Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007 - (Page 6)

I news AIGROUP PRESENTS EVENT TO TAP RUSSIA’S ELITE TRAVEL MARKET Recent attention has been given to developing products to cater to the fast-growing number of elite Russian travellers. International tourism suppliers are welcoming wealthy Russians into elite establishments around the world. While some succeed, the majority of the global travel trade still has to tap this exclusive group. aiGroup Russia, a Moscowbased events organizer, is creating a venue for those aiming to tap Russia’s elite through the very thing they enjoy the most in their leisure time - golf. In Russia, golf is regarded as an elite sport attracting only wealthy and influential members. One of the elite events on every Russian golfer’s calendar is the Moscow Golf & Luxury Travel Receptions, held twice a year in the auspicious surroundings of the Pushkin Museum in the centre of Moscow. The Moscow Golf & Luxury Travel Reception will be held on September 27th 2007 and marks the 10th event the aiGroup has staged. International golf and luxury travel specialists are invited to attend a special reception in recognition of aiGroup’s achievement. The Moscow Golf & Luxury Travel Receptions will be conveniently held at the same time as the major tourism exhibitions in Moscow, enabling tourism professionals to gain further during their visit to Russia. For a more detailed description of these events, visit the website www.EliteEvents.ru. DUBAI AND HONGKONG TOURISM RELATIONS high-level delegation of officials and policy-makers from Hong Kong held discussions with the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) officials on ways to strengthen the bilateral relations, growth opportunities in tourism and trade sectors and future projects. The delegation, headed by Mr. Vincent Fang G Kang, Chairman of the Panel on Commerce and Industry of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, and Mr. Jeffrey Lam KinFung, Chairman of the Panel on Economic Services at the Legislative Council, visited Dubai as part of their 10-day overseas trip that will take them to the US and Europe. The DTCM Executive Director Media Relations, Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, and Mr. Hamad bin Mejrin, DTCM Director Missions, briefed the delegation about the strengths of Dubai and its sectors, the promotional and marketing agenda of DTCM to promote Dubai as a trade and tourism hub, and the infrastructure projects taking shape and planned for the emirate. The visit was facilitated through the Hong Kong Trade Development Council which operates an office in Dubai. The delegation visited several places in the emirate, including Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Cruise Terminal operated by the DTCM. Both sides expressed the need to strengthen the bilateral relations, especially in the tourism and trade domains. Hong Kong companies have been participating in the Dubai trade exhibitions to tap the growth opportunities not only in the UAE but beyond the region. WTM TO HOST SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE O n the second day of its event, held in London between 12 - 15 November, World Travel Market is hosting a UNWTO Ministers’ Summit on Tourism and Climate Change, a key part of an international programme to widen and deepen the debate on one of the biggest challenges facing the travel and tourism industry. At the Summit, Ministers will be asked to consider and ratify a Declaration recommended in October by environmental experts at the UNWTO’s Summit on Climate Change in Switzerland. The Summit will be broadcast live to World Travel Market delegates. The Ministerial Declaration is to be put to the UNWTO’s General Assembly at the end of November and will be a major aspect of the organization’s submission to the UN’s Bali Climate Summit in December 2007. Fiona Jeffery, World Travel Market’s Managing Director stated, “Over the past 13 years, WTM has become an established business platform on environmental issues. “Environmental concerns and humanitarian and com- “The most munity issues have been intensive embraced in World Travel Market’s original tourism Environmental Awareness industry Day and latterly with analysis on Responsible Tourism Day. The UNWTO has identified climate change extreme poverty and climate ever undertaken” change as two of the most trenchant issues with truly global impact. It is therefore highly appropriate that the UNWTO and World Travel Market work together. “This is a top level event that we hope will make a meaningful contribution to the discussion on the impact of climate change and its knock-on effect on travel and tourism”, added Jeffery. “Tourism is not just a potential victim of climate change - although that in itself is of grave concern - but also contributes to its causes. Every one of us has to be concerned, involved and committed to protecting our world and our industry.” UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli called it “the most important and intensive tourism industry analysis on climate ever undertaken and a key component of the overall global response to an issue which is, together with poverty alleviation, the challenge of our times.” The World’s Most Ambitious Day of Action The first WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, in association with the UNWTO, will be held the day after the Ministers’ Summit. A group of international environmental experts will advise on the development of a programme of events at this year’s WTM, tackling issues including water, poverty reduction and carbon offsetting as well as featuring destination case studies. The initiative has attracted high profile supporters, including respected industry groups such as the WTTC and PATA, as well as Sir Richard Branson and international environmentalist Professor David Bellamy. “This is the world’s most ambitious international day of industry action to help save the planet and change lives”, said Jeffery, WTM Managing Director. “The international travel industry can work together as one unifying and universal force that it is actively making a difference in protecting environments, respecting local cultures, supporting local communities, conserving natural resources and minimising pollution.” “There’s no industry in the world better placed to embrace a day that highlights the issues related to environment and corporate and social responsibility. “We need to show the world that the moment has come to make a real difference; that will keep our beaches cleaner, preserve our stunning scenery, save wildlife and glory in our historic buildings and precious heritage. “I hope every government, every destination, company and organisation – and individuals too – will seriously consider how best to support this global day of action.” A WTM World Responsible Tourism Day Action Pack can be downloaded via the dedicated website www.wtmwrtd.com. This gives full details of how the industry can participate and also use of the WRTD logo. A hotline has been set up to help and advise on +44 1892 535943. TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE September 2007 http://www.EliteEvents.ru http://www.wtmwrtd.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007

Cover&Contents
NEWS
- INAUGURATION OF ITB ASIA
- INAUGURATION OF ITB ASIA TWICE DAILY
- WTM TO HOST SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
INTERVIEW: Ziad Tantawy
DESTINATIONS: Egypt
BUSINESS
- Spas & Wellness
- Golf
- Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #76 - September 2007