Travel Trade Europe Issue 11 by Travel Trade Publications

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THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING TRAVEL TRADE FRANCHISE…. MEET NEWLY-LAUNCHED TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE!

AGENTS!... ...A new hotel booking system has arrived!

Let's TRADE with Europe!

10 JANUARY 2015

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JANUARY 2015

ISSUE 05

THE CABINET APPROVED THE APPLICATION FOR INCLUDING TROODOS INTO THE EUROPEAN GEOPARKS NETWORK, A MOVE THAT IS EXPECTED TO PROMOTE THE REGION AS WELL AS CYPRUS IN TERMS OF THEMATIC TOURISM.

VISITBERLIN UNVEILED THE LATEST TOURIST FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 2014, SHOWING A 5.1 PERCENT INCREASE IN ARRIVALS, REACHING 1,138,671, AND A 5.6 PERCENT RISE IN OVERNIGHT STAYS ACROSS BERLIN’S ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS.

HERMES AIRPORTS INTRODUCES ELECTRONIC GATES

BRAVOFLY RUMBO GROUP TO ACQUIRE LASTMINUTE.COM

IN THIS ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE CRUISING TOURISM BOARDS ACCOMMODATION AIRPORTS AIR RENDEZVOUS AGENTS TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS

ISSUE 23

NICOSIA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT GOES AHEAD

NIKI SERVES ATHENS

02 04 09 10 17 18 21 23 24 25 26 27 28

BERLIN RECORDS INCREASING VISITOR NUMBERS

MARKET UPDATE

NICOSIA

NAUTICAL NEWS

AIRPORTS

TRAVEL AGENTS

TOURISM BOARDS

ACCOMMODATION

TRAVEL CHANNELS

RENDEZVOUS

INTERNATIONAL / IN FOCUS

NEWS & EVENTS

TROODOS TO ACQUIRE EUROPEAN STATUS

online

10 APRIL 2015

ISSUE 11

TOURISM ARRIVALS IN COLOGNE SURGE IN 2014 VIENNA CAME ON TOP OF MERCER’S ANNUAL QUALITY OF LIVING SURVEY FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

02 METROPOLITAN ATHENS BOOSTS MEDICAL CREDENTIALS

14 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

CRUISING

AIRPORTS

ACCOMMODATION

RENDEZVOUS

AIR

CAR RENTALS

TRAVEL TALK

TRAVEL CHANNELS

WHO’S MOVED

PHOTO ALBUM

NEWS & EVENTS

VIENNA: MOST LIVABLE CITY

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

Tourism Arrivals in Cologne Surge in 2014 The cathedral city experienced a tourism boom in 2014, with a total of 3.33 million hotel guests arriving to Cologne, accounting for 5.74 million overnight stays in total. These figures represent high increases of 12.4 percent for arrivals and 13 percent for overnight stays.

CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou

DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeeurope.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

omestic, as well as international traveller numbers were on the rise, and as a result, the city’s 300 hotels witnessed an average occupancy of 48.7 percent during the year. “The growth in overnight stays is more dynamic in Cologne than in any other major German city,” commented Elizabeth Thelen, chairwoman, supervisory board, Cologne Tourist Board. She added that Cologne is attractive all year round for business visitors as well as leisure tourists.

Cologne

WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou

Transaero Carries over 786,000 Passengers in January Transaero Airlines handled more than 786,000 travellers in the first month of the year, and despite the negative macroeconomic impact on the industry, the airline’s passenger traffic remained at a high level.

EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

07/4/2015 COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.09

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.73

Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.04

Japan (JPY)

Yen

130.77

ith the carrier reducing frequency on a number of routes, the operations carried out in January decreased by 9.1 percent in comparison with the respective month of 2014. However, the airline’s passenger traffic only dropped 3.8 percent. “At the end of January, we made a decision to resume the domestic and international flights, which were suspended earlier. Transaero’s summer flight programme, which is being drawn up at the moment, takes into account a stable high demand for the airline’s product,” commented Olga Pleshakova, CEO, Transaero Airlines. 10 APRIL 2015

MARKET UPDATE

Ireland Visitor Numbers Austrian Airlinesâ&#x20AC;˛ Cost Soar This Year Too Reduction Pays Off Ireland recorded a year-on-year increase of nine percent in overseas visitor numbers between November 2014 and January with some 123,200 additional travellers.

The cost reduction programme of Austrian Airlines helped the airline generate an operating profit of EUR10 million for 2014.

s a consequence of stringent measures, operating expenditures fell by close to one percent or EUR19 million to EUR2.15 billion. Operating revenues were down by 1.5 percent to EUR2.16 billion, due to a decline in average yields and the targeted reduction in the flight offering as a result of the geopolitical situation in parts of the world. The airline carried close to 11.2 million passengers and capacity expressed in available seat kilometres rose 3.6 percent, leading to a 78.9 percent load factor.

Dunguaire Castle, Ireland

s Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, noted, growth has been witnessed from markets from all over the world, including Britain, North America as well as Mainland Europe. Looking to the year ahead, Gibbons expects this to be the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best year yet with figures set to reach 7.74 million visitors by year-end, surpassing the previous record of 2007. The Wild Atlantic Way, Causeway Coastal Route, Dublin Discovery Trail and acclaimed poet, William Butler Yeats will all be promoted over the coming months.

Strong February Traffic for Aer Lingus February was a successful month for Aer Lingus with overall load factor increasing by almost two percentage points to 69.2 percent.

hort-haul load factor rose 1.6 percent to 70.3 percent and long-haul capacity utilisation was also up by three percent to 67.7 percent. The total number of passengers carried during the month was 627,000, including Aer Lingus Regional customers. Long-haul traffic jumped 21.7 percent to 56,000 travellers, compared to the 46,000 recorded in the same month in 2014. Short-haul traffic decreased by 2.9 percent to 497,000 passengers. 10 APRIL 2015

NEWS TECHNOLOGY

Mercy Ships Uses OutSystems to Create Volunteer App

TravelClick Expands Partnership with Google

ercy Ships utilised a rapid application delivery platform by OutSystems to develop a custom online application that led to a 20 percent increase in volunteer registrations for the charity in just two months. “OutSystems Platform gave us the ability to respond quickly to a key business need and deliver a high-quality product in record time,” said Chris Gregg, chief information officer, Mercy Ships. “Mercy Ships owns and operates the world’s largest charitable hospital ship and each year it utilises the services of more than 1,600 volunteers including surgeons, dentists, nurses, teachers and seamen,” added Paulo Rosado, CEO, OutSystems.

Travelport Teams Up with LOT

L T

ravelClick has signed an extended agreement with Google to enable ‘one-click’ mobile web bookings using Google Wallet for Google Hotel Ads customers. This adds to the existing partnership, which includes placement for TravelClick Demand Services customers on Google Hotel Ads via Google Hotel Finder, Local Universal Search, Google Maps, and Google+ Places pages. TravelClick’s deal with Google aims to drive demand and increase web traffic for hotels. Through the cooperation, hotels are able to take advantage of seamless connectivity to Google users to extend their digital footprint, improve overall search results, and help them convert a higher volume of qualified travel consumers.

OT Polish Airlines has signed up for Travelport’s innovative airline merchandising technology, Travelport Rich Content and Branding. In addition, the airline will also take advantage of several key ancillary services that are available through Travelport Smartpoint, a desktop solution for travel agencies. Connected agents now have the ability to add prepaid luggage, sports equipment or upgrade meals for their customers, all of which can be searched and booked within their existing workflow, giving them the chance to better inform and encourage customers′ purchasing decisions.

10 APRIL 2015

NEWS CRUISING

Cruise Company Scoops EUR5.2 Million in Two Days

he launch of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new 2016/17 cruise programme in early March turned into a record-breaking success with the company taking GBP3.7 million (EUR5.2 million) in revenue in just two days. According to Nathan Philpot, director of sales and marketing, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, these levels of customer demand are quite unprecedented. Top-selling itineraries for 2016 are German Waterways, Exploring the Fjords of Greenland and the Croatian and Italian Coast with Venice. As for 2017, the top three are Central America and Mardi Gras, The Best of the Caribbean, and Canaries and Madeira Winter Warmth.

Costa Group Fuels European Cruise Growth

n 2014, five out of 10 guests in major continental European markets spent their vacation onboard a cruise ship operated by Costa Cruises or AIDA Cruises, members of Costa Group, Cruise Line International Association (CLIA)’s analysis revealed. Michael Thamm, CEO, Costa Group, pledged to further expand the company’s leadership position in Europe, as well as Asia, with a wide variety of innovations and strong growth. CLIA’s report shows rapid developments in passenger numbers in the major European cruise markets, with Italy, Costa Group’s home territory being the third largest market on the continent. Germany remained the leader in Europe and number two worldwide after the US, while France grasped the fourth position. Interestingly, four out of 10 bookings in China are also made for Costa Group itineraries.

kn Did you

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Windstar Cruises Wows with New Cruise Itineraries

indstar Cruises unveiled 13 new voyages including a seven-day circumnavigation of Iceland and a first-time cruise in Puerto Rico, including a stop at Little Bay, Montserrat, where it will be the first cruise line to make regular calls since the 1995 eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano. “Windstar Cruises strives to offer voyages that truly bring the guests closer to smaller ports and intimate experiences,” said Hans Birkholz, president, Windstar Cruises. “Our 2016 Voyage Collection does just that. Guests can experience the unique wonders of Montserrat to the wild beauty of Iceland, and everything in between,” added Birkholz. Other itineraries feature the Caribbean, Virgin Islands, southern Spain and Morocco among others.

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Windstar Cruises in Thailand

10 APRIL 2015

NEWS AIRPORTS

Rapid Exit Taxiway at Chopin Airport

arsaw Chopin Airport opened a new rapid exit taxiway allowing aircraft landing from the western direction to exit RWY 1 faster. The new taxiway is set to enhance the airport’s operational capacity and safety. In addition, the new infrastructure will also have an impact on noise reduction, as plane engines will run on reverse thrust on a shorter distance. In February, Polish Airports, the operator of the hub, signed a contract with Bank Pekao for emission of bonds worth PLN600 million (EUR144.4 million). Obtained funds will be allocated to the extension of the passenger terminal, modernisation and redevelopment of apron parking areas and completion of the construction of a five-star Renaissance-branded hotel.

Stansted Airport Traffic up 25 Percent

ondon’s Stansted Airport witnessed its busiest February since 2008 with passenger traffic rising nearly 25 percent year-on-year to 1,469,727. The total number of travellers using the hub in the year rose to 20.6 million, an increase of 2.6 million or 14.4 percent over the corresponding 12 months, said to be the highest annual rate of growth of any major UK airport. “The rapid growth in passenger numbers, […] clearly demonstrates the vital role the airport can and will play in supporting economic growth and activity through better international connectivity and access to overseas markets,” commented on the figures Andrew Harrison, managing director, Stansted Airport.

Strong Traffic in February at Brussels Airport

russels Airport welcomed over 1.4 million passengers in February, marking an 18.4 percent increase in comparison with the same month in 2014. The most significant growth was reported for low-cost airlines, long-haul flights and Brussels Airlines, and the number of transfer passengers rose by 18.5 percent year-on-year. Cargo traffic at Brussels Airport also continued to surge with a growth of 11.7 percent, and the number of aircraft movements (ACM) also jumped by 10 percent to 16,659 ACM.

Brussels Airport

Encouraging Performance in Frankfurt

assenger traffic at Frankfurt Airport rose 4.6 percent year-on-year in February, with some 3.8 million travellers on records. The strong performance is mainly attributed to increased domestic traffic and a rise in demand for destinations in Europe and North Africa, as well as the absence of strikes that had negatively impacted figures in February 2014. Cargo operations also grew by 1.8 percent, while aircraft movements dipped by 1.5 percent to 32,951 takeoffs and landings. Airport operator Fraport reported mixed results at its international hubs with traffic at Ljubljana Airport and St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport declining, while that of Antalya, Hanover, Lima, Varna and Burgas increasing. Xi’an Airport in China recorded particularly strong growth, with traffic soaring 18.6 percent to 2.5 million passengers.

10 APRIL 2015

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NEWS AIRPORTS Copenhagen: Global Traffic Drives Results

Slovenia Lures ForeignGrowing TouristsAirports Košice: One ofMore the Fastest

P K

UIA Expands its Routes

Košice Airport

ošice Airport recorded a 50 percent surge in passenger traffic in 2014, having welcomed 356,750 travellers, making the eastern Slovakian hub one of Europe’s fastest growing airports. The results were boosted by a 64 percent jump in regular traffic, and charter operations also grew by 31 percent, marking the airport’s strongest charter season to date. Karl Dandler, CEO, Košice Airport, attributed the success to the reliable and stable operation of long-term partners Czech Airlines and Austrian Airlines, high demand for Wizz Air’s London Luton services and a successful summer charter season.

assenger numbers at Copenhagen Airport grew by 1.2 percent in February, with a total of 1,677,200 travellers on records. The rising volumes are mainly attributed to increased volumes of international traffic. “Long-haul services in particular showed good growth in February with a year-on-year increase of almost four percent. The airlines' winter programmes are largely identical to those of last year, and we are therefore pleased to see intercontinental traffic grow,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports. European traffic grew by 1.4 percent; intercontinental traffic was up by 3.9 percent, while domestic traffic declined five percent.

Vienna Airport: Passenger Movements Dip in February

kraine International Airlines (UIA) is set to offer new international services to St Petersburg, Moscow and Vilnius. The carrier will operate three weekly flights en route Odessa – St Petersburg, effective April 24, five weekly services en route Odessa – Moscow, effective April 25, and two weekly frequencies en route Odessa – Vilnius, effective June 27. Moreover, UIA expands its domestic operations with double-weekly services from Odessa to Kharkov and Lvov to be offered from June 18 and 19 respectively. From March 29, Odessa will be linked to Istanbul seven times a week and Tel Aviv four times a week. In addition, Baku and Yerevan will also be connected to the city once a week, effective from June 13 and June 19, respectively.

Vienna Airport

St Petersburg

assenger traffic at Vienna Airport declined by 4.2 percent in February, in comparison to the same month in 2014, mainly due to strong seasonality and the crisis in Russia and Ukraine – all of which resulted in fewer flights. Accordingly, the airport expects a negative first quarter, but an overall rise of zero to two percent in passenger volumes for the year. The number of local traveller remained fairly stable, transfer traffic however dropped by 15.6 percent and the number of flight movements also fell by 4.2 percent. Cargo volumes, on the other hand, rose by almost three percent year-on-year.

10 APRIL 2015

NEWS TOURISM BOARDS

ational Tourism Organisation (NTO) of Serbia reached out to the Romanian outbound market at the recent TTR Romanian Tourism Fair, held in Bucharest between March 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15. The team focussed on promoting Serbia as an ideal option for short city breaks, with its cultural and historic attractions, nature, rural and youth tourism offerings, spa hubs, events and more. NTO of Serbia was joined at the event by local tourism organisations of Vojvodina and Zlatibor, as well as MK Mountain Resort, Kopaonik and Supernova Travel. In 2014, the country welcomed almost 37,000 Romanian tourists, four percent more than in 2013, accounting for 76,982 nights â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a 13 percent rise year-on-year.

Bucharest

Serbia Eyes Romanian Market

Guest Nights Soar in Berlin

erlin attracted more than 741,600 visitors in January, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, boosting guest nights by 7.2 percent to over 1.73 million. The domestic market remained dominant, accounting for almost 60 percent of arrivals, while other European countries made up close to 29 percent of the total. The largest international source market proved to be the UK, followed by Italy and Russia, despite a 30.1 percent drop in demand from the latter one. The US topped the list of the overseas markets, Israel came second and Brazil third, numbers however also significantly rose from South Korea and India.

10 APRIL 2015

TOURISM BOARDS NEWS

VIENNA: MOST LIVABLE CITY Vienna came on top of Mercer’s annual Quality of Living survey for the sixth consecutive year.

he Austrian capital proved to be the most livable destination out of 230 cities around the world based on political, social and economic climate, medical care, education and infrastructural conditions. Apart from the coveted title, the upcoming Vienna Biennale is also set to attract a large number of visitors to the European capital. Running between June 11 – October 4, this year’s edition will bring together art, design and architecture, and harness the power of creative ideas and artistic projects. The exhibitions and projects at of the programme will be hosted at different venues throughout the city.

Strong Tourism Growth for Ireland in 2014

Vienna

Serbia’s Tourist Appeal Showcased in Zagreb

erbia was promoted at this year’s Place2go tourism fair in Zagreb, held between March 13 – 15. Under the National Tourism Organisation (NTO) of Serbia’s slogan My Serbia, representatives of tourism organisations of Vojvodina, Belgrade, Novi Sad and Bajina Bašta, MK Mountain Resort, Hotel Aquastar Danube and Hotel Galleria from Subotica presented their offerings to the Croatian public. On March 12, NTO of Serbia hosted a workshop for both Serbian and Croatian industry professionals and travel agents. In 2014, 63,779 tourists from Croatia visited Serbia, marking a 19 percent year-on-year increase.

Niall Gibbons

ccording to figures released by Central Statistics Office for Ireland (CSO), the number holidaymakers from overseas to the country grew by eight percent in 2014. Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, said, “I am pleased to see an increase in holiday visitors from the important Great Britain and North American markets, with growth of nine percent and 13 percent respectively. Mainland Europe also performed strongly, with a seven percent increase in holidaymakers, driven largely by 17 percent growth in German holidaymakers. And, more importantly for the Irish economy, revenue from our overseas tourists grew by nine percent in 2014, an additional EUR280 million compared with 2013.”

10 APRIL 2015

Zagreb

NEWS ACCOMMODATION Mövenpick Unveils Istanbul Hotel

Metropolitan Hotel, Athens Boosts Medical Credentials

Metropolitan Hotel, Athens

övenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn has opened its doors, marking the hospitality company’s second hotel in the city and fourth project in the country. Set on Istanbul’s historic peninsula 10 minutes from the old city, the 136-room property offers an ideal range of facilities, a unique historical perspective, a comfortable contemporary ambience and a great location, according to Neyran Tan, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn. As Jean Gabriel Pérès, CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, noted, the brand of Swiss upscale hospitality resonates strongly with customers in Turkey thus the country continues to play a key role in the continued success of the company’s global expansion.

handris Hotels & Resorts’ Metropolitan Hotel, Athens became the first hotel in the world to be certified by TŰV Rheinland as a Medical Tourism Friendly Hotel (MTFH). The property, located 15 minutes from the capital’s centre, was accredited in the EQ-Fast Expert System according to the specifications of Eurocode 8 for the seismic vulnerability and safety of the buildings. To mark the special occasion, a gala ceremony was held during which the MTFH criteria were presented to the international tourism market.

Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn

Morgan Hotel Group EBITDA Improves

organ Hotel Group recorded adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of USD55.1 million (EUR50.8 million) for 2014, a USD2.9 million (EUR2.6 million) or 5.6 percent rise over 2013. RevPAR for system-wide comparable hotels rose 2.8 percent, while system-wide comparable hotels′ room revenue plus resorts fees increased 3.3 percent. All in all, the company, which also operates in London and Istanbul, closed the year with a net loss of USD50.7 million (EUR46.9 million) compared to a USD44.2 million (EUR40.8 million) loss registered in 2013. “We successfully refinanced the debt of Hudson and Delano on attractive terms, streamlined our cost-structure throughout the organisation and sold our controlling interest in The Light Group – all of which has led to stronger financial positioning, value creation and a greater ability to grow our portfolio of one-of-a-kind brands,” explained Jason Kalisman, interim CEO, Morgan Hotel Group. Sanderson London, a Morgan Hotel Group property

10 APRIL 2015

ACCOMMODATION NEWS

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Adds New Restaurant

aj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, London has launched Kona, delighting guests with an innovative interpretation of the colours, flavours and vibrancy of Southern European cuisine, marrying traditional cooking techniques from the Côte d'Azur and the coast of Liguria in Italy with a modern flair. Bringing a new dining dynamic to the five-star property, the restaurant is open for breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. According to Digvijay Singh, general manager, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, London, Kona is set to become a haven from the hustle and bustle of Victoria and St. James in the UK capital and a place where not only resident guests can retreat, but also where Londoners and visitors can indulge in a sophisticated dining experience.

10 APRIL 2015

Ascott Debuts Citadines Suites in Paris

ollowing the completion of a EUR26 million facelift, The Ascott Limited debuted its luxurious new project in the heart of Paris. The 112-unit Citadines Suites Arc de Triomphe Paris is the company’s second serviced residence under the upscale Citadines Suites label following Citadines Suites Louvre Paris, which was unveiled in April 2013. The new property serves as a sanctuary in the centre of the business district, in close proximity to luxury boutiques and museums. Alfred Ong, managing director, Europe, The Ascott Limited, noted, “Citadines Suites Ard de Triomphe Paris offers luxury living in a serviced residence that combines Parisian elegance with modernity in a prime location.”

Design Hotels Launches The Principal Madrid

ocated on the Spanish capital’s grand boulevard, Gran Vía, The Principal Madrid is the latest coup from Design Hotels. As the flagship property of Único Hotels, part of Design Hotels, the palatial building of the hotel dates back to 1917, and it houses 76 rooms and suites. The property also features a restaurant, bar and a year-round pergola. As the first five-star hotel on Gran Vía, the property enjoys a bustling location and is surrounded by shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, as well as many theatres. Furthermore, guests can also expect personalised service, with laundry and room service available at all times, as well as a butler, babysitter, and personal shopper. to ensure a pleasant stay.

Stockholm to Welcome Its First City Resort

ringing an entirely new hotel concept to Stockholm, Scandic Hotels will open Sergel Plaza, its first city resort, in spring 2017. Following the extensive renovation of the existing hotel, the reinvented property will boast 420 rooms and 2,300m2 of restaurant and conference facilities. “Sergel Plaza will have a unique and clear position in Scandic’s offering. Our vision is to create a new kind of city hotel with an excellent location. It will be a hotel for the savvy, cosmopolitan visitor of 2020, who has high standards and seeks new experiences, and who is happy to combine work and pleasure,” said Frank Fiskers, president, Scandic Hotels.

NEWS Serbia’s Zlatibor Mountain Sees Increased Popularity

Norway’s Hiking Spots Are Now Connected

ollowing a 22 percent growth in tourist nights across accommodation establishments on Serbia’s Zlatibor mountain in January, Tourist Organisation of Zlatibor reported a strong surge for February with figures up 35 percent year-onyear. The data was received for a representative sample of 2,143 beds registered in hotels and resorts on the mountain. During the month, both Tornik and Obudoevica ski centres were working with full capacity.

C The Pulpit Rock, Norway

ombining Norway’s three most iconic hikes is now easier than ever with the newly-launched daily express bus services between Preikestolen, Kjerag and Trolltunga. The route in both directions takes about four hours and means the hikes can all be done within just three days. Preikestolen, also known as The Pulpit Rock is one of the most photographed places in Norway that attracted some 250,000 visitors in 2014. The nearby mountain Kjerag is located deeper into the Lysefjord, and is a popular option for those thinking Preikestolen is too crowded. Trolltunga is located a few hours north and is a must-visit spot for experienced hikers.

Zlatibor Mountain

Eiffel Tower Tops Must-see List

he Eiffel Tower has been voted the most iconic landmark in the world, according to a study commissioned by British Airways. Paris’ symbol was found to be more popular among Brits than the Grand Canyon and Big Ben, which came second and third respectively. The top 10 also included Stonehenge, Houses of Parliament, both in the UK, the US’ Statue of Liberty, Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Tower of Pisa and the Niagara Falls. As Colm Lacy, commercial manager, Gatwick, British Airways, noted, when dreaming about travel, we often add our favourite landmarks to our bucket list.

Eiffel Tower

10 APRIL 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What makes Cyprus an ideal destination for an investor, especially one coming from North America? RACHELLE SCHREIBER: The American pool of high returns on investment (ROI) have been slimmed down over the past few years. That, coupled with the higher tax rates, makes larger and longer term investments a waiting game. Cyprus is an ideal destination for substantial economic gains due to its tourism and natural gas sectors being in the forefront. RGI feels that the island’s economic growth and rate of return may be realised much quicker for those long-term investors than purchasing locally. RGI estimates that after the super casino is completed and the natural gas begins exports that current invest-

Q & A with

Rachelle Schreiber EXECUTIVE REGIONAL MANAGER, REALTY GROUP INTERNATIONAL

RACHELLE SCHREIBER: RGI often reviews foreign markets and discovered that Cyprus property prices had fallen by up to 50 percent and saw amazing deals with huge potential for investors. You can buy a property near the beach for under EUR200,000. Our plans for the Cyprus market is to continue to promote American

“

THE ISLAND’S TOURISM SECTOR IS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS

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OUR PLANS FOR THE CYPRUS MARKET IS TO [...] PROMOTE AMERICAN AWARENESS

ments will skyrocket. In addition, Cyprus has the lowest European Union tax rates, the use of the English language in official documents and in everyday life, first time capital gain waiver and permanent residency are just some of the reasons to purchase.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the company’s plans for the island’s market?

awareness, bring investors and work with our team on the island. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Is the tourism sector and related infrastructure a strong card for anyone who wants to invest in any way in Cyprus?

RACHELLE SCHREIBER, EXECUTIVE REGIONAL MANAGER, REALTY GROUP INTERNATIONAL (RGI), EXPLAINS WHAT MOTIVATED THE BEVERLY HILLSBASED COMPANY’S STEP TO INK AN ALLIANCE IN CYPRUS AND HOW THE COUNTRY’S TOURISM STANDING INFLUENCED THIS DECISION.

RACHELLE SCHREIBER: Yes, since the island’s tourism sector is being highlighted by the construction of new developments, marinas, resorts and now the plans for a super casino. Ryanair stated that there can be up to 2.5 million increase in visitors to Cyprus in the future which is over one half of the current amount. This would have a major impact on the economy and for the investor.

Cyprus

10 APRIL 2015

NEWS AIR

Air Lituanica Boosts European Operations

ir Lituanica now operates 59 regular services per week from Vilnius International Airport. The carrier has recently increased operations to Amsterdam to seven weekly frequencies, while the Munich route is being offered seven times a week. As of April 30, the airline will inaugurate direct flights to Prague and Billund in Denmark. All in all, the company expects to carry some 150,000 passengers during the summer season, 50 percent more than in 2014. “This summer we will also actively work towards increasing the number of tourists arriving in Lithuania – we are bringing seasonal flights to Prague and Billund back and strongly expanding the supply of flights to Germany,” explained Simonas Bartkus, commercial director, Air Lituanica.

Hungary to Be Linked to China

ir China is gearing up for the launch of scheduled services between Beijing and Budapest. Operated by an Airbus A330-200, the route will be offered four times a week. Direct flights between the two capitals were halted in 2012 when Hungarian Malev was grounded and Hainan Airlines cancelled its operations to the European city. The resumption of services between the two countries required high-level negotiations between the governments, to modify the existing, bilateral aviation agreement, as part of the Hungarian government’s Opening to the East policy. As Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport, revealed, in 2014, the number of Chinese arrivals to the capital rose 19 percent.

Wizz Air Adds Aircraft to Sofia Base

izz Air plans to station a fifth Airbus A320 at its Sofia base. Starting September 14, the low-cost carrier will operate new routes from the Bulgarian capital to Bar, Cologne, Geneva, Naples and Munich Memmingen. The additional aircraft will also allow the airline to boost frequency on existing services to London Luton, Bologna, Larnaca, Dubai as well as Malta. Abrán György, chief commercial officer, Wizz Air, noted, by expanding the carrier’s Sofia fleet, the company will create more travel options and a greater choice of destinations in Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

Abrán György (right) with the airline’s colleagues in Sofia

Azerbaijan Airlines Partners with Turkish Airlines

zerbaijan Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, offering passengers better connectivity and greater flexibility on routes between the two countries. Under the deal, the Turkish carrier will place its code on Baku – Istanbul Ataturk / Sabiha Gökçen/ Ankara flights of Azerbaijan Airlines and in turn, the Azeri carrier will place its code on Istanbul – Baku / Nakhchivan / Ganja and Sabiha Gökçen – Baku services of its partner. Additionally, with an expanded special prorate agreement on sectors beyond Istanbul and Baku, both airlines will be offering an extended network to their passengers.

10 APRIL 2015

AIR NEWS Pegasus Heads to Oslo

Austrian Airlines Embarks on Fleet Revamp

egasus Airlines is to commence direct services between Istanbul and Oslo, effective from May 14. The Turkish airline will operate four weekly flights to the Norwegian capital on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, bringing its fast-expanding global network to 89 destinations in 37 countries. Travellers will be able to benefit from connections to 41 destinations in Turkey and beyond via Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

Madrid

Air Moldova Returns to Madrid

his autumn, Austrian Airlines’ medium-haul fleet of Fokker aircraft will begin to be replaced by medium-haul jets produced by Embraer. The fleet renewal programme is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. “We are pleased with the decision on the part of Lufthansa Group, which comprises a vote of confidence in Austrian Airlines. As a result, we can invest in a new and more modern fleet earlier than planned”, explained Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Austrian Airlines. Embraer 195 aircraft are currently being deployed by Lufthansa CityLine, and 17 planes will be transferred to Austrian Airlines. In return, Lufthansa CityLine will receive Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen jets from Eurowings.

Finavia to Host Aviation Strategy Conference

ndustry leaders from around the world will gather in Finland this autumn for Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)’s annual World Aviation Summit. Running between October 7 – 8 in Helsinki, the programme, hosted by Finavia, will focus on the strategic, commercial, growth, regulatory and earnings prospects of the sector with some 200 participants debating urging issues that are garnering airline CEOs attention. “The event will tackle the key disruptive trends to the global aviation and corporate travel markets, with a focus on the regulatory issues and barriers that are constraining our industry,” said Peter Harbison, executive chairman, CAPA.

10 APRIL 2015

Gdansk

ir Moldova is further strengthening its position on the continent by relaunching its Chisinau – Madrid service. Having commenced on April 9, the airline operates one weekly frequency to the Spanish capital on Thursdays. Air Moldova will deploy an Embraer-190 aircraft on the flights which will depart the Moldavian city in the evening and take off from Spain after midnight. The route is set to appeal to travellers looking to explore the rich history and culture of Madrid as well as to sports fans.

Finnair to Add Gdansk Route

tarting May 11, Finnair will offer daily services to Gdansk. The route will be sold with the Finnish airline’s flight number, and it will be operated by Flybe Finland onboard an ATR 72 aircraft. The service is set to further enhance travel options between Finland and Poland and enable Polish passengers to continue their journey on Finnair’s extensive global network. Gdansk will become the carrier’s third Polish destination after Warsaw, served all year round, and Krakow, offered during the summer season.

NEWS AIR

n mid-March, Estonian Air resumed flights from Tallinn to Paris and Berlin, which are to be operated until October 2 and 31 respectively. Early April saw the relaunch of weekly services connecting the Estonian capital with Nice, to be operated until October 24. Similarly, the reintroduced thrice-weekly Tallinn – Vienna route will be offered until October 31. On April 19, the Estonian flag carrier will launch weekly operations between Tallinn and Split in Croatia, and two days later it will start flying to Milan twice per week. Both of these routes will be operated until late October.

New airBaltic Routes Prove Popular

ver 3,000 bookings have been made on airBaltic’s direct Tallinn – Berlin and Tallinn – Vienna routes just six weeks after their announcement. “airBaltic is strengthening its position in the Baltic region, offering more pointto-point flights, improving links between the Baltic capitals and European cities,” commented Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, revealing that demand for the Tallinn – Paris service that was launched in 2014, also remains strong. Starting May 6 and May 7 respectively, the Latvian airline will fly to the German and Austrian capitals four times a week.

Tallinn

Estonian Air Starts New Flights across Europe

Wizz Air Connects Ohrid and London

W Ohrid

izz Air is to launch two-weekly flights from Ohrid to London Luton, set to commence on June 14 and operate on Wednesdays and Sundays. The airline had announced operations to its second Macedonian airport in January with a first Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg route commencing on July 1. With the new Ohrid – London Luton service Wizz Air now offers a total of 21 itineraries to nine countries from the two Macedonian airports, Skopje and Ohrid. György Abrán, chief commercial officer, Wizz Air, said, “We hope that our Ohrid routes commencing this summer will be welcomed by consumers as we bring more low fares to Macedonia.”

Legoland Billund

airberlin to Fly to Prague and Billund

irberlin is to further increase its operations in Europe with the addition of two new destinations and extra frequencies. Starting April 13, the airline will offer three flights a day to Prague from Monday to Friday, providing a total of 20 services per week, including five weekend operations, while the Danish city, Billund will be served daily. The Berlin – Warsaw route, which is currently available three times a day, will be offered 25 times a week, and instead of two daily flights, airberlin will operate three services a day to Gdansk. Also from April 13, passengers will be able to benefit from two daily frequencies to Graz. 10 APRIL 2015

CAR RENTALS NEWS kno u o y d Di

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Debuts in Denmark

-ARent han e s i r t e rp Ente has mor bourh r g i a t e C 0n rpor 7, 00 and ai ghout u hood ns thro ica r o e i t m a loc h A ope? t r o N Eur and

ontinuing its expansion in Europe, Enterprise Rent-A-Car recently launched in Denmark through a new joint venture between two local businesses, the Danske Bank-owned Nordania Leasing and Semler

Group. A new office was inaugurated at Copenhagen Airport, with plans to open another one in Jutland’s Billund Airport and more across the country. Peter Smith, vice president, global franchising, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, commented, “Establishing the brand in Denmark is significant as it was one of the last countries in Europe where Enterprise has not been available to date. Both Semler and Nordania have a strong vision as well as the infrastructure to deliver against a clear business plan for growth.”

Solid Hertz Performance in Q4 2014

ertz Global Holdings saw mixed performance results in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014, with a steady US car rental revenue of USD1.5 billion (EUR1.33 billion) and a five percent drop in the international car rental segment to USD515 million (EUR458 million). At the same time, its total equipment revenue during the period rose four percent year-on-year to reach USD387 million (EUR344 million), while all other operations revenue jumped six percent. John Tague, president, Hertz Global Holdings, stated, ”The necessity to improve performance at Hertz is clear, as is the opportunity. We are committed to achieving the company's full potential, which I believe is significant. However, in order to realise that potential, we need to strengthen our foundation and build on our capabilities as an organisation.”

10 APRIL 2015

TRAVEL TALK

Travel and tourism continues to grow faster than the global economy

DAVID SCOWSILL President, World Travel & Tourism Council

“At a time of global economic challenges, travel and tourism continues to grow faster than the global economy, and is an enduring source of job creation and a driver of growth. [...] Governments looking for a sector which can create jobs and drive economic growth should focus on travel and tourism. This industry requires the right regulatory environment in which to flourish, along with progressive policies on visa access, taxation, human resources planning, and sustainability.”

Smart flying […] will become more and more popular

GHEORGHE RACARU President, Blue Air

Greece is and will continue to be a leading tourism destination

Expanding Heathrow could deliver close to 80,000 jobs

JOHN HOLLANDKAYE CEO, Heathrow Airport

“Expanding Heathrow could deliver close to 80,000 jobs and up to GBP114 billion (EUR155.6 billion) of GDP outside London and the South East. We have been listening to businesses, politicians and now to the National Connectivity Task Force, and [the new package of commitments deliverable with expansion, designed to connect the UK’s nations and regions to growth markets] shows that we have a plan to deliver what Britain needs. Only Heathrow can connect all of Britain to global growth.”

“Smart Flying is a hybrid model between the low-cost airline model and the legacy carrier model. Our vision is to offer passengers complete visibility over all components of the price they are paying for the tickets, allowing them to buy only those services they attach value for. […] We consider that smart flying, the model we use today, will become more and more popular in the airline industry. This is something that can only make us feel proud.”

TALEB RIFAI Secretary general, World Tourism Organization

“Greece is and will continue to be a leading tourism destination. We are very pleased to see how tourism is a priority for the new government and how there is a strong commitment to pursue current tourism policies, building upon the good results achieved by the sector and taking them further.”

TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

10 APRIL 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Making Holidays Greener The Travel Foundation has teamed up with Travelife for hotels and accommodations for this year’s Make Holidays Greener campaign to raise awareness of sustainable holidays.

he two organisations are calling on tour operators, travel agents, hotels and other tourism businesses to sign up to support the Big Holiday Beach Clean 2015, by visiting the event′s website. Salli Felton, CEO, Travel Foundation said, “With Travelife on board, we will be able to reach even more businesses and holidaymakers with the message that better beaches are good for wildlife, for people and for business.” Companies can support the campaign by organising a beach clean up during or before July and by sharing their stories on Facebook and Twitter.

Herzegovina Successfully Promoted Abroad

Herzegovina’s stand at ITB Berlin

10 APRIL 2015

upported by the Regional Development Agency for Herzegovina (REDAH) and the Japanese International Cooperation Association (JICA), Tourism Cluster of Herzegovina made a successful debut at ITB Berlin, held in March in the German capital. The association, which has 25 members, promoted Herzegovina’s wine regions, the coastal town of Neum, religious and spiritual tours as well as possibilities for outdoor adventures such as rafting, mountain biking and mountaineering. In addition to this, Herzegovina was also presented at the 37th International Tourism Fair in Belgrade this spring.

Airports Commit to Environmental Solutions

ince the global airport industry’s commitment to reduce its carbon emission made seven years ago, an ever-increasing number of hubs from around the globe have applied for certification. In the past 12 months, a total of 122 airports have earned the Airport Carbon Accredited status, meaning that, some 1.67 billion passengers, equivalent to 26.5 percent of global air traffic, travel now through credited hubs at one of the four levels of Airports Council International’s programme. In Europe, four airports have moved up a level of certification: Antalya Airport, Venice Marco Polo Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport.

Irish en Route Traffic Soars

he total number of flights in the Irish airspace rose 8.7 percent in February, driven by a 9.2 percent year-on-year growth in en route traffic. The upward trend was also apparent in Dublin Airport’s results, showing a 11.2 percent increase in traffic with an average of 449 daily commercial movements. The volumes of flights using the North Atlantic Communications service also jumped 2.8 percent. In terms of international arrivals and departures, commercial terminal traffic at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports was up by eight percent.

Dublin Airport

WHO’S MOVED

DENNIS ENGLUND

Dennis Englund has been chosen as director of VisitDenmark’s UK office. Englund, who has more than 25 years of senior management experience within sales and marketing, has previously worked with a number of global consumer brands, such as Samsung, PlayStation, Hasbro, Royal Copenhagen and Georg Jensen. He joins the tourism authority from MovieStarPlanet in Copenhagen, a global universe for kids. Englund is now looking forward to working with his new colleagues to realise the UK market’s potential.

NOEMI OLAH

Englund has 25 years of senior management experience

JAAN ALBRECHT

Jaan Albrecht has accepted the position of CEO at SunExpress, a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. Albrecht, who will assume the role on June 1, has been the CEO of Austrian Airlines since November 2011 and will continue to serve the Austrian carrier in this capacity until the end of May. Previously he held the same position at Star Alliance for 10 years. Albrecht began his career as a pilot at Mexican airline, Mexicana, where he was pilot of the Boeing 727 fleet for 20 years before moving into management in 1990 to hold various senior operations and commercial roles.

Albrecht also remains Austrian Airlines′ CEO

CHRIS MOTTERSHEAD

Noemi Olah has been appointed director of marketing and communications at the five-star Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace, operated by Mellow Mood Hotels. Earning a master’s degree in hotel management, she started her carrier in the hospitality industry in the US. In 2002, Olah joined Corinthia Hotels International, where she worked in different positions in the admin, sales and marketing departments. She then continued with Ramada Hotels & Resorts, first at Ramada Plaza Budapest and then in the UAE. She was part of the pre-opening team of Ramada Sharjah in 2010 and later moved to Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. In the past two years, Olah served as cluster marketing and communications manager for both properties.

Chris Mottershead has joined Thomas Cook UK & Ireland as the new UK business development director. Mottershead will take a lead in driving business performance with a view to further enhancing the customer experience. He will spearhead key projects across the business, with a focus on differentiated product, and the continued development of the company’s offering. Prior to his appointment, Mottershead led the TUI Russia & CIS operation in Russia from 2010 – 2014. Over the years, he has held a variety of senior roles in the travel industry, and worked as CEO of First Choice Canada and later at Travelzest. He was also the managing director of TUI UK and president and CEO at North American Leisure Group at Airtours.

10 APRIL 2015

PHOTO ALBUM

Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Marriott Hotel celebrates the Earth Hour

Brussels Airport marks Brussels Airlines′ inaugural flight to St Petersburg

Supermodel Tülin Şahin and acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck celebrate the opening of The St. Regis Istanbul

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras honours local traditions

Doubletree by Hilton Malatya made the dreams of a little girl come true by inviting her to stay at a princess' room

10 APRIL 2015

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS ACI Airport Exchange Comes to Istanbul

GA Havalimanı İşletmesi Anonim Şirketi , the company behind what is hailed as the world’s biggest new airport north of Istanbul, will host Airports Council International (ACI)’s Airport Exchange 2015, the event that combines an airport services exhibition with five specialist conferences. Staged jointly by ACI Europe and ACI Asia Pacific, the show will take place between December 8 – 10, at the Istanbul Congress Center, and is expected to attract in excess of 150 exhibitors and up to 2,500 delegates and visitors. In addition to the regular conferences, an Istanbul New Airport Development Conference, dedicated to the EUR10.2 billion (USD10.8 billion) new hub, will be combined with the first-ever large-scale guided visits to the construction site.

EVENTS SITT Novosibirsk , Russia April 16 – 18 www.sitt-expo.ru A major event for tourism industry professionals in Siberia, which attracts more than 200 Russian and foreign tour operators, health resorts and hotels.

KITF

Tourism Ireland Focusses on British Travel Trade

Best of Britain and Ireland fair

ourism Ireland, along with 16 Irish tourism businesses, took part in the recently-held Best of Britain & Ireland trade fair in Birmingham. The event attracted around 2,750 coach tour operators, group travel organisers and business and educational travel organisers over two days. Vanessa Markey, head of Great Britain, Tourism Ireland, commented, “Great Britain is the largest market for tourism to Ireland and we were pleased to see visitor numbers increase by six percent in 2014, almost 2.8 million British visitors during the year.” She stressed that Tourism Ireland is determined to ensure that tourism growth continues, with an extensive programme of promotions under way across Britain throughout the year.

Almaty, Kazakhstan April 22 – 24 www.kitf.kz Kazakhstan International Tourism & Travel Fair was launched in 2001 and is now a leading travel event for inbound and outbound tourism in the country.

REGION TOUR EXPO Trenčín, Slovakia May 15 – 16 www.expocenter.sk A joint event showcasing both Slovak and Czech regions, held under the auspices of Ján Počiatek, transport, construction and regional development minister, Slovakia.

IMEX Frankfurt, Germany May 19 – 21 www.imex-frankfurt.com A one-stop-shop for planners looking to book and organise worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel programmes.

Expo 2020 to Boost Private Jet Business

xpo 2020, to be held in Dubai, is expected to be a game-changer for the Middle Eastern private jet and air charter business, according to independent private jet broker, Private Jet Charter (PJC). “Private jet business lacks awareness in the Middle East, which clearly demonstrates its high potential,” stressed Ross Kelly, managing director, PJC, adding that infrastructure is developing at a fast pace, the technology is more devoted to serve passengers at airports. “Renting a private jet today is much more cost-effective and personalised,” he added, further noting that during the six months of the expo many visitors are expected to use private and charter services.

10 APRIL 2015