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Meliá Hotels Named Most Sustainable Hotel Company in the World

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Meliá Hotels Named Most Sustainable Hotel Company in the World - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comPalma de Mallorca, Spain, February 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Hotels International, the leading hotel company in Spain, has achieved the highest rating in the global travel industry in the latest S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), an assessment of the performance in sustainability of companies in 2022.

S&P Global’s CSA is the world’s most comprehensive annual assessment of the sustainability performance of companies across all industries, focusing on economic, governance, social and environmental criteria, as well as on industry-specific criteria. Meliá has taken part since 2018, a year in which it was ranked third in the industry. From 2019 t0 2021 the company achieved the top position in the ranking in Spain and Europe, and second place globally.

As of this month, the new assessment places Meliá at the top of the industry ranking, with an overall score of 74 points out of 100. Of the three dimensions included in the analysis, Meliá obtained the highest score in the industry in the first two (Social, with 72 points, the same as obtained by Asset World Corporation, and Economic and Governance, with 81 points) and also leads the industry in criteria such as:

  • Risk and crisis management
  • Environmental reporting
  • Climate strategy
  • Social reporting
  • Human rights
  • Human capital development
  • Management of customer relationships

“In the current complex business environment, sustainability has become as one of the most important values for companies, and for Meliá, especially due to the family nature of our business, it is now a key factor in driving our transformation and responding to the demands and expectations of our customers, employees, shareholders and investors, hotel owners and society in general.” said Gabriel Escarrer, Executive Vice President and CEO of Meliá. “For all of them, we are proud to have once again achieved this recognition as the most sustainable hotel company in the world.”

The Spanish hotel group has been expanding its presence in Asia over recent years and is now one of the largest international hotel brands in Vietnam. Meliá properties throughout Asia have embraced core sustainability principles by reducing or entirely eliminating single-use plastics, implementing energy and water conservation measures, rolling out a broad range of CSR programs, creating a more circular food economy, and launching collaborative projects with local organisations.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in the world, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

OurAfrica.Travel Returns Underscoring the Collaborative Approach

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OurAfrica.Travel Returns Underscoring the Collaborative Approach - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXCape Town, South Africa,  February 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / OurAfrica.Travel returns this month, connecting eager buyers with exhibitors from across Africa and her Indian Ocean Islands.

Now in its 4th year this virtual B2B tradeshow provides a platform for those selling the African and Indian Ocean Islands, to connect, collaborate and plan for the year ahead from the convenience of your home or office.

Aimed at ensuring five successful days of connecting, the platform is open to both exhibitors and buyers from the 8th of February so they can maximise their time, networking and setting themselves up for success, prior to its’ official start date of the 20th February.

“Hosting a virtual show of this nature allows for complete flexibility for both exhibitors and buyers while focusing on the purpose of the show in its purest form – to allow trade partners to have dedicated business-to-business meetings in a convenient and controlled manner” says Allie Hunt, co-owner of OurAfrica.Travel.

“The importance of connection among travel-trade partners is another driving force of the show. We are blessed to have partners, without whose support the show would not be as successful, and we believe that it is in part due to these collaborations that the show has stood out since the start” says Storm Napier, co-owner of OurAfrica.Travel.

Kicking off the 2023 trade show season, OurAfrica.Travel remains a hallmark event on the travel trade calendar. The OurAfrica.Travel team are expecting an exceptional turnout of trade partners who want to start the year by strengthening relationships and sharing what’s trending in the tourism space across the continent and islands.

A sponsor of this year’s event is Wetu, a longtime believer that collaboration is what drives the travel industry. Leading with efficiency, Wetu has offered its support to the show since its inception – the two brands being very much aligned based on their belief that digital platforms remain an impactful and resourceful way for the travel industry to convert sales with up-to-date marketing material.

Wetu CEO, Paul de Waal, believes opportunities like OurAfrica.Travel that connect trade partners and colleagues are essential if we are to grow tourism.

“We belong to an industry that understands and thrives on collaboration. That connection has taken various forms over the past few years – returning somewhat to in-person connection, but still very much driven by digital connection due to its efficiency, cost and time saving attributes. We see Wetu as an enabler of that connection so partnering with a virtual show like OurAfrica.Travel is an instrumental way for us to deliver on that promise.”

Both Wetu and OurAfrica.Travel are also proud members of ATTA® the voice of African and Indian Ocean Islands Tourism, which supports businesses in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Deborah Rothe Takes Over as Head of ITB Berlin

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Deborah Rothe Takes Over as Head of ITB Berlin - TRAVELINDEXBerlin, Germany, February 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Deborah Rothe follows in the footsteps of David Ruetz as exhibition director of ITB Berlin, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. In December 2022, Ruetz became senior vice president of Travel + Logistics at Messe Berlin, in which role he oversees the ILA Berlin Airshow as well as the global ITB brand family, along with its strategic development.

As with immediate effect Deborah Rothe is taking over as exhibition director and project manager of ITB Berlin. The event will take place live in Berlin from 7 to 9 March 2023 as an exclusive B2B event. She replaces David Ruetz, who as head of ITB Berlin took over the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show in 2002. He was instrumental in building the global brand that is ITB and also contributed significantly to establishing ITB Asia in Singapore and ITB China in Shanghai. He also identified the potential of the Indian travel market and supported developing ITB India which, after two virtual editions, this year will for the first time be taking place as an in-person event in Mumbai and will further strengthen ITB’s position as a global marketplace for the travel industry.

Rothe has been employed at Messe Berlin since 2011 and joined ITB Berlin in 2014. From August 2019, as head of Business Development & Sales, her focus was on developing ITB Berlin and marketing exhibitor and visitor business for the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. She was also instrumental in driving the B2B networking event series TRVLX by ITB in European markets, which in future will continue to be an established part of the ITB portfolio.

“With Deborah Rothe, I am delighted to be appointing an experienced colleague for this important task at ITB Berlin. With her long years of experience at ITB Berlin, not only does she know the event extremely well, she also has in-depth industry knowledge”, said David Ruetz, senior vice president, Messe Berlin.

“As exhibitor director of the World’s Largest Tourism Trade Show, I look forward to the tasks and challenges ahead. Together with our global ITB brand family and ITB Berlin we provide an impetus for many areas of the travel and tourism industry. That is why new concepts, innovation and ongoing development are essential. I look forward to driving this effort with the team“, said Deborah Rothe, exhibition director, ITB Berlin.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2023 will take place from Tuesday, 7 March, to Thursday, 9 March, as a pure B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. The internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel to the show and will be held live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds – selected sessions will be streamed on ITBxplore. The ITB Berlin convention is the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind. In 2022 it took place as a virtual event on the brand’s website itb.com and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers. In 2022, under the heading ’TRVLX by ITB’, ITB Berlin has planned a series of B2B networking events in European markets – the kick-off event took place in May in Georgia. Before the pandemic at ITB Berlin 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

China’s Outbound Tourism Is Beckoning. What’s Next?

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China’s Outbound Tourism Is Beckoning. What’s Next - TRAVELINDEXBrussels, Belgium, February 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Is China back in the international market? How soon and to what degree? What does the new era look like? How should we prepare for it? Where does the sustainability piece fit in the puzzle?

The recent “China Tourists 2023 Webinar” addressed these questions and more. Presented by TourismWebinar, the event attracted high-level speakers and attendees worldwide, including former UNWTO Secretary-General, Dr. Taleb Rifai and first WTTC President, Geoffrey Lipman.

Dr. Reza Soltani organized the event. Previously engaged in international conference business, Soltani founded Tourism Webinars based in Belgium during the pandemic and has since produced over 50 webinars and symposiums with a broad range of topics.

Industry expert, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt kicked off the webinar. He is the Founder and CEO of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) based in Germany. Deeply involved in the Chinese tourism circle over a 45-year span, Arlt has seen China’s outbound tourism development from its infancy to its pinnacle and rock bottom.

Arlt gave a recount of China’s travel industry practices during the three-year pandemic. COTRI forecasts about 110 million outbound border crossings in 2023, and about 228 million in 2030; About 50% of the trips would be visiting Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan. Arlt laid out the changes and new trends in the industry and shared available resources/tools produced by COTRI.

Arlt and Gary Bowerman recently co-authored and published the book, China Outbound Tourism Handbook 2023: 88 Practical Ways to Prepare for the New Wave of Chinese Visitors. Bowerman is an Asia Travel Analyst for Phocuswright, Director of Check-in Asia, and Co-host for the South East Asia Travel Show podcast. He discussed more details of the book.

The 104-page book introduces the developmental drivers of the first 25 years of Chinese outbound tourism since 1997 and assesses the outlook up to 2030. It mainly focuses on 88 key themes that will influence the new wave of Chinese outbound travel, for example, Adventure Tourism, e-Payments, KOLs & KOCs, Metaverse and Mixed Reality, New Frugality, Patriotism and Winter Tourism. It includes citations from 48 countries/territories and 25 Chinese cities/provinces. With 264 practical tips, the book serves as “a practical handbook for applying insights into practice”. The book is now available on Amazon.

Other speakers at the Chinese Tourists 2023 Webinar included regional experts from Laos, Bhutan, Malaysia, etc. Shradha Shrestha with Nepal Tourism Board introduced the “Nepal Ready for China” initiative, which is an integrated G2G, B2B, B2C and C2C promotional approach.

Cathy Germier-Hamel, CEO of Destination Mekong, based in Cambodia, spoke on behalf of the seven countries/regions organization. She emphasized that destinations need to focus on value over volume, and quality over quantity. She shared that the Mekong region has been working on better offerings in adventure travel/ecotourism, cultural heritage tourism, community-based tourism, etc. to Chinese visitors.

China’s outbound tourism accounted for nearly 20% of global tourism spending in 2019, cited by Professor Haiyan Song of SHTM, HK Polytechnic University. He presented the analysis of China’s outbound travel to Asian countries/regions along with retail expenditures, and he brought attention to a joint research project with WTTC on global retail tourism to be released in several months.

Former Executive Director of IATA and current President of SUNx Malta Geoffrey Lipman, spoke strongly about sustainability while driving economic terms. As an Envoy for Sustainable Tourism Global Center and lead for the new Tourism Panel on Climate Change (TPCC), Lipman urged the travel industry to ensure that predicted growth is sustainable in the sense of fitting into the SDGs and supporting the Paris 1.5 degrees maximum warming scenario.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China recently announced the opening of pilot outbound group tours for Chinese nationals to 20 countries, starting Feb. 6. While savvy travelers and young wanderlusts would opt for FIT and semi-customized travel, group tours will continue to hold a healthy market share with niche markets, such as youth groups and senior groups (55 and plus, with 280 million in China.)

In addition, the Ministry released the week-long Spring Festival holidays (Jan. 21-27) travel data: Domestic travelers totaled 308 million, an increase of 23.1% from 2022 and at 88.6% of the 2019 level; Tourism spending totaled RMB 375.84 billion, 30% increase from 2022 and at 73.1% of 2019 level. In a way, these data partially reflect China’s outbound tourism dynamics.

(To view the full Chinese Tourists Webinar: https://tourismwebinar.com/china)

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alain St.Ange Boards The World to Lecture as it Sails to Seychelles

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Alain St.Ange Boards The World to Lecture as it Sails to Seychelles - TRAVELINDEXMale, Maldives, February 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine who now heads his own ‘Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy’ this morning boarded the luxury Cruise Ship ‘THE WORLD’ at Patina Maldives and will be sailing on the ship back to Seychelles arriving in the afternoon of Sunday the 5th February.

Mr St.Ange was approached by the Destination Services at Head Office of ‘THE WORLD’ in the USA inviting him to lecture on the cruise ship as it sails in Seychelles.

When contacted by the press about his lecture and his 5 day stay on ‘THE WORLD’, Mr St.Ange explained that his role was to sell Seychelles as a tourism destination and to entice the passengers on board the ship to take excursions when the ship stops at Port Victoria in Mahe, in Praslin and La Digue. “Spelling out the key USPs of Seychelles and what not to be missed will be the base of my lecture as well as talking about the history of the islands” St.Ange said.

Former Minister St.Ange said that he was thankful to the PS for Tourism for the destination promotional posters, the History of Seychelles book and the promotional clips which he received.

“My time on the ship especially in one to one with passengers should go a long way to help with the Seychelles Tourism drive” said Alain St.Ange

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SILVER NOVA: Outdoor spaces highlight new Silversea ship

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Silversea Cruises 11th, and newest ship, Silver Nova, is scheduled for delivery this summer. Built with a revolutionary asymmetrical design – a first for the cruise line – the new ship will offer guests all-new outdoor spaces for an unprecedented openness, with a reimagined, outward-facing pool deck, an al fresco dining area, and a sky bar that offers panoramic views from the ship’s aft.

Silver Nova’s asymmetrical design has enabled the creation of a reimagined pool area and unseen outdoor venues on decks 10 and 11. Each space places emphasis on the destination, with panoramic views that connect guests with the world beyond.

The following venues and deck spaces highlight Silver Nova’s all-new outdoor offering:

The Pool Deck – Decks 10/11

Silver Nova’s pool decks will be the primary outdoor areas in which guests can relax, refresh, and socialize – with ample space for 280 sunbeds on decks 10 and 11. The horseshoe-shaped pool area will occupy a generous space on the starboard side of the ship, affording unobstructed views on the destination from the swimming pool, the adjacent pool bar, and the sunbathing areas.

The uppermost level, deck 11, forms an amphitheatre-shaped structure with deck 10. It will offer guests a quieter, more intimate space for relaxing, with expansive views over the destination and out to sea. At its centre, overlooking the ship’s port side, extends an all-new infinity edge whirlpool, named The Cliff Whirlpool.

The Marquee – Deck 10

Silver Nova’s design has also enabled the introduction of two new food and drinks venues on deck 10. The Marquee is the first of the pair, positioned towards the ship’s aft on the port side and enjoying views out to sea. The al fresco dining venue will welcome up to 220 guests, incorporating The Grill and Spaccanapoli – two of Silversea’s existing signature venues, which offer guests the cruise line’s trademark ‘hot rocks’ culinary concept.

The Dusk Bar – Deck 10

The second of the two new food and drinks venues, The Dusk Bar is an open-air sky bar that provides an elegant space for up to 70 guests to enjoy a drink, with 270-degree, panoramic views from Silver Nova’s stern.

Among her eight dining venues, Silver Nova will offer guests a selection of Silversea’s signature restaurants on decks 3 and 4 – enlarged and reimagined with enhanced designs.

Suites

The view from an Otium Suite

 Silver Nova will host up to 728 guests in 13 different suite categories – the largest variety of suites in Silversea’s history. Every suite on board will offer guests the use of a private veranda. Among the most spacious suites at sea, a new collection of aft suites will afford stunning 270-degree views on the destination. As well as Otium, the cruise line’s Roman-inspired wellness program, and S.A.L.T.Ò, its immersive culinary offering, Silver Nova will offer guests Silversea’s an array of pioneering, new features.

La Terrazza

The largest of Silver Nova’s restaurants, La Terrazza will seat 340 guests with floor-to-ceiling windows that surround the restaurant’s interior space, offering panoramic views to connect diners with the destination, while its outdoor terrace will be larger than ever.

S.A.L.T. Lab

Relocated to deck 10 for a prime view on the destination and with a new outdoor area, the S.A.L.T. Lab will be greatly enhanced aboard Silver Nova with a fresh layout—enlarged to approximately 112.4m2 and accommodating 28 guests. The test kitchen will enable guests to travel deeper into each sailed region through the lens of food and drink, providing the opportunity to get hands on with regional ingredients under the guidance of local food experts and Silver Nova’s S.A.L.T. Host. Enjoying the same bright, elegant interior design as on previous ships, the S.A.L.T. Lab will comprise cooking stations and a larger, redesigned central workstation aboard Silver Nova—at which participating guests will be able to sit to view demonstrations.

Sustainability

As well as incorporating a new design approach, Silver Nova will push boundaries in ultra-luxury cruise travel with pioneering sustainability credentials. She is set to become the world’s first low-emissions cruise ship with advanced hybrid technology that utilizes fuel cells, emitting zero harmful emissions while in port – an industry first.

“Silver Nova represents the next iteration of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, with an entirely new design approach that will enhance our guests’ cruise experience,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. “With her outward-facing, asymmetrical layout and her all-new outdoor venues, Silver Nova will offer our guests a brand-new way to connect and engage with each destination. Moreover, with her ground-breaking environmental credentials, Silver Nova will strengthen our position at the forefront of sustainable cruise travel.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Anantara Heralds French Debut with Opening of Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel

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Anantara Heralds French Debut with Opening of Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXNice, France, January 31, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The arrival of Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel in a rejuvenated 19th century architectural jewel on Nice’s boardwalk, marks a triumphant return of one of the most storied hotels on Côte d’Azur and a continuation of Anantara’s European expansion. The heritage property overlooking the Promenade des Anglais is now open following an extensive two-year renovation to its Belle Époque era glory.

Centrally located at the entrance to Nice’s Golden Square, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel overlooks Albert 1er gardens and the glittering Promenade des Anglais – the most famous stretch of seafront in Nice. Reopening with 151 rooms including 38 suites, many with sea-facing terraces and balconies, the remarkable 175-year-old building features a new Anantara Spa, a seminar space with six meeting rooms and a ballroom, as well as a stylish rooftop restaurant and bar with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Baie des Anges and Old Nice.

A consortium of interior designers and architects including award-winning David Collins Studio, local architect Jean-Paul Gomis and TBC Studio delivered elegant interiors that blend old-world elegance with contemporary luxuries. The design honours the neo-classical style of the original hotel, first opened in 1848, as Nice’s very first luxury hotel, bringing the heritage building on Nice’s Avenue de Verdun up to date with modern tastes.

Inspired by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the golden era of Côte d’Azur, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel’s guest rooms and suites combine comfortable sophistication with exclusive Anantara touches. Offering views of the sea or manicured gardens, the marble-clad interiors feature pastel tones and rich Mediterranean textures to create a tranquil atmosphere, with subtle accents of wood and gold to stimulate the senses.

To experience Nice in the ultimate French Riviera style, guests can book the 54-square-metre Baie des Anges Signature Suite which comes with a spacious living area, a kitchenette and a panoramic terrace overlooking the world famous Baie. Even grander is the 75-square-metre Presidential Suite located on the 5th floor, an elegant space with breathtaking views of Baie des Anges from an inviting terrace designed for sunbathing and private celebrations.

Situated on the iconic rooftop, SEEN by Olivier, the hotel’s signature restaurant, offers a taste of glamorous city life and contemporary Mediterranean fare from Portuguese chef-entrepreneur Olivier da Costa. Like his trendy eateries in Lisbon, Sao Paulo and Bangkok, the new SEEN in Nice blends striking views, imaginative mixology and gastronomic discoveries ranging from Niçoise specialties subtly scented with black truffles from the nearby village of Le Rouret to briny sea urchins and plump oysters from local waters. The breezy setting is seductive, offering 360° views of the city and Baie des Anges from indoor and outdoor tables.

At Les Colonnades, a glamorous Caviar and Champagne lounge with indigenous flavours and interiors inspired by the visual synergy of Nice’s tropical gardens and the sea will serve fresh seafood alongside light bites, local fare and wine by the glass. In the afternoon, a signature Afternoon Tea à la Niçoise, will transport guests to a glamorous bygone era.

Being a year-round destination, Nice and the nearby French Riviera resorts of St Tropez, Monaco, Cannes and Alpes-Maritimes have no shortage of exciting activities. Making the most of its central location, Anantara Plaza Nice offers a rich programme of private guest experiences inviting travellers to explore hilltop villages, vineyards dating back to Roman times and little-known architectural gems.

With a full-day ‘In the Footsteps of Coco Chanel’ tour, guests will not only get insights into the creative life of the iconic French designer but will also have a chance to tour one of France’s oldest wineries at Château de Cremat. Enjoy a wine tasting experience of Anantara’s private cuvées, lunch in the hills high above Nice and a visit to Coco Chanel’s official residence in Nice.

Meanwhile, to discover the fascinating art of glass blowing in the French countryside, guests will be picked up at the hotel in a classic Citroën 2 CV and whisked to the picturesque medieval village of Biot to learn the basics of the craft and create their own small glass object – a figurine, pendant, or a small vessel – to bring home. The experience concludes with a delicious meal in a typical village restaurant for a taste of the elusive French way of life.

With five treatment rooms, a hammam and a sauna, Anantara Spa at Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel offers a serene retreat for the senses. Top-range marine skincare products, natural essential oils from the Grasse region and Asian therapies combine with transformative pedicures from celebrity pedicurist Bastien Gonzalez known for his playful approach to foot care. Turning to nature’s restorative powers yet again, the spa carries a bespoke collection of exclusive massage oils, made with essential oils from the perfume capital of Grasse. The collection features Anantara Nice’s signature “Coucher de Soleil” oil formulated with locally sourced mimosa, ginger and other aromatic botanicals. Guests can also work out at the 24-hour fitness centre, enjoy running sessions along the seafront Promenade, or reach new goals under the guidance of personal trainers.

The city of Nice itself has recently been classified by UNESCO as a winter resort town of the French Riviera. Off-property, Anantara Plaza Nice will offer a selection of bespoke local adventures and off-the-beaten track experiences to immerse guests in its myriad charms. Nice offers a vibrant nightlife on the Promenade des Anglais, a local farmers market at Cours Saleya, spectacular museums honouring the city’s rich artistic history, and annual cultural events such as the legendary Nice Jazz Festival.

Offering seamless event experiences, Anantara Plaza Nice is conveniently connected to the airport and Acropolis Congress Centre by tram or a 20-minute drive. With a total of five brand-new multifunctional venues ranging from 25 to 309 square metres – most of them with natural light – the hotel can accommodate up to 300 people for large corporate or social gatherings. Small creative sessions, bespoke private dinners and rooftop weddings and celebrations all benefit from direct access to the exterior and spectacular views of the bay.

Rates at Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel start from €350.00 for a Deluxe City View room including breakfast for two people.

About Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences. From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 40 stunning hotels and resorts located in Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Hungary and Italy, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Real Club de Golf El Prat to Host the Barcelona Open by Pablo Larrazábal

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Real Club de Golf El Prat to Host the Barcelona Open by Pablo Larrazábal - TOp25GOLFCOURSES.com - TRAVELINDEXTerrassa, Barcelona, Spain, January 31, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Real Club de Golf El Prat will host the second edition of the Barcelona Open by Pablo Larrazábal, which will take place during the week of the Masters, from 6th to 9th of April. The historic Barcelona club has already hosted the first edition of this PGA Spain golf tournament with great success. The previous edition of this tournament promoted by the professional player Pablo Larrazábal was won by the andalusian Ángel Hidalgo, who this season is taking part in the DP World Tour.

The II Open de Barcelona will be held at the Club where Pablo Larrazábal has been a part of since his beginnings in golf. The president of the PGA of Spain, Ander Martínez, has thanked Pablo Larrazábal and Álvaro Velasco, also a professional player and member of the Club, “for their effort and commitment in moving forward with this tournament and their support for the national circuit”.

The RCG El Prat, founded in 1912, has a field and perfect facilities to host this type of competition. Many players on the European circuit, including Larrazábal himself, choose El Prat to train throughout the season.

The RCG El Prat course is made up of 45 holes designed by former golf number 1 Greg Norman. Throughout its more than 110 years of history, the RCG El Prat has hosted 10 editions of the Spanish Open (1959, 1963, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2015).

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

JonoX Phuket Celebrates Pleasures of Great Food and Cultural Interaction

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JonoX Phuket Celebrates Pleasures of Great Food and Cultural Interaction - TOP25RESTAURANTSPHUKET - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, January 30, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Chef Joe Dabagh invites like-minded travelers to savor the flavors of his fascinating international dishes with a mouth-watering Thai, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern-inspired menu. JonoX Phuket Karon, the world’s first Jono branded lifestyle hotel, is where savvy travelers from all around the world come together to share stories and tear down cultural boundaries. Nestled in the cosmopolitan coastal enclave of Karon Beach, this contemporary hideaway celebrates the timeless joys of travel, social interaction, exploration, and delectable fine cuisine, all essential pillars of a satisfying travel experience.

“We share food the same way we share stories, to let people into our hearts.”
– Joe Dabagh, Executive Chef, JonoX Phuket Karon

Understanding that the flavors of a vacation are just as important as the sights and sounds, a meal with friends, family, or fellow nomads can be the most memorable moment of any trip. At 360 Restaurant, JonoX Phuket Karon’s vibrant dining destination, the multi-national menu showcases delicious and fuss-free dishes from around the world, focusing on the modern fusion of traditional Thai elements with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating, 360 Restaurant lets guests drop in, chill out and enjoy tasty, simple grub that can put a smile on any face. Skilfully and lovingly prepared by the hotel’s talented team of chefs led by Joe Dabagh, every plate features the finest locally sourced produce crafted into unique and charming dishes.

“Food should bring people together and make them happy. We share food the same way we share stories, to let people into our hearts. At 360 Restaurant, we want to help our guests come together, enjoy social experiences, and make new memories inspired by the joy of home-cooked cuisine. Like every aspect of Jono Hotels, our food is not fussy or complicated, but prepared with love,” said Joe Dabagh, Executive Chef at JonoX Phuket Karon.

Conveniently situated just a short stroll from Karon Beach on Phuket’s sunset coast, JonoX Phuket Karon is the ideal option for every type of traveler, including digital nomads, curious couples, freewheeling families, fun-seeking friends, and ageless adventurers. This contemporary lifestyle hotel features 121 rooms, a rooftop infinity pool and children’s splash pool, a colorful kids’ playroom, and a co-working space. 360 Restaurant is the perfect setting for casual all-day dining, and Altitude Rooftop Bar sets the scene for daytime refreshments and sunset drinks.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Emirates Completes Engine Ground Testing with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

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Emirates Completes Engine Ground Testing with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXDubai, United Arab Emirates, January 28, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Emirates has successfully completed the ground engine testing for one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The objective of the ground testing and analysis is to demonstrate the capability of the GE90 engine to run on the specially blended 100% SAF without affecting its performance, requiring no modifications to the aircraft systems, or special maintenance procedures on the Boeing 777-300ER or GE90 engine to operate. SAF reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle by up to 80%.

The ground test results will now pave the way for the airline’s first experimental test flight using 100% SAF in one engine, which is due for take-off this week. The testing activities involved running one engine on 100% SAF and the other on conventional jet fuel to better analyse the fuel system´s behaviour and performance under each fuel type, compare specific outputs of each engine, and ensure seamless operation of the aircraft’s engine and airframe fuel systems during the planned test flight.

During the ground testing at the state-of-the-art Emirates Engineering Centre in Dubai, the aircraft first went through its standard pre-inspection activities. After that, the stationary operating testing began by first running the Honeywell 331-500 auxiliary power unit (APU) on 100% SAF. The APU was then put under full load with SAF to start the engines. The left engine was exercised through its full power range, utilising the same settings that will be used for the experimental flight. This included idle, ‘take-off’ and ‘climb settings’ at full flight profile durations, running at maximum speed and intensity. Engines were then run at ‘cruise’ settings for 15 minutes. After the simulation ended, the engines were cooled down. Fuels were isolated in separate fuel tanks to maintain segregation of test fuels. Upon completion of the ground test, engine data was downloaded for review, comparison, and analysis.

At the Dubai Airshow 2021, Emirates, GE Aerospace and Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a programme for conducting a test flight using 100% SAF on an Emirates 777-300ER powered by GE90 engines.

Emirates has been working with its partners GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent Inc., a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corp throughout 2022 on SAF fuel blend testing. The partners have developed a blend with the same qualities and performance characteristics of conventional jet fuel and have collaborated on the technical analysis and operational requirements surrounding ground testing and experimental flight activities. The results of this initiative will provide additional data and research around synthetic fuel blend components and biofuels, supporting standardization and future approval of 100% drop-in SAF. Following the successful trial on one engine, Emirates will then continue to develop these initiatives with the engine airframe manufacturers as well as SAF providers with the goal of certifying these blends for commercial use. Currently, SAF is approved for use in blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.

Emirates has long been a supporter of industry and government efforts to encourage the development of the SAF industry, and regularly participates in initiatives to contribute to SAF deployment. Its first flight powered by SAF blended with jet fuel was in 2017, operating from Chicago O’Hare airport on a Boeing 777. Emirates received its first A380 powered by SAF in December 2020, and uplifted 32 tonnes of SAF for its flights from Stockholm earlier that year, with the support of Swedavia’s Biofuel Incentive Programme. Flights from Oslo have also begun operating on SAF.

Emirates is on the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, which seeks to promote SAF deployment worldwide. The airline has also contributed to the UAE government’s work on a SAF roadmap and the WEF-supported Power-to-Liquids Roadmap for the UAE.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News