by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai
According to an article by Associated Press, PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen says Cambodia can earn $5 billion a year from tourists by more than doubling foreign visitors to 7 million by 2020. Hun Sen told a tourism seminar Thursday that Cambodia would need to improve the quality of services and infrastructure for tourists and strengthen laws safeguarding them to achieve the goal.

Tourism Minister Dr. Thong Khon said Cambodia earned nearly $2 billion from 2.88 million foreign tourists last year, and expects 3.2 million foreign visitors this year.

Chiang Mai has been recognized as a key city for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions or MICE industry in Thailand. With the help from the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau or TCEB, Chiang Mai has shifted its focus from “just tourism” to the MICE industry, enabling the city to have visitors in every season of the year.

UNWTO and WYSE Travel Confederation Launch Global Declaration to Promote Youth Travel
Global Organisations join forces to Encourage Governments and Businesses to Tap into Huge Potential of Youth Tourism. Over 700 delegates from 63 countries meeting at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) in San Diego, USA have called on governments and businesses worldwide to tap into the potential of youth travel in light of its capacity to boost tourism growth and global development, a call supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Makes fourth award in three seasons. Host Chef Walter Staib takes home another Emmy!
This makes the fourth Emmy Award for the show A Taste of History. This year, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences bestowed a 2012 “Best On Camera Talent Program Host” award to Chef Staib for his excellence in the show in front of a hearth fire and in historical locations.

Chef Staib narrates each recipe as he demonstrates it. While working with a live fire, cast iron “Dutchy” pots that weigh up to 60 pounds and authentic ingredients, Staib talks to viewers as if they were in the room next to the roaring fire. He shares his passion for the past and for authentic ingredients and tales that are behind the history books about famous founding fathers and mothers.

This award recognizes his talent in season three. Highlights of the 13-episode season include exotic favorites from the 18th century, including baked stuffed sturgeon, pickled herring bonne femme, curried tofu with shrimp and beef tongue with caper sauce. In season three, Staib cooks at the homes of George and Martha Washington and James and Dolley Madison.

The 52nd Congress of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) will be held in Shanghai on November 2-6, 2013. This annual congress is to be jointly organized by ICCA and Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration in coordination with ICCA Chinese members.

The PATA Travel Mart 2012 opened today in Manila , Philippines . Some 925 attendees have joined the three-day annual B2B travel industry event, organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association ( PATA ) and hosted by The Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines .