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  • News: Fred Smits appointed general manager of Westin Dublin

    Westin Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Fred Smits as General Manager of The Westin Dublin.  Fred joins The Westin Dublin from the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel & Conference Center where he was Executive Assistant Manager.

    Born within the Netherlands, Fred began his career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts on the Westin Rotterdam in 2001 as Executive Chef, working his way as much as become Director of Food & Beverage in 2005, a task he held until February 2007.

    In 2007, Smits was promoted to Executive Assistant Manager of the 406-room Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel where he oversaw all daily operations and held responsibility for the 30-room Conference Center and 4 food and beverage outlets.  During his time on the Sheraton Amsterdam, Fred also played a key role inside the renovation of the hotel and the introduction of Sheraton signature guest experiences inclusive of the Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft, Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance and the Sheraton Club Lounge.

    Before joining Starwood, Fred studied kitchen techniques and kitchen management inside the Netherlands, beginning his career in 1992 as a Chef de Partie on the former one-Michelin starred restaurant De Trechter in Amsterdam.  Following a stint with Embassy Suites in Denver within the USA, Fred returned to Europe in 1995 to tackle a food and beverage role with Hyatt Hotels on the Lowndes Hotel in London.  Between 1997 and 2001, he worked at numerous other Hyatt properties, including holding positions at hotels in Baku, Azerbaijan and the Dead Sea and Jerusalem in Israel.

    Reporting to Colin Bennett, Area Manager UK & Ireland, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Fred will now manage the 163-room Westin Dublin, including the hotel’s stunning Banking Hall, beautiful Atrium lounge, Exchange restaurant and renowned Mint Bar.

    Colin Bennett said of the announcement, “We are delighted to welcome Fred to the team within the UK & Ireland.  i’ve got surely that The Westin Dublin will benefit immensely from his extensive operational experience.”

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  • Most Americans plan to travel for summer vacation this year

    Americans could be sky-bound this summer after they take a holiday but will are likely to stay stateside, per a survey by John Hancock.  Eighty percent of these surveyed said they plan to travel for pleasure this summer, up from 77 percent in the summertime of 2012. Of these who plan to travel in this summer, half (49 percent) plan to tour a U.S. city. About one-third is headed to the beach, and 22 percent plan a global destination. Those that aren’t taking a visit this summer plan to take action at yet again.

    Despite the crowded skies, 64 percent of respondents said they plan to travel by plane (up from 60 percent in 2012), with 56 percent driving (down from 59 percent last year). Six percent say they are going to take a train, up from three percent in 2012.

    This year, finances seem to be less of a worry.  Only two percent of these surveyed said that financial obligations would keep them from taking a summer vacation, compared with ten percent in the summertime of 2012. When on vacation, 62 percent said they expect to spend the same quantity of cash as they did last year. Only 21 percent said they might spend less.

    When it involves making arrangements for leisure travel – purchasing tickets, booking hotels, finalizing an itinerary – respondents overwhelmingly preferred to do it themselves (93 percent).  Only five percent said they tended to apply a travel agency.

    Nearly two in five (37 percent) said they generally purchase travel insurance when traveling for pleasure; and five percent said they always do. A majority (57 percent) said they never purchase travel insurance.  Yet many report worrying in regards to the varieties of problems for which travel insurance could provide protection.  Forty percent are a minimum of somewhat concerned with losing their luggage, and multiple-third (36 percent) worry about experiencing a medical emergency while traveling.  an identical share expresses concern over having to cancel a visit unexpectedly due health problems with their very own or of a friend (34 percent). Despite instances of utmost weather during the past year, only 28 percent say they’re concerned that weather will affect their travel plans.

    The findings were drawn from the toilet Hancock Investor Sentiment Survey, a quarterly measure of investors’ views on a variety of investment choices, life goals, and economic outlook, in addition their confidence in these areas.

  • DoubleTree by Hilton launches in Australia

    Hilton Worldwide has announced that it’ll introduce its fastest growing full-service brand, DoubleTree by Hilton, to Australia when it rebrands four Northern Territory hotels on 1 May 2013. The country’s first three DoubleTree by Hilton hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs will open alongside Hilton Darwin inside the Territory.

    “We are delighted if you want to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Australian market and to feature another Hilton Hotel & Resort inside the region’s most important areas of growth,” said Ashley Spencer, vice chairman, operations, Australasia, Hilton Worldwide. “We was trying to enter into the Northern Territory for a while and are committed to creating these properties the leading full-service hotels out there.”

    The Northern Territory hotels are each located at the doorstep of a few of the foremost incredible tourism experiences Australia has to provide, in addition to being in prime locations for business travellers within the mining and resources sectors.

    Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to legendary outback destinations similar to the Kakadu National Park and the Katharine Gorge. With a multicultural population of just 129,000, Darwin is famed for its laid-back lifestyle, markets and festivals, Asian cuisine and large natural harbour, that’s bigger than Sydney’s.

    Alice Springs is found within the ‘red centre’ of the vast Australian continent and is the departure town for visiting Australia’s famous red rock Uluru, a five-hour drive from the town centre.

    “The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton in Australia – our 30th country and sixth continent – marks the start of a totally exciting expansion for our brand,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We are thrilled to open not one, but three hotels in Australia’s extraordinary Northern Territory and look ahead to introducing Australian travellers to the very best level of caring service synonymous with DoubleTree by Hilton – epitomised by our warm chocolate chip cookie welcome for each guest at check-in.”

    DoubleTree by Hilton knows that little things can mean everything with regards to a rewarding travel experience, and strives to bring each guest the special comforts and acts of kindness which are unique to the logo – starting with the nice and cozy chocolate chip cookie welcome and spreading through every stage of the hotel stay. The amenities that guests will enjoy include the invigorating array of CITRON body care products by Crabtree & Evelyn, 24-hour business and fitness centres, outdoor pools, a variety of foods and drinks offerings to satisfy every guest’s need, complimentary high-speed internet access in public areas, and an industry-recognised service culture that’s built round the idea of CARE (Create a Rewarding Experience for guests, team members and the community).

    As participants within the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme, all four hotels will offer guests the facility to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points. Gold and Diamond HHonors members can even receive complimentary breakfast.

    The 235-room Hilton Darwin, overlooking Darwin Harbour is simply a couple of minutes’ walk from downtown within the vibrant Darwin Harbour area, and steps from fantastic shopping, dining and entertainment. Guests can decide to relax on the outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour fitness centre, sample one of the vital finest cuisines in central Darwin or sip a cocktail on the lounge. Six meeting rooms, including a Grand Ballroom with a 14-metre ceiling height are designed to deal with a number conferences and events.

    Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Matt Conlan, said, “We’re delighted to have Hilton Worldwide, an industry leader, establish its brand within the Territory. The Hilton Darwin and 3 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, will enhance the diversity of accommodation choices available to visitors in locations which might be ideal for holiday and business travellers alike.”

    Hilton Worlwide’s area general manager for the Northern Territory, Martin Kendall can have overall responsibility for all four hotels, supported by Carey Osborne, hotel manager for the 2 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in Darwin, and Clinton Farley, general manager for DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs. Selected renovations are planned to start in late 2013.

    With the hole of the Northern Territory hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton are located in additional than 340 locations in 30 countries on six continents. The primary DoubleTree by Hilton opened in Arizona in 1969 and because 2008 the logo was expanding rapidly worldwide.  Greater than 50 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels will open globally in 2013 alone.

  • News: FCCA plans for the 20 th annual FCCA Conference & Trade event

    The historic city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia will set the stage for the twentieth annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Cruise Conference & Trade event, occurring September 30 – October 4, 2013.

    Cruise industry partners and stakeholders will join cruise executives from the FCCA Member Lines to share ideas and discuss industry trends throughout a sequence of tailored events, functions, meetings and more.

    Workshops should be available, where executives from the FCCA Member Lines will take part in a chain of roundtable discussions within the areas of promoting, shore excursions and operations to coach participants in regards to the latest trends/developments and help them the way to maximize cruise tourism’s benefit.

    To guarantee attendees’ opportunity for individual attention from the executives, the FCCA will pre-set one-on-one meetings with select cruise executives for pre-registered delegates registered and paid before August 15.

    Increased concentration at the trade event floor will provide a gradual flow of attendees and gain the notice of the cruise executives and industry stakeholders. With an expanded variety of booths and special destination pavilion options, this would be the best thanks to showcase a destination and its product as a team—from vendors and tour operators getting their product(s) onboard to destination ministries and port operators increasing their calls. This can be the way to make the best impact and most impressive showing on the FCCA Trade event.

    Choosing to fly with Avianca or Taca, the official airlines of the twentieth annual FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade extravaganza, will assist you to enjoy premium services on land and onboard. Access discounts from 15% to twenty% for flights within Colombia and discounts from 10% to twenty% on international flights. These discounts are just available on applicable fares on flights operated by Avianca or Taca.

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  • Malta Tourism Authority launches bespoke tours with Kirker Holidays

    The Malta High Commission in London, such as the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and leading music tour operator, Kirker Holidays, recently organised an event to announce new packages that commemorate the music events happening in Malta & Gozo all year long.

    The new offerings included specific bespoke tours for the Valletta International Baroque Festival to be held between the 10th and 26th January 2014; tailored to entice travellers to the Maltese islands as their cultural destination of choice.

    The reception, hosted by H.E. Joseph Zammit Tabona, High Commissioner of Malta to the uk, was attended by 80 of Kirker Holidays’ most affluent travellers. The specialist operator donated all proceeds to the The Young Concert Artist Trust, and was followed by a concert at St. James’s Church featuring a piano recital by renowned classical pianist, Melvyn Tan.

    Mr. Zammit Tabona said: “It is a pleasure to host such an event on the High Commission’s premises. I commend Kirker Holidays on their inclusion of Malta as a destination of excellence and comfort for the discerning traveller, and their promotion of Malta’s heritage and history – especially Malta’s classical music scene, with particular connection with the Valletta International Baroque Festival”.

    Alex Incorvaja, MTA Director – UK & Ireland added: “In collaboration with Kirker Holidays, we glance forward to inviting guests to our Maltese islands to experience such cultural events. These new packages will continue to augment and celebrate this niche market, so thanks to Kirker Holidays for his or her continued support and to their prospective clients who attended our reception. The MTA has paid special attention to further the Maltese islands as an amazing winter destination and continues to construct its annual calendar of musical cultural events as a way to also strengthen our offering to the musical enthusiast”.

    Ted Wake, Joint Managing Director of Kirker Holidays added: “We are delighted with the success of Kirker’s involvement promoting Malta’s first Baroque Music Festival in 2013 – and we greatly sit up for working closely with our friends in Malta to encourage more discerning music lovers to book for the 2014 event.  There isn’t any question in our minds that Valletta’s International Baroque Music Festival is about to become an annual event which Kirker clients sit up for attending once a year.  The standard of the performers, combined with the carefully planned programme – let alone Malta’s fascinating and historic venues – ensures that this festival will attract the eye of an audience who appreciate world class music events, let alone the various other features which make Malta a novel and extremely appealing destination for all discerning travellers.”

    Less than three hours from the united kingdom, rich in history and culture and with year-round sunshine, the Maltese islands make an amazing destination for a winter weekend or extended break. Lately, Kirker Holidays have identified Malta as a perfect location to host music festivals, and are working in close collaboration with the MTA on future plans for the years ahead.