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  • News: Dubai – home of the most important cruise complex within the Middle East

    The countdown to the hole of the biggest, newest, and most opulent passenger terminal for cruise ships inside the Middle East has begun.

    As the leading tourist destination inside the region, Dubai continues to dazzle worldwide visitors. To substantiate its glowing reputation, global ports and marine terminal operator DP World is building a brand new terminal for cruise ship passengers at Mina Rashid. Located on the heart of the town and its vibrant creek, the port is a stone’s throw clear of one of the most world’s fastest-growing airports, Dubai International. 

    The new terminal is anticipated to be completed by the top of 2013 boosting Mina Rashid’s leading position inside the cruise market and it’ll play an active role within the anticipated growth of cruise ship passengers to the emirate.

    The complex covers a space of 27,000 square meters moreover parking a lot of as much as 50,000 square meters. With its existing cruise ship terminal 1 and the hot terminal 2, Mina Rashid shall be capable of receive five ocean-going cruise vessels simultaneously.

    Owned by DP World and managed by Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, the Dubai Cruise Terminal offers state-of-the-art facilities, with efficient reception check-in, a knowledge centre with concierge service, VIP lounge for visiting dignitaries, a relaxation zone and modern cafe.

    The grand design is to develop Mina Rashid right into a sophisticated, ultra-modern cruise terminal with the purpose of turning it right into a world class recreational area, reflecting Dubai’s strong cultural heritage and strengthening its position because the leading regional cruise hub. The improvement may even integrate the Mina Rashid waterfront back into the local people.

    The project builds on a growing cruise business that has already dropped anchor in Dubai. Last year, Mina Rashid received five cruise ships and handled five ocean-going cruise vessels simultaneously for the 1st time ever. Dubai also received around 420,000 cruise tourists through 110 cruise ship visits and there are already four major international companies in situ that organise regular trips.

    One of the flagships is Brilliance of the Seas of the Royal Caribbean fleet which was coming to Dubai for the past three seasons. Mina Rashid also received the maiden voyage of the enormous Serenade of the Seas in February this year, a sea-going palace that may accommodate 3,360 guests in its 1,073 suites distributed over 12 floors.

    The commitment to the cruise passenger business underpins Dubai’s strategic goal of positioning itself because the region’s leading tourist destination. Alongside the big variety of facilities and entertainment on these luxury floating resorts, passengers can benefit from the fantastic scenery in Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. The area-class hotels and resorts around the region and ultra-modern shopping centres are set against the background of a novel culture and heritage promising a life of unforgettable memories.

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  • News: Datalex: Innovating the travel retail experience

    Datalex, an independent Dublin-based company, provides essentially the most comprehensive and proven portfolio of air and ancillary pricing, shopping, promotions, merchandising and reward features across multiple direct channels. Its patent pending personalisation feature enables airlines to leverage data to tailor relevant and profitable real time offers inside the travel experience. 

    Airline retailers leading the transformation of travel retail are leveraging the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform to de-commoditise, differentiate and personalise their offerings.

    Airline retailers know they could rely on the solution’s flexibility and scalability to succeed in their business objectives at unrivalled pace.

    Unrestricted by technology, airlines are assured active engagement with the traveller in any respect touchpoints and might quickly implement relevant, tailored offers and promotions, or react quickly to competitive and market dynamics.

    Award-Winning Retail Innovation

    For the third consecutive year, Datalex have been awarded the title of World’s Leading Travel Distribution Provider, and in addition World’s Leading Travel Merchandising Solution Provider on the World Travel Awards Grand Final.

    Datalex chief executive Aidan Brogan is in undoubtedly as to the price that the arena Travel Awards recognition has dropped at Datalex. Commenting at the awards, he said: “We are very happy with the multiple World Travel Awards we’ve received. Last year was fantastic for Datalex, with the Travel Distribution Platform continuing to deliver its award-winning retail innovation and world class traveller experience to new and existing customers.”

    Brogan added: “Datalex has always been and can remain committed to working with our travel partners to present ground-breaking merchandising technology, grow their business, and to aid our customers to deliver first-class customer support to millions of travellers around the globe daily.”

    Global Travel Retail Excellence

    Datalex’s customers are airlines and travel suppliers who lead the industry in travel merchandising, driving the evolution from the standard air fare transaction to highly developed travel retail strategies.

    Datalex has worked with leading global airlines to drive the airline’s travel retail business into the long run. Its customers represent the top ancillary revenue earners in industry and the main progressive and innovative airline retailers. 

    Most recently, Delta Air Lines, the world’s largest global airline, has leveraged the Datalex Travel Distribution Platform to boost the digital experience across all touch points. Other innovative Datalex customers reminiscent of Aer Lingus, which leveraged TDP for 85 per cent of its distribution, has recently introduced pre-order meals available to book online.

    Also US-based ultra low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has leveraged an intensive range of TDP functionality. Most recently Frontier launched TDP Retailer, which dynamically offers a number of low fare promotions to customers in accordance with their chosen origin.

    With over 50 airline customers worldwide, Datalex software serves the airline travel retail offering to millions of travellers each day.

    PERSONA

    One of Datalex’s latest innovations was the patent-pending TDP Persona feature. TDP Persona, now a core feature of the Travel Distribution Platform, empowers travel retailers to intuitively identify customer intent and tailor offers uniquely targeted to every shopping experience.

    Datalex vp of strategy and marketing, Ornagh Hoban, explained: “Airlines are travel retailers; where ancillary started with bags, it has grown as a chance to service the client at every point of the travel experience.

    The potential upside in revenue is equalled by the power to satisfy the traveller’s expectations.

    This requires intelligent and high-value retail which involves creating experiences, not only commodities.”

    TDP Persona leverages the intelligence it gathers at each engagement with the client. It monitors shopping behaviour and profile without the will for the client to log in or complete a profile.

    Shopping logic permits product, pricing and promotions categorisation for real-time recommendations and promotions which are tailored and relevant.

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  • WTTC 2013: Changing demographics buffer tourism industry

    The ageing population, an increasingly connected society and fluctuating economic conditions are only three of the key factors so they can set future trends within the global travel and tourism industry, in step with industry leaders who spoke at the first day of the realm Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit.

    Other factors include the expansion of the center class with its increased disposable income; in addition to the emergence of a brand new generation that prioritises travel and cares for its environment.

    “We live in new Renaissance, we are living in a period of unparalleled opportunity, which has changed in several ways we can’t start to imagine,” professor Ian Goldin, director, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, said during his address to the Summit.

    “The trends of the longer term would be demographic, economic and ecological, globalisation is essentially the mostsome of the most progressive, powerful force we’ve ever seen, but it surely has to be managed,” he concluded.

    Professor Goldin spoke through the first session of the Summit entitled ‘The Global Context’ on the two-day event held in Jumeirah by Etihad Towers.

    The opening keynote address was made by WTTC president David Scowsill, who said: “Travel is a lifestyle or even within the toughest times, it is still a concern for populations world wide.

    “Travel and tourism drives economies and creates jobs; or even in challenging economic times, it still has the possible to grow, as consumer appetite for travel beyond national borders remains insatiable.”

    According to Dr Stelter, senior partner and managing director, The Boston Consulting Group there’ll be some ‘mega-trends’ shaping the industry.

    “The Travel and tourism mega-trends a good way to impact the industry are changing customer needs on account of an ageing population; the shift to RDE; further globalisation; and more convenience and time compression,” he said to a packed auditorium.

    There could be hurdles thrown up by mobility, infrastructure challenges and effort scarcity; new technology and increased intermediation, he explained.

  • First Hyatt branded hotel set for Spain

    Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered right into a management agreement with Cap Vermell Hotel Proyectos y Promociones, a Spanish real estate development company, for a brand new Park Hyatt hotel in Mallorca.

    Park Hyatt Mallorca would be the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Mallorca.

    Scheduled to open in 2015, the 142-room luxury resort hotel may be in-built the fashion of a standard Mallorquin hilltop village with references to local art and culture.

    While pursuing a standard style, the hotel will employ cutting-edge technologies and facilities which are standard across Hyatt hotels.

    Hotel amenities will include two restaurants; a lounge bar serving coffee, sandwiches and lightweight snacks; a poolside bar offering seasonal snacks; a separate beach club; greater than 13,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and a 13,000 square foot spa and fitness centre.

    “Mallorca is one among Europe’s most pretty areas, and we believe that Park Hyatt Mallorca will deliver an unprecedented level of luxury and unrivalled hospitality experience to guests,” said Peter Norman, senior vice chairman, real estate and development for EAME, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

    “Spain remains one of the crucial popular tourist destinations on the earth, and Park Hyatt Mallorca will enable Hyatt to further enhance its visibility in Europe and additional pursue its option to increase its brand presence within the region and new markets.”

    The hotel will overlook the Canyamel valley with views of the ocean and the traditional town of Artá. Adjacent to a world standard 18-hole golf course, Park Hyatt Mallorca can be within walking distance to the historic Coves d’Artá.

    The hotel is found on the centre of a 61-acre master development, that’s owned and being developed by Grupo Cap Vermell, so they can include residential properties and quite a few high-end luxury villas.

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  • 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 impossible to steer 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 fueling 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 with the intention to 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 within the UAE and likewise make the most Dubai’s location for business travel to destinations including Mumbai, Addis Ababa, Jeddah, Dushanbe and Kuwait.

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