BTN // ITB 2014 Day 1 by Breaking Travel News

ITB Berlin Special Edition - Day One - 5th MARCH 2014

THE MOST COMFORTABLE FLYING EXPERIENCE Business travel is beginning to look a lot like leisure

Enjoy the sound of silence with noise-cancelling headphones A fully-flat soft mattress made of all natural fibres The soothing aroma of lavender across the cabin

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WELCOME TO A MORE COMFORTABLE WORLD

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ITB Berlin Special Edition - Day One - 5th MARCH 2014

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WELCOME TO A MORE COMFORTABLE WORLD

FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL NEWS

THE MOST COMFORTABLE FLYING EXPERIENCE WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT GOURMET DINING OPTIONS.

World’s tallest hotel to host travel “Oscars” JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, the world’s tallest hotel, will host World Travel Awards, the “Oscars of the travel industry”, on May 4th 2014.

It enjoys an elevated position And abovejust Dubai’s busi- you tuck voting dates. for well-deserved Asia, Australasia, Caribbean, before in to getVoting some ness district, on Sheikh Zayed Road, and is spread Europe and North, South & Central America will chamomile tea with across two iconic towers. rest, savour a warm cup open of on April 14th.

The most influential decision-makers in the Arabian travel and tourism industry will attend WTA’s Middle East Gala Ceremony 2014 to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements over the past twelve months.

WORLD TRAVEL WTA’s 2014 Grand Tour will include regional legs in So the next time you fl y, choose the airline AWARDS VOTING OPENS Athens (Greece), Dubai (UAE),that Quito (Ecuador) and takeslegcomfort new heights. Choose The ceremony will mark the opening of WTA’s to incredible Caribbean throughout the year. The winners of these 2014 Grand Tour, a year-long Etihad global search for the regional heats will progress to the and enter a more comfortable world. Grand Final, which world’s finest travel organisation, covering seven will take place at the end of 2014. continents. Established in 1993, WTA is recognised globally WTA has also unveiled the nominees for its 2014 as the highest accolade in travel and tourism, and programme. This year, WTA’s 21st anniversary, will serves to recognise, acknowledge and reward exsee the competition at its fiercest yet as growing cellence of customer service, product development numbers of companies and destinations realise and business performance throughout the tourism the marketing opportunities that a WTA nomination industry. offers. The 2014 WTA Grand Tour ceremonies were attended by more than 4,000 guests from 96 countries, as Voting is now open for ceremonies in Africa, Indian well as media from 194 TV channels and publicaOcean and the Middle East. Both travel industry protions. fessionals and the general public can cast votes for their favourite travel organisations at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote - which also includes a list of

Since its full opening last year, the new landmark hotel has rapidly established itself as one of the most desirable destinations in the Middle East for business and leisure, and was voted “World’s Leading New Hotel” at World Travel Awards 2013 Grand Final in Doha, Qatar. The five-star property will serve as a fitting venue to host the inaugural 2014 event of the world’s most celebrated travel accolades programme. Soaring 355 meters high, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is just 26 metres shorter than New York City’s Empire State Building, and holds the Guinness World Record title as the “World’s Tallest Hotel”.

our bedtime drink service.

For more information about World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2014 visit www.worldtravelawards.com. For more information about JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai visit jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com or head over to Hall 22.A/103 here at ITB Berlin 2014.

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 CHAIRMAN, CEO Graham Cooke

Football sponsorship takes off for global aviation Middle Eastern airlines have been on the ascendancy for over a decade. Brash newcomers seeking to disrupt a market dominated by legacy carriers notorious for highcosts and poor services. What better way to announce your arrival than through sponsorship deals? And what bigger stage than international football?

GROUP SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Taylor SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT David Falcon VICE PRESIDENT Chris Frost EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Manon Han GLOBAL BUSINESS DIRECTOR Sion Rapson PROJECT MANAGER Kelly Footit INTERNATIONAL EDITOR-AT-LARGE Ben Roberts FEATURES EDITOR Anna Gouldman SOCIAL MEDIA TACTICIAN Sid Thaker HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Hakansson

With the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil just around the corner carriers are redoubling their efforts to be associated with the best teams in what is sure to be a bumper year. Take Emirates, an industry leader in this field.

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The airline was confirmed as the Official FIFA Worldwide Partner for the 2014 World Cup last year and Emirates will be present to share the occasion with fans and players from around the world. With a long and successful history in the game, football is embedded into the Brazilian way of life and Emirates is looking to bring fans closer to the game they love. South America is an important and growing market for the carrier, which currently serves three of its major cities with daily flights from Dubai;

Rio de Janiero, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. But that is just the tip of the iceberg for Emirates. The airline also maintains deals with the Asian Football Confederation, Arsenal FC, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Hamburger SV, Real Madrid, Olympiacos FC, Arsenal Soccer Schools Dubai, The Emirates Cup, and Zain Saudi Professional League – taking its brand around the world. In December 2012, Emirates renewed its sponsorship deal with Arsenal, extending the airline’s relationship with the English Premier League club, which dates back to 2004. The new £150 million deal grants Emirates a five year extension to its shirt partnership with the club until the end of the 2018/2019 season.

successful partnership campaign including the Land of FCB TV commercial that has garnered more than eight million views from fans all over the world; officially sponsored the FC Barcelona Asia Tour, and introduced unique tour and match packages for fans looking to visit Barcelona through Qatar Airways Holidays division. Qatar Airways and FC Barcelona are also taking their partnership to the skies, with the airline introducing FC Barcelona’s livery for the first time on a Boeing 777 earlier this month.

As well as being one of the biggest deals in the history of the game, the agreement extends and deepens one of the strongest and most recognisable partnerships in world sport. Emirates began its relationship with AC Milan in 2007, signing up as the club’s Top Institutional Sponsor for three years providing branding rights at AC Milan’s San Siro stadium as well as at their Milanello training ground alongside ticket and hospitality benefits. In 2010, Emirates expanded its relationship with AC Milan by signing a four-year deal to become the club’s official shirt sponsor. More recently the airline also signed Brazilian football legend Pelé will be one of its Global Ambassadors. It doesn’t get much bigger than that! At the time HH Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, Emirates Airline explained: “Pelé is a global icon. He is recognised, respected, and an inspiration to people around the world. “He represents the best values of ‘the beautiful game’ of football, not only because he was a great player, but also because he uses the power of sports to connect people – with each other, with communities, and with opportunities. In many ways, Pelé stands for the same values that Emirates does. “He is the ideal choice for our Global Ambassador and we are thrilled that we will be partnering with him.” Not to be outdone, emirati rival Etihad Airways, the national carrier of Abu Dhabi, has been buildings its own portfolio.

football and the first time the club has lifted the Barclays Premier League trophy. The Etihad Airways logo has been on the Manchester City shirt since 2009 and the Abu Dhabi-based airline became naming sponsor of the club’s Etihad Stadium and Campus in August 2011. The deal was validation for the ten-year partnership agreement signed between the airline and football club in 2010, significantly expanding their existing commercial relationship.

“Our commitment to Barca goes beyond having our name on the team jerseys. “We are truly fans of the team and genuinely believe that together we are ‘a team that unites the world’,” said Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker. “We are very proud to showcase the FCB livery alongside the Qatar Airways Oryx on our aircraft.

Commenting on the partnership James Hogan, chief executive, Etihad Airways, said: “This is a game-changing partnership agreement that redefines the traditional sports sponsorship paradigm. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for two iconic brands that share the same vision to promote far-reaching global awareness and business growth. “Etihad’s work with Manchester City Football Club has already yielded a significant return on our investment and we are thrilled to build on our relationship. “Their well-established name and loyal fan base have allowed us to tap into a new and increasing global audience. “In addition to being a sensible alignment for our brand from a business perspective, it is also one that we can get very excited about, especially at a time when MCFC’s winning attitude is bringing increased success for the team on the national and international stage.” Etihad is also considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards.

The high point to date came when Manchester City of England took the Premier League title on a dramatic last day of the season in 2012.

Regional giant Qatar Airways has been flexing its muscles, recently expanding its partnership with what many consider to be the best club in the world, Barcelona.

It was the first time since 1968 that Manchester City has won the title in England’s top tier of

In the nearly eight months since the partnership has been in effect, the airline has launched a hugely

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The aircraft, which features the distinctive Barça scarlet and blue, or ‘Blaugrana’ as it is known in Catalan, arrived from Bangkok this week to Doha International Airport.

“It is just one more way that we are able to demonstrate the strong partnership between our two organisations.” Qatar Tourism Authority also signed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, with the home of current home of Zlatan Ibrahimovic expecting to earn up to €200m-a-year from the four-year deal. “Our association with the Qatar Tourism Authority allows us to give ourselves the means necessary for the development of the club in the direction that we envisage,” said PSG chief executive, Jean-Claude Blanc. “It clearly benefits the image, as well as the results, of the club. He added: “QTA’s support enables us to offer our supporters a level of performance in keeping with their expectations and our ambitions.” Another regional carrier with global aspirations, Turkish Airlines, is playing its part, signing a deal with Manchester United in March last year.

ry out the promotion of this sponsorship deal in all the arenas of advertising and mass media outlets. With title of “the official sponsor of Manchester United” Turkish Airlines will transport the players of the club to the tournaments and training camps as the team’s official carrier. Hamdi Topcu, chairman, Turkish Airlines said at the time the sponsorship deal was very important and this cooperation would provide a big support for Turkish Airlines which is presently advancing towards becoming a global brand. Saying that he was very happy about becoming the official carrier for one of the greatest football clubs in England, the chairman also added the deal would bring mutual benefits to both sides. With the billions of Roman bankrolling them Chelsea have been a little slow to the airline sponsorship game. However, a deal last year did see Delta Air Lines launch the Delta 360˚ Lounge at Stamford Bridge.

According to the three and a half year sponsorship contract, all the advertising materials and logos of Turkish Airlines will be displayed on the internal screens of the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester and all other locations of the team.

Located within the Millennium & Copthorne Hotel, the lounge hosts official airline partner’s VIP guests on matchdays and provides a new venue for hotel guests and visitors for breakfast and refreshments.

Turkish Airlines will also make commercial films with the players of Manchester United Club and car-

Guests attending games will receive airline-style tickets inviting them to ‘check-in’ for the match

at the lounge. An LED-lit ‘runway’ leads guests to a dedicated entrance where inside they can enjoy top-flight hospitality, see Blues players past and present on Chelsea TV and watch the game screened live. Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa explained: “We are delighted to open the new 360° Lounge at Chelsea FC. The lounge is an important feature of our sponsorship deal and enables us to bring a taste of Delta’s service from the sky to the stadium, adding another exciting element to the Chelsea FC experience for our customers and partners.” Big business indeed. And with the World Cup now just a few months away more multi-million pound deals are likely just around the corner.

Hospitality key to Dubai’s Expo 2020 plans Dubai has announced plans to boost its number of hotel rooms by 80,000 following the emirate winning hosting rights to World Expo 2020. Al Wasl Plaza

Dubai Expo 2020 An estimated 25 million visitors are expected to attend the six-month spectacle, which will be held in the MENA region for the first time in the history of the event. Due to its geographic positioning, an estimated 70 per cent of visitors would originate from outside the host nation, making it the most international event in the history of Expo and offering unprecedented reach and exposure to participants and visitors alike. The world fair is the world’s largest non-sporting event, and the third-largest event behind the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. It aims not only to open up opportunities for trade and tourism, but also to put the UAE in the world’s spotlight. DUBAI EXPO 2020 SITE Dubai Expo 2020 will be hosted at Dubai Trade Centre – Jebel Ali, a single 438-hectare site, among one of the largest in Expo history. Situated between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, directly adjacent to the new Dubai World Central Airport, the site will provide optimal ease of access for visitors. Dubai Expo 2020 would serve as a platform for ideas and solutions across nations and organisation, inspiring a generation and driving lasting social change. The theme for Expo 2020 is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” which offers a vision of progress and development based on shared purpose and commitment in today’s highly interconnected world.

over the next seven years. Meanwhile, the Dubai economy could expect to benefit from an estimated US$23bn as a direct result of Expo 2020. Dubai Expo would take place immediately before the UAE marks its 50th anniversary in 2021, offering a unique opportunity to connect Expo to the national celebrations as the country enjoys a moment of collective reflection. The nation has outlined plans to invest $8 billion on infrastructure projects ahead of the event. Works include plans to extend Dubai Metro’s Red Line to Dubai World Central. The expansion also includes The Burj Al Arab is lit up with the Dubai Expo 2020

the construction of a new stretch of line from the existing terminus at Jebel Ali to Al Maktoum International Airport, which is next to the proposed Expo site at Dubai World Central. TOURISM Voted “World’s Leading Destination” at World Travel Awards 2013, Dubai hosted more than 10 million visitors last year. Tourism is one of the key contributors to the city’s economy, generating US$4.4bn in revenues for Dubai in 2011. Among the city’s many attractions, The Dubai Mall, located at the foot of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, recorded a total footfall of over 65 million last year – more than the number of annual tourists to New York City. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah continue to witness strong growth in tourism. More than 2.3 million guests stayed in Abu Dhabi hotels last year, while some 1.7 million international tourists visited Sharjah during the same period. MORE INFORMATION For further information visit expo2020dubai.ae or head over to visit Hall 22.A/103 here at ITB Berlin.

The event will also generate employment for a growing region with a young and dynamic population, creating more than 275,000 jobs in Dubai

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NEWS All the latest from Breaking Travel News With so much happening here at ITB Berlin it can be difficult to stay ahead in this most dynamic of industries. Here Breaking Travel News brings you the headlines from industry leaders around the world.

FINNAIR TO OPEN DIRECT WINTER SERVICE TO MIAMI Next winter Finnair will begin operating non-stop scheduled services between Helsinki and Miami, Florida. The new seasonal flight, operated with Airbus A340 aircraft in a two-class Business and Economy cabin configuration, will commence from December 16th, 2014 until March 21st, 2015. AY007 will leave Helsinki on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 09:55 for arrival in Miami (MIA) at 14:05 local time. AY008 departs Miami at 16:00 for arrival in Helsinki at 08:50 local time the next day. Starting from January 3rd, 2015, the service moves to three times weekly with an additional frequency on Saturdays. The flight 10

lasts approximately 11 hours outbound while the return journey takes less than ten hours. The timetable connects well with passengers transferring from other cities in Finland, Estonia and Sweden. “Services to Miami with codeshare partners have always been popular, and the time is now right to offer a direct non-stop route in the winter season in addition to these services,” says Finnair chief executive Pekka Vauramo. “Finns love Miami and southern Florida, and there is a sizeable Finnish expatriate community in the region. At the same time, this new direct route also gives us the opportunity to develop Finland and Lapland as exotic winter tourism destinations for Americans.”

The route between Helsinki and Miami International Airport will be included in the joint business on transatlantic traffic with oneworld alliance partners American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. This gives customers the possibility to mix and match flights on the different carriers for the best pricing and scheduling. For example, an itinerary could include a non-stop flight to Miami in one direction, but a connecting flight through New York, Madrid or London in the other, if the timing is more convenient. Finnair’s cooperation with the other three carriers also means that Miami is yet another gateway to dozens more North American destinations.

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS COME TO AIR FRANCE Air France has announced passengers can now use their personal electronic devices on board, following the European Aviation Safety Agency’s decision to authorise their use in flight mode at all times during the flight. With this new service, Air France passengers can continue to work or play from the time they board the plane until they arrive at their destination, in total freedom. The airline strives to offer its passengers more autonomy on a daily basis. In addition, since July 2013, Air France has been offering passengers the opportunity to enjoy the entire in-flight entertainment programme as soon as they board until they arrive at their destination. In this way, customers can enjoy on average an additional hour of entertainment, independently of the take-off, landing and taxiing phases.

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Air France shares and strongly reaffirms the position of the European Aviation Safety Agency concerning the main priority in terms of flight safety, which is that passengers should be attentive to safety announcements and crew instructions. ETIHAD A total of 2,806,283 guests checked into Abu Dhabi’s 150 hotels and hotel apartments in 2013, up 18 per cent on 2012, according to figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. Abu Dhabi’s hotels have witnessed their best ever year and the outstanding result means the emirate has smashed its target of 2.5 million hotel guests in 2013. The UK remains Abu Dhabi’s second largest overseas market, behind India, with 162,973 Britons checking into the emirate’s hotels last year, a 16 per cent increase on 2012. British guests accounted for 763,151 guest nights – an increase of 25 per cent

year on year - with an average length of stay of 4.68 nights, again up seven percent on 2012. “This is a highly satisfying performance, particularly as we have seen 13 more hotels and hotel apartments open throughout 2013. We now have just over 26,000 hotel rooms, a ten per cent increase on 2012,” said His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman, TCA Abu Dhabi. He continued: “As we have now achieved the original hotel guest targets set for 2014, we have reviewed our goals and are uplifting our sights by ten per cent. We are now looking to achieve 3.1 million hotel guests in 2014, with a ten per cent year on year compounded growth in the near term.” The 2013 guest intake delivered close to 8.8 million guest nights, a 26 per cent increase on 2012, with total revenue reaching almost £902 million, up 18 per cent.

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AVIANCA LAUNCHES LONDON-BOGOTÁ ROUTE In response to the flourishing commercial and cultural dynamics between Europe and Latin America, as part of the airline’s consolidation plan, and in order to improve intercontinental connectivity, Avianca will inaugurate its London-Bogotá route in July 2014. With this announcement Avianca takes another step on its path to consolidate its position as the leading airline in the Europe-Colombia market, with the four weekly flights to London being added to the 23 Spain-Colombia flights it already offers. Avianca chief executive Fabio Villegas said: “The opening of the London-Bogota route is in response to the increasingly close relationship between the two nations, as evidenced by the fact that the UK is currently the second largest investor in Colombia. At Avianca we’ve been working tirelessly to provide travellers with a superior service and we’re looking forward to taking advantage of this perfect opportunity to show travellers originating from Britain and Europe the warmth that characterises Hispanics.” With the launch of this operation, travellers from the UK will see their options of flying to points within Colombia, as well as to the other major capitals of Central and South America, increase dramatically thanks to the efficient network that connects Avianca to more than 100 destinations on the continent, 12

and the wide range of Avianca flights to business destinations in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru amongst others. As is widely known, the new Eldorado International Airport in Bogotá, inaugurated last year, offers a privileged geographical location that is less than three hours flight time to a wide range of destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its modern and comfortable facilities make the Colombian capital the ideal connection hub for travel onto any point in the Americas. NEW ZEALAND PREPARES FOR CRICKET WORLD CUP New Zealand’s love affair with cricket has hit new highs as the country prepares to host the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Countdown clocks are ticking in the seven host cities around New Zealand as giant cricket balls are rolled out to show the world that a warm Kiwi welcome awaits visitors arriving for the major event next year. New Zealand’s host cities are Auckland, Hamilton, Napierand Wellington in the North Island and Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin in the South Island. A giant inflatable cricket ball has also been bouncing around New Zealand’s top holiday spots to spread news of the forthcoming World Cup and give visitors a glimpse of what awaits them. It is 23 years since New Zealand last hosted the

Cricket World Cup and the tournament has now become one of the biggest sporting events in the world. A million people are expected to attend matches and another billion to watch on television. New Zealand will co-host the 2015 World Cup with Australia and tickets are already on sale. The ICC Cricket World Cup’s 49 match schedule is set to be played from February 14th - March 29th 2015 and New Zealand will play host to the 14 teams from every competing nation. The opening game will be played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in the South Island city of Christchurch. The tournament is a valuable opportunity to showcase New Zealand as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and further cement the country’s reputation for successfully hosting major sporting events. Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the event is about taking the attention New Zealand gains as host of the event and using it to tell the world that New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit, with friendly people and unforgettable experiences. “Our message to the millions of cricket fans is that the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup offers the unique chance to experience the buzz of a global sports event that allows ample time to explore a stunningly diverse and beautiful country in between matches. New Zealand’s compact nature simplifies travel and makes it easy to access all venues while experiencing diverse landscapes and a variety of visitor attractions along the way.”

on the open deck of Britannia for good luck. A 1oz solid silver brilliant uncirculated 2013 coin featuring Britannia with her trident and shield was chosen to mark the occasion as 2013 was the year the hull was laid. After the coin ceremony, the focus then moved to the dockside where the ship was blessed, and a bottle of Italian prosecco was smashed against the hull by the Madrina. Italian tradition dictates that a Madrina “godmother” officiates at a float out ceremony and P&O Cruises selected Travel Counsellor’s Louise Hunt as Madrina for Britannia. Louise was selected through a travel agent competition run to find the best person possible to fulfil this role. The valves of the dry dock were then opened so Britannia met the water for the first time. During the formal ceremony, Carnival UK chief commercial officer Gerard Tempest said: “Britannia will be a market-leading ship for a market-leading brand when she makes her debut in spring 2015. “There will be an unrivalled mixture of contemporary sophistication mixed with those enduring hallmarks of P&O Cruises: high quality service, cuisine and entertainment delivered with style and glamour. We wanted Britannia to become a modern classic with the core of P&O Cruises heritage augmented by the latest contemporary design. This is a landmark event for P&O Cruises and for the British cruise industry and is the start of a new chapter in our future.” Ten the biggest ship built for the British cruise market will set sail on March 14th 2015.

P&O CRUISES’ FLOATS OUT NEWEST SHIP, BRITANNIA A ceremony has been held at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste to mark the float out of P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Britannia. The first ceremony involved the welding of significant coins

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Asia-Pacific

5.2a – South Asia – Australia, Pacific 5.2b – India 7.2a – Central Asia 26 – Far East, Southeast Asia

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20, 21a, 23a

Arabian Countries, Israel 21 e – Iran, 21 b – Iraq, 22, 23b

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1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 7.2b, 10.2, 15.1, 17, 18

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Carrier, Hotels, Tour Operators 8.1, 9, 10.1, 13, 24, 25

3.1 – Gay & Lesbian Travel (LGBT) 4.1 – Youth Travel, Adventure Travel, Responsible Tourism, Economy Accommodation, ITB Stages 5.1 – ITB Travel Technology 6.1 – ITB Travel Technology, Mobile Travel Services, eTravel World 8.1 – ITB Travel Technology, ITB Corporate MICE Lounge by HSMA 10.1 – ITB Travel Technology 10.2 – Book World, Cultural Tourism 11.1 – Training and Employment in Tourism (CareerCenter) 16 – Wellness 25 – Cruises

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INTERVIEW Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal has grown to become one of the most exciting destinations not only in Dubai, but in the entire Middle East. Here Breaking Travel News catches up with Mohammed Al Muallem from DP World to discuss what comes next for the location.

Breaking Travel News interview

Mohammed Al Muallem, managing director, DP World, UAE Breaking Travel News: Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal in Dubai is undergoing significant developments for both the cruise liners which sail in and out of Dubai and the guests who sail on those liners. Could you give us an overview on the developments taking place? Mohammed Al Muallem: In line with Dubai governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy to position the city as the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading tourist destination DP World took the initia-

Mohammed Al Muallem

tive to expand the cruise facilities at Mina Rashid in the heart of Dubai. The construction of the new 24,000 square metre Cruise Terminal 2 is expected to be completed in the first half of 2014 and is planned to be the best of its kind in the region, with world class duty-free outlets, retail shops, currency exchange, ATM machines and a VIP business centre. A 50,000 square metre car park will accommodate 36 buses and

150 taxis, in addition to private cars parking bays for employees and visitors. The new terminal also provides office facilities to various authorities and stakeholders including DTCM, Dubai Police, Customs, Immigration, shipping agents and airlines. The ultra-modern facilities will strengthen Mina Rashid’s position as the largest cruise hub in the Middle East. BTN: When completed what will be the increase in capacity for the number of liners berthed at any one time and the number of passengers handled each year? MM: When fully operational, Mina Rashid will be able to handle more than 14,000 cruise passengers a day, more than doubling the capacity. More than 410,000 cruise tourists passed through Mina Rashid during the 2012-2013 season alone. Mina Rashid is designed to receive seven mega cruise vessels simultaneously. The on-going expansion plans of the new facilities will enable Dubai to welcome those vessels and their passengers to its shores in greater numbers. BTN: What are the services provided by DP World to the cruise operators and their passengers using the Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal?

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MM: Mina Rashid offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of services to cruise operators and their passengers anywhere. Luxury is not a problem for us at Dubai Cruise Terminal, where passengers will find competent concierge service, world class Duty Free outlets and retail shops, authorised money exchanges, a post office, a big screen entertainment centre, special conveniences for the physically challenged including wheel chairs, electric carts, ramps and wide entrances.

World Travel Awards for six years in a row, what does this accolade state about the facilities and the services offered and finally, what does it mean to the team involved?

In addition, the operators will find under one roof tour agents with knowledge of local heritage and cultural destinations.

This means a lot to Dubai, DP World and the cruise tourism industry at large and the on-going development at Mina Rashid supports Dubai’s long-term strategy to stimulate growth and development in the traditionally strong tourism sector.

Dubai Cruise Terminal also offers business assistance to cruise tourists who choose to combine a bit of work with leisure such as a business centre with Internet connectivity and other communication facilities, conference rooms and support services. The entire site is surrounded by a perimeter fencing monitored by 24x7 security systems. Mina Rashid is home port to major global cruise operators such as Costa Crociere, Aida Cruises and now TUI Cruises, which commenced operation from Mina Rashid in the 2012-2013 season.

MM: Since 2008, Mina Rashid has been voted the Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port at the prestigious World Travel Awards every year, reflecting our longterm commitment to developing Mina Rashid as the regional cruise destination of choice.

MORE INFORMATION For more on Dubai head over to Hall 22.A/103 for a chat with representatives from the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing or head over to www.definitelydubai.com.

BTN: The Mina Rashid Cruise Terminal has been the Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port at the

San Francisco Church (image courtesy of Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel)

SOUTH AMERICA’S HOTTEST CITY Composed of an ancient mixture of peoples, cultures and traditions, the city of Quito – capital of Ecuador – has been a unique and treasured place for generations of Ecuadorians. Throughout its history the city has hosted travellers, worshipers, scientists, warriors, architects, emperors and any number of great men. Each knew the value of the land and offered their unique contribution to the development of this metropolis strategically located on the equator. OLD TOWN

Quito boasts a host of historical attractions, reflected in the city’s victory at World Travel Awards 2013 when it was voted “South America’s Leading Destination”. At the hear t of the city is the Spanish colonial centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as long ago as 1978. The area has recently undergone a renaissance, with the city government investing hundreds of millions of US dollars on improvements to infrastructure, attractions and amenities. The cobblestoned streets and pastel-colored mansions which hem the revitalised San Francisco Church now dazzle once again as they welcome guests from around the world. Other projects planned as par t of the 35th anniversary celebrations include recovering landmark buildings to house two new universities, the construction of the cultural complex and recreational Cumandá (in a former bus terminal), the opening of the Monastery of Carmen Alto Museum, the rehabilitation of the St. Augustine Sala Capitular and San Blas squares, Victoria Square and the Capitol Theatre.

These interventions are already underway, and add to a broad agenda that includes citizen par ticipation, academic and educational institutions and specific exhibits. Events such as the International Forum ‘Inhabiting Heritage’, and the ‘Conservation Asset: Quito-Krakow Exchange’ seminar, will join traditional festivals such as Summer Q, Liber ty Eve, and the Quito foundation festivities on the agenda. In early November, Ecuador will host the prestigious Adventure Racing World Championships, with Quito positioned as the race headquar ters where the world’s best adventure racing athletes will meet and prepare for the epic multi-disciplinary adventure race. Christmas & New Year will hold a host of activities that allow visitors and citizens to reflect on the heritage and diversity of Quito, as well as making the historic centre a meeting place for the reappropriation of public spaces. Close by, La Mariscal is considered the centre of enter tainment in Quito. Here the city offers visitors endless options for dining, shopping, dancing and anything else they might desire. A meeting point for local people, the cosmo-

politan atmosphere also takes in a huge array of cultural experiences, dance schools and craft shops. Latin Americans are renowned for their sense of fun, meaning festivities will extend well into the night! But it is not all par tying, with Quito also offering a developed cultural sector. In recent years the city has carried out various projects to offer residents and visitors a range cultural sites and oppor tunities for ar tistic expression. These projects have adapted heritage buildings to allow them to accommodate exhibitions, shows, contests, and all kinds of cultural events. Top attractions include the Cultural Center Benjamin Carrion, the Contemporary Ar t Center and the Cultural Center Tianguez. Quito will step up to host its inaugural World Travel Awards ceremony in the summer of 2014. The glittering red carpet event will take place at the historic Centro Cultural Itchimbia. Forming the centrepiece of Parque Itchimbia, the Centro Cultural Itchimbia is a magnificent glass-and-iron building, modelled after the city’s original Mercado Santa Clara. The centre hosts regular ar t exhibits and cultural events, as well as serving as a museum.

GREEN SPACES

On the more sedate side, wider Quito is also home to a number of relaxing parks, which act as the lungs of the city. These are spaces where people meet to walk, play spor ts, fly kites and enjoy nature at its finest. Most famous is the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, which is located almost 3,000 meters above sea level. Surrounded by trees and gigantic ar t installations, visitors can spot over 70 bird species in this natural haven of 557 hectares. Located just a few minutes from Guanguiltagua Street in the urban neighborhood of Batán Alto, the park is easily accessible to guests. Also popular with locals is Las Cuadras Park, located south of the city. Declared an ecological area of special interest because of its native trees and exotic plants, there is also a wide variety of wildlife.

WORLD CITY

Offering a significant boost to tourism in Ecuador, the Mariscal Antonio Jose d Sucre International Airpor t in Quito opened last year. Set to welcome five million passengers in its first year, the

San Francisco Church

The Cathedral Dome

Virgin of “El Panecillo”

Historical Center

airpor t offers a longer runway than its predecessor meaning planes no longer have to stop at Guayaquil to refuel on the way to European destinations. “In addition, the new airpor t is located 400 meters below the current terminal, which enables aircraft to take off from the new airpor t with the highest passenger and cargo capacity possible, on non-stop flights,” explains Freddy Egüez, general manager, Metropolitan Public Airpor t Services. Quito is also set to boost its business credentials with the

launch of one of the largest urban development projects in recent years: the Quito Convention & Events Centre Complex. The project will be created as a public/ private par tnership, and will occupy an 11 hectares site on the grounds of the old airpor t. With the construction of this new development, Quito aims to become one of the top ten destinations for conventions and trade fairs in Latin America and rank among the first 50 countries worldwide in the industry of events tourism, as per guidelines of its strategic tourism promotion plan.

MORE INFORMATION Head over to www.quito.com.ec/en for more information or visit Ecuador at Hall 1.1.

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ROSEWOOD CORNICHE CELEBRATES RECORD YEAR Rosewood Corniche, Jeddah’s most luxurious hotel, has celebrated a record year amid strong positive growth throughout 2013, the hotel’s management has reported. The number one hotel in the Kingdom’s commercial capital has announced that its in-room revenue has increased by 8.2 per cent in 2013 while occupancy levels have increased by 3.7 per cent compared to 2012.

Revenues were further boosted during the peak season from June 2013 to November 2013 leading to an increase of 6.1 per cent in revenue per available room and 2.6 per cent in the Average Room Rate. The hotel also reported an overall increase of 1.2 per cent in its Gross Operating Profit with the total revenue being 2.9 per cent higher than the forecasted budget.

member combined with professional pride and the desire to not only achieve increased revenues but to further accelerate and exceed guest expectations. We are extremely proud to report such positive figures for 2013.”

introduced many new concepts to the hospitality industry including specially trained Fragrance Butlers, a seemingly unusual amenity to offer guests a choice of exotic scents, and the Rosebuds programme for young children.

During Ramadan, the hotel was transformed into a traditional Layali Hijazi setting, providing guests with a truly memorable, special Holy Month experience as they were transported back into a world of charm and opulence.

He added: Our guests are incredibly loyal to the Rosewood brand both here in the Middle East and throughout the world, but we are conscious never to rest on our laurels. We are now looking ahead to strengthening our position in 2014 as the number one business and leisure venue in Jeddah, and to maintain our presence as one of the foremost properties in the Kingdom.”

In 2013, the hotel underlined its ongoing support for the non-profit organisation, Jeddah Autism Centre by hosting the Vertical Marathon for the children and the Rosewood team helping to renovate and decorate their facility.

Hans Peter-Leitzke, managing director, Rosewood Corniche, said: “We can’t associate our hotel’s success story with one person alone or a particular department but see it as a consolidated effort of each team

Rosewood Corniche opened in September 2007, offering stunning views of the Red Sea and bringing a new level of quality hospitality and personalised services to Jeddah. Since then the luxury property has

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Jeddah’s culinary lovers welcomed the introduction of the world’s latest pastry innovation, the ‘cronut’, available only in the property’s Soleil café, while the Italian Food Festival saw the authentic dishes prepared from Liguria, Sicily, Campania and Tuscany. In fashion, the hotel collaborated with leading Saudi Arabian designer Manar Al Rawi who showcased her latest collections.

“I am delighted to say that we have successfully fulfilled our targets for this year,” said Sherif El Mansoury, director of sales and marketing at Rosewood Corniche. “In 2014, we will continue our growth campaign and focus on rolling out new and innovative consumer marketing initiatives to increase footfall, generate higher revenues for the hotel but ultimately, to keep our guests exceptionally well looked after.” Rosewood Corniche was the recipient of Saudi Arabia’s Leading Hotel at the Middle East World Travel Awards in June 2013, a title held for four consecutive years.

MORE INFORMATION For more information on the property head over to www.rosewoodhotels.com.

Etihad builds on global aspirations With Etihad maintaining its place as one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Breaking Travel News here brings you a selection of the latest news stories from the brand. Etihad Airways has announced plans to increase its services to the Pakistani cities of Islamabad and Peshawar from London and Manchester via its Abu Dhabi base. Starting from March 30th 2014, Etihad Airways will increase its flights to Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad, from 11 flights a week to a double daily schedule. Services to Peshawar, often referred

to as the “City on the Frontier” due to its strategic location at the crossroads of central and south Asia, increased from two to five per week on February 1st 2014. With the addition of the new services, Etihad Airways will offer 37 weekly flights from four destinations in Pakistan which, along with Islamabad and Peshawar, include Karachi and Lahore. The additional services on each route will be operated by A320 aircraft, fitted with 16 business class and 120 economy class seats, and will increase capacity by 150 per cent Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief strategy and planning officer, said: “Pakistan is a growing market for Etihad Airways, as passenger demand, connectivity choice, and frequency enhancements continue to drive business and leisure traffic onto our expanding global network.” ETIHAD AIRWAYS SIGNS AIR EUROPA CODESHARE DEAL Etihad Airways and Spanish airline Air Europa have signed a codeshare agreement which will see both

carriers significantly enhance access to and from Spain, the UAE and to destinations across globe. Under the terms of the agreement and subject to regulatory approvals, Air Europa plans to commence a three times a week direct service between Madrid and Abu Dhabi in late 2014. Etihad Airways will place its EY flight code on the new Airbus A330 operated flights, offering direct access to Madrid for the very first time through its global Abu Dhabi hub. The two airlines will work together in the run up to the route launch, with Etihad Airways initially placing its code on Air Europa-operated flights to Madrid from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa and beyond Madrid to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. In return, Air Europa will place its UX flight code on Etihad Airways flights from Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan Malpensa to Abu Dhabi. Alvaro Middelmann, advisor to the chairman of Air Europa, left, and Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways chief strategy and planning officer, sign the codeshare agreement between the two airlines.

Furthermore, during summer 2014, both airlines plan to expand the number of codeshare destinations to include new cities in Spain and South America via Madrid, and more cities beyond Abu Dhabi across the Gulf region, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Etihad Airways president James Hogan said: “The fact that Air Europa has chosen Abu Dhabi for the next wave of its international expansion, speaks volumes of what the emirate and our global hub have to offer. We have been keen to offer our customers direct access to the Spanish capital for a number of years, and doing this now in partnership with Air Europa makes perfect business sense.” He concluded: “It is the right thing to do.” ETIHAD HOLIDAYS Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways, has launched a new travel trade portal in the UK, allowing travel agents to sell and book Etihad Holidays packages. The new portal will build on existing relationships between Etihad Airways and the UK travel trade. Agencies will have the ability to book Etihad Holidays online via the site or by contacting the Etihad Holidays UK Call Center on 0844 499 6660 seven days a week, with prices remaining the same across consumer and trade sites to ensure rate parity. Travel agencies with current Vax Vacation Access membership, or that use trade websites www.funway4agents.co.uk or www.sandals4agents.co.uk can have immediate access to the Etihad Holidays portal at www.eyholidays4agents.co.uk. Those wishing to register for membership can do so online by following the instructions at www.vaxvacationaccess.co.uk, or by contacting their Etihad Airways Account Manager. Etihad Holidays UK launched in August 2013 to cater for growing demand from UK tourists to the UAE and beyond.

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It offers luxury packages at over 700 hotels across 140 destinations including transfers and flights which start on-board Etihad Airways, voted the World’s Leading Airline for the past five years at the World Travel Awards. ALITALIA Hogan has also confirmed the airline has entered the final phase of a due diligence process about a possible investment by Etihad in Italian flag-carrier Alitalia. Over the past few weeks both companies and their advisors have sought to determine how a common strategy can be developed which meets the objectives of both parties. A deal is expected any day now. Neither side disclosed the size of the possible investment. However, there have been reports the fast-expanding Gulf airline could take up to 40 per cent. Alitalia flies about 25 million passengers a year, but is weighed down by hundreds of millions of euros in debts. It employs about 14,000 staff and is regarded as one of the country’s more important business assets. Etihad Airways’ minority shareholdings also include 29 per cent of airberlin, 40 per cent of Air Seychelles, 19.9 per cent of Virgin Australia, 3 per cent of Aer Lingus and 24 per cent of India’s Jet Airways. The airline will acquire 49 per cent of Air Serbia in January 2014. Together, Etihad Airways and these seven airlines serve nearly 400 unique destinations with a fleet of more than 500 aircraft. In 2013, they carried a combined total of more than 80.5 million passengers – comparable to large airline partnerships in Europe. Etihad Airways is also considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards. MORE INFORMATION For more information visit www. etihad.com or head over to Hall 22.B/211 or Hall 10.1/117 here at ITB Berlin.

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DATALEX SIGNS UP VIRGIN ATLANTIC AS KEY PARTNER

DATALEX, THE LEADING PROVIDER OF RETAIL ECOMMERCE SOFTWARE AND SOLUTIONS TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, HAS SIGNED VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS AS THE LATEST AIRLINE TO USE ITS RETAIL PLATFORM TO DRIVE THE SALE OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THROUGH ITS WEBSITE Aidan Brogan

Datalex delivers a comprehensive portfolio of software solutions used by over 50 airlines worldwide to deliver competitive and differentiated shopping experiences at all points in the travel experience, from booking through to in-flight. Aidan Brogan, chief executive of Datalex said: “We are proud to partner with a premium travel brand like Virgin Atlantic, who are renowned for the high quality of customer experience they offer. Datalex is experiencing a strong year of customer growth, and looks forwards to announcing further customer wins in the coming months.” Datalex is technology partner to some of the world’s largest airlines including Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, WestJet, Air China, Aer Lingus and Virgin Australia. Commenting on the deal, David Bulman, chief information officer at Virgin Atlantic Airways said: “We’re excited to confirm the selection of the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform as a retail platform to support new innovative shopping experiences. We’re looking forward to a successful partnership with Datalex and will leverage this award winning platform to enhance the Virgin Atlantic traveller experience.”

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS The Virgin Atlantic deal caps a busy period for Datalex, following the company’s recent selection as the World’s Leading Travel Merchandising Solution Provider and World’s Leading Travel Distribution Solution Provider at the World Travel Awards 2013. Commenting on the awards, Brogan said: “The World Travel Awards recognise brands that ‘push the boundaries of industry excellence in product and service’. He added: “This could not be a more fitting accolade for Datalex, where we push boundaries every day, developing innovative retail software solutions which deliver proven business results to our airline customers.” Datalex was presented with the award at the World Travel Awards Grand Final which this year took place in Doha, Qatar, at the La Cigale Hotel. MORE INFORMATION For more on Datalex head over to www.datalex.com.

We continue to do our best. After winning ten awards as Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best airport, we are delighted to have been nominated again for the World Travel Award. Thanks are due to you, our passengers, for placing your trust in Zurich Airport year after year and honouring its infrastructure and service quality. Your satisfaction will remain our number one goal in the future. www.zurich-airport.com

LUXURY TOUCHES FROM KOREAN AIR Korean Air has continued its development as a world class international carrier with the addition of a new codeshare deal and new luxury touches for passengers. Breaking Travel News brings you the latest.

Korean Air has announced a code-share partnership with Aurora Airlines on the route between Incheon-Sakhalin. Aurora Airlines is a Russian Far East air carrier and a subsidiary of Aeroflot, created by merging SAT Airlines and Vladivostok Air. The carrier flies to 18 cities in four countries with 13 aircraft including the B737. Aurora Airlines’ flights code-shared by Korean Air to Sakhalin are operated by a B737 aircraft, seating 110 passengers. Aurora Airlines’ flights depart from Incheon International Airport on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays at 12:00 noon and arrive in Sakhalin at 16:45 the same day The return flights depart from Sakhalin at 09:30, arriving Seoul Incheon at 10:50 the next day. Alongside Korean Air’s current routes between Incheon-Moscow (five flights a week) and Incheon-Vladivostok (daily), the codeshare flights to Sakhalin will provide increased convenience and choice to passengers travelling to Russia. PERRIER-JOUËT Korean Air’s first and business class passengers on international routes will now be able to enjoy one of the

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finest champagnes in the world – Perrier-Jouët. In keeping with the quality of the champagne, it will be served in elegant Riedel glassware. Heather Cho, senior vice president of catering, said: “Korean Air is delighted to serve Perrier-Jouët champagne in fine Riedel glassware to its valued customers. Korean Air continually strives to exceed its ‘excellence in flight’ mantra through innovative service upgrades and this luxury brand is a perfect fit with the Korean Air brand of quality.” One of the finest and most luxurious champagne brands, Perrier-Jouët has been loved by many European royal families, including Leopold I and Napoleon III. In 1861, Queen Victoria gave Perrier-Jouët a royal warrant as suppliers of champagne to the British royal household. Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque is known as the “floral champagne”. Named after the ‘golden age’ in France during the late 19th century, Belle Époque features a delicate flavour blending flowers and fruit. Belle Époque will be served in Korean Air’s first class cabin on routes between Korea, America and Europe. Blason Rosé will be available in first class

on the Southeast Asia and Oceania routes. Prestige class passengers can enjoy Grand Brut on all routes. Korean Air, established in 1969, is one of the world’s top airlines and carried more than 25 million passengers in 2013. Korean Air operates in excess of 400 flights per day to more than 120 cities in nearly 50 countries on six continents with a fleet of over 150 aircraft. With its modern airplanes and over 20,000 professional employees, Korean Air offers customers with safety, convenience and comfort. Korean air’s award-winning cuisine of Korean and Western meals and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system provide passengers ultimate satisfaction.

just 407 seats spread across three classes, with the top deck dedicated to ‘Prestige’ business class. The design also features the world’s first onboard ‘Duty Free Showcase’ and three bars and lounges. MORE INFORMATION Head over to the website at www.koreanair.com or visit Hall 9/102 right here at ITB Berlin 2014.

The airline serves six continents with more than 1,400 flights a week and is also a founding member of the Sky Team airline alliance which together with its members, offers its 569 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 15,000 daily flights covering 993 destinations in 187 countries. Korean Air introduced the double-decker A380 aircraft to its fleet in 2011 and made the interior more spacious than any other airline, with

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MIDDLE EASTERN LUXURY WITH LA CIGALE HOTEL, QATAR Having picked up the World’s Excellence in Service Award while hosting the World Travel Awards Grand Final in 2013, things are looking good for La Cigale Hotel, Doha. Here Breaking Travel News here takes a look around. La Cigale is the most esteemed hotel in Qatari capital Doha, a five-star property providing a superb level of personal services in the heart of the city, approximately 15 minutes away from Doha International Airport and with proximate distance from major landmarks and souks. Behind its polished 20-story façade, this striking high-design hotel offers a stylish yet relaxing haven for business travelers. The simple exterior provides a stark contrast to the stylish interior teemed with a touch of opulence and indulgence including tableaux by Carlos Cruiz-Diez, Edra Tatlin sofas infused with Swarovski crystals, Murano chandeliers, custom-made seats by Poltrona Frau and crystal Baccarat tables designed by Philippe Starck.

Entertainment Experience. Completing the run of success, the property also took the title of ‘Qatar’s Leading Hotel’ for the third time in 2013 (following triumphs in 2010 and 2012). These recognitions place La Cigale Hotel at the top of the hospitality in Qatar, highlighting the hard work brought by more than 1,100 employees who tailor excellence in services.

The 225 luxurious guestrooms are equipped with signature amenities, a 40-inch LCD television with RetroVue feature, wireless and wired Internet access. For added indulgence, the hotel offers a dedicated Pillow Menu with 15 types of pillows, goosedown duvet, mattress and heavenly pad.

La Cigale Convention Centre holds five diversified meeting rooms, ranging from 40 to 329 square metres and a state-of-the-art Ballroom, Al Wajba, that can accommodate up to 1,000 people for banquet and 1,500 people for theatre set up. Al Wajba Ballroom is furnished with the latest audio and visual equipment and is connected to a VIP balcony and pre-function area.

La Cigale Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World since 2008 and was honored with a Quality Certificate in 2013 by Qatar Tourism Authority considering it as a topranked hotel in Qatar. This luxurious address was also awarded the title of ‘World’s Excellence in Service Award’ in 2013 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, while also claiming the title of World’s Leading Hotel Dining &

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INCENTIVES

La Cigale Hotel offers a great choice and flexibility with the multiple space options. The multipurpose luxurious ballrooms and meeting rooms are suitable for conventions, banquets, conferences, wedding celebrations, exhibitions and fashion shows.

Le Crillon Ballroom located on the 19th floor of the hotel’s main building is adorned with Murano chandeliers and offers a panoramic view of the city. The ballroom can cater to different set up including banquet, boardroom, classroom and theatre.

cuisines complete the line up, with a combination of exceptional nightlife venues with the best live international entertainment is also on offer. For recreational pursuits, the Ozone Gym & Spa offers a diverse range of health and wellness activities complemented by a 20-metre daylight indoor swimming pool, a wellequipped 490 m2 gymnasium with certified instructors and a deluxe spa with 6 treatment rooms, a duo room and traditional Hammam.

SUITES

Located on the 18th floor of the hotel, with commanding views of Doha, Qatar, Al Bidaa and Al Riyan are truly among the country’s most exclusive suites spread over 650 square meters each. Experience the luxury of exquisite works of art, accessories by St. Louis, Baccarat, and Lalique, genuine leather furniture by Smania, and state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen entertainment equipment. Imaginative and unexpected, La Cigale’s Royal Suites deliver an unforgettable five-star experience, where your every need has been anticipated before guests arrive. MORE INFORMATION For more information on the property head over to www.lacigalehotel.com.

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FLOTILLA RADISSON ROYAL RECOGNISED BY WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

Flotilla Radisson Royal Moscow has claimed the title of ‘Europe’s Leading River Cruise Company’ at the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony. Representatives from Flotilla Radisson Royal picked up the trophy at an even event hosted by Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa in Antalya, Turkey, which saw hundreds of industry leaders gather to celebrate the achievements of the select few winners. World Travel Awards has established itself as the definitive mark of excellence in the tourism industry. “This victory proves to us that our company has reached the international level and brings a new horizon for growth,” explained Olga Tkacheva, brand manager, Flotilla Radisson Royal, Moscow. “It is our crowning achievement. Flotilla Radisson

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Royal Moscow thanks all the guests’ friends and partners as well as all the people who have voted for us.” Tkacheva added: “This recognition is the best prize the Flotilla team could get as a reward for everyday work and progression to represent the best service for you dear guests.”

FLOTILLA RADISSON ROYAL MOSCOW

Flotilla Radisson Royal started its excursion activities in November 2009, with the fleet at that time containing five snow-white yachts - Ferdinand, Capella, Bon Voyage, Celebrity, and Scarlet. Five larger vessels - Primav-

era, Butterfly, Beauty, Montana, and Felicita – joined in 2012, with the flotilla becoming one of the most popular leisure activities in Moscow.

Candles on all tables and original underwater lighting make an evening in the yacht one of the most beautiful experiences on offer in the city.

Construction features of the yachts and modern equipment, including climate control, make it possible to navigate even in the harsh conditions of the Russian winter with maximum comfort for passengers. Large panoramic windows defend sightseers from bad weather and the din of the city.

MORE INFORMATION Head over to www.radisson-cruise.ru for more information on Flotilla Radisson Royal Moscow or visit Hall 2.1/210 or Hall 2.1/101 here at ITB Berlin.

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JW Marriott Marquis Dubai drives Arabian MICE market Just over a year since opening, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai has made a significant contribution to the UAE’s rapidly expanding tourism and travel sector. Adding 804 rooms and over 7,500 square metres of indoor and outdoor event space to the market, the impressive convention hotel, which is also the world’s tallest hotel, is driving growth in the lucrative Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events market in the UAE. Economic research released by the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates travel and tourism in the UAE is growing notably faster than the world GDP growth average, contributing 14 per cent to the economy in 2012 and exceeding the global average of nine per cent. The WTTC also forecasts a further rise, highlighting the sector’s increasing importance in the country’s overall economic development. The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will respond to this demand directly with the introduction of a second tower, bringing the total room count in the hotel to 1,608 and adding two further options to a portfolio of 16 food and beverage outlets. Since opening, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai has recorded remarkable numbers in both individual and group bookings, establishing itself as a preferred hotel for international business travellers. Filling a noted gap in the market, the hotel is the first in Dubai capable of hosting groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people, where delegates can meet, sleep and dine in one location. The hotel’s top five source markets for leisure are the United States (17 per cent), Saudi Arabia (16 per cent), UAE (14 per cent), the United Kingdom (seven per cent) and Qatar (five per cent). Meanwhile for group bookings, the UAE (25 per cent), United States (ten per cent), India (seven per cent), Belgium (five per

cent) and the United Kingdom (five per cent) were the biggest drivers. Hamad bin Mejren, executive director of business tourism for Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, said: “Dubai Convention and Events Bureau drives the development of Dubai’s MICE market and the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has been a welcome addition, expanding our ability to attract largescale conventions. The hotel will play an invaluable part in the growth of the sector which we are targeting as part of our vision for tourism for 2020, and our objective to turn Dubai from the regional events hub into a world leading events destination. He added: “The success of the JW Marriott Marquis in its first eight months is an indicator of the success which the city’s hotel market has experienced during the first half of 2013: results which DTCM will issue shortly.” The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai opened its first tower to guests in November 2012 with 804 rooms, nine restaurants, five bars and lounges; including boutique steakhouse Prime 68 and experiential sushi restaurant, Izakaya. It is also home to Michelin-starred Indian Chef, Atul Kochhar’s first fine dining restaurant in the Middle East – Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar. For relaxation and fitness, the hotel

offers an outdoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre and the sublime Saray Spa. The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is proving to be a pioneering force on a number of levels. The owner Emirates Group had the vision to build a convention hotel with scale and facilities on par with most major MICE destination cities, making Dubai a viable and attractive option for high volume international conferences. The hotel has impressive event space totaling more than 7,500 sq metres, nine restaurants, five lounges, a world-class spa, health club and two ballrooms.

MORE INFORMATION For more information about JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai visit www.marriott.com or head over to Hall 22.A/103 here at ITB Berlin 2014.

All the latest from Breaking Travel News Breaking Travel News brings you more of the biggest headlines from around ITB Berlin 2014.

ORIENT-EXPRESS TO REBRAND AS BELMOND Orient-Express Hotels has announced it will market its collection under a new brand, Belmond, from March 10th, 2014. Marking an important new era in the company’s history, the new name seeks to embrace all that is unique about the travel operator. The launch of the Belmond brand is expected to heighten awareness of the its exceptional collection of hotels, trains, safaris and river cruises among existing and potential new guests by making it easier to recognise, navigate and explore. “We are excited that we are entering the next chapter in our journey with a name that celebrates our character, resonates with our guests and encompasses the broad scope of our celebrated collection of hotels, river cruises and trains,” said John Scott, chief executive officer, Orient-Express Hotels. “Each of our iconic and one-of-a-kind luxury experiences evokes strong customer loyalty and we are extremely proud of the heritage that makes us unique.”

presently own and operates of 45 luxury hotel and travel experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations. ”We will support the launch of Belmond with a sizable investment of $15 million in enhanced promotional and marketing initiatives,” said Ralph Aruzza, chief sales and marketing officer with Orient-Express. “This investment will include new websites, social media and our first ever largescale advertising campaign.” ETIHAD FLIES INTO PHUKET Etihad Airways, will start flights to Phuket in Thailand from both London and Manchester later this year via its Abu Dhabi home base. Prices start from £580 return.

Belmond’s new website, Belmond.com, will officially launch on March 10th.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and has emerged as one of the world’s most popular destinations for both holidays and retirement. Located in the Andaman Sea, tourists flock to the island for its pristine natural beaches and year-round sunshine. The new route will launch on October 26th using two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with 22 business seats and 240 economy seats.

The Belmond name will be prominent alongside each individual property brand, uniting the collection with one clear collective voice. The brand

Phuket will become the second destination in Thailand to be served by Etihad Airways, and the seventh in south-east Asia, alongside Bangkok,

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Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta. Etihad president James Hogan said: “We have a very successful track record in Thailand. The capital city, Bangkok, has ranked as our most popular route for the past four years, with nearly three quarters of a million passengers flown in 2013 alone. Expanding our reach in the country with a daily service to Phuket is therefore natural progression.” Phuket is the ninth route to be announced by Etihad Airways in 2014. Services commenced to Medina on February 1st from Abu Dhabi and will be followed by Jaipur (April 1st), Los Angeles (June 1st), Zurich (June 1st), Yerevan (July 2nd), Rome (July 15th), Perth (July 15th), Phuket (October 26th) and Dallas (December 3rd).

Forte Village prepares for 2014 season Despite being considered the World’s Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards, the leadership at Forte Village, in Sardinia, Italy, never rests on its laurels. With the 2014 season set to be another record breaker, Breaking Travel News here takes a look at some of the new developments designed to wow guests afresh.

In response to popular demand, Forte Village has announced the opening of an additional luxury villa ahead of the resort opening for its 2014 season. This elegant new 272 m² villa will be the largest on the resort and will be surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, lending it a sense of tranquillity which will be echoed by the villa’s open plan spaces and natural colour tones chosen to reflect its stunning environment. The villa’s interior will boast an immensely chic décor, featuring original, contemporary Sardinian craftsmanship. The ground floor will feature two magnificent bedrooms with king-size beds, each with their own sumptuous travertine bathroom offering a separate bath and shower; two living rooms with sofa beds with views of the garden; a well equipped kitchen; two dining rooms, one indoors and the other outdoors with

a barbecue area, ideal for enjoying Sardinia’s balmy evenings. The first floor will also offer two further splendid bedrooms with kingsize beds, each with a bathroom and terrace providing outdoor living space. The private garden will offer a fabulous private pool split into three parts – one for dipping, another for swimming and a third whirlpool area. The sumptuous Sardinian garden surrounding the pool will provide privacy, colour and aroma. A dedicated butler and personal chef will ensure that a stay in this remarkable villa is truly memorable. HOTEL CASTELLO In addition to a stunning new villa in 2014, Forte Village is also increasing its luxury accommodation with the creation of a magnificent Imperial Suite which will be located on the fourth floor of Hotel Castello.

Covering an area of 250m² in total, the suite will offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean as well as the surrounding pine groves and mountains. The suite includes a stunning bedroom with four poster bed, 2 bathrooms with imperial sized bathtubs and showers and a living room featuring hand-made earthenware floor tiles with adjoining terrace. This stunning Presidential Suite will feature new fixtures and fittings in 2014. Of particular note will be the hand-made earthenware floor tiles and a stunning new ceiling design. The Presidential Suite terrace will be like no other, offering an oasis of lemon trees, hibiscus, bougainvillea, ivy and perfumed herbs as well as a beautiful pergola, fountain and superb whirlpool tub. The 30 plus Executive Mare Rooms at Hotel Castello are also enjoying a

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fresh make-over in preparation for summer 2014. What will make the rooms truly unique is the choice of stunning colours and materials, from the travertine floors to the mosaic in the bathroom, in addition to a new Mediterranean inspired shower. There are further surprises in the super-chic design of the furnishings and the new veranda, which extends the room outwards with views of the sea. A new, contemporary Reception area will also welcome guests to Hotel Castello this year. Featuring a comfortable seating area, coffee bar and library, this newly refurbished area will feel like an elegant home. Natural colour tones from the white walls to the dove grey delicate wood panelling, in addition to new floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, will enhance the feeling of serenity. The enchanting swimming pool at Hotel Castello will boast a new look when the resort re-opens in 2014 with elegant ‘washed stone’ tiles in shades of white and sand. The sunbathing area around the pool will 44

also be redesigned to ensure greater privacy and a direct link to the beach. MAIN AVENUE Summer 2014 gets off to a great start with a brand new design for the avenue leading up to Forte Village, named after the resort’s founder, Lord Forte. The design will include improvements in landscaping, colour, light and vistas. Forte Village’s wellness centre, Thalasso del Forte, will also now on be opening in winter as well as summer due to the addition of a new canopy covering the sea oil, aloe and relaxation Thalasso tubs. Additional water based treatments and massages will also be available. NEW BIO PARK What could be more delightful for children than to have a chance to wander freely and safely among a variety of animals, including exotic species? Young guests at Forte Village will have the chance to do just that in the resort’s new Bio Park, opening in 2014. Forte Village’s main square and the hub of its evening entertainment, the magnificent Piazza Maria Luigia, will

offer an extraordinary new feature in 2014: four wonderfully chic private boxes located above the auditorium. A truly exclusive way to experience great music and entertainment, whilst enjoying the finest champagnes in the company of close friends. MICHELIN STAR Forte Village has announced the Belvedere will re-open in 2014 with a Michelin star, recently awarded to this magnificent restaurant at Villa del Parco, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Antonello Arrus, a 52 year old Sardinian, has been the proud chef at the Belvedere for the past ten years. Antonello combines the great flavours of Italian cuisine with local Sardinian ingredients and his own innovative and imaginative flair to provide a fresh and memorable culinary experience. In addition to Forte Village’s already very extensive collection of restaurants, the resort is opening a stunning new Bistrot in 2014. Open until late at night and set in beautiful gardens overlooking the sea, the Bistrot will offer an enchanting com-

bination of Italian cuisine, live music and breath-taking views. Great news for keen tennis players – next summer Forte Village will be converting two of its tennis courts into clay courts. The resort’s Tennis Academy boasts 12 high quality courts in total and will be hosting the prestigious ITF Futures between March and November 2014, which includes a total of 40 International Tennis Federation tournaments (male and female). Offering prize money of $10,000 a week or a total over the period of $420,000, The ITF Futures are aimed at young talented players aged between 16 and 30, some of whom will undoubtedly become the future’s next tennis stars. In addition the resort will be hosting tennis champions between July 21st-28th for the ATP Challenger tournament with prize money of just under $50,000. Further to the success of the Sports Academies at Forte Village, the resort will be adding a Boxing Academy in summer 2014. The Academy will be run by a well-known boxing

champion who will be sharing their expertise and instilling the thrill of this popular sport in all those who participate. Top of his game in the UK and one of the most well-known personal trainers in the world, with celebrity clients that include Tom Ford, Naomi Campbell, John Galliano, Trudi Styler and Sting, fitness guru Matt Roberts will be lending his name to a brand new Fitness Academy at Forte Village. An extraordinary opportunity to discover the secrets of the perfect body; tone up in summer for year-long results. FORTE VILLAGE TRIATHLON Following the immense success of the resort’s first triathlon in 2013, which attracted athletes from all over Italy and Europe, planning for the 2014 Forte Village Triathlon has already begun. This world class event is open to everyone – from professionals to amateurs of all ages. The second Triathlon will take place on 26 October 2014, taking full advantage of the spectacular Sardinian sea and landscape with challenging, tailor made circuits for swimming, cycling and running. Following the contest, competitors and their families can relax and enjoy all the pleasures provided by this stunning resort. EXTRA INFORMATION Forte Village - a collection of high-profile hotels, where the beauty of nature, charm and well-being come together - is set against the magnificent background of the south-west coast of Sardinia. The high quality services together with the captivating beauty of the surroundings have made of Forte Village the ideal destination for families, couples and all those looking for relaxation, sport and fun at competitive levels. This is also an astonishing world able to satisfy the most refined palates with 21 restaurants, besides the specialties prepared by four Miche-

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lin starred chefs Gordon Ramsay, Rocco Iannone, Giancarlo Perbellini and finally the wonderful, truly deserved Michelin star, that is now shining on the talent and professional growth of Antonello Arrus: the proud Sardinian who has been chef for the past ten years at the Belvedere, the magnificent restaurant at Villa del Parco, pearl of the Leading Hotels of the World. Forte Village is moreover a source of wellness with its Thalasso del Forte: seven pools with different salt density, that become the perfect place to relax and restore balance to body and mind. Lauded as a leading spa, Thalasso del Forte houses the thalassotherapy centre and all the wonderful spa treatments. Spectacular sport activities are also included in collaboration with worldwide famous players and trainers from Chelsea Football Club, English rugby with Austin Healey and Will Greenwood, golf in cooperation with the Wentworth Golf Club, cricket with Alec Stewart, Michael Vaughan and Paul Nixon. Last but not least, tennis with Rocky Loccisano, the famous trainer of Pat Cash, the basket academy in cooperation with CSKA Moscow and the brand new boxing academy. Furthermore Forte Village is designed around children and their dawn to dusk needs. For kids, from toddlers to 12-year-olds, the emphasis is on fun in a safe, secure environment. The ‘Citta dei Bambini’ is not a typical ‘Kid’s Club’ shoved off into a corner - it’s at the heart of the village, a city on a children’s scale, run under the watchful eye of our caring qualified staff. The children’s city offers fantastic workshops where kids can learn to work clay, cook pizza and play and dance, complete the scenario.

MORE INFORMATION Head over to www.fortevillageresort.com

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the first public institution in the United Arab Emirates to provide comprehensive veterinary health care services exclusively for falcons.

Established by Environment Agency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abu Dhabi and opened in October 1999, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has become the largest falcon hospital in the UAE and in the world with a patient influx of more than 64,000 patients in the first thirteen years of existence. In 2013 alone, the number of visitors increased by 28 per cent compared to 2012. Yearly more than 7,000 falcons are received for examinations and treatment. Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has emerged as one of the most reputed falcon hospitals in the Gulf region and as the largest falcon hospital in the world and leading centre for falcon medicine worldwide. Over the years, the ADFH has established a loyal and a wide patient-base not just in the UAE, but also in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. From being established as a purely veterinary facility, the ADFH has breakingtravelnews.com

expanded in the fields of education and awareness, training and research. Due to the huge demand for providing our experience to other avian species, the location has opened the falcon hospital to a fully-fledged specialised avian hospital for all kinds of birds and poultry species in 2006. Consequently, it has massively expanded its facilities to meet the growing demand for services and to be able to hospitalise more sick falcons and other birds. In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital embarked on a new journey: the major diversification of its services. As part of this new path, ADFH opened its doors to an award-winning tourism program. In recent years, ADFH has highly successfully entered the field of leisure and MICE tourism by tremendous increases in tourists who have joined Falcon World Tour. Through its award-winning tourism program, ADFH had proven its importance

as one of the major tourist attractions in the Abu Dhabi Emirate and continuously promotes Abu Dhabi as tourist destination. Another major step in becoming a comprehensive animal care centre was the opening of our ADFH Pet Care Center on July 1st 2007. It comprises VIP boarding kennels for dogs and cats as well as pet grooming and dog training facilities. This dog and cat hotel lives up to European standards for boarding kennels and it is the latest of its kind in the Middle East. In 2008, a pet clinic was added for the treatment of all kinds of pets to round up the onestop-service for our valued customers. In 2011 this pet clinic has been expanded to a large modern small animal hospital with latest technology and equipment. For its excellent tourism program, service quality and business prestige, ADFH has been awarded many awards and recognition from Europe

and USA. Among the most prestigious was Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s selection for the Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Responsible Tourism Award from the World Travel Awards in May 2013. The Falcon Hospital has also recently opened for Saturday, in addition to its regular Sunday to Thursday events, with parties departing at 10:00 and 14:00. The Saturday tours are held in the winter tourism season from October 1st to April 30th, with bookings can be made online through the website. The tour program is complemented by the newly introduced Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital mascot that delights visitors after the tours. MORE INFORMATION For more information on the hospital and its work head over to the official website at www.falconhospital.com

SOFITEL ABU DHABI CORNICHE

Leads Middle Eastern charge

Having taken the title of Abu Dhabi’s Leading Business Hotel at the 2013 World Travel Awards, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche has been riding a wave of success. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at the property.

Gaze over the Arabian Gulf and Dhow Harbour from Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, a skyscraping luxury five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi with 282 rooms. Discover pan-Arabic opulence blended with French art de recevoir. Designed by London WA International, this stunning Abu Dhabi hotel’s art deco facade belies chic modern interiors inspired by French artist Pierre Soulages. Whether you’re in Abu Dhabi for business pleasure, or both, relish the hotels opulent amenities. Revitalise mind and body in the indulgent So SPA, plunge into an outdoor pool work out at So FIT, or sink back after a busy day into a soft MyBed. Throughout the property, sunlight streams into contemporary Abu Dha-

bi hotel rooms, spread over 44 floors, boasting stunning art deco style. Gaze over views of the Corniche as you bathe with Lanvin lotions under powerful rain showers. Luxury Abu Dhabi suites have breathtaking views, along with butler services, spacious living rooms and Nespresso machines. Watch TV while bathing with Hermes soaps, then drop in at Club Millesime for complimentary breakfast and hors d oeuvres all day. Cuisine is equally sumptuous. Marine-inspired décor by the seafood bar contrasts with clean-lined wooden walls in La Mer, Abu Dhabi's finest seafood restaurant. Savour fresh Gulf fish and seafood, prepared à la min-

ute in authentic French style. Gaze out to sea from cozy white chairs. Discover the flavours of Bangkok at Silk & Spice, a unique Thai restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Traditional sunken tables, a carved wooden ceiling and authentic kneel-down service set the scene for delicious fruit cocktails, green curry and tangy pad Thai. Fresh French pastries complement Saj bread at Corniche All Day Dining, a delectable rotisserie and other pan-Arabic specialties in this open kitchen. Meals are cooked as you watch, underneath lithographs by Jean Cocteau. Rejuvenate mind and body with an exhilarating Abu Dhabi spa treatment at So SPA, blending local Shiffa products with the latest French cosbreakingtravelnews.com

metology by Carita and Cinq Mondes. After a busy day relax in separate hammams and jacuzzis for ladies and gents. Recharge your batteries on Technogym equipment, in the cool bright surroundings of our So FIT gym in Abu Dhabi, with a personal trainer on hand if you wish. Ease your muscles afterwards in the steam room or sauna.

MORE INFORMATION For more on Sofitel head over to Hall 9/215 or visit www.sofitel. com. 51

A PASSION FOR PERFECTION At Swiss么tel The Stamford, you are assured of the highest standards of quality, reliability and genuine Swiss hospitality. Strategically located in the heart of Singapore with worldclass shopping, dining, entertainment, business opportunities, and major transportation nodes at its door step, Swiss么tel The Stamford offers 1,261 well-appointed guestrooms, and 15 lifestyle and dining choices for a multi-dimensional experience.

The World’s Leading Ferry Website

Featuring Europe’s Leading Ferry Operators

Aferry.co.uk revolutionises booking technology for agents

Aferry.co.uk has announced the launch of its new, bespoke website for the travel trade - AFerryAgent.com.

The new site is designed to take away the pain of booking ferries for clients, as it makes ferry reservations simple for agents. While many agents had previously shied away from booking ferries - as there are so many different companies with a myriad of prices and panoply of different reservation systems – AFerryAgent.com is designed to overcome this concerns. There is now one booking system for all the different ferries, on which to register and a one stop comparison facility so that agents can get the very best price and most convenient crossing for their customers. What’s great is that this facility applies to crossings all over Europe - not just from the UK - so agents can earn commission on their entire client’s ferry travel, whether it be around the Greek Islands or a foray across the Mediterranean to the Balearics or Corsica, Sardinia, North Africa… or a simple Dover to Calais crossing. It is easy to register on www.AFerryAgent.com - just the once. Over 1,200 routes are then available covering 80 operators. All special offers and deals are fed through the site which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, avoiding long expensive calls to ferry companies. The one booking system is

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used for all the companies so agents can reserve online and confirm reservations immediately and all reservations are commissionable. So AFerryAgent is easy to use, has instant live availability, the best deals and offers an immediate confirmation. Agents can opt to have a credit account or credit card account and of course each agent will have top security with their own password to access. Sign up to www.AFerryAgent.com today and start earning commission now – it really couldn’t be easier. AFerry.co.uk won the title of the World’s Leading Ferry Website in 2013 at the World Travel Awards and is considered a leading on-line ferry brand. The site features unique real-time comparison technology for ferries, generating over 55 million unique visitors per year and over 3,000 bookings per day. It is not just for travel to and from the UK, as this handy site covers European routes too – over 1,200 ferry routes connecting more than 80 ferry operators. MORE INFORMATION For more information head over to Hall 5.1/128 here at ITB 2014 or visit aferry.co.uk. 55

Kitzbuehel – Best Ski Resort in the World 2013 and 2014.

www.kitzbuehel.com

The Circle moves closer to fruition at Zurich Airport An important milestone for the completion of The Circle at Zurich Airport has been reached with the signing of a new funding agreement.

Flughafen Zürich AG and Swiss Life AG have signed an agreement for joint funding of the real estate project. As per the beginning of the construction work, both partners will form a joint ownership structure (Miteigentum) with a participation of 51 per cent for Flughafen Zürich AG and 49 per cent for Swiss Life AG. Securing the financing of The Circle is a mandatory precondition for the subsequent realisation of the project. Therefore, Flughafen Zürich AG, together with Jones Lang LaSalle, initialised the global search for a suitable partner in June 2013, a process that was successfully brought to its conclusion by the signing of the financing agreements. The decision of Flughafen Zürich AG to build a longterm partnership with Swiss Life AG breakingtravelnews.com

is based on Swiss Life AG’s proven expertise and long-term orientation as a real estate investor. The signed agreements provide a joint ownership structure with a participation of 51 per cent for Flughafen Zürich AG and 49 per cent for Swiss Life AG. Flughafen Zürich AG will also contribute the land into the joint ownership structure. The operational management of the object, the lead in the project planning and construction, the owner representation as well as the marketing of the project will remain in the responsibility of Flughafen Zürich AG. The joint ownership structure will be established by the beginning of the project realisation. Conditions to realising the project are particularly

a sufficient pre-letting rate and a certain investment cost cap after completion of the next planning phase. The final decision regarding the realisation is expected by approximately end of 2014, whereupon the opening would be scheduled in 2018, with some building parts already completed in 2017. Construction planning and marketing of The Circle are proceeding according to schedule. With The Circle, a centre for business and lifestyle is being built within walking distance from the terminals. With the Hyatt Group, a management agreement to operate two hotels and a large convention centre has been signed. Next to this, a wide user mix is being developed for innovative brand representation, health, education,

culture, entertainment, restaurants and office space. The architecturally striking building complex with international atmosphere comprises an effective area of 180,000 square metres. The investment costs amount to around one billion Swiss francs. Securing financing marked an important milestone in reaching one of the project goals of developing The Circle. Until commencement of construction, the focus stays on successfully completing the planning phase and reaching all further conditions for realising the construction work. MORE INFORMATION For more information head over to www.zurich-airport.com. 57

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

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LOPESAN BRINGS SPANISH FLAIR TO THE WORLD Lopesan Hotel Group is a leading Gran Canaria-based hospitality company, which currently owns and manages 20 hotels around the world. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at what is on offer at some of the flagship properties.

Lopesan presently maintains properties in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Germany, Austria and the Dominican Republic, with its three flagship Hotels - Lopesan Costa Meloneras, Lopesan Villa del Conde and, the newest, Lopesan Baobab – being considered among the best in the industry. Firstly, Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Corallium Thalasso is located in the stylish resort of Meloneras on the beautiful Atlantic coast, with access to the seafront and a multitude of cafes, restaurants and boutiques. The Meloneras golf course is also in the immediate vicinity. The hotel is a spacious resort with flowery walks, typical plaza style courtyards and fascinating tropical gardens. A total of five restaurants serve international cuisine, of which three are a la carte. The terrace bar, an ale-house, a night bar, and three other bars complete the line up and create the perfect ambience for evenings by the sea. Located inside the hotel, the luxurious Corallium Thalasso Therapy Centre will make customers feel like a fish in the wide ocean – weightless, free, completely relaxed, and surrounded by healing sea water that tingles on the skin. Lopesan Baobab Resort, also in the exclusive resort of Meloneras, is set

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just a few minutes walking distance from the kilometre long dunes. The famous Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse and an extensive seafront with luxury boutiques are also just a few minutes drive. Upon arrival, visitors are awestruck by the fascinating architecture, with a wooden bridge leading them toward the entrance, passing over an impressive waterway. A new and unique holiday resort in African style, the spectacular architecture, exotic flair and an outstanding atmosphere are all ideal for families with children. The focal point of the complex is the 21 metre high African main building with bars, restaurants, and café. Soft brown shades submerse the rooms in distinctive light, creating the unique feeling of well-being. Generous rooms and suites in elegant African designs with exclusive furnishings complement the feel. Finally, Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Corallium SPA & Casino is the largest resort in Spain. Located at the entrance to Meloneras, the property is ideally situated for seaside walks or exclusive shopping trips, while free transfers takes guests to the local golf courses.

rooms, modern furnishings, contemplative court yards, typical wooden country style balconies, exclusive fittings and an elegant atmosphere. A gorgeous 76,000 m2 subtropical garden landscape, including 2,000 palm trees, exotic plants and waterfalls complete the look. Some five restaurants, with a wide selection of cuisine, welcome holidaymakers, while inside the hotel is one of the biggest wellness centres in Europe. The Corallium Spa Costa Meloneras takes guests into a sensual world where they become enchanted by the interplay between the elements of water, light, colour, sound, and aroma. Fascinating bathing landscapes, grottos and relaxation areas indoors and outdoors are based on the Canaries‘ vulcanic nature. MORE INFORMATION Head over to www.lopesan.com for more information or visit Lopesan at Hall 4.2/210.

The spectacular hotel buildings are magnificently designed in colonial architectural, and offer 1,136 spacious

W DOHA HOTEL & RESIDENCES RECOGNISED BY WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

W Doha Hotel & Residences claimed a clutch of top prizes at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in 2013. Still just five years old, Breaking Travel News swung by to discover the secrets of its success.

W Doha Hotel & Residences continued its winning streak late last year when the luxurious five-star hotel scooped the prize for World’s Leading Hotel & Residences at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony. The decision was announced at the 20th annual WTA Grand Final, which took place at La Cigale, Doha, Qatar. The title was not the first awarded to W Doha in the past 12 months, with the property also named as the Middle East’s Leading Hotel Residence as well as Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel. With recognition for all elements of W Doha’s outstanding customer 62

service, unique and fabulous design, stylish rooms and award-winning food and beverage outlets - including concept restaurant Spice Market by the three Michelin-starred chef Jean George Vongerichten - the hotel can celebrate a hugely positive and successful year. W Doha’s general manager, Safak Guvenc, expressed his delight that travel industry peers had recognised the hotel for its unrivalled offering: “It is a great honour to be named as the best hotel and residences in the world at what is the biggest travel event of the year hosted by the most prestigious industry awards body es-

pecially in an event where Qatar was chosen as World’s Leading Business Travel Destination. He added: “We are delighted the travel industry sees W Doha as the first choice when it comes to hotel and serviced apartment accommodation in Qatar not least because the property is still relatively new having only been open for just five years.” One of the main things that set W Hotels, Starwood’s fastest growing brand internationally, apart from its competitors is its involvement in the community.

“We are extremely proud of being part of this great country and this award will encourage us to continue to meet, and indeed exceed, the expectations of our guests,” added Guvenc. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who works at W Doha for making the hotel the place to be in Qatar.” W HOTEL DOHA W Doha Hotel & Residences is a leading-edge, contemporary lifestyle experience with a complete service offering, including 240 guest rooms including 63 suites, and 138 W branded Residences. The property features three stylish bars for guests to mix and mingle, including the signature W Living Room experience; Wahm, a modern poolside lounge; and Crystal Lounge, a sleek, fashionable spot where guests can sip cool cocktails and groove to the latest world beats. In addition, W Doha boasts three signature restaurants offering French gourmet gastronomy at La Maison du Caviar and modern fusion cuisine at Spice Market and Market by Jean-Georges, both concepts created by three-star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. W Doha’s latest luxury outlet is chic hideaway W Cafe, an eclectic coffeehouse serving up W’s newest slice of serenity with delectable desserts and mouth-watering cupcakes. W Doha offers the signature Bliss Spa, New York’s hottest spa to unwind, Alexandre Zouari hair salon from Paris to bring the signature

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Parisian flair and glamour to Doha and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland from Zurich, all introduced in the Middle East for the first time. The property is conveniently located in the West Bay of Doha on the Qatar peninsula, providing easy access to Doha’s world-class shopping destinations, pristine beaches and water sports facilities, first-class greens of Doha Golf Club, and scenic Corniche waterfront district. W HOTELS WORLDWIDE W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 50 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 60 hotels by the end of 2014.

MORE INFORMATION For more information, visit www. whotels.com or head over to Hall 9/316 here at ITB Berlin 2014.

Port Authority of Jamaica welcomes guests to Falmouth The Port Authority of Jamaica has built the largest themed cruise port in the world, the first Caribbean cruise port to promote the history and culture of the destination as opposed to the traditional sun, sea and sand. Jamaica’s fourth cruise port opened in March 2011, initiating the exciting redevelopment of the historic and charming port of Falmouth. Situated on the island’s north coast, just east of Montego Bay, Falmouth has awoken from a deep slumber and is rapidly redeeming its former glory. The reopening of the port included the creation of a massive themed retail shopping destination alongside a dock with two berths capable of hosting the world’s most modern cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas – one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Falmouth has a wonderfully storied past; one in which astonishing wealth, politics and even love came crashing together in a heady history. And it is that fascinating history that is set to propel the town to become one of the Caribbean’s most culturally vibrant cruise destinations. Cruise visitors are today looking for more memorable experiences to take home with them, and this is exactly what Falmouth can offer – with its rich heritage infused with the warmth of Jamaican people and sheer beauty of the land. Being in close proximity to some of Jamaica’s leading attractions and

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adventures is also an advantage for the captivating new port town. Day trippers can go rafting on the Martha Brae River, swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Cove or discover Jamaica’s wild heart: the Cockpit Country – a mountainous home to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Don’t leave Falmouth without exploring the town by foot, breathing in its history and learning about some of its famous residents, a spot of retail therapy, cruising on the river and admiring some of its glorious churches. William Tatham , Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations vice president, said, “It has been an incredible project to be involved with and to watch it taking shape over many months. he reception by the cruise lines and cruise passengers alike have exceeded even our own expectations.”

MORE INFORMATION For more info visit www.portjam. com or www.cruisejamaica.com or head over to Hall 3.1/208 for a chat with the Jamaica Tourist Board.

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THIRTEEN YEARS TRANSFORMING JORGE CHÁVEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT In the 13 years since Lima Airport Partners took charge of the concession of Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao, Peru, Peruvians have witnessed its transformation into a global transport hub. Here Breaking Travel News traces its journey.

Jorge Chávez International Airport, the main airport in Peru, has become an internationally recognised terminal – know for both its security and efficiency. Last year the airport welcomed a total of 14,908,772 passengers, up from just over four million when Lima Airport Partners took over in 2001. The airport has also won the World Travel Awards trophy for South America’s Leading Airport for the past five consecutive years. A real mark of its world class quality. JORGE CHÁVEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT JChIA was officially inaugurated on December 30th, 1965. At that time it was considered one of the most modern in Latin America for its award-winning architecture. However, during the next thirty-five years its facilities were not refurbished and major investments in maintenance and modernisation did not take place. As a result, JChIA was unable to preserve its status in the region. For this reason, the Peruvian government granted JChIA in concession breakingtravelnews.com

to LAP for a period of thirty years. The government established that a strong investment in infrastructure and equipment, irrespective of the passenger volume arriving at the airport, should take place over an initial period of eight years. In this context, LAP began to renovate JChIA’s deeper structures: electrical, sanitary, and communications facilities, as well as mechanical equipment (baggage belts, elevators, and escalators). JChIA needed to be prepared to sustain the great transformation lying ahead. At the same time, all risks to operational security were resolved by enhancing security in facilities, cleaning debris and garbage on the platform to minimise avian and animal risks, and retiring all asbestos linings using the most advanced environmental techniques, among other measures. INVESTMENTS From 2001 to December 2013, total investments carried out by LAP amounted to $324 million. Additionally, LAP has transferred more than $1,234 million to the Peruvian government in concession fees, trans-

fers to other government entities, and taxes. It is important to highlight that the concession fees mentioned above amount to 47 per cent of LAP’s total gross income. In other words, for each dollar invoiced, 46.50 cents are transferred to the government, which uses an important portion of these funds for the modernisation of other airports around the country. Additionally, LAP transfers 50 per cent of the total amount invoiced for landing and take-off services at JChIA, as well as 20 per cent of collections from the Unified Tariff for Airport Use to Corpac S.A. Moreover, the government agency responsible for the surveillance of public-use transportation infrastructure (OSITRAN) receives one per cent of LAP’s gross revenues as regulatory fee. INFRASTRUCTURE At the beginning of the concession, in 2001, JChIA had a 39,467-square meter terminal and a 165,000-square meter platform.

Currently, the terminal and platform cover 86,194 and 373,792 square meters, respectively, that is, more than twice the original areas. Today, LAP is capable of managing a 3,507-meter-long runway, six baggage belts for international flights, 28 departure lounges, 30 migration positions at the international arrivals area, 16 migration positions at the international departures area, and more than 100 commercial spaces, including outlets, restaurants, and service providers. EXPANSION The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) has initiated a gradual delivery of lands to LAP for the modernization of JChIA. LAP will carry out the necessary engineering studies to design and build a second runway and a modern terminal, with a view to ensure efficiency, security, and modernity. MORE INFORMATION For more on visiting Jorge Chávez International Airport head over to www.lap.com.pe. 67

Sail away in beautiful Turkey As the third highest producer of luxury yachts in the world, home to an unspoilt coastline of 8,000 km of spectacular beauty and with 383 Blue Flag beaches and 21 Blue Flag marinas, Turkey ranks among the top sailing spots in the world. Sailing enthusiasts can enjoy a tradition of regular international boat races and festivals throughout the year while the more leisurely can discover the serene ‘Blue Cruise’ on a traditional wooden boat and a breathtaking coastline accessible only by boat. A multitude of anchoring points offer fantastic settings for snorkelling, swimming and diving, as well as the opportunity to explore secret bays, local fishing villages and vibrant resort towns. Turkey has a wealth of world-class marinas with 36 international standard marinas and 12 municipality operated marinas with a total capacity of 14,230 floating berths and 5,605 hard standing. Of these marinas 21 have been awarded the Blue Flag award. All are located between Istanbul in the north and Mersin in the south, though plans are underway to develop the unexplored potential of the Black Sea region.

both of which are perfectly situated for access to some of Turkey’s most interesting historic sites. Turkish Marina Management has an excellent reputation amongst international sailing crews for taking care of the yachts and their crew. BLUE FLAG BEACHES Turkey has been awarded a total of 383 Blue Flag Beaches and 21 Blue Flag Marinas for 2013/14, representing more than a one in ten share of Blue Flag-awarded beaches and marinas. The Blue Flag is one of four projects under the co-ordination of the Foundation for Environmental Education and the Environmental Education Foundation of Turkey, which designates which beaches and marinas have the right to display a Blue Flag and is judged on the basis of cleanliness of water, environmental concerns, security, safety and services.

New marinas are opening all the time; the latest planned include for Dalaman on the Mediterranean coast, Oren on the Aegean coast close to Bodrum, in Istanbul representing a capacity of 1,435 floating and 780 hard standing and in Sifne on the Aegean coast in Cesme close to Izmir with a mooring capacity of 700 yachts.

In order to maintain Blue Flag status, the marina or beach must meet the assessment criteria every year. In addition all marinas and beaches have to provide information panels on the cultural and natural assets of the sea and provide the data on Blue Flag accreditation. Marinas have an additional criterion to fulfil: a ‘rapid response plan’ in case of fire, accident or similar events.

In Istanbul both Atakoy Marina on the European side and Setur Kalamis-Fenerbahce (Amiral Fahri Koruturk) Marina on the Asian side offer 24-hour service. Larger cruise-liners most often dock in the larger ports of Istanbul or Kusadasi,

NEW MARINAS ISPARK, one of the companies owned by Istanbul city municipality, is long-range planning the construction of ten floating docks in Istanbul’s waters, five on the city’s Asian side and five on the European side. When

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finished, the marinas will have a total capacity of 5,500 vessels. Marinas for larger boats in Tarabya and Istinye opened in September 2013. Other marinas planned to open in the near future; Kurucesme, Pasabahce, Beykoz and Bebek. The plans for the floating docks will include additional areas such as meeting rooms, restaurants and helicopter pads. The Istinye dock is planned to have a 338-vessel capacity, and the Tarabya one 222. Studies on the feasibility of the other docks are ongoing. The construction of the floating marinas will utilise environmentally friendly techniques and technologies. The other floating marinas will be based in Sariyer, Buyukdere, Kecilik, Cubuklu, Goksu, and Arnavutkoy. Turkey joined the Blue Star Marina certification programme in December 2012 with its first-ever 5-Blue Star decorated Palmarina in Bodrum. Previously known as Port Bodrum Yalikavak Marina and just five minutes’ walk away from the city of Yalikavak on the Aegean coast of southwest Turkey, Palmarina is a state-of-the-art marina with approximately 400 berths for yachts of up to 50m in length. Currently undergoing expansion, there will be an extra 300 berths once the redevelopment is complete. MORE INFORMATION For more information on sailing in Turkey head over to www. goturkey.com or visit Hall 3.2/201 here at ITB Berlin.

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Records tumble at DFDS Seaways

DFDS Seaways, the award-winning ferry operator, saw a record number of passenger crossings over the summer of 2013 on its Newcastle to Amsterdam route.

Despite the ongoing challenging market conditions, over 65,000 passengers sailed in August alone, revealing an increase of almost 4,000 passengers compared to last year. DFDS Seaways is the only ferry operator to sail between Newcastle and Amsterdam and offers two daily sailings. During August this year, 65,302 passengers sailed with DFDS Seaways between Newcastle and Amsterdam, compared to 61,551 in August 2012. Commenting on the record figures, Max Foster, passenger director at DFDS Seaways said: “Every ferry sailing on our Newcastle to Amsterdam route in August was fully booked, which is a fantastic achievement, especially given the continuing tough economic conditions. Striving to deliver excellent customer service is at the heart of everything we do and we are delighted that the hard work and dedication of our onboard and shore-based teams, coupled with our high quality ferries, seems to be striking a cord with our customers.” DFDS Seaways cruise ferry service departs daily from the port in North Shields, Newcastle at 17:00 and arrives at 09:30 the next morning into Amsterdam ferry port.

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WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS Adding to the celebrations, DFDS Seaways was also awarded the prestigious accolade of ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ at the 2013 World Travel Awards Gala in Doha, Qatar. This is the third year in a row the operator has taken the title. The World Travel Awards, hailed as the premier awards programme for the travel and tourism industry, celebrates excellence throughout the global travel, tourism and hospitality sector. The winners are decided by votes from travel industry professionals and consumers. In addition to the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ accolade, DFDS Seaways also received the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ at the European leg of the World Travel Awards held in August 2013. Together, these titles recognise the DFDS Seaways’ commitment to excellence during the last twelve months. “We are very honoured to be awarded ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for three consecutive years. This is a fantastic endorsement of the excellent service and standards we strive to deliver to our loyal customer base. This prestigious award is testament to the hard work and commitment of

our staff, who work tirelessly to provide the very best travel experience,” said Foster. He added: “We believe that a customer’s holiday should start as soon as they board a DFDS Seaways ferry and are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality service and experience for everyone who sails with us. That is why we recently announced a £4 million investment in our Newcastle to Amsterdam cruise ferry service to upgrade onboard facilities, as well as install new energy saving propellers on the ships to help make them more efficient.”

MORE INFORMATION DFDS Seaways operates a comprehensive passenger route network, which incorporates six routes from the UK to Europe, via Dover-Dunkirk, Dover-Calais, Newhaven-Dieppe, Portsmouth-Le Havre, Newcastle-Amsterdam and Harwich-Esbjerg, providing passengers a wide range of choice and a gateway to Europe. DFDS also operates a number of ferry routes across the Baltic Sea. For further information please visit www. dfds.co.uk or head over to Hall 18./119 here at ITB Berlin.

WORLD-CLASS LUXURY WITH

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is celebrating after picking up a trio of World Travel Awards in 2013, including the trophy for Asia’s Leading Beach Resort. Here Breaking Travel News takes a tour of the property to see what caught the eye of voters.

Nestled amid acres of tropical gardens and caressed by the Andaman Sea, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is located in the heart of the Laguna resort development complex at Bangtao Bay, an idyllic retreat tucked away on the stunning island of Phuket, only 20 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. A low-rise building in modern Thai style, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket provides accommodation in 252 superbly appointed guestrooms, suites and private pool villas. Overlooking the crystal clear Andaman Sea, all rooms have private balconies, are surrounded by palm trees and situated a few steps away from the beach. The beautifully furnished rooms include additional amenities designed to allow guests to take care of business in a

superbly relaxing setting. The 27 exclusive private Pool Villas, each providing 292 square metres of sublime living space also have their own ‘pool with a view’. Six superb dining outlets include the award-winning La Trattoria, renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine; Ruen Thai recognised for Royal Thai cuisine; the Casuarina Beach Restaurant & Pub where guests can enjoy, seafood and grills on the beach, Laguna Café that offers international menus of all-day dining; the Poolside Café that offers snacks and drinks by the swimming pool; and the Horizon Lounge for cocktails, and live music plus a stunning sunset view of the Andaman Ocean. The resort also offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including

a swimming pool, tennis court, Fitness Centre, Recreation Centre, Kids’ Club, games room, jogging track, three-hole pitch and putt, water sports and the Angsana Spa. Adjacent to the hotel are an 18-hole golf course, boutique shopping, horse riding and an outdoor adventure training centre etc. For meetings and events, the resort offers its guests a selection of meeting rooms, venues and services delivered in inimitable Thai fashion. It has built a strong reputation as one of the leading specialist resorts for small to medium-sized MICE Groups. The Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has revitalised meeting space the Dusit Laguna Hall able to accommodate up to 260 persons theatre-style and 180 for

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NORWEGIANS CRUISE THEIR OWN WAY. MEDITERRANEAN − BALTIC − CARIBBEAN & BAHAMAS − HAWAII − ALASKA And Cruising Like a Norwegian is all about enjoying incomparable freedom on the high seas and having the flexibility every day, whether on board or ashore, to plan the day to suit oneself. For your customers that means simply to relax either on deck by the side of a sparkling pool or in comfortable staterooms. Or to be just as active as they want to be - dancing, bowling or enjoying tremendous entertainment. And all this in conjunction with a culinary variety they have never before experienced at sea, with authentic international cuisine, a sheer endless choice of dining options and the freedom to dress the way they please. That is a holiday which has everything your customers want. We call it „Freestyle Cruising®“… and it‘s only found on Norwegian Cruise Line.

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NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. Wiesbaden Office I Continental Europe Branch I Kreuzberger Ring 68 I 65205 Wiesbaden I Germany Phone: +49 611 36 07 0 I Fax: +49 611 36 07 099 I E-mail: reservations@ncl.com I Internet: www.ncl.eu ©2014 NCL Corporation LTD Ship’s Registry: Bahamas and United States of America. 5111.02.14

seated banquets. The elegant Dusit Laguna Hall now features sophisticated carpeting, antique carvings, textured fabrics and furnishings complemented by state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment including a 55 inch LED TV, ceiling and mobile projectors and white screen. Free Wi-Fi internet connections are also provided throughout the resort, while an extensive foyer provides a view of the Andaman sea. Remodelled executive boardrooms and breakout rooms including Suriyan (Sun), Chantra (Moon) and Dara (Star) are all located in the main building and offer panoramic views and natural daylight. The Seaside restaurant & pub, Casuarina is one of the popular choices of meeting venue, with air-conditioned meeting facility located right on the beach among the Casuarina trees and towering palms.

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Alternatively, from 330 to 1,000 square-metre marquee, the perfect venue to host spectacular events, offering a choice of al fresco ambience at one with nature. The resort also offers 2,275 square metres of flexible outdoor ‘Team Building’ space at Columbia garden where its lagoon and beach area add to the facility’s ideal location.

anniversary, marking a significant milestone for our resort. We will continue to preserve our stunning Bang Tao Beach so that it remains one of the finest beaches in Thailand and in all of Asia.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS With so much on offer, it is no surprise Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket recently won three prestigious titles at the 20th annual World Travel Awards. The property was named Asia’s Leading Beach Resort, Thailand’s Leading Beach Resort and Thailand’s Leading Golf Resort.

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

The resort’s general manager Khun Denis Thouvard explained: “It’s great news that our resort has won more prestigious World Travel Awards. These international accolades come just as we celebrate our 26th

MORE INFORMATION For more information on the hotel log on to www.dusit.com or head over to Hall 9/211 right here at ITB Berlin.

Furthermore, we will continue to deliver the signature Dusit experience to all travellers from around the world.”

Rotana looks to future with change in leadership Hotel giant Rotana has undergone a big change at the top as co-founder Selim El Zyr passes the lead on to the new president and chief executive, Omer Kaddouri.

Following the move, El Zyr will continue to serve in an advisory role as the vice chairman of the board. Kaddouri, the former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rotana will take the helm as the new. In turn his own role has been taken over by Guy Hutchinson, who moves to Rotana from his previous role as vice president operations, India for Hilton. The executive change is expected to pave the way for Rotana’s aggressive expansion plans to operate 100 hotels by 2020. The home-grown super brand is the Middle East’s biggest hospitality success story and 78

the new management is expected to continue down the path of pioneering innovation that El Zyr has so capably steered for 21 years. El Zyr has headed the company since he co-founded it in 1992 together with Nasser Al Nowais, who remains chairman of Rotana. His ambitious managerial direction is credited with building Rotana’s extensive portfolio, which currently stands at 85 properties, although the company already has close to 97 properties on its books. Ongoing innovations at Rotana were aggressively driven by El Zyr, includ-

ing a pioneering move into innovative new products and services such as the introduction of the Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana, Centro Hotels by Rotana and Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana concepts and key partnerships forged with some of the world’s most respected food and beverage franchises like the Blue Elephant, Trader Vic’s, and Benihana. El Zyr also led other key initiatives such as the introduction of the company’s loyalty programme Rotana Rewards, its Executive Club concept Club Rotana and Spa concept Zen the spa at Rotana. Under El Zyr, the company has amassed a huge

volume of awards and recognitions including the World Travel Award for World’s Leading Business Hotel Brand. “It’s definitely a new era in the history of Rotana but one that has been carefully orchestrated and planned to enable Rotana to continue to break new ground in the hospitality industry. Rotana has over the past few years proved that it can migrate its successful brand and operational formula to regions beyond the Middle East,” explained Al Nowais. He added: “We will continue to push ahead in exciting new markets such as South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, following an approach that has worked very well for us in the past – growing organically and growing in markets that we understand.” Taking the company down this path will be Kaddouri, who is seen as an able successor to El Zyr, having worked at Rotana for more than 15 years. One of the key figures spearheading Rotana’s expansion in recent years beyond the Middle East, Kaddouri has been credited with creating greater synergy among Rotana properties in all aspects of operations and his innovative approach that is critical to the success of Rotana’s projects and its food and beverage concepts.

ABOVE - Omer Kaddouri will take over the leadership of Rotana BELOW - Al Ghurair Rayhaan _ Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana in Dubai

Joining the Rotana veterans at the top with a fresh new perspective gained from working at a leading global hospitality company across a diverse variety of markets including Japan, Australia, China and India is Guy Hutchinson. The international’s career is notable for its creative leadership and his success in change management, repositioning and building high performing teams. Concluding, Al Nowais said: “Omer will be the right colleague that will lead the company moving forward with its aggressive expansion to operate a 100 by 2020 and we will be by his side, Selim and I to support him throughout his exciting journey and the company’s.”

MORE INFORMATION For more information on the Middle East’s biggest success story head over to www.rotana. com or visit Hall 9/308 right here at ITB Berlin. breakingtravelnews.com

MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS A LUXURY OFFERING FROM IRCTC Operated by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation, Maharajas’ Express is considered the finest in the world of luxury travel.

Maharajas’ Express train is enviable in many aspects – most spacious cabins, water filtration plants in each coach, live TV, environmentally friendly toilets, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, CCTV cameras in public areas to ensure security, individual climate control in each cabin. An experience of a life-time, a journey on Maharajas’ Express brings one closer to bygone era of imperial India. So while the chefs trained in world cuisine tickle the taste buds with their gourmet delights from the state-ofthe- art kitchen, the barmen, servers and valets pamper guests and take care of all their needs during the journey. The train has two fine dining restaurants: The Mayur Mahal with a peacock theme and the Rang Mahal with its hand painted ceiling. Savouring the culinary delights sitting in either of the two restaurants, one can have a glimpse of the picturesque hinterland from the large panoramic windows specially created for the train. This, coupled with piped music, makes dining a memorable experience. The menus are a mix of traditional Indian and continental dishes, to suit different tastes and all guests can dine at a same time on board. For book lovers, the train has a collection of titles on Indian art, culture, history. Guests can relax in the Safari Bar or the Rajah Club, and choose from a selection of choicest on-thehouse wines and liquors. The train offers four categories of accommodation – all with en suite facilities. There are 14 guest carriages featuring 43 cabins in total, which include 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites and one truly classical Presidential Suite. The latter is ideal for families, with two bedrooms (one double and one twin) as well as separate sitting and dining areas. The master bedroom offers a full size bath tub. Each coach has a valet to take care of the guests. All cabins have direct dialing telephones to make international calls, spacious wardrobes with electronic lock safes, TVs and DVD players. To take care of medical emergencies, there is an in-house paramedic available round the clock. The incredible journeys on offer let one to explore India’s diversity, discovering timeless traditions and exotic locales, such as a visit to one of the largest dinosaur fossil park at Balasinor, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, and a regal meal at the breakingtravelnews.com

shimmering lake city of Udaipur with the opportunity to meet royal families - all of these in true blue majesty. The range of various tour itineraries also includes splendid gala events and a range of activities such as elephant polo at Jaipur, cocktail and barbeque sundowner on the sand dunes of Bikaner, wild life safari at Ranthambhore, champagne breakfast overlooking the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, boat ride at the holy city of Ganges and much more…. Luxury train travel in India has come a long way since the introduction of the Palace on Wheels in 1982 for promotion of tourism in Rajasthan. The most recent and unarguably the most luxurious tourist train in India with finesse at par with the Orient Express of the West, Maharajas’ Express has redefined the art of elegant travel in India. Radiating sheer opulence, Maharajas’ Express offers a fascinating voyage across some of the finest destinations in India manifesting the true spirit and kaleidoscope of the country. One of the most expensive and luxurious luxury train rides in the world, the salons of the Maharaja Express train draws inspiration from the private saloons of the erstwhile Maharajas of India. Even before the inception of rail travel in India, Maharajahs of India had a keen fascination with these moving wonders on wheels invented by James Watt. In the era of Raj, many Maharajahs had their own personal carriages draped in luxury used for occasions such as state visits, nuptial sojourns and hunting trips. Many had been built and designed in art deco style. Sylvan inlays, exquisite carvings and elegant tapestries along with exquisite mirror and jewel work exuded an unmistakable élan. All this and more spoke volumes about the splendor and pomp of the Maharajahs of erstwhile princely states of India. For setting new standards of comfort and style, becoming arguably the most luxurious train in the world and ushering in a new era of travel and hospitality, Maharajas’ Express was recognised by the World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Luxury Train in 2013.

MORE INFORMATION For more information head over to the official website at www.the-maharajas.com 83

GORDON RAMSAY

For information and reservations, please contact our Reservations Office: Tel. +39 0577 570 808 - email: reservations@castelmonastero.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.castelmonastero.com

A MAG NIFICENT M EDIE VAL HAM LET J UST OUTSIDE SIENA . In the stunning setting of one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, amid Chianti vines, rolling fields of wheat and long lines of cypress trees, stands Castel Monastero, a tiny 11th-century medieval hamlet just 23 km from Siena. Inside these thousand-year-old walls, Castel Monastero’s rooms, suites and villa pay homage to the harmonious rustic style of Tuscany’s ancient abodes. The Spa at Castel Monastero is the ideal place to rediscover harmony and balance. The weight-loss and detox programmes, beauty treatments and moments of true relaxation help restore health and wellbeing. At our two restaurants, guests can savour the elegant cuisine created by our Chef in partnership with a star of the calibre of Gordon Ramsay, accompanied by local specialities and the finest Tuscan wines.

WTA to start 2014 in style at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS WILL KICK START ITS 2014 GRAND TOUR IN SUMPTUOUS STYLE AT THE WORLD’S TALLEST HOTEL, THE JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOTEL DUBAI ON MAY 4TH 2014.

World Travel Awards will kick start its 2014 Grand Tour in sumptuous style at the world’s tallest hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai on May 4th 2014. Since its full opening last year, the new landmark hotel has rapidly stamped its mark as one of the most desirable destinations in the Middle East for business and leisure, and was voted “World’s Leading New Hotel” at World Travel Awards 2013 Grand Final in Doha, Qatar. The most important decision-makers in the region’s travel sector will attend the glittering Gala Ceremony when they will celebrate and acknowledge their achievement over the past twelve months. They will be joined by a host of international media. The spectacular evening precedes the opening of Arabian Travel Market (May 5th-8th). The five-star property will serve as a fitting venue to host the inaugural 2014 event of the “Oscars of the

travel industry”. Soaring at 355 meters, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is just 26 metres shorter than New York City’s famed Empire State Building, and holds the Guinness World Record title as the “World’s Tallest Hotel”.

and increasingly important MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market by filling a long-identified gap in the region. Groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people can now meet, stay and dine under one roof.

It enjoys an elevated position above Dubai’s business district, on Sheikh Zayed Road and is spread across two iconic towers. The 72-story property is the first JW Marriott Marquis outside of North America and the 59th addition to the brand’s global luxury portfolio.

The hotel is the first in Dubai that is able to accommodate large groups and is playing a key role in attracting major conventions and events to the destination.

The spectacular hotel features exceptional event settings for celebrations of all kinds, an enticing array of relaxing recreational activities, and the sublime SARAY Spa and Health Club. It includes a spectrum of business facilities and 14 diverse dining options for the most discerning of travellers. The hotel, which is owned by Emirates Group, targets the lucrative

Along with cutting-edge business facilities, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai features more than 7,500 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, including two ballrooms, and a large selection of world-class dining and entertainment options. The hotel’s accoutrements include ten restaurants, including Izakaya, Tong Thai, Prime 68 La Farina and Rang Mahal by Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin Star.

DEFINITELY DUBAI WTA returns to the bustling emirate of Dubai as the stage for the first event of its global Grand Tour. City of merchants, cultural crossroads, Dubai is a country where the dust of the desert is clearing to reveal the potential for one of the most significant international cities of the 21st century. Wedged between Europe and Asia, buttressed by Africa, Dubai’s encouraging tax regimes, state-of-the-art telecommunications and pro-business environment have produced a country that is building energetically on the advantages which location, centuries-old trading savvy and oil wealth have given it. Sunshine, shopping, seaside, sports and safety - five of the key ingredients that have earned Dubai a growing reputation as one of the world’s most attractive and rapidly developing leisure destinations. Both business travellers and tourists find that Dubai offers the highest standards of comfort and luxury. As befits a dynamic and prosperous business centre, Dubai’s ultramodern hotels offer every luxury. Yet the comforts of the 21st century co-exist with the emirate’s rich Arab-Islamic culture. An intriguing land that combines old-world souks and modern shopping malls, rolling sand dunes and championship grass golf courses, remote Bedouin villages and an array of five-star hotels, Dubai defies easy definition. The emirate also won the right to host Expo 2020 in a few years time, with billions of dollars in investment now expected ahead of the event. KEY FACTS For more information about World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2014 visit www. worldtravelawards.com. For more information about JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai visit www.marriott.com or head over to Hall 22.A/103 here at ITB Berlin 2014.

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WTA HEADS TO THE CRADLE OF EUROPE

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS HEADS TO THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILISATION WITH THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS SET TO PLAY HOST TO THE EUROPE GALA CEREMONY 2014. World Travel Awards heads to the cradle of western civilisation with the ancient city of Athens set to play host to the Europe Gala Ceremony 2014. The red carpet evening, which takes place on August 2nd, represents the first time that the “Oscars of the travel industry” will have visited Greece in its 21-year history. The host venue is the incredible Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, a luxury beach resort situated in the exclusive area of Vouliagmeni, just 18km from the city centre. The stunning beachfront location combined with one of the most luxurious Thalassotherapy centres in Europe makes this a destination for well-being and relaxation. The sea views can be admired over the landscaped gardens from the two outdoor swimming pools, or the direct-access private beach where guests can relax under an umbrella or 88

try sailing, snorkelling and jet skiing. The reason why Divani Athens SPA and Thalasso Center is so unique is the sense of escape that it creates for its visitors, due to its amazing location on the beach of Vouliagmeni. Divani Apollon Palace & SPA is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and boasts 336 rooms including 83 executive rooms and 34 suites. Each one of the rooms offers guests a chance to see the sea in all panoramic directions with a front row seat to the Saronic spectacle: exuberant sun rising, romantic sunsets and the never ending azure blue. The hotel is a magnificent venue for meetings, business conferences and special events. You can find more than 2,500 metres squared of available space. The hotel offers four restaurants each

with its own personality. Don’t miss breakfast at Anemos terrace, offering, apart from a great variety of servings, a panoramic view of the hotels swimming pools and gardens. For dinner you can return to the roots of Mediterranean cuisine. Mythos of the Sea Restaurant, just opposite from the main building, offers beautiful bay views to the Saronic Gulf and a definitely mind blowing sunset. Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso offers an impressive variety of services and facilities in a great location and exemplifies luxurious hospitality. The hotel offers two outdoor swimming pools, including one with sea water, where you can spoil yourself under the Greek sun. WORLD-CLASS SPA FACILITIES The Divani Athens Spa & Thalasso Centre represents the soul of the

resort. The timeless Greek traditions of wellness and the balance of body and spirit are revived at the centre. Thalassotherapy is known as the use of marine environments beneficial effects under medical supervision for preventative and care purposes. The marine climate, seawater, seaweeds and other sea resources are used in our care treatments to harmoniously balance body and mind. On a privileged setting next to the sea, the centre offers revitalising Thalassotherapy programs combined with a selection of the best beauty care and fitness treatments available. Furthermore for the energy lovers the Spa offers a state-of-the-art fitness centre with the latest Technogym cardiovascular equipment. The centre has a total area of 3500 sq.m. and is the only thalassotherapy

centre in the greater Athens area. It has one of the largest and fully equipped pools that exist in Greece, 25 treatment cabins, sauna and steam room for men and women, and a modern gym with the latest type of Technogym equipment. Divani Athens Spa and Thalasso Centre offers an impressive variety of treatments that are tailored to your personal needs, ensuring an experience of the highest quality. The unique aesthetic integrity of the site and the high expertise and discretion therapists guarantee a combination of relaxation and wellness. EUROPE’S OLDEST CITY Athens is Europe’s oldest city and dates back 2,500 years. Over the past decade its ancient tourist sites have been given a new lease of life with the create of the Archaeological Promenade, a 2.5-mile long, pedestrian-only walkway, which skirts the foot of the Acropolis and links all the city’s major archaeological sites. This huge archaeological park has reconciled past and present, with the city’s cultural and social life once again taking place around the ancient monuments and surrounding neighbourhoods. But visitors don’t come here just for the ancient monuments. Contemporary Athens boasts one of the most happening nightlife scenes in Europe, from the urban-chic bars around grungy Monastiraki (at the foot of the Acropolis), to the sophisticated lounge-bars and fusion-food eateries of up-market Kolonaki. KEY FACTS For more information about World Travel Awards Europe Ceremony 2014 visit www. worldtravelawards.com. For more information about Athens and Greece go to www. visitgreece.gr or head over to Hall 2.2/101 here at ITB Berlin 2014; and for Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso click on www. divanis.com. breakingtravelnews.com

World Travel Awards heads to South America’s Leading Destination THE FASCINATING NATION OF ECUADOR WILL STEP UP TO HOST A WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS CEREMONY FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 9TH AUGUST 2014. THE GLITTERING RED CARPET EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN ITS HISTORIC CAPITAL CITY, QUITO.

San Francisco Church (image courtesy of Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel)

Augusto Barrera, Mayor of Quito, says: “As Mayor of the City of Quito it is an honour to welcome World Travel Awards to the very first city to be declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO over 35 years ago, not only for its incredible and priceless architecture, but also because it is home to a richly-evolving heritage.” He adds: “Quito has earned other major awards, including the award received in 2013 as ‘South America’s Leading Destination’ at World Travel Awards. This year we will be hosting this important event and it is a privilege for those who make this city nestled in the Andes, to bring this event to Ecuador for the first time.” Composed of an ancient mixture of peoples, cultures and traditions, Qui-

to has been a unique and treasured place for generations of Ecuadorians. The city was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude of 2,850 metres. It boasts the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. Throughout its history the city has attracted great people that appreciate the value of the land and offer their unique contribution to the development of this metropolis, strategically located on the equator. At the heart of the city is the Spanish colonial centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. The area has recently undergone a renaissance, with the city government investing hundreds of millions of US dollars on improvements

to infrastructure, attractions and amenities. The cobblestoned streets and pastel-colored mansions which hem the revitalised San Francisco Church now dazzle once again as they welcome guests from around the world. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the ‘Baroque school of Quito’, which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. The WTA red-carpet gala ceremony will take place at the Centro Cultural Itchimbia, a magnificent glassand-iron building, which forms the centrepiece of Parque Itchimbia. The structure is modelled after the city’s

original Mercado Santa Clara. The centre hosts regular art exhibits and cultural events, as well as serving as a museum. Other projects include recovering landmark buildings to house two new universities, the construction of the cultural complex and recreational Cumandá (in a former bus terminal), the opening of the Monastery of Carmen Alto Museum, the rehabilitation of the St. Augustine Sala Capitular and San Blas Square, Victoria Square and the Capitol Theatre. Close by, La Mariscal is considered the centre of entertainment in Quito. Here the city offers visitors endless options for dining, shopping, dancing and anything else they might desire. A meeting point for local people, the cosmopolitan atmosphere also takes

in a huge array of cultural experiences, dance schools and craft shops. Quito is also home to a number of relaxing parks, which serve as the lungs of the city. These are spaces where people meet to walk, play sports, fly kites and enjoy nature at its finest. Most famous is the Guanguiltagua Metropolitan Park, which is located almost 3,000 meters above sea level. Surrounded by trees and gigantic art installations, visitors can spot over 70 bird species in this natural haven of 557 hectares. Located just a few minutes from Guanguiltagua Street in the urban neighborhood of Batán Alto, the park is easily accessible to guests. Also popular with locals is Las Cuadras Park, located south of the city. Declared an ecological area of special interest because of its native trees and exotic plants, there is also a wide variety of wildlife.

Otavalo Artisanal Market

Offering a significant boost to tourism in Ecuador, the Mariscal Antonio Jose de Sucre International Airport in Quito opened last year. Welcoming five million passengers in its first year, the airport offers a longer runway than its predecessor meaning planes no longer have to stop at Guayaquil to refuel on the way to European destinations.

Centro Cultural Itchimbia Cotopaxi Volcano

San Francisco Church

Quito is also set to boost its business credentials with the launch of one of the largest urban development projects in recent years: the Quito Convention & Events Centre Complex. The project will be created as a public/private partnership, and will occupy an 11 hectares site on the grounds of the old airport. With the construction of this new development, Quito aims to become one of the top ten destinations for conventions and trade fairs in Latin America and rank among the first 50 countries worldwide in the industry of events tourism, as per guidelines of its strategic tourism promotion plan.

Quito’s hummingbird

La Compañía Church Facade

KEY FACTS For more information about World Travel Awards South America Gala Ceremony 2014 visit www.worldtravelawards. com. For more on the host city head over to Hall 1.1/101 at ITB Berlin or visit www.quito.com.ec.

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WORLD LUXURY EXPO REVEALS PLANS FOR 2014 WORLD LUXURY EXPO HAS REVEALED ITS PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR, WITH THE EVENT SCHEDULE TO VISIT SOME OF THE MOST DESIRABLE LOCATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE.

World Luxury Expo, in association with The Saudi Investment Bank, hosted it first event of the year in Saudi Arabia in January. The event was hosted by the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, which was originally built as royal guest palace for visiting dignitaries and heads of state; a truly befitting host-venue for a luxury event of this kind. Following this success, the event will continue to the serene Park Hyatt, Jeddah from March 14th16th 2014 where the event is title again sponsored by The Saudi Investment Bank. World Luxury 92

Expo, Bahrain is taking place during the much anticipated Formula 1 weekend, April 4th-6th 2014, at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton. Then the event continues to Kuwait at the luxurious Jumeirah Messilah from May 23rd-25th 2014. The team behind the event are also looking forward to expanding into Asia by hosting World Luxury Expo, Seoul at the Grand Hyatt from September 3rd-5th 2014. Each World Luxury Expo features a wonderful selection of carefully selected luxury categories including

fine art, high-end jewellery, fashion, hand-crafted time pieces, designer furniture and exquisite table settings, luxury automobiles, fine dining, private aviation, and luxury travel. All participating exhibitors are leaders in their respective fields, who constantly strive for the ultimate in quality and perfection. World Luxury Expo is in the process of finalising the special pieces that are being showcased by the luxury brands we are working with at each event. In the interim, the team has revealed a few examples of showstopper items that were

showcased at previous World Luxury Expo events. WORLD OF LUXURY On arrival to World Luxury Expo in Abu Dhabi invited guests were welcomed to a grand display of a Rolls-Royce Ghost 1001 Nights Bespoke Edition, valued at $436,562. Three hundred year old jewellery house, Mozafarian, showcased a Royal Collection of exquisite casks to commemorate 2,500 years of the Persian Empire at the same event. The collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value is priceless as these are now part of the museum collection. Mozafarian also presented a 171 carat Royal Necklace valued at $15,000,000.

The Sitara of Ka’aba was presented by Barakat Galllery, valued at $ 4,850,000. This magnificent artefact was an external curtain made to cover the door of the Kaab, one of Islam’s holiest sites. It was commissioned in 1181 Hijrah by Sultan Selim III (1761-1808) known for his reforms of the state system as well as for his love of music, poetry, and the arts. Danish Zenvo ST1 Supercar made its UAE debut at World Luxury Expo. This hand-built 7 litre V8 engine supercar has a limited production run with only 15 cars to be built and sold to specially approved customers - valued at $1,000,000. Haute parfumier, House of Sillage, presented a limited edition Pink Enamel Travel Spray that consisted of 122.4 grams of 18kt rose gold, 1.96ct pink sapphire and 3.20ct VSF round brilliant cut diamonds in a pavé setting. Moiseikin Jewellery is renowned for creating one of a kind jewellery pieces and objets d’art, presented the “Horn of Plenty” at the event. This exquisite tourbillon time piece is valued at more than $1,500,000 and con-

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sists of over 4,000 diamonds with the total weight of over 30 carats. Kashperia launched the world’s finest and most expensive Guthrah Shawl at World Luxury Expo, Doha. This is a limited edition collection of only ten pieces made from 100 per cent pure Vicuna wool which is hand-spun, hand-woven and handmade with intricate motifs from the Babylonian era. Vicuna wool is sourced from the higher reaches of Peru (above 14,000 feet) and the animal sheds its wool only once every three years. It takes the wool from three animals to make one Guthrah Shawl. The diameter of this wool used by Kashperia is 11 microns (the human hair is only 15-100 microns). Official Formula 1 Opus BERNIE Edition was revealed to Qatar at World Luxury Expo, Doha. An iconic collector’s piece is valued at US $1,000,000. The BERNIE Edition is 1/1, a bespoke Champions Edition Opus, but it will entitle the holder to unique access into the world of Formula One for the 2014 race season. The holder will receive, for each day, of each

race in the 2014; four passes for the Paddock Club, the ultimate in hospitality; two Paddock passes, which are exclusively for the teams or invite only; the chance to have ‘Tea with Mr. E’; and invitations to the exclusive evening events, such as concerts and Black tie parties. This is money can’t buy access into the world of Formula One. As the holder of the BERNIE Edition the owner is also able to transfer individual passes if they themselves choose not to attend.

per square meter, valued at over USD 300 million. Finally, the “most expensive soap in the world,” was presented by Khan Al-Saboun. Made of pure gold dust, olive oil and virgin honey and embedded with diamonds, this special piece is valued at USD 3,800. KEY FACTS For more on World Luxury Expo head over to www.world-luxury-group.com.

Space Expedition Corporation presented a 1:6 scale model of the SXC Lynx Mark 1 spaceship. Something for the luxury traveller who aspires to an “out of this world” experience by crossing the ultimate boundary into space. Tickets cost USD100,000 each and 250 have been sold so far. The most expensive penthouse in the world, Tour Odéon, which was showcased by La Conciergerie Du Qatar. Rising above the waters of the Mediterranean and the captivating Principality of Monaco, the Tour Odéon penthouse is the world’s most expensive property

WORLD GOLF AWARDS GALA CEREMONY 2014

13-16 November 2014

Conrad Algarve, Quinta do Lago, Portugal

“CELEBRATING AND REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN GOLF TOURISM”

worldgolfawards.com

A-ROSA Kitzbühel hosted the inaugural World Ski Awards

Inaugural World Ski Awards proves a phenomenal success

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch – World’s Best Ski Hotel 2013 Swarovski designed the World Ski Award trophies

Val Thorens – World’s Best Ski Resort 2013

World Ski Awards recognised the very best in the global ski tourism industry during its inaugural Gala Ceremony at A-ROSA Kitzbühel. 96

Ms Yuki Mori, Director, Ryokan Sakaya with TV personality Michael Horn

Dr Josef Burger, CEO, Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel was awarded for his “Outstanding Contribution to Ski Tourism” The event, attended by 200 handpicked guests, saw the title of “World’s Best Ski Resort” go to Val Thorens (France), while Bighorn, Revelstoke (Canada) took “World’s Best Ski Chalet”, Aurelio Lech (Austria) won “World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel” and “World’s Best Ski Hotel” went to The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (USA). In a special presentation at the end of the evening, the WSA Academy presented a unique trophy for “Outstanding Services to Ski Tourism” to Dr. Josef Burger, chief executive of the Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel. Taking place over the weekend of November 15th-17th in Austria’s legendary winter sports destination, guests took part in a three-day programme of unrivalled networking events, dinners, and exclusive ski experience activities. Ski tourism figureheads and market leaders from North America, Europe Asia, South America and Australasia attended. Sion Rapson, managing director, World Ski Awards, said: “The reaction to this – our inaugural event – has been phenomenal. Hundreds of thousands travel professionals and skiers across the globe have voted for their favourite resorts, chalets and hotels. Tonight’s winners can take enormous pride – they have been voted the finest in class.”

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“On behalf of World Ski Awards, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the ski tourism figureheads and market leaders who have joined us this weekend. From here in Austria all the way to Japan, Australia and Canada, our winners represent the best in ski from every corner of the globe.” “And what better place to celebrate than right here at A-ROSA Kitzbühel. Home to the legendary Hahnenkamm Race, this historic medieval town is synonymous with ski tourism and one of the world’s most iconic winter sports destinations.” World Ski Awards is the sister organisation of World Travel Awards, which is heralded as “the Oscars of the travel industry”.

The cocktail reception Bighorn, Revelstoke – World’s Best Ski Chalet 2013

Uwe Schramm, general manager of A-Rosa Resort Kitzbühel said: “We are happy to have been the hosts of the first annual World Ski Awards ever. Welcoming the international players of the ski tourism industry in Kitzbühel and celebrating our achievements together is a great honour for us.”

MORE INFORMATION 2014 World Ski Awards will take place over the weekend of 21-23 November at A-ROSA Kitzbühel, Austria. For more information visit www.worldskiawards.com

“RECOGNISING, REWARDING AND CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN THE GLOBAL SKI HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY”

2 N D A N N UA L

WORLD SKI AWARDS GALA CEREMONY 21-23 November 2014 A-ROSA Kitzbühel, Austria

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nativecommunications.com - photo ÂŠ B.Longo - OT Val Thorens

LIVE WHAT YOU LOVE Experience Val Thorens, the resort that combines the best of skiing with the best of atmospheres for each and every one of you. 600 km of runs, a vast ski area and 360Â° panoramic views over more than 1000 summits. and share some spectacular moments with family or friends. This winter, succumb to the temptation of one of our two new 5 star hotels!

Open from 23rd November 2013 to 11th May 2014

For more info

www.valthorens.com

World's Best Ski Resort

Breaking Travel News investigates

Keppel Land Hospitality Management

Keppel Land Hospitality Management manages a quality portfolio of awardwinning projects which include hotels, serviced apartments, golf resorts and marinas across Singapore, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at the company. breakingtravelnews.com

Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel Land Hospitality Management offers guests a contemporary selection of accommodation and lifestyle preferences, promising unique and memorable experiences for business and leisure travellers alike, at the same time, setting new standards in the hospitality industry. The hospitality group received a total of four awards for excellence in the hospitality industry at the prestigious World Travel Awards in 2013. The included the title of Asia’s Leading Golf Resort for Spring City Golf & Lake Resort, Kunming, China, and Myanmar’s Leading Hotel for Sedona Hotel Yangon. Sedona Hotel Mandalay also took the title of Myanmar’s Leading Resort, while the trophy for Vietnam’s Leading Serviced Apartments went to Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City. The annual World Travel Awards took place in Dubai on October 1st

2013. Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscars-equivalent in the travel industry, the World Travel Awards is the most comprehensive and prestigious awards program in the industry. The awards recognise excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry and are voted by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations around the globe. Environmental Certifications Sedona Suites Hanoi, Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City and Spring City Golf & Lake Resort join Sedona Hotel Mandalay and Sedona Hotel Yangon as Green Globe members, entering a worldwide network of businesses aiming for greater sustainability performance.

Audubon International certifications – the Cooperative Sanctuary and a member of its Classic Program. On December 24th 2013, Sedona Hotel Mandalay was awarded a certificate of honour by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar for their efforts in supporting the South East Asian Games.

MORE INFORMATION For more on Keppel Land Hospitality Management head over to www.keppelland.com or visit Sedona here at ITB Berlin 2014 in Hall 9/212.

Eco-City International Country Club is Audubon International’s first certified classic sanctuary in the world, while both Ria Bintan and Spring City Golf & Lake Resort hold two 101

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The Caleta Hotel has emerged victorious at World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2013, winning Gibraltar’s Leading Hotel for the fifth consecutive year.

FIVE TRAVEL OSCARS IN ROW FOR CALETA HOTEL GIBRALTAR

The industry’s elite - including chief executives of leading travel companies, government ministers, tourist board chiefs - attended the glittering gala event, which was hosted in Antalya, Turkey on September 2nd 2013. The 20th annual awards recognise travel companies for delivering an outstanding customer experience and are voted by travel professionals and consumers worldwide. Kevin Taylor, senior vice president, World Travel Awards, said: “Winning is tough but staying on top is even tougher, and The Caleta Hotel has proven its world-class credentials by winning Gibraltar’s Leading Hotel for the fifth year in succession.” He added: “Its location is unrivalled – a tranquil spot overlooking the Med yet also close to the heart of Gibraltar’s action. The facilities are equally excellent,

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especially the health and beauty centre, and the conferencing, making The Caleta ideal for both business and leisure travellers.” More than 500 organisations across Europe, spanning more than 125 categories, entered the competition for the World Travel Awards, the most influential accolade in travel. CALETA HOTEL The Caleta Hotel Gibraltar offers high quality conference, wedding, accommodation, restaurant and leisure facilities to an international clientele of business and leisure visitors to Gibraltar. The hotel boasts modern well-appointed rooms and suites, restaurants, a lounge bar, health and beauty club and the best wedding, conference and banqueting facilities.

point that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastline of the Costa del Sol. The Caleta Hotel overlooks the peaceful former fishing village of Catalan Bay, yet it is just minutes away from the centre and airport of this lively little metropolis. On clear days, the North African coast, on the other side of the Straits of Gibraltar, seems close enough to touch - creating a visual spectacle that offers 180-degree views of sea, sky and the meeting of two continents. MORE INFORMATION For more information head over to www.caletahotel.com

It is located on the tranquil eastside of the Rock; a vantage

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InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort breaks fresh ground in luxury The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, after picking up the title of Asia’s Leading Resort last year World Travel Awards, has added another hallmark into his impressive portfolio.

After helming Monsieur Michel Roux’s latest masterpiece, La Maison 1888 restaurant which blends exquisite French cuisine with the stunning view of the mythical Monkey Mountain for a spectacular, unforgettable dining experience, the resort now has the honour to house Harnn’s very first venture in Vietnam. Harnn Heritage Spa, an international Thai spa brand, has a new pace first time in Vietnam together with a retail shop of Harnn products. With a reputation of Harnn as a first pioneer in Thai spa products with 100 per cent natural active ingredients, Harnn Heritage Spa has continuously developed and offered an array of spa treatments, inspired by practice of traditional Asian medicine and naturopathy. Harnn’s signature packages represent characteristics from distinct heritages, whether it is Vietnamese, Thai, or simply Oriental. Guests will be taken through an absolute indulgence. From the moment you step into the reception of Harnn Heritage Spa Reception, all your senses will be awakened by the unique holistic spa atmosphere that warmly welcomes you to the world of indulgence. Soothing aromas mingle effortlessly with relaxing music playing in the background to create a mystic 104

yet modern designed to offer you a sanctuary, a temporary escape from the chaos of urban living. Its signature treatment is ‘Journey of Marble Mountain’ which blends the exquisite of Harnn’s famous heritage in traditional massage and traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine to provide guests a wrap-around therapy that leaves a natural radiance and restoration of inner calm after finish. After personal consultation from our well-trained receptionists, you will be escorted by Cyclo, a traditional Vietnamese bike, to the spa through stunning view amidst of tropical mountain and ocean alongside. With a remarkable masterpiece of Bill Bensley’s design, Harnn Heritage Spa in Danang is incredibly beautiful and gigantic. State of the art spa facilities will please event the pickiest critics. Idyllic situated on the man-made lagoon facing the calm ocean, its eight-spa treatment villas, specially designed to add a local touch into the tranquil atmosphere. Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room are available for your best relaxing time in our pre-treatment experience. With a spectacular view and comfort atmosphere, guests will leave your worry behind and let your body and mind flowing into an absolute

indulgence. Suspended over mythical Monkey Mountain, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort officially opens its door on June 1st as the flagship of IHG’s resort in Vietnam. The opening of the 197-room resort promises to redefine the definition of luxury in Danang and throughout Vietnam where the demand for luxury accommodation has never been greater. MORE INFORMATION Information about staying at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort can be found at danang.intercontinental.com or in Hall 9/319 here at ITB Berlin 2014.

THAI LUXURY WITH INTERCONTINENTAL SAMUI BAAN TALING NGAM RESORT Nestled into the cliffs amid 22 acres of landscaped tropical gardens, InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort rises majestically over the beautiful Taling Ngam Bay.

Situated on the unspoilt west coast of Koh Samui, it is a place of luxurious seclusion and privacy, with spectacular views over the Gulf of Thailand and breathtaking sunsets. Developed from the original Baan Taling Ngam Resort – the very first luxury resort to open on Koh Samui 19 years ago – it has gained legendary status over the years and is now recognised as the World’s Leading Luxury Resort by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Nearby, the fascinating archipelago of Angthong National Marine National Park and the incredible diving sites of Koh Tao ensure endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. For the most secluded experience, the unique Beachfront Pool Villas have their own private swimming pool and sit directly on the pristine sands of Taling Ngam Bay.

Within this exclusive enclave, guests can select from 79 Thai-inspired guest rooms, suites and villas, each featuring incredible vistas across to the famous Five Islands and Angthong National Marine Park. InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort is located within the exclusive enclave of Taling Ngam Bay on the unspoilt west coast of the tropical resort island of Koh Samui.

With their unique location right on the pristine sands of Taling Ngam Bay, the beautifully-appointed Beachfront Pool Villas are the perfect setting for a romantic retreat or honeymoon. Luxuriously styled with modern Thai furnishings, vaulted ceilings and colonial touches, they come complete with bedroom, separate outdoor living area, private sundeck and swimming pool.

Renowned as the best spot on the island for sunsets, the resort is set in a quiet, secluded location and offers inspiring views over the Gulf of Thailand and the Five Islands beyond. A 50-minute flight from Thailand’s capital Bangkok, the resort is then a leisurely 45-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport. Alternatively, for guests seeking a more unique arrival experience, the hotel also offers a private speedboat transfer direct from the airport to a dedicated private pier.

For the ultimate in secluded luxury, two-bedroom cliff-side villas offer elegant perspectives across the Gulf of Thailand and lush greeneries. Set across two floors, these stand-alone villas offer a distinctly residential feel, creating a perfect haven for family and friends to enjoy quality time together. An expansive living and dining space occupies the upper, entry level, equipped with a large mini bar, espresso machine and cocktail-making facilities. Two en-suite bedrooms are situated on the lower level, each led by modern Thai designs and colonial-style features. A spacious sundeck outside offers close access to one of the resort’s five coloured swimming pools.

Soak up the scenery and indulge in a glass of sparkling wine during the smooth and comfortable 35 minute journey. The third largest island in Thailand, Koh Samui is renowned for its natural beauty, including long stretches of stunning coastline, wabreakingtravelnews.com

terfalls, temples and an abundance of coconut trees.

Located 110 metres above the sea level, amid lush, tropical rainforest,

the majestic Three-Bedroom Napa Reserve Villa is also available to discerning guests, with its rich architecture soaring out of the rich hues of green. The retreat is perfect for a quiet getaway with family, a special celebrations or an exclusive gathering of close friends, with all 600 square metres of indoor and outdoor space available to enjoy at leisure. A spacious sundeck leads to a 15-metre private pool, while guests will also be provided with a dedicated butler and personal chef who will ensure visitors’ gastronomic appetites are met. Guests staying in a Panoramic View Villa or a Beachfront Pool Villa can also upgrade to Club InterContinental for a nominal fee and benefit from a range of upgraded services, luxurious amenities and spectacular facilities. A celebration of exclusivity and style, Club InterContinental offers guests an elevated level of hospitality through luxurious accommodation and personalised services. Club InterContinental benefits include a personalised butler service, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks, as well as unlimited soft drinks from the in-room mini bar, all-day coffee and tea throughout the resort, complimentary airport transfer services (one way), and a one-hour complimentary selected treatment at Baan Thai Spa. MORE INFORMATION For more information on visiting the property head over to samui. intercontinental.com or visit Hall 9/319 here at ITB Berlin 2014. 105

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Croatia’s Valamar Group plans major investment drive

Valamar Hotels & Resorts is Croatia’s leading tourism management company, managing 39 seaside properties along the stunning Adriatic coast, including hotels, resorts, apartment villages, lighthouses and villas. The group plans to invest €46.5 million in its facilities and quality of service in 2014, as well as opening a new property in 2015. Valamar Hotels & Resor ts guarantee the flawless combination of international service standards and the authentic Mediterranean lifestyle in Croatia’s true tourism gems: Poreč & Rabac in Istria, Dubrovnik and Island Krk. DUBROVNIK Every dreamy tourist story in Croatia star ts with Dubrovnik, the jewel of the Dalmatian Coast, backdrop of the Game of Thrones series and a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its majestic for tresses rising from the sea and narrow streets paved in marble, it’s a town like no other, whose profound beauty has been drawing in travellers, ar tists and writers for centuries. Just a shor t drive away from the bustling old town you’ll find the Babin Kuk peninsula, a tranquil seaside oasis where five Valamar hotels are surrounded by aromatic Mediterranean greenery and the most beautiful beaches in the city. These include Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel which was voted “Croatia’s Leading Hotel“ at World Travel Awards 2013. 108

VALAMAR DUBROVNIK PRESIDENT HOTEL TO REOPEN AFTER FACELIFT Valamar’s flagship hotels and resorts effortlessly meet the requirements of even the most selective travellers with innovative dining experiences, wellness treatments and facilities to rejuvenate and refresh your body and spirit, while a whole array of activities and entertainment choices to ensure boredom is never an option. The crown jewel of Valamar’s portfolio is Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel. Its unique location at the very tip of the Babin Kuk peninsula, just a short drive away from the old town of Dubrovnik, gives you the feeling of true unity with nature, as if the whole structure effortlessly floats on the crystal clear Adriatic sea. After its extensive facelift and official unveiling in June, this exquisite fivestar hotel will provide its guests with the ultimate Dubrovnik experience. Sun-drenched luxury rooms with terraces offering panoramic views of the sea and Elaphiti islands, open space public areas with a whole array of services and features, indulgent wellness area, brand new upscale restaurants, indoor and outdoor

pools and above all high-standard of personalised service will all set a new benchmark among Dubrovnik’s luxury hotels. Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat, your new business event venue or a weekend getaway, you’ll love the brand new look and feel of the Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel. VALAMAR ARGOSY HOTEL TO OPEN IN 2014 Set in the picturesque and peaceful Babin Kuk peninsula, the Valamar Argosy Hotel now welcomes you as a newly refurbished and upgraded four-star hotel. Its stunning landscaped gardens, stylish rooms, brand new infinity pool and one more great novelty – well-being area, all set the scene for an ideal relaxing and romantic getaway. With the old town of Dubrovnik just minutes away and a selection of beaches at your fingertips, you can mix and match the activities you love to create your own unforgettable Croatian holiday. POREČ Poreč, one of Istria’s most renowned tourist destinations, manages to balance the authentic charm of a small coastal town filled with magnificent historical sites, with the

perks and exciting features modern and active travellers expect. Spread across 37 km of stunning coastline, Poreč Riviera offers a vast array of accommodation choices from family resorts, camping sites, apartments to villas and lighthouses, all surrounded by untouched nature and beaches suited to every taste. VALAMAR ZAGREB HOTEL TO REOPEN IN 2014 For the season 2014 Hotel Zagreb in Poreč will be refurbished and after significant investment will have four stars. The property is located near the stunning beachfront in quiet surroundings, only a relaxing scenic stroll from the old town of Poreč. In addition to the exterior redecoration the future hotel Valamar Zagreb will offer even more spacious, stylishly decorated rooms with state-of-theart fittings as well as new rooms for persons with special needs. The cooking show restaurant, popular with guests will have an even larger terrace, a completely new children entertainment concept with Maro clubs, new playground, Teen’s Club and a playroom. VALAMAR ISABELLA ISLAND RESORT TO MAKE 2015 DEBUT Valamar is making a big investment with its tourist properties on the islet Sveti Nikola opposite to Poreč promenade. The works on this project will be performed in stages, from 2013 to 2015 and the completion of the investment is envisaged for 2015 season. The investment includes a

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full refurbishment and construction of new facilities within Valamar Isabella Island Resort. Following the renewal and modernisation of the existing properties, such as Hotel Fortuna, castle Isabella, renewal of Miramare annexe and bungalows, as well as a series of additional amenities, such as pool, children’s club and spa, in May 2015 this island will be the top destination for couples and families searching for authentic experience with a touch of luxury. Gourmet lovers will be able to enjoy in three à la carte restaurants, four different bars and a show-cooking restaurant. During the day the guests can enjoy the amenities, such as activity pool, baby pool, relaxing infinity pool and several blue flag beaches. 300m2-spa and beauty amenities with sauna, Turkish bath, beauty centre, hairdressers and fitness also promise relaxation at any time. Parents will be happy with the offer of professional babysitting services in Maro Club with four stars as well rich daily entertainment with show programme while teenagers can enjoy entertainment in Teens Club. The offer is complemented by several playgrounds and a baby room.

MORE INFORMATION For more on Valamar Hotels & Resorts visit www.valamar.com or head over to Hall 1.2/218 here at ITB Berlin.

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The stars head to Burj al Arab for Dubai Film Festival

A star favourite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hotel Adlon Kempinski for Berlin International Film Festival

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, a former flourmill, is one of Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic pieces of industrial architecture

Sherry Netherland, part of Mantis Collection, is a great place to unwind whilst attending New York Film Festival

The sparkling Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is a favourite A-list hangout for Abu Dhabi Film Festival 120

Film festival fever Casa Nova, Deer Valley, voted United States’ Best Ski Chalet 2013 at World Ski Awards, sits on the doorstep of Sundance Film Festival, Utah

Breaking Travel News picks some of the finest hotels to stay at during the world’s greatest film festivals. These exquisite properties host the leading A-listers from around the world and are waiting for you too! Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière, Paris

InterContinental Carlton Cannes is popular for Festival de Cannes breakingtravelnews.com

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Le Tour Grand Départ trophy goes on show in Leeds One of the symbols of the Tour de France has gone on public display in Leeds as the city prepares to host the start of the world’s largest annual sporting event this summer.

The official Grand Départ trophy is held each year by the area or city hosting the start of the legendary cycle race, and has now gone on display in Leeds Civic Hall as the city and Yorkshire gears up for the race start on Saturday July 5th. The trophy created by the Tour de France organisers Amaury Sport Organisation was presented for the first time to the island of Corsica which hosted the Grand Départ of the centenary Tour last year. At the conclusion of the race, won by Britain’s Chris Froome, the trophy was officially passed over on the finish line on the Champs-Élysées by president of the Executive Council of Corsica Paul Giacobbi to chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire Gary Verity who led the bid to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire. With less than sixth months to go now before the start of the 2014 race, the ornate trophy featuring the Tour de France logo and inscribed with the names and years for Corsica and Yorkshire is now on display outside the council chamber in Civic Hall to further raise the anticipation level around this year’s event. As well as being on display in Leeds, the trophy will also be seen in locations along the routes of the two Tour 122

stages in Yorkshire in the coming months before returning in time for the start of the Grand Départ in July. The start of the 2014 Tour de France will take place on The Headrow in the shadow of Leeds Town Hall on the morning of Saturday July 5th. The world’s leading riders will then follow a route out of the city centre through Moortown and Alwoodley before heading through the historic Harewood Estate and on to Otley, Ilkey and Skipton before a loop through the Yorkshire Dales on the way to the finish of stage one in Harrogate. Stage two takes the riders on a challenging hilly route from York to Sheffield, while the final day of the Tour in the UK starts in Cambridge and finishes in London. Verity said: “This is a great chance for everyone to see the trophy up close and personal. It’s wonderful to see Yorkshire inscribed on this impressive trophy and our county associated with the Tour. It also brings home the fact for many that the Tour de France really is coming and we are just months away from a historic moment for Yorkshire and its people.” As well as start of the race itself, Leeds will also host the annual Team Presentation event at the new Leeds City Council-owned first direct arena

on Thursday July 3rd, while the countdown to the Grand Départ will feature a 100-day cultural festival celebrating the best of culture and the arts in the region. Leader of Leeds City Council councillor Keith Wakefield said: “The interest and media coverage in the last couple of weeks to mark the New Year and six months to go is an indication of how excited everyone is getting around Leeds and Yorkshire hosting the start of the Tour de France. “We are honoured to host the Grand Départ trophy and hope lots of people come and see it and are inspired to get involved and support what is sure to be amazing event when the Tour comes to Leeds in July.” MORE INFORMATION For the latest information on the Grand Départ including interactive route maps visit letouryorkshire.com.

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