Hays Travel to buy all 555 Thomas Cook shops

Picture by Metro co UK

Sunderland-based Hays announced that it plans to open all Thomas Cook shops with immediate effect. It will buy the shops from the official receiver which was appointed when Thomas Cook had collapsed last month.

As a part of the rapid expansion Hays has already offered jobs to 600 Thomas Cook staff and will be an important step for Hays which is known to current operate 190 shops across the UK.

The company was set up by John Hays 40 years ago and he said that it is a game changer for them , almost trebling the number of shops they have and double  their workforce – and for the industry, which will get to keep some of its most talented people.

The business is run by him and his wife Irene has 1,900 staff and last year had sales of GBP 1 billion (USD 1.22 billion)

Irene Hays, chair of Sunderland-based Hays said that Thomas Cook was a much-loved brand and a pillar of the UK and the global travel industry. They will build on the good things it had – not least its people – and that will put them in even better stead for the future.

In the Sunderland headquarter there will be more than 100 new jobs while the rest will be in shops across the UK.

About 22,000 jobs were put at risk worldwide when Thomas Cook collapses and led to the biggest ever peacetime repatriation by the Civil Aviation Authority so that they can bring 150,000 British holidaymakers back to the UK.

According to David Chapman the official receiver described the sale to Hays Travel an important step in unravelleing the 178-year-old chain.

Tags: Hays Travel,  Thomas Cook 

Travelstart completes acquisition of Club Travel Group

CAPE TOWN – Travelstart has completed its acquisition of Southern Africa’s Club Travel Group for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, which sees Travelstart wholly acquiring the Club Travel Group and its subsidiaries, was first announced in June 2019 and the deal was subject to the approval of South Africa’s Competition Commission. The transaction has now been formally completed and approved.

The acquisition will boost Travelstart's offering by adding Club Travel’s established complementary corporate and franchise divisions to create one of Africa’s largest, full-service travel groups. Club Travel will continue as a standalone company within the Travelstart portfolio. Thebe Tourism Holdings (Thebe), the majority shareholder of the Club Travel Group since 2009, has sold its stake in the Club Travel Group to Travelstart. Thebe and Travelstart have jointly invested in Club Travel Corporate, a level one B-BBEE rated division of the Club Travel Group.

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Club Travel as the newest member of the Travelstart family,” said CEO Stephan Ekbergh. “Together we will continue to concentrate on building the best place for people to plan, book and manage travel.”

Club Travel’s Managing Director and founder Wally Gaynor said, “We are delighted to join Africa’s leading online travel agency and we know that Travelstart’s knowledge and footprint will help us ensure a sustainable future for Club Travel in an increasingly technology-dependent market.”

Africa’s travel and tourism industry is worth an estimated $194 billion and digitisation among consumers is still growing. With the acquisition, Travelstart and Club Travel enter a co-operation which will enable the former to expand its business and reach new customers, and the latter to gain the expertise needed to deliver digital product innovation and remain competitive.

Tags: Travelstart

Medical Tourism Conference Moves to Abu Dhabi with Highest Quality of Participants in 12 Years

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct., 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hosted buyers, expert speakers, Ministers of Health, and hundreds of other healthcare executives will travel to Abu Dhabi next month as delegates to the 12th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress (WMTC). The Congress, which hopes to address many of the challenges surrounding the medical tourism field, will take place from Oct. 15-17. This year's meeting of the WMTC is a bold new direction for the world's fastest-growing meeting of healthcare innovators and disruptors. Leaders from every corner of the industry will meet in beautiful Abu Dhabi, where specially hosted buyers will take a private tour of the Emirate's burgeoning medical scene on Oct. 15. The first day will also feature a Ministerial Summit on medical tourism and population health management, as well as an all-day workshop event for industry insiders who wish to become a Certified Medical Travel Professional. The final two days of the Congress will feature keynotes and three educational session tracks. A deep program of more than 100 speakers will join the Congress in Abu Dhabi to share stories and perspectives that reveal trade secrets, unseen challenges, and the future of the industry. Accordingly, the three-day event is an incredible opportunity to pick up new business leads and network with some of the world's best healthcare contacts. Now in its 12th year of hosting the WMTC, the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) believes that October's event will be its most exclusive and unrivaled conference yet. "One of our main goals for this year's Congress is to bring together an exclusive group of industry leaders that are rarely, if ever, all in the same place," said Jonathan Edelheit, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Medical Tourism Association and WMTC Abu Dhabi. "By putting insurance providers, government officials, hospital executives, and industry facilitators all in the same room at the same time, we're creating an invaluable atmosphere of insider secrets and international collaboration."   Edelheit is particularly excited for the Buyer's Program, as well as the collection of Speakers. "With the more than 100 speakers and 100 hosted buyers of healthcare that we're flying in from around the world, this truly will be an unrivaled event that the industry has not seen before," Edelheit said. In past years, the MTA has brought some of the most renowned experts from around the world to share how they are disrupting healthcare, population health management, and the management and prevention of chronic diseases and conditions. This year's audience will include Ministers of Health, Hospitals, Insurance Companies, and industry leaders from more than 90 countries. Representatives from Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Human Longevity Inc, Bupa Arabia, Axa, and dozens more organizations will be in attendance to share their innovative strategies in a globalized, 21st century market. The Congressional array of speakers is impressive on its own, but travelers who purchase the Networking Pass will have additional access to other guests. An exclusive web/mobile app allows pass-holders to view the full list of attendees – including both speakers and buyers – in order to pre-schedule meetings directly in the Congressional Networking Hall. Future-focused professionals will be able to make new contacts, create new partnerships, and expand their enterprises. The MTA believes that a Networking Pass (or a Premium Pass) is the best way to get the most out of the long lineup of Buyers and Speakers. "We believe the WMTC is home to some of the most brilliant medical innovators on Earth, but we want this event to be a great networking opportunity for industrious businesses and governments, too," Edelheit said. "Securing a Network Pass and gaining access to our VIP Lounges and our Networking Application is the fastest and most effective way to do that." About the Medical Tourism Association: The MTA is the global trade association for the medical travel industry working with the leading hospitals, governments and insurers in the development and launch of world class healthcare systems and solutions and setting the industry standards, while focusing on offering the highest quality transparent healthcare for consumers and buyers around the globe.   Through the publishing of research, analytics, insights, and training the MTA has raised the bar on international patient experience and outcomes, while helping educate health and wellness consumers from around the globe on their world of options. MTA's events are managed by Global Healthcare Resources. SOURCE Medical Tourism Association Tags: 12th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress (WMTC), Medical Tourism Association

GROUND Asia Recognised in 2019 Global Youth Travel Awards

GROUND Asia has been chosen as a finalist along with 27 other leading organisations in the 2019 Global Youth Travel Awards. The awards recognise outstanding performers in 14 fields of international youth travel. The awards put the spotlight on excellence among World Youth & Student Education Travel Confederation (WYSETC) members and other stakeholders in the youth, student and educational travel industry. Fifteen judges, vetted for impartiality, chose a total of 30 finalists in ten nominated categories - 28 organisations in total. At the award ceremony in Lisbon on 11 October, winners will be announced for Best Education Abroad Provider, Best Social Responsibility Initiative, Best Sustainable Organisation, Best Travel Technology Product, Extraordinary Experience, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Social Space in a Hostel, Best Travel Safety Initiative, Best Work Experience Provider, and Outstanding Volunteer Project. GROUND Asia, with its head office in Bangkok and operations in six Asian countries, has been nominated as a finalist for Best Social Responsibility Initiative, and Best Sustainable Organisation. A WYSETC statement on the 2019 awards says: “The Best Sustainable Organisation category received a large volume of high calibre entries, perhaps not surprising in the age of Greta Thunberg and the global push towards minimising the impact that we, as travellers, have upon the environment.” To advance sustainability in educational travel, GROUND Asia has already integrated 14 out of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals into the community engagement experiences it offers in six Asian countries. GROUND Asia is also a finalist with its Responsible Traveller Training Programme, which is shortlisted in the Best Social Responsibility Initiative category. The open-to-all free training module, which can be used by students, teachers and faculty, addresses pressing issues in community engagement such as responsible photography, child safety in tourism, giving responsibly, and reducing plastic consumption while travelling. “With the training programme, our aim is to inspire and educate a generation of young travellers who will go on to travel responsibly throughout their lives,” says GROUND Asia General Manager Lauren Groves, who is speaking in a session on educating young consumers about responsible travel at WYSTC 2019, which takes place 8-11 October in Lisbon. On inclusion among the finalists, she adds: “GROUND Asia is humbled to be among the 2019 Global Youth Travel finalists. When we meet, we always inspire each other and learn from one another.” Winners of the 2019 Global Youth Travel Awards will be announced 11 October at the gala dinner awards ceremony on the final evening of WYSTC 2019.

ABOUT GROUND Since 2015, GROUND Asia has worked with some of the most disadvantaged communities in Southeast Asia. These include people who are vulnerable or struggling with poverty, lack of access to services and infrastructure, and even the early adverse effects of climate change. GROUND Asia partners with communities across Asia to assist in their sustainable development. The communities it works with are its clients. To meet their expectations, GROUND Asia aims to empower communities through mutually beneficial programs to ensure their needs come first. GROUND Asia integrates UN Sustainable Development Goals into its programs. Visit GROUNDAsia.com Tags: GROUND Asia

Santo Maris Among The World's Leading Boutique Resorts

We are so thrilled to share with you that Santo Maris is nominated as the "World's Leading Boutique Resort for 2019" at the prominent World Travel Awards.   Being already voted as the “Europe’s Leading Boutique Resort for 2019”, now Santo Maris pursues an international recognition among the finalists of the prestigious institution. The stay experience, the contemporary luxury, the unprecedented tranquility and the high-level of personalized service was what made Santo Maris being selected in this prestigious shortlist of world-class hotels.   We would be delighted to have your support and your affection for Santo Maris!   Voting is open and runs until Sunday, 20th of October 2019.   Cast your vote, help us to reach the top and be part of our story!   Thank you for your support!     @santomarisoia #SantoMarisSunsetStories #YourOwnIsland #SantoriniExperience

	Everything you need is right here at Santo Maris Oia. Tags: Santo Maris Oia

Carnival Cruise Line Unveils New Pumpkin Ale At The Great American Beer Festival; Seasonal Brew Available Fleetwide Later This Month

MIAMI (October  2019) – Carnival Cruise Line made a big splash as the first cruise operator exhibitor at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, debuting its new fleetwide seasonal beer, ParchedPig Pumpkin Ale, which will be available in bottles and on draft later this month. 

Carnival, which operates the only shipboard breweries in North America, also showcased its ParchedPig West Coast IPA, ParchedPig Toasted Amber and ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat to more than 60,000 attendees at the festival which attracted 800 brewers this year.   Recipes for these three beers were created by Carnival’s in-house brewing team and, in partnership with Brew Hub, are available in cans and kegs across the fleet

Additionally, the line announced that a brand new beer, ParchedPig Beach Lager, will debut at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse aboard the new Carnival Panorama when it enters service in December from Long Beach, Calif.

“Showcasing a selection of our beers among some of the top breweries in the country and introducing our product to the thousands of beer enthusiasts at The Great American Beer Festival is a true highlight for our team,” said Edward Allen, vice president of beverage operations for Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re constantly evolving our beverage choices, including the quality and variety of our beers, and this was the perfect opportunity to debut the new ParchedPig Pumpkin Ale and announce ParchedPig Beach Lager as we continue to provide our guests with even more exciting choices on board.”

Available for a limited time, ParchedPig Pumpkin Ale is a bold, full-bodied beer with a hint of spiciness and notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, caramel, and brown sugar, providing the perfect complement to fall cruising.  It will be available in 22-ounce “bombers” and on draft in bars and lounges across the fleet, as well as at breweries aboard Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon.

The newest beer under the ParchedPig moniker, Beach Lager, is an easy-drinking refreshing brew that combines traditional German brewing techniques with a fun sense of adventure.  ParchedPig Beach Lager will be brewed and served at Carnival Panorama’s Smokehouse Brewhouse, joining the award-winning ParchedPig Smoked Porter West Coast IPA, Toasted Amber, and Farmhouse Ale, also brewed on board.  These beers pair perfectly   with the delicious smoked-on-board barbecue offerings created by Food Network star and longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri.

“ParchedPig Beach Lager is light, drinkable beer that’s a personal favorite of mine and serves as the perfect accompaniment for whatever guests want to do on board, whether it’s relaxing by the pool or enjoying delicious barbecue,” said Colin Presby, brewmaster for Carnival Cruise Line. 

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.

Tags: Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Carnival Cruise Line

US-China Trade War Weighs Heavily on Air Cargo

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), contracted by 3.9% in August 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This marks the tenth consecutive month of year-on-year decline in freight volumes, the longest period since the global financial crisis in 2008. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), rose by 2% year-on-year in August 2019. Capacity growth has now outstripped demand growth for the 16th consecutive month. Air cargo continues to face strong headwinds from the intensifying trade war between the US and China, as well as weakness in some of the key economic indicators and rising political uncertainties worldwide. Global trade volumes are 1% lower than a year ago. Trade in emerging countries has been underperforming that of advanced nations throughout most of 2019. This is due to higher sensitivity of the emerging economies to trade tensions, rising political instability and sharp currency depreciation in some of the key emerging markets. Global export orders continue to fall. The global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) remains in contraction territory. Its tracking of new manufacturing export orders has pointed to falling orders since September 2018. And for the second month in a row, all major trading nations reported falling orders. “The impact of the US-China trade war on air freight volumes was the clearest yet in August. Year-on-year demand fell by 3.9%. Not since the global financial crisis in 2008 has demand fallen for 10 consecutive months. This is deeply concerning. And with no signs of a détente on trade, we can expect the tough business environment for air cargo to continue. Trade generates prosperity. Trade wars don’t. That’s something governments should not forget,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

August 2019 (% year-on-year) World share1 FTK AFTK FLF (%-pt)2 FLF (level)3 Total Market 100.0% -3.9% 2.0% -2.7% 44.6% Africa 1.6% 8.0% 17.1% -2.5% 30.2% Asia Pacific 35.4% -5.0% 2.3% -4.0% 51.6% Europe 23.3% -3.3% 3.3% -3.3% 47.7% Latin America 2.7% 0.1% -2.9% 1.1% 37.2% Middle East 13.2% -6.7% -0.8% -2.7% 43.5% North America 23.8% -2.4% 1.3% -1.5% 37.7%

1 % of industry FTKs in 2018  2 Year-on-year change in load factor  3 Load factor level

Regional Performance Airlines in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East suffered sharp declines in year-on-year growth in total air freight volumes in August 2019, while North America and Europe experienced more moderate declines. Africa and Latin America both recorded growth in air freight demand compared to August last year.  Asia-Pacific airlines saw demand for air freight contract by 5% in August 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The US-China trade war along with the slowdown in the Chinese economy have significantly impacted this region. The temporary shutdown of Hong Kong International Airport – the largest cargo hub in the world –added additional pressure. With the region accounting for more than 35% of total FTKs, this performance is the major contributor to the weak industry-wide outcome. Air freight capacity increased by 2.3% over the past year.   North American airlines saw demand decrease by 2.4% in August 2019, compared to the same period a year earlier. Capacity increased by 1.3%. The US-China trade war and falling business confidence continue to weigh on the region’s carriers. Freight demand has contracted for the largest routes between Asia and North America, where seasonally-adjusted volumes are down almost 5% compared to their level in July 2018. European airlines posted a 3.3% decrease in freight demand in August 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier. Weaker manufacturing conditions for exporters in Germany, softer regional economies, and ongoing uncertainty over Brexit, have impacted the recent performance. Capacity increased by 3.3% year-on-year.  Middle Eastern airlines’ freight volumes decreased 6.7% in August 2019 compared to the year-ago period. This was the sharpest drop in freight demand of any region. Capacity decreased by 0.8%. Escalating trade tensions, the slowing in global trade and airline restructuring have impacted the region’s performance since the fourth quarter of 2018. Economic uncertainty from oil price volatility among the region’s oil reliant markets has added additional pressure. Latin American airlines experienced an increase in freight demand in August 2019 of 0.1% compared to the same period last year and a capacity decrease of 2.9%. Low economic growth compounded by the US-China trade war and political instability in some countries have impacted the region’s performance. Recent currency volatility in the region’s key economies have also contributed.  African carriers posted the fastest growth of any region in August 2019, with an increase in demand of 8% compared to the same period a year earlier. This continues the upwards trend in FTKs that has been evident since mid-2018 and makes Africa the strongest performer for the sixth consecutive month. Capacity grew 17.1% year-on-year. Strong trade and investment linkages with Asia have underpinned a double-digit increase in air freight volumes between the two regions over the past year. China recently confirmed a further $60 billion investment into the continent.  View August Air Freight Results (pdf) Tags: IATA

Booking.com drops Seaworld ticket sales, elpehant rides after PETA appeal

NORWALK, CONN. — After hearing from PETA and more than 300,000 of its supporters, Booking.com has released sweeping new animal welfare standards, which include a policy against selling tickets to SeaWorld or other aquariums or abusement parks that feature captive whales and dolphins or to circuses that use elephants, bears, big cats, and primates. The promotion of elephant rides and many other activities involving direct contact with certain wild animals is also prohibited.

"Booking.com is helping to wipe out abusive animal attractions and bolster humane tourism in one fell swoop," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA is urging people to do their homework and use only ethical travel companies that refuse to promote captive-animal displays."

In nature, orcas and bottlenose dolphins can swim up to 140 miles and 60 miles per day, respectively; dive to depths well over 1,000 feet below the ocean's surface; and maintain dynamic relationships within large social networks. At SeaWorld, 140 dolphins are squeezed into just seven small tanks and can't escape attacks from other frustrated, aggressive dolphins. A recent expert report revealed that many dolphins at SeaWorld have open wounds and extensive scarring—yet trainers still ride on their backs and stand on their faces during sea circus performances. PETA has documented chronic animal welfare violations, neglect, and premature deaths at SeaWorld, Loro Parque, and numerous other operations now affected by this policy.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to use for entertainment"—also notes that elephants who are forced to give rides at tourist attractions are often forcibly separated from their mothers, immobilized with tightly bound ropes, and gouged with nail-studded sticks or other sharp objects. Circuses tear baby animals away from their mothers, lock animals in cages and chains, and ship them from city to city in cramped, often filthy trailers, denying them any semblance of natural life."

Booking.com—which will receive a box of delicious elephant-shaped vegan chocolates in thanks from PETA—is part of a growing list of companies that have enacted pro-animal policies, including TripAdvisor, which recently stopped selling tickets to facilities with captive cetaceans; British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United airlines, all of which ended SeaWorld promotions; and Airbnb, which just banned hands-on encounters with wild animals.

Tags: Booking.com-PETA 

New Similan Ballroom Unveiled at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, a TCEB-certified MICE venue in Laguna Phuket, has announced the opening of a new meeting and events centre in January 2020.

The flexible options that the new facility provides are set to transform the award-winning beachfront resort into “the complete meeting venue,” says General Manager, Tony Pedroni.
 
The new Similan Ballroom meetings and events centre will offer 640 square metres of flexible meeting and exhibition space including a pillar-less ballroom with six-metre high ceilings with movable partition walls. The new venue features audio-visual technical excellence with complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout.

The main ballroom (at 448 sqm) can be easily separated into three multi-purpose function spaces to create six dedicated meetings rooms.

The new complex has been designed to target the meeting sector across Asia Pacific, local business gatherings in Phuket, and major weddings.

The new set-up features a large pre-function area, a VIP lounge, space for 350 guests theatre-style, and includes the resort’s existing three meeting rooms totalling 320 sqm.

The new standalone convention centre has a dedicated private entrance to the left of the resort lobby to ensure ease of access, group privacy and event flexibility.

“The magnificent new Similan event space compliments the ever-expanding range of services and visitor experiences offered in Laguna Phuket and the immediate neighbourhood,” says Pedroni.

“The whole area is now defined by superlative shopping, entertainment, dining and active lifestyle options for sport, ecotourism and responsible event hosting.”

On environmental innovation for the meetings sector, the 255-key Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is very proactive in the campaign against single-use plastics. The resort’s green commitment addresses the key issues of plastic bags, food containers, straws, capped water bottles and utensils. Responsible ‘green’ events will be central to Outrigger’s MICE offering.

Depending on objectives of the meeting, guests may also have the option of participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives. Outrigger has a long-term community relationship programme with Baan Khok Wat Mai primary school nearby.

Further event information and room bookings. Or email: sm.phuketbeach@outrigger.co.th. Tel: (+66) 76 360 600.


Tags: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

Saif bin Zayed unveils first floating Smart Police Station

• Dubai Police and Kleindienst join forces to unveil the world’s first floating Smart Police Station
• Internationally recognised Floating Seahorse Villas by Kleindienst Group will be transformed into the world’s first maritime Smart Police Station
• The unmanned station will offer safety and security services as well as promote sustainability and marine life protection

Dubai, 10^th October 2019: H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, inaugurated the world's first floating Smart Police Station, at GITEX 2019.

Dubai Police has partnered with the group behind the innovative Floating Seahorse Villa, Kleindienst, to reveal the world’s first floating Smart Police Station. The announcement was made during GITEX Technology Week in Dubai, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 6 – 10.

The floating seahorse Smart Police Station (SPS), which will be located at Kleindienst Group’s Heart of Europe project, and is expected to open in Q1 2020, will offer unmanned innovative, high performance e-police services to the residents of the development as well as the Dubai community at large.

The partnership also further underscores Dubai’s innovative 360-degree plan to promote happiness, sustainability and public safety by using smart technology as well as educating the community on protecting marine life.

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police said: “This extraordinary, the unique and pioneering project has grabbed the attention of police and security institutions around the world, as they seek to replicate the experience in their countries.”

In addition to providing safety and security services the SPS will also play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and marine life protection in the Heart of Europe development and in the rest of the UAE. A series of visits to the SPS are planned for UAE residents, schools and tourists to see firsthand the positive impact Kleindienst is having on the marine ecosystem.

Josef Kleindienst, Chairman of Kleindienst Group said: “Our partnership with Dubai Police is built on innovation, engineering ingenuity and imagination. We were the first in the world to develop a luxury floating above and underwater living experience through the Floating Seahorse Villa and I’m pleased our design capabilities have been recognised by Dubai Police with the first floating Smart Police Station. As a Developer, we are committed to supporting Dubai’s vision on sustainability, innovation and safety.

“The Heart of Europe project is gaining momentum and the SPS is a good example of the infrastructure and amenities which will in place and available to the waterfront community. Our vision for protecting underwater life is also being realised through the vital role the stations will play in promoting sustainability,” added Kleindienst.

The Kleindienst Group was established over 30 years ago in Austria and Hungary and has been present in Dubai since 2003. The Heart of Europe is the flagship masterplan of the developer in Dubai.

Tags: Dubai Police and Kleindienst join forces to unveil the world’s first floating Smart Police Station