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    Helsinki Airport Partners with Plugit Finland to Establish Charging Area for Electric Taxis

    “Hundreds of electric taxis visit Helsinki Airport every day, and the number is growing. We are pleased that, in cooperation with Plugit Finland, we will be able to offer taxis operating at the airport their own charging area in a central location. We believe that the new charging station will be well received,” says Jukka Isomäki, Finavia’s Head of Parking and Landside Traffic at Helsinki Airport.
    The total power output of the charging area for electric taxis to be built at Helsinki Airport is considerable, about 4 megawatts. The charging area uses Plugit’s high-power charging system.
    “With an implementation of this scale, we absolutely wanted to have a Finnish charging system and operating software. By investing in public charging stations for commercial transport, we are doing our part to help commercial transport transfer quickly to electric vehicles,” says Tuomas Mäkelä, who is responsible for Plugit’s charging business for commercial transport.
    The power planning of the charging area means the station can later be extended to support the charging of up to 100 electric taxis simultaneously.

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    World Cities Branding Conference opens in China’s Macao

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    World Cities Branding Conference opens in China’s Macao

    The 2023 World Cities Branding Conference opened at the MGM Cotai in Macao, China, last week. Government officials, industry experts and guest speakers across the world exchanged views on city branding, cultural exchanges, tourism and sustainable urban development.
    The conference was founded to support Chinese cities to build their branding and find new growth momentum in the cultural and tourism sector. The event also unveiled the 2023 Great Wall Award – Culture & Tourism Branding Award, with the trending BBQ of Zibo City in Shandong Province winning the gold medal, among 50 outstanding cases of the year.
    The first World Cities Branding Conference is initiated and organized by the Organizing Committee of the World Cities Branding Conference, and co-hosted by the World Tourism Economy Research Center. Phoenix New Media organized the event. MGM is also the chief partner and the official venue provider. And HONDA INSPIRE is the goodwill partner.
    The conference is supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. China Advertising Association and Communication University of China School of Advertisement, along with many other research institutes, join hands in developing this world-level international forum focusing on branding for cultural and tourism industries.
    Lei Wai Nong, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR government; Pansy Ho, Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited; Yang Hao, Deputy Director of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR.; Vincent U U Sang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Sun Yusheng, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix New Media Limited; Zhang Guohua, President of China Advertising Association and Vice President of International Advertising Association; and Ding Junjie, Professor of Communication University of China and Director of the National Institute of Advertising, attended and spoke at the conference. Kenneth Feng, President, Strategic and CFO of MGM, also joined the event.ADVERTISEMENTH.E. Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China; H.E. Mr. Alain Wong, Ambassador of Mauritius to China; H.E. Mr.John Busuttil, Ambassador of Malta to China; Patrick Nijs, Former Ambassador of Belgium to China; and Souad Zaidi, General Secretary of the Moroccan Association of mayors and Former Member of Moroccan Parliament; Robert Govers, Founding Chairman of the Internationa Place Branding Association (IPBA); John D Chacko, Global VP of International Advertising Association and Chairman of IAA World Congress 2024 also attended and spoke at the event.
    Wu Hongbo, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Honorary President of China International Public Relations Association; Hae-Guk HWANG, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the World Tourism Organization, and Shan Jixiang, Chairman of the China Cultural Relics Academy and Former Director of the Palace Museum, also gave video speeches at the opening ceremony.
    During the two-day conference, experts from across the world spoke at the event and shared their insights, including Denis Bax, Chief of the Communication, Cities and Events (CCE) Unit and Secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; David Aaker, “Father of Modern Branding”, the Vice-Chair of Prophet Consulting Firm; Zhang Hui, Member of the “14th Five-Year Plan” National Development Planning Expert Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of World Tourism Cities Federation; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Ouyang Changlin, Director of the Live Streaming Committee of CTAA and The former president of Hunan Broadcasting System; Robert Govers, Founding Chairman of the Internationa Place Branding Association (IPBA); Ray Ng, Executive Chairman of The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau; Ji Xiaodong, President of the China Chamber of Tourism (CCT); Prof. Wu Bihu from Peking University; and Yang Jie, Vice Chairman of Beijing ByteDance Charity Foundation.
    Lei Wai Nong, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR government, said the founding of the World Cities Branding Conference is important, as this platform is key for cities across the world to exchange ideas, empower global engagement and promote people-to-people exchanges, to explore new opportunities. He added that the traditionally strong-branded cities need to speed up on urban renewal, working together with emerging cities, and share development opportunities.
    Pansy Ho, the Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited, expressed her aspirations during her speech. She emphasized the importance of Chinese cultural and tourism brands showcasing their exceptional qualities on a global platform, with the ultimate goal of becoming internationally recognized brands. Furthermore, she shared valuable insights regarding the Global Tourism Economy Forum, a global forum that she initiated in Macao, which has served as a pivotal platform for the global cultural and tourism industry to gain a deeper understanding of the authentic China over the past decade.
    Sun Yusheng, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix New Media Limited said as China undergoes urbanization, Chinese cities shall figure out their very own characteristics and charisma. Sun said he hoped Phoenix Satellite TV and Phoenix New Media can play their unique roles in helping cities shape their branding.
    At the conference, two academic reports were launched, including the China Area Branding Value Report, presented by Prof. Ding Junjie of Communication University of China, also Director of the National Institute of Advertising, and the 2023 World Cities Branding Index Report, jointly presented by Zhang Tingting, Executive Chairman of the World Cities Branding Conference, also the Director of the Tourism Communication Research Center of the Advertising School at the communication university of China, and Scott Chen, Managing Director of Brand Finance China. The index covers 7 pillars including commercial and trade, livability, cultural heritage, people’s values, sustainability & transportation accessibility, governance, and education & science.
    Industry experts, government officials also joined a series of high-level round-table dialogues featuring a variety of topics, including “Promoting mutual cultural learning through city branding”, “Building the soft power of sustainable development of world cities with brands”, “Innovate Macao’s cultural and tourism brand by content creation”, “World-level tourism cities branding development and communication”, “Youth design and city development”, “Opportunities and challenges for high-quality development of China’s county culture and tourism”, “Building Lushan as a world-class tourism destination”, “City creativity and international communication”, etc.
    Among these forums, government officials from Zhangjiakou City of Hebei Province, and Lushan City of Jiangxi Province, Tahe County of Heilongjiang Province, and Argara of Morocco shared their insights and experiences about on how to build good city branding at a panel discussion moderated by Xu Yue, co-initiator of the World Cities Branding Conference and Director of Culture and Tourism Communication at Phoenix New Media.
    On July 4, a forum themed “MGM Dialogue: Rediscover the Value of Macao” focused on the branding development of Macao and the city’s culture and tourism industry development, with experts from across sectors sharing their opinions. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, said it is important to explore effective marketing and communication campaigns to allow more tourists and general public from across the world to learn and understand the wonderfulness and uniqueness of Macao, a world-renowned tourism destination.
    Phoenix New Media also launched a brand new IP “Let the World Fall in Love with Chinese Cities”. The initiative will work with over 100 Chinese cities to better showcase their culture and tourism branding and offerings to the world, on the platforms of the Phoenix media and social platforms.
    The event also unveiled the gold, silver and bronze awards for the Annual Good Culture and Tourism Award, a special selection of the renowned Great Wall Award. This was the first ranking of top 50 outstanding cases by the conference, covering 5 areas of best cases for branding communication and campaigns.

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    World Culinary Awards Ceremony 2023

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    World Culinary Awards Ceremony 2023

    The 4th annual World Culinary Awards Ceremony will be hosted at Mezzaluna at Lebua State Tower in Bangkok, Thailand, where winners will celebrate their victory on 31 July 2023.World Culinary Awards™ serves to celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry through our annual awards programme. World Culinary Awards™ is the sister event of World Travel Awards™, itself inaugurated in 1994.

    Receiving a World Culinary Award™ is a world-class achievement that provides you, the Winner, with the ideal marketing tool to promote your award-winning products and services ahead of your competitors.This years awards will be held at the highly acclaimed and celebrated Mezzaluna at Lebua State Tower in Bangkok, Thailand.
    About Mezzaluna
    ADVERTISEMENTBecause the finest ingredients are the freshest ingredients, Chef Ryuki’s seven-course tasting menus change with the seasons—with one exception. The menu’s only staple: his specialty wagyu beef, called “Exceptional Murakami” because it comes from a small breed of top-quality calves from his hometown in Niigata Prefecture. The calves are raised only on rice, straw and hay, plus a mixture of carefully selected compound feed. The result is exquisitely marbled, melt-in-your-mouth beef that you can only find in Japan—or here at Mezzaluna.
    Chef Ryuki applies the same exacting care to sourcing each ingredient in every plate at Mezzaluna—from oysters to truffles to tea—many of them exclusive to Mezzaluna.
    It’s the same care that goes into preparing each dish, to stocking our world-class wine cellar and to providing stellar service—ensuring that you have the meal of a lifetime.
    Mezzaluna means ‘half moon,’ and here you feel like you could just about reach out and touch it. On the 65th floor of State Tower, Mezzaluna is the crown jewel of our vertical destination. With double-height windows surrounding the crescent-shaped dining room, each table offers the best views in Bangkok—not to mention its fine food. It’s all enough to leave you moonstruck.

    lebua.com/restaurants/mezzaluna/
    Look out for details on the winners as they are published after the event, see who will be celebrating their success this year?
    For more information visit https://worldculinaryawards.com/

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    Qatar Airways Group Reports Record Revenues More

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    IATA Statement on Schiphol Airport Capacity Cuts

    We are disappointed by the decision of the Dutch Appeal Court to overturn a court decision which found the Dutch Government’s experimental regulation to reduce capacity at Schiphol in violation of its obligations under the Balanced Approach.
    Governments have long recognized that international aviation must operate to global standards. As a result, governments, including the Dutch Government, are signatories to the Chicago Convention and its Annexes, which include the Balanced Approach. The Balanced Approach has even been enshrined in European Law.
    “This is a disappointing outcome for travelers, shippers, the Dutch economy, and airlines. As we examine the ruling and its complexities, we seek clarity from the Dutch Government on its intentions. The full impact of this decision on the planned capacity cuts is unclear and there are no established international processes for such a retrograde exercise. We also urge the European Commission to defend its laws and air service agreements. And most importantly, we continue to ask the Dutch government to revert to the Balanced Approach which is the most effective and only internationally accepted means of dealing with the noise concerns of the local community,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
    The parties that joined IATA’s action include Air Canada, United Airlines, FedEx, JetBlue, British Airways, Vueling, Lufthansa, and Airlines for America.

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    Trip.com Group Hosts Abu Dhabi Delegation

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    Trip.com Group Hosts Abu Dhabi Delegation

    Trip.com Group hosted a delegation led by H.E. Saleh Al Geziry, the Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and TourismDuring their visit to the Group’s HQ, H.E. Saleh Al Geziry and his delegation were welcomed by Trip.com Group CMO Bo Sun. Both parties discussed ways to enhance the strong relationship as well as new areas of collaboration to promote Abu Dhabi.
    The two parties signed a strategic partnership at the Arabian Travel Market last year to promote the UAE capital as a premium travel destination, with campaigns targeting travellers in key markets across Asia and Europe.
    During the discussion, both sides expressed willingness to deepen cooperation in various areas, including product development and marketing, particularly in newly developed Abu Dhabi attractions.
    Mr Bo Sun and H.E. Saleh Al Geziry shared ideas on enhancing product variety and strategies to leverage Trip.com Group’s channels to further promote Abu Dhabi’s new offerings and increase visitor arrivals.
    Both sides also touched on various ideas to enhance Abu Dhabi’s presence and influence in the Chinese market.ADVERTISEMENTCtrip search volume shows that Abu Dhabi-related keywords far exceeded the level seen from January to June 2019. The average daily flight search volume in 2023 has increased by 78% compared to the same period.
    Mr Bo Sun, expressed, “We at Trip.com Group are excited to enhance our partnership and collaboration with Abu Dhabi, a remarkable travel destination known for its fascinating history, breathtaking natural beauty, and lively cultural scene.
    “With its extensive brand portfolio and worldwide network, Trip.com Group will strategically expand its reach in the Middle East while supporting its destination partners, including Abu Dhabi.
    “We are honoured to host H.E. Saleh Al Geziry and his delegation, and we appreciated the engaging discussion. Going forward, Trip.com Group will continue to leverage its strengths in marketing and technology capabilities to showcase and promote Abu Dhabi’s beauty and diverse experiences to international travellers worldwide.”

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    BAHA MAR CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BAHAMIAN INDEPENDENCE

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    BAHA MAR CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BAHAMIAN INDEPENDENCE

    Baha Mar, the leading integrated resort in the Caribbean, proudly joins the nation of The Bahamas in commemorating 50 years of independence this July.
    The golden jubilee, officially recognized on July 10, showcases the country’s resiliency, culture, and heritage after gaining independence from British rule in 1973. The resort is thrilled to introduce a series of events and activities for guests and locals, including live musical performances, Junkanoo Rush celebrations, cultural and artistic demonstrations, firework displays, and much more. As The Bahamas commemorates this significant milestone of freedom, Baha Mar stands proudly together with the country, paying tribute to the remarkable journey of the island nation and its people.Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar, expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “As we celebrate 50 years of Bahamian independence, Baha Mar takes immense pride in honoring the nation’s achievements and vibrant culture. The establishment of The Baha Mar Resort Foundation reflects our deep commitment to preserving our heritage to the community. We look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion and experiencing the soul of The Bahamas.”
    Baha Mar will offer an array of daily activities and celebrations, including a lesson in Bahamian sustainability at The Sanctuary, where guests can learn about past and current Bahamian Conservation efforts through an interactive art exhibition from local artists who have immortalized Bahamian history through their artistic expressions. As the sun sets, guests can look forward to an extraordinary lineup of celebrated Bahamian choirs, where local talent will serenade the crowd with enchanting musical selections and pay tribute to the nation’s rich musical heritage. The rhythm continues with a vibrant nightly Junkanoo Rush parading throughout the resort, filling Baha Mar with infectious rhythms, spirited dancing, and dazzling costumes.
    Events throughout the week include Bands by The Beach, an outdoor, live-music event featuring the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. Guests will be mesmerized with intricate routines, accompanied by the enchanting sounds of the Conch Shell Choir and local Rake ‘n’ Scrape musicians, showcasing the unique musical heritage of The Bahamas. History lovers will also have the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Junkanoo at the Junkanoo and You: Craft Pop-Up, featuring a one-of-a-kind experience to create breathtaking Junkanoo pieces and keepsakes.
    All events lead to The Bahamas 50th Anniversary on July 10, where Baha Mar will host the ultimate Bahamian extravaganza at the Taste of the Islands Fair. Featuring native culinary delights, traditional island music, visually stunning art, live entertainment, and unmistakable hospitality that have made The Bahamas the Caribbean’s premier luxury travel destination for 50 incredible years.ADVERTISEMENTThe resort is steadfast in its unwavering commitment to the nation, ensuring the legacy of The Bahamas thrives for generations to come.
    For more information on the Baha Mar 50th anniversary celebrations, please visit https://bahamar.com/ or follow along at @BahaMarResorts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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    Successful Conclusion to IATA Wings of Change Americas 2023 in Mexico City

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    Successful Conclusion to IATA Wings of Change Americas 2023 in Mexico City

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) successfully hosted the 13th edition of Wings of Change Americas (WOCA 2023), bringing this keynote aviation conference to Mexico for the first time.“Fostering aviation in support of socioeconomic recovery” was the conference theme, which brought together more than 400 delegates to Mexico City on 27-28 June 2023. Participants engaged in dialogue between the airline industry, governments, the tourism sector, and other stakeholders in the air travel value chain, discussing the various aspects of harnessing the potential of aviation in driving economic resurgence and social progress across Latin America and the Caribbean.
    Key highlights and takeaways include:Collaboration for Success: One resounding message was the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Governments, airlines, airports, and regulatory bodies acknowledged that the potential of aviation and the wider travel & tourism sector across the region could best be maximized through joint efforts. IATA looks forward to working with the Mexican Government to create a joint agenda to further utilize aviation to create jobs and economic opportunities for the country and its people.
    Sustainable Aviation: Airlines are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the regulatory framework to support this goal is still lacking across Latin America and the Caribbean. Governments need to act quickly to create the right production incentives for the advancement of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
    Inclusive and Diverse Industry: Speakers highlighted the need for equal opportunities, gender balance, and diverse representation across all levels of the industry. By fostering an inclusive environment, aviation can harness the power of diverse perspectives, talent, and ideas, driving innovation and progress. IATA’s 25by2025 campaign was also showcased, with ANAC, Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency, official signing up to the initiative during the event.
    Technology as an Enabler: The transformative power of technology in aviation was showcased. Speakers and innovators shared cutting-edge solutions, highlighting the important role of data analytics in enhancing safety, efficiency, and the passenger experience. It was evident that embracing personalization and digitalization is key to meeting today’s passengers’ expectations.ADVERTISEMENTIn his remarks, Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas, highlighted the resilience of the aviation industry, which despite the pandemic and ongoing economic, political and social instabilities, had recovered to just shy of 2019 traffic levels across Latin America and the Caribbean. Given that more than 90% of tourists to the region arrive by air, he reminded all that supporting aviation directly sustains tourism and the well-being of the country. As air transport unites people, families, communities, cultures, creating business opportunities and dreams, and plays a key role in the value chain of important commodity exports, governments must address aviation as a state priority that transcends political change.
    The next Wings of Change Americas event is planned for April 2024 in Santiago de Chile.

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    IATA Releases Industry Net Zero Tracking Methodology

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    IATA Releases Industry Net Zero Tracking Methodology

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will publish an annual Track Zero report using IATA’s Net Zero Tracking Methodology to report industry-level progress towards aviation’s commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
    The Net Zero Tracking Methodology and related reporting process were developed with industry experts. IATA will aggregate and report annually inputs from IATA member airlines on an industry basis. After thorough validation, aggregate industry data from the previous calendar year will be reported annually in the fourth quarter of each year. The first report with airline-contributed data is planned for publication in Q4 2024. Non-IATA member airlines are also encouraged to contribute data and participate in the reporting.
    “Transparency is a critical element of aviation’s decarbonization. We will report our progress annually to ensure standardized, accurate and comprehensive reporting of aviation’s journey to net zero. Industry-level data in the Track Zero report will help airlines, governments, and investors with tools to improve decision-making to accelerate progress,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
    Individual airlines may use the aggregate data of the Track Zero report to benchmark their own progress towards decarbonization. They may also choose to report their progress on decarbonization to key stakeholders including governments, investors and customers, using IATA’s Net Zero Tracking Methodology.
    “Decarbonization is an industry challenge, not a competitive issue. Nonetheless, the report and the methodology behind it can enable benchmarking that could intensify decarbonization efforts by spreading the success of best practices and sparking innovation,” said Owens Thomsen.ADVERTISEMENTKey features of the Net Zero Tracking Methodology include:
    Standardization: The methodology establishes a transparent framework for accurate reporting that can be used industry-wide by identifying the relevant emissions scope, sources, and processes for emissions tracking and measurement.
    Accuracy: The methodology includes best practices for data collection and validation with minimal administrative burden.
    Comprehensiveness:  The methodology accommodates reporting of all manner of decarbonization activities on a lifecycle basis, including usage of conventional and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon offsets/carbon capture, and future power sources (hybrid-electric, electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft).
    The decision to publish a Track Zero report follows the release by IATA of five roadmaps detailing critical actions for aviation to achieve net zero CO2 by 2050. They address aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, operations, finance, and policy. Together, they show a clear direction and will evolve with the insights of the Track Zero report, practical experience and emerging technologies to help aviation set interim milestones on the way to net zero.

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    UNWTO and Alpitour World Partner to Drive Innovation and Sustainability in Tourism

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