On the western shoreline of the Thermaikos Gulf, only 5 kms from the city of Thessaloniki – the second biggest city and port in Greece – lies one of the most important wetlands in Europe. It is a Natura 2000 and Ramsar Convention protected area, consisting of the deltas of the Axios and Aliakmonas rivers, the estuaries of the Gallikos and Loudias rivers, the Kalohori lagoon, the Nea Agathoupoli marsh and the Aliki Kitrous lagoon, all areas situated in the prefecture of Thessaloniki.

From March 3 to 22, 2009, people traveling to Houston will be awaited by a grand Wild West adventure. The American metropolis will be celebrating the 77th Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – the largest rodeo in the world. The event draws in almost two million visitors every year with spectacular rodeo championships and a gigantic accompanying program. The best cowboys in the world compete in various contests. Immediately following the rodeo events, there will be performances by country singers and world-famous rock and pop musicians every evening.

UNWTO’s Tourism Resilience Committee (TRC) met for the first time today in Madrid. The recently established TRC is one of the responses of the Organization to provide the sector, and its members in particular, with the necessary support to help them endure these challenging times.

The Committee, chaired by His Excellency Zoheir Garranah, Tourism Minister of Egypt, represents a unique platform to share short-term analyses and prospects as well as response best practices to help better asses and weather the impact of the current situation on tourism performance.

by editorial office, Ip

The Thai tradition of spending the month of April together with the family is reflected by various extras at Millenium Hilton Bangkok in 2009. In addition to the traditional Songkran festivities, welcoming the Thai new year with a spectacular water festival, people in the Thai metropolis will also be celebrating the Christian Easter – the whole panoply. Getting to know foreign cultures and their customs, tasting the famous Thai cuisine and enjoying the conveniences of a modern luxury hotel:

The Technical Monitoring Association, TÜV, awarded the Toyota Corolla Verso with the Golden Vehicle Inspection Sticker of TÜV Report 2009. Dr. Guido Rettig, president of the association, bestowed the award upon Director of Toyota Germany, Keiji Sudo, during a parilamentary evening in Berlin. Also among the participants was the Japanese ambassador Toshiyuki Takano, who much embraced the accolade.

von Dennis Hanneke

Fraser Place Howff Shinjuku is the growing choice of gold-standard serviced apartments for corporate travelers on extended stay or relocation as well as business or leisure travelers on short or daily stays in Tokyo. The extensive collection of fully serviced apartments include designer-styled units with spectacular views – limited units only for the discerning few with a desire for stylish living with a difference.