by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Today, the Odesa Department of Culture, International Relations, and European Integration of Odesa City Council in Ukraine joined the World Tourism Network as its latest destination member. Currently, World Tourism Network has members in 130 countries. Ivan Liptuga, the new acting Director of the Odesa Department of Culture, International Relations, and European Integration of Odesa City Council, has been a board member of WTN since it was founded in 2020. He was also awarded tourism hero by WTN and co-founded the WTN “Scream for Ukraine campaign. Before, Ivan was th ..read more

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | I just paid for breakfast at the Hyatt-operated Thompson Hotel in Hollywood, California, said World Tourism Network chairman Juergen Steinmetz. Not having a breakfast buffet, but a combination of a yogurt dish, a simple breakfast sandwich, and a cappuccino came to $41.39 plus an expected tip of $8.00. If this wasn’t enough for a hotel breakfast, juice, and a second coffee not included, I noticed a 5% Wellness HLA Fee of $1.80 The $50.00 per person breakfast bill did not provide healthcare for these friendly, hardworking Hyatt Hotel waiters and waitresses at this Hya ..read more

by: Dr. Elinor Garely – special to eTN and editor in chief, wines.travel | If you do – then you must have been spending a few days at Vinexpo/Drinks America (Javits, NYC). If you missed this event, immediately put it on your to-do list for 2024. I am not alone in applauding this impressive program. I was able to sip my way through wines/spirits presented by over 440 exhibitors, representing 32 countries and considered to be the largest business-to-business trade show in the universe, dedicated to wine/spirits professionals in North America. If you buy, sell, write, review, or drink – this sho ..read more

by: Dr. Anton Anderssen – special to eTN | When I fly, I usually buy my tickets a year in advance and request seats that specifically accommodate my disability. In March of 2022, I purchased two tickets from Honolulu to Sydney Australia on Qantas’ Jetstar brand, in business class. I requested seats 1A and 1C specifically for access and against the wall because I can’t stay upright for 10 plus hours.  I was assigned 1A and 1C.  Sometime in January 2023, Qantas’ Jetstar canceled my flight, placed me on a March 25 departure, and never told me.  I found out by accident. They also d ..read more

by: Dr. Elinor Garely – special to eTN and editor in chief, wines.travel | Wine and Spirits: Economic Engine If you do – then you must have been spending a few days at Vinexpo/Drinks America (Javits, NYC). If you missed this event, immediately put it on your to-do list for 2024. I am not alone in applauding this impressive program. I was able to sip my way through wines/spirits presented by over 440 exhibitors, representing 32 countries and considered to be the largest business-to-business trade show in the universe, dedicated to wine/spirits professionals in North America. If you buy, sell ..read more

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Saudi Arabia and tourism are known to think big. With 16 Megaprojects from The Line, Diri yah to the Red Sea Project in progress, climate change is next. The establishment of a global sustainable tourism center is shaping up. It will be MEGA, and it will be a gift to the world by the people of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia built a reputation for delivering and walking the walk, according to HE Gloria Guevara, overlooking the project. “We are laser focussed,” she told eTurboNews An often more quiet but highly active and successful Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahme ..read more

by: Juergen T Steinmetz | Life in prison for anyone who says he or she is gay. Anyone not reporting noticing same sex activities face long prison terms as well. This anti LGBTQ bill was passed by the Ugandan parliament Tuesday night and makes it the strictest anti gay bills in the world. Amnesty International today urged President Yoweri Museveni to veto this appalling legislation, which was passed following a rushed vote on Tuesday evening. The law, dubbed the ‘2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill’, amounts to a grave assault on LGBTQ people and is contemptuous of the Ugandan constitution. “This amb ..read more

by: Mario Masciullo – eTN Italy | Signing the deed in the presence of Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, Msgr. Daniele Libanori, were the General Director of the General Directorate of Museums, Massimo Osanna; the Director of the State Museums Directorate of the City of Rome, Mariastella Margozzi; and the Chamberlain, Msgr. Angelo Frigerio. The agreement decided an entrance ticket to the Pantheon complex for an amount not exceeding 5 euros will be charged, with proceeds divided so that 70% goes to MiC (Ministry of Culture) and 30% to the Diocese of Rom ..read more

by: Mario Masciullo – eTN Italy | Thanks to the European Clubs and the National Committees, the traditional ITB Berlin meeting took place on March 8, 2023, with Skal Germany collaborating with Skal Italia, who organized the traditional gathering of Skal members present at the ITB Berlin. Unlike previous years, Sardinia Region, (Italy) hosted Skal members from Germany, Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, India, Nepal, USA, and Georgia at their stand. The Sardinian Tourism Department delegated Dr. Roberta Loi who welcomed the participants highlighting the excellence of ..read more

by: Mario Masciullo – eTN Italy | The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), an event entirely dedicated to the luxury segment, was held in Cannes and attended by thousands of highly specialized operators in the sector. Today, luxury means the ability to combine an exclusive stay with unique cultural attractions, gastronomic experiences in the name of typicality, or more simply, glamping breaks and unprecedented excursions into nature. This segment, according to data from Bank of Italy and ENIT (Agenzia nazionale del turismo – The Italian Government Tourist Board), currently represents 3 ..read more