10 MARCH 2016 ISSUE 33
10 SHORT BREAK
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PRAGUE
EUROPE REMAINS MOST VISITED REGION
14 06 Cruising DUAL-BRANDED IHG PROJECT AT HEATHROW ANNOUNCED
09 Venues 16 Air
MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
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EUROPE REMAINS MOST VISITED REGION
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Inna Armeanu
Iceland
DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis
Having registered the sixth consecutive year of above-average growth in 2015, Europe retained its position as the most popular region in the world.
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
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ased on European Travel Commission (ETC)’s data, in 2015, the continent welcomed some 609 million travellers, marking a five percent year-on-year increase, driven by the ongoing economic recovery of the Eurozone, the decrease in oil prices and favourable exchange rates. Growth spread across the majority of European countries, buoyed by Iceland – up 30 percent, Romania and Slovakia. As Eduardo Santander, executive director, ETC, noted, prospects for the current year remain positive.
WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com
EUROPE ADDS MORE HOTEL ROOMS
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
Moscow
Cover: CCCR-Czech Tourism cooperated on this article by making available the photograph used. Photographer: (Lukáš Žentel).
EXCHANGE RATES
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09.3.2016
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Yen
According to an STR Global pipeline report, in January, there were 1,152 hotels under contract in Europe, representing a 15.8 percent year-on-year increase.
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n addition, the region reported 62,205 rooms in 460 establishments under construction. Among key markets, Greater London had the most units in the making with 4,792 rooms in 33 hotels. Three other cities registered more than 2,000 keys in the pipeline; namely Istanbul, Moscow and Greater Berlin.
10 MARCH 2016
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NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE
According to data provided by HotStats, 2015 was a good year for the hospitality sector in major European cities. Frankfurt and Milan witnessed the positive impact of major events, while Warsaw slightly struggled in December but posted satisfactory year-end results.
Expo Drives Massive Profit Growth for Milan
Milan
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16.4 percent increase in profit per room in December 2015 topped off a good year of performance for properties in Milan as the city benefitted from hosting Expo
2015. The event attracted over 20 million visitors from more than 150 participant countries with approximately 5,000 happenings hosted over 184 days as it explored the theme of Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. The greatest year-on-year growth in average room rates (ARR) in the six-month period of the expo was in the groups segment, which rose 65.8 percent to EUR128.73 from EUR77.64 during the same period in 2014.
Annual Events Benefit Frankfurt
Warsaw Records Positive Overall Performance
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espite the 2.8 percent year-on-year decline in profit per room for December 2015, hotels in Frankfurt achieved a 12.6 percent increase in gross operating profit per room (GOPPAR) for the year, due to a number of key events driving rises in top line and bottom line revenue. The year 2015 was a successful one for hoteliers in the German city, with an annual profit growth of 12.6 percent achieved through year-on-year surges in almost all months apart from January, May and December and despite the monthly peaks and troughs typical of an event-led destination.
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hilst accommodation establishments in Warsaw experience RevPAR surges in all but one month of 2015 – contributing to a EUR3.89 net increase in this measure, the 25.5 percent year-on-year uplift in rooms cost of sales reduced this net improvement by EUR0.84 per available room. Growth in ancillary spend, including food, beverage, and conference and banqueting, as well as some cost savings, helped hotels in the Polish capital to record a six percent increase in GOPPAR in 2015, a recovery from the five percent decline registered in 2014.
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MARKET UPDATE
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PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS BOOSTS PERFORMANCE Grande Isle Resort & Spa, Bahamas, a Preferred Hotels & Resorts member
TUI GROUP DELIVERS STRONG FINANCIAL RESULTS
TUI Group achieved an underlying earnings before interest, taxes, and amortisation increase of 7.2 percent to a seasonal loss of EUR97.3 million in the first quarter of its financial year.
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etween October – December 2015, turnover climbed 5.4 percent to EUR3.72 billion. As Fritz Joussen, CEO, TUI Group, noted, despite the backdrop of geopolitical turbulence in some destinations, the company had a good start to the fiscal year. “Our global presence in the destinations, our existing capacity and our own hotel and cruise content enhance the resilience of our economic position,” added Joussen.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts generated USD1 billion (EUR910 million) in reservations revenue on behalf of its member hotels in 2015, 15 percent more than in 2014.
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uring the year, the company also underwent a comprehensive rebranding process and welcomed 91 new properties to its collection. “With an innovative approach to hospitality, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing curated travel experiences and innovative travel services with a continuous focus on brand integrity,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, president, Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
RYAINAIR: PROFITS SURGE 110 PERCENT IN Q3
Ryanair’s profits for the three-month period ended December 31, 2015, rose 110 percent year-on-year, reaching EUR103 million.
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otal passenger traffic grew 20 percent to around 25 million travellers, while average fares fell one percent to EUR40. “We noted weaker pricing and bookings immediately after the events in Paris and Brussels,” said Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair, explaining that despite this, the company was able to achieve a double-digit traffic growth. During the period under review, the airline also opened four new bases in Berlin, Corfu, Gothenburg and Milan Malpensa.
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AEROFLOT ENJOYED A GOOD 2015
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raffic for Aeroflot Group in 2015 totalled 39.4 travellers, up 13.4 percent compared to 2014. Aeroflot’s passenger numbers alone touched 26.1 million during the period, having grown 10.6 percent year-on-year. The group’s revenue passenger kilometres rose 8.4 year-onyear, while the airline’s respective figure witnessed a 10.4 percent surge. Moreover the Russian carrier’s load factor increased marginally to 79.3 percent.
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NEWS CRUISING
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The Norwegian Edge Unveiled
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line invested USD400 million (EUR360.5 million) in The Norwegian Edge, an enhancement programme that aims to introduce a new standard of excellence in the guest experience.
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he initiative includes extensive ship revitalisation spanning nine vessels, the improvement of onboard dining experiences, as well as the addition of new and refreshed destinations privately owned by the line. “The new standards of The Norwegian Edge programme will entice our guests to return again and again […], visiting incredible exclusive destinations that reflect the quality finishes, amenities and outstanding service found across the Norwegian fleet,” explained Andy Stuart, president, Norwegian Cruise Line.
Wellness in Focus at Silver Discover
Jet2holidays Offers Croatia Cruises
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Dubrovnik
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ilversea revealed Wellness Expedition Voyages, a compilation of wellbeing-themed expedition cruises for this year and 2017 onboard Silver Discoverer. Destinations of the collection include southeast Asia, Australia, Oceania, Africa and the Indian Ocean. Voyagers will be accompanied by a team of specialists to guide them on their journey. “Each wellness theme cruise offers a well-balanced programme of fitness education, exercise and nutritional guidance, plus an indulgent spa treatment. These voyages are great for travellers seeking a personal journey to wellness to complement their quest for adventure,” said Kristian Anderson, senior vice president, Silversea.
et2holidays is further expanding its programme for this year with the launch of new cruise packages in Croatia. Setting sail from either Dubrovnik or Split, the itineraries are expected to provide holidaymakers the chance to explore the Dalmatian coastline, visiting seven destinations over seven days. “It is the first time we have offered cruises and we are really excited about the packages available. They are tailored to provide the very best value and are a fantastic way of exploring the Croatian coastline and islands,” enthused Steve Heapy, CEO, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.
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NEWS
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Over 36 Million Choose Turkey
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he annual figure, however, declined 1.61 percent compared to 2014. The most popular cities in terms of international entries to the country were Istanbul, Antalya and Edirne, with 12.4 million, 10.9 million and 3.2 million visitors, respectively.
Istanbul
With foreign arrivals to Turkey in December 2015 reaching 1.46 million, total traveller numbers for the year touched 36.24 million.
Increased Arrivals in the German Capital
Hungary: Another Successful Year
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Budapest
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he Hungarian tourism industry recorded yet another positive year in 2015, with arrivals and guest nights up 7.4 and 5.4 percent, respectively. Consequently, revenues at accommodation establishments soared 10 percent, following a particularly strong winter season fuelled by high demand from the domestic market. In terms of tourism nights, Germany maintained the top ranking, while former third-placed UK swapped positions with Austria. In 2015, arrivals exceeded 10 million, the number of tourism nights surpassed 25 million and revenues totalled more than HUF360 billion (EUR1.17 billion).
erlin welcomed some 12.37 million visitors in 2015, signalling a 4.2 percent year-on-year rise, according to visitBerlin. From total arrivals, approximately 7.5 million travellers were from within Germany. The UK, Italy and the Netherlands sent the highest number of tourists from European countries, while the US, Israel and China represented the largest international markets for the capital. In addition, according to visitBerlin’s Berlin Convention Office statistics, the city also welcomed 11.4 million participants in conferences, congresses and incentives in 2015, marking a four percent growth over 2014. The number of events rose three percent to about 135,000 during the same period.
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NEWS
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ETOA Slams Icelandic VAT Policy
China: Lucrative Market for Britain
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he European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) heavily criticised the Icelandic Parliament’s decision to tax incoming tourism. The new policy requires all operators selling any Icelandic product in any market to register for VAT in the Nordic island, including those buying such services of third parties, irrespective of where they or their customers are based. According to Tony Jenkins, CEO, ETOA, this will make some operators’ Icelandic programmes loss-making ventures. “As it involves input and output calculations, it turns every transaction into a burdensome obligation, one that many will naturally shun,” warned Jenkins.
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UK Visits to Denmark Hit a Record High
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Belarus to Release Culinary Map
Copenhagen
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ccording to the Danish Statistical Office, the Nordic country saw a large increase in UK visitors with 812,953 guest nights, in 2015 signalling a 13.1 percent boost over 2014. Figures also confirmed that the UK is now the most significant tourism segment for Copenhagen and the fifth largest market for Denmark. “We believe a packed schedule of festivals and events, new flights and a favourable exchange rate, as well as the country’s permanent attractions will help boost visitor numbers even further,” said Dennis Englund, UK director, VisitDenmark.
DID YOU KNOW... Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport and Stansted Airport all have direct routes to Copenhagen?
reat Britain welcomed 214,000 travellers from China in the first nine months of 2015, marking a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to the latest figures from VisitBritain. Expenditure rose four percent over the same period in 2014, reaching GBP435 million (EUR571.18 million). The European destination expects a major boost from China these months due to the recent Chinese New Year, which is considered a prime time of travel for holiday-makers from the Far East. Furthermore, the new visitor visa pilot scheme for Chinese nationals, introduced in January by the UK government, is also set to further position the country as a destination of choice for the rapidly-growing market.
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he Belarusian association of rural and eco-tourism, Country Escape plans to launch a map for tourists interested in gastronomy, indicating the places that serve authentic local cuisine. Valeria Klitsounova, chairperson, Country Escape, commented that the map will be accompanied by a collection of about 100 recipes of the national Belarusian cuisine with all the information becoming available through a special mobile application.
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NEWS VENUES
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Messukeskus Helsinki Sets New Visitor Record
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he venue hosted 116 fairs and exhibitions, as well as 1,544 meetings, congresses and corporate events. The largest happening, World Gymnaestrada 2015, gathered 180,000 visitors. “We have worked hard to develop our digital services and our organisation. We will continue carrying out digital projects also [this year], for example by updating our website and opening a new online service, eMessukeskus, for our corporate customers,” said Anni Vepsäläinen, managing director, Messukeskus Helsinki.
Tate Modern to Unveil New Gallery
National Gallery
Czech Gallery Turns 220
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n February 1796, a gallery opened in Prague, which later became the forerunner of today’s National Gallery in the Czech capital. The anniversary celebrations will include two major personalities of the field, Chinese conceptual artist Ai Wei-Wei and the Senegalese El Hajdi Sy. In addition, along with other cultural institutions, the gallery will also take part in the 700th anniversary of the birth of Charles IV with special programmes.
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Messukeskus Helsinki
Expo and convention centre, Messukeskus Helsinki recorded 1,251,279 visitors in 2015, an increase of more than 100,000 in comparison to 2014 and almost 40,000 more than during the record-breaking 2003.
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o the delight of art aficionados visiting London, an exhibition of Louise Bourgeois‘ unique works will inaugurate the new gallery of Tate Modern on June 17. Celebrated as one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art, Bourgeois produced an array of sculptures, installations, paintings, drawings and prints over her 70-year career. The first dedicated space to ARTIST ROOMS will continue to host works of the collection‘s 40 artists throughout the year and beyond.
Tate Modern
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SHORT BREAK PRAGUE
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EUROPE’S DAZZLING
Gem
ANA MLADENOVIC WRITES
THE OUTLOOK IS BRIGHT FOR PRAGUE, AS THE CITY LOOKS BACK ON ANOTHER YEAR OF IMPRESSIVE TOURISM GROWTH. YET, FAR FROM RESTING ON LAURELS, THE CAPITAL’S HOSPITALITY SCENE IS BUZZING WITH EXCITING RENOVATIONS AND NEW OPENINGS, DETERMINED TO ELEVATE ITS CHARM AND ATTRACT NEW MARKETS.
PRAGUE IN BRIEF Country: Czech Republic Currency: Czech Crown (CZK) Language: Czech Population: 1.3 million Calling Code: +420 Time Zone: GMT + 1:00
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ccording to the figures released by Czech Statistical Office, 4,922,276 visitors stayed at the city’s accommodation establishments between January – September 2015, eight percent more than the same period in 2014. The majority (86.9 percent) of these were foreign travellers, the number of whom increased seven percent year-on-year. “Prague has rightfully earned the top position on travellers’ bucket list as it offers a unique blend of history, charm, fun, art and shopping,” enthused Jan Kolařík, sales and marketing manager, Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague. Mirroring his excitement with the city’s versatile charm, Robert Rudge, general manager, InterContinental Prague, said, “Magnificent views, superb urban experience, cultural entertainment in numerous theatres, musicals, museums, clubs and other venues, and much more is wrapped into an ultimate experience of Prague.” The capital’s vivacious diversity was similarly praised by Daniela Nova, director of sales and distribution, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, AccorHotels, who referred to Prague as a combination of a modern pulsing atmosphere with fine-dining restaurants, clubs and bars and little streets with old buildings where visitors can feel a touch of history. Apart from being – as Nova put it – really magical, the city is also a relaxed destination. “The Czech Republic is one of the 10 safest countries in the world, according to the 2015 Global Peace Index, which is now more than ever very important to all visitors,” confirmed Jan Višek, senior sales manager, Art Deco Imperial Hotel and Art Nouveau Palace Hotel. Hoteliers across the city are also competing to outperform their competition by adding fresh services and facilities, and even new properties. One of the most talked-about renovations was that of Prague Marriott Hotel, which revealed a new look to its 293 rooms. “Inspired by Prague’s charming city location, the newlydesigned guest rooms mix modern sophistication with simple, natural touches to offer an inviting space to recharge your mind, body and devices,” described Sofie Bent, director of sales and marketing, Prague Marriott Hotel. Speaking of the improvements at the property, Ondřej Kunc, marketing and sales coordinator, Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel, Prague, noted, “We [started the year] with many improvements [which] will bring something more in terms of guest comfort. We are just about to offer our two new suites [featuring] remarkable design. These rooms presage the luxury of the upcoming projects in Prague and other European destinations. ” Moreover, a new lobby and reception area are about to be unveiled by InterContinental Prague. Spa facilities are in the spotlight at Four Seasons Hotel Prague, which will welcome a
10 MARCH 2016
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new Bohemia Spa in June, as well as at Boscolo Prague, Autograph Collection, which unveiled a new relaxation zone. “We have extended the list of services we offer in our spa, which regularly ranks among the five best spas in the city,” boasted Richard Subrt, director of sales and marketing, Boscolo Prague, Autograph Collection. Asten Hotels is also keeping up with market trends, with Boutique Hotel Klárov Prague and Boutique Hotel Golden Key Prague having all recently renovated their facilities. Adding a new gem to the city’s hospitality scene, Art Deco Imperial Hotel is expecting a sister property, Hotel Cosmopolitan Prague, to open just across the road in September. While continuously improving products and services, local industry experts know exactly where they are headed in terms of key markets. Apart from the traditional Western European countries and the UK, overseas locations are on the lips of many. “Prague markets do show more diversity than they have shown a couple of years back; with new connections to Asia and increased frequencies to the Middle East, we are moving towards a very balanced global feeder market,” said Andreas Schuster, director of sales and marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Prague. In terms of MICE business, however, one particular market shows enormous potential and the Prague Convention Bureau (PCB) has been actively working to develop it – the Americas, and more specifically the US. In November 2015, PCB was present at the International Congress and Convention Association congress in Buenos Aires, and just a month earlier, it organised a road show in the US and Canada with a team of local hoteliers, hosting events in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Toronto. In addition to these, PCB also attended the World Education Congress of Meeting Professionals International
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SHORT BREAK PRAGUE
in San Francisco in August 2015. Prague’s MICE credentials are to get a strong boost in September when the city hosts M&I Forum Europe Autumn 2016. Richard Barnes, managing director, M&I Forums, enthused, “Prague has invested a vast amount in its meetings infrastructure in recent years, and there is a new side to the Czech capital that is waiting to be explored. It is home to an array of new, groundbreaking hotels and venues which we are excited to introduce our delegates to, opening their eyes to the opportunities this city has to offer [this year].”
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NEWS AIRPORTS
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Record 2015 for Edinburgh Airport
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he 2015 annual total also represents an increase of over 950,000 passengers over [2014],” said Gordon Dewar, CEO, Edinburgh Airport. The success was attributed to particularly strong international figures, which peaked in December 2015 with a 19 percent year-on-year growth. “[This year] we will continue to improve the passenger experience at Edinburgh Airport with a multimillion pound investment in our check-in and baggage systems, an improved retail offering with greater choice products and we aim to expand our range of new routes and destinations,” confirmed Dewar.
Glasgow Airport: Busiest January Ever
Gordon Dewar
A total of 11,130,584 passengers travelled through Edinburgh Airport in 2015, marking the highest annual footfall ever to be registered at a Scottish airport.
Traffic Surges at LJLA in January
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Glasgow Airport
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n January, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) served 20 percent more travellers than during the same month in 2015, with the figure exceeding 300,000. The increase was due to strong demand on established routes and due to the introduction of new services to Amsterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and Riga. The January performance completed 12 consecutive months of growth at LJLA. In 2015, the hub saw an eight percent higher traffic than in 2014.
Liverpool
lasgow Airport celebrated an excellent start to its 50th year after welcoming 551,177 passengers in January, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.5 percent and making it the hub’s busiest January on record. International traffic grew 17.6 percent due to strong demand for new services to European cities such as Milan and Bucharest. Emirates which offers a double-daily service to Dubai, and Aer Lingus which added capacity to Dublin, also reported strong interest. “Our focus for [this year] is to ensure we continue to build on the success of [2015] where we secured 30 new routes and saw passenger numbers grow at unprecedented levels,” commented Amanda McMillan, managing director, Glasgow Airport.
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NEWS AIRPORTS
Manchester Airport Upgrades Lounge
Gatwick Preps for Active Movements
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Manchester Airport Terminal 2 Escape Lounge
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ondon’s Gatwick Airport achieved its busiest-ever January with 2.5 million passengers travelling through the airport, indicating a 5.7 percent year-on-year increase. During the month under study, European and long-haul services routes rose 5.3 and 8.7 percent, respectively, compared to the corresponding month in 2015. In a bid to cope with the rapid passenger growth, the airport announced the acceleration and expansion of its investment programme, worth GBP2.5 billion (EUR3.23 billion), and is also in discussions about building a second runway.
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tockholm Arlanda Airport welcomed an environmental exhibition of renewable aviation fuel production. Swedavia, the airfield’s owning company, envisions Swedish domestic air travel to be fossil fuel-free by 2030, requiring a noteworthy switch from fossil-based to renewable fuel. Hence, the aim of the showcased display was to inspire and inform passengers about the possibility and availability of fossil-free options.
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DID YOU KNOW... Gatwick Airport has already announced 11 new routes for this year?
Milestone in Bristol Terminal Extension
Renewable Fuel Production exhibition at Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda: Fossil Fuel-Free by 2030
Gatwick Airport
anchester Airport invested some GBP1.6 million (EUR2.05 million) in the complete overhaul of its Escape Lounge in Terminal 2. The enhancement project, expected to be unveiled in April, will increase the size of the area by over a third to provide an improved space for passengers by raising capacity to 212 guests. and it will also include the addition of a kitchen and bar. Kevin Smith, head of retail, lounges, Manchester Airport Group, noted, “The Escape Lounge brand continues to go from strength to strength and we are committed to offering our passengers the best possible facilities.”
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ristol Airport’s west terminal project reached a key point as a topping out ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the steelwork for the GPB24 million (EUR31 million) structure. Once the first of three phases of the 9,000m2 extension is fully completed this summer, it will improve the security process and create an enlarged baggage reclaim area, customs facilities, arrivals retail, as well as the meet and greet spots. “By the end of [2017], we will have transformed the passenger experience, providing another powerful reason for people across the South West and Wales to choose to fly from Bristol,” enthused Robert Sinclair, CEO, Bristol Airport.
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) signed a dual-branded hotel development near London’s Heathrow Airport.
Conrad Dublin Undergoes Revamp
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onrad Dublin embarked on an EUR8 million refurbishment project, which includes new room and suite design, novel dining concepts and the full makeover of the presidential suite, the lobby area and the exterior façade. All works are to be completed this spring. “After working extensively with top-tier designers, we created two prototype guest rooms adorned with beautiful fabrics, a subtle colour palette, natural oak flooring and finishes such as Herringbone wool carpets and wood panelling on the walls,” said Martin Mangan, general manager, Conrad Dublin.
Conrad Dublin
Dual-branded IHG Project at Heathrow Announced
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DID YOU KNOW... The lobby redesign has been inspired by the work of Ninian Niven, the architect of Iveagh Gardens?
Aloft Expands in the UK
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Brighton
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ue to open in 2018, the 190-room Staybridge Suites London - Heathrow Bath Road – dedicated to extended-stay guests – and the 433-key Holiday Inn - Heathrow Bath Road will be located close to the main entrances to Terminal 1, 2 and 3. Expressing confidence in the combination of the two brands and the strategic location, Philip Lassman, director of development, UK and Ireland, IHG, suggested that the hotels are set to become the number one choice for business and leisure travellers staying at the UK hub.
tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide entered into a franchise agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion to launch a new Aloft property in England. The 150-room Aloft Brighton, scheduled to open in September 2017, will mark the brand’s fourth property in the UK. The accommodation establishment will feature loft-like rooms, a bar, onsite restaurant, a 24-hour deli, fitness centre as well as 55m2 of meeting space. “This agreement illustrates the strong demand for stylish, yet affordable accommodation in mature and strategically important cities,” said Michael Wale, president, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Meliá to Expand in Portugal
Sol Hotels Restores Mallorca Properties
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eliá Hotels International continues to renew its resort hotel portfolio in Mallorca by introducing the new Sol concepts, which are adapted to the needs of a new type of customer. For the beginning of the upcoming holiday season, the company has unveiled the recently-renovated Sol Barbados in Magaluf and Sol Calas de Mallorca in Cala Antena, which are set to become the new benchmarks for the traditional family holidays for properties flying the brand’s flag on the island. The projects included extensive renovations as well as the addition of new amenities and facilities.
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Lisbon
eliá Hotels International is expanding its footprint on the Iberian Peninsula with a new property in the Portuguese capital. Slated for an early 2018 opening, the five-star Meliá Lisboa Hotel will boast 239 rooms, a restaurant and a panoramic lounge-bar on the upper terrace, in addition to facilities for both business and leisure travellers. “We are very excited about Meliá Lisboa because it combines architectural innovation in a hotel with the highest standards of quality and service, with the history of such an emblematic corner of the city of Lisbon, with the attractiveness that you only find in the centre of the great historic capital cities in Europe,” said Gabriel Escarrer, CEO, Meliá Hotels International.
Tivoli Lures Visitors to Denmark
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s part of Tivoli’s strategy to attract more tourists to Copenhagen and meet the growing demand for luxury offerings, the company is set to expand Nimb Hotel by 2,000m2. The enhancement is part of Tivoli Corner which will feature more than 20 new luxury suites and a roof terrace boasting a heated pool, restaurant and bar. The hotelier is entering into a strategic partnership with Holckenhavn Castle, a renaissance structure on the island of Funen, in which both organisations will offer unique experiences.
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he Rezidor Hotel Group extended its lease agreement for Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, Stockholm for the next 25 years. The 100-year old building will see a full renovation and a 17-room extension to a total of 169 units. The project is part of an investment programme launched in the Nordics, as the group is rolling out a three-year EUR110 million initiative to upgrade several flagship properties in the region. “The Strand is an essential element of our portfolio in Sweden’s capital city where we operate six Radisson Blu properties with 1,800 rooms. The renovation and extension will further enhance the service experience for our guests and strengthen the hotel’s prominent position,” said Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.
Radisson Blu Strand Hotel
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Holckenhavn Castle
Rezidor Revamps Swedish Property
Romantik Poised for European Growth
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omantik Hotels & Restaurants plans to grow its current hotel portfolio of 200 properties to 300 by 2020, all through internal financing. The group is currently present in nine countries, and aspires to expand into another six states in the medium term. ”We want to become Europe's leading hotel cooperative,“ said Thomas Edelkamp, member, board of directors, Romantik Hotels & Restaurants, who revealed that several well-known establishments in Italy, Austria and Germany are about to join the company’s collection. The hotelier is also committed to targeting and retaining young talent, and Edelkamp believes that an extensive brand network will open up new opportunities in this respect.
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NEWS AIR
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British Airways to Take Off to Tehran British Airways is set to launch a six-weekly service to the Iranian capital, subsequently moving to daily flights in the winter season giving, passengers more choice and flexibility between London and the Middle East.
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Tehran
he new route taking off from Heathrow Airport will be operated onboard four-class Boeing 777. Neil Cottrell, head of network planning, British Airways, commented, “The recent lifting of sanctions opens up exciting new prospects for Iran as a tourist destination and with its rich heritage, unique architecture and world-class food it is unsurprising Tehran is tipped to be a popular destination for [this year].”
Air France-KLM Deepens Links with Kazakhstan
Austrian Airlines Reaches South Korea
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n a bid to offer customers more travel choices, Austrian Airlines entered into a codeshare agreement with South Korea‘s Asiana Airlines. The Austrian carrier’s passengers can now travel to Seoul via Tokyo or Bangkok, while Asiana Airlines customers can join Austrian Airlines‘ network in Frankfurt, London or Rome. “We have attracted a new partner in the Asian region, and in cooperation with Asiana Airlines we can offer new and interesting destinations to our customers,” enthused Christian Steyer, director of cooperations, Austrian Airlines.
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s of May 03, KLM will connect Amsterdam and Astana with four weekly flights, two of which will be a continuation of its preexisting connection to Almaty. Services to the two cities will be operated onboard Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 243 seats.
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NEWS AIR
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Azerbaijan to Have Its Own Low-cost Brand
Nordic Links Tallinn to Berlin
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zerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plans to establish a new brand, operating under a low budget scheme. On AZALJET’s flights, baggage and meals onboard will be offered at an additional cost, a practice already partly used since August 2015 and on a full scale since February 01 on a number of AZAL services. After launching its own low-cost carrier, Azerbaijan’s flag airline will continue to operate its fullservice flights to include baggage and meals as before. “This business provides savings on a number of services that allows significantly reducing costs […]. At the same time, we, as before, guarantee a high level of safety and service on all flights of Azerbaijan’s flag carrier,” said Jahangir Asgarov, president, AZAL.
Adria Airways
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ordic Aviation Group is to commence regular flights from Tallinn to Berlin’s Tegel Airport. The four-weekly services will initially be operated by Adria Airways onboard Bombardier aircraft. The new airline, which is solely owned by the Estonian government, will also start flying to Vienna at the end of March, while the Munich route, which was previously only available in the winter schedule, will be offered year-round with extra frequencies. For the summer, the carrier will also connect the Estonian capital with Paris, Nice and Split.
Air Astana Expands European Horizon
easyJet Broadens Italian Ties
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Paris
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ir Astana deepened its ties with Air France and KLM as it signed a codeshare agreement for flights between Astana and Paris, to be operated by the Kazakh carrier. Effective from March 11, the thrice-weekly service will carry the codes of both European airlines, which will see passengers travelling seamlessly to and from Astana. To facilitate this closer cooperation and the expected growth in transfer traffic, the carriers have also executed baggage and passenger transfer agreements; and the operations of Air Astana flights at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport have been transferred from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2A.
Venice Marco Polo Airport
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asyJet opened its 27th base in Europe at Venice Marco Polo Airport. The decision is part of the airline’s expansion strategy in Italy which also includes enhancements across Milan and Naples airfields. To celebrate the launch, the carrier unveiled an aircraft with special livery featuring the iconic Venetian gondola. Carolyn McCall, CEO, easyJet, commented, “In Italy, over the course of [this year], easyJet plans to carry over 17 million passengers and employ more than 1,100 [staff ].”
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NEWS AIR
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Icelandair Extends French Connectivity
Shaheen Air Resumes UK Operations
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Manchester Airport
akistani carrier, Shaheen Air is gearing up to launch European flights with the start of a new thrice-weekly service between Manchester and Islamabad. Stephen Turner, commercial director, Manchester Airport, commented, “Islamabad continues to be a popular destination with the 22 million people across our catchment area and this new service will provide them with additional choice for reaching the city, and also connecting around Pakistan.”
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Amsterdam
easyJet Adds to High-demand Routes
ffective from March 28, Icelandair will commence scheduled flights to ParisOrly Airport, marking the airline’s second gateway to the French capital. This summer the carrier will operate 23 weekly frequencies to the city, including 17 to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Paris-Orly Airport will be the Icelandic airline‘s 27th European destination, and the fourth addition this year alongside Aberdeen, Chicago and Montreal. “Orly is […] a natural fit for North American and European travellers looking for additional options to and from Paris and southern France,” noted Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO, Icelandair.
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asyJet announced 12 weekly summer flights from London Luton Airport to Amsterdam and Barcelona. As a result, an extra 85,000 seats will be available between the UK capital and the Dutch and Spanish cities, taking the carrier’s year-round frequency to the Catalan destination to three flights a day and to Amsterdam to up to six daily services. The additional capacity means that the airline will carry almost three quarters of a million travellers a year on the two itineraries.
Wizz Air: More Sunny Hotspots
Sardinia
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izz Air announced a host of new services linking Central and Eastern Europe with sunny destinations. As of May 22, the low-cost carrier will fly from Bucharest to Lisbon, while from June 18, it will be taking off every Saturday from both Katowice and Warsaw to the Sicilian city of Alghero. With the airline’s network from Poland consisting of a total of 122 routes to 22 countries, Gabor Vasarhelyi, communications manager, Wizz Air, said, “With its picturesque scenery and popular holiday resorts, Sardinia is a great choice to spend a memorable holiday on and we are confident that Polish consumers will welcome this low-fare opportunity.”
Iberia Boosts Uruguay Links
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beria is increasing the frequency on its nonstop Madrid – Montevideo route to five flights per week. The Spanish airline will be the first to fly the new generation Airbus A330/200 aircraft of the service with a capacity of 288 passengers and free Wi-Fi onboard. Iberia has been operating to Latin America since 1946, and now offers 256 flights per week to 20 destinations.
10 MARCH 2016
NEWS AIR
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TAP Launches Domestic Air Shuttle
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Porto
ortuguese carrier, TAP will introduce air shuttle services between Porto and Lisbon on March 27. Passengers will benefit from 18 daily return flights between the cities onboard four 70-seater ATR72 aircraft or, depending on demand, onboard a larger Airbus A320 family airliner. From July 01 onwards, TAP will be also offering daily frequencies between Lisbon and Vigo in response to the growing demand for transportation links between the capital and Galicia.
Ellinair Enhances Fleet
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llinair welcomed a new Airbus A319 with a seating capacity of 144 passengers and has started domestic operations as well as services between Thessaloniki and Moscow. Ioannis Mouzenidis, president, Ellinair, commented, “Growth, innovation and commitment to quality are the elements that characterise the Ellinair strategy and reflect our continuous effort to reach positive results. The addition of the new aircraft confirms our growth and our investment in the country’s tourism industry, despite the crisis period we are going through.”
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European Commission Seals ICAO Decision
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he European Commission welcomed the agreement reached within International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) concerning the first-ever global standard to cap aircraft CO2 emissions. The organisation’s Committee on Aviation and Environmental Protection settled for a standard to guide the certification of planes towards greater fuel efficiency. The deal concludes six years of international negotiations and will be presented at the 39th ICAO Assembly in September for political endorsement. It is expected to be formally adopted by ICAO Council in early 2017.
Aigle Azur Links Lyon with Porto and Dakar
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igle Azur is to launch flights from Lyon to Porto and to Dakar, Senegal, on March 27 and March 28 respectively. The company has been present in Portugal for a decade, connecting Paris with Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal with year-round services. The new route from Lyon will be offered three times per week, while the twice-weekly operations to Dakar are part of the company’s aspirations to develop the medium-haul network by expanding its African presence.
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NEWS AIR
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British Airways Supports SMEs
easyJet Designs Hybrid Plane
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asyJet shared plans for a game-changing zero emissions hydrogen system for its aircraft, which could save around 50,000 tonnes of fuel per year. “The hybrid plane concept […] is both a vision of the future and a challenge to our partners and suppliers to continue to push the boundaries towards reducing our carbon emissions,” said Ian Davies, head of engineering, easyJet. The airline has also set a new target to reduce its passengers’ carbon footprint by seven percent by 2020, following a decrease of 28 percent over the last 15 years.
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ritish Airways launched its revitalised On Business loyalty scheme, which aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to make even more of their travel budgets. The new offering brings together the business loyalty programmes of British Airways, Iberia and American Airlines, allowing customers to collect and spend on services of all three under one scheme. As part of the changes, On Business introduced a brand new website which enables members to maximise their earning potential and spend their points effectively.
airberlin Strengthens Australian Ties
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he number of passengers booking a flight to Australia with airberlin increased 46 percent year-on-year in 2015. Following the launch of the German carrier’s and Etihad Airways’ codeshare services to the country in 2012, the airlines have witnessed leaps in growth on the current 39 weekly one-stop connections via Abu Dhabi to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. To support this positive trend, airberlin in cooperation with Tourism Australia, enhanced its latest decal to feature a kangaroo.
EASA and SAAU Extend Cooperation
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uropean Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine (SAAU) concluded a new working arrangement. The deal will facilitate the implementation of the envisaged European Union (EU) – Ukraine Common Aviation Area Agreement, and ensure the assisted certification of EU and Ukrainian products. It also fosters continuous EASA support to SAAU’s efforts to apply EU aviation safety regulatory standards in the domains of airworthiness, maintenance, air operations and aircrews.
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Austrian Opts for New Sabre Technology
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ustrian Airlines is set to be the first carrier to launch Sabre’s newest mobile solution, eFlight Manager which enables real-time notice to airmen, weather and flight-plan updates throughout the lifecycle of flights upon the availability of air-to-ground communication. The airline, a long-term customer of the technology provider’s AirCentre Flight Plan Manager, worked with the company to develop the feature’s mobile extension. Following a successful trial, Austrian Airlines will roll out the technology to its entire flight staff in the coming months, and will start using the mobile recalculation capabilities to realise additional fuel savings and operational efficiencies.
10 MARCH 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
EUROPE ADDRESSES AVIATION’S EFFECT ON ENVIRONMENT
TAP INVESTS IN VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE
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fter first appearing in Portugal, TAP’s virtual assistant, Sofia is now available on the airline’s UK and Brazilian websites. The aim of the initiative is to add real-time support to the existing channels of communication available to customers, thereby further improving the online interaction quality. Between April 2015 and this January, Sofia answered an average of 18,000 questions a week and 2,500 per day, and she successfully responded to 94 percent of these.
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he environmental impact of aviation on the continent has increased over the past 25 years, according to the first-ever European Aviation Environmental Report, produced by the European Commission, EUROCONTROL, European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Environment Agency. The study presents a comprehensive overview of the past and predicted future environmental performance of the region’s air sector. More specifically, it shows that within Europe, the number of flights has risen 80 percent between 1990 – 2015, and CO2 emissions and fuel burn have grown at the same rate. The report also details several innovative measures that the industry are taking to reduce fuel burn, emissions and noise per flight.
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AIRBUS TO DEVELOP HUMANOIDS
irbus Group Innovations (AGI) along with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) launched a joint robotics research programme. The venture will be dedicated to the study and development of humanoid robotic technology to perform complex manufacturing tasks in factories. The use of robotics has become ubiquitous in the industry, noted Sébastien Remy, head, AGI, adding, “We are excited about the opportunity to meld our expertise with [AIST and CNRS] on the further development of this key technology for manufacturing.”
A BRITISH AIRWAYS SHEDS LIGHT ON TRAVEL PATTERNS 10 MARCH 2016
ccording to a British Airways Holidays travel report which revealed Britain’s vacation and spending habits, 5.8 million holiday-makers have booked their summer getaways in January. Other key highlights of the study indicated that 45 percent of the total cost of a family holiday relates to shopping and extras. Brits will go on an average of four journeys this year, and 13 percent of annual salaries are expected to be spent on voyages. The report further showed that New York, Sydney, Auckland, Venice and Tokyo are the top five destinations Brits would most like to go to in their lifetime.
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ANDREAS BARTELS has become the new head of corporate communications at Lufthansa. Bartels takes on his new responsibilities after proving his skills and expertise as head of media communications at the company. He has been part of the airline since January 01, 2007, holding various functions in corporate communications. Prior to his move to the aviation industry, Bartels served as a press officer at Deutsche Bank.
RAFAL MILCZARSKI
ANDREAS BARTELS
WHO’S MOVED
LAURENT BOUYER has been named president of Bombardier Transportation France, where he will manage relations with clients, government members, politicians as well as rail companies in the country. In addition to this, he is keeping his role as head of continental projects for the Western Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Bouyer has been with the company for 20 years and has held leadership positions in bid management and sales, as well as export and business management. In 2014, he was summoned to Bombardier Transportation’s headquarters in Berlin to direct the internal transformation of the group worldwide.
Bouyer has been with the company for 20 years
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AARON KAUPP
LAURENT BOUYER
Bartels moves from the media communications department
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RAFAL MILCZARSKI has been selected as chairman of the board of LOT Polish Airlines. He has extensive international experience in the transport industry. After graduation he worked in the maritime and railway logistics department at Foster Yeoman in the UK. He co-founded Baltic Rail, one of the first private railway carriers of goods in Poland. In 2005, together with industry investor Freightliner Group in the UK, Milczarski led the establishment of Freightliner PL, a freight rail carrier. As a president and co-owner, he led the company from a start-up to the achievement of a few percent share of the freight market in Poland. He is also the founder and former CEO of Freightliner DE, a German subsidiary of Freightliner PL and the Association of Independent Railway.
AARON KAUPP has taken over as general manager at Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris. Kaupp, who brings over 17 years of experience in top luxury hotels to his new role, joins the Parisian hotel from Belmond Villa San Michele in Florence where he held the same position. In his extensive career background, he has worked for several prestigious properties across Italy, having successfully opened and managed Armani Hotel Milano between 2011 – 2013 as well as served as general manager at Palazzo Sasso in Ravello.
Kaupp has deep knowledge of the luxury hospitality industry
10 MARCH 2016
PHOTO ALBUM
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FRHI Hotels & Resorts became the first hospitality company to receive J.D. Power President’s Award
easyJet celebrated 20th birthday at Aberdeen
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Stockholm Arlanda Airport installed 31 defibrillators and trained its staff in cardio pulmonary resuscitation
Shangri-La Paris celebrated the year of the monkey
10 MARCH 2016
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Malta Tourism Authority’s German office was awarded the prestigious tourism trophy, Globus Award
Jet2CityBreaks' New York breaks were back for this winter
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS
VIENNA ANTICIPATES FASHIONABLE SPRING
WTM CONNECT SKI 2016 Ötztal, Austria March 14 – 15 www.istm.co.uk Formerly known as ISTM, the event showcases the ski resort of Sölden and why it is quickly becoming one of the most important and vital destinations for the ski travel industry.
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he Austrian capital is gearing up to welcome a new festival as well as the return of an established sale fair which will put fashion in the spotlight. The inaugural Take – Independent Festival for Fashion and Art, to be held at Alte Post between April 19 – 24, will showcase the nation’s contemporary fashion scene and will also present AFA – Austrian Fashion Awards. In addition, Modepalast will host a temporary boutique with around 100 Austrian and international exhibitors between April 29 – May 01. The event will boast stylistic options for all generations, from streetwear to urban couture and high fashion.
IMEX PARTNERS WITH UNICEO SITT
Villa Kennedy
Novosibirsk, Russia April 14 – 16 www.sitt-expo.ru A major happening in Siberia, SITT attracts more than 200 Russian and foreign tourist companies, tour operators, health resorts and hotels.
ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET Dubai, UAE April 25 – 28 www.arabiantravelmarket.com A major event where global tourism destinations showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, tourism attractions, travel technology and key airline routes.
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MEX Frankfurt partnered with UNICEO, the network for corporate event decision-makers, to support IMEX Exclusively Corporate @IMEX, due to be held on April 18, a day before the show. The event, taking place at Villa Kennedy, incorporates education and networking designed specifically for corporate meeting and event planners. Debora Piovesan, vice president, UNICEO, explained, “IMEX is one of the leading trade shows in the sector and offers interesting education and networking opportunities to our members. With this partnership, our members will be able to combine our Leaders Meeting with the IMEX Exclusively Corporate Programme.”
DIGITAL TRAVEL SUMMIT London, UK June 07 – 08 digitaltraveleu.wbresearch.com Attracting over 400 top hoteliers, airlines, cruise lines, car rentals and online travel agents, the event offers senior travel professionals the opportunity to address the most pressing digital challenges.
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NATOUR ALPE-ADRIA FAIR PROVES SUCCESSFUL
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he reinvented Natour Alpe-Adria Fair focussed on active green tourism and attracted around 15,000 visitors to GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre in Slovenia. The event saw 300 exhibitors from 12 countries, and featured a programme full of panel discussions, business meetings, lectures, presentations, press conferences and more. It enjoyed strong media coverage, and 80 percent of respondents in an organisers’ survey confirmed their return for the 2017 edition.
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