Latest news with #MinisterOfTourism
Trade Arabia
25-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
ITB China gears up for dynamic edition
ITB China, the leading B2B-exclusive travel trade show focused on the Chinese travel market, returns to the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center on Tuesday (May 27). This year's edition will feature three action-packed days of exhibitions, high-level forums, and networking opportunities, reinforcing ITB China's position as the key bridge between China and the global travel industry. With strong support from sponsors and partners of ITB China Official Events, the 2025 edition presents the most comprehensive event lineup to date - an unparalleled platform for forging strategic alliances, discovering new travel opportunities, and advancing international cooperation across the tourism sector. The official opening of ITB China 2025 will begin on the evening prior to the show on Monday (May 26), with the prestigious Opening Dinner, welcoming 700 top-level industry professionals from China and across the globe. Sponsored by Tourism Malaysia as the Official Partner Destination, the evening will spotlight Malaysia's diverse tourism portfolio through captivating cultural showcases and presentations designed to strengthen ties with China's travel industry. The event marks the start of three days of valuable connections and cultural exchange. C-TALKS and Networking ITB China 2025 will officially commence with a grand Opening Ceremony, highlighted by the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. Alongside the minister, high-ranking industry representatives will take part in the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony – a symbolic act celebrating the convergence of traditional Chinese cultural heritage and international hospitality. This momentous occasion will mark the beginning of three days of meaningful exchange, collaboration, and innovation in the global travel industry. The Hubei Networking Lunch, themed 'Meet Soulmates in Hubei, Embrace the Magnificent Yangtze', co-hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province, will highlight the region's rich natural and cultural heritage. The event will showcase UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Yangtze River's Three Gorges and Shennongjia, along with millennia-old cultural treasures including Wudang Mountain and the Yellow Crane Tower. Guests will enjoy an immersive experience featuring traditional Hubei cuisine, tea tastings, and live performances, all designed to foster relaxed and meaningful conversations. One of the key highlights on the opening day, May 27, will be the C-TALKS, an exclusive, closed-door gathering of over 30 senior C-level executives from China's leading outbound travel companies and high-ranking officials from national tourism boards and ministries worldwide. The roundtable will focus on how China – one of the world's most important source markets – can collaborate more effectively with international destinations to foster resilient and sustainable growth amid today's complex global landscape. As a perennial highlight of ITB China, the Aftershow Sundowner takes place in the Outdoor Coffee Area, providing a relaxed setting for casual networking and meaningful connections. The first day of the trade show will conclude with Beijing Night, co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, bringing the capital's rich heritage to Shanghai through a Peking Opera performance and a menu inspired by traditional Beijing flavors, blending cultural heritage with warm hospitality. It will also highlight Beijing as a key inbound tourism destination and foster new opportunities for collaboration. ITB China Cruise Night The Aftershow Sundowner will continue on May 28 from 16:00 to 17:00 at the Outdoor Coffee Area, offering a relaxed setting for informal networking. Guangxi Night, co-hosted by ITB China and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, offers an immersive and exclusive networking experience that seamlessly blends Guangxi's rich cultural heritage with the cosmopolitan allure of Shanghai. Set against the backdrop of the city's stunning skyline, international buyers and media guests will enjoy gourmet cuisine and premium drinks in an elegant atmosphere. The evening serves as a unique platform for cultural exchange and business engagement, highlighting Guangxi as a key inbound tourism destination and fostering new opportunities for collaboration. The ITB China & Group Cruise Night, one of the show's signature highlights, will bring the second day of the show to a memorable close. This exclusive evening invites travel professionals to network aboard a luxury cruise along Shanghai's iconic Bund. Group plays a key role in supporting ITB China as the official Travel Service Partner, Lanyard & Badge Sponsor and Cruise Night Sponsor, ensuring seamless service and on-site convenience throughout all three show days. Dedicated Industry Events The Travel Innovators' Gathering, sponsored by Tencent Smart Tourism, is held on May 27 in Conference Room B after the forum finishes. This exclusive evening will bring together all forum speakers, pitch participants, investors, jury members, and professionals from across the travel and tech industries for informal exchanges and collaboration-building in a more personal setting. Rural tourism plays an increasingly vital role in driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening local communities. ITB China, in close collaboration with UN Tourism and Alibaba Philanthropy, as well as the dedicated sponsor Fliggy, will host a forum titled 'China Travel: Discovering Rural Beauty' at the Conference Room A on May 28. The forum will offer high-level insights into the development of rural tourism in China and provide a unique platform for global travel leaders to exchange ideas and build meaningful partnerships. On May 28, the ITB China MICE Afterparty at the Conference Room B will bring together industry professionals to explore new partnerships in the expanding MICE segment. On May 29, the Meet the Media networking event connects exhibitors with key international and domestic media – including travel journalists, KOLs, and influencers – offering a unique opportunity for brand exposure and strategic media partnerships. The support of other key partners also plays a vital role in enhancing the overall event experience. EGYPTAIR, the Official Partner Airline, will highlight Egypt's rich cultural heritage and tourism potential while promoting direct air connectivity with China. JD Alianze, a leading insurance provider, joins the event as the Water Sponsor, underscoring a shared commitment to participant comfort and well-being.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
Deadly lightning strike kills three at busy Cambodia tourist spot
Tragedy struck Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat temple complex on Friday afternoon when lightning killed three visitors and injured several others. The victims were seeking shelter around the main temple of the UNESCO World Heritage site when the lightning struck. Social media footage depicted the chaotic aftermath, showing two ambulances arriving at the scene. Onlookers and temple officials could be seen carrying injured individuals and assisting others on foot. Further images revealed multiple people receiving medical treatment at a hospital. The incident underscores the dangers of sudden weather changes, particularly during the monsoon season. The day after the incident, Cambodia's Minister of Tourism Hout Hak issued a statement telling people to take down online posts about it, saying the spreading of 'negative information' could harm the country's tourism sector. Authorities have released no information about the incident, but an official on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed to The Associated Press that three people — all Cambodian — were killed in the lightning strike. The Cambodian Red Cross also posted an update saying it had delivered care packages to the families of two of the victims, a 34-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman. The Red Cross refused to comment further by phone. A spokesman for the Angkor Wat site did not respond to requests for comment, nor did a regional health official. Cambodia's government under Prime Minister Hun Manet keeps a tight grip on information, and has been accused by rights groups of using the court system to prosecute critics and political opponents. Hun Manet in 2023 succeeded his father, Hun Sen, who was widely criticized for the suppression of freedom of speech during his nearly four decades of autocratic rule. Angkor Wat is Cambodia's best-known tourist attraction, attracting some 2.5 million visitors annually, and is even featured on the country's flag. UNESCO calls the site, which sprawls across some 400 square kilometers (155 square miles) and contains the ruins of Khmer Empire capitals from the 9th to the 15th centuries, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Cambodia has been actively developing the area to attract more visitors, including opening a new $1.1 billion Chinese-funded airport in nearby Siem Reap. Its move to relocate some 10,000 families squatting in the Angkor Wat area to a new settlement has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, however, and UNESCO itself has expressed concern. Cambodian authorities have said the families were being voluntarily relocated, but Amnesty International and others have questioned how voluntary the relocations actually have been.
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
G20 tourism meeting opens Durban's week of African tourism focus
South Africa hosted the opening of the 2nd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Durban, marking a significant moment as the nation takes its place as the only African member of the G20. Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, addressed delegates, emphasising the nation's commitment to driving global tourism discussions with a focus on "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." Source: Supplied The high-level meeting took place on Sunday, 11 May 2025, with the highly anticipated Africa's Travel Indaba set to begin on Tuesday, 13 May and run until Thursday, 15 May. "South Africa is proud to host the G20 for the first time on African soil. It's a defining time for South Africa and the rest of the African continent," stated Minister de Lille. She highlighted the G20's global influence, representing 85% of the world's economy, 75% of international trade, and 67% of the global population. The Minister underscored South Africa's dedication to aligning G20 efforts with the African Union's Agenda 2063, ensuring that the voices of developing nations and the African continent are heard in global governance. "We do not take lightly the responsibility of using this to highlight Africa's development agenda and promote greater equity in global governance," she asserted. This year, South Africa will host over 130 G20-related meetings, providing a platform to showcase the nation's infrastructure, foster business collaboration, create jobs, and stimulate investment. "The G20 summit is more than just an event - it is a statement that Africa is ready to take its rightful place in global economic leadership," de Lille said. Source: Supplied Showcasing African tourism potential The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting is being held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, which will also host Africa's Travel Indaba starting on Tuesday. Minister de Lille emphasised the significance of hosting the G20 delegates in this vibrant city at this crucial time, just before the continent's premier tourism showcase. "It is no accident that you are meeting in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for the 2nd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting," she noted. This year's Indaba has attracted over 1,300 exhibitors, delegates from 27 African countries, and more than 1,200 vetted international buyers from 55 source markets. Notably, Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso are participating for the first time. Minister de Lille revealed the substantial economic impact of the 2024 Africa's Travel Indaba, which generated R226m in direct economic activity in Durban and an additional R333m across the KwaZulu-Natal province. The event also created over 1,000 jobs and provided a platform for 120 tourism Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the Department of Tourism's Market Access Support Programme. "Under the theme, 'Unlimited Africa', G20 delegates attending the 2nd Tourism Working Group Meeting can also look forward to experiencing the energy and opportunities that will be on full display at Africa's Travel Indaba starting on Tuesday, with insightful sessions designed to drive the growth of the African tourism sector forward," she stated. Source: Supplied G20 2nd Working Group meeting outcomes The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting aims to inform the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Mpumalanga in September and the Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg in November. The main objectives of the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting are to: • Position tourism as a driver of economic, social and environmental change; • Explore the potential for tourism and travel to support the economic recovery as well as longer-term transformation to a green economy; • Better articulate and communicate the economic and development case for tourism; • Mainstream travel and tourism sector's voice in the global agenda by building a more effective voice for the sector; and • Mobilise a collective effort among Tourism Ministers towards building a sensible tourism policy framework that will help influence country-level and international economic and development policies. South Africa's G20 Tourism Issue Note highlights the key priorities and deliverables for 2025: • Priority 1: People-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation to enhance Travel and Tourism Start-ups and MSMEs. The Deliverable is to create an action plan to enhance Travel and Tourism Start-Ups and MSMEs through AI and innovation. • Priority 2: Tourism financing and investment to enhance equality and promote sustainable development. The deliverable is to host a seminar on enhancing partnerships for tourism financing and investment for sustainable development. • Priority 3: Air connectivity for seamless travel. The deliverable is to agree on the G20 Tourism report on air connectivity for seamless travel. • Priority 4: Enhanced resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development. The deliverable is an action plan for enhanced resilience for sustainable development. Minister de Lille also acknowledged the crucial support of UN Tourism as a knowledge partner. Delegates will also experience Durban's cultural richness through visits to local sites. "I wish you a productive few days... Be inspired by the warmth of Durban... Come find your joy," Minister de Lille concluded. 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Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia makes historic bid for UNWTO S-G. banking on its internationally recognised experience
Tunis: Tunisia is vying for the Secretary-General position of the United Nations Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the 2026-2029 term, presenting Habib Ammar as its candidate for the first time. He will compete against five nominees from Georgia (represented by the current Secretary-General), Ghana, Greece, Mexico, and the UAE. Ammar's campaign is built on a 7-point programme under the slogan "Together We Make Tourism an Engine of Prosperity for All." Ammar's career began in Tunisia's public sector, where he held key roles, including Minister of Tourism in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis and later Acting Minister of Cultural Affairs. His earlier positions in 2011 and 2015 focused on enhancing tourism sector performance during challenging periods for Tunisia. In an exclusive video interview with TAP news agency, Habib Ammar emphasised Tunisia's global tourism reputation and expertise: "Tunisia is internationally recognised for tourism and has the required competence. Such nominations are positive, especially as Tunisia has long supported other nations' candidacies." Ammar's platform highlights fair, inclusive decision-making representing all member states, sustainable, eco-friendly tourism, respecting local communities and bridging the digital divide and accelerating sector digitisation. His vision also includes a strategy focusing on strengthening education/training for future tourism professionals and crisis-resilient tourism strategies. Tunisia's candidate will also work to uphold transparent, rigorous management of the organisation and promoting diversity and equal opportunities to empower women, youth, and marginalised groups. Ammar underscored Tunisia's decades of tourism development: "This sector was built by Tunisians post-independence. Our human resource training is excellent—globally acknowledged." He cited the country's rich cultural, historical, and civilizational heritage, along with its open, peaceful society, as key assets. He stressed the UN Tourism Organisation's need for "a fresh vision aligned with UN principles," adding: "It's time for Africa to lead the Secretariat." The 35-member Executive Council will convene in late May 2025 to shortlist candidates, with the final vote set for November 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
