Category: News

  • Autograph Collection makes UK debut

    The Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s portfolio of upscale, independent hotels is expanding in Europe with the introduction of 2 new travel experiences this spring.

    Threadneedles, within the heart of London’s financial district, and The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh, Scotland, will represent the Autograph Collection’s first hotels within the Uk.

    The additions are set to expand the exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent lifestyle hotels to incorporate greater than 40 hotel experiences within the Usa, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.

    “This is an exhilarating time for the Autograph Collection in Europe as we add experiences in two of the United Kingdom’s most significant destinations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.

    “Autograph Collection offers an enviable range of artistic, culinary and cultural adventures for our guests and these two iconic hotels might be valuable additions.”

    The Autograph Collection currently offers various passionately independent hotel experiences throughout Europe, including the spectacular Fontecruz Lisboa Hotel in Portugal, Hotel De Bourgtheroulde within the historic city of Rouen and the Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois in Lille.

    Last month, the Autograph Collection revealed its entree into Germany with the outlet later this year of the Hotel am Steinplatz, routinely recognized as one in all Berlin’s most iconic gathering places.

    The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to present an evolving group of independent, upscale hotels that every fall under distinct categories of travel experience including Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration or Sporting Adventure.

    Each independent hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to provide guests more than a few unique and unexpected experiences suited for their individual sense of favor and adventure.

  • News: Europcar Complete takes the unknown out of vehicle hire

    Europcar the leader in car hire services in Europe, is launching Europcar Complete, giving holidaymakers one price on car hire, up-front, for hassle free travel. Customers just should top off the tank when returning the vehicle.

    Europcar Complete is designed to make it even easier to budget for holidaymakers, with 10% off standard car hire rates and one easy price to pay.

    Ideal for the family get-away whether for a protracted weekend or per week or two, Europcar Complete comes with zero excess and theft and damage waivers, offering peace of mind for families travelling on unfamiliar roads. Now they’ll benefit from the journey, knowing they’re covered, should the worst happen.

    Europcar Complete also offers one free additional driver, ideal for Mothers and fathers to the stress of driving in holiday traffic – at no extra cost.

    Explaining the newest initiative from Europcar to make the auto hire experience even simpler, Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group said: “We know that consumers aren’t always sure what extras they could need when hiring a car. So with Europcar Complete we’re aiming to make booking car hire simple and stress-free. Not just do customers make the most of 10% off our standard hire rate and pay one price; they may be able to also add a second driver free of charge in order that the time behind the wheel may be shared.

    “Our all-inclusive offering also includes damage and theft waivers, in addition to zero excess, ensuring customers are covered within the event of an accident or theft. Customer feedback has identified that car hire insurance may be gave the impression to be a confusing afterthought for some travellers. Europcar Complete includes the proper cover as standard.

    “With one price to pay once they book, plus a number of added benefits, all customers should budget for on top is their fuel. This indicates they are able to relax and luxuriate in their holiday, knowing they won’t face any additional costs once they return the vehicle.”

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  • News: Dubai World Central to open in October

    Dubai Airports has announced Dubai World Central will open its doors to passengers on October 27th, 2013 when launch carriers nasair and Wizz Air commence operations into the emirate’s second airport.

    nasair plans to function over 50 flights every week between Dubai and numerous destinations in Saudi Arabia.

    The Saudi-based carrier already operates 950 weekly flights to twenty-eight destinations with a fleet of 21 aircraft constituted of Airbus A320s and Embraer E190s.

    Wizz Air, which gives low-cost air transport across 30 countries with 16 bases across Europe, will provide non-stop services linking Dubai World Central to Central and Eastern Europe.

    Wizz Air has a fleet of 40 Airbus A320 aircraft operating over 1,500 weekly flights to 93 destinations.

    Construction of Dubai World Central’s passenger terminal building was completed in 2012.

    Upon opening, the brand new facility will offer full retail in addition food and beverage amenities.

    It is serviced by one A380 capable runway, 64 remote aircraft stands and has capacity for as much as seven million passengers per year.

    The terminal will undergo a whole testing and trial programme over the arriving months to verify a unbroken opening.

    “A new era in Dubai’s already proud aviation story is determined to start out,” said Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths.

    “The introduction of passenger services from Dubai World Central is step one within the long run development of the airport and should provide an exquisite alternative to travellers.

    “We are equally thrilled to welcome our launch airlines Wizz Air and nasair.

    “We sit up for announcing additional airlines and services within the months to return.”

    Dubai World Central first opened for cargo operations in June 2010 and has quickly established itself as an emerging cargo airport within the region with 36 airlines (scheduled and chartered) handling 219,092 tonnes of air freight on 16,317 aircraft movements during 2012. 

    Dubai Airports launched general aviation operations at DWC on April 28th, 2011 following the overall Civil Aviation Authority’s regulatory acclaim for flights carrying as much as 50 passengers and crew on February 24th, 2011.

    Upon completion, Dubai World Central turns into the world’s largest airport with five runways and an ultimate capacity of 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo each year.

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  • News: Hamad International Airport opening delayed again

    The opening of the hot $15.5 billion Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar have been delayed again.

    The new airport, originally scheduled to open last year, was set to open on April 1st but remains closed after failing a final minute safety inspection.

    Abdulaziz Al Noaimi, chairman, General Authority for Civil Aviation, Qatar explained the airport’s opening have been delayed for not meeting the recent safety standards set by the dept of civil defence.

    In an announcement he explained: “The NDIA Steering Committee commends the efforts of the ministry of interior represented by the dept of civil defence for his or her commitment to raising standards of security and safety in Qatar.

    “The Hamad International Airport project was completed by a variety of international contractors who’ve supervised the system readiness of the airport and feature already issued international certificates within the domain of security and safety.”

    Operated by Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport might be capable of accommodate 28 million passengers annually, increasing to 50 million after 2015.

    Construction at the project started eight years ago in 2005, and the outlet has experienced a sequence of delays to date.

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  • Ascott moves into Nanjing, China

    The Ascott has secured a freelance to regulate its first serviced residence in Nanjing.

    The contract was awarded by Nanjing Lek Yuen Property Development Company, a massive property developer in Nanjing, China.

    Citadines Baijia Lake Nanjing, in order to have approximately 290 apartment units, is slated to open inside the second 1/2 2014.

    The latest addition has reinforced Ascott’s leadership position because the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in China with greater than 8,300 apartment units in 46 properties across 18 cities.

    Chong Kee Hiong, Ascott’s chief executive, said: “China is Ascott’s fastest growing market.

    “It also is our strongest market where our revenue per available unit in 2012 increased by 15 per cent over 2011.

    “Besides building on our presence in tier one cities in China, we’ve got been expanding into high growth cities where strong foreign investment has generated a big demand for serviced residences.

    “Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, is this kind of high growth cities, with an economy that expanded by a regular of 17 per cent per year during the last five years.

    “We see strong potential for Ascott to expand into Nanjing and grow our presence within the East China region.”

    Citadines Baijia Lake Nanjing has a chief location near the well-known Baijia Lake.

    It is quite with regards to the Baijia Lake 1912 commercial area, Shengtai Road retail street, British School of Nanjing, Jiangning Hospital, and a college zone with 15 universities.

    There are convenient amenities consisting of restaurants, pubs, shopping centres, supermarkets, banks and clinics nearby.

    The property could also be next to the metro stations of Lines 1 and three, and a fifteen-minute and 25-minute drive from the Nanjing high-speed railway station and airport respectively.