Table of Contents

United Arab Emirates - Heights of human aspiration Oman - Slivers of sanctuary Madagascar - Microcosm of survival Kenya - Humility and wonder Spain - The icon as catalyst Colombia - Culture as power Costa Rica - Small and smart Cuba - Island of isolation and invasion Panama - Betwixt two oceans Mexico - Seeking firmer ground Guatemala - Tradition amidst turmoil Japan - At Southeast Asia’s edge Taiwan - Spirit of enterprise

About the Author

Koh Buck Song (family name- Koh) is a Singaporean brand adviser and the author and editor of more than 30 books, including one on Singapore's country brand - Brand Singapore- Nation Branding In A World Disrupted By Covid-19 (third edition, 2021, with a Chinese translation published in China, 2012). He has advised foreign governments on building their nation brands, and has spoken extensively on country branding internationally, including in London, Oxford, Cambridge (Massachusetts), Chicago (Illinois), Phuentsholing (Bhutan), Tahiti, Tokyo, Shanghai and Melbourne.

An avid traveller, he has visited more than 80 countries and territories, from Antarctica to Zimbabwe. An artist of haiga, a modern interpretation of the 16th century Japanese art form of ink sketches combined with haiku poetry, he has held several exhibitions in Singapore and Laos. This book features a haiga artwork for each of the 13 countries visited. He read English at Cambridge University in the UK and has a master's in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, USA.

As an adjunct editor at Singapore's Centre for Liveable Cities, he has authored and edited reports on the annual World Cities Summit since 2014. Previously, he was a columnist and political and arts journalist with Singapore's main English daily The Straits Times, and head of global media relations and strategic planning at the Singapore Economic Development Board. As head of public affairs (Southeast Asia) with the communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton, he advised the Singapore government on many aspects of urban development, including the global launch of Gardens by the Bay and the National Gallery Singapore.

Reviews

"I found Around the World in 68 Days very rich in details about locations and cultures, which makes it a great read not just for the travel aficionados and globetrotters among us, but also those with a healthy interest in the mysteries and workings of other countries and cultures: their identities and brand reputation." The Place Brand Observer