Category - Culture

2017 will be jazz year in Brussels

In 2015, several key players of Brussels’ cultural scene set up a jazz platform in order to shine the spotlight on jazz in the capital. It was clear that the Brussels jazz scene was a beehive of activity. However, when compiling the entire list of events, the offer not only met but exceeded the expectations. Every day, a multitude of live concerts across the city can be enjoyed, and Brussels boasts close to a dozen major jazz events and festivals every year. Furthermore, this vibrant sector...

Wieliczka Salt Mine Attracts A Record-Breaking 1.5 Million Tourists

In 2016, the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine – one of Poland’s biggest attractions – was visited by a record 1.5 million tourists. Chapels carved in salt, sculptures, underground saline lakes and numerous traces of the exploitation of salt deposits make this mine, a must-see attraction. Visitors of the mine can enjoy a huge variety of things to do, including, shopping, eating a delicious meal, concerts, visiting a health spa and even meeting the miners.     Entered onto the...

First flight: Dream of ages became reality 113 years ago

A dream of the ages became reality 113 years ago today on a windswept beach at North Carolina’s Outer Banks. There, the Wright brothers made the world’s first powered, heavier-than-air flight. With Orville and Wilbur alternating as pilot, the plane made four flights that day. The first airplane flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The longest distance covered that day was 852 feet in 59 seconds — an average speed of 31 miles an hour. In only a few decades, the airplane...

Brits – a nation of Boomerang Buyers

New research from Pass My Parcel reveals the lengths we go to, to look our very best. The trend of ‘Boomerang Buying’ – buying and returning several outfits – reflects our increasing move to online shopping as we return more than half of the clothes we buy online. One in five (20%) sneaky shoppers admit to wearing clothes with the label in, only to return them the next day. 18 – 25 year olds are the biggest culprits whereas those in East Anglia are the most honest...

Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival announces superstar headliner Usher and The Roots

Feel the breeze and ‘get caught’ up with the 17th Annual Soul Beach Music Festival hosted by Aruba, featuring multi-award winner and worldwide phenomenon Usher and prolific Grammy award-winning icons The Roots, set to deliver amped-up main stage concert performances sure to make spirits soar this Memorial Day weekend, May 24-29, 2017. Soul Beach Music Festival, previously named #4 by USA Today readers’ choice “10 Best Caribbean Celebrations” and #1 “Caribbean...

Ottawa Welcomes the World

In 2017 Canada marks its 150th birthday, with holidaymakers invited to join in a countrywide, year-long celebration. The main focus for national events will be the capital city Ottawa, where 12 epic months of big, bold, immersive and moving experiences will be on offer. Billed as an ‘Ottawa 2017 Signature Event’, Ottawa Welcomes the World will be a one-off series of day festivals that will celebrate the culture and heritage of more than 90 participating countries. Canada’s capital is home to...

The Christmas Crusade for Peace in Bethlehem

A light with stars and snowflake Christmas lights, every year the city of Bethlehem, which is known as the birthplace of both Jesus Christ and Christianity, hosts a series of Christmas celebrations. From parades to lighting a Christmas tree almost as big as the one at Rockefeller Center in New York City, to restoring mosaics at the famous Church of Nativity, the city is looking to promote itself on and to strengthen the Christian community. Palestinian officials say Christmas celebrations are a...

How Al Ahsa InterContinental Hotel supports local community?

In Saudi Arabia, Al Ahsa InterContinental, a hotel property committed to operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, recently concluded a blood donation campaign under the supervision of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Al Ahsa Hospital. Attended by the members of the hotel management and its associates, the cause is a tangible social contribution to the local community and a call to save lives by donating blood which is evidenced by the immense...

Seychelles protecting 30% of its waters through historic debt-for-nature deal

Ginger Strand published in the latest Nature Org Magazine and Helena Sims circulated with pride that the Seychelles debt swap and marine spatial planning initiative are featured in the December/January issue of the Nature Conservancy Magazine, and was chosen to be featured on the cover. Helena Sims says that his project is a huge team effort from the Nature Conservancy staff literally around the world with TNC facilitating the process on behalf of the Government of Seychelles. The Marine...

Rare Leonardo da Vinci sculpture exhibited in Milan

A public exhibit featuring the only sculpture known to exist today from the hand of Leonardo da Vinci opened November 24th at Milan’s Palazzo delle Stelline, Institut Francais, adjacent to the Santa Maria delle Grazie, home of Leonardo’s The Last Supper. Leading Leonardo expert and author Professor Ernesto Solari introduced the exhibit proclaiming, “Thanks to the Horse and Rider Statue, Governor Charles d’Amboise returns to Milan for the first time in over 500...

New Star Wars Experiences Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A galaxy of new Star Wars experiences is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios beginning mid-December. The announcement – made today at Walt Disney World Resort – noted that some of the coming-soon additions are inspired by “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” that opens in theaters worldwide on Dec. 16. Guests, including fans of the epic space saga, will find new entertainment, special displays inside Star Wars Launch Bay, a first-ever themed tour and more at Disney’s...

UK: Hadrian’s Wall announces new wall-wide Roman cavalry exhibition

Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site is to host a major new exhibition in 2017 celebrating the cavalry regiments that once guarded this famous North West frontier of the mighty Roman Empire Taking place from Saturday 8 April to Sunday 10 September 2017, Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in...

First edition of the new ‘Seychelles Ocean Festival’ launched

It is all about celebrating our exceptional marine environment, our beaches, the reefs, the marine life around our islands and most important, our constant efforts to protect this pristine environment, our crystal clear waters, from pollution and unsustainable fishing practices‘  said one regular contributor from Victoria when asked how best she would describe the transformation from Subios aka as Sub Indian Ocean Seychelles to the new Ocean Festival. Launched by Vice President Vincent...

Bright Brussels Winter lights up today

As soon as darkness falls today, 2 December, until 5 February 2017, Bright Brussels Winter will illuminate the environs of Brussels’ small inner circle. Unusual and playful light works are installed for a sparkling outdoor exhibition across 12 emblematic places, such as Place Stéphanie, Place Poelaert, Place Rogier, Place du Luxembourg or Porte de Flandre. These giant installations illuminate the magical atmosphere of Brussels during this winter period. While the sun becomes more and more...

Hotels and museums are the height of admiration during Seattle’s Museum Month

February is the best time to save on admission to more than 40 participating museums throughout Seattle and the region. Visit Seattle’s third annual Seattle Museum Month – returning February 1-28, 2017 – offers hotel guests half-price admission at more than 40 participating museums throughout Seattle and the region. For visitors and locals alike, Seattle Museum Month offers an immersive way of experiencing Seattle’s art, history, music, design and culture. Since its inaugural year...

45th United Arab Emirates National Day

The Crown Prince Court celebrated the United Arab Emirates and its 45 years of nationhood and it has been asked to the Olympic Producer Balich Worldwide Shows to create and produce a live performance. The show, performed in front of a selected crowd of dignitaries, was a tribute to the many facets of the country and of its 45 years of history since the unification. The recurring theme of the show was a promise of the people to the nation itself: “The Country is Amanah”. Amanah is one of the...

The winner at Parks Canada is: Fort William Historical Park

Today, Parks Canada presented the Parks Canada National Cultural Tourism Award to Fort William Historical Park at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Congress held in Gatineau, Quebec. This award recognizes Fort William Historical Park’s commitment to visitor satisfaction, its vital role as a regional economic promoter, and for its social impact and legacy in the community. Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is named as the “world’s largest fur...

Taste of Hong Kong returns in March 2017

IMG, organizer of Taste of Hong Kong presented by Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, will be bringing Asia’s premium restaurant festival to Central Harborfront from 16 to 19 March 2017.

Blue and red America: Are the United States falling apart?

Tourism is the biggest industry here. The time has come, in my opinion, for us in the State of Hawaii to consider the pros and cons of remaining part of the United States or of seceding from the union. These are the thoughts by Alan Howard, a professor emeritus of cultural anthropology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in his column published today in the Honolulu Star Advertiser He leaves out consequences what this would do to the economy of this Island State, tourism and the American...

India : Homosexual acts are a crime – also in tourism

For some it’s a human right, for others, it’s a crime. For India, it remains a crime.  In tourism David Scowsill, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) told eTN at a recent press conference at World Tourism Day in Bangkok, Thailand: “Tourism is for all, and it includes sexual orientation” UNWTO  echoed this, but in an otherwise progressive India, hundreds of people marched in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Sunday in an annual gay rights parade in a...

Thailand Tourism staging Jazz concerts in memory of HM King

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is staging a series of concerts in memory of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The performances will celebrate the King’s love of music and talents as a performer and composer. The “Jazz in Memory” shows will include performances by famous artistes and a symphony orchestra. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “His Majesty’s love of music is well known and one of the best ways of celebrating his memory is by allowing people to enjoy...

The gap between the Arab and Western fashion world

Etihad Airways, the flag-carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and airline of the fashion industry wannabee, teamed up with the London-based shoe and accessories brand, Jimmy Choo, for this year’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in an effort to bridge the gap between the Arab and Western worlds of fashion. “There is a long history in terms of fashion in the Arab world,” Amina Taher, Etihad’s New York Fashion Week and Jimmy Choo Lounge spokesperson told The Media Line. “We believe, in terms of...

Climate Change is still Existential – US election doesn’t change science

The president of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP), Professor Geoffrey Lipman is alarmed. In his blog addressed to ICTP members he published his concern about the President Elect of the United States Donald J Trump. Professor Lipman is viewed as a senior authority in the global travel and tourism industry. Previously he was the  first CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and assistant secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)...

Destination Portugal: Foodie Heaven

When planning a holiday, many travelers believe that food is one of the most important factors to consider. And the gastronomy in Portugal does not disappoint! From the fresh delicious seafood to the succulent meats, foodie visitors will be spoiled for choice. The cheeses and sweets are also irresistible! Visitors should make sure they try Cozido à Portuguesa, Queijo da Serra, and Pastel de Nata.

Dresden Philharmonic on the Elbe: The converted Kulturpalast

Every square meter of the city of Dresden, capital of Saxony in Germany, is steeped in history and stirring tales. It is a city of contrasts – Classical and modern, vibrant and tranquil. Here there is a thrusting economy and excellent quality of life, a glorious past and a promising future – all coexisting in perfect harmony.