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  • News: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples announces multi-million dollar refurbishment

    The iconic five-diamond, five-star Ritz-Carlton, Naples is announcing an unprecedented summer 2013 refurbishment, the 1st of its kind within the resort’s 27-year history. This project can be one of the most largest resort renovations inside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company’s portfolio. Refurbishments will include an entire overhaul of all 450-guest rooms, suites and corridors, three dinning outlets, Artisans the “princess ballroom,” in addition to various structural, mechanical and engineering upgrades through the property.

    During the expansive two-month project, set to commence on July 24, 2013, the resort shouldn’t be accepting any guests, a primary in its history.  While the resort is being re-mastered its sister property, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, located just 10 minutes down the street, would be open and entirely operational.  Guests staying on the Golf Resort could have beach access via the complimentary resort shuttle to Vanderbilt Beach, with full Ritz-Carlton beach services and amenities in addition to beachfront dining at Gumbo Limbo restaurant.

    “The decision to cease operations for the primary time within the resort’s 27-year history is a real testament to our ongoing commitment to product and repair excellence,” said Edward V. Staros , Vice chairman, Managing Director of The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples and one of the crucial original founders of The Ritz-Carlton brand.  “Our goal was to prevent any guest inconvenience in this timeframe. Once we reopen our doors on October 1, we glance forward to delivering in this commitment by continuing to produce a worldwide renowned level of luxury coupled with your entire modern amenities expected by today’s global traveler.”

    Interior designers, Wimberly Interiors are answerable for the hot guest rooms, which may resemble an expensive, residential beach home. The effect will bring the wonderful thing about Naples indoors, with warm blues, greens and greys inspired by the Gulf of Mexico and its surrounding landscape. The Ritz-Carlton sophistication will play into the design with clean lines and upscale fabrics with a purpose to attract both traditional and modern tastes.

    On the culinary front, three of the resort’s restaurants might be fully re-mastered by Ny-based design agency Blue Plate. The Sushi Bar, to be rebranded The Bar, gets a longer balcony, providing additional outdoor seating with Gulf of Mexico and sunset views.  The Bar interior may be divided to permit for cozier areas while also creating an open space ideal for small events and entertainment. The living room menu may be revamped to incorporate sushi, small bites and artistic cocktails.

    The Terrace will reopen as Terrazza, an Italian eatery serving three meals an afternoon. a brand new glass atrium with fully retractable doors will provide a seaside cafe feel with indoor and outdoor seating. The favored breakfast buffet will remain, but Terrazza’s new menu and design will make it a hot spot where guests and native residents alike will enjoy an off-the-cuff lunch or Italian dinner.

    The Grill steakhouse and specialty restaurant will continue as a classic establishment with new contemporary accents to the furnishings and decor.  Refreshing the fabrics and updating. The Grill’s mahogany touches at the walls and floors will remain. The restaurant’s selections of dry-aged beef, fresh seafood and choice of international wines will remain untouched.

    The Ritz-Carlton Naples is a fave wedding destination and as such the resort’s Artisans “princess ballroom” could be brightened with soft silvers, whites and lightweight greys to resemble a chic jewel box. Taking a cue from diamond wedding bands, new chandeliers might be added to the distance and a restructuring to areas of the ground plan can assist to expand the room while enhancing access to the resort’s numerous outdoor event venues.
    This re-mastering coupled with the investments during the last ten years including a brand new lobby and lobby concept “Bites” in addition enhancements to other public spaces including 20,000 square feet of meeting space, demonstrates The Ritz-Carlton’s continued commitment to its guests and staff while ensuring that the resort’s reputation for world-class product and repair excellence is enhanced.

    This iconic re-mastering will solidify the resort’s position because the social center of Naples, the destination that the resort helped to improve when the hotel opened to much fanfare 27-years ago. The transformation would be unveiled on October 1, 2013, when the resort will welcome its first guests following the re-opening.

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  • New tourism strategy from VisitBritain

    Culture Secretary Maria Miller today launched a tourism partnership strategy for Britain which demands the travel industry and the govt, consisting of key private and non-private sector bodies, to unite behind a protracted-term ambition for growth that may see Britain welcome 40 million overseas visitors by 2020, spending £31.5 billion and supporting another 200,000 jobs around the country.

    Tourism is an industry that already employs 2.6 million people a year – supporting one in twelve jobs within the UK.

    In the past two years a 3rd of all new jobs created were in tourism.

    And tourism offers jobs across all skills levels and age ranges, particularly offering opportunities for teenagers – 40 per cent of these employed in tourism are under 40.

    International tourism is already an industry at which Britain competes well. 

    Last year Britain welcomed 31 million international visitors who spent £18.6 billion – a record amount.

    The aim of this partnership strategy is to deliver an additional 29 per cent growth in visits by 2020, that increase would deliver an extra £8.7 billion in foreign currency echange earnings.

    The growth strategy is built around four key objectives:

    • Building on Britain’s improved international image.
    • Increasing engagement with the travel trade.
    • Broadening the product range on offer for inbound tourists.
    • Making it easier to get to Britain.

    VisitBritain’s GREAT activity for 2013/14 will seek to keep up the attention and image boost created by London 2012.

    The campaign will target strongly performing growth markets, Brazil, China, India and the Gulf together with established markets USA, France and Germany.

    Over the last two years, VisitBritain’s marketing programme has directly contributed £900 million to the united kingdom tourism industry, a return on investment of 18 to at least one.

    VisitBritain has up to now secured £24 million in match-funding from the non-public sector, doubling the govt. investment.

    Emirates

    And today VisitBritain is announcing a £2 million, two-year partnership with Emirates to advertise Britain overseas.

    The deal will include a mixture of promoting in kind and cash payments.

    Emirates cover a limiteless network of routes and destinations across South East Asia, Australia, India and the GCC and offer regional gateways across Britain.

    The GCC region now signifies great potential for inbound visits to Britain.

    By 2016 we forecast that 700,000 visitors can be welcomed representing a 32 per cent increase.

    As portion of the expansion strategy the organisation announces its new regional hub in Dubai as a way to enable it to arrive around the GCC including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait City and Qatar.

    VisitBritain – that is already on the forefront of partnership working – will take a look at creative ways that existing resources, platforms and promotional material may be used by other organisations.

    This is predicted to incorporate private sector partners and public diplomacy teams in source markets reminiscent of Mexico and South Korea.

    Reflecting the responses from the consultation, the method reiterates the significance of commercial tourism and the facility of major events to extend visitor numbers, VisitBritain will build at the work already being executed on this area – particularly in supporting major event bids, and using its overseas network to supply key insights and trade engagement.

    Miller said: “Tourism is central to the Government’s economic growth strategy.

    “It’s worth £115 billion to our economy a year and we have to ensure we retain a competitive edge and might compete with other destinations around the globe.

    “With the good campaign we’re selling the simplest of england, building on strengths to spice up tourism income right around the country.”

  • News: Vivid Sydney 2013 lights up Australia’s harbour city

    The world’s creative industries are set to flock to Sydney with the announcement of the yearly Vivid Sydney program if you want to transform the town right into a colourful canvas of sunshine, music and concepts from 24 May to ten June.

    Now in its fifth year, Vivid Sydney is a longtime international event and could showcase its largest program thus far, featuring greater than 60 vibrant lighting installations around Sydney Harbour , over 100 creative industry workshops and seminars, and live music performances at Sydney Opera House.

    Owned and managed by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Vivid Sydney is the biggest light and music festival within the Southern Hemisphere, with over 500,000 people attending in 2012.

    Australian creative innovators, The Spinifex Group, will design the centrepiece of Vivid Sydney, the lighting of the enduring Sydney Opera House sails, showcasing a playfully projected journey that celebrates the development in an immersive new way.

    Announced today by NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner , Vivid Sydney returns with the longest ever Light Walk featuring interactive light installations, illuminated skyscrapers and massive-scale 3D mapped projections around Sydney Harbour ‘s iconic foreshore. Light installations from Germany, France, Italy, Uk, USA, South Korea, Malaysia and New Zealand will feature alongside Australian works.

    Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House will feature local and international artists, including German electronic music legends Kraftwerk and the the sector premiere album show of Australia’s Empire of the Sun.

    Vivid Ideas will explore new creative ideas and collaborations with over 100 industry and business events. Keynote speakers include renowned comedic visual artist David Shrigley (UK), digital artist and storyteller Jonathan Harris (USA), award-winning streetwear entrepreneur Johnny Cupcakes (USA) and concrete design guru David Sim (UK).

    Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase , said year-on-year increase in festival attendance was testament to Vivid Sydney’s success and recognition with local and international audiences.

    “With greater than 45,000 people from interstate and overseas finally year’s event, Vivid Sydney has proven itself as a significant drawcard for creative industry practitioners, visitors and families who immerse themselves in light, music and concepts,” said Ms Chipchase.

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  • Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei set for summer opening

    Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is decided to be the primary international hotel operator to launch a hot spring resort in Chongqing, China that embraces the natural healing waters of the North Hot Springs. Banyan Tree Chongqing Beibei will open to guests in the summertime of 2013 and every of its 107 suites and villas will feature private hot spring pools so guests can benefit from the water’s healing benefits in privacy and luxury.

  • Ryanair proposes plan to rescue Greek tourism and aviation

    Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-less costly carrier (ULCC), has presented a Greek tourism rescue plan to the Transport Minister Kostas Chatzidakis that could see Ryanair grow its Greek traffic to 10m passengers p.a. by 2016, at the day Ryanair opened its 1st Greek base (and 57th in total) at Chania.

    Ryanair has carried over 2m passengers to/from Greece in not up to 3 years since its first flight arrived to Kos from Frankfurt Hahn in May 2010. Ryanair’s summer 2013 schedule will offer 85 Greek routes from 10 airports (including 2 new airports at Kalamata and Zakynthos), delivering over 1.4m passengers p.a. and supporting 1,400* Greek jobs.

    Unfortunately, Athens continues to overlook out on Ryanair’s traffic growth and the tourism jobs it brings a result of airport operator’s refusal to have interaction with Ryanair, at a time when Athens’ passenger traffic has fallen by 22%, from 16.4m in 2008 to only 12.8m in 2012, its lowest figure in a decade. Ryanair could deliver as much as 4m passengers p.a. if a pragmatic low-cost deal were made available at Athens Airport, with one other 2m passengers at Thessaloniki and 4m passengers across Ryanair’s 10 other Greek airports.

    To celebrate our biggest-ever Greek summer schedule, Ryanair is launching a 100,000 seat sale across its entire European network, with prices ranging from just €15.99 for travel in May and June, that are available for booking until midnight (24:00hrs) Mon (29 Apr).

    In Athens, Ryanair’s Michael Cawley said:

    “In 2013, Ryanair will carry over 1.4m passengers through Greek airports, sustaining 1,400* jobs and underlining Ryanair’s commitment to Greece’s tourism industry. Today, Ryanair presented its Greek rescue plan, that could deliver over 10m passengers and €4.5bn tourism revenue p.a. by 2016 and support 10,000* Greek jobs.

    Tourism is among the few industries that could quickly provide the industrial boost that Greece so badly needs with new jobs and high-spending international tourists. Ryanair has carried over 2m passengers to/from Greece with these passengers saving over €140m by switching to Ryanair’s low fares. However, while our 10 Greek airports keep growing, traffic at Athens continues to say no because it misses out on Ryanair’s traffic and tourism jobs growth, in addition to Ryanair’s low fares, while its management refuses to have interaction with Ryanair.

    To celebrate the launch of our biggest-ever Greek summer schedule, the hole of our first Greek base at Chania, and the launch of 2 new Greek airports, at Kalamata and Zakynthos, we’re releasing a 100,000 seat sale with fares ranging from €15.99 for travel across Europe in May and June, that are available for booking until midnight Monday (29 Apr). Since seats at these crazy low prices might be snapped up quickly, we urge passengers to book them immediately on www.ryanair.com.”