144: ITS2024 Sept. 1012 + Longevity Blue Zone Okinawa + Danxia Landform + Seychelles + Baltimore + Women in Travel + Skyscrapers + Easter; 144-20240330
 Issue 144, March 30, 2024New York, NYIssue 143; https://conta.cc/3vg9DDn |
| Announcing the Official Launch of ITS2024 |
| New York will again host ITS2024 and bring together leaders, thinkers and innovators to offer ideas and solutions to the issues affecting its growth. |
| ITS2024 is from September 10-12, 2024 at the Javits Center in New York City ITS2024 is a trade-only event for the travel industry. The event will bring together trade attendees and suppliers to provide the opportunity to connect, network, learn, and create long-lasting business relationships within the travel world. |
| Longevity Blue Zone in Okinawa |
 It’s Japan, but not as you’ve done it before. Made of up 150 islands, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture is an unexpected tropical paradise where Japanese and American cultures combine, the scenery is inimitable, and wildlife abounds. “Blue Zones” are geographic areas with lower rates of chronic diseases and a longer life expectancy. Diet, fasting, and exercise are factors associated with Blue Zones. Italy, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica, and the US have a Blue Zone.Okinawa is one of the world’s Blue Zones, areas renowned for exceptionally long healthy lives compared to the rest of the world’s population. The lifespans enjoyed by Okinawans may be explained by several genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Blue Zones centenarians typically drink coffee at breakfast, tea in the afternoon, wine at 5pm, and water all day. To live to be 100, keep your beverages simple and avoid sugary beverages like soda and fruit juices. Other contributors include: Plant Based, Highly Varied Diet: The Okinawans eat way more vegetables than most people (mostly green and yellow ones), as well as whole grains, tofu, fish and other legumes. They eat very little sugar, and very little meat, dairy or eggs. People who live in Okinawa, Japan have a wise strategy when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. They call it “hara hachi bu”, which means to stop eating when you are 80% full. Studies show that cutting back on calories can lead to better heart health, longevity, and weight loss. Meet the people. The fastest direct flight from Taipei to Okinawa takes 1 hour and 20 minutes via China Airlines. |
| Danxia Landform in Hunan |
 Discover the Hidden Beauty of Danxia Landform Revealed at Shuangqiao Reservoir!Step into a world of wonder as the drying of Shuangqiao Reservoir in Chenzhou, Hunan unveils breathtaking natural Danxia landform landscapes. Originating from Chinese geologists, the term ‘Danxia landform’ describes the stunning erosional features sculpted on continental red beds, boasting distinctive scarp slopes.Dive into over 80 years of research and be captivated by the beauty of this geological marvel. (Photo Credit: 爱看风景的涵涵) Langshan Mountain is one of China’s National Geological Parks famous for its unique Danxia landform and literally means “Crimson Glow.” It is a rare topographic feature in world geography. Huge rocks of dark red color with grotesque shapes give tourists a marvelous sight. It is located in Xinning County, about 500 km away from Changsha, capital of Hunan province. In the south, Langshan Mountain is connected with Guilin, and in the north it echoes Zhangjiajie. There are more than 500 scenic spots in Langshan Mountain.  |
| Seychelles, Smallest Country in Africa |
 Seychelles’ grand diversity extends to its people who hail from the four corners of the world: European explorers; African slaves; British and French colonialists; Indian and Chinese traders; adventurers, pirates, and seekers of fortune – each weaving the threads of their own distinct culture into the shining tapestry that is now the Seychelles nation.Seychelles is made up of two main groups of over 100 islands in the western Indian Ocean. Its closest neighbors are Kenya, a distance of 1,310 miles, flight time 3 hours and 15 minutes, and Madagascar, which lies about 1100 kilometres south.The distance from Seychelles to Dubai is 2,110 miles, and takes approximately 8 hours and 56 minutes to get from Dubai to Seychelles, including transfers.Contributing to the high cost of living in Seychelles – 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean – is the fact that 80 percent of what is consumed is imported. The islands are famous for their crystal-clear waters, powdery white sandy beaches, pristine green environment, and diverse but yet unique biodiversity. Seychelles’ nightlife is centered around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, whatever little there is of it.Seychelles’ modern population is comprised of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. |
| Baltimore Bridge Collapse |
| The collapse of the city’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has temporarily disrupted access to the Patapsco River and the Port of Baltimore. As a result, Carnival Legend’s upcoming itinerary has been adjusted, with the ship now returning to Norfolk on Sunday. Passengers will receive complimentary bus service to Baltimore. Additionally, the next seven-day cruise on March 31 will depart from and return to Norfolk. Guests on affected cruises are being promptly notified of these changes. Royal Caribbean is closely monitoring the situation regarding the arrival of Vision of the Seas in Baltimore on April 4. |
| Women In Travel |
 The Secretary of the Department of Tourism Philippines, H.E. Christina Garcia Frasco, delivered a keynote address, sharing her experiences as a woman in an executive role in the tourism industry and discussing initiatives started by DoT to safeguard women’s rights and livelihoods, such as the TourISM WoRCS programme.Women in leadership roles from various tourism sectors shared their methods to improve their organisations, from adopting innovative ideas to encouraging the younger generation to sharpen their skills. Last but not least, sustainable projects that make industry-wide impact led by industry experts across Asia Pacific were also discussed. |
| Malaysia Leads Southeast Asia |
 Malaysia leads Southeast Asia in the number of skyscrapers and holds the 4th position globally, boasting a total of 366 buildings in March 2024! According to Skyscraper Center website, there are 70 countries worldwide with skyscrapers, categorized by heights of 150m+, 200m+, 300m+. Southeast Asia contributes 7 countries to this global list. Note: Only completed buildings is considered, under construction buildings are not included in the list. Source: Skyscraper Center |
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| Warmest thoughts and best wishes to you and your family.Happy Easter!New York PATA |
Elizabeth Chin, Executive Director – NY PATA, elizabethnypata@gmail.com |