25 MAY 2017 ISSUE 59
10 GENERAL
08 DUBLIN TO HOST VELO-CITY 2019
MALTA’S CRUISE INDUSTRY DOUBLE
13 06 Agents AMSTERDAM GETS A TASTE OF HYATT
14 Airports 20 Travel Talk
MARKET UPDATE
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Munich Airport’s Strong Gains
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel SENIOR JOURNALIST Ellen Petty JOURNALIST Maria Sabova
Munich Airport
CONTRIBUTORS Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou Dominique Christou 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
Munich Airport recorded a year-on-year increase of more than five percent in both passenger traffic and aircraft movements in the first quarter of this year, demonstrating its dynamic growth.
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he airport handled a record 9.4 million passengers during the period under review. The gateway also saw some 93,000 take-offs and landings and reported an eight percent yearon-year rise in total airfreight turnover. Higher passenger figures at the hub mainly reflected the surge in continental traffic, with European flights accounting for around 5.5 million travellers, up seven percent over 2016. Meanwhile, the US, domestic destinations as well as the Near and Far East also saw a boost in passenger numbers, up seven percent, five percent and eight percent, respectively.
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For Austrian Airlines, the first quarter (Q1) of this year marked a positive growth in passenger volume with some 2.2 million passengers carried between January and March, a 6.6 percent increase over the same period in 2016.
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he airline also saw a 3.3 percent year-on-year rise in available seat kilometers, to more than five billion during the period under review. This growth is credited to the expanded bilateral flight traffic between Austria and Germany. On the other hand, Q1 registered lower passenger load factor falling 2.6 percentage points to 68.5 percent over the corresponding period in 2016, along with a slight 0.5 percent decrease in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), to 3.5 billion RPK.
25 MAY 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE
Hotstats has released UK Chain Hotels Market Review February 2017, which revealed record performance in the West Midlands and growing momentum in Glasgow despite declining parameters for properties near Heathrow Airport
Profit Declines at Heathrow Hotels
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ven though Heathrow Airport recorded its best ever February, profit per room at nearby hotels fell 4.3 percent due to a 0.2 percent decrease in RevPAR to GBP57.21 (EUR67.03) in February. This was driven by a 1.7 percentage point drop in occupancy and came despite a two percentage point jump in achieved average room rate. While hotels in the area achieved rate growth in leisure and group leisure, up 3.1 percent and 10 percent, respectively, the volume of both sectors fell. Furthermore, thanks to a 2.1 percent year-on-year rise in food and beverage revenue, properties revealed a 0.3 percent growth in revenue.
Glasgow
Promising Start to the Year in Glasgow
Record Occupancy in West Midlands Properties
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oteliers in the West Midlands achieved top line performance as occupancy in February soared beyond previous levels. However, this has been at the expense of a 10.4 percent increase in rooms costs of sales to 10.5 percent of rooms revenue. Additionally, a 5.1 percent increase in rooms payroll per available room resulted in rooms profit conversion at hotels fall 0.6 percentage points to 67.7 percent of rooms revenue. This came in the face of a 3.9 percent increase in RevPAR compared to February 2016. Moreover, properties saw healthy growth in non-rooms revenue which contributed to a 3.3 percent year-on-year surge in total RevPAR and a 4.8 percent boost in gross operating profit per room.
25 MAY 2017
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ollowing two years of declining profit, addresses in Glasgow recorded two consecutive months of profit growth. Overall, the addition of some 880 keys to the market since 2014, 73 percent of which are within the budget segment, has put pressure on achieved average room rate in the 12 months to February, which stood at GBP81.20 (EUR95.18). During the month under review, properties revealed a 7.7 percent yearon-year boost in RevPAR, alongside a 6.2 percent rise in profit per room in the first two months of the year to GBP20.83 (EUR24.42). Meanwhile, in January and February, both payroll and overheads rose, up 4.7 percent and 3.8 percent, correspondingly.
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Silversea Unveils Ultra-Luxury Vessel
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uilt by Fincantieri and able to accommodate 596 passengers in spacious suites, the vessel is expected to redefine the ultra-luxury ocean travel experience while maintaining the intimacy of a small ship. Guests can enjoy eight dining outlets, among other features, and benefit from innovative designs offering higher comfort. Roberto Martinoli, CEO, Silversea Cruises, said, “Today marks another milestone for Silversea, our guests and our colleagues [...]. The attention to detail throughout the ship is a reflection of our dedication, in conjunction with Fincantieri, to offer the ultimate luxury experience at sea.”
AmaWaterways Celebrates 15 Years with AmaKristina
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maWaterways announced the inaugural voyage of its 19th ship, AmaKristina, named after the company’s co-owner, Kristin Karst, coinciding with the liner’s 15th anniversary. The ship left Amsterdam on April 01 and concluded its maiden voyage in Basel on April 08. Able to accommodate 158 guests, the vessel also features connecting cabins and triple occupancy staterooms that are tailored specifically to the growing multigenerational family and group markets. “The arrival of [the new] ship notably represents 15 years of inspired design and innovation, our guests will love the luxurious amenities and spaciousness and style of the public areas and staterooms as they experience Europe’s finest river cruise destinations,” said Rudi Schreiner, co-owner, AmaWaterways.
Silver Muse
Silversea Cruises recently presented Silver Muse during a ceremony in Genoa Sestri Ponente.
Oceania Cruises is Now Vegan-Friendly
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ceania Cruises is taking its culinary offerings further by introducing an expansive vegan menu boasting some 250 dishes, along with a debut of a cold-pressed raw juice and smoothie bar at the sea. The designated bars are now available on board Marina and Riviera while the vegan menu is offered fleet-wide on the brand’s six ships. Bob Binder, CEO, Oceania Cruises, noted, "We are delighted [...] to please an even wider array of palates and offer our guests more diverse choices to suit today's wellness-focussed lifestyles. Whether guests are looking for a healthy and invigorating start to their day or a refreshing and rejuvenating mid-day pick-up, the raw juice and smoothie bar has something to delight every palate."
AmaKristina
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fter a challenging period for Paris with declining tourist arrivals, the last weeks of 2016 and the beginning of this year have put the destination back on track with positive visitor numbers. December 2016 saw hotel guests in the metropolis increase 19.5 percent year-on-year, with a 28 percent jump in international tourists. The upward trajectory continued throughout January, with hotel check-ins up 20.1 percent year-on-year, the best January for a decade. The recovery has also been reinforced with increased hotel occupancy rates in the first months of this year and a boost in airline bookings to the destination.
Lithuania among Top 10 EU Destinations In 2016, Lithuania saw record growth in inbound tourism with a 10.9 percent surge in arrivals, exceeding the European Union (EU) average 2.7 times and placing the country in seventh place among the most popular tourist destinations in the EU.
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verall, the EU welcomed half billion visitors in 2016, a four percent rise over 2015 and maintained its upward trajectory of inbound tourism growth for the seventh consecutive year. The leader in achieving the fastest growing inbound tourism was Cyprus with a jump of 20.1 percent, followed by Slovakia, Bulgaria and Portugal, with increases of 18 percent, 13.5 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively.
ABTA Calls for Smooth Brexit Transitions
GBTA Convention Marks Record Registrations
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n a new report titled Making a Success of Brexit for Travel and Tourism, Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has set out five priorities in time for the Brexit negotiations. The report outlines both concerns and opportunities for the travel industry and UK travellers, calling on the government to maintain the ability to travel freely within Europe and beyond, keep visa-free travel between the UK and the European Union (EU), protect valuable consumer rights, give UK businesses operational stability and seize opportunities for growth. In 2015, UK residents made 37 million trips to EU countries, while the UK welcomed 16 million EU visitors.
Lithuania
Sharp Recovery of Paris Tourism
he Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has announced that more than 1,000 business travel buyers have already enrolled for the GBTA Convention 2017, reaching a milestone in the early number of registrants for the show scheduled on July 15 – 19 in Boston. Held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the fair is expected to gather some 7,000 business travel professionals from more than 50 countries across the globe, sharing opportunities for professional development. Christle Johnson, president, GBTA, summarised, “[...] We continue to raise the bar each year at the convention with top notch speakers, education and networking. Convention energises the travel industry by bringing together buyers and suppliers to get business done."
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Surge of Sustainable Holidays
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he report, linked to the group’s strategy Better Holidays, Better World, further unveiled that in 2016, holidaymakers participated in 846,000 TUI Collection excursions focussed on sustainable tourism, indicating that responsible travelling has shifted to the mainstream. In line with this approach, TUI Care Foundation also raised EUR6.6 million for research and beneficial projects in holiday destinations. Friedrich Joussen, CEO, TUI Group, commented, “For many people in the world, tourism is the key to a more prosperous life. As the leading tourism group worldwide it is our responsibility to strengthen the positive effects of tourism [...].”
Monarch Showcased Maintenance Hanger
TUI Group
TUI Group revealed findings of its sustainability report showing that in 2016 travellers booked 6.3 million greener holidays in 1,170 establishments with sustainability standard certification.
dnata Enhances Cargo Services
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nata Netherlands has added two temperature controlled cargo dollies, specially designed to serve the pharmaceutical industry, thus offering what is said to be the first closed temperature controlled system at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. For the seamless delivery of temperature-sensitive goods from the warehouse to the aircraft, the dollies are powered with a solar cell system that contributes to ISO 14001 as an environmentally sustainable process. They will be operated by dnata’s special ramp team and used for temperature controlled cargo transport from the dnata Pharma Centre to the gates where aircrafts are handled and remain under strict control until the units are loaded on to the aircraft.
dnata’s new temperature controlled dollies
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n April, Monarch took 14 travel agents on a fully guided tour of its state-of-the-art engineering facility at Birmingham Airport which serves the carrier’s fleet as well as the aircraft of a number of other airlines. The representatives of UK-based independent travel agencies from around the Midlands, including apprentices, homeworkers and business owners, were led by Simon Garrido, head, trade sales, Monarch, alongside the airline’s national account managers and newly-appointed business development executives. In addition to inspecting Monarch Aircraft Engineering’s state-of-the-art facility, agents were taken on board the company’s aircraft to observe the maintenance in action.
Monarch Aircraft Engineering
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Dublin to Host Velo-city 2019
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ublin has been named as the host of Velo-city, an international cycling conference series, to be held on June 25 – 28, 2019 at The Convention Centre Dublin. Organised by the European Cyclists’ Federation, the annual summit welcomes experts, policy-makers and social agents as well as representatives of various institutions, with the aim of discussing how to improve policies, planning and provision of infrastructure for cycling and the daily use of bicycles in urban environments. Dublin previously hosted Velo-city in 2005 and is the first city in the world to be awarded the conference twice. The upcoming event will be themed Cycling for the Ages, promoting the health, environmental, social and economic benefits of cycling for all.
Sustainable UNWTO Conference Held in Krakow
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Krakow
n April 27 – 28, Krakow hosted the 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, an event dedicated to sustainable and responsible tourism. Championed by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and European Commission, the conference, part of the Enhancing the Understanding of European Tourism project, aimed to demonstrate and explore ways in which tourism can harness the principles of sustainability, shared responsibility and accountability of all stakeholders in developing tourism infrastructure, products and services. Some of the topics discussed included the development of strategic policy frameworks and models of governance, as well as innovative and multi-stakeholder management models for the development of a more responsible and inclusive tourism sector.
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Malta’s Cruise Industry Double Malta
Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) welcomed positive cruise industry results for the first quarter of this year, showing the number of cruise passengers doubled, which amounted to 85,215 travellers, 45,840 more than the same period in 2016.
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he significant growth, recorded in both European (EU) and non-EU source markets, is attributed to the introduction of new vessels operating to Malta by various companies, resulting in 17 more calls than in 2016. Paul Bugeja, CEO, MTA, stated, “MTA [...] firmly believes that by working hand in hand with the ministry, Valletta Cruise port and industry stakeholders, we can do even better in the future, [...] with the ultimate objective of aiming to serve an even better experience to all visitors [...]”
Hertz Launches Carbon Offset Programme
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ertz has partnered with TerraPass, a carbon offset provider, to administer a new emission reduction project that provides corporate customers worldwide with the opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the vehicle rentals. The initiative allows customers to purchase carbon offsets, representing the reduction of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, to neutralise the environmental impact. Through the partnership, the car rental company is able to provide timely and accurate carbon emission reports to its clients. “At Hertz, we recognise our obligation to help ensure the long-term health of our planet. We are proud to implement this programme, which complements our ongoing efforts to reduce our impact through numerous corporate responsibility initiatives,” said, Bob Stuart, executive vice president, global sales, Hertz.
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Latvia to Create Music Sanctuary
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atvia’s coastal town Salacgrīva invites music lovers to the 11th edition of its annual summer music festival Positivus, held on July 14 – 16, offering a fusion of music genres through a rich line-up of local and international bands. Surrounded by idyllic forests and well-known for its relaxing atmosphere, the destination turns into a three-day long music retreat, enjoyed especially by young people. This year, few renowned international artists have already confirmed their participation, such as The Lumineers, Maximo Park and Ellie Goulding, among others. The acts will be complemented by local quality bands, art exhibitions, dance performances and healthy catering.
Silk Road Action Plan in Progress
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he 7th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Silk Road Task Force meeting was recently held in Valencia, whereby representatives from 24 countries discussed the adaptation of Silk Road in the globalised tourism age. The event addressed the three pillars of the action plan, namely, marketing promotion, destination management and capacity building as well as travel facilitation. The subsequent First Western Silk Road Workshop, was held in Greece on April 26 – 27, while Greece and Bulgaria expressed an interest in hosting the second event aimed at reviving Silk Road heritage located across Europe. The meeting demonstrated Valencia’s ongoing support in promoting Silk Road since Spain’s inclusion in the UNWTO Silk Road Programme in 2015.
Dooley Joins Enterprise Rent-A-Car
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nterprise Rent-A-Car Ireland has completed the acquisition of Dooley Car Rentals, thus bolstering its fleet to more than 1,400 vehicles and increasing inbound business from the US. Dooley Car Rentals is now a part of Enterprise Holdings, which together with its subsidiaries and independent franchisees, operates in 85 countries. Pat Dooley, CEO, Dan Dooley Group, said, “We have made significant investment in the Dooley Car Rental business and brand, and the sale of the business to Enterprise Rent-A-Car will ensure that the investment continues in the future [...]. Enterprise’s ability to invest in growing the new business will also present opportunities for Dooley employees within a global corporation.”
25 MAY 2017
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AccorHotels to Pioneer Low Carbon Property
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s the founding member of a French association committed to low carbon buildings, the hotelier will roll out the project through its property division HOTELINVEST, which will implement innovative energy and digital architecture to adjust the construction processes and prove that energy transition is now accessible. The company’s new hospitality concept flagship in Paris will boast 569 keys, a bar restaurant, large indoor garden and green terraces along with engaging indoor and outdoor social spaces.
Rendering of JO&JOE Paris
AccorHotels is taking its sustainable development further by launching the first low carbon building-labelled hotel, JO&JOE Paris, scheduled to open in the second half of 2018.
Marseille Will Be Home to nhow
Iconic Palace Hotel Open for Events
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Palace Hotel
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art of The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the historic Palace Hotel welcomed the first private event on March 03, following the early completion of its extensive renovation. Equipped with the latest technology, the Swiss address features a 2,200m² conference centre, able to accommodate up to 800 attendees, and includes 31 meeting rooms along with a spacious ballroom for 500 guests, among other spaces. The refurbished property, conceived with conferences and events in mind, is in high demand, with the list of enquiries already extended to 2020. Construction work on the other hotels and facilities is proceeding as planned, and the resort is slated to fully open this summer.
H Hotel Group has sealed a management deal with Société Hôtelière du Palm Beach to operate Hotel Pullman Marseille Palm Beach under its NH Hotel brand until October 01, when the premise will close to undergo a complete refurbishment before its relaunch as a nhow-branded address. Led by Marseille-based architects Claire Fatosme & Christian Lefèvre as well as Teresa Sapey Studio in Madrid, the company will reopen the property in the second quarter of 2018, after which it will boast 150 keys, 15 meeting rooms with capacity to host 300 delegates, a unique swimming pool along with a large terrace, bar and Mediterranean restaurant.
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Romantik Reveals Triple Expansion
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Romantik Hotel im Wasserturm
Marbella Puerto Banus
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Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, announced the signing of W Marbella and The Residences at W Marbella, slated to open in 2021 and developed in partnership with Sunrise Inversiones 2015. Located on the coast of Playa Real de Zaragoza, the property will feature 200 rooms, including 26 suites, along with the brand’s signature amenities. Business guests can take advantage of five meeting rooms along with a covered terrace, measuring more than 9290m2, suitable for outdoor parties and events. Furthermore, the hotel will boast its very own Beach Club which is scheduled to open ahead of the hotel’s launch, in time for the summer 2018 season.
omantik Hotels has enhanced its network of addresses in world heritage cities, with the addition of properties in Bruges, as well as in German destinations, Trier and Cologne. Targeting historic locations, the chain has welcomed Romantik Hotel de Orangerie in Bruges, a medieval property reflecting times gone by whilst meeting the highest contemporary standards. Meanwhile, Romantik Hotel Zur Glocke in Trier, reopened in 2016 after extensive refurbishments and boasts uniquely designed spacious rooms with views of the cathedral, while five-star Romantik Hotel im Wasserturm in Cologne, housed in what was once Europe’s largest water tower, now features, among others, a Michelin-star restaurant Himmel un Äd.
Toscana Resort Castelfalfi
TUI BLUE Sets Foot in Tuscany
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UI BLUE, part of TUI Group, has recently opened Il Castelfalfi - TUI BLUE SELECTION, a five-star property in central Italy. Surrounded by stunning countryside in the heart of Tuscany, the property features 112 rooms and eight suites, influenced by the local style, along with a 1,000m2 spa and authentic gourmet cuisine. The address is set within Toscana Resort Castelfalfi which boasts a golf course, a vineyard as well as its own high-quality winery and olive oil production facilities. The brand, first launched just a year ago, has now expanded its portfolio to six hotels in five countries.
25 MAY 2017
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Rendering of Hyatt Regency Amsterdam
Amsterdam Gets a Taste of Hyatt
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yatt Regency Amsterdam recently opened its doors to guests, the third Hyatt-branded hotel in the Netherlands, joining Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht and Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport. The design of the 211-key property was influenced by the capital’s green spaces and blends history with modern lifestyle. The address features more than 517m2 of flexible event spaces, along with health and wellness facilities and a Dutch-Indonesian fusion restaurant. “The opening of Hyatt Regency Amsterdam marks a significant milestone for the Hyatt Regency brand as it continues to expand its footprint throughout Europe,” said, Peter Fulton, group president, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Hyatt. He elaborated, “The hotel is an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers visiting Amsterdam [...].”
Oddfellows On The Park Opened its Doors
25 MAY 2017
Oddfellows On The Park
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ocated in the vast grounds of Bruntwood Park, one of Greater Manchester’s largest green public spaces, Oddfellows On The Park has recently welcomed its first guests, offering an ideal destination for outdoor activities. The 22-key address, member of Design Hotels, is born from a renovation of Bruntwood Hall, and appears to be the archetypal English manor house idyll surrounded by mature oak trees, ponds, and woodlands, yet the quirky interior also captures the local creative spirit. All of its rooms and suites boast original features, such as exposed beams and fireplaces, with modern splashes of colour. Its location, just 15km from the centre of Manchester, makes it a gateway to one of the UK’s most exciting arts and music scenes.
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New Links from Warsaw Warsaw Chopin Airport is welcoming 12 new services, as six established airlines operating from the Polish hub introduce new connections as part of their summer schedules.
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Warsaw Chopin Airport
OT Polish Airlines is launching flights to Los Angeles, Newark, Astana, Podgorica, Pula, along with Kiev. Meanwhile, Wizz Air is offering flights to Billund, Santander, Bratislava, Lyons and Lamezia Terme. All in all, the airport will offer 117 routes in the peak months, with additional services to existing destinations. This includes the launch of Ryanair flights to Szczecin, along with Wizz Air itineraries to Bucharest, Nice, Vilnius and Kiev.
Amsterdam Schiphol’s Interim Expansion
Prague Airport to Meet Increased Demands
Václav Havel Airport Prague
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áclav Havel Airport Prague plans to invest in key projects, including the extension of Terminal 2, and the construction of a new parallel runway totalling CZK27 billion (EUR1 billion). The hub published its decadelong vision of development on the occasion of its 80th anniversary of operations. Plans include the development of terminals, surrounding land and adjacent areas for aircraft, increased capacity of the runway system alongside changes to the public areas. On completion, the gateway will be set to handle 21 million passengers a year, in line with current forecasts projecting the volume of air transport in Europe to double over the next 20 years.
Edinburgh Airport Loaned its Fire Fighters
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temporary departure hall has officially opened at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to serve growing travelling demand over the period of three years. The new facility, boosting the hub’s checkin and security capacity, is expected to see some two million passengers annually and responds to the 17 percent year-on-year increase in Schengen passengers in 2016. Pinpointing that the construction of the hall took just little more than six months, Jos Nijhuis, CEO, Royal Schiphol Group, commented, “Our challenge for the coming years is to keep quality and capacity at the requisite level. This is why we have begun creating extra capacity for the long-term, for instance by building a new pier and terminal. “
s a long-time supporter of International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA) of Scotland, Edinburgh Airport shared the expertise of its fire and rescue service team to assist in the training of fire fighters from Mexico, Paraguay and Argentina. The hub has been sponsoring IFRA since 2004 and has contributed in supplying the equipment along with aiding the current firefighting courses. David Kay, director, IFRA, highlighted the vital role of training the foreign fire forces with the modern available equipment, which is possible thanks to the support of the organisations, such as the airport.
25 MAY 2017
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Charge and Fly at Stockholm Hub
Emirates Delivered a Football Special
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n partnership with AC Milan football team, Emirates surprised passengers at Milano Malpensa Airport with the unveiling of an Airbus A380 adorned with a unique AC Milan livery. On the occasion, some of the team’s top players caught the attention of unsuspecting travellers with the introduction of the iconic aircraft, which landed in Milan for the first time. Following the ceremory, the jet, which will boast the design until August, then continued its journey to New York on the nonstop service from the Spanish hub. Going forward, it will continue to operate to the 47 destinations currently served by the Emirates A380 around the world such as Guangzhou, Hong Kong, São Paulo, Shanghai and Sydney.
Q1 Results for Charleroi Airport as Expected
AC Milan
n a bid to further limit carbon dioxide emissions, Stockholm Arlanda Airport has installed charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles in its Sky City garage. The additional stations, available on the lower floor of the parking facility, provide sustainable electricity from renewable resources and are free of charge. The number of charging posts at the gateway now stands at nearly 100, a clear demonstration of the Stockholm Arlanda Airport’s commitment to ecofriendly practices. The hub handles some 23.2 million passengers each year, including 5.1 million domestic travellers.
Boryspil Airport Celebrated Historic Results
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uring the first quarter (Q1) of this year, Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) served 1,523,649 travellers, a one percent year-on-year decrease in the overall number of passengers. While January ended with a seven percent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, February and March recorded declines in this measure, down one percent and seven percent, respectively. Overall, the average load factor for aircraft using the hub remained constant at around 85 percent. Putting the results into perspective and focussing on a long-term vision for the business, Jean-Jacques Cloquet, CEO, BSCA, said, “2016 was a difficult year but it showed the potential that we have and what we can achieve through hard work and determination. [...]”
n the first quarter (Q1) of this year, Boryspil International Airport handled two million passengers, a 32 percent jump over the same period in 2016. The positive figure follows 2016’s success, when the hub handled a record-breaking 8.65 million travellers, representing extra 1.37 million passengers over 2015. The promising performance in 2016 and this year so far, is attributed to rising numbers of transfer passengers, which soared 49 percent in Q1 compared to 2016. "The results of the Q1 are the confirmation of the effective airport strategy. We have to fully unleash the potential of the airport and this year we will be able to attract more than 10 million passengers", enthused Pavlo Riabikin, CEO, Boryspil Airport State Enterprise.
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UIA Connects Kiev and Kherson
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) recently commenced its inaugural domestic route from Boryspil International Airport to Kherson International Airport, the ninth regional destination served from the capital.
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he daily service is operated with Embraer 145 and Embraer 190 aircrafts with two-class cabin configuration. Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA, commented, “We are very pleased to have another regional airport connected to our network. After [...] air traffic to Simferopol terminated, we faced the challenge of providing the residents of the southern part of our country with an alternative departure airport and connect the new route with the entire UIA international network. We hope the flight will be much in demand during the summer season.”
Flybe is Ready for Winter
Brussels Airlines and Thomas Cook Team Up
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lybe has announced its 2017-2018 winter programme, extending its network to 2,680 weekly flights on 121 key routes, with 3.62 million seats on offer. The schedules, set for travel between October 29 and February 28, 2018, include ski and winter sun destinations as well as brand new routes, such as multi-frequency services from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to Heathrow Airport, and weekly flights from Cardiff to Rome. Christine Ourmieres-Widener, CEO, Flybe, commented on the new schedule, “This will be our first season of our plans to optimise and standardise our route network with a renewed focus. As such, we are pleased to have maintained a comprehensive range and diversity of winter destinations for our customers. [...]”.
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russels Airlines has become the leading carrier for Thomas Cook Belgium, as the two organisations widen their existing partnership. According to the agreement, the carrier will fly the majority of Thomas Cook‘s customers, offering them a broader choice of destinations, flights and departure days. Meanwhile, Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium will transfer all 160 pilots and cabin crew, all flight slots and two aircrafts to Brussels Airlines. Bernard Gustin, CEO, Brussels Airlines, commented, “The combination of Brussels Airlines’ network and expertise with Thomas Cook’s holiday business will further improve the customer offer of Brussels Airlines. [...] We feel very optimistic about the opportunities for further expansion as we grow our business to the benefit of both customers and the Belgian economy.”
25 MAY 2017
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SWISS to Relaunch London – Sion Flights
Successful March for easyJet
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WISS International Air Lines (SWISS) is to reintroduce a direct service between London and Sion for the 2017-2018 winter season, set to be operated on its behalf by Helvetic Airways. The decision to offer the service again came in response to the demand among UK-based winter sports enthusiasts for direct services to the popular winter destination. Operated with Embraer 190 aircraft, which features 112 passenger seats, the flight will take two hours and is already available for bookings. Switzerland’s national carrier now serves over 100 destinations in 43 countries from Zurich and Geneva, carrying some 16.5 million passengers annually with its fleet of 91 aircraft.
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n March, easyJet achieved positive performance, generating a 10.6 percent year-on-year growth in passenger traffic. During the month under review, the carrier served a total of 6,334,753 passengers, compared to 5,728,114 passengers carried in the same month in 2016. Furthermore, load factor stood at 92.7 percent, an increase of 1.4 percentage points over March 2016. In the 12 months to March, the airline generated a 7.3 percent rise in passenger traffic reaching 75,933,672. Load factor during the 12 month period reached 91.7 percent, a slight growth of 0.2 percentage points.
Premium economy seating class
Iberia Revamps Economy Class
25 MAY 2017
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beria has presented the first aircraft with new premium economy seating class, available onboard five Airbus A340-600s this summer. The first jets featuring the upgraded class will take-off in May on the routes to and from Chicago, New York and Bogota, followed by additional summer services. Passengers opting for the new economy class will enjoy more space and additional comfort, improved entertainment, exclusive service, extra luggage allowance and priority handling. Marco Sansavini, chief commercial officer, Iberia, commented, “For us this aircraft shows how an exciting project takes shape. We are certain that in Europe, as well as in the US, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and so on, there are customers willing to pay a little more to fly more comfortably.”
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Air Malta Takes-Off to Tel Aviv
Finavia Separated Air Navigation Services
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inavia has announced that its air navigation services have been incorporated into its own entity named Air Navigation Services Finland (ANS Finland) and under the ownership steering of the Finland’s Ministry of Traffic and Communications. The new company is responsible for en-route services, such as airspace management, aeronautical search and rescue and air traffic flow management, along with aerodrome and approach control services for 22 airports across Finland. “Our aim is to provide competitive and cost efficient air traffic services in Finland. Separation of the airport company and the air navigation company clarifies the structures for producing air traffic services [...]. This arrangement gives us better possibilities of strengthening Finland’s strong position in the international development of air traffic,” said Raine Luojus, CEO, ANS Finland.
Helsinki Airport
Tel Aviv
xpanding its connectivity to the Middle East, Air Malta now offers a scheduled service from Malta International Airport to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, with up to three weekly flights to operate during the summer season. Paul Sies, chief commercial officer, Air Malta, explained, that following on its precedent charter service to Israel in collaboration with tour operators, the decision came as a result of mature market, now enabling the carrier to provide a regular scheduled service to the destination. The itinerary is served on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays during the summer season.
Turkish Airlines Adds 297th Destination
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n line with Turkish Airlines’ global expansion strategy, the carrier has inaugurated its new service from Istanbul to Kharkiv. Flights to Ukraine’s second largest city are currently being operated four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The frequency is set to increase to seven times per week from May 30. The Turkish national carrier operates in 120 countries across the world and the latest addition to its network is its 297th destination.
Austrian Airlines Initiates Flight to Los Angeles
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s a part of its summer schedule, Austrian Airlines added Los Angeles to its US portfolio, offering up to six flights a week between Vienna International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. The addition of the new direct flight will act as a driving force for the further development of tourism in both countries, with the American visitors accounting for Vienna’s biggest distant market, particularly for leisure and congress segments. The carrier’s first West Coast itinerary brings the total number of US destinations served by the airline to six, with 37 weekly services.
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NEWS AIR
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TAP Portugal Boosts African Network
airBaltic Enhances Summer Links
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AP Portugal has announced the launch of its upcoming route to Lomé in Togo, due to commence on July 17, with four times weekly services. The flights between Lisbon and Lomé will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with an Airbus A320 aircraft, which has seating capacity for 165 passengers. With this destination, the carrier will serve 16 cities in 11 African countries. The airline also recently announced new services to Toronto, Stuttgart, Gran Canaria, Alicante, Bucharest, Budapest, Cologne and Abidjan.
Riga
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n order to meet growing demand, airBaltic increased its summer flight schedule with the addition of a number of popular destinations, linking the Baltic region to prominent summer vacation spots. Having commenced on March 26, the carrier added Geneva, Aberdeen, Stavanger, Gothenburg, Tampere, Catania, Madrid, Odessa, Kazan and Liepaja to the network of cities served from Riga, following on from its recently launched route from Vilnius to Paris and Munich. Wolfgang Reuss, senior vice president, network management, airBaltic, enthused, “We are delighted to enter this season with such a long list of new routes for your getaway this summer.”
Monarch Announces Winter Schedule
Flybe Gears Up for Isle of Man TT2017
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25 MAY 2017
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onarch has revealed its 2017-2018 winter schedule, which will add 430,000 seats through increased frequencies on its ski and sun routes. The low-cost carrier will serve winter itineraries from all its five UK bases, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Gatwick Airport, London Luton and Manchester. Some of the routes are already available on the market, such as Turin, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lyon and Grenoble. The new season will also see an extension of the flying programme from Manchester to Kittilä in Finnish Lapland, following the 2016 success of Monarch’s Arctic Experience launched from London Gatwick. Passengers who prefer winter sun will have an option of more frequent flights to the Canary Islands, Málaga and Alicante.
lybe has added three special flights to link Belfast City and the Isle of Man, to accommodate motorsport fans planning to attend the week-long Isle of Man TT2017 races on June 03 – 10. This will complement the airline’s existing schedule to the island, which consists of 66 direct flights a week from Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester. Vincent Hodder, chief revenue officer, Flybe, commented, “Flybe is all about connecting communities, and our additional new flights from Belfast City to the Isle of Man will help Northern Ireland sport enthusiasts to travel to the world-renowned annual motorcycle races as quickly and conveniently as possible, so they have as much time as possible to enjoy all the action.”
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE, VISITSCOTLAND
MALCOLM ROUGHEAD
[Experience Creator Award] is a reflection of [our] customer driven focus
“The Caesar family is incredibly honoured to have received [Experience Creator Award]. It is a reflection of the customer driven focus we aim for by having a happy and motivated workforce. The implementation of the Worldhotels WHY programme has only compounded our core beliefs and given us the drive to succeed further.”
VITALY SAVELIEV
GENERAL MANAGER, THE CAESAR HOTEL
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CEO, AEROFLOT
Scotland is the perfect place to visit
”Domestic tourism is one of our most valuable markets and London remains our most important trading partner. However, if Scottish tourism is to continue punching above its weight on the world stage, we need to keep attracting new investment, events, airlines and ultimately, visitors. Scotland House is a platform on which we can do that – utilising our business strengths in a city renowned for its global business links – to show the world that Scotland is the perfect place to visit and invest in.”
PRESIDENT, EURO DISNEY
CATHERINE POWELL
LEE MELVILLE
TRAVEL TALK
Aeroflot is the face of Russia
“Brand Finance’s recognition of Aeroflot as the brand leader of the Russian corporate world is yet further confirmation that Aeroflot is the face of Russia, and its most recognisable company both at home and abroad. Today’s award similarly represents a landmark in the history of Aeroflot, and one that is the result of many years of intense focus and hard work by everyone at the company. [...] Aeroflot today is an efficient, confident, high-tech global company.”
Disneyland Paris is looking to the future
“We are proud to bring Walt’s heritage to life in the heart of Europe, to have made strong ties with Paris and France and to have made our guests dreams come true for more than a quarter of a century. Now, more than ever before, Disneyland Paris is looking to the future, and continuing to exceed our guests’ expectations.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
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RAMÓN VIDAL CASTRO
RAMÓN VIDAL CASTRO has been appointed as managing director of Palau de Congressos de Palma, where he will be responsible for the convention centre and oversee operations at the attached hotel, Meliá Palma Bay. As a hotelier by vocation, Castro has spent the past six years as general manager at Meliá Castilla Hotel, hailed as a flagship property in the MICE segment, where in 2016, he contracted more than 1,000 events. With a passion for customer services and a track record of exceptional thoroughness, Castro is expected to lead the team to success.
ANDREAS ZERLAUTH
WHO’S MOVED
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Zerlauth has an established reputation within Austrian Airlines
Whittaker will drive bmi regional and its network forward
25 MAY 2017
MIKE EVANS
MARTIN WHITTAKER
Castro has a track record of exceptional success
MARTIN WHITTAKER has assumed the post of chief operating officer at bmi regional, bringing with him more than 35 years of experience within the aviation industry. Whittaker joins the carrier from Babcock International Mission Critical Services, where he held the position of board level executive. Whittaker will demonstrate the expertise gained across various leadership roles across airline, aircraft leasing and airborne critical services sectors. Joining the company during a period of growth, he aims to maintain seamless services whilst continuing the airline’s expansion and product development strategy.
ANDREAS ZERLAUTH has been named as head of controlling at Austrian Airlines, which he will begin in September. The business administration graduate’s career begun in 1999 as head of crew planning and crew control at Lauda Air, before joining Austrian Airlines, where he held a number of positions, including head of IT. Since October 2016, Zerlauth has been serving as head of IT at Eurowings in Cologne. Zerlauth will bring longstanding managerial experience across many areas within the airline sector.
MIKE EVANS has been promoted to head of sales at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, a step up from his previous role as sales manager – independent retail. Having worked for the company since 1992, Evans has assumed a number of roles within the sales department, including regional sales manager for the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. All in all, Evans has accumulated 40 years of experience in the travel industry, across a number of sectors such as retail, tour operating, tourism boards and airline sales. As part of his new role, Evans will manage the liner’s UK sales team as well as further develop relations with the travel trade.
Evans has 40 years of experience
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Air France Teams Up with Youth Challenge
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Grace Hotels Backs SOS Children’s Villages
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s a part of its strategy to develop a culture of empathy and respect for the communities around the world, The Grace Foundation donated USD72,000 (EUR66,185) to SOS Children’s Villages, supporting the charity for the second year. Through its Give with Grace initiative, first launched in 2015, Grace Hotels donates USD1 (EUR0.92) for every night a room is occupied in each of its properties. Funds are also being raised through the sale of certain dishes and beverages within Grace Hotels’ restaurants, and branded items such as a hand-crafted sterling silver bracelet featuring the Give with Grace symbol. The combined funds are distributed around the world to enable vulnerable children to grow up in a loving home.
Frankfurt Fights Noise Pollution
ExpoFrance 2025 project
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s an official partner of ExpoFrance 2025, Air France is encouraging young people, including its employees, to participate in the French bid to host the 2025 World Expo, by taking part in an international competition 20'25 Youth Challenge. Through the contest, the association aims to form a group of 100 young ambassadors, who will support the French expo campaign Sharing our Knowledge, Caring for our Planet in their own country. Applicants must submit a photo or video demonstrating their ties with France and their support for the bid. Successful candidates will be invited to a week-long conference in Paris in October.
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rankfurt Airport completed the first satellite-supported precision landings with an increased angle of approach of 3.2 degrees, in order to reduce noise pollution, thus improving the living conditions for the surrounding municipalities. In April, Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 and an Airbus 319 configured the precision-landing, ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) introduced by Deutsche Flugsicherung, Fraport and Lufthansa on the airport’s southern and central runways. “Together with our partners [...], we have set on this innovative futuristic technology at an early stage and invested in the development of the GBAS system. Now, Frankfurt is the first hub airport worldwide that enables GBAS landings [...], we are also conscientiously implementing further active noise protection measures,” said, Anke Giesen, executive director operations, Fraport.
Scandic Hotels Supports Child Refugees
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candic Hotels has reinforced its cooperation with Save the Children by donating SEK1 million (EUR104,914) to the charity to support child refugees in the Nordic countries and Germany. The cooperation is a part of the group’s long-term work to promote diversity and inclusion in society. “By supporting Save the Children’s important work, we hope to contribute to improving the situation and the conditions for integrating into society for the children who come here,” commented, Lena Bjurner, senior vice president, human resources and sustainability, Scandic Hotels. She further added that the group is committed to inclusion by helping skilled newcomers enter the workforce faster through a fast track recruitment programme.
25 MAY 2017
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PHOTO ALBUM
Emirates was granted four awards and titled the Best Airline Worldwide at the 2017 Business Traveller Awards
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.
Belarus' Konstantin Kurovsky won gold at 2017 IWF Youth World Championships
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H.M. Queen Elizabeth, third from left, graced the second day of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials weekend in Newbury Racecourse on April 22
25 MAY 2017
Dinner in the Sky on its 10th Anniversary in Brussels
Riga International Airport welcomed its 60 millionth passenger
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS INTERCARE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL TOURISM EXHIBITION Milan, Italy May 25 – 27 www.inter-care.it An opportunity for international medical and tourism operators to forge working relationships.
OTDYKH LEISURE Moscow, Russia September 20 – 23 www.tourismexpo.ru The 23rd edition of the exhibition will be held alongside its sister events focussing on MICE, luxury and medical tourism, spa and health.
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UNWTO Promotes Mountain Tourism
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edicated to the significant contribution of mountain tourism in countries’ economic development, the 3rd World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference took place on April 04 — 07 in Tbilisi. The symposium welcomed 25 international speakers who delivered lectures on five key areas including sustainable tourism, mountain resort planning, investment and incentive policies, product diversification, as well as revolutionary tools for mountain destinations. After opening the conference, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, prime minister, Georgia, stated, “It is significant to note that mountains make up more than 65 percent of the country’s landscape, and the government has been active in effectively using the aforementioned resource and advancing opportunities in tourism.”
Belarus to Strengthen Ties with Kazakhstan
Belarus
IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 26 – 29 www.iftm.fr More than 31,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the multi-target event with dedicated programmes for the leisure, business and MICE sectors.
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ased on a memorandum of cooperation signed between the National Tourism Industry Union of Belarus and Astana EXPO-2017, Belarus confirmed its participation in Expo 2017 in Kazakhstan, where it will be present during a dedicated Belarusian day on August 16. Government officials and creative teams will represent Belarus at the event which is anticipated to attract a record amount of visitors with its programme of more than 3,000 entertainment shows. “Kazakhstan is an important partner for Belarus in terms of both bilateral relations and integration processes. Participation in the event is very important for Belarus,” said, Yevgeny Lazarev, head, exhibitions and congresses department, Belarus, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Portugal Highlights Culture and Heritage
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n April 18, Portugal celebrated International Day for Monuments and Sites, promoted by International Council of Monuments and Sites. This year’s theme was titled Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism and inspired a diverse programme of activities involving historic landmarks around the country. Aiming to appeal to a diverse range of audiences, visitors were able to enjoy attractive and unusual experiences including artistic performances, street entertainment, historical recreations, workshops, thematic visits, trips to areas usually inaccessible to the public and the inauguration of exhibitions and conferences.
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