Travel Trade Europe, 10 May 2016, Issue 37

10 MAY 2016 ISSUE 37

12 SHORT BREAK

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ISTANBUL

AIRBNB ACCOMMODATES BROAD SPECTRUM OF TRAVELLERS

14 THE RITZ-CARLTON DEBUTS IN HUNGARY

07 Agents 08 Cruising 10 MICE

MARKET UPDATE

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DOUBLE-DIGIT AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli

Barcelona-El Prat Airport

SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Inna Armeanu 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

Passenger traffic across the European airport network rose 10.3 percent year-on-year in February, partly due to having an additional day in the month, compared to February 2015.

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ccording to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, all national markets witnessed growth, including Russia, and among the top 10, the improvement was driven by the airfields of Barcelona, Madrid and Amsterdam.

European Union (EU) member states experienced a 10.4 percent rise in figures, while at non-EU hubs, the increase averaged at 9.7 percent.

Olivier Jankovec, director general, ACI Europe, attributed the positive signs to improving macroeconomic conditions, in particular low commodity prices and to the fact that consumers are eager to spend on travel and leisure.

EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

EUROPEAN HOTEL SCENE EXPANDS

WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES 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

9.5.2016

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.14

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.79

Switzerland (CHF) Franc

1.10

Japan (JPY)

123.50

2

Yen

Some 163,943 rooms in 1,131 projects are under contract in Europe, 17.9 percent more than during the same timeframe in 2014, STR Global’s March pipeline report revealed.

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he number of units in construction soared 6.7 percent year-on-year to 63,150 keys.

Among chain scale segments, upper midscale ventures accounted for the largest portion of both rooms under contract (38,806) as well as units in construction (13,893).

Two other categories each made up more than 15 percent of new keys under contract, including the upscale and the economy segments.

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MARKET UPDATE

AUSTRIAN ACHIEVES STRONG FIRST QUARTER

EASYJET WITNESSES GROWTH

Austrian Airlines carried more than two million passengers between January – March, registering a 3.7 percent year-on-year rise.

In March, easyJet recorded a 4.3 percent year-onyear increase in passenger numbers while load factor grew 1.3 percentage points to 91.3 percent.

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vailable seat kilometres increased 8.3 percent to over 4.9 billion, which is attributed to the expansion of bilateral traffic between Austria and Germany.

On balance, the carrier sold more than 3.5 billion revenue passenger kilometres, corresponding to a 5.4 percent growth over the same timeframe in 2015.

Passenger load factor fell two percentage points to 71.2 percent.

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he carrier’s rolling annual traffic up until March 31 reached 70.76 million travellers.

In the same month, easyJet inaugurated flights from Bristol Airport to Venice and Nantes with a combined total of 70,000 tourists expected to be carried in and out of the British hub every year.

“Being one of the most romantic and magical places in the world, Venice often tops peoples‘ list of places to visit at least once in their life. Meanwhile, Nantes attracts flocks of holidaymakers,” said Ali Gayward, UK commercial manager, easyJet.

NORWEGIAN POSTS NOTABLE REVENUE GROWTH

Norwegian closed 2015 with a net profit of NOK246 million (EUR26.34 million), having handled 25.8 million passengers, up from 24 million travellers in 2014.

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otal operating revenue reached NOK22.49 billion (EUR2.41 billion), indicating a 15 percent year-on-year surge. As the company’s report noted, revenue growth is mainly a result of increased number of customers.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation was NOK1.48 billion (EUR158.47 million), compared to a loss of NOK662 million (EUR70.89 million) in 2014.

Moreover, load factor stood at 86.2 percent, signalling a five percent rise.

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LUFTHANSA LOCKS LONG-TERM FINANCING

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ufthansa has placed a promissory note loan, securing further longstanding funds.

Due to growth in demand, the originally set volume of the loan was increased from EUR300 million to EUR475 million.

Over 80 investors took part in the transaction, in which nonEuropean sponsors provided more than half of the amount, hence, underlining the group’s positive international reputation.

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NEWS

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Airbnb Accommodates Broad Spectrum of Travellers With the sharing economy in full swing, Airbnb is set to overtake multi-branded hotels in providing consumers with a variety of accommodation options. This is according to research by Phocuswright which offers a view of the Airbnb consumer.

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he study found that younger consumers often travel on a tight budget; tastes and preferences, however, will generally become more expensive in a few years. Airbnb renters between the ages of 18 – 24 paid roughly USD100 (EUR88,6) per night for their last Airbnb experience and were more likely to be completely satisfied with the value of their stay. Nightly rates, however, spike among older age groups, generally closer to USD200 (EUR177,2), and this segment may not have been as satisfied or remained concerned about price as other travel elements take precedence.

ETOA: North American Visa Would Backfire

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uropean institutions ought to be considering how to improve the welcome on the continent if the tourism industry is to continue benefit from the robust contribution of North American visitors, stressed Tom Jenkins, CEO, European Tour Operators Association.

Jenkins’ comments came in response to reports that the European Union would impose visa requirements for American and Canadian citizens.

As Jenkins pinpointed, North American tourism contributes some USD60 billion (EUR52.5 billion) to the European economy, equivalent in importance to the entire export value of the continent’s automotive industry, thus, it is wholly in the region’s interest to ensure that this continues.

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NEWS

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Belarus Contemplates Free Visa Entry

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Augustow Canal

n a bid to boost arrivals to the country, Belarus is considering issuing free visas for the duration of tourist festivals.

As Alexander Shamko, sports and tourism minister, Belarus, reminded, the Eastern European country already waives consular fees for participants of sport competitions and work is now in progress to prepare a calendar of events during which foreigners may be granted visas at no cost.

In addition, as Shamko revealed, travellers visiting Augustow Canal on the Belarusian – Polish border can also expect easy access, following the positive response to the Beloyezhskaya Pushcha visa waiver, whereas tourists can enjoy the destination for up to three days without obtaining the document in advance.

Iceland: Secure for Female Tourists

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10 MAY 2016

Reykjavik

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DID YOU KNOW...

Iceland is covered by ice, glaciers and geysers, and has more than 20 active volcanoes?

Madrid

celand is one of the safest countries for solo female travellers, according to Globelink International Travel Insurance Consultants.

The organisation compiled a list of safe and stress-free destinations that are ideal for women visitors travelling alone, with the European country providing a unique blend of culture, art, nature and folklore, and being very friendly making women and men alike feel comfortable and at home.

Denmark, Canada, New Zealand and Finland were also included in the list.

Spain and Russia to Strengthen Relations

cknowledging the growth potential, Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism along with Russia’s Ministry of Culture commenced Dual Tourism Year 2016-2017 with the aim of increasing traveller flows between the two countries.

Russia is a main emerging market for Spain, with the Mediterranean country being the fourth most visited international destination by Russian tourists after Turkey, Egypt and Greece. On the other hand, Spain ranks 27th as a source market for Russia.

Along the lines of planned action are exchange of industry experts and journalists, participation in major trade fairs, increased tourist product promotion as well as visa facilitation.

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NEWS

Malta Reaps Tourism Benefits

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Germany Popular Among UK and Irish Tourists

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he Maltese Islands recorded an 11.7 percent year-on-year increase in arrivals for the first two months of the year, pushing overnight stays up by 9.6 percent to 1.2 million.

At 20.4 percent, the growth rate of visitors staying in private accommodation remains considerably higher than those opting for collective establishments.

During the same period, tourist expenditure jumped 8.2 percent to EUR123 million driven by strong demand from both the leisure and business segments.

The most encouraging figures were delivered by Italy, and arrivals from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and Spain also caused a positive surprise.

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Malta

Belarus Shines in Russia

Hungarian Tourism Keeps Growing

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Krasnoyarsk

epresentatives of Belarus’ tourism and recreational scene joined the recently-held Yenisei 2016 international expo in Krasnoyarsk to highlight the country’s credentials.

Besides presenting all that Belarus has to offer in the specific fields, the potential of direct flights between Krasnoyarsk and Minsk was also discussed.

Currently, with a stop in Moscow, it takes eight hours for passengers to fly between the two destinations; however, the Russian city’s administration strongly believes that direct services could bolster traffic for the benefit of the local tourism industries.

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Freiburg

ccording to German National Tourist Office (GNTO) data, the number of overnight stays in the country by visitors from the UK and Ireland rose 7.4 and 13 percent, respectively, in 2015 compared to 2014.

The growth trend showed no signs of abating as in January, the same metric increased 10.2 and 10.8 percent year-on-year for UK and Irish travellers.

The variety of types of holidays in Germany, value for money and fast and modern infrastructure are hailed as some of the reasons behind the continuing upward trend.

Another factor is the German countryside, as Klaus Lohmann, director, UK and Ireland, GNTO, noted, “Exploring rural and green Germany will enable visitors to discover many fascinating regions and areas they may not previously have known [...].”

he tourism sector needs to remain balanced if the country is to reap benefits, stressed Mihály Varga, national economy minister, Hungary, at an event entitled Hungary, á la carte, organised by Hungarian Tourism.

As Varga pinpointed, following encouraging numbers in 2015, industry figures keep repeatedly break records this year, thanks to the cooperation of the ministry, professional organisations and other companies engaged in tourism activities.

In 2015, guest numbers rose 7.4 percent year-on-year leading to a 12.6 percent surge in revenues at accommodation establishments and a 10.4 percent improvement in total benefits generated by tourism.

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NEWS AGENTS

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Surreal Spectacle of the Northern Lights Soon after adding Switzerland to its offering, luxury tour operator Exsus has further expanded its European portfolio with the inclusion of Iceland.

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Travelport Renews Deal with easyJet

AZAL to Boost Russian Arrivals

Northern Lights

pectacular landscapes, abundant opportunities for activity and adventure as well as the chance to witness the Northern Lights await travellers.

“We […] believe that [Iceland] is very much a destination to watch this year,” said Kelly Rogers, European expert, Exsus, adding that the country offers clients the opportunity to discover something genuinely different.

Itineraries include a dip in Blue Lagoon, which remains hot all year round, trips to the Dettifoss waterfall and geysers, getting up close to whales and more.

Abercrombie to Embark on Explorative Voyage

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10 MAY 2016

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zerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) reached a long-term agreement with Tour A Vent, the official representative of the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Russia.

In accordance with the deal, a block of seats on the Kazan – Baku service, operated by the Azeri national carrier, will be allocated to the tour operator.

The entities also agreed on charter flights from the Russian city of Ulyanovsk to Baku.

Yulia Uba, director general, Volga branch, Tour A Vent, commented, “The main goal of our company is to promote and encourage the Azerbaijani tourism.”

Baku

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asyJet and Travelport will maintain their collaboration giving travel agencies access to the carrier’s content through the travel commerce platform.

In addition, easyJet will continue to use Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding solution which allows it to more effectively display and merchandise its full range of fares. “easyJet was one of the first airlines in the low-cost sector to make its inventory available through the global distribution system and it remains of paramount importance to continue our relationship with Travelport,” said Anthony Drury, head of business, easyJet.

ollowing a successful expedition through the Northwest Passage in 2015, Abercrombie & Kent once again offered travellers the opportunity to experience the journey that has challenged history’s greatest explorers.

Led by the company’s expedition team, the voyage will take a group of 199 passengers from western Greenland to Nome, Alaska, aboard Le Boreal, between August 21 – September 13, 2017.

Bob Simpson, vice president, expedition cruising, Abercrombie & Kent, noted, “We have forged connections with the indigenous communities along the route for a rare glimpse into their distinctive cultures .”

Le Boreal

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NEWS CRUISING

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All-inclusive aboard TUI Discovery As part of its rebranding which will see the whole of Thomson transition to TUI over the next 18 months, Thomson Cruises’ latest vessel will be named TUI Discovery.

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Cruise Critic Partners with Carnival

TUI Discovery

s the first of the Thomson Cruises fleet to offer an all-inclusive drinks package as standard, voyagers of the new ship will enjoy a wider range of dining and entertainment options, all included in their holiday.

TUI Discovery will also introduce innovative technology to modernise and personalise the travel experience. Passengers will be able to summon their requests at the touch of a button, and make dinner, spa and entertainment reservations at self-service kiosks, among more high-tech services.

Windstar Enhances Private Series

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arnival Cruise Line is the sixth entity to collaborate with Cruise Critic for its Meet & Mingle events.

As part of the deal, the cruise company will host private parties on voyages of seven days or longer for members of the cruise review site who have signed up prior to sailing.

“Extending our Meet & Mingle programme to thousands of Carnival cruisers online offers a unique opportunity for Cruise Critic members to meet as they cruise together,” commented Mike Ewing, general manager, Cruise Critic, adding the events offer cruise lines the opportunity to meet some of their most passionate fans.

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Tarragona

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indstar Cruises is bringing guests closer to the European culture with 11 new private happenings this year.

The complimentary onshore events provide voyagers an in-depth local experience complementing the overall journey.

The company is increasing opportunities for an immersive trip through six new offerings in the Mediterranean and five in Northern Europe.

Among the new events are Giants, BigHeads & Human Towers in Tarragona, Spain, held at the Roman Amphitheater of Tarragona as well as Molde: The Magnificent Caves Bergtatt, providing traditional Norwegian experiences.

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NEWS TRANSPORTATION

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Lux Express Invests in Upgraded Vehicles

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ux Express Lounge buses cater to 47 passengers each, and are equipped with individual touch screen media system, reclining seats, and power supplies at every seat pair, and travellers can also enjoy complimentary hot beverages.

Almost all of the existing departures on the route are operated by the new buses, with the exception of the Tallinn – Tartu – Voru – Luhamaa service.

Rail Voyages in Spain Made Simpler

Lux Express Lounge

Lux Express commenced operations with its nine brand-new EUR4 million coaches on the Tallinn – Tartu route.

Lufthansa Express Rail Adds Fifth Route

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n an effort to tackle difficulties and complications associated with sourcing and booking rail travel, Spain’s state-owned passenger and freight rail transport operator, Renfe partnered with Amadeus to present one standard connection to travel agents across the globe.

Industry professionals will be able to offer their clients a world of Spanish rail routes, as the technology provider will handle all search, booking, ticketing, payment and settlement flow.

Francisco Cañamero Palacios, commercial director, Renfe, remarked, “Many foreign travellers in Spain overlook rail simply because they are unaware of it or find it too complicated to search, book and pay for tickets in a foreign country.

But this is now a thing of the past as travellers can book their trip from familiar channels well in advance, at competitive prices to give them the confidence to consider rail as an equal alternative.”

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ufthansa Express Rail now offers Dortmund as a new destination for Lufthansa passengers.

Five trains with separate seating area for the carrier’s customers connect Frankfurt Airport with the eastern German city seven times a day.

Passengers can check in online from 23 hours up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and automatically receive all boarding passes for the trip, which are simultaneously valid as train tickets.

The company’s first rail route was launched in 2001 to Stuttgart and today its offering includes five cities within Germany, namely Cologne, Düsseldorf, Karlsruhe, Mannheim and most recently Dortmund.

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NEWS MICE

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Vienna Convention Sector Breaks Billion Euro Bar In 2015, Vienna’s meetings industry recorded more events and overnight stays than ever before, contributing EUR1.04 billion to Austria’s economy, up 16 percent over 2014.

Berlin Congress Gathers 400 Attendees

Vienna

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s Norbert Kettner, director, Vienna Tourist Board, noted, the segment in the city achieved record results for all key indicators, having hosted a total of 3,685 congresses, corporate conventions and incentives in 2015. The resulting overnight stays totalled 1.7 million, a 13 percent year-on-year increase.

In addition, the industry supported more than 19,000 year-round jobs throughout Austria.

“Congress delegates spend an average EUR534 a day in Vienna, and almost half of them plan a private return visit,” added Kettner.

The CCD Anticipates 10,000 Tech Delegates

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n mid-April, leading representatives from international associations got together at the 18th Association World Congress in Berlin.

The event proved to be highly successful with more than 200 clients joining the programme. Amongst other topics, participants discussed what role events will have for the association in the future and how to make the most of the opportunities in the digital world.

As Heike Mahmoud, director of conventions, Berlin Convention Office, visitBerlin, noted, over the years, the German capital has proven to be one of the best places in the world for holding congresses.

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he recently-concluded VisitScotland expo is set to have contributed over GBP630,000 (EUR793,400) to the Scottish economy, marking a 40 percent jump over 2015’s edition.

The travel trade show welcomed 420 industry professionals from across the globe, experiencing what the European country has to offer, including accommodation, entertainment, culture, scenery as well as attractions.

In line with the tourism body’s efforts to support the development of new and expanded air services to Scotland, major carriers, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, also exhibited.

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The Convention Centre Dublin

VisitScotland Expo: Record-breaking Year

he Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) is set to host the first-ever Dublin Tech Summit which is to attract some 10,000 international visitors to the city between February 15 – 16, 2017.

The two-day event will bring together leaders of technology companies and will showcase everything the capital has to offer as a global hub focussing on the themes changing the face of the industry, including big data, business and marketing as well as the Internet of things.

Nick Waight, CEO, The CCD, enthused, “Our state-ofthe-art technology, facilities, flexibility and, of course, consistently exceptional service from the team at The CCD make us a venue of choice for many players in technology and innovation.”

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NEWS MICE

GBTA Upgrades Travel Risk Management Tool

Abu Dhabi to Host ABTA Travel Convention

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lobal Business Travel Association (GBTA)’s education and research arm, GBTA Foundation launched a new Travel Risk Management Maturity Model (TRM3) self-assessment tool.

The device, which is a major update over the current TRM3, assesses each key performance area of a travel risk management programme in greater detail and also provides specific recommendations to help companies take their agenda to the next level.

The feature can guide improvement across multiple process disciplines, including legal, human resources, travel, safety, security and business continuity.

Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe meeting

A Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

European Convention Bureau Signs MoU

BTA’s upcoming Travel Convention will take place at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, between October 10 – 12.

With 2015 being momentous period for travel and this year expected to follow suit, the convention aims to gather its members and the wider travel sector to discuss the future of the industry.

The happening will encompass business sessions built around four pillars – our world, our industry, your business and your network – as well as hold a wide range of networking opportunities and social events.

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he Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) incorporating criteria such as membership, responsibilities and goals.

The aim of the agreement, which was signed during a recent meeting in Munich, is to promote and support knowledge sharing among members, simplify and strengthen the approach to key markets as well as enable comprehensive market research via joint activities.

Members also received the latest update on comprehensive research of China, a key source for the alliance.

The US, South America and the Middle East were also identified as important markets.

Malta Ups MICE Credentials

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onventions Malta has officially been launched, with the purpose of promoting the Maltese Islands as a destination for conference and incentive travel as well as association business.

The brand, which encompasses four main pillars – research and planning, product development, marketing and promotion as well as quality assurance – also aims to offer free, unbiased information and assistance to event organisers.

As Paul Bugeja, CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, noted, in order for Conventions Malta to become success, all stakeholders must be willing to cooperate.

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SHORT BREAK ISTANBUL

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WHERE EAST MEETS

West

LOCATED ON TWO DISTINCT CONTINENTS, ASIA AND EUROPE, ISTANBUL BOASTS THE ULTIMATE BLEND OF CULTURES AND HERITAGE FROM BOTH THE EAST AND THE WEST AS IT LOOKS TOWARDS A MODERN FUTURE WITH MORE PROMINENT EUROPEAN AFFILIATIONS, WHILST PRESERVING A MAGNIFICENCE OF HISTORY AND CHARM.

PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES

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s a unique two-continent city, Istanbul oozes both western and east- over other European locations. ern vibes, making it, as Ece Ergoz, e-insider, digital marketing, W Is“The main attractions from the Ottoman and Byzantine era still remain tanbul, noted, a modern day European city with an Ottoman touch. and [are] open for sightseeing, which [allows] Istanbul [to] remain true to its As Ünsal Şınık, general manager, Elite World Hotels, pointed out, authenticity,” added Ergoz. while each destination offers unique opportunities, European cities have beAs Ergoz revealed, W Istanbul experienced a challenging year in 2015 percome quite stagnant. As travellers seek to extaining to targeting European and US clientele. However, perience something different during their holithe hotel managed to close the noteworthy gap by tapdays, Istanbul presents itself as an alternative ping into the Middle Eastern market, reaping the benefits ISTANBUL IN BRIEF choice, boasting ample offerings, as history, culof new sales strategies. ture, cuisine and social life all take precedence to charm visitors.

BUSINESS ABOVE ALL Country: Turkey In agreement, Ozgur Mulazim, reservation Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) and revenue manager, Crowne Plaza Istanbul – According to Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau, since Language: Turkish Oryapark, identified the city’s history stemming 2010, the city has continuously landed on the International Population: 14.03 million from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman EmCongress and Convention Association’s top 10 European Calling Code: +212 / +216 pires, the variety of traditional to modern cuilist in terms of number of meetings per year.

Time Zone: GMT +2:00 sine as well as landmark museums as the pillars “[Istanbul’s] unique geographical location in both Euwhich give Istanbul a competitive advantage rope and Asia plays a significant role in being the centre of

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meetings and conferences in the world,” posited Guniz Atis Azrak, CEO, Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar – ICEC, adding that the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar – ICEC convention and exhibition centre has been a driving force not only for the tourism industry, but for the country’s overall economy, having hosted 5,000 events and over seven million visitors from 192 different countries since first rendering its services in 1996.

The venue continues to attract a multitude of happenings, with its upcoming calendar encompassing summits, corporate meetings, conventions, fairs and exhibitions, among more.

As Azrak explained, the centre’s continued success is owed to the expertise of the team which identify event organisers’ as well as guests’ requirements, supported by upto-date technological infrastructure and catering options.

Digitalism and technological trends also play a significant role in providing new experiences to clients in the MICE industry. In addition, the establishment abides by a chain management system, sharing its experience with other convention centres in Turkey, hence, acting as a role model in the industry whilst increasing its market share.

“Over the past few years, while there has certainly been economic upheaval around the world and a number of industry challenges, the convention and congress centre industry has displayed steady growth,” elaborated Azrak, citing research by AIPC - the International Association of Convention Centres.

According to Azrak, delegates also pose as potential holiday-makers who combine tourism-related activities into their event programme.

SKY IS THE LIMIT Istanbul Atatürk Airport handled 61.3 million passengers in 2015, registering an eight percent year-on-year increase. A total of 10.1 million departing flyers travelled to Europe, up 11 percent over 2014.

“Istanbul’s unique location is one of the key factors for the rapid growth in passenger figures,” stated Kemal Ünlü,

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SHORT BREAK ISTANBUL

general manager, TAV Istanbul, the operator of Istanbul Atatürk Airport. “The whole European continent is within the range of a narrow-body aircraft, which gives airlines a great flexibility on operations. In addition, short flight time from European cities to Istanbul is also an advantage, enabling European visitors to fly to Istanbul on short nonstop flights.” Ünlü further shed light on Turkish Airlines’ welldeveloped network which has pushed the airport at the forefront of major hubs operating in Europe.

Indeed, Turkey’s national carrier has identified the continent as paramount to its continued growth.

“The European market is arguably the most important for our airline,” stated Emre Ismailoĝlu, general manager, Dubai, Turkish Airlines, adding that whilst a plethora of passengers already fly with the carrier, the market still has a lot of potential, hence, the company’s eagerness to add more routes and further aircraft to its fleet.

Turkish Airlines’ European network currently incorporates 14 destinations in Germany, 10 in Russia, another 10 in Italy, six locations in France, six in Spain as well as newly-launched flights to Ukraine, Croatia and Slovakia.

Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines also strives to adequately serve the European market from Istanbul, albeit, predominantly from the Asian side of the city.

“We have established [Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport] as an important hub linking all the regions that we fly to [...],” said Güliz Öztürk, senior vice president, commercial, Pegasus Airlines, commenting that the company’s strategy is to expand its network, enhance flight frequencies and increase its aircraft fleet.

The airline, which carried 22.33 million passengers in 2015 – of which 1.5 million guests derived from European countries, representing 6.7 percent of total voyagers – flies to 32 destinations in Europe, making the continent one of the company’s largest areas of operation.

“As we continue to add new routes to our network and increase flight frequencies on our current destinations, we anticipate and look forward to hosting an increasing number of European guests on our flights[...],” concluded Öztürk. 

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION

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The Ritz-Carlton Debuts in Hungary

The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has unveiled its first project in Hungary.

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ocated in the heart of the capital’s cultural and shopping district, The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest is housed in a protected historic building within walking distance to the Danube River and Chain Bridge. Besides 170 rooms and 30 suites, guests can take advantage of The Ritz-Carlton Club Level on the eighth and ninth floors for an elevated experience and additional sanctuary. Two restaurants, a bar, lounge, ballroom, spa and a fitness centre make the property one of the Hungarian capital’s most luxurious hotels.

Four Seasons Brings Luxury to Croatia

Areen Transforms Westin Madrid

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Hvar

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our Seasons Hotels and Resorts entered into a partnership with Arqaam Capital to manage and operate the investment bank’s upscale mixed-use property currently developed on the island of Hvar in Croatia.

Expected to open in 2019, Four Seasons Resort Hvar, Croatia will feature a 120-room hotel and a luxury community including 60 private residences ranging from one- and two-bedroom apartments to three- to five-bedroom villas.

Riad Meliti, CEO, Arqaam Capital, commented, “We are creating a natural retreat within a stunning, secluded enclave in one of the Dalmatian Coast’s most beautiful and private bays.

Four Seasons was the natural choice for us.”

The Westin Palace Madrid

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reen Hospitality completed the first renovation phase of the 467-room The Westin Palace Madrid.

The new design concepts allowed a fresh interpretation of the hotel’s classic heritage and location, alongside a more contemporary and revitalising ambience in rooms and suites.

Andrew Linwood, head of design, Areen Hospitality, explained, “Leading international hotels […] are increasingly looking at renovation opportunities to maintain brand values and provide guests with the standard expected. Their investment provides a great return, in terms of both customer experience and building brand loyalty.”

10 MAY 2016

NEWS ACCOMMODATION

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Rocco Forte Refreshes Rome Property

Corinthia Budapest Inaugurates Royal Lounge

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

Gran Meliá de Mar to Become Mallorca’s Hotspot

Suite Picasso

Fendi Unveils New Palazzo in Rome

Fendi Hotel

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orinthia Hotel Budapest opened its brand-new Royal Lounge, dedicated to MICE events organisers.

Envisioned by British interior designer Martin Goddard, the facility is furnished in club style and features offices, boardrooms and rest sections, all fitted with modern equipment, such as built-in smart screens, wireless printers and mobile chargers, to facilitate daily work and also to provide the necessary comforts for corporate guests.

Reserved exclusively for meeting organisers and participants, the lounge is located close to the office of hotel’s events team, allowing easy and direct contact with the staff.

“The lounge ensures meetings organisers have everything they need to carry out their work in comfort and without interruption, by eliminating distractions and making sure our events team is always at their disposal,” confirmed Jean Pierre Mifsud, general manager, Corinthia Hotel Budapest.

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otel de Russie, a Rocco Forte address in Rome, completed the full refurbishment of Suite Popolo and Suite Picasso, and went ahead with the soft renovation of a selection of rooms and suites in different categories.

Redesigned in the style of private apartments and adorned with original artworks and antique furniture, the two luxury units are the flagships of the newly-launched Rocco Forte Suite Experience programme which aims to give travellers an indulgent experience with benefits ranging from private shopping tours, art and culture visits, wine tasting sessions and art running tours to a personal trainer and more.

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eliá Hotels International launched Gran Meliá de Mar in Mallorca following an extensive renovation which upgraded the property to a couples-only resort.

Within close proximity to Michelin-star restaurants, bars and shops, the hotel features 142 rooms, all with balconies offering views of the Mediterranean Sea. “Mallorca is where Meliá Hotels International was born and [it] is a very important European destination for the luxury traveller. The stunning natural beauty and historical significance of the area is the perfect example of Balearic beauty,” commented Gabriel Escarrer, CEO, Meliá Hotels International, adding that raising the profile of the island is a prerequisite for the company.

10 MAY 2016

DID YOU KNOW...

Palazzo Fendi's façade remains faithful to historic Italian architecture?

endi completed the renovation of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, located in the heart of the Italian capital, transforming it into a space of refined living.

The ground floor and first level are home to a Fendi boutique, while the second floor is occupied by a private apartment, catering to VIP clients and celebrities. Finally, the third level has been converted into the very first Fendi Hotel, composed of seven suites, a restaurant as well as a rooftop terrace and bar.

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION

TUI Hotels in the Sky

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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide teamed up with Belgrade Waterfront to launch The St. Regis Belgrade and The Residences at The St. Regis Belgrade in 2019.

Besides 125 rooms, an additional 220 branded residences will be also available in Kula Belgrade, hailed as the country’s highest mixed-use tower that will form part of the project.

The hotel will occupy the first nine floors of the structure and will also boast a variety of dining experiences, leisure facilities and meeting and events spaces. Guests will also benefit from the St. Regis Butler Service.

As Nikola Nedeljkovic, general manager, Belgrade Waterfront, noted, as a brand renowned for providing unmatched services, the St. Regis flag will set the tone for the destination.

Kula Belgrade

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ccorHotels acquired onefinestay, a high-end hospitality pioneer specialising in opulent serviced home rentals in worldwide getaways, for EUR148 million.

The hotelier has also made a further commitment of EUR64million to help the company scale internationally, accelerating its expansion across key urban markets.

Launched in 2010, onefinestay operates a portfolio of 2,600 properties under exclusive management contracts with locations in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles and Rome, representing an estimated asset value of over GBP4 billion (EUR4.95 billion).

Belgrade to Welcome St. Regis

onefinestay property in London

AccorHotels Enters the Luxury Serviced Home Market

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Robinson and TUI Magic Life aircraft

Meliá Focusses on Events Sector

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UI plans to expand its global portfolio of the RIU, Robinson, TUI Blue and TUI Magic Life brands as well as the Sensimar, Sensatori and Family Life hotel concepts, over the next few years.

The company’s strategy in the hospitality segment will also feature on its aircraft, as a total of seven planes will be operated as flying brand ambassadors in the skies and at airports.

TUIfly will carry customers to destinations around the Mediterranean, promoting the relevant brands wherever they will take off or land.

A naming ceremony was recently held at Hanover Airport for a Robinson and a TUI Magic Life planes, boasting the special livery. A design featuring the Sensatori and Sensimar hotel concepts will follow before the end of the year.

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evenue from the MICE segment in properties operated by Meliá Hotels International has increased by an average of 13 percent over the past three years.

In 2015, the company registered a significant year-on-year growth of 24 percent, and its management expects this trend to continue this year too, mainly due to the recovery of major feeder markets.

The hotelier boasts over 15,000m2 of facilities for events and meetings in Spain alone, and is making efforts to improve its online positioning in high-potential platforms.

10 MAY 2016

NEWS AIRPORTS

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Stansted Tops 23 Million Travellers

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he highest-ever March traffic also helped the UK hub register its busiest winter season to date with more than 8.65 million travellers having passed through its gates during the five-month period ending this March.

Andrew Cowan, CEO, London Stansted Airport, attributed the airfield’s growing popularity to the value and choice provided by a growing route network and the ongoing investment programme to improve passenger services and facilities.

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assenger volumes at Finavia airports climbed 5.9 percent in the first quarter of the year, driven by a 6.4 percent rise in international figures at Helsinki Airport and an eight percent leap in domestic demand.

During the three-month period, over 4.9 million travellers used airfields operated by the company.

As Joni Sundelin, director of airport network, and sales and marketing, Finavia, suggested, the growth of international traffic is expected to continue at an accelerated rate with new long-distance connections being inaugurated in the coming months.

In addition, the increasingly popular Lapland region is also set to attract more airlines and passengers.

10 MAY 2016

Munich Airport: Increased Traffic

Edinburgh: Strong International Growth

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unich Airport handled 8.9 million passengers in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, indicating a three percent year-on-year surge.

The gains in total travellers at the Bavarian hub reflected the growth in international traffic with an increase of eight percent, with strong performances especially on the UAE, US and South Africa routes.

More than five million passengers travelled on continental itineraries in the first three months of the year, registering an almost three percent rise compared to Q1 2015.

In the domestic segment, traffic was up by about one percent to over 2.2 million guests.

The overall 88,350 take offs and landings at the airport represented a 1.3 percent year-on-year rise over the corresponding period in 2015.

E Edinburgh Airport

Traffic Surges at Finavia Airports

London Stansted Airport

Rolling annual passenger figures at London Stansted Airport reached 23 million for the first time since July 2008 after a record-breaking March which saw 1.89 million flyers.

dinburg Airport witnessed its busiest March to date with 927,000 passengers on record.

Fuelling the robust surge, traffic on global routes jumped 37.6 percent to 493,200 travellers, highlighting – as Gordon Dewar, CEO, Edinburgh Airport, said – the ever-increasing draw of the Scottish city.

“A recent independently prepared economic impact study shows Edinburgh Airport contributes GBP1 billion (EUR1.26 billion) annually to Scotland’s economy; this proves that success at Edinburgh Airport is good news for the whole country and we plan to keep offering even greater choice and delivering even more success,” added Dewar.

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NEWS AIR

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UK’s Virgin to Sell American Subsidiary

Virgin America signed a merger agreement with Alaska Air Group which will buy the Virgin group-affiliated airline for the aggregate transaction value of USD4 billion (EUR3.5 billion).

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he deal will see two of the American continent’s leading carriers unite to create an expanded route network serving passengers with 1,200 daily departures.

“Our mission has always been to create an airline that people love – and we accomplished that while changing the industry for the better. Joining forces with Alaska Airlines will ensure that our mission lives on,” said David Cush, president, Virgin America.

Rossiya Airlines Takes Off

easyJet Opens Mallorca Base

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eroflot’s newly merged regional carrier, Rossiya Airlines commenced services and for the summer season it will fly to 81 destinations across 15 countries, including 54 domestic locations.

With the airline using St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport as its home base, 47 regularly scheduled routes will originate from the Russian port city. Secondary hubs are Moscow, Rostov-on-Don and Orenburg.

Commenting on the carrier’s formation, which resulted from the consolidation of Rossiya, Donavia and Orenair, Vadim Zingman, chairman, Rossiya Airlines, said, “[Our] key aims include returning the Russian aviation sector to health, applying the best practices developed by Aeroflot to the broader industry and maintaining uniquely qualified personnel.”

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asyJet has chosen Palma as the location of its first seasonal base.

Starting in spring 2017, the airline will station three Airbus A319-320 aircraft at the hub for eight months of the year.

The destination remains one of the carrier’s most popular summer attractions for passengers from the UK and Northern Europe, with more than 17 million passengers having flown to and from Palma since 1997 when operations to the island began. easyJet serves over 1.7 million travellers a year from 22 bases across its European network.

10 MAY 2016

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NEWS AIR

New Prague – Beirut Link by Czech Airlines

UIA Launches Flights to Ankara

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fter a hiatus of more than four years, Czech Airlines is relaunching its regular service between Prague and Beirut.

As of June 21, the carrier will operate two weekly flights onboard Airbus A319 in a two-class configuration.

Ján Tóth, director of commerce and marketing, Czech Airlines, revealed that along with the service, the carrier also renewed its partnership with Transas, a company partner since 1953, which will now take on the role of Czech Airlines’ general sales agent in Lebanon.

“Beirut itself and its vicinity, for example the nearby cities of Byblos and Baalbek, has also a lot to offer tourists from the Czech Republic, West and North Europe,” Tóth concluded.

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or the winter season, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will introduce a nonstop daily route between Kiev and Ankara.

The flights will be operated onboard two-class Boeing 737 aircraft.

“The launch of nonstop scheduled services to Ankara is yet another step in the UIA medium-haul network development. Given that Turkey enjoys great popularity as a vacation destination and simultaneously has strong business contacts with Ukrainian business, the […] flights will be operated daily,” noted Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA.

Wizz Connects Katowice to Dubai

Turkish Airlines Flies to Dubrovnik

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ow-cost carrier, Wizz Air will launch a new service connecting the Polish destination of Katowice to Dubai World Central airport.

The route, which is to commence on October 31, will be operated twice a week.

Gábor Vásárhelyi, communications manager, Wizz Air, said, “We are sure that this new service will be welcomed by our customers who can now enjoy a very popular all-year-round holiday destination. [...] Our friendly Polish crew looks forward to welcoming [passengers] onboard with a smile.”

10 MAY 2016

s of May 10, Turkish Airlines will add Dubrovnik to its expanding network.

The Croatian city becomes the carrier’s second destination in the country after Zagreb. Dubrovnik will be served three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The city is on the southern coast fronting the Adriatic Sea and it boasts a distinctive old town, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

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NEWS AIR

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TAG Aviation Europe Reshuffles

Irish Aviation Delivers Improved Profits

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he Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) posted operating profits of EUR33.6 million, up 13.2 percent year-on-year, on a turnover of EUR183.4 million in 2015.

According to Eamonn Brennan, CEO, IAA, investments in technology supported by a continuing cost containment programme, helped generate positive results. As he further pinpointed, traffic at Irish state airports and through Irish controlled airspace increased by 5.6 percent in 2015, meaning the safe management of over one million flights.

Jet Time Joins ERA

AG Aviation Europe announced the introduction of a streamlined structure that aims to provide greater focus and resources to its sales organisation and advance both the growth of its aircraft management fleet and the development of more direct charter clients.

In line with this, Andrew Hodgson has been appointed sales director for charter services on the continent, Andrew Jurd returns to the organisation as manager for the UK, while Sergio Saz will lead all sales in Spain.

“With these new additions, TAG completes the transition from a traditional operator model to a customer focussed charter operator and broker, enabling our teams to offer unique charter solutions to our growing base of charter clients,” commented Florent Sériès, vice president, sales and marketing, TAG Aviation Europe.

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he European Regions Airline Association (ERA) welcomed Danish charter carrier, Jet Time. Flying from Copenhagen Airport, the company is the third to join the alliance this year, bringing its membership to 53.

Since its launch in 2006, Jet Time has evolved into one of the largest Danish-owned airlines with more than 700 employees and a 26 aircraft fleet.

“As a major player in Danish aviation, Jet Time will definitely benefit from being part of this European association with all the knowledge and expertise it offers. We see ERA as an important partner in raising political issues and agendas that will benefit European aviation,” said Teddy Zebitz, CEO, Jet Time.

Air Astana: Broadband Onboard

Football Season Supports Private Jet Market

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ir Astana passengers will soon be able to experience broadband inflight connectivity following an agreement signed by the carrier and air transport IT provider, Rockwell Collins.

From September, Internet access will be available to travellers using personal computers, tablets and smartphones, as Kazakhstan’s flag airline will install the associated Inmarsat Global Xpress highspeed connectivity system on its Boeing 767 fleet.

Jeff Standerski, senior vice president, information management services, Rockwell Collins, commented, “For Air Astana, this service offers the opportunity to develop new offerings that go far beyond what’s possible today.”

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ith this year being filled for sports tournaments and happenings, Air Charter Service expects more business.

According to Justin Bowman, CEO, Air Charter Service, events such as the Olympic Games, will prove successful for the air charter market.

“We believe that the busiest will be the European Football Championships, with a lot of corporate entertainment planned. We have already booked almost 50 charters to and from the tournament. With matches dotted around the country, chartering becomes a much more attractive option than coach journeys and high prices on scheduled airlines’ flights,” he explained.

10 MAY 2016

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with

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LADA SAMODUMSKAYA AREA DIRECTOR, SALES AND MARKETING, RUSSIA AND CIS, KEMPINSKI

CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THE MARKET HAVE MADE MOSCOW MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY REASON ONE SHOULD VISIT THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL, AS LADA SAMODUMSKAYA, AREA DIRECTOR, SALES AND MARKETING, RUSSIA AND CIS, KEMPINSKI, COMMENTS.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What makes Moscow an attractive destination for international visitors?

LADA SAMODUMSKAYA: Moscow has always been on the travel agendas of those who wish to enrich their cultural and historical experiences. Each visit to Moscow offers a precious opportunity to feel the inspiration of contemporary lifestyle in fusion with rich hospitality traditions. Today, Moscow is a cosmopolitan city uniting historical flair and heritage with a modern twist, offering classic and 10 MAY 2016

modern art, culture, gastronomy, nightclubs and excellent luxury shopping.

Moscow offers a variety of unmatched and unusual experiences, such as gastronomic events with local Russian products, private shopping tours, excursions through Moscow’s uniquely beautiful underground, visits to Star City, the home of the Cosmonaut Training Centre where visitors can have space-themed experiences, such as zero-gravity flights.

Our professional Les Clefs d’Or concierge team is always up to the challenge of constantly raising their level of service, striving to wow each guest and meet their highest expectations.

The architectural landscape of Moscow is constantly developing and the city is becoming more pedestrianfriendly. In recent years, Moscow has acquired outstanding contemporary picturesque parks that host culinary and culture festivals throughout the year and the biggest ice-skating rinks in Europe in wintertime. The newest addition to the city’s scenery is the Garage Museum.

World-famous architect Rem Koolhaas created the building, which is already hosting inspiring exhibitions of globallyprominent modern artists. In the upcoming years, the long-awaited opening of Zaryadye Park, located near the Red Square and Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, will take place. It is set to resemble the main natural climatic zones of vast Russia, surprising visitors with its wild urbanism, sustainable technologies and modern design.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: How was business in 2015 and what are your priorities for this year?

LADA SAMODUMSKAYA: The year 2015 showed a dramatic increase of tourist flows to Moscow, totalling 30 percent of unprecedented growth for selected periods. The number of guests from the majority of European countries visiting Russia’s capital both for business and leisure needs, especially for short city breaks, is constantly rising and we expect the trend to continue throughout this year.

The increased value of travel getaways to Russia is determined by exchange rate fluctuations and the weakening status of the Rouble. It is indeed high time that more visitors come to our country, whilst the best of what the destination has to offer becomes remarkably more affordable for the discerning traveller.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Which markets are most popular for the hotel at the moment, and why is this so?

LADA SAMODUMSKAYA: We are focussing on a number of segments, including both MICE and leisure. Our special offers have been especially created for family getaways in Moscow, combined with festive destination happenings and citywide events, or luxurious leisure options selected by our concierge team. Moscow is a business hub, so half of inbound travel flow depends on business activities and corporate travel. It has increased in 2015, and this trend will continue this year.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: How are your international markets performing? Which are they and how are you working to attract these?

LADA SAMODUMSKAYA: Moscow substantially holds the interest of its traditional markets in Central Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland, as well as the UK and the US. In recent times, we can see the notably uprising number of guests from our domestic market coming to Moscow for weekends. We also notice remarkable dynamics from a number of fast-developing markets, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, all together showing the increasingly attractive image of Moscow both as a business and leisure travel destination.

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DIRECTOR GENERAL, AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL EUROPE

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The aviation market remains dynamic

“On the back of a very good 2015, Europe’s airports continue to perform very well in terms of passenger traffic.

Improving macroeconomic conditions, in particular low commodity prices and consumers eager to spend on travel and leisure, are fundamental to that. The aviation market remains dynamic, with mounting disruptive forces at play on the airline side as well as ever-increasing competition between airports. This all plays very well on the demand side – for the passenger.”

ROBIN KIELY

OLIVIER JANKOVEC

TRAVEL TALK

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, RYANAIR

“Centralising our European business functions and moving our global group headquarters to Malta will enable the company to thrive and deliver even more efficiency to our global customer base.

Malta is a fantastic place to do business. Its aviation industry is flourishing, as part of the European Union it has access to the European common market, and it has a government that not only supports business, but works with and encourages companies like ours to grow and develop. [...]”

CEO, BRUSSELS AIRPORT COMPANY

ARNAUD FEIST

FOUNDER, VISTAJET

THOMAS FLOHR

Malta is a fantastic place to do business

Winter services will be ideal for business and leisure customers “We are pleased to launch our Bristol winter schedule, which includes three new winter services to Krakow, Milan and Venice, as well as more flights to Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote, Malaga and Warsaw, which will deliver 1.7 million customers per year and support 1,300 onsite jobs at Bristol Airport.

These new winter services will be ideal for business and leisure customers, and will allow us to grow our traffic by 200,000 customers at Bristol Airport this year.”

We will do everything in our power to provide [carriers] with additional capacity

“The return of a large number of major international airlines to Brussels Airport is an important signal. It shows that they continue to put their trust in Brussels Airport. As airport operator, we will do everything in our power to provide them with additional capacity, in consultation with the competent authorities.”

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 MAY 2016

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MONARCH SUPPORTS GOOD CAUSE

Simon Gauge

TRAVEL CHANNELS

PONANT DISPLAYS ITS LOCAL GASTRONOMY EXCELLENCE

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onant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions took part for the first time ever in this year’s international Goût de France / Good France event which showcased French gastronomy.

As a cruise line that has long given pride of place to the finesse of French dishes, meals served onboard were designed to embrace the flavours of countries visited on March 21.

Through this event, the company aimed to pay tribute to the excellence of French cuisine, its capacity for innovation and the values it represents; sharing, enjoyment and respect for the principles of high-quality, environmentally responsible gastronomy.

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imon Gauge, captain, Monarch, is Virgin Money Giving’s second highest fundraiser in this year’s London Marathon, so far raising over GBP26,000 (EUR32,174) for MS-UK, a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis.

In a bid to help Gauge reach his target, the airline’s Monarch Foundation donated GBP1000 (EUR1,238) from its matched funding scheme, which pledges support to employees for specific fundraising activities.

Pauline Prow, chief people officer, Monarch, said, “It is a pleasure to recognise Simon’s efforts through Monarch’s matched funding scheme and to know that the money raised by Simon will help MS-UK continue to make an invaluable difference to the lives of those suffering.”

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FINAVIA SHEDS LIGHT ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

n an effort to familiarise the general public with air traffic control work, Finavia released fun facts in reference to the sector.

Firstly, the main task of air traffic controllers is to separate flights. The distances between planes are measured in nautical measurement units.

There are three different types of air traffic controls; tower control, approach control and area control.

Airspace is not free, as each country has its own price which airlines need to pay for both the air traffic control services and airspace.

And finally, the most challenging aspect of the job is fluctuating weather conditions.

O ALITALIA PUTS PASSENGERS IN THE CENTRE 10 MAY 2016

ver 6,000 Alitalia cabin crew and front line airport staff members have completed a customer excellence training with 600 senior cabin and airport managers joining a leadership course.

The move, as Aubrey Tiedt, chief customer officer, Alitalia, explained, comes in line with the company’s objective to enhance the guest experience and ultimately return to profitability by 2017.

“The transformation […] is unprecedented with a complete restructuring of the business which is aimed at making us one of the world’s leading airlines,” said Tiedt. “The goals of the new Alitalia are achievable because we are giving our people, especially cabin crew and ground service agents, the tools they need to drive the change and the response from our guests is extremely positive.”

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ABDUL HUSSAIN ABDUL RAHMAN HUSSAIN has taken over as country manager for Greece at Gulf Air. Over the course of his career, Rahman Hussain has amassed an in-depth working knowledge of the aviation and travel industry. He previously represented the Bahraini national carrier in India and Bangladesh, and also held management roles both within Gulf Air and in other industry organisations and carriers, including Cathay Pacific Airways.

Rahman Hussain’s industry knowledge and experience is expected to further strengthen the airline’s presence in Athens, and raise awareness of all that Gulf Air has to offer.

MARKUS SEMER

ABDUL HUSSAIN ABDUL RAHMAN HUSSAIN

WHO’S MOVED

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BARRY OATEN

OLIVER LACKMANN

Lackmann has been with airberlin for over a decade

MARKUS SEMER has been appointed CEO of Kempinski as well as chairman of the management board.

Most recently promoted to deputy CEO in October 2014, Semer joined the company in 2002 and has served on both its management and directors board since 2008.

He is credited with the success of Kempinski’s major growth areas, through his responsibility for development by means of portfolio and associated business success. Semer is known for building partnerships, creating new opportunities and developing high performance teams.

Semer has been appointed CEO of Kempinski

Rahman Hussain will be based in Athens

OLIVER LACKMANN has been named managing director of Austrian airline NIKI, a subsidiary of airberlin group.

In recent years, Lackmann served as chief flight operations officer and accountable manager at airberlin and was responsible for flight operations, crew planning and training as well as operations compliance and safety management and aviation security management.

He has been with the group since 2001, having served for 11 years as a captain.

As a seasoned aviation expert, Lackmann is expected to drive the continued development and improvement of the company.

www.traveltradeeurope.travel

BARRY OATEN has been selected as director of revenue and planning at bmi regional.

He will oversee four key functions within revenue and planning, namely revenue management, planning, partnerships and business development.

Oaten brings over 30 years of commercial airline experience to bmi regional, having begun his aviation career at British Airways where he rose through the ranks to become revenue operations executive. Since then, he has also held positions at Debonair, Maersk Air UK, Monarch and most recently, he served as manager for network development at Flybe.

Oaten has over 30 years of commercial airline experience

10 MAY 2016

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PHOTO ALBUM

Air Malta welcomed its new cabin crew

Jet2.com hosted a real-life treasure hunt in Manchester

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Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.

Norwegian celebrated its Boston route

CFM International and easyJet celebrated their 20-year partnership

10 MAY 2016

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Virtual reality with Lufthansa at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Highly valuable shipment at KLM

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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

Luxemburg Kicks Off Busy Summer Season

POSIDONIA Athens, Greece June 06 – 10 www.posidonia-events.com A prestigious shipping event where participants launch new products, unveil services and meet clients.

www.traveltradeeurope.travel

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swath of festivals and events await visitors in Luxemburg during the hottest months.

Fête de la Musique, which will take place on June 21, is considered the musical warm up to the country’s annual programme, Summer in the City. A day later, citizens will come together to mark the national day. For those looking for more musical experiences, open-air free concerts are a must in the capital’s Place d’Armes and on Place Guillaume II. Other highlights will include the MeYouZik, Rock um Knuedler, Blues’n Jazz Rallye and the City Open-Air Cinema, all in July.

DIGITAL TRAVEL SUMMIT London, UK June 07 – 08 digitaltraveleu.wbresearch.com Attracting over 400 top hoteliers, airlines, cruise lines, car rentals and online travel agencies, the event offers senior professionals the opportunity to address the most pressing digital challenges.

THE MEETINGS SHOW

Prague: European Capital of Sport

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he Czech capital is celebrating its title as the European Capital of Sport for the current year with a plethora of events. Awarded by the Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport, the honour distinguishes Prague as a destination for sports enthusiasts.

Having taken place on May 08, the annual marathon is expected to have attracted more than 10,000 runners, while the Prague Steps mountain bike race is set to bring some of the best cyclists to the city. Held in June, the Josef Odložil Memorial is an international track and field event, which will be followed in July by a triathlon weekend and in August by the Prague Wheel Open floorball tournament.

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.

Belfast Edged in Narratives

O Titanic Belfast

n April 14, Titanic Belfast, hailed as a top destination in the Irish city, held a commemorative evening offering a reflective and immersive journey of Titanic on its maiden voyage through the eyes of those whose lives were shaped by the tragic journey.

During the 90-minute experience, guests were escorted by guides to key points throughout Titanic Belfast and its tender ship, SS Nomadic, now a museum.

Musikmesse Festival Took Frankfurt by Storm 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.

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usikmesse introduced a new concept this year to underscore the significance of the trade fair as an international business platform for the musical instrument industry by incorporating a festival which transformed Frankfurt into the capital of music with over 50 concerts, between April 07 – 10.

The programme of events included a host of famous stars, celebrities and up-and-coming newcomers in the music industry gracing the city’s clubs, bars and concert halls.

According to Detlef Braun, member, management board, Messe Frankfurt, the goal of the four-day event was to convey an awareness of music and the many different genres by placing it at the centre of conversations at the exhibition venue, in the pedestrian precincts and beyond.

10 MAY 2016