10 SEPTEMBER 2016 ISSUE 45
13 IHG TO ADD FIVE GERMAN PROJECTS
10 SHORT BREAK
VIENNA
17 GATWICK’S BUSIEST MONTH ON RECORD
08 Agents 09 Niche Tourism 22 Travel Channels
MARKET UPDATE
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GLOBAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM REMAINS RESILIENT
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Rita Kasziba JOURNALISTS Memnon Arestis Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou SALES & SALES SUPPORT Maria Demetriadou Magda Christou Raluca Apostolescu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis 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
Regardless of the ongoing challenges and the recent Brexit referendum in the UK, the international travel and tourism industry continues to deliver a stellar performance, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
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ased on WTTC’s forecast, the sector is set to grow 3.1 percent this year, outpacing the global economic development estimations at 2.3 percent. Although Europe is expected to witness lower visitor spend, the continent is likely to still achieve a 2.2 percent improvement. Recent incidents and macroeconomic developments are predicted to lower the industry’s direct contribution to the national GDP in both France as well as Turkey, nevertheless, despite the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the destination is projected to witness a 3.6 percent growth.
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TUI: DOUBLE-DIGIT EARNINGS GROWTH
WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com
EXCHANGE RATES
as of
9.9.2016
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1EUR=
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1.13
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0.85
Switzerland (CHF) Franc
1.10
Japan (JPY)
115.26
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Yen
TUI Group has reported an increase of 14.1 percent in earnings for the third quarter of its fiscal year, driven by solid performances of source markets such as the UK and Ireland, as well as RIU Hotels & Resorts and TUI Cruises.
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nderlying group earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation grew 1.1 percent to EUR180 million, and it is expected to improve at least 10 percent by the end of the financial term. Turnover on the other hand dropped 5.7 percent year-on-year to EUR4.6 billion, partially due to the timing of Easter, decline in bookings to North Africa and Turkey, as well as the negative impact of recent incidents.
10 SEPTEMBER 2016
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MARKET UPDATE NORWEGIAN WEATHERS CHALLENGES
Insignia
Vienna International Airport
FLUGHAFEN WIEN GROUP IMPROVES FINANCIAL RESULTS
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or the first half of the year, Flughafen Wien Group has reported a revenue increase of 7.3 percent to EUR334.4 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation reached EUR201.5 million, up 9.9 percent. Vienna International Airport and the company’s foreign strategic investments, Malta International Airport and Košice International Airport, experienced a 2.1 percent boost in passenger traffic, having handled 12.9 million travellers between January and June. The group’s net profit stood at EUR106.4 million, soaring 14.7 percent when considering the upward revaluation of its stake in Malta. With 2.4 million passengers, July marked a new record for Vienna International Airport, up 2.9 percent year-on-year, mainly due to the expansion of the Austrian hub and the enhancement of services.
UK HOTEL PRICES DROP
SOLID PERFORMANCE AT SCANDIC
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ccording to the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), average accommodation rates decreased in the UK’s major cities in August. In comparison to July, hotel prices in London plummeted 16 percent from GBP171 (EUR200) to GBP143 (EUR167); the lowest figure since March. Other locations also followed the same trend with establishments in Manchester reporting a 17 percent, in Brighton a 15 percent and in Leeds a 14 percent decline compared to July.
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orwegian Cruise Line recorded a 9.3 percent year-onyear growth in revenue to USD1.2 billion (EUR1.08 billion) in the second quarter (Q2) of the year. Adjusted net income rose to USD192.6 million (EUR172.89 million) compared to USD171.6 million (EUR154.04 million) in Q2 2015, while adjusted earnings per share stood at USD0.85 (EUR0.76), a rise of 13 percent over 2015. Frank Del Rio, CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line, commented, “It was a challenging booking environment where we remained mindful of our go to market strategy to minimise discounting and maintain our hard-fought pricing gains, resulting in lower occupancy, which in turn lowered onboard revenue and overall net yield growth compared to our expectations earlier in the year.”
S Scandic Rubinen, Gothenburg
candic Hotels Group’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 31.3 percent to SEK470 million (EUR49.44 million) in the second quarter of the year, as a result of strong revenue growth and efficiency gains from the acquisition of Rica Hotels. Company-wide RevPAR increased 8.8 percent, driven by both higher occupancy and increased average room rates. The group unveiled five new properties during the six-month period and Frank Fiskers, CEO, Scandic Hotels Group, remains positive regarding the outlook for the rest of the year in terms of demand.
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NEWS
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Nearly Six Million Visitors in Berlin Berlin welcomed 5,995,016 travellers in the first six months of the year, a year-on-year increase of three percent.
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Bednights Surge in Vienna
Latvians Tighten Travel Budgets
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atvian residents travelled less both within their country as well as abroad during 2015, showing a year-on-year drop of 8.8 percent, as data released by Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) revealed. Total expenditure on overnight domestic trips dipped 5.6 percent, while for international journeys the figure was down 5.5 percent. During the year under review, 1.26 million less Latvians went on recreational holidays, mainly due to inadequate funds as indicated by 51.5 percent of respondents. Some 40.5 percent of those who ventured outside the country opted for a neighbouring location, with the majority favouring paid accommodation establishments where average length of stay stood at 4.4 days.
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Berlin
ased on data released by visitBerlin, occupancy rates in the city stood at 57.3 percent with length of stay averaging at 2.4 days. Over 70 percent of tourists were Europeans, with German nationals representing 55.7 percent of the collective figure. British arrivals made up 12 percent of the total, followed by Italian guests who accounted for 6.8 percent of all visitors. The number of bednights in the German capital rose 4.3 percent, eclipsing 14.4 million. Holiday-makers from Spain corresponded to the biggest increase in this aspect, up 29.5 percent.
Ireland on Track to Recordbreaking Year
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n the first half of this year, Vienna recorded approximately 6.6 million visitor bednights, a year-on-year rise of 4.9 percent. The Austrian capital currently boasts around 63,400 hotel beds, with average occupancy rate standing at 67 percent between January and June. International travellers accounted for 80 percent of the total figure, with Germany, Austria, the US, Italy and the UK being the largest source markets. Noteworthy that in 2015, congress tourists represented 12 percent of all bednights with a record number of some 3,700 corporate events. Nobert Kettner, director, Vienna Tourist Board, explained that these results are the reflection of the city’s systematic internalisation strategy of diversifying into different markets. Going forward, the destination aims to increase bednights to 18 million by 2020.
ollowing 2015’s all-time-high figures, Ireland aims to once again exceed previous visitor numbers with overseas arrivals to the country up 13 percent in the first half of the year. During the six-month period, more than 4.38 million travellers headed to the country, half million more than in the corresponding timeframe in 2015. As Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, noted, the destination’s main markets from around the globe exhibited strong results. “Our aim is to ensure that [this year] is another record-breaking year for Irish tourism and we have certainly seen an exceptional performance so far from North America – up 15 percent over the first half in 2015, making it another record year. Ireland now welcomes 10 percent of all American visitors to Europe […],” pinpointed Gibbons.
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NEWS
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Successful First Year for Slovenia
74 Percent of UK MPs Holiday Abroad
Ljubljana
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London
English Industry Stakeholders Remain Optimistic
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I Houses of Parliament, London
t has been a year since the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) began operating as an independent institution. Through STB’s unwavering efforts, Slovenia has been able to promote itself as an attractive destination for travellers from foreign markets. According to the management, impressive tourism figures in recent months and major development steps taken by the country’s industry stakeholders have been driven by the implementation of STB’s goals. The organisation remains committed to continue its work through effective marketing and promotional campaigns and strong cooperation with tourism providers and other partners.
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usiness confidence amongst accommodation providers in England has been at a record high for the summer holidays, according to a VisitEngland survey. The findings also showed that out of 500 owners, more than half have been expecting an increase in demand following the European Union referendum outcome, with a particular boost for the domestic market. Some 65 percent of respondents felt very confident about the summer vacations, while 47 percent deemed forward bookings positive – both figures representing record highs for the study. Further fuelling the optimism, around 40 percent of accommodation providers and attractions reported increased yearto-date visitor numbers with a further 30 percent maintaining performance.
n research commissioned by the Association of British Travel Agents, around 74 percent of British members of parliament (MP) planned to travel to a foreign country during the parliamentary summer recess between July 21 – September 05. ComRes, who carried out the survey, found a difference between the two biggest political parties, with 78 percent of Labour MPs responding as likely to take a trip abroad compared to 69 percent of Conservatives. This is a reversal of 2015, where 82 percent of Conservative and 73 percent of Labour MPs had planned to venture out of the country. Results also revealed that MPs are more inclined to opt for international journeys as in 2015, only 54 percent of the general public holidayed outside of the UK.
Northern Ireland Reports Overseas Visitor Growth
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ourism Ireland announced an eight percent year-on-year rise in international arrivals to Northern Ireland in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, with a total of nearly 400,000 travellers. The increase lifted revenues by 10 percent to GBP93 million (EUR108 million). The total number of holiday-makers rose 10 percent, while the volume of British tourists soared 31 percent. “Overseas tourism delivers about GBP454 million (EUR531 million) per year for the Northern Ireland economy, helping to sustain valuable employment in local communities,” commented Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland, adding that this year’s promotional efforts focus on food and drink.
10 SEPTEMBER 2016
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UK Introduces Electronic Border Control
NEWS
Solomon Islands Introduces Itself to UK
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he Association of British Travel Agents has announced the operational launch of ePassport gates at several UK airports, available for travellers holding a biometric passport from the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland. The new initiative provides a substitute to the standard procedure of border control. Eligibility of the service is restricted to people over the age of 18, with some airfields providing the capacity to children aged over 12. Utilising the technology of facial recognition, the gates will compare the passengers’ face to the photograph recorded on the document’s chip and allow them to proceed.
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uilding on the success achieved in positioning the Solomon Islands in the key Australian and New Zealand markets as an ideal destination for bird watching, Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) took its message to the UK. Brenden Mautoa, marketing officer, SIVB, made the long trek to Egleton in Rutland, England, where he flew the Solomon Islands flag at the this year’s Bird Watching Fair, which took place between August 19 – 21. According to Josefa Tuamoto, CEO, SIVB, Mautoa’s visit to the show represented yet another step in SIVB’s activities in this niche segment.
ETC Requires Crisis Communication Strategy
Russian Language in Demand in Greece
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uropean Travel Commission (ETC) has been seeking the services of a communication agency to develop a European tourism crisis communication plan. The objectives of the proposal are to protect the reputation of Europe as an attractive destination and the credibility of ETC and its member organisations. Furthermore, it aims to support the crisis communication strategy at the destination level and coordinate actions among stakeholders to ensure that adequate continent-wide responses are prepared for crisis situations.
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he Municipality of Thessaloniki has renewed its partnership with Mouzenidis Group to run a further two free Russian language courses for 200 tourism industry professionals. The Greek holding company will sponsor the seventh and eighth set of classes which will be organised by the Department of Programs and Lifelong Learning of the Directorate of Education and Sports of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. As a result of the continually increasing flow of Russian travellers, the interest for learning the language has been overwhelming, and the number of applications has exceeded 1,500 per course. The lessons will run from October to January 2017 and then from January to May 2017.
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NEWS AGENTS
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Thomas Cook Partners with Webjet
Thomas Cook Group has announced its strategic hotel sourcing collaboration with online digital travel service provider, Webjet.
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s per the new deal, Webjet’s European online accommodation company, Sunhotels, will source and contract hotels accounting for the majority of the group’s complementary business, further expanding the existing partnership among the two entities in the holiday company’s Nordic markets. Thomas Cook Group will also transfer approximately 3,000 hotel contracts to Sunhotels, adding to the former’s existing worldwide repertoire of 75,000 properties, also accessible by the group. According to Peter Fankhauser, CEO, Thomas Cook Group, the collaboration will help the company further develop its strengths.
Expedia and Travelport Broaden Partnership
Go France Becomes Djoca Travel Ukraine
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xpedia and Travelport have entered into an expanded European partnership which will see the travel company extend its use of the technology expert’s Travel Commerce Platform in multiple countries across the continent. As part of the agreement, Expedia and its brands, including its corporate arm, Egencia, will continue to use Travelport’s Universal Application Programming Interface to access hotel and car content and to power new services that will give their customers a greater level of information and choice as well as flexibility when it comes to booking travel. In addition, the company will also utilise Rapid Reprice and ePricing, two Travelport products which have been designed to improve the speed and efficiency of the overall air shopping experience for users.
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o France, the representative office of French operator Djoca Travel France, has changed its name to Djoca Travel Ukraine. Despite the name alternation, the company’s main focus will remain on France, Spain and worldwide online hotel bookings. The tour operator’s winter priority will entail ski trips in France, with accommodation at both hotels as well as apartments.
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NEWS NICHE TOURISM
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70,000 Russians Seek Overseas Medical Care Some 411 attendees were interviewed in a survey conducted at Spring 2016 Moscow Medshow, with results showing that the Russian medical tourism market is valued above EUR1 billion.
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very year, approximately 70,000 Russians travel abroad for such reasons with 54 percent willing to spend EUR10,000 on treatments, 30 percent prepared to pay between EUR10,000 – EUR25,000, and the remaining 16 percent expecting even higher fees. Of the 39 countries listed, Germany remained the most popular destination, accounting for 26 percent of the total, followed by Israel with 16 percent, and the UK, Hungary, China and Italy. Over half of respondents claimed their primary reason for seeking healthcare outside of Russia is to access higher quality of services, while 42 percent preferred to combine procedures and relaxation.
Mountain Holidays Prove Popular
Promoting Maltese Religious and Cultural Heritage
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he Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT)’s cabin network has never seen more activity. In July, DNT for Oslo and surrounding areas had a total of 37,663 sleepovers in the cabins. DNT noted that mountain vacations are especially popular among families with children. “We have activity leaders for children at all of our cabins, and exciting hikes for tall and small. That has made families choose a serviced cabin, rather than kids’ clubs in more tropical destinations,” said Nils Øveraas, general secretary, DNT.
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alta Tourism Authority (MTA) has confirmed its financial support of the Aula Capitularis Museum in Birkirkara. By endorsing the venture, MTA will be aiding Il-Hbieb tat-Tempju Sant’Elena, a registered nonprofit organisation, to complete a museum which covers the cultural and religious heritage of Birkirkara and the Collegiate Basilica of St Helen. One of the main aims behind the creation of the Aula Capitularis Museum was to promote the area’s invaluable heritage to both local as well as foreign visitors. Furthermore, the establishment is expected to make Birkirkara more attractive from a tourism perspective.
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SHORT BREAK VIENNA
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CONFIDENT IN ITS
Worth
A CENTURIES-OLD FAVOURITE FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS, VIENNA IS ATTRACTING MORE VISITORS THAN EVER BEFORE. WITH AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF GROWING THE VOLUME OF BEDNIGHTS, THE AUSTRIAN CAPITAL IS RELYING ON ITS KEY STRENGTHS: WORLD-CLASS MICE CREDENTIALS, REFRESHED FACILITIES AND ATTRACTIONS, AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE.
ANA MLADENOVIC WRITES
“V
ienna is considered to be one of the most livable cities in the world,” enthused Anne Wahl, public relations and communications manager, Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna. “Apart from impressive architecture and historic buildings, there is everything a traveller could possibly desire; culture, a vivid restaurant and bar scene, shopping facilities, the famous Kaffeehaus culture and a world-renowned opera,” added Wahl. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the city is on track to achieve yet another record-breaking year in terms of international arrivals with 2,317,002 foreign travellers on record for the period between January and June – 3.4 percent more than during the same timeframe in 2015. Together with domestic visitors, this figure exceeds three million travellers and 6.6 million bednights. “Vienna demonstrated its tourist attraction in the first half of [the year] with an increase of 4.9 percent to some 6,640,000 visitor bednights,” confirmed Norbert Kettner, director, Vienna Tourist Board (VTB). FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
VIENNA IN BRIEF
According to Kettner, the fact that around 80 percent of the total figure can be attributed to international visitors, not only reflects the destination’s firm appeal, but also underscores VTB’s systematic internationalisation strategy of diversifying into many different markets. Top priority markets for the organisation this year mainly include European Union (EU) states like Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and France. When it comes to countries outside the EU, the most lucrative segment is currently the US, however, traditionally strong markets, like Russia and Japan showed notable declines over the past months. Nevertheless, the largest improvements have been recorded from India and Turkey, up 39 percent and 13 percent, respectively. A similar approach is being followed by local hoteliers with the management of Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna for example, focussing on the US, the UK and Russia, while paying strong attention to the German-speaking region, revealed Wahl. Likewise, Andrea Fuchs, general manager, Hotel Sans Souci Wien, listed the US, the UK, Germany and the local Austrian market among the property’s strongest performers. “We recognised a clearly positive development in bookings and occupancy in comparison to 2015, which has already been a good business year for us,” revealed Fuchs.
Country: Austria Language: German Currency: Euro Population: 1.74 million Calling Code: +43 1 Time Zone: GMT +1:00
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AMBITIOUS GOALS According to VTB, the city currently has a portfolio of about 63,400 hotel beds and its goal is to increase bednights to 18 million by 2020. MICE tourism is of essential importance in realising this tar-
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get as it accounted for 12 percent of the total bednights in 2015, when the city played host to some 3,700 congresses, corporate events and incentive trips. “The meeting industry’s contribution to [the country’s] GDP was up 16 percent year-on-year to EUR1.04 billion, passing the billion mark for the first time,” Kettner elucidated, reminding that the events safeguard more than 19,000 year-round jobs nationwide. “Across the board, results surpassed the levels set in 2012, which was a record-breaking year for the meetings industry, and the findings of the 2014 – 2016 study add to the positive picture; they show Vienna as a meeting destination that lives up to the global – smart – premium criteria enshrined in the capital’s 2020 tourism strategy,” he assured. Speaking of the destination’s credentials, Christian Mutschlechner, director, Vienna Convention Bureau, said, “First it is the meeting infrastructure we can offer, with three conference centres plus about 140 different venues for smaller events; [second is] the accessibility of the city as well as the well functioning of the city, and last but not least – a high level of professionalism of our key suppliers.” BROADER CHOICES It is not just the MICE sector that is expected to drive the increase in overnight stays, but also the capital’s continuously refreshed products. In terms of new hotel developments, two properties flying the ibis and Novotel flags are due to launch in early 2017, alongside Hotel Das Trieste, which is scheduled to open in mid-2017, while in 2019, the 300-room Andaz am Belvedere Vienna will mark the brand’s debut in the city.
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SHORT BREAK VIENNA
“This is an incredibly important development for Vienna, with the Belvedere Quarter set to become a sought-after destination,” said Peter Norman, senior vice president, acquisitions and development, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Existing accommodation establishments are also enhancing their offerings. “Our Sans Souci Spa has been refurbished lately,” revealed Fuchs, highlighting that Hotel Sans Souci Wien’s spa therapists are now offering a new treatment concept for skin rejuvenation and effective antiageing results. Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna went even further in its bid to satisfy customers by pampering their pets. Special food menus, porcelain bowls, comfortable beds, blankets and towels, toys and all-natural products are just some of the perks awaiting four-legged guests. “Animals have always been welcome at Hotel Bristol, but this new programme geared towards them rolls out the red carpet if you will,” explained Alexandra Jud, social media and marketing manager, Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna. The city itself is also undergoing various makeover projects. From the 70,000m2 Helmut Zilk Park development, due for completion in 2017, to the facelift of Schwedenplatz, which is planned to commence in 2018, there are plenty of novelties awaiting future visitors.
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NEWS CRUISING
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Majestic Princess to Sail in 2017 Princess Cruises unveiled designs and key features of Majestic Princess, the newest and most luxurious ship in the company’s global fleet.
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Carnival Heads to Alaska
Majestic Princess
eparting on April 04, 2017, the vessel will sail on her inaugural voyage, a five-day Adriatic Sea cruise roundtrip from Rome with stops in Kotor and Corfu. The cruise liner will boast a variety of enticing features and experiences, including world-class entertainment by a variety of singers and dancers, as well as outdoor screens featuring movies, and a water and light show. Onboard Majestic Princess, guests will also experience the signature SeaWalk, hailed as the industry’s first glass floor walkway at sea, among other features.
San Giorgio del Porto and Costa Crociere Team Up
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Alaska
or the first time, Carnival Cruise Line will offer a 14-day Alaskan adventure round-trip from Long Beach, California, onboard Carnival Miracle in September 2017. The itinerary will feature seven destinations, including Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the line’s first visit to Icy Strait Point, an unspoiled wilderness area with what is said to be the world’s longest zip-line. “A Carnival Alaska cruise is like no other and with this exciting new 14-day Carnival Journeys adventure, combined with the wide variety of seven- and eight-day voyages, we are offering guests an incredible array of opportunities to get an up close and personal look at this beautiful sailing region,” said Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line.
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an Giorgio del Porto and Costa Crociere have signed an agreement for the development of a world-class centre for ship repair and conver-
sion. The deal provides for the entry of Costa Crociere with a 33.3 percent share in Chantier Naval de Marseille, a Marseille-based company specialising in ship repair and conversion controlled by the Genoese San Giorgio del Porto. The collaboration between the two companies for the strengthening of Chantier Naval de Marseille calls for an initial investment of EUR10 million aimed at increasing the efficiency of the shipyard with the best available technologies. The investment will generate volumes and a scale that will allow the entire shipping industry to take advantage of the facilities for any type and size of vessel.
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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IHG to Add Five German Projects InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to introduce five new addresses to its fast-growing German portfolio.
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Baden-Wuerttemberg
he Baden-Wuerttemberg region alone will welcome three IHG developments, including the 140-key Holiday Inn Express Pforzheim, due to open in 2019; Holiday Inn Mannheim City – Hauptbahnhof, slated for a 2018 launch; and the 160-unit Holiday Inn Express Mannheim. In Bavaria, the 182-room Holiday Inn Express Regensburg is scheduled to welcome its first guests in late 2017, while in North RhineWestphalia, the 140-key Holiday Inn Express Oberhausen is due to be unveiled in 2018. “The German hotel market is accelerating at pace and we are well-positioned to take advantage of the appetite for branded growth,” explained Robert Shepherd, chief development officer, Europe, IHG, adding that currently 57 percent of the market is unbranded.
Starwood Sells Hotel Goldener Hirsch
Rotterdam Marriott Hotel Opens its Doors
Starwood to Enter Armenia
S Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the sale of Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg to WILD Group for EUR20 million. The hotel company has signed a long-term management agreement and will continue to operate the property under the same brand. Simon Turner, president, global development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, commented, “The sale of Hotel Goldener Hirsch underscores our ongoing commitment to dispose of our owned assets to the right long-term partners to create both immediate and long-term shareholder value.” So far this year, the company has disposed of more than USD520 million (EUR 460.5 million) of assets.
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Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
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arriott International has welcomed the 230-key Rotterdam Marriott Hotel to its portfolio. Formerly known as The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam, the property has undergone extensive renovation of its interiors to meet the needs of today’s travellers. The lobby has been transformed into a vibrant space, while Pillars Bar & Restaurant offers all-day dining. The hotel also boasts a fitness centre, an executive lounge, business centre and nearly 600m2 of meeting and event space. Through connections, the hotel also has the ability to coordinate with De Doelen International Congress Centre, which can accommodate groups of up to 3,000.
tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is to debut in Armenia with The Alexander Hotel, the latest addition to The Luxury Collection. The new-build property will boast 114 guest rooms, including 17 suites and a presidential suite as well as eight meeting rooms, a business centre and a ballroom. Yerevan’s newest address will also feature an indoor pool, a spa and a fitness centre alongside three culinary venues. Developed in partnership with Tsupani, the property is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
Yerevan
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Astana
Holiday Inn to Debut in Kazakhstan
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oliday Inn Express Astana, the fourth InterContinental Hotels Group property in Kazakhstan and the first Holiday Inn Express in the country, is set to open in 2018. Besides 224 rooms, the property will offer a lobby bar and a small conference venue. Additionally, it will feature the Holiday Inn Express brand’s next generation guest experience that has been developed to meet the changing needs of today’s short-stay smart traveller, who appreciates functional and thoughtful design tied in with an efficient and friendly service.
Kensington to Welcome IHG Property
Kensington Close Hotel
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of Holiday Inn London – Kensington, set to become one of the largest Holiday Inn hotels in Europe. Following the transformation of the independent Kensington Close Hotel, the 694-room property is set to re-emerge in December. Guests will be able to take advantage of 12 meeting rooms, and a health club and spa with a 18m swimming pool Azad Cola, director, Kensington Close Hotel Limited, commented, “We are very excited to be entering into this partnership with IHG, especially given this hotel will be a landmark property within the Holiday Inn brand family.”
fter seven months of renovations worth EUR23 million and under a new name, Steigenberger Hotel Köln has reopened. The property, which was acquired by Steigenberger Hotels in 2015, features 305 rooms and suites, five meeting rooms, a ballroom as well as a restaurant, bar and a bistro. Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotel Group, noted, “Cologne was one of the very few blank spots on our map. We are delighted to gain a foothold in this Rhineland metropolis in order to be able to offer our outstanding level of Steigenberger service.”
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel to be Transformed
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he Rezidor Hotel Group has started its most extensive investment programme ever in the Nordics, after allocating EUR110 million for the renovation and refurbishment of several flagship properties. Key projects include the Norwegian city of Stavanger, where the company has already completed the total make-over of Radisson Blu Royal Hotel and has just recently started the full renovation of the 364-key Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, which is expected to return in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel
M Live Europe
arriott International has launched M Live Europe, its fourth global marketing real-time command centre, based in the company’s London headquarters. The studio will serve as a hub for creating content and generating social engagement, providing opportunity to interact with guests with a personalised approach and participate in one-to-one conversations. Through the development, the company will be able to track trends, global performance, marketing campaigns and brand reputation. “We can now engage with travellers in more regionally and culturally relevant ways that are meaningful to them,” commented Osama Hirzalla, vice president, brand marketing and e-commerce, Europe, Marriott International.
Steigenberger Hotel Köln Welcomes Guests
Steigenberger Hotel Köln
Marriott Introduces M Live Europe
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION Educational Opportunity by Steigenberger
Chania Greets Autograph Collection Hotel
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arriott International’s Autograph Collection Hotels has unveiled its second property in Greece with the launch of Domes Noruz Chania. Situated on the beachfront, the adultonly resort boasts 83 rooms and suites, a spa, restaurant and a roof-top bar, among others. John Licence, brand leader, Europe, Autograph Collection Hotels, said, “As the portfolio grows in Greece, […] we believe that Domes Noruz Chania truly embodies the philosophy of our collection by showcasing unique attributes ensuring that the brand’s offering is nothing short of exceptional.”
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teigenberger Hotels and IST Hochschule für Management (School of Management) have joined forces to offer a bachelor degree in hotel management, in the upcoming winter term. The dual distance learning programme will combine practical company-based vocational training with higher education academic teaching, a tailored style of education which meets the requirements of the hotel industry. Roberto Rojas, vice president, human resources, Steigenberger Hotels, explained, “We set great store by offering our staff the personal and professional support they need in order to become outstanding specialists and managers.”
Domes Noruz Chania
Steigenberger and IST employees
Wyndham Launches Three New Ramada Properties
yndham Hotel Group has unveiled its three newest hotels, located in the UK, Turkey and Ethiopia. Situated at junction 23 on the M25 in Hertforshire, Ramada South Mimms features 75 keys and an Americanstyle diner as well as a number of onsite eateries. Ramada Hotel & Suites Kusadasi, Turkey boasts 143 rooms and suites, five onsite restaurants and entertainment such as themed shows, live music and DJ-hosted parties. In Ethiopia, Ramada Addis Ababa offers a total of 136 superior and deluxe rooms and executive suites, along with facilities for both leisure as well as business travellers.
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OLLÁZS – Brasserie & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest has collaborated with LUMAS Budapest to host rotating art exhibitions. The first selection, Taste of Colors – The Liberation of Art features pieces from the fine art photography gallery’s portfolio and new collections will be introduced regularly to complement the art nouveau style of the restaurant. Eva Wikonkál, gallery owner, LUMAS Budapest, noted, “We are confident [that a] visit to our carefully curated space will inspire and delight both the seasoned and first time collector.”
KOLLÁZS – Brasserie & Bar
Romantik and Telsa Tie Up
A Ramada Hotel & Suites Kusadasi
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round 20 of Romantik Hotels & Resorts International propeties in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain are currently planning to offer guests the facility to charge their Tesla vehicles using a Tesla Wall Connector. “Tesla drivers will soon be able to travel the length and breadth of Germany and other European countries without having to worry about power. The next Romantik Hotel will always be in range,” said Thomas Edelkamp, chairman, Romantik Hotels & Resorts. The company plans to expand the network of Tesla charging stations at its hotels throughout Europe in collaboration with the American car manufacturer.
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NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Choice Hotels Improves Financial Results
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hoice Hotels International posted a net income of USD38.8 million (EUR34.26 million), up 15 percent, and earnings per share of USD0.68 (EUR0.60), a yearon-year growth of 15 percent. A rise of seven percent was evident in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), while revenues climbed four percent to USD241.8 million (EUR213.65 million), boosted by a 4.3 percent improvement in RevPAR and positive changes in occupancy. ”Demand for our brands remains strong and we will continue to invest in programmes designed to drive more reservations through our central channels, improve guest loyalty and improve the value of our brands in an effort to drive incremental business to our franchisees,” explained Stephen Joyce, CEO, Choice Hotels International.
Comfort Hotel Stockholm
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Mixed Performance for European Hotels
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n the second quarter (Q2) of the year, Europe’s accommodation establishments recorded almost flat occupancy, with a modest 0.6 percent year-on-year increase, while average daily rate (ADR) rose to EUR114.33, up 2.7 percent, and RevPAR reached EUR84.49, a growth of 2.7 percent. According to STR, Turkish hotels reported declining figures in Q2 across all three key performance metrics, as occupancy plummeted 23.9 percent to just 51 percent, ADR fell to TRY271.85 (EUR81.39), a drop of 17.2 percent and RevPAR was down 37 percent to TRY138.55 (EUR41.50). Despite hosting the UEFA European Championship, France also experienced decreases in occupancy, ADR and RevPAR. Although it is too early to see the impact of the Brexit vote, the UK witnessed a 0.7 percent growth in occupancy to 78.9 percent, and both ADR and RevPAR showed slight improvements. Italy’s near flat occupancy and yearon-year decreases in ADR and RevPAR, however, were attributed to an especially strong Q2 in 2015.
Moscow Hotels Boost Profit
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ccommodation establishments in the Russian capital witnessed a 10.2 percent increase in profit per room in June, which contributed to a 18.3 percent year-to-date increase in this metric. Based on data compiled by HotStats, whilst the city’s hotels halted the downward trajectory in performance in mid-2015 and year-to-date, they have recorded an 11.4 percent increase in RevPAR. The return to top line growth in the first half of the year has been somewhat assisted by an increasing reliance on demand from online travel agencies. Likewise, revenues from both food and beverage as well as conference and banqueting improved, leading to a double-digit increase in total RevPAR.
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NEWS AIRPORTS
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Gatwick’s Busiest Month on Record London’s Gatwick Airport handled some 4.6 million passengers in July, marking a 6.9 percent yearon-year increase and the hub’s best-ever single month in its 80-year history.
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ong-haul routes contributed significantly to the growth, showing a 23 percent surge compared to the corresponding month in 2015. “Our continued success provides proof of the benefits a two-runway Gatwick would deliver for Britain. Expansion of Gatwick, London’s fastest-growing long-haul gateway, would show London is open for business to the world,” supported Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport, noting that in 2015, the hub welcomed some 41.7 million travellers, thus, the need for further expansion.
EU Flights Boost Glasgow Traffic
Stable Passenger Figures in Brussels
Best Month at a Scottish Airport
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lasgow Airport welcomed 1,018,433 travellers in July, a year-on-year increase of 6.4 percent. The airfield, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, reported a 9.4 percent rise in international visitors and a surge of 16.1 percent in scheduled services from within the European Union. Due to increased capacity on domestic routes operated by easyJet and Flybe, UK traffic rose 1.8 percent. Amanda McMillan, managing director, Glasgow Airport, commented, “Our strong performance this year is a reflection of our continued efforts to enhance existing services and in attracting new routes such as [the recent] inbound Korean Air charter flights […]. Route development continues to be a key priority in driving growth at the airport.”
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n the first half of the year, 721,620 travellers passed through Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), up two percent. The most visited destinations from the Belgian airport included Spain, Italy, France and Morocco, while Mediterranean resorts also proved popular. In September, Ryanair will add new routes to Toulouse, Glasgow as well as Timisoara and Sofia, which are currently served by Wizz Air. Annaba, operated by Jetairfly, will also be included in the airport’s network. Terminal two is due to be completed ahead of schedule at the end of this year and is expected to be operational at the beginning of 2017.
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ore than 1.33 million travellers passed through Edinburgh Airport in July, representing a 9.6 percent surge over the same period in 2015, and the busiest-ever month at a Scottish airfield. For the first six months of the year, passenger levels at the airport rose 10 percent, more than double that of European airports’ average. Compared to 2015, there has been a notable rise in the volume of international visitors due to the launch of a number of new routes over the past months, including itineraries to and from Paris, Lanzarote, Larnaca, Vienna and Helsinki. Gordon Dewar, CEO, Edinburgh Airport, enthused, “The trend of expanding international passengers continues and with a growing proportion of inbound passengers we are helping to drive tourism, economic development and additional job creation in Scotland.”
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Air France to Fly to Accra Air France has announced its new service from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Accra’s Kotoka International Airport.
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ith Air France-KLM currently serving 46 destinations in Africa, the new route strengthens the company’s presence in the region. Frédéric Gagey, CEO, Air France, noted that the expansion of the carrier’s long-haul network to Ghana supports the country’s buoyant economy, led by the development of the oil industry. Starting February 28, 2017, the three-weekly flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Initially, the schedule will be served by an Airbus A330, and from March 27, a Boeing 777-200 will take over.
Finnair Grows Short-haul Network
Flybe Enhances Winter Schedule
Fast-paced Expansion at Wizz Air
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urther expanding its global reach, Finnair is adding four new routes to its schedule. Between April 11 – October 28, 2017, the carrier will fly four times a week from Helsinki to Reykjavik in Iceland, while between June 17 – August 12, 2017, a new weekly service will be introduced to Ibiza. The airline is also increasing capacity in the UK market for the summer 2017 season, as it will continue its Edinburgh route with up to five weekly flights, and as of March 27, 2017, up to nine weekly frequencies will be offered between Finland’s capital and Dublin. Lastly, from late June to early August 2017, Finnair will operate direct flights from Kemi to Chania in Crete as well as to Palma de Mallorca.
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izz Air has launched a number of new flights to a variety of destinations. The low-cost carrier is now serving Split in Croatia two times a week from its Warsaw base, while Vilinius is being connected to Nice with two weekly flights. Varna on the Bulgarian seaside can now be reached from Budapest two times a week, up until September 18, and the airline also offers flights from Suceava International Airport to Milan Bergamo as well as to London Luton, with two and four weekly frequencies, respectively. Wizz air also launched flights from Sofia to Nuremberg, Germany, with two weekly services, and upcoming inaugurations include routes from Vilnius to Bari, Reykjavik and Grenoble in the French Alps.
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s of December 18, Flybe will serve Innsbruck from Manchester once a week, offering travellers the chance to explore the popular Austrian ski destination. The service will run until March 19, 2017. Stephen Turner, commercial director, Manchester Airport, said, “It is great to see Flybe expanding its route network from Manchester this winter. […] Innsbruck is the gateway to some of the best ski resorts in the world. We are sure the route will prove hugely popular with the 22 million people living in our catchment area.”
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NEWS AIR
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Ellinair Connects Crete and Germany
Record Month for Ryanair
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yanair’s traffic grew 12 percent in July to 11.3 million customers, with load factor improving one percent to 96 percent. The statistics released by the airline showed a rolling annual traffic increase to July of 16 percent to 110.7 million customers. According to Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing office, Ryanair, with the record-breaking results, the low-cost carrier has become the first airline in the world to carry 11 million international passengers in a single month. Jacobs partially attributed the strong demand the Ryanair’s fares which were 10 percent lower this summer than in 2015.
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British Airways Partners with China Eastern Airlines
llinair has commenced services between Heraklion and Berlin. The itinerary, which is being offered once a week on Saturdays, offers travellers the chance to explore Crete’s archaeological sites, such as the famous ruins of the Palace of Knossos just 5km south of the city and the Palace of Phaistos overlooking the Messara Plain. History lovers can also visit one of the most important museums in Europe, the Heraklion Archaelogical Museum.
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n a bid to capture a larger share of the booming Chinese market, British Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines, offering customers a simpler booking experience and seamless connections on the carriers’ network. UK-based customers can now book trips to Kunming, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chongqing, while the Asian airline will sell tickets to a variety of UK airports. According to Alex Cruz, CEO, British Airways, the development will generate more opportunities for companies based in these important cities.
easyJet Adds New Swedish Ski Route
Austrian Airlines Grows Middle East Presence
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asyJet has announced its new service from London’s Gatwick Airport to Åre Östersund Airport, due to be inaugurated on December 11. The airline’s first itinerary to Sweden is expected to carry 4,800 passengers during its inaugural winter season, reflecting the growing demand for ski holidays. Neil Slaven, commercial manager, UK, easyJet, commented, “The Åre Östersund area is also famous for both its location to nearby nature as well as winter activities such as horse and dog sleds and snowmobile safaris which make it a fantastic family destination.” The route will be operated by an Airbus A320 on Sundays.
p to 17 weekly flights are now being offered by Austrian Airlines to Iran following the introduction of three-weekly scheduled services to Isfahan. As of summer 2017, the airline plans to introduce an additional frequency to the destination, complementing the existing up to twice daily flights to Tehran. The underlying reason for the expanded flight offering is a new bilateral air transport agreement between Austria and Iran, which could be renegotiated for the first time in 30 years.
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Japan Gives Go-ahead for Iberia
Lapland Linked to London
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apan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has granted an extension of the antitrust immunity to include Iberia in the joint business between Japan Airlines, British Airways and Finnair, allowing the four airlines to cooperate commercially on flights between Europe and Japan. The Spanish carrier is expected to commence services between Madrid and Tokyo on October 18. Luis Gallego, president, Iberia, said, “We are very happy to launch our nonstop flights to Japan as part of this joint business. We want to offer our customers more and better travel options and this will help us do so.” The revenue-sharing agreement is set to further strengthen oneworld and enable it to effectively compete with other global alliances.
Half a Million More Passengers for easyJet
orwegian will start twice-weekly flights between London’s Gatwick Airport and Rovaniemi Airport, as of December 19. Commenting on the new route that will connect travellers to Lapland, Thomas Ramdahl, chief commercial officer, Norwegian said, “It will be much easier for passengers flying from London to visit Santa's home town Rovaniemi, which is an exotic destination for British travellers. And if you are lucky, you can also experience the Northern Lights.”
Air Serbia Codeshares with Montenegro Airlines
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ore than 7.5 million travellers opted for easyJet’s services in July as compared to just over seven million in the corresponding month in 2015. The growth in demand also led to a notable improvement in load factor to 95.8 percent. For the 12-month period up until the end of July, the lowcost carrier served more than 72.3 million passengers, almost five million more than in the same period in 2014/2015, leading to an average seat utilisation rate of 91.7 percent.
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codeshare agreement has been reached between Air Serbia and Montenegro Airlines. In terms of the deal, the Serbian carrier will extend its air links to Montenegro by placing its JU code on its partner’s flights between Belgrade, Podgorica and Tivat, as well as on the the Podgorica – Rome route. On the other hand, Montenegro Airlines will add its YM code on Air Serbia’s flights between Belgrade and 32 destinations, offering passengers convenient options to travel to major gateways, such as Abu Dhabi, New York, Paris or London via Belgrade.
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NEWS AIR
Brussels Airlines Records 5.2 Percent More Seats in July
British Airways Revamps Boeing 747s
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ritish Airways has completed a major makeover of 18 of its iconic Boeing 747s, giving them the look and feel of the airline’s newest aircraft. Each jumbo jet now features a refreshed interior and state-of-theart in-flight entertainment system, as well as extra seats for Club World customers. The revamped Boeings now operate on selected flights to New York, Chicago, Johannesburg, Dubai, Boston, Riyadh, Kuwait, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto as well as Washington, D.C.
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ith a total of 788,491 travellers in July, Brussels Airlines reported a 5.2 percent year-on-year increase in demand, while load factor remained stable at 82.7 percent. Due to the recent launch of its Toronto service, the carrier served 45.6 percent more passengers on flights to North America. The numbers on European itineraries grew 4.1 percent, and statistics showed a 1.9 percent improvement on African routes. The improvements were mainly attributed to increased capacity on existing flights and the introduction of nine new destinations.
Norwegian Experiences Strong Summer Demand
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orwegian carried more than 2.9 million passengers in July, an increase of nine percent compared to July 2015, resulting in a 0.8 percentage point improvement in load factor to 94.6 percent. Revenue per kilometre for the airline rose 15 percent on the back of a 14 percent capacity expansion. The carrier’s fleet renewal programme continues with the delivery of 21 brand new aircraft this year. With an average age of only 3.6 years, Norwegian’s fleet is considered to be one of the world’s greenest and most modern.
Positive July for Austrian Airlines
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ustrian Airlines transported more than 1.2 million passengers in July, up 5.9 percent year-on-year. The flight offering in available seat kilometres grew 6.7 percent to almost 2.5 billion. In the month under study, the airline sold more than 2.1 billion revenue passenger kilometres, an increase of 6.8 percent over 2015. The number of flights operated by the carrier in July rose 5.4 percent to 12,536 services, mainly due to the expanded bilateral flight traffic between Austria and Germany.
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KLM Upgrades Cabins
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LM Royal Dutch Airlines has embarked on a modernisation project to refresh the interior of the carrier’s business class cabins on all of its Airbus A330s. Available for passengers from early 2018, the enhanced offering will include full-flat seats for maximum comfort, a 12-language in-flight entertainment system and a 3D flight-tracking system. The cabins on the airline’s Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 747400 fleets have already been refitted, while work on the Boeing 777-300s are expected to be completed in June 2017.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
TUI JOIN FORCES WITH BOEING AND NASA
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ABTA MAKING HOLIDAYS GREENER
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he Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) celebrated a successful Make Holidays Greener month which saw almost 2,000 people collecting over 6,000kg of rubbish, double the amount recorded in 2015. As part of the initiative, 125 beach cleans were organised in 23 countries with the involvement of 68 Travelife-certified hotels. Make Holidays Greener programme also encouraged the travelling public to plan more environmentally-friendly vacations and as a result over 700 greener holiday pledges were collected. Nikki White, director, destinations and sustainability, ABTA, said, “It is fantastic to see so many people taking part in a beach clean and showing that they care about their environment. Cleaner, greener beaches are good for tourism […].”
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UI Group partnered with Boeing and NASA on their ecoDemonstrator 757 programme, an initiative where an aircraft was specifically built to test emerging innovations aimed at reducing carbon emissions and noise in commercial
aviation. In the framework of the project 15 different technologies were trialled, with two of those being used to reduce drag. After six months of testing and 183 flights the outcome was a rudder 20 percent more efficient and 40 percent less soiling from insects. The 757 was then dismantled with 90 percent of parts able to be reused or recycled.
AIR SERBIA: TENNIS INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN
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ir Serbia has launched a campaign to offer tennis coaching sessions to children in Belgrade. Until October, over 400 youngsters under the age of 10 will have had the opportunity to be coached by professionals from the Tennis Federation of Serbia. Siniša Mali, chairman, supervisory board, Air Serbia, commented “I believe that through this programme our youth will spend quality time on the courts, use and develop their potential.” To celebrate the sport and one of its best known competitors, the carrier has also named an Airbus A319 after the Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic.
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ritish Airways and Ancestry played a very special part in an emotional reunion between three sisters who met in person for the first time aboard a flight from Austin, Texas to London. The two organisations heard about the family’s story, where they had been separated through adoption, and agreed to try and re-unite the sisters face-to-face in the UK capital, but the meeting came earlier than expected as the airline invited one of the siblings out to Texas to surprise her half-sisters, on their flight to London’s Heathrow Airport. Sara Dunham, head of marketing, retail and direct, British Airways, said, “Flying is not just about getting from one place to another, it is about the magic of bringing people together to create memories.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
NEW PROGRAMME TO REDUCE HOTEL FOOD WASTE
ABTA SUPPORTS GAP YEAR STUDENTS
Machu Picchu, Peru
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earing in mind the growing numbers of UK students taking a gap year, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) released a list of the top ranking destinations, in an effort to advise teenagers to plan their selections carefully. Several ABTA members specialising in gap year travel have reported a 20 percent boost over the last 12-month period in bookings to Australasia, southeast Asia, the US and South America, with the current top five destinations being Australia, Thailand, US, Peru and Vietnam.
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n an effort to reduce carbon emissions associated with food production and transportation, a consortium comprising of the Travel Foundation, Waste and Resources Action Programme and Sustainable Travel International are looking for properties and destinations to take part in a project aimed at cutting food waste in hotels by 20 percent across five locations around the world. The three- to five-year initiative targets the development of a model for the minimisation of surplus food which can be adapted and replicated elsewhere.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES’ BIT FOR CHARITY
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arnival Cruise Line and its parent company, Carnival Corporation, are giving a total of USD250,000 to charitable organisations to support their efforts and help those affected by the Louisiana floods. The cruise line is donating USD125,000 and the corporation matching that amount through its Carnival Foundation charitable arm. Recipients include the American Red Cross, Louisiana Association of United Ways and Save the Children. In addition, guests sailing on cruises operated by the company from New Orleans also have the option to donate.
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he UK and Ireland branch of TUI Group announced plans to deliver more than 2,000 new apprenticeships by 2020, offering qualifications in vocations such as engineering, IT, retail as well as customer
service. In partnership with City & Guilds’ industry skills board, the travel company has been hailed as the first to pledge to develop a new pilot trainee scheme which will transform the funding system, making the career more accessible for aspiring pilots. The commitment comes ahead of the 2017 implementation of the apprenticeship levy which requires employers with a pay bill over GBP3 million (EUR3.5 million) to invest in young people.
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 20 – 23 www.iftm.fr Reed Expositions France puts together a happening that over the years has become a multitarget market show for all travel types.
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Minsk to Host TEART
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he sixth edition of the International Theater Forum (TEART) will be held in Minsk between September 28 – October 20. This year, the event will showcase 22 performances of various genres and forms from nine countries, including Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, France and Switzerland. The schedule of the festival consists of three sections; international programmes, Belarus Open and additional performances.
UNWTO Throws Spotlight on Wine Tourism
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he World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with the Georgian National Tourism Administration, held the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the Kakheti wine region of Georgia earlier this month. As Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, noted, wine tourism is a growing segment with immense opportunities to diversify demand. To foster the development of this niche sector, the organisation launched the UNWTO Gastronomy Network over a year ago. In addition, UNWTO is currently developing a Wine Tourism Prototype in Spain, which includes an analysis of wine tourism, in comparison with other tourism segments, and the design of an innovative product development model.
Moscow MedShow Coming Up
MOSCOW MED SHOW Moscow, Russia September 30 – October 01 www.medshow.ru A professional event with a highly targeted promotional campaign which brings clinics and medical tourism providers into direct contact with potential patients.
UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKET (UITM) Kiev, Ukraine October 05 – 07 www.ukraine-itm.com.ua Tour operators and travel agencies, various seminars and conferences make the annual programme a must-attend event.
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he business-to-consumer Moscow MedShow will be held between September 30 – October 01, giving international suppliers the opportunity to promote their services to potential Russian patients. The number of Russians who actively sought medical therapy abroad rose 47 percent in 2015 and every year, an estimated 70,000 people from the country head overseas for health reasons, spending over USD1.4 billion (EUR1.26 billion). Attendees at the show will include medical holiday package providers, specialised hospitals and clinics, treatment centres, spa and health resorts as well as centres offering cosmetic surgery and rehabilitation.
Grodno – Druskininkai Marathon Receives Global Promotion
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ailed as Europe’s only cross-border marathon, the 2017 Grodno – Druskininkai marathon of friendship will be presented at some of the world’s leading races, including in Moscow and Warsaw. Due to the rising popularity of the event and in a bid to expand the geography of participants, French and Italian options will be added to the website, bringing the total number of languages to seven. It is expected that some 200 athletes will take part in the longdistance running competition which, in 2017, will start in Grodno.
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