World News

Guests flocked to Harlem hot spot Red Rooster for a coveted preview of the island’s tastiest festival – the sixth annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival taking place on-island November 19-22, 2015. The festival’s fresh new look and star-studded line-up of culinary masters was previewed during the epicurean driven take-over of Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s swanky Ginny’s Supper Club, complete with costumed Crop Over dancers, steelpan drums and New York’s elite.

The monumental art phenomenon, Bruce Munro's Field of Light, will be created in its largest form to date at Ayers Rock Resort in the spiritual heart of Australia. The solar-powered installation will open on 1 April 2016, remaining open throughout the Red Centre's distinct seasons until 31 March 2017.

Every year for the last 30 years, the Creole population of the world has descended on the Seychelles to celebrate “World Creole Day," and this year it will be no different, because Seychelles is again set to be joined by many who are proud of their Creolite. Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles joined Benjamine Rose, the island's PS for Culture, to invite the world of Creoles to join Seychelles in Victoria, the “Creole Capital of the World” this coming October for the 2015 Festival Kreol.

When Lonely Planet rated Tasmania among the world's top regions to visit in 2015, there was one experience they said was not to be missed. A multi-day walk like no other – where dolerite chasms are crossed, tall eucalypts cast shadows and footprints are left along towering sea cliffs. It's been coined 'Australia's premier coastal bushwalking experience.'

Known as Sri Lanka's premier hospitality brand, Jetwing was once again honoured with the prestigious PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Grand Award in the Environment category for the entry titled 'The Success of Self-Reliance' – a thorough and comprehensive entry focusing on the sustainability initiatives undertaken at Jetwing Yala, and a PATA Gold Award in the Marketing category for 'The Front Desk'.

The new Canadian-born General Manager of The Landings St. Lucia is determined to help the luxury Caribbean resort retain its ranking as one the Caribbean's top resorts by boosting staff training programs and by giving back to the local community.

In the Kingdom of Thailand, world renowned for its magnificent natural splendour, bustling street life and stunning cultural sites, the Thailand Rediscovery Ensemble celebrates the best the Kingdom has to offer with a “city and resort” combination package that fuses the excitement of the city with the tropical tranquillity of the sea.

The Dark Sky Island of Sark will open its first observatory on 10th October 2015. The tiny Channel Island was designated as the world's first Dark Sky Island in 2011 by the International Dark-Sky Association and is now only one of two in the world. The award was in recognition of the exceptional blackness of the night sky which makes for spectacular stargazing on the island.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is seeking donations for its CTO Relief Fund to provide monetary assistance to the people of Dominica following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, which dumped 12 inches of rain on the island on Thursday August 27, causing extensive flooding which killed over 30 people and caused over US$200 million in damage.

Dominica begins to rebuild after the impact of Tropical Storm Erika. Assessments continue to the country’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, sites and attractions which are critical to the Country’s productivity and tourism industry. Douglas-Charles Airport remains the only port which continues its cleanup towards reopening. Canefield Airport, the ferry terminal and both cruise ports – Roseau Cruise Ship Berth and the Woodbridge Bay Port – were unaffected by the TS Erika.

The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe was appointed Trinidad and Tobago’s new Minister of Tourism on Friday 11^th September 2015. Minister Cudjoe first entered the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago as an Opposition Senator at the start of the 10^th Republican Parliament in June 2010.

Now in its 15th year, the Blackmores Sydney Marathon attracts runners from across the globe and, after being awarded a prestigious Gold Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it has become a world class running event alongside the London, Boston and New York marathons. Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is Australia's most unique running event because of the myriad of iconic sights which can be seen along the course.

Thirty one museums from around the world have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2015 Leading Culture Destinations Awards' 'Best Emerging Culture Destination' accolade. The Award scheme, now in its second year, seeks to recognise and celebrate the success of cultural institutions worldwide, now more than ever defining themselves as centres of attraction for a range of social and leisure activities as well as simply enjoying works of art.

With three-quarters of the state forested and the highest percentage of maple trees in the country, Vermont proves its worthy of the title 'Worlds Best Foliage'. As the oncoming Autumn brings the annual, and magnificent, natural display amidst the unique working landscape of rural villages, pastoral meadows and woody hillsides, the Green Mountain State sets the bar for other states positioning themselves as fall foliage destinations. 

Transnet's iconic Blue Train, which celebrates its 70th birthday next year, has this week signed an innovative partnership agreement with leading African hotel brand Sun International. This 18-month pilot partnership is aimed at repositioning “Africa's Leading Luxury Train” at the centre of the global tourism market, adapting to growing competition and recapitalising, which may include the building of new state-of-the-art train sets and the development of new routes.