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USA:
Defer all travel to parts of: AUSTRALIA:
Defer all travel to parts of: UK:
Defer all travel to parts of: Please use the hyperlinks above to read more information about the destination warning.
DEAD SEA, Jordan (CNN/Reuters) -- Cranes work day and night to complete the 365-room Kempinski resort on the Dead Sea. Nearby, a cluster of resorts is doing unprecedented business. The activity hails the emergence of Jordan's once sleepy border strip with Israel as a top regional retreat with a diverse clientele from global executives and Gulf businessmen to U.S. commanders taking a break from conflict in Iraq. Since last year international hotel chains in Jordan have seen almost full occupancy rates for the first time since a multi-billion-dollar investment spree a decade ago by investors pinning hopes on an elusive Middle East peace dividend. After lagging behind its competitors like upscale rebuilt downtown Beirut, or metropolitan Cairo, Jordan's capital Amman is catching up as a regional business and tourism hub where once quiet neighborhoods are now dotted with lively night spots. Commercial streets are crowded with the latest U.S. franchised food outlets and shopping malls. Industry executives said Jordan's resort business was benefiting from regional political uncertainty diverting holidaymakers to the country along with a post Iraq war boom fueled by demand from wealthy Iraqis to U.S. servicemen on their way to Iraq or using the country as a logistics base. "We are benefiting from being a gateway to Iraq and Palestine," said Saleh Refai, general manager of Zara Investment Holdings, the country's largest hotel investment holding firm. The expanding business was transforming the country with its 18,000 hotel room capacity into a regional corporate conference hub, drawing multinational to U.N. bodies and international charities from Europe and Asia. The kingdom boasts a capacity of more than 5,000 five-star hotel rooms.
Hanoi, Vietnam -- July 4 2005 Businesspeople from a number of APEC Member Economies will be granted easier access to enter Vietnam following the decision by Vietnam to join the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) program. From next year, business travelers who hold an APEC Business Travel Card will be able to use express immigration lanes at airports and stay for at least 60 days in Vietnam without having to apply for a visa.
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According to recent research in the UK, nearly three quarters (73%) of women enjoy travelling for business. Variety is the reason given by 65% whilst another 60% say they enjoy seeing the world. Half (51%) enjoy the opportunity business travel provides to experience other cultures. However, further findings from the ninth Barclaycard Business Travel Survey show that travelling for work isn't always enjoyed by women. Although the majority enjoy their job, nearly half (47%) admit to feeling lonely when they are staying on their own in hotels. Sixty one per cent of women dislike drinking on their own in the hotel bar compared to just 25% of men. A further 34% of female business travellers are uncomfortable eating alone in the restaurant. This is explained, in part, by the amount of unwanted attention they receive from other guests which has more than doubled over the last twelve months to 39%. What's more, almost a third (30%) of women admit to feeling safer in their hotel room compared to just 5% of men. Tim Carlier, Head of Commercial Cards at Barclaycard Business said, "Although it is encouraging that business travel continues to be popular with women, it is disconcerting to learn that they are often feel unable to relax when away on business. The fact that nearly a quarter of female business travellers would like more women-only floors and restaurants is a clear signal to hotels that there is an opportunity for them to reconsider the facilities they provide for women." Other findings from the survey include:
* 21% cent of men make business calls on their commute whilst the same
number of women do nothing
Imagine every man, woman and child in Australia and New Zealand flying abroad on holiday each year. Sounds far-fetched? Hold your breath: About 29 million Chinese - more than the combined population of the two Pacific nations - went overseas last year. And to continue the analogy further, the figure is set to be about 40 million - about the size of the entire population of Anhui Province. Yes, China's outbound tourism is as hot as Beijing's weather. Last year, growth was 43 per cent to 29 million; and another 10 million could be added to the figure this year. Statistics from the China National Travel Administration (CNTA) reveal that in 2003, the 20.22 million Chinese travelling overseas surpassed the number of tourists from Japan - the nation with the highest number of outbound travellers in Asia - and one of the top 10 in the world for tourist spending. According to forecasts by the World Tourism Organization, China will become the fourth-largest outbound tourist country by 2020, with as many as 100 million people travelling overseas. However robust, the outbound travel business still faces bottlenecks, the most serious ones being a shortage of Mandarin-speaking professional staff, most importantly guides, and the uncertainties always hanging on the issue of visas from European governments. Read more>>
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*BTI Customers enjoy preferential rates. Before on on 28 July: USD
179 instead of USD 199 for ACTE Members; To register, contact Judy for your BTI preferential rate code and registration form.
Highlights of the programme include: Highlights of the Program: Wednesday,
24 August
* What's driving the need to develop strategic travel management skills? Please Note that Travel Management Clinic Requires separate registration (USD 59 for ACTE members; USD 79 for ACTE Non Members) Facilitator: Gordon Young, Managing Director of TMS Asia Pacific - Business Solutions
Wednesday, 24 August ACTE will also announce a special scholarship award to one travel management professional who will be selected on the basis of established criteria. The recipient of this award will receive return air travel, accommodation and free registration to attend an ACTE Global Conference.
Wednesday, 24 August Live Media Interviews: Aim to provide an engaging exchange of expert opinions that will reveal the full spectrum of issues on developments facing corporations and suppliers our industry.
Thursday, 25 August
Thursday, 25 August To learn more visit www.acte.org |
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Travel Warnings These latest have
been issued for non-essential travel for the following countries by
the following governments:
