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  • Air Seychelles and Seychelles Tourism Board ink deal

    Air Seychelles and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) geared toward increasing Seychelles’ visibility all over the world by leveraging the airline’s expanding international network and growing collection of airline partners.

    The agreement was signed by Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, and Mrs. Elsia Grandcourt, STB’s Chief Executive Officer, at a ceremony held on the Ministry of Tourism and Culture on the National Library building, within the presence of Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St. Ange; Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan; and Principal Secretary for Tourism, Sherin Naiken.

    Under the recent agreement, both parties will jointly explore how you can interact to advertise Seychelles around the globe, providing more opportunities for visiting journalists, travel agents, and tour operators.

    Mrs. Grandcourt said: “I am grateful we’ve been ready to sign this MOU today which reaffirms our engagement with the national carrier in promoting the Seychelles destination. We’ve already been working very closely together, and that i believe with this signing today, we will only take a look at more positive things one day.”

    Cramer Ball said the airline’s expanding international schedule and partnership strategy could be a key enabler of boosting tourism and contributing to the growing diversification of tourists arriving to Seychelles.

    “This is a thrilling time for Air Seychelles. We’ve had an immense year. We took delivery of our first Airbus A330-200 last year, and next week we’re going to welcome our second. We’re trying to expand our network to over 750 destinations weekly to and from Seychelles. We see great opportunities in markets like Hong Kong, Greater China, Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa. All year long we can be expanding our airline partnerships and expanding our links to those destinations.”

    “The signing of this MOU, our partnership with STB, is key to the way forward for how we recommend Seychelles around the globe. This new bond is a huge section of the way forward for Air Seychelles, and we’re delighted.”

    Minister St. Ange added: “The Ministry of Tourism and STB have always been committed to the national airline, and formalizing this agreement today ties our two organizations together and provides us an exceptional way forward to interact. We’re enthusiastic of the support being offered by the Air Seychelles within the marketing of the destination, which remains the core role of the STB. We shall work hand in hand with the hot Air Seychelles and its partners, similar to airberlin, and people to come back, who’re opening up new avenues and opportunities for Seychelles, because the world continues to diversify.”

    Minister Morgan said: “Today marks a vital moment for Seychelles. This agreement not just reflects the goodwill and motivation of the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Tourism and STB to interact however it presents the chance for a brand new synergy in going forward in relation to our planning between tourism and transport sectors for the continuing development of Seychelles as a tourism destination. i need to claim thanks to everyone at who worked so hard to make this event happened today. Air Seychelles today has taken on a completely new dimension. We’ve access to an enormous variety of destinations through our partnership with Etihad Airways, but additionally in our own right as an airline, and we are going to seek more partnerships in Africa, South East Asia, Europe, and Eastern Europe.”

    Minister Morgan added that this new agreement will guarantee the ongoing development of this industry that’s so vital for the economy of Seychelles and its people.

    “The relationship that exists between Air Seychelles, STB, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport has now attained a brand new and better level of collaboration, and henceforth we are going to see an enhanced product for the selling of Seychelles,” Minister Morgan said.

  • New hotel manager appointments at Madinat Jumeirah

    Azar Saliba have been appointed Hotel Manager of Jumeirah’s Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf hotels. The Lebanese national has over 18 years of expertise within the hospitality industry, and seven years with the Jumeirah Group within the UAE. Before this appointment he worked as hotel manager for Mina A’Salam, where his passion for facing guests and co-workers was quickly recognised. Saliba takes time to forge relationships with clients and improve customer satisfaction, in addition to developing the commitment of team members to the delivery of “Stay Different” experiences during the Arabian resort. He’s one of many youngest hotel managers throughout the group today.

    Gisele Clark was appointed Hotel Manager of Mina A’Salam. Previous to joining the Jumeirah Group in 2010, she worked for well-known groups equivalent to Firmdale Hotels and Thistle Hotels in London, The Swiss Grand Hotel in Australia, and Marriott. Clark brings together with her an outstanding 22 years of expertise spanning 8 countries. During the last 3 years as General Manager – Operations Support, she provided key support to Jumeirah’s properties within the Maldives, Azerbaijan, and Istanbul during their pre-opening phase, in addition to to new openings worldwide. In her role as interim General Manager for Jumeirah Maldives during 2012, Clark inspired teams to deliver Jumeirah’s hallmarks, and developed culturally connected experiences that gave back to the local people.

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  • News: Etihad Rail secures US$1.28bn funding package

    Etihad Rail has announced it has secured financing of US$1.28 billion for Stage One in all its railway project, which comprises the route from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais.

    Commenting at the completion of financing for the primary stage of the project, H.E. Nasser Alsowaidi, chairman of Etihad Rail said: “The securing of this loan not just represents the start of a brand new era for the UAE in trade and travel through a transportation network with the intention to connect all seven emirates with our GCC partners, but additionally reflects the international financial community’s confidence in Etihad Rail and the numerous potential of the UAE’s national railway.”

    The five-year loan could be financed on a club deal basis by National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, with NBAD acting as both the power and security agent of the loan.

    Initial financing plans for the primary stage of the project were originally approved by the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Cabinet in early 2012, and similarly authorised by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

    Commenting on behalf of Etihad Rail, Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, chief executive of Etihad Rail said: “This loan is a further indicator of the numerous progress being made at Etihad Rail.

    “With the new arrival of our wagons, the considerable headway being made in construction on Stage One, and as we glance forward to the advent of our locomotives later this quarter, Etihad Rail is on schedule to seeing the primary train run from Habshan to Ruwais by the tip of this year.

    “We sit up for working with our banking partners as we develop this landmark project for the UAE, and appreciate the efforts of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the substantial role the corporate played in helping to secure this loan.”

    Stage Among the Etihad Rail network will extend 264 km from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais, facilitating a contemporary, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly means to move ADNOC ‘s shipments of granulated sulphur for export on the port of Ruwais.

    Etihad Rail received its first shipment of wagons for Stage One in December last year, and can receive its first shipment of locomotives this quarter, while construction works at the route are well underway.

    Upon completion, the UAE’s national railway network will span approximately 1,200 km around the Emirates, boosting economic growth by connecting key centres of industry and population, and sustaining trade and social development.

    The Etihad Rail network can even form an essential component of the GCC railway network.

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  • IHIF: Johannesburg Tourism arrives in Berlin

    Joburg Tourism is at it again. So as to promote tourism investment opportunities within the city, MMC Ruby Mathang is leading a delegation to Berlin where the town of Gold would be participating within the 16th International Hotel Investment Forum.

    “As the city’s leadership, we recognise that tourism is a vital economic growth imperative and a fantastic catalyst for building a colourful city.

    “We also appreciate our role to create an enabling and supportive environment wherein the non-public sector can thrive and feel confident to speculate within the tourism sector and create new and plenty-needed jobs,” explained Mathang. 

    “The City of Johannesburg’s leadership is therefore committed to offering a favourable climate for investors, creating opportunities and offering incentives as a way to make this city an engaging destination for them.”

    Following on from the International Hotel Investment Forum, the Joburg Tourism team will then be participating inside the annual ITB, one of the most world’s leading travel trade shows, to be able to be happening in Berlin from March 7th-9th. 

    Joburg Tourism’s participation in international trade shows forms portion of its way to maintain and increase Johannesburg’s market share in both the business and leisure travel arenas. 

    “As ITB is likely one of the largest global platforms for the leisure travel market, we can once more be presenting Joburg’s position as a colourful, cosmopolitan all year round destination for business, leisure and lifestyle, using the chance to launch our Autumn Campaign, entitled “Explore Experience Enjoy Joburg q4,” added Phelisa Mangcu, acting chief executive, Johannesburg Tourism.

  • News: Air Lease Corporation places $3.2bn Boeing order

    Boeing and Air Lease Corporation have announced an order today for ten 777-300ERs (extended range) airplanes.

    The order, worth $3.2 billion at current list prices, adds to the growing portfolio of long-haul airplanes for the l. a.-based leasing company.

    “This order for 777-300ERs might actually help us meet the growing airline demand for long-haul passenger airplanes,” said John Plueger, president and chief operating officer of Air Lease Corporation.

    “These 777-300ERs will enable our customers to grow and modernise their fleets.

    “The 777 offers our clients probably the most economical, fuel-efficient and flexible airplane within the 300-400 seat range, suitable for a whole lot of profitable missions.”

    ALC has ordered 185 airplanes from Boeing including 78 Next-Generation 737s, 80 737 MAXs, 12 787 Dreamliners and 15 777-300ERs.

    The leasing company also has reconfirmation rights on 20 additional 737 MAX airplanes.

    “Air Lease Corporation has established itself as a pacesetter within the leasing industry by assembling a various fleet of recent, economical and fuel efficient airplanes,” said John Wojick, senior vp of world sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

    “With the 777-300ER order, ALC continues to illustrate confidence within the airplane and the price it provides to its customers.”

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