Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

A VisitEngland survey out today shows that 5.3 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday break in the UK during the extended Bank Holiday weekend for the Platinum Jubilee, bringing an estimated £1.2 billion boost to the economy.
VisitEngland’s ‘Platinum Jubilee Weekend Trip Tracker’ survey also showed that well over a third, 19 million, are planning to take part in activities to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, from attending a ‘Big Jubilee Lunch’ street party to lunch in a pub, restaurant or café, to watching events on an outdoor screen or attending official celebrations. In addition, almost a quarter of those surveyed were still to decide.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Patricia Yates said:
“The upcoming Bank Holiday is a fantastic opportunity for an extra special short-break at home or a day-out, enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime celebrations and show-stopping events for the historic Platinum Jubilee. From afternoon teas and street parties to beacon lighting ceremonies, pageants and parades, people are set to celebrate with friends and neighbours in royal style.
“The long weekend is also set to bring a much-needed boost to the industry and destinations as the summer season gets underway and our outstanding tourism businesses will be very pleased to welcome you back.”ADVERTISEMENTLooking at those intending to take an overnight domestic break in the UK for the extended Bank Holiday weekend, the top destination type is ‘city or large town’ followed by ‘coastal town’.
The survey also showed that a further 2.6 million people were undecided about whether to take an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the long weekend. The top reasons were ‘waiting to see what the weather is like,’ ‘waiting to see if I can afford it’ and ‘not sure where I’d like to go.’
VisitEngland is nominated as Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2022 byWorld Travel Awards.

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The Seoul Tourism Organization has announced it participation in IMEX, the world’s largest MICE exhibition to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, for three days from May 29 to June 2 this year. In line with the full-scale resumption of international tourism and MICE, STO plans to come out strong with preemptive marketing activities to attract international MICE delegates attending IMEX Frankfurt 2022.
IMEX, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is an exhibition specifically designed for MICE industry which draws 14,000 visitors from 170 countries and more than 70,000 business meetings. Expectations for this year are very high as attention is being paid to how different or similar international events, which have been canceled for the past two years due to the pandemic, will be this year comparing to the previous years.
The Seoul Tourism Organization prepared joint marketing activities with the participating Seoul MICE Alliance members, including group presentation sessions to expand potential clientele to come to Seoul for their MICE events. Buyers can reserve a PSA meeting with eight SMA members- Channel K, Euras Tech, People & Value, Grand Hyatt Seoul, Lotte Hotels Seoul, Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, VIAGEM, Communistar -beforehand through the official website or drop in during the event.
Also, STO prepared fun and engaging events created from globally popular K-contents, such as drama series including Squid Game to attract the attention of MICE organisers: Dalgona carving time, chimaek (chicken + beer) networking time, writing Korean names on traditional Korean fans, and taking photos with K-pop stars who lead Hallyu culture worldwide.
PARK Jin hyeok, director of the Seoul Convention Bureau said, “We expect our participation in this year’s IMEX exhibition will be a meaningful rebooting of Seoul’s standing as a complete MICE venue. With experienced and knowledgeable Seoul MICE Alliance members, we will continue our overseas marketing to enhance its position as the best MICE city in the world.”ADVERTISEMENT

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With exciting events planned across the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June, award-winning travel trade association UKinbound, whose 300 plus UK members service international visitors holidaying in the UK, shares its views on the upcoming festivities.
Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This joyous event will provide a vital and welcoming boost to the UK’s tourism industry and businesses up and down the country. Many of my members are preparing to welcome international visitors from across the world, who are making a special visit to the UK during the Jubilee period.
“We need to ensure that we take the successes of the Jubilee into the summer and autumn seasons, however the industry is facing a number of challenges to its recovery. We expect domestic tourism to reduce this year, with UK residents opting to take holidays abroad, however international visitors to the UK are only expected to return to 52% of 2019 numbers. 
“Promoting Britain abroad and emphasising the amazing heritage, culture and experiences available across all four nations, and ensuring we provide visitors with a warm welcome, has never been more important. International tourism is a competitive business, and we need to work hard to convince the international community that the UK is a fantastic place to visit in 2022 and beyond.”
Lana Bennett, CEO of Tours International, an inbound tour operator that specialises in bringing international visitors to the UK, added “The Platinum Jubilee has come at exactly the right time for UK tourism. It’s rejuvenated the industry – everyone can get involved and pull together to make it a truly outstanding celebration. The official events encompass all that is unique and welcoming about the UK and it’s fantastic to have good news back in the headlines. Tours International is running a luxury Platinum Jubilee tour for individuals which we’re very excited about and it’s sold out, which is wonderful.”ADVERTISEMENT

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Mauritian company Rogers Group launches ‘Bel Ombre’ in southwest Mauritius as a territorial brand and announces its intention to make it a mecca for ecotourism, highlighting local know-how and protecting its ecosystem. It will be a destination where people and nature thrive together; a resilient region that includes and values its community.
During the recent launch event, which had as its guest of honour the Honourable Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning and Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Mauritius, the group shared its commitment to integrating green practices as a driver of its operations.

At the launch event, Rogers’ Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Espitalier-Noël, shared the group’s ambition and vision to make Bel Ombre a benchmark for sustainable destinations, both in Mauritius and in the region. “More than the launch of a territorial brand, this is a commitment that reflects our ambition to make Bel Ombre the sustainable destination of reference in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean. Our ambition is immense, as is our conviction that there will be no tomorrow if we do not change our paradigms today,” he said.
The territorial brand “Bel Ombre. Lamer. Later. Lavi” means Land. Sea. Life and is symbolic of its lush tropical scenery, the protected turquoise waters of the lagoon and a place where life is lived in harmony with nature, in this unspoilt area of Mauritius.ADVERTISEMENT
Bel Ombre is known not only for its particularly well-preserved territory and heritage, but also for its rich history dating back to the 19th century. Through planned and harmonious development, Rogers and its partners have developed the area with a commitment to preserving and enhancing the beauty of this unique region.
Hotels, restaurants, golf courses and villas have been carefully integrated into the landscape, coexisting with the omnipresent nature and sublimating the heritage of the former sugar estate. The Bel Ombre territory is based on an inclusive model that aims to pave the way for a circular economy, empowering the local community, creating jobs and building resilience.
“Rogers is committed to participating in the transformation of the local tourism industry into an eco-industry, with Bel Ombre as a benchmark of the group’s ambitions for the transformation of this sector into one that is more sustainable and more inclusive. At a time when foreign visitors are rediscovering our country’s assets with new eyes, Bel Ombre has everything it takes to differentiate itself and position itself as a destination within the destination.” said the CEO of Rogers.

The region has recently had confirmation of the Man and the Biosphere label from UNESCO making the region shine more than ever thanks to nature activities designed to raise awareness among Mauritians and tourists on the preservation of its biodiversity. It ensures that the Bel Ombre Territory, in the wild south, remains a preserved and protected environment.
The Bel Ombre area offers a vast choice in terms of accommodation, gastronomic experiences and leisure activities, namely charming hotels with its Bed & Breakfast Kaz’Alala; luxury hotels with these Heritage Resorts establishments – Heritage Le Telfair, Heritage Awali and Heritage The Villas; leisure activities with the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, the Heritage Golf Club, the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark; ‘edutainment’ with the World of Seashells; wellness with the Seven Colours spas; gourmet restaurants such as Le Chamarel, Le Château de Bel Ombre and C Beach Club; the Villas Valriche real estate program; and the flavours of the terroir with Agrïa, all while staying true to its commitments on sustainability.
The Bel Ombre Territory also aims to create a diverse and inclusive community by providing sustainable workplaces. In the long term, this unique development project in Mauritius is committed to creating a green economy and promoting ecotourism. Thierry Montocchio, CEO of Rogers Hospitality, shares the group’s ambitions for the transformation of this region of the island, centred around sustainable development. “Already, the commitment is made with Heritage Resorts whose hotels are actively working to achieve carbon neutrality for which the Rogers Group is committed by 2050. A commitment that has already begun to materialise with Rogers Hospitality’s ‘Now for Tomorrow’ sustainability program, and which contributes to preserving the jewels that adorn Bel Ombre’s crown.”

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is cooperating with Thai AirAsia in launching the “Amazing New Chapter: Rediscover Thailand Get ready to go to Thailand” campaign, which is aimed at millennials and young couples from Singapore.
The campaign was official announced in Singapore today (11 May) by Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, and Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer, as well as TAT officials and Thai AirAsia executives. The event was presided over by H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore.
Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said “With various factors supporting the return of tourism to Thailand, among them the relaxing of entry requirements to the kingdom, easing of travel restrictions in source markets worldwide and resumption of commercial flights, this is a great opportunity to stimulate travellers’ decision-making. This latest marketing campaign is expected to have a positive effect on the Thai tourism industry in the second half of this year.”
Singapore is a key visitor source market for Thailand, and the “Amazing New Chapter: Rediscover Thailand Get ready to go to Thailand” campaign is among the various joint promotion marketing activities the TAT Singapore Office is working on. The campaign utilises Thai AirAsia’s Singapore-Don Mueang and Singapore-Phuket routes, and is for travel in May to July 2022. It is expected to see millennials and young couples taking up over 3,000 seats to Thailand.ADVERTISEMENTTAT Singapore Office is also organising a media fam trip to Thailand from 12-15 May, 2022, to promote the Singapore-Don Mueang route, new tourist attractions and activities, as well as tourism-related facilities and offers.
Santisuk Klongchaiya, Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer, said, “Thai AirAsia has always received great support from the TAT, and we thank them very much for their cooperation. Thai AirAsia is ready to help stimulate tourism and travel to Thailand, and in addition to the existing Don Mueang and Phuket routes, we are considering adding a Singapore-Chiang Mai route.”
Thai AirAsia currently operates a daily flight on the Singapore-Don Mueang route, and two weekly flights on the Singapore-Phuket route (on Tuesday and Saturday).
For 2022, TAT expects Thailand to welcome 10 million foreign tourist arrivals, generating 625.8 billion Baht in tourism revenue. Of these, the number of arrivals from short-haul markets are expected to include 1.1 million arrivals from ASEAN, 200,000 arrivals from Australia and 450,000 arrivals from South Asia (India), with travels starting from April 2022 onwards.
From 1-6 May, 2022, Thailand has recorded more than 85,000 foreign tourists – or about 15,000 travellers per day. Among these, Singapore was the third top market – after India and Malaysia and ahead of the United Kingdom and United States.

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A global show with many micro-moments: IMEX in Frankfurt returns 31 May – 2 June

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With just two weeks until IMEX in Frankfurt, over 2,800 buyers from across the world – spanning agencies, corporates, independents and associations – are busy building their show schedules and making appointments to meet and do business with an international roster of suppliers for the first time in three years.
Exhibitors from 90+ countries will be represented at the show, taking place 31 May – 2 June. This includes a large number of Asian destinations – Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong among others – as well as all the key European countries plus a strong presence from North & South America, including Canada, Brazil and Costa Rica.
This year’s edition sees the largest ever African representation, including Rwanda, Tunisia, Uganda and South Africa, with Ethiopia using IMEX to launch its new convention bureau. Middle Eastern destinations also make a strong showing and include Dubai, Israel, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “The scale of this year’s show reflects how the events sector is truly back in business and starting to thrive again. Demand for face to face events has bounced back in a big way – there are three major tradeshows taking place concurrently at Messe Frankfurt alongside ours and this is the first time that’s happened in our 20 year history.
“So much has changed over the past three years – for the world and for our industry,” continues Carina. “Our sector hasn’t stood still though, with continued investment in infrastructure, new products, business models and services. I therefore encourage all buyers to catch up through both 1-2-1 appointments and stand presentations with the global range of exhibitors to discover how destinations, venues and more have evolved. It’s important to make no assumptions right now. Everything has changed and therein lies the value of this year’s IMEX. It’s the ultimate living representation of our global market – an important snapshot in time.”ADVERTISEMENTIMEX in Frankfurt, at its core a global marketplace, has also evolved to reflect the current climate for planners. With many event professionals now facing challenges around budgets, resources, supply chains and recruitment, the show has been designed to include many micro-moments specifically tailored to support the individual as well as education and discussion designed for particular roles and responsibilities.
IMEX is supporting specialists with dedicated learning for association, agency and corporate executives taking place the day before the show, on Monday 30 May. Exclusively Corporate is set to welcome experts from SAP, Bolt Financial and Siemens Healthineers (as well as a former Premier League Footballer and high performance coach) for case study-led education and peer-to-peer discussions.
Agency planners can shape the focus of IMEX’s co-created Agency Directors Forum, choosing what best fits their needs from subjects including: growth opportunities; adapting to a changed event landscape; trends and technology impacting business strategy, and expectations of clients and employees around DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).
Separately, Association Focus will deliver learning and networking exclusively for association professionals of all levels. The collaborative programme offers insight, inspiration and real-world recommendations and resolutions to the challenges facing associations across the world today.
Underpinning this series of tailored events is the show’s wider programme of free learning where all attendees can choose from 150+ educational events to create an individual programme of forward-thinking professional and personal development to suit their own needs. Tracks include: Trends & Future foresight; Professional Development and Upskilling; Creativity in Communication; Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; Innovation and Tech; and Purposeful Recovery.
“We’re set to give the global business events community the value, connections and support that it needs right now. IMEX in Frankfurt is a show that’s international in scope, but with many smaller value-intensive moments blended in – from face to face business meetings, coffee catch ups, dedicated learning and discussions designed for different sectors of the industry. We’re really excited to see how the industry is building forwards again and look forward to welcoming our community back to IMEX in Frankfurt later this month,” concludes Carina.
IMEX in Frankfurt takes place 31 May – 2 June 2022 – the business events community can register here. Registration is free. Carina and the team share more information about what to expect at the show here.
www.imex-frankfurt.com

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Delegates are encouraged to register now for this year’s Travel Convention, the UK travel industry’s flagship event, to take advantage of discounted Early Bird fees.
Taking place in Marrakech from 10-12 October, this year’s event sees a return overseas and will offer a programme of high-level business sessions delivered by industry leaders and external experts, a host of networking opportunities in both business and social settings, and the chance to experience the diverse and culturally rich host city though full and half-day excursions.
Most delegates will stay at the centrally located five-star Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi, just a 15-minute drive from Marrakech Menara Airport, with fantastic facilities including three restaurants, a bar, a spa and wellbeing centre, a yoga studio, vibrant gardens and three swimming pools.
The Mövenpick Hotel will also host an ABTA Members’ Reception on the evening of Monday 10 October and is connected to The Palais des Congres Marrakech, where the business sessions will be held on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 October.
Early Bird fees are £600 for ABTA Members and the first ABTA Partner to register, and £700 for other Partners and non-Members. Delegate companions will pay a fee of £200. ADVERTISEMENTDelegates can register and find more details on the event programme at www.thetravelconvention.com.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive at ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“This year’s Convention will be the first hosted overseas since the start of the pandemic, so it is a momentous occasion for ABTA, our Members and our Partners. Delegates can currently take advantage of Early Bird fees, giving a chance to experience an excellent Travel Convention in stunning Marrakech at reduced rates.”
Jamal Kilito, Director for UK, Ireland and the Nordics, Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) said:
“ABTA and MNTO are working in close collaboration to make this year’s Travel Convention in Marrakech an exceptional success. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all delegates to Morocco, the Kingdom of Light.”
The 2022 Travel Convention is supported by headline partners Royal Caribbean International, Intrepid Travel and Avis Budget Group, plus trade media partner Travel Weekly.

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The United Nations General Assembly has met for a first ever dedicated session on tourism and its key role in inclusive recovery and growth.
The High-Level Thematic Debate was convened by the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In the General Assembly Hall, government representatives joined public and private stakeholders in recognising tourism’s unique ability to drive positive change.
Tourism for hope and opportunityAs the first ever UNWTO Secretary-General to address the UN General Assembly, Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that “now is the time to build resilient and peaceful societies and tourism can help make this happen! Tourism is a leading provider of opportunities because it is based on people, builds bridges and helps create a better tomorrow for people everywhere.”
Joining Secretary-General Pololikashvili in opening the session were the President of the General Assembly and UN Deputy Secretary-General and UNSDG Chair Amina J. Mohammed, who noted “Every part of the United Nations system, including the World Tourism Organization as its specialised agency for the sector, can leverage tourism to help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, from inclusive growth to gender empowerment and biodiversity protection.”
UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid also stressed the importance of tourism, particularly for small islands and developing states. He said: “We face a critical opportunity to not only reboot tourism, upon which so many are dependent for their jobs and livelihoods, but to transform it to make it more resilient, more sustainable and more responsible.”ADVERTISEMENTDebating people, planet and prosperityA Fireside Chat, chaired by CNN International anchor Richard Quest, reflected the challenges faced through tourism’s recovery, addressing how best to reconcile potential trade-offs between the need for economic growth and creating jobs with advancing efforts for overall sustainability.
The high-level debate also featured a special roundtable discussion focused on tourism for people, with an emphasis on inclusivity. This was followed by a roundtable discussion on accelerating the climate-friendly transformation of tourism. The concluding third roundtable discussion focused on re-invigorating investments in tourism.
Placing tourism in the General AssemblyOn the eve of the debate, UNWTO Secretary-General Pololikashvili had met with UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid for discussions on tourism’s role in the wider work of the United Nations. President Shahid commended UNWTO’s work in guiding tourism first through the biggest crisis in its history and now through the sector’s restart and recovery. The high-level meeting also laid the foundations for the potential inclusion of tourism as a topic of annual debates or thematic sessions within the UN General Assembly.

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