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  • WTTC calls on cruise industry to unite

    “The cruise industry must play its part in fighting visa bureaucracy and deterring more taxation,” in keeping with World Travel & Tourism Council president David Scowsill.

    Speaking on the Cruise Shipping Miami Conference, Scowsill complimented the cruise sector for creating a vital and rapidly growing contribution to the worldwide tourism industry but called on it to return in conjunction with other sectors of the industry to talk with “one voice”.

    He often known as at the industry to make sure visa processing and taxes, which support growth, remain high at the agenda when discussing policy with governments around the globe.

    Scowsill explained: “Visa processes are needed which might be transparent, economical and streamlined to enable travellers to head all over quickly, efficiently and with minimum hassle.

    “The cruise sector is calling to open up new markets including China, where a growing middle class is expressing a want to cruise and notice the arena.

    “Lengthy and intricate visa processes for potential Chinese, Russian and Indian passengers will hamper that growth.”

    WTTC recently undertook a joint study with United Nations World Tourism Organisation to ascertain the industrial value and job creation potential of improvements in visa procedures and policies.

    The research showed that improvements within G20 countries could generate as much as 112 million additional tourists, increase tourism receipts by as much as US$ 206 billion and add five million jobs over three years.

    The findings were tabled on the meeting of the G20 ministers of tourism on the WTTC meeting in Mexico last May and the declaration from that meeting was submitted to the G20 Leaders.

    It was the 1st time tourism were included within the G20 World Leaders’ Declaration.

    Scowsill added: “Leaders are starting to get the message but Governments ought to know how much revenue they’re missing out on by not having progressive visa policies.”

    He went directly to congratulate the cruise industry on being the fastest-growing sector of tourism.

    CLIA industry outlooks forecasts 20.9 million passengers will take a cruise in 2013 – a rise of three.3 per cent on passenger numbers in 2012.

    The worldwide cruise marketplace for 2013 is estimated to be worth US$36 billion – up 4.8 per cent on last year.

    Total worldwide cruise capacity in 2013 could be around 439,000 passengers – a rise of 3 per cent on 2012.

  • News: Delta expands service at La

    Delta Air Lines increases service at La International Airport with daily year-round and seasonal service to fourteen destinations, including eight new markets. The extra service adds 12 percent more daily seats available in the market.

    The new and expanded L. a. service between the subsequent cities (start dates) includes:
    *  New daily service to Nashville and 3 daily flights to Seattle (April 8)
    *  New intra-West service to 2 markets: San Jose, Calif. with four daily flights (July 1) and Spokane, Wash. with one daily flight (June 10)
    *  New summer seasonal service to 3 markets: Boston will operate daily (June 10), Anchorage, Alaska will operate 3 times weekly Friday-Sunday (June 21) and Bozeman, Mont. will operate Saturday only service (June 22)
    *  New Central America service to San Jose, Costa Rica (July 1)
    *  Expanding current intra-West service with one additional flight to Oakland, Calif., Phoenix and Sacramento, Calif. for a complete of 5 (June 10)
    *  Service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico increases frequency from Saturday only to daily (July 1) and one additional Saturday flight would be added to Guadalajara, Mexico (July 6)
    *  Expanding service to New Orleans with one additional flight for a complete of 3 daily (Sept. 4)
    *  Full flat-bed seating in BusinessElite on four of the seven flights to Ny-JFK this summer
    *  Upgrading Las Vegas aircraft to 6 daily mainline flights in June

    “Los Angeles boasts a powerful domestic revenue market and we’re committed to building a network that supports customer demand both locally and all over the world,” said Bob Cortelyou Delta ‘s senior vp – Network Planning. “Our new service, combined with our domestic and international partners, positions Delta to be L. a.’ preferred carrier.”

    By summer, Delta will operate 118 peak-day departures to 40 nonstop destinations, including Sydney and Tokyo, from La. All Los Angeles service offers customers the choice of top notch, Economy Comfort or economy seating, together with in-flight Wi-Fi.

    Customers flying from L. a. also take advantage of Delta’s agreements with domestic partner Alaska Airlines and key international carriers, including WestJet and Virgin Australia, in addition to Sky Team partners Air France/KLM, Alitalia, Korean Air, Aeromexico, China Airlines China Eastern, China Southern and Aeroflot.

    In 2012, Alaska Airlines relocated to La International Airport’s Terminal 6 as portion of a Delta co-location strategic partnership. Customers of both airlines take advantage of shorter connecting times between Delta’s operation at Terminal 5 and six while creating more international, transcontinental and West Coast travel options.

    Additionally, Delta expects to start codesharing on flights between L. a. and London-Heathrow airport with partner Virgin Atlantic Airways later this year.

    Los Angeles is currently one of many Delta facilities undergoing significant renovations to study-in and arrival areas in addition to jet bridges to enhance the airline’s operational performance and overall customer experience.

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  • Spa trends reveal the necessity to transcend pampering

    With an increased caution towards prescribed pharmaceuticals, Naturopaths which include Sue Davis from the Lifehouse Spa & Hotel have witnessed an upsurge in sophisticated spa-goers seeking alternative health promoting treatments.

    Naturopathy which mixes nature with modern science embraces a wide range of non-invasive techniques and therapies, is growing in popularity as complaints similar to digestive issues can also be quickly and efficiently healed using its techniques.

    The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel is the sole hotel to have a Resident Naturopath – Sue Davis spent a few years treating elite clientele at wellness resort ‘Chiva-Som’ in Thailand, before returning to the united kingdom where a 60 minute consultation together with her costs £65.

    Offering guests the chance to debate symptoms that they’ve been unable to handle all alone or with the aid of other medical practitioners, Sue specializes in holistic prevention together with a comprehensive analysis of a person’s diet and lifestyle. Treatment generally comprises dietary correction, the theorem of ‘food as medicine’, herbs, flower essences, nutritional supplements, detoxification and exercise. 

    In a consultation Sue will compile an assessment, including details of medicines, supplements, family history, digestive health, cardiovascular issues, bones and joints, stress levels, emotional issues, exercise patterns and dietary habits. This helps to choose a root cause instead of simply targeting symptoms. An example of a standard condition successfully treated by Naturopathy is digestive health issues together with IBS, which responds particularly well to naturopathic intervention. Sue advises on practical how one can reduce stress levels including relaxing abdominal breathing techniques and addresses inflammation of the digestive tract is thru ‘healing and sealing’ of the digestive tract with soothing demulcent herbs akin to Slippery Elm and Aloe Vera.

    Sue Davis explains further “Naturopathy is quite empowering as much emphasis is put on education in order that guests have the tools to take control in their health. Once someone understands that health doesn’t just happen accidentally and that this is a life-long process that involves a transparent understanding of the standards that affect their health then they’re in a far stronger position to gain long time health and vitality.”

    Set in 12 acres of English heritage gardens in Thorpe-le-Stoken, Lifehouse Spa & Hotel focuses on the art of wellbeing and is the best backdrop to mix a consultation and stay, offering a latest, award-winning spa experience in a calming environment.

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  • WTTC: Abu Dhabi tourism growth outpacing global average

    New economic research released by the sector Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows tourism within the UAE is growing significantly faster than the area GDP growth average.

    The findings can be discussed intimately as tourism leaders from all over the world meet in Abu Dhabi for WTTC Global Summit, which begins today.

    The tourism industry contributed 14 per cent to the UAE economy in 2012 – well above the worldwide trend of nine per cent.

    Taking account of direct, indirect and induced impacts, AED193.6 billion of the UAE’s GDP came from the industry in 2012 and that contribution is anticipated to rise by 3.2 per cent by the top of the year.

    One in nine of all jobs within the country are on account of the industry, which beats the worldwide average of 1 in eleven jobs.

    A total of 383,500 jobs were supported by travel and tourism within the UAE in 2012 and by the tip of this year, the number is anticipated to further rise by 2.6 per cent to 393,500 jobs, compared with an international expected increase of one.7 per cent.

    Nearly 1 / 4 – 23 per cent – of the country’s total investment in 2012 – AED82.8bn – was directed into the industry last year and investment is determined to extend by an extra 12 per cent this year.

    David Scowsill, president and chief executive of WTTC, said: “As the UAE looks to diversify its economy, it’s fully embracing the social and economic benefits of tourism and reaping the rewards already from its strong investment.

    “This is one reason WTTC selected Abu Dhabi for our Global Summit.
     
    Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), that’s hosting the Summit in addition to Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, says the diversification of career opportunities which the tourism sector holds out for the Emirati workforce is a key element within the emirate’s plans to construct a sustainable tourism industry.

    HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “We are increasingly seeing Emiratis becoming inquisitive about this sector, which have been identified as a key economic diversification driver within the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan.

    “This involvement is taking the shape of Emirati entrepreneurs launching their very own tourism-related SMEs, with assistance from the Khalifa Fund For Enterprise Development, others taking over posts within airlines, the airport, TCA Abu Dhabi, the hospitality sector and within Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

    “We have activated a variety of initiatives geared toward introducing UAE nationals to the various opportunities that exist in the travel and tourism sector and expect their participation to keep growing.”

    By 2023, international tourist arrivals to the rustic are forecast to total 25.8 million, generating visitor expenditure of AED207.1 billion, a rise of 5 per cent every year.

    Scowsill continued: “It’s clear that the industry goes to be a major driver of growth and employment in Abu Dhabi for a better decade.

    “Its purposeful sustainable tourism approach will see it achieve its full potential of turning into a global class tourism destination within the next ten years.”

  • News: The Taj Group launches its 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group, India’s largest hospitality group, today announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with Vivanta by Taj inside the Millennium City of Gurgaon. The crowd 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 precise of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar. The hotel also offers stylized accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs. 19 miles south of recent Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is almost 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 in addition accomplished a major milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Mr. Raymond N Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company Limited, on the launch. “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations within the country. It also supports the company’s objective of accomplishing growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Ms Deepa Misra Harris, senior vp, sales & marketing at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces also mentioned, “The occasion marks a definite celebration for the crowd and inspires us to attain even greater milestones. Reaching our 100th hotel milestone in India and a complete of 117 globally reinforces our faith in our guests across geographies, who’ve amplified their preference for our brands across all locations we’re found in. Designed to deliver vibrant experiences to its guests, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts is a brand with a modern, energetic and vivacious twist.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is answerable 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 throughout the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition to 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.
     
    “The Vivanta brand is growing at a rapid pace. With its strategic location and the Vivanta brand features, Gurgaon is better poised to service the traveler in search of a novel and contemporary experience,” said Mr. Veer Vijay Singh, chief operating officer, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts.
     
    Latitude, the all-day diner at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, offers a world food theater, showcasing the dramatic play of spices and flavors from six different cuisines. The enduring Thai Pavilion – the country’s first signature Thai cuisine restaurant opens its door for the food connoisseurs visiting Gurgaon. Full of high-octane energy, Tease, the bar is designed to raise the spirits and opens onto a massive alfresco dining space that keeps the vibe alive. For the globetrotting, party hard traveler, Taj provides its signature Jiva Spa.

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