The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with tourism offices in Skaneateles and Cayuga, Oswego, Seneca and Wayne Counties have produced ‘ON THE WATER,’ a brand-new map and guide highlighting the abundance of central New York’s waterways available for visitors to enjoy. This free brochure will help visitors find things to see and do on, in or near the waterways of central New York. 

Internationally renowned experts gathered at this year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) and delivered a clear and consistent message: now is the right time to invest in the Gulf’s growing hotel industry – namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Commenting on the common thread to emerge from AHIC’s main sessions which addressed the changing geo-political landscapes in the Middle East, and its ramifications for investors and developers, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO Bench Events, Board Member STR Global said: “Dubai is setting the standard in hotel occupancy rates and sustainability; Saudi Arabia is sagaciously tapping its oil funds to lead the way in religious tourism and prudently diversifying its contribution to GDP away from hydrocarbon revenues; and Oman – the often mentioned ‘dark horse’ at the conference – presents a landscape fertile for hospitality development.

euromic, the premier international consortium of companies specializing in MICE travel, events and destination management, recently announced that it has added a new World Affiliate in Dubai, Emeco DMC in the Emirates. The company, which has been operating under the name Al Abjar Tourism since 2003, has long been a leader within the tourism sector in the Emirates.

The Singex Group, a business event organiser and venue manager for Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be launching the Asia Connect seminar series in the US focusing on the dynamic economies of Southeast Asia. The first of its kind hosted by an Asian event and venue manager, this complimentary educational seminar series is targeted at trade show and exhibition organisers interested in international market opportunities for brand extension or new events. 

More and more operators decide for EVENTive online event management systems. After a good introduction in 2010, market has developed very well for nextstep congress solutions and EVENTive online event management solution.

Melbourne has officially been recognised as the number one city in Australia for conferences and congresses, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher announced recently.

The Country and City Ranking Report 2011, produced by The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), saw Melbourne ranked ahead of any other Australian city at number 31 in the world, nine places up on the previous year.

As business tourism continues to gain recognition in Malaysia as a key economic driver, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Taylor’s University School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (TCHT) joined hands in 2011 to conduct a research project titled ‘Micro Impacts and Benefits of Business Tourism Malaysia: A Case Study of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’.

The survey, the first of its type to be conducted by a convention centre in the country,  looked at three major areas of interest – travel information, delegate spend and delegate experience in relation to attendance at events held at the Centre.

The International Association of Conference Centers-The Americas held its fourth Thought Leader Summit at the 31st annual conference in Houston last month to discuss ““Designing Meeting Experiences for Tomorrow.”  The event was broadcast live at the host property, La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa and webcast around the world.  Participants and viewers participated real-time via twitter.