ITB Asia News 2022 - Day 1 Edition

I REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS I

I REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS I EUROPE I © Failte Ireland ADVERTORIAL Cashel Palace Hotel in Tippary Dubrovnik Tourist Board promotes sustainable approach at ITB Asia 2022 Tourism Ireland presents new tourist attractions from Guinness to Game of Thrones at ITB Asia The island of Ireland remains a popular and convenient destination for Asian travellers, particularly in combination with a visit to GB. Visitors to ITB Asia 2022 can learn more about the exciting new add-ons to the destination's tourism offering. Dubrovnik historical town Dubrovnik Tourist Board is back at ITB Asia presenting one of the top destinations in Croatia. In order to preserve its cultural authenticity and traditional character, the city has launched its "Respect the City" initiative to ensure a sustainable approach. © tzdubrovnik.hr Travellers from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore can visit the 'Emerald Isle' without a visa, while Chinese and Indian holidaymakers can apply for a single British-Irish visa. Other countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam can use a short-term UK visa to enter the country. While travellers will certainly continue to enjoy the green countryside, the bustling music scene and pubs and the vibrant atmosphere of the capital city Dublin, Ireland continues to add more and more attractions to its 'must-visit list'. This is the result of its substantial investment in tourism products. New tourist attractions include: Beyond the Trees Avondale at Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow, south of Dublin. The 38-metre-high wooden tower provides 360-degree views of the forest park and a fully accessible, 1.2km treetop walkway, the longest of its kind in Ireland. Last spring, Cashel Palace Hotel re-opened, after four years of restoration. The 18th-century former archbishop’s palace in Cashel, County Tipperary, one of Ireland's important heritage towns, has been turned into a 5-star Relais & Châteaux. The Gravity Bar on the seventh floor of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin underwent a €20 million expansion. It now has a 360-degree view extending from the Dublin Mountains to Howth Head. The Gravity Bar is probably Dublin’s best-known viewing platform. Northern Ireland’s newest visitor attraction – the Game of Thrones Studio Tour– opened last spring. It is located in Banbridge, south of Belfast. The £40 million investment in the Linen Mill Studios shows 12 sets of Game of Thrones as well as weaponry, the props – including the famous Iron Throne – and costumes STAND M19 A UNESCO designated world heritage site, Dubrovnik is one of the most spectacular urban destinations along the Adriatic Sea. It attracts millions of foreign visitors each year. The city's rich history, geographic location, mild climate and traditional hospitality, turn it into a recognised highquality destination for international travellers. Dubrovnik is Croatia's undisputed convention centre with more conventions, congresses and corporate incentive programmes, and more attendance in the MICE segment than any other location in the country. But it is also a destination of culture with many festivals, prestigious art happenings, major open-air events and, last but not least, its architectural treasures. "Respect the City" (RTC) is a multidisciplinary strategic destination management project with an action plan. It is comprised of a set of short-term, mediumterm and long-term measures and activities focused on Dubrovnik as the leader in sustainable and responsible tourism in the Mediterranean. Having recognised the need for urgent and systematic action based on sustainable development models, the City of Dubrovnik, where tourism is the primary source of economic activity, launched the initiative Respect the City. Its aim is to reduce negative effects of over-tourism through continued cooperation of stakeholders and a combination of measures and solutions. The conservation of cultural heritage, the quality of citizens' daily lives and ensuring the best possible experience of Dubrovnik as a destination for its visitors – all of these are motivational factors for this shift in destination management. Since the launch of the Respect the City project has attracted the attention of the international media and the global tourist sector, where Dubrovnik is increasingly becoming perceived as a city which manages its tourism in a sustainable way STAND M27 16 ITB ASIA NEWS • WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2022 www.itb-asia-news.com

ADVERTORIAL I REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS I ASIA / MIDDLE EAST I Japan launches New Ideas for Incentive Travel Japan offers a range of tools for MICE organisers with the country fully reopening on October 11 to international travellers. With Japan now fully open to visitors from around the world, the Japan Convention Bureau (JCB), MICE division of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), is ready to welcome MICE events, providing a series of practical tools for professionals interested in organising international conferences and incentive tours to Japan. The country offers a wealth of venues and activities for incentive travel which you can enjoy with peace of mind. These include outdoor activities at mountain and seaside resorts, nature experiences, team-building, urban adventures with a focus on sustainability, visits to see world-leading technology and luxurious stays at hotels and Japanese-style inns. are 42 newly curated ideas and destinations for incentive tours. The search engine covers categories such as dining, nature, relaxation, culture, urban life, art, outdoors, team-building, accommodation, attractions and experiences throughout the seasons. MICE planners and organisers can download the Japan incentive travel content via https://www. japanmeetings.org/japanincentive/contents/ To gain a better idea when it comes to selecting a destination in Japan, another section of the website https://www.japanmeetings.org/ virtualvisit/ offers a Japan Virtual Visit. MICE organisers will find images, videos and 360 degree views of MICE venues and facilities as well as city information of 10 cities throughout Japan. The cities are Chiba, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nara, Okayama, Osaka, Otsu, Sendai and Yokohama STAND H17 © JNTO To support professionals in embracing all that Japan has to offer as a MICE destination, the JNTO has created a search engine which is helpful to incentive travel planners and organisers. There Far East Hospitality presents Australian contemporary lifestyle brands at ITB Asia 2022 © Far East Hospitality Management Vibe Hotel Orchard Road Singapore The company is leveraging its long-standing joint venture partnership with Toga Far East Hotels to welcome new brand experiences, with Vibe Hotels and Adina opening in Singapore. Far East Hospitality is embracing contemporary Australian hospitality through two established brands – Vibe Hotels and Adina as part of the company’s endeavour to achieve its global target of 25,000 rooms by 2025. Arthur Kiong, Chief Executive Officer of Far East Hospitality said, “As international borders reopen, Australia is a natural key target market given that it was amongst Singapore’s top five inbound markets before the pandemic. However, traveller expectations have also evolved, with many looking for unique and meaningful experiences. The two new brands that we are bringing to Singapore will provide an Australian twist to what the metropolis as a destination, has to offer.” Far East Hospitality is leveraging its long-standing collaboration with joint venture partner TFE Hotels (Toga Far East Hotels). The two new Singapore hospitality units are in fact a rebranding of existing properties "The Elizabeth Hotel" and "the Regency House" (serviced residence) respectively. Adina Serviced Apartment Singapore Orchard targets corporate expatriates as well as leisure travellers seeking transient accommodation. The property opened in July, with a total of 88 keys. It offers fully equipped serviced apartments with an oncall service, homely comforts, and comfortable living. Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, designed with character and personality, with spaces and experiences for guests to socialise freely, will open fully during the last quarter of this year. The 256-room property will cater to travellers seeking a taste of the contemporary Australian lifestyle. More to learn during ITB Asia, stand F29 to meet the team! STAND F29 ITB ASIA NEWS • WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2022 17