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  • News: New Zealand marine industry goes social

    New Zealand’s marine sector goes global and social with a networking initiative linking expat-Kiwis and their pool of connections, expertise and reputation to lift the local industry.

    Launched by the brand new Zealand Marine Industry (NZMI), the hot social network may be open to Kiwis working within the marine sector worldwide who would like to support their home industry.

    The selection of expat-Kiwis engaged on superyachts and within the supporting marine industry abroad is estimated at thousands, and their combined connections and good reputation are seen as a valuable resource in driving new business home.

    The new initiative ‘Friends of NZ Marine’ is geared toward harnessing those Kiwi connections through social media networks to assist boost future business. The recent Zealand marine industry currently has NZ$1.7 billion turnover which incorporates NZ$650m in exports – from a workforce of 8000 employees including 450 apprentices.

    The aim is to double exports inside the next seven years.

    Emirates Team New Zealand
    NZ Marine Industry executive director Peter Busfield said Friends of NZ Marine was launched on the Auckland Emirates Team New Zealand base, because they’re among the New Zealand industry’s most dynamic ambassadors.

    “Emirates Team New Zealand is the most effective example of what Friends of NZ Marine is all about. It truly is high profile, has a name for the very best quality and is made of a collection of people that have many, many connections worldwide.”

    At the time of the announcement the ETNZ base was being dismantled and loaded into containers, at the side of the large AC72 catamaran to be shipped to San Francisco for the forthcoming 34th America’s Cup.

    New Zealand may have a sturdy presence both off and on the water in San Francisco, and Busfield believes Friends of NZ Marine can be well positioned to take maximum good thing about Emirates Team New Zealand’s high profile. The initiative may also be aimed toward international boat shows, conferences and the networks of NZMI’s 450 member companies.

  • Multi-Destination Tourism to be discussed at sustainable tourism meeting

    The issue of Multi-Destination Tourism (MDT) is considered one of regional importance in order to be addressed on the upcoming 24th Meeting of the Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

    For over five years, the ACS, through its Directorate of Sustainable Tourism, was engaged within the development of a Multi-Destination Tourism Program which seeks to facilitate dialogue and cooperation one of many regional stakeholders within the tourism and transport sectors. The target is to maintain the “Caribbean” destination market share in extra-regional markets and increase intra-regional tourist flows.

    In this regard, the Directorate will inform of advances made inside the organising of Aviation Day Caribbean, pursuant to outreach to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA). Aviation Day Caribbean will gather the Regional Tourism and Transport Authorities with the airline executives, to facilitate collaboration, networking, and dialogue. This high-level forum is scheduled for November 13, 2013 in Cancun, Mexico, and the ACS would be partnering with both the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and ALTA for the hosting of this event.

    This initiative responds to calls from various regional governments in advocating for the region to explore incentives and methods to reinforce regional carriers; enhance intra-regional travel; and thru joint airlift agreements, increase linkages between regional- and international-based airlines as a part of a broad-based technique to boost tourist arrivals.

    The advances and way forward on issues along with regional collaboration within the area of sustainable tourism is another topic that occupies equal importance at the agenda. Emphasis can be put on achieving consensus at the way forward inside the project to ascertain the Sustainable Tourism Zone of Greater Caribbean (STZC). The Directorate have been collaborating with the Regional Council of Martinique for the conceptualisation of a regional cooperation mechanism for dialogue, interaction, and engagement of the participating destinations, and Regional Tourism Authorities, in addition to to facilitate consultation with regional cooperation and funding agencies for integrated planning among STZC stakeholders.

    This project will facilitate the growth of the Sustainability Indicators Project to incorporate at the least one destination in all of the ACS Member States. Additionally, a domain might be developed to operate as a data, marketing, and resource tool, to support the establishment and promotion of the STZC and the Greater Caribbean Region in international tourism markets. As well as showcasing the region’s destinations, the web site would be equipped with tools for the sustainable management of tourism destinations and data conducive to adopting sustainable tourism practices for destination mangers, regional governments, and the general public at large.

    The ACS acknowledges that increasing cooperation among the many countries of the Greater Caribbean Region is necessary in positioning the region as ONE Greater Caribbean Destination. With its proposed initiatives, the ACS has sought to tap into existing and potential synergies by increasing collaboration in crosscutting problems with mutual interest, which are achieved through a means of knowledge exchange, alliances, and partnerships for horizontal cooperation.

    The Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism meetings held annually may be chaired by the President of the Martinique Committee on Sustainable Tourism, Mrs. Karine Roy-Camille. High-level officials in attendance include the Minister of Tourism of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honorable Stephen Cadiz; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Juliana Johan-Boodram; and Acting CEO of the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC), Ms. Yolande Selman. As well as participating within the meeting, the Ministry of Tourism and the TDC are collaborating closely with the ACS in hosting the meeting.

    Other high-level delegations from ACS Member and Associate Member Countries, in addition representatives from regional organisations, also are expected to be in attendance because the region seeks to pursue a collaborative approach within the advancement of the ACS Sustainable Tourism Work Program.

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  • News: Adelman Travel announces partnership with TravelText

    Adelman Travel and TravelText kicked off the Concur Fusion 2013 conference by announcing a brand new partnership on the way to provide corporate customers of Adelman Travel having the ability to complete expense reports in Concur Expense in a question of seconds via texting technology.

    “This technology will provide our Concur Expense customers with an absolutely integrated solution that permits them to quickly and simply complete an expense report while at the road,” said Ivan Imana , Chief Information Officer of Adelman Travel. “For example, immediately after dinner a traveler can begin a Concur expense report via a text message.  Then, with a couple of strokes on their phone, they’ll submit the expenses for dinner with attendees along with a picture of the receipt, in a question of seconds.”

    The TravelText texting service is currently available only within the U.S. for purchasers and users of Concur Expense Systems, but will expand to Asia Pacific and other English-speaking countries inside the near future.  Adelman Travel is the 1st travel management company to partner with TravelText and sell their expense report texting solution, that’s immediately available for purchase by Adelman’s customers.

    “We’re really inquisitive about the partnership with Adelman. Their innovative solution to the market and speed during which they adapt their business to it was a nice surprise,” said Jarl-Gunnar Lier, CEO of TravelText.

  • Hotel Indigo announced for downtown Chicago

    Hotel Indigo®, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, is constant its expansion in major U.S. cities with plans for its third hotel inside the Chicago market. The hotel, with the intention to be located within the historic downtown area’s Atlantic Bank Building, is predicted to open in spring 2014.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, located at 168 N. Michigan Ave., will undergo an estimated $20 million renovation by the ownership and could occupy a 101-year-old building that first opened in 1912 because the Federal Life Building. The 156-room hotel will feature design elements that reflect its local neighborhood just north of Millennium Park within Chicago’s central business district.

    As a part of the extensive renovations, the hotel will add four floors to the building—bringing the entire to 16 stories – housing a rooftop bar, and a cafe managed by celebrity chef David Burke. The hotel will maintain lots of its historic features, including the unique white enamel terra cotta exterior, while including the advantages and amenities guests expect from staying with a brand from one of many world’s largest global hotel companies.

    “The Hotel Indigo brand is uniquely designed to mirror the culture, character and history of the neighborhoods where our hotels can be found,” said Mary Winslow, director, Brand Management, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. “This hotel will occupy a native landmark on famed Michigan Avenue, probably the most storied neighborhoods in Chicago. The expansion of the Hotel Indigo brand in top-tier markets like Chicago, Long island and New Orleans proves that guests value the boutique, local neighborhood experience that our hotels provide.”

    Set inside the heart of Chicago’s vibrant business district, and within walking distance to a lot of Chicago’s best restaurants, shopping and theater districts, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel can be conveniently located just steps from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park. The hotel can also be in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and various corporate offices. Within a mile of Interstates 90, 94 and 290, in addition U.S. Highway 41, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel could be served by several bus and train stops and may be near the Chicago Cultural Center, among the city’s finest sites for fundraisers, concerts and other special events.

    “We are excited to be involved with bringing the Hotel Indigo brand to downtown Chicago,” said Musa P. Tadros, president, Crown Series 168 North Michigan Avenue LLC, a Frankfort, Ill. based company. “Chicago is a thriving business and travel destination that gives unique local flavors not found anywhere else within the U.S. We glance forward to welcoming both business and leisure guests and sharing our neighborhood story with them.”

    The Hotel Indigo brand, the world’s first global branded boutique hotel brand, has grown rapidly since launching in 2004. The Hotel Indigo brand is still a powerful growth vehicle for IHG with its strategy curious about growing in top-tier priority markets and gateway cities. With a high quality global pipeline of nearly 50 hotels, the Hotel Indigo estate is anticipated to double in size to 100 properties inside the next three to 5 years.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel is among the Hotel Indigo properties expected to open in key cities within the U.S. inside the following couple of years, including Ny city, Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., Savannah, Ga. and Pittsburgh. The emblem has recently seen growth in top U.S. markets with the 2012 openings of the Hotel Indigo Brooklyn and Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District hotels. The Hotel Indigo brand has also seen strong international growth, with the hot opening of the Hotel Indigo Barcelona – Plaza Catalunya hotel, and the approaching opening of the Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island hotel, anticipated to open by mid-year.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, owned by Crown Series 168 North Michigan LLC and managed by First Hospitality Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.

  • UK holiday spending higher inside the north than the south

    People within the north of britain are spending almost £200 greater than their southern counterparts on their holiday this year – consistent with research* released today by lastminute.com. With house prices within the south of britain up greater than twice that of the united kingdom as an entire, and typical London house values hitting an all-time high of £318,214, the price of southerners’ homes could be affecting their time away.

    The research revealed that 2013 holiday spending within the north of the rustic is up by an ordinary of £118 per person in comparison with 2012, and nearly a 3rd (29%) of northerners who will go on holiday this summer plan to spend over £1,000 per person this summer. Over the border, 30% of Scottish holidaymakers also plan to splash out no less than a grand per person, but only one in 5 southern holidaymakers are prepared to do an identical.

    When it involves gender splits amongst holiday-goers, men were found to be the most important holiday spenders, allocating £918 each on average – in comparison to women who were set to spend a regular of £831 this year.

    Mark Maddock, Managing Director of lastminute.com UK and Ireland said, “Our findings have highlighted a north-south divide we’re not used to seeing, and it can be that the price of housing is starting to impact southerners’ purchasing power. However, people should get maximum value from their hard-earned holiday budgets and at lastminute.com we will guarantee fantastic getaways for reasonable prices.”

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