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  • Abu Dhabi records strong increase in tourism figures

    Abu Dhabi’s 141 hotels and hotel apartments have turned in a promising first quarter performance with across-the-board growth in guest numbers, guest nights, average-length-of-stay and revenues.

    Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority show that in the primary three months of this year some 631,417 guests checked into accommodation inside the emirate – a six per cent rise at the same period of 2012.

    Guest nights rose 23 per cent to two,119,016, the common-length-of-stay was up 16 per cent to a few.36 nights and total revenues climbed 15 per cent to AED1.432 billion of which food & beverage income of AED538.8 million represents a 12 per cent increase on quarter one among 2012.

    The results were aided by a healthy March performance when guest arrivals rose nine per cent at the same month last year to face at 230,974 which translated into 761,834 guest nights – a 26 per cent month-on-month increase with total revenues climbing 18 per cent to AED502 million, average-length-of-stay edging up 16 per cent and occupancy rising seven per cent to 74 per cent.

    The results were also delivered against a background of rising room supply with four new hotel facilities – two resorts, one in Abu Dhabi city another in Al Ain, and two hotel apartments within the UAE capital – opening during quarter one bringing yet another 706 rooms online.

    “The heightened competitiveness of the destination is winning additional major tour operators to our destination,” explained HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.

    “We are beginning to take advantage of our trade engagement programme which began a year ago and wherein 14 destination management companies has been represented, three of that are now opening offices in Abu Dhabi with a fourth expanding an existing office.”

  • Brand USA seals global manage STA Travel

    BRAND USA and STA Travel have signed a worldwide deal worth $4million over the subsequent two years to advertise the us to the youth travel market.

    This is the 1st time that Brand USA, the official tourism marketing organisation for the us of America, has launched into a dedicated youth campaign. The us is already a key destination for STA Travel, the world’s leading student and youth tour operator for 18 to 35 year-olds, but it surely is aiming to increased sales to the us by 30 per cent over the 2 year period.

    The campaign has launched inside the UK, Northern and Central Europe, Asia, Australasia and South Africa, with a contest for 3 winners to every win a road trip to america, housed at www.statravel.co.uk/usa-destination-guide.htm. The winners might be joined by a pro film crew to be able to gain exciting and experiential footage that may be placed online. The purpose is to get under the outside of America and seek for what makes the united states a special destination to the youth traveler in an effort to discover this land like never before.

    The campaign will largely be driven online across quite a few social media and digital platforms, across college campus activity and throughout STA Travel global retail stores.

    STA Travel chief executive John Constable said: “We are delighted to be working at the side of Brand USA in this ambitious campaign. We’ve seen the recognition and insist for the united states grow exponentially during the last five years and notice this as a chance to carve out a novel proposition about USA to the youth audience.

    “Brand USA couldn’t have come at a smarter time; america has needed a consolidated marketing approach for it slow and we’re very eager about working together to advertise an extremely special landscape.”

    Brand USA chief executive Chris Thompson said: “We are excited to be working with STA Travel on our inaugural Brand USA youth campaign. The youth market is a crucial target for the us as a travel destination; those travellers who visit us now will in future become our repeat visitors, returning to the united states year after year. We work flat out with our Partners to make sure Brand USA reaches a large and various audience and we are hoping that through this partnership the youth market will enjoy discovering this land, like never before.”

    Brand USA is the general public-private partnership answerable for promoting america as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation’s mission is to extend international visitation to the us while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the commercial and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs necessary to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information regarding Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For info about travel to and across the U.s., please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.DiscoverAmerica.com.

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  • News: Tourism Australia participates in Travelweek

    Tourism Australia will take part in luxury travel trade extravaganza, Travelweek, this week as a part of its efforts to reinforce relationships with leading travel operators and inspire more Brazilians to experience Australia’s unique attractions for themselves.

    Brazil is a concern growth marketplace for Tourism Australia because it pursues a goal of tripling Brazilian visitor expenditure in Australia by 2020. Australia is an increasingly popular destination for affluent Brazilian travelers, with visitor numbers growing 6.5% to 31,370 inside the year to January 2013.

    “Travelweek, as probably the most important events for Latin America’s luxury travel industry, presents a good chance to satisfy with operators, develop new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships,” said Tourism Australia Vp, The Americas, Jane Whitehead, who will attend the April 16-19 event.

    Mrs Whitehead said Tourism Australia’s growth strategy for the Brazil market was desirous about a number of opportunities. “We are developing consumer marketing activities in partnership with airlines, industry and media partners to advertise higher awareness of why there’s nothing like Australia for a memorable vacation.

    “We also wish to encourage agents to finish our Aussie Specialist training program, which enables them to extend their understanding of Australia’s outstanding range and quality of vacation options and help them sell the destination confidently.

    Interest in Australia is growing and 4 Brazilian tour operators will travel to Sydney later this month to wait the Australia Tourism Exchange (ATE), the premier event for operators from around the world to fulfill with Australian operators as they showcase their product and services.

    “Australia has always been a well-liked destination for Brazilian students and adventure travelers, and more Brazilians are discovering that Australia also offers exceptional luxury vacation options that combine fine accommodations set in spectacular locations with excellent food and wine,” Mrs Whitehead said.

    “It’s never been easier to go to, with improved flight options including direct flights with Qantas and LATAM in addition to convenient connections with South Africa Airways, Aerolineas Argentinas, Qatar Airways and Emirates Airline.  Brazilian travelers now have access to the e676 electronic tourist visa and, for those researching their trips, the web site Australia.com was translated into Portuguese and is filled with useful information and inspiration.”

  • The Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel opens

    The Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel had opened its doors just outside Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).

    Owned by an affiliate of Platinum Equity, the hotel completed a comprehensive multi-million dollar renovation ahead of re-opening to be able to meet Sheraton brand standards. The hole is a part of the Sheraton brand’s strategic $8 billion expansion effort.

    “Sheraton is delighted to be adding depth to our Pittsburgh portfolio with the addition of this ideally located property as we continue to expand the emblem in dynamic markets, worldwide,” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

    “Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel provides travelers with a trendy, comfortable and social atmosphere where they could enjoy the whole brand’s recently enhanced signature services and amenities.”

    As a part of its renovations, Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel implemented the Sheraton brand’s signature Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft – a social hub within the lobby where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam happen, and a Link@Sheraton Café.

    All 200 guest rooms were fully renovated and equipped with the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, designed to satisfy AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria, in addition to a large work desk, ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, and LCD flat panel television.

    Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel provides approximately 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with all of the latest in meetings technology. Additional amenities include a whole-service restaurant and lounge, outdoor pool, Sheraton Club Lounge, and entirely renovated fitness facility featuring the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

  • News: Travel Indochina launches Vietnam mega fam

    Leading Asia specialist Travel Indochina, at the side of Vietnam Airlines, is running a mega fam to showcase its exceptional kind of travel on a luxury tour of Vietnam. Valid over three dates in June, the ten-day itinerary includes international and domestic flights, 7 nights’ luxury accommodation and expert Travel Indochina touring for under £895pp*. Equally excellent news, the companion fare is barely £995p – a real five-star experience at two-star prices!

    The heavily-discounted fam trips will depart on 5th, 12th and 26th June 2013. There’ll be 16 places per departure for agents and a travelling companion. “Allowing agents to take a non-industry travelling companion to share the experience for under £100 greater than the agent price is amazingly unique,” said Manda Churchill, general manager of Travel Indochina. “This has already been incredibly well received by travel agents with whom we have now contracts, and we glance forward to welcoming more bookings, particularly for the departure on 5th June where we currently have healthy availability.”

    The itinerary will soak up bustling Saigon where agents will discover the city’s world-famous attractions, traditional markets and the luxurious Mekong Delta. a quick flight then transfers guests to Danang for an unforgettable stay at in a personal pool villa on the Fusion Maia Resort, where spa treatments are complimentary. Guests will enjoy leisurely days by the South China Sea with access to the riverside town of Hoi An, a travellers favourite with great shopping opportunities, before flying to the northern capital of Hanoi to explore the highlights of the Old Quarter. The trip finishes with an overnight cruise across the breathtaking islands of Halong Bay.

    Reflecting Travel Indochina’s impressive product, the mega fam will include the services of a Western tour leader and accommodation at three centrally-located, five-star properties in Vietnam. These include the Caravelle Hotel (Saigon), Fusion Maia (Danang) and Hilton Hanoi Opera (Hanoi), plus an overnight on Indochina Sails junk boat (Halong Bay). There’ll even be the opportunity to mingle with the Travel Indochina team during two hosted welcome and farewell dinners.

    “In partnership with Vietnam Airlines, our aim is to enable agents to experience the captivating diversity of Vietnam the Travel Indochina way,” comments Manda Churchill. “We are delighted to present a really incredible deal for agents to find ‘authentic’ Asia in luxury with the support of our Western tour leader and native English-speaking guides.”