Travel Trade Europe Issue 15

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10 JUNE 2015

ISSUE 15

ETC: STRONG FIRST QUARTER ACROSS EUROPE DUTCH-INSPIRED FLEXOTELS, AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT THAT ALLOWS QUICK AND FLEXIBLE PLACING OF ACCOMMODATION, HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A SANITARY ROOM.

04 ITALY MEETS CRETE

12 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

02

PERFORMANCE

05

CRUISING

08

TOURISM BOARDS

12

ACCOMMODATION

14

AIR

16

RENDEZVOUS

17

GENERAL

20

TRAVEL CHANNELS

21

WHO’S MOVED

22

PHOTO ALBUM

23

NEWS & EVENTS

24

COLLAPSIBLE HOTEL ROOMS REVOLUTIONISE INDUSTRY

14

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou

Ryanair Carries Nine Million in April Ryanair released statistics indicating that the low-cost airline’s traffic grew 16 percent in April, with passenger volumes reaching nine million.

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oad factor rose seven percentage points to 91 percent and rolling annual traffic in April jumped 12 percent to 91.8 million customers.

“Alongside our new routes, increased frequencies, Business Plus and Family Extra services, Ryanair customers can now look forward to further service enhancements, as we roll out Year 2 of our Always Getting Better programme,” said Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing officer, Ryanair.

Austrian Airlines Improves Results in Q1

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou

On its path to economic recovery, Austrian Airlines managed to better its operating results by EUR1 million in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, despite the ongoing crises in the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine.

WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou 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

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EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

9/6/2015 COUNTRY

2

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.13

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.73

Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.04

Japan (JPY)

Yen

140.61

n our part of the world, the first quarter is a traditionally difficult period. For this reason, we focussed on leveraging further cost effects in winter, which we succeeded in doing thanks to an improved maintenance concept,” said Heinz Lachinger, chief financial officer, Austrian Airlines.

In winter, the carrier aims to generate further revenue effects with a more seasonally-adjusted flight schedule which will include Mauritius, Colombo and Miami as its new long-haul tourist destinations, according to Lachinger.

easyJet: Record Half-year Figures

easyJet delivered a record performance for the six months ending March 31 with total pre-tax profit reaching GBP7 million (EUR9.7 million) compared to a GBP53 million (EUR73.4 million) loss in the corresponding period in 2014.

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riven by the disciplined allocation of capacity, improvement in load factor, strong October trading, timing of Easter and performance of allocated seating, total revenue per seat rose 2.6 percent year-on-year on a constant currency basis. Fuelled by an increased demand, despite a 3.6 percent surge in capacity to 32.2 million seats, load factor was up 0.7 percent. “easyJet continues to be well positioned to grow revenue and profit this year, delivering sustainable returns to shareholders due to its compelling network, low-cost base and strong balance sheet,” said Carolyn McCall, CEO, easyJet. 10 JUNE 2015

MARKET UPDATE

airberlin Solid April Operational Performance Results Improve for Aer Lingus

Aeroflot: 15.2 Percent Traffic Growth

airberlin’s restructuring programme, initiated in 2014, has already shown signs of development leading to encouraging operational performance indicators in the first quarter of the year.

Aeroflot Group carried 10.9 million travellers in the first four months of the year, marking a year-on-year increase of 15.2 percent.

In April, Aer Lingus’ overall passenger load factor rose 2.4 percentage points to 78.2 percent, with the metric for short-haul routes reaching 76.8 percent and for long-haul almost 80 percent.

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ncluding the figures of Aer Lingus Regional, the total number of passengers stood at 923,000, marking a decrease of 5.2 percent. Longhaul traffic increased by 1.8 percent year-on-year to 113,000 customers, while short-haul movements slumped 5.5 percent to 710,000 travellers.

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vailable seat kilometres rose 1.5 percent, while capacity utilisation soared to 83.2 percent.

Due to current exceptional expenses from the ongoing restructuring initiative, as well as non-recurring effects, net loss for the threemonth period stood at EUR210.1 million, slightly above the EUR209.8 million loss recorded in the corresponding period in 2014.

“We have an initial operational earnings impact from the reduction in capacity and a slightly improved yield management approach,” explained Stefan Pichler, CEO, airberlin, stressing that the company is still at the beginning of a long road to recovery.

10 JUNE 2015

Earnings Exceed Expectations at Norwegian The first quarter of the year was particularly strong for Norwegian Cruise Line with adjusted net income reaching USD62.6 million (EUR56.8 million).

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he company has identified USD75 million (EUR68 million) in synergies for the year, with Frank Del Rio, president, Norwegian Cruise Line, commenting, “The net synergies will have an immediate impact on the bottom line [this year], while amounts reinvested in our business initiatives will benefit our strategies for earnings growth in 2016 and beyond.”

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eroflot accounted for the lion’s share, handling 7.5 million customers, up 8.3 percent.

Group revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) rose 9.7 percent; seat load factor on the other hand dropped 0.4 percentage points to 74 percent.

Aeroflot’s figures showed similar movement when compared to the corresponding period in 2014, with RPK jumping 8.9 percent and capacity utilisation decreasing 0.3 percentage points to 75.4 percent.

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MARKET UPDATE

ETC: Strong First Quarter Glasgow Airport: across Europe Busiest April Ever The first quarter (Q1) of the year saw the majority of European destinations recording positive results, according to the European Travel Commission (ETC)’s European Tourism 2015 – Trends & Prospects report.

Glasgow International Airport experienced its busiest April ever with over 665,000 passengers on record, up 15.4 percent year-on-year.

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he airport witnessed its 26th consecutive month of growth, driven by a 20.4 percent rise in international figures and a 10.9 percent jump in domestic volumes.

“We have enjoyed double-digit growth in our passenger numbers for six consecutive months but to have recorded our busiest April ever is hugely encouraging,” commented Amanda McMillan, managing director, Glasgow International Airport, noting that May witnessed the launch of nine new services from the Scottish city.

Berlin Boasts a Sturdy Q1 In the first quarter (Q1) of the year, Berlin welcomed 2.5 million visitors, marking a 7.1 percent increase in comparison to Q1 2014.

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op performers in terms of arrivals were Iceland (up 31.4 percent), Croatia (up 24.6 percent) and Montenegro (up 23.2 percent), followed by Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Serbia, all of which saw improvements of more than 10 percent.

Weaker Euro and low oil prices contributed to increased demand from the US, Europe’s largest overseas market, while the Russian segment dropped on average around 30 percent compared to Q1 2014.

Within Europe, the number of travellers from Germany and the UK rose in almost all destinations.

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uests spent 5.86 million nights in the city’s hotels, a growth of 8.3 percent.

The number of hotel guests from the US, Berlin’s top market, rose by more than 18 percent, and so did those from Israel, India and South Korea, among others.

“Berlin is experiencing a strong start to the year. The capital is the engine driving the growth of Germany’s overall tourism sector,” said Burkhard Kieker, CEO, visitBerlin.

Brussels Airlines Reports Robust April Traffic

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April saw 11.5 percent more passengers flying with Brussels Airlines than in the same month in 2014, bringing the load factor to 73.9 percent.

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total of 652,532 travellers were on the carrier’s records, flying to or from European, African or American destinations.

During the month under review, the airline launched services to Billund, St Petersburg, Dubrovnik and Bordeaux, and flights to several of its summer destinations were also introduced.

Berlin

10 JUNE 2015

HOTEL PERFORMANCE NEWS Profit Growth for Amsterdam and Vienna

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According to the latest data from HotStats, spring had arrived on a high note for many European cities. Both the Dutch and Austrian capitals witnessed increased demand which led to bigger operating profits, while Russia’s second largest city proved resilient in the face of adversity.

Italy, on the other hand, showed a negative picture compared to 2014’s first quarter.

St Petersburg Remains Strong

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he St Petersburg hotel market demonstrated resilience to current market conditions with total RevPAR and GOPPAR surging by 1.8 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.

RevPAR rose five percent thanks to a rise in demand, up 3.3 percentage points, while ARR declined by 1.6 percent.

With mixed performances recorded in ancillary revenues, total RevPAR increased by 1.8 percent but hoteliers managed to moderate operating costs to deliver a growth in DOPPAR of 3.2 percent. Despite overheads per available room and payroll going up, GOPPAR saw a boost of 2.1 percent compared to the same period in 2014.

10 JUNE 2015

ccommodation units in both Amsterdam and Vienna recorded increases in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) of 6.4 percent and 11.9 percent respectively, confirming positive performance for the first quarter of the year.

Hoteliers in Amsterdam experienced a 2.2 percentage point swell in demand at the expense of average room rate (ARR), which declined by 0.6 percent, resulting in a RevPAR growth of 2.3 percent. With the exception of conference and banqueting room hire, other sources of revenue boosted total RevPAR levels by 3.2 percent.

Vienna also experienced a great March with all key performance indicators showing year-on-year positive movements.

A combined rise in occupancy of 1.9 percentage points to 65.4 percent and in ARR, 1.4 percent to EUR153.65, delivered a RevPAR growth of 4.4 percent.

With surges in revenue derived from food at 2.8 percent, beverage at 4.4 percent and conference room hire at 35.3 percent, non-room departments’ results further supported the total RevPAR improvement of 5.7 percent.

Despite overheads per available room rising by 5.8 percent, hoteliers managed to have enhanced departmental operating profit per available room (DOPPAR) and GOPPAR of 8.7 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively.

Slow Start for Milan and Rome

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otels in Italy’s fashion capital, Milan, registered a sluggish start to the year with March and first quarter results reporting negative year-on-year comparisons in profit per room.

In March, hoteliers managed to boost ARR by 4.3 percent but occupancy plunged by 6.8 percentage points, producing a RevPAR drop of 4.5 percent.

Negative performances in other revenue streams further exacerbated the total RevPAR decline of 5.1 percent. With payroll increasing by 2.1 percentage points and despite overheads per available room declining by 1.7 percent, GOPPAR went down by 17.2 percent compared to the same month in 2014.

Rome hoteliers experienced a slight rise in demand of 0.4 percentage points which, combined with a significant weakening in ARR of 11.8 percent, delivered a RevPAR drop of 11.3 percent. Non-room revenue growth softened the total RevPAR decrease of 7.9 percent, but a general increase in costs led to a DOPPAR and GOPPAR fall of 10.8 percent and 48.7 percent respectively.

The Italian capital also posted negative year-on-year comparisons across all key performance indicators during the first three months of the year.

5

NEWS AIRPORTS

Growth Continues at Bristol Airport

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ore than half a million passengers used Bristol Airport in April, signalling an increase of 7.1 percent over the same period in 2014.

April’s strong performance ensured a 13th consecutive month of growth at the South West’s largest airport. With charter airlines having commenced their summer programmes in May, a further boost is forecasted for the month, setting up what is expected to be a record holiday season.

Robert Sinclair, CEO, Bristol Airport, commented, “Growth in passenger numbers supports investment in facilities such as the eastern terminal extension which will create additional space and seating, as well as a wider choice of shops and restaurants.”

Bristol Airport

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Parisian Hubs′ Traffic Affected in April

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n April, Aéroports de Paris served 7.9 million passengers, a year-on-year decrease of 1.6 percent. Specifically, 5.4 million people travelled through Paris-Charles de Gaulle and 2.5 million through Paris-Orly.

Notably, the figures were doubly affected; firstly by a calendar effect due to the spring holiday dates for schools in the Paris area, and secondly, by industrial action by air traffic controllers.

International traffic, excluding Europe rose slightly, by 0.2 percent, with a growth in the areas of Asia Pacific (up 5.5 percent), the French Overseas Territories (up 2.1 percent) and North America (up one percent). Three regions registered declines, with the Middle East dropping 1.7 percent and both Africa and Latin America falling 2.4 percent.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport

Easter Causes Drop at Copenhagen Airport

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assenger numbers fell slightly at Copenhagen Airport in April, due to the early Easter

break.

The decline neared four percent, with Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports, commenting, “All the big travel days before Easter were in March this year, and in April [2014] the rate of increase in passenger numbers was unusually high at 17 percent. We were not able to repeat that growth this year, and altogether this resulted in an expected, but hopefully short-lived, interruption in two years of continuous growth.”

European, intercontinental and domestic traffic all decreased by 4.1, 0.4 and 5.3 percent, respectively.

Thomas Woldbye 10 JUNE 2015

AIRPORTS NEWS Slovenia Lures More Foreign Tourists Passenger Numbers Continue to Swell in Manchester

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Manchester Airport

anchester Airport′s traffic continued to grow, with nearly 30,000 more people using the hub during April, compared to the same month in 2014. The total passenger numbers reached 1,723,244.

Ken O’Toole, managing director, Manchester Airport, said, “Over the next few months, we look forward to adding further new routes and frequencies to our offering to ensure that the 22 million people who live within a two-hour drive of the airport have a greater choice than ever before.”

He added that with two full-length runways, the airport is, and will continue to have, the available capacity and demand to meet the needs of its airlines and passengers.

Slight Decline at Avinor Airports in April

ALFA-ACI Congress Organised by Genève Aéroport

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Oslo Airport

he annual congress of the Association of French-speaking Airports Associated with Airport Council International (ALFA-ACI) was held in Geneva, under the topic The Major Challenges of Tomorrow for Our Airports: 10 year outlook.

Genève Aéroport organised and took part in the event, with the management providing a dynamic image of the region in an effort to encourage participants to return for leisure stays.

Approximately 500 professionals attended the congress where various topics related to the main theme were discussed during working meetings, as well as roundtables and presentations hosted by air transport experts.

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he number of passengers travelling through Norwegian hubs operated by Avinor dropped 2.2 percent in April, in comparison to the same month in 2014.

Oslo Airport witnessed a decline of 0.3 percent, whereas the airfield in Bergen underperformed by 2.5 percent, in Stavanger by 6.3 percent and in Trondheim by four percent.

In the first four months of the year, the group’s airports handled just under 15 million travellers, 1.8 percent less than in 2014.

10 JUNE 2015

Genève Aéroport

7

NEWS CRUISING

Oceania Cruises Expands Culinary Series

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ceania Cruises is set to significantly boost its popular Culinary Discovery Tours, which will debut in Antibes, Barcelona, Catania, Heraklion and Marseille, during select sailings onboard Marina and Riviera as the ships cruise throughout Europe.

Exclusive to Oceania Cruises, the initiative provides guests the opportunity to interact with regional culinary experts while exploring local food markets, restaurants, vineyards, farms and cooking schools.

Kathryn Kelly, director of culinary enrichment, Oceania Cruises, explained, “Culinary traditions are at the heart of many cultures around the work, and with our Culinary Discovery Tours we provide guests with a unique opportunity.”

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CMV to Enter French Cruise Market

Viking Line Enhances Tallinn Connections

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ruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) will sub-charter the 550-passenger cruise ship Azores to Paris-based cruise and tour specialist Rivages du Monde, from summer 2016 onwards.

Moreover, upon the completion of this summer season, the vessel will be renamed Astoria and as of May 11, 2016 it will be operating 14 North European, Greenland, Adriatic and Mediterranean sailings from Le Havre, Dunkirk, Ostend, Bordeaux and Marseille.

Christian Verhounig, CEO, CMV, commented, “We are committed to developing our international market presence and are delighted to [partner] with one of France’s most established and respected travel companies.”

Tallinn

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n response to rising demand, Viking Line further expanded its capacity on the Helsinki – Tallinn route again this summer with extra daily sailings being operated, with the two vessels that provide services between Helsinki and Stockholm.

In 2014, Viking Line launched a system of using its ships on the Helsinki – Stockholm route, M/S Gabriella and M/S Mariella, to offer a daytime cruise to the Estonian capital and back instead of remaining in the Helsinki harbour during the day.

“Tallinn is a European capital that is constantly evolving. I also recommend visits outside the city centre, since that is where you will find Tallinn’s perhaps most interesting areas,” advised Jaakko Ahti, route manager, Viking Line.

10 JUNE 2015

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NEWS CRUISING Tere Moana Sails along the Spanish Coast

Tere Moana

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aul Gauguin Cruises’ vessel, Tere Moana announced a new seven-night itinerary from Cádiz to Lisbon, which includes visits to Motril, in Granada, as well as to Málaga, Gibraltar, Portimão and Cascais, before finally arriving in Lisbon.

The ship features 44 luxurious, ocean-view staterooms, eight of which are with balconies, as well as spacious outdoor decks, a pool with pool bar, whirlpool, Balinese sun bed, a spa and fitness centre, and two dining venues, where guests can savour menu specialties designed by celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is part of Pacific Beachcomber, one of French Polynesia’s largest luxury hotel and cruise operators.

Acadia National Park

Crystal Cruises to Offer Ashore Adventures

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s of this autumn, Crystal Cruises’ luxury routes throughout New England and Eastern Canada will offer thrill-seeking and inquisitive travellers numerous options ashore.

Crystal Adventures have been specifically crafted to highlight the expansive landscapes and foliage that paints the region’s parks and wildlife areas. Offered with six voyages onboard Crystal Symphony from mid-September through October, the shore-side options include running, hiking, zip-lining and cycling.

Edie Rodriguez, president, Crystal Cruises, noted, “Many of our guests actively seek opportunities to go out and ‘do’ while visiting new or favourite destinations, as actually immersing oneself in the activities practiced there is a wonderful way to become acquainted with the culture.”

10 JUNE 2015

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ISSUE 05

JANUARY 2015

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.

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.

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03

BRAVOFLY RUMBO GROUP TO ACQUIRE LASTMINUTE.COM

HERMES AIRPORTS INTRODUCES ELECTRONIC GATES

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

online

ISSUE 23

NICOSIA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT GOES AHEAD

NIKI SERVES ATHENS

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

BERLIN RECORDS INCREASING VISITOR NUMBERS

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MARKET UPDATE

02

NICOSIA

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NAUTICAL NEWS

05

AIRPORTS

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TRAVEL AGENTS

09

TOURISM BOARDS

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ACCOMMODATION

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

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RENDEZVOUS

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INTERNATIONAL / IN FOCUS

18

NEWS & EVENTS

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TROODOS TO ACQUIRE EUROPEAN STATUS

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NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Malta Minister: Sea and Sand Are Not Enough

Lithuania Targets Swedish Travellers

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he Lithuanian State Department of Tourism and the Lithuanian Embassy in Sweden presented the country’s tourism credentials to the Swedish tourism media.

At the event, Eitvydas Bajarūnas, ambassador to Sweden, Lithuania, said that the sector is a very important tool for the further opening of Lithuania to Swedes, to explore all aspects of the country including its history, heritage, nature, gastronomy and sports.

He added that several things might be very attractive to Swedish visitors, such as revived historical objects and natural monuments like castles, monasteries, scenic routes, coastal bike paths and national culinary heritage.

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VisitEngland Backs Golf Tourism England Valetta

editerranean destinations need to focus on their history and treasures of antiquity in order to appeal to today’s travellers, according to Edward Zammit Lewis, tourism minister, Malta.

Describing the Mediterranean as the most important touristic region in the world, Lewis, who spoke at a conference on sustainable tourism in historic centres, noted that while for decades the sun and sea have attracted holiday-makers to the area, a clear shift is now evident. Countries in the region need to constantly evaluate their tourism policies in order to maintain sustainable growth, he added.

Lewis attributed much of Malta’s recent success on the tourism front to the country’s strategic decision to position itself as a cultural destination offering a diversity experiences.

Italy Meets Crete

The bloggers experienced the Greek kitchen

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isitEngland praised the work done by Golf Tourism England to galvanise local venues to work together and attract more golf enthusiasts, resulting in the creation of clusters across the country like the Pennines Golf Trail, Suffolk Coastal Golf, The Dorset Heathland Tour and Southern Counties Heathland Tour.

James Berresford, CEO, VisitEngland, commented, “It is very pleasing to see that [Golf Tourism England] is gaining the backing of the golf industry by strengthening bonds between clubs at a local and regional level, creating a more attractive product for travelling golfers.”

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he Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)’s branch in Italy organised a familiarisation trip to Crete for seven travel bloggers.

The goal of the event was to showcase the Greek island to Italian tourism industry members, since the visitors had the chance to explore some of Crete’s most famous attractions and promote them in real time through their social media pages.

Simultaneously, GNTO’s representatives in Rome held an event which displayed the best of Cretan cuisine and gastronomy at the gardens of the Greek embassy in the Italian capital.

Scotland to Build Upon 2014 Momentum

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he number of visitors to Scotland grew five percent in 2014, according to the International Passenger Survey of the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). In total, visitors spent three percent more than in 2013.

Mike Cantlay, chairman, VisitScotland, commented, “We have great credentials, but we need to keep reinforcing to the world what Scotland is about and how important it is to visit and invest here.”

10 JUNE 2015

TOURISM BOARDS NEWS

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Exceptional Start to the Year for Tourism Ireland

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ourism Ireland welcomed a 14 percent growth in overseas visitors in the first quarter of the year.

The positive start comes as the organisation rolls out its promotional programme around the world, aiming to make this, the best year thus far for the country.

Commenting on the positive figures, Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, noted, “Our strategy of focussing

investment in key markets is paying dividends. Our strong position in digital media is also helping to drive growth; Tourism Ireland is now the third largest tourism board in the world on Facebook, with almost three million fans, and the second largest on Twitter, with more than 270,000 followers.”

Hungary: 1.7 Million Guests in Q1

Germany’s MICE Sector Soars in 2014

German Capital Ranks Fourth as a Meetings Hub

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he number of international meetings in Germany jumped nine percent to a total of 25.6 million in 2014, according to the Meeting & Event Barometer presented at IMEX. More than 383 million people took part in conferences in Germany, marking a 3.3 percent growth over 2013.

Petra Hedorfer, CEO, German National Tourist Board, enthused, “The rising share of international participants helps Germany remain the leading business destination in Europe by far.”

10 JUNE 2015

Budapest

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ungary registered 1.7 million hotel guests in the first quarter (Q1) of the year which translates into 3.9 million guest nights and a 15 percent rise in revenues to HUF33 billion (EUR107.8 million).

Average gross price of hotel rooms jumped 3.1 percent, leading to a 7.2 percent growth in gross RevPAR. The prevalent two-way trend in international tourist arrivals that has dominated this year, continued, since the number of Russian visitors dropped again, but the UK, US and Italy, among others, showed positive improvements. Hungary’s main feeder market remained Germany, followed by the UK, Austria and Italy.

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Berlin

aving hosted 193 association meetings in 2014, Berlin is now the fourth most popular meetings destination in the world, after Paris, Vienna and Madrid, according to the latest data provided by the International Congress & Convention Association.

“The convention business is an important economic factor for Berlin. It is our common goal that Berlin can continue to expand this very good position in the future,” enthused Michael Müller, governing mayor, Berlin.

Moreover, Burkhard Kieker, CEO, visitBerlin, added that the city’s unusual venues, state-of-the-art convention centres and highly professional organisers help to maintain and expand Berlin’s leading position.

“Berlin especially garners favour because it has the most modern hotel landscape in Europe,” he suggested.

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION

COLLAPSIBLE HOTEL ROOMS REVOLUTIONISE INDUSTRY Dutch-inspired Flexotels, an innovative concept that allows quick and flexible placing of accommodation at different sites where there is extra need for comfortable temporary overnight stays, have been extended to include a sanitary room.

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ainly deployed at festivals and events all over the world, Flexotels’ collapsible hotel rooms now feature a shower, hot water heater, toilet and sink, providing event participants, visitors and personnel with more comfort.

“Generally guests do not mind to share joint showers and toilet blocks, but when staying at the event for a longer time, guests prefer more privacy and comfort. That is when you long for your own bathroom,” commented Hubert von Heyden, CEO, Flexotels.

Tallinn Celebrates New Park Inn

be.HOTEL Sparks Series of Upgrades in Malta

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Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Tallinn

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be.HOTEL

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stonia welcomed a new Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group property, the 465-key Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Tallinn.

Centrally located in the heart of the Estonian capital, adjacent to the Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the converted hotel boasts 14 conference rooms and 2,800m2 of spa and leisure facilities.

“Due to its excellent location and extensive meeting and spa facilities, the property attracts business and leisure guests alike and ideally complements our existing Park Inn by Radisson and two Radisson Blu hotels in the city,” commented Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

Starwood Sells Venice Property

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uring the official inauguration of the newly refurbished be.HOTEL in St Julian’s, Edward Zammit Lewis, minister for tourism, Malta, noted that the EUR2 million investment, in what formerly was Bay Street Hotel, is one of a series of upgrading projects that are being launched.

He further pointed out that such important developments do not only reflect the major optimism in the tourism industry’s future, but they also underline the sector’s successful performance which has started to produce an even better return on investment.

The new designer-styled four-star property offers a choice of 107 deluxe and deluxe superior rooms, as well as 18 studio apartments and five two-bedroom units.

tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has closed on the sale of The Gritti Palace, Venice to Nozul Hotels & Resorts, the owner of W Doha Hotel, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Jaidah Holdings.

In terms of the EUR105 million deal, the US hotelier will continue operating the property under The Luxury Collection flag following a new long-term management agreement.

Simon Turner, president, global development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said that the move highlighted the ongoing commitment to dispose properties to the right long-term partners to create value for shareholders.

“Amidst the strong transaction market, we are seeing a surge in interest in our remaining assets from a broad array of investors worldwide,” he admitted.

10 JUNE 2015

ACCOMMODATION NEWS Fosshotel Reykjavik to Open This Month

Park Inn by Radisson Debuts in Istanbul

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osshotel is continuing its expansion in Iceland with the company’s latest project in the capital city, set to welcome its first guests this month.

Located in the business district, just a short walking distance off Laugavegur, the main shopping street, the four-star property is set to become the largest hotel in the country.

Spreading over 16 floors, Fosshotel Reykjavik will feature 320 rooms and seven suites, extensive conference and meeting facilities, a restaurant, beer garden and a gym. In addition, from 2016 onwards, guests will also be able to take advantage of new spa facilities.

a rk Inn by Radisson Istanbul Ataturk Airport opened its doors, marking the brand’s debut in the Turkish city.

Located just four kilometres from the destination’s main international airport, the 154-key property offers a convenient place for meetings, events and conferences with seven modern meeting spaces and a 422m2 ballroom.

As Mark Willis, area vice president, Middle East and Turkey, The Rezidor Hotel Group, noted, the midmarket brand incorporates the ethos of choice, connectivity and community.

“We see a huge potential for this brand to grow in Turkey,” he indicated.

Fosshotel Reykjavik

Swiss-Belhotel Opens Athens Branch

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wiss-Belhotel International has taken another step in its global expansion with the launch of a regional Europe office in Athens.

Gavin Faull, president, Swiss-Belhotel International, said that negotiations were under way for a number of management opportunities in Europe, with three

hotels expected this year. “We have long been looking at investing in Europe and the new regional office will provide us with a springboard into the market,” he said.

Heading the office is John Lagos, who was named vice president, operations and development, Europe and the Balkans.

Meliá Hotels Invests in Spanish Portfolio

RIU Opens Family Resort on Black Sea Coast

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IU Hotels & Resorts inaugurated the four-star ClubHotel Riu Helios Paradise, its sixth Bulgarian property.

Located on the Black Sea coastline, the property boasts 597 rooms, large gardens, three themed restaurants, a 1,362m2 pool with Jacuzzi, a spa and two meeting spaces ideal for events and conferences. Guests are offered an extensive leisure and entertainment programme, including karaoke, sports classes, RiuArt studio and much more.

For teenagers, Riu4U offers a range of activities, while kids up to the age of 12 can enjoy RiuLand kids club.

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ClubHotel Riu Helios Paradise

TRYP Valencia Vora Fira

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eliá Hotels International is expanding its city hotel portfolio in Spain with the signing of a Valencia property, which will operate under the TRYP by Wyndham flag.

TRYP Valencia Vora Fira will be launched this month under a franchise agreement and will offer 127 rooms and facilities such as a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, car park and meeting rooms.

With overall tourism numbers on the rise, including an increase in corporate travel, the city is deemed to be Spain’s third most important city in attracting international business events.

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NEWS AIR Bulgaria Air Boosts Spanish Operations

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n response to strong demand, Bulgaria Air will increase frequency on its Palma de Mallorca route.

During the busy holiday season between July 29 and September 09, the Bulgarian carrier will operate an extra service on Wednesday mornings. In addition, passengers can also opt for the existing flight between Sofia and the Spanish hotspot on Tuesday afternoon, offering more flexible options to sun-seekers.

airBaltic Brings New York Closer to the Baltics

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irBaltic has recently extended its codeshare partnership with Uzbekistan Airways to connect travellers from the Baltic region to New York.

Passengers from across the area can board the Uzbekistani carrier’s flight to the US in Riga.

Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, enthused, “We are pleased about expanding our codeshare agreement with Uzbekistan Airways, and thus being able to offer the much-anticipated route to the global centre of fashion, finance, culture and art – New York City, to our customers from the Baltic region and beyond.”

Aeroflot Boeing 777-300ER

Aeroflot Adds Long-haul Capacity

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eroflot has taken delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER, further expanding the airline’s capacity on long-haul routes.

The factory-direct aircraft, which has been named after lyrical poet Sergei Esenin, is configured with business, economy and comfort class cabins, and features Boeing’s signature interior with large overhead compartments.

The Russian airline already operates to a number of long-haul destinations from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, including Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles.

Air Serbia’s Aviolet to Fly to Turkey

Air France Returns to Sierra Leone

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s of June 30, Air France will resume its scheduled services between Freetown, Sierra Leone and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

The French airline will deploy an Airbus A330-200 on the route with a total of 208 seats; 40 in business, 21 in premium and 147 in economy class. The flight will be operated three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Air France’ return to the African country is set to reinforce its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s economic development.

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urkish civil aviation authorities have given green light for Air Serbia’s flights to Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya for this season.

Services to the destinations will be operated by Aviolet, the carrier’s charter brand.

This year, Aviolet will fly to Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Egypt, covering 19 routes. These are Antalya, Catania, Kefalonia, Hania, Corfu, Dalaman, Girona, Heraklion, Hurghada, Karpathos, Kos, Milas-Bodrum, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes, Santorini, Sharm El Sheikh, Skiathos, and Zakynthos.

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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the company’s main values and how would you describe your clientele?

JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL: Referring to the variety of our hotels’ destinations and with over than 55 hotels in 30 countries and around 9,000 rooms exclusively in the four- and five-star segment, it is hard to say that there is one typical Warwick guest. Depending on the region or if this is a city hotel or a resort, our clients have various profiles but all share common values. They are discerning international travellers seeking for luxurious comforts, genuine service and an authentic experience in a stay that makes it memorable and unique.

Indeed, all Warwick hotels have common features that weave the fabric of our DNA together; [these include] unique history, exceptional location, sumptuous suites and delectable gastronomy […].

Q & A with

Jean-Marie Pébrel

der management agreements and has recently announced the opening of two resorts in Cuba, Naviti Varadero Resort, a four-star all-inclusive resort and Warwick Cayo Santa Maria, a five-star all-inclusive property, which is due to open this summer. More developments in Latin America are to be announced in the future.

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, EUROPE, WARWICK INTERNATIONAL HOTELS

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Which segments will lead the industry’s growth over the coming years?

JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL: Thanks to the exceptional locations of our hotels, both leisure and business travellers are our guests. The affordable luxury that our hotels provide represents a great strength to attract leisure travellers from all around the world. The MICE segment is an interesting segment, especially coming from Latin America and Asia.

Moreover, our European hotels have adapted their distribution modes which are evolving. If travel types will remain the same, leisure, corporate, MICE. The booking tools and sources are changing and WIH proposes to guests flexible rates, advances purchase offers, dedicated app and real-time availability, among others.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the main markets for your European properties?

JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL: For our six owned European properties in Paris, Geneva, Brussels and Lyon, main markets are Russia, Japan, the US and the Middle East. Our strong network in the US, with seven owned properties, offers our European network great awareness among American clientele. It is the same with the Middle East where we were set up in 2012. We now count eight hotels under management contracts within the region. This presence reinforces our image among international travellers. We are also focussing our sales and distribution efforts for our European hotels on emerging markets, especially Latin America. Last but not least, the UK market remains a stable flow of clientele for our European hotels as well as the local and national markets of each hotel.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Please tell us about the company’s growth strategy.

JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL: WIH has developed a core of hotels in key cities worldwide. For over 30 years, the strategy deployed by WIH is based on three distinct but aligned models: ownedand-managed, affiliation agreements and management contracts. This allows members with flexibility and a choice of varying aspects of expertise they can 10 JUNE 2015

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: With Internet penetration on the rise and travellers increasingly relying on online platforms how do you ensure that you make the most of these channels?

WARWICK INTERNATIONAL HOTELS (WIH) WAS ESTABLISHED OVER THREE DECADES AGO AND TODAY, THE COMPANY RUNS MORE THAN 20 HOTELS ACROSS EUROPE. JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, EUROPE, WIH, SHARES THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE COMPANY. choose from. After having successfully established a network of 19 fully ownedand-managed hotels in Europe, the US and Asia Pacific, and effectively demonstrated our ability to adopt a tailor-made approach to managing hotels, WIH created its affiliation model catered to independent hotels. We saw a need for independent hotels to be represented by like-minded owners who share its desire to preserve the uniqueness and charm of their hotels, whilst providing the inter-

national sales and marketing platform, distribution network and worldwide access to corporate and leisure travellers parallel to larger hotel companies.

This development mode is particularly tailored to European mature markets where we are facing independent family hoteliers looking for partnership. WIH’s development remains global. If we keep looking for acquisitions in major European and US key cities, WIH also pursues its dynamic growth in the Middle East un-

JEAN-MARIE PÉBREL: We prefer thinking of social media and online platforms as powerful communication vectors to improve ourselves. Today’s clients are posting reviews, tweeting, adding pictures on their Instagram account and so on. They are looking to find us here and there and they use these tools as ways to decide anything travel-related. We think our role is to interact with them. Our social media presence goal is to transmit our positioning and identity and to create a link before, during and after a stay.

Even if WIH is heavily involved in improving its sales and digital distribution, we never forget that our primary activity is [being a] hotelier. We love welcoming and pampering our guests and their satisfaction is our top priority. We have just ended the first phase of embellishment of our Parisian gem, Hotel Westminster, with 28 brand new signature suites and rooms which were unveiled mid-May.

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NEWS AIR Austrian Airlines Determined to Grow

Norwegian Links UK to Croatia

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ollowing a thorough reformation, Austrian Airlines has embarked on a path of growth with a new pricing model, boosted medium-haul fleet, added destinations and a fresh image, among others.

“The restructuring carried out over the past years has made us fit again for the rough aviation market,” suggested Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Austrian Airlines.

The carrier now anticipates growth in passenger volume, revenue and the total number of employees during the next three to five years, as Heinz Lachinger, chief financial officer, Austrian Airlines, revealed. In absolute terms, the company expects 1.5 million passengers, 400 new jobs and a revenue increase of EUR210 million within the next years.

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lasgow is the newest summer destination of Lufthansa, being served once a week from Munich. The German carrier is also flying, for the first time, from the Bavarian capital to Keflavik, Heraklion, Seville and Perugia this summer.

Moreover, in winter, Lufthansa passengers will have the opportunity to travel nonstop from Munich to the largest and best-known winter sports centre in Finland for the first time, since from December 19, the airline will be taking off every Saturday to Kittilä.

Pula

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orwegian launched flights from London’s Gatwick Airport to Pula operated by its brand new, 186-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

“With a flight time of just over two hours and free Wi-Fi throughout, passengers will arrive in Pula by lunchtime and can enjoy the vast array of beaches and cultural sites on offer on the Croatian coast,” enthused Thomas Ramdahl, chief commercial officer, Norwegian.

The low-cost carrier already boasts an expanded long-haul network from Gatwick Airport with services to Puerto Rico due to start in November.

Icelandair Returns to Chicago

Keflavik

Irish Airspace Boosted

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s of March 16, 2016, Icelandair will connect Iceland to Chicago O’Hare International Airport four times per week, establishing a fresh link after a long hiatus of 28 years.

“We are excited to return to Chicago as a bigger, better airline that can best serve the dynamic market of this world-class city and its nearly 10 million inhabitants. Chicagoans will now have a refreshing alternative when travelling to Iceland and beyond, and Icelanders and Europeans will have direct access to the vibrant and historic city of Chicago,” said Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO, Icelandair.

Chicago

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Lufthansa Enhances Northern Connections

hanks to a buoyant US economy, during April, North Atlantic air traffic surged ahead in Ireland.

According to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)’s traffic figures, en route traffic movements jumped 9.4 percent to 27,016 compared to the same month in 2014. European and US flights also saw a year-on-year increase of 5.8 percent.

Dublin Airport also reported strong growth in April, with a surge of 6.1 percent in commercial terminal movements.

Eamonn Brennan, CEO, IAA, said, “A number of international airlines, particularly from North America and the Middle East are expanding their transatlantic operations and we are seeing that feed through each month into Irish airspace.”

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AIR NEWS Air Canada Adds Frequency on Copenhagen Route

Amsterdam Gears Up for Qatar Airways Arrival

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reparations are underway at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for the imminent landing of Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight.

Starting June 16, the Middle Eastern airline will operate six weekly services between Doha and the Dutch capital which, according to Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, not only has one of the busiest airports in Europe but is also a major tourism destination.

“We have been pursuing the opportunity to open this new route for some time and I am pleased to have achieved our ambition,” admitted Al Baker, suggesting that demand for the new route is expected to be high.

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n winter, Air Canada will increase the number of flights between Copenhagen and Toronto from three to four per week.

“Our busy business travellers have long been requesting a Monday departure from Copenhagen in the winter season in order to fit as much as possible into their business trip and return at the end of the week without too many stopovers,” explained Marc Sam, country manager, Denmark, Air Canada.

airBaltic Adds New German Routes

Wizz Air to Open New Hungarian Base

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irBaltic launched two new itineraries, connecting Frankfurt and Dortmund with the German island of Usedom in the Baltic Sea once a week.

Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, commented, “The opening of these new routes linking Frankfurt and Dortmund with Usedom Island is an important occasion for airBaltic, as it paves the way for our expansion into the Baltic Sea region. In collaboration with our partners ArGe group, we are delighted to offer this popular summer holiday destination to travellers from mainland Germany.”

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einforcing its commitment to the Hungarian market, Wizz Air will launch its 22nd base in Debrecen.

As of December 16, the north-eastern Hungarian city will become the low-cost carrier’s second airport with base operations in the country with one new Airbus A320, which will increase the number of routes served from the destination to six and annual capacity by 136 percent to 145,000 seats.

Wizz Air will offer three new flights from Debrecen, including Brussels Charleroi, Malmo and Paris Beauvais, all initially operating with two weekly frequencies.

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10 JUNE 2015

Akbar Al Baker (centre)

LuxairGroup Growth Strategy Bears Fruits

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fter returning to profit in 2013, LuxairGroup once again registered better than expected results for 2014 ending the year with a net profit of EUR9.7 million as compared to EUR1.9 million in 2013.

“Over the last two years, LuxairGroup has demonstrated its ability to innovate and thus managed to cope with competition,” explained Adrien Ney, CEO, LuxairGroup, pinpointing that in 2014, Luxair Luxembourg Airline managed to cross the one million passenger mark for the first time, contributing to a 30 percent reduction of the loss of the airlines business.

Similarly, Luxair Tours continued to deliver positive results with operating profit improving to EUR10.1 million.

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NEWS Kuoni Supports Starmus Festival

Slovenia Lures More ForeignHelicopter Tourists Tours Balloon Tallinn Introduces

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n top of its standard helium balloon rides Balloon Tallinn now offers helicopter tours above the Estonian capital’s Old Town.

Sigre Luts, member of the board, Lennulaev, the operator of Balloon Tallinn, commented that the company steps up its product offering, to give adventure-seekers the chance to enjoy panoramic views over the town and the sea from the highest open outdoor platform in the city centre.

Flights are operated by a Robinson R44 helicopter, which can carry up to three passengers.

uoni Congress became the official organiser of the next edition of Starmus Festival, which will take place from June 27 – July 02, 2016 on the Canary Islands.

The event will see space travellers, stargazers and astrophysicists invite the general public to discover the wonders of the cosmos through science, art and music. One of the keynote speakers will be Stephen Hawking, a widely-famous theoretical physicist.

Lars Ingelius, vice president, Europe, MICE, Kuoni Destination Management, stated, “I am delighted that we will have the chance to bring our expertise to such a unique and extraordinary event as the Starmus Festival.

There are many unusual elements to the occasion that will attract people from around the world with high expectations of the experience they will have.”

Hertz: Europe Saves the Day

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espite a nine percent drop in international car rental revenue to USD436 million (EUR385 million), Hertz reported positive figures from Europe.

Continent-wide revenue, which represents 67 percent of the international total, rose seven percent, excluding currency effects. In addition, transaction days increased five percent on strong demand in Spain, Italy and the UK. Admitting that the first quarter financial results were rather unsatisfactory, John Tague, CEO, Hertz, expressed his belief that the second half of the year will bring growth, positioning the company well for 2016.

“We are on a clear path toward improving our revenue execution capabilities, modernising and aligning our fleet more closely with demand trends, and pursuing our previously announced cost savings opportunities,” said Tague.

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10 JUNE 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Hipmunk: Europe is Cheaper for Americans Consumer-oriented online travel company Hipmunk found that Europe is 22 percent cheaper for US travellers this summer, leading to an increase in online searches for trips to the Eurozone by potential American travellers.

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n March alone, the number of searches rose by a third, in comparison with the same month of 2014.

The most popular countries searched included Italy, France, Spain, Ireland and Germany.

The blog stressed that food and spending money locally will be more affordable than in previous years; however, this is not be the case when it comes to flights and hotel accommodation provided by international companies as these increased on average by seven and two percent, respectively.

London Meets Romance at Mills & Boon Awards

Travel Foundation Helps Hotels Reduce Waste

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he Travel Foundation and Travelife unveiled free online resources to help hotels minimise plastic waste, available on the Make Holidays Greener campaign website. The guide includes tips for all departments, as well as a training presentation, customer posters and a survey. In addition, a colourful graphic displays statistics about the amount of plastics in our oceans, and how tourists can help while on holiday.

Salli Felton, CEO, The Travel Foundation, highlighted, “The world is beginning to wake up to the huge challenges associated with the use and disposal of plastic and particularly the impact on our oceans, seas and beaches. There are very simple things that companies can do to reduce their impact significantly and at the same time save themselves money.”

Iberia Strengthens Unaccompanied Minor Services

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ills & Boon’s The Romantics Awards, a ceremony that recognises the UK’s most romantic companies, citizens and places, took place for the first time at the British capital city. The Orkney Islands were crowned as the most romantic destination in the country, while Yorebridge House won the most romantic venue accolade.

“The shortlist and winning companies, locations and individuals all thoroughly deserve the recognition and we hope that the awards have inspired others to seek out new romantic experiences throughout the UK,” said Joanna Kite, marketing manager, Mills & Boon.

S Oarkney Islands

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panish carrier Iberia has enhanced its unaccompanied minor (UM) services for both children aged five to 11 and young passengers aged from 12 to 17 flying alone. These include special headrest covers that alert the crew for the location of UMs, as well as notifications to parents and guardians of children by means of text messages on takeoffs, connecting flights made and landings.

The services can be requested via the company’s website from the time the ticket is purchased to up to 72 hours before departure.

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WHO’S MOVED

ALEXANDRA LILJA LINDVIK

PHILIP PHILIPPOU

Alexandra Lilja Lindvik has been named director of public relations and communications for the Nordic region at The Rezidor Hotel Group.

She will be responsible for all group public relations and communications activities across a portfolio of more than 60 hotels and 15,000 rooms in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.

Lindvik joins the company from Burson-Marsteller, where she worked since 2009 advising, among others, a number of hotel groups on their strategic communications public relations activities. Several of the campaigns she has worked on, have been recognised with international awards.

Lindvik brings extensive experience in developing and integrating information and awareness campaigns.

Philip Philippou has taken over as general manager for Greece at Etihad Airways.

Having spent the past decades in senior sales and marketing roles, Philippou brings more than 30 years of experience and wide-ranging commercial expertise to the table.

He joins the Abu Dhabi-based carrier after working with major European and Middle Eastern airlines. Most recently he served Oleander Travel in the Netherlands.

Philippou is replacing Dimitrios Karagkioules, who was recently appointed Etihad Airways’ general manager for Thailand.

Philippou most recently served Oleander Travel

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MARGAUX PÉRIAT

STEFAN VASIC

Margaux Périat has been appointed director of sales at Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto in Rome.

Having previously served as revenue manager at the property, Périat brings with her extensive experience in the hotel industry in Europe. She graduated from Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland with a bachelor degree in international hospitality management.

Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, Périat worked at Hotel Barceló in Istanbul, Kempinski in Geneva, as well as market place revenue manager at AccorHotels’ headquarters in Italy, where she was responsible for five properties.

In her new capacity, she will be responsible for overseeing the design and execution of all sales, commercial activities and strategies, as well as events.

Stefan Vasic has assumed his new duties as a media spokesperson for Swiss International Air Lines.

Vasic began his career with the airline as a flight attendant in 2007. Over the past years, he went on to hold various functions in cabin crew management, working most recently as manager of cabin crew communications.

Vasic holds a bachelor of science degree in communications from Zurich University of Applied Sciences in business administration. The experienced communicator brings extensive knowledge of the carrier’s flight operations to the team.

Vasic has a bachelor of science in communications

10 JUNE 2015

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Rixos Hotel Borjomi in Georgia celebrated its grand opening

Georgian National Tourism Administration supported the Kazbegi Marathon

AEGEAN Airlines celebrated its 16th birthday with traditional Cretan desserts

10 JUNE 2015

Unusual guest at Liszt Ferenc International Airport, Budapest

Tourism Ireland welcomed a visit by Charles, prince of Wales and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall

Celebrating Czech Airlines' inaugural Prague - Porto flight

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NEWS & EVENTS Poland Welcomes Convention Bureau Masuria

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he Polish MICE scene has welcomed the newly-formed Convention Bureau Masuria, established to cater to the evolving needs of tourists and business travellers to Warmia and Masuria. The new entity will support the development of congress tourism in the region by promoting it to meeting and event organisers.

Poland Convention Bureau will assist in the creation of the business office in Masuria using its technical support and experience, and the two entities will ultimately cooperate on a range of initiatives.

EVENTS INTERNATIONAL PARIS AIR SHOW Paris, France June 15 – 21 www.siae.fr A window into the dynamic aerospace industry which give manufacturers the chance to showcase their know-how.

Karlsruhe Turns 300

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he German city of Karlsruhe will be celebrating its 300th anniversary between June 17 – September 24 with an extensive programme for visitors of all ages.

During the 15-week festival, more than 400 events will be held in and around Karlsruhe Palace. From music, comedy, theatre and film to dazzling light shows, the city promises to offer entertainment for young and old alike.

During the day, visitors are also encouraged to enjoy a still along the destination’s main shopping boulevard, Kaiserstrasse, one of the liveliest places in town.

Civil Aviation Partners Meet in Athens

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he debut meeting of BLUE MED FAB Flight Efficiency Task Force took place in Athens in mid-May. Participants included officials of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, Malta Air Traffic Services, Department of Civil Aviation Cyprus and their Italian civil aviation counterpart, ENAV.

The first goal of the workshop was to deliver a flight efficiency plan hence agreeing on the methodology to be used, the identification of the data to collect and the information to be communicated.

The publication of the first BLUE MED FAB Flight Efficiency Plan is scheduled for March 2016.

Austrian Airlines Supports Fight against Aids

A Life Ball guests’ arrival

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ustrian Airlines flew 180 passengers from New York to Vienna, including a number of celebrities, such as Dita Von Teese, Carmen Electra and Paula Abdul, who visited the European capital to join the annual Life Ball, hailed as the biggest charity event in Europe.

To mark the occasion, the carrier branded a Boeing 767 in commemoration of the show with the financial support of the Vienna Tourist Board.

For 10 years now, Austrian Airlines has been bringing numerous and prominent supporters of the fight against Aids to Vienna. To show a sign of solidarity, crew members wore red ribbons.

NEARLY ZERO ENERGY HOTELS Nice, France June 24 nezeh.eu/nezeh2015conference A forum for the hotel sector, energy efficiency professionals and policy-makers to explore opportunities for energy innovation.

IBTM CHINA Beijing, China August 05 – 06 www.cibtm.com A place for the MICE industry decision-makers to meet for global business adventures.

ICOMEX Mexico City, Mexico August 25 – 26 www.icomex-mexico.com Part of ibtm events, the show focusses on incentives, congresses and conventions in Latin America.

10 JUNE 2015