Korea lead the world in global congresses through 2016, according to the new International Meetings Statistics Report released by the Union of International Associations. The country’s meetings in 2016 rose by 11.89% thanks to expanding infrastructure. Projects include a second terminal at Incheon International Airport, new regional convention bureaus and new services from the Korea MICE Bureau. From Boardroom…
As European Union officials meet to discuss the threat of the US expanding its ban on large electronic devices in certain flight cabins, and as the travel industry says the ban has seen Middle East business drop by 2.8% and cost the sector $198 million, the US Homeland Security chief has clarified US policy on any potential widening. From Meetings & Conventions…
After more twists and turns in the saga than on any of its legendary theme park rides, Florida’s legislature has in the end voted to restore Visit Florida’s current annual budget of $76 million. This leaves the agency and state once again able to continue breaking visitation records. We can all now retire to Miami! From Meetings & Conventions…
After the 10-3 ruling of a federal appeals court that Trump Travel Ban II probably violates the Constitution and “drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination”, the Justice Department has asked the US Supreme Court – the nation’s highest legal authority – immediately to reinstate it. The Trump administration says the US will be safer under Executive Order 13780. From Meetings & Conventions…
After a rollercoaster ride, Visit Florida and the saga of its budget allocation may in the final reel be getting a fairytale ending. Governor Rick Scott and Florida legislators have hammered out an agreement to continue with the current funding of $76m. If there are any further shocks before the credits roll we’ll let you know. Photo: Dancorona21. From Meetings & Conventions…
To audible sighs of relief from much of the international meetings industry, the US Department of Homeland Security has announced that America will not extend to flights from Europe its ban on carrying large electronic devices in passenger cabins. A bar is currently in force on flights from ten Middle East and North African airports. From Travel Weekly…
More on the fight for Brand USA! MPI President and CEO Paul van Deventer has attacked the proposed cutting of its federal funding. He points out that meetings contribute 15% of the overall US travel and tourism dividend. Also campaigning on the grounds of economic contribution, Katie O’Neill of the Power of Travel Coalition. From Meetpie.com…
The fight for Brand USA continues. A loud voice of opposition to the proposed cut to the organisation’s federal funding, US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, has made a video calling for a rethink and encouraging Congress to keep funding in place. Congress has the final say, and has previously supported Brand USA. From Meetings & Conventions…
Brand USA – the organisation promoting the US as a welcome destination for visitors – is to lose its federal funding under a proposed new budget from President Trump. The move has been attacked by US Travel association President Roger Dow as throwing away an $8.9 billion contribution to the economy and 28-to-1 return on investment. From Meetings & Conventions…
How does President Trump’s proposed withdrawal of funding for Brand USA – the Obama-created organisation which promotes the US as a welcoming destination for visitors – square with his commitment to putting American jobs first? Two key president CEOs – the US Travel Association’s Roger Dow and PCMA’s Deborah Sexton – lead the meetings industry call to arms. By David McMillin at PCMA…
The future belongs to cities. To be specific, the future belongs to cities that can attract the brightest and the best people, and encourage them to thrive. Today cities compete nationally and internationally to attract businesses, skilled migrants, and of course visitors. However, to an increasingly globalised population a city’s postcard views and monuments matter…
As previewed by The Iceberg back in January, BestCities Global Alliance – an Iceberg partner – has now officially added Madrid to its roster of eleven other cities. The Madrid Convention Bureau is the first destination to go through BestCities’ revised quality management system. Events recently hosted by the Spanish capital include the World Petroleum Congress. From Meetings & Conventions…
On the eve of IMEX’s opening in Frankfurt, The Iceberg watched live US TV coverage of further hearings into Executive Order 13780, aka Trump Travel Ban II. Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, representing the ban, was quizzed over whether it discriminates against Muslims in the wake of campaign statements made by the president. From Meetings & Conventions…
The International Congress and Convention Association – a partner of The Iceberg – has published its 2016 country and city rankings. Paris – last leading in 2014 – has reclaimed the top city spot. The USA is the country holding the most meetings. International association meetings continue to double every ten years. Fuller data will be released in June. From ICCA…
The fortunes of Visit Florida have reversed again and the agency looks like it will after all lose 67% of its funding. In a last ditch attempt to change the Legislature’s course – its Speaker sees Visit Florida as extravagant and wasteful – Governor Rick Scott is on tour to persuade Floridians to invest in destination marketing. From Orlando Rising…
In the wake of recent terror attacks, the US State Department has issued an alert for US citizens travelling to Europe between May and September. The post warns that tourist locations, transport hubs, markets, malls and restaurants are all potential targets. It advises travelers to stay vigilant and to check US embassy websites. Photo: Sean Hobson. From Meetings & Conventions…
Organised by the European Travel Commission, European Cities Marketing & MODUL University Vienna, both events are directed toward managers, academics, as well as consultants and representatives of governments and international organizations dealing with tourism. Participants are invited to register for both days or can choose to participate in just one event.
The most senior lawyers of sixteen US states – and of the District of Columbia – have said President Trump’s revised travel ban would damage both academic and medical institutions… and have a “chilling effect” on tourism. They have filed a brief to uphold the ruling that blocks Executive Order 13780 from coming into force. From Meetings & Conventions…
Emirates is to fly less often to the United States because tougher US security measures and President Trump’s travel bans are together lowering demand. The airline’s Dubai hub is both a casualty of the US ban on larger electronic devices in passenger cabins and also a transit stop for many passengers affected by Executive Orders 13769 & 13780. From Meetings & Conventions…
Visit Florida’s fortunes could be on rise. After its very future was left in doubt, then a House of Representatives bill passed to cut its budget by two thirds to $25m, then Governor Rick Scott called for $76m… now he has proposed raising funding to $100m. Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson calls the possibility a “game changer”. From Meetings & Conventions…
Australia has announced that two new temporary visas will make it harder to enter the country’s labour market. The current four-year 457 visa is being scrapped. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said jobs and Australians had to come first, amid concerns that key workers from abroad are crucial to the hospitality sector and wider tourism industry. From CIM News Magazine…
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