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Category: News

  • Starwood relocates global headquarters to Dubai

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced the start of a month-long relocation of its global headquarters from Stamford, CT to Dubai.  From now until April 5th, Starwood President & CEO Frits van Paasschen and the company’s top executives will conduct day-to-day business from Dubai, an increasingly important global destination and travel hub.  Following the company’s successful relocation to China in June 2011, this second leadership move reflects Starwood’s innovative management method to cultivating a more global culture by understanding, appreciating and leveraging different societal perspectives and approaches to business and hospitality. 

    “With 80 percent of Starwood’s pipeline coming from rapidly growing markets, it truly is simply unattainable to guide a very global business from a boardroom in Connecticut,” said van Paasschen.  “Rising wealth and ever greater global connectivity are making a once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity for our business – by fueling new demand, changing travel patterns, and fully new travel markets.  Dubai epitomizes this changing face of travel, and we predict this relocation will deepen our relations with partners, associates and customers.  Just as with our one-month relocation to China in 2011, our time in-market will spark new ideas so one can fortify our position because the most global high-end hotel company.”

    During the process the relocation, greater than 200 Starwood executives and GMs from the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America will travel to Dubai because the company runs day-to-day operations almost 7,000 miles and a nine-hour time zone clear of its usual HQ outside Ny city.  The team will meet with associates, customers, owners and prospective developers inside the UAE and likewise make the most of Dubai’s location for business travel to destinations including Mumbai, Addis Ababa, Jeddah, Dushanbe and Kuwait.

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  • Playlists: ITB Berlin 2013

    Breaking Travel News catches up with key tourism decision makers from worldwide at the convention floor at ITB Berlin 2013.

  • News: Delta expands service at La

    Delta Air Lines increases service at La International Airport with daily year-round and seasonal service to fourteen destinations, including eight new markets. The extra service adds 12 percent more daily seats available in the market.

    The new and expanded L. a. service between the subsequent cities (start dates) includes:
    *  New daily service to Nashville and 3 daily flights to Seattle (April 8)
    *  New intra-West service to 2 markets: San Jose, Calif. with four daily flights (July 1) and Spokane, Wash. with one daily flight (June 10)
    *  New summer seasonal service to 3 markets: Boston will operate daily (June 10), Anchorage, Alaska will operate 3 times weekly Friday-Sunday (June 21) and Bozeman, Mont. will operate Saturday only service (June 22)
    *  New Central America service to San Jose, Costa Rica (July 1)
    *  Expanding current intra-West service with one additional flight to Oakland, Calif., Phoenix and Sacramento, Calif. for a complete of 5 (June 10)
    *  Service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico increases frequency from Saturday only to daily (July 1) and one additional Saturday flight would be added to Guadalajara, Mexico (July 6)
    *  Expanding service to New Orleans with one additional flight for a complete of 3 daily (Sept. 4)
    *  Full flat-bed seating in BusinessElite on four of the seven flights to Ny-JFK this summer
    *  Upgrading Las Vegas aircraft to 6 daily mainline flights in June

    “Los Angeles boasts a powerful domestic revenue market and we’re committed to building a network that supports customer demand both locally and all over the world,” said Bob Cortelyou Delta ‘s senior vp – Network Planning. “Our new service, combined with our domestic and international partners, positions Delta to be L. a.’ preferred carrier.”

    By summer, Delta will operate 118 peak-day departures to 40 nonstop destinations, including Sydney and Tokyo, from La. All Los Angeles service offers customers the choice of top notch, Economy Comfort or economy seating, together with in-flight Wi-Fi.

    Customers flying from L. a. also take advantage of Delta’s agreements with domestic partner Alaska Airlines and key international carriers, including WestJet and Virgin Australia, in addition to Sky Team partners Air France/KLM, Alitalia, Korean Air, Aeromexico, China Airlines China Eastern, China Southern and Aeroflot.

    In 2012, Alaska Airlines relocated to La International Airport’s Terminal 6 as portion of a Delta co-location strategic partnership. Customers of both airlines take advantage of shorter connecting times between Delta’s operation at Terminal 5 and six while creating more international, transcontinental and West Coast travel options.

    Additionally, Delta expects to start codesharing on flights between L. a. and London-Heathrow airport with partner Virgin Atlantic Airways later this year.

    Los Angeles is currently one of many Delta facilities undergoing significant renovations to study-in and arrival areas in addition to jet bridges to enhance the airline’s operational performance and overall customer experience.

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  • Spa trends reveal the necessity to transcend pampering

    With an increased caution towards prescribed pharmaceuticals, Naturopaths which include Sue Davis from the Lifehouse Spa & Hotel have witnessed an upsurge in sophisticated spa-goers seeking alternative health promoting treatments.

    Naturopathy which mixes nature with modern science embraces a wide range of non-invasive techniques and therapies, is growing in popularity as complaints similar to digestive issues can also be quickly and efficiently healed using its techniques.

    The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel is the sole hotel to have a Resident Naturopath – Sue Davis spent a few years treating elite clientele at wellness resort ‘Chiva-Som’ in Thailand, before returning to the united kingdom where a 60 minute consultation together with her costs £65.

    Offering guests the chance to debate symptoms that they’ve been unable to handle all alone or with the aid of other medical practitioners, Sue specializes in holistic prevention together with a comprehensive analysis of a person’s diet and lifestyle. Treatment generally comprises dietary correction, the theorem of ‘food as medicine’, herbs, flower essences, nutritional supplements, detoxification and exercise. 

    In a consultation Sue will compile an assessment, including details of medicines, supplements, family history, digestive health, cardiovascular issues, bones and joints, stress levels, emotional issues, exercise patterns and dietary habits. This helps to choose a root cause instead of simply targeting symptoms. An example of a standard condition successfully treated by Naturopathy is digestive health issues together with IBS, which responds particularly well to naturopathic intervention. Sue advises on practical how one can reduce stress levels including relaxing abdominal breathing techniques and addresses inflammation of the digestive tract is thru ‘healing and sealing’ of the digestive tract with soothing demulcent herbs akin to Slippery Elm and Aloe Vera.

    Sue Davis explains further “Naturopathy is quite empowering as much emphasis is put on education in order that guests have the tools to take control in their health. Once someone understands that health doesn’t just happen accidentally and that this is a life-long process that involves a transparent understanding of the standards that affect their health then they’re in a far stronger position to gain long time health and vitality.”

    Set in 12 acres of English heritage gardens in Thorpe-le-Stoken, Lifehouse Spa & Hotel focuses on the art of wellbeing and is the best backdrop to mix a consultation and stay, offering a latest, award-winning spa experience in a calming environment.

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  • News: The Taj Group launches its 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group, India’s largest hospitality group, today announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with Vivanta by Taj inside the Millennium City of Gurgaon. The crowd now has 117 hotels globally, with 26 within the Vivanta by Taj – Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
     
    An homage to Gurgaon’s ‘bustling’ lifestyle, the brand new Taj is a metropolitan marvel of avante garde design. Iconic features include the Thai Pavilion offering the precise of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar. The hotel also offers stylized accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs. 19 miles south of recent Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is almost the business district and visitor hotspots – Kingdom of Dreams, DLF Golf Course and Gurgaon’s ubiquitous malls.
     
    “With the launch of Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR, not just have we expanded the footprint of the emblem into the business district, but in addition accomplished a major milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Mr. Raymond N Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company Limited, on the launch. “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations within the country. It also supports the company’s objective of accomplishing growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Ms Deepa Misra Harris, senior vp, sales & marketing at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces also mentioned, “The occasion marks a definite celebration for the crowd and inspires us to attain even greater milestones. Reaching our 100th hotel milestone in India and a complete of 117 globally reinforces our faith in our guests across geographies, who’ve amplified their preference for our brands across all locations we’re found in. Designed to deliver vibrant experiences to its guests, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts is a brand with a modern, energetic and vivacious twist.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is answerable for the design and architecture of the hotel. a mixture of glass and stone creates the impression of a pointy, yet beautifully robust structure that’s avant-garde by design. The innovative concept and fine detailing extends throughout the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition to a presidential suite with an executive lounge at the 10th floor. Every room comes equipped with innovative technology like video conferencing facilities, continuous, undisturbed internet access and over 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces.
     
    “The Vivanta brand is growing at a rapid pace. With its strategic location and the Vivanta brand features, Gurgaon is better poised to service the traveler in search of a novel and contemporary experience,” said Mr. Veer Vijay Singh, chief operating officer, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts.
     
    Latitude, the all-day diner at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, offers a world food theater, showcasing the dramatic play of spices and flavors from six different cuisines. The enduring Thai Pavilion – the country’s first signature Thai cuisine restaurant opens its door for the food connoisseurs visiting Gurgaon. Full of high-octane energy, Tease, the bar is designed to raise the spirits and opens onto a massive alfresco dining space that keeps the vibe alive. For the globetrotting, party hard traveler, Taj provides its signature Jiva Spa.

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