ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 4 Edition

I SPECIAL FEATURE I MICE I
ADVERTORIAL
ADVERTORIAL
© ASM Global
Soon to be opened Panama Convention Centre
Spectacular
new convention
centre for
Panama
Panama’s Minister for Tourism, Ivan Xavier Eskildsen Alfaro,
hosted a news conference at ITB Berlin NOW on Tuesday
afternoon, during which he announced the imminent opening
of a major new convention centre.
In his presentation, Alfaro spoke
of Panama’s extraordinary natural
and cultural heritage, underlining
the fact that more than 3 million
years ago, the isthmus of
Panama emerged from the ocean
connecting North and South
America allowing the migration
of animal species through “The
Great American Biotic Exchange”,
changing the world’s biodiversity
forever.
Alfaro announced a new tourism
masterplan, in which his nation’s
tourism authority is more than ever
looking for “discerning travellers”
- people who, above all else, want
an authentic and well-preserved
environment. He explained the
“Tourism Conservation Research
Model”, in which tourism routes are
based on three pillars – cultural
heritage, green heritage, and blue
heritage (with almost 3,000 km
of coastline), concentrating on
Panama’s UNESCO World Heritage
sites.
No doubt the most important
news is in the fields of MICE and
Bleisure tourism, with the opening
in Q2 of a 25,000-seat convention
centre operated by ASM Global.
Strategically located on the
Amador Causeway, at the Pacific
entrance to the Panama Canal, the
impressive facility will be equipped
with state-of-the-art technology,
and is set to “breathe new life
into the local hotel and tourism
sector”
VISIT
BRAND CAR D
Korea supports MICE
events with virtual fam
tours and Covid-19 aid
programmes
State-of-the-art technology, professional MICE experts and
extraordinary event locations: the mix of first-class MICE
infrastructure and an outstanding culture makes South Korea
one of the world's top destinations for international events and
incentives. Trendy metropolises combined with art, culture,
traditional heritage and the diversity of landscapes turn South
Korea into a special destination for any type of congress.
Korea recently presented 13
extraordinary new venues where
event participants can meet
in compliance with all safety
protocols. Among the venues are
a former cigarette factory,
a venue between digital
comics or an island on
the Hangang River.
In response to the
pandemic, the Korea
MICE Bureau launched
a Covid-19 support
programme with easy criteria
offered to event organisers.
Depending on the type and size
of the event, support includes
sponsorship and organisation
of accompanying programmes.
Korea is also developing guidelines
and planning processes that will
soon enable MICE groups to enter
the country without quarantine
on a group visa and stay safe in
Korea.
VISIT
BR AND CARD
From March 8 to 19, 2021, a
virtual “Meet in Korea” fam tour
is taking place. Tour participants
can get to know the four regions of
Seoul, Busan, Jeju and ​Gyeongju.
In 20-minute sessions,
they can learn about
hotels, convention
centres, unique
accommodation
offerings as well as
touristic highlights
and cultural activities
for groups. In addition,
planners have access to a digital
catalogue with information about
the Korea MICE Bureau and
support programmes, as well as
the entry requirements with regard
to Covid-19. A goodie awaits all
participants.
Interested MICE planners can
contact the Korea Tourism
Organisation through its ITB
Brand Card
16 ITB BERLIN NEWS • FRIDAY 12 TH MARCH 2021
www.itb-berlin-news.com