News
GLOBAL SNAPSHOT
MIDDLE EAST
World Healthcare Week shapes up for 2027 launch in Dubai World Healthcare Week will launch in Dubai 25-29 January 2027, with organisers aiming to attract over 95,000 attendees, 4,500 exhibitors and representatives from over 195 countries across Dubai Exhibition Centre( DEC), Expo City and Dubai World Trade Centre( DWTC). The event will be anchored by World Health Expo( WHX) – the largest international healthcare trade show and conference – and will include WHX Tech and the second edition of WHX Leaders. Each event is held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention( MoHAP).
AUSTRALASIA
NZ’ s MEETINGS to stay in NZICC in Auckland for next three years New Zealand’ s Business Events Industry Aotearoa( BEIA) has announced the country’ s biggest industry showcase of the year, MEETINGS, will return to the New Zealand International Convention Centre( NZICC) in Auckland for the next three years. The announcement was made by BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins at the official opening of MEETINGS 2026 at the NZICC, 16 June, with 750 people in attendance. BEIA Board chair Martin Snedden said:“ Staying at the NZICC for the next three years establishes long-term continuity. We can now plan for the future with confidence.”
EUROPE
London & Partners to‘ reduce activity’, as cuts bite Following the news that VisitBritain’ s business events team had been cut from nine members to just two – as the national tourism agency’ s business events unit bore the brunt of heavy budget cuts – London’ s growth agency and its CVB are also in line for cutbacks. Despite London being named top Cvent European city for meetings and events for a fourth year, the new level of the mayor’ s office and GLA funding is set to see a downsizing of the operation. London & Partners said:“ Changes to our funding and delivery requirements mean we need to make savings … including some reductions to activity and changes to team structures and roles.”
EUROPE
Ryanair to answer Brussels’ doubling of aviation tax by cutting back operations in Belgium
Low cost carrier Ryanair has affirmed it will cut up to one million seats and move 20 routes from its Belgian Winter 26 / 27 schedule if the federal government in Brussels goes ahead with plans to hike aviation taxes. Five of the airline’ s aircraft based at the Airport could be withdrawn in such a scenario, as well the loss of over a hundred jobs at Charleroi airport. The government in Brussels recently affirmed its decision to double its aviation tax to € 10 per departing passenger from 2027. The tax applies on flights exceeding 500km. Ryanair DAC chief executive Eddie Wilson said:“ We are not going to add capacity in airports, regions or countries where those costs are increasing.”
6 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 143