Colors: Blue Color

Day 2; a 9.00 a.m start and a most informative morning. The theme for this conference ' The Commonwealth-Business Advantage and Opportunities'. Again, we were honored by the presence of the Premier of Queensland, as well as Baroness Scotland, Lord Marland and the Mayor of the Gold Coast all who spoke. They were joined by keynote speaker Dr Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor of the Economist who gave his publications view of the world and its business climate by 2050. So what have we got to look forward to according to them?

Demography- by 2050 the world population will rise to 9.5 billion with half that number living in Africa. People will live longer having an impact particularly on the healthcare system and pensions. There will be a greater trend to Urbanisation

The Economy-The centre of gravity will shift to between India and the Chinese border. Western Europe and the USA will be in decline with Asia on the rise.

Technology-this will be the next industrial revolution. It will impact upon jobs with the drivers of technology being in biology and physics. We were reminded of a quote by William Gibson “The future is already here, it is just not evenly distributed" Past industrial revolutions shifted jobs and the forthcoming one will do the same. We will see the growth of Bot wranglers used on Aps, Drone technicians, virtual fashion designers, Indoor farms (having farms with no natural light closer to populations),synthetic tissue engineers, fantasy companies, driverless cars, Oyshi farms (synthetic fish from cell cultures), machines which will take over the role of doctors, data banks and chemicals produced from bio technology.

Theme-a whole new world of social change Politics-Democracy and its discontents

So where does the Commonwealth fit into all of this? Well, to quote Dr Franklin, We all know that the Commonwealth is not the answer to everything and not the setter of rules but instead operates by consensus. It is not a huge dispenser of money and has a very disparate geography. Its most visible area is sport. It has soft power rather than hard power but soft power matters.

The Commonwealth is a multi dimensional network with a common language which boosts trade by 2.2 times. Add to that the 'commonwealth effect' it’s a plus plus. Inevitably with Brexit, the Commonwealth has come more to the fore.

The event continued with a panel discussion entitled 'Enhancing the Commonwealth Advantage for Business’. Lord Marland concurred as to the Commonwealths soft power also suggesting it has been at a crossroads as to its existence and that it was imperative that people make a real effort for its continuation. Its common language made it much easier to 'set up shop' overseas; there was a tremendous cross fertilisation of citizens.

The Commonwealth is an enabling organisation for those who want to be part of it. He recognised some of the challenges for business particularly for SME's:- Finding a route to market in an unknown country,Finding business partners and the cost of the venture.  Any organisations which can help with these challenges are welcome.

Supporting Lord Marlands comments, Monica Bradley, Director, Purposeful Capital, a venture capital fund providing thought leadership and research to assess game changing ideas for people and their communities, confirmed that "the Commonwealth provides us with an enormous opportunity to be in a club where you can build trust. We live in a society not an economy. Britain is now having a more active focus on the Commonwealth"

For the first time, Seychelles will host the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) Marathon Swim World Series Open Challenge 2018.

On 20 May, swimmers from around the world will converge on Beau Vallon beach for the marathon swimming competition. This is the first time that an African country will host the event.

Given its popularity, the open challenge is set to attract worldwide media attention and boost Seychelles' profile in the international arena. In a deal with FINA, Seychelles will host an annual series of the competition for the next four years. Seychellois swimmers are therefore urged to take part.

David Vidot, chairman of the Seychelles Swimming Association, said: “We want this to be a massive event, and we want to see many Seychellois come to swim on that day."

"We also want to make an impact on the community, so we urge school children to take part in the competition," Vidot added, stating that there will be shorter distances for those who can't swim long distances.

Seychelles expects to host 60 elite swimmers to compete in the race, which is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. The morning will be dedicated to open water races for mass swimmers. The main event will be followed by a post-race prize ceremony and an evening gala dinner for the elite participants, sponsors and entourage.

The best Seychellois swimmers will represent Seychelles during the remainder of the series, due to take place in Portugal, Hungary, Canada, Chun'An in China, Taiwan and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

“Tourism accounts for more than 58% of Seychelles' GDP, so we're excited to host this high-profile sporting event for the first time,” said Sherin Francis, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board. “We can't wait to show our hospitality to everyone coming to the FINA Open Water World Series.”

Beau Vallon was chosen to host the competition because of its calm weather and access to hotels near the beach. It is also known as a safe place to swim. Designated areas and sitting facilities will be available for spectators. Registration fees and other details will be announced soon. The names and nationalities of the swimming competitors will be announced two weeks ahead of the series.

A recently approved $45 billion investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is set to solidify the country’s position as ASEAN’s regional aerospace hub. The Eastern Economic Corridor bill will earmark these funds for the general development of the region, including, most notably, U-Tapao’s future Aeropolis – an entire city infrastructure built around said airport – and will likely help Thailand surpass the USD $9.3 billion of foreign investment the country drew in 2017 for the EEC. The earmarked funds will also cover the construction of a motorway, deep sea ports, a high-speed railway linking the country’s three major airports (Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao, and Don Mueang), and other infrastructural developments.

“As one of the most visited countries in the world year after year, Thailand is ready to embrace its future as the most significant aerospace hub in the ASEAN region,” says Mr. Chokedee Kaewsang, Deputy Secretary General of Thailand Board of Investment. “The passing of the EEC bill is an exciting development, and we look forward to our country’s aerospace sector continuing its meteoric growth in the coming years.”

Thailand’s aerospace industry is growing exponentially. Currently, its air traffic is rising at a rate three times faster than the global market, doubling every 15 years since the early 1980s. The EEC Aeropolis, projected to be in place by 2023, will relieve some of the swell of tourists expected to continue travelling through Thailand’s main airports. Anchored by U-Tapao Airport, it will also include free trade, logistics, and airport industry areas, as well as an airline MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) Centre and several other features to ameliorate the anticipated volume of travelers. An inner ring, extending 10 kilometers out from U-Tapao Airport, will host the Aeropolis’ city infrastructure, while the outer ring is where logistics activity will take place and connect resident companies with logistics infrastructure in Chon Buri, Chachoengsao and Rayong.

The EEC Aeropolis project also strengthens Thailand’s already significant MRO capabilities. Thailand’s MRO expenditure is expected to reach a total of USD $10.6 billion through 2024, and the top five components produced in Thailand (wheels and brakes, APU, IFE components, engine-fuel and control, and landing gear) is forecasted to generate more than USD $1.7 billion through the same time period. Major aerospace companies already present in Thailand’s EEC include Chromalloy, which supports commercial aviation engine manufacturers, and TurbineAero, which was chosen in February by Boeing to provide aftermarket support in the Asia Pacific region.

In March, the Thai government hosted a group of international journalists and investors to attend a seminar titled “Thailand Taking Off to New Heights,” which draw over 3,000 participants, including Thai and foreign investors, international press and government agencies, and guided them on a visit to the EEC area and U-Tapao soon-to-be Aeropolis site. A delegation from the Thailand Board of Investment, led by Mr. Salil Wisalswadi, Acting Executive Advisor of Thailand Board of Investment, will also be attending the MRO Americas trade show in April 2018 to provide more information on investment opportunities in aerospace and MRO sector in Thailand.

“Considering our country’s strengths, we look forward to attending MRO Americas next month and speaking with industry professionals about the numerous opportunities available to North American aerospace companies in Thailand,” added Mr. Kaewsang.

As has been the trend for the last several years, major foreign investment activity into Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor continues to expand, and February was a particularly busy month for the Thai aviation sector.

In February, Rolls Royce signed an agreement with Thai Airways to offer testbed capacity for the airline, a move the company described as a crucial building block to their growth in the ASEAN region. That same month, Airbus announced a partnership with Thai Aviation Industries in which Airbus will support all of Thailand’s law enforcement and military helicopters for the next two years. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, also announced that Thai Aviation Services would serve as its Customer Support Center.

“Recently ranked the least miserable country in the world by Bloomberg, Thailand offers international aerospace companies a high quality of life, access to a skilled and talented workforce, and a business-friendly climate,” concluded Mr. Kaewsang. “We look forward to seeing our peers at MRO Americas in April and sharing the strengths of our aviation sector with them in person.”

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the region have lost a great representative with the untimely passing of Bonita Morgan, director of resource mobilization and development, who died on Friday morning 6 April in the United States, where she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Bonita, who had been with the CTO since April 1996, was a consummate professional who had a profoundly positive impact on those with whom she worked or interacted, and touched hearts in the most fundamental ways.

Her calm and comforting demeanour, her penchant for providing a listening ear, her respect for colleagues, her welcoming embrace, and her selflessness were exemplary.

A hard-working, dedicated and committed member of the CTO family, Bonita had a great passion for the development of Caribbean youth and world class service, and she dedicated the best part of her working life to helping release the potential of Caribbean people through education, training and professional development.

She introduced many impactful projects and programmes during her tenure at the CTO, including the development of harmonized curricula for the associate degree tourism/hospitality programme across the region, tourism education materials for primary and secondary schools, showcasing careers in tourism through a variety of media, organizing an annual tourism youth congress and biennial tourism human resources conference, and being the driving force behind the CTO Foundation – the programme which provides scholarships and grants to Caribbean nationals pursuing post-secondary studies in tourism, hospitality and language training, and which she administered from its inception in 1997.

Bonita was also very instrumental in bringing to the Caribbean in 2007 the internationally recognised Hospitality Assured certification programme, which promotes a culture of quality, service excellence and continuous improvement within the tourism and hospitality sector in the region.

Bonita was a person of strong faith. She had a big heart and compassion for the less fortunate in the community, as evidenced by the effort she put into raising funds for needy families through the Yes We Care programme at Baobab Tower, the building at which the CTO headquarters is housed in Barbados. By encouraging members of staff of the various offices to contribute $1 each month, the programme helped at-risk families, as well as the Caribbean Dyslexia Association, and collected supplies for Dominica after the passage of Hurricane Maria last year.

Throughout her battle with cancer, Bonita displayed her characteristic determination and bravery. Never was her spirit crushed, her will weakened or her resolved shattered. She faced the challenge without a complaint and with an upbeat attitude. But that was Bonita through and through – always positive, always believing.

Her passing is a tremendous loss, not just to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, but to the entire Caribbean region, and we all will miss her perspective, knowledge and her deep understanding of tourism and human capital development.

 The Council of Minister, Board of Directors, Management, Staff and the entire CTO family extend deepest condolences to her husband, Paul, her children Jonathan, Maya and Ayana, and the rest of the Morgan family, and assure them of our prayers and support.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and following the announcement of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crowne Prince, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minster of Defense, to localize 50% of the total military spending by 2030, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and Boeing today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop a new joint venture (JV) aiming to localize more than 55% of the MRO services for fixed and rotary-wing military aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The agreement will also transfer technology to install weaponry on these aircraft as well as localize the supply chain for spare parts in the Kingdom.

The signing ceremony came in conjunction with HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Seattle, which included an official visit and tour of Boeing’s aircraft manufacturing facilities. The agreement was signed by H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, and Dennis Muilenburg, Chairman, President, and CEO of Boeing, at Boeing’s commercial manufacturing facility in Everett, Wash. The ceremony also included a comprehensive visit to the manufacturing facilities of Boeing, featuring a detailed explanation of the company’s operations.

Commenting on this important milestone, H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI, said, “Boeing has a long-standing commitment to Saudi Arabia, and is extremely keen on expanding its footprint in the country. Inspired by the vision of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SAMI, on the other hand, is exploring all collaborative opportunities to build a strong autonomous military industries ecosystem in the Kingdom.”

The joint venture agreement will provide sustainment services for fixed- and rotary-wing military aircraft of the KSA ‎military fleet and will be the sole provider of these ‎services for all military aviation platforms of ‎the KSA military fleet, strengthening the Kingdom’s defense capabilities and enhancing its deterrent potential.

“We deeply appreciate the trust that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in general, and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally, are placing in Boeing to help deliver Vision 2030 with this new joint venture,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Chairman, President, and CEO. “Our relationship with the Kingdom dates back more than 70 years, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership in support of the Kingdom’s national security and aerospace industry needs.”

The MoA will further solidify the enduring relationship between Boeing and Saudi Arabia and result in the development of local research, design, engineering, manufacturing, and MRO abilities. The JV will continuously improve performance and growth, upgrade the readiness of and increase confidence in the Saudi military fleet, enhance maintenance capabilities, and reduce support costs throughout the fleet’s life. In addition, the agreement will create 6,000 jobs and training opportunities for Saudi youth, support local content, improve Saudization levels in the industry, and assist towards achieving the ambitious Vision 2030 plan.

Dr. Andreas Schwer, CEO of SAMI, added, “The significance of the MoA, which is signed today, will enable SAMI and Boeing to play a key role in leading and laying the foundational framework for Saudi’s defense sector industrialization, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s National Transformation Program and Vision 2030. In addition to local sustainment capabilities, the inevitable partnership between the two companies could explore the creation of intellectual property as well.”

Once the MoA is operational, the joint venture will provide a foundation for future platform sales and for expanding Boeing’s presence in the Kingdom to support market growth for both commercial and defense programs.

Leanne Caret, President and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space and Security added, “With this local capability dedicated to sustaining all U.S.-made defense platforms, we can better serve our customers and support the Kingdom’s goals of localization and economic growth.”

Boeing’s partnership with Saudi Arabia dates back to more than 70 years and is growing from strength to strength. It began on February 14, 1945, when U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented a twin-engine Dakota DC-3 airplane (manufactured by Boeing’s heritage company Douglas Aircraft) to King Abdulaziz Al Saud. This event marked both the beginning of the Boeing relationship with Saudi Arabia and the birth of commercial air travel in the Kingdom.

2018 is a significant year for Lithuania – 100 years ago, on February 16th, the small Baltic nation restored its independence. The Act of Reinstating Independence of Lithuania was signed by twenty people and thus created a modern state. Unfortunately, in the turmoil of ensuing wars and Soviet occupation, the Independence Act was lost – and was only recently found in Germany archives. However, even though Germany lent the Act for the centennial celebration, it now belongs in Germany.

In order to resolve this situation and to bring the Act back to Lithuanian people, a local design studio, called FOLK, has recreated the font used in the original Independence Restoration Act. The font is called Signato, and was developed by a professional font creator, Eimantas Paskonis. It took him four months to create, redrawing every letter with precision, while also having to reference several additional written works by Jurgis Šaulys, the man who wrote the text of the Independence Restoration Act, to reproduce the missing letters.

The main challenge, according to the creator, was conveying the overall appearance of the handwriting, as the referenced document writing is quite disruptive, and some letters are written and merged in several ways. Creating several variations for both letters and numbers, a total of 450 symbols were created, so that the computer can simulate it as if a typeface was written by a person. Signato uses Latin, German and Lithuanian alphabet.

FOLK design agency, the creators of the Lithuanian national font ‘Signato,’ have been overwhelmed with interest to try out the nation’s new font. The font emanates the handwriting of the original Declaration of Independence of 1918, which remains the property of Germany.

‘Signato’ was presented to the Prime Minister on February 14th – a few days before the Statehood Day on February 16th. People were then invited to sign the Reaffirmation of the Independence Act, drawing 67,000 installs in the first 4 days and 36,500 signatures in the first week of the launch.

The font was showcased at several events including the biggest book fair in the Baltic Region, Vilnius Book Fair, where Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite signed the Reaffirmation of Independence Act along with other fair goes, who waited for hours to get their signature or a special message to Lithuania written by robot-hand.

FOLK design agency reports the font release has been overwhelming with positive feedback. Seniors are reportedly asking their grandkids to help them install the font, kids have said teachers are showcasing the font as part of school curriculum, and letters written in ‘Signato’ are pouring in with beautiful messages from all over the world.

Programmers on special design industry forums have tried to dissect the font, analyzing how it was programmed. The agency has also been overwhelmed with commercial proposals – from keychains to clothing.

Overall, the Lithuanian font ‘Signato’ has shown how original design idea can be used as a communications tool that brings out the pride in national heritage. The creators are fond of the fact that the ambitious design project did not stay in the ‘industry bubble,’ but reached and spoke to people in the smallest towns of Lithuania, as well as abroad.

What’s next for Signato? All the signatures that have been collected between the National Statehood Day on February 16th and the Day of Reestablished of Independence on March 11th will be written down into a book with a fountain pen to keep the authenticity of the document the font emanates. Since this year is a centennial celebration of Lithuania’s statehood, the Reaffirmation of Independence plays a special significance. The book will also travel to several events and fairs and undoubtedly will garner more interest.

The world’s smallest species of monkey has given birth to two beautiful baby boys at Twycross Zoo. The Pygmy marmosets, measuring in at smaller than a pencil and weighing less than 15g, are expected to grow up to 6 inches in length.

The month-old mini marmosets were born at the award-winning conservation charity to mother, PJ and father, Februari.

Home to over 500 animals of 130 different species from all around the world, the Zoo is open from 10am to 6pm during the Easter holidays.

There is something for everyone at Leicestershire’s award-winning conservation charity. Walk the Wetlands area, marvel at the winged wonders of the Butterfly Farm, meet the meerkats, pop and see the penguins and say hi to the snow leopards.

If that wasn’t enough, visitors can explore the Himalaya Centre, with its warm and inviting coffee shop, super soft play and newly refurbished, fully licensed restaurant, which features breath-taking views overlooking the Snow Leopard enclosure.

Twycross Zoo relies upon the generosity of its visitors to support its conservation work. Adult zoo tickets are priced £19.95 and children aged 2+ are priced £14.95, for children under 2 and carers entry is free.

Next month's Commonwealth Games, on Australia's Gold Coast, will feature basketball for the first time since Melbourne 2006 and one player looking forward to the up-coming challenge is England senior international, Kofi Joseph.

The Birmingham-born player’s love and passion for the sport has seen him play for his home-town City of Birmingham basketball club, win the ‘Nike Freestyle’ competition in the city’s Bull Ring, in 2003 and be selected to play at the ‘Michael Jordan All Star Classic Camp,’ in Brixton, in London – meeting the man himself in 2005.

A Great Britain international, Kofi, 26, who plays for Glasgow Rocks in the British Basketball League, has taken him to many corners of the world to follow his dream of becoming a professional basketball player. The Colorado University graduate – who gained a much-sought after scholarship - was voted ‘Conference Freshman of the Year’ before gaining a degree, was ‘National Player of the Week,’ in Germany, in 2017 and he also played in Turkey; in Eurobasket, again in 2017.

As Shooting Guard, Joseph, and his Team England colleagues prepare for the XXI Commonwealth Games (which starts on April 4), mum, Sylvia, family, friends and Rocks teammates, will be eagerly behind the Aston native as he shoots for his own piece of Gold, on the Coast that promises nothing but.

It’s time for Greater Birmingham and the rest of the UK to renew links with 52 largely forgotten countries, 150 delegates were told at the launch of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC)

Paul Kehoe, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), was speaking at the event, hosted by Aston University, the first patrons of the GBCCC.

He told an audience from a wide spectrum of Greater Birmingham business and academia plus dignitaries from Commonwealth countries: “We need to recognise our place in the world and shout about it. Brexit will not close the door on Europe and we should be renewing our links with 52 countries we have largely forgotten about.

“This is a proud city that makes things happen and has a great future that we are starting to shout about. The Commonwealth is going to make this country change and with HS2 coming Birmingham is going to be at the centre of that new network.

“It will make us a better place to come and do business. Birmingham’s time is coming and we are fortunate to be part of it – ensuring Birmingham’s future is bright.”

John Crabtree, Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, endorsed the role Birmingham must now play and said: “We want to try to reverse a modest Birmingham by using the assets we have.

“Top among those is the fact that warmth and welcome is in our DNA so it’s important that we try to bring nations together in this city.”

Keith Stokes-Smith, the first president of the GBCCC, said: “The Commonwealth always has been and always will be an important club. It has to be relevant and should be about the future rather than the past.

“Brexit clearly puts the Commonwealth back on the map. When Commonwealth countries trade with each other, costs are reduced, mainly because of common law structures.”

Professor Alec Cameron, vice-chancellor of Aston University, said: “Aston is immensely proud to be the first patron of the GBCCC along with our patronage of the GBCC and the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.

“Aston is a truly global university. Around 20 per cent of our students are international and contribute to business and the local community when they study in this city. There is huge potential to strengthen our relations with the Commonwealth.”

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “We are grateful to Paul Kehoe for inspiring the creation of the GBCCC and I’m delighted that we have a really strong executive committee.

“A number of leading figures in the region have stepped forward. They can lead the way to fulfilling the necessity of doing more business with the Commonwealth.”

Guests from Commonwealth countries who praised the launch of the GBCCC included Kofi Addo, Ghana’s head of trade and investment; Moemedi Mokgosi, Botswana’s higher commissioner;  Muhammed Zulqar Nain, the Bangladesh assistant high commissioner in the Midlands; and S.M. Chakraborty, head of chancery at Consulate General of India, Birmingham.

 

“We have to see ourselves as part of the solution, not just as women reserved for sex or for the kitchen,” author and actress Queen Blessing Itua said ahead of a special event planned in the UN General Assembly Hall.

“Unity in Diversity: An Evening of Art and Hope with Nigerian Women” featured excerpts from Ms. Itua’s book “We Are the Blessings of Africa,” as well as monologues from Ifeoma Fafunwa’s HEAR WORD! and Nadine Ibrahim’s films “Tolu” and “Through Her Eyes.”

The event was organized by UN WOMEN, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Nigerian Mission to the UN, with other partners.

“Africa is a diverse continent, rich with different countries and different cultures, and natural resources. Africa has the talent – men and women,” said Ms. Itua. “When men in Africa look at women, women are reserved just in the kitchen or at home. So there’s a need to shift thinking that women can be powerful agents of development, then they’re able to support and empower women.

“If women understand that they have a critical role to play, they do not see themselves as just wives or women at home, they also raise up into mental engagement with the men and hopefully strategize about developing our Mother Land,” Ms. Itua continued.

Born in Nigeria and living in the United States, Ms. Itua said she wants to create awareness and give voice to women who do not have a platform to speak out about social ills, particularly rural women.

Her latest film, Mrs. Adams, – which will premiere during the Commission on the Status of Women next week – follows human trafficking routes in Nigeria and Europe. It is meant to be a statement not just about brutalization of women and sexual violence, but also highlight the economic reasons that people choose to migrate in the first place – to change some of the misinterpretations about exploitative work practices, forced labour and smuggling.

The issue is personal, Ms. Itua said. She hails from Edo state, which recently inaugurated a migration resource centre, and which has been cast in the spotlight after reports of Nigerians from that area being sold in modern slave markets in Libya.

“As an African woman, I believe that my goal is to work with other women in creating awareness. Together we are stronger. Working together to be stronger to change the narrative coming out of Africa,” Ms. Itua said. She will be joined this Sunday by 24-year-old Nadine Ibrahim, whose film Through Her Eyes follows the internal struggle of a 12-year-old female suicide bomber in northern Nigeria.

Ms. Ibrahim, who is a Muslim, has said that she wants people to understand the rich and beautiful culture surrounding women, Islam and north-eastern Nigeria.

The film was filmed with security on location and after the original actress’s mother pulled the daughter out of the film for fear of safety.

The Sunday night event will also feature Ifeoma Fafunwa, whose stage play “HEAR WORD! Naija Women Talk True” is a collection of monologues based on true-life stories of Nigerian women challenging social, cultural and political norms in the country.

A line from the play declares: “I have a vital contribution to my nation’s transformation. I am a force, a tidal wave, and I won’t hide. My destiny is not for you to decide.”

Jamaica is becoming more and more popular for Italians with Negril and Montego Bay being the biggest draws and pointed to one Negril resort being listed among the tour company’s 15 best hotel resorts in the world.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (3rd right); is joined by Laurent Parent (centre), Senior Executive for Alpitour World, Italy’s largest Tour operator; Delano Seiveright (left), Senior Advisor/Strategist; Elisa Eterno (2nd left), JTB Italy; Matteo Gambardella, Contracting Manager, Alpitour World; Mariangela Montessoro (2nd right), Contracting Manager, Alpitour World and newly appointed Director of Tourism, Donovan White at the Hotel Scala in Milan, Italy on Monday March 5.

Alpitour which owns the Italian airline, NEOS, is to increase the number of seats into Montego Bay, Jamaica from Italy using a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft starting May of this year. Laurent Parent, a Senior Executive for Alpitour World, Italy’s largest tour operator, noted that the new aircraft will replace existing once weekly scheduled Boeing 767 charter service between Milan and Montego Bay. The airline will also continue its once weekly flight from the Italian city of Verona, Italy.

Bartlett noted that Italy is among the lead countries being targeted in Jamaica’s ongoing European tourism growth strategy which in 2017 recorded 325,804 European tourists approximately 31,000 more than in the year 2016. Jamaica welcomed near 14,000 Italians tourists last year, representing a 44.5 percent increase over 2015.

Premier hotel resort and spa brand Six Senses will be making its Caribbean and Latin American debut on St. Kitts in 2021.

This marks yet another inaugural property in the region by a top tier hotel brand for St. Kitts following the opening of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour in November of last year.

“We sincerely look forward to welcoming the distinguished Six Senses brand to St. Kitts,” said the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “Six Senses only develops resorts in the world's most unique and exquisite destinations, therefore it is a singular testament to the history and natural beauty of the island's landscape to become one of them. The Six Senses philosophy with regard to sustainability, wellness and premier service makes it an ideal fit for St. Kitts as it complements our own vision and direction for our tourism product as we continue to enhance the variety of accommodations we have to offer to the discerning, experiential traveler.”

The new Six Senses resort will be set on 41 acres of a former sugar plantation in the La Vallee area of St. Kitts amidst gentle hills rolling down to a long stretch of sandy Caribbean beach.  All projected 70 pool villas and The Retreat will be nestled within the island's lush natural environment and offer scenic views of the landcape and the sea.  Six Senses is scheduled to open on St. Kitts in the fourth quarter of 2021.  A signing ceremony was held on Sunday, March 4, at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour.

The Six Senses development will create approximately 300 jobs on island during construction with several hundred more becoming available once the hotel is operational, thereby providing employment for St. Kitts' citizens and benefiting the Federation's economy.  It is a project of Range Developments, which also led the development of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour.  Range Developments is an investment and hospitality company operating across the Eastern Caribbean that focuses on the development of iconic properties in places of remarkable natural beauty.

Six Senses is a signature hospitality brand that is committed to sustainability and service.  Each of its properties has a distinctive and diverse personality that makes use of the natural land topography.  The brand's award-winning best practices include environmental performance of each property and support for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, while enhancing social and economic benefits to local communities in destinations where Six Senses operates.  Six Senses currently operates resorts in such exotic and glamorous locales as the Seychelles, Fiji, France, Oman, the Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, Portugal and China.

The eighth edition of the Tenerife Bluetrail, the island´s most extreme long-distance mountain race, will take place on Saturday 9th June 2018. More than 1,600 athletes from 28 countries have already registered for the event, which has a maximum capacity of 2,700. Athletes participating in this year's event can choose from the following five categories; 'Ultra' (102km), Trail (67km), Maraton (43km), Media (20km) and the adapted trail, Reto, which is designed for people with disabilities (8km, 3.7km and 1.2km).

As Spain's highest and Europe's second highest race, the Tenerife Bluetrail attracts the best athletes from all over the world. A number have already confirmed their participation in this year´s edition including French runner Christelle Bard (last year´s Ultra winner), Sange Sherpa (the winner of the 2017 Ultra Skyrunner World Series), as well as Cristofer Clemente (winner of the 2016 Ultra Skyrunner World Series).

Landscape is always one of the key highlights of Tenerife Bluetrail. The start line is at Playa Fañabé (Adeje) but, throughout the race, runners will experience the terrain contrasts from the dryness of the south to the plush green scenery of the north – without forgetting the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, which is the true hero of the race. New to this year's route is a trail through the beautiful and abrupt landscape of Special Nature Reserve Barranco del Infierno (Hell's Ravine).

With the final numbers tallied, destination Pure Grenada records total arrivals of 100,654 for January 2018, an increase of more than 30% over January 2017 (75,600).  In addition, all visitor categories reflected an increase including Stay over (13, 815) up by 13%, Cruise (82,797) up by 37% and Yachting (4,042) up by 43%.

CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, Patricia Maher, stated that “We are delighted with the performance and everyone on the ground is enjoying the results of the hard work by all the Tourism stakeholders. The excitement with the opening of Silversands Grenada later this year is palpable as it is the first hotel development on Grand Anse Beach in over 25 years. Work is also progressing on the Kimpton, Kawana Bay, another hotel development on Grand Anse Beach, which will be open in 2019. We will grow our room stock by 32% in the next two years which will lead to increased capacity to almost 3,000 licensed and certified rooms by the Grenada Tourism Authority.”

To further support the destination’s developing tourism industry, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) representatives attended Routes America 2018 from 13 – 15, February in Quito, Ecuador and met with 10 airlines to discuss expansion of service or new routes. The interest in Grenada is growing and with the 16% growth in arrivals from the US market (67,250) in 2017 over 2016 and US market share at an all-time high of 46%, this strong performance data piqued the interest of the US based airlines.

Building on this momentum, the marketing and sales team attended the New York Times Travel Show, CHTA Marketplace in Puerto Rico, Boston Globe Show and the Telegraph Travel Show in London in the first two months of the year. Virgin Atlantic in collaboration with Unilad Adventure launched a destination video on social media that shares the many reasons to visit Grenada, Spice of the Caribbean in 2018. With all this heightened activity, the GTA forecasts a 6% growth in total visitor arrivals performance for 2018 that will benefit all the citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

On February 16, Governor Ige declared 2018 as “Ke Au Hawaii: the Year of the Hawaiian” in honor of the history, traditions, language and culture of the Hawaiian people.

The timing for the governor’s proclamation was especially appropriate given that 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the Hawaiian language immersion programs that saved the Hawaiian language from near extinction. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the formal apology from Congress and the president of the United States to the Hawaiian people, for America’s role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. Notably it also marks the 100th anniversary of the first Hawaiian Civic Club founded by Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.

February is recognized annually as Hawaiian Language Month. In tribute to the month’s significance, note that the Hawaiian cultural articles below have a link showing their translation in the Hawaiian language.

HTA is proudly committed to honoring and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture as we fulfill our mission to support Hawaii tourism. The Hawaiian culture is integrated into every element of our tourism marketing, both in elevating Hawaii’s brand and highlighting the enjoyment of experiencing our islands.

Led by Kalani Kaanaana, our director of Hawaiian cultural affairs, HTA is continually striving to more deeply ingrain knowledge about the Hawaiian culture into everything we do, while also honoring the importance of a culture and people that distinguish Hawaii from every other place in the world.

In addition to Kalani, we have three other staff members who speak the Hawaiian language and dedicate each workday to bringing a greater level of awareness about their native culture to people here in the islands and around the world.

HTA spends approximately $6-million annually on programs to honor, support and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. HTA’s support is broad-based and extends statewide, ranging from the funding of events like the Merrie Monarch Festival and Kukulu Ola community-based nonprofit programs to aiding the Polynesian Voyaging Society with its educational outreach and sponsoring the admirable work performed by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA).

A Hawaiian culture resource provided by HTA that everyone can utilize is the Maemae tool kit, which can be downloaded for free from HTA’s website (www.HawaiiTourismAuthority.org). This is a foundational resource for accurately and sensitively presenting the Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian language.

All of this support is important and all of it makes a positive impact in how the Hawaiian culture is celebrated, respected and shared with people who embrace the spirit of these islands.