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  • Wyndham expands European portfolio with Grand City Hotels deal

    Grand City Hotels has entered right into a strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group to brand 43 hotels under globally recognised Wyndham brand names.

    Grand City Hotels is Germany’s second largest hotel management company.

    Under this agreement, a 3rd of the extensive Grand City Hotel portfolio of 120 hotels might be affiliated with Wyndham Hotel Group under the Wyndham Grand (five properties), Wyndham (three properties), Wyndham Garden (ten properties), TRYP by Wyndham (17 properties) and Days Inn (eight properties) flags. 

    By March 1st 2013, the primary 33 of the 43 selected locations may be rebranded.

    The remaining hotels will follow over a better two years.

    With this deal, Wyndham Hotel Group is not just introducing the Wyndham brand in Germany but can also be launching the Wyndham Garden tier within the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and the TRYP by Wyndham brand in Belgium and the Netherlands.

    Christian Windfuhr, chief executive officer, Grand City Hotels, described this new alliance as “the greatest restructuring in our corporate history to date”.

    “We are greater than convinced by Wyndham Hotel Group’s competence, capability and brand image and likewise believe, gazing the level of the agreement, we will facilitate a sturdy and successful entry to the German hotel marketplace for our new partner,” said Windfuhr.

    All of the hotels can be found in Germany apart from two, so that it will become TRYP by Wyndham properties in Antwerp, Belgium, and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

    Wyndham Hotel Group, which currently has 54 properties in Germany, could have 95 within the country once all hotels rebrand.

    Wyndham Hotel Group could have 43 Ramada, 26 TRYP by Wyndham, 18 Wyndham and 8 Days Inn hotels in its portfolio in Germany.

    It may even have a complete of 5 hotels in Belgium and 3 properties inside the Netherlands.

  • UKinbound: Negativety will follow ‘visit visa’ for Brazilian tourists’ announcement

    UKinbound, the trade association representing the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector, has damned the government’s latest visa announcement that recommends the introduction of visitor visas for tourists from Brazil.

    Commenting at the announcement, UKinbound chief executive, Mary Rance said: “This is this sort of disappointing and retrograde step from the govt. Last year, it gave the impression of progress was being made during this area as visa restrictions for Chinese visitors were lightened, but now it really does feel like one leap forward and two steps back.

    “Visas are recognised as among the biggest barriers to inbound tourism and adding to this with restrictions for the Brazilian market won’t be conducive to the united kingdom economy. Brazil was identified as certainly one of VisitBritain’s key growth markets for 2020 and we should always be encouraging visitors from this ever-expanding economy, not introducing a barrier which may act as a deterrent.

    “Over the past 10 years, visitor numbers from Brazil have increased by greater than 250% and it’s been the sole BRIC country not to have UK visitor visa regulations in place. This isn’t a coincidence. Our competitors inside the Schengen zone should not have a comparable visa restriction, so why introduce a barrier to growth within the UK where there currently seriously isn’t one.

    “The Government ought to specialize in relaxing the complexity of the visa process and make the united kingdom a competitive destination, not hinder tourism further.”

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  • News: US Airways flight attendants overwhelmingly ratify new contract

    US Airways flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants – CWA (AFA), ratified a brand new contract today that offers immediate pay increases and includes support for the merger people Airways and American Airlines. The brand new contract opens four-party negotiations with American’s flight attendant union and airline representatives, an initial step in reaching a combined collective bargaining agreement. Eighty percent of flight attendants voting approved the agreement, which covers the airline’s 6,800 flight attendants who’re based in US Airways’ four hub cities of Phoenix, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C.

    “We are more than happy that our flight attendants have ratified this new contract. i need to acknowledge our AFA leadership team at US Airways, especially Roger Holmin and Deborah Volpe, for his or her labor and perseverance on behalf folks Airways’ flight attendants,” said Doug Parker, US Airways’ chairman and CEO. “We would also love to express our appreciation to the National Mediation Board, Board Member Linda Puchala and Mediator Jim Mackenzie for his or her assistance in reaching this agreement.”

    Following ratification today, the recent contract specifies negotiations to start within thirty days between airline officials at US Airways and American Airlines, AFA and the union representing American Airlines flight attendants, the Association of pro Flight Attendants (APFA). The talks would establish protocols for reaching a combined collective bargaining agreement once the merger folks Airways and American Airlines, announced on Feb. 14, is closed. The merger is anticipated to shut by the third quarter of this year following regulatory agency and bankruptcy court approvals.

  • Bahamas $80 million dollar shark tourism industry grows again

    Safe shark diving is nice for tourism; a live shark could be worth “tens of thousands of dollars” when compared with the “hundreds” that may be made by selling its fins. With that during mind an enterprising team of industry experts have created the world’s first educational dockside shark diving site at the small island of Bimini, Bahamas to assist dispel myths and misconceptions of sharks.

    Bimini Bull Run is headquartered on the Bimini Big Game Club, a 30 minute flight from the South Florida and a legendary outpost for fishermen, host to varied major sport fishing tournaments for greater than half a century. At this marina Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) have regularly visited because the time Hemmingway called Big Game home searching for fresh fish scraps from cleaning tables.

    A spokesperson for the location said: “We’re very excited with a view to offer someday guaranteed shark encounters with this completely unique and misunderstood shark species. Sharks are under siege all over and we’ve found that positive encounters with sharks change attitudes and mind sets taking into account the continuing preservation of those animals in ways in which negative encounters cannot accomplish and for us safety is prime. We built an oversized infrastructure to maintain sharks and those safe, it’s a wholly new operation that enables divers, non divers, and movie and television productions a singular place to come across them of their natural habitat.”

    Bimini Bull Run is a commercial concept endorsed and supported by the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative and the Bahamas Film Commission. Bimini Bull Runs specially designed cage systems are attached to purpose built docks that let divers, non divers, filmmakers, and underwater photographers access this unique and thrilling underwater world.

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  • Ritz Carlton forms alliance with Asprey

    Ritz-Carlton has formed a brand new alliance with Asprey to give guests at their properties all over with Asprey Purple Water amenities within the guestrooms.

    The Asprey bath and body range features their signature scent, Purple Water. The fragrance was originally created to be a distillation of the wealthy and artistic past of Asprey, and its exciting and plush present; a fresh citrus fragrance blended with spicy undertones to indicate strength and stature. The variety of Asprey Purple Water amenities would be available in
    Ritz-Carlton guest rooms and suites. The striking new number of purple jacquard print tubes was specially designed to feature a last touch of luxury to Ritz-Carlton bathrooms around the globe.

    This alliance between both iconic luxury brands brings a shared dedication to craftsmanship and delivery of the maximum luxury experiences. Both have a legendary commitment to excellence and are steeped in a rich heritage. “

    The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company prides itself on creating experiences so exceptional that the memories of a hotel visit will stick with our guests for a lifetime” expressed Herve Humler, President, C.O.O. and founding member of The Ritz-Carlton.

    “From concierge services to housekeeping, dedication to the art of the craft and far care goes into every moment of a guests’ journey during a trip to our hotels. Our partnership with Asprey is one which will truly enrich a guest’s experience at
    a Ritz-Carlton.” Humler added.

    In addition to experiencing the in-room line of Asprey Purple Water, guests also are ready to purchase Purple Water items from Ritz-Carlton gift boutiques in hotels around the Americas, online at www.ritzcarlton.com from March 12, and on the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common from the 1st Asprey boutique in Boston which has opened within the hotel’s main lobby.

    The new retail location on the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common, features an assortment of pieces equivalent to fine jewelry, leather goods including handbags, briefcases and luggage, silver, watches and cufflinks, china, crystal and games. The boutique is open 10am – 6pm Tuesday through Saturday and by personal appointment.

    “The unrivaled Asprey craftsmanship, fine jewelry and splendid leather items are timeless treasures that our hotel guests and neighboring residents will greatly appreciate” said Humler. Just as over many generations Asprey has developed into one of the crucial world’s most prestigious luxury retailers, The Ritz-Carlton has long been synonymous with unparalleled service and refined luxury.”