BY Ankita TripathyDec 11, 2023

Get ready for the much-anticipated SGFE (Skift Global Forum East). It is the ultimate travel conference by Skift. This year, it joins forces with the annual summit of Dubai Tourism organized by the DET (the Department of Economy and Tourism). Save the dates – December 12-14, 2023, at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal. Forget about the things to do in Dubai. This three-part extravaganza includes the Skift Global Forum East, a MENA extension of the renowned Skift Global Forum. Brace yourself for deep dives into the future of travel, exploring innovations in marketing, strategy, and technology. Meanwhile, DET's bi-annual 'City Briefing' is the pulse of industry stakeholders coming together to share ideas and strategies. The Dubai Tourism Summit, born during last year's Skift Global Forum East, is a world-class thought leadership program for networking among industry stakeholders. The 'City Briefing' event gathers DET’s aviation, travel, hospitality, and retail partners to discuss the latest industry developments. Expect a powerhouse lineup at Skift Global Forum East 2023, featuring CEOs, thought leaders, and innovators from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Global Hotel Alliance, Dubai Airports, Emirates, Google, Accor, Emaar Hospitality Group, and more. Dive into discussions covering the future of travel, challenges of air capacity, post-pandemic trends for Chinese travelers, destination marketing through filmmaking, and the role of AI in shaping travel's future – with a focus on the dynamic Middle East region. Be part of conversations on global consumer shifts, building destination capacity, demographic trends, sustainability, and macroeconomic impacts on the industry. The Forum starts with a dazzling opening night reception at Cloud 22, Atlantis The Royal, on December 12, 2023 – an opportunity for networking and connecting with industry leaders. Ready to join the conversation? Register for detailed event information at https://live.skift.com/skift-global-forum-east-2023, the official Skift Global Forum East 2023 site. Don't miss this chance to be at the forefront of the travel industry's future. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report Earthquake Of 6.9 Magnitude Leaves Philippines Jolted- 3rd Jolt In 2 Days Thailand Becomes Most Preferred Destination For Tourists: Agoda Reports

BY Sarmind SafiDec 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY Sarmind SafiDec 4, 2023

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has struck off the coast of the southern Philippines following a series of strong quakes in the same region. On early Monday morning, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the southern Philippines. The United States Geological Survey reported. 2 people died and several have been injured after the quake on Saturday, according to a report made by AFP news agency. The earthquake on Saturday triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific area and sent the residents along the east coast of Mindanao fleeing buildings, seeking higher ground and evacuating a hospital. The Philippine Seismology Institute has warned of a possible "destructive tsunami" after the first quake on Saturday. The waves were expected to be life-threatening but fortunately, none took place and the warning ended. Thousands of residents have stayed outside their homes for long hours due to the earthquake and the impending tsunami scare. Some of them were drenched by the overnight downpour. Earthquakes have been a common occurrence in the Philippines which is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that goes from Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. Most of them are too weak to be felt by humans. Read Also: Zanzibar Is Luring Tourists With A 30Kg Christmas Cake Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites