Latest news with #AndrewStokes
Qatar Tribune
17-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar Tourism reveals judges for 3rd Qatar Tourism Awards
Qatar Tourism has revealed a distinguished ten-member jury panel of local and international experts for its third edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards. These eagerly awaited awards honour organisations and individuals known for consistently delivering exceptional tourism experiences in Qatar. The Qatar Tourism Awards is an initiative by Qatar Tourism, developed in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), aimed at recognising individuals and businesses across the tourism and hospitality sector in Qatar for their remarkable contributions to service excellence. The panel is tasked with carefully evaluating tourism businesses that demonstrate excellence across seven primary categories: Service Excellence, Gastronomic Experiences, Iconic Attractions and Activities, World-Class Events, Digital Footprint, Smart and Sustainable Tourism, and Community Leadership. These categories, along with 37 sub-categories, reflect key dimensions of both the visitor and resident experience. The jury includes the following distinguished members: HE Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee of the Shura Council and the Chairman of the External Affairs, Political and National Security Committee of the Arab Parliament Hamad Al Mulla, OBE, Visit England Director Andrew Stokes, Travel Content Creator Aurelie Bouti, Executive Director SME Development at Qatar Development Bank Dr Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Food and Travel Magazine, Publisher and CEO Gregor Rankin, Director- Regional Office for the Middle East UN Tourism Samer Al Kharashi, Deputy Director, Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department, UN Tourism Marcel Leijzer, CEO of Al Wa'ab City Dr. Abdulla Al Mehshadi, Innovation Expert Ramzan Al Naimi and Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University Prof. Rana Al Sobh. The carefully selected panel of judges will evaluate submissions expected to surpass last year's total of over 800 entries from across the sector. Winners will receive extensive promotion locally, regionally, and internationally to enhance their visibility. The winners of the third edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards will be revealed during a formal ceremony taking place in November 2025. The Qatar Tourism Awards is open to all businesses and individuals in the tourism sector. The Awards is a benchmark for excellence, highlighting the nation's top tourism offerings, services and innovations and outstanding achievers. It is a chance to help set the standard for the tourism industry and recognize those who elevate Qatar's tourism reputation on the global stage. Winning the prestigious Qatar Tourism Awards is a demonstration of excellence that strengthens brand equity, shapes businesses or careers and to gain nationally and internationally recognition. Submissions are a simple process where the applicants need to answer 5 unique questions and attach supporting documents. The application portal launched on May 19, and the deadline for applications submission is August 7, 2025.
ILoveQatar.net
16-07-2025
- Business
- ILoveQatar.net
Qatar Tourism unveils prestigious jury panel for Qatar Tourism Awards 2025
Qatar Tourism has revealed a distinguished ten-member jury panel of local and international experts for its third edition of the Qatar Tourism Awards. These eagerly awaited awards honour organisations and individuals known for consistently delivering exceptional tourism experiences in Qatar. The Qatar Tourism Awards is an initiative by Qatar Tourism, developed in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), aimed at recognising individuals and businesses across the tourism and hospitality sector in Qatar for their remarkable contributions to service excellence. The panel is tasked with carefully evaluating tourism businesses that demonstrate excellence across seven primary categories: Service Excellence, Gastronomic Experiences, Iconic Attractions and Activities, World-Class Events, Digital Footprint, Smart and Sustainable Tourism, and Community Leadership. These categories, along with 37 sub-categories, reflect key dimensions of both the visitor and resident experience. The jury includes the following distinguished members: HE Hamad Al Mulla, Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture, Sport and Information Committee of the Shura Council & the Chairman of the External Affairs, Political and National Security Committee of the Arab Parliament; Mr. Andrew Stokes, OBE – Visit England Director; Aurélie Bouti, Travel Content Creator; Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Executive Director SME Development at Qatar Development Bank; Gregor Rankin, Food and Travel Magazine, Publisher & CEO; Samer Al-Kharashi, Director- Regional Office for the Middle East UN Tourism; Marcel Leijzer, Deputy Director, Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department - UN Tourism; Dr. Abdulla Al-Mehshadi Ph.D. Eng., CEO of Al Wa'ab City; Ramzan Al Naimi, Innovation Expert and Prof. Rana Al Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism gets boost from industry body accreditation
Tourism in Wiltshire has been given a boost after the county become an accredited member of a scheme aimed at growing the sector. Wiltshire now has Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) status, which gives it access to a range of resources to attract greater footfall. At the moment, Wiltshire's tourism is worth around £1.5bn annually, with sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, Stourhead, Salisbury Cathedral and the Westbury White Horse among its attractions. It's new LVEP means it will be included marketing activity and public relations opportunities set up by British tourism authority VisitBritain, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire VisitBritain will also provide VisitWiltshire, Wiltshire's tourism board, with support in applying for funding from the UK government. Wiltshire's tourism industry supports 28,000 jobs and contributes nine per cent of Wiltshire's total GDP. The application had to demonstrate funding support from the public sector, which was achieved via finances from Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Pewsey and Trowbridge town councils. It also had to give evidence of wider public sector support, which Wiltshire Council provided by confirming their strategic support for tourism growth and funding of a new countywide tourism strategy and destination plan. More than 400 private tourism businesses also backed the application. David Andrews, chief executive of VisitWiltshire said: "We are delighted that VisitWiltshire have secured national LVEP status. "This is a major achievement with the potential to unlock new investment, grow tourism spend throughout the year, extend our reach in domestic and international markets, and better support our tourism and hospitality businesses." Andrew Stokes, director at VisitEngland, said: "The Local Visitor Economy Partnerships programme is transforming the visitor economy in England, supporting its growth in a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable way and I am delighted to welcome VisitWiltshire as the accredited Wiltshire LVEP." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More Wiltshire attractions are added to free app Tourists urged not to 'overwhelm' popular village Tourism app transports visitors to times gone by VisitWiltshire VisitBritain
Al Jazeera
06-05-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
UK's victory day parade draws thousands to mark 80 years since WWII
The United Kingdom has marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, honouring the men and women who fought during World War II. The events on Monday featured a procession by members of the British armed forces, accompanied by troops from Ukraine and the UK's NATO allies. Alan Kennett, 100-year-old Royal Air Force veteran who landed in northern France on D-Day, accepted the salute from Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes in front of an audience that included King Charles III, signalling the parade to begin. The parade followed a route from the Houses of Parliament, through Trafalgar Square and down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The Mainichi
06-05-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
100-year-old veteran kicks off V-E Day events as Britain thanks those who saved it during WWII
LONDON (AP) -- A 100-year-old Royal Air Force veteran accepted the thanks of a nation Monday as Britain paused to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and honor the men and women who fought to save the country during World War II. The day featured a procession by 1,300 members of the British armed forces, accompanied by troops from Ukraine and the U.K.'s NATO allies. The parade didn't begin until Alan Kennett, who landed in northern France on D-Day, accepted the salute from Garrison Sgt. Major Andrew Stokes in front of an audience that included King Charles III. "Thank you and your generation for securing our freedom 80 years ago," Stokes, in scarlet tunic and bearskin hat, said before saluting the RAF veteran, wearing a navy blue blazer with his medals pinned on the left breast. This year's V-E Day events have taken on increased significance because they are likely to be the last major observance to include significant numbers of World War II veterans. After Big Ben tolled at noon, actor Timothy Spall recited the victory speech wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered to a roaring crowd in central London on May 8, 1945. Britain started its V-E Day ceremonies three days early because Monday is a public holiday in the U.K. "I think we've been very lucky that we've had 80 years of peace -- and we've got to think about all those that have (made) the ultimate sacrifice, and there's very few of them left now because they're all over 100," said Michael Burn, 67, who wore a suit patterned after Britain's red, white and blue Union flag. "This is the last time we will celebrate the day in this sort of scale." Then it was time for the parade from the Houses of Parliament, through Trafalgar Square and down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. The Ukrainian contingent, though small, won a huge round of applause as their flag swept past the royal viewing platform. The event ended with a flyover by British military aircraft, including a wartime Lancaster bomber and the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic team. In the down moments, the Princess of Wales chatted amiably with Bernard Morgan, 101, a veteran who worked as a code breaker during the conflict. Afterward, she introduced Morgan to her children, George, 11, Charlotte, 10 and Louis, 7. Their place in the front row was a reminder of the gulf between those who fought in World War II and the present generation. With even the youngest of those men and women nearing their 100th birthdays and their ranks dwindling rapidly, many have said they feel a special imperative to tell their stories and attend events that honor their fallen comrades. Kennett, a mechanic who landed in Normandy to set up an airfield, said he was proud to represent the veterans. "I just remember those that didn't come back," he said. "That's the thing that sticks in my mind. I'm lucky. I got out. There's a lot that didn't, believe me. Luck of the draw. It shouldn't be forgotten."
