Events, Organisations & Operators,

Malaysia’s premier purpose-built venue, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has been voted as the Winner of EventseumTM Hall of Fame’s 2021 Global Innovation Award for Convention and Conference Centers for the region of Asia, at the recent IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany.
The Global Innovation Awards highlight specific innovation that differentiates one venue from another while celebrating the venue’s overall commitment to innovation. The Centre is one of the four global winners, each representing key regions in the business events industry.General Manager of the Centre, Alan Pryor, said, “Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is honoured to have won this inaugural award. This recognition strengthens our position as the perfect choice for international organisers and planners to host their major regional and global congresses, exhibitions and meetings. We are further motivated to keep pushing the envelope, as a venue and an important infrastructure of our city, in contributing to Kuala Lumpur’s and Malaysia’s 2030 and 2050 sustainability agenda.”
The Centre’s zero-energy rainwater harvesting systems leveraging the building’s architecture harvests up to 60,000 gallons of rainwater per year, its landmark partnership with URBANICE Malaysia, a Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cities and Community Wellbeing, and its commitment to sustainability impressed the EventseumTM global judging panel.
This award comes on the heel of another global recognition that awarded ‘Muslim-Friendly Convention & Exhibition Centre of Year’ to the world-class venue by Halal in Travel Awards 2022, held in conjunction with Halal in Travel – Global Summit 2022 in Singapore. Aimed at celebrating the travel industry players’ efforts towards the growth of halal travel, these awards span four categories and recognise destinations, organisations, companies and individuals who have made a considerable impact on the Muslim travel segment.
“As a leader in the global business events industry and Malaysia’s premier venue, we are inclusive, sensitive and conscientious of our stakeholders’ and guests’ needs and this award is a testament to our commitment to providing quality services to all,” concluded Pryor.ADVERTISEMENTOne of the country’s most iconic mosques, Masjid As-syakirin or better known as KLCC Mosque, is within walking distance of the Centre while the venue itself houses a number of prayer rooms. The Centre’s vast customisable spaces can also be transformed into prayer rooms and ablution areas based on event needs. All of its five kitchens are Halal-certified and over the years the Centre has been the venue-of-choice for many high-profile Islamic events such as the 9th Muslim World Biz and the meeting of leaders of Islamic nations, the KL Summit 2019.
At the same awards where Malaysia is also named the ‘Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year’, H.E. Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Malaysia (MOTAC) delivered a keynote speech.

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Tourism leaders from across Asia and the Pacific have placed building resilience and embracing innovation at the heart of the sector’s restart and sustainable future.
The 34th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (34th CAP-CSA), was held as destinations across the region begin welcoming back international tourists. The region was hit first and hit hardest by the pandemic’s impact on tourism as many countries maintained strict restrictions on travel. Now, as UNWTO data confirms a 64% increase in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021, the high-level meeting of sector leaders identified the key challenges and opportunities ahead.
UNWTO’s Work in the Region
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili provided an overview of tourism trends and statistics, both for the region and globally, followed by an update on the Organization’s work in the months since the previous Joint Commission meeting (hosted virtually by Spain in 2021). He stressed the importance of working together to lift travel restrictions, with coordination key to restarting tourism and for restoring confidence in international travel. “For many millions of people across Asia and the Pacific, tourism is an essential lifeline. Its return is vital and must be based around the pillars of inclusion and sustainability, for the benefit of all”, he said.
The meeting was the first in-person gathering of the CAP- CSA for two years and brought together representatives of 19 Member States, as well as from UNWTO’s network of Affiliate Members. Welcoming delegates, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism of the Maldives and Chair of the Joint Meeting, added: “Though the road to recovery is still uncertain and many challenges remain, global coordination through similar platforms will open up the opportunity to build back more comprehensively towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism sector for the future.”ADVERTISEMENTResilience through InnovationThe 34th CAP- CSA was held in the Maldives as the country celebrated 50 years as an international tourism destination. Against the backdrop of the Golden Jubilee, the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives and UNWTO also partnered to host a Ministerial Roundtable on Tourism Resilience through Innovation and Digitalization in Asia and the Pacific. Recognising the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic, the discussion explored ways in which new technology and new ideas can help better protect tourism against shocks including future pandemics as well as extreme weather events.
Concluding the joint meeting, Member States voted to hold the next gathering in Cambodia in the first semester of 2023. On the back of the high-level meeting, UNWTO will host a two-day Global Summit on Community-based Tourism, bringing public and private sector experts together to focus on the potential of gastronomy tourism, agro-tourism and community-based tourism for sustainable and inclusive development.

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Conference Leeds, the conferencing bureau for the city of Leeds, has announced a partnership with Professional Conference Organisers and Association Management Company, Mosaic Events.
The partnership will further strengthen Leeds’ conferencing proposition and the city’s ability to offer unrivalled support to organisers who are hosting their events in the city. Mosaic Events is based in York and has over 20 years of event management experience. Having worked on a huge variety of events, they have the skills to meet any challenge or objective from delegate management, to full virtual and hybrid event logistics management.
The partnership comes at a time which sees the conference and event sector go from strength to strength, as the city and its venues continue to work endlessly to ensure that organisers and their delegates experience exceptional in the city. As a result, the city has secured a number of conference successes for 2022 and beyond, including CHS Leeds which took place in May, The 8th International Conference on Concrete Repair, Concrete Technology and Durability, which returns to the city in June and the Pancreas society of Great Britain and Ireland Conference in November.
On the partnership Sarah Bryne, Director at Mosaic Events said: “Leeds is a city that is thriving across many key sectors and has huge ambitions as a leading UK meeting and events destination. Working with the team at Conference Leeds, we are committed to helping organisers deliver events that are well attended, well received by delegates and are commercially successful.”
Claire Heap, Head of Conference Leeds said: “Over the last 10 years Leeds has established itself as one of the UK’s leading conference destinations. The city has undergone a massive transformation and is rich with history and heritage. We are thrilled to partner with Mosaic Events. Their services and skills in the areas of event management and association management, as well as their knowledge of Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, means they are perfectly placed to support event organisers choosing Leeds for their next conference.”ADVERTISEMENT

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Public and private leaders have been called on to unite behind the Jeddah Call to Action, a commitment to align with UNWTO’s approach to rethink tourism governance at every level to keep adapting to the challenges faced by tourism as a global driver for recovery.
On the back of the 116th session of its Executive Council, held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNWTO set down a marker for the future of global tourism. With the pandemic having showed the systemic vulnerabilities of the sector, the United Nations specialised agency called for the construction of a new and reimagined system of governance and financing with the aim of building resilience against future shocks while also making tourism more sustainable.
Governance and visibilityIn Jeddah, UNWTO continued with its tradition of complementing the important deliberations of its Executive Council with an open discussion on the biggest challenges and opportunities for the sector. The Forum “Tourism Futures – New Governance and Advocacy”, featured two distinct sessions – “Towards a New Tourism Governance” and “Raising Tourism’s Visibility” outside of the sector.
“Now is the time to think big”, said the UNWTO Secretary-General welcoming delegates and speakers. Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need to “realise tourism’s unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education”.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commented: “We cannot recover backwards. Now is the time to capitalise on this heightened recognition and to position tourism as an essential pillar of transformation, development and opportunity.” The Minister also reiterated the Kingdom’s plans to invest US$100 million in training 100,000 young tourism workers.ADVERTISEMENTDiverse voices around a shared goalIllustrating the diversity of UNWTO’s Membership, the high-level Thematic Debate featured contributions from Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism Saudi Arabia, Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Recreation Côte d’Ivoire, Carlos Peguero, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dominican Republic, Tomohiro Kaneko, Vice Commissioner of the Japanese Tourism Agency, Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism of Kenya, Sofia Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Greece, and Tonči Glavina, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Croatia.
Similarly highlighting the broadness of the sector and UNWTO’s reach of influence, the Ministers were joined by high-level representatives from business, destinations, media and communications, namely from Euronews, PRM Global, Interbrand, Netcom, Amadeus and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGGA). Referencing the shared desire to get tourism moving again, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the DGDA, noted, “We may not share the same ideology, we may not share the same theology, but we share the same biology”, highlighting a universal desire to travel and connect with other cultures.
Providing the perspective from the media, Ruth Wright, Head of Tourism and Lifestyle Verticals at Euronews stressed that viewers still demand certainty as the “perception amongst travellers is definitely still that travel is difficult and stressful.” As a result, content focused on rules and regulations remains relevant, even as human-led tourism stories becomes more popular. “Travellers are yearning to get back to the day when travel was fun, carefree and full of unexpected surprises,” she added.
From Jeddah to the worldWith the discussions emphasising the importance of taking a whole-government approach to tourism policy, with finance and interior ministries also part of the sector’s governance, Secretary-General Pololikashvili urged participants and all UNWTO Executive Council members advance this important agenda for positive change.
The Jeddah Call to Action recognises the vital need for more and better tourism governance, with targeted investments and a focus on building resilience, advancing sustainability and expanding education and training. It forms part of UNWTO’s wider work ensuring the recognition of tourism reflects the sector’s unique social and economic importance, including through making it a key part of the work of the United Nations and securing the cooperation of governments, international organisations and financial institutions.

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Organisers of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) have announced its full programme of seminars and speakers at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), 14-16 June 2022.
More than 30 aviation industry experts will come together at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) – the only global event dedicated to the cabin interiors industry – to speak at this year’s CabinSpace LIVE seminar programme. Representatives from Finnair, Inflight Dublin, Inmarsat, Safran Seats, Cirium, Polygiene UK, ATR Aircraft, Sustainable Aero Lab, Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance (IAMA), Deutsche Lufthansa AG and more will share their insights and expertise on the cabin of tomorrow and beyond from 14-16 June 2022.
Witness the latest innovations in cabin interiorsRunning over three days, the free-to-attend seminar programme will shine a light on the most pressing topics impacting the cabin interiors sector – from the implementation of retrofit projects; making sustainable aviation a reality; to designing a collaborative experience between seatback and personal electronic devices; streamlining connectivity; and the latest cabin interior hygiene innovations. Attendees will also learn of the current market challenges and outlook for the sector, with an exclusive market outlook briefing from Ascend by Cirium.
CabinSpace Live – Panel Discussion
The necessity of green businessAs a topic continuing to dominate the aviation sector, sustainability will be one of the themes covered in this year’s CabinSpace LIVE seminar programme. A panel discussion, led by Lukas Kaestner, Co-Founder, Sustainable Aero Lab will explore the road to becoming a net-zero industry, and how new technologies, players and mindsets will all play a role. Kaestner will be joined by representatives from Lufthansa CleanTech Hub, ATR Aircraft and the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research and President of the German Aeronautical Society (DGLR).ADVERTISEMENTSustainability will also be discussed when experts from EH Aviation Advisors and AMAC Aerospace come together to discuss business and VIP jet interior trends. The session will delve into the latest ideas making waves in the most luxurious of aviation sectors, from sustainability to aesthetic trends and technology, and the potential for their application in commercial aviation settings.
Creating accessible air travelAccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the proportion of the world’s population over 60 will nearly double from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. Population ageing is a global phenomenon and its impact on the aviation sector will be examined in a session with experts from Flying Disabled, Acumen and Collins Aerospace. Together they will question the impact of a global ageing and less mobile population; if airlines should reconfigure the cabin to keep them flying; and the fiscal impact of removing just one seat to facilitate accessible lavatories.
New trends and IFEC capabilitiesThe use of digital technologies has skyrocketed over the past three years, having a profound impact on passenger expectations, and as a result, airlines’ IFEC offering. Two sessions at CabinSpace LIVE will examine these changes. Speakers from Finnair and Inflight Dublin will address how airlines can design a collaborative experience between seatback and personal devices to become more responsive to passenger needs. Meanwhile, a panel featuring experts from SmartSky Network, Inmarsat, SatCom, SES and One Web will reflect on passenger expectations for connectivity in the air, as they experience it at home, and what suppliers, airlines and business jet operators need to do to offer a streamlined connectivity experience whilst on the move.
Anti-microbial technologies and cabin hygieneWith passengers placing an increased focus on cleanliness and hygiene, the CabinSpace LIVE seminar programme will help attendees understand how to improve cabin interior hygiene with antimicrobial technologies. Experts from VX Consulting, Polygiene UK and MGR Foamtex will clarify what antimicrobial technology is and how it can be used to complement cleaning regimes, the difference between disinfectant and antimicrobial, as well as virus and bacteria. Furthermore, the session will highlight where the technology should be considered, with examples from material suppliers, including E Leather and MGR Foamtex, that incorporate the technology into their products.
CabinSpace Live 2019
A path of success for women in aviationA dedicated session at CabinSpace LIVE will celebrate the successes of women in aviation and reflect on the steps businesses can take to help create a better, smarter, more efficient and diverse industry overall. The panel, featuring speakers from ATR, SmartSky Networks, LLC, Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (ICAA) and Safran Seats, will delve into the impact of traditional gender roles on women in the industry today, how companies can recruit more women and keep them, as well as creating a workplace environment that is inclusive and accommodating.
Celebrating the Crystal Cabin Awards winnersAttendees at the CabinSpace LIVE seminar programme can also hear directly from this year’s Crystal Cabin Award winners. Presenting their innovative winning concepts, attendees can discover the most innovative solutions recognised by the judging panel in eight categories, including Cabin Concepts, Cabin Systems, Health & Safety, IFEC & Digital Services, Material & Components, Passenger Comfort, Sustainable Cabin and University.
Innovation takes centre stageIn addition to a packed educational programme, more than 600 cabin interior suppliers will return to Aircraft Interiors Expo this June. Filling eight halls of the Hamburg Messe, it highlights the commitment from an industry excited for the opportunity to network and demonstrate their latest products.
Attendees at AIX will also benefit from its co-location with World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE). Drawing a wider audience to the show, the co-location with WTCE and the Passenger Experience Conference offers attendees a 360° view of the industry, and a comprehensive platform to identify products and services from all corners of the industry.

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ABTA has unveiled the line-up of expert speakers for its annual Travel Matters conference on Wednesday 22 June, which brings together leaders from across the travel industry to debate the biggest political and policy issues facing the travel sector.
Delivering this year’s keynote speech and sharing crucial insight and anecdotes into the inner workings of Westminster is former Minister Amber Rudd, who served as Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Also offering a window on to Westminster is Nikki da Costa, an influential commentator on politics, legislation and parliament who served as Director of Legislative Affairs at No 10 Downing Street under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson. da Costa will be advising travel businesses on how to prepare for the run up to the next general election, while also offering her perspective on how the travel industry can forge a strong working relationship with the UK Government and opposition moving forward.
Additional speakers, whose insights will be driven by this year’s theme, ‘An Agenda for Recovery and Renewal’, include:
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
Karen Dee, Chief Executive, Airport Operators Association
Simon McNamara, UK & Ireland Country Manager, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Alistair Rowland, Chairman, ABTA
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive, Airlines UK
Martin Alcock, Director, Travel Trade Consultancy
Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
Giles Hawke, CEO, Cosmos
Brian Young, Managing Director, EMEA, G Adventures
Prue Stone, Group Head of Sustainability, Hotelplan
Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations, ABTA
Andy Janes, Group Director of Operations, Intertek
Moderator: LBC’s Tom Swarbrick
This year’s Travel Matters conference comes exactly one year on from the Travel Day of Action on Wednesday 23 June 2021, so offers the industry a timely opportunity to reflect on what lessons can be learnt from the pandemic, as well as exploring how travel business leaders can effectively manage the shifting landscape and what the industry needs from its future relationship with the UK Government to ensure its long-term success.ADVERTISEMENTLuke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs at ABTA – The Travel Association, said:
“As the travel industry continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, there are many critical challenges ahead, including rebuilding consumer confidence, attracting talent back to the industry and withstanding geopolitical turbulence. Constructive and regular engagement between industry and Government will be required to successfully tackle these challenges, and I’m looking forward to hearing industry leaders and political experts outline their views on the way ahead for travel at ABTA’s Travel Matters conference on 22 June.”
Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, is the media partner for the event.

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American Society of Travel Advisors, President and CEO, Zane Kerby
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) President and CEO Zane Kerby issues the following statement in advance of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing on “Reviving Conventions & Tourism Through International Travel”:
“As Senators gather to discuss ways to restore international travel, we want to highlight the number one barrier to our industry’s recovery – the inbound testing order. This order has little to no impact on COVID rates at home, while the economic damage it causes grows by the day. Determined travelers have and will find a way around ill-conceived systems, and the costs to citizens and those visiting the United States far outweigh the benefits. It’s time for the U.S. to match our closest trading partners on this front, start managing the virus and let travel-reliant businesses recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The November 2021 shortening of the testing window from 72 hours to one day prior has only exacerbated these challenges. In fact, according to a recent survey of ASTA members, 83 percent of trip cancelations are occurring because of the U.S. COVID-19 testing requirement. At present, this is the number one cause for client trip cancelations according to travel advisors.
“A growing number of countries, including the United States’ biggest trading partners and outbound travel markers, have recently moved in the direction of removing the pre-departure test requirement for the fully vaccinated, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and Australia. Exempting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens from the order is a way to appropriately strike that balance consistent with the Administration’s stated desire for ‘an air travel policy that relies primarily on vaccination to advance the safe resumption of international air travel to the United States.’”

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Turning point for tourism: UNWTO executive council looks beyond recovery

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The Executive Council of UNWTO has met to advance the recovery of tourism around shared goals and a common vision for the sector.
Held for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 116th session was the largest meeting of the Executive Council since the start of the pandemic, with more than 200 participants and 32 countries represented. Members noted that the meeting came at a pivotal point for the sector as it learns from the lessons of the pandemic while at the same time looking ahead to a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.
Advancing priorities in challenging times“We have faced up to a triple crisis: an ongoing pandemic, a climate emergency and now the return of war in Europe,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said. He stressed that “tourism is united and determined like never before, and UNWTO is guiding it forward, with inclusivity and sustainability at the very heart of all our work”.
In his report to Members on achievements since the previous Council meeting six months ago, the Secretary-General illustrated how UNWTO is seizing tourism’s unprecedented relevance, including within the United Nations, in national recovery and growth plans and within the wider public and media conversation.ADVERTISEMENTTourism’s restartUNWTO laid out its plans to keep advancing the priorities around fostering sustainability, promoting tourism jobs and education, growing tourism investments and accelerating its digital transformation.

The Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and host of the Executive Council, Ahmed Al Khateeb, said: “Tourism’s restart in many countries around the world offers a unique chance to rethink tourism governance, communications and beyond. We have an incredible opportunity to set a new way forward, to create a strong future for the global tourism sector, and we must embrace it.”
The recognition of tourism’s importance was further echoed by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure of Cote d’Ivoire, also serving as Executive Council Chair, Siandou Fofana, who noted that “tourism is united to face future challenges”, while stressing the importance of cohesion in planning and policymaking as the sector recovers to drive wider social and economic recovery.

Members agreed to hold the 117th session of the UNWTO Executive Council in Morocco, in the second half of this year. With two countries offering to host the 118th session, Members voted in favour of the Dominican Republic holding the first Council of 2023.
Onto Riyadh, emerging tourism hubMembers of the Executive Council were provided with an update on the work of the UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in the capital of Saudi Arabia in May 2021. The office in Riyadh is set to emerge as both a regional and global hub for the sector, with a special focus on tourism education and tourism and rural development, exemplified by the first major project to come out of the office, Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.
From Jeddah, the UNWTO leadership will visit Riyadh to formally welcome personnel.

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