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  • ‘Azzam returns’: Abu Dhabi sets sail on 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race campaign

    Volvo Ocean Race entrant, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, and its history making Azzam (determination) Volvo 70 race yacht, will return to top level competition within the UK this August with a fortnight of educating and competitive sailing, culminating with the defence of its Rolex Fastnet Race title.

    Having made history because the first Arabian contender within the global, nine month 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, the team – lead by skipper Ian Walker, a British double Olympic medallist – gets its 2014/15 race campaign in full sail on the flagship Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week sailing festival (3-10th August), with crew selection on the programme’s core.

    Taking at the three Big Boat Races during Cowes Week, the team – so one can be based in Gosport at the UK South Coast – will trial key under-30 crew members in race conditions, before taking up the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race (11-13th August), which it won in record time in 2011.

    “It is exciting to be getting Azzam able to sail again. You become quite attached to a yacht whilst you spend rather a lot time sailing it all over. Cowes Week has always been certainly one of my favourite regattas since i used to be a child. It will become a chunk scary sailing one of these big, fast boat within the confines of the Solent but i suspect the large Boat Races can be spectacular,” said Walker, a two-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran.

    “The Fastnet is an iconic race. It was great to interrupt the monohull race record in 2011 but we are able to need some success to defend it against a couple of larger, faster boats in 2013. The Volvo 70s need windy, reaching conditions to actually come into their very own.  Crew trials and coaching in a competitive race environment is the #1 goal for the summer.”

    We can be taking a look at a number of new crew members for the way forward for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. 1 / 4 of the crew needs to be under 30 for a higher race, so their appointment may be key to our success.”

    The Big Boat Races, with a view to likely include a race round the Isle of Wight, a 40 mile passage race, and a race across the Solent marks off England’s South Coast, will officially mark Azzam’s return to competition since completing the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway, Ireland last July.

    The Rolex Fastnet Race, the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s iconic 608-mile race across the Fastnet Rock in order to see the most important entrant in its 89-year-history, would be the final summer test for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, with Azzam going up on the market shortly after.

    The race begins Cowes at the Isle of Wight on the Royal Yacht Squadron. Leaving The Solent during the Needles Channel, the race follows England’s southern coastline down the English Channel, before rounding Land’s End. After crossing the Celtic Sea, the race rounds the Fastnet Rock off Ireland’s southwest coast before returning round the Scilly Islands and finishing at Plymouth. The monohull race record set by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in 2011 is 42 hours and 39 minutes.
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    Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which owns the team and is behind the highly anticipated New Year 2015 UAE capital Volvo Ocean Race stopover, the third at the global route after Brazil, says Azzam’s return to action marks a fitting begin to its next campaign.

    “Having started our first Volvo Ocean Race campaign at Cowes in 2011, it’s fitting that we have got gone full circle to begin our next title push here again. It gives us a compelling platform to talk to the sailing world and with a hugely successful Abu Dhabi stopover under our belts, in addition to a far more mature watersports offering, we’re in an ideal position to let the sailing world know what destination Abu Dhabi can offer, both as a Volvo Ocean Race host city and as a near year round watersports destination of distinction,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Director Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi.

    Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing is because of announce its full 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race crew line-up within the first quarter of 2014, when it’s going to also receive its new one-design Volvo 65 race yacht. At the least one UAE national would be included within the reduced eight man crew line-up, with more Emiratis involved at the shore team.

    Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, will host the third 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race stopover from mid-December 2014 until 3rd January 2015.

    Abu Dhabi will welcome the fleet from Recife, Brazil after probably the most longest and potentially most-gruelling legs inside the 40-year race history (9,707 nautical miles). The Abu Dhabi In-Port Race, which was won by home favourites Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing within the last edition, will occur on January 2nd 2015, with the fleet departing for Sanya, China the next day. 

    TCA Abu Dhabi, which brought the ‘Everest of Sailing’ to the Arabian Gulf for the 1st time in 2012 and is behind its return, is pushing forward a package-strong and tourism-driven Abu Dhabi stopover, including a fan-friendly Destination Village activation at the Corniche breakwater and multiple concert and entertainment offerings, with the intention to leverage the highly sought-after New Year dates.

    TCA Abu Dhabi is yet again working closely with a lot of governmental bodies to successfully deliver the stopover, including Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club – the Official Host Yacht Club and key partner within the roll-out of the stopover and junior sailing initiatives; the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club – Technical Headquarters, a good way to be home to the team areas and international television broadcast compound, and the development Security Committee, Ministry of Interior, Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority, Department of Transport, SEHA, Abu Dhabi Customs, Abu Dhabi Municipality and Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

  • News: Qantas announces greater access to China

    Qantas today announced a big expansion of its codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines, giving its customers better access to major cities in China and meeting strong demand from the business market.

    From 1 May 2013, Qantas will codeshare on China Eastern’s daily Melbourne-Shanghai services in addition to its Sydney-Nanjing-Beijing services, which operate 3 times a week.  Qantas will even begin codesharing on China Eastern’s domestic Shanghai-Nanjing flights.

    The expanded codeshare arrangements mean Qantas customers can choose between 17 direct Qantas or China Eastern services between Australia and mainland China each week – with onward connections via Shanghai to 11 domestic destinations. Qantas also has codeshare services on China Eastern flights between Singapore and Shanghai, with connections to Qantas flights operating from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

    There are not any changes to Qantas’ existing daily Sydney-Shanghai service.

    Qantas International, Manager China, Andrew Hogg said the extra codeshare services were portion of the wider strategy announced in February 2013 to bolster the airline’s presence in Asia.

    “We are building on our strong relationship with China Eastern to support growing corporate travel and tourism between Australia and China,” Mr Hogg said.

    “The new codeshare arrangements provide Qantas customers with a regular, non-stop connection from Melbourne to the worldwide business hub of Shanghai, alongside Qantas’ established Sydney-Shanghai flights.

    “Qantas customers may also book flights operated by China Eastern from Sydney to Nanjing, China’s second-largest commercial centre, and onwards to Beijing.

    “China Eastern and Qantas have worked together since our first codeshare agreement in 2008 and more recently on our Jetstar Hong Kong three way partnership.  We’re more than happy to be strengthening this partnership further with today’s announcement.

    “In February we announced more seats and a higher schedule for Qantas flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, the 1st phase of our technique to be the primary choice for travel between Australia and Asia.

    “We said we might expand Qantas’ Asian network through our airline partnerships and we’re now delivering on that promise. Qantas International offers 130 flights to Asia a week, with direct flights to ten cities (11 with the addition of Nanjing to the network), and fares available with partner airlines to over 120 more cities in Asia.

    “We’re investing within the customer experience, with new lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong to open later this year and an A330 reconfiguration program to commence in late 2014,” added Mr Hogg.

    Qantas customers can book the brand new China Eastern codeshare services from today for travel from 1 May 2013, through qantas.com or travel agents.* Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem points on all eligible flights inside the China Eastern network.

  • News: AC Hotels by Marriott continues European expansion

    Marriott International, Inc. has continued the growth of its three way partnership with AC Hotels with the outlet of 2 new properties – the AC Hotel Nice at the French Riviera and the AC Hotel Sant Cugat in Catalonia, Barcelona.  Both new hotels may be welcome additions to the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, which launched in 2011 and now offers over 80 hotels across Europe.

    After an in depth renovation, the AC Hotel Nice opened on 1 April 2013. The 143-room downtown hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea just steps from Promenade des Anglais.  Standout hotel features include a wide ranging terrace with heated swimming pool and a calming hotel Zen garden.

    In addition to 22 suites, the hotel has three conference and banqueting rooms, accommodating as much as 100 guests.  The Acropolis Congress Centre is simply a brief distance away making it ideally appointed accommodation for business in addition to leisure travellers.

    The AC Hotel Nice is the second one AC Hotel by Marriott hotel to open in France joining the AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes-Juan Les Pins, which opened last summer.  Another French property, AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot, was announced in September 2012 and is determined to open in early 2014.

    The newly opened AC Hotel Sant Cugat is conveniently located within the business area of Sant Joan. The hotel has 152-rooms and several other function rooms for meetings and events.  The hotel’s AC Lounge is a horny, multi-purpose space open 24 hours where guests can relax with free wi-fi.
    The affluent suburb of Sant Cugat del Valles is abundant with beauty and heritage and has convenient connections to central Barcelona.  Local attractions include the Benedictine monastery of Sant Cugat and the medieval castle Castell de Canals.

    “We are delighted to be developing the presence of AC Hotels by Marriott in France and across Europe with these two exciting new openings in such current locations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.  “Nice and Sant Cugat del Valles are popular destinations for both business and leisure travellers and fit perfectly with the brand’s associated modern comfort and concrete style.”

    The new hotels join over 80 existing AC Hotels by Marriott throughout France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.  AC Hotels by Marriott is a part of Marriott Rewards, among the world’s largest hospitality loyalty programmes with over 37 million members.

  • The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown completes $5.8m revitalisation

    The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown hotel, located within the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, recently completed a $5.8 million renovation of all public spaces, meeting rooms and guest rooms.  As component to this comprehensive revitalization, the hotel is unveiling THE LOBBY, a colourful and refreshing new space for dining, working and relaxing.  The hotel is owned by affiliates of Wheelock Street Capital, LLC, and managed by Sage Hospitality.

    Located in downtown San Diego, the hotel is within walking distance of the central business district and plenty of of the city’s premier leisure attractions.  Housed within the historic San Diego Trust and Savings Bank building, this boutique hotel is an iconic San Diego landmark.  The changes to the lobby and public spaces incorporate unique, locally relevant design components which respect the heritage of the building while remaining in keeping with Courtyard by Marriott’s brand wide design standards. These changes, such as a brand new business center, media pods, a GoBoard and an expanded “The Market”, meet modern travelers’ needs while making a relaxing urban ambience.

    The new theme of the boutique Courtyard hotel is “What You will want, Where You Want”. “We call our team ‘cultural instigators’,” said Jody Blackinton , General Manager of the Courtyard San Diego Downtown.  “They are ready and excited to present guests an authentic San Diego experience while responding promptly to guest needs. This revitalization has underscored the hotel’s local energy and allowed us to further elevate the guest experience.  We’re excited to work out more San Diego locals within the LOBBY alongside our hotel guests. It’s the precise place for a lager before a Padres game or a delicious dinner date.”
    THE LOBBY adds a brand new flair to the hotel restaurant, taking color hints from the historic hand-painted ceiling and the California sunset.  Separated from the lobby by decorative wood screens, the restaurant has an area of its own while seamlessly connecting to the remainder of the hotels public space.  THE LOBBY serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the redesigned bar features local draft and bottled beers. Dishes offer classic American flavors with a splash of southern California flair.  Coffee service has also been upgraded to a Starbucks Espresso Bar.

    Guest rooms have a colourful color scheme incorporated in the course of the new bedding, furniture, carpeting and wall vinyl. Green upgrades include environmentally friendly lights and air con.  Executive king rooms feature a wet bar and sofa bed, while every room now includes refrigerators, microwaves and safes.

    Meeting space features new wall vinyl, carpeting, furniture and technology, and in addition includes the hotel’s new art program.  Following an initiative driven by the Sage Hospitality, greater than 300 pieces of local San Diego artwork are featured through the hotel.  These include two special commissions—an eight foot by eight foot oil painting of a pool scene by emerging San Diego artist Sarah Stieber , and a modern, colorful portrait of San Diego Trust and Savings Bank founder J.W. Sefton, Sr. by La artist Leia Steingart .

    Key historical elements of the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, inbuilt 1928, were preserved through the renovation. “We desired to create an interior that celebrates the nostalgia yet has a fresh and contemporary overlay of design elements that honor the historical details,” said Brandon Asbury of SERA Architects, who oversaw the renovation design.  “The overall goal was to create an area that welcomes both hotel guests and locals alike, allowing everyone to experience the architectural heritage of the building.”

  • UNWTO and Casa Arabe to advertise tourism development within the Arab world

    UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai and Casa Arabe Director General Eduardo Lopez Busquets have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advertise sustainable tourism development and strengthen institutional capacity in Arab countries.

    Signed at UNWTO headquarters in Madrid, the Memorandum furthers cooperation between UNWTO and Casa Arabe in common interest areas, including sustainable tourism and institutional capacity building aimed towards socioeconomic growth and poverty alleviation.

    The agreement places a different deal with improving public policy and management models for tourism development and promotion, in addition to supporting strategic alliances in the framework of promoting and investment in Arab countries to foster economic progress and job creation.
    “This agreement is a good step in developing tourism as a fantastic instrument for economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability within the Arab world,” said the UNWTO Secretary-General.

    “Tourism development involves the growth of trade between our societies in any respect levels: economic, cultural and sociopolitical, three dimensions that constitute the core work of Casa Arabe,” said Eduardo Lopez Busquets, Director General of Casa Arabe.

    Casa Arabe and its International Institute of Arab and Muslim World Studies is a consortium of Spain´s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID), the autonomous communities of Madrid and Andalusia and the city councils of Madrid and Cordoba. Its main goals include strengthening bilateral and multilateral policies and promoting economic, cultural and academic relations within the Arab and Muslim world.