10 NOVEMBER 2015
ISSUE 25
ETC MEETING TO BE HELD IN CYPRUS THE BIRTHPLACE OF RENAISSANCE, FLORENCE IS A TRUE GEM OF EUROPEAN CULTURE, ACCLAIMED AS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS ON THE CONTINENT.
06 TUI ANNOUNCES BOARD CHANGES
19 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
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AIRPORTS
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TECHNOLOGY
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SHORT BREAK: FLORENCE
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ACCOMMODATION
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AIR
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AGENTS
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CRUISING
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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WHO’S MOVED
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PHOTO ALBUM
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NEWS & EVENTS
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SHORT BREAK: Florence
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
BSCA: Double-digit Traffic Increase Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) handled 655,322 travellers during September, corresponding to a 10 percent year-on-year growth.
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or the first nine months of the year, passenger numbers soared to over 5.3 million, up nine percent. During the same period, the five most popular destinations from the airport proved to be Warsaw, Budapest, Madrid, Milan and Bucharest. Due to an increase in seats, figures rose 888 percent on routes to Athens, 431 percent to Prague and 135 percent to Bucharest. As Jean-Jacques Cloquet, CEO, BSCA, noted, aircraft utilisations also continued to improve, showing that demand is high.
CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu
DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou
WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis
BSCA
August Confirms Solid Summer Airport Traffic Passenger traffic across European airports surged by an average of 5.1 percent during August, according to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe.
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
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t European Union (EU) hubs, there was a 5.2 percent growth, while the non-EU figure soared 4.9 percent. Meanwhile, improvement in freight traffic at the region’s airfields remained subdued at 0.9 percent, while aircraft movements increased 2.6 percent, reflecting cautious airline capacity rise in the market. With Athens, Budapest, Dublin, Madrid and London-Stansted airports leading growth, Olivier Jankovec, director general, ACI Europe, commented that within the context of still sluggish Eurozone economic recovery and the risk of contagion from the slowdown in emerging markets, oil prices are likely to remain the decisive factor for air traffic in coming months.
AEGEAN: International Traffic Surges Mainly due to network expansion, AEGEAN Airlines’ passenger figures recorded a significant increase in the first three quarters of the year, as AEGEAN Airlines and Olympic Air together welcomed 9.2 million customers, 17 percent more than in 2014.
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oreover, between July – September, the growth in terms of international travellers was once again higher than the market average, with the Greek company transporting over 2.36 million passengers on its global network, thus, recording a year-on-year surge of 29 percent. Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO, AEGEAN Airlines, commented that the carrier contributed almost half of the additional worldwide traffic to Greece this year and noted, “This also applies to remote areas, where through more flights, enhanced connectivity and low fare offers we provided effective support.” 10 NOVEMBER 2015
AIRPORTS NEWS MAG’s Economic and Environmental Contribution Measured
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anchester Airports Group (MAG) has increased the value its airports generate for the UK whilst significantly reducing its environmental impact, according to the latest corporate social responsibility report. This year, the group’s air hubs across the country will contribute GBP5.6 billion (EUR7.6 billion) in economic activity. Passenger growth and substantial investment in facilities has resulted in more economic opportunities at and around each airport, where together nearly 39,000 people are employed, contributing GBP3.2 billion (EUR4.3 billion) at a local level. At the same time, as passenger numbers increased by 10.7 percent in 2014, investment in energy efficiency reduced carbon emissions by a further 16 percent year-on-year.
Domodedovo Airport Secures Funding for Parking
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oscow Domodedovo Airport borrowed EUR38 million from Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to finance the construction of a multilevel parking area of 12.6ha as part of its long-term development project. “Domodedovo Airport is a cornerstone of the Moscow region’s transport infrastructure. Being [the] financing partner of Domodedovo’s expansion, RBI contributes to both the airport’s and the region’s development,” said Anton Fischer, head of corporate customers, CIS and southeast Europe, RBI. The new parking area will open in 2017 and will offer 9,600 spaces.
Airports Actively Address Carbon Secretion
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irport Carbon Accreditation, the global carbon management standard, has announced the latest progress in the industry’s efforts to reduce and ultimately neutralise its carbon emission, positing that 130 airfields across five continents are currently accredited, representing over 29 percent of worldwide passenger traffic. The programme, which certifies at four different levels of accreditation covering all stages of carbon management, further pointed out that since the varied timing of its induction in different regions, eight airports have come on board in North America, four in Latin America and more hubs in the US and Africa are expected to apply in the coming months.
Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen Airport Sets Summer Record
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openhagen Airport saw close to 2.6 million travellers in August, celebrating a new record and a year-on-year increase of 5.5 percent. The number of European travellers was up by 6.6 percent, intercontinental traffic increased by 1.2 percent and transfer rose by almost two percent. During the summer period, the airport served in excess of 7.8 million passengers, an advancement of 3.6 percent. “The numbers also indicate that more foreign tourists flew to Copenhagen than ever before, something that benefits growth all over Denmark,” said Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports.
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NEWS AIRPORTS
Krakow Airport
Krakow Airport: New Terminal and Train Station
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rakow Airport officially opened the first part of its new passenger terminal building, as well as a train station with a direct connection to the city centre. The addition of the new services forms part of a major extension and modernisation project that will bring the hub’s capacity to eight million travellers per annum. “We can easily say that we have built a new airport. Passengers are provided with a much higher level of service and comfortable conditions,” asserted Jan Pamuła, president, Krakow Airport. The new rail link will run 31 trains per day every 30 minutes in each direction between the airport and Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia.
Budapest Airport Launches Mobile App
Glasgow Tops Europe’s Airports
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lasgow Airport proved to be one of Europe’s fastest growing airfields in August, according to Airports Council International Europe. The Scottish hub came fourth in the category of airports on the continent welcoming between five and 10 million travellers – with annual passenger traffic increasing 12.2 percent yearon-year. The top three were Gothenburg, Budapest and Porto which registered surges of 16, 15 and 14.3 percent, respectively. Glasgow Airport reported its 30th consecutive month of growth during August after 878,515 customers passed through its gates.
Glasgow Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport
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n a bid to provide passengers with practical and up-to-date information to ensure a seamless travel experience, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport has introduced its very first mobile application. Available for both iOS and Android operating systems under the BUD Airport name, the tool features the latest status regarding flight information, parking options, shopping as well as other services along with maps and news updates. “Budapest Airport fully understands the need for real-time information and once downloaded we are confident that users will be more than satisfied,” commented Kam Jandu, chief commercial officer, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
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Chinese Passengers: Warmer Welcome in Stockholm
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Stockholm Arlanda Airport
n a bid to attract more Chinese visitors, Stockholm Arlanda Airport is transforming itself with an Asian twist. With the growing importance of China as a key market to Sweden’s tourism industry, the airfield is prioritising itself as more Chinese-friendly. The project will see the European hub develop into a sister counterpart of Beijing’s airport in partnership with Capital Airports Holding Company, as well as the introduction of informative signs, a Wi-Fi portal, a welcome folder and modified informative website on Sweden in Chinese. Other additions include a Chinese food truck, more restaurants to translate their menus to the designated tongue and special sales campaigns held ahead of key Asian holidays.
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NEWS ETC Meeting to Be Held in Cyprus
Slovenia More Foreign Tourists NET CallsLures for Competitiveness Boosting Actions
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ollowing Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO)’s participation in the 90th general meeting of the European Travel Commission (ETC), the island is to host the authority’s next summit in April 2016. Attendees at the recent event expressed concerns regarding challenging situations caused by the present humanitarian refugee crisis, armed conflicts and the destruction of cultural heritage, as well as the belief that these should be addressed with a common voice of unity.
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he Network for the European Private Sector in Tourism (NET) urged policies that foster the competitiveness of the European tourism industry. A delegation of the organisation recently met Elżbieta Bieńkowska, commissioner, international market, industry, entrepreneurship and small and a medium-sized enterprises, European Union (EU), to seek backing for raising awareness of and support for the adoption of a smart Schengen visa policy; establishing a well-functioning single market; the simplification and streamlining of a regulatory framework for tourism, in particular regarding taxation; and upgrading skills and competences across the sector.
ETOA Reaches an All-time High
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his year has proven to be record-breaking for the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and its members in regards to membership numbers. Jay Munro-Michell, head of commercial development, ETOA, noted that for the first time since its establishment in 1989, the organisation has reached 800 member companies, having grown by over 100 this year, indicating that more than 4,000 business professionals now have access to its full services. The entity’s largest member-only event, the Global European Marketplace, took place on October 30.
Eurostar’s Triumphant Service
Pilsen Attracts the Public Eye
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ollowing visitor satisfaction surveys assessing the Pilsen – European Capital of Culture 2015 project, data showed that 599,000 visitors attended 255 events in the first half (H1) of the year with 86 percent of respondents evaluating the quality of their show with high marks. “The title of [European] Capital of Culture has ensured great publicity for Pilsen,” commented Martin Zrzavecký, mayor, Pilsen. Moreover, Martin Baxa, chairman, Pilsen – European Capital of Culture 2015, added that the project has managed to attract many travellers, with 120,000 tourists arriving for stays of at least one night in H1.
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fter six months of running its new all-year-round direct operation between London and the south of France, stopping at Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, Eurostar International reported that the route has proven to be a great success. Since the itinerary’s launch on May 1, the service has carried over 110,000 passengers and research conducted by the rail company revealed that travellers are particularly attracted by the convenience of the provided links between city centres. In addition to bringing thousands of new visitors to the region, the route has had a visible impact on local tourism as property agents in Marseille have reported increased interest from UK buyers, and Lyon Tourism Office has also witnessed a strong uplift in arrivals.
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Pilsen
10 NOVEMBER 2015
TECHNOLOGY NEWS Travelport Gains Access to Central Europe
Austria
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ravelport has announced the acquisition and vertical integration of its distributor in Austria, TraviAustria. The company, that was founded in 1987 by Austrian Airlines, will be providing local sales, support and marketing activity for the technology provider’s travel commerce platform to agencies in the country. Furthermore, the new partner will also bring CETS to the table, one of the largest tour operator booking platforms in Central Europe used by 2,500 travel professionals in 12 countries which provides real-time access and booking for the products of some 140 service providers.
10 NOVEMBER 2015
ETOA: Sneak Peak of Open Destinations Findings
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embers of the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) previewed Open Destinations’ annual report Top 5 Technology Challenges in the Tour Operating Sector during the Showcase. travel Digital workshop held in London. The information was created based on worldwide customer feedback during technology projects over the course of the year and the challenges derived from discussions with associated industry partners around running their systems more effectively. Also highlighted are real-life case studies of business process outsourcing services provided by the travel technology provider, including managing products and contracts, auditing flight tickets and reconciling supplier invoices.
Viking Line Enters the Age of Smartphones
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iking Line launched a new type of mobile application. Among its capabilities the function enables passengers to maintain contact with their own travel group or meet new friends on their cruise, making travelling easier and guaranteeing an even richer experience. Furthermore, the new tool makes onboard communication more efficient by supplying shopping alternatives, cruise programmes and other relevant information via smartphone.
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NEWS TOURISM BOARDS Azerbaijan: Tourism Remains a Top Priority
Belarusian Sites Get a Facelift
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Azerbaijan
n line with a state-run investment programme, 10 popular Belarusian cultural landmarks are set to undergo renovations. The list of selected locations include the Belarusfilm Studio as well as the National Art Museum of Belarus. In addition, the Corpus Christi Church in Nesvizh, the palace of Zhilichi, the monastery in Pustynki, the former Jesuit college in Yurovichi, and palace in Kossovo as well as the Transfiguration Church in Polotsk will also be upgraded. The list of historical and cultural heritage of the country features 5,527 items.
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ourism is one of the key directions of non-oil related development in Azerbaijan. As Abulfas Garayev, culture and tourism minister, Azerbaijan, noted, infrastructure projects, new tourism enterprises, hotels, recreational and service facilities continue to contribute to increased domestic demand and global interest and thanks to a goal-oriented state policy, winter tourism has also evolved alongside the traditionally strong summer season. “Tourism venue is a worldly venue. Intercultural dialogue, exchange of ideas, and friendship between persons is established due to tourism,” stressed Garayev.
Prague among Top Value for Money Destinations
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Spain: Substantial Support from Tourism
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pain’s visitor exports reached EUR52.2 billion in 2014, accounting for 53 percent of the country’s service exports, according to new research by the World Travel & Tourism Council. The organisation’s Benchmarking Report 2015 showed that the industry generated a total impact of EUR161 billion, or 15.2 percent of the national GDP in 2014, the largest of all sectors examined in the research, excluding retail which stood at 18.8 percent. Additionally, for the year under review, the industry directly supported more than twice as much jobs as the financial services sector, with 2.7 million positions.
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Belgium to Emulate Scottish Example
Eilean Donan, Scotland
Prague
otel search website, trivago.cz revealed the ranking of the most popular global destinations based on price / quality evaluations. In this regard, Prague placed ninth, leaving behind top tourist hotspots, such as Rome, Madrid and Vienna. Based on the online platform’s findings, Belgrade topped the list, followed by two Russian cities, St Petersburg and Moscow. In Prague, average price for accommodation stood at CZK2,789 (EUR103). US cities on the other hand finished at the bottom of the list, while in Europe, London received the lowest ratings.
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isitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme continues to inspire destinations around the world, with Belgium being the latest country to be encouraged by the organisation’s approach. The national tourism body recently hosted VisitFlanders on a three-day knowledge exchange trip to learn about how the Scottish authority uses quality to improve visitor experience and support businesses to deliver excellence. Underscoring the scheme’s widespread success, Sweden, Nova Scotia, Norway, Namibia, Iceland and Malta have all contacted VisitScotland about it. Some 7,000 businesses currently participate in the programme in Scotland including attractions, accommodation providers and restaurants.
10 NOVEMBER 2015
TOURISM BOARDS NEWS UK Unaffected by Unfavourable Weather
Vienna Tourism Partners with UAE Expert
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
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n August, hotels in the UK’s Northwest region recorded a 5.2 percent increase in RevPAR, to GBP56.69 (EUR76), which contributed to a 3.8 percent surge in total RevPAR to GBP101.43 (EUR135), according to the latest HotStats report. As a result of growth in the popularity of key cities, such as Liverpool and Manchester as destinations for leisure visitors, as well as astute revenue management by hoteliers, occupancy touched 79.7 percent. In addition, Manchester was one of the big winners in the region, registering a 12.5 percent rise in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) to GBP26.85 (EUR36), which was driven by a 6.8 percent growth in total RevPAR.
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ienna Tourism Board joined forces with UAE-based premium-experience travel website, Musafir.com to launch a joint initiative promoting the Austrian capital as a key cultural destination for holiday-makers. The collaboration, which will be supported by an integrated online campaign, seeks to build awareness and boost tourism to the city. “We have been advertising Vienna in the Arabian market for some time now, but this is our first partnership with a local online travel agency on a large scale. Working with Musafir. com will help us show Arabian travellers that Vienna offers everything for a perfect holiday, all wrapped up in an attractive package deal,” commented Julia Jakoubek, team manager, digital marketing, Vienna Tourist Board.
Greece Presented in Paris
Belarus to Lure Bulgarian Tourists
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Belarus
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lena Kountoura, economy, infrastructure, shipping and tourism alternate minister, Greece, headed a mission at the recently concluded IFTM Top Resa held in Paris. The delegation, which included representatives from 19 of the country’s top tour operators, had meetings with media members, international trade professionals and many more tourism stakeholders. In her statements, Kountoura commented that aside from signing new contracts, the team’s visit aimed at boosting relations between Greece and France, as well as entry into new markets such as South Korea, China, Brazil and the Middle East.
elarus anticipates to attract more visitors from Bulgaria following an agreement on cooperation in physical training and sport between the two countries. According to Alexander Shamko, sports and tourism minister, Belarus, the deal is set to significantly bolster tourism exchange between the destinations. “Indeed, Bulgaria is a favourite recreation spot for Belarusians. But I am convinced that Bulgarian citizens will be interested in our country. Farm tourism and ecotourism as well as healthcare tourism are actively developing in Belarus. All those factors make Belarus more attractive to foreign tourists,” claimed Shamko.
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SHORT BREAK FLORENCE
A Tourism Muse THE BIRTHPLACE OF RENAISSANCE, FLORENCE IS A TRUE GEM OF EUROPEAN CULTURE, ACCLAIMED AS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS ON THE CONTINENT WITH ITS MAJESTIC PALACES, PICTURESQUE SQUARES AND WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES. WITH STRATEGIES PREPARED BY ITS TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS, THE CITY IS POISED TO SHINE EVEN BRIGHTER.
Ana Mladenovic
writes
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e can define Florence as a living city or a glorified museum,” enthused Claudia Porrello, public relations coordinator, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, highlighting it as one of Europe’s great art cities. “Giotto’s frescoes, Michelangelo’s David, canvases by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and a host of other greats in
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the Uffizi Gallery – there is so much exquisite art and architecture,” Porrello continued. No less enthusiastic was Angela Berti, operations manager, J.K. Place Firenze, classifying it as the city of fashion. “[Florence] gave birth to top world famous designers who have started their well-known empires here,” she said, describing it also as the capital of Tuscany, which produces authentic culinary products and delicacies such as olive oil, cheese, wine and pasta, but also houses prestigious universities and important culture. “Florence is [all about] genius and tal-
ent, tangible in the admirable creations of its master craftsmen,” Berti concluded. Underlining the city’s main advantage, Porrello stressed that it is small,
FLORENCE IN BRIEF Country: Italy Currency: Euro (EUR) Language: Italian Population: 375,000 Calling Code: +39 Capital Time Zone: GMT +1:00
with virtually all its sights enclosed in just a few square kilometres. “Florence is a place that you can get to know well in a relatively short time,” she explained. The city’s compact size and convenient layout was also a top advantage highlighted by Elisa Miglionico, press officer, Lugarno Collection – Hotels, Retreats, Villas. “We recommend [experiencing] Florence by just walking around in the centre; this is the number one privilege for this city,” she said. “You do not need a car; you can go everywhere you want on foot. You will be able to find a lot of 10 NOVEMBER 2015
FLORENCE SHORT BREAK treasures, hidden gems and open air pieces of art, and the only way to discover them is to be a little bit curious.” UNIVERSAL APPEAL In terms of the city’s allure, travellers from all over the globe did not stay immune to Florence. It seems that visitors of all nationalities are equally enchanted by its distinctive offering. “We are preferred by those highend travellers from all over the world
from groups, families, couples and young travellers. Another market that is proving particularly lucrative for the city’s hoteliers is the UAE, and it is a key area for Bernini Palace as well, according to David Foschi, general manager, Bernini Palace, who also highlighted the US and the UK, in addition to South America. This historic property mainly appeals to families and couples, especially honeymooners. Despite its already enviable popu-
larity among visitors from across the globe, the city’s hotels are already looking towards opening new markets in 2016, a goal emphasised by Miglionico.
which will offer a selection of popular labels and local wines.
RISING COMPETITION
Similar to all competitive markets, Florence’s tourism industry stakeholders are creative in regards to promoting themselves to key audiences, leveraging all available avenues. This is definitely the case for Bernini Palace, whose team is focussed on effective public relations and online communication campaigns, as well as tradeshows, sales calls, familiarisation trips, advertising and social media, as Foschi revealed. Online reservation systems and memberships in Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts are crucial for J.K. Place Firenze, whose management also attends trade events of relevance to the property. However, there is one thing that was particularly highlighted by Berti: word of mouth. “Major promotion is offered simply by our guests, who recommend J.K. Place Firenze to their friends and relatives,” Berti boasted. And should these not suffice, the property also enjoys lavish media attention since its opening 12 years ago. “We are still receiving articles and reviews and awards as one of the top preferred hotels in the world,” she confirmed.
The destination’s rich accommodation portfolio, which boasts some of the world’s finest hotels, keeps welcoming new additions, and this year saw several
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FLORENCE IS [ALL ABOUT] GENIUS AND TALENT, TANGIBLE IN THE ADMIRABLE CREATIONS OF ITS MASTER CRAFTSMEN entrants including Grand Amore Hotel & Spa, Florence, as well as Mercure Florence Center in April and Hotel Spadai Florence in May. Further to the openings, existing properties are also honing their products and services. While Bernini Palace recently renovated its façade, J.K. Place Firenze is preparing to unveil J.K. Wine & Spirits cellar,
BUOYANT PROMOTION
who look for a very unique experience made by a sophisticated atmosphere, top personalised service and bespoke hospitality,” revealed Berti in accordance with the experience of her boutique property. “We can say that the major geographical segment is represented by the US, Canada and Europe, but we also have Chinese, Latin American and Australian guests,” she clarified, stressing that leisure stays dominate at the luxurious property with couples leading the way. The situation is similar for Lugarno Collection – Hotels, Retreats, Villas, whose hotels also host a large number of leisure guests. “The main targets geographically are the US, Russia, the UK, Japan, Brazil and Italy,” emphasised Miglionico. Americans are the most popular guests for Four Seasons Hotel Firenze according to Porrello, who revealed that this group constitutes more than half of all the business. These range 10 NOVEMBER 2015
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NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE
Hamburg Hospitality Market Weakens
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evPAR levels at hotels in Hamburg declined 5.3 percent, primarily due to a 7.7 percentage point drop in room occupancy to 80.3 percent. The fall in business performance is the result of Hamburg properties lacking demand associated with the highly successful Hamburg Cruise Days, an event which annually attracts in excess of 500,000 people to the city and typically takes place in the last month of summer, but has now been moved to September. Whilst it is unlikely that this will impact annual performance levels for accommodation units in the German city, the decline in RevPAR contributed to an 8.7 percent decrease in total RevPAR for August to EUR147.31, down from EUR161.31 in 2014.
Madrid Comes Alive August was a positive month for most European markets with both Budapest and Madrid experiencing strong results, owing to their popularity and increasing number of leisure visitors. On the other hand, as data from HotStats showed, Hamburg, being very much dependent on the business segment, suffered negative side effects.
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he strong recovery in performance for lodging units in Madrid continued as illustrated by a 20.8 percent increase in RevPAR, prompted by significant improvements in both occupancy – up 5.1 percentage points – and ARR, which surged 8.4 percent. Hoteliers in the Spanish destination recorded a year-todate RevPAR swell of 15.4 percent to EUR94.18, leading to a 30.2 percent rise in GOPPAR for the first eight months to EUR41.04. The positive image is largely due to passenger numbers at Adolfo Suårez Madrid-Barajas Airport rising 14 percent to 4.3 million in August, with the strongest growth being recorded from the international market, with a 16.3 percent year-onyear hike to 3.4 million travellers.
Budapest Hotels Speed Ahead
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oteliers in the Hungarian capital recorded a growth of 21.6 percent in RevPAR, which contributed to a gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) increase of 20.5 percent as performance in Budapest continued to improve from strength to strength. With the city remaining a hugely popular tourist destination, high volumes and an undersupply of quality properties have fuelled strong room occupancy growth, which touched 92.6 percent for the month enabling hoteliers to effectively leverage average room rates (ARR), resulting in the 14.8 percent year-on-year boost to EUR96.24.
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10 NOVEMBER 2015
ACCOMMODATION NEWS AccorHotels Redefines its Status in the French Capital
A Bercy Arena
ccorHotels has signed a 10-year naming rights agreement for Bercy Arena. The Parisian venue, among the world’s largest concert halls and sporting grounds, reappeared to the scene in mid-October as AccorHotels Arena after 18 months of refurbishment, in a bid to offer cutting-edge technology and the latest in facilities. The deal is in line with the group’s strategy aimed at becoming more than a hotel-stay expert, and being recognised as an indispensable travel industry player and preferred partner for travellers. The hall boasts several restaurants and bars, business lounge, VIP boxes, a diverse programme with over 120 events a year, 30 different layouts accommodating from 8,000 to 20,300 seated guests and over 4,000m2 of hospitality spaces.
W Hotels Enters the Netherlands
Minor Obtains Larger Share of Portuguese Market
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inor Hotel Group has acquired Hotel Tivoli Oriente in Lisbon. Located in Parque das Nações, overlooking the River Tagus, the property has 279 rooms, a restaurant and bar, an outdoor swimming pool and a 799m2 meeting room. The asset investment follows the group’s EUR168 million acquisition of six Tivoli hotels in Portugal and Brazil earlier this year, representing the company’s entry into both countries. It also establishes the destinations as strategically-chosen locations for future expansion into Europe and South America.
W Amsterdam
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Amsterdam opened its doors, marking W Hotels Worldwide’s debut in the Netherlands. Located in the epicentre of the Dutch capital’s social scene just steps away from Dam Square, the property, which is owned by Europe Hotels Private Collection, spans two buildings, the Exchange featuring 172 rooms, and the Bank where an additional 66 units will be launched in early 2016. “Amsterdam’s progressive spirit is a perfect match for W Hotels,” said Michael Wale, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Guests can enjoy a rooftop lounge and swimming pool, while meeting and event spaces, a fitness centre, spa and an exhibition gallery will be unveiled within the coming months.
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Sheraton Celebrates New Dubrovnik Hotel
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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide debuted in southern Croatia’s Dalmatian coast with the opening of the 251-key Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel. The property features its own beach, a tennis court, full-service spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and 1,400m2 of meeting and event space, and is located close to numerous cultural, historical and natural attractions, including museums and galleries. Dave Marr, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, commented, “Croatia is a strategically vital market for Starwood, and Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel will reinforce the brand’s position as a leader in global travel.”
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Professional Tea Sommelier at Corinthia Budapest
IHG Enters New Coastal Location
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orinthia Hotel Budapest has appointed Eszter Kálmán as its dedicated tea sommelier, becoming the first and only accommodation establishment in the city to offer this level of expertise in tea making. Kálmán returns to the Hungarian capital after an extensive career with The East India Company and as junior tea master in London hotels, bringing with her in-depth insight into harvesting secrets, preparation methods and serving styles. “When guests enter the bar, I often already know what kind of tea would suit them best,” said the sommelier who will join the hotel’s Le Bar team.
Eszter Kálmán
Radisson Blu Debuts in Moldova
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Estoril coast
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nterContinental Hotels Group has opened its first hotel on the Portuguese Riviera. Situated on the Estoril coast just 27km west of Lisbon, InterContinental Estoril features ocean views from all 59 rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, wellness centre, private terrace, fine-dining restaurant and a cocktail lounge. Giuseppe Vincelli, general manager, InterContinental Estoril, commented, “Estoril is a hidden gem with a rich cultural heritage and local charm that has long been enjoyed by Europe’s elite travellers. I believe our hotel offers something truly special thanks to its coastal location and extraordinary views.”
he Moldovan capital welcomed Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel, Chisinau, the brand’s first property in the country. The 143-key hotel is located in the city centre, close to the main boulevard and popular tourist attractions such as the Cathedral, the Triumphal Arch, the Organ Hall, the National Museum of History of Moldova and the National Museum of Fine Arts. “Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel, Chisinau combines design with innovations and modern technologies making,” stated Husnu Tayanc, general manager, Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel, Chisinau. The establishment boasts a 175m2 presidential suite, four food and beverage outlets and what is hailed as Chisinau’s biggest convention centre with six function rooms spread over 1,200m2.
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AIR NEWS Austrian Airlines Expands US Network
Vueling Strengthens UK Presence
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10 NOVEMBER 2015
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ustrian Airlines has enhanced its US portfolio with the commencement of a service to a new destination. The airline now operates weekly nonstop flights with a Boeing 777 aircraft to Miami, available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to the Atlantic coast destination, the carrier also operates eight flights per week to New York in the current winter flight schedule, five itineraries each week to Washington, and up to five weekly frequencies to Chicago. “Miami rounds off our offering to sunny long-haul tourist destinations very well,” noted Andreas Otto, chief commercial officer, Austrian Airlines.
ueling Airlines revealed plans to launch two new routes from Manchester Airport. Starting June 2016, the Spanish low-cost carrier will operate three weekly services to Alicante on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and two flights to Rome on Fridays and Mondays, in addition to the existing itinerary to Barcelona, which was launched this summer. “Alicante and Rome are popular destinations with our 22.9 million passengers and these additional services reinforce our status as the UK’s global gateway for the north of England,” commented Ken O’Toole, managing director, Manchester Airport.
SAS Adds Eight Summer Routes
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candinavian Airlines (SAS) is planning to launch eight new routes for summer 2016, providing nearly 600,000 more seats from regional airports to popular destinations. Customers will be able to look forward to new direct year-round services from Copenhagen to Reykjavik, Vienna, Krakow and Faro, as well as from Stockholm to Krakow, Gdansk and Mykonos. Other new flights include Aarhus – Palma de Mallorca and Stavanger – Paris. “SAS has more destinations and departures than any other Scandinavian airline, and we are constantly improving our offering to customers,” claimed Rickard Gustafson, group president, SAS.
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NEWS AIR Vueling to Link Geneva and Rome
UIA Launches Flights to Georgia and Kazakhstan
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s part of the development of its base in the Italian capital, Vueling Airlines is planning to launch scheduled flights between Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Geneva. Starting March 27, 2016, the Spanish low-cost carrier will operate four weekly frequencies between the two cities on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, onboard an Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 seats. To better serve its customers, the airline will also increase its services between Geneva and Barcelona for the summer 2016 season.
Kutaisi
kraine International Airlines (UIA) will commence nonstop scheduled services connecting Kharkov and Kutaisi, as well as Kiev and Aktau. The new itinerary to Georgia is the fourth which connects Ukraine with its neighbouring country, while the flight to Aktau complements the airline’s existing offering to Astana and Almaty. “The Ukraine – Kazakhstan business and friendly ties grows stronger every year,” commented Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA, adding that passengers will be provided with more opportunities when travelling throughout the carrier’s network.
Wizz Air Links Yorkshire with Cluj
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izz Air celebrated two million passengers at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield with the announcement of a new route between the UK airport and Cluj. Effective from July 22, 2016, the lowcost carrier will operate two weekly services to the Romanian city, bringing the number of itineraries operated from Yorkshire to 11. According to Chris Harcombe, head of aviation development, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, the new route is expected to carry an additional 30,000 passengers in its first year of operation. The airfield is the airline’s second largest UK base with 33 weekly frequencies.
Lufthansa Group Expands Winter Offering
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ufthansa Group carriers have added more winter routes, providing passengers with one of the densest networks worldwide, featuring more than 20,380 flights per week. Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines, via their hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels, will serve 261 destinations in 101 countries. Furthermore, in cooperation with 30 partners, more than 18,000 codeshare flights will round off the respective offering, giving travellers access to a global network.
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Peel Airports officials and Wizz Air team members
airberlin: Stable Capacity Utilisation
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n light of an extensive capacity reduction by 7.2 percent, the number of passengers transported by airberlin in September decreased 6.4 percent yearon-year to just over 3.16 million. Available seat kilometres were lower by 6.8 percent at nearly 5.35 billion kilometres, while revenue passenger kilometres travelled within the airline’s global network dropped 7.2 percent to 4.63 kilometres. At 86.6 percent, load factor remained approximately at the level of 2014, for the first three quarters of the year, however, capacity utilisation improved 0.6 percentage points to 84.8 percent.
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AIR NEWS Transavia to Double Flights on Budapest – Rotterdam Route
Summer 2016 Looks Bright for Ryanair
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udapest Airport and airline partner, Transavia will double the number of daily frequencies between the Hungarian capital and Rotterdam from summer 2016. The move will see the carrier add more than 1,000 seats to the airport’s weekly schedule. Mattjis ten Brink, general director, Transavia, enthused, “Earlier this year, we launched Transavia’s ambitious new growth goals and we are now in a position to make this happen.” Balázs Bogáts, head of airline development, Budapest Airport, added, “We are tremendously pleased that Transavia has chosen to double its Rotterdam connection with Budapest.”
Flyest: Estonia’s New Airline
Airest. Flyest will initially offer charter flights, with plans to operate regional and international services as well. The airline’s first aircraft, a SAAB 340 ES-LSF, will be flying for Estonian Air on a Stockholm – Tallinn – St Petersburg route.
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Brussels Airlines Expects a Busy Winter
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stonia has welcomed Flyest, a new passenger airline brand by cargo and passenger flight operator Berlin
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airBaltic: More Seats on Riga – Berlin Route
yanair has launched its summer 2016 schedule for its Edinburgh, Bristol and Glasgow network. The Scottish capital will offer 33 destinations, one new itinerary to Copenhagen and more flights on nine other routes, which overall is expected to handle 2.3 million customers per annum and support some 1,650 on-site jobs at Edinburgh Airport. The Bristol programme will deliver new services to Krakow and Reus, 29 routes in total, more flights to existing courses and over 1.5 million passenger movements per year. Whereas for Glasgow, the carrier will provide 26 routes, a new service to Berlin, additional flights and support for 1,275 jobs at Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick airports.
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n a bid to offer more convenient travel opportunities for its customers, airBaltic introduced a Boeing 737 aircraft on its route linking Riga and Berlin, to be offered twice a day. Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic, commented, “We are delighted that we have more than doubled the amount of seats we are offering on RigaBerlin, at the same time lowering the lead-in ticket prices.”
his winter, Brussels Airlines will fly to a number of new destinations: Accra, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Zagreb, Bremen and Billund. In addition, it is set to increase frequencies to several African destinations. During this period, the carrier will offer an average of 669 flights per week across Europe, 27 more than in winter 2014/2015. As for long-haul routes, the number stands at 80. Flights to New York will continue, while those bound for Washington D.C. will be suspended. The airline will also move to the new airport terminal of Kinshasa, and in early 2016 will open a brand new business class lounge at Kinshasa airport.
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NEWS AGENTS TUI Pushes on Climate Strategy and Corporate Citizenship
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or the 10th time in a row, TUI Group has been included in Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Europe, and was ranked high in the categories of climate strategy and corporate citizenship. “We are convinced that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue for tourists. Professional sustainability management and high sustainability standards are therefore indispensable to a clear differentiation from competitors,” said Thomas Ellerbeck, member, executive committee, TUI Group. “We will be stepping up our commitment to ecological, economic and social sustainability as set out in our recently approved Sustainability Strategy 2015-2020,” he added.
Thomas Cook Unveils Virtual Reality App
Dart Group: Sturdy H1 Expectations
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art Group reported in regards to trading in the first half (H1) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, signalling a strong leisure travel business during summer for its package holidays as Jet2holidays took 936,000 customers on vacation, representing 41 percent of overall flown travellers. During the period in question, Jet2.com carried a total of 4.53 million passengers indicating a 1.9 percent decline over the same period in 2014. As for the organisation’s distribution and logistics business, Fowler Welch, it continued to trade above of 2014 results as it focusses on growing its revenue pipeline.
Cosmos Holidays Renamed to Monarch
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osmos Holidays has changed its name to Monarch. Avro and Somewhere2Stay, which sell flights and hotel accommodation respectively through the travel trade, will also operate under the Monarch brand.
From summer 2016, the holiday programme offered by the company will be fully aligned with the scheduled route network of the airline under the same name and will focus exclusively on destinations served by Monarch, meaning that it will move away from using third-party carriers.
UK Travel Partners Explore Ireland Thomas Cook Holiday 360 app
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Dublin
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homas Cook UK launched Thomas Cook Holiday 360 application to help customers savour its products through an immersive virtual reality experience. Guests can collect copies of the new Red Sea Riviera brochure and Google Cardboard headsets from various stores across the country, and upon downloading the application mobile phones and headsets can be used to explore the destination. Graham Cook, head of digital, Thomas Cook, said, “The thought of spending that all important quality time away with family or friends is the highlight of many people’s year, and we wanted to find a compelling, innovative and exciting way to bring our holidays to life before they travel.”
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ourism Ireland invited a group of 17 UK inbound tour operators on a fact-finding visit of Ireland prior to attending a business-to-business workshop with the country’s tourism enterprises in Dublin. The aim of the initiative was to help grow Ireland’s share in the worldwide tourism industry, with a particular focus on increasing business from new and emerging tourism markets like China, Brazil and Russia. During their trip to Strokestown Park, participants had the opportunity to meet Enda Kenny, prime minister, Ireland. 10 NOVEMBER 2015
AGENTS NEWS ABTA: Persistent UK Travellers
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he past 12 months have been an extraordinary time for UK’s travel industry according to the Association of British Travel Agent (ABTA)’s annual research among UK customers aimed at providing a clear picture of their holiday habits. Positive signs were witnessed with the organisation’s members reporting increased year-on-year sales and a strong summer sea-
son, driven by more affluent consumers. The summer period was hailed as very challenging, yet the report indicated that various incidents and uncertainties did not deter Britons from taking holidays. A strong late booking market was also revealed which suggests a positive outlook for 2016.
TUI Announces Board Changes
Peter Long
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t its recent meeting, the supervisory board of TUI discussed its composition from February 2016 onwards. Peter Long, CEO, TUI, was supposed to be named head of supervisory board, but this will not take place due to the decision to follow the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code and the UK Corporate Governance Code. Klaus Mangold and Mike Hodgkinson will continue as supervisory board chairman and deputy chairman, respectively while Fritz Joussen will become executive board chairman of TUI AG, as planned. A number of other members will be re-elected, proposed for election or leave the board upon the expiry of their terms.
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NEWS CRUISING
Liberty of the Seas Boasts New Adventures
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oyal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas will emerge from a monthlong dry dock in February 2016 following a major makeover, delighting voyagers with a collection of new facilities and adventures. Among these will be a new waterslide called the Perfect Storm, as well as a new kids-only area, Splashaway Bay water park. Guests will also enjoy expanded food offerings and new stateroom options, including 26 new Panoramic Ocean View units with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and 53 additional staterooms. As of November, the ship is sailing seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries every Sunday from Galveston, visiting Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.
Carnival Cruise Line to Sail to China
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arnival Cruise Line is poised to begin cruise operations in China in spring 2017 with a vessel based in the Asian country year-round offering itineraries marketed to local holiday-makers. “More than 4.5 million guests a year choose to spend their vacations with us based on the high quality, enjoyable and memorable experience we provide and we look forward to introducing Chinese customers to the Carnival brand,” commented Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line. The company will be partnering closely with Costa Asia for sales, marketing as well as operational support.
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Costa Cruises: Sea You Tomorrow Initiative
UNICEF – MSC Cruises Raise EUR4 Million
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esponsible innovation and value creation are the main pillars of Costa Cruises’ corporate social responsibility programme, which is divided into three sections titled Sea, You, Tomorrow. In line with its commitment to minimise the environmental impact of its operations, the cruise line managed to reduce fuel consumption per passenger per day by nine percent and achieved a three percent drop in carbon footprint and a 9.7 percent decline in energy consumption. The company also lays great emphasis on building solid relations with local organisations in order to help create economic and social value. Lastly, the commitment to the future translates into the planning and implementation of innovative corporate social responsibility initiatives.
n the framework of its partnership with UNICEF, MSC Cruises announced that EUR4 million was raised onboard its ships around the globe. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, MSC Cruises, commented that the two companies have long established a strong relationship, having worked hand in hand since 2009 on a programme that positively impacts the life of thousands of children around the world. At a ceremony held at Expo Milano, Daniela Picco, head of strategic partnerships, MSC Cruises, handed over a cheque to Philippe Baud, deputy director, Switzerland, UNICEF.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Young Europeans Travel Less Demographic changes are impacting Europe’s tourism as the number of trips abroad taken by young Europeans has declined 10 percent since 2007, according to World Travel Monitor’s analysis by IPK International, commissioned by ITB Berlin.
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n 2014, the continent’s travellers aged between 15 to 24 went on 54 million foreign journeys compared to 2007, the rate dropped by about one percent per year. In 2007, young Europeans preferred to travel to Spain, France, Italy and the UK, however, youth travel to these four countries declined by one to two percent a year up to 2014. In contrast, Germany recorded a 60 percent growth during the period in question.
Web Blinds Addresses Jet Lag
UK Improves Visa Facilitation for China
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avid Cameron, prime minister, UK, has announced a number of reforms to visa processing for Chinese visitors to the UK following the Chinese president’s visit. Key among these is that, from January 2016, the price of two-year multiple entry visas for the Asian country’s residents will be reduced from GBP324 (EUR450) to GBP85 (EUR118) – the cost of a standard six-month visa. Other reforms include extending the reach of mobile visa service in China, upgrading the 12 visa application centres, enhancing the three- to five-day priority service, launch of a new online application form with fewer questions and introducing a passport pass-back service.
Diverging Growth Rates for BRIC Business Travel
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eb Blinds has studied the symptoms experienced during international travel and used the findings to create a jet lag calculator, aimed at helping travellers take back control of their body clock. Users are asked to enter their flight details as well as their normal sleeping and waking hours, at which time the tool’s formula analyses the number of time zones crossed in order to work out how many hours they will have to shift their body clock by to get over jet lag. The feature also uses the direction of travel to calculate the time they can move their inner clock each day. The calculator then uses these factors to develop a daily plan to be followed.
Michael McCormick
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lobal Business Travel Association (GBTA)’s research of the business travel outlook of BRIC countries showed that China and India will register an 11 percent rise in business travel this year, with growth in 2016 being estimated at 10.7 and 11.1 percentage points respectively. On the other hand, Russia and Brazil are experiencing a slowdown due to political and economic turmoil. “The BRICs are no longer a bloc when it comes to business travel,” said Michael McCormick, executive director, GBTA. “A decade ago, it looked like these four nations would develop in lockstep, with high rates of growth across the board. But their paths have diverged sharply as a result of the unique political and economic situations in each country.
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WHO’S MOVED
KERSTIN HALFMANNKLEISINGER
GEHAN COLLIANDER
Kerstin Halfmann-Kleisinger has taken over the management of the sales division at Austrian Airlines. Halfmann-Kleisinger began her career at Pan American in Frankfurt, working in air cargo sales, before she accepted a job at Frankfurt Airport, where she was responsible for air cargo handling and later for central technical planning. Halfmann-Kleisinger joined Lufthansa Cargo in 2000, where she held various positions and assumed management responsibility in 2001. Amongst other achievements, she established the central sales department of the company for the German market. Most recently she was in charge of logistics within the context of the project LCCneo of Lufthansa Cargo.
Gehan Colliander is the newly elected president of Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in Europe. Colliander will act as the lead buyer in the organisation tasked with leading the advisory board, which is a pivotal force in establishing the direction of GBTA in Europe. She is head of global travel at Boston Consulting Group. She has been with the firm since 2008. Her responsibility is to set the vision and overall strategic direction of the global travel programme. Colliander has over 20 years of experience in the travel industry including airline pricing and revenue management at major airlines.
Colliander will support GBTA in Europe
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MICHAEL GIRESI
GREG WEBB
Michael Giresi has been appointed senior vice president and chief information officer at Royal Caribbean Cruises. He joins the global cruise company with over 20 years of experience in implementing technology initiatives for leading brands. Giresi most recently served as senior vice president and chief information officer for Tory Burch, where he was in charge of the implementation of new infrastructure and technology solutions for the fashion brand. Prior to that, he worked as executive vice president and chief information officer at Direct Brands. Throughout his extensive career, he has also held various management positions for Godiva Chocolatier as well as Campbell Soup Company.
Greg Webb has been named vice chairman of Sabre. In this new role, Webb will be responsible for customer engagement and global development initiatives. He will also identify and champion growth opportunities around the world across all of Sabre’s businesses. Webb has been with the company for two decades and in the past five years he successfully led Sabre Travel Network. Over the years, he has achieved a long list of accomplishments to support the company’s success, the most recent being the company’s acquisition of Abacus International, a leading travel marketplace in Asia Pacific.
Webb has been with Sabre for 20 years
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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...
After 17 months of restoration work, Rome's The Trevi Fountain has returned
Xi Jinping, president, China, arrived at Manchester Airport as part of his state visit in the UK
Tourism Ministers met in Antalya, to discuss how tourism can create more and better jobs
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All Nippon Airways’ Star Wars themed aircraft touched down in Brussels
Halloween celebrations at H10 Duque de LoulĂŠ, Lisbon
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NEWS & EVENTS Albania Debuts at Top Resa
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lbania was represented at the international tourism fair, IFTM Top Resa for the first time ever. The National Tourism Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship jointly erected a stand in Paris to promote the southeast European country’s touristic credentials. Based on the tourism organisation’s figures, the French public has been showing an increased interested in Albania and it is now considered a to-be-explored tourist destination.
Bucharest, Romania November 12 – 15 www.romexpo.ro Held twice a year, the show hosts national tourism organisations, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, insurance companies, hotels, cultural institutions, museums and congress organisers. Albania at Top Resa
PHILOXENIA
Lao Culture Celebrated in Belarus
B Lao traditional costumes
elarus hosted the first ever Days of Culture of Laos. The country welcomed a delegation of Lao cultural workers, headed by Bosengkham Vongdara, information, culture and tourism minister, Laos, who visited a number of historical sites. The opening ceremony was hosted by the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, and the programme featured several renowned artists from the Asian country. Additionally, a concert was held as part of the celebrations at Youth Variety Theater.
Kassel Welcomes Grimm
Thessaloniki, Greece November 12 – 15 www.philoxenia.helexpo.gr This international tourism exhibition has remained one of the most important meeting points of tourism professionals from Greece and the Balkans for the past 30 years.
IBTM WORLD Barcelona, Spain November 17 – 19 www.ibtmworld.com A leading global event for the MICE and business travel industry, which gathers over 15,500 professionals.
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he German city of Kassel welcomed a new Grimmwelt Kassel attraction, an exhibition on the renowned Grimm brothers. The show featured various displays that included originals of the storytellers, as well as recordings, kids’ activities, art work and an interactive Grimm-inspired game. A special exhibit is the annotated copies of Children’s and Household Tales, added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2005.
Switzerland Holds Swiss Travel Mart
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witzerland Tourism has recently hosted the biennial Swiss Travel Mart, in Zermatt, marking the first time that the event took place in a mountain destination. The show gathered more than 1,000 delegates, including 500 tour operators and travel trade journalists from over 50 countries, in addition to 350 local suppliers of tourism products and services.
4TH GLOBAL SUMMIT ON CITY TOURISM Marrakech, Morocco December 14 – 15 www.unwto.org International experts in city tourism, representatives of local authorities, municipalities and international and regional associations will discuss challenges and create a platform of exchange of ideas.
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