Travelers flying Eva Air or China Airlines with stopover in Taiwan get to stay in luxury hotels

Culture, shopping, night-time markets and city flair – the metropolis of Taipei attracts stopover visitors with a colorful mix of traditions and modern spirit. From July 2009 on, Taiwan Tourism Office’s new 1-euro promotion will make the great metropolis available to travelers on a small budget. Those visiting the Taiwanese capital via China Airlines or Eva Air up to and including November 2009 will be spending their first night in a choice of luxury hotels for just one euro. German tour operators, too, are providing a generous contingent for accommodation.

by editor’s office, vir

VIRCamp 2009 – exciting theses, provocative topics and a lot of fun discussion

An unconventional supporting conference to ‘Sprungbrett 2009′ organized by the participants themselves, the VIRCamp provided an open forum to some 60 attendants for addressing hot topics on eTourism by means of spontaneous contributions. Held in bar camp style, the very conference style that has made a name for itself in blogging circles for its creatively chaotic fashion, the event allowed its participants to listen to things of interest, give lectures on burning issues and discuss the day away.

To mark the 85th anniversary of its founding, Finnair joined the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and other industry experts in envisioning what flying would be like in 2093. The visions were published as a book and as an internet website in November. In a competition launched in March, people had the opportunity to vote on which aircraft of the future was the most captivating and to present their own visions of what the flying of the future might be like. The competition attracted a total of 14,000 entries.

by editor’s office, am

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa on the Maldives will have its opening on July 26, 2009. The first luxury resort on Addu Atoll in the southern Maldives will feature a spa village under Shangri-La’s signature spa brand CHI, The Spa. While CHI’s holistic concept is based mainly on ancient healing traditions from China and the Himalayan region, guests will also be able to choose from three newly created, region-specific treatments, integrating the natural treasures of the Maldives and Indian Ayurveda traditions, as seen, for example, in the use of so-called cowrie shells – or cowrie snail-shells, to be exact.

Sabah has long since been a favourite destination for many a visitor. Its capital Kota Kinabalu is a travel gem in its own right and is steadily being recognized as a vibrant city in the regional travel scene. KK, as it is affectionately known, is also the starting off point for those heading out to scale Mount Kinabalu, internationally renowned dive spots, various islands, orang-utan centres and other attractions.

Response to international workshop organized by Berlin Convention Office (BCO) exceeds expectations

Record attendance at “Meeting Place Berlin 2009”: 146 national and international hosted buyers are expected to visit the workshop in the German capital organized by Berlin Convention Office, a subsidiary of Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH (BTM). Event organizers for associations, companies and agencies will have the opportunity from July 02 to 06, 2009 to get to know Berlin as a professional and diverse convention destination.