Best Holiday Lettings

Author: admin

  • News: Finnair to go into joint business with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia

    American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia celebrate a key milestone today as fellow oneworld® alliance member Finnair announces its intent to hitch the transatlantic joint business, established by the 3 airlines in October 2010.

    Once Finnair joins the transatlantic joint business later this year, customers in North America and Europe may have increased number of flights and services in addition more straightforward connections to flights around the Atlantic.

    As a part of the joint business, Finnair will add its (AY*) code to chose American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights between North America and Europe (EU, plus Norway and Switzerland). American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia will add their respective (AA*), (BA*) and (IB*) code to Finnair’s daily flights between Big apple and Helsinki.  All together, the joint business will operate as much as 102 daily round trips between North America and Europe, serving 42 gateways on both sides of the Atlantic. Customers will even have access to an extra 163 onward connections in North America and 126 in Europe.

    New horizons for patrons on either side of the Atlantic

    Benefits for purchasers of the four airlines include:

    *  Coordinated schedules on joint business routes, providing customers with more flight choices and more straightforward times
    *  Members of the four airlines’ frequent flyer programs – Iberia Plus, American Airlines AAdvantage®, British Airways Executive Club and Finnair Plus – would be capable of earn points or miles at the new codeshare flights
    *  Dedicated support teams for purchasers transferring at seven of the airlines’ hubs: Big apple JFK, London Heathrow, Madrid, Chicago, Miami, Dallas and La.
    *  Online check-in and boarding pass printing with either the airline operating the flight, or the web site of the airline used to book travel

    “Our participation on this venture will significantly increase the portfolio of accessible destinations to Finnair’s existing customers, in addition to open up Northern Europe to a complete new network of potential travellers,” says Allister Paterson, Finnair’s Senior Vice chairman, Commercial. “Fare combinability between the four carriers also brings more ticket flexibility to customers, because the fares and prerequisites are identical between the airlines. A business traveler soon should be ready to combine American, British Airways, Iberian and Finnair routes flexibly when flying between Europe and North America.”

    “American Airlines is delighted to welcome Finnair to the transatlantic joint business and leverage its extensive network across Northern Europe,” says Kurt Stache, American Airlines’ Vice chairman, Strategic Alliances. “The existing joint business has already brought many opportunities to our customers in its first two years along with coordination across schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits on each carrier. American looks forward to even greater integration around the four airlines that Finnair’s arrival will bring to the expanded joint business.”

    “British Airways looks forward to Finnair joining the transatlantic joint business this year,” says Simon Talling-Smith, Chair, Atlantic Joint Business Management Committee, “the addition of the Helsinki hub to our joint business network will bring faster and easier connections for patrons on hundreds of city connections between Europe and North America. We’re excited with a view to offer more choice and new benefits to all our customers.”

    “We are happy to welcome Finnair into the North Atlantic Joint Business,” says José Bolorinos, Iberia’s Senior Vice chairman, Strategy. “Finnair have been a very good partner of Iberia for decades. We started our code share cooperation with them within the year 2000. We’re sure their contribution will significantly expand the reach of the oneworld North Atlantic JB in Northern Europe and offer more service options for our customer.”

    Recommended

  • Dedicated website for Turkish literature launches

    A new dedicated website has just launched for Turkish literature on the 2013 London Book Fair, where will probably be this year’s Market Focus country.

    www.lbf2013marketfocusturkey.com is the indispensable guide to Turkey’s Market Focus programme on the London Book Fair 2013, where there’ll be plenty of enjoyable and informative events on Turkish literature, poetry and language and engaging exhibitions of publications and standard crafts. This website for Turkish literature and Turkey as Market Focus country on the London Book Fair 2013 contains full details of events, biographies of participating authors and what you could anticipate finding on the Turkey stand.

    The website also gives information on:

    Ø  Other Turkish literary events within the UK. an entire programme of events putting Turkish literature under the spotlight is being held on the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre, in Maple Street W1, the British Library, LSE and other locations around London in addition to in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Liverpool until May accompanying the focal point on Turkey on the 2013 London Book Fair.

    *  Turkish literature and authors. The web site provides a comprehensive introduction to Turkish literature with downloadable books, an A-Z of participant authors and panellists and plenty of background information.

    *  Turkish publishing industry. There’s information on a lot of Turkish publishers and literary agencies at the side of their contact details.

    *  Turkish book market. A downloadable guide to the Turkish book industry gives useful statistics and details of book fairs in Turkey, grants, in addition publishing, translation, bookselling and writers associations.

    *  Book catalogues. Produced specially for the London Book Fair, downloadable book catalogues give detailed information on publications and their authors in quite a number fields, including children’s books, contemporary art and literature, in addition to catalogues detailing illustrators and publishers of Turkish books.

  • Paramount launches $1bn project in Dubai

    Film company Paramount has revealed that it’s teaming up with Damac Properties to launch a hotel and serviced apartment project in downtown Dubai.

    The $1bn four-tower project, The Damac Towers by Paramount, will comprise a 540-room Paramount Hotel & Residences and greater than 1,400 units of Damac Maison – Paramount co-branded serviced hotel residences.

    The 250-metre high towers, in an effort to be connected by a multi-level plaza, represent Paramount’s first venture into the hotel and real estate industry. Features will include themed F&B concepts, meeting facilities, a screening room, fitness centres, pools, kids club, retail, and merchandise all featuring the Paramount brand or select partner brands.

    One tower will comprise of the Paramount Hotel & Residences with the rest three towers, housing the Damac Maison – Paramount co-branded serviced hotel residences.

    “The history, glamour and tradition of the flicks indirectly transcend every part of the design and ethos of this aspirational project,” said Damac Properties Managing Director Ziad El Chaar.

    “We will employ a similar, tried and tested production process, pioneered by Paramount Pictures on the studio, to direct, design and detail a global-class experience. The Paramount brand stands for greater than exceptional film and entertainment: it’s an inviting lifestyle.” Adds El Chaar.

    The towers, that are currently under construction and are expected to be completed by the tip of 2015, consistent with reports.

    Paramount Hotels and Resorts was established by a bunch of investors in Dubai last year and has a license from Paramount to construct a sequence of Paramount-branded hotels and houses.

    The company plans to confide in 50 Hollywood- and California-themed luxury hotels worldwide.

    Recommended

  • News: Hotel & Catering Show 2013 inspires under new ownership

    The Hotel & Catering Show 2013 (H&CS) returned to Bournemouth International Centre popular this week, 5th – 6th March, with a fresh and dynamic clutch of latest show features by new owners Evisstar, designed to support and interact hospitality operators within the south of britain and around the UK.

    H&CS delivered on every level, with senior hospitality professionals from independent and small businesses piling in the course of the doors to fulfill over 120 exhibitors spread between two halls. a colourful market-style atmosphere delighted as local suppliers and producers enticed show visitors with tempting tasters of regional delicacies.

    Cheese Cellar impressed with the revealing of Cropwell Bishop’s new melt-in-the-mouth blue, Beauvale, as well as offering cuts of 2012 Best New Cheese Award winner Francis, a semi-soft, rind-washed variety by James’s Cheese. They teamed this with detailed commentary on each artisan cheese maker represented.

    Purbeck Ice Cream and Cider Company, from Wareham in Dorset, rallied similar queues for samples of their unusual, gluten-free ice cream in flavours including Dorset Watercress and Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese. Jessica’s Farmhouse Cakes was a crowd-pleaser too, with a spread of handmade cookies, tray bakes and cakes made using high quality raw ingredients.

    Other big-name, nationwide suppliers included Villeroy & Boch, Farrow & Ball, Movenpick and MSK Ingredients.

    In collaboration with the Craft Guild of Chefs, Chefs’ Kitchen saw giants Compass and Sodexo perform in individual chef team “pressure tests”, with the brief to plate up outstanding four-course menus on each day of the show for 60 VIP guests including the Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Phil Stanley-Watts.

    Compered live by development chef Kevin Byrne and judged by Lime Wood head chef Luke Holder, Chewton Glen executive head chef Luke Matthews and Brockenhurst College chef director John McArthur, both teams were praised for their gold standard performances. Compass Group’s Eurest team dished up a starter of slow cooked egg with Gruyère, cauliflower and Cambridgeshire leeks and a main course of roast and braised chump of lamb with Lincolnshire kale, celeriac, onions and pan juices. Sodexo wowed with dishes including a main of lamb “three ways”, featuring seared rump, slow-cooked breast and lamb and offal pie.

    Alongside Chefs’ Kitchen,12 practical business seminars delivered free, expert guidance on cutting-edge challenges for today’s hospitality operator, including loyalty marketing techniques, food trends analysis, digital strategy and the relevance and role of restaurant ratings systems such as The Good Food Guide, Michelin stars and user-generated review websites like Yelp. Speakers included Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels, Tom Bell, editor of Alistair Sawday’s British Hotels & Inns and Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent.

    Delivering a keynote entitled ‘Tourism: Holding the reins of economic recovery within the South’, on the opening morning of the show, Deirdre Wells OBE, Head of Tourism for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), outlined the government’s commitment to supporting tourism in southern England saying: “With 80% of UK tourism coming from the domestic market, it’s really important that we all work together [tourism attractions, hotel owners and the government] to create a positive image of the UK, educating consumers about what is on their doorstep and reminding them of what is great about holidaying in Britain.

    “Over four years, VisitBritain’s international campaign, including GREAT, will invest more than £130 million in inbound tourism to the UK. A £2 million GREAT Britain marketing campaign for the domestic market will launch this autumn to build on the success of the 20.12 per cent ‘Holiday at Home’ campaign.”

    Topping off the focus for chefs were culinary heroes including Michelin starred chefs Tom Kerridge, Simon Hulstone, Matt Gillan, Chris Staines, Russell Brown, Hywel Jones and Paul Ainsworth. They drew huge crowds of eager foodies and aspiring chefs to The Staff Canteen LIVE, with their interactive, masterclass-style demonstrations throughout the show. 2009 MasterChef winner Mat Follas also made a guest appearance.

    Championing the use of “lesser known fish” on restaurant menus, like lemon sole, two Michelin star chef Nathan Outlaw took the stage to deliver a masterclass in fish, cooking the red mullet dish that he said won him his first Michelin star back in 2004, aged 25, at The Black Pig in Cornwall.

    In a live interview with The Staff Canteen’s managing director Mark Morris, Outlaw gave sound advice to young chefs wanting to make it within the restaurant industry: “Work for established names and chase work experience opportunities, but be happy there because bad experiences will ruin your enthusiasm for the trade. Buy books, read blogs, use Twitter and Facebook, learn what’s going on in the industry and do competitions. You’ve got to put yourself out there. It took me 10 years of hard work before I became known.”

    Speaking of the success of this year’s H&CS, Richard Joslin, show director, said:
    “We’re overwhelmed with the impact H&CS has had on visitors and the feedback has surpassed expectation. Exhibitors are thrilled with the quality of the buyers walking the aisles and the reaction to our newly-introduced show features like The Staff Canteen LIVE and the seminar programme have been hugely positive. Hospitality operators attend shows like this to leave informed and inspired. Tradeshows are under-credited for setting and responding to the immediate and future hospitality industry agenda and we’ve worked really hard this year to design a two-day programme that delivers practical, helpful tips and networking opportunities to guide businesses to become more profitable and relevant in the long-term.

    “I’d just like to extend my sincerest thanks to everyone who was involved this year, from the exhibitors and sponsors, to the speakers and suppliers and of course, the visitors who came out in force to support the show. We look forward to constructing in this year’s success to make H&CS 2014 even better.”

    Recommended

  • CHTA begins look for new chief executive

    The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is looking for a certified candidate to fill the organization’s top position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with responsibilities for the total operation of the Association.

    CHTA is a Federation of National Hotel Associations (NHA) around the Caribbean Region. The CEO will direct the advance and execute plans to incorporate support of the member National Hotel Associations and its Allied Members, membership development and support, advocacy programs, regional marketing, internal and external communications and public relations, events management, liaison with other tour and travel industry associations, maintenance of sound fiscal policies and revenue generation streams.

    The CEO will report on to the elected CHTA President and makes all decisions and takes all actions in reference to the operation of CHTA in compliance with directives from the Board of Directors.

    The primary responsibilities include managing day-to-day office operations, networking with Strategic Partners to make sure their maximum ROI and retention and serving as liaison with Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) and other regional or global associations to develop synergies, cooperation, and mutual support.

    Candidates have to be pleased with public speaking and feature the power to have interaction audiences because the CEO will function the “primary voice of CHTA” on regional advocacy matters. The CEO must have highly developed written and interpersonal communication, negotiation and collaboration skills. The CEO will monitor regional and global events and trends, keep the NHAs advised of relevant issues and oversee the services of the CHTA PR firm to make certain effective communication of CHTA advocacy positions in the course of the region.

    The CEO must have keen analytical skills and information management abilities so that it will monitor Caribbean region hotel and tourism performance data and identify needs and areas of opportunity in developing incremental business to the region.

    As a Director of CTDC, the CEO will monitor the performance of CTDC, its marketing activities, in addition to the patron-facing website www.caribbeantravel.com  and interact the web site developer, marketing committee and members, to make sure maximum participation and effectiveness.

    The successful candidate should have the facility and sensitivity to address diverse regional cultures, the flexibility to travel extensively, and at least ten years’ experience in association or similar management role. Previous experience in development and effective execution of annual strategic plans in addition to successful organizational financial accountability are required. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to control on-site and remote teams for success of annual objectives.

    Previous work experience and/or working knowledge of the Caribbean tourism industry are a desired plus. The candidate ought to be willing and ready to work inside the USA.