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    Abu Dhabi Bestows Honorary Green Industries Eco-Label Upon Etihad Airways

    The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has granted Etihad Airways an honorary Green Industries Environmental Label for outstanding environmental performance. The organisation was recognised for finding innovative pollution control solutions and applying best environmental practices, which led to an increase in environmental compliance levels across the airline.
    The Agency awarded the label during a ceremony held on the sideline of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week attended by Engineer Faisal Ali Al Hammadi, Acting Executive Director of Environment Quality Sector at EAD and Mariam Al Qubaisi Head of Sustainability and Business Excellence from Etihad Airways.

    The Green Industries innovative programme, which was launched in June 2022, is customised based on best international practices in the field of eco-labelling while factoring in the nature of Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector. The programme aims to build joint partnerships and to acknowledge the contributions of industrial facilities in the field of environmental protection.
    ADVERTISEMENTFacilities receive the label after being recognised for their environmentally friendly performance through an extensive assessment of facility operations and initiatives ensuring best implementation of best environmental practices to ensure protection and sustainable development of the environment.

    Engineer Faisal Al Hammadi, on the occasion, said: “It is extremely gratifying to witness the interest of organisations as large as Etihad Airways in receiving the Green Industries Environmental labelling programme especially within six months of the programme’s launch. It reveals the interest of national organisations in Abu Dhabi in contributing to the emirate’s larger vision of placing the conservation of the environment as a high-ranking priority to enhance the quality of life. After stringent review of the airline’s facilities, we saw full compliance in pollution control, the effective management of resources, innovative green solutions, and sustainable tools in operations, which is why we have awarded them the honorary Green Industries environmental label.”

    Mariam Al Qubaisi, Head of Sustainability and Business Excellence, Etihad Airways said: “As the national airline of the UAE, Etihad is determined to lend its full weight to Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision for sustainable development, through research and implementation of all possible solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. The Green Industries Eco-Label is recognition of Etihad’s contribution to sustainability and The Environment Agency’s successful ability to foster the best environmental practices within Abu Dhabi.”

    There are four major categories that need to be satisfied for an organisation to receive a Green Industries environmental label. These are: the demand-side management of resources, which considers the optimal use of energy and preservation of resources; plus pollution reduction from primary and secondary operations. The third category requires an impeccable record of compliance with EAD requirements, and the fourth assessment category distinguishes new approaches to environmental conservation, while promoting economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for Abu Dhabi residents.

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    RYANAIR CUTS CARBON EMISSIONS BY 165,000 TONNES WITH WINGLET RETROFIT

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    RYANAIR CUTS CARBON EMISSIONS BY 165,000 TONNES WITH WINGLET RETROFIT

    Following a $175m agreement with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, has installed Split Scimitar Winglets to the first of over 400 of its Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.This modification will improve aircraft fuel efficiency by up to 1.5%, reducing Ryanair’s annual fuel consumption by 65 million litres and carbon emissions by 165,000 tonnes.
    As Ryanair grows to carry 225m passengers by FY26, this initiative will further the airline’s target of net-zero by 2050.
    Ryanair’s Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler said:
    “As Europe’s most environmentally efficient major airline, we are leading the way in sustainable aviation as demonstrated by this investment in our fleet. This winglet technology will help us reach our ambitious environmental targets on our pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. We are impressed with APB’s innovative winglet designs and look forward to having them installed on not just this first aircraft but on over 400 of our aircraft to further reduce our emissions.”
    APB’s Chief Commercial Officer, Patrick LaMoria said:ADVERTISEMENT“Having the operator of the world’s largest fleet of 737-800 Next Generation aircraft install Split Scimitar Winglets is the ultimate endorsement of APB and its products. We are both humbled and honoured to continue to support Ryanair in their ambitious sustainability initiatives.”

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    YOTEL will be the first hotel to open at Saudi Arabia’s NEOM business hub OXAGON

    NEOM has revealed its next hotel as YOTEL, the airport sleeper brand turned city-centre fuss-free hotel room provider. The YOTEL will be located in the giga-site’s OXAGON project, envisioned as the business and logisitical hub of the super-city.The 300-key hotel will open in 2025, which means, as current plans stand, it will be the first hotel to open at OXAGON. According to YOTEL’s development team, it costs around US$148,000 per key to build a Yotel. This would mean the OXAGON hotel would cost around US$44 million to build.
    Hotel facilitiesOriginally conceived as a pit-stop airport brand for layovers, that original YOTEL concept has since become YOTEL Air. There is also YOTEL Pad for longer stays and the newer YOTEL brand, which is what will be at NEOM.
    A YOTEL room is typically 30 sq m and are usually more environmentally friendly than larger, more amenity-packed properties.
    Almost half of YOTEL’s guests are are between 30 to 49, while 28 percent are 50 to 64. A combined 44 percent of those staying in YOTELS do so for business or a combination of business and leisure.
    “OXAGON’s ambition to house hospitality assets where innovative design, sustainability and technologies converge, echoes our core values at YOTEL,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel. “We understand that the non-stop traveller craves destinations that won’t slow them down, and OXAGON promises to be a unique destination where new tech-enabled hospitality experiences can be live-tested. It is an honour to be one of the first hotels to open within a city redefining industries through sustainable innovation.”ADVERTISEMENTThe hotel’s location is at the heart of the integrated live-work-play Research and Innovation (R&I) district of OXAGON with a dedicated R&I campus.
    “OXAGON’s hotel strategy is built around several pillars including technology, which is key for integration within a wider smart-city infrastructure,” said Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of OXAGON. “After a competitive selection process, YOTEL was the clear hotel brand of choice for the district, given our shared ambitions to focus on people-centric design, circularity and digital advancements.”
    YOTEL OXAGON made for the modern age
    “YOTEL’s decision to open their property in NEOM’s OXAGON is a powerful endorsement of our ambition to redefine how people travel, stay and live. When complete, it will serve as the ideal home for modern travellers in search of thoughtfully curated and designed spaces, and we look forward to welcoming them,” added Chris Newman, executive director, Hotel Development at NEOM.
    Source: Hotelier Middle east

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    Nobu Dubai is about to celebrate its 15th year in Dubai in an iconic-new space

    One of Dubai’s longest-standing Japanese restaurants is reopening in a stunning new rooftop location.
    After 14 years of residence in The Avenues at Atlantis, The Palm, Nobu Dubai is about to celebrate its 15th year in Dubai in an iconic-new space within the crown of the destination resort.Taking the space formally home to The Royal Bridge Suite, the 22nd floor has been completely transformed to house a brand-new Nobu Dubai, complete with an updated menu, a Nobu Dubai lounge and bar, and an expansive terrace offering incredible views over the Palm Island and Arabian Gulf.
    Diners looking to experience the celebrity-approved Nobu Dubai can reserve a table from Monday, January 23.Upon arrival, you will need to take a right at the main entrance to take a private elevator up to the 22nd floor, before being greeted by the echoing sounds of the chefs shouting in true Nobu fashion.

    The first thing you notice is the view. The view is unparalleled of the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina skyline. You can also see the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa on a clear day.ADVERTISEMENTNobu Matsuhisa sat down with Time Out Dubai to chat about the new venue. He said: “It is a new space for us and we are settling in. I really love this location. It is really taking Nobu Dubai to the next level. We love having such a beautiful view and I think this view is the Dubai view that any restaurant hopes to have. This was my dream location and honestly speaking, my dream came true. With the terrace and private dining rooms, a bar and a lounge area, it gives us fantastic new opportunities. We will be doing very interesting things here soon, once we settle in properly.”
    The space itself is the largest and most luxurious Nobu in the world. As you enter Nobu Dubai you come across the central Nobu bar and lounge, where diners can enjoy an array of pre-dinner bevvies and small bites set to the soundtrack of two resident DJs.
    Then there’s the option for a little more privacy with one of six private dining rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling vistas over the Arabian Gulf and will seat up to two to twelve guests per room.
    Guests can choose to sit at one of five dining areas, including the main dining room, an exclusive 13-seat sushi bar or within a VIP booth with front-row seats to the bustling kitchen. The new Nobu Dubai also features an expansive Palm terrace, featuring a bar and lounge area.

    With the new venue comes a reimagined menu, which features a variety of new dishes from land and sea. Signature dishes include the chu toro kinome, a seared bluefin tuna topped with imperial caviar which is then carefully placed in an Asian peppermint leaf with a sweet miso sauce.
    There’s also the dover sole sesame, a pan-seared whole Dover sole coupled with Japanese mint and shiso sesame soy sauce. Another new must-try dish includes the salmon new style roll, a maki roll seen at many Nobu’s around the world, which is filled with truffle baby spinach salad and topped with fresh salmon sashimi with ginger, garlic, and chives, lightly seared with hot olive and sesame oil.
    The celebrity chef added: “We have all the signature dishes and then some. Some ingredients are locally sourced but have the same flavour as other Nobu’s around the world. Dubai has some special dishes created exclusively. I am always looking for something new. I really like to use local products as much as possible.
    I like to spend time in Dubai. The melting pot is such an inspiration to me. The people and the scenes here always inspire me to create new dishes
    As for Matsuhisa’s favourite dish on the menu? Well, his famous black cod. He said: “The Nobu black cod is like my first-born child. When people talk about my food, they always talk about the black cod.”
    It’s always been one of the most ordered, most eaten dishes in Dubai and Nobu does a fantastic job at executing it. Matsuhisa along with the help of Robert DeNiro, made this simple piece of fish, famous globally. Nobu’s is the OG of black cods, so don’t miss it.
    Nobu opens to the public today, Monday, January 23 2023 from 7pm, Atlantis The Palm Dubai, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 2626).
    Source: Timeout Dubai

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    Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Announces Four New Winter Journeys to French Alps

    The original icon of the rails, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, unveils four new winter journeys between Paris and the French Alps. Launching in December 2023, the blue-and-gold carriages will glide through some of France’s most untouched countryside and up to the alpine train stations of Albertville, Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.With the option to disembark in either of the three stations, guests will be able to access the ski resorts of Megève and the Mont Blanc; Courchevel and Three Valleys; and Tignes-Val d’Isère in the most glamorous way possible.
    ONE TRAIN, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
    One of the original birthplaces of luxury winter tourism, the French Alps are internationally regarded as the gold standard of ski destinations, with their picture-perfect peaks, slopes catering to all competency levels, Michelin starred restaurants, and alpine chic bars.
    From December 2023, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will welcome keen skiers, mountain enthusiasts and epicureans on board for its Alpine debut. With eight new Suites joining the rake in June 2023, next winter the train will offer a trio of cabin categories to suit every traveller: the timeless Historic Cabins, lavish new Suites and opulent Grand Suites. Departing from Paris in the evening, guests can unwind into the warmth of their art-deco surroundings with a glass of champagne, as the train gently heads out to the Alps. Shortly after departure, guests are invited to pay a visit to the beating heart of the train, Bar Car ‘3674’, for a round of cocktails while the pianist plays in the background. Bon vivants are then drawn to the three dining cars, where they will be treated to a menu of seasonal dishes designed by French Chef Jean Imbert using the finest local produce. Suspended between past and present, guests can return to the Bar Car for a nightcap with fellow travellers, or retreat to their cabins which have been carefully transformed by their steward for night time. The following morning, they wake to the enchanted scenery of the Savoie region and indulge in a breakfast of French viennoiserie, in the privacy of their cabins. To refuel before an afternoon of skiing and alpine activities, a delicious brunch will be served in the dining cars before the train arrives in Albertville, the first of the three Alpine stops.TAKING SLOW TRAVEL TO NEW HEIGHTS
    Next year, eight new Suites will elevate the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’ existing accommodation with four different designs reflecting the ever-changing European landscape: La Campagne (the countryside), Les Montagnes (the mountains), Les Lacs (the lakes) and La Forêt (the forest). The new Suites are the result of an attentive and respectful restoration of two original carriages by French craftsmen and designers, who have reimagined the spaces whilst maintaining their golden era of travel look and feel. Each Suite will immerse guests in diverse scenery through vivid colours, plush fabrics, intricate textures and furnishings channeling famed Art Deco designers, such as Majorelle, Dufrene, Leleu, Rousseau, Prou and Lalique. Offering an experience that bridges the train’s iconic history and modern comfort, the new Suites add to the charm of the historic cabins a private marble ensuite bathroom, and a more spacious lounging area by day, converted to either double or twin beds by night.ADVERTISEMENTGuided by the pioneering spirit that placed it at the forefront of luxury rail travel since 1982, the Venice SimplonOrient-Express will run four new French Alps journeys in the second half of December 2023: from Paris to the French Alps on 15th and 21st December 2023, and from the French Alps to Paris on the 16th and 22nd of December 2023. The new routes amplify the current wintertime offering, which already features trips to Vienna, Florence, Paris and Venice, while strengthening the presence of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in France.
    An overnight stay in Historic Cabin starts at £3,785pp while in the new Suites it starts at £7,300pp. Rates include dinner, breakfast and brunch as well as all soft drinks and shared transfer to Gare De Lyon in Paris. Guests staying in the Grand Suites can also benefit from a private car transfer from Albertville, Moûtiers or Bourg-Saint-Maurice to their final destination (overnight stays start at £9,975pp). For further information or to book, please visit Belmond.com

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    Copacabana Palace Celebrates 100 Years with Annual Arts, Gastronomy, and Cultural Program

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    Copacabana Palace Celebrates 100 Years with Annual Arts, Gastronomy, and Cultural Program

    Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro will celebrate its 100 years with the launch of an annual arts, gastronomy, and cultural programme, running throughout 2023.The “#100doCopa” events will reflect the city’s infectious energy, celebrated at the hotel for the past century. With a reputation as Rio’s legendary playground of glamour, Copacabana Palace’s centenary promises to be nothing short of unforgettable, with highlights including the iconic Carnival Ball in February, an exclusive guest-chef series and star-studded, special events that toast the hotel’s storied history and sparkling future.
    #100doCopa: CINEMATOGRAPHIC CELEBRATIONS
    The #100doCopa celebrations will kick off on New Year’s Eve with a legendary “White & Gold” party. This year’s theme honours the Brazilian custom of wearing white at the turn of the year to bring good fortune, whilst gold is a nod to the pioneering party spirit of Copa. One of the most celebrated décor artists in the city, Patrícia Vaks, will adorn the landmark hotel’s fabulous halls and pool area with seasonal flowers and a light show of colours. Local bands, Jazz com Bossa and Studio Pop will play in the Golden Room, followed by a line-up of up-and-coming DJs, including Ronnie Borges, Vincent Chicha and Marisa D’Amato. Come midnight, the hotel’s terraces are the place to be to catch the glittering view of the fireworks.
    FAMED FESTAS
    February brings the joy of Rio Carnival – an annual kaleidoscopic delight since the 1650s, rooted in the very fabric of Brazilian tradition and regarded as the biggest party in the world. To mark the occasion, Copacabana Palace has been hosting the Copa Magic Ball since 1924, with famous guests including Jayne Mansfield, Brigitte Bardot and Joan Fontaine. The much-anticipated 2023 edition will be held on 18 February, to the innovative theme of ‘The Time Tunnel’. Guests are invited to travel back in time or look to the future, choosing a moment from 1923 to 2123. Artistic director, Gustavo Barchilon, known for his sophisticated productions, will work together with renowned scenographer, Daniel Cruz, to create the most exhilarating ball to date.August 2023 will mark the official centenary of Copacabana Palace and to honour the occasion, the red carpet will be rolled out for a show-stopping party dedicated to Rio citizens, with a special surprise to be revealed closer to the time. This will give the hotel the opportunity to invite the community to celebrate not only Copa’s centenary, but the legendary city itself.ADVERTISEMENT“We are proud to celebrate 100 years of Copa and are grateful to the long-serving hotel team who have helped us reach this wonderful milestone. It is thanks to everyone’s passion and love for “Copa” that we are today regarded as a Rio landmark, a cultural monument that reflects the city’s vibrant spirit, throughout its walls. We look forward to the next chapter.” says Ulisses Marreiros, General Manager of Copacabana Palace.
    A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE ARTS
    Alongside the hotel sits the Copacabana Palace Theatre, considered one of the greatest stages in Brazil. Closed for nearly three decades, over the past two years, Belmond in collaboration with a leading Brazilian architect, Ivan Rezende, completed the painstaking restoration, involving more than 600 craftspeople over 18 different disciplines, from woodcarvers to designers and carpenters. Having recently reopened, the Theatre plays host to Rio’s series of creative and cultural performances and in 2023, will return to its full glory with curated performances and concerts of the century, marking a new chapter for the cultural scene in the city.
    Later in 2023, Belmond will deepen its connection to art with the expansion of the MITICO project – an artist series in partnership with Galleria Continua, across the globe. Following the success of the 2022 first edition in Italy, new installations will arrive at Copacabana Palace.COLOURFUL CUISINE
    Copacabana Palace is a gastronomic hub, home to two Michelin-starred restaurants: the contemporary pan-Asian MEE and Italian destination Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, led by the Italian chef Nello Cassese; as well as the charming Pérgula, one of the city’s most celebrated Carioca restaurants, serving authentic South American fare overlooking the city’s most glamourous swimming pool and Copacabana Beach.
    Throughout the commemorative year, the restaurants will host important guest chefs and gastronomic events, while the already prestigious “Master Series”, a collection of events that bring renowned chefs to cook alongside the in-house team, will welcome big names in international cuisine for the first time in its history. The first guest chef confirmed for 2023 is Virgilio Martinez, from the award-winning “Central” restaurant in Lima, Peru – named No.1 at Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 awards ceremony.
    A CARIOCA ICON
    The famed history of the most traditional and luxurious hotel in Rio de Janeiro began with its construction by businessman, Octávio Guinle, in 1923 – a suggestion from the then President of the Republic, Epitácio Pessoa. Designed by French architect, Joseph Gire and inspired by the famous Negresco hotels in Nice and the Carlton hotels in Cannes, Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel, has been a symbol of excellence and hospitality in Brazil and around the world ever since. Located at the one of best-known addresses in the city, on the beachfront of Avenida Atlântica, the hotel has been the stage of major events in Rio, hosting kings, queens, presidents and celebrities.

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    SkyTeam Upgrades Innovative App for Elite Plus, First and Business Class Customers

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    SkyTeam Upgrades Innovative App for Elite Plus, First and Business Class Customers

    SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has upgraded its innovative SkyPriority Panel Audit App for Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers. Travelers can now complete quick surveys rating their experience of 750 airport lounges, including SkyTeam-branded lounges in Dubai, Istanbul, Santiago de Chile, Sydney and Vancouver, as well as review SkyPriority touchpoints at more than 970 airports.Free to download from Google Play and the App Store, available in 16 languages and with a loyal community of users, the app empowers SkyTeam’s top travelers to share feedback at every step. Whether dropping a bag or waiting to board, each review takes less than 60 seconds and customers can add comments and photos.
    “Customer insight is key. That’s why we have upgraded our innovative app to put more tools at customers’ fingertips, so they can tell SkyTeam what they think of each touchpoint on their airport journey,” said Christian Oberlé, SkyTeam’s Chief Experience Officer. “This combination of feedback and technology means we can work closely with our members to deliver a reshaped travel experience that exceeds customer expectations.”
    How SkyTeam’s SkyPriority Panel Audit App works:
    Elite Plus Frequent Flyers, First and Business Class customers download the app to their mobile phones and registerAs they navigate the airport, they use the app to answer speedy ‘yes/no’ surveys or add more detailed reviews and photosInformation is fed back to relevant member airlines and lounge teamsAudits are entirely voluntaryThe SkyPriority Panel Audit App is available in Arabic, Czech, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese.
    Launched in March 2012, SkyPriority is an award-winning series of aligned priority airport services for Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers and is offered by every SkyTeam member at 970+ airports worldwide. Services include priority at check-in,​ bag drop, airport ticket offices, transfer desks, security and immigration (where available), boarding and baggage collection.ADVERTISEMENT

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    voco Hotels: The Fastest-Growing Brand in IHG’s Premium Portfolio with 10 New Openings in 2022

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    voco Hotels: The Fastest-Growing Brand in IHG’s Premium Portfolio with 10 New Openings in 2022

    IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 destinations across 18 brands, is celebrating recent successes and upward momentum for voco hotels – an emerging brand that already is the fastest-growing within its premium portfolio. With 10 new openings in 2022* bringing its global total to 41 hotels, and an additional 34 in the pipeline, voco hotels continues to extend its presence with more exciting growth planned in 2023.
    Launched in 2018, voco hotels maintain the local character and history of an independent hotel while also delivering the quality and reassurance of a respected global brand. The premium brand’s impressive growth in the Americas includes recently opened hotels voco Chicago Downtown, voco The Cadence in Niagara Falls, and the brand’s Mexico debut with voco Guadalajara Neruda. They also join some of the brand’s flagship properties in sought-after destinations including voco Times Square South New York and voco St. Augustine – Historic Area.
    The region also will welcome exciting new properties in development across the U.S. (in Destin, Fla., Laguna Hills, Calif., College Station, Texas, and Flushing, N.Y.) and Mexico (in Querétaro and Saltillo).
    Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “voco hotels has quickly become a successful growth story within our premium portfolio. With more than 9,000 rooms in our global pipeline, we are excited to introduce voco’s distinctive charm to more guests around the world and welcome more owners into our upscale, yet efficient operations model. We look forward to continuing our momentum into 2023 and beyond.”voco hotels also is a key driver of IHG’s overall growth in the conversion space. With a design and operational framework conducive to conversion, the brand empowers owners to carry through their own unique visions for their property while maintaining its legacy and historical connections to the surrounding community.
    Beyond celebrating its own successes, voco hotels’ rapid growth and customer experience are capturing the attention of the larger hospitality arena. The brand recently received multiple accolades at the 2022 World Travel Awards, including “Leading Premium Hotel Brand” honors for Europe, the Middle East and the world respectively.ADVERTISEMENTTo learn more, or to book, visit www.vocohotels.com or use the new IHG One Rewards mobile app.

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