There's a Buzz of excitement about the Pacific Asia Travel Association's annual conference which will be held in the SAR next April. The keynote address, entitled The Future is Now, will be made by Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, famous for his moon walk during the Apollo XI mission of July 1969.
The direction of tourism in the new millennium will be in our skies, it is said, and some companies are already taking advance bookings for space tours.
Mr Aldrin is on the advisory board of Space Adventures, which already operates zero gravity flights. The US-based private company believes space tourism is the next step. So does the former astronaut, and he will tell the conference why.
A taste of culture Going to Osaka? The Ritz-Carlton hotel in that city has come up with 'Savory seminars' with a cultural flavour. Twice monthly, participants can learn the rituals of the Japanese tea ceremony, followed by a kaiseki luncheon; once a month there will be lunch with instruction on the art of pairing tea with Chinese cuisine.
Other 'seminars' include the European Table, lunch with the French manager of La Baie restaurant with tips on etiquette and table manners and a lunch in which a sommelier will guide diners on matching wines with food.
For further information, call the toll-free number (800) 96 2064 or the hotel directly at (81-6) 6343 7000.