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Six Indian cities join Emirates network with new SpiceJet codeshare deal

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Emirates and SpiceJet have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enter into a reciprocal codeshare agreement, which is set to open new routes and destinations for passengers travelling between India and popular destinations across Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East. Subject to necessary government approvals, the partnership will enable Emirates’ passengers to enjoy seamless connectivity on flights to India, leveraging SpiceJet’s strong domestic presence and adding six new destinations: Amritsar, Jaipur, Pune, Mangalore, Madurai and Calicut — to the nine existing cities in India served by Emirates.


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This will bolster Emirates’ already-extensive network adding a total of 67 weekly connections between Emirates’ hub in Dubai to these six fast growing destinations in India. This includes increased domestic connectivity from Emirates’ nine Indian gateways to points such as Goa, Hubli, Guwahati, Vishakhapatnam and Tuticorin which would allow for a greater variety of travel options between both Emirates and SpiceJet flights.

“Our journey in India has been defined by progressive investment, partnership and growth. We constantly try to improve and provide our customers with greater flexibility and travel choices,” said Adnan Kazim, Divisional Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimisation and Aeropolitical Affairs at Emirates.

Passengers traveling from India will have more choice to travel seamlessly with minimum connection times, when flying to destinations in Emirates’ Europe network such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Manchester and Amsterdam. The codeshare agreement will also open up flights for Indian travellers to North and South American destinations such as New York, Washington, Toronto, and Sao Paulo as well as Middle Eastern destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait and Amman, operated by Emirates.

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No surprises: New York, London and Tokyo top the list of world’s 15 richest cities

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Boston, Calgary, Perth and Macau – all associated with material wealth – have failed to make this list of the 15 richest cities in the world, compiled by market research firm New World Wealth.

The data gathered by the researchers reflects the total amount of private wealth held by all the individuals living in each of the cities on the list. Unlike traditional ratings, this top 15 is not based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but reflects analysis that covers all assets, such as property, cash, equities and business interests, excluding liabilities. Government funds are included.

1. New York City – $3 trillion

2. London – $2.7 trillion

3. Tokyo – $2.5 trillion

4. San Francisco Bay Area – 2.3 trillion

5. Beijing – $2.2 trillion

6. Shanghai – $2 trillion

7. Los Angeles – $1.4 trillion

8. Hong Kong – $1.3 trillion

9. Sydney – $1 trillion

10. Singapore – $1 trillion

11. Chicago – $988 billion

12. Mumbai – $950 billion

13. Toronto – $944 billion

14 Frankfurt – $912 billion

15. Paris – $860 billion

According to New World Wealth, wealth is a measure that differs from a GDP indicator, which is another common metric used to gauge economic power. The research firm revealed that Houston, Geneva, Osaka, Seoul, Shenzhen, Melbourne, Zurich and Dallas had just missed out on the top 15.

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IMEX to deliver surprise and creativity with new Discovery Zone

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Holograms, robots, magic, music and art are among the surprises set to inspire and delight attendees at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21- 23 May.

The show’s new Discovery Zone is packed with education and experiences to fire up the imagination of event planners and exhibitors alike. It’s designed to help them to question the conventional and explore fresh approaches to business events, with a strong emphasis on ‘experiential’.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “There are some surprises in store for attendees this year! We don’t believe in ‘business as usual’ and are always evolving and looking for new and engaging ways to encourage innovation in the industry – our new Discovery Zone is the perfect way to do this.”

Robots and holograms

Many innovations at the Discovery Zone turn conventional thinking on its head. Think a piano is played using hands? Think again! ‘Mister Piano’ is a walking piano played using the feet and attendees can put their fancy footwork to the test to hit the right notes. Attendees can also go hands-on and tap into their inner artist at a painting party, craft their own bespoke luggage tags and even take part in fire-infused magic tricks. A talking robot, holographic show and 360degree photography booth are also among the engaging experiences this year.

Practical applications of event tech, diversity and a firm focus on future-thinking all form part of a packed program of sessions at The ZEUS Innovators Club. Attendees will also find the Inspiration Hub – the show’s learning powerhouse – in the Discovery Zone, with sessions covering hot topics such as sustainability and diversity to business skills and creative learning.

Tap into your creative streak at the new Discovery Zone

Fresh green grass and a swing

Prepare for sensory overload and explore the great outdoors while dining indoors at the show’s food court – this has been transformed into Central Park, complete with trees, grass and even a swing! Attendees can also kick back with table football, table tennis and other games for some purposeful rest and relaxation.

Carina Bauer continues: “We know our show delivers significant business benefit to buyers and exhibitors. We also know it’s important for them to have the time and space to experiment, discover new experiences and gather fuel for fresh, innovative ideas. Our new Discovery Zone is set to deliver a huge dose of creativity, with a few surprises along the way. Inspired by this year’s Imagination Talking Point, we asked….what if we wove more experiential and fun elements into the show? What if that translated into more business benefit for everyone attending?”

As well as exploring the new corners of the show, attendees can explore new corners of host city, Frankfurt, thanks to a new interactive accommodation booking map. The map on the IMEX website, powered by Stay 22, provides a simple and efficient overview of many of the independent accommodation options in and around the German city.

Some of the IMEX team took an extended day trip to Frankfurt earlier this year to sample hidden coffee shops, bars, museums and parks in the city. They share memories and tips here.

IMEX in Frankfurt takes place 21 -23 May 2019. Registration for the show is free of charge and open to all who work in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry. EduMonday, its pre-show day of learning and development, is on 20 May (no charge to attend) at Kap Europa next to Messe Frankfurt. 

 

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“Best Worscht in Town” brings a currywurst buffet to Frankfurt Airport

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rankfurt Airport is about to gain yet another culinary highlight: “Best Worscht in Town”, a German fast food chain that has achieved cult status, is opening its first airport restaurant. From humble beginnings as a family-run sausage stand that opened in Frankfurt in 1970, it has blossomed into an international franchise.

The menu embraces a wide variety of currywurst specialties for every taste. For the unitiated: currywurst, allegedly invented in Berlin after WW II, has traditionally consisted of steamed and then fried sausage that is typically cut into bite-sized chunks, smoothered with curry-flavored ketchup, and then sprinkled with even more curry powder.

“Best Worscht in Town” has gone a step further, however, to create a veritable currywurst El Dorado that not only meets the expectations of those who love the classic variety with pork or beef sausage, but also features delicious nonmeat versions for vegans and fans of organic products. Those who love spicy foods are also fully catered to: patrons can use a “Spiciness Meter” to choose any level from A for mild to F for eye-poppingly intense (“not for softies!” warns the menu).

The staff, dubbed “Worscht Dealers”, are more than willing to make recommendations to guests wishing to experiment. The many kinds of currywurst are served with French fries or freshly baked German-style sourdough bread. Chocolate milk, a traditional remedy for alleviating hot chili overdoses, is also available.

The “Best Worscht in Town” outlet is located in Terminal 1 in the Airport City Mall in Concourse A, one level above the regional train station at Frankfurt Airport. It will be open between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Around 70 restaurants serve passengers and visitors daily at Frankfurt Airport. More information on the wide range of services available there can be found on the airport’swebsite, in its Service Shop, and on its Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube social media pages.

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GCC produces 1.8 million overnight stays in Germany during 2018

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The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has announced that it will be showcasing a range of key destinations at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28th April to 1st May.

Participants from Germany partnering with the GNTB this year include the ‘Hotel Palace Berlin’; ‘Frankfurt Tourist and Congress Board’; ‘Baden-Baden Tourism Board’; ‘OUTLETCITY METZINGEN’, the State Tourist Board SouthWest-Germany (Baden-Württemberg Tourismus) and the Black Forest Highlands (Hochschwarzwald Tourismus).

The GNTB’s tourism partners covering local tourist boards, luxury hotels, hospitality, retail, spas and theme parks, each has its own unique proposition, whether spring, summer, autumn or winter, emphasising that Germany is a diverse and unique all year-round travel destination.

Underscoring the relevance of ATM to ‘Destination Germany’, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director for the Gulf countries at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), commented:

“ATM presents us with an ideal opportunity to showcase our wide-ranging tourism offering from dynamic cities to breathtaking countryside with fairytale castles, lush forests and mountains. In addition, there are great family attractions, excellent shopping centres and superb sightseeing opportunities – visitors will be fascinated by the incredible diversity that Germany has to offer.”

The GCC market is Germany’s third-largest non-European source market behind China and the US and is important for Germany. GCC travellers tend to stay an average of 11 nights and spend on average $5,300 per person per trip, significantly more than other international travellers.

According to the latest forecast from the GNTB, GCC nationals visiting Germany are expected to grow to 3.6 million overnight stays by 2030, compared with 1.8 million guest nights from Gulf nationals recorded in 2018, with key markets being UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The forecast increase is being attributed to the collective efforts of all German Tourism stakeholders identifying and accommodating the travel requirements of GCC nationals, not to mention the excellent connectivity provided through flights from the GCC to Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin. In Germany’s hospitality and retail sectors, it is common to meet Arabic speaking staff, familiar with Islamic culture and tradition. Hotels offer copies of the Quran and prayer mats on demand, connecting family rooms, plus restaurants serving halal food are easy to find.

Germany’s attraction as a destination of choice for tourists, is further illustrated by the number of visitors recorded in 2018. Last year, Germany’s inbound tourism figures reached record levels for the ninth year in a row. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, there were 88 million international overnight stays recorded (in accommodation establishments with at least ten beds) – an increase of 5% compared with 2017.

According to IPK World Travel Monitor’s annual survey, in 2017, Germany was the top ranked country among European tourists for cultural trips and with 13.1 million inbound business travellers from Europe, it ranked number one as a business destination in 2018.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will be at ATM 2019 stand no. EU5930.

 

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