Monday 30 September 2013

China all set to Celebrate ‘Golden Week’ & National Day with Revelry

2013 National Day of China falls on October 1. The holiday lasts from October 1 to 7. Due to the pleasant autumn weather this is regarded as a ‘golden week’ for travel, during which tourists may encounter huge crowd especially in some popular destinations!

The National Day is celebrated throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau with a variety of government-organised festivities, including fireworks and concerts. Public places, such as Tiananmen Square in Beijing, are decorated in a festive theme. Portraits of revered leaders, such as Mao Zedong, are publicly displayed.

The Central People’s Government passed the Resolution on the National Day of the People’s Republic of China on December 2, 1949 and declared October 1 as the National Day or Independence Day of China. China, a cultural state and ancient civilization in East Asia, is one of the world’s oldest leading civilizations, consisting of states and cultures dating back more than six millennia.

China, a land of beauty and enthrallment, tempts adventurous travelers all over the world. It has so many outstanding places to visit during a vacation, be it with family or friend. The country’s infinite array of people, captivating natural landscapes, radiant history and culture and mesmerizing destinations are as bewildering as they are bewitching. Though China is rightly proud of its modern cities and economic power, for most travelers, it’s intertwined with the country’s history. There is little surprise that most travelers aim at exploring the best monuments, palaces, and tombs representing China’s long and checkered history.

Ireland Wins Bid to Host the Adventure Travel Trade Association's 2014 Adventure Travel World Summit

Ireland has won the bid to serve as host to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s 2014 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), the adventure tourism industry’s marquee annual executive gathering, between October 6-9 in Killarney. Along with its stand-out cultural and natural assets, supportive business climate, emphasis on locally driven tourism strategies, and progressive signature product development and rebranding initiatives, Ireland provides the ideal backdrop for the Summit.

More than 650 delegates from around the globe will gather to learn, be inspired and connect more deeply with the $263 billion adventure travel sector. Providing easy access to delegates, Ireland’s European location will allow the ATTA to deliver innovative leadership programs focusing on business competitiveness, agility and entrepreneurship, interwoven with cutting-edge marketing techniques and innovation in product and partnership.

"We have been working with Ireland for many years now. They have been strong ambassadors for the global adventure tourism community and their collaborative approach and dedication to sustainable economic development made the 2014 Summit decision straight-forward,” said ATTA President, Mr. Shannon Stowell. “Tour operators in Ireland are poised to succeed and will be ready to showcase adventure activities and cultural immersive experiences that are distinctively Irish."

As the fourth Summit in the Europe, Ireland will be entering a new world of competiveness as it works to reshape, redefine and refresh the way in which travelers perceive the island nation. Adventure travel ambassadors around the country are creating regional commitments to adventure tourism that will further prepare the country to be an international player. Ireland’s nature, culture and activity resources match adventure travel’s three pillars, as defined by the sector, which is complemented by the country’s core strength of local business and local people backed by visionary regional and national governments.

Ireland Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said, “We have been working promoting Ireland as an outdoor adventure destination so the decision by the Adventure Travel Trade to hold its conference in Killarney is a real boost. It’s also a great opportunity to promote Ireland directly to travellers who want an active outdoors break.”

Fáilte Ireland, which supports the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination, stresses that the Adventure and Activity sector was a growing and lucrative tourism segment with much potential for Ireland.

“Hiking, cycling, water sports and other activities are all becoming increasingly popular with overseas travellers – particularly Europeans and especially in one of our key markets, Germany,” Fáilte Ireland CEO, Shaun Quinn, emphasized. “With our new touring route the Wild Atlantic Way becoming operational next year, the conference will also be a timely opportunity to market it to key influencers in international markets and increase international visitor numbers”.

The ATTA’s Summit conference engages and energizes the leaders of the adventure travel community with networking, business and professional development programs, educational seminars and adventure destination product review opportunities. In addition to featured inspirational presentations, a cadre of experts will deliver content tracks over the course of the Summit, and ATTA’s hallmark peer-to-peer networking sessions and MediaConnect event allows for distinct partnering and knowledge-sharing opportunities with widely respected industry influencers.

Registration for the 2014 ATWS will open in September, 2013, at http://www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/summit2014/

Europa-Park Transforms Into Winter Wonderland For Tourists

Europa-Park welcomes the arrival of the most magical time of the year on November 23, 2013. During the winter months the theme park’s Eurosat globe is wrapped in a big red bow, while Christmas trees and thousands of lights fill the park with a warm glow – a wintry scene to enchant young and old.

At the delightful Christmas market you can browse the stalls and enjoy glühwein, fruit punch and roasted almonds. The seasonal highlights include a winter show programme, a children’s ski school and a snowtubing course.

Elsewhere, the gemütlichkeit of the festive season is yours to discover in towns and cities up and down Germany and at their Christmas markets.

Spring Racing in Vogue at the Langham

For all things Fashionable The Langham, Melbourne is collaborating with publishing powerhouse Vogue Australia to give fashion forward women a taste of what they see on the pages of this illustrious magazine.

The partnership with the fashion bible will see the luxury hotel host "An Evening with Vogue" (Wednesday 16 October) and offer "A Vogue High Tea" over the racing carnival (21 October - 8 November) in Aria Bar & Lounge. Plus there is a special accommodation offer for Vogue readers in Club Terrace and Grand Balcony rooms.

Join Vogue Australia's estemed Beauty Editor Sigourney Cantelo for bubbles and canapés on the rooftop at The Langham. Beauty and style mavens will be able to learn about the Spring/Summer make up trends from Mecca Cosmetica's Head of Artistry Tony Baumann. "An Evening with Vogue" will take place from 6.30pm - 8.30pm for $59 per person, with limited tickets available.

Fashionistas can prepare for the Spring Racing season in style with " A Vogue High Tea", featuring desserts that showcase the vibrant colours of Spring Summer 13/14 fashion. Guests can indulge with a flute of Domaine Chandon NV Brut on arrival with Classic Tiffin Teadishes including very vanilla cupcakes, chocolate macarons, fluffy scones and ribbon sandwiches.

Vogue High-Teaers will take home the latest issue of Vogue Australia, with front row fashion and make-up tips. The Langham Melbourne Vogue High Tea will be taking place on week days from Monday, 21 October - Friday, 8 November from 10.30am - 4.30pm for $65 per person.

For the chance to live like a style guru The Langham is also extending a Vogue accommodation package. Vogue readers can delight in the fresh air and captivating views from a Club Terrace or Grand Balcony room up until April 30, 2014 and receive a complimentary 6-month subscription to Vogue.

For bookings to " An Evening with Vogue" and "A Vogue High Tea", please contact rest.res@langhamhotels.com or call 1800 641 107.

ICOMEX 2013, Leading Meeting for Event Organizers and Incentive Travel

Year after year the business tourism generated a total revenue of 6.2 billion dollars, coupled with the 151 thousand 100 jobs created, 85 thousand are direct and 66 thousand indirect jobs, according to the Mexican Association of Fairgrounds AMEREF.

Both government and business sector, seek to position Mexico as one of the top destinations for business tourism worldwide. As part of the specialization of the sector, will be held for the fourth edition of the meeting between experts for the category and the main buyers of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions): ICOMEX 2013.

From 6 to 8 November, the WTC Mexico City, will be the focus for meeting planners and incentive travel. In over 7,500 m² will be present: conventional and visitors bureaus (CVBs), convention bureaus, ministries of tourism, convention centers, ballrooms, DMCs, corporate travel agencies, incentive houses, hotels, gift suppliers corporate, tour operators, meeting planners, among others.

In addition, the event features the Event Production Zone, which will feature the top companies and suppliers promotional items, booth design, audio, video, lighting, banquets, visitor registration, models, assistants, lecturers, translators, printers, furniture, direct marketing, security, etc.

As part of the activities within ICOMEX 2013 will be held the Educational Program, comprised of 9 specialized conferences: Association Congress, Corporate Congress, Medical Congress, Religious Congress
Congress Weddings, Sport Congress, School Congress, and Corporate TravelExcecutive Assistants Congress.

It also has program ICOMEX business appointments for Hosted Buyers. It is a dynamic where, strategically, meetings are scheduled One on One within the exhibition floor to generate business opportunities. In this way participants can evaluate new suppliers and destinations.

The expo has the support of various international associations specialized in the sector as CPTM, Mexico MPI, PCMA Mexico, GBTA Mexico, Latin America ICCA, SITE Mexico, AMPROFEC, AMDEM, AMEREF, IAEE, COCAL, ASAE, among others.

In its 2012 edition, ICOMEX brought together 3,354 participants, 12 international and 18 national destinations, this year the organizers expect to exceed these figures.

Admission to this event is free for professionals on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November 10:00 to 18:00 hrs., And Friday 8 10:00 to 17:00 hrs.

World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony Boasts International Entertainment Line Up

Over four hundred senior travel decision-makers from across Asia and Australasia are scheduled to attend what promises to be one of the most important events in the travel industry calendar. World Travel Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of the Travel Industry” is scheduled to host a star-studded evening at Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa on October 1st.

Jean-Francois Laurent, General Manager at Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa said: “Just days ago, we were preparing to open a brand new resort on Dubai’s most iconic tourist attraction, The Palm Jumeirah. Now we are the proud hosts of one of the industry’s most anticipated events of the year. The gala dinner ceremony for the World Travel Awards Asia and Australasia will set the scene for us to celebrate the achievements of some of the most unique and exciting hotels and resorts in the region. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing great people being acknowledged for their excellence. Our teams here at Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa have worked hard to deliver a truly inspiring event that will allow us all to appreciate the effort, hard work and pure passion that goes into running a successful resort or hotel.”

Tourism and hospitality organisations from 40 countries will compete for these prestigious top accolades during an evening of excellence hosted by the world-renowned Simone Heng. After working for Singapore’s Power 98FM, she hosted the highest-rating English radio lunch-time show 104.4 Virgin Radio Dubai for almost half a decade. CNN International has also chosen Simone as one of Dubai’s travel guides for their global travel show CNN Go. She’s been named by Elle Arabia and Chanel Middle East as one of their 2013 “It Women” and is the only person to be nominated for Personality of the Year four years in a row in the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Ahlan! Best in Dubai Awards. Simone has lived in Australia, Singapore, the UAE and Switzerland.

Adding glamour and musical talent to the evening will be acclaimed group “Sterling EQ” known for changing the face of instrumental music in South Africa and beyond with their extraordinary fusion of virtuosity and fresh beats. Flying in for this prestigious ceremony, from Cape Town, South Africa, Sterling EQ boasts three successful albums, three major music awards, over 700 international live performances and tens of thousands of followers worldwide. The multiple award-winning group is made up of electric flautist Carina Bruwer, electric violinist Luca Hart and electric cellist Ariella Caira. These three classically trained virtuosos share dozens of awards, degrees and distinctions between them, as well as a passion for the latest beats and pop music trends.

Gliding through the air, will be Valeria and Mario, two of the world’s leading circus talents, who have been awarded top billing in state circuses of their respective home countries of Russia and Colombia. With a background in dance, their moving aerial circus work has seen them breaking new ground in creating beautiful and entertaining performances as a duo and alongside some of the world’s leading performers and aerialists.

Then internationally-acclaimed choreographer Danny Lee shows his unique style, passion and energy which has secured his position as one of the most sought after choreographers in the MENA region.

Celebrating the Asian continent the ABC Dance company, with their traditional Indo-Chinese dance, take their inspiration from traditional Chinese folk dances and Chinese classical dances, including the famed lion dance. Their unique style includes the famed Dun Huang Dance, a classic Chinese dance with dazzling costumes and colourful ribbons that represent the cultures and historic traditions of the desert city of Dun Huang.

Antigua Retains Title of Best Honeymoon Destination at World Travel Awards

The twin-island state of Antigua & Barbuda confirmed its title as the ‘Romance Capital of the Caribbean’ when the destination was conferred as the “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” at the 20th Anniversary of the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony held on September 14th 2013. The elite travel awards event which is known as the “Oscars” of the travel industry recognizes and awards excellent performance throughout various areas of the world travel and tourism industry.

“After years of cultivating our Wedding & Honeymoon market it is indeed an honor to be recognized by an organization like the World Travel Awards as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination,’ especially since the selection is made by members of the travel trade and consumers” said Honorable John Maginley, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation. “We are excited to receive this top accolade however I would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of our hotels, tourism partners and all workers in the hospitality industry, that without their efforts this achievement would not be possible. We intend through continued strategic marketing and improvements to our tourism product, to continually enhance the visitor experience.”

By winning the WTA for the “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” it automatically affords Antigua & Barbuda the opportunity to be nominated within the same category at the WTA Global Awards. This is an accolade that the destination will be striving to coup from its Caribbean competitors.

In addition to winning the “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” a number of Antiguan hotel properties and businesses were also recognized at the prestigious gala ceremony including, Hermitage Bay, as Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel, Carib World Travel was named Caribbean’s Leading Destination Management Company, Curtain Bluff Resort & Spa received awards for Caribbean’s Leading Green Resort and Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Spa Resort. The Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa was recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort and Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Resort, Ayers Creek Residences at Nonsuch Bay Resort received the award for Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Residences and Blue Waters Resort won Antigua & Barbuda’s Leading Hotel.

The tropical landscape and natural beauty of Antigua & Barbuda with its beautiful secluded beaches and coves is the perfect backdrop for romance. This coupled with the destination’s easy wedding requirements, which allow couples wanting to get married to do so in less than 24 hours, make the destination the perfect paradise for any couple wanting to be wed.

There are no residency requirements to obtain a marriage license and the paperwork is almost hassle-free. A couple can literally have a “same-day” destination wedding with numerous options available to accommodate every couple’s needs. Antigua and Barbuda have also received several accolades by both Brides Magazine and About.com as one of the Caribbean’s top destinations for weddings and honeymoons. The Huffington Post has also recently cited Antigua and Barbuda as one of the top five honeymoon destinations in the world.

Receiving the top accolade of “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” also comes on the heels of Antigua & Barbuda hosting the two part finale episodes, including the Season 9 final Rose Ceremony episode, of the ABC TV Primetime Reality series ‘The Bachelorette’. The popular reality show has introduced the destination to millions of fans around the world and with formidable airlift to access the destination scheduled for the upcoming 2013-2014 winter season, Antigua & Barbuda is poised for growth.

The Hottest Cities to Live In

Kuwait
Not everyone lives in a place to experience summer all year round. For those who live in places where summer is rather fleeting, here we take a look at the top 5 warmest cities in the world to live in. Quick, pack that sombrero and maybe a fan!

1. Kuwait City, Kuwait

As the capital of Kuwait and part of a metropolis that extends into the desert, temperatures can exceed over 46 °C (115 °F) here, way higher than most other cities anywhere on earth. With little rainfall and frequent dust storms, it little wonder that it ranks as one of the hottest places on the planet.


2. Ahwaz, Iran

This desert city in western Iran is consistently one of the warmest places to be during the summer months, with temperatures often exeeding 50 degrees °C and the mercury hitting an average of 46 °C (115 °F). There are long hot summers, with sand and dust storms, and short, mild winters.

3. Jizan City, Saudi Arabia

Situated on the Red Sea coast, Jizan has a hot desert climate, which has an average annual temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). It may not experience the same searing summer heat of some cities but it has one of the hottest all year round temperatures.


4. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is known for its sizzling temperatures and has previously been named the World's Hottest City by the World Meteorological Organisation. It may not get the record as the warmest metropolis every day but is a consistently hot place most of the year round. Temperatures often reach 38 °C (100 °F) and, even during the night, are still around 33 °C (91 °F). Make sure you drink plenty of water on your travels here!

5. El Azizia, Libya

El Azizia's, sometimes known as Aziziya, is the capital of the Jafara district in northwestern Libya. It made the record books in 1922 when a weather station here recorded the highest temperature ever measured on the planet, at a red-hot 58 °C (136.4 °F). This record remained until 2012 when the World Meteorological Organisation deemed it invalid. Despite this, temperatures regularly climb to over 49°C (120 °F) in the summer time - ice-cream anyone?

Written By Lidia

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Enters Golden Age Achieving Environmental First for Convention Centres Worldwide

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has been awarded EarthCheck Gold Certification making it the first convention centre in the world to achieve this environmental badge of honour.

The accolade cements the Centre’s position as a leader for sustainable conferencing venues making it a stand-out benchmark operator in the MICE sector on a global scale.

GCCEC’s golden achievement comes after five years of continuous advancement of both environmental and business performance underpinned by the science and integrity of EarthCheckTM, the world's most recognised and largest environmental management program, designed specifically for the travel and tourism industry.

The program is trusted by more than 1300 organisations in over 70 countries including 10 convention centres throughout Australia and globally including the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World and ICC Jeju in Korea who operate under silver status.
GCCEC General Manager, Adrienne Readings said that the historic accomplishment is reflective of the Centre's culture and unwavering commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards.

“As part of our corporate social responsibility, the GCCEC has gone through a period of growth and development in terms of sustainability over the years,” said Ms Readings.

“Environmental sustainable practices are at the Centre’s core values and therefore integral to our overarching strategy and operational practices which help the GCCEC retain its competitive edge in the meetings and events industry.

“Implementing positive sustainable choices and practices including partnering with clients and key suppliers have enabled us to roll-out numerous initiatives to become a frontrunner in the field of sustainability and a preferred business events venue,” added Ms Readings.

Adhering to environmentally-friendly policies since inception, the GCCEC has recognised the many benefits that innovation and change champions, including a reduction in operational costs, a reduction in the Centre’s overall carbon footprint and recognition throughout the community and industry who have come to expect a certain benchmark of eco‐friendly performance.

Over the years, the Centre has implemented initiatives that have positively benefited the venue and subsequent events which have boosted the client’s morale and enhanced the reputation of respective organisations.

Adrienne Readings said that “simple and effective steps such as introducing 100% recycled paper, updating lights to more energy-efficient models, installing sensor taps, sourcing local produce and ingredients and creating a comprehensive Green Events Guide for event organisers detailing how to cut back on carbon and costs has helped us to significantly reduce waste, water and energy consumption”.

“As more emphasis is placed on sustainable conferencing by the industry we are finding more and more clients approaching us to find out how they can improve the sustainability of their event,” she said.

While the Centre already has a number of sustainable initiatives in place, event planners can also take their own steps to make their events more environmentally friendly, such as always checking the environmental credentials of their suppliers.

Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global, congratulated the GCCEC on being awarded EarthCheck’s prestigious Gold Certification – a first for Australian and convention centres worldwide.

“Achieving EarthCheck Gold Certification is not an easy task to achieve. It requires the commitment and ownership from management, staff and suppliers and a willingness to submit reporting to expert scrutiny.

“There are no short cuts, no ways to buy your way in; it’s a matter of being able to prove the integrity of an organisation’s operational practices year-in and year-out, and then be willing to have everything verified by an independent, third party auditor,” explained Mr Moore.

“The Australian and global tourism and travel industry can look to the GCCEC for inspiration on how to successfully integrate sustainability practices into their own planning and ongoing business operations.”

Since 2008, GCCEC has been adjusting staff behaviour and operational practices in line with the international standards required by the EarthCheck Program.

Credentials have been achieved with the help of a dedicated ‘green committee’ compromising of key staff members who as a group continually look at new ways in which the venue can reduce waste and the consumption of water and electricity.

Made-in-China Bullet Trains to Run on Malaysia’s Railway Tracks

Australia has yet to build its first fast train. There are no plans in the pipeline for any to be built. Other countries around the world not only have fast train networks, but also build them and export them to other countries. Take for exapmle China’s CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive which has recently sold 10 inter-city bullet trains to Malaysia.

The trains, with 4G network coverage and eco-friendly equipment, will be used on a 900-km railway in Malaysia, China’s Xinhua news agency quoted the train manufacturer as saying.

The trains will run at an average speed between 140 to 160 km per hour. The first train is scheduled to be delivered in two years, and the rest nine months later, according to the agreement.

CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive sold 38 bullet trains to Malaysia in 2010, which was the first export of Made-in-China bullet trains.

International Fleet Review Schedule of Events

Saturday 28 September to Friday 11 October 2013
Time Event Location
  Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.  
Tuesday 1 October 2013
Time Event Location
  12.00noon-4.00pm Warships enter Jervis Bay.  
Thursday 3 October 2013
Time Event Location
7.00am Warships depart Jervis Bay for passage to Sydney. Jervis Bay
11.00am Tall ships enter Sydney Harbour. Sydney Harbour
Friday 4 October 2013
Time Event Location
6.00am-4.00pm Warships enter Sydney Harbour Sydney Harbour
9.30am-10.30am Air displays by Navy Squirrel Display Team and RAAF Roulettes.  
9.30am-5.00pm Tall Ships day sails. Sydney Harbour
10.00am Ceremonial Fleet Entry and 21 Gun Salute. HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Parramatta, Bundaberg, Diamantina and Huon. Sydney Harbour/Bradleys Head
9.45am-10.15am Navy Helicopter Display and RAAF Roulettes. Bradley's Head, Sydney Harbour
11.00am-4.00pm Australian Surf Rowers Reception. Sydney Opera House
Saturday 5 October 2013
Time Event Location
8.00am-Sunset Dress ship. Sydney Harbour
10.00am-7.00pm RAN and International military band performances. Sydney Opera House Forecourt and Bradfield Park
10.30am-10.45am Navy Helicopter Display Team. Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour
11.00am-2.30pm Ceremonial Fleet Review. Sydney Harbour
11.20am-11.40am Formation Flypast. Sydney Harbour
12.00noon-12.30pm Navy Helicopter Display Team. Shark Island, Sydney Harbour
2.15pm-5.30pm 'Salute to Navy' Air Displays. Sydney Harbour
7.40pm-8.10pm Fireworks and Lightshow Spectacular. Sydney Harbour
Sunday 6 October 2013
Time Event Location
2.00am Day Light Saving commences. Clocks go forward one hour.  
9.30am-5.00pm Tall ships open to visitors. Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour
10.00am-11.30am HMAS Sydney (I) Memorial Service. Naval Memorial, Bradley's Head
1.00pm-6.00pm Warships Open Day. Fleet Base East, Garden Island and Barangaroo
2.00pm-3.30pm Ecumenical Service. St Mary's Cathedral
Monday 7 October 2013
Time Event Location
8.00am-6.00pm Warships Open Day. Fleet Base East, Garden Island and Barangaroo
9.00am-10.15am Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
9.30am-5.00pm Tall Ships day sails. Sydney Harbour
Tuesday 8 October 2013
Time Event Location
8.00am-5.00pm Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
9.30am-5.00pm Tall ships open to visitors. Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour
12.30pm-2.00pm Navy Memorial Service. Cenotaph, Martin Place
12.30pm-2.00pm HMAS Penguin Freedom of Entry to Mosman. Military Rd, Mosman
1.00pm-2.30pm HMAS Parramatta Freedom of Entry to Parramatta. Church St, Parramatta
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Time Event Location
8.00am-5.00pm Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
12.30pm-2.30pm Combined Navies Parade. George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall
Thursday 10 October 2013
Time Event Location
8.00am-5.00pm Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
10.00am-3.00pm Combined Navies Sporting Competition. Randwick Barracks/Macquarie Park
11.00am Tall ships depart for Auckland. Sydney Harbour
3.00pm-5.30pm Sailing Regatta with RAN Sailing Association. Sydney Harbour
Friday 11 October 2013
Time Event Location
From 7.30am Warships depart for Exercise Triton Centenary 13 - Part 2. Sydney Harbour

More Information - http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/

Major Ecotourism Hub in Binh Dinh, Vietnam

Construction has started on Vinpearl Hai Giang with a total investment of 3.5 trillion VND (166 million USD), the biggest-ever tourist complex in central Binh Dinh province, Vietnam, creating a tourism landmark for the locality and the whole central region.

The project of Hai Giang Joint-Stock Co., an affiliate of Vingroup, covers an area of 656ha in the south of Nhon Hoi Economic Zone. It is bordered by the non-tariff area to the north, Phuong Mai Mountain to the west and the east, and the East Sea to the south.

Designed to be an ecotourism site in Binh Dinh, the site includes an 18-hole golf course, a five-star hotel and resort villas, an administration centre, cultural works and hotels and apartments, an entertainment park, a cable car system and other auxiliary facilities.

The 1.5km cable car system, the first in the province, is being built in Quy Nhon City from Mui Tan to Phuong Mai peninsula. It is expected to be completed and come into operation in 2017.

The province, which has a coastline of 134km and blessed with numerous landscape and beaches, is focusing on promoting traditional cultural activities and its coastal area to create a major push for its tourism sector.

Madame Tussauds Sydney Reveals Show-stopping New Figure of Katy Perry

One of the most flamboyant and colourful performers in the world has joined the A-list line at Madame Tussauds Sydney as a new wax figure of Katy Perry was recently revealed.

The stunning figure is one of four launched at Madame Tussauds' attractions around the world including Sydney, New York, Bangkok and Amsterdam, each portrayed in different styles and wearing show stopping recreations of some of her famous stage outfits recreated exclusively by Katy's costumiers.

In Australia, a head-turning, heart-shaped, tutu style dress with sequin encrusted, candy striped corset with a heart feature has been recreated down to the last detail, including crystallised fishnet tights, two tone shoes and multicolour polka dot gloves.

"We are delighted to welcome Katy Perry to Madame Tussauds Sydney," commented Quinn Clarke, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Sydney.

“She is one of the most exciting performers in the world and we have been inundated with requests from guests to feature her. The outfit she is wearing is undoubtedly show stopping and has been specially recreated for us by Katy's own costume team to ensure it's totally accurate. Guests will have a very special chance to get right next to an iconic pop star dressed in one of her famous show costumes. We have no doubt this figure is going to be a huge hit."

Katy Perry worked closely with the Madame Tussauds’ team on the creation of the figure and has commented on its likeness.

“It's a little bit freaky because I feel the wax figure is going to come to life! She's a great identical version of me”.

To welcome the star to Sydney and pay homage to the California Dreams tour, a colourful, partly edible set has been created, where edible giant lollies and candy canes were made using over 18kg of candy.

Two candy usherette girls with lolly trays in hand posed next to the wax figure, which will now permanently call Madame Tussauds Sydney home.

To celebrate the arrival of Katy Perry’s wax figure, Madame Tussauds Sydney has also set up a Candy Bar where guests can purchase sweets over the school holiday period - and if guests are quick enough, over the next few days they have the chance to take home a piece of Katy Perry’s edible set!

For more information about Madame Tussauds Sydney and the great Australian and international figures it is already home to, please visit www.madametussauds.com/sydney

Doha, Qatar to Host the Finale of World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards (WTA) has ended months of speculation by confirming its 20th anniversary Grand Final will be hosted by La Cigale Hotel, Doha on November 30th 2013.

WTA was established in 1993, to recognise, acknowledge and reward the leading travel, tourism and hospitality organisations in the world, those companies which push the boundaries of excellence in product and service, and create groundbreaking ideas. The brand has since developed into the most prestigious and comprehensive awards programme in tourism, and is recognised worldwide as the hallmark of industry excellence.

The Wall Street Journal is among the many publications that have heralded WTA as “the Oscar’s of the travel industry”.

The first ever event was held in Hollywood in 1994 and since then World Travel Awards has hosted Gala Ceremonies every year to celebrate the best in the international travel industry. Finals have taken place in London, New York, Las Vegas, Barbados, Turks & Caicos and New Delhi, to name but a few of the exotic locations visited over the past twenty years.

World Travel Awards Group Senior Vice President Kevin Taylor said: “We are delighted to take World Travel Awards to Doha, Qatar for the second time, and to have La Cigale Hotel as host is an extra delight for us. Over the years the World Travel Awards winners shield has become trusted by the travel industry and leisure and business travellers as signifying excellence in quality of product and service, and we look forward to the next twenty years.”

La Cigale Hotel is a 5 star deluxe property offering stylish yet relaxing haven for business and leisure travellers, in the Business District of the City, 15 min away from Doha International Airport and with proximate distance from major city’s landmarks.

The exceptional dining and nightlife options of the 11 Food & Beverage outlets introduce a new era of services in Qatar transforming the sanctuary to a centre of attraction along with its 225 luxurious rooms and suites, 2 state-of-the-art ballrooms, 5 versatile meeting rooms, a world-class spa, 20m daylight indoor pool, and a 490m² gymnasium.

La Cigale Hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World since 2008 and was honoured with a “Quality Certificate” in 2013 by Qatar Tourism Authority considering it as a top-ranked hotel in Qatar.

This luxurious address was also awarded the “World’s Ultimate Service Award in Hospitality” 2012 to conclude the hospitality accomplishments of 2012 before clinching “Qatar’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience” and “Middle East’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience” 2013 and “Qatar’s Leading Hotel” 2013 for the third time (first time in 2010 and second time in 2012) by the World’s Travel Awards.

These recognitions place La Cigale Hotel at the top of the hospitality in Qatar, highlighting the hard work brought by more than 1100 employees who tailor excellence in services.

Housni El Yaman, Director of Sales & Marketing at La Cigale Hotel said “La Cigale Hotel is privileged to host the World Travel Awards Final gala ceremony at its unique Venetian style, Al Wajba ballroom; the venue that hosted prestigious events attended by high-end guests, worldwide iconic stars & Presidents. With our Qatari hospitality & impressive entertainment program headed by the famous artist Maya Diab, we are proud to bring this event for the second time to Doha and welcome more than 750 travel tourism and hospitality professionals from all over the world.“

The World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2013 has included regional legs in the Maldives, Dubai (UAE), Antalya (Turkey), Kenya, Peru, and Antigua throughout the year. The winners of these regional heats all progress to the Grand Final.

Canberra Airport named Australian Airport of the Year

Canberra’s new airport has been named Australian Airport of the Year at the National Airport Industry Awards tonight.

The Awards Ceremony held in Darwin concluded the annual conference of the Australian Airports Association, the peak body representing more than 200 airports around the nation. The Awards acknowledge the organisations and individuals who are achieving excellence within Australia’s airport industry.

Managing Director Stephen Byron, who has led the airport through its ‘AirVolution’ since Capital Airport Group purchased the airport from the Commonwealth in 1998, received the award for most outstanding contribution to the airport industry.

Mr Byron congratulated the large team of people who had contributed to delivering the allnew airport to Australia’s national capital.

“We always set out to create a quality building and excellence has underpinned everything we have done to achieve our vision to have the best small airport in the world.

“This award recognises the large Canberra team, the hundreds of people, who have been part of delivering the Australian Airport of the Year – our architect Hal Guida, our builder Construction Control and all their subcontractors, and of course our own Canberra Airport staff led by Matt Brown and Richard Doyle.

“We have delivered a stunning gateway for the national capital that is the platform for economic growth in the future, including direct international flights and low-cost carriers like Jetstar and Tiger.

“This is of critical importance in the current climate where Canberra is looking to diversify its economy and be less reliant on the public sector.

“We are delighted this year’s award coincides with Canberra’s Centenary – another reason for our city to celebrate, and a good news story for Canberra,” Mr Byron said.

Sunday 29 September 2013

Frontier Incursion a Greet E-Book Read

Looking for something GREAT this weekend. Frontier Incursion by Leonie Rogers has GREAT 4 and 5 star reviews, many readers comment what GREAT value this e-book is and how the book has a GREAT story line with GREAT characters that just pull you into the story. A GREAT thing about this e-book is that you can down load the first 4 chapters for FREE at your favorite e-book seller or just click on a link below. :) :) GREAT IDEA. :) :)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009JR4Z2E/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frontier-Incursion-ebook/dp/B009JR4Z2E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380418735&sr=8-1&keywords=frontier+incursion 

Kindle Price $4.99 includes free international wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet

Leisure and Incentive Travel Highlighted in PATA

Pacific Asia Travel Association Mart (PATA) took place at Chengdu, China’s thriving trading city, from Sept 15- 17, 2013 with Nepal Tourism Board and PATA Nepal Chapter jointly participating the fair along with ten private tourism agencies from Nepal. PATA Mart is a platform of global networks of highly professional companies focusing on business while maximizing travel value for customers.

Coinciding with PATA Tavel Mart, there was a Conference of PATA Board Members where representing Nepal, Mr, Subash Nirola, Acting CEO of NTB gave away Everest Diamond Jubilee medal to Mr. David Hemplemen, a veteran climber and world renowned adventurist who scaled Everest from both Nepal and Tibet side. On the occasion, while talking to media he highlighted the cordial and cultural ties between the two countries and Nepal’s new initiatives and special offer for Chinese market. Analyzing the dynamics of the market he said, “ We are shifting our focus on leisure and incentive tours besides the traditional notion that Nepal is an adventure destination.” Seeing the surge in the arrival figures and the prospect of Chinese market , Mr. Nirola opined that “China is soon emerging to be the top source market for Nepal and that NTB will further intensify its promotional programs in various cities of China.”

During the event Nepal received a good coverage in the official magazines of PATA called TTG which reaches out to thousand of travel trade companies. NTB also updated the media and trade buyers with useful travel information and attractive tour packages and invited the media to make coverage in prominent televisions, leading travel newspapers and popular travel portals in China. Media briefing was also done on latest tourism updates at a special program during the mart.

While competing destinations like Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are making aggressive marketing in China, Nepal needs to tactically move ahead to secure its share of tourism from China through mass outreach and strong destination appeal .

While touring places like Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara which are very popular for Chinese visitors, Nepal is already providing discounted entry fees to heritage sites with special Chinese speaking Guide for city tours and understanding the travel habits and food preferences to safeguard and consolidate the Chinese market.

China is emerging as one of the largest source market for Nepalese tourism with Chengdu, Lhasa, Guangxhou , Kunming and Hong Kong directly connected to Kathmandu. Visitors from China increased by 16 % with around 70,000 Chinese tourists visiting Nepal in 2012.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ranked first Overall Resort in North America

The votes are in, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is ranked first Overall Resort in North America by the annual SKI Magazine Reader’s Poll. SKI Magazine’s survey, now in its 26th year, provides an annual snapshot of the Top 50 resorts in North America. Readers rank resorts in 20 different categories that include anything from snow and lifts, to dining and service. The SKI survey is the longest-running annual resort survey in the winter sports industry and since 2005, the #1 award has been dominated by Deer Valley, Vail Mountain and mostly recently Whistler in 2013. Last winter JHMR was #6 overall and before that, had not been ranked inside the top ten. “This award truly reflects the combined efforts of our ownership, the dedicated JHMR staff, and the Jackson Hole community,” stated JHMR President, Jerry Blann.

Jackson Hole earned the top spot this year, as well as Top 10 rankings in a wide range of areas, from Challenge and Character (both # 1’s) to Lodging (# 3) and Service (# 7). For a mountain never known for extensive grooming until the recent “All New All Blue” initiatives, Jackson Hole ranked #19 in grooming this year. “Jackson Hole has done as good of a job as any resort in recent memory of expanding its appeal to a wider audience, now offering a remarkable experience to skiers of all talents and tastes,” Greg Ditrinco, Editor of SKI Magazine says.

These results affirm the community’s goal to continually improve the guest experience year over year. “The Kemmerer Family and JHMR’s Board of Directors have been dedicated to improving the infrastructure of the resort and with their focused leadership; over $135 Million in on-mountain improvements have been invested. That, combined with the hard work of JH AIR, the JH Travel & Tourism Board, Wyoming Tourism and the passionate local community, has transformed Jackson Hole into a premier winter destination,” Blann commented, and added, “This is an exciting time for JHMR and all of Jackson Hole. Our plan is to continue on the path that has led to this #1 award – staying true to our independent spirit, our western hospitality and a truly authentic offering in the ski industry.”

“This positions Jackson Hole on a strong footing heading into this season. Additionally, we are in good company with the Mountain Collective partnership, five of our Mountain Collective Resort partners are in the SKI Top 15, with Whistler (#6), Snowmass (#9), Aspen Mountain (#13) and Mammoth (#14). It validates that SKI readers believe in the unique and high caliber resort experiences these mountains offer,” stated JHMR Chief Marketing Officer, Adam Sutner.

To thank the community and share the announcement of #1, JHMR will host a party on the Jackson Town Square tomorrow, Thursday, September 19th starting at 5pm. There will be a short video premier, Grand Pass® giveaway, athlete signings and more.

Curiosity Heightens as Scientists Discover Legless Lizards in California

Curiosity regarding mysterious creatures continues with some legless lizards spotted in California. A pair of herpetologists in California has discovered four species of legless Anniella pulchra lizards. These lizards are often distinguishable from snakes on the basis of one or more of the following characteristics: possessing eyelids, possessing external ear openings, lack of broad belly scales, and/or a very long tail (while snakes have a long body and short tail).

These lizards were spotted in unlikely habitats among central valley oil derricks, sand dunes at the end of a Los Angeles airport runway and other arid and desolate spaces. They are yellow-bellied legless lizards, and their species name is A. stebbinsi, after 98-year-old herpetologist Robert C. Stebbins. The three other newly identified species were found in the San Joaquin Valley, over 200 miles to the north, where they likely lived for millions of years, Papenfuss and Parham’s research showed. The silver-bellied A. alexanderae was found in the oilfields near the city of Taft, the A. campi, with a yellow underside, was found in three canyons at the outskirts of the Mojave Desert, and the purple-stomached A. grinnelli, was discovered in a handful of vacant lots in downtown Bakersfield, a city of 352,000.

Recent discoveries have revealed various other mysterious creatures and travellers all over the world felt the curiosity to visit these places to have a glance at these mysterious or legendary creatures. Some other mysterious creatures that have been recently spotted have been listed below:-

  • Often considered as a myth by most experts a Mississippi man claimed the existence of a strange creature named Chupacabra in Spain. Matthew Harrell of Leake County killed the bizarre-looking animal Wednesday morning while “coon hunting” in a chicken coop. The animal Harrell shot is almost without hair and its nails are longer than what most dogs would have on its paws.
  • A species of shark that can walk on its fins on the bottom of the ocean has been found in Indonesia. Hemiscyllium Halmahera uses its fins to crawl on the ocean bed and forage for small fish and crustaceans; this was revealed by scientists from Conservation International.
  •  Tourists and residents of Villaricos were mystified when a strange-looking sea creature came up ashore a beach in the southern coastal town on Thursday. From “horned sea monster” to a “mutant fish”, the mysterious carcass has become a major center of attraction for the people. Thus it would not be wrong to say something fishy is going on in Spain.

Sydney is a World's Best Festival and Event City – Again!

It’s official! Sydney is a world’s best festival and event city for the third consecutive year according to a major international industry body.

“The Harbour City has been awarded the prestigious title by the International Festivals & Events Association (IEFA), an organisation described as the premiere Association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide. It is a great honour for NSW and recognition of the success this Government has had in attracting major events,” Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said.

An international panel of judges decided on Sydney as a top destination, based on initiative and vision in encouraging the success and growth of festivals and events.

“Festivals and events in NSW create tremendous community and economic capital, however the partnership and support from the local community, at all levels, is critical to the success and sustainability of existing festivals and events, as well as the ability to attract and encourage new events.

“Since 2011, this Government, through Destination NSW, has secured 121 sporting, cultural, arts and premiere stage productions in metropolitan and regional NSW which will contribute an estimated $1.2 billion to the State’s economy.

“So, when it comes to tourism and major events, NSW has now taken the national leadership position, something we had previously lost”.

Mr Souris pointed out that this latest award was one of many honours Sydney had recently received, including:
  • Condé Nast Traveler USA Reader’s Choice Awards as the best city in Oceana, World’s Favourite Overseas City, in the Conde Nast Traveller UK Reader’s Choice Awards
  • Top 5 Best World Destinations, in the UK Cruise International Awards
  • Number One City in Australia, in the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards.

“NSW now has Australia’s leading Visitor Economy, which annually contributes more than $21 billion, with more than 96,500 businesses directly employing more than 152,000 people plus another 105,000 indirectly employed, equating to one in 14 jobs in NSW.

“This Government remains committed to ensuring Sydney and regional NSW remain number one when it comes to hosting major events in Australia because they boost tourism, create jobs, enhance the lives and lifestyle of the State’s citizens and inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy,” Mr Souris said.

The 2013 IFEA World Festival and Event City award was presented to the Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW at the 58th Annual IFEA Convention & Expo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA yesterday.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said: “The NSW Government has made a strong commitment to encourage the growth of events and festivals in NSW. To win an award of this calibre confirms Sydney as a leading player on the global stage for attracting, creating, and hosting successful events, which enhance visitation and economic growth for our State.”

For more information about the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), please visit www.ifea.com

English Heritage Sites Attract Record Number of 1 million Visitors in August

English Heritage sites attracted a record number of 1,066,000 million visitors in total in August which is 20 percent more than last year. Other than a slew of historical events last month which pushed up the tourist figures, a number of other factors also contributed to the amazing figures.

English Heritage yesterday said its 400 sites and monuments had undoubtedly benefited from comparisons with 2012, when the nation was gripped by the Olympic Games in London. The sites were reaping the benefits of higher investment.

There were also new and unique attractions like Osborne Beach, Queen Victoria’s private beach, was opened for the first time in 170 years last summer.

The celebration of 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden by several sites across the UK also pulled in more visitors. Beeston Castle, Cheshire and Carisbrooke Castle held “Clash of the Knights”, a series of competitive historical “medieval melees”.

But most importantly, the financial crunch sealed the pockets of families who restricted their tours within Britain instead of heading overseas.

New NSW Events Calendar Launched

The new Sydney and NSW Events Calendar, which showcases a world-class line up of sporting, arts, culture and lifestyle events across the State for the next 10 months, has been unveiled

Major wins for Sydney and NSW featured on the new Events Calendar include the World Premiere of Strictly Ballroom- The Musical; the opening series of the Major League Baseball; the Australian premiere of Monster Jam and Corroboree Sydney, the largest annual national Indigenous arts and cultural festival in Australia.

"On behalf of the NSW Government, I am proud to present the 2013-2014 Sydney and NSW Events Calendar," Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said.

"Destination NSW estimates the Sydney and NSW Events Calendar will inject more than $500 million into the NSW economy from visitor expenditure.

"From the highly-anticipated return of The Lion King to Sydney's world-renowned New Year's Eve fireworks, the RAN International Fleet Review Sydney, BMW Sydney Carnival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, 2014 Toyota IRONMAN Australia in Port Macquarie and the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin, there is something for everyone across every location and season in NSW.

"The number of regional events are particularly impressive this year and an important contributor to regional tourism. These events attract visitors from across the State, Australia and overseas and give visitors a unique perspective on some of NSW's rich network of regional towns.

"With such an impressive range of activities and entertainment on offer for both locals and visitors alike, it's easy to see why NSW and Sydney are Australia's premier tourism and major events destination."

To access the Sydney and NSW Events Calendar, please visit http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/_ data/assets/pdf_file/0010/211978/SydneyNSW-Events-Calendar-2013-2014.pdf 

Historic Scotland Celebrates Battle of Flodden 500th Anniversary at Stirling Castle

A month of events at Stirling Castle to mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden and the subsequent coronation of the infant King James V will culminate in a weekend of commemoration on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.

After Flodden – Commemoration and Coronation will transport visitors back to the sixteenth century, giving them a glimpse into royal life in the period, as costumed interpreters help to bring to life the events of 1513, its aftermath and its impact on castle life.

Visitors can witness James IV’s wife Margaret Tudor receiving word of her husband’s death, discussing her son, the new king, and reflecting on her ambitious brother Henry VIII.

They will also have the opportunity to learn more about the fashions of the period, hear about life in the royal nursery of James V and meet the castle guards and learn how they have been charged with the defence of the young king and Stirling Castle.

Visitors will also be able to witness the crowning of one of Scotland’s most celebrated monarchs, as the coronation of James V is re-enacted.

On the evening of 22 September, the Scottish Chamber Choir will perform a unique ticketed concert in the Castle’s Great Hall, a building commissioned by James IV. The choir will perform music by the 16th-century Scottish composers David Peebles, Andro Kemp and Robert Johnson, alongside the work of Scotland’s most prominent living composer, James MacMillan. Tickets are available on-site or on the Historic Scotland website.

The Battle of Flodden took place on 9 September 1513, when James IV led a Scottish army into Northumberland, where they were met by an English force. The Scots suffered a heavy defeat, and James became the last king in European history to die in battle. He was succeeded by his one-year-old son, who was crowned James V at Stirling.

Kit Reid, Interpretation Manager at Historic Scotland said: “The repercussions of the Battle of Flodden were felt throughout Scotland, particularly at Stirling, where James IV’s noblemen re-grouped after the defeat and where the King’s successor was crowned.

“To mark the 500th anniversary of the battle, and the subsequent coronation of James V, this weekend of informative events at Stirling Castle will allow visitors to step back in time to learn more about castle life and to reflect on the impact the events of 1513 had on the royal court.”

27th Annual ARIA Awards to Shine from the Star

Following on from the triumphant success of the 2012 ARIA Awards, the most anticipated night on the Australian music industry calendar, the 27th Annual ARIA Awards is set to take place on Sunday 1 December 2013 at the Event Centre at The Star, Sydney.

The 27th Annual ARIA Awards will return to the Nine Networks' digital channel GO! for the broadcast of the ceremony, including all the rock ‘n’ roll festivities from the David Jones red carpet.

Denis Handlin AM, ARIA Chairman and Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand and President, Asia said: “ARIA is delighted to announce The Star as the new home of Australian music’s biggest night – the 27th Annual ARIA Awards.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the continued support of the Nine Network and the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, who are passionate supporters of our local music industry. We look forward to partnering with them again in 2013 as we celebrate a truly remarkable year in Australian music.”

The winners of the ARIA Fine Arts and Artisan Awards will be announced at the 2013 ARIA Nominations event on Tuesday 15 October at the Art Gallery of NSW.

As well as being the year that the ARIA Charts celebrated their 30th anniversary, 2013 has delivered an extraordinary year for Australian music, including 10 number one Australian albums, a feat not achieved since 2004.

With so much diverse talent to be proud of, the 27th ARIA Awards, featuring stellar live performances, unforgettable collaborations and special guest appearances, will be a night to commemorate and recognise these achievements. 2013 has also seen a 50% increase on 2012 in the number of artists and recordings nominated for ARIA Awards by ARIA Members.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, said: “The NSW Government is proud to support the ARIA Awards and ARIA WEEK held in Sydney, the home of the Australian Music Industry. Last year, more than 3,000 visitors from overseas, interstate and intrastate came specifically to the Harbour City for the ARIA Awards and ARIA Week, injecting $1.4 million into the NSW economy.”

Saturday 28 September 2013

Dubai all set to host The Hotel Show

The Middle East Hotel Awards kicks off a busy program for The Hotel Show, which will open its doors at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28th to 30th September 2013. The Hotel Show will also play home to the inaugural Middle East Spa Awards to take place throughout the show in September and will celebrate the achievements of hotels as well as individuals within the hugely popular spa industry across the MENA region.

The Hotel Show is the largest full spectrum hospitality supplies event for the MENA region, now in its 14th year in 2013. The Hotel Show Dubai provides a vibrant showcase of luxury and contemporary interiors, essential equipment and the latest technology and trends to a market that is home to the highest number of 5-star plus world class hotels. The show is managed by dmg :: events and attracts a high volume of hoteliers, restaurateurs, managers, consultants, architects and developers from across the MENA region and beyond.

The Hotel Show belongs to a wider portfolio of design exhibitions organized by dmg :: events, these include The Hotel Show Dubai, The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia, The Leisure Show and Hospitality 360.
Combined, these events offer the largest full spectrum hotel, hospitality and leisure suppliers in the MENA region. The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia featuring Food & Restaurant was launched in Jeddah in 2012. The event attracted an audience of more than 2,000 industry executives, key buyers and decision makers and 100 suppliers.

The Leisure Show, which launches in 2013, is the ultimate in leisure supplies for leisure facility professionals from across the Middle East. Incorporating Pool & Aqua Leisure, Health & Fitness, Resorts Parks & Attractions and Outdoor Sports & Adventure suppliers to leisure facility professionals from across the Middle East, the event will take place alongside The Hotel Show Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28th-30th September 2013.

Hospitality 360 will encompass all aspects of the hotel and hospitality industry at International Furniture Fair Singapore.