The MICE business and the Luxury Travel are two parts of the tourism which are more and more important for our industry and which are working together. This is the reason why we now have a special category for “Luxury MICE”.

Katrina Barry, CEO of Webjet’s B2C division, has recently been appointed to the board of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). Her appointment follows the departure of Shelley Beasley, who stepped down after serving as a director for four years. Barry brings with her over 15 years of experience across the tourism, fintech, and financial services sectors, and has previously served on the board of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) until 2022.

The Philippines becomes Khiri Travel’s ninth Asian destination, joining Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, and Myanmar. Travel Authentic Philippines (TAP) Country Manager, Paulette Viacrucis, will retain her role with Khiri Travel Philippines. She will be supported by Stuart Tayler, who will lead the development and updating of product offerings from Khiri Travel’s office in Cebu City.

The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is going to be held in Beijing. Data from the Ministry of Commerce also indicates that China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. By the end of 2023, China’s stock of direct investment in Africa had surpassed 40 billion US dollars. China has emerged as a force for certainty and stability in the recovery of the world economy and the

Brisbane will host Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), for the first time in almost two decades in 2025. The event will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Center from Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May 2025, with the Queensland capital confirmed as host city for the first time since 2007. This will be the fourth time Brisbane has hosted ATE, having previously held it in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

Weeks before its 130thanniversary, Hurtigruten Norway unveiled plans for its first zero-emission ship. Initially announced in March 2022, under project name ‘Sea Zero,’ the first-of-its-kind initiative has revealed early concept plans for the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship. Hurtigruten Norway presented the findings alongside its consortium of 12 maritime partners and research institute SINTEF, all joined in the pursuit of achieving emission-free marine travel. Tasked with developing energy-efficient and carbon-neutral technology solutions, the consortium shared key findings following its first year of research.

Airbnb has announced an agreement to become the Official Hosting partner of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. The Special Olympics World Games is expected to attract more than 300,000 spectators to the city from around the world, as well as around 7,000 athletes from 190 nations and territories. Airbnb and the Special Olympics are encouraging locals from Berlin to welcome the influx of visitors and become a part of the Games while earning additional income.