Author Archive
26 Sep, 2005
Organic Food Industry Terms Itself a “Liberation Movement”
A conference in Australia last week has focussed attention on the growing global market share of organic agricultural produce and suggested that the travel & tourism industry look seriously at boosting its usage in food & beverage outlets. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) President Gunnar Rundgren of Sweden said that the 1,000 delegates […]
more…19 Sep, 2005
Aichi Expo 2005 Flags Environmental Changes to Come
NAGOYA: Already facing higher costs of providing security, the travel & tourism industry can expect to face even more costs in switching to energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies as the sun sets on the era of cheap oil. A tour of the Expo 2005 here last week indicated strongly that Japan expects to be at the […]
more…12 Sep, 2005
City-Tourism Group Seeks More School-trips
FUKUOKA — A new travel organisation devoted to linking the tourism potential of Asia-Pacific cities is to focus on promoting overseas trips by the millions of schoolchildren in its member cities. The Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia-Pacific Cities (known simply as TPO), approved the proposal at its 2nd General Assembly here last week. Other plans […]
more…5 Sep, 2005
Study Finds Global Visa Curbs Increasingly Restrictive, Imbalanced
A study of global visa regimes has signalled that governments will have to reconcile their push for democracy, free trade and open-market globalisation with the increasingly restrictive and inequitable visa curbs on free movement of people. The study says that visa restrictions have created a system that “is one of highly unequal access to foreign […]
more…4 Sep, 2005
On 9/11 Anniversary, Look at the Whole Picture
Originally Published: 4 Sept 2005 A week today, the arrival of yet another anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy will see the global media again reverberate with the “war on terror” rallying cry. But before rolling up the sleeves and swinging into action against Islamic ‘jihadists’ or ‘Islamofascists’ or whatever else one wishes to call them, […]
more…29 Aug, 2005
Nepal Tries Rebranding, Shifts Marketing Focus to Asia
KATHMANDU – Facing the fallout from the negative publicity and travel advisories generated by a nagging Maoist insurgency, Nepal is reorienting its marketing strategies towards South and Southeast Asia, with Thailand being a primary target. An Indian company, Alchemy Social Infrastructure, has been hired to carry out a US$ 50,000 rebranding exercise that will be […]
more…25 Aug, 2005
Asians, Americans Have Different World View
Chinese and American people see the world differently – literally. While Americans focus on the central objects of photographs, Chinese individuals pay more attention to the image as a whole, according to psychologists at the University of Michigan.
more…22 Aug, 2005
NGOs Query Whether Post-Tsunami Rebuilding Has Been Sustainable
As the first anniversary of the tsunami nears, the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry will be judging the success of its recovery efforts by the number of visitors streaming back to the affected destinations. But a group of Asian and European non-governmental organisations last week put out a statement saying that they will be also […]
more…15 Aug, 2005
Firing of Thai Airways Boss Will Change Nothing
Of the many reasons cited for stripping the management powers of Kanok Abhiradee as president of Thai Airways International, the poor financial results of third quarter 2005 is certainly not the main one. Ensuring survival in one of Thailand’s most thankless jobs is not just about what you know but whom you know or perhaps […]
more…8 Aug, 2005
NGOs Protest Phuket-Andamans Twinning Agreement
A group of vocal Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have sent a strong letter of protest to Indian Congress party leader Mrs Sonia Gandhi over the agreement to twin Phuket with the Andamans. The letter, which addresses “the inappropriate choice of Phuket as model of tourism for the Andaman Islands”, may further cloud the Thai tourism […]
more…7 Aug, 2005
Vatican Shows Islamic World Where & How to Draw The Line
Originally Published: 07 Aug 2005 If the leaders of the Islamic world have been waiting for someone to show them where to draw the line in terms of how far they can be pushed around, the Vatican has just led the way. On July 29, the leaders of the world’s more than one billion Catholics […]
more…1 Aug, 2005
New Thai Airways Flights to Jo’burg Will Spur Asia-Africa Links
The launch of Thai Airways International’s flights to Johannesburg on December 3, 2005 will further boost the role of Bangkok as an Asian hub for contacts with Africa, set to be a major growth area of the future. THAI will be using its long-range A340-600 operating three flights a week under a code-share with South […]
more…25 Jul, 2005
TAT Faces Post-Tsunami Marketing Challenge
The Thai tourism industry is now dealing with an unprecedented marketing challenge – how to change the ‘mood’ of prospective visitors in order to overcome both the lingering effects of the force majeure tsunami as well as the ongoing negative publicity caused by man-made terrorism. The annual marketing meeting of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, […]
more…24 Jul, 2005
Wag The Dog Distractions: The Oldest Trick in the Book
Originally Published: 24 Jul 2005 “Soul-searching” of June 12 ended with this comment: “Today, ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ is on the wane. The real ‘Operation Infinite Justice’ has just begun. What’s likely to happen next? See the movie, ‘Wag the Dog’.” “Wag the Dog” is a Robert de Niro movie about a political distraction created by […]
more…18 Jul, 2005
Backlash Against Double-Standard UK Travel Advisories
The comment made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair that he knew of no specific intelligence that could have prevented the July 7 bombings in London has sparked outrage in Asia-Pacific travel industry about the double standards in issuing travel advisories against developing countries. Mr Blair told the House of Commons on 11 July 2005: […]
more…11 Jul, 2005
Who Is Really Terrorising Tourism? Watchdog Group Asks
BANGALORE: While the world was preoccupied last week with the London bombings, a group of vocal non-governmental organisations in India last week warned that they do not intend to lose sight of a parallel form of terrorism taking place right through the Asia-Pacific region. Although the NGOs were focussed on Indian issues, they warned that […]
more…4 Jul, 2005
No Use if Australia is “Loved” But Not “Visited,” Corporate Plan Says
PERTH: Released here last week, the 2006/08 corporate plan of the Australian national tourism organisation, Tourism Australia, contains a noteworthy comment: “Destination awareness is not destination demand – just because we’re loved doesn’t mean we’re visited.” In other words, the Australian ‘brand’ may elicit a generally positive feel among global travellers, thanks to the country’s […]
more…27 Jun, 2005
Bangladesh Executives Bemoan Tourism Woes
DHAKA — Bangladeshi travel & tourism officials and executives got a chance to let off some steam at a seminar on sustainable development organised here last week by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific and the World Tourism Organisation. Thirty four years since gaining independence and 32 years since the establishment of the […]
more…26 Jun, 2005
Those Who Send Others to Die for a Lie Are all Cut from the Same Cloth
Originally Published: 26 June 2005 The editor of Sunday Perspective emailed me last week thus, “Several readers have requested that you comment on Islam’s view on killing of innocent people by Muslims. Is it OK for Muslims to kill people who kill fellow Muslims?” The answers to both those questions are short and easy, but […]
more…20 Jun, 2005
Thai Industry Veteran Says 20 Million Visitors Would Be A “Disaster”
In a remarkable shift in tone and approach, the head of Thailand’s umbrella private sector industry association said last week that the target of achieving 20 million visitors by 2008 would be a ‘disaster’ for Thai tourism. After years of focussing on marketing designed to bring in the numbers at any cost, the comments by […]
more…13 Jun, 2005
Changing Media Landscape: Cultural Challenge To Globalisation
Although relations between the travel & tourism industry and the media are subjects of ad nauseum discussion at international conferences, they avoid core issues like media ownership, journalistic integrity and wider subjects like the ‘war on terror,’ and the impact on culture, conflict and geopolitics.
more…12 Jun, 2005
Courageous whistle-blowers are loyal to Constitutions, not to political leaders
Originally Published: 12 Jun 2005 The issue of ‘whistle-blowing’ regained some media attention week before last with the coming out of “Deep Throat,” the man credited with leaking the stories that ultimately led to the resignation of former President Nixon in August 1974. Whistle-blowing was the subject of this column way back on September 22, […]
more…7 Jun, 2005
‘Brand America’ Hit By U.S. Foreign Policy
The ‘deep unpopularity’ of US foreign policy is ‘dragging down’ its ‘nation brand’ and “may begin to have an effect on people’s acceptance” of US products, culture and tourism, according to a survey that claims to be the “first ever global poll of how the world sees the world.”
more…7 Jun, 2005
“Brand America” Hit By U.S. Foreign Policy
The ‘deep unpopularity’ of US foreign policy is ‘dragging down’ its ‘nation brand’ and “may begin to have an effect on people’s acceptance” of US products, culture and tourism, according to a survey that claims to be the “first ever global poll of how the world sees the world.”
more…6 Jun, 2005
“Fair Treatment Of Staff Will Lead to Fair Treatment of Customers”
Travel & tourism companies looking for ways to better retain and motivate staff to deliver quality customer service are being offered a very simple piece of advice – ensure they are treated fairly in the workplace. Employee retention and motivation are major issues in the highly competitive, globalised travel & tourism industry which relies heavily […]
more…30 May, 2005
Indonesia Faces Tourism Backlash From Aussies Upset by Drug Verdict
Travel and tourism relations between Indonesia and Australia appeared set to take another hit following the guilty verdict against 27-year-old beauty therapist Schapelle Corby by a Bali court last week. An outpouring of emotional reaction against the verdict included several callers to radio talk-shows and website public comments indicating that they “will never travel to […]
more…29 May, 2005
Australians Rage Over Schapelle Corby Verdict in Bali
The following is a roundup of reactions in Australia after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing on drug smuggling charges in Bali. I’M GOING TO BOYCOTT BALI TOO, SAY CALLERS May 28, 2005 http://www.theage.com.au/news/Corby-Case/Im-going-to-boycott-Bali-too-say-callers/2005/05/27/1117129896430.html Talkback callers were quick to voice their disgust yesterday after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing. Many vowed to boycott Bali as a destination, including one Melbourne […]
more…24 May, 2005
CIA Now Tracking Disease Risk in Asia, Africa
The US Central Intelligence Agency’s new World Factbook, which records 6 million visits each month, has just been expanded to include a “new category” listing the risks posed in 35 countries by infectious diseases.
more…24 May, 2005
Gargantuan A380 Aircraft Raises Fear Of Medical Emergencies
The A380’s ability to carry twice the number of passengers as many of today’s planes will almost double the chances that on any given flight someone will need urgent medical attention. Yet the air transport industry appears unprepared for this.
more…24 May, 2005
Indigenous Peoples Gaining A Voice
More than 300 million strong, the world’s indigenous peoples are beginning to make themselves heard in international arenas like the new United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and at the national level, where their growing numbers are translating into political muscle.
more…18 May, 2005
Changing Lifestyles, Shifting Societies
Britain’s much vaunted ‘enterprise culture’ is little more than rhetoric, according to MORE TH>N Business. Research commissioned by the small business insurer, the direct arm of Royal & SunAlliance UK, found that alterpreneurs , not entrepreneurs, are the bedrock of Britain’s small business community. MORE TH>N Business has published the Health, Wealth & Happiness Report, […]
more…15 May, 2005
‘Islamophobia’ taking hold in the US
Originally Published: 15 May 2005 Since the 9/11 attacks, the most disturbing trend in the United States is the growing disparity in how American Muslims are being treated under the law on many different levels, says a report released last week by a prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group. Called “Unequal Protection,” the […]
more…15 May, 2005
Changing Lifestyles, Shifting Societies
How the early days of global change in 2005 were impacting on lifestyles, jobs, families and corporate life in Europe, China and Australia.
more…31 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 10: Managing The Aftermath of the Crisis
Sri Lankan industry consultant Renton de Alwis, a former Vice President Asia for the Pacific Asia Travel Association, looks at what’s next in a strategy paper on “Managing the Aftermath of the Crisis.”
more…30 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 9: “Caring Has No Religion”
A superb story in the Indian Express describes how people of all religions, castes and creeds came together to help each other out.
more…30 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 8: Thailand in Heavy-Duty Crisis Management Mode
The latest updates, announcements and appeals from the Thai government and Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Malaysian government, Emirates, PATA, Diethelm Travel, Taj Hotels and Resorts, Bali Crisis Center for Natural Disaster and International Institute for Peace through Tourism. The PATA announcement is particularly noteworthy for those looking to boost the distribution of ‘good news’. […]
more…29 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 7: Situation Stabilises as Clean-Up Gets Under Way
The situation is stabilising in Thailand where clean-up, evacuation and relief efforts are proceeding smoothly.
more…29 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 6: Contact Details Set Up to Trace Missing Persons
More announcements, appeals and updates from around the region. Plus website links, contact numbers set up to facilitate information on missing persons.
more…28 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 5: More Status Reports From Around The Region
Latest announcements, appeals and updates from around the region.
more…28 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 4: Solutions Sought to Mitigate Impact of Natural Disasters
Over the next few months, the travel & tourism industry certainly will be looking for ways to mitigate the impact of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
more…28 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 3: Help Begins To Pour In
On the third day after the tsunami struck, global relief efforts have begun in earnest and help is pouring in.
more…27 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Update 2: Who is Affected, and Who is Not
Destinations around Asia moved Monday to clarify their status in the wake of the deadly tsunamis, communicating with tour operators, the media and agents.
more…27 Dec, 2004
Tsunami Dispatch 1: “Nuclear Tidal Wave” Hits Asia
Asia’s tryst with natural and man-made disasters continued on the morning after Christmas Day 2004 when tidal waves packing the power of a small nuclear blast crashed through many coastal areas.
more…1 Nov, 2004
Thais Rue Image Fallout of South Thailand Conflict
The Thai travel and tourism industry has expressed shock and dismay at the deteriorating situation in south Thailand, with the Thai Hotels Association (THA) fearing that it is spiralling out of control and may get worse before it gets better. THA President Chanin Donavanik and Association of Thai Travel Agents President Suparerk Soorangura both agreed […]
more…27 Sep, 2004
PATA Mart Springs Back to Life After Shift to Bangkok
786 110 Once written off as moribund, the annual travel mart of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) bounced back to life last week with a hugely successful event that was relocated to Bangkok after six largely unproductive years in Singapore. A straw poll among several sellers gave the mart a rating of 7 to […]
more…20 Sep, 2004
Egypt Pledges Higher Tourism Profile in Asia
CAIRO — Egypt’s new tourism minister is promising to raise the country’s marketing profile in the Asia-Pacific as part of efforts to diversify its sources of visitor arrivals and balance out long-standing reliance on Europe and North America. Recording growing numbers of visitors from China and India, Mr. Ahmed El Maghraby told a press conference […]
more…13 Sep, 2004
U.S. Visitors Concerned Over “Sense of Welcome” in Europe, Study Finds
A new study conducted by the European Union to woo back American visitors has broken new ground by raising issues that reflect the impact of geopolitics and globalization on the travel & tourism industry. While the study does probe the routine marketing issues like image, perception, value for money, likes and dislikes, it also goes […]
more…6 Sep, 2004
What the New Bangkok Governor Promised the Tourism Sector
Now that Apirak Kosayodhin has been elected governor of Bangkok, it might be useful to cite the specific positions and ideas he cited for improving services and facilities for visitors to the city, as presented in his pre-election campaign pitch to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) on August 25. Heading the list of […]
more…27 Aug, 2004
What’s Your Platform? Thai Tourism Sector Asks City Governor Candidates
The 1,367-member Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) last week set a new political precedent for the Thai travel & tourism by inviting candidates for the Bangkok gubernatorial election to outline what they plan to do for visitors and the tourism industry in one of Asia’s most popular cities. Rather than follow the long-standing reactive […]
more…23 Aug, 2004
Thailand Not Ready for 20 Million Visitors, Says ex-TAT Governor
FORMER Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Pradech Phayakvichien last week voiced concern about the government’s visitor arrivals target of 20 million by 2004, and asked whether the country is ready for such a deluge. Speaking at a seminar on Cultural Heritage Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, […]
more…16 Aug, 2004
Thailand, India Links Grow but Tourism Flows Remain Skewed
The growing economic contacts between Thailand and India are opening up opportunities to rectify at least two areas of critical imbalance in bilateral visitor flows. Even as the Indian tourist office is concerned about the large gap between Indian visitors to Thailand as against vice versa, the Tourism Authority of Thailand sees more opportunity for […]
more…9 Aug, 2004
Hotel Room Design Changes in Line With Changing Lifestyles
Changes in lifetstyles, technology and guest expectations are having a signfiicant impact on the design of hotels and guestrooms, according to a recent roundtable organised by the Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. The discussion, the first of its kind organised by the school, brought together design leaders from top […]
more…2 Aug, 2004
Nok Air Flogs Low Fares, But Public Finds Not All Fares are Low
Within hours of the Nok Air launch on 23 July, the phones started ringing at the call centres by people wanting cheap fares. The only problem was, only a few could get them; the rest had to be taken carefully through the intricacies of airline pricing, and explained why the low fares were not quite […]
more…26 Jul, 2004
TAT Starts Marketing Push for Restive South Thailand
It has long been claimed that Northeast Thailand is the country’s most neglected tourism area. However, with that area now set to be revived as a stepping stone to the Greater Mekong Subregion countries, it is the situation in South Thailand that is attracting the most attention, especially in the wake of the recent unrest. […]
more…19 Jul, 2004
TAT Overseas Office Chiefs Rue Rackets, Cheats
Long-standing complaints about tour-guide cheats, jewellery shopping commission rackets and low quality products and service standards continue to blot an otherwise flourishing tourism industry, heads of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) overseas offices indicated last week. Wrapping up a week of meetings to finalise tourism marketing plans for 2005, the TAT directors mentioned these […]
more…5 Jul, 2004
UN ESCAP to Develop Indicators for Tourism – Poverty Links
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has begun to develop methodologies and indicators to help governments and other stakeholders understand and measure how tourism benefits the poor. Although tourism, both international and domestic, is recognised as a major contributor to poverty alleviation worldwide, it has long lacked a uniformly […]
more…28 Jun, 2004
UK Foreign Office Agrees to Issue Travel Advisories “Sparingly”
In a major victory for global travel industry associations, the UK Foreign Office has agreed to fine-tune its travel advisory service and issue them “sparingly” and “only in situations of extreme and imminent danger.” In a written statement to UK Parliament on 22 June, the UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, announced the outcome of a […]
more…21 Jun, 2004
Thailand Among Four “Favourite” Markets for Hotel Investors
Thailand has been described as one of the four “favourite” markets for hotel investors in the year ahead, along with China, Japan and Australia. At a hotel investment conference in Singapore last month, Scott Hetherington, Managing Director Asia, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, said the Thai markets have recovered from the affects of SARS and Bird […]
more…14 Jun, 2004
Airlines Seek More Efficient Infrastructure, Services
SINGAPORE: Global airlines have challenged their infrastructure and service providers worldwide to start doing their share to make the travel industry simpler and more cost efficient. At a panel discussion at the International Air Transport Association annual conference here last week, executives of major airlines said airports, immigration authorities, air traffic control providers, global distribution […]
more…7 Jun, 2004
Aussies Seek to Launch Airline for Backpackers
MELBOURNE: Bangkok is to be one of the five popular backpacker destinations to be connected by a new airline that will be dedicated almost exclusively to this fast-growing niche-market. The Australian-owned airline, backpackersXpress, is due to start flying in late October early November. It is planning a thrice weekly schedule between Manchester-Melbourne, and a twice-weekly […]
more…31 May, 2004
U.S. Airline Pilots Endorse John Kerry for President
In what is believed to the first political stand taken by a travel industry organisation, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the union that represents most of the US airline pilots, last week endorsed John Kerry for US president in the upcoming November elections. In a press release posted on its website <www.alpa.org>, the […]
more…24 May, 2004
Asia-Pacific Cities Seek to Forge Tourism Linkages
BUSAN, Korea — Representatives of 39 Asia-Pacific cities met in Korea’s second largest city last week to discuss ways to promote tourism to and amongst their respective cities. However, they left the Tourism Forum organised by the Asia-Pacific Tourism Promotion Organisation (TPO) with little to show, making the entire event yet another example of how […]
more…10 May, 2004
Qatar Unveils US$20 billion Tourism Development Projects
DOHA, Qatar — While the high profile Dubai gets much of the publicity related to its tourism development plans, its fellow emirate of Doha is seeking to catch up, and fast. Between 1-2 May, Qatar became the first Gulf country to host the annual summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council, the rich-man’s club […]
more…3 May, 2004
Emirates Says It Needs No “Guru’s Teachings” to Succeed
DUBAI: In announcing record profits of US$ 476 million last week, the management of the Emirates airline and travel group clearly enjoyed taking a few tongue-in-cheek digs at hawkers of ‘conventional wisdom’ in global aviation, its competitors as well as countries that artificially restrict traffic rights. The Dubai-based group said its profits for the financial […]
more…26 Apr, 2004
Bangkok Airways Rebrands Itself as Asia’s “Boutique Airline”
Repositioning itself as Asia’s “boutique airline” is expected to help Bangkok Airways generate revenues of US$ 154 million this year, up from US$ 115 million in 2003, the airline’s President & CEO Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth told a major travel industry conference last week. Revealing earnings figures that are rarely disclosed even in Thailand, Dr Prasert […]
more…19 Apr, 2004
Internet Helps Boost Bookings, But Not Rates
While the Internet is stoking more bookings for the US hotel industry, it is not necessarily translating into higher average daily room rates because of the huge price discounting that has resulted, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The study of the Effect of the Internet on Pricing was circulated at the recent International Hotel […]
more…12 Apr, 2004
UK Govt Publishes Review of Advisory Issuance Procedures
The UK government last week published a review of its controversial travel advisory issuance procedures and invited additional public comment before finalising the document. It is expected to be avidly discussed at the annual conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Jeju, Korea, this week. However, the document is expected to come under fire […]
more…5 Apr, 2004
SAS Shifts Departure Control Centre to Bangkok
Since March 2002, about 250 Scandinavian Airlines flights worldwide have been taking off only after being cleared by young Thai load control supervisors manning a sophisticated computer centre on the 8th floor of the Glas Haus building, Sukhumvit Road. Just one door away, another group of Thais are processing thousands of letters which come in […]
more…4 Apr, 2004
How Sole-searching can facilitate Soul-searching
Originally Published: 04 April 2004 One of the great trends of our times is the relentless pursuit of material gain, otherwise known as profits, economic growth, shareholder value, etc., etc. The ultimate goal is maximum financial enrichment which, inspite of being specifically warned against in all the religious doctrines, has become the be-all and end-all […]
more…29 Mar, 2004
ADB Pushes Overhaul of GMS Tourism Plans & Projects
CHIANG MAI – The Asian Development Bank is pushing for an overhaul of the tourism development strategy of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to improve its marketing, facilitation and administration. Ten years after the formation of the GMS Tourism Working Group, the bank has allocated US$ 800,000 for a new study to draft out strategies […]
more…22 Mar, 2004
After Madrid Bombings, Travel Advisory Double Standards Under Fire
BERLIN: The train bombings in Madrid last week cast a pall over the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest trade show, but also raised hackles among several developing countries about double standards over the controversial application of travel advisories. In public and private comments, tourism ministers and senior delegates from Nepal, Egypt, Sri Lanka, India and […]
more…15 Mar, 2004
PATA Sends First Tourism Task Force to North Korea
The first tourism task force to operate into the world’s last purely communist country, North Korea, has painted a picture of a land that is ready for tourism from a scenic, cultural and infrastructure perspective but needs to significantly upgrade its management, marketing and accessibility. The task force was organised by the Bangkok-based Pacific Asia […]
more…29 Jan, 2004
World Social Forum 2004 Report 3: The Future Of Food And Water
Do you know that more money is spent annually in Europe and the USA on dog and cat food than would be needed to provide access to clean drinking water for all humanity?
more…28 Jan, 2004
World Social Forum 2004 Report 2: Feeding The Hand That Bites It
Concern is rising about the consolidation of global media in the hands of a small group of conglomerates. This is unhealthy for global democracy as well as for the travel & tourism industry, which can play a major role in supporting the independent media that is struggling to emerge.
more…27 Jan, 2004
World Social Forum 2004 Report 1: Tourism Civil Society On The Move
Is globalisation really “irreversible”? Not quite. Nobel prize winners Shirin Ebadi and Joseph Stiglitz are among the thousands who believe that globalisation needs some surgery and that “Another World is Possible.”
more…14 Jan, 2004
World Economic Forum vs World Social Forum: Two Worlds, Two Ways
Both the World Economic Forum and World Social Forum convened for their annual pow-wows in January 2004. The outcomes of both events will have a major impact on the future of travel & tourism.
more…12 Jan, 2004
Buddhist Circuit On The Rise
The Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, one of the world’s most promising itineraries, is one of two priority themes under a tourism plan to be developed for Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
more…9 Jan, 2004
WEF Global Survey Shows People Feel “Unsafe, Powerless And Gloomy”
A survey representing the thoughts of more than one billion people has found that half those questioned think global security is “poor” and that the next generation will live in a less safe world.
more…6 Jan, 2004
Asia Seeks Stable And Equitable Growth
The events of the past few years have shown how vulnerable the economies of the Asia-Pacific countries are to so-called ‘external shocks.’ A United Nations Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspectives says it is time to seek “stable and equitable’ growth.”
more…
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