China needs to take training and recruitment measures in advance of the forecast post-Olympics surge in tourism, a human resource report said. Beijing and Shanghai will each need 500,000 trained hotel staff by 2010 to serve the millions of overseas tourists...

As part of its post event tour offering, the EIBTM is giving its registered hosted buyers the opportunity to attend the SITE-International Conference, taking place immediately after the show on 5-8 December in Montreux, Switzerland.

The Grand Hyatt Residences & Spa which opens in December will be the highest hotel in Russia, and part of the $12 billion Moscow-City Project four km northwest of the Kremlin on the Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment. Intended to become a new downtown for Moscow, at the centre of the Moscow-City Project are the two towers of Federation Complex.

Grand Hotel Stockholm now offers a new option for meeting planners working with groups of five to 44 people. The hotel?s Sea Lounge charter boat offers a combination of luxury restaurant, exclusive conference space and floating lounge, allowing for more creative and memorable social and business functions.

The Union of International Associations (UIA) International Meeting Statistics Report was released on August 12th and saw Lisbon ranked 12th most popular city in the world with 104 international meetings held in the year 2007.

Polar bears and glaciers may be icons of northern climate change but they are also swelling the sails of Nunavut's tourism industry. A record number of cruise ships are plying Canada's Eastern Arctic this summer and some remote communities are welcoming an average of two a week.

World Travel Awards European and Green Awards Ceremony takes place in one of the greenest places on earth - AquaCity, the luxurious Slovakian resort in Poprad, which is almost completely self-powered. Using geothermal water and energy from the sun, AquaCity is to host the ceremony on October 16, 2008.

India wants a bigger share of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market with a 50 percent increase in interest over the past year according to S Banerjee, Union Tourism Secretary.

The MSC Fantasia, which will be launched on December 18, will be one of the largest cruise ships ever built for a European operator. At 333 metres long, 38 metres wide and nearly 60 metres tall, the MSC Fantasia, will offer guests a staggering 27,000 square metres of public space with a host of choices for dining, relaxing, exercising and entertainment.

In 2007 the Colombian Government adopted an official strategy of positioning Colombia as a world-class Business destination for large scale events, congresses and conventions. It boasts excellent facilities and offers a modern infrastructure of international airports, luxurious hotels,

The hotel claims world-standard conference facilities and 284 designer-inspired guest rooms and suites. Located just a few hundred metres from Europe's fifth busiest airline hub, the Hilton Madrid Airport provides a convenient base for meetings delegates and long-haul travellers without sacrificing style.

Within the walls of Warwick Castle guests can be given exclusive access to the Mediaeval Castle Mound until 9pm. This is where William the Conqueror ordered the first fortress of Warwick to be built. Now delicious canapés can be served with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.

In some cases, swimming pools even appear to have gone off the deep end. At Chile's San Alfonso Del Mar resort, a 3,323-ft long saltwater lagoon lies adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. Covering 20 acres, it's recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest swimming pool in the world.

Alaska Railroad's new luxury dome cars roll along in this publicity shot. The Alaska Railroad is offering several new options this summer ranging from daily whistle-stop service between Anchorage and Seward to 12-day tours from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Alaska.

International visitor arrivals have reached over a million for the first six months of 2008, representing a 13 percent increase over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism's Statistical Report. "The number of tourist arrivals in Cambodia is still growing despite border problems with Thailand," said Kong Sopheareak, the ministry's director of the Statistics and Tourism Information Department.

Everything has been already perfectly planned: from 4th till 6th February 2009, the marvelous setting of the lake of Lugano will host a new international event entirely dedicated to the luxury travel market, to its trends, its exclusive actors, to the most qualified professionals of the sector and to all those people who want to live a unique experience.

... the Leading Small Hotels of the World. Billed as the first five-star hotel in Bratislava, Slovakia, The Arcadia Hotel is set to open in September in the heart of the Old Town. With only 21 rooms and 3 suites, this intimate hotel has been painstakingly restored to preserve its historic essence.

OpenSkies, the new premium transatlantic airline from British Airways, has announced plans to significantly expand its PREM+ cabin from 28 to 40 seats on its flights from Paris-Orly and Amsterdam-Schiphol to New York-John F. Kennedy.

at Royal Phuket Marina, Thailand's most exclusive luxury lifestyle yachting community. This Facility will be known as the ?Royal Phuket Marina Exhibition & Conference Centre'. The 2,500 square metre 'RPM Convention Centre' paves the way for a new era of large-scale conferences and expos on the island.

EIBTM & ICCA'S Forum for Young Professionals Highlighting their continued commitment to the 'future' of the meetings and events industry, EIBTM and ICCA are again searching for young professionals to join them in the annual Forum For Young Professionals at this year's event in Barcelona.

Many hotels around the world offer spectacular mountain views, but few can rival those offered by Colman Architects' newest project, a five-star hotel at the base of K2, the world's second highest mountain.

The Baha'i Shrines and Gardens in Haifa and Acre have been added to the eleven World Heritage Sites in Israel.The resting places of the faith's founding fathers Baha'u'llah and the Bab, they represent the first World Heritage sites connected with a religious tradition born in modern times.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) celebrates its third anniversary with a second consecutive win of the 'Best Exhibition and Convention Centre in Asia' award at the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2008 held in Singapore.

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel in Bath, England, is an artful blend of the classic and the contemporary. An impeccably restored 19th-century mansion, the hotel is set amidst seven acres of gardens overlooking the historic city.

Asia, Europe rule the rankings while U.S. facilities lag. For the seventh year, the Hong Kong International Airport was ranked the best by millions of worldwide passengers.Also in the top 10 were airports in Singapore, Seoul - South Korea, Kansa - Japan and Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia.

Chain hotels in Budapest reported the greatest increase in profit during May, according to TRI Hospitality Consulting?s HotStats survey of 10 European hotel markets. Amsterdam profit overtakes Paris - Berlin has highest room sales growth

Morocco is probably best-known for cities like Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech. But this country in the northwest corner of Africa is actually a place of dramatic variety. You might explore undulating desert dunes, the magnificent Atlas Mountains, or a tranquil beach like those found near Agadir.

...to EIBTM association programm. Now in its seventh year, the EIBTM Association programme continues to provide highly targeted professional education and networking for Association Executives involved in the planning of meetings and events.

Cancun's commitment to sustainable tourism has reached another goal. There is a new community-based alternative tourism network called 'Puerta Verde' ('Green Door') that provides visitors, through the NGO Kanché, a sea and jungle route operated by 14 cooperatives from 7 different Mayan communities in the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas.

Ras Al Khaimah is to develop its own convention and exhibition centre to rival those of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The US$400 million RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre (RAK CEC) is to be developed by master planners Rakeen and will comprise of 50,000 square metres of rentable area including five exhibition halls. The mixed-use development will also boast three hotels, each with 750 keys, a shopping mall and a green park.

Santa Carolina Island, part of the Bazaruto archipelago, off the coast of the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane, will soon have a luxury hotel, thanks to a 50 million US dollar investment by the Rani Resorts Group.

... has recently completed the third phase of its refurbishment process, at a cost of $5.6 million. Twelve one-bedroom suites have been completely renovated and are now known as the "Belle Chambre" Suites. The Mezzanine Café was also renovated with new style and design.

Scandinavian Airlines has a system-wide goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% per seat kilometre by 2020 and also claims that it intends to have the most ambitious long-term environmental program in the airline industry. Green flights, especially the landing part, are essential to that objective.

Sarawak in Malaysia offers a treasure trove of convention and incentive opportunities, for MICE organisers willing to think outside the square. The state of Sarawak is an exciting new meetings destination which offers a range of meetings facilities, stylish cultural venues and secluded eco-resorts.

In January Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announced it was taking over two hotels in Vietnam. On 1 July 2008 the Swiss hotel group took charge of the management of the first Vietnamese hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

10 rounds off the beaten cart path For travelers keen to combine an active vacation with an exotic locale, few sports compare to golf when it comes to transporting oneself - both in the physical and mental sense of the word.

(MPI) announces its 2008-2009 Board of Directors, MPI Volunteer Chairs, MPI Foundation Board of Trustees, and MPI Foundation Canada Board of Trustees for the fiscal year July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

Elevating local standards internationally, Injecting over 70 million baht to pave way for Thailand as Asia's exhibition destination.TCEB is taking an aggressive approach to exhibition industry, highlighting ASEAN CENTRIC strategy aimed to uplift local exhibition standard to international level.

A German airship operator is to start Zeppelin sightseeing flights over London's most famous landmarks from from July 10 and run for six weeks over summer. It has also offer flights in Tokyo and Osaka and is rumoured to be considering San Francisco for its next operation. Airship Initiativescurrently offers Zeppelin flights from Friedrichshafen on the shores of LakeConstance in southern Germany from 295 Pound an hour.

Another remarkable event for the Historic Conference Centres of Europe was created by the recent inauguration of its 8th German member, the Heidelberg Convention Center. Completed in 1903 in a style that followed the German Renaissance,

Kenya's hospitality industry is expected to get new players as the tourism sector brings in more international hotel brands to increase the quality of services.Industry players say the brands lined up for admission include Kempinski, Sheraton, Marriott and the Accor Group of France.

Florence is one of the most beloved cities in the world, an open sky museum famous worldwide. The city's inventiveness, initiative, and originality have always been a source of attraction for international conference tourism.

Just getting to Mozambique's north coast -an isolated area of tiny fishing villages and desolate beaches - requires an adventurous streak. Hundreds of miles of rough roads separate the region from the rest of the country, making this remote archipelago a place where time stands still.

Continental Airlines is to swap Skyteam for Star Alliance, as it steps up its partnership with founder member United Airlines. Integration into Star is expected to take around a year, when it will join the likes of Lufthansa, Bmi, Swiss, Air New Zealand and United in the alliance.

Riga's historic city-center area - which is full of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings - and the city's plethora of nightspots have made the Latvian capital one of the hottest destinations in Europe for weekend breaks.

The U.S. National Park Service is considering adding a hotel to Alcatraz Island, site of one of the world's most notorious prisons. Unlike the cells afforded to inmates such as Al "Scarface" Capone, the facility would offer upscale accommodations

In the past year Amsterdam RAI once again invested heavily in its exhibition and conference complex. This is most visible in the construction of the RAI Elicium, the high quality addition at the front of the complex, as well as in the refurbishment of the existing facilities.

Royal Caribbean announced the latest additions to Oasis of the Seas. Boardwalk, inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear; the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities

Our country won first place in the "Tourism for All" contest for its innovation in tourism and the hotel industry, which was put in effect by the Sustainable Tourism Certification program (CST). The acknowledgement was bestowed in the meeting of the III Virtual Congress of Latin American Competitiveness Enterprise and Tourism, in which 707 countries participated.

Events Services Village the place to be for support services. Now in its sixth year the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM has gained an enviable international reputation for exhibiting some of the newest, most effective technology solutions for event and meeting planners. 2008 is no exception.

When planning the adventure trip of a lifetime, the most important decision isn't where to go, but who to go with. To help you pick the right outfitter, we have conducted the world's first authoritative rating of adventure travel tour operators. Each of the 157 companies presented here qualifies as "best," it's up to you to select which one is best for you. Full Introduction and Methodology

As Reed Travel Exhibitions closed a successful City Break 2008 in the city of Belgrade, the company confirmed that the next destinationwill be Gothenburg, Sweden. City Break 2009 will be the fourth show dedicated solely to the European city break market and reflects the strength of a travel sector driven by low-cost carriers.

A new resort joins the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts portfolio - Fairmont Zimbali Lodge, located in Zimbali, a mixed-use, 700-hectare coastal resort, north of Durban, South Africa. Set within the serene confines of a coastal forest reserve on the north coast of KwaZulu ...

The exhibition on the banks of the Ebro river in Zaragoza has opened to the public on Saturday, 14.06.2008, and runs until the middle of September. 105 countries are represented in the show which opens to the public tomorrow from 10am to 3am, the daily opening hours for the site.

The food at a top restaurant may be note-worthy but what about the view? Food and Wine Magazine has come up with a list of the top 10 restaurants where the food is delicious but the view is as memorable.

The Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers has officially opened its new Grand Tower. Completed in 11 months, with an investment in excess of 13 million dollars, the Sheraton Saigon now has close to 500 rooms.

The lazy Mekong River is a sleepy, undeveloped river waiting to be explored. The Mekong is Southeast Asia's longest river and is perfect for leaving your busy life behind to immerse yourself in the beautiful and exotic riverscape. On this mythical journey you will hear many legends about the river, ...

AIPC, the International Association of Congress Centres, has announced that with all preliminary analysis of entries now complete, there are 18 finalists in this year's AIPC Apex Award competition for "World's Best Congress Centre".

The 136-room aloft Montreal Airport will offer a variety of intuitive technologies, atmospheric public spaces, and a whole array of appealing guest amenities. Created for today's traveler, aloft hotels are modern, fresh and fun, with loft-inspired design and free-flowing energy.

Air travellers will be able to experience Emirates Airline's state-of-the-art A380 aircraft for the first time on 1st August, when the airline launches its first A380 commercial service from Dubai to New York JFK. The 14-hour non-stop flight ...

... is a world-class destination for sophisticated travelers. Israel offers cultural attractions on a par with Europe, the U.S. and Canada, luxury hotels, glamorous spas and a hot restaurant scene - all within an atmosphere that combines the very ancient with the ultra high-tech, and the exotic with the contemporary.

A good hotel is a place to rest your head; a great hotel has the power to transform the travel landscape. For Travel + Leisure's third annual It List, we trekked (literally) across the globe to determine the select properties you'll be going to next. Here, from beach resorts to city hideaways, our editors? picks for the best new hotels of 2008.

The Canary Islands offer an exclusive combination of infrastructures, services and leisure activities making them one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world and an ideal place for congresses, conventions, seminars, fairs, incentive trips and other such events.

A helicopter adventure over the vast landscape of Gros Morne National Park, nine holes at the Fairmont Algonquin Golf Course and a kayaking expedition that ends with a beach site lobster bake, are a few of 26 brand new Crystal Adventures shore excursions offered for Crystal Cruises? 2008.

Picturesque Alpine towns are moving into golfing, cycling and cross-country trekking in order to offset losses caused by declining snowfall, as a Swiss study shows snow cover suitable for winter tourism has fallen by 60 per cent in 60 years.

Looking for an appropriate setting to stage your special event? The choice is yours! Successful meetings amidst pristine park landscapes, unforgettable gala dinners with unique stage shows, or glamorous VIP receptions in, what Marlene Dietrich described as, the most beautiful casino in the world.

Just a week after feuding Lebanese leaders sealed a political deal to end 18 months of conflict, restaurants have re-opened, hotel bookings have soared and tourists have replaced gunmen on the streets of Beirut.

Tourists looking for an exotic night's rest could soon have somewhere to fit the bill after one of the UK's biggest hotel groups took out an option to buy a plot of land on the moon. Premier Inn, the UK's biggest budget hotel operator, has bought the option to acquire

Never one to rest on its laurels, Fairmont is puttin' on the Gold like never before. The Fairmont Chicago, along with sister hotels the Fairmont Scottsdale and The Fairmont Dallas, has become the latest in the exclusive list of Fairmont hotels to introduce Fairmont Gold,..

ZAIA has been unveiled as the name of the very first permanent Cirque du Soleil production set to open in Asia. ZAIA will be presented at the Venetian Macau­Resort-Hotel in Macau and will hold its Gala Celebration August 28, 2008 to coincide with the 1st Anniversary of the host hotel, with preview performances beginning July 26, 2008.

New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows.

Whatever your choice the Skylon Tower promises Niagara's best dining value in an elegant setting 775 ft. above the Falls. Don't miss the famous Falls Fireworks. View the unmatched beauty of the nightly Falls Illumination and dazzling city lights below only from atop the Skylon Tower.

15Hatfields is a brand-new conference and events venue, offering state of the art facilities to high environmental specifications. 15Hatfields offers a total of 15 meeting and events options, with capacities ranging from six to 550 delegates.

Whether it is a conference for 5000 people, a lavish dinner in the peerless desert of Wadi Rum, a barbecue at the shores of the Dead Sea, or a reception atop a medieval castle overlooking the Jordan Valley, the amicable and competent people of Jordan will ensure a once in a lifetime experience.

The Rezidor Hotel Group arrives in Ethiopia and announces a brand new Radisson hotel in the capital city Addis Ababa ? the property will feature 209 rooms and open in Q4 2009. The new hotel is perfectly located in the business and diplomatic centre of Addis Ababa in close proximity to the African Union Conference Centre.

Members of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) enjoyed a bumper year of growth in 2007, according to the results of the latest annual activity survey by the association. Last year saw an 18% growth in the meetings and exhibition business managed by IAPCO professional conference organisers (POCs).

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has given approval for the development of Reefworld, the world's first fully eco-friendly floating hotel. It is to be designed by the British architect Richard Hywel Evans who is known for his revolutionary designs...

According to the information provided by the European Cities Marketing, Split is in the first place among 93 cities in the increase of the number of guests between 2001 and 2006. Last year, most of the guests came from the United States, followed by France, Spain and Japan.

More Singapore Airlines customers flying to and from London will soon enjoy the carrier's world-renowned A380 cabin products and flying experience. The Airline will add an additional A380 service on the Singapore-London route

Not long to go now: 1 June 2008 sees the opening of another upscale Mövenpick Resort in Egypt. Alongside Taba, El Gouna and El Quseir it will be the fourth Mövenpick destination on the Red Sea. In only a few months' time guests will be able to enjoy Swiss hospitality of the highest standard in Sharm El Sheikh, too.

International Convention Centre, Durban has been awarded 'Africa's Leading Conference Centre' for the 7th year running at the World Travel Awards Africa ceremony, held in partnership with the International Convention Centre, Durban on Monday May 12th.

At the first edition of CULTOUR in Cologne, Germany, opening next month in Koelnmesse, will be 271 companies and organizations from 50 countries: Armenia, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia,...

The Hotel Titilaka is perched on a private peninsula on Lake Titicaca, at 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) above sea level, the planet's highest navigable lake. The first ultra-luxury on Lake Titicaca, Titilaka is the ideal base for exploration of the natural, cultural and historical treasures of Peru's most remote and mystical region, ...

Step into a magical land of surreal at the Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada - also known as Hotel de Glace - one of the world's most unique attractions. It takes 400 tons of ice and 12,000 tons of snow each year to create this enchanting palace of white.

Burj Al Arab, the world?s most luxurious hotel and part of Dubai-based luxury hospitality group Jumeirah, has won top honours at the Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (Ultra's) 2008 held in Park Lane, London.

A river cruise is the perfect way to explore the countries of Europe aboard a floating hotel with all the advantages of unpacking just once. Relax in total comfort as you glide past quaint villages, historic towns, lush vineyards, majestic castles and sparkling cities.

ACC Liverpool is a landmark regeneration project on the outstanding Mersey River Waterfront sited next to the famous grade one listed Albert Dock. Designed by the award winning architects Wilkinson Eyre, ACC Liverpool houses the versatile BT Convention Centre ...

At Brazil's heart, an enchantment pulsing state - Mato Grosso do sul. Receptive and opened 365 days per year to the Ecoturismo, Business and Events Tourism, Scientific, Cultural and Sportive. Visit the regions: Campo Grande, Bonito, Pantanal and Miranda.

Spain, fifth in 2006, climbs two places to third in 2007. The ICCA rankings cover meetings organised by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has opened the doors of its first property on the Indian subcontinent, the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. The hotel?s 33-storey gleaming glass tower enlivens the skyline of the city?s emerging Worli district and serves as an iconic reference to the spirit of ?new? India.

WORLDHOTELS has extended its offering in South East Asia with two prestigious resorts from Thailand: Indigo Pearl in Phuket and Villa Lawana in Koh Samui. Both hotels have joined WORLDHOTELS as part of its Deluxe Collection.

Leipzig wins bid for Meetings Industry's World Congress. With a convincing final presentation, the CCL won over Dubai and Pittsburgh. This congress is special: once per year the ICCA World Congress brings the whole meetings industry of all continents together.

In geological terms Iceland is very young - and the youthful exuberance of the land boldly greets travelers. The landscape is alive with the restless play of nature''s forces. Action lovers in search of a real challenge will find plenty to their liking in Iceland. I

The modern centerpiece of the historic Akaretler Row Houses. A glittering tower amidst gilded domes and minarets. Dynamic finance and chic shopping here, old city and monuments there. It's always the best of both worlds at the W Istanbul.

From visiting UNESCO-preserved heritage sites - the twin forts of Al-Jalali and Al Mirani - to viewing birthing turtles on the sandy beaches of Ras Al Junaiz and giving support to Wadi (dried desert creeks) areas in the Wusta region, travellers have plenty of reasons to visit Oman.

The number of visitors to New Orleans increased from 3.7 million in 2006 to 7.1 million in 2007, according to a survey conducted by the University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, ...

Passengers flying Lufthansa from Hamburg to Munich or Frankfurt can now use the airline's new mobile boarding pass service. With this innovative service, passengers who have an Internet-enabled phone can be sent an electronic boarding pass by email or SMS link.

Cape Town and the Western Cape province of South Africa is buzzing with tourism activity as the country is preparing to host one of the worlds largest sport extravaganzas in 2010: the FIFA World Cup. There is a boom in new hotel accommodation across all market sectors.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, scheduled to open this fall. The hotel is the focal point of the iconic Abraj Al Bait Complex, which is part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project whose mandate is to upgrade the precincts of the Two Holy Mosques.

The time has come: the first Mövenpick Hotel in Greece is due to open in the next few days. Following major renovation and extension over the last two years, the upscale Mövenpick Resort & Thalasso Crete...

Following simultaneous World Cruises in early 2009, Cunard Line?s flagship Queen Mary 2 and the new Queen Victoria will celebrate Cunard?s 170th year in service by embarking on a series of more than 60 departures calling on over 75 ports in 34 countries. Highlights of the 2009 schedule include additional Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings (including options to extend or embark a crossing via Boston) and 11 new Queen Victoria itineraries featuring 18 maiden calls.

This year's IMEX cross-cultural seminar invited participants to understand some of the vital factors and skills required for successfully conducting business with Middle Eastern partners.
"The golden rules for success in working with people from Arab countries are many and varied but, once you understand...

Hilton is to open a property attached to Beijing Capital airport?s new Terminal 3 this summer. The 324-room hotel will feature five restaurants, a lobby lounge, piano bar, 800sqm ballroom, health club, swimming pool and spa facilities, with guest rooms a minimum of 40sqm.

Swissôtel Tallinn is a new luxury hotel set in the heart of Estonia's capital in the city's tallest building. The hotel is part of a multi-use complex in a location known as the 'Wall Street of Tallinn'. The design aims to represent state-of-the-art technology with timeless elegance. The property is situated on the corner of Tartu Road, six kilometres away from the international Lennujaam Airport, ten minutes from the harbour and 15 minutes from the central railway station and Tallinn's World Heritage Site, the medieval Old Town. Swissôtel Tallin has 238 guest rooms and suites, featuring modern luxury in a calming environment .

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery in Finland of Independence of the Seas. It is to sail from Southampton during its inaugural season and will be the largest cruise ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
Independence of the Seas will also feature an ice-skating rink; a rock-climbing wall; fine to casual dining venues; Broadway-style entertainment and the Royal Promenade - an entertainment boulevard stretching the length of the ship with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges.

Finally, a fully integrated and innovative convention venue, hotel, retail, and leisure complex ideally situated in the heart of Bangkok! The Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC)
Centara Grand at CentralWorld, one of the largest in Asia Pacific and...

... and fulfils international appetite for knowledge and innovation.
?An indication of the robust and healthy nature of the international meetings industry currently is that IMEX welcomed well over 8,500 buyers to Messe Frankfurt, of which more than 3,600 were hosted buyers - a far larger proportion of these being from long-haul markets than ever before. Adding to this positive picture is the fact that these buyers achieved over 40,000 pre-organised appointments over the last three days, of which more than 30,000 were made through the individual online appointment system? he said.

The Imperial Palace Hotel, part of an exclusive new 240-acre estate in the heart of Mumbai western suburbs in India, has joined WORLDHOTELS as a member of the Deluxe Collection.
The 417-room hotel is part of Royal Palms Estate, incorporating the prestigious Royal Palms Golf & Country Club, in the city?s only ?green belt? seven kilometers from Mumbai?s SaharInternationalAirport and close to the city?s exhibition centre. In a picturesque ?zero pollution zone? valley bordering a lake, the ImperialPalace features a spa, state-of- the-art business centre, and conference and banqueting facilities for up to 300.

PUNTA CANA, Macao, Dominican Republic - April 10, 2008 ?Roco Ki, the ultimate luxury residential and resort community being developed inthe Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic, is welcoming the addition ofFairmont Hotels&Resorts, a global leader in luxury hospitality. Fairmont Roco Ki, anticipated to open in2010, will join picturesque beachfront properties, tropical villas and The FaldoLegacy Golf Course.

Global Leader in Luxury Hospitality Helps Travelers Hold the Line on Spending
NEW YORK (March 27, 2008) -- In the face of recent declines in the value of the US dollar against major foreign currencies, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has announced a Guaranteed US Dollar Rate program, enabling guests to know, in advance, the cost of their accommodations abroad.

Throughout Europe, Germany is regarded as the best event destination; worldwide it is ranked in second place behind the USA. In 2007 the number of events increased...

Following the success of EIBTM 2007, a record number of exhibitors have rebooked their stands for this year?s event in Barcelona at the Fira Gran Via from 2nd-4th December 2008. A substantial number have also secured extra space, highlighting the event?s reputation in the international meetings industry calendar and confirming EIBTM as a leading business platform.

GREECE WINS BID FOR 2010

Greece will be the venue for the 2010 IAPCO Annual Meeting & General Assembly. AC&C International SA, one of IAPCO?s Greek members, presented an extremely competitive and quality driven bid and fought of strong competition from other venues, all keen to host such a prestigious event.

AC&C is a PCO located in Athens providing integrated solutions for the organization, execution and management of International, European and local events. With a dynamic team of 120 experienced and specialized personnel, AC&C has successfully organized over 1900 congresses, meetings, incentives and events in its 14 years of operation.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) involvement in IMEX grows stronger at this year?s event. MPI (stand B440) is involved in a number of educational and promotional initiatives in Frankfurt from 22-24 April 2008 during IMEX.
The Future Leaders Forum (FLF) is a joint effort of MPI and IMEX aimed at meetings professionals currently enrolled in higher education for the meetings and events industry.

The Husa Group will be opening its new Guadalmedina Hotel at the end of January 2009. This new four-star hotel is located in the city centre, next to the Guadalmedina River, facing the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC).

The Gualmedina Hotel, which will be managed by Husa Hotels during the next ten years, has 60 rooms, a bar, a restaurant combined with a cafeteria, a terrace with a solarium, an outdoor jacuzzi and a private garage for hotel guests.

The Result of Visitor Organizing of BMIT2008 is Gratifying

BMIT2008 has already started to organize visitors. After one-month of hard work, the result is very gratifying through the organizer?s database: 15360 travel agencies, 26136 national industry associations/institutes and provincial associations/institutes, 80000 large scale enterprises, 110000 foreign investment enterprises etc.

MITM Euromed, Meetings and Incentive Trade Market, is the first travel trade market in Europe -since 1997- conducted by one-to-one pre-selected and pre-arranged meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers.

One day after MITM, opens its door CULTOUR, a new travel trade exhibition, is the World?s first and only one directed to the niche fast growing market of cultural travel.

EXTREMES OF THE WORLD & FITPERU 2008

While the civilization is paying attention to the construction of the highest building in the world: BURO DUBAI; or the largest tunnel SEIKAN with 54 kilometers between Honshu and Hokkaido in Japan. Or is waiting to navigate on the Project Genesis of Royal Caribbean, a cruise ship with 360 meters long that in 2009 will ship 5400 passengers, is in Peru where the marvels are concentrated in three regions Coast, Highlands and Amazonia.

...an interactive platform to effectively communicate between global suppliers and China?s MICE buyers & planners, providing more options and useful info for their planning MICE trips overseas. Since its debut, it has been highly recognized by MICE players home and abroad, and well received among readers nationwide. Now MICE China is the only supporting media in China for IMEX, EIBTM and AIME.

today with the announcement that Torun (Poland) is among the winners of the 2008 IMEX Wild Card programme. A second, free exhibition place has also been awarded to the Republic of Armenia. Two further Wild Card places have also been awarded specifically to new German exhibitors - Holstein Eventmarketing and Marketingkooperation Staedte Schleswig-Holstein.

2008 China International Travel Agents & Tour Operators Directory

The World Tourism Organization predicts that Chinese outbound travel will reach 100 million by 2020. China is already the largest domestic tourism market with over 400 million people travelling annually. Inbound tourism in 2007 is predicted to exceed 130 million. Chinese tourists are the largest tourism group in Asia and the biggest spenders. Chinese international tourists to Europe and North America are the fastest growing tourism segment.

Mr. M. P. van Aelst, President & General Manager of Hotel Okura Amsterdam and Board Member of the Hotel Okura Company, is delighted to announce the following. September 2009 will see the opening of Hotel Okura Macau. Harmen Dubbelaar, currently the Assistant Manager of Hotel Okura Amsterdam, will be the Opening General Manager.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) today signed a new agreement with EC3 Global, managers of the Green Globe brand, to help significantly reduce the carbon footprint Green-Fad-and-the-Economy Nov-07 of its landmark new event, the PATA CEO Challenge: Confronting Climate Change.

For its 2007 business year, Business Solutions, the corporate events division of Disneyland Resort Paris, generated record revenues and more than 131.000 room nights.

Discover Ice-Karting from EUROS 85,00 p.P. excl. VAT and take advantage of our special half board packages...more info please see here: Ice Karting

The European Federation of the Associations of PCOs, EFAPCO, is a comparatively new organization in the industry, but one born out of a long-term demand for a genuine pan-European consistency in professional standards, said President Julio Abreu.

Our main mission is to put a BIG P into the meaning of PCO,? he added.

Melbourne's business tourism industry gathered recently at a gala luncheon to celebrate 30 years of the successful promotion of Melbourne as Australia's premier business events destination.

The event, organised by Melbourne CVB, applauded the achievements of the $1.2 billion dollar industry and its collective efforts to put Melbourne firmly on the map as a world-leading convention city.

New office in Singapore to further support the globalization of the largest Meetings Industry community.
Eight months after announcing an ambitious global strategy to support the organization´s new vision to build a rich global meetings industry community, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) today announced the opening of its fourth office worldwide. The announcement was made at a joint press conference held by MPI and the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) at the Sheraton Towers Singapore. The event was sponsored by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

"A Day of Love" is a story about man's eternal wish to find ideal love. Based upon a pastoral play by Dubrovnik's most renowned playwright Marin Drzic (16th century) this melodic-comedy with a general happy-end (the protagonists finally couple up in happy marriage to immense joy of all) has had audiences on their feet every evening so far and is accounted as the most successful production of the Dubrovnik Theatre in its entire history.

the first truly international fair of cultural tourism in the world, was held last January 24 to 27 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The fair was only for professionals ?worldwide wholesaler and retailer travel agencies, offering cultural tourism related tour packages, such city breaks, festivals, religious events, pilgrimages, archaeology, cities of art, cultural events, dance and music festivals, theatre, musical shows, museums, wine cellars, ecology, sport events, gastronomy and a long etcetera.