Since 1997 volume 18, issue 1, January 2015

London’s Historic Tower Bridge

Nicaragua Canal A Relief For The Region

Etihad's 1st Class Cabin, Couples Can Sleep Together

Travelling Puppy Love Puebla Success With MITM Americas & CULTOUR 2014

International Speaker Line Up At CONVENE

The Maharashtra International Travel Mart – MITM 2015

Fast Track Visas For Rich Tourists

The New 7 Wonders Cities Are…

Where Will You Go In 2015

Asia Leads In International Tourism Market

The clock Tower, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico - TATW Monthly 2015 © www.tourismaroundtheworld.co.uk

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Since 1997

Volume 18, Issue 1, January 2015 edition

Contents

4 London’s Historic Tower Bridge

5 Main Proposals Of Argentinean Tourism Industry

5 Nicaragua Canal A Relief For The Region

6 Etihad's 1st Class Cabin, Couples Can Sleep Together

6 Singapore Changi Airport Waterfall

8 Travelling Puppy Love

10 Puebla Success With MITM Americas & CULTOUR 2014

11 International Speaker Line Up At CONVENE

12 The Maharashtra International Travel Mart – MITM 2015

12 Accor At IT&CM CHINA 2015

14 Fast Track Visas For Rich Tourists

14 New Tourism For Amphipolis, Greece

15 The New 7 Wonders Cities Are...

18 Where Will You Go In 2015

19 Asia Leads In International Tourism Market

19 Myanmar's International Arrivals On The Rise

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Thoughts from Caroline-Artemis…

Dear Friends & Readers,

Welcome to a New Year, new opportunities and new business!

We hope you will enjoy another year of reading the e-journal.

This month I start with what can only be described as the huge contrast in thinking between east and west (Europe).

Following a recent flight on Japan

Airlines, our publisher promised to send a photo he took to one of the very kind air hostesses. She kindly gave him a Japan Airlines envelope to use.

After sending the photo with a small covering message of thanks, we were not expecting to hear back from the young lady, but what we did receive was an email, not from her, but direct from Japan Airlines Customer Support, of which an extract is below…

…We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your flight with us. Please be assured your comments and the enclosed picture have been forwarded to the flight attendant. She has been greatly encouraged and is grateful to you for your thoughtful words. We are sure that she will keep striving to provide our customers with warm hospitality and attentive service...

What is amazing here is the level of care and appreciation Japan Airlines has taken towards just one of its passengers, on a matter which was not business related, but personal.

I have two situations that I can think of most recently, with European airlines, which have yet to be resolved, one dating back to early September 2014 for damaged luggage and another relating to an inability to assist me due to my Frequent Flyer number ‘not being registered’. Both issues are negative and contact with the airlines directly has resulted in a standard email reply stating they will reply in 4-5 WEEKS time to my query. The reply from Japan airlines happened within no more than 5 days!

Asia is booming in many sectors and they are seen here in the west as ‘new and naive to the tourism market or M.I.C.E sector’, maybe so, in some instances, but with such attention to detail for a non urgent, non business matter, they are easily going to overtake us. They are not our competition, they will be our teacher. No one expects things to always remain the same but it is a pity to see Europe in particular, which has so much to offer fading fast with her glory days seemingly behind her and not building her. It is time to wake up and get back on track as Europe deserves.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2015!

With my very best regards,

Caroline-Artemis Laspas & the TOURISM AROUND THE WORLD Monthly team!

Tower Br idge

London’s Historic Tower Bridge by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

Cities and towns all over the world are always looking to improve their tourism offering for new visitors to enjoy as well as to bring back tourists for more!

This is no exception for London, the capital of the UK.

One of its historic icons, which symbolises London is Tower Bridge, spanning the River Thames, next to the equally famous Tower of London.

Not only is this 120 year old bridge a tourist attraction, it is still a vital access point for crossing the river and in times past, it was a prime access point to the many London Docks. With its giant lifting roadway, the engineering involved to make it at the time it was built was one of the best examples in the world.

As a fully operational bridge, allowing ships and vessels to travel up river, the bridge frequently stops passing traffic and raises its passageway to varying degrees.

It is rare that the bridge opens fully, but if Queen Elizabeth II was to travel underneath the bridge, even on a small vessel, where the bridge may not need to be raised at all, the traffic would be stopped and the bridge would open fully for her.

The bridge opens for vessels with masts over 30ft or more and operates all year round and is raised about 850 times a year.

A visit to the Bridge is spectacular from either side of the Riverbank, but to really understand the history and story behind the famous bridge, visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition is a must. The newest feature to this attraction is the exciting new glass floors and spectacular panoramic views from the high-level walkways. The new feature offers visitors a never-seen-before view of London life, from 42 metres above the River Thames. If your visit is timely, then you may witness the magic of seeing the bridge being raised while up above it.

The glass flooring has been installed in both the East and West Walkways and each glass floor measures 11m long by 1.8m wide and comprise of panels weighing 530kg each. The installation of these panels took a 20-strong team to construct it!

This new feature has allowed Tower Bridge to offer even more unique venue by providing a striking backdrop for any event requiring something a bit different. There are 3 venue areas on offer; the panoramic high-level Walkways; the majestic Victorian Engine Rooms and the North Tower Lounge.

Holding an event in either of the glass floored walkways offers amazing views of the Shard,

The Monument the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the City from the West Walkway and of the Docklands, Canary Wharf and Greenwich from the East Walkway. The walkways are a magical setting for dinners, receptions and celebrations with sophisticated lighting and stylish hospitality.

The Victorian Engine Rooms, house the beautifully maintained, big coal-driven steam engines that once powered the bridge lifts. The rooms comprise of a series of chambers, which are spacious yet cosy and have various exhibits on display. The Victorian Engine Rooms lend themselves easily to both standing receptions and seated events.

The Tower of London

The North Tower Lounge, as the name suggests, is located in the North Tower of the Bridge and provides a versatile and interesting, beautifully decorated space for informal meetings and receptions. A key feature of the room is floor to ceiling windows offering view across to the other side of the bridge as well as around the Thames.

The City of London Corporation who own and manage Tower Bridge, also run ‘Monument’, which is located close by. This ‘monument’ was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral), to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666. The Monument, has been welcoming visitors for over 300 years, but you need to have strength and agility as to reach the top for wonderful views, there are 311 steps to climb. Visitors to Tower Bridge also have the option to incorporate entrance into the Monument as well - which is well worth it!

London’s Magic, as simple as that, just take a closer look! ● 4

LATIN AMERICA News

Real del Monte, Hidalgo, México

MAIN PROPOSALS OF ARGENTINIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY A delegation of the CAT

(Cámara Argentina de Turismo) met last month with top officials to address key objectives and proposals of the tourism industry. Informal accommodation, labour and union issues, benefit schemes for SMEs, a bill that wants to impose the mandatory gratuity on food establishments and including the instalment plan ‘Now 12’ were among the issues raised. On the other hand, the positive numbers in domestic tourism during 2014, which saw an increase of 12.3% compared to the targets set earlier this year were highlighted. In addition, the success of the long weekend’s strategy boosted cutting seasonality.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: TOP DESTINATION FOR WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS The Dominican Republic, the 2nd largest Caribbean has been recognised by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine as one of the “12 ideal romantic places for wedding vows”. The country offers scenes of lush tropical gardens, beautiful beaches and exclusivity of an intimate or extravagant atmosphere with a variety of budget levels. Many country hotels and resorts offer complete packages that cover everything including specialised staff that handle and co-ordinate all the requirements of the country from the couples arrival to the day they leave. Punta Cana and Bavaro, La Romana, Samana, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo are ideal destinations for events outdoors on beaches or in the midst of nature or at colonial architecture.

VISA EXEMPTION TO CANADA FOR CHILEAN CITIZENS From last November, a tourist

visa and transit to Canada for Chilean citizens was abolished. All processed visas to date will be refunded and cancelled by the Embassy and documents returned. However, work visas and Student visas are not part of this new measure.

QUITO - LEADING DESTINATION IN SOUTH AMERICA The Andean city has hosted various

international sports, tourism and cultural events and has now been recognised for the 2nd consecutive year as the leading destination in South America by WorldTravelAwards. With a desire to become a M.I.C.E. destination, it hosted among others the 21st World Travel Awards South and Central America. The Mariscal Sucre International Airport was chosen as leading airport in South America. Sporting events saw Quito host the Tour de las Américas and Adventure World Championship 2014. The Latin edition of the PGA Tour, the most important golf tour saw a total of 150 professional golfers from all over the world attend, while the World Championship Adventure drew over 280 athletes from 70 member elite teams from 30 nations, to participate in the extreme competition across 700kms. In 2015 Quito will host the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). In this way, the city will take the place of Viña del Mar (Chile), who had organised this event for 21 years. For M.I.C.E. the city hosted the 7th annual conference of Tourism Investments SAHIC (South American Hotel & Tourism Conference), which brought together more than 300 executives of the hotel sector Latin America, North America and Europe. The meeting helped to show Quito as a destination for project development, investment and new businesses in the tourism sector and the ideal place to close deals within the industry. Quito has been visited by more than 50% of travellers who arrived in Ecuador (over 1 million from Jan-Sept 2014) and expects to end 2014 with 680,000 tourists, representing growth of 10%. Hotel investments are growing like the Wyndham - Great Condor, category 146 room full service, part of the chain strategy to establish 8 hotels in Ecuador in the next decade. Construction has begun on the Hotel Holiday Inn, while IBIS has announced the construction of a hotel in the area of La Mariscal.

NICARAGUA CANAL A RELIEF FOR THE REGION Last month, the latest world mega

project was agreed; the Nicaragua Canal which will start construction early 2015. The project will give Nicaragua the chance to be placed back on the map, after years of being in the shadows. The long-term aim is to assist the existing Panama Canal and will reduce the huge cost that ships and mainly cruise ships, undertake as crossing fees. In addition the project will boost tourism, investment and trade in Nicaragua and the region. The 276kms Nicaragua Canal, is expected to be ready by 2020 and will connect the two oceans; the Atlantic and the Pacific.●

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AVIATION News

The Water fal l , at Changi Airpor t , Singapore

SINGAPORE’S CHANGI AIRPORT WATERFALL By 2018 Singapore’s Changi Airport

will have completed its transformation and will boast a steel and glass bio dome structure that will further enhance Singapore’s skyline and raise the bar in luxury airports. This visual spectacle will feature an indoor living forest of trees, plants, shrubs and ferns spanning 5 levels, with waterfalls, walking trails and elaborate gardens. The Rain Vortex is set to become the largest indoor waterfall in the world. Also incorporated will be a 134,000sq.m retail, travel and leisure complex across 10 floors with cinemas, butterfly and orchid gardens, 4-storey indoor slide and gaming entertainment deck. Already the airport has been awarded the World’s Best Airport 9 times. The new airport will increase the holding capacity of the airport to 24 million passengers a year. The Jewel Changi Airport will also offer lounges for fly-cruise and fly-coach passengers. The terminal will also feature early check-in services, allowing passengers to check-in and deposit their bags hours before their flight so that they can take advantage of the facilities and amenities.

AIR NEW ZEALAND DIRECT FLIGHTS TO BUENOS AIRES Air New Zealand has

launched a direct flight to Buenos Aires, operating with a Boeing 777-200 between Buenos Aires and Auckland 3 times a week. Buenos Aires is the 28th international destination for Air New Zealand. The new route opens an exciting world of opportunities for travellers who want to explore New Zealand or connect seamlessly with Australia. The new service will allow Argentines travelling to New Zealand and then to Australia on the extensive network that allows connection between these 2 countries, or access to Southeast Asia with the service to Singapore. Air New Zealand also plans to open an office in Buenos Aires as the gateway to Latin America. Air New Zealand will enter into a code share agreement with Aerolineas Argentinas, which will see Aerolineas Argentinas return to operating in the South Pacific, with a new route connecting and services between Australia and New Zealand (Trans-Tasman). Air New Zealand will also share with Aerolineas Argentinas code services that connect to Brazil. This will launch in December 2015 after obtaining the relevant approvals.

AIRASIA TO LAUNCH SOUTHEAST ASIAN AIR PASS Budget carrier AirAsia is to

launch a regional air pass to increase revenue and boost tourism in Southeast Asia, making the competition in the low-cost sector even greater! The AirAsia ASEAN Pass will allow travellers to fly to 10 different destinations in Southeast Asia in one month for MYR499, (U£92, EU€118) , excluding airport taxes. This will increase air travel within Southeast Asia and also

attract foreign tourists. The pass will be sold from 15th January. AirAsia, has successfully dominated low-cost travel in the region for years, but more new discount carriers are coming on board in Asia as it is the world’s biggest and fastest growing air travel market.

Air travel in Asia is expected to grow 6.7% annually in the next 20 years, from 780 mi llion passengers in 2010 to some 2.2 billion by 2030. Budget aviation now has a quarter of the air travel market in Asia, and is growing. 2015 sees the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, create a common economic community, with open skies agreements in operation.

AER LINGUS BOSS TO HEAD MALAYSIA AIRLINES Christoph Mueller, the chief

executive of Ireland’s Aer Lingus, is the new boss of Malaysia Airlines. He will be the 1st foreigner to lead Malaysia Airlines, which is struggling with financial problems as well as the loss of two aircraft and many lives in the two crashes in 2014. Mr .Mueller is expected to start his new position in the spring. Mueller will be the CEO of a new company that will be launched in July 2015 to take over the existing Malaysia Airlines business. Mueller has been the CEO of Aer Lingus since 2009, and achieved turning around the Irish airline within a year. It is hoped to restore Malaysia Airlines to profitability by the end of 2017 and then relist its shares on the stock exchange by the end of 2019. 6

AIRASIA CRASH We send our deepest sympathy to all those who lost their lives in the recent AirAsia airline crash. We also send our support to all of the Air Asia team during this difficult time. We are sure they will continue to provide a high quality service to the region.

AIRBALTIC: FLIGHTS BETWEEN RIGA-POPRAD, airBaltic has launched a direct

route from Riga to Poprad, Slovakia. Flying once a week on a Saturday, the service offers a convenient connection between the 2 cities and to destinations in the Baltic region, Scandinavia, Russia and the CIS countries. Poprad in the High Tatras is an excellent and affordable skiing destination, which will benefit from tourism opportunities created by the new airBaltic route. The route will be with a Boeing 737-300 aircraft and take 1 hour 40 minutes.

ETIHAD'S 1ST CLASS CABIN COUPLES CAN SLEEP TOGETHER Always looking to

reach further into the sky, Etihad Airlines has launched the ultimate flying experience ‘Residence Suite’ This is a 3 room penthouse, taking 1st class luxury flying to a new level. With super rich travellers willing to spend UK£12,725, (EU€16,262) on a one-way fare to get private-jet-style experience on a commercial airliner, the Residence Suite is the answer and can be found on Eithad’s new A380 fleet. The Residence Suite is a 125sq.ft private, 3 room space located on the nose cone of the Airbus A380. Each occupant has a tailor made service from music options, video games, films, bespoke meals and drinks to your taste, as well as a butler service. Upon arrival at the airport, a butler will meet you and arrange meals, drinks and spa treatments in the 1st Class lounge. Your hand luggage will be carried on board leaving just your boarding pass and passport to hold. The Residence lounge has space for 2 adults, in soft leather seats. A champagne fridge, dining tables and a 32” TV are also on offer. The bedroom offers a 7ft by 5ft double bed, with a 27” TV. En-suite is a bathroom with shower. Etihad have created an experience better than a private jet for a fraction of the price. As well as the Residence Suite, other new 1st class options on Etihad’s A380 include 9 ‘micro apartments’. Each with a sliding door, leather seats and a separate chaise longue that converts into a bed. Also included is a TV, minibar and vanity unit. Adjacent apartments can be joined to create a double bed so couples can sleep together!●

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Travelling Puppy Love by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

Tourism suppliers are always looking for ways to satisfy the needs of all its clients and to find ways to offer more. That is also true when it comes to travelling with pets and the facilities available for ones beloved pooch upon arrival at your destination. However, even if you decide to travel without your dog or cat, the options for their safe keeping in your absence have never been so eye opening and varied. Say ‘hello’ to Pet Tourism.

With more people opting to travel with their pets on holiday many hotels are catering for this growing sector of new 4 legged guests! Indeed some hotels are being rewarded for their pet friendliness and offer 5* customised services, which go way beyond the customary dog walking with length of walk depending on how long your dog’s legs are!

Previously, the only option for caring for pets other than asking the neighbours or family and friends to take care of them was to place them in

kennels. However, many people found the thought of leaving their pets in a strange place too stressful and would decide to not take a vacation at all. The option of boarding kennels were also not necessarily ideal for every pet and some, like the very old, very timid, or animals have not found a caring home may find it a stressful experience. This has opened up a new world of dog hotels. Research shows that like us, dogs like a change of scene and so if you cannot take them with you, give them a holiday too.

It is therefore not surprising that leading the pet tourism field is the USA and UK, who will not think twice on spending more on their pets than themselves. In the UK, around 2 million dogs and 1 million pets are taken away on holiday each year, therefore it makes sense to accommodate these pets and create a niche demand and repeat business. For example, one hotel set in the pretty

English countryside offers the ultimate in modern and unique animal boarding, with suites and leisure facilities such as a gym and grooming spa, online pet watch (webcam), chauffeur collection/delivery service, indoor gym, large enclosed grass exercise area, woodland/forest walks, temperature controlled under floor heating, etc!

If you are taking your pet with you the list of amenities available at some ‘people’ hotels is almost more than you would expect for yourself. These include: a welcome hamper, a toy, a treat, clean-up bags, a welcome letter!, tips for a great stay, a deluxe pet bed, food and water bowls, dog sitting and walking, grooming service, special menus, etc, plus a framed photo as a souvenir of your stay! While on the other side of the Atlantic, in California, a surfing school company even offers training for your dog to join in the surfing fun too!

Getting to your destination and back for your pets has never been so easy with several pet-only airlines operating. Pet Airways, designed purely for pets will fly dogs and cats between 5 US cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The adapted Beechcraft 1900 aircraft that can accommodate 50 average sized animals, 2 pilots and 1 pet attendant! With growing demand for travelling with pets, people are prepared to pay a lot not to be separated from their pets during a vacation. Virgin Atlantic offers a frequent flyer scheme for pets and Avolus, a charter transport company, has a loyalty card enabling pets to travel the world by private jet!

PetAir UK is a global pet travel service run by specialised vets. The ‘one of the family’ policy means that all animals are treated with the same respect and care as the company’s own pets. The stress of animal air travel is taken care of with

PetAir offering a comprehensive range of packages from start to finish, including complex documentation and import permit applications through to last minute flight changes.

In Britain, pets can move freely between the UK and other countries via a Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), like a ‘pet passport’ which means that the pets do not need to be placed in quarantine for 6 months, as they have been vaccinated and had recent blood tests. In response to customers who do not wish to be parted from their pets, the Visit England tourism board was developed the ‘Welcome Pets! Scheme’ giving pet owners (of dogs, cats or birds) the confidence that they are booking quality accommodation that meets their and their pet’s particular needs through a set of simple criteria.

At the moment, pet tourism is focusing on cats and dogs and a few birds, but with a whole menagerie of animals considered as ‘pets’, pet tourism offerings are going to face some challenging times ahead if a guest wishes to bring his Python or Tarantula on holiday with him!

Oh, and I nearly forget, pet weddings… now there is another niche market worth exploring! Woof! Woof!●

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M.I.C.E News

First left row, Mrs. Hanna Teresa Andrzejewska-Ramírez, travela-Mexico, Mr. Robert Revesz Arian, Turizmus Ltd-Hungary, second right row Ms.Irina Petrova Travelisimo-Bulgaria and Mr. Douglas Herrer, buen viaje-Guatemala.

PUEBLA SUCCESS WITH MITM AMERICAS & CULTOUR 2014 The 20th MITM

AMERICAS, and 6th CULTOURFAIR, saw another success in Puebla, Mexico last month. The events started with a grand Welcome Reception at the Lago de La Concordia (The Concordia Lake). The invitation to MITM Americas & Cultourfair in Puebla has been a resounding success, gathering a select group of more than 250 participants from 39 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay and USA. 4,795 business appointments were conducted during the fair, generating an estimated business of more than UK£155,247,950, (EU€198,364,022) in short to long term. The Secretary of Tourism of the State of Puebla, Roberto Trauwitz Echeguren, recognised the high level of hosted buyers and thanked the excellent testimonials that every participant has made of Puebla, pointing to the fact that “the transformation of the State is a result of the commitment of this administration to turn this entity into a unique destination of its kind”. Puebla, as a great host, has shown its culinary wealth, the kindness and professionalism of its people, the richness of its culture, its large infrastructure investments and its great beauty as a destination. MITM Americas is the oldest interactive and international M.I.C.E. travel fair held in the American Continent & the Caribbean, that changes venue yearly. From the 20 editions of MITM Americas, this is the 1st time it takes place in Puebla and the 6th in Mexico. CULTOURFAIR is also a pioneering international fair in the world, specialised in the commercialisation and promotion of cultural destinations and exclusively for professionals in this market. Both are purely business fairs and quality oriented! Exclusively for professionals and totally closed to visitors, where no registrations ‘in situ’ are allowed. Aisle vendors are prohibited in order to protect the investment of the exhibitors. Vendors must buy a stand to participate. The number of exhibitors never exceeds the number of buyers. Between 30% - 40% of the requests received are approved, only those buyers with high business potential. The exhibitors have guaranteed the direct contact with all the VIP buyers specialised in M.I.C.E.: corporate incentive travel end-users, incentive houses, incentive travel agencies, marketing companies, international congresses, meetings and event organisers as well as with cultural travel buyers: tour operators and travel agencies specialised in cultural travel such as city breaks, city breaks, religious pilgrimage, wine routes, festivals, sport events, etc. Tourism Around the World Monthly were again honoured to be selected as a Hosted Media Partner for both events and was in attendance during the fairs. Following the events, several interesting post show tours were on offer to international Hosted Buyers and Media. GSAR Marketing, organising company of both fairs, is a global sales, marketing and Communication Company, which is part of the Convenco Group, the 1st Incentive House in Spain, founded 41 years ago, in 1973. Since 1997, GSAR Marketing produces its own international fairs specialised in the M.I.C.E. and Cultural travel sectors. Interactive B2B pioneering fairs in Europe, the Americas and Caribbean. To date, 42 successful editions have been conducted in 36 cities of 17 countries.

ARGENTINA: TUCUMÁN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU The Tucumán

Convention & Visitors Bureau ended its year with an industry meeting, which highlighted the year past and the hard work undertaken by each and every one of the private and public sector to bring Tucumán as a destination a range of events of regional, national and international category. Following the establishment of the Convention Bureau the tourist sector for Tucuman is steadily growing and although much work was still needed, with the commitment, dedication shown thus far, the future for the region is most promising.

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M.I.C.E News

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER LINE UP AT CONVENE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY Top international meetings industry figures are to take

part in the ‘CONVENE Professional Development Academy’ and the subsequent 2 day programme which forms an integral part of CONVENE taking place in Vilnius 11-12 February. The Academy programme has been designed to focus on effective sales and marketing strategies and tactics with industry overviews being provided by Rob Davidson from UK, and Marcel Vissers from Belgium who will deliver an over view of the European international association sector. Paul Kennedy MBE will provide insights into key account management techniques and sector specialists will deliver tailored workshops about penetrating the Polish, German and Scandinavian markets. Sarah Fleming from the UK will deliver practical advice about how to win international association business. The academy will also see Patrick Delaney one of the world’s leading industry figures deliver his speech about using networking techniques to boost business success and Linda Pereira one of the world’s top 100 professional conference organisers providing direct and practical advice about delivering great site inspections. During the 2 show days the education programme will include Thomas Bangert speaking about the effectiveness of Trip Advisor, Fiona Pelham about creating events which are both profitable and sustainable and a session about meeting design delivered by Julien Carlier from France. Jolanta Beniuliene CONVENE Exhibition Director said’ this powerful line up of speakers is testament as to the development of CONVENE as a place to do business, to meet industry peers and to learn, we have a compelling combination of practical sales and marketing workshops delivered by acknowledged experts in the field, combined with completely new topics designed to stimulate thought and aid business development’. More information and registration at www.convene.lt

1ST WORLD CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND CULTURE The First World

Conference on Tourism and Culture will take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 4-6 February 2015. The aim is to bring together Ministers of Tourism and Ministers of Culture from around the world, together with experts and stakeholders from both tourism and culture to look at new ways of working together. Cultural tourism contributes to inclusive economic growth, social development and cultural preservation. The Conference will allow professionals to identify the key challenges and opportunities for stronger cooperation between these highly interlinked areas. 5 Topics will be covered – governance and partnership models, cultural preservation, living cultures and creative industries, cultural routes and urban regeneration through cultural tourism. They will be able to harness the power of tourism and culture to help end poverty, create jobs, protect heritage and promote international understanding, contributing to the post-2015 development agenda. Ideally hosted by the Kingdom of Cambodia, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Angkor Wat’ making the 1st Conference a must attend event in 2015.

INVITATION TO: TURKEY AND MIDDLE EAST (INCOMING-OUTGOING) TRAVEL NETWORKING WORKSHOP 21st January 2015 (09:00am – 06:00pm) -

One day before EMITT 2015, (the 4th Largest World Travel Fair) at Eresin Crown Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey. For Buyers and Trade Visitors: 60 Buyers – Pre-Registration is required. Free entry with pre-issued badge and complimentary tea, coffee and net-working seated lunch with suppliers, plus adding banner at the event website linked to the buyer company at: www.me-ttmg.com/news_dtls.php?news_id=13. Information needed for issuing entry badge: delegate name, company, country and company website. For Suppliers and Exhibitors: 24 Suppliers - EU€150.00 for table, chairs, coffee, tea, net-working seated lunch with buyers and 3 months banner with moving images for

the supplier products at the sponsors media websites: www.micemiddleeast.com, www.ttgmiddleeast.com. Payments can be done with credit cards direct to Eresin Crown Hotel or with a bank transfer to the publisher bank account. Exhibitor to Buyer Ratio: 1 exhibiting company to 3 Buyers. For participation and more information visit www.me-ttmg.com

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THE HOSPITALITY & TOURISM SUMMIT The 4th Hospitality & Tourism

Summit 2015 will take place on 30 June 2015, at the Novotel London West and for the 2nd time it will be hosted by Accor. The event is for senior hospitality and tourism professionals, and brings together members, partners, journalists, academics, colleagues and Government. The 2014 event saw over 600 attendees and saw the launch of the Tourism Council; a partnership between Government and the industry to focus on improving skills, increasing the quality and quantity of jobs and boosting enterprise. The aim is for the creation of 300,000 new hospitality jobs by 2020 with current government support.

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EXHIBITION News 11 TOPICS AT 1ST CORPORATE TRAVEL WORLD (CTW) CHINA

The 1st instalment of Corporate Travel World (CTW) China will launch in Shanghai from 14-16 April at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing. Organised by TTG Events and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China, the inaugural event will open with 11 tailored topics centered on Corporate Travel Fundamentals and Corporate Meetings & Events for the China market. Together, the educational sessions will form a comprehensive knowledge suite that cover industry updates, trending issues, first-hand case studies and even supplier-perspective topics. The topics include

Cost Saving approaches, Corporate Cards, China’s legal landscape, Travel Technology and Strategic Meetings Management, while one of the 2 case studies featured will provide a 1

st hand

account into China’s anti-graft campaign, the challenges posed to corporate M.I.C.E. meetings and how corporates are succeeding in this climate. The other case study will focus on travel cost savings. Supplier perspective sessions are also in place to shed knowledge on the different aspects of a managed travel programme. The 2 supplier topics will be dedicated to the air and hotel components. A much anticipated topic “Do business meetings and incentive travel belong in the corporate travel programme?” aims to underscore the benefits of looking holistically at corporate travel, corporate events and incentive travel, as well as how and why they should be managed as a whole. Some 100 Corporate Travel professionals comprising of 20 International and 80 Chinese delegates from various industries - airline, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, financial services and international trade are expected to attend. About 60% will be hosted to the event.

ACCOR AT IT&CM CHINA 2015

Long-time exhibitor Accor has confirmed its participation at IT&CM China 2015 for the 4th year running. Accor’s continued participation at IT&CM China is attributed to the delivery of an excellent profile of buyers from all over the world and across China. The IT&CM China platform allows Accor to build brand exposure for its new hotels. This is

where it can secure new leads and businesses from the one-to-one appointments it has with buyers. The Chinese market is important for Accor with a presence since 1985 with its 1st hotel and it is still growing aggressively. There is a lot of demand in the 2nd and 3rd tier cities in line with business growth and travel, and hotels are predominately catering to the Chinese market. Chinese buyers constitute 70% of IT&CM China’s buyers profile and hail from cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Changsha, Hangzhou, Nanjing and many more. With over two decades’ of operation in China, Accor operates 144 hotels in 51 cities in the country. With a diversified portfolio of 8 brands – Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis Styles and ibis – Accor covers the full spectrum of the hospitality market from economy to luxury. IT&CM China 2015 will take place from 14-16 April 2015 in Shanghai.

19TH ADVENTURE TRAVEL SHOW This month sees all there is to experience in

Adventure travel at London’s Olympia, from 17-18 January 2015. The event is being opened by the distinguished explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Described by The Guinness Book of Records as the ‘world’s greatest living explorer’, Mr. Fiennes has broken many world records and led many expeditions to remote regions. He truly is an icon for adventurous travel, having been the 1st person to reach both the North and South poles by foot. The Adventure Travel Show allows enthusiastic adventurers to immerse themselves in the world of adventure travel finding inspiration and discovering off the beaten track travel experiences with the biggest collection of specialist travel operators under one roof. In addition there are over 100 free talks in 4 theatres from renowned explorers, industry experts, guide book writers and expedition leaders who will help you uncover your perfect adventure. Other Adventure Travel Show highlights include: Travel Writing, Photography and Film-making Seminars, Adventure Planning Seminars & Adventure by Motorcycle Seminars plus ‘The Adventure Travel Film Festival’ on the Saturday evening enjoy a selection of excellent adventure travel films. Also ‘Discover Africa’ where visitors can also explore the world’s most beguiling continent, this feature is designed to provide you with the information you need to plan the African adventure of a lifetime.

THE MAHARASHTRA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART – MITM 2015 Over 3 days

from 26-28 February 2015, Destination Maharasthra will showcase the tourism attractions of the state that would lead to an enhanced brand image as a destination. Under one roof, all stake-holders of the tourism industry in the state such as hoteliers, travel agents & tour

operators, adventure tour operators, tourism districts, handicrafts and handlooms, cuisine, etc will gather. With the advent of a strong wealthy middle class, ‘Maharashtra’ is perceived as an excellent ‘value for money’ destination. With many new hotels & resorts tourism in Maharashtra hitting new highs making an ideal opportunity for new and continued business meetings to take place. Being held at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, MITM is Maharashtra’s largest trade exchange dedicated to the travel & tourism industry, and across all sectors.

Dedicated one-2-one meetings and networking opportunities help generate new contacts and build personal relationships with suppliers and peers. The state of Maharashtra is developing at a rapid pace with huge investments. The MITM provides a platform to meet with the key players in the market.

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TOURISM News

The South Bank, London, UK

FAST TRACK VISAS FOR RICH TOURISTS In a bid to attract wealthy tourists to

Britain, a new 24 hours fast track visa service has been launched. The service, which is already available to Chinese and Indians wishing to visit Britain will now be on offer to tourists from Turkey, South Africa, the UAE, Thailand, and the Philippines from April 2015. The cities of Paris and New York will also receive the service through visa processing centres as they were highlighted as having high demand from businesses and wealthy individuals. The new service is hoped to encourage more business travellers, investors and tourists to visit Britain, to trade with Britain and to expand in Britain. This is one of several moves to update the UK visa process which has put off many applying due to long lead times and huge paperwork. When it was seen that the majority of Chinese tourist groups visiting Europe opted out of visiting the UK due to visa complexity, the rules were quickly adapted as the lost revenue could equate to a UK£1.2, (EU€1.57) billion. Britain is not part of the Schengen Area, which lets Chinese tourists move between 26 other European countries using just one visa. Tourists need to obtain a separate visa to visit Britain.

HOTEL MOSKOVA TRANSFORMED One of Moscow’s most famous and elegant

hotels, the old ‘Hotel Moskva’ has been refurbished in high quality detail and is now open as the ‘Four Seasons Hotel Moscow’. Located on Manezhnaya Square, close to Red Square, it was originally built in the 1930’s, and was famous as the meeting

place for some of the then Soviet Union’s political and cultural leaders and influencers as well as famous international clientele. The exterior façade has been replicated in detail, including the distinctive asymmetry between the two wings that surround a new glass-topped atrium. Internally details high-lighting the building past

are to be seen all over the hotel like the ballroom’s chandelier and the handcrafted mosaic tiles in the glass-enclosed pool area. The Hotel’s top suites on offer are the 7th floor Pozharsky Royal Suite (520sq.m) which leads to a terrace overlooking Manezhnaya Square and Alexandrovsky Garden. Also impressive is The Minin Presidential Suite (468sq.m). Business travellers receive in-room conveniences like large working desks, Nespresso machines, HD TV/mirror. There is a 24-hour business centre, and guests can use the Hotel’s fleet of BMW 7 Series house cars, equipped with wi-fi and iPad. The Hotel Moskva offers exceptional service and attention to detail whether for business or pleasure.

GREEK CITY OF TRIPOLI BIDS FOR EUROPEAN CULTURAL CAPITAL Located

in the middle of the Peloponnese region of Greece, tourism officials and public/private sector tourism organisations from the town of Tripoli are to prepare to bid for the city to become the European Cultural Capital for 2021. Meetings have taken place to discuss the city’s plans as well as the development of co-operation between the private tourism sector and local authorities towards this end, as well as developing the regions tourism policies. The need for the agreement, implementation of relevant infrastructure, technical and services which would greatly upgrade the city’s standing were also highlighted.

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NEW TOURISM FOR AMPHIPOLIS, GREECE Following the exciting recent

discovery of the archaeological findings of Amphipolis in northern Greece the Greek National Tourism Office hopes it will build on tourism for the region.

Apart from the archaeology which it believed to be the tomb of Alexander the Great, the widening of tourism in the Amphipolis area and region is key as the area has all the features to attract many visitors. Amphipolis will be promoted as a tourism attraction in conjunction with the particular cultural significance and natural beauty of the area.

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS BUYS BOUTIQUE HOTEL InterContinental

Hotels Group has announced its purchase of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants a boutique hotel group for the total of UK£273, (EU€347) million. InterContinential already owns the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands, and has been expanding its offering to meet the demands of new groups of clientele. It launched Even Hotels, a boutique chain for health-conscious travellers in 2012 and in China it opened Hualuxe Hotels & Resorts, catering for Chinese travellers. This new addition combined with Even and Indigo, means it will have 200 open and planned boutique hotels in 19 countries. Kimpton Hotels offers 62 properties across major US cities and another 16 being developed.

TOURISM News

The Massimo Theatre, Palermo, Sicily island, Italy

A DECADE OF POSITIVE TOURISM GROWTH The Sultanate of Oman has

seen an amazing past decade with many awards and new projects, helping to turn it into a top tourism and M.I.C.E destination. International visitor arrivals to Oman in 2013 reached 1.4 million. Visitors from the UK have increased hugely from 25,000 in 2003 to 133,529 in 2013. Always looking for new ways to attract, business, tourists and investment a new event is to be held in Oman next October; ‘The Oman Grand Tour 2015’. Owners of pre-1970 vintage and classic cars will come to the Sultanate to take part in a 21 day trip across the country, covering over 4,000kms. It will be the 1st of its kind in the entire Gulf region. On the accommodation front, new properties to open in Oman include the Alila Jabal Akhdar mountain resort, the 1st 5* hotel in Dhofar. The Salalah Rotana Resort and the Al Nahda Resort & Spa, which offers 30 rooms in a desert resort ‘Dunes’. There are other properties planned and to be operational within the next 2 years. Oman is also seeing the increase in wellness tourism demand and is hoping to see growth in this new sector as more hotels and resorts offer more facilities in this sector. As for the M.I.C.E sector, the highly anticipated opening in 2016 of the Oman Convention & Exhibition centre will see M.I.C.E boom in Oman. Many events have already been confirmed at the venue from the date it opens. Oman is ensuring that its development in all its tourism ventures is conducted sustainably and with this in mind, it is shortly to provide a state of the art bus network that can be integrated into bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail transit (LRT) systems at a later stage.

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RECORD INTERNATIONAL TOURISM 2014 Records have been set by many nations

for tourism arrivals in 2014 and when combined worldwide, tourism looks to be a winner with over 1.1 billion international tourists travelling across the world. From Jan-Oct the number of international tourists grew by 5%, reaching 978 million, 45 million more than for that period in 2013. International tourism continues to grow above the long-term projections for 2010-2020 (+3.8%), at a rate of 4.7%. Strongest growth was in the Americas - +8%, followed by Asia and the Pacific - +5% and Europe - +4%. North America saw growth of +9%, while South Asia grew +8%. Other positive figures came from Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North-East Asia and Northern Europe - all +7%. The Americas overall had the best results over the past decade. North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America doubled the growth rates of 2013. International arrivals in Asia and the Pacific increased by 5% (till October). Top figures came from South Asia - +8%, with India - +7%, and North-East Asia - +7% with the destinations of Japan and the Republic of Korea seeing double-figure growth. Arrivals in Oceania increased by 6%, mostly due to increased arrivals in Australia and New Zealand. In South-East Asia - +2%, growth slowed compared to 2012/13 figures due to reduced arrivals in Thailand. Europe remains the most visited region in the world and saw a 4% increase in international tourist arrivals until October, with positive results in Northern Europe and in Southern Mediterranean Europe (both +7%), with Greece, Portugal, Spain and Malta seeing strong growth. Western Europe saw +2% growth and in Central and Eastern Europe no growth was recorded, despite the past few years seeing +8% growth each year. Following a decline in 2011, the Middle East expects tourist arrivals to rise by 4%. Even destinations struggling with political issues have seen tourism growth like in Egypt and Lebanon (due to the Syrian conflict). Africa saw international tourist figures increase by 3% (till October) with North Africa seeing a recovery with +2% growth. Sub-saharan Africa grew by 3% despite the difficulties of the Ebola Outbreak in some West African countries.

Crisologo street, Vigan, Philippines

THE NEW 7 WONDERS CITIES ARE… Since its inception in 2011, the search for the

top New 7 Wonders Cities has been underway. With initial entries from 200 countries, the final 7 cities are been voted and elected for by us, the inhabitants of the world! The New7Wonders Cities are: Beirut (Lebanon), Doha (Qatar), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Paz (Bolivia) and Vigan (Philippines). The 7 cities truly represent the global diversity of urban society. With more than half the planets population living in cities this result emphasises the dramatically challenging character of our changing world. The ‘New7Wonders Cites’ will now join the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ and the’New7Wonders of the World’ in becoming part of Global Memory for humanity forever.

Terengganu, Malaysia

Where Will You Go In 2015...by Dimitri Laspas

A new year and new adventures to seek! Where will you go this year on holiday? Well, let us give you 10 very brief ideas in just a few words to temp you to pack your suitcase and explore the world!

LONDON-ENGLAND

Any list is just not a list without London on it! Officially the top destination in 2014, it still has so much to see and do. Even if you have been before there is so much to still discover in this historical city. From royal houses, to markets, to theatres and shopping, the list never ends!

TOKYO-JAPAN

Maybe the most expensive capital in Asia, but it is worth it. If there is an award for the ‘Most Clean Nation’ then Tokyo (and Japan as a whole) would win this award way ahead of all other nations.

As one of the most populated cities in the world, the people are kind and so helpful making any visit to see this bustling capital a delightful experience.

TERRANGANU-MALAYSIA

All Malaysia offers a fantastic tourist experience, but for something a little different head for Terranganu, located on the east coast. Time your visit well and attend the annual ‘Squid Jigging’ festival! Enjoy the beautiful clear waters, white sand beaches, the amazing lake of Kenyir, the elephants park and many attractions in the area to visit, Malaysia will seem a different destination after your Terranganu experience!

MYANMAR

A ‘’new’’ destination in tourism terms, this is a must see destination before it become even more of a major tourist attraction. With lush green tropical jungle and dotted with temples and golden shrines, at every turn there is a delightful surprise everywhere.

Visit Mandalay, the cultural heart of Myanmar while the capital, Yangon is the ‘Garden City of the East’.

QUITO, ECUADOR

Quito is located in the middle of the world, where you can simultaneously have one foot in the Northern hemisphere and the other in the Southern hemisphere. Its historic district, the largest and best preserved in Latin America was the 1st World Heritage Site. As a historically important cultural and artistic centre there are plenty of museums, theatres and cultural centres to explore and from Quito, the gateway to Ecuador, discover more with the Pacific coast, the Andes, Volcano Avenue, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.

VILNIUS-LITHUANIA

Now in the Euro-zone, the Lithuanian capital is a magical mix of modernity and gothic renaissance architecture. Get your heart beating in the heart of the Baltic countries of Europe. Choose from any number of museums, churches, galleries or shrines and explore the cosmopolitan mix that is Vilnius.

POROS ISLAND, GREECE

You have seen the top attractions of Greece (even thought one cannot get enough of them!), now explore the Hellenic treasures deeper. With lush pine trees, crystal clear seas, cosy

beaches, a lively waterfront with shops, cafes and restaurants, Poros town is a picturesque capital with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, this quiet yet cosmopolitan island has something for everyone.

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Puebla, Mexico

Where Will You Go In 2015... PUEBLA-MEXICO

This authentic enchanting town the ‘City of Angels’ is just that, angelic and is a must see and offers a wonderful insight into rural Mexican life. With the highest church bell in Latin America, World Heritage sites, an active volcano and a delicious cuisine what more could you ask for!

OKINAWA-JAPAN

Located in the Pacific, south of mainland Japan, this unique island offers turquoise

seas, great M.I.C.E. venues and a different view of Japanese life. One of Asia’s hottest travel destinations and still one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Get ready for some serious excitement, Okinawa style!

FAROE ISLANDS

Located in the North Atlantic northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway, the archipelago comprises of 18 islands. It is home to one of the

smallest and most pleasant capital cities in the world. Pack your binoculars and sunglasses for sights and sun, but the weather can change quickly so be prepared for all 4 seasons! In a survey to discover the world’s most unspoilt islands, of the 111 island communities reviewed, the Faroe Islands won, making it the most appealing destination in the world.

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ASIA News

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ASIA LEADS IN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MARKET Asia

continues to be at the forefront of the international tourism market. From Jan-Aug 2014, the number of outbound trips from Asia rose by 8%, double the global growth rate with more growth expected. In 2015 Asian citizens are expected to take above-average numbers of trips, overtaking other nations in the outbound travel market. From 2009-2013 outbound trips from Asia have increased by 53%, more than twice the global average growth rate of 22%. Nation-wise, China leads, but Japan’s outbound market is decreasing. However, combined with China it still accounted for more than half of all outbound trips from Asia. Travellers from South Korea, India and Taiwan saw big increases and steady growth. Where the Asians went? Well, 75% preferred to holiday within Asia. Next it was travel to Europe (15%) and North America (9%). Australia and the Pacific region, South America and Africa, were not among Asians’ preferred destinations. Foreign business trips have declined a bit. Multi-destination trips continued to be a popular option. However, city breaks and beach holidays have increased. Internet booking have doubled since 2009 representing 60% of all bookings. The number of trips to Asia also saw an increase of 5% in the first 6 months of 2014. Economic growth in Asia remains stable and expects the region’s GDP to rise by 4.7% and in 2015 by 4.6%.

JAPANESE BOUTIQUE HOTEL The Luxury Collection hotel

group is to open its 1st boutique hotel this spring in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. The area is known for its shrines

and temples and the new ‘Suiran’ hotel will be in the style of the 17th century Edo period. It will offer 39 rooms, a lounge, meeting facilities, fitness centre and spa and will be located in the grounds of the Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage Site.

THE ST. REGIS MACAO, COTAI CENTRAL The St. Regis

Macao, Cotai Central, is the 4th and final hotel of the world class integrated resort of Sands China Ltd. Already a world class destination, this new addition to the Macao hotel scene helps raise the profile of the city as a global destination for business and leisure travellers.

MYANMAR'S INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS ON THE RISE

Myanmar is one of the fastest growing international tourism destinations at present with demand outstripping supply as the country tries to rapidly increase its tourism facilities and offerings. It is expecting that tourist arrivals for 2015 will exceed 5 million as the private sector in particular strengthens its overseas marketing, both in the region and internationally. One target market is Thailand, where a delegation of 17 hotels, resorts, restaurants and airlines from Myanmar visited Bangkok to meet with local buyers at the ‘Asean Travel Business Matching’ event, organised by the Thai Travel Agents Association. Myanmar brought the biggest group of agents among the Asean sellers at the event. Airline, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, which was launched last year, plans to operate international routes from 2016 from Yangon to Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore. The network expansion is expected to boost the number of international tourists visiting Myanmar. The Yangon-based airline currently operates to 12 cities in Myanmar. There are 5 airlines operating in Myanmar at present in the domestic market and only one services international destinations; Myanmar Airways International. The number of tourists coming to Myanmar rose from 3 million in 2013 to 4.5 million in 2014 and will rise to over 5 million by the end of 2015. Thailand is one of several target markets including Cambodia, Vietnam and the United States. With over 3 million tourists visiting Myanmar in 2014, Asean markets represented approx. 70% of arrivals, followed by the European markets of the UK and Germany. This month sees Myanmar host the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Nay Pwi Taw, with the world’s tourism industry keen to catch up on progress, continue its investment, assistance and business in this magical destination of Myanmar.

MALAYSIA AIMS FOR 28 MILLION TOURISTS Malaysia is

targeting tourist arrival figures of 28 million for the end of 2014. With growth of 9.7% by July, the country is confident it will reach its target figure. By the end of July, tourist arrivals reached 16.1 million. Despite the impact of the Malaysian Airlines tragedies on the country’s tourism sector, a change in marketing strategy focusing on south Asian countries like India Sri Lana as well as the Middle East and Europe helped boost arrivals. There was a big drop of arrivals from China, so 3 specially chartered flights from Wuhan and Chengdu were launched from July to October in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang, which saw positive results. Chinese tourists make up the 3rd highest number in tourist arrivals with Singaporeans the top arrivals and in 2nd place Indonesians. With several international events towards the end of 2014, tourist arrivals were expected to rise. The 2015 target is for 29.4 million tourists to visit Malaysia through Malaysia Year of Festival (MyFEST).

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