Author Archive
13 Dec, 2017
Frontiers 2017: UN Report flags Six Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern
How does our careless disposal of antimicrobial drugs produce bacteria that can resist them? Why are Marine Protected Areas vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? Can off-grid solar plug the energy gap for cities in the developing world? UN Environment experts will address these and other emerging issues with the launch of Frontiers 2017, […]
more…13 Dec, 2017
A message from the Thailand Halal Assembly 2017 to the Myanmar tourism industry
Bangkok – A tourism-promotion forum organised as part of this year’s Thailand Halal Assembly has sent a clear message to the Myanmar tourism industry about the Thai approach to building inclusive, Muslim-friendly tourism and what Myanmar can learn from it. Editor’s Comment This special report is dedicated to the memory of my good friend, the […]
more…8 Dec, 2017
The TRiUMPh of Jewish extremist terrorism
U.S. President Donald Trump has just proved that terrorism works – Jewish terrorism, that is. It was on 4 November 1995 that the Jewish extremist fanatic terrorist Yigal Amir, then only 25 years old, shot and killed former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a joint Nobel Peace prize winner with the late Palestinian leader Yasser […]
more…6 Dec, 2017
Silence of the Lambs: Global travel industry associations remain mum on U.S. Muslim ban
Bangkok – The U.S. Supreme Court has produced a guilty-until-proven-innocent ruling that effectively allows the Trump Administration to “temporarily” implement a ban on arrivals from most or all nationals from six Muslim-majority countries. The ban effectively bypasses a number of legal and constitutional challenges currently being heard in the lower courts. According to the American […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
America First backlash: U.S. visitor arrivals swimming in a sea of red ink
The United States’ tourism industry is swimming in a sea of red ink. On 29 November, the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office released preliminary data of visitor arrivals for the first half of 2017. It showed an overall decline of 3.9%, with significant drops in arrivals from key markets such as China, Europe, the […]
more…23 Nov, 2017
Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Thailand highlights weaknesses in intra-ASEAN travel
Bangkok – The Indonesian Tourism Ministry held its biggest ever tourism promotion festival in Thailand over the Nov 17-19 weekend. Located at one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls, attendance at the outdoor event was strong on the opening day but impacted by both hot weather and rain over Nov 18-19. It also raised questions […]
more…16 Nov, 2017
World Economic Forum report calls for sweeping overhaul of “slow, top-down, backward-looking” ASEAN bureaucracy
Bangkok, 14 November 2017 – A joint report issued by the World Economic Forum and the Asian Development Bank has called for a sweeping administrative, operational and financial overhaul of the ASEAN secretariat to make it more functional and efficient in meeting its own over-arching goal of closer socio-cultural, economic and political-security integration. According to […]
more…13 Nov, 2017
Chula Univ conf on Asian diaspora gives new meaning to “Thainess”
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s latest marketing campaign, “Open to the New Shades of Thailand”, positions the kingdom as being welcoming to people of all “shades” regardless of caste, creed, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Packaged under the theme of “Thainess”, the campaign pitch presses all the normal tourism marketing buttons – culture, […]
more…3 Nov, 2017
Flashback 25 years: The speech that exposes U.S. airline U-turns, hypocrisy and double standards
In March 1992, at the 41st PATA annual conference in Hong Kong, Mr Robert Crandall, former Chairman and President of American Airlines, and Chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council, delivered the keynote address in which he castigated Hong Kong, the conference host, plus Thailand, Japan and Korea, for protecting the interests of their […]
more…7 Oct, 2017
With recovery on track, PATA extends CEO’s contract for another three years
Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association has confirmed the extension of CEO Mario Hardy’s contract for another three year term starting Jan 2018, a move that will facilitate the slow but steady recovery of the region’s once high-flying industry association. Mr Hardy signed the extension contract on Oct 5. In a message to the […]
more…3 Oct, 2017
Globocop, gambling, fake news and security morons: Eight issues emerging from the Las Vegas tragedy
Apparently unnoticed by any mainstream media, the tragic Las Vegas shooting occurred on the UN International Day of Non-Violence, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Going right to the heart of multiple challenges threatening the future of travel & tourism, it should force some heavy-duty, industry-wide soul-searching about how to deal with them. A deeper debate […]
more…28 Sep, 2017
Thailand first to make UN SDGs a criteria for National Tourism Awards
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand raised its bi-annual industry awards to a new level this year by including the principles of the national Sufficiency Economy and the global UN Sustainable Development Goals as core components of the judging criteria. It is arguably the first time any country has made the UN SDGs a […]
more…20 Sep, 2017
Myanmar proves that women leaders are no better than the men
Bangkok – In February 2012, just a few months before the end of his five-year term, the then ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on the topic of “ASEAN and Change in Myanmar”. During the Q&A, I asked him if Myanmar had a chance to exercise the Last […]
more…16 Sep, 2017
Many Businesses Still Fail to Report Financial Value from Strong Environmental Performance – Research
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE) — September 13, 2017 – Four in 10 telecommunications and consumer goods companies reporting to CDP fail to capture or report any financial value from strong environmental performance, according to new research released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN), CDP and Hermes Investment Management. The largest emitters in the global economy – responsible […]
more…15 Sep, 2017
Permanent People’s Tribunal on Myanmar to be held in Kuala Lumpur 18-22 Sept
Kuala Lumpur, 15 Sept (International Movement for a Just World) – The Permanent Peoples Tribunal’s concluding session on Myanmar which will convene at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur from the 18th to the 22nd of September 2017 has assumed extraordinary significance in light of the UN Security Council’s unanimous call […]
more…13 Sep, 2017
Jewish Rabbi slags Israel for travel curbs on activists, Palestinians
A female Jewish rabbi has rebuked the Jewish state of Israel for barring inbound travel by pro-Palestinian activists, including herself, as well as for blocking travel in and out of occupied Palestine in general. In a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur message to global members of the pro-Palestinian group Jewish Voice for Peace, its Deputy […]
more…11 Sep, 2017
R.I.P. Inder Sharma – The Indian stalwart who brought China into PATA
Bangkok – Much has been written in praise of Mr Inder Sharma, the Indian travel & tourism stalwart who passed away on Sept 5 at the age of 86. The award-winning chairman of SITA World Travel was indeed one of India’s most eminent personalities – a thorough professional of impeccable integrity and formidable intellect, equally […]
more…31 Aug, 2017
In Palestine, UN chief says two-state solution ‘only way to guarantee peace’
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 29 August 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated his call for a political solution to the Middle East conflict that would end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and would create an independent Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. “It is my […]
more…24 Aug, 2017
Thai Foreign Ministry fam trip spotlights double-edged future facing the Kingdom
Bangkok – Courtesy of the Thai Foreign Ministry, 16 Bangkok-based foreign correspondents were treated to a whirlwind 15-hour fam trip on Aug 18 which spotlighted the double-edged future facing Thailand. While three of the stops underscored Thailand’s positive scientific, agricultural and infrastructure progress in line with its 4.0 national development policy, the last stop was […]
more…17 Aug, 2017
What Charlottesville and the emergence of white supremacists means for the future of global travel
Bangkok – The emergence of the American white supremacist movement in the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, has opened up a Pandora’s Box of issues that will have a significant impact on travel & tourism to and from the United States and around the world. By further complicating an already unstable geopolitical environment, it will have […]
more…9 Aug, 2017
ASEAN@50: New book shows how ASEAN tourism undermined the ASEAN Miracle
Bangkok – When ASEAN marked the 50th anniversary of its founding on 08 Aug 2017, let the record show that the travel & tourism industry of Thailand, where ASEAN was born, negotiated and signed, did nothing, absolutely nothing, to commemorate the event. Neither did the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, nor the Tourism Authority of […]
more…4 Aug, 2017
How Thai tourism’s history deficit saw it lose a huge ASEAN@50 opportunity
Bangkok – As ASEAN prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation on 08 Aug 2017, the Thai tourism industry has lost a major opportunity to celebrate the central role played by the Kingdom in ASEAN’s formation, and better understand the significant linkage between peace, ASEAN integration, diplomacy and travel. Had there been greater […]
more…3 Aug, 2017
Lessons from the Malaysian National Museum for the future of ASEAN
Kuala Lumpur — As a history buff, I enjoy visiting museums. These homes for the preservation of history are the best places to learn the lessons of history, and perhaps avoid repeating past mistakes. Last week, I visited the Malaysian National Museum in Kuala Lumpur for the third time. This visit had a special significance. […]
more…24 Jul, 2017
Why the Thai Tourism Action Plan has outlived its usefulness, and what to do about it
Bangkok – When Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn unveiled the TAT Action Plan for 2018 on 17 July 2017, he did something never done before at this annual event. He flashed up a slide showing the impact of climate change and the deteriorating conditions of some popular Thai beach resorts. Without mentioning […]
more…20 Jul, 2017
Maldives about to enter mass tourism era – is it prepared?
Malé, Maldives – A US$845 million expansion of the Malé international airport, the country’s biggest construction project ever, is expected to help the country hit a target of two million arrivals by 2020, about five times the national population and up from 1.3 million arrivals in 2016. Although it will open a new era in […]
more…11 Jul, 2017
Thai hotels show that it pays to be Muslim-friendly
Bangkok – July 8 marked the start of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period of abstinence from alcohol and other forms of self-restraint. As Buddhists still have to travel for both business and leisure, those keen to abide by the Lord Buddha’s precepts may find it easier to avoid alcohol by staying in a Thai Muslim-friendly […]
more…27 Jun, 2017
U.S. Supreme Court Muslim Travel Ban: Get set for chaos, confusion, maelstrom and more Islamophobia
The following is a roundup of reactions by four advocacy groups representing Muslims, the Arab-American community and the Business Travel community. ADC Troubled by the Supreme Court’s Decision to Partially Reinstate Travel Ban Washington, D.C., June 26, 2017 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination (ADC) condemns the Supreme Court’s decision to partially reinstate the Arab and Muslim […]
more…14 Jun, 2017
153 detained for airline ticket fraud following worldwide Interpol operation
Lyon, France, 13 June 2017, (Interpol media release) – An international operation targeting airline fraudsters has resulted in the detention of 153 individuals suspected of using tickets purchased with stolen, compromised or fake credit card details. Involving 64 countries, during the sixth Global Airport Action Days from 6 to 8 June, 84 airlines and eight […]
more…13 Jun, 2017
Mekong Tourism Forum 2017: Prospering, but for what Purpose?
Luang Prabang, Laos – One of the most powerful messages of the Mekong Tourism Forum held in this UNESCO world heritage site between 7-9 June was the contrast between the core argument advocated by the keynote speaker and the rest of the programme content. While Anna Pollock, the UK-based Founder of Conscious.Travel, flagged clear warnings […]
more…10 Jun, 2017
Time to impose visa curbs on U.S. citizens globally
Bangkok – An extremist anti-Muslim hate group is planning to hold rallies across 29 cities in the United States on June 10 to highlight what it calls the threat of “Sharia law”. Although the website of ACT for America describes these rallies as being opposition to female genital mutilation, honor killings and violence towards the […]
more…6 Jun, 2017
From a Vietnamese farm to Forbes: The start-up that wowed Subic Ecotourism Fest
Subic Bay, the Philippines – Of the many erudite presentations at the Subic Ecotourism Festival held between 28 May – 2 June, the most inspiring was the story of how a young Vietnamese girl overcame poverty, illiteracy, an alcoholic father and single motherhood to land up on the cover of Forbes Asia magazine as a […]
more…27 May, 2017
Clash of Generations: A Politically Incorrect Analysis of the PATA Summit 2017
Colombo — Of the many facets of internal and external change impacting the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the most important is the demographic transition from the ageing old guard to the young generation of millennials. The significantly different issues and challenges facing both were on full display during the PATA Annual Summit (PAS) May 18-21. […]
more…18 May, 2017
PATA pushes transparency agenda, goes public with finances
Colombo – The Pacific Asia Travel Association advanced its transparency agenda at its annual summit this week by publishing its first annual report in decades, including a detailed report on its financial status. In a move that will pressure other global and regional travel industry to follow suit, PATA CEO Mario Hardy circulated the annual […]
more…15 May, 2017
20 years after moving to Asia, a chance for PATA to reclaim its former glory
Bangkok – The PATA Annual Summit to be held 18-22 May in Sri Lanka offers a golden chance for the regional travel organisation to capitalise on a number of converging opportunities and regain the leadership status dating back to 1998, when it moved the HQ from San Francisco to Bangkok. The Summit takes place against […]
more…12 May, 2017
US-Bangla Airlines starts four-weekly flights to Bangkok
Bangkok – US-Bangla airlines, a rapidly rising private airline operating out of Bangladesh, has started four weekly flights to Bangkok. To be operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a 156 (Y) and 8 (J) seat configuration, the full-service flights are expected to go a long way towards boosting Bangladeshi tourism to Thailand. However, the […]
more…5 May, 2017
Exclusive Resinar 4 July: Promoting Thailand as a Muslim-Friendly Destination
Bangkok – Travel & tourism to Thailand began with the Americans. Then came the Europeans, followed by the Japanese and Koreans. It is now the era of Chinese, Russians and Indians. The next wave will be the ASEAN countries and the Islamic world. Each source market has its own unique traits and characteristics. For the […]
more…4 May, 2017
Ex-beauty queen, Buddhist economics deployed to confront OTA oligopoly
Bangkok – A former Canadian-Russian beauty queen, a Dutch convert to Buddhism, a hotelier driven by a passion to put justice back into the travel booking system and a high-powered techie have teamed up to create a portal that will give the “oligopoly” of giant online travel agents a run for the money. Set for […]
more…2 May, 2017
The US$5 million WTTC Summit: Did Thailand get money’s worth?
Bangkok – The Royal Thai Government forked out 135 million baht (about US$4 million) in official sponsorship funds to support the WTTC summit. This does not include additional sponsorship funds from other Thai travel industry organisations and the private sector, which would have totalled at least another US$1 million. Millionaire CEOs of some of the […]
more…2 May, 2017
WTTC summit shines spotlight on “The Two Global Warmings”
Bangkok – Held under the lofty theme of “Transforming our World”, the 17th annual summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council was designed to focus on “Travel & Tourism’s power to transform economies, places and lives in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. If the two lead factors “Transforming our World” are […]
more…24 Apr, 2017
Thailand’s bid to “disrupt the disrupters” in legal limbo
Bangkok – Taxi drivers in many Thai tourist cities have long been well known for ripping off passengers — meters that suddenly “did not work”, roads that were suddenly “closed for repairs” requiring the driver to take a longer route, shops that had “just shut down” so that the driver could take the passenger to […]
more…12 Apr, 2017
Door open for travel & tourism academia to boost research on “The Other Global Warming”
Bangkok – The Malaysia-based Global Movement of Moderates Foundation and the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, have signed an MoU to expand academic research in “religious moderation” as a universal force for peace, shunning all forms of extremism, nationalism and absolutism. Signed on April 5 at a conference designed to promote exactly that agenda, […]
more…7 Apr, 2017
GMS Tourism “development” benefiting elites, cronies far more than the poor – NGO report
Bangkok – Development in the Mekong Subregion is benefitting “powerful elites, cronies, corporations, and some politicians” far more than the poor, as well as doing serious environmental damage that will create major long-term problems, according to the Bangkok-based NGO Focus on the Global South. Entitled “An Overview of Large Scale Investment Projects in the […]
more…2 Apr, 2017
Return journey to Uzbekistan, Heart of the Silk Road
For many years, promoting the Silk Road has been one of the priority projects of the UN World Tourism Organisation, which describes it thus: “Acclaimed as the ‘greatest route in the history of mankind’, the ancient Silk Road formed the first bridge between the East and the West and was an important vehicle for trade […]
more…13 Mar, 2017
Huge budget boost for Brunei tourism ministry
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 March 2017 (14 Jumaada al-Akhir 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 […]
more…10 Mar, 2017
Spineless U.S. travel industry kisses Trump’s rump
On March 06, 2017, right after the issuance of the revised Muslim travel ban, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement: “The American travel community supports efforts to bolster national security, and the Trump administration deserves some credit for the substantially more cautious and deliberate introduction of the revised executive […]
more…8 Mar, 2017
Tourism, Business To Benefit From Saudi King’s Asia Visit
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 06 March 2017 (07 Jumada Al Akhir 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 […]
more…27 Feb, 2017
Maldives to host its first Int’l Travel Trade Show 12-13 July
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 […]
more…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 […]
more…22 Feb, 2017
Hypocritical U.S. Airlines Reject “Buy American, Hire American”
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. […]
more…21 Feb, 2017
Garuda to inaugurate Jakarta-Moscow flights in August
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 […]
more…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 […]
more…13 Feb, 2017
Afghan cricketers to play for first time in Indian Premier League
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 […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
more…6 Feb, 2017
“Russia–Islamic World Kazan Summit 2017” set for 18-21 May
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 […]
more…3 Feb, 2017
UNWTO releases landmark report on contribution of Islamic culture to Asian Tourism
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 […]
more…2 Feb, 2017
Pamelia Lee, Senior Director, Tourism Development, Singapore Tourism Board
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 […]
more…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 […]
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
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
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
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
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…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
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…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 […]
more…29 Dec, 2016
Jewish Rabbi to Muslims: “We Are With You”
The following release was circulated by Rabbi Alissa Wise, Deputy Director, Jewish Voice for Peace, on 28 December 2016. Yesterday I had the honor of speaking at the largest gathering of American Muslims in the US at the 15th Annual MAS-ICNA conference. As part of the interfaith symposium, I brought the message from JVP loud […]
more…29 Dec, 2016
Remarks by John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, on UN Security Council Resolution 2334
The Dean Acheson Auditorium, Washington, DC, December 28, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Thank you. (Coughs.) Excuse me. Thank you for your patience, all of you. For those of you who celebrated Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy Chanukah. And to everybody here, […]
more…26 Dec, 2016
Iranian inventor develops Braille touchscreen
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 26 Dec 2016 (27 Rabi Al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA TOURISM MALAYSIA HAILS MALAYSIAN WINNER OF “FUNNIEST PERSON […]
more…22 Dec, 2016
India’s small businesses facing ‘apocalypse’ – The Guardian
India’s vast informal economy has been reeling since 8 November, the morning after India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, announced the sudden voiding of the country’s two most-used bank notes. It is the largest-scale financial experiment in Indian history: gutting 14 trillion rupees – 86% of the currency in circulation – from the most cash-dependent major […]
more…21 Dec, 2016
Tips to deal with technology, and other “concentration killers”
Technology may be making the world a more connected place. But being constantly connected can have its downsides. Whether you’re living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or just have trouble focusing from time to time, today’s world is full of concentration killers. In this dispatch reproduced from the WebMD website, Psychologist Lucy Jo Palladino, […]
more…19 Dec, 2016
Islamic Information Ministers to chart anti-Islamophobia strategy
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islamfor the week ending 19 December 2016 (19 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA TOURISM MALAYSIA HAILS MALAYSIAN WINNER OF “FUNNIEST PERSON […]
more…16 Dec, 2016
Washington Post columnist openly warns of “Trump’s coming war against Islam”
The Deputy Editorial Page Editor of the Washington Post has sounded a stark warning that the incoming Trump administration is set to trigger a “War against Islam” that could lead to a potentially devastating “civilizational conflict”. In a column published on Dec 11, Jackson Diehl, a 38-year veteran reporter and foreign correspondent of the reputed […]
more…15 Dec, 2016
Understanding the Real Importance of the Thailand Halal Assembly 2016
Bangkok – The Thailand Halal Assembly 2016 held between 9-11 December had a special meaning well beyond its overt status as the country’s largest trade show for Muslim-friendly products and services. Against the backdrop of global and regional geopolitics, and the passing of the revered Thai monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, the event showed […]
more…12 Dec, 2016
Afghanistan Tourism Mulls Challenges & Opportunities
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 12 December 2016 (13 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA 1MALAYSIA YEAR-END SALE IS BACK! Grab the […]
more…10 Dec, 2016
“Halal Route” app launched in Thailand to facilitate Muslim travellers
Bangkok – The positioning of Thailand as a Muslim-friendly destination has taken another step forward with the launch of a Halal Route app designed to help Muslim business and leisure travellers find tourism products and services suited to their religious and cultural requirements. The app, which can be downloaded here http://halalroute.in.th/, was unveiled at the […]
more…5 Dec, 2016
CALL FOR ENTRIES: US$280,00 Saudi award for Environmental Management in Islamic World
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 05 December 2016 (06 Rabi al-Awwal 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA 1MALAYSIA YEAR-END SALE IS BACK! Grab the […]
more…29 Nov, 2016
The links between an Australian billionaire and Netanyahu’s family – Haaretz.com
New details have emerged on the ties between Yair Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, and Australian billionaire James Packer, a close confidant of the prime minister. It seems that the younger Netanyahu has received more than just a few free nights in Packer’s Tel Aviv apartment, as was reported two weeks ago. Channel 10’s […]
more…29 Nov, 2016
UN Security Council Seats Taken by Top Global Arms Exporters
Nine of the world’s top ten arms exporters will sit on the UN Security Council between mid-2016 and mid-2018. The nine include four rotating members — Spain, Ukraine, Italy and the Netherlands — from Europe, as well as the council’s five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. According to […]
more…29 Nov, 2016
California law students take pledge against Israel travel junket
Law students at the University of California, Berkeley say that almost 90 classmates have pledged not to participate in a privately funded free trip to Israel. The trip will be facilitated by a New York City-based Israel advocacy organization that has received funding from the Israeli government. “People said, ‘I wasn’t going anyway, I’m happy […]
more…28 Nov, 2016
Iran, Russia To Simplify Visa Issuance for Tour Groups
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 28 November 2016 (28 Safar 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA 1MALAYSIA YEAR-END SALE IS BACK! Grab the best […]
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