Dateline Monday 12th May 2025

Happy Monday morning, what a difference the sun makes to a Monday morning. Last week as we all know was bank holiday Monday and we in the UK had traditional Bank Holiday weather dull, overcast cloudy, chilly, with several lots of rain slung in for good or indeed bad measure. But ahhhhh today when we are all grafting hard at work either in the office although most likely these days in our “home office” the weather is sunny, warm, dry, and crystal-clear. According to the weather peeps it’s going to be an awesome sunny week.

Last Monday was May Day Bank Holiday I hope enjoy the long weekend the weather notwithstanding (that is such a great word) next week is IMEX week in Frankfurt then the week after its again bank holiday got to love the month of May, great weather and long weekends.

VE Day the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day May 1945 but still the world has not learnt from the wars of the past, if they had learned from the wars of the past there would not be wars now and in the future. I went down to The Mall to watch the fly past of the World War Two Lancaster Bomber and some of the modern Typhon FGR4 jets and F-35B Lightning jet fighters as well as the awesome Red Arrows The Mall was as ever packed so I didn’t get to see the marching troops and cavalry, I did the 7AM get down to The Mall and wait malarky for the funeral procession of the wonderful, amazing Late Queen Elizabeth II and for the Coronation of King Charles III  just didn’t fancy the six hour wait in the chilly wind and wet conditions, common sense prevailed well for me at least.

What on earth is going on with the retail sector? Marks and Spencer my favourite place to shop (well it is after all my Dad’s shop) and now The Co-Op both being hacked by villains asking for millions of pounds to release their computer systems, new criminals working from home nicking lots of cash. No more stripy t shirts, masks, swag bags and double-barrelled shot guns, just laptops and nimble fingers flying across the keyboards. I should have paid more attention in my Maths classes at school.    

India and Pakistan. were on the brink of all-out war, but after a couple of skirmishes and a bit of death and destruction sense has broken out can’t say peace as yet but sense for sure with a bit of the Trump factor thrown in seems to have done the trick

No sooner had The Papal Conclave had begun, which I should add has proved perfect timing for Robert Harris the author and the film The Conclave, I saw the film as soon as it came out it’s a great film, a fascinating look behind what really goes on, the Conclave was over, a billow of white smoke was seen over The Vatican and just like that the Catholic community and the World has a new Papa. An American, Robert Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV born in Chicago before serving as a bishop in Peru. Prevost was known to be close to Pope Francis and seems likely to carry forth many of his philosophies and efforts. On seeing the Pope on the News giving his blessing to the faithful in Rome on Sunday it occurred to me and I do not mean to be irreverent that appointing a new pope so quickly seems similar to Dr Who being reincarnated every 20 years or so  

Today is Vesakha, known in Thailand as Visakha Bucha, Vesak is an annual public holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha (the founder of Buddhism) and passing into Nirvana on the same day of different years. The name derives from the sixth lunar month of the year, known as Vaisakha in Pali. Celebrated annually on the full moon of the lunar month of, this festival usually falls in April or May. I find world religions fascinating.

Israel had a very lucky escape last week with a Hothi (Iranian) ballistic missile landing just a few hundred yards away from the main terminal at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. As a result of this strike Isreal popped over to Yemen and obliterated their airport and seaport for good measure. When will these terrorists learn not to mess with Israel, soon I hope there has been far, far too much war death and destruction.    

Soap box time

The bitter news AGAIN today, it is 581 days since Israeli and other nations’ citizens were on 7th October 2023 wrenched violently from their homes, streets, fields, and places of leisure in Israel and taken to be held hostage as pawns of war imprisoned in squalid conditions in the Hamas terror tunnels in Gaza. A total of 59 Israelis are still being held captive by the group of evil, blood thirsty, barbaric terrorists called Hamas. Sadly out of the 59 people being kept in horrific conditions only 24 are still alive.

Off the soap box now

Happy birthday to Sir David Attenborough 99 years old and still going strong he is probably one of the nicest broadcasters we have on the Telly. 

That’s it from a David point of view for this week.

MM and Company news update

Dubai

Jyoti, Candy, Joshua and the team at TRAVCO DMC Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman have told us that Jumeirah has announced the development of three new addresses in Dubai. The upcoming additions will include a hotel and two residences: Jumeirah Asora Bay on the peninsula of La Mer South in Dubai; the hotel will have 103 rooms and suites along with 20 villas.

MEXICO

Manuel, Liliana, and the team at The EPIC Group DMC have told us that the Palladium Hotel Group has announced an investment of $6 million to refresh and relaunch Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya as Grand Palladium Select White Sand, debuting January 1, 2026. Grand Palladium Select Collection launched in January this year, includes Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres in Cancún. Additionally, Grand Palladium White Sand hotel is set to join the collection following a refresh. Starting January 1, 2026, Grand Palladium Select White Sand will have a total of 425 rooms, starting with the Junior Suite as the base category. Guests can enjoy pool concierge service, complemented by an in-room minibar restocked daily, unlimited access to restaurants, bars and entertainment programs at the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts within the complex, complimentary room service 12 hours a day.

Japan

Top tip from James and the crew at n, The J Team DMC Japan UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Japan. However, to make the airport process a little simpler upon arrival in Japan James and the crew at The J Team DMC recommend pre-registering your visit at this website https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/ 

Germany, Frankfurt IMEX 20th – 22nd May 2025

Here is the list of DMCs MM and Company represent that have told us that they will be attending IMEX  

Eva of Cornerstone Meetings DMC Germanyinsight at F110 Frankfurt booth

Stephane of Hello Islands DMC Mauritius

Enrica of NACARA DMC on the EUROMIC Stand

Nassos of AME DMC Greece

A number of DMCs we at MM and Company work with and recommend will also be there amongst them Enjoy Slovakia DMC and Hadler DMC Scandinavia   

That's it from me this Monday, wishing you a terrific week ahead, enjoy the sunny weather.