Malta’s 2019 Festival and Events Calendar “sparks” with fireworks

Discover the many reasons why Malta, an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean, is referred to as The Hidden Gem of the Mediterranean. Malta’s festivals are filled with different aspects of music, culture, art, food and more. Malta boasts an events calendar featuring an eclectic blend of local and international entertainment, exhibitions, festivals and feasts.  The Maltese islands play host to an exciting array of international sporting events, performances by international contemporary music stars, classical music concerts, jazz festivals, and traditional events such as village festas and carnivals. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF MALTA’S 2019 FESTIVALS AND ANNUAL EVENTS

Malta International Fireworks Festival: April 24-30

The Maltese are well known for their love of fireworks and their expertise in manufacturing spectacular displays has won them several international accolades. The 18th edition of the Fireworks Festival is a showcase of the best of Maltese aerial pyrotechnic talent.

Valletta Film Festival: June 14-23

The film festival will have a film for everyone, screening over 40 feature films and 25 short films. The films selected for screenings will be either open-air, at historic venues, or at different cinemas throughout the capital city, Valletta.

Malta International Arts Festival: June 29-July 13

Malta’s art festival highlights the islands rich culture. The festival is renowned for having integrative works for art that encourage artistic collaboration. There will be many different art forms such as theatre, dance, music, and art.   

The Malta International Food Festival: July 17-21

Food and wine lovers must attend the most anticipated culinary festival in Malta. You will be submerging yourself into a kaleidoscope of tastes, from the amazing local produce, to the delicious wines. The festival attracts more than 30,000 people to try the delicious Maltese cuisine.

Isle of MTV- July 9 Malta Jazz Festival: July 15-20

Come to the annual Isle of MTV Malta which features chart topping artists performing live during a mega concert. It is now one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, and attracts a crowd of more than 50,000 people.

Summer Carnival: August 16-18

Visit the Summer Carnival where you will get to celebrate in the streets of Malta in extravagant costumes. Malta’s nightlife center, Paceville, will be filled with carnival goers in their colorful costumes piled into clubs and bars, still wearing their outrageous outfits.

Notte Bianca: October 5

The arts light up the streets of Valletta when palaces and museums open their doors to host all night long concerts, visual art exhibitions, dance and theatre performances; while the streets are filled with local and international musicians and dancers.

Birgufest: October 11-13

To really experience the history of Malta you must experience Birgufest. Birgu, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Malta, hosts a four-day event. During this time, you will be engaged in the history and culture of the island, by attending a mass or having a meal on the seafront.

For more information about events in Malta click here.

Romance is in the air for Valentine’s Day at five luxury Corinthia Hotels

Rose petal-strewn beds, glasses of chilled champagne, candlelit dinners a deux, a couple’s massage and idyllic escapes are all on the menu for Valentine’s Day at five luxury Corinthia Hotels around the world.

The collection of five-star properties aim to make February 14, 2019, a day and night to remember. Here are the special packages:

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

The landmark city hotel is the backdrop for A Corinthia Love Story, a Valentine’s Day escape which includes an upgrade to a rose petal-strewn room, champagne and chocolate strawberries on arrival, a three-course dinner with complimentary glass of wine, a 25-minute massage in the Royal Spa and a buffet breakfast the next day. Love at Corinthia costs from €279 (approx. $321.00) per room per night (two sharing). Valid from February 1-28, 2019. For more information visit www.corinthia.com/budapest or call +36 1 479 4000.

Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Malta

Escape to the tranquil surroundings of the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in the heart of the island, book a rose petal-strewn Deluxe Room, enjoy a back, neck and shoulder massage at the Athenaeum Spa, and make the most of the in-room aphrodisiac menu. The Valentine’s Escape is priced from €140 (approx. $161.00) per room per night (two sharing). Valid from February 13-17, 2019. For more information visit www.corinthia.com/palace or call +356 2144 0301.

Corinthia Hotel Lisbon

Luxuriate in one of Corinthia Hotel Lisbon’s new Deluxe Junior Suites with a romantic three-course dinner served in the privacy of your room which includes a glass of champagne, plus early check-in, breakfast, and late check-out. The Romantic Escape costs from €300 (approx. $345.00) per room per night (two sharing). Valid from February 9-19, 2019. For more information visitwww.corinthia.com/lisbon or call +351 21 7236363.

Corinthia Hotel London

Treat your loved one to a romantic stay at Corinthia Hotel London, one of the city’s top luxury hotels. Enjoy an overnight stay in an elegant room or suite and access to the award-winning spa, ESPA Life. During your stay, a bottle of chilled champagne and sweet pastries will be waiting on arrival and, later on, a rose petal-strewn bed will surprise and delight in the evening. The spa’s sumptuous Thermal Floor is the perfect place to relax and unwind, with its swimming pool, amphitheater sauna, steam room and more. Romance in London costs from £534 (approx. $681.00) per room per night (two sharing) including full English breakfast. Valid throughout 2019. For more information visit www.corinthia.com/london or call +44 (0) 20 7321 3000.

Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, Malta

Relax in sea view accommodation on the Mediterranean island of Malta at Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, enjoy a 50-minute, full-body couple’s massage with a glass of bubbly and chocolate truffles, full use of the Apollo spa, breakfast and late check-out on the day of departure. Magical Moments costs from €220 (approx. $253.00) per room per night (two sharing). Valid from February 14-17, 2019. For more information visit www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/malta-stgeorgesbay or call +356 2137 4114.

All packages are subject to availability and blackout dates may apply.

For further information on the Romantic Escapes, please visit https://www.corinthia.com/en/valentines-day-corinthia

For further information on Corinthia Hotels, please visit corinthia.com

Study shows 44% of leisure travelers plan and book vacations at the last minute

Why are so many people booking their vacations last minute? Is it all those great last-minute travel deals flooding our inboxes? Or today’s millennial travelers who are more comfortable with the technology that allows them to quickly and easily plan and book flights, hotels, rental cars and event tickets? The answer, according to research, is both.

Nearly two billion vacations were taken last year, according to the U.S. Travel Association. While conventional wisdom would suggest the vast majority of these travelers plan and book their trips a month or more in advance, a new study from advertising agency Hoffman York (HY) reveals that nearly half are doing so at the last minute. HY surveyed 888 people who took at least one overnight trip over 50 miles away for leisure purposes in the last 12 months.

Among travelers, 44 percent are planning and booking their leisure trips two weeks or less prior to their departure, with more than half agreeing that they can be swayed by last-minute deals, and 64 percent choosing to book their trips through online travel agencies.

What else defines this new-age traveler and what makes them different than other travelers? Hoffman York, an agency that specializes in travel and tourism marketing, got to the bottom of this potential travel trend.

What does it mean to be a last-minute traveler?

HY defined last-minute traveler (LMT) as a person who books transportation, lodging and event tickets for an overnight leisure trip within 0-14 days of their vacation. How long are their trips? According to the research, the average last-minute traveler spends two to three days on their trip while one in five last-minute travelers are taking trips that are five days or longer. On the contrary, most non-LMTs stay 5 or more days (44 percent).

Last-minute traveler demographics

The last-minute traveler is younger—40 percent are under 35 compared to 32 percent of non-last-minute travelers. Notably younger, 42 percent of LMTs make $50,000 or less, annually. LMTs often have children (41 percent) in the home versus 32 percent of non-LMTs.

How they book

Though the last-minute traveler is defined as someone who books within two weeks of departure, survey results show that most LMTs are actually booking within one week of their vacation. When planning and booking, 58 percent of transportation, 59 percent of lodging and 78 percent of event tickets are purchased within one week of the LMT’s departure.

What’s more, 64 percent of flights and 30 percent of hotels are booked using an online travel agency (OTA) such as Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline. Non-LMT’s use an OTA for 30 percent of flights and 25 percent of hotel bookings. Non-LMTs are more likely to book directly through an airline (46 percent compared to 24 percent of LMTs) and directly through a hotel (42 percent compared to 30 percent of LMTs).

How they get there and where they stay

Primarily, last-minute travelers use their personal vehicle (74 percent of LMTs compared to 67 percent non-LMTs). The second most popular mode of transportation for LMTs is flying (36 percent)*. Significantly more non-LMTs are flying at 57 percent.
The research showed that 67 percent of LMTs stay in hotels compared to 76 percent of non-LMTs. Many LMTs (43 percent) also stay with friends or family, compared to 34 percent of non-LMTs.

Their destinations

On average, a last-minute traveler’s destination is 580 miles from their home. A non-last-minute traveler’s destination is nearly 900 miles. As for where they are going, 42 percent of last-minute travelers vacation in cities and 31 percent visit somewhere outdoors (lake, beach, state or national park). For non-LMTs, 38 percent visit a city and 27 percent visit the outdoors. During their trips, 58 percent of last-minute travelers visit friends or family, 21 percent seek an outdoor adventure, 22 visit a historic attraction and 16 percent attend an amusement park. As for non-LMTs 48 percent visit friends or family, 25 percent seek an outdoor adventure, 32 percent visit a historic attraction and 17 percent attend an amusement park.

“Today’s new generation of last-minute travelers represents a significant segment of the overall leisure traveler population,” said Angie Buchanan, VP, Account Supervisor for Hoffman York. “How they book, where they’re going and how they go about the travel process is different from traditional vacation planners. It’s important for today’s travel and hospitality marketers to understand how and when to reach them and why they need to make the booking process fast and easy.”
To receive Hoffman York’s full last-minute traveler study, including how to use the insights to effectively market to last-minute travelers, click here.

About Hoffman York

Hoffman York is a full-service, independent advertising and marketing communications agency headquartered in Milwaukee, offering a comprehensive suite of award-winning services, including advertising, digital strategy and development, research and analytics as well as earned, social and paid media. The agency has extensive experience working with destination marketing organizations, tourism agencies and hospitality groups. To learn more about Hoffman York, visit hoffmanyork.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Corinthia Hotels offers seasonal cheer with winter sale

The countdown is on to December 15, 2018, when luxury hotel collection Corinthia Hotels offers some seasonal cheer with the start of its Winter Sale.

As temperatures plummet so do rates - by 30-50% - at its five-star properties around the world, including the flagship Corinthia Hotel London which recently featured in a BBC 1 documentary, A Hotel for the Rich and Famous. 

Lead-in rates at Corinthia Hotel London are from £475 (approx. $600), reduced by 30%. The Winter Sale rate at Corinthia Hotel Budapest is also reduced by 30%, with a lead-in rate of €109 (approx. $124).

Rates at the other hotels are reduced by 50%, with lead-in rates per room per night (two sharing) as follows:

Corinthia St George’s Bay, Malta: €95 (approx. $108)
Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Malta: €95 (approx. $108)
Corinthia Hotel Prague: €90 (approx. $102)
Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg: €70.26 (approx. $80)
Corinthia Hotel Lisbon: €116 (approx. $132)

All rates are per room per night based on two sharing. To take advantage of these rates, stays must be booked by February 28, 2019, and are valid for stays until December 30, 2019.

More information here.

Affordable 9-day China Impressions tour

9 Days and 7 Nights

Availability: All Year Round

Beijing

Shanghai

Min Age: 2+

Max People: 28

Tour HighlightsDates & RatesItineraryMapMediaReviews

Tour Highlights

Package's Inclusions:

Flights Hometown to Beijing, Shanghai to Hometown (for All-Inclusive package)
Other departure cities available. Click on “Date & Rates” or call 1 (877) 486-5159
Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
Inter-China Flights: Beijing to Xi’an, Xi’an to Shanghai
7 nights DELUXE accommodations
    Beijing 3 nights – Four Points by Sheraton Beijing
    Xian 2 night – Sheraton Xian Hotel
    Shanghai 2 nights – Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel
All transfers as per itinerary
Knowledgeable English-speaking tour guides
Meals shown on itinerary
Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
Administration & Entrance fees as per itinerary

Dates & Rates

 Guaranteed Departure for minimum 10 travelers.

“Land Only” packages are available for individuals who prefer arranging their own flights to China.

“All Inclusive (Air & Land)” based on contract fare and subject to availability at the time of booking made.

ChinaTour.com features all-inclusive escorted tours with scheduled departures that include transpacific airfare from Los Angeles (LAX).

Passengers departing from cities other than LAX, please contact us at +1 (877) 486 5159 or info@chinatour.com , you are welcome to visit our retail stores in USA, Canada and Australia as well. 

Looking for Alternate Dates? Or Just Want to Customize This Tour?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. Our expert tour staff will guide you in the right direction.

+1 (877) 486-5159 (M-F 8-6, S 9-6 PST)

info@chinatour.com

ACE of M.I.C.E. Exhibition by Turkish Airlines 2019: Connecting dots

ACE of M.I.C.E. Exhibition by Turkish Airlines is gearing up for its sixth edition on 20-22 February 2019 at Istanbul Congress Center (ICC) – Istanbul, Turkey. At 2019, ACE of M.I.C.E. will welcome around 250 exhibiting companies from more than 30 countries and more than 200 International and 500 local buyers.

For its sixth birthday, ACE of M.I.C.E. has renewed its face and will be hosting the global MICE industry with a new design that has developed under the motto of, ‘Connecting Dots’. As being the foremost B2B platform of the regional MICE industry, the trade show will be gathering professionals in an intensive 3 day program which is full of networking and business interactions. Besides thousands of B2B appointments will take place during the show, participants will enjoy fascinating sessions in the Speakers’ Corner and various networking events.

Since 2014, ACE of M.I.C.E. has attracted global and local MICE industry as the show continued to grow every year. For its international recognition, ACE of M.I.C.E. has partnered with different international associations and industry actors such as, ICCA, UNICEO, MPI, IAPCO, SITE, MPI, EMA, ISES. In 2018, 155 International Hosted Buyers from 41 countries and 450 local buyers participated in the ACE of M.I.C.E., 220 firms exhibited and the show hosted more than 10.000 professionals.

Hosted Buyer Program

Through the International Hosted Buyer Program of ACE of M.I.C.E. participants will be able to meet with 750+ MICE industry buyers from 41 countries on a perfectly designed B2B online appointment system. As a result of the expansion of our agreement with Turkish Airlines and our new strategic partnership with TURSAB, International Hosted Buyer Program of the 2019 ACE of M.I.C.E. will be progressed both in terms of quality and quantity.

“We will ensure that our participants to increase the volume of business by meeting right buyers within the framework of our International Hosted Buyer Program. We focused to increase the ROI of exhibitors by generating programs based on their specific needs.” remarks Volkan Ataman, President of the Tourism Media Group which organizes the ACE of M.I.C.E.

In 2018, ACE of M.I.C.E. hosted 617 buyers from 41 countries who came to conduct B2B meetings with exhibitors. The program received a very good feedback as %87,3 of Hosted Buyers said they were satisfied with the exhibition and find it very beneficial for their business.

Registration for the hosted buyer program is open to planners from event management agencies, venue finding companies, incentive houses, associations, PCOs, AMCs, charities, government and corporate organisations.

“ACE of M.I.C.E. offers a significant opportunity for all of its exhibitors and buyers to experience Istanbul besides expanding their business network.  Meeting and event professionals will also gain inspiration and ideas through the fascinating sessions which will take place in the Speakers’ Corner” Volkan Ataman added.

Hosted buyer registration for ACE of M.I.C.E. Exhibition by Turkish Airlines is open now – click here to register.

2019 Speakers’ Corner Programme: If You Want to Hear From the Best!

Participants of the ACE of M.I.C.E. will have the privilege to attend insprings sessions of the Speakers’ Corner Programme and hear from the best.

Professionals of the top global event companies and organizations are lined up to talk at the Speakers’ Corner and to deliver their unique expertise on various topics. Speakers include Jason Popp, International Executive Vice President at GES; Anna Ratala, Head of SLUSH Singapore; Johanna Marsal, Senior Producer at Moment Factory; Caspar Mason, Creative Strategy Director of Jack Morton Worldwide; Tahira Endean, Author of Intentional Event Design will be there at the Speakers’ Corner to address the ACE of M.I.C.E. audience.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Hosted Buyer Applications: 24 September 2018 – 4 February 2019
AMEzing Party: 21 February 2019
Gala Dinner: 20 February 2019

For further information please contact: Cagkan Ozturk: cagkan@turizmmedya.net

International luxury travel providers meet in Innsbruck for loop. Only a few spots are left.

From November 19th until November 21st, 2018 the only B2B- luxury travel trade show for the German-speaking market „loop-luxury on our planet“ will start in Tirol for the second time! 

Within three days, the international crème de la crème composed of hotels and providers of luxury tourism products as well as buyers of travel agencies and tour operators will meet at the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol.

The concept of loop is similar to speed dating on high-class level.

Click here be part of it  (only a few sports are left)

Click here to register