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Joebert Opulencia in Guatemala with Members of New York PATA | |
My GUATEMALA ADVENTURE is one that I will treasure and forever remember, and all because of the unforgettable arrangements made possible by the people shown below
To Gunther Goldberg, thank you very much for making this trip possible. You opened a door that led us to explore a destination that is very much worth promoting to our market.
To Karen Fabiola Alvarez Anzueto, your patience and understanding made it so easy for us to finalize our travel arrangements, and for this, I thank you with all of my heart.
To Lourdes Maldonado and the Guatemala Tourist Board, thank you for this trip as it opened our eyes on what Guatemala can offer to its foreign guests. We will surely be your partners in promoting the "Heart of the Mayan" to the USA Market.
To the Group, what can I say ???? we all enjoyed together, respected each other, most important, we bonded together, a bond that no one can break.
And to our Coordinator, David Reyes, you got it all. You have the personality of an Ambassador, a good communicator, and most important, you kept the group together. I am a person that is hard to please... but you got me and I take my hat off to you. Every group you handle will be very lucky to have you.
Guatemala City
Our first day was full of activities. We started spending time at the local handicraft market. had a sumptuous lunch at El Adobe, a unique restaurant contrasted by the busy area of mercado central. The food was excellent and the service was top notch.
The National Palace was worth the visit. Also known as Palacio Nacional de la Cultura also known colloquially as "Palacio Verde", it is identified as Guatemala City's symbol in its architectural context. It was the most important building in Guatemala and was the headquarters of the President of Guatemala. The building is the origin of all the roads in the Republic and has a spot known as Kilometro Cero. It is presently a museum and is also used for important acts of the government.
Visited the Cathedral of Guatemala City which was founded on July 27, 1524 and is located in Central Park. At that time, the city was called Santiago de los Caballeros and the country's capital was Antigua Guatemala. But after several earthquakes, the decision was made to move the capital and religious center to the city of Guatemala.
Back to the hotel and had two hours of rest. The night ended with an impressive dinner arrangement by the Guatemala Tourist Board. Need to say nothing more. It was a great way to welcome us.
22JUN
From the airport, we headed to our next destination and because of the recent landslide in Antiqua, traffic was very bad. We missed the pottery tour.
LAKE ATITLAN is located in the Sololá Department of southwestern Guatemala, in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range directly west of Guatemala City.
GUATEMALA ADVENTURE by Joebert Opulencia.docx
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Rediscovering Japan
Finally, Japan is open. After a two-year hiatus, Japan has reopened its borders to international travelers — albeit with strict requirements. As always, the Remote Lands team is here to guide you through the finer details and small print.
There are many reasons why Japan is beloved by travelers. The country's myriad attractions are ripe for rediscovery following the pandemic. Both stunningly futuristic yet blessed with traditions the locals guard with pride, the country offers the best of everything. With restrictions easing, Japan is certain to reassert its status as a world leader in giving visitors exactly what they want. You can find many travel ideas for this year and next here: https://bit.ly/3Olpjct
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Catherine Heald
Founder & CEO of Remote Lands
Vice-Chair of NY PATA
Catherine's insatiable passion for Asia began in 1987 when she got on a plane bound for Hong Kong and stayed for seven years. She is constantly striving to understand Asia at a deeper level including its spirituality as well as its current events and how they affect life today. Her goal is for Remote Lands to change the world in its own little way by bringing together people from disparate cultures to promote global understanding and peace. She previously founded and ran three technology companies in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. She was a pioneer in digital media in the 1980-90's including creating the world's first travel e-books and being Silicon Alley's first IPO in 1996 (NASDAQ: LUST).
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Brazil Experience
With its unique cuisine, rich culture, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, breathtaking waterfalls, and adventure for everyone’s liking, all you have to do is choose the perfect type of tourism for you and your clients and be amazed by the wonders of Brazil.
Home to beautiful landscapes and endless natural resources all over its territory, Brazil is one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world.
Many of our members were delighted to join the BRAZIL EXPERIENCE ROADSHOW, hosted by EMBRATUR – Brazilian Tourist Board, and discovered much of everything that Brazil has to offer. The roadshow attended by 188 people was held at the Plataforma Brazilian Steakhouse with live Brazilian music. The Deputy Consul of Brazil welcomed the guests and delivered the opening remarks.
Churrascaria Plataforma is an authentic Brazilian “Churrascaria,” a restaurant that serves mostly grilled meat, that is taking New York City by storm. The Rodizio style restaurant uses the method of serving various cuts of meat that originated in the southern part of Brazil in the early 1800s. The idea is to serve a wide variety of different cuts of meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and so on, to each diner individually at their table, so there is no traditional menu as it consists of an all-you-can-eat menu and continuous table-side service. We had a Wow experience of their unique cuisine.
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces future travel plans at post-Cabinet press conference.
Tourism cautiously optimistic as bookings build, despite another summer without the Chinese visitors.
Lockdown Status: Travelling permitted at all traffic light settings (Red, Orange and Green). All of New Zealand is now in Orange setting, no capacity limits or distancing requirements at venues, masks are only mandatory indoors.
Travel Restrictions: No proof of a negative COVID-19 test required to enter New Zealand. Most travelers need to be vaccinated and take 2 rapid antigen tests (RATs) after arriving in New Zealand. Proof of vaccination and the New Zealand Traveller Declaration not required for transiting passengers.
Destination Queenstown is coming to the US next month for an East Coast sales mission and will visit New York alongside 20 key Queenstown product suppliers for a networking lunch. If you have previously connected with Destination Queenstown, they would love to meet with you again.
Tuesday, 19 July - 12 noon
Serafina Tribeca | 95 West Broadway | New York, NY 10007
Link to RSVP. Spaces are limited. RSVP date ends on 7/5/2022
You can view the list of Queenstown suppliers joining us here
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Australian holidaymakers pay through the roof for accommodation as staff shortages bite.
Lockdown Status: Events, catering, mask-wearing, and social distancing measures, are determined and enforced by the state governments.
Travel Restrictions: Travellers entering or leaving Australia no longer require a negative pre-departure test, and cruise vessels can enter Australian territory. All incoming and outgoing international travellers may be requested to provide proof of two approved vaccine doses. All passengers arriving by air into Australia should complete the DPD.
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Alarm in Beijing after announcement zero-COVID policy may last five years.
Lockdown Status: BEIJING — A Chinese health authority spokesperson on June 17 urged the full implementation of COVID-related regulations and strengthened virus control efforts at key enclosed sites with gatherings of people.
Travel Restrictions: Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Beijing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Xiamen, and Ningbo cut quarantine times for international arrivals from 14 to 10 or seven days, travel and quarantine requirements are subject to change.
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Hong Kong SAR shores up tourism offerings during downtime.
Lockdown Status: The Government exercises the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) that requires any person who had been present at 36 specified places during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
Travel Restrictions: "10+7" anti-epidemic measure effective from June 15. Individuals travelling from Hong Kong SAR, Chinese Taipei, or foreign countries will be subject to "10 days of centralised medical obseravation" and " 7 days of health self-monitoring", provided that they meet certain conditions. This “10+7” anti-epidemic measure applies to arrivals who meet all the following conditions: 1) Having completed the course of COVID-19 vaccination prior to entry; 2) Having tested negative in the nucleic acid tests on arrival and during the period of centralized medical observation in isolation; 3) Agree to comply with relevant anti-epidemic requirements.
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Flights to resume between Korea (ROK)’s Gimpo and Japan's Haneda airports.
Lockdown Status: People allowed to take masks off outside but will still be required to wear masks when attending outdoor gatherings, concerts, or sporting events with 50 or more people. Other than these situations, wearing a mask in outdoor spaces will not be required.
Travel Restrictions: From June 8, all overseas entrants are exempted from isolation, which is the final phase of the post-Omicron revision of entry regulations, in consideration of the continued downward trend in new COVID19 cases in the nation and the stable pandemic situation abroad. Negative test results supervised by healthcare professionals for either PCR tests taken within the last 48 hours or RAT taken in the last 24 hours before departure and PCR test within 3 days from the arrival date still required.
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Destination Member: Thailand
Thailand historically known as Siam and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country located at the center of Mainland Southeast Asia. It's known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises next to quiet canal side communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). Thailand is a Buddhist country with more than 41,000 temples, and more being built all the time. You can imagine there are plenty of monks around.
Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin. With soaring limestone islands, white sandy bays and colorful shacks, Thailand is one of the world's quintessential paradise destinations.
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The 46th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
The fireworks will be launched from barges spaced along the East River and the display will be visible in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. More than 48,000 shells and effects are expected to be launched from five barges positioned between E. 23rd and E. 42nd Streets.
May peace, love and happiness always be with you!
Wishing you a very happy Fourth of July!
New York PATA Board
Elizabeth Chin
Board Member
Immediate Past Chair (2016 – 2022)
Pacific Asia Travel Association,
PATA New York Chapter
Email: newyorkpata@gmail.com
PATA New York Chapter is dedicated to facilitate meaningful partnerships to enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel and tourism to and from countries in APAC, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 650 member organizations, including 82 government, state and city tourism bodies, 14 international airlines and airports, 71 hospitality organizations and 75 educational institutions, as well as thousands of youth members (YTP) across the world.
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