World News

"Over the years I’ve discovered that not everyone is comfortable with the fact that we are so tourism-dependent," said Hugh Riley, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization as he addressed the opening of the CTO’s 8^th Tourism Human Resources Conference at the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua & Barbuda.

The second night of the Malta International Fireworks Festival which took place in Xagħra, Gozo on Saturday was a hit amongst the locals, the travelling Maltese and also foreigners. This was the first time that one of the Fireworks Festival events took place on the sister island. The Gozitan leg of this festival formed part of the International Pyro Musical Competition, with firework factories from Ukraine, Portugal and Malta taking part.

Fresh from Coachella, Berlin based DJ Claptone helped Ocean Club Marbella ring in the start of the 2016 summer season on Friday 29th April. Celebrating its ninth Opening Party, Puerto Banus' premier beach club venue threw a spectacular 'White and Silver' bash, where revellers partied in the open air to a soundtrack of summer anthems before Ocean Club's headline act took to the stage to perform a set of deep house tunes.  

On April 21, Kurumba Maldives proudly hosted fundraising event "Party with a Purpose" for the fifth consecutive year in aid of the 145 orphaned and fostered Maldivian children residing at “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa”. With the immense support from Events Maldives, 9 different Maldivian musical acts, numerous suppliers, partners including 24 resorts and 3 airlines, as well over 55 volunteer team members from Kurumba contributed to raise over US$23,000 for this worthy cause.

Now in its 13th year, the LATA Media Awards recognise innovation and excellence across the British travel media landscape with a specific focus on Latin America. Celebrating and rewarding inspiring Latin America stories and photography, the winners of the Ecoventura LATA Media Awards 2016 were picked from over 140 entries by an esteemed panel of judges, all of whom have helped bring Latin America a little closer to the UK through their respective work.

From the stark beauty of the Great Rift Valley, to the unsurpassed tranquillity of its picturesque lake, there is something remarkable about Malawi. One of Africa's smallest countries, it is often overlooked by the travel industry, in favour of the path more trodden and the allure of big game. Consequently, Malawi makes the ideal Undiscovered Destination.

A year on from the quake, the dust in Kathmandu and the surrounding countryside has well and truly settled. Anyone who has been to Nepal and met the incredible people who make up this country will not be surprised at their stoic, even cheerful attitude and the sheer industry with which they have applied themselves to the task of rebuilding and restoring their lives and livelihoods.

Brazil Carnival, Notting Hill Carnival of London, Indonesia Carnival, Dusseldorf Carnival of Germany, and the Carnival of Italy will this year be joined for the first time by the Carnival from France and the Cologne Carnival of Germany to parade side-by-side in Seychelles in the island’s carnival that has been called the Carnival of Carnivals.

Seychelles is planning for the launch of the much-talked-about, new 3D film of Aldabra titled “Aldabra - once upon an island” by Starlight Pictures. Directed by Steve Lichtag and produced by Peter Keller, this impressive family film made in breathtakingly-clear 3D, offers an amazing apercu of the creatures which inhabit the atoll as it plots their lives, antics, and struggle for survival.

As part of its 10^th year anniversary celebrations, the launch of “Caribbean Rocks NYC”, an event spotlighting the Caribbean’s extraordinarily beautiful destinations and amazing culture, music and entertainment has been announced.  Caribbean Rocks NYC, will take place during CTO’s Caribbean Week June 1^st – 5^th, 2016 in NYC and is a partnership between TEMPO, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Platinum destination partner, The Islands Of The Bahamas -- one of the Caribbean’s leading tourist destinations.

Tenerife is gearing up to host a new edition of its acclaimed International Street Art Festival, known as Mueca. From 12th to 15th May 2016, the northern seafaring town of Puerto de la Cruz will welcome over 100 fun activities to delight both visitors and locals alike – from theatrical, circus and musical performances to photographic exhibitions and workshops.

Home to historic temples and elegant French provincial architecture, Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a riot of colour: the green of the trees contrasting with their bright blossoms and the saffron robes of the ever-present monks. Life is enjoyed slowly and vividly in this town and at the elegant Sofitel Luang Prabang, the century-old former governor's mansion protected by UNESCO, which has been restored to its full grandeur and majestic grace.

A call was made for countries that are proud of their culture to come forward and be part of the annual United Nations Cultural Gathering in Seychelles from April 22-24. Ethiopian Airlines has taken the call by Seychelles to heart and has facilitated for a delegation from Ethiopia to represent their country in the coming 2016 edition of the annual Carnaval International de Victoria.

With postcard-perfect beaches and breath-taking crystal clear seas, many visitors to Antigua and Barbuda are happy to enjoy the comfort of their sun lounger. However, visitors looking for a more active break this Spring will be pleasantly surprised by what Antigua and Barbuda can offer beyond the beach.

Seychelles has a rich maritime heritage, dating back to long before the 17th century. Since then until the early 1970s when Seychelles got its own airport, those traveling to these stunning islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean had to come by boat.  The Seychelles islands have, therefore, a rich heritage of maritime connections worth preserving. It is with this idea that Seychelles will have its first National Maritime Museum.