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Archive for February, 2017

28 Feb, 2017

U.S. Children’s Museums Start 90-Day Campaign to Celebrate Role in Welcoming Immigrants, Refugees

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) has launched a new campaign—90 Days of Action—to showcase the important role children’s museums play in welcoming immigrant and refugee children and families to their communities. The campaign includes a variety of elements including a social media push, a survey of its members to learn more about […]

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27 Feb, 2017

Maldives to host its first Int’l Travel Trade Show 12-13 July

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 February 2017 (30 Jumada Al Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ THIS SPACE OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Islamic Travel Newswire, an influential and widely-read weekly […]

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25 Feb, 2017

Sonu Shivdasani, Founder, CEO and Chairman, Soneva

ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame – Initiated by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to recognise the many veterans who helped grow and shape ASEAN tourism over the last 50 years.

  Date and Place of birth: 23rd November 1965, London Marital and family status: Married to Eva Malmström Shivdasani Education: Eton College, followed by Le Rosey in Switzerland, Masters Degree, Oxford University in English Literature, 1993 Career: After graduation, spent two years with the family business set up by his father in in finance, trade […]

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24 Feb, 2017

Indian techie shot dead in US, shooter yells ‘get out of my country’

Houston/Washington, Feb 24 (Press Trust of India) An Indian engineer was killed and two others were injured after an American navy veteran yelling “terrorist” and “get out of my country” opened fire on them in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent racially motivated hate crime, police said today. Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working […]

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24 Feb, 2017

Ethisphere’s Global Ethics Summit To Take Stock of Corporate Culture

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 23, 2017 – The Ethisphere Institute, established to define and advance the standards of ethical business practices, is set to host the 9th Annual Global Ethics Summit when over 200 different companies and organizations will descend upon midtown New York City, March 15-16. A Summit where over half the delegation […]

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24 Feb, 2017

World of Hyatt Welcomes New Era with “For a World of Understanding”

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 23, 2017 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the launch of World of Hyatt, Hyatt’s new global platform grounded in the simple idea that a little understanding goes a long way. This reflects Hyatt’s purpose and reaffirms its commitment to building genuine and trusted experiences and engaging its community of loyalists […]

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24 Feb, 2017

Will ITB Berlin 2017 be the last?

Bangkok – Is anyone in the travel & tourism industry aware that in 1917, exactly 100 years ago, Europe was in the third year of World War I. It was also a game-changing year. The tide turned against the Central Powers (mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire) with the entrance of the U.S. That […]

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22 Feb, 2017

Increase in arms transfers driven by demand in Middle East and Asia, says SIPRI

Stockholm, 20 February 2017, (SIPRI media release) – The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and increased by 8.4 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16, according to new data on arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Notably, transfers of major weapons in 2012–16 […]

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22 Feb, 2017

Call for Entries: 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

BANGKOK, 20 Feb 2017 (UNESCO media release) – Submissions are now being accepted for the 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Awards recognize the efforts of private individuals and organizations that have successfully restored or conserved structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. The Awards emphasize the importance of […]

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22 Feb, 2017

Hypocritical U.S. Airlines Reject “Buy American, Hire American”

Source: Business Travel Coalition Industry Analysis

February 21, 2017 – In December 2016, full-time equivalent employment (FTE) at U.S. scheduled passenger airlines increased 3.7% over December 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). December was the 38th consecutive month that FTE for U.S. scheduled passenger airlines exceeded the previous year’s and was the highest monthly total since March 2008. […]

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21 Feb, 2017

Garuda to inaugurate Jakarta-Moscow flights in August

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 February 2017 (23 Jumaada al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ THIS SPACE OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Islamic Travel Newswire, an influential and widely-read weekly compilation of […]

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15 Feb, 2017

Organizations Wasting Billions on Outdated Customer Loyalty Programs – Accenture Strategy Study

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 14, 2017 – Organizations are wasting billions of dollars each year on customer loyalty programs that don’t work like they used to, according to new research from Accenture Strategy. With millions of loyalty points sitting dormant and the majority of U.S. consumers (78 percent) retracting loyalty at profit-crushing rates, organizations must pay […]

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15 Feb, 2017

Unwelcome in Europe, U.S.? Welcome to Thailand, former Foreign Minister tells global Muslims

Bangkok – Muslims having problems going to Europe and the United States will find a more welcoming environment in Muslim-friendly Thailand, former Thai Foreign Minister Dr Surin Pitsuwan said last week. Speaking at the official opening of Al Meroz hotel on Feb 11, Thailand’s largest and newest four-star halal-friendly property, the Harvard-educated Dr Surin said […]

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13 Feb, 2017

Afghan cricketers to play for first time in Indian Premier League

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 February 2017 (16 Jumaada al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ THIS SPACE OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Islamic Travel Newswire, an influential and widely-read weekly compilation […]

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6 Feb, 2017

Trump-ing the Odds

By Punam Mohandas

By Punam Mohandas Bangkok – Donald Trump has been hogging all the headlines recently. As it should be too – after all, one of the super powers of the world has a new leader. However, Trump is less in the news for his leadership skills than for the fact that, hands-down, he appears to be […]

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6 Feb, 2017

First, It’s the Muslims: An Evolution to Dictatorship

Bangkok – Here is a collection of articles that sound even more ominous warnings about the rise of Donald Trump, and the threat of another World War. They can be easily found via a Google search. Take these looming threats seriously. Or be ready to face the same havoc that Hitler caused, as the first […]

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6 Feb, 2017

How American right-wing extremists fan the flames of Islamophobia

Bangkok – As the Muslim-ban sparks global outrage and opposition, the tide is turning against the U.S. government under the leadership of Donald Trump. The travel & tourism industry, which has been the first to be affected by this ban, now has an opportunity to demonstrate whether it will be a part of the solution […]

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6 Feb, 2017

“Russia–Islamic World Kazan Summit 2017” set for 18-21 May

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 06 February 2017 (09 Jumaada al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ THIS SPACE OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Islamic Travel Newswire, an influential and widely-read weekly compilation of […]

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3 Feb, 2017

Strategy Analytics: Global Smartphone Shipments Hit Record 1.5 billion Units in 2016

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 31, 2017 – According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 3 percent annually to hit a record 1.5 billion units in 2016. Apple iPhone recaptured first position with 18 percent global smartphone marketshare in Q4 2016, while OPPO grew 99 percent annually and was the star performer. Linda […]

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3 Feb, 2017

PageFair Reports 615 Million Devices around the World Block Ads

DUBLIN, 31 January 2017, (Business Wire) – A new PageFair report estimates that 615 million devices are now blocking ads. This represents year-over-year global growth of 30%. Mobile adblock usage grew by 108 million, reaching a total of 380 million active devices. Despite ever smaller numbers of people using desktop and laptop computers, adblock usage […]

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3 Feb, 2017

UNWTO releases landmark report on contribution of Islamic culture to Asian Tourism

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Bangkok – The UN World Tourism Organisation has published a landmark report documenting the impact of Islamic culture and its contribution to Asian Tourism. Funded by the China Chamber of Tourism, the publication shines a light on the rich Islamic tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources throughout the Asia-Pacific and calls for a massive funding […]

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2 Feb, 2017

US travel ban “breaches Washington’s human rights obligations” – UN experts

GENEVA (1 February 2017) (UN Office of the High Commissioner, UN Human Rights) – A group of United Nations human rights experts today said that the Executive Order signed by US President Donald Trump on 27 January 2017 breaches the country’s international human rights obligations, which protect the principles of non-refoulement and non-discrimination based on […]

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2 Feb, 2017

Muslim ban “endangers the recent solid growth of the U.S. exhibition industry” – UFI

Paris, 1 February 2017 – U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued an order to temporarily ban visitors from seven countries from entering the United States. On this matter UFI, as the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, states: Latest UFI research shows that more than half of the companies in the US exhibition industry […]

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2 Feb, 2017

UN Chief Guterres to US: Avoid “Measures that Spread Anxiety and Anger”

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 1 February 2017 – Reacting to the recent suspension by the United States of its longstanding refugee programme, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today said resettlement is often “the only possible solution” for people fleeing conflict and persecution, and that the US policy, which bars entry of Syrians into the […]

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2 Feb, 2017

Transport Workers Federation condemns “escalation of the US government against immigrants”

01/02/2017 (ITF media release) – Commenting on President Trump’s travel ban ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) president Paddy Crumlin stated: “The 2016 national election in the US featured a heavy focus on immigration. President Donald Trump’s post-election actions have signalled that this will continue. The latest attack on immigrants has targeted the nationals of seven […]

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2 Feb, 2017

Pamelia Lee, Senior Director, Tourism Development, Singapore Tourism Board

ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame – Initiated by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to recognise the many veterans who helped grow and shape ASEAN tourism over the last 50 years.

Date & Place of Birth: 16 April 1942, Hawaii. Marital Status: Married with four children and four grandchildren. Education: University of Hawaii. Career 1978 joined Singapore Tourism Board May 1978 to Aug 1984 Head of Marketing Division. Sept 1984 to Mid July 1994 Head Product Development Division, serving as chief coordinator of the S$1 billion […]

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1 Feb, 2017

The Shredding of Brand USA

Bangkok – It should be more than clear by now that the global image of Brand USA is in a free-fall. In less than two weeks, President Trump has upset women’s groups, the Mexicans, potential partner countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Muslim world. That already equates to roughly half the world’s population. The […]

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