MEXICO CITY, Sept. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pied à Terre, a new and luxurious international hospitality B&B and reservations organization, started worldwide operations today, presenting their new business model and RSVP platform.

On August 31^st, an exclusive event took place in Mexico City to celebrate the presence of this innovative platform in more than 15 countries, amongst them: Mexico, U.S. Canada, Argentina, Spain, France, Italy, UK, Germany, China, Russia, Thailand, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, and Austria.

Pied à Terre seeks to distinguish themselves as an innovative project of residential hospitality that answers to the growing needs of a new generation of travelers and hosts. The travelers are in search of new accommodation options with high standards in hospitality and technology, and the hosts to provide high class hospitality services and promoting love and interest in arts, ecology and culture as well.

One of the distinguishing factors of Pied à Terre is their business model that incorporates innovative ways to update the demands of facilities and experiences that the new generation of travelers expect; including a concierge service that will work 24/7 for travelers and hosts; the standardization in the quality supplies and services that will be offered in the properties thanks to the new concept "Household goods", necessary to guarantee the quality standards, and the implementation of a promoting force in charge of the commercialization of travel routes.

During the launching event, the International Director, Luigi Galli, announced the first International photography, literature and ecology contest presented by Pied à Terre, called "The World We Live In".

The contest seeks to highlight and reflect the meaning of "The World We Live In" through an inspiring photograph, a poem that presents the aesthetic feeling of the photo, travel chronicles that compiles the different realities of the world, and the presentation of a project that exposes a solution to problems related to the preservation of the world's ecological balance.

The Contest Award Ceremony will take place in in the Chambord Castle located in Loire Valley in France and it offers to the winner $25,000 USD, plus accommodation, expenses and transportation for him and a companion.

Francisco de Paula León, Founder Member, announced Pied à Terre's first sponsorship, which will be for an International Conference to promote World Peace, that will be held in Morelia, Michoacán in Mexico on December 9th and 10th, 2017.

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 10^th anniversary as 'Asia's Leading Travel Trade Show', ITB Asia 2017 has completely sold out ahead of its milestone show this October, attributed to a tremendous surge in booth bookings from the global market.

The show holds its strong Asian support with 60% of exhibiting companies from Asia.

ITB Asia 2017 will feature many firsts for the travel trade show. For the first time this year, ITB Asia will host Brazil's Rio Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Moscow City Government, Promote Iceland, as well as an African Pavilion, among many others.

The strong growth performance at ITB Asia 2017 is led by BRICS economies that show exceeding exhibitor stand booking growth rates, with South Africa (600%), Russia (183%) and Brazil (100%) paving the trend. China is also growing its presence at ITB Asia by 31% this year with Ctrip, Wuzhen Tourism, Hua Min Tourism & Reservation, Shanghai Toptown International Travel Agency and many more set to feature during the show.

Tunisia and Rwanda will make their debut at ITB Asia this year, joining Kenya Tourism Board and other African exhibitors from Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Sudan. This comes as no surprise given that the African market has shown an exceptional growth of 25% at this year's show.

Europe is a close second having recorded a 23% growth which is led by the Greek National Tourism Organisation and Spain Tourism Board. This growth is also substantiated by a growing number of exhibitors from the Balkan Peninsula, including countries such as Romania and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

In addition, Scandinavian markets have marked a 21% growth as leading markets such as Finland and Norway show stronger exhibitor demand. This is further strengthened by Promote Iceland which joins ITB Asia for the first time.

While African and European markets appear to dominate the show floor, North Asia will feature prominently during ITB Asia 2017 too.

Delegates can look forward to a strong showing by Japan and Korea at this year's show as Japan recorded an 89% growth in exhibitor bookings while Korea recorded a staggering 112% growth, thanks to Korea Tourism Organisation, Seoul Tourism Organisation and Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Earlier this year, ITB Asia had signed a partnership with Korea Tourism Organisation to boost Korea's appeal as a key destination in Southeast Asia.

"As we celebrate our 10^th anniversary this year, the substantial growth in exhibitors underlines how ITB Asia has firmly established itself as the leading industry event in the region. The Asian outbound market continues to attract huge interest and we are delighted to see such levels of growth from various key markets at the show this year. As early as now, we are accepting bookings for the 2018 show," said Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia.

Exploring "The Future of Travel", ITB Asia 2017 will feature industry heavyweights from the travel and tourism sector as well as global brand names from the technology sector. The show will take place from 25 - 27 October 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands.

ITB Asia 2018 is now available for stand booking and interested exhibitors may email exhibitor@itb-asia.com.

For more information on ITB Asia 2017, visit www.itb-asia.com

About ITB Asia 2017

ITB Asia 2017 will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, from 25 - 27 October. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. The event will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destinations, airlines and airports, hotels and resorts, theme parks and attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facilities and travel technology companies are all expected to attend.

Press contacts

Messe Berlin
Julia Wegener
Press and Public Relations Manager
Corporate Communication

ITB Berlin
Press Officer
Julia Wegener
Messedamm 22
D-14055 Berlin
(+49) 30 3038-2275
j.wegener@messe-berlin.de
www.messe-berlin.com

ITB Asia PR Contact for the Asian Region
Amanda Lee / Sabrina Ghazali
Bell Pottinger Singapore
(+65) 6333 3449
List-ITBAsia@bellpottinger.com

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HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As the leading multiplatform international news destination, CNN is more relevant today than it has ever been with both audiences and commercial clients. A new editorial segment, 'Staying Informed' launches on all of CNN International's feeds in Asia Pacific to give audiences, especially business travelers fast and easy access to the top stories of the day. 'Staying Informed' demonstrates CNN's dedication to bringing trusted, transparent and reliable news to the world.

'Staying Informed' is sponsored by leading multinational hospitality group AccorHotels and features 30-second headline summaries that will be updated in real-time throughout morning and evening primetime hours. The highlights will cover all topics, including current affairs, business, finance, lifestyle and sports. The campaign aligns AccorHotels' commitment to Asia Pacific with CNN's commitment to helping its viewers stay on top of the latest developments in global news.

"We are delighted to be partnering with AccorHotels, who cater to the same affluent and globally minded travelers who rely on CNN for the news. Through 'Staying Informed', we showcase CNN's best-in-class multiplatform offerings by combining the scale of our TV network's reach with the precision and targeting enabled by digital and data," says Sunita Rajan, Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales, Asia Pacific, CNNIC.

"We are thrilled with this new sponsorship with CNN because it gives us great visibility across one of the region's most respected news sources," said Michael Parsons, VP Marketing and Strategic Partnerships AccorHotels Asia Pacific. "We know our guests are very busy and want to get the latest news delivered quickly and efficiently when they are on the road and this allows us to deliver that service to them."

Asia Pacific is the most dynamic region for AccorHotels globally with a robust development pipeline of more than 400 hotels and an existing portfolio of more than 780 hotels and resorts across the region. By sponsoring CNN's multiplatform campaign, 'Staying Informed' AccorHotels can better engage with its affluent business-traveler customer base. The on-air sponsorship of 'Staying Informed' will also be supported by a high-impact digital component.

About CNN International Commercial

CNNI Commercial (CNNIC) is responsible for CNN's intercontinental commercial operations, spanning a diverse multiplatform portfolio across five continents. Its strategy is to grow CNN's dominance in the pan-regional TV market while accelerating growth through digital and data capabilities. This includes monetising and growing linear and digital news brands such as CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNN Arabic, Great Big Story, CNN Style and CNN Money, and a number of other verticals and local properties. CNNI Commercial delivers best-in-class, award-winning cross-platform ad sales, brand and marketing solutions underpinned by advanced digital expertise and data insight. It operates a Content Sales and Licensing business called CNN Access, which offers a suite of consultancy, content and CNN-branded initiatives around the globe as well as establishing strategic partnerships to serve new audiences. The organisation's branded content studio, Create, has been producing award-winning multiplatform content for clients for over ten years. CNNI Commercial is part of Turner, a Time Warner company. For more information, visit http://commercial.cnn.com

About AccorHotels

AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,200 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Sofitel Legend, SO Sofitel, Sofitel, Fairmont, onefinestay, MGallery bySofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of 25hours, Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the much-prized economy brands including JO&JOE, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1.AccorHotels provides innovative end-to-end services across the entire traveler experience, notably through the recent acquisition of John Paul, world leader in concierge services. With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 250,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world's most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels. AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth. Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code:FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information and reservations visit accorhotels.group or accorhotels.com. Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Hilton ranked as the third best place to work in Australian study.

SYDNEY, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has been recognised as one of Australia's best companies to work for, an accolade dedicated to companies with exceptional workplace cultures. Placed third on the top 50 list, Hilton has been distinguished for creating a high trust and high performance organisational culture by offering Team Members great work environments, careers and rewards. 

Hilton placed third in Australia’s Best Companies to Work For in 2017 by Great Place to Work® Institute

"What an honour being placed third in the 2017 Best Places to Work Study. This accolade comes from our Team Members' passion and dedication to providing memorable and heart-felt experiences for our guests. Our employee value proposition is to create great rewards, great careers and a great environment to help our Team Members thrive," said Brendan Toomey, vice president of human resources, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "Not only is Hilton the only hospitality company to make the top 50 list in Australia, but it is also the first time we have submitted an entry to Great Place to Work. This achievement supports our commitment of being the most hospitable company in the world."

This recognition follows a number of other recent accolades across Asia Pacific for being a great place to work. Hilton was ranked third in Asia's Best Multinational Workplaces 2017, third in Best Companies to Work For in Greater China, and 25^th in the top 100 Great Place To Work^® for India. 

The recognition bears testament to Hilton's leading practices and programmes that build a strong team culture. For Australia, these are:

• Flexible Work Practices -- These practices allow for customisation and personalisation in order to meet the distinct needs of each Team Members' lifestyle, their location and their role, to encourage work/life balance. Examples of the various options Team Members have include work-from-home, flexible scheduling, compressed workweek, flextime, job sharing, and part-time working options.
• Travel with Purpose -- Hilton's corporate responsibility strategy that empowers Team Members to make a difference and develop local solutions that positively impact their communities and environment. In the last 12 months, 1,567 Team Members in Australia have volunteered, completing over 12,000 hours and have activated over 170 solutions to local community challenges.
• Heart of House upgrades -- In February 2015, Hilton embarked on a Heart of House initiative to create an inviting back-of-house environment for Team Members. So far, Australian hotels have invested in over $420,000 to create an engaging look and feel, consistent with Hilton's brand culture, of which Team Members can be proud.
• Celebrating diversity -- Since launching in 2015, the Women in Leadership Program has empowered more than 100 female Team Members in Australia, assisting them in their career journeys. So far, 35% of participants have already been promoted or transferred within the company.
• Opportunities for development -- Hilton Australia launched a training program called 'Driving Effective Career Conversations'. Since launching the course in 2012, 656 Team Members have attended the course, which was designed to assist Team Members in better planning and communication of their career goals, including the completion of a Birkman Profile and Career Map.
• Go Hilton -- A travel programme that provides exclusive travel discounts and benefits for Team Members, as well as their family and friends. Not only is the program great for Team Members, though the program has also been beneficial for hotels across Australia with over 4,700 room nights booked, generating $300,000 in revenue since launching the program in 2016.
• Recognition -- Hilton offers several opportunities for recognition through programmes such as Catch Me at My Best, and the CEO Light & Warmth Awards that acknowledge Team Members at all levels from guests, peers and managers. Team Member Appreciation Week saw over 120 events organised to celebrate their Team Members in Australia in 2017.

Hilton employs more than 1,300 people each year in Australia, across its 12 hotels and corporate office.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising nearly 5,000 properties with more than 812,000 rooms in 103 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world's most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences -- every hotel, every guest, every time. The company's portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton^™, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton^™, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can't be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Great Place to Work®

Great Place to Work Australia, part of Great Place to Work Inc, is a global research and consulting firm specialising in workplace excellence and development of high-trust and high-engagement workplace cultures. Our proprietary research tool, the Trust Index® Employee Engagement Survey, is taken annually by over 10 million employees worldwide. Leading companies worldwide use our model to increase the levels of trust across their organisations and drive business results.

Contacts

Yasmin Ercil
Hilton -- Australasia
+61 (0)2 9199 0515
Yasmin.ercil@hilton.com

Anna Mansfield
PEPR Publicity for Hilton
+61 (0)2 9380 8080
Anna@pepr.com.au

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MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 2.35 million pilgrims have completed Hajj this year, fulfilling their religious duty in peace and unity at the holiest city in Islam, Makkah.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the world to the five-day pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, with pilgrims from dozens of countries coming together in what many consider the highlight of their spiritual lives.

In all, 2,352,122 pilgrims traveled to Makkah for this year's Hajj, 1.75 million of whom were from outside the Kingdom. Just over 1 million came from Asia, and nearly 400,000 traveled from non-GCC countries. Close to 200,000 arrived from African countries. Nearly 100,000 pilgrims traveled from European countries, while the United States and Australia together accounted for around 25,000 pilgrims. Almost 33,000 came from GCC countries.

"Welcoming pilgrims from all around the globe is the honor and duty of Saudi Arabia, under the auspices and direct guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. We make every effort and spare no expense in ensuring that pilgrims have a peaceful and fulfilling Hajj," said Dr. Awwad Alawwad, the Minister of Culture and Information.

"Whether it is providing lodging at Mina or staffing health facilities or giving pilgrims helpful information bracelets, we do everything we can to take care of those traveling to Makkah. Our efforts to improve this experience are constant and ongoing," Dr. Alawwad added.

The logistics of Hajj 

As always, the creation of a temporary city to accommodate more than two million people meant that Saudi Arabia again had to go to extraordinary lengths to protect the health, safety and well-being of pilgrims.

There were 15 medical centres at Makkah and nearby Holy sites, staffed by more than 30,000 trained medical professionals. During the course of Hajj, doctors performed more than 2,600 free surgical procedures, and nearly 60,000 pilgrims received some form of medical treatment.

Of the foreigners who traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, more than 1.6 million arrived by air, most traveling through Jeddah and Madinah, where airports have special terminals dedicated exclusively to handling Hajj pilgrims.

These facilities, paid for and constructed by Saudi Arabia, are just one example of the fruits of the tens of billions of dollars Saudi Arabia has invested since the 1950s to improve and enhance access to Makkah, the upkeep of the Grand Mosque, and the Hajj experience itself.

As always, a focal point of Hajj was the vast tent city at Mina, where pilgrims stayed in air-conditioned tents constructed of fire-retardant materials. In the tent city, the pilgrims were grouped by nationality.

Of course, a massive undertaking like Hajj can sometimes be daunting and confusing for pilgrims, which is why 2017 marked the second consecutive year that pilgrims were issued individual electronic identification bracelets.

Each bracelet contained a pilgrim's personal information and any special medical needs they might have. The devices, which are water-resistant and contain GPS data, also were used to provide pilgrims with up-to-date information on prayer schedules and other details related to Hajj.

The bracelets could also be used to connect with a multi-lingual help desk in which other, more detailed questions could be asked and answered.

The utility of the wrist bracelet was augmented by regular Hajj updates texted by the Saudi organisers to the pilgrims' mobile devices. All information was also updated to two websites dedicated to Hajj 2017: SaudiWelcomesTheWorld.org and Hajj2017.org.

The following list is a representative example of the resources that the Saudi Authorities deployed to ensure a safe and smooth Hajj season:

• 51,700 staff members representing more than 20 governmental entities working around the clock
• 14,000 staff members from the Makkah Region Development Authority to facilitate pedestrian movement at the holy sites and operate and maintain the 'Hajj metro'
• 6,300 staff members from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque providing cold Zamzam water for pilgrims at prayer sites
• 4,480 staff members providing municipal services for pilgrims, citizens and residents in Makkah and the Holy sites
• 4,470 staff members from the General Department of Passports to prepare and equip the entry ports to receive pilgrims
• 3,706 scouts providing a wide range of services such as directions to lost pilgrims
• 2,935 volunteers under the Ministry of Hajj from different nationalities and backgrounds
• 2,280 Civil Defense staff members for firefighting and emergency rescues, overseeing safety measures and contributing to medical evacuation
• 1,650 media professionals providing media services and live coverage to more than 104 TV channels and 19 radio stations
• 1,500 technicians
• 1,307 staff members and technicians from the National Water Company
• 279 staff members from the Saudi Food & Drug Authority to ensure food safety
• 240 inspectors from the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to inspect establishments
• 130 help desks manned by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance to answer pilgrims' questions in all languages
• 67 Civil Defense centers in Makkah, Madina and the Holy sites

The spirit of Hajj 

Hajj, of course, is about more than raw numbers; each pilgrim has his own deeply personal experience. And pilgrims bring their own unique perspective to this fulfillment of a religious duty.

One of the oldest pilgrims was 104-year-old Ibu Mariah Marghani Muhammad, from Indonesia, who arrived in Jeddah on August 26 and later in the week said in Makkah that her pilgrimage journey was an "experience that I will never forget".

Another young Indonesian pilgrim, Mochammad Kahmim Setiawan, traveled 9,000 km by foot on a yearlong "spiritual adventure" before he arrived for this year's Hajj.

These are just several of thousands upon thousands of personal stories that illustrate the importance of Hajj to Muslims the world over.

The spirit of Hajj was perhaps best captured by senior Saudi cleric Sheikh Saad Al Shathri in a sermon delivered August 31 at Mount Arafat, who said that one of the primary intentions of Hajj is "to cultivate benevolence in people's hearts. This is no place for partisan slogans or sectarian movements."

As pilgrims begin to return to their home countries, Saudi Arabia is already beginning to plan for next year's Hajj. The work of organizing and hosting the world's largest annual gathering never stops.

Media Contact 

The Center for International Communication (CIC), Ministry of Culture and Information, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Telephone: +966-53-839-3535, Email: cic@moci.gov.sa, Twitter: @CICSaudi

HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Yang Zhihui, Chairman and Executive Director of Landing International Development Limited (the "Company", HKEx Code: 00582) and the Company's senior management met with President Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, and his cabinet team at Malacaňang Palace, Manila, Philippines on 4 September 2017, to present the Company's proposal to build a world-class international branded theme park integrated resort in the Philippines. President Duterte welcomes the Company's proposed investment into the Philippines and express his keen interest and overwhelming support to the Company's proposal.

Dr. Yang stated: "Following our first meeting with the President in May 2017 in Hong Kong to discuss investment opportunities in the Philippines, we are honored to share with President Duterte and his cabinet team our vision for tourism in the country and our proposal to build an iconic international branded theme park integrated resort in the Philippines that all Filipinos will be proud of. This resort will comprise Asia's first movie-themed indoor theme park, waterpark as well as many other leisure and entertainment facilities suited for all ages and families. When opened, the branded theme park integrated resort will enhance Philippines' tourism appeal, complement the existing tourists' attractions and resorts as well as create significant employment opportunities for the locals as well as returning Filipinos who are currently working overseas."

Landing International is engaged in the development and operation of integrated leisure and entertainment resorts in the region and is currently developing and operating the first and largest iconic premium integrated leisure and entertainment destination resort, Jeju Shinhwa World, in Jeju, Korea.

Dr. Yang Zhihui, Chairman and Executive Director of the Company, with President Rodrigo Duterte

About Landing International

Landing International is a limited company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and continued in Bermuda. It is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is also a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes. The Company and subsidiaries are principally engaged in the development and operation of integrated leisure and entertainment resort, gaming club, entertainment facilities and property development under its own "Landing" and "Les Ambassadeurs or Les A" brand names.

Landing International, through its subsidiary Landing Jeju Development Co., Ltd, is currently developing "Jeju Shinhwa World", a 2.5 million-square metre integrated leisure and entertainment destination resort in Jeju, which when it opens in 2017, will be Jeju's first premium integrated destination resort. It will offer its visitors many world-class hospitality, leisure, entertainment and gaming facilities including a family theme park offering exciting thrill and adventure rides and attractions, an adventure water park, more than 2,000 premium hotel rooms, luxury resort apartments and villas, cultural facilities, leisure and entertainment amenities, as well as Jeju's largest themed retail and food and beverage complex.

Landing International also owns Les Ambassadeurs Club, a leading premium gaming club in London, the United Kingdom with 45 gaming tables offering a variety of casino games including American roulette, baccarat, blackjack and three card poker. It also has several featured private VIP rooms and the largest outdoor gambling zone in London.

For more information, visit www.landing.com.hk.

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Establishing as the first-ever Thailand MICE Week, the event showcases the bureau's plan for the fiscal year 2018 and future direction of the country's MICE industry.

BANGKOK, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB organises Thailand MICE Forum 2017 to share the industry with market insights and visions towards the sustainability goals. Creating a phenomenon with series of informative events for MICE industry, the forum features four key activities which showcase the bureau's strategies and plan, MICE awards, a seminar on sustainable MICE events, and a platform to network with experts and TCEB's overseas market representatives.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of TCEB said that "With the establishment of TCEB's 20-year vision, the bureau works towards into leading organisation that develops MICE industry as a mechanism for Thailand's economic development. The initiative aimed at creating stability, distributing prosperity to all sectors through the use of innovation, and creating sustainability by implementing principles from the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy.   Guided by this long-term vision, four key strategies are developed to drive the country's MICE industry towards stability and sustainability goals."  

Direction and key activities under these strategies are:

(1) Growing in parallel with the development of the country, which focuses on keeping the current market and finding new markets.  The targeted industries under the Thailand 4.0 policy include food, agriculture, biotechnology, public health and wellness, as well as other potential industries such as energy, transport, communications, entertainment, etc. To enhance MICE activities for these sectors, TCEB will conduct the MICE events calendar that is categorised by MICE Cluster Theme, together with series of activities to drive the use of innovation and elevate the business events into SMART MICE THAILAND.

(2) Growing in a high potential market, focusing on the regions that have high growth and strong connection with the development of Thailand's economy. Under the strategy, primary regions are ASEAN, Asia, and the CLMV/GMS; secondary regions are Europe, America and Oceania; while other potential regions are Eastern Europe and Latin America. Activities outlined for targeted markets in these regions include participating in international trade shows, organising road show events, appointing representatives offices, and reinforcing promotion activities to enhance targeted sectors in these areas. In addition, the bureau is creating MICE Intelligence & MICE Innovation unit which will gather information, analyse market directions, and help develop business plans for operators in the private sector to improve competitive capabilities.

(3) Growing with equality, by increasing the opportunities for the MICE industry growth as well as maximising the competence of MICE Cities and high potential cities namely: Songkhla, Chiang Rai, and Udonthani.  The development will be enhanced through activities such as Thailand Domestic MICE Mart, Luangprabang-Indochina-Mawlamyine Economic Corridor (LIMEC) International Conference, workshops in special Economic Zones, and key events under the government's Super Cluster Policy that help establishing local identities such as Halal Festival in Had Yai and E-San Silk Festival. 

(4) Growing strongly, by strengthening MICE Industry through development.  Example of the bureau's success story is the initiative of Thailand MICE Venue Standard which was developed into ASEAN MICE Venue Standard. The campaign establishes the international standard of convention and exhibition venues in the regional level. Besides, TCEB is strengthening the organisation by developing the internal system to better support the industry in the future.

"Building on the groundwork that comprised of communications, vision, and policy, together with the integration and collaboration of all sectors, TCEB creates the Thailand MICE Forum 2017 -- a week of MICE activities to showcase the country's business events industry and open the platform for stakeholders to share visions, exchange knowledge, and network with alliances from different industries. The event consists of four main activities which being held during 4^th-5^th September 2017 at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel.

"On 4^th September, 1) MICE SYMPOSIUM 2017 is a platform for TCEB to announce the annual performance of the fiscal year 2017 and deliver the plan for the next fiscal year. 2) MICE Awards 2017, is an event to reward and honour MICE professionals and organisations which devoted their efforts to support Thailand MICE industry and attracted international MICE events to take place in the country. On 5^th September, 3) MICE SUSTAINABILITY FORUM 2017 focuses on how to incorporate the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the event management business. 4) MEET THE REP: Meetings & Incentives, is a seminar that encourages the knowledge exchange. It provides opportunities for MICE entrepreneurs to get updated with marketing trends and network with TCEB's representatives from overseas.

"The MICE Forum 2017 is being held under the theme, Drive - Change - Inspire - Innovation, The idea represents the transformation of the MICE industry towards the prosperity, driven by innovation and creativity which are incorporated in a sustainable event," said Mr. Chiruit.

TCEB expects that in the fiscal year 2018, there will be a total of 30.1 million MICE travellers in Thailand, generating revenue of 174 billion baht, separated into 1,192,000 international MICE visitors, generating revenue of 112 billion baht, and 29 million domestic MICE travellers, generating 62 billion baht in revenue. TCEB aims to drive the MICE industry to be a key player in creating prosperity, distributing income to the regions through the MICE industry, and creating strength and sustainability for the economy of the country.

About TCEB

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB - the government leading edge agency - has been the key to success for a wide range of global & regional business events since 2004. With our key strategic model, Growth Driver; TCEB works as your strategic business partner, delivers creative ideas, and provides solutions from our capable resources for every scale and various customised business events.

TCEB has formed numerous collaborations and networks linked to open up grand new chapters of business opportunities, and to strategically enhance every business success with special care that will spur lasting advancement and achievements. Our goal is to equipping business events industry at national, regional, and global stage for continuous development, long-term growth and sustainable success.

For further information, please contact:

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HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Setting out to 'Link people to a brighter future', Link has become an integral part of Hong Kong by connecting all walks of life in the community. This mission gets a colourful treatment time and again as exciting new initiatives spring up to engage the whole community. This year, Link further confirms its commitment to bringing all members of society closer together with 'Link Community Tour'. As fun-laden as it is socially constructive, it invites international visitors and local residents to explore the city's hidden gems in a series of interactive journeys in various districts, with a view to promoting social inclusion through an immersive experience which encourages participation amongst locals and visitors as well as the physically-challenged.

(From left to right) Actor Michael Wong, Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board, George Kwok Lung Hongchoy, Executive Director & CEO, Link Asset Management Limited, Stephen Ho, CEO, Greater China, Marriott International Inc. and actress Eliza Sam officiated at the Link Community Tour Inauguration Ceremony. The first “CSR Tour” for the visually-impaired and volunteers from Link, sponsored by the Link and supported by Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association kick-started today.

Four Routes to Link All in a City-wide Treasure Hunt

The programme encompasses 20-plus themed tours covering four meticulously curated routes to offer participants a slice of authentic Hong Kong lifestyle from different perspectives. To encourage visitors from local and overseas to explore these routes by themselves, an informative map was prepared to make the experience more enjoyable. 

The tours are:

1. Stanley Walks: A Journey into Hong Kong Legends;
2. Kowloon Walks: A Taste of Hong Kong;
3. Tai Po Walks: Sustainable Community in Hong Kong; and
4. Yuen Long Walks: A Greeting from Hong Kong Locals

Packing together monuments such as Murray House in Stanley Walks, Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon Walks and Ping Shan Heritage Trail in Yuen Long Walk; and leisure epicentres including some of Link's flagship malls across the city, a balanced dose of heritage sites and sleek new attractions is prescribed for each route to satisfy both the explorer and the merrymaker in each participant.

There are routes that delve deep into the daily life of Hong Kong people, in which Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association, the programme's community partner, is tapped to engage visually-impaired participants in a multi-sensory journey as they explore local customs, folklores and street eats together, thereby contributing to a caring and inclusive society while broadening participants' understanding of different fabrics of our community.

A Stellar Team for a Stellar Programme

The 'Link Community Tour' was launched today (5 September) by Link Asset Management Limited CEO George Hongchoy, who was joined by Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Stephen Ho, CEO of Greater China at Marriott International Inc., to officiate at the Kick-off Ceremony. 

Speaking at the ceremony, George Hongchoy commented, "By throwing a spotlight onto some of the treasures on our home turf, the 'Link Community Tour' provides new perspectives for international tourists and local residents to explore and appreciate authentic Hong Kong's local culture. The programme also encourages social inclusion and interaction in our community while promoting love and care to all walks of life."

The programme also sees the formation of a partnership between Link and Marriott International Inc., with support from renowned local tour operators Walk In Hong Kong and Big Foot Tour, in parallel with the new strategic direction of the Hong Kong Tourism Board to develop local community attractions. Four participating Marriott hotels, namely the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong and Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin, will invite overseas visitors to join the locals in an immersive celebration of the city's colourful lifestyle and culture.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Link to launch the new 'Taste with Marriott' package in our hotels in Hong Kong," said Stephen Ho, CEO, Greater China, Marriott International Inc. "The exclusive package to Marriott will take our guests on a journey that explores the colourful history and culture of Hong Kong in a storytelling approach filled with beguiling anecdotes. It offers a new perspective for tourists to sample a slice of Hong Kong, which will not only attract new visitors but also connect them with the local community through interaction."

Becky Ip, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said, "The HKTB is dedicated to promote Hong Kong's diverse tourism experiences to visitors from all over the world. We are delighted to see the Link launching the "Link Community Tour" which help enhance visitors' tourism experience by encouraging them to discover different facets of the city and explore our unique culture."

About Link REIT and Link Asset Management Limited

Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Hong Kong stock code: 823), managed by Link Asset Management Limited, is the first real estate investment trust listed in Hong Kong, and currently Asia's largest REIT and one of the world's largest retail-focused REITs in terms of market capitalisation. Wholly owned by private and institutional investors, Link REIT is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index. With a portfolio spanning Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, we serve the community by creating vibrant and unique retail experiences that meet the needs of the people who live around our shopping centres, and providing an effective platform with which the tenants of our retail and office properties can flourish. In doing so, we enhance value for unitholders of Link REIT and support the local economy while linking people to a brighter future.

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170905/1933689-1

REDTABLE to expand sales channels into Southeast Asia

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- REDTABLE, the developer of a global restaurant marketing platform, recently signed a contract with Klook, Southeast Asia's largest travel platform, regarding the distribution of food tour products.

REDTABLE signed a contract with Klook

A member company of the K-ICT Born2Global Centre, REDTABLE announced its signing of the contract with Klook along with its plan to expand its sales channels into Southeast Asia.

Based primarily in Southeast Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.), Klook is a platform that sells travel activity products across Asia. Currently, over 10,000 activity products in 80 cities are available for reservation. Klook was chosen as one of Apple's "Best iOS Apps" of 2015 and received an investment of USD 3 million from Sequoia Capital earlier this year. Sequoia Capital is a global investment company that has invested in not only global corporations such as Apple, Google, Airbnb, and Instagram but also lesser known yet promising companies such as Alibaba, Didi Chuxing, and JD.com.

REDTABLE CEO Hae-yong Do said, "There are some food tour products reserved and paid for within less than one day of being posting on Klook. Given the high level of interest in Korean food across Southeast Asia, thanks to the Hallyu boom (Korean Wave), we are hoping that our contract with Klook serves as a valuable opportunity for us to promote Korean food to people living in areas where the app is available."

REDTABLE currently has the largest number of food tourism sales channels in Korea. It supplies food tourism products to major Chinese travel agencies, including Ctrip, Tuniu, Alitrip, TongCheng, and Qiongyou, as well as to Dianping, China's largest restaurant review website, and the social commerce company Meituan.

REDTABLE is also quite busy in South Korea. In particular, the company is working with Seoul Metropolitan Government to develop a multi-language mobile menu service designed to revitalize the city's food tourism industry. It has also partnered with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) to conduct a food tourism marketing project targeting Chinese tourists. In March, REDTABLE was designated by Seoul Metropolitan Government as a "tourism venture company." Most recently, the company released the "Amazing Race" food stamp tour for free independent Chinese tourists visiting Korea.

For more information visit http://www.redtable.global/company
Related link: www.born2global.com

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170904/1933297-1

CONTACT:
Jina Lee
+82-10-9208-7773
jlee@born2global.com

BEIJING, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 12^th CIBTM, a premier professional meetings, incentives and business travel exhibition in China, was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on August 23-24, 2017. Business Events Hangzhou, together with ten award-winning MICE companies including hotels, conference service providers and travel agencies, were present at the CIBTM. During the exhibition, the Hangzhou exhibition area was the focus of a great deal of attention, as the ten companies that made up the exhibit's team conducted over 500 one-to-one negotiations and signed letters of intent with over 40 buyers.

Hangzhou booth at CIBTM

Jointly creating a new vision for Hangzhou's MICE industry

The Hangzhou booth consisted of two concentric circles which, when combined with the MICE Hangzhou logo, conveyed the spirit of the brand. The concentric circles were meant to symbolize "being of one mind" with the implied meaning that Hangzhou's MICE professionals joined hands with their peers from around the world in promoting the development of the MICE industry.

At the exhibition, Business Events Hangzhou also hosted an interactive coloring event, inviting exhibitors, buyers and visitors to pick up the brush and paint how they envisioned the city of Hangzhou in their mind.

A new round of overseas promotional events set to increase awareness of the brand

In addition to attending conferences and exhibitions in China and abroad, Hangzhou plans to launch a series of promotional events in the second half of 2017 - Hangzhou MICE Selection and MICE in the Landscape: Global Conference Developers Discover New Opportunities in Hangzhou. The MICE in the Landscape event will be held in close partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Backed by ICCA's extensive global professional conference organizer (PCO) member base, the event will invite the world's top 20 MICE city PCOs to experience the distinctive resources on offer in Hangzhou. In addition to the local event in Hangzhou, a companion event will be set up in Paris, France for the first time and a real-time video connection will instantaneously transmit the impressions of the PCOs visiting Hangzhou to selected target audiences. Paris was the number one MICE destination in the world during 2016, according to data released by ICCA.

Hangzhou is fast emerging as a new international convention destination

Since the brand MICE Hangzhou was launched last year, Hangzhou's MICE industry has experienced rapid development and attracted attention from around the world, establishing Hangzhou as an international MICE destination. In recent years, Hangzhou's MICE industry has significantly increased its presence. Three editions of the Conference and Incentive Travel Industry Fair helped to build a high-quality platform for the display of the city's MICE resources and the promotion of MICE destinations. The city hosted 918 conferences resulting in 547 million yuan in associated revenue, organized more than 220 delegations of MICE companies which participated in 28 professional MICE events in China and abroad, creating a broader marketing platform for companies, and invited over 20 delegations totaling more than 700 professional purchasers who visited Hangzhou and got an exposure to its extensive MICE resources.

While the 12^th CIBTM has come to a successful conclusion, Hangzhou's MICE industry expects to maintain the strong momentum that has been generated as a result of the event. The current period, defined by two important events, one that has already taken place, the G20 Summit, and one that will take place, the pre-Asian Games, provides a new opportunity for the development of the city's MICE industry. Since its inception, the stakeholders in Hangzhou's MICE brand have accumulated quite a bit of experience, giving them a broad perspective on how to better explore the untapped value of its products as well as how to enhance the city's services, allowing the world to rediscover the charm of Hangzhou, recognize the value of the industry and create unlimited possibilities.

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170831/1931448-1

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual Hajj pilgrimage unites millions of people in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula - the birthplace of Islam. This year, the Kingdom has welcomed more than 2.35 million people from every culture and corner of the globe, including a large number of women. A core value of the pilgrimage is equality of the sexes and millions of women have performed Hajj, and for this year, women pilgrims are at a near equal number to men.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173053-women-peace-pilgrims/

Additional information: http://www.saudiwelcomestheworld.org 
Website: http://www.cic.org.sa

Twitter: @CICSaudi

Video - https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173053-women-peace-pilgrims/

Combining loyalty and payments on a single card is a boon for consumers and airlines

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With 23.8 trillion air miles going unredeemed globally and 80% of US airline rewards program members inactive, an innovative solution combining airline loyalty with sophisticated payments features on a single multi-function card is set to significantly elevate airline frequent flyer programs. The integrated frequent flyer payment card solution, powered by i2c, gives travelers a convenient way to make payments and budget spending while concurrently earning loyalty points. At the same time, it provides airlines with powerful tools to expand their loyalty programs to engage their entire customer base and turn a marketing expense into a revenue-generator.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/81698241-i2c-frequent-flyer-rewards-program/

Unlike traditional co-branded airline credit cards available only to credit-worthy consumers who qualify, the integrated frequent flyer payment card is open to all airline customers, who simply need to load funds on the card and use it to make purchases anywhere in the world and accumulate loyalty points and air miles rewards. 

Multi-Currency Convenience and Spend Management for Consumers

The frequent flyer payment card has sophisticated features many traditional airline credit cards lack:

• Multiple currencies and unlimited purses: Travelers have the freedom to carry unlimited currencies on a single co-branded rewards card, saving time and expense of foreign transaction fees.
• Security of card controls and real-time alerts: Consumers get added security and visibility over spending, conveniently managed through a Web or mobile interface.
• Integrated mobile and Web administration: Account and budget management features like setting a spending limits or transferring funds can be handled via the Web or mobile app.
• Valuable real-time offers: Airline customers can receive relevant digital coupons and offers based on their location.
• Companion cards: Additional account privileges can be easily extended to family members or companions via companion cards.

Airlines Can Finally Move Loyalty Cards Out of the Drawer

Most airline loyalty cards lay dormant in a drawer or unused in a wallet, and less than 5% of airline customers are enrolled in co-branded credit card programs. The i2c-powered frequent flyer payment card offers airlines a novel way to reinvigorate their frequent flyer programs by engaging 100% of their customer base with innovative payments solutions, helping turn the marketing expense of maintaining loyalty programs into a revenue-generating vehicle. Increased frequent flyer payment card usage keeps the airline brand top of mind and boosts loyalty. As airline customers establish credit-worthiness, they become prime candidates for co-branded credit card and other products.

Infographic: Six Alternatives to Travel Card Rewards Programs

About i2c Inc.

From its Silicon Valley headquarters, i2c provides smarter payments and integrated commerce solutions that financial institutions, corporations, brands, and governments around the world rely on to deliver high impact, personalized experiences today's consumers expect. i2c's single, global cloud-based platform supports virtually any card payment program in plastic, virtual, or mobile form. Our customers use the i2c Agile Processing platform to deliver profitable credit, debit, and prepaid solutions that meet the highly-differentiated needs of cardholders in 216 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.i2cinc.com.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

For centuries, millions of Muslims have travelled to Makkah from every corner of the globe for the annual Hajj pilgrimage - the largest annual global gathering.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173054-international-icons-hajj-islam/

American civil rights activist Malcolm X made the pilgrimage in 1964. He wrote about the way that Hajj had demonstrated a unity he had not thought was possible in his autobiography, published in 1965:

"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white. America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought patterns previously held."

In 2012, Bollywood star Aamir Khan made the Hajj pilgrimage from Mumbai with his mother, describing the experience to a reporter as: "Probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It's very difficult to describe in words. The first time that you see the Kabaa and the whole experience of you know so many people from different parts of the world, speaking different languages. People of different colors, different creeds, different backgrounds, different societies, are all converging for this one thing, you know. It's quite a fascinating sight. And certainly, it's a once in a lifetime experience."

These perspectives reflect the key Islamic value of unity, reflected through the Hajj pilgrimage that brings the pilgrims together as one. This is one of the many universal values that Islam shares with the world.

Prolific English Writer H.G. Wells also noted the universal values of compassion and tolerance upon which Islam is based: "The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for equitable and gentle dealings and behavior, and inspire people with nobility and tolerance. These are human teachings of the highest order and at the same time practicable…Islam is replete with gentleness, courtesy, and fraternity."

In a statement made on February 7, 1980 addressing American relations with Islamic nations, then US President Jimmy Carter highlighted these shared values:

"I have been struck, personally and in my experience as President, by the human and moral values which Americans as a people share with Islam. We share, first and foremost, a deep faith in the one Supreme Being. We are all commanded by Him to faith, compassion, and justice. We have a common respect and reverence for law. Despite the strains of the modern age, we continue to place special importance on the family and the home. And we share a belief that hospitality is a virtue and that the host, whether a nation or an individual, should behave with generosity and honor toward guests."

Additional Information https://www.saudiwelcomestheworld.org/

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/551741/MOCI_International_Icons.jpg )
Video: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173054-international-icons-hajj-islam/

FURTH, Germany and VIENNA, Austria, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

A new invention creating a totally new kind of theme park and helps solving traffic and pollution problems   

Michael Mack, the inventor of ROLLERCOASTERRESTAURANTS^® is developing a spectacular idea together with his team. Conventional cars with passengers may soon be able to "fly" on specially designed Ferris Wheels, different types of carousels, rollercoasters (CarmusementFlights), as well as ropeway systems (CableFlights). This technology (patent pending) creates a new kind of theme park (CarmusementPark) on the one side and opens the doors for the implementation of environmental friendly traffic solution concepts in city centres on the other side.

Traffic problems in metropolitan areas are increasing daily and are hereby causing horrendous consequences for our environment. A possible solution may be a CableFlights system which may transport cars with passengers into the city centres and back. The cars may be air conditioned during the flight. Furthermore, e-cars may be charged during the flight. Last but not least there may be a FlyInRestaurant on the way. Using a mobile application the flight passengers may be able to order food and beverages, which they may then receive through their car windows.

Instead of being stuck in traffic the flight passengers may enjoy a great view of the city. It`s simply carmazing!

CableFlights may not only be applicable for infrastructural measures, but for theme-parks/ safari-parks and/or for connections between amusement- / safari- or water-parks including the corresponding hotels.

At CarmusementParks the guests may ride CarmusementFlights, e.g. CarmusementWheel, CarmusementChairoplane or CarmusementRollerCoaster and enjoy flying through a loop while sitting in their cars. A totally new theme park experience.

http://www.carmusement.com

Contact & further press releases:
ROLLERCOASTERRESTAURANT^® Entertainment GmbH
Riesenradplatz 6 / Top 1A
1020 Vienna, Austria
office@carmusement.com
+43-650-481-4644

http://www.rollercoaster.rest

Ultratravel Collection hotel in China prepares to open its doors

CHONGQING, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wharf Hotels is proud to announce the opening of Niccolo Chongqing on 8 September 2017 in the mountain city of Southwest China.  The latest in the Niccolo collection of contemporary urban chic luxury hotels, is a member of Global Hotel Alliance's Ultratravel Collection.  The city's international sky hotel is located in the heart of Jiangbeizui, Chongqing's dynamic new Central Business District at the most fashionable address.

Niccolo Chongqing forms the upper floors of Chongqing IFS

A highly anticipated property since its award-winning sister hotel opened in Chengdu in 2015, Niccolo Chongqing, ideally placed on levels 54 through 62, will offer captains of industry and leaders in style 252 luxurious guestrooms and suites with sweeping views of Chongqing and beyond that naturally shift as dawn transitions to dusk.  Guests will enjoy unrivalled vistas of Chongqing's spectacular landscape and merging mountains, skyline and the dramatic confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.

Forming a part of Chongqing IFS, the city's new development incorporating the hotel, high-end office space, residences and luxury retail, Niccolo Chongqing is 30 minutes' drive from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport with easy access to the metro station linking the rest of the city.

Spacious guestrooms and suites exude sophistication and elegance designed to effortlessly luxuriate the senses. Overlooking the city's spectacular skyline and rivers, rooms are composed of natural textiles and leathers in subtle earth tones, carpeted floors and beautifully upholstered armchairs in a stylish, comfortable feel.

The hotel is pleased to announce its Special Opening Offer from CNY 818 per room per night, including one night's stay in an elegant N1 Deluxe Room overlooking the city, buffet breakfast for one at Niccolo Kitchen and CNY 100 cash credit to be enjoyed across the hotel's new sky-high dining concepts.  Also included are a welcome fruit amenity and complimentary soft drinks from the mini bar.  Guests booking N3 Grand Deluxe Rooms and Suites may enjoy the additional benefit of 5% off at selected retail stores at Chongqing IFS mall.  Reservations may be made at +86 23 6508 8888, via resv.ncq@niccolohotels.com or at niccolochongqing.com. 

To complement Niccolo Chongqing's guestrooms and suites will be a variety of stylish, modern facilities.  Crowning the hotel and sky tower on level 62, Niccolo Chongqing will debut two contemporary destination-dining venues, Niccolo Kitchen and The Tea Lounge, featuring sky-high vistas combining delightful new menus, Niccolo's signature service and the hotel's culinary expertise.

Bar 62, offering live music on selected evenings and aptly named for its location, promises guests a panoramic bar and lounge experience with breath-taking views from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city's skyline and twinkling lights, headed by award-winning mixologists.

In addition, the hotel will include a complete wellness concept encompassing the Sky Gym, The Spa at Niccolo with five treatment rooms, and the Sky Pool, a 20-metre pool surrounded by windows looking over Chongqing, while guests rejuvenate and re-energise their mind, body and soul.

Set to become the city's epicentre for weddings, conferences, events and celebrations, the hotel will offer outstanding occasion spaces including a show-stopping, glass-enclosed venue, The Conservatory, with 11-metre high ceilings and a glass staircase allowing for hosts, bridal parties and guests to make a dramatic arrival. Located on the top floors of the hotel on level 61, The Conservatory will offer unique banqueting experiences embellished with the signature service of Niccolo Hotels.

The spacious Niccolo Ballroom, accommodating up to 700 guests for cocktails and receptions and directly accessible by car, will be complemented by an outdoor event space, The Courtyard on level 4, and ten flexible, expertly-designed function rooms.

"Chongqing is one of the most attractive cities in western China with stunning mountain vistas as well as a profound cultural heritage. The opening of Niccolo Chongqing will bring a new lifestyle experience within the IFS precinct, encompassing fashion, leisure, entertainment and hospitality for leaders in business and style.  Another important milestone for Wharf Hotels, it is the second hotel to open in the group's luxury portfolio, reinforcing the success of the brand.  The exceptional team under Mr Giorgio Olivotti's leadership, in a truly luxurious sky hotel setting, will set a new standard in Chongqing - already attracting bookings that will ensure it is the city's epicentre for events", said Dr Jennifer Cronin, President, Wharf Hotels. "Niccolo prides itself in delivering on its mantra; New Encounters. Timeless Pleasures.  From the new breed of knowledgeable concierge called Niccolo City Insiders to the signature Niccolo Tea Ritual and Niccolo Lecture Series, guests will experience the very best that Chongqing has to offer – both within the hotel and beyond".

"I am excited to welcome our first guests who no doubt will be captains of industry and influencers in style, to whom I can personally introduce the Niccolo experience," said Mr Giorgio Olivotti, General Manager, Niccolo Chongqing. "We have an outstanding team and are collaborating to adorn the hotel with final touches in the lead up to our opening.  From our stunning, sky-high guestrooms and destination restaurants to our warm, intuitive hospitality, guests will rediscover luxury through Niccolo Chongqing".

The first Niccolo Hotel opened in Chengdu in 2015 and fast became the group's success story. Following Chongqing's opening, the brand's new flagship hotel, The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, is scheduled to debut towards the end of 2017, followed by openings in Changsha and Suzhou in 2018 and 2019 respectively, bringing the brand's portfolio from 1 to 5 hotels within the next 24 months.

As an Ultratravel Collection hotel, membership is reserved for the very best hotels and resorts in the world – genuinely luxurious and iconic properties that deliver the finest service and personalised guest experiences. Niccolo Chongqing's sister hotel, Niccolo Chengdu, was the first hotel in China to be labelled an Ultratravel Collection hotel, and has paved the way for 4 more Niccolo hotels to open in the portfolio.  Niccolo Chongqing and The Murray have also been confirmed to be members of this prestigious iconic collection.

More information is available and reservations may be made at niccolochongqing.com.

About Wharf Hotels
The Spirit of Discovery

Emanating the spirit of discovery, Wharf Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Ltd, is based in Hong Kong and currently operates 15 owned or managed hotels under Niccolo or Marco Polo Hotels in Hong Kong, China and the Philippines. Niccolo Hotels was added to the group's portfolio in 2015 as the new luxury collection, positioning the brand as contemporary urban chic at its first hotel in Chengdu. Three new Niccolo hotels are currently under development in Hong Kong and China. Marco Polo's premium hotels in established locations maintain their long-standing ethos to explore, discover and experience a destination, creating unique guest experiences and drawing on the key philosophies of its namesake, Marco Polo: an adventurer, a traveller, an entrepreneur and a connoisseur of culture - just as Marco Polo's modern travellers are today. Further details on Wharf Hotels are available at wharfhotels.com.

About Niccolo Hotels
New Encounters. Timeless Pleasures.

Niccolo is a collection of contemporary urban chic hotels with desirable, highly prized addresses. At heart, as discoverers and re-discoverers of luxury experiences, styles and tastes, its hotels are modern sophisticated spaces, where the timeless pleasures of impeccable hospitality from another golden era in travel is valued. Underpinning everything is the desire to make life effortlessly luxurious. Niccolo Chengdu was the first hotel to open followed by Niccolo Chongqing, with an additional 3 Niccolo hotels currently under development in Hong Kong Changsha and Suzhou, China.  Further details on Niccolo Hotels are available at niccolohotels.com.

About Ultratravel Collection

Ultratravel Collection brings together hotels of distinction for the discerning traveller. Its membership is reserved for the very best hotels and resorts in the world – genuinely luxurious and iconic properties that deliver the finest service and personalised guest experiences. Member hotels share an integrated global platform for guest recognition and loyalty rewards, the DISCOVERY programme from partner Global Hotel Alliance, as well as beneficial relationship with the multi-media brand Ultratravel, the other founding partner of Ultratravel Collection. The Niccolo brand is the first member brand of Ultratravel Collection (UTC) in China.

For more information visit ultratravelcollection.com.

For more information, please contact:
Carmen Jiang
Director of Communications
Niccolo Chongqing     
Tower 1, Chongqing IFS, 38 North Avenue
Jiangbeicheng, Jiangbei District, Chongqing 400023, China
Tel: (86) 23 6508 8888  Ext. 7606
Email: carmen.jiang@niccolohotels.com 

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20170907/1935188-1-a

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ItaliaRail.com, the leading international seller of train tickets for Italy, announces it has expanded its offerings to include tours, activities and transfers. The growing travel e-commerce company began providing non-rail Italy products and services this summer, starting with its successful Colosseum and Vatican Show & Go Pass™, which doesn't require advanced reservations, allowing travelers to tour Rome's top two attractions when it's convenient for them.

ItaliaRail Colosseum and Vatican Show & Go Pass(TM)

"Some 80% of our customers have told us they plan to visit the Colosseum or Vatican while in Rome. That's why we created the most flexible, easy-to-use solution available. We want to help travelers have the best time in Rome possible," says Mike Fuller, ItaliaRail.com President & CEO.

Entry wait times at the Colosseum and Vatican Museums can range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the season. With its skip-the-line privileges, the new Show & Go Pass ensures that visitors save both time and money. Pass-holders go directly to the tour meeting point, just 30 minutes before departure time. It's that simple.

Travelers to Rome can also choose to visit these popular sights on separate days if they like--an exclusive flexible feature not offered with any other 2-in-1 tour on the market. Another differentiating benefit: Pass-holders receive complimentary VIP access to the ItaliaPass Lounge, located by Track 25 at Termini Train Station, during their stay in Rome.

Sold on both ItaliaRail.com and sister site ItaliaDeals.com, the hassle-free Show & Go Pass also includes guided tours in English and a money-back guarantee. The hassle-free Show & Go Pass also includes guided tours in English and a money-back guarantee.

The price of the Colosseum and Vatican Show & Go Pass is $109 for adults; $93 for children. Members of the ItaliaPass savings program enjoy a 10% discount: $99 adult, $84 child.

Visitors to Rome can select from a full schedule of Colosseum and Vatican tour times through October 31, 2017.

The Classic Gondola Ride Show & Go Pass™ ($40 per person) also provides no-reservations-required flexibility for travelers to Venice and is now available for purchase.

ItaliaRail.com is a division of InterRail, LLC and sells almost 2 million Italian train tickets annually to travelers in Italy. It offers real-time reservation connectivity to some 80,000 high-speed and regional routes throughout Italy; best fare optimization; 24-hour customer care; e-ticketing; and mobile booking.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/552950/ItaliaRail___Colosseum_and_Vatican_Show.jpg

SHANGHAI, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thursday night in Shanghai lit up with a spectacular light show as Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower turned red to celebrate KFC's 30^th year in China. Emblazoned with the words "We are 30!", the 468-meter tower became a beacon for KFC for the night as the brand welcomed fans and partners to join a unique and exhilarating party at Shanghai's most iconic landmark.

To celebrate the 30-year milestone, KFC announced that it will be launching the second phase of its 'Hello 1987' promotional campaign from September 10 to 15 which will see all KFC 'Wow' loyalty members offered the chance to purchase several items at their original sale price. 'Wow' members will receive electronic coupons that will allow them to buy KFC's classic Mashed Potatoes and Gravy for RMB 0.8, as well as two-piece Chicken wings for RMB 3.2 - the price at which each item was first introduced in 1987 and 1991, respectively.

"KFC has been in China for 30 years, but we are still young at heart," said Johnson Huang, General Manager of KFC. "Our 'Hello 1987' campaign is not only a tribute to our vibrant history in China and all of our customers, but also a celebration of all that is to come for KFC in the future. Over the past few years, we have embraced technology and popular culture so that we can better connect with the next generation of KFC customers and bring them even more innovative tastes and experiences."

During the first phase of the 'Hello 1987' campaign, launched in March this year, 'Wow' members were given the chance to buy the Original Recipe Chicken and Mash Potatoes and Gravy at the 1987 prices. Approximately 150 million electronic coupons were delivered during the first phase.

KFC has been at the forefront of the digital revolution in the restaurant industry in China, adopting mobile payment, digital kiosks, delivery and launching its own KFC China app to engage customers. The brand has also been quick to explore next generation technologies that enhance consumer experience, adopting artificial intelligence, facial recognition technology, robots, voice activation and augmented reality innovations at restaurants across the country.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China Holdings, Inc. is a licensee of Yum! Brands in mainland China. It has exclusive rights in mainland China to KFC, China's leading quick-service restaurant brand, Pizza Hut, the leading casual dining restaurant brand in China, and Taco Bell, which opened its first restaurant in China at the end of 2016. Yum China also owns the Little Sheep and East Dawning concepts outright. Yum China is well positioned for growth thanks to its strong competitive position, integration of its brands into Chinese popular culture and consumers' daily lives, expanding geographic footprint in China and existing operational expertise. It has a strong capital position, no external debt and expects to continue growing its system sales and profit by adding new restaurants and through growing same-store sales. Yum China had more than 7,600 restaurants and more than 420,000 employees in over 1,100 cities at the end of May 2017. A new generation of younger consumers who are digitally sophisticated and brand driven are fueling growth in consumption in China. The ongoing growth of the middle class and urban population in China is expected to create the world's largest market for restaurant brands, with Yum China poised to be the market leader.

Yum China Media Contacts:

Forest Liu, Director, Finance Media, at +86 21 2407 7505
Ben Fry, Brunswick Group, at +86 21 6039 6388

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ctrip.com International, Ltd., under its Ctrip Global Shopping service announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") agreement with Fukuoka Welcome Campaign. Ctrip Global Shopping and Fukuoka Welcome Campaign will cooperate to roll out products, services, marketing and promotional activities with local merchants to promote Fukuoka, Japan as a unique tourist and shopping destination to Chinese tourists.

Japan's Tourism Department released the latest data that showed from January to July this year, visitors from mainland China continues to grow year-on-year, and Chinese tourists represent the largest tourist constituency. Ctrip facilitates a large percentage of Chinese tourism to Japan.

Ctrip Global Shopping platform, under Ctrip Financial Services Business Unit, focuses on "Buy" to provide information related to the merchants in the tourist destinations, in-store cash back/discount and VIP reception services to Chinese tourists. Since its launch, the Ctrip Global Shopping has become a frequently-visited premium platform for Chinese outbound tourists, who enjoy its variety of offerings. Today, the Ctrip Global Shopping has partnerships encompassing over 30 countries or regions in over 400 cities with nearly 3,000 merchants.

Fukuoka Welcome Campaign started in an annual event that was started in 2013. The event covers the whole city and aims to promote local businesses. This year's event will run from October 1st to October 31st. The event website will be online from September 19th on welcomecampaign.com. Fukuoka is the 5th largest city in Japan and the closest city to China.

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JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1.8 billion people share the faith of Islam across the world. As a key pillar of Islam, every able-bodied Muslim should undertake the pilgrimage once in a lifetime. Saudi Arabia has welcomed millions of Muslims from every corner of the world to Makkah. During the week of Hajj, Makkah becomes one of the most international cities in the world, with pilgrims from around 80 countries united in the Holy City.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173051-mecca-international-city-during-hajj/

Additional Information https://www.saudiwelcomestheworld.org/

Video: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8173051-mecca-international-city-during-hajj/

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sept. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SriLankan Airlines has climbed to eighth position globally in IATA fuel efficiency ranking amongst 51 airlines in the same business model, following the implementation of a wide range of fuel efficiency and conservation measures over the last 22 months to reduce fuel burn.

The 2016 ranking of airlines by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has placed SriLankan eighth with an efficiency rating of 34.86Ltr/100RTK (liters per 100 revenue ton kilometers). The IATA benchmark for the year 2016 is 35.26Ltr/100RTK. This is a significant improvement over its performance in calendar year 2015 when it ranked 15th with a rating of 36.25Ltr/100RTK.

Fuel Saving Initiative by the Pilots

Due to the efforts and skills of its Pilots, SriLankan Airlines achieved a saving of over US$2.3 million, when comparing the planned Fuel burn-off, against the actual in 22 months from August 2015 to June 2017.

Fuel is the largest cost component for any airline, and with increasing fuel prices the actions of our pilots help in reducing our operational costs. 

SriLankan's fuel saving efforts are driven by a specialized Aviation Fuel Department in the Flight Operations Division, which constantly seeks new and innovative methods to reduce fuel usage whilst maintaining the highest safety standards and monitors the implementation of existing fuel conservation measures. These include many IATA recommended initiatives, Airbus and Industry best practice recommendations, at the planning stage and inflight. Flying on direct routes whenever possible, optimizing flight levels to fly at the most fuel-efficient altitudes, maximum usage of engine reverse thrust when landing, taxi-in with single engine after landing and optimizing the usage of auxiliary power unit, are some of the techniques used during flights. The Aviation Fuel Department provides a fuel report to every Captain on a monthly basis, which gives them a better understanding of their fuel uplifts and savings, for possible improvement.

All other stakeholders such as Inflight, Engineering, Cargo, Product Development, Flight Dispatch and Ground Services have contributed towards these achievements by improving their processes at the planning stage.

Fuel Tankering by Flight Dispatch

In addition to savings from fuel efficiency measures, SriLankan also achieved a saving of US$2.7 million during this same period using a process called "Tankering" by Flight Dispatch, another section attached to Flight Operations.

Fuel Tankering is a method by which airlines reduce their purchasing of fuel at airports where fuel prices are high and instead carry fuel from airports with lower fuel prices. Tankering is extensively used on flights to Maldives, where fuel prices are the highest in the network. This means the fuel load required for the return trip from the Maldives to Colombo will be carried out of Colombo.

Some South Indian destinations, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are some of the destinations where Tankering is practiced, as fuel prices at these destinations are low, hence additional fuel is brought in, to minimize fuel uplift for the next flight from Colombo, where fuel price is higher.

The extra fuel burn due to the increased weight as a result of extra fuel carried, engine wear are some of the factors that are carefully monitored and considered by Flight Dispatch when Tankering.

Apart from achieving significant savings for the airline, the increase in fuel efficiency also directly enhances environmental conservation, an area in which SriLankan has long been a pioneer in the global air transport industry.

SriLankan currently operates to an online network of 41 destinations, and code shares with other airlines to a total of 105 cities in 47 countries. As a member of the prestigious one world alliance, SriLankan also offers its passengers connectivity to over 1,000 cities in 160 countries that are served by its one world partner airlines.