Airline News and Hotel Updates

Friday 28 October 2011

Syna Tiger Resort Opens in India

The Syna Tiger Resort opens today, following a four-year development at a cost of approximately $1.8 million.

The luxury jungle resort, a member of the Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection, is located right on the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park in central India.

Stretching over 437 square kilometres, the surrounding forest was once the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, and renowned as the home of the big cats. The resort serves as the ideal base from which you can explore the territory of the Royal Bengal tiger.

The resort setting is picture perfect, with an azure plunge pool surrounded by fifteen exclusive luxury cottages and one signature tree-house, all complete with modern amenities, network connectivity, private walled gardens and a jacuzzi.

The resort offers a wealth of offerings including the Wildwood spa, which provides guests with a variety of holistic and indigenous treatments, state-of-the-art fitness centre, pool, a restaurant that serves international and local cuisine, and a bar.

The real thrill of Bandhavgarh is the opportunity to see the big cats roam freely in the jungle. The Syna Tiger Resort provides special guided jeep and elephant safaris with experienced naturalists who aid in making trips more enriching. There are also various bird walks that guests can enjoy as well as separate cycling tracks.

Syna Tiger Resort also offers a naturally inspiring venue for corporate clients, featuring a fully equipped, modern day ?tapovana? ? an outdoor space for spiritual practice, used for holding effective training programmes.

Syna Tiger also has facilities to host weddings and banquets. The resort prides itself on being eco-friendly by harvesting rainwater and recycling.

The resort is free of plastic and no chemical is allowed to seep back to the earth, via meticulous water treatment. By using local produce, employing local people and utilising locally relevant skills the resort keeps its carbon-footprint to a minimal level.

Arpan Dutta, chairman of Modus Vivendi Hospitality, said, ''This property is definitely one of the finest. Syna Tiger Resort will set an example for other resorts to follow. We aim to deliver the best of services with a rural touch and have a rural kitchen concept where guests are served authentic cuisine, cooked in a village style mud oven. Syna Tiger Resort will take tourists? expectations to a deeper and higher level.''

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Singapore Zoo Launches Chinese Mobile Interactive Trail

Singapore Zoo, one of four wildlife parks managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) including the first river-themed attraction River Safari, has launched a Chinese mobile interactive trail for students.

The new visitor experience uses location-based and Image Recognition Technology to create new learning activities for children at the zoo.

The trail employs the neumind approach, which focuses on visual recognition, and promotes words recognition, powerful memory ability and Chinese literary appreciation.

Instead of park guides and worksheets, trail participants will be equipped with specially configured smart phones. Pre-loaded content will be triggered by the phones? Global Positioning System (GPS) as they move around the park.

Upon arriving at a designated site, such as the Wild Africa exhibit for example, the mobile phones will come alive with specific instructions prompting participants to conduct a mini treasure-hunt to look for a specific object within an animal enclosure. Taking a picture of the correct object will enable the children to access imbedded interactive content related to the specific animal at the exhibit. This includes fascinating video clips showing zebras escaping attacks, cheetahs running at top speed and rhinos marking their territories.

?We are very excited about introducing this first of its kind student experience which places great emphasis on real-life usage and interaction skills through the learning of the Chinese language. We are confident this digital generation of young people will appreciate the interactivity and rich content provided by this mobile trail. At the same time, we hope they will take away valuable lessons about wildlife and conservation while becoming proficient and comfortable users of the language,? said Ms May Lok, Director for Education, WRS.

Currently, the programme is only available to school groups.

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Singapore and Ethiopian Airlines to Codeshare

From 1 November 2011, Singapore Airlines? customers will have the option of flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia?s capital city, through a codeshare agreement with future Star Alliance partner Ethiopian Airlines.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its ?SQ? code to Ethiopian-operated flights operating daily between Dubai and Addis Ababa. On a reciprocal basis, Ethiopian Airlines will add its ?ET? code to seven SIA-operated flights per week between Singapore and Dubai. SIA serves Dubai with 11 flights per week.

Ethiopian Airlines is currently working towards membership in the Star Alliance, which will enable Singapore Airlines? KrisFlyer members to accrue frequent flyer miles when travelling on Ethiopian?s flights. Ethiopian?s Sheba Miles members will also be able to accrue miles when travelling on SIA?s flights.

Tickets for the codeshare flights are now open for sale for travel from 1 November 2011.

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TravelRave 2011 Opens in Singapore

TravelRave 2011, a mega travel and tourism festival, opens in Singapore today with a compelling programme of anchor events, content from new partners, and delegate representation from the entire spectrum of the travel and tourism industry.

?Last year was a significant year for Asia and the travel and tourism industry. This year, set against a challenging environment and a slowdown in international tourism, Asia has once again proved its mettle, growing at a healthy rate of five per cent for the first half of the year. It is becoming increasingly imperative for the different sectors of the travel and tourism industry to come together and discuss how to not only leverage this growth, but to sustain it in the future as well,? said Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). ?This year?s TravelRave will see the return of key events such as the Asia Travel Leaders Summit and ITB Asia, while delivering an exciting line-up of business events with new partners on-board.?

To be held from 17 to 23 October 2011, TravelRave 2011 will comprise six existing anchor events: the Asia Travel Leaders Summit, Web In Travel, Singapore Experience Awards, Cond? Nast Traveler World Savers Congress, ITB Asia, and Aviation Outlook Asia.

In testament to the strategic role that TravelRave plays in the Asian tourism industry, this year?s TravelRave also brings with it four new events: the UNWTO High Level Meeting in Asia, the Asia Pacific Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference 2011, the Cornell Hotel Society Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, and Asia for Asia ? a high level meeting of Asia?s MICE industry leaders.

Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Chief Executive Officer and Managing director of VFS Global Group, as well as Chairman of Kuoni for India and South Asia, said, ?When I heard of TravelRave and the Asia Travel Leaders Summit, I felt it was a great opportunity to make contact with like-minded individuals who had the same agenda to not only leverage but also sustain Asia?s growth. The bringing together of thought-leaders from across the sectors to collaborate and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented in the region will enable us to fully realize the potential of Asia?s travel and tourism industry.?

International partners and event organizers are also launching new and original content, furthering catalysing opportunities for investment in new tourism products, services and capabilities in Asia.

Questex Media Group will bring together hotel owners and investors to showcase distinctive opportunities for Asia. They will launch the Asia Pacific Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference 2011, a strategic half-day meeting that will lead up to the full-fledged International Hotel and Tourism Investment Forum (Asia Pacific) in 2012. The inaugural event will showcase distinctive opportunities for the Asia hotel travel and tourism investment sector.

ITB Asia, a main anchor event at TravelRave, will launch new dedicated forums including an Associations Conference and a one-day travel agent conference.

In addition, Travel + Leisure?s Luxury Travel Insights Paper and latest findings from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) on the Economic Impact of Business Travel will be shared for the first time at TravelRave 2011.

WTTC?s President and Chief Executive Officer David Scowsill, one of the distinguished speakers who has chosen to attend several TravelRave events as a delegate, said, ?TravelRave creates synergies across diverse travel and tourism sectors by locating related business events and gathering industry leaders who share best practices, expand business networks and set the stage for collaboration to leverage and sustain Asian?s tourism growth. I am delighted to take part and attend some very important events in the same city in only one week.?

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Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to Visit New Zealand

Air New Zealand will host the Boeing 787-8 test aircraft at its engineering base at Auckland International Airport for two days.

Exact timings of the 787's arrival on Saturday 12 November non-stop from Seattle are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, but will be timed to give Aucklanders the best chance of seeing the aircraft as it flies into Auckland.

"We're looking forward to seeing the 787 in our skies for the first time. This is an aircraft which has the exciting environmental advantage of using up to 20% less fuel while also being able to carry up to 50% more cargo than other jet aircraft of comparative size," said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe.

Air New Zealand is the launch customer for the larger 787-9 variant, which will have a greater range capability and seating capacity than the 787-8 of which ANA is the launch customer.

"Once the 787-9 goes into service sometime in 2014 it will change how New Zealanders fly and how we bring the world to New Zealand. Its composite structure enables better cabin humidity and lower relative cabin altitude for a more comfortable flying experience," Mr Fyfe added.

The aircraft on display in Auckland will be one of the first test aircraft produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and as such is fitted with test equipment.

Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager for the 787 program at Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, "We are thrilled to be able to bring this test plane down here for Air New Zealand. While the interior is filled with test equipment and therefore far from showroom standard, the exterior is not only aerodynamically efficient but extremely beautiful and people will be able to see just how different it looks."

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Ritz-Carlton Opens Palatial Hotel in Riyadh

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, with 493 rooms and suites located next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre, has opened.

The sense of arrival through 213,500 square meters (52 acres) of exquisitely landscaped gardens is befitting of the grandeur of the palace that lies ahead. Designed by Al Rasheed Engineering Company and constructed by Oger International, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh boasts spectacular fountains that front the one kilometer driveway.

Originally envisioned as a royal guest palace for visiting dignitaries and heads of state, the hotel?s stately architecture is modeled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences, with ochre facades blending gracefully with the verdant landscape of the gardens. Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property, providing an oasis of serenity amidst the city centre.

All guestrooms and suites are elegantly styled using the vibrant colors and ethnic textures of the region, with subtle touches reflecting the Kingdom?s heritage. Highlights include not just one, but 49 two-bedroom Royal Suites, each generously measuring more than 425 square meters (4,574 square feet,) and 50 one-bedroom Executive Suites at 95 square meters (1,022 square feet,) ideal for senior corporate titans and political delegates.

All guest rooms are equipped with the latest technology, including wireless and wired internet access, flat screen televisions and DVD players as standards.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh offers more than 5,800 square meters (62,000 square feet) of conference space combined, including two colossal ballrooms in a separate wing that are both identical in size at 1,970 square meters or 21,000 square feet each. They are complemented by two vast auditorium-styled theatres with stepped floors and built-in stages, perfect for press conferences and symposium lectures, and a generous variety of smaller meeting rooms. Completing the conference area is Aubergine restaurant that caters exclusively for the invited delegates, journalists and accompanying security personnel.

Guests are offered a selection of gourmet dining venues, including Al Orjouan, the signature all-day dining buffet restaurant featuring Lebanese favorites; and Turquoise, the cigar lounge that will be home to one of the widest selection of Cuban cigars in Saudi Arabia. Presenting an alfresco option is Chorisia Lounge for leisurely breakfast, lunch or the signature afternoon tea, while Strike offers a fun and stimulating atmosphere for mocktails and smoothies within the 1,000 square meter (10,700 square feet) indoor six-lane bowling alley.

Flanking the indoor swimming pool on the ground level, which features garden views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, are Hong, the Asian restaurant featuring a contemporary fusion of fresh Oriental ingredients with a western flair, and Azzuro Italian restaurant that serves authentic cuisine from the old country.

Recreational facilities include a full-service men?s health club complete with three treatment rooms.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh joins nine other Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts currently operating or under development in the Middle East: Bahrain, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh, Doha, Sharq Village & Spa, Dubai International Finance Centre, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Nile Cairo (opening respectively in 2012 and 2013).

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North American Leisure Travel Edges Ahead of Global Market

North American leisure travel outpaced global travel bookings in September by 1.4%, according to data from Pegasus Solutions.

Overall, the leisure market saw leisure bookings gain momentum worldwide from the +4.2% increase seen in August, evidencing a surge in off-peak travel.

In the midst of the Euro debt crisis, Europe?s leisure reservations actually declined slightly by -0.5% compared to September 2010.

Globally, the ADR for leisure bookings increased by +3% over prior year, with North America jumping +5%, ahead of the +3.8% year-to-date pace. Outside North America, ADR stayed ahead of the prior year by +1.5%.

?The leisure market?s showing in September evidenced a move towards off-peak travel by consumers,? said Mike Kistner, chief executive officer of Pegasus Solutions. ?It?s not a month we usually would expect to see leisure gains, but efforts to make travel dollars go farther by travelling during the traditional ?off-season? made bookings jump, especially in North America. Hoteliers for their part resisted deep discounting following the summer peak season, and as a result drove more revenue as leisure bookings poured in at more moderate, off-peak rates.?

The corporate market continued to grow over prior year, registering a +6.1% increase in global GDS channel bookings; this was slower than August?s uptick of +10.2%, but ahead of July?s +5.8% pace. Rates remained positive, rising by +3.5% globally over 2010. Looking forward, corporate bookings and rates are both expected to continue beating prior year figures through the fourth quarter, with the potential for slower booking growth combined with a rate uptick come January.

The Pegasus View comes from billions of transactions processed monthly by Pegasus Solutions and reflects data drawn from both GDS and ADS transactions, representing the business and leisure markets respectively for approximately 90,000 hotels worldwide.

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