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Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum returns to Greece

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Now in its fifth year, the Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum (MR&H) will return to Greece for the second year in succession this October. The event, hosted by Questex, is dedicated to the investment, development and operation of resorts and hotels within the Mediterranean region. This niche, but highly specialized area, comprises various elements; hotel, residential, marinas, health clubs, children’s activities, retail, sports facilities, F&B, all of which need to be carefully woven together with seamless operation to create a successful resort.


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The conference will be held at the Hilton Athens on the 29-31st October 2019. A fitting venue for Hilton’s celebration of 100 years in hospitality and the continuation of the premise that the group was founded on; “travel can make the world a better place”.

The dynamic growth of tourism in Greece continues to boost investment activity throughout the country and throughout the wider Mediterranean region. Speaking at MIPIM last month, Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development George Tziallas said; “Half of all funding under Greece’s 2016 development law has been channeled into tourism ventures, while more than 400 investment plans have been submitted in the last three years to the tourism ministry for approval.”

This statement is supported by data recently released by Horwath HTL during the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) which revealed Greece is a prime investment opportunity for international hotel chains as only 1.7% of total units currently operate under an international brand. Results from the joint investor sentiment survey from Tranio and IHIF showed Greece listed as one of the European countries that is most attractive for hotel real estate investment.

Stakeholders from leading operators including Thomas Cook, Club Med and Nobu attend the event alongside investors from KSL, Starwood Capital Group and Dolphin Capital all recognizing the value of coming together as a collective to debate, converse and discuss.

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Registration for MR&H 2019 is now open and delegate tickets can be purchased at the best value Early Bird rate until the end of May.

Enterprise Greece have pledged their continued support for MR&H and Grigoris Stergioulis, Chairman & CEO at Enterprise Greece said in relation to the ongoing collaboration; “Building on the success of the event last year, the positive working relationship with Questex and the significant opportunities that exist for investors in the Greek hotel market, we’re thrilled to once again partner with MR&H and look forward to welcoming the event to Greece for the second year.”

Alexi Khajavi, Managing Director of EMEA Hospitality + Travel Group, Questex said; “The tourism and hospitality prosperity that Greece is enjoying is leading to significant activity from serious investors and developers. As a conference host, our role is to facilitate these meetings, connections and interactions in an environment that is educational and energizing. With the continued support from Enterprise Greece, Hilton providing the setting, and amongst very encouraging industry data, we’re confident that MR&H will prove to be an event not to be missed for those currently active or keen to do business within the Mediterranean resort and hotel space”.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Travel Leaders Network embarks upon major international expansion

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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

Global Champion Awards announced by WTTC

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The countries and leaders who have made a difference to increase the competitiveness of the Travel & Tourism sector within their countries have been recognized at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Champions Awards at the WTTC Global Summit in Seville this week.

The inaugural WTTC Global Champions Awards recognizes those countries from 185 around the world which have used policy initiatives to create the conditions to promote the long-term sustainable growth of our sector.

The categories of awards and the recipients are as follows:

Security & Seamless Travel Experience which recognizes leadership in transforming border security and the traveler experience through the use of technology and facial recognition systems – awarded to Kevin McAleenan, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, USA.

Resilience which recognizes leadership by a country which has demonstrated success in recovery from adverse events – H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Social Impact which recognizes leadership in enabling gender equality and diversity; engaging local communities and making the sector more attractive for future generations – awarded to Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife in the Government of Kenya.

Destination Stewardship which recognizes leadership for work undertaken to overcome seasonality as a way of improving the year-round tourism experience – H.E. Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism, Government of Greece.

Crisis Preparedness, Management & Recovery which recognizes leadership in disaster preparedness and having effective response systems at both national and local levels – H.E. Keiichi Ishii, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Government of Japan.

Innovation and Technology recognizes leadership in innovation and the implementation of technology that meets the needs of tomorrow’s travelers and fosters sustainable tourism growth – awarded to H.E. Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Tourism, Government of Spain.

The awards ceremony took place at the Gala Dinner of the WTTC Global Summit which was held in Seville, Spain, and hosted by Ayuntamiento of Seville, Turismo Andaluz and Turespana.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, commented: “The WTTC Global Champions Awards are designed to recognize those countries and individuals whose policies or initiatives have made a significant contribution to the creation of jobs in our sector in a range of different ways.

“Promoting the long-term sustainable growth of our sector is critical and the winners will help those countries and individuals whose actions have had the greatest impact.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Russia prepares for OTDYKH International Travel Market and UNWTO General Assembly

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Two landmark events in the Russian travel industry – which take place this September – mark not only an important development in Russian travel but also a fantastic opportunity for companies in the travel industry looking to take advantage of the lucrative Russian market.

All eyes in the travel industry will be on Moscow and St. Petersburg this fall, as Russia’s capital gets ready to host the OTDYKH 2019 and Russia’s second major city prepares to host the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, at which representatives from 156 countries will participate. It is the first time that this biennial event is being hosted by the Russian Federation.

St. Petersburg is the first Russian city to sign a cooperation memorandum with UNWTO, which was signed in July last year in order to facilitate the development of cultural, winter and medical tourism as well as technological advances related to the travel industry.

Visitors can conveniently attend both events, as Moscow and St. Petersburg are connected by a high-speed train which travels between the two cities in just 4 hours.

OTDYKH International Travel Market is Russia’s leading B2B travel and tourism event. Since 1995, OTDYKH Leisure is a traditional meeting spot for travel professionals, including tour operators, private companies as well as national and regional tourism agencies.

In an exciting development in the run-up to OTDYKH, the Republic of Komi and the Republic of Crimea have decided to increase their stands this in order to showcase even more information at the upcoming expo. The expo also welcomes several new-comer Russian regions which are the Republic of Buryatia and the Kemerovo Region – both located in Siberia – the Primorsky Region in the Far Eastern Federal District, and Russia’s largest island, Sakhalin.  In addition to this, 23 other Russian regions have already confirmed their participation in the expo, with many more expected to sign up in the coming months. These include the Republic of Karelia, home to the beautiful Kizhi Island, and the Republic of Tartarstan, of which the capital Kazan receives over a million tourists every year. Last year 44 Russian regions displayed at the expo.

OTDYKH is excited to announce the Hosted Buyers Program 2019. Once again, suppliers will have the opportunity to network with a select group of hosted buyers in the interest of forging valuable working relationships. Last year the expo invited 40 hosted buyers from across 32 cities in Russia to meet the exhibitors.

In addition to the Russia regions, among the 900 participants featured in the expo will be Indonesia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, India, Spain, Greece, Serbia, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka etc. will also be participating. It is the perfect opportunity for travel and tourism related companies to take advantage of the Russian market.

Over 38,000 visitors attended the expo in 2018, as well as 287 media attendees from 80 media partners. This year will feature multiple conference halls with guest speakers and exclusive live performances. The business program will combine all relevant sectors of the tourism value chain, from MICE and Luxury Travel to Health and Gourmet Travel.

Exhibitors are invited to participate and celebrate the 2019 OTDYKH Leisure trade fair and celebrate 25 years of the expo’s continued success. Early-bird offers are available on a first-come-first serve basis to those looking to seize the opportunity to tap-into the Russian travel industry.

For further information please contact Ms. Anna Huber at a.huber@euroexpo-vienna.com International office: +43 1 230 85 35

Travel News | eTurboNews

Seychelles participates in 23rd Edition of Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo in Naples, Italy

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), together with its partner and Italian representative, Tsogo Sun, provided destination Seychelles with more visibility at the Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo (BMT), in Naples, Italy.

The 23rd edition of BMT took place from March 22, 2019 to March 24, 2019; was the perfect platform and a great opportunity for our STB team meet with the visiting travel agencies and reinforce the tourism board’s partnerships with tour operators.

Representing STB was Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean, Ms. Monette Rose and STB Marketing Executive, Ms. Yasmine Pocetti. The STB team accompanied by the Italian representative of Tsogo Sun, and Paradise Sun Hotel and Maia, Ms. Simona Bonetti.

BMT saw the participation of the most important tourism players in Italy, including tour operators such as Nicolaus, Idee per Viaggiare, Naar, I Viaggi dell’Airone or Alidays and airlines such as Turkish Airlines. Top tour operators and travel agencies official association, Uvet and Astoi, were present as well.

Further establishing itself, Seychelles was also featured on the stand of I Viaggi dell’Airone, launching a dedicated brochure, and giving visibility to the archipelago through the mega screen of the stand displaying STB promotional video.

The Naples based tour operator organized a dinner with the top partners including STB at famous Ristorante Stella on the Gulf of Naples.

STB Director for Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Mediterranean, Ms. Monette Rose mentioned that the STB presence at the BMT in Naples contributed not only in showcasing Seychelles as a destination but also reaffirmed the relationship with various partners.

“BMT featured very many important players on the Italian market and in tourism world, partnership is crucial. It was a good time for us to be present and build our networks and most importantly ensure the good position of the destination and what it has to offer to our partners and their clients,” said Ms. Rose.

Several workshops were also organized during the event including with 120 international buyers, incentive, wellness tourism and others.

The media had a strong presence with many journalists from the trade and consumer magazines and newspapers.

Naples is a key hub for Southern Italy with great potential and with many international flights and airlines departing from Capodichino airport. For Seychelles, the most important is Flydubai, connecting the city to the UAE, and Turkish Airlines with its direct flights to Istanbul.

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