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Fraport and Deutsche Bahn to Test Artificial Intelligence at Frankfurt Airport

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The robotic head smiles at the passenger and greets them: “My name is FRAnny. How can I help you?” FRAnny is an expert on Frankfurt Airport, and is able to answer a wide range of questions – including the correct gate, the way to a specific restaurant, and how to access the free Wi-Fi.

The robotic concierge is a cooperative project between Fraport AG, the operator of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), and DB Systel GmbH, Deutsche Bahn’s dedicated IT service provider. Travelers at major transportation hubs, such as airports and train stations, are very often in need of guidance. In these scenarios, digital assistants and robots can support human personnel by fielding routine inquiries, thus enhancing the customer service offering. A six-week trial at Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest aviation hub, will help evaluate FRAnny in terms of functionality, customer acceptance and its practical usefulness in everyday situations

FRAnny is based on an artificial intelligence and a cloud-based voice-user interface (VUI) that can be deployed in a variety of forms – including in chatbots, voice assistants and robots. This digital customer service system was developed by a team of Deutsche Bahn IT experts. Using data drawn from the airport’s information system, FRAnny is able to understand and answer questions relating to travel, airport facilities and more. In addition to providing flight information, FRAnny is well versed in small talk and can communicate in German, English and seven other languages.

Fraport and Deutsche Bahn have been jointly exploring the potential of artificially intelligent, voice-based customer service systems since 2017. The first pilot took place at Frankfurt Airport in spring 2018 using FRAnny’s predecessor: the four-week field trial was very successful. After approximately 4,400 interactions, 75 percent of passengers rated their exchange positively. Based on the feedback received, both the artificial intelligence (AI) component and the robot’s user interface were further improved. The more recent trial underscores both companies’ commitment to ongoing innovation in artificial intelligence and robotics. Moreover, it puts the implemented improvements through their paces under real-world conditions.

In June, the AI-based service is to be tested at Berlin central rail station – which has approximately 300,000 travelers and visitors every day. Human customer service agents at Deutsche Bahn’s information center will receive smart support from FRAnny’s sister, SEMMI.

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Game of Thrones final season is here! See where it all began in Malta

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As Game of Thrones approaches its final season, set to premiere on April 14, 2019, it’s a good time for die-hard fans to take a look at the first location where it all started, Malta. Often referred to as “the hidden gem of the Mediterranean,” Malta is not so hidden when it comes to Hollywood and if you’re a Game of Thrones fan you will remember that most of season one was filmed there.

 

The quest for power between the Houses of Stark, Baratheon, Lannister and Targaryen all started on the island of Malta. Malta offers tours to join local actors who took part in Season One of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones as they unravel the secrets and adventures of your favorite characters including Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Joffrey Baratheon and Cersei Lannister.

 

Step back in time as you travel to idyllic locations such as those used in the first season including the gardens of Kings Landing, the Red Waste, the Tower of the Hand, the Stables, Maegor’s Holdfast, the Red Keep, Cobblers Square, The Street of Steel, Baelish Brothels (ext), Coppersmith’s Wynd, King’s Gate, King’s Square, and the village of Lhazar (when accessible).

 

The Maltese Islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino – have been home to Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, U-571, The Count of Monte Cristo, Troy, Munich, Popeye, the movie set abandoned in 1980 which remains a huge tourist attraction in Malta, as well as prestigious dramas and sitcoms such as the BBC’s Byron and ITV’s Coronation Street to name a few. The island’s beautiful, unspoiled coastlines and breathtaking architecture have ‘doubled’ for an amazing variety of locations on the big and small screens – from ancient Rome to 19th-century Marseille and 1960’s Beirut. Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Guy Ritchie and other renowned directors, as well as a host of A-list celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Sean Connery, all experienced Malta’s movie making facilities and its many charms.

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. www.visitmalta.com

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2nd annual Africa Business and MICE Tourism Master Class to be held in Johannesburg this June

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The 2nd edition of the Africa Business and MICE Master Class will be held in Johannesburg at the BDO South Africa offices from June 10-12, 2019. The African Tourism Board is a supporting partner for this event. This program will grant industry professionals and practitioners from across Africa an opportunity to learn from renowned industry experts, connect with like-minded individuals and benefit from first-hand advice on how to advance growth in their organisations, businesses and destinations. This class will be presented by Africa Tourism Partners and its lead strategic partners, BDO South Africa and South Africa Conference Association Industry (SAACI). “Collaboration is integral to the growth of the MICE industry across Africa. BDO is proud to be associated with the Africa MICE Masterclass program where not only newcomers benefit from the expertise of established industry players, but the experts also learn from each other,” highlights Christelle Grohmann, Director, BDO Advisory. “We look forward to hosting you from June 10-12 at our office in Johannesburg,” she adds.

This year’s program has been designed in response to the high interest and recognition that the 2018 Africa Business and MICE Master Class received, making it a sought-after Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Capacity Building program among practitioners and professionals. The inaugural course was held at the same time last year and featured illustrious industry experts and attendees from 14 African countries including Botswana, Ghana, Madagascar, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Swaziland, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. “Many attendees at the Africa MICE Masterclass 2018 voiced their satisfaction with the event indicating that the intimate and interactive format and the depth and range of knowledge of the speakers kept them absorbed throughout. Even the speakers commented on it being a well-rounded learning experience that also benefited them. This is industry learning from industry from real working examples,” states Lee-Anne Bac, Director, BDO Advisory & Masterclass 2018 Attendee.

Considering the increased number of African exhibitors and buyers who participated at the 2019 Meetings Africa held in February this year, it is apparent that more countries, tourism boards, convention bureaus, conference facilities, professional conference organizers and the entire African Business and MICE Tourism community now appreciate the significance of the sector. Speaking at the 2019 Meetings Africa, South Africa Minister of Tourism, Mr. Derek Hanekom stated that Business Tourism has earned its place at the economic table. He also revealed that the sector earned R71 billion revenue and contributed R115 billion to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This buttresses the sector’s relevance in African economies.

The Master Class is a two-and-a-half day CPD program designed with a variety of theory and practical sessions and the opportunity for further engagement in the form of business-to-business meetings. It will be conducted in conjunction with BDO South Africa, and key industry associations, including SAACI. The course is delivered by faculty experts through a practical and interactive Action-Learning methodology. This approach allows attendees to gain fresh industry insights and global best practices, learn from industry experts and connect with executives from across the continent.

To register, for Business-to-Business or sponsorship opportunities please contact: Ms. Aretha Nozipho Bohlela at: aretha@africatourismpartners.com or +27 81 303 7030.

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Heart of Europe Travel Summit set for Dubai this month

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In a combined effort, Atout France’s travel trade workshop, Marhaba, will kick off its two-day event on April 24 while the national tourist boards of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria will take over on April 26 and host the Heart of Europe Travel Summit at Sofitel, The Palm Resort & Spa, Dubai.

Demonstrating their commitment to the Gulf region, the European national tourist boards of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France are hosting an exclusive networking event in Dubai this April, ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

More than 40 tourism suppliers from France and 80 from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria ranging from local tourist boards, hotels, destination management companies, airports, shopping facilities, and transport companies as well as medical clinics are looking forward to developing knowledge about the destinations, and also providing travel trade from the GCC with the opportunity to source products to enhance their holiday offerings for the summer season and beyond. The four tourism boards expect an attendance of over 100 buyers from the GCC region.

Highlighting the importance of the travel trade industry in the Gulf region, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director–Gulf Countries, German National Tourist Office, said, “We are excited to collaborate with our European neighboring countries, and to facilitate business relations between our touristic partners and the local travel trade through this new innovative platform.”

The travel trade workshops will include pre-scheduled B2B appointments, cutting-edge presentations and extensive social programs to experience the destinations’ hospitality and networking opportunities with participating decision-makers.

“We believe that one of the many challenges facing the travel trade industry today is to keep abreast of the growing and changing needs of travelers from the region. This joint and unprecedented event is a direct response to assist the travel trade in selling our countries,” explained Karim Mekachera, Regional Director, Atout France Middle East.

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Shenyang EXPO begins third year with optimism

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hree major exhibitions since March 15th have very successfully launched the third year of operations at the Shenyang New World EXPO (“EXPO”). The combined attendance exceeded 124,000 visitors and two of the three shows grew over 10% in licensed area compared to 2018.

Diane CHEN, EXPO General Manger expressed confidence that Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province in northeast China, would continue to experience growth. She cited excellent facilities, location and absolute government support as factors igniting the growth since the venue opened in March of 2017. Shenyang boasts of an excellent international airport with nearly 400 daily arrivals and departures along with high speed train service connecting all major cities in northeast China including Beijing. The city’s population exceeds 8 million.

Despite that China’s economy has slowed somewhat, management of the Shenyang New World EXPO (‘EXPO’) is significantly optimistic about the potential growth of the exhibition and meeting industry in Shenyang. Regional and national organisers are also showing serious interest in the market.

The first three major exhibitions of 2019, all recurrent, included the 2019 Advertising Festival (organised by Shanghai Modern International Exhibition Co., Ltd), the 21st China Northeast International Dental Equipment & Affiliated Facilities Exhibition Symposium on Oral Health and the 25th China Northeast International Building & Decoration Exhibition (both the latter exhibitions organised by Liaoning Northern Exhibition Co., Ltd).

Cliff Wallace, who led in EXPO’s operational and functional planning as well as its management staff organisation said, “I am especially pleased that the Dental Exhibition was audited by UFI, The Global Association of the Global Industry. I anticipate approval by UFI as the venue’s first UFI Approved Event.”

Liaoning Northern Exhibition GM, LI Zhi Song stated, “I anxiously await the anticipated news from UFI confirming our Dental Exhibition has achieved UFI approved status. An “UFI Approved Exhibition” is proof of high quality, thus providing exhibitors and visitors alike with the assurance of making a sound business investment.”

Wallace is an Honorary President of UFI and continues to advise EXPO relative to achieving its vision which is to be among China’s best venues with a dedicated professional staff delivering superb levels of customer care.

Four major exhibitions will be held in April again signifying the success of EXPO, northeast China’s newest venue offering 24,000 sqm (260,000 sq ft) of rental space to the market for exhibitions, conference and other events. In addition to transportation advantages including the venue’s own connected METRO station, the city continues to expand its hospitality industry adding state-of-the-art major brand hotels. Rooms within 10 km (6 miles) of EXPO now total over 19,000.

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New Delhi welcomes new Qatar Visa Center

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At the new Qatar Visa Center in New Delhi, India, work visa applicants for the State of Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, enroll their biometrics, and undergo mandatory medical test all under one-roof. This will save time and make it hassle free for applicants.

Mandated by the Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar, Qatar Visa Center was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Khater Al Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of India in New Delhi. The opening ceremony was attended by Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Department of Visa Support Services, Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar.

The move to get work visa applicants to complete the most essential and critical part of their visa processes in the country of origin (India in this case) is aimed at guaranteeing prospective employees their rights in a manner consistent with the best international standards.

The visa center is in sync with international standards guaranteeing greater transparency, traceability and improved anti-fraud measures and security screening mechanisms for the visa applicants. The center will operate between 08:30 am to 04:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

As part of the visa application process, the employer in Qatar will ensure all necessary procedures and make the visa payments on behalf of the applicant. The applicants will only need to book an appointment online and visit the Qatar Visa Center fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time on a given day. Once at the center and after the identity of the visa applicant is verified and the list of required documents are checked a token gets issued. Once the token is being referred to, the respective visa applicant will be explained the contract terms and can thereby digitally sign the work contract. Biometric enrollment and the mandatory medical tests will be done at the center. Upon completion of the processes at the visa center, the visa applicant then can choose to track the status of his application online or through their employer in the State of Qatar.

On this occasion, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar in India, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Khater Al Khater, stressed that the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, has witnessed a speedy growth and development over the past years and the Indian community in the State of Qatar has contributed significantly in the development process. His Excellency further stressed upon the keenness of the State of Qatar to protect the rights of the expatriates and facilitate their work procedures while recognizing the contribution of the Indian community. He added that in order to provide better facilities for the Indian community and further strengthening the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries, it has been decided to choose India as one of the most important countries to open the “Qatar Visas Center” in seven different cities of India including New Delhi, it is certain that, a large number of Indian expatriates, travelling to the State of Qatar for work and tourism will benefit through these centers, which will facilitate smooth and hassle-free recruitment process and ensure speedy completion of procedures to obtain the visas and residence permits for the State of Qatar.

His Excellency added that the opening of Qatar visa centers in India comes with celebration of the year 2019 as Qatar-India year of Culture. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to the officials in Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India, for their continued support to achieve this step goal, and noted that this step reflects Qatar’s keenness to ensure the protection and safety of expatriates, as the Qatar Visa Centres in India will enable the completion of recruitment procedures through one channel easily within a shorter period of time.

“As part of Qatar’s willingness to facilitate the work process and protect the rights of expatriates, Qatar Visa Centers will be opened in a number of countries which include India,” said Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Visa Support Services Dept at the Ministry of the Interior, Doha, Qatar. “Medical examinations, biometric data enrollment and the signing process of employment contracts will be done through the Qatar Visa Centers in the expatriate country of origin at the 7 Indian centers including the one in New Delhi. All of this, reflects the extent and depth of Qatar’s endeavors to ensure the protection and safety of expatriates under a simplified and effective recruitment regime upheld and facilitated by the visa center,” he added.

Suhail Shaikh. Business Head, said: “We are honored to launch the first Qatar Visa Center in India in New Delhi on behalf of Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar. We take great pride in being able to provide transparent, standardized and streamlined visa services for Indians seeking work visas through a simple process managed by our capable colleagues.”

Six other visa centers in Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata will be operational shortly.

Qatar Visa Center maintains robust multi-lingual information services for the benefit of visa applicants across multiple touch points. Information on appointment scheduling, requirements and steps at the visa center can be found in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil and Malayalam through a dedicated website, call center helpline (+91 44 6133 1333) and walk-in at the reception.

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New Executive Chef at Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa Malaysia

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Guests dining at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa’s signature Eat Well menu, as well as its array of local and international cuisine, are in for a healthier, heightened culinary experience with the appointment of Glen Roberts as the 5-star resort’s Executive Chef.

Glen’s primary emphasis will be on overseeing and enhancing the Eat Well program at The Westin Langkawi, which provides guests with nutritious dishes sourced responsibly and created thoughtfully. The program, offered at Westin Hotels & Resorts worldwide, focuses on accommodating individual dietary preferences and needs without compromising on flavour, taste or satisfaction.

“The Eat Well program is a unique initiative based on the belief that feeling good starts with the right nourishment,” said Glen. “It’s an honour to be part of a stellar team that operates on a wellness-first philosophy, and I’m eager to acquire local insights and exchange knowledge on how best to provide guests a thoughtful, nutritious yet appealing culinary experience.”

Alongside his team from The Westin Langkawi, the widely-travelled food connoisseur will also be in charge of elevating culinary offerings at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), the island’s leading and largest centre of its kind.

Glen arrives in Langkawi after a stint at the 5-star Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, where he was part of the pre-opening team. Prior to his spell in the United Arab Emirates, he spent two years, from 2016, as the Executive Chef at the Shangri-La in Surabaya. His culinary adventures, however, began almost 5,000 kilometres and 40 years ago in Australia.

He began his love affair with food in Australia in the mid-1980s before honing his culinary skills in London and New Zealand. Glen returned to Brisbane and progressed to become second in charge to the Executive Chef of the Hyatt Regency Coolum in Queensland, overseeing 10 food outlets and multi-banquet facilities. He later moved to the Park Hyatt in Canberra, where his tenure as Senior Executive Sous Chef saw him attending to HRH Queen Elizabeth and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during their visit there in 2002.

Seeking new horizons, Glen was part of the team that launched the Grand Hyatt Dubai. He then set his sights on the Sheraton Grand Laguna Phuket in Thailand, where he celebrated his first stint as Executive Chef in 2003. Two years later, he found himself in East Malaysia at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort. Whilst there one of the many highlights was to be the key driver behind the production of the “Taste of Borneo” cookbook, which focused on the preparation of 5-star cuisine using local products from Sabah.

In 2010, Glen was an integral part of the team behind the successful renovation and reopening of the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort in Singapore. He continued to spearhead the resort until 2013, when he moved to the Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Spa as their Executive Chef.

Longing to once again step back into Southeast Asia, he made his way to Thailand’s InterContinental Hua Hin Resort in 2015. Glen was involved in developing and opening the resort’s Roof Top bar and BluPort Wing, which features 40 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, meeting rooms and ballroom.

“Food is my passion, and I’ve also missed this lovely region,” laughs Glen. “By combining the two, I hope to tantalize guests at The Westin Langkawi with some of the healthiest, tastiest cuisine in Southeast Asia while maintaining our international-class standards of service, quality and hospitality.”

Centrally located on 104 acres of lush, Langkawi tropical gardens bordered by the Andaman Sea, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa comprises 221 spacious, fully-appointed rooms and suites. The resort also features 20 ultra-luxury Ocean View Pool villas complete with personal pools as well as the award-winning Heavenly Spa by Westin, the only Heavenly Spa in Malaysia.

For more information on The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, visit

www.westinlangkawi.com or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

 

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Turkish Airlines Cargo carries Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palaces’ artifacts to Japan

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Turkish Cargo, the air cargo brand of Turkish Airlines that provides service to 124 countries, carried 186 historical artifacts, owned by Dolmabahçe and Topkapı Palaces, to Tokyo, the capital of Japan, as the sponsor carrier, in order to be displayed at the exhibition titled as “The Ottoman Empire and Tulip Culture” held as part of the events organized for 2019 which was declared as the “Year of Turkish Culture” across Japan.

Before the carriage operation through Istanbul – Narita route, the artifacts in Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palaces were packaged with protective materials that shielded their texture and structure before they were put into 56 high-security wooden cases. Using a wide-body B777F type air freighter belonging to Turkish Cargo, the flight carried no other cargo due to the significant nature of the operation.

Acting with the utmost care for its carriage operations involving historical artifacts, Turkish Cargo conducted this operation with its expert teams again. With this successful operation, the artifacts that have been preserved meticulously for long years in Topkapı Palace such as “Bed of Suleiman the Magnificent”, “Kaftan of Sultan Osman II”, “Ceremonial Flask” along with the artifacts in Dolmabahçe Palace such as “Yusen Shippo Vase”, “Wooden Writing Table”, and “Bamboo Mirror” which were gifted to Sultan Abdulhamid II, by Emperor Meiji of Japan, have been all delivered to Japan.

These 186 artifacts, which weigh around 8 tons and carry great significance for the Turkish culture and history, will be displayed at the National Art Center, Tokyo, between March 20 – May 20, and at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, between June 14 – July 28.

Bringing the missing pieces of the ‘Gypsy Girl Mosaic’ back to its home, carrying more than 50 masterpieces, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, to Tehran, as well as the ‘The Tomb of Heracles’, dating back to the Roman era, to Istanbul from Geneva, Turkish Cargo, the dynamic brand of the air cargo industry, proved once again how reliable it is in carriage of art works requiring utmost care. In addition to the extensive flight network of Turkish Airlines that reaches to 306 destinations, Turkish Cargo maintains its successful operations by operating dedicated direct cargo flights to 85 destinations.

Turkish Cargo provides service to its global clients across 124 countries with its three vulnerable cargo rooms and certificated staff members in carriage operations for art works requiring utmost care. Turkish Cargo keeps all movements of its vulnerable and valuable cargo under supervision by means of the cameras installed in and around its storage facilities.

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Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at Gainesville joins Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio

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Benchmark has added the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at Gainesville to the company’s Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand portfolio. The recently renovated, 248-guest room property is located on the University of Florida campus, close to Gainesville’s Central Business District. The property serves a growing market of visiting alumni, parents and students, academics, and guests affiliated with the university. Its IACC-approved conference center, with 25,000 square feet of meeting space, attracts a significant number of meetings and events. The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center at Gainesville is Benchmark’s tenth property in Florida, and the third hotel located on a major college campus within the United States.

“We are honored to be chosen by Hilton Hotels & Resorts to manage this exceptional property,” says Benchmark CEO Alex Cabañas. “We are also delighted to again expand our presence in Florida, where both our Gemstone Collection and Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brands are represented throughout the Sunshine State,” he said. Benchmark recently added two hotels in St. Pete Beach to its portfolio, expanding its presence to Southwest Florida.

Mr. Cabañas also noted the growing importance of conference center hotels to a university. “These hotels serve as a campus ‘guest house’, providing an authentic, on-campus experience while sharing ideas and resources,” he said.

The non-smoking, pet-friendly hotel includes 248 guest rooms and suites featuring HDTV, desks for work/study-related activities, and complimentary WiFi. Guests can enjoy the property’s outdoor pool and whirlpool and a 24-hour fitness center.

The University of Florida is a prominent research university, set on 2,000 acres in Gainesville, in North Central Florida. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in law, medicine, business and engineering.

The University of Florida campus offers an array of services and attractions, including an art museum, concerts, lectures, theater, libraries and sports events. Guests can enjoy collegiate football at the nearby Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, home of the Florida Gators. Other local attractions include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Gainesville Raceway. The surrounding region offers opportunities for biking, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming and wildlife viewing at one of seven nearby Florida State parks.

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Swiss-Belhotel International appoints new General Manager for Swiss-Belinn Muscat

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Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Paul Uglesic as the General Manager for Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman. Paul has ten years of outstanding experience in the hospitality industry working with some of the world’s leading brands.

Making the announcement, Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said, “We are delighted to welcome Paul Uglesic to lead the team at Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman. Paul has a decade of strong knowledge and understanding of the hospitality sector as well as excellent pre-opening expertise targeted at achieving operational excellence and guest satisfaction. We are confident under his leadership this superb property, that is in advanced stages of development, will provide outstanding facilities in the 3-star category.”

Paul started his executive career in the industry at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Croatia in 2009. In 2015, Paul moved to Dubai taking up the role of Executive Assistant Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek and performed a task force role as the acting General Manager at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dubai Downtown. His most recent posting was at the Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Motor City as the opening General Manager.

Upon joining the Swiss-Belinn Muscat Paul said, “I am truly proud to take up the position at the fantastic Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman. It is an exciting adventure for me since Swiss-Belhotel International is a great brand to work for. Together with my team, I am looking forward to launching the hotel and positioning it as a preferred address for both regional and international travellers.”

Paul holds a bachelors’ degree in economics from the University of Adelaide in Australia along with several certifications and professional diplomas in hospitality management, hotel revenue management, and general manager’s program from the acclaimed Cornell University.

Expected to open this year, Swiss-Belinn Muscat is a superb 3-star hotel enjoying an outstanding location in close proximity to Muscat International Airport. Equipped with 128 rooms and suites, the hotel is being developed to offer its guests a comprehensive range of facilities including an all-day-dining restaurant, meeting space, gym, Wi-Fi access and 24-hours room service. Given its fantastic location near the airport, the hotel will serve as the perfect abode for transit passengers looking for stop-overs and airline crews as well as corporate travellers on a short visit to Oman or those facing unexpected flight halts.

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