International & European Associations Congress 2012

International & European Associations Congress 2012

We are delighted to announce an exciting line-up of association and related industry heavyweights chairing and speaking on the programme: Michiel Gen, Director, ASIS International – EMEA leads a workshop on marketing analysis and methodologies Catherine Piana, Director General, European Vending Association helps you understand your members better via CRM Danielle Michel, Senior Manager, Membership and Commercial Services, ACI Europe will analyse the most effective marketing communication channels Andrew Keen, Broadcaster and Author of “Digital Vertigo” presents social media, web 3.0: a reality check Steve Miller, Membership, IAB Europe, European Digital & Interactive Association conducts a “PEST” analysis of your member offering Monica Dignam, Former Chief Research Officer, American Society of Association Executives, Ireland chairs the stream on membership development and offers membership recruitment advice…

And case studies from:
International Bar Association
European Crop Protection Association
International Confederation of Midwives
Association of Corporate Treasurers

Congress Streams:
Conferences & Events
Marketing & Communications
Membership
Online Learning & Education
Association Apps
Congress Marketing
Publishing & Information
Commercialisation & Contracts
The early booker rate closes on 31 May 2012, REGISTER NOW to take advantage of the special discounted fees.

Walisische Kultur hautnah bei der Eröffnung des Wales Coast Path

Walisische Kultur hautnah bei
der Eröffnung des Wales Coast Path
Flint, Cardiff und Aberystwyth bieten zum Launch
des Pfades Musik, Unterhaltung und malerische Landschaften

25. April 2012
Flint, Cardiff und Aberystwyth sind die offiziellen Gastgeber für die öffentlichen und kostenlosen Events zum Launch des walisischen Küstenpfades. Der Wales Coast Path erstreckt sich von der walisischen Grenze im Norden bis nach Chepstow im Süden. Ist er erst einmal eröffnet, wird er zum weltweit ersten durchgehenden Küstenpfad rund um ein ganzes Land.

In jedem der drei Orte findet am Samstag, den 5. Mai 2012, eine Eröffnungsveranstaltung statt, um den offiziellen Launch des Wales Coast Path zu feiern und die schönsten Flecken der walisischen Küste zu präsentieren. Jeweils um etwa 11 Uhr starten die Events und bieten neben einem vielfältigen Unterhaltungsangebot für Erwachsene auch Zauberei-Workshops für Kinder und einen Geschichtenerzähler, der Legenden aus der Küstenregion zum Besten gibt. In Flint sind der städtische Männerchor und die Moincoin Ceilidh Band auf der Bühne zu sehen, in Cardiff bieten der Aber Valley Männerchor, der St. Clares Schulchor und Duo-Flex Sound of Steel Entertainment. In Aberystwyth sorgen der Côr Meibion Aberystwyth Männerchor, Tanztruppen der Ravin Stompers und die Aber Swing and the Arad Goch Theatergruppe für Unterhaltung. Durch die Veranstaltungen führen der Wettermoderator Derek Brockway und die TV-Moderatoren Frances Donovan und Sian Lloyd. Der gesamte Wales Coastal Path wird am selben Tag vom Umweltminister John Griffiths beim Cardiff Bay Event eröffnet.

Alle Interessierten sind eingeladen, die Events zu besuchen und gemeinsam dieses denkwürdige Projekt unvergesslich zu machen. Die öffentlichen Feierlichkeiten zeigen lokales Handwerk, Speise- und Getränkehersteller, Vereine und Entertainer, um die Eröffnung des 1.400 Kilometer langen Küstenpfades zu feiern und die Aufmerksamkeit für die Angebote entlang der atemberaubenden Küstenlinie zu steigern.

Gruppen und Organisationen, die entlang des Wales Coast Path ihren Standort haben, geben einen Einblick in ihre Arbeit in einem speziellen „Coast Showcase“. Heimische Speisen und Getränke kommen direkt von den lokalen Produzenten, die den Besuchern mit ihren Waren- und Produktproben auch einen echten „Taste of the Coast“ bieten.

Als Teil der Feierlichkeiten organisieren Ramblers Cymbru den Big Welsh Coastal Walk. In ganz Wales finden Wanderungen statt, die sich mit dem Launch des Pfades decken. Besucher werden dazu ermutigt, an diesem Erlebnis teilzunehmen und die Highlights der walisischen Küste kennenzulernen. Details zu den organisierten Wanderungen sind auf der Ramblers Cymru-Website unter www.ramblers.org.uk ersichtlich.

Der Wales Coast Path wurde von der walisischen Regierung in Kooperation mit dem Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), sechzehn lokalen Behörden und zwei Nationalparks entwickelt. Zusätzlich zur Förderung der walisischen Regierung und der lokalen Küstenbehörden in Höhe von knapp 2,5 Millionen Euro pro Jahr, stellt der European Regional Development Fund über vier Jahre verteilt fast fünf Millionen Euro bereit, um das Projekt zu unterstützen.

Ausführliche Informationen zu Wales unter www.visitwales.com.
Weitere Presse-Infos zu Wales unter www.aviarepstourism.com.

First A380-800 flight Korean Air | Ribbon Cutting at Frankfurt Airport

> NEW ELECTRIC BICYCLE IN MALTA by SMS-FRANKFURT

NEW ELECTRIC BICYCLE IN MALTA by SMS-FRANKFURT
We are thrilled to announce the availability of a new electric bicycle in Malta following a successful launch in London and Spain earlier this year.

e-bikes, battery powered, green and clean – we loved this idea when we heard about it. It’s innovative, niche and going places – literally. There’s an offer to take advantage of too – read to the end.

It is a folding bike which offers the choice of using throttle and cruise power to pedal. The eco-friendly bikes come with full training, a helmet, lock, and road safety vest to ensure customers feel at their safest when exploring their chosen destinations. The electric bicycles can be easily parked and locked so guests can use them as a mode of transport to reach various landmarks or to explore the islands in a fun and unique way.

Since for MICE travel, guests would be of differing fitness levels and Malta could be a challenging terrain – steep hills would be unavoidable whichever route we plan. But hills also offer stunning scenery! So, we can opt for e-bikes powered by a rechargeable battery of 36 volts.

If one needs the extra boost, one can use the power which allows you a top speed of 25km/hr. Otherwise, if you’re fitter, you can flick the switch off. This means everyone keeps up and groups can really enjoy the experience without individuals getting too tired – unless they want the challenge!. The handlebars are upright, which makes this an ideal bike for sightseeing. Cycling on an e-bike is just like cycling on a normal bicycle; you still need to pedal as usual, and the bike has seven
gears for comfort.

Where the tours go and what to see on them;
We start in Gharghur, an amazing high vantage point, and plan routes that head out well away from commercial and urban centres sticking to small lanes in open countryside and diving off down alleys and narrow streets of villages. Tours are mostly half day (4 hours) but full day and tailored times can be arranged.

The beauty of the cycling pace is that you chance upon views and small hidden gems that you just wouldn’t reach by transport as a tourist even if you knew about them, or a local for that matter. Sometimes, a sight is as simple as a stunning view that you turn a corner and see unfold before you. Other times, we pass specific historical places of interest such as prehistoric sites. Since groups are small, we can tailor the route to suit a group’s pace and particular interests. For example, some people are keen
to stop at traditional food outlets, others at crafts workshops.

What people say?
“Our very first time cycling in Malta was on an e-bike and without any doubt a thrilling experience. The electric bicycle gives that little extra support to comfortably tackle the hillsides of Malta and still take in the scenery. We had the pleasure of getting a puncture at an absolutely marvellous spot where we had the chance to enjoy the peace and quietness of the area a little longer but were also shown that assistance and back-up are efficiently organized. All in all a memorable and recommendable day.”

Offer – we are giving free e-bikes delivery / collection to any location in Malta, offer until end December 2012.

For more information, please contact us!
www.Incentives-Worldwide.com

Mekong Tourism Forum 2012

Mekong Tourism Forum to Evaluate 20 Years of Cross-Border Cooperation

BANGKOK, 18 April 2012 – The Mekong Tourism Forum 2012 will take place in Chiang Rai, Thailand, 13-14 June. The forum will address the theme, “20/20 Vision: Building on Two Decades of GMS Cooperation.”

The main focus will be to assess the challenges of human resources, pro-poor sustainable tourism, sub-regional product development and marketing for the next 20 years, in light of achievements in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) over the last 20 years.

Speakers will deliver a candid assessment of what progress has – and has not – been accomplished by Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and donors such as the Asian Development Bank. The grouping united in 1992 to build the Greater Mekong Sub-region as a single tourism destination.

The GMS countries are collectively targeting 52 million international tourist arrivals and US$53 billion in sub-regional tourism revenue by 2015. There were 10 million arrivals in 1995, rising to 35 million in 2011.

“A great deal has been achieved,” said Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office, Executive Director, Mason Florence. “Multi-country holidays are now common in the GMS, but we still need to reduce red tape, increase cross-border flows and boost sustainable tourism in rural areas where incomes are still too low,” he said.

Tourists surveyed in the six countries say that the friendly people are one of the area’s most important assets. The forum will assess how the attraction, retention, training and development of the Mekong workforce has progressed and what needs to be done.

Participants will address the recent changes in Myanmar and the impact of ASEAN Economic Cooperation, due in 2015. There will be a session on how private and public sector tourism operators in the GMS can better leverage the shift to electronic distribution, social media, and mobile.

“Anyone with a stake in the future of tourism in the GMS should be at the forum,” said Florence.

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2012 will take place in northern Thailand at the Dusit Island Resort Hotel in Chiang Rai, a city which celebrates its 750th anniversary this year.

The registration fee for MTF2012 is US$375, with a special early bird rate of US$275 on offer until 15 May. Members of PATA, SKAL and selected GMS tourism associations may register at the reduced rate of US$245. The conference fee includes full access to the two-day conference, coffee breaks, lunches, dinners and complimentary post-forum tours on 15 June. An accompanying spouse rate of US$150 is being extended to all delegates.

For program information visit www.MekongTourismForum.org. Bookings: mtf2012.eventbrite.com.

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office:
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) is an intergovernmental body uniting the national tourism organizations (NTOs) of the six-nation Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). It is tasked with fostering the sustainable development and promotion of travel within the region, and marketing the GMS as a single destination under the Mekong Tourism brand. Visit www.MekongTourism.org.

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO)
5th Floor, Office of Tourism Development,
Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 154 Rama 1 Rd.,
National Stadium, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel: +66 2612 4150-1, +66 2612 4153
Fax: +66 2612 4152
Email: mason@mekongtourism.org

AIBTM 2012 | Press Release April 18th, 2012

AIBTM 2012 – EXHIBITION PREVIEW
AIBTM is the premier global exhibition for the U.S. incentive, business travel, meetings and events industry. AIBTM brings together the world’s meetings, incentive, business and corporate planners for three days of focused business. This year’s AIBTM America Meetings Week will be taking place from June 19th – June 21st and will deliver a fantastic range of unparalleled learning and thought provoking education, exciting networking opportunities and offer powerful business connections for attendees of the show.

AIBTM 2012, is expecting 20,000 pre-scheduled onsite appointments and there is a confirmed 71% increase in Group Co-ordinators over last year. The success of the inaugural event for exhibitors has led to 85% returning for 2012. Of these, 30% have increased their floor space significantly.

What’s New?
PCMA Strategic Partnership – AIBTM 2012 has signed a major strategic partnership agreement with PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and will be the only exhibition organiser recognised at this level by PCMA. As part of this exclusive partnership, PCMA is on track to deliver over 500 Hosted Buyers this year. The partnership with PCMA will also facilitate a ‘State of the Industry Debate’ where the sessions will include keynote speakers to talk about relevant cutting edge topics, as well as an “Executive Edge Programme” which sees PCMA’s partnership with leading business schools to provide industry-relevant MBA educational opportunities.

SITE Partnership – A major new partnership with SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) is on target to deliver 100 incentive buyers. AIBTM will also run SITE’s Young Leaders Programme which is designed to build the next generation of motivational leaders by providing education and networking opportunities that appeal directly to the younger generation.

New to AIBTM – Business and Corporate Travel Sector – AIBTM is dedicated to providing Business travel products, services and solutions to an audience of budget holding executives. The enhanced partnership with ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) at this year’s show will deliver a dedicated educational track focusing on how industry professionals can make the most of face time while developing technology to best enhance the corporate travel experience.

ACTE Partnership – AIBTM 2012’s Partnership with ACTE will deliver significantly greater exposure to the Corporate & Business Travel Industry. This new collaboration with ACTE will provide an educational track of sessions relevant to face-to-face meetings in the context of business travel. ACTE’s focus will be on how industry professionals can make the most of developing technology to best enhance the corporate travel experience.

ICCA Partnership – This year, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) will present an educational track at the show for the first time. The ICCA Global Meetings track will feature two 90-minute roundtable sessions as well as a one-hour clinic where ICCA members will be able to provide personalised advice for planners.

MPI Partnership – MPI will deliver a series of education tracks which will cover the final installment of BVOM (Business Value of Meetings) which was launched in 2011 and supported by AIBTM.

CSPI Partnership – Convention Service Professionals (CSPI) and AIBTM will be working together in an enhanced partnership for the 2012 event. CSPI will help promote AIBTM through print pieces, presence on their website and e-newsletters and give recognition as a sponsor at their conference. CSPI (formerly ACME) is dedicated to fostering the spirit of collaborative success between convention centre sales professionals and their convention sales counterparts at regional destination marketing organisations.

Market Focus SPOTLIGHT on Europe – AIBTM 2012 is delivering a special Market Focus on Europe in which European exhibitors can benefit from a new networking opportunity to meet with Hosted Buyers who have a specific interest in hosting meetings and placing business in Europe. European Exhibitors will be able to meet with key U.S buyers during the hour long session. Hosted Buyers who have selected Europe as a preferred destination in their application to register will automatically have this networking hour in their pre-scheduled diary of appointments.

Increase in Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators – This year’s AIBTM has 71% more Group Coordinators signed than AIBTM 2011 and is still in pre-registration phase for the Hosted Buyer Programme.

New Exhibitors – AIBTM is delighted to welcome over 43 new exhibitors to this year’s show.
New Future Events Experience – Following a successful debut at EIBTM, the Future Events Experience run in conjunction with Newtonstrand, Sync Partners and RTE will be introduced at AIBTM 2012. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their latest technology or services to all attendees in an interactive experience on the show floor. The Future Events Experience allows attendees to play, touch, feel and experience the most cutting edge technology in an environment that demonstrates how technology will influence and play a major role in the future of the meetings and events industry.

Hosted Buyers
The AIBTM Hosted Buyer Programme is a unique component of the show, which provides top-level buyers an opportunity to meet with the exhibitors of their choice for focused one-on-one appointments. The programme hosts International Buyers from across the globe, regional meeting planners from North America and local planners from around the Baltimore and Washington areas.

Qualified buyers can benefit from the buyer-driven appointment system, opportunities to build their network of industry professionals and suppliers, dedicated educational sessions to expand necessary skills and knowledge, complimentary travel/accommodation, admittance to exclusive AIBTM networking functions including an exclusive Hosted Buyer networking evening at Baltimore’s new Four Seasons hotel (situated at the edge of Baltimore’s Harbour East waterfront) and events as well as access to two VIP Hosted Buyer Lounges.

The Hosted Buyer programme and applications are split by three categories, Corporate, Agency and Association. The different categories ensure that buyers are provided with a business and education programme, which is dedicated specifically to their business requirements.

The Hosted Buyers programme is specifically designed to allow flexibility for buyers attending ensuring each buyer has appropriate resources required to attend both the Education and Trade Show days. Buyers also have the option to stay an additional night so that they can take full advantage of the programme.

AIBTM will also reimburse parking costs for those who cannot accept accommodations as well as offer a 10% discount on AMTRAK off the lowest available rail fare to Baltimore, MD between June 16, 2012 and June 27, 2012

A list of AIBTM Hosted Buyers can be found at www.aibtm.com on the home page.

Networking
This year’s Hosted Buyer’s Ice Breaker will take place on Monday 18th June from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the new Four Seasons, Baltimore and will provide Hosted Buyers at the show with an opportunity to network with others in the programme. The new and luxurious Four Season Baltimore opened up in November 2011 and has an impressive 256 rooms and suites with harbour, marina and city-scape views , 121 foot infinity-edged outdoor pool and 10,200 square foot spa.

The Welcome Reception will take place on Tuesday 19th June at Power Plant Live near the Wharf in the Inner Harbour area. The theme will be a “fun filled street party” in one of Baltimore’s liveliest hot-spots. A variety of restaurants and bars will be open to all AIBTM attendees and exhibitors including: Luckie’s Tavern, Luckie’s Liquors, Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden, Mosaic, Mex Tequila Bar, PBR Baltimore, Angels Rock Bar and Joe Squared. Each bar/restaurant will be offering an AIBTM special signature cocktail. Plus, entertainment will be provided by the exciting Who’s Bad: Michael Jackson Tribute referred to as none other than the ‘ the ultimate MJ tribute band’.

Sustainability
The Baltimore Convention Centre is committed to this initiative through the following operations:

The Baltimore Convention Centre (BCC) recycling programme is single stream. Attendees can put any materials into the one container: paper, plastic, aluminium cans. There are marked cans throughout the building and on the show floor.
The BCC has a cardboard bailer to condense materials to be recycled
Food waste is recycled through the Somat machine.

Join AIBTM on Visit us at Linked in, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

eibtm – KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS SIGN UP EARLY

Press release: 17 April 2012

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS SIGN UP EARLY TO MAXIMISE RETURN ON INVESTMENT AT EIBTM 2012
Mid-Year Booking Rates Available until 25th May

Building on the success of EIBTM 2011 which achieved record breaking attendance – this year’s Global Meetings, Events, Incentives and Business Travel Exhibition (www.eibtm.com), taking place from 27th November to 29th November in Barcelona – has already received an unprecedented level of re-bookings and requests for increased space.

The positive response received is a direct reflection of the success of last year’s event – confirming the quality and range of buyers who attend, the buyer driven, pre-scheduled appointment system and ultimately the business that it generates for both exhibitors and Hosted Buyers.

Exhibitors who have already rebooked to attend and have increased the size of their stand this year include: Estonian Tourist Board, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Moscow Exhibiting and Convention Agency, NYC & Company, Business Profilers, Abercrombie & Kent/ Akorn, Seychelles Tourism Board, EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourist Board), Madrid Convention Bureau, American Express, Korea Tourism Organisation, Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Joan Lewis, Director of Sales & Marketing, Regional Sales Office, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts commented, “Shangri-La has a long established relationship with EIBTM and we highly value our location within the Asia Pacific hall. So to sign up early in order to secure our regular location and to now increase our presence for 2012 really mirrors our growth and also supports the growing needs from our customers doing business with us in the region.“

Companies signing up early can benefit from year round exposure on the website (www.eibtm.com), which receives over 1.3m page views per year. They will also gain valuable preshow exposure to buyers who use the online exhibitor directory as a supplier’s guide. All exhibitors participating in EIBTM can also make the most of additional marketing opportunities including press release exposure through their dedicated exhibitor portal and connections via EIBTM social networks.

Other companies who have signed up to maximise participation include: Dragonfly Africa, Barcelona Convention Bureau, Croatian National Tourist Board, Pacific World, Accor Hospitality, Corinthia Hotels International, Fairmont Raffles & Swiss Hotels, The Aviation Factory (Holland), Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, Great Hotels of the World, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Taiwan Convention & Exhibition Association, Incentive Destinations (Inspirations of the World) and Argentina – Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turística.

Graeme Barnett, Exhibition Director EIBTM, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented: “EIBTM saw record breaking attendance last year with a 6.9% increase in overall attendance and satisfaction levels were high”.

“We are delighted with the response we have had so far and it is great that people are signing up early to make the most of what EIBTM has to offer as a year round marketing tool. As the world’s leading event for the meetings, events and business travel industry, our primary aim is to deliver quantifiable return on investment”.

Reed Travel Exhibitions are encouraging companies to take advantage of the opportunities available at this three day dynamic business event and confirm their participation early, securing the mid-year booking rate which is only available to companies returning their signed contract to exhibit by 25th May 2012. Companies interested in exhibiting at EIBTM 2012 should contact the sales team at eibtm@reedexpo.co.uk or on +44 (0) 20 8910 7711 before 25th May 2012

EIBTM 2012 takes place 27th – 29th November, Barcelona.

INDEBO – experience the extraordinary

INDEBO – experience the extraordinary!
WELCOME! It’s another April and the financial year ended with a rush for invoices and accounts while making sure our visitors are setting off safely to wherever they were headed. This business year is expected to be very different from the last one – and we are expanding and broadening our horizons into new segments. Updates and options will be available on our website soon. While the general sense of financial news is a little sober, we’re working harder to tailoring your journeys in India better. The budget hailed an important increase in fares and prices while signaling a corresponding hike in service taxes as well. Factoring all that into our markets, the coming months will see many changes for our clients – but what will remain the same is our committment to provide you with a unique face to face with the country!

Delhi just saw a welcome set of showers in the middle of the April heat. And we decided it was best to spend one of these breezy days walking around the walled city – Shahjahanabad as it remains today, and try to discover the silent pleasures of travelling. Kabootarbaazi (the practice of keeping pigeons) used to be an indulgence of old landed gentry; over the years it has become a pastime for the bird lovers. From there we walked along the kite market of Old Delhi, and Khari Baoli’s spice market, arguably the largest in Asia. Withing minutes of leaving we had decided that we would be back to see more – because that’s what old cities do – they make you come back.

focus – Mewar Festival
In Rajasthan, the onset of spring is celebrated with the Mewar festival in Udaipur. The idea is relatively new, as it tries to expand the regional consciousness around the previously princely estate of Mewar, but it builds upon a much older set of celebrations and ritualistic performances around the beginning of spring. The most important of these celebrations is the Gangauri Puja where women dress up the idols of Isar and Gangaur and a procession travels from one locality to another collecting more devotees and adding more colour and music. The last segment of the religious rituals at the Gangauri Ghat along the Lake Pichola includes several ritualised chants and offerings by women who are yet to be married.
In Rajasthan, the onset of spring is celebrated with the Mewar festival in Udaipur. The idea is relatively new, as it tries to expand the regional consciousness around the previously princely estate of Mewar, but it builds upon a much older set of celebrations and ritualistic performances around the beginning of spring. The most important of these celebrations is the Gangauri Puja where women dress up the idols of Isar and Gangaur and a procession travels from one locality to another collecting more devotees and adding more colour and music. The last segment of the religious rituals at the Gangauri Ghat along the Lake Pichola includes several ritualised chants and offerings by women who are yet to be married.

The Union Budget of 2012 heralded in a series of hikes in service taxes in the Tourism sector. The general hike follows a 2% increase and the service tax stands at 12.36% over last year’s 10.30% while a revision in the rates amounts to 3.09% service tax for tours and 12.36% for events and conferences. Air ticketing prices will also see a hike as the revised tax rate stands at 0.618% for domestic flights and 1.236% for international ones. Transport services will be corresponding with the revised rate standing at 4.994% and other service charges on allied services at 12.36%. The hikes in fares are already in place and our costings will be made accordingly.

Music – K J Yesudas
K J Yesudas is perhaps one of the tallest classical singers in the country. The value of his accolades and his work can hardly be estimated but he’s come a very long way – his cabinet at home holds seven National Awards and forty three State Awards from from five states for playback singing. More than fifty thousand recorded singles and a vibrant recording studio in Trivandrum and Chennai. His five decades as a professional singer have been a source of great affect for many. We wish him several more years of great music and even greater warmth from his admirers.

Diamond Club of Antwerp

Diamond Club of Antwerp
The Private Diamond Club of Antwerp is launching, on-line, its e-commerce department of fine jewellery www.private-diamond-club.com
All jewels which are made to measure and set in Antwerp are proposed at lower prices of 40 % a 60 %.

It is now possible to buy directly in Antwerp your pieces of fine jewellery, made to measure and of superior quality at exceptional prices, by visiting the new website http://www.private-diamond-club.com to discover a unique choice of diamond solitaires, diamond rings, diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants, diamond necklaces and diamond bracelets.

The Private Diamond Club supplies directly from the source with the diamonds cutting shops or with the diamond stock exchange of Antwerp.

In Antwerp, world capital of the diamond, are cut the diamonds of exceptional quality, respecting strictly the superior values of the 8 quality criteria (Color, Clarity, Proportions, Symmetry, Polishing, degree of Fluorescence, Weight and Shape).

Each piece of jewellery is created and made to measure in Antwerp by artists jewelers, of whom know-how goes back to several generations, according to the specific demand of each customer.
This customer can also choose a diamond which will be set on a setting selected among the various models of the collections of the Club.
He also can propose a photography or a drawing of a jewel which he wishes to see realizing; the Club will then provide a quotation and, after agreement, will manufacture the personalized piece of jewellery by their artisans jewelers in Antwerp.
The authenticity of the diamonds set on the 18 carats gold or platinum settings is guaranteed by one of the independent laboratories which make authority all over the world: The Gemological Institut of America of New York (GIA) or the Hoge Raad Voor Diamant of Antwerp (HRD) or the International Gemological Institut of Antwerp (IGI).

The range of diamond jewels proposed by the Private Diamond Club is one of the most important choice offered on the Web. The on-line jeweler Private Diamond Club is the only one to present more than 50 diamond solitaires pieces, from the most classical to the most sophisticated models.

Whole World. One Exhibition.

Today at Baku Expo Centre the 11th Azerbaijan International Tourism and Travel Fair, AITF 2012, opened. The largest tourist forum in both the country and the entire Caspian region once again brings together tourism professionals from national tourism organizations, travel agencies, airlines, hotels and resorts.

With the slogan “The Whole World, One Exhibition”, AITF 2012 has brought together a record number of participants. There are 201 companies and organizations from 32 countries, presenting 62 tourism destinations. Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Cyprus, Malaysia, the UAE, Russia, Turkey and the Czech Republic are among the permanent participants in AITF. Companies from Qatar, Poland, Vietnam, Lithuania, Slovakia and Croatia are all making their debut at this year’s show. In total, this year’s exhibition includes 15 national and regional stands from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Dagestan, India, Cyprus, Crimea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Slovenia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, the Emirate of Dubai, the Stavropol region and Croatia.

The official opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, Mr Abulfas Garayev; the Advisor to the Turkish Ambassador in Azerbaijan on Culture and Information, Mr Said Ahmad Arslan; the Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of Bulgaria, Mr Ivo Marinov; a representative from the World Tourism Organization, Ms Alla Pirisolova; and the director of Iteca Caspian, Mr Farid Mamedov. Opening the exhibition, Minister Garayev thanked the organizers of AITF 2012, and noted that the exhibition is considered by international organizations to be the most influential in providing impetus to the development of the tourism industry.

The representative from the World Tourism Organization, Ms Alla Pirisolova, read a letter from the Secretary General of the WTO, Mr Taleb Rifai, who noted that AITF offers great opportunities for tourism development.

At the opening ceremony, Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Mr Ivo Marinov highlighted that it was the first time that Bulgaria had taken part in AITF to promote its tourism potential.

The Advisor to the Turkish Ambassador in Azerbaijan on Culture and Information, Mr Said Ahmad Arslan, noted that AITF is an important event for increasing the awareness of the global community about the country’s development.

Director of Iteca Caspian Mr Farid Mamedov welcomed all participants on behalf of the organizers, and thanked the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, as well as other the agencies, partners and sponsors who had provided support for the exhibition.

The unconditional prestige of the exhibition and the considerable attention paid to Azerbaijan’s booming tourism industry is underlined by the participation of the World Tourism Organization with its own stand.

This is the third consecutive year in which Turkey has been the partner country of the exhibition. For the firs time, AITF has its own guest country, namely, Bulgaria.

Over the next three days, travel industry professionals will get a unique chance to meet the major companies in the global travel industry, to experience the flavour of each and every country represented at the national stands and to expand their portfolio of tourist destinations.

The exhibition is very attractive with the offers of various recreation and travel opportunities. Medical tourism is widely represented by resorts in Bulgaria, Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Azerbaijani tourists are well familiar with the resort cities of Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk, Mineral Waters, Pyatigorsk and Truskavets, which are all represented at AITF 2012. They will be complemented by Crimean resorts and a number of medical and health organizations, including the National Spa Association of Lithuania and Slovenia’s regional administration, the Land of Celje, which includes six luxury thermal spa resorts.

As is tradition, the exhibition includes a stand organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Republic, and the upcoming 2012 Eurovision Song Contest provides the main theme for the display. Presentations of new projects and developments in the field of leisure and adventure in Azerbaijan will be made by the nation’s leading travel agencies, recreation centres and health resorts, as well as by major hospitality chains operating in Baku, including Fairmont, Hilton Baku, Four Seasons and Park Inn.

Those who admire exotic destinations will be offered interesting, and sometimes bizarre suggestions for holidays in Thailand, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

The biggest stand at the exhibition will once again be claimed by Turkey, which maintains its leading position among the tourists visiting Azerbaijan. Resorts on the famous Turkish Riviera, and well-known hotels and tour companies from different regions of the country will offer visitors trips to both popular and hitherto unexplored corners of Turkey.

A large delegation has arrived at AITF from Croatia. This is certainly in part due to the abolition of visa requirements for citizens of Azerbaijan travelling to Croatia till the end of October 2012. On the Croatian stand, tours will be offered, with accommodation at the best hotels on the Adriatic coast; visitors will be introduced to the sights of the country and will be invited to attend the numerous cultural events held annually in the capital city and the provinces.

This year, there is an increase in the number of airlines announcing their special offers for the Azerbaijani market. AZAL (also acting as the official air carrier), AirAstana, AirBaltic, Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Czech Airlines and Turkish Airlines will present their most affordable scheduled and charter flights for the summer tourist season.

Every year, AITF attracts more tourism professionals from around the world. This year’s business programme is full of thematic presentations and seminars. One of the most interesting events on the first day of the exhibition promises to be a seminar on the “Tourism opportunities in the countries of the Visegrad Group”. This will be attended by representatives of the national tourism agencies of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and the managers of major host companies, hotel chains, resorts and airlines in these countries.

A presentation of the hotels and resorts covered by the scheduled flights of Qatar Airways will take place in the first two days of the exhibition; the National Tourism Authority of Thailand will be holding a presentation on its exotic resorts; Croatian companies and tourism organizations will be holding a series of workshops; and the Azerbaijani travel agency, SW Travel, will launch a new online booking system.

In parallel with AITF, the 6th International Exhibition of “Everything for Hotels, Restaurants and Supermarkets”, HOREX Azerbaijan, is taking place.During the exhibition, leading companies from Austria, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and France will demonstrate professional kitchen equipment, laundry facilities, household chemicals, textiles and exclusive dishes for motels, restaurants and hotels. In addition, information technology products for hotels, such as online booking and online payment systems, will also be on display. The exhibition includes well-known brands in the hospitality industry, such as La Cimbali, Santos, Robot Coupe, Rational, Winterhalter, Karma-Global, Rotondi, Scotsman, Modular, Bonnet, Sagi SPA, Rovabo, Danube International, Muehldorfer and Ingrid Lesage Creations.

During the exhibition, presentations and master classes with internationally renowned experts will take place on the stands of participants. Visitors will become participants in and spectators of an unforgettable spectacle and have the chance to see the latest equipment in action.

Thus, HOREX reflects the needs of the rapidly developing tourism and hotel business in Azerbaijan and will contribute to establishing new standards of quality.