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  • Starwood relocates global headquarters to Dubai

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the start of a month-long relocation of its global headquarters from Stamford, Connecticut to Dubai. 

    From now until April 5th, Starwood president 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 solution to cultivating a more global culture by understanding, appreciating and leveraging different societal perspectives and approaches to business and hospitality. 

    “With 80 per cent of Starwood’s pipeline coming from rapidly growing markets, it’s simply impossible to guide a really 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 fuelling new demand, changing travel patterns, and fully new travel markets. 

    “Dubai epitomizes this changing face of travel, and we think 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 in order to fortify our position because the most global high-end hotel company.”

    During the process the relocation, greater than 200 Starwood executives and general managers from the usa, 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 far from its usual HQ outside Ny city.

    The team will meet with associates, customers, owners and prospective developers within the UAE and in addition benefit from Dubai’s location for business travel to destinations including Mumbai, Addis Ababa, Jeddah, Dushanbe and Kuwait.

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  • News: Kerzner brings One&Only to Europe with Montenegro property

    Kerzner International has entered into an agreement with Triangle Investment
    & Development, to construct and operate a brand new One&Only resort in Kumbor, Montenegro overlooking Tivat Bay. 

    Triangle is acting as representative for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, which have been appointed by the govt of Montenegro because the preferred bidder of this mixed-use development Project following a public tender process.

    “As the Minister liable for tourism, urban planning, real estate and the surroundings, i’m extremely gratified to have the sort of serious investor like SOCAR and an operator equivalent to One&Just for the primary time in Europe in Montenegro.

    “This proves that the sustainable development idea that Montenegro has committed to is becoming a reality,” said Branimir Gvozdenovic, Montenegro minister of sustainable development and tourism. 

    “Projects like this mean lots to Montenegro, bringing world-class standards, new employment opportunities and incredible experiences to the destination.” 

    With approximately 150 luxurious guest rooms and villas, a prestigious One&Only residential component and world-class Marina, tennis academy, health spa, dining and retail options, the valuables is predicted to draw travellers from around the globe.

    Strategically located on the most narrow a part of the doorway to Tivat Bay, the 60-acre project will command an enviable position between mountain and sea and could overlook 1.2 km of pristine coastline of the Adriatic Sea. 

    This could be One&Only’s first resort in Europe and is found not up to an hour from Dubrovnik International Airport. 

    “Montenegro is an ideal location for the primary One&Only experience in Europe. 

    “The location is remarkable and i’m very confident the resort would be well received by our many loyal One&Only guests and new guests alike,” says Sol Kerzner, chairman, Kerzner International.

    “I am fascinated with this project and looking out forward to designing and managing this new world-class resort.”

    Tivat Bay offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, as a way to inform the design of both the private and non-private spaces of the resort.

    True to the brand’s heritage, One&Only Montenegro will offer quite a lot of world-class cuisines showcasing regional specialties in restaurants overseen by internationally-acclaimed chefs. 

    The resort may even house an indulgent One&Only Health Spa, honouring the region’s heritage by utilising ancient Mediterranean traditions and holistic practices fused with modern spa therapies. 

    In addition, event and meeting space would be available for bespoke gatherings, whether for business or personal pleasure.

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  • Focus: FORMIA & Turkish Airlines Business Extension

    FORMIA announces an extra extension to its existing commercial relationship with Turkish Airlines. In 2011, both companies signed a protracted term contract for the availability of a variety of FORMIA’s effective inflight service amenity kits for passengers. Now, as portion of the airline’s drive to deliver a phenomenal world class travel experience for its passengers, FORMIA was awarded to provide specially developed bags for presentation to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims en path to Mecca.

    In a move that’s believed to be unique amongst airlines, through the flight each passenger will receive a bag containing an in depth range of things designed not just to intensify their delight in the flight itself, but additionally to serve them at their end destination.

    The bags had been carefully designed to be worn comfortably either over the shoulder or around the chest for additonal security.

    All products follow the very best standards expected of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and enable them to accomplish their sacred rituals comfortably. Commenting, Roland Grohmann, Managing Director of FORMIA, said: “It gives us particular pride to have developed these special kits for Turkish Airlines. The thoughtfulness of Turkish Airlines in catering for the relaxation and convenience of its pilgrim passengers was matched by the care with which we’ve got designed these kits. We are hoping they are going to add to the benefit and delight of everyone as they undertake their pilgrimage.”

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  • WTTC 2013: Scowsill requires private and non-private partnership

    “The private and public sector must come together and concentrate on longer term strategies, infrastructure and initiatives, not only short term goals, to make sure that our industry is previous to the expansion curve,” World Travel & Tourism president David Scowsill has argued. In his closing speech on the 13th WTTC Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, Scowsill explained that, by 2050, there’ll be three billion people enjoying middle class wealth – meaning more middle class consumers, enjoying more travel, creating more jobs and generating more GDP.

  • Taj Group launches 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group has announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with the outlet of Vivanta by Taj inside the Millennium City of Gurgaon.

    The Group 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 smartest of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar.

    The hotel also offers stylised accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs.

    Just 19 miles south of recent Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is just about 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 additionally accomplished an important milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Raymond Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company, on the launch.

    “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations inside the country.

    “It also supports the company’s objective of attaining growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is chargeable 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 in the course of the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition 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.

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