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  • News: Report reveals UK worst for air taxes

    Reacting to the arena Economic Forum’s report, Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways’ parent company, IAG; Carolyn McCall, chief executive easyJet; Michael O’Leary, chief executive Ryanair and Craig Kreeger, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic jointly said:

    “The WEF report shows that Britain has the very best aviation taxes and costs on the planet, ranked 139th out of 140 and rubbing shoulders with countries like Chad, Senegal and the Dominican Republic.

    “It’s hard to locate another comparable table on a key measure of international competitiveness which shows the united kingdom to be trailing the remainder of the arena. This isn’t only a blow to our national pride but demonstrates the unjustified level of Air Passenger Duty and, following the new PWC report, provides further evidence that the Chancellor must take action within the Budget in this destructive tax.

    “The PWC report highlighted the critical role that aviation plays as an engine of financial growth for both international commerce and tourism. It confirms that abolishing APD would offer the united kingdom economy with a GDP boost worth a minimum of £16 billion inside the first three years, generating enough extra revenue from other taxes to offer the Treasury a net gain and leading to almost 60,000 new jobs within the UK.

    “We call upon the Chancellor to take advantage of the forthcoming Budget to take away APD to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.”

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  • FIFA World Cup: Brazil plays catch up previous to 2014

    Headlines within the recent increase to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year were decidedly mixed of late.

    While the 2022 competition in Qatar had raised more ire among sports fans all over the world, Brazilian authorities cannot was impressed with images of violence marring the preparations.

    Most recently police were forced to apply tear gas and smoke grenades to wreck up clashes between fans waiting to shop for tickets for the inaugural match in a stadium built for the realm Cup.

    Fans had queued overnight at a ticket office within the north-eastern state of Bahia, but fighting broke out once it opened. Officials on the Arena Fonte Nova stadium, which cost over $300 million ($50 million greater than budgeted), had didn’t separate queues of fans, resulting in unrest.

    Perhaps more seriously, the inauguration date of rebuilt Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro have been repeatedly delayed.

    The stadium, set to host the ultimate next year, was originally attributable to reopen in December 2012, but its first match is now scheduled for April 27th.

    Embarrassingly, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes was also recently forced to near the João Havelange stadium, which was getting used to host major football matches in preference to the Maracana and was scheduled to host the athletics for the 2016 Olympic Games, after it engineers warned of structural deficiencies.

    Elsewhere, the president of Corinthians, the Brazilian club in command of building the Itaquera stadium in Sao Paulo, recently admitted its construction may be stopped for loss of cash.

    Unless additional cash is located there’s a risk of the stadium failing to be ready on time for the contest.

    That stadium is because of host the hole match of FIFA 2014.

    With these problems piling up, FIFA was remarkably sanguine, not less than in front of the cameras.

    “It is all an issue of trust and confidence,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter told reporters last month after a gathering of the realm Cup organising committee. “They would be ready as it is the area Cup and nobody can afford to not be ready for the area Cup.”

    However, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke recently visited Recife to envision on preparations on the Arena Pernambuco, which remains incomplete despite promises it might be ready by the top 2012.

    One further infrastructure worry is the progress in upgrading the national airport network.

    Many guests will see flights as essential in the sort of large country, where there isn’t a established rail network.

    But, of 13 terminals being upgraded, ten are unlikely to be completed by June 2014, a central authority-backed Institute for Applied Economic Research report said earlier this spring.

    image[1] align=’right’ border=’0′ style=’padding-left:10px;’ alt=” border=0 >
    The recently completed Arena Fonte Nova

    Tourism

    So, many challenges. But what does all this mean for the international traveller Briefly, not likely greatly.

    While the sporting infrastructure is clearly vital to the success of the tournament, the personal sector has quietly been caring for the preparations essential to welcome the 600,000 international visitors expected inside the country for the development.

    Some 200 hotels are currently under construction, while another 170 hotels are slated to open in the next three years in Brazil, in step with consultancy Lodging Econometrics, with many designed for the sports tourism market.

    Many more also are taking an extended view, catering to an emerging middle class, with investors looking to avoid the pitfalls seen after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when many hotels saw a pointy drop in occupancy after the development and not recovered. 

    Hilton and Grand Hyatt are both opening new properties in Rio, but budget-conscience offerings from as Novotel, Ibis, Holiday Inn, Super 8 and Tryp also are in development.

    Among probably the most exciting projects is the classic Copacabana Palace, which enters its 90th year in 2013. Having recently completed a $20 million renovation, the valuables now offers a lighter, airier atmosphere, with completely redesigned rooms.

    Moreover, while the issues may create headline, other stadium projects are proceeding rapidly.

    In the most recent update FIFA released photos the recently completed Arena Fonte Nova.

    Despite the ticketing teething problems, the Salvador stadium joins the Castelao and the Mineirao in readiness for the FIFA Confederations Cup test event later this year.

    The clock will be ticking, by Brazil has an excessive amount of to lose if it runs out of time.

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  • News: Ryanair traffic falls in February

    Low cost carrier Ryanair has released passenger and cargo factor stats for February 2013, wherein its adjusted monthly traffic fell – as previously guided – by 3% over the identical period during previous year as Ryanair grounded as much as 80 aircraft.

    The carrier also claimed the intercalary year in February 2012 accounted for another 3% drop in traffic.

    Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “As previously guided, Ryanair’s adjusted February 2013 traffic fell by 3% over February 2012 as we grounded as much as 80 aircraft.

    “The bissextile year of February 2012 had 29 days and accounted for a different 3% drop. However, Ryanair’s load factor increased by 1% and we delivered another record 12-month traffic as almost 80m passengers chose one in every of Ryanair’s ultra-low fares since February 2012.” Added Kiely.

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  • WAYN reveals dream destinations for travellers

    WAYN has revealed the tip seven dream destinations on earth as chosen by its 21 million users worldwide.

    The destinations will fight it out for pole position in a user vote this month.

    The seven global hot spots are Indonesia, Fiji, South Africa, Dubai, India, Brazil and Turkey. 

    The nominated destinations (both cities and countries) were selected by employing a mix of market research data and tracking user engagement on WAYN.com.

    “Most recently, India saw a rise choice of interest, both for business and leisure travels in destinations reminiscent of Delhi, Punjab, Uttrakhand and Kashmir,” said Jerome Touze, co-founding father of WAYN.com.

    He added: ‘’Brazil was also voted favourite destinations in Latin America, with 40% of respondents from a panel of 38,000 users saying it’d be their first choice in South America.

    “It can be interesting to determine which destination will achieve the head spot in terms of our user vote but being nominated within the top seven is already a good recognition of the work these destinations are doing.’’

    Dubai is in a really strong position with over ten million tourists having travelled there in 2012, its highest ever annual visitor figure.

    The department of tourism and commerce marketing revealed a 9.3 per cent increase inside the variety of visitors to the Emirate in 2012.

    WAYN’s 21 million users may have the possibility to vote for his or her favourite destination within the next two weeks, out of the seven listed, with prizes up for grabs for people who vote.

    Additionally, each nominee will receive US$70,000 of selling promotion globally, out of a US$500,000 marketing contribution from Where Are You Now

    Touze said ‘I’m extremely desirous about this campaign.

    “We are in a singular position whereby now we have data on over 21 million users in over 193 countries who communicate regularly with each other about their trip plans – where on the earth they would like to move and what they need to do after they get there…

    “Going forward, we intend to roll out more leading award recognitions for the travel and tourism industry, so watch this space!”

    WAYN has developed an exclusive microsite for the campaign, which works live today.

    The nominated destinations will receive exposure on WAYN, media coverage and extra market research insight for his or her destinations.

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  • Hilton expands DoubleTree in UK

    Hilton Worldwide has signed three franchise agreements for its rapidly expanding DoubleTree by Hilton brand in three more UK cities.
    Having opened 11 hotels within the UK within the last two years, the logo has reached agreement on additional sites in Bristol, Edinburgh and Nottingham.

    The brand will open five new hotels in 2013, reaching a complete of 25 hotels in operation around the UK. 

    Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vp, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Since launching DoubleTree by Hilton within the UK, the logo has built overwhelming momentum, particularly as a conversion proposition for existing properties.  Beginning the year with the signing of those three outstanding hotels is testament to our aspirations to continue within the same vein throughout 2013.”

    DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre becomes the brand’s first hotel within the Scottish capital, which saw the posh Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria hotel complete its £24m restoration last year. 

    The 139 guestroom property is found within the city’s historic old town, within easy walking distance of the famous tourist attractions and shopping hotspots of the Royal Mile and Princes Street.  With a brasserie style restaurant, stylish bar and top floor penthouse offering spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle, the impending renovation is determined to ascertain the hotel as a widespread destination venue within one among Europe’s strongest performing markets for hotels.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre is anticipated to open this spring under a franchise agreement with Focus Hotels Management Limited. 
    After a multi-million pound renovation the previous Jarvis hotel will join the DoubleTree by Hilton brand complete with 201 guestrooms over six storeys.  Its range of facilities contains a gym complete with sauna, the humanities bar and Kiln restaurant, housed in an 18th century glass kiln style building.  The conversion will see these features make the most of an upgrade previous to reopening its doors this spring.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Nottingham Gateway, located at the A610 which links Nottingham to the M1, is ideally positioned to entice both business and leisure guests en path to the East Midlands city.  Under its former guise of The Nottingham Gateway Hotel the location is already a longtime meetings and events venue.  Guests can enjoy its accessible location and facilities which come with 582 sqm of events space and parking capacity of 250.

    The franchise agreement signed with Exceptional Hotels & Resorts Ltd will see a comprehensive upgrade of the hotel’s 106 guestrooms, meeting rooms, public areas and leisure facilities – including the addition of a brand new swimming pool.  The refurbishment will fully position the hotel in the upscale segment earlier than its expected relaunch in late 2013.

    John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “This announcement is a brilliant begin to what’s set to be a landmark year for DoubleTree by Hilton within the UK.  Following a fantastic year for British tourism in 2012, we’re delighted to be on the forefront of expanding our brand during this market with new properties in three key cities, including our debuts in Nottingham and Edinburgh.”

    Hilton Worldwide operates a complete of 112 properties inside the UK under six iconic brands, with yet another 23 hotels within the pipeline.

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