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    Chicago Blues Festival 2024: A Celebration of Blues Legends and Chicago’s Musical Heritage

    The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the full lineup and programming highlights for the 2024 edition of the beloved Chicago Blues Festival, taking place June 6 – 9 as part of Millennium Park’s milestone 20th anniversary season.
    Established in 1984, the largest free Blues festival in the world returns to Chicago with four days of top tier talent performing in Chicago’s Millennium Park, plus a special opening night performance at the historic Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. Throughout the weekend, three stages set up across Millennium Park will welcome more than 35 performances and more than 250 artists celebrating the city’s renowned Blues legacy, including a special Sunday evening performance by Buddy Guy as part of his “Damn Right Farewell” tour, marking one of his final Chicago performances.
    “Blues is the foundation of numerous genres of music and is deeply ingrained in the soul the fabric of our city’s culture and history,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The Chicago Blues Festival is a testament to Chicago’s rich musical heritage, and we are thrilled to welcome the legendary Buddy Guy to this year’s lineup.”
    “I can’t wait to hit the stage at the Chicago Blues Festival!” said Buddy Guy. “There’s something special about playing in the city where it all started. The energy, the history, the soul of Chicago blues—it’s in the air, and I’m excited to be a part of it once again.”
    Additional headliners include: Award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland; “The Mississippi Blues Child,” Mr. Sipp; GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based Soul and Roots band Southern Avenue; and Centennial Tributes to Jimmy Rogers, Dinah Washington and Otis Spann.ADVERTISEMENTThe festival will culminate with a Sunday evening performance by living legend Buddy Guy in one of his final Chicago concerts as part of his “Damn Right Farewell” tour. One of the most prolific and influential artists of all time, Guy is the quintessential Chicago Blues artist, having influenced generations of guitarists including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and John Mayer. Throughout his career, Guy has earned 8 GRAMMY Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and much more.
    In recognition of Buddy Guy’s immeasurable impact on music in Chicago and around the world, the City of Chicago plans to honor Guy and his legacy in light of his Chicago Blues Festival engagement; more details to be announced.
    Back by popular demand, the festival elevates its food options with a Blues-inspired smokehouse experience called “Wally’s BBQ Pit” in the North Promenade Tent of the Park with delicious BBQ fare and specialty drinks catered by Eleven North Hospitality. In between Blues sets, guests can stop to enjoy their BBQ, cornbread and drinks on picnic tables alongside whiskey barrels and smokers.
    Chicago Blues Festival is sponsored by Visit Mississippi, Chicago Transit Authority, Rosa’s Lounge, 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago Jazz Publishing and Entertainment and Millennium Garages.
    For more information, visit ChicagoBluesFestival.us

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    PATA Gold Awards 2024 Open for Submissions

    The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has officially opened submissions for the prestigious PATA Gold Awards 2024. Travel industry professionals are invited to submit outstanding projects and initiatives for consideration until April 30, 2024.The PATA Gold Awards, now celebrating its 40th edition and graciously hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the 29th consecutive year, seeks to honour exceptional achievements across various sectors within the Asia Pacific travel industry and motivate continued excellence in the future of tourism worldwide.
    This year’s award ceremony, which will take place during PATA Travel Mart (PTM 2024) in Bangkok, Thailand, will name Two Grand Title Winners in two main categories: Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility. A total of 25 Gold Awards will be presented to outstanding projects making remarkable contributions to the industry.
    Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, said, “We are looking forward to seeing the latest great initiatives of tourism stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific, in marketing as well as sustainable and social responsibility, which are so important to keep on rejuvenating our industry. As Macao moves towards more tourism diversification, it is an honor to support the PATA Gold Awards and contribute to showcase how the tourism industry can be a positive engine to build a better future.”
    “PATA extends its sincere gratitude to the Macao Government Tourism Office for their unwavering support and partnership. Their continued dedication to fostering excellence in the travel industry is truly commendable,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “As another exciting season of the PATA Gold Awards begins, all travel industry professionals are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their remarkable projects and initiatives. Let’s continue to drive innovations, promote sustainable development, and establish a new height for Asia Pacific tourism industry standards.”
    Benefits of Participating: ADVERTISEMENTExposure to PATA’s panel of experts curated globally.
    Brand and project exposure to PATA’s extensive and diverse members across all public and private players in the Asia Pacific travel ecosystem.
    International media exposure through press releases and other promotional channels.
    Coverage on PATA’s marketing, social, and electronic direct mail (eDM) channels reaching key players in the public and private travel sector across Asia Pacific and beyond.
    Complimentary access to PATA Travel Mart 2024 hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.
    For further information, please visit www.pata.org/pata-gold-awards-2024 or contact [email protected].

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    Women Are a Driving Force for Travel & Tourism, says WTTC

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    Women Are a Driving Force for Travel & Tourism, says WTTC

    To celebrate International Women’s Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscores the pivotal role of women in the global Travel & Tourism sector.
    According to WTTC data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40% of the total employment.
    This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.
    Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the Travel & Tourism sector, with over half (52%) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.
    Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: “Women in Travel & Tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world.ADVERTISEMENT“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make Travel & Tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of Travel & Tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”
    The global body’s data also reveals women in Travel & Tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. In regions such the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.
    As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the Travel & Tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.
    WTTC remains committed to provide high-wage jobs, gender equality, and fostering entrepreneurship through SMEs, as well as generating more high-level opportunities for women within large corporations.
    Please visit WTTC’s Research Hub to find out more about the data. https://researchhub.wttc.org/

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    Copenhagen is Europe’s Leading Cruise Port in 2024

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    Copenhagen is Europe’s Leading Cruise Port in 2024

    At a ceremony in Berlin on March 6th, 2024, the port in Copenhagen was announced as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2024 by the World Travel Awards.World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Copenhagen won the award as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and now in 2024.
    The award was accepted in Berlin by Luis de Carvalho, Commercial Cruise Director of Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP):
    ”I would like to express my huge gratitude to all the voters including passengers, cruise lines, tourism and travel industry professionals, and a special thank you to our partners at CruiseCopenhagen, CMP colleagues and to all the local companies and stakeholders that work day in and out to provide our cruise guests with wonderful and memorable experiences. This award is for Copenhagen!”
    The Danish capital, with its manageable size, accommodates a variety of lifestyles. Rich in culture, Copenhagen seamlessly merges history with modernism, showcasing striking architecture and boasting a world-class gastronomy scene, all underscored by a strong commitment to sustainability.
    “This is just what we need when we travel around the world to promote Denmark as a cruise destination. Especially at a time when we are working hard to get more – especially the American cruise lines – to come back to Copenhagen and the Baltic Sea region. This award helps to convey that there is so much else and more to experience, especially in our capital Copenhagen,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise, CruiseCopenhagen.ADVERTISEMENTStrategically positioned as a gateway to the Baltic Sea as well as the Nordics/North Atlantic, Copenhagen features excellent infrastructure and experiences to support cruise operations. The destination is equipped with a well-connected international airport, flexible turnaround facilities at the three acclaimed Ocean Quay cruise terminals, and centrally located facilities at Langelinie Pier and Nordre Toldbod.
    In 2023, Copenhagen warmly welcomed over 750,000 guests and nearly 300 cruise ships. Similar numbers are anticipated for 2024, with cruise bookings all 12 months of the year and more than 50 cruise calls between October 2024 and April 2025, which is rare for the Northern Europe region. In 2024 Copenhagen will have 10 inaugural cruise ship calls including Queen Anne, Mein Schiff 7, Ocean Albatross, Azamara Onward, Villa Vey Odyssey amongst others.
    All together CMP’s terminals in Copenhagen cater for all types of cruise vessels and segments from luxury, niche, expedition, premium all the way to the largest cruise vessels in the world.
    Committed to responsible cruise tourism, Copenhagen Malmö Port aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2025, coinciding with the anticipated availability of shore power for cruise ships in Copenhagen.Source: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/

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    The Convention Centre Dublin Leads European Venues, Winning at the World Travel Awards 2024

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    The Convention Centre Dublin Leads European Venues, Winning at the World Travel Awards 2024

    The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) has clinched the title of Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the year 2024 at the prestigious 31st World Travel Awards ceremony.
    Earning the accolade of Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre highlights Dublin and the venue’s appeal as a premier destination for business conferences. The achievement also saw Ireland celebrated on the international stage, with accolades going to Teeling Whiskey Distillery for Ireland’s Leading Whiskey Distillery Tour, Luttrellstown Castle Resort for Europe’s Leading Luxury Wedding Resort, and the Guinness Storehouse being named Europe’s Best MICE Event Venue.
    The announcement was made by the World Travel Awards at an event held in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday 06 of March. Picking up the award on the night, Stephen Meehan, Chief Executive at The CCD, said “I’m very pleased to accept this award tonight on behalf of all of my colleagues in The CCD. This award, in particular, is always special as it’s voted for by our industry professionals and consumers. Together with the team back in Dublin, I would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”
    Asked about the industry landscape in Ireland, Mr. Meehan commented, “Ireland remains a top business tourism destination and at The CCD, we are working on events right out to 2030. We know that success happens because of the collaboration of the entire industry, as well as the continued attractiveness of Dublin and Ireland as a great place to do business.”
    Since its inauguration in 2010, The CCD has welcomed over 1.1 million guests from around the globe and hosted more than 2,200 events. The 2024 calendar is already bustling with significant events such as the Women in Project Management Summit in March, the 16th European Glaucoma Society Congress in June, and the Internet Engineering Task Force 121 in November.ADVERTISEMENTSurpassing a number of prestigious venues in the competition, including the Austria Center Vienna, Fira Barcelona in Spain, Scandinavia XPO in Sweden, and the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, The CCD is now set to vie for the global title of ‘World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2024’ at the upcoming World Travel Awards.
    Votes from professionals in the travel, tourism, business, and leisure sectors worldwide contributed to this honor, acknowledging The CCD’s dedication to excellence over the past year.
    This most recent recognition as Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre adds to The CCD’s impressive tally, bringing its total award count to 64 since its opening.
    Source: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/

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    Cuba awarded at the World MICE Awards 2023 tourism event

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    Cuba awarded at the World MICE Awards 2023 tourism event

    Cuba received for the fourth consecutive year the award for Best MICE Organizer at the World MICE Awards 2023, in the field of tourism for meetings, congresses and incentive trips,The note from the tourism authorities of this country reflects satisfaction and the reference to the fact that it is an incredible testimony of efforts and hard work.
    Precisely, the organizers of events and meetings in Cuba this Wednesday showed gratitude to the judges and the industry in general for the valuable recognition.
    First of all, they said jointly, they are committed to providing unique inspiring experiences and the best service in Cuba, fully supported by the insular office of said specialty in Europe.
    The World MICE Awards seek to recognize and celebrate excellence in the MICE industry. As for the meaning of this last term, it is an acronym in English used to refer to different segments of events and tourism.
    The nominees for the occasion, in addition to Cuba as a nation, were Solways, CubaGrouPlanner, and Green Alligator Travel and Events.ADVERTISEMENTIn 2022, Solways was the winner, in 2021 MICE Cuba, and in 2021 also Solways. On other previous occasions, entities and facilities on the island were also recipients of this recognition.
    For example, in previous versions in the Best New MICE Hotel in the Caribbean category, the winner was the Paseo del Prado in Havana, managed by the Accor company and which competed with other prestigious establishments such as the Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton (St. Kitts and Nevis) and the Provincial Palace of San Juan.
    For its part, in the Best MICE Hotel in Cuba section, the award went to the Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa, managed by Meliá Hotels International Cuba. The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and the Meliá Cohiba were also nominated in the category.
    The MICE Cuba agency was previously selected as Best Event Organizer in the largest of the Antilles, an award for which CubaGrouPlanner and Green Alligator Travel & Events were also nominated, the spokespersons reiterated.
    MICE Cuba is a DMC (Destination Management Company) that uses its knowledge and experience about the destination to organize and manage events and their associated activities such as accommodation, transportation, optional tours, among others.
    The World MICE Awards recognize and reward the excellence of tourist facilities that promote tourism for events, conferences and conventions at an international level. They are based on the renowned World Travel Awards, considered the Oscars of tourism.
    Created in 1998, MICE Cuba is highly experienced, dynamic and creative, providing a comprehensive portfolio of services to one of the most unique and fascinating destinations in the world, its own documents point out.
    Source: https://www.cadenagramonte.cu/

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    Jumeirah Appoints Chief Brand Officer to Lead The Evolution of its Brand

    Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, today announced the appointment of Michael Grieve as its new Chief Brand Officer, responsible for spearheading the evolution of the brand as part of its Mission 2030 strategy. Formerly Vice President Brand and Client for Gucci, leading brand, communications, events and client development across Europe, Middle East and African marketplaces, Grieve will join Jumeirah in April.
    Originally from New Zealand, Grieve’s 16-year career has spanned roles for leading international brands including BMW Group, adidas, and Nike and most recently Gucci in Milan.  He comes with a proven track record of delivering business success across iconic international brands and will play an integral role in transforming Jumeirah’s brand, building a robust value proposition and experiential offering to secure Jumeirah’s position as a globally recognised hospitality group as it moves ahead with its plans to double the size of its portfolio by 2030. 
    Thomas Meier, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah, spoke of the new hire: “As part of our Mission 2030 strategic plan, we are building on rich origins to shape a new brand expression of ultra luxury hospitality that will enable our growth in key destinations around the world.  As our new Chief Brand Officer, Michael is integral to that journey and brings an outstanding brand building pedigree with a luxury network that will help enable our transition from a regional success story to a global brand with international reach.  I’m looking forward to working closely with Michael as we embark on a new era for the Jumeirah brand.”
    Grieve’s impressive track record includes brand management for BMW and MINI in New Zealand; the development of global campaigns and retail strategies for the adidas running and basketball businesses; leadership of the Jordan Brand for Nike across EMEA and most recently driving all brand marketing, communications and client engagement activities for Gucci Maison across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
    Michael Grieve said of his new role with Jumeirah: “My passion lies in creating and delivering impactful brand strategies that resonate with diverse and discerning audiences, grounded in authenticity and the brand’s core values. The Jumeirah brand is built from exceptionally strong foundations, and I believe we now have an unparalleled opportunity to define an identity and ultra-luxury experience that sets Jumeirah apart and supports its global growth ambitions.  I’m very proud to join Jumeirah on this exciting journey.”ADVERTISEMENTGrieve is one of a number of senior hires made by Jumeirah in the last year as part of its Mission 2030 strategic plan. In 2023, Joanne Behrens was appointed as Senior Vice President of Architecture and Spatial Design, tasked with reshaping Jumeirah’s design philosophy. Niamh O’Connell also joined as Vice President of Wellbeing, focusing on enhancing the wellness experience through lifelong learning, longevity, and inclusivity. Additionally, Bryanne Tait came on board as the Global Senior Director of Sustainability to support ongoing efforts to minimise operational impact to protect people and planet.
    For more information visit jumeirah.com

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    MADEIRA IS, FOR THE 10TH TIME, THE BEST ISLAND DESTINATION IN EUROPE.

    MADEIRA IS, FOR THE 10TH TIME, THE BEST ISLAND DESTINATION IN EUROPE. PORTO SANTO IS THE BEST BEACH DESTINATION AND THE MADEIRA PROMOTION ASSOCIATION THE BEST TOURISM ENTITY.Funchal will host two international World Travel Awards galas in November this year.
    The Region obtained triple distinction at the 31st European Gala of the World Travel Awards taking place tonight at The Ritz Cartlon, in Berlin, Germany.
    Madeira was considered for the 10th time as the best island destination in Europe, Porto Santo was distinguished as having the best beach and the Madeira Promotion Association was classified as the best Tourism entity.
    The Region took the award from the other 12 islands that were also in the vote. In the race with Madeira which has now won the award were the Azores, the Canary Islands, Ibiza, Mallorca (Spain) Crete, Cyclades (Greece), Sardinia, Sicily (Italy), Malta, Cyprus, Guernsey and Jersey (United Kingdom).
    The region had already won the award for Best Island Destination in Europe in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. On December 1, 2023, Madeira received the award for Best Island Destination of the World, in the world edition of the WTA, which happened for the ninth time.ADVERTISEMENTFor the first time in these awards, Porto Santo won in the category of ‘Best Beach Destination in Europe’, surpassing the Algarve and also Cannes (France), Corfu and Costa Navarino (Greece), Mallorca and Marbella (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy).
    Also awarded was the Madeira Promotion Association as “Best Tourism Entity in Europe”, in an award that competed with 13 other nominees such as Tourism of France, Tourism of Austria, Tourism of Croatia, Tourism of Ireland, Tourism of Germany, Greek Tourism, the Spanish Tourism Institute, Italian Tourism, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Slovenian Tourism, Portuguese Tourism and Visit England.
    At the ceremony that took place this evening in Berlin, it was also announced that Madeira will host two international World Travel Awards galas next November. This is the World Golf Awards gala, scheduled for November 22nd, and the World Travel Awards global gala, which will take place on November 24th. Both will take place at the Savoy Palace. 
    The ‘World Travel Awards’ were created in 1993 and are awarded annually to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The World Travel Awards are considered the “Oscars” of Tourism and the most prestigious prizes awarded in the sector.
    Source: https://www.madeiraislandnews.com/

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