PUERTO RICO CONVENTION BUREAU HOSTS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING; OUTLINES NEW STRATEGIES FOR INDUSTRY SUCCESS THROUGH INNOVATION. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, the lead organization dedicated to promoting and booking group meetings for the Island, today held its Annual Membership Meeting. More than 250 member-partners representing the local tourism industry and other businesses directly serving the meetings and conventions market attended the event.

World Tourism Day on “Tourism and Water”: greater efforts on water preservation needed.27 September marks the United Nations´ calendar day highlighting tourism, a sector that is driving socioeconomic growth and development all over the world. On World Tourism Day 2013, dedicated to “Tourism and Water – Protecting Our Common Future” in line with the International Year of Water Cooperation, stakeholders called for greater global efforts in water preservation.

AirAsia receives ‘The First China Domestic A320 Aircraft Export Leasing Business Innovation Award’ for landmark financing deal with ICBC. The shine continues with second successive ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ award from Business Traveller Asia Pacific . AirAsia was honoured by the China Air-Finance Award Ceremony Awards Committee with ‘The First China Domestic A320 Aircraft Export Leasing Business Innovation Award’ at the 1st China Air-Finance Award Ceremony recently, in recognition of the airline’s groundbreaking aircraft leasing deal with the ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd, the most innovative and globalized financial leasing company in China.

The Golden Bridge – a future icon in recognition of Sarawak’s 50th Golden Jubilee Year, is set to be a potential unique venue for cocktail parties and themed events for that value-added experience Sarawak has to offer.
Kuching city can look forward to the construction of the Golden Bridge that is hoped to further encourage integration between communities on both sides of Sarawak River. Recently launched by Sarawak Chief Minister, the project is due to be completed by the end of 2015.

Taiwan To Raise Its MICE Destination Profile With Thailand Buyers At IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2013, Bangkok
Come 2 October 2013, Thailand’s key MICE and Corporate Buyers will find more reasons to bring their next event to Taiwan, at the MEET TAIWAN networking event held in conjunction with IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2013 in Bangkok.

Fairmont Hangzhou Slated to Open in 2017
FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), the parent company of luxury hotel brand Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Hengli Management Co., Ltd, the subsidiary of Zhong An Real Estate Limited (672.hk) today announced Fairmont Hangzhou, a new luxury hotel development in the capital city of Zhejiang province in the heart of Yangtze River Delta region, Eastern China.
Expected to open in 2017, Fairmont Hangzhou will feature 300 rooms, five diverse dining outlets, a health club and swimming pool, a Willow Steam Spa, and more than 32,000 square feet (3,000 square meters) of meeting and banquet space. The project will also include 180 Fairmont Serviced Residences, providing access to private concierge services and other exclusive amenities.