Joachim Hunold, CEO of Air Berlin, is celebrating his 60th birthday on September 05, 2009. Hunold has been active in the aviation industry since 1978: until 1982, he worked for Braathens Air Transport in Düsseldorf, followed by a position as Director Sales and Marketing with LTU Group. In 1991, Joachim Hunold took over “Air Berlin Inc.“, which was reestablished under his leadership on April 16, 1991 as “Air Berlin GmbH & Co. Luftverkehrs KG”.

Joined with Bird Group opening five hotels & resorts by 2013. Launching the first-ever Dusit Devarana and first dusitD2 outside Thailand.

Thailand’s leading hospitality group, Dusit International, announces its fast track expansion to India opening five hotels and resorts in New Delhi, Jaipur, Rishikesh, and Goa by 2013. The expansion plan into this country pilots the company’s first-ever Dusit Devarana, the most luxurious brand under Dusit International umbrella, as well as the first dusitD2 hotel outside Thailand.

In view of the current influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, UNWTO held a two-day review and preparation exercise on ‘Travel and Tourism under Pandemic Conditions’ in Madrid . The workshop was convened to anticipate the challenges the virus will bring over the next few months and ensure that the travel and tourism sector is fully prepared for the evolving pandemic.

Two major events are to be held in Bangkok at the end of September 2009 to capitalise on the global popularity of Thai cuisine, boost exports of Thai agricultural products and help visitors enjoy a higher quality of culinary experience across the vast range of dining options in the kingdom.

The two major food events “Amazing Taste of Thailand” and “Thailand Brand” will be held concurrently between 24-28 September, 2009, jointly organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Department of Export Promotion, Thai Hotels Association, Association of Domestic Travel, and Thai Restaurant Association.

Participating at the EMITT 2010 exhibition as the guest country, Egypt is organizing festivities at Taksim Gezi Park to last for 3 days. At the festivities to take place on September 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Egypt is aiming to both share the joy of Ramadan with the Turkish people and promote the beauties of its country. Additionally, Egypt will give away a one-person holiday in Egypt each day to a lucky winner.

by editor’s office, pata

Latest figures released on August 28th, 2009 by the Pacific Asia Travel Association indicate that the numbers of international visitor arrivals to Asia Pacific* fell by an estimated six percent in Jan-June 2009 compared to H1 2008. The extremely challenging operating environment continued to dampen tourism demand and the month of May confirmed the second major flu outbreak this decade. The travel and tourism sector in Asia Pacific immediately felt the impact with a steep 10 percent decline in visitor numbers. There was, however, a slight improvement in June.