Barbados Elected as Leader of the Caribbean Tourism Organization

 

Barbados esastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies through CTO, the Caribbean Tourism Organization has been elected as the leading country to the organization's presidency for the next two years.

The election took place during the CTO Ministerial Council  meeting held in the Cayman Islands, an event held in conjunction with SOTIC, the organization's annual State of the Tourism Industry Conference.

The Minister of Tourism and International Transport of Barbados, Ian Gooding-Edghill, will assume the presidency of the Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism while Andrea Franklyn, Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. will hold the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Barbados succeeds the outgoing presidency of the  Cayman Islands at the top of the organization, led by Minister of Tourism and Ports Kenneth Bryan and Director of Tourism Rosa Harris.

The Cayman Islands' mandate has seen significant achievements for the CTO , including the election of a new Secretary General and CEO, Dona Regis – Prosper, the initiation of a reimagining exercise to strengthen the Organization, the resumption of member country engagement and the Welcome to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Bermuda, and the increase in internal and external communication efforts.

Outgoing President Kenneth Bryan said he was pleased to leave the organization in a strengthened position and prepared to face future challenges and opportunities, commending the entire team and in particular Director of Tourism Rosa Harris for her dedication, service and leadership.

Incoming President Ian Gooding-Edghill expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to raise the CTO, commenting that we are all together with a lot of work to do, thanking Minister Bryan for all his contribution over the last two years and promising alongside all colleagues to continue to pursue the cause of the Caribbean Tourism Organization in the best possible way.

During the meeting, the members sincerely expressed their appreciation for the remarkable leadership shown by Minister Bryan and Director Harris during the Cayman Islands presidency, recognizing the great commitment, vision and tireless efforts that have undoubtedly strengthened the CTO and consequently laid the foundation for continued progress under the new leadership team in the coming years.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/102315_barbados_liderara_la_organizacion_de_turismo_del_caribe

Indonesia | 13 Million International Visitors in the First Eight Months of 2024

Indonesia,  the world's largest archipelagic state with over 17,000 islands, country situated in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific Oceans through the country's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has confirmed the arrival of 13 million international visitors between January and August 2024 out of the total 17 million arrivals expected for the current year.

The Minister in the occasion of the 1st International Conference on the Quality of Tourism held in Bali commented that analyzing the data this result is about 50% higher than before the pandemic.

Another figure reported by Minister Sandiaga One is a further statistic that emerges regarding the average spending of international tourists during their trips to Indonesia has reached $ 1500 per visit, an increase that has been generated through the attention to the development of a strategy named 3S, that is, serenity, spirituality and sustainability that follows another 3S that translated into sun,sea and sand.

Other very interesting statistics concern the average duration of tourists from abroad who reach Indoneseia, in May 2024 it was 7.51 overnight stays, slightly lower in this month than the same period in 2023 where a figure of 7.87 overnight stays was recorded.

The Indonesian government aims to reach the 17 million visitors estimated for 2024 of which 7 million are expected to come from Bali, with a tourism marketing communication strategy developed on a two-year plan 2024-2025 aimed at promoting domestic tourism by targeting millennials and members of Generation Z.

These strategies also involve segments such as remote workers, commuters and high-spending communities, young families and even retirees.

Linked to all that Sandiaga Uno commented that especially Generation Z members are familiar with Geography, young adult families are looking for a first experience in Indonesia not only in Bali but also in five other major tourist destinations such as Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, Likupang and Madalika.

In addition to all that, the Government of Indonesia aims to improve the ranking of Indonesian tourism, which currently occupies the 22nd position internationally, which has already had a significant improvement compared to the previous 32nd place.

Link - https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/102320_hasta_agosto_indonesia_registra_13m_de_llegadas_de_turistas

Lisbon | Best MICE Destination in Europe in 2024

 

Lisbon,  the beautiful capital of Portugal, won for the second consecutive time the award for the best MICE destination in Europe in the 5th Edition of the World MICE Awards, an event held in Ho Chi Min City also known as Saigon, the most populous centre in Vietnam.

The Portuguese capital in an event that recognizes the excellence of the MICE sector by awarding destinations airlines, hotels, organizers and infrastructures that stand out in this segment placed itself in front of cities of great importance such as Athens, Berlin, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Vienna that had presented themselves as candidates for the assignment of this important award.

The MICE segment, acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, contributes very significantly to tourist revenues and the consequent development of destinations, and the strategic location, modern, versatile infrastructure, and varied cultural offer have consolidated Lisbon once again as one of the favorite and main destinations on the European continent for the organization of events.

The Executive Director of the Lisbon Tourism Association, Paula Oliveira, commented that winning this important award is the recognition of the collective work to position Lisbon as an internationally reference destination and that consequently it contributes significantly to generating income and employment as well as the rehabilitation of heritage.

As a very significant figure, ATL Lisbon Tourism has reported and highlighted that in the last financial year of 2023, 151 associative events were registered in the ICCA ranking, the International Congress and Convention Association, an organization from which the realization of events around the world is monitored.

Another important fact is that Lisbon from 2019 to 2022 reached 2nd place in the European and world ranking in this sector while in the year 2023 with a difference of only one congress for the city that ranked second worldwide which was Singapore while at the European level Lisbon ranked as the second city in Europe for the number of events registered behind Paris.

 

Link https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/102307_lisboa_premiada_como_mejor_destino_mice_de_europa

Una Hotels & Resorts | Gran Hotel di Parma Joins the Una Experiences Collection

 

UNA Hotels & Resorts, Italian hospitality company owned by Gruppo UNA S.p.A founded in 2000 in Florence with its headquarters in Milan celebrates a new entry in  the Una Experiences Collection with the Grand Hotel in Parma, a novelty that marks the debut in the famous Emilian city well known for its immense historical heritage, art, music and gastronomy and which brings the number of 54 hotels in its portfolio.

The Grand Hotel Parma housed in the historic Palazzo Vighi which was born as the "Royal Surgical Clinic" before being converted into a 5-star hotel is located on the street Strada del Quartiere at the civic number 4 in the district of Oltretorrente, developed along the ancient Via Emilia.

The area is characterized by the iconic Via D'Azeglio where stand medieval tower houses and the beautiful fifteenth-century portico of the Ospedale Vecchio with the Oratory dedicated to the patron saint of the city Sant' Ilario, a very lively Parma neighbourhood, popular in continuous evolution, authentically Parmesan but at the same time cosmopolitan.

The hotel surrounded by a charming garden developed on an area of 10.000 square meters is an elegant 5-star establishment with 59 elegantly appointed rooms and suites is an accommodation where modern and ancient come together to offer guests comfort, wellness and a unique experience in an exclusive setting.

The CEO of the Una Group, Giorgio Marchegiani, said that the affiliation of the Grand Hotel di Parma not only expands the group's presence in a key city such as Parma in a strategic area such as the Emilia Romagna region, but also enriches the offer of Una Hotels and Resorts to offer unique experiences to the most discerning travelers.

This elegant hotel in the heart of Parma perfectly embodies the values of hospitality that distinguish the profile of the group, especially with regard to the Una Esperienze Brand which is characterized by unique locations where the guests can live the authentic Italian style.

The Grand Hotel in Parma also includes a high quality culinary offer and large spaces to celebrate events and meetings in an exclusive environment where classic and modern come together.

Link - https://www.ttgitalia.com/ttg-luxury/grand-hotel-parma-ultima-novita-per-una-esperienze-EI20934808