Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

As the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit kicks off in Kigali today, WTTC president Julia Simpson revealed that the global tourism sector is making a robust comeback.
The latest data from WTTC and its partner Oxford Economics shows that global travel is surging back, with all regions recovering faster than previously expected, with Asia-Pacific leading the way.
Speaking at the opening of the 23rd Global Summit, Simpson said: “Our latest data highlights our sector’s enduring appeal and resilience and is recovering faster than anticipated.
“This trend underlines the longstanding consumer appetite for travel, and despite China’s full recovery potential yet to be realised, the global sector’s performance is exceeding expectations.”
WTTC recently launched the latest industry-shaping Environmental Impact Research data (ESR), in partnership with the Sustainable Tourism Global Centre (STGC), part of the ministry of tourism of Saudi Arabia.
Last year, during the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh, the two organisations launched the collaboration and unveiled the inaugural results including the accurate greenhouse gas emissions for the first time ever.
This represents the most comprehensive environmental data in tourism history including the sector’s energy, and water use footprint.
Not only tells the sector’s direct impact, but also its supply chain impacts, both within national borders and those that are embedded in tourism’s international supply chains.
According to the data, tourism was responsible for 8.1 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, 10.6 per cent of total global energy and 0.9 per cent of freshwater use.
The ground-breaking ESR data covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures.
Building upon WTTC’s world-renowned Economic Impact Research, this initiative introduces individualized factsheets for each country and major global regions, and a dedicated microsite allowing users to explore the data in detail.
Global Summit
As host to the first ever WTTC Global Summit in Africa, the event in Kigali will feature footballing legend Didier Drogba; Justin Urquhart-Stewart, Global Economist and renowned business commentator; Francis Gatare, chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board; as well as heads of state from the region.
WTTC Members, international media, and government representation from over 45 countries are also attending the event in Kigali.

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The Israel Government Tourist Office has pulled out of World Travel Market London, which is due to take place at ExCeL next week (November 6-8)The withdrawal from the international travel trade show comes amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
A spokesperson for WTM London said the event was informed this morning and the tourist board has been removed from the list of exhibitors.
Pini Shani, senior deputy director general of marketing for Israel’s Ministry of Tourism had originally been expected to attend, along with representatives from the London team.
A statement from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism said: “After consideration, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has decided to no longer attend this year’s World Travel Market in London.
“The Ministry, through its Tourist Office in London, vows to support the travel industry, its stakeholders, and those who rely on tourism and visitation to the country and hopes to welcome travellers from the UK back to Israel in the future as soon as it’s possible to do so.”ADVERTISEMENTSource: Travelweekly.co.uk

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Francisco Salado and Margarita del Cid will attend the WTM in London
The Costa del Sol hopes to appealing to more British tourists with greater purchasing power at the upcoming annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London. The main aim of the fair, held from 6 to 8 November, will be to recover some of the pre-pandemic tourists to further boost the number of visitors to Malaga province next year.
President of Turismo Costa del Sol Francisco Salado, together with the CEO Margarita del Cid will attend the event. Meanwhile, SUR will have its own stand at the travel trade fair for yet another year.Both Salado and Del Cid have presented the campaign that the province will take to the fair, the most important for the tourism industry in Malaga. With optimism, but also with caution, Salado is confident in the improvement of the UK economy and the potential of the destination to achieve the objectives set. He pointed out the strong recovery of British tourism recorded in the past year.
However, according to latest data, the number of tourists staying in hotels and holiday apartments are still 7% below pre-pandemic levels and 10% lower when it comes to British visitors.
From January to August, a total of 4.2 million stays were recorded, almost 6% more than in 2022. “We are on the road to recovery. We have made a lot of progress. British arrivals at the airport are up 12% on last year, but still almost 11% below 2019 records. The figure has improved, but we have to keep working hard,” Salado said. A total of 79% of British overnight stays in the Andalucía are on the Costa del Sol, Salado added.Turismo Costa del Sol has invested 600,000 euros in its promotional campaign which it will take to the travel fair in London. Salado said the organisation will have its own 200-square-metre stand with work and networking areas at which 50 companies and 150 professionals will be present. Meetings with travel agencies, operators and airlines, are planned in addition to 300 meetings scheduled for Malaga businesspeople at the stand.
To attract the attention of the British and promote the main attractions of the province, there will be special attention paid to Malaga province’s golf, weather and beaches. In the centre of London, at Marble Arch, Turismo Costa del Sol will also dress up an old newsstand with striking images of the province and with staff handing out newspapers named ‘sun’ – a play on the region’s famous sunshine.ADVERTISEMENT

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Expedia® and Jazz Fest announced today Expedia is the Official Travel Partner for the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which takes place at New Orleans’ historic Fair Grounds Race Course over eight days in April and May 2024. To make it easier for travelers to plan their trips, Expedia launched the new Jazz Fest travel hub which features city guides, travel resources and exclusive offers for One Key™ members such as hotel discounts and access to giveaways and VIP experiences.“Thousands of people travel to Jazz Fest every spring because they know nothing beats New Orleans when it comes to music, food and soul,” says Michele Rousseau, senior vice president, Global Brands at Expedia Group. “By working with Jazz Fest, Expedia gets to help ensure Jazz Fest fans get the absolute most out of their trips, whether that’s great hotel rates and discounts, or exclusive member experiences at the Festival itself.”
Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest, says, “This new partnership with Expedia means that Jazz Fest fans from around the world now have the most efficient way imaginable to plan their trips to New Orleans. Wherever you’re coming from, the road to the Festival and to the grooviest and tastiest city on the planet is smoother than ever before. Welcome to Jazz Fest, Expedia!”
Follow Expedia on Instagram and visit the Jazz Fest travel hub for more updates in the coming weeks, including chances to win tickets to the 2024 Festival.
In the meantime, check out these must-do activities and attractions sourced from Expedia’s local travel experts.
Live Music & EntertainmentADVERTISEMENTThe city’s usual venues are teeming with talent any day of the year, and that goes for during Jazz Fest, too. Local favorites include Toulouse Theater, Vaughan’s Lounge, Maple Leaf Bar, Tipitina’s, Spotted Cat and Saturn Bar.
Activities & Attractions
Take the St. Charles Streetcar to travel down famous places like St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street. Visit the Sazerac House, a museum of cocktails where the tours are free and so are the sips. See the local wildlife with a Honey Island Swamp Tour or visit the Audubon Aquarium and Zoo.
Food
From Parkway Poorboys in Mid-City to the French Quarter’s Sylvain or Mosquito Supper Club in the Garden District, there’s a lot to choose from, no matter where you’re staying. Make a reservation well in advance since tables tend to fill up fast during Jazz Fest.
For more inspiration, start a chat with Expedia’s in-app travel assistant powered by ChatGPT. Try a prompt like, “Where should I stay for Jazz Fest?” or “top things to do in New Orleans.” Become a One Key™ member to start enjoying member perks and savings in the leadup to the festival.
Use our mobile app or visit www.expedia.com to plan your journey with us.

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Attendees from around the world will explore opportunities spanning the full spectrum of travel and tourism – including leisure, business, luxury and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) – at the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in the UAE from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 May 2024.
Revenue in the global travel and tourism market is projected to reach $854.7 billion this year, according to research conducted by Statista. The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.42 per cent during the period 2023-27, passing the trillion-dollar mark within the next four years.
Allied Market Research valued the global business travel market at $689.7 billion in 2021, predicting that the segment would grow to $2.1 trillion by 2031. The global luxury travel market, meanwhile, is on course to pass $440 billion by the end of this decade, according to research from Coherent Market Insights. The MICE segment also continues to make valuable contributions in GCC countries such as the UAE, where DWTC’s most recent Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) Annual Report estimated that the venue’s total economic output – across 63 large-scale events – exceeded $3.5 billion in 2022.
In line with ATM 2024’s theme of ‘Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’,attendees will consider how the segments of leisure, business, luxury and MICE are driving economic growth and sustainable development across destinations, hospitality and aviation, creating fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors from across the Middle East and beyond.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Holidaymakers represent a crucial focus for the Middle East’s travel community, but leisure is only one component of a much bigger picture. Business, luxury and MICE travel are also making significant contributions to economic growth and sustainable development, with Statista predicting a global market volume of more than $1 trillion by 2027.ADVERTISEMENT“It is therefore no surprise that the travel and tourism sector is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, thousands of whom will showcase their innovations, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships at ATM 2024,” she added.
The travel and tourism sector is on course to contribute $49.18 billion to the UAE economy alone in 2023, according to figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). This figure is predicted to reach $64.12 billion by 2033, accounting for an impressive 10.2 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
As the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry continues to mature, it is expected to create new jobs and income for millions of people from across the globe. The UAE Government, for instance, estimates that the country’s travel and tourism market will support 770,000 jobs by 2027. At the same time, the sector is expected to generate ever-increasing revenues for regional economies – Gulf travellers spending approximately 6.5 times more than tourists from other parts of the world, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO).
Sustainable development will represent another key focus at ATM 2024 as the show builds on the net-zero commitments outlined during its milestone 30th edition. Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), ATM’s Destination Partner, will showcase its ongoing efforts to protect the environment and secure a greener and more sustainable future for the emirate. Pioneering initiatives such as Dubai Sustainable Tourism, Dubai Can and Dubai Carbon Calculator – coupled with the city’s hosting of COP28 later this year – will provide the ideal backdrop for ATM attendees looking to identify opportunities related to responsible tourism in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
Thanks to the region’s business-friendly approach to policymaking, tax-free salaries and ongoing visa reforms, GCC countries accounted for five of the top 10 global destinations where expatriates find it easiest to settle, according to a report from InterNations. In Q1 2023, a Magnitt report revealed that Saudi Arabia led the region in venture capital investment for startups, while the UAE topped the list in terms of number of exits. As such, the upcoming edition of ATM will offer the perfect forum for speakers, panellists and audience members to explore opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors operating in the Middle East’s travel and tourism space.
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024’s strategic partners include the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.

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Tartu 2024 will be the main event in Estonia next year, as a quarter of the country participates in the European Capital of Culture initiative, hosting a wide array of exhibitions, installations, festivals, musical, dance and theatrical performances, community events and much more.
Providing new reasons for visitors to explore Tartu and the southern Estonian region, immerse in local and international cultural experiences and connect with the welcoming Estonian people.
Tartu is the second largest city in the Baltic state of Estonia and the regional capital with a population of just under 100,000 first documented in the year 1030, it is known as the country’s centre of learning, thanks to its globally respected university and scientific community, as well as being a hive for innovative start-up businesses and the IT-sector. Whilst the wider southern region, with its beautiful, expansive countryside, forests, and wetlands, is home to the indigenous Seto and Võro people and the Old Believers community. Combining long standing traditions with a contemporary and progressive approach to living.
The European Capital of Culture programme in Tartu and Southern Estonia, inspired by the artistic concept ‘Arts of Survival’, will focus on the knowledge, skills, and values that will help humankind lead a good life in the future, shining a spotlight on innovative approaches to sustainability, co-creation, local uniqueness, science, and technology.
The programme boasts a full calendar of over 1,000 events across 350 projects happening throughout 2024, with activities for all ages and tastes and including architecture tours, street and contemporary art exhibitions, light installations, music, film and culinary festivals, and LGBTQ+ events in the city of Tartu and surrounding parishes, most of which are within a hours’ journey from the city. It will be the second time an Estonian city holds the European Capital of Culture title, following the success of capital city Tallinn in 2011.ADVERTISEMENT“The Arts of Survival are interpreted by fields of culture, from folk and food culture to music, film, and visual art,” stated Kati Torp, Tartu 2024 Artistic Director.
“The role and meaning of the theme Arts of Survival has changed over time, the last few years in particular have taught us a great deal about the importance for the need to adapt to survive. We live at a time when European cooperation, solidarity, and democracy are critical to the survival of culture,” said Torp.
The grand opening of the European Capital of Culture 2024 in Estonia will take place in Tartu on 26 January 2024 with the spectacle “All Becomes One” on the banks of river Emajõgi, showcasing the interconnectedness of people, regions and eras through images, movement, and music.
Programme highlights include:
ArCo3, 1 March – 30 November: Cutting-edge contemporary artworks in unexpected settings across four Southern-Estonian locations known for their natural, cultural, scientific, or industrial heritage. (Tartu; Nõo Parish, Räpina Parish, Kastre Parish ja Põlva Parish)
Surrealism 100, 15 March – 8 September: An international exhibition at the Estonian National Museum, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Prague and Tartu Art Museum, works on display include Estonian alternative surrealism by Kris Lemsalu and a survey of Ilmar Malin’s work. (Tartu City) 
Architour, 1 April – 31 October: The “Architour” is an excursion comprising of four architectural and historical guided tours by local historians. Visitors can learn about the collective farm architecture of the twentieth century, the hidden monumental art of Tartu, the school buildings of the twentieth century in Southern Estonia, and the Arhitekti street area of Tartu. (Tartu City – Põlva Parish, Antsla Parish, Otepää Parish, Elva Parish)
Open House Tartu 2024, 20 – 21 April: A diverse collection of buildings in Tartu’s urban space allows access to the public over one weekend. Architecture and culture enthusiasts can discover structures and spaces that they would not typically be able to enter. The goal of the Open House event is to promote people’s knowledge of design, architecture, and urban space, as well as their participation to their development. (Tartu City)
Washing Machine Made of Beetroot, 24 April – 29 December: Experience the invention and ingenuity of the garage culture of repairing and home-building vehicles, recycling and DIY mentality, which was sparked during a time of deprivation in the Soviet era still has a strong presence and relevance in Estonia today, This is a joint exhibition project with exhibits at the Tartu City Museum, Estonian Road Museum, Estonian Agricultural Museum and Kaunas City Museum. (Kambja Parish, Kanepi Parish, Tartu City)

Naked Truth, 10 – 11 May: Sauna is a fundamental part of Estonian life, where secrets are shared, business matters resolved, and the world set to rights. At this opinion festival the sauna becomes a conversation stage, with hosted discussions in pop-up saunas, celebrating discourse in the guise of a sauna culture. Saunaing together also brings individuals closer and fosters emotions of unity towards others. (Tartu City)
Kissing Tartu, 18 May: A major concert performance with an unprecedented simultaneous kissing event in the town hall square, beneath the city’s famous Kissing Students statue. This electrifying concert will feature some of the best-known tunes from the Eurovision Song Contest and a mass kissing event which is expected to draw over 10,000 visitors and will be broadcasted on TV, reaching people all over Europe. (Tartu City)
Wild Bits, 25 June – 15 September: The open-air exhibition at Maajaam, the South-Estonian technology and art farm, will feature works of art from Estonian and international artists, blending into the surroundings of countryside, woodland, and meadow settings. (Otepää Parish)

Stencibilty Goes Europe, 7 June – 01 August: One of the oldest street art festivals in Europe, which has become an important meeting point for street artists from Estonia and the rest of Europe for the past 12 years. The festival features drawings on city streets, abandoned houses and several exhibitions. In addition, Europe’s largest sticker exhibition, will see 100,000 stickers by artists from around the world displayed on a bus driving around Tartu. (Tartu City)
Out of Town Art Festival, 06 July 24 – 31 January 25: The Art Route will wind out of Tartu throughout the summer, where landscapes of the municipality will be decorated with murals, eco-friendly sculptures and installations. Care for nature is an important part of the creative process: the works are designed to age with the environment, and green culture will be discussed in workshops during the festival. (Tartu Parish)
Aigu Om! 2024, 15 – 21 July: Concerts celebrating the harmony of music and nature, with forest bathing and cultural walks guided by Estonian thinkers and artists, archaic dragnet fishing, outdoor cinema and workshops on folk medicine and food culture, all of which have the forest as a common denominator. (Rõuge Parish)
Kanepi Hemp Festival, 19 – 20 July: Cultivation and valorisation of industrial hemp is a growing trend in the world and now in Southern Estonia. This two-day hemp festival looks at the role of hemp in agriculture and heritage culture, as well as the environmental sustainability and constraints of hemp cultivation. (Kanepi Parish)

Pagan Folklore Night, 24 August: Taking place at Kubija Song Festival Grounds as part of the celebrations for the 240th anniversary of the town of Võru. The event, which combines folklore, theatre, lightshow, and nature, will feature actors and dancers from Saare, Viru, Harju, Võru and Seto counties. There will also be five simultaneous parties with performances in different locations based on Juhan Jaik’s fantastical tales, where ancestral beliefs and pagan traditions from different regions of Estonia will be brought to life. Culminating in fiery and musical celebrations at midnight. (Võru City)
Pühajärve Beach Gourmet 2024, 13- 14 September: Enjoy a culinary and cultural experience at this inaugural international food festival, bringing together top local chefs, food producers, and entertainment artists in Otepää‘s major square. (Otepää Parish)

The full programme of events and access to tickets, where applicable, is available here: tartu2024.ee

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Catalonia stands out as a premier tourist destination, and the Catalan Tourist Board is actively engaged in promoting high-quality tourism experiences, inviting discerning travellers to explore its unique charm.
As the year’s most important event, the World Travel Market, approaches in just a few weeks, we extend a warm invitation to visit the Catalonia – Catalan Tourist Board stand (N6-200). There, you’ll discover a diverse selection of exhibitors representing both the public and private sectors. Among the public sector participants are the Catalonia – Catalan Tourist Board, Barcelona Tourism, Costa Brava Tourist Board, Costa Daurada Tourist Board, Lleida Tourist Board, and Salou Tourist Board. On the private sector side, you’ll find companies such as ACAVE, Across Spain DMC & Leisure Travel, AQUA Hotel Group, Família Torres, Football Host, Alexandre Congress Hotel, Htopgroup, Hotel Termes Montbrió, Itravex, MedPlaya Hotels, Perlatours, Pola Giverola Resort, PortAventura World, Sagalés Coach Hire Services, Tech Tourism Cluster/Voxel, Viajes Olympia, and Vueling.
With 2023 swiftly drawing to a close, the Catalonia – Catalan Tourist Board has already set its sights on 2024, a pivotal year for Catalonia. In particular, the 37th edition of the America’s Cup will be hosted in Barcelona from August 24th to October 20th. This prestigious regatta ranks as the world’s most significant, and it stands as the third-largest sporting event in terms of economic impact on the host country, following only the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The forthcoming edition will also mark the debut of the Women’s America’s Cup and a Youth America’s Cup. Spectators will have the unique opportunity to witness the competition free of charge at the Port of Barcelona.
Furthermore, Catalonia has been awarded as World Region of Gastronomy for 2025, recognising its rich cultural heritage intertwined with gastronomy, wine, and cava. To explore a diverse range of culinary experiences and delights within our beautiful region, please take a moment to explore our offerings at https://isyourhome.catalunya.com/experiencia/catalonia-is-appetising/.
Lastly, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of a new website for Catalonia. Stay tuned for updates and be sure to explore it when it’s live.ADVERTISEMENTFor additional information, inquiries, and access to high-resolution images, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected].

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The zero emissions festival SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia is back. A sensory, musical and vital experience that shows that another festival model is possible. From October 6 to 8, this exclusive event returns to Formentera under the title “THE CHALLENGE” to transcend its connection with the island, its people and its customs. An adventure that goes beyond music, in which only 350 lucky people will be able to enjoy the beaches, sunsets and unsuspected scenarios of this paradisiacal island for three days. In addition, this seventh edition has had a special pre-sale that rewarded the festival-goers with the most commitment to the planet.
The event, held every year at the end of summer in the middle of the Mediterranean, is a unique experience based on five elements that work as a whole. Its secret line-up curated by Sinsal, surprises by combining new talents with great figures of music who, nowadays, it is difficult to see at such close range. A Michelin star gastronomy proposal, curated by chef Pepe Solla, which will bring together the Atlantic and Mediterranean culinary tradition with the best local 0km products, in a perfect pairing with the celebration of the beer culture that Estrella Galicia champions. Underpinning all this, the commitment to generating a positive impact in a zero emissions event from 2021, which is committed to decarbonization, the circular economy, the protection of ecosystems, sustainable mobility and awareness. And, finally, the wonderful island of Formentera, the undisputed protagonist that will be discovered through various routes and activities guided by experts in this magical natural environment.
As in previous editions, SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia will be reserved, for only 350 people, the opportunity to integrate with the environment in a respectful way. One of the main objectives of the event since its inception has been to protect the oceanic posidonia, the plant responsible for the spectacular blue of its waters, through the support of the Save Posidonia Project initiative.

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