Conference & Meetings World

CYPRUS – A new airport hoped to boost flagging tourism has opened in Larnaca with hopes of becoming a regional transport hub.

SOUTH AFRICA - With less than 200 days to go before the FIFA 2010 World Cup, host country South Africa is promising "a celebration like you´ve never had before".

Emerging markets will account for half of global GDP by 2010 and the international meetings industry needs to broaden its scope as it seeks value and opportunity in "a challenging environment".

UK - The organiser of the 30th World Travel Market, Reed Exhibitions, says it has succeeded in substantially raising the quality of business visitors despite seeing an eight per cent decrease year-on-year on overall visitors.

SPAIN - Tourist destination Lloret de Mar, on the Costa Brava, has launched its own convention bureau.

AUSTRIA - The Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB) has secured three international congresses, accounting for more than 100,000 delegate days and estimated to be worth €50m to the Austrian economy.

EIBTM's organisers are gearing up for the 21st edition of the meetings industry show today.

BELGIUM – The European Federation of Associations of Professional Confererence Organisers (EFAPCO) kick-starts the New Year with its 2010 congress, 8-9 January at the brand new Brussels Palais des Congres venue ‘Square’.

Slovenia - Director of Kennedy Consulting and ex-Reed Exhibitions ‘IBTM’ show director, Paul Kennedy MBE, has been appointed a strategic advisor to the Slovenian Convention Bureau (SCB) and its Conventa trade show.

VENEZUELA – The Venezuelan government has nationalised Margarita Island’s Hilton Suites and its assets in a move it said to rescue the country’s tourism.

IRELAND - Tourism Ireland has officially launched its new meetings strategy, Ireland Means Business, at the international travel trade show, World Travel Market.

US - AIBTM is to run alongside a newly created dedicated America Meetings Week.