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Category: News

  • Small Luxury Hotels emphasises importance of mobile channel

    Small Luxury Hotels of the arena has revealed how significant the mobile economy is to the posh travel industry with its latest data on global browsing and booking trends through its website.

    Tech gurus hyped 2012 because the year of the mobile boom and the newest figures from the posh hotel brand really highlight the growing ubiquity of handheld devices over 365 days by comparing visits and bookings at the site by iPad, iPhone and Android handsets.

    The year on year analysis for SLH’s online activity for January, traditionally one of the vital popular booking months, not just reinforces the growing trend for mobile browsing and booking, but additionally underpins the growing demand for luxury travel within the emerging markets, which saw the best percentage increase of traffic to slh.com.

    In January 2013, SLH website hits in China were up by 406 per cent year on year; Brazil saw a rise of 104 per cent, followed by Russia with a more moderate 22 per cent increase.

    The UK saw a terribly positive increase, up 15 per cent, while in keeping with expectations other more developed travel markets similar to the united states and Germany saw slight increases of 1 per cent and 4 per cent respectively, in comparison to an identical month the former year.

    In terms of website visits by mobile devices, the developed economies saw the foremost significant growth.

    The iPad remains the most well-liked handset for searching hotels on slh.com, with iPad visits from the united kingdom recording the biggest share of total website visits at 22 per cent in January 2013, up 108 per cent year on year, followed by Canada (19 per cent), France (17 per cent) and Germany (16 per cent).

    Website visits by iPhone were also marginally up year on year with the Canadian and Chinese markets both seeing the main significant jump, recording a 193 per cent and 105 per cent increase in iPhone traffic to slh.com.

    Android visits were also up in most markets, even though it still represents a truly small proportion of the full volume of website visits, suggesting there’s untapped potential for more mobile-friendly content.

    The mobile technology market within the UK continues to surge and accounts for an increasing amount of the complete online search volume for accommodation.

    In January 2013, 30 per cent of visits to slh.com from the united kingdom were from a mobile device, in comparison with 18 per cent in 2012, representing a 50 per cent increase year on year.

    This data mirrors a nationwide technology trend for the travel industry based on the result of a Google UK survey revealing that in the third quarter of 2012, 33 per cent of all online searches for accommodation were from a mobile device, a pointy increase from a similar quarter in 2011 when mobile accounted for just five per cent of searches.

    These results don’t come as much surprise seeing that the united kingdom has among the highest penetrations of smartphones on the earth in response to Ofcom.

    As of December 2012, 58 per cent of the population has a smartphone and almost a fifth (19 per cent) owns a tablet.

    The iPhone is the hottest device capturing 29 per cent of the united kingdom smartphone market.

    Meanwhile, the proportion of website visitors making bookings on slh.com across all mobile platforms remains fairly low worldwide, although the conversion rate is growing.

    Over 14 per cent of all bookings within the last two quarters of 2012 were made by iPad, iPhone and Android, up from seven per cent around the same period in 2011.

    China and Russia saw an extremely large increase in year on year bookings by iPad, with the iPad accounting for twenty-four per cent (in comparison with zero per cent in 2012) and 15 per cent (up 700 per cent) of total bookings respectively.

    The steady rise of the iPad fan club inside the UK continues with 18 per cent of SLH hotel stays booked via iPad in January 2013, up from seven per cent in January 2012.

    The selection of bookings made by iPhone and Android remains very small, except the world’s leader in technology, Japan, where seven per cent of all bookings via slh.com were made by iPhone.

    Could these technology champions be paving the best way for smartphone luxury accommodation bookings within the future

  • News: New private car excursions with Crystal Cruises in 2013

    Due to guest demand, beginning this spring, Crystal Cruises’ luxury travelers have a brand new and versatile private option for exploring Europe: their very own car and driver, with local, English-speaking guide.  The hot private car or van offerings allow singles, couples and small groups (8 maximum) to completely customise time ashore upon arrival.  While Crystal is launching this system in 50 European ports on Crystal Symphony Mediterranean cruises and Crystal Serenity Northern European cruises, the ultra-luxury line plans to increase this system to other destinations later within the year.

    “Many of today’s luxury guests desire to explore all alone, but don’t benefit from the hassle, time and questionable quality of attempting to find transportation and guides, in addition to the aggravation of negotiating fees,” says John Stoll , vp, land and port operations.  “With our trusted transportation and destination expertise at their disposal, and via fully licensed and insured companies, guests can tour independently easily and safety, in addition to be ultra-flexible should they need to follow a final-minute insider’s suggestion or simply see how they feel inside the moment.”

    The program is the most recent addition to a rapidly-expanding roster of Crystal Adventures shore excursion choices, including:
    *  Organised shore tours that range from special-interest adventures and town overviews to very intimate only-with-Crystal Cruises Boutique Adventures, and unique, high end Signature Collection experiences to You Care, We Care voluntourism excursions.
    *  Private Options: For guests desperate to follow the identical tour itinerary as select Crystal Adventures, privately.
    *  Private Adventures: Ultra-personalised and entirely customised to a guest’s exact wishes beforehand by Crystal, including itineraries, admissions, meals, and transportation.

    Overland Adventures: Multiple-day excursions on land, farther from port, providing two to 3 days of intimate exploration ashore, with hotel stays.
    The new private car and driver services start at $270 per car, with guides speaking languages rather then English also available upon request.
    Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shoreside experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, helping earn the road top ratings for 2 decades.

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  • News: Lion Air places huge Airbus order

    Lion Air of Indonesia has placed an organization order with Airbus for 234 A320 Family aircraft, comprising 109 A320neo, 65 A321neo and 60 A320ceo.

    The deal sees the carrier become a brand new customer for Airbus.

    The order was finalised earlier at a distinct ceremony on the Elysée Palace in Paris within the presence of president

    François Hollande of France, who witnessed the signing of documents by Rusdi Kirana, co-founder and chief executive of Lion Air Group and Fabrice Brégier, president, Airbus.

    In a single class layout the A320 can seat as much as 180 passengers, while the A321 can carry as much as 236 with the newest cabin configuration options.

    Lion Air Group will use the aircraft to satisfy growth requirements on its expanding domestic and regional route network.

    The carrier will announce engine selections for the aircraft within the near future.

    “The fuel-efficient A320 Family will enable Lion Air to accomplish the bottom possible operating costs and continue to present probably the most competitive fares within the Asian region,” said Kirana.

    “This landmark order will make sure that the Lion Air Group will continue its expansion with one of the crucial modern and advanced fleets on the earth.”

    Offering the bottom operating costs in its class, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle product line.

    To date, some 9,400 aircraft was ordered and greater than 5.400 brought to over 380 customers and operators worldwide.

    The A320ceo and A320neo share over 95 percent airframe commonality, enabling seamless operation of the varied models in one fleet.

    “This announcement marks our first order from Lion Air – one in every of Asia’s fastest-growing and most successful budget friendly carriers,” said Brégier.

    “The news underscores the market-leading position of the A320 Family, which continues to draw new customers for both the present and new engine options.

    “We greatly look ahead to welcoming Lion Air as an immense new operator of Airbus aircraft.”

    Since taking to the skies in 2000, Jakarta-based Lion Air has become certainly one of Asia’s fastest-growing airlines.

    Today the crowd operates an in depth network covering over 70 destinations in Indonesia and south-east Asia.

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  • Hilton expands presence in Alexandria, Egypt

    Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the hole of the 158-room Hilton Alexandria Corniche following a chief refurbishment programme.

    The hotel represents the 19th upscale property in Egypt for Hilton Worldwide and its second inside the city of Alexandria.

    With a key specialise in the brand’s signature service and grace standards, the refurbishment and rebranding programme covered most of the hotel’s public areas including bedrooms, restaurants in addition to the outside and hotel grounds.

    Enhancements also incorporated cutting-edge in-room amenities combined with new stylish bedroom furnishings and guests at Hilton Alexandria Corniche will particularly welcome the introduction of complimentary wi-fi now offered inside the hotel.

    The renovation also included the hotel’s Royal Floor, which have been significantly upgraded and enhanced in classic baroque style.

    Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: “For over five decades, Hilton Hotels & Resorts was the hotel brand of choice for visitors to Egypt and i’m proud and delighted our legacy continues as we officially open the lovely Hilton Alexandria Corniche within the vibrant and exciting community of Egypt’s second city.”

    Hilton Alexandria Corniche enjoys a main location in an exclusive district of Alexandria, at the Corniche and overlooking the beachfront and beyond to the Mediterranean Sea.

    Offering the ideal blend of proactive, friendly service inclusive of welcoming features, the hotel boasts a magnificent list of amenities designed to advertise business productivity in addition to time for relaxation.

    Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa said: “Hilton Worldwide enjoys an enviable status because the foremost international hotel operator in Egypt and today’s opening further enhances our proud reputation.

    “Hilton Alexandria Corniche perfectly complements our city based property, Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza, and is a welcome boost to our growing, quality portfolio for Middle East & Africa.”

  • News: WTTC warns Brazil must work to enhance tourism performance

    Brazil cannot rely upon the FIFA 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games to stimulate international visitors World Travel & Tourism Council president David Scowsill has warned in a panoramic speech at the issue.

    Scowsill explained: “Tourism is creating a major contribution to that exciting economic growth, but there remains much to be done with infrastructure build and marketing the rustic to international markets.

    “This is a dynamic time for Brazil – exports are booming in a single of the fastest growing major economies on the planet.

    “Economic reforms have given the rustic new international recognition and influence.

    Scowsill was speaking at PANROTAS in Sao Paolo.

    Tourism made a complete contribution to Brazil’s GDP in 2012 of 402 billion reals, which was nine per cent of the – greater than that of the chemicals manufacturing industry which stands at seven per cent and the mining sector which contributes 6.7 per cent.

    In terms of direct contribution to GDP, tourism is sort of twice the scale of the automotive manufacturing sector in Brazil, supporting eight million direct, indirect and induced jobs in 2012.

    Brazil ranks second in Latin America when it comes to the flow of international tourists, however the domestic market represents the majority of the industry, accounting for over 50 million trips annually.

    Mexico is prior to Brazil, attracting 22 million visitors per year, in comparison to Brazil’s 5.2 million.

    France receives 76.8 million visitors a year and the united states 60 million.

    Brazilians’ spending on trips abroad rose by 50 per cent in 2010 and 30 per cent in 2011.

    Scowsill continued: “Brazilians are profiting from the stronger Real to travel, that is excellent news for the tourism industry elsewhere, but not excellent news for Brazil.

    “Some 5.2 million international tourism arrivals each year is low for a rustic the scale of Brazil which has loads to provide visitors when it comes to natural diversity – from rainforests, World Heritage sites, and eco-tourism, to beaches, adventure travel, history, culture and town experiences.

    “The World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 might be four week bursts of intensity when it comes to overseas visitors, but can’t be relied upon to be the only drivers of international visitor growth someday.

    “The Brazilian tourism industry has to behave and speak as one voice to inform the remainder of the realm about this glorious country and everything it has to supply and put it firmly at the international tourist map.”

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