Archive for January, 2017
31 Jan, 2017
Govts must build bridges, not walls: UNWTO, PATA join chorus of denunciations of Trump’s Muslim-ban
The UN World Tourism Organisation and the Pacific Asia Travel Association both joined the global chorus of condemnations and criticism of US President Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban. Here are full texts of both statements: UNWTO Statement on US Travel Ban Madrid, 31 Jan 2017 – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Specialized Agency for […]
more…31 Jan, 2017
Civil Rights Groups Urge CEOs on Trump’s Business Council to Step Down NOW!
A compilation of just a few reactions and statements by various groups all around the world on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban order. =============== Civil Rights Groups Urge CEOs on Trump’s Business Council to Step Down NOW! Washington DC, 30 Jan 2017 — (Muslim Advocates media release) – As days of national protests have continued […]
more…30 Jan, 2017
Pakistan is Home to World’s Largest Ice Glaciers
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 30 January 2017 (02 Jumada Al Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA Win FREE trips in Malaysia by […]
more…30 Jan, 2017
Trump’s Muslim-ban highlights global threat posed by Israeli dual-citizens
The Muslim ban enacted by the Trump Administration will be applicable to dual nationality Muslims as well, according to the following report in the Wall Street Journal. Although it has been roundly denounced and protested, this unprecedented action has a silver lining: It has presented a perfect opportunity to scrutinise the security threat posed by […]
more…29 Jan, 2017
Most Accurate Forecasts in the History of Travel & Tourism (1)
Bangkok – In my 35 years of covering the global travel and tourism industry, I have reported on numerous crises. Here are the four most important ones: 1) In the 1980s I covered the first global AIDS crisis, which began in Thailand. As the virus spread like wildfire, the over-arching preventive advice was to practice […]
more…27 Jan, 2017
Visit ASEAN or Southeast Asia? Branding mess on full display at ATF 2017
Singapore – Hundreds of man-hours and thousands of dollars in taxpayers money have been expended over many years by ASEAN tourism officials in pursuit of a united brand image that will fulfill the dream of promoting ASEAN as a single destination. But, as was more than evident at the 36th ASEAN Tourism Forum between 16-20 […]
more…25 Jan, 2017
Chris Hedges: Revolt Is the Only Barrier to a Fascist America
The destruction of democratic institutions, places where the citizen has agency and a voice, is far graver than the ascendancy to the White House of the demagogue Donald Trump. The coup destroyed our two-party system. It destroyed labor unions. It destroyed public education. It destroyed the judiciary. It destroyed the press. It destroyed academia. It […]
more…25 Jan, 2017
Trump set to sign “Muslim ban” orders
Bangkok – Jewish and Muslim activist groups are set to come out strongly against what the Jewish Voice for Peace calls “a package of Executive Orders targeting Muslims, Arab, refugees and immigrants, making national policy of his racist, Islamophobic campaign rhetoric.” Read the following announcements by JVP and the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): Message […]
more…25 Jan, 2017
ASEAN@50: STB media staff show how NOT to manage media
Singapore: The theme of this year’s 36th ASEAN Tourism Forum in Singapore was “Shaping Our Tourism Journey Together.” If the discourteous behaviour I experienced at the ASEAN tourism ministerial press conference is any indicator, that lofty pursuit of togetherness came with a few exceptions. Media management of the ATF 2017 in Singapore was vastly different […]
more…24 Jan, 2017
Indonesian President Wants Ministers To Cut Speeches To 7 Minutes
A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 23 January 2017 (24 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA Win FREE trips in Malaysia by entering this Photography […]
more…23 Jan, 2017
Arabian Travel Mart launches 2017 exhibitor awards
Dubai, 18 January 2017, (ATM Press Release) – Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017 exhibitors will be pulling out all the stops to showcase their creative and business flair at this year’s event as organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, reprises its popular Best Stand Awards initiative for a third year running. Launched in 2015, the awards recognise […]
more…23 Jan, 2017
2017 Metro Manila Tourism Forum to be held Feb 9-10
Manila — The 2017 Metro Manila Tourism Forum will be held on February 09-10, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Quezon City. This year, it commemorates the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in celebrating 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. As such, the theme will be “ASEAN: Enhancing City Tourism […]
more…23 Jan, 2017
Joseph K. S. Chew, Executive Director, Singapore Tourist Promotion Board
Date & Place of Birth: 26 Dec. 1943, Singapore. Marital Status: Married with two sons and five grandchildren. Languages: Written – English & Malay. Spoken – English, Malay, Hokkien (Chinese Dialect) Education: BA (Hons) Economics, University of Singapore, 1963-66. Senior Executive Program, Columbia University, 1978 Senior Executive Program, Stanford University, 1994 Career 1966-1968 Straits […]
more…23 Jan, 2017
Kevin Leong, Secretary General, Asian Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaux
Date & Place of Birth: 9 March 1950 Marital Status: Married Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (Singapore University) Career 1976 – Joined Singapore Tourism Board, and spent 36 years with the STB. Key positions held included Vice-President (Eastern Region) in the USA, Director of Exhibitions and Conventions, and Director of Events Marketing. 1979-1988 – […]
more…23 Jan, 2017
ASEAN@50: Singapore disappoints with lacklustre Tourism Forum
Singapore — ASEAN tourism is one of the world’s great, if not the greatest, success stories. As the 10-country bloc marks its 50th anniversary, tourism is clearly established as a bedrock industry that has created billions of dollars worth of prosperity, jobs and income. The former battlefields of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have emerged from […]
more…19 Jan, 2017
Pek Hock Thiam, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Promotion Board
Date of Birth: 6 October 1941 Nationality: Singaporean Education: 1964 : Honors in Economics, University of Singapore Career: 1964 – 1969 : Shipping Executive, P&O Lines (biggest shipping line in the world then) 1969 – 1972 : Administrative Assistant, Ministry of Finance, Singapore (taxation, custom duties, rates & fees) 1972 – 1988 : Deputy Secretary, Ministry […]
more…19 Jan, 2017
Mr. Suparerk Soorangura, President, Thai Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association
Date and Place of birth: 10 January 1951, Chachoengsao Education: Assumption Commercial College, Thammasat University, Faculty of Economics Marital status: Married with two sons. Position: Managing Director, N.S. Travel & Tours Co Ltd. Work Experience Betagro Co.,Ltd. 1974-1990: Australian Embassy, Bangkok 1990-Present: -N.S. Travel & Tours Co.,Ltd; SERENATA Hotels & Resorts Group Business positions – Managing […]
more…18 Jan, 2017
Emirates introduces sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles
Dubai, UAE, 17 January 2017 – Emirates has introduced new sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The soft and warm blankets are made using ecoTHREAD™ patented technology and is now available in Economy Class on all long-haul Emirates flights. Each Emirates ecoTHREAD™ blanket is made from 28 recycled plastic bottles. With the latest […]
more…18 Jan, 2017
ASEAN@50 campaign brand confusion: Historic look at how it transpired, and how to fix it
SINGAPORE – As the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017 gets under way here this week, one of the big rah-rah announcements will be a range of activities to promote the VisitASEAN@50 campaign. While that has got everyone excited, one key underlying issue remains unaddressed — the confusion and lack of clarity over the ASEAN brand image […]
more…16 Jan, 2017
First Palestinian Embassy Opened in Vatican City
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 16 January 2017 (17 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA Win FREE trips in Malaysia by entering […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
Les Clark, Tourism Planning Consultant, Greater Mekong Subregion
Date and Place of Birth: November 1, 1950, Wellington, New Zealand Marital Status: Twice married with one son Education: University of Auckland, 1970-73; Colorado State University, 1977-78; University of Surrey 1985-86. Career: 1986 – 2004: Partner, Tourism Resource Consultants. 2004 – 2008: Director, Tourism Resource Consultants Ltd 2008 – 2013: Senior Associate, TRC Tourism […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
Dr. Mina Gabor, First Woman Secretary, Department of Tourism, The Philippines
Date of Birth: 13 September 1939 Family: Widowed Education: – St. Scholastica’s College High School – BS in Commerce, University of Sto. Tomas – Master in Business Administration, University of the Philippines – PhD in Entreprenology, International University of Entreprenology, Hawaii Career: 2011 – Present: Founder and President, International School of Sustainable Tourism 2011 – […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
The world at a crossroads – M.K. Narayan, The Hindu
The policy outlook for 2017 appears not too promising. Geopolitical risks will remain high. No improvement in the present unstable global order appears likely. New terror patterns will increase the lethality of terror attacks. Digital disruption and cyberthreats are poised to grow. The economic outlook, likewise, appears pessimistic, with the global economy caught in a […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
South Africa president tells people not to visit Israel
Johannesburg (IINA), 09 Jan 2017 – South African President Jacob Zuma has urged his people not to visit Israel unless it is related to “fostering peace” in the region, Anadolu Agency reported. Addressing thousands of supporters during the 105th birth anniversary of his ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the capital Johannesburg on Sunday, Zuma […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
UK: Israel funding spin trips as it smears critics – Al Jazeera
Israel is attempting to smear activists who question the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by helping to build racism cases against them, an investigation by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit reveals. The investigation, The Lobby, also uncovers Israel’s extensive, well-financed propaganda campaign in the UK to counter negative news stories about its policies and to fund […]
more…13 Jan, 2017
The Imminent Demise of U.S. “Leadership”
Bangkok – In a few days, the world’s most powerful country will undergo a change in leadership. As the transition nears, it is becoming more than apparent that trouble looms, trouble that will have a significant impact on the way the world works and, by extension, on global travel & tourism. The Trump presidency will […]
more…10 Jan, 2017
Naphalai Areesorn, Founding President, Thai Spa Association
Date of Birth: 18 May, 1952 Family: Married with two sons Education: Early schooling in Singapore and Malaysia. BA in Languages, Colorado Women’s College, USA; EMBA, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University Career: 2001 – present: Editor-in-Chief, Thailand Tatler. Heads the editorial team of Blue Mango Publishing, publisher of Thailand Tatler and […]
more…10 Jan, 2017
William E. Heinecke, Founder, CEO & Chairman, the Minor Group, Thailand
Date and Place of Birth: June 4, 1949, USA Marital and Family Status: Married with two children. Education; Bangkok International School 1963 – 1967, previously based in Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Career First employment venture was selling advertising next to his go-karting column in the Bangkok Post which proved so successful that at 17 […]
more…10 Jan, 2017
Lebanon to launch first Beirut Restaurants Festival
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 09 January 2017 (11 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA Win FREE trips in Malaysia by entering […]
more…9 Jan, 2017
Elizabeth P. de la Fuente, Executive Director, Hotel & Restaurant Association, the Philippines
Place and date of Birth: 09 June 1944 Marital Status: Married with two daughters and two sons Education 1964 Maryknoll College, Liberal Arts Major in English Literature, Minor in Psychology. Dean’s List of honour students 1978-80 Executive Sessions, Conference Management Programme, Yale University. 1979 Convention Management Programme, International Association of Professional Congress Organisations. 1985-85 Executive […]
more…9 Jan, 2017
Sheikh Jamaluddin bin Sheikh Mohamed, CEO, Brunei Tourist Board
Date and Place of Birth: 3 Oct 1957, Brunei Darussalam Marital status: Married with two sons. Education 1993-1994: Imperial College, University of London, Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management), Diploma Imperial College, Final year project: Banking Strategy in Europe 1978-1982 University of Teessdie, England, B.Sc (Hons) Computer and Mathematical Sciences Full time 4 years […]
more…7 Jan, 2017
Jose Aspiras, Secretary/Minister of Tourism, the Philippines
Date of Birth: 1924. Place of Birth NA. Marital status – Married with six children Education: NA Career Journalist, News Reporter and Columnist for the Star Reporter and the Evening News; United Nations War Correspondent in Korea; Jailed for refusing to divulge his sources of informations but subsequently acquitted by a unanimous decision of […]
more…7 Jan, 2017
Sumate Sudasna, Managing Director, Conference & Destination Management
Date & Place of Birth: 2 April 1952, Bangkok Marital Status: Married with two children and one grandchild Education: Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok, 1969 Studied Industrial Design at University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1972-73 Career 1972-1977: Dusit Thani Hotel, Front Office 1977-1978: Asian Tours Centre, tour guide 1978-1981: Dusit Thani Hotel, Front office manager […]
more…7 Jan, 2017
Staporn Sirisinha, Executive Director, Thailand Incentive & Convention Association
Date and Place of Birth: November 22, 1945, Bangkok Marital Status: Married with two children Education: Bachelor of Economics, Thammasat University, Bangkok Career With the Tourism Authority of Thailand for 12 years: 1972-73 Assistant Director, TAT Frankfurt. 1973-76 Assistant Director, TAT New York 1977-82 Director, TAT Singapore 1983-84 Director, TAT Convention Department 1984-88 Founding/Executive Director […]
more…7 Jan, 2017
Asad Shiraz, Senior Director, Tourism Marketing, Singapore Tourism Board
Date and Place of Birth: 24 May 1957, Singapore Marital Status: Married Education Bachelor of Administration (First Class Honours), Brock University, Canada Graduate of Senior Management Programme, Civil Service College, Singapore Career Joined the Singapore Tourism Board and spent 20 years between Nov 1982 –Nov 2002 Marketing Officer, Nov 1982 – Mar 1985 Senior Marketing […]
more…6 Jan, 2017
Indonesia suspends military training programme with Australia over insult to Pancasila
5 January 2017 Jakarta (ANTARA News) – A language training program with the Australian Defense Force (ADF) has been suspended over insults to Indonesia’s Pancasila ideology, Indonesian Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo has affirmed. “The military cooperation between the two countries was suspended as an Australian military education curriculum was found making fun of Indonesia’s […]
more…5 Jan, 2017
Panasonic Demonstrates “Companion” Robot at CES 2017
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 04, 2017 – Panasonic Corporation of North America announced it has developed a “companion” robot with human-like movements and communication skills. The robot, developed as a proof of concept, debuts at the Panasonic booth (#12908) at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. “This test project builds on Panasonic’s innovations in robotics including battery […]
more…5 Jan, 2017
Israeli hysteria is solidifying country’s new status, as a rogue state – Philip Weiss, Mondoweiss
President Obama’s decision to allow passage of a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements as illegal has done more to change the shape of the conflict than any other action in the last ten years, even than Israel’s massacres in Gaza. He has nudged Israel, and the media, toward recognition of the country’s new […]
more…5 Jan, 2017
Man cuts out alcohol and coffee for two years and this is what happened | The Independent
Thousands of people are three days into a Dry January, the tedious annual ritual of skipping all alcoholic drinks for 30 days. But what happens if you manage to nail Dry January, then decide to keep going – for another two years? A New York designer did just that, and the results were genuinely surprising. […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Kerala tourism lost revenue of Rs 1,000 crore since Nov 8: Tourism minister
Kerala’s tourism sector has registered an estimated loss of about Rs 1,000 crore, following a dip in the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists since the Centre announced demonetisation of high-value currencies, the state government said on Tuesday. The cash crunch has severely affected the sector and the loss was estimated to be about Rs […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Shiv Visvanathan on the coming of the post-truth society – The Hindu
The idea of democracy is in a state of flux. An ordinary citizen doesn’t know how to read the events that unfold around him. He knows that democracy is a relationship between knowledge and power. But what does he do when the power of truth confronts the truth of power? He often confuses the two, […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Two UN Chiefs set Travel & Tourism a challenging agenda for 2017 and beyond
Bangkok – New Year statements released by two top United Nations executives have set the stage for some heavy-duty soul-searching within the travel & tourism industry in the months and years ahead. Although their core and extremely important messages deserve introspective analysis and, perhaps even more important, rigorous debate in industry forums, it is highly […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Why India, and the world, should beware of digital dictatorship – Vandana Shiva
Two sets of means come together in what is now declared the real reason for demonetisation — the digital economy. Money making and tools for money making have become the new religion and the government policy has been reduced to the facilitation of the imposition of the digital empires of the new moghuls. Why else […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Deir Ballout: A village struggling against Israeli settlement expansion
DEIR BALLOUT, SALFIT, January 2, 2017 (WAFA) – Israel has recently been intensifying its violations of Palestinian rights through expansion of settlements, land grab and restriction on construction of regular and farm roads in the villages of Kufr al-Deek, Deir Ballout and al-Zawiyah, located to the west of Salfit in the north of the West […]
more…4 Jan, 2017
Israeli bulldozers demolish Bedouin dwellings, displace scores of people
JERUSALEM, January 2, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli bulldozers demolished on Monday 10 dwellings inhabited by Bedouins in Khan al-Ahmar area east of Jerusalem under the pretext they were built without permit, according to residents. Adel Jahaleen told WAFA that the Israeli bulldozers destroyed three of the dwellings he used for his family as well as […]
more…2 Jan, 2017
Khoo Hock Aun, Deputy Executive Director, ASEAN Tourism Information Centre
Place and Date of Birth: Penang, Malaysia, 10 October 1955 Marital Status: Married Education Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness), University of Agriculture (Putra) Malaysia. Nuffield Foundation Study Fellow with the Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, United Kingdom Career Staff Writer, Malaysian Business magazine (1978-1983) Executive Director, ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry (1986-88) Deputy […]
more…2 Jan, 2017
Robert W. Guy, CMP, Managing Director, Singapore & Malaysia, Destination Asia
Date and Place of Birth: July 25, 1944, Illinois USA Marital Status: Married. Education College of San Mateo & Stanford University, Palo Alto California Career Destination Asia – Managing Director Singapore & Malaysia October 2010 to present Pacific World – Regional Managing Director, January 1989 to August 2009 Tour East – Group General Manager May […]
more…2 Jan, 2017
New Cricket Stadiums Emerging in Afghanistan
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 02 January 2017 (04 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA 2017: MALAYSIA MARKS VISIT PAHANG, TERENGGANU AND […]
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