Events, Organisations & Operators,

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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ABTA LifeLine is looking for 10 volunteers from the travel industry to take part in this year’s Virtual TCS London Marathon on Sunday 2 October.
Those who sign up via ABTA LifeLine will be guaranteed a place for this year’s event and will also be helping to raise vital funds for travel industry colleagues who are in desperate need of financial, practical, and emotional support.
Volunteers of all abilities are welcome, whether they plan to walk, run or even skip the 26.2 miles. They are just asked to commit to raising £1,000 for ABTA LifeLine, with every pound going towards tailored support for an individual or family in need – whether that’s paying for a weekly food shop, covering unexpected funeral costs or providing vital mental health support.
Fundraising is easily done through Lifeline’s JustGiving page and there is lots of help and advice on the charity’s website to help support fundraising efforts.
Participants in the virtual marathon, which takes place on the same day as the main event in London, will still earn the coveted finisher’s medal and souvenir t-shirt, but can complete the race anytime on Sunday 2 October and from any location on the planet, as long as they’re outdoors.ADVERTISEMENTThey also don’t need to compete alone – if one person signs up, their work colleagues, friends and family are welcome to support them on the day. Last year Avis Budget Group’s International Travel and Partnerships Team collectively walked the marathon around Windsor Great Park and raised an impressive £2,000 for ABTA LifeLine.
ABTA LifeLine Director, Trudie Clements, said:
“If you’ve ever wondered about taking part in the London Marathon this is a great way to be part of this amazing event. It really doesn’t matter if you plan to walk, skip or wear a daft costume getting to the finish line, the most important thing is taking part and lending your support to a brilliant cause.”
Volunteers will be encouraged to share updates on their training and photos on the day on social media using the #RunForABTALifeline hashtag.
To find out more and sign up, visit the ABTA LifeLine website.

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The IAPCO Council Meeting is hosted this week by Tourism Northern Ireland in Belfast.
The international panel met with representatives from Tourism Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Visit Belfast, Visit Derry and ICC Belfast as well as industry professionals and key political stakeholders.  Securing conferencing and business events is deemed a critical driver in the region’s economic recovery post-Covid. 
According to Tourism Northern Ireland’s recently launched Integrated Strategy for Business Events in Northern Ireland, it is estimated that the sector could deliver £209 million in direct economic impact, and up to 2000 new jobs by 2030.
The busy programme of events, of which Tourism Northern Ireland was the Corporate Sponsor, saw IAPCO Council members sampling local hospitality and attractions including Titanic Belfast, a tour of the Cathedral Quarter and events at both ICC Belfast and the Grand Central Hotel.
Martin Boyle, Chief Executive of IAPCO commented: “The economic impact and social legacy that results from people gathering for business and professional events can never be underestimated.  It’s important for IAPCO and our members that we all work in close collaboration with destination stakeholders to ensure this remains a fundamental driver in the years to come.  “All of our attending Council members are delighted to have touched down in Belfast to connect with one another and share their experiences and insights.  We are looking forward to connecting to local event partners and to further understand the city’s capabilities for future events.  We very much appreciate the opportunity to explore Belfast and would like to thank Team Northern Ireland for co-ordinating the visit.”ADVERTISEMENTIn 2019, IAPCO members delivered 21,423 meetings and events worldwide with an economic impact of €13.8 billion.  Even through the pandemic in 2020, IAPCO members still delivered 13,300 meetings and events.
ICC Belfast hosted a business breakfast on Friday to showcase the venue as Belfast’s only purpose-built conference centre.  Ellvena Graham, Chairperson of ICC Belfast, said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome the IAPCO Council to Belfast and to showcase our fantastic venue and citywide offering to our guests.  We recognise that business events are crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic development, and we look forward to collaborating with our partners, and organisations such as IAPCO to achieve the goals set out in the Integrated Strategy for Business Events.”
The Integrated Strategy for Business Events in Northern Ireland, launched by Tourism Northern Ireland in March this year, is seeking to double the number of international conferences hosted annually and attract three times the number of delegates from the UK and Ireland by 2030.
John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI said: “Conference and business events are a crucial part of Northern Ireland’s visitor economy and can play a major role in securing investment and job creation across the region. Our latest estimates show that the sector could deliver £209 million in direct economic impact, and up to 2000 new jobs by 2030. The Northern Ireland Business Events Strategy, sets out an integrated approach to achieve a significant increase in our share of the lucrative business events market and by partnering with IAPCO, we now have the potential to achieve this.”
He added: “As business events return, we look forward to working collaboratively with Visit Belfast, Visit Derry and ICC Belfast in rebuilding the sector. I wish all council members an enjoyable stay here and we hope you return again soon.”
Showcasing some of the city’s key venues, attractions and experiences, Rachael McGuickin Visit Belfast’s Director of Business Development, Sustainability and Transformation said: “Business meetings, events and conferences generate vital mid-week business that helps to sustain and support hospitality and tourism businesses throughout the year.“Investment, dedicated and targeted sales and marketing and the passion and hard work of the entire industry has seen Belfast develop into a highly attractive international conference destination. Hosting such an influential group of industry leaders provides hugely positive exposure and a significant opportunity to further elevate Belfast and Northern Ireland’s presence in the global meetings marketplace. We’re confident that this landmark visit and future engagement with IAPCO by Visit Belfast and our partners will help the region win a greater share of business events in the years to come.”
Visit Derry’s Chief Executive, Odhran Dunne added: “We are delighted to welcome the IAPCO Council to Belfast and showcase Northern Ireland as a globally competitive destination for business tourism events. International meetings and conferences play an important part in the economic recovery and future growth of Northern Ireland and Derry/Londonderry. Collaborating with influential partners such as IAPCO plays a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of our business events sector and helps us achieve our ambitious goal of doubling the number of international conferences hosted annually and attracting three times the number of delegates from the UK and Ireland by 2030.”Following their departure on Sunday 29th May, the Council members will travel to IMEX Frankfurt, one of the largest trade events in the business events calendar attended by over 5,100 global decision makers with qualified buying power.

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The Committee on Matters Related to Affiliate Membership (CMAM) convened its first meeting focused on the election of its Chair and Vice-Chair and to consider all the applications for Affiliate Membership received. The Committee will submit its evaluation to the Members of the Executive Council during its 116th Session which will take place on 7-8 June in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The elections for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the CMAM have been carried out with full normality, and the UNWTO is pleased to announce that Spain and Côte d’Ivoire have been elected respectively Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee for the period 2022 – 2023.
The Committee, which is replacing and consistently expanding the mandate of the former Committee for the Review of the Applications for Affiliate Membership, will serve as a necessary institutional framework to strengthen the ongoing partnership between the UNWTO and the private sector represented by the Affiliate Members.
The Committee has manifested its readiness to start working together with the Board of the Affiliate Members and the Secretariat to identify the needs of the Affiliate Membership for a recovery of the tourism sector in its public and private component.

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Burcin Turkkan,World President, Skål International
The Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF) has honored Skål International World President Burcin Turkkan with an invitation as a speaker at their forthcoming Mediterranean Tourism Forum which will focus on why we need to re-learn how to better use our brains, thinking outside the box is today becoming the moon-shot of our generation.
President Turkkan will join a gathering of leaders of society and other stakeholders holding interests in the diversity of Mediterranean tourism and peace which come together every year to define priorities and shape Mediterranean tourism agendas.Her participation as speaker in the panel of experts addressing the theme Tourism as a Catalyst for Good, will focus on a discussion which will address key emerging trends and insights from across the industry to identify what may impact the future of tourism, and the role that the industry can play to ensure a transformational future.
“I am honored to confirm my participation representing Skål International in this key event for tourism in the Mediterranean region” commented Burcin Turkkan as she expresses her appreciation to Mr. Andrew Agius Muscat, Co-Founder and Secretary General for Mediterranean Tourism Foundation.

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Tourism Malaysia is organising a series of roadshows in the Middle East to woo international tourists to Malaysia in conjunction with the country’s border reopening on 1 April 2022. This time around, the roadshow will kick off from 21 to 29 May 2022 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the cities of Damman, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
Headed by Dato’ Seri Ramlan Ibrahim, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, the delegation consists of travel agents, hoteliers, product owners, state tourism bodies, and medical tourism industry players. The mission is to attract more international tourists, newcomers and regulars alike, to further boost the economy for a strong rebound in the tourism industry.
Saudi Arabia’s market contributes the highest per capita expenditure in terms of tourist spending reaching RM11,660 (USD 2,673) and the average length of stay (10.8 nights) before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This roadshow provides the platform for networking with travel trade partners and the opportunity to develop new sales partnerships besides providing product updates on Malaysia, including the brand new Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, the world’s second tallest skyscraper Merdeka 118, and the Sunway Resort in Kuala Lumpur that just reopened after a once-in-a-generation transformation.
Dato’ Seri Ramlan said: “We are thrilled to welcome more Arab tourists to Malaysia. Malaysia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has long been amicable. Hence, this roadshow aims to promote Malaysia as a top-of-mind tourist destination for the West Asian market.ADVERTISEMENT“Not only Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are well connected with direct flights via Saudia and Malaysia Airlines, but Malaysia is also a safe and family-friendly holiday destination plus a shopping heaven and halal food paradise.”
Starting 1 May 2022, fully-vaccinated inbound travellers are no longer required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests, including children aged 12 and below as well as for those who have been infected with COVID-19 within six to 60 days before departure to Malaysia. Travel insurance is also not a prerequisite for foreigners entering the country.
The wearing of masks outdoors is optional but still mandatory indoors, including in shopping malls, offices, public transportation and e-hailing rides.

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Tourism leaders from the Americas have met to address the current challenges and opportunities around restoring confidence in travel across the region.
A special seminar on the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT) featured interventions from the experts involved in drafting the landmark legal framework. The Code was approved by consensus by the 24th UNWTO General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, and is aimed at providing tourists with greater legal protection as the world opens up again following the pandemic.
To date, Ecuador, Guinea Bissau, Moldova and Paraguay have formally adhered to the ICPT, with the aim of integrating all of the Code in their national policies and legislation, and Uruguay has also announced it intends to do so. In particular, Ecuador is currently developing its national Organic Tourism Law (Proyecto de Ley Organica de Turismo) aimed at developing the necessary measures for the implementation of the ICPT within the country.
The technical seminar was held against the backdrop of the 67th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Americas and the 1st International Congress on Tourism and Law, organised by Uruguay in collaboration with UNWTO.. In addition to expert insights on the application of the Code, participants were also presented with the results of a recent survey assessing the potential impacts of the ICPT on ‘visitor protection legislation and policies’ conducted by the Association of the Caribbean States in collaboration with UNWTO.
Alongside this, a Panel of Ministries of Tourism addressed the specific challenges and opportunities for the recovery of the tourism sector in the Americas in the environment arising as a result of COVID-19. The panel discussion focused on emergency situations and consumer protection rights of tourists and explored opportunities for rebuilding confidence among tourism consumers in a post-COVID-19 world.ADVERTISEMENT

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The American Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have met to assess the current state of the sector and plan for its sustainable future. The 67th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas brought tourism leaders from across the region together in the leading destination of Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Across two days, Tourism Ministers and other high-level representatives, including private sector leaders and delegates form international organisations reviewed UNWTO’s leadership of the sector over the past year, with Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili’s report focused on key international tourism trends and the Organisation’s key priorities for the region, including work around education and investments.
High-level support of hosts
The Regional Commission was inaugurated by the President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, who was joined Minister of Tourism and host of the gathering, Tabaré Viera, and by the country’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Francisco Bustillo. The meeting came just two weeks after Uruguay hosted a global UNESCO conference, reflecting the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and support for the mission and values of the United Nations, among which tourism for development is key.
President Lacalle welcomed the UNWTO leadership, stating that tourism remains a key part of Uruguay’s state economic policy, and the Commission meeting “emphasised the importance of everyone working for the reactivation of tourism”, both in Uruguay and across the wider region.ADVERTISEMENTUNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has proven potential to inspire change and drive growth across the Americas and UNWTO’s Member States of the region are showing the way forward in building a tourism sector that works for everyone, with sustainability and inclusiveness at its heart.”
Alongside the Commission Meeting, both met in private to further deepen the already-strong partnership between UNWTO and Uruguay, a key ally in the region and promoter of tourism for development across the Americas, including through high-level multilateral platforms and organisations.
Minister Tabaré Viera underscored Uruguay’s commitment to restart tourism, reminding participants that this first major tourism gathering in Uruguay since the start of the pandemic, sent a clear message beyond the region itself. The Minister also announced that Uruguay will adhere to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists, and so be among the first countries in the world to take firm steps to restore confidence in international travel, further emphasising Uruguay’s commitment to tourism and to keeping tourists safe and protected.
Turning challenges into opportunitiesUNWTO Members addressed the key challenges facing tourism today and opportunities for recovery and growth. The debates among member states were complemented by special interventions, including the presentation the Tourism Promotion Hub for Latin America, Latina Tower, in New York City, and by the Latin American Development Bank (CAF).
CAF, the leading investor in infrastructure across the region, addressed for the first time a UNWTO governing body, advancing the newly-established partnership between the Bank and UNWTO. Alongside this, a policy discussion on “Accelerating Recovery and Building Resilience”, benefitted from insights of leaders from across the region, 
Generating trustWithin the framework of the Regional Commission, Members met for a seminar on the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists. The landmark legal code, designed to offer tourists more protection and so increase confidence in international travel, was adopted by Members at the UNWTO General Assembly in 2021. Two countries of the Americas, Ecuador and Paraguay have already made steps to incorporating it into national legislation, while Uruguay will initiate the corresponding process. UNWTO’s legal experts provided updates on the implementation and workings of the Code, with a focus on addressing existing gaps in the provision of assistance to tourists caught in emergency situations, drawing from lessons of the pandemic.
Next StepsOn the side-lines of the Regional Commission meeting, Secretary-General Pololikashvili met with the Minister of Tourism of Brazil, Carlos Brito, and then separately with Minister of Tourism from Guatemala, Ms. Anayansy Rodríguez, to discuss their countries’ tourism sectors and opportunities to work more closely with UNWTO in the post-pandemic recovery phase.  To conclude, Members States voted to hold the 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas in Ecuador in the first half of 2023.

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