Best Holiday Lettings

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  • Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living to apply TACSnet

    Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living, the plush hotel residence on Park Lane, London has announced it’s now using TACSnet: the automatic online commission payment system for agents.

    As the definitive online resource for Travel Agencies and Suppliers, this internationally-accepted system could be implemented by Grosvenor House Apartments to control commission payments to travel agencies, and to maintain track of any incoming and outgoing commissions.

    Grosvenor House Apartments joins other prestigious hotels and properties in enabling payment to multiple agents easily and quickly, and so continue to construct strong relationships with travel agencies.

  • News: Hotel pipeline reveals growth in African markets

    Research by W Hospitality Group has revealed the variety of planned new hotel rooms inside the hotel development pipeline in Africa has increased by 16 per cent on last year, which was itself 12 per cent up on 2011. 

    This relies on a sample of 29 international hotel chains, with 59 brands between them, and analyses deals that they have got signed with owners.

    As in previous years, the detail behind the headline shows a special tale of 2 Africas.

    In north Africa, the improvement pipeline grew by nine per cent, from 17,217 planned new hotel rooms in 2012 to 18,782 rooms in 77 hotels in 2013. 

    In sub-Saharan Africa, however, the chains’ pipeline now stands at 21,052 rooms in 130 hotels, up from 17,109 rooms in 100 hotels a year ago – a giant 23 per cent increase. 

    This compares to four per cent growth in Europe and eight.6 per cent growth in Asia Pacific, in response to data produced by STR Global (although the expansion in Africa is from a far lower base).

    Trevor Ward, managing director of W Hospitality Group said: “The main reasons for the slower growth in North Africa include the hole of hotels within the 2012 pipeline, particularly in Algeria, a discounted investment discuss North Africa as a result of political concerns and a better emphasis on development in sub-Saharan markets.

    “There is a boom in Africa, in all sectors, including hotels. 

    “Economic growth in lots of countries is 6 per cent or higher and global investors are staring at the continent in a way more serious and complicated way. 

    “We are being contacted by progressively more dedicated investment funds looking to enter the African hotel market.”

    The five countries of North Africa all appear within the top ten countries for brand spanking new hotels, led by Egypt (7,644 planned new hotel rooms), Morocco (5,178) and Algeria (3,160). 

    In sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria has by far the most important pipeline, with 7,470 planned new rooms. 

    The companies leading the best way are Hilton Worldwide with 6,230 rooms in its African pipeline, Carlson Rezidor with 5,947, Accor with 5,165 and Marriott with 3,900.

    Ward added: “The major international brands are still blazing the path, led by Hilton Worldwide, forging ahead with 6,230 planned new rooms for Hilton, Doubletree and Garden Inn brands, a unprecedented 84% increase on 2012. 

    “And it is very encouraging to peer new brands entering the market, including Campanile, Dusit, easyHotel, Fairmont, Hyatt Place and W.

    “This shows the arrogance of the hotel chains not only within the continent conceptually, but additionally as somewhere where they could diversify their brand footprint.”

  • New Zealand to create five new marine reserves

    New Zealand is ready to extend its total mainland marine conservation domain by 50 per cent with the planned establishment of 5 new marine reserves.
    The five reserves, formally approved by NZ Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith, cover 17,500 hectares and have spectacular, unique coastlines and marine habitats.

    They are all at the South Island’s West Coast and can add to the already significantly protected region, which incorporates three national parks and a global Heritage Area.

    The minister’s approval signifies that the method of building the reserves goes into the overall stages of obtaining approval from two other government departments.

    Mainland marine reserves
    Establishment of the brand new reserves was a massive breakthrough for marine conservation, Dr Smith said, because it increased the variety of mainland marine reserves from 30 to 35, boosting the realm protected against 33,574 to 51,102 hectares.

    “We are a nation with one of the crucial most spectacular and unique coastlines on the earth and we have to recognise the significance and usability of not just our special places on land, but our marine habitats in addition,” he said.

    The reserves – at Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai – would enhance understanding of the region’s unique marine habitats and complement the adjoining protected areas of national parks and the Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

    Kahurangi Marine Reserve
    Kahurangi Marine Reserve includes examples of northern West Coast marine habitats and ecosystems over various depths.
    There is a rich diversity of fish and invertebrate species, partly because of the abundant reef habitat and the influence of more northern species. The realm is very important for marine mammals.

    The new marine reserve adjoins Kahurangi National Park and includes the catchment area and mouth of the Heaphy River, and Kahurangi-Oparara coastline that’s notable for its sand dunes and beach vegetation.

    Punakaiki Marine Reserve
    Punakaiki Marine Reserve – occupying a dramatic coastline that incorporates the internationally significant Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point – harbours various northern West Coast marine habitats and ecosystems.

    The rocky shore biological communities are typical of the northern West Coast, but their overall extent, diversity, and accessibility is notable relative to many other parts of the identical area.

    It is adjacent to the coastal habitats and ecosystems of Paparoa National Park and closed whitebaiting areas in Bullock Creek and tributaries of the Punakaiki River.

    Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve
    Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve incorporates a choice of central West Coast marine habitats.
    The area is an effective example of central Westland coastal landscapes which can be dominated by past and present glaciations, and it supports fish, invertebrates and seaweeds which are typical of the center latitudes of the West Coast.

    It is with reference to the internationally renowned Ōkārito Lagoon and other natural estuaries which are important spawning and nursery habitat for native fish akin to giant kokopu and inanga. The reserve adjoins the Ōkārito Mataitai Reserve and a few largely unmodified coastal lands within Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

    Tauparikaka Marine Reserve
    Tauparikaka Marine Reserve is an effective example of natural beach and tidal lagoon habitats.
    The area is notable for coastal dunes which have a high biodiversity value. There are wetland, sand dune, and lowland forest habitats nearby and Ship Creek / Tauparikaka flows through public conservation land from a natural forested catchment that may be portion of Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand

    World Heritage Area.
    The sea portion is a part of a place known for an unusually high presence of Hector’s dolphins, and adjoins the Tauparikaka Mataitai Reserve.

    Hautai Marine Reserve
    Hautai Marine Reserve includes representative examples of plenty of southern latitude West Coast marine habitats lying at the inshore margins of a fancy submarine landscape of canyons and rocky reefs.

    This component of coast has habitats of high wildlife value, including marine mammals and seabirds. It adjoins a wide expanse of protected conservation land within Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

    Establishment process
    The Department of Conservation publicly notified the recent reserves last year when they were unanimously recommended by the West Coast Marine Forum – representing the resident Ngāi Tahu Maori tribe, commercial and recreational fishers, conservationists, tourism operators and native councils.
    Many people contributed to the lengthy consultation process which included 159 submissions of which all but four were in favour.
    The NZ Marine Reserves Act requires the Minister of Conservation, after considering the submissions, to make your mind up whether to uphold any of the objections, or to proceed.

    The decision to proceed means the method now goes to the ultimate stage of seeking the concurrence of the Ministers of Primary Industries and Transport to enable the reserves to be surveyed and gazetted later this year.

    New Zealand currently has 34 marine reserves, protecting around 13,000 square kilometres. It is 6.9% of recent Zealand’s Territorial Sea and about 0.3% of recent Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

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  • News: South African Airways launches new online training scheme

    South African Airways UK has launched its first ever Online Travel Training programme to teach UK agents concerning the national airline and increase knowledge at the on-board product.

    The comprehensive course can be available for all agents to access and includes details on several new innovations from South African Airways, including the recently launched mobile check-in app.

    Upon completion, agents would be ready to describe the South African Airways route network, understand the variation between SAA’s business and economy classes, identify the Voyager frequent flyer programme and its benefits, to assist support their customers.

    As an added incentive for participating inside the training, agents who successfully complete the course by Friday April 19th will automatically be entered right into a prize draw to win six bottles of award-winning South African wine, that is served on-board.

    The launch of the OTT follows the airline’s recent UK re-launch, Katie Edwards, marketing executive said, ‘We’re really enthusiastic about the launch on OTT. 

    “The current module explains all about us is an extremely short and fascinating way. 

    “It could be refreshed all year long as we bring forth board new and exciting changes and is a vital way by which SAA will work closely with the trade moving forward.”

  • Westin launches innovative New Balance gear lending programme

    Following a successful pilot programme, Westin Hotels & Resorts has launched its innovative fitness gear lending programme with New Balance.  Reinforcing the brand’s ongoing commitment to creating fitness convenient for travellers, all 190 Westin hotels all over at the moment are offering the exclusive product loan programme to guests, enabling more travellers to stick healthy and fit at the road. 

    From begin to finish, Westin Hotels & Resorts is devoted to creating wellbeing convenient for travellers.  For just $5, guests at Westin hotels worldwide including The Westin Paris – Vendôme; The Westin Grand, Berlin; The Westin Sydney; The Westin Palace, Madrid; The Westin Ny Grand Central; The Westin Cape Town; The Westin Tokyo and The Westin Dublin, can now borrow trainers with disposable insoles, in addition to quite a few men’s and women’s New Balance apparel including shorts, shirts and socks for men and shorts, capri pants, shirts, sports bras and socks for ladies.

    “Westin’s mission is to enable our guests to pursue their wellbeing when at the road and our partnership with New Balance not just makes packing much easier but provides an answer for those travellers who forget their workout gear or choose to exercise last-minute.  The programme also helps us to continue to deliver on personalised experiences for our guests round the world”, said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts.

    In celebration of the Gear Lending launch, on Tuesday 5th March associates on the Westin Dublin participated in a 5k run round the city, taking a scenic tour of Trinity College, Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green.  Following the run, participants were treated to a SuperFoods lunch within the hotel’s Exchange restaurant.

    Andrew Henning, General Manager on the Westin Dublin, said of the initiative: “We are thrilled to have the ability to bring this exciting programme to guests on the Westin Dublin.  With the ability to borrow New Balance gear from the hotel will really lighten the burden in case you want to stay active when travelling.”

    Westin’s decision to launch the gear lending programme globally was driven by the unprecedented positive feedback from users of the pilot programme which launched in 10 target markets in 2010.  Guests also rated the gym within the top five amenities they appear for in a hotel and usually tend to decide to training session with the recent Balance programme in place.