January 16th, 2023

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, which honors King as the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968, largely promoted by labor unions.

MLK was the driving force behind watershed events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, which helped bring about such landmark legislation as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. His most famous work is his “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered in 1963, in which he spoke of his dream of a United States that is void of segregation and racism. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered each year on the third Monday of January.

The city of Hiroshima, Japan is one of the few places outside of the United States that observes Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) day. The celebration came about under former mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who annually held a banquet at the mayor's office in commemoration of King.

There are 12 federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Inauguration Day, George Washington's birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Travel & World Tourism Council (WTTC)

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “After nearly three years, it is great news that China is finally opening up.”

“Chinese visitors worldwide contributed USD$253 billion to the global economy in 2019, creating jobs and boosting regional economies. The recovery of the Chinese Travel & Tourism sector is very welcome. Introducing knee-jerk travel restrictions shows Governments have learned nothing about the behavior of this virus and continue to ignore the World Health Organization’s advice that border restrictions do not stop the virus from mutating or moving around the globe. Reintroducing ineffective COVID testing to Chinese travelers is a step backward for the global Travel & Tourism sector.”

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO



Webinar on 24 January and 26 January (Encore Edition)

at 11 am EST (New York Time)

https://lnkd.in/ghWJKs74

Prior to 2020, Chinese tourism was the largest source of international travelers in the world. Its 155 million tourists spent over $250 billion globally in 2019.

This webinar will run in conjunction with the launch of an e-handbook that addresses the reopening of China and the next wave of Chinese outbound travelers. Titled 88 Practical Ways to Prepare for the New Wave of Chinese Visitors, the e-handbook was written by COTRI’s founder and director Wolfgang Georg Arlt and CA’s CEO Gary Bowerman, with the assistance of research expert Rong Zheng.

According to Bowerman, Chinese society – including the behavior and demands of consumers and travelers – has changed dramatically in the past three years.

“These changes, both large and less pronounced, will influence the mindset and behavior of Chinese travelers,” he said.

Arlt noted: “Many millions of Chinese are eagerly waiting for the moment when they can travel overseas once again for business, education, health, family reunions and leisure. Many new opportunities will emerge for travel providers offering customized services for carefully targeted market segments.”

He continued: “that said, tough challenges await travel operators planning to revive previously successful engagements with the Chinese outbound market. We are about to enter a radically new era of tourism, and this will require innovative new strategies.”

Michelle Yeoh Wins Golden Globe Award

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has congratulated Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh on being the first Malaysian to win the Best Actress award in a musical or comedy film at the 2023 Golden Globes for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also conveyed her felicitations to the Ipoh-born actress.

In a post on Istana Negara’s Facebook account, Their Majesties expressed their joy and pride over Yeoh’s success and for placing Malaysia’s name on the world stage. Michelle Yeoh thanked King, Queen, PM, Malaysian leaders for congratulating her over Golden Globe win.

Congratulations Michelle Yeoh and to Malaysia!! 

Michelle Yeoh was the 1st Asian to win the Best Actress award at the National Board of Review Awards and now she's the 1st Malaysian to win a Golden Globe!!!

Wedding Vows Renewed in Bali

"My single favorite travel experience was in June 2022 when we were finally able to operate our first Aman Jet Expedition since October 2019. This expedition had been postponed many times and the guests had been very patient so it was wonderful when we all met in Bali at Amankila and my husband and I had our wedding vows renewed on the beach in a traditional Balinese ceremony.

Looking ahead, I am really looking forward to our Aman Jet Expedition from Kyoto to Marrakech and our Aman Japan Culinary Journey from Aman Tokyo to Amanemu, in Shima, to Aman Kyoto with Japan’s finest culinary and libation experiences. I’m also looking forward to exploring even more of the remote corners of Japan. Many new hotels and ryokans opened during the pandemic and I can’t wait to go check them out myself."

Contributed by Catherine Heald, Co-Founder & CEO, Remote Lands

Tokyo Now

January means new year celebrations and family time in Japan. New year is a very special and peaceful time resembling Christmas time elsewhere. Enjoy visiting Tokyo’s famous shrines and mochi making. Make sure to bundle up as you might even encounter snow. https://conta.cc/3WBWwV6

Tokyo Marathon 05 March 2023

Contributed by Aki Hirai

The Survivalist Trend in the Spotlight

Camouflaged cabins, campfire cooking and compasses; going off the grid will never be as sought after as it is in 2023. 44% of travelers want to get back to basics and are looking for an off-grid holiday to escape reality, disconnect and live with the bare essentials. While the survivalist phenomenon is not so new, its current popularity reflects a growing interest among people in being able to fend for themselves in sometimes hostile conditions. This trend also reflects a certain anxiety about the times ahead. https://hospitality-on.com/en/trends/which-travel-trends-will-gain-ground-2023

Contributed by John Graham 

January 12, 2023

Travelers had to wait a little longer than expected to finally experience the much-anticipated new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, but the time has finally come. The new terminal opened to the public on Thursday, January 12. 

Terminal A is opening in two phases—as of January 12, the first 21 gates are now open, and the remaining 12 gates will be finished later in 2023. Officials at the unveiling suggested that the Terminal A project is only the first step in bringing the entire airport up to par with the best airports in the world.

Newark's Terminal A is a $2.7 billion project. It’s the largest investment the Port Authority ever made in New Jersey in the agency's history, and there’s more to come. Terminal B is just around the corner. 

Nanakusa-Gayu

Had your fill of gourmet New Year dishes? Sooth your stomach with “nanakusa-gayu!” Every year on January 7th, many in Japan savor this “seven herb porridge” including spring herbs like seri (water dropwort), nazuna (shepherd’s purse), suzuna (turnips), hotokenoza (henbit), gogyo (cudweed), hakobera (chickweed) and suzushiro (daikon radishes). Also thought to promote longevity, this healthy and delectable porridge is enjoyed at home and at events throughout the country.

Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival

"Olympic Champion City"

Welcome to Harbin for the world's largest ice and snow festival from December 23, 2022 to February 28, 2023. Known for its bitterly cold winters, Harbin is heralded as the Ice City (冰城) for its winter tourism and recreations. The special winter travel experiences are like nowhere else on earth: ice and snow world, snow sculpture art expo, ice lantern art fair, ice and snow carnival, ice bar & restaurant, winter swimming, skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, or watching Siberian Tigers and Arctic animals are just some of the one-of-kind encounters.

Each winter the park is built with ice sourced from the river for the delicate ice and snow sculptures built under different themes. The beautiful night view of the park is fascinating when these exquisite sculptures are illuminated with colorful lights. Various interesting cultural activities and winter sports are also what you can’t miss in Winter of Harbin. There is also an indoor ice and snow paradise which can satisfy those who want to explore a cool icy world in Summer!

The huge Snowflake Ferris Wheel was built inside the Ice and Snow World. You can ride on the Ferris wheel to overlook the ice castles and exhibits and take awesome photos. The giant snowflake shining its spectrum of colors against the background of the night sky is in itself very photogenic.