Event News | "Great Hotels Meeting Forums: New format proves a success"

By: Ozgur Tore  
Source: http://ftnnews.com
Category: Event News

Great Hotels Meeting Forums, the intensive trade shows bringing together meetings and incentives buyers and suppliers from around the world, is pleased to announce a brand new – and successful – format.

Operated by Worldwide Events, the first Great Hotels European Meeting Forums took place between 27 and 31 March 2012 at Boscolo Prague, welcoming two hosted buyer groups over two-day periods. The best of Prague was showcased during dinners and activities, including a gala dinner at the Lobkowice Palace in the Prague Castle. The event was sponsored by Boscolo Prague, AIM Group International, Prague Convention Bureau, Czech Airlines, Ambassador Group and Lobkowicz Events Management.

Previous Meeting Forums targeted one or two countries in a single destination, such as the France and Italy Meeting Forums, which took place in Greece in September 2011. For 2012, Great Hotels Meeting Forums are targeted to buyers from the whole of Europe, resulting in a much higher calibre of buyers. In addition, this format results in more relevant appointments due to buyers being able to choose which properties they want to meet with.

Carla Tarrida, Director of Account Management at Great Hotels of the World explains: “Changing the nature of the Forum from a single-country-focused event to a European-focused event has given us the opportunity to cherry-pick the best buyers in the MICE industry, increasing the value of each meeting for our hoteliers. There has also been an increased number of RFPs for each hotel, reflecting the added value in the change of format for hotels.”

Over the four-day period, an impressive 1,300 meetings took place between 26 exhibitors and 76 buyers from a variety of European countries. Spanish and Portuguese hotels were the largest groups among the 26 exhibitors. The largest groups of buyers came from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Among those buyers present were representatives from American Express, Samsung, McKinsey & Company and Nike. Each supplier held 50 meetings in total.

Suppliers were asked to complete a questionnaire, giving their opinion on the quality of buyers present at the Forums. The average rate suppliers gave for the quality of buyers present was 5/6. From this data, the European Forums can be seen as extremely useful and successful.

Katerina Skouloudaki, Sales Executive at The Royal Olympic Hotel, says: ''The Great Hotels European Meeting Forum was organised excellently. The team were extremely professional, friendly and efficient.'' Claudia Ribeiro, Group Coordinator at Altis Hotels, says: ''This was my very first Forum and I am pleased to say that I have already gained great feedback from the hosted buyers present.''

Buyers were also highly satisfied with the event: ''The whole event was perfectly organised and the quality of exhibitors was very high. This is an ideal event to meet the suppliers you really want to meet,'' comments Eva Lehrke, owner of Text & Event. Terry Raynsford, Corporate Events Manager at BULL, continues: ''Great Hotels European Forum was a very good, highly interesting and productive event. I would definitely recommend it to any event manager with little time on their hands.''

Following the success of the European Forums in Prague, the next Great Hotels European Forum will take place on 25-29 September 2012 at Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio, Italy. This Forum will follow the new format, scheduled over a four-day period. The Forum will be attended by luxury MICE hotels from Europe and the most influential meetings, events and incentives planners from around the continent.

 

Source: http://ftnnews.com/mice/16637-great-hotels-meeting-forums-new-format-proves-a-success.html

Travel News | "Travel alert as more rain forecast"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.google.com
Category: Travel News

Motorists have been warned to watch out as further heavy rain is expected across England and Wales with the wet weather set to continue for the next week.The Environment Agency said five flood warnings remained in place in south-west England where some areas saw up to 50mm of rain (2in) on Wednesday. More than 40 flood alerts were also in place across the rest of the country.

Paul Mott, forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, warned of localised flooding. He said: "It's going to be another rainy day, although London and the South East are slightly better off. There'll be one or two showers in the morning but it will be better by the afternoon."

He continued: "Otherwise elsewhere across the country it will be mostly unsettled with heavy rain and showers at times. There is already quite a lot of surface water on the roads, particularly in the Midlands, Yorkshire and north-east England so there will be lots of spray."

Temperatures are likely to reach a high of 15C in the south east and 14C across the rest of England and Wales, but could drop down to zero in parts of Scotland, he said.Mr Mott said the rain would continue into the evening. He added: "It's going to stay unsettled over the next seven days with frequent showers and persistent rain. Sunday looks to be a washout with up to an inch of rain falling across England and Wales."

The Met Office also warned of "heavy showers" but said they would quickly blow through due to strong, blustery winds.

On Wednesday, strong gusts of wind brought down scaffolding and seriously damaged at least four cars on Southsea seafront in Hampshire. No one was injured when the structure fell at the Royal Beach Hotel.

The Environment Agency has previously warned that the drought gripping swathes of England could increase the risk of flash flooding as rain is less easily absorbed by dry, compacted soils, instead running off and causing localised floods. And while the rain may be welcome for gardeners and farmers in drought-affected areas, the downpours are not enough to alleviate the drought that stems from two unusually dry winters in a row.

Richard Aylard, from Thames Water, one of seven companies which have brought in hosepipe bans in response to the drought, said "a couple of wet weeks" was not enough to reverse record dry conditions seen in the region in the past two years.

Source:  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iWA9cx5gUBpnwUZRzAKUfI6fT3ww?docId=N0550001335413802920A

Tourism News | "Tourism can stimulate trade and development, agrees UN Conference"

By: Press Release
Category: Tourism News
Source: http://www.traveldailynews.com

Participants at a major United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD XIII) have underscored the role of tourism as a vital service sector, contributing to GDP and employment in developed and developing countries alike (Doha, Qatar, 21-26 April 2012).

The theme of UNCTAD XIII, Development-Centered Globalization: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Development, focuses on how the global economy can spread its benefits more inclusively and sustainably, creating jobs and raising living standards for poor people and nations.

Currently ranking among the top three export sectors for nearly half of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), tourism has emerged as one of the economic sectors best able to address these concerns. With tourism growth rates in developing countries currently outperforming those in developed countries, tourism today is one of the most promising and viable options for global development.

At two separate events UN officials, high-level policy-makers, representatives of the tourism private sector and other stakeholders, gathered on the sidelines of UNCTAD XIII to deliberate on the critical role of tourism in national development strategies.

The Global Services Forum – organized to discuss developments in the services sector, which currently accounts for 50% of the GDP of developing countries – pointed to the many growth and employment opportunities of tourism as a major internationally traded service.

“Tourism has its place in the green growth agenda, as an important economic sector for many developed and developing countries and an extremely promising development perspective for the coming decades, contributing to a sustainable planet, a growing economy and a better life for all,” said UNWTO executive director for Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnerships, Marcio Favilla.

An event organized by the Steering Committee on Tourism for Development(SCTD), Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Development: What Can the Tourism Sector Contribute, convened countries at different stages of tourism development - including the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and the Ministers of Tourism of Lesotho and Paraguay - to present the policies and measures needed by developing countries to spur internationally competitive tourism strategies in the framework of the promotion of service exports.

Source: http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/49019-Tourism-can-stimulate-trade-and-development,-agrees-UN-Conference-

Patent News | "Family Hotels- Homewood Suites by Hilton"

By: Teresa Plowright
Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com
Category: Patent News

Homewood Suites by Hilton is a chain of "residential-style" extended stay properties, with locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico.* At Homewood Suites, all rooms and suites come with kitchens, and the lobby is meant to feel like a living-room with comfy chairs, fireplace, etc.Homewood Suites properties can be booked for any number of nights, but "extended stay" guests who stay five nights or longer get a price break; the longer the stay, the lower the nightly rate. Homewood Suites are part of the Hilton HHonors points/miles program (for free hotel stays and free flights) which includes Hilton hotels, Hampton Inns, Doubletree, and more. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton as Family Hotels:

 

The Homewood Suites brand has a number of features that particularly suit a family hotel:

• rooms and suites can accommodate families of four or more ( to a maximum of six, in suites)
• all guestrooms have a fullly equipped kitchen (fridge, stove, cooking utensils, etc.)
• rooms have a living space that's separate from the bed area; one and two-bedroom suites have an entire separate living room.
• complimentary breakfast includes waffles, eggs, bacon, juices, coffee and more
• complimentary dinner is offered Monday to Thursday at a Manager's Reception
• complimentary grocery service can be a convenience for families with babies, and can help families save money by eating-in
• book series based on "Lewis the Duck" character is available at Homewood Suites properties.

Another convenience is online room selection, which speeds up the check-in process, and allows families to choose, say, a room close to an elevator, so there's less lugging luggage. Or choose a room with a pool view, to keep tabs on kids old enough to use the pool on their own. 

Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/familyhotels/a/homewood_suites.htm

Travel News | "Gas prices could hurt summer travel"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.volunteertv.com

Businesses in Sevier County say they are bracing for higher gas prices, and hoping that doesn't keep people away this summer.
A survey by the National Travel Association found that rising gas prices will impact business and leisure travel plans for this summer. Vacationers who plan to travel by car this summer, more than half said that an increase in gas prices would affect their summer leisure travel plans. 26% of business travelers said that an increase in gas prices would affect their summer business travel plans.
Christy Woods and her family have plans for a trip to Myrtle Beach this summer. She says gas prices going above $4 a gallon may change those plans and keep her closer to home.
"It's going to be expensive to go to Myrtle Beach," said Woods. "With gas near $4 a gallon now, yeah that's a lot."
Douglas Roberts says he's already at a point where plans will change.
"It hurts, it really hurts," he said while on a trip from Georgia to Gatlinburg on Sunday. "It's too expensive, plus by the time you pay for your room and everything up here, it's just not worth it. Just stay at home."
The number one way people surveyed said they would alter plans was by taking fewer trips this summer. 43.9% said they would spend less money shopping, and 37.4% spend less money at restaurants.
Burl Cook has run hotels in Pigeon Forge for 50 years. He says he's seen how gas prices have hurt travel in past years. He says one of the worst times came just after the price rise after Hurricane Katrina 2005.
"Gas prices went real high, we took a big drop 3 or 4 years ago when gas prices went so high," said Cook. "It dropped business, it hit us hard 3 years ago and dropped a little each year since."
Cooks says he's noticed more people hiring in Piegon Forge, though he says that if people don't travel because of gas this summer, those jobs could go away.
He says he's optimistic that this will be one of the best years in a long time for the Smoky Mountains.
More than half of all travelers, 57%, who plan to travel by car would alter their travel plans if gas prices increased by at least $0.26 - $1.25.

Source: http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Gas_prices_could_hurt_summer_travel_148451805.html?ref=805

Travel News | "African Travel, Inc. Supports Earth Day Awareness for Endangered Gorillas and Chimpanzees"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.marketwatch.com

On April 22, more than one billion people around the world will participate in the 42nd annual Earth Day to help raise awareness of global environmental concerns. For Earth Day and every day, African Travel, Inc. works to bring more awareness to the plight of Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the wild; as part of their efforts they offer special packages to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitats while simultaneously working to protect them. 

Mountain gorillas are among the most famous of all endangered animals. These majestic animals are lately finding it very hard to survive, and as recently as 2006, they were at the brink of extinction. Fortunately, recent conservation efforts have been quite successful, the primary factor responsible for this positive trend being an effort by organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda to protect the gorillas and their habitat. Another significant contributor towards protection of the Mountain Gorillas is tourism! When travelers visit Africa using a knowledgeable company such as African Travel, they are making a huge contribution to the conservation of Mountain Gorillas. Despite these positive efforts, Mountain Gorillas are still under threat of extinction, and more conservation efforts will be necessary to remove gorillas from the endangered animals list. Now is an excellent time to visit these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. 

Chimpanzee tracking is even more limited in its opportunities than gorilla tracking, and viewing locations are further to reach. Thus it is a great privilege to observe these engaging creatures in their forest home. Chimps are extremely vocal and quite active, which means treks may continue for quite a while as the chimps continue to move as they feed. Mahale Mountains National Park is home to one of Africa's most studied chimpanzee populations. Mahale has sightings virtually every day and the chimps, accustomed to being watched, continue their daily activities in the company of their human observers. 

According to Jim Holden, President of African Travel, Inc., "By joining an African Travel safari to view Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Americans traveling to Africa are directly contributing to the conservation of these magnificent animals, as the income derived from Park and Game Lodge fees goes towards maintaining their habitat and educating the local people as to the inherent value to their livelihoods."

Two African Travel, Inc . safaris where you can see these beautiful animals in the wild: 

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/african-travel-inc-supports-earth-day-awareness-for-endangered-gorillas-and-chimpanzees-2012-04-19

Travel And Leisure | "Bin Laden family’s deportation delayed"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel And Leisure
Source: http://tribune.com.pk

The 12-member family, including Bin Laden’s three widows, eight children and one grandchild, had originally been due to leave overnight Tuesday. Two of the wives are Saudi nationals and the third is from Yemen.

Lawyer Muhammad Aamir told AFP they were expected to receive their passports later on Wednesday and may be able to leave for Saudi Arabia later in the day.But a Saudi embassy official said they were still waiting for details from authorities in Pakistan.“We are waiting to receive names of the family members from the interior ministry to proceed further in the matter,” the spokesman told AFP.

Meanwhile, Deputy Interior Minister Imtiaz Safdar Warraich said the authorities would complete the legal formalities for their removal “as early as possible” but could not put a timeframe on the deportation.

“We will follow the (court) decision and fulfill all legal procedures in this regard,” Warraich told AFP.“The required documents are being prepared and it is being done swiftly. It is not just an issue of deportation, but also there is an issue of acceptance.”

Some security officials said the matter could linger on for days due to procedural issues.A senior security official meanwhile said Pakistan was awaiting the green light from the Saudi and Yemeni governments for the deportation to proceed.“No timeframe can be given at the moment,” he told AFP, adding that discussions were ongoing. “There is a kind of understanding but things need to be finalised.”

However, the family’s lawyer denied speculation that the authorities in Saudi Arabia and Yemen may be reluctant to accept them.

“This is not correct,” he said.

“They were scheduled to leave Pakistan for Saudi Arabia late Tuesday but the problem in completing their travel documents delayed the departure.”

Earlier this month, a court sentenced the widows and two of Bin Laden’s older daughters to 45 days’ detention on charges of illegal entry and residency in Pakistan and ordered their deportation as soon as possible. They completed the sentence on Tuesday, counting time already served since they were formally arrested on March 3

.

Aamir said on Tuesday that Bin Laden’s youngest and reportedly favourite wife, Amal Abdulfattah, who is Yemeni, may be sent to Yemen with her five children.

Security officials have said that the whole family was initially expected to be flown to Saudi Arabia.

A number of Saudi diplomats have visited Pakistan in recent weeks to work out the details of the deportation, sources say.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/366880/incomplete-travel-documents-bin-laden-familys-deportation-delayed/