Hue Festival 2016 coming in April

Hue Festival 2016 will take place from April 29 to May 4 with various culture, sport and art activities.

The festival will celebrate 710 years since the founding of Thuan Hoa - Phu Xuan (now Thua Thien-Hue Province). It will also highlight the central province's cultural heritage in the development and integration process. With an aim to uphold traditional values and showcase modernity, Hue Festival 2016 will focus on events in which both people and tourists can take part in and enjoy, according to Nguyen Dung, vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee.

"It's an opportunity to promote an image of Hue - the cultural, heritage and tourism city, the Festival city of Viet Nam," said Dung.

The festival will gather artists from 20 countries with France playing as the main partner.

The troupes include Guangdong Theatre from China, the Cancer band from Denmark, Michal Milczareck Trio from Poland, Della Mae from the US, Hallelujah from Israel, Germein Sisters from Australia and Yun Myung-hwa from the Republic of Korea.

Domestic arts companies and street arts troupes will also bring interesting performances to this festival such as the Cleopatra belly dance group from Ha Noi, Giao Thoi band from HCM City and Viet Nam Circus Federation.

Besides, the festival is also a combination of traditional culture, art and tourism activities with great attractions and high community orientation, which will contribute to promoting local socio-economic development, including: Royal Night, Orient Legends, beer carnival, international food festival, old car exhibition, ancient village festival in Phuoc Tich Village, traditional boat race on Huong River and kite festival.

The festival will include several exhibitions featuring cultural icons, traditional games, and specialties from many localities across Viet Nam, thereby providing tourists with a better understanding of the Southeast Asian country.

It will be held in coincidence with the conference of Mayors from member countries of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Co-operation.

Hue Festival is the first contemporary festival in Viet Nam developed from the new concept of festival based on festival models from various cities in the world. As a typical cultural tourism event, which takes place every two years starting from 2000, it brings together excellent arts companies with unique performances from all over the world.

"After eight previous events, Hue Festival has gradually developed to a national scale with international orientation and contributed to building Hue tourism's reputation as well as promoting Viet Nam culture to the world," said Dung.

This will be the first time the festival will be organised on the holiday occasion of Liberation Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1).

"We anticipate the huge number of tourists flocking to Hue City on this occasion and the current number of 2,000 rooms may not meet the demand," said Dung.

"We will join with local travel agents and businesses to upgrade the service quality and satisfy tourists."

Besides attending the festival in the city, tourists can choose to enjoy sightseeing tours and eco-tours to discover local destinations such as Lang Co Beach, A Luoi mountainous region and Tam Giang Lagoon. Hue Festival 2014 received 200,000 tourists. In this first half of this year, there are 1.6 million tourists come to Thua Thien - Hue.

Thailand prepares grand celebrations to mark the 2016 lunar New Year

Thailand, one of a home to the largest overseas Chinese community in the world, is planning to welcome the 2016 lunar New Year with grand celebrations across the country. This year, the big day falls on 8 February, but the celebration dates vary in each province with the celebrations co-hosted and supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) scheduled during 5 to 15 February.

Mr. Visanu Jaroensilp, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business said, “Thailand’s celebrations to mark the 2016 Chinese New Year will be even more special, as this is a significant year for the country. This year marks His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 70th anniversary of accession to the throne and the 88thbirthday anniversary, as well as Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s seventh cycle or 84th birthday anniversary.

“This year also marks the 41st year of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations, and the 12th anniversary of cooperation between TAT and the Chinese Ministry of Culture in co-hosting the Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand.”

To commemorate such a significant year for Thailand, TAT has scheduled to hold the 2016 Chinese New Year celebrations during 5-15 February at 13 major destinations nationwide. They are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Songkhla (Hat Yai), Phuket, Trang and Udon Thani.

Highlights for the TAT’s 2016 Chinese New Year celebrations at the 13 destinations will include:

• A special ceremony to extend lunar New Year’s greetings to people across China and Thailand by Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, E. Mr. Ning Fukui. The event will take place on 7 February at the China Cultural Centre in Bangkok.
• The official opening ceremony of the Yaowarat Chinese New Year 2016 that will be graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The event will take place on 8 February at Bangkok’s Chinatown on Yaowarat Road.

The Ministry of Culture, the People’s Republic of China has prepared special cultural shows from nine famous troupes and more than 180 performers as part of the wishes for the New Year of the Monkey for the people of Thailand. The shows will take place on 8-9 February at different locations:

• Bangkok – musical and dance performances from Beijing
• Nakhon Sawan – Kungfu performances from Tianjin
• Suphan Buri – acrobatic performances from Ningxia
• Ayutthaya – dance performances from Hangzhuo
• Ratchaburi – Chinese opera performances from Beijing
• Nakhon Ratchasima – dance and cultural performances from Xinjiang
• Udon Thani – acrobatic and puppetry shows from Fujian and dance performances from Chengdu
• Songkhla (Hat Yai) – dance performances from Mongolia
• Phuket – musical and dance performances from Beijing and Kungfu performances from Tianjin
• The ceremony to pay homage to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the highly revered Buddhist image of the Mahayana Buddhism followers, which has been taken from the Hua Seng Temple, Huangshan Mountains in Anhui province, China.

TAT estimates that the 2016 Chinese New Year celebrations, from 5-15 February, will help generate 2,350 million Baht for the Thai economy through the myriad of tourist activities, such as, from the travel and related expenses to pay homage to revered Buddhist images for blessings at destinations across Thailand.Mr. Visanu said, “The collaboration in organising the Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand has strengthened the Sino-Thai relations while the array of great activities in different locations has attracted visitors to stay longer, thus resulting in more tourism spending and help to boost the economy. The performances from China not only help light up the celebration, but also inspire inter-cultural understanding. In addition, TAT takes this opportunity to promote Thailand and our cultural heritage through the experiences of the Chinese performers by arranging cultural tour programmes for them.”

In addition, during 6-14 February, TAT targets Thailand to attract about 1.01 million international visitor arrivals and generate approximately 29.92 billion Baht tourism revenue, representing a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively. Of the totals, Thailand’s five main markets with large Chinese communities – China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia – are expected to contribute 476,000 visitors (up 20 per cent) and 15.2 billion Baht revenue (up 32 per cent).

For more details of the best places to experience the 2016 Chinese New Year, please seehttp://www.tatnews.org/events/thailand-chinese-new-year-2016/

Hangzhou & Guizhou named by NY Times in 52 Places to Go in 2016

Earlier this month, the New York Times annual travel story on top places to visit featured two delightful destinations from China: Hangzhou at #16 and Guizhou at #44.

According to the story, “Hangzhou used to be known for its ancient poets and painters; now, the city is home to the booming e-commerce company Alibaba, and will take a step on the global stage in 2016 as the first Chinese city to host the G20 summit… Guizhou province has long been one of China’s least accessible regions. As a result, its ethnic minority Miao and Dong mountain villages retain an unhurried pace and authentic feel.” 

Click here to read the article.

New Australian travel photography book ‘The Philosophy of Travel’ celebrates the outback and our connection to the land

As the publisher and TV host of 4WD Touring Australia, photographer Carlisle Rogers has travelled over 100,000 outback kilometres, met some incredible people and captured some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery.

The Philosophy of Travel (Escape Media, $69.95) is no ordinary travel photography book. It’s a lavishly designed cloth-bound hardcover ode to the spirit of exploration and discovery. In the book Carlisle shares over 100 stunning full page photographs of the people and places visited over the past four years, and includes beautifully written insights into each photograph featured. “The photos, and the ideas, are the product of well over 100, 000km of dusty, muddy roads, late night highway miles and the roadhouses, sunsets, waves, strangers and friends that have pushed me, challenged me and kept me looking for beauty in every direction.” Carlise says.

A uniquely presented coffee table book, The Philosophy of Travel is an extraordinary photographic celebration of the Australian outback and our connection to the land. After working as a freelance writer and photographer for some of Australia’s most prestigious newspapers and magazines, including The Age, Australian Geographic and RM Williams Outback, Carlisle Rogers created his own travel brand, 4WD Touring Australia in 2012. He produces and hosts the TV Series, 4WD Touring Australia, while travelling and capturing the true spirit of outback Australia for the magazine eachmonth.

Southeast Asian tourism ministers launch 10-year plan to boost tourism

In a bid to boost tourism, Southeast Asian tourism ministers launched a 10-year plan on Friday to market their region as a single destination. The ministers sought to raise tourism’s share of the regional economy to 15 percent by 2025.

Also a “Visit ASEAN@50″ campaign will be launched to mark the 50th anniversary of the regional group next year, the ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations announced. The campaign will showcase hundreds of ASEAN tourism products, events and experiences and target people within and outside the region.
An ASEAN cruise brand with a logo of linked, colorful waves was also unveiled by the tourism ministers.

Tourism is a major pillar of integration for the region of more than 600 million people and accounted for 12.3 percent of ASEAN’s GDP in 2013 with 102.2 million tourist arrivals.
The 10-year tourism plan calls for intensified promotion and marketing, diversification of tourism products including development of sub-regional destinations, attraction of tourism investment, promotion of an ASEAN tourism standards certification system, expansion of connectivity and infrastructure, and increased participation of local communities in tourism.

Tourist arrivals in ASEAN are expected to increase to 152 million by 2025 and ASEAN is forecast to account for 25 percent of 1.8 billion world tourist arrivals by 2030.

Great Ocean Road and Murray River to Star in Tourism Australia's Latest Global Campaign

Regional Victoria is set to star in Tourism Australia's newest global marketing campaign, as the Great Ocean Road and the Murray River region are showcased as top highlights of Australia's world-class, aquatic and coastal experiences.

Tourism Australia's aquatic and coastal campaign was launched in New York on Australia Day eve, January 25 2016. It will include a series of international television commercials, featuring a voiceover by Melbourne born, Australian actor and newly appointed Tourism Australia global ambassador Chris Hemsworth.

The newly filmed campaign features over a dozen distinct experiences representing every Australian state and territory. Flying over Victoria's stunning Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles in a helicopter will form one of these hero experiences, while Victoria's mighty Murray River region with its many on-water experiences and unique Australian bush setting will also feature in the campaign.

The global marketing push makes use of ground-breaking virtual reality technology and user generated content in a way never before seen in destination marketing. Fully integrated print, digital and PR activity will facilitate the promotion of Victoria's diversity of state-wide aquatic and coastal regions.

Tourism Australia will spend A$40 million over the next six months rolling out the new campaign - starting in the US with a joint campaign with Virgin Australia and then across other key international markets, including the UK, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Nick Foa, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Victoria said the marketing campaign will help cement Victoria as one of the world's must-visit destinations for nature and wildlife.

“As one of the world's most spectacular and internationally recognised coastal drives, the Great Ocean Road offers striking imagery for showcasing regional Victoria overseas, but there is much more to discover in the region, from the wildlife and surf towns to rainforest and mountain biking adventures.”

“We are also excited to have an opportunity to showcase, and in many ways introduce, the Murray region to more international markets. This quintessentially Australian landscape is where the bush meets the river and where travellers can choose between historic paddle-steamer or horseback to explore the many cellar doors and heritage towns.”

“Victoria offers a breadth of aquatic and coastal experiences. Whether it's the nightly parade of little penguins at Phillip Island, paddling with a platypus, snorkelling with giant stingrays, water skiing on lakes or hitting the surf.” said Foa.

More details of the campaign including the broadcast ad are available at www.tourism.australia.com/Aquatic and Tourism Australia's multi-media release at http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7742051-tourism-australia/

Kite festival rings in New Year

An art kite festival was held in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on January 1 to celebrate the New Year 2016.

The two-day event drew 10 professional kite clubs together with 100 artisans from cities and provinces nationwide.

As many as 150 unique kites coloured the 2.2 kilometre beach of the Grand Ho Tram Strip, a local hi-end integrated resort in Xuyen Moc district.

A highlight of the festival was the “Rokkaku kite battle” in which flyers tryed to knock other kites out of the sky.

Numerous locals and tourists showed their great interest in the spectacular kite displays.

EUROPEAN STARS HEADED TO PERTH

The 2016 Perth International is pleased to confirm that Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen will return to Lake Karrinyup Country Club to defend his title from 25-28 February, 2016.

His win in Perth marked his second victory on the European Tour and he has since added a third title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews last October.

“I have some great memories from my last visit to Perth and am really looking forward to defending my title at Lake Karrinyup,” commented Olesen.

French Ryder Cup star, Victor Dubuisson, who finished runner-up to Olesen in 2014 has also committed to play. Dubuisson was another winner on the European Tour last October, securing his second Turkish Airlines Open in the past three years. He is currently No.7 on the 2016 Race to Dubai Rankings.

“I made a good run at Thorbjorn in the final round last time, so hopefully I can go one better this time around. Lake Karrinyup is a wonderful course and I look forward to getting back there,” said Dubuisson.

WA’s acting Tourism Minister Albert Jacob said securing these players was fantastic for the event’s profile.

“The State Government is proud to sponsor the Perth International through Tourism WA because it really helps put Perth and WA on the map,” Jacob said.

“Big names mean more broadcast interest; the Perth International generates tens of millions of dollars of media coverage across Australia and in key international markets such as China, Indonesia, Germany, the UK and the US.”

Minister Jacob said hosting international sporting events of this calibre was part of the State Government’s strategy to grow the value of tourism from the current $8.9 billion to $12 billion by 2020.

These players join the 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, in what promises to be the strongest field assembled for the Perth International since its inception in 2012.

Tickets for the Perth International start from $22 and are available through Ticketmaster. Children under 16 will gain free entry with a paying adult.

For general event information visit www.perthinternational.com and follow on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/PerthInternationalGolf and Twitter - @PerthIntl.

FESTIVE MACAO TO GREET YEAR OF THE MONKEY WITH COLOUR

MGTO float

The streets of historic Macao will come alive to the sights and sounds of a giant party as the former Portuguese enclave celebrates Chinese New Year with colourful parades, highly-charged performances, bright lights, fireworks – and plenty more.

Both on the third and sixth day of the Lunar New Year (February 10 and 13, 2016), as many as 14 floats will form a street parade in celebrating the Year of the Monkey.

More than 1300 local and international street performers will entertain the crowds during the processions, the February 13 parade beamed by TV networks in a number of countries.

Australian viewers will be able to capture the very essence of the New Year celebrations in a telecast on Chinese TV station TVB.

Street performers

“This is certainly an exciting time to be in Macao,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office in Australia. “The colour and general vibrancy of the Chinese New Year celebrations is not to be missed.

“The initial parade will kick off with a launch ceremony in front of Macao Science Center with the procession moving through Avenida Dr Sun Yat-Sen to Sai Van Lake Square.

“The day’s activities will culminate with spectacular fireworks.”

Significantly, the fictitious yet legendary Monkey King will organise a gathering in the Celestial Court to “bestow New Year blessings”.

In addition to the general Chinese New Year celebrations, the Macao Government Tourism Office will present “Valentine’s Day Fantasia – The Fairytale of Lights” for romantics, beginning on February 7 through till February 29.

The Fairytale of Lights
 – steps in Taipa Village

The dazzling display of lights will decorate an area around the historic Taipa Houses-Museum and will be accompanied by a three-dimensional show, to be unveiled on Friday, February 12.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office, 

phone (02) 9264 1488, 

www.visitmacao.com.au 

www.macaotourism.gov.mo

China Extends Overseas Tourist Tax Refund Program to Six More Destinations

China recently decided to include another six destinations in its tax rebate program for overseas visitors to boost inbound tourism and consumption. 

Foreign tourists visiting Liaoning, Anhui, Fujian and Sichuan provinces, Tianjin municipality and Xiamen city can enjoy value-added tax refunds on their purchases in specific shops starting from Jan 1, 2016, according to an announcement released by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). 

First launched in Hainan province in 2011, the MOF decided early this year to broaden the program nationwide upon approval to attract tourists and boost domestic consumption. 

Beijing and Shanghai were included in the program in July. 

Under the plan, foreign tourists as well as visitors from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have lived on the mainland for no more than 183 days are eligible for an 11% rebate on consumer goods purchased at designated department stores. 

The minimum purchase for a value-added tax refund is 500 yuan ($77.10) in any one store in a day. 

The refund is valid when the purchase is made within 90 days before departure and the products remain unused upon departure.