13 Mar, 2015
Chinese frugality drive takes toll on luxury hotel revenues
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-03-11 – Five dozen luxury hotels in Beijing lost money in the past few years as tough policies and regulations took effect against government corruption and waste of public funds, an insider from the capital’s tourism authority said during the annual legislative session. Beijing saw 60 five-star hotels fall into deficit last […]
more…10 Mar, 2015
Australia to return questionably-procured cultural artefacts to China, India
The Australian Government has agreed to return two prized cultural artefacts originating in India and China to their home countries. Both were found to have been procured under questionable circumstances and are to be returned in accordance with the principles and legal obligations of the Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material. Two media […]
more…8 Mar, 2015
FREE Download: EU report shows women earned on average 16% less than men in 2013
Brussels, 05 March 2015 (European Union Media release) – In 2013, the gender pay gap1 stood at 16.4% in the European Union (EU), ranging from less than 5% in Slovenia to more than 20% in Estonia, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. The gender pay gap represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of […]
more…8 Mar, 2015
Gallup Polls: Nearly 2 Billion Women Worldwide Are Struggling, Suffering
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Gallup Polls Media release) — While International Women’s Day this Sunday will focus mostly on how the world thinks women are doing, it’s important to understand how the women of the world think they are doing. The best way to find this out is to ask them.This International Women’s Day, more than one […]
more…8 Mar, 2015
UN Member States must ‘step it up’ on gender parity to meet equality targets by 2030
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 March 2015 – The past 20 years has seen haltering progress on women’s rights issues and, in some areas, outright stagnation and regression, the head of the United Nations entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment said today. Briefing journalists at a press conference at in New York as […]
more…8 Mar, 2015
Women farmers pillar of food security – UN agencies
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 March 2015 – Ahead of International Women’s Day, United Nations food relief agencies gathered to remind the world that women farmers play a central role in achieving food and nutrition security, urging countries to step up efforts to empower rural women who too often do “backbreaking work” to harvest […]
more…8 Mar, 2015
Count Us In! – ITUC Statement on International Women’s Day 2015
The 4th Global Action of the World March of Women will bring together women activists from every continent on the planet, united in their demands for a sustainable and caring economy and for social justice, peace and democracy. Read the full statement
more…8 Mar, 2015
FREE Download: 50 Leading Companies for Women in the Asia-Pacific
Singapore, (APEC Media release) 6 Mar 2015 – In a small tin roof house in the Philippines, a group of women use crochet needles to sew recycled plastic bags into colorful fashion purses. The purses, designed by an artist, end up on the shelves of upmarket ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle in downtown Manila—providing valuable income to […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
Israeli Court Ruling Allows Jewish Prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound
JERUSALEM, March 4, 2015 (WAFA) – Palestinian organizations criticized the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruling which ostensibly backs claims that Jews are allowed to pray in al-Aqsa Mosque compound. While Jewish extremists praised the ruling and considered it a “historic victory” as Israeli media sources reported, al-Aqsa Foundation for Islamic Waqf and Heritage published a report […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
Chinese Leaders’ Ten-Point Projections for the Future of China
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 03, 2015 – The 3rd Session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee of the People’s Republic of China opened on March 3, 2015 in Beijing, followed by the 3rd Session of the 12th National People’s Congress on March 5. 2015 is a crucial year for deeper […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
FREE Download: Report Reveals How Corrupt Capital Is Used to Buy Property in the UK
London, 04 March 2015, (Transparency International) — It is well-known that the global rich are buying up large parts of London. But who they really are and where their money comes from is too often a well-kept secret. They use secret offshore companies to buy the properties and don’t disclose their identities. These secret companies […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
Global Taxi Network begins to ponder its future
Brussels, 5 March 2015,(International Road Transport Union) – At its inaugural meeting today, the Advisory Committee of the IRU Global Taxi Network (GTN) addressed the issue of taxi service quality and current and future challenges facing taxis and hire cars with drivers. It notably expressed its support for the industry initiative to launch the GTN. […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
Gaza: UN humanitarian arm warns that Israeli blockade ‘undermining’ living standards
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 March 2015 – The living conditions of nearly 2 million Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip have been undermined by the enduring blockade against the enclave, the United Nations humanitarian office reported today. The longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have led […]
more…6 Mar, 2015
History Lesson for ITB Berlin : 20 Years Since the Finest Travel & Tourism Speech Ever
March 6, 2015 — Today, the ITB Berlin 2015 will host a session to discuss the future of travel & tourism in Israel-Palestine. Speakers representing the Palestinians, Israelis and German ecumenical groups will share their visions on how “tourism can play an essential role in promoting peace and justice.” The programme says that although “both […]
more…5 Mar, 2015
FREE Download: Malaysia, Turkey, Singapore top Muslim Travel Index 2015
Malaysia is the world’s most Muslim-friendly tourism destination and Singapore holds that position among the non-Islamic countries, according to ratings compiled by the “MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2015”. Considered the most comprehensive research ever released on the Muslim travel market, it looks at in-depth data covering 100 destinations across the world creating an […]
more…5 Mar, 2015
OECD report cites “worrying” toll exacted by mental ill-health at workplace
Paris, (OECD media release) 04/03/2015 – Health and employment services should intervene earlier, involve key stakeholders and ensure they work together in order to help people with mental-health issues find work and stay in a job, according to a new OECD report. Entitled “Fit Mind, Fit Job: From Evidence to Practice in Mental Health and […]
more…5 Mar, 2015
New UN report urges funding boost for disaster risk reduction
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 4 March 2015 – A new United Nations report urging greater investment in risk prevention has underscored disaster risk reduction as a building block for future sustainable development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed today as the Organization prepares for a pivotal upcoming global conference on the issue. Delivering remarks at the […]
more…5 Mar, 2015
UN health agency points to ‘solid evidence’ backing its call to reduce sugar intake
United Nations, UN News Centre, 4 March 2015 – New guidelines released by the United Nations health agency today recommended that adults and children worldwide reduce their daily sugar intake to boost health and stave off non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says intake of ‘free’ sugars – monosaccharides (such as glucose, fructose) and […]
more…4 Mar, 2015
Ten issues that will NOT be on the agenda at the brain-dead ITB Berlin
BANGKOK – In his March 3 speech at the opening of the 2015 ITB Berlin, UNWTO Secretary-General Dr Talib Rifai raised the game for the travel & tourism industry worldwide by citing a number of previously taboo issues that are reshaping the New World Order. Embedded within his speech were key phrases that should challenge […]
more…4 Mar, 2015
South Africa holds Israeli Apartheid Week
JOHANNESBURG, March 3, 2015 (WAFA) – South Africa Monday began a weeklong international campaign to shed light on the policies used by Israel against Palestinians and its Apartheid nature. Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events (including rallies, protests, lectures, cultural performances, concerts, films and workshops) held in over 250 cities, […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
Indian visitor arrivals up 7.1% in 2014, another 50 tourism circuits planned
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Tourism, 02-March-2015 – Foreign Tourist Arrivals during the period January-December 2014 were 74.62 lakh with a growth of 7.1%, as compared to the Foreign Tourist Arrivals of 69.68 lakh with a growth of 5.9% during January-December 2013 over the corresponding period of 2012. Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
Air pollution, corruption, wealth-gap top public concerns in China
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-03-03 – Air pollution, corruption and the wealth gap are the three issues of most concern to readers ahead of the annual parliamentary sessions of China, dubbed as “two sessions”, according to an online survey by the China Daily website. The issue of pollution has grown in importance for people since last year’s […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
China’s anti-graft campaign maintains high public approval rating
Beijing, (People’s Daily), March 03, 2015 – China’s anti-graft campaign has attracted widespread attention from both the Party and the public. The campaign has proven remarkably successful since President Xi Jinping led the fight against corruption after taking office in 2012. Anti-corruption is believed to be a key topic at the upcoming two sessions, which […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
Venezuela sets deadline for U.S. to cut embassy staff
CARACAS, March 2 (Xinhua) — Washington has 15 days to reduce its 100-strong embassy staff in Caracas by some 80 percent, Venezuela said Monday. It’s up to Washington to decide which 17 diplomats will remain out of an estimated 100, a size similar to the staff at the embassy of the South American nation in […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
Iran plans “Resistance Economy” as a strategic policy: MP
Tehran, March 2, IRNA – An Iranian parliamentarian described resistance economy an issue which is of strategic importance for the country. Talking to IRNA on Monday, Ali Mohammad Ahmadi who is a deputy for Majlis Budget and Planning Committee, said that resistance economy offers a comprehensive and strategic plans for development of country’s economy not […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
China calls for better commercial services in overseas embassies
(Xinhua) BEIJING, March 2 — Senior Chinese leaders has urged diplomats in charge of commercial affairs to greatly contribute to economic ties between China and foreign countries they station. A four-day national conference on improving economic and commercial counseling services in foreign countries concluded on Monday, during which Vice Premier Wang Yang held discussions with […]
more…3 Mar, 2015
2,600+ people sign anti-Netanyahu, anti-war ad in New York Times
Source: Rabbi Michael Lerner, www.tikkun.org This is the ad, signed by over 2,600 people, that appears today in the New York Times, and tomorrow on Capitol Hill in “The Hiill” newspaper (read in every Congressional office and in the White House) can be viewed here: https://org.salsalabs.com/o/525/images/Final netanyahu ad.pdf If you like it, please sign it […]
more…2 Mar, 2015
Texting Jargon is harming Persian language, writing skills
Tehran, March 2, IRNA — Experts fear that the jargon of text messages has spawned a new online language and culture which is undermining the Persian language and writing skills. A special program on the subject of ‘SMS and Persian language’ was held at Tehran’s National Library’s Andhishegah (literally, thinking room) hall on Sunday (March […]
more…2 Mar, 2015
Chinese Commentary: 70 Years Since End of WWII, Time to Reflect on Past, Look to Future
UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (Xinhua) — The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War Thursday, calling upon all United Nations member states not to forget the tremendous sacrifices made and the horrendous atrocities committed during the war. The resolution, adopted by the 193-member General […]
more…1 Mar, 2015
Natural disasters in Asia-Pacific impact some 80 million people – UN study
BANGKOK, (UNESCAP media release) — In 2014, over half of the world’s 226 natural disasters occurred in the Asia and Pacific region. Although it was a year without a single large-scale catastrophe caused by an earthquake or tsunami, the region experienced severe storms, cross-border floods and landslides, which accounted for 85 percent of all disasters. […]
more…1 Mar, 2015
Most popular items Chinese tourists buy overseas
Beijing, 2015-02-27, (Xinhuanet) – Spring Festival is no longer a time solely for family reunions in China as more and more Chinese are traveling abroad during the holiday. Shopping has one of their most important missions during the weeklong vacation. From Japanese electronic toilet seats to Swiss luxury watches, Chinese tourists have been globe-trotting in […]
more…1 Mar, 2015
Venezuela to sanction U.S officials, require visas for Americans
CARACAS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Saturday that his government will deny visas to a number of United States officials whom he called “terrorists”, including former president George W. Bush and senators Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez. Speaking at an anti U.S. rally, Maduro said these measures were taken to ease […]
more…22 Feb, 2015
Jewish Fanatic Settlers Chop Down 36 Olive Trees in South Hebron Hills
AT-TUWANI, February 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers chopped down Friday 36 olive trees in the south Hebron hills, said Operation Dove, an Italian peace group, in a press release, The group said that on the morning of February 20, Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills awoke to find that 36 olive trees had been […]
more…22 Feb, 2015
On Mother Language Day, UN spotlights role of native tongue in education
United Nations, UN News Centre, 21 February 2015 – Mother tongue education is not only a force for quality learning, it is also essential to bolster multilingualism and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity at a time when societies are transforming quickly and many languages are under threat, the United Nations agency mandated with promoting […]
more…20 Feb, 2015
Beijing’s crowd control system to be rolled out nationwide
Beijing, (Xinhua), 2015-02-02 – Beijing is using a crowd analytics system to prevent stampedes at major commercial areas. It is hoped that the system will be rolled out nationwide. Beijing has used the system, which was developed by the Beijing Municipal Institute of Labor Protection (BMILP), for five years. The system provides real-time data on […]
more…20 Feb, 2015
Ten Reasons for the “War on Islam”
On February 19, U.S. President Barack Obama gave a speech at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, in which he declared that the United States is not waging a war on Islam. He made a similar assertion in his famous speech at Al Azhar University in Cairo in June 2009. Former U.S. President George W. […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
China Focus: Mind your manner – tourists advised before holiday travel rush
HANGZHOU, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — As many Chinese prepare to travel abroad for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, tourism industry insiders are appealing travelers to mind their manners. Ctrip, a NASDAQ-listed travel service company, published a report on Chinese travelers’ behavior abroad in January, which claimed most of the 1 million tourists using its package […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
Spotlight: Chinese Maritime Silk Road to boost regional prosperity
BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Overseas experts have made positive comments on China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, saying it will promote the development of the countries along the route and boost regional prosperity. Professor James Peck from New York University told reporters that the strategic 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative will exert […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
Jewish fanatic settlers uproot hundreds of olive saplings near Hebron
HEBRON, February 18, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Wednesday uprooted around 550 newly planted olive saplings in the town of ash-Shuyukh to the northeast of Hebron, according to local sources. Sources told WAFA that settlers from the illegal settlements of Asfar and Bani Kadim uprooted olive trees’ saplings belonging to the families of Abd al-Qader […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
UN political chief warns of ‘increasingly toxic’ Gaza; calls for new talks, international support
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 18 February 2015 – Briefing the United Nations Security Council after “another tumultuous and deadly month” in the Middle East, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, warned that further escalation remains possible in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and could be highly damaging to both parties and to […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
Israeli Police Let Jewish Fanatics into Al-Aqsa Area, Block Palestinians Entry
JERUSALEM, February 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Tuesday continued their almost daily provocative visits to al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem, whilst Israeli police proceeded with imposing restrictive policies on Palestinian worshippers’ entry. Settlers, divided in small groups and protected by Israeli police, stormed the Mosque’s compound and carried out provocative tours, infuriating worshipers who […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
ADB Publishes Myanmar Business Plan 2015-17, Plans Minimum US$463m in Funding
Bangkok – The Asian Development Bank has published its Country Operations Business Plan for Myanmar covering the period 2015-2017. The indicative allocation for Myanmar amounts to $463 million but could go up to $680 million if cofinancing and funding from other sources is included. The key economic sectors targeted are Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Natural Resources, […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
FREE Download: European Long-Haul Travel Sentiment Survey Report
Brussels, 18th February 2015. (ETC Media release) – To best support the tourism sector facing uncertainties caused by threats of terrorism and Eurozone economic instability, the European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Tourism Association (ETOA) and the Eurail Group have jointly launched a new research initiative that monitors travel sentiment in key extra-European markets: Brazil, […]
more…19 Feb, 2015
Afghanistan cricketers, some ex-refugees, inspire on World Cup debut
Canberra, (International Cricket Council website), 19 February 2015 – The Cinderella story of world cricket did not achieve the fairy tale finish many hoped for on Wednesday, but Afghanistan’s maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup had a far greater significance than the score at the end of the Manuka Oval match. The Afghanistan […]
more…18 Feb, 2015
India to Help Myanmar Upgrade Border Infrastructure
Nay Pyi Taw, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 17-February-2015 — The 5th India- Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 17 February, 2015. The meeting was co-Chaired by Minister of Commerce & Industry Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman and Myanmar Union Minister of Commerce U Win Myint. The […]
more…18 Feb, 2015
2014 Political crisis caused Bangkok hotels to be worst hit amongst Asia-Pacific cities
SINGAPORE, Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — According to the HRS Annual Hotel Price Radar, Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore took the top slots for cities with most expensive average hotel room rates in 2014. Based on data collected from all hotel bookings made via the HRS hotel portal in 2014, the analysis looks at per night […]
more…18 Feb, 2015
Beijing pollution levels projected to spike with New Year fireworks
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-02-17 – When the fireworks light up the night to celebrate Lunar New Year in Beijing, air quality in the capital will get worse, possibly leading to three days of severe pollution, the municipal environmental watchdog said on Monday. The weather from Wednesday to Friday is expected to be windless, which means […]
more…18 Feb, 2015
Health & wellness: Mindfulness meditation may help older adults sleep better – study
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Mindfulness meditation practices may help improve sleep quality in older adults with moderate sleep disturbance, a U.S. study said Monday. An estimated 50 percent of individuals 55 years and older have some sort of sleep problem in the United States, and moderate sleep disturbances in older adults are associated with […]
more…18 Feb, 2015
Happiness Index Survey: PhDs less happy than the less well-educated
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), February 17, 2015 – A report released by China Household Finance Survey last Thursday shows that the improvement in educational level has not created a greater sense of happiness, and that PhDs feel even less happy than the least well-educated. Overall, a higher level of education means less happiness. Primary school […]
more…17 Feb, 2015
European taxpayers fork out another €212 million to subsidise Israeli occupation of Palestine
Brussels, 17 February 2015, European Commission Press release — The European Union has released the first tranche of its 2015 financial support to the Palestinian Authority and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), totalling €212 million. This new funding will help provide vital basic services […]
more…17 Feb, 2015
Festival of India in Thailand: Multi-faith Sufi Gospel Musicians Hail Unity of Humanity
Bangkok – When Indian singer Sonam Kalra introduced the musicians of her Sufi Gospel Project troupe at this year’s inaugural Festival of India performance in Bangkok, she made it a point to highlight the team’s multi-faith composition. Two are Hindus, two Muslims and two Sikhs (including herself). One, a Christian, was absent at this performance. […]
more…16 Feb, 2015
Beijing strengthens Chinese New Year holiday festival safety measures
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-02-14 – The Beijing city government is strengthening safety measures for Spring Festival following the deadly New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai. The number of visitors in tourist attractions will be strictly monitored, according to the Beijing Commission of Tourism Development, and police must be contacted immediately if they exceed the safety […]
more…16 Feb, 2015
Chinese New Year Luxury sales sag in corruption-plagued Shanxi
Beijing, (Xinhua) 2015-02-15 – The upcoming Lunar New Year is not making life for luxury retailers in Northwest China’s Shanxi province any easier as sales continue dropping amid the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. “In the past, wearing top brands at work attracted admiration. Now it invites suspicion over corruption, so everybody is being low-key these days,” […]
more…16 Feb, 2015
Health & Wellness: Alcoholics Will Pass their Drinking Problem on to their Children
New York (13-02-2015), Joint Press Release IOGT International, Nacoa UK, NACoA (USA) — – Marking Children of Alcoholics Week 2015, Civil Society leaders have called in a joint press release for stronger efforts to not leave children of alcoholics isolated and alone. “Children of Alcoholics are all too often silently suffering because their needs are […]
more…16 Feb, 2015
Superficial to spiritual: Buddhist monk to keynote at brand-building conference in Bangkok
Bangkok – Possibly for the first time in Asia, a Buddhist monk is to deliver the keynote speech at an upcoming conference on building brands. The Venerable Dr. Anilman Dhammasākiyō Phra Shakyavongsvisuddhi will officiate at the opening of the ‘Sustainable Brands ’15 Bangkok’ to be held March 18-19 on the innovative theme, “Reimagine, Redesign, Rebirth.” […]
more…13 Feb, 2015
Philippines: Thousands Call For Passage Of Bangsamoro Law to End Mindanao Conflict
COTABATO CITY, Feb 12 (NNN-PNA) — About 20,000 peace activists converged at the plaza here as part of simultaneous peace rallies in support of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as a permanent solution to the decades-old Mindanao conflict. The peace rallies were staged in different areas in Mindanao — General Santos City; […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
U.S. Restaurants projected to add over 300,000 jobs in 2015
February 6, 2015, National Restaurant Association, – Restaurant industry job growth outpaced the overall economy for the 15th consecutive year in 2014, adding jobs at a robust 3.5 percent rate. Restaurants will continue to post solid payroll gains in 2015, and will add over 300,000 jobs for the fifth consecutive calendar year, according to the […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
US military spending will never be enough
Washington DC, 2015-02-06 – The US national debt clock near Times Square was ticking in the $16-trillion range when I left New York two years ago. On Tuesday, it had crossed $18.102 trillion. This means that each of the 319 million Americans owes a debt of more than $56,000. The US national debt was only […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
Business Travel Coalition Calls For Investigation of Unjustified Airline Fuel Surcharging
February 9, 2015, WASHINGTON, DC (BTC media release) – The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a thorough and in-depth investigation with respect to the airline industry’s continued assessment of often-sizeable fuel surcharges on many itineraries in violation of DOT’s clear “Additional Guidance on Airfare/Air Tour Price […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
Luxury Hotel Okura being built in fast-growing Phnom Penh, Cambodia
TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 9, 2015 – Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced it will open The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh, a luxury hotel to be built in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, in 2019. Hotel Okura has signed an agreement to manage the hotel with TEHO Development Cambodia Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of TEHO International, listed in Singapore. […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
To really understand why Israel fears a future Palestine, visit the Mekong countries
Siem Reap, Cambodia — In order to truly and fully understand why Israel fears the birth of a state of Palestine, try visiting the Mekong countries. What’s the connection? Read on. Forty years after the defeat of U.S. forces in Vietnam, peace and opportunity prevails throughout the Mekong river countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and […]
more…11 Feb, 2015
Rapid aviation growth creating “imminent” pilot shortage, will impact on safety, IATA warns
BANGKOK — The rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific aviation industry is set to create a major shortage of qualified pilots which in turn could impact on safety levels, the International Air Transport Association has warned. In a paper presented to Second High-Level Safety Conference 2015 organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montréal, 2 […]
more…10 Feb, 2015
World Interfaith Week Marked Under Theme “Multi-religious Partnership for Sustainable Development”
United Nations, 6 February 2015 (UN News Centre) – At a special event today which marked World Interfaith Week, top United Nations officials celebrated the importance of dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people. The President of the General Assembly told the event, titled “World Interfaith Harmony: […]
more…9 Feb, 2015
New alliance formed to unite all Australians with disability
Canberra, 6 February 2015, Minister for Social Services media release – A new Alliance representing the interests and views of all people with disability will provide advice to the Australian Government on improving social and economic participation, and breaking down barriers. The National Cross-Disability Alliance will provide the Government with practical advice to help improve […]
more…9 Feb, 2015
Australian State Tourism Ministers call for lower fuel costs to be passed onto customers
Sydney, Minister of Trade & Investment Media release, 6 February 2015 – Australia’s Tourism Ministers met in Sydney today with tourism industry leaders and the New Zealand Government. All Australian Ministers agreed that the tourism sector must benefit from all airlines and regional petrol sale outlets passing on oil price reductions in full. Ministers noted […]
more…9 Feb, 2015
Cambodia’s two World Heritage temples symbolise future of peace, culture and tourism
SIEM REAP, Cambodia — The World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat was the backdrop of the first world UNWTO-UNESCO ministerial conference on building a tourism-and-culture partnership between February 4-6, 2015. More than 900 delegates from 100 countries, including record numbers from the Arab world and Africa, mulled ways to save the tourism goose from dying […]
more…4 Feb, 2015
Delta Under Fire for Alleged Discriminatory Treatment of Arab Passengers
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | February 3, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is currently investigating an incident of discrimination against an Arab-American family on Delta Airlines. ADC has received video footage of a Delta Airlines employee threatening to remove a Muslim family off the plane after they were victims of xenophobic harassment by another […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
Iranian Leader’s Open Message to European, US youth: Be very, very careful about spoonfed lies about Islam
Tehran, IRNA, 21 January 2015 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said in an open message to the young people of North America and Europe not to be taken in by the widespread attempts to tarnish the image of Islam and instead to do some serious study and research of the truth. […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
New spot on Asia’s spiritual tourism circuit: A replica of Bodhgaya pagoda in Myanmar
Nay Pyi Taw — After spending six days covering the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015, I was given a whirlwind tour of Nay Pyi Taw, courtesy of Maung Maung Swe, Vice Chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation. My first stop was the Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhi Pagoda (the first picture below), located a little on the […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
The colours, culture and costumes of the people of Myanmar
Nay Pyi Taw — The colourful culture, customs and costumes of the people of Myanmar were also on display at the ATF 2015.
more…3 Feb, 2015
Interesting Myanmar SME products on show at the ATF 2015
Nay Pyi Taw – The opening up of Myanmar to tourism is certainly having an extensive trickle-down effect on the country’s small and medium sized enterprises and independent owners / operators of many products and services. Many of them took the opportunity to participate in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 and gain some international exposure. […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
ATF 2015 caps long tourism career of Minister U Htay Aung
Nay Pyi Taw — The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 was a personal triumph for Union Minister of Hotels & Tourism U Htay Aung. It capped a long career that has seen him rise from a mid-ranked official in the country’s tourism apparatus to Minister over the span of nearly three decades. I have personally known […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
Talent Hunt: A Rising Star Young Myanmar Hotelier
Nay Pyi Taw — When I arrived at the Excel Capital hotel on Jan 22, a young man helped me ensure a smooth check-in. Over the course of the week that I spent at the hotel, this same young man helped me discover what good service delivery really means. He was on duty literally all […]
more…3 Feb, 2015
Spot the ASEAN logo contest: How tourism has failed to build a single ASEAN identity
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar – If the ASEAN tourism industry, and the ASEAN fraternity at large, has failed to generate a strong and united brand-image, these pictures below of the ASEAN Tourism Forum hosted for the first time in the Myanmar capital between January 22-29, 2015, will prove why. The ASEAN logo, the primary symbol […]
more…27 Jan, 2015
Political crisis saw Thai hotels take 11% occupancy hit in 2014
SINGAPORE, 26 January 2015, (STR Media release) —A recovery that began to emerge late in the third quarter of 2014 couldn’t help Thailand’s hotel industry overcome a dismal first half of the year as the industry reported a year-over-year occupancy decline of 11.3 percent. The country’s occupancy drop was primarily driven by Bangkok’s hotels, which […]
more…27 Jan, 2015
MasterCard Travel Survey Pinpoints Interesting ASEAN Consumer Trends, Preferences
Singapore, 26 January 2015 (MasterCard media release) – 80% of Southeast Asian travelers who went overseas last year, plan to holiday abroad the same or more this year, according to the MasterCard Consumer Purchasing Priorities survey. In Southeast Asia, Singapore residents display the most desire to travel internationally in the next 12 months, with 87% […]
more…27 Jan, 2015
Myanmar e-visas soaring, expansion to four Thai border checkpoints in the pipeline
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — Proving that facilitating accessibility can be far more effective than big marketing budgets for spurring visitor arrivals, Myanmar’s e-visa system is averaging between 600-700 approvals a day, up from 100-200 a day when it was launched in Sepetmber 2014. The numbers are set to grow exponentially this year when the […]
more…26 Jan, 2015
Israeli Occupation forces demolish Palestinian bedouin homes, sheds in Jerusalem Village
JERUSALEM, January 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday demolished Palestinian residential structures and sheds in Beit Iksa village to the northwest of Jerusalem, said a municipal source. Head of Beit Iksa Village Council Sa‘ada Khatib said that Israeli troops with military bulldozers proceeded to demolish residential structures and sheds belonging to Ad-Dahawiq Bedouin tribe. […]
more…26 Jan, 2015
ASEAN secretariat under strain, overwhelmed by workload, inadequate resources, tourism ministers told
Nay Pyi Taw, Myammar – The 305-strong staff of the ASEAN secretariat are “stretched to capacity” handling the workload of over 1,200 meetings annually, and the entire ASEAN apparatus is badly in need of a thorough overhaul, the region’s tourism ministers were told on January 25. Right at the opening of their annual meeting, the […]
more…25 Jan, 2015
ASEANTA unveils plan to reinvent itself, rebuild ties with national tourism organisations
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — The ASEAN Tourism Association, which groups the private sector and some of the national airlines of the 10 member countries, has unveiled a series of measures to reinvent itself and re-establish a stronger partnership with the ASEAN national tourism organisations and tourism ministries. Addressing the 41st meeting of the ASEAN […]
more…25 Jan, 2015
Strengthening Yuan to increase Europe appeal for Chinese Spring Festival travellers
(China Daily), 2015-01-24 – The yuan’s appreciation against the euro following the quantitative easing program launched in Europe on Thursday is poised to increase the continent’s popularity as a travel destination for Chinese. The European Central Bank launched a government bond-buying program on Thursday to address a prolonged period of low inflation. Together with existing […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
WEF Davos: ASEAN Leaders Confident that AEC Will Be Launched By End of Year
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 23 January 2015 (WEF media release) – Political and business leaders from ASEAN member states told participants at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that the ASEAN Economic Community, uniting 10 countries with over 600 million people in a common market, will be a reality by the end of 2015. “Some in […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
How China Will Steer its Economy: Full Text of Chinese Premier’s address at WEF in Davos
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum annual meeting here Wednesday. The following is the full text of Li’s address entitled: Uphold Peace and Stability, Advance Structural Reform and Generate New Momentum for Development Professor Klaus Schwab, President Simonetta Sommaruga, Distinguished Guests, […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
Chinese commentary: West should end its hypocrisy on anti-terror war
Washington DC, China Daily, 2015-01-22 — Senior US leaders invited sharp criticism at home for not attending last week’s solidarity rally in Paris against the terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people were killed. As a result, US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Paris this week to make […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
ATF 2003 Flashback: Iraq war and the journalists who saw tomorrow
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — When the ASEAN Tourism Forum was held in January 2003 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the dogs of war were preparing to be unleashed in Iraq to weed out “weapons of mass destruction”. The United States was putting together a “coalition of the willing” to attack the country and dismantle former […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
How Brunei can use its God-given wealth to make ASEAN an Abode of Peace
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — The theme of this year’s ATF is “ASEAN – Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership.” After a long time, the word “peace” is mentioned in an ASEAN tourism theme slogan. That should strike a chord in Brunei, the only ASEAN country whose full name also includes the word “peace” — […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
OECD Report: Will Myanmar reap the last mover advantage?
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — Business marketing slogans often cite the importance of the “first mover advantage” but Myanmar is now well-placed to reap a “last-mover advantage.” Having for years been left behind by Western economic sanctions, and the advances of its Mekong region brethren, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, it is now rapidly making up […]
more…24 Jan, 2015
Why the 2015 ASEAN Tourism Forum in Myanmar is an historic event
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — More than 1,500 travel & tourism executives and government officials from within the ASEAN region and around the world are convening here for what promises to be a ground-breaking ASEAN Tourism Forum in many ways. Here are some points of interest: (+) For the first time, Myanmar is hosting the […]
more…22 Jan, 2015
Palestinian Children Call for Construction of Seaport, Lifting Gaza Blockade
GAZA, January 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinian children organized Wednesday a protest calling for the construction of Gaza seaport and lifting the blockade in Gaza city, reported Anadolu News Agency. Protestors took to the streets of Gaza city, urging the United Nations to assume its human and legal responsibilities toward the war-ravaged coastal […]
more…22 Jan, 2015
Thai public sector urged to follow King’s “Sufficiency Economy” concept in budgets
Bangkok, Prime Minister’s secretariat, January 21, 2015 — Today, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, presided over an opening ceremony of a meeting to hand down policy on annual budgeting FY2016 to heads of government offices and state enterprises, as well as concerned agencies in order for all government offices to be on the same page […]
more…22 Jan, 2015
Mali: UN conference to examine conservation of Mali’s precious ancient manuscripts
21.01.2015 – UNESCOPRESS – Nearly two years after armed groups occupied northern Mali and destroyed cultural heritage there, an international conference will take place in the capital, Bamako, from 28 to 30 January to examine the long-term conservation of the country’s invaluable ancient manuscript collection UNESCO’s Office in Bamako, Mali’s Ministry of Higher Education and […]
more…22 Jan, 2015
A “Dangerous Mistake” to Ignore Uncertainty, Swiss President Warns at WEF in Davos
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 21 January 2015 – Today’s global context is one of uncertainty, said Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Justice and Police. Uncertainty is prevalent in current conflicts and crisis regions as well as in the comparatively prosperous countries of Europe. “Overall, globalization has led to greater prosperity and reduced […]
more…22 Jan, 2015
FREE download: UNWTO Report on Shopping Tourism
From new mall designs to new ways to harness technology, new value-added experiences to new marketing campaigns, travel & tourism destinations worldwide are working overtime to make shopping a full-fledged reason for travel, not just a side-benefit of it, according to a report by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Released in time for the […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
Labour Leaders stress at Davos 2015: The World Needs a New Business Model
Brussels, 20 January 2015 (ITUC OnLine): The global economic system isn’t working for six billion people, warned labour leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Working people and their families need a new business model to stop the disintegration of democracies and economies. The world needs investment and jobs, said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
WEF Global Risks report challenges claimed benefits of tourism
For decades, travel & tourism has positioned itself as an industry of peace, a major contributor to friendship, international understanding, sustainability, poverty-alleviation, economic growth and socio-cultural stability. But a provocative report issued by the World Economic Forum in advance of its annual meeting in Davos this week provides food for thought about whether those theories […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
China’s deputy tourism chief removed from post, under investigation
BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) — Huo Ke, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration, has been removed from post for suspected “serious discipline and law violations.” The decision was made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee on Monday. The CPC’s discipline agency […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
Israel’s Freeze of Tax Revenues Devastating Palestinian Economy
RAMALLAH, January 19, 2015 (WAFA) – Palestinian Finance Minister, Shukri Bishara, Monday said that Israel’s illegal freeze of 70% of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) income, in tax revenues, is a devastating blow to the Palestinian economy. He stressed that this Israeli punitive measure, which came in response to acceding to the International Criminal Court (ICC), […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
Arab Scientist Ibn Al-Haytham a focus of UNESCO’s Int’l Year of Light Exhibition
Paris, UNESCO media release – The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) is delighted to welcome as Founding Partner the award-winning educational organization 1001 Inventions. British-based 1001 Inventions has the specific mission to raise awareness of the contributions to science, technology and culture from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization, and will […]
more…20 Jan, 2015
Radical shift in agriculture critical to making future food systems more efficient – UN
16 January 2015, Berlin (FAO media release) – Increasing competition for natural resource and emerging resource bottlenecks mean that global agriculture can no longer operate using a “business as usual” approach – the input-intensive agricultural development model used for the past 40 years is no longer sustainable, and a “paradigm shift” in food production is […]
more…17 Jan, 2015
Chinese commentary: Western bigotry, double-standards a “detonator” of global terrorism
BEIJING, Jan. 17, (Xinhua) — Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine brutally attacked last week by Islamic extremists, once again published Wednesday its latest edition with a caricature of the Muslim prophet on its cover — a blasphemous move in the eyes of the Islamic world — which has triggered outcry and protests in many countries. […]
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