ATM 2018
WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS TO VISIT DURBAN FOR AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY World Travel Awards has revealed that its Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony will this year be hosted at Durban International Convention Centre, South Africa Hospitality leaders from across the region will gather for the red-carpet gala ceremony on October 6th to see who among them has been voted the best in the business. Enviably located moments from Durban Beachfront, the award-winning Durban ICC is a stateof-the-art events and entertainment venue. It will be World Travel Awards third visit to Durban ICC, having hosted ceremonies in 2008 and 2009. Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “It will be an absolute pleasure to return to Durban for the first time since 2009.With its beautiful beaches and fascinating Afro-Indian culture, Durban is one of South Africa’s essential destinations. We are honoured to partner with the Durban ICC. Opened by Nelson Mandela in 1997, this incredible facility has successfully staged some of the world’s most prestigious events.”
He added: “I look forward to welcoming all of our nominees here in October, as part of our silver anniversary celebrations. WTA has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 25 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for excellence in the travel, tourism and hospitality business.” Durban is a natural paradise known for its gorgeous coastline of sunkissed beaches and subtropical climate, situated on the eastern seaboard of Africa around one of its busiest ports. Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer, Durban ICC, said: “I cannot express my excitement at the prospect of hosting this prestigious event in our world-class facility at the Durban ICC and the beautiful destination of Durban. We are all looking forward to
welcoming our industry colleagues, friends and media from around the world. We are ready to give all our special visitors a warm and unforgettable Durban experience.” As part of the Grand Tour 2018, World Travel Awards is also hosting ceremonies in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Athens (Greece), Hong Kong, Guayaquil (Ecuador) and Jamaica, with the winners progressing to the Grand Final in Lisbon (Portugal).
MORE INFORMATION
Voting for the World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony opens on March 26th and concludes on August 19th. For more information on how to participate visit the official website at www.worldtravelawards.com.
ALL THE LATEST FROM BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS
With so much to keep track of here at Arabian Travel Market it is easy to lose track. Fortunately, Breaking Travel News is here to help, bringing you the latest headlines from the key players here at the largest travel show in the Middle East
In six months’ time, Kenya will show itself off to the world with an unprecedented week of tourism promotion. During the first week of October, it will host the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, the highest-profile event of its type in Africa, attracting international investors from dozens of countries. The event will also welcome the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo, which is the largest travel trade show in east Africa and it will announce a package of measures to incentivise investment.
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Speaking at a breakfast briefing at the InterContinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya cabinet secretary for tourism, Najib Balala, said: “We are unveiling a new calendar of events in the tourism sector known as Kenya Tourism Festival, which will be an annual event that will add value to our tourism experiences. This is in line with our strategic objective of enhancing visitor experience, as well as increasing their stay in the country. The current traveller is keen on more experiences and
options for choice, therefore, the festival seeks to meet some of those aspirations.” Kenya’s head of state, Uhuru Kenyatta, will launch both events publicly on the morning of Wednesday, October 3rd, at a ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. After joint sessions addressing tourism to Kenya in general, the more investment-focused discussions of AHIF will move to the Radisson Blu Upper Hill, Nairobi.
NEWS
On the Tuesday, there will be a programme of inspection visits so incoming travel buyers, investors and journalists can see new attractions, infrastructure development projects and investment opportunities in person. The week’s formal activities will conclude on the Thursday evening, when outstanding examples of sustainable tourism will be recognised. Matthew Weihs, managing director, Bench Events, said: “You have to take your hat off to the cabinet secretary; by bringing these two events together in this way, he has created a much more compelling reason for other destinations to come to Kenya to promote themselves, as they will be able to talk to both professional tourism buyers and international hotel investors in one trip.”
breakingtravelnews.com
AHIF is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers. It is organised by Bench Events, who has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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Bench Events’ mission is enabling prosperity by facilitating growth, networking, and thought leadership in the hospitality industry worldwide. Find out more on the official website at www.africa-conference.com.
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ALL THE LATEST FROM BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS Delta Air Lines and Korean Air will launch a new joint venture partnership that will offer customers world-class travel benefits across one of the most comprehensive route networks in the trans-Pacific market. The joint venture has now been approved by regulatory authorities in the US and Korea, including the US department of transportation and the Korean ministry of land, infrastructure and transport. “This is an exciting time for customers of both Delta and Korean Air as we launch our trans-Pacific partnership,” said Delta chief executive, Ed Bastian. “Our expanded partnership means a host of new destinations and travel options across Asia and North America, with seamless connectivity, world-class reliability and the industry’s best customer service.” The expansive combined network formed by this partnership gives Delta and Korean Air’s shared customers seamless access to more than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 80 in Asia. The airlines will work closely together to bring customers the full benefits of the partnership, including joint growth in the trans-Pacific market, optimised schedules, a more seamless customer experience, improved loyalty program benefits, integrated IT systems, joint sales and marketing activities, and co-location at key hubs. Beginning soon, Delta and Korean Air will implement full reciprocal codeshare deal on each other’s networks and work together to provide the best travel experience for customers between US and Asia. At the same time, the carriers will begin offering improved reciprocal loyalty program benefits, including providing customers of both airlines the ability to earn more miles on Korean Air’s SkyPass and Delta’s SkyMiles program. The new joint venture builds on nearly two decades of close partnership between Korean Air and Delta; both were founding members of the SkyTeam alliance and have offered customers an expanded codeshare network since 2016. Earlier this year, Delta and Korean Air co-located into the new, state-of-the-art Terminal 2 at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, substantially reducing connecting times for customers. One of the world’s largest airports, Incheon has among the fastest connection times in the region. Delta anticipates that Seoul Incheon will continue to grow as a major Asia gateway for Delta and Korean Air.
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MOMENTUM HOUSE, LOWER ROAD, LONDON SE1 8SJ, UNITED KINGDOM Tel +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 www.breakingtravelnews.com To subscribe to the free daily newsletter subscribe@breakingtravelnews.com or sign up via the website EDITOR (editorial) Christopher O’Toole editor@breakingtravelnews.com ADVERTISING advertising@breakingtravelnews.com CHAIRMAN, CEO Graham Cooke GROUP SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Taylor EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Chris Frost GLOBAL BUSINESS DIRECTORS Sion Rapson Mike Sawicki Kevin Rolfe INTERNATIONAL EDITOR-AT-LARGE Ben Roberts FEATURES EDITOR Anna Gouldman GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA TACTICIAN Sid Thaker HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Hakansson DESIGN / LAYOUT / ART DIRECTION one2love agency FOLLOW US IN A READER RSS FEEDS breakingtravelnews.com/feeds/ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER twitter.com/btn_news BTN YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.com/breakingtravelnews
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VOTING OPENS AHEAD OF WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS EUROPE GALA CEREMONY The event will take place in the Zappeion Megaron Hall, Athens, Greece, on June 30th, with industry leaders from across the region in attendance
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Voters – both members of the public and from within the hospitality industry – will have until May 20th to make their voices heard ahead of the prestigious event. The event will be the second stop on the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2018. Ras Al Khaimah, the fastest growing tourism destination in the United Arab Emirates, hosted the opening event, the Middle East Gala Ceremony, earlier this month. Located in the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, the Zappeion Magaron Hall will provide a stunning backdrop to the Europe Gala Ceremony. More than 300 guests are expected to attend, representing the elite of the European hospitality market. Partners include Visit Greece and HotelBrain.
breakingtravelnews.com
World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. For more information about World Travel Awards visit www. worldtravelawards.com.
MORE INFORMATION
World Travel Awards ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media. About World Travel Awards
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ATM 2018: GCC POSITED TO WELCOME BOOM IN EUROPEAN TRAVELLERS Arrivals from Europe to the GCC will increase 17 per cent over the period 2018 to 2020, driven by extra flights, routes, competitive fares, and the rising number of mid-market hotels throughout the region
According to Arabian Travel Market’s research partner, Colliers International, as many as 24.6 million EU residents will travel to the GCC between now and 2020, an additional four million travellers when compared to figures for 2015-2017. The UAE and Saudi Arabia continue
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to be the preferred GCC destinations for European visitors, together they are on track to welcome 81 per cent of the projected business and leisure travellers. The UAE is expected to receive 14.5 million, Saudi Arabia 5.4 million, Oman
2.21 million, Bahrain 1.72 million and Kuwait 738,000, by 2020. Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said: “Historically, Europe and the GCC have enjoyed excellent travel and tourism links. Building on this, over the next three years,
EU arrivals to the GCC will increase and we will see this in both the leisure and business segments.” He added: “While European tourists have previously travelled to the GCC for its luxury resorts, the growing numbers of millennial travellers, middle-class
F E AT U R E UK and GCC during the Global Stage panel debate Going Solo. The discussion will attempt to address the many unanswered questions about inbound and outbound tourism in a post Brexit-Britain, specifically covering potential changes to aviation rules and other regulatory and economic challenges that could occur.
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tourists and corporate travellers on a budget, are slowly changing traditional market trends, as is the growth in affordable, mid-market hotels combined with an increase in low-cost flights.” Besides Emirates’ new route to Stansted airport in the UK, flydubai is scheduled to start flying to Krakow in Poland this month, further extending the carrier’s Eastern and Central European network, to 24 destinations, including Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Prague, Skopje, Sarajevo and Sofia.
rate forecast in four-star development between 2018 and 2020. Colliers data indicates GCC travel to Europe will grow 36 per cent over the next three years, with a forecasted 8.5 million GCC residents projected to visit Europe. While part of this growth can be attributed to the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s
large expatriate populations, GCC nationals are no strangers to European destinations, its culture, history, as well as its retail and luxury hospitality offerings. Looking further ahead, ATM 2018 will examine the impact of Brexit on the relationship between the
About Arabian Travel Market is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. Find out more at www. arabiantravelmarketwtm. com.
Furthermore, GCC hotel developers have turned their attention to quality mid-market properties with Dubai and Riyadh now home to a collection of four-star hotels flagged by names such as Aloft, Centro and Studio M. This growth will continue with a 19.1 per cent compound annual growth
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ATM 2018: EGYPT SEEKS TO DIVERSIFY TOURISM MARKETS AT EUROPEAN GROWTH SLOWS Arrivals from the Middle East, North America and Africa will drive growth in Egypt’s tourism industry to 2021
Between 2018 and 2021, arrivals from North America will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent to 318,844. Factors contributing to this growth include the cheaper Egyptian pound and government
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incentives for charter airlines carrying a certain number of passengers on international flights. Over the same period, visitor numbers from Africa will see a compound annual growth rate of 3.8 per cent, to more than 300,901,
while arrivals from the Middle East are predicted to increase by three per cent at compound annual growth rates, to over 1.34 million.
compound annual growth rates in European visitors, who have traditionally been the key source market for Egypt with 5.2 million arrivals in 2017.
This is in contrast to a projected 1.6 per cent at
Egypt’s tourism industry has witnessed a strong 12
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transport between the UK and the Red Sea resort and also Russia and the Red Sea holiday destination.
months, with total arrivals up 33.3 per cent from 2016 to 2017, according to data published by Colliers International. Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said: “The tourism industry in Egypt recorded a strong performance in 2017, welcoming 7.2 million visitors, predominantly from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC, after many years of muted growth. This is great news for the country and we expect this trend to continue in 2018 as a series of new attractions and investments are unveiled.”
ing major source market for the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, but a ban on direct flights to this destination stifled visitor numbers in 2016, with the total number of arrivals dipping to 5.4 million.
Press added: “To win back the millions of tourists who used to arrive in the country each year, Egypt signed a three-year, US$66 million contract, with advertising agency J. Walter Thompson to create promotional campaigns for 27 source markets. In addition, Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria, Starwood’s St Regis and Swiss brand Mövenpick, are some of the names confirmed to operate the 52 new hotel projects currently under development.”
It is hoped the resumption of flights to Sharm El Sheikh from Europe will kick start the return of air
The expected resurgence in visitors from the North America, African countries and the Middle East
will see both leisure and corporate travel in Egypt increase over the coming four years. Supporting both segments, 2018 will see the government pursue a number of tourism investments including a new national museum and a series of new airports across the country.
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Celebrating its 25th year, ATM 2018 will build on the success of this year’s edition, with a host of seminar sessions looking back over the last 25 years and how the hospitality industry in the MENA region is expected to shape up over the next 25. Find out more at www. arabiantravelmarketwtm. com.
In 2010, Egypt welcomed 14.7 million tourists however, the 2011 revolution saw that fall to 9.8 million the following year. The country’s once lucrative travel and tourism industry faced another setback in 2015 following the downing of a Russian plane in Sinai, killing all 224 people on board. Russia, as well as Europe, have been a long-stand-
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When global actually is global Worldwide business travel spend is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2020. As travel spend rises, effective travel management becomes more and more important.
In 2016, half of corporates spending half a million (or more) on travel were contracted with a single Travel Management Company (TMC) for managed travel services worldwide. Single sourcing offers a myriad of benefits to the corporate including visibility of spend, traveller tracking and compliance as well as cost savings. Travel programs became increasingly global in the 2000’s. The proportion of corporates with more than 20 countries in their programs rose from 17% in 2001 to 49% by 2014. This was driven by the same factors that make single sourcing so attractive to travel buyers. TMCs themselves have contributed towards the globalisation of travel by consolidating to grow revenues and to provide services multinationally. Technology has also enabled the big TMCs to offer both online booking tools and a why FCM’s 90+ in-country teams are all fully-trained. Providing a global travel program doesn’t mean a ‘one size fits all’ approach either. Having teams on the ground who understand their local markets, but who have the common technology platform and processes to use that knowledge consistently is the hallmark of a truly global TMC.
Visit fcm.travel to find out more.
Global workforce As the cost of attracting and retaining talent rises for the world’s employers, the company travel program will increasingly be regarded as a means to retain staff by turning the demands of regular travel into a process in which the individual’s needs are in-built intuitively. That talent needs to be mobile too; the “gig” economy reflects a work environment where temporary contract positions are common, and companies use independent workers to fill short-term engagements. The implications of this on travel management are immense, and make the decision of TMC more crucial to the achievement of corporate goals. FCM has established a proven track record of transforming the Travel Programs of companies all over the world. To find more visit fcm.travel
FCMAUS80347
THE EMIRATE OF
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Travelers looking for a destination with yearround sunshine, sweeping white sandy beaches, so adventure and world class resorts are invited to visit Ras Al Khaimah, the northern most emirate of the UAE and located just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Ras Al Khaimah is a unique destination for visitors of all ages. With its 416,600 population the emirate boasts of beautiful mountains, red sandy desert and lush green plains along with a series of creeks and lagoons. It has a rich heritage dating back 5,000 years, which manifests in numerous historical sites, forts and abandoned villages. The Emirati culture is omnipresent in Ras Al Khaimah and you will be welcomed with the warm Arabic hospitality wherever you go. Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of entertainment and relaxation facilities including exclusive Hotels & Resorts, international cuisines’ restaurants and selective spas, all at great value for money. With a wide range of activities covering Watersports, Sailing Cruises, Desert camps, Golf courses and Mountain Adventures, the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah presents an ultimate outdoor experience for residents and visitors alike. 64 kilometers of coast line with crystal clear water and white sandy beaches are a heaven for all sun-seekers. Located just 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and being well connected by Airport and the National Highway, Ras Al Khaimah enables easy stopovers as well as extended holidays. With its splendid natural treasures and recreational choices, Ras Al Khaimah is a picture-perfect leisure destination that is a must for travelers, looking for the real essence of Arabia.
KHAIMAH
HERITAGE AND CULTURE Ras Al Khaimah has been the site of human habitation for several millennia and its indigenous cultural traits portray the real flavor of Arabia. Today, the native values, heritage and culture which have evolved over centuries, continue to thrive the modern look, infrastructure, facilities and the moderately liberal lifestyle that characterize Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah’s culture is rooted in a long tradition of literary work, camel races, falconry, traditional artwork, fishing, pearl farming and the cultural exchange brought about by trade routes. The local museums and forts provide visitors with a glimpse of the emirate’s cultural life, history and heritage. The people of Ras Al Khaimah are welcoming and friendly. Many are employed in the fishing, trading and agricultural industries and while you can still see farmers growing date-palms, Bedouins (tribes) roaming the desert and fishermen trading by the coast, increasing modern industries are taking over. However, the emirate is keen to promote and preserve its heritage, particularly its fishing and sea trading villages of Julfar and Jazirat Al Hamra; the oasis selements in Shimal, Falayah and Dhayah; and the remote villages of the Al HajjarMountains.
Many people imagine cities in the UAE to be in the shadow of soaring skyscrapers, but Ras Al Khaimah City, the capital of the Emirate has the majestic backdrop between both the mountains and the sea. Divided into two parts by a natural creek, a bridge connects the old city with the newer part with old souks and historic buildings siing comfortably alongside newer glitzy malls and office blocks. Both sides are vibrant and exciting, home to four fihs of the Emirate’s population, yet there’s an atmosphere of a small, convivial, bustling town. National Dress The present national clothes are a continuation of the old costumes of early Muslims. However, due to the cultural changes that have taken place in all the classes of the society, the national clothes, especially women's clothes, have changed significantly.
Women's clothes Women's clothes in the UAE look like the usual clothes worn by women all over the Arabian Peninsula. The dress, commonly called "Nafnoof", "Al Goon" or "makawar" is a long variety that reaches down to the feet. UAE women also wear an embroidered "Kandoorah" whose style varies according to its embroidery, fashion or material. Men's clothes Mens clothes are simple in design and colours. Men all over the country nearly wear the same main dress called “Kandurah”. The design of the Kandurah differs slightly in some places or according to the weather. Popular Arts The UAE in general and Ras Al Khaimah in particular is well known for its folklore, folk music, folk dance and other traditional and popular art forms which embody and reflect the social, ethical and aesthetic values of the community. Traditional dances for example are meaningful movements played rhythmically to symbolize the common ideas and likes of a certain community. Al Wahabiyyah It is one of the oldest art forms of Ras Al Khaimah and is performed only here. The songs during this performance are divided into three sections. Drum players stand between two rows of performers comprising the band. One of the performers begins by reciting a line of poetry. He repeats it a number of times until the other performers have memorized it. Then he recites another line of poetry from the same poem. The first line is a start and the second is the astinato or pedal. The two rows of dancers rhythmically move forward and backward, a row bows and drummers keep drawing nearer to it for 10 minutes while moving their heads. The opposite row repeats the some movements as the drummers draw nearer to them as well. Dancers with swords and guns add charm to the show. This folkdance is usually performed on special occasions, feast days and at wedding parties. Local Cuisine Ras Al Khaimah’s kitchen is known for its delicious dishes and recipes passed from one generation to another. Local people, being seafarers and merchants for centuries, brought into the country exotic plants, spices and recipes from all over the world. Therefore, traces of Indian, Egyptian, Iranian and Turkish cuisines can also be found in local dishes.
ENDLESS FUN AND ACTIVITIES As a leisure destination, Ras Al Khaimah provides visitors with a choice of exciting activities and places of interest from water sports, desert experiences, and golf to historical sites and cultural aractions. Whether you’re looking for complete relaxation or an adrenaline rush, you will not be disappointed.
Historical Sites Experience the rich heritage of Ras Al Khaimah, which includes majestic forts and museums – each telling a story of its own. History lovers would enjoy visiting the Dhayah fort, built in the 16th century on a mountain overlooking the Gulf, to fight the British troops.
Bassata Desert Village Live the ultimate desert experience with the Bassata Desert Village! Enjoy a wide range of traditional Arabic activities with dune bashing, belly dancer, Arabic Tanoura, camel riding as well as Arabic barbecue.
Water Sports With a number of beaches and modern equipment, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect destination for water sports. With a wide variety of activities, choose your favorite sport from scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and fishing.
Al Hamra Marina & Yacht Club Under the Patronage of HH Sheik Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Marina & Yacht Club is a members’ club for sailing, yachting and water sports enthusiasts.
Golf Passionate about Golf? Ras Al Khaimah won’t disappoint you with its choice of two 18 - hole championship Golf courses. www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com
NEW VIEWING DECK PARK AFFORDS MOUNTAIN-HIGH VISTAS OF RAS AL KHAIMAH Ras Al Khaimah, the adventure Emirate, has further increased its appeal for day trippers, staycationers and holidaymakers with the opening of its new Viewing Deck Park, close to the summit of Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain. The opening was aended by His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and other dignitaries who experienced everything the new viewing park has to offer. It features seven viewing decks complete with twelve binoculars to enjoy superb vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the deep, rocky Al Hajar Mountain valleys all from 1,250metres above sea level. Visitors can also watch tourists take on the Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline and will soon be able to enjoy refreshments from the dedicated food truck zone. The araction will serve tourists and residents looking to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, as well as hotel guests and day-trippers who are visiting Jebel Jais to experience the World’s Longest Zipline and Via Ferrata. Open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 11pm on weekends, the 22,730 square metre park is expected to further increase the popularity of the spectacular Hajar Mountains. This araction allows visitors to experience the awe-inspiring perspectives and the oen-hidden bird life of the Hajar Mountain range, amongst the other flora and fauna found in the area. The park will appeal to everyone, not just the active adventure seeks on the mountain. It will let visitors take in magnificent sunrises and sunsets which we foresee being captured regularly on social media and enjoy the fresh mountain air in temperatures that are traditionally around 10 degrees lower than the UAE average.
NEW VIEWING DECK PARK AFFORDS MOUNTAIN-HIGH VISTAS OF RAS AL KHAIMAH Ras Al Khaimah has achieved a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with its latest adventure tourism product – ‘Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline’. The world’s longest zipline, measuring 2.83 kilometers - the equivalent to over 28 soccer fields, and spanning the chasm of Jebel Jais, the UAE’s largest mountain peak at over 1,680 metres above sea level, opened to the public on February 1st, and is expected to achieve a strong following among thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies from across the world, who are interested in extreme adventure activities.
Thrill-seekers will be suspended above the mountain as they prepare to take the flight headfirst in a ‘superman’ style position. The experience will see participants fied with a special suit and equipment for the adventure, with the longest flight itself taking approximately two to three minutes. Once completed, guests will finish the bucket list flight on a suspended landing platform – unique in the world - where they will be transferred to a second line, measuring in at 1 km, to complete their journey back to the ground.
The Zipline comprises two main zipline cables, allowing friends and family members to experience and race together, adding to the fun and competitiveness of the facility. Zipline pilots will experience a flight like never before while being secure and safe. While the time and speed they complete the flight in is dependent on weight and weather conditions, the whole experience is expected to last around two to three minutes, with top speeds reaching between 120 and 150km per hour. Thee araction will be accommodating a rider every five minutes on the two zip lines, equating to approximately 200 people per day, and around 100,000 per year. There are no age restrictions on ‘pilots’ but the requirements are a maximum weight of (150 kg) and minimum weight of (45 kg) for ‘fliers’ who must be at least 120 cm tall. The price is AED650 per rider. The launch of the world’s longest zipline is another milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s campaign to transform the emirate into the region’s adventure and activity tourism hub. With the emirate benefiing from diverse landscape – including the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Jais – it has already built a following amongst walkers, hikers and cyclists with the campaign taking a leap forward in 2016 with the opening of the highly successful Jebel Jais Via Ferrata (Iron Path), hiking, climbing and ziplining product.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (RAKTDA) LAUNCHES DEDICATED RAK SHUTTLE FROM DXB AIRPORT
RAKTDA announced a new shule service from DXB International Airport (terminal 1 and 3) to Ras Al Khaimah will help visitors experience the destination and aid residents journey home. The move comes in support of the Emirate’s aim to aract 1 million visitors by the end of 2018. It will also aid tour operators from key international source markets bringing holidaymakers to the destination to experience the 64km of stunning beaches, Arabian culture and adventure sports activities
on Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain. The shule service can be booked online at www.rakshule.com and will take customers from DXB airport – Terminal 1 & 3 and drop them at all the main hotels in Ras Al Khaimah for an inaugural offer of 20 AED one way. WIFI, water boles and maps will be available .on board or visitors and residents can sit back and enjoy the scenic route and desert views.
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ras al khaimah www.rasalkhaimah.tv
INTERCONTINENTAL GRAND STANFORD HONG KONG PREPARES FOR ARRIVAL OF WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS InterContinental Grand Stanford will welcome the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony later this year. Here we take a look at the headlines from the property as it prepares to host the prestigious event
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InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong recently announced the completion of its US$43 million renovation project and unveils a rejuvenating look with 572 newly refurbished guestrooms, providing guests the ultimate deluxe experience. “As part of our commitment to strive for continuous improvement to provide guests with the finest service and facilities as well as to stay ahead of changing market trends and to exceed guests’ needs, we have undergone several phrases of guestroom renovation and now all inventories are refreshed,� said Alexander Wassermann, general manager of InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong. Possessing over 30 years of experience and having completed almost 100 hotel projects, veteran John Chan Design was appointed to create the redesign and complete transformation of all 572 guestrooms and suites with brand new, sleek design combined with efficient technology, ensuring the most modern and user-friendly experience for guests. When entering the newly-redesigned guest rooms, one immediately notices
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that the exquisite upholstery, hand-tufted carpet and curtains are carefully chosen in a warm palette of earthy tones to establish a welcoming ambience. Taking the advantage of waterfront location, over 40 per cent of guest rooms allow guests to get an eyeful as mirror panels in-room reflect the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour alongside the ceiling-to-floor windows. Three types of suites are furnished with hardwood floors as an enhancement to its modernity. The new interior design is further adorned with the installation of LED mood lights to create a more inviting atmosphere. Discerning travellers can take advantage of the expanded work space with aplenty power outlets in addition to complimentary wireless Internet access and cutting-edge Handy smartphone so that they stay connected and receive the latest news and offers via internet connection while exploring the glamorous city. To better appeal to the modern-day travellers and allow them to stay connected seamlessly, all rooms and suites are enriched with advanced technology including the USB ports and cutting-edge handy smartphone. The handy smartphone offers guests unlimited complimentary local and international calls up to 20 countries, unlimited 3G mobile Internet access as well as Wi-Fi hotspot & tethering. Alongside the refurbished guestrooms, the hotel extends its concierge service
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F E AT U R E beyond hotel premises. Guests can call the InterContinental Concierge directly wherever and whenever they are in Hong Kong with just a button away on Handy smartphone to arrange tailored services from transportations, restaurant bookings to travel tips. Such Around-the-City InterContinental Concierge is a one-stop shop to deliver guests on-demand travel information and personalised recommendations without time and location constraints. Dedicated InterContinental Concierge help guests find the best spots around the
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city, so that they live like the locals, experience the true local scene and avoid the tourists’. To experience the authentic hospitality, the award-winning Club InterContinental at InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong is an exclusive haven for guests that combines elegance and cosiness. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, hotel guests will be impressed by the personalised and attentive services in this “hotel-within-a-hotel�, which includes three daily food & beverage offerings, private
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check-in and check-out, plus complimentary highspeed Wi-Fi Internet, to name a few. It bestows moments of serenity and an intimate setting for social interaction with the breath-taking views of the famed Victoria Harbour as the perfect backdrop. “Our focus has been to enhance the guest experience in all areas of the hotel as an alignment to our brand promise of creating a Great Hotel Guest Love and sustaining the hotels’ reputation of being the world’s leading business hotel, offering the next level of comfort and luxury for business and leisure travellers alike. We are confident that our guests will enjoy the refreshed look and feel of our hotel from the moment they step into the room,” continued Wassermann.
THEO MISTRAL BY THEO RANDALL
InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has also recently become home to Theo Mistral by Theo Randall, the anticipated debut of British celebrity chef Theo Randall in Hong Kong. With chef Randall at the helm, the restaurant will infuse an inspired taste of Italy into the local culinary scene. Chef Randall is best known for his time at London’s legendary River Café, where he built his expertise and earned the iconic restaurant a coveted Michelin star. Thereafter as one of Britain’s top chefs, Randall led
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his eponymous restaurant in London Parklane, Theo Randall at the InterContinental, to the top of the Italian category of the Sunday Times Food List and to its inclusion as one of the 100 Top UK Restaurants at the National Restaurant Awards in 2016. Now, he brings his award-winning cuisine to the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. Acclaimed for his award-winning take on Italian cuisine, the celebrated chef will bring a fresh perspective on classic Italian dishes so loved by local gourmands. With Chef Randall leading the revamp into Theo Mistral by Theo Randall, the new
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menu will see changes that combine premium local produce and imported Italian produce with rustic flavours. He will personally oversee the curation of classic cicchetti and antipasti, as well as delectable contorni, pesce and carne dishes inspired by various regions of Italy. Highlighting the menu are fresh, handmade pasta dishes and made-to-order Italian pizzas prepared the classic way. From fresh homemade pastas in Hong Kong to premium handcrafted pizzas, Theo Mistral by Theo Randall will bring local gourmands an unforgettable and delicious taste of Italian cuisine.
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INTERCONTINENTAL GRAND STANFORD HONG KONG
Nestled in the heart of the bustling shopping, business and entertainment district of Tsimshatsui East, InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, being a member of Intercontinental Hotels Group, is an acclaimed five-star hotel that offers sophistication and heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, half of the hotel’s 572 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites boost sweeping views of picturesque Hong Kong skyline and breath-taking Victoria Harbour. Located in the proximity of the world-famous Star Ferry and within easy reach of all major transportation systems such as the Mass Transit Railway and Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train Station, the hotel offers easy accessibility within the city and entry into China. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong provides the finest selection of world-class dining outlets from famed Cantonese cuisine at Hoi King Heen crafted by award-winning native Chef Leung, passionately prepared Italian cuisine at Mistral with finest Italian produce, to contemporary international buffet at Café on M and Tiffany’s New York Bar, knowing as Capital of Whisky with the largest whisky capacity in town. The sheer flexibility of the hotel, with its ample choice of venues complement the state-of-the-art meeting facilities in a comfortable and stylish setting, caters for functions of diverse size. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong will welcome the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony on September 3rd this year. Find out more about the event on www. worldtravelawards.com or visit www. hongkong.intercontinental.com for more on the property.
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AEROFLOT WELCOMES THE WORLD WITH RUSSIAN HOSPITALITY Aeroflot is working to dispel outdated myths about Russian aviation. Here Breaking Travel News finds out more about this leading carrier Celebrating its 95th birthday in 2018, Aeroflot is the world’s third oldest airline and operates one of the youngest aircraft fleets over an extensive network dominating Europe-Asia transit routes. The carrier – recognised as the World’s Leading Airline Brand by the World Travel Awards – provides internationally
recognised best-in-class service on many routes. Aeroflot is the face of Russia, and its most recognisable company both at home and abroad. For tens of millions of people around the world Aeroflot is synonymous with excellent customer
service infusing Russian hospitality and leading international standards. Since its foundation in 1923 in the early days of aviation, the long-path to excellence has not always been a turbulence-free experience. In the latest zigzag, the dramatic transformation of the ailing airline begun in 2009 and allowed Aeroflot to reinvent the iconic brand. A new management mindset, with a relentless focus on customer service and high-tech solutions, has turned the ailing post-Soviet carrier into a modern European airline. In a breakthrough for Russian aviation, Aeroflot was recognised world’s strongest airline brand, as well the strongest brand in Russia as a whole, by leading valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance in 2017. Long-term investments in the fleet
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and digital capabilities played a role. Aeroflot has leveraged Moscow’s geographic position to gain a leading role in providing seamless Asia-Europe connectivity via the Sheremetyevo hub. Throughout its long history Aeroflot has always shown resilience. Driven by the new customer focus central to all operations in the last decade and worldwide industry recognition, the carrier is destined to soar to new heights.
FLEET NEWS
Aeroflot is Russia’s largest airline and a major European airline group, operating one of the youngest fleets globally. The extensive route network embraces 137 destinations in 51 countries, as of winter 2017/18. This ensures an excellent Europe-Asia transit service with journey times reduced by quick connections through
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Sheremetyevo International Airport.
glassware, and a Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit.
ing adequate legroom and reasonable privacy.
including vegetarian, diet, and Russian options.
The 224-strong fleet - with an average age of 4.1 years - comprises modern Airbus, Boeing, and Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft.
The business class offering maintains a true premium-class standard, even on short- and medium-haul intra-European flights, featuring wide seats, spacious aisles, and exclusive catering.
Catering is a pillar of Aeroflot’s top-notch service. All dishes are cooked using fresh ingredients in line with health-consciousness considerations. Aeroflot offers 17 special menus,
Aeroflot also scores highly on service offerings to tech-savvy customers, with a Wi-Fi-enabled longhaul fleet, multiple mobile apps, and advanced online ticketing services and
Aeroflot’s premium-level long-haul product is based on its Boeing 777 and Airbus 330 fleet, featuring 62/60-inch pitch fullflat seats. The Aeroflot business class offering comprises varied inflight entertainment options, personalised service, and splendid on-board catering. Included are haute-cuisine dishes, exquisite wines and signature cocktails, an a la carte menu, real china/
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At the same time, Aeroflot’s economy class offering features lucrative fares and value for money - as certified by global rankings and passenger reviews. The economy cabin is designed with ergonomic principles in mind, featuring reclining seats with an up to 32inch pitch (depending on aircraft type) and provid-
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digital communication channels. Aeroflot’s cabin crew, whose expertise has been boosted with international training, create a psychologically comfortable and friendly atmosphere. The carrier has garnered numerous awards and citations for its attractive and stylish cabin crew.
FINE DINING
Keen to showcase its heritage, Aeroflot recently introduced a new Russian menu on its flights. The decision to introduce this special on-board menu took account of the popularity of Russian cuisine around the world, with special emphasis on its wide variety of flavours. Passengers can order the special menu at no additional cost up to 36 hours prior to departure. The new menu is available on Aeroflot direct flights departing from Moscow. For business class passengers, it is available on flights of any duration, for
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economy class passengers, on flights lasting more than three hours. Commenting on the introduction of the new menu, chief executive of Aeroflot, Vitaly Saveliev,
said: “Aeroflot emphasises the quality and range of its on-board catering, supplementing and improving it in accordance with customer requests. In our new menu, focus has moved towards the
national component, revealing the rich variety of our national cuisine.”
choice of Tula honey-cake, ice cream, or baked apples with cranberries.
He added: “We hope Aeroflot’s Russian menu will be a calling card for foreign guests and a pleasant reminder to homesick Russians travelling.”
The 17 special meal options currently available on-board Aeroflot flights include several vegetarian choices, as well as options to suit a variety of age, medical, and religious requirements.
Passengers ordering the special menu in business class will be able to taste assorted Siberian fish or Chekhov’s mushrooms for starters, followed by slice of sturgeon with potatoes in mustard sauce or Smolensk porridge with stewed beef in a port wine jus. Depending on the duration of the flight and the class of travel, for dessert passengers will enjoy a
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MORE INFORMATION
Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship carrier and a proud member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. Aeroflot and its partners serve 1,062 destinations in 177 countries worldwide.
Find out more about the carrier at www.aeroflot.ru.
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EUROPCAR REFOCUSES LOWCOST CAR RENTAL ACTIVITIES Europcar Group has announced the reorganisation of its low-cost business unit to fully benefit from the recent Goldcar acquisition
The low-cost car rental segment is one of the most dynamic in Europe, representing approximately €1.5 billion, enjoying a historical 12 per cent annual growth rate and expected to continue to
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grow at a similar pace, especially in Leisure destinations like France, Spain, Italy, UK, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. The low-cost business unit will be managed
by Juan-Carlos Azcona, Goldcar’s former chief executive, and will include the InterRent and Goldcar brands. The combination of these two major players allows the group to build a large platform and to
benefit from a significant scale within the segment. This business unit is expected to generate a major portion – at least 15 per cent - of group revenues in the near future.
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In order to fully benefit from the agility of Goldcar’s organisational structure, their lean processes and a solid, flexible and scalable IT system, the InterRent brand will be operated by Goldcar in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and the UK. In conjunction with the reorganisation of the low-cost unit, the group is currently adapting its brand platform in order to seize the opportunities of the growing leisure market, offering its customers tailor-made mobility solutions that meet their expectations in terms of service, support and price. As a result, InterRent will progressively be repositioned as the mid-tier brand of the group and will target leisure customers who want to find the right balance between a fair price and a smooth and simple customer experience.
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Positioning InterRent in the mid-tier market is a strategic move to address a segment which is estimated to represent around 20 per cent of the overall market with significant upside coming from the market trend dynamics. Fabrizio Ruggiero, deputy chief executive, sales, marketing, customers and low-cost, explained: “After only three months since completing the Goldcar acquisition, we have been able to establish our strategic positioning in the low-cost market. We have started to execute on our plan for our low-cost business unit in order to deliver the full extent of the value creation that we were foreseeing and presented at the time of the acquisition. Hence, we wish to reiterate our confidence with regards to delivering at least € 30 million of cost synergies by the end of 2020.”
He added: “Furthermore, the definition of our new brand architecture gives us a great opportunity to fully address and develop our leadership on the three layers of the market we operate in, namely upscale/premium with Europcar, mid-tier with InterRent and low-cost with Goldcar. We do believe this new brand platform will allow us to expand our customer reach through stronger brand preference and strengthen our undisputed leadership.”
EUROPCAR GROUP
Europcar Group is a major player in mobility markets and is listed on Euronext Paris. The group’s mission is to be an attractive alternative to car ownership by providing a wide range of mobility solutions: car rentals, vans, chauffeur
service, car-sharing or peer-to-peer. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of the group’s mission and all of its employees and this commitment fuels the continuous development of new services. The group operates through multi brands meeting every customer specific needs: Europcar - the European Leader in vehicle rental services; Goldcar - Europe’s largest low-cost car rental company; InterRent - value for money brand targeting leisure customers; and Ubeeqo - a European company specialising in fleet and mobility solutions for both the business and the end-customers market. Find out more at www. europcar.com.
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Discover Dubai
www.discoverdubai.co
ABU DHABI FALCON HOSPITAL WOWS CROWDS IN MIDDLE EAST
Apart from being an internationally renowned tourism attraction, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the leading centre for falcon medicine worldwide
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museum with historic photographs of traditional falconry. Fun and excitement is guaranteed by the sheer number of falcons that can be seen during the tour. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tours give unforgettable memories to the visitors.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the world’s largest falcon hospital with an influx of more than 11,500 falcon patients per year from all over UAE and the Gulf region. Since the location started its tourism program in 2007, the
number of tourists visiting its facility has increased every year by an average of 20 per cent, showing the tremendous interest of visitors from all over the world for the stunning experience of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.
Nowadays Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is one of the leading tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi and has been recognised with the World’s Responsible Tourism Award by the World Travel Awards for its high-quality tour program. The unparalleled Falcon World Tours cover the fascinating history of falconry in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, the cradle of modern falconry. It then takes the visitors in the real life of modern falconry where they can interact with live falcons, take pictures with falcons on their arm and watch the feeding of a falcon. Another tour highlight is the aviary where falcons are flying freely inside which gives an adrenalin boost to the guests. The tour ends in a beautiful
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However, the tourism offerings of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital are not only for leisure tourism, but also cover MICE tourism with its state-of-the-art conference facilities. The Shaheen Conference Centre is the ideal and unique corporate venue for innovative events, meetings, workshops and conferences. Apart from the modern conference room with advanced technologies, it houses a beautiful museum of the Emirati tradition of falconry as well which gives a special twist to conferences and events.
MORE INFORMATION
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is open to visitors for guided tours from Sundays to Thursdays at 10:00 and 14:00 and on Saturdays at 10:00. In order to facilitate bookings, an advanced and easy-to-use online booking portal has been established so that tours can be booked and paid conveniently online. For more information or bookings, please visit www.falconhospital.com.
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OMAN AIR MAKES DEBUT AT NEW MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Oman Air has begun operations from the new Muscat International Airport.
All incoming and outgoing flights will be transferred from the current terminal to the new airport. The new airport opening has been eagerly anticipated and, as a key stakeholder, Oman Air is proud to be operating up to 200 flights per day from the new state-of-the-art terminal.
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Muscat International Airport has been designed to be a shining symbol of the modern state of Oman being built by sultan Qaboos bin Said. The hub will be a significant boost to Oman’s already flourishing travel sector as it will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers per year and its runway will
be able accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, and independent parallel operation. The new terminal will allow Oman Air to offer a thoroughly enhanced service; the check-in process will be seamless for all customers and premium class customers will be
able to avail themselves of designated check in areas and entrances. Acting Oman Air chief executive, Abdulaziz Al-Raisi, said: “The opening of the new Muscat International Airport has long been anticipated and is a momentous occasion in the sultanate’s history. Here at
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Oman Air we are confident this new development will allow us to offer our valued guests a new level of service that is sure to exceed their high expectations.” He added: “As a major stakeholder, our strategy is to support the anticipated growth in tourism and logistics and we are stepping up investment. In 2018 we have already announced the arrival of new aircraft, routes to North Africa Russia and Europe, and an expansion of existing services.”
Oman. Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East, supporting the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors. Currently Oman Air’s fleet consists of seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners, six Air-
bus 330-300s, four Airbus 330-200s, five Boeing 737900s, 21 Boeing 737-800, four Embraer 175s and two newly added 737 MAX planes. More aircraft will join the fleet in the coming days. By 2022, Oman Air’s total fleet size is expected to be around 66 aircraft.
with the World’s Ultimate Service Award in Hospitality. Find out more at www. omanair.com or head over to Stand ME2140 here at Arabian Travel Market 2018.
World Travel Awards last year honoured Oman Air
Oman Air has been very closely involved in this exciting and important new project for the sultanate. The opening of the new terminal will further facilitate the airline’s exciting fleet and network expansion programme, which will see Oman Air operate up to 62 aircraft to around 60 destinations by 2022.
MORE INFORMATION
Oman Air is the flagship carrier of the Sultanate of
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SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS LAUNCHES IN ABU DHABI Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, a one-of-a-kind, five-star property with modern Arabic architecture and a regal presence, has opened phase one of the resort in the UAE capital The new resort will welcome guests with effortless luxury across 327 rooms and four diverse dining options, including the signature Turtle Bay Bar & Grill restaurant, Sim Sim all-day dining, Sama Lobby Lounge with stunning sea views, and
the refreshing Swim Up Pool Bar. Nestled in the heart of Saadiyat Island, the resort’s location boasts a haven of abundant natural beachfront beauty and wildlife, while only a convenient 15-minute drive
from the city. Guests will be in good company with regular visitors including Hawksbill Turtles, seahorses, dolphins, dugong and oryx. The Island is also envisaged as a centre for breath-taking cultural and heritage experiences, home to world-class museums including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. “We are very excited to be launching the first phase of Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas which is set to become the go-to destination in the Capital for a luxurious resort experience,” said Marc de Beer, general manager of the property. Featuring modern contemporary décor, with Arabian accents throughout, the property boasts a vast, glass-front lobby overlooking Saadiyat’s sweeping beaches, with a sparkling fountain flowing through the resort. The natural, light-filled space houses
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unique artwork, including seven glass floor panels containing majestic sands from the seven different Emirates. The resort showcases an exquisite, Emirati inspired artwork collection, including core collaboration with Ashwaq Abdulla. The talented Emirati artist has shared her visionary passion; creating local nature inspired pieces based on six curated themes, which feature as a highlight in each of the resort’s rooms, suites and villas. During phase one, four of seven modern dining options that promise fresh ingredients, authentic flavours and distinctive culinary experiences will welcome visitors. Phase two will invigorate the city’s dining scene, with the introduction of Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar, and Hamilton’s Gastropub - the first two of their kind on the island. This will be
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followed by the opening of Nasma Beachfront Bar, presenting a chilled atmosphere overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas features a large outdoor swimming pool, two tennis courts, Bodylines Fitness Club with a private entrance and a mini golf course that will keep guests entertained as they soak up the Saadiyat sunshine.
To suit an array of event and meeting needs, the resort will also introduce three fully equipped banquet and event spaces, an elegant ballroom and The Lawn, a spectacular outdoor event venue designed with memorable weddings and events in mind.
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Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the
Middle East, Africa and Turkey, with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels ‘Treasured Time’. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include, Rotana Hotels
& Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you. Find out more at www. rotana.com or head over to Stand HC0720 here at Arabian Travel Market 2018.
Phase two will see the launch of Zen the spa at Rotana, offering ten luxuriously appointed treatment rooms, traditional Turkish and Moroccan hammam as well as the ultimate clubhouse for youngsters, Aladdin’s Cave; an active and engaging experience where kids and teens can enjoy various water features, a cinema zone and much more.
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dubai www.dubaitravel.tv
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF TRAVEL EXCELLENCE
EUROPE GALA CEREMONY Saturday 30th June 2018 ~ Zappeion Megaron Hall, Athens, Greece
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BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS INVESTIGATES:
MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS, THE WORLD’S LEADING LUXURY TRAIN Having taken the title of World’s Leading Luxury Train each year since 2012 at the World Travel Awards, Maharajas’ Express can rightly claim to be one of the more revered hospitality products anywhere in the world. Here we discover more about this iconic brand
Operated by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation, Maharajas’ Express is considered the finest train in the world of luxury travel, enviable in every respect. it is the flag-
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ship luxury train of IRCTC and is the newest luxury train in the country. The train which commenced operations in 2010 has been a frontrunner and is known for its enrich-
ing journey experiences coupled with exquisite facilities onboard. There are a total of 14 guest carriages, each named for various
precious stones - such as Moti (Pearl), Heera (diamond), Neelam (Blue Sapphire), Feeroza (Turquoise), Monga (Coral), Pukhraj (Sapphire) and so on.
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In these carriages are fitted luxury cabins that are segregated in four categories - Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite and Presidential Suite. In total there are 43 guest cabins which can accommodate up to 88 passengers on each journey. Accommodation is available as twin cabin and double and each cabin can accommodate two passengers. Standing apart is the Presidential Suite, which can accommodate four passengers. Called Navratna, it spreads itself in an entire carriage and is inclusive of two bedrooms, a separate living area, a dining room and a private bathroom with a bath tub. Whatever class, each cabin is adorned with rich
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tapestry, linen, upholstery, wall-to-wall carpeting, semi-precious stones and antiques. During a journey, guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery whizzing by from the huge panoramic windows. While having a traditional royal dĂŠcor, the spacious cabins offer every modern-day facility at par with the international standards. Every cabin is well-appointed with services and amenities like LCD TV, direct dial telephone, choice of twin or kingsize bed, channel music, electronic safety deposit, private bathrooms with toiletries, DVD players and much more.
peccable services of the well-mannered, dedicated and courteous staff. There are two restaurants on board the train, each with a seating capacity of 42 passengers at a time. The restaurants - Peacock and Rang Mahal - serve
cuisines from around the world including traditional Indian, Chinese, Continental and authentic Mewari cuisines. So, while the chefs trained in world cuisine tickle the taste buds with their gourmet delights from the stateof-the- art kitchen, the
During your stay in the luxury cabins, guests will also be offered the im-
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barmen, servers and, valets pamper guests and take care of all their needs during the journey Guests could also order house brands of wine, spirits and beers along with an array of wellknown brands from around the world. A well-stocked bar named Safari is an ideal place to get to know your fellow
traveller over light drinks and snacks in a laid-back ambience. Also on offer is the Maharajas’ Club. This plush observation car offers
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relaxing chairs where guest can observe the landscape as it spools by. It is also equipped with a library, personal bar and a souvenir shop and a great place to socialise and collect memorabilia. For book lovers, the train has a collection of titles on Indian art, culture, history. To take care of medical emergencies, there is an in-house paramedic avail-
tions and exotic locales, such as a visit to one of the largest dinosaur fossil park at Balasinor, or the erotic temples of Khajuraho. Guests can also indulge in a regal meal at the shimmering lake city of Udaipur with the opportunity to meet royal families - all in true blue majesty. The range of various tour itineraries also includes splendid
able round the clock.
gala events and a range of activities such as elephant polo at Jaipur, cocktail and barbeque sundowner on the sand dunes of Bikaner, wild life safari at Ranthambhore, champagne breakfast overlook-
The incredible journeys on offer let one to explore India’s diversity. On offer is a chance to discover timeless tradi-
ing the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, boat ride at the holy city of Ganges and much more.
PALACE ON WHEELS
Luxury train travel in India has come a long way since the introduction of the Palace on Wheels in 1982 for the promotion of tourism in Rajasthan. The most recent and unarguably the most luxurious
tourist train in India, the Maharajas’ Express offers finesse on a par with the Orient Express of the West. It has redefined the art of elegant travel in India. Radiating sheer opulence,
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Maharajas’ Express offers a fascinating voyage across some of the finest destinations in India manifesting the true spirit and kaleidoscope of the country. One of the most expensive and luxurious luxury train rides in the world, the salons of the train draw inspiration from the private saloons of the erstwhile maharajas of India. Even before the inception of rail travel in India, the maharajahs of India had a keen fascination with these moving wonders on wheels invented by James Watt. In the era of Raj, many maharajahs had their own personal carriages draped in luxury used for occasions such as state visits, nuptial
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sojourns and hunting trips. Many had been built and designed in art deco style. Sylvan inlays, exquisite carvings and elegant tapestries along with exquisite mirror and jewel work exuded an unmistakable élan. All this and more spoke volumes about the splendour and pomp of the maharajahs of erstwhile princely states of India.
MORE INFORMATION
Two new Maharajas’ Express itineraries in the of south India will debut September 2018.
The first, the Southern Sojourn, last seven nights out of Mumbai and takes in Ratnagiri, Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Ernakulam, Ku-
marakom, before ending in Trivandrum. At the same time, the seven-night Southern Jewels leaves Trivandrum and visits Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi, Goa, Ratnagiri, before ending Mumbai.
An experience of a lifetime, a journey on Maharajas’ Express brings one closer to bygone era of imperial India. Find out more at www. maharajas-express-india. com.
The train journeys offer a unique mix of history and culture. Each itinerary is uniquely crafted giving guests the opportunity to visit the prominent places of interest at a destination, have meals at exclusive venues and enjoy the folk dance/culture of the destination. Several optional activities are also available at each destination for the guests to choose, in addition to the main programme.
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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF TRAVEL EXCELLENCE
ASIA & AUSTRALASIA GALA CEREMONY Monday 3rd September 2018 InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF TRAVEL EXCELLENCE worldtravelawards.com
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AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY Saturday 6th October 2018 The Durban International Convention Centre, South Africa
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GUAYAQUIL TO HOST WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ON 2018 GRAND TOUR Guayaquil, Ecuador, has opened its arms to the industry leading event as host of the Latin American Ceremony Guayaquil is the gateway to the unique Galapagos Islands and offers its own city experience as unforgettable as the famed ecological destination. It sits on the border of the Guayas River, with an estuary that gives access to the Pacific Ocean, and is nestled amid remarkable
scenes of natural vegetation, mangroves, tropical flowers, and regional fauna. Thanks in part to its perfect blend of exotic beauty and modern-day services, it has been chosen as one of the top ten destinations on the rise in the South American region.
Gloria Gallardo, president of Guayaquil Tourist Board, indicated: “It is a real honour to welcome the major players of the tourist industry in the region to our city. Representatives from cities, airlines, hotels, and tour operators, all of whom have performed outstandingly this year in
promoting and offering the best possible tourist experiences in leisure, business and combined travel, will join us for the event.” Thanks to a massive regeneration project of the public squares, parks and urban areas, Guayaquil also boasts a five-kilometre waterfront (Malecón Simón Bolivar), attractions ranging from historical monuments, churches, local artisan markets, and botanical gardens, to a new Ferris wheel and several museums, as well as the newly added harbour and promenade of Port Santa Ana. Guayaquil is famous for its original cuisine, at the forefront of Ecuador’s developing gastronomy, as well as offering family entertainment, fun activities, history, and culture. Also in town is a bustling business and commerce environment. Not for nothing has it received the title of South America’s
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Leading Business Travel Destination at World Travel Awards for the past two years straight. The city is also a specialised destination in the MICE category. It has a critically acclaimed international airport, the largest convention centre in Ecuador, and around 2,500 beds in differently categorised hotels, while its newly established Convention & Visitors Bureau was showcased as one of the most active in the region at the latest international ICCA Meeting in Prague. Gallardo added: “Even though we will be hosting the Latin American World Travel Awards in September, Guayaquil boasts an unparalleled mixture of warm hospitality, tropi-
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cal beauty, modern-day services, and hot climate all-year round. “Guayaquil is your destination to visit, travel and enjoy. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with it and hopefully return. We’ll always welcome you with open arms and make sure you have unforgettable experiences in our city. Guayaquil, the Pearl of the Pacific, welcomes you!”
MORE INFORMATION
World Travel Awards will host its annual Latin America Ceremony in Guayaquil on September 15th. Find out more at www.worldtravelawards. com.
To find out more about the city head over to visit www.guayaquil.travel.
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RAINER APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL Sandals has appointed industry veteran Gebhard Rainer as chief executive of the company deners and housekeepers to chefs and managers - who are the finest in the industry. “My son Adam has played a huge role as chief executive of Sandals Resorts International, exceeding expectations over the past 12 years,” said the Gordon Stewart.
The move was announced earlier by Sandals chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. The appointment, which follows an extensive search in concert with deputy chairman, Adam Stewart, is designed to accelerate the strategic growth of the award-winning luxury all-inclusive brands under the Sandals Resorts International banner. “Sandals Resorts has a legacy of pioneering and implementing industry
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innovations and we are committed to not only bolstering our leadership position in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean but also to broaden our horizons with further growth of the luxury all-inclusive concept beyond the region we call home,” said Gordon Stewart. According to the chairman, the addition of Rainer to the executive team consolidates Adam Stewart’s role as deputy chairman allowing him to dedicate
more time to forward initiatives as the company prepares for a bold strategy forward. “For twenty-two consecutive years, Sandals Resorts has proudly earned the distinction of being voted the World’s Best All-Inclusive Resorts, for which we are immensely proud of. To be the best, you must have a team that is the best and for more than 30 years we have cultivated a staff across the Caribbean - from gar-
Reporting directly to the chairman and deputy chairman, Rainer is an accomplished and highly-regarded hospitality executive with global operations and international finance experience, notably with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer. According to the chairman, Rainer is a team player and goal-focused with a management style that matches the brand’s culture and is compatible with its ‘team first’ approach.
F E AT U R E
“Rainer’s experience complements our strengths, affording me the time to expand my role alongside the chairman as the Sandals brand moves to fasttrack our development plans. These are exciting times and we look forward to an even brighter future,” said Adam Stewart. In addition to his expanded role with Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart continues his leadership role in the family’s extensive hospitality, media, automotive and appliance business holdings, including his position as deputy chairman and chief
executive, The ATL Group, comprising the Jamaica Observer, the country’s leading daily newspaper and ATL Appliance Traders, a chain of domestic and commercial appliance outlets combining exclusive distributorship
of the world’s top electronic brands and ‘unbeatable’ customer service throughout Jamaica.
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Sandals Resorts offers two people in love with the most romantic, Luxury-In-
cluded holiday experience in the Caribbean. With 16 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International, which includes Beaches Resorts. The company is recognised as the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company by the World Travel Awards. For more information about the Sandals visit www.sandals. com.
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BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS INVESTIGATES:
TOURISM AS A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT IN JAMAICA Minister of tourism for Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett, here writes on how the tourism sector continues to be the leading catalyst of economic development in the country and how he is planning to address the problem of tourism leakage
The resilient tourism sector continues to be the leading catalyst of economic development in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean basin, bringing
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valuable investments to our shores, generating one in every four jobs and forging many critical sectorial linkages that produce positive spill over effects
for the wider local and Caribbean economy. For 2018, the Jamaican tourism sector is expected to improve upon its
record-breaking performance from last year when we welcomed an unprecedented 4.3 million visitors to our shores. The stellar performance and
F E AT U R E ment in Jamaica, mainly because of the economic linkages and diversification the sector promotes within the broader economy. The tourism value chain already incorporates several sectors. Its promotion requires the construction and operation of hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related facilities through backwards linkages and the development of basic infrastructure services, such as energy, telecommunications and environmental services; agriculture, manufacturing and other support services.
promising outlook for the sector has strengthened our resolve to do everything in our powers to ensure that tourism maximises its potential to be the engine of social
and economic transformation in Jamaica. The tourism industry has traditionally been such a strong pillar of economic growth and develop-
Tourism has also created a wide range of forward linkages, with sectors supplying services consumed by tourists. These include financial, telecommunications, retail, recreational, cultural, personal, hospitality, security and health services. We can extrapolate that tourism has enormous potential to be a powerful tool for community development and reducing inequalities if it engages local populations and all key stakeholders in its development. As the minister of tourism, I have assumed personal responsibility for aligning tourism development in Jamaica with broader social, economic and environmental imperatives as outlined in the county’s sustainable development road map - Vision 2030. I am well aware of the perception among many Jamaicans that the tourism sector only
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benefits hotel owners and large businesses. This is a perception that I have set out to change. My ministry is repositioning the tourism sector to ensure that it supports deeper cross-sectorial linkages, attracts more local investors, stimulates small-scale entrepreneurial activities and promotes broader participation of local populations in the sector. We are especially committed to a vibrant and invigorated community tourism model that enriches the quality of life in Jamaican communities by returning economic, cultural, social and environmental benefits to the communities in which tourism enterprises operate. Developing countries like Jamaica experience a higher rate of tourism leakage than the rest of the world. It has been estimated that the rate of leakage among developing regions ranges from 70 per cent for Thailand to 80 per cent for the Caribbean to 40 per cent for India. A study conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme found that only $5 out of every $100 spent on a vacation package (typically, all-inclusive) by an overseas traveller from a developed country stays in the developing country’s economy. To address the problem of leakage and ensure that the tourism sector delivers on its promise of inclusive
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growth for all, we are seeking to identify areas where strong opportunities exist for increased consumption of local goods and services in the sector. This vision forms the crux of the ministry’s Strategic Business Plan 2016-2019, which aims to strengthen linkages with other sectors of the economy, particularly the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, strengthen the benefits derived from the industry by local residents and communities, promote broader participation by all Jamaicans; and ensure the safety, security and sustainability of the natural and built environments. Apart from identifying areas where there is strong opportunity for increased consumption of local goods and services in the tourism sector we are also seeking to
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increase understanding of the supply chain for the industry, identify specific constraints and limitations hindering tourism linkage with the domestic economy and to determine the receptivity for use of local goods and services within the sector. I am proud to announce that my ministry has already taken bold steps to promote the diversification of the country’s tourism sector and to deepen economic linkages between the tourism sector and the other sectors of the economy. I am particularly proud to announce that my ministry is pushing ahead with plans to construct five artisan villages in resort areas across the island (Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio) over the next four years. These facilities will provide an avenue for Jamaican artists and craftsmen to
expose and market their creativity, while limiting the volume of imported craft items that are being sold in the industry. Plans are also well afoot for the Tourism Product Development Company’s establishment of a Craft
Development Institute at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston under a memorandum of understanding between the entities. The CDI is among several initiatives being pursued by TPDCo with view to expand the
F E AT U R E craft industry by providing artisans with opportunities to participate in product enhancement and business development training programmes. In 2016, we launched our Community Tourism Portal, which is a web-based platform to promote licensed community-based tourism enterprises across the island. This innovation provides the community tourism subsector with an online presence and online marketing strategies to create growth. This is achieved by the portal’s capability to build awareness of the sector in Jamaica, provide comprehensive and engaging information on the product in the country, as well as offer a convenient means for bookings. It also provides entrepreneurs with affordable and cost-effective e-marketing services. The Jamaica Linkages Network continues to strengthen and encourage vibrant linkages through a number of initiatives focused primarily on human capacity-building, assisting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with their development, greater integration of local products and services into the tourism product and expanding the country’s potential to tap into new segments of the tourism market. One of our most notable achievements to date has been the activation of Our Five Networks, which
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is a conceptual model of our plan to target five new markets/segments over the next five years to
restaurants, distilleries and breweries, pan chicken vendors, cookshops, and fisherfolk. We also
ical, friendly climate and our generally adventurous landscape can be harnessed to attract travellers
promote diversification and deepening of economic linkages between tourism and other sectors. Our Five Networks are: Gastronomy; Health and wellness; Sports tourism; Knowledge and Shopping. In terms of the gastronomy industry, which is valued at US$150 million, we recognise that Jamaica has a rich culinary culture and thus enjoys a competitive advantage in this area.
have plans to tap into the global US$3-trillion health and wellness industry.
who seek thrill, recreation and excitement. We are seeking to capitalise on Jamaica’s sporting excellence and internationally recognised culture as a means of generating income for small businesses and local entertainers.
We have already named Devon House in Kingston as the country’s first gastronomy centre. Plans are afoot to launch more food festivals and integrate food experiences into existing flagships. Anticipated beneficiaries of the expansion of gastronomy tourism in Jamaica include: farmers, local
Members of the government-appointed Health and Wellness Network Committee are tasked with developing the conceptual framework and leading efforts to improve some mineral spa facilities in the country and to promote medical tourism products and services such as spa treatment, nature healing, medical diagnostic, dental and medical surgeries and to develop key attractions. Sports and entertainment tourism is the fastest growing segment within the travel industry today. We believe that our rugged outback, our steep hills and mountains, our seas and rivers, our trop-
MORE INFORMATION
The Jamaica Tourist Board, founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards from 20062017. Find out more on the official website at www. visitjamaica.com or visit the Caribbean Tourism Organisation on Stand AM6100 here at Arabian Travel Market.
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jamaica www.jamaicatraveltv.co
KitzbĂźhel
VAL THORENS LEADS WINNERS AT 2017 WORLD SKI AWARDS French ski destination Val Thorens has taken the title of World’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards
Val Thorens led winners at the World Ski Awards
The legendary French resort - the highest in Europe - was the big winner at ski tourism’s event of the year which took place at the five-star A-ROSA Kitzbühel in November, welcoming the elite of the ski hospitality industry to Austria. Also among the winners was the W Verbier. The W’s first alpine and ski resort in Switzerland, which walked away with the title
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of World’s Best Ski Hotel. Elsewhere Chalet Les Anges, Zermatt - created by the world famous interior designer, Magali de Tscharner, took the title of World’s Best Ski Chalet, while The Vale Niseko was voted World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel. Sun Web scooped the trophy for World’s Best Ski Tour Operator, with Leo Trippi named World’s Best Ski Travel Agent.
In a first for World Ski Awards, Rocksresort whose stone buildings are heated with entirely renewable biomass energy - was voted World’s Best Green Ski Hotel. Bergbahn AG Kitzbuhel was also honoured during the red-carpet event, taking the title of World’s Best Ski Resort Company, while Bella Coola Heli Sports was recognised as World’s Best Heli-Ski Operator, and
Ski-Lifts picked up the award for World’s Best Ski Transfer Operator. Meanwhile, LAAX was celebrating having been recognised by voters as World’s Best Freestyle Resort, while Ski Dubai scooped the trophy for World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort. Two of the night’s biggest winners were Fahrenheit Seven and Alpaca. Hip design-led hotel, Fahrenheit Seven, collected the tro-
F E AT U R E Guests are invited to enjoy a whole weekend of activities as part of the World Ski Awards
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The application process for inclusion in the sixth annual World Ski Awards – the premier awards programme in ski tourism – has now opened.
phy for World’s Best New Ski Hotel while Alpaca, in the French resort of Méribel, was recognised as the World’s Best New Ski Chalet. An extensive programme of events took place over the weekend, seeing guests invited to engage in three days of exclusive networking events, private skiing, sightseeing tours and a host of other VIP activities.
World Ski Awards Managing Director Sion Rapson said: “The 2017 World Ski Awards was our most successful to date, firmly cementing our position as the global benchmark for ski hospitality. It was a pleasure to recognise so many industry leaders and I hope their recognition, both by their peers and members of public ski community, will inspire them to aim ever higher in the pursuit of excellence.”
In a unique presentation, the World Ski Awards Academy honoured ski industry stalwart, Hans Grimus, with the title of Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism. The Austrian native, who left his homeland for Australia 56 years ago, was instrumental in constructing the first lifts on Mt Buller - a resort village in eastern Victoria, Australia - as well as building his eponymous hotel.
Ski organisations, including resorts, hotels, chalets, tour operators and travel agents, which have performed at an outstanding level over the last 12 months have been invited to participate. Online application is quick and simple, so enter today for the opportunity to win the ultimate ski tourism accolade. The shortlist of 2018 World Ski Awards Finalists across all categories will be published on May 28th ahead of the opening of the crucial 16-week voting window on June 1st. Find out more about the World Ski Awards at www. worldskiawards.com.
The elite of the global ski tourism sector attends the event
Hans Grimus was recognised by the World Ski Awards Academy
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Feel Kitzbühel. Experience Kitzbühel. Nestled between the Kitzbüheler Horn and Hahnenkamm mountains, the region Kitzbühel features almost unlimited options for a fun and active stay. Kitzbühel is a synonym for passion, one that gives rise to an unmistakable way of life, as these mountains inspire adventures that beg to be experienced all year long! Kitzbühel has more to offer. There are a range of other activities, such as tobogganing, winter hiking and snowshoe hiking, romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides or simply strolling through the picturesque town centre, which offer a welcome alternative for those who haven’t come to the “Gamsstadt” of Kitzbühel simply for the skiing. The “Gamsstadt” is an enchanting place, featuring a medieval city centre that is both cosmopolitan and conscious of tradition. You can enjoy typical Tirolean hospitality in the alleys of the old town, which dates back over 700 years. The culinary offerings range from rustic local fare to international haute cuisine.
The legend in the Alps. The most legendary city of sports in the Alps is an attractive and multi-faceted destination for all seasons. In summer and winter alike, Kitzbühel boasts a unique charm and an unmistakable blend of tradition, legend and idyllic landscape. 120 years of successful skiing history. It was Franz Reisch who left the first tracks in the snow on the Kitzbüheler Horn in 1893, triggering a full-on skiing boom. Today, Kitzbühel stands for pure skiing pleasure, with powder runs, mogul slopes, steep northern faces and delightful sunny slopes. The 68 slopes featuring 179 kilometres of pistes offer something for skiers of all abilities. There are also 13 marked ski routes with a total length of 36 kilometres and enthralling options for freeriders. A name. A concept. A legend. Streif! The most spectacular downhill run in the world can be used for hiking in summer and for skiing in winter. However, anyone wanting to follow in the footsteps of the world’s best skiers should be a very experienced skier themselves. The main sections of the Streif racing piste, such as the Mausefalle and Hausbergkante, are classified as “extremely difficult ski runs”.
Foto: Michael Werlberger © Kitzbühel-Schriftzug-Design: Alfons Walde 1933/VKB Wien
Hiking sets you free. Some call it walking or mountaineering, others call it hiking or trekking. We simply call it experiencing Kitzbühel! Feel the rhythm of nature, your mind conjures up adventures and these shall become reality – Kitzbühel, a unique source of motivation!
Grass-covered mountains are typical for Kitzbühel. Unlike the steep and craggy limestone mountains surrounding Kitzbühel, the grass mountains boast meadows and lush green mountain pastures – even above an altitude of 2,000 metres. In fact, the Geißstein is the highest grass-covered mountain in the Alps.
“Gentle mountainscape, the blossoming meadows, the crystal clear water and that really special, magical feeling in the air – this is summer in Kitzbühel!”
“When a new day dawns, the gentle natural landscape impresses.”
Hiking for connoisseurs. Kitzbühel guarantees incredibly beautiful panoramas, geological marvels, local specialites and culinary delights. Kitzbühel fascinates with variety – gentle grassy hills and craggy peaks, always against the imposing backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser, Hohe Tauern and Großglockner. The well-developed network of trails extends over more than 1,000 kilometres, with specially designated routes for all levels of difficulty.
People have always sought out natural idylls and spiritual sources where they can replenish their energies and find inspiration. Kitzbühel offers these “silent paths” and spiritual places, where you have the chance to escape your hectic everyday life and recuperate in peace and quiet. Leave the hustle and bustle behind, take a deep breath and relax. Kitzbühel is the perfect place to slow down, relax, refresh and get inspired, ready to write your own legend.
Start into the hiking season 2018 May, 31st to June, 3rd Spend your bank holiday weekend with us! No matter whether you want to join our sunrise, summit, theme or legend hikes – hiking in Kitzbühel presents itself with particular highlights at the opening weekend. Explore the hiking opportunities at our Testival area and participate in the special programmes for the season start. Particular highlights will be offered at the Hahnenkamm, the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Kitzbüheler Südberge. Get all information at www.kitzbuehel.com There is no doubt, Kitzbühel is worth a visit all year long, 365 days a year. The legendary Kitzbühel way of life awaits you! Our team at Kitzbühel Tourismus will be pleased to assist you for your individual vacation planning via: servus@kitzbuehel.com or +43 (0)5356 66660.
Don’t dream it, book it. booking.kitzbuehel.com
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LA MANGA INVESTS TO STAY AT FOREFRONT OF EUROPEAN GOLF Spain’s multi-award-winning La Manga Club is determined to remain at the forefront of European golf well into the next decade and beyond
The five-star resort is completing a three-phase upgrade of its golf offering and will be finalising refurbishments to the tees on both the North and South courses, with improved access, landscaping and stone-work. In addition, by the time the
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season gets fully underway, the resort will have replaced around 75 per cent of its grounds keeping equipment, upgrading to the latest available Toro machinery. Meanwhile, on the West course, a huge project is
underway to improve the pathways for smoother and easier movement around the course. This will complete a project implemented by director of golf Eduardo Ruiz, who joined La Manga Club nearly three years ago,
and golfers have already enjoyed the benefit of a refurbishment of the club shop, locker rooms, Bar 37 and course furniture. Ruiz explained: “Throughout the project, we have continued to purchase machinery, condition the
F E AT U R E
pean Cricket Performance Centre and a 2,000sqm Wellness Centre. In addition, it features the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses and more than 15 bars and restaurants.
LA MANGA CLUB
Located in a magnificent natural environment next to Calblanque National Park and the Mediterranean Sea, with a mild year-round climate and enjoying exceptional security and privacy, the exclusive resort of La Manga Club (Los Belones, Cartagena, Murcia) offers luxury, leisure and sport in the same place, and is set just 20 minutes from Murcia airport and an hour away from Alicante.
tee areas located close to the hotel, and landscape the pathway from the clubhouse to the hotel. We’ve put the terrace in the clubhouse into action and we will soon complete our biggest task: improving the buggy pathways on the West Course. La Manga Club continues to invest in its facilities – not just in golf, but right across the resort. It has been at the forefront of leisure and sport since it opened in 1972 and will continue to show the way well into the 21st century.” These latest enhancements come shortly after La Manga Club was also
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With the variety of activities and facilities available, La Manga Club has firmly established itself as one of the best sports and leisure destination resorts in Europe and has been the proud recipient of a host of prestigious international awards and accolades over the last four decades. La Manga will this year play host to the fifth annual World Golf Awards, with the event taking place from November 1st4th. Find out more on the official website at www. worldgolfawards.com. Find out more at La Manga and everything on offer at the resort at www. lamangaclub.com.
named Europe’s Best Golf Venue at the 2017 World Golf Awards. Three times the size of Monaco and nestling in an exclusive corner of Murcia in south-east Spain, La Manga Club has been at the forefront of European golf since opening in 1972, with its other facilities including a nine-hole academy course and outstanding practice facilities. The official overseas training base of the Lawn Tennis Association, the resort’s unrivalled amenities also include a 28-court tennis centre, a new Euro-
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CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN GOLF TOURISM
La Manga Club, Spain 1st- 4th November 2018
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Tel. +34 968 17 5577 reservas@lamangaclub.com lamangaclub.com
4 TH A N N U A L
Friday 26th October 2018 The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
The latest spa tourism news on the most significant developments in the wellness and spa tourism industry. Find stunning photos, videos and interactive discussions with our group members.
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