Eliana Willis

The biggest event in Hungary’s history, the World Athletics Championships will be held in 2023 in Budapest. From 19-27 August 2023, 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will come to Hungary to celebrate the Queen of Sports and take part in the third biggest sporting event in the world.
This is the first time that athletics’ top event will be held in Central Europe, in the brand new National Athletics Centre.
The World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 are about showing the world the best that Hungary has to offer, a true celebration of sport on a unique stage. With its world heritage sites and world-famous panorama, Budapest will provide the perfect backdrop for the athletes and fans. 14 sessions will be held in the purpose-built National Athletics Centre on the Danube bank, in the southern part of the city. A further six competitions will be organised in the beautiful city centre of Budapest, free of charge for the spectators, with the marathon and race walk events starting and finishing at Heroes’ Square.
The athletes will run through World Heritage sites of Budapest, with the panoramic view of Buda Castle in the background. The historic Buda Castle District is a wonderful attraction hiding real treasures. Visitors can find here the former home of kings, the Buda Castle Palace, the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.  Andrássy Avenue, the widest street in the country, will have a starring role worthy of its name during the marathon competition. It is surrounded by majestic palaces, elegant shops and magnificent gardens. Here visitors will find the Opera House, or Heroes’ Square at the end of the street, with the fantastic Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle on either side. In addition to Pesti Broadway, many luxury brands have found a home here, and the Millennium underground railway, the first metro in continental Europe, runs under Andrássy Avenue.
The National Athletics Centre will be inaugurated in mid-June. The world-class track has been completed, the freshly laid Mondo surfaced, nine-lane course is extremely fast and unique in Hungary. With a distinctive interior design and a spectacular roof structure the facility is already a bright spot in the city.ADVERTISEMENTFollowing the World Championships, the Danube bank will be accessible to all the residents and visitors of Budapest, thus the tangible legacy of the event will be a real experience. The National Athletics Centre and its surroundings will be a new landmark in the city. Thanks to the urban developments a new leisure park will be created in the area around the competition venue, where students, as well as the general public, runners and outdoor sports enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sports.
In 2023 Budapest is celebrating its 150th anniversary, another great reason for the world to visit the Hungarian capital this year. Alongside the World Athletics Championships, Budapest will offer a wide variety of activities for the visitors. The city of bridges is a melting pot of diverse Europe, with a unique character, culture and history. Budapest is also a capital where everything visitors need is within easy reach. Thanks to developments over the last decade, there is no part of the city that cannot be reached by public transport.
The whole country is well-connected.  Hungary is placed in the heart of Europe: whether by air, rail, or road, it is easy to travel into the country, from Europe it takes only a few hours. Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport is one of the region’s hubs, with flights to all parts of Europe, and it also has an extensive overseas network, with connections to the United States, China and even Australia.

Older
Boeing 737 MAX Entry to Service

Newer
Hate travelling light? This new app means you no longer have to More

Internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro will debut his immersive public art installation Field of Light, spanning more than six-acres from 38th to 41st Street on First Avenue, just south of the United Nations, at the proposed mixed-use Freedom Plaza being developed by the Soloviev Group.Scheduled to open in Fall 2023 and remain in place for 12 months, Field of Light will transform this six-acre site into a welcoming art installation for members of the community and all New Yorkers, as well as present meaningful opportunities for engagement and educational programming.
Made possible by the Soloviev Foundation, Field of Light will honor New York City as a beacon of freedom and hope around the world. Inspired by the human connection to the stars, the essential elements of our universe, the Freedom Plaza installation will feature an array of 17,000 lowlight, fiber-optic stemmed spheres, which will illuminate with a slow, subtle change of hue. The effect will be that of a muted and ethereal painted landscape. Existing at the nexus of art, technology and nature, Field of Light will create a contemplative moment in this totally unique waterfront open space.
London-born Munro is globally recognized for large-scale light-based artworks inspired by his lifelong study of natural light and curiosity about shared human experiences.
“Bruce shares an aligned commitment to the use of sustainable and innovative technologies to spark imagination and push the bounds of creativity. We are thrilled to work with him on this significant project,” said Stefan Soloviev, Chairman of Soloviev Group.
“Light has always played a major part in my life and work, and for me, is a natural medium to use. With the light installation at Freedom Plaza in Manhattan, I intend to stimulate the imagination and senses of any viewer by creating a breathtaking immersive experience that utilizes every hue of light to create a visual Eden,” said artist Bruce Munro.ADVERTISEMENT“New York City has always been and continues to be a global epicenter of freedom and the creative spirit. The unique six-acre site at Freedom Plaza provides a rare opportunity to showcase Bruce’s inspirational and bold vision to New York City,” said Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev Group. “We are thrilled to share the Field of Light exhibit with our community this fall.”
Details about access and site logistics will be made public over the coming months.
Munro’s work has been commissioned by and displayed in gallery exhibitions, parks, cathedrals, botanical gardens, and museums across the globe, including New York’s Guggenheim Museum; the Sharjah Museum of Art in the UAE; Sotheby’s Beyond Limits at Chatworth, Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Uluru, Northern Territory Australia—the inspiration for the Field of Light; Texas Arboretum at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; and most recently Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia, among others. His work is also held in the permanent collections of museums and public art collections worldwide.
An anticipated museum at Freedom Plaza will highlight the promotion of human rights and the advancement of freedom of speech, thought, and expression. The museum’s extensive collection will feature artwork from celebrated international artists, large scale experiential installations, and significant historical artifacts. The permanent display will include renowned masterpieces, as well as slabs from the Berlin Wall, a timely and reflective symbol of hope, peace, and reunification.
The proposed Freedom Plaza will feature over four acres of sustainable green open space with walking paths; a world-class hotel and an array of shopping and dining options; two residential towers with a significant number of permanently affordable apartments; robust waterfront access; and a proposed gaming facility for New York’s Downstate gaming license bid in partnership with global entertainment district leader, Mohegan.
This socially and environmentally responsible development will link to the East River Esplanade and be accessible from Grand Central Station and the 34th Street Ferry. Soloviev Group and Mohegan share a vision to deliver on fundamentals that strengthen local communities, including pursuing carbon-neutral development, creating new public open space, adding affordable housing amid the current shortage, and generating thousands of new jobs and economic benefits for the community and the city as a whole.

Older
JAMAICA WINS CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION DESTINATION RESILIENCE AWARD

Newer
Holland America Line’s ‘On Deck for a Cause’ Focuses on Alaska’s Parks and Public Lands More

The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica (2nd from L), holds Jamaica’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA’s) Destination Resilience Award. Sharing in the moment are (L-R) Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig, President, CHTA; Ewald Biemens, Owner, Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort, Aruba; Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; Kyle Mais, Managing Director, Jamaican Inn; Vanessa Ledesma-Berrios, Acting CEO & Director General, CHTA; Josef Forstmayr, Managing Director, Round Hill Hotel and Villas; Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean; and Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board.
Jamaica has been awarded the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA’s) Destination Resilience Award for its recovery efforts during the COVID-19 Pandemic and tourism resilience-building initiatives.The Caribbean Destination Resilience Award recognizes destinations with a deliberate focus on resilience as indicated by their commitments to address some or all of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO’s) 17 sustainable development goals. Special emphasis is placed on highlighting destinations which subscribe to a collaborative and partnership-focused approach, engaging public and private sector stakeholders in innovative, needs-driven strategies.     
Jamaica was at the forefront of thought leadership at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The island, under the stewardship of the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, immediately created a COVID-19 Recovery Taskforce with public and private sector stakeholders. Based on the innovative initiatives from this Taskforce, Jamaica reopened its borders in June 2020 and never closed since.
In accepting the award, Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “This award is for my entire tourism team and all our private and public sector partners who immediately saw the need to keep the lifeblood of the country open. From the minds and hard work of the team, Jamaica was first out of the blocks on the road to recovery.”
Robust health and safety protocols were implemented to help mitigate the spread of the disease. In fact, these protocols received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp of approval. With the creation of Resilient Corridors, Jamaica was able to resume tourism activities safely and seamlessly as these designated areas had a strong COVID-19 infrastructure in place.
“It is a pleasure to recognize my home country with this destination resilience award as it validates the countless hours and effort that went into the recovery through our public and private sector partners to ensure the survival of tourism,” said President of the CHTA, Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig.ADVERTISEMENT“It was no easy feat to reopen our borders in such a short space of time and this award highlights the importance of partnerships in a crisis,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White. “We’re truly grateful and deeply honored to receive this distinction.”
For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com.

Older
Minister Bartlett Receives CHTA President’s Award for Caribbean Excellence in Tourism

Newer
Bruce Munro to debut “Field of Light” public artwork on Manhattan’s East Side More

(HM CHTA AWARD): Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) accepts the President’s Award for Caribbean Excellence in Tourism from President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig (L). Sharing in the moment is Vanessa Ledesma-Berrios, Acting CEO & Director General CHTA.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has been recognized for his stellar contribution to the regional tourism industry. The Minister received the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s prestigious President’s Award for Caribbean Excellence in Tourism during the Travel Forum and Awards luncheon held at Sandals Royal Barbados.
“The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is acutely aware that resilience strengthens Caribbean tourism, and it is a message that has reached all corners of the region and the world largely because of the efforts of one man, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s dynamic Minister of Tourism. This is one of the many reasons why we honour him today,” said President of the CHTA, Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig.
One of Minister Bartlett’s notable international successes was the establishment of The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which assembles distinguished international experts to examine resilience from multiple viewpoints, a timely and much needed forum for the examination of the key elements needed to strengthen the region’s major economic driver, tourism.
“It is always good to be recognized for your hard work and dedication, but this award is extra special as it is coming from my regional partners who I have worked shoulder to shoulder with for many years to improve our tourism experience and ultimately arrivals and earnings,” said Minister Bartlett.
Mr Bartlett was also cited as an advocate for harmonizing cooperation and collaboration among Caribbean countries and has called for a single use visa to encourage visitors to travel to multiple destinations in the region.ADVERTISEMENTHe has also encouraged the larger international airlines to dedicate more flights to the Caribbean. Stressing it was possible to compete as well as cooperate with each other, he coined the word “co-petition.”
“There is much more work to be done and I believe that the Caribbean is poised for even greater achievements in tourism,” added Minister Bartlett.
“Tourism in the Caribbean and Jamaica are that much better off for having an innovative thought leader like Minister Bartlett and we all wholeheartedly congratulate him,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.

Older
Miral Destinations and Wego ink deal to promote Yas Island Kids Go Free summer campaign

Newer
JAMAICA WINS CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION DESTINATION RESILIENCE AWARD More

Jamaica is set to host Caribbean Travel Marketplace in 2024 at Montego Bay. We bring you this exclusive breaking news from on the ground from Caribbean Travel Forum 2023.
The Honourable Edmund Bartlett has stated “we are delighted” to be hosting the event in 2024.
Jamaica was the winner in 2022 of Caribbean’s Best MICE Destination 2022 at World Mice Awards
Montego Bay Convention Center was voted Jamaica’s Best Convention Centre 2022 at World Mice Awards
Take a 360 Virtual Tour of CHA 2024 Venue Montego Bay Convention Center
For those looking to travel to Montego Bay check out some great activities, hotels and attractions here

Older
Life’s a beach: 4 reasons to visit Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi’s picturesque beaches

Newer
Miral Destinations and Wego ink deal to promote Yas Island Kids Go Free summer campaign More

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (3rd R) pauses for a photo at the end of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Travel Forum Panel held at Sandals Royal Barbados today. Sharing in the moment are (l-r) Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Transport, Cayman Islands, and Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados; President of the CHTA, Mrs. Nicola Madden-Grieg; Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean and Renee Coppin, Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourist Association.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has urged regional tourism stakeholders to redefine the industry in what can now be described as the new post-COVID era.Speaking at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association’s (CHTA) Travel Forum and Awards Luncheon today at Sandals Royal Barbados, Minister Bartlett said: “In this post-COVID era, we must as a region rethink and redefine the meaning of tourism if we are to maximize our earnings and growth. We must begin to appreciate the fact that tourism is so much more than hotels, cruise lines and attractions and that there are direct, indirect and induced economic benefits in the tourism value chain that can accelerate growth in the region.”
The CHTA Travel Forum, which was held under the theme, “Tourism the Key Driver of Generational Wealth for Caribbean Nationals” included Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Transport, Cayman Islands, and Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados, and Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean.
“Tourism happens successfully because of all the sectors and subsectors that supply experiences, so there is a strong place for agriculture, technology, health and manufacturing and many more. The real wealth of tourism therefore lies in the capacity to supply on the demands of the industry,” added Minister Bartlett.
The Caribbean Travel Forum, held within the margins of CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace, is a new event focusing on the business of tourism in the Caribbean with specific emphasis on topics such as intra-Caribbean travel with a focus on air connectivity and multi-destination marketing, sustainability, technology innovations, labour market constraints and taxation.
“If 42% of people travel for just food, it means that suppliers of agricultural goods and services have the potential to really earn, and this is just one sector. We need to let everyone know that tourism is for them because once you have an idea you can convert that idea into tangible wealth,” Minister Bartlett noted.ADVERTISEMENTThe CHTA Travel Forum panel also looked at the impact of climate change and new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence on the tourism industry. Minister Bartlett in these discussions made another call for the establishment of a Resilience Fund that would allow every traveller to contribute a monetary sum towards their carbon footprints. He also embraced the new technologies that will shape tourism in the future by advocating for “training, training, training to ensure a better understanding to leverage them.”
The 41st CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace, being held in Barbados from May 9-11, is the largest regional annual event, which brings together buyers and sellers of the region’s tourism products and services.

Older
Ryanair Places Its Biggest Boeing Order for up to 300 737 MAX Jets

Newer
TDF, Shada to set up 110-key boutique hotel in Jeddah More