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  • News: TCA launches Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau

    The Authority has launched a brand new force to drive its business events ambitions forward because it looks for the emirate to be ranked by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) as some of the world’s top 50 association meetings destinations in five years.

    Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau – a brand new dedicated, one-stop-support-shop in the Authority – will assist the expansion of exhibitions and conferences inside the emirate by forging closer links with the industry and providing financial and non-financial support.

    The bureau will provide a number of services to the industry including bid presentation support, delegate generation campaigns, local stakeholder co-ordination and data, on-site destination advice, government support co-ordination and marketing assistance.

  • VisitBritain welcomes Hosted Buyers Marketplace

    VisitBritain has again joined forces with the eu Tour Operators Association to deliver what’s now the most important ever business-to-business tourism event promoting Britain internationally.

    The Hosted Buyers Marketplace, which gets underway today on the iconic Wembley Stadium, is an exclusive opportunity for British tourism suppliers and destinations to satisfy and do business with over 200 specially selected international buyers from some 22 countries.

    HBM gives the tourism industry even greater opportunity to succeed in key buyers through a programme of pre-scheduled and open appointments with additional networking at a gala dinner.

    The range of markets hosted by the tourist board this year includes record numbers from China, Germany and India.

    Not only is HBM 2013 a record year for international buyer attendance, nevertheless it is likewise a pioneering year for the accompanying hosted familiarisation trips.

    The sheer number of itineraries hasn’t ever before been seen, with 16 trips in total happening.

    These range from the Scottish Highlands to the southern reaches of Cornwall, with activities comparable to coasteering at the Welsh coast to forcing vintage cars at Goodwood on offer.

    All the trips are bespoke to the explicit needs of every market and are based upon VisitBritain’s extensive market research and insights.

    They are focused upon introducing new and galvanizing bookable product to the overseas trade with the target of accelerating British experiences into operator’s programmes and helping increase visitor numbers to a couple 40 million a year by 2020.

    Latest research shows that not just the 2012 Games, but additionally VisitBritain’s biggest ever campaign, have significantly increased interest in visiting the united kingdom and exploring different parts of the rustic.

    Chief Executive of VisitBritain Sandie Dawe said: “This is an excellent opportunity for British tourism businesses to sell themselves to international buyers from all our key markets.

    “Britain has enjoyed a superior image boost over the last year – millions visited us and millions more saw us on TV.

    “Our job now could be to transform that interest into visits and to get more of england into tour operators’ progammes and sold by travel agents around the globe.”

  • IHIF: Marriott introduces Moxy Hotels

    Marriott has debuted Moxy Hotels, its first entry into the economy tier, three-star hospitality segment in Europe, on the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin.

    Designed to capture the rapidly emerging millennial traveller, the recent brand combines contemporary stylish design, approachable service and, most significantly, a cheap price.

    The brand will debut in Italy, with the primary Moxy Hotel expected to open in Milan in early 2014.

    To grow the logo rapidly, Marriott is operating closely with Inter Hospitality who may be the initial developer and owner of the 1st Moxy Hotels properties. 

    Marriott has selected Nordic Hospitality to be its first franchisee to function the emblem. Nordic Hospitality is an experienced hotel operator that currently manages several Marriott brand hotels in Scandinavia.

    “Moxy Hotels is the essence of the following generation traveller, not just Gen X and Y but individuals with a younger sensibility, for whom contemporary style is paramount,” said Arne Sorenson, president, Marriott International.

    “Every aspect of the hotel was thoughtfully researched and crafted to mirror and deliver at the changing lifestyles and expectations of this fast-growing customer segment.

    “We believe Marriott will prepared the ground in redefining the ancient economy hotel experience throughout Europe. 

    “We are thrilled so that you can launch the emblem with Inter Hospitality as an owner and Nordic as our franchisee. 

    “With a dedicated real estate partner and an experienced operator, we predict a quick start and the phenomenal customer support it truly is linked to all of Marriott’s brands.”

    Marriott plans so as to add 150 franchised Moxy Hotels in Europe over a higher ten years, aiming for locations in Germany, Austria, Uk, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. 

    The new brand will fuel Marriott’s companywide growth inside the region, that’s expected to arrive 80,000 rooms by 2015.

    Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe, added: “We see a giant opportunity to expand our market share in Europe with Moxy Hotels.

    “The economy tier in Europe represents nearly half total room supply, yet only 20 percent of those hotels are branded. Moxy Hotels can be to take into accounta good addition to our portfolio of brands in Europe.” 

    Moxy was in development for almost two years.

    Marriott, along with Nordic Hospitality, has conducted extensive consumer research across Europe including construction of sample rooms for focus group studies.

    The contemporary and chic 150- to 300-room Moxy properties, that are being designed with the goal of accomplishing LEED Gold certification from the united states Green Building Council, will cater to today’s budget-minded, savvy travellers who thrive on self-service and embrace new technology. 

    Guestrooms would be functional and well-designed, with upscale bath amenities, large flat screen televisions and built-in USB ports located within each wall socket.

    The colour palette features calming neutral tones comparable to rich brown leather, combined with natural materials to rouse an organic, comfortable and restorative feel. Each room can even feature a floor to ceiling signature “art wall” this is hand selected to mirror the local city or surroundings.

  • News: Nottingham passenger wins free travel for a year with East Midlands Trains

    Lucky prize winner Samantha Bark has won free travel for a year with East Midlands Trains.

    Samantha, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, won first prize in a contest launched by the train operator giving its season ticket holders the chance to win back the price of their annual ticket.

    Around 1000 passengers entered the contest, which ran throughout December and January.  Along with Samantha Bark winning back the price of her annual season ticket between Grantham and Nottingham, five runners up were each awarded a family ticket for travel anywhere at the East Midlands Trains route.

    East Midlands Trains presented Samantha Bark with a unique cheque for the whole cost of her season ticket at Nottingham station.  She commented:  “It’s brilliant, I’ve never won anything before so I can’t believe I’ve actually won. The additional money might be an enormous help, thanks East Midlands Trains.

    “I find travelling by train between Grantham and Nottingham really convenient and it implies that I’m ready to relax and skim a book on my journey to and from work.”

    Neil Micklethwaite, Customer support & Commercial Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We believe that is the 1st time a train company has given its season ticket holders the possibility to win back the price of their travel, so it’s been an exhilarating initiative for us and one which we are able to be seeking to continue.

    “We’ve already invested millions of pounds to enhance our trains and stations and this all helps to make sure we offer our season ticket holders with value for money. 

    “However, it’s always great to present something else back, so we were all really comfortable with the interest it generated and it was great in an effort to see Samantha’s excitement once we handed over a large cheque for £1,520!”

  • French Caribbean Guadeloupe Islands have never been so close

    Starting April 6, 2013, American Airlines will operate a weekly non-stop flight to Pointe-a-Pitre (PTP) from Miami, announces the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board.

    The late morning departure will enable passengers to profit from easy connections from across the US, arriving within the Guadeloupe Islands within the afternoon. American Airlines will fly a Boeing 737 aircraft, offering the relaxation of 16 business class and 134 economy class seats.

    This so French, undeniably Caribbean archipelago is the Caribbean’s best kept secret. It’s a destination that has all of it: rain forests, waterfalls, crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, charming villages, exquisite cuisine, and French culture.

    Like a gargantuan butterfly that has landed between Antigua and Dominica, Guadeloupe is primarily made from two main islands connected by a narrow channel. The left “wing” is named the Grande-Terre, and the proper “wing” is the Basse-Terre. Guadeloupe also includes smaller surrounding islands: Marie-Galante, La Desirade and Les Saintes . The very efficient inter-island connection network makes the Guadeloupe Archipelago a premier island-hopping destination, as the entire islands can be found within an insignificant 20-45 minute boat ride.

    Since greenery is a giant portion of Guadeloupeans’ national pride, ecotourism have been a key aspect to the event of the destination. Active Fauna and Flora protection programs were implemented for the past 30 years leading to a completely preserved environment today.

    French imports make dining at the Islands a real delight. The destination boasts over 200 restaurants, a few of that are located on porches of local homes, serving everything from Ti ‘Punch to local Creole creations equivalent to stuffed land crabs, stewed conch and curry dishes.

    The Guadeloupe Islands are ideal for any sort of adventure. From exploring the luxurious scenery to hiking up the summit of los angeles Soufriere volcano to canoeing at the hidden rivers within the National Park, Guadeloupe really has something for every person. Go kayaking down the Cousteau Reserve, or delve right into a culinary adventure by trying “Nouvelle Cuisine Creole,” an appropriate combination of French Savoir Faire and Caribbean flavors.