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  • Kerzner brings One&Only to Europe with Montenegro property

    Kerzner International has entered into an agreement with Triangle Investment
    & Development, to construct and operate a brand new One&Only resort in Kumbor, Montenegro overlooking Tivat Bay. 

    Triangle is acting as representative for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, which was appointed by the govt. of Montenegro because the preferred bidder of this mixed-use development Project following a public tender process.

    “As the Minister accountable for tourism, urban planning, real estate and our environment, i’m extremely gratified to have this sort of serious investor like SOCAR and an operator including One&Just for the primary time in Europe in Montenegro.

    “This proves that the sustainable development idea that Montenegro has committed to is becoming a reality,” said Branimir Gvozdenovic, Montenegro minister of sustainable development and tourism. 

    “Projects like this mean an awful lot to Montenegro, bringing world-class standards, new employment opportunities and incredible experiences to the destination.” 

    With approximately 150 luxurious guest rooms and villas, a prestigious One&Only residential component and world-class Marina, tennis academy, health spa, dining and retail options, the valuables is predicted to draw travellers from everywhere.

    Strategically located on the most narrow element of the doorway to Tivat Bay, the 60-acre project will command an enviable position between mountain and sea and should overlook 1.2 km of pristine coastline of the Adriatic Sea. 

    This may be One&Only’s first resort in Europe and is found lower than an hour from Dubrovnik International Airport. 

    “Montenegro is an ideal location for the primary One&Only experience in Europe. 

    “The location is remarkable and i’m very confident the resort would be well received by our many loyal One&Only guests and new guests alike,” says Sol Kerzner, chairman, Kerzner International.

    “I am all for this project and searching forward to designing and managing this new world-class resort.”

    Tivat Bay offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, so that you can inform the design of both the private and non-private spaces of the resort.

    True to the brand’s heritage, One&Only Montenegro will offer various world-class cuisines showcasing regional specialties in restaurants overseen by internationally-acclaimed chefs. 

    The resort can even house an indulgent One&Only Health Spa, honouring the region’s heritage by utilising ancient Mediterranean traditions and holistic practices fused with modern spa therapies. 

    In addition, event and meeting space can be available for bespoke gatherings, whether for business or personal pleasure.

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  • News: Spa trends reveal the necessity to transcend pampering

    With an increased caution towards prescribed pharmaceuticals, Naturopaths corresponding to Sue Davis from the Lifehouse Spa & Hotel have witnessed an upsurge in sophisticated spa-goers seeking alternative health promoting treatments.

    Naturopathy which mixes nature with modern science embraces a wide selection of non-invasive techniques and therapies, is growing in popularity as complaints consisting of digestive issues should be would becould very well be quickly and efficiently healed using its techniques.

    The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel is the sole hotel to have a Resident Naturopath – Sue Davis spent a long time treating elite clientele at wellness resort ‘Chiva-Som’ in Thailand, before returning to the united kingdom where a 60 minute consultation along with her costs £65.

    Offering guests the chance to talk about symptoms that they have got been unable to handle all alone or with assistance from other medical practitioners, Sue specializes in holistic prevention together with a comprehensive analysis of a person’s diet and lifestyle. Treatment generally comprises dietary correction, the theory of ‘food as medicine’, herbs, flower essences, nutritional supplements, detoxification and exercise. 

    In a consultation Sue will compile an assessment, including details of medicines, supplements, family history, digestive health, cardiovascular issues, bones and joints, stress levels, emotional issues, exercise patterns and dietary habits. This helps to work out a root cause instead of simply specializing in symptoms. An example of a typical condition successfully treated by Naturopathy is digestive health issues corresponding to IBS, which responds particularly well to naturopathic intervention. Sue advises on practical tips on how to reduce stress levels including relaxing abdominal breathing techniques and addresses inflammation of the digestive tract is thru ‘healing and sealing’ of the digestive tract with soothing demulcent herbs together with Slippery Elm and Aloe Vera.

    Sue Davis explains further “Naturopathy is quite empowering as much emphasis is put on education in order that guests have the tools to take control in their health. Once someone understands that health doesn’t just happen accidentally and that it’s a life-long process that involves a transparent understanding of the standards that affect their health then they’re in a far stronger position to accomplish long time health and vitality.”

    Set in 12 acres of English heritage gardens in Thorpe-le-Stoken, Lifehouse Spa & Hotel focuses on the art of wellbeing and is the precise backdrop to mix a consultation and stay, offering a modern, award-winning spa experience in a chilled environment.

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  • Starwood Hotels concludes month-long immersion in Dubai

    Marking the belief of Starwood’s month-long relocation to Dubai, company president Frits van Paasschen has shared highlights and insights from the company’s immersion within the Middle East.

    Throughout the month of March, van Paasschen and members of Starwood’s Senior Leadership Team met with 3,000 associates, conducted nearly 50 owner meetings and visited all 14 Starwood hotels in Dubai, that’s the company’s second largest hotel market behind only Ny city.

    The team also took benefit of Dubai’s strategic location to travel to 19 cities across 12 countries, meeting with government officials and potential development partners in fast-growing markets, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and India.

    During the five-week relocation, the team travelled 61,000 kilometres (38,000 miles) – the equivalent of circling the globe one and half times.

    Over the process the month, greater than 200 of Starwood’s senior leaders and General Managers travelled to Dubai because the company ran day-to-day operations almost 7,000 miles and an eight-hour time zone difference far from the company’s global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

    During the relocation, Starwood executives also met with greater than 150 corporate and leisure customers who drive business to hotels globally.

    The Middle East is an increasingly important outbound travel market, and regional membership in Starwood Preferred Guest, the company’s loyalty program, has increased 140 per cent over the past five years.

    “It is tricky to overstate the opportunity of our business during this region of the arena. By bringing our executives here and spending time with our partners and native teams, we’re uniquely positioned to exploit this once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity,” said van Paasschen.

    “I haven’t any doubt that our time spent here will drive future hotel contracts within the region, accelerate Starwood’s position because the most global high-end hotel company and additional define our culture.”

    Last month Starwood announced that it’ll increase its Middle East and Africa portfolio by greater than 60 percent with nearly 50 new hotels set to open over the subsequent five years, adding greater than 14,000 guest rooms to the region and creating thousands of local employment opportunities.

    With 82 operating hotels and over 20 hotels expected to open by the top of 2015, Starwood is on course to succeed in a milestone 100 hotels across MEA.

    “With 80 percent of Starwood’s pipeline coming from rapidly growing markets, it’s important for us to stay on the forefront of recent travel demands and changing travel patterns,” said Simon Turner, president, global development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

    “The Middle East is experiencing rapid economic growth, a growing middle class and ever greater global connectivity, and the Dubai relocation might help us expand all of our brands across this crucial region.”

    The company also announced a comprehensive renovation strategy for its Le Méridien brand, for which Starwood and its ownership groups will invest greater than $200 million within the renovations of 13 hotels and resorts within the MEA region over the following three years.

    Following the company’s successful relocation to China in June 2011, this second leadership move reflects Starwood’s innovative management option to cultivating a more global culture by understanding, appreciating and leveraging different societal and associate perspectives and approaches to business and hospitality.

  • News: Celebrity Cruises announces 2014 sailings from the united kingdom

    Celebrity Cruises has today announced its 2014 sailings from the united kingdom with contemporary itineraries to Spain and the Canary Islands and to the Norwegian Fjords. The recent sailings will go on sale from 21 March 2013.

    Both Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Infinity will return to their summer homeports of Southampton and Harwich respectively. Marking the second one year running of the 2 ships being based from the united kingdom, Celebrity Eclipse, recently voted best large ship by consumers within the 2013 Cruise Critic UK Cruisers’ Choice Awards, returns to Southampton for its fifth season in 2014.

    Jo Rzymowska, associate vice chairman and general manager, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises – UK and Ireland, commented:

    “It is usually a thrilling time once we announce our new sailings and the hot destinations and experiences that our guests can enjoy. The 2014 summer time sees the united kingdom playing host to 2 of the six Celebrity Cruises ships based in Europe plus new additions to the sailings, including more overnight stays, allowing guests to experience the local nightlife and explore the regions more fully. Our 2014 UK departures set the bar high in terms of offering a contemporary luxury holiday without the trouble of flying and we’re pleased to continue to supply our guests new and exciting destinations.”

    Celebrity Infinity will repeat the increasingly popular 12-night European Immersive Wine Cruises for the third consecutive year, taking in a few of Europe’s most famed wine producing regions. New for 2014 is an overnight stay in La Rochelle in France for the arena-famous Bordeaux region. Moreover, the ship will sail a sequence of recent 14-night Iceland and Fjords cruises, in addition to an 11-night British Isles cruise, visiting ports including Waterford (Wales) and Holyhead (Ireland). an extended 14-night British Isles cruise, with an overnight in Dublin (Ireland), also allows guests to benefit from the city’s nightlife.

    When Celebrity Eclipse returns to its summer homeport for the fifth season, it is going to include a brand new 10-night itinerary to Spain & Canary Islands and extra highlights.

    Guests onboard both ships can relax within the onboard Elemis AquaSpa or solarium, head to the fame iLounge internet café to exploit, find out about or buy a number of Apple products, or benefit from the choice of original, contemporary art. Culinary onboard offerings include healthy-eating specialty restaurant Blu, an ice-topped Martini Bar and the award-winning Qsine, the unconventional restaurant first introduced to Celebrity Eclipse to much acclaim.

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  • News: Concur adds advanced mobile communications and messaging platform

    Concur, a worldwide leader in integrated travel and expense management, today announced it acquired privately-held conTgo, a number one cloud-based mobile communications and messaging platform for the worldwide travel industry. conTgo, based within the UK and Australia, provides its communication platform to corporate customers and TMCs.

    conTgo adds comprehensive location-based services with advanced mobile communications and messaging capabilities to Concur’s offerings, extending the price of the Concur T&E Cloud for partners, suppliers and clients alike.

    Concur expects to leverage conTgo’s market-leading technology to offer a number of new services designed to optimize the traveller experience. By itinerary data and placement information with insight and context from past behavior, Concur and Concur T&E Cloud partners may have the technology and capability to deliver applications which can:
    ·      Preserve employees irrespective of where they book – Proactively manage duty of care programs by consolidating and matching booking data with risk intelligence so companies can track, locate and communicate with travelers 24/7 with relevant value-added services.

    ·      Make travel plans around colleagues – Enable travelers to plot a visit using location and hotel data from select colleagues in order that everyone can stay inside the same hotel and/or city.

    ·      Get discounts or offers from favorite merchants – Enable delivery of offers to travelers from frequently-visited merchants in keeping with location and itinerary data.

    ·      Profit from a travel delay – Enable delivery of offers to travelers from airport merchants within the event of a flight delay, turning the inconvenience into a possibility for the traveler and the merchant.

    ·      Carpool with colleagues – Enable travelers who arrive on the same airport and stay on the same hotel to catch a ride together through a service that associates all of them with an available ground transportation provider, saving money and time.

    “We continue to find game-changing technologies that enhance the business travel experience and advance our vision for the ideal Trip,” said Michael Hilton, EVP of Product Strategy at Concur. “The conTgo team developed an award-winning solution for firms to trace, locate and communicate with employees in spite of their location. Working including the Concur ecosystem of application developers, customers, and suppliers, we plan to deliver a number of new location-based applications that benefit companies and their travelers alike.”

    “We are inquisitive about this perfect fit of both technology and culture between our companies,” said conTgo founders Henrik Conradsen and Johnny Thorsen, who join Concur in new senior management roles. “We will continue to deliver duty of care offerings to our customers and partners and plan to take advantage of our award-winning technology for brand spanking new services that support Concur’s vision of The proper Trip.”

    Concur customers worldwide can immediately enhance their existing corporate travel booking and expense management solutions with the addition of conTgo’s award-winning duty of care solutions and the Concur Locate and Alert offering, so one can leverage the conTgo platform.  The combined solutions could be the only duty of care solutions available to buy to watch travel whatever the source of booking – supporting the rage of Open Booking.

    The terms of the purchase weren’t disclosed. Neither the financial terms nor the revenue impact of the conTgo business are material to the Company’s business outlook for fiscal 2013. As a result of increased operating costs concerning acquired headcount, the corporate expects modest dilution to its expected non-GAAP operating margin range for Fiscal 2013 and expects the purchase to be neutral to accretive to non-GAAP operating margin in Fiscal 2014.

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