Category - Culture

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LGBT tourism at ITB Berlin: New, bigger and more colorful

7 years ago

Once again, the program of events hosted by LGBT Travel at ITB Berlin will be as colorful as ever. This year, this fast-growing segment will be relocating to Hall 21b and will feature a new Presentation Corner, where exhibitors can showcase their latest LGBT products. For many years ITB Berlin has already boasted the world’s largest range of LGBT travel services. The lectures taking place in Hall 21b will focus on the world’s first travel campaign with transgender models, on successful business...

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Visit Wales announces Luke Evans as latest Year Of Legends Ambassador

7 years ago

Luke Evans, star of multiple Hollywood blockbusters including the upcoming Beauty and the Beast (Disney, March 17), has become the latest Welsh celebrity to back the Visit Wales 2017 Year of Legends tourism campaign. Year of Legends brings Wales’ epic past to life like never before, with attractions, events and activities designed to lure tourists to legendary locations throughout the country. Evans joins a line-up of Welsh celebrities including Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon and...

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Trump tones down rant on immigration

7 years ago

US President Donald Trump has offered a more moderate tone on immigration policy, telling lawmakers in Congress that he was open to immigration reform. Addressing the country during his first speech to Congress on Tuesday, Trump shifted from the harsh rhetoric that he had expressed over illegal immigration during his election campaign and first month in the White House. The president’s wide-ranging speech was long on promises but short on specifics on how to achieve the pledges he made in...

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2022 Gay Games XI host city shortlist announced

7 years ago

The 2022 Gay Games XI host city shortlist vote by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) General Assembly took place 28 February 2017, one year after the bid process was announced. The shortlisted host cities are Guadalajara (MEX), Hong Kong (CHN), and Washington, D.C. (USA) Site inspections are the next steps in the bid process: May 2017. The final vote for the next Gay Games host will take place October 2017 at the FGG’s Annual General Assembly meeting in Paris, France. The FGG expresses...

Claude Pavard launches fourth book about Seychelles

7 years ago

Seychelles has once again inspired well-known photographer and documentary film producer, Claude Pavard, to write another book. Entitled, “Seychelles Love Story,” the new book was launched at the Eden Bleu Hotel last Friday. Present at the launch were the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Francis; and the Deputy Chief Executive, Jenifer Sinon; as well as friends of Mr. Pavard in Seychelles...

UNWTO Secretary General attends Bahrain’s Spring of Cultures Festival

7 years ago

At the invitation of H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Chairperson of the Board of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, attended the celebrations of Bahrain’s Spring of Cultures Festival, which coincided with Arab Tourism Day on February 25. This was an occasion to stress the importance of cultural preservation and the links between tourism and culture particularly in...

UNWTO Panel on Indigenous Tourism: Promoting equitable partnerships

7 years ago

As one of the most thriving economic activities, tourism is well placed to contribute to indigenous people in improving their livelihoods. If managed responsibly and sustainably, indigenous tourism can spur cultural interaction and revival, bolster employment, alleviate poverty, curb rural flight migration, empower women and youth, encourage product diversification, and nurture a sense of pride among indigenous people. However, this type of tourism also raises a series of ethical, social...

“Safeguarding values, morals and traditions”: First Saudi Arabia’s Comic Con penalized for unspecified “violation”

7 years ago

Comic Con has come to Saudi Arabia for the first time, and is now being punished by the country’s Entertainment Authority for an unspecified “violation.” Thousands of Saudis joined the three-day event of anime, pop art, video gaming, and film-related events in the city of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, a major urban center of Saudi Arabia, February 16-18. The festival was organized by Saudi firm Time Entertainment as part of a government initiative to bring entertainment to Saudi Arabia...

American Airlines recognizes female film directors with new Bonnie Award

7 years ago

American Airlines is recognizing the importance of women in film by announcing a new $50,000 award for independent film directors at this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Bonnie Award will be given to an up-and-coming female director and seeks to honor their innovative vision and breakthrough work in the entertainment industry. The award’s namesake, Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, was the first female pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline. Tiburzi began her career in 1973 when she was hired by...

Barcelona nightclub reported for “sexist & humiliating advertising” towards women

7 years ago

The Catalan Nightlife Association (FECASARM), member of the nationwide association SPAIN NIGHTLIFE, today reported the club which operates under the commercial name of “El Bailódromo” for carrying out illegal advertising practices with sexist content as it offered its clients 100 Euros and a free drink if they turned up without underwear. They will take legal action together with Barcelona City Council and the Catalan Women’s Institute against this Barcelona nightclub because...

Thailand’s infamous Tiger Temple plans to reopen under another name

7 years ago

An investigation by international animal welfare charity World Animal Protection has exposed that Thailand’s controversial Tiger Temple Co. Ltd. is planning to re-open under the new name Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd. The charity is extremely concerned about these developments, given the appalling circumstances and conditions that led to the closure of Tiger Temple, and is calling for the Thai government to not issue a zoo license to Golden Tiger (Thailand) Co. Ltd. to open another...

Minister: Iranian pilgrims will go on Hajj “only if Saudi Arabia accepts Tehran’s conditions”

7 years ago

Iran will send pilgrims to this year’s Hajj rituals if Saudi Arabia accepts the Islamic Republic’s conditions, says the Iranian minister of culture and Islamic guidance. Reza Salehi-Amiri said on the sidelines of a cabinet session on Wednesday that Iran had sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia to follow up on the issue of Hajj for Iranian pilgrims. “The Iranian administration will try to dispatch pilgrims [to Saudi Arabia],” he said, stressing that Iran seeks to “send pilgrims to the...

Biggest Asian pop and manga culture event in the Benelux coming to Brussels Expo

7 years ago

From March 3rd until March 5th 2017, Made in Asia will take place in Brussels Expo, it is the biggest event in the Benelux dedicated to the Asian pop and manga culture. More than 300 exhibitors, shops, fun and cultural activities, exclusive concerts, Japanese guests signing autographs (TAKAHIRO OBA : Sky-High Survival, CHIKASHI KUBOTA : One Punch Man, …) and the 2017 preselections for the World Cosplay Summit. And not to forget: an entry ticket for MIA will offer free and unlimited access to...

UNWTO hosts presentation of stamps commemorating International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017

7 years ago

UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid hosted the presentation on Tuesday of two Spanish stamps commemorating the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. The United Nations declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, highlighting the potential of tourism to be a pillar of a sustainable, inclusive and equitable future for all. UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai recalled that the Year aims to inspire change among all those involved in tourism...

‘Dos and don’ts’ of staying in a Ryokan: Kyoto releases guidelines for UK travelers

7 years ago

For the thousands of UK tourists who visit Kyoto each year, staying in the highly unique and traditional accommodation of a Ryokan is a special experience. However, to raise awareness of the customs within the Ryokans and limit misdemeanors, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau has released an infographic outlining the ‘AKIMAHEN’, or the ‘dos and don’ts’ for a serene and restful stay. The guidelines have been released in partnership with TripAdvisor and detail the etiquette essentials for...

First drive-through marijuana store opens in Colorado next month

7 years ago

The first drive through pot store in the state of Colorado will open its doors to recreational marijuana smokers in the town of Parachute next month after being granted a business license last week. Tumbleweed Express is scheduled to open the state’s first drive-through location at the site of a former car wash in March after the Parachute Board of Trustees issued the permit. Tumbleweed Express is scheduled to open the state’s first drive-through location at the site of a former car...

Top 25 Indian designers to present signature collections at Dubai luxury show

7 years ago

In one of the season’s biggest line-up of fashion designers from India, “NUMAISH® Luxury Show” will bring together exclusive apparel and jewellery collections from 25 leading designers at the Taj Dubai on 25th February, 2017. The magnificent lines on offer at the show, range from bridal wear to cocktail and evening dresses for both men and women in Ethnic and Western styles. Curated by celebrity stylist Eshaa Amiin, this spectacular exhibition is open for public and will offer shoppers a unique...

India mulls taxing “excessive” weddings

7 years ago

Indian lawmaker Ranjeet Ranjan plans to introduce a bill to tax excessive weddings which the country is famous for. If the bill is passed, it would require families that spend more than $7500 (500,000 rupees) on nuptials to donate ten percent of the overall cost to a special government fund. The government will be authorized to “fix the limit of guests and relatives and number of dishes to be served.” The measure is expected to prevent food wastage. “In our country, there are...

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Celebrating Irish ancestry, heritage, culture and traditions

7 years ago

The very idea of undertaking Irish ancestral research can seem like a formidable and arduous task but now one publication is successfully helping thousands across the US to trace and embrace their Irish ancestors. Published by mother and daughter team Maureen and Julie Phibbs, they understand the many difficulties faced by readers yearning to piece together their fractured Irish family history. Maureen says, “we see our role as inspiring readers to undertake and continue their research...

Understanding Chamorro and Micronesian culture on Guam

7 years ago

Remind me how this World Peace thing is supposed to work. You just take a bunch of people from around the world and strand them on an island until they’re all friends. Right?! 2 Of the 1.3 million tourists to visit the island in 2013, Guam Visitors Bureau said half came from Japan, 169,000 from South Korea, 65,000 from the U.S. mainland, and some 39,000 from Taiwan. The island is also home to some 12,000 military personnel, and according to The World Factbook, a local population of 160,000...

Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston are most desired celebrity travel buddies, the Kardashians – the least

7 years ago

Love may be in the air this season, as the celebrities we’d most love to jet off and spend a vacation with are revealed! Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston are officially the nation’s most desired travel buddies, but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Sin City is the place we’d most want to take our favorite stars, but it seems we’re more interested in shopping than showing off. Over a third admitted they’d rather be taken on an all-expenses-paid shopping spree...

See the Guam film that everyone is talking about

7 years ago

“American Soil, Chamorro Soul” reveals what modern Chamorro culture means on Guam as three generations demonstrate the cultural Renaissance in dancing, medicine, and traditional canoe building. This film was produced by The Guam Culture Guide, Inc. with Jessica Peterson as the Producer, Director, Writer, and Editor. It was sponsored by: Docomo Pacific, The Guam Guide, Farm to Table Guam, Coast 360, Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Sheraton Guam Resort, and Pacific Star Resort. See the trailer here.

Muhammad Ali’s daughter unveils USA’s largest lab-grown diamond on Valentine’s Day

7 years ago

On Valentine’s Day, when an estimated six million Americans get engaged, when millennials are shying-away from earth-diamonds; MiaDonna & Company jewelry CEO, Anna-Mieke Anderson, and The Greener Diamond Foundation’s humanitarian ambassador, Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Khaliah, are launching a campaign to save blood diamond war orphans in concert with the announcement of a scientific breakthrough highlighted by the unveiling of the MiaDonna World’s Largest Laboratory...

First Brussels Art Nouveau & Art Deco Festival adds 10 new buildings to its program

7 years ago

From 11 to 26 March 2017, the Brussels Art Nouveau & Art Deco (BANAD) Festival will add 10 new buildings to its program. The BANAD Festival is the successor to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennial Event, and will continue to be the unmissable event for fans of these two architectural styles used for so many buildings in Brussels. Over the three last weekends of March, the BANAD Festival will offer guided tours of around 50 exceptional interiors in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles – and...

Tourism Vancouver and Visit Anaheim share love in cross-promotion partnership

7 years ago

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Tourism Vancouver and Visit Anaheim have unveiled a series of fun, insightful videos highlighting the similarities between their respective destinations, common misconceptions held about each, and unexpected destination highlights. The videos are part of a year-long marketing campaign the destination marketing organizations (DMOs) collaborated on with the goal of cross-promoting to each other’s key visitation markets – and Valentine’s Day is...

Government of Canada announces new Heritage Lighthouse designations

7 years ago

Today, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the designation and protection of two more heritage lighthouses under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. With these new designations, a total of 92 lighthouses in eight provinces have now been protected under the Act – and more designations will follow. The lighthouses designated today are both situated in the province of New Brunswick: the Inch Arran...

Minister Bartlett to pay tribute to Jimmy Cliff at IRIE FM Lifetime Achievement Awards

7 years ago

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will pay tribute to Mr. Jimmy Cliff, OM – the recipient of IRIE FM’s first lifetime achievement award. The ceremony, which will be hosted by Professor Carolyn Cooper, will recognize his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry and feature a special acoustic performance by the honoree. The initiative forms part of Irie FM’s activities to commemorate Black History and Reggae Month. WHO: Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP Minister of Tourism WHAT:...

Guam to commemorate 100th anniversary of SMS Cormoran Scuttling

7 years ago

On Friday, April 7, 2017, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the scuttling of the SMS Cormoran II. The peace memorial event will include a series of educational, promotional, and diving opportunities to expose the public to the history of the German ship and its connection to Guam prior to World War I The Cormoran’s incredible story includes being part of the first shot fired by the United States upon entering World War I on April 7, 1917 and how it became...

Paris municipality to construct bulletproof glass wall around Eiffel Tower

7 years ago

The Paris municipality plans to set up a bullet-proof glass wall around the French capital’s iconic Eiffel Tower as part of a multi-million euro plan to help prevent terrorist attacks on the historical monument. “The terror threat remains high in Paris and the most vulnerable sites, led by the Eiffel Tower, must be the object of special security measures,” said the deputy mayor, Jean-Francois Martins, on Thursday. The glass wall surrounding Eiffel tower, which was constructed in 1889, will...

World raises a glass of its favorite whisky to International Scotch Day

7 years ago

In honor of Scotland’s gift to the world, to the spirit that has long drawn people in through its status and style, this Friday February 10th 2017 the inaugural International Scotch Day will be celebrated worldwide. The day invites people everywhere to raise a glass of Scotch to celebrate a drink that’s made to be enjoyed with good company, wherever and whenever. Ronan Beirne, Global Marketing Director from Diageo commented, “Scotch is the world’s favorite whisky. No...