NEW RIVERINA CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL EXPERIENCES

Local tourism attractions and operators will be showcased in a new tourism marketing campaign aimed at increasing awareness and promoting overnight travel to The Riverina.

Co-funded by the NSW Government, Destination Riverina Murray and a number of local councils, the Go with the Flow campaign kicked off on 18 February. The $125,000 NSW Government funding injection for the campaign, delivered through the Regional Tourism Fund, will help put The Riverina on the map for potential visitors.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the campaign celebrates unique food, agritourism and nature-based experiences on offer in the region and would be in market until late April 2019.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting tourism in The Riverina because when people visit overnight, they stay in local accommodation, visit local attractions, buy from local shops and eat at local restaurants and cafes, putting more tourist dollars in the pockets of local businesspeople and creating more jobs,” Mr Marshall said.

“The Regional Tourism Fund allows the NSW Government to match industry contributions to campaigns, dollar for dollar, and partner with local stakeholders to deliver a tailored and collaborative approach.”

In the year ending September 2018 Riverina received nearly 1.2 million domestic overnight visitors (up 16.1 per cent) who stayed over 2.9 million nights in the region (up 11.1 per cent) and spent $479 million (up 56.6 per cent).

With wine tasting at cellar doors, abundant fresh produce and intriguing heritage trails, the Riverina is a wonderful destination for travellers from far and wide.

The marketing campaign has been shared widely with local stakeholders and tourism representatives through a series of workshops to assist businesses on how to use the new Riverina branding and make the most of the campaign.

View the campaign video here.

Viet Nam grants e-visa to citizens of 80 countries

Viet Nam has granted e-visa to citizens from 80 countries, according to the Government's current regulations.

The Government on January 25, 2017 issued Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP prescribing the order and procedures on pilot grant of e-visa to citizens from the following 40 countries.

1 Azerbaijan
2 Argentina

3 Armenia

4 Ireland
5 Poland
6 Belarus
7 Bulgaria
8 Brunei
9 Republic of Korea
10 Germany
11 Chile
12 Colombia
13 Czech Republic
14 Cuba
15 Denmark
16 Timor Leste
17 United States of America
18 Hungary
19 Greece
20 Italy
21 Kazakhstan
22 Russia
23 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
24 Luxembourg
25 Myanmar
26 Mongolia
27 Japan
28 Panama
29 Peru
30 Finland
31 France
32 Philippines
33 Romania
34 Spain
35 Sweden
36 China (not applicable to Chinese e-passport holders)
37 Uruguay
38 Venezuela
39 Norway
40 Slovakia

The Government’s Resolution No. 124/NQ-CP dated November 29, 2017 added six more countries whose citizens shall be granted with e-visa.

1 Australia
2 United Arab Emirates
3 Canada
4 India
5 Netherlands
6 New Zealand.

The Government on February 1, 2019 issued Decree No. 17/2019/ND-CP amending and supplementing some articles of Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP dated January 25, 2017 prescribing the order and procedures on pilot grant of e-visa to foreigners entering Viet Nam.

Under the new Decree, e-visa shall be issued to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders.

The Decree also lists 34 more countries subjected to the Government’s pilot e-visa program.

1 Iceland

2 Austria
3 Portugal
4 Belgium
5 Bosnia Herzegovina
6 Macedonia
7 Andorra
8 Liechtenstein
9 Monaco
10 Croatia
11 Estonia
12 Georgia
13 Latvia
14 Lithuania
15 Malta
16 Moldova
17 Montenegro
18 Slovenia
19 Switzerland
20 San Marino
21 Serbia
22 Cyprus
23 Qatar
24 Fiji
25 Micronesia
26 Nauru
27 Palau
28 Papua New Guinea
29 Marshall Islands
30 Solomon Islands
31 Vanuatu
32 Western Samoa
33 Brazil
34 Mexico

Record Attendance at TravMedia's Seventh Annual International Media Marketplace (IMM) Australia 2019

More than 450 media and PR industry representatives attended TravMedia's seventh annual International Media Marketplace (IMM) Australia, on Friday, February 22, 2019, breaking new attendance levels for the global event program, now in its seventh year.

IMM Australia connected 186 Australian and New Zealand media with 210 PR representatives of 138 international travel brands in the Exhibition Hall of the Australian Technology Park. Collectively attendees participated in 7,128 pre-scheduled, one-on-one appointments – plus 4.5 hours of open networking which took place across multiple catered events.

Travel Portland hosted the official Morning Tea for all media and exhibitors in attendance of IMM, showcasing locally sourced coffee from Proud Mary and Donut Wall presented by ShortStop Donuts highlighting Portland as a must-see destination.

More than 450 guests at the sit-down lunch presented by United Airlines were present at the unveiling of TravMedia's new Influencer Campaign technology. Founder and CEO of TravMedia, Nick Wayland, introduced the new Influencer Campaign platform, designed to help TravMedia's PR community work more effectively and efficiently with digital influencers. The new influencer technology will provide PR's the opportunity to run campaigns, track in real-time and provide end-to-end reporting.

Media were able to relax and indulge in locally sourced New Zealand coffee presented in the sponsored Tourism New Zealand media zone. New Zealand exhibitors showcased their destinations amongst local flora and fauna to market their unique propositions to all media in attendance.

Nick Wayland, CEO and Founder of TravMedia, said, "The success of our seventh annual IMM Australia 2019 event would not have been possible without the record media and industry in attendance, and the incredible support of Tourism New Zealand, Travel Portland, United Airlines, the Australian Society of Travel Writers and our hotel partners, AccorHotels, Ovolo, Hyatt Regency and The Lancemore Group.”

Media in attendance included top national travel editors, freelancers and digital influencers from outlets including: Fairfax Media, Traveller, News Corp, Escape, NZ Herald, The Australian, Australian Traveller, International Traveller, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Luxury Travel magazine, Australian Women's Weekly, Higher View Inflight Magazine, Vacations & Travel, Signature Luxury Travel & Style, Holidays with Kids, get lost magazine, Bound Round, Jetstar Magazine, Voyeur, Qantas Magazine, SilverKris, Sky Business, AFR Magazine, Financial Review Life & Leisure, Flight Centre, Senior Traveller, The Senior Newspaper, Robb Report and many more.

Participating exhibitors in attendance included Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, AccorHotels, Ahura Resorts, AirAsia, Alterra Mountain Company,Arizona Office of Tourism, Atlantis, the Palm, Australian Pacific Touring Travel Group, Australian Society of Travel Writers, Austrian National Tourist Office, B Signature Hotels & Resorts, Bali Zoo, Bannisters Mollymook, Batu Karang Lembongan, Best Western Hotels & Resorts Australasia, Brand USA, Bridge Climb, By Prior Arrangement, Captain Cook Cruises and SeaLink, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, Cebu Pacific, Choose Chicago, Colorado Tourism Office, Cruise America & Canada RV Rentals, Crystalbrook Collection, Daydream Island Resort, Destination British Columbia, Destination Canada, Destination Gippsland, Destination Great Lake Taupo, Destination Kiama, Destination NSW, Discover New England, Discovery Parks, Enterprise Dunedin, Etihad Aviation Group, Federal Group, Fraser Coast Tourism and Events, Frasers Hospitality Australia, G Adventures, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Globus family of brands, Grand American Adventures, Great Golf Courses of Australia, Great Walks of Australia, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, Hamilton Island, Handlery Hotels, Inc, Hawaii Tourism Oceania, Heritage Hotel, HomeAway, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hoshino Resorts, Hyatt Regency Sydney, InsideJapan Tours, InterContinental Hayman Island, InterContinental Hotels Group, Intrepid, Ismaya Group, Jamala Wildlife Lodge / National Zoo & Aquarium, Kingfisher Bay Resort Group, Klook, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resorts, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Macao Government Tourism Office, Makepeace Island, Malamala Beach Club Fiji, Marriott International, Inc, Memphis Tourism, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau, New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism & White Mountains Attractions, Okinawa Tourism, Opera Australia, Oregon Coast & Central Oregon, Ovolo Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Parks Victoria, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, PONANT Australia, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, QT Hotels & Resorts, Quest Apartment Hotels, Raffles Hotel Singapore, Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, Rocky Mountaineer, Saltwater Hotels & Resorts, Samsara Ubud, San Francisco Travel, Scenic Tours, Shangri-La Hotel, Shinta Mani, Sonoma County Tourism, South African Tourism, South Australian Tourism Commission, TFE Hotels, The Doyle Collection, The Lancemore Group, The LUX Collective, The Ruby Collection, The Tweed Tourism Co., Tobu Railway, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Central Otago, Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Noosa, Tourism Northern Territory, Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Tourism Waitaki, Tourism Western Australia, Travel Manitoba, Travel Nevada, Travel Oregon, Travel Portland, Travel Texas, TripAdvisor, Turtle Island, Fiji, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia, Unique Latin America, United Airlines, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Viking Cruises, Virgin Limited Edition, Visit California, Visit Canberra, Visit Denver, Visit Seattle, Visit Sunshine Coast, Vloggi, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Warner Bros. Studio Tours Hollywood, Wendy Wu Tours, West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, Wildwire Wanaka, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Yarra Ranges Tourism, YHA Australia

Due to the overwhelming success of this year's event, “TravMedia IMM Australia will return to Sydney in 2020. Based on the positive feedback we anticipate a terrific turnout again,” said Nick Wayland.  

TravMedia's IMM is the leading travel industry event to meet the media. Upcoming 2019 International Media Marketplace events include: IMM Germany in Berlin the day before ITB on March 5; the inaugural IMM Paris on March 12; IMM UK in London on March 25; IMM Brazil and the fourth annual IMM Asia in Macao in October 2019.

TravMedia provides travel news feeds in Australia, Asia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe (Germany/Switzerland/Austria), U.K., U.S.A, Middle East, New Zealand and South Africa. TravMedia also provides the online pressroom for the U.S. Travel Association's IPW trade show and the Society of American Travel Writers' annual convention, as well as digital tools for the promotion of Brand USA.

For more information and to register for IMM 2019 events visit www.travmedia.com/imm or email immaus@travmedia.com. To arrange an interview or additional information about IMM Australia 2019, please contact Blake Riddington, at blake.riddington@travmedia.com.

Registration for IMM Australia 2020 will open August 2019.

Website: www.travmedia.com

POTTED POTTER THE UNAUTHORIZED HARRY EXPERIENCE Sydney 27 - 31 March

Potted Potter

The Unauthorized Harry Experience

A Parody by Dan and Jeff

All Seven Harry Potter Books in Seventy Hilarious Minutes!

Returning to Sydney from Wednesday 27 to Sunday 31 March

After another sold-out season in Sydney last year POTTED POTTER returns to the Seymour Centre for one week only from 27 to 31 March.   Playing to sold-out houses all over the world, POTTED POTTER takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes.  This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic!

“Gloriously goofy.  Casts the perfect spell over the audience.” New York Times - Critics’ Picks

 

“Fabulously Funny!  Will tickle the funny bone of every age group.” The Daily Telegraph, UK

“Cleverly appeals to both ardent fans and parents.” The Times, UK

Created by double Olivier Award Best Entertainment nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is a must-see for Potter addicts and a great introduction to the series for anyone who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about.  Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, POTTED POTTER will make you roar with laughter.  This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

“Blissfully funny, a winner in every way.  This show is a crowd-pleaser.” The Guardian, UK

POTTED POTTER has played 30 weeks off-Broadway across two sold-out seasons, as well as five West End runs, and multiple North American and Australasian tours.  The show has proved hugely popular with audiences around the world and now returns to Australia, following three sell-out tours in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

“Gloriously irreverent.  A very lovable romp through Rowling’s back catalogue.” Time Out, London – Critic’s Choice

 

Clarkson and Turner first created POTTED POTTER in 2005 for an appearance at a London bookshop, as a five-minute entertainment for fans awaiting the release of the sixth book in the series.  The show grew from there into a full-length stage production, first seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2006, and has since toured internationally for over a decade, securing an Olivier Award nomination as Best Entertainment and Family Show.  All four Potted shows (Potted Panto, Potted Sherlock, Potted Pirates and Potted Potter) have earned widespread acclaim and a fan base that crosses generations.

“Comic and affectionate.  A zany hoot!” New York Post

Written and created by Daniel Clarkson & Jefferson Turner

Direction and additional material by Richard Hurst

Set design by Simon Scullion

Lighting design by Tim Mascall

Music composed by Phil Innes

Produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Potted Productions

www.pottedpotter.com.au

VENUE               Seymour Centre

SEASON            Wednesday 27 March to Sunday 31 March

TIMES                Wed to Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 30 March 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm, Sunday 31 March 12pm, 3pm, 6pm

BOOKINGS       pottedpotter.com.au

New Attractions in Victoria

The Reunion Island Pool Club

Ringing the new year in style, The Reunion Island Pool Club will open its doors till April 2019 to cool off city dwellers this summer. Set atop Melbourne Central, Reunion Island Pool Club is a sprawling under-sky sanctuary of palms, plunge pools, recreation programming and bespoke bar and catering offerings. Ten temperature-controlled plunge pools are available for bookings of 2 - 12 people, seven days.
 
A $14.5mil public art gallery expansion of Lyon Housemuseum will open in March 2019. The new Housemuseum Galleries will offer a new platform for works of international and local contemporary art, architecture and design, where new ways of presenting and experiencing art will be explored.  To mark the opening, sixteen major new commissions by some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists will be unveiled. ENTER will feature works by: Brook Andrew, Ry David Bradley, FFIXXED studios x James Deutsher, Shaun Gladwell, nova Milne, Kate Mitchell, Callum Morton, Dan Moynihan, Baden Pailthorpe, Kenzee Patterson, Patricia Piccinini, Ian Strange, Esther Stewart, Kynan Tan, Min Wong and Constanze Zikos; with the graphic design and wayfinding undertaken by New York based, Tin & Ed. 
 
Expected to open in the first few months of 2019, URBNSURF Melbourne will be the first man-made surf park facility in Australia and the world’s first full-sized Wavegarden Cove. Using world-leading wave generating technology, URBNSURF Melbourne offers authentic surfing waves to suit all abilities in Tullamarine.
 
The team behind some of Melbourne's most popular cafes – Higher Ground, Kettle Black and Top Paddock are embracing sea change as they set their sights in regional Victoria, specifically Geelong.  Scheduled to open in May 2019, the Beach House on Geelong’s waterfront will serve up a menu in line with those that have made the group’s other eateries so popular, with a stronger seafood focus from suppliers in the region.  In addition, visitors wanting to picnic on the beach can takeaway coffee and tasty delights including fish tacos, smoothies and gelati made in-house from the takeaway kiosk on the beach.   Not leaving Melbourne behind, the group will also be opening Liminal, a hybrid cafe, wine bar and take-home produce venue at 161 Collins Street, Melbourne that's due to open in April 2019.
 
The Silo Art trail first established in August 2015 with works now completed in Brim, Sheep Hills, Rupanyup, Rosebery, Lascelles and Patchewollock – all towns the average traveller would not have heard of before these impressive art works were conceived.  Tagged as Australia’s largest outdoor gallery this trail stretches across 200kms in the wheatbelt of Victoria. Visitors driving along the trail can get an insight into the true spirit of the Wimmera Mallee, where the trail recognises and celebrates the region’s people through a series of large-scale mural portraits painted onto grain silos, many of which date back to the 1930s.
 
Australia’s most popular visitor attraction is getting a $60 million upgrade in the form of a brand-spanking new Penguin Parade Visitor Centre. The redevelopment includes restoring almost seven hectares of penguin habitat, and creating new habitat for over 1,400 breeding penguins, plus modern retail outlets aligned with the park’s environmental priorities and improved dining experiences with cafe and restaurant options for visitors. The Visitor Centre is due to be complete in November 2019.
 
Water testing of the bespoke hybrid and land and water vehicles has commenced and the much awaited Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Wilsons Promontory Cruises by eco-tourism operator, Robert Pennicott, will commence from Tidal River, South Gippsland, in February 2019. The wilderness cruise will allow visitors to explore the spectacular waterways of the area and learn about the history, culture, flora and fauna of Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.
 

Wildlife Wonders will provide visitors with an opportunity to see and learn about Australian wildlife on a guided walk through the picturesque Otways region. Located in bushland just outside Apollo Bay, guests can watch koalas dozing in the treetops, potoroos and bandicoots foraging on the forest floor and kangaroos hopping along the horizon against a spectacular ocean backdrop. All profits will be invested in conservation projects that ensure the wildlife and ecosystems of the Great Ocean Road region remain healthy.

www.visitvictoria.com.au

New Highlights for IT&CM China and CTW China 2019 to Enhance Value Proposition for Delegates

Committed to strengthening and enhancing the 13th edition of China’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel to its delegates, IT&CM China and CTW China 2019 features a re-designed programme that centers on initiatives for business leads beyond one-on-one appointments, avenues for MICE innovation, closer interaction between IT&CM China and CTW China, as well as the event’s stellar industry support. BEYOND BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS Recognising that lead generation is important for both exhibitors and buyers, the enhanced Exhibition Walk-About, newly created Meet-The-Corporates and improved Brand Presentation Showcase are additional formats beyond one-on-one business appointments, to explore and create business potential. “These initiatives acknowledge that procurement potential takes time to cultivate. Some exhibitors just want to be placed in the radar of potential buyers, while buyers may seek options for future consideration. These new formats address the need for establishing valuable connections even if there is no immediate business agenda. In addition, they add variety to the buyers’ programme,” explained Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media. Targeted at association buyers, the Exhibition Walk-About comprise of four 1-hour guided sessions to featured destination pavilions and booths. Each guided session is kept small, allowing featured exhibitors the opportunity to efficiently make quick introductions and connections within a short time. By the end of the show, featured exhibitors would have met all attending association buyers. Meet-The-Corporates fulfil a similar objective for IT&CM China exhibitors wanting to meet attending corporate travel managers / procurement buyers from CTW China via a speed-dating format. Exhibitors go round tabled groups of corporate buyers to exchange business cards and make simple introductions. Sessions are organised to allow exhibitors to meet all attending CTW China buyers within two 1 hour sessions. Exhibitors with more to share can take advantage of 20min Brand Showcase Presentation slots open to all buyers and media. Previously limited to just destination brands as part of the Association Day programme, these sessions are for any participating exhibitor to supplement their publicity and brand outreach efforts. Consequently, the new brand showcase presentation will also replace media briefing sessions. AN AVENUE FOR MICE INNOVATION Unveiling another new segment to welcome thought leaders, innovators and newcomers in MICE, the Power Hackathon Luncheons is an exciting platform for brands to tap on start-ups and tech enterprises to solve their business challenges within 24 hours. Sponsoring brands will share and announce their challenges during the first day luncheon, with solutions presented by participating solution providers on the second day lunch. In addition to attending the luncheons on both days, IT&CM China and CTW China delegates will also be able to meet these emerging solution players at the dedicatedMICE Innovation Hub to explore fresh solutions created specifically to solve industry challenges and better understand and gain insights to the latest travel trends. The concept of innovation is further aligned to the “Sustainability Through Innovation” theme of this year’s Keynote. Co-helmed by International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) and China Business Event Federation (CBEF), the session will feature luminaries from Counselor's Office of State Council of the People's Republic of China, Hangzhou International Expo Center, design consultancy Springtime Design and niHUB Innovation Center & Startup Accelerator & Incubator, as they collectively share multi-faceted perspectives on building sustainable brands through innovation.

BRINGING IT&CM CHINA AND CTW CHINA DELEGATES CLOSER TOGETHER In addition to bringing back co-locating both IT&CM China and CTW China under the same roof, IT&CM China exhibitors can now pre-scheduled appointments with CTW China buyers earlier during the PSA phase. More business appointment slots will also be created to allow CTW China buyers time to meet both IT&CM China as well as CTW China exhibitors.   To enable delegates to truly get a sense of who’s who at this year’s show, the newly introduced “Say Hi To Everyone” will do just that. Formatted as an interactive ice-breaker, and modelled after the ever-popular CTW Meet-Your-Peers session, this new segment will fill an existing gap by giving attendees the platform to identify potential delegate profiles they want to meet across both events, kick-start the connection process and ease into business conversations ahead of exhibition days.   Said TTG’s Mr Ng, “We reviewed delegates’ feedback over the years and crafted meaningful initiatives that will collectively enhance their experience at IT&CM China and CTW China.”   EXTENSIVE INDUSTRY COLLABORATION TO WIN LOCAL VISITORSHIP Collaboration with established international and local associations has played a significant role to ensure that IT&CM China and CTW China 2019 stays relevant to its target delegates, and continue to draw visitorship, especially from the local Chinese.   Shared by China Business Events Federation (CBEF)’s vice chairman, Alicia Yao, managing director of IME Consulting Co., Ltd, “We are excited to once again collaborate with IT&CM China and CTW China on their knowledge sessions. Collaborative Innovation is one of the many hot issues faced by our members and the industry at large. How to innovate, how to motivate industry players to work hand in hand towards the best service standardisation and more, will certainly lead to an engaging session. We look forward to having many of our members participate at this year’s show as they will benefit immensely from the business, learning and networking opportunities there.” CBEF is China’s leading association on business events with members encompassing national meeting and exhibition and business incentive associations, influential business event enterprises, research institutes and universities.   In addition to CBEF, this year’s industry partners include: American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), China Business Event Federation (CBEF), City Conference & Event Executive Union (CCEU), China Association of Travel Services, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), Korea MICE Association, Philippine Council of Association and Association Executives (PCAAE), Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association (SCEIA), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA), and World PCO Alliance.   IT&CM China 2019 and CTW China 2019 will be held from 19 – 21 March in Shanghai. To explore how you can make the most out of the exhibition, sponsorship, and networking opportunities at IT&CM China and CTW China, contact us atitcmchina@ttgasia.com and ctwchina@ttgasia.com respectively.

ABOUT IT&CM CHINA 2019

The Leading International MICE Event in China IT&CM China 2019 will be held from March 19 to 21 at Shanghai Exhibition & Convention Center of International Sourcing. This is the 13th instalment of the international MICE event that seeks to “Promote China to the World and the World to China”. The 2019 event expects an attendance of 3,000 MICE professionals from sectors including DMCs, PCOs, corporate travel and associations, over 500 hosted delegates, over 14,000 business appointments as well as over 75 business, education and networking sessions.   It has the support of American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), China Business Event Federation (CBEF), City Conference & Event Executive Union (CCEU), China Association of Travel Services, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), Korea MICE Association, Philippine Council of Association and Association Executives (PCAAE), Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association (SCEIA), Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA), and World PCO Alliance.   Co-located with CTW China as China’s Only Doublebill Event In MICE and Corporate Travel, IT&CM China is part of the IT&CM Events series by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media. This event is co-organised by CITS International M.I.C.E. - a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITS (China International Travel Service), and MP International.   For more information on IT&CM China, visit www.itcmchina.com | WeChat ID: ITCMChina

ABOUT CTW CHINA 2019

The Leading Corporate Travel Management Conference For China - Incorporating Meetings & Events   CTW China is the market's answer to the proliferation of corporate travel management activities, including business travel & entertainment (T&E) as well as Meetings & Events (M&E), for Chinese-grown companies and multi-national corporations based in China. Established in 2015, this market-driven event is thus dedicated to raising the sophistication of Chinese professionals who manage the wide and varying scope of corporate travel related needs for their organisations. By localising best global practices and cultivating a sustainable expert and peer-sharing knowledge support network, CTW China is at the helm of enabling local influencers, planners and decision makers of corporate travel functions to get the most of their corporate travel management decisions.   Co-located with IT&CM China, CTW China is part of the CTW Events series co-organised by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media.   For more information on CTW China, visit www.corporatetravelworld.com/china | WeChat ID: CTW-CH

Celebrating Mardi Gras at Bondi Beach

This year Lets Go Surfing are celebrating Mardi Gras in style! Each and every person who participates in our group lessons will get the opportunity to wear a Mardi Gras Rainbow Rashie!

During the two week festival we are celebrating and showing our support of the LGBTQI community by wearing these rainbow rashvests. Bondi Beach will be filled with colour, rainbows and the festive spirit!

LGS founders ​Brenda Miley and Wacca value equality, diversity, acceptance and respect as well as a bit of fun in surfing and in life!

Get down to Bondi and participate in one of the Group Lessons to join in on the rainbow bandwagon.

The professional team at Lets Go Surfing are stoked to share the love of surfing with one and all and continue to change lives one wave at a time.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Website: www.letsgosurfing.com.au

DELHI GETS FOUR NEW MUSEUMS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new museums in the capital, dedicated to the revolutionary zeal and courage of India’s freedom fighters.

The complex of museums, also known as Kranti Mandir, is located at the colonial-era barracks of the Red Fort, offering glimpses of key moments from the Indian freedom struggle. It includes the Subhas Chandra Bose museum, which documents Bose’s life and the INA movement. Yaad-e-Jallian Museum offers an account of the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for freedom.

Also, part of the complex is The Museum of 1857, that portrays the struggles of the mutiny and the Drishyakala Museum, showcasing the best of Indian art and culture via historic works of arts by eminent Indian artists such as Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, Rabindranath Tagore, Abaniindranath Tagore and Jamini Roy.

Source: https://creativelyyours.creative.travel

UPCOMING ACCOR 2019 HOTEL OPENINGS

THE FANTAUZZO

THE FANTAUZZO TO OPEN AT HOWARD SMITH WHARVES, BRISBANE FROM MARCH 2019: Art Series Hotels' eighth property at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane will be named after acclaimed Australian painter Vincent Fantauzzo and is scheduled to open in March 2019. Renowned for his portraits of notable people including Heath Ledger, Matt Moran, Brandon Walters and Julia Gillard, he has won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the Archibald Packing Room Prize, and the Archibald People's Choice Award four times, including in 2012 for his portrait of now-wife, actress Asher Keddie. Carved into the cliff under Story Bridge, the $100 million luxury hotel will feature 166 guest rooms, with custom contemporary furnishings, featuring both original artworks and up to 500 reproductions of Fantauzzo's most recognised works. The six-storey hotel will also offer four distinct food and beverage outlets as well as an impressive rooftop pool boasting spectacular views of the Brisbane River and CBD, bar, gym and three conference rooms, fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. Visit www.artserieshotels.com.au/fantauzzo

FIJI'S NEWEST DESTINATION IS PULLMAN NADI BAY RESORT & SPA: Scheduled to open this April, Pullman Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is located on the beachfront of Wailoaloa, just a 10-minute drive from Port Denarau and the Nadi International Airport. With 611 square metres of meeting and event space, four private meetings spaces catering for up to 400 people theatre style and large outdoor event spaces, the resort is perfectly suited for conferences and incentives. Pullman Nadi Bay Resort & Spa also offers innovative break-out options, state-of-the-art audiovisual and is adjacent to a 18-hole golf course.

MELBOURNE'S NEXT LUXURY HOTEL, SHADOW PLAY BY PEPPERS, TO OPEN IN APRIL 2019: Melbourne's newest luxury hotel, Shadow Play by Peppers, is scheduled to open in April 2019 in the city's vibrant Southbank arts and entertainment district. The development's 469 apartments will feature an avant garde design, breaking tradition and routine hotel design with a cohesive collection of contrasts - light and dark, formal and informal, and seductive dark statement pieces contrasting with white stone and timber. All of the hotel's one and two bedroom apartments are highly functional and boast lashings of natural light and city or bayside views from floor to ceiling windows and balconies. Once open, guests will be welcomed to the hotel in a beautifully appointed lobby on the ground floor, which flows into the hotel's Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar - positioned to be one of Melbourne's finest food and wine experiences. The hotel will also feature an array of unique guest spaces, including a heated pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam room, and an enclosed garden space on the 46th floor, complete with a freestanding fireplace, two private dining rooms, a lavish guest lounge and library with an adjoining patio, and commanding bayside views. Visit www.peppers.com.au/shadow-play

NEW BUILD MANTRA EPPING HOTEL ON TRACK FOR MAY 2019 OPENING:  Mantra Epping Hotel, a new-build $70 million hotel development in Melbourne's booming north, is on track to open in May 2019. The contemporary hotel will feature a mix of hotel rooms and apartments, a café/restaurant, brewhouse, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, gymnasium, and an extensive open car park and secure bicycle storage. Occupying a prime corner position at 250 Cooper Street within the prestigious Northpoint Enterprise Park at Epping, Melbourne's fastest growing expansion corridor just 18km north of the CBD, the 214-room two-wing hotel has been designed by leading architect Peddle Thorp and Bruce Henderson Interiors. This hotel will provide a market-leading hotel offering, well positioned to become the region's premier corporate, meetings and leisure hotel. Visit www.mantrahotels.com/mantra-epping

HOTEL CHADSTONE

NEW BUILD HOTEL CHADSTONE MELBOURNE, MGALLERY BY SOFITEL SET TO OPEN NOVEMBER 2019 : With 250 luxurious guestrooms each unique in design, Hotel Chadstone Melbourne, MGallery By Sofitel marries both exclusivity and comfort allowing guests to feel at home. Featuring eight meeting rooms with a grand ballroom capacity of 440 attendees, two restaurants, a rooftop bar and swimming pool. The five star hotel is located adjacent to world renowned Chadstone, The Fashion Capital, with views of Melbourne's skyline, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges.

Website: www.accorhotels.com

Tantalising Secret Retreats and Secret Tables Pairings

Heritage Suites Hotel
The premier destination for a luxurious Siem Reap Getaway, the Heritage Suites Hotel is known for charming French-inspired design and tropical romance. Experience attentive service and Cambodian hospitality at its finest.
BOOK NOW

Mie Café
Enjoy grandmother’s recipes updated for the modern gourmand at Mie where the chef has reimagined Khmer ingredients and cuisine for the cosmopolitan palate. Relax as you dine in the airy ambience of the gorgeously renovated traditional home.
RESERVE NOW

SECRET RETREATS

To start planning your Asian journey

Contact the Concierge

www.secret-retreats.com/en/