ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗΣ ΥΛΗΣ - ΕΔΡΑ: ΑΘΗΝΑ

Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)

(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).

Δευτέρα 31 Δεκεμβρίου 2018

900% rise in airline fatalities in 2018









Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για 900% rise in airline fatalities in 2018


Airlines set another record as they flew about 4.5 billion passengers on nearly 45 million flights worldwide in 2018. However, there is a darker side as well. As per the Aviation Safety Network (ASN) there were 16 airliner accidents that killed a total of 555 people as of December 27, 2018. That’s more than 900 per cent increase over 2017 when just 59 people died in accidents. ASN had called 2017, as the ‘the safest year ever, both by the number of fatal accidents as well as in terms of fatalities.’

Airline safety nose-dived since 2017. In the past five years 555 deaths is the highest. In 2014, 692 airline related deaths were reported.

The 189 fatalities, on a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX, was the deadliest crash of 2018. It accounted for more than one-third of airline deaths in 2018. Lion Air Flight 610 crashed near Jakarta, Indonesia on October 29, killing all on board.

Another notable disaster took place on February 11, when a domestic Russian passenger flight that took off from Moscow, crashed six minutes into its flight. All the 71 people – 67 passengers and four crew on board were killed.

On May 18, Cubana de Aviación 737-200 crashed after takeoff from José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba killing 112 of 113 passengers and the crew.

All the stakeholders – the aircraft industry, the airlines, and the government regulators must work together to ensure that the trend of disasters do not continue in 2019.



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Travelers have mixed views about pets on planes





Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Travelers have mixed views about pets on planes

CHICAGO - When polled about allowing animals, including service, emotional support and other pets on planes, results were mixed. However, one thing 58 percent agreed on: Airlines should make it safer if they require any animal to ride in cargo.
The survey, conducted by The GO Group, LLC, an international ground transportation provider, had more than 350 respondents.
Almost 55 percent of respondents said that only certified service animals should be allowed in cabins while 45 percent noted that emotional support animals (ESAs) also should be allowed in cabins.
Another thing most agreed on is that the rules are confusing. Each airline has its own forms, rules and policies which frequently change.
While most agree a fee should be charged for non-service animals, 39 percent said these should be lowered.  One respondent noted that the fare to carry her small, crated dog who rode underneath the seat cost more than her own.
Almost 50 percent of survey participants said there should be designated areas in cabins for those traveling with animals to help those with allergies.
Forty five percent said only traditional animals such as cats and dogs should be allowed as service or ESA's.
Several commented that people put too much emphasis on pets and should just leave their critters at home while traveling. 
"It is understandable that people have concerns about potential challenges of allowing animals in cabin areas," says John McCarthy.  "However, people also understand the dangers of animals traveling in cargo.  We recommend that travelers tell their gate agents if they are allergic or prefer to be seated away from animals if there are any scheduled on their flight."
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Travelers have mixed views about pets on planes
"Most GO vehicles do allow for crated pets and all service animals are welcome, but call ahead to let us know if you will be traveling with furried friends," he adds.
The GO Group, LLC is the nation's largest airport transportation provider, offering shared rides, private vehicles, charters and tours, serving some 85 airports in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia and Europe and transporting more than 13 million passengers per year.


Amawaterways Receives Accolades Across Multiple 2018 Editorial Awards Programs









Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Amawaterways Receives Accolades Across Multiple 2018 Editorial Awards Programs

AmaWaterways is celebrating a banner year, wrapping up 2018 with multiple prestigious editorial awards. Today, Travel Weekly announced its 2018 Readers Choice Awards, in which AmaKristina took Best River Cruise Ship. In addition to being named Best for Active Cruisers in Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick Awards, AmaCerto was awarded Best River Ship by Porthole Magazine’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards. AmaWaterways also received Recommend’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Overall River Cruise; Prevue Meetings + Incentive’s 2018 Visionary Award for Best Wellness at Sea Experience/Program; and was named by Thrillist as the Best River Cruise.

“On behalf of the entire AmaWaterways family, we are incredibly humbled to have received these very valued editorial programs, and we are thankful to those who were part of the selection process,” said Kristin Karst executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “Each honor bestowed upon us is a testament to the dedication of our team, and we can’t wait to continue the success in 2019.”

The recent honors received by AmaWaterways add to an impressive list of those announced earlier this year. In addition to those mentioned previously, AmaWaterways received the title of Best River Cruise by AFAR. AmaWaterways’ AmaKristina (pictured left) also received the coveted No.1 ranking in the Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA Travel Guide, well-regarded as the leading authority for cruises and cruise ships. AmaWaterways’ ships secured five additional placements on the top ten list.

“All of us at AmaWaterways are honored to have received these awards,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “We continually strive to stay on top of industry trends and offer unforgettable experiences for our guests. 2018 has been a solid year of growth and with a record three new ships launching next year, we’re looking forward to topping that growth in 2019.”

A family-owned company, AmaWaterways has earned a reputation for transforming the river cruise industry by introducing innovative ship design, wellness activities, creating authentic and experiential shore excursions and providing award-winning food, wine and service. In 2019, the company will introduce three new ships – the most in one year — including the much-anticipated AmaMagna at twice the width of traditional river cruise ships. Additionally, the line will introduce AmaMora, sister ship to AmaLea and AmaKristina, which will sail the Rhine river. AmaDouro, sister to AmaVida on the Douro River.

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Cheers! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Staff Raise A Toast To The End Of A Successful 2018








Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Cheers! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Staff Raise A Toast To The End Of A Successful 2018



Staff at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have celebrated the end of a successful 2018, which has seen the company boast bumper sales, scoop a host of awards and launch its first-ever dedicated river cruise ship.

Staff came together at Fred. Olsen’s Head Office, Fred. Olsen House, in Ipswich, Suffolk, to raise a glass to a number of successful campaigns in 2018. This year also saw the most successful Monday in the cruise line’s history on 19th November 2018, when total sales reached nearly £1.6million.

2018 closed on a high, with Fred. Olsen stealing the coveted titles of ‘Best Itineraries’ and ‘Best Shore Excursions’ in Cruise Critic’s ‘UK Editors’ Picks Awards 2018’ in December. Other successes for Fred. Olsen over the past 12 months have included ‘Best for Solo Travellers’ at the ‘Wave Awards 2018’ in February and ‘Best Ocean Cruise Line’ at the ‘Silver Travel Awards 2018’ in July.

These significant industry accolades proved the perfect way to mark two major milestones for Fred. Olsen in 2018: its 30th anniversary in its hometown of Ipswich and its 170th year in shipping.

It was the latter of these two anniversaries that inspired the historic coming together of Fred. Olsen’s ocean fleet – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – as they united for only the second time in the cruise line’s history, at its ‘Captains in Cádiz’ celebrations. More than 4,000 guests took to part in this exciting event at the Port of Cádiz, in the Spanish region of Andalusia, for a day of fiesta festivities. Generous guests raised almost £11,000 for the RNLI, Fred. Olsen’s main corporate charity, in a just a matter of hours, with fun fairground games along the quayside.

Meanwhile, 2018 saw the announcement of the departures of two Fred. Olsen stalwarts next year, with the retirement of Mike Evans, Head of Sales, in April, and Mike Rodwell, Managing Director, in August. Between them, they will have dedicated almost 60 years’ service to Fred. Olsen.

2018 was also a milestone year for Fred. Olsen, as it launched its first dedicated river cruise ship, 156-guest Brabant, serving the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers across Europe.
 Î‘ποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Cheers! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Staff Raise A Toast To The End Of A Successful 2018

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“2018 has been a year of many triumphs for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. For the first time ever, we are able to offer our guests holidays along some of Europe’s finest rivers, as well as the world’s most impressive oceans, and we have witnessed the spectacle of our magnificent fleet docked side-by-side at our historic ‘Captains in Cádiz’ event.

“The number of awards that we have won this year is a true testament to the dedication and hard work that all of our staff – both here onshore and across our fleet – invest into creating unique and exciting holidays for our guests.

“We have an awful lot to be proud of, and I can’t think of a better way to see out my final year as Managing Director, after an incredible three decades with Fred. Olsen!”
The addition of Brabant, along with continuous development of its itineraries and the completion of its extensive multi-million-Pound refurbishment across it ocean fleet, have proved fruitful for Fred. Olsen, with guest numbers up by more than 10% on 2017.

The number of guests who have taken advantage of Fred. Olsen’s huge ‘Cruise Sale’, launched on 5th December 2018, is also up by 25% year-on-year, and Brabant sailings are already over 40% sold for 2019.

It was also an award-winning year for two talented Fred. Olsen staff, with Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning & Destination Experience, winning ‘CruiseCopenhagen’s Ambassador Award 2018’, in recognition of ‘his commitment to promoting Denmark as a cruise destination and for creating itineraries that visit Danish ports exclusively’.

In addition, Terri Overett, eBusiness Testing & Usability Executive in Fred. Olsen’s Marketing team, was named as ‘Cruise Line PR & Marketing Star’ by ‘Cruise Trade News’, at its prestigious ‘Cruise Stars Awards 2018’ in November.

The next 12 months are set to be just as exciting for Fred. Olsen. Its fleet of four smaller, more intimately-sized ocean ships will be visiting no fewer than 219 destinations in 75 countries around the globe, covering 79 areas of scenic cruising, and its eagerly-anticipated new 2020/21 cruise programme will be launched in March 2019.

Fred. Olsen’s exotic fly-cruise offering has gone from strength to strength. Notably, in 2019, holidaymakers to the Caribbean will be able to visit La Romana in the Dominican Republic with Fred. Olsen for the first time. Those looking to make a little more out of their holiday will also be able to ‘give something’ back to communities in Dominica and St Lucia with the cruise line’s new ‘voluntourism’ experiences.

In May 2019, Braemar is also set to break a world record, when the 196-metre-long ship will become the largest ever to travel through the size-restricted Corinth Canal, in Greece.

Fred. Olsen will also be naming its fifth guest-funded RNLI lifeboat in January 2019, at its Ipswich Head Office – the first time that the RNLI has ever held such a ceremony at the premises of a corporate partner. Fred. Olsen guests raised an impressive £170,000 in the company’s 170th anniversary year to purchase the Atlantic 85 Rigid Inflatable Boat (‘RIB’), which has been named ‘Pride of Fred. Olsen’. It will be based in Poole, Dorset, as part of the RNLI’s relief lifeboat fleet, and will be deployed around the UK and Ireland.

Replacements for Fred. Olsen’s Managing Director and Head of Sales roles are currently being sought and will be confirmed in 2019.


The First Hyatt Place Hotel in Beijing opens







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για The First Hyatt Place Hotel in Beijing opens


Hyatt announced the opening of its first Hyatt Place brand property in the Chinese capital of Beijing.
Hyatt Place Beijing Daxing announced as the first Hyatt Place hotel in Beijing, opened on December 24, 2018.

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για The First Hyatt Place Hotel in Beijing opens
Located in Xi Hong Men Town, the new core area of Daxing in south Beijing, Hyatt Place Beijing Daxing is about 50-minute drive from Beijing Capital International Airport and is nearly a 30-minute drive from the soon-to-be-completed Beijing Daxing International Airport, as well as five subway stops away from the Beijing South Railway Station. The hotel is also in close proximity to some of the major industries in the area, including Z-Park Daxing Bio-medicine Industrial Zone, China New Media Development Zone and Beijing Advanced Business Square.
Guests can also easily access LIVAT, a major commercial and entertainment complex featuring cinema, fashion stores and restaurants.
Hyatt Place Beijing Daxing offers:
  • 144 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and guestrooms
  • Gallery Kitchen Breakfast, which is free for guests, features an array of Western and Chinese breakfast favorites, including noodles, dim sum, ham and eggs, as well as fresh fruit, yogurt and more
  • 24/7 Gallery Menu & Market serves freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night and perfectly packaged sandwiches and salads
  • Coffee to Cocktails Bar features specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails
  • Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
  • Meetings Places offer more than 175 square meters (1,880 square feet) of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space 
  • 24-hour Gym features cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens and free ear buds and an indoor pool
Hyatt Place Beijing Daxing is under the leadership of General Manager Mr. Harvey Huang and Director of Sales Mr. Michael Zhao. In his role, Mr. Harvey is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s 50 associates and ensuring guests encounter the thoughtful service for which the Hyatt Place brand is known. Mr. Zhao is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Beijing area. 



Magical Christmas 2018 all around Attica










Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Magical Christmas 2018 all around Attica

Christmas is coming and Attica is ready to welcome this magical season, "putting on its festive outfit" and filling every town square, neighbourhood, market, park and numerous surprise-spots with Christmas melodies, colours and flavours, that will thrill children and adults. Once again, New Year's Eve will mark the peak of the festivity period, with stunning audiovisual events and breathtaking fireworks displays that will light up Attica's sky and people's hearts.
From 3 December 2018 until 5 January 2019, Athens transforms into a city of angels, featuring fascinating celebrations and over 230 Christmas events, activities and surprises, in every corner of the city. In many - often unexpected - parts of Athens, angel-like figures created by established Greek artists, will lead Athenians and visitors to the joyous festivities. The lighting of the city and official opening of celebrations took place on Tuesday 11 December at 19.00 in Syntagma Square, with plenty of music and dance.
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Magical Christmas 2018 all around Attica
Christmas at the Acropolis Museum will be pure magic, with imaginative children’s workshops, children's stories, Christmas concert by the Athens State Orchestra and swing New Year's tunes. Throughout Christmas and New Year's, the Emotions Museum will welcome all children, teenagers and adults to play and enjoy the interactive exhibition "In Anger's Palace!" and  participate in the museum's Christmas workshops. Visitors of the Goulandris Natural History Museum will enjoy a delightful Christmas program entitled "A Dinosaur Under the Tree", from Saturday 22 December 2018 until Sunday 6 January 2019: theatrical performances, workshops, shadow puppet theatre shows and decorating the Christmas tree alongside dinosaurs! Dinosaurs will be the stars at the festive museum shop, too, guiding visitors through a special array of imaginative presents and toys.
Kifissia and Nea Erythraea lighted up their Christmas trees… melodically. Two great concerts by well-known Greek artists launched this year's Christmas festivities, on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 December respectively. Theatrical performances for children and adults, Christmas bazaar, Greek folk fairy tales, season melodies and Christmas carols played in the streets, by the Kifissia Philarmonic Orchestra.
Piraeus will once again celebrate Christmas with a fascinating program of events for children and adults, that will create a unique festive atmosphere in the centre and in every neighbourhood of the city. The lighting of the Christmas tree will take place at a special event outside the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, on Friday 7 December, at 19:00, with Christmas melodies and modern live music. Children, the "protagonists" of the Christmas season, will meet with Santa Claus and have their fill of playing at the four Christmas parks, in Marina Zeas and in Kanaris, Pavlos Melas and Dodekanissou squares. Children and adults alike will enjoy the happenings, the theatrical performances, the competitions, concerts and surprises that the city of Piraues has organised for Christmas 2018.
Festivities in Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni began on Sunday 9 December, with the children's play "An elf on the shelf" and the choral concert "Welcome, Christmas", featuring the choirs of Voula, Elliniko and Ilioupoli.
Saronikos welcomes Christmas 2018 with a multitude of festivities and events for all ages, in Anavyssos, Palaia Phocaea, Saronida, Lagonissi, Kalyvia and Kouvaras. Music, games, magicians and face painting for children, an impressive fire show and delicious treats for everyone.
In Markopoulo, December is full of surprises and a multitude of events that will thrill the audience: children's theatre, art actions, music concerts, workshops and local traditions that are revived every Christmas.
A five-day Κid’s Festival with hundreds of actions and interactive games for children, concerts and theatrical performances have been organised in Argyroupoli and Elliniko for Christmas 2018. Festivities began on the 9th of December with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Town Hall, followed by live music and many presents for all.
A rich program of festive events awaits the audience in Acharnes, featuring children's theatrical performances, creative actions, inflatable toys, handicrafts and artistic constructions workshops, face painting and Christmas concerts. The Mpafi and Flabouri refuges on Mount Parnitha have "put on their festive outfits" and await visitors of all ages to enjoy the snowy landscape, to hike and play in the breathtaking natural environment and spend a memorable Christmas or New Year's Eve in the lush green forest.
The stunning islands of Attica have already created the most wonderful Christmas atmosphere, with elegant decorations and events that showcase their rich traditions. Christmas shadow puppet theatre and other theatrical performances for children mark the beginning of this year's festivities in Hydra, which has decorated its picturesque port with an impressive "postali", a small steamboat that used to connect the smaller islands to the mainland in the interwar period. The original work of art by Greek painter and set designer, Nikos Stefanou, will be this year's highlight of Hydra town decorations, with its impressive lights and the many surprises it holds for all children! On Wednesday 19 December, the audience will enjoy a festive music event at the port of Hydra, accompanied by delicious local traditional flavours, while presents will be given to all children.
The Neighbourhood of Christmas in Poros will be overflowed with music tunes, children's toys and delicious treats for all visitors, from 21 December 2018 until 4 January 2019. Concerts, bazaars, fairground attractions and, of course, Santa Claus will be there, awaiting the audience every day, at the Town Hall square and the Town Market.
In the wineries of Attica, throughout Christmas, you will try the quality wine of the Attica land, along with mouthwatering seasonal flavours especially prepared for visitors these days, you will purchase your favourite wine labels in special prices and will enjoy the Christmas events organised by Attica winemakers, with music and singing in a fantastic Christmas atmosphere.
Once again, hotels in Athens and the whole of Attica have created a dream-like festive ambience, with stunning decorations, grand dinners and extraordinary events of high aesthetic value, exactly as Christmas and New Year period demands. 
From Thursday 13 December 2018 until Thursday 3 January 2019, Christmas shopping hours in Attica are 9 am until 9 pm on weekdays, while Saturdays shops will remain open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Sunday 16, 23 and 30 December 2018, shops will be open from 11:00 until 18:00.



Qatar Executive Further Expands Its Fleet By Receiving Its First State-Of-The-Art Gulfstream







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Qatar Executive Further Expands Its Fleet By Receiving Its First State-Of-The-Art Gulfstream


Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group, has received two of its brand-new Gulfstream G500 executive jets, which will provide passengers with a unique and refined flying experience.

Entering service for the first time in early 2019, the G500 jet is the most technologically advanced aircraft in Qatar Executive’s fleet. The state-of-the-art jet sets a new industry benchmark by offering one of the quietest cabins, as well as having the best cabin altitude pressure, allowing for unparalleled passenger comfort.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Welcoming the ultra-modern Gulfstream G500 executive jet into our fleet is a commitment to our Qatar Executive clients’ expectations. The truly advanced jet enables us to offer an unparalleled flying experience to our global clientele, who I am sure will be thrilled when flying on board this all-new aircraft.

“We are proud of the strong relationship we have with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and we look forward to receiving further jets from them in the future.”
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Qatar Executive Further Expands Its Fleet By Receiving Its First State-Of-The-Art Gulfstream

President of Gulfstream, Mr. Mark Burns, said: “Gulfstream is proud to make the first international delivery of the Gulfstream G500 to Qatar Executive, and we look forward to continuing to help them build their Gulfstream fleet, which already includes our high-performing, class-leading flagship, the G650ER.”

The G500 is powered by the next generation Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 engines, optimised for high-altitude, fast and long-range jets. In addition to being one of the quietest and most efficient jets in the industry, the aircraft’s remarkable range makes it capable of travelling non-stop from Istanbul to Cape Town; Los Angeles to London; and San Francisco to Tokyo. The cabin contains the most advanced technology including satellite communications, high-speed internet, the Oryx One entertainment system, wireless local area network and Gulfstream’s Cabin Management System, which allows passengers to use their own personal electronic devices to control audio, video, lighting, temperature, window shades and other cabin functions.

The brand-new executive jet was first unveiled by Qatar Executive on the opening day of Farnborough International Airshow, earlier this year.

Qatar Executive currently operates a fleet of 15 state-of-the-art private jets, including five Gulfstream G650ERs, two Gulfstream G500s, three Bombardier Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s and one Global XRS. In 2019, Qatar Executive is set to receive an additional five G500s and one G650ER.

Qatar Airways is one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, with a modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft flying to over 160 business and leisure destinations across six continents.


atar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.


Rotana to Manage New 5-Star Hotel and Hotel Apartments in Nairobi







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Rotana to Manage New 5-Star Hotel and Hotel Apartments in Nairobi


Rotana, a leading hotel management company across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, has signed a hotel management agreement with Mullion Contractors Limited to manage a new five-star hotel and hotel apartments in Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
Set to open in 2022, the new property will be situated in Upper Hill, a popular business district in the city of Nairobi. With 200 hotel rooms and 100 hotel apartments, the upcoming hotels will be operated under the “Rotana Hotels & Resorts” and “Arjaan hotel apartments by Rotana” brands.
The agreement for the new hotel comes a month after Rotana signed up for its first property in the Republic of Zambia. The planned five-star hotel is scheduled for opening in 2021 in the heart of the south-central African country’s capital city Lusaka. When opened, the new properties in Kenya and Zambia will join the company’s portfolio of operating hotels in the African continent that includes Al Salam Rotana, Khartoum, Sudan; Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana, Kinshasa, DR Congo; and Grand Rotana Resort & Spa, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Rotana to Manage New 5-Star Hotel and Hotel Apartments in Nairobi
Nasser Al-Nowais, Chairman, Rotana, said: “Setting foot in Kenyan market with a five-star hotel and hotel apartments is closely aligned with our vision of strengthening Rotana’s presence in Africa and bolstering our global portfolio further. We will continue to seek new opportunities to offer Rotana’s branded accommodation on the continent that is increasingly becoming popular among tourists and corporate travellers from around the world. On behalf of Rotana, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Mullion Contractors Limited for placing their trust and confidence in our abilities to manage the upcoming hotels.”
Selim El Zyr, Vice Chairman, Rotana, added: “With its promising economic growth projections of around 6 percent, Kenya remains one of Africa’s most buoyant markets and thus offers bright prospects for the hospitality sector. The signing of the hotel management agreement for a new hotels in Nairobi’s thriving business district is a key milestone for Rotana. We are optimistic that this strategic step will fuel our ambitious expansion drive in the African continent.”
The new hotel and hotel apartments will bring Rotana’s total inventory in Africa to 2,028. With an eye to capitalizing on the potential of the continent’s burgeoning market for the hospitality sector, Rotana has planned new hotels in Angola, Mauritania, Nigeria and Tanzania which are scheduled to open by 2022.



Tags:Rotana, Nairobi

Royalty and roses marks ceremony to name Carnival Cruise Line float for Rose Parade







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Royalty and roses marks ceremony to name Carnival Cruise Line float for Rose Parade


MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Line tapped royalty to christen its newest vessel earlier as the queen of the 2019 Rose Parade officially named the cruise line’s first-ever Rose Parade float in a naming ceremony near the Pasadena, Calif., parade route. 
Following time-honored maritime tradition designed to bring good luck to ships – whether they’re the floating or floral variety – Rose Queen Louise Siskel smashed a confetti-filled bottle across the “bow” of the colorful ship-shaped float, officially naming the float “Come Sail Away.”
After the event, guests also had the opportunity to help decorate the float and put on the finishing touches to bring the floral masterpiece to life.
The float, which will make its debut in front of more than 700,000 onlookers along the parade route and an estimated 80 million television viewers as it cruises down the five-mile parade route on Tuesday, Jan. 1, is a detailed replica of Carnival’s first new ship on the West Coast in 20 years, Carnival Panorama, scheduled to enter service in December 2019.
Comprised of tens of thousands of flower petals from more than 100 countries representing Carnival’s diverse team of employees, the float showcases several of the line’s signature design features including the iconic red and blue funnel, water park and Lido Deck party. The float will also include a new feature debuting on Carnival Panorama, Sky Zone, the first trampoline park at sea, with a working trampoline and jumpers in the front of the float. Additionally, the float will salute the brave members of the Armed Forces with a special appearance by former Miss USA and Carnival Vista Godmother Deshauna Barber.
Carnival Panorama is set to debut Dec. 11 with a special three-day cruise from Long Beach followed by the launch of year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings beginning Dec. 14, 2019.


The Most Expensive U.S. Destination to Rent A Car over the Christmas Holiday







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για The Most Expensive U.S. Destination to Rent A Car over the Christmas Holiday



A survey conducted by comparison website CheapCarRental.net revealed costs of car rentals across the United States over the Christmas holiday. 
The survey examined car rental rates in 40 popular U.S. destinations over the time period spanning Dec. 23–27, 2018. For each city considered, the rate for the cheapest available rental car was established at the city’s major airport.
New York City is the most expensive U.S. destination to rent a car over the Christmas holiday, followed by Seattle and New Orleans. In the Big Apple, travelers will pay $179 per day for the most affordable car, by far the highest rate among all destinations considered by the survey. When you compare the Christmas holiday rates to non-holiday winter rates, there’s a price increase of more than 223 percent.Travelers will pay $118 per day for the most affordable car rentals in Seattle and $109 per day for the most affordable car rentals in New Orleans. Seattle’s rates are up more than 300 percent for Christmas. 
The least expensive destinations according to the survey include Louisville, Orlando and San Antonio, where travelers can find rental cars for around $40 per day.
The following table shows the 10 U.S. destinations with the highest car rental rates over Christmas, along with a comparison against regular prices during the winter months. The rates shown reflect the average daily rate for the cheapest available car during the period spanning Dec. 23–27, 2018. Each respective city's main airport was chosen as the pick-up and drop-off location.
  1. New York City $179 (+223%)
  2. Seattle $118 (+315%)
  3. New Orleans $109 (+84%)
  4. Denver $104 (+187%)
  5. Honolulu $99 (+157%)
  6. Boston $95 (+215%)
  7. Pittsburgh $94 (+114%)
  8. Minneapolis $87 (+84%)
  9. Portland $86 (+118%)
10.Tampa $86 (+186%)




Cayman Islands on Track to Surpass 2017 Stayover Visitation








Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Cayman Islands on Track to Surpass 2017 Stayover Visitation


The Cayman Islands welcomed a total of 410,984 stayover visitors in the first eleven months of 2018. This represents an 11.26 percent increase over the first eleven months of 2017 and is the highest number of stayover visitors in recorded history. Total visitation for the year 2017 was 418,403.

“The incredible growth in arrivals we have seen in 2018 is a testament to the resilience of the Cayman Islands through strong stakeholder partnerships, high investor confidence and a national commitment to the development of our infrastructure,” commented Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Moses Kirkconnell. “The strategic efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Department of Tourism must be continued, to ensure our islands take a holistic approach at addressing the needs of every visitor that graces our shore. I look forward to ending the year with record-breaking arrivals and continuing this momentum through 2019.”

November air arrivals into the Cayman Islands were the best November in record history with a total of 38,172 visitors, a 9.07 percent increase over 2017. Visitation from the United States increased by 10.43 percent. Of significant note is the Southeast region which recorded a 19.44 percent increase over 2017. These figures were aided by the addition of JetBlue’s daily service from Fort Lauderdale in October. The Northeast region increased by 6.42 percent and was complemented by an increase in flight capacity from JetBlue and our national airline, Cayman Airways. The Southwest region recorded a 16.3 percent increase over 2017; while the West Coast and Midwest region recorded a 15.97 and 4.55 percent respectively. Canadian arrivals showed strong performance as well, with increased visitation at 13.27 percent growth over November 2017. Continued efforts to grow the Latin American market are fruitful as visitation grew by 10.3 percent.

 Î‘ποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Cayman Islands on Track to Surpass 2017 Stayover Visitation
Sustained growth is expected in the first quarter of 2019 with several key events happening in the destination. The 11th annual Cayman Cookout, which unites award-winning chefs and winemakers with worldwide purveyors of gourmet food, returns to the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean January 16 – 20, 2019. Taste of Cayman, a celebration of the Cayman Islands’ culinary heritage, returns to the Festival Green, Camana Bay January 26, 2019. To top it all off, the Cayman Islands is proud to be the host destination for KAABOO Cayman, set for February 15 – 16, 2019. The event will welcome a wide spectrum of internationally renowned musicians such as The Chainsmokers, Duran Duran, ZEDD, Jason Derulo; comedians such as Wanda Sykes, David Spade, Jenny Slate, Darrell Hammond and chefs such as Michael Mina, Richard Blais, Michell Bernstein and Nina Compton.



Jamaica sees record arrivals and earnings for the Christmas period







Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Jamaica sees record arrivals and earnings for the Christmas period


KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica saw record arrivals and earnings for the period December 21-24, 2018. Preliminary airport arrivals was 34,081, an increase of 12.8% over the corresponding period in 2017. The estimated gross earnings stands at USD51, 240,784 which represents a 17.1% increase over last year.
“This is excellent news and shows the strength of Jamaica’s tourism product. We expected a record season and the numbers highlight this fact.
Arrivals from our source markets have been growing apace and we have been strategically engaging new and emerging markets to add to this growth,” said Minister Bartlett.
Thousands of additional airline seats were negotiated for the 2018-2019 ‘High Season’ in December, out of North America, Canada, the UK and Northern Europe.
In addition, several new flights made their landing at the Sangster International Airport out of Eastern Europe, including Eurowings, Pegas Fly and Nordwind, as well as Canadian airlines Westjet, Sunwing and Swoop. While Copa Airlines increased to daily its service between Panama City, its main hub, and Montego Bay.
Latam Airlines Group also announced Nonstop Direct Flights from Peru to Montego Bay beginning July 2019 and Frontier Airlines, one of the newest routes out of the United States, made its inaugural flight on November 17, 2018.
“Airlift remains a key strategy in achieving our growth targets of 5million visitors and US5billion by 2021 and the numbers show that we are well on our way to meeting these targets,
By the end of the year it is expected that the country will welcome well over 4.3million visitors and earn US3.3Billion,”added Minister Bartlett.



Turkish Airlines Starts Flights to Freetown in Sierra Leone






Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Freetown in Sierra Leone


Turkish Airlines, flying to more destinations than any other airline, marks another milestone in its international expansion with the launch of flights to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
With existing services, Turkish Airlines now adds flights to Freetown as its 52nd destination in Africa.
Beginning February 24, Turkish Airlines will operate its Freetown flights 2 times per week on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The services will provide a link between Istanbul Atatürk International Airport and the Lungi International Airport via Ouagadougou. The return flight will also provide a substantial access to passengers departing from Sierra Leone to top global destinations via Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries and international destinations than any other in the world.