The 7th. UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism was held in Xi’an, China and was jointly organized by UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organization), CNTA (China National Tourism Organization) and the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province China having declared 2015 the Year of Silk Road tourism. “Tourism is a window for opening-up an engine of development and a bond of peace,” said Li Jinzao, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration, in reference to the Silk Road and the international meeting.

Highlighting and displaying travel themes and products particularly suitable for affluent travelers, FIT and travel trade serving them, ITE & MICE 2015, a co-location of the 29th ITE on leisure travel and the 10th ITE MICE, was held successfully at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Mr. CY Leung, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Zone (SAR), issued a message welcoming all participants! Officiating the opening this year was Miss Cathy Chu, JP, Commissioner for Tourism of the Government of Hong Kong SAR.

Swift action taken by the Thai health authorities has restricted the number of confirmed cases of MERS to a single individual, with no more cases being reported as of 22 June, 2015. Meanwhile, all visitor arrivals are flowing normally via all international gateways and the travel and tourism industry remains in full operation. Left: The screen of thermal imaging cameras to screen the body temperatures of all incoming passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Rusbridge joined Reed Exhibitions as its CEO Europe in 1988, becoming President of Europe and Asia in 1994 and appointed Chairman & CEO in 1996.During Rusbridge’ s time as CEO & Chairman, Reed Exhibitions (RX) has grown from a $400m to $1.5bn company and today organises 500 events in 43 countries, across 43 industry sectors with over 7 million participants.

Reflecting on over 20 years’ of work developing tourism on the Silk Road, the 7th UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism was held in Xi’an China at the Wyndham Grand Xian South Hotel. Bringing together senior officials and experts in the fields of tourism, heritage management, marketing and development, this meeting was jointly organized by UNWTO, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province. An integral part of the event programme was the 1st Tourism Ministerial Meeting of Countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt. This milestone event brought together Ministers from Europe, Asia and the Middle East to discuss key issues facing tourism development along the Silk Road Economic Belt. Scroll down for some impressions.

by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai
According to breaking news from Viet Nam, no more visa is needed for Germans among others, if traveling to Viet Nam for no more longer than 15 days. This is good news for Germans, who like to travel the country from Ha Noi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south or vice versa.