Global Travel News

New Oetker Collection Hotel Set to Become Beacon of Elegance in Geneva

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New Oetker Collection Hotel Set to Become Beacon of Elegance in Geneva - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, September 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Located in the heart of Geneva in a historic post-Haussmann style building on Quai Wilson, The Woodward features an exceptional location with views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. The property has been entirely renovated by the renowned architectural firm Pierre-Yves Rochon with 26 spacious suites in a refined, contemporary style. Featuring two gourmet restaurants led by Michelin-star chefs Olivier Jean and Alain Verzeroli, as well as a Guerlain Spa ready to welcome both international visitors and local Genevans alike, The Woodward offers the most discerning of traveler a warm welcome that is both glamorous and authentic.

• Discover Geneva and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

A little more than a century after its initial grand opening, the building at 37 Quai Wilson is returning to its original purpose. As of September 1, 2021, it will be home to The Woodward, a five-star hotel located in the heart of Geneva. Heads of state, royalty and artists from around the world once gathered behind the neoclassical façade of this historic building, constructed in 1901 by French architect François Durel. Named L’Hôtel Bellevue, the institution later gave way to a private bank before being acquired by the Bastion Holdings group, who have now returned it to its former glory.

At once classic and contemporary, globally inspired yet locally rooted, The Woodward caters as much to an international clientele as to local Genevans. Following a major renovation by internationally renowned interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the new five-star hotel has all of the elegant touches of a grand Belle Époque hotel. Enter the massive wrought iron entrance door, decorated by hand with gold leaf, will find the hotel’s reception, where the walls are made of Macassar ebony wood and the floors are covered by lustrous carpets, giving the space the warm atmosphere of a graceful home. Walk a few steps to the main lounge, where velvet Pierre-Yves Rochon sofas sit atop an immense hand-knotted Nepalese carpet. A French gilded mirror and Baccarat crystal chandelier pay homage to the establishment’s glorious past while a bronze table by Hervé Van der Straeten and armchairs by Ralph Lauren offer more modern touches.

The Woodward’s 26 suites, each a full apartment, have been artfully arranged and decorated to achieve a unified look and feel. The sophisticated design is enhanced by unique decorative elements, including handcrafted wallpaper, wood marquetry sliding doors, Lalique door handles, majestic marble fireplaces and elegant bookcases. The attention to detail extends to the lighting, designed by Akari-Lisa Ishii’s Japanese firm. Among the most beautiful apartments is the Presidential Suite, with its ivory and blue tones and panoramic views of the lake from a large balcony and each of its bedrooms. The living room features a true work of art; a lacquered wood cabinet decorated with spring flowers containing an ‘Experience Bar’ that sparkles and shines. White Carrara marble in the bathroom enhances the natural light streaming through the oversized windows. Tastefully chosen works of art displayed throughout the hotel add to its familial ambience, offering sophisticated charm at every turn.

The Woodward is more than just a five-star hotel. It has been made to feel like a spectacular lake house, with all the familiar comforts of an intimate mansion. No detail has been overlooked. Each room has been designed with the utmost care, decorated with custom-made furniture and adorned with handcrafted objets d’arts and fine art collections. The interiors display an ambience that is both traditional and modern, honouring the Genevan heritage of the building while bringing it into the present day. ”

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – Haute Cuisine L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, the restaurant’s first Swiss location, is the hotel’s culinary crown jewel, dazzling guests with an unparalleled performance and an unforgettable meal. The restaurant has a direct entrance on Quai Wilson and features one main dining room and two private spaces. From their seats around a 36-person counter, guests can watch every move of Executive Chef Olivier Jean’s talented team as they flow quietly about the kitchen in carefully choreographed and well-rehearsed gestures.

The unique dining experience at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is mirrored in the fresh cuisine of Alain Verzeroli at Le Jardinier, the brand’s first European address. Known for its innovative dishes, which are largely gluten-free, lactose-free and plant-based, the restaurant’s culinary creations showcase French cooking techniques at their finest. Le Jardinier’s two verandas offer magnificent views of the lake and surrounding Alps. As a finishing touch, guests can enjoy desserts created by Salvatore Martone, a disciple of Robuchon and Head Pastry Chef of the Bastion Holdings group.

Exclusive Wellness In addition to its culinary offering, The Woodward will be home to the prestigious Club Woodward, comprised of a fitness center and a Guerlain Spa, the first Swiss location for the illustrious French brand. The private club covers more than 1,200 square meters and is reserved for hotel guests and select members. In addition to its indoor pool, the longest private pool in Geneva, the Spa features an ultramodern gym, two saunas, two hammams, two Swedish baths, a jacuzzi and six wellness rooms, including a double suite. Offering a wide selection of treatments, the Spa occupies two entire floors, creating an oasis dedicated to relaxation designed in the elegant style of the famous Guerlain name.

Owned by Bastion Holdings group, The Woodward is part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, alongside other iconic hotels including Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Le Bristol in Paris and The Lanesborough in London.

• Discover Geneva and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels and Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

“Our hotels are all unique masterpieces, and The Woodward fits perfectly into our collection. With its extraordinary location, refined interior design and exciting culinary offerings, it is sure to offer a warm and luxurious hotel experience. I am confident that our values of family spirit, elegance and deep kindness will bring this iconic location to life and allow our guests to quickly feel at home in this new jewel on Lake Geneva.”

About Oetker Collection
Oetker Collection hotels are true masterpieces located in the world’s most desirable destinations. Each property is a landmark and a timeless icon of elegance. With deep devotion to local culture and community, our Hosts of Choice preserve a tradition of legendary European hospitality and genuine family spirit that began in 1872.

The collection includes L’Apogée Courchevel, Le Bristol Paris, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Château Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, The Lanesborough in London, Eden Rock-St Barths, Jumby Bay Island in Antigua, Palácio Tangará in São Paulo, The Woodward in Geneva, Hotel La Palma in Capri, and more than 150 private villas around the globe.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Cambodia Set to Open for Tourism in November

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Cambodia Set to Open for Tourism in November - TRAVELINDEXPhnom Penh, Cambodia, September 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / With Phnom Penh on track to become the most vaccinated city in Southeast Asia, moves are afoot within Cambodia’s tourism industry to work towards a possible reopening of borders for fully vaccinated international travelers by November this year.  Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh readies to welcome vaccinated visitors in Q4 2021

The Cambodian tourism ministry recently announced that fully vaccinated international tourists with proof of their inoculation could be allowed into Cambodia as soon as November 2021. To make travel more convenient, Cambodia is also considering lessening or the full removal of the 14-day quarantine policy for fully vaccinated tourists, barring certification showing a negative COVID test 72-hours before travel and another negative COVID test upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport.

Cambodia is currently the second most vaccinated country in Southeast Asia after Singapore: the Kingdom has already inoculated over 60% of its 16.5 million people, while over 95% of its residents in the capital Phnom Penh (2.1 million) are already fully vaccinated. The country anticipates it will reach herd immunity with 75 percent of its population double vaccinated by the end of September this year. The Cambodian government has also recently started vaccinating children over the age of 12 starting in August.

In April 2020, Cambodia closed its borders to tourists in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19. Last year, the country recorded zero deaths and less than 400 cases, mostly imported and caught at the border. However, in February this year coronavirus started spreading countrywide, triggering a strict two-month nationwide lockdown. Cambodia emerged from lockdown in June and efforts have been underway since to vaccinate the population through the country’s mass inoculation efforts.

“We’ve been very fortunate in Cambodia to have access to vaccines and I’m pleased to report that 99 percent of our hotel staff are already double vaccinated,” said Herman Kemp, general manager of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, which opened in the Cambodian capital in January. “That together with our stringent hygiene measures, makes me confident that we will be prepared for international visitors once travel resumes.”

Kemp added that Cambodia’s successful reopening will be dependent on a fast inoculation rollout and consumer confidence. “If Cambodia continues on the current vaccination trajectory, we will most likely become the first country in Southeast Asia to open to tourists,” he said. “When that happens, I’m looking forward to welcoming international guests to our beautiful property and showing them all that this amazing city has to offer.”

About Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh officially opened in January 2021, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh’s cultural and business district of Doun Penh, the 247-room property is a 30-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum and the riverside.

Designed by Singapore-based SCDA Architects, the hotel’s centerpiece is a beautifully restored French heritage villa, known as the Colonial House, which serves as the entrance and lobby. Meanwhile, the interiors of the hotel reflect Cambodia’s unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents, French colonial influences, and specially-commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi.

The hotel offers five dining venues including The Attic, an old world speakeasy-style bar that sits tucked away in the eaves of the Colonial House, a stunning indoor/outdoor open-plan dining concept called FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, where diners can enjoy Instagram-worthy views of the city skyline alongside sustainable seafood and lively DJ performances, an early 20th century metro-themed bar, Metropole Underground, as well as an all-day dining restaurant, Market Café Restaurant & Lounge, serving breakfast and high tea.

Facilities at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh include a lush outdoor infinity pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, 1,400 square meters of meeting and event space, including the Regency Ballroom. The hotel also has a world-class spa, Jivapita Spa, offering a range of bespoke body and facial treatments. Guests staying on the hotel’s Club floors have access to the Regency Club Lounge, which includes daily breakfast, evening canapés and drinks, as well as a private terrace.

Health & Hygiene

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh is committed to ensuring the highest level of health and safety compliance having achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR accreditation – the first and only hotel in Cambodia to do so. The international GBAC STAR program helps gauge an organization’s commitment to the elevated standard of cleanliness. “We delayed our opening in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the impact the pandemic has had on Cambodia, affecting international travel and severely limiting the number of business and leisure travelers to Phnom Penh,” said Mr Kemp. “This delay has allowed ample time for enhanced hygiene and guest safety measures.”

Additionally, the property will operate in accordance with Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment to reimagine all touchpoints of the guest experience to provide a safe environment. Examples include mandatory face coverings for staff and guests in all indoor public areas, daily temperature checks for all staff upon arrival, socially-distanced seating arrangements in meeting rooms, F&B outlets and recreational facilities, contactless check-in and check-out service, as well as regularly updated health and safety training protocols for staff. Guests will also be given complimentary personal protective equipment kits containing premium masks, alcohol wipes and other comfort supplies upon arrival.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

W Hotels Shines in ‘Star City’ with the Opening of W Changsha

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W Changsha_Arrival Lobby_.jpg
W Changsha

The future is now. W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, is set to light up the capital and largest city in Hunan province, China, with today’s opening of W Changsha. Owned by the Hunan Yunda Industry Group, W Changsha is the first W in central China and is strategically located in the buzzing heart of the city’s business and shopping district. The hotel reflects the bright spirit of the futuristic and multi-dimensional city with a provocative and playful design inspired by space travel.

“W Changsha marks the eighth W hotel to open in China, one of the most influential markets in both travel and business, and we’re excited to bring W Hotels to more destinations across the country,” said Tom Jarrold, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Cities such as Changsha, with their future-focused residents and fast-growing millennial luxury market who crave the new and unexpected, are playgrounds of limitless possibilities for W.”

Easily accessible, W Changsha is within a 30-minute drive to the Changsha Huanghua International Airport, 15-minute drive to the Changsha South Railway Station and connects directly to the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway. Designed by the acclaimed Cheng Chung Design (H.K.) Ltd, W Changsha takes imaginative risks with daring new design forms celebrating Changsha’s rich heritage and modernity. In China, Changsha is also known as “Star City” and its name inspires the hotel’s design narrative featuring bold geometric patterns mixed with contemporary avant-garde artwork. Exclusively commissioned by the hotel, whimsical artwork such as the Schrodinger’s Cat series and the Zeta art installations explore the mystery of the universe through the W lens, creating unexpected encounters throughout the hotel.

An Out-Of-This-World Welcome
Upon arrival at W Changsha, guests are greeted by the iconic W logo, illuminated to resemble the surface of the moon. “Avenue of the Stars,” a mixed-media landscape combining digital, interactive, and sound art, transports guests to RUNWAY, a destination bar in the Living Room, the brand’s signature, socially driven spin on the traditional hotel lobby. Here, the “Pepper Man” sculpture invites guests to look up and marvel anew at the wonders of space within the context of Changsha’s local custom and culture.

The hotel’s 345 guest rooms and suites offers modern luxuries and new-tech conveniences, with walls depicting planets, constellations, and discovery of the nebulae through a “meow eye cabin” LED screen emulating space exploration. From 26th floor to the highest floor on 28th, the triple-story Extreme – WOW Suite (the brand’s take on the presidential suite) incorporates more than 1,000 square meters of living and leisure space, including a private garden and a swimming pool, to make for a brilliant venue for private events amplified by the hotel’s signature service.

A Dazzling Drinking and Dining Scene
W Changsha promise to be the newest dining destination for local foodies with three restaurants and a destination bar. TROPICS, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, delivers an immersive experience with its open-concept kitchen offering local and international cuisine. SHINN YEN celebrates Changsha’s culture through dining and art, with a lively approach to local Hunanese cuisine showcasing the region’s spicy flavors. Every evening, a mesmerizing live cabaret show remixed with Hunan traditional opera further animates the dining experience. At night, RUNWAY is the hotel’s destination bar where all guests take center stage to see and be seen. The bar lights up with electrified musical performances that pair perfectly with handcrafted cocktails and light bites.

Events Shine Bright at W Changsha
With more than 1,000 square meters of function space across five flexible rooms, W Changsha offers limitless possibilities for hosting both work and social gatherings. In the foyer, a graffiti and pop art “Fist Bump” sculpture—the international expression of a friendly greeting—awaits guests as they meet before a spirited occasion. Every meeting room is multifunctional and equipped with the latest audiovisual technology adapted to specific event requirements. In between meetings, guests can take a break with W Recess, the hotel’s original take on a coffee break with a diverse beverage and food selection designed to elevate any event.

DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT.
After work or play, guests can kick-back by the reflection pool or make a splash at WET®, an expansive pool with a three-meter ‘Space Cat’ sculpture. The 24/7, fully-equipped FIT fitness center offers weights and cardio as well as heart-pumping dance classes to burn calories before the celebration begins again. For guests who live by the brand’s ‘Detox.Retox.Repeat’ philosophy, AWAY SPA awaits to restore and revive their glow.

“We are thrilled to debut the W Hotels brand in central China and mark another symbolic step for us as we continue to expand our luxury portfolio into new markets across the country,” said Henry Lee, President, Greater China, Marriott International. “As domestic travel continues to pick up tremendous momentum, we are bringing new and exciting brands such as W to the country’s emerging leisure destinations.”

For more information or to make a reservation, visit wchangsha.com.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of roughly 7,800 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for over two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with nearly 60 hotels, W is defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Joins Investors, Tourism Leaders at Cabo Verde Forum

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UNWTO Joins Investors, Tourism Leaders at Cabo Verde Forum

Praia, Cabo Verde, September 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has celebrated the second edition of the Global Tourism Investment Forum. Joining Ministers of Tourism for the event in Cabo Verde were business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, with a special focus on innovation and sustainable recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the crisis causing levels of Foreign Direct Investment in tourism to plummet 73%, the Forum provided a platform for diverse stakeholders to support and promote investments in the sector. Panel discussions, led by leading experts from across the tourism and finance sectors, focused on “innovation and investment”. Alongside providing an analysis of the investment climate in African tourism, including in the case of Cabo Verde, the discussions also addressed potential measures for promoting sustainable investments, digitalization and innovations, the future of mobility and sustainable transport, as well as using targeted investments to drive economic recovery, job creation and resilience post COVID-19.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Unlocking tourism’s potential

UNWTO is committed to promoting and building investments in tourism to unlock the sector’s potential to drive recovery and provide opportunity for all

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Well targeted investments can stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs and drive the green transformation of our tourism, in Africa and worldwide. UNWTO is committed to promoting and building investments in tourism to unlock the sector’s potential to drive recovery and provide opportunity for all.”

The event was opened by José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, Primer Minister Cabo Verde, and featured the participation of Tourism Ministers from across Africa as well as from Spain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as of investment bodies, multilateral funds, African regional economic communities, and from the private sector, including travel tech startups. Highlighting the international nature of the Forum, more than ten investors came from Europe to Cabo Verde to explore investment opportunities focused on innovation and infrastructure. They were joined by investors from South Africa, and the USA, with all participants benefitting from unique networking opportunities on the tourism island of Sal. Investors included RIU Group, Plug & Play, Aguaduna, CMC XXI, QEV Tech Electromobility Holdings, TUI Care Foundation, ALESA Group, Grupo Piñero and Fundacion Metropoli.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Capacity building and branding

Alongside the presentations and panel discussions, the Forum also featured capacity building workshops focused on investments and innovation, alongside an overview of UNWTO’s Brand Africa initiative aimed at helping destinations across the continent harness the power of digital marketing to reach new audiences and attract visitors.

The Little Africa Maio Project was also presented as an effective example of directed foreign investment in tourism with the potential to deliver a wide range of economic, social and ecological benefits.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Aquela Golf and Country Club Phang-Nga Opens

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Aquela Golf and Country Club Phang-Nga Opens

Phang-Nga, Thailand, September 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Aquella Golf and Country Club, a luxurious golf course overlooking the Andaman coastline, forming the center piece of the Aquella masterplan development, a short drive north of Phuket International Airport, the luxurious development will feature lavish pool villas, an18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse boasting first class integrated leisure facilities. Future development phases will see a 5star resort hotel and condominiums, along with other residential leisure facilities, such as tennis and spas that will make Aquella the place to live and enjoy leisure time in the region. Aquella affords incredible vistas of the pristine Thai Muang beachfront and turquoise Andaman Sea that stretches 2.5km along the property.

• Discover Thailand and the World’s Best Golf Courses at Top 25 Golf Courses.

Aquella Golf & Country Club, a par-72, 7,000+ yard golf course, that will showcase championship standard playing conditions and unrivalled services year-round. Without doubt, a true heaven-on-earth for golfers wishing to experience the best, that is sure to become a bucket list course for any passionate golfer visiting Thailand. Designed by Phil Ryan & Paul Reeves of Australian architecture firm – Pacific Course Design who utilised the land to provide golfers with an eclectic mix and variety of holes combining strategy and power. Sculpted to take in panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and nearby mountains, combined with narrow rolling fairways intersected by natural waterways and strategically placed bunkers, featuring striking bunker faces forged out of vintage wooden railway sleepers, it is sure to leave all golfer with lasting memories.

James Shippey, Managing Director of Absolute Golf Services the Thai based management group engaged to provide management services for the newly opened club said “It’s with great pride that we see all the hard work of the various stakeholders come together to form a truly amazing facility. We look forward to working with the team on the ground to continue to push operational boundaries to establish Aquella amongst the best in the region, not only in terms of golf course conditioning and playability, but the absolute focus on the delivery of service excellence. We see Aquella being one of the jewels in the crown of our management portfolio.”

Aquella is also graced by an outstandingly elegant clubhouse that allows you to sit back and relax in sumptuous comfort. The innovative inspiration of world-leading architects, Paradise Designs, blends authentic wood and modern styling, finished to the highest of standards thus ensuring all are captivated by the warmth of the Aquella welcome and offerings. Adorned by a rich variety of blooms and plants, the landscape offers the pleasant and cozy atmosphere of a luxurious country club for golfers and guests to relax and rejuvenate during and after a round or a meal in the restaurant.

Furthermore, Aquella boasts a fully equipped driving range with 20 undercover bays featuring automated ball dispensers, along with a grass tee, a fun and challenging mini golf course, again crafted by Pacific Coast Design. Within the clubhouse you will have the opportunity to work on your fitness in the state-of-the-art Gymnasium, pamper yourself in the luxurious Spa, enjoy casual and fine dining at the Approach Restaurant, all of which afford vistas overlook the golf course. Aquella also caters for banquets on a purpose-built function lawn and VIP meetings within its high-tech conference facilities.

General Manager Simon Mees said “We are ready to welcome both domestic and international golfers when the current situation allows, and I am sure that those who visit will be thoroughly impressed by the course and its ancillary facilities. Together with AGS we have implemented some unique touch points for Thailand, such as Visage GPS on all carts and a visitor cashless passport system. We are dedicated to providing a guest experience that will truly set us apart and make Aquella a market leader as we continue to develop and enhance our product and the services we offer”

• Discover Thailand and the World’s Best Golf Courses at Top 25 Golf Courses.

The Aquella development is a collaboration between two leading Hong Kong development companies – Pacific Century Premium Developments (PCPD) and the Lan Kwai Fong Group (LKF). Aquella Golf & Country Club is managed and operated by Absolute Golf Services (AGS), a leading golf course management and consultancy company in Asia.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Africa Tourism Leaders Identify Investments as Key to Sustainable Recovery

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Africa Tourism Leaders Identify Investments as Key to Sustainable Recovery

Praia, Cabo Verde, September 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The African Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have met in Cabo Verde to strengthen their cooperation and advance plans for recovery and sustainable growth.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The 64th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) saw 23 countries represented on the island of Sal, with 21 Ministers of Tourism joining five Ambassadors for the high-level event. Opening the Commission meeting, the President of Cabo Verde Jorge Carlos Fonseca offered a warm welcome to UNWTO’s leadership and to all delegates. The President was joined by Cabo Verde’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos, and Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva in reaffirming support of the highest political level for tourism and recognition of the sector as a driver of recovery and sustainable development.

The continent is united in its determination to use the power of tourism to drive development and opportunity for all.

Chaired by Christine Kaseba Sata, Ambassador of Zambia to Spain and Permanent Representative to UNWTO, delegates addressed the biggest challenges standing in the way of the sector’s safe restart across the continent. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of speeding up vaccine rollouts across the continent, as well as addressing security issues that continue to have an impact on how global travellers perceive Africa as a safe tourism destination. Also on the agenda was the current level of connectivity between destinations, with improved air links the harmonization of travel protocols identified as an effective means for boosting regional tourism.

Tourism’s restart ‘essential’

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed delegates to the Commission meeting, providing an overview of UNWTO’s work during the ongoing crisis and how this is driven by the stated priorities of its African Member States. He said. “The continent is united in its determination to use the power of tourism to drive development and opportunity for all. And with coordination and targeted investments, African tourism can finally fulfil its unique potential.”

Rebuilding trust in travel

In Cabo Verde, UNWTO Members were brought up-to-date on the development of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists, a landmark code aimed at helping restore confidence in travel. Members were also presented with an overview of the UNWTO General Programme of Work & Budget for the Period 2022-2023. Additionally, signalling a shared determination to keep moving forward even in challenging times, Members also held elections for key positions within UNWTO decision-making bodies ahead of the 24th General Assembly.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Building capacity

Running in parallel with the Commission meeting, UNWTO hosted capacity building workshops on innovation, digital marketing and investment These workshops were held ahead of the second edition of the UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum, opened by Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva and featuring the participation of investors from Spain, Germany, Switzerland and the USA as well as public and private sector leaders from across Africa. Backing up the workshop on marketing, UNWTO also launched its new Brand Africa publication. Produced with key African Tourism Partners, the publication aims at helping destinations use effective branding to diversify and attract visitors.

Also in Cabo Verde, tourism leader celebrated the signing and approval of the UNWTO Declaration on the Future of Mobility and Sustainable Transportation, a commitment aimed at the better understanding of how investments can help make the sector greener while also encouraging greater cooperation between tourism authorities and transport providers. Concluding the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Cabo Verde. The aim of the MoU is to enhance cooperation between UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen the country’s branding, boost tourism education initiatives, and support research into the socio-economic impact of the sustainable development of tourism across Cabo Verde.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

MORE THAN A FAM: A new face for the Air Canada Race

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When is a FAM more than a FAM? When it’s the first one in a year and a half and a chance to travel again and experience a normal that is both new and nothing like we’ve seen before.

Indeed, the enthusiasm from hosts Air Canada and Switzerland Tourism – and more than three dozen Canadian travel agents (and two Americans) – for last week’s Air Canada Race 2021 last week was palpable.

The event, said Air Canada VP of Canada and USA Sales Lisa Pierce, expressed “courage, optimism for the future, and the opportunity to start a new path.”

Participants clearly agreed, giving Pierce’s colleague, key race organizer Edna Ray, a standing ovation by agents on the trip’s final night in Engelberg. Similarly, Switzerland Tourism’s Ursula Beamish-Mader.

Initiated in 2006, the Race has grown from a domestic event to an extravaganza that has featured several US cities, and more recently, international venues such as London, Edinburgh and France. The most recent edition took place in Kissimmee, Fla., in 2018, after which plans for Switzerland began.

“We’ve come a long way, baby (from the first Richmond-Whistler, BC, race),” Ray laughed.

But after Kissimmee, a little thing called the pandemic intervened and, ultimately, the Race flags finally dropped in Basel, Switzerland on Aug. 27 after the group convened in Toronto to fly together to Zurich, courtesy of Air Canada, carrying on to the host city by train.

Participants assembled the following morning, split into groups, and were sent off to discover the host city through a series of interactive tasks patterned after The Amazing Race TV show. Agents wrapped cookies, played Pictionary, dressed mannequins, and scurried through a museum to find quiz answers, amongst other activities, which included travelling by foot, tram, and water taxi along the way in pretty Basel, Switzerland’s third largest city.

A workshop with dozens of eager Swiss suppliers followed on Monday and the formal portion of the Race ended in a good old-fashioned travel industry gala at the posh Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Such was the import of the evening that it was attended by Canadian ambassador to Switzerland Susan Bincoletto.

Another indication of the significance of the first international trade delegation to visit Switzerland since the pandemic: Basel’s brand new Movenpick hotel opened ahead of schedule to house Race participants, who were the only guests.

“Basel bent over backwards to welcome us,” Rays enthused, adding the purpose of the Air Canada FAM is to help agents make business connections for the future, but also to give them “a little sample that inspires you to come back and send clients – that’s the idea!”

For Switzerland Tourism’s Canadian director Pascal Prinz, the Race was an opportunity for the country “to show that if you are smart and use science, you can travel again,” adding, “We can only do so many seminars. At some point you need to be on a plane again, you need to be on a train again. We can tell you many things, but you need to see it yourselves: you are the ones people call.”

Edmonton travel agent Tara Sparshu said she’s eager to share her insights from the trip. “I told clients I’m going to do it (first-hand). I’m going to do the COVID test!”

She added that the Race was also something to look forward to during challenging times, which is a sentiment shared by Ray, who noted that the Race’s raison d’être – keeping agents engaged and motivated – is even more important during a pandemic.

Travel agents at the top of Titlis Mountain, near Engelberg, Switzerland

Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger said that hosting the race – and post-trip excursions for participants to Gstaad or Lucerne-Engelberg – was a way to show that “the trade is incredibly important to us,” especially at a time when consumers need “expertise and guidance” from travel counsellors.

Moreover, carrying through with the Race was another way for Switzerland to demonstrate its commitment to the “really important” Canadian market, where its office has remained open and active throughout the pandemic with the goal of ensuring the country remained top of mind when travel was able to resume.

Canadians and Swiss are culturally very similar and, better still, friends, Nydegger observed, adding, “We made a point to never disappear (during the pandemic).

“Friends don’t disappear!”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SHARK TOURISM GROWS ON CAPE COD: 

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There’s no ominous music, no telltale fin breaking the surface as the powerful silhouette of a great white shark glides alongside the small tour boat off Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Michael Simard crouches low and points a finger in the direction of the roughly 10-foot (3-meter) predator cruising in the glassy water below.

The 48-year-old construction foreman from Cambridge, Massachusetts, glances back at his partner, Penny Antonoglou, who dutifully pulls out her smartphone while he holds the pose. Smile. Click.

“It’s awe-inspiring, really,” Simard said after the tour, where they spotted at least six great whites. “I didn’t realize how graceful they were. It does put it into perspective that this is their element, and we just share it with them.”

Three summers after Cape Cod saw two great white shark attacks on humans – including the state’s first fatal attack since 1936 – the popular tourist destination south of Boston is showing signs it’s slowly, tentatively embracing its shark-y reputation.

A small but growing group of charter boat operators are offering great white shark tours in a region where whale and seal watching excursions have long been a tourist rite of passage.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, a prominent nonprofit shark research organization, is among those that have jumped into the shark ecotourism game. It’s also renovated its Shark Center, a family-friendly museum showcasing its research into the local shark population, and is building another educational outpost set to open next summer in the bustling tourist center of Provincetown.

Elsewhere, local shark-themed merchandisers are reporting brisk businesses, even as the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted parts of the region’s tourism industry. Cape Cod hosts about 4 million visitors a year, who bring in more than $1 billion in tourism spending and support thousands of jobs.

“It feels like we’re on the trajectory of it being a point of pride for Cape Cod,” said Patrick Clarke, owner of the jewelry company Cape Clasp, of the region’s white sharks. “A lot of the initial fear and hysteria was the fear of the unknown, but we’re learning more and more about them every year.”

Clarke makes a range of jewelry featuring whales, turtles and other marine life, but says the shark-themed pieces – specifically a bracelet made from marine-grade cord held together by a great white shark-shaped sterling silver clasp – are consistently his top sellers.

In Chatham, a hub of the local shark tourism industry, a company that started selling popular stickers of Cape Cod in the shape of a great white shark some seven years ago has taken off as the local shark population has also come into its own.

Kristina Manter says Cape Shark, the apparel company she co-owns with her boyfriend, opened a brick-and-mortar storefront on Main Street last summer to sell a range of hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts and other clothing adorned with the logo.

“We’re not just popping up because we saw the tourism. We’ve been around because we’ve loved the sharks and believed in their conservation,” Manter says. “It just kind of fell together perfectly.”

There’s no definitive tally for how much shark-related tourism contributes to the roughly 65-mile (105-kilometer) peninsula’s economy, but its growth is helping stretch the tourist season into the fall, as peak shark sightings happen in August and September, says Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

Indeed, dozens of beaches have temporarily closed in recent weeks after sharks were spotted as close as 30 feet (9 meters) from some of the Cape’s most famous stretches of sand. Shark researchers say they expect to be out tagging and observing the predators into November, if the weather permits.

“Several years ago, there was a concern that it might have a negative impact on tourism,” Niedzwiecki said. “But we’ve been working to educate people about sharks and what we’ve actually seen is no negative impact.”

Since the 2018 attacks, Cape officials have invested in better training and equipment for lifeguards and first responders to keep beachgoers safe as great white sharks migrate in ever larger numbers to feast on the region’s bountiful seal population.

But a group of concerned residents, vacationers and other advocates have formed a nonprofit to push for more sophisticated and proactive shark safety measures, such as undersea detection, land-based warning systems and drone surveillance.

Local surfers, meanwhile, have taken to arming themselves with shark repellents, including personal devices that emit electrical fields that supposedly deter but don’t harm sharks.

Concern about great whites is growing elsewhere in New England, especially after a New York woman was fatally bitten by one in Maine last July, becoming the first person to die by shark attack in the state. Dozens of marine organizations and state agencies from Rhode Island to Canada formed a consortium to collaborate on shark research in response.

Greg Skomal, a state marine biologist currently studying the hunting patterns of the Cape’s great whites, says shark tours could prove beneficial, so long as they continue to be done responsibly.

There are currently no licensing or registration requirements for the tours, but those and other regulations should be considered if more join the fray, he said.

The state banned the use of bloody chum, decoys and other bait to lure sharks in 2015, meaning the kinds of shark cage diving operations that are common in Australia, South Africa and other shark-rich destinations aren’t allowed in Massachusetts waters, unless they’re more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) offshore, where state jurisdiction ends.

“We’re very sensitive to activities that alter the sharks’ natural behavior,” said Skomal. “We don’t want six (tours) following a single shark into shallow water near swimming beaches.”

Like most operations, Mike Bosley’s Dragonfly Sportfishing generally stays hundreds of yards (meters) off shore, in water more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) deep. Bosley, who captained the shark tour Simard and Antonoglou took last month, hopes shark watching tours can bring a different perspective to the local shark discourse.

“There’s always been sharks, but there hasn’t always been the opportunity to interact with sharks in this fashion,” said Bosley, “They’re part of our ecosystem.”

But it’s a relatively costly outing: The nearly three-hour tours, which rely on an overhead “spotter” plane to locate sharks, range anywhere from $1,600 to $2,500 per boat, and the vessels typically carry six passengers at most.

Antonoglou, a 47-year-old civil engineer, says the eye-opening experience is worth the expense.

“When people think of great whites, they think of ‘Jaws,’ but it’s not like that at all,” she said. “It’s pretty cool that we know they’re out there. The populations are thriving, and I think it’s a great asset for the Cape.”

 

 

 

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:Aug. 30-Sept 03, 2021

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Ontario is queuing up for QR codes; Hurricane Ida ravaged the US, south and north; Sunwing makes staff vaccinations mandatory, and latest doings at Disney, all in today’s round-up.

NEWS

Ontario has joined the growing list of provinces introducing COVID-19 vaccine passport systems. The province will require residents aged 12 and older to show their vaccine receipt and a piece of government-issued photo ID starting Sept. 22 in order to access the indoor areas of restaurants and bars, nightclubs, meeting and event spaces, gyms and theatres. As of Oct. 22, residents will receive a QR code that will serve as proof of vaccination, which businesses can scan using a government app.

Sunwing says it will be requiring all new and existing employees across all Canadian divisions be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new policy aligns with the Government of Canada’s recent announcement that it intends to require vaccination across all federally regulated industries later this fall. Employees will have until Sept. 13, to provide proof of their full vaccination status or their intention to vaccinate.

Sixteen years to the day that Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana, Hurricane Ida blasted ashore in the state as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US, blowing off roofs and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the coast toward New Orleans. Ida’s 230 kph winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland US The storm continued north and devastated parts of the northeast, including New York City, where flooding catastrophic flooding and multiple deaths occurred.

RE-OPENING/RE-START

On Aug. 29, Crystal River Cruises celebrated the resumption of European river cruise operations as Crystal Ravel sailed from Vilshofen on a seven-night Danube itinerary, followed by the next day by sister ship Crystal Debussy seven-night Rhine itinerary from Basel, Switzerland.

Oceania Cruises also welcomed guests across the gangway on Aug. 29 for the first time in 524 days. Marina was the first of Oceania Cruises’ ships to resume sailing and is also the first cruise ship to sail from the port of Copenhagen since 2019. Next up for the cruise line will be a restart by the Riviera, which resumes sailing in the Greek Isles on Oct. 18; Insignia from Miami on Dec. 21 on a six-month-long “Around the World in 180 Days” voyage; Sirena starts in the Caribbean on Jan. 21, 2022; Regatta will sail Feb. 5, 2022, in Polynesia; and Nautica will make waves in the Mediterranean on April 1, 2022.

British soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats are once again parading outside Buckingham Palace as the Changing the Guard ceremony resumed after a pandemic-induced 18-month gap.

DELAYED/ CANCELLED

Due to current market conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to provide enhanced liquidity, Celestyal Cruises says it as decided to sell its “Experience” vessel and will revert to operating the same sized fleet it had prior to the pandemic. The cruise line will resume 2022 operations with the Crystal and Olympia in March.

BY THE NUMBERS

In July, Destination Canada launched a Canadian travel packages portal, showcasing 130 different itineraries for domestic travellers to explore and experience the best of Canada. The Canada tourism board reports that to date, it has received over 1.46 million views and has created 86,000-plus leads to tour operators. Any Canadian tour operator that sells direct to consumers is invited to have their product placed on the site by emailing traveltrade@destinationcanada.com.

AIR

Montreal Lounge, Air France

A fully redesigned Air France lounge at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is now open. In association with the Plaza Premium Group, the 490 sq. m. lounge has a seating capacity of 149 and is free for Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers; other AF and KLM can purchase passes subject to availability. The new space features seats and large sofas, a shared work, free Wi-Fi and USB sockets, showers, and more. Flying Blue Ultimate customers have access to a more private space. It is open from 2 to 10 p.m. daily.

New service between Toronto and Scotland will be launched by WestJet next spring with the addition of non-stop flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow set to launch on June 2, 2022, while flights between Glasgow and Toronto will begin on May 20, 2022. The former is set to operate three-times weekly, while the latter will operate four-times weekly. Flights between Halifax and Glasgow are also set resume next spring.

Porter Airlines has completed the modernization of its De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft fleet with a series of updates ahead of its return to flying on Sept. 8. All 29 aircraft now feature the new TiSeat E2 from Expliseat, the world’s lightest aircraft seat, along with a number of other cabin enhancements.

Air Canada’s loyalty program Aeroplan has announced a new multi-year strategic partnership with the LCBO that will enable Aeroplan members to earn points when shopping at LCBO stores across Ontario. The partnership will launch before year end.

TOURS

G Adventures has introduced a “Vaccinated Tours” program, with each trip having a fully vaccinated chief experience officer (CEO or tour guide) confirmed to lead the tour, on which all travellers must also be fully vaccinated. The tour operator notes that 304 October departures across 116 tours will operate as Vaccinated Tours and 64 departures will be designated as Travel-Ready. On the former, all travellers and CEOs must have received a full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least 14 days prior to day one of the tour. On the latter, all travellers and CEOs must have either received a full vaccination or have a negative PCR test within 96 hours prior to departure. An icon will be featured next to each trip on G’s website to indicate a tour’s status.

Starting in November, Sunwing returns to the national capital region with flights and packages from Ottawa International Airport for the 2021-22 winter season. Through April, the travel company will offer 11 different destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico, amongst them Los Cabos, Cancun, Punta Cana, Holguin and Montego Bay. At the same time, the company says it will offer 10 different sun destinations this winter from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport this winter, beginning Nov. 1.

DEALS

The new “10,000 Seats Under $299” flash sale by Air Transat invites Canadian travellers to book their fall travels through Sept. 13 for flights departing from Montreal, Quebec City, or Toronto for travel between Sept. 20 and Dec. 16, to the South (Cuba, DR, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, St Maarten), Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando) and within Canada (Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver). Listed rates are for one-way Economy or Eco budget fares; the later can only be booked through Sirev Air and GDS. See the web site or Get Connected for details.

As part of Ottawa Tourism, Tourisme Montréal and Destination Toronto’s newCity Friends with Benefits campaign, Air Canada is offering 20% off valid new bookings through Sept. 30 between Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa for travel on Friday, Saturday and Sundays through Dec. 31; and VIA Rail is similarly offering 20% off best available fares (excluding Escape fares) between the three cities on bookings made by Oct. 8 for travel between Sept. and Dec. 31. Check the details HERE.

CRUISE

Holland America Line says travellers can anticipate a restart date of May 2022 for Volendam and Zaandam. The ships will join Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, which have returned to service or are slated to restart cruising by November 2021. The Volendam will explore Northern Europe and Zaandam will return to the Canada/New England region. With these new start dates, the Grand World Voyage and Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage will not operate in 2022 and will resume in 2023.

Dubai will be the setting for the naming ceremony of MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC Virtuosa. Set to take place on Nov. 27, the occasion will also be a part of the celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and will be staged during Expo 2020 Dubai. Following the naming ceremony, the ship will depart for its maiden Gulf voyage on Nov. 28, the first of a series seven-night cruises with visits to the ports of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha with additional embarkations at Abu Dhabi and Doha.

HOTELS

Holiday Inn Dublin Airport has recently opened in the Irish capital. The new build hotel has 421 rooms and is located 10 minutes from Dublin Airport Terminals and a short reach of the city’s Guinness Store House and Old Jameson Distillery.

A new Maldron Hotel has opened on Renfrew Street in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Located in the former STV headquarters, the four-star property has 300 rooms and is centrally located, offering a great new hub in the city for short breaks and getaways.

RESORTS


As part of their ongoing Paradise Protection Protocols initiative, Saint Lucia’s Premium All-Inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and the luxury, couples-only Serenity at Coconut Bay have brought back their offer of free travel insurance included with stays of five-nights or longer. The insurance program covers medical and quarantine expenses up to US$100,000 and is free for international arriving guests and all bookings made through Oct. 31 for travel through June 30, 2022. Guests staying fewer than five nights have the option to purchase the insurance within 24 hours of arrival on resort for US$39 p.p.

Effective Sept. 1, Elite Island Resorts, with all-inclusive hotels in Antigua, St. Lucia, The Grenadines, Barbados, and Panama, requires all guests over the age of 12 to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon arrival.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Fifty years ago, the Walt Disney World Resort opened its gates in Orlando and beginning Oct. 1, 50th anniversary festivities – dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – will begin. Find out more, along with the latest news from Disney Destinations – including on the new Disney Dream, Avengers Campus, and Adventures by Disney – at our special Disney inFocus microsite. Click .

EVENTS

Sept. 30-Oct 1: ACTA has announced the addition of several keynote speakers and topics for the upcoming virtual Travel Industry Summit. Seminars will include: Dr. Dominique Tessier –The Travel Health Group – Restoring Confidence and Travelling Safely in the COVID-19 era; Indira Barthelemy and Megan Mustonen, Global Affairs Canada – Travel Advisories and the Role of Global Affairs; Amandine Gicquel, IATA – The Airline Industry and the Demand for Travel; Marie-Claude Du Cap – CEO, Aléas – Due Diligence: Explore new ways of marketing your agency to meet client needs; and Brett Walker, CATO, and Nathalie Guay – ATOQ – Restarting and Rebuilding your Relationship with Tour Operators. ACTA notes that the trade show will take place on Day 2 of the event from 2 to 14:30 p.m. EST, with over 40 exhibitors already confirmed.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Continuing to expand its presence in key markets throughout Canada, Direct Travel, Inc., has acquired Ottawa-based McCord Travel Management. The company will now operate as McCord Travel, A Direct Travel Company. McCord Travel founder Scott McCord will join the Direct Travel senior management team as Director of Customer Experience and continue to oversee the operations of McCord Travel.

DESTINATIONS

Cruise ships will still be docking in Venice, thanks to a temporary solution that re-routes big ships away from the fragile canal that skirts the historic city. Temporary landing places are being set up to accommodate up to 10 cruise ships at the Venice Ro-Port Mos Terminal in Fusina. It’s a compromise to salvage the fall cruise schedule following an Aug. 1 decree banning all ships from the city, but not the final answer.

Peru has created its first fully protected marine area, the Nazca Ridge National Reserve. Covering approximately 62,400 sq. km. of Peruvian territorial sea, the reserve is mainly intended to protect an undersea mountain range that occurs in the region, from 1,800 to 4,000 m. deep, providing a space to conduct deep marine research. The area is off the south coast of Peru and puts almost 8% of the country’s marine domain under protection.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Farnek Launches Hotel Management Company

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Farnek Launches Hotel Management Company - TRAVELINDEXDubai, UAE, September 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has developed its hospitality division into an all-embracing hotel management company under the leadership of renowned UAE-based international hotelier Walter Knight.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Luxury Hotels and Awards at Top25Hotels.com.

Knight was originally responsible for structuring and developing Farnek’s fledgling hospitality division earlier this year. Farnek started by providing a comprehensive range of outsourced and third-party services, including concierge services, housekeeping, property operations, maintenance, energy consultancy (POMEC).

Farnek’s endeavours met with early success, securing numerous contracts which included the new Expo Village, situated on the Expo 2020 site. Farnek is currently responsible for managing the reservation services, concierge, front office services and housekeeping, for the 2,273 apartments.

Furthermore, under the trade name of Farnek Hotel Management, the company can now expand its services to cover all aspects of hotel and resort management from initial consultation to day-to-day operations.

Knight, director of hospitality commented: “Originally we were aiming for a service offering, which not only embraced traditionally outsourced FM and manpower services, but also managing revenue driven services, such as central reservation offices and associated sales services.

“Now with our hotel management licence, we can approach hotel developers, investors, owners and management companies direct with a full suite of services including consultancy, management, outsourcing and manpower services proposition.”

Farnek is no stranger to the hospitality sector in the Middle East and has been supporting the UAE’s hospitality sector for over 40 years, in which time it has amassed an extensive portfolio of hotel contracts, which include five-star brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, Sofitel and Rotana.

Its consultancy division has been helping hotels and resorts become more sustainable over the past 15 years. Indeed, Farnek’s Hotel Optimizer software, can record, analyse and benchmark a property’s energy and water consumption, as well as waste generation, along with expert recommendations to operate more cost-efficiently and sustainably.

Furthermore, Farnek is a preferred partner and auditor for Green Globe the worldwide sustainability accreditation system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses.

“Our strategy was to create an unrivalled 360-degree market proposition for the hotel sector, and we have now achieved that. Moreover, we also have some exciting smart products in development that will be launched very soon, complementing and interfacing with existing property management systems,” said Markus Oberlin, CEO Farnek.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Luxury Hotels and Awards at Top25Hotels.com.

“This gives Farnek a very clear competitive edge, in an industry that will see major changes in the way hotels are managed and operated, with the advent of artificial intelligence, sustainability, human capital development and the digitisation of asset management over the years to come,” he added.

About Farnek
Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 8,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News