Lima, the capital of Peru, has announced the development of a long-term strategy that will revitalize its tourism and business sector. In partnership with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement), Lima will co-create a sustainable and regenerative strategy to guide and enable Peru toward a new future, where the well-being and quality of life of residents and visitors are in balance and economically inclusive. 

Marriott International has announced an agreement with Vietnam-based real estate firm Masterise Homes to develop a dual-branded residential and officetel project in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the Savills International Development Consultancy, the agreement marks the largest hotel-branded residential project announced to date worldwide, with close to 4,200 residential and officetel units.

Following an announcement by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee, effective December 24, 2020, entry restrictions into Abu Dhabi will be relaxed. International tourists, residents and travelers from selected destinations, flying with Etihad Airways, will be allowed to enter the emirate without the need to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Montgomery, Alabama—known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement—has announced its new developments for 2021, including the destination’s first luxury hotel, an Autograph Collection property, as well a diversity, equity and inclusion training experience for groups.

The Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC) and the Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC) have received the STAR Facility accreditation status from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), an outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.

Visit Florida has opened registration for Florida Huddle, the official travel trade show for the state of Florida, which will take place virtually February 8 – 12, 2021. 

The week-long virtual event will include a mix of virtual networking opportunities, educational sessions and interactive experiences. In addition, one-on-one appointments will be scheduled per market on one day of the event. American buyers will have the opportunity to take up to 14 one-on-one appointments on Thursday, February 11. Qualified buyers can attend for free.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced a new initiative, "SingapoReimagine," to reintroduce travel to Singapore and around the world. The "SingapoReimagine" platform will kick off with “Reimagine Travel –Global Conversations,” a series of forums around the world to catalyze discussions among STB and its global partners on how to reshape global travel.

VisitBritain has announced that its flagship annual travel trade event ExploreGB will run as a virtual event in 2021. ExploreGB Virtual, taking place from March 1-5, 2021, will invite international buyers to connect online with travel trade suppliers from across the UK to do business and boost bookings.

Attendance is free with registrations set to open from mid-December.

Centrepiece at Melbourne Park, located in the heart of Melbourne city and the surrounding premier events precinct, has announced the new venue will be showcased in a series of upcoming virtual and hybrid events, including the PCOA 2020 Annual Conference (December 7), Associations Forum National Conference (December 14–16) and AIME 2021 (March 15–26. 2021).   

Virginia Beach’s coastal environment has a variety of venues for hosting meetings, conventions, exhibitions and special events in a safe and socially distant way, including the destination’s LEED Gold-certified convention center and a new, state-of-the-art Sports Center for visitors looking to host their next event at the beach.