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  • Focus: FORMIA & Turkish Airlines Business Extension

    FORMIA announces an extra extension to its existing commercial relationship with Turkish Airlines. In 2011, both companies signed a protracted term contract for the availability of a variety of FORMIA’s effective inflight service amenity kits for passengers. Now, as portion of the airline’s drive to deliver a phenomenal world class travel experience for its passengers, FORMIA was awarded to provide specially developed bags for presentation to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims en path to Mecca.

    In a move that’s believed to be unique amongst airlines, through the flight each passenger will receive a bag containing an in depth range of things designed not just to intensify their delight in the flight itself, but additionally to serve them at their end destination.

    The bags had been carefully designed to be worn comfortably either over the shoulder or around the chest for additonal security.

    All products follow the very best standards expected of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and enable them to accomplish their sacred rituals comfortably. Commenting, Roland Grohmann, Managing Director of FORMIA, said: “It gives us particular pride to have developed these special kits for Turkish Airlines. The thoughtfulness of Turkish Airlines in catering for the relaxation and convenience of its pilgrim passengers was matched by the care with which we’ve got designed these kits. We are hoping they are going to add to the benefit and delight of everyone as they undertake their pilgrimage.”

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  • WTTC 2013: Scowsill requires private and non-private partnership

    “The private and public sector must come together and concentrate on longer term strategies, infrastructure and initiatives, not only short term goals, to make sure that our industry is previous to the expansion curve,” World Travel & Tourism president David Scowsill has argued. In his closing speech on the 13th WTTC Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, Scowsill explained that, by 2050, there’ll be three billion people enjoying middle class wealth – meaning more middle class consumers, enjoying more travel, creating more jobs and generating more GDP.

  • Taj Group launches 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group has announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with the outlet of Vivanta by Taj inside the Millennium City of Gurgaon.

    The Group now has 117 hotels globally, with 26 within the Vivanta by Taj – Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
     
    An homage to Gurgaon’s ‘bustling’ lifestyle, the brand new Taj is a metropolitan marvel of avante garde design.

    Iconic features include the Thai Pavilion offering the smartest of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar.

    The hotel also offers stylised accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs.

    Just 19 miles south of recent Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is just about the business district and visitor hotspots – Kingdom of Dreams, DLF Golf Course and Gurgaon’s ubiquitous malls.
     
    “With the launch of Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR, not just have we expanded the footprint of the emblem into the business district, but additionally accomplished an important milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Raymond Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company, on the launch.

    “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations inside the country.

    “It also supports the company’s objective of attaining growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is chargeable for the design and architecture of the hotel.

    A mixture of glass and stone creates the impression of a pointy, yet beautifully robust structure that’s avant-garde by design.

    The innovative concept and fine detailing extends in the course of the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition a presidential suite with an executive lounge at the 10th floor.

    Every room comes equipped with innovative technology like video conferencing facilities, continuous, undisturbed internet access and over 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces.

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  • Focus: Breaking Travel News interview: Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events

    Over the past decade Bench events has launched the ultimate in hotel investment events across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

    Events in Berlin, Moscow, Dubai, Istanbul and Nairobi are actually the definitive meeting places for the hotel investment community to be informed, network, and most significantly to do deals. Here Breaking Travel News sits down with Bench chairman Jonathan Worsley to talk about the impending Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.

    Breaking Travel News: Preparations are well underway prior to the yearly Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai. Are you able to let us know what’s new with the convention this year

    Jonathan Worsley: The format for AHIC 2013 has changed slightly; the conference is now over a two day period. We continually take heed to feedback from our delegates and we keep in mind that workloads are increasing and folks have less time to spare. We’re still providing an identical content, it’s now just condensed.

    The programme is asking more closely at demand than previous years with contributions from the WTTC and UNWTO in addition to the exclusive release of an international Travel Intentions survey undertaken by Visa. This year may also address the problem of country risk that is vital for investors and view the all-important profit contribution from hotel food and beverage and trends which can be shaping this area of the industry.

    A collection of confirmed speakers for AHIC 2013 includes: Amr Abdel Ghaffar, regional director, Middle East, UNWTO; Joe Sita, president, IFA Hotel Investments; Paul Griffiths, chief executive, Dubai Airports; Eric Danziger, president, Wyndham Hotel Group; Jennifer Fox, president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Wolfgang Neumann, president, Rezidor Hotel Group; Mark Wynne-Smith, global chief executive, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; and Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group.

    BTN: Bench Events was hosting a chain of Regional Briefings within the increase to the development. Are you able to let us know a bit in regards to the objectives behind these and the reception Bench was receiving

    JW: The theme for AHIC 2013 is ‘Connecting People and Creating Knowledge’ which have been our aim with the regional briefings.

    We have organised a sequence of invitation only events bringing together the local investment, development and finance community with our existing conference supporters.

    Through both the briefings and AHIC itself we’re aiming to attach people, provide a tutorial platform and help attendees to grow their business.

    Briefings have taken place in Riyadh and Muscat with an awesome response in each market.

    KSA was a concern marketplace for us as hotel development in Saudi is witnessing a sustained upswing with numerous large scale projects occurring as a result of the religious tourism.

    The tourism industry has consistently been a key contributor to the KSA economy and a pillar of the government’s economic diversification program. Our third briefing will happen in Doha on the end of March.

    BTN: Which markets inside the Middle East do you’re feeling offer most to hospitality investors as we move into 2013 Do you are feeling the shadow has finally lifted

    JW: The Gulf States are of accelerating interest to global investors, and the large story is the resurgence of Dubai with hotels reporting a few of the highest room rates on this planet leading to strong pipeline of recent builds entering the market.

    Alpin Capital in its GCC hospitality industry report confirms that hotels as an asset class have the prospective to offer a great opportunity for investors.

    The report estimates that the GCC hospitality market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 8.1 per cent to US$28.3 billion through to 2016 when compared with US$19.2 billion in 2011.

    Saudi Arabia is another big growth market and we’ve got included a symposium on KSA at AHIC 2013.

    The symposium will provide a platform for hotel owners, developers and investors to profit how their business can enjoy the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s phenomenal growth and likewise address the challenges of operating during this market.

    BTN: AHIC is barely the top of the iceberg for Bench, with the Africa Hotel Investment Forum and the Russia & CIS Investment Conference also at the horizon.

    Can you let us know a bit about these events and what Bench Events hopes to reach with its growing portfolio

    JW: The Bench portfolio is constantly growing, after AHIC our next event would be the Turkey & Neighbours Hotel Investment Conference happening May 29th-30th 2013 on the Marmara Taksim, Istanbul.

    The Turkish market provides great potential for both investors and developers with greater than 8,500 rooms set to go into the market by 2015.

    We have recently announced that the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2013 will return to Nairobi, going down September 24th-25th.

    AHIF have been a powerful success bringing together 750 key individuals to drive growth around the Africa continent inside the last two years.

    Bench Events is proud to be taken with such a thrilling continent and analysts predict that by 2050, Africa’s GDP will equal the combined GDPs of america and the european at current prices (African Business Magazine).

    Now in its ninth year, the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference will occur October 21st-23rd 2013. RHIC has become the region’s premier gathering bringing together the foremost senior level professionals.

    Development for the 2013 programme is underway and should feature interviews with leading hoteliers, forecasts from top economists and panel discussions at the latest developments, trends and best practice within the hotel and investment industry.

    BTN: How useful do you’re feeling ITB Berlin is when looking to get your message out to industry executives and other stakeholders through the increase to a Bench organised event

    JW: ITB provides an important platform to succeed in all of our key stakeholders, it’s a perfect opportunity to conduct meetings with existing clients and meet new business partners. With ITB and the International Hotel Investment Forum occurring within the same week, Berlin is often a very exciting place to be – it’s every week filled with learning and networking and there’s always a genuine buzz within the air with all the latest market trends and developments.

    It’s really important for Bench to have a presence throughout the industry with a purpose to ensure we’re providing delegates with the main educational content at each event.

    More Information

    For additional information head over to the Bench Events website.

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  • WTTC 2013: Changing demographics buffet tourism industry

    The ageing population, an increasingly connected society and fluctuating economic conditions are only three of the foremost factors with a view to set future trends inside the global travel and tourism industry, based on industry leaders who spoke at the first day of the arena Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit.

    Other factors include the expansion of the center class with its increased disposable income; in addition to the emergence of a brand new generation that prioritises travel and cares for its environment.

    “We live in new Renaissance, we are living in a period of unparalleled opportunity, which has changed in several ways we can’t start to imagine,” professor Ian Goldin, director, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, said during his address to the Summit.

    “The trends of the long run might be demographic, economic and ecological, globalisation is the foremost progressive, powerful force we’ve ever seen, nevertheless it must be managed,” he concluded.

    Professor Goldin spoke in the course of the first session of the Summit entitled ‘The Global Context’ on the two-day event held in Jumeirah by Etihad Towers.

    The opening keynote address was made by WTTC president David Scowsill, who said: “Travel is a lifestyle or even inside the toughest times, it remains to be a concern for populations world wide.

    “Travel and tourism drives economies and creates jobs; or even in challenging economic times, it still has the aptitude to grow, as consumer appetite for travel beyond national borders remains insatiable.”

    According to Dr Stelter, senior partner and managing director, The Boston Consulting Group there’ll be some ‘mega-trends’ shaping the industry.

    “The Travel and tourism mega-trends in order to impact the industry are changing customer needs simply by an ageing population; the shift to RDE; further globalisation; and more convenience and time compression,” he said to a packed auditorium.

    There can be hurdles thrown up by mobility, infrastructure challenges and effort scarcity; new technology and increased intermediation, he explained.