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  • News: Hertz introduces three new Porsche sports cars into its U.S. fleet

    The Hertz Corporation, announces it has expanded its line of sports cars available for rent to incorporate the Porsche 911, Boxster, and Cayenne, which join the already-available Porsche Panamera.  With the growth, consumers in select markets at the moment are ready to rent a number of Porsche vehicles that transform a regular trip into a unprecedented journey.

    “The response among Hertz customers to the Porsche vehicles in our fleet have been overwhelming, clearly demonstrating our customers’ passion to get behind the wheel of those cars,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and CEO. “The race-proven technology and intelligent performance Porsche brings to everyday driving offer a very unique driving experience to Hertz customers.”

    Hertz was recently voted Top-Rated for Vehicles within the Zagat 2012/13 U.S. Car Rental Survey; the expanded line of Porsche products provides more options for consumers in search of an unforgettable travel experience.  With suggested retail prices beginning from approximately $50,000 to $85,000, the 911, Boxster, and Cayenne offer a sports car driving character and everyday practicality without compromise.  Beginning this month, Hertz customers in select California, Florida, and Nevada markets can experience these remarkable vehicles with rates starting at $250/weekend day. Terms and prerequisites apply, visit www.hertz.com or demand details.

    In addition to the brand new Porsche offerings, Hertz has once more been named a chain partner of the 2013 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama and a sponsor of the 2013 JDX Racing Team.  As component of the sponsorship, Hertz will remain integrated into the GT3 Cup Challenge, with Hertz branding displayed prominently on all vehicles, while the 2013 JDX Racing Porsche GTC car will compete throughout 2013 inside the American LeMans Series.

    “JDX had a sturdy 2012 season, winning their first ALMS race at Mid-Ohio, and we’re excited JDX will campaign the #11 JDX/Hertz Porsche GTC for the whole 2013 season. With a brand new line up of avid passionate drivers, we’re confident their skills and expertise will continue to electrify all year long,” Frissora added.

    Operating among the many youngest and most diverse fleets within the industry, Hertz is committed to offering its customers probably the most technologically innovative services and products available to maintain customers “Traveling on the Speed of Hertz.” This includes Hertz Carfirmations and Carfirmation Upgrade which offer mobile confirmation of one’s rental car and the facility to upgrade straight from a customer’s mobile device; Gold Choice, which supplies Gold members the flexibility to maintain the automobile they reserved or just choose a further car from the Gold Choice area; and e-Return, with the fastest car rental drop-off that features an email receipt within hours. These are all complimentary services for members of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, that’s currently free to enroll in. Further, Hertz continues to expand the presence of its ExpressRent Interactive Kiosks that allow customers rent a car, without or with a reservation, through a live, face-to-face video kiosk.

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  • Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel to start soft opening

    Jumeirah Group has announced the soft opening of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, as of May 7th.

    Jumeirah’s first hotel inside the Gulf region outside the United Arab Emirates is situated along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, on the subject of Kuwait City’s business and fiscal centre and only ten minutes drive from Kuwait International Airport.

    The hotel was designed by architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill from Ny to create a really luxurious destination in Kuwait that merges the newest in design and technology with the heritage and culture of the region.

    Jumeirah Group president, Gerald Lawless, said: “The opening of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is a landmark event.

    “We are proud to be bringing our brand to Kuwait and want to thank the management of the hotel’s owning company Al Aziziah for giving us the chance to function this remarkable property.

    “I believe that the standard of the hotel and the services delivered by our colleagues under the leadership of the overall manager Mark Griffiths will offer the folks of Kuwait and visitors from all over the world a real taste of Jumeirah’s unique brand of hospitality.”

    The luxury beachfront development is made from 408 guest rooms, including 316 rooms and suites, 80 residential suites and 12 villas that offer an unhampered view of the hotel gardens. All rooms range from 40 to 60m², suites from 80 to 360m² and villas from 350 to 450m².

    Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa is electrified by its location.

    Messilah, derived from the word ‘Massiyalah’, denotes a low-lying area where waters merge and circulate the ocean. Water is a recurring theme within the hotel’s design.

    Water features flow from the central lobby and within the building to hook up with streams, channels and fountains within the gardens.

    Water also is reflected in a chain of striking sculptures, the internal design of the hotel and the Talise Spa, which covers 3,500m² and includes 17 treatment rooms and two private suites.

    In addition, Talise Spa has the Salt Room – an exclusive treatment inside the Middle East where salt blocks from the Himalayas are used for rejuvenation, relaxation and wellbeing.

    Another key design feature is the usage of traditional Kuwaiti oriel windows of Mashrabiya design which might be found round the hotel.

    Mashrabiya screens also are fitted within the bedrooms and may be pulled around the windows to produce privacy and shade from the sun.

    Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has six restaurants, along side a variety of cafes and lounges.

    These include a signature seafood restaurant and a premium steakhouse, a classy Italian restaurant and an all-day dining concept, an Arabic café lounge with a terrace overlooking the hotel entrance and a chic tea lounge.

    Other outlets include the Club Executive, a health and wellness restaurant next to the Talise Spa and a beachfront café for healthy snacks and views of the Arabian Gulf.

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  • News: China Auto Rental secures Hertz investment to lift domestic position

    China Auto Rental has announced that USA-based Hertz has agreed to take a position in its operations because it continues to construct on its position as domestic market leader in brief and long-term car rentals.

    Hertz will acquire a stake of approximately 20 per cent, on a fully diluted basis, in CAR and hold a seat on the board of directors. 

    Hertz and CAR will be co-branded at the latter’s full service rental locations countrywide, and Hertz’s car rental locations and operations in China, which will provide premium rental services in key cities, will be contributed to CAR.

    Hertz will continue to manage its outbound sales team in China, and its equipment rental business in the country is unaffected by this announcement.

    The partnership fulfils Hertz’s objective to significantly increase its presence in the rapidly expanding car rental market in China.

    Additionally, Hertz and CAR will be exclusive car rental partners for inbound and outbound business, offering international corporate and leisure travellers unparalleled short and longer term rental services. 

    “As the leading global car rental brand, it’s a perfect fit for Hertz to partner with the largest and most recognized car rental company in China.

    “China Auto Rental has the largest domestic rental footprint, with 700 locations in 66 cities, and a 50,000-vehicle fleet which is more than four times the size of its nearest competitor.

    “Also, CAR is growing rapidly, having doubled its revenues in 2012 to $250 million, 2.5 times larger than any other domestic company,” commented Mark Frissora, chairman, Hertz Corporation.

    Under the agreement, which is subject to normal closing conditions, CAR might be granted a license for an initial five year term to function on behalf of Hertz in China.

    CAR will develop a network of full-service Hertz premium locations in key cities to counterpoint CAR’s expanding location footprint.

    Taken together, the Hertz/CAR services will encompass self-drive and chauffeur-driven rentals, in addition to short, medium and long-term vehicle rentals and leases.

    Hertz will provide CAR with access to an entire array of services to support their rapidly expanding market presence, services which meet Hertz’s industry-leading standards.

    These include access to Hertz’s operational expertise, reservation capabilities, and fleet management efficiencies.

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  • Reunion Island launches eco tour

    A new eco-tourism tour is being offered by Reunion Island along side the already rich leisure activities of nature on offer at the west side of the island. The point of at the present time tour is to find (or rediscover) in an academic way the advantages of the island’s coral reef.

    A tour organizer will share the secrets of the reef and the island of Reunion in this journey of discovery of the coast, from Cape la Houssaye on the Hermitage lagoon.

    This is a brand new tour, which through innovative teaching will raise awareness of our environment in a fun way. The tour features a meeting with officers of the Marine Nature Reserve, which includes a guided tour followed by a lecture on the Aquarium of los angeles Reunion. a standard breakfast is supplied – a Creole meal cooked over a wood fire with a tasting of clean country juices.

  • Focus: Breaking Travel News interview: Panos Paleologos, chief executive, hotelBrain

    Entrepreneur Panos Paleologos has continued to defy the Greek economic crisis, announcing the addition of eleven new Greek hotel contracts to his hospitality management portfolio because the start of 2013.

    Additionally, Paleologos’ company hotelBrain will shortly be marking its move into the center East with the outlet of O’Monot, certainly one of Beirut’s first actual luxury boutique hotels.

    Here Breaking Travel News sits right down to discover all of the latest.

    Breaking Travel News: How much damage has the industrial crisis done to the Greek hotel market Do you are feeling consumers are staying far from the destination

    Panos Paleologos: Consumers are in no way staying away.

    As a nation we did see a dip in arrivals, but we’re firmly on an upward curve and the entire evidence means that this may be an extremely solid year for tourism in Greece.

    It’s also a good time to return to the rustic with quite a few very competitive deals accessible, and you may receive a warm welcome and a good experience as always.

    BTN: Is the location presented within the European media accurate to the placement at the ground Do you’re feeling Greece have been misrepresented

    PP: Until now few years there has definitely been some level of misrepresentation of certain aspects of the location.

    However, relating to tourism, the wear done by this was temporary and we’re seeing not only recovery, but additionally growth.

    The truth is that as a tourism destination Greece is as peaceful, safe and wonderful as ever.

    Tourists are considering for themselves of their thousands and no matter what’s said inside the media, word of mouth remains the most important communication tool.

    BTN: Has the location in Greece created any opportunities for savvy investors

    PP: In every crisis there are opportunities.

    It has unquestionably been a tough few years for small hotels.

    During this time our expertise in helping hotels improve their offer without necessarily investing in new infrastructure has proved to be a great deal admired.

    Subsequently, we’ve been in a position to grow our business by supporting, advising and guiding others through challenging times. 

    BTN: Could you tell our readers just a little more about your decision to transport into Beirut Has the political situation within the Middle East altered the timing of the project

    PP: Our plan is to open the O’Monot Hotel in Beirut in August this year.

    That has always been the plan, it hasn’t changed and we don’t expect it to switch.

    Our decision to transport to Lebanon was driven by a mix of a thrilling market and a culture it is a great deal in step with our operating model.

    Beirut is a colourful city with a high-quality domestic and international hospitality scene, which through the years has proved incredibly resilient.

    In Greece we now have had great success working with hotels to maneuver faraway from generic, high rise concepts of luxury and help them provide authentic experiences to guests, but with international standards.

    We are confident that the fascinating culture, architecture and great food in Lebanon is an appropriate base to support this approach, and that clientele will find it irresistible. 

    BTN: What’s on offer on the new property

    PP: O’Monot could be the first hotel from the Small Luxury Hotels of the Word collection in Lebanon.

    It could have 41 rooms all with an elegant, metropolitan aesthetic and there’ll be a roof top pool, gourmet restaurant and club bar, all with magnificent views of town of Beirut.

    BTN: Will you be aiming at travellers from the center East, Europe, Asia or elsewhere Are you seeking business or leisure guests

    PP: The hotel is perfectly install to host business and leisure guests, and we’re confident that the situation and facilities will make it well-liked by both.

    The majority of tourism arrivals to Beirut are from throughout the Middle East, followed by Europe and the remainder of the sector.

    We hope to attract travellers from around the globe, and we predict that our guests will reflect the varied make up of the city’s visitors. 

    It’s a truly exciting market, undoubtedly. With multiple major airline hubs there’ll always be traffic into the region for business, leisure and naturally there’s the stop over market.

    The culture around the Middle East is rich and in some areas growth has most probably been on the expense of this.

    I think, however, this offers a good greater opportunity for hoteliers to interrupt the mold and utilize what’s on their doorstep to produce personalised experiences, showing off the most efficient valuable of the region in tandem with great service. Hospitality with the soul!

    Interview: Chris O’Toole