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  • Accor seeks to expand luxury offering in emerging markets

    French hospitality group Accor has outlined its ambitions for the posh/upscale market, stating it hopes to extend its current network of 300 hotels within the segment to 400 properties by 2015.

    The group has adopted an extra strategy to luxury, in keeping with its French origins, that places boldness on the heart of hospitality.

    On a highly segmented market, each of Accor’s complementary brands – including Sofitel, MGallery and Pullman – is punctiliously positioned to satisfy the complete range of clients’ and owners’ needs.

    “One can now assume a powerful European voice within the luxury and upscale market.

    “Our brands combine one of the best of international standards and an audacious interpretation of the universal essence of luxury as a result of our French origins,” explained Yann Caillère, Accor president.

    “Our ambition for our brands and their network are immense and we’re perfectly tailored to expand rapidly in this market.”

    With strong leadership positions in Latin America, Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific, Accor is amazingly well positioned to capture the brand new and rapidly growing demand from emerging market clients, searching for an additional experience of luxury and high-end hospitality.

    Currently, 42 per cent of the group’s luxury/upscale hotels can be found in Asia Pacific and 35 per cent are in key
    European cities.

    Development can be conducted in asset light with a prominence of management contracts, the group’s preferred model at the luxury/upscale segment.

    Focus may be on emerging markets, including Latin America, Middle East and Asia Pacific which counts, by itself, over 60 per cent of the present pipeline (key countries include China, Vietnam and Indonesia).

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  • Water in Europe’s preferred tourist destinations failing EU standards

    Some of Europe’s prime tourist destinations are failing EU water laws, new research shows.

    As millions of folk plan their summer holidays, Pisa in Italy, parts of Halkidiki in Greece, Balaton in Hungary and Ayia Napa in Cyprus was identified as among 6,311 European towns and cities which aren’t meeting the EU’s environmental standards.

    Popular city break destinations corresponding to Bucharest (Romania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Madrid (Spain), Budapest (Hungary) and Rome (Italy) have also been revealed as having sub-standard water.

    Even Brussels itself, the house of the european, is failing the desired tests.

    Particularly worrying for the ecu tourist industry are the failures in Spain, Italy and Greece, that are many of the most often visited destinations for holidaymakers throughout Europe.

    Experts said these water failures could put the health of millions of individuals in danger should and render European taxpayers accountable for fines of over €1 billion a year in total.

    The UK was a number of the countries that have been fully compliant with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, a section of legislation which came out inside the 1990s to enhance water standards, that applies to the gathering, treatment and discharge of domestic and industrial waste water.

    Some MEPs and experts are campaigning for improvements to water infrastructure around Europe in the course of the EU Cohesion Fund, which was arrange in 1994 to offer funding for environmental and infrastructure projects. Decisions on its latest round of spending are expected within months.

    Victor Bostinaru, a Romanian MEP, who presented the findings in Brussels, said: “This report demonstrates the size of the matter that exists around the 27 EU member states. The standard of water in lots of countries has to enhance and the cash ought to be found to make it happen – starting with town of Brussels, wherein the eu Union’s institutions are based.

    “As we prepare to commit billions of euros of investment to infrastructure projects, throughout the EU Cohesion Fund, we must demand improvements from these failing cities, regions and countries.”

    Hach Lange, one of the vital world’s leading providers of instrumentation for water quality testing and treatment optimisation, considered the consequences as leading analytical experts on European water.

    Lance Reisman, President of Hach Lange, said: “Clearly some parts of Europe have issues that need addressing, but the excellent news is that solutions are available.

    “Our experience in working across Europe has proven that investment reaps significant benefits.”

    The worst five country offenders are:
    Romania: 2,476 failures
    Spain: 1,148
    Bulgaria: 901
    Hungary: 631
    Italy: 443

  • News: Car-sharing/rental services: Affordable and reliable alternative to owning a car

    Americans spend some huge cash on cars. To satisfy the growing need for flexibility, convenience and affordability in driving, short-term car-sharing/rental services are quickly becoming a competent driving option. Truly, 15 percent of U.S. adults have used a service like ZipCar, Car2Go or Scoot before or plan to one day. A couple of-third (35 percent) of these who don’t have a brief-term rental service of their city or town wish they did. This survey was conducted online in the U . s . a . by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from February 27th – March 1st, 2013 among 2,111 adults ages 18 and older.

    For those U.S. adults who would think about using a quick-term car-sharing/rental service, the head cause of doing so cited by nearly one-third (32 percent) is the chance to economize on gas. When asked for what other reasons they’d think about using a brief-term car-sharing/rental service, U.S. adults said right here:

    *  Overall, it’s inexpensive – 31 percent
    *  It’s convenient – 29 percent
    *  For when family/guests visit – 24 percent
    *  To prevent public transportation – 24 percent
    *  So I wouldn’t ought to own a car – 19 percent
    *  For making purchases wherein i want a car to move the object (s) – 17 percent
    *  Another reason – 25 percent

    Even though the overwhelming majority (91 percent) of U.S. adults currently have a car of their household, 11 percent don’t own one personally. As well, 9 percent don’t have personally own a car or have one of their household, that means they should turn to other ways to getting from point A to indicate B.

    Taxis and public transportation are an option for some people, but short-term car-sharing/rental services may be more appealing. Of course, 74 percent of U.S. adults agree that short-term car-sharing/rental services are less costly than taking taxis, and 70 percent agree they seem to be a practical option to get around.

    “Regardless in their car situation, most people will are realising the big variety of advantages to short-term car-sharing/rental services,” said Jackie Warrick, senior savings advisor at CouponCabin.com. “Not only do these services offer a cheap option for anyone to get around, they could make life easier and feature a favorable environmental effect.”

    With 86 percent of U.S. adults spending no less than a while in a car every day, and nearly one-third (32 percent) spending greater than hour driving or as a passenger, it is able to mean a large carbon footprint. Nearly seven-in-ten (69 percent) agree that short-term car-sharing/rental services can reduce the general variety of cars at the road, resulting in less traffic jam and overall pollution.

  • La Plage Casadelmar in Corsica celebrates grand opening

    Sometimes all you wish is a touch private beach, some white sand under your feet and perhaps a few mood-enhancing cocktails so that you don’t cry on the beautiful sunset. When that spot is in Corsica, it means a colourful sea-side chic and a spirited nightlife in addition. The hot La Plage Casadelmar in Porto-Vecchio, celebrating its grand opening in April, boasts its own exclusive piece of this paradise and with just 15 rooms, off-the-menu service is a given.

    Nurture in Nature
    The crisp sunlight, the colors of the encompassing landscape and the nice and cozy hospitality of the folk were all used because the ingredients to create a property that enhances its unspoilt location. Award-winning French architect Jean-François Bodin used natural materials to create an unobtrusive structure that doesn’t interfere with the views of the landscape. In and out, old stone was blended with volcanic rock, resin, glass and 300 year-old oak, while the colour scheme draws from the Corsican shoreline, with moss and olive couches, bright turquoise cushions, sandy browns, white and cream. The rooms follow the identical colour palette and are decorated with lush plants and lush furnishings. Everything this is inspired by life at the beach, from the outdoor day beds to the natural woven fibers and pastel colors. Decorative pieces, collected from world travels, and the casual, savoir-vivre lifestyle of Porto-Vecchio enhance this sense. The intimate selection of rooms allows the hotel to give guests personal attention.

    Whether dining with ocean views on the beach grill, which serves uncomplicated Mediterranean cuisine, or toasting to the day’s end on the lounge bar – guests would be surrounded by the riches of this extraordinary island. Within easy reach is the charming old town, teeming with glitzy boutiques, international dining, lively bars and quaint architecture. Despite some of these temptations, the sight, smell and sound of the sea from the terrace, and the heated pool and a lounge bar, ensure that guests might be content right where they’re.

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  • Southall Travel agrees major sports sponsorship sort out IPL

    Long-haul travel specialist Southall Travel has agreed a tremendous sports sponsorship cope with IPL, the Indian Premier League, the pro league for Twenty20 cricket championship in India.

    Broadcast daily on UK network’s ITV4 over 49 days, the IPL is likely one of the most spectacular sports tournaments on this planet watched by millions of individuals and featuring stars together with Sachin Tendulkar, Adam Gilchrist and England’s Eoin Morgan.

    Southall Travel adverts might be shown on 15 second bumper adverts going into each live game.

    Top Indian and international players participate in IPL and it’s considered to be the world’s showcase for Twenty20 cricket, a shorter format of cricket consisting only 20 overs per side

    Jaymin Borkhatria, sales director of Southall Travel, said: “For cricket fans here is one of several biggest tournaments on earth and it’s exciting and fun to look at for the full family.  It gives our brand high visibility each day until the tournament ends on 16 May and asserts our position to our audience because the #1 holiday firm for long-haul travel.”

    “This sponsorship is a significant investment in building our brand as we continue to expand our business.”

    Southall Travel already has a powerful association with cricket following its sponsorship of the ICC World Twenty20 three years ago which was shown continue to exist Sky Sports.

    Southall Travel specialises in worldwide flights and tailor-made travel arrangements. Its combination of unbeatable flight prices to all major long-haul destinations and primary class service has ensured the corporate has gained a name for providing a superior value.