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Shopping at – where else? The Dead Sea Mall!

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When you think of the Dead Sea, do you think of a mall? What about a mall with luxury stores, an ice cream store, cafes, and even a spa?

A beautiful new mall at the Dead Sea, situated directly on the boardwalk and beach on the southern end of the salty attraction, offers both Israelis and tourists products at prices less the Value Added Tax amount. The cost of the rebate will be footed by the developer of the mall. Overseas tourists will be able to claim a double discount as they can still get a VAT rebate on many items.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and is surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. The saline water of the lake gives lead to the name Dead Sea, because no fish can survive in the salty waters. The other result of the salty water of the Dead Sea is its renowned health and healing properties and the unique feature that one can float naturally in them.

There are a number of public beaches open along the shores of the Dead Sea. Popular beaches include the Ein Gedi Beach and the beach at the Ein Bokek resort where many hotels offer private beaches, and where some beaches charge an entry fee.

If for nothing else, tourists can always go in simply to enjoy the air conditioning.

Travel News | eTurboNews

UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism to analyze sector’s potential

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The countdown begins for the 5th World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism to be held on 2 and 3 May in Donostia-San Sebastián, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC). International experts will analyze and discuss the influence and capacity of gastronomy tourism to create employment and promote entrepreneurship and how to increase its potential in the future. Registration to attend the forum is still open here.

Stimulating employment

The Forum will explore how the most favorable frameworks can be created in order to stimulate job creation and entrepreneurship throughout the gastronomy tourism value chain. In addition, the speakers will try to identify the most relevant skills for this type of tourism, which should foster synergies among emerging companies, promote the inclusion of disadvantaged groups and take full account of digitalization. The event will bring together speakers and experts from all regions of the world, as well as internationally renowned Basque chefs such as Elena Arzak, who is a UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism and joint head chef of the restaurant Arzak, and Andoni Luis Aduriz.
In addition, the event will host the presentation of the UNWTO/BCC Guidelines for the Development of Gastronomy Tourism.

Sessions and startups

The forum will open with a high-level panel with ministers and secretaries of state from countries that have included gastronomy tourism as part of their strategies, such as Cyprus, Slovenia or Spain, among others. Under the theme, “Public policies as key ingredients to promote gastronomy tourism”, the participants will discuss the necessary political framework for the development of gastronomy tourism as well as its capacity to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship.

In addition to shedding light on the competencies needed to meet the demands of gastronomy tourists, the sessions will encourage the creation of environments that stimulate entrepreneurship, that connect emerging companies and better integrate disadvantaged groups in the labour market. Issues related to local communities or to under-represented groups, such as women, youth and persons with disabilities, will also be discussed. In addition, topics such as the digitalization of the sector will also be analyzed in order to identify the new opportunities they offer to companies. In addition, the latest advances in the creation of the necessary framework to stimulate entrepreneurship will be presented, connecting the different ecosystems with the startups that are part of the value chain of gastronomy tourism.

In this context, the five finalist startups of the First Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition, organized by the UNWTO and the BCC, will present the most innovative projects in line with the UNWTO’s strategy and the contribution of gastronomy tourism to the sustainable development goals.

Travel News | eTurboNews

OTDYKH International Russian Travel Market to celebrate 25th Anniversary in 2019

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September 10-12 2019 will see the return of the successful OTDYKH Leisure International Russian Travel market

September 10-12 2019 will see the return of the successful OTDYKH Leisure International Russian Travel market. Held in Moscow each year, OTDYKH leisure is a spectacle for the eyes with approx. 900 exhibitors from 80 countries and Russian regions, these figures are growing yearly and the 2019 event is set to be the best yet with a number of new countries and regions joining.

According to the official statistic of Border Service tourism between Europe and Russia increased during 2018 and figures are set to grow throughout the upcoming year based upon expert predictions. Figures were in excess of 1 million outbound and inbound tourists from both regions recorded in 2018. This is your opportunity to join one of the world’s largest tourism markets and reach a potential 20 million outbound Russian travelers each year.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

Spanning across 15,000 m2 OTDYKH Leisure 2019 is set to open opportunities to all within the tourism industry as to gain access to invaluable networking events, 180 speakers of 30 business events, unique seminars, hands on industry specific workshops, presentations from countries across the globe and many conferences. There is great opportunity for media coverage for exhibitors with almost 300 media professionals in attendance at the event and over 80 media partners working closely with the event this coming year.

Exhibitors are invited to submit their interest before 1st of March 2019 as to avail of early bird offers for the exhibit and related events.

Anna Huber, OTDYKH International project director has stated:

‘’I am delighted to say that we are expecting more exhibitors from the long haul and exotic destinations such as Cuba, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Egypt, Tunisia, India etc. in 2019. This year we plan stronger cooperation with ATOR (Association of Tour Operators of Russia), with its cooperation we will organise a serious of roundtable meetings between Russian large tour operators and international authorities.’’

OTDYKH Business Program 2018 enabled major tourism development in Russia. The conferences ware a fantastic success and the outcome resulted in a draft resolution for the Russian tourism industry including the signing of 15 governmental agreements. OTDYKH Leisure is a forum for signing intergovernmental and partnership agreements annually as to promote and benefit the Russian tourism industry.

Exhibitors are welcomed to join us at OTDYKH Leisure 2019 to help us celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this prestigious event. Participants are advised to book at their earliest convenience as to avoid disappointment and avail of early bird booking offers.

OTDYKH Leisure will be held on the 10th-12th of September 2019
Location: Expocenter Fairgrounds in Moscow, Russia.

Arabian Travel Market launches inaugural consumer event ‘ATM Holiday Shopper’

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Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019, has announced that it will host its first consumer day – ATM Holiday Shopper – as part of its line-up of special focus events.

Taking place on Saturday 27th April – the day before the official opening of ATM – the event will showcase over 30 travel and hospitality exhibitors from both regional and international destinations who will be offering a wide range of attractive travel and tourism discounts and deals for consumers attending the show.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “In direct response to industry feedback and consumer demand, we are proud to introduce a new and exclusive consumer event to ATM 2019. Whether simply looking for a deal on the Eid break or planning a long-haul getaway, ATM Holiday Shopper is designed to offer the very best discounts and deals. Talking to the experts face to face will also allow attendees to learn about a range of emerging and unexplored destinations and activities from destinations around the world.”

Travellers today do not want to be part of the crowd – they crave new destinations to explore which offer unique experiences, personalised to their tastes and expectations, according to research published by Colliers International.

Adding to this, a study by digital payment firm Visa revealed residents in the UAE are among the world’s top spenders when they travel abroad, with an average spend of around US$2,722 (AED10,000) during their last international trip.

The research by Visa on spending for future trips, including the booking stage as well as expenditure at their chosen destination, revealed residents from Saudi Arabia came out on top with a predicted average spend of US$4,800 (AED 17,600) on their next trip. Kuwait also featured in the top spenders, with a projected average spend of US$3,474 (AED 12,760), while travellers from the UAE plan to spend US$3,430 (AED 12,600) – more than the global median which is estimated at US$2,443 (AED 8,975).

“We are increasingly seeing the majority of outbound travel from the GCC countries taking place during summer as travellers actively seek cooler climates. European countries as well as destinations such as Georgia, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Thailand have been cited as some of the most popular destinations for UAE residents,” Curtis said.

“What we are seeing today, is a focus on great deals, however, it is important to note that GCC travellers are unlikely to compromise on the quality of the offering or the activities catering for both children and adults.”

While international travel will be a key focus, ATM Holiday Shopper will also offer a range of discounts and deals from within the UAE and of course the wider GCC region – with a number of hotels, leisure and cultural activities, spas and F&B outlets within Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates as well as Oman and Saudi Arabia scheduled to exhibit.

The event will also feature a number of talks and presentations designed to provide travellers with an in-depth knowledge on a range of travel destinations and tour packages that cover all major attractions within any one country – as well as information on visa compliance and travel insurance.

Attendees can immerse themselves in faraway cultures with VR activations and enjoy a range of family entertainment throughout the day including cultural displays, theme park characters to meet, calligraphy, henna and falconry amongst many other activities.

Curtis, added: “ATM Holiday Shopper is a great addition to ATM 2019 and we look forward to welcoming consumers with a range of attractive discounts and incentives as well as providing a complete overview of some of the world’s leading travel destinations to further whet the appetite!”

ATM – considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event, showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels comprising 20% of the floor area.

ATM 2019 will build on the success of this year’s edition with a host of seminar sessions discussing the ongoing unprecedented digital disruption, and the emergence of innovative technologies that will fundamentally alter the way in which the hospitality industry operates in the region.

ATM Holiday Shopper will take place from noon – 8pm in Hall 1 of Dubai World Trade Centre on 27 April 2019. Tickets are priced at AED 50 per person with free entry for children under the age of 12.

About ATM Holiday Shopper

ATM Holiday Shopper is the brand new travel event for consumers offering the very best travel and tourism discounts and deals plus the chance to learn about a range of emerging and unexplored destinations and activities from destinations around the world.  The inaugural event will take place in Hall 1 of the Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday, 27th April 2019 from 12:00 – 20:00.  For more information visit: www.atmholidayshopper.com 

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Arabian Travel Market is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2018 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 141 countries over the four days. The 25th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre.  Arabian Travel Market 2019 will take place in Dubai from Sunday, 28th April to Wednesday, 1st May 2019. To find out more, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com.

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than seven million participants.

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.