27 Apr, 2018
Int’l Olympic Committee President: How the “Power of Sports” facilitated Korean peace talks
chinadaily.com.cn, 2018-04-26 — When the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea meet on April 27, it will be only the third such summit since the end of the Korean War (1950-53). Only a few months ago political tensions were escalating rapidly, raising fears of military confrontation on the […]
more…26 Apr, 2018
Trades Union launches platform to help migrant workers combat unscrupulous recruitment agencies
Brussels, 04-04-2018, (International Trade Union Confederation) — The ITUC has launched a new web platform to help protect migrant workers from abusive employment practices, by providing them with peer-to-peer reviews about recruitment agencies in their country of origin and destination. The Recruitment Advisor, developed by the ITUC with support from the ILO Fair Recruitment initiative, […]
more…26 Apr, 2018
Workers in 35 OECD countries pay 25% of their wages in taxes
Paris, (OECD media release), 26/04/2018 – Workers in OECD countries paid just over a quarter of their gross wages in tax on average in 2017, with just over half of countries seeing small increases in the personal average tax rate, according to a new OECD report. Taxing Wages 2018 shows that the “net personal average tax […]
more…26 Apr, 2018
ITUC May Day Statement 2018: Corporate power is running out of control
Brussels, 26 April 2018 (International Trade Union Confederation) — The following statement was issued today by the International Trade Union Confederation to mark the upcoming Labour Day, 01 May 2018. One hundred and fifty years ago, workers in Britain came together to create the world’s first national trade union centre, the TUC, in the city […]
more…26 Apr, 2018
UNCTAD commentary: Nobody really wins a trade war
Geneva, 25 April 2018, (UNCTAD commentary) – Are we seeing the start of a trade war? Although there is a long history of countries blaming each other for their own economic misfortunes, during the last few months there has been an escalation both in the rhetoric and in trade policy actions. The initial round of […]
more…25 Apr, 2018
Early Life Crisis: New Study Reveals Millennials facing more depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies
MONTREAL, Canada (PRWEB) April 14, 2018 — Many mental health red flags may be dismissed by parents and teachers as “normal” teenage angst or a cry for attention: A tendency toward isolation, nervousness, lashing out, or sleeping too much. Perhaps far worse is the knee-jerk reaction of dealing with issues like attention problems or hyperactivity […]
more…25 Apr, 2018
12 questions to disrupt the boring programme content of Islamic tourism events
Dubai – The second ATM Global Halal Tourism Summit held at the Arabian Travel Mart on April 24 proved again how the entire travel industry is increasingly becoming a mutual admiration club of people preaching to the converted. As usual, key challenges having a significant impact on travel & tourism flows to, from and within […]
more…24 Apr, 2018
Japan overtakes U.S. as world’s most popular destination, Visa Study shows
Dubai, 23 April 2018 – Japan has overtaken the United States as the most popular destination for global travelers in the past two years, Visa’s Global Travel Intentions (GTI) Study 2017. The study said, “Regional preferences prevail, though, with travelers in the Asia Pacific region leaning heavily toward Japan as a travel destination.” Full text of the press releases issued in Dubai […]
more…24 Apr, 2018
Turkish FM warns of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the West
Istanbul (UNA-OIC) 19 April 2018 – Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that anti-Muslim sentiment was rising rapidly in the West, especially in Europe, Anadolu Agency reported. Speaking at the first-ever World Muslim Minorities Summit held in the Turkish city of Istanbul, Cavusoglu said Muslims are seen as scapegoats in the West. “Anti-Muslim […]
more…24 Apr, 2018
New CAIR Report: Trump’s Muslim Bans Increased Anti-Muslim Discrimination, Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/23/2018, (CAIR media release) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a one-of-its-kind report offering data on the impact and legal pushback against anti-Muslim bias across the United States in the past year. Video: CAIR News Conference to Release 2018 Civil Rights Report CAIR 2018 Civil […]
more…24 Apr, 2018
European Commission plans stronger, EU-wide whistleblower protection rules
Brussels, 23 April 2018, European Commission media release – Recent scandals such as Dieselgate, Luxleaks, the Panama Papers or the ongoing Cambridge Analytica revelations show that whistleblowers can play an important role in uncovering unlawful activities that damage the public interest and the welfare of our citizens and society. Today’s proposal will guarantee a high […]
more…23 Apr, 2018
Amadeus Middle East travel report: Women key decision-makers, social media influencers faces trust challenge
Dubai – April 23, 2018: The ‘Middle East Consumer Travel Report 2018’, a study co-sponsored by Amadeus and developed by InsightOut Consultancy, has identified the following six key trends shaping the Middle East market: 1) Travel sellers need to adopt consultative approach to package clients’ requirements, within designated budget 2) The leading role of women […]
more…23 Apr, 2018
Transparency International lauds new EU proposals for whistleblower protection
Brussels, 23 April 2018, (Media release issued by Transparency International Liaison Office to the European Union) – Today, the European Commission published its long-awaited proposal for an EU-wide Whistleblower Directive, which is a bold step in recognising the importance and rights of whistleblowers, according to Transparency International EU. The proposal, which is a victory for […]
more…19 Apr, 2018
WTTC’s Mission Still Not Accomplished
In September 2003, exactly 15 years ago, the World Travel & Tourism Council issued a Blueprint for New Tourism. It was yet another assertion of the WTTC mantras flagged since the formation of the rich mans’ club in 1991 — make T&T a priority, liberalise travel, open markets and remove impediments. These mantras have produced […]
more…16 Apr, 2018
ICON-IC India and her Feat of Clay – By Mark Deane
AKA: Our national fascination with busts and grand erections “Now stiff on a pillar with a phallic air, Nelson stylites in Trafalgar Square. Reminds the British what once they were, Aboard the Victory, Victory O.” (Borrowed from “A Ballad of the Good Lord Nelson” by Lawrence Durrell) Ours is an ancient land, steeped in history, […]
more…16 Apr, 2018
49 retired senior civil servants pen Open Letter to PM Modi: India facing an “existential crisis”
April 16, 2018 — This is the text of open letter to the Prime Minister that 49 retired civil servants are releasing to the media/public. Honourable Prime Minister, We are a group of retired civil servants who came together last year to express our concern at the decline in the secular, democratic, and liberal values […]
more…16 Apr, 2018
Open Letter to the U.S. travel industry: Is state terrorism serving your interests?
Bangkok – Shootings in U.S. offices, schools, universities and other public places are always followed by an enormous outpouring of outrage, anguish, hand-wringing and soul-searching. Much time and attention is devoted to understanding the shooter’s motivation. If it’s a Muslim, the violence is automatically assigned the “T” word. The others are somehow disturbed, loners, etc. […]
more…12 Apr, 2018
Confronting Islamophobia requires” a nuanced understanding of the forms repression can take” – Dr Nazia Kazi
Dr. Nazia Kazi is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Stockton University. She delivered these remarks at a recent conference on Islamophobia at Istanbul Zaim University. Salaam-alaikum. My comments today will be very brief. The title of this conference is “Contextualizing Islamophobia”. The title of this weekend’s event itself reminds us that our scholarship on Islamophobia […]
more…12 Apr, 2018
Hard questions for travel & tourism millennials: Does global war & conflict matter to you?
Bangkok — Here we go again. Fifteen years after the United States-led “Coalition of the Willing” attacked Iraq in pursuit of “weapons of mass destruction” that were never found, killing and maiming hundreds of thousands of people and devastating an entire country, war-drums are again reverberating in the Levant, this time in Syria. And as […]
more…12 Apr, 2018
Indonesia to hold Creative Product Festival 2018 in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) — The National Publishing & News Corporation (NPNC), set up jointly by the state-owned companies PT Balai Pustaka, Antara News Agency and Percetakan Negara Republik Indonesia (PNRI) is to organize the “Indonesia Creative Product Festival (ICPF) 2018” on April 13th – 15th at Dewan Tun Razak 4, Putra World Trade […]
more…11 Apr, 2018
China chides developed countries for overseas garbage dumping
By Zhang Ming The author is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and head of mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union. Geneva, 4 April 2018, (chinadaily.com.cn) – During a recent meeting of the WTO Council for Trade in Goods, some representatives raised concerns about China’s ban on “foreign garbage” import. Some even […]
more…11 Apr, 2018
ADC launches campaign to end U.S. taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel
Washington, DC, 5 April 2018, (www.adc.org) – In the recently passed $1.3 trillion federal spending bill, Congress increased military aid to Israel. All military aid to Israel is in violation of U.S. law prohibiting the transfer of arms to human rights violators. All of which is made worse by the fact that Congress refuses to enforce […]
more…11 Apr, 2018
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Next Big Thing – Thailand Outbound Travel Report 2018
Bangkok — Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil has made travel journalism history yet again by publishing the first report on the surging Thai outbound travel industry. The report is being made available FREE, thanks to support from Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat and Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn. Both […]
more…8 Apr, 2018
ASLA Survey: Demand High for Residential Landscapes with Sustainability and Active Living Elements
WASHINGTON, 3 April 2018, (BUSINESS WIRE)–The 2018 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey was conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2018. The survey was fielded February 22 through March 8, 2018, with 808 responding. Many […]
more…8 Apr, 2018
YPO Announces Signature Events for Innovation Week, 7-11 May
DALLAS, (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) –For the third consecutive year, YPO will host Innovation Week, a series of more than 50 events around the world designed to bring together the most dynamic innovators for a chance to network, overturn conventional thinking and come away inspired with actionable, applicable insight. YPO, the world’s premier leadership organization of chief […]
more…8 Apr, 2018
Biodiversity and Nature’s Contributions in Dangerous Decline, Scientists Warn
Medellin, Colombia, 23 March 2018, (IPBES News) –Biodiversity – the essential variety of life forms on Earth – continues to decline in every region of the world, significantly reducing nature’s capacity to contribute to people’s well-being. This alarming trend endangers economies, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life of people everywhere, according to four […]
more…6 Apr, 2018
Jewish billionaire’s role in fomenting Islamophobia coming to light
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/5/18) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for Federal Election Commission (FEC) and IRS investigations of virulently anti-Muslim advertisements that used Facebook and Google to target voters in swing states prior just before the 2016 election. Robert Mercer, a top supporter of […]
more…6 Apr, 2018
Jewish Rabbi seeks support for media campaign: Tell Israeli soldiers to disobey orders to shoot Palestinians
Editor’s Note: The following statement was released on 05 April by Tikkun, which refers to itself as a grouping of Spiritual Progressives headed by Rabbi Michael Lerner. I am reproducing it in full here in anticipation that the travel & tourism industry, which claims to be an “industry of peace”, will read it and let […]
more…6 Apr, 2018
ADB President Highlights Inequality, Climate Change, and Aging as Three Key Challenges for China’s New Era
Beijing, 25 March 2018, (ADB News) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao addressed the China Development Forum (CDF), which opened today in Beijing. Mr. Nakao will meet Premier Li Keqiang along with other participants of the CDF. He also participated in a roundtable with Vice Premier Liu He. During his visit to Beijing, […]
more…6 Apr, 2018
First Indonesia-Africa Forum to be held in Jakarta, April 10-11
Jakarta (ANTARA News) 6 April 2018 – Fifty-three African countries have been invited to attend the first Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) to be held in Bali on Apr 10-11. “As of today, 40 countries have confirmed their participation in the Indonesia-Africa Forum,” Director of Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Daniel Tumpal Simanjuntak noted in […]
more…5 Apr, 2018
Alibaba offers Malaysian merchants access into China
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 March 2018, (Bernama) — As part of its commitment to lower trade barriers and provide SMEs with more equitable access to global markets, Alibaba Group hosted its first “Access to China Consumers” Seminar, with the aim to enable Malaysian exporter to tap into the demand among Chinese consumers for Malaysian and foreign […]
more…5 Apr, 2018
Hollywood advances racist depiction of Arabs in new film “Beirut”
Washington, DC., 3 April 2018, (www.adc.org) – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the nation’s largest Arab-American civil rights organizations, is deeply offended by the racist and simplistic portrayal of Arabs, and misrepresentation of regional politics, in the upcoming film Beirut. The film is filled with the stereotypical anti-Arab sentiment which Hollywood has been notorious for […]
more…5 Apr, 2018
In cost-cutting mode, U.N. downgrades staff travel, eliminates First Class entirely
UNITED NATIONS, 04 April 2018, (UN media information service) — The General Assembly today adopted five texts on matters with financial implications, ranging from the downgrading of standards of accommodation for staff air travel to the modalities of a special meeting on the global fight against tuberculosis, in line with the recommendations of its Fifth […]
more…5 Apr, 2018
Islamophobia rampant in Europe, report shows
Ankara, (04 April 2018), Foundation for Political and Economic Research) — This is the third issue of the annual European Islamophobia Report (EIR) consisting of an overall evaluation of Islamophobia in Europe in the year 2017, as well as 33 country reports which include almost all EU member states and additional countries such as Russia […]
more…26 Mar, 2018
Why the Facebook scandal makes travel technobabblers look like idiots
Travel technology forums, aka technobabblers, have experienced a shock-and-awe reality check in the wake of the Facebook scandal. I stopped attending technobabble forums many years ago. I just got bored of the starry-eyed delegates listening with open mouths to the usual gang of suspects spewing out the latest techno-toy wizardry and how it was going […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
Making the Caribbean’s airports and seaports more resistant to stronger hurricanes
23 March 2018, UNCTAD media release — This year’s World Meteorological Day on 23 March highlights the importance of being “weather-ready, climate-smart” – a timely theme with hurricane season right around the corner. Experts predict the 2018 season will be as busy as the last, when three major storms – Harvey, Irma and Maria – […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
ADB, China Water Affairs Sign Deal to Improve Urban Water Management in PRC
BEIJING, 2 March 2018, (ADB News) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a loan equivalent of up to $200 million to help China Water Affairs Group Limited (CWA) improve wastewater management and increase people’s access to clean and reliable water supply in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The agreement was signed by […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
Japan Hosts 30 Influencers from 20 Countries/Regions to Receive 40m Tourists by 2020
TOKYO, 22 March 2018, (PRNewswire) — The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) carried out a project to showcase the charms of tourism resources in each region of Japan, inviting 30 powerful influencers (bloggers) from 20 foreign countries and regions to visit various parts of the country in March 2018 with the aim of introducing abroad […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
Joaquín Roy: It’s the War, Stupid
MIAMI, 14 Mar 2018, (IPS) – It is revealing that a ruler who did not serve in the military, nor enjoys any experience in war affairs, has a special inclination to use a vocabulary more typical of bloody clashes between states than in diplomatic relations. Donald Trump, both in his electronic messages and in his […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
Siam Society lecture on Preserving the Underwater Cultural Heritage
Bangkok — One of Thailand’s leading cultural institutions, the Siam Society, will host a lecture on “Preserving the Underwater Cultural Heritage” by Etienne Clément, former Deputy Director Regional Asia Pacific Bureau of UNESCO on Thursday, 5 April 2018 at 7:30 p.m. The underwater cultural heritage is represented by ancient shipwrecks, submerged archaeological sites and other […]
more…24 Mar, 2018
Global labour unions accuse UN of violating its own rules on the “rule of law”
Brussels, 22 March 2018 (ITUC OnLine) – Staff at the International Labour Organisation are taking strike action today in the latest of a series of walkouts by United Nations employees in protest at the unilateral imposition of significant pay cuts by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), which sets terms and conditions for employees in […]
more…20 Mar, 2018
Three millennials win first essay competition on tourism’s contribution to UN SDGs
Bangkok, 13 March 2018 – Three young people under 30, a Filipino, Mexican and Pakistani, have won top honours in the first global essay competition organised by a travel trade publication to underscore the contribution of Travel & Tourism to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The co-winners of The Olive Tree awards competition are: Michael […]
more…16 Mar, 2018
UN spent US$4 billion on travel in 2012-15, to cutback on first-class trips
United Nations, March 15, (UN media release) – The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) took up the air travel policies of the United Nations on day two of its resumed seventy‑second session today, with delegates voicing support for the Secretary‑General’s proposal that high‑ranking officials fly business class — rather than first class — to help […]
more…13 Mar, 2018
In spite of occupation, Palestine abounds with cultural centers, museums and theaters
RAMALLAH, March 13, 2018 (WAFA) – Cultural Centers, museums and theaters have flourished in Palestinian in 2017 in spite of the 50-year long Israeli occupation. A report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on the status of cultural institutions in Palestine on the occasion of Palestinian National Culture Day, which coincides on Tuesday, […]
more…13 Mar, 2018
UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution to Combat Illicit Diamond Trade
United Nations, March 7, 2018, UN media release — The UN General Assembly, welcoming progress made by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to break links between the diamond trade and conflict, today adopted a consensus resolution aimed at intensifying that work and aligning it with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign […]
more…13 Mar, 2018
Millennials’ essays highlight need to disrupt the global tourism agenda
Bangkok – Perhaps the most important thing that struck me upon perusing the great essays sent in by young people for my competition was the yawning disconnect between their very perceptive views on the global status quo and the topics that figure on the agendas and programmes of global travel & tourism forums. Embedded within […]
more…5 Mar, 2018
Investigative reports expose corruption risks of Golden Visa schemes in Europe
Berlin, 5 March 2018, Transparency International Secretariat – Today, a series of investigations published by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) have detailed how citizenship- and residence-by-investment schemes, commonly referred to as ‘Golden Visa’ programmes, are vulnerable to abuse and undermine the fight against corruption in the European Union and neighbouring countries. […]
more…3 Mar, 2018
“The Next Big Thing”: Outbound Travel from Thailand Set to Hit 10 million in 2018
Bangkok – Outbound travel from Thailand is set to hit 10 million this year, according to the first comprehensive market research report on what is expected to be the “The Next Big Thing” in Asia-Pacific tourism. Designed to help destinations worldwide better understand the dynamics and drivers of this promising source of business, the report […]
more…16 Feb, 2018
Americas Tops the Global Gambling Market – Technavio report
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–09 February 2018 – The latest market research report by Technavio on the global gambling market predicts a CAGR of more than 8% during the period 2018-2022. The report segments the global gambling market by type (lottery, betting, and casino) and by geography (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). It provides a detailed illustration of […]
more…16 Feb, 2018
World invited to visit Palestine, see the reality of life under occupation
RAMALLAH, February 15, 2018 (WAFA & Travel Impact Newswire) – Omani Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi Thursday called on all countries to accept the invitation of President Mahmoud Abbas to visit Palestine and occupied Jerusalem to assert solidarity with the Palestinian people. Abbas Thursday met bin Alawi at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, after which […]
more…16 Feb, 2018
Northeast Asian destinations hammering ASEAN in pursuit of Thai outbound travel boom
Bangkok – With Japan at the forefront, Northeast Asian countries and Special Administrative Regions are clobbering the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in attracting the booming Thai outbound tourism market. A survey of the recent Thailand International Travel Fair, held between February 7-11 showed clearly how Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR […]
more…9 Feb, 2018
“Jailing critics does not make society safer”: A speech that will NEVER be heard at a travel industry event
BANGKOK (5 February 2018) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein started today his official visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, urging all governments to employ the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – in its totality – as a guide to law and policy. “The way to ensure we […]
more…9 Feb, 2018
20 years after moving to Asia, PATA’s pursuit of relevance remains elusive
The Pacific Asia Travel Association this week marks the 20th anniversary of its move from San Francisco to Bangkok. Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil, who has covered PATA since 1981, takes a look back and a look ahead. Bangkok – When PATA began pondering its move from San Francisco to Asia in the […]
more…6 Feb, 2018
Malaysian Competition Commission signs the Corruption-Free Pledge
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) — The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) is one of the government agencies that responded positively to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s call in signing the Corruption-Free Pledge (better known as IBR). The pledge signing ceremony held at Menara SSM, Kuala Lumpur was led by YBhg. Dato’ Abu Samah Shabudin, Chief […]
more…21 Jan, 2018
Indonesia to develop border areas to boost social justice
Jakarta (ANTARA News) 18th January 2018 – Development in border areas promotes social justice for all people across Indonesia, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto stated. “All people of Indonesia should get justice. People of Indonesia not only live in cities but many of them also reside in rural areas, and they […]
more…21 Jan, 2018
Number of Indian tourists to Bali up by 48.25 percent
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News), 16 January 2018 – The number of Indian tourists to Bali surged to 243,639 people during January-November 2017, up 79,283 people or 48.25 percent, from 164,345 people in the previous year`s same period. “Most of them arrived at the International Airport of Ngurah Rai by direct flights from their country, and […]
more…21 Jan, 2018
UNESCO opens applications for 2018 Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Awards
BANGKOK, 15 January 2018, (UNESCO News) – Submissions are now being accepted for the 2018 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This year’s awards cycle will mark the launch of a three-year partnership with Think City, a Malaysian urban renewal body that will support the programme and host the annual Awards Jury meeting in Penang, […]
more…21 Jan, 2018
18th Int’l Anti-Corruption Conf to focus on Development, Peace and Security
21 Jan 2018, Transparency International media release – In December 2016 at the 17th IACC in Panama City, Panama, more than 1,600 people from over 130 countries had one common call: The time for Justice, Equity, Security, and Trust is now. Today’s polarized politics fuels many evils: populism and extremism, violence, human rights violations, trafficking and illicit money, […]
more…21 Jan, 2018
ASEAN Tourism Forum V.1 is dying, Time to Plan ATF V.2
The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2018 to be held between 22-26 January in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai will have the lowest turnout of buyers and sellers in the last 10 years. The figures reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand of 240 buyers and 275 seller organisations continues a downtrend that began three […]
more…19 Jan, 2018
Sikhism fastest growing religion in Australia
Canberra, Jan 18, 2018 – Australian Bureau of Statistics — World Religion Day (Jan 21) aims to foster interfaith understanding and harmony, and is an opportunity to recognise the diversity of religion present in modern day Australia. The 2016 Census of Population and Housing found that three-fifths of the Australian population (61 per cent, or […]
more…8 Jan, 2018
UnionPay Cross-border B2B Payment Service Platform facilitates exports of SMEs in Yiwu
SHANGHAI, 8 January 2018, (PRNewswire) — UnionPay International announced today that the official website of Yiwu Market (www.yiwugou.com), the world’s largest commodity wholesale market, now connects to UnionPay Cross-border B2B Payment Service Platform. Purchasers outside China are able to pay safely and conveniently with UnionPay cards issued overseas to buy goods at www.yiwugou.com. This cooperation between UnionPay International […]
more…8 Jan, 2018
Innovative Securities: Higher Risks May Come in 2018
BUDAPEST, Hungary, 29 December 2017, (PRNewswire) – We are living in the decade of bullish markets. Because of record returns (and low interest rates) retail money floods the market. What could 2018 hold for the investors after all this? Innovative Securities’ prognosis tries to answer. In 2017, the already expensive stocks (and other instruments) became […]
more…8 Jan, 2018
Women Leaders Launch “TIME’S UP” Campaign
LOS ANGELES, 1 January 2018, (PRNewswire) – TIME’S UP, an unprecedented movement started by women in the entertainment industry, today announced the launch of TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund is one of a series of TIME’S UP’s ongoing commitments to combat the systemic power imbalances that have prohibited many women, especially […]
more…8 Jan, 2018
Christmas eve 2017: When Jewish Intellectual Noam Chomsky went to bat for Palestine
On Christmas eve, 24 December 2017, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), one of the groups on the entry-ban list issued by the Israel government, issued a fund-raising appeal featuring a personal message by Prof Noam Chomsky, Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and laureate professor at the University of Arizona. I am […]
more…8 Jan, 2018
Global publicity follows Israel entry ban on 20 pro-Palestine groups
Jewish Voice for Peace, a prominent U.S.-based group of Jews battling the Israeli occupation of Palestine, is among a list of 20 global civil society movements whose activists will be barred from entering Israel. It is the only Jewish group on the list released by the Strategic Affairs Ministry on 08 Jan and published by […]
more…7 Jan, 2018
UN readying training guidelines to help airline cabin crews identify, report human trafficking
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 4 January 2018 – The United Nations is taking the global combat against human trafficking into the skies as the Organization’s human rights office and its Montreal-based civil aviation agency begin putting the final touches on training guidelines that could help airline cabin crew spot possible victims. Human trafficking is […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
Mandela Peace Summit, Sufficiency Economy amongst highlights of The Olive Tree Edition 5
Bangkok – The January-February 2018 edition of The Olive Tree has been published on the Travel Impact Newswire website. This Edition 5 of the first and only publication designed to help travel & tourism achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals is sponsored by Jetwing Hotels Sri Lanka, the Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, Asian Overland […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
World-Class Urban Greenway Slows Pace of Life in Central China’s Wuhan
WUHAN, China, Dec. 29, 2017 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/ — Featuring China’s most intensive relics of ancient Chu culture, most splendid display of classic Chinese poetry and calligraphy, as well as top-level modern art works and sculptures as well as graffiti and three-dimensional street paintings, the second phase of a green belt encircling China’s largest urban lake in […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
Bravo Jakarta for reporting waste generated by New Year’s Eve celebrations
Bravo to the Jakarta Administration and the Antara News Agency. Instead of running the usual hackneyed Press release announcing what a wonderful time thousands of revellers had on New Year’s eve, the Indonesian national news agency Antara ran an interview with the head of the Environmental Affairs office of the Jakarta administration reporting that the […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
Malaysia 2018 Social Media Campaign Continues With Photo And Short Video Contest
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 29 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) continues organising a photography and short video contest on social media with the sub-theme #MyCuisine starting from 1 January 2018 to 28 February 2018. To enter, participants need to submit a creative photo or short video related to the uniqueness and diversity […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
Gallup Poll: Americans see more trouble ahead in 2018
As Americans look ahead to 2018, eight in 10 predict it will be a troubled year filled with international discord rather than peace, according to the results of a Gallup Poll released at the end of 2017. The public is more optimistic about the economy, with a slight majority anticipating a year of economic prosperity. […]
more…3 Jan, 2018
U.S. travel industry off to a most Unhappy New Year
The people of the United States will awaken this morning, the first day of work after wishing each other a Happy New Year, to news that will make them most unhappy. Preliminary statistics published by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) for July 2017 show visitor arrivals heading south big-time. While other countries are […]
more…18 Dec, 2017
Aligarh: A Captivating Tale of Two Remarkable “Sities”
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India – Between Nov 27-29, one of India’s best-known institutions of higher education, Aligarh Muslim University, held its first Tourism Research Conference. Made possible thanks to a grant of Rs 852,500 (about US$13,300) by the Ministry of Tourism, it was packed with world-class presentations by research students, academics and private sector on […]
more…18 Dec, 2017
World-class research at Aligarh Muslim University tourism conference
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India — Although this was the first tourism research conference held at Aligarh Muslim University, the subject matter and depth of the presentations were world-class. Of the nearly 140 presentations included in the abstracts, 36 were devoted to the impact of the situation in Kashmir. Numerous others focussed on issues such as […]
more…18 Dec, 2017
Aligarh Muslim University – Much more than just a University
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India — Aligarh Muslim University is more than just a University; it is a citadel of cultural, architectural and artistic heritage. In accordance with the principles of its founding fathers and the constitution of India, the campus, museum and library brim with fine works of Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu traditions, all meticulously […]
more…18 Dec, 2017
In pictures: The amazing grace and rustic charm of Aligarh Old City
A motorcycle tour of Aligarh Old City, an experience beyond description. All pictures by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil. One of a three-part compendium on the first Tourism Research conference held at Aligarh Muslim University between Nov 27-29, 2017 on the theme of “New Tourism Paradigms in a Changing World: Innovations, Dynamics and […]
more…16 Dec, 2017
‘American Dream’ quickly becoming an ‘illusion,’ says UN human rights expert
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 December 2017 – The number of Americans living in poverty and the already high income inequality could worsen further in the days to come, making the United States the most unequal society in the world, the United Nations expert on extreme poverty and human rights warned Friday. “The American […]
more…15 Dec, 2017
ADB clears $499 million loan to improve air quality in Greater Beijing
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (14 December 2017) — The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a €428 million ($499 million) loan to set up a regional emission-reduction and pollution-control facility as part of a multiyear and multisector support program to improve air quality in the greater Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, which suffers from heavy air […]
more…15 Dec, 2017
136 civil society groups again target Myanmar over genocide in Rakhine State
Bangkok — Myanmar’s global image has sunk further with the issuance of a strongly worded statement by 136 civil society groups and individuals across multiple religious denominations, professions and nationalities calling on the Myanmar government to stop violence against the civilian population of Rakhine state and address the root causes of violence. The full statement, […]
more…15 Dec, 2017
Beauty and Braille at the first “Tourism for All” Miss Thailand Friendly Design Expo
Bangkok – Thailand’s rapidly ageing society is expected to lead to a major redesign and restructuring of the way Thai people live, work and move around in the years ahead. As many other countries are undergoing the same demographic transition, the changes will open up opportunities to attract more silver-aged visitors, too. The business potential […]
more…13 Dec, 2017
Frontiers 2017: UN Report flags Six Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern
How does our careless disposal of antimicrobial drugs produce bacteria that can resist them? Why are Marine Protected Areas vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? Can off-grid solar plug the energy gap for cities in the developing world? UN Environment experts will address these and other emerging issues with the launch of Frontiers 2017, […]
more…13 Dec, 2017
A message from the Thailand Halal Assembly 2017 to the Myanmar tourism industry
Bangkok – A tourism-promotion forum organised as part of this year’s Thailand Halal Assembly has sent a clear message to the Myanmar tourism industry about the Thai approach to building inclusive, Muslim-friendly tourism and what Myanmar can learn from it. Editor’s Comment This special report is dedicated to the memory of my good friend, the […]
more…8 Dec, 2017
The TRiUMPh of Jewish extremist terrorism
U.S. President Donald Trump has just proved that terrorism works – Jewish terrorism, that is. It was on 4 November 1995 that the Jewish extremist fanatic terrorist Yigal Amir, then only 25 years old, shot and killed former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a joint Nobel Peace prize winner with the late Palestinian leader Yasser […]
more…6 Dec, 2017
Human Rights Watch Report documents devastating impact of Trump’s Immigration policy
Washington, DC, Human Rights Watch Media release, 05 December 2017 – A surge in immigration arrests of people living in the United States under the Trump administration is having a devastating impact on long-term immigrants with strong ties to the US. According to numbers released by the US Department of Homeland Security on December 5, […]
more…6 Dec, 2017
Silence of the Lambs: Global travel industry associations remain mum on U.S. Muslim ban
Bangkok – The U.S. Supreme Court has produced a guilty-until-proven-innocent ruling that effectively allows the Trump Administration to “temporarily” implement a ban on arrivals from most or all nationals from six Muslim-majority countries. The ban effectively bypasses a number of legal and constitutional challenges currently being heard in the lower courts. According to the American […]
more…6 Dec, 2017
Deloitte survey: Greater boardroom diversity boosts competitive advantage, improves business performance
NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2017 (Deloitte media release) – The evidence is in. Business leaders clearly believe in the benefits of diversity on their boards of directors. Yet it’s equally clear that current methods of sourcing and selecting candidates tend to reinforce a lack of diversity. Three hundred board members and executives believe achieving greater […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
America First backlash: U.S. visitor arrivals swimming in a sea of red ink
The United States’ tourism industry is swimming in a sea of red ink. On 29 November, the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office released preliminary data of visitor arrivals for the first half of 2017. It showed an overall decline of 3.9%, with significant drops in arrivals from key markets such as China, Europe, the […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
Vistajet hits highest third quarter revenue earnings
LONDON, 30 Nov 2017, (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VistaJet, which claims to be the first and only global business aviation company, has announced record results in its third quarter trading update, driven by the continued demand for the company’s flagship Program Membership with a 38% increase in revenue. The Program segment achieved a record 32% increase […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
Online Initiative to monitor transparency of Government assistance to Malaysian SMEs
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Nov 2017, (Bernama) — In an effort to enhance the transparency of reporting and coordination of SME programmes, SME Corp. Malaysia developed an online initiative called the SME Central Incentives System (SCenIc). As a centralised database of beneficiaries of Government assistance, SCenIc served as an important referral to avoid duplication and optimize […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
Malaysia’s first Creative Arts Institute launched to promote fashion, film and beauty technology
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Nov 2017, (Bernama) — Snips College of Creative Arts (SCCA) unveiled its all-new comprehensive creative arts college on 28 November at its grand launch event held at SCCA Sungei Wang Plaza. This is in line with the government’s initiatives to spur the growth of the arts and cultural development in Malaysia. According […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
Malaysia and Industry 4.0: Executives Cite Need For Skilled Workers As Top Concern
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Nov 2017, (Bernama) — Shortfalls in talent and direction, and a general lack of awareness about the profound industrial revolution underway worldwide are the top concerns of senior business and government executives assessing Malaysia’s readiness for “Industry 4.0” — the automation and digitization of industrial processes through robotics and other emerging technologies. […]
more…5 Dec, 2017
Tourism Malaysia promoting Hat Yai to Penang Bike Tours for Thais
SADAO, 3 Dec 2017, (Bernama) — Tourism Malaysia held sending off ceremony for “Biker from Phuket” to promote Southern Thai Packages to Malaysia through bikers’ ride from Ban Dannok, Sadao, Songkhla to Bukit Kayu Hitam/Kedah with the aim to increase Thai arrivals to Malaysia especially from the Southern part of Thailand. Deputy Director General (Promotion), […]
more…25 Nov, 2017
Lifestyle survey highlights factors that make up the Good Life, and travel ranks 5th
22 November 2017 (GfK media release) — When it comes to the factors that make up ‘the good life’, the top three most popular items selected by people internationally are good health, financial security and leisure time – followed by a happy marriage, travel for leisure, a home you own, and control over one’s life. […]
more…25 Nov, 2017
‘Stand Against Hate’ Youth Essay Contest to combat white supremacy
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– November 21, 2017 – As Thanksgiving approaches and people around the nation are gathering and reflecting on the meaning of family and community, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the Heather Heyer Foundation continue their call for entries in a nationwide ‘Stand Against Hate’ youth essay contest through which three winning essayists (ages […]
more…25 Nov, 2017
Ottawa Business Survey flags value of immigrants to local economic growth
OTTAWA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–November 20, 2017 — Businesses in the Ottawa region expressed access to a skilled workforce as a top priority according to new survey data from the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce 2017 Ottawa Business Growth Survey. The survey reveals a key – yet overlooked – opportunity for Ottawa businesses to address skilled labour needs […]
more…23 Nov, 2017
Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Thailand highlights weaknesses in intra-ASEAN travel
Bangkok – The Indonesian Tourism Ministry held its biggest ever tourism promotion festival in Thailand over the Nov 17-19 weekend. Located at one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls, attendance at the outdoor event was strong on the opening day but impacted by both hot weather and rain over Nov 18-19. It also raised questions […]
more…20 Nov, 2017
Gastronomy Tourism on a roll: Cooking class at Thailand’s first fine-dining insect restaurant
Bangkok – The Thai tourism industry’s latest gastronomy marketing campaign is set to gain new impetus with the launch of cooking classes by the country’s first edible insect fine dining restaurant. The “workshop for the adventurous” was first held by Insects in the Backyard on 18 November and joined by Travel Impact Newswire’s Chief Information […]
more…17 Nov, 2017
Leading global media groups launch indicators, brand logo to certify trust, quality & reliability
PARIS, 17 Nov 2017, World Editors Forum news release — In a bid to revive faith in journalism, leading media companies representing dozens of news sites have begun to display Trust Indicators, which provide clarity on the organizations’ ethics and other standards, the journalists’ backgrounds, and how they do their work. The transparency indicators […]
more…16 Nov, 2017
2018 International Toilet Tourism Awards to open in February
Sydney, 16 November 2017, mytravelresearch.com Press release – The 2018 International Toilet Tourism Awards will open to submissions in February 2018, with winners in six categories to be announced in June 2018. The opening of the awards will take place in the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre in Mittagong, NSW, Australia. The public loos at the […]
more…16 Nov, 2017
World Economic Forum report calls for sweeping overhaul of “slow, top-down, backward-looking” ASEAN bureaucracy
Bangkok, 14 November 2017 – A joint report issued by the World Economic Forum and the Asian Development Bank has called for a sweeping administrative, operational and financial overhaul of the ASEAN secretariat to make it more functional and efficient in meeting its own over-arching goal of closer socio-cultural, economic and political-security integration. According to […]
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