Soon, visitors to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia will be able to experience the good old era of the steam locomotive when the North Borneo Railway commences operation once again in July 2011. The North Borneo Railway features a British ‘Vulcan’ Steam Engine number 6-016 manufactured by the Vulcan Foundry Ltd in Newton-le-Willows in Lancashire, United Kingdom and is the last of a fleet of locomotives that piled the tracks through Borneo.

The PATA 60th anniversary and conference concluded today after a successful four days of meetings, panel discussions, and special events. Hosted by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the Beijing Municipal Government, the event took place at the China World Hotel in the central business district of Beijing. During the course of the conference, 1,000-delegates from all over the world, including many PATA Chapter heads, came together to discuss the state of tourism in the Asia Pacific region, discover new opportunities, and develop sustainable business relationships.

Wolfgang Grimus, 45, joins airberlin as the company’s new Head of Network Planning and Development on 1 May 2011. Grimus, originally from Austria, graduated from the Amstetten Commercial Academy and is completing an executive MBA by Danube University Krems. Grimus started his professional career at Austrian Airlines in 1985, initially in the Finance department and later in Marketing. In 1994, he moved to Lauda Air as Head of Route Development and, two years later, was appointed Director Network Management.

Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and TTG Asia Media’s effort to bring the internationally recognised Corporate Travel Expert^SM (CTE) Certification Course to China has paid off with an encouraging 23 participants from across China. Designed as a 1.5 days starter programme on the basics of business travel management, this programme is ideal for professionals with decision making roles in travel planning and purchasing.

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit today released new details regarding “Toques Off to Paul Bocuse,” the lavish, multi-course dinner to be held Saturday, May 7, at MGM Grand. Joining previously announced chefs, Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon and Julian Serrano, will be Jean-Philippe Maury, Michael Mina, Bradley Ogden, Roland Passot, André Renard, Jacques Torres and J. Joho, all of whom will prepare delectable courses for this unforgettable evening.  Collectively, this group represents the brightest constellation of award-winning chefs gathered to prepare a formal meal.

A brief decade into the 21st century has already witnessed phenomenal change occurring within the travel and tourism industry – change that is likely to continue. The Plenary Three session this morning at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 60th anniversary and Conference event being conducted at the China World hotel, Beijing, had Richard Quest, CNN presenter and anchor, as the moderator for the session that covered topics from distribution challenges; changing demographics; technology innovations, and the rise of ‘good’ tourism.