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On 9 March 2022, Ms. Nichapa Yoswee, Vice President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, attended a meeting with the Eastern Economic Corridor Committee chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, together with high-ranking representatives from authoritative entities. From this meeting, the “Thailand International Air Show” project has been granted approval, to be hosted the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and supported by TCEB and Royal Thai Navy. According to TCEB’s proposed feasibility studies, the “Thailand International Air Show” will stage an official announcement in 2023, the official soft-launch opening in 2025 and the full-scale event in 2027 with main objectives to inaugurate and create world’s awareness on the new U-tapao International Airport as well as to promote EEC through this global exhibition as the key mechanism to revive, drive and reignite Thailand’s exhibition industry to go forward and grow substantially. Moreover, this show aims to connect the aviation and logistics industry in EEC with relevant industrial and business sectors. It is forecast that throughout the 5 continuous editions, this biennial event will promote the GDP expansion by over USD 144 million, create more than 18,760 jobs, stimulate tax revenue beyond USD 54 million, and tremendously benefit Thailand’s exhibition and MICE industries in terms of social, economic and environmental impacts, under the “Thailand 4.0” national strategy and EECO’s development policies.

Berlin/Mumbai, 27 January 2022 – ITB India 2022 will be an all-virtual event with the physical show postponed to 2023. Scheduled on the same dates, ITB India 2022 Virtual will be held from 5 – 7 April 2022. After close observations of international developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of the Omicron variant, and extensive conversations with local authorities and partners, the show organisers made the difficult decision to move the show completely virtual, which now gives exhibitors and trade visitors maximum planning security. Katrina Leung, Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB India said: “This decision is made after the surge in infection cases of the Omicron variant worldwide and in India, as well as the tightening of international borders and safety measures. In view of the uncertainties of executing a successful physical event for the travel trade, Messe Berlin (Singapore) consulted various stakeholders and international clients before concluding that the 2022 show should be held virtually to provide full transparency and reassurance of the upcoming exhibition and conference”. ITB India Virtual brings together key travel industry leaders and international exhibitors from various segments of MICE, Leisure, Corporate and Travel Technology. The B2B virtual event builds the bridge to the Indian and South Asian travel markets, offering three full days of virtual business appointments and digital conference programme. After the virtual trade show, all conference sessions will remain online until 6 May 2022, and all registered participants have full access to the conference recordings. With ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community), the organiser had already established a global virtual platform for the tourism industry where exhibitors can successfully leverage on virtual appointments with Indian and South Asian travel buyers and international delegates. What’s new for exhibitors and delegates at ITB India 2022 Attendees of ITB India 2022 can expect the following new key privileges: End-to-end business matching platform perfected with AI personalisation matching system that gives exhibitors a 360 degrees approach and holistic selection of key business prospects. Delegates will also receive recommended matches with greater business relevance through the system’s newly improved score-based, product group and interest-based matching. Digital exhibition booths (DEB) have also been improved and modified, with brand new features, product displays and branding opportunities. (Sample illustration of a Premium Virtual Booth) In addition, virtual booth packages for exhibitors have been enhanced to include features such as unlimited meeting slots, business cards sharing function, speaking opportunities, co-exhibitor benefits, extensive advertising exposure, and extra trade visitor passes. How to exhibit at ITB India Virtual: Virtual Packages and Prices Exhibitors have a selection of up to 5 virtual booth packages to best suit their marketing requirements and budget, starting from USD 245 to USD 7,000 per virtual booth. For more information on exhibiting at ITB India 2022, please visit https://www.itb-india.com/virtual-booth-options or register online here. Save-the-date: ITB India 2023 ITB India 2023 will take place as an in-person exhibition from 26 – 28 April 2023 at the new and state-of-the-art venue Jio World Convention Centre, in Mumbai, India. For more information of ITB India, please visit https://www.itb-india.com/ or email info@messe-berlin.asia

Healthcare and trade professionals representing nearly 160 countries will participate in Arab Health and Medlab Middle East as the largest healthcare and laboratory exhibitions in the MENA region return to Dubai next week. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from Monday 24 January until Thursday 27, under the show themes of ‘United by business, forging ahead’ and ‘Connect with innovation that's changing the face of diagnostics’, the co-located events will provide a platform for the global healthcare industry to meet and discuss the latest technologies and medical discoveries. Solenne Singer, Group Director for Informa Markets, said, “Arab Health and Medlab Middle East will once again reiterate the importance of the healthcare and laboratory industries as we continue to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 and provide a platform for developing solutions to overcome the pandemic." “We have witnessed a clear uptick in demand from both buyers and exhibitors eager to meet in-person, to see firsthand the latest technology and innovation on the market, while also hearing from industry professionals from around the world on the latest trends and insights. This year, both events will be integral to ongoing global recovery, and we look forward to welcoming the industry to Dubai.” More than 60,000 attendees are expected across the four days of both shows, with almost 4,000 exhibitors from the healthcare and laboratory industries confirmed. More than 60 countries are represented, with over 20 dedicated country pavilions confirmed, making Arab Health and Medlab Middle East a genuinely global healthcare showcase. Underscoring the focus on technology, Arab Health 2022 will feature the new Healthcare Transformation Zone which will explore the latest tech advancements from global innovators and disruptors. The popular start-up competition, Innov8 Talks returns and will feature 24 companies showcasing unique and innovative solutions Rounding out the Transformation Zone will be the launch of the Product Showcase segment, where a range of companies will be showcasing ground-breaking innovations shaping the future of the healthcare and laboratory industries. The innovation theme will continue through returning exhibitors, including Siemens, Canon, Masimo, Drager, GE Healthcare, Philips, Abbott, Roche, and Seegene. In another first for both events is the launch of the Future Health Summit. The high-level event will be attended by over 150 senior government healthcare officials, CEOs and visionaries, from across the globe. Moderated by Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director, Dubai Science Park, panellists include Alaa Murabit, Medical Doctor, Global Security Strategist, Women’s Rights Advocate and United Nations High-Level Commissioner on Health, Employment & Economic Growth; Dr Sameh El-Saharty, Program Leader for Human Development, GCC Country Department, The World Bank; Päivi Sillanaukee, Ambassador for Health and Wellbeing, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Veronica Beneitez Piñero, Deputy Head of Unit, Transition and Business Acceleration Services Unit, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, European Commission. As part of the Arab Health Congress, more than 550 regional and international speakers and over 2,500 delegates will participate in 12 Continuing Medical Education (CME). Conferences taking place onsite at the event include Total Radiology, Orthopaedics, Surgery, and Obs & Gyne, Other online conferences include Quality Management in Healthcare, Family Medicine, ENT, and Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. With a total of nine conferences, Medlab Middle East Congress remains one of the largest CME accredited multi-track medical laboratory congresses globally, featuring over 100 renowned laboratory champions from around the world. Eight conferences will take place live, in-person, and online, the new bonus track, Future of Lab. As part of Informa's commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the event will again take place under the protocols introduced via the company’s Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate. The enhanced measures include 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, social distancing measures, and the use of PPE, screening, and a track and trace in conjunction with local authorities. Both exhibitions are held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Dubai Healthcare Authority. Starting at 10 Am on Monday, 24 January, Arab Health and Medlab Middle East continue until 5 Pm Thursday, 27 January. For more information, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com or www.medlabme.com.

With the markets recovering from post-covid situations, organizations are in a race to reassess, revamp, rebuild their businesses. When it comes to Resilience management demand continues to outplace supply as risks are rarely predictable. Centre Systems Group, the UAE based Disruptive technology company; has been focused on helping firms secure and reinvigorate firms primarily in terms of Business Resiliency. With their clientele expanding to major Government organizations in the Middle East, they have procured a resolute trust among their customer and partner base. Centre Systems Group (CSG) has recently secured a $4 Million Investment in their quest to expand their platform onto diverse domains. The Investors, MCube Holdings were looking to expand in the UAE and the investment in CSG has given them a fortuity to do so. With CSG’s ascend as a major service provider in the Middle East market, it was an ideal choice for a confident investment. The funding comes on the basis of the secure reputation they have garnered among organizations and partners that are leading service providers internationally. While keeping strong its current expertise, CSG has not slowed down in its pursuit of innovation and diversified its investment with more ambitions. The investment will be used to accelerate its developments in its group companies with its foray into its establishment of its Cryptocurrency Exchange called CoinCULT, its NFT platform called DINERO to be established in Malaysia and Lithuania and their EV company One Moto in India. With the investment already mobilized into multilateral developments, CSG is on the lookout for Series B investments to further amplify its projections. With the company expanding its reach into Cryptocurrencies and NFT’s the investment has come at an apt time to give them a further boost to increase their momentum. Mr. Sameer Moidin -Partner with CSG, categorically mentioned that the company has already applied for license for the same in Lithuania and has the licensing process going on in Malaysia as well. With the licensing in Malaysia, CSG intends to create the first Shariah-based Crypto Currency Exchange. The launch dates for the platforms are expected to be announced soon and are predicted to be launched in the first quarter of 2022. With these developments coming to light, the CSG Office is elated and ecstatic to see their ideas in real time and are determined to deliver them. “It has been a very exhaustive process to secure the investments, our investors believed in our reputation, vision, and long-term strategy when they invested in CSG and we aim to direct it towards those goals”, said Group CEO Muzammil Riyaz. Plans are also in place to build their in-house, state-of-the-art AI based GRC Software that has been much in demand in all categories of organizations internationally. With its multidimensional approach in direction of various sectors of technology CSG has built itself a strong profile for acquiring Series B Investment it seeks to acquire.

25 December 2021, Kolkata: The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee during the Christmas Eve inaugurated a special exhibition on the various pictures of St. Francis of Assisi - the Patron Saint of Environment and the originator of the tradition of cribs - on Christmas eve. The Archbishop of Calcutta, His Grace, Thomas D’Souza, Kolkata Police Commissioner, Soumen Mitra, Swiss Ambassador in India, Dr Ralf Heckner, Mr Umesh Chowdhary, Swiss Honorary Consul in Kolkata, industrialist Mr Pramode Kumar Agarwal and other dignitaries were present. The pictorial displays of St Francis of Assisi at the exhibition, have been conceptualised by Church Art and would be installed in the Cathedral premises to inspire and motivate people to love and protect Mother Earth. “This year, as Christians heed to the call of green Christmas, tradition recalls a Catholic saint who returned to nature by promoting “presepio vivente” - a living crib. A crib, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The origin of the Christmas Crib or Manger or Nativity scene is often first ascribed to Saint Francis of Assisi, who, in 1223 AD, celebrated the `Feast of the Nativity’ in a new way that led to a new devotional practice popular even today,” said Fr Franklin Menezes, Parish Priest of The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, Burrabazar. The Cathedral was founded on 1799. Fr. Franklin Menezes called on everyone to respect and protect Mother nature and earth’s environment. The Cathedral is celebrating a green Christmas to spread environmental awareness and practice in daily life the conservation of nature and its resources. Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds, the Magi, and angels may be displayed near the manger. Distinctive nativity scenes and traditions have been created around the world and are displayed during the Christmas season in churches, homes, shopping malls, and other venues, and occasionally on public places and in public buildings. The Vatican has displayed a scene in St. Peter's Square near its Christmas tree since 1982 and the Pope has for many years blessed the mangers of children assembled in St. Peter's Square for a special ceremony. In 2015, the first ever crib set depicting Jesus’ birth from India, designed by Kolkata-based organization Church Art, was added to the International Nativity Museum of Bethlehem’s collection of 223 nativity representations from over 93 countries. The International Nativity Museum in Bethlehem, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is currently located close to the Church of Bethlehem which is considered to be the spot where Jesus was born. Local lore passed down from ancient times holds that the three travelers or Magi who were guided by a star had passed through this path where the International Nativity Museum now stands. History tells us that St. Francis of Assisi was inspired by his visit to the Holy Land in 1219 where he had been shown Jesus's traditional birthplace. It was in 1223 that the first crèche was celebrated in the woods of Greccio near Assisi, on Christmas Eve. St. Francis’ idea of bringing Bethlehem into one’s own town spread quickly all over the Christian world, and soon after the death of Francis in 1226 there were Christmas cribs in churches and homes. The home crib became popular in Catholic Europe after 1600, owing, it is said, to the efforts of the Capuchins.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), once again hosted an Advisory Board Meeting at the Address Skyview, Downtown Dubai, bringing together travel and tourism leaders and experts to discuss trending opportunities and challenges facing the industry post-pandemic. ATM’s Advisory Board was set up to provide counsel on industry themes, challenges, growth opportunities and future strategies, while brainstorming other topics and issues for debate at ATM 2022, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 8-11 May. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “We wanted to connect with a broad range of industry stakeholders to fully appreciate their key issues. More importantly, how those issues might impact the hospitality and the regional tourism landscape, as we work to build the agenda for ATM 2022, providing more business opportunities for our exhibitors and visitors.” Board attendees included Jamel Chandoul, SVP Retail ME&A, Amadeus; Gregory Fuller, Director of Brand Activation, Dubai Tourism; Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality; Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG; Ian Albert, CEO MENA, Colliers International; Jeff Strachan, Director, Dubai College of Tourism; Sandeep Walia, COO, Marriott International; Raki Phillips, CEO, RAKTDA; Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels; Mohammad Al Hashimi, VP Commercial, Emirates; Bilal Kabbani, Sector Lead Branding, MENA Google; Marloes Knippenburg, CEO, Kerten Hospitality; and Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO, Rotana. “During the debate which took place on 23rd November, three main topics came to the fore – innovation, attracting and retaining talent and sustainability, which will certainly feature in our seminar programme next year,” added Curtis. In terms of innovation, the board debated how the pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital and technology in general and that companies were now focused more on innovating and leveraging third party data to adapt to the new normal. Examples used were the ways in which organisations were actively searching to simplify the payment process and defragment the way content is being pushed to customers. Furthermore, the board discussed the need for investment to facilitate the travel experience, ensuring customers felt safe through a frictionless journey. Although members agreed that technology would never totally replace human interaction, offering choice was imperative. By limiting the need to interact physically, the risk of further contamination could be reduced, highlighting the need to integrate all tech’ products for mainstream travel sectors, accommodating, wherever possible, a seamless travel experience. “The Middle East’s track record is especially strong in this area, having taken advantage of cutting-edge services and technologies to bring luxury travel to millions, however it was acknowledged that tourism and hospitality is still being disproportionately affected by the fallout from Covid-19. “Supporting sector-specific innovation and bringing it to market, therefore, has never been so important – both in terms of the immediate recovery and longer-term sustainability,” added Curtis. Turning to sustainability, the board discussed the positive trend of environmentally friendly practices and how essential it was, especially when reaching out to younger travellers. Google’s recent sustainability rating for hotels, was an example cited of reacting to such a trend, however although great strides had been made further investment would be required, whether through private or government support. Another salient point that was raised, was the link between sustainability and talent acquisition – hospitality school and university graduates would be far more willing to embark on a career in an industry that was environmentally responsible. It was widely accepted that there was an industry-wide shortage of talent. Although the pandemic hit the travel and tourism community harder than most, few sectors escaped its negative impact, which is why the travel and tourism sector will need to face up to the challenge of competing with multiple markets to attract the brightest new employees, graduates and innovators. The board also recognised that many people had witnessed another aspect of the work life balance having spent extended periods working from home and the flexibility and convenience that affords. The industry would need to start reconnecting through platforms such as ATM to better understand the expectations and aspirations of the future generations coming into the industry.

The Indian Captive Power Producers Association (ICPPA)In a recent representation to Ministry of Coal, Railways and Power, Government of India has sought urgent support for normalizing the coal supplies to Captive Power Plant (CPP) based industries. It has highlighted the issue of insufficient coal rake supplies to CPP based industries at levels of 40% to 50%. If this is not restored immediately, it would lead to an irrevocable collateral damage of these national assets. In the last few months, the supplies meant for CPPs & industries have been either stopped or significantly curtailed for diversion of these to the power sector, which has led to a perilous situation for other Coal-based Power Generators (CPP), adversely impacting their industrial operations. The decision of Coal diversion, left CPP-dependent industry with no time to devise mitigation plans for sustainable operations, forcing CPPs to curtail generation or come to a standstill. On an average, Captive Power Plant-based industries are getting less than 50% of the Coal against secured linkages and CIL auctions. Importantly, curtailment to CPP is continuing despite Power Sector having come out of the coal crisis. With the coordinated efforts of all ministries, the situation for State Power Sector has improved to current levels of 10 days. However, the CPP industry consumers are still getting overall coal supplies at just 40% to 50% levels leaving them struggling to get uninterrupted coal supplies for continued operations. Also, the Coal -Rake dispatch is at a much lower levels than their requirement booked through linkage and auctions. The Aluminium industry operations are one of the most severely impacted with the price being on a rise recently due to the global shortage. With the coal crisis impacting the industry, the scarcity will lead to further increase in rates. Being a metal of strategic importance, the country cannot afford the shock of Aluminium shortage. Any power outage in Aluminium plants will lead to catastrophic impact & complete shutdown which will take minimum 12 Months of recovery, resulting in job loss of more than 8 lakh people. Banks will have debt exposure of over Rs.1 Lakh Crores and additional National forex loss of Rs. 90,000 Crs. (~$ 12 billion). Aluminium production is a 24x7, 365 days continuous process industry which is highly power intensive. To meet stringent & continuous Power demand the industry has set up their inhouse Captive Power Plant CPPs of ~ 9,400 MW (9.4 GW i.e., 34% of Thermal CPP capacity of the country) with an investment of ~ Rs. 50,000 Crs. The industry can only meet its power requirement through CPPs for which it requires 1.5 Lakh Tons of domestic Coal daily (~ 55 million Tons every year). To meet the extensive Coal demand, the industry has set up plants in the vicinity of Coal bearing areas, with Power plants designed to operate on domestic Coal. Therefore, it is critical to maintain continuous Coal supplies to the Aluminium sector for production of captive power as any shortfall will jeopardize investments of Rs. 1.4 Lakh Crore including debt of Rs. 1 Lakh Crores. This shall also cause shortage of raw material to key industries leading to increase in Aluminium import & loss of export earnings, having an impact of ~$ 10 Bn per annum (~Rs. 70,000 Crs. every year). Keeping the above in mind, The Indian Captive Power Producers Association has requested the ministry’s immediate intervention for normalizing 100% Coal rakes supplies to CPP industry and help them to partner the economic development of the nation.

VFS Global has been nominated the new Trade and Marketing Agency for Turismo de Portugal, the official Tourism Board for Portugal, responsible for building destination awareness in the market, attracting more visitor footfall from India, and positioning Portugal as the leading destination for travellers across segments. In its role, VFS Global will help establish a bigger media outreach for Turismo de Portugal, providing them the latest updates about the destination, and keeping the travel trade up to date on the most recent and relevant information on places, products, and experiences. Additionally, there will be a focus on building corporate and airline partnerships to establish Portugal as a preferred destination in the Indian market. "Since the opening of our Turismo de Portugal office in 2020, based in New Delhi, our aim is to work with the entire Indian market. This is a very strong commitment, and we have selected VFS Global as our local Travel Trade and PR Agency to help us with this thrilling and huge task, with two major objectives. First one is to increase awareness about Portugal as a tourist destination and the second one, of course, is to increase partnerships with different tour operators and travel agencies to increase their knowledge and expertise on Portugal and to create the best conditions for these potential partners to bring more business here from India," said Claudia Matias, Director - India, Turismo de Portugal. “Portugal is the ideal destination for Indian travellers across segments and budgets, with an array of offerings from traditional tourist activities such as night life and nature to bespoke experiences including destination weddings and large family getaways. From sandy beaches to lush vineyards, this Southern European country has a range of activities, attractions and experiences for Free and Independent Travellers (FITs), well-travelled and first-time Indian tourists. We look forward to promoting the wonders of Portugal to customers through our partners and media here in India,” said Arzan Khambatta, Head – Tourism Services, VFS Global. Travellers can lose themselves in the history of heritage sites such as the Monastery of Alcobaça & Batalha and the Convent of the Order of Christ in Tomar; indulge in experiences like the Douro River Cruise and explore Porto, an ancient city, whose historic centre has been classified as World Heritage; get the adrenaline flowing with equestrian and water sports, feel one with nature on the many hiking and cycling trails, star gazing nights, whale and dolphin watching excursions, and visits to Geopark Serra da Estrela and Berlenga Biosphere reserve, host MICE activities and groups in the many state-of-the-art, luxurious venues available, and so much more. Portugal is also an encounter with spirituality. The Portuguese Road to Santiago and the Paths of Fátima are increasingly sought out by those who like walking a purpose, focusing on knowledge, nature and culture. Portugal has something for everyone and for the foodies, the mastery of talented chefs has also raised Portuguese cooking to the heights of the best cuisines in the world. One of the things that tourists notice most when they visit Portugal, is the hospitality and friendliness of the Portuguese, who are always ready to help if they are stopped on the street and asked for information. Perhaps it is the sun which gives us a good disposition, to welcome anyone, wherever they’re from. Portugal has 7 regions, which means that it has a lot to visit and discover. #YouCantSkipPortugal.

Balmond Studio is delighted to unveil their latest project, the stunning new beach front residential development Southbeach Weligama, Sri Lanka which has now launched for sale globally. The development, due to be completed in 2023, includes 106 one, two, and four-bedroom apartments with freehold prices starting from $150,000 USD for a limited period. This, coupled with direct airlinks to European, Central and East Asian markets, provides international buyers with a unique investment opportunity, like those seen in Thailand before its boom. Sri Lanka is fast becoming a must-visit global destination, and Weligama town has already seen its beach front land value increase by 84% since 2016. This exciting project brings a new offering to Weligama; with lifestyle-led residences that include state-of-the-art amenities such as a restaurant, poolside bar, gym, 35m swimming pool, an art gallery and a music room; providing a five-star hotel experience at a more long-term affordable price. Weligama is also home to one of Sri Lanka’s few swim-friendly beaches, with a sea that attracts surfers who are seeking exciting new breaks. When you invest in a property at Weligama, you are investing in breakfast by the pool with the turquoise Indian Ocean for company, afternoons spent surfing and snorkelling off catamarans, and evenings watching the sunset from the Southbeach Weligama bar. Designed by Balmond Studio, who are entering an exciting new chapter of ground-breaking design in Sri Lanka, these luxurious residences are set to become one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting new addresses. Distilling years of experience into the design, the apartments feature high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, with oxidised copper façades and balconies with blue-green glass to perfectly complement the colours of the ocean and coconut trees which are just a stone’s throw away. Southbeach Weligama reflects a celebration of a new ‘young and vibrant’ Sri Lanka, encapsulating the trend for modern coastal living and inspired by local artisans: ‘Design led; Sri Lanka inspired’. At the forefront of Southbeach Weligama is a philosophy of sustainability supported by Balmond Studio Colombo’s Managing Director, John Balmond, a dedicated committee member of the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), who work with local communities to provide them with the education and tools needed to bring about long-term ecological change. With this commitment to sustainability in mind, for every apartment sold Southbeach Weligama will donate $1,000 to the LEF, while the development also aims to meet the Platinum requirements of the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. Prioritising the synergy between renewable energy and design, Southbeach Weligama will use turbines and solar panels to power the lobby and restaurant areas while rainwater harvesting systems will be utilised to conserve water. The cornerstone of Balmond Studio’s ethos is to empower local communities by using local produce in the restaurant and furnishing the apartments with pieces crafted by Sri Lankan artisans. John Balmond, Managing Director Balmond Studio Colombo commented, “We are incredibly excited about the Southbeach Weligama project, as it marks the beginning of a new phase in Balmond Studio’s growth as specialists in modern lifestyle design. We want to use this platform to shine a spotlight on the excellence of Sri Lankan craftmanship, all the furniture will be made by local artisans. Community also lies at the heart of everything we do, and we believe that involves helping local communities to prosper.” Balmond Studio is responsible for the design of Gal Oya Lodge, a unique ecolodge in the heart of one of Sri Lanka’s most remote wilderness areas, while also acting as architectural consultants for Port City Colombo a brand-new development with the vision of building a world-class city in South Asia. Creating the Port City Colombo sales gallery, Balmond Studio designed the building in a unique octagonal structure to represent it's commitment to modern architectural design in Sri Lanka Balmond Studio also helped develop Cinnamon Life, a 4.5 million sq. ft integrated mixed-use development and Sri Lanka’s largest single private investment. Designed to transform the social, cultural, and architectural paradigms of Sri Lanka, the project is a perfect urban sanctuary right in the heart of Colombo, offering luxury apartments featuring a blend of contemporary comfort and stylish sophistication. For more information, please visit: www.southbeachweligama.com

CSR Audit vs Corporate Responsibility Index Government of India is in the process of overhauling the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework. To ensure better compliance of CSR provisions, it is planning to move to an audit regime soon. While traditionally the role of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has been that of a Facilitator and a Regulator, with the coming of the CSR mandate, it has now become a Developer as well, and through CSR investments it is taking part in socio-economic development of the country. And in doing so, it now wants to move from the softer to the stricter regime. It may be noted that for CSR violations during the year 2014-15 only, 254 companies are facing prosecutions as of now. This shows the commencement of a stricter regime. The idea is to add quality dimension to CSR investment of companies to ensure that there is actually a social impact of projects undertaken. In addition to proposed CSR Audit, as per recent reports, the government plans to have a web portal which will act like an exchange platform for companies making investment, NGOs looking for investment and project implementation agencies to interact with each other. Changes in the annual filing to allow reporting of more details about CSR projects are also in the pipeline. The idea is to make it easier to identify non-compliant companies. Furthermore, there are also discussions about introducing a public rating-based evaluation of CSR performance of companies, which seems to be somewhat in the line of Corporate Responsibility Index. In this article I have discussed both CSR Audit and Corporate Responsibility Index in some detail. What is CSR Audit? Corporate social audit is an assessment of a company's performance on its corporate social responsibility objectives. In a company’s CSR activities bucket if there are measurable goals, the CSR Audit helps it measure the extent to which the goals were successfully achieved and how far the company succeeded in meeting the expectations of its stakeholders w.r.t. its social and environmental responsibilities. It helps measure the company’s actual social performance against the social objectives it had set for itself, and how the management’s decision making, mission statement and business conduct are aligned with social responsibilities. CSR audit also helps in discovering the interests and objectives of a company’s employees and stakeholders. In other words CSR Audit measures the social return on CSR investment. Companies that give importance to their social responsibility would like to know how well they have performed. In such cases CSR Audit can help it measure its actual social performance against the social objectives it had set for itself. Research has shown that integrating CSR in business strategy contributes to the following: Positive brand awareness Increased employee satisfaction Reduced operating costs Improved community relations Corporate accountability Enhanced investor reliance While day to day monitoring of CSR activities may be difficult for organisations, evaluation of its social responsibilities vis-à-vis activities undertaken are also important. This is due to many reasons. First, the management wants to assure itself that activities as planned are being rightfully taken up and effectively implemented. Second, because governmental priorities and social needs change, which calls for attention of corporate citizens. Third, social responsibilities and activities are open to intense public scrutiny. Fourth, it involves money and the investment in social responsibility should not go wrong. Hence it becomes important to do periodic evaluation to know whether the company is hitting the mark, or falling short of the expectations of stakeholders and its own objectives. Such periodic evaluation would be termed as CSR Audit. It is not mandatory in India, but many companies do voluntarily go for such evaluation and impact assessment of its social initiatives. How and where to start? As long as CSR Audit is not mandated, a company may choose to have the auditing process conducted internally by the employees. To have an independent opinion, a company may also go for audit by an outside consultant who has relevant expertise. This will also add value and bring credibility to the evaluation. Stakeholders and the public in general will also have more reliance on an outsider’s audit and opinion. CSR Audit stages The following would be the suggested steps for CSR Audit: Definition of the depth and scope of the audit assignment based on the goal of audit Launching the assignment to employee(s) or an external agency Interviews of all the CSR stakeholders to understand the impact Analysis of all the CSR activities and assessment of social performance Comparison with benchmarks laid by leaders in the industry as also companies in other industries that are complying with similar social responsibilities If some projects have failed, the reason therefor Where projects have been successfully executed, how they could be made better Delivery of the Audit Report Does Your Company ‘Walk-the-Talk?’ This would mean evaluating whether the company strictly follows the CSR guidelines and objectives laid by it (as also the legal requirements in the Indian context). CSR Stakeholders Government – Adherence to legislations, Information Disclosure, & Environment Protection Employees – Safety, Health & Environment Customers – Quality control & Customer satisfaction Shareholders – Proactive communication & Information disclosure Suppliers – market information exchange (valued business partners) CSR Audit framework To demonstrate good corporate citizenship, companies in India can voluntarily go for CSR Audit and in the absence of any specific Audit guidelines or auditing standards, companies may report in accordance with a number of globally accepted CSR reporting standards that include: AccountAbility’s AA100 standard Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines Verite’s Monitoring Guidelines Social Accountability International’s SA8000 standard Green Globe Certification / Standard The ISO 14000 environmental management standard The FTSE Group – FTSE4GOOD Index The United Nations Global Compact – Communication on Progress (COP) Report The Audit Report On completion of the CSR audit, a company may choose to keep the report for use of the management only, or make it public. Some companies come up with a periodic CSR Report and they may choose to publish the audit report in it. The same may also be made available on the website for the knowledge of all the stakeholders in general. For listed companies this report is all the more important to make public. For some companies the audit report may be just a document helpful in monitoring and evaluating the company’s social performance, for others it may be a means of judging the external environment to find out as to how vulnerable the company is. For yet others the audit report is helpful in gaining an edge over competitors. Some companies may decide to exclusively use the Audit report for internal training purposes only towards the end of bettering its future social performances. Based on a company’s audit findings, the management may brainstorm on how to do the CSR projects better in order to have greater impact and how to select projects in order to strategically set the company apart. It may focus on areas that need improvement and those that may be carried on the way they have been done. The audit report may also focus on the community issues that are likely to affect the company’s business and what role the company would like to play in resolving them. The management may also like to rework the timeline for project implementation. Benefits of CSR Audit There are many benefits of getting a CSR Audit done, even if not required by law. Not only does CSR Audit provide information to analyse the performance of the company’s social projects it also helps to single out the areas that need improvement to achieve the desired organizational goals. The cost incurred in getting the audit done may thus be rightfully treated as business expenditure. The following are some of the key benefits a company may derive from the audit: Helps lower the chances of failure of CSR projects Helps plan the proper implementation of the programme Determines the long term impact of social projects Assesses the impact of the organization on the society Provides important data to communicate to the stakeholders for positive impact Enhances the efficiency of operations by lowering loopholes, bureaucracy and corruption Helps to ensure optimum utilisation of available resources including manpower Brings awareness among management and employees for using sustainable approach in their work Helps reduce the operation costs in the long term Serves as a way of communicating with various stakeholders Helps identify unproductive projects vis-à-vis the productive ones Ensures that CSR projects are not duplicated CSR Audit in India As of now the CSR Audit is not mandatory in India. But discussions are going on in this line for introducing CSR Audit. Audit of welfare projects have already been initiated with teams headed by eminent persons. A Government level CSR Committee is expected to be formed in this regard and it is expected to have eminent person, technology experts and NGO representatives on board. The Committee will ensure compliance of CSR law. Since discussions are at the very initial stage, it is not clear as to what type of audit will be proposed for CSR. It may be in the form of an audit by third party agencies (like Statutory Audit, Secretarial Audit and Cost Audit) or a Social Audit in the form of projects rating by the society. Further, it is yet to be seen whether the audit will be in the form of a compliance audit like the examples stated earlier, or will it be audit of impact assessment of projects only. Ideally, it should be a combination of both. What is Corporate Responsibility Index? It is a strategic management tool that is aimed at enhancing the capacity of businesses to develop, measure and communicate best practice in the field of corporate social responsibility. This is done through benchmarking corporate social responsibility strategy and implementation process. The CR Index was created by more than eighty leading businesses in the UK and Business in the Community, which is a unique movement of 700 member companies committed to continually improving their positive impact on society. Launched in 2002, the CRI provides a standardized method and question set through which companies can report on their ethical and environmental performance, and the extent to which responsible business is integrated into their strategy. It does not cover the normal business operations of the company. At present the CRI is in the form of an online questionnaire, where the index covers four areas: corporate strategy, integration, management and impact (which covers six environmental and social impact areas) with questions on everything from diversity policies to carbon emissions reduction goals. Points are awarded to companies for individual questions from which they are given percentage scores for each area. Then the total is drawn to find the company’s overall percentage score. Thereafter the performance bands, viz. Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum Big Tick, are awarded to the companies. Continued high scoring year after year would suggest that a company is maintaining commitment to a responsible business agenda. The Questionnaire is devised in such a manner that it would encourage more and more companies to participate. It is a big challenge to keep the questionnaire detailed enough and at the same time not making it boring. While the existing CRI is a questionnaire-based, the same may also be made social audit-based. Similar data about a company’s performance may be gathered from the public which can rate the projects of companies on the lines of hotel or film ratings online. The government of India is probably looking at introducing this kind of a rating at the moment as per the latest reports published. Benefits of Corporate Responsibility Index Whether incorporating the Corporate Responsibility Index in Annual Financial Statements would be beneficial for a company or not needs to be seen. But apparently, the following would be the benefits of CRI: Simple exercise resulting in evaluation of CSR projects The index is easy for stakeholders to understand and have an idea about the company’s performance Involvement of the public at large indicates zero bias Companies will tend to be more responsible if the grading is in the hands of the society Duplicity, delay and inefficiency of projects may be checked Chances of failure of CSR projects will be lowered Long term impact of social projects can be assessed The impact of the organization on the society can be evaluated Optimum utilisation of available resources including manpower will be ensured There will be awareness among management and employees for using sustainable approach in their work There will be reduction in the operation costs in the long term Conclusion For a country like India, mandatory CSR seems to be a step in the right direction. But the codification is definitely poor. We are in a Trial and Error phase with not much of specific guidelines to follow. The coming years will see a lot more stringency and clarity of provisions. If any monitoring mechanism like CSR Audit or Corporate Responsibility Index is introduced, CSR law compliance will also shoot up. Until then we can ‘Wait and Watch’.

The Ministry of Tourism has the honor to inform the public and international tourists that, with the permission granted by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia will be reopening to international visitors beginning with Preah Sihanouk City and Koh Rong City of Preah Sihanouk province, and Dara Sakor tourist resort in Koh Kong province from 30 November 2021 onward. This will be followed by the reopening of Siem Reap province in January 2022. The reopening is being implemented within the framework of "vaccinated" tourism program which allows international visitors to enjoy a quarantine-free stay and visit in Safe and Green Destinations for up to 5 days. Tourists visiting under this program will be required to submit themselves to rapid Covid-19 antigen test only upon arrival at the airport. If the test result is negative, the visitors will enjoy free movement within the designated Safe and Green Destinations, where all tourism business and service establishments have been inspected in advance to ensure their compliance with the standard operation procedures (SOP) and tourism safety measures. Foreign tourists visiting under this program can apply for tourism visa type T at Cambodian Embassy or Consular Office in their respective countries. Alternatively, they can also apply for E-Visa. Their visit falls under the Covid-19 vaccinated tourism package category or is part of family or small groups of high-end visitors who have been injected with adequate doses of vaccine against Covid.19. To meet the requirements of this reopening program, foreign visitors shall attach the following documents when applying for Cambodian visa: An authentic/legitimate certificate confirming injection of adequate doses of vaccine against Covid-19, Address of booked and paid-for accommodation in Safe and Green Destinations, Health insurance for travel to Cambodia, including insurance for any eventual Covid­19 treatment, and insurance to reimburse any eventual cancelation of the already booked tourism services in Cambodia, Flight ticket, A 'no Covid-19 infection' certificate issued 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure, and History of travel during the 14-day period prior to departing to Cambodia. International tourists coming under this program will be required to submit themselves for PCR test - with the purpose to ensure that they are Covid-19 negative - one (1) day before leaving the designated Safe and Green Destinations to travel to other areas in the country or to leave Cambodia altogether. Public and International travelers are to be informed accordingly.

Singapore, 29 October 2021 – Today marks the successful conclusion of the extensive event programme, networking opportunities and business-driven discussions at ITB Asia 2021. For the first time, Asia’s leading travel trade show spanned an entire week, and as usual covered both current and forward-looking leisure, MICE, corporate travel and travel technology topics. An impressive 42,100 business meetings and exchanges were recorded throughout the week, representing an increase of 31 percent from 2020. The event hosted over 900 buyers and 400 sponsors & exhibitors from around the world who participated in the show's vibrant agenda of conferences and networking sessions, supported by leading global companies and destinations, including Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Busan Tourism Organisation, Business Events Perth, Danang Center for Tourism Promotion, Department of Information and Tourism,Taipei City Government, Far East Hospitality, Frasers Hospitality, Goyang Convention Bureau, Gyeonggi Tourism Organisation, Jeju Convention Bureau, Leningrad Region, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Organisation, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Melia Hotels Group, St. Petersburg Convention Bureau, United Airlines, Worldhotels Collection, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Yokohama Convention Bureau. The show featured more than 3,200 exhibitor showcases, creating a favorable marketplace for buyers and sellers to engage in meaningful business meetings and discussions. Asia’s leading travel trade show, which was eagerly awaited by the industry, was hosted virtually on the well-established online platform, ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community). Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia shared: “We are proud that with this year’s virtual ITB Asia, we were once again able to provide a unique meeting platform for the travel industry in surely one of the most challenging times. I am very pleased with the outcome of the show. Building on our experience with the virtual edition last year, we were able to further expand the event format and give our clients more opportunities for interactive engagements with the travel community. We look forward to welcoming the industry back in-person in Singapore from 19 – 21 October 2022, bringing back human connections through face-to-face business meetings and networking sessions. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank this year’s Elite Partners, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, for their support and cooperation over the past months”. Recovery and growth of travel represented the 2021 conference theme Under the overarching theme of “The Decade Ahead: Braving New Realities in Travel”, this year’s conference programme delivered captivating insights on how to lead the industry towards recovery and growth, setting the tone for the changes that the industry is likely to see in the next months. Over 150 key industry experts delivered fascinating insights at the keynote sessions, as well as focused topics for the MICE and Corporate segment, Leisure Travel, the Travel Tech space and Tours, Activities & Attractions amongst others. With the virtual format of the trade show, over 250 sessions have been made available on-demand for all registered delegates to view and watch again till 28 November 2021. The following is an overview of a selection of exciting sessions and speakers from the past conference: What Will Your Future Cruise Look Like? Ben Angell, Vice President & Managing Director, APAC, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Rebuilding Travel Post-Vaccine Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) When Will Asia Pacific Travel Again? Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director & Vice President Asia Pacific, Booking.com The New Normal for the Hotel Business Nicolas Huss, CEO, Hotelbeds Carlos Muñoz, CCO, Hotelbeds The Evolution of the Traveller Through COVID-19 Stephen Kaufer, President & CEO, Tripadvisor Sessions led by MICE profiles Beyond Hybrid – The Future of Experiential Anna Patterson, Vice President & Managing Director, George P. Johnson (Singapore) Private Limited Experience Marketing What US Corporations Are Saying About Incentive Trave Aoife Delaney, President, SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence The New Agents of Change Dan Rivlin, CEO, Kenes Group Leadership in Times of Crisis Jocelyne Mülli, Managing Director, K.I.T. Group GmbH Sessions led by Corporate Travel profiles Back on the Road – New Era, New Rules! Will Business Travel Be the Same Again? Bertrand Saillet, Managing Director, FCM Travel Asia Environmental, Social and Governance: Business Travel’s Responsibilities Brett Thomson, General Manager, Corporate Travel, TAG Global Travel and Events Navigating Through the Industry’s Greatest Crisis Carl Jones, Vice President, Head of Strategy, Asia Pacific, SAP Concur How Digital Nomads and Bleisure Are Re-Defining the Future of Business Travel David Hughes, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, UNIGLOBE Travel International High Touch Service in the Digital Age Jane Warren, CEO, APAC & ME, Reed & Mackay Business Travel Post-Vaccine: A Reset for 2022 Michelle McKinney Frymire, CEO, CWT Corporate Travel Megatrends Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA - Global Business Travel Association Sessions led by Accommodation and Hotels profiles COVID-19 – Emerging Stronger and Better David Kong, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group How the Extended-Stay Segment is Leading the Journey to Recovery Dean Schreiber, CEO, Oakwood Asia Pacific Recovery: How Hoteliers Can Reignite Confidence in Travel Joon Aun Ooi, President, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Shifting Sands: How We Can Adapt to Changing Perceptions of Travel Michael Marshall, CCO, Minor Hotels Restoring Travellers’ Confidence Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director - APAC, WorldHotels The Future of Family Travel: RE-connecting or DE-connecting? Rachael Harding, CEO of East, South Asia and Pacific, Club Med Banking on Technology and EQ to Thrive Through the Recovery and Beyond Rainer Stampfer, President, Hotel Operations - APAC, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts People, Communities and Our Big Opportunity Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts A CEO’s Vision of Recovery and Opportunity William (Bill) J. Hornbuckle, CEO & President, MGM Resorts International Sessions led by Travel Technology profiles How Will Technology Change Travel? Eric Bailey, Global Director, Travel, Meetings & Payments, Microsoft Shane O'Flaherty, Global Director, Travel, Transport, Logistics & Hospitality, Microsoft Technology, Travel and COVID Recovery John Brown, CEO, Agoda Timothy Hughes, Vice President, Corporate Development, Agoda Accelerating Hospitality’s Recovery: The Vital Role of Technology Patrick Andres, Regional Vice President Asia-Pacific, Oracle Hospitality Technology and the Future of Travel Renaud Nicolle, Senior Vice President, Business Travel, Amadeus, Asia Pacific Sessions led by Tours, Activities & Attractions profiles The Next Generation of Technological Innovation in the Travel Sector Dana Dunne, CEO, eDreams ODIGEO How Will Tours & Activities Support the Return of Travel? David Schelp, CEO of TUI Musement, Member of the TUI Group Executive Committee New Ways of Generating Business for Tours and Activities Enrique Ybarra, Founder, President & CEO, City Sightseeing Worldwide The Future of Travel Experiences - Adopting Digital While Retaining a Genuine Human Touch Hamish Keith, CEO, EXO Travel Group The Tomorrow’s DMCs Stephan Roemer, CEO, Diethelm Travel Group Making Every Travel Experience Count Through Sustainability Wolf Paunic, President, Trafalgar Save the date: ITB Asia 2022 live in Singapore again Next year’s edition of ITB Asia is scheduled to take place as an in-person event in Singapore from 19-21 October 2022. Stand registration for ITB Asia 2022 is available through this link. For more information on ITB Asia 2022, the sales brochure can be downloaded here.

DUBAI, 24 October 2021 – United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has commended the UAE leadership for delivering a meaningful World Expo, despite challenges caused by the pandemic, describing Expo 2020 Dubai as a solid building block towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the road to Agenda 2030. Visiting Expo 2020 Dubai as part of the United Nations Honour Day on Sunday, Mohammed was welcomed by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020 Dubai. Amina Mohammed said: “With 192 nations represented, Expo is an auspicious occasion to mark 76 years of multilateralism… of nations and people working together towards a better world for everyone, guided by our founding document, the Charter of the United Nations…I’m very heartened to hear that sustainability is a common theme in all pavilions and that the SDGs are incorporated in many of the Expo’s presentations. “I offer my sincere gratitude and recognise the leadership of the UAE for bringing the world together, nations united, here at the Expo, and for doing so with so much grace, efficiency and inspiration, and for being a generous and reliable partner to the United Nations in our humanitarian and development cause.” Mohammed commended Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, describing the Expo 2020 Director General as an inspiration and an incredible leader. “I have watched you put on paper what the aspirations of this nation are, and to bring them to realisation here. That is leadership. At a time when there is a dark cloud, you have presented a real vision for what we can do to recover better, for how the world can look beyond the UAE – beyond your neighbourhood – into this global community. You’ve given hope and a sense of dignity to everyone that has participated in this Expo. On this incredible day for the UN, which we are all a part of, we need that; we need that hope to carry with us.” Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali said: “Today we recognise the pivotal role that the United Nations plays in galvanising action towards affecting real change through the value and power of multilateralism. Located in Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, the #UNHub examines how to unlock the potential of individuals and communities in creating positive change for people and planet. “The #UNHub also focuses on programming that champions international cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Decade of Action. The United Nations has partnered with Expo 2020 Dubai through comprehensive programming and a series of events and cultural activities that engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds, complementing and amplifying Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet.” UN Honour Day is being marked with a variety of events at Al Wasl Plaza and the #UNHub, including a cultural performance by the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) – a group of young musicians from the UAE and the Arab world devoted to cultivating the musical talent of youth – and the opening of a photography exhibition marking the UN’s 76th anniversary. The exhibition – #TheWorldWeWant – runs until the conclusion of Expo 2020, and has been curated from more than 50,000 images from 130-plus countries. It is located at the plaza of Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion just across from the #UNHub, which is also hosting a special SDG Art Exhibit, with original pieces by artists from around the world, aimed at inspiring action and understanding of the SDGs. National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to mark each of Expo’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture, achievements and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances. Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

New York, 04 October, 2021: Gurugram, India based hospitality firm, Morpho Hotels and Resorts India Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Upjeet Singh Sahota have founded Morpho Hotels and Resorts USA LLC based in New York. With the acquisition of the Rodeway Inn, a Choice Hotel in the city of Holdrege, Nebraska, thereby taking their first step towards Morpho Hotels vision of expanding in USA and select strategic International markets via owned and managed assets. Rodeway Inn Holdrege, Nebraska, a Choice Gold Award winner for 2020 and 2021, is a 40 keys Choice Hotel with an indoor whirlpool, indoor temperature control swimming pool, gymnasium, spacious meeting venue, video game arcade and a business centre. The property is advantageously located at 420 Broadway Street on Highway 6 and 34, about 18 miles south of Interstate 80, making it an ideal destination for travelers. Commenting on the acquisition, Dipinder Benjamin, Founder & CEO, Morpho Hotels and Resorts quotes, “We intend to build an intimate chain of world-class ‘smart’ hotels that leverage Asian roots of empathetic service with a razor sharp focus on yield management and profit optimization. Customized Technology is our greatest tool in this ambition. Our expansion plans continue to be robust through multiple routes of investments, management contracts and branding of mid-market hotels across GCC, Indian Ocean and Europe.” Upjeet Singh Sahota, Director of Operational Excellence and Business Development, India and Overseas further adds, “Our aim through this acquisition with 100% equity is to take Morpho Hotels and Resorts to the next stage of hotel development and ownership, particularly in newer markets outside India. We will also augment our endeavors with managed hotels in USA and other strategic International markets. Our focus is to build confidence with prospective owners and partners to achieve success together.” Currently, Morpho Hotels and Resorts manages properties in Goa, Coorg and Bokaro with more hotels under development in Kasauli and Darjeeling. Moreover, Morpho Hotels and Resorts has developed a wholesome pipeline of hotels coming up in Gurugram, Chandigarh, Nalanda, Kochi, Manali, Bangalore and Lucknow alongside Dubai, Kathmandu and Barcelona.

DUBAI, 2 October 2021 – Sir Tim Smit KBE will take the mic at the World Majlis, as part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Climate & Biodiversity Week. The world-renowned ecological expert will share his insights on advancing ecological protection via diplomacy, as part of the session titled Nature’s Game of Jenga: Getting Creative to Fight Biodiversity Loss, held in collaboration with Switzerland on Sunday 3 October from 1600-1800 in the Terra Auditorium. Sir Tim has been pivotal in developing Expo 2020’s Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. He is Co-Founder of the UK’s eco-attraction the Eden Project, which transformed a china clay pit into the world’s largest indoor rainforest and has attracted more than 22 million people since it opened in 2001. Sir Tim Smit KBE said: “Eden is immensely proud to have been offered the opportunity to create marvellous things inside Terra with genius designer Tom Hennes of Thinc Design. We knew it would have to be brave and startling to capture the imagination of people from all over the world coming to be inspired and entertained. “The Expo team deserve huge credit for encouraging the creatives to go for their shots, raising emotionally interesting and challenging questions, and ultimately asking all of us: how would we like to be remembered 100 years from now? “In our view, this is the world’s first rock’n’roll science centre. Congratulations to all. We loved working on it and we look forward to this being just the start of something very special indeed.” Eden Project’s work has expanded to other countries, including Costa Rica’s tropical forest. Sir Tim is also Executive Co-Chair for Eden Project International, which aims to have an Eden Project on every habited continent by 2025. Sir Tim will be joined by Professor Alexandre Roulin from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. In collaboration with Switzerland, the Maldives and the UK, the World Majlis kicks off its series of 52 conversations with four events, each featuring up to 10 globally recognised thought-leaders and decision-makers, to answer the question: “What if we could do more to save the planet?”. World Majlis guests will also speak about why humanity needs to reinvent its relationship with nature and how to do it; opportunities in engineering climate solutions through technological innovations; how to think of sustainability as an accessible opportunity for all; and the importance of empowering more women to address climate change.

New Delhi, 27th September 2021: Vedanta Aluminium Business, India’s largest producer of the aluminium and value-added products, has bagged top spots at Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Cycle-II among the Indian Aluminium Industry. Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is a regulatory instrument deployed by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, to reduce specific energy consumption in energy intensive industries with an associated market-based mechanism to enhance cost effectiveness through certification of excess energy savings, which can be traded. Among Aluminium Smelters in India, Vedanta’s subsidiary Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) secured the coveted top spot with the highest Energy Saving Certificates, followed by Vedanta Jharsuguda’s Smelter I. Vedanta’s Alumina Refinery at Lanjigarh, ranked highest among peer alumina producers. An alumina refinery is a plant where bauxite is refined into aluminium oxide or alumina, and an aluminium smelter is a plant where aluminium is produced from alumina. These achievements bear testimony to Vedanta Aluminium’s robust endeavours towards energy conservation for business and environment sustainability. Speaking about Vedanta’s energy stewardship, Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium Business, said, “Being India’s largest aluminium producer, our aim at Vedanta Aluminium is to be the best in all facets of business, including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability. Maximising energy conservation and minimising carbon footprint are two key pillars of our sustainable business development agenda. A three-pronged strategy of ensuring judicious resource usage, energy-efficient operations, and renewable energy sourcing, helps us further our energy sustainability and climate action goals. Towards this, we have adopted global best-practises in energy and resource management, and deployed cutting-edge solutions to reduce our carbon footprint.” Energy management is at the heart of Vedanta Aluminium’s climate action roadmap, and finds realization through dedicated efforts towards attaining highest operational efficiency of assets and processes. These include impactful initiatives for optimisation of specific energy consumption in production processes and a long-term focus on migrating to low carbon energy mix. Mr. Prafulla Behera, Site In-Charge of IGSEC Heavy Engineering Limited, which is the Operations & Maintenance partner for Power Plant at Lanjigarh, adds, “With our engineering and domain expertise, we have been working with Vedanta on their energy efficiency and energy sustainability targets. We are proud to be playing a crucial role in Vedanta’s journey towards being a forerunner in the field of energy conservation and ensuring maximum energy optimization at its world-class refinery operations.” Vedanta’s Alumina Refinery, Aluminium Smelters and Power Plants have been forerunners in the realm of energy management, among the Indian manufacturing sectors. Few notable initiatives and highlights: Vedanta Aluminium was India’s largest green power purchaser in Q1FY22, having procured 354 million units of solar and non-solar renewable energy for its aluminium smelter at Jharsuguda. Vedanta Aluminium Business has significantly reduced its GHG emission intensity by 21% with 2012 as baseline, and aims to reduce it by 24% in 2025 over the same baseline. Climate action initiatives across all Business Units have resulted in energy conservation of 1.4 million GJ and GHG savings of 0.32 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) in FY 20-21. Vedanta’s aluminium smelter at Jharsuguda is India’s first, and the world’s third smelter to deploy Digital Smelter Solution, which uses digital twin technology, predictive and prescriptive analytics to enhance energy efficiency. The Jharsuguda smelter is also the amongst the first few aluminium smelters in Asia to receive ISO 50001 certificate for Energy Management System. BALCO Vedanta’s subsidiary at Chhattisgarh, achieved lowest specific power consumption in its Potline-I in 2020, which is among the best in India and the Gulf countries. A potline is a long building, or collection of buildings, located in a smelter and contains a series of ‘pots’, or large electrolytic cells, in which aluminium smelting is carried out. Vedanta Lanjigarh's specific energy consumption has reduced by over 23% over the last five years, making it one of the most energy efficient refineries in the country. Vedanta’s ‘Carbon Forum’ is actively working on guiding implementation of the company’s carbon mitigation approach. Vedanta Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium, producing half of India’s aluminium i.e. 1.96 million tonnes in FY21. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class Aluminium Smelters, Alumina Refinery and Power Plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.

LONDON (24 September 2021) --- As summer turns to autumn, fly away for some golden sunshine, sandy beaches and crowd-free sightseeing. Following the announcement that Turkey moved onto England’s amber list on 22 September 2021, leading low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, has expanded its schedule and its number of direct flights from London Stansted and Manchester to Turkey and beyond with low-cost and flexible fares, and its health and safety-first approach. Pegasus has reinstated direct flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport from London Stansted, with twice-daily flights departing at 14:40 and 00:05 from London Stansted Airport, and returning from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 11:35 and 21:00. Flights are now on sale from £49.99 one-way. Five-times weekly direct flights are now also operating from Manchester Airport to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, departing at 12:50, with returning flights departing from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 09:45 (local times apply). One-way fares from Manchester are on sale now from £74.99. Both routes offer excellent onward connections across Pegasus’ network of 36 destinations in Turkey, including to the popular coastal resorts oozing culture and relaxation, such as Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya - as well its 83 other international destinations. More direct flights Pegasus Airlines’ expanded schedule includes five-times weekly direct flights from 21 October between London Stansted and Izmir, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, with flights departing at 12:55 from London Stansted, and returning flights departing Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport at 10:05 (local times apply). Direct flights to Izmir are on sale now from £59.99. Pegasus will also be launching direct flights between London Stansted and Antalya for the winter season on 20 October. Pegasus Airlines CCO, Güliz Özturk said: “In light of the new announcement putting Turkey back into the amber list, we’re seeing strong growth in our bookings to Turkey from England, and in response to this growing demand and desire for autumn travel, we’re delighted also to be expanding our flight programme from London Stansted and Manchester to Turkey, with excellent connections across our network of 119 destinations in 44 countries - meaning travellers will have a lot more choice with our flexible booking options this autumn and winter. We’re planning to further increase the number of our flights from England later in the autumn if demand continues to rise, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming our guests back on board as travel begins to reopen again.” Flexible booking on Pegasus’ network of 119 destinations in 44 countries As well as an extensive network in Turkey, Pegasus Airlines also flies to 119 destinations in 44 countries, including destinations such as Dubai, Tel Aviv and Sharm el-Sheikh, offering both low-cost direct flights and seamless connectivity on one of Europe’s youngest fleets. Pegasus also offers flexible booking options, with guests able to amend flights booked up to 31 December 2021 without paying any change fees. Health & Safety First Pegasus’ highest priority is health and safety, with comprehensive Covid-19 safety measures in place including masks required on board. Pegasus was also one of the first low-cost airlines in the world to trial the IATA health-related certification Travel Pass app and the airline offers contactless boarding and bag-drop with Express Kiosks in Turkey. Click for more on Pegasus’ Covid-19 safety measures. Pegasus also offers lots of great value extras, including the Pegasus Café, with a delicious range of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks on-board, and Fly & Watch, Pegasus’ on-board entertainment system which means guests can enjoy a wide choice of films, TV programmes, games and lots more from their mobile device. Visit flypgs.com/en or the Pegasus’ mobile app to book the lowest fares and other travel needs, including accommodation, car hire and transfers.

First held over 30 years ago the annual ITE Hong Kong, which highly international, is the city’s only travel fair! It held successfully in 2019 despite protest marches, canceled in 2020 due to pandemics; and held as scheduled amid closed borders in July 2021 with separate days for trade and public visitors! To revive the economy, more international destinations are re-opening borders to foreign tourists! Hong Kong and neighboring cities, which are big and safe markets with strong pent up demand, likely can be their prime targets! Thus, outlook for ITE Hong Kong 2022 more positive! However, border uncertainty not going away soon! With our successful experience in 2021, we can use online and onsite services to better help onsite exhibitors and offsite advertisers in 2022! Strongly supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, ITE which organized by TKS, has other tourism authorities like Hong Kong Tourism Board and trade associations like Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong as supporters! ITE2021 results beyond Expectations The first post-pandemic edition, over 60% of its 103 exhibitors from abroad with several attractively designed official pavilions, launched new theme pavilion on Glamorous Camping; and held some 50 well attended trade and public seminars! In the first two days were 2544 registered trade visitors; while the two halls filled in 4 days with nearly 30000 quality visitors! Survey on its public visitors, which collected 4514 replies, found 60% respondents maintain or increase travel spending in coming year; over 80% paying more for safer holiday; and after border restrictions lifted 21% will travel abroad within 1 month and cumulatively 69% within 6 months! In ITE2021, themes like Glamorous Camping launched and Green Tourism highlighted, which popular in post-pandemic travel! With more international exhibitors than local and well attended by quality trade and public visitors, thus, quality of ITE2021 upheld! For reference, the pre-pandemic ITE2019 used 5 halls and drew 675 exhibitors from 56 countries and regions half of which outside Asia; 11613 buyers and trade visitors with nearly 30% from China (mainland) and under 10% from other parts of Asia; and 73665 public visitors who were frequent travelers! Specifically, 13% with 6 or more outbound holidays in past year; 47% with 3 to 5 holidays and only 2% no! More positive Outlook for ITE2022 Hong Kong, with fewer than 12100 confirmed cases at the end of August, widely regarded as safe source market! It’s big too as in 2019 it spent US$26.9 billion on outbound travel and ranked world’s 12th largest! It’s very readily available too as survey found there exist strong and sustainable pent up travel demand. These enhance the city’s priority as market post pandemic! Also, it is part of a much bigger and safe source market, namely China’s Greater Bay Area (the Bay), which includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen. It had in 2020 a combined GDP of US$1.67 trillion while that of Canada had GDP of US$1.60 trillion and ranked world’s 9th largest economy! In 2019, nearly 20% of ITE’s trade visitors came from Guangdong! To revive economy, more and more countries are reopening borders to international tourism. Hong Kong and the Bay can be attractive to them. Proven ways to better handling borders uncertainty Successful experiences in ITE2021 will be used in 2022 to help exhibitors better handling border uncertainty! In 2021, TKS helped invited over 100 travel trade to attend a webinar in June, and offered various online, onsite and online plus onsite packages during ITE! Onsite this year, some exhibitors including official pavilions or stands cut down need to send outside staff from into Hong Kong by having staff from local offices or agents to man booth, and in their pavilion install attractive panels, photo spots, broadcast video and some even held regularly real-time online meetings between stay-home speakers and visitors onsite. For those “offsite” advertisers who were unable sending any staff, TKS set up for them ad panels, photo spots, and shelf-help stands; and some simply broadcasted video regularly in seminar sessions. Also, some NTOs held seminars in ITE instead of exhibiting. TKS equipped one onsite forum with facility for live-streaming on Facebook, which exhibitors can take turn to use it. Also available next year to exhibitors will be sharing facility for holding zoom meetings for stay-home speakers with onsite visitors. TKS will be flexible to help exhibitors better handling border uncertainty. The next ITE in 2022 The next ITE Hong Kong, which incorporate the 36th ITE (Leisure) and the 17th ITE MICE will be held June 9 to 12, 2022 at Halls 1 of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, with the first two days for trade and the last two days open to the public. Space rental will be kept unchanged as same as in 2019 and again, ITE2022 will be eligible for the Convention & Exhibition (C&E) subsidy by the Hong Kong Government which TKS will share with all exhibitors by offering a 20% discount for booking on or before 30 December, 2021; and 10% discount thereafter. For details, enquiry of visiting etc., please visit www.itehk.com or contact TKS via Email: travel@tkshk.com | Wechat: ite-hongkong | Faceboook: itehk | Tel: +852 31550600.

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 11: Kerala Tourism Department today launched its mobile app which ensures a hassle-free travel for tourists coming to Kerala and giving them an opportunity to discover unexplored attractions themselves and record their impressions during the visit. Super star Mohanlal unveiled the app at The Raviz, Kovalam, in the presence of Tourism Minister Shri P A Mohamed Riyas. Dr V Venu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala Tourism, was also present. “Besides providing all information about destinations and services at your fingertips, a key feature of this app is that it identifies unexplored destinations in all panchayats in Kerala. It will help attractive local tourist spots to grab global attention”, Shri Mohamed Riyas said. Shri Mohanlal said that the launch of the app would be a blessing for travellers, who would like to explore God’s Own Country extensively. Dr Venu said that the app was designed with a view to providing all services to tourists. “Tourism Minister’s direct contribution was there during the preparation of this user-friendly app. It has the facility to add user-generated content, and thus, going forward, it can give a kind of modular growth.” The in-progress app is designed in such a way that a visitor gets the opportunity to write about any unexplored destinations and experiences through the option ‘Create Story’. The app will be further upgraded with more innovative features within six months. In the next phase of the app, tourists can make enquiries using ‘Voice Assistant’ facility, which will give answers through voice, eliminating the difficulty in typing letters. Moreover, the app makes the current toilet mapping activities very fast as it helps those travelling inside Kerala to find out safe and hygienic rest rooms nearby. Tourists can also explore restaurants and eateries that offer delicious Kerala cuisine and relish local flavours as per their choice. With the application of cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality in future, the app will have the dimensions of a gaming station and it will draw tremendous response from travelers across the world. Giving added thrust to Kerala’s successful RT initiative, the app also enables tourists to experience the community driven model in its totality and will also help local communities to showcase their ethnic products globally.

Following the announcement made by the government in Dubai to resume back tourist arrivals from India, Barceló Hotel Group is looking forward to welcoming again all Indian travellers to its 5 and 4-star properties in Dubai with much excitement. With its hotels ranging from luxurious to affordable, Barceló Hotel Group has something for everyone! Be it staycation, long-duration stays, requirement for transit hotels, leisure, business travel, family fun time, celebrations, meetings and conferences, or sports tournaments, everyone is welcome at Barceló Hotels. It feels like you can touch the city’s skyscrapers from the tranquillity of 5* Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. Located in the exclusive area of Palm Jumeirah, the panoramic views of the sea and the city of Dubai from this luxurious hotel with a private beach are the backdrop to a stay where elegance, exclusivity and British hospitality are second to none. The relaxing, breath-taking and welcoming surroundings make it an ideal place for spending time as a family. Also, exclusive service at the hotel will make your stay extra special with outstanding restaurants offering a fusion of tradition and innovation: the award-winning Khyber restaurant with authentic Indian cuisine, Great British Restaurant with delicious international cuisine and the iconic Dukes Bar. It also offers an Olympic size infinity pool, an indoor pool, lazy river and a kids’ club. The elegant 4* Occidental Dubai Production City hotel enjoys a prime location in the Dubai Production City area, close to EXPO 2020 Dubai area. Thanks to its excellent facilities and services, the hotel meets the needs of both business travellers and those who seek to make the most of the various tourism opportunities this dynamic destination has to offer. It has 2 restaurants, 1 sports bar, 1 sky lounge with swimming pool, a coffee shop, 4 meeting rooms and a ballroom with a fully equipped entrance hall. The hotel also features 2 heated rooftop swimming pools and 2 fitness studios (one of them designed especially for CrossFit training), a sauna and a Turkish bath. Shuttle service to EXPO 2020 site will be provided on complimentary basis for in-house guests. The 4* Occidental Al Jaddaf is a new hotel concept located in the centre of Dubai, close to Dubai Creek and with easy access to Downtown Dubai and various areas of the city. The modern rooms along with the comprehensive facilities, make this hotel an excellent option for both business and pleasure. The hotel has 365 well-appointed sunlit large rooms and the largest suites in the city. It also offers a variety of cuisine and fine dining including Mediterranean and Eastern flavours. The heated swimming pool, which is open year round, the fully-equipped fitness studio and the sauna and Turkish bath, make up the exclusive services the hotel offers its guests to make their stay perfect. Located south of the spectacular Palm Jumeirah, in a skyline of numerous skyscrapers and residential towers, you can find the best apartments in Dubai at the 5* Barceló Residences Dubai Marina. The Barceló Residences Dubai Marina apartments are the perfect choice for a holiday with your family, friends or partner. The building is a modern, impressive tower that features elegant residences and an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. In addition, there is also a fully equipped gym. Last but not least, guests interested in exploring the cultural heritage of the UAE, while relaxing in peace and tranquillity by the sandy shores of the Arabian Gulf can visit 4* Occidental Sharjah Grand. Indian and other international travellers and guests looking to reserve their booking at Barceló properties can visit: https://www.barcelo.comhttps://www.barcelo.com

New Delhi, 30 Aug: The highly power-dependent Aluminium industry is in for a tough time ahead. This is because of Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) recent move to significantly reduce coal supplies and railway rakes for Captive Power Plants (CPPs), resulting in coal crunch for the Indian Aluminium Industry. Aluminium is a metal of strategic importance and an essential commodity for diversified sectors, crucial for the nation’s economy. Aluminium smelting requires uninterrupted and high-quality power supply for production which can be met only through in-house CPPs. Hence, such drastic curtailment of coal supplies, without any advance notice, will bring the industry to a standstill as it has been left with no time to devise any mitigation plan to continue sustainable operations. Also, resorting to imports at such a short notice is not feasible. The Aluminium industry CPPs have signed FSA (Fuel Supply Agreement) with CIL and its subsidiaries for assured long term coal supply. Any abrupt stoppage of this secured coal supply brings the industry to a grinding halt and has a severe impact on the SMEs in downstream sector resulting in increased prices of finished products and burdening end consumers. Aluminium is a continuous process based highly power intensive industry wherein coal accounts for ~40% of Aluminium production cost. Huge investments of Rs 1.2 lakh Crore ($20 billion) have been made to double the domestic production capacity to 4.1 mtpa to cater to the country’s increasing Aluminium demand. The Indian Aluminium industry has set up ~9000 MW CPP capacity to meet its power requirement for the Smelter and refinery operations and reduce dependence on power grids. Any power outage/or failure (2 hours or more) results in freezing of molten Aluminium in the pots which leads to shutting down of the aluminium plant for at least 6 months rendering heavy losses and restart expenses, and once restarted it takes almost a year to get the desired metal purity. The Indian Aluminium industry is already struggling to remain globally competitive due increasing production costs in India primarily due to increased power cost over the past few years with rising coal prices, increase in various duties, cess and RPO. Also, the high incidence of unrebated Central & State taxes and duties, constitutes ~15% of Aluminium production cost which is amongst the highest in the world. This is adversely impacting the sustainability & competitiveness of the Indian Aluminium industry. Being a continuous process-based power intensive industry, The Aluminium Association of India has sought the following support from Coal India to continue sustainable operations and to reduce the load on the power grid: Resumption of adequate coal supply against secured linkages for sustainable industry operations. Allocation of railway rakes on priority for coal dispatch to the Aluminium industry. Allocation of coal dispatches through rakes in proportion of 75% (power) and 25% (non-power), as per MoC circular for auction linkage, dated 15th Feb, 2016. Any decision for stopping or curtailing secured coal supplies should not be taken on an ad hoc basis. The CPP based industry should be give prior notice well in advance (2 to 3months) to devise mitigation plans for coal or power imports.

Singapore, 24 August 2021 – Under the overarching conference theme of “The Decade Ahead: Braving New Realities in Travel”, the organisers of ITB Asia, Messe Berlin (Singapore), have announced that ITB Asia Virtual Conference 2021 will address the most pressing issues looking forward to the travel year 2022. Happening from 25 – 29 October 2021, visionary pioneers and leading figures will be having their say and sharing their up-to-date insights and discuss key strategies on the biggest and most important issues to remove barriers to travel, accelerate international recovery and ultimately make sure the travel, tourism and MICE industries become more inclusive and sustainable. During the five-day event, the conference brings together leaders of national tourism boards and convention bureaus, top CXOs of destination management companies, travel agencies, cruise lines, hotels, attractions, world's major travel brands, MICE planners and travel tech solution providers. Key Sessions & Speakers revealed for this year’s show COVID-19 has indeed plunged the global tourism industry into a deep crisis and drastically changed the world of travel. ITB Asia’s travel think tank will cover key topics ranging from “2022 Global Travel Outlook”, “What Will Be Key to Travel the World Again?”, “The Challenge of Digital Health Passports”, “Getting to Know Your Consumers Post-Vaccine Travel” and “Where Do OTAs Stand in the COVID-19 Era?”. High-profile international speakers will discuss the new micro and major challenges such as resuming to travel the world again with implementation of digital health passports and business opportunities emerging from post-vaccine-travels. The key topics speakers will include John Wroughton Brown (CEO, Agoda), Laura Houldsworth (Managing Director & Vice President Asia Pacific, Booking.com), Todd Handcock (President, Asia Pacific, Collinson), Ang Choo Pin (Managing Director, Asia & Senior Director Government and Corporate Affairs, Asia, Expedia Group), James Thornton (CEO, Intrepid Travel), Stephen Kaufer (President & CEO, Tripadvisor), Axel Hefer (Managing Director & CEO, trivago) and David Schelp (CEO of TUI Musement, Member of the TUI Group Executive Committee). At ITB Asia 2021 key leaders in corporate travel discuss future trends, what new priorities travel managers are having, and how Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and other travel partners can adapt quickly to the many changes in the business landscape. Among the key topics are “Business Travel Post-Vaccine: A Reset for 2022”, “How Digital Nomads and Bleisure Are Re-Defining the Future of Business Travel”, “NavigatingThrough the Industry’s Greatest Crisis”, “Travel Managers' NewPriorities” and “Who Will Disrupt Corporate Travel?”. What will help business travel recover and revive will be discussed by the following key speakers from the corporate travel industry: Michelle McKinney Frymire (CEO, CWT), Bertrand Saillet (Managing Director, FCM Travel Asia), Suzanne Neufang (CEO, GBTA - Global Business Travel Association), Carl Jones (Vice President, Head of Strategy, Asia Pacific and Greater China, SAP Concur), Brett Thomson (General Manager, Corporate Travel, TAG) and David Hughes (Managing Director, Asia Pacific, UNIGLOBE Travel International). The MICE industry is slowly getting back on its feet. Visitors to the ITB Asia Conference will learn what lies ahead for MICE players to ensure their business sustainability in the long term and whether remote working and hybrid events will dominate the MICE industry in the following sessions: “MICE Megatrends: What’s Hype, What’s Real, What’s Next”, “After Lockdown – The Who, What and How of Bouncing Back”, “MICE Buyers’ New Priorities” and “The Rise of Remote Working and the Future of Meetings and Events”. The powerful line-up of top speakers continues with Dato’ Vincent Lim (President, AFECA - Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations), Michael Matthews (President, Association of Australian Convention Bureaux - AACB), Dr. Adam Wu (CEO, CBN Travel and MICE), Ashwin Gunasekeran (Chair, Asia Pacific Chapter, ICCA - International Congress and Convention Association), Dan Rivlin (CEO, Kenes Group), David Audrain (Executive Director, SISO – Society of Independent Show Organisers) and Kai Hattendorf (Managing Director / CEO, UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). The global travel technology market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2026 (source) and there’s no double that technology plays a crucial role in supporting recovery, helping travellers feel safe and comfortable enough to travel and helping companies optimise their operation. Under the headings “Accelerating Hospitality's Recovery: The Vital Role of Technology”, “How will Technology Change Travel?”, “The Recovery is Digital”, “Tech Trends to Watch in 2022” and “The Present and Future of Contactless Technologies”, ITB Asia will gather leaders across travel sectors in a series of talks to share what challenges and strategies they are having going forward. Renown tech speakers such as Ramona Bohwongprasert (SVP for Retail, Amadeus), Renaud Nicolle (SVP for Business Travel, Amadeus), Eric Bailey, Global Director Travel, VenueSource and Payment, Microsoft), Shane O'Flaherty (Global Director, Travel, Transportation and Hospitality, Microsoft) and Patrick Andres (Regional Vice President Hotels JAPAC, Oracle Hospitality) will provide the industry with clearer ideas of how the future of digital travel should look like. Top speakers from other travel sectors will include Enrique Ybarra (Founder, President & CEO, City Sightseeing Worldwide), Stephan Roemer, (CEO, Diethelm Travel Group), Donggun Lee (Founder & CEO, MyRealTrip) and Min Yoon (CEO & Founder, Tidesquare). With everyone looking forward to finally travel on the plan again with the new “travel bubbles”, borders are opening, ITB Asia’s travel think tank gathers airlines leaders to identify the challenges in the aviation sector and how they are discussing about the trends with their new implementations measures and procedures to ensure everyone to have the best and safer flight experience again which we all are missing out for a long time. The air travel sessions include topics such as “Navigating Aviation's Greatest Crisis”, “Rebooting Air Travel”, “The Digital Airlines” and “The New GuestExperience”. In addition to the wide-ranging programme, a new conference format, the Talk Series will feature a wide range of discussion rounds at the ITB Asia Virtual Conference this year. The Talk Series will kick-off with the “NTOs’ & CVBs’ Talks: What We Plan for 2022”. In this series, ITB Asia gathers National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) across Asia Pacific and beyond to share their plans for 2022 to the audience. The key topics range from “Travel trends in Asia and the world, and their implications”, “Initiatives and new business models” to “Travel bubbles, vaccine passports and policy recommendations” and “Exit measures for post-pandemic recovery: Plan for 2022 and years ahead”. Under the heading “Hotel Leaders’ Talks: Road to Recovery” ITB Asia will ask hotel leaders to share their observations on what has changed in the hotel business landscape. Attendees will explore how ultimately the industry players across Asia Pacific can work together to bring travel back. Hospitality experts will discuss issues surrounding some of the most hard-hitting questions facing the industry including notable changes in traveller's behaviours since the start of the pandemic, what hotels can do to bounce back more effectively, and how we can build trust among travellers as markets begin to recover. Among others, the Hotel Leaders’ talk series brings together top industry experts from the hospitality sector: John Flood (President & CEO, Archipelago International), David Kong (President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group), Markland Blaiklock (Deputy CEO, Centara Hotels & Resorts), Rainer Stampfer (President, Hotel Operations - APAC, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts), Alan Watts (President, Asia Pacific, Hilton), Rajit Sukumaran (Managing Director of South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts), Paul Town (COO, Marina Bay Sands), Rajeev Menon (President, Asia Pacific (Excluding Greater China), Marriott International), Michael Marshall (CCO, Minor International), Dean Schreiber (CEO, Oakwood Worldwide), Katerina Giannouka (President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group), Olivier Berrivin (Managing Director - APAC, WorldHotels) and Joon Aun Ooi (President, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts). People’s demand and desire for travel remains strong, but the fear of COVID-19 is changing how they approach the trips. In the Talk Series “Cruise Leaders’ Talks: Re-Sailing & Recovery – The Future of Cruise Holidays”, Kelly Craighead (President & CEO, CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association) and Ben Angell (Vice President & Managing Director, APAC, Norwegian Cruise Line) will offer ideas and insights on how cruise companies can explore new business strategies and technologies, both to drive bookings and to facilitate safe travel.

The Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia has a great honor to inform the public that with an approval of the Royal Government of Cambodia and a nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination administration to be completed by the end of 2021 and we are ready to host ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2022 under the theme of "ASEAN — A Community of Peace and Shared Future" toward tourism recovery and reopening our region in a more resilient, sustainable and responsible future, which will be held in Preati Sihanouk province (Sihanoukville) from 16th – 22nd January 2022. The ATF 2022 incorporates ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meetings, ASEAN NTOs Meetings, ASEANTA Meetings, relevant meetings and conferences, and TRAVEX. TRAVEX is the largest ASEAN Tourism Business Platform that will be held from 19th - 20th January 2022 and will be attended by over 100 sellers, 100 buyers, and 50 national and international media. In this connection, the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia is pleased to invite the relevant institutions, tour operators, development partners, the public, tourism communities and media to actively attend the above-mentioned event and to widely join and promote our unique tourism products aimed at tourism recovery after the COV1D-19 pandemic and the reopening of our region.

Rather unexpectedly, the first post pandemic edition of ITE Hong Kong 2021, the city’s only travel fair with strong international presence, was held successfully as scheduled from July 29 to August 1 at halls 1B & C of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. With closed borders almost everywhere including the host city, it is reasonable not to expect ITE this year could be held! In fact, the annual ITE saw its edition in 2020 canceled due to pandemic! That it was able to be held this year with comparative successes, in our view, reflect some in the travel trade and travelers are prepared to take action at the soonest to speed up tourism recovery. Understandably, ITE2021 is much smaller than in a normal year, but quality maintained. For examples, it has more outside and overseas exhibitors than from locally; presence of destinations popular to the city’s travelers; attractively designed stands and special displays; new themes, exhibitors and special displays; and total some 50 seminars many by KOLs, etc.Hopefully, ITE 2021 can rally for more actions to speed up tourism recovery! The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Yau officiated the Opening Our honor that Mrs. Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive (CE) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, again sent this year her Message to welcome ITE participants! (Click HERE for the Message from CE) Our Guest of Honor, Mr. Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong SAR officiated the opening of ITE 2021 on July 29. Other honorable guests on the stage included Ms. Vivian Sum, JP, Commissioner for Tourism HKSAR; and the Hon Yiu Si-wing, Legislative Councilor of HKSAR (Tourism sector) etc. The opening was well attended by the travel trade and media! Beyond our expectation, there is also a strong presence of the diplomatic corps including 13 Consul Generals from USA, Argentina, Bangladesh, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Panama, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam, who were invited onto the stage for the VIP Group Photo. ITE Hong Kong 2021, which incorporate the 35th ITE (Leisure) and the 16th ITE MICE, is organized by TKS and continues receiving the strong support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong etc. as Supporters. Visitors - Quality made up for smaller Quantity Several factors affecting visitor attendance. Buyers and trade visitors from outside or overseas, who often account for some 40% of visitors in trade days, could not attend this year due to border restrictions. Social Distancing regulations on exhibitions tightened week before opening, so halls could only be half full instead of 75% of the capacity. Many employees in travel trade been on no-pay leave. ITE2021 has separate admission policy and session for trade and public visitors. In Day 1 and Day 2 morning, admission only by registration and successfully registered buyers and trade visitors given badge allowing unlimited entry in these two whole days. For the remaining sessions and days, visitors can pay for admission. Attending ITE2021 were 2544 local buyers and trade visitors, among them 63.7% from travel trade and 36.3% from corporation and MICE; and 27106 public visitors. However, exhibitors satisfied with the traffic flow and also on enquiries, business discussions, sale leads with some even report making deals. In fact, our in-house surveys on ITE trade or public visitors and many public surveys consistently found strong pent up travel demand in Hong Kong. Outside & Overseas Exhibitors outnumber the Locals This year, ITE exhibitors come from 18 countries and regions, which are Hong Kong, mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, Japanese prefectures of Hyogo, Tokushima, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Toyama, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagano and Chugoku Region, Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Iran and Castilla-la Mancha –Spain. Contrary to expectation, ITE this year still have more outside/overseas exhibitors than from locally. Of its 103 exhibitors, the locals account only for 36% which about half of those from outside and overseas. Also present are pavilions and stands by tourism boards, of which China (mainland) the largest in scale, Taiwan second, and the group of Japanese prefectures ranked third. Exhibitors solve border restrictions in different ways! Yellowknife from Canada, an ITE regular, went through 14 days quarantine in Hong Kong! China (mainland) work with local travel agents while Japanese prefectures mainly with their local offices! Taiwan incorporate online facilities in stand for real time online communications between stay home Taiwanese travel trade and ITE visitors in the exhibition halls. Instead of exhibiting, others present in ITE in other formats! Spain broadcast video regularly in ITE seminar sessions. A Pakistan travel agent use panel ads printed with their QR code. Switzerland, Thailand and South Korea conduct seminars onsite. Understandably, ITE welcome supports for tourism recovery. New Themes, Displays and Seminars This year, as expected, ITE feature more local exhibitors than before. But beyond expectation, ITE introduce new themes like Glamorous Camping and Theme Restaurant, and new displays like the “Greater Bay Area” and the “Colorful Hong Kong Photo Competition”. Also, destination and themed travel seminars for trade and public by exhibitors and a number of KOLs were well attended. In particular, the organizer of ITE, TKS worked with the following organizations to hold quality seminars, they included International Live Event Association (ILEA) seminar on “Applying local resources for post pandemic MICE”; the Hong Kong Discovery on a series of Green & Sport tourism seminars; and the Hong Kong Extra-curricular Activities Masters’ Association (HKEAMA) on Study Tour seminars. Post pandemic travel can be complicated. It involves factors like vaccination, test, quarantine and health measures etc. better start discussion early. Hopefully ITE can be a timely platform for exchange and for serving the strong pent up travel demand which identified in many surveys. The next ITE Hong Kong, which incorporate the 36th ITE (Leisure) and the 17th ITE MICE will be held June 9 to 12, 2022 at Halls 1 of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, with the first two days for trade and the last two days open to the public.

Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL & FutureCHEM rescheduled from September to October 27-29, 2021 Bio Asia Pacific remains unchanged during September 1-3, 2021 as Virtual Event Following the increasing in COVID-19 transmissions in Thailand recently, VNU Asia Pacific as organizer, together with the Science and Technology Trade Association (STTA) and Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) would like to announce the postponement of Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL 2021 from its original date to (NEW DATE) OCTOBER 27-29, 2021 at Halls 101- 102, BITEC, Bangkok. Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL 2021 together with FutureCHEM INTERNATIONAL 2021, the new show concept for the Chemical Industries will further provide a substantially upgraded Hybrid Platform (Physical Exhibition + Conference + Online Platform) during October 27-29, 2021 at BITEC for the maximum benefit and flexibility of all participants in accessing our exhibition and conference platform. As of now, pre-registration, show information, floor plan, virtual exhibition, online conference and online business matching with target buyers is available through this new platform. Please visit www.thailandlab.com for more information or register at https://register.thailandlab.com/e/Thailand-LAB-INTERNATIONAL-2021?ref=TLAB332 FutureCHEM INTERNATIONAL 2021 will present as a co-located event with Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL 2021. This event focuses on the conference for chemical businesses in petrochemical, pharmaceuticals & cosmetics and food & supplement industries organized through our online and offline platforms. For more information, please visit https://www.thailandlab.com/future-chem/ The original event dates and times of Bio Asia Pacific 2021 remains unchanged with both the exhibition and conference now Fully convened under a virtual platform during September 1-3, 2021. There will be no physical exhibition this year due to the COVID-19 situation.Bio Asia Pacific has a new direction and fully development the virtual platform with the maximize features for all online exhibitors and visitors. This year, Bio Asia Pacific will present the virtual exhibition gathering booths from global biotechnology organization, international associations and companies with the interactive facilities to increase the online experiences. This new digital platform will enable exhibitor and visitor to pre-register online, gather show information, explore virtual exhibition, attend online conferences and conduct business matching with target buyers. The highlight of the conference in Bio Asia Pacific will focus on Thailand's Life Sciences Industry Outlook after COVID-19, the first shot of homegrown COVID-19 vaccines, Life Sciences Industry; Pathway to Stock Exchange of Thailand, Biomimicry: Trend in Cosmetics Innovation from Nature and more. Please visit https://bioasiapacific.com/for more information or register at https://virtual.bioasiapacific.com/e/Bio-Asia-Pacific-2021?ref=BAP318

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 27, 2021 – When it comes to cities that combine history, beauty and culture with art, style and creativity, there are few places on earth that can compete with Istanbul. And there are few people who know the city like the team of local experts at Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. Tapping into these deep-rooted connections throughout the city, Shangri-La has created a series of curated experiences that invite guests to rediscover the best of Istanbul this summer. The new experiences make every Istanbul adventure even richer for guests, whether they’re jewellery lovers, art aficionados, or just love getting out on the water. A Journey into the world of Turkish jewellery designer Sevan Biçakçi Loved by celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley, Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg, Sevan Biçakçi launched his first collection of extraordinary jewellery in 2002, having spent years working as an apprentice with master craftsmen in Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar. His unique pieces are a reflection of Istanbul in miniature, incorporating Ottoman history, art and traditional motifs, with one of his most famous pieces to date incorporating a miniature of the Hagia Sofia mosque embedded into a ring. On this Shangri-La-curated half-day tour, guests will visit Biçakçi’s store deep in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar for a close-up look into the intricacies of his designs, including one unique and highly desirable piece that is usually under wraps and off-limits to visitors. A must for lovers of jewellery and Ottoman style, the experience is priced at EUR 250 per person for a minimum of four and a maximum of eight guests. A visit to artist Ismail Acar’s atelier and an Afternoon Tea to remember Inspired by his home city of Istanbul, multi-disciplinary Turkish artist Ismail Acar’s artworks are filled with Turkish and Ottoman motifs, with people, patterns and familiar city sights all finding their way into his creations. A glimpse into Acar’s atelier is like entering his own version of the city. With works ranging from portraits to paper-carving, stencil graffiti and much more, it’s his hyper-realist portrayals of still life and Turkish artefacts, juxtaposed with Ottoman and Turkish design details, for which he has become most famous. After experiencing artistry in the atelier, guests will return to Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul to experience artistry through the hotel’s renowned Afternoon Tea, where Turkish and Asian flavours reflect the meeting of European and Asian cultures in this thrilling city. The menu features dishes such as the palace manti with fresh goat cheese, herbs and gold leaf, fresh-from-the-oven Black Sea pide with minced beef, and the much-loved money bags with Peking duck, as well as a selection of teas ranging from traditional Turkish çay to Indian and Chinese blends. The experience is priced at €170 for two people, inclusive of round-trip transfer from the hotel to the artist’s atelier. Cruising to find the Catch of the Day on the Bosphorus The Bosphorus is one of the world’s most evocative waterways, connecting Europe and Asia and providing the perfect backdrop for all sorts of Istanbul adventures. On this excursion created by Shangri-La, guests will have the opportunity to set sail on these storied waters with local fishermen and try their hand at fishing the catch of the day. Departing at sunrise on a traditional Turkish fishing boat, your local guides will survey the waters and cruise to the spots with the best chance of landing a catch. Depending on the time of year and the conditions of the day, bluefish, seabass and mackerel can all be fished in these waters. For those who prefer to enjoy the ride instead of fishing for dinner, a morning out on the Bosphorus offers opportunities to see the beautiful Istanbul skyline from a different perspective, with mosques, minarets and the city’s seven hills lighting up with the sun’s first rays. And keep an eye on the surface of the water, too. It’s not unusual to see dolphins here. Back at the hotel the chefs will be waiting to cook up the catch in traditional Turkish style. And for those who didn’t have any fishing luck or who preferred simply to enjoy the ride, there will still be a freshly prepared meal waiting with ingredients picked up at the fish market for a true strait-to-table experience. The Bosphorus Fishing Excursion, including one night in a Premier Bosphorus room for two, is priced at EUR 1650. The fishing experience is available for a minimum of two and a maximum of eight guests. For bookings, please call +90 212 275 88 88, email slib@shangri-la.com or visit https://www.shangri-la.com/landing/summer-on-the-bosphorus/ Shangri-La Cares Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul remains committed to providing a safe environment for all through Shangri-La Cares, the Group's global safety program. Comprising a range of enhanced protocols and measures designed to ensure colleagues work with peace of mind and guests can confidently enjoy the moments that matter most. Shangri-La has followed recommendations laid out by the World Health Organization, or more stringent local directives where appropriate, to ensure its operational protocols are comprehensive. Concrete measures have been adopted at all Shangri-La Group hotels and resorts to combat the risk of contracting viruses and bacteria so that guests can feel safe when staying at or visiting its properties. These protocols include: increased frequency and full attention to deep cleaning of all high-touch surfaces and areas used by guests throughout the hotels; use of medical grade sanitizers and disinfectants, which are approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; increased cleaning frequency of air filters and air-conditioner systems to ensure optimal air quality; and safe dining, meetings and events with extra precautions to respect physical distancing and enhanced food safety practices. Guests can learn more about Shangri-La Cares programme on the website.

27 July 2021 – A globally-renowned multi-experiential, immersive and retail innovation festival will make its debut in Abu Dhabi this December, as a prelude to Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season, creating a melting pot of creative expressions, progressive ideas and future experiences from across the business and entertainment spectrum. FUTR World will launch exclusively in the UAE capital from the 9 – 11 Dec 2021 at the Manarat Al Saadiyat, a partnership between Retail Abu Dhabi, the retail platform of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), MP Singapore and FUTR Group. While innovation summits have taken place across Asia, Europe, US and Oceania, Retail Abu Dhabi have enabled the emirate to host the first ever global FUTR World, a significant boost to the retail sector programming. “DCT Abu Dhabi is proud to host the inaugural edition of FUTR World Middle East in Abu Dhabi. Our commitment to innovation is highlighted by the three-year agreement to bring this globally significant event here, showcasing our year-round programming of unique and first-in-the-region experiences,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “By forging monumental collaborations with global partners such as MP Singapore and the FUTR Group, Abu Dhabi continues to expand its offering of world-class events, further cementing its role as a global hub for business and entertainment.” Through collaborations with innovators, leaders, retailers, artists, futurists, brands and influencers, the three pillars of the event - FUTR Live, FUTR Festival and FUTR Summit – will show how to bridge the gap between “now and next” in retail, marketing, and commerce. FUTR Live attendees can enjoy interactive workshops, an array of masterclasses from the World of food with MOB Kitchen to lifestyle hacks with influencers like Grace Beverley and extreme sports display with Red Bull’s BMX rider Viki' Gomez to the UAE’s very own figure skating pioneer Zahra Lari. FUTR Festival will feature a world-class line up of progressive music artists taking to a new purpose-built stage at Manarat Al Saadiyat, while inspiring international and local brands, retailers and start-ups at FUTR Summit will provide an unrivalled networking environment. Attendees include Gareth Rees-John, Chief Digital Officer of Kurt Geiger, Mike Butcher MBE, Editor at Large, Tech Crunch, Blaise Bellville, CEO & Founder, Boiler Room, Jeff Hoffman, Co-Founder, Priceline.com/Booking.com and many more industry champions. As part of the Retail Abu Dhabi’s commitment to providing unparalleled retail offerings and experiences to the emirate’s residents and visitors, FUTR World will enable opportunities for both stakeholders and consumers in the emirate, further reinforcing the capital’s position as an exceptional international retail and tourist destination. “FUTR World is the first of its kind in the world and we are very happy to have the opportunity to launch this brand-new event in Abu Dhabi, with the kind support of DCT Abu Dhabi, FUTR World is a landmark festival that will convene thousands of innovators, exceptional leaders and influencers for three days of inspired conversation, world-changing ideas and meaningful takeaways” Shane White, Managing Director, FUTR Group. For more information on FUTR, please visit www.futrworld.com.

Singapore, 23 July 2021 – Messe Berlin (Singapore) wins “Outstanding Event Organiser" award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2021 for successfully organising TravelRevive, the first international travel tradeshow to take place physically in Asia Pacific during COVID-19, with both local and foreign attendees and exhibitors. The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrates and recognises individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence. The award is an integral part of the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore's tourism sector by motivating organisations and individuals to create compelling experiences and adopt best practices. Powered by ITB Asia and STB, TravelRevive was the first pilot tradeshow to trial the newly developed ‘hybrid event’ tradeshow prototype for safe business events, safe itineraries, and digital enablers in Singapore. The event was part of a public-private alliance among various government agencies that aimed to bring to life Singapore’s vision for safe, trusted and innovative business events. The two-day event brought together local and international attendees on-site to exchange ideas, bridge knowledge gaps, and reimagine the future of travel. It featured conference sessions, an exhibition, as well as opportunities for one-on-one buyer-seller appointments. It was complemented by virtual conference sessions which enabled a wider global audience to connect with regional travel businesses. “Messe Berlin (Singapore) has been providing our industry with event excellence for over 14 years by delivering all-rounded experiences for attendees in both our physical exhibitions and virtual events. We are very grateful to receive this important award, which recognises our proven record in organising and running quality exhibitions. It has been a difficult year of hard work for our team. Event experience is what we strive for. Our team continues to adapt, change and excel in bringing an unparalleled platform for industry stakeholders to do business, learn and network. With TravelRevive, we did our part to help pave the way for a positive future for trade shows during and post-pandemic”, said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia and TravelRevive.

New Delhi, 15 July 2021: Radisson Blu, an upper upscale brand that delivers a positive and personalized service in stylish spaces, is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. Located on the scenic foothills of the mighty Dhauladhar Range, this idyllic resort is a perfect getaway with accessibility from all corners of the world. The resort offers the perfect combination of business and leisure amenities for discerning travelers. “We are delighted to bring our flagship brand to Dharamshala. Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala is our fourth hotel opening in 2021 which is set to mark new milestones for our business. We seek to add more than 15 new hotels to our portfolio this year, achieving the 100-hotel milestone,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. With easy accessibility from Kangra Airport, the resort features 120-uniquely designed modern rooms overlooking the most picturesque view of the spectacular Kangra Valley. The resort enjoys an independent access from Khaniyara road connected to national highway 503 and is conveniently placed to explore all popular tourist destinations around Dharamshala. “We are honored to open this superb resort in Kangra Valley. Radisson Hotel Group was our chosen strategic partner and we are confident that this hotel will set a new benchmark of hospitality in the valley,” said R.P. Singh, Director, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. Spread over 30,000 sqm and located 6 km from the iconic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, the resort features rooms across standard, superior, deluxe, suite and presidential suite categories. It constitutes three banquet halls - Mid Off, Mid On and Centurion with capacity between 80 to 100 pax and an outdoor venue, The Banquet Deck, offering unparalleled views of the Kangra Valley and ideally suited to host weddings and social functions. In addition to 24-hour room service, the resort houses numerous onsite dining options serving a variety of cuisines such as The Edge – all day dining restaurant serving a range of local and western dishes; Italian Crust - the specialty Pizzeria, and All Out – Lounge Bar offering an enviable selection of wine and spirits along with delicious small bites. Vikas Sharma, General Manager, Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala said, “I am confident that the unique combination of the resort’s location, its facilities and the Group’s unmatched service standards will prove to be a compelling option for travelers looking for all-inclusive hospitality in the hills.” Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala will feature The Spa at Radisson Blu, a full-service branded spa offering guests a 360º immersive experience by focusing on minds, bodies and emotions. The spa will offer a selection of natural, holistic and beauty treatments for complete rejuvenation. Other amenities for rest and relaxation include a meditation room, a contemporary fitness studio and a temperature-controlled infinity pool offering a tranquil view of the Kangra valley. The resort offers a range of family recreation options such as an outdoor kids’ play area, family picnic spots in the serene pine forest and a cozy cards room. With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.

[July 13, 2021, Macao] A four-month mega international cultural and artistic event ‘Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021’ will be inaugurated on Thurs, 15 July 2021 at Macao Museum Art, presenting a movable feast to the city. On the occasion, the Main Exhibition themed “Advance and Retreat of Globalization” will also be inaugurated, with three exhibitions, distributed through various areas of the Macao Museum of Art, reflecting on the advances and retreats of globalization through the arts. “Art Macao” will present 30 art exhibitions in 25 locations from July to October, bringing an immersive cultural atmosphere to the entire city as a gallery and an art garden, allowing the public to enjoy the beauty and vividness of art. This edition is curated by Professor Qiu Zhijie, one of the most influential contemporary artists in China and Dean of the School of Experimental Art of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, focusing on contemporary visual arts. “Art Macao” is divided into several sections: Main Exhibition, Special Exhibition of Resorts and Hotels, Creative City Pavilion, Public Art Exhibition, Selected Works by Local Artists and Collateral Exhibition, aiming to reshape the humanistic spirit in the post-epidemic era. Curated by Qiu Zhijie, the Main Exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art is divided into three parts: “The Dream of Mazu”, “Matteo Ricci’s Labyrinth of Memory” and “Advance and Retreat of Globalization”, providing a space for reflection and discussion on globalization and individuality, life and dreams, remoteness and proximity, security and happiness, among others. The three thematic exhibitions feature over 40 artists from nearly 20 countries and regions, presenting more than 100 pieces/sets of artworks. The first part of the Main Exhibition “The Dream of Mazu” brings together Ming’s and Qing’s export porcelain transhipped through Macao, the combination of traditional and contemporary creations of azulejo tiles by artists from Portugal, the brand-new blue-and-while porcelain works by artists from China and the Middle East; the second part of the Main Exhibition “Matteo Ricci’s Labyrinth of Memory” describes the Western world’s view of China over 500 years. Both parts of the exhibition are held until 15 August. The third part of the Main Exhibition “Advance and Retreat of Globalization” shows that artists around the world have been continuously working on creation, striving to open a new spiritual path that leads the world from despair, and organizing the ideas about tradition and memory mentioned in the first two chapters. This part of the exhibition is held until 17 October. Under the patronage of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture and the Secretariat for Economy and Finance, “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021” is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office, and co-organized by the Education and Youth Development Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, MGM, Sands China Ltd., SJM RESORTS, LIMITED, Wynn Macau, Limited, and Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited, with the participation of various creative cities and local higher education institutions, as well as the support of the Municipal Affairs Bureau and Air Macau. The Cultural Affairs Bureau will strictly follow the relevant guidelines of the Health Bureau and implement appropriate measures for the event. All participants must wear face masks, undergo temperature checks, present a valid “Macao Health Code” of the day, and follow crowd control measures on-site. Admission to all activities is free. Video: https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/videogallery/1847

Bhubaneswar, 29th June, 2021: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium and its value-added products, has dedicated a second COVID facility to the people of Odisha, developed at Eklavya Model Residential School, in Deogarh. With the new COVID facility at Deogarh, and a similar one at Kalahandi, Vedanta has added 300 critical care beds to bolster Odisha’s medical infrastructure, aiding the state’s efforts to provide timely and proper care to the critically ailing patients. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, opened the hospital to public in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Government of India, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman – Vedanta Group, and Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO – Aluminium Business, Vedanta Ltd. Set up under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, both hospitals have been funded by Vedanta Aluminium and will be managed by the Government of Odisha. The COVID facility at Deogarh has 100 beds and is fully oxygenated with 12 Intensive Care Units (ICU), 32 High Dependency Units (HDU), a Paediatric COVID ICU, and a dedicated team of doctors and medical staff to render medical services to the patients. The new hospital is the last of Vedanta’s COVID field hospitals and facilities established across the country. Vedanta has set up more than 1000 critical care beds across India, of which Odisha has been supported with one of the highest number of beds. Dedicating the hospital to public, Shri. Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, said, “With the support of Vedanta Group, we had started a 200-bed hospital at Kalahandi, and today we dedicated a 100-bed hospital at Deogarh. I thank Mr. Anil Agarwal and Vedanta Management for coming forward as a corporate partner in our fight against COVID.” Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Government of India, added, “I thank Mr. Anil Agrawal and the Vedanta Management for promptly accepting our proposal to set up a COVID Hospital at a remote place like Deogarh. This will go a long way towards fighting COVID in Odisha. I consider your gesture as true corporate social responsibility and thank you for the same." Mr. Anil Agarwal, Executive Chairman – Vedanta Group, said, “The Deogarh COVID Hospital is our humble contribution to the people Odisha, with whom we have had a long and enriching association. The Vedanta Cares Field Hospital project is our flagship initiative to lend much needed support to India in the fight against COVID, and I am pleased that we have delivered upon that commitment. I thank all host state governments for their unequivocal support which helped us fast-track this project and set up facilities across the country in only a month’s time. May they become a strong support in the nation’s fight against COVID and help keep our people safe.” Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO – Aluminium Business, Vedanta Ltd., added, “The COVID Hospital at Deogarh is Vedanta Aluminium’s second such facility developed in partnership with the Government of Odisha. We hope the hospitals in Kalahandi and Deogarh will be of immense help to the people of Odisha, along with the District COVID Hospital at Jharsuguda which we have been supporting since the past year. Under the enterprising and far-sighted leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Shri. Naveen Patnaik Ji, we are sure Odisha will continue to battle the pandemic effectively and efficiently. Vedanta Aluminium will continue to extend its support and resources to aid the state government and district administrations through this critical situation.” Through its Aluminium Business, Vedanta has already vaccinated nearly 30,000 people in its ecosystem, including employees, business partners and their family members residing in Odisha. Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, Vedanta continues to support the state’s COVID management effort in various ways: 300-bed state-of-the-art COVID Hospitals with 28 ICUs, 48 HDUs, and Odisha’s Paediatric COVID Care ICU set up in Kalahandi and Deogarh Vedanta continues to support the District COVID Hospital at Jharsuguda with ICU beds, ventilators, specialized medical equipment, ambulance, and so on. Providing 2000 oxygen cylinders to the state government towards ensuring uninterrupted supply of oxygen for critical patients. Provided 10,000 RT PCR testing kits to the District Government Hospital at Bhawanipatna. 92,000 units of highly specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were provided to the Government of Odisha last year. Thousands of daily wage earners and under-served families were provided with rations and meals. Over 3.3 lakh masks, soaps and safety kits were freely distributed to the needy. The masks are being made by women of Vedanta-supported self-help groups, thus providing them a means of livelihood in these tough times. Hundreds of awareness sessions on COVID-19 were conducted across remote villages. Intensive fumigation and disinfection of public places, including public offices was carried out in the areas of Vedanta’s operations. Extensive support was provided to local farmers to sustain their livelihood during lockdowns.

25 June 2021 - Yesterday’s announcement that the Cayman Islands - including all three islands Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac - have been added to the UK Government’s green list of destinations with effect from 4am GMT on 30 June, is evidence that the focus on a controlled return to international tourism is proving successful. Following the closure of its borders in March 2020, the Cayman Islands has kept the destination covid-safe while limiting access and imposing strict quarantine protocols. The Cayman Islands is operating a phased reopening programme to international travellers, keeping a 5-day quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers in place until the data suggests it is safe to do otherwise. With an increasingly effective vaccination programme leading to 67% of the population having already received one dose of Covid-19 vaccination, 60% both doses, the islands look forward to welcoming UK travellers early next winter - bringing the prospect of sunshine, sand and sensational bucket-list experiences to UK travellers as it moves forward over the coming months to the next stage in welcoming a return of international visitors. This British Overseas Territory is a premier luxury destination for UK and European visitors, Well known for its incredible beaches and recognised as one of the best diving and snorkelling locations in the world, the Cayman Islands also offer visitors opportunities to experience unique wildlife in its natural habitat. The Cayman Islands are three idyllic islands nestled in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Each island offers a unique experience, united by a warm Caymanian welcome in a truly outstanding natural environment. The islands enjoy an average temperature of around 28°C, perfect for a spot of sunshine all year-round, and particularly popular with those that know this stunning destination well for winter sun. The islands offer an array of quality accommodation from beachfront villas and dive lodges to five-star hotels, all of which are within easy access of the beautiful ocean. Food is an important part of the Cayman Islands experience and Grand Cayman alone boasts in excess of two hundred restaurants serving local and international cuisine. As well as sampling the delicious local delicacies, there are a whole host of of other activities and experiences to look forward to including the endless stretch of pristine white sand and palm trees that is 7-mile Beach and sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, kitesurfing and paddle boarding on the crystal clear waters surrounding the islands. The area is a mecca for divers and snorkellers, with extraordinary marine life to witness first hand and Stingray City is a unique site where friendly wild stingrays congregate around a shallow sand bar in open waters, happily interacting with human visitors who arrive by boat for this extraordinary encounter. Naturalists will love the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park where the rare, indigenous, blue iguana can be seen roaming freely. And a trip to the Cayman Islands is not complete without hopping over to the sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Three islands not just one On rugged Cayman Brac you can explore eight miles of nature trails, with educational information on flora and fauna displayed on plaques along the way. Little Cayman, the smallest of the three islands, has a population of 197, and an abundance of rare bird life - the perfect place to step away from a post-Covid world and relax in hammocks under shady palm trees. Commenting on the latest developments, Adrian White, Regional Manager UK, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism says: “When the time is right, visitors will be able to discover that the Cayman Islands offers a host of memorable bucket-list experiences to even the most seasoned traveller. With a perfect Caribbean climate and stunning ocean views, its wildlife and marine world, sandy bays and beach bars plus the range of fabulous hotels and restaurants provide just what everyone needs to recover from the recent stresses and strains of the pandemic. We recommend UK travellers take a closer look at what the Cayman Islands offer, particularly during the winter months, since all three islands offer unique experiences they will never forget.” More information about the Cayman Islands’ current Covid protocols can be found at: www.exploregov.ky/faqs/covid-19-inbound-travel

TKS, the organizer of Hong Kong’s only travel fair warmly welcome the joint effort with ILEA Asia Chapter organizing the Trade Forum of “Domestic Resources for Post-Pandemic MICE” (the Forum) in the coming ITE! In the Forum, each speaker will share a unique case combining a local venue with an event held there, to be followed by Q&A from the host and the floor. The Forum will be held in ITE on July 30 in the afternoon, and details including program will be published later in official websites of The International Live Events Association (ILEA) and ITE. “Post-pandemic, uncertainty on border reopening will remain so more viable holding MICE event here! The Forum shall provide a timely platform for sharing among our members how best to meet what the market preferred and required in this special year”, said Sam Shei, Chairman of ILEA Asia Chapter. ILEA is the association for event industry professionals who are passionate about knowledge, networking and event creativity. ILEA has provided an inspiring platform for the best practitioners in the creative event industry to connect and share ideas. “ILEA is a long term partner! By focusing on post pandemic MICE, the forum this year in our view will contribute to recovery and be welcomed”, said KS Tong, Managing Director of TKS the organizer of ITE. ITE this year will also promote domestic tourism with some new and popular travel themes. For examples, the new Glamorous Camping (Glamping) pavilion for those enjoying luxury outdoor; the Photo Competition promoting Green Tourism ; theme restaurant for those enjoying life style; trade and public seminars on Study Tour respectively for travel agents and teachers etc. In short, we aim presenting a Colorful Hong Kong in ITE this year! In ITE2021, which will be held from July 29 to August 1 at halls 1B & C of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, are exhibitors and pavilions from locally, neighboring areas like the Mainland, Taiwan and prefectures of Japan and foreign countries. ITE’s first two days open only to trade and professionals from travel and MICE industries requiring registration for admission, while the last two days public welcomed and can buy ticket at entrance.

TIME Hotels held the soft opening of its much-anticipated TIME Asma Hotel in Dubai’s Al Barsha ‘shopping’ district yesterday, Tuesday 15 June. The new four-star property has a remarkable feature – its management team consists entirely of women, including the hotel manager Alexandra Kelner and 80% of the hotel’s employees. Commenting, TIME Hotels’ CEO Mohamed Awadalla, said: “It has always been integral to our corporate strategy to diversify our workforce and offer equal opportunities to all members of staff. “Under the leadership of Alexandra, all areas of the hotel operation will be managed by women, from HR to sales, F&B, finance, front office and housekeeping – even our executive chef is a woman. “I am sure that this talented all-female management team will provide inspiration to all women who want to carve out a successful career in hospitality,” added Awadalla. The hotel, which will have its grand opening in September, consists of 232 rooms over six floors with a gym, which has exclusive opening times for women, swimming pool, jacuzzi, four meeting rooms, a business centre and two restaurants, for both male and female guests. Zaytuna, serves Middle Eastern cuisine, with an open kitchen in a market-style setting and La Dolce Vita as the name would suggest is a casual, Italian-themed restaurant. Moreover, there are floors reserved exclusively for female travellers with dedicated services, including: female room service, a female-only check-in counter and guest relations. Other features include bespoke beauty products, in-room beauty treatments, as well as enhanced amenities in each room. The hotel will also offer dedicated parking spaces for women. According to Catalyst, a global organisation that promotes women in the workplace, in 2019, the proportion of women in senior management roles globally grew to 29%, the highest number ever recorded and 87% of global mid-market companies had at least one woman in a senior management role in 2020. Indeed, French national Kelner’s advancement is a classic example of career development. Having graduated from the School of Management in Yvelines, near Paris, she held senior positions in hotels in France and the UAE, leading teams across housekeeping and rooms division. “Once regional and international travel restrictions are relaxed, more women will be travelling on business than ever before. Many women may well be travelling alone and I believe it will be comforting for them to have the option of staying in a hotel where 80% of the staff are women, with dedicated floors and in-room amenities,” said Alexandra Kelner, Hotel Manager, TIME Asma Hotel. The hotel is also located just five minutes from Mall of the Emirates and as such is expecting healthy demand from local and regional visitors for short leisure breaks, particularly women and families. “With the summer heat approaching, TIME Asma is ideally located for a weekend of retail therapy,” said Kelner.

India, Kolkata June 15th, 2021: Well known actor and public figure, Jeet today shared his thoughts on the appropriate behaviour people should undertake if they come across child abuse content online. This is part of a new initiative by the Facebook company, and civil society organizations - Aarambh India Initiative, Cyber Peace Foundation and Arpan. The initiative encourages people to report, and not share such content, so it doesn’t harm children further. Earlier this year to understand how and why people share child exploitative content on Facebook and Instagram, the Facebook company conducted an in-depth analysis of the illegal child exploitative content that the company reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in October and November of 2020. It was found that more than 90% of this content was the same as or visually similar to previously reported content. A further deep dive revealed that most of this sharing was happening without any intent to harm children. These insights set the foundation for the new initiative with civil society organizations .i.e. ‘Report it, don’t share it’, as these organizations are experts in the field of online child safety. The initiative is being endorsed by actor Jeet, who is a prominent Bengali film actor, producer and television presenter. Jeet says, "Everyday images and videos of child abuse circulate on social media, often because people are re-sharing out of outrage, horror and shock. But liking, commenting, or sharing causes more harm to the child. If you see this content online, please report it immediately and do not share it. Your simple act can help protect a child. I'm glad to be partnering with Facebook on this initiative & I hope that we can all create a positive impact, if we all acted appropriately now, in the interest of the online safety of children." The initiative launches today with an animated video which visually communicates the negative impact that the circulation of child abuse content could have on the child who’s the subject of such content, even if it’s about condemning the act. Madhu Sirohi,Head of Policy Programs & Outreach, Facebook India,commented, “We want to foster a safe and supportive environment on Facebook and Instagram and we’re constantly working towards that. While we invest heavily in people and technology to identify and remove this kind of content even before people see it, we also want to spread awareness on the appropriate behaviour in case people spot child abuse content on our platforms. We’re thankful to our partnership with Jeet, Aarambh India Initiative, Cyber Peace Foundation and Arpan for making this initiative possible.” Recently, Facebook updated its child safety policies to clarify that it will remove Facebook profiles, pages, groups and Instagram accounts that are dedicated to sharing otherwise innocent images of children with captions, hashtags or comments containing inappropriate signs of affection or commentary about the children depicted in the image. The company also added the option to choose “involves a child” under the “Nudity & Sexual Activity” category of reporting in more places on Facebook and Instagram to make it easier to report content for violating its child exploitation policies. To report a content where a child is at risk, call 1098 and report it to the Childline India Foundation. If the content exists on Facebook’s family of apps, it can be reported on fb.me/onlinechildprotection. 'Other top actors such as Prosenjit Chatterjee, Koel, Ritabhari, Abir, etc have all posted.' To view the ‘Report it, don’t share it’ initiative video - https://www.instagram.com/p/CQImVQtBMAR/?utm_medium=copy_link

New Delhi, June 8, 2021 – As a part of its ongoing efforts to create an energy-efficient economy, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under the administration of the Ministry of Power, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lemon Tree Hotels Limited for implementing energy efficiency and energy conservation measures at a selected number of the latter’s properties in India. During the three-year engagement, both companies will work together to identify areas to improve energy efficiency and leverage the expertise of EESL and its subsidiary companies Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and EPSL Trigeneration Private Limited, as the need may be, in the areas of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging; air conditioning; solar rooftop installations; energy-efficient pumps and motors; indoor and outdoor lighting; and energy and water audits. Sharing views on this engagement, Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson (EVC), EESL, said, “Energy efficiency is a vital, indispensable part of our vision for a sustainable future. We have a roadmap for getting there, and we need more and more willing partners from across industries to keep moving the needle on progress. Lemon Tree Hotels is one of the largest hotel chains in India, and we hope that the success we will achieve through our projects will encourage many more players to explore avenues for strengthening their energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.” Mr. Patu Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “We are committed to our ESG focus at Lemon Tree. Over the years, we have undertaken several initiatives to reduce energy consumption, and we have implemented a number of environmentally friendly practices. For example, increasing the contribution of RE to our total energy consumption. Our partnership with EESL will enable us to enhance the impact of these measures and find ways to further reduce our carbon footprint, in order to move closer to our goal of being carbon neutral.” EESL’s expertise will help Lemon Tree Hotels realize its stated intention of delivering a healthy triple bottom line – planet, people, and profit – through its sustainability initiatives. The projects implemented through this partnership will contribute to improving the overall energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of the hotel company.

A whole new way for guests to search on Airbnb, a new 10-step process to become a Host, better support for Hosts and guests and much more to meet a new era in travel Inspired by the major shift in how people are traveling and anticipating the unprecedented travel rebound, we are today introducing more than 100 upgrades to refine and improve every aspect of the Airbnb service, from our website and app to our community support and policies. The Airbnb 2021 Release adds features to give guests even more flexibility when planning their travel and to make it simple for anyone to become a Host. “We are seeing three fundamental shifts in travel as people become less tethered and more flexible,” said Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb. “People can travel anytime, they are traveling to more places and they are staying longer. The lines between travel, living and working are blurring and we are upgrading our service to make it easier for people to integrate travel into their lives, and for more people to become Hosts.” I’m Flexible Flexibility is at the heart of a new, improved browsing and booking experience that we are introducing today with three new ways to search on Airbnb - Flexible Dates, Flexible Matching and Flexible Destinations. Flexible Dates, which we started rolling out in February, makes it easy to find the best places to stay if you are flexible on when you go. Rather than searching with fixed dates, you can search for a weekend getaway, a week-long vacation or even a month-long stay. Since launching the tool we have already seen over 100 million searches using it. Flexible Matching offers a wider selection of listing results when you search for a place to stay by surfacing homes just outside of your search parameters. This way, you never miss out on a great stay that falls just outside what was specified in a search—for example, if you were searching for a beachfront home and set the max price per night at $250, we would still show options priced just above this. Flexible Destinations is a new way to plan trips when finding a unique place to stay is more important to you than traveling to a specific destination. It helps you discover incredible properties in places you might not have thought to search for and adapts to your location. For instance, it surfaces heritage homes in India, ryokans in Japan, trullos in Italy, or castles in Spain. From adobe houses to wagons, there are over 170,000 one-of-a-kind properties to choose from and the number of searches for these unique listings has grown 94 percent so far in 2021 compared to the same period in 2019*. We are also significantly improving our search capabilities to help people find their ideal place to stay. New filters will adapt to the season or location and allow people to search for homes near points of interest, such as national parks, or with very specific attributes such as whether the property has an ocean view or whether a fireplace is gas or wood-burning. Making it Easier to Host Today, we are making it even easier to become a Host with a brand new onboarding process that has been simplified from dozens of steps to just 10, supported by the latest technologies. Computer vision deep-learning models automatically arrange photos based on their guest appeal, while smart text suggestions help Hosts craft the best title and description for their listing. Streamlining and simplifying the process will help anyone who wants to host and take advantage of the coming travel surge onboard quickly to get their first booking. In fact, for new listings that were activated and booked in Q1 2021, 50 percent received a reservation request within four days of activation. World-Class Service We are also improving our community support by doubling the number of support agents this summer and expanding our support coverage from 11 to 42 languages. A completely redesigned Help Center will be easier to navigate by offering more personalized support to Hosts and guests. Improvements Across the Entire Airbnb Experience Of the 100+ upgrades being showcased today, other highlights include: Guests Faster checkout process - We’ve reduced the number of steps for new guests to confirm their first reservation. Arrival guide - Easy access to all the helpful information a guest needs (directions, door codes, Wifi, and message the Host option) before check-in. Updated reviews - Guests now have a fuller spectrum, from critiques to compliments, to rate their stay. Clearer Cancellations - Refreshed cancellation policies increase clarity for both guests and Hosts. Hosts All-new Today tab - A new centralized home base to make it easier for Hosts to manage bookings and daily tasks. Here they will see new booking requests, upcoming reservations as well as details of current guests and quick links to the most used Host tools. New welcome to hosting page - A redesigned hub for new Hosts with helpful articles and testimonials as well as an improved tool to estimate potential earnings from hosting based on nightly rates and occupancy in their immediate area. Inbox improvements - Messages now load up to 10 times faster and new features include Personalized Quick Replies which let Hosts reply with one tap to guests’ often-asked questions, and Scheduled Messages which automates sending reminders, like checkout instructions. Dedicated Superhost support - A dedicated support team for Superhosts and Host Community Leaders giving our most experienced Hosts priority access to our most experienced support agents. For a full list of all 100+ upgrades, please visit www.airbnb.com/2021

The month of May is celebrated as the Mental Health Awareness Month in many countries of the world. In the UK and in India, May 10-16 is celebrated as the Mental Health Awareness Week. In the crisis situation that we all have landed in due to the ongoing pandemic, mental health awareness assumes all the more importance. To celebrate the Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, Glarepost joined hands with Kolkata-based EnVERT Foundation, Mumbai-based Aaken Advisory and Inspire Talks to organise a web-based Fireside chat on the topic 'COVID 19 and Mental Health: Maintaining Sanity and Managing Emotions'. It premiered on various YouTube channels at 9 pm on Sunday, the 16th of May 2021. Instead of making it a rather clinical or medical discussion the chat focussed more on the everyday experiences and learnings of common people in different walks of life and across various professions. The talk featured speakers from different professions and representing various generations, from a senior citizen engaged in counseling of COVID affected people and helping them restore normalcy in life to a successful professional speaking about her battle with depression and how she overcame it, a Class X student bringing her perspective of pros and cons of online classes and how she is keeping herself busy, and more importantly happy, to a corporate lawyer cum author cum entrepreneur sharing her views and suggestions on effective Mood Management to avoid feeling low during this time. Ms Rupanjana De, a well known professional, being a Practicing Company Secretary, a qualified lawyer, an entrepreneur, an acclaimed writer of Law books and an Independent Director across multiple Boards of both listed and unlisted, government and private sector companies, was the first speaker. This time she talked more from the perspective of a Home Manager rather than a Professional. Sharing her own story and the story of many experiments that she has successfully done in this regard, she shared 15 tested ways of enhancing the feeling of positivity and managing the mood. She mentioned that these 15 points may be generally followed by anyone at any time, but these have special applicability in the current pandemic crisis. To provide a summary of the 15 points she mentioned, here they are in a nut shell: (i) exercising regularly, (ii) getting sufficient sleep, (iii) eating a balanced and healthy diet incorporating all nutrients, (iv) watching good movies or programmes on the TV to relax, (v) avoiding stress by doing whatever one likes to destress, (vi) expressing oneself openly with friends and family, (vii) playing a light music of choice (preferably not mournful or sad) at all times, (viii) using aromatherapy for mood lifting, (ix) spending time with one's hobbies, (x) laughing a lot and staying jovial, (xi) counting one's blessings by making a list of all the good things in life, (xii) reading some good books preferably with happy endings, (xiii) being kind to others, avoiding criticism, negative reaction and bullying on social media, (xiv) spending time with family, mending strained relations etc. and finally (xv) trying to avoid seeing WhatsApp forwards and biased media/news. Mrs. Bina Thaker, a sexagenarian engaged in counseling of Covid-affected families shared her experience and threw light on how to use this time to strengthen the family bond in the current situation. She suggested that this can be done essentially by indulging in activities together, like creating a family tree, eating together, meditating together, organising meetings through zoom, or providing special support during the 13 days' ritual to family members of deceased person, if any. The next speaker was 14-years-old Tannistha Nandi, a student of class X at Indus Valley World School in Kolkata. But she is much more than just that! Tannistha became the youngest novelist in India at the age of 10 when her first novel 'The Secret of the Goldbug Castle' was published in the end of 2016. She went on to write another novel, a sequel to this a year and half later. Thereafter she also won many awards in writing. Tannistha spoke about her experience with online classes, and as a student just about to appear in the Board exams next year, her views on how to handle the pressure. She talked about the pros and cons of the life that students of her age are living currently. She was thoroughly optimistic about the situation and stated that she is using the time to learn new things, read as many books as possible and unlock new talents. Her suggestion to the younger generation was to take it easy, and be optimistic about the situation and hopeful that like all bad phases of life, this too shall pass. But the learning from this crisis, she said, must never fade away. Ms. Nehal Thaker, a successful Company Secretary and an Entrepreneur took the audience on a trip down her past as a person who was once a victim of depression. Her session was illuminating for people whose close relatives or friends have fallen prey to this mental illness. An extremely bright student, Nehal went into acute depression as a result of the first failure in her life. She elaborated on how early detection, help from right doctors, support of family and friends and colleagues can help a person survive this phase and lead a normal life and build a successful career. Ms. Thaker was quick to point out that self love is a tonic for the illness and that physical exercise is very important along with good hobbies. Mr. Nikhil Jha Founder of Inspire Talks moderated the session and added his valuable inputs from time to time. Overall this event was liked by all and appreciated across various segments of viewers. Visit