News Briefs:
- American Museum of Natural History Appoints Renowned Nuu-chah-nulth Artist and Cultural Historian Haa’yuups to Play Key Role in Reinterpretation of Historic Northwest Coast Hall
- Oklahoma City Tourism is Making Strides in LGBT Tourism
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Launches “Hello Taste Thailand” Guidebook to Inspire Foodies to Experience Gastronomic Tourism in Thailand
- Greater Fort Lauderdale Expands Multicultural Tourism with Multimillion-Dollar Tennis Training Facility and Museum
- Discover Puerto Rico with Help from a Local Friend
American Museum of Natural History Appoints Renowned Nuu-chah-nulth Artist and Cultural Historian Haa’yuups to Play Key Role in Reinterpretation of Historic Northwest Coast Hall
Nuu-chah-nulth artist and cultural historian Haa’yuups (Ron Hamilton) was appointed as co-curator of the American Museum of Natural History’s multi-year project to update, conserve, and restore the historic Northwest Coast Hall. The appointment was announced by Museum President Ellen V. Futter. Haa’yuups is joining Peter Whiteley, the Museum’s curator of North American Ethnology, as co-curator of the Northwest Coast Hall renovation. Haa’yuups is a First Nations artist, scholar, and historian. Over the past 30 years, he has been active globally through publications, public lectures, and curatorial work. In addition to the American Museum of Natural History, he has collaborated with the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico, the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, the British Museum in London, and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. He is the Head of the House of Takiishtakamthlat-h, of the Huupachesat-h First Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth. In addition to his role as a community scholar and historian, Haa’yuups is also a regalia designer, painter, carver, dancer, singer, metal engraver, graphic designer, and illustrator. The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. Visit amnh.org for more information.
Oklahoma City Tourism is Making Strides in LGBT Tourism
Oklahoma City played host to five national print publications October 3-7, 2018 to help promote the city as welcoming, inviting and a place to do business. Working in partnership with Joey Amato with PrideJourneys.com, OKC selected five national outlets for a four day press trip highlighting many things to do in the city, including experiences other journalists hadn’t been exposed to in the destination. The four-day press trip included an opening night reception at 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City with several gay-owned businesses in Oklahoma City, publications and local influencers. Mayor David Holt joined the CVB at the reception in welcoming the journalists to the City and discussing the inclusion of all residents and visitors in Oklahoma City. Media also enjoyed behind-the-scenes tour in the archives of the Oklahoma History Center, rowed with Olympic athletes in the Boathouse District, learned how to make an official Oklahoma onion burger, had the opportunity to see the newly-opened Sanctuary Asia at the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Gardens and got up-close encounters feeding Cassowary Birds, Bears and Asian Elephants, among many other experiences. Oklahoma City expands much wider than LGBT leisure tourism, they’re focused on the LGBT meeting industry too. The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is putting a lot of effort into this industry with help of sales manager, Morgan Miller. Miller has been with the CVB for more than six years with various markets other than LGBT. Miller partnered with the marketing team to generate more coverage on Oklahoma City as a welcoming destination in late 2017 by adding a webpage dedicated to LGBT tourism and media coverage. In October 2017, the CVB hosted their first LGBT-focused press trip with national media outlets from across the US. The outreach doesn’t stop there either. Miller is partnering with OKC’s PRIDE festival to have a presence there and also partners with other groups in the city to make connections and be a source for tourism in Oklahoma City. For more information on Oklahoma City, visit www.VisitOKC.com.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Launches “Hello Taste Thailand” Guidebook to Inspire Foodies to Experience Gastronomic Tourism in Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new “Hello Taste Thailand” guidebook which aims to inspire foodies from around the world to experience gastronomic tourism in Thailand. The project features 10 different routes spread across six provinces, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chanthaburi, Surat Thani, and Ayutthaya. TAT has invited experienced gastronomic tour companies to join in with the co-creation of gastronomic tour programs, placing an emphasis on creating culinary experiences for tourists so that they can learn about cultures, arts, and food-related stories. New gastronomic tourism routes include: BANGKOK’S THAI WISDOM – This trip invites you to follow in the footsteps of Thai ancestors and discover the wisdom of Thai food that has been cherished by both locals and foreign visitors for so long. You’ll get to go behind-the-scenes to discover what’s happening in the kitchen, as well as learn about the complex recipes and how Thai people traditionally cook throughout the seasons; BANGKOK’S ‘PATH OF FLOWERS’ – Welcome to this ‘Path of Flowers’ one-day tasting tour of the Thai capital, where you will witness the beauty of the country through a variety of local flowers. Having been part of Thai culture for a long time, flowers are used for making a number of savory dishes, desserts, and drinks by bringing out the best properties of each flower. As part of the trip, you’ll get to both taste and try to cook some delicious dishes with the help of an expert chef; EXOTIC BANGKOK – Experience the creativity of some not-so-typical Thai dishes on this ‘Exotic Bangkok’ route through the capital, with plenty of new and exciting tastes to discover along the way. The combination of talented chefs who hand-pick their ultra-fresh, locally sourced ingredients modern cooking techniques using new technology results in some of the most delicious and eye-catching dishes found anywhere in Bangkok; Download the e-book via http://www.tourismthailand.org/hellotastethailand.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Expands Multicultural Tourism with Multimillion-Dollar Tennis Training Facility and Museum
Philanthropists, professional tennis elite and community leaders gathered during a private reception at the 2018 U.S. Open to raise awareness and support for the ATA/ATEF (American Tennis Association/American Tennis & Education Foundation) National Tennis Center coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Miramar Regional Park. “I’ve advocated for many years to make tennis more diverse and Broward County’s national training center is a big step in that direction,” said Katrina Adams, Chairman of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association. “The ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center will be an important addition to the South Florida landscape, bringing together the rich history of black tennis in one central location,” said Albert Tucker, VP of Multicultural Business Development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The complex will include the ATA corporate headquarters, a national training facility for promising young players, and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame showcasing historic memorabilia.” The ATA/ATEF National Tennis Center groundbreaking is expected in 2019 and will be home to the following: 20,000-square-foot Black Tennis Hall of Fame, ATA/ATEF headquarters, Large center court with seating for 3,000, More than 20 auxiliary courts, 125-room hotel for athletes, their families and visitors to stay during tournaments. According to Stacy Ritter, President & CEO for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the facility is also a major step in attracting multicultural travelers to the destination for competitions, training and vacation stays. For more information, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 22-SUNNY or visit www.sunny.org.
Discover Puerto Rico with Help from a Local Friend
ViaHero, a peer-to-peer platform where travelers hire locals to plan unique, personalized trips, is expanding its destinations to include Puerto Rico. Started in 2015, ViaHero has been helping travelers create authentic, one-of-a-kind travel experiences by connecting them with locals who serve as direct-access experts and knowledgeable friends. ViaHero’s expansion into Puerto Rico, the company’s first American destination, begins in November 2019. ViaHero allows travelers to choose a local “Hero” with shared interests to create a custom guidebook. The relationship between travelers and Heroes mitigates the uncertainty and unease of traveling to a foreign land – without compromising authenticity. Heroes offer their true opinions and recommendations for a flat rate and no commission agreements. With the Hero’s support, travelers avoid the “one-size-fits-all” travel experience and gain independence. They are provided with interactive maps, travel arrangements and unlimited access to their Hero. ViaHero’s expansion into Puerto Rico comes at an optimum time for travelers curious to discover the Island of Enchantment. Finding reliable information about traveling to the area is evolving daily as it continues to recover from Hurricane Maria. By expanding to Puerto Rico, ViaHero is sending a lifeline to both locals and travelers. Trip planning fees go straight to the Heroes and unlike other peer-to-peer work, Heroes don’t have to have a car or a spare room to earn income. If they’re reliable, knowledgeable and have access to a phone, laptop and WiFi, they have an opportunity. Additionally, Heroes make recommendations based on the people, places, and things they know best. This guarantees tourism dollars spread far and wide within local communities, benefiting mom-and-pop businesses and local haunts, along with big-name tourism attractions agencies tend to promote. ViaHero currently has Heroes in Colombia, Cuba and Japan. Puerto Rico service began November 19th. For more information, visit viahero.com.
About This Newsletter
Multicultural Travel News newsletter (MTN) covers travel news of interest to ethnic and niche travelers and those who market to them. We write about destinations that interest multicultural travelers or have outreach campaigns to travelers of Hispanic, African American, Asian American and other cultural backgrounds; women; LGBT travelers and people with disabilities.
Multicultural Travel News is also written for leisure and business travelers looking for what to see and do and for marketing executives interested in ideas, best practices and the business case for targeting so-called “minority” travelers. We cover cities and countries, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, convention and visitor bureaus, tour operators and other travel marketers with a multicultural angle. Multicultural Travel News is written and edited by Lisa Skriloff.
Multicultural Travel News is published by Multicultural Marketing Resources, Inc. (MMR). To view past editions click here.
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