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    HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman announces Sindalah, NEOM’s first island development

    His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, has announced the development of Sindalah, the first luxury island destination in NEOM and one of the most important projects supporting Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy.A main gateway to the Red Sea offering bespoke nautical experiences, Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services.
    Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design.
    His Royal Highness said: “This is another significant moment for NEOM and a major step in the Kingdom realizing its tourism ambitions under Vision 2030. Sindalah will be NEOM’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in the Red Sea, providing a scenic gateway to the Red Sea that will become the region’s most exciting and attractive tourism location. It will be a destination where travelers can experience the true beauty of NEOM and Saudi Arabia, above and below the water, making Sindalah the future of luxury travel.”
    Adding to NEOM’s growing tourism offerings, Sindalah will reshape the luxury international yachting calendar offering a new season for visitors and guests to enjoy. It will feature a prestigious 86-berth marina, an ideal destination for accommodating luxury vessels, while offshore buoys will house superyachts. Providing one-of-a-kind nautical experiences, Sindalah will offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333 top-end serviced apartments. A luxe beach club, glamorous yacht club, and 38 unique culinary offerings will provide an incomparable experience in the Red Sea.
    With its incredible array of amenities, state-of-the-art marine facilities, strategic location and exceptional natural landscapes, Sindalah is expected to become established as one of the most alluring islands in the Red Sea.ADVERTISEMENTBuilding on its ability to design new tourism opportunities from the ground up, NEOM is working with world-class leisure and hotel brands to make Sindalah an exclusive and glamorous destination in the Red Sea for the world’s yachting community. NEOM is developing the island to be a premium destination surrounded by a stunning and diverse marine environment which has one of the world’s most beautiful coral reserves.
    Sindalah is also expected to become a popular golfing destination by offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a world-class 6,474-yard (5,920 meters) par 70 course. With its 18 tees, the Sindalah golf course will deliver two unique nine-hole experiences.
    The announcement of Sindalah affirms the accelerated pace in the development of NEOM towards achieving the ambitious vision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, with the development of its flagship projects such as THE LINE, its designs recently revealed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince; TROJENA, its global mountain tourism destination that will be the Arabian Gulf’s first outdoor skiing retreat; and OXAGON, its reimagined manufacturing and innovation city. All NEOM projects are aligned to redefine the way humanity lives and works in harmony with nature.

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    Experience the French Alps En Famille with Purple Ski’s Best Family-Friendly Luxury Chalets

    Purple Ski, the premier luxury chalet operator in the French Alps, is delighted to reveal its top family-friendly chalet choices for the 2022/23 ski season. Offering an outstanding concierge service, gourmet quality cuisine and an abundance of activities for little ones and grown-ups alike, families are guaranteed to make memories to last a lifetime with Purple Ski this winter.
    Offering an exceptional portfolio of the finest luxury catered ski chalets across Méribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isère, each chalet within Purple Ski’s bespoke collection – sleeping from eight up to 15 people – has been carefully hand-picked and offers first-class service and facilities, family essentials and a distinctive personality.
    Purple Ski provide families with all necessary baby equipment as standard, with cots, highchairs, changing mats and sterilisers ready and waiting for families, taking the stress out of travelling and leaving families with nothing to do but unpack and relax.
    Activities for All Ages
    Purple Ski prides itself on providing outstanding service for each member of the brood, with all staff trained to offer the very best experience for parents, babies and everyone in between. On hand 24/7 to help with everything from childcare to ski hire, restaurant reservations, snowman building and more, nothing is too much for Purple Ski’s dedicated family concierge. The team have even been known to organise extra special birthday celebrations complete with fireworks, games and more!ADVERTISEMENTThe magic starts as soon as guests check in to their chalet, with bespoke gifts provided on arrival for all children. These range from teddies, bath puzzles, colouring books and helmet covers for toddlers to cosy socks, Mikado, dominoes and rubix cubes for slightly older children. A vast selection of activities is available for hard to please teens.
    Activities on offer range from in-chalet visits and presents from Santa Claus, igloo-building, sledging, mini skidoo trips, horse and carriage rides, dog sledging, ice skating, treasure hunts, cinema evenings and more. Disney+ is provided in all properties and kids will also receive a complimentary Nintendo switch to play with and enjoy during their stay. Additional toys suitable for a range of ages can also be provided on request.
    Gourmet Experiences for Petites Palates
    All Purple Ski chalets come complete with a professionally trained, Michelin-star level private chef, so parents of fussy eaters need not fret. From teddy-bear picnics to pizza making evenings and kid-friendly menus, there’s a treat in store for even the tiniest of tastebuds. The team can stagger mealtimes so that little ones can enjoy an early teatime, allowing parents to savour a gourmet tasting menu once their youngest are tucked up in bed.
    Sample children’s dishes include: scrambled eggs with bacon, french toast with Nutella, cream and strawberries to start off the day followed by hearty spaghetti bolognaise with garlic bread and other favourite family dinner dishes although chefs are always on hand to take special requests!
    Guests of Purple Ski will enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and afternoon tea each day and an extravagant four course dinner six evenings out of seven, exquisitely prepared by a private chef. Fine chateau and domaine-bottled wines and unlimited champagne are also on offer to tantalise adult’s palettes.
    Purple Ski’s Top Three Family Friendly Chalets
    Best for Teens: Chalet Foinbois, Méribel – Sleeps up to 15
    The perfect pick for families travelling with restless teenagers, the rustic-luxe Chalet Foinbois sleeps up to 15 guests across 7 bedrooms, ensuring plenty of room to spread out. Complete with a games room, gym and cinema room (perfect for those Disney+ movie marathons) and outdoor hot tub, this alpine bolthole will feel like the ultimate home-away-from-home.
    Enjoying a central location in Méribel Village, just a 5-minute chauffeur ride from the main ski lift and surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops and more, there’s plenty to explore – if families can tear themselves away from their private winter wonderland.

    Best for Multi-Generational Escapes: Chalet Iona, Méribel *Sleeps up to 15
    Set in its own secluded orchards, Chalet Iona offers unparalleled views across 13 pretty villages and settlements – stretching towards the Vanoise National Park and the magnificent Grand Bec mountain. Perfect for large families, Iona can be joined with Chalet India to accommodate up to 15 guests in total, meaning the extended family can be housed in their own private quarters.
    Parents and teens will love the in-chalet sauna and outdoor hot tub while Chalet India can be transformed into a sprawling play area for little ones. Large communal living spaces provide the perfect setting in which to gather and enjoy a family feast, a movie night or even a dance party with the chalet’s very own vinyl collection and classic record player!
    Best for Children: Chalet Machapuchare, Val d’Isère *Sleeps up to 15

    Nestled in the exclusive and wonderfully private area of Le Crêt, Chalet Machapuchare commands uninterrupted views of the entire valley, from the rocky cliffs above La Daille across pretty Val d’Isère to the glaciers and snowcapped peaks beyond. Sleeping up to 15 guests in 7 luxurious bedrooms, it offers the very best of serene alpine living, just a 3-minute chauffeur ride away from the buzzing local nightlife, pistes, restaurants and shops.
    Perfect for families with school age children, the sprawling property features an indoor private pool for splashing about in after the slopes, a cosy superbly equipped cinema room and snug areas for reading books and playing boardgames. Parents are well-catered for, too, with a spoiling outdoor hot tub, state-of-the-art gym complete with Peloton bike and a massage room. Bliss!

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    Dr. Brendan Nelson named the new president of Boeing International

    Boeing today announced that Dr. Brendan Nelson AO will take over as president of Boeing International (BI) and lead the company’s international strategy and corporate operations.The former Australian diplomat and government minister will succeed Sir Michael Arthur when he retires from Boeing in early 2023 after five decades of service in the public and private sectors, including the past four years at the helm of Boeing International.
    Nelson, the second non-U.S. citizen to lead the organization, will report to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun and join the company’s executive council. The Australian citizen has been president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific since February 2020. He will move to London to take up his new role, effective Jan. 12, 2023.
    “Brendan brings to his new position vast experience in government and diplomacy, industry and non-profit associations, that will serve us well as we continue to grow as a global company while navigating the dynamics of the geopolitical environment,” said Calhoun.
    Since joining Boeing in 2014, Arthur and Boeing International have worked to expand the company’s global business in recent years. Boeing now has customers in 150 countries and a worldwide supply chain of 20,000 suppliers and partners. The company operates in 65 different countries, including major operations in Australia, India, the Middle East and United Kingdom, and employs more than 25,000 people outside of the United States who are engaged in design, development, manufacturing, services and support.
    “On behalf of our global team, I want to sincerely thank Sir Michael for his tremendous contributions, his tireless service to our customers, employees and industry over the past eight years,” added Calhoun.ADVERTISEMENTNelson will oversee 20 regional offices in key global markets. His responsibilities will include developing the company’s growth and productivity initiatives outside the United States, forming new business and industrial partnerships, overseeing international affairs, enhancing Boeing’s local presence and providing global functional support.
    When he served as Australian Minister of Defence, Nelson oversaw deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands. He later served as Australia’s ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO for three years. Nelson is a long-time and passionate advocate of veterans’ affairs and prior to joining Boeing in 2020, Nelson was the director of the Australian War Memorial for seven years.
    Maria Fernandez PSM will succeed Nelson as president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific effective Dec. 20, 2022. She will be the senior company leader in the Oceania region and board chair of Boeing Australia Holdings. In this role, Fernandez will coordinate Boeing Australia activities, lead government relations and direct the implementation of the company’s strategy to expand its local presence and grow the business.
    “Maria has had a distinguished career with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the Australian national security sector and was the first woman to lead an Australian intelligence agency. She has the ideal background for this position,” said Nelson.
    Fernandez has held senior executive positions in Australia’s departments of Home Affairs, Defence, Immigration and Border Protection, and Education. Prior to joining Boeing, she ran a consultancy that provided strategic advisory and independent assurance services to Australian government agencies.

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    SAUDIA GROUP PRESENTS ITS INNOVATIVE PRIVATE AVIATION AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT MEBAA

    SAUDIA Group has announced its participation in the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association show (MEBAA) which will take place at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow site, from 6-8 December.The show will gather prominent international companies in the field of business and private aviation to discuss the industry’s latest trends, technologies and solutions. During MEBAA Show 2022, visitors and participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest and most innovative private aviation services and aircraft maintenance offered by SAUDIA Group through two of its subsidiaries, SAUDIA Private Aviation (SPA) and SAUDIA Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI).
    SPA, who runs the largest Private Aviation Terminal in the Kingdom, will present its world-class lounges and fine services, while SAEI, one of the region’s leading maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations, will showcase the latest technical solutions in aircraft maintenance, as well as its services in manufacturing and producing aircraft parts. It will also demonstrate its ambitious plans to localize the aviation maintenance industry.
    SPA’s agenda includes inking some agreements to promote its presence, develop its services and expand the scope of its partnerships in the field of private aviation. During MEBAA Show, SPA’s CEO, Dr. Fahad Al-Jarboa, will participate in a panel discussion focusing on redefining the business aviation scene in the Kingdom, and addressing the evolving needs of guests.
    SAEI’s Vice President of Transformation and Shared Services, Captain Majed Sabbagh, and the Head of Commercial Affairs, Mr. Marc Karim, will also participate in discussions highlighting the latest solutions towards achieving cost efficiency through preventive and predictive maintenance, as well as addressing the impact that electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will have on the aviation system, especially as they aim at sustainability and preserving the environment. It’s worth noting that SAUDIA has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Lilium to become the first airline in the MENA region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from the German company.
    Now in its ninth edition, this year’s MEBAA Show will gather more than 35 international business aviation industry leaders to address key themes including future aviation, sustainability, emerging markets and regulations, and there will be a major focus on digitalization, with many global exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and solutions to drive the industry forward.ADVERTISEMENT

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    Bristol Airports announces £4 million investment to enhance its retail and catering facilities

    This week marks the beginning of a period of development for Bristol Airports retail and catering facilities with close to £4 million being invested by the airport and the retail partners to enhance the facilities, including opening a Boots Health and Beauty retail store.
    This exciting period is expected to run throughout the winter period and will see some new and exciting shops and eateries arriving to the airport.
    The significant investment will deliver further improvements to the shopping and dining experience for customers before boarding their flights, as well as providing enhanced facilities to the retail and eateries in the departure lounge. Improvements will also be made to the design of some units to provide an enhanced customer experience.
    The developments to the retail facilities include a refresh of the World Duty Free store, a completely new-look bar and restaurant and the opening of a Boots health and beauty store.  Boots land at Bristol Airport this week, initially with a temporary store offering a limited range of products.  However, all customers are able to access the full range of Boots’ products via the ‘Click & Collect’ service when ordering between 10 days and 2 weeks before travel.
    In Spring 2023, a new larger, state of the art Boots retail unit will open after over a significant investment. Boots’ new store will offer a wide range of products including travel essentials, toiletries, baby food and nappies, meal deals and health essentials including pain relief, vitamins, allergy tablets, make up, skincare, fragrances and much more.ADVERTISEMENTTom Hack, Head of Commercial at Bristol Airport, commented:
    “This is an exciting period for Bristol Airport and our customers. The substantial investment in the enhancements to the departure lounge, including the opening of Boots health and beauty retailer this week shows a very clear sign of the confidence our commercial and catering partners have in Bristol Airport and vice versa.
    “With Bristol Airport seeing the fastest customer recovery of any UK airport this year, the strong demand for travel demonstrates continued customer confidence in travelling. Our customers’ departure lounge experience is an important part of the start to any holiday, and it is necessary for us to provide an exemplary environment. We understand that our leisure and business customers have high expectations when travelling through Bristol Airport and we will continue to strive to meet their requirements.
    “We are very confident that the investment and evolution of our departure lounge will provide a greater customer experience as we offer new places to shop, eat, drink, and relax before you fly.”

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    Britain’s biggest bus operator Stagecoach to increase number of electric bus fleet by over 80%

    Stagecoach has confirmed today (28 November 2022) that it is planning to increase its electric bus fleet by over 80% in the next 12 months as it continues its journey towards being a net zero business.The country’s biggest bus and coach operator has published a new report outlining progress in 2021-2022 against the strategy it launched in 2021, Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work.
    The report details a programme of improvements delivered in 2021-2022 against its Planet, People, Prosperity and Governance targets. It includes a package of capital investment in new cleaner buses, measures to improve energy efficiency as well as improvements and investment for Stagecoach employees and local communities.
    Stagecoach is continuing with its plans to target a zero emission UK bus fleet by 2035, and has introduced new electric buses across many parts of the country, including one of Europe’s biggest investment in e-buses in Manchester. As part of these plans, Stagecoach will be increasing its electric bus fleet from 184 buses to 343 in the next year, representing an increase of 86%*. It will also be launching the first all-electric city bus networks in the UK in Inverness and Perth in 2023.
    Key highlights during 2021-2022 include:
    Protecting the PlanetADVERTISEMENTIntroduction of 75 new zero emission buses in regions across the UK, with 79 new e-buses in London during 2021-22. A further 159 new electric buses are planned to be introduced in 2023.Stagecoach will also start running 10 new hydrogen buses in Liverpool in spring 2023, the first of its kind for the region, operated through a partnership between Stagecoach, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Arriva.Delivered an overall 32% reduction in scope 1 & 2 CO2e emissions per passenger journeyHelped customers avoid nearly 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by providing them with more sustainable travel, rather than taking the carIntroduced 100% renewable electricity across the business, with new energy saving lighting in place in some locationsAchieved management ‘B’ rating in benchmark assessment from CDP, above the average for the road transport sectorRecycling mobile devices which has helped to fund the planting of over 3,000 treesOpening of a sustainable new £7m depot in Cwmbran in South Wales, which features a water recycling system, electric charging bays, intelligent heating, solar panels and a grass roof for rainwater harvesting.Investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and customers
    The first bus operator to introduce low bridge alert technology across its fleet of 4,000 double decker busesNew employee networks in place as part of diversity and inclusion plans, giving employees the chance to help shape the agenda and bring about lasting changeInvestment in company’s first ever Head of Sustainability and Inclusion & Culture PartnerCaring for local communities
    Stagecoach ‘Giving for Good’ initiative launched to support charities and community causes, with new partnerships with four national charities and supporting hundreds of local charitiesNew UK customer contact centre opened, creating 60 new jobsEarlier this year, Stagecoach launched a sector-leading report which demonstrated the importance of government funding to match operator investment in new zero emission buses: https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-policy-documents/zeb-report.pdf

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    SWISS and Switzerland Tourism promote carbon-neutral air travel

    Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Switzerland Tourism, the Swiss national tourism promotion organization, are expanding their existing collaboration into the sustainability field.From 2023 onwards, Switzerland Tourism will reduce by half the carbon dioxide emissions generated by its employees’ business and duty air travel by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and will compensate for the remaining emissions by investing in high-quality climate protection projects via the myclimate foundation. Switzerland Tourism will be the first tourism organization in Switzerland to use SAF to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promote carbon-neutral air travel in this way.
    “Switzerland Tourism and SWISS both carry the Swiss cross out into the world,” says SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx. “And I’m delighted that we’re now teaming up on the sustainability front, too. In adopting this forward-looking approach, Switzerland Tourism is taking on a pioneering role. And we will keep striving to convince further organizations of the rightness and the benefits of sustainable air travel.”
    “Sustainability begins at home,” adds Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger. “Having seen the entire tourism sector respond so favourably to our ‘Swisstainable’ initiative and sign up for it in their thousands, it’s clear to us that we must make our own contribution, too, together with our partner SWISS, by ensuring that our people’s air travel is performed with SAF and its carbon impact is further offset through appropriate investments.”
    SWISS is committed to scaling SAF
    The current generation of SAF reduces carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional jet fuel. The next generation, which will be produced using solar energy, is likely to allow almost completely carbon-neutral air travel. Through participation in research and pilot projects, and by establishing SAF alliances, SWISS and the Lufthansa Group are committed to the development and scaling of sustainable aviation fuels. Together with their private and business customers, who are now offered the opportunity to reduce the carbon emissions of their air travel by paying an SAF surcharge at the time of booking, substantial demand signals are being set and further impetus is provided to develop production and related technologies.ADVERTISEMENT

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    Reuben Brothers Accelerates Plans to Bring Waldorf Astoria to Admiralty Arch

    Plans to convert Admiralty Arch, one of London’s most iconic historical landmarks, into a luxury hotel under the Waldorf Astoria brand are accelerating under new ownership with Reuben Brothers.Since taking ownership of the building over the summer, Reuben Brothers has been working closely with Hilton to upgrade existing development plans for the site, in a partnership that will see the transformation of one of London’s most notable landmarks, staying true to its heritage and refined aesthetic.
    The building, originally commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria, stands proudly at the end of The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace, offering unparalleled views of the Palace in one direction and across Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square in the other.
    Suite Spot: The Best View in LondonCentral to the updated plans is a newly developed two-bedroom suite boasting the most sensational view of Buckingham Palace. The suite will sit at the very centre of the building on the fourth-floor bridge and will be bookable for overnight stays and private events.
    The hotel will provide exciting restaurants and bars with world-renowned chefs, ensuring it becomes a must-visit London destination for hotel guests and non-residents alike. To take advantage of the incredible architectural beauty of the building and the impressive surroundings, the property will feature two outdoor spaces: the 6th floor rooftop terrace and on the ground floor, where guests will be able to sit overlooking St James’ Park.
    Transforming a LandmarkThroughout its history, Admiralty Arch has been home to leading figures of state and society, from Sir Winston Churchill – whose office was based within the arch when he was First Sea Lord of the Admiralty – to the author of the James Bond spy novels, Ian Fleming. To this day, Admiralty Arch plays an integral role in many a ceremonial occasion, serving as the gateway to The Mall and linking the processional route to Buckingham Palace for events such as royal weddings, funerals and next year, the coronation of King Charles III.ADVERTISEMENTThe hotel’s design and characteristics, now incorporating an increased room count and exclusive spa, will pay homage to the building’s historical significance, drawing inspiration from its storied past to create an exquisite experience for guests.
    Jamie Reuben of Reuben Brothers said, “Transforming and restoring Admiralty Arch – a true London landmark – into a five-star luxury hotel with restaurants, bars, a ballroom, spa and residences is an incredible honour for us. We are excited to be working with our esteemed partner, Hilton, to bring the Waldorf Astoria brand to the heart of London, and revitalising the area for hotel guests, visitors and London locals to experience and enjoy.”
    Christopher J. Nassetta, president & CEO, Hilton, said, “Admiralty Arch is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landmarks in London and we are delighted to be working with Reuben Brothers on this magnificent hotel. With a legacy of preserving and enhancing incredible historical buildings, Waldorf Astoria is a natural fit for this development, and Reuben Brothers’ proven track record in delivering projects of this magnitude makes them a wonderful partner. Together we will write the next chapter of this exceptional building’s rich story and we look forward to expanding our partnership over the coming years.”
    The hotel will join an exclusive portfolio of more than 30 Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts across the world, with recent signings including the brand’s expansion to other iconic cities including Sydney, as well as the return of Waldorf Astoria New York, which is in the midst of an extensive refurbishment to preserve the building’s history.
    Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is scheduled to open in 2025.

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