Travel Trade Europe Issue 10 by Travel Trade Publications

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

25 MARCH 2015

ISSUE 10

25.6 MILION PASSENGERS AT COPENHAGEN AIRPORT STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE CONTINUES ITS FAST-PACED EXPANSION AND EXPECTS TO OPEN MORE THAN 40 NEW PROPERTIES ACROSS EUROPE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

08 INTERVIEW WITH DAVID WOODWARD

17 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

CRUISING

AIRPORTS

ACCOMMODATION

AIR

RENDEZVOUS

AGENTS

TRAVEL TALK

TRAVEL CHANNELS

WHO’S MOVED

PHOTO ALBUM

NEWS & EVENTS

STARWOOD TO GROW ITS EUROPEAN FOOTPRINT

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

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

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian

Hotels in the French capital registered negative year-on-year comparisons across all key performance indicators for January.

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 EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

24/3/2015

Paris Market Pares Back in January

DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou

CURRENCY

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) cut down its overall capacity during winter, with available seats lowered by 3.5 percent year-on-year in January. cheduled capacity was down 2.2 percent during the month, but scheduled movements saw a rise of 0.9 percent. Intercontinental traffic decreased almost two percent, while that on European and intra-Scandinavian routes grew by four percent; domestic traffic rose by a modest 0.3 percent. In a bid to continue providing premium onboard service to its customers, SAS has recently increased the number of digital newspapers available to download on its app up to 22 hours before departure, offering over 12,000 titles.

CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic

COUNTRY

SAS Reduces January Capacity but Maintains Traffic

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US (USD)

Dollar

1.09

UK (GBP)

Pound

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Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.06

Japan (JPY)

Yen

130.63

ccording to HotStats, both occupancy and average room rate (ARR) declined 2.2 percentage points and 4.5 percent respectively to deliver a RevPAR drop of 7.5 percent. With other sources of revenue also decreasing, total RevPAR fell 7.4 percent to EUR292.77. Despite overheads remaining stable, gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) fell sharply by 23.6 percent to EUR51.74 representing a profit conversion of 17.7 percent down from 21.4 percent compared to the same period in 2014.

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Paris

Chopin Airport Boasts Strong January Performance Warsaw Chopin Airport celebrated the fourth consecutive monthly record in its history, having handled over 689,000 passengers in January; 7.4 percent more than in the corresponding period in 2014.

“J

anuary confirms the tendency of the dynamic traffic growth in Warsaw. It is noticeable, especially in the low-cost traffic, with a year-over-year increase of around 38 percent, as well as in the charter traffic which recorded an increase of more than 23 percent,” said Radosław Paruzel, deputy director, Warsaw Chopin Airport. In the first month of the year, the airport served over 614 million international passengers, up 10.3 percent, and over 75,500 domestically. Aircraft movements grew by 11.1 percent, totalling 9,500. 25 MARCH 2015

MARKET UPDATE

Berlin and Dublin and Prague Air Serbia Breaks All Milan Miss Out Deliver High in Records Berlin hotels demonstrated that January RevPAR alone can be a misleading indicator of hotel performance.

espite of the metric’s three percent rise in January, both total RevPAR and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) levels went down by 3.1 percent and 16.5 percent respectively, according to HotStats. Similarly, in Milan the headline performance was positive thanks to a RevPAR growth of 0.3 percent, but the metric failed to show the full picture. Indeed, this performance was cancelled out by negative movements across most ancillary departments, and as a result total RevPAR diminished by 2.3 percent to EUR52.23.

25 MARCH 2015

In January, both Dublin and Prague hoteliers achieved impressive year-on-year surges in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) by 55.6 percent and 36.9 percent respectively, as per the latest HotStats data.

otels in the Irish city managed to increase average room rate (ARR) by five percent and occupancy by 5.9 percentage points, resulting in a RevPAR rise of 15.4 percent. A general surge in other revenues such as beverage, food and leisure also contributed to the total RevPAR growth. Meanwhile, hotels in the Czech capital simultaneously boosted occupancy by 0.2 percentage points and ARR by 2.4 percent to produce a RevPAR improvement of 2.9 percent compared to the same period in 2014.

Air Serbia made a net profit of EUR2.7 million in 2014, with revenues rising 87 percent to EUR262 million.

assenger traffic jumped by two thirds compared to 2013 with 2.3 million travellers, available seat kilometres increased by 74 percent to 3.3 billion and the seat load factor rose by three percentage points over the 64 percent recorded in 2013, the airline’s last year of operation as Jat Airways. “The profit we have delivered in 2014 is, above all, a great sign for the future, as it lays a solid foundation going forward,” said Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia.

NEWS CRUISING

Cunard Celebrates Queen Elizabeth

unard Line has announced a special sailing to mark Queen Elizabeth’s fifth birthday where guests will be invited to take to the dance floor for a Big Band Ball, to celebrate this occasion from October 2 – 7, during a five-night cruise to Amsterdam and Bruges, from Zeebrugge. Angus Struthers, marketing director, Cunard Line, said, “Fantastic music, a magnificent setting and a special birthday to celebrate should make for a real party feel as we mark the fifth year since our youngest ship, Queen Elizabeth, joined the Cunard fleet. On this special occasion we are aiming to recreate the heyday of the 1940s Big Band sound, inviting passengers to join us for an evening of glamour.”

Crystal Cruises Extends Shipboard Credit to Casinos

HAL: Robust Canada and New England Options

New Oasis Ship to Be Revealed

rystal Cruises will allow travellers to convert shipboard credits into non-cashable slot vouchers or special table game chips in the casinos, effective with Crystal Symphony’s March 9 Singapore to Hong Kong sailing and Crystal Serenity’s March 13 Perth to Cape Town voyage. While slot vouchers or special table game chips are not redeemable for cash, winnings will be paid in cashable vouchers and chips, while any remaining chips or vouchers can be re-deposited to the guest’s shipboard credit account for use toward any other applicable Crystal amenity or experience. Edie Rodriguez, president, Crystal Cruises, commented, “The new use of shipboard credit in our casinos is another benefit to Crystal’s all-inclusive experience and further enhances our onboard enrichment.”

ith 39 cruises throughout Canada and New England, Holland America Line (HAL) offers an extensive array of cruises in the region, ranging from seven- to 15-day itineraries. As Orlando Ashford, president, HAL, noted, this in-demand area is rich in culture, history and scenery, making it an ideal cruise destination all year round. On each Canada and New England cruise, whether onboard ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam or ms Veendam, HAL’s On Location enrichment activities bring local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life, both onboard and ashore, to deepen guests’ appreciation of the region.

oyal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and the third Oasis-class ship will soon have a new sister to welcome to the Oasis class family. February 3 marked the steel cutting for a fourth Oasis ship, scheduled to be delivered in 2018. The official start of construction took place at the STX France shipyard in SaintNazaire, where the third Oasisclass ship is also being built. Spanning 16 decks with 2,700 staterooms, the Oasisclass vessels also introduced firsts at sea such as a handcrafted carousel, the Rising Tide bar, the AquaTheater high-diving performance venue, and the Central Park with more than 12,000 live trees and plants. Details of the two Oasisclass ships currently under construction will be revealed in the coming months.

25 MARCH 2015

NEWS CRUISING Silversea: Shore Excursions and Wi-Fi on Mediterranean Cruises

Viking XPRS Gets a Facelift

Ephesus

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ilversea Cruises kicked off the season with an enticing new programme that includes shore excursions and Wi-Fi on the line’s 52 Mediterranean cruises. Guests may enrich their travel experience with a choice of included Silver Shore Select excursions offered at every port of call, whether the ancient Acropolis of Athens, the marbled lanes of Ephesus or the Renaissance treasures of Florence. In addition, guests may purchase tours from a variety of land programmes, including the more immersive Silver Shore Collection tours, as well as Silver Shore Privato, which provides a private car and driver for independent exploring.

iking Line’s Viking XPRS, used on the Helsinki – Tallinn route is being thoroughly modernised. The renovation, which is scheduled to be completed by summer, includes new dining and shopping options, as well as larger play areas for children. Most of the improvements are being made while the vessel is in service, therefore no dry-docking is planned. “We are investing in onboard comfort and services in order to offer our customers the experiences that they want,” said Kaj Takolander, head of sales and marketing, Finland and the Baltics, Viking Line.

Oceania Cruises Expands Culinary Programme

Royal Caribbean Ship to Set New Benchmark

n April, Royal Caribbean International will launch the third of its new generation Oasis-class ships, Harmony of the Seas, which will offer a range of facilities and experiences, including three multi-storey waterslides, a handcrafted carousel, a games arcade, a Bionic Bar with robots serving drinks and dancing, a dedicated lounge, restaurant and sun deck for suite guests, as well as new dining concepts. “We are orchestrating a medley of new exciting concepts with the best Royal Caribbean innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers,” said Michael Bayley, president, Royal Caribbean International.

ceania Cruises will enrich its culinary curriculum with 20 new classes for the Culinary Center, including a special two-day immersion programme, a session focussed on the life and legacy of Chef Jacques Pépin and additions to the Gourmet Explorer Series that showcases cooking styles from a variety of international destinations. Oceania Cruises is widely recognised for its culinary enrichment offerings, including the introduction of the first-ever Culinary Center at sea equipped with individual induction cook top work stations. The new initiatives were developed by long-time director of Culinary Enrichment, chef Kathryn Kelly, and will debut on Marina and Riviera starting in April.

Carnival Vista to Be Introduced

C Harmony of the Seas

arnival Cruise Lines announced the details of Carnival Vista, debuting in spring 2016, which aims to take cruising to new heights and introduce an exciting array of new features including SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience, an IMAXTheatre, an expanded water park, the line’s first raft-riding water tube slide, a delectable New England-inspired eatery and RedFrog Pub, amongst other. The new vessel will debut on May 1, 2016, with a 13-day cruise departing from Trieste; the first European voyage for Carnival Cruise Lines in three years.

25 MARCH 2015

NEWS AIRPORTS

Athens Airport Welcomes Prestigious Aviation Event

thens International Airport (AIA) hosted its 15th Airline Marketing Workshop, with the discussion agenda dealing with issues such as connectivity, 2014 being a year of significant traffic recovery and prospects for this year’s traffic developments. It was highlighted that AIA welcomed eight new airlines in 2014, as well as 13 new international destinations and 168 weekly flights. Moreover, passenger traffic jumped more than 21 percent year-on-year, international travellers increased by 29 percent and Greek tourists rose 22.5 percent. The event gathered 180 high-level attendees and a number of highly-coveted awards were handed to the best performing airlines.

Awarded airline representatives

Some 25.6 Milion Passengers at Copenhagen Airport

record 25.6 million travellers passed through Copenhagen Airport in 2014, 6.5 percent more than in 2013, boosting both revenues and overall performance results. The growth is attributed to an increase in international and transfer passengers. In addition, revenue from the airport's shopping centre and parking increased, and the operation of the airport hotel also improved. “The growth expected in coming years will require a continuous physical expansion of the airport. […] We began extending Pier C in 2014 to accommodate even more intercontinental flights, both adding and upgrading several aircraft stands to handle these large aircraft,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports.

Copenhagen Airport

Schiphol Group: 2014 Revenues Climb Eight Percent

evenues of Schiphol Group, operator of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol increased by 8.1 percent in 2014, reaching EUR1.47 billion, with the company having spent EUR396 million on fixed assets. Meanwhile, passenger volumes at Amsterdam's hub jumped 4.6 percent to 55 million. Jos Nijhuis, president, Schiphol Group, commented, “These are healthy results which enable us to continue to invest in the Mainport. Increasing competition forces us to remain alert and to make further investments in the quality and capacity of Schiphol. Examples include the completion of the central security project in the non-Schengen area and the A Area development of a new terminal and pier.”

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport 25 MARCH 2015

NEWS AIRPORTS EU Passenger Growth Outpaces Non-EU Airports

Slovenia LurestoMore Foreign Tourists More Flights the Isle of Man from Glasgow Airport

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Finavia Committed to Investing in Lapland Airport

Peel, Isle of Man

s of May 1, Citywing will offer 11 return flights between Glasgow and the Isle of Man, following an increase in frequency on the route. David Buck, managing director, Citywing, enthused, “Our business passengers can now take advantage of a day return whilst the leisure traveller can enjoy short breaks off the island with weekend travel now being more available.” Paul White, business development manager, Glasgow Airport, added, “It is very encouraging to see Citywing increasing the number of flights it operates, which just goes to show how successful the route has been with our customer base. We […] look forward to working closely with the airline to ensure its continued success at Glasgow Airport.”

uropean airports registered a 4.8 percent increase in passenger traffic in January, driven by robust performance in European Union (EU) member states. According to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, figures rose 5.1 percent at EU hubs, while non-EU airports posted the lowest rate of growth in nearly six years, at 3.8 percent. As Olivier Jankovec, director general, ACI Europe, noted, traffic at EU airports continues to grow well above, underlying macroeconomic conditions, yet the picture remains contrasted between national markets. “From double-digit growth in Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Belgium down to negative figures in Austria, Slovenia and Finland,” explained Jankovec.

Sleeping Pods Arrive at Helsinki Airport

Ivalo Airport

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assengers at Helsinki Airport can now rest in one of the 19 GoSleep sleeping pods, the first ones in Europe, following Finavia’s investment to further elevate customer experience at Finland’s main gateway. “We wish to provide passengers with an opportunity for stress-free travel and a nap between flights. Helsinki Airport has many transit passengers, who may not have had any sleep for a day or are suffering from jet lag,” said Heikki Koski, vice president, Finavia. While resting, isolated from any noise around them, guests can store their luggage under the pod and charge their phones or laptops.

his spring, a new terminal section will open at Ivalo Airport in Lapland, following an investment by Finavia. The number of transfer passengers from Helsinki Airport to Ivalo has doubled compared to 2013, thanks to local tourism operators. “The terminal expansion will be ready before summer. The renovation of the current terminal will start immediately after that. According to the plan, it will be completed in November, just in time for the next winter season,” said Martti Oinas, regional manager, Lapland, Finavia. The company’s investment in tourism in Lapland is valued at over EUR30 million and also includes improving parking areas and a runway renovation completed last summer.

25 MARCH 2015

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Corinthia Hotel Prague: EUR250,000 AV Upgrade

n a bid to cater to the thriving MICE market, Corinthia Hotel Prague has completed a EUR250,000 project aimed at upgrading the hotel’s meeting and events audiovisual (AV) infrastructure. The Czech hotel that has gained a reputation among European and North American meeting planners, now offers stateof-the-art technology throughout its extensive conference spaces with a number of unique equipments.

“Since its very conception, Corinthia Hotel Prague has been a top choice for meeting and events planners worldwide, and the enhancements we complete will ensure it remains as such in the years to come,” commented Jonathan Pace, general manager, Corinthia Hotel Prague, noting that in the new era, connectivity and technology will become increasingly important for the meetings and events industry.

fter 85 years in operation, Steigenberger Hotels’ Europäischer Hof, Baden-Baden is to undergo an extensive renovation and reopen in 2017. The historic property will be upgraded to grand hotel standard, joining the ranks of other flagship hotels under the brand, including Frankfurter Hof, Steigenberger Parkhotel Düsseldorf, and Steigenberger Grandhotel, Brussels. “Baden-Baden is a key location for us, because this is the very spot at which our history began. The aim of our corporate strategy is to pursue international expansion whilst emphasising our roots and our rich tradition,” said Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotels, said.

New Hotel Coming Up in Azerbaijan

Carlson Rezidor Announces Armenian Debut

lham Aliyev, president, Azerbaijan, has overviewed the progress of construction, giving instructions and recommendations, at Aghsaray Hotel, which is being built on the right bank of the Kur River in Mingachevir. The hotel covers an area of 2.5ha, and consists on five blocks boasting 55 rooms. A restaurant, café-bar, entertainment centre, conference hall, swimming pools, sauna, fitness room, massage rooms and cottages will also be present at the upcoming property.

Europäischer Hof, Baden-Baden

Steigenberger to Restore German Hotel

Golden Palace Hotel, Yerevan

arlson Rezidor Hotel Group has joined forces with Armenian hotel operator Golden Palace Hotel to open Radisson Blu Hotel, Yerevan, set to welcome its first guests in early 2016. “We are delighted to arrive in the key market of Armenia. Historically, the tourism industry was always one of the most important sectors in the country. Today, the government actively supports national travel and tourism, making it one of the fast growing industries in Armenia”, commented Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group. Following renovation and extension works, the hotel will feature 140 rooms, two restaurants and a lobby bar, a 1,000m2 spa and fitness area and extensive meeting spaces, and will cater to the government and MICE segment.

25 MARCH 2015

NEWS ACCOMMODATION

Marriott’s Moxy Brand Up for Fast Growth

arriott International will open 2,700 hotel rooms under its Moxy brand in key cities across Europe by the end of 2016, with five hotels in Germany, four in the UK, one in Norway and one in Denmark. This is in line with its goal of operating 150 Moxy hotels and 25,000 rooms by 2020. This year alone, the company expects to sign at least 4,200 rooms. Amy McPherson, president, Europe, Marriott International, commented, “We expect that the next few years will show significant growth, helping to build brand presence so travellers can familiarise themselves with a new affordable design hotel concept. We look forward to the future and what it brings for Moxy.”

Kiev’s Premier Palace Hotel Adds Conference Hall

Radisson Blu Hotel to Open in Birmingham

Hampton by Hilton Announced for Berlin

he five-star Premier Palace Hotel has unveiled its new conference hall. Located on the first hall, the Andriyiyskiy offers 38m2 of work space with natural lighting, along with a small adjoining terrace where one can take a quiet break and enjoy the views of downtown Kiev. Coffee breaks and small buffets can also be served directly in the hall which can accommodate up to 25 guests. Right next door is the Fan Fest Sports Bar offering fresh vitamin juices and healthy breakfast and dining options, and the Premier Cigar Lounge adds yet another alternative to discuss important matters.

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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group will add another property to its UK portfolio with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham Airport in early 2017. The 220-key property will be located at the main entrance of the airport, close to its railway station, LG Arena and the National Exhibition Centre. It will offer 1,300m2 of meetings and events space including a ballroom, a health club and 200 parking spaces. “Birmingham is one of the UK’s most important markets and a key travel hub in the country. Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham Airport will ideally complement the existing Radisson Blu hotel in the city centre, create potential for operational and marketing synergies, and enforce our presence in town”, said Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

n early 2018, the German capital is to welcome Hampton by Hilton Berlin Alexanderplatz, the largest-ever Hampton by Hilton, featuring a collection of 344 guestrooms. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “2014 saw Hilton Worldwide introduce substantial Hampton by Hilton properties in destinations including London, Warsaw and Istanbul, to name a few. This latest hotel will add substantially to our economy presence in central Berlin, a city which attracted 28.7 million overnight stays in 2014 alone, thanks to its fundamental appeal as a business and leisure destination.” Hampton by Hilton caters to value conscious, quality-driven guests by providing consistent amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a hot breakfast included in the room rate.

25 MARCH 2015

ACCOMMODATION NEWS

STARWOOD TO GROW ITS EUROPEAN FOOTPRINT Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide continues its fast-paced expansion and expects to open more than 40 new properties across Europe in the next five years.

n Turkey alone, four new hotels are underway to join the newlyopened The St. Regis Istanbul. Russia will welcome Sheraton Ufa Hotel and a Four Points by Sheraton in Kaluga. Germany awaits the launch of the Aloft brand in Stuttgart and Munich this summer, while the Netherlands anticipates its first W- and Element-branded hotels by year-end. In Southern Europe, Sheraton Bucharest Hotel, Sheraton Lake Como Hotel and Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel are coming up. “2014 was a record year of deal signings for Starwood in Europe,” said Simon Turner, president, global development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

IHG to Open 10 New Hotels in Germany

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has penned a multiple development agreement for 10 Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels in Germany, to be developed by 2019 in cooperation with first-time franchisee Interstar. This will add around 1,700 rooms to IHG’s German hotel portfolio. The first property to be unveiled will be the new-built Holiday Inn Frankfurt – Airport, slated for a late 2016 opening. Martin Bowen, associate vice president, development, Germany, IHG, commented, “We are delighted to be signing our ninth [multiple development agreement] with […] Interstar. Our innovative approach demonstrates the flexibility with which we work with our owner partners in order to create a win-win situation for both parties.”

25 MARCH 2015

Marriott’s European Portfolio to Triple by 2020

arriott International’s European collection will triple by 2020 with 150,000 signed or opened rooms, compared to 40,000 units the company operated in 2010. “Since 2010, we have been focussed on developing strong brands across all tiers to meet different customer needs and we are seeing incredible momentum with over 34,000 new rooms opened or signed by the end of 2014. This includes the introduction of four new luxury lifestyle brands to Europe, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, EDITION and Moxy Hotels,” said Amy McPherson, president, Europe, Marriott International.

Marriott AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget

The St. Regis Istanbul

NH: Business Surges in 2014

H Hotel Group achieved a bottom-line improvement of 76 percent in 2014, the first year of implementation of its business plan. The year was marked by investments and the rollout of initiatives designed to transform the group, including the launch of a new value proposition and price strategy, hotel repositioning and system upgrades. Recurring revenue rose EUR12.5 million to EUR1.27 billion, while recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation climbed 2.5 percent year-onyear to EUR126.2 million. During 2014, NH Hotel Group added nine hotels to its portfolio and launched a joint venture with the HNA Group in China, in addition to agreeing to acquire the Latin American chain Hoteles Royal.

NEWS AIR

Icelandair to Codeshare with JetBlue Airways

bmi regional Links Jonkoping to the World

celandair and New York-based JetBlue Airways recently applied with the US government to enter into a codeshare partnership, to offer customers easy connections between their respective networks alongside combined ticketing and baggage transfer. “We continuously look to expand and enrich our partnerships [...] to offer more options to our customers. Icelandair is the perfect partner, with its customer-friendly approach, and an impressive and growing network of flights between the US and scenic Iceland,” said Robin Hayes, president, JetBlue Airways. “We will expand our outreach together giving travellers, on both Icelandair and JetBlue, even more options when travelling, more connections across the globe and a more pleasant travel experience to and from Europe,” added Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO, Icelandair.

mi regional has launched direct flights from Jonkoping to Frankfurt, offered twice daily, six days per week, enabling travellers to connect to the worldwide network of 235 global destinations of its codeshare partner, Lufthansa. Ulrich Link, general manager, Scandinavia, Finland and Baltic States, Lufthansa, commented, “Our Jonkoping passengers may now enjoy quick, easy and seamless access to the Asian, African, American and European destinations within our worldwide network by transitting through our hub at Frankfurt.”

Jonkoping

Transaero Connects Moscow and Malta

Air Serbia Cargo Joins Forces with GLN

I Malta

ransaero Airlines is set to connect Moscow and Malta for the first time in its history, with the inaugural flight departing Moscow Domodedovo airport on April 26. The new service will be operated on Sundays, with departures from the Russian capital being scheduled for 14:25, arriving at Malta International Airport at 17:55. Return flights will be offered on the same day, taking off at 18:45 and arriving to Moscow at 23:45. The route will be served by a Boeing 737 aircraft.

n a bid to access a greater customer base worldwide, Air Serbia Cargo signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Logistics Network (GLN). Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia, commented, “In the years to come, cargo will be an area of significant growth for our industry and by forging the right partnerships Air Serbia Cargo is building its capability to fulfil this potential, as it develops into a regional industry leader. We will only be able to do so by consistently meeting the needs of our customers through a proactive approach to customer service, reaching out to as broad a base of global customers as possible and building an offer that always provides greater choice and flexibility.”

25 MARCH 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the hotel’s unique selling points that distinguish it from other properties in the same category in the area? DAVID WOODWARD: Located just a two minutes’ walk from the grand San Anton presidential palace and gardens, Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is set in one of Malta’s most prestigious villages. It is the character of this historic hotel that really sets it apart. Aside from its excellent facilities, which include four restaurants, one of which is seasonal, a spa and a beautiful outdoor pool area, the hotel is renowned for its elegance and attention to detail. It is also perfectly located, just 15 minutes by car from Malta International Airport, and 10 minutes from Mdina and Valletta.

Q & A with

David Woodward GENERAL MANAGER, CORINTHIA PALACE HOTEL & SPA, MALTA

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: With a diverse tourism offering and warm climate, Malta continues to attract visitors from all over the world all year round. What are the hotel’s main source markets?

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: In your opinion, what are Malta’s main selling points that distinguish the country from other destinations, especially other island destinations in the Mediterranean?

DAVID WOODWARD: Our main European tourism markets are the UK, France and Italy. The arrival of the North American and French markets have been recent additions, while traditional markets were Italy due to the proximity, and the UK mainly due to the sun, sea and the country’s history. This year we are focussing on the North American, French and Middle Eastern markets. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the main trends dominating the Maltese hotel sector and tourism industry? DAVID WOODWARD: The Maltese tourism sector is becoming increasingly focussed on quality and luxury. The tourism product here has begun to attract a very upmarket crowd, thanks to the incredible history, good service and the sheer variety of what is on offer. At Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, our own Private Malta programme – which is designed especially for people who want to go behind the scenes of the Island’s well-to-do and their homes – is proving to be very popular for this market. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Seasonality is an issue faced by most of the tourist hotspots in the Mediterranean. What steps are taken by the management to ensure that the hotel enjoys high occupancy and good room rates all year round? 25 MARCH 2015

DAVID WOODWARD: Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa has a varied and exciting calendar of events to offers its clients all year round. From our now-renowned opulent New Year’s Eve party to our culinary experiences and regular events, which include artisan fairs and open days, there is something for everyone. For international guests there is also plenty to attract them to Malta, and the hotel regularly crafts special offers around events that are happening locally, such as the Baroque and opera festivals, carnival as well as Christmas. [Our main priority for this year is] to continue to promoting our Private Malta programme, especially to the US and Middle East markets.

FROM A RICH HISTORY TO YEAR-ROUND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES, THE MALTESE ISLANDS ARE FULL OF SURPRISES. IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE COUNTRY INCREASINGLY APPEALS TO DISCERNING TRAVELLERS, AS DAVID WOODWARD, GENERAL MANAGER, CORINTHIA PALACE HOTEL & SPA, MALTA, SAYS.

DAVID WOODWARD: The island’s history, which spans over 7,000 years and includes the world’s oldest freestanding stone structures The capital city which, in its entirety, has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has recently undergone major restoration works under the guidance of world-famous Italian architect, Renzo Piano. Another aspect is the year-round sunshine, with 300 days of sunshine per year. The excellent facilities, including top MICE venues, quality restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, and the fantastic cultural scene with a year-round calendar of events – many of which are in English, or which are tailored to attract foreign visitors, are also important as well as our English-speaking population.

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THE MALTESE TOURISM SECTOR IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY FOCUSSED ON QUALITY Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Malta

NEWS AIR Bulgaria Air to Add Third Varna Flight

Tourism Ireland Supports Flybe’s Route Development

Varna Cathedral

n a bid to offer more convenient travel options, Bulgaria Air is to introduce a third daily frequency on its Sofia – Varna route. Effective from June 1, the airline will operate three services, one early morning, one midday and one in the evening, enabling busy executives to take one-day business trips between the two cities. In addition, the increased frequencies will also allow tourists to continue their journey to other destinations in Europe and beyond, via Sofia.

Transaero Airlines Boosts Links with China

lybe will operate new flights from Cardiff to Dublin and Cork, a move that was welcomed by Tourism Ireland. Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, commented, “[The] announcement is more good news for tourism and we look forward to working with Flybe to maximise the promotion of these new flights from Cardiff. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, nonstop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.” He added that, the authority is committed to promote and help maintain vital routes and services to the island.

Cork

Eurowings to Take to the Skies in October

he newly-formed Eurowings is to commence operations in October. Dubai will be part of the low-cost carrier’s winter schedule along with the Thai destinations of Bangkok and Phuket, as well as the Caribbean destinations of Varadero, Bridgetown and

Punta Cana. The routes will be marketed both in charter business as well as in seat-only sales, while Montego Bay and La Romana will be served in full charter traffic. Eurowings, part of Lufthansa Group, is building on the previously successful Germanwings concept.

Mahon and Miami Join Austrian Airlines’ Network Hong Kong

Miami

ransaero Airlines is to expand its services between Russia and China this summer, with a number of direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Russian capital and Beijing will be connected with six weekly services, while the Moscow – Hong Kong route will be operated twice per week. St. Petersburg will be connected to Beijing and Shanghai once and twice per week, respectively. “Under the current macroeconomic conditions, the company strives to effectively respond to the changing international air transportation market,” explained Olga Pleshakova, CEO, Transaero Airlines.

ustrian Airlines will soon fly to two new destinations; Mahon, the capital of Menorca island in Spain, and Miami. The two services will be launched on June 20 and October 16, respectively. The Mahon route will be operated once a week, while flights to Miami will run five times per week. “We are expanding our offering to tourist destinations in both the mediumhaul and long-haul segments. In the summer, we are increasingly focussing on Spain alongside Turkey and Greece with Austrian myHoliday. We are putting an emphasis on sunny long-haul tourist destinations in the winter season featuring Mauritius and now flights to Miami,” explained Andreas Otto, chief commercial officer, Austrian Airlines. 25 MARCH 2015

AIR NEWS Transaero Cements Its Links to Sochi

Aer Lingus Expands Its Reach in the US

now. . k u o y Did ame

i bec fter Soch nown a er k int ly wide 2014 W es on m the ics Ga vested p in Olym Russia lion? l h i c b i h w 46 EUR

his summer, Transaero Airlines will further boost operations to at Sochi International Airport with new direct services to and from Kazan, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Omsk, Perm, Samara, Ufa and Chelyabinsk. The new flights are scheduled to be launched between May 28 and June 3, and will be operated until mid-October with the carrier’s Boeing 737 NG aircraft.

Chicago

n light of increased demand during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Aer Lingus will boost capacity on its Dublin – Chicago route by 24 percent in November and December, adding an extra 13,000 seats. Twice-daily flights will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The announcement follows the 18.4 percent capacity growth on its long-haul routes for summer, with a new service from Dublin to Washington and additional flights to San Francisco, Orlando and New York. “New connections across the US and Canada allow for seamless transfer options, making Aer Lingus the smart choice,” said Mike Rutter, chief revenue officer, Aer Lingus.

Pegasus Continues Steady Growth

arrying 19.74 million guests in 2014, Pegasus Airlines increased its market share within the Turkish aviation sector by 28 percent on domestic and 9.4 percent on international routes. Moreover, the load factor on both segments combined reached 79.9 percent. In 2014, Pegasus Airlines opened up new destinations in Turkey and beyond, extending its network to the African continent for the first time with the launch of scheduled flights to Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, Egypt. Commenting on the traffic results, Sertac Haybat, general manager, Pegasus Airlines, said, “At Pegasus we continued our steady growth trend of recent years. [This year] we plan to continue our steady growth by adding new aircraft to our 55-strong fleet and launching new destinations to our expanding network.”

25 MARCH 2015

NEWS AIR Ryanair Reveals Plans for Its New Copenhagen Base

Slovenia Foreign Tourists airBalticLures to FlyMore to Pisa

R a

UIA Connects Kiev and Riga

U D

ue to an 8.8 percent reduction in available seat kilometres in January compared to the same month in 2014, Austrian Airlines saw a 15.3 percent decrease in passenger numbers, with revenue per kilometre dropping nine percent. In the future, the airline will place more emphasis on attractive winter destinations, as Andreas Otto, chief commercial officer, Austrian Airlines, revealed. “We want to score with Mauritius in the upcoming winter and thus carry more passengers once again.” To continue luring travellers to its destinations, the Austrian carrier has recently unveiled a 180-degree photograph of Paris at the Austrian Star Alliance Terminal Check-in 3 at Vienna International Airport as part of its From Austria to the World campaign.

kraine International Airlines (UIA) is to launch nonstop services between Kiev and Riga, effective from March 29. The daily flights between the capital of Ukraine and Latvia will be operated on Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft in two-class configuration. As Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA, noted, the launch of the new route comes in response to growing demand for services between the cities. “Flight schedule suits all passenger categories who are now provided with an opportunity to take advantage of triple-daily service en route; one UIA-operated flight and two codeshare flights operated with our partner airline, Air Baltic,” added Satska.

Riga

180-degree photo of Paris at Vienna International Airport

Austrian Airlines Looks Forward to Winter Season

Pisa

irBaltic will launch a new once-weekly route between Riga and Pisa, on June 13, adding another popular summer destination to its network. Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, commented, “The Leaning Tower of Pisa, historical heritage and cultural wealth are known all over the world. We are pleased to be adding it to our route map, offering baltic travellers the chance to spend their summer holidays in the heart of Tuscany, enjoying high culture, visit historical cities such as Florence and Siena, and, of course, take a taste of world famous Tuscan wines and food.”

yanair has added Dublin as one of its 13 new routes to be operated from Copenhagen hub this year. Moreover, March 26 will see the launch of twice-daily flights to London’s Luton Airport and daily operations to Warsaw Modlin Airport and Milan’s Bergamo hub. Each of the routes will see the addition of an extra daily service as of September. On September 2, Ryanair plans to commence daily flights from Copenhagen to Madrid and Rome Ciampino, while on October 25 new services to Brussels Charleroi and Stockholm Skavsta will kickoff.

25 MARCH 2015

AGENTS NEWS

ABTA: Travelling with Confidence

TUI Reveals Stunning Details of Castelfalfi Project

he Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)’s latest multi-channel advertising campaign titled Travel with Confidence, reached millions of consumers in the period between late December 2014 and early February. It highlighted the benefits of booking with an ABTA member, resulting in increased traffic to the association’s website with the Find a Member page alone receiving 56 percent more visits compared to the yearago period. “It is very encouraging that many people say they will take action after seeing the advertisements and this highlights the value to members of displaying the ABTA logo,” said Mark Tanzer, CEO, ABTA.

25 MARCH 2015

ETOA Supports UK and Irish Visa Review

E Toscana Resort Castelfalfi

y 2016, TUI Group is to complete the ambitious restoration of the medieval Florencian castle-estate, Castelfalfi, reminiscent of an epic Tuscan fairytale. Comprised of a castle, a village, former tobacco factory and land, the estate incorporates a hotel and leisure, retail and residential components including 18- and nine-hole golf courses, a swimming pool and gym, as well as walking and hiking trails. Once completed, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi will boast a reinvented ancient village with apartments, a boutique hotel, shops, restaurants and cafes, and the castle, which is to delight visitors with an upmarket Tuscan restaurant, bar and other amenities. There will also be a heliport, tennis courts and a five-start hotel with a wellness hub.

uropean Tour Operators Association (ETOA) welcomed the recent decision of a British – Irish parliamentary assembly committee to look into the workings of various European Union visa systems, with a focus on the Schengen zone and the common travel area of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, with the aim to maintain the competitiveness of the two destinations. Tom Jenkins, CEO, ETOA, commented, “The UK has always been an important component part of any inbound tourist’s experience, but must remain proactive. We are taking action on behalf of our UK and Ireland members to ensure that they retain their position within the European visitor offer.”

Tom Jenkins

TRAVEL TALK

Cologne was equally popular with business and leisure travellers

JOSEF SOMMER CEO, Cologne Tourist Board

“Once again, Cologne was equally popular with business and leisure travellers. Participants of trade fairs and congresses, as well as other business travellers, accounted for well over 50 percent of the overnight stays in Cologne hotels [in 2014]. But Cologne has also been equally popular as a destination for leisure guests, especially during the Christmas markets in December. This is a tremendous advantage in market terms, because it means a balanced influx of visitors throughout the year.”

An international convention goer spends more

CONRAD VAN TIGGELEN Marketing director, Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC Holland Marketing)

The UK has had an incredible start

ITB Berlin fulfils the function of the world’s leading think tank

CHRISTIAN GÖKE CEO, Messe Berlin

“More than ever, ITB Berlin fulfils the function of the world’s leading think tank and a shop window for the travel industry. This is where the opportunities and risks are debated and the potential impact of the sharing economy on the international travel industry is analysed. […] ITB Berlin has provided further evidence of how important personal exchanges and meetings between people are for an industry that is increasingly dominated by the digital transition.”

“The economic impact of international conferences is considerable; an international convention goer spends more than 2.5 times as much as an average vacationer. In 2014, 275,000 international visitors stayed for an international conference in the Netherlands, which led to an economic impact of nearly EUR270 million.”

ELIZABETH WINKLE Managing director, STR Global

“The UK has had an incredible start to [the year], achieving the strongest performance for the month of January in six years, with the highest actuals in all three key performance measurements in local currency terms. UK RevPAR increased by 9.4 percent to GBP48.74 (EUR68.98), driven slightly more by average daily rate, up 4.9 percent, whilst occupancy also grew by a respectable 4.3 percent to 62.9 percent.”

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

25 MARCH 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Orascom Secures Montenegrin Island Orascom Development Holding and Montenegro’s Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism signed a contract for the long-term lease of the Lastavica Island with the Mamula Fortress, located in the Bay of Kotor.

he agreement provides for a 49-year lease period, and once the Parliament of Montenegro gives the green light, the project should be implemented within 18 months after the construction permit is obtained. The development is expected to significantly add to Montenegro’s national economy as it will create around 200 new jobs and bring EUR7.5 million of revenue to the state over a 15-year period.

Lastavica Island

How to Protect Visa System in Western Balkans

ore measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of the visa-free scheme in the Western Balkans and to address potential abuses of the European Union (EU) asylum system, according to the European Commission’s fifth post-visa liberalisation report. “The benefits of visa liberalisation have been very visible in terms of enhancing people-to-people contacts and business opportunities. However, the misuse of the visa-free travel scheme for seeking asylum in the EU must be addressed systematically and through proper allocation of resources. Our report formulates a set of recommendations to tackle the push and pull factors of irregular migration so I, therefore, strongly call for the full support and engagement of all participating countries,” said Dimitris Avramopoulos, commissioner for migration, home affairs and citizenship, European Commission.

Dimitris Avramopoulos

25 MARCH 2015

Convention Centre Dublin Recycling Rate Soars High

n 2014, Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) achieved its highest recycling rate to date, with 98 percent or 169 tonnes of all waste generated within the centre being recycled. The 2013 rate stood at 92 percent. This result is largely credited to the CCD cleaning team, managed by Cagney Contract Cleaning. Austin McCormack, director of facilities and infrastructure, CCD, said that the centre secured ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems Certification in 2011 and continues to focus on retaining this, with practical ways of reducing its impact on the environment and consistently monitoring and improving its recycling statistics.

Schiphol Collects EUR222,500 for UNICEF

msterdam Airport Schiphol donated EUR222,500 to UNICEF, having gathered EUR165,000 in passenger donations at the airport’s collection points in 2014, and with its employees raising another EUR57,500 through various initiatives organised on behalf of UNICEF. Peter van Laarhoven, director of corporate development, Schiphol Group, commented, “We are immensely grateful to the passengers at Schiphol for this generous gift.” Madelon Cabooter, partnerships manager, UNICEF Nederland, added, “This gift will enable us to give the world’s most vulnerable children a good start in life.”

Madelon Cabooter (right) accepts the cheque from Peter van Laarhoven

WHO’S MOVED

LUCA BIONDOLILLO

IAN BATHOLOMEW

Luca Biondolillo has been chosen to fill the newly created position of chief communications officer at MSC Cruises. Biondolillo joins the cruise line from Benetton Group, where he served as head of corporate communications and public affairs. As a senior executive for leading New Yorkbased global communications consultancies, from 1995 to 2003, he managed investor and financial media relations for various multinational corporations. In 2004 he moved in-house to lead financial and corporate communications for Luxottica Group. All in all, he has nearly 20 years of experience in high-level communications. He is also vice president of the board of the Brussels-based European Association of Communication Directors.

Ian Batholomew has been appointed managing director of Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited (MAEL), The Monarch Group’s aircraft maintenance division. Since August 2014 up until now, Bartholomew acted as interim managing director and a member of the group executive committee. He joined The Monarch Group in 2003 as marketing sales manager and became sales and marketing director in 2011 and commercial director in 2013. Bartholomew has more than 25 years of experience in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. During his time as interim managing director, he was instrumental in delivering changes within MAEL which led to the successful sale of the group.

ANDREA PERNKOPF

ALAN BORG

Andrea Pernkopf continues as Austrian Airlines’ vice president of product management and marketing. Pernkopf, who currently serves as head of product development, leisure travel at Lufthansa Passage, will assume the position on April 1. Her main task will be to sharpen the commercial focus of the company’s marketing activities and further develop its product offering. Following her studies in commercial sciences, Pernkopf began her professional career at Austrian Airlines in 1991 as a specialist in the field of product management. Her career path took her to an internship with Lufthansa in New York and then to Frankfurt, where she held various positions in pricing and revenue management. She then continued with Lufthansa Group.

Alan Borg was officially appointed CEO at Malta International Airport after eight successful year at the Mediterranean hub. Over the years, Borg has been playing a key part in making Malta and its airport more accessible. He began his career as a manager in airline marketing and was quickly promoted to head of airline marketing. He later served as general manager of SkyParks Business Centre before assuming the positions of chief commercial officer and executive director at the airport in 2012. Borg is the first Maltese to hold this title since the airport was privatised in 2002 and his main goal will be to keep building on the successes of previous years and pushing to make Malta International Airport the best in Europe.

25 MARCH 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...

Eurostar reunites Cézanne treasures after 100 years

Cruise & Maritime Voyages' Magellan was officially named by TV star Gloria Hunniford

The Free Route Airspace Maastricht and Karlsruhe and the Heathrow CrossBorder Arrival Management projects were honoured with Eurocontrol’s Jane’s Award in the Environment and the Enabling Technology categories respectively

25 MARCH 2015

Grammy Award winner Włodek Pawlik played jazz standards at Warsaw Chopin Airport

Heathrow Airport and Star Alliance won the World’s Airport of the Year award at Air Transport World’s 41st Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards, honoured jointly for their work on the new Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport

Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, in Malta welcomed Italian music legend Riccardo Fogli

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS Vilnius’ Kaziukas Fair Welcomes Spring

ilnius has celebrated the arrival of spring with the colourful Kaziukas Fair, which took place from March 6 – 10 in the streets of the old town. Artists from all over Lithuania, but also its neighbouring countries, showcased their crafts for sale,

EVENTS

alongside those made by socially disadvantaged persons and inmates of various care homes. A range of events also took place, spanning art ensemble performances, theatrical performances and similar. The event gathered several thousands of visitors.

MOLDEXPO Chisinau, Moldova April 02 – 05 www.tourism.moldexpo.md The 20th International Specialized Exhibition of tourism, leisure and hotels will feature a series of seminars, roundtables, presentations and excursions around the country.

SITT

Kaziukas Fair

Finland to Welcome Logistics and Transportation Industries

Messukeskus Helsinki

epresentatives of the Logistics and transportation industries will gather at Messukeskus Helsinki from June 11 – 13 for one of the biggest trade shows in Finland, Logistics – Transport 2015. All key players from the industries will be present to explore the latest smart solutions in logistics. Major truck and van brands are taking part, in addition to some 40 trailer manufacturers and swap bodies manufacturers who will be exhibiting. A special fork lift test-drive area is built in the exhibition hall.

New Partners for German Convention Bureau

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 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 Kazakhstan.

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.

he German Convention Bureau (GCB) welcomed new partnerships with key organisations across the country. Congress Center Hamburg and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Convention Centre, which joined in 2014, are now Members in Focus, as is Stuttgart Convention Bureau, new for the current year. New Preferred Partners include KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig – partner of the congress initiative do-it-at-leipzig.com and Hamburg Convention Bureau. As Matthias Schultze, managing director, GCB, noted, the new partnerships give the organisation even more opportunities to present Germany’s strengths internationally as a destination for meetings and conventions.”

Congress Center Hamburg

25 MARCH 2015