Former high profile Trade Minister, Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu has been chosen by President Soesilo Yudhoyono to lead the newly restructured Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economy.
Minister Mari Pangestu replaces former Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, who has been reassigned to head the Ministry for Energy and Mining in the latest Cabinet Reshuffle.

Carlson recognizes Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok’ staff as an Employee of the Year 2011
Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, recognized the outstanding performance of its Asia Pacific hotels and employees at an Awards Dinner, which was part of Carlson’s annual Asia Pacific General Manager Conference held recently in India. These nine top performers were honored in front of 150 senior executives, general managers and hotel executives including Carlson’s Global President and Chief Executive Officer, Hubert Joly and Asia Pacific president, Simon Barlow.

The 17th edition of MITM Americas, Meetings and Incentive Travel Market, took place in San Salvador, El Salvador, by the invitation of CORSATUR and the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador, from November 16th to 18th.

Our picture shows: Lic. Jose Napoleon Duarte, Minister of Tourism of El Salvador and Ramon Alvarez, President of GSAR Marketing, organizing company of MITM Americas.

EMITT, the East Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, is welcoming Hungary and the Czech Republic for the first time to the 16th annual edition of the show. Both countries are looking to increase the number of Turkish outbound tourists, and to raise awareness of their destination. The Republic of South Africa, Malaysia and Russian Federation are also planning to have a stronger presence at EMITT next year.

Cooperation between the frequent flyer programmes of airberlin and British Airways
airberlin passengers can now also collect Avios on flights operated by codeshare partner British Airways. Avios is British Airways’ new currency for frequent flyers.

The journey to World Expo 2020 Ayutthaya has begun in Thailand. Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched its first public awareness event “World Expo 2020: Believe in Thailand” at Parc Paragon in Bangkok. Partnering Bangkok Metropolitan Authority and shopping malls Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery, the event included a stage show that gave first glimpses of Thailand’s bid and a multimedia exhibition.
Akapol: To inspire all Thais to support Thailand’s bid.