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  • News: New comprehensive guide to the travel blogging community

    Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU), the worldwide community for travel bloggers, travel writers and new media creators is launching its first Book of Travel Bloggers, a brand new database of essentially the most influential and revered bloggers specialising in travel and lifestyle.

    In response to unprecedented demand from sales, marketing and PR professionals from around the travel industry, the Book of Travel Bloggers was designed to be an indispensable companion for anyone all in favour of working with the travel blogging community and developing their digital communications strategy.

    The Book of Travel Bloggers only features bloggers which have attended TBU conferences, the fourth of with the intention to be held in Rotterdam from 16 – 19th May this year. The database is busting with information on travel bloggers from worldwide with details on their background, interests, specialisms and work experience in addition to the demographics of the blog’s readers, collection of twitter followers, Facebook fans and statistics at the collection of site views.  The Book of Travel Bloggers may also list bloggers into their niches to permit easy navigation for users when looking for bloggers in specific fields including luxury, family, adventure, food and budget travel.

    In addition to the database component to the Book of Travel Bloggers, the book also features case studies from a considerable number of different companies and bloggers to illustrate effective ways of working within the blogosphere through blog trips, sponsorship, product reviews and spokesperson opportunities to indicate easy methods to make an impact on raising a travel brand’s profile with target audiences.

    Speaking concerning the new Book of Travel Bloggers, Oliver Gradwell, founding father of Travel Bloggers Unite commented: “There is always confusion about who the suitable and most reputable travel bloggers are and this can be a way of addressing the problem.  Our TBU conferences are designed to be an open forum for bloggers and those who work with bloggers to speak about ideas and network, so the Book of Travel Bloggers is actually an extension of that and a means of representing the greatest within the travel blogging business.”

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  • Lisbon selects Hume Whitehead for UK role

    Turismo de Lisboa, the tourism body accountable for promoting the Portuguese capital, has appointed Hume Whitehead to deal with its public relations activity within the UK following a competitive pitch. 

    The agency may be chargeable for raising the profile of Lisbon as a “must see” European city and highlighting the variety of its attractions.

    Hume Whitehead director and co-founder, Sue Whitehead, who might be leading the account, said:  “We are very excited to were selected to support Turismo de Lisboa inside the UK market.

    “Not only is Lisbon a very beautiful and cosmopolitan city with a stupendous year round climate and unique heritage however it has probably the greatest price-quality ratios in Europe and we glance forward to helping UK travellers discover everything that it has to provide.”

    The “capital city by the sea” attracts five million visitors annually.

    With its warm year-round climate, rich culture, and gastronomy in addition to a thrilling year round calendar of festivals and celebrations, Lisbon is the very best choice for brief breaks and holidays in addition to meetings and events of all sorts.

    Paula Oliveira from Turismo de Lisboa added: “The UK is a concern marketplace for Lisbon and it was important for us to choose a partner with both the experience and keenness to construct awareness of our dynamic city. 

    “With their creative ideas, we’re confident that Hume Whitehead can assist us drive UK visitors to Lisbon to new heights.”

  • News: Hyatt Regency Dallas announces completion of $50m renovation

    Hyatt Regency Dallas announced completion of the $50-million makeover and upgrade of its 1,120 guest rooms, bathrooms and corridors, not up to a year after construction began and just in time to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the hotel. Dallas-based Woodbine Development Corporation, original developer and asset manager of the hotel and adjoining landmark Reunion Tower, managed the project.

    Seeking to capture the identity and personality of “new Dallas,” while aligning with the hotel’s timeless exterior, the team of EDG Interior Architecture and Design and CamargoCopeland Architects took an inventive and interpretive strategy to creating the brand new sleek, sculptural guest-room design.

    The re-designed and re-configured rooms offer different options for both work and relaxation, incorporating a lounge chair for reading and watching television, a snug desk chair, and a chaise lounge where guests can stretch out and luxuriate in town skyline views or the Texas sunset. Besides, a sculptural, metallic wall screen extending from the headboard and a linear “river mirror” made out of an abstracted image of the Trinity River replaced traditional framed art. The mirror integrates with the clean-lined taupe-finished millwork wall. The framed, flat-screen, high-definition TV is flanked by a satin-lacquered tower that gives a tidy storage unit for room accessories.

    A richly colored landscape image featured within the art mirror is also woven into the hotel corridor carpeting. The carpet combines with new sidelight towers on the door drops to create a warm, glowing “candlelight” effect within the hallways. New graphics, signage and a state-of-the-art swipe entry system are also included inside the transformation. The guest-room entry transitions from ceramic tile to neutral-colored carpet that includes a tailored, urban pattern. The completely transformed bathroom is accessed via sliding, modern “barn doors” and contains a backlit mirror, a up to date, freestanding vanity and an art collage of Dallas-inspired imagery screen-printed onto metal.

    “This hotel has become an iconic portion of the Dallas skyline for the reason that first guest checked in here on April 22, 1978. We wish to celebrate that, but whilst we’re always looking forward,” said Fred Euler , general manager of Hyatt Regency Dallas. “And our new ultra-modern guest rooms not just reflect our city, but in addition they make our guest experience the foremost high-tech and chic in North Texas.”

    Clark Contractors, based in Little Rock, Ark., managed the phased construction project. The Dallas office of Neil Locke & Associates provided FF&E procurement.

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  • Seychelles Tourism Board sees appointment of recent CEO to make sure continuity

    The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, and the outgoing Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Elsia Grandcourt, met with staff of the Tourism Board last Monday to announce new changes that were to occur in the organisation.

    Minister St.Ange, who personally chaired the workers meeting, made the official announcement of the resignation of Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt from the post of CEO of the Tourism Board and revealed that she have been nominated for a high-level position in a global organisation.

    Minister St.Ange congratulated Mrs. Grandcourt for this posting and said it’ll be a superb opportunity for Seychelles. “Her work will continue to earn recognition for Seychelles on the planet of tourism,” Minister St.Ange said.

    The Seychelles Minister championed Mrs. Grandcourt’s appointment as “a proud and historic moment for Seychelles” and said “our country prides itself to work out one among its professionals holding a high-level position within a world organisation.”

    Minister St.Ange said it was important for him to reassure all staff that it might be a smooth transition when the brand new CEO takes up office, and that the recent person will “ensure the continuity of labor being completed by the Seychelles Tourism Board.”

    “Mrs. Grandcourt and myself discussed the chance of a Seychellois taking up this key position on the earth of tourism, and we both agreed that it was an awesome plus for Seychelles. Today we’re happy that Mrs. Grandcourt was the company’s choice, and we want her well,” said Minister Alain St.Ange.

    Mrs. Grandcourt was appointed CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board in March 2012, and she or he rose to become a well-respected professional inside the Seychelles tourism industry and among trade partners both locally and overseas. She inherited the art of discussion from her Minister St.Ange, her predecessor and mentor, and was credited for maintaining confidence within the trade together with her determination and difficult work to look this industry move forward. Her appointment to work with a world organisation reflects the style her work is perceived in the international arena and how Seychelles is today respected as a rustic it really is developing its own brand of tourism with success.

    The Seychelles President, Mr. James Michel, later that week announced that Mrs. Sherin Naiken, formerly Principal Secretary for Tourism, will replace Mrs. Grandcourt as CEO of the Tourism Board. Her appointment takes effect July 1, 2013.

    Anne Lafortune, formerly CEO of the general public Officer Ethics Commission, was appointed because the new Principal Secretary for Tourism.

    Looking forward to the hot challenges of her new post, Ms. Naiken observed continuity in positioning Seychelles as some of the top tourism destinations on this planet.

    “Our tourism industry have been very dynamic during the last few years. I fully intend to uphold the identical level of commitment as my predecessor and build at the success of the past to make certain the industry’s expectations are met. In spite of everything, their success shall be my success,” said Ms. Naiken.

    Seychelles Tourism Board has also announced that they’re finalising details for a proposal to be made to Mrs. Rose-Marie Hoareau because the new Director of selling in September 2013. Mrs. Hoareau is the present Manager of Qatar Airways in Seychelles.

  • News: A feast of innovation at World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo

    A choice of exhibitors at this year’s World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) have launched new and exciting product ranges which deliver more choice and health benefits for airlines and passengers alike.

    Propercorn is a primary-time exhibitor at this year’s WTCE and following the launch in their 20g popcorn bag range in 2011, the corporate this week unveiled a brand new and smaller 10g bag, following feedback from airlines. Within the cabin, the brand new range takes up less space for storing and for passengers, with each bag coming under 50 calories, the health benefits include: high in fibre; low in salt; natural ingredients; wheat-free and vegetarian friendly.

    “I’m finding that passengers now expect a healthy option for snacks and at WTCE this week, we’ve had great interest from major flag carriers in our new 10g bag range, which we developed specifically for the show,” said Aaron Glover, Head of Sales for Propercorn.

    Following their success within the 2011 Mercury Awards (Winners Food and Beverage) for “it’s just…my bag of fries”, Green Gourmet targeted WTCE because the biggest show to launch a brand new range of goods under the “it’s just…” brand.

    After entering the airline market just two years ago, Green Gourmet have continued to conduct market research and its latest Buy-on-Board and Complimentary additions include southern fried chicken poppers and fries and croque monsieur. The newest products deliver tailor-made solutions for airline operators which are easy to make use of in addition to hitting certain price points.

    “We give the chance to deliver “high street” quality products to airline passengers. As an example, the newest range of mini-ciabattas that we’ve launched this week could be tailored to fit one or more special dietary requirements, e.g. gluten-free,“ said Neil Humphries, Sales Director at Green Gourmet.

    The company confirmed they’d received many enquiries and interest following the launch at WTCE.

    FLYHIDRATE is another new exhibitor who identified WTCE because the best showcase to launch a brand new powdered range in their liquid ready-to-drink hydration system, following extensive feedback from airlines.

    The new powdered galley pack replicates the company’s liquid system. With its lightweight design, the galley pack incorporates compact and straightforward to make use of packaging; it’s also cost-effective because it has a shelf lifetime of two years.

    FLYHIDRATE is the results of a two-year collaboration between food innovators, nutritionists, researchers on the University of Otago and funding by the hot Zealand Ministry of Science and Innovation. The exceptionally dry air in aircraft cabins is an important reason behind the lack of approximately 1 extra litre of water every 5 hours during flying, which has many subsequent effects on body functions. To counter dehydration, the pack has a singular multi-electrolyte composition which enables better fluid retention than drinking plain water.

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