Penang, Malaysia: A mélange of cultures
It was my first visit to Penang, the renowned ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and I was impressed and overwhelmed at the tenacious spirit of the locals and distinctly old world charm of its eats and streets.

Hard not to rock out: Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Outside the main township of Penang, on the peaceful and forever sunny Batu Ferringhi beach rests the Hard Rock Hotel; but rest will be the last thing on your mind when you stay here.

Rockin’ relaxation Penang style
Searing yourself silly in the heat of the Malaysian sun, endless amounts of walking and tiresome days spent windsurfing, jet skiing and parasailing should all end the same way; a visit to the Hard Rock Hotel Rock Spa.

Although spending for business travellers has increased in 2011, ‘forking out’ money for meals and food has declined.

Germany is clearly a global favourite for meetings and conventions, being listed as the leading destination for MICE events in Europe in a recent study.

Melbourne has been ranked the number one city in Australia for International conventions and number nine in Asia Pacific, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher announced.

The London 2012 Olympic Games will see an estimated 294,000 international visitors descend upon the UK capital to witness the world's biggest sporting event.

Achieving the country's set target of up to 15 million visitors over the next eight years will require collaboration and support, according to South African Tourism chief executive Thulani Nzima.

The 30th edition of the New Caledonia International Marathon will be held on July 29, 2012.

Almost 400 guests gathered at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Tuesday night for a glamorous evening of celebration at the venue’s signature event for the year.

The premier conferencing venue in the Hunter Valley, Cypress Lakes Resort, has joined Accor’s Grand Mercure network and will look to build on an already strong conference and leisure business with the assistance of global branding and distribution.

Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort is proud to unveil a brand new experience with its refreshed guest rooms, restaurants and facilities.

Greater Palm Springs has launched an all-new brand for the destination and its destination marketing organisation.

The Sukhothai Bangkok has revealed its Residential Meeting Package.

The Hotel Granvia has become the first meetings and events focused hotel in Kyoto to provide a high speed wireless internet service throughout the building for free.

euromic, the premier international consortium of companies specializing in MICE travel, events and destination management, recently announced that it has added a new World Affiliate in Dubai, Emeco DMC in the Emirates.

Visitors to the Meet Estonia stand (F270) at this year's IMEX fair can be among the first in the world to try out Skype Station, an ultramodern communication booth that lets users make free video calls via the internet.

Forget the boring old traditional conference location, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday has launched into the market with an oasis of opportunities to meet in tropical paradise.

The business tourism industry is getting set to stage its biggest ever trade show and expectations are high it will result in millions of export dollars flowing into New Zealand’s economy.

Convention Bureau Italia will take part in the 10th edition of IMEX Frankfurt which will be held from May 22 to May 24 2012.

Dubbed the Grammy Awards for Branding, Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) was recently presented with The BrandLaureate Country Branding Award 2011-2012 for playing a pivotal role in promoting Sarawak and Malaysia

Estonia has gained an impressive amount of ground in the newly-released 2011 International Congress and Convention Association rankings list, moving up five slots from the previous year's position to reach 41st place.

Mission accomplished! Athens will be the venue for the 37th World Association of Chefs Societies Congress in May, 2016.

Acting Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner will be the inaugural Patron of Business Events Sydney’s Ambassador Program, a business development program that helps to secure international events for Sydney and the state.

Commenting on the appointment Destination Pro founder Linda Benmammar said ‘Peter brings enormous experience and skill to our team and we are extremely pleased to have access to his insights to the global meetings and events industry’.

HotelPlanner.com, the number one online group travel company, CEO, Tim Hentschel will be speaking on a group travel panel addressing hotel owners from around the world gathering in Las Vegas for an annual convention.

Aspire Hotel Sydney is offering trade show exhibitors and delegates a great value ‘Expo’ Package, specifically designed for those clients attending an event at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government signed an agreement with the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC).

China’s leading winemaker to premiercasks of premium Chinese wine during VINEXPO in Hong Kong from May 29-31

A modern surprise on the hotel scene in a traditional city, Methis Hotel attracts savvy business travellers looking for convenience and efficiency in a handy location while avoiding the five-star prices of larger Italian cities.

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the island paradise of Fiji is made up from 322 islands (of which 106 are inhabited) and 522 smaller islets.

TRENZ has officially concluded for another year, as New Zealand’s premier trade show shut its doors yesterday and put on a spectacular display of local cuisine and music at Queenstown’s waterfront bars and restaurants.

Buyers and sellers of the pacific gathered for the Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange (BFTE) in Port Denarau, Fiji.

Much as happened since we last met in Delhi last year, and Asia continues to sustain its membership growth despite isolated setbacks within our Skal International administrative area.

The multi award-winning Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya’s largest and best convention venue, Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) has been selected as the official venue for The Asia Golf Tourism Convention 2013.