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  • Seychelles set to launch its Africa Day 2013 celebrations

    The Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture has confirmed that from today (Wednesday) they’re joining Africa to mark the 2013 Africa Day Celebrations through their own FetAfrik.

    The island’s FetAfrik Committee have pop out with an absolutely-fledged, four-day program starting with a lecture at UNISEY Campus at 1000 hours at Anse Royale on Wednesday, May 22, on Pan Africanism&African Renaissance. This would be followed by a lecture to the Seychelles Tourism Academy Students at 1300 hours by visiting Chef Kabelo Segone of South Africa and a Cultural Talk at 1630 hours on the National Cultural Center on “Soungoula,” this commonly-used word retraces its origin back to mainland Africa.

    On Thursday, May 23, an exhibition by visiting South African Artist Bamba Siblya will occur at 1100 hours at Kenywn House in Victoria. It will be followed at 1700 hours by the official launching ceremony of FetAfrik 2013 on the National Cultural Center in Victoria and an African Bazaar where the National Cultural Troupe, Achille Kwame Luc, and the visiting Maasai Performance – Bomas of Kenya – can be entertaining the crowds. A fascinating visiting exhibition from the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture in Mauritius can also be opened concurrently on the national Cultural Centre itself.

    On Friday, May 24, at 1000 hours, the Seychelles Association of Visual Arts are staging an Afrikart Painting Exhibition at Caravelle House whilst the African Bazaar will re-open for the day on the National Cultural Center. At 1200 noon the Maasai Performance – Bomas of Kenya might be performing within the outdoors outside the Kenya Airways Office at Kingsgate House in Victoria and at 1300 hours on the Children’s Library, Steven Rose could be conducting a narrative Telling – African Folktales session. On that very same evening from 1900 hours, an African Gala Evening shall be held at Le meridian Barbarons Hotel at Barbarons Mahe.

    On Saturday, May 25, at 0930 hours on the National Cultural Center an OAU-AU Exhibition might be opened marking the 50th anniversary of the organization. This may be followed by the last day of the African Bazaar where sale of crafts, food, books, music, CDs, etc., shall be happening before the curtain closes at the 2013 Africa Day celebrations.

    The Minister accountable for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange has said that this year the Ministry with the support of these who believe of their African tradition and feature come forward to mark the development with renewed vigor. “The FetAfrik Committee has worked tirelessly to stage an event as a way to mark this significant date on our calendar of events. This year, we’ve got also been assisted to bring more of mainland Africa to Seychelles, and this new approach, we are hoping, would be further developed within the coming years as we continue to mark our Africa Day in Seychelles,” Minister St.Ange said.

  • News: HPL Hotels & Resorts takes over at Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

    HPL Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Hotel Properties and operator of hospitality establishments during the Asia-Pacific region, has confirmed it has taken over management of Soneva Gili, Maldives.

    Assuring fans of the resort it is going to be “business as usual”, HPL was quick to emphasize its plans for the resort are restricted to re-branding it as Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives and minor enhancements going forward.

    “Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives will complement the present HPL portfolio of hotels,” said Stephen Lau, chairman, HPL Hotels & Resorts.

    “We intend to maintain the spirit of the resort accordingly; guests booked after the change in management will be assured that the terms and prerequisites in their reservations will remain unchanged.

    “And the Gili Lankanfushi team looks forward to welcoming them to our island paradise within the Maldives.”

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives is positioned as an upmarket boutique resort that stands on the forefront of the eco-luxury sector and acts as a benchmark for luxury resorts.

    The environmentally-sensitive resort is hidden away on Lankanfushi Island, in a lagoon at the North Malé Atoll. All of its 45 over-water villas, crafted in a standard style from natural materials, reflect the harmony of life by the water’s edge.

    For ultimate privacy, guests can stay in a single of the seven Crusoe Residences or the personal Reserve, accessible only by personal boat. All villas at this luxurious island resort offer a personal water garden, outside bathroom, and roof-top terrace and over-water sundecks.

    The interiors recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and standard fabrics, while still offering all of the modern amenities and providing the relaxation of true luxury.

    “As an eco-sensitive resort, we’re committed to the rules of environmental sustainability, which plays a necessary part in Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives corporate philosophy,” said Iain McCormack, general manager of Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

    “We’ve tailored the operations of the resort around this philosophy.”

    McCormack added: “We have on staff a marine biologist, who’s liable for several ecological conservation programmes concerning the sea.

    We also maintain our own organic herb and vegetable garden, which gives fresh and native ingredients utilized in the resort’s kitchens. An active recycling program of using waste for building materials is practiced.”

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives’ corporate responsibility extends beyond the resort’s perimeter to boot, with several programs currently active and can be continued following the name change.

    Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives marks the parent company – Hotel Properties – fifth property within the Maldives. Any other properties inside the group are Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru; Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma; and Rihiveli Beach Resort.

    More Information

    Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and wholly-owned by Hotel Properties, a Singapore main-board listed company.

    HPL Hotels & Resorts manages the activities of twelve hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

    These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar – Langkawi, The Lakehouse – Cameron Highlands, Casa del Rio – Melaka, Rihiveli Beach Resort Maldives and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

    For additional information visit the official website.

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  • Hilton Hotels makes play for LGBT market

    As cities from San Francisco and Toronto to London and Amsterdam prepare for the beginning of Pride season, Hilton Hotels & Resorts offers added value at greater than 460 participating Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations properties in top gay travel destinations with its new ‘Stay Hilton. Exit.’ package.

    Travellers attending LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) events or planning their very own vacations will enjoy complimentary high-speed Internet, a one-year digital subscription to OUT magazine, two welcome beverages and late checkout, where and when available at value rates by booking the offer.

    Available throughout 2013, the package continues the worldwide LGBT traveller program by Hilton Worldwide’s flagship brand.

    “Whether travelling solo, with friends, as a pair or with family, we’re proud to supply LGBT guests and friends this value-added package and other resources to take advantage of their travel through our ‘Stay Hilton. Exit.’ program,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

    Hilton Hotels & Resorts welcomes LGBT travellers and friends as a sponsor of top events in 2013, including San Francisco Pride, Capital Pride in Washington, DC and Northalsted Market Days in Chicago.

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  • News: IHG announces sale of InterContinental London Park Lane for £301.5m

    InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) today announces it has agreed to sell InterContinental London Park Lane (“the Hotel”) to Constellation Hotel (Opco) UK S.A., that’s an affiliate of Constellation Hotels Holding Limited, a center Eastern private investment group.  IHG’s leasehold interest within the Hotel was sold for gross cash proceeds of £301.5m ($457m*), 62% above 31 December 2012 net book value.

    IHG has secured a 30 year management contract at the Hotel, with three ten year extension rights at IHG’s discretion, giving an expected contract length of 60 years.  Management fees are expected to be approximately £4m ($6m*) each year.

    The Hotel was opened in 1975 as a purpose built InterContinental and was wholly owned by IHG since 1999.  The Hotel generated revenues of $89m, EBITDA of $39m and EBIT of $33m in 2012.

    The transaction is anticipated to finish within the second quarter of 2013, subject to the satisfaction of certain standard conditions.  The proceeds could be used for general corporate purposes, with £61m ($93m*) used to present security over UK pension liabilities which have been previously secured against the hotel.

    IHG indicated in November 2012 that the Hotel may be the next major asset considered on the market and announced on 19 February that the Hotel was being actively marketed for disposal.  Since becoming a standalone company in April 2003, on completion of this disposal IHG can have sold 191 hotels for proceeds of $6.1bn.

    Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of IHG, commented:
    “The transaction we have now announced today to sell InterContinental London Park Lane highlights the price of our asset portfolio and the attractiveness of InterContinental as one of the most world’s leading luxury hotel brands.  It’s another step in our long standing commitment to scale back the capital intensity of IHG.  We’re more than happy to be working closely with Constellation Hotels, a respected hotel investor, who could be an excellent partner and with whom we glance forward to building a protracted term relationship.”

    Transaction Details:
    1.  The purchasing entity is Constellation Hotel (Opco) UK S.A..
    2.  The Hotel has 447 guest rooms.
    3.  The web book value of the assets sold was £186.6m ($302m) as at 31 December 2012.
    4.  At current exchange rates the transaction will give rise to an estimated group reported exceptional pre-tax profit on disposal of c.$150m*, with an excellent non-cash tax charge estimated at c.$30m*.
    5.  Net cash proceeds are expected to be c.$446m* after:
    a.  Estimated transaction costs of c.$9m*;
    b.  Estimated payment of $2m* to settle the pension liabilities of current and previous hotel employees.
    Note: $93m* of the money proceeds might be used to offer security over UK pension liabilities that have been previously secured against the Hotel.
    6.  The Hotel assets were sold on a 16.3.x post fees and post FF&E reserve 2012 EBITDA multiple.

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  • Hogg Robinson Group signs new partners in Libya

    International corporate services company Hogg Robinson Group has announced the appointment of Tripoli Sali Travel as its new partner in Libya.

    The company will support HRG’s clients around the globe with dedicated local and regional expertise.

    Established in 2004, Tripoli Sail Travel is considered one of Libya’s largest agencies.

    Noted for its reputation for reliability, efficiency and high levels of client support, Tripoli Sail Travel provides bookings for international and domestic tickets, global hotel reservations, corporate and VIP services, passport and visa services, priding itself as a ‘leader and trend setter’ throughout the travel industry.

    “Foreign direct investment and the outlet up of North African economies within the wake of the socio-political uprisings have fuelled significant interest inside the region as a complete,” said Keith Burgess, company secretary, HRG.

    “Tripoli Sail Travel brings an in-depth knowledge of the local market and an excellent reputation for client support and reliability.

    “Our partnership with Tripoli Sail Travel will further extend HRG into a space where lots of our clients see a big opportunity.”