Eliana Willis

More stories

  • 150 Shares169 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Heathrow Reports Strong Start to 2023 Summer Season, Welcoming 37 Million Passengers

    Great service and resilient demand drive a strong start to 2023 – Our teams welcomed 37 million passengers in the first half, which included some of the busiest days on record.We are giving great passenger service, with almost all passengers waiting less than five minutes at security as the summer peak gets underway. Overall passenger numbers still remain consistently below pre-pandemic levels, and the cost of living crisis is a material headwind for second-half demand. We have also now agreed on a fair two-year pay deal for all frontline colleagues.
    Connecting all of Britain to global growth – Passengers can choose from over 225 destinations this summer as airlines add more routes and frequencies to their Heathrow networks. Loganair has taken advantage of our lower domestic charges to increase routes, and 12 UK airports are now connected to the UK’s hub airport. Heathrow remains the best gateway in Europe for flights to the US, with 248 daily flights to 31 US destinations, and is currently better connected to India and China than European hub competitors. British Airways has launched a new route to Cincinnati, JetBlue added another service to New York, and LATAM has been allocated slots to begin a new non-stop connection to Lima, Peru.
    Investing in passenger service to maintain Britain’s hub – While we await the outcome of the CMA appeal, we are preparing to kick off the next phase of our investment in Heathrow to improve service. Plans for up to £3.7 billion of passenger improvements will include the replacement of the Terminal 2 baggage system and streamlining security in all terminals.
    Losses halved to £139 million – Adjusted losses before tax narrowed to £139 million in the first half, but we remain lossmaking due to the CAA setting too low a revenue allowance in the H7 regulatory settlement to generate enough cashflow, and this has been appealed. Our balance sheet is strong, with gearing well below pre-pandemic levels and £4bn of liquidity, sufficient to cover all of our commitments for at least the next 24 months. We are not forecasting any dividends in 2023.
    We continue to lead the industry in reducing the use of fossil fuels – We are the first airport in the world to issue a sustainability-linked bond which includes ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions from aircraft as well as on the ground. We look forward to Virgin Atlantic’s flight from Heathrow to JFK later this year, powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We urge policymakers to create a domestic sustainable aviation fuels industry which will create new green jobs, reduce costs for UK consumers and help achieve net zero targets.ADVERTISEMENTNew CEO appointed– John Holland-Kaye will step down as CEO in October after nine years, during which time he has transformed customer service at Heathrow, built a strong and diverse team, secured parliamentary support for expansion and established Heathrow as a leader in sustainability. Thomas Woldbye, the current boss of Copenhagen Airport, will take over from John, bringing fantastic experience from turning it into the hub of choice for passengers in Northern Europe.
    Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:
    “The summer getaway has got off to a great start, thanks to planning and close collaboration with airlines and their ground handlers. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team in the last nine years, transforming Heathrow into a world-class airport that Britain can be proud of. Heathrow is now a leader in sustainability, with a diverse culture that reflects our local community and can attract the best talent from around the world.”

    Older
    SkyTeam Introduces Carry-on Calculator for Seamless Hand Baggage Compliance Across Member Airlines

    Newer
    Experience the Magic of Christmas at Gaylord Hotels More

  • 100 Shares119 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Saudi Arabia creates a tourism investment company, Asfar

    In preparation for a significant surge in tourism, Saudi Arabia has established a new investment firm. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has proudly introduced the Saudi Tourism Investment Company (Asfar), aimed at bolstering the growth of the country’s tourism sector.
    Asfar’s primary focus will be on investing in novel tourism projects and developing alluring destinations within various cities across the Kingdom. This includes the enhancement of hospitality, tourist attractions, retail, and food and beverage offerings, as well as investing in the local tourism value chain.
    Mishary Alibraheem, Head of Entertainment, Leisure and Sport sector in MENA Investments at PIF, said: “Asfar will activate the role that Saudi Arabia’s cities play in supporting the national economy. It will enable each city to make the most of its unique tourism offering, further diversifying and enriching the tourism and entertainment experience in Saudi Arabia.
    “PIF tourism projects and companies are working side by side, supporting and strengthening the tourism ecosystem.
    “The creation of the company is in line with PIF’s strategy to create opportunities in the tourism sector and reinforce strategic partnership opportunities with the private sector, creating jobs and diversifying sources of income for the local economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”ADVERTISEMENTAsfar’s missionThe company’s core mission is to foster an environment that facilitates private sector co-investment opportunities while also creating an appealing space for local suppliers, contractors, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to partake in tourism project and destination development.
    By promoting healthy competition, Asfar aims to enrich the diversity and quality of the hospitality and tourism experiences available in the country. Leveraging Saudi Arabia’s advantageous strategic location between Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as the competitive edge of its cities, the company seeks to capitalize on the nation’s natural beauty and cultural richness, enhancing tourism experiences.
    Through these efforts, Asfar looks to attract both domestic and international tourists to explore a plethora of untapped destinations across the country. In doing so, the company envisions contributing significantly to the national goal of attracting 100 million visitors annually by the year 2030.
    Source; Hotelier Middle East

    Older
    Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah welcomes David Wilson as General Manager

    Newer
    SkyTeam Introduces Carry-on Calculator for Seamless Hand Baggage Compliance Across Member Airlines More

  • 138 Shares199 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Bartlett Targeting 250,000 visitors from Latam over the next 5 years

    Buoyed by the full recovery of Jamaica’s tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism is targeting 250,000 visitors from Latin America (Latam) over the next 5years.The move forms part of the Minister’s aggressive push to reengage this large source market.
    “The Latin America region has over 600 million people and represents one of the largest source markets for Jamaica that we must capitalize on. With travel fully returned and the potential of new airlift out of the region, we are building out strategies to attract these visitors,” said Minister Bartlett.Copa Airlines remains the strongest airline partner with an increased frequency of 4 flights weekly to Montego Bay and Kingston, with the aim of providing 5 flights weekly by Q1 in 2024.
    “Now is the time for Jamaica, a sought-after destination, to leverage this very lucrative market as part of our drive to welcome 5 million visitors by 2025. With 20 thousand rooms coming on stream in Jamaica, we will need to engage our airline partners for more airlift and seats, our tour operators, and create more investment to support this drive,” said Minister Bartlett.
    In 2019, Jamaica welcomed over 38 thousand visitors from Latam, and the island was poised to increase this number in 2020, but then COVID hit. Coming out of the pandemic, in 2022, Jamaica was able to welcome over 22 thousand visitors from the region.“The signs of interest for travel from Latam to Jamaica are strong, and we are ready to showcase our authentic culture and unique offerings,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.Minister Bartlett is in Latin America with a team of senior tourism representatives as part of a high-level strategic reengagement of the region.
    Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination 2022, for the 16th straight year at last years World Travel Awards.  Jamaica also scooped the award for Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2022, Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2022, for the 14th year in a row and Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination 2022.ADVERTISEMENT

    Older
    Lufthansa in-flight service: more choice, more entertainment, more sustainability More

  • 125 Shares149 Views

    in organisations-operators

    CHTA Announces the Return of CHIEF to Miami this year

    The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced the return of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), to be held November 29 to December 1, 2023, at the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon.
    CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig said the Caribbean region’s premier engagement, networking, education, and best practice sharing event for the hospitality industry professionals is back, and this year delegates will explore the theme “A New Era of Caribbean Tourism: Balancing Tradition, Technology, and Community”.
    “We want to emphasize the region’s commitment to embracing technology while preserving its rich cultural heritage and fostering strong community ties,” said Madden-Greig, who reported that the conference will tackle issues and opportunities that are most important to the region, setting a course for wealth creation, business success and sustainable growth.
    CHIEF 2023 will welcome a diverse audience, including hotel, resort, villas and Caribbean attraction owners, management executives, hospitality product and service providers, government officials, students, and other individuals interested in the region’s hospitality industry.
    CHIEF was created to encourage hoteliers to invest in their teams’ development, offering multiple opportunities for advancing their understanding of trends and exposure to new products, services and methodologies implemented in the industry. Over two days, delegates will be able to attend general and breakout sessions, an innovative trade show, and other activities to complement the core program.ADVERTISEMENTFor suppliers and vendors, CHIEF 2023 offers a unique opportunity to display products and services and engage in one-on-one interactions with hospitality business representatives. “The event will also serve as a valuable platform for fostering business relationships and discovering innovative solutions to enhance the overall guest experience,” said Bill Clegg, Chairman of the program.
    Registration opens on August 8, and rates are priced affordably at:US $525 for the first attendeeUS $425 for additional attendees from the same businessUS $995 for exhibitors
    Visit www.chtachief.com or contact us at [email protected] for more details.

    Older
    Air India aiming for 300% growth in cargo capacity in five years

    Newer
    Premier Inn launches four-day flash sale, with rooms from AED110 More

  • 138 Shares199 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Global Airlines and American Express set for take-off with new partnership

    Global Airlines, the world’s newest long-haul airline, has announced a significant partnership with American Express, meaning high-spending Amex Cardmembers can book tickets and benefit from exclusive offers with the airline.Ahead of the first flight in 2024, American Express and Global will collaborate on bespoke offers for Amex Cardmembers on the inaugural services between London Gatwick and New York’s JFK. The agreement will also see a range of exclusive fly-drive offers, hotel stays, and restaurant bookings made available to Cardmembers.
    Global will commence operations with two transatlantic routes. Through the new partnership, American Express Cardmembers will be among the first to be able to purchase tickets across all three cabins onboard the Global Airlines A380 aircraft; First, Business and Economy. The airline is also determined to improve the way people travel when working and is seeking to attract business travellers to its newly designed and refurbished cabins.
    Commenting on the partnership, the CEO and Founder of Global Airlines, James Asquith said: “I’m delighted to announce our latest major partnership with one of the world’s leading brands. Teaming up with American Express to provide its Cardmembers with exclusive offers and promotions and the chance to join us on some of our very first flights, alongside delivering a best-in-class payments experience, is a really important step for the airline.
    “Both Global Airlines and Amex are united by a desire to offer the best possible customer service and experience, and I can’t wait to encourage as many of its Cardmembers as possible to go Global when flying transatlantic.”
    Dan Edelman, Vice President and General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that Amex is accepted wherever our Cardmembers want to spend, so are delighted to bring them the opportunity to be among the first passengers on Global Airlines. With our long history in travel, this new partnership is hugely exciting for us.”ADVERTISEMENTPassengers booking to fly with Global will also be able to pay with American Express’ award-winning Pay with Bank Transfer solution, a simple, speedy and secure way for consumers to pay directly from their bank account.
    The announcement was made at the airlines “Welcome Onboard” event, held at Kettner’s, Soho House on Thursday night.
    Over 200 guests were in attendance, including representatives from national media, investors and aviation & brand partners.
    Laurent Perrier was served throughout, and, to bring to life the airline’s onboard service, all guests were given a luxury amenity kit featuring products from Margaret Dabbs, Waken, Murdock, Mermaid Vodka, and Longbottom.

    Older
    TREETOP TRAIL RAISES MINNESOTA ZOO TO A NEW LEVEL

    Newer
    New Airline BermudAir Gains AOC, Prepares For Launch More

  • 113 Shares159 Views

    in organisations-operators

    TREETOP TRAIL RAISES MINNESOTA ZOO TO A NEW LEVEL

    The Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop, is now officially open to the public. The 1.25-mile Treetop Trail takes guests to new heights – up to 32 feet above the ground – as they travel into the trees and gain new perspectives of many Zoo animals, including tigers, moose, bison, and camels. The Treetop Trail will be open year-round for guests to experience Minnesota’s four seasons.
    Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, helped kick off the historic grand opening by proclaiming it “Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail Day” in the state in front of an enthusiastic crowd of nature, animal, and zoo lovers.
    “The Minnesota Zoo has always been a special place for our family. By creating new opportunities to get outdoors and encouraging Minnesotans of all ages to take new perspectives, the Treetop Trail is a treasure and a true gift to Minnesotans,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “The Treetop Trail takes us one step closer to making Minnesota the best state for kids and families – for generations to come. I’m grateful to everyone who put their time, energy, and care into making this vision a reality.”
    In his opening remarks, Minnesota Zoo Director John Frawley proclaimed that the Treetop Trail is a gift for Minnesotans. “The Treetop Trail will provide an accessible and immersive pathway to nature for all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and communities.”
    Opening appropriately on World Nature Conservation Day (July 28), the Treetop Trail reaffirms the Minnesota Zoo as a worldwide leader in wildlife conservation and as a trusted nature destination. The Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.ADVERTISEMENT“For the last 45 years, the Zoo has done a tremendous job connecting people and animals. The Treetop Trail allows us to reimagine the traditional zoo experience and further the connection between people and the natural world,” said Frawley.
    The Treetop Trail gives guests year-round access to hundreds of acres of hardwood forest, ponds and marshes, and the diverse wildlife that calls Minnesota home. And, of course, a bird’s eye view for bird watchers. It adds more than 70,000 square feet to the Zoo and includes 22 bump-out overlooks to enhance the viewing experience while walking the trail.
    Integrating into the Minnesota Zoo’s original monorail track, which opened in 1979 and was retired in 2013, the Treetop Trail is the ultimate reuse construction project. Planning began in June 2018 and a ceremonial groundbreaking was held in April 2022. “Thanks to the full support from our Boards, legislative and government champions, as well as the philanthropic community, we have secured $39 million in public and private partnership to support our Step Into Nature campaign and this transformational project,” said Frawley.
    The Zoo contracted with award-winning Snow Kreilich Architects; engineering firm Buro Happold (known for its work on the High Line in New York City); TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism; and construction partner, PCL. Together, they have been committed to minimizing disruptions to the Zoo’s animals and guests before, during, and after construction of the trail.
    The Minnesota Zoo would like to express profound gratitude to the following for their support of the Treetop Trail: State of Minnesota, K.A.H.R. Foundation, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Target, Best Buy Foundation, Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation, Flint Hills Resources, and hundreds of individual donors.
    To learn more about the Minnesota Zoo’s Treetop Trail, please visit mnzoo.org/treetoptrail.

    Older
    Indulge in the Ultimate Friday Brunch Aboard the First Nile Boat at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo

    Newer
    Global Airlines and American Express set for take-off with new partnership More

  • 138 Shares169 Views

    in organisations-operators

    WELCOME TO DIS-LOYALTY—A NEW TRAVEL & FOOD MEMBERSHIP THAT BEATS BORING

    Ennismore, the global lifestyle hospitality company, launches Dis-loyalty – a game-changing travel and food membership that takes a different approach to loyalty by actively encouraging members to explore new destinations and rewarding them for being disloyal.Dis-loyalty is a unique programme dedicated to lifestyle, bringing together more than 75 hotels and 150 restaurants and bars from Ennismore’s collective of 10 globally renowned brands, including 25hours Hotels, Mama Shelter, The Hoxton, Mondrian and SLS.Dis-loyalty is based on simplicity and transparency, giving members bigger discounts for going somewhere new at the Dis-loyalty collective of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Members will get five core benefits:
    50% off just-opened hotels in the first three months after opening,20% off every first-time stay in every hotel,10% off for return stays,10% off food and drink in any of our restaurants, bars and coffee shops,365 free barista-made drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) – one every day of the year.Launching later in the year, Dis-loyalty Drops will create highly anticipated moments of limited edition offers and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
    Dis-loyalty is not a traditional loyalty scheme — there is no need to earn points, no tiers to climb, and no need to wait for the rewards. Members will get instant perks (and gratification) from the moment they sign up through a new, dedicated online platform. There are no complicated T&Cs or blackout dates for hotel stays, so every day is available (when we’re not fully booked, of course), and members can take advantage of their F&B discount any time whether you’re staying over at the hotel or not.
    Launched yesterday, 27th July, at $18 per month with an exclusive launch offer of one month free (when signing up before 31st August). What are the savings? Let’s do the maths. Members could save $150 every night for a new opening, $60 every night for a hotel they’ve never stayed at, and $312 every year on coffee1* – there’s no excuse not to sign up when savings are this good. Also, becoming a member doesn’t just give benefits; it helps give back too.  Dis-loyalty will donate 5% of membership subscription revenue to charities that work tirelessly to support the local communities our hotels call home as part of its mission to leave a positive impact.
    Ennismore has always been at the forefront of driving change and challenging convention within the industry, including removing check-in and out times with Flexy Time at The Hoxton; pushing sustainability efforts by being one of the first to introduce solid bath amenities at Mama Shelter; creating new business models through the launch of Working From_, a dedicated coworking brand integrated within hotels; changing how work is done within hospitality by introducing a 4-day work week at 25hours hotels; and building a proprietary mobile-friendly booking engine in-house that gives users a seamless booking journey and results in market-leading conversion rates.ADVERTISEMENTSharan Pasricha, Founder & Co-CEO of Ennismore, said: “I’m incredibly excited to be launching a new, game-changing programme that brings together our much-loved lifestyle brands in one simple and compelling membership, with digital innovation at its core. We want to break the traditional loyalty model by not rewarding members for how often they stay with us, but by encouraging them to discover the new. Dis-loyalty encourages our brand fans to discover hotels, restaurants, and bars in a new, digitally immersive, and editorial way. This complements our current brand-led strategy in delivering best-in-class brand.com experiences resulting in higher direct bookings.”
    EXPLORE NEW DESTINATIONSDis-loyalty is perfect for those who love exploring, with over 50 destinations, including London, Dubai, Miami, Paris, and Seoul. With more than 15 openings planned for the next 12 months, members will be able to take advantage of the opening 50% discount at hotels including The Hoxton, Vienna; SO/ Uptown Dubai; Hyde Ibiza; SO/ Maldives; 25hours Jakarta; SLS Barcelona, and Mondrian Gold Coast, Australia — there will always be somewhere new to try. For the “20% off first stay” benefit, all members start with a fresh slate, so even if they have stayed at one of our hotels before becoming a member, they’ll still benefit from their “first stay” discount at all hotels.
    DISCOVER AUTHENTIC RESTAURANTS & BARSLifestyle hotels are known for their pioneering, culturally relevant and authentic restaurants and bars, and there are plenty for members to discover and get those taste buds tingling. Featuring the likes of: Carna by world-leading chef Dario Cecchini; Seabird, one of London’s best rooftop restaurants; Mr. Nakamoto, just opened on the beach of Cannes; or Monkey Bar in Dubai, with show-stopping views — members can always enjoy 10% off. And that’s whether they’re staying over or not, at home or abroad, or multiple times a day — the discount always applies for up to six people per member (Minibars and in-room dining are not included).
    A CUP A DAYEveryone loves their first coffee of the day, so Dis-loyalty will give members one free barista-made drink (coffees, teas — including iced — and hot chocolates) every day of the year, any time of the day — so long as they sit in.
    DIS-LOYALTY DROPS Launching towards the end of the year, Dis-loyalty Drops will be a series of highly anticipated “drops” including limited edition collaborations, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive access, and time-limited special offers, so they’ll be more popular than ever.
    For further information and to sign up, visit:
    www.dis-loyalty.com

    Older
    Space Perspective Surpasses 1,600 Seats Sold for Carbon-Neutral Spaceflight Experience

    Newer
    United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add Braille to Aircraft Cabin Interiors More

  • 125 Shares159 Views

    in organisations-operators

    Space Perspective Surpasses 1,600 Seats Sold for Carbon-Neutral Spaceflight Experience

    Space Perspective, the world’s first and only carbon-neutral spaceflight company, today announced that it has sold more than 1,600 tickets – surpassing the number of seats sold by any other space tourism company, and representing $200M in sales.To put the significance of 1,600 Explorers in perspective, just over 600 individuals have ever flown to space, making Space Perspective’s sales a ground-breaking achievement in expanding humanity’s access to and experience of space, which is core to the company’s vision.
    “We’re extremely proud of the momentum and support behind our growing Explorer community as we pursue our mission to open up space to as many people as possible,” said Founder and Co-CEO Jane Poynter. “We know that looking down on Earth from the blackness of space will radically shift one’s perception of our planet and our place within it. And this experience has the power to change the world for the better.”
    The success of Space Perspective’s ticket sales not only marks a significant milestone for the company, but also showcases the growing interest and demand for space travel experiences, among which the company stands out for its commitment to carbon neutrality.
    A flight on Spaceship Neptune costs $125,000 per person with a starting deposit of $1,000 to reserve a seat. Coveted first 100 flights start at a $60,000 deposit with select first 25 flights requiring a full $125,000 deposit. Commercial flights are slated to begin at the end of 2024, and Space Perspective is already booking into two and three years out.
    Nearly half of the reservations represent full capsule sales, indicating that Explorers want a shared experience with a curated group of friends, family, and loved ones. While North America remains the largest source of ticket sales, a growing percentage is from international markets, especially in Asia-Pacific.ADVERTISEMENT“Our success can be attributed to a multifaceted sales channel approach, including Space Perspective’s expanding relationships with the travel trade distribution, reaching enthusiastic travelers worldwide,” said Edyta Teper, Vice President, Global Sales & Trade.
    For more information about Space Perspective and its unique experience offering, please visit spaceperspective.com or follow Space Perspective on social media, including Instagram @thespaceperspective.

    Older
    Discover Puerto Rico Celebrates Five Years of Unprecedented Tourism Growth

    Newer
    WELCOME TO DIS-LOYALTY—A NEW TRAVEL & FOOD MEMBERSHIP THAT BEATS BORING More