BTN // ITB 2013 Day 2 by Breaking Travel News

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ITB Berlin Special Edition

Europcar: Powers ahead p20

Thursday 7 March 2013

Peru: Latin America’s new tourism superpower p28

www.breakingtravelnews.com

Changi: The man behind the world's leading airport p48

World Travel Awards - the Oscars of the travel industry - has issued a call to those organisations that aspire to be recognised as the best in their field, as voted by their fellow professionals, to participate in its 2013 programme.

World Travel Awards issues call for nominations Established in 1993, WTA is recognised globally as the highest accolade in travel and tourism, and serves to recognise, acknowledge and reward excellence of customer service, product development and business performance throughout the tourism industry. This year, the 20th anniversary, the competition is set to be the fiercest yet as growing numbers of companies and destinations realise the marketing opportunities that a World Travel Awards nomination offers. Entry is now open for regional categories – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Caribbean, Europe, and North, South & Central America. Visit www.worldtravelawards.com/nominate. The 2013 nominees are published at www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees. Votes can be cast at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.

The World Travel Awards 2013 Grand Tour will this year begin in the Middle East, where Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa will welcome attendees to Dubai on May 5th. This will be followed almost immediately by the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, which will take place at the Paradise Island Resort in the

Maldives on May 12th. Sadly voting for these two events is closed, but there is still plenty of chance to select the world’s leading brands later in the year. Cornelia D iamond Golf Resort & Spa is next up, hosting the Europe Gala Ceremony on August 31st 2013. The luxury destination last welcomed World Travel Awards in 2011, with the event being considered such a success WTA had no hesitation in returning this year. Peru will host the South & Central America Gala Ceremony, while Antigua takes on the Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony. Kenya will welcome industry leaders for the Africa Gala Ceremony on October 15th, while Singapore will mark the conclusion of the regional heats with the Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony during the autumn. The winners of these regional heats will progress to the Grand Final, which will take place in Las Vegas at the end of 2013.

World Travel Awards Today, the WTA 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 successes within each key geographical region. The Grand Tour of WTA Gala Ceremonies are regarded as milestone events in the industry calendar, attended by the industry’s key decision makers, chief figure heads and the leading trade and consumer media.

There is more information at www.worldtravelawards.com.

The ceremonies are widely regarded as possibly the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media. The 2012 WTA Grand Tour ceremonies were attended by more than 3,000 guests from 92 countries, as well as media from 194 TV channels and publications.

for all the latest travel news: www.breakingtravelnews.com

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News

Momentum House Lower Road, Waterloo London SE1 8SJ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 www.breakingtravelnews.com

All the latest from Breaking Travel News With so much happening here at ITB Berlin, it can be difficult to keep ahead of the curve in this most dynamic of industries. Here Breaking Travel News brings you the most important headlines to keep you ahead of the competition.

To subscribe to the free daily newsletter subscribe@breakingtravelnews.com or sign up via the website For editorial feedback Christopher O’Toole – Editor editor@breakingtravelnews.com For advertising advertising@breakingtravelnews.com Chairman, CEO Graham Cooke Group Vice President Kevin Taylor Senior Vice President David Falcon Vice President Chris Frost Executive Vice President Manon Han Global Director Sion Rapson Editor Christopher O’Toole Project Manager Kelly Footit Online Media Publishing Ben Roberts Jo McCann

Malaysia Airlines joins oneworld Malaysia Airlines has become part of oneworld – considered the World’s Leading Airline Alliance by the World Travel Awards. The move adds one of Asia's leading airlines to the global airline alliance that aims to be the first choice for frequent international travellers the world over. For Malaysia Airlines, joining oneworld completes the latest phase of its repositioning plan. Becoming part of the world 's premier global airline alliance will strengthen its competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.

Project Manager Sid Thaker Head of Photography Mark Hakansson Video Producer Gareth Morris Design Nomad Graphique Follow us in a reader RSS Feeds www.breakingtravelnews.com/feeds/ Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/btn_news BTN on your mobile breakingtravelnews.mobi BTN YouTube channel www.youtube.com/breakingtravelnews

Group chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said: “Becoming a member of oneworld is one of the most significant landmarks in Malaysia Airlines' history. It will strengthen our competitive position considerably, enabling us to offer our customers a truly global network together with our partners who include some of the best and biggest airlines in the world. At the same time, it will enable us to benefit from all the financial benefits that come from being part of a global alliance, through additional passenger feed and the learning from best practices that it affords. He added: “As an air line that has always be proud to offer the highest quality Malaysian Hospitality, we are very pleased and honoured to be lining up as part of what is clearly the world's top quality airline grouping.”

Etihad Airways upgrades Melbourne flights Etihad, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will increase capacity on its daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, introducing a new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from December 1st. The three-class, 328-seat Boeing 777 will replace the current Airbus A340 fleet, delivering 252 more seats per week – a 12.3 per cent increase – between the capital of the State of Victoria and the capital of the UAE. The service upgrade was announced in Abu Dhabi by James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, at a business dinner hosted by the Victorian Government and attended by 400 people. “Melbourne is one of the best-performing routes in our global network, and has the highest passenger load factor of our three

Australian destinations,” said Hogan. “Victorians are not only flying with Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi, an emerging business and leisure destination, but also on to destinations in the Gulf region, Middle East, Europe and Africa.” Since launching flights between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi in March 2009, Etihad Airways has carried over 580,000 passengers on the route, including 162,112 last year. Already this year, a load factor of 87 per cent has been achieved, one of the highest in the airline’s network of 86 destinations. “Our decision to increase capacity between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi reflects not only the growth we have achieved so far, but also our confidence in the Victorian market,” concluded Hogan.

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News Work begins on Project Sunshine

Project Sunshine underway at Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean International took a major step in the development of the cruise line’s next generation of cruise ships when the first piece of steel was cut for the first of two Project Sunshine ships. The steel cutting took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where the two ships will be built. To celebrate the milestone, Royal Caribbean International announced the names of the two new ships – Quantum of the Seas, set to debut in autumn 2014, and Anthem of the Seas, which will follow in spring 2015. They will be part of the Quantum class of ships and will build upon Royal Caribbean International’s legacy of revolutionary ship design and bold innovation. “We are extremely excited to celebrate this important milestone for our first Project Sunshine ship. After three years of design and advance planning this is the first step of the construction of the ship and I look forward to seeing it all come together in the coming months,” said Adam Goldstein, president,

Royal Caribbean International. “The new ship will be such a leap forward in terms of vessel design and guest experiences that we thought the name Quantum of the Seas was perfectly appropriate.” Royal Caribbean International’s legacy is built on introducing ‘at sea firsts’ such as rockclimbing walls, ice-skating rinks, surf simulators, zip lines and even a tropical park with over 12,000 live plants. The Quantum class of ships will continue to build on this legacy with unprecedented experiences and features. They will once again deliver on Royal Caribbean International’s tradition of designing for ‘WOW’. “Throughout our history we have made huge strides in cruise ship design and innovation and the Quantum class will be no exception,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises. “We look forward to introducing consumers to Quantum cruising.” Additional details about Quantum of the Seas will be unveiled in the coming months.

New corporate governance at Europcar The Europcar group Executive Committee has changed its setup and welcomed four new members: Marcus Bernhardt, newly appointed chief commercial officer; Jacques Brun, chief transformation officer; Didier Fenix, Europcar Belgium general manager; and Ken McCall, managing director of Europcar UK. McCall commented: “My key aim as a member of this committee is to align our group IT strategy with the needs of the business, while supporting daily operations. This role will enable us to identify and improve our internal processes for fleet and to further develop the Group’s IT platform. These initiatives will allow us to achieve our goals and deliver exceptional service for our customers.” As chief commercial officer, Marcus Bernhardt will strive to strengthen Europcar’s market footprint and extend the group’s leadership in alignment with the target model set in Fast Lane 2014. Bernhardt, a Swiss citizen, started his career in the hotel industry. He successively held the position of chief operating officers in the Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Rezidor SAS Hospitality as well as the position of chief operating officer and chief commercial officer in the Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts group.

James Hogan of Etihad Airways joins Victoria minister of tourism Louise Asher for the announcement

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“Our new corporate governance is a key milestone in the Europcar group transformation. The rationale behind this strategic move is to bring the group closer to the business and the countries and accelerate its transformation agenda, Fast Lane 2014,” said Roland Keppler, Europcar group chief executive.

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Your guide to ITB Berlin

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Tel: +960 333 0888

P.O. Box 2118, Malé, Republic of Maldives Fax: +960 333 0777 Email: sales@hih.com.mv

Web: www.hih.com.mv

LUXURIOUS OCEAN-FACING GUEST ROOMS & SUITES FOOD & BEVERAGE OUTLETS Uduvilaa • Seaside Deck • Faru Coffee House • Garden Gazebo • In-room Dining • Champs Bar • Champs Deck • Poolside • Sunset Deck

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Island Hopping • Spa • Beach Volleyball • Tennis Court • Foot & Back Reflexology • Fishing Trips • Swimming Pool • Souvenir Shop • Putting Golf Gymnasium • Badminton Court • Golf Cage • Basketball Practice Court

World Luxury Hotel Awards: ‘Luxury Airport Hotel’ Category: Winner – 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008: Finalist – 2009 International Hotel Awards: ‘Best Airport Hotel’ in Asia Pacific Region 2012-13 & ‘Five Star Rating Award’. World Travel Awards: Winner – 2012, 2009: Nominee – 2011, 2010 Maldives Travel Awards: ‘Leading Luxury Hotel’ Category: Winner – 2012 Best Culinary Establishment in Maldives: Winner at Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge – 2012, 2011, 2008, 2006 Top & Most Outstanding Chefs: Winner at Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge – 2011, 2009 HACCP and ISO 9001-2008 certified Hotel

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News

From the moment you touch down at Singapore Changi Airport expect to be greeted with a wonderful experience that is second to none.

Relax at Changi

Lily Pads

Surprising experiences at at Changi Airport Butterfly Garden

The unique Changi experience fills every passenger with joy, wonder and delight, thanks to its impeccable service, operational efficiencies and constant innovation. Transit travellers can look forward to a stress-free environment with much to see and do at each of the three terminals. With a wide array of facilities for relaxation, diverse entertainment choices, thematic gardens, complimentary internet access and free Singapore tours, the options are endless!

update your Facebook status or Tweet about your travel escapades using the airport-wide free wi-fi or at any of the 550 free internet stations located across the terminals.

While waiting for your flight, take a dip at the Balinese-themed rooftop swimming pool at Terminal 1 and get a nice tan before you return home. Alternatively, enjoy some fresh air at the uniquely-designed ‘lily pad’ outdoor deck at the same terminal. If you prefer to stay indoors, indulge yourself with a rejuvenating spa session at the various spas lo cated in Terminals 1 and 2.

For travellers with more than five hours to spare in transit, be sure to sign up for a free Singapore tour and discover some of the city’s iconic sights. There are two itineraries to choose from, Heritage and City Lights Tour, each offering a different glimpse of Singapore’s heritage and everchanging city landscape. The Heritage Tour is a day itinerary which features the Colonial District, Merlion Park and perennial favourites such as Chinatown and Little India. For a night time excursion around the city, opt for City Lights Tour where you will get to experience Singapore’s vibrant nigh tlife and the panoramic views from the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade.

If gaming is more your cup of tea than relaxation, travellers will be spoilt for choice at Changi Airport. Whether you’re a Playstation or Xbox fan, get busy with a full gaming experience at the Entertainment Deck located at Terminal 2. Travelling movie buffs will also be delighted to discover the 24-hour movie theatre showcasing the latest blockbuster releases at Terminals 2 and 3. For those with an online following, you can

With more than 330 retail outlets across Changi Airport’s three terminals, the shopping experience is not to be missed. The shopaholic in you will be spoilt for choice with stores ranging from street labels such as Accessorize, Billabong and Charles and Keith, to high-end luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci and Tiffany, there is bound to be something for everyone, every budget and every occasion.

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With all that activity, tucking into some yummy fare will complete the experience for any travellers. At Changi Airport, you will find a host of culinary delights, reflecting Singapore’s dining scene, world-renowned for its eclectic and diverse mix of international cuisine. For Asian fare, do check out Peach Garden Noodle House (Terminal 1) for freshly made dim sum, noodles, fried rice and set menus. For the hip and health conscious traveller, The Green Market (Terminal 2) might be what you’re looking for with its allyou-can-eat salad and appetizer buffet.

With the utmost focus on the travellers, it’s no wonder that Changi Airport is the world’s most awarded airport accumulating over 420 titles and accolades over the years. The most recent saw Changi pick up the title of World’s Leading Airport at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Delhi. To get more information visit www.changiairport.com.

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News Privacy comes as standard

Over Water Villa Suite Gili Lankanfushi

Eco-retreats at Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is positioned as an upmarket boutique resort that stands at the forefront of the eco-luxury sector and acts as a benchmark for luxury resorts. Breaking Travel News takes a look.

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations. Everywhere you look, marine life abounds. And the gleaming waters beckon. Formerly known as Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Gili Lankanfushi is set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Malé Atoll. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboa t ride from the International Airport at Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives. All of its 45 over-water villas, crafted in a traditional style from natural materials, reflect the harmony of life by the water’s edge. For ultimate privacy, guests can stay in one of the seven Crusoe Residences or the Private Reserve, accessible only by personal boat. All villas at this luxury island resort offer a pr ivate water garden, open air bathroom, and roof-top terrace and over–water sundecks. The interiors recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and traditional fabrics, while still offering all the modern amenities and providing the comfort of true luxury. Luxury dining comes in the form of a private dinner on this secluded island. The cuisine will whet your appetite with fresh offerings and local produce, while the extraordinary settings will leave an indelible impression. The surroundings are teeming with marine life and the resort has its own fully-equipped PADI diving school plus a

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variety of water sports. This place tops the list of must-do destinations for those in the know. “As an eco-sensitive resort, we are committed to the principles of environmental sustainability, which plays an important part in Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives corporate philosophy,” said Iain McCormack, general manager of Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives. “We’ve tailored the operations of the resort around this philosophy.” McCormack added: “We have on staff a marine biologist, who is responsible for several ecological conservation programmes relating to the ocean. We also maintain our own organic herb and vegetab le garden, which provides fresh and local ingredients used in the resort’s kitchens. An active recycling program of using waste for building materials is practiced.” Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives’ corporate responsibility extends beyond the resort’s perimeter as well, with several programs currently active and will be continued following the name change.

More Information Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and wholly-owned by Hotel Properties, a Singapore main-board listed company. HPL Hotels & Resorts manages the activities of twelve hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar – Langkawi, The Lakehouse – Cameron Highlands, Casa del Rio – Melaka, Rihiveli Beach Resort Maldives and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

For more information visit www.hplhotels.com or head over to Hall 5.2A/107.

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives marks the parent company’s - Hotel Properties - fifth property in the Maldives. The other properties within the group are Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru; Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma; and Rihiveli Beach Resort.

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News

Rotana moves into Dubai pole position with new opening

Al Ghurair Rayhaan & Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana

Two new properties have seen Rotana become the largest hotel operator in the bouyant Dubai hospitality market. Here Breaking Travel News brings you the latest. Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East & Africa, has announced the official opening of Al Ghurair Rayhaan & Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana in the heart of Deira, one of Dubai’s busiest tourism and commercial districts, taking the company’s total number of properties in Dubai to 15 - the highest of any operator in the city. The two new hotels also represent Rotana’s largest ever room inventory in a single project and will add 620 rooms to Rotana’s Dubai portfolio – 428 rooms at Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana and 192 apartments at Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana – bringing its total room inventory in the emirate to 3,795, its most significant in a single city within Rotana’s extensive portfolio. Omer Kaddouri, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rotana, said the two hotels answer the needs of the luxury hospitality market in Deira with two highly sought-after product offerings. “Many guests seek to reflect their cultural values in their choice of hotel accommodation and Rayhaan by Rotana offers these guests the opportunity to stay in a world-class hotel that respects the culture and beliefs of this region,” said Kaddouri. “Prior to launching the Rayhaan by Rotana brand in 2010, our market research indicated the category’s huge potential due to

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its inherent appeal and popularity in the Middle East and that has been confirmed by more than 1,800 rooms already operating under the Rayhaan by Rotana brand. With the opening of the Al Ghurair property, Rotana now operates four Rayhaan hotels – three in the UAE and one in Saudi Arabia in Makkah.” The Al Ghurair Arjaan Hotel takes Rotana’s portfolio of Arjaan Hotel Apartments to ten in total – eight in the UAE, with two more Arjaan properties in the wider Middle East. “Arjaan by Rotana combines Rotana’s service excellence and deep knowledge of the Middle East market in a first-class residential hospitality product. Arjaan Hotel Apartments are designed to close the gap between hotel and home,” Kaddouri said. The two hotels feature four food and beverage venues that offer dining choices to satisfy every taste and mood, including an international all day dining restaurant Liwan; Buzz Deli Café for a quick bite, the Yasmine Lounge and the signature Persian restaurant Shayan. The hotels are also the first in Dubai to include the company’s award-winning Zen, the spa by Rotana concept. The spa comprises eight treatment rooms, separate male and female services and a steam sauna. A trained team of

therapists offer a wide treatment menu, including massage treatments, body treatments, facial treatments as well as foot and hand treatments, using high quality product lines that incorporate indigenous ingredients like damask rose and frankincense. “Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan, through their superior product offering, will further boost the luxury hospitality options available to guests looking to stay in Deira,” said Mark McCarthy, property general manager. “Al Ghurair Rayhaan & Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana enjoy excellent connectivity, being just minutes away from Dubai Airport and one of Dubai Metro’s largest stations – Union – which offers access to the city’s two metro lines.” “With Dubai becoming one of the main global destinations for shopping, the two new hotels are uniquely positioned to provide our guests with a convenient and enhanced leisure experience as they form part of the ongoing expansion of the adjoining Al Ghurair Shopping Center that will enhance the mall’s current portfolio of 200 shops and services to 350 in 2013,” he concluded.many prestigious industry awards.

For more information on Rotana head over to Hall 22.B/209 or visit www.rotana.com.

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News Best in the business

Full speed ahead

Europcar refreshes brand to meet evolving consumer needs Customers the worldover will now be able to enjoy and benefit from a whole new approach to car rental, as Europcar, the leading car rental company in Europe, unveils its new brand positioning, ‘Moving your way’.

Europcar has determined it will evolve its services, processes and communication to adapt to customers’ ever changing mobility needs. ‘Moving your way’ conveys Europcar’s total commitment to the customer and to shaping a better future for customers’ mobility. Customers will begin to see the new Moving Your Way identity in Europcar’s marketing campaigns, and on the new www.europcar.com website which provides a more intuitive and richer booking process to enhance the car rental experience from start to finish.

A cornerstone of the plan is the new europcar.com. User friendly and inventive, the new website offers a more efficient booking process and many great design features which truly help customers move through the site in the way they wish. For example, an innovative ‘drag’ button gives access to the fleet guide, while the site now offers the possibility of saving up to ten favourite quotes and to reach them easily when needed. Advanced filters also help the customer to find the vehicle which best fits their needs.

“Our new brand promise, ‘Moving Your Way’, translates the company’s commitment to accompany the mobility needs of its customers during their whole lives. Our diversified solutions provide our customers with more freedom and enable them to rediscover the pleasure and emotions of the mobility experience. However you choose to move, whatever way, methods, direction or style, Europcar will move with you and will ‘move’ you,” explained Pascal Klein, Europcar group marketing director.

Simplified access to My Europcar now comes as standard, where customers can create driver profiles and manage bookings for even faster service at rental locations. And last but not least, customers can start a reservation from any page to book in less than 60 seconds! This new design will be rolled-out to the Group’s local websites during the first part of 2013.

As part of the ‘Moving Your Way’ positioning, a new logo has been designed to symbolise mobility and to act as a quality stamp on all Europcar sub-brands and offers. This new brand identity has been introduced in all major European cities through advertising and marketing campaigns as well as on truck panels. New Europcar locations will be opened featuring this new logo while existing locations will be progressively redesigned with the new identity.

BMW Back on the road, Europcar has confirmed it is bringing its customers the ultimate choice in luxury with the addition of BMW to the Prestige fleet for the very first time. Answering the demand from its customers, the Prestige by Europcar fleet has introduced a number of models from the BMW 3 and 5 Series range. And ensuring that customers can enjoy a world class driving experience, the vehicles on the Prestige fleet come with a number of options over and above the standard vehicle specification.

breakingtravelnews.com

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Luxury vehicles from Europcar

“BMW stands for engineering perfection, elegance and class, so we are really excited to be adding these vehicles to the Prestige fleet,” said Ken McCall, managing director, Europcar UK Group. “Whether it’s impressing clients on a business trip or turning heads at a special event, driving a BMW makes travelling a pleasure rather than a chore.” The 3 Series Saloon in automatic guise includes the state-of-the-art BMW EfficientDynamics technology, as well as BMW media and interior comfort packages, leather upholstery, parking sensors and heated front seats. The 5 Series Saloon in Sport automatic transmission also features the BMW media package, exterior folding mirrors and sun protection glass. A number of 5 Series M Sport Saloons with eight-speed automatic transmission are also being added to the fleet. With their dynamic design and contemporary sporty profile, the 5 Series M Sport Saloon perfectly blends form and function. The introduction of these vehicles provides Europcar customers a wide range of choice from the prestigious BMW marquee.

More Information Europcar is the leader in car rental services in Europe. Present in 140 countries, the company provides customers with access to the world’s largest vehicle rental network through its own operations, franchisees and partnerships. With 6,500 employees committed to delivering customer satisfaction and an average fleet of 190,000 vehicles, Europcar is conscious of its corporate citizenship responsibilities. Europcar is owned by Eurazeo.

The brand was recognised in 2012 as the World’s Leading Car Hire by the World Travel Awards. Take a look at www.europcar.com or head over to Hall 9/123 for more information.

“Our new partnership with BMW ensures Europcar customers continue to gain access to some of the most desirable cars on the road today,” added Ken McCall. “And available from our national network of locations, the Prestige by Europcar fleet takes the stress out of travel and adds that touch of luxury.”

breakingtravelnews.com

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Interview

María del Carmen de Reparaz, Director of Tourism Promotion, PromPeru Lima, capital of Peru, will welcome the World Travel Awards South & Central America Gala Ceremony later this year, capping the destination’s rise as a tourism superpower. Here Breaking Travel News chats with María del Carmen de Reparaz, director of tourism Promotion, PromPeru, to discuss the secrets behind the country’s success.

Breaking Travel News: Many travellers will be familiar with the highlights of Peru, including Machu Picchu, but can you tell us a little about what else the destination has to offer? María del Carmen de Reparaz: Our wonderful Machu Picchu is definitely a symbol of Peru and Inca Culture for the world’s eyes, but Peru has certainly so much more to offer. We have a unique geography that offers sandy beaches, dunes, of course the Andes, and a wide variety of forests, the Amazon included. We are as well a melting pot of cultures; this is what makes us unique and interesting for travellers. For example we have the Moche Route that involves Peru’s Mochica culture, ancient Peruvians who lived in the Northern coast of Peru before the time of the Incas. They were the ones that built the most magnificent clay city in the Americas, as well as achieved the highest levels of artistry in pottery and jewellery making. Moche remains can be found in the Trujillo and Chiclayo regions, places where people still keep some of the customs of their ancestors, such as fishing in totora (reed) boats

and pottery. The North coast also has one of the most delicious cuisines in the country. For the ones that enjoy culture but with a twist of adventure and nature, there is an excellent off-the-beaten-track option, this is Chachapoyas and Kuelap located in the Northern Amazon area. Chachapoyas is also a pre Inca culture, also known as “the people of the clouds” as they constructed stone cities in very high places; this is an excellent trip for trek enthusiasts. The Amazon was selected as one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders not so long ago, so Chachapoyas can perfectly be part of a trip to the Amazon Area. These are just a couple of options, but the bottom line I would like to focus on is that Peru has an option for every kind of traveller, whether they are coming on a family trip or on a honeymoon, or with friends, Peru has now a wide variety of touristic services available from luxury to standard services, we are not just the mystical and exotic country, which we are proud to be, but also we offer the best travel experience.

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BTN: PromPeru recently launched an advertising campaign under the headline ‘Peru, land of hidden treasures’. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this campaign? How was it received in key international markets? MCR: Yes, the campaign ‘Peru, land of hidden treasures’ was launched in 2012. The idea behind this spot - that has the format of a movie trailer- is to involve the spectator and provoke emotions on them. Under the slogan “Don´t watch the movie, live it for real” we want to invite potential travellers to come to Peru and let them know that we have many more places to offer besides Machu Picchu, and that we have a solid offer of tourism facilities, that yes: we are an exotic place but we also have top hotels and a luxury offer of services for travellers. This campaign involved an important investment, both for the creation and production as well as for the communications and marketing actions. So far it has been launched in our key markets, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, EEUU, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. In 2013, we will present it in South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and Mexico. The campaign has been received wonderfully, for example, in December it was used in our stand at the World Travel Market, and we were surprised to know that there was an award for the best use of video as a marketing tool, which was given to Peru. We received excellent

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feedback, which makes us very happy; this has set a milestone for Peru in terms of what we had ever done to promote our country abroad. BTN: Which markets to do you see growing in importance for Peru over the next five years? MCR: Asia and emerging markets such as Russia will gain more importance for us in the next years. So far Japan is already the most important Asian market for us right now, but other countries such as South Korea are gaining presence in the market share for us. This is a reflection of the world’s economy; the income in Asian markets is increasing which is reflected in a higher demand of luxury products and services. In this sense, we are very interested in spreading to these markets. This year we will host preliminary activities for the tourism trade in the emerging Asian countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India. We look forward for the results of this first approach. BTN: Peru is famous as the leading culinary destination in South America. What do you think it is that puts the country on the map in this regard? MCR: Yes, and not only South America, Peru was chosen as the World’s Leading Culinary Destination at the last edition of the World Travel Awards too. Food is a reason of pride for Peruvians so being recognised for our food is wonderful. What makes us excellent in gastronomy is the variety of native products

combined with a new generation of very committed chefs that work incessantly to put our cuisine in the world’s eyes, opening top restaurants in some of the most important cities. Peruvians are very exigent with food; many say we have a difficult palate when we go abroad. I think this could be another motive too, we do not accept an “ok” food, we expect our food to be perfect, and this reflects on what the rest of the world perceives. BTN: As you mentioned, Peru was recently recognised by the World Travel Awards. How did it feel to claim this prestigious honour? How do you feel to be hosting the event later this year? MCR: The World Travel Awards recognition has been very important for us; it was a reason of joy for Promperú and all Peruvians. This award makes us want to work harder to put Peru in the tourism world map, this is not only a commitment of Promperú as the country´s tourism board but also the commitment of the tourism industry altogether; we work very closely for the same goal and the results are being very positive. In this sense, we are very excited to be the host of the event this year; it is a unique opportunity that will be very beneficial for everybody. We look forward to welcoming you all in a few months.

For more information on visiting Peru head over to Hall 1.1/101 + 110 or take a look at www.peru.travel/en.

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Feature Machu Picchu

Peru has set its sights on a rapid expansion in visitor numbers by 2020; this is reflected on the tourism industry projections towards the country. Here Breaking Travel News looks at what might be greeting holidaymakers headed to this South American hotspot.

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute has recently announced that Peru could become one of the top tourist destinations in South America by 2020, rivalling the number of visitors received by established powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The organisation has projected that the country could welcome ten million tourists annually by this time, with hundreds more hotels built to accommodate them, as they calculate that there will be 25,000 properties in place by 2020, with over 1,000 being in the five star sector. Hilton recently opened its first hotel in the upscale Miraflores district of Lima. The hotel has 207 rooms, including 14 suites and a presidential suite, as well as a lobby bar that opens into the street, a roof terrace and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Tate Modern This year will see MALI (Lima’s Museum of Art) seek to strengthen its cultural and artistic exchange programme with major museums worldwide. Leading the way is a relationship with the UK-based Tate Modern, which will present ‘Ruins in Reverse’ this year. The exhibition is part of the Project Space initiative at the Tate Modern which aims to develop exhibitions, featuring mostly emerging and lesser known artists, to the general public in collaboration with museums, galleries and independent spaces outside Great Britain. Featured artists include Haroon Mirza (UK, 1977), Amalia Pica (Argentina, 1978), Rä di Martino (Italia, 1975), Eliana Otta (Peru, 1981),

People of Peru

Peru to receive ten million tourists annually by 2020 Pablo Hare (Peru, 1972) and José Carlos Martinat (Peru, 1974). The main exhibition runs until June 24th 2013.

Amazon National Museum Peru’s ministry of culture has recently announced plans for the creation of a new Amazon National Museum in the city of Iquitos. The government hopes the new museum will serve as a gathering area for the native tribes of Peru and provide a base for the research and dissemination of information on the Amazon’s cultural heritage. Rodolfo Cartegana, the project’s architect, said the museum would be based in Iquitos, near the Quistococha Lake, allowing visitors to be in close contact with nature. Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian jungle and the world’s largest city inaccessible by road. Visitors to the area can cruise down the Amazon with an expert guide or enjoy a visit to Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm (home to the fearsome-looking owl butterfly), as well as exotic animals like a tapir and an orphaned jaguar.

Hotel B Hotel B, one of just a handful of boutique hotels in Lima, will open its doors in spring 2013. Owned by Andean Experience and located in the bohemian Barranco district, the hotel will offer 17 suites, a private spa and a signature restaurant by Oscar Valearde, one of Peru's best known restaurateurs. Guests can enjoy the surrounding contemporary art and cultural

scene, visit the area’s numerous art galleries, including the recently opened Mario Testino gallery, and boutiques or head to the Pacific Ocean and the district of Miraflores just minutes away. Hotel B is also linked directly to the Lucia de la Puente Gallery, which will provide guests with opportunities for private viewings and special events. The hotel’s interior integrates vintage and designer furniture with its own unique art collection. La Biblioteca (the library) will hold a collection of Peruvian maps; paintings, prints, books and other paraphernalia to promote the idea of exploration. Guest services and amenities include a multilingual trip and experience concierge, outdoor roof showers and plunge pool, as well as a pillow menu in all bedrooms.

Mario Testino Also in the spring, the recently opened Mario Testino Association (MATE) in Lima will feature never before seen work from the renowned photographer. Running from April to September 2013, Alta Moda by Mario Testino will feature 54 previously unpublished portrait photographs of young women and men from different communities in the Cusco region wearing traditional festive and everyday costumes. The exhibition acknowledges the work of Martín Chambi, a pioneering Peruvian photographer renowned for his social, historic and ethnic testimony of the Peruvian Andes, through the use of the same scenographic backdrops. Testino has photographed the world’s most

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Nazca Lines in Peru

Hotel B in Lima

Iglesia de la Compania

San Isidro, Lima

fashionable and famous from Diana Princess of Wales to supermodel Gisele Bündchen. MATE contains the largest collection of Testino’s work in the world.

The new Hilton Hotel in Lima

World Travel Awards Last but not least, Peru will host the prestigious World Travel Awards South & Central America Gala Ceremony later this year. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. The event will celebrate its historic 20th anniversary in 2013, visiting some of the most exciting tourism destinations around the world. Dubai, Kenya, Maldives, and Turkey are all on the agenda, before the show arrives in Peru. The Grand Tour of WTA Gala Ceremonies are regarded as milestone events in the industry calendar, attended by the industry’s key decision makers, chief figure heads and the leading trade and consumer media. Take a look at www.worldtravelawards.com to find out more about the hugely-anticipated event.

More Information For more information on visiting Peru head over to Hall 1.1/101 + 110 or take a look at www.peru.travel/en.

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News

Modern Wonder: Gardens of Babylon Spa breaks in Turkey

Having been recognised as Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Beach Resort by the World Travel Awards in 2012, Gardens of Babylon, located in Bodrum, Turkey, has seen its international profile skyrocket. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at what is on offer at this globally recognised wellness resort.

Set sail over the Aegean Sea

Views over Gardens of Babylon

Set sail over the Aegean Sea

Views over the ocean

Renovated in 2010, Gardens of Babylon is located in the KadÄąkale region of Bodrum, just three kilometres from the town of Turgutreis, and offers views over the islands of Kos and Kalimnos. Built on approximately 100 acres of lush green grassland, the gentle slopes of the hotel ensure all rooms overlook the sea, or nearby lakes. Guests are welcomed by gushing waterfalls, a private marina and, of course, the 300 metre long beach - the most famous in this area of Turkey. Seven swimming pools delight visitors or all ages, while the cuisine on offer is considered among the best in the region. Some 83 individually styled suites and villas are on offer, each featuring modern decor and brightly coloured furnishings, as well as either a marble or laminate floor. All come with a private bathroom with a shower/spa bathtub and a hairdryer and offer a double bed. They are equipped with a direct dial telephone, an LCD TV, internet access and a safe. A minibar, centrally regulated air conditioning and either a balcony or a terrace are also provided in all accommodation as standard.

Relaxing by the ocean at Gardens of Babylon

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The star attraction is, however, the Babylon Health Club. With a wide selection of options available, the health conscience can take an invigorating walk through the grounds; play a whole host of sports; nip into the fitness centre, where the latest Technogym equipment is waiting; or take a class in everything from Pilates to Kinesis. Golf fans can also take advantage of the links course at Ortakent, a few minutes away near Bodrum.

But once the hard work is done, why not indulge at one of the many Gardens of Babylon restaurants? Here legendary concepts are bought to life; Piazza offers its take on Italian cuisine, while Eiffel brings holidaymakers the best of France. Nunu brings the freshest fish from nearby oceans; Elani presents a modern twist on Greek delicacies; Sagu Sushi Bar brings the finest Japanese dining to the table, while Shish goes for a traditional Ottoman angle. Restaurants serve a la carte concepts, taking humdrum cuisine into the artistic realm. Gardens of Babylon also hosts wedding parties, welcoming happy couples to a specially designated area named after the capital city of the Babylonian civilization, Babylonia. Seating up to 1,500, every wedding can be catered for, offering open air services guests will never forget.

More Information Gardens of Babylon is located on the Bodrum peninsula between Turgutreis and Gumusluk, and enjoys spectacular views over the Aegean Sea. Local public transport passes in front of the hotel and offers guests links to nearby towns, including the cosmopolitan resort of Bodrum, which is just a few kilometres away. The town of Turgutreis, where guests will find restaurants, a weekly market, bars and shops, is just five minutes away by car. The resort is 49 kilometres to Bodrum Airport.

For more information head over to www.gardenbabylon.com.

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News

Making sea travel easier with AFerry.co.uk

AFerry.co.uk has twice been voted the World’s Leading Ferry Website by the travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars – the World Travel Awards. Here we take a look at precisely what this industry leading website offers to consumers.

AFerry.co.uk has maintained a high level of innovation and consistency to keep its position as an industry leader, constantly upgrading its offering. This innovation only enhances what is an excellent basic business proposition. The fact that customers can compare prices, timings and facilities all on the one site and then book without having to go to another carrier’s website makes Aferry.co.uk the easiest ferry website to use. AFerry.co.uk offers the widest choice of carriers - over 80 throughout Europe and now the Far East too, plus more than 120 routes - and therefore the best prices. The ticket prices are presented in the most user friendly manner, employing the latest price comparison technology and booking engine. AFerry.co.uk has also released some great results in 2012. “We are very happy with last year’s successes,” said Kirsty Laifa, head of sales & marketing for AFerry.co.uk. “Last year saw an increase of 15 per cent in sales in what was a tough market generally for operators. Ease of the site compare engine functionality helped as did further enhancement in mobile technology.” “There were significant increases in the European market, bringing a boost of business from outside the UK. Of the ex-UK business, a key element has been the growth on short sea crossings to the Continent,” Laifa added. AFerry.co.uk can be accessed in 24 different languages including Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish as well as Russian, Portuguese and Mandarin as the growth area for ferry travel is seen generally to be unconfined to the British Isles, moving into 2013. With each different language site, there is

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a different emphasis on the fantastic tactical special offers and various highlights that might appeal to each different nation. This ease of adaptability makes the AFerry family of websites particularly user friendly. Considerable advances were made in 2012 with the introduction of iPhone and Android apps for example and a more user friendly website. The AFerry engine has also been used to power ferry offers on other sites such as www.travelsupermarket.com. There are more and more links available to associated sites where equally well priced accommodation is available, plus other add-ons which can be accessed from AFerry.co.uk. The AFerry engine has also been used to power some European ferry routes on more sites, such as www.stenaline.co.uk - which is something that is proving very popular with prospective new partners for 2013. As far as the travel trade is concerned, AFerry has been upgrading their trade site and this will be re-launched later this year. Otherwise they are also powering more operators’ sites too, with TUI having come on board at the end of 2012. The first new item to be rolled out onto the AFerry site last year was the ferry travel advisor – no-one else has this type of tool where customers can find ‘insider advice’, share their own travel experiences and decide who to travel with.

More Information Head over to Hall 6.1/135 for more information on AFerry or visit www.aferry.co.uk.

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Interview

BTN Interview: Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events 38

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Over the past decade Bench events has launched the gold standard in hotel investment events across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Events in Berlin, Moscow, Dubai, Istanbul and Nairobi are now the definitive meeting places for the hotel investment community to learn, network, and most importantly to do deals. Here, Breaking Travel News sits down with Bench Events chairman Jonathan Worsley to discuss the upcoming Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.

Breaking Travel News: Preparations are well underway ahead of the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai. Can you tell us what is new with the convention this year? Jonathan Worsley: The format for AHIC 2013 has changed slightly; the conference is now over a two day period. We continually listen to feedback from our delegates and we understand that workloads are increasing and people have less time to spare. We are still providing the same content, it is now just condensed. The programme is looking more closely at demand than previous years with contributions from the WTTC and UNWTO as well as the exclusive release of a Global Travel Intentions survey undertaken by Visa. This year will also address the issue of country risk which is vital for investors and look at the allimportant profit contribution from hotel food and beverage and trends that are shaping this area of the industry. A selection of confirmed speakers for AHIC 2013 includes: Amr Abdel Ghaffar, regional director, Middle East, UNWTO; Joe Sita, president, IFA Hotel Investments; Paul Griffiths, chief executive, Dubai Airports; Eric Danziger, president, Wyndham Hotel Group; Jennifer Fox, president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Wolfgang Neumann, president, Rezidor Hotel Group; Mark Wynne-Smith, global chief executive, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; and Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group. BTN: Bench Events has been hosting a series of Regional Briefings in the build up to the event. Can you tell us about the objectives behind these and the reception Bench Events has been receiving? JW: The theme for AHIC 2013 is ‘Connecting People and Creating Knowledge’ which has been our aim with the regional briefings. We have organised a series of invitation only events bringing together the local investment, development and finance community with our existing conference supporters. Through both the briefings and AHIC itself we are aiming to connect people, provide an educational platform and help attendees to grow their business. Briefings have taken place in Riyadh and Muscat with a great response in each market. KSA was a priority market for us as hotel development in Saudi is witnessing a sustained upswing with numerous large scale projects taking place as a result of religious tourism. The tourism industry has consistently been a key contributor to the KSA economy and a pillar of the government's economic diversification program. Our third briefing will take place in Doha at the end of March. BTN: Which markets in the Middle East do you feel offer most to hospitality investors as we move into 2013? Do you feel the shadow has finally lifted? JW: The Gulf States are of increasing interest to global investors, and the big story is the resurgence of Dubai with hotels reporting some of the highest room rates in the world resulting in strong pipeline of new builds entering the market. Alpin Capital in its GCC hospitality industry report confirms that hotels as an asset class have the potential to provide an excellent opportunity for investors. The report estimates

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that the GCC hospitality market is anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 8.1 per cent to US$28.3 billion through to 2016 compared to US$19.2 billion in 2011. Saudi Arabia is another big growth market and we have included a symposium on KSA at AHIC 2013. The symposium will provide a platform for hotel owners, developers and investors to learn how their business can benefit from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s phenomenal growth and also address the challenges of operating in this market. BTN: AHIC is just the tip of the iceberg for Bench Events, with the Africa Hotel Investment Forum and the Russia & CIS Investment Conference also on the horizon. Can you tell us about these events and what Bench Events hopes to achieve with its growing portfolio? JW: The Bench portfolio is continually growing, after AHIC our next event will be the Turkey & Neighbours Hotel Investment Conference taking place May 29th-30th 2013 at the Marmara Taksim, Istanbul. The Turkish market provides great potential for both investors and developers with more than 8,500 rooms set to enter the market by 2015. We have recently announced that the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2013 will return to Nairobi, taking place September 24th-25th. AHIF has been a resounding success bringing together 750 key individuals to drive growth across the Africa continent in the last two years. Bench Events is proud to be involved in such an exciting continent and analysts predict that by 2050, Africa’s GDP will equal the combined GDPs of the US and the EU at current prices (African Business Magazine). Now in its ninth year, the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will take place October 21st-23rd 2013. RHIC has become the region’s premier gathering bringing together the most senior level professionals. Development for the 2013 programme is underway and will feature interviews with leading hoteliers, forecasts from top economists and panel discussions on the latest developments, trends and best practice in the hotel and investment industry. BTN: How useful do you feel ITB Berlin is when seeking to get your message out to industry executives and other stakeholders during the build up to a Bench organised event? JW: ITB provides an essential platform to reach all of our key stakeholders, it’s an excellent opportunity to conduct meetings with existing clients and meet new business partners. With ITB and the International Hotel Investment Forum occurring in the same week, Berlin is always a really exciting place to be – it’s a week full of learning and networking and there is always a real buzz in the air with all of the latest market trends and developments. It’s really important for Bench to have a presence within the industry in order to ensure we are providing delegates with the most educational content at each event.

More Information For more information head over to www.benchevents.com.

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Interview Tony Tyler became the sixth person to lead the International Air Transport Association when he took on the role of director general and chief executive in 2011. With over three decades of airline industry experience, Tyler is a strong advocate for a safe, secure, efficient and sustainable global air transport industry. Here, he talks to Breaking Travel News about the latest developments in the industry.

BTN Interview: IATA Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler

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Breaking Travel News: IATA recently issued a series of robust data suggesting airline performance was improving in a challenging environment. Can you bring us up to date with where you think the industry stands at this time? Tony Tyler: Robust is in the eye of the beholder. Last year airlines returned an estimated net profit of $6.7 billion. Now, that may sound large, but that was on revenues of some $637 billion, which translates to a one per cent net profit margin. Not many would call that robust. But in view of the negative factors at work - high fuel prices, low global GDP growth and significant economic uncertainty - having generated any profit at all was a considerable achievement. Turning to 2013, we expect much the same. Our latest forecast sees the industry net profit margin improving to 1.3 per cent. Europe will continue to be in the doldrums. Other parts of the world will see some modest improvements. But continuing economic uncertainty coupled with high oil prices will continue to make the operating environment tough. BTN: Which region excites you most when you consider the future of aviation? Do you feel the Middle East will continue to dominate growth, or will Asia gather momentum? TT: Asia is still the emerging giant. Of the 831 million new passengers we foresee taking to the skies in the next five years, over 380 million of them will be in Asia-Pacific. So in absolute terms, the region will increase its already leading share of world traffic. The Middle East has been the outstanding growth story of the past several years, although its market share is still small compared to the Europe, North America or Asia. There is a lot going on in the Americas. Latin America has experienced rapid demand growth. It has a rising middle class, some very dynamic airlines and a growing recognition on the part of some governments that unless major steps are taken to improve infrastructure, they will not fully reap the enormous benefits of connectivity that aviation can generate. North America is the most mature market for aviation. Its progress on consolidation continues to be watched with much interest. And I see renewed optimism in Africa. New business models are emerging. The commitment to safety is strengthening. And international business interests continue to fuel traffic growth. It still faces enormous hurdles. But there is a lot of good work being done. That is a long way of saying that I see reasons for excitement in all parts of the world. I am passionate about aviation and the force for good that it is. One of my key objectives at IATA is to get all of our stakeholders, particularly governments, to understand the enormous economic and social benefits of aviation. That aviation supports some 57 million jobs and $2.2 trillion in economic activity is well known. But we need to help policy makers understand that there is much more below those top line numbers. Aviationenabled connectivity is a major economic driver in all parts of the world. Without it, modern life would look very different. The

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more governments understand this, the more win-win policy decisions we can expect to emerge. BTN: Do you feel there is any prospect of a Single European Sky being enacted in the near future? How far along the path do Functional Airspace Blocks take us? TT: Unfortunately for European travellers and businesses, the Single European Sky remains much more of a concept than a reality. We have not seen nearly as much progress as is required if aviation is to be able to play a bigger role in driving economic growth for the continent. That’s why IATA, along with the Association of European Airlines and the European Regions Airline Association, recently published a report ‘A Blueprint for the Single European Sky’. This outlined a possible way forward for SES, including rationalisation of air traffic control centres to not more than 40 Europe-wide (down from the current 63), and reducing the numbers of back-office staff to levels closer to those seen in the United States. Steps like these would at least take us some way towards delivering the unit cost reduction targets of SES. The Functional Airspace Blocks which were supposed to encourage airspace efficiency and cost reduction have not delivered so far. There is an urgent need to look at an overall master plan for SES which will take us to the goals on cost, safety, capacity and environment. BTN: With a series of mega-mergers already completed over the past few years, do you feel consolidation will continue to be the order of the day in the aviation sector? TT: As airlines look to grow the networks and services they can offer their customers and achieve economies of scale, consolidation is a natural decision in any market that has reached a mature stage of development. It is important that airlines be permitted to merge where it makes business sense to do so. This is no different than any other industry, and in fact, the airline industry remains fragmented compared to many consumer-facing sectors. That said, true cross-border consolidation has proven extremely difficult to achieve owing to the regulatory structure that governs international aviation. We have seen some exceptions, such as in Latin America, where a more modern approach by regulators has enabled a number of cross-border deals including those of LAN and TAM and Avianca and TACA.

IATA has a long and successful history of developing standards. Recent examples include standards for e-ticketing and e-freight, for example. And just to be avoid any misinterpretation, NDC is an industry standard and therefore will never be a thing or a product of itself. Developing the NDC standard will be good for travel agents. Why? Because it is intended to ensure that travel agents - who make up 60 per cent of the ticket-buying market - can market the full range of airline products which can be found on an airline’s own website. Although the global distribution systems have tried to give agents greater flexibility, the legacy GDS model has made this extremely difficult, which is why you see airlines able to offer so many more travel options on their own sites, whereas the travel agent typically has a much narrower product offering from which to sell. Developing the NDC standard will also be good for travellers. We believe adoption of NDC will result in better-informed customers as airlines and third parties are able to display more information on flight options and services than is currently available through the indirect channel. It will also enable comparison shopping among airlines, just like today, but with the full scope of the airline’s product offer, not just the base airfare. Adoption of NDC will permit travel shoppers to receive targeted, personalised offers regardless of distribution channel. However, and despite reports to the contrary, no customer will have to provide personalised information to receive a fare quote - no different than the situation today We are developing the standard with a lot of collaboration and input from all participants in the travel value chain including travel agents, agent associations, airlines, GDSs and other technology providers. In terms of the status of the program, we are in the second year of the five-year roadmap. Following a decision by the Passenger Distribution Group (the IATA airline steering group for NDC) we are negotiating with ATPCO for the use of Open Axis schemas as a basis of IATA’s NDC standard. Concurrent with this development, we have just sent out a call for participation on the NDC pilots.

More Information For more on the work of the International Air Transport Association head over to www.iata.org.

Changes in the structure of the industry are not confined to the Americas. There has also been consolidation in European markets through merger and bankruptcy in both the network and point-to-point sectors. And we are seeing the growth of multi-national carriers through franchising in the point-to-point sector in Asia Pacific and in Africa. BTN: Can you bring us up to date with the implementation of a New Distribution Capability? TT: There has been a lot of confusion and dare I say misinformation about NDC. The first thing to make clear is that NDC is an IATA-led industry initiative to define a new messaging standard between airlines and travel agents.

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Joburg welcomes new tourism icon Africa’s commercial capital continues to go from strength to strength. Its latest initiative is the launch of the iconic City Sightseeing Global tours. City Sightseeing, the brand that operates the iconic open-top red double decker buses on six continents and in over 100 cities in the world, has officially been welcomed to Johannesburg at a launch event at Gold Reef City. The event, which was attended by dignitaries from Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Johannesburg, officially marked the start of the City Sightseeing tours in Johannesburg – an exciting development that offers locals and tourist alike the chance to explore this vibrant city, visiting the many attractions on offer and sampling the cultural melting pot that is Jozi. The tour runs along a fascinating route through the Johannesburg CBD that stops at Gandhi Square, the Roof of Africa at the Carlton Centre, the James Hall Transport Museum, the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City, the Mining District, the World of Beer, the Carlton Centre, Santarama Miniland, Newtown Precinct, the Origins Centre, Wits Campus, Braamfontein and Constitution Hill.

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As with all City Sightseeing tours, Joburg operates on the world-renowned and hugelypopular Ho p-On, Hop-Off basis, which allows sight seers the chance to get off the bus at any of the designated stops along the route and then get back on to a later bus at their leisure - guaranteeing frequent, safe and reliable transport that is cost effective, informative and fun for the entire family. “The City Sightseeing tour will change people’s perceptions of the inner city of Johannesburg into a tourism friendly zone and thereby continue to grow the tourism footprint and associated spend of tourists to the benefit of local businesses,” says Claus Tworeck, CEO of City Sightseeing South Africa. “There are twelve stops along the route and the service will run between 9 am and 5.30 pm seven days a week. The commentary on the buses, in multiple languages, will tell the story of Johannesburg through the many historic buildings, landmarks and attractions along the route.” Enrique Ybarra, president and CEO of City Sightseeing Worldwide, said: “The introduction of the City Sightseeing tours to Cape Town over the past years has demonstrated the value of this service for primarily the domestic market and the potential that the product has to contribute to inner city regeneration. Tours will initially be

introduced to the Johannesburg CBD with the intention of expanding the service to Sandton and later Tshwane and possibly other parts of the Province.” External stakeholders that have played a role in the successful launch of the City Sightseeing Johannesburg tours include the Gauteng Tourism Authority, City of Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Tourism Company, the Joburg Development Agency, Joburg Roads Agency, JMPD, the Johannesburg Inner City Tourism Association and Tsogo Sun.

More Information Johannesburg is an extraordinary city, born just over 125 years ago – when one of the world’s richest gold-bearing reefs was discovered under the sweeping savannah plains. Ever since, Johannesburg has been a city of prospects, commerce and potential. Even today Johannesburg continues to attract those looking for opportunity – it’s a city populated by people who have come to realise their dreams. For more information on visiting head over to www.joburgtourism.com or visit the Johannesburg Tourism Company in Hall 20./138.

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News Presidential Suite living room

Mayur Mahal

Maharajas’ Express – a lux Operated Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation, Maharajas’ Express is considered the finest in the world of luxury travel. Maharajas’ Express train is enviable in many aspects – most spacious cabins, water filtration plants in each coach, live TV, environmentally friendly toilets, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, CCTV cameras in public areas to ensure security, individual climate control in each cabin. An experience of a life-time, a journey on Maharajas’ Express brings one closer to bygone era of imperial India. So while the chefs trained in world cuisine tickle the taste buds with their gourmet delights from the state-of-the- art kitchen, the barmen, servers and valets pamper guests and take care of all their needs during the journey. The train has two fine dining restaurants: The Mayur Mahal with a peacock theme and the

Rang Mahal with its hand painted ceiling. Savouring the culinary delights sitting in either of the two restau rants, one can have a glimpse of the picturesque hinterland from the large panoramic windows specially created for the train. This, coupled with piped music, makes dining a memorable experience. The menus are a mix of traditional Indian and continental dishes, to suit different tastes and all guests can dine at a same time on board. For book lovers, the train has a collection of titles on Indian art, culture, history. Guests can relax in the Safari Bar or the Rajah Club, and choose from a selection of choicest on-thehouse wines and liquors. The train offers four categories of

accommodation – all with en suite facilities. There are 14 guest carriages featuring 43 cabins in total, which include 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites and one truly classical Presidential Suite. The latter is ideal for families, with two bedrooms (one double and one twin) as well as separate sitting and dining areas. The master bedroom offers a full size bath tub. Each coach has a valet to take care of the guests. All cabins have direct dialing telephones to make international calls, spacious wardrobes with electronic lock safes, TVs and DVD players. To take care of medical emergencies, there is an in-house paramedic available round the clock. The incredible journeys on offer let you explore India’s diversity, discovering timeless

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Mayur A Junior Suite on the Maharajas Express

Rang Mahal

uxury offering from IRCTC traditions and exotic locales, such as a visit to one of the largest dinosaur fossil parks at Balasinor, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, and a regal meal at the shimmering lake city of Udaipur with the opportunity to meet royal families - all of these in true blue majesty. The range of various tour itineraries also includes splendid 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 overlooking the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, boat ride at the holy city of Ganges and much more...

West, Maharajas’ Express has redefined the art of elegant travel in India. Radiating sheer opulence, 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 Maharaja Express train draws inspiration from the private saloons of the erstwhile Maharajas of India. Even before the inception of rail travel in India, Maharajahs of India had a keen fascination with these moving wonders on wheels invented by James Watt.

jewel work exuded an unmistakable élan. All this and more spoke volumes about the splendor and pomp of the Maharajahs of erstwhile princely states of India. For setting new standards of comfort and style, becoming arguably the most luxurious train in the world and ushering in a new era of travel and hospitality, Maharajas’ Express was recognised by the World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Luxury Train in 2012. For more information head over to Hall 5.2B/257 or visit www.maharajas-expressindia.com.

More Information Luxury train travel in India has come a long way since the introduction of the Palace on Wheels in 1982 for promotion of tourism in Rajasthan. The most recent and unarguably the most luxurious tourist train in India with finesse at par with the Orient Express of the

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In the era of Raj, many Maharajahs had their own personal carriages draped in luxury used for occasions such as state visits, nuptial 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

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Interview

BTN Interview: Lee Seow Hiang, chief executive, Changi Airport Group

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Having been recognised as the World’s Leading Airport by the World Travel Awards, Singapore Changi Airport is not resting on its laurels. With a new terminal under construction, chief executive Lee Seow Hiang here sits down with Breaking Travel News to bring us up to date.

Breaking Travel News: Can you tell us a little about the latest developments at Changi Airport? What are you doing to ensure the location remains the preeminent destination in the region? Lee Seow Hiang: In terms of new projects at Changi Airport, we have begun a number of infrastructural projects to ensure that Changi Airport is well-positioned to remain a major global aviation hub, ready to meet the challenges of growing passenger and aircraft traffic in the years ahead. These include the development of our new Terminal 4 and ancillary works to increase the number of aircraft parking stands. T4 is expected to be completed by 2017, with a planned capacity of 16 million passenger movements a year. It will raise Changi Airport’s handling capacity to 82 million a year and help ensure that the passenger experience at Changi is not compromised even as passenger traffic grows. Throughout its history, Changi Airport has always stayed ahead of its capacity needs. This approach has underpinned Changi’s success as an air hub – an airport that passengers love and airlines appreciate. Along with the measures announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to improve runway capacity, our infrastructure investments over the next four to five years will lay the groundwork for us to continue delivering a great Changi Experience and attracting more airlines to fly to Changi Airport. BTN: Changi welcomed over 50 million passengers for the first time in its 31-year history in 2012. Do you feel this upward growth in number is sustainable? LSH: Traffic growth at Changi Airport in its 31year history has averaged about six per cent each year. The stronger growth in the past three years has been due to a solid recovery in air travel demand following the global financial crisis of 2008. In 2012, we saw our strongest traffic growth on routes to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Southwest Pacific. We believe that the Asia Pacific region will remain a robust aviation market anchored by the large economies of China, India and Indonesia. Having said this, the global economic outlook remains cloudy. In the near term, Changi Airport’s performance will depend largely on how economies, especially in Asia, adjust. We are confident that our strong partnership with our stakeholders will see the airport through the challenges that lie ahead. BTN: Can you bring us up to date on the construction of the fourth terminal at Changi?

transferring to the other terminals will also be able to do so without the need to clear immigration. BTN: In what ways does the growth of Singapore as a tourism destination benefit the development of Changi? LSH: As Changi Airport is the major gateway into Singapore, the continued growth of Singapore as a tourism destination is evidently beneficial for us. Hence, we do work closely with partners like the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore based airlines to promote Singapore as a destination of choice. At the same time, we believe a great airport experience also enhances the Singapore holiday for tourists. We are proud to be the welcome point for millions of visitors to Singapore each year, and strive to ensure that, for them, the Changi Experience is very much a part of their visit to our country. BTN: Changi Airport was recognised as the World’s Leading Airport by the prestigious World Travel Awards in 2012. What do you think caught the voters’ attention? LSH: We are honoured to be voted the World’s Leading Airport by the World Travel Awards once again. We are pleased that our focus on service excellence, enhanced by the offerings provided by the Changi Experience, has resonated well amongst industry professionals and the travelling public. Our vision to make the airport experience a first class one is something we strive to continually achieve. As an example, beautifullycurated horticultural decorations and art pieces around the airport make Changi Airport a serene place to pass through on what could have been a stressful journey from one city to another. We remain steadfast in upholding and enhancing the Changi. Experience so that passengers and airport visitors alike continue to discover delightful moments while at Changi. BTN: Do you plan to use this accolade in marketing activities for Changi at all? LSH: Definitely. We are proud to be the world’s most awarded airport with over 420 awards since 1981. Such accolades and recognition spur us to always improve, pushing us to continually top our standards.

More Information For more information on the latest developments at Changi Airport head over to www.changiairport.com.

LSH: The new Terminal 4 will be a two-storey building that we hope will delight passengers in terms of its facilities as well as retail and F&B offerings. It will be a better quality product than the old Budget Terminal. We expect the terminal to be ready by 2017. T4 will be designed to meet the operational needs of both regional full service and low cost carriers. To enhance passenger convenience, accessibility and experience, especially in adverse weather conditions, aerobridges will be available at its boarding gates. Passengers

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News Alessandro Palazzi

Dukes is one of the finest hotels in London

Dukes general manager Debrah Dhugga picks up the World Travel Award from WTA president Graham Cooke

World Travel Awards recognises Dukes Hotel in London Dukes Hotel in London has been selected as the Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel by the World Travel Awards. Breaking Travel News pops in to this esteemed property to enjoy the finer things in life.

While long acknowledged as one of the finest hotels in London, Dukes has a new reason to celebrate after being honoured by the World Travel Awards. Considered by many to be the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’, the awards programme is designed to recognise excellence in the global tourism sector. Dukes, naturally, fits comfortably into the top tier of the industry, and now has the award to prove it, having been formally named Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel in 2012. Dukes general manager Debrah Dhugga, who attended the Gala Ceremony at the Conrad Algarve in Portugal, said: “Myself and the Dukes team are absolutely t hrilled to be

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awarded such a fantastic and prestigious title. After Dukes’ success at the World Travel Awards last year, where we received two awards, including England’s Leading Boutique Hotel, we are delighted that Dukes has been recognised yet again.”

Dukes Bar But Dukes is not resting on its laurels. Instead the property is constantly striving to offer guests new, innovative ways to enjoy their stay. Most recently, guests have been offered a chance to learn to make the perfect Martini in the famous Dukes bar; the location where Ian Fleming was inspired to write the James Bond line ‘shaken not stirred.’ The independently owned boutique hotel, Dukes now invites guests to perfect their cocktail making skills with head barman and martini guru, Alessandro Palazzi. Alessandro is a widely credited name within the bar industry and his incomparable skills have led Dukes martinis to be regarded among the best in London. His passion for cocktails is contagious and the Martini Masterclass will provide guests with a unique opportunity to learn the trade secrets from one of the industry’s few experts.

Masterclass students will learn to recreate the legendary Dukes Martini and other classic recipes while Alessandro educates with his indepth knowledge of each drink and its ingredients’ origins. After perfecting their Martini making skills guests can relax, unwind and enjoy the taste of their hard work accompanied by some delicious canapés. Whether guests choose to sample The Martini Masterclass at Dukes as part of a date, work event, or as a general excuse for fun; whatever the occasion it will provide an unforgettable afternoon out.

More Information Dukes St. James London is tucked away in a cobbled court yard off St James’ and is a member of the prestigious, Small Luxury Hotels of The World.

There is more information on the website at www.dukeshotel.com.

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News

Inner peace at Görvälns Slott, Sweden

A feast for the senses in an astonishing environment just outside Stockholm. Arriving at Görvälns Slott manor house there is no question that one is arriving in a designerboutique hotel near Stockholm city. Maria and Johan Eklund, the owners of the hotel, have themselves picked out every detail so that guests can enjoy the relaxing environment, the beautiful rooms and the splendid cuisine and beverages. These qualities are widely recognised by a satisfied clientele. Görvälns Slott was recently awarded the title of Sweden’s Leading Boutique Hotel by the World Travel Awards, known as the 'the Oscars of the Travel Industry'.

Inner Peace Görvälns Slott is a boutique hotel for discerning guests seeking a modern, yet timeless, manorial experience. The hotel’s owners have developed a unique concept in which luxurious enchantment infuses every aspect of a stay, from food and drink to service and design. The contrasts between the austere style of the manorial buildings and the intimate opulence and luxurious comfort of the rococo fantasy inside are like nowhere else in Sweden. All 38 hotel rooms have their own personal style and showcase the talents of a furniture restorer who has worked for three years to renovate and gild furniture that matches and enhances its settings.

Perfect Place

More Information

The hotel is located on the outskirts of Stockholm, and overlooks the picturesque lake Mälaren. For Johan and Maria, the hotel is a passion that allows them to work with their joys in life. Thanks to their hard work, and personal touch, the boutique hotel now breathes an atmosphere of calm and peace. Welcoming bedrooms, exquisitely comfortable beds and fine quilts give life to the Dalai Lama's wise words that "sleep is the best meditation".

For all you need to know about a visit to Görvälns Slott, head over to www.gorvalnsslott.se.

The staff at Görväln work systematically to ensure that their guests can relax. A visit to Görväln will tease your pallet and rest away from the stresses of everyday life. The establishment also caters for conference parties, who can find inspiration from the peaceful environment. "We are so close to Stockholm city, it is hard to believe that a place so peaceful can be within such short distance,” explains Johan Eklund. Indeed, the hotel's restaurant also receives guests who only wish to pop by and enjoy the excellent food in the priceless settings. One thing is for sure, one visit to Görväln will not be enough, with many visitors returning to the serene environment to reconnect with themselves time and again.

Hotel owners, Maria and Johan Eklund

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2 0 T H Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y G R A N D TO U R Middle East Gala Ceremony DUBAI, UAE • 5 MAY 2013

Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony THE MALDIVES • 12 MAY 2013

Europe Gala Ceremony ANTALYA, TURKEY • 31 AUGUST 2013

South & Central America Gala Ceremony LIMA, PERU • SEPTEMBER 2013

Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony ANTIGUA • 28 SEPTEMBER 2013

Africa Gala Ceremony NAIROBI, KENYA • 15 OCTOBER 2013

Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony SINGAPORE • 24 OCTOBER 2013

Grand Final Gala Ceremony LAS VEGAS, USA • 27 NOVEMBER 2013

J O I N U S F O R T H E C E L E B R AT I O N S awards@worldtravelawards.com

w o r l d t ra v e l a w a rd s . c o m How would like to host the ‘Oscar’s’ of the travel industry? Email us at sponsorship@worldtravelawards.com or call +44 207 925 0000.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;T H E O S C A R S O F T H E T R AV E L I N D U ST RYâ&#x20AC;? WA L L S T R E E T J O U R N A L

For two decades World Travel Awards has been recognising companies in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

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News

Le Royal Meridien will host the event

Dubai welcomes World Travel Awards to Middle East Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai has been selected to host the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony in May.

Dubai is a second home to World Travel Awards, with the prestigious programme having visited the destination more than any other. Fitting then, that Dubai will this year host the Middle East Gala Ceremony as WTA celebrates its 20th anniversary. Luminaries from across the region will be in town to participate, with only the very best claiming top prize in their respective fields. Le Royal Méridien Bea ch Resort & Spa will this year host the event, scheduled for May 5th. Located on a pristine stretch of beach, overlooking the clear blue water of the Arabian Gulf, the property is the perfect choice for the event. Offering 501 rooms, Le Royal Méridien caters for every type of traveller and, with 14 international restaurants and bars, the hotel offers guests the world on a plate. Whatever, or wherever visitors choose to eat, the food, service and ambience is always the product of passion, care and imagination.

Stimulating Experience Caracalla, the hotel's Roman themed Spa & Health Club, is the ideal retreat for mind and body. The spa also boasts five Hammam pools, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, a state-of-the art gym and an aerobic centre. In turn the pool and beach facilities are quite spectacular; with three temperature controlled swimming pools, tennis, squash, water sports, and daily activities all welcoming guests. The Penguin Club has long been a popular feature of the resort for both guests and club members - as long as they are between the ages of four and twelve years. For your special events, conference and banqueting services provide international expertise to guarantee a truly unforgettable occasio n.

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News conference rooms, business centres, a Timeless Spa, entertainment zones, dedicated smoking areas as well as children’s play areas. The First Class lounge passengers also have a dedicated duty free shopping area and a Le Clos wine cellar.

Return of Luxury In recent years Dubai has seen a boom in the offering of affordable yet quality accommodation, however demand for highend luxury hotels remains strong with occupancy levels in the five star market at near capacity. Boasting many of the world’s most famous hotels including the Armani, Burj Al Arab and Atlantis the Palm, Dubai has become a popular destination for luxury holidays and over the next four years the emirate will see a number of five luxury hotels added to its portfolio, including the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah, the Palazzo Versace Dubai and W Hotel Dubai. Entering the Dubai hotel market for the first time, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is set to open in 2014, and will bring to the emirate its legendary service and signature details. The 330-room Arabian-themed hotel will boast a 600 metre private beach, spa and range of outdoor pools. There will also be ten restaurants and bars will be available to guests offering a range of fine dining options. The Palazzo Versace Dubai, the second Versace-branded property in the world is scheduled to open in 2014 offering a ‘personal lifestyle experience’ enhanced with luxury and technology. Boasting light-filled bedrooms and suites, bespoke furnishings and lavish colourful silks, the Palazzo Versace is dressed throughout in Versace style.

Dubai

Cutting Edge

But Le Royal Méridien is just one of the many highlights of Dubai, a world-class destination which has rediscovered its lustre over the past year. Most recently the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commence Marketing announced the destination has seen an overall increase of 6.6 per cent in its UK visitor figures over the past 12 months. The total number of UK visitors at the close of 2012 rose from 643,195 in 2011 to 685,629. The overall number of guest nights throughout the year rose 11.64 per cent to 3,136,348.

Dubai is also a growing force in the aviation sector, with Dubai Airports recently unveiling Concourse A at Dubai International – the home of the A380 and the world’s first purpose-built facility for the aircraft. All 20 A380 capable contact gates and Emirates’ luxurious First Class and Business Class lounges, which comprise 29,000 square metres of the facility, are now fully operational.

Dubai is currently served by 147 direct flights per week from the UK. Some 63 flights depart from Heathrow, 21 from Gatwick and a further 63 from regional airports. As of March 31st 2013, Qantas will also operate a twice daily flight to Dubai from London Heathrow increasing the overall total to 161 flights per week. Ian Scott, UK & Ireland director, Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, commented: “Last year proved to be a strong year for Dubai in terms of visitor numbers with statistics rising once again for the fourth consecutive quarter. This year will see developments throughout the destination including the addition of 4,000 beds across a range of four and five star hotels, 11,000 beds in planning and additional airlift, making the destination even more accessible to the UK consumer.”

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“The full opening of Concourse A is a significant milestone and achievement in supporting and enabling the continued growth of Emirates, and our focus and commitment to being a leader in offering our customers innovative products and services that provides them with an unsurpassed travel experience,” explains Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline. “With a current fleet of 31 A380s and a further 59 on order, Emirates is the largest operator of this aircraft in the world, and it is only fitting that we have a world class facility that meets this need and represents our leadership in this regard.” With 11 floors and a total built-up area of 528,000 sqm, Concourse A is connected to Concourse B and Terminal 3 via an underground train. The First Class and Business Class lounges have dedicated floors that offer direct access to aircraft boarding gates. The lounges, which extend the entire length of the concourse, feature kitchens,

The world’s fastest growing boutique hotel brand, W Hotels is further expanding its presence in the Middle East and will be opening two new hotels in the emirate. Located on Sheik Zayed Road, the hotel will offer guests a cutting-edge lifestyle experience. Boasting 384 stylish guest rooms including 88 suites, four WOW Suites and one Extreme WOW Suite, guests can take advantage of the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want whenever they want it. Set to open on The Palm Jumeirah in 2016, Starwood will also be opening – W Dubai – The Palm, which will provide a contemporary lifestyle experience with a complete service offer including the brand’s signature W Lounge experience. The hotel will offer eight contemporary dining and lounge concepts, more than 2,500 square metres of ultramodern meeting and event space and a fullservice WIRED business centre.

Take a look at www.worldtravelnews.com for more information on the 20th anniversary Grand Tour, while www.definitelydubai.com has all the latest on the destination. Head over to chat to Dubai, Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing in Hall 22.A/103.

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News

Paradise Island will host the WTA Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony

Maldives to welcome World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony World Travel Awards has confirmed it will host its 20th anniversary Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in the Maldives. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at what is on offer in this tantalising destination.

paradise - Paradise Island Resort & Spa to be precise, an uncompromising destination of luxury and comfort. A network of paved pathways winds through the lush grounds, connecting the oceanfront accommodation, gourmet dining spots, sports facilities, and an inspiring spa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; each serving to make a Maldives island resort holiday whatever a guest would like it to be. This is true tropical-inspired luxury at and alluring Maldives island hotel, where unforgettable experiences await.

It has been a long journey for World Travel Awards, travelling the globe for 20 years recognising the leading lights of the tourism industry. As the programme moves into its third decade it will host a special event at Paradise Island in the Maldives, a Villa Hotels & Resorts managed property. Hundreds of industry insiders will gather on May 12th to discover who among them has been voted as the best-of-thebest, with only those few truly exceptional organisations walking off with the coveted trophies.

True Love

And what better host for the event? Imagine an island right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, with bright white beaches, a lagoon awash in deep blues and aquamarines, and soaring coconut palms swaying in the breeze. This is

But away from the glitz of World Travel Awards there is so much to discover on the islands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps most famously the honeymoon offering. If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate, secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best backdrop for all these things. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle while on holiday as a couple. A dinner under the stars with the occasional flicker of candle light to bring you back into the real world, a daring getaway to a nearby uninhabited island all by yourselves for the whole day, or just lazing around in your private bungalow watching the endless turquoise waters while you are treated to an spa

treatment in the room. You could choose to get to know each other through a swim around a house reef with a mask and fin, or dive among the beautiful, vibrant reefs. It is an experience you will relive for days after you get back home. Indulge in some light-hearted competition on a night fishing trip by seeing who catches more. You will not forget the amazing boat trip you make at sunset before anchoring at a suitable fishing spot. It is as if nature plays with the colours of the setting sun just to ensure that you remember this day, this moment, and this love for the rest of your life.

Cultural Breaks The islands of Maldives appear in-between the trading route of the Indian Ocean. Thus settlers and visitors from neighbouring regions and around the world have come in contact with the islands for as long as history has been recorded. Such is the to-and-fro flow of people and their cultures, that a marked effect has been left in the Maldivian people, the language, beliefs, arts, and attitudes. The looks of the Maldivian people may differ from one atoll to the other, attributing to the genes passed on by South and Southeast Asians, Africans, and Arabians. The language,

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News

Dhivehi, differs in dialect in some regions in the south of Maldives, possibly due to the secluded nature and subsistent ways of island life. Maldivian beliefs have been very much based around religion and superstition, often used together in matters of significance but given separate positions in society. In matters of faith, Islam dominates, but influence of the supernatural still continues to play a major role in most island communities, possibly giving credit to the folklores and Buddhist traditions of the islandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first settlers before conversion to Islam in 1153 AD. The mixing of cultures is very much seen in Maldivian arts. The music played with the local bodu-beru (big-drum) resemble that of African drumming. The dhoni (a unique Maldivian sailboat) is an art form itself built with skilled craftsmanship, with significant similarities to the Arabian dows. The fine artistry of Maldivians, seen in the intricate details on wooden beams in antique mosques, represents what we have gained from Southeast Asian architecture. Then there is the undefined: the distinct geometric designs used in mats woven from local materials, the embroidered neckline of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional dresses and their ornaments too, expose another story brought in from an unknown culture that has seeped in to Maldivian society. Maldives Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor

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Diving Holidays The warm seas of Maldives have high visibility throughout the year, with water clear enough to see the passing fish as far as fifty metres away at times. Add to that the marvellous formation of over 3,000 coral reefs and the free flowing tides of the monsoons. The result of these perfect conditions have created one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest diving coral reef areas. Over a thousand species of fish and other underwater creatures inhabit the Maldivian waters. The monsoon tides of the Indian Ocean create a collection of small marine creatures as well as microscopic plant cells. This in turn creates a hub for all kinds of underwater species who gather in these waters lured by the abundance of food. In the Maldives you will get to see everything. From tiny shrimp and groups of colourful swimmers to the magnificent mantas and sharks, a careful eye will give you enough to enrapture you for a lifetime.

For more information on the World Travel Awards head over to www.worldtravelawards.com. There is more on the Maldives at www.visitmaldives.com or visit Hall 5.2A/107 here at ITB Berlin.

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Avis moves closer to Zipcar acquisition Avis Budget Group has received anti-trust approval for its proposed acquisition of leading car share programme Zipcar, with the deal now expected to close later this month.

Avis is considered a world leader Avis Budget Group will complete the deal in early 2013

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Avis now operates in over 150 countries

The news came as the waiting period under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act expired in February. However, the closing of the transaction remains subject to other customary conditions, including approval by Zipcar shareholders and review by UK competition authorities. Avis Budget Group confirmed it would purchase Zipcar for $12.25 per share in cash in January this year. The figure represented a 49 per cent premium over the closing price on December 31st, 2012, meaning a total transaction value of approximately $500 million. The boards of directors of both companies unanimously approved the transaction, and Zipcar shareholders representing approximately 32 per cent of the outstanding common stock have agreed to vote their shares in support of the transaction. “By combining with Zipcar, we will significantly increase our growth potential, both in the United States and internationally, and will position our company to better serve a greater variety of consumer and commercial transportation needs,” said Ronald Nelson, Avis Budget Group chairman and chief executive officer. “We see car sharing as highly complementary to traditional car rental, with rapid growth potential and representing a scalable opportunity for us as a combined company. We expect to apply Avis Budget's experience and efficiencies of fleet management with Zipcar's proven, customerfriendly technology to accelerate the growth of the Zipcar brand and to provide more options for Zipsters in more places. We also expect to leverage Zipcar's technology to expand mobility solutions under the Avis and Budget brands.”

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Car sharing has grown to be a nearly $400 million business in the United States and is expanding rapidly in major cities around the world. Zipcar has led this industry, leading in innovation and world-class service. Zipcar now has more than 760,000 members, known as Zipsters, with a market-leading presence in 20 major metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada and Europe, and fleet positioned at over 300 college and university campuses. Zipcar has combined leading-edge technology, an outstanding customer experience, and clear brand messaging to develop strong loyalty and advocacy among its customers. Avis Budget expects to generate $50 to $70 million in annual synergies as a result of the transaction. In particular, Avis Budget expects significant cost reductions across the fleet life cycle (from procurement to operations and maintenance to disposition, as well as financing), in addition to savings from eliminating Zipcar's public-company costs. Avis Budget also plans to achieve substantial cost savings by increasing fleet utilization across the two companies. Significant revenue growth opportunities exist, including by leveraging Avis Budget's fleet to meet more of Zipsters' weekend demand, which is currently constrained by fleet availability.

“We are delighted to announce our intention to join the Avis Budget Group family of companies, and we believe this combination is a win across the board for our members, shareholders and employees. We will be well positioned to accelerate enhancements to the Zipcar member experience with more offers and additional services as well as an expanded network of locations," said Scott Griffith, chairman and chief executive officer of Zipcar. “As the leading global provider of car sharing services, with a brand that is synonymous with the category, we remain committed to the values and vision that have driven us forward for many years, grounded by our passion for delivering a superior experience to every member for every trip, every day. By combining Zipcar's expertise in on-demand mobility with Avis Budget Group's expertise in global fleet operations and vast global network, we will be able to accelerate the revolution we began in personal mobility," concluded Griffith.

More Information For more information on Avis visit Hall 9/101 or take a look at www.avis.com

These synergies, combined with the expected growth and rising profitability of Zipcar, are expected to make the transaction accretive to Avis Budget's earnings per share in the second year following the acquisition, excluding certain items and purchase-accounting effects.

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News

Views over Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa

Antigua to host World Travel Awards in the Caribbean The paradise destination of Antigua has been selected to host the World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony in 2013, with Sandals Grande Antigua lined up to welcome guests.

Sandals will welcome the prestigious awards ceremony in late 2013, with hundreds of leading lights from across the region invited to attend. The event will form part of the World Travel Awards 20th anniversary Grand Tour, which is scheduled to take in some of the hottest tourism destinations around the world this year, including Dubai, Singapore, Peru and Las Vegas.

Antigua Itself voted World's Leading Honeymoon Resort three years in a row by World Travel Awards, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa offers two extraordinary all-inclusive Caribbean vacations in one. Set on the country's best and most famous beach, Dickenson Bay, cooling trade winds soothe the soul as guests immerse themselves in a seaside garden oasis graced by majestic palms at the authentic Caribbean Grove. Awaken your most sensual side in an exotic Rondoval with its soaring 20-foot conical roof and spacious circular floor plan; or laze in the luxury of a 1,400 square foot Mediterranean villa - both with private plunge pool and your own butler. Unwind in the East Caribbean's largest pool (one of six). Celebrate the high art of food and drink with world-class faire and intimate settings at nine restaurants and eight bars including an English pub. A night out at Sandals Grande Antigua resort and spa is really like a night out on the town. Whether you're dining on

classic Italian, sumptuous sushi, or a sizzling steak, Aphrodite presides over every meal as you share the most romantic vacation of a lifetime. Your all-inclusive Antigua resort awaits in two perfect worlds, found in one grand resort â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all designed for love.

All the signs pointed towards Antigua. The island has warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbours, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. It would make a perfect place to hide a fleet. And so in 1784 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain's most important Caribbean base. Little did he know that over 200 years later the same unique characteristics that attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua & Barbuda in one of the Caribbean's premier tourist destinations. The signs are still there, they just point to different things. The Trade Winds that once blew British men-of-war safely into English Harbour now fuel one of the world's foremost maritime events, Sailing Week. The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for outsiders to navigate is where today's trekkers encounter a tremendous wealth of

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News secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs, once the bane of marauding enemy ships, now attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda - once a scavenger's paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs - is now home to one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries. Antigua & Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (at 1,319 ft), located in the south-western corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua. Temperatures on the island generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September.

Party at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa

Beaches of Antigua There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean side. All are open to the public, and so the challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste. Exploring on your own is the best way to do this, although it is wise to bring a companion along to particularly isolated locations. Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and joggers during the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded, one of which is nudist.

Antigua is famous for its beaches

The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon Point, near English Harbour Town, is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.

For more information on visiting the islands head over to www.antigua-barbuda.org. All the latest from Sandals can be found at www.sandals.com or in Hall 3.1/208, while the full calendar of World Travel Awards events can be found at www.worldtravelawards.com.

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Magical Kenya welcomes World Travel Awards Long a must-see tourism destination for travellers from around the world, Kenya has been granted the honour of hosting the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in 2013.

The leading African destination will welcome the prestigious awards ceremony later in the year as it celebrates its 20th anniversary Grand Tour. Voting will begin later this month, with the leading tourism organisations from across the continent set to be rewarded with this highest of accolades.

Tourism in Kenya The UK continues to account for the largest number of international visitors to Kenya, with the most recent statistics showing a 15.6 per cent share of the overall market. The number of UK tourists visiting Kenya reached over 125,000 between January and August in both 2011 and 2012 with four of the eight months measured showing an increase in visitors in 2012 when compared to the 2011 figures. Over the last two years KTB has generated impressive results following the successful implementation of the product diversification strategy, adoption of new promotion strategies, ongoing advertising campaigns and partnerships with major tour operators worldwide. Kenya Tourism Board UK & Ireland is working to promote the many niche products that Kenya has to offer from golf, to business travel to weddings and honeymoons in order to widen Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal to the UK and Irish markets beyond its status as one of the top destinations for safaris in the world. The tourism board aims to increase awareness of Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury accommodation and additional tourism offerings such as health and wellness, voluntourism, homestays and business travel and is focusing promotional activity on the range of offerings available on Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Indian Ocean coastline.

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News Nairobi grows into a world city

Mahali Mzuri One big draw for 2013 is set to be the opening of a new luxury camp operated by Richard Branson – Mahali Mzuri (Beautiful Place). The location is a luxury tented safari camp in western Kenya and is set to open this year. Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice have already visited the luxury resort ahead of its opening, with the Virgin Limited Edition collection property offering a unique African safari experience. Features include 12 luxury tented suites with spacious bedroom and deck with stunning views, fully inclusive rates from US$580 per person per night, two family tents sleeping two adults and two children, game drives in 13,500 hectares of land, evening game drives and guided bush walks.

Cruise Tourism Cruise tourism is on the increase in Kenya, with over 1,000 tourists entering through the port in December 2012. The Kenya Tourism Board has teamed up with the Kenya Ports Authority to promote and maximise Kenya’s potential as a cruise destination. A record 1,061 tourists arrived at the port of Mombasa at the end of last year, 650 set sail from the USA on MS Nautica and 411 arrived on Germany’s MS. Deutschland. The ships brought passengers from Austria, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Russia who visited various attractions in Kenya including the national parks of Tsavo and Shimba Hills, as well as golf resorts and beaches.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Sports tourism in Kenya

Kenya has seen large-scale international investment in the tourism sector, particularly in the development of tourism facilities and air travel. Direct flights from Nairobi to the recently opened Kisumu international airport on Kenya’s west coast is making the Western Tourism Circuit, an area of great geographic, cultural and natural diversity, more accessible. The expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is underway, once complete this will enable the facility to receive additional flights and cater for an increasing number of

Kenya Tourist Board managing director Muriithi Ndegwa picks up the World Travel Award from president Graham Cooke

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passengers that are owed to the ever expanding routes and connectivity within Africa and Western countries provided by Kenya Airways. Furthermore, airstrips especially in the Maasai Mara and other national parks within the country have been improved. Roads leading to the Maasai Mara game reserve are under construction while those to the northern tourism circuit such as Isiolo and Samburu have already been developed.

World Travel Awards But it is the World Travel Awards which is causing the most excitement in Kenya. Not content with hosting the event, Kenya itself is a past winner, with the Kenya Tourism Board (Magical Kenya) voted ‘Africa’s Leading Tourism Board’ in 2012. The tourism board was delighted to win the award, having run a series of successful campaigns in the UK market alone in 2012. These campaigns included a Kenyan tea promotion for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the launch of Kenya House during the London 2012 Olympic Games, in which Kenya was the only African country to operate its own independent national house with a dedicated three-day tourism programme. Muriithi Ndegwa, managing director Kenya Tourism Board said: “It is a great honour to win this award and we are pleased that the hard work, creativity and dedication of the tourism board team in Nairobi and the individual teams in each source market, as well as the support of the various stakeholders, have been recognised by the World Travel Awards organisation. We are optimistic that this compliment will spur greater interest in Kenya as a tourist destination.”

For more information on the World Travel Awards head over to www.worldtravelawards.com. More on Magical Kenya at www.magicalkenya.com or visit Hall 21.A/128.

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News

Cornelia Diamond Hotel pool

Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa picks up WTA baton in Turkey World Travel Awards is coming to Turkey as part of its 20th anniversary Grand Tour. Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa will host the Europe Gala Ceremony on August 31st, with hundreds of industry leaders expected to jet in for the event.

This will be the second time World Travel Awards has visited the property, after staging the Europe Gala Ceremony at Cornelia Diamond in 2011. That event was such a roaring success organisers felt it only right to return as part of the anniversary tour. A distinguished line-up of travel industry professionals, senior executives from renowned travel companies and hoteliers representing Europe’s leading hotels are expected to attend the glitzy, red carpet ceremony. Dubbed as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’, the event aims to honour those who have gone beyond what is expecte d in the luxury sector. The luxurious Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa – which was named World’s Leading Integrated Resort in 2012 – is located next to the beautiful beach of Iskele Mevkii, promising spectacular views from all angles. World Travel Awards guests will be spoiled by a selection of world class restaurants, swanky bars and state of the art spa facilities. Cornelia Diamond boasts more than nine à la carte restaurants, offering elite tastes from world cuisines. Food specialties range from sushi to oriental ‘tastes of the Ottoman’ cuisine, seafood, local food of the Anatolian region and Italian classics. For a night tipple, there is a selection of ten different bars, offering a wide range of local and imported drinks. And if that wasn’t enough, guests can take a stroll along the hotel’s private bea ch which measures 250 metres long and 50 metres wide. The family friendly property offers a range of activities for children to enjoy, including Atlantis

Children’s World, with children’s pools, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, funfair, and water slides, spread over an area of 4,000 square metres. Children can participate in creative and entertaining activities in the company of the experienced animation team. There is also a babysitting service for parents who want a little time for themselves. Additional facilities include a mini cinema, playing rooms, indoor and outdoor pools inside the mini club area, aqua park, electronic games, a funfair with dodgems, carousel and a train. The Cornelia Golf Club Nick Faldo Championship Golf Course, one of the best golf courses in the world, is situated only two minutes away from the hotel. The spectacular course is set on 1,400,000 square metres of land within pine forests native to the Mediterranean and has been formed by the naturally sandy base beneath it. Meanwhile, for those guests who need some serious pampering, the Crassula SPA goes beyond typical spa therapies. Spanning 5,000 square metres, the Crassula SPA consists of three separate parts: Spa Relax, Spa Luxury & Spa Private. Steam baths with different temperatures, special showers and traditional Turkish baths are among the services the available. Far eastern massages ornamented with Zen philosophy, Sultan therapies, luxury therapies (such as those featuring 24 carat gold ingredients), holistic therapies, natural essence beauty therapies and Far Eastern massages in open-air Bali houses are all on offer.

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News Travel in Turkey Turkey is a holiday destination to appeal to those from around the world, combining fascinating historical and archaeological sites, a delicious cuisine and an active sports scene with great weather, stunning scenery and warm hospitality for which the country is so famous. Its awe-inspiring landscapes and contrasting regions, encompassing two Wonders of the Ancient World, 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 352 Blue Flag beaches and 19 Blue Flag Marinas, a diverse plant and animal life and 20 world-class golf courses, to name just a few, offering many options for an unforgettable holiday experience. Beyond the obvious attractions of sun and sea, Turkey has many fascinating ancient sites reflecting its heritage dating back millennia, and there are also a great variety of winter and summer sports, cultural activities and festivals to tempt visitors. Turkey's rich past includes such intriguing cities as Troy and Ephesus and such well-known names in mythology as King Midas and Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) with related artefacts on display at world-class museums across the country. Most recently, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk located i n Central Anatolia, became Turkey's 11th UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO and Turkey will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Piri Reis World Map in 2013, a rare world map from the 16th century produced by the Ottoman admiral and cartographer of the same name.

City of the Sultans The only city in the world to straddle two continents, Turkey's fabled city of Istanbul is the historic crossroads between East and West, a city of minarets and palaces and the perfect choice for a refreshing city break. Istanbul

cradles the wonders of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, from the breathtaking Topkapi Palace to the majestic Hagia Sophia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; part cathedral, part mosque and totally breathtaking. Other must-see sights include the unique Byzantine frescoes of the Kariye Museum, the Ottoman architect Sinanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master piece the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Genoese Galata Tower with its panoramic views of the whole city. There are plenty of off-beat sites for those who want to leave the tourist crowds behind. As the cultural capital of Turkey, Istanbul hosts will host the Istanbul Biennial in 2013 as well as numerous pop and classical concerts, as well as a wide array of exhibitions at its evergrowing number of galleries and museums. Don't miss Istanbul Modern, showcasing some of Turkey's best contemporary art, and Orhan Pamuk's recently opened Museum of Innocence. This year will be a landmark year to visit Istanbul, marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic by Ataturk, with celebrations including the opening of the Marmaray tunnel under the Bosphorus linking Europe and Asia. For those looking for somewhere special to stay, this year will also see the opening of a new Raffles hotel with one of the largest spas in the city and the ShangriLa Bosphorus with glorious views of the famous waterway.

For more information on World Travel Awards head over to www.worldtravelawards.com or take a look at www.corneliaresort.com for all the latest on Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa. Here at ITB Berlin 2013 Go To Turkey can be found at Hall 3.2/201, Hall 4.1/240, while Cornelia is over in Hall 3.2/122.

Saklikent

Views over the ocean

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News

World Travel Awards heads for Perú World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. The event will celebrate its historic 20th anniversary in 2013, visiting some of the most exciting tourism destinations around the world. Dubai, Kenya, Maldives, and Turkey are all on the agenda, before the show arrives in Perú. The Grand Tour of WTA Gala Ceremonies are regarded as milestone events in the industry calendar, attended by the industry’s key decision makers, chief figureheads and the leading trade and consumer media. Peru itself was recognised as the World’s Leading Culinary Destination and World’s Leading Green Destination by the World Travel Awards in 2012.

Holidays in Perú Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Perú is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures which together are forging the promise of a better future. There is so much on offer there; it is hard to know where to begin.

Many start with Cuzco, which in the ancient Quechua language means ‘navel of the world’. The city was an important hub in Inca times, connecting all of South America, from Colombia to the north of Argentina. Today, centuries later, Cuzco continues to be the centre of attention, not only for our neighbouring countries but for the whole world. In its streets, historical centres, churches, pubs and cafés visitors can hear not only Quechua and Spanish spoken, but such diverse languages as English, French, Japanese and Hebrew. All of them, united by the same experience, found in the charming and fascinating ‘belly button’ of the world. The most famous sight in Perú is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, an archaeological site hidden for centuries until it came to light in the early 1900s. Situated in the mountains at the end of the Andes, the 15th-century Inca site is located 2,430 metres above sea level. Built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls, its three primary structures are the Intihuatana (Hitching post of the Sun), the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. Thousands of visitors climb the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu every yea r – a true journey of a lifetime.

Perú has been confirmed as the host of the prestigious World Travel Awards South & Central America Gala Ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place in the capital Lima later this year.

In turn, Lima is a sum of colours, textures and sounds. It is a cosmopolitan capital par excellence where the taste is acquired from the flavour offered by its street-side cooks frying anticuchos or soft picarones in syrup against a backdrop of colonial balconies, old houses, and churches with secret tunnels. Situated in the heart of the city are great archaeological monuments such as the Huallamarca Huaca or the Pucllana Huaca. And, on the outskirts of Lima facing the ocean is Pachacamac, the most important pre-Incan sanctuary on the coast, built in the third century A.D. Some of the other great attractions are the beaches where you can do all types of aquatic sports, enjoy the sun, or simply gaze at the mesmerising beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Those with a taste for adventure also consider the Peruvian Andes to provide an incomparable spot for mountaineering, making the country a magnet for lovers of South American mountains. There are many reasons: a unique concentration of mountains and relatively few mountain climbers; mild weather almost all year, and relatively easy access to sites that are nevertheless cut off from hectic city life. It is an ideal combination that m akes Peru one of the most attractive destinations for mountaineers worldwide. Although the lowest summit of the Huascarán massif, the world's highest tropical

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News

Lima will welcome the World Travel Awards

New hotels in Lima

mountain, was first climbed in 1908 by US climbers Annie Peck and two Swiss guides, mountain climbing in the Andes only took off in Perú in the early 1930s thanks to the pioneering European expeditions that launched the great Andean travel adventure in search of new climbing challenges. Perú also features more than a dozen rivers that are more than 600km long. Polish adventurer Yurek Majcherzyck and his friends introduced rafting into Perú, and after several attempts, managed to paddle down the thundering Colca River and its 300 rapids in the heart of Arequipa. Ever since then, a group of Peruvian rafting enthusiasts have made major efforts to open up new routes around the country. The sport depends on rubber rafts which are powered by paddles and generally steered by the helmsman through the foaming rapids. Perú, in a bid to conserve its natural surroundings, flora and fauna, has designed a series of mechanisms aimed at conserving the country's biological diversity. These efforts are channelled through the National System of Natural Protected Areas (SINANPE) and the state natural resources entity (INRENA). To date, Perú features a total of 63 natura l areas or conservation units, covering approximately 14.04 per cent of the country's territory. These areas are in turn split up into a variety of categories governing their use: parks, reserves and national sanctuaries, historic sanctuaries, reserved zones, game preserves, protected forests and communal reserves.

Take a look at www.worldtravelawards.com to find out more about the event once the final preparations are made. For more information on visiting Peru head over to Hall 1.1/101 + 110 or take a look at www.peru.travel/en.

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World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony headed for Singapore

After a successful event in 2012, World Travel Awards has confirmed it will host its annual Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony in Singapore this year. With hundreds of guests expected in town for the ceremony, Breaking Travel News here takes a look at some of the highlights which have made Singapore a ‘must visit’ destination for millions.

If you are accustomed to a life of luxury on every level, you might be hard-pressed finding another experience that lives up to the Marina Bay Sands. A magnificent destination for entertainment, business and shopping, it delivers once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This landmark building is situated in the heart of Singapore’s central business district. With a luxury hotel, state-of-the-art convention and exhibition facilities, theatres, and some of the best shopping and dining in the region, Marina Bay Sands is an experience that indulges your every fancy.

winning spa offers an array of indulgent massages in 15 uniquely designed rooms, each with spectacular panoramic views, and uses Singapore’s national flower – the fragrant and beautiful orchid – as a key element in its treatments. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is home to over 300 stores and F&B outlets. Browse the duplex boutiques by Ralph Lauren, Cartier and Prada. Niche designer labels, internationally renowned fashion brands and luxury concept stores create a modern shopping Mecca that rivals the fashion capitals of the world.

as a symbolic gesture of welcome to guests from across the globe. Embracing influences from art and science, media and technology, design and architecture, the ArtScience Museum hosts major international travelling exhibitions from the most renowned collections in the world. If you have a keen sense of aesthetics, make time for a walk along the Marina Bay Sands Art Path, where spectacular large-scale art installations integrate with the extraordinary architecture of the Marina Bay Sands.

Check-in to the Marina Bay Sands hotel and you’ll enter a world of sheer luxury and exclusivity. Be greeted by personalised and intuitive service that seeks to make your stay a truly unforgettable experience. The three hotel towers are crowned by the Sands SkyPark on the 57th storey, which offers a 360-degree view of Singapore’s skyline. There’s no greater feeling like standing at the top of the world. This one-hectare sky oasis features lush greenery, beautifully sculptured gardens, remarkable restaurants like Sky on 57 and KU DÉ TA Restaurant, and an infinity pool that almost lets you swim in the clouds.

Besides astounding retail indulgence, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands includes an eclectic mix of gourmet restaurants and bistros, making Marina Bay Sands the hangout du jour for visitors and locals alike. In between your shopping spree, sit down to a meal at one of 50 dining establishments, including worldrenowned restaurants by Michelin-starred celebrity chefs like Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Wolfgang Puck, Guy Savoy and Tetsuya Wakuda. To wine and dine in style, have the Restaurant Concierge reserve you the best tables at the Marina Bay Sands ’ outstanding restaurants, lounges and bars.

Resorts World Sentosa

Discover the restorative power of touch at the Banyan Tree Spa on the 55th floor. The award-

Just outside the theatres, you’ll find the lotusinspired ArtScience Museum that was designed

Resorts World Sentosa Singapore is the first ever integrated resort on Sentosa Island Singapore, bringing with it highly anticipated and exciting new attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and FestiveWalk, and the yet to open Marine Life Park. Live The Movies at the many exclusive attractions found only at the region’s first Hollywood movie theme park, Universal Studios Singapore. Featuring movie-themed rides and attractions, which are unique to Singapore, thrill seekers and families will be the first to experience many new rides and shows based on blockbuster hits. The young and young at heart

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News will be entertained by Shrek and gang on an incredible 4-D adventure in the world’s first Far Far Away Castle. Thrill seekers can face warrior mummies on Revenge of the Mummy, a psychological thrill ride in total darkness. Other highlights include Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Feast your senses on a world of non-stop entertainment, signature shopping experiences and culinary adventures at FestiveWalk, and take pleasure in the comfort and luxury of the resort’s unique world-class hotels. This 24/7 pulsating strip sets the stage for some of the world's most spectacular shows and entertainment. Free public attractions available include Lake of Dreams; a unique musical extravaganza and Crane Dance where one can witness the love story of the world’s largest pair of animatronic cranes in a multimedia spectacle of lights, sound, water jets and pyrotechnic effects. Lovers of underwater life can look forward to the Marine Life Park at the integrated resort when it opens. Expect to marvel at this architectural wonder, which will house the world's largest

oceanarium and the world's longest man-made rainforest river. If you are an avid sea adventurer, you’ll be delighted to visit The Maritime Experiential Museum. Climb aboard the world's first 360° multi-sensory typhoon theatre, where you will find yourself shipwrecked on an Arabiabound cargo ship that runs into a typhoon.

Gardens by the Bay

suspended 128-metre-long walkway between two Supertrees, the OCBC Skyway, is perfect for walks at any hour, offering a bird’s eye view of the Gardens and the Marina Bay urban area. At Bay East, there’re pretty pavilions, lush lawns, tropical palm trees and natural blossoms, ideal for an evening stroll or a picnic with family and friends. Along its two-kilometre waterfront promenade, you can get an amazing view of the skyline.

Spanning 101 hectares, Gardens by the Bay is an award-winning horticultural attraction which houses over 250 thousand rare plants and is just a five-minute walk from the city of Singapore. The Gardens comprises three spaces – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. From the waterfront promenade, enjoy an amazing view of the Marina Bay financial district skyline. The grounds are perfect for an evening stroll and a picnic with loved ones.

For a reprieve from the tropical heat (and a taste of the Mediterranean climate), head to the cooled conservatory complex. There, you can study plant species from around the world such as baobabs and date palms. After the sun sets, don’t miss the sky show of dazzling lights and sounds in the OCBC Garden Rhapsody, which takes place nightly amidst the Supertrees. It’ll make a wonderful ending to a day out in the Gardens.

Bay South – the largest waterfront garden – is where you’ll find the impressive Supertrees. These 16-storey-tall vertical gardens collect rainwater, generate solar power and act as venting ducts for the park’s conservatories. A

For more information on what is on offer in Singapore visit www.yoursingapore.com or call in at Hall 26.A/133.

Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

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News

LVCVA senior vice president, marketing, Cathy Tull, collects the World Travel Award from president Graham Cooke

Las Vegas welcomes World Travel Awards Grand Final 2013 Industry leaders from around the world are already writing the date – November 27th – into their diaries after World Travel Awards confirmed it would this year host its annual Grand Final in Las Vegas. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, World Travel Awards will visit some of the most desirable tourism destinations around the globe as it seeks to identify those organisation which have come to define the industry. Dubai will welcome the Middle East Gala Ceremony in May and Maldives the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony later the same month, while Peru will take on the South & Central America Gala Ceremony later in the year. But all the events will be staging posts on the route to the Grand Final, where regional winners go head-to-head for the ultimate accolade.

What Happens in Vegas… But World Travel Awards is only one of many glittering spectacles drawing visitors to the American destination. Indeed, Las Vegas welcomed a record 39.7 million visitors in 2012, approximately a half-million more visitors than the previous high of 39.2 million set in 2007. The

record visitation generated more than $40 billion in economic impact for the local economy last year. The 2012 year-end statistics, released by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, point to continued recovery for Las Vegas tourism with increases in all of the key core indicators. “The record visitation is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our resort partners and every employee who works in the industry,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/chief executive of the LVCVA. “Tourism is the economic leader for Southern Nevada and the entire state, so we are encouraged to see positive signs of continued growth for the industry. With more than $2 billion of reinvestment in the destination, Las Vegas is well positioned for continued growth in 2013 and on the threshold of hosting more than 40 million visitors.” Also noted by the LVCVA in 2012 was the gradual improvement in the meetings and convention industry, with 4.9 million delegates attending a convention, trade show or meeting last year. This reflects a 1.6 per cent increase over the figure from 2011 and is the highest convention attendance in four years. Las Vegas hosted 21,615 meetings, tradeshows or conventions in 2012, up 13.6 per cent from the 2011 total of 19,029. The 2012 total is the highest number of meetings and conventions held in Las Vegas since 2008.

Vegas Showgirls

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News …Stays in Vegas When not winning in the casino, lounging by the pool or savouring delicious cuisine, visitors to Las Vegas will find the city has a variety of mustsee attractions and entertainment options to keep you and the whole family occupied. From thrilling roller coasters to virtual-reality simulator rides and erupting volcanoes to wax museums, Las Vegas' attractions appeal to people of all ages, interests and budgets.

Average citywide occupancy was up 0.6 percentage points to 84.4 percent for 2012. Las Vegas' citywide occupancy is 23 percentage points higher than the national average of 61.4 percent. With industry-leading occupancy of 84.4 percent for its 150,481 rooms, Las Vegas fills more rooms per night on average than any destination in North America. Las Vegas' average daily room rate also increased $3 to $108 in 2012. Clark County gross gaming revenue reached $9.4 billion in 2012, a 1.9 per cent increase over last year. On the Las Vegas Strip, revenues increased 2.3 per cent to $6.2 billion in 2012.

replica of the Grand Canal in Venice. Just down the street, you'll discover another romantic Italian attraction at Bellagio. The world-famous Fountains of Bellagio will speak to your heart as opera, classical and whimsical musical selections are carefully choreographed with the movements of 1,000 water-emitting devices. Next stop: Paris. Take an elevator ride to the observation deck atop the 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Valley.

Discover the wild side of Las Vegas at a variety of attractions for animal lovers. Visit the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat at The Flamingo Hotel and see Chilean flamingos, swans, ducks, Koi, goldfish and turtles. Venture over to The Mirage for Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. The Secret Garden is home to royal white tigers, white lions, black panthers, a snow leopard and golden tigers. The Dolphin Habitat, adjacent to the Secret Garden, houses an extended family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Get up close and personal with endangered and unusual aquatic animals at Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef. Visitors journey through a replica of an ancient temple ruin and a sunken galleon ship surrounded by several varieties of sharks.

Currently under construction at the centre of the Las Vegas Strip is the High-Roller, a 550-foot tall observation wheel. The world's tallest observation wheel is part of Linq, a $550 million outdoor dining, entertainment and retail district by Caesars Entertainment. Linq is expected to open in late 2013 and the High-Roller will follow in 2014.

For the romantic in you, slow things down a bit with a Gondola Ride at The Venetian. Accompanied by singing gondoliers, this leisurely tour takes you along the quarter-mile

Those interested in visiting Vegas can find out more on the official website at www.lvcva.com or head over to Hall 2.1/325 here at ITB Berlin 2013.

Las Vegas was itself recognised as North America's Leading Destination in 2012 by the World Travel Awards. For more information on the WTA agenda for 2013 head over to www.worldtravelawards.com.

Las Vegas Convention Centre

Downtown For downtown Las Vegas, 2012 came to be known as the ‘Year of Downtown’ for good reason: at least $754 million in public and private projects came to fruition and an additional $355 million in developments were under construction with most of these scheduled to be completed in 2013. In 2012, downtown Las Vegas - which does not include the famed Las Vegas Strip and is located just a few miles north - became home to a $485 million performing arts centre, a new city hall, two major museums and scores of new businesses. A total of 57 projects were completed, under construction or upgraded in this urban area during the year.

Fremont East

According to Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, redevelopment progress is helping downtown reinvent itself as the region’s true centre of community, culture and commerce. The new year’s upcoming development highlights include Zappos.com’s $40 million renovations to the former Las Vegas City Hall to accommodate the company’s 1,200 employees, the $56 million Discovery Children’s Museum scheduled to open this spring, the former Lady Luck Hotel & Casino’s $100 million renovation and reopening as Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in late 2013, and a former Travelodge repurposed into a temporary housing and resource facility for veterans.

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News

World-class luxury at Thanda Thanda Private Game Reserve, known throughout the industry for offering a luxurious safari experience, has won the title of “World’s Leading Luxury Lodge” at the 2012 World Travel Awards – taking the title for the fourth year in succession.

Thanda beat strong competition to win the coveted award this year, and it comes in the wake of the opening of its new tented camp, which has 14 luxurious tents each with a private viewing deck and on-suite canvas bathroom. The tented camp also boasts a sophisticated, spacious and romantic Honeymoon Tent. The new tented camp product has given Thanda the cutting-edge and competitive advantage as all lodges strive to adapt and grow their market share in a climate of global economic stress and debt. World Travel Awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the global travel and tourism industry, serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Set in 14,000 hectares of rolling bushlands in northern Zululand, Thanda (which meaning “love” in Zulu) is a romantic fusion of Zulu culture, teeming wildlife, exclusivity and romantic indulgence. The lodge is the essence of the ultimate luxury safari experience with its world-renowned accommodation, excellent game-viewing opportunities and superb guest service. Thanda Private Game Reserve is currently one of only two game reserves in the world to hold Leading Hotels of the World status. Thanda’s five-star facilities include the opulent main lodge, the romantic tented camp, the luxurious honeymoon tent, the exclusive-use Royal Private Villa and the award-winning wellness centre. The wildlife that roams within the park

includes lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino and elephant as well as over 400 bird species. Also expect to spot the wild dog, cheetah, hyena, warthog and plains game. For romantic opulence Thanda is unsurpassed. Its nine luxury bush villas each come with private heated splash pools and private bomas, ideal for intimate open-air dinners. The tented camp is built in colonial safari style – think “Out of Africa” – and is ideal for those in search of an authentic yet luxurious bush experience. The five tents have four-poster beds, en-suite canvass bathrooms and magnificent views of the reserve. The newly-built honeymoon tent offers a sophisticated mix of romance, privacy and refined comfort. It features a king-sized bed in a spacious bedroom, and a comfortable separate lounge area. A highlight of this tent is the outdoor shower and Jacuzzi which has spectacular panoramic views of the 14,000hectare reserve. For the ultimate in luxury stay in the royal private villa, which can accommodate ten guests. Facilities include a boma, library, cellar, business area, heated pool and a magnificent deck overlooking a waterhole. After you’ve unwound at Thanda, head to the Indian Ocean (a one-hour drive) to dive with sharks.

For more information on visiting this unique destination, head over to www.thanda.com.

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All-Butler Riviera Villas launch at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort has made its butler service available in all villas. While butlers are enjoying the media limelight in countless movie and television roles, Sandals Resorts’ butlers have always held superstar statuses for knowing how to make their guests feel like celebrities. With an exclusive partnership with the Guild of Professional English Butlers contributing to the butlers’ immaculate service, demand for butler suites has significantly increased in recent years. As a result, Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort will expand its exceptional butler service by introducing “All-Butler Riviera Villas,” following the resort’s recent $60 million refurbishment. All Riviera Villa guests will receive elite service from Sandals Resorts’ expertly-trained butlers. “The demand for butler room categories is growing at a rapid rate, and we hope to fulfill our guests’ requests by expanding our Butler Service offerings,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “In keeping with our Luxury Included standards, we want to ensure that our guests have the best possible experience and that means offering the highest-quality amenities and topnotch service.” All suites located in the Riviera Villas will be serviced by expertly-trained butlers to not only tend to guests’ every need throughout their stay, but to anticipate their every need. Prior to arrival, visitors can select preferences so their

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butlers are well-prepared to cater to their guests. With this VIP treatment, guests can truly focus on relaxing and enjoying the beautiful Caribbean from the moment they arrive. Guests are even provided a personal mobile phone to reach their butler anytime; no request is too small or unattainable no matter what the hour of the day. Sandals Resorts butlers add unmatched, personalised touches that can truly make a difference to any holiday experience. Whether stocking guests refrigerators with their favourite beer or wine, or preparing a romantic, private picnic on the beach, butlers are always taking extra steps to please their guests. Sandals Butlers are also encouraged to “wow” guests by surpassing needs and expectations and have even gone to such extremes as flying to greet guests and escort them back to resorts; planning surprise baby showers; and video-conferencing in family members who were unable to travel to a destination wedding at the resort. The Luxury Included resort company’s unprecedented butlers offer an elevated level

of service and exclusivity, and have earned their well-known reputation as a coveted asset to any holiday. As part of ‘The Sandals Difference’, Sandals Resorts has foraged an exclusive partnership with the Guild of Professional English Butlers; the Londonbased Guild ensures that all Sandals Resorts butlers are trained in accordance to exacting stands and provides butlers and valets to nobility and celebrities worldwide. The expanded Butler Service at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort will be added to the following newly-renamed room categories: Honeymoon Estate Poolside Butler Villa, St. Ann Poolside Butler Villa Estate, Honeymoon St. Ann Poolside Butler Villa Estate, Bougainvillea Hideaway Poolside One Bedroom Butler Villa Suite, and Honeymoon Bougainvillea Hideaway Poolside One Bedroom Butler Villa Suite.

For more information head over to Hall 3.1/208 or visit www.sandals.co.uk.

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Grandhotel Lienz to offer world-class wellness year round The opulent Grandhotel Lienz offers leading-edge medical and wellness facilities amid a glorious setting, framed by Austria’s tallest mountain and the Dolomites. Austria’s award-winning Grandhotel Lienz has announced plans to remain open year-round, starting May 8th 2013. Guests at the five-star resort, which was voted “World’s Leading Wellness Hotel” at 2012 World Travel Awards, can undertake everything from medical check-ups to weightloss programmes, all under the supervision of world-class doctors in a breath-taking mountain setting. Prof. Dr. Lechleitner, director of the Medical Center at the Grand Hotel, has created a special weekly programme, which begins with a thorough medical examination. The specially-tailored exercise programme

includes daily swimming, yoga and walking in th e unique scenery around Lienz. A gleaming gem in East Tyrol, GrandHotel Lienz mixes the best of modern and traditional, and sits in a glorious setting, framed by Austria’s tallest mountain, the Grossglockner, and the Lienz Dolomites. The medieval town is also home to two world-class ski areas, Zettersfeld and Hochstein, and hosts a World Cup race. In summer it serves as the gateway to the Hohe Taurern National Park, an incredible wilderness reserve of glaciers, soaring peaks and rare wildlife. There is also a multitude of sporting opportunities, including golf, horse-riding, paragliding, mountain-biking and white-water rafting. The five-star property, which was built from scratch on the banks of the River Isel, has deployed the very latest in energy-saving technologies, and it is serving as a blueprint of a carbon-zero future. Features include a glacier feed from the River Isel that keeps the rooms cool in summer; hot water is produced through a central plant which serves most of the town and uses wood chips; solar water heaters on

the roof heat the indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Further energy is gained through a very efficient heat exchange from the largest underground lake in Austria. The hotel contains 76 suites with landscaped terraces, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, lobby bar with open fireplace and a conference centre with up-to-the-minute communications facilities. The hotel’s restaurant features international and health-oriented menus.

World-class wellness The Medical Wellness Centre at Grand Hotel Lienz enables guests to enjoy a maximum of wellbeing and health improvement while enjoying a vacation surrounded by luxury. Under the management of accredited specialist Univ. Prof. Dr. Peter Lechleitner, guests are counselled and cared for so as to exploit their full potential and activate reserves for the improvement of wellbeing through effective exercise, nutrition and relaxation programmes. Grandhotel Lienz offers a new concept in health

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and wellness centres in hotels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SymbioMed, which incorporating the symbiosis of the different medical branches. By complimenting conventional medicine with the latest medical advances, the centre is gaining recognition around the world as vacationers flock there for both basic and extended physical checkups at rates generally far below those in the US.

a spacious spa oasis. The carefully-planned interior design of the 72 Junior Suites and four individually-designed Royal Suites create a luxurious oasis of tranquillity. This grandeur is defined in every part of the hotel, and lends a special stately elegance, ambience and flair. All of the suites offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Travellers may also seek diagnosis, recuperation, spo rts examinations, weight loss programmes, heart check-ups, nutrition programmes, homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine, all at reasonable rates. Further programmes for stopping smoking, skin care, and anti-aging are available. The hotel is also home to a 1,400mÂ˛ spa which includes an indoor and outdoor pool, steam bath, saunas, relaxation room and several special treatment rooms.

The Executive Chef Christian Flaschberger and Sous-chef Thomas Ebner are both highly decorated, and renowned for producing gourmet specialties. Spacious romantic terraces along the River Isel, a sleek fireside parlour and an elegant lounge offer the perfect atmosphere for every time of day and preference, and the perfect offer for every food lover! The extensive wine cellar houses a unique selection of wines from around the world.

Gourmet Living Guests can enjoy the exclusive atmosphere of this five-star hotel with gourmet cuisine, medical wellness of the highest level, as well as

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For more information head over to the official website at www.grandhotel-lienz.com.

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News Cruise holidays are a growing market for Jamaica

Jamaica targets new guests with hotel developments “We welcome the start of Fly Jamaica’s service to Kingston. This new service provides a wellneeded boost in our ongoing efforts to provide increased access to Jamaica particularly Kingston, our business hub,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch. “We wish the airline every success as they serve key target markets in the greater New York area.” Fly Jamaica will serve the route with a Boeing 757 which seats 198 passengers, including 12 Business Class seats and 186 Economy Class seats. Business Class passengers will enjoy a baggage allowance of two bags at 70lbs each, while those in Economy will be allowed two bags at 55lbs each.

Sunset over Jamaica

After an extraordinary year for Jamaica, during which it celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence alongside sporting triumphs, the sunny island looks set to continue attracting new and repeat visitors in 2013. A number of new tourism developments, including new hotel developments and new airlift, look set to take place over the coming months. Hon. Wykeham McNeill, tourism minister commented: “There’s a lot of interest in room development, we expect to see some new hotels coming to Jamaica. This year we expect a Courtyard Marriot to break ground in Kingston. We have some other properties that are there - The Fiesta Group

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are going to be expanding their hotel by 850 rooms.” He added: “The Riu is opening a Riu Palace in Montego Bay and the Sunwing Group have just taken over a property in Trilawny which they will re-brand, refurbish the 250 rooms and they are hoping to expand. In all we are looking at close to 2,000 rooms that are going to be under construction over the next two years so it’s looking very promising. Some will certainly be opened in the next two years. Hopefully they should be open for the winter season next year.” Meanwhile Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston, is set to benefit from an increase in its airlift capacity with the introduction of Fly Jamaica’s service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Fly Jamaica will operate four weekly flights on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. Flights will depart Kingston at 06:15, arriving at JFK at 10:00, and depart JFK Terminal One at 11:50, arriving Kingston at 15:40.

Meanwhile, in an ongoing effort to secure airlift from new and emerging markets, Jamaica recently welcomed two inaugural flights from Eastern Europe into its tourist capital, Montego Bay. “We’ll continue to develop partnerships in new markets such as Russia and the Czech Republic, making Jamaica even more accessible for today’s global traveller,” added Lynch. “These new flights from Moscow and Prague extend our reach as we endeavour to welcome more travellers from around the world to experience our island.” Exim Tours, a Czech Republic tour operator, has designated 100 seats for Jamaica over 12 rotations. The charter service out of Russia is a partnership between tour operator Biblio Globus and Transearo Airlines, Russia’s second largest carrier.

For more information on visiting Jamaica head over to www.visitjamaica.com or visit the Jamaica Tourist Board in Hall 3.1/208.

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360 WORLD VIDEO LTD IS A MEDIA PRODUCTION COMPANY WITH A DIFFERENCE We specialise in 3D stereoscopic video production for the Travel, Tourism, Hospitality & Sports industry. Our previous campaigns have included 3D Animation, 3D Movies, 3D commercials for TV advertising and 3D for the internet.

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Hotels, sporting associations, airlines and tourism boards can now truly showcase their offerings by inviting audiences to experience for themselves what it is actually like to be there. Through the power of 3D, audiences can step outside of their current location into a new destination, sporting arena or hotel and encounter what the venue can offer to them.

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3D reality goes beyond what photography and virtual tours have previously offered by creating a deeper sense of involvement for the consumer, therefore making them much more likely to want to live through the experience for themselves.

IT’S TIME TO JOIN IN NOW! Join 360 World Video Ltd and see how we can make a real difference to your marketing & advertising strategy.

AT 360 WORLD VIDEO LTD WE LOVE WHAT WE DO AND WOULD RELISH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU FURTHER ABOUT YOUR 3D PROJECT. For more information on animation or live action 3D please contact us at: T: +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 F: +44 (0) 20 7925 2552 E: info@360worldvideo.com

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Sports focus for Mardan Palace The $1.4bn Mardan Palace in Antalya has signed on to host a series FIFA Under-20 World Cup qualification games in 2013 as part of a wider focus on sports tourism.

Views over Mardan Palace

The event will mark the debut of the multipurpose Mardan Sports Complex Stadium, which is scheduled to open later this year. The impressive complex features a cinema, lounge, three vitamin bars, six saunas, two Turkish baths; a 25m swimming pool; a bowling parlour and a games room. In other sporting developments, the property’s new Jack Nichlaus-designed 18-hole course is set to delight golfing enthusiasts. With continuous developments and events taking place on site, the stunning Mardan Palace continues to attract worldwide attention and remains one of the most luxurious and spoken about hotels in the world. Hailing a return to the opulent, golden age of the Ottoman Empire, the Mardan Palace is the vision of Telman Ismailov, chairman of Russia’s biggest property developers AST, who fell in love with the region. Surrounded by the dramatic Taurus Mountain range, the 546 room-property, which includes two Royal Suites with private pools, was designed with Turkish heritage in mind. Each guestroom at this family friendly property is tastefully decorated and comes with all the mod cons one would expect from a high end hotel, not to mention an optional 24 hour butler service.

Given the level of service and facilities it is hardly surprising that the property has won a number of awards. Most recent was the title of World’s Leading Hotel Spa at the World Travel Awards. Cumhur Özen, general manager, Mardan Palace said: “Breathtakingly and unashamedly grandiose, Mardan Palace has done more than simply wow to its guests.”

Cumhur Ozen and Rufat Garibov from Mardan Palace celebrate with Graham Cooke, founder and chairman of WTA

traditional Turkish. Guests can dine a la carte under a replica of Istanbul’s famed Maiden’s Tower. There are also 14 bars and cafes as well as a two-story jungle themed nightclub, Monkey Nights. The property has recently converted its beach concept to a party zone, which has firmly been placing Mardan Palace on the map as a party destination.

Mardan Spa In a recent development, Gold Packages have become available to guests who wish to sample the full experience at the Mardan, which includes dining in a selection of restaurants throughout the property. This luxury All Inclusive concept and is available to guests in the executive suite or deluxe rooms. Some of the innovative and quirky features at the glittering property include gondolas that sail guests around an enormous swimming pool (the largest in Europe), an underwater fish restaurant with aquariums for walls and a dramatic amphitheatre which seats up to 900 guests and attracts performances from international stars such as the Enbe Band as well as spectacular laser shows.

One of the highlights of this spectacular property is the award winning 7,500 sq metre spa and wellness centre that provides all the necessities for serious relaxation. As one of the largest spas in Europe, it is set apart by the fact that treatments available are both holistic and medical in their orientation. Features include a vitamin and champagne bath, an oriental steam bath, snow caves, a hamman and a thalasso pool. Internationally inspired treatments include hot stone therapy, Thai, Balinese, Shiatsu massages and Hydrotherapy. There are over 30 treatment rooms with all the latest hi-tech equipment.

There is also talk of a marina being developed next to the property. Meanwhile internationally acclaimed chefs have created over ten restaurants including French, Japanese, Russian, Thai and

Head over to www.mardanpalace.com.tr for all the latest on this world-class property.

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News

Chopra steps up at The Oberoi Group Kapil Chopra has been appointed as president of The Oberoi Group. Chopra will be responsible for all The Oberoi and Trident Hotels in India. Kapil Chopra

also founded the country's first e-magazine on art called 'The Wall'.

Oberoi Group The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates 28 hotels across five countries, one Nile Cruiser and one Backwater Vessel in Kerala under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brands. The group is also engaged in flight catering, airport restaurants, travel and tour services, car rentals, project management and corporate air charters.

An alumnus of The Oberoi Centre for Learning & Development, Chopra's experience as a hotelier spans over 19 years. Most recently, he was the executive vice president of the group and was instrumental in opening the two flagship properties – The Oberoi and Trident in Gurgaon.

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is synonymous the world over with providing the right blend of service, luxury and quiet efficiency. Internationally acclaimed for all-round excellence and unparalleled levels of service, Oberoi hotels and resorts have received innumerable awards and accolades.

environmen t, presenting the ideal choice for business and leisure travellers. At present there are nine Trident hotels in India. These are located in Mumbai at Bandra Kurla and Nariman Point, Gurgaon (Delhi National Capital Region), Chennai, Bhubaneshwar, Cochin, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur. The Oberoi Group also operates a Trident hotel in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The group’s commitment to excellence, attentio n to detail and personalised service has ensured a loyal list of guests and accolades in the worldwide hospitality industry. Recognising the importance of quality training in hospitality management, The Oberoi Group established The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development in New Delhi in 1966. Today, this institution is considered among the best in Asia with approximately 100 students graduating each year.

The Oberoi Group was voted World's Leading Luxury Hotel Brand by the World Travel Awards in 2012. Furthermore, under Chopra's leadership, The Oberoi, Gurgaon was voted World's Leading Luxury Hotel by the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year in 2012.

A distinctive feature of the Group’s hotels is their highly motivated and well trained staff who provide exceptionally attentive, personalised and warm service. The group’s new luxury hotels have established a reputation for redefining the paradigm of luxury and excellence in service among leisure hotels around the world.

The Oberoi Group is committed to employing the best environmental and ecological practices in technology, equipment and operational processes. The Group also supports philanthropic activities that range from education to assistance for the mentally and physically challenged. The Group is also a keen contributor to the conservation of nature and of cultural heritage.

Apart from being an hotelier, Chopra is an avid collector of Indian contemporary art and writes regularly for various national and international publications. He also writes a blog on Indian art – indianartinvest.blogspot.in. Chopra has

Trident hotels are five-star hotels that have established a reputation for excellence and are acknowledged for offering quality and value. These hotels combine state of the art facilities with dependable service in a caring

For more information on everything Oberoi head over to Hall 9/223 or visit www.oberoihotels.com.

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Qunu Restaurant at Saxon

Saxon Boutique Hotel offers new gourmet experiences to Johannesburg The highly-decorated Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa in Johannesburg is once again claiming its place among the stars of the industry. The Saxon Boutique Hotel is rewarding long standing guests with the newly refurbished and rebranded Qunu restaurant as well as their new fine dining restaurant, Five Hundred. With the continuing leadership from managing director, George Cohen, and the newly appointed head chef, David Higgs, also in place the Saxon team is leading the way as a front runner for superb gourmet experiences. Named after the home village of Nelson Mandela, Qunu is quickly becoming the local favourite. With its regal red chairs and a dining experience of good quality food and attentive service, the Saxon aims to make visitors king or queen of their castle. The original pool atrium turned restaurant still holds its charm as a homely environment, but the hotel has left no stone unturned or knife unpolished in transforming their main restaurant into an all day dining experience that exudes charm and flair. Qunu caters to all tastes and appetites as it continues to please and delight its patrons. The newest attraction at the Saxon is the highly anticipated restaurant Five Hundred, which is already proving to be a welcome addition to the Johannesburg fine dining scene. The recently opened restaurant has quickly sta ked its claim among the elite of Johannesburg’s restaurants with its high

standards of excellence. The menu is in keeping with South Africa’s best seasonal produce, offering a unique taste of the country to travellers and locals alike. The restaurant stands up to the calibre and austerity of Sandton, the elite Johannesburg suburb, with its sophisticated decor and highly tailored waiters who strive to attend to your every need, ensuring an exclusive and outstanding dining experience. Both of the Saxon’s new additions are quickly becoming the ‘go to’ destination for the discerning palate and are putting Johannesburg on South Africa’s gourmet map. With the current economic climate always influencing the funding abilities for the hotel industry to push boundaries, these two new restaurants are paying off in numbers and reviews. Looking forward into 2013, the Saxon’s new offerings for a Gourmet Experience aim to attract new guests from around the globe. The Gourmet Experience on offer includes a night in one of their luxuriously styled Egoli Suites with a dining experience in Qunu, as well as the use of the superb hydro facilities in their spa which includes use of their plunge pool, flotation pool, steam room and Jacuzzi. The Gourmet Experience on offer has been very well received by guests who are looking

George Cohen Saxon Boutique Hotel Villas & Spa

for something different and wanting to experience some of the best that the hotel has to offer.

Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. For more information on visiting head over to www.saxon.co.za.

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Ritz Carlton, Riyadh launches Virtual Concierge

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh is launching a new virtual concierge service for business travellers, which offers guests more flexibility to ensure a more relaxed, efficient and memorable experience. Virtual Concierge provides hotel guests with the ability to customise their stay prior to their arrival by requesting special amenities and services such as floral arrangements, honeymoon amenities, spa treatments, dining reservations, transportation and many other numerous services. Guest itineraries will be sent to the guest once all requests have been confirmed; along with presenting an itinerary during the check-in process to guarantee a seamless stay and to make business travel a pleasure. The palatial Ritz-Carlton property, with 493 rooms and suites, is prominently situated next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre, one of the largest in the region and host to international summits and conferences. The grand opening of the property in October 2011 marked the Ritz-Carlton’s first foray into the Kingdom. The hotel has been going from strength to strength ever since – having been named World’s Leading Luxury Palace Hotel by the World Travel Awards in 2012.

Club Lounge At the same time the property is introducing The Club Lounge, a unique retreat to the business and leisure travellers. With many

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special services and privileges, guests will enjoy privacy, comfort & convenience of a ‘hotel within a hotel’.

residences, with ochre facades blending gracefully with the verdant landscape of the gardens.

The Club Lounge is located on the Mezzanine level overlooking a stunning indoor swimming pool, with elegant and unique surroundings. The Club Lounge is a spacious comfortable area designed to offer our guests a lavish experience with five-food presentation, extensive beverages menu through out the day, well stocked area with books, newspapers and a variety of International & Local magazines, also provide added value to a stay by solo business travellers or families on vacation. Only clubroom guests can access The Club Lounge, ensuring a sense of intimacy & privacy.

Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property, providing an oasis of serenity amidst the city centre. “Having such an impressive presence in Riyadh is part of our ongoing strategy to develop world class hotels in cities where the demand for luxury lodging is high,” added Humler.

For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com/riyadh.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh culinary team will indulge guests in exceptional daily presentations, the daily American breakfast starting from 06:30 is followed by midday snacks. While relaxing, reading or meeting friends you can enjoy the Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails starting from 17:00.

Ritz Carlton, Riyadh Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company explains: “We are extremely proud that The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh represents our first hotel into the Kingdom. We have been aggressively seeking the right first location in Saudi Arabia for a number of years, and believe there could be no better place for a Ritz-Carlton than in this.” Designed by Al Rasheed Engineering Company and constructed by Oger International, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh boasts spectacular fountains that front the one kilometre driveway. Originally envisioned as a royal guest palace for visiting dignitaries and heads of state, the hotel’s stately architecture is modelled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian

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Paradise found at Coco Reef

A stay at Coco Reef includes wonderful beaches, an array of sporting activities, exciting food and spa treatments in a relaxed and service-orientated environment. Coco Reef is ideally located on ten acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens and is situated between two of Tobago’s most magnificent beaches, Store Bay to the west and the world famous Pigeon Point to the east. The resort is located one mile from Crown Point International Airport. Stylish accommodation comes in the form of 110 Superior and Deluxe rooms, 17 Garden Villa Suites, 20 Suites and the magnificent Sunset Villa, which is ideal for Honeymooners and weddings as well as the luxurious Presidential Suite. The Havana Suite on the Penthouse level has two lounges, a 30 foot terrace for al fresco dining, two bathrooms, and a dining room. All accommodations have a balcony or patio, remote controlled air conditioning, in-room electronic safes and are furnished with hand crafted wicker furniture. They also have a mini bar (charged on consumption), direct dial telephone, Cable TV, bathrooms with tub/shower and a wall mounted hair dryer. Villa suites are larger with full kitchen facilities. Other services include duty free s hops in the Arcade, beauty salon, an activities schedule, baby sitters, board games and in-suite service.

If you’re lucky you’ll see Coco Reef's resident Indian Eagle Owl, Lakshmi, who was introduced to the resort to frighten off smaller scavenger birds. Wander five minutes along the beach and you come to bars and traditional Creole food places such as Dillons and Bago’s. The reputation of Tamara’s Restaurant, as a truly outstanding example of ‘new wave’ Caribbean cuisine, continues to grow. The restaurant can seat 160 guests and overlooks the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Breakfast and dinner are served daily. Bacchanal's Beach restaurant and bar offers truly Caribbean cuisine in the evening and also serves lunch and snacks all day. Bacchanal's is situated on the beach with a seating capacity of 150 persons. The Gallery bar and lounge overlooks the beachfront terrace and Coconut Bay. Tea is served here each afternoon and every night hosts live entertainment. A more intimate atmosphere is found Bobster’s Bar where there is a full service Champagne and cocktail bar.

Overlooking its own private white sand beach, Coco Reef Resort is the perfect spot for vacationers seeking a true Caribbean resort.

Fitness Centre offers cardiovascular, strength and aerobics training complimented by a Spa are where massages, body scrubs, manicures, pedicures and facials are available. Additionally there is a sun deck/aerobics area and sauna with drench shower. Guests can enjoy complimentary tennis on two illuminated Har-Tru courts. A variety of water sporting activities can be arranged through the hotel's social director including scuba diving with one of the best dive operations in Tobago, windsurfing, water skiing, hobie cat sailing and deep sea fishing Kayaks, pedaloes and snorkelling equipment are available at no extra charge to guests. Alternatively guests can relax in the freshwater pool overlooking the beach and Coconut Bay. Horseback riding, Golfing, Diving, Buccoo Reef Safari, trip to Tobago Forest Reserve, Botanical & Ecological Tours and Catamaran Sunset cruises can also be arranged.

Sports Facilities The Coco Reef Salud Spa is modern, well equipped, with a full service Fitness Centre, Spa and Exercise Club. It is an aesthetically pleasing facility, with superior finishes, state of the art equipment, professional staff and a high regard to safety in all aspects. The

To find out more about this spectacular resort visit www.cocoreef.com.

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Outdoor setting at Savoy

SAVOY Group continues to lead Egyptian tourism SAVOY Group Sharm El Sheikh has earned a reputation second to none for outstanding quality and service. Every feature at the numerous hotels has been designed to enhance guest experiences, while the Savoy embodies the highest traditional values, with exceptional restaurants, bars and entertainment. Here we take a look at what is on offer. The SAVOY lies at the heart of the spectacular White Knight Beach on the Red Sea, spread over 220,000 square metres of lush tropical foliage, waterfalls and serene surroundings in the south Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The area is renowned for its natural beauty with a rich variety of flora and fauna, desert and majestic mountains. The cool elegance of marble and wood reflects the Savoy’s luxurious decor. Each of the rooms and suites is furnished with high-quality fixtures, designed to give guests a restful experience. The contemporary, superbly furnished rooms have balconies or terraces that overlook the lush grounds, the pools and the tranquil Red Sea, where you can relax while our staff will clean your sunglasses. The Royal Savoy & Villas express the epitome of excellence, an intimate environment of exclusivity. The graceful club wing within the landscaped grounds of the Savoy offers beautifully furnished villas, honeymoon suites, newly-built generous executive suites with outdoor Jacuzzi, and stylish rooms. Guests enjoy their own lounge, terrace, three swimming pools, and a private area by the beach. They provide views across the Red Sea towards Tiran Island and majestic mountain ranges. The high-end guest rooms at the Royal Savoy are decorated in restful tan tones. Fabrics create flair. New matching carpets grace the settings. Our Simmons Beautyrest beds give comfort for heavenly rest. The six-pillow menu

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offers choices of firmness, with cotton or nonallergic fibre fillings. The nine award-winning villas offer outstanding views, impeccable service and the advantages of a five-star deluxe hotel. They are the pinnacle of luxury, catering for every individual taste. Designed with imported furniture, antiques and the latest state-of-the-art technology, the villas offer a private world of superfluity and selfindulgence, each with its own heated swimming pool and butler service. Relax in the comfort of a ‘home away from home’. Expect deluxe King size beds, 100 per cent pure Egyptian cotton sheets, opulent fabrics, LED TV screens and a landscaped garden. Inspired by Africa, each villa carries its own unique character and design. SOHO Square – which elevates the entire destination is in between the Savoy Hotels & Resorts – has recently been voted ‘Africa’s Leading Family Entertainment Centre’ by World Travel Awards. SOHO Square is the most popular place for visitors to eat at its supreme restaurants, drink, shop and have fun. It consistently welcomes stars like Peter Andre and Nancy Ajram, and hosts the best venues for dancing and socialising in Sharm El-Sheikh. SOHO Square is a magnet for young and old alike. You can dance into the early hours, meet friends and enjoy every kind of bar, from traditional to the latest trends or gourmet dine in on of the outlets whilst watching the Red Sea marine live projected to a screen.

Pangaea night club in SOHO Square

The latest attraction to join the Savoy Group is the Crystal Lounge – a refined area for the discerning audience that wants to enjoy an evening out while still being able to have a conversation. Its terrace area offers various styles of entertainment ranging from sophisticated jazz bands to fun karaoke. The lounge itself is decorated to the highest standard of luxury hence its name and is the perfect place for pre or after dinner drinks. Fusion 21 is a trendy open-air, Moroccan themed restaurant serving a delightful range in Mediterranean cuisine, shisha and cocktails. Both outlets have been a great success with guest and locals.

More on Savoy Group at www.savoysharm.com or head over to Hall 23.A/100.

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Feature

Guests at World Luxury Expo

World Luxury Expo lights up the Middle East A series of events hosted by World Luxury Group have redefined the possibilities of opulent travel in the Middle East. Breaking Travel News brings you the latest.

The American Express World Luxury Expo was recently welcomed to palatial Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Expo was the result of a new joint venture between World Luxury Group and Nayyara Exhibitions, with American Express exclusively selected as the title sponsor. The highly anticipated three day exhibition showcased many of the world’s leading luxury brands and services, from a broad selection of luxury categories, to a highly discerning and select group of VIP guests from across the Kingdom. Sami El Natour, chief marketing officer, American Express Saudi Arabia, said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of The American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh. Our sponsorship of this prestigious event will enhance the exclusive benefits we can offer our card members and invited guests who attended the event. The American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh compliments American Express’ commitment to service excellence and personalised services for high net worth individuals.” The American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh featured carefully selected exhibitors from luxury categories including fine art, highend jewellery, fashion, hand-crafted time pieces, designer furniture and exquisite table settings, fine dining, luxury executive cars and sports cars, private aviation and luxury travel. All participating exhibitors are leaders in their respective fields, showcasing superior quality and perfection. Ahmed Al Oraij, executive consultant at Nayyara Exhibitions commented:

“Nayyara is proud to partner with World Luxury Group to bring The American Express World Luxury Expo to Riyadh. This is an event of true international calibre, one which will continue to grow every year for many years to come, with plans for Riyadh to become one of the world’s most important luxury exhibition centres.” The world’s most luxurious atlas, Earth Platinum, measuring 6x9 ft wide, is a collector’s piece which featured at The American Express World Luxury Expo. The maps consist of images that are stitched together using as many as 1,000 individual photos and the largest consists of 12,000 photos. Earth Platinum is also the largest-ever atlas and only 31 copies will ever be published. Graham Cooke, president of World Luxury Group, added: “The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh positions itself among the grandest palace hotels in the world, and our partners Nayyara Exhibitions boast a first-class management team with whom we are proud to work. The American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh is the only event of its kind in the Kingdom, showcasing an array of luxury brands available in one select venue – The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh – which provides centre stage for this event of over 5,800 square meters.”

Burj Al Arab The American Express World Luxury Expo, Riyadh followed a Dubai event held at the Burj Al Arab. The inaugural World Luxury Expo, the event saw iconic car brand Aston Martin launch

its global 100th anniversary celebration. As the maker of exceptional high performance cars since 1913, the year 2013 marks a significant milestone for Aston Martin as the brand celebrates their centenary as a leading international luxury automotive brand. World Luxury Expo showcased the world’s leading luxury brands across a selection of carefully selected categories including fine art, high-end jewellery & fashion, hand-crafted time pieces, designer furniture and exquisite table settings, automobiles, fine dining, private aviation, and luxury travel. The chairman of Agha Group, Rateb Agha, showcased a collection of pieces that have been privately curated over many years from all over the world. A rare glimpse into this collection reveals a sword that dates back to the 16th century; the blade is hand-made from original Jawhar and is covered in pure 22K gold. In addition to this, a one-off Fabergé Imperial Egg was shown that is part of a museumquality Fabergé collection that captures the very essence of the magnificent and historic Fabergé tradition. Another very special piece in the collection is an origina l Holy Quran, handwritten with gold water with the pages made out of pure gazelle leather, originating from Damascus. In the Grand Pavilion, located on the Burj Al Arab Marina Garden, invited guests also saw the latest ladieswear collections from acclaimed designers, Alexander McQueen and Alaia, as well as luxury footwear from Charlotte Olympia. An exclusive range of fur pieces was

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presented by J Mendel and exotic skin handbags and leather goods were shown by Asprey and Nancy Gonzalez. There were also previews of special collections and limited edition pieces from Boucheron, Pomellato & H.Stern – all presented exclusively by Harvey Nichols, Dubai. The luxury lifestyle fitness brand, Power Plate Pro7 also launched for the first time in the GCC and Middle East during World Luxury Expo. “We are hugely excited about the launch of the Pro7 as there is no other vibration training machine with the same capabilities available on the market today,” commented David Morrell, managing director. “This launch marks a huge technological leap forward for the brand and we can’t wait to introduce the latest member of the Power Plate family to the region.” ProArt Gallery showcased artwork from renowned artists, Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol. Swiss Art Gate UAE featured selected pieces from the German artist, George Classen. Jakob Beck Thomsen, chief executive Saxo Bank Dubai, commented: “World Luxury Expo has brought together the most prestigious names in luxury goods to an iconic venue in Dubai, that mirrors the privileged lifestyle that a large part of Saxo Bank clientele enjoy, so it is befitting that we are partner of this event.”

There is more information on upcoming events at www.world-luxury-group.com.

Graham Cooke meets with HRH Prince Khalid bin Abd Rahman bin Abdallah Al Faysal

World Luxury Expo in Riyadh

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Feature

B'Attitude will pamper guests at the hotel

Grosvenor House, Dubai, takes top World Travel Awards title Starwood-operated Grosvenor House, Dubai, has claimed the title of World’s Leading Business Hotel & Apartments at the World Travel Awards Grand Final.

Voters from around the world have selected Grosvenor House, Dubai, as the best-of-the-best following an exhaustive global search. The decision recognises the impact of the new Tower Two development at Grosvenor, which has redefined the luxury accommodation sector in the country. The property features the freshest trends in food and beverage, a unique spa and a host of premier rooms, suites, residence apartments and villas. But this is not the first time Grosvenor has been involved with World Travel Awards, with Pam Wilby herself being recognised as ‘Complex General Manager of the Year’ just 12 months ago. Wilby was honoured by WTA for her outstanding achievements, unfaltering dedication and pioneering vision, starting quite a run of success for Grosvenor House, Dubai, and sister property Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. Pam Wilby, complex general manager of Grosvenor House, Dubai, & Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, said: “Since the opening of Tower One in 2005, Grosvenor House, Dubai, has become an iconic destination for business and leisure travellers alike seeking the ultimate in five star service and comfort.”

This reputation has only been enhanced by Tower Two. Replicating the luxury and signature touches of the prestigious Grosvenor House Tower One, Grosvenor House’s second symmetrical property, offers forty five additional storeys of limitless comfort and modern elegance complementing the hotels existing five star offering. The extension will see the complex boast a total of 106 Premier Rooms and Suites, alongside three Premier Villas (available for year long residence) and 216 Residence Apartments available for short and long-term residence. “We are delighted to be strengthening this existing offering with the highly anticipated opening of Tower Two,” added Wilby. “At Grosvenor House Dubai we recognise the importance of keeping ahead of the curve, which is why we have carefully added to the current facilities on offer in Tower One.” Tower Two features several brand new dining, dancing and lounge concepts as well as the first privileged business and leisure lounge of its kind of the UAE; spanning the entire fifth floor. All hotel guests have access to the facilities in both towers, in addition to the use of the beach, pool and the 14 restaurants and bars across the road at the sister property Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa.

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Executive Suites at Grosvenor House, Dubai, Tower Two

Tower Two

Dining, lounging, dancing

Tower Two boasts 106 premier rooms and suites, including an exclusive ladies-only wing, five premier villas alongside the 216 residence apartments available for long-term and shortterm residence. Both short and long-stay accommodation offers everything the high-tech guest might need. All spaces are equipped with the latest interactive entertainment systems, LCD screens, CD/DVD players and high-speed internet, making your every technology need possible at the touch of a button. Rooms and suites also offer touch screen panels and iPod docks. Located on the fifth floor of Tower Two, Grosvenor House Dubai, Level 5 is a privilege business and leisure lounge replete with the very best amenities for travellers staying in the Premier Rooms and Suites in Tower Two.

Adding to Grosvenor House Dubai’s already impressive dining opinions Tower Two brings several high profile brand new dining, lounge and bar offerings, making it the ultimate culinary and night life destination. Exclusive outlets includes Toro Toro, a brand new Pan Latin American dining concept from famed South American celebrity chef Richard Sandoval; British inspired fare served in The Lounge, courtesy of highly esteemed Michelin Starred celebrity chef Gary Rhodes and Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar, an indoor and outdoor restaurant lounge which infuses Mediterranean and Asian flavours with futuristic sounds in a modish and sophisticated setting. Tower Two is also home to Embassy Dubai - complimenting the legendary Embassy London, it will uplift the region’s glamorous nightlife and be the premier destination of the international glitterati.

Premier Villas

Relaxation

Also on offer at Grosvenor House Tower Two are five Premier Villas. Each offers 375sqm of space and is exquisitely designed and elegantly decorated in neutral tones with dark hues. Spanning three floors, the apartments boast fantastically spacious living quarters, high ceilings and incredible views of the marina. Well appointed bedrooms with elegant en-suite bathrooms and spacious walk-in closets are standard, in addition to state-of-the-art entertainment network system including LCD TVs in the lounge area as well as the bedrooms. All three villas benefit from private underground parking, a store and a choice of either a utility or maid’s room.

Tower Two’s B/ATTITUDE SPA is unlike anything in the UAE, focusing on health and harmony for

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the body and mind in line with ancient Eastern rejuvenation therapies. Featuring separate his and hers facilities, the spa is home to twelve treatment rooms, Hammam pools, two Hammam treatment rooms, aqua suites including a steam room, Sauna, Jacuzzi, as well as an ice foundation and relaxation area.

Luxury Collection The Luxury Collection is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures.

For more information check out www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com or head over to Hall 9/316 for more information on the Luxury Collection.

The Bar at Grosvenor House Tower Two

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News

JA Resorts & Hotels prepares to open first overseas resort JA Resorts & Hotels, the UAEbased hospitality group, is gearing up for the grand opening of its first overseas property in the second quarter of 2013. Enchanted Island Resort, a private 10-villa luxury beach retreat in the Seychelles is due to open its exclusive resort facilities for guests later this year. The resort features just 10 private villas on an island in the middle of a National Marine Park and can be booked on an individual or exclusive basis. The five-star luxury boutique island resort is home to eight one-bedroom Private Pool Villas and two two-bedroom Enchanted Signature Villas, designed to reflect the island’s traditional Creole-Seychellois architecture. Each villa features a private infinity pool, walkway to the beach, deck, outdoor rain shower, French bathtub, four-poster king size bed, LED screen with satellite channels, DVD player, iPod docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.

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Bounty Restaurant overlooks the resort’s main swimming pool and caters for guests with contemporary international and Creole cuisine, while Castaway Bar offers a variety of cocktails and aperitifs. In-villa dining and private gourmet experiences on the beach are also on offer. Guests may enjoy complimentary use of snorkelling equipment and kayaks. David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer of JA Resorts & Hotels, says: “We are delighted to open this stunning resort and it makes for an impressive portfolio addition, our first outside Dubai.” “While it has been a delicate and extensive process to get to this stage, we were keen to assist in creating a very special product and disturb as little of the original island flora as possible,” he adds. Serena Spa manages the spa that overlooks the Indian Ocean from its elevated position on the island. Along with an ‘Adam & Eve’ couple treatment suite, two other individual treatment pavilions each have their own private steam room, shower and terrace. Serena Spa treatments, yoga, access to a gymnasium and other holistic therapies are offered. The island is owned by Enchanted Ventures and it is possible to exclusively rent the whole island for up to 24 guests. In this instance it is also possible to accommodate children below 12 years, which is normally not permitted.

Eric Laurent, General Manager, says: “Enchanted Island Resort offers an exemplary experience of genuine island hospitality that our guests will remember long after they have departed.” Enchanted Island Reso rt is located on a fiveacre tropical island in the middle of a designated National Marine Park, close to neighbouring islands Sainte Anne, Moyenne, Long and Cerf. After a 10-minute drive from the Seychelles International Airport, a 15-minute motorboat ride takes guests from the main island Mahé, to the resort’s private jetty. The Seychelles Islands is a favoured destination for honeymooners and nature lovers due to its tropical beaches, transparent turquoise waters and vibrant marine life. JA Resorts & Hotels manage an inspiring portfolio of properties across Dubai including the newly extended, all suite Palm Tree Court, the award-winning Jebel Ali Hotel and the deluxe hotel apartments of Oasis Beach Tower. The company will also welcome a four-star beachfront property to the portfolio as Ocean View Hotel p repares to open.

To visit JA Resorts & Hotels at ITB Berlin go to Hall 22.A/105. Reservations for Enchanted Island Resort can be made at reservations@jaresorts.com.

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Feature Etihad is a sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Etihad Airways has recorded a net profit of US$42 million in 2012, up 200 per cent on 2011, in a year which saw strong improvements in revenues, passengers numbers and cost control.

Etihad net profit jumps following record-breaking year

Revenue at the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates increased 17 per cent to US$4.8 billion, on passenger numbers up 23 per cent to 10.3 million. These numbers were boosted significantly by Etihad Airways' equity partnerships and codeshares, which delivered more than US$600 million in total revenue.

Hogan said Etihad Airways attracted further support from the global financial community in 2012. More than 50 institutions have now provided more than US$6.8 billion in cumulative funding for the airline’s ongoing expansion. “Our bankers understand and trust our business, our vision and our potential,” he said.

outstanding service experience,” Hogan said. “The customer is at the heart of everything we do. In 2012, it was our commitment to consistently deliver best-in-class service and product, on the ground and in the air, which resulted in such strong passenger growth and financial performance.”

James Hogan, president and chief executive, Etihad Airways, said: “This has been a gamechanging year for Etihad Airways. We have delivered improved net profit, the second consecutive year we have been in the black, a remarkable achievement given the youth, ambitious growth and ongoing investment made by this airline in a challenging global economic environment.”

During the year, growth in revenue passenger kilometres outpaced growth in available seat kilometres for the fourth year running. RPKs were up 23 per cent to 48 billion, on ASKs up 20 per cent to 61 billion, resulting in an impressive lift in seat factor of 2.4 points to 78.2 per cent. Equity and codeshare partners delivered more than 1.2 million passengers onto the Etihad Airways network. airberlin, in which Etihad Airways holds a 29.21 per cent stake, made a very strong contribution, with more than 300,000 passengers shared between their networks, delivering more than US$130 million in total to the two airlines.

Etihad Airways continues to invest in its awardwinning product across the network. In 2012, the airline unveiled plans for new lounges in Paris (opened in December 2012), Washington, Sydney and Melbourne. It also opened its first European contact centre in Manchester to support customers. The call centre employs more than 190 staff and has answered almost half a million calls in 18 markets in nine languages since opening, bringing in more than US$20 million in revenue.

Hogan continued: “We have taken great strides in building the industry's first 'equity alliance', with our investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus, which are contributing significant value to our business. And we have met our mandate of contributing to the economic development of Abu Dhabi, growing its aviation sector and building trade and tourism connections across the globe.” Earnings before interest and tax rose 24 per cent to US$170, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals rose to US$753 million, a margin of 16 per cent on total revenue. Since Hogan joined Etihad Airways in 2006, the airline has grown from a US$750 million business to one which now turns over nearly US$5 billion a year.

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Despite the increase in global oil prices during 2012, Etihad Airways minimised the impact through its rigorous fuel hedging policy. The airline hedged 80 per cent of fuel costs during the year, the same level as in 2011. Careful cost management in all other areas of the business saw non-fuel costs per available seat kilometre reduced by five per cent. Etihad Airways' costs were benchmarked as being in the lowest quartile against other major, full-service airlines by independent analysts, Seabury. “We understand how to manage costs without compromising our innovative product and

Reflecting strong customer loyalty, the airline’s frequent flyer programme, Etihad Guest, passed the 1.8 million member mark during the year. The program was strengthened with the introduction of the PointsPay solution, allowing Etihad Guest members to redeem points for cash to purchase products in 30 million outlets around the world. Hogan said cargo continued to play an important part in Etihad Airways' success by delivering tonnage growth of 19 per cent on the back of a capacity increase of 14 per cent in available tonnage kilometres. “Etihad Cargo is continuing to outperform the market. We are building strong momentum in international growth markets and through focused

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Etihad Grid Girls

customer and product segmentation,” explained the Etihad chief. Planned fleet upgrades for 2013 include 14 aircraft, with 11 passenger aircraft deliveries and three freighter deliveries. The orders are for nine wide bodied aircraft (six x Boeing 777-300ER passenger, two x Boeing 777 freighter and one x Airbus 330 Freighter) and five narrow body aircraft (four x Airbus 320 and one x Airbus 321). These will meet Etihad Airways’ immediate growth requirements. At the end of 2012, the company had 10,656 employees, 18 per cent up on 2011, with more than 125 nationalities represented. The airline’s Emiratisation programme for cadet pilots, engineers and graduate managers continues to be a success with 1,254 Emiratis now employed, representing 22 per cent of the core Head Office workforce. “I am proud of our success and the enormous effort and achievements of every person working at Etihad Airways,” Hogan said. “I am excited about what the future holds and look forward to working with all our partners to maximise the return for our shareholder, enable the continued growth and evolution of Abu Dhabi, and create a remarkable experience for our passengers.” Etihad Airways is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

For more information on the development of the carrier head over to www.etihad.com or visit representatives in Hall 22.B/211.

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James Hogan, left, joins airberlin chief executive Hartmut Mehdorn after the partnership delivers 100 million euros in revenues in the first year

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World beater: All the latest from Singapore Airlines Recognised as offering the World’s Leading Airline Business Class by the World Travel Awards, Singapore Airlines has developed a formidable reputation over the past four decades. Here we take a look at some of the latest stories from the carrier. Customers of Singapore Airlines travelling from Seoul can look forward to a more luxurious experience on the ground following the official opening of the airline’s SilverKris Lounge at Incheon International Airport. The lounge features wireless internet access, a business centre with desktop computers, shower and restrooms, televisions, as well as a selection of warm food and light snacks. “The SilverKris Lounge is a key element in Singapore Airlines’ premium service offering, which begins on the ground and continues in the air. The new lounge, together with our four daily Seoul flights, demonstrates our commitment to the important South Korean market,” said Singapore Airlines general manager Korea, Sia Nam Kung. In August 2012, Singapore Airlines announced an investment of S$20 million in SilverKris Lounges over five years to enhance the travel experience of its customers. At the same time, SIA appointed renowned architectural and interior design firm ONG&ONG to develop a new design concept to be applied to all its airport lounges worldwide. The new design concept will be rolled out progressively to SilverKris Lounges from later this year, beginning with the lounge at Sydney Airport. Including a recently opened lounge at Delhi Airport in India, Singapore Airlines now has 15 SilverKris Lounges at airports around the world.

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Views over Sonesta Posadas del Inca Valle Sagrado at night SilverKris Lounge

Boeing 777-200ER

Virgin America

Summer Season

Singapore Airlines will be investing nearly SGD$95 million to refit ten Boeing 777200ER aircraft with new long-haul cabin products to provide customers with additional space and comfort. The cabin upgrade programme will provide greater product consistency across the airline’s longhaul fleet, with Business Class seats that convert into full-flat beds and larger in-flight entertainment screen sizes for both Business Class and Economy Class.

Singapore Airlines customers are also now able to enjoy seamless travel to more cities in the United States through a codeshare agreement with Virgin America. “We are pleased to announce this partnership with Virgin America which extends our network even further within the United States. The United States is an important market for Singapore Airlines and through this partnership we can offer our customers more travel options to more destinations,” said Singapore Airlines acting senior vice president sales and marketing, Chin Yau Seng.

Singapore Airlines will be increasing frequency to points in Australia, Asia and Europe during the Northern Summer operating season (March 31st – October 26th) to cater to growing demand in select markets. A fourth daily service will be operated to Melbourne, up from the current three flights per day, while Adelaide flight frequency will increase to 12 per week from ten. The increases will lift to 121 the total number of flights operated to Australia each week by Singapore Airlines and subsidiary SilkAir.

The first refitted B777-200ER will operate between Singapore and Amsterdam earlier this year. Upgraded B777-200ERs will be deployed to more destinations in Europe and to points in India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as additional aircraft are refitted. In Business Class, the richly upholstered leather seat reclines up to 125 degrees and unfolds into a 76-inch full-flat bed. Also featured on the Airline’s Airbus A340-500, A380 and B777-300ER fleets, the forwardfacing, four-abreast 1-2-1 configuration offers all customers direct access to the aisle. The award-winning KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system also features a 15.4inch LCD monitor and an extensive selection of audio and video programmes. In Economy Class, personal LCD monitors will be upgraded to 9 inches from 6.5 inches. Seat covers, designed by Givenchy, will also feature soothing colours as well as richer and softer fabrics, similar to those found on Singapore Airlines’ A380s and B777-300ERs.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its ‘SQ’ code to Virgin America-operated flights serving Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, Seattle and Washington D.C., from SIA’s West Coast gateway points of Los Angeles and San Francisco. “This agreement enables us to offer guests a seamless, award-winning travel experience across continents and significantly expand connection options in North America for Singapore’s savvy travellers,” said Virgin America Senior Vice President for Planning and Sales, Mr John MacLeod. “The partnership with one of the world’s leading airlines is a testament to the quality of our product, and we’re happy to welcome aboard Singapore guests in time for the holiday travel season.” Singapore Airlines currently operates 45 flights per week to five points in the United States, namely Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York and San Francisco.

Within Asia, services will increase to both Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan. Fukuoka flight frequency will increase to daily from five per week, while Osaka flight frequency will increase to twice-daily from 11 per week. Between May 20th and August 11th, Singapore-Moscow-Houston frequency will increase to daily, up from the current five flights per week. As recently announced, services to Copenhagen will increase to five flights per week from three with effect from March 31st. As also announced recently, nonstop services between Singapore and Los Angeles and between Singapore and Newark will cease, with the last departures on October 20th and November 23rd, respectively. Services to Los Angeles via Tokyo Narita and to New York JFK via Frankfurt are unaffected.

Singapore Airlines has come a long way since its founding in 1972, evolving from a regional airline to one of the most respected travel brands around the world. There is more information on the official website, www.singaporeair.com, or head over to Hall 26.A/133.

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dnata

dnata raises Australian profile dnata, the air services provider, has inked a partnership with Australian logistics group Toll Group to supply ground handling services to Air New Zealand. The joint partnership, named Toll dnata, will provide passenger and ramp services to Air New Zealand for the next three years. Air New Zealand, voted “Australasia’s Leading Airline” at 2012 World Travel Awards, is the largest international operator from Australia with over 135 scheduled flights a week. The joint venture already services more than 20 airline customers, employs more than 1,800 staff across Australia and handles almost 40,000 cargo and passenger flights a year. The team will recruit more than 170 new employees in order to service the new Air New Zealand contract.

In order to service all the points required by Air New Zealand, Toll dnata has set up a brand new operation at Cairns Airport in far north Queensland, expanding the business to seven airports across Australia. This now opens up further new opportunities going forward for potential further expansion in the region. Investment is being made in new cargo terminals and refurbishments to existing terminals in all locations across Australia. Toll dnata will ramp-up investment in technology and performance management tools including the introduction this year of a new rostering and resource management system. On the operational front, they have also made additional investment in additional Ground Support Equipment (GSE). This includes nine more aircraft loaders which are compatible with the Airbus 320, more than 75 unit loading devices (dollies) and a number of extra ramp tugs.

dnata City project takes shape

dnata to represent Club Med dnata has been appointed as the exclusive general sales agent for Club Med holidays across the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Founded in 1950, Club Med offers premium all-inclusive holidays to over 80 resorts in 25 destinations worldwide. Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior Vice President of dnata’s travel business says: “The addition of Club Med holidays to dnata’s range of products strengthens our portfolio and enhances the choices already available to our customers.” Charles Flanagan, Regional Commercial Director for Club Med, says: “We believe that dnata, with its vast experience, well-placed outlets and excellent contacts in the market, is the right partner to bring Club Med products into the Middle East market.” “There is an untouched potential market for Club Med products in this part of the world and we believe we have a range of locations and offers which will prove extremely popular,” he adds.

dnata City, a state-of-the-art logistics centre at London Heathrow Airport, has taken one step closer towards realisation with the unveiling of a new website. The innovative website www.dnatacity.co.uk features an array of information about dnata City and its enhanced freight facilities at Heathrow Airport. The project includes a 20-acre cargo complex centred around five air freight warehouses, a transportation facility and yard for airside operations enclosed in a security-fenced area. Gary Morgan, CEO of dnata’s UK operations, says: “As a global player in the air cargo business, dnata is committed to making a strong contribution to improving Heathrow Airport’s air cargo infrastructure. We were concerned about the lack of new air cargo facilities and felt the need to step forward to create and deliver industry-leading air cargo services which will shape the future of our industry at Heathrow.” The new facilities will also feature fully automated cargo handling systems as well as chiller rooms, valuable handling facilities and are specially designed to handle peak freighter cargo alongside general cargo flows.

For more information on dnata visit Hall 22A/103 or take a look at www.dnata.com.

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Interview Villa Lidia at Forte Village

Lorenzo Guannuzi

Forte Village General Manager Lorenzo Guannuzi Luxury resort Forte Village has been leading the way with its innovative green initiatives and pioneering approach in recent months. Breaking Travel News here sits down with general manager Lorenzo Giannuzzi to discuss the latest developments. Breaking Travel News: What differentiates Forte Village from other properties in Sardinia? Lorenzo Guannuzi: Forte Village is what we can call one-of-a-kind product. Forte Village is a concept that we could enlarge to all the Mediterranean area. It is a unique product that offers in one solution: eight hotels, 21 restaurants, facilities for couples, families with children, adults, teenagers special programs, etc. BTN: Which new emerging markets are you targeting? How are you doing this? LG: India, China and Brazil are the new markets towards which we are directing our efforts, in order to gain new substantial market shares. What distinguishes us is the fact that we are able to host and make perfectly coexist at the same time people of different nationalities and segments; I mean for example young couples and family with children.

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BTN: How do you keep your offering fresh, whilst maintaining the essence of Forte Village?

BTN: To what extent is being ‘green’ a priority for Forte Village? Can you explain why this is at the heart of your business?

LG: Every year we try to create something new by astonishing our guests with new amazing activities, with new gadgets in the rooms, etc… But all this happens without changing the excellent organization of the service: our staff is without any doubt a reference point for the guests that every year come to Forte Village.

LG: This is a very important part of our business. People nowadays mostly live in very stressful, spoiled and polluted conditions. Going on holiday in a place that is naturally immersed in an unspoilt setting, where great attention is paid to the green policy, represents something that our guests always underline in a positive way. Forte Village becomes in this way the perfect mix between great hospitality and an ideal natural context. All this factors, together with a tailor-made service, make our resort unique and exclusive at the same time.

BTN: What types of innovations have you recently introduced at Forte Village? LG: We have planned several new activities and like every year we try to create something new to astonish our guests. We opened a new mud bath at our Thalasso del Forte, which completes the wellness programme together with the yoga school. One of the most important new offerings this season was the Golf Academy. A new partnership with the famous Wentworth Golf Club made all this possible. Our VIP clients enjoy private transfers with all the latest models of Maserati. New and prestigious fashion brands were presented in our boutiques together with a professional personal shopper who helps our guests to choose the best from the up-to-date fashion. The most original for this season were the cozy alcoves on the beach, where guests can relax having a personal butler that take care of them offering a tailor-made service. Dedicated to kids, our appealing children’s city, where little guests create and perform with new and exciting activities, designed to make them as happy as ever.

BTN: How has the organic fruit and vegetable garden initiative been received? LG: Absolutely in a positive way. We actually had to extend the production. Our guests really like the idea to go with one of our chef, gather vegetables in our botanic garden, have a wonderful cooking class and finally eat a delicious, healthy dinner. BTN: To what extent do you think guests are now looking for ‘green’ hotels as part of their travel experience? LG: People are actually getting more and more sensitive towards all the environmental problems and this is absolutely positive.

The charming Forte Village was named as the World’s Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards in 2012. For more information please visit www.fortevillage.com or head over to Hall 9/112B.

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All the latest from Mauritius Centara Hotels & Resorts has made its first move into Mauritius with the soft opening of Centara Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa Mauritius. “This is a very significant move for Centara, as it marks a strategic step into a tourism market that we feel has very exciting potential,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive Centara Hotels & Resorts. “We are very proud of the fact that the Centara brand name will appear on the beautiful island of Mauritius, and with such an outstanding resort property.” Located at Poste Lafayette on the northeast coast of the island, the low-rise resort is flanked by a beach with its own lagoon and reef to one side and a mountain to the other. The accommodation consists of 100 rooms, with a choice of superior and deluxe with garden or ocean views. The resort is familyfriendly and the larger rooms, in addition to the king or twin bed options, are also equipped with a sofa bed. Restaurant facilities include an all-day restaurant named Café Nautilus that serves international cuisines, an a la carte restaurant named Phi, which specialises in Asian and Indian Ocean cuisines, and a beach restaurant and bar named Aqua 1800 that serves cocktails and comfort foods. Leisure attractions include a Spa Cenvaree, a free-form swimming pool and children’s pool, fitness centre, a kids’ club with separate

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Long considered one of the most desirable holiday destinations in the world, Breaking Travel News here brings you all the latest developments from Mauritius.

zones for the very young and the teens, and beach activities such as volleyball and beach badminton. The calm waters of the lagoon are suitable for snorkelling.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives has officially become the only five‑star resort in the Maldives with its own private executive terminal just five minutes away by speedboat. The venture is the result of the successful partnership between the resort and Gan International Airport in Addu Atoll.

Egle said: “Providing our guests with a luxurious experience and a truly personalised welcome from the moment they land is for me a great achievement. I am very thankful to the local authorities and the Gan International Airport team for their excellent cooperation since initial discussions on this project. Today is a great day for our resort and Addu Atoll and we are ready to welcome our international clientele from all over the world, either via Male or directly to Gan by private jet.”

More Information

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives is a resort of ‘firsts’. It is the first luxury resort south of the equator in the Maldives; it also features the first golf course in Maldives; and now offers the first private executive terminal in the region. The resort has 132 villas with views of the ocean or of the island’s natural lush vegetation with three restaurants and two bars and CHI, The Spa offering innovative therapies in a secluded sanctuary setting.

Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius has a rich cultural legacy with its Portuguese, Dutch, French, British and Indian influences, and features a diversity of spectacular landscapes, whether inland or along the white beaches that embrace the island.

The Executive Terminal built for the SAARC summit in 2011 was taken over by ShangriLa’s Villingili Resort & Spa for the exclusive arrival and departure of Shangri-La’s guests at Gan. Rebranded, the new terminal comprises two large separate rooms and one VIP exclusive area, the lounge offers a range of first class facilities that guests may require upon arrival.

For more on Mauritius head over to Hall 20./129 here at ITB Berlin, or visit Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority at www.tourism-mauritius.mu.

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Incredible India welcomes the world It would take a lifetime to explore everything India has to offer, with this vast country dazzling countless holidaymakers each year with its unique charms. From the houseboats of Kerala and the beaches of Goa, to the business hotels of New Delhi the destination caters for every market – be it business or pleasure. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at what makes India so special.

With so much on offer in India, travellers can find it a little bewildering when deciding where to visit. Naturally, the Taj Mahal – the greatest monument to love on earth, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World – is top of most lists, but what else is there? Rajasthan, which literally means ‘Land of the Kings’, is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in northern India and attracts hundreds of thousands of guests each year. The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert are a popular first stop, while the royal architecture of state-capital Jaipur also wows the crowds. The fort city of Jodhpur, famed for its blue buildings, Pushkar, home to the first Brahma temples, and the lake city of Udaipur also welcome travellers from around the world.

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The third stop on the Golden Triangle (alongside Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur) is the capital Delhi. An integral part of any journey through India, this vibrant city is home to the Red Fort, India Gate, and Lotus Temple as well as a host of other landmarks. Constantly evolving, Delhi has been the capital of numerous empires which have ruled over India, imbuing it with a rich cultural heritage. In turn, New Delhi is famous for its British colonial architecture, wide roads, and treelined boulevards. Further south, the coastal state of Goa presents a somewhat different picture of India to international visitors. Ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years, the tiny state is famous for its world-class beaches, churches,

and temples. Old Goa is home to towering 16th century churches, while sun-seekers can relax on one of the beaches lining the western edge of the state. Situated on the tropical Malabar Coast in the south-west of India, Kerala is perhaps best known for its ecologically minded tourism. The tropical backwaters - an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada - are home to its famous houseboats, while the beaches at Kovalam, Kappad, Muzhuppilangad, Cherai and Varkala rival those of Goa. Tourism focuses on the local culture, wilderness adventures, and volunteer work, while efforts are made to minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Up in the northern part of India, bordering with the capital New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is the most popular tourist destination in the country. Visitors here take in the wealth of historical monuments, trek in the Himalayan foothills, or enjoy the local cuisine, which mixes the best of Awadhi, Mughlai, and Kumauni cooking. Allahabad, where the Indian national river, the Ganges, meets the Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, is also an important Hindu pilgrimage site. Bithoor, the historical capital of Uttar Pradesh where the Hindu god Brahma created the universe, and Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, also draw the devout. Tamil Nadu, on the southern tip of India, is home to the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any state in India, with the five on offer including the Great Living Chola Temples and Mahabalipuram. This makes it an attractive destination for overseas visitors, who can also take in the 34,000 temples which dot the vast region. Visitors are welcomed all year round, due to the clement climate, with Kanyakumari, on the southernmost tip of India, providing scenic sunset views, and the Thiruvalluvar statue towering over guests. But these highlights are merely the tip of the iceberg. Home to over one billion people, there will always be something new to see in India. From West Bengal, home to Kolkata, in the east of the country, to the culinary delights of Punjab in the west, India is a destination without rival.

For more information on visiting India head over to the Incredible India website at www.incredibleindia.org.

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Enter a world of unique experiences at World Luxury Expo

Hosted by the magnificent Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, World Luxury Expo will showcase the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading luxury brands to an ultra-affluent and highly discerning target audience.

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The World’s Leading Luxury Brands… including Luxury Travel

ATTENDANCE BY INVITATION For all enquiries, please contact: abudhabi@world-luxury-group.com

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St Regis Doha steps up guest experience with Jazz venue St. Regis Hotels & Resorts recently unveiled Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha at The St. Regis Doha marking the first in a series of jazz clubs that St. Regis and JALC aim to create together as part of a unique global partnership.

The 4,500 square foot jazz club, with acoustics and sound system designed by SIA Acoustics, will seat up to 100 guests in a theatrical ambience that recalls a legendary jazz venue of the golden era. “Jazz is the soundtrack of St. Regis, as appealing to today’s global luxury travellers, as it was to New York’s high society who frequented the rooftop ballroom at the landmark hotel in the 1930s to listen to Count Basie, Buddy Rich and other Jazz Age greats,” said Paul James, global brand leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “As we open the doors of Jazz at Lincoln Center at The St .Regis Doha, we are thrilled to welcome the next generation of jazz legends to the stage.” The opening of The St. Regis Doha less than a year ago marked the brand’s first hotel in Qat ar, ideally located within Doha’s newest waterfront destination at Al Gassar Resort between the city’s cultural heritage sites and its emerging commercial hub. The hotel’s distinctive architecture showcases a contemporary design fused with traditional Arabic touches, an impressive addition to the city’s skyline with two 14-story beachfront towers offering 336 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 70 elegant suites and two presidential suites. Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s landmark New York hotel, The St. Regis Doha features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including signature St. Regis Butler Service, which offers guests bespoke service and beyond expectation experiences. The St. Regis Doha features ten restaurants and lounges, including Opal by Gordon Ramsay as well as Hakkasan, which brings authentic yet contemporary Cantonese cuisine to Doha. The hotel features 16,000 square meters of luxury leisure facilities including an Olympic size swimming pool, a private beachfront, ten luxury pool-side cabanas, the first Remède Spa in the Middle East, a fitness centre and extensive meeting space.

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Doha is fast emerging as the destination of choice for savvy travellers in the Middle East

Spread across 1,400 square meters of space, Remède Spa at The St. Regis Doha – which opened in June - features 22 treatment rooms, pre- and post-treatment lounges, as well as male and female relaxation pools and steam rooms, making it one of the largest spas in Doha. The menu at Remède Spa offers a range of customised experiences, from massages and body wraps to beauty treatments and spa packages. There is an exclusive selection of treatments inspired by local characteristics and traditions. The opening of The St. Regis Doha marks the second of three St. Regis hotels slated to debut within a year in the Middle East, including the recently opened St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, as well as The St. Regis Abu Dhabi which will open in December of this year on the Corniche. St. Regis will continue to expand its portfolio with the eagerly anticipated debut of The St. Regis Mauritius Resort in September. From Bal Harbour to Bangkok, Saadiyat Island to Shenzhen, the St. Regis brand caters to a new generation of luxury travellers and continues to thoughtfully build its portfolio in the most sought after destinations at the heart of the today’s new grand tour. With the St. Regis brand’s growth, Starwood continues to lengthen its lead in luxury hospitality, offering guests and residents exceptional levels of service and luxury experiences in a wide range of destinations around the world.

The St. Regis Doha has been recognised by the World Travel Awards, taking the title of World’s Leading New Hotel at the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in 2012. For more information visit www.stregisdoha.com or head over to Hall 22.B/206.

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FCm Travel Solutions brings new mobile solution to market FCm Travel Solutions has partnered with UK-based firm Mantic Point to introduce ‘FCm Mobile’, an integrated mobile phone solution for the global travel management company’s corporate travellers worldwide. FCm Mobile gives travellers access to their itineraries, enables them to receive flight status notifications and to check-in for flights. It also provides travel information such as airport guides, currency conversion and weather forecasts. The solution allows FCm’s travel teams to stay in touch with clients while they are on the move, providing up-to-the-minute information via their mobile devices. FCm ca rried out a six month review of mobile phone solutions and apps currently available for the travel market before reaching the decision to partner with Mantic Point. Katie Thomas, global product manager traveller services, FCm Travel Solutions said: “We are excited about launching FCm Mobile and delighted to be working with Mantic Point. After an extensive review we found Mantic Point could meet all of our commercial and technology objectives, and customer requirements for traveller mobile services. This is a fully integrated product within FCm’s suite of global technology tools and not simply a resale of an existing mobile solution on the market. “FCm Mobile, using the Mantic Point platform, has the ability to integrate with external databases, GDS systems and provides multilanguage capability.” Thomas added: “It provides FCm with a globally consistent application to ensure business travel for our customers is quick, easy and instantly accessible,” added Thomas. When we launch

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FCm Mobile our customers will not only have all of their travel information at their fingertips but those using the FCm Portal product will be able to access both tools with the same login details. Down the track users will have consistent content across both products.” It’s anticipated the mobile app will be launched across most major regions within FCm’s network in the next few months, with the travel management company now in the final testing phase. “Right now we’re testing with clients. We’re also in the process of revising the look and feel of the app and processes involved with loading traveller data globally from multiple marke ts. Integration of the tool with the FCm Portal product is also well underway,” explained Thomas.

Kazakhstan At the same time, FCm Travel Solutions’ ambitious growth plans continue with the company recently sealing a new agreement with a leading travel agency in Kazakhstan. RBT-Kazakhstan is headquartered in UstKamenogorsk and has two business travel centres, including one in Ust-Kamenogorsk and another in Aktau. RBT-Kazakhstan is also in the process of setting up a new office in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, which is expected to be operational within the next two months. The agency specialises in travel management

for firms in the oil and gas sectors with teams highly experienced in group travel bookings for staff rosters, supplier contract negotiations and 24/7 travel services. General manager of FCm’s network in Europe, Franziskus Bumm said: “This new partner agreement in Kazakhstan will further strengthen FCm’s travel management industry specialisation. There are more than 200 oil and gas fields in Kazakhstan and a reported $7 billion worth of foreign investment in the country’s oil reserves in the Caspian Sea. It’s crucial FCm has on-the-ground local teams in this region to service both local companies and multinational firms looking to capitalise on the natural resources industry. Kazakhstan’s market is growing quickly, which is why the demand for corporate travel services is also rising. “The Kazakhstan partnership is one of a few partner agreements FCm recently has signed off on, which signals that we are on track with projected growth targets,” added Bumm. With teams now located in places like Angola an d Kazakhstan, FCm is increasingly penetrating some of the more unique markets, which are being recognised for their broad commercial appeal,” concluded Bumm.

Head over to Hall 7.1A/100 for more information on FCm, or visit www.uk.fcm.travel.

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Sixt establishes franchise network in the USA Germany’s biggest car rental company, Sixt, has started implementing its plans to create a franchise network in the USA.

The company will not only continue expanding its own system of rental stations, but Sixt now wants to acquire franchise partners in different states step by step so it can increase the pace of expansion in the car rental market in the USA, and reinforce the positioning of the Sixt brand. This step is part of its international expansion strategy, currently the focus of much of the company’s activities. Over 100 potential franchisees have already contacted Sixt in the USA. They come from almost every state in the country with a clear geographical focus on economically important areas and prime tourist destinations. Erich Sixt, chief executive of Sixt AG, said: “For many years now, cooperating with local franchise partners has been a cornerstone in our expansion overseas. Establishing a franchise network in the hugely important US

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market plays a key role in these plans. Due to our successful progress in the USA and the tremendous interest shown by potential franchisees we are able to start pursuing this strategic objective only one year after making our debut in the US market. Sixt has quickly made a name for itself in the USA.” Sixt started expanding in the USA in the spring of 2011 when it opened its first rental office in Florida. Craig Olson, vice president, Sixt Franchise USA, added: “Independent car rental companies and growth-minded local entrepreneurs now have a unique opportunity to join the internationally successful Sixt Franchise system early in our drive to expand in the USA. By working with Sixt, they will be able to grow quickly as our company makes prog ress.”

UK Expansion Back in Europe, Sixt has also been expanding, with new locations opening in the UK. Sixt recently opened its first corporate branch in Liverpool, designed to increase its presence in the UK. The new Sixt location, which will create 11 jobs and see £100,000 invested in property, offers car hire in Liverpool at the historic Albert Docks, seven days a week. It provides a full range of vehicles to suit both personal and business needs for both van and car rental in Liverpool. Customer’s looking to hire a car in Liverpool will be able to take advantage of the branch’s fleet, which includes economy and family cars, convertibles and premium brands such as Mercedes and BMW, alongside people carriers and van rental.

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The opening is Sixt‘s fourth location in the north-west region, with three already operating in Manchester and more planned in 2013. It also represents yet another addition to the company’s 4,000 branches across more than 105 countries, and will maintain the Sixt family’s commitment to provide quality vehicles at affordable prices. Alongside the introduction of cheap car hire in Liverpool, Sixt provides a range of services including Flexirent, which offers SMEs the opportunity to lease premium rental vehicles without long lead times. Paul McLoughlin, managing director of Sixt UK, said: “We are delighted to introduce our own brand of car hire in Liverpool, one of the economic hubs of the UK, and a pivotal part of our continued plans to grow in the north-west. The opening underlines our commitment to provide flexible and convenient car and van rental to customers in Liverpool.” Sixt also recently launched an on-airport location at the world’s busiest single-runway airport, London Gatwick Airport. Gatwick is unique to many airports as it is one of only a handful of airports to offer direct access from the terminal to the car hire collection and drop-off points. “We are delighted to welcome Sixt to Gatwick. Sixt is well known for its innovative approach to customer service so we look forward to working closely with them to deliver an even better experience for our passengers. As one of the few airports to offer direct access from the terminal to car rental pickup points, our aim is to double car rental usage and offer our passengers even more choice,” said Julia Gregory, head of surface transport London Gatwick Airport. Sixt and London Gatwick Airport anticipate avoiding a shuttle bus will be a massive boon for time-pressed business travellers and holiday makers alike. With our already extensive network in London, including London Heathrow and London Stansted airports, as well as key cities across England and Scotland, Sixt are well positioned to help London Gatwick’s 33 million annual passengers with their onward travel. “Sixt are thrilled to be moving into Gatwick Airport,” added McLoughlin. “It’s an important milestone in our ongoing growth across the UK. Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for businesses and holiday makers to have access to a range of high quality, well specified vehicles backed by unparalleled service at affordable prices. We look forward to working with the team at Gatwick and providing their passengers with the ultimate mobility solution.”

More Information Sixt AG, with its registered office in Pullach near Munich, is an international provider of integrated mobility services. Founded in 1912, the company, together with its franchisees and partners, has over 4,000 locations in more than 105 countries.

Sixt is considered the World’s Leading Premium Car Hire Company by the World Travel Awards. Head over to www.sixt.com for more information or visit Hall 9/121 here at ITB Berlin.

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Ellenborough Park at night

Bjorkliden snowgolf

Mantis: Unearthing the Exceptional The eclectic collection of boutique hotels, game reserves, eco lodges, ski lodges and yachts on offer from Mantis allow in-the-know travellers access to the most luxurious and altogether exceptional properties and experiences imaginable. Mantis’s latest project will be the development of a five star hotel on the island of Saint Helena, a British overseas territory located in

the South Atlantic Ocean. As one of the most remote places in the world, more than 2,000 kilometres from the nearest major landmass, and with its rich flora and fauna, the island certainly fits with Mantis’ mantra of ‘unearthing the exceptional’. Mantis has identified Ladder Hill Fort as the location for the five star hotel, which due to open in 2015, will have 45 bedrooms including ten selfcatering units, as well as a restaurant, spa and fitness facilities.

Bear Grylls This year also sees the launch of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy 24 Hour Family Course in Brook, Surrey, just outside London. The Academy which launched in November 2012 is a rare chance for a lucky few outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe to learn Bear’s extreme survival techniques, and this new family addition is designed to inspire fathers and sons, mothers and daughters. It will comprise of a combination of survival skills and adventure tasks designed to put the enrollees to the test. Techniques taught will include learning how to build and light a fire, how to navigate at night, best ways to use a knife for survival, foraging for grubs and rodents, building a shelter, extreme weather survival and river crossings. The Academy has been designed for parents and ten 17-year old children by Bear Grylls and will be run by his close team of highly trained experts. Bear Grylls launches Bear Grylls Survival Academy

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Mantis is an exclusive collection of awardwinning, five-star properties located around the world. Breaking Travel News delves in for a look.

Lapland Resorts For another kind of adventure from the Mantis collection, Lapland Resorts has introduced ‘Snow Golf’ offering golfers the chance to play a round like no other - at night on their new snow course under the northern lights. Guests will stay at Hotell Fjället, 200 kilometres above the Arctic Circle in Björkliden, situated within the heart of Swedish Lapland. There they will be able to simultaneously enjoy the northern lights, which are at their most vivid this season and golf, where the ‘greens’ are ‘whites’ and the golf balls light up so they are visible. This unique Lapland trip also offers the chance to explore traditional winter activities such as dogsledding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Guests will be able to visit the famous ICEHOTEL, which is also part of Mantis and is built from snow and ice each year during the winter.

World Travel Awards As well as the authentic experiences, the dedication of the hospitality teams is another common thread that is consistently recognised through the Mantis properties. Last year Mantis properties picked up 15 awards at the World Travel Awards 2012.

For more information about Mantis, please visit www.mantiscollection.com.

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hotels in the region by year’s end. Fuelling the brand’s growth in the region is the rapid economic growth in China’s second and thirdtier cities. New Westin hotel openings in China this year include The Westin Haikou, The Westin Sanya Haitang Bay Resort, The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square and The Westin Qingdao. Westin will also make its return to Singapore with the opening of The Westin Singapore Marina Bay in late 2013. In India, the Westin brand will add one hotel to its portfolio this year – The Westin Chennai Velachery.

Westin set for new hotels milestone in 2013 Hotel brand Westin expects to open its 200th hotel in 2013, with growth driven by robust international demand and the phenomenal success of the brand’s distinct well-being positioning. Westin will open 11 new hotels this year, the vast majority outside the United States in fast-growing markets including China, India, Singapore and Panama.

“Westin is now experiencing the bulk of its growth in the world’s fastest growing economies, where it has emerged as a developer darling right out of the gate,” said Brian Povinelli, global brand leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “With a history of industry firsts and a winning approach to well-being, Westin has inspired unwavering guest loyalty and generated tremendous enthusiasm among owners and developers across the globe.” In line with global growth trends, the Westin brand is experiencing a surge in new hotel openings across Asia Pacific. Seven new Westin hotels will open in Asia Pacific in 2013, increasing the brand’s portfolio to nearly 50

Demand for new Westin hotels in Latin America is also heating up. In just the past 18 months, Westin has grown its footprint in Latin America by nearly 50 per cent as part of the brand’s strategic expansion in the region’s fastest growing markets. This year’s opening of The Westin Panama will increase the Westin portfolio in Latin America to 11 hotels, spanning five countries including Panama, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and Guatemala. In North America, the Westin brand will add four new hotels to its portfolio this year, including The Westin Birmingham – a newbuild property located within the city’s sleek, new mixed-use development. Westin is also attracting a growing share of conversion opportunities in cities across the United States with The Westin Houston Downtown, The Westin Sacramento and The Westin San Jose all opening in 2013, following renovations.

New luxury hotels for Kenya Kenya’s portfolio of luxury hotel offerings is increasing with more five-star brands set to open properties in the country soon. New Nairobi openings include Hemingways Nairobi, a boutique hotel opening in March 2013 and Kempinski Hotels’ new luxury hotel set to launch in May 2013. In the Maasai Mara, Virgin Limited Edition Collection will welcome guests to its Mahali Mzuri safari camp this summer and the Enkeri Mara, which is being launched by Middle Eastern brand Emaar Hospitality Group, will open at the end of this year. Lastly, the Rezidor Group will open Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts Nairobi in early 2014. Perhaps the most exciting is Kempinski Hotels, which is currently constructing its second property in Kenya. The five-star Villa Rosa Hotel will be situated on Chriromo Road, Nairobi and will feature 200 rooms, six business suites, a presidential and super presidential suite, four executive suites and a swimming pool. Kempinski Hotels also owns

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Olare Mara, a luxury safari camp already operating and situated on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River. Sir Richard Branson's hotly anticipated luxury safari camp Mahali Mzuri will open to guests in summer 2013. The resort will sit in the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of boutique,

luxury retreats and is located in the Motorogi Conservancy. Mahli Mzuri will have 12 luxury tented suites catering for 24 guests in total with decking viewpoints and will also boast an outdoor infinity pool. A safari package at Mahali Mzuri will include twice daily game drives and guided walks throughout the Motorogi and Olare Orok Conservancies.

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With so much happening here at ITB Berlin, it can be difficult to keep ahead of the curve in this most dynamic of industries. Here Breaking Travel News brings you the most important headlines to keep you ahead of the competition.

investment and five per cent of world exports. WTTC president David Scowsill said: “Last year demonstrated again just how resilient the tourism industry is. Despite many economic difficulties, last year, for the first time, we saw more than one billion international travellers cross an international border. This industry is an important driver for countries’ economic development and growth strategies. Our industry is responsible for creating jobs, lifting people out of poverty, and broadening horizons. But we need international institutions and governments to recognise its strength, to remove restrictive visa and tax regimes and to work with the private sector to stimulate that growth.”

Tourism boost from WTTC The tourism industry has grown its total contribution to GDP by three per cent and increased the number of jobs by five million to 260 million, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council. It means that, for the first time, one in 11 of all jobs in the world is now supported by travel. More than ten per cent of all new jobs created in 2012 were from the industry.

According to the WTTC’s economic research, in 2012, tourism’s total economic contribution – taking account of its direct, indirect and induced impacts – was US$6.6 trillion in GDP – a rise of US$500 billion year-on-year. Meanwhile, investment was worth US$765 billion and exports US$1.2 trillion. This contribution represents nine per cent of total GDP, five per cent of total

Among the 20 largest global economies (the G20), South Korea, China, South Africa and Indonesia performed best. Growth of less than one per cent in Europe and two per cent in the United States was counter-balanced by 10 per cent growth in South Korea, seven per cent in China and South Africa and six per cent in Indonesia. WTTC is predicting the tourism industry will expand its total contribution to GDP by 3.2 per cent in 2013, faster than the 2.4 per cent predicted for global economic growth. The industry is expected to support nearly 266 million jobs in 2013 and again outperform many other industries.

TAP sets new online sales record Portuguese flag-carrier TAP Airways has set a new benchmark for online sales, having sold an average of more than 3,000 tickets through its website per day in January. On January 14th, TAP set a new record for worldwide ticket sales made online on a single day, with a total of 3,569 bookings through its website. The Portuguese airline has been improving and expanding its online and mobile sales and customer service channels, offering new and better technological tools, which have placed the airline at the forefront in the use of new technologies. The new site – www.flytap.com – was launched in April 2011 and received more than ten million unique visitors in 2012, which generated 36.8 million pages visits. More than 100,000 pages on the TAP website are visited each day by its users.

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