Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

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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Get ready to embrace the eerie and succumb to the supernatural as England unveils a spellbinding selection of Halloween horrors that promise to send a shiver down your spine.
As the witching hour approaches, here’s a selection of England’s spookiest events and experiences, from dance parties and escape rooms to pumpkin picking and ghost tours through historic cities.
Monstrous Music
Whitby’s Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival and Illuminated Abbey, North Yorkshire
21-31 October 2023ADVERTISEMENTThis October the ruins of Whitby Abbey will be illuminated with a rainbow of colour to light up the dark nights (21 – 31 October 2023, tickets start from £7.50). Adding to the dramatic glow of the cathedral will be a projection of the story of Dracula on the ancient walls. Keeping with the gothic theme, Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival will take place at the Whitby Pavilion (27 – 29 October 2023, tickets start from £42) with goth rock royalty The Mission headlining along with The 69 Eyes, Theatre of Hate and many more. The festival will celebrate gothic subculture with themed markets, performances and club nights.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/whitby-abbey-illuminated-abbey-21-31-oct-23
www.whitbypavilion.co.uk/tomorrow-s-ghosts-festival-october-2023-weekend-ticket

Voxi presents KISS Haunted House Party, Liverpool
28 October 2023
The iconic KISS Haunted House Party will be held up north for the first time, hosted in Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. Featuring big names such as Leigh Anne, Becky Hill, FLO, Jax Jones, Joel Curry, Rudimental, venbee, Zara Larsson and Tyler West, party goers are encouraged to attend in fancy dress and can get their hands on tickets starting from £47.05.
www.kisshaunted.com

The Silence of the Baths, Manchester
28 October 2023
Manchester’s Victoria Baths, a building with over 100 years of history, will be transformed into a music haven featuring DJ sets from the likes of THT Girl (Not Bad For A Girl) and DJ MX WORLD. With the whole space dressed for the occasion, party goers in fancy dress will enjoy a silent disco with a spooky twist. The event is suitable for those aged 18+ and tickets start from £15 per person.
www.victoriabaths.org.uk/event/the-silence-of-the-baths

The Barnsdale Halloween Ball, Rutland
28 October 2023
The Barnsdale, a former hunting lodge with a 250-year history, is set to be transformed into a spooktacular destination with a touch of glam as it prepares for its first ever Halloween Ball. Fancy dress is obligatory and the best dressed will be awarded with a bottle of wine. Tickets are inclusive of a three-course meal and creepy themed cocktail, alongside the enjoyment of The Reservoir Band. Tickets start from £45.
www.barnsdalerutland.com/what-s-on/#show-5

Hocus Pocus in Concert, Manchester & London
29 & 31 October 2023
The Disney Halloween Classic, Hocus Pocus will be shown live in concert, complete with Emmy Award-winning composer John Debney’s musical score performed alongside the film. Hocus Pocus tells a story of three witches, brought back to life in Salem on Halloween night, who are hell-bent on stealing the ‘life essence’ of the town’s children to maintain eternal life. Viewings will be at London’s Eventim Apollo on 29 October and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 31 October. Tickets start from £27.75.
www.senbla.com/hocus-pocus

Eerie Events and Escape Rooms
Fairground Frights and Creepy Circus Acts, Great Yarmouth
20 -31 October 2023
Great Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach will get a sinister makeover for Halloween with five nights of frights this October (21 – 29 October 2023). There will be creepy characters roaming the grounds, multiple scare mazes, Halloween tunes, themed cocktails and a fireworks display on the evening of 29 October. Wristbands start at £20 per person and include access to all rides, mazes and attractions. The fair isn’t the only spectacle that Great Yarmouth has to offer; the Halloween Spooktacular at the Hippodrome Circus (20 – 31 October 2023) will offer a line-up of acrobatics, stunts, dance and comedy, all set to a spooky theme. Audience members are encouraged to come in fancy dress and get into the spirit of Halloween at the event’s dance. Tickets start from £13.
www.hippodromecircus.com/halloween

Alderford at Halloween, Shropshire
Thrills and frights can be expected at Alderford this Halloween with multiple events for all ages. Younger ones under 10 can enjoy Witchcraft Woods (21 – 22 and 26 – 27 October 2023) where they will begin their experience selecting a wand and creating their very own animal companion to join them on an adventure filled with games and battles to become the best student in the class. Slightly older children aged between 8 and 13 years old can enjoy Spooky Island (27 – 29 October 2023) which features a maze filled with twists and turns to thrill rather than fright. There will be an 18+ Nightmare Island escape room experience (27 – 28 October 2023), which sees participants rowed out to the island from which they will have to complete several puzzling challenges to escape. Tickets start from £1 for Witchcraft Woodland, £12.50 for Spooky Island and £25.00 for Nightmare Island.
www.alderford.com/halloween

Xtreme Scream Park, Leicestershire
6 – 31 October 2023
Tickets to Leicestershire’s Xtreme Scream Park will grant visitors access to all seven spine-chilling attractions, from mazes to haunted houses and live interactive experiences, including roaming actors, fire breathers and live performances.. Tickets start from £29.25.
www.xtremescreampark.co.uk/dates-prices

Scaresville – The Haunted Village at Kentwell Hall, Suffolk
11 – 22 October & 27 – 29 October 2023
Visitors can enjoy a fully immersive experience in the Haunted Village at Kentwell Hall for an hour of frights and thrills designed for visitors over 14 years of age, with those under 18 years accompanied by an adult. Tickets start from £24.95.
www.scaresville.co.uk

PrimEVIL, Norfolk
13 October – 4 November 2023
This year will bring five ‘haunts’ aka terror mazes to Norfolk’s award-winning scare attraction, including The Crypt, Circus of Terror, Route 666, Werehouse 51 and Mayhem Manor. This attraction is more suited to those aged 16+ as each haunt will consist of live actors, confusing turns and a lot of jump scares. There will be food vendors on site in addition to archery, axe throwing, East Anglia’s largest rope course and live music. Tickets start from £29.75.
www.primevil-scare.com

Doom Town – A Mannequin Mystery, Lincolnshire
20 – 21 October 2023
Inspired by the supernatural adventure novel, The Doom Town Dummies, Mannakin, a Lincolnshire-based business supplying mannequins to the TV and film industry, will open the doors to its warehouse for two Halloween themed evenings. The story follows a paranormal investigator who invites guests to help him uncover the mystery of what happened to James Jr who is said to haunt Mannakin Hall. There will be food, drink and plenty of mysteries to solve. Tickets start from £12.00.
www.mannakin.com/dt23

After Dark: Nights to Die for at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, Bath
20 October – 31 October 2023
Visitors will be able to experience a truly immersive experience inside the 300-year-old home of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. Participants will venture through darkened rooms, participate in twisted childhood games, brave the basement walk-through experience and decipher deranged ramblings in Victor’s Attic Escape Room. The event will run from 6pm to 11:30pm every evening and include access to the Bloody Mary’s Bar, where 18+ guests can calm their nerves with an alcoholic beverage. Tickets start from £15.00.
www.houseoffrankenstein.com

The Mystery of the Stones at Stonehenge, Wiltshire
21 October – 5 November 2023
Visitors will be able to uncover the mystery of one of the world’s most famous heritage sites, Stonehenge, with the help of famous detectives Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson and Mrs Hudson. This themed event will be included in standard pricing and there will be British Sign Language sessions taking place every Saturday and Wednesday. Tickets start from £20.90.
www.visitbritainshop.com/gb/en/stonehenge

Terror Island, Isle of Wight
27 – 29 October & 3 – 4 November 2023
Terror Island offers a complete Halloween experience with four scare mazes, thrilling rides, street food, live music, roaming characters entertainment and games. New this year is the addition of ‘Extinction’, an attraction in which riders are launched 360 degrees into the air, experiencing total darkness. Tickets start from £15.00.
www.terrorisland.co.uk

Harry Potter Themed Trip to Alnwick Castle, Newcastle Gateshead
29 October 2023
Visitors can experience the wonders of Harry Potter this Halloween by going to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry itself to discover all its filming locations from the first two films. The day will include Harry Potter-themed activities and the chance to roam Alnwick Castle’s state rooms where the 12th Duke and Duchess of Northumberland reside, as well as sample free tasters of locally brewed alcohol. Tickets start from £39.00.
www.newadventures.org.uk/experiences/harry-potter-trip-to-alnwick-castle-for-all-customers

Gruesome Ghost Tours
Canterbury Ghost Tours, Kent
Groups will be led on a 90-minute tour by award-winning ghost hunter, author and local historian, John Hippisley who will reveal Canterbury’s darker side with an entertaining blend of history and humour. The city of Canterbury dates to the pre-Roman era and is the location of the infamous murder of Thomas Becket on 29 December 1170. The tours are available every night of the week and start from £12.00.
www.thecanterburytours.com

Bodmin Jail, Cornwall
Groups can embark on a historical journey around Bodmin Jail, which dates to the 18th century. Led by award-winning Heritage Guides, these in-depth tours cater to the entire family and offer an exploration of the jail’s past. From examining crimes and court proceedings to exploring the gallows and graveyards, the tour provides a glimpse into the lives of Georgians and Victorians. Visit the meticulously restored Victorian execution pit to gain insight into the era’s criminal justice system and the severe punishments that awaited wrongdoers. Tickets start from £18.00.
www.visitbritainshop.com/gb/en/bodmin-jail

Shrewsbury Prison Ghost Tours, Shropshire
Every Wednesday
Tours at the Victorian Shrewsbury Prison begin by taking visitors back to the late 18th Century, to a time where public executions were commonplace and attitudes towards guards were fickle. Guests will learn about the treatment of prisoners during this time and the ghostly encounters that have occurred over the past 200 years. The tour explores various locations on the grounds including the original Georgian prison beneath the current building. 90-minute tours run every Wednesday, from £25.00.
www.shrewsburyprison.com/prison-tours/ghost-tours

Supernatural Tours, Southern England
5 September 2023– 29 November 2024 (Selected Dates)
Supernatural Tours, an award-winning theatrical ghost tour company, uses live actors to retell the gruesome tales and ghostly goings-on in Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth and The New Forest. The outdoors tours run for 60 to 75 minutes and prices start from £8.00.
www.supernaturaltoursandevents.com

Ghost Tram Tours, Blackpool
October 2023 (select dates)
On selected dates throughout October, the UK’s only ghost hunting tram will take riders along Blackpool’s promenade, revealing spooky tales from the seaside town’s haunted history. Although the tour will include some spooks and scares, it is suitable for all ages with tickets starting from £7.00.
www.blackpoolheritage.com/tours/ghost-tour

Ghost Tales at Eltham Palace, Greenwich
27 – 28 October & 31 October 2023
Visitors will be able to experience Eltham Palace after dark this Halloween and hear about the horrors from the past that took place on these ancient grounds. With history dating back to the Medieval period there are plenty of stories to be told. The palace’s guides will take guests around the estate, reiterating tales of ghosts and supernatural sightings. The event is suitable for those aged 16+ and start from £14.00.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/eltham-palace-ghost-tales

Family-Friendly Frights
Halloween at Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
Muncaster Castle offers a whole host of Halloween experiences this year. During the daytime, visitors can embark on a family-friendly adventure with “FRANKENSTEIN,” a castle tour that takes them into Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, where mischief and chaos unfold. As night falls, “Scarecaster” awaits braver souls, a night festival featuring a maze, live music, food and a bar. Attendees are encouraged to dress up and participate in the scariest costume contest. For the fearless, “The Vanishing” offers an immersive poltergeist experience where visitors can unravel a 150-year-old mystery. Expect jump scares, suspense and psychological torment in this 18+ attraction. Tickets start from £9.00 for the Halloween Family Festival, £15.30 for Scarecaster and £6.00 for Twilight Owls.
www.muncaster.co.uk/halloween

The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade, Cheshire and Norfolk
14 – 31 October 2023
This year at BeWILDerwood’s Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade, families will be able to wander through the illuminated woods at both the Chester and Norfolk locations, follow mysterious paths exclusive to the event and witness the story unfold. It’s a family-friendly adventure, not a scary one, so everyone can enjoy. There will be a chance to craft ‘Boggle Bindle Lanterns’ at Hazel’s Hideaway, and as dusk falls, the Boggles will be lighting up the woods. Snacks and hot drinks will be available at the onsite Munch Bar. Prices start from £10.50.
www.bewilderwood.co.uk/events

Cholderton Scare Breeds Farm, Hampshire
21 – 31 October 2023
Families are welcome down at the farm where they can take part in the interactive spooky trail to find freaky friends and take advantage of photo opportunities. There will also be broom making workshops and a Family Halloween Party (28 October 2023) where monsters big and small can bust a move to spooky classics. Fancy dress is encouraged and those who have gone to the effort will receive a free child return ticket to visit the farm in the new year and a free bag of animal feed. Tickets start from £7.00.
www.choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com/events

Halloween Shriek Week at Drusillas Park, East Sussex
21 – 29 October 2023
It’s live action galore at Drusillas Park this Halloween with plenty of immersive experiences and roaming actors. Kids can test their nerve in Haunted Heights, Drusillas’ very own haunted mansion, where they will meet Hocus and Pocus, the resident witches. There will also be Mummy Mayhem, a child-friendly terror maze that will take visitors back to ancient Egypt where they must escape the curse of the dead. Throughout the park there will be Halloween decorations offering families photo opportunities as well as tasty treats. Tickets start from £26.00.
www.drusillas.co.uk/halloween-activities-in-east-sussex

Halloween Punt and Hunt, Cambridge
21 October – 31 October 2023
A Halloween scavenger hunt for all the family, this event will take groups on a quest both on land and by boat to locate Cambridge’s most haunted places. Those who have successfully located all the ghosts, witches and monsters can claim a sweet treat at Hardy’s Sweetshop. The activity takes up to an hour to complete and is suitable for those aged between 4 and 11. Tickets start from £2.50.
www.traditionalpuntingcompany.com/tours/halloween-punt-and-hunt

Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND, Windsor
28 September – 5 November 2023
LEGOLAND Windsor resort will turn into a pumpkin-filled paradise this autumn, ready for the spooky season. The Brick or Treat event will be led by LEGO monsters for a frightfully fun family experience filled with photo opportunities, 4D movies, themed LEGO builds, the Monster Jam Show and the return of Monster Street. Entry starts from £34.00 and includes access to all 55 rides at the park.
www.visitbritainshop.com/gb/en/legoland-windsor-resort

Pumpkin Picking
The Pumpkin Patch at Rectory Farm, Oxfordshire
Weekends from 7 October 2023
Spanning across 45 acres of Oxfordshire fields and offering 30 types of produce open to visitors for harvesting, The Rectory Farm is a popular spot for pumpkin picking each October. This year, over 25,000 pumpkins are up for grabs with plenty of fringe events happening on the farm such as the garden games, tractor and trailer rides, a straw bale maze and a special harvest show performed three times a day.
www.rectoryfarmpyo.co.uk

Pumpkin picking and carving at Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire
14 – 31 October 2023
This multi-award-winning farm based in South Yorkshire sees the return of its pumpkin patch, boasting almost 10,000 pumpkins for visitors to pick. Parents won’t need to worry about knife whittling for the jack-o’-lantern creation as there will be an expert team of carvers on-site to transform the pumpkins into ghoulish characters. Tickets to the event include all-day farm admission and entitle every child to a free pumpkin.
www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk

Pick your own at Hatton Adventure World, Warwickshire
Weekends from 14 October & 28 – 31 October 2023
Set across 100 acres of countryside and home to over 450 animals, Hatton Adventure World is a regular for family day outings. This October it will see the return of its Halloween Spooktacular, featuring pumpkin picking and carving, saving parents the mess at home. The pumpkins aren’t the only stars of the attraction, new for this year there will be Haunted Cabins where kids will be greeted with either a trick or a treat.
www.adventure.hattonworld.com

Cammas Hall Pumpkin Patch, Hertfordshire
30 September – 29 October 2023
Situated on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, this family-owned farm offers 60 varieties of pumpkins and squash, all up for grabs to pick. On the grounds there will be Halloween characters to meet and greet, wicked walkways, a terror tunnel and a Halloween themed maize maze.
www.cammashall.co.uk

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Saudi Arabia has become a “must-see destination”, Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, said in Riyadh during the opening ceremony of World Tourism Day this weekend.“This is a country that always looks forward, and in big ways,” he continued. “Saudi Arabia is now the second-biggest place for foreign direct investment projects in all the Middle East and Africa. I’m proud to say we count on the support of Saudi Arabia.”
The UNWTO has celebrated World Tourism Day in September since 1980. Every year, world leaders meet to discuss objectives and milestones to further boost the tourism sector, and this year was no different as about 500 top officials from 145 countries convened at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh to talk about the industry’s latest developments, with a focus on sustainability, humanity and prosperity.“This World Tourism Day, we focus on the vital need to invest in building a more sustainable sector for people, planet and prosperity,” said Pololikashvili. “The day also makes clear why UNWTO underscores the need for investment in education and for greater innovation as the foundations for long-term growth and transformation.”The kingdom’s dynamic tourism industry was also under the microscope, as leaders congratulated the country on its vision and discussed issues of climate change, governance and empowering people across the world.
Saudi Arabia is the chair of the UNWTO Executive Council this year as Riyadh is home to the organisation’s first regional office for the Middle East. Last year, Saudi Arabia also hosted the 116th session of the UNWTO Executive Council with a focus on advancing sustainability across the board, from governance to investing in infrastructure and youth.
The fastest growth in the Middle EastAround the world, the tourism sector accounts for 1 in 10 jobs, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said, although it’s an industry that was significantly affected by the pandemic. Saudi Arabia, however, has seen unprecedented growth over the past few years, since it opened its borders to recreational visitors.
“Since embarking on our tourism journey, Saudi Arabia has been committed to enhancing the sector and generating an impact that extends beyond borders,” said Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb.Fahd Hamidaddin, chief executive of Saudi Tourism Authority, said the country is “blessed to experience a growth like no other”.ADVERTISEMENT
“The last seven months have seen a record-breaking growth for Saudi Arabia. We are experiencing an economic revolution … and all of this is a manifestation of a new leadership,” he said.
The value of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach $93.4 billion in 2023, said Arnold Donald, chairman of WTTC. He said it makes up 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP and they expect the sector to “grow at the fastest pace in the Middle East”.
By 2030, the country hopes to welcome more than 100 million visitors annually.
The sector will also add one million jobs over the next 10 years, the Ministry of Tourism announced earlier this month. At the event, Al Khateeb also unveiled plans for the Riyadh School for Tourism and Hospitality, an ambitious project that will cost more than $1 billion. It aims to be a student-centric facility, which will span five million square metres in Qiddiya and offer a hybrid curriculum that aims to bridge the global tourism skills gap.
“The Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality is Saudi Arabia’s gift to the world,” he said. “Through its pioneering curriculum, that will offer comprehensive higher education courses covering all aspects of the tourism and hospitality industry, the school represents Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing comprehensive, progressive education that empowers individuals, both domestically and internationally.
“As we invest in the next generation of tourism professionals, we are not only securing the industry’s future, but also fostering a legacy of excellence that will drive prosperity, stimulate individual growth of citizens and foster cultural exchange for years to come.”
Saudi Vision 2030 focuses on sustainability and regenerative tourismThe $500 billion megacity Neom in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia, will be the country’s first city to have zero carbon emissions and 95 per cent of the development will remain untouched for nature and conservation.
In a major step in Saudi Arabia’s shift away from an oil-based economy, Neom will also be powered entirely by clean energy, with no carbon-emitting vehicles.
Elsewhere, Red Sea Global is pioneering regenerative tourism with its Red Sea project, located on Saudi Arabia’s western coast, as it aims to preserve the kingdom’s pristine and untouched waters, coast and to further enhance coral reefs. The development, which is already in the first stage of opening, spans 28,000 square kilometres of land, including an archipelago of more than 90 islands, promising turquoise-lined coastlines, unrivalled marine life and a variety of upscale accommodation options.
The under-construction King Salman International Airport in Riyadh will also incorporate green technology in its design and aims to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certification, the Saudi Press Agency said, which means it generates less waste, consumes less energy, water and other resources, making it more resilient and environmentally friendly.
A sustainable hospitality industryHotels in the kingdom have also aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030, to lead and build with the most sustainable practices.
Guests are paying more attention than ever to how a hotel leaves its mark on the world around it, with an increasing number deciding to book a stay based on a property’s carbon footprint and how it supports the communities in which it operates, said Haitham Mattar, managing director at IHG Hotels & Resorts, which currently operates 40 hotels across Saudi Arabia.
“New destinations such as the Red Sea Development and Neom, for example, are incorporating key initiatives to ensure environmental sustainability.
“With a massive footprint across the globe, the tourism and hospitality sectors play an important role in working towards a sustainable future. As one of the world’s leading hotel companies, we embrace our responsibility and opportunity to make a positive difference and help shape the future of responsible travel.”
Guenter Gebhard, regional vice president and general manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, told The National on the sidelines at World Tourism Day that the hotel takes its sustainability initiatives seriously. “The hotel does not use plastic water bottles, we only use glass. We will have a hydroponic plantation, we will start growing tomato, salads, herbs and more higher up rather than on ground,” he explained.
“We have changed our lighting systems into LED to reduce our electricity load and we intend to do the same with ACs,” he added. “We’re just finishing off our water bottling plant, which will go active hopefully by either December this year or January of next year. That means we’re not even bringing water in any more. We have our own water purification system – that will then be bottled as still and sparkling and will go out into the restaurants and into the rooms. This will be free.”
Radisson Hotel Group also aims to remain steadfast in its commitment to a sustainable future, with a goal to become net zero by 2050, said Basel Talal, the group’s managing director for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Levant.
Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Al Naseem hotel, for example, utilises a state-of-the-art food recycling system, transforming 75kg of daily food waste into organic compost, reducing waste volume by about 90 per cent.
“It is imperative to strategise on how tourism can be a catalyst for fostering opportunities for people, spearheading a green transformation, and manifesting sustainability for the planet, thus paving the way for inclusive prosperity,” said Talal.
Source: https://www.thenationalnews.com/

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Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is thrilled to announce that the ‘Roof Walk’ experience is back. Ferrari fans and adventure-seekers young and old will get to share that Ferrari feeling on top of the world’s iconic red roof, whilst taking in spectacular vista views of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The family-friendly adventure is available weekly from Wednesday to Sunday, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and timing may differ based on weather conditions. Per ‘Roof Walk’ slot, a maximum of eight guests are permitted and accompanied by a knowledgeable guide throughout the sky-high adventure.
Guests with a park entry ticket can enjoy the experience for AED 125, while the stand-alone experience is available for AED 195 only. Diamond and Gold Annual Passholders are eligible for a 25% discount while Silver Annual Passholders receive a 15% discount.
Home to over 43 thrilling rides and experiences, Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi continues to offer world-class family-friendly experiences and unforgettable adventures for guests of all ages.

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ITB Asia, Asia’s leading travel trade show, is pleased to announce its top exhibitors for the highly anticipated 16th edition, set to take place from 25 – 27 October 2023 in Singapore.
Co-located with MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, this year’s event promises three full days of networking opportunities with international exhibitors, complemented by insightful conference sessions at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
ITB Asia Sponsors and Key Exhibitors
The exhibitors’ list offers a strong mix of all stakeholder groups. This includes top business players such as Aircalin, Air India, Banyan Tree Group, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, BWH Hotel Group, Club Med, EVA Airways Corporation, Finnair, Icelandair, NEOM, Philippine Airlines, Inc., Worldwide Hotels, Vietnam Airlines and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) including Visit Brussels, Croatian National Tourist Board, Czech Tourism Authority, Visit Finland, Visit Norway, Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, PROMPERU, Tourism Seychelles and more; as well as Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) such as Visit Berlin, Department of Tourism and Creative Economy of Jakarta, Taipei City Government, Zagreb Tourist Board and more.
“ITB Asia is putting together a strong representation from all travel segments. As the industry revives, we are enthusiastic to serve as a tried and tested platform for building new partnerships. The level of expertise provided by global tourism leaders will ensure Singapore is the place where we can shape the future of tourism,”, says Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), Organiser of MICE Show Asia, Travel Tech Asia and ITB Asia.ADVERTISEMENTAmong this year’s exhibiting NTOs are Brand USA, Croatian National Tourist Board, Czech Tourism Authority, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Korea Tourism Organisation, Malta Tourism Authority, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, PROMPERU, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Tonga Tourism Authority, Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Tourism Seychelles, Vanuatu Tourism Office, Visit Estonia, Visit Iceland, Visit Jordan and Visit Norway.
National Tourism Organisations are supported by local and national governments’ direct representation from Council of Indigenous Peoples, Taiwan, Municipality of North Greenland, Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, Shizuoka Prefectural Government of Japan and Taipei City Government.
In addition to the NTOs, the show also welcomes Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs), such as Daejeon Tourism Organisation, Guam Visitors Bureau, Gwangju Tourism Organisation, Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation, Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organisation, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, Johor Economic, Tourism and Cultural Office (JETCO), Louisiana Office of Tourism, Marianas Visitors Authority, New Caledonia Tourism, Northern Norway Tourist Board, Penang Global Tourism, Phuket Tourist Association, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Saxony Tourism Germany, Suruga Marketing & Tourism Bureau, Tourism Association of Sarajevo Canton, Tourism Promotion Organisation for Asia Pacific Cities, Visit Almaty, Visit Brussels, Visit Oulu and Visit Rovaniemi.
A strong representation is also expected from destination marketing agencies with a strong focus on MICE promotion: Business Events Sarawak, Finland Convention Bureau, Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kitakyushu Convention and Visitors Association, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Northern Territory Business Events Australia and Suwon Convention Center.
This year’s ITB Asia boasts an impressive line-up of sponsors, including Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Korea Tourism Startup Center, Sentosa Development Corporation, Penang Global Tourism, Busan Tourism Organisation, Visit Finland and Japan National Tourism Organisation.
MICE Show Asia 2023 Sponsors and Key Exhibitors
Co-located with ITB Asia and Travel Tech Asia, MICE Show Asia is where incentive travel, meetings and events industries come together to connect and build the future of MICE. This year’s sponsor includes Mastercard.
Key exhibitors of MICE Show Asia 2023 include Alaska Destination Specialists, Business Events Perth, Guam Visitors Bureau, Kyoto Convention Bureau, Royal Carribean International, Sapporo Convention Bureau, This is Athens, Visit Anchorage and Visit Monaco.
Travel Tech Asia 2023 Sponsors and Key Exhibitors
This year’s Travel Tech Asia focuses the latest innovations and digital solutions targeting travel technology. With conference sessions by tech thought leaders, exhibitors from established tech brands and innovative startups, attendees are treated to a wealth of insights and inspirations to improve their business operations. This year’s sponsors include Mystifly, Oxylabs, Trip.com Group, Korea Tourism Startup Center and Mize.
Key exhibitors for Travel Tech Asia 2023 include Hotelbeds, Trip.com Group, TBO Holidays, DerbySoft, Rakuten Travel Xchange, SUNRATE, Convergent International, CodeGen International, Amerilink International Corp., Stuba, SiteMinder, Korea Tourism Startup Center, Go Global Travel, Travel Compositor, Unififi Group, TravelLine, NIUM, Oxylabs, INFOR, MyCONECT, Heytrip International, Hotelian.com and Trransfer Technologies.
ITB Asia Buyer Elite Programme Partners
ITB Asia connects top-tier service providers with global buyers to foster strong, lasting cooperation. The Buyer Elite Programme unlocks advanced options and preferred placement for select buyer partners. This year’s programme partners are American Express, Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), ASTINDO, BWH Hotel Group, Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA), EVINTRA, Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA), Frasers Hospitality, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Singapore Tourism Board, Sokos Hotels & Radisson Hotels (SOK), Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), Timetravels, Visit Finland, Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA) and Wyndham Hotel Group.
Trade visitors are invited to join the event with an all-access pass, granting entry to all three shows—ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia, and Travel Tech Asia. They can take advantage of the Early Bird rate available until 24 October 2023 by registering at www.itb-asia.com/visit-register.
For visitors specifically interested in travel technologies, the Travel Tech Asia Visitor Pass offers exclusive access to the Travel Tech Asia exhibition and conference. Pre-registration for complimentary tickets is available now, trade visitors may register before 25 October 2023 at: www.traveltechasia.com/visitor.

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Global guests involved in mountain tourism and outdoor sports met in China’s mountainous rich Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture unveiled the 2023 International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports, or MTOS, in Xingyi city on Saturday.This year’s meeting aims at exploring the deep integration of mountain tourism and multi-industries, promoting the high-quality development of mountain tourism, and providing high-quality tourism experiences for tourists.
Nearly 700 guests from culture, sports and tourism authorities and enterprises, mountain and outdoor sports organizations, and investment and finance institutes from home and abroad attended Saturday’s opening ceremony, including those from France, Nepal, Portugal and Laos.
Li Bingjun, deputy secretary of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee and governor of Guizhou province, said the province will make sustainable efforts in building a better mountainous park province to facilitate the tourism industry to serve people’s welfare and the province’s development at the opening ceremony. The province is aiming to become a world-class destination by improving local tourism resources and services and exploring more visitor sources to achieve high-quality tourism development, according to Li.
Data shows Guizhou’s tourism industry has welcomed as many as 464 million visitors and earned 534.5 billion yuan during the first eighty months of 2023, reaching 109.2 percent and 117.7 percent respectively as that of 2019.
Dominique de Villepin, chairman of International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), said the recovery of the tourism industry after the pandemic will be a process of transformation from quantity to quality. Tourism is related with health in many ways and mountain tourism boasts great potential to develop. As a mountainous park province, Guizhou has built itself into a model of combining mountain tourism and other industries with its rich and unique natural resources and is set to become a world-class destinations.ADVERTISEMENTIMTA was initiated by China and founded in Xingyi in 2017 with Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, as its headquarter and secretariat.
A report on mountain tourism cooperation and development under the framework of RCEP co-compiled by International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA) and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) was released and 14 mountain and spring resorts nationally and internationally were honored as pilot models by the IMTA during the ceremony.
The conference is formed of a complex of activities and events with the theme of “integrate sports and tourism, enjoy a high-quality life”. The five events include the annual meeting of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance and the Dialogue of World Famous Mountains held on Friday.
Another major event saw more than 10,000 runners enjoying a half marathon race along the karst scenery route with Bouyei ethnic culture in Wanfenglin scenic spot on September 10.
Supporting activities like a softball competition, a summer camp, a triathlon competition, a wild fishing competition and a half marathon run had been held in Xingyi before the opening of the conference while a sport climbing competition and a cycling race will be held during the conference.
Xingyi, capital city of Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture of Guizhou province, has been the permanent venue for the conference since 2015. The city boasts China’s largest artificial lake and fifth largest freshwater lake – Wangfeng Lake, known as paradise for water sports – and Wanfenglin scenic spot, a tour area featuring dense and bizarrely shaped karst peaks extending for hundreds of kilometers and ranked by Chinese National Geography as one of the five most beautiful peak forests in the country.

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