organisations-operators

Subterms

    More stories

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in organisations-operators

      Heathrow to kick off the holiday season by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts

      by

      Heathrow has enlisted hundreds of ‘Little Here to Helpers’ to kick off the festive season for passengers by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts.
      The presents will be given out across all four terminals in the run up to new year in a bid spread Christmas cheer. All gifts will be from the airport’s shops, bars and restaurants and include free flights and lounge access, with other Christmas presents including Chanel perfumes, Pret breakfasts and designer makeup from World Duty Free.
      This December will be the biggest Christmas getaway in three years. Over three million passengers are expected to travel through Heathrow in the last two weeks of the month for festive breaks at home and abroad – double that of the same period last year. Holidaymakers are split in what they look for in a winter trip, with the most popular destinations set to be chilly New York and sunny Dubai.
      To further add to passengers’ Christmas spirit, Heathrow has launched an advent calendar on its website and app, containing offers for those travelling through the airport until 25th December. Behind the windows lie discounts from Heathrow shops, bonus points from Heathrow Rewards, exclusive World Duty Free promotions and deals on festive-inspired food and beverage menus.
      Tonia Fielding, Director of Services at Heathrow said: ADVERTISEMENT“After three years of restricted travel, we are looking forward to welcoming millions of passengers who will be passing through Heathrow this December to go on festive breaks with family and friends. We have been working closely with all our partners across the airport to recruit more colleagues to provide a great airport experience. We want to ensure passengers can depart as they mean to go on and enjoy the holiday season from the moment they arrive at Heathrow. We hope our Little Here to Helpers will spread a bit of festive spirit this Christmas.”
      Heathrow’s Little Here to Helpers are staffed from the airport’s Here to Help programme, which is now in its twelfth year and forms part of Heathrow’s efforts to ensure the very best airport experience for passengers. Over 750 Heathrow colleagues from non-operational and office-based roles took to the airport this summer to contribute 10,000 hours’ worth of additional customer support and help manage the pressures in the airport.
      The Little Here To Helpers will be easily recognisable, donning purple Santa hats and located near one of the 25 Christmas trees spread across the terminals. Passengers just need to keep an eye out to kick start their festivities ahead of their flight.
      Try Heathrow’s advent calendar at https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/advent-calendar.

      Older
      EDITION Hotels announces plans of doubling the number of its properties to 30 by 2027

      Newer
      The Leading Hotels of the World welcomes six new members More

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      in organisations-operators

      Dubai-based DAMAC Group signs contract with Mandarin Oriental

      by

      Announced at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes France (ILTM), the Dubai based DAMAC Group, under its property development arm DAMAC Properties — one of the region’s foremost luxury real estate developers, has signed a contract with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to operate a new resort on a group of private islands in The Maldives.The 34-hectare luxury resort, which is currently under development and is scheduled to open in 2025, will be DAMAC Group’s first foray in the tourist islands, known for its premium five-star offerings.The Indian Ocean resort stretches across three private islands on Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll, accessed by an easy 20-minute speedboat ride from Male’s Velana international airport.
      Surrounded by white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs for which The Maldives is renowned, the resort will provide a picturesque backdrop from where guests can enjoy a variety of activities including culinary experiences through various specialty restaurants around the island in addition to wellness retreats and water sports.
      The Mandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef’s accommodation comprises 130 stand-alone villas, made up of 61 overwater villas and 66 beachfront villas, including 10 branded residences. Ranging in size from 100 to 600 square metres (internal), the villas will be some of the largest in the market, each providing exclusivity and seclusion, with private pools and beautiful ocean views. The Group is working with a number of international consultants to ensure sustainability best practises are followed in all stages of the development.
      Seven dining outlets, including three speciality restaurants and an exclusive dining venue along with a pool bar will ensure that guests have a varied choice of cuisines during their stay.
      In addition, creative indoor and outdoor event spaces will provide unique locations for meetings, social gatherings and weddings. ADVERTISEMENTSpacious wellness facilities will be located in the resort’s tropical gardens, and will include 12 treatment suites, vitality pools, sauna and steam rooms as well as a beauty salon. Mandarin Oriental’s expert team of wellness practitioners will offer tailored experiences and the Group’s signature treatments.
      Additional leisure activities will include a water sports and a dive centre, tennis courts, a world class kids and teens club designed by international consultants, a swimming pool and numerous private coves and beaches to explore.

      “The DAMAC brand is synonymous with luxury products and service, and we felt The Maldives was a perfect location for us. DAMAC has extended its global footprint outside of the Middle East, from the UK to Canada, and we are thrilled to have now reached The Maldives as well. We look forward to working with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to manage our new resort on this beautiful island,” Hussain Sajwani, Chairman and founder of the DAMAC Group said.
      ‘‘We are continuously entering into partnerships with established world class brands that mirror DAMAC’s reputation and standards for luxury offerings and are confident that Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will excel in its mandate,” Sajwani added.
      Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 36 hotels and seven residences in 24 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place.
      Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
      “Mandarin Oriental is focused on developing its resort portfolio and has been looking to enter The Maldives for some time. This project represents the right opportunity for the Group” said James Riley, Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

      Older
      JOYÀ Celebrates its 8th Anniversary as the Only Cirque du Soleil Resident Show in Mexico More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in organisations-operators

      JOYÀ Celebrates its 8th Anniversary as the Only Cirque du Soleil Resident Show in Mexico

      by

      Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ celebrated its 8th anniversary as Latin America’s first resident Cirque du Soleil show, the first show of its kind at a resort and the only Cirque du Soleil show to include an immersive culinary experience. JOYÀ marks the beginning of a strong collaboration between Grupo Vidanta, the leading developer of resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico and Latin America, and Cirque du Soleil.JOYÀ is an homage to Mexico, a creative conquest, a celebration of nature, and a tribute to the power of friendship and family. Over the seasons, Cirque du Soleil assembled for this show, a team of the best acrobats, aerialists, actors, jugglers, dancers, singers, and technicians from different parts of the world, including Mongolia, Ukraine, France, Spain, England, Japan, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, China, Colombia, USA, of course, Mexico.
      “JOYÀ is a must see show in the Riviera Maya; through this eight-year partnership between Grupo Vidanta and Cirque du Soleil, over 1,135,500 guests experienced an entirely new category of immersive entertainment in Mexico,” said Iván Chávez, Executive Vice President of Grupo Vidanta. “We are extremely proud to work with the hundreds of performers, artisans, designers, chefs, waiters and crew who come together to make JOYÀ possible, and to have the opportunity to share this extraordinary experience with people from around the world.”
      As a place where anything is possible, JOYÀ is the only dining experience of any Cirque du Soleil production worldwide, presenting an exquisite three-course dinner that tempts every sense with culinary wonders as spectacular as the theater, music, and performances. “The JOYÀ dinner experience should be as enjoyable and surprising as the show itself,” said Alexis Bostelmann, Executive Chef at Vidanta.
      To celebrate eight years of being a fantastic, genre-blending show, here is a journey through JOYÀ numbers and fun facts over the years:
      ADVERTISEMENTOver 2,430 shows performedMore than 1,135,500 guests in attendance300+ collaborators of over 20 nationalities on and off stage to make the show happen18 months taken to build the theatre6 months to build the setMore than 360,000 dinners. Servers must prepare for the second show in the dark!The multi-sensory dining offers regular, vegetarian and vegan menu options along with gluten-free food. And the menu card is edible!Each night, around 200 bottles of champagne and 1,428 canapes are served100 costumes were hand-crafted in 15,000 hours!It takes 5 months to create the masks worn by Zelig’s Masters; the masks have 10,000 beads and jewels, each glued by hand35 full-time theatrical technicians33 full-time performers, who rehearse 4 times per weekThe artists use more than 110 colors for their makeup and apply it in 30 steps.6 wardrobe staff take care of the artists’ wardrobeLyrics are in an invented language that refers to the world’s cultural diversity.There are hidden symbols with references to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, allusions to the stories of Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes, and hints at the work of Guillermo del Toro.… and many more secrets and references to discover! It takes more than one visit to spot them all.
      JOYÀ reminds audiences that everyone has important stories to tell, and somewhere inside, there is a curious child who wants to play and a spark of imagination waiting to ignite. If anyone has experienced JOYÀ, there is an opportunity to relive the journey as new elements and surprises are constantly added.
      Tickets are available at: www.cirquedusoleil.com/joya

      Older
      SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando’s Ted the Turtle, Makes Debut on New Frontier Airlines Plane Tail

      Newer
      Dubai-based DAMAC Group signs contract with Mandarin Oriental More

    • 88 Shares159 Views

      in organisations-operators

      Final Boeing 747 Airplane Leaves Everett Factory

      by

      The last Boeing 747 left the company’s widebody factory in advance of its delivery to Atlas Air in early 2023.
      “For more than half a century, tens of thousands of dedicated Boeing employees have designed and built this magnificent airplane that has truly changed the world. We are proud that this plane will continue to fly across the globe for years to come,” said Kim Smith, Boeing Vice President and general manager, 747 and 767 Programs.The 747 has played a key role in Boeing’s history of aerospace leadership.

      Production of the 747, the world’s first twin-aisle airplane, began in 1967 and spanned 54 years, during which a total of 1,574 airplanes were built.At 250 ft 2 in (76.2 m), the 747-8 is the longest commercial aircraft in service. At typical cruising speeds, the 747-8 travels roughly the length of three FIFA soccer fields or NFL football fields, per second.The final airplane is a 747-8 Freighter. This model has a revenue payload of 133.1 tonnes, enough to transport 10,699 solid-gold bars or approximately 19 million ping-pong balls or golf balls.As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

      Older
      More Travel Disruption Feared As Passengers Take To The Skies This Holiday Season

      Newer
      SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando’s Ted the Turtle, Makes Debut on New Frontier Airlines Plane Tail More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in organisations-operators

      More Travel Disruption Feared As Passengers Take To The Skies This Holiday Season

      by

      New data from travel technology company IBS Software reveals that despite more than two thirds (68%) of passengers being inconvenienced by disrupted journeys since COVID travel restrictions were lifted and 66% expecting more of the same during upcoming trips, most (83%) still plan on flying for a break in the next six months.The research, which polled 2000 recent travellers in the UK and US*, warns that holiday providers have one more chance to get it right; if holidaymakers experience disruptions again during their upcoming trips, over half (55%) will avoid booking with the airline in the future. When asked who they blame for their poor experiences, 50% said it was the fault of the airlines when flights were delayed, with just 13% blaming the airport. However, when it comes to lost luggage the jury is out – 42% say it’s the airport’s responsibility and 40% are seething at the airline.
      Delayed flights or missed connections was the most common holiday hurdle, affecting over a third of all passengers (35%), followed closely by waiting in longer than normal queues (31%) and cancelled flights (15%). Lost luggage, which dominated the news headlines in the Summer, is confirmed by the research as a major annoyance, blighting nearly 1 in 7 passengers’ holidays over the last 18 months.
      Despite a clear desire to travel, passengers won’t accept more disruption without protest. If passengers find out their journey is going to be disrupted, 53% will complain to the airline and 38% will use social media to broadcast their annoyance. And if an airline doesn’t have a reputation for punctuality they’re likely to lose out with 93% of travellers saying this is an important factor when deciding which airline to buy from.
      However, there is still an opportunity for airlines to win back the loyalty of their passengers. When terminal turmoil occurs, passengers can be placated by automatic refunds when eligible; proactive customer support to suggest alternative routes; and automatic alerts on their phone when something goes wrong. As one passenger who took the survey commented: “Just actually organise yourselves properly, there’s no excuse for all the disruption”.
      Philip Hinton, SVP, IBS Software, comments: “The pent-up desire to travel was always going to put airlines and airports under extreme pressure – and so it proved, with widespread disruption plaguing many long-anticipated journeys. Airlines know this is a major issue and we are seeing them prioritising on-time performance and customer satisfaction because the widespread issues have directly impacted business performance.”ADVERTISEMENT

      Older
      Ontario International named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fifth straight year

      Newer
      Final Boeing 747 Airplane Leaves Everett Factory More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in organisations-operators

      Ontario International named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. for the fifth straight year

      by

      The accolades keep rolling in for Ontario International Airport (ONT), the gateway for choice for millions of Southern California air travelers and now, for the fifth straight year, the fastest-growing airport in the United States
      The ranking is based on a survey of frequent travelers by Global Traveler, a magazine geared to business and luxury fliers who travel extensively in the U.S. and abroad, and comes as ONT is poised to reach its highest annual passenger volumes since 2008. Ontario is on track to serve a quarter of a million more passengers this year than the 5.6 million recorded during the last pre-pandemic year of 2019, making it one of the fastest-recovering airports in the U.S.
      Being a member of Global Traveler’s five-time club puts ONT in rarified air and underscores the airport’s emergence as one of the industry’s great success stories since its return to local ownership six years ago. Ontario also is one of the Top 10 cargo airports in North America and a major economic driver in Southern California, generating $3.8 billion in activity, supporting 27,800 jobs and serving as the hub for a global supply chain network that generates $17.8 billion in economic output.
      “We’ve committed to establishing Ontario International as a premier aviation gateway, and are thrilled with the response we’ve received from the community and region we serve. Being recognized as the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. is something we’re very proud of, but what matters most is being able to offer our travelers a safe, convenient airport experience they won’t get anywhere else,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners.
      Atif Elkadi, OIAA chief executive officer, noted that 10 million Southern Californians live or work closer to ONT than any other airport.ADVERTISEMENT“We appreciate the trust our community has put in us and recognize the responsibility that comes with that to grow the right way. As we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, that partnership with the community and the region will allow us to add more flights, more destinations and enhanced customer-experience amenities that matter to travelers from across the Inland Empire and Southern California,” Elkadi said.

      Older
      Disney Cruise Line Returns to Tropical Destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico

      Newer
      More Travel Disruption Feared As Passengers Take To The Skies This Holiday Season More

    • 113 Shares99 Views

      in organisations-operators

      Bahamas Flying Ambassadors to Continue Fly-In Series to Abaco

      by

      Following the success of the annual Terry Spurlock Halloween Fly-In event held this past October, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA), in collaboration with its Bahamas Flying Ambassadors, will continue its series of fly-ins with a 5-day fly-in excursion to Marsh Harbour, Abaco, December 8-12.BMOTIA’s annual fly-ins were put on pause for the last two years due to Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 pandemic. The recently held Halloween Fly-in was named in honour of The Bahamas’ first Flying Ambassador, who died earlier this year.
      Only days away, the much-anticipated December fly-in will host more than 50 private pilots and flight enthusiasts with the goal of demonstrating how easy it is to fly to The Bahamas and the process required to do so while simultaneously allowing participants to experience a quick immersion in Bahamian life and culture.
      Guests will have an opportunity to attend meetings with Richard McSpadden, Executive Director of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute before and during the trip on the safety of flying to The Bahamas. The Association recently hosted a webinar with more than 593 attendees.
      BMOTIA is also excited to join its partners, Flying Ambassadors Valerie Talbot and Eric Larson from Skyline Baron Pilot, as well as SUN ‘n FUN and Banyan for a taste of why It’s Better in The Bahamas.
      During the 3-day Terry Spurlock Halloween Fly-In held October 28-30, Ahmad Williams, BTO District Manager for General Aviation and Verticals Department, BMOTIA, along with Brandon Gardner, Bahamas Flying Ambassador, led a group of 10 flying enthusiasts to Green Turtle Cay, Abaco where they were accommodated at Bluff House Hotel.ADVERTISEMENTThe fly-in experience provided participants with a unique island experience, showcasing that the island of Abaco is open for business.
      Guests can expect similar experiences and more, with the latest instalment of the fly-in event this December.
      “We are looking forward to continuing this unique experience for pilots and all those interested in flying to The Bahamas,” Williams said.  “Our whole objective is to attract as many guests as we can to come to our 16 island destinations and show them step-by-step, how easy it is to fly to The Bahamas.”
      The Bahamas is the leading destination for general aviation in the Caribbean and on the Eastern Seaboard, a designation it has held for years. No other destination even comes close to capturing the record that The Bahamas enjoys as the #1 destination for private pilot arrivals.
      Over the past five years, private aviation delivered more than half a million passengers to Bahamian shores. In 2021 alone, there was an unprecedented spike in private aviation stopovers, more than double that of any recorded in a pre-pandemic year. To date, The Bahamas has already surpassed 2021 numbers with over 188,000 private pilot visitors. The Bahamas has 54 airports throughout the archipelago – 25 are private and 29 are government owned – 20 of which are official ports of entry, equipped with Bahamas Customs and Immigration officials to process private pilots’ entries and departures.

      Older
      OCEANIA CRUISES ACCELERATES DEBUT OF NEW SHIP VISTA

      Newer
      Disney Cruise Line Returns to Tropical Destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico More

    • 113 Shares109 Views

      in organisations-operators

      TUI honours its travel industry partners in the Lapland

      by

      Not only is Finland an important market for TUI, but the country is also a destination in its own right. The province of Lapland in northern Finland is a favorite winter holiday spot for TUI’s customers and over the coming season, TUI will fly nearly 50,000 holidaymakers to Lapland from the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
      The work to create a true TUI Winter Wonderland starts months in advance. This year’s preparations began in June and right now 200 elves, 56 reps and 33 entertainers from the TUI family are based in Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo. All of them are dedicated to making holidaymakers’ Christmas dreams come true this holiday season. Guests will enjoy snowmobile rides, cookie making, sleigh rides around the snow village and last but not least, a visit to Santa Claus himself.
      Finland is also the place where TUI’s cruise ships are built. The Meyer Turku shipyard in the southern Finnish city of Turku built two vessels for TUI Cruises in 2018 and 2019 and in June of this year, construction began on another cruise ship for TUI’s fleet: the Mein Schiff 7.
      “I am so excited to visit Finland and the incredibly beautiful Lapland. Finland is not only a very important destination for us, but the country is also an important partner for the entire TUI Group because some of our cruise ships are manufactured here. This season, a record number of guests will travel with TUI to Finnish Lapland and discover its wintery magic. Together with our partners from Finavia, the hoteliers and people of Rovaniemi, we are happy to offer holidaymakers experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Sebastian Ebel, CEO of the TUI Group. “Furthermore, investment in a modern airline fleet has been an essential part of TUI’s sustainability agenda for many years now. With our new Boeing 737-8 airplane named Rovaniemi, we continue on our journey of becoming Europe’s most fuel-efficient airline,” Ebel added.
      “TUI naming its new aircraft Rovaniemi symbolizes the great cooperation between the travel industry partners in the Lapland area. TUI is an important customer for Finavia and we are grateful for the long partnership together! Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in improving customer experience and customer service as well as redeveloping our airports in Lapland. We have also increased cooperation with our partners to market Finland as a holiday destination in order to attract visitors to experience the magical North”, said Petri Vuori, Vice President, Sales and Route Development at Finavia.ADVERTISEMENT“It is a great honour for Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus® because our long-term winter holiday partner and true Lapland specialist, TUI, has given the name Rovaniemi to one of their aircraft. Rovaniemi is the starting point for all Christmas holidays in Lapland and our region has charmed British and Dutch holidaymakers for decades. This winter, we expect a full season and a strong tourism recovery, which will mean record-breaking winter months for Rovaniemi”, said Sanna Kärkkäinen, CEO of Visit Rovaniemi.
      “This time of the year is very special to me because on the one hand, TUI´s Finnish customers go on holiday to warmer and sunnier destinations such as the Canary Islands and Thailand; but at the same time I am proud to welcome tens of thousands of TUI holidaymakers to my home country to experience the magic of Lapland,” said Peik Martin, Marketing and Sales Director, TUI Nordic.
      “We want to highlight our local partnerships externally, so we will be naming our new airplanes after destinations in our holiday and partner countries. We are aiming to emphasise that tourism links people, regions and cultures. By giving our TUI Airline airplanes the names of our partner destinations, they will become ambassadors of the regions and highlight our partnership with the area,” added Dawn Wilson, COO of TUI Airline, after the name-giving ceremony where Santa Claus himself inaugurated TUI’s new Rovaniemi plane with a handful of snow.

      Older
      Sustainability takes centre-stage during Amadeus’ worldwide hackathon

      Newer
      Four Seasons Resort Nevis appoints Billy Cueto as its new General Manager More