Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

At a special session on Seminar on Tourism for All, held at the FITUR 2023 tourism trade fair in Madrid, the three organizations were joined by representatives of tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations to put forward new tools geared towards the implementation of the standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism, across the value chain. These tools include a new user-guide focused on accommodation, food & beverage and MICE companies, launched at FITUR. The guide will serve ,as a starting point for assessing their levels of accessibility, and for developing or adapting their services.
This new guide was produced in collaboration with leading civil society and industry organizations such as Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, International Circle of Hospitality Directors (CIDH), as well as the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). It is a follow up to the guidelines published in December, focusing on public administrations; in case of the latter, the support of Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Argentina was key in messaging governments and destinations, entrusted with tourism policies, strategies and marketing plans.
Accessibility for growth and resilience
At the seminar, Miguel Carballeda, President of the ONCE Social Group and Jose Manuel Huesa, Director of Servimedia, argued that there is no longer any excuse for any destination or leisure and tourism experience to be inaccessible to any tourist, regardless of their background or ability. UNWTO Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic, added that accessibility is key to achieving SDGs. It is also key to resilience, since it brings along new customers, improving the sector’s economic performance. Javier García Diaz, Director General of UNE and Vice-President of ISO, concluded that accessibility standards should be taken as guidance tools in carrying out improvements, instead of obligatory sets of measures.
Also in Madrid, the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador introduced its new policies planning at this event, while the City Hall of Cordoba (Spain) shared new actions at a local destination level, benefitting local communities and visitors. RIU Hotel & Resorts and International Circle of Hospitality Directors tackled the most pressing challenging in applying standards and the myriad of opportunities that universal accessibility entails.ADVERTISEMENTThe speakers proved once more why accessibility is a major social inclusion and business opportunity as tourism’s recovery continues. UNWTO, its partners and new collaborating organizations remain committed to producing new policy guidance tools in the sphere of accessibility, throughout 2023, leading the change.

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The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) champions knowledge exploration and scientific discovery at the inaugural edition of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s Islamic Arts Biennale. The Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to a reexamination of the relationship between culture and Islamic civilization at the biennale, held in Jeddah until April 23, 2023.Ithra is where imagination is powered, ideas are born, knowledge shared and culture celebrated. All these elements are on display through a range of activities, including an art exhibition, an academic offering and the world premiere of a documentary film based on research into the Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah from Makkah to Yathrib.
In the Footsteps of the Prophet will be screened publicly for the first time at the biennale. In it, Dr. Abdullah Alkadi, one of the world’s leading experts on the topic, retraces the Prophet’s steps. It is based on Ithra’s Hijrah exhibition, aimed at expanding people’s knowledge of the event that saw Islam catapulted to a major religion that would give rise to a great civilization.
Ithra’s exhibition at the biennale, A Journey of Understanding is based on a reevaluation of Islamic visual culture considering audience research to better understand Saudi society’s reception, knowledge and preconceptions of the field. It includes culturally significant items including a historic kiswa (the Kaʼba door curtain), ancient Qur’ans and manuscripts, and other artefacts. The exhibition is enriched by videos and two VR experiences offering visitors walkthroughs inside two of the world’s iconic mosques.
The Ithra Academy presents a series of workshops and masterclasses to support creatives and art enthusiasts in developing their skills – Artist Portfolio: Strategies to Showcase your Work; The Art of Looking at Art; and Traditional Islamic Illumination.
“At Ithra we ignite cultural curiosity, stimulate knowledge exploration, and inspire creativity through the power of ideas, imagination and innovation,” said Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra Museum. “We harness innovation to capture and showcase the Kingdom’s cultural heritage at the Biennale. We present a range of significant historical artefacts and unique objects in ways that would appeal to a global audience, while our multidisciplinary approach is designed to elevate audiences’ understanding of Islamic art.”ADVERTISEMENTFor more information, visit www.ithra.com.

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UNWTO and CAF Partner to Boost Sustainable Tourism Investment in the Americas at FITUR 2023

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At FITUR 2023, UNWTO served as the bridge between public and private leaders to advance plans to build a more diverse, resilient and sustainable tourism sectorWith the latest UNWTO data pointing to a return to pre-pandemic arrival levels in some world regions in 2023, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili once again joined His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain in opening the major travel trade fair. Reflecting the Organization’s priorities, UNWTO placed tourism investments, rural development, diversification, sustainability and accessibility centre stage over the course of four days.
Investment and building trust
Against the backdrop of FITUR, UNWTO and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) strengthened their existing partnership to further advance UNWTO’s work to attract and retain investment in tourism. The partnership will include the production of tourism investment guidelines, initially focused on Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Uruguay. Both organizations will develop frameworks to attract, promote and retain foreign direct investment in sustainable tourism initiatives across the Americas.
UNWTO recognized the progress made in rethinking the role of tourism in the economies and societies of the region. The President of the Republic of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, and the Executive President of Banco Popular of the Dominican Republic, Christopher Paniagua, were formally recognized by UNWTO for their commitment to mainstreaming tourism in economic policy and financing, respectively. At FITUR, President Giammattei also confirmed the adherence of Guatemala to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists.
Widening the scope of tourismAs part of UNWTO’s work to diversify the sector and enhance its status as a driver of rural development, the Spanish province of La Rioja was announced as the host of the 7th UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference later this year. Secretary-General Pololikashvili, the President of La Rioja, Concha Andreu, and Spain’s Minister of Tourism Reyes Maroto, highlighted the importance of the growing wine tourism sector for protecting culture and supporting local jobs and businesses.ADVERTISEMENTUNWTO also recognized the importance of shopping tourism, with particular reference to its close links to leisure and gastronomy. A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO and WOW Concept, will see the two work together to promote responsible urban tourism through joint promotions and events as well as through shared efforts to monitor and share trends in tourism consumption. Further diversifying the sector’s reach and impact, UNWTO also partnered with the Croatian National Tourist Board to announce the Second World Sports Tourism Congress. The agreement, signed by Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac, will see the event held in the city of Zadar on 26 and 27 April.
Tourism for all
To rethink accessible travel, UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) co-organized a Seminar on Tourism for All, gathering national tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations, underscoring the role of accessibility for social inclusion and business opportunity. The partners presented tools aimed at implementing the international standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism for All, including with a new guide to applying it in accommodation and hospitality businesses.
Sustainability: On land and in oceans
UNWTO continued to step up tourism’s pace towards a more sustainable future. The Mexican State of Yucatán, home to some of the country’s top tourism destinations, is the latest addition of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Already numbering more than 30 worldwide, INSTO monitors tourism’s impact on local economies and habitats, allowing for smarter data-driven policymaking.
UNWTO concluded its week at FITUR by hosting a special meeting on Tourism for the Ocean and Climate Action at its Madrid headquarters. Counting on the participation of Member of the European Parliament Catherine Chabaut, as well as Ruben Eiras, Secretary General, Forum Oceano, Paul Holhtus, Founding President, World Ocean Council, and Josiane Sadaka, CEO of Blue Carbon LLC, the event saw UNWTO confirm its support for the BlueCOP28 and Dubai Blue Pact initiatives. For his work leading tourism towards greater sustainability, Frédéric Degret, the Founder and CEO at NOAH ReGen was named as the UNWTO Special Advisor for Oceans and Climate Emergency.
Strengthening relationships
FITUR 2023 provided the opportunity for UNWTO to strengthen relations with public and private sector leaders. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili held a series of bilateral meetings to keep servicing the Organization’s Member States. The UNWTO leadership met with new Minister of Tourism of Jordan, Makram Mustafa Al-Qaisi, with the Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, Tabaré Viera; Deputy Minister of Tourism for Georgia, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for Portugal, Mariam Kvrivishvili, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for Portugal, the Minister of Tourism of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed, the Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi as well as the Minister of Tourism of Puerto Rico Carlos Mercado, and also with Dario Item, Ambassador to Spain of UNWTO’s newest Member State, Antigua and Barbuda.
In a working meeting with Mariana Oleskiv, Chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism of Ukraine, Secretary-General Pololikashvili reaffirmed UNWTO’s firm support for Ukrainian’s citizens and noted tourism’s role for future recovery and as a pillar of peace. Meetings were also held with the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Skiathos Thodoris Tzoumas, the Israeli Ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon.

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The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced that Barbados will host the 41st edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Bridgetown from May 9-11, 2023.
Nicola Madden-Greig, CHTA president, announced that the trade association’s largest annual event, which convenes buyers and sellers of the region’s tourism products and services, will be staged in Barbados for the first time in the organization’s history. “CHTA has a very strong relationship with both public and private sector stakeholders in Barbados, and as we position the region’s top earner for robust growth this year, we are delighted to lock arms with our Bajan partners to drive business to the Caribbean,” she said.
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ minister of tourism and international transport, said the Barbados tourism industry was undergoing a major renaissance in the post-COVID environment, and the timing could not be better to welcome Caribbean Travel Marketplace to local soil. He believes the meeting aligns with Barbados’ value offerings, which appeal to the key MICE market, among others.
This year’s event will build on the success of last fall’s edition, which was held in Puerto Rico. A highlight of the Puerto Rico meeting was the launch of the first “Caribbean Travel Forum & Awards,” the second edition of which will be held in Barbados on May 9, 2023, ahead of the official opening ceremony of Caribbean Travel Marketplace. The forum will once again focus on the business of tourism, while business appointments will be held on May 10-11.
“Our private sector partners, together with the BTMI and the ministry of tourism and transport, are keen to showcase Barbados’ exceptional product and experiences and we cannot wait to welcome you to our island home,” said Renée Coppin, chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.ADVERTISEMENTMeanwhile, Madden-Greig noted that this year’s event will also provide access to the Eastern Caribbean for buyers and tour operators as the region places a strong focus on the revival of multi-destination travel.
Registration details to be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.chtamarketplace.com.

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Dubai sets the tone for another year of big achievements with a major global accolade

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Dubai has been crowned the No.1 global destination in the TripadvisorⓇ Travellers’ Choice Awards for a second successive year, consolidating its position as the world’s favourite tourist destination.Dubai’s top international ranking was announced by TripadvisorⓇ, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, at its annual Travellers’ ChoiceⓇ Best of the Best Destination Awards 2023. The back-to-back global seals of approval underscore the significant efforts to bolster the city’s vibrant economy and tourism ecosystem as it seeks to deliver the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the world’s most visited and liveable city.
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award winners are uniquely chosen by millions of travellers from around the world, who provide their real and unbiased reviews or opinions on destinations, activities and experiences. The quality and quantity of independent destination reviews and ratings from travellers covered a period of 12 months from 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai commented: “The top ranking by global travellers reflects the vision of the leadership to transform Dubai into the world’s top destination for tourism and business, as embodied by a key goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The Agenda’s objective of consolidating Dubai’s status as one of world’s top three cities for tourism and business signifies the leadership’s determination to mark Dubai out as a clear leader not only as a leisure and lifestyle destination but also as a hub for connectivity, commerce and investment. Dubai’s diverse tourism attractions and hospitality offerings, combined with its emergence as a leading venue for global events and a magnet for talent and enterprise will continue to reinforce its status as a favourite among global travellers over the next decade. Dubai’s tourism, hospitality and events sectors have been at the forefront of a rebound and acceleration of global growth in these sectors over the last two years and will continue to play a key role in shaping their evolution in the future.”
His Excellency, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Being named the No.1 global destination for a second consecutive year reflects the significant work undertaken by the city’s many stakeholders, our strong public private partnership model, and Dubai’s global network of partners – all of which are aligned towards the guiding vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the city of the future and the world’s best destination to visit, live and work.
“Tourism is a central pillar of Dubai’s economic growth and diversification, and the continual investment in our product offering, a frictionless and superlative guest experience and the development of the sector and those working in it, will not only serve to further accelerate industry growth but critically, will have a significant multiplier impact on many other elements of Dubai’s economic landscape and global appeal to businesses and talent.ADVERTISEMENT“We also see this sector’s growth providing many opportunities for national talents to enter the industry and we will continue to provide an educational and training framework for their development as well as the wider industry’s continued advancement,” His Excellency Helal Almarri added.
The top Tripadvisor award is the latest addition to a series of international accolades bestowed on Dubai, demonstrating the city’s enduring appeal as a multifaceted destination. With more than 13,000 restaurants and cafes spread across the city, offering diverse cuisines for foodies and families, Dubai continued to win international recognition as a global gastronomy hub including the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai and the arrival of renowned fine-dining restaurant critique guide Gault&Millau in 2022. Several of Dubai’s restaurants, chefs and gourmet experiences were also recognised in the inaugural edition of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2022.The top Tripadvisor award is the latest addition to a series of international accolades bestowed on Dubai, demonstrating the city’s enduring appeal as a multifaceted destination. With more than 13,000 restaurants and cafes spread across the city, offering diverse cuisines for foodies and families, Dubai continued to win international recognition as a global gastronomy hub including the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai and the arrival of renowned fine-dining restaurant critique guide Gault&Millau in 2022. Several of Dubai’s restaurants, chefs and gourmet experiences were also recognised in the inaugural edition of the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2022.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by our visionary leadership, Dubai continues to take significant steps to ensure it remains at the forefront of global tourism and this award only seeks to motivate us further and drive us to work harder to stay ahead in the coming years.His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by our visionary leadership, Dubai continues to take significant steps to ensure it remains at the forefront of global tourism and this award only seeks to motivate us further and drive us to work harder to stay ahead in the coming years.
“Retaining our position as the No. 1 destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards is just reward for the efforts to continuously innovate and adapt to the evolving nature of travel, build out exceptional guest experiences at every touchpoint and effectively tailor Dubai’s offering for different needs and segments. As a city that is always on the move, Dubai’s charm is its unique ability to surprise and delight both new and repeat visitors with its ever growing diverse offering while keeping its authenticity and traditions intact. We have successfully taken these messages to the world by bringing the destination to life through a series of global campaigns with the support of over 3,000 partners worldwide, providing international audiences an exciting insight into the city’s most iconic landmarks such as the Museum of the Future and unique hidden locations. Our focus for 2023 and beyond will be to drive and support growth through this mosaic of experiences, across all our tourism pillars from entertainment to shopping and cultural to culinary experiences.”
As one of the most sought-after cities for international travel, business and events, Dubai’s significant resurgence throughout 2022 was further spurred by Expo 2020 Dubai with the hugely successful global event attracting over 24 million visits by the time it concluded on 31 March 2022. In addition, Dubai’s annual calendar of festivals, leisure, sporting and business events including the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Gulfood, the Dubai World Cup, World Government Summit, GITEX Technology Week, Dubai Desert Classic, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, Dubai International Boat Show and the Arabian Travel Market, to name a few, spurred a significant growth in tourism.

At last year’s World Travel Awards Dubai was acclaimed the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2022 and at the awards Middle East Ceremony the destination walked off with Middle East’s Leading Destination and Middle East’s Leading City Destination.
As it keeps pace with the rapidly evolving global tourism landscape Dubai is constantly introducing regulatory, infrastructure and travel initiatives to attract even more visitors from around the world. Dubai’s tourism momentum has continued to quicken, thanks also to the support extended by both domestic and international partners in showcasing the city as a destination that is safe, open and accessible. According to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai welcomed 12.82 million international overnight visitors between January and November 2022, which surpasses the 6.02 million tourists that Dubai attracted for the corresponding period in 2021. During this 11-month period, 794 hotel establishments with over 145,098 rooms also opened their doors to guests, delivering strong occupancy levels of 73 per cent, which is among the highest occupancy rates internationally.

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Global visual, culinary and performing arts create a tapestry of wonder during EPCOT International Festival of the Arts presented by AT&T at Walt Disney World Resort, now until Feb. 20, 2023.EPCOT becomes the stage for this 39-day festival, with extraordinary artwork, culinary creations inspired by art movements and Broadway stars singing beloved Disney songs. The celebration of the arts is sure to delight festivalgoers with magic that only Disney can create.
The festival is just one of the many exciting events occurring during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration, happening now through March 31, 2023.
Performing Arts: Take Center Stage
A kaleidoscope of live entertainment takes place throughout the festival, including show-stopping performances by some of Broadway’s brightest stars as they share songs from beloved Disney musicals in the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series. Shows take place three times daily throughout the festival at America Gardens Theatre.
Dining packages for lunch and dinner are available at seven EPCOT locations with guaranteed seating at the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series. Visit ArtfulEPCOT.com for the lineup of concert performances and dining package availability.ADVERTISEMENTGuests will also delight in other musical acts performing multiple times daily in Showcase Plaza. Beyond music, festivalgoers can thrill to feats of acrobatic strength and agility by Art Defying Gravity and be mesmerized by artists who paint beloved Disney characters in high-energy shows that combine performance and fine arts.
Culinary Arts: Treats for the Senses
More than 15 unique Food Studios located throughout the park will offer delectable bites and sips crafted with a creative twist, including many new food and drink items.
Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic joins the lineup this year with an array of vibrant and playful food and beverage items guaranteed to ignite guests’ imaginations.
Also new in 2023, Moderne invites guests to explore an avante-garde menu that promises to inspire and delight. Selections include Angry Crab, a whole, crispy soft-shell crab served with green papaya salad, mango-Sriracha fluid gel and coconut-lime foam with pomegranate and mango crush pearls – perfect for pairing with a J. Lohr Riesling – in addition to other tempting treats.
The Artist’s Table in the American Adventure pavilion also boasts a new menu of artistically elevated comfort foods, including Duck and Dumplings with smoked duck breast, ricotta dumplings, petite vegetables and duck jus, with other delicious items to savor as well.
In addition to providing a roadmap to navigate the bounty of culinary sensations, the Festival Passport also guides guests through The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a fun food stroll highlighting seven tantalizing sweet and savory offerings. A complimentary Artist Palette Cookie is available for those who collect five stamps from locations listed in the Festival Passport.
Visual Arts: Create Your Own Magic
New Figment-inspired festival merchandise features an expressive and colorful collection perfect for the whole family. The new festival Spirit Jersey, Figment Chalkboard Framed Mug, Figment Munchlings and Figment CORKCICLE Tumbler embody the festival’s full array of vivid colors and creativity.
More than 100 Disney and visiting artists will participate in the festival, immersing guests in colorful and expressive artwork at every turn:
The lineup features many new faces, including husband and wife photography team Kahran and Regis Bethencourt as well as returning favorites such as Dylan Bonner, Fenway Fan, Jerrod Maruyama, Ashley Taylorand more.Guests can catch a glimpse of artists at work with a peek inside the Disney Artist Gallery or the WonderGround Gallery.From Figment to Jiminy Cricket, Chalk Full of Characters features charming chalk drawings in tucked away corners throughout EPCOT.Kids can create their own chalk art masterpieces at Kid’s Chalk Art, while families can leave their creative mark on a larger-than-life mural at Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural.Guests learn from an animation artist how to draw a Disney character at Animation Academy.An outdoor art wall features stories and characters that reflect the imaginative and innovative spirit of EPCOT at Drawing on Inspiration: Celebrating EPCOT.Across World Showcase, guests can step into some of the most iconic artwork from around the world at unique Artful Photo Ops Figment’s Brush with the Masters takes guests on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase to spot the lovable purple dragon as he hides in famous works of art. Redeem your completed map of Figment sightings to receive a small artful keepsake.In addition to enjoying the festival, guests can explore the endless possibilities that EPCOT has to offer. Guests can help save the galaxy on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, shrink to the size of Remy on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, dine among the stars at Space 220 and so much more.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is included with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. Guests can visit DisneyWorld.com for more information about planning their visit.

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The 46th annual Art Deco Weekend will return January 13 – January 15th, 2023, showcasing Miami Beach’s unique collection of Art Deco design and architecture in open-air styleOffering a variety of experiences including live music, a classic car show, guided architectural tours, outdoor film screenings and more, visitors will find inspiration through activations that showcase how Miami Beach became the birthplace of Art Deco design and the most visited Art Deco District in the world.  Created by the Miami Design Preservation League, Art Deco Weekend signifies the distinct effort to preserve Miami Beach’s more than 800 historic, pastel-colored buildings and history of this signature architectural style, saving it for future generations.
“Art Deco Weekend is an immersive celebration of architecture with national and international appeal.  For 46 years, our city has come together to share the beauty and ingenuity of marquee buildings that have made Miami Beach a pilgrimage for design and architecture enthusiasts,” says Steve Adkins, Chairman of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “The MBVCA is proud to continue our support to enhance Art Deco Weekend to help raise awareness of, and show appreciation to, the architects and talents that continue to inspire the design community today.”
Whether visiting during the official celebration or if Miami Beach is on the travel agenda in the near future, visitors can embrace the essence of Art Deco style easily throughout their stay.  For an artistic and retro hotel experience, signature properties like The Gabriel South Beach and The Breakwater offer comfortable rooms in an ideal location along with Instagram-worthy facades.  For a splurge, visitors can opt for a stay at The Shelborne South Beach, a recreated icon dating back to the 1940’s exuding timeless luxury and elegance with impeccable service delivered in Art Deco architecture on Collins Avenue. Miami Beach is a year-round destination to discover the bevy of geometric-ornamented facades and it’s easy to become a quick study with a visit to the official Art Deco Museum on Ocean Drive. The museum provides a deep dive into the layers of design that serve as the foundation for the city’s glamorous reputation. Discovering design can work up an appetite.  Head to Serena, located on the second-floor rooftop of the Moxy South Beach on Collins Avenue, and take a bite out of a modern interpretation of Mexican cuisine in an open-air and laid-back setting.  Perfect for sunset cocktails, al fresco dinners surrounded by the energy of the Art Deco District or buzzy brunches, diners will taste and feel the cultural inspirations of Mexico right on South Beach.
The beauty of Miami Beach’s design and architecture stands proud any time of year, making it a vibrant destination to explore solo or with friends and family. Visitors can download the new EXP Miami Beach Tour App now available on Apple and Google and access four marquee itineraries including Art in Public Spaces, Hidden Art, A Day Inside Miami Beach Architectural Wonders and Public Art and Iconic History in Miami Beach.
“Miami Beach’s Art Deco District is an open-air museum and we invite visitors to easily access information and resources to help plan their next trip and to get an interactive look at what makes Miami Beach the unrivaled crown jewel of Art Deco architecture,” adds Grisette Marcos, Executive Director of the MBVCA. “We are continuously working on new ways to bring experiences rooted in design and architecture to travelers, understanding the ongoing desire to get up, close and personal with the history of what shapes the destinations they visit.”ADVERTISEMENTFor more information about the Art Deco District and to plan a future design-inspired trip to award-winning Miami Beach, download the Experience Miami Beach and EXP Miami Beach Tour App Miami Beach Apps and follow the @experiencemiamibeach handles on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date details and offerings.

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Kevin Hart, CIO of Yas Island, has just announced that applications are open to the public for the ‘World’s Best Job’, a chance to become Yas Island Abu Dhabi’s next ambassador. The chosen candidate, if deemed “Hart-worthy”, stands a chance to win an unbeatable package including a $100,000 ‘salary’, a luxury hotel stay, exclusive world-class entertainment experiences across Yas Island Abu Dhabi and much more. Applications are open from January 9 – 23 and budding candidates can send in their video applications on hireme.yasisland.com, before a jury selects a shortlist of five by January 26.
Yas Island was awarded World’s Leading Theme Park Destination in the 2022 World Travel Awards

Those keen to be shortlisted will simply need to film and upload a video of themselves and answer one simple question: “How will you make Yas Island Hart to Beat?”. To increase their chances, applicants are advised to share and upload their savvy submissions on social media.
ADVERTISEMENTWith no shortage of exhilarating experiences in store, Yas Island Abu Dhabi promises the winner a $100,000 prize to start, in addition to a Business Class flight to Abu Dhabi. The winner will get to call the Fabulous Suite at W Abu Dhabi Yas Island home for 60 days and have access to delightful spa and dining experiences at the coveted hotel.
To get around the Island, the newest ambassador will ride in style in a luxury car for the duration of their stay. Courtesy of Yas Marina Circuit, the winner will be able to satisfy their need for speed through karting sessions and the Formula Yas 3000 Driving Experience on the world-famous Formula 1 track. What’s more, the winner will receive a 60-day club membership at Yas Links Golf Package complete with golfing sessions to help perfect their swing.

Looking for more? The winner will also get to scale to new heights with the ultimate indoor adventure hub, CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, featuring two record-breaking experiences with indoor climbing and indoor skydiving. Last but not least, the winner will be granted two Yas Theme Parks Gold Annual Passes, for unlimited access to Yas Island’s award-winning theme parks, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi.

As the competition draws to a close, the ultimate winner of the ‘World’s Best Job’ is set to be announced on February 3.

For more information, terms and conditions, and to apply, please visit hireme.yasisland.com.

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