http://www.ttgmena.com en-us 2012-02-22 11:02:54 http://www.ttgmena.com/easyconsole.cfm/page/newsarticle/new/5774 2012-02-22 11:02:35 The Australia Gulf Council (AGC) has announced details of its forthcoming business mission to the Gulf States which will be jointly led by Hon Bob Hawke AC (Prime Minister of Australia 1983-1991), Hon Mark Vaile (Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 2005-2007, Minister for Trade 1999-2006) and Senator Hon Nicholas Sherry (Assistant Treasurer 2009-2010, Minister for Small Business 2010-2011). ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Thailand’s-Tourism-Authority-sets-the-day-for-Thailand-Tourism-Awards 2012-02-22 10:02:07 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that September, 27, 2012, which coincided with World Tourism Day, will host the biannual Thailand Tourism Awards.   TAT welcomes applications for the Awards 2012 from May, 1 until August, 31, 2012.   Initiated by TAT in 1996, the Thailand Tourism Awards are designed to reward best practices in the Thai travel and ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Sultanate-of-Oman-to-head-for-10-per-cent-tourism-hike-in-2012 2012-02-22 10:02:57 Oman has become the only Arab country to figure in ‘National Geographic’ as one of the ‘20 Top Tourist Destinations in the World’.   It has also been declared the Arab Tourism Capital for 2012 by the Arab Tourism Ministers’ Council.   Such acknowledgment are said to have prompted the government and public sectors to intensify preparations for tourism-related events and form ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Increase-in-Korean-visitors-incites-more-effort-from-ADTA 2012-02-22 10:02:43 Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has announced its backing for the ‘Made in Korea’ 2012 (MIK 2012) exhibition to be held in May at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), as the number of South Koreans staying in the emirate’s hotels increased by 73 per cent from 2010. Some 9,580 South Koreans are reported to have stayed in Abu Dhabi hotels in 2011.   “The rise in hotel ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Hyatt-announces-plans-for-Park-Hyatt-Bangkok 2012-02-22 10:02:12 Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate signed a management agreement for Park Hyatt Bangkok for Central Embassy, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Group of Companies.    The hotel will be located in Bangkok’s central business district.  Expected to open in 2014, Park Hyatt Bangkok will be housed within a mixed-use building. The hotel is ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Pakistan-International-Airlines-to-boost-fleet 2012-02-22 10:02:09 Boeing and Pakistan International Airlines have announced a firm order for five 777-300ER extended range airplanes.   Valued at nearly $1.5 billion at list prices, the order also includes purchase rights to Pakistan International Airlines for five additional 777-300ERs.   Based in Karachi, Pakistan International Airlines has been renewing its long-haul fleet to accommodate ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Iberotel-Miramar-Al-Aqah-to-visit-ITB-Berlin 2012-02-22 10:02:37 Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort, located in the heart of Fujairah, has announced its participation in ITB Berlin, which will run from March 7 to 11 in Berlin, Germany.   A delegation from the upmarket Moroccan-style property will meet with existing partners to deepen their business relations and promote the brand to potential key markets. At the same time, they will learn ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Coral-Beach-Resort-creates-smoke-free-beach-zones 2012-02-22 10:02:06 Coral Beach Resort – Sharjah has promised to protect its guests on the beach from the dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke, introducing ‘no smoking’ zones.   Regional general manager, Northern UAE Coral Hotels & Resorts, Jean Pierre Simon said: “Smoking is optional, but breathing is not. So we’ve designated special non-smoking and smoking zones on the beach.” ... http://www.ttgmena.com/WTM-research-indicates-increase-in-business-deals 2012-02-22 10:02:47 Following on from World Travel Market (WTM) 2011, which took place in November of 2011, it is being projected that the event will generate approximately $2,610 million in travel and tourism industry deals, a collective increase of 16 per cent compared with WTM 2010.   Independent research that generated this number indicates that much of this sum is to accrue through contracts ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Great-Hotels-of-the-World-reports-increase-in-MICE-business 2012-02-22 09:02:08 Great Hotels of the World, the London-based hotel sales and marketing alliance, has reported a 51 per cent increase in meetings and incentives enquiries for 2011 in comparison with 2010, illustrating what it terms as ‘immense growth’ in the MICE travel market.   Great Hotels of the World’s meetings and incentive team helps planners to select appropriate venues for events, supported ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Etihad-Airways-pays-tribute-to-Kuwaits-travel-industry 2012-02-21 12:02:20 Etihad Airways has honoured travel agents in Kuwait at a gala dinner at the Kuwait Marriott Hotel.   At the event, the Kuwaiti travel industry’s continuous business support and commitment to the UAE carrier, through improved route and revenue performance, was recognised.   In 2011, Etihad Airways is reported to have carried 180,000 passengers to and from Kuwait, which ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Arabian-Courtyard-Hotel-%26-Spa-at-ITB-Berlin-2012 2012-02-21 12:02:49 With the aim to deepen existing business relations and seek new partnership possibilities, Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa has decided to send a delegation to ITB 2012.   “We have been attending ITB Berlin every year; it’s the biggest and most effective trade fair for the industry that covers greatest spectrum and supports all type of travel and hospitality related ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Abu-Dhabi-Tourism-%26-Culture-Authority-Board-names-new-director-general 2012-02-21 12:02:28 Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, which has recently replaced the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, has absorbed all the assets and staff of the former organisations.   The new authority’s objective is said to be to preserve, protect and manage the emirate’s cultural heritage, and leverage it as the core driver of the ... http://www.ttgmena.com/QTA-reports-strong-2011-results 2012-02-21 12:02:14 Qatar has recorded one of its strongest years yet in terms of visitor numbers, with travellers from the Gulf region pushing strong hotel occupancy rates, according to recent statistics released by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).   2011 saw a big jump in the number of visitors from the GCC region, with 50 per cent more than the previous year whilst international tourism figures ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Golden-Tulip-Hotels-to-debut-in-Algeria 2012-02-21 12:02:57 Golden Tulip Hotels Suites and Resorts MENA has revealed its latest regional expansion plan by adding Algeria to its portfolio and signing the agreement for the first Golden Tulip in Skikda to be named Golden Tulip Arc En Ciel Skikda.   The five-star hotel is located is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2012 and is being designed to include 241 rooms and suites with direct ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Emirates-Airline-set-for-daily-Tunis-flights 2012-02-21 12:02:47 Emirates Airline is responding to strong passenger demand in Tunis by launching an extra frequency and introducing the Airbus A340-500 on to the Dubai- Tunis route, due to commence on March 25, 2012.  Once operational, the new frequency means that Emirates Airline will serve Tunis daily, utilising the Airbus 340-500 family of technologically-advanced aircraft in a three-class ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Sharjah-Tourism-to-offer-employees-tourism-management-programme 2012-02-21 12:02:08 Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has signed an agreement with the American University of Sharjah to offer a course in tourism management to their senior employees.   Chairman, SCTDA, Mohamed Ali Al Noman, signed a formal agreement with chancellor of American University of Sharjah at the American School of Business Management in the University of Sharjah. ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Britain-welcomes-record-number-of-Middle-Eastern-visitors 2012-02-21 12:02:37 Britain welcomed a record number of visitors from the Middle East last year and the trend is set to continue throughout 2012, according to VisitBritain, the UK’s national tourist authority.   The 2012 Middle Eastern influx will be partly driven by the Summer Olympics, which are due to take place in less than six months.   Recent figures from VisitBritian indicate Great ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Mangrove-Hotel-opens-doors-to-guests 2012-02-21 12:02:14 Bin Majid Group’s Hospitality Division has opened Mangrove Hotel, located on Al Qassimi Cornich in Ras Al Khaimah.   Director of operations, Bin Majid Beach Hotel and Mangrove Hotel, Hardeep Negi said: “We are living in an emirate that favours development of the hotel industry driven positively by Ras Al Khaimah’s good infrastructural and economic condition, thus enhancing the ... http://www.ttgmena.com/Hyatt-Capital-Gate-Abu-Dhabi-supports-sustainability 2012-02-21 12:02:06 One of the most recognisable hotels in Abu Dhabi, Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, is leading the charge for environmentally sustainable buildings in the UAE, according to owners Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).   Capital Gate measures 160 metres tall and leans westward at 18 degrees – four times as far as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and further than any other tower in the ...