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Above average growth forecast for travel biz following a slow 2013

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The year 2014 is expected to be a year of above-average growth for Travel & Tourism in India to counteract a weak performance for domestic travel in 2013. That is according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which has unveiled its Annual Economic Impact Data and forecasts for India today.

WTTC is the global authority on the economic and social impact of the Travel & Tourism Industry. WTTCs Annual Economic Impact Report 2014 for India shows Travel & Tourisms economic contribution is expected to grow by 7.3% this year, outperforming the general economy by 2.5 percentage points.

Revenues gained from domestic tourism rose by 5.1% in 2013 and is expected to increase by 8.2% in 2014. The amount that International visitors spent in India rose by 6.2% in 2013 but is forecast to slow to a 2.9% growth rate in 2014.

President and CEO of WTTC, David Scowsill, says the predicted boost to tourism in 2014 will be appreciated after a tough year for the general economy in India; Inbound tourism is continuing to grow both in terms of international tourist arrivals and international tourism receipts. But, it is the domestic market which will see particularly strong growth in 2014 with more investment and more Indians travelling.

The Government of India has recently announced that it proposes to extend visa on arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization for tourists from 180 countries and to speed up the application process for those still requiring a paper visa to only three days. David Scowsill says that WTTC and WTTC India Initiative welcome this historic initiative; This is a result of our continuing conversations with the Government authorities to encourage Freedom to Travel for legitimate, bona fide tourists who want to visit India. It will give a necessary boost and competitive advantage to India against other destinations in South Asia and Middle East. This will also provide a major thrust to jobs and employment both direct and indirectly linked with the tourism sector in India. We hope the Government ensures an effective rollout of this much-anticipated program before the ensuing tourist season in 2014. Long term, we would also encourage India to move towards e-visa applications.

A study undertaken by WTTC and UNWTO in 2012 (The Impact of Visa Facilitation on Job Creation in the G20 Economies, May 2012. UNWTO and WTTC) shows that India will gain from improvements to its visa regime. The research estimates that improved visa facilitation could result in up to 6 million more international visitors for India, resulting in US$8 million more spend and creating 1.8 million jobs over three years.

Mr Scowsill continues; This latest announcement is a significant step towards achieving these substantial economic gains. A simple additional step of adding the capability for mulitiple entry to these visas on arrival for a longer period such as 6 months could allow India to capitalise on the long term potential from Travel & Tourism.

In 2013 Travel & Tourism contributed INR6,631.6 billion to the economy of India and generated 35 million jobs.

The WTTC research also highlights the size of Travel & Tourism around the world:

In 2013, Travel & Tourism contributed US$7 trillion to the global economy and is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2014. The total global contribution of Travel & Tourism to employment, including jobs indirectly supported by the industry, was 266 million jobs (8.9% of total employment) one in 11 of all jobs on the planet

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Above average growth forecast for travel biz following a slow 2013

Tourism investments seen to grow 3.8%

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TRAVEL and tourism investments in the Philippines are expected to grow by 3.8 percent to P84.39 billion this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Last year, the sector accounted for P81.3 billion or 3.6 percent of total investments, contributing 11.3 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating 4,295,110 jobs, or 11.3 percent of total employment.

WTTC is an international organization of travel industry executives promoting travel and tourism. Each year, the organization undertakes an economic analysis of the impact of the travel and tourism sector in 184 countries.

Fast growth

In 2013, the sectors contribution to the global economy rose to 9.5 percent or $7 trillion, not only outpacing the wider economy but also growing faster than other significant sectors such as financial and business services, transport and manufacturing, the report said.

It generated nearly 266,000,000 jobs or 8.9 percent of total world employment or one in 11 jobs on the planet.

WTTC president and chief executive officer David Scowsill said in a report emailed to Sun.Star Cebu that 2013 was another successful year for the sector. He said that for four consecutive years now, the strong demand of international travelers fueled the growth of the sector.

Visitor exports, the measure of money spent by these international tourists, rose by 3.9 percent at a global level year on year, to $1.3trillion, and by over 10 percent within South East Asia, he said.

It is clear that the growth in travel and tourism demand from emerging markets continues with pace, as large rising middle- classes, especially from Asia and Latin America, are willing and more able than ever to travel both within and beyond their borders.

Scowsill said the sustained demand in the sector together with its ability to generate high levels of employment continues to prove the importance and value of the sector as a tool for economic development and job creation.

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Tourism investments seen to grow 3.8%

Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang Opens at The Venetian Macao

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Travel and Lifestyle Press Releases Tuesday March 18, 2014 15:23

Bangkok--18 Mar--Jigsaw Communication

Family-friendly exhibition to run from November until March

Ice World, a fun-filled and frosty exhibition all carved in ice by talented craftsmen from Harbin, makes its home at The Venetian Macao for the third year in a row beginning Nov. 21. Supported by the Macau Government Tourist Office, Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang features much-loved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Macao landmarks, and winning entries from a local community drawing competition.Ice World is one of the many exciting activities available during the spectacular Winter at Cotai Strip, which turns Cotai Strip Resorts Macao into a delightful wintry wonderland, with charming stringed lights; a giant lit Christmas tree, a real ice rink, Christmas markets, non-stop entertainment and an eye-popping 3-D light and sound show.

Wednesday afternoon saw the Ice Worldopening ceremony at The Venetian Macaos Cotai Expo Hall F, where it will be open to the public 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.daily from Nov. 21, 2013 to Mar. 16, 2014, with tickets priced at MOP/HKD 100 per person.

The ceremony was officiated by Maria Helena de SennaFernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office; Huang Hang Qian, Director-General of Department of General Affairs of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Macao; Edward Tracy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sands China Ltd.; Mark McWhinnie, Senior Vice President of Operations of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and SandsCotai Central andBai Wei, General Manager of Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd. The five officiating guests each helped pour a glass of prehistoric potion into an ice sculpture on stage,brought in byBelt from the movie The Croods, symbolising the official opening of this years Ice World exhibition.

Ice World is becoming an annual tradition and signature event at The Venetian Macao, said Mr. Tracy. Our last two exhibitions were immensely popular, with more visitors than we had even anticipated.Adding the magic of the DreamWorks Experience at Cotai Strip Resorts to this years event brings in a fun new element for our visitors to enjoy.

Asias biggest indoor ice event, with over 1,600 square metres of space, returns to The Venetian Macao following the incredible success of the last two years exhibitions. Crafted once again by famous Harbin craftsmen from the world-renowned Heilongjiang Provincial Ice and Snow Art Development Co. Ltd., this years exhibition will be themed after the unique DreamWorks Experience, with visitors able to view some of the animation worlds most famous characters sculpted from ice.

Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to experience a magical winter land journey through seven different zones featuring famous Macao landmarks and favourite DreamWorks characters such as Shrek, Princess Fiona, Alex and the gang from Madagascar, and Po from Kung Fu Panda, just to name a few. Families are sure to love the ice slide as they whizz down at breathtaking speeds.

Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang also features the debut of the two newest characters to join the DreamWorks Experience at Cotai Strip Resorts: Tigress from Kung Fu Panda and Belt from The Croods.Each will be carved into ice, and visitors can also see and interact with them at Sands Cotai Central. Tigress will be joining her DreamWorks pals at Shrekfast starting Nov. 21, entertaining breakfast-goers and providing memorable photo opportunities;and keen-eyed visitors might just run into the cute and cuddly Belt and his hug-worthy long armsatthe Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central main lobby.

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Ice World with the DreamWorks Gang Opens at The Venetian Macao

PH tourism investment share expected to rise

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MANILA, Philippines A boost in the share of travel and tourism industry in the countrys total annual investments is expected this year due to higher demand from international tourists, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC said the share of travel and tourism in the countrys yearly investments take may jump to 3.8 percent this year from 3.6 percent last year.

WTTC, composed of international travel and tourism companies executives, said travel and tourism cornered an estimated P81.3 billion in investments in 2013.

The industry also contributed P1.29 trillion, or about 11.3 percent, to the countrys economy.

WTTC also estimated that direct and indirect jobs supported by the sector contributed 4.3 million jobs, or 11.3 percent of the countrys total workforce.

WTTC president and chief executive officer David Scowsill said the global travel and tourism sector contributed $7 trillion to the global economy, generating about 266 million jobs, or 8.9 percent of total employment. Travel and tourisms contribution to the world economy grew for the fourth consecutive year in 2013, helped especially by strong demand from international travelers, Scowsill said.

Visitor exports, the measure of money spent by these international tourists, rose by 3.9 percent at a global level year on year, to $1.3 trillion, and by over 10 percent within South East Asia, he added.

Scowsill said that while growth in travel and tourism demand is expected to continue, governments will have to do their part.

The outlook for travel and tourism for the next 10 years looks extremely favorable, with growth forecast of more than 4 percent annually. This will require governments to implement more open visa regimes and to adopt intelligent rather than punitive taxation policies, he said.

Scowsill added that it is key for public and private partnerships to ensure that long term infrastructure and human resource needs are planned responsibly and sustainably to absorb the inevitable growth that we are forecasting.

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PH tourism investment share expected to rise

'Boy Meets World's' Rider Strong Reprises Role for Disney Channel Update (Exclusive Photo)

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DISNEY CHANNEL/Tony Rivetti

Disney Channel's Boy Meets World update is bringing back a regular.

Rider Strong reprises his role as Shawn Hunter, Cory Matthews' best friend, in a holiday-themed episode of Girl Meets World, which follows Cory and Topanga's young daughter Riley. The live taping of the episode takes place Tuesday evening in Los Angeles.

STORY: 'Boy Meets World' EP on Follow-Up: Viewers Want 'This Type of Honest Show'

"It's like time travel," Strong tells The Hollywood Reporter exclusively. "I get to go back to high school, but now I have a clue of what's going on."

During the episode, the Boy Meets World alum will share the dinner table with the Matthews family, including Cory's parents Alan (William Russ) and Amy (Betsy Randle), as well as a scene with Riley's best friend Maya (Sabrina Carpenter), considered the "new Shawn."

THR exclusively debuts a photo between Strong and Carpenter as they share a moment by the window in the new Matthews household. Strong had positive words to say about the young Girl Meets World cast: "These kids are too talented for their own good."

STORY: Disney Channel's 'Girl Meets World' Gets Series Order

Strong is the latest Boy Meets World alum to head to the new series, joining William Daniels (Mr. Feeny, who appears in the pilot) and Lee Norris (Minkus). Though Strong was not originally announced as part of the Girl Meets World cast, executive producer Michael Jacobs in January 2013 told THR that the possibilities were there for more originals to appear, including Cory's brother Eric (Will Friedle).

"We sat down with them and talked about what their roles on the show might be," Jacobs said at the time. "Whoever wants to be part of this show will be and whoever wants to move on will. The most important thing is to see what the show is and then see what their part in it will be."

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'Boy Meets World's' Rider Strong Reprises Role for Disney Channel Update (Exclusive Photo)

D&B Of Destruction: Zelda 3: A Link to the Past! The Complete Edition:[The Light World] – Video

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D B Of Destruction: Zelda 3: A Link to the Past! The Complete Edition:[The Light World]
D B Of Destruction: All credit goes to the artists Duane /or BrandO , The Penguins and The Gorillaz. Music Involvement Order: "Opening Demo" "File Select" (...

By: TheGamelessOne

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D&B Of Destruction: Zelda 3: A Link to the Past! The Complete Edition:[The Light World] - Video

World T20 2014 Groups: Fixtures, Schedule and Format in Bangladesh

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Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

The World T20 in Bangladesh is just around the corner, with a total of 16 teams converging for the fifth edition of the competition.

West Indies travel as defending champions, while a number of ICC Associate members have the chance to qualify for the main tournament in the group stage.

As the teams prepare, lets take a look at what they can expect in the tournament, which has an enlarged format and promises to be another fascinating three weeks of T20 cricket.

Andy Brownbill/Associated Press

Made up of 16 teams10 ICC Full Members and six ICC Associate Membersthe World T20 begins on March 16, with the final held three weeks later on April 6 in Dhaka.

Initially, eight teams enter the group stage to decide which two will qualify for the next round of the tournament.

Full Members Bangladesh and Zimbabwe join the six Associate Members to make up two groups of four, with the two Test-playing countries kept apart at this stage.

Matches at this stage will largely be played in Chittagong and Sylhet, although the hosts face Afghanistan in Dhaka in what will be the tournaments opening game.

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World T20 2014 Groups: Fixtures, Schedule and Format in Bangladesh

A World of Gay Travel Options for the Spring and Summer

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In 1983, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) began with just a handful of LGBT travel agents and hotel owners. Their goal then was to provide community members with information about friendly and affirming travel destinations and options. A testament to their work is the dramatic increase they've seen in LGBT-friendly travel across the globe. Today, they have partners and connections in more than 75 countries.

"The growth has really been tremendous," says LoAnn Halden, IGLTA's media relations director. "Certainly, there's been more focus on LGBT travel in the last 10 years and in the last five years it has increased dramatically. We are finding many more LGBT-friendly destinations. We've been having conversations with more than 100 tourism boards, either at the country level or city level."

Concerns about safe and friendly travel are particularly important for LGBT people. And, that's as much true for international travel as it is domestically. "For LGBT travelers, the most important thing is you want to be traveling in a way that makes you feel safe and welcome, whether choice of travel that might be," says Halden.

Authored By Matt Comer - See the Full Story at QNotes

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A World of Gay Travel Options for the Spring and Summer


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