Sydney’s premiere Summer cultural event, Sydney Festival has entertained thousands of local and visiting audiences over the past fortnight with its huge program of events that celebrate circus, theatre, dance, music, visual arts, opera and more. Whether swimming in a 60-metre wide ocean of 1.1 million recycled translucent balls at The Beach; inhaling the smell of a city at Scent of Sydney; or seeing a world premiere performance from Sydney Dance Company in Nude Live where dancers respond to...
Virtual or augmented reality and robots all expected by thrill-seekers in China, research shows 70% of visitors to theme parks in China expect virtual reality experiences and guides at resorts within three years. Just under half (49%) expect to enjoy augmented reality games or be personally assisted by robots, a survey by Omnico has found. The findings feature in the first Omnico Chinese Theme Park Barometer exploring the expectations of 670 guests at Chinese theme parks. “These results...
Bharat Parv – or India Festival – will be held at the famed historic Red Fort in New Delhi from January 26 to 31, as part of the Republic Day celebrations and to inculcate the spirit of pride in the nation. The many tableaus which form part of the January 26 parade will be stationed at the fort until the festival ends. Over 50 food stalls of street vendors and other attractions from the various regions will fill the festival, for which the Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency...
The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to develop a Craft Development Institute (CDI) in St. Ann’s Bay. The signing, which took place during the press launch of the expanded Spruce Up Jamaica program, is significant as the institute will be the first of its kind in the country. The MOU outlines in detail, the role the entities will play in the development and management of...
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary – a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the celebrations and socioeconomic contributions that will highlight Montréal’s 375th anniversary in 2017, has released official February program of events. NEW EVENTS Le Country, de la colonisation à nos jours A reminder about the history and importance of country music in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Country music, a bridge across generations. Every Friday from...
A year and a half ago, after the fire at ‘Colectiv Club’ in Bucharest last Halloween night, in 2015, during a rock concert 64 people were killed, the International Nightlife Association offered its help to the Rumanian authorities in order to implement in their country the International Nightlife Safety seal to avoid new cases like Colective. Unfortunately, the International Nightlife Association didn’t get any answer from the Rumanian goverment. Some days later, the owners of...
Iran is proving to be an increasingly popular destination with airline travelers, experiencing growing passenger numbers from around the world – a trend that looks like continuing during 2017, according to a study by ForwardKeys, the leading travel intelligence analyst. Total international arrivals were up 18.3% last year, sustaining an upward path since 2013 (up 2.7%), 2014 (24.8%) and 2015 (12.7%). The pattern is reflected by a consistent year-on-year increase in total scheduled seats: 2014...
Ushering in the New Year 2017, Avani Seychelles Resort has unveiled a comprehensive entertainment program featuring three of Seychelles’ most prominent artists. As the hotel establishes itself as the flag bearer of the country’s cultural tourism revolution espoused by former Seychelles Tourism Minister Alain St.Ange, the Kreol Cabaret 2017 program was launched on Thursday 5th January at a press conference at the hotel. The local press and TV stations were invited for the presentation of the...
Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the 2017 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is celebrating its 22nd year with its most extensive performance line-up to-date. Presented under the theme of “Best Fortune. World Party,” one of the world’s largest Chinese New Year celebrations will feature 10 vibrant decorative floats and more than 3,000 local and international performers, including the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams...
The recent announcement by the central government of China to ban all domestic ivory trade and processing by the end of 2017 offers a glimmer of real optimism in the fight against elephant poaching. The decision is set to disrupt the global’s major marketplace for the product, as it will compel legal ivory processing industries to close down—thereby eliminating the cover under which the illicit ivory trade had flourished. Similarly, the ban will put in place strict mechanisms of ivory...
Today the Hon. Eng. Dr. Walter Mzembi made his emotional case why he wanted to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Mr. Mzembi looked pleased when he was able to make his case in a packed room after a busy day at FITUR in Madrid. This is a transcript of his presentation. Your Excellencies; Honorable Ministers; Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps; a very special salutation to His Excellency, Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the...
The 48th edition of Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter ended today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day fashion fair (16 to 19 January), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), welcomed some 15,000 buyers from 77 countries and regions. HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau noted that the fashion industry is facing immense challenges amidst economic and political uncertainties and lacklustre retail sales. “In spite of that, Hong...
Three Chinese appeared in court in Dar es Salaam yesterday charged with ivory possession worth some 7 billion Tanzania Shillings according to the prosecution. The have been remanded in custody until the end of January to advance investigations further. The offenses on the charge sheet related to over 1.000 pieces of blood ivory transported between the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar in 2013 and there have been suggestions that the accused were reported to the authorities by other suspects...
Sydney Festival has taken over the city in a celebration of exceptional theatre, dance, music, visual arts, opera and more. Over three weeks, Sydney Festival brings the harbour city to life from January 7-29. Sydney Festival 2017 is comprised of 150 events, 73 of which are free. 454 performances will take place across 46 venues, featuring 1021 artists from 15 countries. With 16 world premieres, 9 Australian premieres and 14 Australian exclusives, summer in Sydney is not to be missed. The Beach...
Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival, is undoubtedly the grandest tradition of China. This annual festival has been uprising in many different countries, slowly but gradually spreading the Chinese New Year traditions and culture around the world and becoming a fashionable lifestyle. As the Spring Festival of 2017 is just around the corner, CITIC Guoan Grand-Epoch-City mascot – the cartoon character “Little Emperor Cutie” will act as a friendship messenger of 2017...
Returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to perform his most iconic hits, tickets for performances of Elton John’s critically-acclaimed show, “The Million Dollar Piano” for the following April 2017 and May 2017 dates will go on sale Friday, Jan. 20 at noon PST: 2017: April 25-26 Tuesday, Wednesday April 28-29 Friday, Saturday May 1 Monday May 3-4 Wednesday, Thursday May 5 Friday World-renowned singer, songwriter and performer Elton John made a triumphant return to The...
The Knot, a wedding brand and marketplace, today released its annual Wedding Trends Report of the top trends for 2017. Inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year, Greenery, which symbolizes a reconnection with nature, one another and a larger purpose, we’re seeing a rise in décor going au naturel and couples giving back with their weddings in more ways than one. “Weddings continue to be the ultimate personal statement for couples, completely customized to feature their favorite...
The Anime Tourism Association, in collaboration with Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc., is accepting applications for a trail tour and trip to filming locations of “Your Name” (Kimi no Na wa), one of the biggest hit anime films in Japan. A total of 30 anime fans worldwide will receive invitations to an anime tour of Japan, sponsored by the Japanese Government. This tour will test the value of the Japanese anime community’s “sacred spot” locations by...
Original Group, the leading expert of adult hospitality, has just announced Desire’s second itinerary aboard one of the top luxury cruise lines. The charter operation will set sail along the Mediterranean Sea in April 2018, departing from Barcelona and culminating in Rome. The luxury ship’s itinerary is a heart-racing romp through four sensational countries. The adventure begins in Barcelona and takes Desire’s guests to spectacular ports of call – Sete and Marseilles in...
Mini-bars and free toothbrushes are passé. The travel experts researched hotels to find the hottest, quirkiest and most fun new hotel and resort amenities. These properties do it better! Sleep better: With hotels in Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland and Chicago, Pineapple Hospitality group offers its guests The Naked Experience™ which provides a great night’s sleep and the freedom to get comfortably naked – just like at home. Inspired by traditional European hotel bedding, each...
Mountain resort Villa Zolitude is just 20 minutes from Phuket Town in Thailand. During a recent road trip to Phuket I wanted to experience a new kind of accommodation that was causing a buzz. As we arrived at the resort we pass from the main road up through a winding jungle road. You’re in a rain forest and as you climb ever higher you notice a slight drop in the temperature. We park the car at the spa building near the entrance to the resort and are then transferred with luggage by the...
Many Seychellois of Indian origin turned up at the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam Temple in Victoria despite heavy rains on Saturday evening to offer special thanksgiving prayers for Seychelles former Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Minister Alain St.Ange. Speaker after speaker at the event underscored how pivotal the minister has been in taking the country’s tourism industry to much greater heights and in bringing special recognition to the Indian community of Seychelles by launching...
Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority has slammed government plans for opening cinemas and concerts in the kingdom, saying such places would be harmful and corrupting. In remarks published on his website on Saturday, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said cinemas would encourage immorality in the kingdom. “I hope those in charge of the Entertainment Authority are guided to turn it from bad to good and not to open doors to evil,” Al al-Sheikh said on his weekly television program...
Today, Universal Orlando Resort announced that its newest ride, “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon,” will officially grand open on April 6, 2017. The attraction will give guests the ultimate “Tonight Show” experience as they get up close and personal with the show’s most hilarious segments before taking off on a wild and action-packed race through New York City against Jimmy Fallon himself. To celebrate the attraction’s Grand Opening, “The...
As traditional communities in Wales celebrate Hen Galan, or Welsh New Year today, Visit Wales launches its 2017 Year of Legends campaign. Building on last year’s record-breaking visitor numbers – international tourism visits during the first six months of 2016 were up 15% – Year of Legends will encourage visitors to discover and celebrate the past, present and future of Wales like never before. Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else on earth, offering the...
An annual ice fishing festival, organized by NARA Foundation will begin this weekend in the northeastern town of Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, featuring ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, an ice sculpture plaza and a street of fish-shaped lanterns. “This year’s festival will be held on Jan. 14 until Feb. 5, which will focus on nighttime events for local and foreign tourists who have complained about the lack of nighttime entertainment for night owls,” organizers said...
In 2018, the epic day at sea returns to Disney Cruise Line with 15 special Disney Fantasy sailings to the Caribbean from January through April. Star Wars Day at Sea transports guests to a galaxy far, far away to celebrate the legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars saga with Jedi, Wookiees, droids, Stormtroopers and others during the special day-long celebration. Star Wars Day at Sea summons the power of the Force, the magic of Disney and the excitement of cruising for an...
From February 1 to February 15 chocolate aficionados can once again indulge in Brussels. For the third time visit.brussels focuses on chocolate during the Chocolate weeks. Armed with a Chocolate pass, the visitor will be able to sample more than 20 chocolatiers’ delicacies while also enjoying discounts to the chocolate museums and purchases at various chocolate stores. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and the Salon du Chocolat in Brussels set to run from 10 – 12 February chocolate is...
Ushering in the New Year 2017, Avani Seychelles Resort has unveiled a comprehensive entertainment program featuring three of Seychelles’ most prominent artists. As the hotel establishes itself as the flag bearer of the country’s cultural tourism revolution espoused by former Seychelles Tourism Minister Alain St.Ange, the Kreol Cabaret 2017 program was launched on Thursday 5th January at a press conference at the hotel. The local press and TV station were invited for the presentation of the...
According to media reports, Morocco has banned production and sale of burqas – full-face Muslim veils. The ban was apparently enacted for security reasons. While there was no official announcement by authorities in the North African nation, the reports said the interior ministry order would take effect this week. “We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom,” one news site quoted...
