Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

AlUla, the ancient crossroads of civilisations in north-west Arabia that is now emerging as a global destination for cultural and natural heritage, will be the site of the first-ever in-person meeting of representatives of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.The villages, including AlUla Old Town District were recognised in December as part of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages (BTV) initiative, “recognises villages that are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social, and environmental.”
UNWTO have organised the first iteration of the Best Tourism Villages Award Ceremony and meeting of the BTV Network in AlUla on March 12-13. The event will be a forum for knowledge-sharing on topics such as best practices, community empowerment, and public-private partnerships. It will also review the programme’s 2022 activities and 2023 work plan.
Delegates originating from Switzerland to Vietnam will gather at AlUla’s Maraya multi-purpose venue, which holds the Guinness record as the world’s largest mirror-clad building, with mirrors covering its 9,740 sqm surface. The UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, is expected to attend.
The BTV programme aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to triple tourism’s share of the national economy to 10%. In 2019 Saudi Arabia introduced eVisas for citizens of 49 countries, and this February the Kingdom introduced a 96-hour stopover visa.
ADVERTISEMENTFor the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) the gathering affirms AlUla’s legacy as a cultural crossroads. A place of collaboration and cultural exchange for a millennia, there is a natural synergy between the destination and the UNWTO’s BTV programme. The inclusion of AlUla on the 2022 list is an accolade in support of RCU’s careful regeneration, cultural rejuvenation, and curated redevelopment of heritage destinations. RCU is honoured not only by AlUla’s inclusion as a BTV but by its selection as host of this inaugural BTV global gathering.
HE Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “The Ministry is proud to partner with UNWTO to host the Best Tourism Villages 2022 Awards Ceremony and jointly convene the first meeting of the BTV Network in the historic destination of AlUla, one of the villages across the globe recognised for its innovative approach to transforming the tourism sector.”
Mr. Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UNWTO, said: “For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.”
Eng. Amr AlMadani, CEO of RCU, said: “This gathering of the world’s best tourism villages serves several purposes for RCU: it allows us to share insights with destinations that share our commitment to sustainable regeneration, it showcases Maraya as a leading venue for conferences. It also provides our guests with the opportunity to visit AlUla, including the remarkable site of Hegra, which in 2008 was inscribed as Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
The complete list of Best Tourism Villages 2022 can be read here: www.unwto.org/news/best-tourism-villages-of-2022-named-by-unwto
Tune into the event through the official livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/32ecVh7kzkE

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FUNBOX® is bringing the ultimate adventure to Arcadia, CA, with the World’s Biggest Bounce Park® opening its doors on Friday March 10th at The Shops at Santa Anita. FUNBOX® is a 25,000-sq.-ft., inflatable playground that is filled with 10 play zones, including Tumble Temple, Marshmallow Mountain, Gumball’s Gallop, and an obstacle course.The World’s Biggest Bounce Park® is only in Arcadia for 12 weeks.
FUNBOX® is committed to giving back to the community; this time, FUNBOX® is supporting Building Bridges Foster Family Agency, whose mission is to promote, support, enhance, and strengthen the development of children’s well-being while providing safety and permanency to their lives. By coming to the World’s Biggest Bounce Park®, visitors are making a difference in the lives of children who need it the most. The company’s founder, Antonio Nieves, is a former foster youth himself and is passionate about advocating for children who are aging out of the foster care system.
Tickets start at $22 for approximately 90-minute jumping sessions, and all guests must have a paid general admission ticket. Toddlers from ages 0-2 and seniors over 65 years are free when accompanied by a ticketed customer. It is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to guarantee entry; any unused or unscanned tickets are honored within 30 days of the original ticket date. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult, and the adult must remain at FUNBOX® while their children are inside the inflatables.
FUNBOX is thrilled to bring the World’s Biggest Bounce Park® to Arcadia and is excited to support Building Bridges Foster Family Agency. “We believe that every child deserves a happy childhood, and we’re committed to doing our part to make that a reality,” said Antonio Nieves, founder of FUNBOX.
The World’s Biggest Bounce Park® will be open at the The Shops at Santa Anita. The hours of operation are Friday from 3 to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 6 pm.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information, visit the FUNBOX website at www.funbox.com or follow them on social media. Come and join the fun, and bounce with us at the World’s Biggest Bounce Park®!

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Food & Wine Festival will offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience of flavor and rhythm from various latitudes of the world. Beginning yesterday, the highly anticipated event will provide guests with an elevated culinary experience and the opportunity to enjoy live musical performances from some of the most popular artists in the entertainment industry. he event runs through May 21, featuring a total of 20 food and beverage cabins for guests to sip and savor and 23 live concerts. The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival is included with park admission.
Inspired by a variety of cultures, guests will have the opportunity to explore more than 20 globally inspired culinary offerings. For the perfect pairing, the choices range from 39 wines from regions near and far, 14 craft, domestic and international beers, bourbon tastings and more. From flavors of Asia to Busch Gardens’ own Xcursions store serving house-made coaster themed sweets, there is a dish for every palate at the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Guests can indulge with the following delights:
NEW! – Trek Through Africa Cabin – African Vegetable Curry & Naan Bread (Vegetarian)NEW! – Twisted Egg Rolls Cabin – Buffalo Chicken Egg Roll with Ranch Dipping SauceNEW! – Moroccan Market Cabin – Berbere Spiced Chicken BatboutNEW! – Greek Isles Cabin – Lamb Lollipop with Mint Demi-Glaze (Gluten Free)NEW! – European Delight Cabin – Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Cream Sauce (Vegetarian)NEW! – Asian Inspired Cabin – Spicy Pork Belly with Mandarin Orange Soy Glaze (Gluten Free)NEW! – Springs Taproom Bar & Lounge – Traditional Tuna PokeNEW! – Cocktails & Beer Cabin – Spicy Watermelon Margarita Craft CocktailNEW! – Xcursions Gift Shop – Signature Coaster Cupcake 4-PackNEW! – Latin Twist Cabin – Piña Colada TrifleHeadlining Concerts for Every TasteBusch Gardens Tampa Bay is dishing up a variety of headlining concerts for every taste as part of the Food & Wine Festival. Twenty-three headlining acts spanning genres of pop, rock, country, and more, will take the Festival Field Stage for 11 weekends jam-packed with rhythm and flavor.
Kansas – March 11Maddie & Tae – March 12SWV – March 18Dustin Lynch – March 19Rodney Atkins – March 25Flo Rida – March 26Jeremy Camp – April 1Coming Soon! – April 2+LIVE+ – April 8The Fab Four – April 938 Special – April 15Mitchell Tenpenny – April 16Air Supply – April 22Gabby Barrett – April 23Hoobastank – April 29WALK THE MOON – April 30All headlining concert performances are included with park admission and will take place in the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival main stage located past the cabins on the Festival Pathway. To view showtimes, purchase reserved seating and VIP packages, guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com.
A Celebración with Latin Flare for Cinco de Mayo and Viva la MúsicaADVERTISEMENTThe Food & Wine Festival transforms into a melting pot of Latin cultures featuring world-renowned iconic dishes and live música from award-winning Latin artists. For this Latin fiesta, guests can expect a complete transformation of the festival area and enjoy authentic Latin gastronomy and entertainment. Cinco de Mayo and Viva La Música celebrate the diverse Latino heritage and culture with the authentic flavors and rhythms of Mexican, South American and Caribbean countries into the mix.
Cinco de Mayo and Viva la Música takes place every Saturday and Sunday from May 5 – 21 and are included with daily park admission, Annual Pass or Fun Cards. The full Latin artists’ lineup for 2023 is:
The Como La Flor Band – May 5Celia Vive – A Tribute to Celia Cruz – May 6El Gran Combo – May 7Toño Rosario – May 13Grupo Niche – May 14Elvis Crespo – May 20Luisito Ayala y la Puerto Rican Power – May 21Sampler Lanyards Provide the Best Way to Experience the Food & Wine FestivalThe absolute best way to experience the flavors of the Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens is with a Food & Wine Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $70 and redeemable at the numerous cabins located throughout the park, Sampler Lanyards offer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of 10 and 15. An exclusive 18-item sampler for the same price as a 15-item is available for all Pass Members. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.
Add More Flavor to Your Experience with a VIP Seating PackageBusch Gardens has the perfect ingredients for an exclusive experience at the Food & Wine Festival with VIP Seating packages. Guests can get up-close to their favorite artists, enjoy one complimentary beverage and gain access to a private VIP bar. Package includes one entry per reservation to the VIP reserved seating area on the concert field and one beverage at the VIP Bar. Reservation is only valid for the date and time purchased. To reserve a VIP Seating Package guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com.
Annual Passes and Fun Cards Offer the Best Way to PlayBusch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Annual Pass is the best way to enjoy an entire year of thrilling attractions and exciting seasonal events. Categorized in easy-to-use tiers, options provide guests with unlimited year-round admission and unbeatable benefits including free parking, in-park discounts and monthly rewards starting as low as $15.
Additionally, those interested in paying for a day and playing all year can take advantage of the current buy-one-get-one Fun Card offer. For a limited time, guests purchasing a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card for FREE.
Guests can visit BuschGardensTampa.com to purchase tickets and learn more about the Annual Pass program’s benefits and monthly rewards, the current special offer for the 2023 Fun Card and stay in the know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter.

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What business opportunities and prospects for joint ventures exist for tour operators in East Africa? This question was investigated by representatives of business and tourism organisations at the City Cube on Wednesday during the ITB fair.In the presence of African joint venture partners, including a delegation accompanying the Ethiopian tourism minister, they described possible ways in which these countries can profit from the expansion of long haul tourism.
East African countries have a wealth of tourism highlights. Tourism attractions range from safari tours to gorillas in the wild in Uganda, as well as cultural sites in Ethiopia and the famous Nyungwe waterfalls in the national park of the same name in Rwanda. Kenya and Tanzania, together with the island of Zanzibar, are already popular destinations for German visitors. The majority of tourists use the services of well known package tour providers, explained Dr. Martin Post from the German Travel Association (DRV). He forecasts a substantial recovery of the long haul travel market. However, many people make their bookings at short notice, which complicates planning for the providers of such services.
Matthias Lemcke, vice president of the South and East Africa Working Group (ASA), described the advantages of his association, which includes tourism boards, airlines and tour operators. Part of his work involves visits by delegations from Germany to countries that have not had many international tourists. Among the events planned for 2023 is a tour to Angola. As a consultant and ASA member Guido Bürger explained that tour operators with a unique selling point can also find opportunities, alongside established suppliers of package tours, for example by offering bird spotting or culinary events. However, growing numbers of travellers are making their bookings online or, if they are familiar with a country, they put all the components of their trip together themselves. Digitalisation provides an opportunity for small and medium sized businesses, and in some East African countries they can to some extent have access to funding programmes such as those offered by the World Bank or the GIZ.
The East Africa Tourist Visa, known as EATV for short, is designed to make travellers‘ lives easier. So far it is valid for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. More countries may be included in the future. All three countries can be visited with one visa, which is valid for 90 days and entitles the holder to multiple entries.

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With 70 nonstop flights per week from Germany it “has never been easier” to get to the USA. These were the words used by Dr. Amy Gutmann, ambassador of the United States of America, to appeal to travellers on Wednesday at ITB Berlin.Compared with the previous year, this year their numbers are expected to increase by 20 per cent. In 2022 there were 1.5 million German visitors to the USA. The target for 2024: to attain the pre-coronavirus level of some two million. With 29 exhibitors from Fairbanks to Key West the USA display at ITB Berlin 2023 presents the country as an innovative tourism nation, using a slogan slightly adapted from that of the Terminator: “We are back!“
On the occasion of the Berlin World Women’s Day, Gutmann pointed out that global tourism has “brought increasing numbers of women into business management and to the conference table”. “Where women are working, there is more inclusion”, she said. She herself lived through the pandemic with the aid of a home trainer, but both she and her bodyguards are pleased to be able to ride through the Grunewald forest on a real bicycle.
Germany has a key role to play on the road back to tourism normality, Gutmann continued. The USA is endeavouring to turn the focus onto the country as a whole and not just the well known hotspots, in an effort to create diverse, inclusive and attainable possibilities for everyone. “We want America to remain an irresistible destination.”
This is something that the state of Michigan is keen to demonstrate. “We have arisen again from the ashes”, was the response by David Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, to the question of why it is worthwhile for tourists to visit the former automobile city Detroit. “Detroit is the most innovative metropolis in the USA”, he stated, and drew attention to the city’s skyline as proof. “Many old skyscrapers have been renovated because, during the recession and with the decline of the traditional automobile industry, it was too expensive to demolish them and build anew.” As a result Detroit has become a unique centre for mosaics from the early 20th century, and for other forms of architecture, especially Art Deco.
In the world of music the legendary Motown sound is celebrated in and around Detroit, where the population has a greater diversity than almost anywhere in the USA, having come there from many different countries to work in the large automobile factories. “Now they are all contributing to a new culture. In this respect Detroit has much in common with Berlin“, said Lorenz.ADVERTISEMENT

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How are Bahrain, Egypt, Croatia and Georgia confronting tomorrow’s challenges and how are these countries’ tourism policies paving the way for the future? That was the topic Monika Jones discussed with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairifa, Egyptian Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa, and Georgian Vice Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishivli on Tuesday at the ITB Berlin Convention. Also taking part was Croatian Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac. The representatives of the four countries presented four effectively different concepts.
Bahrain, said Fatima Al Sairifa, had successfully implemented the digital transformation and improved networking among actors and external marketing. It had become evident for example that by working with travel bloggers one could target certain visitor segments. The country’s concept for receiving 14 million visitors annually by 2026 comprised three key elements: marketing Bahrain, which consisted of more than 30 islands, as an island destination, a luxury destination and a MICE destination. Al Sairifa pointed to Exhibition World Bahrain which opened last November and where numerous events had already taken place.
According to Egyptian Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa, his country had made use of digitalisation to make regulating health and safety standards better and more efficient and to ensure all actors had fair access to the market. “We want to make it easy for the private sector to unleash its potential“, said Ahmed Issa. With Egypt expecting record tourist numbers this year and aiming to attract 30 million visitors by 2028, it was important to rapidly and unbureaucratically expand the infrastructure. Thus, steps would be taken to make it easier for private investors to increase room capacity. Tourism products for individual travellers would be expanded too.
Croatia’s new strategy in particular has sustainable tourism as its goal by 2030. Sustainability was one of the preconditions for obtaining state funding, said Nikolina Brnjac. The country was not aiming to attract mass tourism, the minister said, but instead increasingly emphasising eco, outdoor and health tourism. In tourist hotspots such as Dubrovnik and Split the focus was on better regulation of visitor flows.
Georgia’s development of the tourism market also increasingly favours eco, nature and rural tourism. In particular, Georgia wants to present itself as the land of infinite hospitality. “Sincere hospitality is part our DNA, for here in Georgia we believe that every guest is a gift of God”, Vice Minister Mariam Kvrivishivli assured the listeners. In Berlin, this year’s host country of ITB is not only showcasing its cultural past, with its unique alphabet and being the first to grow wines, but is also presenting itself as a modern country increasingly oriented towards the West – and which thanks to its hospitality has a record number of tourists who regularly return.ADVERTISEMENT

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Egypt wants to attract more tourism by expanding flight routes, bed capacity and offering travellers an even better experience. At ITB Berlin Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa outlined his concept for the sector for 25 to 30 per cent growth over the next few years. He would like to focus more on those taking individual tours as well as families. A new campaign targeting mainly 12 European countries aims to portray the country’s wide-ranging attractions.
With its historical sites, beaches and rich cultural past, Egypt is among Germans’ favourite destinations in North Africa. The country boasts 365 days of sunshine a year and is therefore a magnet for northern Europeans, particularly in winter. Tourism Minister Ahmed Issa would welcome even more visitors in the future. The new campaign focuses on various ways to holiday, with Nile cruises, sports and desert tours on offer, along with beaches and relaxation.
For Ahmed Issa it is not just about growing tourist numbers. He also wants them to enjoy a better-quality experience. That begins at home with making arrangements and obtaining a visa, continues with arriving at the airport and ends with staying at a holiday destination. He regards the mainly privately owned hotels and tour operators as important partners. The minister sees digitalisation as being a big opportunity too. In Egypt, 90 per cent of tickets to see attractions are now sold online, which makes life a lot easier particularly for those undertaking individual tours.
Fans of Egypt are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, whose facades are a tribute to the pyramids of Giza. Issa announced the tourist highlight was due to open in late 2023 or early 2024.

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The tourism industry is back and on course worldwide to reach pre-pandemic levels. On Tuesday at the ITB Berlin Convention, Harald Pechlaner, university professor of Tourism from Eichstätt, discussed the challenges currently facing the industry and how to deal with digitalisation, the skills shortage and a much talked-about trend, sustainability.Taking part in the event were Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Alessandra Priante, regional director, Europe, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Sören Hartmann, president of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) and Dr. Eduardo Santander, executive director and CEO of the European Travel Commission (ETC).
Sören Hartmann (BTW) was of the opinion that the industry’s recovery could not signify business as before. In future, the focus would be on creating values for destinations and travellers alike. It meant travellers would have to get used to paying more for their holidays, while benefiting from more interesting and insightful experiences at their destination. “We need to transform our thinking and sell our products above value, not above price”, Hartmann said.
“This is not about returning to the past but about now and the future“, said Dr. Eduardo Santander of the ETC. He stressed that it was not about predicting but instead shaping the future. Europe had an important role to play as a coordinator, Santander said. The introduction of the Europe-wide COVID vaccine pass had shown that. It was necessary now to create a platform for more eco-friendlier action – with eco-friendlier aviation fuels, better waste management and a combined energy mix.
According to Alessandra Priante of the UNWTO, one of the most important challenges now was to strengthen the basic workforce in tourism. “If we lose people we lose the heart and soul of our business“, Priante warned. That was why it was important to build trust among young people, to offer them training and to promote tourism as an industry with good career prospects.
According to Julia Simpson of the WTTC, another key to making the industry more attractive was presenting tourism’s carbon footprint in rational rather than emotive terms. “Greenhouse gas emissions from using smartphones were the same as air travel worldwide”, Simpson said, adding that the tourism industry’s carbon emissions were at 8.1 per cent. She emphasised that the tourism industry had now succeeded in reducing its carbon footprint and decoupling growth from CO2 emissions. “In many places tourism is a kind of guardian of nature”, Simpson said.ADVERTISEMENT

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