January 2018 – Worldtourism Wire

Ministers & CEO

Minister of Tourism announces new Director of Tourism to Jamaica Tourist Board

Written by Erik Grimaldi, January 31, 2018

KINGSTON, JAMAICA; January 29, 2018: Mr. Donovan White has been selected to fill the position of Director of Tourism of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), after an extensive local and international search. His appointment has been announced by Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett. Mr. White, a Jamaican national, whose term as head of…

News

PATA Face of the Future 2018: Call for Entries

Written by Erik Grimaldi, January 30, 2018

BANGKOK, January 30, 2018 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is now accepting submissions for PATA Face of the Future 2018. The winner will receive complimentary round-trip economy class air ticket and accommodation to attend the Association’s Dinner and Awards Presentation during the PATA Annual Summit 2018 on May 18-21 in Gangneung, Korea (ROK)….

Opinion

Destination competitiveness through cooperation: Embracing challenges right next door

Written by Anita Mendiratta,

As a very busy 2017 for global Travel & Tourism now fades into the background, tourism leaders face the daunting task of resetting the counters for 2018. Little opportunity exists for a quiet exhale following year-end tourism high periods of activity. A new year means new targets, new expectations, and new competition. Global Travel &…

Opinion

Wealth tourism development in the Caribbean

Written by Erik Grimaldi, January 28, 2018

We want more private and business aircraft coming to our airport.” – “You’re right,” I responded. “We’re looking for a mover-and-shaker to do it” – “Good thing,” I replied. “We were thinking of you!” – “Who me?”. That was the essence of being invited to an airport board meeting. While driving home, it went through…

Opinion

Chinese influence on World Tourism almost complete with UNWTO latest appointment

Written by Juergen Steinmetz, January 25, 2018

This move was expected, implemented on January 1 and announced only today, January 25. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili appointed Mr. Shanzhong Zhu as Executive Director of UNWTO. WorldTourismWire had reached out to UNWTO earlier this month to get confirmation on appointments, but no response was received. A move for the new Georgian Secretary-General to appoint…

Opinion

Airlines don’t do favors: Hub-spoke airlift in the Caribbean

Written by Erik Grimaldi, January 22, 2018

A hub-spoke distribution network is a system of connections arranged like a wheel in which all traffic moves along spokes connected to the hub at the center. Since we are dealing with airlift, we are obviously talking about distribution of passengers. The hub and spoke model relies on perfection. When all is working in harmony…

Opinion

Sour relations? UNWTO, the new Zimbabwe tourism minister or Walter Mzembi

Written by Erik Grimaldi,

Zimbabwe and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) relations are set for major improvement with the global body pledging to host another high profile event in the country in 2019, the Zimbabwe Broadcast Corporation (ZBC) said in a report published Sunday. It’s hard to understand what “major improvements” the ZBC is referring to. It…

Opinion

Travel in Africa Up Close: Enormous opportunities for tourism but leadership?

Written by Erik Grimaldi,

It takes 17+ hours to fly the 7960 miles from to Johannesburg, South Africa from New York City. When the trip is made in coach class this is a decision that is not made casually. Under the best of circumstances, economy-level flying is challenging. When the time spent in a teeny tiny seat for almost…

News

Brand Africa and biodiversity focus of INVESTOUR in Madrid

Written by Erik Grimaldi, January 21, 2018

Nearly 30 African Tourism ministers convened at INVESTOUR to debate and exchange experiences on the development of the sector in the continent. This unique Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa is jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Casa Africa and FITUR. Two round tables and a business-to-business component integrates the 9th edition…

Opinion

Impact Travel: Measured – Green – 2050 proof

Written by Erik Grimaldi,

“Coming out of the World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Sustainability Committee this week, I was struck by how far we’ve advanced in the past 25 years, in putting the idea of green travel into the mainstream of our sector. And at the same time, how far we still have to go.” These are the words by…

Archives for January 2018

Minister of Tourism announces new Director of Tourism to Jamaica Tourist Board

PATA Face of the Future 2018: Call for Entries

Destination competitiveness through cooperation: Embracing challenges right next door

Wealth tourism development in the Caribbean

Chinese influence on World Tourism almost complete with UNWTO latest appointment

Airlines don’t do favors: Hub-spoke airlift in the Caribbean

Sour relations? UNWTO, the new Zimbabwe tourism minister or Walter Mzembi

Travel in Africa Up Close: Enormous opportunities for tourism but leadership?

Brand Africa and biodiversity focus of INVESTOUR in Madrid

Impact Travel: Measured – Green – 2050 proof