Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai Announces its Participation in ATM 2018

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The Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai has confirmed its presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place in Dubai from 22 to 25 April 2018. The hotel has established itself as a prestigious address for events and will be showcasing it world-class business and leisure facilities at the exhibition.Mr. Simon Moore, General Manager of Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, said, “It is extremely important for us to be present at the ATM which is the largest gathering of inbound and outbound tourism professionals in the Middle East. Hence it gives us an excellent opportunity to leverage awareness about our fabulous facilities – ideal for the MICE segment that is now a strategic focus for us. ATM also offers us the perfect platform to strengthen our wide network of travel trade professionals by reinforcing our valuable partnerships with key players and opening new business opportunities. In addition, we are eager to see the new tourism attractions and the latest developments in travel technology that are transforming our industry.”Giving details of the latest business developments and initiative at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, Mr. Moore said, “We are now increasingly focusing on enhancing our facilities while maintaining the highest quality and standards. The areas of growth that we are looking at is not by simply driving existing business but rather by diversifying our revenue streams. We have recently added fabulous new dining outlets and meeting facilities that are doing extremely well.”Celebrating 25 years as the Middle East’s most successful travel trade show, ATM will showcase over 2,800 products and destinations while bringing together over 28,000 buyers and 39,000 travel professionals from around the world.Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai will be present at Arabian Travel Market from 22 to 25 April on stand ‘HC 0650’ in Sheikh Saeed Hall in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa Millennium Hotels and Resorts is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and operates over 130 hotels worldwide. With almost 40,000 rooms and a portfolio of brands; including The Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, Millennium Place, M Hotel, Copthorne, Agarwood, Kingsgate, Millennium Executive Apartments and Studio M, that serve different market segments, representing quality and value in every class.Currently operating 32 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, the Group has an extensive expansion strategy in place, with 40 hotels in the pipeline. Each property in the region is unique, catering to the varying tastes and needs of the international business and leisure traveller but with a consistent promise to provide a first class service and a rewarding experience for guests. Millennium Hotels and Resorts is committed to differentiating itself by embracing the true spirit of diverse traditions, with a sincere respect to historical heritage and local culture.With the motto “More than Meets the Eye”, Millennium Hotels and Resorts is committed to a customer-centric philosophy and complete guest satisfaction.For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com

Marriott International Expands Current Middle East & Africa Portfolio With Signing Of Over 30 Projects In Last 12 Months

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arriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced ambitious growth plans for its Middle East and Africa region following signings for more than 30 properties and over 5,000 rooms in the last 12 months. The signings put Marriott on track to increase its portfolio in the region to nearly 370 hotels – an increase of more than 50% over the next five years. This will amount to more than 80,000 rooms across 21 brands, including the introduction in the region of brands such as EDITION, Element and AC Hotels by Marriott.  Also in line with its development plans, the company and its property owners expect to add 30,000 new jobs across the region in the next five years.Marriott International’s planned growth over the next five years underscores the substantial emphasis that regional governments are placing on growth and investment in the travel and tourism sector.  The company estimates that the 30 projects signed in the last 12 months will drive investment of about $1.8 billion by the property owners.“It is a really exciting time for the Middle East and Africa region’s travel and tourism sector. With clear and ambitious visions set out by regional governments to grow and invest in the sector, the industry is thriving more than ever,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “At Marriott International, we are proud that we and our owners are opening a huge range of jobs, as well as contributing to the ongoing growth and diversification of the region’s economy.”Marriott International’s announcement of its growth plans in the region comes ahead of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, which has centered its 2018 theme on “Focus on the Future.” The conference is taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; and founding patron His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group.During the annual event, Kyriakidis will join the “Regional Leaders in the Hot Seat” panel session to discuss how hotel operators are supporting owners and adjusting to a maturing and shifting regional market.“Marriott International’s growth in the region is a result of consistently delivering value to our owners.  Our long-established presence in the region, global footprint, compelling portfolio of diverse brands, award-winning loyalty programs and strength of our distribution platforms continue to position us at the forefront, enabling us to leverage trends to benefit our stakeholders in the region,” added Kyriakidis.“We remain focused on working with our owners to identify synergies and increase efficiencies across hotels by implementing shared services, remote solutions, complexing of hotels where relevant and possible and by bringing state-of-the-art technology to leverage scale, ultimately improving profitability.”Strong Growth Momentum for Luxury and Upscale Brands“This dynamic region continues to present immense development opportunities for the company to strengthen its competitive position across established and fast-growing markets,” commented Samir Baidas, Chief Development Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “Our growth plans across the Middle East and Africa not only reflect the high demand for our brands, but also the trust ownership groups have in Marriott International.”Historically featuring a portfolio of hotels primarily in the upper-upscale segment, Marriott International’s robust development pipeline in the region also highlights strong growth opportunities for its luxury and upscale brands:
  • Across its seven luxury brands, Marriott International operates over 30 hotels with more than 10,000 rooms across the Middle East and Africa and plans to nearly double the number of hotels in the next five years.  That growth will begin with the launch of its EDITION brand in Abu Dhabi later this year.
  • The company is also expanding its portfolio of upscale brands across the region where there is strong demand for stylish, smart and affordable hospitality. The company’s upscale brands – such as Courtyard by Marriott, Aloft, Element and Residence Inn by Marriott – represent over 40% of the properties expected to open in the next five years across the Middle East and Africa.
  • The growth of Marriott International’s upper-upscale brands, spearheaded by Marriot Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments and Sheraton, remains steady – accounting for 30% of its hotels expected to open in the next five years.
ENDSNote on Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including the number of lodging properties the company may add in future years and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts.  We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in market conditions; changes in global and regional economies; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; and other risk factors that the company identifies in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply here.  We make these statements as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.About Marriott International, Inc. Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitterand Instagram.Media Contact: Chandan Belani +971 50 550 1732 chandan.belani@marriott.comBassel Barakat +971525347568 bassel.barakat@fourcommunications.com

Modern Marvel: W Hotels Touches Down In Jordan With Debut Of W Amman

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W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, unveiled W Amman, the brand’s first property in Jordan.  Developed by Eagle Hills Jordan, the 280-room hotel is located in the heart of Amman’s up and coming new downtown neighborhood, Abdali, and features design inspired by the energy of the Middle East and charm of Jordanian history, culture and tradition with a playfully modern twist.“Jordan is an incredible country, rich with culture and a deep connection to its history. We could not be happier to make our brand debut in the country here in the capital city,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Amman, and specifically the exciting new downtown district of Abdali, is an ideal destination for the W brand with its engaging social scene and deeply rooted passion for design, music and fashion.”W Amman marks the first hotel collaboration between Marriott International and Eagle Hills Jordan which will be followed by three more hotel openings across Jordan – The St. Regis Amman, The Westin Saraya Aqaba and Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba.W Amman stands tall as a contemporary and unmistakable architectural statement, offering stunning views of the bustling city’s seven hills running across the Jordanian capital. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with the iconic W sign, inspired by Amman’s unique cityscape and cubic architecture, in the colors of Jordan’s distinctive sunset. Stepping into the Welcome area, the hotel’s façade invokes the unique and colossal beauty of Petra’s rock formations, reminiscent of the Nabatean city’s striking appearance, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Throughout the Canyon Walk, guests are enveloped in a modern design marvel, reinterpreting the natural beauty of Petra’s canyon with shard structures and natural tones that can also be seen throughout the hotel.Each of the 236 rooms and 44 suites at W Amman feature floor-to-ceiling windows and vivid designs, along with W signature beds and modern bathrooms with rain showers. Pillows and throws feature an illustrative interpretation of the Amman skyline and an adapted rendition of beautifully adorned camels of the desert, both in colorful detail. The hotel features a range of suites including four WOW Suites and a 1,710-square-foot Extreme WOW Suite (the brand’s take on the Presidential suite) – the ultimate party place with sweeping panoramic views of Amman’s landscape, an in-room DJ deck, amplified entertainment system, and private jacuzzi.W Amman is set to add its own rhythm to the beat of Amman’s social scene with its vibrant public spaces and culinary experiences. The hotel’s Living Room (the brand’s take on the traditional lobby) is a clubhouse for the modern traveler, showcasing a fusion of intimate and open areas, low seating and mood-setting lighting among architectural features that mirror Amman’s extraordinary cityscape. Elements of Bedouin weaving, flower pots, and locally designed pillows from the Jordan River Foundation (a non-profit focusing on child safety and community empowerment) provide modernized versions of common patterns, colors and shapes from the city. The space is complemented by modern art from Bahraini artist, Jamal A. Rahim that gives an edge of Middle Eastern influence and bright splashes of color alongside the work of Jordanian artist Bader Mahasneh, who utilizes rough surfaces and illuminated figures in a series of striking paintings of faces.Just steps away from the Living Room, Mesh provides international cuisine with a Levantine touch while bringing the right ingredients together through food, design and guests looking to mingle next to images of fresh produce from Dar Al Anda, one of Jordan’s most prominent contemporary art galleries. For those seeking a place to unwind or escape, Aura offers signature beverages and delicious bar bites from around the world in a space that once again reinterprets the stunning angles and elevations of Petra with rose stone tones and colorful, silk-like flooring. Aura, and other areas in the hotel also feature exquisite pieces of art work from Jordanian artist, Hazem Al Zoubi. Enso, the hotel’s signature Pan-Asian restaurant, ignites taste buds by bringing together flavors from five regional cuisines across South East Asia in a sleek setting.  The WET Deck (pool deck) brings a new vibe to the city’s party scene and will be the place to see and be seen.  The beautiful rooftop space is the perfect destination to bask under the sun and enjoy stunning views of west Amman while indulging in cocktails or listening to performances from Amman’s up-and-coming musical talent. The design of the WET Deck includes a modern depiction of The Roman Theater’s Atrium.For guests to refuel and reinvigorate, AWAY Spa at W Amman offers massages, body treatments, facials and quick fixes promising look good/feel good experiences in a fun, yet relaxed setup. Guests can then step into the modern FIT gym that features 24/7 access to the newest Technogym equipment. The hotel also plays host to social and business gatherings across 780 square meters of versatile meeting and event space, including the stunning 629-square-meter Great Room and four fully equipped, stylish Strategy and Studio rooms.W Amman offers the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service to provide guests whatever they want, whenever they want it. The hotel’s W Insider, an in-the-know local expert, connects guests with the hottest events, attractions and adventures to suit any and every travel style.For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.wammanhotel.com.# # #Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including the number of lodging properties the company may add in future years and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts.  We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in market conditions; changes in global and regional economies; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; and other risk factors that the company identifies in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply here.  We make these statements as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.About W Hotels Worldwide Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with more than 50 hotels, W Hotels defies expectations and breaks the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.  For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.

AccorHotels announces first SO/ project in the Middle East opening in 2020 with DMCC

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SO/ Uptown Dubai to feature cutting-edge design reflecting a kaleidoscope of cultures in collaboration with development partner DMCC
SO/, AccorHotels’ audacious and spirited luxury brand, has announced its debut property in the Middle East with the SO/ Uptown Dubai. The disruptive art and experience driven property will fully embody the concept of a Kaleidoscopic Utopia, reflecting Dubai’s urban charm with the hotel’s convention-defying, colourful and lively design concepts. SO/ Uptown Dubai, set to open to guests by late 2020, will feature 188 rooms in addition to 215 branded residences. Inspired by edgy and bold architecture, interiors for the luxury property will be brought to life by the Rockwell Group, featuring modular and contemporary elements to elevate the SO/ Uptown Dubai as a beacon of energy, art and entertainment at the heart of Dubai. The brand’s debut was announced at a signing ceremony with development partner DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), a prominent Government entity and the world’s leading Free Zone for commodities trade and enterprise in Dubai.Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, said: “DMCC is excited to be the ‘first to say SO/’ by bringing the debut SO/ in the Middle East to our first super-tall tower in Uptown Dubai in partnership with AccorHotels. SO/ is a bold and innovative brand much like the spirit of Dubai and DMCC’s Uptown Dubai district. We are confident this partnership will bring a spectacular destination to market for our customers, at our premium super-tall tower set to disrupt the Dubai skyline as we know it”.The signing marks AccorHotels’ entry into DMCC’s upcoming world-class smart district, Uptown Dubai. With monumental developments including seven high rise towers atop seven levels of podium, the central plaza of Uptown Dubai aims to raise the district to the same scale of global destinations such as New York’s Rockefeller Center and Berlin’s Sony Center. Uptown Dubai is set to become the go-to destination for lively shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural experiences. Commenting on the agreement, Sami Nasser, Chief Operating Officer, Luxury Brands, AccorHotels Middle East said: “Dubai is the perfect destination to launch one of our most sought-after luxury lifestyle brands, SO/, through our debut partnership with DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre). As a brand, SO/ encapsulates the spirit of Dubai, reflecting the city’s ambitious drive to reach unscalable heights, while celebrating the blend of cultures and experiences the city has to offer through its bold, avant-garde design, vivacious energy and world-class amenities.”“The brand’s debut within Uptown Dubai’s first super-tall tower, a high-profile project similar to SO/ in its playful reinterpretation of luxury, will undoubtedly position the property as a landmark within an increasingly competitive hospitality industry,” Nasser concluded. With dazzling commercial, retail, hospitality and dining components, Uptown Dubai’s first super-tall Tower, where Sofitel Uptown Dubai will be located, is set to become an iconic addition to the Dubai skyline, through its contemporary architecture conceptualized by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture, the visionaries behind the iconic 828 meter Burj Khalifa.The development will also feature 215 glamorous SO/ Residences, located on the upper-most floors of Uptown Dubai’s first super-tall tower. The limited collection of private residences is the first from SO/ to be made available in the Middle East. Residential services will include in-residence dining and dedicated lifestyle concierge services. Residents will also enjoy access to exclusive private facilities including a MIXO residence lounge with Resident DJ, private fitness area and swimming pool. The residences will range from 67 sq. meter one-bedroom units to spacious 261 sq. meter four bedroom penthouses while offering breath-taking, unparalleled views of the Dubai skyline and Arabian Sea.With six SO/ hotels in operation in Thailand, Singapore, Mauritius, Berlin and St. Petersburg, SO/ Uptown Dubai will join 10 highly anticipated SO/ openings worldwide within the next five years. SO/ properties flawlessly combine sophisticated elegance with the style, art and energy of each hotel’s locale. Encapsulating a rebellious lifestyle experience, each hotel is an avant-garde masterpiece, integrating architecture and design as art through collaborations with world-renowned designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Kenzo and Christian Lacroix. Described as the ‘place to be seen’, each SO/ property is geared towards the glamorous trendsetters of society and showcases a signature SO/ Look, uniquely crafted scent and audacious music, transforming it into an upbeat urban destination.Inspired by a focus on innovative gastronomic experiences, the hotel will feature the MIXO lounge bar, HI-SO bar, lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, in addition to the Sky Bar & Lounge. The luxury property will also house a reimagined meeting hub, including a ballroom, board room, business centre and pre-function space for corporate and social events. Reflecting the brand’s ethos for creating idyllic and indulgent moments, a 1,400 sq. meter SO/ SPA, state of the art SO/ FIT fitness centre and health club equipped with the latest in innovative facilities, personal classes and swimming pool, complete the wellness journey.
About DMCC DMCC is a center of global trade. Headquartered in Dubai, DMCC is the world’s most interconnected Free Zone, and the leading trade and enterprise hub for commodities. Whether developing vibrant neighbourhoods with world-class property like Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the much anticipated Uptown Dubai, or delivering high performance business services, DMCC provides everything its dynamic community needs to live, work and thrive. Made for Trade, DMCC is proud to sustain and grow Dubai’s position as the place to be for global trade today and long into the future. www.dmcc.ae Kindly see video link to the Uptown Dubai development Website here: https://www.uptowndubai.ae/About SO/ SO/ is so vivid, so expressive and so bursting with local energy that even the most adventurous travelers will be fascinated and entertained. An energizing addition to the global hotel scene, the SO/ brand surprises with a playful and distinctly rebellious interpretation of luxury that includes avant-garde design, a fashion signature, trendy beats, ‘Just Say SO’ service, ‘and buzzing destination bars and events. Found in exhilarating hubs such as Mauritius, Bangkok and Singapore, SO/ hotels are the places to be and be seen, thrilling guests with fashionable and entertaining social experiences that capture the vivacity and vibe of the locale. SO/ is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome at more than 4,300 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

Comfort and convenience at the new Holiday Inn Express® Paris – Charles De Gaulle Airport

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The largest Holiday Inn Express® in France opens at one of Europe’s busiest airportsDirectly connected to Terminal 1, the Holiday Inn Express® at Paris – Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, an IHG® hotel, has recently opened to provide guests with easy access to one of the world’s busiest airports as well as speedy transport links into central Paris.Gone are the days of waiting in the airport for a ten hour lay-over, or waking up at the crack of dawn to catch an early morning flight. The newly-opened Holiday Inn Express Paris – CDG Airport is the perfect destination for travellers who want to make their next trip that little bit easier.The newly built 305-room Holiday Inn Express ‘Next Generation’ property has been designed with guests’ needs in mind. Each room features wide beds with noise-absorbing headboards, bed-side built-in USB ports, plasma screens that can be connected to personal devices to stream media, a power shower and free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel.In the modern public spaces, guests can also enjoy an Express Start Breakfast™ included in their room rate, offering a selection of hot and continental food. The Express Café & Bar is also open 24/7 so there’s always a place for jet-lagged travellers, late arrivers or early risers to grab a bite. The hotel also boasts naturally lit meeting spaces which are available for business meetings.

Mike Greenup, Vice President, Marketing for EMEAA (Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa) at IHG, commented: “This greatly anticipated hotel offer guests everything they need for a stopover, just metres from the terminal of one of the world’s most vibrant airports. Whether guests are staying with us at the beginning or end of their trip, we know our hotel will help to get their travels off to a great start or a perfect finish. Our goal is to put the right brands in the right locations and this hotel is another great example of the Holiday Inn Express brand in Europe.”

Arnaud Vermerie, GM of Holiday Inn Express Paris – CDG Airport commented: “Paris is already a European travel hub and our new hotel is in a prime position to support the needs of business and leisure guests alike. We’re also in a great location for those who wish to venture into central Paris as we are right opposite the train station. More importantly, we offer a comfortable bed and a power shower to leave all travellers feeling refreshed.”

Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest growing hotel brand globally with 2,600 hotels open and an additional 766 set to open in the next few years. Across Europe, there are 244 Holiday Inn Express hotels open and 67 in the development pipeline, 9 of which will be in France. Across all its brands, IHG has 56 hotels open in France, and a further 15 in the development pipeline.For further information please contact:
Iman Denney-Brown iman.denneybrown@ihg.com +44 (0) 1895 512 267

Investments in tourism infrastructure to reach US$56 billion by 2022 driven by innovative Hyperloop connections

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  • Innovative Hyperloop connections to transform tourism infrastructure development in GCC
  • Future travel experiences to kick start proceedings on ATM’s Global Stage with Sir Tim Clark, Emirates Airline; Issam Kazim, Dubai Tourism and Harj Dhaliwal, Hyperloop One
GCC capital investments in tourism infrastructure are expected to reach US$56 billion by 2022, with the UAE ranked the most competitive in the region, driven by the development of multiple revolutionary transport projects, according to the latest research published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018.According to Arabian Travel Market’s research partner, Colliers International, lightening-speed, innovative Hyperloop train systems combined with the Haramain High Speed Railway, the development of key international airports in Saudi Arabia and airport expansion in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait are just some of the projects set to transform tourism infrastructure development in the GCC.Tourism infrastructure will feature heavily in the programme at ATM 2018, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22-25, with Hyperloop and future travel experiences kicking off proceedings on ATM’s Global Stage on Sunday 22nd April between 13.30 and 14.30. Moderating the session, Richard Dean, a UAE-based business broadcaster and presenter will be joined by a host of high-profile panellists including Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director Middle East and India Operations, Hyperloop One.Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM said: “As we move towards an innovative and technologically-driven future, it is important to explore the impact ultra-modern travel infrastructure will have on the tourism industry in the UAE and wider GCC region. ATM’s opening session ‘Future Travel Experiences’ will explore this evolution as technological advances bring new and improved modes of transport to the market.”Virgin Hyperloop One, a futuristic transportation concept through which pods, propelled by magnets and solar, will move passengers and cargo at speeds of 1,200kph, is the most prominent tourism infrastructure development in the UAE at present.Backed by Dubai-based DP World, Hyperloop One has the potential to transport approximately 3,400 people an hour, 128,000 people a day and 24 million people a year.In November 2016, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans to evaluate a hyperloop connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which could reduce travel times between the two emirates by 78 minutes.Press said: “Providing a hyperloop connection that allows both UAE residents and tourists to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 12 minutes is just the beginning. In the future, other emirates and indeed other GCC countries could also be linked, with journeys between Dubai and Fujairah as low as 10 minutes and Dubai to Riyadh in 40 minutes.”Hyperloop One isn’t the only concept to boost tourism infrastructure in the region. Airport and cruise terminal expansions, improved domestic inter-city road and rail work and the growth of low-cost airlines will keep the GCC at the forefront of tourism infrastructure and innovation.Air passenger arrivals to the GCC are forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, from 41 million in 2017 to 55 million in 2022. The development of new airports across the GCC region, combined with the introduction of various low-cost carriers such as flydubai and recently launched Saudi low-cost airline Flyadeal, are expected to contribute heavily to this growth.In Dubai, cruise tourism is expected to grow over the next two years as the emirate targets the arrival of 20 million tourists a year, ahead of Expo 2020. During the 2016/2017 season, Dubai welcomed 650,000 cruise tourists with this figure forecast to increase to one million by 2020. Expansion works at DP World’s Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Mina Rashid are expected to contribute to this growth. Set to be the largest terminal in the world, the facility is capable of handling 18,000 travellers every single day.Looking ahead to ATM 2018, responsible tourism – including sustainable travel trends – will be adopted as the main theme. Celebrating its 25th year ATM will build on the success of last year’s edition, with a host of seminar sessions looking back over the last 25 years and how the hospitality industry in the MENA region is expected to shape up over the next 25.About Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. The 24th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history.  Arabian Travel Market now in its 25th year will take place in Dubai from Sunday, 22nd to Wednesday, 25th April 2018. To find out more, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com.About Reed ExhibitionsReed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than seven million participants.About Reed Travel ExhibitionsReed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.Media contact NATHALIE VISELEDirector Tel: +971 4 365 2711 | Mobile: +971 50 457 6525 E-mail: nathalie.visele@shamalcomms.com Office 106, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: www.shamalcomms.com

Guerlain celebrates 190 years of creation

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Maison Guerlain, founded in 1828 by perfumer-chemist Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain, is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year. For nearly two centuries, the Maison has explored the facets of beauty in fragrances, makeup and skincare. To celebrate its 190 years Guerlain is premiering extraordinary sagas that retrace its history to the origins of modern perfumery.Guerlain is intimately linked to the city of Paris, to women, and to the revolution in cosmetics and perfumes.  Maison Guerlain began in 1828 thanks to the visionary creativity of Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain. Inspired by a desire to spark emotion, to surprise and amaze, Guerlain continued its story with Aimé Guerlain, who revolutionized the world of fragrances by combining natural and synthetic ingredients for the first time to create Jicky. Three generations of perfumers followed: Jacques Guerlain, Jean-Paul Guerlain and today Thierry Wasser.
To celebrate this anniversary, Guerlain is unveiling a series of sagas, a special chance to discover or rediscover this mythic Maison throughout the year. Three sagas have already been released. This first is dedicated to Guerlain Perfumers, the second to the raw materials used in the composition of Guerlain fragrances, and a third reveals the secrets of lipstick, retracing the creation of Guerlain’s first modern lipstick.
Begun by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, the formulation notebooks are passed on from each generation of perfumer to the next and still used today by Thierry Wasser to compose Guerlain fragrances. The notebooks are kept carefully lunder lock and key in Orphin, where Guerlain’s fragrance production site is located. / © Guerlain
With 1,100 fragrance creations and ongoing innovations in cosmetics, Guerlain celebrated the beauty of women by creating the bullet lipstick Ne m’oubliez pas in 1870, anticipated the fashion for Orientalism with Mitsouko in 1919, and proposed an elegant take on the bronzing trend with Terracottapowder in 1984.
Upcoming chapters of the Guerlain sagas will be released throughout 2018 to present the unique heritage of the Maison and celebrate Guerlain’s roots and wings.

Berluti names Kris Van Assche as Artistic Director of the house

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Kris Van Assche will be in charge of shoes, leathergoods, ready-to-wear and accessories collections.Antoine Arnault, CEO of the house declares “I am delighted to welcome Kris Van Assche to Berluti.I have known him for several years, have always admired his work at Dior Homme and I am looking forward to working with him.”Kris Van Assche says “I have always wanted to build bridges between the savoir-faire, the heritage of a house and my clear-cut contemporary vision. Antoine Arnault spoke to me of his ambitions for Berluti and it is with great pleasure that I accept this new challenge which fits perfectly with my own will and vision. I would also like to thank Mr Bernard Arnault for his renewed confidence. ”Kris Van Assche will present his first collection during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2019.

Volkswagen Group delivers over 1 million vehicles in March

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  • Record result: 1.04 million vehicles in March (+5.3 percent)
  • Over 2.6 million units delivered in first quarter of 2018 (+7.4 percent)
  • Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales: “The delivery figures for March round off a successful first quarter. We saw strong growth in our core regions in the first three months.”
The Volkswagen Group recorded its best ever delivery result for a single month in March. The Group also finished the first quarter with an all-time record. At 1.04 million, deliveries by the Volkswagen Group in March were 5.3 percent higher than the prior-year month. Over 2.6 million vehicles were handed over to customers in the first quarter of the year (+7.4 percent). “The first-quarter results confirm the attractiveness of our products. However, this good performance does not mean we can let up in our efforts; instead we must continue to strengthen customers’ trust in our brands and products in the second quarter as well”, Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said.The Group delivered over 1.1 million vehicles in Europe in the first quarter of 2018 (+4.1 percent). Group deliveries in March grew 1.2 percent to 479,900 new vehicles. 407,400 vehicles were handed over to customers in Western Europe in March, of which 130,100 units were delivered in the home market of Germany (-1.2 percent). 72,500, deliveries of new vehicles from the Group in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe were 13.2 percent up on the same month last year. From January to March the Group delivered 954,400 vehicles in Western Europe (+2.8 percent) and 188,900 units in Central and Eastern Europe (+11.4 percent).The Group handed over 221,000 vehicles in the North America region in the first three months, an increase of 3.4 percent. Just short of 83,900 customers in North America chose a vehicle from the Group in March (+5.1 percent). The Group delivered 57,800 vehicles in the USA, the largest market in the region, in March, representing an increase of 13.0 percent. The delivery trend in the South America region was also positive: customers took delivery of 128,700 new vehicles (+5.6 percent) in the first quarter of the year, of which 50,700 were delivered in March (+8.3 percent). Deliveries in the Brazilian market increased to 32,500 units in March, 11.0 percent higher than the same month last year.
The Volkswagen Group continued on its growth path in the Asia-Pacific region in the first quarter, delivering 1,090,200 new vehicles to customers there in the first quarter of 2018 – an increase of 12.0 percent – of which 391,400 units (+9.6 percent) were handed over in March. Deliveries in the Chinese market grew 10.6 percent in March, with 358,800 vehicles from the Group handed over to customers in China.
 

KPF and Heatherwick Studio selected for design of Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 5

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Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and Heatherwick Studio are pleased to announce their selection by Changi Airport Group, the manager and operator of Singapore Changi Airport, as the design leaders of the airport’s new Terminal 5.The collaboration brings together two award-winning and internationally recognised practices with extensive experience designing innovative urban spaces and specialised infrastructure projects.Changi Airport Terminal 5 will add an initial capacity of up to 50 million passengers per year to what is already one of the busiest and most celebrated international airports in the world. The magnitude of the project not only requires a design vision on a city-like scale, but also offers the opportunity to transform conventional thinking in airport design.The combination of KPF’s experience in both large-scale infrastructure and urban neighbourhoods, paired with the innovative design expertise of Heatherwick Studio, will create an airport that will go beyond mere transportation requirements and become a city within itself – an integral piece of Singapore.Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio, said: “It’s thrilling to be chosen to lead the design of the next phase of the world’s most successful airport, collaborating with KPF to nearly double the size of Changi. This is an extraordinary opportunity to break away from the sterility and soullessness we’ve come to expect from typical airport environments. We’re excited to treat this next phase of Changi as a new piece of city and bring together the rigour of airport planning with an uncompromising interest in the quality of human experience for passengers.”Stuart Wood, Group Leader at Heatherwick Studio, said: “Winning the global competition with KPF to design Changi Airport Terminal 5 sets us the most challenging opportunity Heatherwick Studio has ever undertaken. The scale and ambition of this project is unprecedented. We are delighted to have the opportunity to make a memorable new terminal for Changi that inspires at every scale from mega infrastructure, aviation, transit, retail, leisure, and culture through to the tiniest detail. Our hope is to make Terminal 5 the most homely and at the same time spectacular airport in the world for many years to come.”