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الشاعر احمد قرة

Save 71% on a 8.75x11 Hardcover Photobook
‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات tourim. إظهار كافة الرسائل
‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات tourim. إظهار كافة الرسائل

sawah on line in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

الاثنين، ١٢ نوفمبر ٢٠١٢

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Lonely Planet, the leading travel publisher, has named Dominican Republic as one of its Top 10 Countries for 2013 in its annually published Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2013. Lonely Planet draws upon the input of its staff, authors and online community for recommendations for the book, with the final list being decided upon by an in-house panel of experts. Lonely Planet's top ten countries are chosen based on their diverse activities, exciting adventures, rich culture, off-the-beaten-track credibility or overall X-factor. Dominican Republic and the other nine countries are destinations Lonely Planet thinks travelers should go to due to something special going on that year, recent development, a lot of buzz, or that they are up-and-coming and therefore should be visited before the crowds set in. "We chose the Dominican Republic for Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2013 as the country has all the elements of a perfect vacation destination," said Catherine Craddock-Carrillo, Commissioning Editor for the Americas. "With sun-drenched beaches, ecotourism, a rich culture of music and dance, influential art galleries and museums, and of course a warm and welcoming people, it's no surprise that the Dominican Republic is about to see a new wave of visitors." "We are thrilled to be recognized by Lonely Planet as a 'Best in Travel 2013' destination. This recognition of our magnificent island nation's pristine nature, unparalleled culture and gastronomy underscores and affirms the growing awareness of the magical beauty and culture found only in Dominican Republic," said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "Our famously friendly people, rich arts, museums, and dozens of national parks and protected areas attract new visitors each year who return often to enjoy our world-class resorts and refreshing sun, sea and sand." With eight international airports, three major cruise terminals and dozens of international marinas, Dominican Republic is closer than you think with direct two- to three-hour flights from most major U.S. gateways. imgr[3] = 

Britain’s Naughty Hotel Habits Revealed

الخميس، ٢٥ أكتوبر ٢٠١٢

From the mini designer toiletries to the array of TV channels, guests staying in hotels are quick to lap up the luxuries on offer. Male hotel guests watch adult TV channels as soon as they arrive in their room while women check out the shampoo and conditioner on offer, according to new research. The intriguing findings were revealed today in a study into the most popular hotel ‘
rituals' among Brits. And while 19 per cent of men are quick to flick on porn shows, the nation's females weren't totally squeaky clean with 15 per cent also admitting they like to find out what adult TV channels are on offer. Unsurprisingly, only ten per cent of men admitted they found the toiletries interesting. The study found the favourite activity for both the nation's males and females was taking in the view with 47 per cent of men and 54 per cent of women citing it as their favourite hotel past time. This was followed by making full use of hotel facilities including the gyms and pools and jumping on the bed was also a favourite for 13 per cent of men and 16 per cent of women. Women were keener to raid the mini bar, 11 per cent compared to eight per cent of men. And they were also more likely to use the hotel loo (10 per cent) while the same only applied to eight per cent of male guests. Kate Hopcraft from Hotels.com, who carried out the study, said: 'Men and women have very different priorities when it comes to their hotel rituals. 'Men prefer to see the "full" selection of TV channels and women more likely to check out the toiletries on offer. 'Despite a couple of questionable hotel rituals it's clear that the top priority for Brits is checking out their surroundings.' Research also revealed the things that are most likely to give us the holiday ‘buzz.' A total of 48 per cent said it was boarding a plane, while 43 per cent believed it was entering the hotel room. A further 38 per cent said packing their bags before leaving for holiday caused the most amount of excitement. HOTEL RITUALS Taking in the view (51 per cent) Making full use of hotel facilities (46 per cent) Looking for toiletries (21 per cent) Checking out (adult) TV channels (17 per cent) Jumping on bed (15 per cent) Checking mini bar is well stocked (10 per cent) Using hotel toilet (10 per cent) S

اخر الاخبار

soccer fans and the cost of accommodation

الأربعاء، ٢٧ يونيو ٢٠١٢

While soccer fans are paying high prices in Eastern European Championship cities, Poland (107 pounds, up 53%) and the Ukraine (172 pounds, up 49%), compared to June 2011, the cost of accommodation is simultaneously dropping across southern Europe. The Best summer deals for travellers can be found in Zaragoza (51 pounds), Malaga (62 pounds) and Seville (72 pounds). These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index reported monthly by trivago.co.uk. For the European 2012 Football Championship, hotel prices in the event’s host countries have experienced rapid increases compared to this time last year. The Polish cities of Gdansk (146 pounds) and Posen (147 pounds) are experiencing the greatest price increases – up 93% and 117% respectively – as well as Donetsk, Ukraine, (185 pounds) up 125%. Coincidently, many Southern European destinations are reporting significant price decreases this June. Thirty of the fifty European cities listed in the tHPI are experiencing prices reductions for an overnight stay in a standard double room compared to May prices. Especially in the south, travellers are paying less: In Granada, Spain, prices have dropped 18% (69 pounds), in Lisbon (81 pounds) the cost of one night is seven percent less—while in Madrid (84 pounds) and Barcelona (117 pounds) prices have dropped nearly nine percent. In Athens (73 pounds) and Budapest (70 pounds), prices are also falling by six and seven percent compared to last month, while hoteliers in Istanbul are charging 115 pounds on average (down 8%). In the Italian cities of Turin (91 pounds, down 16%), Milan (116 pounds, down 7%) and Rome (130 pounds, down 6%), prices have fallen compared to last month. EU Hits Record Prices for 2012 In kicking-off the summer travel season, hotel rates in a number of European countries have surpassed their previous annual high this June. In Denmark, prices have reached their highest point for 2012 so far at 133 pounds. The hotel industry in France (142 pounds), Greece (81 pounds), UK (125 pounds) and Ireland (98 pounds) are also reporting their highest prices for the current year. In Norway (144 pounds) and Portugal (78 pounds) hotel guests are also paying high overnight rates—while Russia and Cyprus, have overshadowed their previous highs, and are now reporting at 146 pounds and 98 pounds. Rising Prices in the UK With the Olympics just around the corner, prices in have increased an average of 10% in London (182 pounds) compared to this time last year. Prices during the Olympics are currently projected as being at £281 with 36% of hotel bookings still available. Last-minute destinations for those looking to escape the festivities include: Edinburgh (128 pounds, up 5%), Dublin (102 pounds, up 12%) and Barcelona (117 pounds, up 4%). The www.trivago.co.uk hotel price index shows the average overnight accommodation prices for the most popular European cities on trivago. Prices for a standard double room are calculated on the basis of one million daily price inquiries for overnight hotel stays generated through the trivago hotel price comparison service. trivago stores all hotel requests for each month and therefore gives an overview of hotel accommodation prices for the upcoming month. The tHPI reflects the hotel prices within the European online hotel market: The overnight accommodation prices of over 100 online travel agents and hotel chains create the average hotel prices for cities, regions and countries within Europe.

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Unique survey reveals travel habits of GCC nationals

الجمعة، ٤ مايو ٢٠١٢

Results of new study unveiled at Arabian Travel Market a must-have for destinations targeting Gulf travelers - Qataris are highest spenders abroad with daily average of U.S $4,100 followed by KSA $3,360 and UAE $3,280 The findings of a recent study on the outbound travel habits of GCC nationals were revealed today (Wednesday 2 May) during a session held as part of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2012 seminar series. Authored by Sunil Malhotra, senior lecturer at the Emirates Aviation College, the study, entitled ‘The Outbound GCC Travel Market - Unique Trends and Characteristics of GCC Nationals’, interviewed 2,500 GCC nationals about their travel habits over a 12-month period from January to December 2011. “The results of the survey are an invaluable tool for destinations and exhibitors looking to capture increased market share from this affluent and well-travelled market segment,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organiser of Arabian Travel Market. Malhotra surveyed a broad demographic of GCC nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He focused on 20 criteria from travel spend and favored class of travel to destination-specific preferences and decision-maker identification, to present a detailed picture of GCC residents’ habits. According to the study, Qataris spend the most on travel with an average expenditure of US$4,100 per day, followed by travelers from Saudi Arabia at US$3,360 and the UAE at US$3,280. The breakdown of spend across all GCC nationalities includes 54% allocated to airfares (across all classes of travel), 18% on accommodation, 9% on dining and 5% on car rental. Compared to the rest of the world, GCC nationals spend 260% more on airfares and 430% on accommodation, but 13% less on car rental. “The class of travel is also important, with 40% of Qataris interviewed opting for first class, and between 40 and 60% of all GCC nationals booking business class,” remarks Malhotra. The study findings touched on the recurring theme of extended vacations as a major differentiator between this region and the rest of the world, led by Qatari and Saudi Arabian travelers, with stays ranging from 14 up to 56 days. Decision makers also differ across the region and the six Gulf countries are split into two clear camps, with the wife usually choosing the destination in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, while the male head of household has the final say in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. According to the report summary, 53 per cent of survey respondents will travel to between two and five countries for leisure or pleasure within the next 12 months, with Saudi nationals the most frequent travelers, followed by the UAE. “Cultural experiences and family-focus are the two most important factors when planning travel, with 40 per cent of survey respondents looking at taking an extended three to four-week trip in the next 12 months,” said Malhotra. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, ATM 2012 is being held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Centre and runs through to Thursday 3 May. --- Ends --- A copy of the ‘unique travel trends of the GCC nationals’ presentation is available upon request. Photo caption: Sunil Malhotra, senior lecturer at the Emirates Aviation College. For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2012, please log on to www.arabiantravelmarket.com About Arabian Travel Market Arabian Travel Market 2011 boasted more than 2,200 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from 69 countries. Arabian Travel Market is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ portfolio, which includes 15 of the world’s leading travel industry events. For more information visit www.arabiantravelmarket.com Reed Travel Exhibitions Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel, business travel and the meetings and incentives industry. The 13 events are; World Travel Market (WTM), Arabian Travel Market (ATM), International French Travel Market (IFTM), La Cumbre, International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), International Luxury Travel Market Asia (ILTMA), Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) (owned by Melbourne Convention Visitors Bureau), Global Exhibition for Incentive, Business Travel, and Meetings (EIBTM), Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM), Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (AIBTM), China Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (CIBTM) and Business Travel Market. April 2013 will see RTE will launch World Travel Market Latin America in São Paulo. RTE is a business unit of Reed Exhibitions. In 2011, six million participants attended RE’s 500 events in 39 countries covering 44 industry sectors from aerospace and aviation to beauty and cosmetics to sports and recreation. Reed Exhibitions is owned by Reed Elsevier, the world’s leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions. www.reedtravelexhibitions.com Reed Exhibitions The world's leading organiser of trade and consumer events running over 470 events in 37 countries. Reed Exhibitions excels in creating high profile, highly targeted business and consumer exhibitions and events to establish and maintain business relations, and generate new business. Reed Exhibitions network of offices and promoters extends to 65 countries. www.reedexpo.com Reed Elsevier Reed Elsevier is a world leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal, Risk Information and Analytics, and Business sectors. Based in over 200 locations worldwide, they create authoritative content delivered through market leading brands, enabling their customers to find the essential data, analysis and commentary to support their decisions. www.reed-elsevier.com For more information, please contact: Nathalie Viselé Director Shamal Marketing Communications Dubai, United Arab Emirates Office: +971 4 3652711 I Direct : +971 4 3652712 I Mobile : +971 50 4576525 Fax:+971 4 4278703 E-mail: nathalie@smc-pr.com I Web site: www.smc-pr.com

اخر الاخبار

Robust UAE hotel performance drives investor demand

الثلاثاء، ١ مايو ٢٠١٢

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference opens today to debate regional investment landscape Prominent industry experts will head to the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2012, which opens its doors today (April 28) at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, to discuss the investment climate in the Middle East post Arab Spring. Stewart Coggans, Executive Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels commented “The tourism and hospitality sectors in the GCC have improved. This is evidenced by increased tourism arrivals and stronger hotel performances throughout 2011 especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Robust market fundamentals coupled with political and economic stability appeal to investors, this correlates with increased investor demand and appreciative pricing of assets.” The conference starts with an introductory speech by Nenad Pacek, Founder and President of Global Success Advisers Ltd., titled ‘Macro-Economic Overview: the Middle East After the Arab Spring’, which will set the tone for the rest of the conference, which will be dominated by the state of the regional hotel investment climate. Pacek will address the business, economic and political outlook for the Middle East and North Africa in 2012 and 2013 in the wake of the political turmoil that has seized parts of the region since Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi’s anti-government protest sparked a wave of pan-Arab reaction in late 2010. Indeed according to the latest STR figures year on year to 31st March, hotel occupancy is up 8.9%, average daily rates up 7.2% and RevPAR is up 16.8%, underscoring the region’s buoyant hotel sector. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO Bench Events, Board Member STR Global said: “We have an exciting, comprehensive schedule of events lined-up for this year’s conference tailored to provide valuable information for hotel investors on broad issues such as the Arab Spring. “With Dubai currently topping the world in hotel occupancy rates, and as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) posts record-high levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) with more than $10 billion (AED36.7 billion) pouring into the country from overseas, it provides the ideal location to highlight the benefits of a thriving hospitality industry.” Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, organiser MEED Events in partnership with Bench Events has put together a three-day programme designed to explore the investment landscape and outlook for the Middle East’s burgeoning travel and tourism industry. More than 80 speakers and over 500 local and international delegates representing more than 40 countries will be attending the three-day conference which runs until April 30. The event includes notable forums such as ‘The Investment Climate in the New Arab World’, ‘Developing Destinations’ and the ‘Finance Forum’, which explore issues from the changing geopolitical dynamics and risk analysis to what renders a project attractive for investors and developers. In addition, the conference is hosting a session specific to the Saudi Arabian hotel sector – two geographical neighbours who are poles apart in terms of their tourism propositions – to address the challenges and prospects they face. What’s more, this year’s AHIC is hosting the ‘A Focus on Investment Opportunities Outside of the Middle East Forum’, which among other demographics considers the European market as one worth tapping, as the sustained Euro zone crisis restricts European investment capabilities. In the wake of the geo-political tumult that has shaken up the political make-up of the Middle East, major operators are positive about the hotel development opportunities. Developers are pushing ahead with a range of project plans. According to STR Global’s recent Construction Pipeline Report, the MENA hotel development pipeline constitutes 494 hotels, comprising a total inventory of 133,705 rooms. Despite the upheaval of the past 12-months, the Middle East offers some of the world’s best tourism and hotel investment opportunities. The high level of political stability combined with government initiatives to attract tourism investment in the oil-exporting states of the Gulf, provides developers and investors with some very exciting opportunities. “But importantly, the region does not simply represent a homogenous market. It encompasses a large number of diverse markets, each offering different investment opportunities – which will be explored extensively at this year’s AHIC,” added Worsley. - Ends – For more information on the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference: www.arabianconference.com Photo caption: Richard Thompson, Editor, MEED. Notes to the editor The confirmed list of speaker includes: Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director MEA, Marriott International; Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide; Jan Smits, CEO, Asia, Middle East & Africa, IHG; Bashar Al Natoor, Director, Corporates, Fitch Ratings; Iyad Duwaji, Chairman, West Asia Capital; Fergal Harris, Head of Real Estate Middle East, Standard & Chartered; Olivier Ebner, Senior Manager at Project and Structured Finance, National Bank of Abu Dhabi; Alexis Waller, Partner Clyde & Co; Olivier Granet, Director of Development Middle East, ACCOR; Kurt Ritter, CEO & President, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Samih Sawiris, Chairman, Orascom Development Holdings; Lo’ai B. Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Head of Investment Management Group, Oman Arab Bank SAOC; Kevin Wallace, President and CEO of Jebel Ali International Hotels; Nilay Orzral, Director of Real Estate Operations, Aldar Properties PJSC; Sanjay Tanna, Director – Business Development and Investments, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. About MEED Events MEED's comprehensive portfolio of events has been developed over the last decade to cover the region's key business issues and sectors. From large-scale summits and conferences to unique one-to-one networking opportunities, MEED Events provide high-profile speakers, relevant and critical business content and the latest news from across the GCC. About Bench Events Bench Events is one of the founders and organisers of several well-known conferences for the hotel investment industry including Berlin (IHIF), Dubai (AHIC), Istanbul (CATHIC), Moscow (RHIC) and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). About the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference AHIC attracts over 500 industry leaders annually from over 40 countries, including many of the most influential names within the Middle East’s hotel investment community, as both speakers and attendees. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com Platinum sponsors: Carlson & The Rezidor Hotel Group, IHG, Jumeirah Group, Wyndham Worldwide. Emerald sponsors: Corinthia Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Moroccan Agency For Tourism Development - SMIT, Saudi Commission For Tourism & Antiquities – SCTA, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
Gold sponsors: Accor, AECOM, Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion, Clyde & Co, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Golden Tulip MENA, Fonatur National Trust for Tourism Development, Horwath HTL, WATG, Hyatt International, IFA Hotel Investments, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Marriott International, MENA Hotels and Resorts, Orient-Express Hotels, Premier Inn, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investments and Development Authority, Rixos Hotels, STR Global, Turnkey Ventures. Media contact Jack Dulka Account Executive PO Box 502701 Office 106 Al Sufouh Tower Dubai Media City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +9714 365 2713 Mobile: +971 50 5529104 E-mail: jack@smc-pr.com

اخر الاخبار

Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel – Dubai introduces Oriental entertainment offerings

الأربعاء، ٢٥ أبريل ٢٠١٢

Dubai, (UAE), 25th April 2012 - Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel in Dubai, managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, is looking East by launching authentic oriental services which includes traditional Chinese dining and entertainment options to attract Chinese visitors. With the ever increasing growth in population of Chinese expats within the UAE, and China expecting to produce over 100 million outbound travellers by 2020, the Chinese market is much sought after within the Middle East. Known in China as “The Gate of the Six Countries”, the themed hotel already has an advantage with the Chinese market due to its connection with the travels of the famous explorer – Ibn Battuta. “Ibn Battuta landed in China in 1346 and he travelled as far inland as Beijing and so he is known by the Chinese. In recognition of that, we have used an oriental theme to redecorate our eighth floor - the number eight in Chinese culture is considered very lucky, furthermore we have 88 arabesque lanterns installed in our Al Bahou Hall as well as a Chinese suite,” said Andrew Hughes, director of sales and marketing, Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel. China remains to be one of the strong key markets for the hotel and is now the third biggest market after United Kingdom and Germany with the Chinese leisure and corporate visitor-base growing steadily. “We have taken into account that to be successful in the Chinese market requires a deep understanding of the Chinese culture which is translated through our services and even physical elements such as our architecture which have made us a success story within this market.” continues Hughes. Furthermore, over 20 Chinese speaking staff has been employed to offer value added services to the increasing Chinese visitors. Today, the hotel expects 6 to 7 percent of its market share to come from the Chinese market. Chinese guests staying at ‘the Gate’ will be presented with a social media card, which provides details of the hotels ‘Weibo’ page (a popular micro-blog used in China), a qq account (a popular instant messaging service used by the Chinese) and a link to the hotels web page that explains the history of the hotel in Mandarin. Guests will also be able to feel closer to home as the hotel now has two Mahjong tables which are placed in the Al Bahou hall and outside the hotel’s Chinese restaurant – Shanghai Chic. Mahjong is the most popular game in China. “Our aim for acquiring the Mahjong tables is for us to provide a new form of entertainment to our guests. A number of our Chinese speaking employees actually plays Mahjong regularly and will be able to teach guests how to play, we will also be starting a Mahjong club for the local residents after the summer,” added Hughes. The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel as part of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has launched the “Endless Sunshine” offer valid from 25th May until 31st August 2012 where guests can enjoy a cool 25% discount on the hotel’s summer rates, which start from AED 625, excluding municipality fees and service charge. You can catch Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel at the Arabian Travel Market on the Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts stand (HC3840) in Sheikh Saeed Hall 2. For further information, visit www.moevenpick-hotels.com/dubai-ibn-battuta or email: reservations.ibnbattuta@moevenpick.com.

اخر الاخبار

China, Arab Spring and technology dominate ATM seminars

الخميس، ١٩ أبريل ٢٠١٢

Influence of technology, China and hard-hitting panel discussions to assess ongoing impact of Arab Spring in focus at Arabian Travel Market 2012 Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel exhibition in the Middle East, reprises its popular Seminar Theatre series this year with a packed three-day schedule covering a gamut of key hospitality and tourism issues and attracting experts from some of the industry’s biggest brands such as Hilton, InterContinental, Qatar Airways as well as government officials from Jordan and Egypt. While the Arab Spring remains a focal part of the seminar sessions and indeed, show floor discussion, attention is to turning to fledgling markets and new opportunities from the BRIC nations especially with technological advances and increased connectivity - even the remotest markets are now accessible. One of the seminars on this year’s schedule already attracting keen interest is ‘The Rise of the Dragon: Attracting Chinese Travellers to the UAE’. Moderated by Lucy Chuang, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Gulf Sino Training and Consulting and the Dubai Chinese Learning Center, Chuang will address ways in which the tourism sector can adapt and develop their services and skill set in order to attract inbound business from China. An estimated 300,000 Chinese tourists travelled to the UAE last year and spent US$334 million, according to a recent study by MasterCard; making Chinese tourists the most lucrative segment for the UAE. Per capita spending by visitors from China was AED4,092 per tourist compared with AED3,477 per average British tourist and AED3,996 per average Kuwaiti tourist, figures showed. “The UAE has seen a huge rise in the number of tourists from China since 2009 when it gained ‘approved destination’ status from the Chinese government, and the number of visitors from China is expected to grow further as they continue to enjoy the mix of leisure, cultural and retail tourism that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have to offer,” said Chuang, adding: “A flying time of around eight hours and a growing airline capacity between the two countries, help make the UAE an ideal destination for Chinese tourists.” In March this year Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways signed an MoU with China Eastern Airlines that included joint route and schedule co-ordination. Meanwhile, Dubai’s Emirates Airline continues to increase the number of routes for its Airbus A380 to China. The 60-minute session, which will be held on 1st May from 1-2 pm, will take an in-depth look at how the region’s tourism industry can adapt or improve products and services to entice Chinese travellers to choose the UAE as a preferred travel destination. Chuang will also give insight into how Chinese culture, behavioural patterns, habits and unique etiquette are key drivers when making travel decisions as the dragon nation’s influence continues to grow from both a business and leisure perspective. “This session will be of particular interest to tourism professionals targeting the Chinese market as part of strategic development plans, and with around 84 million Chinese tourists expected to travel overseas by 2015 – a dramatic jump from 57.4 million last year – this is already proving to be a popular session,” remarked Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions. A major draw of this year’s seminar series is a number of sessions featuring high profile industry speakers and thought leaders. In ‘Bouncing Back from the Arab Spring’ the panel, which includes Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, Hisham Zaazou, Senior Assistant Minister of Tourism for Egypt and Leanne Harwood, VP Commercial for India, Middle East and Africa, IHG will discuss what steps can be taken to improve the perception of the region globally and what can be done to lure investors to these attractive markets where infrastructure requires development. In ‘The Big Talk’ Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways will be in conversation with John Strickland of JLS Consulting, for a head-to-head on the airline’s expansion and future plans. Other sessions include ‘Luxury with a Conscience’ – examining the rise of philanthropic travel and asking whether it is, in fact, a hypocritical beast – and ‘Return of the Dhow’, which aims to bring the Middle East’s boutique cruisers out of the shadow of their supersized sisters and explore the critical role they are playing within the region. With the Holy Month once again directly impacting the crucial summer season, a number of dedicated sessions will look at the strategies being employed to overcome the ‘Ramadan Factor’ and share industry experience and learning curves from 2011. Running alongside the seminar series, the all-new Tech Theatre is a dedicated platform that provides an opportunity to gain invaluable insight into leading edge industry-related technologies including social media, GDS, internet booking sites and mobile apps’. -ENDS- Photo caption: Lucy Chuang, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Gulf Sino Training and Consulting and the Dubai Chinese Learning Center. For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2012, please log on to www.arabiantravelmarket.com About Arabian Travel Market Arabian Travel Market 2011 boasted more than 2,200 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from 69 countries. Arabian Travel Market is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ portfolio, which includes 15 of the world’s leading travel industry events. For more information visit www.arabiantravelmarket.com Reed Travel Exhibitions Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel, business travel and the meetings and incentives industry. The 13 events are; World Travel Market (WTM), Arabian Travel Market (ATM), International French Travel Market (IFTM), La Cumbre, International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), International Luxury Travel Market Asia (ILTMA), Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) (owned by Melbourne Convention Visitors Bureau), Global Exhibition for Incentive, Business Travel, and Meetings (EIBTM), Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM), Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (AIBTM), China Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (CIBTM) and Business Travel Market. April 2013 will see RTE will launch World Travel Market Latin America in São Paulo. RTE is a business unit of Reed Exhibitions. In 2011, six million participants attended RE’s 500 events in 39 countries covering 44 industry sectors from aerospace and aviation to beauty and cosmetics to sports and recreation. Reed Exhibitions is owned by Reed Elsevier, the world’s leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions. www.reedtravelexhibitions.com Reed Exhibitions The world's leading organiser of trade and consumer events running over 470 events in 37 countries. Reed Exhibitions excels in creating high profile, highly targeted business and consumer exhibitions and events to establish and maintain business relations, and generate new business. Reed Exhibitions network of offices and promoters extends to 65 countries. www.reedexpo.com Reed Elsevier Reed Elsevier is a world leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal, Risk Information and Analytics, and Business sectors. Based in over 200 locations worldwide, they create authoritative content delivered through market leading brands, enabling their customers to find the essential data, analysis and commentary to support their decisions. www.reed-elsevier.com For more information, please contact: Nathalie Viselé Director Shamal Marketing Communications PO Box 502701 Office 106, Al Sufouh Tower Dubai Media City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Office: +971 4 3652711 I Direct : +971 4 3652712 I Mobile : +971 50 4576525 Fax:+971 4 4278703 E-mail: nathalie@smc-pr.com I Web site: www.smc-pr.com

اخر الاخبار

Conference to build cultural bridge between China and UAE

الاثنين، ١٦ أبريل ٢٠١٢

Chinese Cultural Awareness, Social & Business Communication Conference to help UAE businesses improve their understanding of Chinese business practice and the demands of the “most lucrative” UAE tourists Faced with a rapidly growing number of affluent Chinese visitors heading to the UAE, the need for firms across the Gulf state to have a better grasp of Chinese culture and their approach to business has never been greater. An estimated 300,000 Chinese tourists traveled to the UAE last year and spent $334 million, according to a study by MasterCard, making Chinese tourists the most lucrative for the UAE. Per capita spending by visitors from China was AED4,092 per tourist compared with AED3,477 per average British tourist and AED3,996 per average Kuwaiti tourist, figures showed. To help UAE firms take advantage of this growth, the Dubai Chinese Learning Center (DCLC), in partnership with Dubai-based event organiser The Main Event (TME), will hold the Chinese Cultural Awareness, Social & Business Communication Conference, on 23rd-24th May, to enable professionals to better understand the customs and principles of dealing with Chinese tourists to the UAE. “The UAE has seen a huge rise in the number of tourists from China since 2009 when it gained “approved destination” status from the Chinese government to allow tourist groups there,” commented Lucy Chuang, Managing Director, Global Sino and DCLC. “The UAE has certainly benefited from its safe-haven status amid regional turmoil and the number of visitors from China is expected to grow further as they continue to enjoy the mix of leisure, cultural and retail tourism Dubai and Abu Dhabi have to offer. A flying time of around eight hours and a growing airline capacity between the two countries, help make the UAE an ideal destination for Chinese tourists.” In March this year Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways signed an MoU with China Eastern Airlines that included joint route and schedule co-ordination. Meanwhile, Dubai’s Emirates continues to increase the number of routes for its Airbus A380 to China. Not to be outdone, China’s big airlines are embarking on an aggressive expansion plan to match that of the major Gulf carriers. The rising number of Chinese tourists in the UAE reflects the overall jump in the number heading overseas. Around 57.4 million Chinese went abroad in 2011, up 20.4% from 2010 according to the NTA. This figure is expected to increase to around 84 million by 2015. Day one of the conference in Dubai will focus on Chinese cultural awareness and experts will introduce delegates to a number of topics including language, belief and customs; cultural values and attitudes; the Chinese socio-economic environment; social etiquette and protocol and building relationships. The second day will look at social and business communications and cover areas such as the behaviours and needs of the Chinese traveler; negotiating with Chinese customers; dining and entertainment and greetings and introductions. The conference will also cover titles and forms, colour symbolism in Chinese culture and the Chinese way of negotiating. “This forum will benefit anyone who has face-to-face or virtual contact with China and Chinese tourists in the UAE. This includes business owners, marketing managers, and sales executives of tourism services, luxury goods and activities,” remarked Shannon Norris, Director,TME. “At the end of the conference delegates will have a better understanding of the key drivers that motivate the Chinese traveler and will appreciate the etiquette fundamentals for social and business situations. They will also be able to demonstrate improved communication skills with the Chinese community.” For more details, please visit www.tme.tv/clc/ Ends – About Chinese Business Insight Chinese Business Insight is an organisation that combines the considerable joint experience of The Main Event and the Dubai Chinese Learning Center. The collaboration was formed to create Chinese cultural awareness, through social and business communication, welcoming Chinese visitors and engaging with the broader Chinese community throughout the United Arab Emirates. About The Main Event Established in 2003, Dubai-based TME offers a full range of events and promotion services, handling everything from campaign inception to execution. Events include the Mother, Baby and Child Show and the British Fashion in the Gulf Show. About the Dubai Chinese Learning Center (DCLC) Dubai Chinese Learning Center (CLC) was established on January 15th, 2007, as a non-profit organization. Currently we have around 100 students, 30 nationalities and 10 classes (5 levels), including children and adults classes. Along with the increasing awareness of the importance of Chinese language and the dedication CLC achieves, more and more people and media have been attracted to CLC. CLC was interviewed by Gulf news, Xpress, Dubai One TV City 7 TV, Thomson Reuters and BBC world News. Besides the achievement of teaching Chinese language, CLC also involves the business culture training program. In Jan, 28, CLC hosted an event: Communication Cross the Culture in Madinat, Jumeirah. The delegates mainly were from Huawei and du. With the concept of culture empower business, Clc deliver a successful seminar during the event. CLC representatives had presentation for: Arabian Business woman Forum, 2011 in Armani Hotel . MBA students in Wollongong University in Jan, 2012. The management teams in Al Tayer Group in Feb. 2012. About Lucy Chuang Besides her current work, Lucy H Chuang also engaged the project by Falcon and Associates which is a strategic advisory group for Dubai Leadership. She was working as Chinese Advisor for Arab Business Club where she was responsible to bridge the Chinese business community and the local enterprises in UAE. In addition, Lucy H Chuang is the founder of Dubai Chinese Learning Center with the mission of not only teaching Chinese language and introducing the Chinese culture, but also cooperate the companies to empower their business with better culture understanding. Because the center is very well recognized in Dubai with its successful achievements and high profile students, it has been interviewed by the local Medias in Dubai, such as BBC world, Thomson Routers, Gulf news, Dubai one TV and etc. Lucy H Chuang has her Bachelor study in Beijing, China, and Master study in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her previous international working experience also includes supply chain management for Ericsson in Sweden and England, and business consultant in Swedish Trade Council in China.

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World Travel & Tourism Council air tax is acting as a brake on the economy

الثلاثاء، ٣ أبريل ٢٠١٢

New research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that removing Air Passenger Duty would result in an additional 91,000 British jobs being created and £4.2 billion added to the economy in 12 months. The economic impact of Air Passenger Duty The research comes as Britain is about to face yet another rise in Air Passenger Duty. Increases planned from April mean a family of four flying to Malaga will pay £52 extra on the price of their tickets. This rises to £260 for the same family to fly to Florida and £368 to fly to Australia. David Scowsill, WTTC President & CEO, said “Air Passenger Duty is a completely disproportionate tax on people’s holidays and is hitting business travel hard. When the economy needs help, it is economically illogical to continue with a tax that costs the country some 91,000 jobs and as much as £4.2 billion." In the next 12 months, the UK Government will collect £2.8 billion in extra tax from air travellers, far more than any other country in the world. David continued: "Travel & Tourism grew by 4.1% in the UK last year, but is forecast to slow to 1.3% in 2012. This slowdown is partly due to the impact of Air Passenger Duty, which is dampening demand. This tax is damaging the economy at a crucial time, and is having a negative effect on trade with countries in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. We urge the UK Government to recognise the impact on the overall economy and reduce Air Passenger Duty." Martin Craigs, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said: "The UK is an island trading nation, air services are the vital lifeblood of modern global commerce. The UK Air Passenger Duty is now the world’s highest by a wide margin. It is certainly turning away tourism and trade from the world’s fastest growing economic region Asia Pacific. Air Passenger Duty started in1994 at £5 and some worthy intentions to offset aviations carbon footprint. Today at £85 to zone D (Asia/Pacific) it's a ‘detention tax’ that's restricting job growth, alienating important trade partners and not being transparently directed to green projects. Air Passenger Duty maybe easy to collect but it's also easy to see its macroeconomic damage.” The research was conducted by Oxford Economics for the World Travel & Tourism Council. The research examined how sensitive passengers are to changes in fares, based on statistics from the Department for Transport and Intervistas. DFT estimates show a lower sensitivity than estimates by Intervistas. Oxford Economics concluded that: Abolishing Air Passenger Duty would raise the UK "gross value added" by between £1.8 billion and £2.9 billion in 2012 due to the boost to aviation and tourism sectors from increased passenger numbers This would create an extra 38,000 to 61,000 jobs The extra income available for consumers from lower airline ticket prices provides a stimulus to consumer spending, and could raise the UK "gross value added" by £1.3 billion and 30,000 jobs. The overall benefit to the UK economy could be up to 91,000 jobs and £4.2 billion The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. In 2011 Travel & Tourism accounted for 255 million jobs globally. At US$6.3 trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity.

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Tourism to contribute $44 billion to GCC economies in 2012

الثلاثاء، ٢٠ مارس ٢٠١٢

GCC governments spending heavily on transport infrastructure to support tourism sector - GDP contribution up 27% from 2009 Top industry executives and officials will head to the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2012 (AHIC), which takes place in Dubai on 28-30 April at Madinat Jumeirah, to discuss investment opportunities in a region where governments are ploughing billions of dollars into tourism infrastructure. Flush with petrodollars, with oil prices consistently above $120 a barrel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all embarked on aggressive hotel and transport development programmes as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil and boost revenues from the tourism sector. The total direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in GCC countries is expected to reach US$44 billion this year, up 27% from 2009, the peak of the financial crisis in the Gulf, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. “AHIC provides a platform for investors, government officials, developers, hotel executives and advisors to come together. Investment into the region’s tourism industry is still an attractive proposition despite the Arab Spring and the real prospect of a recession in Europe,” commented Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO Bench Events and Board Director of STR Global. In the United Arab Emirates, this figure is expected to hit $19.9 billion this year, compared with US$16.6 billion in 2009. Some of the Gulf state’s major tourism infrastructure investments include the US$8 billion expansion of Dubai International Airport, as the emirate seeks to increase its capacity from 60 million passengers to 90 million by 2018 to become the world’s busiest airport. Complementing its airport expansion, Dubai added a second Metro line last year to connect the city east to west and is scheduled to open a tramline in 2014. Meanwhile Abu Dhabi’s national carrier Etihad Airways continues to expand aggressively as the UAE capital continues to build its reputation as a tourist hub developing projects such as Ferrari World, an amusement park on Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island, home to the planned Louvre and Guggenheim museums. “The economic conditions in the GCC are excellent and hotel revenues are continuing to grow steadily, so we see the region as a key hotel investment destination,” commented Amine Moukarzel, President, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to Saudi Arabia’s GDP is expected to reach US$14.9 billion, or 2.9% in 2012, up from US$10.4 billion in 2009, or 2.7%, as the Kingdom focuses its efforts to provide the necessary travel infrastructure to boost religious, business and domestic tourism. Saudi Arabia is spending more than $500 million on expanding its existing airports and is planning a new US$7 billion airport in Jeddah. Well documented but nevertheless still impressive is Qatar’s infrastructure spend which will dominate the next five years as the Gulf state prepares to host the 2022 World Cup and for life beyond, with around US$65 billion due to be invested in new transportation schemes. These include the new US$11 billion Doha International Airport, the US$6 billion Doha port project and a US$25 billion metro and railway. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to Qatar’s GDP is expected to reach US$1.1 billion in 2012, compared to US$800 million, in 2009. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, organiser MEED Events in partnership with Bench Events has put together a three-day programme designed to explore the outlook for hotel investment in the Middle East’s changing landscape. As well as focusing on the Middle East’s investment landscape after the Arab Spring, AHIC will hold a session that looks at the issues facing Egypt, while key industry figures will address the challenges of developing and operating in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. There will also be a separate dedicated session exploring investment opportunities outside the Middle East. For more information on the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference: www.arabianconference.com - Ends - Photo caption: Amine Moukarzel, President, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA To pre-register as media please follow the link: http://www.arabianconference.com/index.php/forms/media_registration Notes to the editor The confirmed list of speakers includes: Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director MEA, Marriott International; Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide; Jan Smits, CEO, Asia, Middle East & Africa, IHG; Bashar Al Natoor, Director, Corporates, Fitch Ratings; Iyad Duwaji, CEO, West Asia Capital; Fergal Harris, Head of Real Estate Middle East, Standard & Chartered; Olivier Ebner, Senior Manager at Project and Structured Finance, National Bank of Abu Dhabi; Alexis Waller, Partner Clyde & Co; Olivier Granet, Director of Development, ACCOR Middle East; Kurt Ritter, CEO & President, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Bassel S.Hamwi, Chief Executive Officer, Bank Audi Syria; Lo’ai B. Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Head of Investment Management Group, Oman Arab Bank SAOC; Nilay Orzral, Director of Real Estate Operations, Aldar Properties PJSC; Sanjay Tanna, Director – Business Development and Investments, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. About MEED Events MEED's comprehensive portfolio of events has been developed over the last decade to cover the region's key business issues and sectors. From large-scale summits and conferences to unique one-to-one networking opportunities, MEED Events provide high-profile speakers, relevant and critical business content and the latest news from across the GCC. About Bench Events Bench Events is one of the founders and organisers of several leading conferences for the hotel investment industry including the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) About the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference AHIC attracts over 500 industry leaders annually from over 40 countries, including many of the most influential names within the Middle East’s hotel investment community, as both speakers and attendees. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com Platinum sponsors: The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, IHG, Jumeirah Group, Wyndham Worldwide. Emerald sponsors: Corinthia Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Gold sponsors: Accor, AECOM Design & Planning, Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion, Clyde & Co, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Fonatur, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA, Horwath HTL, Hyatt International, IFA Hotel Investments, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Marriott International, MENA Hotels and Resorts, Orient-Express Hotels, Premier Inn MEA, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investments and Development Authority, Rixos Hotels, STR Global, Turnkey Ventures, WATG. Media contact Jason Benham Account Director PO Box 502701 Office 106 Al Sufouh Tower Dubai Media City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +9714 365 2711 Cell: +971 50 1897556 E-mail: jason@smc-pr.com

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Tourism to contribute $1.1 billion to Qatar economy in 2012

الأربعاء، ١٤ مارس ٢٠١٢

World’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas spends heavily on transport infrastructure to support tourism sector Top industry executives and officials will head to the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2012 (AHIC), which takes place in Dubai on 28-30 April at Madinat Jumeirah, to discuss investment opportunities in a region where governments are ploughing billions of dollars into tourism infrastructure. Flush with cash from multi-billion dollar sales of gas, Qatar has embarked on an aggressive infrastructure spending programme as it prepares to host the 2022 World Cup, and for life beyond. The direct contribution of travel and tourism to Qatar’s GDP is expected to reach US$1.1 billion in 2012, compared to US$800 million in 2009, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. “The economic conditions are excellent. We see Qatar as a crucial addition to our GCC portfolio and look forward to seeing our core brand Radisson Blu make its entry into the market in 2012. The country has certainly become a key hotel investment destination,” commented Kurt Ritter, President and CEO, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Over the next five years the Gulf state will invest around US$65 billion in new transportation schemes. These include the new US$11 billion Doha International Airport, the US$6 billion Doha port project and a US$25 billion metro and railway. Qatar is investing US$20 billion alone into tourism infrastructure for its World Cup preparations according to the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), with most of this investment going into building new hotels. The Gulf state plans to have 30,000 hotel rooms by 2013, up from 15,500 late last year, and aims to add 5,000 new hotel rooms each year up until 2022, bringing the total number of hotel rooms to 75,000, according to QTA. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, organiser MEED Events in partnership with Bench Events has put together a three-day programme designed to explore the outlook for hotel investment in the Middle East’s changing landscape. As well as focusing on the Middle East’s investment landscape after the Arab Spring, AHIC will hold a session that looks at the issues facing Egypt, while key industry figures will address the challenges of developing and operating in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. There will also be a separate dedicated session exploring investment opportunities outside the Middle East. For more information on the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference: www.arabianconference.com - Ends - Photo caption: Kurt Ritter, President and CEO, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. To pre-register as media please follow the link: http://www.arabianconference.com/index.php/forms/media_registration Notes to the editor The confirmed list of speakers includes: Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director MEA, Marriott International; Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide; Jan Smits, CEO, Asia, Middle East & Africa, IHG; Bashar Al Natoor, Director, Corporates, Fitch Ratings; Iyad Duwaji, CEO, West Asia Capital; Fergal Harris, Head of Real Estate Middle East, Standard & Chartered; Olivier Ebner, Senior Manager at Project and Structured Finance, National Bank of Abu Dhabi; Alexis Waller, Partner Clyde & Co; Olivier Granet, Director of Development, ACCOR Middle East; Kurt Ritter, CEO & President, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Bassel S.Hamwi, Chief Executive Officer, Bank Audi Syria; Lo’ai B. Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Head of Investment Management Group, Oman Arab Bank SAOC; Nilay Orzral, Director of Real Estate Operations, Aldar Properties PJSC; Sanjay Tanna, Director – Business Development and Investments, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. About MEED Events MEED's comprehensive portfolio of events has been developed over the last decade to cover the region's key business issues and sectors. From large-scale summits and conferences to unique one-to-one networking opportunities, MEED Events provide high-profile speakers, relevant and critical business content and the latest news from across the GCC. About Bench Events Bench Events is one of the founders and organisers of several leading conferences for the hotel investment industry including the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) About the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference AHIC attracts over 500 industry leaders annually from over 40 countries, including many of the most influential names within the Middle East’s hotel investment community, as both speakers and attendees. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com Platinum sponsors: The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, IHG, Jumeirah Group, Wyndham Worldwide. Emerald sponsors: Corinthia Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Gold sponsors: Accor, AECOM Design & Planning, Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion, Clyde & Co, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Fonatur, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA, Horwath HTL, Hyatt International, IFA Hotel Investments, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Marriott International, MENA Hotels and Resorts, Orient-Express Hotels, Premier Inn MEA, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investments and Development Authority, Rixos Hotels, STR Global, Turnkey Ventures, WATG. Media contact Jason Benham Account Director PO Box 502701 Office 106 Al Sufouh Tower Dubai Media City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +9714 365 2711 Cell: +971 50 1897556 E-mail: jason@smc-pr.com

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Investors eye UAE prospects as hotel revenues soar

الاثنين، ١٢ مارس ٢٠١٢

UAE spends heavily on transport infrastructure to support tourism sector - GDP contribution set to reach US$19.9 billion this year Top industry executives and officials will head to the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2012 (AHIC), which takes place in Dubai on 28-30 April at Madinat Jumeirah, to discuss investment opportunities in the Gulf where governments are ploughing billions of dollars into tourism infrastructure. Flush with petrodollars, with oil prices consistently above $120 a barrel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all embarked on aggressive hotel and transport development programmes as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil and boost revenues from the tourism sector. In the United Arab Emirates, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP is expected to hit $19.9 billion this year, or 6.1%, compared with US$16.6 billion, or 6.6%, in 2009, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. “Hotel revenues in the UAE are growing steadily despite the economic and financial uncertainties in Europe. GCC governments are cash rich and we see the UAE as a key hotel investment destination,” commented Chiheb Ben-Mahmoud, Executive Vice President and Head of Hotel Advisory, Middle East & Africa, at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. Some of the Gulf state’s major tourism infrastructure investments include the US$8 billion expansion of Dubai International Airport, as the emirate seeks to increase its capacity from 60 million passengers to 90 million by 2018 to become the world’s busiest airport. Complimenting its airport expansion, Dubai added a second metro line last year to connect the city east to west and is scheduled to open a tramline in 2014. Meanwhile Abu Dhabi’s national carrier Etihad Airways continues to expand aggressively as the UAE capital continues to build its reputation as a tourist hub developing projects such as Ferrari World, an amusement park on Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island, home to the planned Louvre and Guggenheim museums. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, organiser MEED Events in partnership with Bench Events has put together a three-day programme designed to explore the outlook for hotel investment in the Middle East’s changing landscape. As well as focusing on the Middle East’s investment landscape after the Arab Spring, AHIC will hold a session that looks at the issues facing Egypt, while key industry figures will address the challenges of developing and operating in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. There will also be a separate dedicated session exploring investment opportunities outside the Middle East. For more information on the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference: www.arabianconference.com - Ends - Photo caption: Chiheb Ben-Mahmoud, Executive Vice President and Head of Hotel Advisory, Middle East & Africa at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels To pre-register as media please follow the link: http://www.arabianconference.com/index.php/forms/media_registration Notes to the editor The confirmed list of speakers includes: Mark Wynne-Smith, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director MEA, Marriott International; Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide; Jan Smits, CEO, Asia, Middle East & Africa, IHG; Bashar Al Natoor, Director, Corporates, Fitch Ratings; Iyad Duwaji, CEO, West Asia Capital; Fergal Harris, Head of Real Estate Middle East, Standard & Chartered; Olivier Ebner, Senior Manager at Project and Structured Finance, National Bank of Abu Dhabi; Alexis Waller, Partner Clyde & Co; Olivier Granet, Director of Development, ACCOR Middle East; Kurt Ritter, CEO & President, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Bassel S.Hamwi, Chief Executive Officer, Bank Audi Syria; Lo’ai B. Bataineh, DGM, Investment & Development, Head of Investment Management Group, Oman Arab Bank SAOC; Nilay Orzral, Director of Real Estate Operations, Aldar Properties PJSC; Sanjay Tanna, Director – Business Development and Investments, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. About MEED Events MEED's comprehensive portfolio of events has been developed over the last decade to cover the region's key business issues and sectors. From large-scale summits and conferences to unique one-to-one networking opportunities, MEED Events provide high-profile speakers, relevant and critical business content and the latest news from across the GCC. About Bench Events Bench Events is one of the founders and organisers of several leading conferences for the hotel investment industry including the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Central Asia and Turkey Hotel Investment Conference (CATHIC), the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference (RHIC) and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) About the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference AHIC attracts over 500 industry leaders annually from over 40 countries, including many of the most influential names within the Middle East’s hotel investment community, as both speakers and attendees. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com Platinum sponsors: The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, IHG, Jumeirah Group, Wyndham Worldwide. Emerald sponsors: Corinthia Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. Gold sponsors: Accor, AECOM Design & Planning, Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion, Clyde & Co, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Fonatur, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA, Horwath HTL, Hyatt International, IFA Hotel Investments, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Marriott International, MENA Hotels and Resorts, Orient-Express Hotels, Premier Inn MEA, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investments and Development Authority, Rixos Hotels, STR Global, Turnkey Ventures, WATG.

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tourism news 11 feb 2012-middleast

السبت، ١١ فبراير ٢٠١٢

Airline lets fliers vet seatmates through Facebook
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced a social-media service that enables passengers to pick their seat buddies based on their profiles on Facebook and LinkedIN. When a passenger shares his or her profile via a ‘meet & seat’ service, KLM notifies the person via email about whether other passengers on the flight have shared their details. The service is currently available for flights from Amsterdam to San Fracisco, New York and Sao Paulo, with plans to roll the initiative out to other destinations 
JW Marriott Marquis to be world's tallest hotel
The 355m JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will become the world’s tallest hotel when it opens in quarter four, taking the title from the existing holder, the Rose Rayhaan Rotana. The 1608-room twin-tower development on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road will open in two phases; the first phase features 804 rooms as well as numerous restaurants and lounges. The property will target business travellers and the “growing” MICE market, the hotel’s general manager revealed at a press conference on Wednesday. “The potential to cater for the growing needs of the global business community is huge and we believe the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is uniquely placed in that regard,” said Rupprecht Queitsch. “The hotel will fill a long identified gap in the market where groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1000 people can meet, sleep and dine under one roof, in one location. There are businesses of this size choosing various cities around the world in which to meet, but until now, Dubai has not had a single location of this size to accommodate this type of group. In simple terms, we will establish Dubai on the global conference market landscape." Queitsch said that to give the local market some context, the United States’ MICE segment, which will be one of the key targets of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai team, contributes US $106 billion to that country’s GDP – higher than automotive manufacturing ($78 billion), performing arts/spectator sports/museums ($71 billion) and information and data processing services ($76 billion). He explained: “As for general business, Dubai is perfectly positioned, with its proximity to huge growth markets such as India and the fact it has literally billions of people within a five-hour flight range. What those business travellers are looking for is a hotel that has everything they could possibly need under one roof and we truly believe this iconic new property will set a new standard in business hotels, not just in the region but globally." Alongside its 5000 sq m of events space, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will have nine restaurants and five lounges, as well as a spa, health club and two ballrooms.

tourism news 10 feb 2012-hotels

الجمعة، ١٠ فبراير ٢٠١٢

Friday News in Brief Some current conversation starters... Younger holidaymakers are put off cruises by the perceived cost and concerns about being with older passengers. According to a poll of 1,327 people aged 18-25 who had never cruised, a third (34%) said that they would like to do so. However, just over half (51%) of these were ‘concerned' that other passengers would be ‘much older' than themselves, while 28% believed that a cruise would be ‘much more expensive' than an alternative beach holiday. According to the research by online cruise travel agency bonvoyage.co.uk, a fifth (21%) of the respondents said they plan to embark on a cruise holiday in the ‘near future', but 38% said it is ‘unlikely' they will book a cruise holiday soon. The majority (86%) had not experienced a wide range of holiday types, for reasons such as not having the opportunity, concerns they wouldn't enjoy different holidays, and that they simply ‘lacked imagination'. Chris Brown, co-founder of bonvoyage.co.uk, said: ‘It wasn't too surprising to see that people think cruise holidays are expensive because they are often marketed as a luxury holiday. ‘However, they certainly don't all come with a luxury price tag. It can often be forgotten that cruise holidays offer the opportunity to visit a variety of countries, countless bars and restaurants and have beautiful scenic views; all of which I am sure would appeal to the younger generation.' The Mercer gains recognition in Hong Kong... The Mercer, managed by Kosmopolito Hotels International has been recognized by Hong Kong Business High Flyers 2011 as an Outstanding Enterprise in the "Boutique Hotel" category. The 55-room boutique hotel, opened in early 2011, is just steps away from the heart of Central in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Business Magazine has conferred the award annually since 2004. The award aims to formally acknowledge industry-leading enterprises that offer innovative products and exceptional services. Commenting on the award, Mr. Philip Schaetz, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing of KHI, said: "Boutique hotels are becoming an essential segment in the hospitality industry. We are pleased to see that The Mercer is recognized as one of the leading players in this segment." Carlson Rezidor leapfrogs Hyatt Hotels Corp on room count... The newly-established Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group brings together a consolidated footprint it will jointly market, clinching it the ninth position among the largest hotel companies worldwide. It will also see global alignment and management of its brands, and collaboration on revenue generation engines, purchasing opportunities and staff development. According to 2010 room count ranking results published by Hotels Magazine last September, Rezidor was 13th while Carlson was 19th. With its latest move, Carls Rezidor leapfrogs over companies such as Hyatt Hotels Corp and Westmont Hospitality Group. However, there is no change in the legal status or ownership structure of both companies, and Carlson continues to be the majority shareholder in Rezidor with a 50.03 per cent ownership on a fully-diluted basis. Carlson Rezidor has 1,319 hotels operating and contracted pipeline hotels worldwide, with 154 in Asia-Pacific. Rezidor oversees the bulk of the group's portfolio in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Key Appointments in the Industry Congratulations to these new appointments... SilverNeedle Hospitality announced the appointment of its new Managing Director and CEO, Iqbal Jumabhoy today. Mr. Jumabhoy will lead SilverNeedle Hospitality in its journey towards becoming the leader in Asian hospitality. Mr. Jumabhoy is an experienced Chief Executive with in depth expertise in a number of industries including banking, real estate and corporate management. He has served on the boards of listed companies in the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Rendezvous Hospitality Group. A subsidiary of the Straits Trading Company Ltd; the Rendevous Hospitality Group owns and operates hotels in Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand. Grace Bay Resorts announces the appointment of John Vasatka as the New General Manager at The Veranda Resort Turks and Caicos. With 28 years of international hospitality experience, Vasatka is well-suited to oversee all operations and guest services for the 168-room, 10-acre property, including eight private beachfront villas, Marin, the resort's signature beachfront restaurant with second-floor Sky Lounge, Sabai Spa by Elemis, VIK Kids Town, three swimming pools, a tennis court and meeting facilities. Prior to joining The Veranda Resort, Vasatka worked intently with five Amanresorts across the globe, including Amanresorts, Amman, Jordan (pre-opening), Amanyara, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, (opening and subsequent operations), Amanwella, Tangalle, Sri Lanka (opening), Amanpulo, Philippines and Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand, Amanresort's flagship property. His experience also includes serving as Resident Manager at Little Dix Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I, and Boca Beach Club General Manager at Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Florida. The Latest in Hotel Openings Best Western International has continued its Middle Eastern expansion with the launch of its first ever hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the booming Gulf city of Al Khobar, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Sand Rose Suite Hotel features 48 rooms and suites, and a range of facilities to excite both business travellers and family groups. The guestrooms include 12 hotel rooms and 36 luxurious suites, which range from 70-150m². The Junior Suites are ideal for couples, while the two-bedroom Executive Suites cater for mid-size families. The larger Panorama Suites offer two bedrooms with a separate living and dining area and kitchenette, and the expansive Royal Suites feature three bedrooms, a large living and dining space, kitchenette and an extra guest bathroom. All rooms and suites include complimentary Wi-Fi and offer panoramic views across the glittering city skyline, the thriving corniche or the azure waters of the Gulf. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a luxurious hideaway resort and branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental on the Bodrum Peninsula in Turkey. Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, which is slated to open in 2014, will be located on a 60 hectare waterfront site on the northern side of the peninsula, at ‘Cennet Koyu' or Paradise Bay, offering panoramic views over the Aegean Sea. Built on a series of levels nestled in the resort's landscaped hillside, surrounded by ancient olive groves and pine trees, this luxurious destination resort offers the perfect retreat. The resort's 82 exclusive guestrooms and 20 suites will provide the largest accommodation in the area, all with stunning sun-decks and terraces, and many with private gardens and infinity edged pools. The development also includes 214 luxury private homes which will be branded and managed as Residences at Mandarin Oriental, providing a unique opportunity for ownership along the Turkish Riviera which is also known as the Turquoise Coast. Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, "DoubleTree by Hilton is delighted to continue expansion of our Latin American presence by introducing another rewarding hotel experience with the DoubleTree by Hilton Panama City. This seventh DoubleTree by Hilton hotel opening in the region in such an outstanding global gateway city is an extraordinary milestone for our brand's global growth. With outstanding hotel products like this, the DoubleTree by Hilton brand is quickly becoming recognized in Latin America by hotel developers and traveling consumers seeking upscale hotel experiences along with a personalized, welcoming level of service, style and hospitality."

برلين مدينة السياحة والرياضة

الأربعاء، ١٢ يناير ٢٠١١


مثيرة هي برلين بكل ما فيها من قصص التاريخ القابعة على جدران مبانيها وجسورها الممتدة إلى مشاهد الحداثة المتناثرة على ملامحها والطرقات. مدينة صنعتها أحداث قاسية يشهد عليها ذلك الجدار العنيد الذي ما أن سقط في نوفمبر 1989 حتى أثار الحيوية والحراك اللامحدود فيها. تنبسط على وسعها المعالم السياحية الضخمة، وتتداخل في شوارعها المظاهر الحضارية التي لا يمكن للسائح إلا أن يقف أمامها منبهرا يعدد محاسنها. عند زيارة العاصمة الألمانية برلين ستجد نفسك في قلب مدينة متعددة الأوجه تأسرك بجمالياتها المعتقة حينا واللماعة حينا آخر.


اليوم لا يختلف اثنان على أن برلين هي مدينة التنوع بامتياز، وهذا ما يمكن ملاحظته على الأقل في بعض النواحي الظاهرة منها. هنا تنتشر الأسواق الأسبوعية التركية، وهناك تقع محال الحلاقة الشامية والمقاهي العربية، وعلى بعد خطوات ترتفع العمارات المزركشة بالفسيفساء اليونانية. وكيفما اتجه النظر يقع على روابط لأندية كرة القدم التي تحمل أسماء مناطق كثيرة من العالم، بينها “أس. ديه كرواتيا - برلين” أو “أف. كيه مقدونيا - برلين”. وهذا التمازج الثقافي ينبع حتما من تعدد الجنسيات التي تتعايش كلها في هذه المدينة الرحبة التي تقدم الكثير من كل شيء. وينعكس بأشكاله المتنوعة على المحال التجارية والنوادي وصالات العرض، ويؤثر كذلك في الفن من رسم وكتابة ورقص وموسيقى.


جذابة وملائمة








وأكثر من ذلك هناك سمة أخرى تميز برلين عن سواها من المدن الألمانية والأوروبية، هي أنها مدينة جذابة بالنسبة للمواهب الإبداعية التي تزورها من كافة أنحاء العالم. مواهب لا تشدها فقط القصة التاريخية الملهمة المسطرة على كل زاوية من زوايا المدينة، بل كذلك ظروف المعيشة الملائمة المتوفرة فيها. وبعكس ما يظن البعض، فإن الشقق والاستديوهات والغرف، وحتى المراسم والمحال التجارية يتم تأجيرها في برلين بأسعار مناسبة، وهذا ما لا يمكن للسائح أو حتى المقيم أن يجده في عواصم مثل باريس وموسكو ولندن. وهنا يمكن إنجاز الكثير بإمكانيات قليلة.
العاصمة الألمانية المفعمة بالتاريخ وبمعالمها السياحية المتفردة، لا تقبع في الزمن الماضي مع أنه يحتل جزءا كبيرا منها، إذ أنها تساير روح العصر من الباب الواسع وتحمل بين جنباتها كل ما يرمز للتجديد والحداثة. ويكفي أن آخر صيحات الموضة تخرج من برلين، وتتميز تصاميم الأزياء فيها بالأناقة حيث الخطوط والألوان تحاكي العالمية. ويمثل ذلك بكل تأكيد عنصراً من عناصر الجذب السياحي، لاسيما بالنسبة لعشاق التسوق القادمين من كافة القارات. ولا نكشف سرا حين نذكر أن المعارض المتخصصة التي تحتضنها برلين في مجال الأزياء والموضة وما تعرضه من مجموعات جديدة بات يسلط أنظار العالم إليها. وهكذا تحولت المدينة إلى مغناطيس يجتذب إليه الكثير من المصممين المبتدئين منهم وحتى المشاهير، لاسيما وأنها تفتح ذراعيها دوماً لإبداعات جيل الشباب الذين يجدون فيها الفرصة لعرض ابتكاراتهم. وهذا لم يعد غريباً على مدينة تشتهر بأنها العاصمة الأوروبية للابتكار والإبداع.


مراكز التسوق


وبالانتقال إلى أماكن التسوق في المدينة، فهي الأخرى تتصف بالزخم والتنوع ملبية مختلف الأذواق. وهنا يمكن للمتسوق أن يجد كل ما يبحث عنه، من الملابس العصرية إلى الأزياء الأنيقة والمنتجات ذات المستوى الرفيع. وتزخر برلين بالمحال التجارية والمجمعات الضخمة ومراكز التسوق التي تضم مجموعة واسعة من المتاجر. ومن بين أكثر عناوين التسوق شهرة يبرز شارع “كورفورستندام” الذي يطلق عليه اختصاراً “كودام”، وشارع “فريدريش شتراسه”، وساحة “بوتسدامر بلاتس” وساحة “ألكسندر بلاتس”. وكلها تعرض أفضل السلع التي تحمل بصمات أشهر المصممين المبدعين بما يتناسب مع الاتجاهات العصرية والشبابية لكافة أفراد الأسرة، سواء من حيث تنوع أساليب التصاميم أو من حيث تنوع أسعارها. وفي تلك الأنحاء تنتشر كذلك المرافق الترفيهية التي تقدم مزيجاً من المحال التجارية والمقاهي حيث يمكن قضاء أوقات ممتعة في أجواء مريحة.


وتوفر برلين لمرتاديها الكثير من المواقع الحيوية التي تنتشر غالبيتها في الهواء الطلق حتى خلال فصل الشتاء، بدءاً من المطاعم وصولاً إلى أماكن التسلية والترفيه والموسيقى. ويحظى زوار المدينة بمجموعة من العروض والمزايا التي قد تفوق ما ينفقونه من مال، سواء أثناء الإقامة الفندقية أو من خلال شراء التذاكر الخاصة بالأحداث والفعاليات المهمة، أو عند تناول وجبة طعام أو احتساء فنجان صغير من القهوة. وكل ذلك يساهم في جعل زيارة برلين أو الإقامة فيها تجربة لا تنسى.


واحات خضراء


وتتميز العاصمة الألمانية بمجموعة واسعة من خطوط المواصلات العامة كالقطارات والحافلات التي تتصف بالنظافة ودقة المواعيد. ويمكن الاستفادة من البطاقات الخاصة والتذاكر التي تسهل عملية التنقل بين أحياء المدينة، في الحصول على تخفيضات وخصومات مغرية عند زيارة المعالم السياحية والمتاحف والمتنزهات.


ومن سمات هذه المدينة التي تقدم لضيوفها أجواء مفعمة بالإثارة، أنها تتصف بالمزج الفريد بين الحياة المدنية وحياة الواحات الهادئة. وهي تحتضن مساحات شاسعة من الحدائق والمتنزهات العامة والغابات، حيث يمكن لأهلها وللسياح أن يختاروا مكانهم المفضل من بين مجموعة من المناطق المثالية. وكلها تمنح الفرصة لممارسة الرياضة والتسلية والترفيه، وقبل كل شيء إمكانية الاسترخاء والتمتع بساعات من الراحة والهدوء. وكل من تتسنى له فرصة المكوث لفترة طويلة في برلين يعلم جيدا أن الوعي البيئي العالي لدى أهلها يعتبر عاملاً مهماً في الحفاظ على المناطق الخضراء فيها. وتعتبر مسائل النظافة البيئية والمحافظة على مقومات الاستدامة وتعزيزها بشكل فردي وجماعي، جزءاً لا يتجزء من طبيعة الحياة اليومية في العاصمة وكافة المدن الألمانية الأخرى.


وقد ساهم انفتاح برلين على العالم في إعطائها بعداً مهماً يمكن ملاحظته في مساحتها الواسعة وفي مختلف أرجائها وشوارعها. فهي مدينة منفتحة لا يمكن للمرء أن يشعر فيها بالضيق، فهي تنمو بصورة ملحوظة مما يجعل الفرصة فيها قائمة دوماً ناحية الازدهار والمزيج الثقافي.


150 مسرحاً


برلين مدينة الـ 150 مسرحا ومدرجا فنيا، تنتشر فيها المراكز والأروقة الثقافية بشكل متواز مع أهميتها المعمارية. وللفن نصيب وفير فيها يشع من داري الأوبرا ومن استضافتها للفعاليات الفريدة، كمهرجان “برليناله” الذي يعد من أشهر المهرجانات السينمائية. ومن العروض الحديثة التي تشكل بصمة فنية إضافية للمدينة، العرض البهلواني “صنع في برلن” Made in Berlin الذي يعرض في قاعة Wintergarten Variete. القاعة هي من أضخم منصات العرض في أوروبا، تعرضت للدمار إبان الحرب العالمية الثانية وتحديداً في 21 يونيو 1940، وأعيد افتتاحها عام 1992.


دراجة «الريكشو»


الطقس في العاصمة الألمانية رطب على الدوام، ومع أن المطر يهطل فيها من دون سابق إنذار، غير أن خيوط الشمس لا تبخل على سكانها بإطلالات منعشة من وقت لآخر. ومن المفيد فيها الانطلاق في جولة استكشاف من على دراجة “الريكشو”. وهي بألوانها الزاهية مزودة بعربة من 3 عجلات تتسع لشخصين وتتيح لركابها أكثر من تجربة. فرصة التنقل بسهولة بين أهم معالم المدينة، والاستمتاع بالهزات التلقائية التي يحدثها السائق الذي يعمل في الغالب كدليل يتحدث الإنجليزية بالنكهة الألمانية. وأكثر من ذلك فإن كل ما تسمعه وتراه في هذا المشهد المكتظ بالروايات، يشعرك بمتعة أن تكون سائحا في طرقات برلين.


صناعة التاريخ


المعالم السياحية في برلين بسحرها المعماري وبما تحمله من قصص ودروس، صنعتها المراحل التاريخية الصعبة التي عاشتها المدينة. وعلى الرغم من أن ألمانيا بقيت مقسمة إلى حين سقوط جدار برلين في نوفمبر من العام 1989 وتوحيد شطري ألمانيا في عام 1990، إلا أن سقوط الجدار أثار الحيوية والحراك في كل مكان، لتتحول برلين من مدينة مقسمة ومحاصرة إلى عاصمة بلا حدود، يتدفق إليها باستمرار المزيد من الشباب من مختلف أنحاء العالم.

  1. مصر وبرديات يوم السياحة العالمى
  2. فاقدة الشىء لا يعطية سياحيا ،،،،،،،محمد عبدالعزيز السماعي
  3. الاستثمارات الأجنبية في لبنان تتركّز في العقارات
  4. لبنان بين بين ،،،،،،،،،،،،د. شادي شمالي
  5. الاردن والاحجية السياحية
  6. الأمم المتحدة تقرر تأسيس منظمة لشئون المرأة
  7. محمية وادي رم على قائمة التراث الطبيعي العالمي
  8. ملتقى السلع السياحية النظرى
  9. بوظبى ويوم السياحة العالمى
  10. هولندا وسياحة المخدرات
  1. تونس وتطويع التراث لخدمة السياحة
  2. مجدى سليم الافضل فى الهند
  3. عدت ياعيد ثانية ،،،،،طاهر العدوان
  4. طلال البحر ومشاريع ايفا للفنادق
  5. البتراء والفشل السياحى
  6. شر السياحة ما يضحك،،،،،يوسف غيشان
  7. الجزائر والاعلام الالكترونى
  8. عائلة الشرقاوى تشترى فندق ستافورد الاثرى
  9. البحرين والفندقة ذات النجوم المطفأة،،،،بقلم على صالح
  10. كبار خبراء السياحة يُقدمون رؤية حول واقع ومستقبل قطاع السياحة

مركز الاسكندرية للسياحة الخضراء