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AG Boutique Journey celebrates 20 years of operating

November 11, 2019 by PressEditor

AG Boutique Journey, the DMC within the AG Group, sole Tourist Group in Italy that is capable of satisfying internally any request for hospitality, whether Hotel or land services (DMC/Tour Operator & Event Management Company, Hotel Group, Hotel Consultants, Restaurateur and Retirement Homes), founded and directed by Andrea Girolami, is now celebrating its twentieth birthday.

Born under the name of RSI Travel, today known as AG Boutique Journey, offers highly professional solutions for all Travel solutions, Events, Weddings and Luxury Travel. Grown from a great love and passion for Italy by Andrea Girolami, the founder and his team, has today become a contagious addiction and reached out to its entire staff.

RSI soon established itself as a dynamic reality, becoming “RSI GROUP” with five separate divisions: RSI Communication, RSI Travel, Corporate & Events, Luxury Travel and Weddings. Today, integrated into the new group, it participates in the internationalization of a wide variety of brands and thanks to its customer base, which stretches from every corner of the globe, particularly the Americas, Europe and Oceania. The company today continues to offer five separate departments, embracing every segment of demand, Individuals-FIT Groups, MICE, Luxury and Weddings.

Statement by Andrea Girolami, President and founder of the AG Group

“We are proud to have adopted an advanced business module, unique in Italy and possibly also in Europe, by positioning ourselves as a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to visit our country at its best.

“AG Boutique Journey is not just a DMC, it is the passport to an integrated Group which operates all-round in the hospitality world and offers its own Executive and Luxury hotels, 360° scope of Consultancy to hoteliers, Gourmet Restaurants, Bistrots, stunning rooftop Terraces and a solution to any dream request of every possible and imaginable trip.  Whoever contacts us will discover not “only” rooms, but unique and original ingredients for creating a boutique journey in all forms.

“Over the many years of operating, we have adjusted our organization several times over, always in accordance with changing demand and market trends and shifts, thus confirming our dynamic and competitive nature. Today, thanks to the excellent reputation which we have gained from continuously surpassing expectations, our high standards of service, our passion for Italy and our client oriented nature, we have created an efficient and competent  format that is in a position of writing a new chapter in the history of hospitality.

“To those who continue to ask me how we got here? I reply rather moderately, by our company motto to which we still stand by today. One of our secrets is to always be large enough and small enough, that is to efficiently manage all aspects of the journey but also by giving each and every program a personal touch. “Boutique” is not just a whim or a claim, it is the necessary element in supporting the Operators, particularly at a time when moderate sales are posing as a threat and are dangerous rivals to the professionalism of the Agents, who fortunately find in us, more than just service or a supplier, they find support, friendship and partners.”

Visit the website. 

AG Group–Your gateway to Italy is the first tourist group in Italy capable of satisfying all aspects of the incoming tourism demand internally. DMC/tour operator and event management, Hotel Consulting Company, Own Hotel Chain, Gourmet Restaurants and Retirement Homes.

Founded and directed by Andrea Girolami, an entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience in tourism and hospitality, includes:

  • AG Hotels, executive hotels in the centre of Rome, plus a deluxe property opening in Florence at the beginning of 2020.
  • AG Boutique Journey, tour operator, DMC, event agency and wedding planner with an important specialization in the luxury segment.
  • AG Hotel Consulting, consulting agency for hotels, which contributes to the marketing of many hotels in central Italy.
  • AG Foodies, bistrot in Rome and the Terraces of the AG Hotels as well as the Florence shortly, equipped with gourmet kitchens.
  • AG Domus Nova, the novelty of the Group: an important retirement home project, beginning in central Italy, to also meet the demand for hospitality for the elderly.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stefano Ferri, Press Officer, Mob. 349 5506421 stefanoferri@aggroupitaly.it

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: dmc, FIT, Group, Italy, journey, RSI

Seychelles captures the Italian tourism market at the TTG Travel Experience

October 28, 2019 by PressEditor

The Italian Exhibition Group gave the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and its trade partners exposure to three international exhibitions dedicated to the travel industry from October 9 to 11, 2019 at Rimini Expo Centre.

The event brought together the 56th edition TTG Travel Experience, 68th edition of SIA Hospitality Design and 37th SUN Beach & Outdoor Style, exhibitions which gave the delegation from Seychelles significant insights into the Italian market as well as other tourism related topics.

The delegation from the small island nation was headed by the STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis and comprised of the Director for Italy, Turkey, Israel, Greece and the Mediterranean, Mrs. Monette Rose and two STB Marketing Executives, Ms. Rolira Young from the Head Office and Mrs. Yasmine Pocetti, based in Rome.

The Seychelles trade partners present in Italy were hotel representatives Mr Bertrand Moussa with the Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort team, Miss Wendy Tan representative from Berjaya Resorts Seychelles, Miss Serena Di Fiore on behalf of Hilton Hilton Seychelles Resorts and Miss Anastasia Zelkova representative from Savoy Resort & Spa Seychelles. On the DMC team were 7° South represented by Mrs Anna Butler Payette and Mrs Amanda Lang from Creole Travel Services.

This year’s event saw a significant international presence with representatives from 130 destinations including Seychelles and industry players from 85 countries worldwide.

The Seychelles stand presented vibrant displays of island scenery, with its delegation of STB officers, hotels and DMCs.

A special presentation organised on the first day, gave the Seychelles Islands more visibility at this event, showcasing the destinations’ products to the international delegations present.

Mrs. Francis, the STB Chief Executive seized the opportunity to update the Italian Tourism sector on recent developments and upcoming events in the Seychelles, such as 250th Anniversary celebrations and the increased national focus on sustainable tourism.

A series of business-to-business meetings with tour operators and media were also held at the stand, giving the delegation the chance to brainstorm ideas and discuss upcoming projects. 

Mentioning the presence of the STB at the trio-event in Italy, Mrs. Monette Rose mentioned the prominence of the events and the evident increase in exposure for Seychelles and its participating partners.

‘We are very satisfied on how the fair went, with an 11% increase on visitors, this is a sign that the Italian market is still very active and interested in Seychelles, one of the top tropical destination in the Italian holidays dreams. TTG is the true gateway to the Italian tourism market’, said Mrs. Monette Rose, commenting on the exhibition.

She further mentioned that the TTG Travel Experience contributes importantly to the benefit of the tourism industry players in the Seychelles as it is a platform to not only market the destination, but also increase knowledge on the recent developments within the Italian trade.

During this year, a special project was dedicated to the main African Tourism Boards, uniting them all under one village at the trade fair.

For more news about Seychelles, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: dmc, Italian market, Seychelles islands, Tourism Market, travel experience, ttg, TTG Travel Experience

Seychelles Tourism Board strengthens its outreach in India with three-city roadshow

October 8, 2019 by PressEditor

The Seychelles Tourism Board successfully conducted a three-city roadshow in the cities of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, Ahmedabad in the State of Gujarat and the capital city of India; Delhi from Monday September 16 to Friday September 20, 2019.

The key industry players from Seychelles including hotel partners and Destination Management Companies (DMC) alongside the STB representatives. The team, consisting of Mrs. Elsie Sinon- Senior Marketing Executive from the STB Headquarters, Ms. Shakambri Soni and Mrs. Priya Ghag from the Seychelles Tourism Board’s India office, connected with approximately 225 prominent Indian travel and tour operating companies to strengthen their outreach in India.

On the hotel accommodation services side Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, Cerf Island Resort, Four Seasons Seychelles, Hilton Resort & Spa, MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa, Savoy Resort & Spa, Coral Strand Smart Choice Hotel, JA Enchanted Island Resort and soon to open Club Med Seychelles were present at the roadshow.

Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel, Vision Voyages represented on the DMC side, Variety Cruises as a cruise operator and Air Seychelles, the national carrier, stood alongside the delegation as part of the Seychelles services experience.

 The trade partners and travel agents were given the chance to network with the exhibitors to learn more about the destination including the diverse products and experiences the Seychelles offers during this interactive roadshow.

Present at the roadshow on the STB team Mrs. Sinon mentioned her satisfaction to have had a successful event in India.

She emphasised that such events create a platform to help service providers in Seychelles and Indian tour operators, to connect and understand mutual needs so as to better design and deliver the Seychelles to all clients, particularly new-age travellers from India while retaining the growth momentum of Indian arrivals into the Seychelles.

Commenting on the event, Ms. Sherin Francis, STB Chief Executive stated that the annual roadshow

in India is one of the marketing events that extremely substantial for the destination.

“It gave us immense pleasure to see our Indian partners always eager to keep updated about the Seychelles. This roadshow was well attended and received a remarkable response from all three cities. India represents a substantial and vast market for Seychelles and these planned events help us to understand the current market dynamics and connect with the existing as well as potential Indian tour operators in Chennai, Ahmedabad and Delhi,” said Mrs. Francis.

On her part Ms. Lubaina Sheerazi, STB representative in India further added, “We are extremely pleased to have received positive and encouraging feedback from stakeholders about the format and quality of meetings conducted at the roadshow. Delhi and Ahmedabad have been among the top three markets for Seychelles and we wanted to revisit these cities to ensure quality engagement with all trade partners there. With our marketing strategies and efforts, we continue this engagement and reach out to more potential markets in the coming years.”

As part of its marketing strategy, each year STB plans to target newer cities in India through roadshows, workshops and selective meetings. STB encourages their partners to participate in the 2020 edition of the roadshow as India is an immensely significant market for the Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: dmc, Indian, meetings, Ms, reach, Seychelles, tourism

Italian debutants showcase fresh ideas at WTM London 2019

August 22, 2019 by PressEditor

Six exhibitors from Italy will make their debut at WTM London 2019 – the event where ideas arrive – showcasing new destinations, cutting-edge technology and fresh touring inspiration.

They include Heart of the Dolomites – a new tourist board promoting digital-detox holidays in the mountainous region of northern Italy – and inbound tour operator TUO Travel, which plans to unveil new partnerships and excursions at WTM.

Other new Italian exhibitors are Air Home Restaurant, a start-up peer-to-peer website, offering the chance to book social foodie experiences around the world, such as cooking shows, tastings and meals.

Accommodation specialists exhibiting for the first time are Espogest, a Rome-based hotel company, and Hotel Carlyle – a stylish, modern four-star property which is a 15-minute walk from the centre of Milan.

The sixth new exhibitor is Grimaldi Euromed, which operates passenger ferries between Greece and Italy and across the Mediterranean. Part of the Grimaldi Group – a multinational logistics giant – the ferry firm has installed ‘mega batteries’ on two cruise ferries which means there will be zero emissions during short port visits.

Emma Taveri – Chief Executive of Destination Makers, which manages marketing for Heart of the Dolomites – said the region features “amazing” mountains and year-round activities that range from the chilled – such as mountaintop sunrise yoga – to adrenaline sports, including zip-lining, snow-sports and mountain climbing.

“We are designing a completely new way of experiencing our mountains with no technology and total mind-and-soul recharging experiences,” she said.

“We are exhibiting at WTM London to position Heart of the Dolomites as the ideal destination to ‘recharge in nature’, both in winter and summer.”

Reflecting WTM London’s ethos of generating new ideas and fresh thinking, the tourist board recently ran a contest called Recharge in Nature which received more than 19,000 applications from across the world.  

Carlo Nocella, TUO Travel’s Sales and Product Manager, said the company is busy working on announcements for WTM London, such as partnerships with luxury hotels and resorts.

The DMC will also unveil luxury private tours of Italy featuring accommodation in prestigious five-star city-centre hotels, plus upmarket excursions such as helicopter trips, luxury boat trips on Italy’s lakes, and exclusive access to art museums and secret gardens.

Furthermore, TUO Travel is developing products in scenic southern regions such as Calabria – the ‘toe’ of Italy – and Apulia, which forms the ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’.

Echoing WTM London’s mantra of ‘Ideas Arrive Here’, he said: “The aim during WTM is to meet the most important luxury travel professionals, travel designers and tour operators.

“WTM London is a formidable marketplace. It is the key event of the year where TUO Travel can showcase its best opportunities and products that will create the perfect Italian trip.”

Simon Press, Exhibition Director WTM London, added: “Italian exhibitors have long been great supporters of WTM, and it is encouraging to see so many new companies joining us from Italy, ranging from innovative start-ups to long-established multinationals that are leading the way in sustainability.

“They recognise how WTM can provide an unparalleled platform to publicise their products to new and existing business partners from around the world.”

Heart of the Dolomites: Stand EU50

TUO Travel: Stand EU200

Air Home Restaurant: Stand EU42

Hotel Carlyle: Stand EU64

Grimaldi Euromed: Stand EU30

Espogest: Stand EU34

eTN is a media partner for WTM London. 

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises seven leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals.

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face-to-face through data and digital tools at more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether they are global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

Media Contacts:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR and Events Assistant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: dmc, Italian, London, seven, Tours, WTM, wtm london

Jordan keeps on integrating to Europe by sending 8 pharma professionals to Rome and deepening contacts for prospect collaborations

July 23, 2019 by PressEditor

The MICE industry helps build peace and shows to the world the true and pacific side of the Islamic societies.

The cooperation between The Platinum Services, a Rome-based event agency and DMC specializing in first class events in Italy, Europe and other selected areas, and Guarantee Travel Group, an Amman-based DMC, event organizer and travel agency, one of the biggest in the Country, having good relationships with the Jordan government, is booming and has recently hit another run.

It happened in Rome, at the Marriott Park Hotel, where eight professionals coming from the biggest pharmaceutical companies of Jordan joined a few Italian peers from June 22-27 to discuss collaboration in research.

This could lead to very important developments, over the next few years, in the pharmacological treatment of serious diseases, and it is meaningful that such an outcome takes place thanks to an industry – the Mice one – whose aim is to gather people in spite of any cultural, religious or ethnical differences.

“One people, one world,” say together Guarantee Travel Group’s Regional Director Mr. Rami Qutishat and The Platinum Services’ owner Loredana Chiappini. “Our focus is to enhance relationships and we found in the common boilerplate of the Western and the Middle-eastern cultures a fantastic chance to sew progress and peace.”

The Platinum Services is a Rome-based full-service agency offering the most complete range of MICE and high end personalized services to make meetings, conferences, incentive trips and events exclusive either in Italy or in Europe as much as elsewhere. The Platinum Services with its solid network – serious and efficient business partners throughout Italy and Europe – specializes in travel and MICE services. Based on a long lasting experience in the MICE industry, it organizes meetings, congresses, events and incentives considering any details and bringing the most reliable effectiveness and efficiency. The company is driven by a creative approach, proved successful with corporate clients and independent agencies all over the world.

For further information: The Platinum Service, Via degli Apuli, 54, I-00185 Rome (Italy), Tel +39 06 4460449, Mob: +39 333 9470120, info@theplatinumservices.it , www.theplatinumservices.it

Media Contact: Stefano Ferri, Mob. +39 349 5506421, press@stefanoferri.it

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: contact, cooperation, dmc, Jordan, mice, Rome, The Platinum Services

Four countries, 4 days, 1 destination: Seychelles Eastern European Roadshow 2019

June 13, 2019 by PressEditor

On May 27, 2019, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) set off for its annual Seychelles Dedicated Roadshow in Central and Eastern Europe.

The event lasted for 4 days during which representatives of hotels and DMC companies from the Seychelles Islands had an opportunity to meet potential trade partners in 4 countries including Poland (Warsaw), Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia (Bratislava), and Hungary (Budapest).

The events organized by the STB aimed at reinforcing the presence and image of the destination as well as providing a refined business platform for partners to meet with the leading tour operators and agents in these four countries.  

Ms. Karen Confait, Director Scandinavia, Russia /CIS & Eastern Europe and Ingrid Laurencine, Marketing Executive from Headquarters represented STB, during this intensive Seychelles promotion.

A group of eight partners representing the Destination Management Companies and hotel establishments accompanied them.

DMC partners on the Eastern Europe roadshow included Creole Travel Services represented by Eric Renard, 7° South represented by Marta Kalarus (Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava) and Krisztina Miklos (Budapest) and Mason’s Travel represented by Gerhard Bartsch.

On the hotel establishment sides, Marie Kremer represented Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, was represented by Maria Eremina, Agata Sobczak was present on behalf of Kempinski Resort Baie Lazare, Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino & Berjaya Praslin Resort, represented by Wendy Tan and finally representing Savoy Resort & Spa and Coral Strand Hotel, was Svetlana Davydkina.

In Warsaw, the evening took place at the newly opened and stylish luxury Raffles Europejski Warsaw that opened its doors with brand new conference facilities.

While in Prague, the well-known luxury Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa was chosen to host the event, in Bratislava the dinner was hosted on a Danube River in the picturesque River’s Club venue with the beautiful view over the Bratislava Castle. The final stop of the Roadshow was celebrated in the Corinthia Hotel Budapest in a historic Grand Ball room.

In the four cities, the STB team opted for the train and dine format, which included a welcome mingle, followed by B2B meetings-during which all partners had a chance to present their products and discuss business opportunities with the tour operators and agents.  Events in all four cities were attended by over 200 agents, most of which specialises in leisure and some on in MICE travel. The dinners ended with a raffle, where guests had a chance to win prizes from the partners. The prizes included stays in the various hotels in Seychelles, transfer and excursion as well as memorable gifts from the Seychelles Islands.

The workshop format, which was added last year in addition to the presentations, has proved to be ideal as it provides partners more time for in-depth one to one discussion.

Speaking about the Seychelles dedicated roadshow, STB Director Scandinavia, Russia /CIS & Eastern Europe, Ms. Karen Confait, stated her satisfaction to see new partners attending every year.

She added that the event is also the perfect platform to catch up with current partners and to refresh their minds about the destination but also motivate them to sell. Through the various presentations, STB and the Seychelles partners are able to showcase the immense diversity and variety the islands have go offer, in terms of its people, culture, islands and properties and services available.

“Eastern Europe is a growing market for Seychelles and our dedicated roadshow over the past 5 years has been key in growing Seychelles share of the business. The two largest market in the region, Czech & Poland has shown a significant increase of 45% & 19% respectively for Jan to April 2019 compared to the same period last year. So far, the figures are very encouraging, and I believe that together with the local partners, STB can further develop this region, which has immense potential for Seychelles. Furthermore, the roadshow’ success could not have been possible without the support of the hotels and DMCS,” said the Director of Scandinavian, CIS & Eastern European Markets.

On their part, the travel trade in the four countries confirmed that the destination is growing, with the economy doing well people are looking for destinations like Seychelles for their holidays.

The Seychelles dedicated roadshow, a well-established event since its start over five years ago is now a highlight on the Central and Eastern European market.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

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Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: amp, BB, dmc, Eastern European, representing, roadshow, Seychelles islands

Travel Leaders Network embarks upon major international expansion

April 10, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Travel Leaders Network, North America’s largest travel agency organization, in partnership with sister company Travel Leaders Corporate, has embarked upon a large-scale international expansion program to expand opportunities and provide enhanced service to corporate customers. To date, 40 major travel agencies from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia have become new members of Travel Leaders Network. Many more agencies are expected to join over the coming months.

“We are creating a network of agencies that will serve as connective tissue enabling us to respond to larger opportunities both regionally and internationally,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network. “These agencies, now backed by the scale, technology and tools available through Travel Leaders, are positioned to provide an even more customized, personalized and superior level of service to existing and new clients within their respective geographies.”

New members, some of which are among the largest corporate travel agencies in their countries, join several existing international members of Travel Leaders Network. Combined, the network now has agency representation in nearly 50 countries. Additionally, Travel Leaders Group agencies across the U.S., Canada, the UK and Mexico, inclusive of CTS (Corporate Travel Services), will play a significant role in the international expansion.

“Our plan is to sign one exclusive Travel Leaders representative in key countries around the globe. We are engaging partners who can offer a full portfolio of corporate, leisure and events services and are recognized in their country and by their peers as service-oriented, successful agencies,” said Block.

The newly-joined international members will have access to Travel Leaders’ comprehensive suite of resources. Those include online booking tools, a wide variety of marketing programs, the company’s extensive hotel program, including its highly curated SELECT Hotels & Resorts Program, international destination company (DMC) network and access to a vast array of education and training resources. Additionally, members will be able to support both international accounts and local customers through Travel Leaders’ end-to-end technology suite that provides profile management, online trip authorization, data consolidation and analytics, meetings technology and customer reporting tools. International partners will also have access to some of the marquee leisure programs offered by Travel Leaders Network.

“This expansion program is transforming both Travel Leaders Network and Travel Leaders Corporate into more robust international players with stronger abilities and reach enabling true multi-national account management based upon a highly personalized service model on an international scale,” said Gabe Rizzi, President of Travel Leaders Corporate. “Clients will be serviced by local agencies who are leaders in their markets providing premium corporate travel services supported by a vast array of technology. These innovative agencies are now backed by one of the largest travel agency networks in the world. We’re not a call center operation and neither are they. That’s our sweet spot and our competitive difference.”

Member support will be provided on a regional basis with key positions located in each region, including Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. “We have hired regional sales professionals in the areas of sales, operations, technology and account management to create a more localized support structure to best serve the needs of our international members,” Rizzi added.

Angeles Yugdar, Senior Vice President of International Markets for Travel Leaders Group, is leading the expansion efforts and overseeing the new regional team members. Kevin Brown, Vice President of International Sales for Travel Leaders Corporate, is also serving in a key role. New regional team members include:
•Carina Fernandez Grenno, Regional Partner Management Director, Latin America
•Susan Lancaster, Regional Partner Management Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa
•Pat Siow, Regional Partner Management Director, Asia Pacific

New international agency members include:

Armenia

Global Travel Club LLC

Brazil

Travel Leaders Brazil

Bulgaria

Jamadvice

Burma

Supported by Vietnam

Cambodia

Supported by Vietnam

China

Travelux Limited

Colombia

Trafalgar Tours SAS

Costa Rica

Rutas Aereas S.A.

Croatia

Supported by Serbia

Egypt

Travel Leaders Egypt

France

Marietton Development SAS (Havas Voyages / Ailleurs Business)

Greece

Kyvernitis Travel

Guatemala

Grupo Travel

Hong Kong

Travel Leaders Hong Kong

Indonesia

Travel Leaders Indonesia

Israel

Lachish Tours

Japan

Toppan Travel Service Corp.

Jordan

Dakkak Travel Agency (DTA)

Kuwait

KAPICO Travels and Tourism Co. WLL

Laos

Supported by Vietnam

Latvia

TAS Baltics Ltd.

Lithuania

JSC Vestekspress

Luxembourg

Select Travel S.A.

Madagascar

Arcadia Travel

Malaysia

Travel Biz & Tours

Mauritius

Arcadia Travel

Montenegro

Supported by Serbia

Netherlands

Business + Travel Group

Panama

International Meetings and Conventions Panama Inc.

Paraguay

Compania de Desarrollo Turistico SRL – Comdetur

Peru

Promotora De Viajes Nuevo Mundo

Romania

Aerotravel

Russia

IBC Corporate Travel International Business Centre Ltd.

Serbia

Travel Leaders Serbia

Switzerland

STC Travel Swiss SARL (Havas Voyages)

Thailand

Travel Leaders Thailand

Ukraine

Sky Travel Holdings Limited (Ukraine)

Uruguay

Travel Leaders Uruguay

Venezuela

Molina Agencia De Viajes C.A.

Vietnam

HG Group

The above agencies join Travel Leaders Network’s existing international members which include:

Bahrain

Cozmo Travel

India

Greaves Travel Pvt Ltd and Orchid Voyages Pvt Ltd

Ireland

Travel Management International

Qatar

Cozmo Travel

Saudi Arabia

Cozmo Travel

United Arab Emirates

Cozmo Travel

Travel News | eTurboNews

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Jordan sets itself up for European MICE audience

April 8, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Jordan, a country which is sheltered from the troubles of the region, is safe to travel in and around, independently or in a group. The country is presenting itself to the European MICE audience with fully-detailed proposals as well as a complete specializing catalogue thanks to the cooperation of The Platinum Services, a Rome-based event agency and DMC specializing in first class events in Italy, Europe and other selected areas, and Guarantee Travel Group, one of the biggest DMCs and event and travel agencies of the Country, benefitting from personal contacts with Jordan Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Mohammad Shweikeh.

“Jordan’s MICE industry has come of age,” stated Regional Director Mr. Rami Qutishat. “It understands the particular demands of the meetings and incentive market and strives to exceed expectations. It has harnessed the ingredients needed to provide groups with a successful event that touches the hearts of most discerning delegates and resides in their memories». For nearly half a century, Late King Hussein was viewed as a respected world leader and a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Today, his son King Abdullah II echoes the same voice of moderation – not by chance, he’s been recently presented the Peace Lamp in Assisi, Italy.”

Jordan is located at the crossroads of three continents, making it an ideal meeting place for international events. Flying time from most European, African and Asian cities is around four hours, and there is easy and direct access from the USA and Canada. GMT +2 hours; US Eastern Standard Time +7 hours.

Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is a gateway to the Red Sea and is becoming an important regional hub for business and leisure travelers. It is the only airport in Jordan to operate an Open Skies policy.

The national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, flies to 54 destinations and is a member of One World Alliance with code sharing alliances with many airlines. The country boasts a fine array of international hotels, with new investments constantly adding a number of exciting developments to the portfolio. The country is now embracing the concept of eco resorts and is increasingly supporting green initiatives.

Besides the wealth of meeting space available in all the major hotels, the opening of the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center in 2006 on the shore of the Dead Sea signaled Jordan’s commitment to this sector.

Jordan touches many senses – from spicy aromas and culinary pleasures to an invigorating mud wrap, first glimpse of Petra’s Treasury and the sound of desert silence. It is one of nature’s most unusual adventure playgrounds, containing some of the world’s best preserved Nabataean and Roman cities, as well as the Dead Sea, the lowest point in the world; and for an even greater adrenalin rush, it unveils the crags that tower over Wadi Rum or the waterfalls in Wadi Mujib.

“Jordan is a country with rich cultural heritage,” stated Loredana Chiappini, owner of The Platinum Services. MICE events are set against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, deserts and seas that have provided the stage for many of history’s most momentous dramas. When you combine world-class meeting facilities with an inspiring range of incentive activities in a dramatic setting, you will have the ingredients for a very special event. With easy access, value for money and highly experienced DMCs, success is assured.”

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Travel News | eTurboNews

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Five challenges confronting Meetings Industry in 2019

March 25, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Tight meeting budgets, time pressures, organizational issues, a lack of creativity from hotels, increasingly complex and costly mandates in catering, a need for more dynamic and enriching experiences and resistance to change – these are among the major challenges confronting the meetings industry in 2019.Teneo Hospitality Group surveyed 150 meeting planners and hoteliers on the challenges they faced in effectively competing in today’s changing and complicated marketplace. Interestingly, some of the challenges planners faced are internal, within their own organizations. All identified limited meetings budgets, lack of time and somewhat inflexible corporate cultures that gave rise to additional problems such as a lack of innovation and poor cost control.

“‘Many of these challenges – and their solutions – are interdependent,” says Teneo President Mike Schugt. He notes that meeting professionals are saying that they have concerns within their organization and corporate cultures which contribute to resistance to change, resulting in budgets that are impacted negatively. Planners are also saying that these challenges, coupled with the many demands on time, inhibit creative strategies that could otherwise help solve the obstacles pointed out in Teneo’s most recent survey.

“Teneo and its hotel and DMC members have a unique opportunity to step up and help solve the challenges of our planner partners,” says Mike Schugt. “We can introduce creative, time-saving offerings that can also meet their bottom line. By understanding the needs that go beyond rates, dates and space, hotels can provide innovative, solutions to the challenges planners face behind the scenes.”

Challenge #1 Budgets. Inadequate budgets headed the challenge lists for all survey participants. Planners cited rising costs, especially concerning food and beverage, with no comparable increase in budgets. The complexities of gaining budget increases from various corporate departments impact every aspect of the meeting process from training staff to negotiating contracts. Despite a strong economy, some planners reported budget cuts. Respondents noted that the inability to obtain adequate funding reflected a lack of understanding of the profound changes in the meetings industry that demanded more, not less, investment. Needs of attendees are very different today, especially among Millennials and Generation Z who require a high degree of technical services, greater engagement and entertaining activities – needs that are difficult to meet on a tight budget. Yet management and attendees had extremely high expectations.

Suggested Solution: The fundamental way planners can achieve their budget is to be transparent and in open communication with a property. Though the tendency may be to play one’s cards close to the vest, transparency from the beginning of negotiations is key to effective planning and keeping costs in check. While many planners feel they must keep back some of their budgetary concerns until further on in the planning process, an honest and comprehensive view of the meetings objectives and resources will enable hoteliers to present a realistic budget.

Challenge #2 Lack of Time. Time pressures impact every business and organization, but some concerns have particular ramifications for the meetings industry. Virtually all respondents cited a lack of time and identified challenges that could have far-reaching consequences. With sweeping advances in technology impacting the industry, hoteliers and planners noted that they often lacked the time to keep up with technical developments. This problem was amplified when attendees were ahead of the planners and hotels in their own use of technology. Training a new generation of meeting planners and hotel staff is key to the industry’s progress. But few had time to develop effective programs, tailored to meet the different viewpoints and technical skills of a new generation. Most significantly, respondents worried that the overwhelming details of day-to-day work left little time for long-term, strategic planning. And the top time waster? Too many unnecessary e-mails.

Suggested Solution: Hotels are often inundated with leads and may not always be able to reply in 24 hours. Planners are encouraged to indicate their timeline for response up front so hotels and resorts can offer a higher quality of response. For planners, they can then gather their lead responses all at one time and be assured that the quality of response is going to be higher if a little more time is allocated to the properties of interest. Planners that source more than 6 or 7 hotels per lead and in multiple cities will tend to be taken less seriously by a hotel. So planners can save time and drive up quality of response by reducing the number of hotel sources they contact.

If planners can share flexibility with dates early in the process, they will save time and the hotels can provide multiple options, which will likely have differences in pricing leading to greater value with the budget. Giving the hotel as much information as possible saves everyone time and can save on the budget.

Challenge #3 Keeping Up with Technology. In a technological environment that is moving at lightning speed, staying current and knowledgeable of technology’s impact on meeting productivity can be daunting. Realizing that millennial attendees may be way ahead in their technical knowledge, technology applications and expectations can be intimidating. Even leadership within select organizations don’t always seem to grasp how technology is revolutionizing the meetings experience today.

Suggested Solution: Staying current and out front with technological progress is critical to the successful outcome of every meeting, conference or social gathering. Yes, some long-term practices are still prized such as white boards and LCD players. But engaging with attendee devices puts the meeting’s learning literally in the hands of conferees in a way that resonates within a generation who grew up on texting, social media posts, interactive apps and more. These are the tools they use for their everyday living, and should be the tools they can expect to use within meetings important to their and their employer’s success.

Challenge #4 Lack of Creativity. Big brand hotels’ corporate bureaucracy partially accounts for planners’ demand for greater creativity in the meeting process, and a far more flexible business environment. Larger hotel brands often have corporate policies that may place limits on pushing the boundaries of creating the ultimate meeting experiences for planners. But the need for innovation and original events, imaginative use of technology, effective teambuilding exercises, new experiences in even the most tried and true destinations, and diverse, sustainable and healthy food cannot be ignored.

Suggested Solution: Partner with a hotel or resort that creatively works with planners and groups to construct a meeting itinerary customized to a specific group and set of meeting objectives. Independent and small brand properties, by the very nature of their independence, have proven to be expert in creatively discovering and helping plan for achieving meeting goals of professional planners and groups, doing so with out-of-the-box thinking, highly unique group initiatives, and far from run-of-the-mill teambuilding programming. Private destination management companies can also be an important resource, and Teneo suggests partnering with them to help make a city or destination come alive for meeting guests by maximizing local resources and attractions in a way that is meaningful to the group.

Challenge #5 Increasing Complexity and Rising Costs of Food & Beverage. As the population becomes more diverse, food preferences and dietary requirements have become more complicated. Growing awareness of wellness and sustainability issues add to a mix that could become more problematic and costlier. Paleo, keto, pescatarian, vegan and religious dietary requests are among the newest trends in conference dining in 2019. Respondents also called for better management of food ordering to keep costs down and eliminate waste.

Suggested Solution: This is an area where independent and small-brand hotels can get ultra-creative for the planner as they are in a more entrepreneurial and creative mode, less restricted by big-brand requirements and constraints. They can typically offer a more creative product with reduced costs. By working with chefs and banquet managers from these properties at the beginning of the planning process and being candid about budget constraints, it’s possible to obtain serious savings on food and beverage while achieving maximum creativity.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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