ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗΣ ΥΛΗΣ - ΕΔΡΑ: ΑΘΗΝΑ

Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)

(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).

Πέμπτη 31 Μαΐου 2018

Passenger Demand Growth Slows in April



Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Passenger Demand Growth Slows in April


Sydney - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic data for April 2018 showing that demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose by 6.2% compared to April 2017, which was down from a 12-month high of 9.7% in March. Comparisons with the year ago period are impacted by developments a year ago – including the comparatively late timing of Easter in 2017, which boosted April traffic. April capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 5.9%, and load factor climbed 0.2 percentage point to 82.3%, which was a record for the month of April, surpassing last year’s record of 82.1%.
"Demand for air transport continues to be above the long-term trend. However, increases in airline cost inputs, most notably fuel prices, means that we are unlikely to see increased stimulation from lower fares in 2018, compared to previous years," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. 
April 2018
(% year-on-year)
World share¹
RPK
ASK
PLF
(%-pt)²         
PLF
(level)³ 
        
Total Market
100.0%
6.2%
5.9%
0.2%      
82.3%
Africa
2.2%
0.9%
0.9%
0.0%
73.1%
Asia Pacific
33.7%      
10.9%
9.2%
1.3%
82.8%
Europe
26.5%
3.7%
4.1%
-0.3%
84.1%
Latin America
5.2%
5.5%
5.8%      
-0.3%
81.1%
Middle East
9.5%
3.9%
2.8%      
0.8%
77.1%
North America
23.0%      
3.7%      
4.8%
-0.9%
83.3%
   ¹% of industry RPKs in 2017   ²Year-on-year change in load factor   ³Load factor level   
International Passenger Markets
April international passenger demand rose 4.8% compared to April 2017. All regions recorded year-over-year traffic increases but all were behind the pace of growth reported in March. Total capacity climbed 4.9%, and load factor slipped 0.1 percentage point to 81.4%.
  • Asia Pacific carriers posted an 8.5% traffic rise in April, strongest among the regions. It was the first time since December 2017 that Asia-Pacific airlines led in growth. Passenger traffic has continued to trend upwards at an annualized rate in the region of 10%, supported by robust regional economic expansion and ongoing growth in the number of flight options, which translates into time savings for passengers. Capacity rose 7.6% and load factor improved 0.6 percentage point to 81.0%.
  • Middle East carriers saw demand rise 4.1% in April. Capacity climbed 3.2% and load factor rose 0.7 percentage point to 77.2%. The seasonally-adjusted upward trend in traffic has strengthened since the start of the year, aided by healthy growth on the key routes to/from Asia and Europe, as well as continuing signs of recovery on the market segment to/from North America. Annual comparisons are likely to become more favorable in coming months, owing to the disruptions caused by the proposed travel bans to the US and the since-lifted ban on large portable electronic devices in the year-ago period.
  • European airlines’ April traffic increased 3.4% compared to the year-ago period. While this was down compared to the 9.8% year-over-year growth recorded in March, demand picked up in April in seasonally-adjusted terms. Capacity rose 4.0%. While load factor dipped 0.5 percentage point to 84.6%, it still was highest among the regions. 
  • North American airlines posted a 0.9% demand increase compared to April a year ago, which was sharply down compared to the 9.5% growth experienced in March. Comparisons to the year-ago period are distorted by the huge pick-up in traffic in April 2017. A bounce back is expected in May, supported by the relatively strong economic backdrop in the US. Capacity climbed 2.4%, and load factor fell 1.2 percentage points to 80.7%.
  • Latin American airlines experienced a 6.4% rise in April demand compared to the same month last year. Capacity rose 7.5% and load factor slipped 0.8 percentage point to 81.4%. While the year-over-year traffic increase in April was roughly half that of March, the bigger picture remains bright, with seasonally-adjusted traffic volumes having grown at double-digit annualized rates over the past six months.
  • African airlines’ had a 5.1% traffic increase in April. Capacity rose 4.6%, and load factor edged up 0.4 percentage point to 72.8%. The upward demand trend remains strong, helped by continuing signs of improvement in the region’s largest economies: Nigeria and South Africa. This is only the fourth time in the past 41 months that both economies have been on an upward trajectory at the same time
Domestic Passenger Markets
Demand for domestic travel climbed 8.5% in April compared to April 2017, propelled by double-digit annual growth in India and China, Capacity increased 7.6%, and load factor rose 0.7 percentage point to 84.0%. All markets reported demand increases.    
April 2018
(% year-on-year)       
World share¹
RPK
ASK
PLF     
(%-pt)²     
PLF
(level)³  
Domestic
36.2%     
8.5%
7.6%    
0.7%      
84.0% 
Australia
0.9%
3.4%
2.0%
1.1%
80.2%
Brazil 
1.2%
6.7%
5.9%
0.5%
80.7%
China P.R             
9.1%
15.5%
13.7%       
1.3%
86.1%             
India             
1.4%
26.4%
18.4%
5.8%
90.9%
Japan             
1.1%
5.3%
1.7%             
2.3%
67.5%
Russian Fed.             
1.4%
6.7%         
4.7% 
1.5%           
80.7%
US
14.5%
5.3%      
6.3%
-0.8%
84.8%
¹% of industry RPKs in 2017   ²Year-on-year change in load factor   ³Load factor level  *Note: the seven domestic passenger markets for which broken-down data are available account for 30% of global total RPKs and approximately 82% of total domestic RPKs                        
  • Australia’s domestic traffic increased 3.4% year-on-year in April – a slowdown from March, but still well above the five-year average pace of 1.6%.
  • India’s airlines recorded double-digit annual growth (26.4%) for the 44th consecutive month, with passenger demand continuing to be supported by a combination of strong economic and network expansion.
IATA AGM: In just a few days, commercial aviation’s center of gravity will shift to Sydney, Australia, for IATA’s 74th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit (3-5 June, 2018).



Norwegian Bliss makes history as the largest ship christened in Seattle






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Norwegian Bliss makes history as the largest ship christened in Seattle


Following a month-long tour around Europe and the United States, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, was officially christened in her summer home of Seattle. She was welcomed with a water-canon salute by the Seattle Fire Department, as she cruised into Port of Seattle and will join Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl as the youngest fleet ever to cruise to Alaska.

“Norwegian Cruise Line has been cruising out of the Port of Seattle for eighteen years, and the public-private investment between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Port of Seattle that made the enhancement of Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 possible, demonstrates the commitment we have to the city of Seattle,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “This month, Norwegian celebrates twenty-four years of cruising to Alaska, and with Norwegian Bliss joining our Alaska fleet we will have the largest capacity in our history, offering guests more options to experience the majesty of that destination.”

Led by the godfather, Elvis Duran and The Morning Show crew, nearly 2,400 people witnessed the christening ceremony as it was broadcasted throughout the ship, making it an interactive experience for all on board.

Frank Del Rio and Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, welcomed travel partners, investors and industry representatives on board Norwegian Bliss. Special guests included Meyer Werft representatives governor of Alaska Bill Walker and local officials from Seattle. Also in attendance was the internationally renowned marine life artist Wyland, whose larger-than-life mural adorns the hull of Norwegian Bliss, and stands as an inspiring reminder of the splendor of Alaska and the importance of preserving the world’s oceans.

After the traditional blessings, honorary Godfather, Elvis Duran, officially christened Norwegian Bliss with the symbolic bottle break across the ship’s hull, wishing a safe voyage to all guests and crew wherever in the world she may travel, and commencing an evening full of show-stopping surprises.

Norwegian Bliss will cruise seven-day voyages to Alaska from Seattle and then in October she will sail select voyages to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. For her fall/winter season, she will sail to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami and in 2019; she will sail from New York City to the Bahamas and Florida, the Southern and Western Caribbean.

Tez Tour Latvija Launches Charter Flights to Peloponnese and Marche






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Tez Tour Latvija Launches Charter Flights to Peloponnese and Marche



The Latvian airline airBaltic in cooperation with the international tour operator Tez Tour Latvija on May 27, 2018, launched new charter flights connecting Riga with Peloponnese (Araxos airport) in Greece, but this week on June 3 will start operations on new route from Riga to Marche (Ancona) in Italy.
Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “The Summer season of 2018 is on and airBaltic is offering convenient travel options from Riga to many sunny and exciting destinations. In addition, we are happy to strengthen our long-standing and successful cooperation with Tez Tour Latvija by launching wider variety of direct charter flights from Riga to different holiday destinations for our Baltic travelers.”
Konstantins Palgovs, General Manager of Tez Tour Latvija: “We are delighted to start our 10th season together with airBaltic and offer our travelers extended charter route map. Since 2008, Tez Tour in cooperation with airBaltic have operated over 23 seasonal destinations. We are proud that all Tez Tour passengers will be traveling with comfort on the world’s most modern aircraft Bombardier CS300. New summer 2018 destinations will bring total number till 25 mutual seasonal destinations.”
During the summer season 2018 airBaltic and Tez Tour Latvija continues to offer charter flights also between Riga and Antalya (Turkey) – up to 5 times per week, Heraklion (Greece) – two times per week and one weekly flight to Burgas (Bulgaria).
In total, Tez Tour and airBaltic have planned to carry out more than 300 charter flights from April to October for the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Throughout the summer season Tez Tour will offer tours on scheduled airBaltic flights to Rhodes (Greece), Catania (Italy), Barcelona and Mallorca (Spain).
airBaltic serves over 70 routes from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, offering the largest variety of destinations and convenient connections via Riga to its network spanning Europe, Scandinavia, the CIS and the Middle East. For summer 2018, airBaltic has introduced eight new destinations from Riga to Malaga, Lisbon, Split, Bordeaux, Gdansk, Almaty as well as Sochi and Kaliningrad. In addition, airBaltic launched a new direct route connecting Tallinn and London.

New Radisson Blu hotel signed in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για New Radisson Blu hotel signed in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia


Radisson Hospitality AB announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Ahsa in Saudi Arabia. The Radisson Hotel Group has 40 hotels and more than 10,000 rooms in operation and under development across the Kingdom.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Ahsa will be situated in the city center of Al Ahsa, located 60km inland from the coast of the Arabian Gulf and 100km south east from the city of Al Khobar. The hotel will be just 14km southwest of Al Ahsa Airport, which welcomes weekly international flights, and five minutes away from Al Ahsa University – both easily accessible through the road network.
Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Saudi Arabia continues to be a key country for our growth ambition. The Vision 2030 of the Kingdom’s leadership will positively transform the country’s social and economic landscape in both primary and secondary cities and we are at the forefront of co-fuelling this passion in the travel and tourism landscape. The new Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Ahsa will be our twelfth hotel in the Eastern Province.”
Located in the southeast of Saudi Arabia, Al Ahsa, according to the Guinness World Records, has the world’s largest self-contained oasis. It encompasses approximately 30,000 acres of palm groves and other crops that are irrigated by the flow of 280 or more artesian springs. It is also the biggest date producer in the country. Due to its cultural heritage, consisting of archeological sites and natural landmarks, Al Ahsa indicates great potential for leisure tourism. As part of KSA Vision 2030, the country plans to sustain tourism growth by investing in numerous entertainment projects in the Al Ahsa region.
The 172-room hotel is scheduled to open in 2020 and will offer a mixture of standard rooms, suites and serviced apartments. The food and drink options will include a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant and a premium specialty restaurant. The Meetings & Events area will include one ballroom, two meeting rooms and two boardrooms. The hotel will also house a well-equipped gym, a prayer room and an outdoor pool.

ANA to launch new lounge at Honolulu Airport






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για ANA to launch new lounge at Honolulu Airport



All Nippon Airways (ANA) is creating a new lounge in the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu in line with the newly introduced “ANA HAWAii” concept and in preparation for the launch of the Airbus A380 (FLYING HONU) on the Tokyo – Honolulu route.
The lounge will be opening in spring 2019, making it the largest lounge in the airport, incorporating the ANA SUITE LOUNGE and ANA LOUNGE.
As ANA is preparing to launch the Airbus A380, it also plans to introduce a lounge where passengers can enjoy and relax every moment of their trip. The lounge will accommodate many unique features such as direct boarding access for passengers who have seats in the upper premium deck and a family area with a charming design for passengers with children. Furthermore, the design of the lounge will reflect a fusion of Japanese and Hawaiian essences, so visiting passengers are able to immerse themselves in Hawaii’s relaxing reverberation before making their trip back home, while those who call Hawaii home will be able to relax in a familiar atmosphere that incorporates the warmth of Japanese hospitality, in preparation for their trip to Japan.
The lounge will be located on the third floor of Terminal 2, above gate C4. When ANA passengers who are visiting the lounge board from gate C4, which is located on the second floor, they will be able to access the aircraft directly. Passengers boarding the upper deck of the aircraft will not have to bother leaving the lounge. Instead, they can relax and enjoy every moment in the lounge.
ANA has also uniquely designed the lounge to respond to its passenger’s needs. As Hawaii is loved by many Japanese families and is a popular destination for their family vacations, ANA LOUNGE will feature a family area where parents can relax with their children. The family area will give the image of a tide pool and will have toys for the children to enjoy.
Furthermore, when guests enter the lounge, they will be surrounded by visual elements including the Japanese traditional coffered ceiling as a motif, created with Hawaiian wood. ANA SUITE LOUNGE will have an exclusive and calm atmosphere where passengers can relax and ANA LOUNGE will dynamically depict a design of the sea, sky, and trees symbolizing Hawaiian nature on the floor, walls, and ceilings.
ANA will continue to offer opportunities for our customers to discover new aspects of Hawaii and delight them with new exciting experiences on FLYING HONU.

New Mercedes-Benz AMG style aircraft cabin unveiled






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για New Mercedes-Benz AMG style aircraft cabin unveiled


At EBACE 2018, Mercedes-Benz Style and Lufthansa Technik have unveiled a unique sportive variant of their prestigious VIP aircraft cabin, called ‘Inspired by AMG'.
‘Inspired by AMG' combines the dynamic architecture of the exceptional Mercedes-Benz Style interior cabin featuring its characteristic flowing DNA helix, and Sensual Purity formular design language with elements inspired by the unique and sportive appearance of Daimler AG subsidiary Mercedes-AMG.
"Based on the large international interest and positive feedback which we have achieved so far, we have decided to develop a second variant of our extremely well-received Mercedes-Benz Style VIP cabin", said Wieland Timm, Senior Director Sales, VIP & Special Mission Aircraft, at Lufthansa Technik. "We want to reach new customer groups with a strong affinity for a unique sportive design. That's why we took inspiration from Mercedes-AMG and their worldwide successful performance and sports cars, being the brand of the Daimler group which stands for cutting-edge technology, exclusivity and performance since decades."
mercedes benz aircraft cabin2Martin Bremer, Mercedes-Benz Style: "For us designers AMG stands for ‘Performance Luxury' which is the experience of the passion for the aesthetic of power. With our new variant of the Lufthansa Technik VIP cabin we give you a glimpse into this world".
The new cabin design ‘Inspired by AMG' radiates a strong masculine attraction by adapting the latest colour & trim finish of the newest Mercedes AMG GT C. This is achieved by integration of carefully selected and precisely embedded carbon fibre elements as well as a characteristic seat upholstery facelift. The overall colour scheme changed from white/brown to grey/black and now radiates the powerful dynamic of the latest AMG cars.
Another main feature taken over from the ‘Executive' variant are the so-called black panels, which, inspired by the typical dashboard design in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and AMG cars, appear to float in front of the window due to their discreet light corona. Innovative Mercedes-Benz Magic Sky technology allows the panels to be dimmed electrically from black to transparent. Displays and touch screens for entertainment and information screens can easily be integrated into the black panels.

Princess Cruises Promotes Meg Koffel






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Princess Cruises Promotes Meg Koffel


Princess Cruises has promoted Meg Koffel to director of public relations having previously served as manager of public relations.
Koffel will continue to drive communications strategy, messaging and media relations for Princess across Australia & New Zealand.
In her expanded role she will increase her responsibility by taking a leadership role in the development of the brands’ new ship communications, public relations launch strategy and planning, starting with Sky Princess, which will join the fleet October 2019.
Koffel will continue to report into Stuart Allison, senior vice president Asia Pacific Planning & Operations for Carnival plc, trading as Princess Cruises. For her expanded role she will collaborate with the headquarters public relations and inaugural events team lead by Brian O’Connor, vice president of global public relations for Princess Cruises.
“At Princess we take great pride in creating opportunities to promote from within and welcome Meg’s 15-years of experience that will contribute to developing the communications strategy and inaugural events launch plan for the new Sky Princess,” said Gordon Ho, senior vice president global marketing for Princess Cruises. “Meg has produced ground-breaking and award-winning PR campaigns for our brand in Australia and we look forward to applying her creative and innovative thinking in this newly expanded role,” added Ho.
Koffel will continue to manage PR agency relationships with Fleishman Hillard in Australia and Eleven in New Zealand supported by (Ms.) Jaye Sellen who will continue to report to Koffel in Australia
“Majestic Princess is scheduled to arrive in Australia, the second largest global market for Princess, for the 2018-2019 Summer season and Meg is already focused on planning our flagship’s maiden season down under,” said Stuart Allison, senior vice president.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon wins Prix Versailles 2018






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Six Senses Zil Pasyon



FELICITE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES - Six Senses Zil Pasyon has been named the winner of the 2018 Prix Versailles for Hotel Exteriors at an award ceremony held on May 15 in Paris. The accomplishment follows the announcement of Six Senses Zil Pasyon as continental winner, Africa and West Asia, for hotels in the Special prize Exterior 2018 category.
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Six Senses Zil Pasyon
The Prix Versailles recognizes the most remarkable architectural structures, both interior and exterior, across a range of developments. The judging panel consists of the most highly regarded architecture and hospitality professionals and insists that nominees and winners exhibit the world-renowned symbol of beauty and elegance associated with the city of Versailles in France, from which it takes its name. The award also aims to serve as a beacon for quality architecture, today and into the future.
The architecture for Six Senses Zil Pasyon was executed by Studio RHE (Richard Hywel Evans), based in London, UK. The concept was to integrate the stunning natural beauty of Felicite Island, allowing the architecture to complement it rather than compete against it. Sustainable processes and technologies were also at the forefront of the plans, a key requirement for all Six Senses projects, with a resulting symbiotic relationship between the buildings and that nature, allowing the resort to become an integral part of the island system and its beauty.
The resort villas have been designed with a modern twist on indigenous architecture. The timber frames and shingled roofs blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating an attractive but unobtrusive addition to the island. Their positioning, each with a private pool, make the most of the views and take advantage of the privacy that the surrounding nature affords. Meanwhile, the residences, which are located at higher elevations on the island, use their black granite cladding to blend in with the island rock while simultaneously contrasting the soft forms of the natural boulders with their strong geometric angles.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon
The two styles of architecture could not be more dissimilar, yet they work in perfect harmony with each other and the environments which they inhabit. Studio RHE has accomplished a feat of architectural creativity and Six Senses has been a proud partner in the design of the interiors for these architectural jewels.
Hilton Hastings, general manager of Six Senses Zil Pasyon, and his team are extremely proud of this international recognition, saying “It’s a great honor to receive such a respected architectural award. What Studio RHE was able to do not only reflects the natural beauty of the island, but also enhances the magnificence of the topography of Felicite. The entire team is proud to be working at such a beautiful and inspiring resort.”

Dusit opens its first hotel in Vietnam










Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort

Dusit International has officially made its Vietnam debut with the opening of Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort on the country’s largest island, Phu Quoc.
Operating under Dusit’s upper midscale Dusit Princess brand, the new resort marked its soft opening on 22 May with a special ceremony attended by the property’s owners, Mr Do Van Chanh, Director of Linh Chi Limited Company, and Ms Thu Nguyen, General Director of Linh Chi Limited Company; local government representatives Mr Ngo Hoai Chung, Vice Chairman, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and Mr Ngo Trieu Cam, Chairman of Duong To people’s committee; and a team of executives from Dusit International, led by Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer.
Comprising 108 well-appointed contemporary guest rooms, most of which offer pristine ocean views, Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort is centrally located on the island’s west coast overlooking the stunning Bai Truong beach, a 20-plus kilometre stretch of sand also known as Long Beach.
The resort’s dining options include an all-day-dining restaurant, a lobby lounge, a swim-up pool bar serving Thai, Vietnamese and Western cuisines; and Soi 14, a stylish beachfront bar and lounge serving Thai street food favourites with a contemporary spin.
The centerpiece of the resort is a large infinity pool with ocean view, set within a lush tropical garden. Other facilities include a fully equipped gym, a kids’ club, a large ballroom accommodating up to 190 people, and Luna Thai Spa (opening in July 2018).
To celebrate its opening, Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort is offering introductory rates starting from USD96 per night, available for booking until 31 October 2018.

Tourists are expecting to attend Belle and Sebastian Music Festival Boat Cruise








Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Sebastian Music Festival Boat Cruise



Belle and Sebastian have officially announced a music festival boat cruise: The Boaty Weekender is a four-day “floating festival and luxury cruise around the Mediterranean”.

It will feature live performances from Belle and Sebastian and other acts selected by the band, plus Q&A sessions, panels, theme parties, and much more.

The band will also perform their 2000 album Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant in its entirety on the cruise.

The Boaty Weekender sets sail from Barcelona on August 8, 2019. The ship will make its way to Cagliari, Sardinia before heading back to Spain by August 12. Watch an invite video below.

Belle and Sebastian are currently on tour through the summer. They released the final installment in their How to Solve Our Human Problems EP trilogy earlier this year.

An Exclusive Offer from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για An Exclusive Offer from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa


Always dreamed of joining a surf tour? Rub shoulders with the sport’s elite this August as Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts “the world’s most luxurious surfing event,” the Surfing Champions Trophy, August 6-12, 2018. The added bonus: save 15 percent with an exclusive Surf, Spa and Save offer.

There are the monetary benefits, and then there are those priceless moments – like sipping sundowners at Sunset Lounge with the likes of double defending champion Taj Burrow (returning with his eye on a possible third consecutive victory). Or being one of just a handful of VIPs onboard Four Seasons Explorer, the floating venue for all the wave battles.

No doubt inspired by all the action, book a private session with one of Kuda Huraa’s onsite TropicSurf pros to hone one’s own board skills. Then ease those muscles with a massage at The Island Spa – a short dhoni ride across Kura Huraa’s lagoon.

Surf, Spa and Save offer includes:
15 percent off the room rate
One 60-minute massage in The Island Spa for two guests per stay
Two day passes to view the competition from Four Seasons Explorer (individual tickets to Single, Double, Triple Fin and Grand Finale)
VIP Tour cocktails (nightly cocktail hour with the six Surfing Champions contestants throughout the week of the competition)
This offer is available only from August 3 to 13, 2018, and requires a four-night minimum stay. Package inclusions are based on a four-night stay. Additional nights include breakfast only. A full-stay penalty applies if the reservation is cancelled 30 days or less before expected arrival.

Best Western plans Beach Resort in Quang Binh, Vietnam







Best Western Premier Quang Binh

Best Western Hotels & Resorts signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new upscale beach resort in Dong Hoi, on the Vietnam’s stunning north-central coast.
Scheduled to open in 2020, Best Western Premier Quang Binh will be an impressive international resort overlooking the East Sea. Dong Hoi, which is set on a 12km-long coastline with white sandy beaches, is the capital of Vietnam’s Quang Binh province. It is also the gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape that houses Son Doong, the world’s largest cave.
This prime beachfront property will feature 501 upscale rooms and suites, all equipped with spacious bathrooms, workspaces and complimentary Wi-Fi, and will be supported by Best Western’s famous service standards. Many of the rooms will offer uninterrupted sea views, and guests in the executive rooms and suites will be offered unlimited access to a chic beachfront lounge, with a series of exclusive services and privileges.
Surrounded by a wealth of world-class tourism and leisure facilities, this exciting project will help elevate this emerging region, creating a new upmarket destination for local and international visitors.
“Vietnam has over 3,400 km of coastline, much of which is only just opening up to tourism. With its dramatic landscapes and pristine seafront, Quang Binh is one of the country’s most spectacular provinces and looks set to become a highly desirable destination,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations - Asia.
“Best Western Premier Quang Binh is the latest in a series of major upscale properties for Best Western in Vietnam, which we have identified as a priority market. I am delighted with the quality of these projects, and the fact that we are now bringing international hospitality to exciting new parts of the country. The future is bright for Best Western in Vietnam,” Olivier added.
Developed by FLC Quang Binh One Member Co. Ltd., Best Western Premier Quang Binh will feature two wings dramatically connected by a glass sky bridge, overlooking tropical lagoon pools, expansive sundecks, palm trees and the golden beach.
Facilities will include a bright restaurant, outdoor infinity pools, a serene spa, children’s playground and a modern gym. A business center and meeting rooms will also be available for special events and corporate gatherings, and executive guests will be offered access to the resort’s Beach Club – an exclusive club lounge where guests can relax in style, gazing out over the turquoise sea.
Best Western Premier Quang Binh will form part of a major new development by FLC, which also includes a golf course, premium retail complex, restaurants, bars and a marina. This upscale beachfront complex is set to transform Dong Hoi into a premium tourism destination.
Nestled on the coast in north-central Vietnam, approximately 150km north of Hue, Dong Hoi is the gateway to one of the country’s most intriguing and alluring regions. Guests can head out and explore the breathtaking limestone landscapes of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, discover the dramatic sand dunes of Quang Phu Cat Hill, or simply lie back and relax on a series of stunning sandy beaches.
The area is accessible via Dong Hoi Airport, which offers regular direct connections to and from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, plus seasonal services to other Vietnamese cities. In August last year, Jetstar Pacific launched Dong Hoi’s first international route, connecting the coastal city with Chiang Mai, Thailand. This service now runs twice a week (Mondays and Fridays).

Japan opens its halal friendly hotel to attract Muslim tourists





Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για halal hotel near Mount Fuji



Another Asian country, Japan is opening its gate to Muslim tourists by opening its first halal hotel near Mount Fuji.

The Muslim tourists from Southeast Asia and Middle East are on the rise as the number of foreign visitors to Japan climbs year by year.

In response, the  hotels and other lodgings, particularly in tourist-dense Tokyo, are increasingly offering services like halal meals and prayers spaces that cater to the religious needs of guests. While more establishments these days are advertising themselves as Muslim friendly, in reality it remains impractical for hotels to invest in the facilities and trained staff needed to be fully halal compatible.
 Î‘ποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Japan opens its halal friendly hotel to attract Muslim tourists

Against this backdrop, Japan in July 2016 welcomed what may be its first ever completely halal lodging, the Syariah Hotel Fujisan in the Fuji Five Lakes area of Yamanashi Prefecture.

Located near the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, the cozy two-story accommodation combines Islamic amenities with views of Mount Fuji to the south and easy access to recreational facilities around Lake Kawaguchi.

Yamashita Yūji, president of the hotel’s parent company said that the hotel firm decided to dip its toes into the Muslim market after seeing an uptick in visitors from Southeast Asia.

Yamashita also explained that for years, the Chinese tourists made up the bulk of foreign visitors.

The company renovated a private home and consulted with Islamic organizations, Muslims living in Japan, and halal associations to bring the facilities up to religious standards.

Yamashita says that while the hotel, which is part of the firm’s travel organization Fujisan Family, is still operating on a trial basis, he remains hopeful that business will continue to grow.

He notes that more Muslim visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are visiting Lake Kawaguchi after hearing about the Syariah Hotel in the Japanese and overseas press or by word of mouth.

Rosewood Baha Mar In Nassau, Bahamas opens






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Rosewood Baha Mar In Nassau, Bahamas opens



Rosewood Hotels & Resorts opened on May 22 Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. Dubbed ‘the crown jewel’ of the multi-billion dollar resort complex on Cable Beach, Rosewood joins prestigious hotel brands Grand Hyatt and SLS.
Set on the gorgeous white sands of Nassau’s Cable Beach, Rosewood Baha Mar is a sanctuary of exclusivity, located within the stunning Baha Mar Resort multi-property oasis in the Caribbean.
Featuring elegant British colonial architecture and interior styling, Rosewood Baha Mar epitomizes Bahamian refinement and sophistication. The resort offers 185 ocean view rooms and suites, as well as five luxurious beachfront villas, which is contemporary and residential in style. Each accommodation is elegantly appointed with refined Bahamian art and décor. Of note, all guestrooms boast private balconies with outdoor living areas, while the luxurious four-bedroom villas offer exceptional tranquility, exclusive services, and a private pool.
Amenities at Rosewood Baha Mar include four signature dining venues including Commonwealth, a farm-to-table restaurant that include a private Rum Room for exclusive, island-style dinners; the Pool Grille -- an inspired, al fresco poolside restaurant that serves fresh seafood, grilled dishes and cocktails; Bar Riva, a relaxed, nautical-themed bar where guests can enjoy craft cocktails and small plates, and the Library Lounge, which features Bahamian-style afternoon tea and unique tea cocktails. Recreational facilities include Sense, A Rosewood Spa, salon, barber shop, fitness center, two private swimming pools and luxury cabanas. Additionally, guests have direct and private beach access.
Eight meeting and event spaces provide the perfect setting for corporate meetings, retreats, and incentives. The venues – including a 4,950-square-foot ballroom, meeting room, boardrooms, private dining room and two al fresco event areas – offer exquisite catering, refined service, and state-of-the-art technology.

Revealed: The most threatening factors to World Heritage sites








Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Revealed: The most threatening factors to World Heritage sites


Did you know there are 54 World Heritage Sites around the world that are listed as 'in danger' by UNESCO?
From old cities buckling under the impact of tourism to historic monuments ravaged by climate change, it's no wonder that a number of heritage sites around the world are endangered. Tour providerOn The Go Tours created a graphic that looks at these World Heritage Sites and analysed which factors are impacting them and putting them under threat.
Here's what they found:
  • Top 10 sites with the highest amount of endangering factors - 80% of the top 10 sites are affected by issues related to 'War/Conflict', along with 'Urbanisation' and 'Tourism'.
  • The country with the most endangered World Heritage Sites - Syria has six locations on the endangered list and includes the Ancient City of Aleppo and the Archaeological Site of Sabratha. All of the six sites are affected by issues relating to 'War/Conflict' and 'Urbanisation'.
  • Urbanisation is the most dangerous factor - In total, there are 287 individual threats to the sites, 86 of these threats fall under the 'Urbanisation' category and includes livestock farming, housing and transport infrastructure. 'Politics' follows closely behind with 66 threats.
  • Tourism is the least threatening factor - Just 13 of the 287 individual threats fall under the 'Tourism' category and includes threats such as impacts of visitors, accommodation for visitors and society's value of heritage.
  • The sites most affected by:
    - War - Old City of Sana'a. Yemen, Asia.
    - Environmental factors - East Rennell. The Solomon Islands, Oceania.
    - Politics - The Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz. Uzbekistan, Asia.
    - Urbanisation - Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. Honduras, North America