Celebrities Flock to World Travel Market

In just seven days the world’s leading travel trade event will take place at London’s Excel centre. Over 26,000 visitors are expected to network with and meet over 5,000 exhibiting companies from all over the globe.

The scale of this event can be daunting but as a PR and representation company we are here to help set-up appointments for our clients with the media and travel trade and publicise our client’s exciting events; you might even be able to enjoy a spot of celeb-spotting!

On Monday 7th November at 10am the Malaysia Pavilion (AS600) will conduct their tradition Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the presence of Jimmy Choo of Jimmy Choo Couture – yes, THE Jimmy Choo. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be officiated by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Hj Azizan Noordin, Director General, Tourism Malaysia and His Excellency Datuk Zakaria Sulong, High Commissioner of Malaysia. All media are welcome to attend – please let us know if you are planning to take photos or video or if you would like to arrange a one-to-one interview - alicia@representationplus.co.uk.

If you can’t make it to the opening ceremony you have another chance to meet Jimmy Choo that very same day at the Malaysia Reception and Video Premier at 4pm; come along to stand AS600 to enjoy a well deserved glass of wine and view screenings of Malaysia’s brand new global TV commercial, the new Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park in Kuala Lumpur video (presented by the Lord Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, YBhg Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad bin Ismail), as well as the launch of the “Luxuriously Langkawi” Tactical Campaign and the launch of Malaysia Stopover 2012 by MAS Holidays. Networking and refreshments will follow the screenings. RSVP to alicia@representationplus.co.uk

The Oman Ministry of Tourism have a brand new Under Secretary, Mrs Maitha Al Mahrouqi and Director General of Tourism Promotion Mr Ali Al Khaburi. This is their very first WTM and first appointment outside of Oman. Come and welcome them at stand ME400 on Tuesday 8th November at 16.00 to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Oman Air’s direct non-stop flight to Muscat from London, plus new developments in the Sultanate such as the opening of the regions first Royal Opera House and the future new convention centre and complex. RSVP to sangita@representationplus.co.uk.

Calling all football fans! Come to stand EM350 on Tuesday 8th November at 16.30 to meet Polish football legend, Jerzy Dudek, former goalkeeper of Liverpool FC and Real Madrid FC who will be at WTM in support of Poland’s hosting of the Euro 2012 football tournament. Dr Adam Zaborowski, Advisor to the President of the Polish Tourist Organisation/Representative for UEFA EURO 2012TM, Jerzy Dudek and Mr Boguslaw Becla, Director, Polish National Tourist Office, London will unveil events in the lead-up to Euro 2012 during a short presentation followed by a reception. RSVP to alicia@representationplus.co.uk.

And finally…. If you are a member of the media or a UK tour operator and would like to set up an appointment with any of the clients above or below please email flo@representationplus.co.uk:

Yadis Hotels Tunisia – AF340 – Mr Karim Kamoun. Points of interest - two new openings during 2012, the Yadis Imperial Beach & Spa Resort, Djerba (February 2012) and the Yadis Oasis in Tozeur (March 2012).

Montenegro National Tourism Organisation - EM1230 - The new Minister for Sustainable Development and Tourism Predrag Sekulic and Sasa Radovic, Director of Montenegro National Tourism Organisation. Points of interest - Montenegro has achieved a 7% increase in tourism visitors from January to September 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, plus learn about new developments and iconic sites such as Sveti Stefan in Budva

HG Travel and The Au Co Cruises - AS 786 - Mr Dao Viet Long, Inbound Manager for HG Travel and Martin Moll, Director of Sales & Marketing. Points of interest - the launch of Au Co Cruises in March 2012 operating in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam, the setting up of HG Travel’s commercial activities in the UK and the first ever non-stop flight service from the UK to Vietnam starting in December 2011 with Vietnam Airways.

President Travel Service (Tour Operators only) – AS250 – Owner Hanit Mangat. Points of interest – a leading ground operator in India recognised by the Department of Tourism, Government of India. Since its expansion more than three decades ago, the company has built up a solid reputation among corporate and leisure travellers in India and abroad. The company headquarters are in Dehradun and Delhi with associate offices all over India.

See you next week!

Loire Valley Gardens announce winners of their first annual media awards

Owners of eleven prestigious Loire Valley Gardens including 6 garden members of the RHS accompanied the regional and county tourist boards to London for a full day’s workshop and lecture program dedicated to their gardens yesterday, 20th October 2011.

At the end of the workshop the winners of the photographer and writer of the year were announced. A 1st Edition book for the RHS library was presented to RHS President Elizabeth Banks on the occasion of their visit by the President of the Loire Valley Gardens Association, Guillaume Henrion.

The event which took place in the RHS Conference Centre was attended by over 100 media, tour operators and RHS members. The French gardeners discussed how festivals and events can shape the marketing of a Garden, unveiled the variety of gardens and gardeners found in just this one region and gave a snapshot history of how the gardens were created and have developed into a “Must-visit” in France. The event demonstrated how tourism, gardening, history, culture and gastronomy are integral to the Loire Valley and its visitor economy.

Allan Pollock-Morris/Louisa Jones and Jacky Hobbs/Michelle Garrett won the writer and photographers awards for their articles that had been published in the Garden and Homes and Gardens respectively. The winners were presented with a box of top Loire Valley Wines worth over £200 each. “The articles and photographs submitted showed how much variety there is to write about in the region and how many more stories there are still to tell” explained Marie-Estelle Beaudoin, Head of the Loire Valley Tourism Delegation, “The aim of the awards is to encourage more writers and photographers to visit our region and uncover interesting angles to write about and photograph. We hope that those journalists who have spent the day with us will take away aspects that they would like to explore further.” concluded Beaudoin.

The evening lecture given by Henri Carvallo of the Chateau of Villandry was introduced by Elizabeth Banks, President of the RHS. “It is a great pleasure to be able to introduce one of our 20 French garden members and to meet so many others here today from the Loire Valley, and I am very grateful on behalf of the RHS to receive such a special book “Les Jardins de l’Avenir, Hier, Aujourd’hui, Demain by Achille Duchene” which will be a fabulous addition to the RHS library” commented Banks.

Photos of winners below are copyright RHS and show Allan Pollock-Morris/Louisa Jones - The Garden and Jacky Hobbs/Michelle Garrett - Homes & Gardens

Loire Valley Garden owners target British garden and travel enthusiasts London, 20th October 2011

Owners of eleven prestigious Loire Valley Gardens including six garden members of the RHS will accompany the regional and county tourist boards to London for a full day’s workshop and lecture program dedicated to their gardens tomorrow, Thursday 20th October 2011.

Either medieval, renaissance, mixed borders, rose or kitchen gardens, well maintained and inspired by generations of talented gardeners, Loire Valley gardens symbolise various traditional and contemporary artistic visions and the French way of life "Savoir Vivre."

We will be meeting the owners of the Chateaux, some of whom are French Princes, Princesses and Knights to find out how, and why, they have opened their beautiful homes and their world-class gardens to the public.

So while everyone is hob-nobbing with French aristocracy and the regional tourist boards we will also be trying out some of the regional delicacies:The Loire Valley is the second largest producer of sparkling wine in France after Champagne, the Cremant de Loire sparkling wine will be served at the evening reception and lecture by Henri Carvallo of Villandry while Touraine Sauvignon Blanc and Chinon Rouge will be served with a Loire style networking buffet lunch (http://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr).

The Loire Valley region also accounts for 70% of France's goat cheese production and as a self-confessed cheese lover I can't wait for them to bring out two of the Loire Valley's AOC cheeses; Saint - Maure deTouraine ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Maure_de_Touraine) and Selles Sur Cher (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selles-sur-Cher (cheese).

Garden tourism is considered a growing niche coupled with events and festivals and we will find out why tomorrow from three different presentations during the day.

Six of the gardens present are member gardens of the RHS, hence the venue for the event and Elizabeth Banks, President of the RHS, adding to the bursting VIP list.

I'm particularly looking forward to finding out who will win the coveted 'Travel & Garden Writer' and 'Travel & Garden Photographer' awards announced tomorrow at 4pm. Although I've signed up for the whole day from 10.30am to 7.30pm I know that some people will be popping in for presentations/lectures of particular interest or just ot have one-to-one meetings with the garden owners throughout the day at the workshop.

If you want to join me but haven't signed up yet email alicia@representationplus.co.uk or if you would simply like to know more about the Loire Valley and their gardens go to www.loirevalleytourism.com.