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  • News: Classic Holidays launches new website

    Travelers searching for holiday options now have an enhanced source of knowledge as Classic Holidays has unveiled its new website. Located at http://www.classicholidays.com.au/, Australia’s largest privately owned timeshare holiday provider has made significant improvements to the recent site which permits members the power to simply navigate the positioning to discover the most recent deals and resort information.

    The website was redesigned to house tablets and smartphones using larger buttons because the site readjusts itself to the particular sort of device it detects, which permits the user to book travel products from mobile devices.

    Navigation is simpler and special travel sales are actually more prominent at the homepage to make the visitor privy to the exclusive offers found through Classic Holidays, (http://www.classicholidays.com.au/) because the ability to book holidays have been streamlined to simplify the method.

    There is likewise a ticker-style alert system which displays messages in case of an emergency, consisting of updates on flooding conditions and impacts on affiliated resorts.

    “Our website is our greatest tool to speak the extensive amount of resort information and travel choices available through Classic and we’re more than happy with the design of the recent site,” said Ramy Filo, CEO, Classic Holidays. “Building at the release of our newly designed logo and our move into our new expanded call center last year, our website is the most recent example of our want to freshen the Classic branding in a method that communicates our commitment to supply the most effective holiday experience possible to our members.”

    The new site also makes it easier for members to speak with Classic during the company’s social media tools, with tabs linking to its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/myClassicEscapes and during Twitter at http://twitter.com/ClassicH0lidays

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  • Doha moves up ICCA rankings following latest investment

    Doha has strengthened its position the various most well-liked convention destinations on this planet, with the Qatar capital moving from 49 positions to joint 111th.

    The city is now level with the established destinations of Florence, Riga and San Juan, in an inventory of over 360 participating cities in a recently released from the International Congress & Convention Association.

    The rankings are in line with the choice of international association meetings that rotate between at the least three countries.

    Adam Mather-Brown, general manager, QNCC, said: “This is a commendable achievement for the rustic because it demonstrates the commitment of all of the stakeholders working together to attain the country’s vision in becoming a global class meetings’ destination.

    “Qatar is actively developing its business tourism product on the subject of destination appeal, improving infrastructure, and investing in world class accommodation.”

    “We are working hand-in-hand with suppliers, hoteliers and the relevant authorities to construct awareness of the destination and increase the collection of Business Tourism Events which might be interested in this metropolitan hub with deep cultural roots.” 

    “Members of both teams might be on the IMEX show in Frankfurt (Stand D 620) today to advertise destination Qatar.

    “We are proud to be a part of the Qatar team and are committed to deliver the country’s long-term vision,” added Mather-Brown.

    QNCC continues to boost the profile of Qatar and has just won the bid to host the yearly ICCA Client/Supplier International Workshop from April 10th-12th 2014.

    The event will attract a lot of international association clients who could have the prospective to bring future congress to Qatar.

    Since opening in December 2011, QNCC has played host to a couple of essentially the most prominent events from internationally and the region.

    To date, the Centre has hosted 347 events and welcomed 197,212 delegates and visitors.

    The economic impact generated from overseas delegates currently stands at an imposing US$ 93 million.

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  • News: The way forward for tourism at PATA Youth Forum Bangkok

    The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will organise the PATA Youth Forum, with the theme, “Search, Connect, Experience – The way forward for Tourism.” Hosted by the faculty of Innovation at Thammasat University, the Forum will ensue Thursday April 25 at Sri Burapa Auditorium, Thammasat University, Tha Pra Chan Campus, Bangkok. The Forum will commence someday just before the 2013 PATA Annual Summit and is aiming to draw hundreds of young professionals and scholars from overseas and Thailand.

    Speakers include hospitality lecturers from the University of Macau and Taylor’s University in Malaysia. There’ll be a short-fire Q&A session with senior executives from acclaimed hospitality industry leaders in Thailand.

    There may be great insights and forecasts by speakers from globally recognised digital, social media and search brands which can be transforming the web travel space.

    Mr Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “Searching, connecting and experience are all proactive steps for Next Generation young professionals. The emphasis of the Forum could be greatly on new ideas and opportunities for anything connected to travel.”

    The Forum has sessions which includes “Experience – Making Events Happen,” “Experience – Same, Same – But Different,” “Developing Innovative Experiences,” and “The Way forward for Tourism: Industry Perspectives from Thailand.”

    On behalf of the PATA Youth Forum hosts, the school of Innovation at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Prof Dr Walter Jamieson, Director of the Service Innovation Program, said: “The Service Innovation Program in the College of Innovation at Thammasat University is honoured to host the PATA Youth Forum. This is a unique opportunity for the University and this system to give Thai hospitality to students from abroad and inside the country. We can make sure that students may have a chance to construct long-term relationships between individuals and institutions. We glance forward to welcoming you on April 25.”

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  • Powerful cost management for the hotel and leisure industry

    Auditel the UK’s leading independent cost management consultancy, have found savings of many thousands of pounds on business costs for the hotel and leisure industry.

    Over the last four years this industry, that is of considerable importance to the united kingdom economy, has faced increasing headwinds. Household disposable income has declined and the govt. imposed additional costs of £3.5bn per year since 2010. Thus trade remains far below the pre-2007 growth trend in revenues and jobs. Operating costs also are rising as energy inflation has averaged 4.7% per year since 2008.

    The influential Hotel Business Review suggested that there are various low-cost measures that are supposed to be taken with regards to optimising energy management. However, Chris Allison , Auditel’s Managing Director, advises: “This is just one of over 100 typical business expenses. Few within the industry have the time or market experience to control all of them properly. Many acknowledge that cost management today is a crucial function. There are many benefits in outsourcing this mission-critical task to specialist consultants, rather than diverting in-house resources from strategic roles.”

    The National Motorcycle Museum Group has the world’s largest motorcycle museum, award-winning conference and banqueting facilities and two 100-bedroom hotels. It offers accommodation and a variety of leisure facilities. Their Group General Manager appointed Auditel to hold out an audit on their essential business costs. Savings achieved were £39,386 on electricity, £7,760 on gas, £2,000 on fixed line call charges, £1,750 on fixed line service charges and £3,600 on PBX maintenance – a complete of £54,496.

    Besides these lower overheads, a tremendous benefit to NMM with Auditel is the power to name on their experience and expertise as they require. With Auditel as an outsourced, additional member of the team, staff can discuss their core business objectives. They are going to be confident in not having to pay greater than necessary for his or her essential overheads.

    As their Group General Manager confirms, “Auditel’s professional and thorough approach steered us through this era of sky-rocketing energy prices and helped with the intention that our costs are controlled and managed. We operate a lean head office team. Without their help, we wouldn’t have time to target this aspect of our finances frequently. Engaging Auditel suggests that the price of our energy, water and communications are constantly monitored and reviewed while not having to divert resources clear of our principal business or increase staff.”

    Moor Park Golf Club opened in 1923 and today has 1450 members. It features two championship golf courses. Savings for them, achieved by Auditel were 45.3% on cell phone costs, 34.9% on fixed line telecoms, 17.3% on gas and 9.9% on catering costs. Over four sites, the savings on electricity varied from 5% to over 30%.

    The Talacre Beach Leisure Group owns and operates six caravan, holiday home and leisure parks along the north Wales coast. As well, two parks offer rental holidays, while the exclusive 5-star Plas Coch site also contains a collection of luxury holiday lodges. Savings achieved by Auditel include £36,000 on energy, over £100,000 on electricity, with ongoing areas in water, merchant card fees and telecommunications.

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  • Indonesia appoints Hume Whitehead as UK representative

    Officials on the ministry of tourism and inventive economy in Indonesia have appointed Hume Whitehead as its representation office within the UK, following a competitive five-way pitch.

    The appointment marks the first actual time the destination has had an office based within the UK and demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to the market and popularity of its contribution to the country’s tourism economy.

    The agency was tasked with raising the profile of Indonesia as a fascinating travel destination and extending visitation from the united kingdom and Ireland. 

    The contract, that is effective immediately, will involve the agency working closely with the travel trade to extend and refine distribution of Indonesia’s product offering and increase awareness of the destination to help and drive sales.

    Additional tasks will include marketing, promotion and public relations to maximize share of voice for Indonesia within the media in addition to partnerships with provincial and regional Indonesian government tourism offices, including Bali Tourism Board, Yogyakarta Tourism Board and Batam Tourism Board.

    Richard Hume, co-founder, Hume Whitehead, will head up the account supported by PR director, Sarah Habicht and trade sales and marketing manager, Sandra Kwan.

    Hume commented: “This is a really prestigious account and we’re absolutely thrilled to feature any such fantastic country to our growing tourist board portfolio.

    “Indonesia is an ideal tourist destination because it is a tropical archipelago in South East Asia with greater than 13,000 islands including Bali, is called “Island of the Gods”.

    “We greatly stay up for promoting Indonesia further inside the UK market.”

    The Republic of Indonesia is the most important archipelago on the earth, comprising greater than 13,000 tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches.

    Among the main well-known islands are Bali, Java, Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), Papua, Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), Sumatra, and the Maluku Islands (or better referred to as Moluccas, the unique Spice Islands).

    The destination offers richly diverse cultures and heritage, beautiful beaches and ecotourism together with green rainforests to trek through and deep blue pristine seas to dive and swim, and the warmest, most hospitable people on the earth to welcome UK visitors.

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