World News | forimmediaterelease.net

... press releases & Breaking World News

New General Manager named for The Nautical Beachfront Resort

by

Benchmark has named Frank Casarez, Jr., general manager for The Nautical Beachfront Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s chief operating officer, made the announcement.


eTN Chatroom for Readers (join us)

“It is with great pleasure that I formally welcome Frank to our company,” said Mr. Champion. “he has brought vast and successful leadership experience to our resort, and understands the property’s market well, having previously served in resort areas within Arizona.”

Frank Casarez, Jr., brings extensive senior property leadership experience to his new position with The Nautical Beachfront Resort. He was previously general manager and managing director of sales for the Sheraton Crescent Hotel of Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to this he served as area manager and general manager for the Resort at the Mountain in Welches, Oregon. Earlier Mr. Casarez held general manager, assistant general manager, and other leadership positions for hotels and resorts in markets across the country, including Portland, Houston, Los Angeles and Tucson.

Mr. Casarez attended Santa Monica Junior College and San Diego University where he focused in Graphic Arts management. He has relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Travel News | eTurboNews

United Airlines plans nonstop service between New York/Newark and Cape Town

by

United Airlines today applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin new service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. United plans to operate nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town starting in December 2019.

“We are always looking at ways to expand our industry-leading international route network to offer our customers more convenient options. We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Africa to our global route offering,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network. “This new flight will provide customers with the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town.”

United’s nonstop service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will decrease the current travel time from New York to Cape Town by more than four hours and provide customers from more than 80 U.S. cities with easy one-stop access to Cape Town. If approved, United’s service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 48 seats in United Polaris business class, 88 seats in United Economy Plus and 116 seats in United Economy.

Proposed Flight Schedule, Beginning December 15, 2019*

From To Depart Arrive Aircraft
New York/Newark Cape Town 8:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. +1 Boeing 787-9
Cape Town New York/Newark 8:50 p.m. 5:45 a.m. +1 Boeing 787-9

*Subject to government approval

Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and the country’s center of trade and commerce. Located at the shore of Table Bay, the city is home to some of the most popular attractions in South Africa including Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Travelers to South Africa often begin their African journey in Cape Town before touring the Cape Winelands, viewing the African penguins at Boulder Beach or traveling beyond Cape Town to explore South Africa’s natural beauty including its many national parks, game reserves and beautiful coastlines and beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces.

Travel News | eTurboNews

The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi welcomes team of Epicurean Authorities

by

The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi announced the appointment of two new leaders who will work in tandem to heighten the dining experiences that The Andaman have to offer. As newly-appointed Epicurean Authorities of The Andaman, Quinn Pu and Stefano Micocci aim to bring global collectors from all walks of life an epicurean journey worth adding on to their collection of memories.

Quinn Pu, a Chinese national, was appointed as the new Director of Food and Beverage. With a plate full of both hotel and resort experiences in Food and Beverage, Quinn will oversee and lead the whole Food and Beverage department within the resort while driving revenue growth and guest satisfaction, maintaining The Andaman’s 6 unique dining venues and bars as one of Langkawi’s leading venues to have an exceptional meal.

With over 15 years of working experience, Quinn had had experiences in the United States, Ireland and various location in his homeland, China before being appointed to open The Ritz-Carlton in Jiuzhaigou, China in 2017, where he was in-charge of leading the pre-opening F&B team in the mountain resort.

The Andaman marks Quinn’s first assignment in Malaysia. “Malaysia is quite popular in China and I am most excited about the food scene. I look forward to see how the unique food culture can inspire me, not just for my work but in life as well,” says Quinn.

Hailing from Italy, Stefano Micocci was recently appointed as the Executive Chef of The Andaman. With 20 years of culinary experience, Stefano started his culinary journey around various regions of Italy before venturing to the Middle East and subsequently to Malaysia.

“Malaysian cuisine is unique. What attracts me is how each dish has a unique blend of different spices with distinctive flavors that explode in your mouth,” say Chef Stefano. “Every dish also has a story behind it and I find that inspiring. With a story, comes characters and emotions – making people feel as they eat, and that is what I look for when I am creating a new recipe.”

“The Andaman has always been a front-runner in innovative dining on the island, setting benchmarks and best practices in both curating memorable experiences as well as sustainability,” says Carlos Tarrero, General Manager of The Andaman. “With these new Epicurean Authorities on board, I am confident that we will be able to push the boundaries even further in being the pioneer on the island.”

The Andaman raised the bar in unique sustainable dining when the resort’s signature seafood restaurant Jala was launched in 2013. With its one-of-a-kind sand-flooring, rustic design and natural ambience, Jala enables guests to take in the beauty of nature whilst enjoying fresh seafood dishes specially curated by culinary maestros in Jala, complemented by exceptional Malaysian hospitality.

To ensure the freshest catches arrives daily on the shores of The Andaman, Jala has also partnered with the local fishermen, thus assisting Langkawi’s small businesses. Every afternoon, guests can look forward to walk down the beach to watch the chefs of Jala in action dealing and negotiating with local fishermen on the purchases of fresh seafood.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Sharjah Ruler Opens Historic Dh 6-Billion Khorfakkan Highway

by

HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, accompanied by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated on Saturday the new Khorfakkan highway. Extending 89 kilometers and with an estimated cost of Dh 6 billion, the new highway is the latest addition to the world-class roads network of Sharjah and the UAE, linking the arterial Emirates Road (E611) in Sharjah with Wadi Shi Square in Khorfakkan.
HH the Ruler of Sharjah and HH the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah inspected the intersections, tunnels and underground crossings of the new highway that passes through deserts, plains and mountains. The highway includes 14 intersections, and 7 underground crossings along with five pairs of tunnels dug through high mountains. These include Al Sidra Tunnel (2700 metres), which is the longest covered mountain tunnel in the Middle East.

Their Highnesses also inspected Al Rafisah Dam, one of the most important family tourism destinations in Khorfakkan. Spanning a total area of 10,684 square metres, it includes a mosque, outdoor seating area for 300 people, car parking for 45 vehicle, a walkway, and three playing areas spanning 410 sqm.

Foundation Stone
HH Ruler of Sharjah laid the foundation stone for the branch of Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Khorfakkan on this occasion. The Academy will grant students a bachelor’s degree in applied, theoretical and maritime sciences. He also inaugurated the Khorfakkan Lakes and Fountains Project at the entrance of Khorfakkan. It features 4 lagoons and a number of fountains. It is surrounded by cedar trees in all directions, transforming the place into a massive park.
He also unveiled the Resistance Monument, which bears a historical and symbolic significance for the city’s authentic heritage, and is a testament to the steadfastness of the Khorfakkan people in the face of the Portuguese invasion in the early 15th century.
The leaders also went up to the top of the mountain, where the unique Al Rabi Tower sits, which is distinguished by its unique architecture, to unveil the memorial plaque of the tower that introduces the tower and the history of its construction. He also inaugurated “Al Adwani Tower” located on a hilltop near the Khorfakkan Port besides unveiling a memorial plaque for the excavations of the ancient Khorfakkan wall.
“Khorfakkan 1507”
Later, the leaders attended the premiere of the film “Khorfakkan 1507” which is inspired by the book, “Khorfakkan’s resistance against the Portuguese invasion of September 1507” authored by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed al Qasimi. The film has been produced by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority in cooperation with Get Go Films Ltd.
More than 300 people, including Emirati and Arab artists and producers, took part in the making of the historical film. The film was shot on the shores of Khorfakkan and the ancient city. Through the film, HH Ruler of Sharjah aims to promote the idea of Khorfakkan’s resistance at that important era of the country’s history, and to introduce current generations to the hardship suffered by Khorfakkan and its rebels due to the Portuguese unlawful invasion and occupation.

Key Projects
On this occasion, HH Sharjah Ruler also announced that many more projects will continue to be developed in Khorfakkan to increase the beauty of the city, and provide it with all educational, sports and leisure facilities.

He also promised to develop Shis area along the lines of Al Rafisah besides establishing Khorfakkan Sports City. The projects at the entrance of Khorfakkan will also continue with a new Clock Tower being built along with the Cultural Palace which will include theatres, libraries and halls for all cultural activities, he added. HH Ruler of Sharjah also promised a new corniche project that will extend from Zubarah beach to Luluah areas, and will be named Al Sabihiyah Beach. Also he announced that the Khorfakkan branch of Sharjah University would be developed into the Khorfakkan University within 2 years.

Travel News | eTurboNews