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
2
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.
3
breakingtravelnews.com
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. 4
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.
5
breakingtravelnews.com
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
7
breakingtravelnews.com
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.
9
breakingtravelnews.com
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
n
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
13
breakingtravelnews.com
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
17
breakingtravelnews.com
‘‘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
20
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.
21
breakingtravelnews.com
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
22
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-
23
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.
breakingtravelnews.com
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN SKI TOURISM 5 TH A N N U A L
17TH-19TH NOVEMBER 2017 A-ROSA KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA
Kitzbühel
WORLDSKIAWARDS.COM
WORLDSKIAWARDS
World’s No 1 Travel Industry News Resource
Breaking Travel News (BTN) has over the last 15 years established itself as the world’s leading online news and information service for senior travel industry thought leaders. Everyday BTN’s readers visit the daily feed of market intelligence, trend analysis, exclusive video interviews and breaking news in order to keep their fingers on the travel pulse.
Visit www.breakingtravelnews.com for the latest travel industry news or read on your mobile at breakingtravelnews.mobi
BREAKINGTRAVELNEWS.COM
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
26
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.
27
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.
breakingtravelnews.com
CURATED, EXPERIENTIAL
TRAVEL FOR ALL
We are the power behind exceptional travel and lifestyle products across the globe, cultivated by relevant and meaningful relationships with top-tier companies.
For more information on our services and partnering with Rovia, find us at rovia.com
WORLD TRAVEL AWARD WINNER
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
@roviaofficial @rovia
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
30
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
31
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.”
breakingtravelnews.com
THE BEST WAY TO
EXPERIENCE THE WORLD IS
TOGETHER
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.
33
breakingtravelnews.com
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.
breakingtravelnews.com
MÖVENPICK HOTEL ISTANBUL
Urban sophistication and business acumen... 24
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
25
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.”
38
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.
39
breakingtravelnews.com
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
42
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.
43
breakingtravelnews.com
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
Reside in the grandeur of St Petersburg THE TSAR SUITE AT HOTEL ASTORIA, ST PETERSBURG
MANDARIN HOLIDAYS INTERNATIONAL TOUR COMPANY
© ICONS BY YURI MAMAEV
ENJOY RUSSIA WITH MANDARIN HOLIDAYS
Mandarin Holidays is one of the largest tour operators in St-Petersburg, Moscow, Sochi and other Russian cities mandarinholidays8@gmail.com
www.mandarin-holidays.ru
worldgolfawards.com
worldgolfawards
Celebrating Excellence in Golf Tourism
La Manga Club, Spain 23rd-26th November 2017
Murcia · Spain If there is one thing that defines La Manga Club, it is our unparalleled sports facilities. Covering an area of around 1,400 acres, the resort’s award-winning facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre, eight FIFAapproved football pitches and modern cricket amenities. If that wasn’t enough, La Manga Club boasts an array of four and five-star accommodation, a luxury spa and more than 15 bars and restaurants – plus one of the best climates in Europe. THE END RESULT, A TRULY UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.
Tel. +34 968 17 5577 reservas@lamangaclub.com lamangaclub.com
‘‘ I’ve got the best
business partner in 140 different countries.’’ Jamie
Your mobility partner in over 140 countries worldwide.
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
73
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
breakingtravelnews.com
Eu ro pe ’s L e a Eu di ro Ren pe ngt 's L 1 7 alC e Coa ad mr Ring pa e C nyn ar ta lC 20
Book with Europe’s leader in car rental.
om pa ny
‘‘
IN EUROPE
N°1
awarded!
‘‘ Proud to be
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
75
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.
breakingtravelnews.com
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
78
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
79
breakingtravelnews.com
2012-2016
2015-2016
Maharajas’ Express
An experience unsurpassed I
ndia… a country with a history as old as time. A country where diverse dynasties have ruled through centuries, leaving their indelible imprint on the landscape, language and culture of the nation. Majestic palaces, forts, rich natural bounty, abundant wildlife….there’s so much to soak in and store memories for a lifetime. Come aboard Maharajas’ Express.
Journey Options Indian Splendour (7 Nights/8 Days) Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Bikaner-Jodhpur-UdaipurBalasinore-Mumbai Heritage of India (7 Nights/8 Days) Mumbai-Ajanta-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Bikaner-JaipurRanthambore-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Delhi Indian Panorama (7 Nights/8 Days) Delhi-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-GwaliorKhajuraho-Varanasi-Lucknow-Delhi Gems of India/Treasures of India (3 Nights/4 Days) Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore- Jaipur-Delhi Jewels of India* (6 Nights/7 Days) Delhi-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Jodhpur-OsiyanUdaipur-Delhi Highlights All inclusive tariff including sightseeing and meals • 24-hour valet service • Complimentary house wines, spirits and beers • Sightseeing with entrance fee included • Services of an experienced tour director • Choice of optional excursions and spas at hotels • Paramedic onboard *Special departure: 19th March 2017
A luxury offering from
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (a Govt of India Enterprise) B-148, 11th Floor, Statesman House, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110001 +91 9717635915 • maharajas@irctc.com • www.the-maharajas.com
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
84
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
85
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.
breakingtravelnews.com
2016
2016
World's Leading Water Villa Resort
Indian Ocean's Leading Family Resort
2017 Indian Ocean's Best Resort Spa
Sri Lanka's Leading Beach Resort
Meet Modern Mexico Face-to-Face A ONE-OF-A-KIND ALL-INCLUSIVE HOTEL
U N I C O H O T E L R I V I E R A M AYA . C O M
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.”
90
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
91
breakingtravelnews.com
GREAT EVENTS START HERE! The Kigali Convention Centre, A translucent dome modeled on a traditional kings palace, spanning across 32,000 sq. space is the largest and iconic Convention Centre in East Africa. With 18 versatile meeting venues and state-of-the-art auditorium that can accommodate up to 2,600 people, this land mark is ideal for small meetings to large conventions and exhibitions. We look forward to hosting your event!
HOTELS DESIGNED TO SAY YES! T: +250 252 252 252 radissonblu.com/hotel-kigali
MORE QUALITY INCLUSIONS THAN ANY OTHER RESORTS IN THE WORLD
VOTED WORLD’S BEST ALL- INCLUSIVE FAMILY RESORTS
AT BEACHES ® all-inclusive resorts, absolutely everything you could think of for the ultimate family vacation is included and unlimited. The most thrilling waterparks and land sports in the Caribbean. Fabulous water sports including unlimited waterskiing* and scuba diving*, even for the kids. Superb dining at up to 20 gourmet restaurants. Authentic island entertainment for everyone. A free* wedding that everyone can enjoy. Up to 14 bars serving unlimited premium spirits for adults. Cool hangouts for teens and Sesame Street ® fun and games for the kids. Beautifully appointed rooms and suites, some with butler service.Take a closer look at Beaches and see why we were voted the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand at the World Travel Awards for 19 years in a row.
For more information, visit BEACHES.COM or call 1-888-BEACHES *Visit www.beaches.com/disclaimers/WTA2017 or call 1-800-BEACHES for important terms and conditions. Beaches is a registered trademark. Unique Vacations, Inc. is an affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., the worldwide representative of Beaches Resorts. ®
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.
96
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.
97
breakingtravelnews.com
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.
YOUR PARADISE AWAITS AT JW MARRIOTT PHU QUOC EMERALD BAY
jwmarriottphuquoc.com
A magazine to tantalise your senses, a place to think and be luxurious, published daily, weekly and monthly. Luxury is much more than expensive things. It is about appreciation, the experience and time. Luxury is a state of mind and a lifestyle choice.
LUXURY REDEFINED.
www.worldluxurymedia.com
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.
102
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.
MORE INFORMATION
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
103
breakingtravelnews.com
Over 30 dedicated travel and tourism channels covering the world’s most popular tourism destinations and subject areas
the world’s leading travel video network From Africa, airlines, Dubai, China and cruise, to Europe, luxury, safari, ski and spa, World TV covers the globe. Each channel is curated by a dedicated editorial team featuring hundreds of the latest and most popular travel and tourism video content. To advertise on World TV, or create your own rich and engaging content for your own dedicated World TV Channel, call us on +44 (0) 20 7925 0000 or email info@worldtv.group.
www.worldtv.group
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.
106
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.
107
breakingtravelnews.com
HOTELS DESIGNED TO SAY YES! T: +250 252 252 252 radissonblu.com/hotel-kigali
The latest spa tourism news on the most significant developments in the wellness and spa tourism industry. Find stunning photos, videos and interactive discussions with our group members.
www.spatravelnews.com
‘‘ Our reward.
Tom & Anna
Free rentals, discount vouchers and more rewards for your loyalty. More information on www.europcar.com/privilege
‘‘
The chance to escape for the weekend.