atif Khan, and the Secretary Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rashid Mehmood Langrial.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed about new initiatives being taken to promote tourism in the Country.

It was apprised that as many as 11 Integrated Tourism Zones are being set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and eight Zones are being established in Punjab to promote tourism in the Country.

•Integrated Tourism Zones are being developed at places like Gabeen Jabba, Swat, (elevation 9,200 ft,) Mankyal, Swat (8,700ft), Bayon, Swat (11,000 ft), Bir Mughlasht, Chitral (9,000 ft), Golain, Chitral (10,400), Qaqlasht, Chitral (7,500 ft), Burwai, Naran (10,000 ft) and Mahaban, Buner (6,600 ft).

The prime minister was also briefed in detail about the draft of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act 2019. He was told that internationally successful models are being followed for promoting tourism.

In remarks, the prime minister said that the private sector will play a leading role in development of tourism while the government will provide an enabling environment and will act as a facilitator.

The prime minister said that new initiatives being undertaken under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Act 2019 to facilitate tourists and tap huge existing potential in the tourism sector. He said that tourism is exploding in Pakistan.

Imran Khan directed that a comprehensive website be launched immediately identifying all newly Tourist zones being set up and providing detailed information about these placed to the local as well as foreign tourists.

Travel News | eTurboNews

African Tourism Board launch on Thursday: More details just released

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The African Tourism Board is ready to be launched in Cape Town on Thursday during the upcoming World Travel Market at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
Conference Theatre.

A president and a CEO will be introduced during the launch event.
The focus of the launch event is diverse and includes Peace, Environment, Investment, Marketing, and Security.

African Tourism Board will be exhibiting at the World Travel Market on Stand AP12

15.30-15.40 Welcoming remarks

Juergen Steinmetz

Interim chairman of African Tourism Board
Chairman International Coalition of Tourism Partners

Introducing the African Tourism Board, Vision, Board Members, African Leaders,
Introduction of the new ATB President

Tourism, Investments & Peace:
It’s a People Business

15.40-15.55
Dr. Taleb Rifai

Former UNWTO Secretary-General
2015-2017

A special place: Cape Town

15.55-16.00
Enver Duminy
CEO Cape Town Tourism

A Minister of Tourism Speaks:

16.00-16.05
Hon. Moses Vikati

Minister of Tourism & Environmental Affairs
Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards

16.05-16.10

Kwakye Donkor
CEO African Tourism Partner
Ghana & South Africa

The Role of Cameroon Tourism

16.10-16.15

Francoise Kameni Lele
AFBS Cameroon

Travel & Tourism Security and Safety

Keynote Speaker

16.10-16.40
Dr. Peter Tarlow, USA
Travel Security and Safety
www. safertourism.com

African Lung: It’s a launch today

Launch Announcement

16.40-17.00

Professor Geoffrey Lipman
President International Coalition of Tourism Partners
President SunX
The launch of Africa Lung, the most ambitious travel & tourism climate response program with its central focus on Africa.

Reaching out to Overseas Markets

The US Market Potential: Not only New York or Los Angeles

17.00-17.05

Juergen Steinmetz, president eTN Corporation
Inbound markets from USA

Chinese Tourists: How to do it

17.05-17.10

Doris Woerfel, CEO Southern Cross Experience, South Africa
China inbound market for Africa

Travelers from Israel: A huge potential

17.10-17.15

Dov Kalmann, Israel
Israel inbound market for Africa

Why Indians want to explore Africa

17.15-17.20

Arjun Mukund, T&A Consulting, Delhi, India
Indian inbound market for Africa

The Road Forward for African Tourism Board

I have a dream!

17.20-17.30

Alain St. Ange, Seychelles
Former Minister of Tourism Seychelles
President St. Ange Consulting

The Global Trade Show for Africa

17.30

Carol Weaving

Managing Director of Reed Exhibition Africa

Travel News | eTurboNews

Minister Bartlett to deliver remarks at ground-breaking ceremony for new site at UWI Western Jamaica Campus

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Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett will offer remarks at the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new site within the Western Jamaica Campus.

The new site aligns with the University’s commitment to increase participation in tertiary and higher education whilst strengthening their partnership opportunities with stakeholders in Western Jamaica.

WHO: The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP

WHAT: Invites coverage of the ground-breaking ceremony for the new site within the UWI Western Jamaica Campus

WHEN: Friday, March 22, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Barnett Estate Lands, Fairfield Road, Montego Bay, St. James

Travel News | eTurboNews

Reunion Island NRL viaduct: Now that’s a road trip!

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“The new NRL 974 – the Didier Robert Highway as it is referred to across the island – is a secure road far from the danger of falling stones … nearly 1500 jobs … innovations … ingenuity … perseverance and respect to preserve the environment of the island,” says remarks from social media about this massive Reunion Island project.

The work of the “Nouvelle Route du Littoral” (the new coastal road) is nearing its end on the north side. Motorists traveling along the coastal road watch every day the progress of the work of laying the big posts in the sea.

This Friday marks the last hours of mobilization of the huge machine “Zourite,” used for two years for the installation of the big posts at the bottom of the sea and the first parts of deck assembled in stages. Since the start of work at sea, the machine has reached the construction work at the rate of two of these big posts per month. The total height of these posts varies from 24 to 38 meters on the entire route at sea. The bases of the posts are between 12 and 15 meters below sea level, or between 3 and 8 m below the ocean floor.

48 posts in total

The route stretch of the deck, whose weight of the elements can go up to 670 tons and are conveyed by the “launcher” to be assembled. As for the route on supports, they are much heavier, they weigh up to 2400 tons and are routed and set up on site by Zourite. The height of the segments to be transported varies from 3.80 to 7.30 meters.

Zourite thus completes in this month of March 2019 the installation of the very last of the posts of the viaduct which includes 48 between the Large boat and the advancement at sea in Saint-Denis.

A progress report is made at this very moment on site by a delegation of the regional authority. Taking stock of the progress of the work, the President of the Region was also asked about the prospects for the other achievements that will follow the work of the NRL, starting with the guided regional transport network. “The first phase of 12 km will involve Saint-Denis and Sainte-Marie, plus 2 phases: a first towards Saint-Benoît, and the second towards the west since you know that the New Coastal Road provides for to be able to host a regional guided transport network,” said Didier Robert.

NEO after the NRL

As for the total delivery of the NRL, the president of the Region spoke about the schedule adopted to date. “We are on a 2022 perspective for the overall delivery of the project,” he said, also answering the question of the possibility of a partial delivery. “It’s part of the elements of reflection but it does not integrate today the approach of our community because it is a global work of 12 km, so the goal is to deliver this project on its entirety.”

The subject of NEO Saint-Denis was also mentioned. “For the past two or three years, we have been choosing to co-manage with the City of Saint-Denis for the Nouvelle Entrée Ouest, and we are working together to ensure that there is extension and that Saint-Denis can benefit from the regional commitment with a level of traffic that is more acceptable. It will be finalized in a first time the new bridge of the Saint-Denis River in 2020-2021, so at the same time as the finalization of the viaduct “which prefigures the” new face of Barachois “in a second time,” said the president of Reunion.

Travel News | eTurboNews

It’s official – Anguilla is Beyond Extraordinary!

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The Anguilla Team at the Beyond Extraordinary launch at The PUBLIC Hotel with Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary and Mrs. Donna Banks, Chairperson, Anguilla Tourist Board

The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) launched its Beyond Extraordinary destination campaign at a festive event in New York City on Tuesday, December 11th, at The PUBLIC, An Ian Schraeger Hotel.

A delegation comprised of the Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mrs. Donna Banks, ATB Chairperson, and Mrs. Shellya Webster, Manager, Corporate Affairs at the ATB head office, briefed 100 leading travel industry partners, island stakeholders, and representatives from the trade and consumer on new developments on island, and new marketing initiatives being undertaken by the Tourist Board.

In his welcome remarks, The Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism highlighted the two new luxury brands that now call Anguilla home — Relais & Chateaux and Belmond, joining the Four Seasons and Auberge Resorts Collection, and independent brands CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and Zemi Beach House.

Mrs. Donna Banks, ATB Chairperson, gave a comprehensive update on Anguilla’s tourism product, from access and accommodations through experiences and activities. She then introduced the Beyond Extraordinary campaign, aimed at sharing all the extraordinary aspects of Anguilla with travellers and travel planners alike.

Beyond Anguilla’s renowned 33 public, pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters –Anguilla’s activities include festivals, music, an award winning dining scene, boating and sport events, off-shore cays, caves and so much more. The campaign aims to capture the diversity and richness of the Anguilla experience, and it will utilize stunning visuals to highlight the island and varied activities across digital advertising, search engine marketing, social media, online video, and many other tactics.

“Our Beyond Extraordinary campaign represents a greater investment by the Anguilla Tourist Board in the transformation of Anguilla’s marketing to embrace digital and mobile first strategies,” said ATB Chairperson Donna Banks. “We are positioning ourselves to compete in today’s tourism market, which increasingly depends on digital and mobile technology,” she continued.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Anguilla Tourist Board’s brand new web presence at IvisitAnguilla.com. In addition to gorgeous images of beautiful beaches and easier user navigation, the website provides many useful features for visitors to explore Anguilla including: an interactive map of the island that allows users to quickly find the best places to eat, sleep, relax, and celebrate; a custom itinerary builder where visitors can “favorite” any restaurant, hotel, or activity to organize a personal travel experience; Editor’s Picks with suggested itineraries for 3, 5 or 7 day trips geared toward different types of travelers; and so much more.

The evening concluded with a series of surprise drawings for hotel stays, restaurant specials and airline tickets courtesy of Anguilla’s leading properties — Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection; Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa; Frangipani Beach Resort; CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa; Carimar Beach Club; Shoal Bay Villas; Belmond Cap Juluca; Blanchard’s Restaurant and Beach Shack; Tasty’s; Mango’s; Good Korma; Veya; Dolce Vita; Seaborne Airlines and Tradewind Aviation.

For information on Anguilla, please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

MEDIA CONTACT: Shellya K. Webster, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Anguilla Tourist Board, The Valley, Anguilla, BWI, E: shellya.webster@atb.ai