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    Destination DC attracts international groups at IMEX Frankfurt

    Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has shared its ongoing commitment to attracting international groups at IMEX Frankfurt.
    “As we continue to focus on selling DC differently, our ‘Connected’ sales positioning enables us to tap into international insights from DC’s numerous associations while providing experts and experiences that can elevate the profile of an organisation meeting in the city,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “IMEX Frankfurt is one of the world’s largest events for meetings and incentive travel, making it the ideal time to reconnect with planners and showcase all that we have to offer in increasing business potential and accessing new market opportunities for Washington, DC.”
    DDC’s convention sales and services team attracts customers by focusing on the benefits of meeting in DC that no other city can claim – like access to policymakers, expert speakers and leaders in key industries including tech, sustainability, biotech/pharma, education and medical.
    “Connected Capital continues to be an added value for groups coming to Washington, DC,” said Melissa Riley, vice president of convention sales and services. “Whether listening to a dynamic keynote speaker talk about advances in technology or being guided through meaningful experiences and hands-on workshops, corporate members benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the city’s intellectual capital.”
    DDC is committed to growing the international meetings market. Among the activities, the organisation is partnering with Association World to engage the association community during the Washington Information Association Forum (WIAF) in Washington, DC Sept. 27-28. Representatives of international and American associations and non-profit organisations will gather for the first time outside of Europe to provide a peer-to-peer exchange, share best practices and design joint initiatives and strategies that result in greater impact. Aligning with DDC’s Connected Capital priorities, WIAF’s meeting will include expert speakers from DC’s associations. The event will also complement the organisation’s missions and values with a legacy project that impacts the local community in one of the world’s flagship host destinations for professional organisations.ADVERTISEMENTDC’s Convention OutlookIn 2022, there are 19 total citywide conventions (defined as meetings bringing 2,500 room nights to the city on peak), with an estimated 394,000 total room nights and an estimated economic impact of more than $265,000,000.
    Sustainability is among DC’s leading sectors, as the city helps its businesses reduce their carbon footprints. Among many initiatives, the local government is committed to being the healthiest, greenest city in the U.S. with the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act, which sets a mandate of 100 percent renewable energy by 2032. As a participant of the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), DDC continues collaborating to drive recognition of sustainable practices across the global events industry. Washington, DC was named the first LEED Platinum City in the World in August by U.S. Green Building Council because of its environmentally-forward practices.
    The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC is the first convention center in the world to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute. The designation focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a Covid-19 environment now and into the future.
    The ease of travel continues to add to DC’s appeal for business travelers. A $1 billion investment called “Project Journey” added new security checkpoints and a 14-gate concourse to replace busing operations at Reagan National Airport in 2021. Construction is nearing completion on the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, connecting Washington Dulles International Airport to downtown DC. Plans for a $675 million 400,000-square-foot concourse with new amenities is set to begin in 2023. Dulles International Airport provides daily nonstop service from over 50 international destinations with new nonstop air service launching from Spain (Iberia), Togo (Ethiopian Airlines) and Jordan (United Airlines).

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    AIDA supports RTL children’s house in Rostock

    AIDA Cruises has been pooling its social and cultural activities under the umbrella of AIDA Cruise & Help since 2019. With the support of guests and crew, numerous schools in developing and emerging countries have already been built to improve the future prospects of local children. AIDA Cruises is also involved in numerous other social, cultural and ecological projects, both internationally and regionally.
    The latest project close to the heart is the newly opened RTL Children’s House in Rostock, which AIDA Cruise & Help is supporting with a donation of 25,000 euros. “RTL – Wir helfen Kindern” project sponsor and “Cobra11” star Erdogan Atalay celebrated the opening of the RTL children’s house “Die ARCHE Rostock” together with Arche founder Bernd Siggelkow and numerous children at the end of May 20222. Hansjörg Kunze, Vice President Communication & Sustainability at AIDA Cruises, personally presented the check at the opening. “The AIDA family helps wherever we can provide better future prospects for as many socially disadvantaged children and young people as possible. We are pleased to be able to support the first RTL Children’s House in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and to be part of the important work against child poverty in Germany,” said Hansjörg Kunze. The 19th RTL Children’s House is a place for up to 50 socially disadvantaged children from now on, where they receive a hot meal and homework help free of charge every day, as well as sustainable support through numerous leisure programs.
    As part of AIDA Cruise & Help, the employees of the AIDA Customer Center and AIDA Cruises are also socially active for refugees from Ukraine. They have founded an initiative for collecting and distributing donations in kind. At the “Anchor Point,” those affected can cover their daily needs, from clothing and household goods to children’s and hygiene items. The drop-in center receives Ukrainian refugees three days a week. The Rostock-based cruise company’s aid offering is now spread over around 700 m² of office space in the AIDA Customer Center.
    Together with AIDA guests, crew members and partners, AIDA Cruise & Help has been able to launch 32 school construction projects in the poorest parts of the world to date. In the coming months, new schools for local children and young people will be built in Wanu (India), Ambatondrazaka (Madagascar), Shiladevi (Nepal) and Silay City (Philippines).

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    Room with a view at Canopy by Hilton Cannes

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    Now open: Sandals Royal Curaçao says ‘Bon Bini’ to the dutch Caribbean More

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    Sky Lagoon, a holistic approach to sustainability

    Although small in size, Iceland is a formidable world leader in harnessing clean, renewable energy. The tiny island generates its power from just two sustainable sources: hydropower, drawn from waterways and glaciers; and geothermal, which is fueled by the country’s 600 natural hot springs. The latter is what heats almost every home in Iceland. Soaking in the warm, healing, mineral-rich geothermal water is also a beloved Icelandic tradition, and Sky Lagoon harnesses the full potential of this natural energy source.
    “Growing up in Iceland you are very connected to nature. Sky Lagoon is embracing the nature of Iceland,” said Gestur Thorisson, founding partner along with Eythor Gudjonsson. “Icelanders understand the importance of living in a sustainable way. It came naturally to us to keep sustainability at the heart of the design and construction of Sky Lagoon.”
    Achieving Sky Lagoon’s eco-friendly, award-winning architectural design required meticulous planning, including in-depth consultation with local industry experts. It took a holistic approach to the build and launch, analysing every element of construction, spa operations and the food and beverage programme. Clean, renewable energy is, of course, central to Sky Lagoon’s sustainability strategy, and the facility reuses, reduces and recycles it wherever possible.

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    ABTA responds to Transport Secretary’s comments

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    ABTA responds to Transport Secretary’s comments

    ABTA – The Travel Association has responded to the comments from Transport Secretary today about the travel difficulties some people have experienced this week.
    Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive from ABTA – The Travel Association said:
    “The return of international travel after two years of heavy government restrictions on the industry, and minimal levels of financial support was never going to happen without challenge. While the vast majority of people have been able to get away on holiday this week, it is of course disappointing for those who have been caught up in delays or who have seen their travel plans cancelled. ABTA has been providing advice and guidance to customers throughout this time, appearing on national and local radio and TV to put the issues into context and advise consumers of their rights.
    “The comments from the Government this week are deeply frustrating and do not correlate with the events of the last two years. ABTA, along with the rest of the industry, warned the Government time and time again that thousands of jobs would be lost, and the industry’s recovery would be delayed if the Government did not provide sector-specific support for the travel industry.
    “The lack of recognition from Government that it was only March this year when all UK travel restrictions had been lifted, despite furlough being reduced from July 2021 and then removed altogether in September, is particularly disappointing.ADVERTISEMENT“We have been in touch directly with the government to share our dismay with Ministerial comments this week, and to urge officials to look at how red tape in the recruitment process can be reduced to help the sector. It is welcome the Transport Secretary has committed to engagement with the industry and it is vitally important that any conversations involve the wider travel industry alongside airports and airlines.”

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    Atlas Ocean Voyages to start homeport operations in Panama

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    Grimaldi Forum Monaco is growing

    For its silver anniversary in 2024, Grimaldi Forum Monaco is getting an incredible gift: an extension of its building that will increase exhibition space by 50% with an additional 6,000 square metres of indoor space.
    Guests will also be able to enjoy more than 2,000 square metres of outdoor space, with views of the Mediterranean from the Ravel Terrace. Included in the project is a neighbouring eco-area of 6 hectares that is currently being built by the State of Monaco.
    This extension, expected to be completed by 2025, will enable the venue to host larger events, have more events going on simultaneously and offer more flexibility for increasingly original event formats.

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    Railway open for passengers celebrating Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

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    Silversea Cruises launches ‘Trade Appreciation Month’

    This June, Silversea Cruises is offering agents, the chance to earn a £150 bonus commission on every new booking made between 1 – 30 June 2022 as part of its Trade Appreciation Month to reward its valued agents partners. The bonus is redeemable on all qualifying voyages throughout 2022. In addition to the luxury cruise line’s existing commissions, there is no limit to the number of bonuses that can be earned throughout the month – the more agents book, the more they earn.
    Peter Shanks, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Silversea Cruises commented:
    “With all 10 Silversea ships back sailing in June, and as we see a nice pick-up in late demand for the summer – this is an opportunity for us to thank our wonderful Travel Advisor Partners for all they do for us – hence June is our ‘Trade Appreciation Month.”
    Silversea Cruises is nominated as Europe’s Leading Cruise Line 2022 by World Travel Awards.

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    Visitors flock to UK to join celebrations as the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne More

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    Visitors flock to UK to join celebrations as the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne

    According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) visitors from overseas are pouring into the UK to join the celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
    As the UK gears up to celebrate, new data from WTTC’s partner ForwardKeys shows the number of arriving tourists from key overseas markets and leading Commonwealth countries, such as Singapore, Australia and Canada, are all up this week compared to last week by 19%, 6% and 2% respectively.
    Indeed, the UK Travel & Tourism sector has gone from strength to strength during Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year long reign.
    The Queen herself is estimated to have travelled to some 120 countries since her first trip to Kenya in 1952, uniting communities around the world.
    And since the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, analysis by WTTC shows that 20 years later, the number of people employed in the UK Travel & Tourism sector has soared by 49%.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2002, 9.1% of jobs in the UK were in Travel & Tourism. This year the percentage has grown to 11.7%, with a high of 12% in 2019.
    In terms of economic value to the UK economy, the UK Travel & Tourism sector has also risen by 13%, from £190bn to £215bn this year – and reached an impressive £235bn before the pandemic struck in 2019.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “The Queen is a global ambassador and has brought huge wealth to this country.
    “Over the last 20 years she has presided over a period of incredible expansion in Travel & Tourism – attracting visitors to our shores and inspiring us to visit the world with open hearts and minds.
    “We congratulate Her Majesty as we join the country in celebrating her Platinum Jubilee and pay tribute to her journey of exploration and friendship to communities near and far.”
    While WTTC data shows the success story of the UK Travel & Tourism sector over the last 20 years, the data also details its struggle since the pandemic and the severe impact of the travel restrictions.
    The Jubilee celebrations open a new chapter as tourists start returning. 
    WTTC data shows international visitor spend had climbed from £23.3bn in 2002 to more than £36bn in 2019 but had slumped back to just £3.9bn in 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic.

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    Dubai South signs agreement with ‘International Humanitarian City’

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    Dubai South signs agreement with ‘International Humanitarian City’

    Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, has announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with International Humanitarian City (IHC), the largest humanitarian hub in the world. The agreement entails the implementation of Masary, an e-gate pass system, at IHC to track and trace shipments within a secure network and ensure efficient management of cargo movement.
    The agreement was signed during Seamless Middle East by Giuseppe Saba, CEO of IHC, and Abdul Basit AlMarzouqi, Director of the Logistics District at Dubai South, in the presence of senior members from both entities.
    Giuseppe Saba, praised the agreement with Dubai South saying that it would take IHC humanitarian-aid shipments to a new level of efficiency and accuracy. He underlined the importance of an e-gate pass system, saying: “Logistics play a crucial part in IHC’s operations, and the e-gate pass system will strengthen the efficiency of IHC community’s emergency response. It will save time on aid shipment processing and, ultimately, save the lives of people in need. We would like to consider the signing of this agreement as a starting point for our partnership with Dubai South. Through this partnership, we hope to further develop any tool or facility that could help IHC and its community achieve the goals identified by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum when he founded IHC.”
    Commenting on the agreement, AbdulBasit AlMarzouqi said: “As a prominent logistics hub, we are committed to facilitating optimal smart operational solutions for our clients to ensure seamless services and the uninterpreted flow of goods. Dubai South’s Logistics District will continue to enhance its portfolio of offerings and address the increasing complexity involved in the movement of goods. As such, it will promote best practices and establish a tech-enabled dynamic ecosystem that would allow our valued clients to thrive in this competitive market.”ADVERTISEMENTDubai South was launched as a Dubai Government project in 2006, representing an emerging 145-square-kilometre, master-planned city based on the happiness of the individual. The city is identified as Dubai’s flagship urban project and is designed to create 500,000 jobs in an integrated economic environment that supports all types of businesses and industries.
    IHC, which was founded in 2003 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, is the only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free-zone authority, hosting a community of around 85 members comprising UN organisations, non-profit and non-governmental organisations and commercial companies. The international humanitarian community in Dubai consists of about 500 people, representing around 80 nationalities, thus positioning itself as the largest humanitarian hub in the world.

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