Travel Trade Europe Issue 3 by Travel Trade Publications

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

10 DECEMBER 2014

ISSUE 03

SELF-SERVICE IMMIGRATION CONTROL TESTED IN THE EU MORE THAN 23 MILLION TRAVELLERS ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE VISITED GREECE THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A 15 PERCENT RISE COMPARED TO 2013.

06 DNATA EXPANDS ITS UK PRESENCE

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

02 04 08 10 14 16 21 23 24 25 26 27 28

GREECE ANTICIPATES NEW RECORD YEAR

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

Heathrow Airport: Strong Traffic Performance For the nine months ending in September, London’s Heathrow Airport recorded a robust traffic performance with 55.7 million passengers using the UK hub.

ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

he growth of 1.5 percent was driven by intercontinental traffic, while revenue was up 8.2 percent. In addition, 26 airlines have transferred their operations to the new GBP2.5 billion (EUR3.2 billion) Terminal 2. John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow Airport, said, “Heathrow continues to deliver against key targets, with more passengers than ever choosing to use Heathrow and record passenger satisfaction numbers at the UK’s only hub airport.”

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

Heathrow Airport

UK Provinces and Scotland Shine against London Hotels

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

Whilst London’s hotel profitability showed positive year-on-year movements in the month of September, the UK provinces put the capital’s performance in shade, with gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) witnessing a double digit growth.

his was revealed by a HotStats review, which also registered flat occupancy for Scottish hoteliers. However, properties in Scotland increased the average room rate (ARR) by 21.7 percent, resulting in a 21.6 percent RevPAR increase to GBP98.56 (EUR125.47). Moreover in Scotland, astute payroll and operating cost control helped to enhance departmental operating profit per available room by 20 percent and, although overheads per available room jumped 7.3 percent, GOPPAR went up 27.3 percent.

Ryanair Flies High EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

9/12/2014 COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.23

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.78

Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.20

Japan (JPY)

Yen

148.29

Ryanair announced that its first half (H1) net profit rose 32 percent to EUR795 million. Similarly, traffic grew four percent to 51.3 million customers, average fares increased five percent and total revenues surged nine percent.

“W

e are pleased to report this significant increase in H1 profits. While partially due to the presence of Easter and a weak [2013 H1] comparable, we have also enjoyed a strong summer thanks to our strategy of raising forward bookings and improving our customer experience,” commented Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair, further predicting that the airline’s full year net profit will significantly exceed previous guidance to reach between EUR750 – 770 million. 10 DECEMBER 2014

MARKET UPDATE

AEGEAN Airlines: Successful Year with Olympic Air One year after uniting with Olympic Air, AEGEAN Airlines witnessed growth across its hubs; traffic rose in Kefalonia by 66 percent, in Karpathos by 36 percent and in Zakynthos by 44 percent.

he carrier’s network currently spans 120 destinations in 33 countries with 13 million available seats, 1.2 million more than in 2013. To support its growth, the company invested USD300 million (EUR240 million) to add seven new Airbus A320s to its fleet. Eftichios Vassilakis, vice chairman, AEGEAN Airlines, stated, “This has been a great start for the creation of a company with significant presence in the international scene. Every next year shall be a challenge for us, bringing new destinations, innovative services and competitive airfares, while developing the organisational potential of the company and our people.”

10 DECEMBER 2014

Air Serbia: Record-breaking Results Air Serbia reported continued improvement in its financial performance, with total revenues of EUR57 million for the third quarter of the year, an increase of 54 percent over 2013.

his was a result of accelerating passenger and cargo growth during the summer months. The airline’s total passenger numbers increased to 730,000 between July and September, 74 percent higher than in the same period in 2013. “These are impressive numbers and, importantly, revenue is following this trend closely,” commented Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia.

NEWS TECHNOLOGY Technology Improves Travel Experience

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uropean air passengers are among the most satisfied, according to the 2014 SITA/Air Transport World Passenger Survey conducted by air transport IT specialist, SITA. The report showed that 82 percent of European passengers are highly satisfied with their travel experiences due to advances in technology and the major role it plays in enhancing the experience. Russian passengers said technology had made the greatest positive impact on their journey, while around 71 percent stated that online technology had improved their travel. UK passengers reported the second highest influence of technology on their travel experience, with 56 percent mentioning online technology.

Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza Gets Smart Locks

rovider of electronic locks, safes, minibars and energy-management solutions to hospitality, commercial, education and military industries, Onity installed its state-of-the-art access management system throughout Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, the brand’s first property in Europe. Iván Tarilonte, director, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, commented, “The opportunity to provide opening devices in novel formats such as key chains, bracelets and stickers - as opposed to just traditional keys - adds to the hotel’s image as a modern and trendy holiday resort.”

Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza

Sabre Reiterates Commitment to Latin Market

abre has renewed its global technology agreement with LosTiquetesmasBaratos. com, providing real-time access to broad and comprehensively priced travel options to Latino travellers across Colombia, Mexico and the US. Jay Jones, senior vice president, the Americas, Sabre, enthused, “Sabre is excited to continue delivering innovative technology to one of the most popular [online travel agencies] by consumers’ choice. At the core of LosTiquetesmasBaratos.com website is our patented air fare search technology, which has been proven to deliver consumers fast and easy access to the broadest choice of convenient flight options at the best prices. Adoption of our new search application programming interfaces offering sub-second response times will mean an even better experience for their customers.”

10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

European Tourism Fares Well in Turbulent Times

ccording to the European Travel Commission’s report, European Tourism – Trends & Prospects, the continent’s sector has grown strongly throughout the year, with data up to August pointing to a four percent increase in foreign visits. Growth in large destinations in Southern and Northern Europe exceeded expectations, and a strong two-digit increase was reported by a large number of smaller destinations. Data pointed to a rebound of short breaks on top of main holidays, backed by increased consumer spending power in key source markets. Among Europe’s top 10 destinations by international tourist arrivals, Spain has grown by nine percent through August and Germany has also continued its strong track record.

Positive Tourism Outlook for Ukraine

ccording to the World Tourism Organization, the number of tourist trips rose 5.1 percent globally during 2013, and the industry has also continued to grow throughout the current year with a 4.7 percent increase anticipated in arrivals in year-end results. Along similar lines and based on data released by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Eastern European country welcomed some 10 million visitors in the first nine months of the year. According to the report, international arrivals from Belarus, Moldova and Russia decreased by half, while visits from some other key markets, including Hungary, India and Egypt, showed notable increases.

Self-service Immigration Control Tested in the EU

The Shard Awaits New London Bridge Station

assengers from the European Union who hold electronic passports can now use self-service immigration control technology to accelerate their arrival and departure at Rome’s Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. In an Automated Border Control gates (ABCGates) trial with air transport IT specialist, SITA, more than 3,000 passengers a day cleared customs and immigration at the hub using the latest technology. SITA’s iBorders BorderAutomation ABCGates quickly confirm that the passenger is the passport holder and is authorised to enter the country. They use modern biometric technology to verify each traveller through a combination of facial recognition and fingerprints, enabling eligible passengers to use self-service facilities, and reducing wait times.

he staff of London’s newest landmark building, The Shard, is anticipating the completion of the London Bridge station, which is currently being redeveloped. Following a revamp, the new location is expected to drastically improve travel for 54 million people who pass through it yearly, including The Shard employees, with faster connections across the city, enhanced north/south connections and more trains serving more destinations. Part of the concourse is set to open in 2016, while the complete transformation will be done in 2018. Robin Gisby, managing director, network operations, Network Rail, described the project as the most ambitious redevelopment of any London station in a generation.

10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Croatia Promoted in Milan and Stockholm

roatian National Tourism Board (CNTB) has recently showcased its promotional project Croatia365 in Milan and Stockholm. In the Italian city, the presentation was seen by 60 media representatives, tour operators and travel agents, who also explored individual destinations of the country, including south Istria, Srem and the Slavonija regions,

as well as the cities of Rovinj, Opatija and Rijeka, and the towns of Karlovac, Ozalj and Ribnik. Around 50 of their Scandinavian counterparts were presented the islands of Cres and Lošinj, as well as the cities of Zadar, Šibenik, Split and Vodice, and the Biokovo National Park.

Ireland and Northern Ireland: Rise in Arrivals

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

he Irish Central Statistics Office revealed that in the first nine months of the year, Ireland saw an increase of 9.3 percent in overseas visitors. Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, enthused, “Given that overseas tourism business accounts for almost 60 percent of all tourism revenue, this is good news indeed […].” In particular, arrivals from the UK surged almost nine percent, from North America 14 percent and from mainland Europe 7.4 percent. At the same time, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency reported a 19 percent rise in international arrivals with the number of British holidaymakers showing a sharp 31 percent growth.

10 DECEMBER 2014

TOURISM BOARDS NEWS

GREECE ANTICIPATES NEW RECORD YEAR More than 23 million travellers are projected to have visited Greece this year, representing a 15 percent rise compared to 2013.

ased on the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE)’s October data, the organisation revised the total international arrivals figure for the year from 21.5 million. Provisional data from Bank of Greece indicated that an additional 1.2 million visitors arrived by road and cruise ships in the peak months of July and August alone. While cruise travellers were initially expected to remain stable, the figure rose by 100,000 in the first six months of the year, with the number expected to about 2.5 million.

Vienna among World’s Top Destinations

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i enna Tourist Board has announced that the Austrian capital has been ranked among the top 10 destinations worldwide for 2015 by Lonely Planet. The historic city was highlighted for its unmatched variety of experiences and attractions. Norbert Kettner, managing director, Vienna Tourist Board, explained, “It is a major coup to have made the list of the 10 most interesting cities worldwide, alongside destinations such as Washington D.C., Milan, Chennai and Toronto – and a promise to travellers that a trip to Vienna is definitely worthwhile.” The recognition comes a few months ahead the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the world-famous Ringstrasse boulevard.

10 DECEMBER 2014

Augarten park in Vienna

NEWS ACCOMMODATION Warwick Barsey Hotel Targets MICE Business

French Hotels Improve Occupancy and RevPAR

A suite at Warwick Barsey Hotel

arwick Barsey Hotel has been revamped to attract MICE organisers from Brussels and beyond. The 99-room property now boasts a mix of styles throughout its premises. Its three meeting rooms are graced with an abundance of natural light, as well as fresh and modern colours and the latest in meetings and video-conferencing technology. They can be configured in multiple ways to cater to up to 130 guests. Clients have at their disposal an onsite team to help organise and coordinate any meeting or event. In addition, the hotel also takes pride in its refreshed rooms and hallways which feature new materials, fabrics and bedding.

NH Hotel Group Sells Sotogrande

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Holiday Inn Express Enters Russia and the CIS

panish company, NH Hotel Group has reached an agreement for the sale of 97 percent of Sotogrande, a real estate agent which sells luxury homes and golf, wellness and boutique hotels, for a value of EUR225 million. The deal, which does not include the international assets in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Italy, encompasses the sale of the assets of the developer behind a resort in Cadiz, Spain, including land zones for development, two hotels, two golf courses and the operation of sports and tourist services. Under the terms of the agreement, the two properties will remain under NH Hotel Group’s management for an initial period of two years.

ccording to a Deloitte report, French hotels’ August results showed an increase in RevPAR driven by higher occupancy levels, particularly in the midscale and upscale segments. RevPAR for super-budget hotels grew just over one percent, compared to four percent for mid-scale hotels and 10 percent or more for upscale and luxury hotels. Luxury hotels in Paris and on the Côte d’Azur recorded a contrasting evolution in occupancy, benefitting, however, from significant rises in average rates, spurred from the arrival of guests from the Middle East. In addition, hotels in a number of large cities also experienced increases in RevPAR due to city breaks.

A room at Holiday Inn Express Voronezh - Kirova

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) debuted Holiday Inn Express in Russia with Holiday Inn Express Voronezh – Kirova. It also announced the launch of the brand in the CIS and Georgia, as alongside property developer, Regional Hotel Chain, IHG is to have 100 hotels open or in the development pipeline by 2020. Robert Shepherd, chief development officer, Europe, IHG, commented, “Russia, the CIS and Georgia is a priority market for us and we want to be number one there. […] We are expanding our portfolio of brands in the region and in March this year we brought our upscale boutique brand Hotel Indigo to Russia. We have also identified a gap in the market for quality, affordable mid-market accommodation.”

10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS ACCOMMODATION Courtyard by Marriott Expands in Scotland

ollowing the launch of Courtyard by Marriott’s new European design concept at Courtyard Aberdeen Airport Hotel in 2013, Marriott International announced plans for a second hotel under the brand in Scotland in early 2016. The 240-key Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh Hotel will occupy a historic building comprised of three adjoining townhouses which will be restored. Behind it will sit a new one to accommodate the rest of the hotel. “We are proud to have developed an innovative hotel design that meets the needs of today’s traveller and to bring this offering to this vibrant and thriving city,” said Amy McPherson, president, Europe, Marriott International.

ilton Worldwide has converted a 203-room hotel in the greater Venice region under its upscale DoubleTree by Hilton brand. With 203 units, including 18 suites, the hotel is poised to capture the attention of both business and leisure travellers. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “The enduring appeal of Venice as an international leisure destination makes this hotel an exciting addition to our burgeoning portfolio in Italy.” He added that the city attracts a broad range of international visitors and large scale meetings activity, thus the need for high-quality properties.

Romantik Hotels & Restaurants International Expands

omantik Hotels & Restaurants International, which spans over nine European countries, has announced the addition of five new privately managed hotels and restaurants in Germany and Switzerland to its portfolio, which already includes about 200 properties and outlets. Three of the newly joined properties are located in Germany and have rich history and culture, while the remaining two properties in Switzerland, in Weggis and in Zurich, boast natural surroundings and a lively scene with plenty of cultural, shopping and entertainment experiences.

Royal Savoy Lausanne Adds New Building

Royal Savoy Lausanne

DoubleTree by Hilton Sails into Venice

F DoubleTree by Hilton Venice – North

ollowing four years of work and a CHF100 million (EUR83 million) investment, Royal Savoy Lausanne celebrated the topping out of its new building, ahead of its 2015 launch. Once reopened, the new addition will offer 196 rooms, 1,200m2 of event space and a 1,500m2 spa. Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, CEO, Katara Hospitality, said, “This hotel perfectly complements our international portfolio of iconic hotels in that it represents both a rich heritage and a shining future.” The historic hotel, which opened in 1906, has hosted a number of royals and respected sportsmen and was purchased by Katara Hospitality in 2007. 10 DECEMBER 2014

ACCOMMODATION NEWS Meliá Campione Gears up for Launch

eliá Hotels International is to unveil Meliá Campione in the Lombardy region of Italy, before the end of the year. With just 40 rooms, this exclusive sanctuary is overlooking Lake Lugano, and is close to the marina and other attractions. Facilities include an all-day dining concept and a spa and wellness hub.

Gabriel Escarrer, vice chairman, Meliá Hotels International, stated, “This beautiful Italian province, halfway between Italy and Switzerland and blessed by Lake Lugano, is an area of great potential for the luxury hotel and travel industry and puts us in a strong position in the Italian market, which is strategically important for our company.”

Aloft Liverpool Opens in Style

tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has unveiled the 116-room Aloft Liverpool, the brand’s second UK hotel, set in the 110-year-old Royal Insurance Building. It features the signature lounge, fitness centre, food and beverage area and Arf SM, an exclusive pet-friendly programme,

Aloft Liverpool exterior

plus five meeting rooms. “Aloft Liverpool perfectly illustrates how we can transform a once derelict, historic building into a world-class hotel and bring new life into the local area,” said Colin Bennett, area manager, UK and Ireland, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, adding that the transformation is expected to be embraced by both locals and visitors.

10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS AIRPORTS

New Parking Spaces at Helsinki Airport

inavia has commenced expansion work on the P5 parking garage at Helsinki Airport. The development, valued at some EUR40 million, will add 3,000 new parking spots and two new storeys, and is expected to be completed in 2016. The airport's infrastructure will be upgraded massively in the next few years, as Helsinki Airport prepares to serve 20 million passengers annually. The more the passenger volumes grow, the more parking spaces are needed, pinpointed Ville Haapasaari, airport director, Finavia, adding, “By expanding P5, we ensure a smooth departure for passengers, even during the period when the terminal expansion work is still ongoing but passenger volumes have increased.”

Chopin Airport: Positive Passenger Growth

Copenhagen Airport Reports Boost in Traffic

arsaw’s Chopin Airport handled 1,064,000 charter passengers from May to September, an 18 percent rise over the same period in 2013. The most visited country was Greece, followed by Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Italy, Israel and Morocco. Top destinations included Antalya, Rhodes, Hurghada, Heraklion and Bodrum. Charter flights to destinations in Greece recorded the biggest growth, soaring 39 percent yearon-year. The peak of the season was August, when the number of charter travellers reached 259,000.

n the first nine months of the year, 19.7 million passengers travelled through Copenhagen Airport, representing a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase. Revenue jumped 6.9 percent, while profit before tax rose 10.9 percent. In the third quarter alone, the hub received more than 7.5 million travellers. “Passenger numbers were record high this summer, and we have had stable traffic growth throughout the summer programme. Against that background, we are now upgrading our fullyear guidance,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports.

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Domodedovo Makes Notable Strides

oscow Domodedovo Airport took part in the 27th International Air Cargo Forum and Exhibition 2014 (ACF), held in Seoul. At the biannual event, organised by The International Air Cargo Association, the Russian airport had its own booth where visitors were offered an insight into the latest cargo traffic development trends. The management also announced that it is ready to operate in decreased air temperature conditions upon the completion of the comprehensive preparation of all airport infrastructures. All involved personnel undertook seasonal training, special-purpose machines were also prepared for the operation, and necessary reagents were purchased in sufficient quantity.

10 DECEMBER 2014

AIRPORTS NEWS dnata Expands Its UK Presence

he UK operations of dnata continue to grow with the addition of ground handling services at Manchester Airport (MAN). The company’s services at MAN commenced in October with Emirates’ three-daily flights. In order to ensure the smooth handling of each flight, dnata has hired 110 new employees from the area to support dispatch, along

with ramp and passenger services. This year alone, dnata expanded its UK presence to include seven airports within the region, with 2,400 employees. Gary Morgan, CEO, UK operations, dnata, described the UK’s regional hubs as vital connectors of people and cargo.

Brussels Airport Performs Well

ith the expansion of lowcost companies and the positive results of Brussels Airlines as well as the long-haul segment, almost two million passengers flew through Brussels Airport in October. Some 18,839,139 travellers used the hub since the start of the year. During October, the number of passengers continued to climb, showing a 19.3 rise, boosted by Emirates’ new service to the capital city which was inaugurated in September.

Gatwick Announces Six-month Results

ondon’s Gatwick Airport revealed its six-month results for the period ending September 30, with turnover exceeding GBP391 million (EUR493 million). The British hub witnessed the busiest six months in its history with 22.5 million passengers, a year-onyear increase of eight percent. Moreover, the period under review included one day of 906 air traffic movements in August, described as a world record for a single-runway airport.

10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS AIR

Finnair to Serve Chicago

LOT Partners with Booking.com

OT Polish Airlines penned a strategic deal with Booking.com in a bid to position itself as a one-stop shop, enabling customers to tailor all their travel arrangements in one place. Passengers now have a variety of accommodation types to choose from on the carrier’s platform or the new co-branded website. Magali Olive, executive director, ancillary revenue and loyalty programmes, LOT Polish Airlines, commented, “Introducing a hotel proposition is another step towards becoming a one-stop shop for LOT, offering the right product and service at the right time in a simple way so our customers’ travel experience can be fully personalised and enhanced.”

innair will start flying to Chicago three times a week during the summer period from June 13 to October 17, 2015. Chicago is a hub for American Airlines, which allows Finnair customers quick codeshare connections to destinations throughout the US, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. Due to opening the Chicago route, Finnair's seasonal summer service to Hanoi will be discontinued, while new routes will include Athens, Dublin, Malta and Split.

Chicago

Ryanair Adds New Hub in Slovakia

yanair has announced its first Slovakian base and the 71st in its network, slated for a March 2015 opening. The new hub in Bratislava is set to have two based aircraft serving 16 routes, including a new link to Madrid which is expected to deliver almost one million customers per year and support 1,000 on-site jobs. Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair, commented, “Ryanair customers in Bratislava can choose from 16 routes [in summer 2015], while enjoying [a number of added] services.”

Widerøe and Eastern Airways Join Forces

iderøe and Eastern Airways have signed a codeshare agreement, providing greater connections via Aberdeen and Newcastle, along with improved access between Eastern Airways’ UK destinations and Widerøe’s network in Norway. Eastern Airways’ T3 flight code will be placed on Widerøe-operated services between Newcastle and Stavanger, and Aberdeen and Stavanger, as well as the Aberdeen - Bergen route. Eastern Airways passengers can likewise connect to Widerøe’s network, including those to Haugesund, Kristiansand, Skien, Kristiansund, Molde and Sandefjord.

SilkAir to Fly to Cairns

ilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will commence direct flights between Singapore and Cairns, Australia, on May 30, 2015. Subject to regulatory approvals, SilkAir is to operate the service three times a week through circular routings with Darwin Airline. The inaugural and subsequent Saturday flights will depart Singapore for Cairns nonstop and then return to Singapore via Darwin Airline. The Monday and Thursday services will fly to Cairns via Darwin Airline and return to Singapore nonstop. Leslie Thng, CEO, SilkAir, said, “With the launch of Cairns, we [...] will soon serve a total of seven points in Australia […]. We believe this new service will be of interest to the leisure travellers as Cairns is well-known for being the gateway to the popular Great Barrier Reef.”

10 DECEMBER 2014

AIR NEWS Onur Air Celebrates New Domestic Routes

airBaltic Connects Tallin and Paris

urkish carrier, Onur Air has launched two new routes; Istanbul – Kayseri and Ankara – Diyarbakır, both of which are being served by daily frequencies. Through Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Kayseri, the carrier’s 17th domestic destination, is now connected to six international and five domestic locations, including Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Vienna, Odessa, Antalya, Diyarbakir, Bazig, Izmir and Samsun. The inauguration of the new flights followed the launch of the airline’s winter schedule.

10 DECEMBER 2014

Paris

irBaltic has celebrated a new direct route between Tallinn and Paris, operated four times per week by a Boeing737 aircraft. The new service links the Estonian capital with the rest of the world through Paris, while travellers from the French capital now enjoy better connections to the Baltic region, Scandinavia and the CIS. Christoph Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, commented, “airBaltic’s new direct flights strengthen our service with Europe’s major hubs and offer unmatched onward connections to the whole world.”

Boosting Routes from the Netherlands

asyJet has announced plans for a new Amsterdam base, due to open in spring 2015, along with six new routes from the Dutch capital; Dubrovnik, Nice, Olbia, Toulouse, Venice and Hamburg. Passengers from the country are to have a choice between a total of 25 destinations on easyJet’s network, as well as additional frequencies on some of the services. William Vet, commercial manager, the Netherlands, easyJet, commented, “Basing three aircraft in the Netherlands will bring more choice for Dutch passengers and lower fares. It will also help boost local tourism and economic growth with the creation of hundreds of jobs and increased passenger numbers.”

NEWS AIR Direct Transatlantic Connection from Budapest

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rom June 2015, Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport will offer a direct transatlantic connection with the start of Air Transat’s weekly services between Toronto, Montreal and the Hungarian capital. The new flights will be served by the Canadian carrier’s widebody Airbus A330-200 aircraft, arriving every Thursday from Toronto after making a stopover in Montreal en route to Budapest. Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport, commented, “We have been working hard for years with our Canadian partners to start this new service and now we are proud to announce the success of our joint effort with the start of the new flights.”

airBaltic Serves Amsterdam via Vilnius

Birmingham

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Flybe Connects Berlin and Birmingham

ritish airline, Flybe is now operating five weekly flights from Berlin’s Tegel Airport to Birmingham in the West Midlands every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The route is served by an 88-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft. With a population of approximately one million, Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city after London and a significant trade centre for the British metalworking industry.

Air France A380 Heads off to Africa

irBaltic launched a new direct route linking Vilnius and Amsterdam. The flight, which operates three times a week, offers convenient connections between the two capitals, connecting Vilnius via Amsterdam to the rest of the world, and linking Amsterdam to the Baltic region and beyond through airBaltic’s network in Scandinavia and the CIS. Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, said, “One in three airBaltic travellers who fly through Amsterdam travel onwards to cities all over the world. airBaltic’s new direct flights, which link Vilnius to this major hub, strengthen our service within Europe, and offer unmatched onward connections to the rest of the world.”

ir France is now serving the West African city of Abidjan with its Airbus A380, the largest superjumbo in its fleet, with three weekly frequencies. "The offer of regular flights by A380 to Abidjan's Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport is a strong symbol for us. It reflects our ambition to support the rapid boom of Ivory Coast and our constant efforts to offer our best products and services on flights to Africa", stated Frank Legré, senior vice president, Africa, Air France-KLM. This winter, Air FranceKLM operates flights to 39 destinations on the African continent.

10 DECEMBER 2014

AIR NEWS

Austrian Airlines Moves Forward Despite Losses

ustrian Airlines generated an operating loss of EUR7 million in the first nine months of the year, attributed to the nonrecurring effects related to balance sheet recognition of severance payments for the flight crew of Tyrolean Airways. “Naturally, I am not satisfied with the finance results,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Austrian Airlines. “At the same time, I am pleased that we reached an agreement in principle and thus found a solution on going forward into the future. This means we have revised our original guidance downwards once again to achieving slightly positive results this year.” In the first nine months of the year, 8.7 million passengers flew with Austrian Airlines, up 0.6 percent from 2013.

10 DECEMBER 2014

Norwegian Now Serves Canary Islands

orwegian has launched direct flights between Warsaw and the Canary Islands. The inauguration of the new services between the Polish capital and Gran Canaria was followed hot on the heels by the introduction of a new route to Tenerife. Flights to Gran Canaria are operated once weekly on Tuesdays, while travellers wishing to visit the most populous Canary island can do so on Wednesdays. The airline currently offers services to five other destinations from Warsaw, including Barcelona, London Gatwick, Malaga, Madrid and Oslo, all served with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Transaero Lands in Barnaul

ransaero Airlines introduced three-weekly services from Moscow to Barnaul. The carrier deploys a Boeing 737NG with business and economy class cabins on the route, and the flights are scheduled so that passengers arriving from Barnaul in the capital city can take advantage of the airline’s wide domestic and international network. The launch of services to the west Siberian city is another step in developing the airline’s domestic presence, with domestic passenger traffic rising 35 percent in comparison with the same period of 2013.

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Wizz Air Launches Base in Bosnia and Herzegovina

izz Air announced further expansion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The airline will deploy a new Airbus A320 aircraft in Tuzla in June 2015 with the city becoming its 19th base. New routes from Tuzla will include Munich Memmingen and Oslo Torp, commencing on June 26, 2015, as well as Frankfurt Hahn and Stockholm Skavsta, starting on June 28, 2015. György Abrán, chief commercial officer, Wizz Air, said, “We started our operations in Tuzla in May 2013 and already carried over 180,000 passengers to date. The new Tuzla base will create a number of local jobs with Wizz Air and our local business partners. Bosnia and Herzegovina is becoming our 11th country where we have established base operations. We look forward to becoming the airline of choice of Bosnian consumers and visitors.”

NEWS AIR Air Malta Continues on the Right Track

ollowing the halving of losses during the financial year ending in March, Air Malta expects to maintain its position for the financial year ending March 2015 despite several major setbacks including the closure of Libyan routes and increased summer competition. Maria Micallef, chairperson, Air Malta, commented, “In the longer term, […] the realities of the industry are such that the airline’s profit margins will always remain wafer thin unless we rethink our business model to truly ensure viability. We need to […] start thinking of long-term sustainability beyond 2016.” She added, “If we are to make this work and I am confident we will - we need everyone’s support. In some cases, this means holding back. That is my message.”

Delta and Virgin Atlantic Partner across the Atlantic

Monarch Steps up Summer Operations

elta Air Lines celebrated the inauguration of new services from London to Los Angeles and Atlanta, in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways. Both routes are operated from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3, offering convenient connections for passengers of both airlines, as well as a range of benefits. The new services are the first transfer of operations between the carriers since the launch of their joint venture earlier this year and offer more choice and flexibility on these key routes across the Atlantic. “We have a common goal to grow our joint venture network across the trans-Atlantic and provide customers with greater choice,” said Ed Bastian, president, Delta Air Lines.

Los Angeles

onarch has added an extra 3,200 individual flights to its summer 2015 schedule. The new services, which include three new Greek destinations, Preveza, Rhodes and Zakynthos, along with increased frequencies on a number of popular routes, translate into 2,000 additional scheduled flights. Commenting on the upcoming operations, Marisa Blasco, director, revenue and network development, Monarch, said, “[The summer 2015] schedule offers more flights to our most popular destinations; better weekend flight times and the flexibility to book a short break or a mid- or longer length holiday.”

easyJet Expands Bristol Base

Porto

asyJet has announced plans for four new routes from Bristol to Lanzarote, Catania, Porto and Gibraltar, starting from summer 2015. Ali Gayward, commercial manager, UK, easyJet, commented, “We are committed to making it even more easy and affordable for travellers across the southwest to fly to great destinations, whether it be for leisure or business.” The Bristol – Lanzarote route, to be launched on April 18, 2015, will be operated twice per week, as well as the Bristol – Catania service which is to be inaugurated on May 14, 2015. Thrice-weekly flights to Porto are set to commence on April 19, 2015, the same day with those to Gibraltar, which are also to be offered three times a week.

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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: How sufficiently is Europe being represented at World Travel Market (WTM) each year? Do you see a rise or decline in interest from European countries for the exhibition? PAUL NELSON: Europe is the largest of all the regions at World Travel Market. We are seeing a rise in participants from European countries. For example Visit Denmark has returned to the event after a few years of not exhibiting and Bosnia and Herzegovina [were] exhibiting for the first time. We are also seeing increases in participating European buyers, visitors and media.

Q & A with Paul Nelson

PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, WORLD TRAVEL MARKET PORTFOLIO

into and promote to their respective clientele? PAUL NELSON: Europe is a key market for the World Travel Market. As I have said it is the largest region for [the exhibition] and is responsible for almost half a billion pounds (GBP494 million or EUR620 million) of business at the World Travel Market. [The show] overall is responsible for GBP2.2 billion (EUR2.8 billion) so Europe makes up almost a quarter of the overall business facilitated. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Aside the perennial favourites which are London and Paris, which European countries or regions are emerging as the new hotspots on the continent, according to the feedback you get from exhibitors and buyers at the show?

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: As a destination, Europe is continuing to lose market share. Why is that happening and should it be dealt with?

“

EUROPE IS THE LARGEST OF ALL THE REGIONS AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

PAUL NELSON: Europe is losing market share as emerging destinations increase their tourism offering. However, Europe is still the most popular inbound tourism continent in the world, making up for around half of all the trips made. TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: How important is Europe as a region for the organisers of WTM? Is it a product that buyers of WTM seek to look

THIS YEAR EUROPE HAS CONTINUED THE STRONG PACE OF TOURISM GROWTH OF 2013, DRIVEN BY NORTHERN AND MEDITERRANEAN EUROPE. HERE PAUL NELSON, PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER, WORLD TRAVEL MARKET PORTFOLIO, ELABORATES ON THE CONTINENT’S PRESENCE AT THE EVENT.

PAUL NELSON: The new hotspots of Europe derive from old Eastern European countries. So for example, the Croatian tourism industry is booming, as are Bulgaria´s and Romania´s tourism sectors. Moreover, Turkey has invested a lot in its travel and tourism industry in recent years and is seeing an increasing number of visitors because of this.

WTM 2014

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NEWS AIR Aeroflot Welcomes Pobeda

eroflot Group’s new low-cost carrier has started operating under the name Pobeda, meaning victory in Russian. The airline’s Boeing 737-800NG aircraft was branded with the new logo of the company, which also launched a new website. The company initially flies from Moscow to Samara, Yekaterinburg, Perm, Kazan, Tyumen, Surgut

and Belgorod, and the route network will subsequently expand to other Russian regions as the fleet grows. Pobeda will operate new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. The fleet is planned to grow to up to 40 aircraft by 2018, operating 45 routes and carrying more than 10 million passengers, making Pobeda one of Russia’s top 10 carriers.

Vueling to Strengthen Presence in Croatia

S Split

Flybe and Aer Lingus Collaborate

panish low-cost carrier, Vueling Airlines plans new flights to Croatia from Spain and Italy in 2015, recognising the potential the southeast European country holds for year-round tourism. Encouraged by the strong performance of this year’s Croatian routes, the airline will increase its capacity by 30 percent with the Barcelona – Dubrovnik and Barcelona – Split routes, starting on March 27, 2015 and April 2, 2015, respectively, as twice-weekly services, which are to be made daily during the high season. Barcelona – Zagreb flights are to run from April 3, 2015 to late October 2015, while once-weekly Barcelona – Zadar operations are planned from the period from June to September 2015. In 2015, the carrier also has plans to connect Pula, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar with Rome with significant increases in seat capacity.

Ryanair Strengthens Presence in Scotland

lybe has secured a new codeshare agreement with Aer Lingus which builds further on the British carrier’s proposition to seamlessly link its regional customers with 'One Stop to the World' connections. The partnership with the Irish airline enables Flybe passengers travelling from Exeter, Inverness, Southend and Southampton to access, via a single stop in Dublin, an even wider range of destinations across North America and Canada. There is the added benefit that Dublin Airport also provides US customs pre-clearance, meaning that travellers arriving in the US as domestic passengers can proceed straight through to the arrivals hall at their eventual destination, bypassing lengthy US customs and immigration queues.

Glasgow City Chambers

yanair has opened its third Scottish base in Glasgow with one based aircraft, seven new winter routes and nine summer ones, all of which are expected to deliver over 850,000 passengers per year and support over 850 jobs at Glasgow Airport. Maria Macken, sales and marketing manager, UK, Ryanair, commented, “Ryanair customers can choose the lowest fares from Glasgow, while enjoying allocated seating, a free second carry-on bag, reduced fees, a new website, a brand new app with mobile boarding passes, and our new Family Extra and Business Plus services, making Ryanair the ideal choice for families, business and leisure travellers.”

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AGENTS NEWS

Kuoni’s UEFA EURO 2016 Offerings Target Corporates

UK Agents Wowed by Istanbul and Singapore

o enjoy a bespoke UEFA EURO 2016 experience, companies can now leverage accommodation services from Kuoni Travel, the official accommodation agency of the tournament, and enjoy premium hospitality during the matches thanks to Henri Delaunay Club, the event’s official corporate hospitality programme. Henri Delaunay Club packages are available through national football teams, and include premium services inside the stadiums. Christoph Speich, head of UEFA EURO 2016 Accommodation Agency, stated, “Over 3,000 companies from more than 60 countries will be hosted […]. As national football teams and French stadiums invite companies to watch matches from VIP boxes and hospitality areas, Kuoni will be ready […] to accommodate them.”

UEFA 2016 mascot

10 DECEMBER 2014

Thomas Cook to Introduce Virtual Reality Content

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

ravelCube took eight travel agents from the UK on a week-long familiarisation trip to Istanbul and Singapore. The group was hosted by Dean Sheriff, regional sales and traffic agent, Turkish Airlines, and Laura Smith, regional account manager, West Midlands and Wales, TravelCube. Participants stayed at Ramada Plaza Tekstilkent Hotel in Istanbul and Festive Hotel, part of the Resorts World in Sentosa. “Guests loved the opportunity to experience a selection of hotels and get a real-life taste of the TravelCube experience in both Istanbul and Singapore. It was their chance to see that our suppliers offer the highest standards to give travellers a hassle-free holiday, whatever their budget,” said Smith.

homas Cook Group announced the next stage in its plans to feature immersive virtual reality (VR) content in the Omni-channel space. The initiative is soon to be available for customers to experience via head-mounted VR display models in selected retail outlets in the UK, Germany and Belgium. Following an initial UK trial in August, the company has produced a range of immersive, VR-ready content that will provide customers with the opportunity to look before they book their next holiday experience. Marco Ryan, chief innovation officer, Thomas Cook Group, said, “VR technologies are set to play a key role in how companies showcase experience-based products to their customers, and we are proud to be ahead of the curve when it comes to being the digital leaders in travel.”

TRAVEL TALK

DANIELLE NEYTS Country manager, Belgium, Tourism Ireland

It makes sense for us to proactively target [Brussels]

English language learning […] represents close to six percent of arrivals

“Given that the headquarters of more than 2,000 associations are located in Brussels, it makes sense for us to proactively target this sector. These associations regularly hold conferences [...] in different venues around the world, delivering significant economic benefits to the host country. We were delighted so many of these key business tourism decision-makers took the time to meet our partners from Ireland, to hear about our superb meetings and conference facilities and what makes Ireland unique as a business destination.”

“English language learning in Malta is a significant tourism market segment which nowadays represents close to six percent of our tourist arrivals. Because of the typically longer length of stay, this equates to circa 230,000 spent nights. […] An international internship within the tourism and hospitality industry is already in place in which students from the Institute for Tourism Studies work in a foreign country. It is an experience that enables the student to apply what one has learnt in the classroom to real life [...].”

EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS Tourism minister, Malta

Heathrow expansion is […] the best option to keep Britain at the heart of the global economy

JOHN HOLLANDKAYE CEO, Heathrow Airport

“With the Airports Commission launching its national consultation on airport capacity expansion imminently, Heathrow expansion is increasingly being seen as not only the best option to keep Britain at the heart of the global economy, but also as politically deliverable, with growing support from local communities, politicians and businesses across the UK.”

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

10 DECEMBER 2014

TRAVEL CHANNELS

First Use of GBAS Is a Reality In October, the first landing using the precision landing tool, groundbased augmentation system (GBAS), was used by a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus 320 at Zurich Airport.

he new procedure now enables a GPS approach from the north on runway 14, even in low cloud conditions or poor visibility. GBAS installed on the airport site increases the accuracy of the GPS signal so that aircraft with the appropriate equipment will be able to use the GPS technology to land even when visibility is poor. Moreover, the new system establishes the technical requirements for introducing further environmentally and noise-optimised procedures in future, such as continuous descent approaches.

Zurich Airport

Local Communities Soften towards Heathrow Expansion

UNWTO Develops Prototype to Overcome Seasonality

unta del Este 365 is an initiative which brings together the private and public sector of Punta del Este in Uruguay, in an effort to develop and implement new tourism products aimed at overcoming seasonality. The project, which is a model that can be replicated worldwide, was developed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Uruguay, and with the Regional Government of Maldonado and Destino Punta del Este, and was presented during the 2014 World Travel Market in London. The new project focusses on sports tourism, meetings and the link between gastronomy, agriculture and tourism.

Chef Cooks for Air France Passengers

A Heathrow Airport

ir France has recently delighted passengers with a special onboard dining experience as a young chef Sébastien Vandendaele prepared delicacies onboard flights between Paris and Shanghai. The dishes were adapted to the constraints of airline catering, and as part of the Chefs on Board event, travellers were invited to share their impressions of the food served. Vandendaele obtained his vocational and professional diploma in catering in 2007. He then joined Servair and began his career in the cold food and subsequently hot food workshops.

eathrow Airport has unveiled its improved expansion master plan, following extensive feedback from Spelthorne Council and residents of Stanwell and Stanwell Moor. The new plan includes significant areas of new and enhanced parkland around the airport, as well as generous support to local flood alleviation schemes. Roberto Tambini, CEO, Spelthorne Council, enthused, “We are delighted that Heathrow has listened to and acted upon our feedback in creating its updated expansion plans and that the residents of Spelthorne have been offered an improved deal as a result.” Recently, 23 Chambers of Commerce representing over 40,000 UK businesses have confirmed their support for Heathrow Airport΄s expansion in an open letter to the Airports Commission.

10 DECEMBER 2014

WHO’S MOVED

ANDREAS SCHUSTER

MARIO BODINI

Andreas Schuster has taken up the role of director of sales and marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Prague. With more than a decade of hospitality experience under his belt, he brings extensive international business expertise to the historic and vibrant city. Schuster’s career path has taken him from Munich to Beijing, Shanghai, Istanbul, New York and Budapest, now bringing along a wealth of knowledge and skills from those key international markets, together with a passion for business in the luxury segment with a focus on sales and marketing.

BASTIAN GAERNER

Schuster has a passion for business in the luxury segment

Mario Bodini has been elected as the new chairman of the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA). He succeeds Patrick Richards who is stepping down after a seven-year term, during which ETOA’s membership has doubled, its secretariat team has strengthened and major new tourism workshop events have been launched. Bodini, who is also the executive vice president of JacTravel, a business-to-business wholesaler, aims to continue ETOA’s focus, ensuring that it works on behalf of its members to remove barriers affecting the competitiveness and the ease of doing business in Europe. One of his main priorities will be to ensure ETOA embraces electronic distribution as an increasingly important factor in travel to Europe.

SUS NYGAARD

Bastian Gaerner has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. In his new role, Gaerner will be responsible for overseeing the design and execution of all the resort’s sales, marketing and commercial activities and strategies, including conferences and events. He brings with him over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and revenue management which he gained across the luxury hospitality industry in Europe, Middle East, the CIS countries and, more recently, the Maldives. A graduate of César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, Gaerner held his first leadership role as director of sales with Radisson Blu Hotel, Brussels and then went on to lead commercial teams and properties with other brands.

Sus Nygaard took over the position of international sales manager at Bella Center Group, the company operating Bella Center Copenhagen, a modern trade fair and convention hub. Hailed as one of the industry’s most prominent profiles, Nygaard is expected to help the centre establish an even stronger image in the international market and attracting more congresses and events. Bringing her extensive knowledge from the international congress world, Nygaard will work with global sales partners, primarily focussing on large scale events. Having enjoyed a long career at Scandinavian Airlines, she will now strive to use everything Copenhagen has to offer as a magnet for bringing events to the city.

10 DECEMBER 2014

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...

Tine Sundtoft, climate and environment minister, Norway, and BjĂ¸rn Kjos, CEO, Norwegian, were onboard the carrierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-ever flight with biofuel

Monaco Convention Bureau won ICCA Best Marketing Award

Ryanair announced it would open its first Slovakian base

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Four Seasons Hotel Prague was the official hotel partner of the charity event Fashion for Kids by Tereza Maxova Foundation

Enterprise Rent-A-Car gives back to veterans as part of the Progressive Insurance Keys to Progress initiative

Helsinki Airport was transformed into a skatepark in an event with skating legend, Arto Saari

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS BSEC Discusses Tourism Issues

ith Greece holding the presidency of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), tourism ministers and representatives of the 11 countries forming the organisation met in the Mediterranean country. Olga Kefalogianni, tourism minister, Greece, announced that it was agreed to promote and encourage the development of alternative forms of tourism, gastronomy and wine tourism in the BSEC countries. She also noted that the participants discussed the key role of facilitating the issuance of visas to achieve the increase of tourist arrivals in the BSEC region. The meeting also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Taleb Rifai, secretary general, World Tourism Organization, and Victor Tvircun, secretary general, BSEC.

EVENTS VAKANTIEBEURS Utrecht, The Netherlands January 13 – 18, 2015 www.vakantiebeurs.nl With more than 1,400 exhibitors it is one of the most important touristic events in the country.

FERIEN-MESSE WIEN Vienna, Austria January 15 – 18, 2015 www.ferien-messe.at An international event for holidays, travel and leisure, and a leading tourism trade fair. Victor Tvircun, Olga Kefalogianni and Taleb Rifai

CMT

FEG’s T-GuIDE Initiative on Accessible Tourism

uropean Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (FEG) has launched T-GuIDE, a new project that aims to train tourist guides on how to work with persons with intellectual and learning difficulties. A seminar was held on November 20 at Hollywood Media Hotel Berlin, provided training on how to familiarise oneself with various types of intellectual disabilities and communicate effec-

tively with people with intellectual disabilities, as well as create suitable itineraries, prepare the logistics of the tour, consider the health and safety issues, and more. It explored the standard for tourist guide training programmes EN15565 and looked at points on guiding for persons with special needs, including awareness of potential special needs of tourists, adaptation and preparation of guided tours for this market.

Serbia Hosts International Tourism Students Congress

Novi Sad

erbia’s second largest city, Novi Sad played host to the International Congress of the Students of Tourism and Hospitality, organised by Fortuns non-profit association in cooperation with the International Association of Students of Tourism and Hospitality (IASTH). The event, which took place from November 14 – 16, gathered more than 300 students who attended lectures at the local Faculty of Sports and Tourism, in addition to exploring the city of Novi Sad and its cultural and historic attractions. Lecturers originated from the University of Greenwich and the Caledonian University, as well as the Dutch travel agency Askja Reizen, National Tourism Organisation of Serbia, Slovenia’s spa hub Terme Laško and My EXIT Adventure festival tour operator.

Stuttgart, Germany January 17 – 25, 2015 www.messe-stuttgart.de Exhibitors from around the world present cycling, adventure, hiking, golfing and outdoor holidays.

EAST MEDITERRANEAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey January 22 – 25, 2015 www.emittistanbul.com The 18th edition of EMITT will assign an entire hall to health care, aesthetics, thermal and spa tourism.

FITUR Madrid, Spain January 28 – February 1, 2015 www.ifema.es A global meeting point for tourism professionals for the Ibero-American markets.

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