• WTM – Winners announced for the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards

    WTM – Winners announced for the inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards

    TravelBizNews —

    London :The lucky fourteen winners of the first International Travel and Tourism Awards, presented by WTM London, have been revealed here  at a glittering awards ceremony .

    The award winners were honoured in front of an audience of more than 500 senior industry professionals at the Grade I-listed Tobacco Dock, near WTM London’s ExCeL venue.

    Judged by an independent panel of experts from around the world, the 14 awards showcase the best in class of the global travel and tourism industry.

    Nick Pilbeam, Divisional Director at WTM London’s parent company, Reed Exhibitions led the judging panel alongside UNWTO’s Director of Communications, Marcelo Risi.

    ITTA’s Co-Founders Paul Nelson and Charlotte Alderslade highlighted on the awards.

    The winners are:

    Best National Tourism Board / DMO Campaign

    Sponsored by National Geographic

    Gold: Turismo do Centro de Portugal – To Visit and To Stay is To Help!

    This campaign helped the tourism industry recover following serious fires that affected the Central Region in 2017.

    Silver: Visit Faroe Islands – Faroes Islands Translate

    Highly Commended: Visit Estonia, Zavod BBDO and BBDO Berlin – The Estonian Stress Buster

    Most Innovative Use of Technology within a Destination

    Gold: South African Tourism and Drive South Africa – Google Trekker South Africa

    This enables nature-lovers to explore South Africa’s national parks and nature reserves on Google Street View, thanks to help from more than 200 South African volunteers.

    Silver: Hong Kong uCloudlink Network Technology Ltd – Global Pocket WiFi

    Highly Commended: Kyiv City Tourist and Information Centre – Kyiv City Guide

    Highly Commended: Walks and City Connect – Walk On Walk Off – Flexible Tour Pass

    Best Tourism Marketing Agency

    Gold: made Tourism Marketing on behalf of Littlestar Services – MAMMA MIA! The Musical – Tourism Marketing Campaign Jan 2016 – Dec 2017

    The production generated approximately £15 million in a two-year period and 65% was attributed to made’s tourism marketing activity.

    Silver: Inova Hospitality Management – The Unique Inova Approach

    Highly Commended: AM+A Marketing and Media Relations – Supporting Slovenia Tourism Board’s World Bee Day: Introducing Api Tourism to the World

    Highly Commended: Brighter Group, A Finn Partners Company – ExtraJordanary – Reinvigorating Tourism to Jordan

    Best Regional / City Campaign

    Sponsored by World Tourism Cities Federation

    Gold: VisitFlanders – The Mud Soldier

    One hundred years after the First World War Battle of Passchendaele, this mud and sand sculpture in London’s Trafalgar Square was worn away by water in four days, resulting in huge exposure on traditional and social media.

    Silver: Marketing Manchester – Come Together Campaign

    Highly Commended: DEC BBDO on behalf of Canary Islands Tourism – After-Rain Ads

    Highly Commended: Tourism Toronto – The Views Are Different Here Campaign

    Best PR Campaign

    Gold: DEC BBDO on behalf of Canary Islands Tourism – #StopBlueMonday

    This campaign encouraged people to make their own positive poster to share via social media – increasing UK winter tourists by 19.8% and attracting £76.4 million of new revenue.

    Silver: Visit Orlando – Orlando’s BIG Thank You

    Highly Commended: Visit Faroe Islands and Atlantic Airways – Faroes Islands Translate

    Highly Commended: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Ketchum – From “Come Back” to Comeback: How Puerto Rico Tourism Defied Two Hurricanes and Major Misconceptions

    Best Digital Campaign in Tourism

    Sponsored by Ink

    Gold: DEC BBDO on behalf of Canary Islands Tourism – The 7 Islands That Became 47

    This Canary Islands Tourism campaign re-positioned the image of the destination from being seven sun-and-sea islands to 47 different islands every day.

    Silver: AirAsia Malaysia and WE ARE KIX – Adventure Live

    Highly Commended: Visit Faroe Islands and Atlantic Airways – Faroe Islands Translate

    Best Digital Influencer in the Industry

    Sponsored by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism

    Gold: Viajar Verde – Sustainable Tourism Blog

    Ana Duék’s blog and website, Viajar Verde, has become recognised as the main website and reference on responsible tourism in Brazil.

    Silver: Vagabrothers Productions Ltd – Vagabrothers

    Best in Wellness Tourism

    Gold: Slovenian Tourist Board – Healthy Waters

    This spa and wellness campaign substantially improved the profile of Slovenian resorts on a national and international scale.

    Best in Responsible Tourism

    Sponsored by Rovia

    Gold: Kerala Tourism – Kerala

    This scheme enables tourists to experience rural lifestyles, and 20 new Village Life Experience Packages will be introduced across 14 districts in the state of Kerala over the coming year.

    Silver: Cinnamon Hotels Management Ltd – The Cinnamon Elephant Project

    Silver: Yayasan Karang Lestari Pemuteran Bali (Coral Reef Restoration Foundation) – Coral Reef Revival

    Best in Adventure

    Gold: Experience Jordan – The Jordan Bike Trail

    This 700km epic trail allows cyclists to experience the best of Jordan and created fresh opportunities in the 54 villages along the route.

    Silver: G Adventures – Adventure With Purpose

    Highly Commended: The Tuk Tuk Club – Putting the ‘Adventure’ Back into Adventure Travel in Northern Thailand

    Best Food Destination

    Gold: Food NI Ltd – Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink 2016

    This initiative, delivered on a budget of £230,000, repositioned how food and drink in Northern Ireland is perceived and generated £41 million-worth of positive PR.

    Silver: Gipuzkoa Provincial Council – TXOTX!

    Best in LGBT

    Gold: Geotourist and AARP – GLBT History Tour of Denver, USA

    This project raised the profile of Denver being a GLBT city and brought people of all creeds, backgrounds and ages together.

    Silver: Israel Tourist Office – Leading LGBT Destination

    Best in Luxury

    Gold: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Hills Balfour – Taylor Morris & Mauritius Luxury campaign

    This campaign targeted the affluent millennial market, and has had a direct impact on the increase in visitor figures to Mauritius.

    Silver: Caldera Yachting – Santorini Luxury Cruises – The Experience of a Lifetime

    Outstanding Contribution

    Air Canada

    Source : WTM London , Nov. 7, 2018

     

     

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      China extends visa-free

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      China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Tuesday, when the Chinese New Year begins, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on , saying the move aims to further facilitate cross-border travel.

      According to the spokesperson, ordinary passport holders from the two countries can enter China without visa and stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.The policy will be effective until Dec 31.

      Air India Orders 30

      Boeing 737 MAX Jets

      Air India  has ordered 30 more fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets, expanding its Boeing order book to nearly 200 airplanes across the company’s single-aisle and widebody airplane families. Boeing and Air India  announced an order for 30 fuel-efficient 737 MAX jets at the annual Wings Airshow in Hyderabad.

      The airline finalized an incremental purchase of 20 737-8 jets this month and an order for 10 737-10 airplanes was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website. Both purchases exercised existing options as Air India expands its route network to meet rising travel demand.

      Air India will operate the new 737-8s, leveraging their dispatch reliability, fuel efficiency and range flexibility on high-frequency, domestic and short-haul regional routes. The airline also plans to deploy the larger 737-10 to maintain operational commonality and carry more passengers at the lowest cost per seat among single-aisle aircraft.

      As Air India expands its fleet and network, Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts the Indian and South Asian region will need nearly 3,300 new airplanes over the next two decades with 90% of those single-aisle jets like the 737 MAX. ( February 2 , 2026 )

      WTTC chooses  Madrid

      for new Global Office

      London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Operating Committee has unanimously approved Madrid in Spain as the location for the organisation’s new Global Office.

      Five destinations expressed interest in hosting the Global Office – Dubai (UAE), France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland – with the evaluation criteria based on six areas: office rental and operating costs; the tax, incentives and competitive environment; fast-track visas and work permit frameworks in the destination; government support; cost of living to attract and retain talent; and proximity to international organisations.

      The decision to choose Madrid was endorsed by all 17 members of WTTC’s Operating Committee, following a comprehensive assessment of WTTC’s long-term strategic and operational needs. Members agreed that Madrid offered the most attractive option due to the city’s competitiveness, a more favourable tax environment, government support, easier visa processing for employees and overall lower operating costs. Challenges linked to Brexit, such as constraints on talent mobility, made the UK less attractive as WTTC wishes to further build its leadership position and become even more agile in the sector.

      Madrid was also selected for its strong international connectivity via Madrid-Barajas Airport, competitive business environment, incentives from government, synergies with international organisations in the sector such as UN Tourism and alignment with WTTC’s global mission. The new office will form a central part of WTTC’s worldwide network, supporting its highly-respected advocacy, research and member engagement activities across the globe.

      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)

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