Kyoto Convention Bureau hopes scheme will benefit more meetings in 2012/2013.
A grant system launched in Kyoto to encourage meeting planners to incorporate traditional cultural activities into their events has been hailed a success. In 2011/2012, the City of Kyoto introduced the Support System Culture Programme for Meeting Events as part of its policy to promote the city’s brand internationally. It proved popular with 75% of the grant budget being used to incorporate cultural activities into events – the most popular being maiko and geiko geisha.
The Kyoto Convention Bureau has welcomed the continuation of the scheme for 2012/2013 and hopes more meeting planners will take advantage of the financial support, particularly those organising smaller events.

TI’ME Hotels Management to participate in Arabian Travel Market as UAE’s tourism industry is burgeoning once again
TIME Hotels Management (TIME), the new Dubai-based hospitality company, has announced that it will participate for the first time in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this year, which runs from April 30 – 3 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai as the Most Splendid City of Culture comes into spotlight again this May 2012.
According to Mr. Sarawut Saetio, President of Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association (CTBA), Chiang Mai in co-oporation with concerned tourism sectors and organizations in Lamphun, Lampang and Mae Hong Son will be organizing the mega initiative of a very welcomed B2B tourism forum to boost up the tourism business to the upper north of Thailand as well as new tourism products in the region.

Bangkok-based lebua Hotels & Resorts is now offering guests the opportunity to shop and cooks like a local with its new Thai cooking package.
The culinary package includes a two-night stay in a Tower Club Suite and an exclusive three-hour Thai cooking class at the hotel’s poolside Café Mozu.

Thailand is at top-pitch and ready to host the internationally recognized “2012 Rotary International Convention”
This major event enjoys full government support, and is expected to significantly boost Thai tourism and MICE industries as the country promotes its new tourism campaign – “Miracle Thailand”
The Royal Thai Government has announced that it will offer its full support on the memorable occasion for the country which will, for the first time, host the 2012 Rotary International Convention.

The travel expo features from around 50 countries and regions some 600 exhibitors, many of which are in the 30 plus official pavilions by respective tourism boards and over 80% from abroad. Among the exhibiting destinations, 40% are from Asia, Europe and Americas 35%, Middle East and Africa 15% and island paradises from the Pacific and India Ocean around 10%.