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ITB Berlin Special Edition Saturday 13 March 2010 www.breakingtravelnews.com

World Travel Awards2010 nominees announced

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ITB Mobile Guidehelp is at hand

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AviationFast and furious timespage 12

One webIs your brand optimisedfor mobile internet?page 79

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Delhi builds sporting legacyIndia will fall under thesporting spotlight in Octoberwhen Delhi hosts the 19thCommonwealth Games. Withseven months before theopening ceremony, BreakingTravel News takes a look atpreparations for the event.Mike Starling reports.

There may be concerns about unfinishedconstruction, power shortages and security butthe Indian Ministry of Tourism is defiant thatthe 2010 Commonwealth Games will prove tobe a huge success.

Since Delhi was named host city of theCommonwealth Games the amount of mediascrutiny and outside negative opinion has been

at the highest level for a sporting event inrecent times.

But for a country with a population of morethan 1.1 billion people, there is no doubt thatthe Games are a major landmark in its tourismand sporting history.

Some estimates state that more than 4.5million domestic and 2 million internationaltourists will visit Delhi as a result of the Games.The figures may sound over-ambitious, butIndia has 500 million domestic tourists alone.

These positive figures are one reason why theIndian Ministry of Tourism is confident that theGames will prove beneficial.

Raj Kumar Sunani, assistant director of IndiaTourism in London, said: “The Games canherald a turning point for India. This is a greatopportunity to showcase tourism andspecifically the newly-developed products suchas rural tourism and medical tourism.”

Speaking about Delhi’s infrastructure progress,Sunani added: “The Delhi Metro is world-classand we have a city and buildings to show to theworld. Compared to the last five years, Delhi isso different because of the development.

“We are building a world-class infrastructure forthe Games that will benefit India in the future.This event is forcing us to invest in a world-class infrastructure.”

A major area of concern is a lack of hotel roomsto accommodate delegates, media and sportsfans. One person to agree with this concern isJean-Claude Baumgarten, president and CEOof the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Baumgarten said: “India is a fantasticdestination and has a huge domestic market.But although there has been an improvement inconstruction and airports, there is still aninsufficient infrastructure network and notenough rooms.

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Provided by GIATA & TOURIASMobile, there is also information onthe ITB Berlin Conventionprogrammes, as well as a list ofevents, press conferences,presentations, receptions, and afunction for looking up exhibitors.After the fair closes the ITB MobileGuide provides users withinformation on the quickest way tothe city centre and tips on Berlinnightlife; including information on

restaurants, bars and touristattractions.

Tourias Mobile managing director,Christoph Schotter, explained:“Applications are now a big trendin the tourism industry as well.They offer destinations, touroperators and hotels altogethernew opportunities for marketingand winning customers.”

Designed for mobiles andsmartphones, the clever pocket-sized trade fair companion can beeasily downloaded at www.itb-berlin.de/mobil. Usersdownloading direct from a mobilecan head to www.itb-berlin.mobi,while Bluetooth users should headfor the TOURIAS Mobile Stand inHall 7.1c/Stand 129.

Pocket-sized ITB Berlin With seemingly the entire travel industry gathered in one place, even thesavviest of visitor can become disorientated here at ITB Berlin. Butthoughtful organisers have once again provided the helpful ITB MobileGuide, letting visitors navigate their way easily around the BerlinExhibition Grounds.


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continued from cover

“Some Indian newspapers say240,000 rooms would benecessary for the CommonwealthGames, but there are only 90,000available. What will happen isthere will be a 120 per cent loadfactor for airlines and hotels and ashortage of capacity.”

In an exclusive interview withBreaking Travel News,Baumgarten was asked whatadvice he would give the Indianauthorities to capitalise on theGames’ impact.

He added: “India will have to makea major marketing approach. Youcan’t just say come, because thereis not enough capacity. You haveto select your markets – that willbe an interesting approach.”Last month, before the start of thefield Hockey World Cup in Delhi,there were media reports ofsecurity threats at sporting eventsin India.

Sunani was quick to ease fearsand said: “India has taken somany steps for safety andsecurity.

“There will be a tough securitysystem for the Games in Delhi, no-one should have any worriesabout safety. The police, the Army and intelligence are fullyinvolved for the security of theCommonwealth Games. Since the Parliament bombing in Delhi[in 2001] security has been verytough, safety is one of the biggest things for us.”

While the negatives will continueto raise alarm, one positive was a report published in theautumn of last year byPricewaterhouseCoopers. The firm revealed that the Games could create more thanUS$6 billion worth of businessopportunities. Included in thisamount is the estimated US$25million in ticketing revenues.

As India continues to prepare forits biggest-ever sporting event,one legacy of the Games hasalready been realised with Delhibeing named as host city for theSouth Asian Games in 2012.

With Indian Premier Leaguecricket also to look forward to this month, it cannot be deniedthat India represents a wealth of opportunity for the sportstourism industry.

2010 Commonwealth Games in numbers

n The Games take place in Delhi from 3-14 October 2010

n Delhi is home to more than 14 million people

n Estimated budget for the event is more than US$1.6billion

n 71 countries will participate

n More than 6,000 athletes to take part

n In 2010 Delhi is expecting 2 million foreign and 4.5 milliondomestic tourists

n By the start of the Games, Indira Gandhi InternationalAirport is estimated to have seen more than US$1.9 billionin upgrades

n The Delhi Games Village will have capacity for 8,500athletes and officials

n 17 sports will be held at six venue clusters and fivestandalone venues

Travellers turn to virtual videoHolidaymakers looking forinside information whenmaking travel decisions areturning to video streamingservices in search ofinformation.

For example, new data from marketresearch organisation Comscorereveal YouTube – the world’s leadingvideo sharing site – received 13.2billion viewers in December 2009;illustrating the demand for onlineservices.

As such, there is huge potential toinfluence holiday decisions with theuse of online marketing; withprofessional organisations nowmoving into what has traditionallybeen an amateur pursuit.

Businesses are increasinglyrealising the importance ofdisplaying their content in the most

accessible places for the consumer;with Accustream Researchrevealing the consumption ofprofessionally-produced video grew18 per cent in 2009 – with 49.1billion views recorded over the year.

One of the leaders in the virtualspace is Virtual World Internet(VWI), which delivers interactivesolutions for a wide variety ofapplications in the travel andtourism sector. This includesdesigning, developing, hosting andmarketing high-value visual content.

Founded in 1995, the virtual imagingservice provider has played a majorrole in creating the virtual toursexperience worldwide and is leadingthe development of the next-generation visual information. Itsmany high profile clients includeDubai’s Grosvenor House(http://virtual-grosvenorhouse.com),

Kempinski – Mall of the Emirates,Le Royal Meridian Dubai, TheMonarch, and Rotana(http://almurooj.virtual-rotana.com).

Virtual World Internet sites aretailored for the individual hotel andthey take online video, photography,and 360 virtual tours of all aspectsof the hotel such as amenities,guest rooms, and conference roomsfor presentation on the internet.

Destinations too are investing inrich media such as Dubai whichlaunched virtual-dubai.com, acomprehensive visual libraryoffering streaming video, virtualtours and still pictures of theemirate’s finest destinations.

virtualworldinternet.com


11

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World Sport Destination Expo is the world’s firstglobal exhibition and congress dedicated to showcasingthe $600 billion a year sport tourism industry.

To exhibit go to www.worldsportdestinationexpo.com/exhibitingTo visit go to www.worldsportdestinationexpo.com/visitingFor more information contact [email protected]

At a time when traditional tourism trends are in decline, sport tourism continues toflourish and is set to grow dramatically in the next decade.

Participation in World Sport Destination Expo is vital to those companies involvedin the sport tourism market-place, and those serious in assuming a market share ofthe industry’s fastest growing sector.

Over 5 dynamic business-focussed days you will be in pole position to:

•Conduct lucrative business deals with the leading international tour operators•Meet face to face with the key corporate buyers and event organisers• Educate the industry about your capabilities to host major events• Explore and enter new international markets•Gain deep insights in to the latest developments in the sport tourism industry•Meet all the key industry players in a focused business environment• Showcase your brand credentials on a global stage

Do not miss out on the travel and tourism event of the year.

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Special Report

Last year brought two aspects ofthe airline industry into sharpfocus: whether the existing modelof full-service, legacy airlines canbe viable in the long term; and thecontinuing success of the low-cost model, both in the UK andthe rest of the world.

In both cases, the overriding aimof all airlines was to try andsqueeze as much money out ofthe passenger as possible.

The way airlines have tried do thisis through what has come to beknown as “unbundling”.

Unbundling is simply breakingdown all the component parts ofan airfare that were previouslyincluded in the fare.

For example: a meal and a drink,hold baggage, a designated seatand even, in the case of Ryanair,check-in.

Unbundling was pioneered by AirCanada, and soon the US legacycarriers followed suit.

Most if not all network carriers inthe U.S. now levy an additional feefor more than one piece of holdbaggage for non-businesspassengers.

Ironically, the one carrier whichmost people expected to followsuit – the grand-daddy of low-cost carriers, Southwest – made abig play of not charging for holdbaggage. It even went as far asrunning a series of ads stating:“Baggage flies free”.

Not so in Europe, where theheadline grabbing 1p faresadvertised by the budget carrierssoon mutate into hundreds ofpounds when you factor in thecredit card charge, priorityboarding and check-in.

Fast and furioustimes for aviation

If nothing else, the global downturn has madethis one of the most exciting periods yet inaviation history. BTN’s Aviation CorrespondentAdam Coulter picks out the key trends that arecurrently shaping the industry.



In most cases, the airline’s answeris the same: “We are giving thepassenger a choice”.

But with Ryanair, which did awaywith all its check-in desks lastyear, passengers are left with nochoice: they have to pay £2.50 tocheck-in online.

British Airways has long made avirtue of not charging for “extras”,so when it started to levy a feelast autumn for seat allocationpassengers were outraged.

BA put a neat spin on the policychange, claiming it was anoptional add-on: in other words,unlike check-in or luggage, youdid not have to book your seat,but the airline was kindly givingyou the option to do so.

BA has been asked repeatedlywhether the move signals thestart of a slippery slope but hasrepeatedly denied it. And yet atthe same time, almost unnoticed,BA also did away with another so-called extra and started chargingfor outsize baggage such as skis,golf clubs and surfboards.

No more business?

The second big trend to sweepthe aviation industry has been afocus on premium cabins. Short-haul business, for example, isproving to be unsustainable forthe full-service carriers. BA inparticular has made it plain that itmakes little or no money onshort-haul business class.

In February chief executive WillieWalsh said: “Short-haul premiumwill never recover. That part of thebusiness has changed for everand we have to address it.”

BA is now understood to bereviewing its short-hauloperations and premium seatscould be removed from planesoperating out of Gatwick andregional airports.

In January, the UK’s second-largest carrier, bmi, removedbusiness class across all itsdomestic and Ireland routes,introducing Flexible Economy,aimed at the business traveller,and which includes meals andlounge access and a seat at thefront of the plane – but the sametype of seats as everyone else.

It’s a different story on long-haul,where airlines still hope they canmake a decent return, despite theInternational Air TravelAssociation’s report whichshowed that losses in thepremium air traffic market sinceSeptember 2008 have erased theprevious six years of growth in thesector. New IATA data reveals thatthe number of premiumpassengers on internationalflights grew 1.7% year-over-year inDecember 2009 -– the first year-over-year rise in premium travelsince May 2008. However,December 2009’s levels are still17% below highs recorded in early2008.

Despite this, in November, BAlaunched its first ever all-businessservice, from London City Airportto New York’s JFK.

Operating a specially configuredAirbus A319 with just 32 seatsand with fares around the £5,000-mark, the service is aimedsquarely at the City businessman.And in February, it spent £100mon relaunching its First cabinacross the fleet, which it

describes as a suite and borrowsheavily from its Middle East rivals.

Etihad also relaunched its firstclass cabin, spending $70m onthe new suite; while Emiratesintroduced a new level of luxury inits first suites on board the A380which include an in air lounge andshower/spa.

Meanwhile, following a 72% slumpin profits, Qantas Airwaysannounced in February that it willbe cutting first-class seats fromall but a handful of routes. Firstclass will only be kept on flightsfrom Australia to London, viaSingapore, and between Australiaand Los Angeles.

Chief executive Alan Joyce said:“Our first class product willremain on key routes. It’s a re-balance - there are more businessclass seats and less first classseats.”

Getting closer

Consolidation continues apace:perhaps the only way the long-term future of the airline industrycan be guaranteed.

So, Lufthansa bought theremaining 51% share of bmi andtook over SWISS; BA finallyannounced a merger with Iberia,and then in February the USDepartment of Transport finallyissued a tentative decisionapproving antitrust immunity forAmerican Airlines and itsOneworld partners, allowing theformation a global alliance.

The alliance includes AmericanAirlines, British Airways, RoyalJordanian Airlines, Finnair andIberia Airlines.

And in February, Indian domesticgiant Kingfisher Airlines,announced that it will also joinOneworld.

However, the DOT also argued anypotential alliance could harmcompetition on select routesbetween the US and Heathrow.The tentative ruling has beenslammed by Virgin boss RichardBranson, who has described it as“uncompetitive”.

On a smaller scale in Europe,Aegean Air and Olympic Airrecently announced a merger.

South America saw the formationof the region’s biggest airline inOctober, following the merger ofTACA and Avianca, which couldlead to a direct service to Londonfrom Latin America. Separately,Avianca is currently integratingone of Brazil’s regional carriers,OceanBlue, into its network. Theairline also has flying rights toboth Heathrow and Frankfurt, buthas not exercised them due to theeconomic downturn.

What does the future hold?

The key to the success of theindustry lies in two factors:whether business travel picks upto reflect the pick-up in theeconomy; and whether airlinescontinue to keep a tight hold oncapacity to ensure that yieldsremain high.

One is out of their control, theother is firmly in their control, butwhatever happens, most expertspredict that 2010 should be abetter year than the previous two.


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worldtravelawards.com

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

2010

ITB_BTN 2010_CommonSection_v2:Layout 1 26/02/2010 20:14

World Travel Awards 2010 Grand Tour

The World Travel Awardsis delighted to unveil thedestinations that willplay host to its 2010Grand Tour.

After a rigorous selection procedure,Dubai (UAE), Johannesburg (SouthAfrica), Orlando (Florida, USA),Antalya (Turkey), New Delhi (India)and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) have beenchosen to stage the six World TravelAwards regional ceremonies, withthe winners progressing to the GrandFinal in London (UK) in November.

Celebrating its 17th anniversary, theWorld Travel Awards has grown intoa truly global search for the very besttravel and tourism brands, and isheralded by the Wall Street Journalas the “Oscars of the travel industry”.

The choice of hosts reflects thosedestinations that are making thegreatest contribution to the globaltravel industry in 2010 – iconicplaces with such a relentless drive todo things better they stand in a classof their own.

The growth of sport tourism, a sectornow worth US$600 billion, isreflected strongly in the choice ofthis year’s World Travel Awards hostvenues.

Rio de Janeiro, for example, is ridingthe quest of a sporting wave, havingbagged hosting rights to the 2016Olympics to add to its FIFA WorldCup 2014 conquest. The ‘CidadeMaravilhosa’ (marvellous city) willplay host to the World Travel AwardsSouth America Ceremony on 20October.

Johannesburg, which is adding thefinishing touches to its preparationsas a host city of this summer’s WorldCup, will set the stage for the WTAAfrica Ceremony on 7 July. And

London, currently gearing up for the2012 Olympics, will host the WTAGrand Final on 7 November.

Meanwhile those destinations thathave created tourism miracles offthe sporting field also featureprominently in this year’s WTAGrand Tour.

Antalya, for example, has created amulti-million dollar tourism economyout of virtually nothing. Known asthe ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, ithas blossomed into Turkey’s holidaycapital, and will play host to WTAEuropean Ceremony, the fourth legof the 2010 Grand Tour.

Competition in this year’s WTAGrand Tour will undoubtedly provehotter than ever. World TravelAwards has received a tremendousresponse to self nominations, whichare up a phenomenal 50 per cent on2009, with applicants from over 70countries worldwide.

This record number is conclusiveevidence that World Travel Awardshas become the “Oscars” of theglobal travel industry.

Graham E. Cooke, Founder andPresident, World Travel Awards, said:“World Travel Awards is a uniquebenchmark for industry quality andbusiness excellence in every regionand sector.”

“The increase in registered voters,despite a global recession,demonstrates the vital role thatWorld Travel Awards plays. Moremultinational companies than ever,ranging from Etihad Airways and

Meet World Travel Awards team at Funkturm Tower @ ITB, outside Halls 14, 15 and [email protected]

‘The Oscars of the Travel Industry’Wall Street Journal

Haifa Wehbe performing at the MiddleEast & Africa Ceremony, Abu Dhabi, 2007.


TAP Portugal to InterContinentalHotels and Disney, are spearheadingtheir global marketing campaignswith their award victories,” he added.

This level of accountability makesthe World Travel Awards the highestaccolade in the travel industry and iswhy the award ceremony isbroadcast by BBC World News andother networks to over 254 millionhouseholds worldwide and attendedby the industry’s global decisionmakers.

For the tourism trade, winning aWorld Travel Award is more than anaward – it is an endorsement fromthe thousands of professionals fromaround the globe, as well as goldseal to the consumer of travelexcellence guaranteed.

The World Travel Awards hascontinuously evolved, expanding thenumber of awards as the industryhas grown. There are now over 1,000 different categories – anunderstandable number seeing howthe industry has diversified andgiven the fact that there were over3,600 different nominees last year.

As confidence returns to the globaleconomy in 2010, the World TravelAwards will reward those travel andtourism players that arespearheading the recovery. Andjudging by the quality ofnominations received ahead of theGrand Tour, 2010 is destined to bethe biggest and most hotly-contested yet for the World TravelAwards.

World Travel AwardsGrand Tour 2010

Middle East Gala CeremonyDubai, UAE 3 May 2010

Africa & Indian Ocean Gala CeremonyJohannesburg, South Africa 7 July 2010

North & Central American &Caribbean Gala CeremonyOrlando, Florida, USA 11 September 2010

Europe Gala CeremonyAntalya, Turkey1 October 2010

Asia & Australasia Gala CeremonyNew Delhi, India 14 October 2010

South America Gala CeremonyRio de Janeiro, Brazil20 October 2010

Grand FinalLondon, UK 7 November 2010


Chris Noth (aka “Mr Big”) with David Falcon, Senior Vice President, World Travel Awards, and Sheikh Faisal bin Khali Al Qasimi, at the Middle East & Africa Ceremony, Abu Dhabi, 2007.

His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzuluat the Africa Ceremony, Durban, 2008.


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The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE • 3 May 2010

World Travel Awards Middle East Ceremony 2010

The World Travel Awards ceremony is a fantastic event and a greatnetworking opportunity for the travel industry…it makes sense topartner with a high profile and well-connected event like WTA.”Zina NeophytouTravel Distribution Account Director, BBC World News

The World Travel AwardsGrand Tour 2010 kicks offwith the Middle EastCeremony, being heldagain this year in theexciting and rapidly-changing emirate ofDubai.

Travel and tourism companies andorganisations from across the region,representing every industry sector,will be fighting for their chance to berecognised by the ‘Oscars’ of thetravel industry.

The event will take place at the new,luxurious, The Address Dubai Marina.This premier hotel stands tall in theheart of one of Dubai’s most vibrantneighbourhoods, where crystal

waters shimmer against modernarchitecture and luxury yachts mooralongside trendsetting restaurants.With 200 luxurious rooms, fivesuperb restaurants and lounges, arelaxing spa, spectacular infinity pooland state of the art meeting andevent facilities, The Address DubaiMarina is the perfect venue for the2010 World Travel Awards MiddleEast Ceremony.

Sheikh Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum receiving awardsfrom Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder of World Travel Awards, at a privately held ceremony.

Tickets to World Travel Awardsevents are always in high demand,therefore early booking is alwaysrecommended.

To secure your seats for this must-attend event for senior decisionmakers and global media, pleasecontact our events team using thedetails below:

Email:[email protected]: +44 (0)207 925 0000



“


Here is a selection of 2010 Middle East nominees…

Anita Mehra Homayoun, Vice President Marketing & CorporateCommunications, Dubai Airports; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin SaeedAl Maktoum.Middle East's Leading Airport

The Address Dubai Marina – venue for the Middle East Ceremony 2010.

The Address Dubai Marina.

James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways, pictured with Jean-Claude Baumgarten,President & CEO, WTTC, at the 2009 Grand Final Ceremony.World's Leading Airline 2009


Middle East’s Leading Airlinen Emiratesn Etihad Airwaysn Kuwait Airwaysn MEA - Middle East Airlinesn Oman Airn Qatar Airwaysn Royal Jordanian Airlinesn Saudi Arabian Airlines

Middle East’s Leading Beach Resortn Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach

Resort, United Arab Emiratesn Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirahn Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers,

Abu Dhabin Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna,

Abu Dhabin InterContinental Al Bustan Palace

Muscat, Omann Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubain Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Span Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort,

Fujairahn Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort &

Span Mina A'Salam at Madinat Jumeirahn One & Only Royal Miragen Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort,

Omann Sheraton Coral Beach Hotel &

Resort, Lebanonn The Chedi Muscatn The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubain The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi

Beach Resort & Marina

Middle East’s Leading Business Travel Agencyn Airlink International U.A.En Dnata, Dubain Kanoon Omeir Travel agency, Abu Dhabin Orient Traveln Overseas Travel Bureau, Qatarn Regency Travel & Tours, Qatar

n Safar Travel & Tourismn Sharaftraveln SNTTA - Sharjah National Travel &

Tourist Agency

Middle East’s Leading Destinationn Abu Dhabin Bahrainn Dubain Omann Qatarn Saudi Arabia

Middle East's Leading Hoteln Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood

Hoteln Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubain Atlantis The Palm, Dubain Burj Al Arab, Dubain Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabin Four Seasons Hotel Amman, Jordann InterContinental Abu Dhabin InterContinental Dubai Festival Cityn Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubain Le Méridien Towers Makkahn Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort &

Spa, Dubain One&Only Royal Miragen Rosewood Cornichen Shangri-La Abu Dhabin Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort,

Omann Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bayn The Address, Downtown Burj Dubain The Chedi Muscat, Omann The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubain The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Qatar

Middle East’s Leading Private Jet Chartern Aircharter Internationaln Al Jaber Aviation - AJAn ExecuJet Middle Eastn Prestige Jetn Royal Jetn VistaJet

For the full list of Middle East 2010 nominees visitwww.worldtravelawards.com/nominees


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Johannesburg, South Africa • 7 July 2010

World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony 2010



The World Travel AwardsAfrica & Indian OceanCeremony 2010 will take place this July inJohannesburg, SouthAfrica.

Attended by leading industry figures,this event is set to be an outstandingsuccess and a testament to theextraordinary innovation and diversitythat is seen in the African tourismindustry. Last year more than 200organisations were nominated in 75categories for the Africa and IndianOcean region, including airlines,airports, hotels, car hire, destinations,resorts, spas and travel agencies.

The financial powerhouse of thecountry, Johannesburg is home tosome of the finest nightlife andentertainment around, and hasnumerous opportunities for those wholove the great outdoors. With themuch-anticipated 2010 FIFA WorldCup taking place in just a few monthstime, Johannesburg is busy preparingitself for the thousands of fans whoare expected to flock to South Africa.The country’s tourism sector isexpecting a significant boost in 2010.

Johannesburg



Tickets to World Travel Awards events arealways in high demand, therefore earlybooking is always recommended.

To secure your seats for this must-attendevent for senior decision makers andglobal media, please contact our eventsteam using the details below:

Email: [email protected]: +44 (0)207 925 0000

Raj Kamal Taposeea, Chairman, Air Mauritius; Miss Australia;Graham E. Cooke, President & Founder, World Travel Awards.Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline 2009

Pierre Delvaux (CEO), Christin Olofsson, Anita Vernes (MarketingDirector) and Dan Olofsson (Chairman) from Thanda PrivateGame Reserve, accepting their 2009 award. World’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2009

For the full list of Africa & Indian Ocean 2010 nomineesvisit www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

Here is a selection of 2010 Africa& Indian Ocean nominees…Africa’s Leading Destinationn Cape Townn City of Johannesburgn Kruger National Parkn Luxor, Egyptn Marrakechn Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzanian Serengetin Sharm El Sheikhn Victoria Falls

Africa’s Leading Low Cost Airlinen 1timen Fly540n Jet 4 Youn Kululan Mango

Africa’s Leading Safari Lodgen Chiawa Campn Chobe Chilwero Lodgen Etali Safari Lodgen Finch Hattonsn Gorah Elephant Campn Legend Lodges, Entabeni Private

Game Reserven Londolozi Private Game Reserven Makanyanen Royal Malewanen Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserven Shamwari Game Reserven Shamwari Game Reserven Singita Ebony Lodgen Thanda Private Game Reserven Tuli Safari Lodgen Wolwedans Dunes Lodge & Dune

Indian Ocean’s Leading Destinationn Comorosn Madagascarn Maldivesn Mauritiusn Seychellesn Sri Lanka

Indian Ocean’s Leading Hoteln Banyan Tree Seychellesn Belle Mare Plage Resortn Château de Feuilles, Seychellesn Conrad Maldives Rangali Islandn Legendsn One&Only Le Saint Geran, Mauritiusn Royal Palm Hotel, Mauritiusn Soneva Gili, Maldivesn Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldivesn The Fortressn The Oberoi Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Villan Adaaran Prestige Water Villas,

Maldivesn Banyan Tree Seychellesn Baros Residence, Baros Maldivesn Delux Soneva Fushi Villa, Soneva

Fushi Resort & Spa, Maldivesn Hideaway Palace, Island Hideaway

at Dhonakulhi Spa Resort & Marinan Koimala Land and Ocean Villa, Four

Seasons Resort Maldives at LandaaGiraavaru

n Presidential Villa, Banyan TreeSeychelles

n Royal Kurumba Residence, KurumbaMaldives

n The Royal Villa, Sainte Anne Resort& Spa, Seychelles

n The Villa, One&Only Le Saint Geran,Mauritius


Carly Reed, Head of Public Relations, Universal Orlando Florida, with Miss World.World’s Leading Theme Park 2009



Orlando, Florida, USA • 11 September 2010

World Travel Awards North & Central America andCaribbean Ceremony 2010

Being honoured as NorthAmerica’s Leading TravelAgency by the World TravelAwards has provided some ofour greatest moments atAnthony Travel. We’veenjoyed celebrating thisachievement around thecountry externally with ourclients and internally with ourassociates. The awardscontinue to be a huge sourceof pride for all of us.”John Anthony, President and CEO, Anthony TravelNorth America’s Leading Travel Agency 2009

Orlando, Florida is theexciting location for thisyear’s World TravelAwards North & CentralAmerica and CaribbeanCeremony.

The awards, described by the WallStreet Journal as the Oscars of thetravel industry, will unveil who is thebest of the best in the region. Seniormanagement and decision makersof the travel and tourism industrywill come together to celebrate theirachievements during the ceremony.

Offering nearly 100 attractions(including the world-famous WaltDisney World Resort, UniversalOrlando Resort and SeaWorld),112,000 hotel rooms and more than5,300 restaurants, it’s easy to seewhy Orlando has evolved to becomeone of the world's leading vacationdestinations. More than 50 millionpeople visit the region annually.What better place to reward the bestin the travel industry?


“



Here is a selection of 2010 North & Central Americaand Caribbean nominees…

William Tatham, Vice President, The Port Authority of Jamaica; EdmundBartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; Graham Cooke, President &Founder, World Travel Awards.Jamaica - Caribbean’s Leading Destination 2009 Caribbean’s Leading Marketing Campaign 2009 Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2009

Orlando Arroyo, CEO, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort; Manon Han, ExecutiveVice President, World Travel Awards.Mexico & Central America’s Leading All-inclusive Resort 2009

North America’s Leading Cruise Linen American Cruise Lines, Incn Carnival Cruise Linen Celebrity Cruisesn Crystal Cruisesn Disney Cruisesn Holland America Line Incn Norwegian Cruise Linen Princess Cruisesn Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

North America’s Leading Travel Agencyn Anthony Traveln Maupin Travel, Incn McTavish Traveln Uniglobe Donaldson Traveln Uniglobe Geo Travel

Mexico & Central America’s Leading Airlinen Alamon Avisn Budgetn Dollarn Hertzn National

Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destinationn Bocas Del Toro, Panaman Cancun, Mexico

n Jaco Beach, Costa Rican Playa Santo Domingo, Nicaraguan Tulum, Mexicon West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras

Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destinationn Aruban Bahamasn Barbadosn Dominican Republicn Jamaican Trinidad & Tobago

Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destinationn Anguillan Antigua & Barbudan Aruban Bahamasn Barbadosn Bermudan British Virgin Islandsn Grenadan Jamaican Nevisn St Bartsn St Lucian St Martinsn St Vincent & The Grenadinesn Turks & Caicos

For the full list of North & Central America and Caribbean2010 nominees visit www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees





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Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya, Turkey 1 October 2010

World Travel Awards Europe Ceremony 2010

This year’s prestigiousWorld Travel AwardsEurope Ceremony will beheld at the RixosPremium Belek, a leadingresort hotel located inAntalya, Turkey – thePearl of theMediterranean.

Travel and tourism companies andorganisations from across Europe,representing every industry sector,will be fighting for their chance to berecognised by the ‘Oscars’ of thetravel industry.

The Turkish Riviera is the tourismcapital of Turkey, and an ideallocation for the 2010 World TravelAwards Europe Ceremony. Theregion, bathed in sunshine for 300days of the year, is a paradise forsunbathing, swimming and sports

activities like windsurfing,waterskiing, sailing and mountainclimbing.

The Rixos Premium Belek covers anarea of 400,000m2 and is built in aforest of pine and pistachio treeswith a 1,000 metre long sandybeach, 1,700 beds, and a staff of900! The All Exclusive-All Inclusiveconcept practiced by the RixosPremium Belek guarantees the veryhighest standards.

Rixos Premium Belek Rixos Premium Belek – venue for the Europe Ceremony 2010.



Tickets to World Travel Awards events are always in high demand,therefore early booking is always recommended.

To secure your seats for this must-attend event for senior decision makersand global media, please contact our events team using the details below:



This is the mostimportant prize receivedin our 64 years ofactivity in the business.”Fernando PintoCEO, TAP Portugal

Forte Village Resort, Italy receiving their award.World’s Leading Resort 2009


“

Luiz Mór, Executive Director, TAP Portugal; Miss World; Graham Cooke,President & Founder, World Travel Awards.World's Leading Airline To South America 2009

Telmo Faria, Mayor of Óbidos, Portugal presented the award to JoséPampolim, Vice President and Stuart Swycher, President, Beltico Group.The Praia d’El Rey Marriott Golf and Beach Resort - Europe's Leading Golf & Leisure Resort 2009

Here is a selection of 2010 Europe nominees…Europe’s Leading Airlinen Air Francen Alitalian British Airwaysn Iberian KLMn Lufthansan SAS Scandinavian Airlinesn Swiss International Air Linesn TAP Portugal

Europe’s Leading Airportn Amsterdam Airport Schiphol,Netherlands

n Barcelona International Airport,Spain

n Copenhagen Airport, Denmarkn Domodedovo International Airport,Russia

n Hamburg Airport, Germanyn Helsinki-Vantaa, Finlandn Leonardo da Vinci InternationalAirport, Italy

n Lisbon Airport, Portugaln Madrid Barajas InternationalAirport, Spain

n Munich International Airport,Germany

n Zurich Airport, Switzerland

Europe’s Leading Car Hiren Auto Europen Avisn Budgetn Europcarn Hertzn Holiday Autosn Sixtn Thrifty

Europe’s Leading City Break Destinationn Istanbul,Turkeyn Lisbon, Portugaln London, United Kingdomn Madrid, Spainn Paris, Francen Prague, Czech Republicn Rome, Italyn Tallinn, Estonian Venice, Italy

Europe’s Leading Cruise Destinationn Amsterdam - Netherlandsn Athens, Greecen Cannes, Francen Copenhagen, Denmarkn Dubrovnik, Croatian Lisbon, Portugaln Oslo, Norwayn Reykjavik, Icelandn St Petersburg, Russian Stockholm - Swedenn Venice, Italy

Europe’s Leading Low Cost Airlinen Aer Lingusn Air Berlinn bmibabyn Clickairn Condorn Easyjetn Monarch Airlinesn SkyEurope

For the full list of Europe 2010 nominees visitwww.worldtravelawards.com/nominees


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It is indeed a greathonour to receive an award thatrecognises us notonly in China butglobally. The WorldTravel Award is oneof the mostesteemed accoladesone can receive inthe global travel andtourism industry.”Charlie Dang, Area Managing Director, Northern China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and GM, Westin Beijing Financial Street.

The Claridges



“The Claridges Surajkund, Delhi, India 14 October 2010

World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Ceremony 2010

The World Travel AwardsAsia & AustralasiaCeremony 2010 will takeplace this October in Delhi,India, to coincide with theXIX CommonwealthGames (Delhi, 3-14October).

Attended by VIP’s and leadingindustry figures, the event is set to bean outstanding success and acelebration of the incredibleachievements of the Asian andAustralasian travel industries.

New Delhi is the capital city of Indiaand is situated within the metropolisof Delhi. Delhi is a fusion of theancient and the modern – in Old Delhiyou will discover formidable mosques,monuments and forts, as well as lively

and colourful bazaars. The imperialcity of New Delhi is known for itswide, tree-lined boulevards and manynational institutions and landmarks.

Delhi is undergoing extensiverejuvenation and transformation, toensure it looks its best for visitorsduring the XIX CommonwealthGames. The Games will bring positivebenefits to the Indian tourismindustry.







Tan Sri Dr.Mohd Munir bin Abdul Majid, Chairman, Malaysia Airlines; SyedAbdillah Aziz, Regional Manager UK & Ireland, Malaysia Airlines.Asia's Leading Airline 2009

Kumari Selja, Minister for Tourism, India, with Miss World;Incredible India.World's Leading Destination Marketing Campaign 2009

For the full list of Asia & Australasia 2010 nomineesvisit www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

Here is a selection of 2010 Asia & Australasia nominees…Asia’s Leading Airlinen Air Chinan Air Indian Asiana Airlinesn Cathay Pacific Airwaysn China Airlinesn China Southern Airlinesn Japan Airlinesn Korean Airn Malaysia Airlinesn Royal Brunei Airlinesn Singapore Airlinesn SriLankan Airlinesn Thai Airways International

Asia’s Leading Meetings &Conference Hoteln Akasaka Prince Hotel, Japann Fairmont Singaporen Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Chinan Hotel Equatorial Penang, Malaysian Hotel Lotte Busan, South Korean InterContinental Grand Stanford

Hong Kongn Renaissance Mumbai Hotel &

Convention Center, Indian Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towersn Taj Palace Hotel New Delhi, Indian The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok,

Thailandn The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singaporen The Venetian Macau

Asia’s Leading Tourist Boardn China National Tourism

Administrationn Incredible Indian Japan National Toursit Organizationn Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Indonesian Philippinesn Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureaun Tourism Malaysia

n Tourism Thailandn Uniquely Singapore

Australasia’s Leading Beach Destinationn Abel Tasman National Park, South

Island, New Zealandn Aitutaki, One Foot Island, Cook

Islandsn Bondi Beachn Cable Beach, Broome, WA, Australian Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French

Polynesian Ninety Mile Beach, North Island,

New Zealandn Palm Beachn Return to Paradise Beach, Afega,

Samoan Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday

Islands, QLD, Australian Wine Glass Bay, Freycinet National

Park, Tasmania, Australia

Australasia’s Leading Business Travel Agentn Corporate Travel Managementn FCm Travel Solutionsn Phil Hoffman Traveln Pure Traveln Sta Traveln United Travel Hamilton

Australasia’s Leading Green Hoteln Cradle Mountain Lodge, Australian Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Australian InterContinental Bora Bora Resort &

Thalasso Spa, French Polynesian Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands

Resortn Longitude 131° Ayer's Rock,

AustraliaWaipoua Lodge, New Zealand


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Escapeto a world of rich cultural heritage, omnipresent in the

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Explore the 1.3 kilometer coastline with secluded white-sand beach, ocean-front pools, golf-putting course, and secret gardens.

Savor a different dining experience every day, at 13 venues including

the new Rock Bar perched on rocks directly over the ocean.

Rejuvenate in �alasso healing and Balinese therapies at �ermes Marins

Bali Spa, Aquatonic Pool and Spa on the Rocks.

AYANA Resort and Spa BaliJl. Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Bali 80364

Tel (0361) 702222 | Fax (0361) 701555www.ayanaresort.com

One destination,a world of distinction

AYANA features 78 private villas and a 290-room hotel on 77 hectaresof cliff-top land over Jimbaran Bay

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil • 20 October 2010

World Travel Awards South America Ceremony 2010

The World Travel AwardsSouth America Ceremony2010 will take place thisOctober in the spectacularcity of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Elizabeth Hakim, PromPeru - Peruvian Tourism Board, with Miss Venezuela.South America’s Leading Tourist Board 2009



Travel and tourism companies and organisationsfrom across the region, representing every industrysector, will be fighting for their chance to berecognised by the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry.

Rio de Janeiro is the second major city of Brazil,behind Sao Paolo, and is unquestionably one of themost exciting cities in the world, with naturalwonders, iconic beaches, and the nightlife aslegendary as the city’s Carnival.

The World Travel Awards South America Ceremonyis timed to coincide with ABAV 2010 -Fair of theAmericas, taking place 20-22 October in Rio. It is thebiggest and most important tourism event held inthe Americas.

Tickets to World Travel Awards events are alwaysin high demand, therefore early booking is alwaysrecommended.

To secure your seats for this must-attend event forsenior decision makers and global media, pleasecontact our events team using the details below:



The awards have beenmaking a steady andsignificant, long-termimpact.”The Financial Times

David Falcon, Senior Vice President, World Travel Awards; Arthur Repsold,Chairman, Rio Centro; Miss Rio de Janeiro. South America’s Leading Conference Centre 2008


“

Andre Beraha, Amazonas Tur; Miss Brazil; Antonio Pedro F. de Mello,Secretary of Tourism, State of Rio de Janeiro.South America’s Leading Green Destination 2009South America’s Leading Destination 2009

For the full list of South America 2010 nominees visitwww.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

Here is a selection of 2010 South America nominees…South America’s Leading Business Travel Agencyn Rotamundn Sintecturn Superdestinosn Turismo Pecomn Viajes Calitour

South America’s Leading Cruise Linen Carnival Cruise Linen Celebrity Cruisesn Costa Cruisesn Fred Olsen Cruise Linesn Regent Seven Seas Cruises

South America’s Leading Cruise Portn Buenos Aires, Argentinan Callao (Lima)n Puerto Valparaison Rio de Janeiro (port)n Santiago (Valparaiso)

South America’s Leading Golf Resortn Bourbon Iguassu Golf Club & Resort,

Braziln Four Seasons Resort Carmelo,

Uruguayn Hesperia Isla Margarita, Venezuelan Hotel Do Frade & Golf Resortn Hotel Transamérica Ilha de

Comandatuba, Braziln Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Argentinan Terravista Golf Resort, Braziln Yacht y Golf Club Paraguayo,

Paraguay

South America’s Leading Resortn Arasha Tropical Forest Resort & Spa,

Ecuadorn Casa Grande Hotel Resort & Spa,

Braziln Conrad Punta Del Este Resort &

Casino, Uruguayn Costa do Sauipe Marriott Resort &

Spa, Braziln Costao Do Santinho Resortn Four Seasons Resort Carmelo,

Uruguayn Iguazu Grand Hotel Resort & Casino,

Argentinan InterContinental Hotel Valencia,

Venezuelan Llao Llao Hotel & Resortn Mantra Resort Spa & Casino,

Uruguayn Royal Palm Hotel, Ecuadorn Villarrica Park Lake Hotel, Chile

South America’s Leading Ski Resortn Gran Hotel Termas de Chillán, Chilen Hotel Piscis, Las Lenas Resort,

Argentinan Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Argentinan Villarrica Park Lake Hotel, Chile


1 8 14:05:17 Uhr


1/20/10 4:06:12 PM

The die is cast.Zurich Airport has once again been named Europe’s Leading Airport by the World Travel Awards, making 2009 the sixt year in a row. As the gateway to the European Alps, Zurich offers you the best service: connecting you to 120 destinations, allowing you to quickly reach the city center, and providing you with convenient connections to all Swiss cities and bordering countries. www.zurich-airport.com

14:05:17 Uhr


London, United Kingdom • 7 November 2010

World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony 2010

The World Travel Awards Grand Final is the culmination of ayear-long search for the very best travel brands in the world,covering seven continents and featuring over 3,600 nominees.

Etihad Airways.World's Leading Airline 2009, World's Leading Airline First Class 2009



Winners from the six regional eventswill fight it out for the ultimate travelaccolade. The ceremony, taking placein London on 7 November 2010, willreveal who is ‘the best of the best’,and will be a celebration of theoutstanding achievements of thetravel industry.

Nearly 1000 senior management anddecision makers from the world'stravel and tourism industry cametogether at the 2009 Grand Final.Some of the thought leaders whowere present included: Jean-ClaudeBaumgarten, President, WTTC; KumariSelja, Minister of Tourism, India; SteveRidgway, CEO, Virgin Atlantic Airways;Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism,Jamaica; His Excellency Mubarak Al

Muhairi, Director General, Abu DhabiTourism Authority and James Hogan,CEO, Etihad Airways.

Also in attendance was Antonio PedroF. de Mello, Secretary of Tourism,State of Rio de Janeiro; Tan Sri Dr.Mohd. Munir bin Abdul Majid,Chairman, Malaysia Airlines; RajKamal Taposeea, Chairman, AirMauritius; Bruce Nobles, President andCEO, Air Jamaica; John Watson, CEO,Diethelm Travel Group; MikaelAndersson, VP Expedia EMEA,Expedia.co.uk; Gerard Greene, CEO,IFA Hotels & Resorts FZ LLC, Luiz Mor,Executive Director, TAP Portugal andJehan de The, Global MarketingDirector, Europcar.

The World Travel Awards Grand Final2010 is the must-attend event of theyear.

Tickets to World Travel Awardsevents are always in high demand,therefore early booking is alwaysrecommended.

To secure your seats for this must-attend event for senior decisionmakers and global media, pleasecontact our events team using thedetails below:

Email:[email protected]: +44 (0)207 925 0000


Xavier Luc Duval, Vice Prime Minister, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority,accepting the award from hosts Bobby Davro and Tamara Beckwith.Mauritius - World’s Leading Island Destination 2009

Mark Douglas, Vice President, American Express; Graham Cooke,President & Founder, World Travel Awards.World's Leading Business Travel Agency 2009

Dato Lee Choong Yan, President, Genting Highlands Resort with Miss World.World's Leading Casino Resort 2009


For the full list of World 2010 nominees visitwww.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

Here is a selection of 2010 World nominees…World’s Leading Airline Business Classn Aerolineas Argentinasn Air Jamaican Air New Zealandn Air Seychellesn American Airlinesn British Airwaysn Cathay Pacific Airwaysn Emiratesn Etihad Airwaysn Lufthansan Malaysia Airlinesn Qatar Airwaysn Singapore Airlinesn Virgin Atlantic Airways

World’s Leading Cruise Travel Agentn African Safari Clubn Cruise Linen Cruises.comn MSC Cruisesn Page and Moyn Paradissa Travel - Ha Noin Thomas Cookn Travel Store USAn www.cruise.co.uk

World’s Leading Design Hoteln Adam & Eve at Belek, Turkeyn Almyra, Cyprusn Bulgari Hotels and Resorts Balin Devi Garh, Indian Faena Hotel & Universe, Argentinan Hillside SU, Turkeyn Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Hotel Victor South Beach, USAn Indigo Pearl, Thailandn La Reserve Geneve Hotel & Spa,

Switzerlandn Lebua at State Towern Metropolitan Bangkok, Thailandn Sanderson Hotel, Englandn Shamwari Town Housen The Chedi Muscat, Omann The Lalu Sun Moon Lake, Taiwann The Park - New Delhi, Indian The Setai South Beach, USA

World’s Leading Green Destinationn Amazonas Turn Aspen, Colorado USAn Bouma National Heritage Park

Taveuni, Fiji Islandn British Columbia Great Bear

Rainforest, Canadan Costa Rican Cousine Island, Seychellesn Dominican Eden Project, Cornwall, Englandn Jock Safari Lodgen Kanha National Park, Indian Sanbona Wildlife Reserven Shamwari Game Reserven The New Forest, Englandn Tobago Main Ridge Rain Forest

World’s Leading HoneymoonDestinationn Antiguan Barbadosn Jamaican Las Vegasn Maldivesn Mauritiusn St. Lucian Thailandn The Seychelles Islands

World’s Leading TourismDevelopment Projectn Bahia Bay - Emaarn City Centre - MGM Miragen Dubai Towers Doha - Sama Dubain Dubai Towers Dubai - Sama Dubain Dubailand - Tatweern King Abdullah City - Emaarn Prince George’s Dock Nassau Port

Bahamasn Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Tourism

Development & InvestmentCompany (TDIC)

n The Blue City - Sultanate of Omann The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheeln The Wave - Muscatn Yas Island - Aldar


P. O. Box 23, Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam, Red Sea, EgyptTel: + 20 65 336 0000Fax: + 20 65 336 [email protected]/portghalib

InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort

ACCOMODATIONFeaturing 309 luxuriously appointed rooms with its own balcony, including 14 suites and 3 disabled rooms. The property provides guests with extensive views from every angle, from the enchanting Red Sea to the azure waters of the manmade saltwater swimming lagoon.

Strategically located on the Red Sea Riviera, Port Ghalib is a haven for business and leisure travelers. The resort is situated only 5 kilometers from Marsa Alam International Airport, 210 kilometers from the city of Hurghada and 370 kilometers from the city of Luxor.

InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort lies in the heart of Port Ghalib Resort, and is the perfect retreat for travelers looking to relax and rejuvenate as well as an exceptional meeting destination.

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MEETINGS & EVENTS The Resort boasts Port Ghalib International Convention Centre, the largest hotel banquet venue on the Red Sea. The Centre offers a meeting space of 1,950 square meters able to seat 2,000 delegates in an extraordinary ball room, in addition to 16 break-out rooms and a dignitary salon. The banqueting rooms feature sophisticated state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment accommodating even the most professional presentations. A separate dedicated conference entrance with its spacious foyer provides a perfect area for delegate registrations or special welcome cocktails.

SIX SENSES SPA – EGYPT’S LEADING SPA The leading Spa in Egypt, located in InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort and operated by world-renowned Six Senses Spas, provides an ideal option for guests looking to relax, reduce stress and balance the senses.The comprehensive spa menu offers massage and beauty treatments delivered using naturally derived and ethically produced spa products. Tailor-made spa programs combine Red Sea healing therapies with Asian and Six Senses’ signature treatments to improve the condition and vitality of the body. The spa includes 16 treatment areas including three couples’ rooms, two Thai treatment rooms, and one wet treatment room with classically designed stone beds. The spa includes extensive heat experiences such as traditional hammams and a separate wet room offers a steam, shower, and a state-of-the-art ice room.

SHOPPING & LEISUREThe resort offers a half kilometer stretch on Port Ghalib International Marina of retail outlets on the Corniche, in addition to the traditional Egyptian Khan bazaar. In addition to the widest range of water and land activities on the Red Sea, including safaris, snorkeling trips, diving, submarine and boat cruises, speed boats, lazy river rafting, horseback and camel riding, 4x4 Safaris, jogging trail, tennis and table tennis.

DININGInterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort features extensive indoor and outdoor dining options, where guests can feast on delicacies from around the globe, varying between Arabian, Lebanese, and Mediterranean with magnificent views of the Red Sea, the saltwater swimming lagoon or Port Ghalib International Marina. In addition to the special themed entertainment program.

If you are looking for something unique, don’t miss the private Bedouin Experience in the desert located 11 akilometers from Port Ghalib. Traditional Bedouins offer candlelit dinners under the stars with local Bedouin entertainment and desert camel rides.


World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2010

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Our events are the perfect platform to gain your brand top-level exposure.

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Special Interview

BTN: How would you describethe Round Hill experience?

JF:We are one of the mostbeautiful and elegant boutiqueresorts in the Caribbean, whereunderstated glamour, discreetimpeccable service, attention todetail and warm Jamaicanhospitality define the experience.

BTN: How would you like theresort to evolve?

JF: Since Round Hill has a veryillustrious and successful history,our efforts focus on building on thesuccess of our founder, John

Pringle, who was one of thevisionaries of Jamaica’s tourismindustry in the 1950s. We willcontinue to provide serviceexcellence at all levels with astrong focus on honesty, integrityand authenticity.

BTN: In November you won“World’s Leading Villa” at the2009 World Travel Awards forthe seventh year running. Whatplans do you have this year toremain the world leader?

JF:We are continuously investingin training our staff to deliver thehighest levels of personal service in

each villa. Our newly-installed villaconcierge programme will assist allour guests, from the moment ofmaking a reservation until theirdeparture, to ensure that eachexperience will live up to our highstandards. Naturally, the greatestasset in that effort is the warmth ofthe Jamaican people.

BTN: In June you becomePresident of the CaribbeanHotel & Tourism Association.What plans due you have foryour term in office?

JF: To bring in as many of the largechains into the association to

strengthen our lobbying power. Tostrengthen the local hotelassociations in the various islandstates. To strengthen linkagesbetween the hotel industry andlocal agriculture, which in turnassists our lobbying efforts andbuilds support for tourism in localeconomies. To build brandawareness for the Caribbeanregion through combinedmarketing and advertising efforts.

BTN: What trends in tourism doyou predict for 2010?

JF: Many times duringinternational crisis we find greatopportunities and demand forplaces which evoke an unspoiledand unhurried lifestyle andenvironment. This need plus therelatively easy access from someof the wealthiest regions in theworld (North America, Europe)makes the Caribbean a perfectcandidate for renewed growthduring the expected worldwideeconomic recovery in 2010. Myoutlook for the region is thereforevery positive.

BTN: What’s your favouriteresort excluding Round Hill andwhy?

JF: My favourite resort aside fromRound Hill is MY secret. I need toget away quietly at times. It issimple, rustic and a hidden gemsomewhere in Jamaica.

BTN: How would you describeyour perfect resort of thefuture?

JF: I do not believe that there issuch a thing as a “perfect resort”which would appeal to all. As theworld becomes more developedand connected, our need toexpress our individualism grows.Hence, the more tailored andindividual an experience will be, themore successful the enterprise.

BTN: What is your strategy fordealing with the globaldownturn? And how does itshape your role at CHTA, as wellas at Round Hill?

JF: Round Hill prepared for a mostdifficult year in late 2008 and wecut costs drastically to minimizethe impact to our bottom line. Ourestimates and early actions provedcorrect and we ended the yearwith better than expected profits.Focus on our core audience (high-end US east coast, UK and Europe)in our winter/peak demand seasonas well as working with nichemarkets (e.g. destinationweddings, family reunions) duringthe summer will continue to be thedriving force for business for 2010for Round Hill.

Cool lodgings

roundhilljamaica.com

Josef Forstmayr is the Managing Director of Jamaica’s exclusive RoundHill Hotel & Villas, voted “World’s Leading Villa” seven years running bythe World Travel Awards. A highly-respected and popular leader inCaribbean hospitality, he has also used the success of Round Hill toinitiate sustainable projects within the local parish. In June he alsobecomes President of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, andwill be the voice of tourism in the region. BTN spoke to him to find outhis thoughts ahead of ITB 2010.


arabianconference.com

BTN: What do you have plannedfrom this year’s AHIC?

JW: This year we have expandedthe scope of the content andplayed with new formats. Inresponse to feedback from bothattendees and the advisory board,we have included more plenarysessions and networkingopportunites. So we have morehigh-level discussions mixed inwith interactive sessions such as‘Ask the Experts’, which is a new

initiative. The idea is to givedelegates ‘face time’ with ‘experts’to answer questions which aredirectly related to their business.

BTN: How are preparationsgoing?

JW: Excellent, thank you!Organising a speaking faculty ofover 90 of MENA’s leading industryfigures can be challenging! But ourefforts have paid off and 2010’sspeaking faculty is a great mix of

key regional players such as HESheikh Mubarak Abdulla AlMubarak Al Sabah, Chairman,Action Hotels; HE Saif Mohamed AlHajeri, Chairman, Abu DhabiNational Hotels; Mansour Amer,Chairman, AMER Group and globalleaders such as Eric Danziger,President & CEO, Wyndham HotelGroup and Kurt Ritter, President &CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

BTN: What is the inspirationbehind this year’s theme,“Unlocking InvestmentOpportunities in the Middle Eastand North Africa”?

JW: The AHIC advisory board,which comprises over 40 of themost influential names in theMiddle East hospitality industry,came up with the theme at ourannual meeting. We wanted toreflect that there is a vast range ofprofitable and sustainableopportunities available to investorsin the Middle East and NorthAfrica. I really like the theme as itreflects the optimism of many whoare already active in the region.

BTN: Which speakers are youlooking forward most tohearing?

JW: I don’t want to get myself intotrouble by playing favourites! I amexcited to hear what all of ourspeakers have to say as they bringnew and fresh insight every year.That said, I am looking forward toour ‘Country Forum’ hosted byJohn Defterios of CNN. We havethe tourism ministers of Egypt,Morocco and Oman participatingas well as high-level representationfrom Saudi Arabia. It is the firsttime we have tourism ministersparticipating in AHIC and it will adda different, very powerful, voice tothe conversation.

BTN: What were your highlightsfrom AHIC 2009?

JW: The frankly, unexpected, goodfeeling over the three days of lastyear’s event was a highlight for me.To be honest, we really did notknow what to expect going into2009’s event. Numbers weredown, a lot of people wereuncertain about their job securityand there was a great deal ofpessimism in the market. However,that was precisely why industryexecutives attended: for answers.Delegates were keen forinformation. The uncertainty in themarket generated a great deal ofgenuine discussion and debate.There was a collective realisationthat yes, the world had changed,but it had not ended and therewas still business being done. Weall walked away feeling more positive.The networking receptions werealso a highlight for me. There was apalpable buzz and a greatnetworking on both nights. Thisyear we are hoping to out-do

ourselves once again. The firstnight is being hosted by Jumeirahat the beautiful Mina A’Salaam andthe second night we are luckyenough to be among the firstfunctions to be held at the newArmani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa. Itis yet to officially open and is thefirst Armani Hotel in the world, whoknows what surprises Emaar hasin store for us?

BTN: Sheikh Sultan Bin TahnoonAl Nahyan, Chairman of the AbuDhabi Tourism Authority, is thewinner of this year’s AHICLeadership Award. Why was hechosen?

JW: Sheikh Sultan was voted thewinner by the AHIC AdvisoryBoard. In his roles as Chairman ofthe Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority(ADTA) and Tourism Development& Investment Company (TDIC) hehas played a vital role in developingAbu Dhabi as one of the region’semerging tourism and culturaldestinations.

BTN: How would you describethe Middle East hospitalitysector in 2010?

JW:The Middle East hotel sectorhas a great deal of untappedpotential. In the flurry of 2009’send-of-year reports, there emergedpositive signs for the Middle Eastfrom a number of quarters. TheInternational Air TransportAssociation, for example, showedthat MENA regional airlines grewoverall passenger traffic by 11.2% in2009. Importantly, a significantportion of this growth was from themajor airlines in the region makingfurther inroads into Asia andEurope, which will help generateadditional demand foraccommodation in MENA. On the other end of the spectrum,2009 also saw a number ofregional low-cost airlines start tobuild a foothold with the launch of acouple of new players. No doubtthey will be significant intransforming the domestic tourismand hotel market in the MiddleEast. Local players such as Rotanaand Action Hotels are really movinginto this family, mid-marketsegment which has previouslybeen untapped. Regional travel isgoing to be a key driver of demandin the future and is one of topicshighlighted for discussion at AHIC.

Arabian Hotel InvestmentConference, 1-3 May 2010,Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai,United Arab Emirates


Special Interview

In May, Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah plays host tothe 6th Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.This year’s event promises to be the mostexciting yet, with new formats, hot topics, as wellthe participation of tourism ministers for the firsttime. BTN met AHIC’s co-organiser, JonathanWorsley, to find out what he has planned.

Unlocking investmentopportunities at AHIC



Special Interview

BTN: At CHTA in Puerto Rico inJanuary, you wanted toeducate your travel partnersabout the continuing evolutionof facilities at Half Moon. Whatare you hoping to achieve atITB Berlin 2010?

RW: The mission of educating andinforming our partners continues.This is an ongoing element of ourmarketing plan. At Half Moonthere is a constant evolution of ourproduct and the channels throughwhich we can transact business.For example, we will launch arevamped website in May and willsoon be accessible on Facebookand Twitter. It is our challenge toensure our partners are aware ofthese changes.

BTN: Before the financial crisisof 2008, Half Moon wasplanning a major residentialdevelopment, The Colony at HalfMoon. Now that credit marketsare opening up do you envisagebreaking ground any time soon?

RW: The Colony at Half Moon is akeystone of our future planningsince it will offer the ultimate inresort living to the purchasers andenable us to rationalize much ofour back of house operations. Allthe plans and approvals are innear readiness and can beactivated as soon as the marketindications are favourable. We

have maintained a small salesfunction related to the project butI do not see this developmentstarting in 2010.

BTN: What will set The Colonyat Half Moon apart from otherresort residential properties in the Caribbean?

RW: The Colony at Half Moon is aresidential project where the usualpromises of resort facilities arealready a reality. As the ownerstake possession of their homesthey will immediately benefit fromthe 56-year plus development ofthe renowned Half Moon resort.They will have access to two milesof beachfront, two large swimmingpools and a Olympic-size lap pool(in addition to the private pool attheir villa), wonderful restaurants,Fern Tree – a unique spa facility,Robert Trent Jones championshipgolf course, 11 tennis courts,squash courts, fabulous fitnesscentre, children’s and teenfacilities, equestrian centre, swimwith the dolphins facility, shoppingan on-site medical facility andmore. Put this together withJamaica’s unrivalled airlift and TheColony becomes an unmatchedprospect for those looking to ownproperty in the Caribbean.

BTN: How have yourrelationships with your travelpartners such as travel agents

and tour operators changedover time and what travelpartner incentive programmeshave you introduced?

RW:We have always been a travelagent and tour operator-friendlyresort. We consider travel agentsand tour operators to be anextension of our sales team andwe honour our partnerships bypaying commissions promptly,entering into joint promotions andnot luring clients away from theirtravel professionals. We paycommissions to agents onbooking made through ourwebsite. We offer producteducation through site visits,webinars and on-line training thathelps agents become Half Moonspecialists. Each year werecognize our top performingpartners as Ambassadors at aspectacular three-day event at theresort. Furthermore, through ouronline concierge services, we aredeveloping much closer personalrelationships with our agents andtheir clients. We get to know theclients even before they arrive andit makes it easier for them to slipstraight into holiday mode uponarrival.

BTN: How have you used yourWorld Travel Award titles“Caribbean’s LeadingConference Hotel”, “Jamaica’sLeading Resort” and “Jamaica’s

Leading Golf Resort” in your2010 marketing strategies?

RW: There is no doubt that oursuccess at the World TravelAwards has brought recognition tothis venerable resort. Recognitionfrom our peers and partners ishighly valued and we have wovenmany a marketing campaign inprint, on the web and through e-mail campaigns around thesesignificant achievements.

BTN: With travellers takingshorter added value tripsduring the recession, have youseen an increase in multi-destination trips to theCaribbean?

RW:We have not seen evidence ofa huge shift to multi-destinationtrips. One of the factors inhibitingmulti-destination travel within theCaribbean is the poor air servicebetween the islands. What wehave seen is shorter trips bookedat the last minute. In particular,long weekends seem to be morepopular than ever. Given Jamaica’sproximity to the huge NorthAmerican market and its extensiveairlift from a wide variety of NorthAmerican gateway cities we are ina very good position to be able totake advantage of this trend.

halfmoon.com

One of the premier luxury resorts in the Caribbean, Half Moon, has focused oninfrastructure development and upgrading facilities over the past six years includingconstruction of a new line of suites and a 68,000 square foot spa. Its new landmarkluxury villa development, The Colony at Half Moon, promises to position the resort as oneof the world’s leading timeshare developments. BTN caught up with Half Moon’sManaging Director, Richard Whitfield, to find out about the most recent developments.

Half Moon setsclear path forward



All this is on offer amid thepreserved nature of Bel Ombre, onthe southern-western coasts ofMauritius. The Mövenpick hoteldraws from its unique location,inspiring elegance and serenityfrom the entrance onward,constantly guiding the eyestowards the surrounding nature.

The exceptional location of theresort, between lush tropicalvegetation and speechless crystalblue water lagoons also makes itthe ideal starting point for dayexcursions on Mauritius.

Sunset Mauritius

Located off the east coast ofAfrica, this tropical island of 1,800square kilometres is bordered by150 kilometres of coastline and isalmost entirely surrounded by alagoon. Approximately one millioninhabitants of different origins livepeacefully together, creating amelting pot of cultures, religionsand languages – withtemperatures just above 30°C inthe summer months.

No vaccinations or visas arerequired for EU nationals, keepingpaperwork to a minimum.

Mövenpick Resort

Once in Mauritius, the resort hassomething for everybody.

For those wanting to relax, the spais available with an array ofdifferent treatments; such as bodywraps, saunas and scrubs. Whilethose who want to be active willfind the hotel offers a largenumber or land/water sports;such as tennis, volleyball andwindsurfing.

Accommodation is in spaciousand luxuriously designed rooms,suites and villas – all of which offerthe ultimate in comfort and arespread through casuarinas,coconut trees, frangipanes,hibiscus and bougainvilleas in tenacres of tropical gardens.

All appointed into a classical style,with wooden or palm thatch roofs,with terrace or balconyoverlooking the Indian Ocean.Space and tranquillity are the keywords to define this unique resort.

Only 45 minutes transfer frominternational airport, MövenpickResort & Spa is also accessibleand could be the ideal place tocelebrate with that specialsomeone.

moevenpick-hotels.com

Set under starlit skies on the romantic beachesof Mauritius, Mövenpick Resort & Spa is thisyear offering guests a chance to enjoy a once ina lifetime honeymoon experience. You and aloved one will share a journey of love as youenjoy the hotel’s tailor-made package, taking insparkling wine and fruit baskets upon arrivaland a complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite -with a private Jacuzzi.

Mövenpick offershoneymoon inMauritius


The waterfront property, renamedthe Poseidonion Grace, has beenan historical meeting place sinceit opened nearly a century ago.

The restoration has seen itrestored to its former glory, plus ahost of new twists that meet thevery highest of internationalluxury standards. The hotel hasalso been nominated in thecategory for “Europe’s LeadingNew Boutique Hotel” at the 2010World Travel Awards.

The Greek hospitality landmarknow comprises 45 rooms andseven large apartment suites, anall-new spa and three restaurants.

The hotel lies on one of theclosest island resorts to Athensand joins the group’s other uniqueproperties. Its Côte d’Azur styleechoes the stature of the manyprivate villas that dominate apicturesque island associatedwith the glory years of Greekshipping.

Following the five-yearrestoration, the Poseidonion

Grace has been brought fully upto date with the finest facilities,fixtures, and fittings that meet thehighest standards of internationalluxury travellers while carefullypreserving the originalarchitecture of the building.

The hotel is located in thehistorical heart of Spetses townand occupies an imposingseafront location.

The jewel in the PoseidonionGrace is the spectacular GraceSuite featuring three doublebedrooms, all with en-suitebathrooms and its own 100square metre terrace withbreathtaking views to the sea.

Another unique suite is the split-level ‘La Cupola’ that occupies thehotel’s central roof dome. Thisopen plan space features woodenbeams, relaxing pastel coloursand a 120 square metre privateterrace with panoramic views ofSpetses town and thesurrounding landscape. Finallythe intimate and romanticHoneymoon Suite features the

added indulgence of its ownprivate swimming pool.

The Poseidonion Grace offersdiners a choice of threerestaurants. In addition to the finedining restaurant there is abrasserie for lighter meals. Bothare located on the main hotelterrace overlooking the sea. Alsoavailable during the months ofJuly and August will be aJapanese Fusion restaurant.

Supplying the restaurants withfresh organic fruit, vegetables andherbs are the hotel’s own ‘biogardens’. These beautiful gardensare an attraction in their own right– guests are invited to visit thisfeast for the taste buds andsample the local produce. Privatedining can even be arrangedwithin the gardens.

The hotel wellbeing spa offers arange of soothing, healing andbeauty treatments based on localherbal remedies – part of a longtradition at the Poseidonion whichnearly 100 years ago became thefirst hotel in Greece to offertherapies based on the naturalhealing properties of sea water.Recent spa additions includehairdressing and a nail bar.

Commenting on the partnership,Philippe Requin, CEO of GraceHotels said: “We are immenselyproud to welcome thePoseidonion Grace into the family.This hotel has been a gatheringplace and a source of legendaryhospitality for almost a century.”

“Today marks the latest chapterin the rich history of one of themost distinguished landmarks onSpetses. We are committed topreserving the character andcharm of the Poseidonion andcontinuing the existing

cooperation with the localcommunity while introducingthose touches of style, refinementand service.”

Despite its grand architecture,Spetses has managed to retain aserene island atmosphere. Privatecars are banned and the use ofother motor vehicles is severelyrestricted. The horse and carriageremains the most popular form oftransport for both islanders andvisitors.

Access to Spetses from themainland couldn’t be easier: thereis a direct ferry from the port ofPiraeus in Athens or a 15-minutewater taxi ride from Kosta port –a two-hour scenic drive fromAthens with some greatsightseeing options on the way.Alternatively, helicopters landwithin minutes of the PoseidonionGrace.

The Grace Hotels Group luxuryboutique hotel group aims to offersanctuary and quality todiscerning guests in the world’smost sought after resorts andcities. The Grace Santorini wasnamed Greece’s LeadingBoutique Hotel at the 2009 WorldTravel Awards.

The company has plans for moreGrace hotels in the Mediterraneanand is currently embarking onglobal expansion of the brandwith a property opening in NewEngland in 2010 and othersfollowing in North and SouthAmerica.


The iconic Poseidonion Hotel on the Greekisland of Spetses has joined the Grace HotelsGroup following a meticulous and painstakingfive-year restoration programme.

Poseidonion Hotelpartners withGrace Hotels Group

poseidoniongrace.com

Review



March

15 Mar – 18 Mar Cruise Shipping MiamiMiami, United States cruiseshippingmiami.com

17 Mar – 20 Mar MITT – Moscow InternationalTravel & TourismMoscow, Russia mitt.ru

24 Mar – 25 Mar Social Media Strategies for TravelSan Francisco, United Statesevents.eyefortravel.com

24 Mar – 26 Mar UITT Kiev, Ukraine uitt-kiev.com

29 Mar – 31 Mar GIBTM – Gulf IncentiveBusiness Travel and Meetings ExhibitionAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emiratesgibtm.com

April

19 Apr – 22 Apr ASTA InternationalDestination ExpoIstanbul, Turkeyasta.org

28 Apr – 29 Apr Travel Distribution Summit AsiaSingapore, Chinaevents.eyefortravel.com/tdasia

May

1 May – 3 May AHIC – Arabian Hotel Investment ConferenceDubai, United Arab Emiratesarabianconference.com

3 May World Travel Awards Middle EastGala CeremonyThe Address Dubai Marina, Dubai,United Arab Emiratesworldtravelawards.com

4 May – 6 May Caribbean Hotel & TourismInvestment ConferencePuerto Rico, Puerto Ricocaribbeanhotelandtourism.com

4 May ATM – Arabian Travel MarketDubai, United Arab Emiratesarabiantravelmarket.com

8 May – 11 May INDABADurban ICC, South Africaindaba-southafrica.co.za

9 May – 12 May 11th Annual CaribbeanConference on Sustainable TourismBridgetown, BarbadosOneCaribbean.org

12 May – 14 May CHIC – China Hotel Investment ConferenceShanghai, Chinachinahotelconference.com

15 May – 19 MayInternational Pow WowOrlando, United Statesorlandoinfo.com/powwow

25 May – 27 MayGlobal Travel & Tourism SummitBeijing, Chinaglobaltraveltourism.com

25 May – 27 MayIMEXFrankfurt, Germanyimex-frankfurt.com

27 May – 29 May World Travel FairShanghai, Chinaworldtravelfair.com.cn

29 May – 4 Jun Australian Tourism ExchangeAdelaide, Australiatourism.australia.com

June

2 Jun – 3 JunOnline Marketing Strategiesfor Travel for USAMiami, United Statesevents.eyefortravel.com/online-marketing/agenda.asp

10 Jun – 13 JunITE – The 24th InternationalTravel Expo Hong KongWanchai, Hong Kong itehk.com/ITEHK/index.php

14 Jun – 17 Jun ALTM – Asia Luxury Travel MarketShanghai, Chinashzlzx.com.cn/E_gsjj.htm

16 Jun – 17 Jun Business Travel MarketLondon, United Kingdombusinesstravelmarket.co.uk

17 Jun – 18 Jun Travel Distribution Summit EuropeLondon, United Kingdomevents.eyefortravel.com/tds

July

5 Jul – 9 Jul World Sport Destination ExpoJohannesburg, South Africaworldsportdestinationexpo.com

7 JulWorld Travel Awards Africa &Indian Ocean Gala CeremonyJohannesburg, South Africaworldtravelawards.com

August

31 Aug – 2 Sept CIBTMBeijing, Chinacibtm.com

September

11 SeptWorld Travel Awards North &Central America andCaribbean Gala CeremonyOrlando, United Statesworldtravelawards.com

12 Sept – 14 Sept The Trade ShowOrlando, Floridathetradeshow.org

14 Sept – 17 Sept PATA Travel MartMacau, Chinapata.org

October

1 OctWorld Travel Awards EuropeGala CeremonyAntalya, Turkeyworldtravelawards.com

5 Oct – 6 Oct Online Marketing & SocialMedia Strategies for TravelSummit Prague, Czech Republicevents.eyefortravel.com/online-marketing-and-social-media/

13 Oct – 14 Oct Travel Distribution SummitNorth AmericaIllinois, United Statesevents.eyefortravel.com/tdsusa/conference/

14 Oct World Travel Awards Asia &Australasia Gala CeremonyNew Delhi, Indiaworldtravelawards.com

20 Oct – 22 Oct ITB AsiaSuntec Singaporewww1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/Internet/Internet/www.itb-asia/englisch/index.html

20 OctWorld Travel Awards SouthAmerica Gala CeremonyRio de Janeiro, Brazilworldtravelawards.com

25 Oct – 27 Oct Russia & CIS HotelInvestment ConferenceMoscow, Russiarussia-cisconference.com

November

4 Nov – 6 NovHICAJohannesburg, SAhica.co.za/article/home

7 Nov World Travel Awards GrandFinal Gala CeremonyLondon, United Kingdomworldtravelawards.com

BTN Calendar 2010

For the full listing of events visitwww.breakingtravelnews.com/events


www.breakingtravelnews.com 79

For many of us, The Matrix Trilogyrepresented the time when webegan to question our ownsurroundings and what realitytruly meant. As the maincharacters plugged in and out ofreality, battled softwareprogrammes in the human form ofgovernment agents, and struggledfor the survival of the humanspecies, one of the bigphilosophical questions that wasraised was whether or not it waspossible for our technology tooutpace humanity.

Before even reading the script, theproducers Wachowski Brothersasked Keanu Reeves to read Outof Control: The New Biology ofMachines, Social Systems, and theEconomic World by Kevin Kelly, theFounder and Executive Editor ofWired Magazine, in which Kellyinvestigates the intersection ofcomputer science, biology,systems theory, cybernetics, andartificial intelligence with an indepth look at what he calls“vivisystems” or lifelike, complex,engineered systems capable ofgrowing in complexity.

At a TED Talk in Dec 2007, Kellyspoke of an internet that was5,000 days old and how it wasgrowing exponentially incomplexity. The most importantaspect of his talk was the fact thatthe web is one machine and thatall screens look into the one web.From this perspective, Kelly seesour computer monitors, laptops,and mobile phones as windowsinto one web.

Realizing the importance of theweb, businesses invested heavilyin creating functional websites

with commerce capabilities. Nowthat web enabled mobile phonesare coming onto the market anddata tariff rates are reducingbarriers, businesses must realizethe importance of mobile websitesespecially since there will be amomentous shift in the market –more smart phones will be soldthan PCs by 2011.

Without a website optimised forthe mobile internet, consumerswill be viewing full PC websites ontheir mobile phone resulting in apoor user experience andunsatisfied customers. Mobilewebsites are specifically designedand tailored for the internet onmobile devices and formatted forthe smaller screen size. They aretherefore quicker to download andallow users to search forinformation with fewer clicks andscrolls.

A mobile device requires anentirely different user experience.The device is smaller. The screenis minuscule compared to otherdesktop displays. Input methodsare often different than that of aQWERTY keyboard and the usermight access the mobile webusing one hand while the otherhand holds a cup of coffee or gripsa train handle.

The PC took 30 years to reach 85million people and the mobilephone took 35 years to reach 2.7billion. Increasingly, mobile phonesare becoming internet enabledand therefore having sitesoptimised for all portals lookinginto the one web are essential forconsumers to have the best userexperience in order to maintainbrand integrity.

One webAll digital screens look into the one web. Isyour brand optimised for mobile internet?

All internet enabled devices point into the same web. Having websites that give anoptimised user experience across digital touch points is essential for your brand.


btn - itb 2010 day 4

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