BTN WTM 2017 Magazine

WO RLD TRAVE L MARKE T

SPECIAL EDITION

2017

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS HEADS TO VIETNAM FOR GRAND FINAL 2017

NEWS

Vietnam’s JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay has been confirmed as the host venue for the combined World Travel Awards & World Spa Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2017.

Having picked up the prized title of Asia’s Leading New Resort at the 2017 World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia in June, the fantastical five star resort was the natural choice to host these prestigious awards ceremonies - both of which will take place on the evening of December 10th, welcoming hundreds of hospitality leaders from across the region and around the world.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to host both the 24th annual World Travel Awards Grand Final and the 3rd annual World Spa Awards,” said Ty Collins, general manager at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. “An incredible resort that is a destination unto itself, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay embodies the academic narrative across its enriching experiences of true luxury. As host of the two prestigious events, we look forward to celebrating the pinnacle of both the

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global tourism and spa industry during a spectacular Gala Ceremony event at our resort.”

The event will be a showcase of both the best of Vietnamese hospitality and the global spa and wellness industry. The decision to combine the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony and World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony will give nominees and delegates heightened exposure on the night, as well as increasing the networking opportunities on offer.

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke said: “Having taken the decision to combine both the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony and World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony, it is a pleasure to confirm they will both take place in early December at the incredible JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay.”

MORE INFORMATION Find out more at www.worldtravelawards.com or visit Marriott International here at World Travel Market on Stand AS500.

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NEWS

MOMENTUM HOUSE, LOWER ROAD, LONDON SE1 8SJ, UNITED KINGDOM Tel +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 www.breakingtravelnews.com To subscribe to the free daily newsletter subscribe@breakingtravelnews.com or sign up via the website EDITOR (editorial) Christopher O’Toole editor@breakingtravelnews.com ADVERTISING advertising@breakingtravelnews.com GROUP SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Taylor EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Chris Frost GLOBAL BUSINESS DIRECTORS Sion Rapson Mike Sawicki Kevin Rolfe EDITORS Ben Roberts Ana Strack Anna Gouldman GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA TACTICIAN Sid Thaker HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Hakansson DESIGN / LAYOUT / ART DIRECTION one2love agency PUBLISHER Graham Cooke FOLLOW US IN A READER RSS FEEDS breakingtravelnews.com/feeds/ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER twitter.com/btn_news BTN YOUTUBE CHANNEL youtube.com/breakingtravelnews

BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS HEADLINES With so much on offer here at World Travel Market 2017 it can be difficult to keep up. Here Breaking Travel News brings you the latest headlines from across the event here at Excel this year.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos is set to re-open its doors on the December 14th following an enforced closure following hurricane season in the Caribbean. The refreshed resort will be bringing with it a range of exciting additions including new restaurants, snack bars and water sports activities.

Situated on the Caribbean’s best and longest stretch of beach as voted by TripAdvisor, Beaches Turks & Caicos has been named the number one resort spot for almost two decades in the prestigious World Travel Awards.

As part of the renovations, accommodations in all five villages in the resort have been upgraded, along with the lobbies and public areas.

Foodies will love Mr. Mac, a macaroni and cheese truck which will offer ten types of the delicious snack, including Cajun and Mediterranean flavours. Those with a sweet tooth will love the Curls n’ Swirls vintage Volkswagen truck which will serve ice cream, frozen yoghurt milkshakes and additional chilly treats.

Beaches is considered the World's Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand by the World Travel Awards.

SRILANKAN AIRLINES SriLankan Airlines has launched five times weekly non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Colombo. The opening of the non-stop flight to Hong Kong is an important step in the national carrier of Sri Lanka’s expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recently, SriLankan Airlines has announced the opening of a number of international routes one after another such as the Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Coimbatore routes in India, and the Melbourne route which opened in October.

The new non-stop service will contribute to SriLankan’s strategic development in the Asia-Pacific region and allow more travellers from Hong Kong to better enjoy the hospitality of SriLankan Airlines and the country’s natural beauty.

Families can enjoy world class entertainment together with live cinematic entertainment shows which launched this summer.

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All the ‘‘forms are waiting for me, so I don’t have to wait for them.’’

Lily

Check-in online, so everything’s ready when you get to the counter.

ROTANA REACHES QUARTER CENTURY MILESTONE

Rotana has marked a historic milestone as it completes 25 years of supporting tourism and hospitality growth in the Middle East.

positive word of mouth and gain the trust and loyalty of guests, quickly establishing the brand as a name to reckon with in an industry that was still in its early stages of development. While the brand’s initial expansion and growth strategy had remained focused on its home market of the UAE, Rotana branched out into the wider region in year 2000 with the opening of its first hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.

Today, a quarter of a century since its founding, Rotana has grown to become the leading hotel management company in the region, with 56 operating properties in 21 cities across 13 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

Founded in 1992, Rotana started its journey with the opening of Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi the following year - the first in a series of modern, sophisticated hotels launched by the group that would transform the face of the region’s hospitality industry.

Rotana currently operates a total of 15,195 rooms across its operating regions, and more than 11,000 people, from different nationalities and backgrounds, proudly work for Rotana from 104 countries around the world. To date, Rotana has hosted more than 225 million guests at its hotels around the world.

Rotana’s focus on delivering personalised guest experiences allowed the hotels in its steadily expanding portfolio to drive

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nearest ‘‘The car rental office is in my hand.’’

Steve

One app to do almost everything.

“It has been quite a journey these past 25 years, and a deeply rewarding one at that,” said Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of Rotana. “Rotana today is the result of a shared vision and many years of tireless effort and commitment towards that vision. Beyond the pride of having our brand evolve into one of the largest and most reputable hotel operators in the region, what gives us the greatest sense of accomplishment is that we were able to become who we are today by holding firmly to our values, beliefs and the standards that we set for ourselves when we first started our journey all those years ago.”

A pioneering player in the regional hospitality industry, Rotana has several breakthrough achievements to its credit.

Rotana has been consistently recognised for its commitment to hospitality excellence and its contribution to the economic and social development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and, during its two and a half decades of being in business, the company has received more than 350 regional and international awards in recognition of its performance.

The company was recognised as the World’s Leading Business Hotel Brand by the World Travel Awards in 2016.

As it completes 25 years of operations, Rotana is busy laying the foundation for its next phase of success and growth.

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World's Leading Tourist A raction

World's Leading Culinary Destination

Peru conquers the world 29 nominations World's Leading Green Destination

World’s Leading City Break Destination

World's Leading Beach Destination

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Vote for Peru in World Travel Awards here:

www.peru.travel

Visit Peru

Peru

LEVEL 2 NORTH GALLERY

NG5

NG4

NG2

NG6

NG7

NG8

NG9

NG10

NG1 NG11

NG12

NG13

NG14

NG15

SHUTTLE

Canning Town Shuttle Buses

TT 280-290

TT 390

The Travel Tech Theatre

Cloakroom TT 570

TT 170 TT 165 TT 160 TT 155 TT 150

TT 175

TT 270

TT 275

TT 380

TT 368

TT 265

TT 259 TT TT 255 250 TT 258

TT 140

TT 370

TT 353

TT 350

TT 234 TT 237

TT 138

TT 235

TT 134 TT 130

TT 460

TT 359 TT 355

TT 358

TT TT 238 239

Canning Town Shuttle Buses

TT 375

TT 369

TT 360

TT 230

TT TT 560 565

TT 465

TT 229 TT 222

TT 124

TT 458

TT 455

TT 459

TT 550

TT 450

TT TT 340 345

TT TT 440 445

TT TT 330 335

TT 438 TT 430

TT TT 328 329

TT TT 428 429

TT 326

TT 322

TT 220

TT 120

London Taxis

TT 225

TT TT 111 110 TT 103 TT 100

NORTH HALLS

TT 101

TT 310

TT 107 TT 105

Cafe

TT 320

TT 548

TT 537

GV 120

TT 535

TT 435

GV 265

GV 140

TT 307 TT 300 TT 201

TT 410

TT 401

TT 501

GV 260

GV 100

TT 520 TT

525

TT 415

TT 510

GV GV 254 253

TT 503

GV 230

SOUTH HALLS

AF 100

AF 205

GV 580

GV 475 GV 455

GV 559

GV 220

GV 420

GV 548 GV 540

GV 445

GV 425

GV 545

GV 640

GV 541

GV 630

GV 530

GV 520

GV GV 320 330

GV 210

GV 651 GV 650

GV 618

GV 525

GV 300

GV 400

GV 301

GV 415

GV 510

GV 405

EU 460

UKI 250

UKI 152

UKI 144 UKI 142 UKI 140

UKI 138 UKI 130

GV 409

EU 455

EU 456 EU 458

UKI 230

UKI 338

UKI 444

UKI 320

UKI 442

UKI 425

UKI 329 UKI 325

UKI EU 446 440

UKI 435

UKI 430

UKI 339

UKI UKI 330 335

UKI 420

UKI 429

EU 750

EU 665

EU 1180

EU 1075 EU 1070 EU 1060

EU 950

EU 1065

EU 1050

EU 1150

EU 1000

EU 1100

EU 650

EU 640

EU 540

EU 840d

EU 740 EU 735

EU 530

EU 940

EU 840c

EU 930

EU 739

EU 840a

EU 730

EU 840b

EU9 10 EU 900

EU 800

EU 620

EU 500

EU 600

EU 720

GV 505

UKI 101

UKI 201

UKI 301

UKI 302

UKI 401

EU 405

EU 601

EU 705

EU 901

EU 905

EU 1001

EU 907

EU 1007

S4 ME 401

ME 301

ME 300

ME 400

S5

ME 501

LA 101

LA 100

ME 600

ME 500

LA 201

LA 204

LA 200

LA 206

LA 301

LA 300

LA 401

LA 400

LA 405

LA 409

LA 407

CA 215

AF 420

AF 430 AF 030 AF 034

AF 140

AF 038

AF 245

AF 045

AF 150

AF 058 AF 170 AF 171 AF 178 AF 179

ME 140

AF 360

AF180

Africa Pavilion

AF 450

AF 350 AF AF 362 365

AF 370

AF AF AF AF 174 175 176 177

AF 390

AF 190

AF AF 560 565

AF 570

AF 455 AF 465

AF 575

ME 260 ME ME ME ME 180 190 366 367

AF 580 Responisble Tourism Theatre

AF 470

ME 250

ME 150

AF 572

AF 595

AF Cafe 600

LA 140

ME 440

AF 248

AF 250

LA 430

ME 640

AF 440

ME 368

ME 255

ME 267

ME 258

ME 350

ME ME ME Lebanon Pavilion ME 275 270 269 262

ME 360 ME 199

ME 450

Media Partner Pavilion

ME 550

ME 580

LA 440

LA 240

LA 250

International Media Centre

LA 350

LA 450

CA 135 CA 137

CA 125

CA 220

C 3 CA 225

CA 140

CA 227

N 1

CA 240 CA 245

CA 150

CA 250

LA 570

CA 260

N 1

sponsored by ME 265

LA 370 LA 380

ME 370 Radio Booths

ME 198

CA 130

LA 410

ME 620

ME 540

AF 235

AF 240

AF 040

AF 055

AF 230

C 3

CA 200

LA 500

AF 410 AF 120

EU 1101

N5 Service Centre

ME 204

ME 200

EU 701

BL6

S3 ME 201

EU 605

N4

& Titanium Room

ME 100

EU 970

EU 700

GV 501

ME 102

EU 975

EU 972

EU 865

EU 850

Up to Platinum Suites

ME 101

EU 863

UKI 520

UKI 400

UKI 300

UKI 100

UKI 445

UKI 440

EU 670

EU 663 EU 655

EU 550

N3

ME 010

AF 500

UKI 348

UKI 220

S2

AF 400

UKI 240

EU 590 Charging Zone

EU 570

EU 480

EU 450

EU 355

EU 580 Massage

GV 500

BL3

AF 401

EU EU 467 475

UKI 351

UKI 148

N2

AF 301

EU 465

UKI 350

UKI 180

UKI 120

GV 515

WTM Inspire Theatre

UKI 260

UKI 162 UKI 160 UKI 158 UKI 156 UKI 154

UKI 118

GV 410

EU490

Cafe UKI 265

GV 170 670 GV 656 GV 655

GV 555

GV 550

GV 340

GV 201

AF 300

AF 200

GV 440

GV 345

S1 AF 201

GV GV GV 480 483 484

GV GV 255 251

BL4

AF 109

GV 450

GV 350

N1

WEST ENTRANCE

GV 382

GV 252

GV 200

TT 505

TT 500

GV 380

GV 589 GV 588

Green Room

UKI 280

Cafe UKI

GV 370

TT TT 528 529

TT TT 400 405

TT 305

UKI 178

GV 280 GV GV 275 270

GV 150 GV 155

TT 549

TT 530

TT 439

TT TT 420 425

TT 315

GV 291

GV GV 160 165

TT 128 TT 126

GV 193

GV 170 GV 175

New Exhibitor Pavilion TT 268 TT 260

TT 148

To Royal Victoria DLR station & Emirates Air Line

TT 185

GV 191

GV GV 180 185

N 1

NA 177

NA 180 NA 185

LA 270 Cafe

NA 19

WTM Buyers’ Club

Up to Events Programme Room

LEVEL 2 SOUTH GALLERY

PS2 SG3

SG4 SG5

SG6

SG7

PS1

SG8

SG9

SG10

WTM EVENTS PROGRAMME ROOM

12

SG11

SG12 SG13

SG14

SG15

SG16 SG17

SG18

SG19

SG20 SG21

MAP

LEVEL 2 NORTH GALLERY

NG21 NG22 NG17

NG16

EU 1280

EU 1285

EU 1380

EU 1283

EU 1470

EU 1385

EU 1350

EU 1460

EU 1250

EU 1475c

EU 1475

EU 1480

EU 1465

NG19

EU 1580

EU 1585

EU 1560

EU 1565

EU EU 1670 1665

EU 1200

EU 1345

EU 1440

EU 1330

EU 1650

EU 1760

EU 1300

Escalator

Lift

Stairs

Radio

Cash machines/ATM

Car Park

Info Point / Information

EU 1640

Seating EU 1755

EU 1845

EU 1900

EU 2140

EU 2000

EU 1920

Wellness & Spa Lounge

THE TRAVEL TECH SHOW

EU 3300

Toilets

Cloakroom

Prayer room

First aid

UK & IRELAND

GLOBAL VILLAGE

N1

N2

S1

S2

EUROPE

N3

N4

N5

S3

S4

S5

Private Coaches

N6

N7

N8

S6

S7

S8

N9 S9

S10

S11

REGISTRATION

EU 2137

EU 1835

AFRICA & NORTH AFRICA

EU 2135

MIDDLE EAST

THE AMERICAS & THE CARRIBEAN

City Airport Shuttle Buses

ASIA/PACIFIC & INDIAN OCEAN

SHUTTLE

EU 2133 EU 2130

EU 1800

EU 1400

Disabled Toilets

EU 2139

EU 1840

EU 1830

EU 1435

Restaurant

London Taxis

EU 2160 EU 2155 EU 2150

EU 1960

EU 1700

Recharge zone

EU 2165

EU EU 1963 1965

EU 1950

EU 1850

Coffee/Café Area sponsored by Israel

EU 2180

1980

EU 1500

EU 1430

EU 2070

EU 1982 EU EU 1981

EU 1555

Coffee/Café Area

EU 2190

EU EU 1984 1983

EU 1750

EU 1340

EU 1970

EU 1870

EU 1770

Cafe

EU 1660

EU EU 1988 1989 EU 1986

To Prince Regent DLR station

SYMBOLS KEY

EU 3050

EU 1550

EU 1450

NG18

EU 2125 EU 2122 EU 2120 EU 2110

Cloakroom

EU 2107

EU 1201

EU 1205

EU 1301

EU 1303

N6

EU 1501

EU EU 1505 1506

EU 1509

EU 1601

EU 1701

EU 1603

N7

BL7

S7 NA 201

CA 300

CA 310

NA 205

NA 200

NA NA 207 301

NA 300

AS 101

NA 400

AS 104

AS 201

CA 330

NA 330

NA 440

NA 250

NA 260

NA 175

NA 270 NA 195

NA 265

NA 450

NA 460

NA 465

AS 440

AS180 Massage

AS 700

AS 801

AS 805

AS 800

AS 550

AS 460

AS 370

AS 555

AS 458 AS 465

AS 560

AS 901 AS 910

AS 900

AS 940

AS 750

AS 850

AS 760

AS 860 AS 866

AS AS 561 569

AS 570

AS AS 563 567

AS 468

AS AS 470 475

AS 650

AS 960 AS 962 AS 963 AS 964

AS 950

AS 570b

AS 570c

AS 660 AS 661

AS AS 590 595

AS 662

AS 870

AS 670

AS 865

AS 970 AS 972

AS 971

AS 966 AS 980 AS 982

SOUTH HALLS

Speed Networking Area

AS 920

AS 924 AS 926 AS 928 AS 932 AS 931 AS 930

REGISTRATION

AS 1000

AS 918

AS 556 AS 570a

S11

AS 912 AS 916

AS 840

AS 464

AS 185

AS 701

AS 600

AS 530

AS 445

AS 455

AS 461

NA 480

NA 495

AS 603

AS 535

AS 450

AS 2588

AS 165

EAST ENTRANCE

AS 448

AS 170

NA 470 NA 475 NA 490

NA 280 NA 290

AS 540

AS 350

AS 255

AS 160

NA 360

NA 370

AS 250

AS 150

S10

Green Room

AS 1050

WTM Global Stage

LONDON

6–8 November 2017

Asia Pavilion

A 90

NA 350

S9

AS 521

AS AS 240 243 AS AS 254 245

AS 145

N10

AS 520

AS 236 AS 239

AS 140

AS AS 503 601

AS 510

AS 238

NA 340

A 0 A 5

AS 501

AS 500

AS 230 AS AS 234 235

AS 130 NA 240

NA 170

AS 401

AS 400

AS 300

AS 212

AS 120

CA 320

NA 150

AS 301

AS AS 210 215

Charging Zone

NA 100

AS 203

AS 200

AS 100

NORTH HALLS

EU 2105

N9 BL1

S8

CA318

A 7

EU 2101

EU EU 1901 1905

BL2

S6

NA 160

EU 1803

N8

Up to ITT Member’s Lounge

SG22

SG23

SG24 SG25 SG26

SG27

SG28 SG29

SG30

SG31

SG32

LEVEL 2 SOUTH GALLERY

SG33

OFFICIAL PREMIER PARTNER

ITT MEMBER’S LOUNGE

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INNOVATIVE NEW WEBSITE FOR SAXON HOTEL, SOUTH AFRICA The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in Johannesburg and Shambala Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg, comprising of Zulu Camp and Nelson Mandela Villa, have announced the launch of their newly redesigned websites.

The new sites offer users an improved and innovative design concept in conjunction with an easy-to-use booking process, and seamless integration of emerging and established technologies.

The websites were created and designed in partnership with the award-winning London based content creation and marketing agency, Studio at Black Tomato.

Nick Ford-Young, head of Studio at Black Tomato commented: “We wanted the new website to provide a stunning shop window for the Saxon and Shambala Private Game Reserve through beautiful design and photography displaying the feel and elegance of the suites, coupled with intuitive usability leading the audience through a clean and simple booking process.”

The new websites have a strong lifestyle focus, highlighting the unique position of the Saxon and Shambala as purveyors of fine luxury, cultural tastemakers and champions of nature.

Another feature is the simplified online booking process for both accommodation as well as the Saxon’s award-winning restaurants. The layout is clean, uncluttered and simple to navigate; using imagery and video to showcase the elegance and luxury that the Saxon is known for.

The website is responsive and accessible on all devices.

MANTIS COLLECTION The Rwanda Social Security Board has signed a hotel management and marketing agreement with one of Africa’s leading hotel management firms, Mantis Collection, headquartered in Queen Elizabeth Park, South Africa.

The purpose of the ten-year management and marketing agreement is to boost revenue performance of the facility while attracting and retaining global clientele.

its African collection of hotels and lodges managed and marketed globally.

At the moment, this is the only accommodation facility inside the Akagera National Park boundaries, except a couple of tented safari camps. The game lodge is less of a traditional safari-lodge but more of a hotel. The lodge is located on the shores of Lake Ihema hence offering beautiful views the Lake.

Mantis has a highly demonstrated capacity and systems for management and marketing of such facilities.

The Akagera Game Lodge itself, located in one of the Rwandan most attractive and strategic tourist sites, Akagera National Park, provides high potential for profits and would highly contribute to tourism development and leisure in Rwanda.

The RSSB is the sole proprietor of the Akagera Game Lodge, being a limited liability company that has 100 per cent shares and operates the beautiful Akagera Game lodge. Outsourcing Mantis shall help to mainstream the lodge into

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‘‘On rare

occasions, youth does beat experience.’’

Ben

Enjoy a range of vehicles primarily under 6 months old.

F E AT U R E

DUBAI LOOKS AHEAD TO EXPO 2020

Between October 2020 and April 2021, Dubai will host the next World Expo. The event will be a festival of human ingenuity.

The engines of growth are no longer steam-powered. Instead, collaboration and partnership have taken their place, the new drivers of the future. Here we find out more. middle classes. Fewer than 800 million of them will be living in poverty (on an income of less than $2 a day). People can now access the internet, via their smartphone, to search for almost everything known to humanity and then share it with anyone else.

Bringing together more than 180 nations and an international audience of 25 million visitors, Dubai Expo 2020 will be one of the greatest shows on Earth. On a 438 hectare site, connected to three international airports and a dedicated transport network, the event will provide visitors with the chance to see spectacular architecture, merge with global cultures, examine thoughtful and thought provoking exhibitions, and taste food from every corner of the globe. Above all, visitors to the event will witness the very latest in thinking and technology all in one place and at one time. Expo will be an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.

People are using technology in new and exciting ways. For example, to teach students hundreds of miles away, unable to receive anything more than a basic education. New ideas open up new possibilities.

Expo 2020 Dubai is guided by the belief that innovation and progress are the result of people and ideas combining in new ways, which explains our theme: ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Dubai is preparing for an event that will enthral and amaze the many millions who visit, providing a sense of wonder at the ability of people, working together, to envisage and achieve a better tomorrow.

For six months, Dubai’s Expo will play host to hundreds of countries, companies and people who bring insight into what is possible in the spheres of opportunity, mobility and sustainability. Millions of people from around the world will be able to share an experience that has one aim: to contribute to building a better future.

The world is an amazing place. It is also changing, as the population grows and ages, and technology reshapes economies and societies.

By 2020, this planet will be home to 7.7 billion people. For the first time, almost two thirds of them will be members of the global

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ing to fit more developing source markets and groups,” stated Issam Kazim, chief executive, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing.

Dubai’s Expo will be a festival of human ingenuity. The engines of growth are no longer steam-powered. Instead, collaboration and partnership have taken its place, becoming the driving force behind new developments. Expo will showcase and explore what is possible when new ideas and people connect.

Millennial travellers represent 20 per cent of international travellers at present and are expected to undertake 320 million international trips per year by 2020, offering long-term opportunities to cities that cater to the needs and requirements of this itinerant segment. This, coupled with the increasing number of young families from developing countries such as India and China holidaying in Dubai, has led to an influx of value-based options.

HOSPITALITY In the hospitality sector, Dubai, a city known for its world-class hospitality industry and landmark hotels, is training its focus on mid-market hotels in a bid to attract a larger percentage of the millennial and family travel business. With Dubai’s transformation from a luxury and business-centric city to a more mature destination attracting a diversified tourist profile, the move to increase the city’s mid-scale room stock aligns with the requirements of the millennial and family travel segments from emergent markets such as China, Africa, Brazil and India.

MORE INFORMATION

In addition, with the emirate targeting 20 million visitors per year by 2020 and with the upcoming arrival of mega projects such as Dubai Expo 2020 and a number of world-class theme parks, it is imperative for Dubai to scale up its accommodation options.

The 2020 World Expo will not be confined to a physical site, or to a six month period of time. It begins now, wherever people are coming together to think about what could be. Expo will provide a platform to foster creativity, innovation and partnership globally. Dubai aims to work with others to accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions, and scale them up so that they have a reach and value that stretches far beyond the event itself.

“The newly affluent mid-class segment in developing countries such as China, Africa, Brazil and India have sparked the development of more mid-market options in Dubai. A recent study

by PwC shows that young travellers from Asia and Africa, even those who can afford luxury, are opting to stay in affordable hotels as they tend to value experiences over five-star accommodations. This shift in focus among a powerful travel segment has presented a host of opportunities to investors in the GCC hospitality industry and helped to diversify our tourism offer-

Find out more at www.expo2020dubai.ae or head over to Stand ME300 here at World Travel Market 2017.

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F E AT U R E

Hainan Airlines: A flag-carrier for Asia Recognised as Asia’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards, Hainan Airlines has been driving up standards in the aviation sector across the continent. Here we find out more.

Hainan Airlines was founded in 1993 in Hainan Province. As one of the fastest developing carriers in China, Hainan delivers brand concept of ‘Fly Your Dreams’, presents a new international brand image of ‘Oriental Beauty’, and is committed to providing passengers with holistic, seamless, and high-quality service.

Since 1993, their extensive route network has grown to cover China and Asia and has now extend to Europe, North America, and Oceania, with more than 1,400 domestic and international routes flying to almost 110 cities worldwide. Since the beginning, Hainan Airlines has maintained 24 years of

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safe operations and has accumulated over six million hours of flights with an outstanding safety record. Hainan was ranked third globally, and ahead of the other airlines of mainland China, on the Airline Safety Ranking 2016 released by the German Jet Airliner Crash Date Evaluation Centre.

Hainan Airlines’ fleet is mainly composed of Boeing 737s and 787s as well as Airbus 330s. This month the carrier will enlarge its fleet by adding Boeing 737-MAX and Airbus A330-300 planes. Hainan’s business class offers comfortable, spacious, and individual rooms for each passenger.

FIFTH GENERATION UNIFORM The 2017 Laurence Xu Haute Couture Show, an event highlighting the work of the world-renowned fashion designer, was held in the ballroom at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand in July, during Paris Couture Week. Hainan took the opportunity to present its fifth generation uniforms.

The uniforms that were showcased combine elements of classical, time-honoured Oriental aesthetics, and the silhouette of a modern Western suit, infusing new vigour and fashion into the attire. The debut of the new uniforms at this year's session is not only the result of a combination of fashion with aviation, but also a cross-industry cooperation in terms of travel and fashion and a testament to Hainan Airlines’ ingenuity.

The uniforms are now an element of the masterful visual experience that has become part and parcel of what the airline’s domestic and international passengers are treated to when they fly with Hainan. After its amazing first show on Paris, the new uniform selection, called the Rosy Cloud, embarked on a North American show case via the New York Fashion Week.

DREAM FEATHER In order to bring its image to the international market, Hainan Airlines invited world renowned design company Priestman Goode to improve sensory input for passengers using ‘Dream Feather’ as inspiration.

Since June last year, Hainan Airlines has held thorough discussions with Priestman Goode. These discussions involved more than 260 details, such as cabin colour, pattern design, plates, cutlery, bedding, and many other items for which upgrades were planned.

“Along with the expansion of the cabin crew, flying routes, and the internationalisation of our passengers, we need a richer cabin language to satisfy the passengers’ needs and aesthetic standards,” a statement from the airline explained.

“From the very moment they purchase their tickets to disembarking, sensory inputs have to be standardised and recognisable to create a respected and unique experience for our customers.”

A British design company, Priestman Goode was established in 1989. It is known as the “benchmark of British design” and has designed for big companies and government projects, such as Qatar Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Russia’s S7 Airlines, and the London Underground.

This is the Priestman Goode’s first cooperation with a Chinese airline.

Nigel Goode, one of the founders of the company, led a team to China for discussion and research. “It is our honour to work with an ambitious company like Hainan Airlines that targets the international market. On its way to internationalisation, it is essential to promote an image that better fits international aesthetic standards. Such requirements have increased the challenge of our task,” he said.

Goode believes that it is important to reflect on the positioning of sensory input. The new images had to make Chinese passengers feel at home and at the same time allow international passengers to acknowledge the philosophy of a Chinese airline.

Chris Parker, the design director of Priestman Goode, made many creative changes to the original red and yellow colours that were iconic to Hainan Airlines so as to bring greater sensory pleasure to the passengers. He added: “We lowered the density of red to reduce the visual shock impact and extract-

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MORE INFORMATION Find out more about Hainan Airlines on the official website at www.hainanairlines.com.

ed the champagne colour from the yellow in accordance with international aesthetic standards. This enables us to retain the favourite traditional colours of the Chinese while giving the design a modern feel.”

HNA CLUB Hainan Airlines launched brand new HNA Club earlier this year, located in Beijing Capital International Airport and Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. The flagship lounge of Hainan Airlines contains more than ten function areas, such as the tea area, lounge area, reading room, VIP room, sleeping area, bath room, and an audio & video area.

Designed by Liang Jinghua, a wellknown architecture designer in Hong Kong, the design work is inspired by the natural harmony of Hainan Island.

Based on modern natural aesthetics, Liang manages to create an elegant with a combination of modern device and nature.

That is how passengers relax and calm themselves in the lounge before starting their journey.

Humanisation, cultural experience, and beyond expectation, the unique core brand values of Hainan Airlines come from the integration of the Chinese culture aesthetics and the eastern service concept. This is why Hainan Airlines can provide passengers with what they need.

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17TH-19TH NOVEMBER 2017 A-ROSA KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA

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F E AT U R E

BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS INVESTIGATES:

THE REBIRTH OF DELTA AIR LINES

Delta Air Lines has reinvented itself over the past decade, emerging from bankruptcy to become the preeminent American carrier. Poised to begin the next phase of its evolution with the introduction of the Airbus A350, Breaking Travel News editor Chris O’Toole finds out more.

A decade ago, in April 2007, Delta Air Lines remerged from bankruptcy protection following an arduous 18-month ordeal. The carrier had been mismanaged for years. Crippled by inefficient aircraft, high labour costs, and rising pensions, the Atlanta-based airline was finally pushed over the cliff by a sharp increase in the price of fuel.

But the episode marked the beginning of a phoenix-like rebirth, with Delta’s share price more than doubling over the last ten years to stand above $50 today. The merger with Northwest Airlines in 2008 created the largest commercial airline in

the world, with more than 700 aircraft under its wing.

Now, at the end of 2017, Delta is looking optimistically ahead, its troubles far behind it. But chief executive Ed Bastion cites the bankruptcy as the inspiration for everything that has followed.

Addressing an industry audience, he explains: “We adopted our motto - ‘Keep Climbing’ - in 2007 as we came out of the bankruptcy and lifted ourselves back into the market place. I love talking to our people about this image, of climbing; you are in the mountains and the

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further you go up the more than you can see. What opportunities there are and what things there are to fix. You have a better vantage point in terms of where you want to go, to create your vision.”

Bastian talks with a visionary zeal about Delta, charting a course for the carrier far into the future.

He adds: “This year we will invest $4 billion in capital into our business, in our product, and I envisage this rate will be maintained for a number of years.

Imagine how significant the opportunities are for us to be a better airline.”

So how does this focus on renewal, growth, and investment translate for passengers?

replaced by machines, staff will have more time to assist travellers who need further help, the airline says.

On the ground it means a focus on technology, with Delta rolling out a number of innovations designed to save its passenger time, that most valuable of resources. The latest version of the Delta app, for example, automatically checks passengers into their flight the day before departure, making travel just that little more seamless. At the airport, Delta launched a biometric experiment at Washington National earlier this year alongside partners Clear.

With these incremental improvements, Delta is seeking to develop a reputation for efficient, technologically driven service. But it is on-board the plane that really counts and it is in this area Delta is making its largest bet - on the Airbus A350. Seen as the flag-ship of the airline, Delta has received the first two planes, with a further 23 on order.

Here new technology allows passengers to use their fingerprint as identification, checking-in, depositing bags, entering the lounge, and boarding a flight, all without a paper boarding pass. Again the system is designed to remove the barriers to travel.

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Delta has introduced a self-service bag drop, using facial-recognition technology so passengers can simply do it themselves. The carrier is also introducing radio frequency identification tags, offering customers live push notifications from critical points along their bag’s journey. A quick note will let a customer know when their bag is successfully loaded onto an aircraft as well as which carousel it will arrive at for pickup.

As Gareth Joyce, senior vice president, airport customer service at Delta Air Lines, explains: “Delta will not stop innovating at every opportunity to bring a world-class experience to our customers.

We will take innovative technologies to free our passengers to travel independently through the travel ribbon.”

In a wider context, Delta hopes the introduction of these new technologies will free staff to interact more meaningfully with passengers. Far from being

The first A350 entered service last month, between Detroit and Tokyo-Narita, with services to Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai starting on November 18th, January 17th and April 19th respectively.

On board, the plane is fitted with 32 Delta One suites. Each offers a dedicated in-cabin flight attendant, a lie-flat bed with direct aisle access, an enticing new menu, a wide selection of beverages, and everything else you would expect from a leading carrier in 2017. Guests can also pre-select their in-flight meal for the first time. The hope is to wow business travellers on the profitable trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes.

Bastian continues: “We have focused our investment in our product, particularly the business product. We are making certain that business travellers are well served in a very competitive market.”

But alongside comfort, speed is here too of the essence.

Gil West, chief operating officer, Delta Air Lines, adds the Airbus A350 is the “perfect fit aircraft” for Delta’s the longhaul network. Pointing out is it 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the planes it replaces, he also observers it can fly at mach 0.89 – faster than any other commercial plane currently in the skies.

This cuts journey times – again saving the passenger that vital resource, time.

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MORE INFORMATION Delta Air Lines is recognised as North America’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards and serves more than 180 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 315 destinations in 54 countries on six continents.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft.

Find out more on the official website at www.delta.com.

The Airbus A350 will also see Delta introduce the Premier Select service, offering holidaymakers with a little cash to spare or budget-conscience business travellers a new level of service. Available on select international routes, the new cabin offers more space to stretch out and relax, with a wider seat, additional recline, and an adjustable footrest.

With plated meals and a dedicated flight attendant, travellers can also cruise in complete comfort.

Even those in economy class are set to benefit, with Delta recently introducing Prosecco to all cabins.

The Airbus A350, then, fits into a wider transformation of Delta Air Lines. The carrier is seeking to reimagine the travel experience, using new tools, staff, and technology to incrementally improve the journey for a passenger – a world away from the troubles of just a few short years ago.

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INTERVIEW

BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS INTERVIEW:

Edmund Bartlett, tourism minister, Jamaica

It has been a great year for Jamaican tourism, with Usain Bolt taking the message to the world at the IAAF World Championships and the UNWTO heading to the island later this month. With so much happening, Breaking Travel News here talks with tourism minister Edmund Bartlett to find out what comes next.

MORE INFORMATION Jamaica Tourist Board - recognised last year as the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards - is charged with the task of marketing the tourism product so that the country remains the premier Caribbean tourism destination.

To this end, the body is positioning Jamaica as the most complete, unique and diverse warm weather destination in

The world’s eyes were on the London Stadium earlier this year as global sporting icon Usain Bolt took his final bow after a glittering career. For his home nation of Jamaica, the opportunity was simply too good to miss. As part of celebrations surrounding the event, the tourist board has established Jamaica House in the British capital, welcoming the cream of musical talent from the Caribbean island to the festivities.

The event is part of a wider move to leverage the global spotlight provided

by Bolt and the goodwill generated by his farewell.

the world, which offers the best vacation value available.

Find out more at www.visitjamaica.com or head over to Stand CA130 here at World Travel Market 2017.

As Edmund Bartlett, tourism minister for Jamaica, explains: “Big events have always contributed to heightening the profile of our country. They allow us to focus on the talents of our people and, for tourism, your people are the biggest attraction. We can

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focus on people, their skills, their talents, and their contribution – it brings attention to Jamaica.”

He added: “So we are always excited about these mega events – they are a great opportunity to bring people to the country.”

The last time Jamaica invested so much in London was during the 2012 Olympic Games, which, minister Bartlett explains, paid off handsomely.

“In the post-Olympic period we saw substantial growth in visitor arrivals out of the UK. We have no doubt that this spirit will return and we will see more people arrive in Jamaica. We also attempted something similar in Berlin, and today we are seeing arrival figures returning to where they were 20 years ago – that is significant. We are getting better airlift out of Germany, with Lufthansa and Eurowings.”

He continues: “This will not solve the problem fully, but we have gone a long way toward it. Eventually we will get back to the volumes we had, with 40,000 German guests arriving each year.”

additional capacity at the convention centre is very important. The world is coming to see us and people will realise we do have first-class facilities capable of holding worldclass events. For us it is a hugely important investment.”

Overall Jamaica tourism has been enjoying something of a boom in 2017.

Jamaica more generally has been investing in its infrastructure of late, most recently with the opening of a new toll road across the country. The new US$700m highway has dramatically reduced travel times between the north and south coasts of the country, allowing tourists to get around more easily. Travel times from Kingston to the tourism hot spot of Ocho Rios on the north coast are now approximately 30 minutes shorter.

On June 17th the destination reached the one million visitor barrier earlier than ever before, while the sector also earned in excess of US$1.2 billion in the first six months of 2017, another landmark.

“These guests are coming from our traditional markets,” explains minister Bartlett, “Canada, the USA, and UK remain very important to us. But we are getting an incremental increase in people coming from South America. Eastern Europe, too, is beginning to show some energy, while we have been getting people from Scandinavia, and the prospects are also looking better for China and some of the eastern markets.”

Likewise, it means that visitors to Jamaica have more options in terms of which airport they use. For example, visitors staying in Ocho Rios now have the option of landing in Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, or Kingston’s Norman Manley International airport, and having the same travel time to their resorts.

Minister Bartlett continues: “Seamlessness is an important factor for any destination and the building of better infrastructure facilitates this; better airports, better roads.

What it does is reduce the time between arrival and access to your hotel room – and everybody wants that!”

With these long-haul markets growing in importance, Jamaica has taken the initiative in joining with regional partners to offer multi-stop tours.

Minister Bartlett explains: “We are in the process of concluding multi-destination agreements with the big four: Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and ourselves. This enables more connectivity for visitors from further afield, more opportunities and more experiences for them. We hope for more progress at the UNWTO General Assembly meeting in Chengdu, China, next month.”

UNWTO Jamaica itself will welcome the UNWTO in November, for an event focusing on Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, with a host of industry leaders expected to attend.

Minister Bartlett adds: “The plans for this event are going extremely well, we have over 50 countries attending, with more than 200 delegates. The programme content has been getting stronger; we are seeing interest from all over the world. The top names in tourism will be in Jamaica to share their ideas. We also have the larger international agencies on board, with the World Bank as a partner, as well as others. The event will be the greatest confluence of tourism interests that the world has seen for a long time.”

Ahead of the event Jamaica is investing J$200 million in the facilities at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will allow the Caribbean island to showcase the very best of its offering.

Minister Bartlett explains: “The investment in building

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But it is not just the physical infrastructure that is important, with minister Bartlett quick to point to the social infrastructure, or the people of Jamaica, as equally vital to the success of the hospitality sector. To this end the ministry of tourism recently launched the Jamaica Centre for Innovation, which will offer opportunities for professional development to members of the industry. The Craft Development Institute, too, will train artisans in Jamaica, allowing them to offer more authentic national products to guests.

“These initiatives help our people build capacity, to offer better service, and a higher quality of experience to guests,” he adds. “We are looking at how we can grow experiences in food, shopping, wellness, sports, and culture. This is a period of sharpening our effectiveness as a destination, our attractiveness, and our relevance in terms of what we offer.”

And who better to showcase these developments to the world than the soon to be unemployed Usain Bolt?

Pushed on whether the sprinter will be taking a more active role in promoting his homeland, minister Bartlett is uncharacteristically coy.

He concludes: “We are hoping he will take a formal roll, we are talking to him. It is a possibility, certainly for this year’s conference, we are hoping to get his attention, and to be an ambassador for Jamaica.”

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THE BEST WAY TO

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DreamTrips™ is a travel and lifestyle community where members enjoy customized travel opportunities and valuable deals at select restaurants, hotels, excursions and entertainment venues all over the world. The DreamTrips Membership appeals to the unique mindset of the traveller, with the idea that “the best way to experience the world is together.”

Thank you for your support in helping us win the title of Europe’s Leading Travel Club 2017 at this year’s World Travel Awards™.

DUKES DUBAI INTRODUCES POOL BUTLER SERVICE TO SUITE GUESTS Dukes Dubai has introduced the Pool Butler, a complimentary personalised service to guests staying in the hotel’s luxurious suites.

The offer will let guests continue to receive outstanding service while relaxing by the hotel’s outdoor pool and 14th floor infinity pool. The new Pool Butler is on hand to provide guests with everything they could wish for, from refreshed towels and food and beverages served directly to their sunbed, to more personal services such as the cleaning of sunglasses, wiping of phone screens and the re-arranging and cleaning of flip flops after beach visits.

Whether guests are sun-worshipers who don’t want to miss a minute of sunshine or if they would rather stay in the shade, the Pool Butler is always nearby to rotate guest sunbeds and umbrellas to satisfy everyone’s needs. To ensure sunbathers stay cool in the Dubai heat, guests can expect to be refreshed regularly by an iced and scented water spray.

Whatever the demand, expectations are only exceeded by Dukes Dubai’s attentive and observant poolside attendant.

The Pool Butler is also able to arrange additional activities and services, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, restaurant reservations and concierge assistance.

For guests who want to escape England’s colder winter months and who are look-

ing for a stress-free and self-indulgent holiday, Dukes Dubai and the hotel’s new Pool Butler are the perfect way to treat yourself and your loved ones. The Pool Butler is always nearby to cater to every whim and provide guests with a memorable and unique experience.

DFDS

Speaking of his new appointment, Henderson said: “I’m very excited to be joining the DFDS sales team and I’m looking forward to meeting our travel trade partners. We have a fantastic range of packages and incentives on offer this year and it’s great to be part of a dedicated team focused on growing this area of our business.”

World leading ferry operator DFDS has announced the appointment of Mark Henderson as its new regional sales manager for the north of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Colin Fawcus, national sales manager, DFDS, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark into the UK sales team. He already has extensive knowledge of DFDS products, which puts him in a great position to build strong relationships with our existing trade partners and share his insight to attract new customers.”

Henderson has worked for DFDS since 2012 and his recent promotion sees him move shore-side from a customer-facing role as an officer on board the company’s Newcastle-Amsterdam ship, King Seaways, where he was in charge of all entertainment, the casino, and on board bars.

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THE MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS Experience the ultimate in Luxury Indian travel on board the Maharajas’ Express.

“Incredible India” www.the-maharajas.com

THOMAS COOK TO ESTABLISH NEW PALMA DE MAJORCA-BASED AIRLINE The tour operator hopes the move will lower costs at a time of tough conditions in the European short-haul market.

Flights are due to launch in early 2018 with at least three Airbus A320s, which were previously flying for the group’s Belgian airline. The Majorca aircraft, which fly under a Spanish operating licence, will also be used for Thomas Cook’s other airlines, according to seasonal demand.

Some staff will be on seasonal contracts.

“The new airline and base will provide us with the right platform to better manage the seasonal demand in our business, giving us more control at lower cost as we continue to expand the choice of destinations we offer our customers,” Christoph Debus, chief airline officer at Thomas Cook, said.

Thomas Cook – considered the World’s Leading Charter Airline by the World Travel Awards- announced last month it would exchange several aircraft with Canada’s Transat. Under the deal, Thomas Cook will provide planes that fly short-haul routes in the summer to the Canadian company during the winter, while it will receive a long-haul plane to take Europeans seeking winter sun to further flung destinations.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan, effective March 2018. The new route is being in-

35

troduced to capitalise on the strong and growing demand for flights between the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

The service will be operated three times a week using a 136-seat Airbus A320, configured with 16 seats in business class and 120 in economy.

Azerbaijan introduced a visa waiver programme for UAE nationals in November 2015 and expanded it to other GCC nations in early 2016. This prompted a surge in travel from across the GCC to the emerging tourist destination located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which offers visitors access to vast areas of unspoiled nature and centuries-old culture.

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MÖVENPICK HOTEL ISTANBUL

Urban sophistication and business acumen...

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WWW.WORLDTRAVELAWARDS.COM

Voted “Europe’s Leading Business Hotel”

by World Travel Awards numerous times, the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul is at the heart of Istanbul’s contemporary business and chic shopping district with a metro stop at your doorstep and 28 km from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport.

The 249 rooms, including 45 Executive Rooms, 21 Suites as well as the Skyline Deluxe Suite, created with the discerning traveller in mind, are characterised and coloured by functional and contemporary design.

From stylish executive boardrooms to a full-size ballroom, Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul offers state-of-the-art technology

in its 11 meeting rooms suitable for 8 to 600 participants, encapsulating the highest quality standards, creative cuisine and qualified service.

Featuring the freshest ingredients and a rich palette of spices, AzzuR Restaurant serves a wide range of innovative culinary delights from Mediterranean, Swiss and Turkish cuisine prepared

by Italian Executive Chef Giovanni Terracciano. The Skyline Club Lounge on the 20th floor with a breath-taking view of Istanbul and BarAdoX at the lobby are also the prefect venues for a relaxing drink or a pre-dinner aperitif.

Also Swiss chocolates, cakes and world famous Mövenpick ice-creams are on sale in Gourmet.

Guests can relax and unwind in the hotels’ own Wellness Centre. This boasts a modern fitness centre with cardio-vascular training equipment, an indoor swimming-pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and the club also offers therapeutic massage treatments.

Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul is committed to encouraging sustainable tourism and has sealed its environmental credentials by earning Green Globe re-certification in 2017 as well as Greening Hotels certificate from Turob (Hotel Association of Turkey) and Green Star certificate from Ministry of Culture and Tourism Turkey.

M ÖV E N P I C K H OT E L I STA N B U L Eski Büyükdere Cad, No.3, 34330, 4. Levent, Istanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 212 319 29 29, Fax: +90 212 319 29 00 hotel.istanbul@movenpick.com www.movenpick.com/istanbul

EUROPE GALA CEREMONY 2017

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F E AT U R E

AEROMEXICO

reveals Fly Green programme as sustainability takes centre stage

Mexico’s global airline has put sustainability at the core of its offering. Here we find out more about what actions the carrier is taking to protect the environment.

Aeromexico has presented its 20152016 Sustainability Report centred on initiatives that demonstrate its commitment not only to provide the best air connectivity, but also translate into ties between individuals who can collectively generate a sustainable environment and make Mexico a better country.

The airline has created four pillars to work on these efforts including

sustainability, society, volunteers, and ethics and integrity, which represent the foundation for Aeromexico’s Corporate Social Responsibility principles.

In the words of Aeromexico chief executive, Andrés Conesa: “They not only contribute to improving the environment but also encourage inclusion and diversity in all our value chains.”

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The results presented include the “Vuela Verde” (Fly Green) program that seeks to mitigate the impact produced by greenhouse gas emissions. This program offers the carrier’s customers, the opportunity to donate when booking their travel plans at aeromexico.com. The amount collected from the donations is used to purchase carbon credits every year to finance the highest quality Mexican projects listed on the Mexican Carbon Platform.

In addition, the carrier’s fleet renewal activities confirm the airline’s commitment to the environment, as the company added 13 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners to its fleet during this period. The Dreamliner is considered the most modern aircraft in the sky, with 23 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and up to 60 per cent of reduced noise levels.

On the other hand, Aeromexico also seeks to involve all employees in the construction of a participative society and has a volunteer program where employees have invested more than 2,000 hours helping different foundations.

In addition to these actions, the carrier supported 38 domestic and international civil society organisations with airplane tickets during the period, benefiting more than three million people in terms of education, health, arts and culture, the environment, and diversity and inclusion.

Aeromexico also shared the progress made in terms of corporate social responsibility in the first half of 2017. The airline’s agenda is focused on maintaining its diversified projects, so it is currently working on the development of partnerships with government agencies, such as the National Human Rights Commission to join the fight against trafficking in persons.

Aeromexico also assists Mexico’s Federal Environmental Prosecutor in protecting biodiversity across the nation and stopping illegal trade with endangered wildlife and plant species.

Along these same lines, during the IATA Annual General Meeting held in Cancun in June this year, Aeromexico was the first airline in Latin America to sign the Buckingham Palace Declaration to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for trafficking and transportation of illegal wildlife and their product.

The airline also received the IATA Environmental Assessment Program certificate that validates sustainability in all the company’s operations and activities.

Today, Aeromexico prides itself on being a socially responsible company and a role model for the domestic airline industry. Mexico’s global airline implements best practices to address the needs of the present by safeguarding the future’s resources and gives wings to the world to make it a more sustainable place.

MORE INFORMATION Grupo Aeromexico – considered Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline Brand by the World Travel Awards - is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide commercial aviation services and promote passenger loyalty programs in Mexico. Aeromexico, Mexico’s global airline, offers more than 600 daily flights and operates its main hub out of Terminal 2 at the Mexico City International Airport.

Its route network spans more than 80 cities on three continents including 45 in Mexico, 22 in the United States, 15 in Latin America, four in Canada, four in Europe, and three in Asia.

Grupo Aeromexico’s fleet of close to 125 aircraft includes Boeing 787, 777, and 737 jet airliners and next generation Embraer 170 and 190 models. In 2012, the airline announced the most significant investment strategy in aviation history in Mexico, to purchase up to 100 Boeing aircraft including 90 MAX 737 airliners and ten B787-9 Dreamliners.

As a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance that is celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, Aeromexico offers customers more than 1,000 destinations in 177 countries served by the 20 SkyTeam airline partners, rewarding passengers with benefits including access to 672 premium airport lounges around the world.

Aeromexico also offers travel options with its codeshare partners Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, and WestJet with extensive connectivity in countries like the United States, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Peru.

Find out more about Aeromexico at www.aeromexico.com or head over to the Mexico Tourism Board Stand at LA300 here at World Travel Market.

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T H E U LT I M AT E C U V É E RO SÉ

photographe Iris Velghe

F E AT U R E

Europcar to acquire Goldcar in €550m deal

Europcar Group has signed an agreement with Investindustrial to acquire Goldcar, Europe’s largest low-cost car rental company.

Goldcar is a major low cost operator in Europe thanks to its strong positions in Spain and Portugal and its strong knowhow in running a lean and efficient pure low-cost operating model. Goldcar has built an impressive track record of organic growth (delivering 17 per cent revenue growth per annum between 2008 and 2016) and best-in-class Corporate EBITDA margins and FCF conversion rates.

In 2016, Goldcar generated revenues of around €240 million and an estimated adjusted Corporate EBITDA of approximately €48 million.

With this strategic acquisition, the Europcar Group will increase its exposure to three major growth engines - the Mediterranean region, the leisure segment and the low cost segment – and will become a major player in the fast growing European low cost segment.

The acquisition of Goldcar will create value for the Europcar Group as it will strengthen the group’s expertise and know-how in low cost operations and will therefore significantly improve the revenue growth prospects of Europcar’s low-cost business unit. The acquisition is subject to customary conditions precedent, including its approval by

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antitrust authorities, and is expected to close in the second half of the year 2017.

The proposed transaction, which is expected to generate close to €30 million of cost synergies per annum by 2020, is based on a corporate enterprise value of €550 million and a post-synergy adjusted corporate EBITDA around 7x.

Europcar Group expects the transaction to be materially accretive to its earnings per share from the first full year post closing onwards. A dedicated bridge-financing has been signed with a large and international banking syndicate to support the binding offer made by Eu-

ropcar Group and to cover Goldcar’s corporate and fleet-related refinancing needs.

Caroline Parot, chief executive, Europcar Group, said: “Following the acquisition of Buchbinder in May, the acquisition of Goldcar is yet another major strategic step for the Europcar Group as it will enable us to become a major player in the European low cost segment. This strategic move is fully in line with our 2020 Ambition and boosts our confidence in our ability to deliver the targets we announced in October 2016 of reaching at least €3 billion of annual revenue and an adjusted corporate EBITDA margin at the group level of at least 14 per cent by the end of 2020.

Parot added: “With the combination of InterRent, Buchbinder and Goldcar, we will build the platform and the scale we were aiming for in the low cost segment. Hence, we expect our low cost business unit to generate a significant portion of our group revenues in the future and more importantly to anchor the development of the group as a whole.”

MORE INFORMATION Europcar Group is listed on Euronext Paris and is considered the World’s Leading Green Transport Solution Company by the World Travel Awards.

Europcar is the European leader in vehicle rental service and is also a major player in mobility markets.

Active in more than 130 countries and territories, including nine subsidiaries in Europe and two in Australia and New Zealand, Europcar serves customers through an extensive vehicle rental network comprised of its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as sites operated by franchisees and partners.

The group operates mainly under the Europcar, InterRent and Ubeeqo brands.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of the group’s mission and all of its employees, this commitment fuels the continuous development of new services. The Europcar Lab, based in Paris, was created to better grasp tomorrow’s mobility challenges through innovation and strategic investments, such as Ubeeqo, E-Car Club or Brunel.

Find out more at www.europcar-group.com.

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FANTASTIC SAINT PETERSBURG WELCOMES YOU! Due to dynamic actions of the Government of Saint Petersburg focused on development of tourist industry, objects of city’s tourist infrastructure received a number of awards justifying its high international status and quality of services rendered.

Opinions of tourists happen to be the most important assessment of the work done. We will keep on doing our best to ensure that travelling to Saint Petersburg provides true pleasure to guests in future and contributes to forming a bright and appealing image of the city where one wants to come back to over and over again.

A.Mushkarev, Chairman, St. Petersburg Committee for tourism development

www.visit-petersburg.ru www.saintpetersburgcb.com

To stroll around royal park-and-palace ensembles St. Petersburg like an Empress wears a rich necklace — a necklace of royal summer residences located in the suburbs of the city.

Peterhof impresses by its numerous fountains, cascades and park pavilions .

The Catherine palace in Tsarskoe Selo is best known for the Golden Enfilade of state rooms that includes the world-famous Amber Room.

Pavlovsk is a cozy royal palace with unique chinaware, and amazing landscape park.

To touch the Russian Imperial history Saint Petersburg is the city of the white nights, draw bridges, royal palaces, museums and theatres, the cultural capital of Russia. It is the second largest city in Russia and the third one in Europe (after Moscow and London).

At 313, Saint Petersburg is quite young, yet the city has an impressive history. For a long time St. Petersburg remained the capital of the Russian Empire, and it was St. Petersburg that laid the foundation of socialist regime in the country

To get warm in winter The best opera and ballet performances, theatre and music festivals are performed at the season when the rivers and canals stand still, covered with the white armour of ice. Incredible Pancake week is a tasty period — to eat Russian dishes and to feel the spirit of Russia.

To crown it all the museums in winter are not overcrowded and the prices in the hotels decrease. Winter is time for magnificent balls that allow their guests to feel themselves like an Emperor

Saint Petersburg: A place to meet Saint Petersburg provides excellent modern congress and exhibition facilities, enabling it to hold world-class events.

The incentive and event industry in Saint Petersburg offers endless capabilities for business events, team building, corporate leisure and even exciting adventures.

The city possesses a wide range of exhibition spaces, conference halls and venues, comfortable hotels, and cosy restaurants with excellent cuisine.

Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017 From 01 to 30 November in Saint Petersburg the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» will be held.

Since its foundation St. Petersburg has become not only the capital city but also a kind of trendsetter in architecture, culture, history, and the art of cooking.

Due to the fact that in the period of construction St. Petersburg the most famous and most talented European artists of the time were invited. With them our city began the tradition of cooking dishes from different European countries.

Chefs from France, Italy and Germany creatively reworked old recipes of Russian cuisine, so many Russian dishes and recipes have found an European tradition.

Later the influence of Petersburg’s cuisine began spreading across the territory of Russia, contributing to the diversity of traditional recipes from various regions of the country.

Nowadays we can confidently talk about the special Petersburg style of Russian cuisine imbued with the spirit of history, traditions, culinary experiments and innovations.

The program of the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» includes themed dinners in restaurants, parties, workshops and master classes, shows in cooking the meals of Petersburg cuisine’s, activities for children and a special children’s menu, as well as exhibitions, competitions and much more.

The full program of the «Saint Petersburg restaurant festival-2017» you can see on St. Petersburg Official City Guide www.visit-petersburg.ru

Festival of Lights Festival of Lights is becoming one of the most exciting gala events in Saint Petersburg in spring and autumn.

The festival brings together artists, painters and musicians and thousands of visitors who enjoy all patterns of light on different historical monuments.

The festival will bring to life miraculous breathtaking art by newest 3D-mapping and audiovisual technologies.

To feel the city’s soul Modern St. Petersburg, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and canals, stands on more than 100 islands, which are linked to one another by more than 400 bridges. This is why the city is often called “the Venice of the North”.

Nearly every building in the downtown is considered to be a historic monument, hence the city’s definition — “open-air museum”. Its historical centre, palace and park ensembles are inscribed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Churches and cathedrals Saint Petersburg was planned as a Westoriented city and has always been renowned for its hospitality. Peter the Great encouraged foreigners, especially from Europe, to come to the new capital: they brought a new way of life, knowledge and traditions. To make foreigners feel comfortable in the city Peter the Great and his successors paid much attention to the construction of churches and cathedrals for people of various religions.

Though Saint Petersburg is known as a city of different creeds, it is the Orthodoxy that has long been the official religion of Russia.

That is why special emphasis was laid on orthodox churches. The world’s best architects built churches and cathedrals in Saint Petersburg. Sublimity of St.Isaac’s Cathedrals, proportion of the Nikolsky (St.Nicholas’) Cathedral, smartness of the Church of Resurrection of Christ (Spas-na-Krovi) always attract visitors of the city. The beauty and splendor of their inner decorations make indelible impressions upon guests’ minds.

To immerse yourself in St. Petersburg romantics During the “white nights” the Petersburgers flock to the banks of the Neva to see the sun set. The “white nights” period lasts from May to July. Countless festivals and concerts are held in the parks and on the city’s squares and embankments: Scarlet Sails school leavers festival, River Carnival, Festival of Ice Crackers, Festivals of garden art. During such days the city marks its anniversary – on May 27th. Every day from May to October sometime after two o’clock in the morning the multi-tonne wings of the bridges swing gently upwards to let vessels on the river pass.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2017/FIFA World Cup 2018 St. Petersburg city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism is one of the key sectors of the city’s economy. St. Petersburg welcomes up to seven million tourists each year, more than any other city in Russia.

In the same artistic tradition, a new state-of-theart 70,000-seat stadium is being constructed on Krestovsky Island facing the Baltic Sea. Resembling a spaceship, it was designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa. The stadium will have a retractable pitch, ensuring that the quality of the turf remains high regardless of the weather. The Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg will host the final of FIFA Confederations Cup on 2 July 2017 and the semi-final of FIFA World Cup on 10 July 2018.

To travel without visa The travelers arriving to St. Petersburg by sea (ferry or cruise ship) can get 72 hours visa-free entry and stay in the city if they have the tour program (voucher). The passengers can acquire the voucher on the board of a ship.

There are just 4 steps to visa-free entry: 1. Purchase an airline ticket to Helsinki There are more than 10 airlines that provide direct flights from European cities to Helsinki

2. Book a ferry cabin St. Peter Line ferries sail from Helsinki every two days according to schedule (at approximately 6 p.m.). Travel time is about 13–15 hours. Estimated time of arrival in Saint Petersburg is 9 a.m. the following day. The ferry sails back from Saint Petersburg 3 days later.

3. Book a transfer from the seaport of Saint Petersburg The ferry company will provide a transfer service to the city centre and also to some hotels. It is a paid service, but it is mandatory if you would like to purchase a visa-free cruise travel. The transfer fee is 25 euro.

4. Select a hotel to stay in the city centre After selecting a cabin and booking the transfer service you can select a hotel in the city centre from the list of hotels.

Please note that to use the visa-free stay option, you may only choose a hotel to stay from the list of hotels included in your tour group program.

Your travel agent will provide you with the full list of the hotels available for booking and the room prices, or, if you book a St. Peter Line Company ferry online, you can select a hotel online.

Gateway to Saint Petersburg Pulkovo Airport

Organize your business event in Saint Petersburg +7 (812) 679-61-34 14 Kutuzov emb., Saint Petersburg, Russia, info@spbcb.ru www.saintpetersburgcb.com

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MALDIVES TRIUMPHS AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY Maldives has been recognised as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination and Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination at World Travel Awards Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017.

Maldivian culture played a large part in the evening

Seychelles Tourism Board celebrates at the World Travel Awards

Hosted by the five-star Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, the prestigious event was attended by hospitality leaders from across the region.

Maldives deputy minister of tourism, Hussain Lirar, said: “Maldives Ministry of Tourism is thrilled to have won three prestigious World Travel Awards.

Maldives and World Travel Awards share a lot of common values. Most importantly we both celebrate excellence in hospitality and the highest level of service to visitors.”

Also celebrating was Seychelles - hailed the Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Port. Meanwhile Mauritius Tourism scooped the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.

World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said: “What a fantastic evening it’s been here at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef in the Maldives. It has been an honour to recognise the leading hospitality providers from the Indian Ocean tonight and I offer my heartfelt

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congratulations to each and every one of them. It is your hard work, dedication, initiative and investment that makes the Indian Ocean tourism sector the success it is today.”

Cooke continued: “I look forward to seeing many of tonight’s winners later this year at the Grand Final in Vietnam, where they will compete for the global titles.”

In the airline categories, Air Seychelles was voted Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline and Indian Ocean’s Leading

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Airline Business Class, while Air Mauritius was the recipient of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline Economy Class award. Trans Maldivian Airways walked away with the trophy for Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator.

Elsewhere The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort won the award for Indian Ocean’s Leading Island Resort and Sun Siyam Iru Sushi was named Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort. Jumeirah Vittaveli took the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa while Baros Maldives was recognised as Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort.

Also among the winners was Royal Caribbean International - hailed the Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Line for the second year.

Utkarsh Faujdar, general manager, Hulhule Island Hotel, picks up the trophy for Indian Ocean's Leading Leisure Hotel

Sri Lanka — the guest nation — was awarded Asia’s Leading Destination and Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, while the Hilton Colombo scooped the awards for Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel and the Mövenpick Colombo was voted Sri Lanka’s Leading Hotel.

Partners for the Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2017 included TV5 Monde, Maldives

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Tourism, Sun Siyam Resorts, Aeroflot, Dhiraagu and Coca Cola.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media. World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

MORE INFORMATION World Travel Awards aims to celebrate those organisations that push the boundaries of industry excellence.

Find out more at www.worldtravelawards.com or visit the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation on Stand AS540 here at World Travel Market 2017.

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F E AT U R E

HONG KONG LEADS WINNERS AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ASIA & AUSTRALASIA GALA CEREMONY Hong Kong has been recognised as Asia’s Leading City Break Destination at the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2017 in China.

Guests from across the regions were honoured by World Travel Awards

MORE INFORMATION World Travel Awards celebrates its 24th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators, destinations, World Travel Awards events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

Find out more at www. worldtravelawards. com

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Also celebrating at the prestigious event was Deer Jet, which took the title of Asia’s Leading Private Jet Charter and China’s Leading Private Jet Charter, and Gaia Retreat & Spa. Co-owned by Gregg Cave and Australian actress Olivia Newton-John, the wellness resort was recognised as Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

World Travel Awards vice president, Chris Frost, said: “What a fantastic evening it’s been here at Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai. It has been an honour to recognise some of the leading hospitality providers from Asia and Australasia tonight and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them. It is your hard work, dedication, initiative and investment that makes the tourism sector the success it is today.”

Hosted by the luxury Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, the prestigious event was attended by 250 hospitality

leaders from across the regions.

In a special award decided by the World Travel Awards Academy, Michael Henssler, Kempinski chief operating officer, Asia, took home the trophy for Asia’s Leading Travel Personality 2017.

Also among the winners was The Ascott Limited which walked away with the title of Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand (The Ascott Limited) and Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartments (Ascott Raffles City Chengdu).

Staying in Asia, Vinpearl Da Nang Resort & Villas was named Vietnam’s Leading Beach Resort while the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai scooped two trophies: Asia’s Leading Conference Hotel and China’s Leading Business Hotel.

In Australasia, Air New Zealand was hailed Australasia’s Leading Airline and Australasia’s Leading Airline Brand.

Partners for the Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2017 included TV5 Monde, Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, SriLankan Airlines, Bookingee.com and Vietravel.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Guests were treated to a tour of Shanghai as part of the Gala Ceremony

Rudiger Hollweg, general manager, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, centre right, played host the World Travel Awards in Shanghai

Michael Henssler was presented with a unique trophy from the World Travel Awards Academy

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F E AT U R E

LOUVRE ABU DHABI TO OPEN ON TH NOVEMBER 11 After years of preparation, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has announced it will open its doors to the public on November 11th.

It is the first museum of its kind in the Arab world: a universal museum that focuses on shared human stories across civilisations and cultures. The opening celebrations will include a wide range of public programmes, including symposiums, performances, concerts, dance, and visual arts by renowned contemporary and classical artists.

Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and considered the World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination by World

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Travel Awards, Pritzker Prize winning French architect Jean Nouvel has designed a museum city (Arab medina) under a vast silvery dome.

Visitors can walk through the promenades overlooking the sea beneath the museum’s 180-metre dome, comprised of almost 8,000 unique metal stars set in a complex geometric pattern. When sunlight filters through, it creates a moving ‘rain of light’ beneath the dome, reminiscent of the overlapping palm trees in the UAE’s oases.

On display will be the museum’s important collection of artworks, artefacts and loans from France’s top museums. These span the entirety of human existence: from prehistorical objects to commissioned contemporary artworks, highlighting universal themes and ideas and marking a departure from traditional museography that often separates according to origin.

MORE INFORMATION Tickets for the museum will cost 60 AED for general admission and 30 AED for ages between 13 and 22, as well as UAE education professionals.

Find out more at www. louvreabudhabi.ae or visit Abu Dhabi at Stand ME200 here at World Travel Market 2017.

Images courtesy: Mohamed Somji

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority said: “Louvre Abu Dhabi embodies our belief that nations thrive on diversity and acceptance, with a curatorial narrative that emphasises how interconnected the world has always been.

“The museum represents the latest innovation in a long-standing tradition of cultural preservation nurtured by the founding leaders of the UAE.” Endowed with an innovative scientific and cultural project combining the expertise of 13 French museums and institutions steered by the Agence France-Muséums, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will indeed offer visitors a unique experience: a brand new journey through major works of art from different civilisations, mirrored to reveal our common humanity. The

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Louvre Abu Dhabi therefore carries a message of tolerance and peace and stresses the unwavering commitment of our two countries to promote culture and education as a shield against extremism.

In the galleries, important artworks on loan from 13 leading museums in France will be presented.

Highlights include Leonardo da Vinci’s (1452–1519) La Belle Ferronnière (on loan from musée du Louvre); Vincent van Gogh’s (1853–1890) self-portrait (musée d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie); a rare ivory saltcellar from the Benin Empire (musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac); a Globe by Vincenzo Coronelli (1650– 1718) of Bibliothèque nationale de France; and a pair of gui vessels (Musée national des arts asiatiques Guimet).

The inaugural special exhibition, From One Louvre to Another: opening a museum for everyone, opens on December 21st, and traces the history of Musée du Louvre in Paris. The intergovernmental agreement includes the loan of the Musée du Louvre’s name for 30 years and six months, temporary exhibitions for 15 years, and loans of artworks for ten years.

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F E AT U R E

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS RECOGNISES THE BEST OF LATIN AMERICA TOURISM Riviera Maya has been hailed Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination, while Cancun has been recognised as Mexico & Central America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination at the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2017 in Mexico.

Dar°o Flota Ocampo, director general, Cozumel Promotion Board, picks up a prestigious World Travel Award

Hosted by the glittering, all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, the prestigious event was attended by hundreds of hospitality leaders from across the region.

World Travel Awards vice president, Sion Rapson, said: “What a fantastic evening it’s been here at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. It has been an honour to recognise some of the leading hospitality providers from Latin America tonight and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them. It is your hard work, dedication, initiative and investment that makes the tourism sector the success it is today.”

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In the airline categories, Aeroméxico walked away with the titles Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline and Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airline Brand while Delta Air Lines was voted United States’ Leading Airline to Central America, United States’ Leading Airline to Mexico and United States’ Leading Airline to South America.

MORE INFORMATION World Travel Awards Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

Meanwhile Mariscal Sucre International Airport scooped the trophy for South America’s Leading Airport.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Elsewhere Mashpi Lodge was awarded South America’s Leading Green Hotel, with Hotel del Parque recognised as South America’s Leading New Hotel. Paradisus Playa del Carmen was the recipient of Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel award, while UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya was named Mexico & Central America’s Leading New Hotel.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

Also among the winners was Quito - voted South America’s Leading Destination and South America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination - Bolivia, which was recognised as South America’s Leading Cultural Destination, and Cuenca.

The UNESCO world heritage site lifted the trophy for South America’s Leading City Break Destination.

Find out more at www.worldtravelawards.com.

In a special award decided by the World Travel Awards Academy, Andrew O’Brian, chief executive officer, Corporación Quiport, took home the trophy for Latin America’s Leading Travel Personality 2017.

Partners for the Latin America Ceremony 2017 included TV5Monde, Aeroméxico, Delta Air Lines, Riviera Maya and Travel Times.

A touch of local Mexican colour during the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony

Global brands got on board with the event World Travel Awards winners take to the stage in Mexico

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F E AT U R E

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS SALUTES EUROPE WINNERS Portugal was the big winner at World Travel Awards’ Europe Gala Ceremony 2017.

On a night of high drama in host city St. Petersburg, Portugal was voted Europe’s Leading Destination with Turismo de Portugal scooping the prize for Europe’s Leading Tourist Board. Meanwhile the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira was hailed Europe’s Leading Island Destination.

Also among the winners were Geneva and St. Petersburg. Switzerland’s second-largest city claimed the title of Europe’s Leading City Break Destination while St. Petersburg - famed for its winding network of canals and pretty pastel palaces - picked up the award for Europe’s Leading City Destination.

Luis Araujo, president, Turismo de Portugal, celebrates in St. Petersburg

The glittering event took place in the Marble Hall, Russian Museum of Ethnography, with hundreds of hospitality leaders from across the region in attendance.

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World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said: “It has been an honour to visit Russia for the very first time. We have recognised the leading lights of European tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners.

St. Petersburg proved a wonderful host for our Europe Gala Ceremony and I am sure the city will go on to take its rightful place as a top rank tourism destination.”

In the aviation sector, Aeroflot walked away with the trophy for Europe’s Leading Airline Brand, while Zurich Airport was recognised as Europe’s Leading Airport.

The ceremony, part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2017, was compered by Aleksandr Malich and Marina Kim – two of the most sought after hosts on Russian Television.

Hospitality leaders joined World Travel Awards from across Europe

Winners from the event will go forward to complete in the World Travel Awards Grand Final, this year taking place at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam on the evening of December 10th.

The Convention Centre Dublin - voted Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre - was also celebrating, as was Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. The former Ottoman Palace, now a five star hotel, was presented with the trophy for Europe’s Leading Hotel.

Elsewhere Porto Zante Villas & Spa was named Europe’s Leading Beach Hotel while voters selected the Conrad Algarve as Europe’s Leading Luxury Lifestyle Resort and La Clef Tour Eiffel Paris as Europe’s Leading Serviced Apartments.

Wold Travel Awards president Graham Cooke joins gusts in St. Petersburg

MORE INFORMATION World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

Georgy Poltavchenko, governor of St. Petersburg, is honoured by the World Travel Awards

Find out more at www.worldtravelawards.com or join Visit Portugal on Stands EU1100 and EU1150 or the Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau at Stand EU655 here at World Travel Market 2017.

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SAVOUR ENRICHING EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM’S HIDDEN PEARL Unlock the wondrous secrets and experience resort campus living amidst a stunning architectural masterpiece at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. Nestled on the pristine beach of Phu Quoc, an island of beautiful shorelines, untouched white sand and crystal clear water, the resort welcomes visitors with a world of fantasies with the awe-inspiring Lamarck University, crafted by the famed architect, Bill Bensley. Featuring 244 artistically unique rooms, suites and stand-alone villas, 5 restaurants and contemporary bars, an award-wining themed spa, and a wide range of enriching cultural and experiential activities, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay truly offers a unique discovery and experiential holiday in the fantastical paradise.

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F E AT U R E

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA WINNERS REVEALED IN KIGALI Rwanda has taken the top title at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2017.

On a night of high drama in host city, Kigali, the Land of a Thousand Hills was recognised as Africa’s Leading Destination.

Africa - alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum and AviaDev Africa, with hospitality leaders from across the region, in attendance.

Also among the winners was Durban.

The South African seaside city - which underwent a major makeover in the run up to the 2010 World Cup, with a sleek new stadium and a revamped waterfront - was hailed Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination. Meanwhile Durban International Convention Centre picked up the award for Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.

World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said: “It has been an honour to visit Rwanda for the very first time. We have recognised the leading lights of African tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners. Rwanda has proved a wonderful host for our Africa Gala Ceremony, cementing the country’s reputation as Africa’s rising star.”

The glittering event took place at the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre - one of the most recognised modern structures in

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa was also celebrating after scooping the award for Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite and South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite.

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Elsewhere Kempinski Hotel Fleuve Congo Kinshasa was voted Democratic Republic of Congo’s Leading Hotel and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Leading Hotel Suite, while the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali, was presented with the trophies for Africa’s Leading Conference Hotel, Rwanda’s Leading Conference Hotel and Africa’s Leading New Hotel.

Satguru Travels was named Tanzania’s Leading Travel Agency and Nigeria’s Leading Travel Agency, The ceremony - part of World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2017 - was compered by CNBC Africa presenter and producer, George Ndirangu, and passionate DJ and media personality, Makeda Mahadeo. Entertainment was

provided by Inganzo Ngari, Rwanda’s most acclaimed traditional dance group, and the Neptunez band.

Winners from the event will go forward to complete in the World Travel Awards Grand Final, this year taking place at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam on the evening of December 10th.

In the aviation sector, Kenya Airways was selected by voters as Africa’s Leading Airline and Africa’s Leading Airline - Business Class, while Cape Town International Airport walked away with the trophy for Africa’s Leading International Airport.

Breaking Travel News catches up with the winners at World Travel Awards

The travel industry’s leading awards programme also unveiled the host of the 2018 World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony as the Durban International Convention Centre. Conveniently situated in the heart of South Africa’s third largest city, this world-class facility was opened by former president Nelson Mandela in 1997 and has successfully staged some of the world’s most prestigious and complex events.

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Industry leaders from across Africa were in attendance

World Travel Awards celebrates its 24th anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.

The brand aims to celebrate those organisations that push the boundaries of industry excellence.

Find out more about World Travel Awards at www.worldtravelawards.com or visit the Rwanda Development Board at Stand AF120 here at World Travel Market 2017.

Rwanda Development Boards is recognised by the World Travel Awards

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F E AT U R E

JUMEIRAH LEADS WINNERS AT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MIDDLE EAST GALA CEREMONY Jumeirah has led winners at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony, taking the prestigious title of Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand.

A number of individual properties were also honoured, with Jumeirah Beach Hotel voted the Middle East’s Leading Family & Mice Hotel, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers taking the title of Middle East’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah awarded the trophy for Middle East’s Leading All Suite Hotel.

The red-carpet event was hosted at the Armani Hotel Dubai, situated within the iconic Burj Khalifa, with more than 400 industry leaders in attendance.

The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa was itself recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction.

Saudi Arabia was also celebrating a successful night, as the kingdom’s Vision 2030 seeks to turn the country into a tourism hotspot.

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Leading operatic tenor Andrew Amdur wows the crowds

Riyadh’s Al Faisaliah Hotel took the trophy for Middle East’s Leading Business & Conference Hotel, among a host of other titles, while Flyin.com was recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Online Travel Agency.

Also in the accommodation sector, Alnakhla Resort walked away with the prize for Middle East’s Leading Luxury Residential Resort.

World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said: “It is an honour for us to return to Dubai for our Middle East Gala Ceremony 2017.

“We have seen some deserving winners recognised here this evening at the Armani Hotel Dubai and my congratulations to them all.

International media from across the region joined the World Travel Awards celebrations

“I look forward to meeting the leading lights of regional tourism again later this year, as we begin our final preparations for the Grand Final in Vietnam in December.”

Middle Eastern icon Emirates Palace was honoured at the show, taking the title of Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel.

Host Armani Hotel Dubai also took a share of the spoils, walking away with the title of Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel.

The event was hosted by broadcaster Katie Fielder, while entertainment was provided by leading operatic tenor Andrew Amdur and 15-year-old singing sensation Anabella Amdur.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

More than 400 industry leaders from across the Middle East were in attendance at the event

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

The team from Jumeirah celebrate at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony

MORE INFORMATION Find out more about the World Travel Awards at www. worldtravelawards.com.

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