Despite ambivalent global economic development, international tourism reached a new record high in 2013.This positive development will continue on a world-wide scale in 2014 and now also extend to numerous “advanced economies.”Spirits were upbeat in most global tourism destinations in 2013. Great numbers of new jobs were created and figures on pending tourism investments are high. Hence, again in 2013, tourism has proven to be one of the main growth drivers in an otherwise somewhat languishing world economy.

Air China will start Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service on May 5, 2014, giving travelers an additional easy access to “Capital of Music” and “Flower of Europe”.The four-times weekly service CA841/2 is offered on Monday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday. The outbound flight leaves Beijing to at 02:10 and arrives in Vienna at 06:10 local time and in Barcelona at 09:25 local time. The return flight leaves Barcelona at 11:25 local time and arrives in Vienna at 13:25 local time and Beijing at 05:55.

by Thomas Lischka
This year at the ITB-Cinema, Berlin, during the renowned International Tourism Film and Media Competition “The Golden City Gate”, the South African born singer Prince Damien has been awarded with the Master Award for Tolerance and Diversity for his Music Clip “Easy Breezy”. In his Music Clip he tells in a refreshingly youthful way about the problems of being in love and meets openly tolerant the many facets of love.

Positive forecasts for the global economy boost the tourism sector – ITB Berlin 2014 confirms its role as the world’s leading travel trade show – increase in international buyers, exhibitors and congress delegates.This year’s ITB Berlin sent out very positive signals for the international travel industry. With the global economy expected to recover in the years to come the world’s travel industry has begun 2014 confident of good tourism business. Following a recent period of relatively sluggish growth, particularly in many recession-hit countries, the global travel industry is once again on course for rapid growth.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has kicked off its new digital marketing campaign, “Thailand Extreme Makeover” to promote the kingdom as a centre of medical tourism.Tourists from all over the world are invited to join a “reality-type” contest in which the selected contestants undergo makeovers including various cosmetic surgery procedures. There is a 5,000 US Dollars cash prize up for grabs as well as a chance to win luxury trips to Thai tourist destinations.

Buyers of Newly Formed China MICE Committee (CMC) To Participate At 2014 Event.China International Travel Service (CITS) International MICE will be leading a delegation of 30 CITS buyers whose buying responsibilities span across all 31 administrative divisions of Mainland China, and encompass both outbound and domestic MICE procurement.