Travel Trade Europe, 10 June 2016, Issue 39

10 JUNE 2016 ISSUE 39

12 SHORT BREAK

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LISBON

KIEV: SEE YOUR WISH COME TRUE

18 TURKISH AIRLINES FLIES TO COLOMBIA AND PANAMA

06 Cruising 11 MICE 21 Rendezvous

MARKET UPDATE

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PASSENGER TRAFFIC SOARS IN MARCH

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITORS Rita Kasziba Maria Kazeli JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeeurope.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in March, global passenger movements rose 5.3 percent over the same month in 2015.

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apacity swelled 5.9 percent year-on-year, pushing the load factor down half a percentage point to 79.6 percent.

Demand for international travel surged 6.2 percent, as airlines in all regions recorded growth with European carriers witnessing a climb of 5.5 percent over March 2015. Capacity increased 5.4 percent and load factor edged up 0.1 percentage points to 80.8 percent.

“Europe is the world’s largest international market in terms of traffic flown by its carriers. [...] But aviation could do much more if governments would address the triple whammy of high taxes, overly-complex and punitive regulations, and inadequate and inefficient infrastructure,” noted Tony Tyler, director general, IATA.

WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES

CINVEN AND CPPIB TAKE OVER HOTELBEDS GROUP

Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com

EXCHANGE RATES

as of

9.6.2016

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.13

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.78

Switzerland (CHF) Franc

1.09

Japan (JPY)

121.61

2

Yen

European private equity firm Cinven and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) entered into an agreement to acquire Hotelbeds Group from TUI Group for EUR1.17 billion.

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he Spain-based company is hailed as the largest independent business-to-business bedbank globally, offering rooms to the travel industry across more than 120 source markets from its inventory of 75,000 hotels in over 180 countries.

In addition to accommodation, Hotelbeds Group provides transfers, excursions and tours, meetings and events, visa processing outsourcing and cruise handing services.

“Hotelbeds is a unique opportunity to invest in the leading operator within the hotel accommodation distribution market, an industry which has strong long-term prospects that will support continued growth,” noted Shane Feeney, managing director, CPPIB.

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MARKET UPDATE

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BRUSSELS AIRLINES COUNTS LOSSES

AIR SERBIA: SECOND YEAR OF PROFITABILITY

A total of 455,599 passengers flew with Brussels Airlines in March, registering a 19.1 percent-year-onyear decline compared to the same month in 2015 – a result of the unfortunate events at Brussels Airport.

Air Serbia recorded a net profit of EUR3.9 million in its second full year of operations, exceeding 2015’s results by 44 percent and marking the airline’s second consecutive year of profitability.

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imilarly, load factor fell 0.5 percentage points, which stood at 68.6 percent.

“As expected, our March figures are very heavily impacted by the events of March 22, which took away our main work tool, our home base Brussels Airport, for 12 days. Thanks to the dedication of all Brussels Airlines colleagues, the support of many partners and the flexibility of our guests, however, we were able to partially recover our operations from alternative airports,” analysed Lars Redeligx, chief commercial officer, Brussels Airlines.

AIRBERLIN AMELIORATES PERFORMANCE

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n 2015, airberlin witnessed a growth of 3.7 percent in revenue per available seat kilometre, while yield increased two percent and load factor rose 0.7 percentage points to 84.2 percent.

“Although we reported a significant net loss of EUR446.6 million in 2015, the underlying fundamentals of our business are now trending in the right direction, and we can look forward to further improvements in our trading performance, especially in the second half of this year,” commented Stefan Pichler, CEO, airberlin.

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riven by an 11 percent growth in passenger numbers, total revenues rose 16 percent to EUR305 million.

Codeshare partnerships contributed EUR21.5 million, hence, the company’s keenness to sign more such agreements.

According to Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia, the positive figures are the direct result of lower costs, increased productivity and an enhanced product and service offering.

“In 2015, we consolidated and built depth into our European network and are now in a position to expand it regionally and across the Atlantic,” added Kondić.

AUSTRIAN IMPROVES OPERATING RESULTS

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ustrian Airlines succeeded in further improving its business results in the first quarter of the year as the adjusted earnings before interest and taxes were reduced to minus EUR29 million, compared to minus EUR53 million in 2015.

The development is attributed to a 3.7 percent rise in the number of travellers carried by the airline and an accompanying revenue increase resulting from the addition of new long-haul routes and flight connections to German destinations.

In the first three months of the year, Austrian Airlines carried 2.1 million passengers, up 3.7 percent year-on-year. Available seat kilometres jumped 8.3 percent to 4.9 billion and load factor fell two percentage points to 71.2 percent.

AIR FRANCEKLM DOES WELL

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ir France-KLM handled some 19.9 million passengers in the first quarter of the year, registering a 4.6 percent surge over the corresponding timeframe in 2015.

Total passenger network revenues amounted to EUR4.47 billion, having climbed 1.2 percent year-onyear.

The group maintained its strict capacity discipline, growing the total passenger network capacity by 1.1 percent, leading to an average load factor improvement of two percentage points to 84.5 percent.

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SPECIAL REPORT KIEV

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See Your Wish

Come True A CITY DEFINED BY ITS RELIGIOUS AS WELL AS SECULAR PAST, KIEV IS IN MANY ASPECTS A UNIQUE DESTINATION WHERE POPULAR BELIEFS DO MATTER AND HAVE WEAVED A STRONG BACKGROUND FOR STORYTELLING, QUITE APPEALING TO MODERN TRAVELLERS.

MARIA KAZELI WRITES

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t first sight, Kiev leaves tourists wondering if time has ever touched this former Soviet Union destination, as shiny golden Orthodox church domes rise high above the many identical residential building blocks, reminding foreign visitors of the country’s past and present.

After spending a few hours in the city, one can also discover various modern elements that make Kiev what it is nowadays: a place soaked in history, traditions, culture and legends, populated with people from across Ukraine who struggle to make ends meet in the world of today.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Premier Palace Hotel, Kiev, who commented that even though Kiev is a city of nearly three million inhabitants, the current tourist flow – which totalled 1.77 million incoming and domestic visitors in 2015 – cannot match that number and is therefore insufficient.

Despite the poor inbound arrival figures of the past, hospitality experts working across the capital appear to be optimistic when it comes to predictions for the year and forward bookings, with Anna Kozachenko, deputy sales and marketing director, President Hotel Kyiv, reporting that the 374unit hotel currently enjoys a nearly 90 percent occupancy rate with the property’s 17 conference rooms also playing host to events on a daily basis, ranging from meetings to weddings, and more.

The country’s recent win at the Eurovision Song Contest, which allows Ukraine to stage the 2017 edition, is considered a strong card to invest in to draw first-time and repeat international visitors.

There is general excitement over welcoming the popular competition – which will most likely be held in Kiev – however, Metelskiy warned that happenings such as the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest or the 2012 UEFA European Championship, are a double-edged sword as expecta-

Following a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in 2014 which led to serious turbulence within Ukraine’s political scene as well as in its ties with Russia, the country’s tourism industry suffered a major blow, the effects of which are being experienced to this day, as the neighbouring country has over the years been the main market for Ukraine's inbound tourism.

In 2015, Kiev witnessed a year-on-year drop of 11.7 percent in Russian arrivals which amounted to 166,300; previously the disruption in the two countries’ relations had led to a sharp decline of 62.2 percent in 2014’s figures when compared to 2013.

However, local and regional authorities are now planning ahead, determined to revive the sector. As shared by Anton Taranenko, head of tourism department, Kiev City State Administration, the destination currently boasts 80 hostels and 165 hotels, six of which fall under the five-star classification.

Supply has continued to outpace demand in recent years, according to Alexey Metelskiy, director of sales and marketing,

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SPECIAL REPORT KIEV

tions might run too high, thus, the outcome of the much-anticipated show may not meet projected results, unless hoteliers and authorities collaborate effectively.

With their clientele being mostly comprised of business guests, the two accommodation establishments also benefit from being near the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex. The multifunction sports arena is the home of FC Dynamo Kyiv, and according to Tatiana Gosteva, head of public relations department, Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, aside from football matches, a plethora of specialised events can be held at the venue which has a total capacity of up to 70,050 spectators.

DOME-HIGH Tourists can also experience the leisure aspect of the city. Kiev is deeply-rooted in religion – something that is evident throughout its attractions, all of which can be enjoyed by visitors regardless of personal beliefs. One such example is Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, an 11th century monastery founded by two monks, where visitors can explore a number of caves with the relics of more than 100 saints, and where locals go to in order to have their wishes heard. Within this highly-spiritual attraction, the Gate Church of the Trinity surely deserves a visit as it boasts a number of unique features, one of which is a rare portrayal of God the Father. Another one of the city’s best-known landmarks, the imposing Saint Sophia Cathedral stands nearly 30m tall oozing the architectural style visible throughout Kiev, as Ukrainian Baroque has proved to be a favourite for historical building reconstructions. Designed to rival

Hagia Sophia, Saint Sophia Cathedral has preserved its ancient interiors as well as its original 11th century collection of mosaics and frescoes, allowing culture enthusiasts to admire a monumental decoration that mirrors major theological ideas and is an exceptional example of Byzantine art. Since 1990, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral are inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List as they represent outstanding complexes of cultural legacy monuments.

In addition, the wider Kiev area features family attractions which reflect centuries-old traditions and customs such as The Kievan Rus Park, a recreation of the city during the medieval times, which covers an area of 10ha.

Boasting beauty of nature, the region can also be proud of Naturalist, a complex encompassing a shop with locally-produced goods, a farm, a zoo, as well as a hotel and a restaurant which offers views of Krasne Pershe’s peaceful lake.

When in Kiev, travellers can surely expect an experience quite different from any other European capital; as the city’s tourism tagline promises…

Everything Starts in Kyiv. 

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NEWS CRUISING

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Fred. Olsen Unveils New Indian Ocean Fly-cruises

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he new voyages encompass a 33-night sailing to the Mediterranean, Zanzibar and Mauritius, departing from Liverpool on October 14, 2017, as well as a 15-night Islands of the Indian Ocean, setting sail on November 16, 2017.

Nathan Philpot, director of sales and marketing, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, commented, “After listening to our customers, we have now organised two new fly-cruises to this hugely popular region, so that our loyal guests who missed out on the first sailing now have two further opportunities.”

MS Elbe Princesse Sets Sail

Biggest Viking Vessel in Current Times

MS Elbe Princesse

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Draken Harald Hårfagre

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roisiEurope’s second paddle riverboat, MS Elbe Princesse was officially inaugurated in Berlin.

Currently cruising between the German capital and Prague on the Elbe and Vltava Rivers, the ship’s adapted size allows it to enter and moor in the heart of city centres, enabling easy access to the most important sites in the destinations it passes through.

The vessel measures 95m in length and 10m in width, boasting two decks, two stern paddlewheels, a panoramic-view restaurant as well as a lounge area with a bar and dance floor. Its 40 cabins can accommodate up to 79 passengers, and provide onboard comfort with features such as Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV, radio, hair dryer and a safe.

Boudicca

In response to unprecedented demand for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Islands of the Indian Ocean flycruise – which launched in May and is set to depart from London or Manchester on November 29, 2017 – the company has introduced two new itineraries of the same kind aboard the 880-guest Boudicca for autumn 2017.

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raken Harald Hårfagre, hailed as the world’s largest Viking-era ship ever built in modern times has left its homeport in Haugesund, Norway to sail a challenging voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean.

With the aim of exploring and reliving one of the most mythological sea voyages – the first transatlantic crossing and the Viking discovery of the New World more than 1,000 years ago – the expedition is all about exploring the world, just as the Vikings did in history.

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NEWS CRUISING

Viking Line Offers Food Planned by Kids

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Carnival Valor Undergoes Makeover

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Carnival Valor

iking Line vessels are offering dishes composed by children throughout the season, running between June 01 – August 14.

The recipes were ultimately selected from hundreds of entries submitted in a competition designed for youngsters aged between five and 12 from Finland, Sweden and Estonia, and are served on the restaurants’ à la carte menus and at the buffets.

The 10 winners also took part in a ceremony aboard Mariella, where they had the opportunity to prepare their recipes together with master chef Michael Björklund in the ship’s large-scale kitchen.

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n preparation for its year-round programme of three- and four-day Bahamas voyages from Florida’s Port Canaveral, starting on October 30, Carnival Valor has undergone an extensive renovation to add a variety of dining and bar concepts.

The new spaces, including Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Pub and SkyBox Sports Bar, among more, were incorporated during a dry dock.

“Carnival Valor offers a convenient and affordable choice from Port Canaveral, with a host of exciting new innovations as well as popular features like a reservations-only steakhouse and nearly 600-balcony staterooms […],” said Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line.

Silver Wind Sails the Mediterranean

Celebrity Millennium Completes Modern Conversion

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est Mediterranean yacht charter, Silver Wind is once again available this summer season in France and Italy.

The luxury motor vessel can sleep eight guests across a split-level master stateroom, a VIP room and two double staterooms, all equipped with iPadcontrolled systems, Apple TVs and a noise-cancelling tool to ensure a quiet night sleep.

Other highlights include bold and dramatic exterior lines, a wellness space with a balcony as well as a fully custom-made bridge, among more.

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elebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium emerged from its dry dock reenergised and more luxurious than

ever.

The 2,138-passenger vessel now boasts a host of new spaces and experiences, such as a fresh rooftop terrace complete with large screens, cabanas and soundscapes, significant renovations to the penthouse and royal suites as well as the conversion of the Olympic restaurant, Tuscan Grille.

Additional enhancements include the incorporation of an enclosed portrait studio, the creation of a cruise sales office, a refresh of the solarium with new furniture, floors and refinished pool tops, as well as the removal of the themed décor in the casino.

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Ireland Targets China

Delegates of Tourism Ireland’s China sales mission

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In a bid to boost tourism from China to the European country, Tourism Ireland along with 14 local travel companies organised a sales trip to four cities across the Asian destination.

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ith China being an important emerging market for the island, the aim of the mission was to target and engage with top travel professionals in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong all of whom are currently pitching or have a strong potential to start selling packages to Ireland.

A busy programme of workshops, presentations and networking events is expected to have strengthened business links between the two nations.

Vienna’s Tourist Board and Airport Join Hands

Albania Makes Way for Visa Facilitation

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Tirana

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ith the objective of attracting more tourists from different parts of the world as well as of extending Albania’s summer season period in the context of sustainable tourism and enhanced economic development, the Albanian National Tourism Agency’s request for abolition of visas from certain countries has been granted.

Accordingly, citizens from Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Georgia, Qatar, Oman and Russia can now enter Albania without the requirement of a short-term visa valid between June 01 – November 01.

cknowledging that the Austrian capital’s success as a business and tourism destination depends on its accessibility by air, Vienna Tourist Board and Vienna Airport signed a growth agreement.

Encompassing 37 campaigns targeting 15 markets, the action plan aims to attract additional airlines and promote direct flights to the destination.

Approximately 42 percent of all guests and 76 percent of congress and conference participants arrived in Vienna by plane in 2015. Accordingly, both entities seek to further develop the aviation sector as an underlying force towards tourism growth in the Austrian city.

“Vienna will only be able to continue exploiting its biggest assets as a Central European transport hub [...] if its international flight connections develop further,” explained Renate Brauner, president, Vienna Tourist Board.

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NEWS

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Titanic Belfast

xhibits from the holdings of Vilnius’ Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania are being displayed at the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve at Nesvizh in Belarus until September 19.

The exhibition, titled The Archaeological Finds of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Daily Life of the Royal Court, features materials found from multiyear research and shows how the Grand Ducal Residence was decorated, how it was defended, what its residents ate and how their daily life unfolded.

Ireland Lures Visitors through Cinematography

National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve at Nesvizh

A Glimpse into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Pacific World Reaches Out to Austria

Vienna

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ollowing the launch of Pacific World’s offices in Germany, the event management company has now confirmed the expansion of its European operations to include Austria.

Pacific World Austria will work closely with other regional hubs in an effort to align operational and commercial standards, hence offering seamless solutions across the organisation’s network.

As Mark Barber, regional director, Pacific World, noted, in 2015, the International Congress and Convention Association ranked Vienna as the second most popular European city and Austria as one of the top 12 countries globally for meetings and conferences. “[…] The launch of our services in this new destination will enable us to provide a one-stop shop offering for their meetings, events, incentives, and congresses in this worldwide, top MICE destination,” commented Michele Borzi, country manager, Germany and Austria, Pacific World.

ourism Ireland launched two online films promoting various aspects of the destination.

The first feature, titled 10 Titanic Things to Do in Belfast highlights the iconic ship’s connection to the city and encourages visitors from around the world to discover more about the vessel’s story.

Tracing my Irish Ancestry – my journey home to Ireland was specially created to prompt people to visit Ireland this year and find out more about their Irish origin. The short film was produced to connect with those with Irish roots, and shows Irish-American Gerry Britt’s search to uncover his ancestry and how he traced his Irish heritage.

Enhanced Regional Rail Services

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he European Commission has welcomed the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU) relating to the commission’s Fourth Railway Package which outlines improved rail provisions.

The proposal encompasses a series of measures to make regional railways more innovative and competitive. The deal is expected to ameliorate the performance of services in the EU to the benefit of passengers, with a gradual opening of domestic rail markets.

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NEWS MICE

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The CCD Enhances Technology Offering

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he centre has undertaken a number of actions in an effort to ensure a better experience for clients and delegates whilst supporting sustainable events, including the purchase of four high-definition projectors, the upgrade and enhancement of its audiovisual equipment, the acquisition of 20 new state-of-the-art digital display units, as well as the replacement of 24 video-wall screens and 30 hanging array screens.

The Convention Centre Dublin

Since its opening six years ago, The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) has made considerable investments in its infrastructure and systems to reaffirm its position as a world-class venue.

GBTA Launches Rules of the Road

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t its 14th annual Legislative Symposium, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) unveiled the new Rules of the Road for optimising business travel.

The entity mobilised its members to create this declaration of travel reform to guide the industry, business leaders as well as policy-makers in creating a travel ecosystem that fosters growth, employment, safety and efficiency.

The rules consist of eight principles, including safety and security, taxes, competition, fee clarity, communication, innovation, traveller experience, as well as quality and connectivity.

QHotels Presents: The Social Butterflies and the Nail-biters

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elegates attending conferences and events across the UK fall into one of seven distinct personality types, according to QHotels’ event experts.

The Eagers usually arrive earlier and are the first to volunteer themselves, while Social Butterflies are quick to spot and utilise networking opportunities. The talkative Megaphones are keen to give their opinion, and Easy Riders do not appear to be fazed by anything either, though they behave in a calm way. Nail-biters are often anxious and feel unprepared, not as much as Edge-of-the-Roomers who remain quiet, while Disruptives do not want to be at events at all.

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SHORT BREAK LISBON

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VETERAN

Capital

AS A MULTIFACETED CITY THAT APPEALS TO DIFFERENT TASTES AND SENSES, LISBON HAS LONG BOASTED ITS CULTURAL OFFERING AS THE CORNERSTONE OF ITS OVERALL TOURISM INDUSTRY. AS THINGS CURRENTLY STAND, IT SEEMS THIS SEGMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVE LUCRATIVE FOR YEARS TO COME.

PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES

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he Portuguese capital welcomed some 5.25 million visitors in 2015, and InterContinental Estoril, commented, “Lisbon is quite unique in terms of registering a noteworthy 6.4 percent year-on-year increase with culture because of the splendid blend between the old and the new. It is one France, Spain, Germany, Brazil, the UK and Italy dominating the city of the oldest cities in the world which has aged beautifully and gracefully [...]. as key feeder markets.

The city is blessed with a wealth of historic monuments, world-class museums “Lisbon is a capital city where culture is one of the most important attrac- and a host of other fabulous visitor attractions. Lisbon has captivated visitors tions in its global tourism offer,” stressed Paula for centuries because of its natural beauty and cultural Oliveira, executive director, Visit Lisboa, highrichness.” lighting cruise and city break travellers as the LISBON IN BRIEF ones mostly in search for cultural experiences.

CULTURE ALL AROUND “Lisbon has a huge range of monuments and museums that attract different people and The city’s cultural scene has been the cornerstone of its Country: Portugal interests, apart from all the exhibitions and tourism lure, as identified by several industry stakeholders Language: Portuguese events that take place all year round in many who have fostered the growth of the segment and woven Currency: Euro (EUR) different cultural areas, such as urban art, street it in their overall offering.

Population: 545,000 events open to all, cinema festivals, music [and] “I believe that [cultural tourism] is what people expect Calling Code: +351 21 gastronomy, [among more],” Oliveira continued. to see and do in Lisbon and that is why our best-selling Time Zone: GMT +1:00 In agreement, Ricardo Gomes, director of tours are the cultural walking tours and sightseeing day sales and marketing, InterContinental Lisbon tours,” explained Pedro Miguel Costa, managing director,

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SHORT BREAK LISBON

Inside Tours. “There are [many] activities and experiences [...] but cultural ones represent 90 percent.”

Similarly, Pedro Cabrita, director, Cordial Tours, noted that around 70 percent of the company’s clients – the majority of whom come from European countries – request accommodation alongside a programme encompassing various trips around the capital. “[The segment] is extremely important to us, and our ambition is to be known as the leading luxury hotel that fuses the cultural richness of Lisbon with a vibrant international style,” declared Gomes.

As Rui de Sousa, general manager, Tivoli Lisboa, noted, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts presents a hospitality concept founded in a set of services which were created to offer not only an outstanding stay but above all, a memorable experience crafted around each hotel’s local culture in a variety of ways. Headed by a dedicated team, the Experience More programme ensures unique and curated itineraries for guests at each destination.

In this respect, de Sousa pinpointed Lisbon’s cultural history and gastronomic diversity as the main attractions that Tivoli Lisboa focusses on.

Similarly, InterContinental Lisbon offers destination-specific concierge websites and videos. From the finest restaurants, chicest shops and trendiest nightspots to insider tips on local culture, attractions and events, the hotel’s Concierge Insider Guides application allows existing and prospective guests to have a richer travel experience by tapping into the collective knowledge of the property’s team.

“InterContinental Lisbon Concierge is the cornerstone of the hotel’s ‘in the know’ positioning, and truly defines the InterContinental Lisbon guest experience,” enthused Gomes.

As Sandra Silva, commercial director, Real Hotels Group, interestingly pointed out, Lisbon’s accommodation establishments also act as cultural hotspots in their own right, featuring an exquisite historical backdrop. “[Real Palácio Hotel] is a cultural experience located in the centre of Lisbon. Real Palácio Hotel was

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recovered from the former Guedes Quinhones Palace, dating back to the 17th century. [The hotel] also has several cultural partners that supply our guests with standards and tailor-made programmes,” explained Silva, noting that over 60 percent of the property’s guests represent the cultural tourism segment, mainly from the local, German, UK and French markets.

GLISTENING FUTURE Discussing the growth potential of the Portuguese capital’s overall tourism industry, Julia Oelrich Campos, resident manager, Altis Avenida Hotel, posited, “There is always room for improvement. The infrastructure is far from being perfect, but a lot of investments have happened over the past years to improve existing services and create new ones in order to meet modern requirements.”

On this front, Cabrita was also keen to shed some light, albeit in a concerned manner, on the increase of room rates across hotels in Lisbon brought on by surging demand for the destination.

In all, Henri Poudensan, regional director, marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, highlighted the capital’s mild climate, overall resort feel, as well as the juxtaposition of old world charm and avant-garde chicness as some of the key elements that set the city apart from other destinations in Europe.

According to Poudensan, the hotel has maintained a healthy performance over the years, attracting a diverse clientele, both in terms of segments and geography, which he cites as the recipe for the property’s success.

“I am very positive about the future of this destination, as it has a unique combination of strong selling points [which are] difficult to replicate and compete with. It is not a bucket-list destination that you will visit once in your life, but instead one that you will fall in love with and come back over and over to the point of eventually considering buying your own place at some point,” he concluded. 

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION

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TUI Blue Forays into Turkey TUI Group has debuted TUI Blue with the launch of the brand’s first two addresses in Turkey.

S TUI Blue Palm Garden

et on the Turkish Aegean Sea, the four-and-a-half-star TUI Blue Sarigerme Park features 375 rooms, while the familyfocussed TUI Blue Palm Garden, which represents the same star category, comprises 363 units and is located in Manaygat on the Turkish Riviera.

The two properties, both of which were previously operated under the Iberotel flag, were extensively modernised and renovated over the past few months to feature welcome lounges, redesigned rooms, regional cuisine and a holistic fitness and health concept.

Exe Hotels Enlarges Spanish Portfolio

NH Adds Rome Address

Renaissance Paris Republique Launched

NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento

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H Hotels has chosen Rome for the expansion of its most exclusive brand, NH Collection.

With the opening of the five-star NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento the company increases its upper-upscale offering across the country.

“We want to expand our premium brand in Italy offering our guests memorable experiences that exceed their expectations. NH Collection Palazzo Cinquecento is the 10th hotel in the country signed under this exclusive brand and the 53rd hotel in the business unit of Italy,” said Chema Basterrechea, managing director, Italy, NH Hotels.

Exe El Magistral

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art of Hotusa Hotels, Exe Hotels expanded its presence in Spain with the four-star Exe Salamanca and the three-star Exe El Magistral in Oviedo.

The Salamanca property, the group’s third address in the city, boasts 63 modern rooms with contemporary decoration, a buffet restaurant, lobby bar and two meeting halls for events with up to 140 guests.

Located near the town’s cathedral and the medieval city wall, the Oviedo establishment features 52 rooms.

enaissance Hotels opened its sixth property in the neighbourhood of La Republique in Paris.

Located near Le Marais and Canal Saint Martin, the 121-room Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel has been modelled by renowned interior designer Didier Gomez.

“We [devised] Renaissance Republique with the local community in mind, first and foremost. We wanted to create a neighbourhood destination as we believe this is what today’s next generation traveller seeks from a hotel stay,” explained Amy McPherson, president, Europe, Marriott International.

Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION

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Grand Hôtel Relaunches Suite

G Princess Lilian suite

rand Hôtel Stockholm is carrying out an extensive renovation of all rooms and suites in the part of the property called Burmanska Palace. These include the top floor 330m2 Princess Lilian suite which already boasts a completely new interior.

As a result of the refurbishment, the space now meets high standards of exclusivity. Floors in the unit have been replaced with parquet, and all bedrooms feature and-woven, wall-to-wall carpeting.

Pia Djupmark, CEO, Grand Hôtel Stockholm, commented that following the facelift, Burmanska Palace will be a contemporary version of the property, which still preserves its unique historic allure.

NH Collection Arrives in Germany

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ith the opening of its first four properties in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and Dresden, NH Hotels has officially launched its upperupscale brand NH Collection in Germany.

The step is hailed as an important milestone in the company’s expansion plans, and as Federico González Tejera, global CEO, NH Hotels, said, “This launch brings us one step closer to our vision which is that one day, whenever anyone contemplates a trip to a city for an overnight stay or meeting, for business or pleasure, they will always ask themselves if there is an NH hotel at their destination.”

The group aims to operate 68 NH Collection establishments worldwide by the end of the year.

NH Collection Köln Mediapark

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Hotels is off to a great start as nine of its event venues achieved VenueVerdict Gold Standard accreditations in the first quarter of the year.

With research conducted by UK-based BDRC Continental, the accreditations are based on how likely event hosts are to recommend a venue for a conference.

Three of the hotelier’s properties have been accredited for at least 12 consecutive quarters, and The Westwood Hotel & Golf Resort is hailed as the only hotel in Scotland to retain the distinction for more than five years.

Michael Purtill, managing director, QHotels, noted, “Our reputation in the conference and events industry keeps getting stronger, and we continue to enhance our offering based on the views of our customers.”

Cloud.7 Opens in Istanbul

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Cloud.7 Atakoy Marina

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loud.7 Hotels has launched its first home in Istanbul, encapsulating the spirit of the brand which sports a new concept with modern design for spontaneous travellers.

The 46-room Cloud.7 Atakoy Marina has been created for today’s fastpaced and curious guests who seek a stylish, interactive, tech-focussed yet affordable hub and a real experience of the city.

Some 15 more Cloud.7 properties are in the pipeline across Europe and the Middle East, in some of the world’s fastest growing, youth-driven and culturally blooming destinations, from Tbilisi and Tehran to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

InterContinental Prague Unveils Refreshed Look

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nterContinental Prague completed the redevelopment of its spacious entrance hall, reception and foyer area.

Aiming to give the property a fresh contemporary feel, using carefully selected material which complies with environmental requirements, the redesign incorporates a spacious modern reception, replacing the traditional desk with three new pod-style check-in counters and thereby enabling guests to enjoy a closer interaction with the hotel’s personnel. The same ethos has been applied to the concierge station which now boasts a large area, further enriched by an eyecatching chandelier.

InterContinental Prague reception

The Westwood Hotel & Golf Resort

QHotels Makes Golden Start to Year

10 JUNE 2016

NEWS AIRPORTS

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Munich Boasts New Facility

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ith the new addition, the capacity of Terminal 2, which is used by both Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partner airlines, has increased by 11 million to a total of 36 million travellers per year. Hailed as one of the most modern airport buildings worldwide, the facility aims to offer guests a pleasant atmosphere with light-flooded open spaces, a wide variety of shops and restaurants, as well as five new Lufthansa lounges.

MIA and SITA Sign Agreement

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New Pier at Budapest Airport

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russels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) handled 694,946 passengers in April, registering an 11 percent year-on-year rise.

Although the number of flights from the hub fell in comparison to April 2015, load factors surged to around 85 percent for the month under study.

The most popular destination in regards to amount of travellers flying from or to the airport was Spain, followed by Italy, France, Morocco and Poland.

At the same time, Ryanair has announced a new destination from BSCA. Starting on October 30, the carrier will be flying to Glasgow twice a week.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport

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erenc Liszt International Airport will soon welcome a new pier to be connected with Terminal 2.

With an estimated investment of EUR16.9 million and construction expected to commence in January 2017, an additional 10,000m2 will be added to the current passenger area of the facility.

Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport, said, “Pier B is part of the development strategy to improve the capacity whilst ensuring great passenger experience which helps Budapest Airport to maintain its regional leading position amongst airports handling over 10 million passengers per year.”

New pier rendering

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alta International Airport (MIA) entered into a strategic partnership with global air transport IT specialist, SITA, to boost the hub’s operational excellence and put it at the forefront of technology.

The deal will allow the airport to focus on strategic investment and innovation as SITA will take over dayto-day information communications technology (ICT) operations. Moreover, it will help improve ICT service levels, optimise airport functions and enhance the overall passenger experience.

Alan Borg, CEO, MIA, said, “We recognise that developing our ICT infrastructure is fundamental to our future growth. We […] look forward to working together on a digital blueprint to meet our future demands.”

BSCA Remains Undeterred

Munich Airport

Munich Airport’s new satellite terminal got off to a smooth start, as on its first day of operation, it handled 20,000 passengers with all take¬offs and landings being punctual.

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NEWS AIR

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Turkish Airlines Flies to Colombia and Panama Turkish Airlines added two more countries to its global reach by launching linked services to Bogota and Panama City.

Launch of services

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s the carrier grows its presence in the Western hemisphere, the new destinations join Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Boston, Montreal, San Francisco and Miami.

The Istanbul – Bogota – Panama City route will be operated three times per week.

Alitalia Bids on Important Markets

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hile and Italy are now linked thanks to Alitalia’s new direct Rome – Santiago service, operated five times a week.

Cramer Ball, CEO, Alitalia, expects the route to make the company the leading airline on itineraries from Latin America, an important area for Italy and a key market for Alitalia.

“In addition, direct flights between Chile and Italy also mean significant economic benefits in terms of trade between the two countries, encouraging Italian investments in Chile as well as Chilean investments in Italy,” he added.

Meanwhile, the carrier launched more services between London and Milan by introducing a fifth daily frequency.

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Norwegian Adds Oakland Route

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orwegian launched the UK’s only direct flights to Oakland, US. Three weekly services depart London’s Gatwick Airport onboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring two cabin classes, premium and economy.

Thomas Ramdahl, chief commercial officer, Norwegian, commented that over half a million UK travellers have flown transatlantic with Norwegian.

“With direct low-cost services to Oakland and Los Angeles on the west coast and New York and Boston on the east, passengers can also consider fly-drive options with our affordable one way fares. We are continuing to provide Brits with cheaper and easier access to more parts of the US by flying passengers in high-quality comfort in the newest aircraft,” he concluded.

10 JUNE 2016

NEWS AIR

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Lufthansa Introduces Connection to the North

Ivalo

Manchester Linked to Tel Aviv

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Monarch’s team at Manchester Airport

n December 17, Lufthansa will commence flights to Ivalo to be operated until March 25, 2017.

“This is already the sixth direct international connection to wintry Lapland. Previously introduced connections include routes to Kittilä and Rovaniemi, but now the path is clear to Ivalo too,” commented Joni Sundelin, senior vice president, Finavia.

Paulo Yoshikawa, country manager, Finland, Lufthansa Group, explained that winter sport activities in Lapland see a growing demand, which is also a good sign for local ski resorts and other tourism providers.

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anchester Airport saw off Monarch’s inaugural flight to Tel Aviv.

The launch of summer services from the UK hub to the cosmopolitan Israeli city follows the introduction of operations from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv in December 2015.

Monarch will operate the flights from Manchester three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Jet2 Enchances 2017 Offering

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et2.com and Jet2holidays announced their biggest ever flights and holidays programme for summer 2017 from Leeds Bradford Airport, with extra services and more seats to 43 hotspots including two brand new destinations, Costa Brava and Naples.

Steve Heapy, CEO, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said, “With our continued expansion, we are thrilled that even more people across Yorkshire will be able to experience our great value holidays and award-winning flights.”

UIA Flies to Venice

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kraine International Airlines (UIA) has inaugurated services between Ivano-Frankivsk and Venice, bringing the number of destinations available from the western Ukrainian city to four.

Operated on modern Embraer 190 aircraft in a two-class configuration, the route is offered four times a week.

“We keep working on building the UIA hub in Ivano-Frankivsk,” noted Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA, adding that the Italian city joins Gdansk, Valencia, and Alicante that are already available from the airport, as the airline remains keen on further enhancing services to European cities.

10 JUNE 2016

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NEWS AIR

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Air Serbia Receives Wide-body Aircraft

The arrival of the plane

SprintAir Connects Berlin to Radom

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printAir launched twice-weekly flights from Berlin Tegel Airport to the Polish city of Radom, onboard Saab 340 aircraft.

The services, which offer capacity for 33 passengers, run on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Some 100km south of Warsaw, Radom is located in the Masovian Voivodship, hailed as the largest and most prosperous region of the country covering the area around the capital

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ir Serbia celebrated the next step in its evolution, with the arrival of its first wide-body airliner at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.

The Airbus A330 will be used on the carrier’s route linking the European capital with New York, due to launch on June 23 reconnecting Serbia to the US with a direct air service for the first time in 24 years.

“The A330 is a modern and fuel-efficient aircraft that opens up many growth opportunities for the airline and will allow us to launch long-haul service to New York, greatly simplifying travel and offering the fastest connection between the Balkans and the US,” commented Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia.

S7 Starts Flights to Rhodes

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7 Airlines commenced thrice-weekly flights from Moscow to Rhodes.

As Igor Veretennikov, group strategy director, S7 Airlines, said, Greece is very popular among Russian tourists and Rhodes is an interesting destination not only because of its resorts on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, but also due to its UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

“Moreover, Rhodes is an ideal place to rent a yacht and to go for a sea voyage visiting the nearby islands, to find unusual routes, visit calm bays and beaches hidden from the view of tourists,” he added.

Singapore Airlines A350 Arrives in Amsterdam

SWISS: Bombardier CS100 Operations in July

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Amsterdam

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msterdam became the first long-haul destination to receive Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900.

The Asian carrier took delivery of its first A350-900 in March and now boasts two airplanes of this type, with another 65 on firm order. The initial batch will be fitted with 253 seats in three classes, accommodating 42 customers in business, 24 in premium economy and 187 in economy class.

The A350 will form a key part of the airline’s fleet in the years ahead, allowing the introduction of new destinations, such as Düsseldorf from July onwards.

wiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is to put its first Bombardier CS100 into service on July 15, becoming the first carrier in the world to operate the new Bombardier C Series.

The aircraft will depart Zurich to reach Paris as its inaugural destination. Manchester, Prague and Budapest will also be among SWISS’ destinations to welcome Bombardier CS100 services.

The short- and medium-haul twinjet aims to set new benchmarks in in-flight comfort, operating on economic and environmental terms, resulting in a 50 percent noise reduction.

10 JUNE 2016

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with

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GÜLIZ ÖZTÜRK SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL, PEGASUS AIRLINES

WITH ITS EUROPEAN OPERATIONS HAVING GAINED UNPRECEDENTED MOMENTUM OVER THE YEARS, GÜLIZ ÖZTÜRK, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL, PEGASUS AIRLINES, DISCUSSES THE CARRIER’S CURRENT AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Please tell us about Pegasus Airlines’ European network from Istanbul.

GÜLIZ ÖZTÜRK: Having established ourselves as Turkey’s first and now leading low-cost carrier, we currently fly to 103 destinations in 41 countries with a network that extends from Europe to the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, the CIS countries, Russia and the Caucasus.

In 2015, we increased the number of guests we carried by 13.1 percent compared to [2014], having carried a total of 22.33 million guests. In this period, we carried over 1.5 million guests from European Union (EU) countries which makes up 6.7 percent of our total number of guests.

10 JUNE 2016

We currently fly from 32 destinations in Europe which makes the continent one of our largest and most significant areas of operation, and almost a third of our entire flight network.

As we continue to add new routes to our network and increase flight frequencies to our current destinations, we anticipate and look forward to hosting an increasing number of European guests on our flights both on point-topoint and transit flights.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are the airline’s immediate plans for further expansion between Istanbul and Europe? Which markets does the airline deem important to tap into or further expand in?

GÜLIZ ÖZTÜRK: We are a steadily growing airline and as such, we explore all opportunities that may emerge in new destinations. Our strategy has been to expand our network, increase flight frequencies and add new destinations with our growing fleet of new aircraft.

In Europe, we currently fly doubledaily from Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London Stansted and Paris, and 17 [times] weekly from Amsterdam.

Our long-term ambitions are to continue to grow across our network and boost point-to-point flights between regional cities as our position as a leading regional airline strengthens.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: How does Pegasus Airlines stay ahead of other airlines operating across the continent?

GÜLIZ ÖZTÜRK: We can attribute our continued success in Europe to a number of [factors].

Firstly, being based in Istanbul gives us a wonderful opportunity to carry guests across continents on transit flights due to Istanbul’s advantageous

geographical positioning. Using Istanbul as our flight hub between Europe, Asia, Middle East, North Africa and beyond, our guests are able to fly further out while still paying less. We have established [Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport] as an important hub linking all the regions that we fly to, making the city a vital bridge between these major regions of the world.

We offer our guests an enhanced travel experience through developing creative ways for them to personalise their travels, shaped according to their specific wants and needs, and inspiring them to travel more easily, comfortably and affordably.

We recently launched our new website where our guests will enjoy all our additional offerings for their whole travel journey, including flight booking, extra services, check-in, hotel reservation, car hire, car park booking, a search by budget tool, as well as detailed city guides and an event calendar providing the latest information on city destinations.

We also place great importance on offering our guests the comfort and ease of flying in brand-new aircraft. We currently have a 69-strong fleet with an average age of only 5.5 years and we are proud to have the youngest fleet in Turkey and one of the youngest in Europe. We continue to invest in our fleet of the future, having made the single largest-ever aircraft order in the Turkish civil aviation history in 2012 of approximately USD12 billion (EUR10.7 billion) for 100 new Airbus aircraft. The deliveries of the first part of our order are arriving this year and will continue in the following years, and this will allow us to implement our next stage of growth as we expand our flight network to include new and exciting routes, and reach out to an ever-increasing number of guests to offer our services always at our affordable fares.

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“Prior to any other consideration, to be a hotelier you need to feel the passion for service.

Put passion in all you do and surround yourself with the best possible passionated team. Secondly, I would recommend [aspiring hoteliers] to define their business model [...] and stick to it, always striving for excellence, rather than for a bigger size. And thirdly, remembering the advice that my father, the chairman of our company used to give me: Put the customer at the heart of the organisation, and earn his/her loyalty.”

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, STANSTED AIRPORT

Czech travellers now [can] connect seamlessly with Emirates’ 150-plus destinations

“We are pleased to add Prague too to our list of more than 40 Airbus A380 destination cities and introduce our innovative, best-in-class onboard product and renowned service to Czech customers. Czech travellers now have more opportunities to connect seamlessly with Emirates’ 150-plus destinations around the world, through one single stop in Dubai.”

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, GULF, IRAN, AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN, LUFTHANSA

MATS SIGURDSON

Always striving for excellence, rather than for a bigger size

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KARSTEN ZANG

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, EMIRATES

THIERRY ANTINORI

CEO, MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL

GABRIEL ESCARRER

TRAVEL TALK

The arrival of this fantastic new jet […] brings significant environmental benefits “The arrival of the Thomson Airways Dreamliner at Stansted will give the millions of people living in the east of England the opportunity to experience an aircraft that dramatically transforms air travel and access to exciting long-haul holidays direct from their local airport.

The arrival of this fantastic new jet not only opens up a host of new destinations but it also brings significant environmental benefits [...] as we continue to drive down our operational effects on the communities around the airport.”

Our new premium economy cabin has become a real hit “Our new premium economy cabin has become a real hit in the Gulf region and showcasing it to a larger audience at the Arabian Travel Market [was] a great way to commence celebrating Lufthansa’s 40th anniversary of service to Dubai. Lufthansa’s role as an industry leader among European carriers serving Dubai is a testament of our unwavering commitment to connect our customers in the UAE not only with Germany, but hundreds of destinations across the vast Lufthansa network in the most comfortable and convenient way possible.”

TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories.

We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

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10 JUNE 2016

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

UNWTO SILK ROAD TASK FORCE COMMITS TO SHARED WORK TRAVELPORT DABBLES IN NEW JOURNEY PLANNER

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ravelport is now a member of a consortium awarded European Union (EU) funding to help pilot a fresh online travel planning and booking solution which utilises multiple modes of transport.

EuTravel is a 30-month project funded by Horizon 2020 – hailed as the biggest EU research and innovation programme to date – to which Travelport will contribute by providing travel data through its application programming interface technology.

The system will search for and present synchronised itineraries to travellers and enable them to book and pay for their chosen travel across Europe. The tool is being designed for both travel agencies and individual tourists, and will facilitate the simple organisation of a door-todoor multimodal trip according to personal preferences and even take into account environmental impact.

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he sixth World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Silk Road Task Force Meeting agreed to advance joint marketing, training, infrastructure development and visa facilitation.

Held in the Iranian city of Urmia, the gathering brought together representatives from 14 countries to discuss the key priorities for the Silk Road Action Plan 2016/2017.

The meeting focussed on three key pillars: marketing and promotion, destination management and capacity building, as well as travel facilitation.

The main priorities set by the task force include the development of a shared mobile application with relevant travel information of all participating destinations, the enhancement of joint management of heritage corridors and the boosting of coordination among Silk Road countries in a bid to improve travel across borders.

PARAPLANE PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED

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he development of all systems required for PARAPLANE, a research project funded by the European Commission, brings bloon tourism flights closer.

The aim of the venture was to improve safety in air transport, and this was achieved and proved successful thanks to the development of a Steerable Autonomous Parachute System and a control and guidance unit to allow for a slow descent and prevent crash-landing.

Passengers will now enjoy a gentle flight into near-space with the landing phase now being even safer.

T NORTHERN IRELAND: THE LAND OF GAME OF THRONES 10 JUNE 2016

ourism Ireland kicked off its latest campaign based on the TV show, Game of Thrones.

The tourism body’s newest provision builds on the success of previous promotions of similar nature and showcases Northern Ireland to millions of fans worldwide as the backdrop for the popular fictional series.

An element of the campaign is 10 intricately carved doors, depicting moments inspired by the show’s current season, which are being unveiled each week as season six unfolds – referencing key scenes and events from the latest episode. The doors will hang in pubs and other venues near filming locations across the destination.

Another feature includes a limited edition Game of Thrones stamp for mail posted in Northern Ireland during the campaign.

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www.traveltradeeurope.travel

DAVID PAGE has been hired

by Monarch as group head of communications.

In his role, Page will spearhead the company’s communications team with a brief that covers external and internal interactions as well as corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He joins the airline from communications and public relations firm freuds, where he served as business director for a number of key accounts for three years. Prior to that, he worked for Burson-Marsteller as business director on a number of well-known, corporate, brand and crisis briefs.

Pojer will support CLIA Germany’s priorities and vision

Page joins Monarch’s communications team

JAN JOHANSSON has been named chief financial officer at Scandic Hotels Group.

Johansson has years of experience in the same capacity, having previously held the position at Eniro and Nobia.

Since 2011, he has worked in the same role at Apoteket, a state-owned pharmaceutical retailer.

Upon his appointment, his work on the transformation of Apoteket into a competitive enterprise was praised, highlighting how his trackrecord and leaderships skills will support the hotelier’s future growth.

SEDAT MEŞE has returned to Hilton Worldwide as sales director of groups, conventions and banquet events at Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus and Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus.

Meşe, who graduated from a tourism and hotel management programme, started his career with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and joined Hilton Worldwide as a receptionist in 2000.

He then continued with the company in different positions, covering various departments from front desk to events operations, group reservations as well as sales manager.

Meşe then accepted a hotel managerial role at Biz Cevahir Hotel Istanbul, while he most recently served as director of groups, conventions and banquet events at The Grand Tarabya, Istanbul.

Johansson has headed a pharmaceutical retailer

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DAVID PAGE

KARL POJER has been appointed chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Germany.

Currently the CEO of HapagLloyd Cruises, Pojer boasts extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism industry and is set to support and accompany the association in its function to effectively serve the cruise industry.

CLIA commenced its work in Germany three years ago, and has since established itself as the central point of contact and source of information for cruising in the country.

SEDAT MESE

JAN JOHANSSON

KARL POJER

WHO’S MOVED

10 JUNE 2016

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PHOTO ALBUM

easyJet welcomed David Cameron, prime minister, UK, to its Luton headquarters

The 10th easyJet aircraft has been stationed in Schรถnefeld Airport

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H.M. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands named Holland America Line's new ms Koningsdam at a ceremony in Rotterdam

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Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks surprised East Midlands Airport customers checking in for the first flight to Verona with the help of Romeo and Juliet

Ryanair announced its Bristol winter schedule

10 JUNE 2016

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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS THE MEETINGS SHOW London, UK June 14 – 16 www.themeetingsshow.com A premier gathering for the UK inbound and outbound conference industry, organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals.

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Aviation Experts Gather in Vilnius

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he Lithuanian capital welcomed 250 aviation delegates for Airports Council International (ACI) Europe’s Regional Airports’ Conference and Exhibition.

The topic of the event was how efficient cooperation can enhance a sustainable passenger experience, and focussed on the various challenges of the industry.

Olivier Jankovec, director general, ACI Europe, noted, “Aviation is always pushing forward, so airports need to keep an eye on the horizon line to find answers to tomorrow’s questions.”

Edinburgh to Host ICCA Congress 2020

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he Scottish capital will stage the biennial International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress 2020 that will see over 1,200 delegates in attendance in what is estimated to give a GBP2 million (EUR2.57 million) boost to the local economy.

The event, which is supported by VisitScotland’s Conference Bid Fund, is hailed as the world’s largest congress devoted to international arbitration.

The ICCA is a worldwide non-governmental organisation devoted to promoting the use and improving the processes of arbitration and other forms of international commercial dispute resolution.

FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW Farnborough, UK July 11 – 17 www.farnborough.com Some 22 nations from Europe, the US, Canada, South America, Russia and the Far East will be hosted at the show, while Chinese participation will see a 103 percent increase over 2014’s event.

IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 20 – 23 www.iftm.fr Reed Expositions France puts together a happening that over the years has become a multitarget market event for all travel types.

MOSCOW MED SHOW Moscow, Russia September 30 – October 01 www.medshow.ru A professional event with a highly targeted promotional campaign which brings clinics and medical tourism providers into direct contact with potential patients.

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EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Kicks Off in Belarus

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ollowing the appointment of a new national coordinator in Belarus, EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK has extended its reach in the country.

The campaign got underway as the local United Nations Development Programme office hosted several mobility experts to hear suggestions on how to implement a successful campaign, which included the idea of a mobility forum with local governments.

Minsk is said to offer much potential in terms of sustainable urban mobility, as the city’s wide streets can accommodate bike tracks, dedicated trolley bus or carpool lanes, also offering pedestrians with wide sidewalks. A third metro line is also currently under construction in the capital.

Local campaigners also expressed an interest in the potential of cargo bikes.

Malta Embraces Sports Tourism

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cknowledging the immense potential of sports travel as a contributor to the national economy, Malta launched its first-ever obstacle course race.

Hailed as the first competition of its kind in the country, The Grid comprised a 15km course and various obstacles along the path.

In line with Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) agreement for a three-year sponsorship of the event, the tourism body promoted the happening on all social media platforms, both locally and internationally.

“Our ultimate goal is to put Malta and Gozo firmly on the map as sports tourism destinations in the region. We believe that high calibre events, […] held on a regular basis, can help us achieve this aim,” stated Gavin Gulia, chairman, MTA.

10 JUNE 2016