Dateline 11th May 2026

Happy May, I hope you are well and that you have had an extraordinary two weeks since I last chatted to you

Let’s start with the weather well that’s the law is it not. the weather in my book has been close to dreadful, but it is fair to say dry, yes dry and dreadful. The sun only peeks out of the clouds on occasions, but when it does it is nice and warm. Take for example Saturday in London it was quite nice with a bit of a chilly breeze, when that stopped with the sun out it was a nice day but of course, we can’t seem to have two nice days in a row, Sunday was NO Sunday 

It was dull and chilly all day. I have seen the weather forecast for this week it is going to be chilly with a lot of rain, yeah, yeah I know the garden needs it

OK so what has been happening since we last chatted, in Japan there was Golden Week in (Japanese: ゴールデンウィーク, Gōruden Wīku or Ōgon Shūkan (黄金週間) is a holiday period in Japan from 29 April to 5 May containing multiple public holidays. It is also known as Haru no Ōgata Renkyū (春の大型連休; Long spring holiday series). One of Japan's largest holiday periods of the year, Golden Week is four days of the week are officially designated as public holidays, basically the country takes the full week off.

We had Bank Holiday Monday although I didn’t, I was in Lisbon with our DMC AIM DMC Portugal , Madalena, Rita and Joana spent Monday and Tuesday with me showing off the new bits of Lisbon that had been developed since the last time I was there which was a few years ago. I popped into the AIM DMC Portugal office for a quick MM and Company update and a photo opportunity followed by dinner with the team on Tuesday evening.  

I cannot avoid mentioning the horrific attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green who were singled out to be attacked by a terrorist with a knife and stabbed for the simple reason that the men looked Jewish. Our small community are concerned, indeed very concerned that’s all I am going to say on this subject otherwise this e mail will be way longer than usual. 

Equally I cannot avoid saying that Prick Putin still has not realised that Ukraine will never submit or surrender, meanwhile Russia is losing thousands of soldiers a week clearly that doesn’t bother Putin and with a population of circa

145 million people there are plenty of young Russian men for Prick Putin to sacrifice.  

Local elections oh dear Sir Kier I am sure he shed a tear or two, Labour lost over 1,400 seats and guess how many the Reform party gained about the same amount that Labour lost. I see Nigel is in the news for trousering £5 million quid, whilst that may be a bit dodgy a bit like himself I have some sympathy, but not too much for him when he says he needs he dosh for his personal security although he does bring it on himself with the things he says and does. Being a politician can be a very dangerous job two MPs murdered in the past five years Trump shot at several times.

Oh taking of danger there was danger at sea, a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship MV Hondius has triggered international panic, emergency evacuations and renewed fears of pandemic which is a bit ridiculous to be fair the authorities have got it locked down big time no one is getting off the ship unescorted and everyone has to isolate themselves for 45 days once home

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS to Arsenal and Paris Saint German who have reached the final of the Champions League Cup to be played at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary on 30^th May

CONGRATULATIONS to Wu Yize who beats Shaun Murphy 18-17 in the Snooker World Championship final at the Crucible in Sheffield

And finally, (I kid you not this is real news) CONGRATULATIONS to Hayley McAuley, from Wigan, who has retained her title as Flatpack World Champion at Excel London, building a bedside table in eight minutes 20 seconds.

Finally next week is IMEX week I will be in Frankfurt on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as ever I can be contacted on 07710-031475 Sandra will be checking my e mail as will I on my mobile. If you are wandering round the hallowed halls of IMEX with some time on your hands do call it would be great ( well for me at least) to meet up with you 

And that’s the view from my MM and Company desk for this week

MM and Company news update

Italy

Susanne Kosian, Managing Director and Gaby Vanek the Operations Director. and the Incanto DMC Italy have told us that Palazzo San Gottardo Lake Como a Radisson Collection Hotel has opened the hotel has 70 rooms and suites set in a historic lakeside palazzo, the hotel blends timeless Italian architecture with contemporary elegance, offering refined interiors, personalized service, with serene lake views.

Portugal

Madalena, Rita, Joana and the AIM DMC Portugal team arranged for me to stay at the brand new MACAM Hotel to say it was awesome is an understatement the hotel is a totally renovated palace with an beautiful art gallery incorporated in the development, the Gallery is open to the public during the day and can double up as event space in the evening. There are 92 rooms so perfect for a BUY OUT. The hotel has an amazing bar the  à Capela Live Arts and Bar in what was the Chapel of the Palace it is an amazing space with an Art installation where the alter used to be, when you visit you HAVE to ask for it to be activated, I was shown round the hotel and the bar by a very stylish and gracious lady, the General Manager of the MACAM Hotel Vera Cordeiro, Vera activated the art installation in the à Capela Live Arts & Bar for me I took a video if it if you want to see it I can send it to you on what’s app its brilliant.

Los Cabos Mexico

Manuel, Liliana, Diana and the team at The EPIC Group DMC Mexico have told us that The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos located less than 30 minutes’ drive from Los Cabos International Airport, is the hotel making a name for itself in the destination, whilst there are no direct flight to Los Cabos there are loads of flights via Spain the USA and Mexico City. The hotel has 607 room in three buildings – one of the three buildings was recently renovated, with the other two to follow in the near future

IMEX 19^th – 20^th May

I am gathering which of our DMCs will be there so far

Eva Hoffman of Cornerstone Meetings DMC will be at IMEX 

Stephane Louise Hello Islands DMC Mauritius will be at IMEX

Geraint Holt of THE J TEAM DMC will be at IMEX on the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau stand F510.

Marc Schwabach of Ambiance Incentives DMC Spain & Andorra will be at IMEX

Maros Borsky of Enjoy Slovakia DMC will be at IMEX

I have just had some great news  Muge Altug of Blue DMC Turkey will ALSO be at IMEX on the Turkey Stand C430 do pop over to see her, Muge will be delighted to meet with you 

And that is about it for this Monday, you know as much as I know, wishing you an outstanding day and an awesome week ahead.