Destination Golf - January 2016 | Page 13

Travel News Donostia - San Sebastian is the European Capital of Culture 2016. Over the space of twelve months citizens will get the chance to enjoy 458 proposals linked to culture and art. The aim is to build a more united society and a new model of coexistence. The Donostia 2016, European Capital of Culture has presented a detailed programme of culture. The programme comprises over a hundred projects designed and developed in collaboration with 500 cultural players and artists, and everything is covered in a 104-page, bilingual publication in newspaper format. The publication catalogues in detail a description of each project plus dates, venues and ways of participating in all of them. UNESCO has chosen Valencia as Silk City for 2016. The Valencian silk tradition dates back to the eighth Century, and is an industry that has lasted until today. The Silk Exchange, the Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda (College of the High Art of Silk), Fallas and the Velluters neighborhood are some of remains of the economic activity that we can still visit today. Mulberries were grown in the rich ground of the Valencian huerta and the material was made in the city, in the “Velluters” district. Today “Velluters” still maintains its former flavour, with large houses and rambling streets. www.spain.travel www.visitvalencia.com 2016 will be an important year for pilgrims to Rome and also Santiago de Compostela, as the year has been declared a ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ by Pope Francis; and special events will be taking place in both cities. Santiago Cathedral officials have also confirmed the Holy Door of the cathedral (Porta Santa) will be open for the Year of Mercy. In Santiago de Compostela, a year is considered holy or Jacobean if 25th July, Saint James Day, falls on a Sunday. The next Jacobean Holy Year will take place in 2021. On such years a special door to the cathedral: the Holy Door (Porta Santa) is opened to pilgrims arriving in Santiago. InGolf Portugal Tour Operator has been awarded the prestigious title of 2015 Best Portuguese Outbound Tour Operator of the Year at the World Golf Awards ceremony held in Quinta do Lago. Upon collecting the award, InGolf’s CEO and managing Director, José Valente, announced: “We are truly honored by receiving the Best Portuguese Outbound Golf Tour Operator Award. We have been in the Market for more than 13 years, and it’s a very positive and encouraging sign to be receiving such an important recognition from our Peers and Tourism Golf Partners while strengthening our position as an important player. www.santiagoturismo.com www.ingolf.pt Al Zorah Golf Club – the UAE’s newest championship golf course – has announced the appointment of the highly-regarded Martin Dewhurst as its very first Head PGA Professional. Het brings a host of experience to the new Nicklaus Design course based in Ajman near Dubai, including four years as Head Professional at Costa Navarino in Greece. His latest venture at Al Zorah Golf Club marks the third Troon Golf-managed venue he’s worked with in his career, which included a spell in the Maldives where he played an important part in the opening of the Troon Short Game Academy, ‘Private Golf Moments by Olazabal’, at Velaa Private Island.“The golf course is simply stunning and the practice facilities are top class – and when you add in the Troon Golf factor, you have a fantastic environment to work in.” The World Travel Awards annual ceremony was held in Morocco. This event aims to distinguish the excellence of the travel and tourism industry numerous sectors. Madeira Islands was presented with the “World´s Leading Island Destination” award, in a remarkable and most memorable ceremony, after competing alongside other paradise tourist destinations such as Bali, Barbados, Crete, Cook Islands, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Saint Lucia, Sardinia, Seychelles, Sicily and Zanzibar. Madeira Islands is a tourist destination with a long tradition in the tourism sector, famous not only for its natural beauty, but also for the quality standard of its services and for the art of well receiving its guests. With over 1.1 million guests in 2014, the archipelago of Madeira and also some of its hotel facilities have been renowned over the past few years with several awards. These awards are motivating elements which contribute towards Madeira Islands increasing prestige and reputation. www.alzorahgolfclub.ae www.visitportugal.com Volume 3 • Issue 31 13