Former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn has been conferred a Life Membership Award by the Pacific Asia Travel Association in recognition of her contribution to PATA and the regional tourism industry. Mrs. Phornsiri, who headed the TAT between 2007-2009, formally presented the award at the PATA Annual Summit 2016 in Tumon, Guam.

The Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE) is reputed to be a magnet for the most exquisite range of jewelry and designs from around the world is backed by strong support from the international jewelry industry spanning the globe from United States to Europe to Australia and from Asia. The venue is Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Halls A & B

Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, this week hosted representatives of 34 countries for the 60th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe. Discussions focused on major tourism trends and the priorities and agenda of the Organization for the region. The meeting was followed by a seminar on new business models.

The 13th edition of Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) opend today at National Agriculture Exhibition Center Beijing . The three-day exhibition, organised by Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, and co-organised by Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd and CEMS (Beijing) Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd, has exhibitors from 80 countries/regions and 30 provinces with a gross area of 22,000m2.

New Seoul-based Interactive Cultural Center Offers MICE Groups a Taste of Korea. International visitors to Korea can now discover the best of the nation’s culture all in one place at the new “K-Style Hub” education and experience center, located in Seoul. Designed to be the city’s main tourism promotion facility for the nation, the center offers a range of hands-on programs – especially food-related – that make it ideal for visiting incentive groups and congress participants.

Net earnings increased by 13 per cent. Stable RASK and Yield development.Ancillary revenue increased by 20 per cent.Codeshare debate and geopolitical events put a strain on first quarter.“In spite of a range of geopolitical and local political factors, airberlin improved its net earnings during the seasonally low first quarter by 13 per cent to -182.3 million euros (Q1 2015: -210.1 million euros). We also recorded a significant increase of 20 per cent in our ancillary revenues, and RASK and Yield remained stable,” Stefan Pichler, Chief Executive Officer airberlin, said.