Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

For the second year in a row, Internova Travel Group will be the headline sponsor for PROUD Experiences, the world’s leading lifestyle and luxury LGBTQ+ travel industry event, organized by RX (Reed Exhibitions), which takes place June 5-7 in Los Angeles.LGBTQ+ travelers are a growing segment within the travel and tourism industry, representing more than $218 billion worldwide pre-pandemic. Internova is one of the world’s largest travel services companies, and the more than 100,000 travel advisors it represents worldwide are rising to the challenge of creating experiences for this discerning group of travelers.
Albert Herrera, Internova’s Executive Vice President, Partner Relations, said: “Partnering with events like PROUD Experiences helps us better understand the LGBTQ+ traveler. It strengthens our relationships with travel suppliers; ensures that we are planning journeys to places where members of the LGBTQ+ community will be safe and welcomed; keeps us up to date on the newest, most exciting experiences and destinations around the world; and gives the travel advisors across all of our brands the support and tools they need to provide exceptional service to their clients.”
The sold-out gathering will feature more than 180 international, regional and local travel suppliers, including more than 60 new exhibitors, from seven continents. They range from brands such as 21c Museum Hotels, Six Senses and Small Luxury Hotels of the World to independent hotels like Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, and many more. New destinations include Tahiti, Visit Buenos Aires and Santa Monica Tourism. Buyers from more than 10 countries will be at the event and take part in more than 30 one-on-one appointments.
Masterclasses, led by U.S.-based and international speakers, will cover a range of topics, including the effectiveness of authentic engagement with LGBTQ+ travelers and the importance of attracting, elevating and working with diverse voices in an inclusive environment; all-women panels highlighting the necessity of creating safe and welcoming spaces in the culinary, wellness, and sporting worlds; establishing an LGBTQ+ strategy; helping suppliers create an inclusive LGBTQ+ welcome; and suggestions for buyers who want to develop LGBTQ+ business.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is an all-too-familiar reality for those in the LGBTQ+ community. PROUD Experiences brings together leaders from the travel and lifestyle sectors to network, share knowledge and do business. The event features engaging, interactive sessions and brings all of the debate about LGBTQ+ travel to the table.ADVERTISEMENT“This will be the largest gathering of industry professionals meeting to do business together in support of the LGBTQ+ traveler, and we’re thrilled that Internova Travel Group is joining us once again as headline sponsor,” said Simon Mayle, PROUD Experiences Event Director. “LGBTQ+ adults are leading the way in post-pandemic travel, and Internova travel advisors are vital partners in helping to meet their needs.”

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The Maldives’ bright new star, Nova, is delighted to unleash a shoal of eco-inspired activities and events in celebration of World Ocean Day 2023. 
The soulful island’s agenda will foster interest and awareness for guests and team members, from fascinating talk about marine life, to a series of sustainable initiatives. The celebration will start with a lagoon and house reef clean-up around the natural island to collect any plastic and debris for recycling. Guests will be invited into Nova’s coral adoption program to learn about the importance of coral reef restoration and rehabilitation, as well as the environmental threats facing the tropical archipelago. They will have the opportunity to plant corals around the reef and even to adopt one. 
An awareness-raising session will also follow, where the Co-founder of Miyaru, Hamna Hussain will provide insight about the new non-profit organisation working at the intersection of humans and sharks. The Miyaru program is dedicated to the research and conservation of the understudied, predatory shark populations of the Maldives. Hamna will highlight environmental issues they face, along with captivating facts about the Maldives diverse ecosystem and its vibrant underwater world. 
Located in the South Ari Atoll, a world-renowned whale shark and manta ray hotspot, Nova will take guests on an eco-conscious whale shark excursion, where they will have the chance to swim alongside them and to learn more about the majestic gentle giants’ dynamics, and protecting and preserving them. Moreover, guests will be invited to join the ocean art competition, conducted by local talented artist, where they can unleash their creativity with their own depiction of the awe-inspiring beauty of the Maldivian marine life. Finally, guests can compete in a quiz to nurture their knowledge on the ocean life, with a prize awaiting the winner.
Through commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible tourism, Nova is taking on the responsibility of safeguarding the astounding beauty for generations to come. Nova’s promise to ever-improve its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, and use mindfulness to keep sustainability at the core of everything the soulful island does.  ADVERTISEMENTFor more information, visit www.nova-maldives.com.

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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and Warrior Expeditions were joined by members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the departure of six wartime veterans as they embark on a cross-country bike ride to process and heal from the mental health impacts of their deployments. The riders began their journey at the eastern endpoint of the Great American Rail-Trail, RTC’s flagship project to connect a cross-country, multiuse trail, and will conquer 3,700 miles before reaching their ultimate finish in La Push, Washington, later this summer.“When we introduced the Great American Rail-Trail four years ago, we knew that this grand vision to connect a trail across the country would capture the imagination of the nation,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC. “The veterans who have taken park in this ride previously have shared that the journey has brought solace and healing, alongside hope that comes from connecting with the people, places and rich heritage that makes up the American landscape. Their experience is an inspiration and we’re proud that the infrastructure we’re helping to build can support their expedition.”
Warrior Expeditions is a nonprofit organization that emphasizes the therapeutic value of long-distance outdoor expeditions to help veterans transition from their wartime experiences. Veterans apply to be included in one of several expedition teams, including long-distance hikes, paddles and the Warrior Bike, which exclusively takes place on the Great American Rail-Trail. As part of the program, psychologists partner with Warrior Expeditions to research and publish the effects of long-term outdoor and wilderness experiences, like the Warrior Bike Expedition, on combat veterans.
“Warrior Expeditions is excited to support another group of veterans along the Great American Rail Trail for the third consecutive year,” said Sean Gobin, founder and executive director of Warrior Expeditions. “These rides allow our veterans to find peace and healing in nature while simultaneously experiencing a cross section of America. We also very much appreciate RTC’s work to make the route better and better each year.”
Veterans participating in the 2023 Warrior Bike include Stephanie Buffett of Riner, Virginia (United States Air Force, deployed to Afghanistan); Timothy Davis of Lake Zurich, Illinois (United States Air Force, deployed to Afghanistan); Brittany Greene of Tacoma, Washington (United States Army, deployed to Afghanistan); Aaron Ledbetter of Cottage Grove, Oregon (United States Army, deployed to Afghanistan); Charles Sonnenberg of New Braunfels, Texas (United States Air Force, deployed to Iraq); and Jared Thomas of Huntington, West Virginia (United States Army, deployed to Afghanistan).
“I’m hoping that this journey enables me to deepen my understanding of myself and my connection to the world. I anticipate working through a continuous series of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual challenges that have the potential to become significant personal growth opportunities,” said Brittany Greene, former U.S. Army CBRN Officer from Tacoma, Washington.ADVERTISEMENTp > 

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Today, world-renowned Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Magazine hit stands, featuring Dominica, the Caribbean’s ‘Nature Island,’ as one of this year’s key destinations. Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated announced Dominica as a participating destination for the first time, releasing a sneak peak of models Sixtine Rouyre and Melissa Wood-Tepperberg’s shoot. Famous for hiking, diving, whale watching and being the hot spa capital of the Caribbean, Dominica is best known for its unsurpassed natural beauty, making it a perfect backdrop for the acclaimed magazine’s models.

Participating models were photographed at Dominica’s most popular destinations, including Batibou Beach, Scotts Head, Hampstead Beach, and Jacko Falls, as well as the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa and Jungle Bay Hotel. This year’s talent included the iconic Leyna Bloom, Kamie Crawford, Christen Harper, Padma Lakshmi, Yumi Nu, Olivia Ponton, and Nicole Williams English, in addition to Sixtine Rouyre and Melissa Wood-Tepperberg.
“As Dominica receives more worldwide recognition as a premier travel destination, we are thrilled to have been chosen as a location for this year’s issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Magazine,” said Hon. Minister of Tourism Denise Charles. “This feature represents a huge success for our island, and we are hopeful that it entices more travelers to visit.”
Located along Douglas Bay on the island’s northwest side, the newly branded IHG Hotel Group 151-room InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa offers a unique and luxurious stay for travelers with its four outdoor pools, expansive spa, fitness center, beach access, and 8,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space to accommodate corporate events. Located in Soufriere, Jungle Bay Hotel includes private cabanas, yoga and wellness packages, award-winning dining and is also certified at the highest level for sustainable tourism and quality standards with Dominica’s Nature Island Standards of Excellence (NISE).ADVERTISEMENTDiscover Dominica Authority thanks its stakeholders who helped make this vision a reality, including The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, The Ministry of Tourism, Intercontinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, Jungle Bay, Island Locations, and the friendly people of Dominica who helped provide an unforgettable experience for visitors.

For more information on Dominica, visit Dominica’s official website at www.discoverdominica.com, explore the destination’s YouTube Page and follow Dominica on Instagram and Facebook. For more details on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, please visit https://swimsuit.si.com/.

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Global Humane Provides Animal Welfare Certification to SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

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Today, Global Humane—the international brand of American Humane and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare—joined leaders of SeaWorld and Miral in Washington, D.C. to announce the certification of both SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue, Abu Dhabi.
It’s the first Global Humane certification in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and signifies the high standard of animal care provided at the marine life theme park and rescue facility located adjacent to the park.
The event took place at the National Press Club and included remarks from SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, owner and operator of Yas SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Miral, and Global Humane celebrating the milestone for animal welfare. The park in Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors on May 23.
For more than a hundred years American Humane has been first in promoting the welfare and safety of animals and strengthening the bond between animals and people. The organization is behind many important animal welfare initiatives, including the “No Animals Were Harmed®” program in Hollywood.
“We are thrilled that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue have met the standards to become Global Humane Certified,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane. “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will give residents of the United Arab Emirates a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of the ocean up close—helping to inspire the next generation of conservationists. This is SeaWorld’s first location abroad and provides Global Humane with the opportunity to recognize the extensive reach of the animal welfare movement at zoos, aquariums, and conservation parks around the world.”ADVERTISEMENTRigorous Certification Standards:
To receive Global Humane Certification, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue have both passed a rigorous third-party assessment—which after months of preparation—reviewed the well-being of animals in the park and center’s care. The unique process is guided by the latest science and is informed by respected veterinarians and experts in the fields of animal welfare, animal science, zoology, and ethics that have decades of experience in protecting animals.
The independent validation process—which goes above and beyond to help protect animals—provides park visitors with the confidence the institution is meeting a high benchmark of care. The process includes a pre-audit application period that is followed up by an onsite visit that assesses animal welfare. Factors considered during the audit include, but are not limited to, housing, food, water, lighting, shade, sound, activity levels, and the training of staff who are interacting with the animals. The specific benchmarks are species specific.
Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment said, “American Humane is a well-respected independent animal welfare organization whose rigorous standards ensure that animals live healthy and safe lives in human care. For nearly 60 years our parks have played an important role in inspiring and educating the public about marine animals and providing exceptional standards of care is integral to that mission. We share American Humane’s passion and commitment to the well-being of animals as validated by meeting and exceeding their certification standards in all our U.S. parks. We are proud to now receive Global Humane certification for the first SeaWorld outside of the U.S. as we extend our mission to the United Arab Emirates where the Arabian gulf is an important marine ecosystem and integral to the fabric of the Abu Dhabi community.”
“At Miral Experiences, we are dedicated to delivering world-class attractions that go beyond entertainment to deliver truly exceptional guest experiences. With SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, this extends to us innovatively educating our guests and demonstrating our commitment towards sustainability and animal welfare” said Julien Kauffman, CEO of Miral Experiences. “The Global Humane certification for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a testament to our commitment to these values and a celebration of our collective milestones and achievements. We believe that by offering an immersive and educational experience, we can inspire our guests to become lifelong champions of marine life and the environment. Our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and our certification by Global Humane reinforces our dedication to raising the standard for animal welfare and sustainability in the region and around the world.”
Yas Island and its world-class theme parks, experiences and attractions were recognised with seven awards in the globally renowned World Travel Awards in 2022. In addition to scooping the accolade of World’s Leading Theme Park Destination 2022, Yas Island received the flagship Middle East’s Leading Tourism Development award for the fourth consecutive year, testament to the global reputation Yas Island has as a leisure and entertainment hub. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was yet again named the World’s Leading Theme Park 2022 and Middle East’s Leading Theme Park 2022, while the Emirati-themed waterpark Yas Waterworld, was recognised as Middle East’s Leading Water Park 2022 and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, was named as Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2022. Across the awards, the record-breaking adventure hub CLYMB Abu Dhabi, with the world’s largest indoor flight chamber and the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall, was awarded the accolade of Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2022.

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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, this morning departed the island to join global tourism leaders for the 118th Session of the World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Executive Council, which runs from May 16-18, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Representatives from 159 member states will convene to discuss trends in international tourism, resilience building and tourism’s impact on economic and social development globally, among other issues.
Some critical agenda items include a status report on the establishment of the Task Force on “Redesigning Tourism for the Future”, a status report on the establishment of UNWTO Regional and Thematic Offices and a report on preparations for the 25th session of UNWTO General Assembly later this year (October 16-20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
“These meetings always provide a great opportunity to share best practices, build new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships. This session will also allow UNWTO member states to brainstorm ways we can reimagine tourism in a post-COVID-19 era, carefully manage our strong recovery and decide on a strategic path towards future-proofing the sector against various types of shocks,” noted the tourism minister.
Minister Bartlett’s schedule of activities will also include an Inter-Institutional Forum on Sustainable Tourism in the Dominican Republic and a thematic session entitled “New Narratives in Tourism”.  The latter event will show how tourism adapts its communication to the demands of an audience that is more technological, demanding and committed.  It is a platform to exchange ideas and convey the message of a more innovative, sustainable and people-centred tourism, through the integration of novel tools and concepts. Noted presenters include Travel Media Founder and Managing Director, Michael Collins;  Instagram’s Director of Public Policy, Ernest Voyard and Meta’s Director of External Affairs, Sharon Yang.ADVERTISEMENTThe Executive Council is expected to propose themes and host countries for World Tourism Day 2024 and 2025 and select the place and dates of the next two sessions.
Minister Bartlett is being accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Griffith.
He returns to Jamaica on Friday, May 19, 2023.

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25 individuals and organisations were recognised at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2023, for delivering exceptional experiences and displaying enterprise excellence as tourism resumed fully last year.
Conferred by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Singapore Tourism Awards seeks to raise the sector’s competitiveness by motivating individuals and organisations to create compelling experiences and adopt best practices. Recipients[1] were selected from 90 finalists[2] nominated for the categories of Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence and Customer Service Excellence.
STB Chief Executive Mr Keith Tan said, “I congratulate all our award recipients and finalists for their outstanding achievements. Their efforts have strengthened Singapore’s tourism sector and enhanced the experiences of visitors to Singapore. I hope their achievements will inspire others in the tourism sector to step up and perform even better in the future.”
Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Mr George Tanasijevich​, former President and CEO/Managing Director of Marina Bay Sands, was conferred the Awards’ highest accolade – Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. He spearheaded Las Vegas Sands Corporation’s successful bid in 2006 to develop the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. It is now one the world’s most iconic tourist destinations, creating quality jobs for locals and significant economic benefits for Singapore.ADVERTISEMENTRecognising the best in tourism
24 individuals and organisations were also honoured for their outstanding achievements in Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence and Customer Service Excellence.
In particular, Avatar: The Experience​ was awarded Outstanding Attraction Experience under the Experience Excellence (Leisure) award category. It immersed visitors in the world of “Pandora”, while offering an “eco-smart tourable experience” that can be transported and reused, reducing its overall carbon footprint.
Kayak Fishing Fever’s Kayak Sailing in Singapore, Mangrove and Culinary Adventure received the Outstanding Tour Experience for bringing guests up close with the natural ecosystem and habitats while offering a rare glimpse into life on Pulau Ubin​.
Blue Smoke was named Outstanding Casual Dining Experience for its unique concept of an open wood and charcoal fire smokehouse and grill, while creating uniquely Asian flavours with Nanyang Teochew cuisine at the core.
Informa’s Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) received the Outstanding Business Event award under the Experience Excellence (MICE) award category, for restructuring FHA 2022 into two tradeshows. It achieved strong attendance to become the best-attended Food and Hospitality event in Asia.
Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Marina Bay Sands) was awarded Outstanding Event Venue Experience for repositioning Marina Bay Sands from a one-venue destination to a vibrant and integrated precinct. It has also been conferred the Exceptional Achievement[3] award for achieving Outstanding Event Venue Experience three years in a row.
​Mandai Wildlife Group was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability under the Enterprise Excellence award category, for displaying leadership in conservation and sustainability. To protect biodiversity, the organisation focused on enhancing local habitats and ecological connectivity at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It also achieved an 80% reduction in single use plastics across parks and converted its in-park trams and buggies to run on electricity.
Sentosa Development Corporation’s (SDC) Discovery Neverending NFTs was named Outstanding Marketing Idea as it successfully drove brand awareness and engagement by leveraging the popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFT) among their target segments. The innovative marketing plan – which had a clear analysis and mapping of audience behaviour – increased sign-ups for SDC’s loyalty programme and garnered high participation, receiving 1.96 million impressions on their social channels.
Resorts World Sentosa was recognised as Outstanding Employer (formerly the Exemplary Employer award) for its structured approach in talent management and development. The organisation achieved close to 300,000 training hours in 2022 and implemented a tiered skill allowance framework. It also has a dedicated Innovation Department to assist and work with departments on innovation and work processes.
New award for Outstanding Wellness Experience
In line with STB’s ambition for Singapore to become an urban wellness haven and to grow our tourism offerings in this area, the Outstanding Wellness Experience award was introduced this year. The inaugural award was clinched by Xiu Nature Connections. Through its unique forest bathing experience that taps on pockets of green spaces in Singapore, Xiu Nature Connections created a distinctive way for visitors to explore Singapore. It also collaborated with stakeholders such as Far East Hospitality, Seek Sophie and ClassPass to drive global outreach for its forest bathing programmes.
Organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Singapore Tourism Awards brings together Singapore’s tourism sector to celebrate individuals and organisations that best deliver exceptional experiences and achieve enterprise excellence. The Awards is an integral part of STB’s efforts to raise the Singapore tourism sector’s competitiveness by motivating organisations and individuals to create compelling experiences or adopt best practices. For more information, visit www.singaporetourismawards.com.

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Eleuthera, Bahamas wins CHTA Destination Resilience Category B Award. L-R: Nicola Madden-Greig President of The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association; Latia Duncombe, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and Vanessa Ledesma Acting CEO & Director General of The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association.
This week, delegates from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA), led by Director General Mrs. Latia Duncombe, attended the 41st edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event.The meeting was hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in Bridgetown, Barbados May 9-11.The Hon. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, opened the conference on Tuesday, 9 May addressing over 700 representatives inclusive of Tourism Ministers, executives, tour operators, suppliers and more. Keynote addresses continued highlighting the state of the industry by Nicola Madden-Greig, President of CHTA, Olivier Ponti, Vice President of Insights for ForwardKeys; the Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Tourism Minister for the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); Charlie Osmond, Co-founder, Triptease.
CHTA 2023 Destination Resilience Awards were also announced on Tuesday, with Eleuthera Island in The Bahamas being named as the winner in Category B – destinations with total stopover arrivals under 500,000. The Destination Resilience Awards were introduced during the Covid -19 pandemic and recognises destinations that used innovative and timely responses to the global pandemic that led to the island’s tourism recovery. Eleuthera demonstrated a commitment to a more sustainable future with initiatives undertaken by entities such as the Island School, Cape Eleuthera Institute, the Eleuthera Sustainability Council Cooperative Society and the Centre for Training Institute.
“I am pleased to see the efforts to promote sustainability in The Bahamas and notably Eleuthera, recognised by the Caribbean community and rewarded with the Destination Resilience Award,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General, BMOTIA.
BMOTIA representatives participated in over 40 meetings with prospective priority partners and media outlets to discuss new developments and the future of travel to The Bahamas.
“There’s been a keen interest in our destination from European and Latin American representatives,” said Duncombe, “Our meetings with them have given way to new and strengthened strategic partnerships.”ADVERTISEMENTSaid Duncombe, “CHTA Marketplace has presented an unparalleled opportunity to engage in insightful discussions on the optimal use of Artificial Intelligence in capitalising on travel consumer behaviours. Such intelligence is invaluable to our overarching promotional strategy.”
“We continuously see the value of the destination’s attendance at Caribbean Travel Marketplace,” she added.
For more information on recent BMOTIA tourism efforts, please visit www.bahamas.com.

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