World News

The key to Las Vegas’ continued success as a tourist destination and how its success is achieved will be shared at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Curaçao in October. While Las Vegas is synonymous with casino gambling, Caroline Coyle, the vice president of brand strategy at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has said that the over 41 million people who visited the city last year went for a lot more than gambling, including shopping and entertainment.

An unprecedented fourth major eruption this year has seen the French island of Reunion once again make headlines as more visitors, in particular volcano spotters, head there. More recently, the island made headlines when debris from missing flight MH 370 washed up on Reunion Island’s eastern beaches.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni today committed sponsorship of US$180,000 to facilitate a promotional tour and soccer game by FC Barcelona Legends who will visit Uganda in December this year. President Museveni met FC Barcelona Legends Captain and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Patrick Kluivert, and team member Rayco Garcia Caberera, and confirmed his support for their visit in support of Ugandan tourism and investment, and youth development programmers.

When people think of Nevis, they often associate it with unparalleled hospitality, natural beauty, and one of the most romantic and secluded getaway locations in the world. But this October from the 19th to the 23rd, Nevis will be anything but secluded as the Nevis Tourism Authority hosts the Nevis Travel Symposium with this year’s focus on Romance in Nevis in conjunction with Dreamy Weddings and Tours.

Initially believed to have been discovered in 2013 by Magnus Robb and the Sound Approach and confirmed using sound analysis, Omani Owl has created a stir among both birders and biologists. That a bird around the size of a Barn Owl Tyto alba had evaded discovery was extraordinary. That it was described and named only using sound recordings and photographs was controversial. 

According to research by the University of Southampton*, travel-related activities account for the number one bucket list spot for almost 50% of the 2,076 respondents. Thanks to the competitive rate of the Japanese Yen against the British Pound, there has never been a better time to visit Japan Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau has released a snapshot of some of the most desirable experiences to be enjoyed on a trip to Japan's cultural capital in the New Year.

Mary Vrolijk and Nicole Chirino are among confirmed speakers for this year’s lineup for the upcoming Statia Sustainable Conference, which will be held on September 24-25. Organised by the St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF), the conference’s focus will be on the economic value of tourism. Vrolijk is listed on the conference itinerary this year to give a presentation on 'The value of tourism as an economic pillar.'

For the most part, Serbia's natural landscapes are a great unknown to travellers. One of Europe's best-kept secrets, Serbia boasts crystal clear lakes, forest clad mountains, ice-cold rivers, deep gorges, and countless national parks and conservation areas. In short, this is a landscape crying out to be discovered by walkers and hikers of all levels of aptitude. 

Conserving the natural beauty of an island entails a lot of effort, and recycling is one process which can contribute greatly towards keeping it pristine and clean. Sustainable practices are being adopted to help in the preservation and conservation of the islands in the Seychelles archipelago. Bird island is one of the islands which is putting conservation at the top of its list of priorities.

The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) officially opened their first café, the Bwindi Bar located near Volcanoes Safaris' Bwindi Lodge on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the café is staffed by disadvantaged youths living near the Bwindi National Park in Buhoma. It is hoped that the training they receive will boost their future prospects.

Qatar Airways is continuing its rapid growth across Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent with an increase in flight frequencies to Asmara, Eritrea, and to Dhaka, Bangladesh. From 7th September 2015, flights from Doha to Asmara will be increased from four to five times per week, representing a 25% increase in capacity and enhanced connectivity, in particular for customers from North America and Europe. 

The highly anticipated third edition of Dominica’s Nature Island Challenge (NIC 3.0) premiered in the USA and Canada yesterday on Outside Television. On Tuesday, August 18^th, 2015 the one-hour show will be released digitally at www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/nichallenge. In April 2015, six teams of four competed in NIC 3.0, a four-day hiking competition, covering more than 40 miles predominantly along Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Trail, the only long distance hiking trail in the Caribbean. 

It's hard to overestimate the cool factor when it comes to motorcycle events in Daytona Beach.  The beaches beckon, the bikes are works of art, the crowds come from around the world, and the fashion is, well leather-clad cool. October 15-18, The Original American Beach will host more than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and casual observers for the 23rd Annual Biketoberfest® motorcycle rally and festival.  

The Impossible Project have produced an instant film collaboration with Skateistan, an international non-profit organization that uses skateboarding to change kids lives. Since saving the last Polaroid factory back in 2008, Impossible have been creating new instant film for the 200 million classic Polaroid cameras still in circulation. Influenced by Afghan textiles, the special edition B&W instant film features eight white frames decorated with the signature Skateistan details.

The Maldives is famous as a picture-perfect holiday destination, but sadly most visitors remain marooned on the white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons of their luxury resort islands – oblivious to the rich and diverse local cultural experiences they could be enjoying. For those seeking an insight into the real Maldives beyond the manicured beaches, an eye-opening trip to see Eid Kulhivaru – a four-day national celebration of the Islamic holiday Eid Ul Adha featuring spectacular street performances, Mashi Maali 'ghosts of mud' parades, feasts, and Bodu Beru drumming and dancing.