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Chinese Celebrity Xu Haiqiao brought diversity of Seychelles to Chinese audiences via social media

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) office in China collaborated with famous reality show actor, Mr. Xu Haiqiao, to increase the visibility of the exotic island paradise among the young Chinese audience.

“Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles” as the project was called, was shot in Seychelles between August 21, 2018 and August 26, 2018.


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The actor graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, a public university aimed towards teaching dramatic art in Shanghai, China. Mr. Xu made his name known in his homeland through roles played in television series such as ‘The Dream of Read Mansions’, ‘The Journey of Flower’ and ‘Lost Love in Times’.

The promotional videos started airing on September 10, 2018 on the Chinese celebrity’s social media account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website. Mr. Xu has about 10.7 million fans on Sina Weibo. Followers had the chance to watch ‘Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles’ on other social media platforms such as WeChat and TikTok.

Through the vlog ‘The Orange Star Travels’, Mr. Xu shared with his audience his six-day shooting itinerary in the 115-island archipelago. For each of the six days spent in Seychelles, a themed video blog was created, each displaying a different aspect of life in the island nation. He showed the Chinese audience the beautiful nature of Seychelles, its diverse culture, adventures that can be had as well as interacted with the local people.

The audience experienced the country through six chapters: Preview – ‘Xu Haiqiao and Seychelles’, Chapter 1 – ‘Live Somewhere Else’, Chapter 2 – ‘A Nature Tour of 455square meters, Chapter 3 – ‘A tour of Adventure’, Chapter 4 – ‘Unexpected Lucky Gift’ and Chapter 5 – ‘The End of the Journey’.

Over 60million PV (page per view) were recorded after ‘Follow Xu Haiqiao to explore the Last Eden on Earth – Seychelles’ finished airing.

Commenting on Mr. Xu’s presence in the Seychelles, STB Director for the Chinese and Japanese Market, Jean –Luc Lai- Lam said that the initiative is in line with the strategy as presented by his office for the year 2018.

“This year, one of our main focus has been creating more visibility on the Weibo Chinese social media, in order to reach a greater number of audience, and this has been very successful in creating more visibility for the destination,” said Mr. Lai Lam

The project follows the one carried out this year by the award-winning Chinese actress, Ms. Dilraba Dilmurat, who showcase Seychelles through ‘Dilraba feels Seychelles’. Close to 1.53 Billion people watched the series of videos advocating the laid-back lifestyle and natural environment of Seychelles.

Lufthansa and Fraport Extend Ground Handling Partnership at Frankfurt Airport

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG is entrusting Fraport AG Ground Services with the provision of ground handling services to all Lufthansa aircraft at Frankfurt Airport for another seven years. On Thursday (December 20), the two companies signed a respective contract, to become effective on January 1, 2019, and run until March 31, 2026. Both partners agreed not to disclose the contract volume.

Fraport AG’s executive board member and Labor Director Michael Müller said: “We are pleased to extend the long-standing and successful partnership with Lufthansa as our most important customer at Frankfurt Airport. Following a series of constructive talks, we submitted a competitive offer. The new agreement contains an extensive package of services and agreed quality standards.”

Under the agreement, Fraport’s ground handling unit will be responsible for a range of services, including loading and unloading of Lufthansa passenger aircraft, baggage and cargo transportation, passenger bus transfers to and from the aircraft, as well as pushback, supply and waste disposal services.

The two partners have defined a number of key priorities in the new agreement, with a focus on punctuality, transfer quality, baggage claim times and standards for process stability. This will contribute to ensuring Frankfurt Airport’s position as a leading aviation hub, now and in the future.

Moreover, Fraport and Lufthansa plan to implement a number of innovations in various processes over the term of the agreement, all aimed to further raise ground handling efficiency and continuously enhance service quality.

Courtyard Burlington, Ontario: Innovative design and flexible space

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In Canada Courtyard by Marriott Hotel has opened its doors in Burlington, Ontario and ready to serve you. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard’s latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 1110 Burloak Drive, the 135-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Burlington Hotels Group Inc. and managed by Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd. Both of Burlington, Ontario.

Adjacent to the Burlington Convention Centre, the Courtyard Burlington is located 40 minutes from downtown Toronto and offers guests convenient access Canada’s Wonderland, Niagara Falls, Burlington Botanical Gardens and the scenic waterfalls of Hamilton. Rates begin at $169 per night.

Courtyard constantly researches trends and evolves to meet the changing needs of its guests. The latest room design offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. Indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette makes for a soothing and calm environment.

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers,” said Janis Milham, senior vice president and global brand leader, Classic Select Brands. “Today’s technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to.”

The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage Drop” and plug personal devices into the “Tech Drop” ledge for seamless technology integration.

Signature furniture and architectural elements replace traditional art in the new guestroom. The “LoungeAround” sofa offers a pop of color and a comfortable area for relaxing or for working. The new design also features a light desk on wheels, allowing guests to work from anywhere in the room.

An upgraded, more spacious layout creates an enhanced bathroom experience. A “Shower Nook” housing shampoos and towels, makes amenities accessible without having to leave the shower.

The Courtyard Burlington features the brand’s latest lobby design, where guests can enjoy an open and modern environment outside of their rooms. The newly designed Bistro is the epicenter of the lobby, which fosters social connections and collaboration with more flexible and informal seating options. The Bistro offers guests a wide variety of “made to order” breakfast, lunch and dinner items, “grab and go” options, and also features an array of specialty cocktails, beer and wine for guests to unwind at the end of the day.

Frank Vismeg, Managing Director for Burlington Hotels Group and Burloak Hospitality Management Ltd., who is overseeing the hotel operations, has extensive international experience with Hilton Hotels, Sheraton and InterContinental Hotels Group, and a strong network of relationships with government, industry and service organizations. The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel will bring new jobs and guests to our city, which is good for our local economy and good for Burlington.”

The construction of the hotel was developed by TriAxis Construction Limited, a well-respected construction management firm with over 25 years of experience and expertise in the industry.

“As Development and Construction Manager for the hotel, our professional and committed team has ensured that every aspect of the hotel was built to the highest quality and with utmost attention to detail, to meet or exceed the highest standards set by Marriott,” said Domenic Fuda, President of TriAxis Construction Limited and an equity partner in Burlington Hotels Group Inc.

“With this exciting Courtyard by Marriott project, we will be offering one of the world’s leading hotel brands to the Burlington, Oakville and QEW corridor, consisting of upscale facilities, impeccable accommodations, excellent culinary experiences, and professional and friendly service with a European flair,” said Sandra Stewart-Fearnside, General Manager.

“We are very proud to be the first to bring the very successful Courtyard by Marriott brand to the Burlington/Oakville area and to finally meet the extraordinary demand for a first-rate hotel next to the Burlington Convention Centre,” said Jack Moreira, Owner of Burlington Convention Centre.

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect with ample electrical outlets. The business library features a separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand 30 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

The six-story hotel features a heated indoor saltwater pool, a fitness centre and guest laundry, and offers 1,800 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 120 people. The hotel is adjacent by a heated and covered walkway to the Burlington Convention Centre that features an additional 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space accommodating up to 1,200 guests.

www.marriott.com/yhmbu or Call: 1.888.236.2427

About Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced.

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control. With more than 1,100 locations in over 50 countries and territories, Courtyard is proud to participate in the company’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable members to earn points toward free hotel stays, achieve Elite status faster than ever, and seamlessly book or redeem points for stays throughout our loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 129 countries & territories. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit members.marriott.com. For more information or reservations, visit courtyard.marriott.com, become a fan on Facebook or folloourtyardHotels on Twitter and Instagram

In Paris another Courtyard by Marriott opened bringing new design to the French Capital.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Bartlett mourns the death of Senator Frank Pringle

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the family of former Minister of Tourism, Senator Donald Frank McKenzie Pringle, who died yesterday, at the age of 88.

“On behalf of the Government of Jamaica, I offer my condolences to the family and loved ones of Ambassador Pringle – especially his daughter, Kerstin and two grandchildren, Israel and Isabell.

The tourism industry has certainly suffered an extreme loss and we remain very grateful for the invaluable contribution he has made to the development of the sector,” said Minister Bartlett.

Senator Pringle was a Cabinet Member and Minister of Tourism from 1989 to 1992, while also serving as senator. He was also a Member of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Director on the Board of Air Jamaica, as well as Jamaica’s representative to the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

“Senator Pringle dedicated much of his life to Jamaica’s tourism industry, serving both in the public and private sector. He was very passionate about the growth of our tourism product and did an incredible job to ensure that our industry was not only successful, but that it also benefited the people of the country. He was selfless, always putting country above himself and saw the vision of how far tourism could go. His legacy is indelibly etched in our history and will be remembered for years to come,” said the Minister.

Over the years, Ambassador Pringle has served as a diplomat, Justice of the Peace and a member of the Jamaica Parish Council. He was also the Founder and Director of The Tryall Club and founder and President of the Jamaica Association of Villas and Apartments.

Additionally, he was involved in the founding of Round Hill Hotel & Villas, and served as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General.

“It was my hope to honour Ambassador Pringle, while he was alive at the Golden Tourism Day Award Ceremony taking place on Sunday. His sudden passing indeed came as quite a surprise and I am very saddened to know he is no longer with us,” said the Minister.

Leading industry figures take the helm at Cape Town Tourism

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The Cape Town Tourism (CTT) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Julie-May Ellingson and Ms Wahida Parker as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively.

Ms. Ellingson is Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and is an Urban & Regional Planner and Development Economist by profession. Her commitment at the helm of the CTICC in driving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Events (MICE) economy in Cape Town has contributed to the city being named as the number one city in Africa for business tourism events by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).   Under her leadership, the CTICC has achieved record-breaking revenues and doubled its investment in community initiatives.

“I look forward to working with the management team in building on the success of Cape Town Tourism.  Today’s tough economic conditions require us to be even more innovative in our approach and to use all resources at our disposal effectively.  This includes twinning with other world class destinations and the enhanced use of technology to the benefit of our members, who make Cape Town, the incredible destination it is.” – Julie-May Ellingson

Newly-elected vice-chairperson Wahida Parker is an admitted attorney, internationally accredited mediator and coach. Her leadership at one of the world’s most iconic attractions is focused on ensuring that all South Africans get to experience Table Mountain at least once in their lives. This world-class attraction continues to flourish under her leadership.

“To be part of dedicated team that has a single-minded approach to ensuring that Cape Town grows as a tourism destination is both exciting and daunting. I relish the challenge that this brings and look forward to enhancing the offering to the membership and Cape Town in general. The key to our success lies in building relationships that have the greater good in mind rather than pursuing personal agendas”, says Wahida Parker.

“Both Ms. Ellingson and Ms. Parker have successful track records as respected tourism leaders committed to future forward thinking in response to our evolving industry. We are indeed fortunate as Cape Town Tourism to have committed, passionate and high-calibre business executives like them leading us into the future.” Enver Duminy, CEO, Cape Town Tourism.

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