Myriad Destination News June 2020

While 2020 is turning out to be the year of the classic American road trip, we think 2021 is set to be the year of the international bucket list trip! The majority of our destinations are still reviewing reopening plans as they relate to international travels, but for now, we can always dream of what trips we might take next year when the pandemic is hopefully behind us. Check out some of the most exciting reasons to travel to these vacation spots in 2021 as well as some of our other news and updates.

REASONS TO TRAVEL IN 2021:

• Papua New Guinea’s “Sing Sings”: The highly sought after cultural festivals known as “sing sings” must be booked about a year in advance to secure a spot. Papua New Guinea is currently offering 5% off two festival itineraries or next year including the 2021 Tumbuna Cultural Festival (May 13–23) as well as the 2021 Mount Hagen festival (various dates) when booking with North America tour operator Goway. In partnership with the reputable local tour operator Trans Niugini Tours, guests can experience the vibrant sing sings, remote village visits and stunning ecolodges.
• Taiwan Lantern Festival: From the lantern displays to folk art and performances, the festival has become a favorite of both locals and foreign visitors. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, another must-see festival, was voted by the Discovery Channel as the second biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world. Watch as the lanterns of prayer flow in the air as the lanterns magically transform into wings of hope and desire, turning the night sky of this mountain town into an expanse of unimaginable beauty. Discover through this VR video provided by the tourism bureau.
• Dominica’s “Mas Dominik, The Real Mas“: Dominica’s lively Carnival is a must-see event for 2021. The celebration brings together African and French traditions, which are translated into a cultural explosion of music, art and dance. Many Dominicans abroad consider Mas Dominik an annual homecoming and return to join the celebrations with family and friends. Travelers are recommended to arrive a week early for the series of Calypso music shows, village feasts and pageants that proceed the two-day lively street jump-up. 
• Taiwan’s Cycling Festival: Since 2010 the Tourism Bureau has actively conducted a series of events related to the Taiwan Cycling Festival. Accompanied by beautiful mountains and water scenery, bicycle enthusiasts from around the world can make a cycling pilgrimage, a perfect experience in body and soul. As for cyclists looking to take up a challenge, there is a trail called Taiwan KOM “King of Mountain” with a distance of 105 km and 3275 m elevation. This beautiful route should be on any cyclist’s bucket list. KOM Images here.
• Rwanda’s “Kwita Izina”: Kwita Izina is one of the most popular events to take place annually in Rwanda for both visitors and locals. It’s during this conservation-focused event where each baby gorilla born within the past year is given a name. The names are chosen by celebrities, dignitaries and accomplished Rwandans, and the event is done in hopes of further humanizing gorillas in the name of conservation. The event is yet to be scheduled for 2021, but it typically takes place in early September. More information on Kwita Izina can be found here. 
• Samoa’s Teulia Festival: For more than 30 years, Samoa’s Teulia Festival has grown to become one of the county’s most celebrated annual events and one of the South Pacific’s biggest cultural festivals. While 2021 dates are yet to be announced, the festival happens annually in September, providing travelers plenty of time to plan a visit to experience all things Samoa during the Teuila Festival. It is a true celebration of Samoan and Polynesian culture, with many activities and shows being held across the country, particularly in Apia, Samoa’s capital city. The opening ceremony, with its lively floral parade as the main attraction, sets the stage for a further five days of festival fun, which include Siva Afi fire knife dances, the Miss Samoa Pageant, and tattooing and carving demonstrations that have been passed down from generation to generation.
• Tenerife’s Carnival: On this small Spanish island, Carnival takes place throughout the week prior to Lent. Due to its popularity, it’s highly recommended to plan a visit well ahead of time! Perhaps the largest and liveliest celebration on the island during Carnival happens in the city of Santa Cruz, which offers one of Europe’s most spectacular parades that is said to rival Rio de Janeiro’s in splendor, size and glamour.

TRAVEL FROM HOME:

• The Northern Territory’s Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Goes Digital: In a new, groundbreaking format, the new online features will provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts lovers a unique digital platform through which to connect. This year’s DAAF program is set to run for nine days – from August 6 through 14, 2020. To view the full press release and learn more about the DAAF,  click here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

• Dominica’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Dr. Irving McIntyre, is available for interviews to comment on the diligent procedures that the country implemented to effectively fight COVID-19. As an island, without the rapid response from health authorities, the impact could have been devastating for Dominica. The outbreak of COVID-19 was contained with the implementation of a State of Emergency on April 1, 2020, with curfews in place to limit the movement of the public, who were urged to wear face masks, continue social distancing, practice proper handwashing, and follow the curfew orders and stay home. As a result, there were only 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (0.02% of the population), none of which needed ventilators. Dominica is also known for its resilience having recovered from the destruction category five Hurricane Maria caused in 2017.

We’d love to hear if you might be interested in featuring some of the above ideas in your upcoming stories. For any questions or further information, please reach out to [email protected]. For your reference, a full list of our clients can be found below. 

We hope to work with you soon!