HR development at Golden Tulip
AS part of its continuous stride in the development of human resources, managers of Golden Tulip Hotels from across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region will be attending several training programmes throughout the year.
Adel Gam, executive assistant manager of Golden Tulip El Mechtel in Tunis attended The Professional Development Program at the Emirates Academy in Dubai. The programme which is designed to prepare professionals with critical capabilities to succeed in an ever-changing global business environment provided Gam with performance and conceptual frameworks to set strategy, make decisions, and lead effectively.
He also attended and completed six days of kitchen and restaurant management in the 21st century and menu engineering where at the end of the fifth day a preparation of a restaurant concept was presented to the director of operations and executive chief of the academy.
Strong ITB Asia 2013 line-up
ITB Asia 2013, the Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market, organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore), has announced an exciting line-up of conferences for this year’s event which includes a wide range of ‘how-to’ sessions on adapting and thriving in this ever-changing environment.
This year’s ITB Asia will be held from October 23-25 at the newly-refurbished Suntec Singapore Exhibition & Convention Centre.
The 2013 programme will have over 3,850 minutes of high powered content over 20 sessions during which high profile speakers and industry experts will present and lead discussions on a range of topics covering all aspects of the travel industry.
The sixth instalment of the annual trade show will also welcome several new conference partners including Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Medical Tourism Association, Travel Link Daily, Mix!, American Express and micenetASIA.
Shopping experience enhanced
LUFTHANSA customers flying from the Middle East to Europe are being offered five-fold mileage and a 10 per cent reduction on their purchases when they visit one of the Collection of nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages this summer.
The promotion will be on Lufthansa luggage tags from the following destinations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, Riyadh and Jeddah and will be running in the To receive their VIP Card and to qualify for the five-fold mileage, Lufthansa customers flying from the Middle East will need to show their luggage tag at the Villages’ Welcome or Tourist Information Centres.
In addition, Value Retail, creator and operator of the Collection of Chic Outlet Shopping Villages, has entered into a partnership with Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), to provide its Shopping Day Experience packages as part of GHA’s loyalty programme ‘GHA Discovery’ for 19 hotel brands worldwide.
Family travel boost
TO meet the demands of the growing family travel sector, HS Travel International has launched a package with Eaton Smart Hotel in Hong Kong. The package offers rooms that can accommodate two adults and three children in one room. The hotel is situated on the main Nathan Road in Hong Kong and features an eco-friendly design and concept.
Arabic version launched
RECOGNISING the importance of the GCC region, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced the launch of an Arabic version of its award-winning website DiscoverHongKong.com. The user-friendly website will offer helpful information on visiting Hong Kong as well as provide tailored information for Arabic visitors.
The GCC market is a key market for Hong Kong, and in addition to the Arabic website, HKTB is carrying out a number of awareness initiatives across the region. These include working with major travel agents in the region, distributing a tailor-made Arabic family guide book, and a consumer promotion event to showcase the dynamic aspects of this exciting destination.
Wadi attracts Mice market
WADI Adventure has announced an increase in the Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) market after observing a rise in bookings by UAE-based companies. The park has seen 30 per cent growth in corporate group bookings since opening in April 2012 and anticipates this figure to grow up to 50 per cent by the end of this year.
It features three white water rafting and kayaking runs, a surf pool with high wave generator, rope course, climbing wall, zip line and food and beverage outlets.
The Tamouh-developed facility has now increased its Mice offering to include team building packages for the growing number of companies looking for new experiences for team outings.
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New visa application centre |
New service provider for travel to Italy
THE Consulate General of Italy in Dubai has appointed Cox and Kings Global Services (CKGS) as the new service provider for processing visa applications for travel to Italy. CKGS opened a new visa application centre in Dubai dedicated exclusively to applicants who wish to travel to the Schengen area and have Italy as their main destination.
The Italy Visa Application Centre was inaugurated today by consul general Giovanni Favilli and the CEO of Cox & Kings Global Services Sanjay Bhaduri. The centre is located at Al Deyaar Building, Office # 310, Al Barsha 1 – Next to Mall of Emirates Bridge, Dubai.
The Italy Visa Application Centre will process all categories of visas such as tourist, business, transit, work/employment, student, family reunion and medical visas. Applications will be received from UAE nationals and residents living in the Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm al-Quwain.
Routes CIS winner announced
EKATERINBURG Koltsovo Airport was announced as the overall winner of the third heat of this year’s Routes Awards at a networking evening which took place in the grounds of the Donbass Arena, Donetsk hosted by International Airport Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev. Almost 300 aviation professionals were gathered to witness the presentation of the awards and to take part in the third Routes CIS.
The Russian airport, host of last year’s Routes CIS forum, was recognised for its strong passenger growth in 2012 and a submission that clearly illustrated how they worked closely with their partner carriers on the introduction of new services.
As overall winner of this regional heat, Ekaterinburg will be automatically shortlisted for the World Routes Airport Marketing Awards which will take place at the event in Las Vegas, 5-8 October 2013.
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Boats in the marina, Hull, Humberside, England |
City of Culture 2017 shortlist announced
THE shortlist for the 2017 UK City of Culture has been announced, and Dundee, Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay are all up for the title.
This year’s winner was Derry~Londonderry, the first to be crowned the UK City of Culture. The next year of events are set to take place in 2017.
Even before the winner is announced, in November, travellers are being urged to visit the short-listed cities as each one has stepped up its cultural offering – from festivals, diverse music events, contemporary and traditional theatre, eclectic art exhibitions and museums – all displaying Britain’s rich heritage.