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Seychelles Tourism Board Strengthens Relationship with its Partners in Singapore

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Partners on the Singapore market met with the designated Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) representative for their region for a series of meetings earlier in December.

The sales call conducted by Mrs. Amia Jovanovic- Desir, the Director for India, Australia and for South Asia, is in line with the STB’s marketing strategy to increase the destination’s visibility through the training of partners.

Mrs. Jovanovic- Desir met with several tour operators on the market including representatives from Fuzzie Pte Ltd, Zipan Resort Travel Pte Ltd, Fascinating Holidays Pte Ltd, UOB Travel and Luxury Retreats and carried an extensive series of meetings and destination training sessions to better equip to sell Seychelles to their clients.

Speaking of her work mission in Singapore, the Director for India, Australia and South Asia mentioned that she is very happy to have had the opportunity to showcase Seychelles as the ultimate tourist destination everyone must encounter in a lifetime.

“This visit to the Singaporean partners is so we remain consistent with our strategic approach to continuously train our partnering agents and to keep Seychelles visible on the different markets, thus positioning it both in the mind of the consumers and trade,” said Mrs. Jovanovic- Desir.

To conclude the training sessions participants received Seychelles destination brochures, materials, which contain information about the 115- islands paradise and a special Seychelles local/branded gifts as a souvenir.

During her time in Singapore, the STB Director for India, Australia and South Asia had the opportunity to be introduced with Mr. Hanif Nomanbhoy, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Seychelles in Singapore.

The meeting was the perfect occasion to initiate discussions on future joint collaboration between the STB and the office of the Honorary Consul in Singapore to increase destination awareness to both the tourism trade, consumers and media, about the uniqueness of Seychelles in Singapore.

Mrs. Amia Jovanovic- Desir also met with Ms. Alis Shehdek, the Senior Sales Executive of/ GSA for Srilankan Airlines LTD and Ms. Crystal Sim, the CEO of Albatross World Travel and Tours Pte, who was recently in Seychelles on an educational trip familiarization.

With the growing interest for unspoiled nature-based destination and the demand from the diverse market segments, Seychelles will slowly increase its market share from the Singaporean market, added Jovanovic-Desir.

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

African Tourism Board supporting women and youth

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Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman of the African Tourism Board, said he was honored to be part of an event attended by the Royal Bafokeng Nation Queen Mother Her Majesty Dr. Semane Molotlegi. She spoke and emphasized the need of unity in the Corporate community and appreciating one another as we live to complement one another.

Cuthbert Ncube, chairman of the African Tourism Board was a panelist and speaker at the  Women of Value South Africa organized by Dimakatso Malwela, A on their Annual Entrepreneurship Summit focusing on Business Opportunities in the Tourism sector.

Women of Value is an organization and a focus on the woman and youth socio-economics. The organization was founded in 2012, in collaboration with the National Department of Tourism. It launched Vision 2020 as a vehicle to the sustainability of Women and youth SME and co-ops through the Tourism Value Chain.

Ncube said in his address:

I want to express my gratitude to Women of Vision SA for extending an invitation to me and giving me this opportunity to interact with such driven and powerful women today.

Society is better when women are not taken for granted and are given equal respect. In the olden days, women were confined to the home and were not allowed to step out of the house for work. Household chores were their only area of work.

But today’s society has seen a lot of changes. This generation values women and trusts them with amazing responsibility. Women are given equal potential at work and are allowed to stand among and sometimes ahead of men in many fields. Economically Strengthening women who account for more than half of South Africa’s population will expedite the growth of the economy of the nation. When we invest in women and work towards eliminating inequalities, poverty can be eliminated and the entire country can better its chance of becoming a stronger player in the global marketplace.

The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Co-ops sector carries great hopes and great burdens in the evolution of all of the transitional economies. Sustained and healthy growth in this sector is obviously necessary. Public and private sectors should priorities supplier and Enterprise development because they lead to better overall relationships with suppliers and will improve communication, quality, and timing as a result. According to the Department of Small Business Development (2018), Access to market opportunities is one of the key enablers for corporates to implement Supplier Development Programmes to benefits enterprises in a real way, for the sustainability of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives. With limited market access opportunities, small enterprises will have no means of generating revenue and therefore difficult to survive.

The Bolton Report of 1971 has it that, an economy totally dominated by large firms can not for long avoid decay and slow growth. Therefore Developing and transforming SMEs and Co-ops is very vital as this has a huge impact on economic growth and job creation. The importance of new businesses and their role in the wider context of economic development and well-being cannot be overemphasized. A major factor in uneven regional economic performance is low rates of new firm formation and low stocks of regionally based businesses. New businesses provide choice, dynamism, competition, employment, are locally owned and committed to the local communities and develop and benefit those communities.

According to Porter, the proper role of government is to stimulate enthusiasm and to unleash and amplify the positive forces that drive growth. Policies should at the very least, be aimed at laying the foundation for competitive advantage for SMEs and Co-ops to be created and sustained. Particularly those founded by women. This environment requires a particular form of corporate governance, government commitment and industrial and market structure. The bottom line is that the public and private sectors should be creating the right conditions for SMEs and Co-ops to start and grow.  This requires a clear objective, sustained commitment, managerial practices, and attitudes, together with a national culture that reflects prestige and priority.

It is also generally recognized that partnerships with the public and private sectors offer a long term, sustainable approach to enhancing the value of public assets, supporting SMEs and Cooperatives through the procurement value chain. There are many demonstrated benefits from working through public and private bodies and these include, Avoiding duplication of investment or activities, Increased economies of scale, Sharing or reducing risks, Leveraging on resources (crowdfunding) within partnerships; Sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources to improve effectiveness.

As African Tourism Board we believe and therefore strongly advocate for partnerships that will help foster brotherhood between nations and communities. We want to see a more integrated and cohesive approach to human movement which will benefit Africa as a block of Nations and it’s communities. We need to form a strong marketing force for goods, services and a rare –cross-pollination of ideas, standards, culture, operational dynamics, and approaches, through sustainable tourism. Culturing an environment for the transfer of skills, economic advantages and growth. In essence, we want SMEs and Co-ops not to only have a local market but also a regional one.

Our objectives as ATB are to assist governments, private sector, communities and stakeholders in promoting and facilitating tourism growth and tourism development across the African Continent. To brand and market Africa as a single tourist destination, Capacity building targeting local communities, private and public sectors and to have a strong focus on Community Based Tourism (CBT).

Africa has historically been heavily polarized and was not ready to move into the levels of competitiveness that can warranty our stake in the world economic playing field.  However, we are determined to develop strategic and strong relationships among African nations and communities as well as business partners. As a result of our communities, women, youths will be empowered.

The African Tourism Board stands like a lighthouse for all endeavors and efforts to bring together the Nations of our continent to realize our worth and appreciate what we possess as a continent in a bid to erase the dependency syndrome of depending on the west that has ruled us for decades and the culture of shortchanging ourselves. Our SMEs and Co-ops have the power to transform lives in South Africa and Africa at Large. And it is very encouraging to see women at the forefront of this transformation.

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com   

Savoring the Seychelles Islands in Beijing, China

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) together with the Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles in China launched a Seychelles Creole culinary experience in Beijing China earlier in November 2019 aimed at promoting gastronomy tourism in the destination.

The project, in line with STB’s strategy to market the destination provided a platform for the participants to immerse themselves into the Seychellois culture and heritage through a culinary voyage.

Representing the Seychelles at the event were, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs. Anne Lafortune, Ms, Vivanne Fock Tave; Seychelles Resident Ambassador in Beijing and the STB Director for China, Mr. Jean-Luc Lai-Lam who showcased the different flavors and colors of what the island nation’s culinary delights have to offer.  

The different travel agents and media present at the event were able to join in and learn how to prepare a few authentic Creole dishes and understand the origins and history of the Seychelles cuisine.

During the session, the Chinese guests also traced the history of the Seychelles gastronomy to the Chinese cuisine as one of the five main branches of the Seychelles cuisine through the country’s Chinese cultural heritage.

The guests were delighted to hear that the Chinese culture has also contributed vastly to the Seychelles Creole culture and history. During the presentation, Mr. Lai Lam, STB representative on the Chinese market explained that extending beyond cuisine; the Seychelles Creole vocabulary has also adopted many different Chinese words that have created the Creole language. 

He provided examples of words such as “Siao” meaning soya sauce coming from the Chinese Cantonese language “Si jau (豉油)”, “Chowmin” meaning stir-fried noodles coming from the Chinese Mandarin language “Chaomian (炒面)”.  

Commenting on her mission in China for the promotion of Seychelles, Mrs. Anne Lafortune mentioned the Seychelles rich cultural heritage and stated how valuable it is for the destination.

“Food tourism becomes one of the defining characteristic of a region or nation’s identity. Seychelles is a proud melting pot of five major cultures and ethnicities. These include Chinese, Indian, African, French and British. Seychelles Creole cuisine is also strongly influenced by those ethnic food cultures.

For all businesses linked to gastronomy, culture and tourism, this couldn’t be a better opportunity for those wanting to move forward, gain greater visibility and attract more customers,” said Mrs. Lafortune.

On his part, Mr. Lai Lam mentioned that gastronomic tourists are not only interested in the food they are enjoying, which must be locally sourced of course, but also want to know more about its history, its production and its journey to the palate, pointing out the clear example of this is the growing success of wine tourism.

“Gastronomy tourism and in effect culture tourism have become the leading hook in travel, with authenticity being the most important drive in consumer behavior today. This interactive culinary event could serve up our nation’s rich culinary heritage, vibrant food culture and celebrated local delights,” added Mr. Lai-Lam.

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

Professional classification coming for Jamaica tourism workers

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Jamaica’s drive towards professionalizing its tourism industry is moving towards classifying certified workers for the purpose of improved remuneration.

Through the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation, established by the Ministry of Tourism, 1300 workers have so far been certified as professionals in their respective disciplines. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says “the next move is to classify the workers.” This will see them being graded according to classification.

This was outlined by Minister Bartlett at a long service awards for 78 employees of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas last night. He said a lot of emphasis was being put on training as “We are building a professional institution as well as a professional industry.”

Mr. Bartlett said at the point of the workforce being classified and remunerated according to classification “We would now have a brand new labour market arrangement in tourism.” He explained that a new approach will have to be taken when employing certified professionals in the industry with regards to tenure of service. “It would be a brand new ball game to emerge in tourism,” he said, noting that unlike in former years, the industry had moved away from employing on a seasonal basis.

The tourism Minister said the underlying factor behind all that was being done, was to put people at the center because it was the people who made everything happen.

“You were the pioneers; you were the ones who caused Jamaica to be what it is today in terms of our tourism standing in the world and our stature as a major tourism destination,” he told the workers with records of service ranging from 10 to 45 years, at the 66-year-old hotel.

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) globally and talk that the new tourism is going to be all about automation, Mr. Bartlett opined that while robotics could help to do better and make it easier and more efficient “they cannot replace the people of tourism because tourism is about people.” 

Regarding visitor arrivals, he reiterated that Jamaica was now having year-round tourism and with record numbers in succeeding years, arrivals should hit the 4-million mark this year. He said last month a historical 250,000 tourists came to Jamaica when in former years hotels, would have been closed and workers laid off.

He said tourism was now the number one industry in Jamaica, projecting to earn this year US$3.7 billion, leading in contribution to gross domestic product and “Today is the largest contributor to the economic growth of Jamaica.”

Minister Bartlett shared with the Round Hill workers that “For the first time in our history Jamaica is leading the world in terms of worker safety and security.” The Tourism Workers Pension Plan which is expected to be fully operational in early 2020, is a major contributor to that and “Sets an example to the entire world as to the type of social security and safety net that can be provided for the workers of this industry,” he expressed with pride.

For more news about Jamaica, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Angola Tourism has big plans with African Tourism Board

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It was all smiles when African Tourism Board (ATB) Chairperson met with representatives from the Angolan Ministry of Tourism, Angolan Tourism Board, and the President of Angolan Woman in Business & Tourism prior to the official launch of AWIBT.

Both the Ministry of Tourism and the Angolan Tourism Board have agreed to work closely with ATB, as the Chair Mr. Chuthbert Ncube  took time to congratulate the Angolan Women in Business & Tourism Cooperative as they were registered as an Affiliate Member and its President Angelina was appointed as the Ambassador for Angola Martha Diamantino, this will see a more direct and effective approach in branding, Marketing, and promoting Angola as a Tourist destination.

ATB has been invited as a strategical partner for the event.

Bilateral discussions and engagements were agreed upon by both parties to work together in effecting the sustainable socio-economic development projects and programs in the Region.

Angola’s goal to shift and diversify the economy to give tourism an important role as a key job creator for its more than 30 million people, and to put Angola on the global map through tourism activities.

African Tourism Board  Chairperson Cuthbert Ncube spoke emotionally on the African Communities Development through Sustainable Tourism Actions and Projects. The Pre-Launch of Angola Women in Business & Tourism Cooperatives was graced by the presence of Dr. Angela Braganca from the Ministry of State Secretary of Culture and Tourism and the special envoy from the Department of National Da Cultura Dr Euclides Da Lamba and the Chief Executive Officer of Angola Tourism Board Dr Simao Pedro.The ATB Chair expressed his deepest appreciation to the AWIBT-C at large for a great initiative by bringing the attention of the world to a path-breaking Organisation that will transform Angola and the region through sustainable investment in support to Woman economic empowerment. There is an African proven which says “Educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a Women you educate a Nation.” It is on this bases that ATB is proud to be part of this initiative, an Organisation of powerful and wise Women who have the goal of developing African Communities through actions and projects. “We can safely say Angola as a Nation is in good hands as Women are standing up to take their respective positions within the Business sector which has been dominated by their male counterparts for so long”, Cuthbert said. Mr Cuthbert Ncube pointed out the slow growth of Tourism in the continent, saying  Africa is home to 15% of the world’s population but only hosts about 3% of the world’s tourists. For African Tourism to be sustainable it must be open to both regional and international tourists. Cuthbert said: “It is our hope as ATB that policies, legislations, and regulations promoted, facilitate the sustainable consumption and productions of the Tourism sector across the continent.” The event was highlighted when the Chair presented the Organisation with their African Tourism Board Affiliate Membership Certificate that was handed over through the Department of Tourism and the Department of Culture. The Angolan Women in Business & Tourism  President Ms. Angelina Martha Diamantino received her Ambassadorial Certificate as she was appointed by the Executive Board to represent ATB in Angola.

Currently, the country is dependent on mining and oil and seen as closed for travelers. This may now change.

Angola has the potential to be one of Africa’s dazzling highlights. Lurking within its wild borders lies the continent’s second-largest waterfall, scattered remnants of Portuguese colonial history, a handful of emerging national parks, beaches galore and a diverse and unbelievably stoic cross-section of people.Angola is a Southern African nation whose varied terrain encompasses tropical Atlantic beaches, a labyrinthine system of rivers and Sub-Saharan desert that extends across the border into Namibia. The country’s colonial history is reflected in its Portuguese-influenced cuisine and its landmarks including Fortaleza de São Miguel, a fortress built by the Portuguese in 1576 to defend the capital, Luanda.

Angola Tourism has big plans teamiAfrican Tourism Board
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Angola Tourism has big plans teamiAfrican Tourism Board
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The sooner the government tackles the country’s political issues, the quicker it can emerge from its protracted slumber and show the world what’s it’s been missing.

ATB Chair Cuthbert pointed this out in his powerful speech and focused on the important role women play in this process.

More information on African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com   

London Travel Week debuts to huge acclaim

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The launch of London Travel Week, which took place from 1st to 7th November 2019, was a great success as destinations, brands and tourism organisations came together to shape the next twelve months of travel.

More than 50,000 travel professionals flocked to London to take part in London Travel Week’s most well-known and prestigious event, WTM London, as well as attend the numerous other industry events that took place in Britain’s capital.

The events that formed the inaugural London Travel Week included over 25 conferences, seminars, parties, award ceremonies, product launches and networking evenings, positioning London as a true a world-class travel hub.

The International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC) kicked off the week of events, with their annual two-day conference, bringing together international leaders in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors and connecting them with investors, project developers, entrepreneurs, Government Ministers and policy makers.

The Henan Tourism Bureau held a gala in celebration of the Chinese province on Monday 4 November. The event included a seminar highlighting the growing tourism interest in Henan as well as the rich cultural and historical offerings for travellers that are present in the region.

Later that evening, it was the turn of Greece to hold their own event, as they gave visitors the chance to learn how to make iconic Greek cocktails. While shaking up a storm at the bar, those attending were given the chance to network with hotels, tour operators and regional tourist boards from the iconic Mediterranean country.

Visit Rwanda used London Travel Week as a chance to invite international tour operators, buyers and press to a special networking evening with leaders from the Rwandan Tourism Industry on Tuesday 5 November. The evening was hosted by Rwanda’s Chief Tourism Officer Belise Kariza and featured a cultural dance performance, engagement opportunities with travel experts from Rwanda and a screening of the new film, Rwanda Royal Tour. The event was a huge success and illustrated London Travel Week as the perfect forum for showcasing global tourism prospects.

Belize Kariza said of the event: “Rwanda’s participation at WTM London was incredibly fruitful and gave our world class local tour operators the chance to meet and create business ties with international travel trade.

“Our event, ‘An Evening with Visit Rwanda’ highlighted the country’s many and varied tourist attractions – from jet skiing on Lake Kivu to Big Five safaris – and was the perfect platform to foster business between travel trade and Rwandan operators. We look forward to returning for London Travel Week in 2020, which promises to be bigger and better than ever!”

Tuesday night saw one of the most glamorous events in the London Travel Week calendar take place as WTM London presented the second edition of the International Travel and Tourism Awards (ITTAs) at Magazine, London. The ITTAs celebrated the leading public and private bodies of the tourism industry across sixteen separate categories with independent judges choosing the winners of these prestigious awards.

Wednesday night provided another chance to celebrate during London Travel Week as TTG hosted their annual WTM Closing Party. The event was designed to bring together travel buyers, sellers, operators, airlines and the rest of the trade that had taken part in WTM London helping to celebrate its successes. It proved to be a great night for all and a fantastic way to celebrate what had been another brilliant WTM London.

The inaugural London Travel Week demonstrated a wide array of new business opportunities for all in the travel industry to utilise. Julie Thérond, PR and Marketing Lead for London Travel Week said: “We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response from the global travel & tourism industry, including event hosts and attendees.

“By broadcasting the events happening around WTM London, we empowered our visitors and encouraged connections beyond their existing networks. We are delighted by the very successful launch of London Travel Week and we are even more excited to see how the programme develops with London Travel Week promising to be even bigger and better next year.”

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises eight leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

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 more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

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 they are 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 more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

African Tourism Board says Shalom to its newly appointed Ambassador to Israel

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The African Tourism Board appointed Dov Kalmann as its ambassador to Israel last week.

This announcement was made during the World Travel Market in London.

Kalmann (60, married +3), has recently stepped down as CEO of Noya Holidays. Since then he is focused on creating a marketing bridge between foreign tourism brands and entities that have an interest in the booming Israeli outbound market.  Kalmann is operating these projects through “Pita Marketing”, a brand that belongs to Kalmanns’ company Noya Marketing & Tourism Ltd.

Kalmann reacted with excitement about the nomination as the “Ambassador” of Africa in Israel: “This nomination is not merely an expression of appreciation but actually obliges us to create a change of the awareness of Africa on the Israeli market. Israel is only a few flying hours from one of the most exciting travel destinations that are so appealing to the curiosity of the Israelis but are still so unknown. The many new airlines operating direct flights to Africa enable combining a safari with a pampering beach vacation in the Indian Ocean; a trip including fabulous soft-adventure experiences for families and couples in South Africa with one-to-one encounters with gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda; visiting the most amazing waterfalls in Tanzania; exploring the Jewish roots in Ethiopia and joining colourful musical and cultural experiences. Kalmann added: “There is another aspect that makes Africa so unique which I define as “inspirational tourism”. Nothing compares to joining a colorful Sunday morning praying in a local church, a tribal market, or a home-stay lunch with a local family in a township. These are life-changing experiences that do not compare to visiting monuments or standing in line with masses in an attraction park. These are emotions that no-one forgets. And that in my view is the Unique Selling Point of Africa.”

Pita started the Africa promotion in March with a first-ever conference to be attended by tens of leading African tourism players and their Israeli counterparts. “Our partner in South Africa published this event and within 24 hours, tens of leaders of African tourism brands had already signed up. We are planning a mass African festival on the streets and squares of Tel Aviv. We will organise trips by bloggers and other opinion-makers. We will invite all African ambassadors to a think-tank event. We will create a Hebrew facebook on Africa and much more. The nomination has created even more positive energy and passion in order to do what we have done for Thailand – make Africa into the top travel destination of the Israelis.

African Tourism Board Chief Marketing Officer Juergen Steinmetz said: “We are privileged to have Dov on our team. He is well motivated and qualified to encourage travelers to look at opportunities throughout the African continent when exploring a new series of holiday destinations for the Israeli market. I love his out of the box approach and we welcome him to our team with a Shalom.”

The African Tourism Board is an NGO based in Pretoria, South Africa with a philosophy to have tourism as a catalyst for unity, peace, growth, prosperity, job creation for the people of Africa -with a vision where Africa becomes one tourist destination of choice in the world.

More information on the African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com   

Boris, Brexit and Business Top the Agenda for Day One at WTM London

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UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, hailed the achievements of the country’s tourism industry in a welcome message to WTM London, the world’s largest travel trade event taking place today (Monday 4 November) at ExCeL London.

Johnson spoke of the UK’s success story in the 10 years since he first opened the event, when he was then Mayor of London. Since then, he said, tourism had boomed “from Skye to Skegness, from Brecon Beacons to Bognor”.

Johnson added: “Our capital city London has become the number one tourist destination in the world. The British Museum attracts more visitors than one European country I am too diplomatic to identify.”

Following Johnson’s message to the WTM Leaders’ Lunch, Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, took to the stage.

She highlighted tourism’s £68 billion contribution to the UK economy. The industry, she said, accounted for 1.6 million jobs and last year, the UK attracted 38 million visitors who spent £22.7 billion.

Morgan acknowledged Brexit was an issue for the industry. She told the audience: “We are going to be leaving the European Union, but we do not want to put up borders that keep people in or out. We want to make it as frictionless as possible to visit – EEAA or Swiss nationals will not need a visa.”

Later that day Atout France and easyJet signed a major three-year partnership at WTM London to boost the numbers of British and German visitors to France.

The deal follows the success of a similar three-year partnership which focused on increasing numbers from the UK to French destinations.

The new agreement will see the airline and the tourism agency promoting destinations across easyJet’s French network and will have an annual budget of €1 million.

WTM London’s Headline partner Sri Lanka also took to the stage during the event outlining its objective to ‘build back better’ six months after the terror attacks that decimated its tourism industry.

Her Excellency Manisha Gunasekera High Commissioner – Sri Lanka High Commission in London, commenting that “Exactly one year ago at WTM we launched So Sri Lanka, our brand identity, which has now become so much identified with Sri Lanka.”

She added: “The message emanating from Sri Lanka is that it’s business as usual. We’re resilient, united and we have made a steady recovery.”

Also speaking to an extremely crowded room at WTM London, Greek National Tourism Organisations, Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis explained their 10-year plan for tourism, which embraces sustainability, the destination announced at WTM today.

Theoharis explained: “Our vision is Greece as a full experience as we’ve never seen before… Greece is more than the sun and sea, the beach and ancient monuments.” 

He said quality, sustainability and authenticity were to be the cornerstones of the new plan, with an ultimate ambition to make Greece “one of the top global sustainable destinations.”

He added: “It’s about increasing the ceiling [on arrivals] but also trying to widen the shoulder seasons and tourism destinations.”

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises eight leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

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 more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

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 they are 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 more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

Madagascar National Tourism Board organized a four-city roadshow in India and Raining responses from Indian Travel Trade

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Madagascar’s stunning beauty is so bountiful that a lifetime would not be enough to encompass them all. It is one of those rare destinations with the art of conjuring up your dream of getting away to discover the treasure island  and cultures. The traditional and natural heritage of Madagascar is undoubtedly rich with 80% of its wildlife sanctuaries,  national parks, beaches and adventure activities.

Madagascar National Tourism Board in collaboration with Air Madagascar, Air Austral, Tsaradia and Air Mauritius had their first sales mission in India which was organized by ksaenterprise.com with its four-city roadshow in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from 21 Oct to 24 Oct 2019.

The honorable President and Chairman of Madagascar National Tourism Board, Mr. Narijao Boda highlighted the destination’s unique features and also to educate travel trade on the same and thereby attracting a large number of Indian travelers to the fourth largest Island country in the world.

 Mr. Narijao Boda said, “We are pleased to tap the India market; as both the countries have long cultural and traditional connection, it will be easy to understand the requirement of the Indian market which is very much potential for any African country.  We are very well aware of the strong outbound tourist growth of Indian market and closely work with the local partners to attract more travelers from India. We are in plans for the familiarization trip for 40 travel agents to Madagascar, to the selected travel trade and media. The segments we want to welcome are honeymooner and nature enthusiast to explore Madagascar.” One of Madagascar National Tourism Board’s next steps is also to invite bloggers to discover the Treasure Island and thus reach Indian travelers online.

At present there is no direct flight between India and Madagascar but Air Madagascar came with the great news to welcome Indian travelers with the direct flights connecting India’s financial capital with Madagascar’s capital town Antananarivo. The direct flight from Mumbai to Madagascar is expected to start from June 2020.

Mr. Rabaritsialonina Jaona, Overseas Sales Manager of Air Madagascar said, “We are excited to announce that by June 2020 Air Madagascar will connect both countries with the direct flight between Mumbai and Antananarivo the capital city of Madagascar. The direct flight will be of 6 hours journey bringing in Island Country closer to the travelers’ heart.”

Madagascar, being fourth largest Island country in the world offering a wealth of unique biodiversity fosters the development of outstanding plant and wildlife that includes 43 National Parks, 294 bird species, 6 endemic baobab species, around one hundred lemur species and over 1000 species of orchids. There are abundances of adventure activities one can enjoy in Madagascar, to name few are – bird watching, trekking, hiking, scuba diving, sport fishing, kite surfing, sailing, whale watching, motorbike, Quad, and Mountain bike trekking.

Media Contact :

Name : Karthik

Email : karthik@ksaenterprise.com

Phone : +91 7395828 858 

Wellness tourism is in good health at WTM London

by

Experts and entrepreneurs will be taking the pulse of the booming multibillion-pound wellness sector during WTM London – the global event where ideas arrive.

Wellness tourism is currently estimated to be worth more than $639 billion a year – and growing at twice the pace of general tourism – according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Two panel discussions about making the most of this lucrative market will take place in the Inspiration Zones, while scores of exhibitors will display their wellness credentials out on the floor of ExCeL London.

The first will be Launching & Optimising Your Brand in the Wellness Space. It will explore how tourist organisations, hospitality brands and tour operators are increasingly marketing their wellness offerings.

The moderator will be Anne Dimon – Co-founder and President of the Wellness Tourism Association – who has decades of experience in wellness, travel, journalism and PR.

She will be joined by three expert speakers: Emily Mikus, Brand Manager at G Adventures; Mark Hennebry, Vice Chairman at Danubius Hotel Group; and entrepreneur Joanne Vomiero, Director and Founder of In This Life Wellness Travel.

Mikus spearheaded G Adventures’ industry-leading animal welfare policy and helped launch the operator’s new Wellness travel style. Hennebry will talk about his role overseeing 45 hotels with wellness and spa facilities in Hungary, the UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. Vomiero has more than 20 years of experience in the sector and owns a wellness clinic in Australia.

Following the debate and Q&A session, Vomiero will demonstrate simple techniques to help delegates ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’.

The second debate titled A New Decade of Wellness Travel, will present an overview of the latest trends, look forward to the next decade in this sector and discuss the outlook with expert speakers. They will be Ozgur Cengiz, who manages the JOALI WellBeing Resort in the Maldives, and Aldina Duarte Ramos, the Global Director of Wellbeing for Accor’s luxury brands.

Meanwhile, delegates can meet more than 150 companies on the exhibition floor, which specialise in wellness. There are also dozens more hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, attractions and venues that offer wellness and spa services.

Highlights include wellness treatments launched by Hastings Hotels in Northern Ireland. The independent hotel group has a new collection of face and body treatments for those who are living with, through and beyond cancer.

Elsewhere in the UK, the Wales Coast Path will promote new guides and itineraries, and a free augmented reality app, which is part of a national initiative to get children more active outdoors.

Coming from further afield, two luxury properties from the Maldives will be at WTM London to market their wellness services.

A private island spa will open in 2020 at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on in North Malé Atoll. The luxury wellness area is the final part of a $20 million renovation programme at the beachfront resort.

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in the Baa Atoll will also highlight its different wellness themes for each month. Specialist practitioners visit the resort to focus on particular areas of health and fitness, and nutritional menus at the four restaurants and bars support the themes.

WTM London Senior Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “The wellness tourism sector goes from strength to strength each year.

“Our program of debates, backed up by hundreds of networking and business opportunities, means that WTM London is offering a very healthy diet of ideas, inspiration and connections to help firms to make the most of this growing sector in 2020 and beyond.”

Launching & Optimising Your Brand in the Wellness Space – 5 Nov 2019, 15:00 – 16:00 Asia Inspiration Zone

A New Decade of Wellness Travel – 6 Nov 2019, 11:00 – 12:00 Americas Inspiration Zone

Hastings Hotels

Stand: UKI300

Wales Coast Path

Stand: UKI100

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Stand: AS140

Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Stand: AS140

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises eight leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

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 more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

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 they are 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 more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510