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  • News: Operator welcomes loosening of Tibetan travel restrictions

    Small group adventure tour operator G Adventures has welcomed the relief of restrictions for travel to Tibet this year.

    Michael Edwards, managing director, G Adventures argued previous government policies regarding nationalities made it logistically difficult to substantiate travellers on Tibetan tours.

    “Being capable of travel with people from other countries is a giant portion of the G Adventures’ experience, so we welcome these changes which make it easier for our travellers to experience the wonderful thing about Tibet.”

    While there are various restrictions still in place, probably the most pertinent for travellers and agents seeking to book trips to Tibet are as follows:

    • There isn’t any longer a minimum variety of travellers required per nationality within a tour group.
    • For trips entering Tibet from China, permits may be granted for tour groups with travellers of 3 nationalities or less. Tours won’t be able to go into Tibet with four or more nationalities of passengers.
    • For trips entering Tibet from Nepal, there aren’t any restrictions at the selection of nationalities allowed per group.

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  • ABTA: Holiday Brits risking their lives on balconies

    One British national has died and 3 more was injured this month alone after falling from balconies while on holiday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA – The Travel Association, have renewed calls to young Brits keeping off on holiday this summer to take extra care on balconies.

    The latest incidents take the full selection of reported cases this year thus far to seven. Last year there have been 14 incidents, lots of which involved adolescents and alcohol.  This prompted the FCO and ABTA to launch a campaign warning of the hazards and providing advice and recommendations on staying safe.

    With the summer holiday season barely underway the newest incidents highlight the desire for continued vigilance on balconies, particularly in popular destinations similar to Sunny Beach (Bulgaria) and Majorca (Spain) where recent cases have taken place.

    Jon O’Shaughnessy, British Consul in Sofia, said: “Last year we needed to take care of several deaths and injuries from balcony falls, and unfortunately we’re already experiencing balcony accidents again. Our staff have seen the devastating effects a momentary lapse in judgement may have at the victim and their family and we’re working hard to make certain people understand the hazards. Accidents can and do happen and climbing from balcony to balcony, jumping off them or drinking excessively while on one only increases your probabilities of something going wrong. All too often these incidents cost lives however the risks may be avoided in case you take a moment to only imagine the potential consequences.”

    Last year Jake Evans and his family gave us a harsh reminder of just how wrong things can go when he shared his story of falling seven floors after slipping over the sting of his balcony while looking to reach for something at the balcony below. Jake’s story are available on www.gov.uk.

    Nikki White, ABTA’s Head of Destinations and Sustainability, said: “As we head into peak summer time, we’re again urging young holidaymakers to give thought the aptitude risks of balconies. We see too plenty of people permanently injured or worse because they’ve tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony. We wish people to enjoy their holidays but would advise them to contemplate the ramifications in their behaviour abroad. Incidents corresponding to these have devastating consequences for holidaymakers and for his or her families. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tourist authorities and ABTA Members in resort we are hoping to assist holidaymakers stop and consider how they use their balconies to avoid more of those tragic and avoidable incidents.”

    This summer, the FCO and ABTA are urging teens:

    *  Understand the hazards – climbing over or jumping off balconies could have serious consequences
    *  Know your limit – alcohol can impair your judgement and warmer climates can often increase the effect of drinking
    *  Get comprehensive travel insurance – be prepared for if something does get it wrong. Figures released in July this year showed that Spain is the rustic where most Britons require consular assistance, including 1105 hospitalisations.

  • News: St. Regis Doha celebrates first anniversary

    The St. Regis Doha is celebrating an historic milestone, with the hotel having welcomed its first guest a year ago.

    Since its official opening, the hotel has welcomed thousands of guests – including government diplomats for international conferences, celebrities, business executives and professional athletes.

    As a part of the luxurious-themed Al Gassar Resort member of Alfardan Group – located inside the heart of West Bay – The St. Regis Doha is now one of one of the best hotels inside the country and is setting new benchmarks inside the hospitality sector.

    Last year the St. Regis Doha’s saw success on the global World Travel Awards when it was named the World’s Leading New Hotel.

    Earlier in 2012, it was named Qatar’s Leading New Hotel and the center East’s Leading New Hotel on the regional World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony.

    Omar Hussain Alfardan, president, Alfardan Group, said: “The St. Regis Doha has perfectly complemented Alfardan Group’s steadfast commitment to service excellence and quality in step with our efforts to appreciate the vision of H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Heir Apparent H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to put the rustic as essentially the mostsome of the most exciting and colourful destinations for business and leisure.

    “An integral a part of Al Gassar Resort, The St. Regis Doha has raised the bar within the region’s luxury hospitality domain, that is evident from the series of industry accolades it has received in precisely the primary year of operation.

    “Looking ahead, i’m confident that the management and staff of the hotel may be desirous about taking The St. Regis Doha to new heights of excellence, offering regional and international guests an unprecedented experience in luxury and repair.”     


    Omar Al Fardan cuts the cake at in the course of the first anniversary celebration

    The St. Regis Doha has partnered with world class brands that share an identical passion for quality and excellence in service, enhancing the hotel’s optimum customer experience and raising the bar for hospitality and culinary offerings.

    In its first year, The St. Regis Doha has opened an exclusive number of restaurants and lounges including Astor

    Grill, offering modern Long island cuisine, two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, one for fine dining and a more casual alternative called Opal, Al Sultan Brahim known for its fresh seafood and Lebanese cuisine, and the area-renowned, authentic Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan.

    The hotel is likewise home to the primary Remède Spa within the Middle East.

    Tareq Derbas, general manager, the St. Regis Doha, added: “It was an exciting experience opening this magnificent hotel. We’ve had a particularly successful year and are pleased to be rising to the pinnacle of Doha’s rapidly-growing luxury hotel segment.

    “St. Regis Hotels & Resorts exemplify luxury, elegance and impeccable service, and our talented team is devoted to meeting the high standards that our guests demand.

    “In the year ahead, we’ll continue to develop our bespoke experiences for our guests, making a luxury destination tailored to a broader customer base that incorporates global travellers and the GCC market.”

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    St Regis Doha general manager, Tareq Derbas, delivers a speech to gathered dignitaries

    Adding to the original experience of The St. Regis Doha is the cosmopolitan Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha, the primary international branded venue of the brand new York-based Jazz at Lincoln Center, bringing the perfect international talent to Qatar and adding a dynamic element to this luxurious destination.

    Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha opened in September of 2012, and is easily on its thanks to becoming a world hotspot for jazz aficionados.

    The St Regis Doha is all about luxury and excellence, offering an in depth range of leisure facilities in addition to 4,000 square meters of meeting and conference space, making it the popular destination for both leisure and business travellers.

    The magnificent ballroom, the biggest with natural light, is a well-liked choice for prestigious weddings.

    The five-star luxury hotel offers 336 guest rooms, including 70 suites, in addition to extensive views of the Arabian Gulf, and an exclusive private beach with discreet ocean-front cabanas.

    St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

    Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence.

    Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the hole of the 1st St. Regis Hotel in Ny city over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels and residences is understood for its unique luxury dimension, customised service and refined elegance within the best destinations worldwide.

    Plans for the emblem to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis US and Latin American hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya.

    In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Changsha, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Lijiang and Zhuhai.

    In Europe, Africa and the center East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Dubai and Mauritius.

    The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is ready-made service and a spotlight to detail through signature St. Regis Butler Service, coveted locations and sumptuous design.

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  • Rosewood Little Dix Bay – The final word wellness escape

    Perched upon the beautiful British Virgin Island of Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, complete with its cliff-top Sense Spa, dedicated fitness and yoga retreats, and vast array of land-based and water-based activities Rosewood Little Dix Bay provides the final wellness escape.

    Fitness and Yoga Retreats : May and June 2013
    Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s four-day retreats was crafted to provide a complete body revitalization experience through a gently-planned agenda of yoga or fitness classes, healthy cuisine tailored to individual nutrition plans, and massage in SENSE, A Rosewood Spa. Spearheaded by well-known Ny based instructors, yoga classes, hosted by Johnny Anzalone, will leave guests balanced and strengthened while the more intense fitness workouts by Frank Baptiste of FranklyFitness, will combine strength, flexibility, cardio exercise and core training. Fitness Immersion Retreat : 8-12 May and Revitalise, Refresh, Renew Yoga 8-12 June ; 12-16 June 2013.

    SENSE Cliff-Top Spa Experience
    Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea Sense Spa’s dramatic setting with 360° views is unparalleled. Using therapeutic practices and progressive concepts in health and wellness, lots of the treatments fuse the indigenous botanical resources proliferating in the grounds of the resort with traditional, spiritual and physical healing arts. Sample treatments include: Little Dix Bay Signature Ritual, Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey Wrap, “The Baths” Hot Stone Therapy and Seaside Sedation Massage.

    A haven for sports enthusiasts
    Hiking – guests can see the right of the region from considered one of Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s hiking trails – Cow Hill Trail winds behind the spa at the west side of the resort and gives spectacular views of the bay and around the marina, whilst The Savannah Bay trail starts on the eastern end of the resort and gives a more rigorous and lengthily trail where the “reward” is a refreshing dip within the ocean at Savannah Bay.

    Tennis – having hosted the Legends Tennis Camp in association with Necker Island and Premier Tennis Travel last December, Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s luxurious tennis facility comprises three artificial grass courts and 4 hard courts at the doorstep of a powerful state-of-the-art indoor gym.

    Diving at Rosewood Little Dix Bay – for over 25 years, Dive BVI located at the beach of the resort, has offered Scuba instruction, certification and excursions to guests at Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Dive BVI offers all levels of SSI courses from Discover Scuba to Divemaster, with the chance for certification in either Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver levels.

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  • News: World Travel Awards reveals Central & South America Nominees

    Online voting has now opened prior to the arena Travel Awards Central & South America Gala Ceremony, scheduled to occur in Peru on July 20th.

    The organisers of the awards are encouraging both trade representatives and consumers to submit votes if you want to determine those companies and organisations which excel in travel, tourism and hospitality within the combined regions.

    Eight new Awards were added to locate the leading companies and organisations at the continents, including categories similar to “Leading Romantic Resort”, “Leading National Park”, “Leading Hotel Residences”, “Leading Hotel Suite”, “Leading Airline Lounge”, “Leading Tourist Attraction”, “Leading New Hotel” and “Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”.

    World Travel Awards is celebrating a landmark 20th year because the Oscars of the travel industry in 2013.

    At the Central & South American Gala Ceremony, travel, tourism and hospitality companies from 13 countries will compete for the celebrated top accolades.

    The ceremonies are widely thought to be the ideal networking opportunities inside the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international media.

    The 2013 Central & South American nominees were published here.

    Votes can also be cast here.

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