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
Global Coral Reef Experts Launch Major Restoration Efforts in the Caribbean
San Francisco, 13 April 2017, (Business Wire) – A powerhouse group of scientists and conservationists are joining forces to tackle the unprecedented decline of coral reefs worldwide. The California Academy of Sciences, SECORE International, and The Nature Conservancy are sealing their commitment to help rehabilitate coral reefs and preserve them for future generations by spearheading […]
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…20 Apr, 2017
Australian critical infrastructure organisations targeted by cybercriminals hundreds of times each day – Survey
Canberra, (19 April 2017), Joint media release by the Attorney-General, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator George Brandis QC, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Dan Tehan MP — The Government has today released a comprehensive cyber security survey, published by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, of Australian government and major […]
more…20 Apr, 2017
CAIR-NY Condemns Racially, Religiously Motivated Attack on Sikh Man in New York
NEW YORK, NY, 4/18/17 (CAIR media release) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the attack on a Sikh man in the Bronx as a suspected hate crime. According to police, Harkirat Singh, a 25-year-old Sikh man and taxi driver, […]
more…12 Apr, 2017
Aerial surveys help combat coral bleaching at Great Barrier Reef
Canberra, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority media release, 10/04/2017 – Results from recent aerial surveys of the Great Barrier Reef will be used to target recovery efforts in those areas worst affected by this year’s coral bleaching event, as well as boost the resilience of those parts that remain largely unscathed. Great Barrier Reef […]
more…12 Apr, 2017
“Trust & Transparency” theme of Australian Privacy Awareness Week, 15-19 May
Canberra, 10 April 2017, (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) – With privacy attracting a record level of attention from Australian consumers and communities, Australian Information and Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has today previewed key events of this year’s Privacy Awareness Week (15 to 19 May 2017). ‘Australians are more conscious of personal data issues […]
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…9 Apr, 2017
Misleading travel booking websites a growing problem in Europe
Brussels, 7 April 2017, European Commission Press release — The European Commission and EU consumer protection authorities launched a coordinated screening of 352 price comparison and travel booking websites across the EU in October 2016. They found that prices were not reliable on 235 websites, two thirds of the sites checked. For example, additional price […]
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…3 Apr, 2017
ASEAN to recognise biodiversity heroes
JAKARTA, 27 March 2017 (ASEAN secretariat media release) – What is biodiversity? Ask people what they think it means, and chances are only a few can accurately define it. Fewer still can explain its significance to human survival. The immense communication gap between the biodiversity conservation community and the general public is a major factor […]
more…3 Apr, 2017
China launches Integrated work permit to attract talent, make it easier for foreigners to work
Beijing, April 02, 2017, (CRI Online) – Foreigners who want to work in China now only need to apply for one work permit, as of April 1. The new system unifies the two work permits required before into just one, and took effect across China on Saturday after a six-month pilot scheme in a number […]
more…3 Apr, 2017
Australia nabs child offender, 68, as part of efforts to stop them going abroad
Canberra, 31 March 2017 (Joint media release by the Minister for Justice, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism, and Minister for Foreign Affairs) — Officers from the Australian Federal Police and Victorian Joint Anti-Child-Exploitation Team (JACET) today arrested a 68-year-old man who was allegedly planning to travel overseas with the intention of sexually […]
more…3 Apr, 2017
Reality check: Chinese visitors spend more than any other country in U.S.
Beijing, 01 April 2017, (People’s Daily Online commentary) – Recently, China-U.S. relations have attracted global attention. While some find endless faults with the trade relationship with China and blame China for America’s decline, we shouldn’t overlook the numerous positive aspects of the bilateral relationship, which overall outweigh the disadvantages. One way to explain this […]
more…3 Apr, 2017
Improper disclosure hits Citibank Australia with $5 million refund in credit card int’l transaction fees
Canberra, 31 March 2017 – (Australian Securities and Investments Commission media release) — Citigroup Pty Limited (Citibank) has refunded approximately $5 million to around 230,000 customers, for failing to properly disclose that credit card international transaction fees apply to Australian dollar transactions where the merchant uses an entity based overseas to process its transactions. In […]
more…3 Apr, 2017
Chinese-made passenger jet ready for maiden flight, will compete with A320 and Boeing 737
SHANGHAI, 25 March 2017, (Xinhua) — China’s first large domestically designed and built passenger jetliner has passed a major technical assessment, bringing it a closer to its maiden flight, sources with the developer said Saturday. An evaluation committee consisting 63 aviation specialists from across China has agreed the C919 is technically ready for its maiden […]
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…24 Mar, 2017
High ratings for first resinar “ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years”
Bangkok – The first resinar (newly-coined shorthand for ‘research’ and ‘seminar’) organised in Bangkok on “ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years” has been warmly applauded by many of the participants. Fifteen participants attended the March 17 resinar at the PATA Engagement Hub, designed to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN by providing the […]
more…16 Mar, 2017
Trump’s rump gets kicked again: Hawaii judge blocks Muslim Ban V.2
A federal judge in Hawaii on Wednesday (15 March) halted President Donald Trump’s new travel ban that was supposed to take effect at midnight – one of a series of blows against the administration’s order since January. The order would temporarily bar refugees and people from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. Trump blasted the ruling during […]
more…10 Mar, 2017
ForwardKeys shared damaging travel data with White House prior to Travel Ban II
LONDON, (Tarsh Consulting media release) 6 March 2017 – ForwardKeys, which monitors future travel patterns by analysing 16 million flight reservation transactions each day shared its latest analysis of the negative impacts of the travel ban on the US travel industry with the White House prior to the new ban coming in to force. The […]
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…1 Mar, 2017
ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years
Bangkok – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is marking the 50th anniversary of its founding this year with another tourism marketing campaign under the slogan VisitASEAN@50. The ASEAN tourism industry, one of the greatest success stories of the global economy, has played a major role in helping the 10 member grouping create jobs […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
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
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 […]
more…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 […]
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…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 […]
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…6 Feb, 2017
Trump-ing the Odds
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 […]
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…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 […]
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
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 […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
more…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 […]
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
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
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
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…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…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…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
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…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…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…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…29 Dec, 2016
Israel’s Settlements Have No Legal Validity, Constitute Flagrant Violation of International Law, Security Council Reaffirms
United Nations, 23 December 2016, The Security Council reaffirmed this afternoon that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized […]
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…29 Dec, 2016
Full Text: On-The-Record Press Call with U.S. State Dept officials on UN Security Council Resolution 2334
December 23, 2016 – On-The-Record Press Call by Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications; Rob Malley, White House Coordinator for Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, And Frank Lowenstein, Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations at the State Department, on the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) on Israeli Settlement Activity Via […]
more…29 Dec, 2016
China plans ‘toilet revolution’ to boost tourism
Beijing, 2016-12-28 Agncies / Chinadaily.com – China said it will boost investment in tourism, with plans to develop rustbelt regions and upgrade public toilets high on its to-do list as it looks to lift the sector’s contribution to economic growth. Announcing a new plan for the sector, China said it aims to invest 2 trillion […]
more…21 Dec, 2016
UN Human Rights Chief blasts Myanmar’s “callous” approach to northern Rakhine
GENEVA (16 December 2016) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today warned the Government of Myanmar that its “short-sighted, counterproductive, even callous” approach to handling the crisis in northern Rakhine – including its failure to allow independent monitors access to the worst affected areas – could have grave long-term repercussions […]
more…21 Dec, 2016
Final Report on Palestinian Question Holds ‘No Sense of Optimism’, Says ‘Saddened’ UN Chief in Security Council Briefing
United Nations, 16 December 2016, (UN Meetings Coverage Release) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this morning that today he was saddened that his final briefing to the Security Council on the question of Palestine brought no sense of optimism for the future. Delivering his last report on the situation in the Middle East, including the […]
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…21 Dec, 2016
Yearender: Trump White House leaves U.S., world facing a dismal future
by Xinhua writers Liu Chang, Jiang Hanlu, Lu Jiafei BEIJING/WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) — As Donald Trump is going to be inaugurated as president of the United States next month, his unpredictability that has characterized his campaign trail and the ensuing transition has left the country and the world community in a deep abyss of […]
more…17 Dec, 2016
Australian aviation security warns of tough penalties for unruly behaviour over holiday season
Canberra, 12 December 2016 (AFP media release) – The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will not be tolerating inappropriate and offensive behaviour at Australia’s airports these holidays. The AFP is the primary law enforcement agency at the nine major Australian airports, and too often, must respond to incidents of violent or disorderly behaviour on board aircraft […]
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…11 Dec, 2016
Japan to build deep sea project to boost renewable energy in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Dec 10 (NNN-ANTARA) — Japan plans to develop a deep sea water project in Indonesia to produce renewable energy and electrify remote islands in the country, Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has said. “The technology will be developed in Morotai Island (in North Maluku) as one of 12 integrated fishery centers (SKPT),” Susi […]
more…2 Dec, 2016
Why the Era of “Crisis Management” in Tourism is Over
Kuala Lumpur — When ASEAN Crisis Communications officials convene for a special meeting in the Malaysian capital between 6-9 December 2016, one of the topics on the programme will be “How to Prevent and Pre-empt a Crisis”. To be presented by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil, the talk on this topic is designed […]
more…1 Dec, 2016
Chinese low-cost airlines plan WiFi revolution
Beijing, CRIENGLISH.com – 2016-11-29 — There are many things that air passengers on low cost airlines are happy to do without, but it looks like in-flight WiFi isn’t one of them. Spring Airlines, Lucky Air, and another low-cost airline 9 Air, have announced they plan to make WiFi available on their flights, reports China.com.cn. Speaking […]
more…1 Dec, 2016
Chinese report: How big data reveals your behavior
Bejing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2016-11-29 – Thirty-five billion words are exchanged by more than 700 million internet users in China each day, according to a new report examining the behaviour of Chinese netizens. The report by Sogou Input and Renmin University of China calculated that more than 12 trillion words were typed by Chinese internet users each […]
more…1 Dec, 2016
Call for Entries: The First ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame
By Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire Bangkok – Today marks the launch of the ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame (ATTHoF), the first global website to honour the achievements of the many industry veterans and stalwarts who elevated this robust and dynamic industry to its present heights. Click here to access it. […]
more…29 Nov, 2016
29 Nov – World Marks Int’l Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
United Nations, 28 Nov 2016 (UN News Centre) – Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed on 29 November: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not just one of many conflicts in the region. It is, in many ways, a long-standing, gaping wound that has fed tension […]
more…25 Nov, 2016
Watch on YouTube: FCCT Panel on “Changing Times: Thailand’s Incredible Tourism Industry”
Bangkok – On November 16, 2016, the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand organised a panel discussion on the topic “Changing Times: Thailand’s Incredible Tourism Industry”. The following publicity announcement was released by the FCCT, and the entire panel can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH-iNjWhcF8 With something for everybody, Thailand’s booming tourism industry shrugs off coups, political […]
more…25 Nov, 2016
Watch Live: 28 Nov – Commemoration of Int’l Day for Elimination of Violence against Women
Bangkok, Thailand, 28 November 2016, (UNESCAP News release & Travel Impact Newswire) – As a major employer of women, the travel & tourism industry is almost certainly a victim by extension of this global scourge. Readers wishing to join the campaign are invited to watch the Asia-Pacific Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination […]
more…25 Nov, 2016
Water resources ‘a reason for cooperation, not conflict,’ UN Chief tells Security Council
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 22 November 2016 – Noting that three quarters of UN Member States share rivers or lake basins with their neighbours, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the value of water resources as a reason for cooperation, not conflict. “The need for coordination in water management is especially compelling for […]
more…25 Nov, 2016
World’s largest anti-corruption conference to be held 1-4 Dec
Berlin, 24 Nov 2016, (Transparency International media release) – The 17th International Anti-Corruption Conference will take place from 1-4 December in Panama City. Leading experts from a wide variety of disciplines will discuss how to best take the fight against corruption forward under the theme Time for Justice: Equity, Security, Trust. The four-day event will […]
more…24 Nov, 2016
Bangkok to host world’s largest LGBTI rights convention
Bangkok, 24 Nov 2016 (APCom media release) – At a time when advocacy to promote the basic human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) persons has never been louder, APCOM (Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health) is joining other civil society organisations, development partners and other fellow community advocates in Bangkok, […]
more…19 Nov, 2016
Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery Presents First Major U.S. Exhibition of Qur’ans
Washington DC, (Smithsonian media release) – The first major exhibition of the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an, in the U.S., “The Art of the Qur’an: Treasures from the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts,” opened at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on Oct. 22 and will continue through Feb. 20, 2017. The exhibition was organized by […]
more…19 Nov, 2016
320,000 families live below poverty line in Israeli-occupied Palestine
RAMALLAH, November 17, 2016 (WAFA) – More than 320,000 families in Palestine live below the poverty line and 400,000 people are unemployed, Labor Minister Mamoun Abu Shahla said on Thursday. He told Marina Wes, World Bank West Bank and Gaza Country Director, that the situation in the West Bank and Gaza is very difficult due […]
more…18 Nov, 2016
Is Travel & Tourism Ready for the Return of The Ugly American?
Bangkok – In 1963, Hollywood released what has turned out to be a very futuristic, fortuitous film called “The Ugly American.” Based on a 1958 book of the same name, it starred the legendary Marlon Brando as the U.S. ambassador to a fictitious Southeast Asian country named “Sarkan” where a civil war is looming. According […]
more…17 Nov, 2016
Political Risks to Business Up After Brexit, U.S. Elections: Global Corporate Survey
MAIDENHEAD, England–Nov 16, 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Sword Active Risk has published the results of its annual survey of Risk Managers from 80 top international organisations. The survey, which was completed during Sword Active Risk’s Global Risk Management Conference series (held in Chicago, London, Dubai and Sydney), shows a dramatic increase in political risk, emanating from the […]
more…16 Nov, 2016
Sequence Survey Confirms Politics Creates More Tension at the Holiday Table Than Smartphone Use
SAN FRANCISCO, 04 November 2016, BUSINESS WIRE–According to new data released by Sequence today, the boundaries between technology and holiday traditions continue to blur. The survey found that consumers are showing more digital tolerance when it comes to smartphone use at holiday gatherings this year, and increasingly people are demonstrating good mobile manners. In fact, […]
more…16 Nov, 2016
Almost One-Third of Women in IT Experience an Unwelcoming Work Environment, Survey Finds
NEW YORK, 03 November 2016, BUSINESS WIRE –Twenty-nine percent of women in the IT field experience an unwelcoming work environment to women and minorities, compared to only seven percent of men who feel the same way, according to the 2016 Harvey Nash Women in Technology survey. Survey results reveal long hours, high pressure and poor work/life balance […]
more…16 Nov, 2016
Landmark report shows Australian film industry worth $3 billion in jobs & exports
Melbourne, 15 11 2016 – Media release – Mr Mitch Fifield, Minister for the Arts, launched Screen Currency, the most significant report ever undertaken into the value of Australia’s screen industry. The report is the first comprehensive assessment of the economic, social and cultural worth of the nation’s screen sector, and comes amid discussion around […]
more…14 Nov, 2016
Creative Korea spreads welcome mat for Muslim businesswomen
Gangneung City, Korea — Korea’s status as a Muslim-friendly destination took giant leap forward with the convening of a high-level Forum of businesswomen from Korea and the Islamic world. Held in this East Coast city of Gangwon province, the 8-9 November event saw a strong turnout of women from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Senegal, Sudan, Spain, […]
more…11 Nov, 2016
Chinese company rewards well-behaved tourists for promoting national image
Beijing, 09 November 2016, People’s Daily Online –China’s e-tourism giant Ctrip has rewarded 10 well-behaved tourists in an effort to improve the country’s image overseas – especially when it comes to tourism. Launched in October by Ctrip, the “Excellent Chinese Tourists Fund” aims to reward tourists who serve as role models for others, and promote the idea […]
more…11 Nov, 2016
Istanbul to host Global Symposium on Islamophobia in Europe
Istanbul, (IRCICA media release) – Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) of the OIC, and Center for Balkan and Black Sea Studies (BALKAR) of Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, are to organize a joint international symposium on “Islamophobia in Europe: Past and Present” on 13-14th January, 2017. Islamophobia in Europe has a long […]
more…11 Nov, 2016
Arab, Muslim, Jewish rights groups unite to confront Trump’s anti-Muslim agenda
Bangkok – Of all the areas of uncertainty plaguing the incoming Trump Administration, perhaps the most worrisome is the future of its relations with the Islamic world. Given the slew of anti-Muslim statements made by Mr. Trump during his election campaign, and the warm words he has exchanged within days of his victory with two […]
more…3 Nov, 2016
To Understand the Value of a Middle East Peace, Visit Jordan
Amman – A multi-million dollar real estate project coming up in the southern Jordanian resort city of Aqaba will create thousands of new jobs in one of the most strategically located countries of the Middle East. It is also well placed to become a symbol of how such projects, and indeed all forms of economic […]
more…3 Nov, 2016
Saudi student beaten to death in Wisconsin
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/2/16) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator of a deadly attack on a Saudi Arabian student in Wisconsin. CAIR said University of Wisconsin-Stout student Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, […]
more…2 Nov, 2016
Unmatched Visionary Coverage of “Sufficiency Economy” in Travel & Tourism
Bangkok – I am proud to have been crusading since 2000 for the Thai, ASEAN and Asia-Pacific travel & tourism industry to pay more serious attention to the concept of the “Sufficiency Economy”. Regrettably, the industry has shown little interest. The subject is not as “sexy” as the latest social media gadgetry or disruption phenomena, […]
more…1 Nov, 2016
GBTA forecast: China Solidifies Position as World’s Largest Business Travel Market
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 31, 2016 – Despite a moderating economy, China remains one of the fastest growing business travel markets in the world, according to the GBTA Foundation’s latest business travel forecast, GBTA BTI™ Outlook – China 2016 H2. Total business travel spending is expected to grow 9.2 percent this year reaching $317.9 billion USD. […]
more…1 Nov, 2016
The U.S. elections will Expedite the Fall of the American Empire
Bangkok – Of all the forces of dystopia and disruption facing the world and the travel & tourism industry today, the greatest impact will be felt by the outcome of the current U.S. elections. A few hundred million Americans (or less than 5% of the global population) will elect a man or woman who will […]
more…1 Nov, 2016
Cashless Debit Card trial helps cut gambling, alcohol abuse in Australia
Canberra, 31 October 2016, (Media release from the Minister for Human Services) – The Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion and the Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge, will visit the Ceduna region in South Australia today to meet with community leaders and to see first-hand the impact […]
more…26 Oct, 2016
Australian “The Longest War” Memorial highlights how families suffer
Canberra, 25 Oct 2016 (Australian War Memorial news release) – A series of portraits depicting the impact of war on the family members of Australian servicemen and servicewomen was launched today at the Australian War Memorial. Painted by Australian official war artist Ben Quilty, these portraits focus on the partners, children, and parents of Australian […]
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