MYANMAR MOVES TO ALLAY RAKHINE FEARS

Trade urges operators to continue supporting Myanmar’s
tourism industry, and highlights places like Ngapali Beach
in Rakhine (pictured above) are far from the conflict.

Tourism stakeholders in Myanmar are rallying to mitigate the effects of conflict in the north-western Rakhine region on the country’s overall tourism health, with tour operators working closely with Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM) to dispel fears among potential visitors.

May Myat Mon Win, MTM chairperson, said: “The (affected) Rakhine area is extremely far away from the main tourist hotspots and even from the new destinations we are promoting now. Myanmar remains one of the safest, most secure and authentic Asian destinations.”

Tourism stakeholders in Myanmar are rallying to mitigate the effects of conflict in the north-western Rakhine region on the country’s overall tourism health, with tour operators working closely with Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM) to dispel fears among potential visitors.

May Myat Mon Win, MTM chairperson, said: “The (affected) Rakhine area is extremely far away from the main tourist hotspots and even from the new destinations we are promoting now. Myanmar remains one of the safest, most secure and authentic Asian destinations.”

Read full article at TTGAsia: https://www.ttgasia.com/2018/03/09/myanmar-moves-to-allay-rakhine-fears/

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

International Ski Travel Expo - Sydney

Meet the world's great resorts at Australia's #1 international ski travel show this June!
Celebrating 31 Years in 2018!

ENTRY IS FREE with a gold coin donation to Disabled Wintersport Australia

Anticipated ski resorts include, but are not limited to:

​United States: Alta, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Big Sky, Breckenridge, Brighton, Copper Mountain, Deer Valley, Heavenly, Jackson Hole, Keystone, Kirkwood, Mammoth, Northstar California, Park City, Snowbird, Snowmass, Solitude, Steamboat, Telluride, Vail and Winter Park.

Canada: Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, Big White, CMH Heli-Skiing, Marmot Basin-Jasper, Panorama, Revelstoke, Silver Star, Sun Peaks and Whistler Blackcomb.

Japan: Hakuba, Myoko Kogen, Niseko, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen

Europe: Courchevel, Chamonix, Val D'Isere and Val Thorens

Plus: Airlines, Club Med and more!

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

Photo courtesy of Debi Harbin

A much-anticipated addition to the Downtown Disney District, Splitsville Luxury Lanes celebrated its grand opening with incredible fanfare earlier this month. Two floors at this new flagship location are packed with dining and entertainment options that invite visitors of all ages to explore and play with wide-eyed wonderment. The expansive facility is divided into several lounge areas, emphasizing its identity as so much more than just a bowling alley or restaurant.

The Decor

The 40,000-square-foot former House of Blues venue is completely transformed, infusing a breezy, fun mid-century modern aesthetic in every design element. Four different custom, hand-painted murals pay homage to the brand’s first California location. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for detailed works showcasing the iconic bear flag and nods to the Golden State’s citrus farming origins.

Eat and Drink

Three bars and two kitchens keep the food and drinks coming with style, serving up approachable gourmet fare that will please any palate. Hand-tossed pizzas and juicy burgers headline a menu that also features innovative choices like fresh sushi and seafood entrees. A focus on California wines will entice oenophiles, while local craft brews are on draft to round out the experience for guests hoping to sample the best of our Golden State. What’s more, an array of cocktails on tap and generously sized 18-ounce bowl drinks provide plenty of beverage diversity.

Be Entertained

Downstairs, the expansive patio makes a dramatic statement with an oversized brick fire pit, indoor-outdoor bar and a stage for live music. Splitsville will host local musical acts throughout the year, with live entertainment on a nightly basis.

Bowling lounges strategically located throughout the venue create a cozy vibe for families as well as groups of friends. Grouped in clusters away from dining areas, the lanes are still easily accessible for those who want to jump into the action after a mouthwatering meal. For the kids—and novice bowlers—bumpers are available on each of the 20 lanes. Bowling balls are emblazoned with likenesses of Mickey and friends, reminding visitors of Splitsville’s incredible location in the heart of the Downtown Disney District.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes is located in the Downtown Disney District at 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802. For dining reservations or more information, visit splitsvillelanes.com.

https://visitanaheim.org/

NEW FERRY TO SYDNEY FISH MARKET

A new ferry service will connect Sydney Fish Market to King Street Wharf 1 at Barangaroo.

Operated by Sealink, the service will take 30 minutes and take passengers around Pyrmont and under the Anzac Bridge, making for a scenic trip.

Sydney Fish Market receives approximately three million visitors per year, with over half of them currently arriving by car.

The service begins on 24 March and will initially operate every 30 minutes on weekends, between 9am and 5pm.

Showbags at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

Showbags have been a keenly sought after item by children of all ages at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Originally starting out as Sample Bags, where manufacturers gave away samples of there products in paper bags, they have developed into a dazzling array of bags full of treats, toys and tonnes of fun.

At this years Sydney Royal Easter Show there's a Showbag for every age, taste and budget. Most of the Showbags are to be found in the Showbag Hall. 

A uniquely Australian invention, Showbags originated in the 1900s as sample bags - offering Showgoers the chance to try something for free. Then, in the 1920s, as the cost of producing bags became too much for companies, they began being sold. 

Over the years, Showbags have contained both the weird and the wonderful. The first ones mainly contained delicious food products with confectionery being particularly popular. Crappy products, such as coal and laxatives, were once included. Very strange! In the 1950s, toys made their way into the bags. A celebrity revolution took hold in the 1980s with Madonna and Michael Jackson bags introduced into the Showbag Hall.

Today you can buy Show Bags based on TV Shows, radio stations, cartoon characters, magazines, sporting teams and sweets. The latter range from chocolates to nuts, liquorice, chewing gum, nuts, and jubes.

VIETNAM TOURISM FACES CHALLENGES FROM THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Vietnam

Last year the Politburo released a resolution on developing tourism into a spearhead industry and set a target of receiving 20 million foreign visitors by 2020. This will be a challenge amidst the 4th industrial revolution. Vietnam ranks 17th in the world in internet coverage.

More than half of its population use the internet daily. 90% of the foreign visitors to Vietnam access tourist information via the internet. Nguyen Huy Hieu of the vntrip.VN company said: “Statistics show that the rate of smart phone use is 45%. Booking rooms online has increased because customers can get better deals.”

A recent survey by Google and Temasek showed that online travel ranks 3rd in the world in terms of growth and revenue. The survey forecast that Vietnam will earn US$9 billion from online travel by 2025.

The Hi-tek company recently used Blockchain 4.0 technology to develop a system for booking rooms and airfares online. The system connects with 800,000 hotels, provides information about 150,000 flights around the world and enables online visa applications.

Hi-tek Truong Lan Phuong said “Travel companies need to work closely to boost the growth of Vietnam’s tourism. Because they are now working individually they cannot fully tap Vietnam’s tourism potential.”

Read full article at VIETNAMNET Bridge: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/travel/196502/vietnam-tourism-faces-challenges-from-the-4th-industrial-revolution.html

http://www.mekongtourism.org/

NEWCASTLE 500 COMMUNITY FUN DAY ANNOUNCED

The Newcastle 500 

Hunter residents will have the first opportunity to buy discounted tickets to this year’s Newcastle 500, prior to their release to the public, at the Community Fun Day in April.

Tickets are expected to be in hot demand, after last year’s inaugural event attracted crowds of 192,000 over three days of racing.

A host of Supercars drivers will be in attendance signing autographs, along with car displays, live entertainment, face painting and jumping castles for the kids.

The Newcastle 500 was secured exclusively for Newcastle by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with Supercars Australia and the Newcastle City Council.

Last year’s Community Fun Day attracted more than 10,000 people, with this year’s event to be held at Civic Park on Saturday 28 April. For more information go to www.supercars.com.

Instagrammable Food Guide To Tokyo - Reissue Cafe (Harajuku)

I’ve been to Reissue café four times this past year. We usually make a stop here after a full day of shopping in Harajuku/Omotesando. Why? You can get latte art here, and pretty much any design you like! Prior to your visit, I recommend looking up online what you would like, because they are very skilled at recreating pretty much anything.

This café is cash payment only. And they do expect each person to order a drink, not one between two. On one occasion I found the staff to be quite cold, but that hasn’t stopped me from going back for my latte art!

You can order your latte art in a range of drinks from hot chocolate, to honey lattes, to regular lattes. Someone had noted that you can’t get soy milk here, but that’s usually not part of my order so I can’t confirm this.

Time of visit: February
Cost: A drink here will cost you roughly 600-1100 yen, the higher end for if you choose to get latte art.
Address: 3-25-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (last order 17:30)

* By Tara Milk Tea
https://www.jnto.org.au

FREE ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY FILMS AT EVENT CINEMAS THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Event Cinemas are preparing for a jam-packed autumn spectacular this March/April with the introduction of their autumn school holiday program. Bring the kids along to watch the biggest family blockbusters and get creative with FREE arts and crafts activities.

The school holiday program is an extravaganza of film themed fun, rolling out at Event Cinema locations nationally*.

Little ones will be spoiled for choice with an outstanding line up of exciting films this autumn. Hop into a world of mischief, adventure, and charm withPeter Rabbit as the beloved storybook character is brought to life on the big screen.

Join Sherlock Gnomes as he investigates a mysterious case of missing gnomes around London. Journey to a time where prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth with the stop-motion film, Early Man. Or fly through dimensions of space and time in A Wrinkle in Time.

To accompany these screenings, Event Cinemas have lined-up free artistic activities that’ll inspire kids to embrace their creative side. Watch as they draw, colour and craft artworks to take home as a special memory of their day out at the movies with mum and dad.

Little artists can show off their creative colouring abilities for the Peter Rabbit colour in competition and get the chance to win an epic Peter Rabbitprize pack!

Budding green thumbs can have a hand at creating their own Sherlock Gnomes out of paper in an exciting craft-meets-garden activity.

Stuck for Easter long weekend activities? Head to Event Cinemas for a special, chocolate-laden Easter Egg Hunt taking place at each first session of the day of Peter Rabbit, Early Man and Sherlock Homes.

This exciting family day out is made easy and affordable with the Cinebuzz Family Pricing. Cinebuzz Members can see Peter Rabbit, Sherlock Gnomes, Early Man, or A Wrinkle In Time for $11 on all sessions before 5pm daily.

Bigger kids won’t miss out either, gaming fans will be transported to another dimension with Wade Watts as he delves into the world of virtual reality in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One***.

Join Event Cinemas for a school holiday chock-full with exciting and creative fun for the whole family. Check out screening and activity times atwww.eventcinemas.com.au, then grab the popcorn and start planning your trip to the movies!

NATIONAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY DATES:
QLD: March 30 – April 15
NSW/SA/WA/ACT: April 14 – 29
NT: April 14 – April 22

* Check your local participating cinema for scheduled activities or similar as some sites have used their own activities instead
*Surcharges apply for 3D and Vmax. Pricing may vary between cinema locations.
*Ready Player One is not part of family pricing

VIETNAM CHAIRS GMS AND CLV SUMMITS

The 11th meeting of the CLV Development
Triangle Area was declared a success in Vietnam’s
southern province of Binh Phuoc on December 19
Photo: VNA

Vietnam will host the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Summit in Hanoi from March 29-31.

These are important multilateral diplomatic activities of Vietnam in 2018, announced Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on March 1.

On the occasion, Vietnam will also organise the first GMS Business Forum with a view to facilitating the involvement of the business community and development partners in GMS cooperation, she added.

GMS cooperation was initiated in 1992, encompassing Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China’s provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan. Over the years, the cooperation has been expanded to cover various fields with the aim of make it easy for cooperation for development among the participating countries.

Read full article at Nhan Dan: http://en.nhandan.org.vn/politics/item/5887802-vietnam-chairs-gms-and-clv-summits.html

http://www.mekongtourism.org/