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Issue 84, April 24, 2023

MSC Cruises' MSC Meraviglia arrived at its new homeport in New York at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal from where it will sail year-round

Starting April 22, the ship will sail from New York City to The Bahamas and Florida, Canada and New England, and Bermuda.

Travel advisors were invited to a full-day ship-experience and tour of the ship.

At 171,598 tons and 1,036 feet long, MSC Meraviglia is the fifth-largest cruise ship in the world and the largest for MSC Cruises. It has a wide range of cabin options for different budgets. Similar to buildings in the U.S. without a thirteenth floor, there is no Deck 17 on MSC ships because Italians consider the number 17 to be unlucky.

Known as "The Ship for All Seasons," she has expansive indoor and outdoor public spaces, as well as a pool deck with a roof that can close for weather. There are 10 types of staterooms to choose from, including solo cabins, popular balcony cabins, and stylish suite accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club – the premium ‘ship within a ship’ featuring butler service, along with an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and pool area. Galleria Meraviglia is a promenade lined with shops, restaurants and bars that stretches more than 315 feet and is lined with an impressive LED sky screen. The 6,000 square-foot gym features state-of-the-art equipment, and Sportsplex facilities for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, Pickle Ball, mini golf and five-a-side soccer.

Photo credit, Elizabeth Chin

Sarawak Cultural Village - June 23 to 25, 2023

The iconic Rainforest World Music Festival marks its legendary return, featuring a cast of world-renowned performers never seen before in Sarawak. The annual three-day music festival celebrates the diversity of world music in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts.

Performers include Grammy Awards winner, ‘Gipsy Kings’ featuring Tonino Baliardo from France, ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica/USA, ‘Safi Theatre’ from Tanzania, ‘Rastak’ from Iran, ‘Fasylive’ from Maldives, ‘Afriquoi’ from the United Kingdom, ‘Chatusram’ from India, ‘Rizal Hadi & Folk’ from Indonesia and ‘Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band’ from Thailand. The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. https://rwmf.net/



Songkran is Thailand's most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The tradition traces back to the pre-Buddhist rituals of spring festivals where the throwing of water was meant as a symbol of luck to bring good rain for the crops.

This holiday is mainly associated with Thailand, but similar festivities can also be found in other Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Every year, as April rolls around, tens of thousands of Thai people prepare for the New Year. Houses are cleaned from roof to basement. Gifts are bought in preparation. The buzzing of excitement in the streets is undeniable. Songkran in Thailand is an eagerly awaited festival to spend with family and friends, ready to welcome the New Year and all the promises that it brings. The festival lasts for 4 days or more in some areas. Thai people have three New Year celebrations; the western New Year in January, the Chinese New Year in January/February, and the Thai New Year (Songkran) in April.

How has Bhutan, a tiny kingdom in the Himalayas sandwiched between two large countries with the biggest population in the world, been able to preserve its cultural identity, maintain its traditional social structures, and conserve its natural environment, all in the face of rapid modernization and ever-increasing external influences?

Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in the eastern Himalayas in South Asia. It is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east, and west. Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is known for its unique culture and traditional way of life, which is deeply rooted in Buddhism. The country's government has adopted a policy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which measures the country's progress based on the happiness and well-being of its citizens, rather than just economic growth.

Perhaps the secret lies in the very manner Bhutanese people have lived for centuries. The Bhutanese way of life is refreshing for all its contrasts; while life in big cities is crushingly busy and overcrowded. Shops in Thimphu are very relaxed, and often don’t open until after 10am. Crime rates are very low, public health and education are free, communal and Buddhist values are strong, the air is fresh, and the country is mandated by its constitution to maintain not less than 60% of its land under forest cover for eternity.

Paro International Airport PBH is the sole international airport of the four airports in Bhutan. It is 6 km/ 3.7 miles from Paro, elevation 2,235 m / 7,332 feet. There are only five countries operating direct flights to Paro International Airport, namely, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Singapore. Thimphu is the fifth highest capital in the world by altitude and ranges in altitude from 2,248 meters (7,375 feet) to 2,648 meters (8,688 feet).



Nonstop flights from Newark to Tenerife via United Airlines.

Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, off West Africa. It's dominated by Mt. Teide, a dormant volcano that is Spain's tallest peak. Tenerife is the island where most of the best Spanish wines in the Canary Islands are produced, and many of the vineyards, like Marqués, sit on the slopes of the volcano of Mount Teide.

Rosés and red wines are mostly made from listán Negro, Negramoll, and Tintilla grapes. Malvasía is the most notable variety of white grapes. This sweet and fruity wine is often enjoyed as an aperitif or with desserts. The signature drink of the Canary Islands is the barraquito. It is a coffee cocktail unique to the Canary Islands that adds layers of sweetness and alcohol to the traditional morning drink.

Tenerife has been part of Spain since 1496. Tenerife is also a province of Spain and is therefore part of the European Union and belongs therefore to Europe. Rioja, the trademark wine of Spain, derives primarily from the famous Tempranillo grape, though it's sometimes more of a red blend incorporating Garnacha, Mazuelo, or Graciano grape varieties.

Tenerife hotels represented at the event: Adrian Hoteles; Bahia de Duque; Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort; GF Victoria; Gran Melia; H10 Hotels; Hotel Botanico; Iberostar; Royal River; Royal Hideaway; Spring Hotels; and The Ritz-Carlton 

Tenerife, Spain  presentation and networking event was at Midtown Loft & Terrace, with the participation of hoteliers and DMCs from Tenerife. 



The largest Japanese food festival in the world, which has been gathering over 250,000 people yearly, is held over 20 times a year with 750 vendors.

Not only from NYC, there will be vendors from other states, Japan, and other countries!!!

JAPAN Fes 2023 will have 200 kinds of food Including your favorite Japanese food like Takoyaki, Ramen, Matcha sweets, Yakisoba, Karaage, Okonomiyaki, etc.

Annual Japan Day Parade & Japan Street Fair

(Celebrates Japanese Culture, Art, Tradition & Japanese Food)

Japan Parade - Saturday, May 13, 2023

Opening Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.

Location: Central Park West between 70th and 71st street (Grand Stand area VIP only)

Japan Parade starts at 1:00 p.m.

Route: Central Park West from 81st street heading south towards 68th street

Japan Street Fair - Saturday, May 13, 2023  

Japan Street Fair is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: West 72nd street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West

These speakers will share exciting insights on the overview of Asia Pacific and its tourism industry, driving higher-value tourism, working with AI and social media influencers, and managing crises in the new era.

Register now: https://www.pata.org/pas

Wishing you a wonderful week.

With best regards,

New York PATA Board of Directors

Elizabeth Chin

Executive Director

Immediate Past Chair (2016-2022)

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)

New York PATA

Email: newyorkpata@gmail.com

https://newyorkpata.org

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. Since 1951, PATA has led from the forefront as the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.

PATA New York is the local chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. The New York Chapter was formed in 1962. It is one of the oldest, most successful, and active chapters to develop travel and tourism to the Asia Pacific region, and beyond to the Americas, Europe, and Africa. PATA New York is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization.