Sierra Leone Hosts Women in Tourism Congress, Empowering African Women Through Education and Innovation

(IN SHORT) The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, in partnership with UN Tourism, hosted the Women in Tourism Regional Congress, gathering over 500 participants from across Africa to discuss gender-responsive policies, access to education, finance, and innovation in the tourism sector. The Congress featured panels, workshops, and cultural sessions, with leaders… Read the full press release

UN Tourism Awards Colombian Community Tourism Innovators, Celebrating Inclusivity and Sustainable Growth

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism has recognized five innovative community tourism projects in Colombia as part of the “Innovation Challenge: Community Tourism: Colombia,” held during its 122nd Executive Council session in Cartagena. The winning initiatives, selected across various categories, spotlight efforts in gamified tourism, conservation, cultural journeys, social empowerment, and sustainable travel. These projects reflect UN… Read the full press release

Qantas Debuts ‘Palau Paradise Express’ from Brisbane, Expanding Access to Pacific’s Natural Wonders

(IN SHORT) Qantas is launching a new route connecting Brisbane to Palau, marking its fifth international destination added from Queensland in the past year. The “Palau Paradise Express,” scheduled to commence on December 7, will provide weekly direct flights to this Pacific Island nation renowned for its UNESCO-listed Rock Islands and unique marine environments. Qantas… Read the full press release

UN Tourism and WTTC Showcase AI’s Potential to Revolutionize Global Tourism at Ministers Summit

(IN SHORT) At the World Travel Market Ministers Summit, UN Tourism and WTTC led discussions on AI’s impact on the tourism sector, introducing the “AI for Good in Tourism” roadmap. Key topics included AI-driven research, workforce upskilling, investment strategies, and a new AI Challenge for tourism innovators. UN Tourism aims to harness AI’s potential for… Read the full press release

Emirates Returns to Edinburgh with Daily Service, Boosting Tourism and Trade Links for Scotland

Reinstated flight will meet market demand and offer customers more travel options (IN SHORT) Emirates has resumed its daily flights to Edinburgh, its eighth UK destination, after a three-year pause. The return flight was celebrated with a performance by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This new daily service complements Emirates’ Glasgow route, providing Scottish travelers… Read the full press release

Phetchaburi Prepares to Host PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024, Showcasing Cultural and Culinary Tourism

Phetchaburi Province, TCEB, DASTA, TAT, Dusit Thani Hua Hin and PATA held a press conference on the preparation of the forum. (IN SHORT) Phetchaburi Province is set to host the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024 (PDMF 2024) from November 12 to 14, 2024. A press conference on October 30 highlighted the partnership between the Pacific… Read the full press release

PATA Renews Partnership with OAG to Enhance Aviation Data Accessibility for Members

(IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has renewed its partnership with OAG, designating the company as its Preferred Partner and exclusive aviation data provider for the next three years. PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid emphasized the importance of this collaboration, which will provide members with vital aviation data to monitor flight capacity and… Read the full press release

PATA Reports Strong Recovery in Asia Pacific Tourism with 2024 Outlook for Continued Growth

(IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released its Annual Tourism Report for 2024, highlighting a significant rebound in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) across the Asia Pacific region, which nearly doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year. The report reveals that 522 million visitors arrived in 47 destinations, marking a 94.3% increase. Key… Read the full press release

UN Tourism and Qatar Tourism Celebrate Excellence and Innovation at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2024

(IN SHORT) On October 30, 2024, UN Tourism and Qatar Tourism celebrated the second annual Qatar Tourism Awards, recognizing innovation and excellence in the tourism sector. The event received approximately 1,200 applications, showcasing the rapid growth of Qatar’s tourism industry, which has seen a 147% increase in international arrivals from 2019 to 2024. The awards… Read the full press release

UN Tourism and ILO Unveil New Employment Dataset to Enhance Sustainable Development Goals Monitoring

(IN SHORT) On October 30, 2024, UN Tourism launched a new dataset focused on tourism employment in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), aimed at enhancing the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative addresses a critical gap in assessing tourism’s impact, specifically regarding its role in job creation and economic growth,… Read the full press release

Qantas Expands Southeast Asia Reach with New Direct Brisbane-Manila Route, Strengthening Tourism and Trade Links

(IN SHORT) Qantas has launched nonstop flights from Brisbane to Manila, providing a direct link for travelers between Queensland and the Philippines. Operating four times a week, the new route will add over 100,000 seats annually and enhance connectivity for passengers traveling from New Zealand. The service reflects Qantas’ commitment to expanding in Southeast Asia… Read the full press release

Lets Go Maldives Celebrates Seven Star Luxury Award 2024 Recognition

(IN SHORT) Lets Go Maldives has been awarded the prestigious Seven Star Luxury Award for 2024, recognizing it as the Best Luxury Tour Operator in the Maldives. The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Colonia Montana Principe di Napoli in Italy, where luxury brands gathered to celebrate industry excellence. The award highlights… Read the full press release

AirAsia X Partners with Kenya Tourism Board to Boost Tourism Ahead of Direct Flights from Nairobi to Kuala Lumpur

(IN SHORT) AirAsia X (AAX) has partnered with the Kenya Tourism Board to enhance tourism and connectivity between Asia and Africa, coinciding with the launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi on November 15, 2024. This collaboration will feature joint marketing initiatives and promotional activities aimed at attracting more tourists and boosting economic… Read the full press release

UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation Launch ‘Colourful Cultures’ Initiative to Empower Rural Artisans Across Africa

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism, in partnership with the TUI Care Foundation, has launched the “Colourful Cultures” small grants initiative to support rural artisans across several African countries, including Morocco, Mozambique, and South Africa. This program invites civil society organizations and NGOs to submit proposals for projects aimed at empowering local artists, especially women and youth,… Read the full press release

Preferred Travel Group Develops Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to Lead Sustainability Efforts in Tourism

The climate action plan will evolve the organization’s “Believe in Travel” ideology to help make travel a force for good through climate action leadership (IN SHORT) Preferred Travel Group has announced the development of a Climate Action Plan to cut carbon emissions by half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. This initiative, in… Read the full press release

Global Tourism Nears Full Recovery, Reaching 96% of Pre-Pandemic Levels by Mid-2024

(IN SHORT) Global tourism has rebounded to 96% of pre-pandemic levels, with around 790 million international tourists recorded from January to July 2024. Strong demand in Europe and the reopening of Asia-Pacific markets drove the recovery, despite economic and geopolitical challenges. The Middle East saw the highest growth, exceeding 2019 figures by 26%. Tourism receipts… Read the full press release

PATA Youth Symposium and Career Fair 2024 Connects Future Tourism Leaders with Industry Experts

(IN SHORT) The PATA Youth Symposium and Career Fair 2024, hosted by Dusit Thani College, welcomed over 200 students and industry delegates from 12 destinations. Organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the event featured presentations on the future of tourism, the role of AI, and the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)… Read the full press release

PATA and MGM Launch Sustainable MICE Training Programme to Strengthen Macao’s Event Industry

(IN SHORT) PATA and MGM are launching a capacity-building programme in Macao from September 24-26, 2024, aimed at enhancing the skills of local MICE professionals. The programme, “Macao MICE Forward: Innovate, Sustain, Excel,” focuses on sustainable practices, digital marketing, and the integration of AI in event management. With expert-led sessions and workshops, the initiative aims… Read the full press release

İstanbul to Host PATA Annual Summit 2025, Highlighting Türkiye’s Role in Sustainable Tourism

(IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced that its Annual Summit for 2025 will be hosted in İstanbul, Türkiye, by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). Scheduled for March 2025, the summit will bring together global tourism leaders to discuss sustainable practices and industry advancements. The city of İstanbul, known… Read the full press release

Montevideo Launches UN’s First Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, Enhancing Regional Tourism Regulation

(IN SHORT) The United Nations Tourism Organization has inaugurated the Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montevideo, Uruguay. This is the first thematic office of the UN Tourism dedicated to legal issues in the region. The observatory, a collaborative effort with the Inter-American Development Bank, will feature a digital platform called… Read the full press release

VisitScotland Appoints Jill Walker as New Director of Marketing and Digital

(IN SHORT) VisitScotland has announced Jill Walker as the new Director of Marketing and Digital, effective 21 October 2024. Walker, currently Head of Marketing at the Scottish Government, will succeed Vicki Miller, who will become the CEO of VisitScotland next month. With a strong background in both public and private sector marketing, Walker is praised… Read the full press release

Emirates Launches First-Ever Madagascar Route, Boosting Tourism and Connectivity

Linked flight via the Seychelles will be four-weekly, boosting international travel to and from Madagascar Launch of Antananarivo marks airline’s fifth destination in the Indian Ocean (IN SHORT) Emirates has launched its first-ever flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar, establishing a four-weekly service that connects Dubai, the Seychelles, and Madagascar. The inaugural flight was celebrated with a… Read the full press release

Celebrating Excellence: PATA Recognizes Chapters and Student Leaders for Outstanding Contributions to Travel and Tourism

PATA Face of the Future 2024 Honoured for Outstanding Achievements (IN SHORT) PATA recognized the achievements of its Chapters and Student Chapters during the PATA Power of Networking session in Bangkok. Awards were given to various chapters for their leadership, engagement with young tourism professionals, and sustainability initiatives. The PATA India Chapter received the Spirit… Read the full press release

Tourism Seasonality Summit and PATA Join Forces to Address Seasonal Tourism Challenges in Asia Pacific

(IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tourism Seasonality Summit (TSS) to address tourism seasonality challenges in the Asia Pacific region. This partnership aims to develop strategies to manage and alleviate the impact of peak season tourism, which can lead to over-tourism. The agreement was… Read the full press release

UNWTO and FIA Expand Partnership to Promote Sustainable Sports Tourism Worldwide

UN Tourism and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), have partnered to advance Sports Tourism on a global scale. (IN SHORT) The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have strengthened their partnership to promote sustainable sports tourism globally, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding during the Formula 1… Read the full press release

Strategic Partnership Forged Between PATA and Sanya Tourism Board to Boost Tropical Coastal Tourism

Upcoming PATA Event — the 2024 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event in Sanya, China Announced (IN SHORT) The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Sanya Tourism Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on enhancing tourism in Sanya and other tropical islands in the Asia Pacific. The partnership aims to promote… Read the full press release

UN Tourism Leads Executive Training on Rural Development in Asia-Pacific

As part of its focus on rural development, UN Tourism has concluded an executive training session for sector leaders from across the Asia and the Pacific region. (IN SHORT) UN Tourism held an executive training session in Brunei for sector leaders from Asia and the Pacific, focusing on rural tourism development. The event aimed to… Read the full press release

New Wafaifo Resort Hoi An in Vietnam Reveals Unique Dining and Entertainment Options

Hoi An, Vietnam, 2024-Jul-31 — /Travel PR News/ — In Vietnam, the Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, which opens 11 October, has unveiled a range of remarkable food, drink, branding and entertainment options to transform the dining scene in the famous UNESCO heritage city. The independent, boutique resort is set to be known for its illuminated… Read the full press release

UN Tourism Launches Collaborative Academies to Enhance Skills Development in African Tourism

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism has taken a significant step to enhance education and skills development in Africa by establishing the first collaborative Academies in the region. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Tourism of Zambia to create the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality, aimed at equipping students and… Read the full press release

UN Tourism Hosts First African Gastronomy Forum in Zimbabwe, Launches New Culinary Academy

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism hosted its first Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with support from the Basque Culinary Center and the patronage of the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa. The event gathered 200 delegates from 33 countries to discuss leveraging gastronomy for sustainable tourism. Key discussions… Read the full press release