Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

OurAfricaTravel organisers Storm Napier and Allie Hunt
The success of the 2023 edition, held in February was due in no small part to the collaboration of various industry partners, including Wetu, ATTA, The Africa Hub, Nightsbridge, Atmosphere Marketing, Inspirational Places and Umlingo Travel PR. This spirit of ubuntu and partnership is what makes this virtual show such a success, in addition to its B2B nature, affordability in both time and money, accessibility due to it being virtual, and having a carbon-neutral footprint.
This year’s show attracted 186 exhibitors and over 440 buyers and media from around the world. The platform facilitated over 6,500 meetings, 44,192 networking chats, and received more than 85,000 profile views. Feedback from participants has been very positive, affirming the continuing importance of virtual shows on the tourism events calendar. An African-focussed show of this size gives everyone a platform and voice to connect, rather than being lost in the noise.
“ OurAfrica.Travel has once again proven that connecting on a virtual platform is now part of our day-to-day business practice and is the most convenient and opportune way to keep in touch with tourism industry players from around the world”, said organisers Storm Napier and Allie Hunt.”
CAUSES FOR IMPACT
OurAfrica.Travel is committed to driving sustainable tourism and giving back to both community and conservation projects. This year, 18 worthy causes were given a spotlight during the show, as participants were invited to nominate their favourite charities and grassroots projects.  We are delighted to announce that Tuk South ForRangers and Uthando are our winners for 2023 and will be receiving cash donations shortly.OurAfrica.Travel would like to thank all the worthy causes nominated for the vital work they do in Africa including Chefs with Compassion, Conservation South Luangwa, Dambari Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Conservation Fund, Global Sojourns Giving Circle, Good Work Foundation, HERD, How Many Elephants, Ingoma Choir, Meal For Two Project, Mukambi Community School, Nourish Eco Village, Onguma Anti-Poaching Unit, Seahorse Protection by ParCo, The Plaster House and The Rhino Momma Project.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information about the OurAfrica.Travel virtual trade show visit https://ourafrica.travel/.

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This month, London will play host to a brand-new Korean festival connecting Korean culture and landscapes. The festival celebrates both the Visit Korea Year 2023-24, and the 140th anniversary of relations between the UK and Korea.Korea NOW, taking place on Saturday 10 June, will transport visitors to Korea through a first of its kind immersive installation at Tottenham Court Road’s Outernet London. From bucket list travel inspiration to mouth-watering Korean food, live music and art installations in 360-degree Ultra HD, visitors can immerse themselves in all things Korea.
Free to join, the captivating installations will feature bespoke digital artworks curated by seven Korean artists: STUDIO ARTECH, AHN GRAPHICS, LED.ART, Lim Yong-hyun, Lee Lee-nam, Lim Chang-min and 2GREY. Members of the public will be able to enjoy K-beauty demonstrations by Beauty Play, music by the world-renowned Korean band MUTO, and K-Pop dance performances, along with delicious Korean cuisine and more. There will be the opportunity for visitors to win a dream trip to Korea for two.
The digital art exhibition can be viewed in the Now Trending room, Now Building room and Now Arcade area at Outernet, London’s most immersive entertainment district, which boasts the “world’s largest LED screen deployment”. St. Giles Square will be transformed into a Korean market hosting vendors offering food and drink, music, art, beauty, travel inspiration and more.
Outernet London and St. Giles Square, Charing Cross Rd, London, WC2H 8LH
Free Admission: Saturday 10 June, 11am-11pmADVERTISEMENT

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Celebrate Pride Month: experience the magic of colourful Pride festivals here in Thailand, supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIAN+ community. Join the Spectacular Pride parade at Central World shopping center – one of a leader of the celebration of the Pride festival in Thailand, JVs with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand, partners from government and private sectors led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Galderma Thailand, Muse by Metinee, Bangkok PRIDE and Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Co., Ltd. to roll out the great celebration of THAILAND’S PRIDE CELEBRATION 2023 – ‘PRIDE FOR ALL’
PRIDE HAPPENING – the rainbow phenomenon throughout June.
The Biggest Pride Parade – waving rainbow flags in eight branches nationwide led by ‘Proud to be Pride’ at Central World with the show ‘Fly High In The Sky for Pride’ and Fashion Parade that gathers over 500+ models together with the ‘This is my look’ Parade from Galderma (Thailand) to express self-expression with confidence and charm. Followed by the sensational ‘Pride Concert’ by Thailand’s leading artists.
Echoing voices of diversity and equality with the Bangkok Pride 2023 parade, which Central World co-hosted with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in addition to Naruemit Pride. The parade are moved from the Pathumwan intersection to the Ratchaprasong intersection at Central World, waving the beautiful and spectacular 144.8-meter rainbow flag with hundreds of thousands of people joining the grand procession. Enjoy special shows, mini concerts and celebrations of gender diversity attended by provincial governors ambassadors, government agencies and representatives from the LGBTQIAN+ community.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that rapidly rising levels of blocked funds are a threat to airline connectivity in the affected markets. The industry’s blocked funds have increased by 47% to $2.27 billion in April 2023 from $1.55 billion in April 2022.  “Airlines cannot continue to offer services in markets where they are unable to repatriate the revenues arising from their commercial activities in those markets. Governments need to work with industry to resolve this situation so airlines can continue to provide the connectivity that is vital to driving economic activity and job creation,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
The top five countries account for 68.0% of blocked funds. These comprise:
Nigeria ($812.2 million)Bangladesh ($214.1 million)Algeria ($196.3 million)Pakistan ($188.2 million)Lebanon ($141.2 million)IATA urged governments to abide by international agreements and treaty obligations to enable airlines to repatriate these funds arising from the sale of tickets, cargo space, and other activities.

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European tourism leaders have met to advance shared plans for the sector’s future. The 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe (31 May – 2 June, Sofia, Bulgaria), assessed the current state of tourism in the region while also recognizing the vital importance of education, jobs and investments for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Bulgaria Leads High-Level Political Support for TourismAhead of the meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with President Rumen Radev and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Galab Donev, accompanied by Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria Ilin Dimitrov, to discuss shared priorities and areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Donev welcomed the latest UNWTO data which shows Bulgaria is among the fastest recovering of European destinations, with international arrivals in the first quarter of year 27% higher than in 2019.In recognition of their leadership, President Radev awarded UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili and the Director for Europe Alessandra Priante with the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, 1st Class and 2nd Class respectively, at a special ceremony in the Coat of Arms Hall.The two parties jointly recognized tourism’s importance for driving economic development and strengthening peace and understanding.The UNWTO delegation welcomed the Bulgarian Government’s work to diversify its tourism sector, with a focus on growing new areas including wellness, health and gastronomy tourism and supporting rural communities.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “European tourism is recovering strongly and on track to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. This is exactly the time to step up our efforts to transform our sector, with a skilled workforce and proper investments vital for making it more resilient, sustainable and inclusive.”
European Members Focus on Key PrioritiesHigh-level delegations representing 40 countries, a historic high participation, including Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Tourism, gathered for the Regional Commission. Member States were given an overview of UNWTO’s work, with a focus on:ADVERTISEMENTJobs: UNWTO continues to support the Institutions of the European Union in the context of the European Year of Skills, with the co-implementation phase of the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism now underway to re-skill the tourism workforce of the European Union.Education: Members were updated on the creation of a first Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management, in partnership with the Lucerne University of Applied Arts and Sciences, and to launch a toolkit designed to help make tourism a subject in high schools worldwide.Investments: Identified as a key priority for the sector, UNWTO set the stage for World Tourism Day 2023 (27 September) with its theme of ‘Green Investments’, and also looked ahead to the UNWTO Tourism Investment Forum (Yerevan, Armenia, September 2023).Sustainability: UNWTO continues to guide global tourism’s climate action efforts, key works include the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (49 signatories to date, with 17 from European countries), and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism (800+ signatories to date, more than half from Europe).The UNWTO Regional Director outlined how European Members champion tourism as a driver of resilience and recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic and amid the fragile socio-political situation in the region, caused by the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Looking AheadAdhering to the Organization’s statutory obligations, Members agreed:
Ukraine will serve as the Chair of the Commission for Europe for the period 2023 to 2025. Greece and Hungary will serve as the Vice Chairs.World Tourism Day 2024, to be held around the theme of “Tourism and Peace” will be officially hosted by Georgia.The Commission will meet in Uzbekistan this fall for its 69th meeting and in Albania in 2024 for its 70th meeting.On the eve of the meeting, UNWTO launched the Global Startup Competition for Mega Events and MICE Tourism, with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan and the participation of UEFA, the International Congress and Convention Association, and Mastercard. Finally, following an earlier announcement, UNWTO and Aviareps announced that Albania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania and Uzbekistan will be the first five countries to benefit from their collaboration.

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With it being the week of Memorial Day, Collette wants to remind travelers that they’ll be offering a special version of its “Memorials of World War II” tour in 2024 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.On June 6th, 1944, 160,000 courageous Allied troops set out to liberate Europe from the Nazis, storming the beaches in Normandy, France.
An unforgettable journey of discovery and remembrance awaits travelers as they travel between London, Normandy and Paris on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. They’ll explore London’s connections to World War II during a city tour focused on The Blitz. Cross the English Channel, retracing the parallel journey the Allied troops took on June 6th, 1944. Have a chance to immerse themselves in the history of Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches and visit the Normandy American Cemetery. Visit Saint-Mère-Église, the first French town liberated from the Nazis and learn about the brave paratroopers who parachuted into Normandy on the night of June 5–6, 1944.The journey concludes in Paris, the City of Light with a festive dinner cruise along the Seine River. There are plenty of departures remaining for the special edition tour, with dates ranging throughout 2024 from March 17 to October 11. Travelers can secure their spot on the “Memorials of World War II” tour for prices starting at $3,499.
“Collette’s ‘Memorials of World War II’ tour is special,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, chief customer experience officer at Collette. “Throughout 2024, our travelers will have the opportunity to take this journey honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, traveling along the same paths as the near 160,000 Allied troops who battled for European freedom on June 6, 1944. The visit to Normandy is always an emotional one. It is such a moving experience to set foot on the same sand as so many heroes did that day.”

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A key driver of MICE sector growth and the largest operator across the wider MENASA region, Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) event calendar remained an economic catalyst for the Emirate – generating sustainably high returns for adjacent industries connected to the MICE ecosystem.63 Large scale events held at DWTC welcomed nearly 1.2MM attendees with 40% being international – an impressive 49% YOY increase in foreign participation, emphasising Dubai’s leadership as a global mega-event hub.
“Dubai continues to attract businesses and talent from around the world, with DWTC providing an effective connectivity platform to collaborate, accelerate innovation, and showcase next-generation products and services to far-reaching markets. This sustained impact of in-person events is a clear indicator of the MICE industry’s role in supporting economic growth and achieving investment returns for all stakeholders,” said H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri Director General of DWTC Authority.
According to DWTC’s 2022 Economic Impact Assessment Report, released today, DWTC’s 63 large-scale events ( >2,000 attendees) grew by 26% YOY. Total direct economic output across MICE business services and adjacent sectors more than doubled YOY (108%) to reach $2.55 billion. This further reinforces DWTC’s global leadership as a consistent driver of incremental revenues benefiting other vital sectors of the economy.
DWTC events supported over 48,000 jobs, representing a 110% YOY increase, yielding increased disposable household income of $651 million.
DWTC’s robust events portfolio spans key priority verticals for Dubai’s economic agenda with Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific; Information Technology (IT); and Food, Hotel, and Catering, emerging as the top three sectors. They accounted for 57% ($1.16 billion) of the gross value added (GVA) to Dubai’s economy. Combined attendance represented 46% (535,000) of total large-scale event visitation.ADVERTISEMENTAnnual events, which included GITEX Global and Gulfood, generated $3.55 billion in economic output, of which $2.03 billion was retained within Dubai’s GDP.
“2022 has been a particularly milestone year for global MICE, and Dubai’s ability to continue to sustain its pace of growth in this sector that has been through a transformative period showcasing revival post-pandemic, is testament to our ability to render sustained value to business participants,” concluded His Excellency Almarri.

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Visit Malta has been announced as the official headline sponsors of The Travel United Cup 2023.
The tournament will give attendees exclusive access to the home of English football, St. George’s Park, which is generally closed to the public – whilst also giving attendees the opportunity to experience playing on the iconic David Beckham Pitch and some down-time in the Club England Suite. The event, which will help raise money for Just a Drop and the Street Soccer Foundation, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will unite the travel industry through football.Visit Malta’s sponsorship of The Travel United Cup 2023 demonstrates their commitment to using travel as a force for good whilst also supporting the travel industry in coming together for a unique and exciting event.Tolene van der Merwe, Director UK & Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority said “We are thrilled to confirm our headline sponsorship of the inaugural Travel United Cup with Just a Drop and the Street Soccer Foundation. Visit Malta has a strong affiliation with football through our ongoing sponsorship of Manchester United and we are looking forward to our trade partners and agents getting their teams together to be crowned the first Travel United Cup champions. Travel agents have been a vital support to the recovery of Malta in this post-pandemic world and we are always keen to support trade focused events and initiatives. Not only will this be the battle for the best in the travel industry, but it will also be supporting the vital work of two incredible charities who are changing lives across the world, we look forward to watching the winning team lift the trophy on 7th July.”.Just a Drop, an international water charity in the travel industry, invites professionals from the industry to join The Travel United Cup 2023, to be held on Friday, 7th July 2023. The event is held in partnership with the Street Soccer Foundation.The Street Soccer Foundation is an award-winning sport-for-change charity operating throughout England using football as a catalyst to help educate, up-skill and inspire disadvantaged children and vulnerable and homeless young people in communities nationwide.Andrew Mabbutt, the force behind this event, says, “I am thrilled that Visit Malta have chosen to be the inaugural headline sponsor for this amazing event. We have planned a fantastic day for the travel industry to enjoy a football experience whilst at the same time contributing to making a huge positive difference to people’s lives. The power of football! The power of the travel industry!”.The event will see 16 teams from across the industry battle it out for the title of Travel United Cup Champions. Places are selling fast, with some great brands including EasyJet Holidays and Audley Travel already registered.To enter the tournament, you will need to a team of 7-10 people and sign up through Just a Drop’s website here: https://www.justadrop.org/Event/the-travel-united-cup-2023 or by emailing Ruth Mileham, [email protected]

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