Travel Trade Europe, 25 September 2015, Issue 22

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

ISSUE 22

SLOVAK TOURISM REACHES NEW HEIGHTS RIGA AND GAUJA REGION SCOOPED THE TITLE OF EUROPEAN REGION OF GASTRONOMY 2017, BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GASTRONOMY, CULTURE, ARTS AND TOURISM, FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION.

09 BORDERS RAILWAY OPENS ROUTES TO THE WORLD

13 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

02

HOTEL PERFORMANCE

04

TOURISM BOARDS

08

TRANSPORT

13

ACCOMMODATION

14

AIR

16

RENDEZVOUS

17

WHO’S MOVED

22

PHOTO ALBUM

23

NEWS & EVENTS

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RIGA AND GAUJA NAMED EUROPEAN REGION OF GASTRONOMY

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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

Record Passenger Numbers for Eurostar Eurostar registered the highest-ever number of customers transported in a single month with more than one million travellers having opted for the high-speed rail service in July.

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CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu

he milestone marks a year-on-year surge of 5.1 percent and underscores the success of the company’s new routes and frequent services, suggested Nicolas Petrovic, CEO, Eurostar.

“With passenger numbers increasing year-on-year, we are looking forward to the arrival of our new trains. The combination of more seats, superior comfort and state-of-the art design is set to transform the travel experience,” added Petrovic.

airberlin: On the Right Path

DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou

WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis

airberlin’s revenue fell by 0.7 percent in the second quarter of the year, due to capacity consolidation.

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

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EXCHANGE RATES

Accurate as of

25/9/2015 COUNTRY

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CURRENCY

1EUR=

US (USD)

Dollar

1.12

UK (GBP)

Pound

0.73

Switzerland (CHF)

Franc

1.09

Japan (JPY)

Yen

134.48

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n turn, capacity utilisation and revenue per available seat kilometre improved. ”Following a good first quarter, the second quarter was a transition quarter in line with the market trend, as expected and announced,” said Stefan Pichler, CEO, airberlin, expressing his optimism for the second half of the year.

“I am convinced that airberlin is well-positioned, thanks to the efficiency improvement measures we have introduced. The noticeable 2.1 percent load factor improvement in July to 87.3 percent shows that we are on the right track. In the fourth quarter, we will begin the consistent transformation of our business model,” he added.

Ireland on Track for Record Year Between January and July, Ireland welcomed more than 4.8 million overseas visitors, marking a 12 percent year-on-year rise and bringing the country closer to its goal.

“O

ur aim is to ensure that [this] is the best year ever for Irish tourism and this is good news indeed, with the increase in visitor numbers from overseas helping to boost economic recovery around the country,” commented Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland.

Record figures were registered from North America, up 15 percent, meaning that Ireland now welcomes 10 percent of all American visitors to Europe.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

MARKET UPDATE

Air Serbia: H1 Revenue Up by a Third

Ryanair Lifts Profits Forecast

Operating revenues of Air Serbia reached EUR95.5 million in the first half (H1) of the year, surging almost 30 percent compared to H1 2014.

Ryanair has raised its full-year net profit guidance by 25 percent from the current range of EUR940 million – EUR970 million to EUR1.175 billion – EUR1.225 billion.

easyJet: Setting New Records

easyJet’s load factor for August stood at 94.4 percent, setting a new record for the airline.

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he move was prompted by stronger than expected peak summer demand, as well as a 13 percent hike in first-half traffic, increases in fares and lower prices for unhedged fuel.

The carrier, however, cautioned that full-year figures remain heavily dependent on close-in bookings in the last two quarters. The company also continues to expect downward pressure on fares and yields this winter as it grows in major European Union markets.

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he number of passengers increased by 19 percent from 940,000 to 1.12 million.

Air Serbia Cargo also excelled, carrying 1,763 tonnes of freight, a 42 percent year-onyear rise.

Dane Kondić, CEO, Air Serbia, commented, “We have continued to grow not just in revenues and passenger numbers, but also in reputation, performance and maturity, emerging as a regional industry leader in a relatively short period of time. As we approach our second anniversary […], we continue to focus on the enhancement of our offer and the development of our people.”

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assenger numbers for the month reached 7.6 million, which is the highest for the carrier and is the second successive month with over seven million travellers.

A stronger than expected unit revenue performance was also witnessed, supported by successful ongoing digital and revenue initiatives, capacity growth along the short-haul network of around six percent with particular emphasis on UK beach routes.

Consequently full-year profit before tax guidance is now expected to be up to GBP700 million (EUR962 million).

Aeroflot to Acquire Transaero Aeroflot has revealed its intention to take over its ailing competitor, Transaero Airlines.

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irill Androsov, chairman, Aeroflot, deemed the move a decision of transformational significance, which is fully in line with the group’s strategy that, among others, aims to serve 70 million passengers per year and be among the top five European and top 20 global airlines

by 2025.

Aeroflot has taken into account the social tensions surrounding the passenger air transport market, the extremely difficult financial position of Transaero Airlines and the results of discussions at an interagency meeting.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

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NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE

Frankfurt and Moscow Remain Strong

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emand in Frankfurt rose 2.8 percentage points, which along with a 3.3 percent rise in ARR resulted in a 7.3 percent surge in RevPAR to EUR92.68. Total RevPAR levels climbed 7.3 percent fuelled by strong food and beverage demand. Despite a 10.2 percent hike in overheads per available room, GOPPAR was still up 7.2 percent to EUR33.91.

Similarly, the same metric improved 13.6 percent to EUR33.80 in Moscow with the corporate and conference sectors showing increases of 26.5 percent and 55.4 percent respectively. Occupancy levels jumped 7.5 percentage points and ARR climbed 7.7 percent, leading to a 2.6 percent change in RevPAR.

Brussels Closes Negative Month

Accommodation establishments in both Barcelona and Paris registered noteworthy year-on-year increase in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) in July by 24.9 and 16.6 percent respectively, as data compiled by HotStats revealed.

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otels in Brussels experienced a challenging July despite a 2.8 percentage point increase in demand.

The Belgian capital’s market indicated once again that RevPAR alone can be a misleading indicator of hotel performance because despite the 5.4 percent rise, GOPPAR dropped 13 percent to EUR18.09 regardless total RevPAR levels surging 4.5 percent to EUR109.35.

Spanish and French Cities Win Big

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hanks to a 1.5 percentage point rise in occupancy and a 16.6 percent improvement in average room rate (ARR), RevPAR jumped 18.5 percent in Barcelona. Increases in food and beverage revenue and meeting room hire further boosted total RevPAR by 17.1 percent, leading to a EUR151.61 GOPPAR for the month.

Hotels in the French capital experienced a 5.1 percent growth in occupancy and a 5.1 percent surge in ARR, mainly driven by a hike in the leisure segment, translating into a 11.6 percent uplift in RevPAR.

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Brussels

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

NEWS AIRPORTS

Venice Linked to Second Istanbul Airport

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dding to its existing 24 weekly flights between Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Venezia Marco Polo Airport, Turkish Airlines inaugurated a new daily service connecting the Italian city with Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of Istanbul.

The new itinerary will be operated daily, increasing the total number of weekly connections between the destinations to 31.

Besides Venice, the Turkish flag carrier flies to nine other cities in Italy; Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, Naples, Catania, Pisa and Bari.

Venice

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Brand New Lounge at Brussels Airport

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n line with its commitment to ensure high customer satisfaction, Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) has launched a new lounge in the boarding area.

Departing passengers will now be able to relax in a quiet environment and enjoy a range of amenities where they can catch up on their emails or rest before take-off. Various food and beverage outlets and free Wi-Fi await travellers, who can prepay for access online or on spot at the airport.

“We are seeing a growing number of business people travelling through BSCA,” noted Jean-Jacques Cloquet, CEO, BSCA, adding that the range of people using the airport is diversifying, and the expectations of passengers are changing.

Gatwick Announces Air Traffic Review

Record Footfall for Copenhagen Airport

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n response to noise concerns expressed by local residents, the management of Gatwick Airport has commissioned an independent review of air traffic, which will focus on westerly arrivals.

The main purpose of the project is to consider whether everything that can reasonably be done to alleviate the problems local communities are raising is in fact being done, and whether this involves action by the airport or by other parties most closely involved. The review will also examine whether the approaches which the airport has adopted for providing information to the local community and for handling complaints are fully adequate for the task.

The document is expected to be completed in November.

Thomas Woldbye

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openhagen Airport surpassed the 2.7 million passenger mark for the first time ever in a single month with 2,727,691 travellers on record, a rise of 5.1 percent.

“It was the first time in our 90year history that we served more than 2.7 million passengers in a single month, and the figures show that both European and intercontinental routes attracted sun-starved Danes," said Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airports.

Year-to-date, a total of 15,073,230 travellers passed through the airport, which represents a 0.8 percent increase over the same period in 2014.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

AIRPORTS NEWS Slovenia Foreign TouristsAirport SummerLures TrafficMore Growth at Brussels

Prague Airport Becomes Easily Reachable

Brussels South Charleroi Airport

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russels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) handled over 1.44 million passengers in July and August, up eight percent year-on-year.

In August alone, the Belgian hub witnessed a seven percent rise in traffic, pushing load factor up to 92 percent, with the most popular destinations being Warsaw, Budapest and Madrid.

Between January and August, the biggest increase in demand was recorded by tour operators Thomas Cook Airlines and Neckermann, with the flights being operated by Tailwind Airlines, posting a 112 percent year-on-year improvement. Notable increases were also registered by Pegasus Airlines, Wizz Air as well as Ryanair which carried more than 3.68 million travellers to and from the airport.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

åclav Havel Airport Prague is now accessible through a new exit on the Czech capital’s R7 motorway.

The change aims to facilitate arrival to the airport and provide sufficient capacity for future increases in passenger volumes.

The new motorway will open in stages and up to October 6, drivers will have the option to reach the airfield using two exits. It is expected that by year-end the entire infrastructural project will be delivered to the travelling public.

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NEWS TOURISM BOARDS UNWTO Praises Czech Tourism Development Efforts

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zech Republic recently signed a two-year cooperation plan with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during the first-ever visit of Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, to the country.

“Tourism is one of the strong pillars of the Czech

economy, a clear result of robust political support,” said Rifai, commending the government’s efforts towards facilitating visa procedures and enhancing the competitiveness of the sector, both nationwide and regionally.

“I would also like to highlight the decision of

the Visegrad 4 group […] to promote the region as one tourist destination. This collaborative effort has resulted in a significant growth of international visitors to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, and sets an excellent example for successful multilateral tourism cooperation,” added Rifai.

VisitScotland Expects Cycling Boom

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ollowing Aviva Tour of Britain’s stage in Scotland, VisitScotland predicts a surge in interest in the already popular cycling tourism market.

With almost half a million visitors each year getting on their bikes to explore the Scottish landscape, the national tourism organisation is hoping that such a high-profile event will encourage even more to discover the country’s unique routes.

Road cycling and mountain biking trips by domestic visitors over the last three years have contributed on average GBP114 million (EUR157 million) to the Scottish economy.

Welcome to Greece Campaign Introduced

Visitor Volumes to Latvia Increase in Q2

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lena Kountoura, economy, infrastructure, maritime affairs and tourism alternate minister, Greece, launched a national tourist campaign under the label Welcome. It includes greeting tourists at the country’s main entry points with huge posters that depict Greek tourist hotspots and promote the destination’s main attractions.

The initiative has already been implemented at Athens International Airport and Piraeus Port.

Campaign posters at Athens International Airport

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Riga

total of 411,700 foreign visitors stayed at Latvian accommodation establishments in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, an increase of 4.7 percent year-on-year.

All source markets saw growth, apart from Russia which dropped by 37 percent.

“Taking into consideration a substantial reduction in the number of Russian tourists, we can be pleased that tourists from Western countries fully compensated for this reduction, and the overall number of tourists has even increased,” noted Inese Šīrava, acting director, Latvian Tourism Development Agency.

Riga alone registered 372,500 visitors stay in its accommodation establishments, 7.7 percent more than in Q2 2014.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

TOURISM BOARDS NEWS

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ccording to National Statistics Office, Malta, total inbound visitors to the destination in July were estimated at 207,541, indicating an increase of 3.5 percent over the corresponding month in 2014.

A total of 176,807 trips were carried out for holiday purposes, while a further 9,173 were undertaken for business reasons. The number of tourists from European Union member states went up by 5.2 percent to 170,671.

In regards to the first half of the year, Malta welcomed 970,084 people, a rise of 5.2 percent over the same period in 2014.

Slovak Tourism Reaches New Heights

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ome 1.9 million travellers chose Slovakia as their destination in the first half of the year, marking a nearly 10 percent year-on-year increase.

Domestic travel accounted for the lion’s share, while international arrivals stood at 734,000, up 10.4 percent, driven by strong demand from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Overseas inbound traffic also showed encouraging signs, with figures from China skyrocketing by 115 percent.

The higher number of visitors is reflected in the growth of income from tourism. According to the National Bank of Slovakia, in the first six months of the year, the industry generated some EUR924 million, EUR27 million more than in the same period in 2014.

Bratislava

Malta

Malta: July Proves to Be Successful

Social Media Users Support Greece

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ccording to trendinalia.com, the #lovingreece hashtag became one of the most popular ones on Facebook within 24 hours of its launch.

The label was created by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) in July following the difficult times the country was experiencing during the crucial negotiations with Eurogroup.

Upon receiving a plethora of supportive messages GNTO urged fans to show their love through photos and posts on VisitGreece’s social media platforms.

Meetings Industry Boosts Berlin’s Performance

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erlin’s role as a conventions location continues to grow, as in the first six months of the year, 62,000 events took place in the German capital with 4.82 million participants. This according to visitBerlin, which also revealed that the number of overnight stays related to these events increased three percent year-on-year to 3.3 million.

Cornelia Yzer, economics, technology and research senator, Berlin, said, “Berlin is home to about 1,500 [professional] associations, representing an enormous potential waiting to be tapped. To achieve this goal, [we are] now investing EUR100,000 from the City Tax in targeted marketing measures.”

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

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NEWS

RIGA AND GAUJA NAMED EUROPEAN REGION OF GASTRONOMY Riga and Gauja region scooped the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2017, by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism, following a successful presentation.

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hile working on our bid for the title […], we and our cooperation partners created a special concept called ‘Ar dabu šķīvī’ [Nature on a Plate]. The concept is based on our wish to popularise products and natural foods one can find in our forests, rivers or meadows next to our homes,” explained Vita Jermoloviča, member of the board, Riga Tourism Development Bureau.

The title is awarded to two to three different regions of the European Region of Gastronomy network each year, and the Latvian destination will share the 2017 status with Aarhus and Central Denmark region, and Lombardy in Italy.

Over Four Million Registered Golfers in Europe

Food from the region

New Theatre to Arrive in London

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brand new 900-seater theatre is expected to open next to Potters Fields Park at the One Tower Bridge residential community in 2017.

The London Theatre Company has commissioned architects Steve Tompkins and Roger Watts to create a thoroughly modern space that encapsulates performance giving and watching.

The flagship theatre aims to offer more comfort in its modernity and become a magnet for culturelovers everywhere.

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olf continues to gain popularity across the continent, according to a recently released report by KPMG. Following a slowdown in 2013, the market stabilised in 2014 and today, there are 4,178,754 registered and an estimated 3.5 million nonregistered golfers in Europe, the majority of which are based in England and Ireland.

Data also shows that while in mature markets, such as England, Germany, France and Spain, golf membership is often seen as a status symbol, thus the sharp difference between the number of registered and participating aficionados, in Sweden, Iceland, Scotland, Denmark and Finland, golf has become a lifestyle.

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New theatre rendering

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

NEWS

British Royal Palaces Celebrates New Status

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istoric Royal Palaces recently gained the status of an independent research organisation (IRO), awarded

by Research Councils UK. The self-funded charity is currently maintaining and preserving some of UK’s most important historic buildings, such as the Tower of London, and presenting them to the public through fresh, annual exhibitions and displays.

Wendy Hitchmough, head of research, Historic Royal Palaces, enthused, “This is a huge milestone for us as an organisation […].

We have a thousand years of history at our fingertips, and some exciting ideas for new research projects in mind. Our IRO status will help us to apply for vital funding to take these projects forward in the future.”

Tower of London

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New TUI Tour Showcases Rastafari Traditions

Cyprus Launches Embassy in Saudi Arabia

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UI is offering its customers visiting Jamaica the opportunity to experience a genuine Rastafari community through a new tour.

The itinerary is a result of hard work

by Rastafari Indigenous Village members and The Travel Foundation which assisted the community to create an action plan for the future, understand tour operator and mainstream customer demand and requirements, undergo necessary training, develop its tourism product, obtain licences and more.

The village was established in 2007 in a bid to create a tangible, sustainable agroartisan community and present the history and traditions of the Rastafari movement.

Rastafari community member

Riyadh

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he Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the government of Saudi Arabia gave its consent for establishing an embassy of the republic in Riyadh. Nicos Panayi has become named as the first Cypriot diplomat stationed in the Middle Eastern country.

A representative of the Kingdom was recently accredited to Cyprus after almost 50 years, after Nicos Anastasiades, president, Cyprus, received the credentials of Essam Ibrahim Bait Almal, ambassador to Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, in June.

Anastasiades commented, “Saudi Arabia is a priority partner for Cyprus because of its leading role in the Muslim world and the Middle East. In recent years, our two countries have been working to improve the framework for promoting trade and economic relations between them.”

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

TRANSPORT NEWS Borders Railway Opens Routes to the World

Train World Arrives to Brussels

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Entrance to Train World

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russels has welcomed a new tourist attraction, Train World, located on the renovated Schaerbeek station, just a short train ride from Brussels Central Station.

From historical locomotives and carriages to the future of this mode of transportation, the museum invites guests to look, listen and enjoy stories about trains. It also features exhibits of uniforms, paintings and models of trains and stations, together with an abundance of photos and film fragments.

Other facilities include a ticket office, a restaurant and book shop, plus a restored carriage for picnics. Event venues are also be available.

he Waverley Route once transformed the Scottish Borders into a globally renowned centre for wool and textile manufacture. Now, almost 47 years after its closure, scheduled services once again commenced on the new Borders Railway.

To rejoice the launch, Pringle of Scotland joined VisitScotland for a week-long celebration, marking the longest domestic railway to open in the UK for over a century.

Passengers enjoy a 55-minute journey from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank the Scottish Borders.

The GBP294 million (EUR402 million) project has taken over two years to construct and includes 10 stations.

It is hoped that Scotland’s newest scenic venture will be a popular addition to the country’s tourism portfolio, opening up opportunities for visitors to explore the destination further.

Slovenia Tourists EuropeanLures Bus More TravelForeign on the Rise

Borders Railway launch celebration

Cultural Exploration on Two Wheels

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n the first six months of the year, the number of passengers riding on express routes with coach operator Lux Express to Central Europe increased by nearly 25 percent.

Traveller figures between Tallinn and Riga, as well as Helsinki and St Petersburg surged 11.6 percent, and in the Baltic countries 11 percent.

Commenting on the results, Hannes Saarpuu, chairman, Lux Express, said, “Looking back at the first half of the year, we are pleased to have been able to offer routes to destinations that passengers were interested in, as well as high-quality service.”

Lux Express, one of the largest international bus operators in the Baltics, offers a wide selection of destinations within the Baltic states along with connections to Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, and various other European cities.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

he new Kulturroute in and around Hannover offers an exciting new way to discover the region’s cultural diversity on bike.

An 800km network of conveniently marked cycle paths connects various attractions of the area, including the Fagus Factory in Alfeld, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.

Hannover’s new sections of the main loop are complemented by additional and alternative routes that take in other cultural points.

The city's tourism board has also launched a website where visitors can find detailed information on the route and download useful tips and GPS navigation.

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NEWS ACCOMMODATION Ritz-Carlton Takes Over Budapest Hotel

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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has inaugurated Sheraton Bucharest Hotel, marking the company’s debut in the Eastern European country.

As Dave Marr, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, noted, the opening of the 270-key property signals an important milestone in the company’s expansion and brings the brand closer to its goal of launching more than 150 new hotels over the next five years.

Guests looking to stay active can work out at the signature gym, while other possibilities include spa facilities, 1,200m2 combined meeting and event space, 10 conference rooms, two ballrooms, one boardroom and two dining venues.

The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, a Ritz-Carlton Partner Hotel

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he Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has assumed the management of The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, a RitzCarlton Partner Hotel in the heart of the Hungarian

Starwood Marks Foray into Romania

capital.

Following an extensive renovation programme, the 198room property will be relaunched as The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest in spring 2016. The facelift will include the addition of The Ritz-Carlton Club, new luxury suites and fresh concepts in the dining outlets.

As Mohammed Al Habtoor, CEO, Al Habtoor Group, the owner of the hotel, noted, the project brings together two of the best names in the business.

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon rendering

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celand is set to welcome a new Fosshotel-branded property in summer 2016, the four-star Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.

Situated right between Skaftafell preservation area and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, hailed as the country’s most spectacular natural attractions, the property will be ideal for nature lovers and hikers.

The Fosshotel portfolio of operating hotels spans several impressive locations including Reykjavik, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Dalvík, Húsavík, Mount Hekla, the Vatnajökull glacier and more.

Courtyard Belgrade City Center

Iceland Awaits Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Courtyard Belgrade City Center Opens

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erbia welcomed its first Courtyard by Marriott-branded hotel with the launch of Courtyard Belgrade City Center.

With its modern and dynamic design, the 114-key establishment contrasts the historic city centre. It is nestled on the Republic Square, just a short walk from the main shopping street and Skadarlija bohemian quarter which is famous for its nightlife, art and culture.

Guests have a choice between two studios and 112 standard rooms, all of which boast LED TVs and free Internet. Catering primarily to business travellers to the city, other facilities include a meeting room and a 24-hour market, plus an all-day restaurant and a fitness centre.

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

ACCOMMODATION NEWS

Tribute Portfolio Marks European Debut in London

Park Inn by Radisson Enters Romania

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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s newest brand marked its foray into Europe with Great Northern Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; a historic London landmark nestled on King’s Cross.

Dave Marr, global brand leader, Tribute Portfolio, enthused, “The hotel has been designed with such meticulous attention to detail, and we are excited to partner alongside Jeremy Robson, [owner, Great Northern Hotel] as he continues to bring his independent vision to life.”

Originally opened in 1854, the property boasts a diverse collection of rooms and dining options, all featuring luxurious furnishings and evoking the charms of the property’s past.

Great Northern Hotel

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

Steigenberger Strengthens Frankfurt Portfolio

S Park Inn by Radisson Bucharest Hotel & Residence

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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group introduced its young and dynamic midmarket brand to Romania with the launch of the 210-room Park Inn by Radisson Bucharest Hotel & Residence.

Situated within walking distance from the capital’s cultural, shopping and business districts, the property is set to appeal to both leisure and business travellers, as well as to those looking for long-term accommodation. Guests can benefit from a restaurant, four meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 80 delegates, and free admission to a health centre with swimming pool and fitness facilities.

teigenberger Hotels will open its seventh property in Frankfurt in 2018.

Located right at the southern exit to Germany’s busiest main line railway station and close to the city centre, Hotel am Hauptbahnhof’s 400 rooms aim to offer exceptional comfort to both leisure and business visitors, alongside a restaurant, a bar and six conference rooms.

“As a location, Frankfurt has a special significance for us. The city is home to our head office and Frankfurter Hof, our flagship hotel. It also boasts Germany’s largest airport and main line railway station. Our strong portfolio means that we are ideally placed to meet the needs of our large numbers of guests from all over the world,” commented Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotels.

Frankfurt

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NEWS AIR

Korongo Airlines Shuts Down

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s of September 4, Korongo Airlines, a joint venture of Brussels Airlines, Groupe Forrest International and some smaller private Congolese shareholders, ceased all activities.

Despite an average seat load factor of more than 70 percent and a growing client base built since its launch in 2012, the airline failed to achieve profitability due to the lack of critical mass, the restrictions posed by the size of its one-aircraft fleet and the decision of the Congolese government to create a new carrier.

Brussels Airlines will retain its focus on Congo as it offers daily flights between Kinshasa and the Belgian capital. In the upcoming months the carrier will open a new business class lounge at N'Djili Airport.

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Finnair Prepares for Summer 2016

Icelandair Expands Scottish Footprint

British Airways to Link London with Silicon Valley

Aberdeen

San José, California

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or the 2016 summer season, Finnair is to launch services to a number of European cities. Edinburgh, Svalbard, Pula and Billund will join the airline’s network, with the Danish city becoming a year-round destination as of April 4, 2016.

In addition, new scheduled operations will replace previously chartered flights to Zakynthos, Skiathos, Santorini, Mytilene and Preveza, in Greece.

The airline will also increase frequency on the popular summer routes to Malta, Tel Aviv, Biarritz and Nice.

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celandair will augment its global network with a new service from Keflavik to Aberdeen, beginning March 9, 2016.

In cooperation with Air Iceland, the carrier will add flights to its second Scottish hub and the sixth in the UK. “Aberdeen is an exciting new destination for us and allows Icelandair to utilise smaller Bombardier Q400 aircraft to reach new markets.

This new route will further broaden our network and give travellers even more options when travelling to Scotland,” said Birkir Holm Gudnason, CEO, Icelandair.

In addition, the airline is to launch four weekly flights to Montreal, as of May 19, 2016.

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an José, home of hi-tech giants such as Adobe, Apple, Cisco, eBay, Google and Intel, as well as thousands of technology start-up companies, will be linked to Heathrow Airport in summer 2016 as British Airways plans to introduce a direct service to the bustling Californian city.

Daily flights will be operated by a brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering VIP travellers the luxuries of its first cabin.

Stephen Humphreys, head of global sales, British Airways, enthused, “There is no better place to fly the world’s most advanced passenger aircraft than to the world’s home of hi-tech and innovation, San José.”

25 SEPTEMBER 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: As the first hotel in Europe to be part of the exclusive Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolio, how does the hotel measure up to its luxury guests’ expectations?

ALESSANDRO CABELLA: Rome Cavalieri is proud to be part of the luxury brand Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is a luxury resort in the heart of Rome, the home of a spectacular art collection, with a prize-winning spa, a conference centre equipped with the newest technologies and it hosts one of the best restaurants in the world; La Pergola directed by Heinz Beck. But nowadays, to be excellent is not enough, and Rome Cavalieri represents the new face of luxury travel.

Our goal is a continuous evolution, responding to the changing needs of our guests, always striking the right note, always providing anticipatory yet unobtrusive service, and always a unique experience. To be aristocratic is not enough; you are supposed to surprise the guests with emotional unique experiences.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Which are the hotel’s main source markets and how have these evolved over the past years? How important is the Middle Eastern clientele for the hotel?

ALESSANDRO CABELLA: From a luxury point of view, the Middle East is a very important source market. The number of guests from the Gulf is constantly increasing and for us this is an important demonstration that we are offering, to this demanding and important clientele, the standard they need.

Q & A with Alessandro Cabella

MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROME CAVALIERI, WALDORF ASTORIA HOTELS & RESORTS

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: Which are the achievements the management can be proud of at the property in the past months and which are the property’s main highlights that you count upon?

ALESSANDRO CABELLA: In the last few months we launched the Rome Cavalieri Boutique, a selection of Made in Italy items that make possible to take home some details of a stay at Rome Cavalieri; not only linen, ties and foulards, but also candles, swimwear and many other accessories. Our boutique also offers a special selection of items for dogs that travel with our guests.

We also created the Rome Cavalieri Culinary Journey, with special menus offered by the L’Uliveto pool bar restaurant […]. We also launched the Circus du Cahalet, with a spectacular selection of international cuisine and international circus shows.

TRAVEL TRADE EUROPE: What are your priorities for the remainder of the year? Do you have any upcoming plans for upgrades or developments at the property?

REPRESENTING ETERNAL LUXURY, ROME CAVALIERI, WALDORF ASTORIA HOTELS & RESORTS IS CONSTANTLY REINVENTING ITSELF TO APPEAL TO MODERN TRAVELLERS, AS ALESSANDRO CABELLA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROME CAVALIERI, WALDORF ASTORIA HOTELS & RESORTS, COMMENTS.

ALESSANDRO CABELLA: We are increasing the number of suites and we are creating the Rome Cavalieri sensorial experience that combines music, fragrance and decoration. Moreover, we are launching the Rome Cavalieri Wedding Boutique.

In 2014, we launched a very successful project; the Kids Club. It is dedicated to children from four to 10 years old and is open from 14:30 to 19:00, seven days a week. Children can enjoy many activities like art classes, sports, magic shows, fun fairs, and many more.

Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

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NEWS AIR SAS Deepens US Footprint

Flybe Connects LJLA to the World

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hree new direct routes to the US will join Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)’ network in 2016; namely Stockholm – Los Angeles, Oslo – Miami and Copenhagen – Miami.

The carrier will also increase the number of flights between the Swedish capital and New York, as well as Chicago, and between the Danish city and Shanghai, to offer more than 330,000 additional seats on its intercontinental itineraries.

“These new direct routes, together with the renewal of our long haul fleet and our broad network, mean we have far and away the strongest offer between Scandinavia and the US. We are looking forward to offering our customers new travel opportunities and giving them a warm welcome onboard our aircraft,” said Rickard Gustafson, president, SAS.

lybe has commenced its new service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The regional airline operates up to three daily flights between the cities, offering early morning, lunchtime and late afternoon departures.

As Paul Simmons, chief commercial officer, Flybe, noted, the new route allows passengers to connect onwards to a host of European and long-haul destinations from the busy Dutch hub, and also makes it more convenient for potential visitors to travel to Liverpool.

“We already have a number of codeshare and interline arrangements with long haul carriers that, in the future, have the potential to benefit passengers even further,” hinted Simmons.

UIA Adds Ivano-Frankovsk Service

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n a bid to boost its domestic network, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will launch daily flights between Kiev and Ivano-Frankovsk, to be operated by Boeing 737and Embraer 190 aircraft in a two-class configuration.

Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA, commented, “We are glad to offer the residents of Western Ukraine an opportunity to take advantage of UIA’s well-developed route network via Kiev. We are confident travellers from Ukraine and abroad will seize their chance to discover Ivano-Frankovsk and the region in winter.”

UIA currently flies to five more domestic destinations from Kiev, Lvov, Kharkov, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye.

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Los Angeles, California

Two More Dreamliners Ordered by Norwegian

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orwegian has penned a deal to acquire two new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, expected to start flying in summer

2017.

The move is will further boost the airline’s long-haul operations.

“Our long-haul routes have been very popular and I am very satisfied to have secured more Dreamliners. This will enable us to launch even more routes to exiting destinations all over the world,” said Bjørn Kjos, CEO, Norwegian.

“This is a fantastic airplane with high passenger comfort, long range and low fuel burn,” he added.

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AIR NEWS

Salzburg

Riga and Salzburg to Be Linked by airBaltic

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atering to winter holiday-makers from Latvia and Austria, airBaltic announced a new weekly service connecting Riga and Salzburg, due to commence on December 26.

“The new route will offer excellent opportunities for winter travellers both to the Alps and to Riga, the most vibrant city in the Baltic region,” said Christophe Viatte, chief commercial officer, airBaltic.

The route will be operated with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft.

Austrian Airlines Steps Up Italian Expansion

Transaero Further Tweaks Its Fleet

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ransaero Airlines welcomed a new Airbus A321 aircraft, the second in its fleet, under an operating leasing agreement with ICBC Leasing.

The aircraft boasts 184 seats, eight of which are in business class.

In line with the airline’s business enhancement and fleet renewal programmes, another two A321s will join the fleet by the end of the year, while wide-body aircraft will be withdrawn to optimise performance and enhance fleet quality.

UIA Intensifies Beijing Itinerary

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ustrian Airlines is to further extend its reach in Italy with the addition of new seasonal services to Bari.

Operating between May 26 – September 22, 2016, the Austrian carrier will deploy a Fokker 100 aircraft on the route which will also include a stopover in Lamezia Terme. Passengers will be able to travel between the cities once a week.

With the introduction of the new Vienna – Bari flight, during the 2016 summer season the airline will offer 95 weekly frequencies to 12 Italian destinations, including Rome, Milan and Bologna, among others.

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Beijing

uring its summer 2016 schedule, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will increase frequency en route Kiev – Beijing to five weekly flights.

Effective from April 26, 2016, the airline will be operating the nonstop services onboard a Boeing 767 aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration.

“We regard the decision to increase frequency of our long-haul flights to Beijing to be both rational and consistent. We are confident that by intensifying our eastbound operations we will be able to fully use Ukraine’s transit potential and help turn Kiev Boryspil International Airport into a huge and efficient hub,” noted Evgeniya Satska, corporate press secretary, UIA.

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Photos of Revamped London Bridge Station Released

Moldova and Belarus Seek Deeper Relations

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The new look of the London Bridge concourse has been revealed by Govia Thameslink Railway through computer-generated images.

oosting bilateral ties between the two countries, Valeriu Strelet, prime minister, Moldova, recently met with Sergey Chichuk, ambassador to Moldova, Belarus, to discuss joint projects in the areas of modernisation of the industrial park specialised in production of agricultural machinery, as well as assembly of trolleybuses and sale of building materials.

Chichuk reiterated Belarus’ interest in developing trade and economic cooperation with Moldova.

“I am sure that the government you lead will be able to bring about change in Moldova, ensure stability and re-establish the trust of development partners,” he said.

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he rejuvenated Victorian station will match the size of Wembley Stadium, and the number of its passengers is set to rise by two thirds. It will provide convenient access to Heathrow Airport, and direct links to London Luton Airport, Gatwick Airport and St Pancras International train station.

Irvine Sellar, co-owner, The Shard and London Bridge Quarter, enthused, “We are delighted with the progress of the transformation of London Bridge station. On completion it will mean our investment in this part of London will total in excess of GBP2 billion (EUR2.73 billion) and help breathe new life into the area.”

Future look of the London Bridge concourse

Flybe Celebrates 50,000th Passenger at Bournemouth

Nearly 52,000 Kids Travel Alone with Iberia

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uropean regional airline, Flybe has marked its first major passenger milestone at its new base, Bournemouth Airport, with its 50,000th traveller on a flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

On the occasion, a special presentation was held to the surprised traveller where Paul Willoughby, regional general manager, south UK, Flybe, noted, “Flybe is committed to providing convenient and affordable travel, connecting people not only across the regions but also onwards to the rest of the world and we very much look forward to celebrating our next landmark.”

A Bournemouth Airport

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lmost 52,000 unaccompanied minors flew with Iberia in the first seven months of the year, an increase of two percent compared to the same period in 2014.

About half of these children travelled during June and July; the peak months for the airline.

In a bid to ensure the safety of young passengers, specialised Iberia staff assists them from the moment they arrive at the airport all the way through to their handover to the person authorised to pick them up at their destination. The carrier has recently improved services offered to unaccompanied kids from the age of five to 11, and it also watches over those from 12 to 17.

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TRAVEL TALK

This is an exciting time for the airport

ANDREW CORNISH CEO, Liverpool John Lennon Airport

“This is an exciting time for the airport and Peel Group’s latest commitment [for the reduction of the airport’s bank debt and new committed funding] will help to ensure that whilst continuing to grow the business further by offering our passengers more choice of airlines and destinations, we can give them the best possible passenger experience too, cementing our position as the airport the region loves.”

The joint promotion of Europe is more important than ever

EDUARDO SANTANDER CEO, European Travel Commission (ETC)

Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Hotel, Milan, is a true reflection of our vision

HAMAD ABDULLA AL-MULLA CEO, Katara Hospitality

“This Luxury Collection hotel is one of Katara Hospitality’s flagship international investments and we are proud of what has been achieved together with our partners, such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Hotel, Milan, is a true reflection of our vision to ensure that the heritage of such iconic properties continues around the world.”

“With the growth of tourists visiting multiple countries, the joint promotion of Europe is more important than ever. And the best way we can boost numbers and so jobs is by working with the private sector to understand what our potential customers want. This is a process in which [ETC’s conference on how Europe is performing as a destination] is a new initiative.”

Hotel construction is rife in Istanbul

CAROLINE LIST International sales manager, TOPHOTELPROJECTS

“Turkey has emerged as a leading tourist destination with a massive growth in hotel construction. Trends we have witnessed for the Turkish market include recreational complexes, which can also be used for day trips, as well as hotels with spa facilities. Hotel construction is rife in Istanbul, which currently hosts over 800 properties and 50,000 rooms, but there is a clear move towards the regional cities popular for manufacturing companies including Samsun, Eskisehir, Ankara and Izmir.”

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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WHO’S MOVED

THOMAS FISHER

JIM BERRA

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Thomas Fisher is taking over at Corinthia Hotel London as general manager.

Moving from his position as general manager at Corinthia Hotel Budapest, which he has held since March 2012, Fisher will oversee all operations at the five-star property to ensure optimal level of guest and employee satisfaction as well as profitability.

Fisher has over 21 years of experience in the luxury hospitality segment.

Over the years, he has worked with companies such as Kempinski, Hyatt and Hilton Worldwide, holding various positions in Germany, China as will as across the important Middle East region.

He was previously general manager at Kempinski hotels in Frankfurt, Moscow and Halle-Leipzig.

Jim Berra has assumed the position of chief marketing officer at Royal Caribbean International.

He will be responsible for all aspects of the cruise line’s marketing programme, including brand strategy and positioning, consumer and trade advertising, web and loyalty marketing, research, brand development as well as communications.

Berra takes on the role after serving as senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Carnival Cruise Line, where he oversaw the company’s advertising, public relations, customer marketing and digital efforts.

Prior to that, he gained valuable experience at Rodale Interactive, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, as well as Hyatt.

MARTIN MELZER

BERND ZÄNGLE

Martin Melzer has taken charge of the newly-introduced position of public relations and communications manager for Central Europe at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Melzer will be responsible for 80 properties in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and southeastern Europe, and will also steer corporate reputation campaigns in Central Europe.

He joined the hotel sector in 2002 and became part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group team in 2009. Melzer started as a marketing and public relations manager at Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg and later continued as executive assistant to the Central Europe area vice president before taking over marketing at Park Inn by Radisson, supporting the brand’s development across Central Europe.

Bernd Zängle has been appointed north region area general manager for Steigenberger Hotels.

Alongside his role as director of Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg, Zängle will also assume responsibility for Steigenberger Conti Hansa in Kiel and Steigenberger Hotel Bremen.

He is a highly experienced hotelier with several years of knowledge of Steigenberger Hotels.

Since joining the company in 1988, Zängle has held hotel management positions in Duisburg, Bad Reichenhall and Stuttgart prior to the success he has achieved in his current role at Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg over the past three years.

Zängle will have additional responsibilities

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PHOTO ALBUM

Take a Shot!

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

Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...

easyJet repainted its aircraft in celebration of cabin crew James Baron to honour his exceptional service skills

Selected guests experienced Helsinki Airport's main runway a few hours before the first landing

Ketil Solvik-Olsen, transport and communications minister, Norway (second from left), visited Oslo Airport to review the new connecting flight system

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Special cake for the launch of airBaltic's Riga – Stockholm Bromma route

Icelandair will increase flights from Glasgow to Reykjavik from March 2016 as it celebrates its 70th anniversary of operations to Scotland

Lufthansa crew takes off in traditional folk costumes during Oktoberfest

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NEWS & EVENTS Riga to Host Rallycross Event

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he Latvian capital has been added to the Monster Energy FIA World Rallycross Championship calendar from 2016 onwards.

In terms of the agreement between RA Events and IMG, the organiser of the competition, the race will be held in Riga annually over the next three years with the first event taking place in August and September 2016 at Biķernieki National Sports Base in Riga.

As Anrijs Matīss, transport minister, Latvia, noted, the race presents new opportunities for both the venue as well as the city and Latvia as a whole.

EVENTS IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 29 – October 02 www.iftm.fr Established in 1978 in Deauville, it is a must-attend business-tobusiness event focussing on leisure tourism. In 2008, it became a multi-target show covering business, leisure and events.

bmi regional: Petroleum Congress Boosts Traffic

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mi regional reported a rise in bookings on its Aberdeen routes prior to SPE Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition, which took place in the city between September 8 – 11.

During the week of the event, bookings for flights to the Scottish city from Oslo, Esbjerg, Norwich and Bristol increased by a quarter.

Organised by Reed Exhibitions, SPE Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition was expected to gather more than 63,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

EUROCITIES to Host Seminar on Active Travel

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UROCITIES, the network of major European cities, will chair a free summit in Brussels on October 14 to share best practices and discuss common challenges related to the promotion of walking and cycling.

By increasing active travel locally, cities can significantly contribute to the reduction of noise and air pollution, energy consumption and traffic congestion. Furthermore, it has a positive impact on health, road safety, and social inclusion.

ETC and ETOA Focus on Europe as a Destination

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uropean Travel Commission (ETC) and European Tourism Association (ETOA) are hosting a conference on the performance of Europe as a destination and its key target markets, due to take place on October 29 in London.

“For most of our customers, Europe is regarded as a unitary destination,” said Tom Jenkins, CEO, ETOA. Eduardo Santander, CEO, ETC, confirmed, “With the growth of tourists visiting multiple countries, the joint promotion of Europe is more important than ever. And the best way we can boost numbers and so jobs is by working with the private sector to understand what our potential customers want.”

UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MARKET Kiev, Ukraine September 30 – October 02 www.ukraine-itm.com.ua With 70 percent of the exhibition space already booked, the event is to host tourism authorities from Turkey, India, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Hungary, among others.

TRAVELEXPO Lucerne, Switzerland October 23 – 25 www.travelexpo.ch With Cyprus as a featured holiday destination, this autumn exhibition aims to provide travel agents and tour operators with ideas on non-conventional winter vacation escapes.

TTR

US Festival Debuts in Europe

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or a whole weekend in September, Berlin’s former Tempelhof airport was transformed into a giant celebration site, as the legendary American Lollapalooza rock festival visited Germany, after having been exported to Chile, Argentina and Brazil. The event’s format brought together international superstars and much-lauded newcomers for once-off performances which included live music, fashion, cuisine, art and culture. For the younger fans, there was also Kidzapalooza, the festival within a festival designed for children and families.

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Bucharest, Romania November 12 – 15 www.romexpo.ro Held twice a year, the event hosts national tourism organisations, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, insurance companies, hotels, cultural institutions, museums and congress organisers.

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