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).

Δευτέρα 31 Οκτωβρίου 2016

SilverRail partners with Fareportal to power rail search on CheapOair

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για SilverRail partners with Fareportal to power rail search on CheapOair

SilverRail, the technology company powering global rail with its next generation retailing and distribution platform, has partnered with Fareportal, a high-tech, high-touch travel company powering the next generation of travel. This new partnership will expand Fareportal’s offering to travellers in the US by incorporating rail options alongside flights for the first time.
With the simple integration of SilverRail’s API, travellers can now compare and book Amtrak rail tickets online via CheapOAir, a subsidiary of Fareportal. For the first time ever, CheapOair customers can find the most convenient and affordable travel options based on their origin and destination with one easy search on one website.
Cameron Jones, Chief Commercial Officer at SilverRail said "Fareportal is the 10th largest global travel company according to Travel Weekly's 2016 Power List and with their brand CheapOair they will be amongst the first leisure online booking platform to offer Amtrak tickets alongside airfare results. We are excited to support Fareportal as they expand and enhance their offering to customers. This partnership helps raise the profile of rail in the US and provides Amtrak a new marketing channel to attract new customers that might have otherwise flown.”
Werner Kunz, Chief Operating Officer at Fareportal said "Rail carries as many passengers as air between some of the major US cities like Boston and New York, and so it's a natural fit for us to offer rail options alongside air, allowing customers to comparison shop with one search on CheapOair.com".


EU-China Year of Tourism 2018 European launch

The European Travel Commission is holding an event this week in Barbican Centre, London, to launch the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year. ETC and ETOA will unveil their plans for the World Bridge Tourism project sponsored by the European Commission on the 3rd of November.
"China-EU Tourism Year 2018" was declared by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in July 2016. The initiative is sponsored by the European Travel Commission and "Welcome Chinese" certification organizations, organized by the Select Holding and supported by member countries of the European Commission and the European Travel Commission.
Tom Jenkins, ETOA CEO said: "China remains one of the most important future markets for European Tourism, and that there is a designated year for tourism co-operation is of course to be welcomed. How Chinese visitors are welcomed and accommodated, how their expectations can be met is one of the central topics that the industry has to address: this initiative will help them do so."
“The EU-China Tourism Year is a great opportunity for the European tourism industry to explore the Chinese market, but also learn how to attract Chinese visitors and offer them the best experience”, saidEduardo Santander, ETC Executive Director. “ETC is looking forward to cooperating with the European Commission and the other EU tourism stakeholders, making sure that we turn this possibility into a great success.”
China is the world’s largest travel market in terms of both outbound travel and expenditure. Lately, European destinations have strengthened their position in this market, attaining 10,1 million Chinese visitors in 2015, accounting for a share of 13% of all outbound travel from China. ETC opened its Operations’ Group in Beijing in 2010, and has recently delivered extensive market intelligence on the Chinese market.
According to Ecns.cn, for the majority of Chinese tourists, a holiday to Europe can be quite expensive - the flights can cost more than a holiday in Thailand. But that's about to change. The European Travel Commission is planning to offer Chinese tourists more value for their money.
"In terms of preparing the China-EU 2018 Year Tourism, it is to be sure that the Chinese businesses and the European businesses create the packages that the Chinese visitors want," said Lowri Evans, Director-General, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMES, European Commission.
"Destinations which we call the 'hidden gems' are now popping up in the interests in the Chinese. The issue here is that we need more air connectivity because we need all these destinations to be reachable for Chinese people," said Eduardo Santander.
"Tourists from China can be safe, they won't be mixed with refugees or be part of any kind of problem related to the refugee crisis. We have teams in the European Union, working together and consolidating for European countries. It's working very good," Santander said.
World Bridge Tourism will be the curtain raiser for a major initiative that will take place the following year, when the EU–China Year of Tourism 2018 will take place. During that year an unprecedented level of attention will be paid to the growing importance of China as an origin market, and the changing preferences and behaviour patterns of Chinese visitors.
The event will begin at 13:00 with a networking lunch until 14:00. Afterwards, there will be an address from Dr Eric Philippart, European Commission from 14:00 till 14:10. Right after him there is also going to be an address from the European Parliament this time, which will also last for 10 minutes. At 14:20 is going to be presented by ETC/ETOA research team, “The size and potential of the Chinese Outbound Market”. After this 30-minute presentation is another one from Professor Wolfgang Arlt this time, about the evolution of the Chinese visitor over years. At 15:20 there is a coffee break for half an hour. After the break will be another 30-minute presentation from Mr Jacopo Sertoli from Welcome Chinese, concerning the welcoming of the Chinese visitor. At 16:20 until 16:50 will take place a presentation about the “ETC-ETOA Co-operation on Chinese Workshops”, from Eduardo Santander, ETC and Tom Jenkins, ETOA. Finally, at 16:50 there are the closing remarks until 17:00.

Canadian travel professionals check out Ireland


A group of top Canadian tour operators and travel agents – all specialists in group tours and responsible for making the travel arrangements for a diverse range of large groups – have been visiting the island of Ireland this week. They were here as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

The Canadians attended a ‘Canadian Expo’ B2B workshop in Galway, where they met with Irish tourism enterprises to negotiate for their 2017 programmes. They also undertook an action-packed fact-finding visit – taking in Dublin, Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Dana Welch, Tourism Ireland’s Manager in Canada, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite these top Canadian tour operators and travel agents to visit the island of Ireland, to see and experience some of our many great attractions and to encourage them to include Ireland in their programmes for 2017.”
2016 looks set to be another good year for Irish tourism from Canada and the United States, with the latest CSO figures showing almost 1.4 million visitors to Ireland from North America during the January to September period this year – an increase of +15.4% when compared to the same nine-month period in 2015.

Russia witnesses an upsurge in the number of ‘Red Tourists’ from China

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Russia  ‘Red Tourists’ from China

Officials from the Russia’s tourism sector have been very busy lately as the country is welcoming a wave of ‘Red Tourists’ from China.

Every week, busload of Chinese tourists arrive at the country to pay their tribute to the Chinese Communist leader Wang Ming, who has been buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery along with some of the prominent politicians, writers and composers of Russia.

One of the travellers from Shanghai, Cheng Ling has informed that they are learning about Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin, and how they created this country.

Previously, the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine have caused the relationship of Russia with the Western countries to take a massive hit. The low oil prices and the punitive sanctions have also battered the economy of the country. Both the conditions have affected the tourism sector of the country in a negative way. But at present, the country is welcoming a record number of Chinese tourists, as the value of rouble has declined. Apart from these, the visa-free travel opportunity have forced the red tourists from China to visit Russia more than ever.

The idea of red tourism has gained popularity under President Xi Jinping. Travellers have chosen to visit the various historical sites related to the Communist Party of China. Both the countries of China and Russia have signed an agreement in June’15 in Mao Zedong’s birthplace Shaoshan, so that the Chinese travellers can get to travel through the red-tourism routes.

According to the director of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, Wolfgang Arlt, travel to Russia is considered politically correct. He has also stated that due to the terror attacks on France and Belgium, Russia is being considered as a very safe option.

According to research data released in June’16 by the firm ‘Euromonitor’, in 2016 over 1.1 million Chinese travellers are expected to visit Russia, which is almost 15% more than the tourism figure of 2015. The recent figures have put Russia at the 16th position on the list of Chinese travellers.

The flagship carrier of Russia, Aeroflot has informed that in 2014 and 2015, the airline has witness an increase of 15% and 14% in trips to and from China.

It has been found that the younger tourists are travelling with their parents in order to honour them. The adventure tour operator Russian Discovery has informed that in 2015, almost 200,000 Chinese travellers visited Russia on communist-inspired trips. The itinerary includes visiting the birthplace of Lenin at Ulyanovsk in central Russia, the city of Kazan, St. Petersburg, Moscow and many more.

The European hospitality industry teams-up with METRO AG and European Food Banks to fight against food waste

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για The European hospitality industry teams-up with METRO AG and European Food Banks to fight against food waste
BRUSSELS - HOTREC, the European trade association of hotels, restaurants and cafes, METRO AGand the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA) signed a Framework Agreement through which they undertake to cooperate to contribute to reducing food waste and further engage in food donations.
Through this Framework Agreement, HOTREC, METRO AG and FEBA will share their respective expertise and best-practices on the reduction of food waste and will work on guidelines to help businesses wishing to partner with local food banks.
“At a time when the European Union is reflecting on the best way to reduce food waste throughout the food chain, this framework agreement is a concrete example of how stakeholders can partner to reduce food waste flows, while encouraging charitable donations” explained Christian de Barrin, CEO of HOTREC.
“Building cooperations and sustainable partnerships with the various constituents of the communities we live in is at the heart of our dual mission of alleviating food poverty and combating food waste. The framework agreement announced today between HOTREC, METRO and FEBA is a promising example of how trade associations together with their suppliers will engage with food banks in Europe to tackle food waste in the hospitality sector while delivering real benefits to the most vulnerable people in our societies” commented Mr. Patrick Alix, Secretary General of FEBA.
"As international food retailing company food waste reduction is a topic of major concern and close to our heart. METRO is very pleased to deepen collaboration with our partners HOTREC and FEBA and to share our experience and best practices with regard to food waste reduction measures along the value chain and in particular supporting our professional customers" commented Ms. Veronika Pountcheva, Global Director for Corporate Responsibility at METRO.
The European hospitality industry is a small food waster compared to the other components of the food chain, as food services (a category which cover not only restaurants but also party catering, contract catering in hospitals, schools, public institutions, etc.) only generate 12% of the total food waste in Europe. Nevertheless, this framework agreement shows that the hospitality industry is deeply committed to minimise food waste as much as possible, as part of its societal responsibility. 

UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories welcomes Croatia Observatory

UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

The Croatian Sustainable Tourism Observatory (CROSTO) has become a member of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). This Observatory, hosted by the Institute for Tourism in Zagreb, is responsible for monitoring sustainable tourism in the Adriatic Croatia.
“Sustainable tourism development requires adequate measurement and evidence-based decision-making. We are very pleased to welcome the Croatian Sustainable Tourism Observatory to the UNWTO INSTO Network. We trust it can make a key contribution to support the vision set by Croatia for the future of its tourism sector; a sector that contributes to the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
“Through its membership in INSTO, Croatia is also sharing the global strategic commitment to act responsibly and with care towards the space we live in,” mentioned the Ministry of Tourism of Croatia, Gari Cappelli.
Croatia’s commitment to sustainability has been emphasized in its Tourism Development Strategy 2020. The initiative aims at fostering innovation in the framework of sustainable tourism. The efforts of the country in that regard have been recognized by the European Commission through the concession of the ETIS and Accessible Tourism Awards to Mali Losinj town. The breadth and depth of insights gathered on sustainable tourism practices on the island have been particularly praised in that recognition.


ACTE study: Work life balance the new priority for modern business travellers

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για ACTE study: Work life balance the new priority for modern business travellers

AMSTERDAM - Finding a more perfect work/life balance has emerged as the leading priority for modern business travellers, according to the latest study released by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. Nearly half (46 percent) of the 255 business travel managers interviewed for this research reported a significant increase in the number of traveller inquiries regarding an improved work/life balance. Titled Meet The Modern Business Travellerthis study is the first in the industry to address this issue as a major game-changer. 
“Modern business travellers are less frenetic and more deliberate. They travel for two reasons: to meet their corporate objectives and to support their life’s objectives. For a growing number of them, the first is meaningless if it doesn’t contribute to the second,” said ACTE’s Executive Director Greeley Koch.
Today’s business travellers are more conscious of what they eat, how they exercise, and the amount and quality of the sleep they get. They know that all of these factors are the basis of wellness, and they are less willing to abandon their wellness agendas when traveling. They also know that wellness of body and spirit provide advantages when negotiating sales contracts for their companies. Modern business travellers are also more aware, and demanding, of the recovery time between trips. 
  • Twenty-three percent of respondent travel managers indicated travellers are seeking time off as compensation for time spent on the road.
The report also identifies new trends in traveller supported apps, a growing interest in the shared economy, and support for shared services. The modern business traveller is more independent than his or her predecessors and willing to share more through social media.
  • Seventy-nine percent reported an increase in the use of app--based ground transportation options.
  • Forty-eight percent cited an increase in the use of ride share options.
The report maintains that a growing number of modern business travel managers are challenging traditional key performance indicators, savings and compliance, with traveller centric KPIs that are more closely related to the return on the business travel investment and a better gauge of traveller performance. ACTE has been pioneering travel centricity as a means to meet work/life balance expectations and corporate objectives, without compromising savings.
Greeley Koch acknowledged the generous support of American Express Global Business Travel in the research and development of Meet The Modern Traveler.
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Fiji Airways & American Airlines Strengthen Codeshare Agreement

Fiji Airways, Fiji’s National Carrier, and American Airlines are strengthening their codeshare agreement to include more cities in the United States, as well as a significant international connection, London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). The extended agreement allows for convenient connections when flying between Fiji, across the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

“This extended codeshare agreement is a truly remarkable achievement for Fiji Airways. Just as important, it allows more of American’s customers to visit our home, Fiji, and seamless access our network in the South Pacific,” said Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO, Andre Viljoen.

Fiji Airways will add eight (8) new codeshare destinations to and from Los Angeles and seven (7) destinations connecting to and from San Francisco (SFO). This gives customers traveling on Fiji Airways’ non-stop flights from LAX and SFO better access to major U.S. cities such as: Atlanta, Nashville, Portland, Philadelphia, Seattle, Dallas, New York, Miami, Phoenix, and more. In total, the codeshare agreement now provides the customers of Fiji Airways with accessibility to 38 cities across the U.S and, for the first time, the United Kingdom, via American Airlines.

American Airlines customers also gain new codeshare service on Fiji Airways between SFO and Nadi, Fiji (NAN). Members of the AAdvantage program can earn and redeem miles on all Fiji Airways flights.*
Guests can book travel today on these codeshare flights directly through Fiji Airways and American Airlines. The two airlines began their codeshare partnership in 2011 and with this expansion the codeshare now includes 49 destinations in the South Pacific, United States and Europe.

Fiji Airways flies daily service between LAX and NAN and seasonally from SFO, using its flagship Airbus A330 aircraft with 24 Business Class and 249 Economy Class seats on both non-stop routes. It has a comprehensive South Pacific island network, connecting to Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, with additional connections to Australia and New Zealand.

New destinations for Fiji Airways customers from LAX:
1. Atlanta, GA (ATL)
2. Nashville, TN (BNA)
3. Charlotte, NC (CLT)
4. Indianapolis, IN (IND)
5. -Oklahoma City, OK (OKC)
6. Portland, OR (PDX)
7. Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
8. Los Angeles -Seattle, WA (SEA)

New destinations for Fiji Airways customers from SFO:
1. Charlotte, NC (CLT)
2. Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
3. New York City, NY (JFK)
4. Miami, FL (MIA)
5. -Chicago, IL (ORD)
6. Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
7. Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
*For conditions regarding AAdvantage® miles, please visit https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/partner-airlines/fiji-airways.jsp

Unpack These Simple Luxuries to Decompress at Your Hotel


MCLEAN, Va. - Traveling on business sounds glamorous, but it's actually as hard as a day's work - more than one would expect. After the day whirls by, whether it was spent wooing clients, leading training seminars, networking or closing sales, there's a big appetite at the end of the day for a relaxing evening.
The growth of business travel in the U.S. is slower than the preceding decade, according to the Global Business Travel Association. So chances are when you are sent out, you are expected to accomplish more with less help during your off-site time. This can make you exceptionally ready for some down time at the end of the day. 

But for many busy women, this is a challenge. For starters, 79 percent of women said they can get twice as much done in a day as a man could, according to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Hilton Garden Inn. Quite possibly, that is what is making women feel like they're running on empty: 67 percent said they have wished their significant other would travel on business so they could be alone.

"Women are ambitious when it comes to wanting to maximize their career opportunities while building a meaningful life at home with their families," says Ash Sears, founder of the blog, Quirky Inspired  "I have discovered when I'm traveling on business, it's actually a great opportunity to steal some time to pamper myself. And you don't have to spend a lot of time and money doing it."  
When traveling, as with home, it's important to grab some restorative personal time to keep life in balance, and get your energy back up. Next time you're traveling on business, leverage that block of time alone and your hotel surroundings so you can truly decompress.
  
Pack a few spa items
Pack the scented candles, the herbal teas you never get around to using at home, and use them to help you melt away the tensions of life and of the day. It will help you restore your mind and your muscles. Don't forget the masks and foot creams so you can treat yourself to a facial or simple pedicure.
Disconnect the devices
In order to truly destress, untether yourself from the electronics. Delegate work emails and social media duties to someone else for a few hours, call your family to say goodnight, and power down the devices. Well, maybe you'll want to keep one device going so you can stream some light bossa nova music to set the mood. Grab a good book or magazine and lounge by the pool. Or if you really need to decompress, try a simple meditation, focusing only on taking deep, slow, full breaths. After a few minutes, it will lower your blood pressure and make you feel better. 
Ask Jeeves
Yes, there are plenty of excellent mobile apps that are good at finding a great dinner spot. But there's just something unappealing about clicking around and searching online after a busy day, especially when you are trying to weigh your choices against a limited knowledge of a new city. Take advantage of your hotel staff's knowledge of the surrounding area. Hit them up for some solid local insight and you'll be on your way.
Go to cocktail hour
No evening of luxurious downtime would be complete without some gourmet nibbles and adult beverages. If it gets a little later than expected, not to worry, Hilton Garden Inn's Pavilion Pantry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a wide array of snacks and beverages. Consider having a glass of wine or a yummy dessert to relax from your hectic day. 
Indulge and Relax in the ShowerTraveling is a perfect time to sample luxury spa items you may not have time to use at home. Enhance your shower time by using shower gels, loofah sponges or body scrubs. Look for shower items that include jasmine oil. The scent promotes a sense of calm and well-being and serves as a sleep aid. 
To book a weekend to reset and refresh, visit www.hgi.com.

New Government Initiatives to Attract Chinese Tourists


Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για New Government Initiatives to Attract Chinese Tourists

With China now the world's richest country by GDP and with an increasingly affluent middle class, often willing to spend high sums of money purchasing luxury goods abroad, destinations around the world are battling fiercely to attract the rapidly growing tourist Yuan.
 
Europe has enjoyed phenomenal growth from China, and now is the leading destination for Chinese visitors outside Asia. How this position can be maintained and enhanced is a matter of earnest debate throughout the industry.

At the EU-China summit in July of this year it was announced by President Jean-Claude Juncker that 2018 would be the EU-China Tourism Year. This will give an unparalleled opportunity for EU tourism businesses to explore and understand the Chinese market.

At 12.30 pm on Thursday 3rd November at the Barbican Centre in London, the Tourism Unit in the European Commission, will brief the media on a new programme of initiatives designed to attract Chinese tourists to the EU.

At the ensuing conference, in addition to the announcement of new initiatives, new research from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute and from the European Travel Commission will also be presented that will shed further light on the desires, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese tourists and will reveal new niches in the market.

The panellists speaking to the media will be:
  • Dr Eric Philippart, Head of Project, European Commission
  • Istvan Ujhelyi MEP
  • Professor Wolfgang Arlt, China Outbound Tourism Research Institute
  • Eduardo Santander, Executive Director, European Travel Commission (Visit Europe)
  • Tom Jenkins, CEO, ETOA, the European tourism association
  • Jacopo Sertoli, President & CEO, Welcome China (a leading player in the accreditation of suppliers to the outbound travel industry from China)

Outrigger in Phuket Wins ‘Best Luxury Family Hotel’ Award



PHUKET, THAILAND – The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort has won “Best Luxury Family Hotel – Southeast Asia" in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2016.

The acclaimed 255 key beachfront resort in Laguna Phuket in Thailand has won a string of awards since opening in April 2013. The property, with its large freeform pool, spiralling water slide, and Thai design lobby giving a unique sense of arrival, is located in Laguna Phuket, Asia’s first integrated resort 25 minutes from Phuket airport.

Sammy Musa, Outrigger Resorts Middle East representative accepted the award on stage at the World Luxury Hotel Awards Gala Ceremony, 29 October, in the St Regis Doha Hotel in Qatar.

The awards are presented to luxury hotels in over 50 different categories on a country, regional and global basis. Public vote selects all winners.

“The award shows real recognition for the hard work and dedication of the Outrigger hotel staff, “ said Tony Pedroni, General Manager of the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. “Our commitment to the Outrigger way ensures that we treat all guests like family.”

Special Offer
To celebrate the best family luxury resort award, the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is offering free meals at Locavore, Metzo’s and Edgewater restaurants for children 12 years or younger when dining with parents when the holiday booking at Outrigger Phuket is made via Outrigger.com.

All rooms at the resort come with a day bed and two children can stay comfortably in each room with parents.

To take advantage of the offer, which is available for trips up to 31 October 2017, click 
here.

List of Awards
In September, Metzo’s at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Thailand, won the “Best Restaurant Within a Hotel” global award at the 
International Hotel and Property Awards 2016.

In October 2015, the resort won “Best Resort (Service Excellence)” Award at the Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice Awards. It was also voted the fourth best resort for families in Thailand in the 2015 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

In September 2016, the resort won the “Best Island Resort for MICE” in the 2016 China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards – Business Travel & MICE.

Gogo Business Aviation enhances Gogo vision with mMlti-language in-flight entertainment capabilities globally


Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Gogo Business Aviation
BROOMFIELD, COLO. - Gogo Business Aviation, a leader in connected airplanes, announces it is expanding its in-flight entertainment (IFE) service, Gogo Vision, to better serve its international customer base by offering studio-licensed movies and TV episodes in seven languages. Gogo is the leading provider of wireless in-flight entertainment in business and commercial aviation.
The enhanced language capabilities are part of a larger initiative to provide the broadest entertainment offerings for customers worldwide, and in the United States, to choose from while in flight, and will be available in early 2017.
Gogo Vision Language Enhancements
Gogo Vision app is configurable in one of the following languages:
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
Audio tracks for movies and TV episodes in up to seven languages:
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
Gogo Vision provides a high-quality entertainment experience with a straightforward base monthly service fee that is capped, which removes the unpredictability and often high costs associated with streaming video and audio. Available globally, Gogo Vision delivers the latest releases from Hollywood and approximately 200 on-demand movies and TV shows – along with moving maps, news, flight progress information and destination weather, in addition to file sharing and Cabin Management Systems integration.
"Our customers – especially those who fly internationally – told us they wanted more language options for Gogo Vision to make it more appealing and user friendly," said Sergio Aguirre, Gogo Business Aviation's senior vice president and general manager. "The options and capabilities we deliver with Gogo Vision continue to expand. Earlier this year we started providing Gogo Cloud service in London and Paris, and we will continue to respond to the market by giving passengers a fantastic, turn-key IFE experience, regardless of the language they speak or where they travel."
Gogo Vision content is stored on an on-board server and streamed directly to personal electronic devices such as tablets or shown on cabin monitors. By storing content onboard and offering a unique way of updating that content, Gogo Vision lets customers avoid potentially high data charges incurred by streaming content to the aircraft via a satellite link.
Automatic content updates for Gogo Vision are available in a customer's own hangar and at Gogo Cloud locations in the U.S. and Europe, with additional locations coming in Europe in 2017. All required Gogo Cloud equipment and hardware required to enable in-hangar updates is included at no cost.
Gogo Vision content can be viewed on personal devices such as iPhones, tablets and laptop computers, in addition to in-cabin monitors with the purchase of a Gogo Video Processor Unit (GVPU).
Gogo at NBAA
Gogo will showcase a complete range of global and U.S. domestic in-flight connectivityand entertainment solutions for business aviation at the annual NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, Nov. 1-3 in Orlando, Fla., at booth 1844, and in the Static Display of Aircraft at location S35 where the Gogo Challenger 600 will be on display to highlight the latest Gogo equipment and services.


The Ritz-Carlton to Enter Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για The Ritz-Carlton to Enter Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

CHEVY CHASE, MD—The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has signed a management agreement with RAK National Hotels, an owner of hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, a subsidiary of RAK Hospitality Holding and Al Hamra Real Estate Development.

The brand will manage The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, growing the brand’s footprint in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to five by 2017.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of the RAK Hospitality Holding and RAK National Hotels and Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International signed the agreement. Closing the ceremony Kyriakidis said, “We are proud to partner with RAK Hospitality Holding and RAK National Hotels and look forward to introducing The Ritz-Carlton to Ras Al Khaimah.

Herve Humler, president and COO, The Ritz-Carlton conveyed his thanks to the ruler of the Emirate and said, “We have seen an increasing appetite amongst travelers for immersive escapes in emerging destinations and our Ras Al Khaimah properties will offer travelers—both regional and international—the chance to enjoy the unique landscape, indigenous customs in tranquil environments. The locale, which represents the culture and traditions of the indigenous community will transport visitors to an off-the-beaten track journey for that truly authentic experience.”

The management agreement, which goes into effect on December 15, will see the beach property close for comprehensive renovations, while the desert property will remain open and operate as a partner hotel – Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah, a Ritz-Carlton Partner Hotel. Both properties following the renovations are scheduled to be re-launched in 2017 under The Ritz-Carlton’s stewardship.

The renovations include total refurbishment of the Al Hamra beach property a 32 all-villa luxury resort, and upgrading the  Al Wadi property, a 101 all-villa desert resort. 

Davidson Adds Renaissance Atlanta Midtown to Management Portfolio

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Davidson Adds Renaissance Atlanta Midtown to Management Portfolio

ATLANTA—Davidson Hotels & Resorts has added the 304-room Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel to its growing management portfolio.

The property is located in the center of "Technology Square" and is
 a short distance from the city's best museums, including the High Museum of Arts, Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the FOX Theater.

"We're thrilled to be working with the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel's new owner, Carey Watermark Investors 2, establishing a strategic new owner relationship," said John Belden, CEO of Davidson. "Our portfolio continues to see dynamic growth, and we're proud to include this hotel as our 15th property in the Marriott family of brands."
"Davidson is renowned for its ability to create value and we look forward to collaborating with them on this high-quality asset," said Michael Medzigian, CEO of Carey Watermark Investors 2.

Located in the Renaissance, Community Smith is a contemporary eatery with a neighborhood feel featuring seasonal New American cuisine. The Garden at Community Smith is a rooftop terrace with views of the skyline, which offers a seasonal beer garden featuring semi-private spaces in a garden setting, with sculptured fire pits and a water wall. The hotel also offers more than 8,500 sq. ft. of meetings and event space.

AHLA, Industry Reps Urge GSA to Retain Current Per Diem System

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WASHINGTON, DC—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), along with representatives from member companies, participated in a public hearing hosted by the General Services Administration’s (GSA) new interagency working group to examine if the methodology for determining per diem rate boundary lines should be changed. AHLA expressed support of the current per diem system, which reassesses per diem rates each year based on accountable, transparent local market data.

“Government travel is incredibly important to the hotel industry, generating thousands of jobs and millions in travel spending that supports communities around the country,” said Craig Kalkut, AHLA’s VP of government affairs. “The American Hotel & Lodging Association and the hotel industry have worked closely with the General Services Administration to ensure that lodging per diem rates align with market conditions and also reflect good value for the government. Although the system is certainly not foolproof, it has worked.”

Hotel industry participants who appeared on behalf of the lodging sector included Kalkut; Sandi Millstein, Intercontinental Hotels Group’s key account director of Americas sales; Bill Mckeand, Intercontinental Hotels Group’s Americas sales specialist of government transient & travel agency sales; and Scott E. Lamb, Hilton Worldwide sales director of government segment.
“As an industry, we hope that this new working group will engage closely with the travel industry and consider our input prior to making any changes to the current per diem system. AHLA will continue advocating with both the GSA and this new working group to ensure hotels can best accommodate the needs of government travelers,” said Kalkut.

The GSA interagency working group members are represented by the following agencies: Department of Defense; Department of Energy; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Interior; Department of Labor; and the Government Accountability Office.

Rocketrip unveils insights, an analytics dashboard for corporate travel

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NEW YORK - Rocketrip, the leading technology platform for reducing corporate travel costs, unveiledInsights, a powerful new analytics dashboard. Rocketrip Insights demystifies all the choices that drive corporate travel spending. Its tools can help companies reduce expenses, simplify travel management, and keep employees safe.
Rocketrip cuts a company's average business trip cost 30% by incentivizing employees to spend less on their flights, hotels, trains, and rental cars. The Insights dashboard amplifies these savings by giving companies the data they need to make better decisions about corporate travel. The new functionality goes beyond the typical reporting capabilities of travel management companies (TMCs) by uncovering the main factors driving employee spending, and by aggregating data from all travel vendors – airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and even Airbnb.
"Rocketrip Insights is the most comprehensive travel analytics tool on the market. It turns thousands of trips and spending decisions into a clear, complete picture of corporate travel," said Dan Ruch, CEO of Rocketrip. "This dashboard will help our customers simplify travel management and discover new ways to reduce expenses. It's all about pinpointing behaviors, habits, and patterns that affect your bottom line."
Rocketrip designed Insights to fit the diverse needs of finance, HR, and travel professionals. The console has five capabilities that differentiate it from other travel analytics tools:
  • Aggregated Travel Expenses – Insights organizes travel spending by behavior to highlight problem areas and shows opportunities for savings. It can break down flight, hotel, train, and rental car data by department, individual employees, routes, and more.
  • Automated Compliance – Insights takes an enormous burden off finance and HR teams by automating the travel compliance review process. Rocketrip automatically flags itineraries that conflict with company policy or cost an unusual amount. Insights keeps tabs on average market prices so that administrators have context when evaluating an expensive trip.
  • Vendor Comparison – Insights will soon feature a travel analytics repository will be the first of its kind. Rocketrip is building this data set to show clients how flight prices, availability, and other criteria compare among vendors on a given route. For example, if employees regularly travel between New York and London, a travel manager will be able to use comparison data to negotiate discounted rates with vendors and advise employees on the best options.
  • Traveler Security – Rocketrip will soon introduce a World Map View to help compliance and risk managers meet duty of care requirements. World Map View will show where all travelling employees are at any given moment. In emergencies, employee contact information and location data (derived from itineraries) will be accessible from the World Map View.
  • Benchmarking – Insights will soon be able to benchmark a company's travel spend against other companies that use the platform. Finance professionals will be able to anonymously compare their average trip, flight, hotel, and rental car costs to those of similar businesses. This tool can also show how travel behaviors vary among employees, departments, and offices.