Multicultural Travel News – News From Vagabond Tours of Ireland, IATA, Jamaica, Kentucky, Buenos Aires, Oaxaca and Bahamas
 Multicultural Travel News – News From Vagabond Tours of Ireland, IATA, Jamaica, Kentucky, Buenos Aires, Oaxaca and Bahamas News Briefs:
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News Briefs  Vagabond Tours of Ireland Helps Connect Guests To Their Ancestral Links Since 2002 Vagabond Adventure Tours has been creating opportunities for visitors to embrace Ireland by walking, biking, horseback riding and kayaking its lands and waters, imbibing history and culture along the way. This award-winning tour company, whose reputation lies in whisking guests into the magic of off-the-beaten-track Ireland, hopes that visitors of Irish descent will make the effort to explore their particular pasts when visiting the Emerald Isle. “Every Vagabond Small-Group Adventure Tour sheds light on who the Irish are today and where we’ve been,” explains Robb Rankin, owner of Vagabond tours. “When it comes to the particulars of family histories and genealogies, while you’re with us in Ireland, you may want to explore your own extended family ancestry — or look for relatives.” Blog posts on the Vagabond website continue this theme: https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/nancy-came-back-irish-roots and https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/the-genealogy-detective. In 2013 the company was honored by National Geographic Traveler with a Top 50 Tour of a Lifetime distinction. In 2015 and 2017 Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland was named the “Best Adventure Experience” at the Irish Tourism Awards. In 2017, Vagabond became Ireland’s first tour operator to achieve Ecotourism Gold Level Certification and in 2018, Vagabond Tours won The Green Tourism & Entertainment category in Ireland’s most prestigious Green (business) Awards. In February 2019, the company won two top Irish Tourism Industry Awards for the Best Ireland Ancient East Tourism Experience and Best Environmental Tourism Innovation. For more information visit https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/ or Follow Vagabond Tours of Ireland on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vagabondireland; Instagram |
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IATA Launches Gender Diversity Campaign The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the 25by2025 Campaign-an airline industry initiative to advance gender diversity in the airline industry by 2025. The 25by2025 Campaign is a voluntary commitment by participating IATA member airlines. Key among the commitments of airlines participating in the 25by2025 Campaign are: Increasing the number of women in senior positions (to be defined by the member airlines) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to minimum representation of 25% by 2025; Increasing the number of women in under-represented jobs (e.g. pilots and operations) by either 25% against currently reported metrics or to a minimum representation of 25% by 2025; Reporting annually on key diversity metrics. IATA member airlines who have already signed up to the 25by2025 Campaign include China Eastern, Lufthansa Group and Qatar Airways. There is currently no comprehensive airline industry-wide gender diversity statistical report. But, with women representing around 5% of the global pilot population and 3% of CEOs, the gender imbalance in the industry is clear. In addition to the commitments from member airlines under the 25by2025 Campaign, IATA will also be making the following commitments: Increasing the representation of women in IATA’s senior management (Directors and above) from the current 19% to at least 25% by 2025; Working with member airlines to increase the number of women they appoint to IATA governance roles from the current 17% to a minimum of 25% by 2025; Ensuring that the number of women participating as panelists / speakers at IATA conferences is a minimum of 25% by 2025; Creating a forum for sharing diversity and inclusion initiatives and best practices across the industry and publishing annual industry statistics on gender diversity. At the 2019 World Air Transport Summit the first winners of the IATA Diversity and Inclusion Awards were announced. The 25by2025 Campaign adds to this and other IATA efforts to address gender diversity in the airline industry. |
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Jamaica Re-positioned in the Japanese Travel Market At an October meeting in Osaka, during Tourism Expo Japan, Destination Jamaica received resounding support from the Japan Association of Travel agents (JATA) in the quest to increase arrivals from that country. In a meeting with the Jamaican Delegation, Chairman of JATA, Hiromi Tagawa said “JATA is pleased that Jamaica is once again active in the Japanese travel market. We are committed to helping to promote the destination among our members. Arrival numbers to Jamaica will increase.” The Honorable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, who led the Jamaican delegation at the meeting, spoke to the improvements in the tourism product which would appeal to the Japanese market. “The expansion in Jamaica’s tourism is very attractive to today’s Japanese traveler. For the millennials, we offer adventure and entertainment, while for those travelers looking for an authentic cultural experience, we offer a culinary journey alongside world heritage sites.” Minister Bartlett also discussed the timeliness of Jamaica’s participation in Tourism Expo Japan, coming only three months after the signing of a historic amendment to the open skies agreement between the US and Japan. The agreement allows for American, Delta, United and Hawaiian Airlines to improve and increase travel and trade between both countries thereby paving the way for enhanced connections to Caribbean destinations. |
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African American’s Role in Horse Racing Honored in New Exhibits and Experiences Horse racing is one of America’s oldest and most cherished traditions. From the Kentucky Derby, which celebrated its 145th anniversary in 2019 to the annual Keeneland auctions, Kentucky is the epicenter for American horse culture. Beginning in 2019, the Bluegrass State introduced new heritage itineraries and museum exhibits to pay homage to its African American history, including the horsemen who helped shape this culture. Unforgettable Kentucky African American Heritage Experiences include three itineraries covering 27 attractions piece together the untold and unforgettable stories of African American history in Kentucky. The itineraries are divided by geographical region and include Louisville & Surrounding Areas, Lexington & Surrounding Areas and a Statewide Itinerary. For more information or to view the three routes, visit www.unforgettableky.com. Kentucky Horse Park Exhibit Black Horsemen of the Kentucky Turf follows the racing careers of legendary jockeys, including Oliver Lewis, Isaac Murphy and Jimmy Winkfield, the last African American to win the Kentucky Derby in 1902. The exhibit includes rare works by equine artist Edward Troye, who documented African American horsemen when few would. For more information, visit: www.kyhorsepark.com. Kentucky Derby Museum African American Exhibit – Many believe Isaac Murphy was one of the greatest jockeys of all time. He competed in the Kentucky Derby 11 times and won three of those. The Kentucky Derby Museum’s African American Exhibit follows Murphy’s life and imparts valuable lessons of honor and virtue to the next generation of jockeys, historians and horse lovers. For more information, visit: www.derbymuseum.org. For information about new African American heritage exhibits and experiences available across Kentucky, visit http://www.kentuckytourism.com. |
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International Tango Festival and World Cup (Mundial de Tango) From Aug. 8-21, thousands of tango enthusiasts from around the world descended on Buenos Aires for this multi-faceted event. The city was buzzing with dance competitions, street tango, and free events including conferences, lectures and other tango themed activities to celebrate Argentina’s iconic dance. The Mundial de Tango is the most important international tango championship where hundreds of dancers compete for a place in the finals at Luna Park stadium. The Mundial has two categories: traditional tango salon (improvised – dancers do not know what music they will have to dance to), and escenario (choreographed stage tango). Tango aficionados can immerse themselves in the local scene year-round with these authentic tango experiences in Buenos Aires. Below is a sampling of activities: La Boca: The neighborhood famous for its colorful houses, tango and soccer team, is the one spot that makes every visitor’s agenda and Instagram. La Boca was the neighborhood where immigrants first established themselves when arriving in Buenos Aires. Visitors can catch tango street performances in the neighborhood. Carlos Gardel House Museum: Dedicated to Carlos Gardel, located in the legendary tango singer’s former home the museum features a collection of personal items, photographs and examples of his work. The venue also hosts concerts and film screenings. Escuela Mariposita: While the improvised dance is famous for requiring patience and dedication, a class can give insight to how the dance works, while four or five classes are enough to master a basic sequence to brave the dancefloor at a milonga. Located in an old San Telmo mansion, the Escuela Mariposita is a boutique hotel, tango school, and cultural center. It offers group tango classes for all levels, regular tango workshops, intensive tango weeks, private lessons and other classes. El Viejo Almacen: As one of the city’s most traditional tanguerías, many tango greats have graced the stage. Event details can be found here. |
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Oaxaca Hosts Historic “Vive Mezcal 2019” International Forum The International Forum “Vive Mezcal 2019”, the most important and ambitious project to boost the production, distribution and sale of this spirit in the world, will take place from September 12 to 14, 2019, at the Cultural and of Convention Center of Oaxaca located in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. The three-day forum in the capital of the state of Oaxaca will bring together more than 12 thousand people between producers, entrepreneurs, investors, distributors and other attendees who will be able to experience the expo, museography, Master Mezcal Hall, Business Hub, workshops, cultural forum, Invest in Mezcal business meetings, more than 30 artistic and cultural activities,12 Master Conferences, participation of more than 40 exhibitors and 150 producers of Mezcal, among other activities. Mezcal, of which 92 percent of its total production is generated in Oaxaca, in addition to gaining widespread popularity, has positioned itself as an attractive world-class beverage and has boosted export growth to 64 countries that now consume the artisanal spirit, often called liquid gold. Mezcal, which means “cooked maguey” in Nahuatl, a Mexican beverage with centuries of cultural and social evolution, has positioned itself in a brilliant way showing exponential growth over the last six years with the number of exported brands increasing 195 percent and reaching countries including the USA, Spain, Germany, France and England among others. With more than 300 brands and 150 mezcal producers participating, “Vive Mezcal” will be the first International Forum for innovation, business, culture and tradition, surrounding this beverage. Registration for those interested in attending is free at: ViveMezcal2019.com. |
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 The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas Launches Arabic WebsiteThe Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort has announced the activation of a website extension in Arabic as it extends its welcome to Arabic-language travelers. The inaugural launch of the translation of the Bahamian resort’s website comes amid an increase in Arabic-speaking family travelers opting for the white sand beach of Paradise Island and the privacy of the Resort’s three opulent villas. The Ocean Club’s landing page, its services and amenities, location and directions, dining, and family-focused sections were part of the translation project, which went live at the end of July 2019. “Marhaba!” welcomes General Manager John Conway. “Our doors and hearts are open, and we look forward to showcasing Four Seasons service and Bahamian hospitality to the ever-affluent and well-journeyed Arabic traveler.” For more information, visit https://www.fourseasons.com/oceanclub/ or contact Monica Majors, Director of Public Relations, |
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   About This Newsletter Multicultural Travel News newsletter (MTN) covers travel news of interest to ethnic and niche travelers and those who market to them. We write about destinations that interest multicultural travelers or have outreach campaigns to travelers of Hispanic, African American, Asian American and other cultural backgrounds; women; LGBT travelers and people with disabilities. Multicultural Travel News is also written for leisure and business travelers looking for what to see and do and for marketing executives interested in ideas, best practices and the business case for targeting so-called “minority” travelers. We cover cities and countries, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, convention and visitor bureaus, tour operators and other travel marketers with a multicultural angle. Multicultural Travel News is written and edited by Lisa Skriloff. Multicultural Travel News is published by Multicultural Marketing Resources, Inc. (MMR). To view past editions click here. For a free subscription to Multicultural Travel News and its sister publication, Multicultural Marketing News, sign up here. Lisa Skriloff, Editor Multicultural Travel News Multicultural Entertainment News Multicultural Marketing News Dance Travel News Multicultural Marketing Resources, Inc. 212-242-3351 |