World News

Now in its 15th year, the Blackmores Sydney Marathon attracts runners from across the globe and, after being awarded a prestigious Gold Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it has become a world class running event alongside the London, Boston and New York marathons. Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is Australia's most unique running event because of the myriad of iconic sights which can be seen along the course.

Thirty one museums from around the world have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2015 Leading Culture Destinations Awards' 'Best Emerging Culture Destination' accolade. The Award scheme, now in its second year, seeks to recognise and celebrate the success of cultural institutions worldwide, now more than ever defining themselves as centres of attraction for a range of social and leisure activities as well as simply enjoying works of art.

With three-quarters of the state forested and the highest percentage of maple trees in the country, Vermont proves its worthy of the title 'Worlds Best Foliage'. As the oncoming Autumn brings the annual, and magnificent, natural display amidst the unique working landscape of rural villages, pastoral meadows and woody hillsides, the Green Mountain State sets the bar for other states positioning themselves as fall foliage destinations. 

Transnet's iconic Blue Train, which celebrates its 70th birthday next year, has this week signed an innovative partnership agreement with leading African hotel brand Sun International. This 18-month pilot partnership is aimed at repositioning “Africa's Leading Luxury Train” at the centre of the global tourism market, adapting to growing competition and recapitalising, which may include the building of new state-of-the-art train sets and the development of new routes. 

Dr. the Honorable Keith Rowley was sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago’s seventh Prime Minister at a ceremony held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain. Also being sworn in by President Anthony Carmona was National Security Minister the Honorable Edmund Dillon, a retired Major General, and the new Attorney General the Honorable Faris Al-Rawi.

The Movenpick Resort El Sokhna is surrounded by the Attaka mountains and the Red Sea, and has recently received certification and notable compliance score of 83% against accredited criteria for sustainability. The five-star resort resembles a green oasis with colorful gardens and a private island connected by a bridge. It is an ideal place to enjoy the sandy beach or see dolphins swimming in the Red Sea.

Qatar Airways, the official airline of FC Barcelona is pleased to announce the launch of the FCB Fan Club exclusively for Privilege Club members. The FCB Fan Club, which follows in the footsteps of the airline’s strategic partnership with the Barcelona football giant, creates an exciting platform to reward loyal football-loving members.

Endless culinary delights, rum, polo, shopping, beach fun and late night parties await the attendees of the refreshed Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival 2015. “We felt that in our sixth year we would shake things up a bit and incorporate more of our other tourism product offerings into this highly successful festival”, said CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), William Griffith, during the Barbados launch event at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion Hotel.

Set to be one of the biggest and most spectacular events of the Winter in the UK, The Festival of Light at Longleat will throw a spotlight on the Safari Park's very own 50th birthday celebrations as we head into 2016. Starting on November 13th, and running through to January 3rd, the Winter spectacular will once again take the age-old tradition of the Chinese lantern and completely transform it for a modern audience.

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.'