Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

ITB China, the highly anticipated marketplace for China’s travel industry, is gearing up for its grand live event from 12 – 14 September 2023. With an impressive line-up of exhibitors representing all travel trade segments, the three-day B2B show promises to reconnect global travel suppliers with the resurgent Chinese market.
The international participation and strong demand from industry players provide a positive outlook for the show. Looking ahead, ITB China 2024 will mark its return next year on May 27 – 29. Save the date and be part of another remarkable edition of the annual event.The organizer, Messe Berlin (Shanghai), is pleased to announce that ITB China 2023 has reached full capacity of exhibition space reserved for the upcoming event. Under this year’s slogan “Crossing Barriers • Connecting Markets”, ITB China will play a pivotal role in reconnecting global travel suppliers with the resurgent Chinese market, by offering abundant business opportunities through face-to-face meetings onsite and the latestinterpretation of the travel trends in China.
Media and Visitor registration is now open at: reg.itb-china.com
David Axiotis, General Manager of Messe Berlin (Shanghai), expresses his excitement, stating: “With the sudden opening of China’s outbound travel market at the beginning of this year, Chinese buyers are now eagerly anticipating access to international resources to rebuild and update their product portfolios. ITB China 2023 will facilitate this with attending travel suppliers from Europe (24%), Asia (28%), Americas (15%), Middle East(16%), Oceania (10%), and Africa (7%), underlining the global nature of the event, and our role in driving the recovery of the Chinese international travel market.
The exhibition showcases a wide range of global destinations, including national and regional tourism organizations from Aragón, Andalucía, Berlin, California, Catalonia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, France, Galicia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Los Angeles, Madrid, Malta, Malaysia, New Zealand, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavian Tourist Board (Denmark & Norway) Serbia, Spain, Switzerland,Tahiti and Turkey.ADVERTISEMENTAmong the global destinations, newcomers such as Beijing, Bursa, Chengdu, Maldives, NEOM, New York, Raktda, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom will make their debut on the ITB China show floor. The European Travel Commission (ETC) will once again showcase a prominent presence, emphasizing the diverse and appealing travel experiences that Europe has to offer.The exhibition will also feature many global hotels and accommodation providers including this year’s Partner Hotel Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Bintan Resorts, Gloria Hotels & Resorts, INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, Jin Jiang International, Jinling Hotels & Resorts, LN International Hospitality Management, Mayfair Cruises, Meliá Hotels International, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Restel, S.A, Travco Corporation, VinWonders,WebBeds and many more.
Moreover, online travel agencies (OTA’s) and transportation & mobility providers will be also prominently featured, offering their exceptional products and services at this year’s show. Some notable names among them include Trip.com Group, Fliggy, Expedia Group, Avis Budget Group, Bohr Omnibus GmbH, Europcar, Hertz Car Rental, Oceanwide Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Reluxtrans Car service and TOPONE Car Service.
The travel technology segment is back with a large number of exhibitors including DerbySoft, DidaTravel, Flightroutes24, Fly Today, Freed Group, HeyTrip, JegoTrip, Miki Travel, Mondee, Shiji Group, TEK TRAVELS DMCC, Yalago or YunShang Technology to name just a few.
Demand for places at the ITB China show floor is also high among exhibitors from attractions, tour operators and customized travel providers such as Bounty Group Bali, Brilliant Africa，Defence Collective Singapore, Designer Safari, Disneyland Paris, EternityX, Hurtigruten group, Beijing Tianxingjian International Travel Service, Benchmark Adventure, Bhutan Land of Happiness Tours, Kuoni Tumlare, Travel The Guianas & Caribean andYoyiyo.it.
ITB China is proud to gather top and hand-selected Chinese buyers including an impressive 86% of founders, C-level executives, directors and senior managers from leading Chinese travel agencies. The event’s matchmaking system ensures successful meetings and high-value connections, maximizing business opportunities during the attendees’ limited time at the exhibition. Coinciding with the travel trade show, the ITBChina Conference will provide a platform for exchange and knowledge transfer with experts and top-level speakers, further enriching the experience for all participants.
Save the date! ITB China 2024 has been scheduled for 27- 29 May, marking its return to the regular time slot in spring. The organizer is delighted to announce that the exhibitor registration for 2024 is now open, catering to the pressing demands of the exhibitors.Interested exhibitors can secure their presence for next year’s event or inquire about lastminute freed-up spaces to join this year’s ITB China 2023. Open slots will be allocated according to a waiting list. For more information, please visit www.itb-china.com or contact [email protected]

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The summer season is heading into its final weeks, but there’s still plenty of time and sunshine waiting for travelers to plan a budget friendly summer getaway to Coastal Mississippi.With 62 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline, including 26 miles of white sand beaches and 12 coastal communities, there’s experiences for travelers of every age. From popular outdoor experiences like kayaking, hiking, birding, and golfing, to seasonal events and sports outings, the Gulf Coast is the perfect place to wind down the summer season. This hidden coastal gem also offers fewer crowds than other destinations, creating an ideal getaway for any last-minute summer trips.“We’ve curated a large list of experiences and itinerary ideas that travelers can squeeze in before the summer season ends,” said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “With attractions, hotels, and restaurants to please every budget, our destination is perfect for travelers still looking to fit in one last trip before the summer ends – without the big-ticket prices and crowds.”
Gulf Coast Wildlife & Waters:The Tri-County coastal region of Mississippi offers travelers an abundance of wildlife and waterfront experiences to choose from. From resource centers to trails, beaches and more, here are a few must-see stops for summer 2023:
Visitors can experience birding and botanizing at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve & Coastal Resource Center. While you’re there, keep your eyes peeled for aquatic and marine mammals such as river otters and bottlenose dolphins.For magnificent views of the Mississippi coastline, barrier islands, and marine life, visitors can join Captain Jim and Captain Chris on the North Star Sailing Charters for a day on the water. The charter offers morning, afternoon, and sunset charters of two and a half, four and six hours in length.Located right off the coast of Biloxi, Deer Island Coastal Preserve offers travelers the opportunity to boat, canoe or paddleboard. Visitors can find white sand beaches and explore the 400-acre island home to ten endangered animals and plants, such as the Mississippi Sandhill Crane, Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Gopher Tortoise. For extended trips on Coastal Waters, Eco-Tours of South Mississippi offers interpretive tours ranging from two to eight hours across natural habitats, such as cypress swamps and salt marshes of the lower Pascagoula River or the coastal barrier islands. Additionally, travelers can book a two-hour sunset cruise to truly take in the scenery Coastal Mississippi offers.Travelers looking for a waterfront experience on the wild side can visit Gator Ranch & Airboat Swamp Tours in Moss Point. At Gator Ranch, travelers can experience anything and everything from finding some of the oldest and largest gators, hand feeding gators up close and personal, viewing the abundant bird life on the Gulf Coast and more.New Locations & Experiences:Travelers to Coastal Mississippi can find a host of different eateries offering fresh gulf-to-table seafood and prime sunset views of the Mississippi Sound and Back Bay. A few new must-see options include:
In Long Beach, travelers can now visit a new outpost recently opened this summer, The Juicy Caboosy, which brings snacks and drinks to beachgoers. The location, literally built inside the caboose of an old railway train, features sips and bits from cocktails and cold-pressed juices to burgers, acai bowls and more.Located on Highway 90 in Pascagoula and just opened this summer, Heladeria La Frescura offers visitors a refreshing, unique way to experience desserts from crepes, ice creams or a duro preparado plate. The colorful Mexican ice cream shop is a must-see stop for any dessert lovers.An ultra-lounge offering live entertainment that has long been a crowd-favorite in Biloxi, Martini’s, has recently launched their new “Bar Bingo Nights” on Tuesdays. Savvy visitors can pair this with happy hour specials from 4-6 PM on weeknights and brunch on the weekends for a perfect summer stop.For a unique dining experience with dishes featuring fresh ingredients and authentic recipes, travelers can visit the Lucky Noodle located within the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. This restaurant, which opened in late April this year, features traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared by expert chefs, from pho to specialty noodle soups and banh mi. Ideas for Sports Enthusiasts: In Coastal Mississippi, the weather stays warm all year round, but in the summer, sports enthusiasts can truly take advantage of all the coast has to offer:
Want to hit the links? With over 12 golf courses, there is something for every skill level. Two of these include The Oaks Golf Club, an 18-hole course offering over 7,000 yards named “Best Courses You Can Play” by Golf Week Magazine many times, and Grand Bear Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus-designed layout widely considered to be among the South’s most spectacular courses. For pickleball lovers, or travelers who want to give the sport a go, various locations across the Gulf Coast offer play-in opportunities. The Popp’s Ferry Recreational Area in Biloxi offers 12 outdoor courses for visitors, Broadmoor Park in Gulfport offers an outdoor course available for play-in every day, and War Memorial Park Courts in Pass Christian offers two lighted courts open for play-in games. For all course information, please see the link here. Located on the scenic Beach Boulevard in Biloxi, MGM Park, who’s home to The Biloxi Shuckers, offers visitors a popular yet budget-friendly outing with 4,500 seats, 12 suites, two open-air party decks and a luxury club. Fans and visitors to Coastal Mississippi can find games throughout the summer to watch the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Hottest Events of the Summer: One-of-a-kind events are happening every day across Coastal Mississippi’s 12 communities, from live musical performances to museum specials and more. Here’s a few highlights for summer’s end:ADVERTISEMENTEvents are better when they’re free, which is why the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport started the “Free Friday Nights” event for guests from 5-8 PM. Families can visit the 15,000 sq. ft. children’s museum for interactive exhibits, outdoor play areas and more.At Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by legendary actor Morgan Freeman, travelers to the Gulf Coast can attend the “Musicians With a Mission” event on July 16 to help support Back Bay Mission. The musical acts at Ground Zero include live blues from The Chitlins, Hank Berumen and Royal Horses.On July 21, the Downtown Pascagoula’s Block Party will host its third Friday celebration on Main Street with a festival-style event featuring live music, children’s activities, vendors, and restaurant specials from local businesses.On July 29, Gulfport will celebrate its 125th anniversary with games, bounce houses, food trucks, and more. Starting at 5:30 PM, guests can join the community parade, then find live entertainment preceding the event and fireworks to cap off the summer night. On July 21, Ocean Springs will host its Annual July Sidewalk Sale, hosted by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, from 10 AM – 5 PM throughout the downtown area. At the event, visitors can find upwards of 100 local businesses with deals, drinks, food and more, including BOGOs and up to 70% off. Hosted by Moss Point Main Street at the Waterfront Café, travelers can enjoy food trucks and vendors, live music and entertainment from local acts in the region. Events will occur throughout the rest of the summer months, and guests can join the fun by boat, car, or simply by bringing a chair. For more information, visit the link here.With experiences for every traveler, Coastal Mississippi will surely delight year-round, but especially before the summer’s end when other destinations may be flooded with crowds. Travelers can start planning their final 2023 summer getaway at CoastalMississippi.com.

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SAINT LUCIA INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENTStrap yourself into a fighting chair and get ready to battle one of the largest sportfish in the Caribbean. Take part in Saint Lucia’s International Billfish Tournament to test your angling skills with the best.
The island is home to many active areas of billfish, and finding a hot spot is all a part of the fun. Dozens of international boats crewed by hundreds of anglers take part in this tournament every year. The catch-and-release tournament is a favorite among seasoned sport-fishers because of the quality of the competition and the challenges that Saint Lucia’s teeming waters provide. The event has run for more than 25 years, and it is a qualifier for the Offshore World Championships.

MANGO BOWL REGATTAInject your relaxing vacation in Saint Lucia with a dose of competitive adrenaline. The Saint Lucia Yacht Club hosts the Mango Bowl Regatta every year, which welcomes sailors from around the world. It includes four classes of race: Racing, J24/Surprise, Cruising I and Cruising II. It’s great sailing with great friends for great fun.
ADVERTISEMENTATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS (ARC)Organized by World Cruising Club, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is the largest trans-ocean sailing event in the world and regularly attracts upwards of 200 boats of many shapes and sizes. The journey takes between two to three weeks aided by trade winds and covers more than 2,700 nautical miles.
For more details see https://www.stlucia.org/en_UK/experiences/yachting-sailing/yachting-events/
The magical island of Saint Lucia will host the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023 on 26 August 2023. The leading travel industry figureheads from across the region will attend the red-carpet reception at Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “I am honoured to unveil Saint Lucia as the host of our Caribbean & Americas Gala Ceremony 2023, in this our landmark 30th anniversary. Saint Lucia is helping to spearhead the recovery of travel and tourism in the Caribbean, and I am delighted this captivating island will form a crucial part of our anniversary tour.”He adds: “World Travel Awards has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 30 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for recognising excellence in travel and tourism. I look forward to joining the most senior travel industry figureheads from across the Caribbean and The Americas for what promises to be a fabulous event, acknowledging those organisations spearheading the growth of the region’s travel and tourism sector.”

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This week will bring tourism back to the United Nations headquarters to emphasize the sector’s unique position to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reflecting the unprecedented relevance of tourism on the UN agenda, UNWTO together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Republic of Croatia and support from Ministry of Tourism, India, Chair of the G20 Tourism Working Group will gather leaders from the public and private sectors for a high level roundtable at the official side event on “Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in Tourism” which will be held on Friday 14 July within the framework of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Inspiring and Guiding Action
The high-level event will further advance UNWTO’s work in making tourism a key pillar of sustainable development, most notably through enhanced public-private partnerships.
In New York, UNWTO together with partners will:ADVERTISEMENTProvide a better understanding of the SDGs from the perspective of tourism and inspire further action among both government and private sector stakeholders.Present the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the SDGs developed under India’s G20 Presidency.Raise awareness about a crucial development that is mobilizing the power of data by forging a global consensus for harmonized data on the economic, social and environmental performance of tourism at international, national and destination levels:  the forthcoming Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST).Outline the benefits that private sector can bring to, and draw from, the development of harmonized Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Framework for Tourism Businesses.Share the key points of the recently launched “Achieving the SDGs through tourism: Toolkit of Indicators for Projects (TIPS)” developed in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a comprehensive resource designed to guide users in aligning tourism development projects with the SDGs.
Connecting leading stakeholders
The Forum side event is aimed at inspiring common action between the public, private and academic sectors for the tourism sector to achieve real sustainability by focusing on the economic, social and environmental aspects in tourism as well as governance. Discussions will count on the insights of public, private and academic sector leaders from every global region, as well as key figures from within the United Nations itself.
Csaba Kőrösi, President of the United Nations General Assembly will join Lachezara Stoeve, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in officially opening the event.Moderated by UNWTO’s Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic, the high-level roundtable discussion will count on the participation of Ministers of Tourism of Croatia, India, Jamaica, Spain and Dr. Ivan Šimonović, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations.Representing the private sector will be Matt Callaghan, Director of Customer & Operations at easyJet holidays, while Edward Brooks, Executive Director and co-Founder of Oxford SDG Impact Lab, will provide the academic perspective.

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ITB Berlin is offering the global tourism community even more high-quality themed content in the form of newsroom articles, podcast episodes and other innovative formats. Every month, ITB 360° devotes itself to another pressing headline topic aimed at attracting the industry’s attention and sparking discussion, including blended travel, LGBTQ+, the skills shortage, travel technology hypes and China’s travel market.
From 5 to 7 March 2024 ITB Berlin will be taking place live again on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, providing a platform for the entire value chain of the travel industry. With ITB 360°, the World’s Leading B2B Travel Trade Show is hosting a new content concept that provides a year-round platform for the wide range of topics of the global travel and tourism industry. With ITB 360°, ITB Berlin offers the global travel community access to valuable industry knowledge, including interviews with experts, surveys, trends and other insights – and every month covers a new key topic. It incorporates the expertise and knowledge of all the international trade shows of the ITB brand family – including ITB Asia in Singapore, ITB China in Shanghai, ITB India in Mumbai as well as ITB Berlin, together with that of various international industry experts.
“As an internationally established brand with wide-ranging expertise in every tourism segment, ITB sets standards. With ITB 360°, we are pursuing an integrated content concept by offering the travel community outstanding events, expert knowledge, the latest trends and fascinating insights from around the world. By taking this approach we want to further strengthen our position as a global brand and to inspire, educate and inform the tourism community with first-class content throughout the year. Our extensive network of partners and experts enables us, as a platform for the global tourism industry, to begin a new chapter and communicate a comprehensive range of topics“, said Deborah Rothe, Exhibition Director, ITB Berlin.
ITB 360° kicked off in June with blended travel, currently a much talked-about headline topic. Here, ITB Berlin looked at whether bleisure is likely to be a new form of business travel, or whether it is a trend that in future will merely complement traditional holiday trips. A deep dive podcast episode with Euromonitor International examined the statistics behind the trend. Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder of A Bright Approach, and Stephen Dutton of Euromonitor debated whether the trend towards bleisure and workationing is already reflected in numbers, while an interview with Raoul Dery, founder and CEO of the startup Newworkation, looked at workations, an increasingly popular form of travel. He talked about what companies should consider when planning workations and why remote working is not just a passing fad. Click here for the podcast episode Deep Dive: Blended Travel with Euromonitor International and to the ITB Newsroom article with Newworkation: “Remote Work: What companies should consider when planning workations”.
In July, to mark International Pride Month, ITB Berlin will also be looking at LGBTQ+ Tourism. In the podcast episode entitled ’Low Hanging Fruit for entrepreneurship: Tourism’, Pavel Subrt, Co-founder of East meets West, and presenter Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder of A Bright Approach, will among other topics discuss how to successfully tap into the LGBTQ+ market in Eastern Europe.ADVERTISEMENTIn a series of brief podcasts entitled ’300 Seconds With’, together with leading industry experts Dirk Rogl, member of the ITB Berlin Board of Experts, will discuss the state of the travel industry. Lydia Li, Exhibition Director of ITB China, will talk about the belated easing of restrictions in China’s travel industry compared with other regions, and how that impacts the global travel industry. She will provide an insight into estimated travel volumes and growth rates for 2023, present Chinese travellers’ preferred destinations abroad, and talk about the importance of the domestic and foreign travel market. Charuta Fadnis, SVP Research Phocuswright, will present the destinations with the highest overall booking rates in 2022 as well as forecasts for 2023 and the years to come, and talk about the winners and losers among the service providers at destinations and in travel markets. Andreas Wulfes, CEO of Neusta Data Intelligence, will talk about overall developments in the German travel market in 2023 and compare them with the pre-pandemic era.
August will be devoted to the skills shortage, a pressing issue that was already an important topic at the ITB Career Center at ITB Berlin 2023. Topics discussed in that month will include how the tourism industry can become more attractive for Generation Z. Best cases will highlight how companies and institutions can successfully win over young people. As in its June podcasts, and on the subject of the skills shortage and lack of young professionals, ITB Berlin will again pick up on new forms of work. For its Travel Hero Podcast episode, ITB Berlin will be setting up an intriguing blind date with members of Gen Z and older guests who will exchange views on blended travel and share their differing outlooks and experiences.
In September ITB Berlin will take the opportunity to look back on this year’s ITB Berlin Convention and in particular to follow the most important tech trends. Interviews, podcast features and visits to startups and trendsetters are currently scheduled. In addition to the convention and travel tech, the month’s topics will include ITB China, which is taking place in-person again for the first time since the pandemic in September in Shanghai. Together with the market research organization IPK International, ITB Berlin will be analyzing whether China is back in terms of both inbound and outbound travel. In a deep dive podcast there will also be an interview with a high-profile speaker from the ITB China Conference 2023.
Additional information on the focus of autumn and winter topics to come will be available soon from ITB Berlin.

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As Disney celebrates Halfway to the Holidays, festive cheer is already in the air at Walt Disney World Resort. This year, celebrate the season of all that is merry and bright in a magical way with new jolly experiences, glittering sights, sounds and scrumptious sweet treats. Plus, thrill to the return of fan-favorite Disney holiday traditions. 
Celebrate in Style With a New Nighttime Holiday Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios This festive season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host a brand new nighttime party, Disney Jollywood Nights, on 10 select evenings Nov. 11-Dec. 20, 2023. The separately ticketed event, which takes place 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., invites guests to experience a glamorous evening full of merry mashups, delicious tastes and sips, iconic throwback characters, and a holiday vibe full of glitz and sparkle. For an extra dose of cheer, the party wraps with the return of the nighttime spectacular, “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!”
Experience glimmering, festive entertainment inspired by different genres.  The incomparable Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are special guests for an all-new stage show at Theater of the Stars featuring special appearances by guest stars Tiana, Belle, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey Mouse. Encounter glitz and glamor galore in a jazz lounge at The Hollywood Brown Derby and an other-worldly soiree at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard. Note: Capacity for both events is limited. End the night with a bang – literally – when the festive favorite “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” returns. This Santa-sized nighttime spectacular, featuring the elf duo Wayne and Lanny from Disney Animation Studio’s “Prep and Landing,” is jam-packed with music, fireworks, special effects, and dazzling state-of-the-art projections.  And throughout the evening, stylish partygoers who want to put their own singing and dancing on display can join in a spirited sing-along at the Hyperion Theater, dance to a holiday DJ mix at the park’s main entrance or take in a lively Latin Street Fair on Commissary Lane. Enjoy after-hours access to thrilling rides and coasters. Leave time to play as some of the park’s most exciting attractions will be available with lower wait times during the party, including Slinky Dog Dash, Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  Revelers can be rebels too at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The park’s newest land offers a chance to fly the iconic Millennium Falcon on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and be part of an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which will use virtual queue* during Disney Jollywood Nights. Pal around with your favorite Disney friends throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the rest of the iconic gang in Animation Courtyard on a hot set with dazzling holiday props.  Snap a selfie with favorite throwback friends like Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake with classic holidays decor. Strike a stylish pose with Edna Mode, Dahling – and chill (wink, wink) with one of her super friends at Pixar Plaza. Photos of these and other unforgettable moments can be captured by the Disney PhotoPass team, with free digital downloads and two new PhotoPass experiences included with the price of event tickets.**  Indulge in delicious holiday tastes and sips. An array of specialty menu offerings will be available for purchase including Spicy Korean Chicken on a Mini Funnel Cake, as well as sweet treats like a colorful Christmas Tree Cookie Stack inspired by the iconic Echo Lake Christmas Tree.  Classic cocktails and an assortment of specially-curated holiday beverages will add extra cheer. Disney Jollywood Nights is a limited-capacity holiday party. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting June 29. Tickets can be purchased by all guests starting July 6 on DisneyWorld.com. Ticket prices will range from $159-179 per person. Party dates are: 
November: 11,18, 20, 27, 29 December: 4, 6,16,18, 20 Enjoy All That Is Merry and Bright Across Walt Disney World There’s snow much to look forward to for the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort. Holiday magic can be found across the 40-square-mile resort, from theme parks and water parks to resort hotels and shopping, dining and entertainment districts. 
Experience holiday magic at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  On 25 select nights, Nov. 9-Dec. 22, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will welcome guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom Park. Holiday magic is unwrapped with the return of festive favorites like the Christmas extravaganza stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” the sparkling spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the merry must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” Guests can also look forward to enjoying some of their favorite classic and thrill attractions, including the new TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, which will use a virtual queue* during the event. ADVERTISEMENTTickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and can be purchased online beginning July 6. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 29 on DisneyWorld.com.  Ticket prices will range from $159-199 per adult and $149-189 per child, ages 3-9.
Party dates are: 
November 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30 December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 Still more joy-filled holiday entertainment awaits.  For the first time in forever, guests will be able to join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom for “Frozen Holiday Surprise.” This brand new “Frozen”–inspired entertainment experience will illuminate the castle in a whole new way. It can be seen during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  Amidst glowing holiday decor, a Merry Menagerie of winter animals returns to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the form of artisan-sculpted puppets. EPCOT will celebrate with the return of Candlelight Processional as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. Other guest-favorite traditions including storytellers from around the world, joyful musical acts, and Holiday Kitchens return to World Showcase for the festival.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios will once again present Sunset Seasons Greetings as projection effects magically transform the park icon into an array of holiday scenes as snow falls along Sunset Boulevard. In Toy Story Land, guests can spot Woody, Jessie and Buzz sporting their holiday best.  At Disney Springs, shoppers can find treasures for loved ones while enjoying dazzling decor and live entertainment. And the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll invites guests to discover 20 Christmas trees on display throughout the dining, entertainment and retail complex. Visitors can also be on the lookout for magical snowfall in Central Florida. Guests can say hello to Santa Claus as he makes special appearances in all four parks, Disney Springs and even at a Disney Water Park, where you’ll find him dressed in his tropical holiday beachwear. Special savings on stays at Disney Resort Hotels. The only thing better than visiting a Disney theme park at the holidays is complementing it with a stay at a Disney Resort hotel. Each resort is decked out for the holidays, and lobbies at select locations feature larger-than-life gingerbread displays during the holiday season. Guests can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays this fall and winter season. To learn more, visit disneyworld.com/HolidaySavings. Disney+ subscribers can save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays this holiday season. Learn more at Disneyworld.com/DisneyPlus.***
*Virtual queues are limited and subject to availability, times are subject to change, and joining a virtual queue does not guarantee entrance to any experience. For more information on joining virtual queues during these seasonal hard-ticket events please visit the virtual queue information page.
** Disney PhotoPass service is subject to Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions. Online registration required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
***Number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. 25% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings may be available at other select Resorts. For Disney+ subscribers, 35% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings may be available at other select Resorts.  Theme Park admission separately priced.

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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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SkyView Partners, the owner and operator of the SkyView Atlanta Observation Wheel, is inviting the Atlanta community to celebrate the SkyView Wheel’s 10-year anniversary at a downtown birthday party. Birthday event activities, including entertainment, prizes, face painting, balloon artists, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, magicians, caricature and more, are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, on the Wheel property.
To the delight of the Atlanta community and out-of-town visitors, the SkyView Atlanta Observation Wheel took its first turn on July 16, 2013. For the past 10 years, millions of visitors have enjoyed the breathtaking panoramic views of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding metropolitan area.
“SkyView Atlanta has been an iconic fixture in downtown Atlanta for the past 10 years, and we are pleased to be celebrating this important anniversary with the Atlanta community,” said Al Mers, managing partner of SkyView Partners. “Throughout the years, we have continuously felt the support and love from Atlantans and tourists alike, and we remain committed to providing a quality attraction for all to enjoy for many more years.”
In honor of the 10-year anniversary, SkyView Partners has invested $1 million in SkyView Wheel improvements and upgrades to the surrounding property. A SkyView Atlanta entry sign now welcomes visitors along with new landscaping, lighting and furniture. Wheel enhancements include an updated light show, paint and new air conditioning systems in the gondolas. Other upgrades include security improvements with new camera systems and the hiring of off-duty police officers. Food vendor Philly G Steaks and the new SkyBar have been added to offer delicious food and drinks.
A new, site-specific sculpture for the SkyView Atlanta property is being designed by Emily Baker, Assistant Professor of Sculpture at the Earnest G. Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University, along with students in the Edgewood Sculpture Forum at GSU. The design will include elements from the surrounding Atlanta community and will be installed later in 2023. ADVERTISEMENTTowering nearly 20 stories above Centennial Park at 168 Luckie Street NW, the SkyView Atlanta Observation Wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas. For a more enhanced experience, guests can enjoy the VIP gondola boasting Ferrari style seats, a glass floor and a longer flight time. Special event, group and field trip experiences are available as well as ticket discounts for adults over 65, the military and students. For more information, visit www.skyviewatlanta.com. 

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