Category - Business

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The IMEX A to Z of 2017: 5 trends to watch as the year unfolds

7 years ago

2016 was no slouch of a year for the meetings industry nor, indeed, for the world at large. Dramatic forces were at play and many of us shared a sense that, even if we wanted to grasp the pace or nature of change taking place, we barely had the time or the head space to do so. 2016 was pivotal – and it felt like it. Looking ahead to 2017, IMEX has identified five trends which, starting at A and ending at Z, are anything but simple or linear in the impact they’ll have on the meetings and events...

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MENA chain hotels’ profits continue to slide

7 years ago

Cost Cuts Can’t Stop Rooms Profit Drop at Manama Hotels Profit per room in the Rooms Department at Manama hotels dropped by 10.3% this month, which was in spite of savings in both departmental Cost of Sales and Payroll, according to the latest data from HotStats. Whilst hotels in the Bahrain capital managed to maintain room occupancy levels at approximately 50.7%, achieved average room rate fell by 9.8% year-on-year to $167.70, which contributed to a RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) decline...

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Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts expands In Shanghai

7 years ago

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the opening of Le Méridien Shanghai, Minhang in the Hongqiao Hub of Shanghai. The hotel marks the third Le Méridien and the 34th property in the Marriott International’s fast growing portfolio in the city of Shanghai. Through the distinctive Le Méridien lens, which highlights cuisine, culture and art, Le Méridien Shanghai, Minhang presents unexpected and engaging experiences to curious-minded travelers...

Catherine Buchanan Appointed Chief Commercial Officer for Vertis

Vertis Aviation appoints Chief Commercial Officer

7 years ago

Vertis Aviation has announced today the promotion of Dubai-based Catherine Buchanan to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective immediately. In her new role Catherine, who is currently General Manager of the company’s Dubai office, will steer commercial development of the business, with a particular focus on the EMEA region. Her responsibilities will include international sales and business development, budget planning, managing relationships with aircraft owners, and advising on putting...

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UN: Banning Europe’s ‘dirty’ fuels, West African countries put people’s health first

7 years ago

Five West African nations are banning ‘dirty’ European fuels – exported fuels with higher sulphur levels – in response to concerns over vehicle emissions and in an effort to bring safer, cleaner air to more than 250 million people, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said today. According to UNEP, last week, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire introduced strict standards that will ensure cleaner, low sulphur diesel fuels, and better emissions standards, thus...

WHS

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong Voted World’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel

7 years ago

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has won the attention of the world elites at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2016 held in Maldives, garnering the biggest recognition as World’s Leading Luxury Business Hotel. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has also taken home Hong Kong’s Leading Business Hotel for the third consecutive years and triumphed with Asia’s Leading Business Hotel accolade for the first time. Mr. Alexander O. Wassermann...

Irishn

For President Trump to Stop Norwegian Air International?

7 years ago

The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) strongly condemn the short-sighted, under-cover-of-darkness decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI).  This anti-worker decision runs afoul of the very rules that the Obama Administration itself negotiated and championed only six years ago.  Just on Thursday the Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg   urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to...

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US travel service industry revenues to climb 4.9% annually through 2020

7 years ago

US travel service industry revenues are forecast to climb 4.9% annually through 2020. Travel service providers will benefit from higher volumes of leisure travel, supported by rising disposable personal income levels both in the US and abroad. Increasing demand from business travelers, underpinned by the expanding number of companies operating over geographically dispersed areas, will further support gains. Even so, the increasing ease with which travelers can book transport or accommodations...

lobster2

Katharina Herbst appointed as new Director of Sales at Lobster Experience

7 years ago

Lobster Experience GmbH & Co. KG – one of the leading luxury hotel representations in the German-speaking markets – appointed Katharina Herbst as a competent and experienced professional at the head of their sales team. In the future, the experienced touristic expert will guide all sales activities of the Leisure and MICE departments and will drive forward the strategic expansion of the Lobster Events department. Katharina Herbst was previously responsible for product management...

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sbe completes acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group

7 years ago

sbe Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sam Nazarian today announced with partners Ron Burkle and Cain Hoy Enterprises the definitive closing of sbe’s acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group, a move that further expands its international footprint and solidifies its unique position as the preeminent global leader of lifestyle hospitality management, entertainment, food & beverage and development. The transaction, which has a value of $805 million, more than doubles the number of hotels in...

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CALC delivers first batch of aircraft to Lucky Air and West Air

7 years ago

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited, the largest independent aircraft operating lessor in China, is pleased to announce that the Group has successfully delivered an Airbus A320 aircraft to Lucky Air and West Air respectively in November. The delivery is the first batch of aircraft the Group has made to the two airlines, marking the commencement of the official cooperation between CALC and HNA Group. This move not only maximizes on the opportunities presented by the fast developing...

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Uber returns to Calgary

7 years ago

Today, Ramit Kar, General Manager for Uber Alberta, issued the following statement following the approval by City Council of changes to its regulations for ridesharing in Calgary.

SBI Auckland

Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland opening: A Green Dream?

7 years ago

The newly opened Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland is a “Green Dream” according to New Zealander Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of the Hong Kong-based international management company Swiss-Belhotel International. The property opened in late October 2016 to offer guests a special upper upscale international hotel and apartment complex that’s a unique and appealing addition to the Auckland and New Zealand’s tourism accommodation facilities. Auckland...

Shanghai launched tax free shopping for foreign tourists

7 years ago

Foreign visitors to Shanghai from Australia can now save 9% on their purchases as the country has introduced its first Tax Free Shopping scheme for foreign visitors. From today, Global Blue, the world’s leading Tax Free Shopping provider, has partnered with Bank of China to make the service in Shanghai widely available and help retailers to provide the best Tax Free Shopping service to their international customers. Almost 200 stores in Shanghai have already signed up to the TFS scheme...

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JacTravel breaks in to China

7 years ago

JacTravel, the UK-based B2B travel wholesaler, has opened an office in Beijing, headed up by Jenny Fu, Sales Director, who is supported by Fei Ren, Sales Manager, and Justin Zhang, Client Technical Support Analyst.

Homeaway

Four Key Senior Hires in Asia for Expedia brand HomeAway

7 years ago

Prashant Kirtane, HomeAway Vice President, Asia, said, “Asia is critical to HomeAway’s future growth and is a priority for the organization globally. With the appointment of Rob, Judith, Dennis and Natsuko, we aim to build a strong business and growth strategy across the region. They are dynamic leaders, bringing a wealth of experience with regional expertise from diverse markets such as Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. I’m confident that their passion for the business and region will play an...

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Boeing names new senior leaders

7 years ago

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg today named Kevin G. McAllister president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, succeeding company Vice Chairman Ray Conner in that role.

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Hospitality industry icon named 2016 US Entrepreneur of the Year

7 years ago

J. Willard Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International, has been chosen by Ernst & Young, one of the largest international accounting firms, to receive the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Real Estate, Hospitality and Construction category and the U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award.

Star1

Kenya Hotel Classification an ongoing controversy

7 years ago

The Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel, the Radisson Blu Nairobi Hotel, the Sarova Stanley, Hemingways Nairobi and the Fairmont The Norfolk, among others, have according to information from the Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority just made the cut in the latest round of grading and classification exercises in Nairobi to be awarded the coveted five star rating.  A total of eight establishments in the city were deemed fit to put five stars on their front door while a number of others attained a four star...

KingM

In a picture perfect tourism setting in Marrakesh: Climate change makes history today

7 years ago

Hosted byKing Mohammed VI of Morocco, in a picture perfect tourism setting in Marrakesh history was made today in a  Summit of African Heads of State and Government. The agenda is climate change. eTN summarized some developments. Small island developing states (SIDS): Climate change and a UN response Recognizing the disproportionate burden that climate change places on small island developing states (SIDS), FAO will support six African island nations in their efforts to make their agriculture...

AAR

AR and Air New Zealand Form Strategic Partnership for Components

7 years ago

AR  a global player in the aviation aftermarket, has entered into a long-term contract with Air New Zealand to provide nose-to-tail, cost-per-flight-hour rotable inventory support covering 740 parts and 15 of the airline’s B777 aircraft. Under reciprocal terms of the agreement, Air New Zealand will become AAR’s exclusive component repair provider for selected parts in the Asia-Pacific region and preferred supplier for selected parts worldwide. This significant contract establishes a...

CEOMART

Marriott to Trump: You can make America even greater!

7 years ago

US President Elect Donald Trump runs hotels – luxury hotels directly competing with Ritz Carlton or Luxury Collection by Marriott. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson wrote to Donald Trump – from one hotel man to another. He says in his open letter: Mr. Trump: Congratulations on your election as President of the United States. You ran an impressive campaign, never doubting your message. You now have the opportunity to lead from the White House and all of us want you, and the nation you will...

JETWAW

Jet Airways makes 13 million Dollars in second quarter

7 years ago

Jet Airways Group today announced a profitable quarter with a profit of INR 85 cr (USD 13m) for the period ending September 30, 2016 despite a traditionally ‘lean’ quarter and domestic yields being under pressure. Jet Group’s total revenue for the second quarter FY17 increased by 3.2 per cent to INR 5,682 cr (USD 850m) from INR 5,504 cr (USD 842m). Passenger revenues for Q2 FY17 rose by 2.2 per cent to INR 4,785 cr (USD 716m) from INR 4,682 cr (USD 716m). Jet Airways continued to grow its...