Breaking Travel News interview: Morten Andersen, general manager, Signiel Seoul

With the Evian Spa at Signiel Seoul having been recognised as one of the best in Asia by voters at the World Spa Awards, Breaking Travel News chats to hotel general manager, Morten Andersen, to find out more

Breaking Travel News: Congratulations - Signiel Seoul Evian Spa has been honoured with the title of South Korea’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards. How does it feel to have taken the prestigious title?

Morten Andersen: It is a great pleasure and honour for Signiel Seoul’s Evian Spa to be named South Korea’s Best Hotel Spa at World Spa Awards.

Our executives and employees of each department have made great efforts to win this award and thus, we are very proud of what we have accomplished altogether.

We also believe it is because customers who experienced Evian Spa were fully satisfied with the facilities and services that we were able to achieve this valuable result.

BTN: Can you tell me a little about the brand – what is on offer to the wellness traveller there in the capital of South Korea?

MA: Signiel is a premium landmark hotel brand introduced by Korea’s largest hotel group, Lotte Hotels & Resorts.

Signiel Seoul is the first hotel under the Signiel brand, and is the highest-rise hotel in Korea.

Its rooms are individually designed to reflect Korean aesthetics along with panoramic skyline and river views of the city.

In sync with such world-class facilities, Signiel Seoul’s dining is a paradise for epicures as a gourmet hotel. Signiel Seoul is the one and only hotel in South Korea which obtained a Michelin star for two of its restaurants - “Stay, Modern Restaurant” by chef Yannick Alléno and “Bicena”.

Evian Spa is also in Signiel Seoul - the third branch in Asia.

Signiel is defining the dimension of luxury, service, and value associated with excellence beyond imagination.

The hotel seeks to become the place where one dreams of staying at least once in one’s lifetime, a chance to live beyond expectations.

BTN: How useful are the World Spa Awards when it comes to promoting the brand in the global hospitality space?

MA: Signiel Seoul actively participates in travel industries all around the world, and the award has given us another chance to enhance our brand awareness on a global scale.

We are confident that visits to Signiel Seoul through Evian Spa will increase more in the future.

BTN: This has been a challenging year for hospitality everywhere – what ambitions do you have for a revival as we move into 2021?

MA: Currently, domestic travel is more active than ever in South Korea, and the demand for premium brands such as Signiel has highly increased to meet the trend referred to as ‘hocance’ - (a portmanteau of hotel and vacation).

We will do our best to satisfy all guests visiting Signiel Seoul with more diverse and unique promotions and services.

Furthermore, as a premium landmark hotel brand representing South Korea, Signiel Seoul will faithfully serve as a venue for VIP events.

It goes without saying that by 2021, global situation concerning Covid-19 is hoped to improve so that guests outside the country are able to have more opportunities of experiencing Signiel Seoul.

More Information

Conceived as a living multi-sensory entity entirely dedicated to wellness, Evian Spa Seoul offers a unique experience of premium hydration in a relaxing environment.

Mimicking the cycle of water, the course of treatments explores all states of water to stimulate every senses.

Find out more on the official website.

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Accor reopens hotels as Covid-19 peak passes

Hotel giant Accor has seen revenue fall by 52 per cent in the first six months of financial 2020.

In total the company took in £826 million over the period, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell into -£204 million.

Sébastien Bazin, chief executive of Accor, said: “The shock that our industry is experiencing is both violent and unprecedented.

“Against this backdrop, we have managed to limit the impact of the crisis: on our performance by taking immediate steps to protect our resources and, thanks to the group recent years transformation and our sound financial structure; on our employees by implementing concrete and immediate support measures.

“The peak of the crisis is undoubtedly behind us, but the recovery will be gradual.”

In response to the crisis, the biggest hotel group in Europe plans to cut 1,000 jobs as part of a £180 million per year cost saving plan.

Accor hopes to reduce costs by 17 per cent compared with 2019.

“Having taken these emergency steps, we must now finish the job from an asset-light model to a full asset-light company,” added Bazin.

“Beyond Covid-19, this is essential.

“Accor must become simpler, leaner, more agile and even closer to the field.

“These initiatives will enable us to extend our leadership, make our decision process more efficient and boost our recovery.”

Accor runs high-end chains such as Raffles and Sofitel, as well as budget brands such as Ibis.

In more positive news, the company said that 81 per cent of its hotels were now open and that it had a solid liquidity position of more than £3.6 billion at the end of June.

Bulgari Resort Dubai to open in December

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts will welcome the opening of Bulgari Resort Dubai on December 7th; an urban oasis on Jumeira Bay.

An ultimate urban resort, Bulgari Resort Dubai is part of The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, developed by Meraas, a leading Dubai-based holding company.

Located on the magical seahorse shaped island, it is set to become the destination of choice for visitors seeking the solitude of an island escape, the residential feeling of a private house, yet situated just minutes from the heart of the vibrant city and its cultural attractions.

“The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai is another milestone for the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection and represents a tribute to the importance of the Middle East market for the Bulgari brand.

“It is an honour for us to partner with Meraas on this extraordinary project, which brings the best of the Italian design and lifestyle culture to one of the most modern and future oriented city in the world,” said Jean-Christophe Babin, chief executive, Bulgari.

This newest addition to the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection is the fifth in the group, following on from the most recently launched Bulgari Hotel Beijing, which opened in September 2017.

As with all Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Bulgari Resort Dubai was designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel.

Both the interiors and exteriors have been created with the same detail and precision of a Bulgari jewel: pairing rare, raw materials according to colour, texture and feel, and sculpting them into objects of enduring beauty. 

The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, all exquisitely furnished with the highest quality Italian luxury furniture brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Fexform and others, in an expression of the quality of Made in Italy.

All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery.

Commenting on the completion of Bulgari Resort Dubai, Abdulla Al Habbai, Meraas Group chairman, said: “We are proud to deliver The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, a first-of-its-kind master development in scale and magnitude for Bulgari.

“Our partnership stems from shared values and a common objective to offer unique and exquisite experiences in Dubai and the region. 

“We are confident this project will contribute and will add a new dimension to the tourism and hospitality landscape in-line with the Dubai Vision 2020 for tourism and strengthen Dubai’s global position as a leading tourism destination.”

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Germany and Sweden removed from UK quarantine safe list

Passengers arriving in the UK from Germany and Sweden will need to self-isolate for two weeks before then following domestic rules after changes in government Covid-19 restrictions.

Arrivals from the two countries will need to self-isolate from 04:00 on Saturday.

Germany and Sweden have been removed from the travel corridor list following an increase in confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases of coronavirus in both destinations, leading to ministers removing these from the current list of travel corridors.

There has been a consistent increase in Covid-19 cases per 100,000 of the population in Germany over the past four weeks, with a 75 per cent increase in total cases over this time period.

In Sweden, new cases per week have increased by 34 per cent over the same time period.

People currently in Germany and Sweden are encouraged to finish their trip as usual, following the local rules and checking the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice pages for further information.

In England, everyone must currently stay at home, and may leave only for a very limited set of reasons, including for work or education.

This means people can no longer travel to take holidays, or travel internationally – unless for work or other legally permitted reasons.

The FCDO has updated its travel advice to reflect this.

At the same time, Denmark has been immediately added to the quarantine list, with passengers arriving from the country expected to stay at home for two weeks from today.

“I understand that this will be concerning for both people currently in Denmark and the wider UK public, which is why we have moved quickly to protect our country and prevent the spread of the virus to the UK,” explained minister for transport, Grant Shapps.

“Health authorities in Denmark have reported widespread outbreaks of coronavirus (Covid-19) in mink farms, with a variant strain of the virus spreading to some local communities.

“The chief medical officer has therefore recommended that, as precautionary measure, all those returning from Denmark should self-isolate for 14 days.”

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ABTA offers Brexit guidance on Tour Operator Margin Scheme

Following discussions with ABTA, HMRC has confirmed that once the transition period ceases on January 1st, the VAT charged on holidays through the Tour Operator Margin Scheme (TOMS) on travel outside of the UK will be zero rated.

This will remove an area of uncertainty on a crucial issue for many ABTA members and has been agreed by HMRC on the assumption of a possible no deal with the EU on TOMS.

In the event of a no deal being reached with the EU on TOMS, a new UK version will be introduced which will require payment of TOMS VAT only on UK holidays but not on package holidays within the EU.

A guidance note for ABTA Members has been agreed with HMRC, which provides further information and details in respect of transitional issues.

The information is available to ABTA members here.

One area of uncertainty remains, that in the longer term there might be a requirement to register for VAT with individual EU states.

The note will be updated as and when there is more clarity in this area and members will be informed through ABTA Today and the trade press if there any other further developments.

Carolyn Watson, ABTA director of finance and operations, said: “The confirmation by HMRC that post Brexit packages within the EU will be zero rated for TOMS is great news for many of our members.

“We were pleased to be able to work closely with HMRC on this important matter and I thank HMRC for its understanding of how serious this issue is for many travel companies and its action to remove this area of uncertainty.

“This will greatly assist Members as they look to rebuild travel with our most important holiday destinations, the majority of which are within the EU.”

She added: “However, I would stress that one area of uncertainty still remains; in the longer term the possible need to register for VAT purposes within individual EU state.

“We will let members know when the position on this becomes clearer.”

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TUI Group secures a further €1.8 billion in emergency funding

Holiday giant TUI has reached an agreement with various partners on a further financial rescue package of €1.8 billion.

The deal includes the German Economic Support Fund (WSF), KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW), commercial banks and the company’s largest single shareholder Unifirm.

TUI said it was taking further precautions in view of the rising number of infections since autumn, strict travel restrictions in many countries and the resulting shorter booking times of customers.

The financial package is intended to ensure that the company can bridge the gap if the pandemic persists in 2021.

Following the first reports of vaccine successes, TUI added it expects the pandemic situation to improve in the course of the first half of 2021, leading to a greater return of holiday travel.

Fritz Joussen, chief executive of TUI, explained: “Before the Covid-19 pandemic, TUI was a very healthy company.

“The market is intact; the demand is there.

“But we have not been able to generate any significant revenues since March.

“Our integrated business model allows us to react very flexibly to short-term changes in the pandemic situation, just as we successfully ramped up our travel programme for a few weeks in July after the first wave.

“People want to travel; tourism remains a growth industry and an important sector for stabilising the southern euro area.”

The package consists of silent participations of the WSF, a further credit line of the KfW, guarantees and a capital increase with subscription rights, which is to be resolved at an extraordinary general meeting of TUI in January.

The Mordashov family, owners of Unifirm, have made a long-term strategic investment in TUI and has agreed to participate in the capital increase with its company.

Joussen added: “The financial package provides the security to look consistently ahead and to prepare the group strategically and structurally for the time after the pandemic.

“With these measures, the group is securing liquidity for a continuing pandemic in 2021, while at the same time improving our balance sheet structures in the long term.

“The overall package of different financing from various partners shows the broad confidence of all parties involved in the future of tourism and the TUI Group”.

Including the additionally agreed financial package, TUI AG had financial resources and credit facilities of €2.5 billion as of November 30th.

Earlier in the year, TUI Group secured €3 billion in funding in two separate tranches from the German government.

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Airbnb seeks $35bn valuation for stock market flotation

Home rental giant Airbnb is hoping to raise $2.5 billion in a long-awaited initial public offering.

The company had toyed with going public earlier in the year, but the plans were derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airbnb was forced to cut its workforce by a quarter and raise additional capital to get through the downturn.

However, with confidence returning to the hospitality market, chief executive Brian Chesky has decided the time is now right.

The company is expected to be valued at almost $35 billion in a New York stock exchange listing on December 9th.

The business has set the price range of its float at between $44 and $50 per share as it gears up to sell almost 52 million shares.

The San Francisco-based accommodation booking service recorded losses of almost $700 million on revenues of $2.5 billion in the first nine months the year, widening from losses of $323 million in the same period in 2019.

Airbnb suffered a $576 million loss in the second quarter as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the travel industry.

However, the company rebounded to a profit of $219 million in the third quarter covering the summer period, helped by a rise in US domestic travel.

For comparison, rival Marriott International currently has a market capitalisation of around $41 billion.

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Lufthansa grows leisure focus for summer 2021

Lufthansa has expanded its summer schedule for next year, with 15 new European destinations, including Greece and Spain available to book.

Departing from Frankfurt Airport the new services include the beautiful Greek islands of Corfu, Crete, Mykonos and Kos in the Aegean Sea.

In addition, services to under the radar cities such as Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, Djerba in Tunisia and Varna in Bulgaria are available.

Lufthansa is currently able to offer travellers a total of 61 weekly hub services to Frankfurt Airport from the UK with convenient travel times allowing holidaymakers to enjoy a smooth connection in Germany and maximum time in the destination.

“Never before have we included so many new vacation destinations in our programme.

“This is our response to the wishes of our customers.

“The demand for vacation and leisure trips is recovering much faster than that for business trips.

“With Lufthansa, we already have a great and longstanding deal of expertise in tourist offers and we are now resolutely expanding this as part of our strategy,” Harry Hohmeister, member of the executive board of Lufthansa.

The increase in destinations available will result in the deployment of up to five additional aircraft and enable Lufthansa to offer approximately 70 weekly connections to 29 popular tourist destinations, 15 more than in the same period last year.

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Hospitality Tomorrow: India currently in ‘eye of the storm’

The Indian hospitality market is currently in the “eye of the storm” when it comes to the Covid-19 outbreak according to Neeraj Govil, senior vice president for south-Asia at Marriott International.

While offering his support to the local government and its efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus, he said the peak of cases was not expected until mid-July.

Any recovery of the hotel market would not be possible before then, Govil said.

“From July and moving forward, we expect occupancy to grow from the single digits we see today to around 20-30 per cent aggregated across our portfolio in India.

“But things are volatile, we make take steps forward and then back, it will be a tentative approach.”

Speaking during the Hospitality Tomorrow event organised by Bench Events, he added: “In the third quarter of the year we will then be hit by the monsoons, which may slow us again.

“However, by the end of the year we might see occupancy return to around 50 per cent across the country.”

Govil said around a third of the Marriott International portfolio in India had currently suspended operations, while the vast majority of properties were only partially open.

“We are currently in a deep contingency, survival mode – we are in for a rough ride for 12-18 months, and maybe even longer than that,” he explained.

As to where the recovery might come from, Govil said he expected to see domestic demand return first.

“We expect to see people get into their cars, drive out of the cities and spend some time with their families,” he explained.

“This will be followed by short-haul flights within the country, then, as borders reopen, some shorter international flights.

“Strong brands, international brands which people trust to have taken the steps necessary to protect their safety, will benefit.”

These sentiments were echoed by Puneet Chhatwal, chief executive of the Indian Hotels Company.

He explained, similar to the situation in China, domestic travel would be vital for any recovery.

Chhatwal said: “Domestic travel will be first, as people begin to drive for a break.

“As flights resume, toward the end of this month, the train stations and highways reopen, we will see a step-by-step return of demand.

“We were already seeing Indian guests take trips in the same city, as they are bored with locked within their own houses, and this will continue.”

Chhatwal added hotels needed to be open new opportunities as they struggled.

“Opportunistic business is going to be important in the short-term, we did not know repatriation guests were segment, for example, and something else will come up as we move forward,” he said.

“Usually hope is not a strategy, but in times like this, when we have seen hotels touching zero revenue, it is all we have.

“Coming from an exceptionally low base, we have seen extremely limited green shoots during in May – outside of health workers and repatriation guests.

“Our Ginger brand, in the mid-market, has led the way, ahead of Taj, and much of the growth has really come in the past 48-72 hours as we approach the end of lockdown.”

Vijay Thacker, managing director of Horwath in India who moderated a session between Chhatwal and Govil, emphasised any recovery would not be quick.

He said some 64 per cent of respondents to a survey carried out by Horwath this week felt the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak would last longer than six-to-12 months.

Thacker added the hotel sector had been hit hard by the shutdown of the local economy over the past 50 days, despite a relatively small number of coronavirus deaths in India.

More Information

Powered by Bench Events, Hospitality Tomorrow was launched to support the hard-hit international hotel community during Covid-19, by offering a virtual conference platform that provides knowledge, facilitates information sharing and connects the industry.

Find out more about the event on the official website, or check out all the latest Breaking Travel News here.

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Insight Vacations launches new women-only India trip

Hot on the heels of International Women’s Day, Insight Vacations has launched a new women’s only trip – Inspirational India, A Wander Women Journey.

As the first itinerary in Insight’s new ‘Wander Women’ journey programme, it will take place in India in 2021 and will offer immersive learning opportunities, wellness experiences and deliciously authentic dining.

It is also designed to demonstrate the impact tourism can have on women’s economic empowerment.

Insight continues its efforts to champion a gender equal world, with its latest effort being the launch of this wholly new programme of journeys created and led by women.

Just like all Insight journeys, clients who embark on this experience will get all of the sights and the insights, up close and personal, in comfort and in style.

“With 57 per cent of our guests being female, along with the rise of women’s only travel, our new ‘Wander Women’ journey is a perfect fit for those who want to get below the surface and experience India as a culturally immersive destination.

“Designed and run by women, this new journey provides myriad opportunities to give back and empower women in the local communities while learning about their day-to-day lives,” said Rachel Coffey, director of sales and business development for Insight Vacations.

“This journey is also a great opportunity to connect and travel with other fabulous women from around the world.”

The journey is only available on a limited departure date, so clients are encouraged to book early to secure their space.

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Air Astana takes delivery of first Airbus A321LR

Air Astana has taken delivery of the first of seven Airbus A321LR (long-range) aircraft under an operating lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation of the United States.

The remaining six aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next 12 to 18 months, depending on Airbus’ production capacity in Hamburg.

Air Astana is first operator of the aircraft type in the CIS.

The new A321LRs will gradually replace the airline’s Boeing 757 aircraft on long-haul services to European and Asia destinations, with greatly enhanced cabin comforts and facilities for passengers.

The Airbus A321LR is a long-range version of A321neo, with increased maximum take-off weight and associated design modifications.

The aircraft is configured with 16 business class seats and 150 economy class seats.

The lie-flat business class seats are equipped with individual 16-inch screens, with four of 16 seats offering additional personal space.

In the economy class, the Recaro seats provide increased comfort for long flights and are equipped with individual ten-inch screens.

The design of the interior trim, curtains and seat covers for both business and economy classes have been specially developed for Air Astana, with a combination of elegance and sophistication that embraces a clear national identity.

The aircraft is equipped with the latest generation Pratt & Whitney engines, which reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, maintenance costs by five per cent, carbon emissions by 20 per cent and noise levels by 50 per cent compared with current generation of aircraft.

Air Astana currently operates 19 Airbus aircraft in the fleet, including eight A320s, four A321s, three A320neo, three A321neo and one A321LR, with another ten Airbus aircraft scheduled for delivery by the end of 2020.

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Airbus seeks to end World Trade Organisation dispute

Airbus has agreed with the governments of France and Spain to make amendments to A350 repayable launch investment contracts.

After 16 years of litigation at the World Trade Organisation, the manufacturer said it hopes this would be the final step to stop the long-standing dispute and removes any justification for United States tariffs.

The tariffs imposed by the United States Trade Representative are currently harming all targeted industry sectors, including US airlines, Airbus said, and are adding to a very difficult environment as a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis.

As a result, Airbus has decided to make a final step to remove the last contentious point and amend the French and Spanish contracts to what the WTO considers the appropriate interest rate and risk assessment benchmarks.

The WTO has already ruled that RLI is a valid instrument for governments to partner with industry by sharing investment risks.

With this final move, Airbus considers itself in complete compliance with all WTO rulings.

“We have fully complied with all the WTO requirements.

“These additional amendments to the A350 RLIs demonstrate that Airbus has left no stone unturned to find a way towards a solution,” said Airbus chief executive, Guillaume Faury.

“This is a clear signal of support to those who are suffering from the severe impact of the tariffs imposed by the USTR, especially at a time when industries are hard hit by the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis.”

The government loans are among European measures the World Trade Organisation previously deemed illegal subsidies as part of a pair of cases also targeting United States support for Boeing.

The failure of the European Union to completely withdraw the subsidies led to approval by the WTO for United States sanctions starting from late last year on up to US$7.5 billion of European goods ranging from wine to whisky.

Trade groups are bracing for an escalation of the row in the autumn when the EU is expected to win WTO approval to hit back with its own tariffs on US goods in retaliation for subsidies for Boeing, which the Geneva trade body also found illegal.

In a record dispute dating back to 2004, the WTO has ruled the EU and United States awarded subsidies to their respective plane makers.

For the last eight years, the argument has mainly been about whether each side has obeyed those rulings.

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Breaking Travel News interview: Nаtalia Lipets, advisor to the vice president, Academservice

Having been recognised as one of the best in the business by the World Travel Awards, Breaking Travel News here chats with Nаtalia Lipets of Academservice to find out more

Breaking Travel News: Congratulations on your recognition as the World’s Leading Entertainment Travel Management Company by voters at the World Travel Awards. How does it feel to have won?

Nаtalia Lipets: Great! We had serious competitors, and the more honourable the award is thus for us.

They are all big names in the sports and culture service industry.

Our company celebrated its 30th anniversary this year and this win is especially important for us.

Certainly, it encourages us to develop further and move beyond expectations.

BTN: This is the second year in succession you have taken this title – how useful are the World Travel Awards when it comes to promoting the brand around the world?

NL: To get World Travel Awards is a weighty confirmation that you are the best and the most decent in the market.

However, to promote brand successfully you need variety of factors.

One of them is transformations, changes to surprise in a good way partners and customers.

Breaking Travel News: Can you tell our readers just a little about the company and what it brings to the hospitality market in Russia?

NL: Academservice is a group of companies that deals with several areas of activity.

This includes not only travel services in the field of culture, sports, and music – major events, regular contracts.

We also organise MICE events, business trips, group tours in Russia and CIS.

Our company is also the biggest consolidator and distributor of individual hotel bookings on the Russian market with our own online sales system.

BTN: How would you describe the mood in Russian tourism as we look ahead to 2021? Is there a hope a vaccine for Covid-19 can lead to a return of something like normality?

NL: Russia has experienced more crises than many other countries in its history.

We have strong-minded people who do not lose hope for the future and able to adapt for new business opportunities.

We sincerely wish everyone health and energy for new achievements!

More Information

For three decades Academservice has allowed travellers from all over the world to book more than 5,000 hotels across Russia and CIS.

Today, more than 10,000 companies rely on its services.

Find out more on the official website.

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Faroe Islands to get new London flight this summer

Atlantic Airways has announced it will be launching a new direct flight from London Gatwick to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands from June 23rd. 

The first direct flight from London since 2014 (when Atlantic Airways flew from London Stansted), the new weekly Tuesday route will offer a shorter journey time to the Faroe Islands - with a flight time of just two hours 10 minutes.

The Faroese national carrier also argues it will be a greener alternative, saving on the emissions of the additional take-off and landing (in Copenhagen) that is always involved with connecting flights.

With tickets going on sale on Wednesday, the new schedule will run until August 11th and will be in addition to the current daily Atlantic Airways’ flights to the Faroes via Denmark and the twice-weekly direct Edinburgh flights.

Commenting on the news, Guðrið Højgaard, director at Visit Faroe Islands, said: “We’re really pleased to hear that Atlantic Airways will be starting to fly directly from London again this summer.

“With steady growth in visitor numbers to the Faroe Islands - around ten per cent last year - there is certainly demand for a London flight.

“We look forward to welcoming more visitors who enjoy remote destinations, birdwatching, sailing, hiking, rappelling, photography and other low-impact ways of exploring their way around our beautiful islands this year.”

The announcement of the new direct flight comes at an exciting time for the Nordic nation.

The Faroe Islands’ renowned restaurant, KOKS, has not only retained its two Michelin stars, but the remotely-located establishment has also just been presented with the new Green Clover award by the Michelin Guide team in recognition of its efforts to promote sustainability.

This spring, the Faroe Islands will also see the opening of a new independent four-star hotel, Hotel Brandan, in its modestly-sized capital, Tórshavn, with the islands’ first international hotel brand – Hilton Garden Inn – set to open a new four-star hotel in July.

Jóhanna á Bergi, chief executive of Atlantic Airways, added: “We’re so excited to again be able offer a direct flight from London to the Faroe Islands – not only does this make our beautiful islands more accessible to travellers in and around London, it’s also great news for travellers using Gatwick as a hub from other destinations all around the world.”

Image: Kate Chapman

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MGM resorts sells two more Las Vegas casinos

MGM Resorts International has sold the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay casinos on the Las Vegas Strip for $2.5 billion.

The properties have been acquired by a new joint venture formed by MGM Growth Properties and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust.

The venture will be owned 50.1 per cent by MGM Growth Properties and 49.9 per cent by Blackstone

MGM Resorts expects to receive net cash proceeds of approximately $2.4 billion and approximately $85 million in MGP operating partnership units.

MGM Resorts announced in October that it was selling the real estate of Bellagio to a joint venture with Blackstone for about $4.25 billion.

Last month the company said it closed on the sale of Circus Circus Las Vegas and 37 adjacent acres for $825 million.

“These announcements represent a key milestone in executing the company’s previously communicated asset-light strategy, one that enables a best-in-class balance sheet and strong free cash flow generation to provide MGM Resorts with meaningful strategic flexibility to create continued value for our shareholders,” said Jim Murren, chief executive of MGM Resorts.

“As such, we remain determined to prudently pursue accretive opportunities related to our remaining owned real estate assets including MGM Springfield, our 50 per cent stake in CityCenter and our 55 per cent economic ownership in MGM Growth Properties.

“Our corporate objective remains crystal clear, we will continue to monetise our owned real estate assets, which facilitates our strong focus on returning capital to our shareholders, while also retaining significant flexibility to pursue our visible growth initiatives, including Japan and sports betting.”

Funds from the Bellagio and Circus Circus transactions have been used to deleverage the company.

The latest transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to certain conditions.

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Mandarin Oriental moves into Saudi Arabia with Al Faisaliah Hotel deal

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed an agreement with the Al Khozama Company to manage and ultimately brand the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh. 

The group will take over the management in the first quarter of 2021.

The hotel is undergoing an extensive guestroom and public area renovation which will be completed at the end of 2021, after which it will be rebranded Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh.

The Al Faisaliah Hotel is in the heart of the central business district of Riyadh, providing easy access to corporate offices, government buildings, high end shopping, restaurants and cafés.

It forms an integral part of the mixed-use Al Faisaliah Centre, designed by Foster & Partners.

“The Al Faisaliah Hotel has been a leading light in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector since opening its doors 20 years ago.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Mandarin Oriental to further develop the hotel and to create the most luxurious and sophisticated property in the region,” said Khalid Abuhaimed, chief executive of Al Khozama.

The hotel comprises 321 guestrooms and suites, with new interiors designed by Adam Tihany Design, New York.

Also featured are a variety of refreshed restaurants, lounges and bars, including the popular top floor venue which commands outstanding views of the city.

Revitalised function spaces will cater to social events and business meetings, while an indoor swimming pool, male and female spa areas and a fitness centre complete the leisure facilities.

“We are delighted to further strengthen Mandarin Oriental’s presence in the Middle East by introducing the brand to Saudi Arabia and bringing the Group’s legendary service to Riyadh,” said James Riley, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Al Khozama Company in transforming the hotel into the city’s most exclusive luxury property,” he added.

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Abu Dhabi celebrates World Tourism Day

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has said the emirate will focus on rural development in the coming year.

In remarks celebrating World Tourism Day, the industry leader said: “Tourism is one of the cornerstones of economic development.

“This is why, over the past few years, we have developed the tourism infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in line with the knowledge economy strategies implemented by the government.

“This includes enhancing the tourism workforce and encouraging more talent to contribute to the growth of the sector.”

He continued: “This year, World Tourism Day will be held under the theme of ‘Tourism and Rural Development’, emphasising the role tourism plays in creating social and economic unity and cohesion, especially in developing areas.

“This comes during a challenging year for the worldwide tourism sector, as the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had its impact on the industry, presenting us with a number of unprecedented challenges.

“We have had to approach these challenges with innovative solutions and strategies to revive the sector while maintaining the safety and well-being of our local community, which has always been our utmost priority.

“We also took this time to develop a number of cultural and heritage programmes, which incorporate a wealth of talent from various backgrounds and age groups.

“Additionally, we have worked on creating a number of ground-breaking virtual experiences to enable travellers to appreciate the best of Abu Dhabi, amidst a number of closures and travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic.”

While Abu Dhabi is currently closed to international tourism, the emirate has been working to keep itself in the international spotlight by hosting a series of top-level sporting events.

Find out more here.

Al Mubarak added: “Through this innovation and commitment, the United Arab Emirates has succeeded in setting a shining example in crisis management with its globally acclaimed Covid-19 response.

“We have worked relentlessly alongside other government entities to launch a number of initiatives to support the tourism sector during this period and elevate the level of trust amongst our consumers to position Abu Dhabi as one of the safest destinations in the world.

“And today, as we prepare to welcome visitors once again, we are doubling our efforts in ensuring the safety of our destinations to guarantee our guests a safe and unforgettable experience.”

The sentiments were echoed by Saood Al Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

He said: “This year’s World Tourism Day coincides with a challenging period for the sector, unlike anything previously witnessed.

“The biggest challenge for us was to support and revitalise the tourism sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, while also ensuring the health and safety of residents and visitors.

“Abu Dhabi has been recognised and highly praised for its efficient, persistent and rapid response to managing and containing the spread of Covid-19 through a series of initiatives developed by local government and the relevant authorities, including DCT Abu Dhabi.

“The implementation of stringent measures and safety guidelines helped boost consumers’ confidence towards our destination, while simultaneously revitalising the tourism sector.”

He continued: “The success behind this revitalisation is largely due to the close collaboration between the private and public sectors, as well as the commitment showcased by DCT Abu Dhabi’s stakeholders to ensure the implementation of all precautionary guidelines issued by the government of Abu Dhabi across various establishments.

“With the reopening of tourism in the UAE, we hope to promote Abu Dhabi as the safe destination it truly is by enhancing our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and residents.

“We are especially focused on enhancing the safety measures to protect all employees within the culture and tourism sectors, who play a key role in making our destination experience an exceptional one by creating a sustainable creative environment.

“Abu Dhabi is a diverse destination with a variety of landscapes and environments, from which a multitude of unique cultural communities have grown to create a vibrant scene.

“We are currently working to develop the destinations within these communities to reflect our rich heritage, enabling creativity to thrive and spurring significant economic growth.”

More Information

Abu Dhabi is considered the World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards.

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Mandarin Oriental to manage Savoy Baur en Ville from 2024

In a busy day for luxury tourism in Switzerland, Mandarin Oriental has announced that it will manage and re-brand the historic Savoy Baur en Ville hotel in Zurich.

The property will join the portfolio from 2024.

The hotel, which first opened in 1838, is a landmark property on Paradeplatz, the main square in the city centre.

It is located in the heart of the old town, within the main business centre, close to the leisure attractions and a short walk from the shores of Lake Zurich. 

The hotel is currently managed by Credit Suisse.

In 2022, the hotel will close and undergo a comprehensive two-year renovation to reposition the property as the market leader in the city.

The hotel will have 80 guestrooms and suites and three dining outlets, comprising an all-day dining venue, a speciality restaurant and a lobby lounge.

The property is ideally placed for meetings and gatherings, and the renovation will enhance conference and event facilities, including a grand historic ballroom.

In addition, a state-of-the-art fitness centre will be installed.

French interior designer, Tristan Auer, Paris has been appointed to oversee the full design.

As a key global financial centre, Zurich is well known as a business destination, whilst also having significant appeal to leisure guests wishing to explore Switzerland.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring Mandarin Oriental to this important European destination and to rebrand a well-established landmark,” said James Riley, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

“This is a strategic city for the Group, which consolidates and complements our regional presence in central Europe, including upcoming projects in Vienna and Lucerne.”

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IATA implores passengers to wear face masks

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is appealing to all travellers to wear a face covering during a journey for the safety of all passengers and crew during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wearing face coverings is a key recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) guidance for safe operations during the pandemic, as developed jointly with the World Health Organisation and governments.

IATA is emphasising the need for passengers to comply with the recommendation following recent reports of travellers refusing to wear a face covering during a flight.

While this is confined to a very small number of individuals, some on-board incidents have become violent, resulting in costly and extremely inconvenient diversions to offload these passengers.

“This is a call for common sense and taking responsibility.

“The vast majority of travellers understand the importance of face covering both for themselves as well as for their fellow passengers, and airlines appreciate this collective effort.

“But a small minority create problems.

“Safety is at the core of aviation, and compliance with crew safety instructions is the law.

“Failure to comply can jeopardise a flight’s safety, disrupt the travel experience of other passengers and impact the work environment for crew,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA chief executive.

IATA said a plane ticket is a contract under which the passenger agrees to the airline’s terms and conditions of carriage.

Those conditions can include the airline’s right to refuse carriage to a person whose behaviour interferes with a flight, violates government regulations or causes other passengers to feel unsafe. 

Airlines also highlight the need to wear a face covering during the booking process, at check-in, at the gate and in onboard announcements.

Failure to comply means that a passenger faces the risk of being offloaded from their flight, restrictions on future carriage or penalties under national laws.

“The research we have seen to date, and our own investigations with the world’s airlines, tell us that the risk of catching COVID-19 on a flight remains very low.

“There appears to be a number of factors supporting that.

“The high flow rate of cabin air from top to bottom, constant filtering of air through state-of-the-art HEPA filters, the fact that all seats face the same direction and of course wearing a face covering and sanitisation of the aircraft all play a part,” said IATA medical advisor, David Powell.

“This is not just about protecting yourself. 

It’s about protecting everyone else on the flight,” he concluded.

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New next-generation cruise terminal unveiled at Southampton

Associated British Ports (ABP) is to open a new next-generation-ready and open access cruise terminal for the 2021 cruise season in Southampton.

The fifth dedicated cruise terminal at the port will benefit from roof-mounted solar power and will also have Shore Power connectivity installed.

This further commitment to sustainable operations at the port will enable cruise ships, with the right onboard technology, to ‘plug in’ while they are alongside. 

Alastair Welch, director of ABP Southampton, said: “We’re very pleased to announce this major advance in our cruise infrastructure at the port, delivering further access to Southampton for the industry, whilst supporting our commitment to accelerate improvements in local air quality.

“This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the future of cruise in Southampton and we’re excited to be at the forefront of a growing industry.”

This investment of more than £55 million into the long-term future of cruise will strengthen the Port of Southampton’s position as the leading cruise turn-around port in Europe and the number one departure port in the UK.

Robert Courts, minister for maritime, department for transport, said: “Southampton is the heart of UK’s cruising industry and a new terminal will create even more jobs and boost the area’s economy.

“As we continue to support the cruise sector in its restart and recovery, it’s great to see government funding being used to help deliver better services for passengers.

“This next-generation facility also showcases to ports around the world how we’re pioneering the use of green technology right here in the UK.”

In strategic partnership with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the Port of Southampton’s newest terminal will support a developing industry welcoming the next generation of ships in terms of size, capacity and technology.

Steve Moeller, senior vice president of commercial development at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said: “This agreement marks the continuation of the strong partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Port of Southampton and demonstrates our commitment to the region.

“Consistent with our commitment to driving a positive impact on society and the environment, we are pleased to further promote environmental conservancy by partnering with Associated British Ports for the new terminal that will feature Shore Power and Roof-Mounted Solar Power.”

The project has received support from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the government’s Getting Building Fund with an £8 million grant.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises chief executive, said: “We are really proud to be further supporting the UK cruise industry at this incredibly important time for both the industry and the UK economy.

“At MSC Cruises we really believe in the potential of the UK cruise market and making this long-term commitment is evidence of that.

“Over the last five years MSC Cruises has increased our presence in the UK & Irish markets and following a positive response from travel agents and our guests we feel now is the right time to make a more substantial commitment.

“We are in a unique position that not only will we be committing to having an MSC Cruises’ ship home port from Southampton every year, but several of our ships will be visiting Southampton as a destination as part of our wider cruise programme.”

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IATA urges the government to concentrate on quarantine replacement testing

Governments should step away from quarantine and towards pre-flight mass testing in the fight to contain Covid-19, the chief executive of the International Air Transport Association has argued.

It was only then that international travel could resume, said Alexandre de Juniac.

We need to work together, there needs to be good coordination between the players, airlines, hotels, tourist boards and, of course, governments.

Border closures mean that traffic has stopped, particularly in the case of quarantine.

Quarantine is a blocking point for restarting international aviation traffic.

"We need to convince governments, all of us in the travel industry, that the quarantine should be removed."

He added: "But we do understand that a state needs to ensure the safety of its people, so we suggest that all departure passengers be systematically tested."

Those who test positive will not fly, and those who test negative will be allowed to fly.

"People will be ready for testing, passengers will be back, and they will be prepared to travel."

De Juniac argued that technology had progressed to a point where pre-flight mass testing, which was not the case earlier in the year, was now feasible.

This was now a feasible alternative to reopening borders, he said, with experiments costing as little as $6 a piece, and results in minutes.

"Testing will enable us to have transmission levels so low that it is possible to control the pandemic," de Juniac said.

With IATA finding that airlines are currently forecast to lose about $85 billion this year, timing was also critical.

Compared to last year, traffic is expected to decline by 65 per cent.

In response, de Juniac called for the aviation sector to be better assisted.

"We need government intervention, or we're going to die," he said plainly.

This can take the form of regulatory relief, such as a waiver on the use of airport slots, even though they are not used.

Cost reductions, the elimination of taxes, or overflight fees, for example, can occur.

But substantial financial support is still needed; governments have pumped tremendous sums of capital into our sector, but more support is needed.

"Without that, we're not going to have enough cash to get through the crisis."

At the Future Hospitality Summit, a hybrid virtual conference created to discuss big ideas and resolve the issues facing the hospitality industry, de de Juniac spoke and will take place over the next two days in Riyadh.

The festival, which promises to be one of the hospitality community's most impactful events, will be presented by Bench Digital on a cutting-edge event platform.

It will provide all participants with an interactive live experience, including a virtual display, one-to-one video networking and integrated chat features.

More Info

The Future Hospitality Summit is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and the G20 Saudi Secretariat as part of the G20 Saudi Presidency 2020 International Conference Program.

On the official website, you will find out more.

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Rocky Mountaineer to start a new trip to the USA

In 2021, Rocky Mountaineer aims to bring its luxury train journeys to a new route in the US Southwest.

With an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the Rockies to the Red Rocks route will be a two-day rail trip between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah.

In its spacious, glass-domed train coaches, Rocky Mountaineer operates multi-day, daytime train journeys that feature incredible scenery, regional cuisine, and attentive service.

The company has long had the goal of expanding its routes in order to highlight new destinations with its train travel experience.

In addition to the three rail routes operating in Western Canada, this new route will be between Vancouver and the towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. 

To explore the historic rail path between Denver and Moab, the Rocky Mountaineer will bring a new luxury train tour.

"Rocky Mountaineer has become renowned for our world-class train travel experiences over the past 30 years, and now we are opening up our newest train experience in the region where the history of train travel began," said Rocky Mountaineer creator Peter Armstrong.

"This region, with its magnificent scenery, national parks, huge opportunities to explore, will delight millions." From 15 August to 23 October, Rocky Mountaineer will launch the route with a preview season of 40 departures over ten weeks.

Working with local tourism associations, hotels and tour operators, the company curates custom holiday packages featuring tours, events and stays in Denver and Moab, enabling visitors to explore the area even more.

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The sluggish recovery of tourism drags on the UK economy

For the first time since June, the speed of the UK economic recovery from coronavirus dropped behind the global benchmark in October.

According to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker, the trend has emerged as consumer-facing sectors and their suppliers have grappled with new regulations and declining demand.

The UK reported a reading of 52.1 (down from 56.5 in September), reflecting the economic downturn seen in the midst of a Covid-19 revival across the rest of Europe.

Complying with IHS Markit, the Tracker offers unique insight into the shape and speed of recovery following the Covid-19 disruption.

During October, six of the fourteen UK sectors tracked by the tracker saw production grow faster than the global index.

This is five less than in September, however.

In October, beverages and food (43.5), household goods (45), technical equipment (52.7), chemicals (51.9), real estate (52.4) and banks (55.2) all dropped below the benchmark, while both tourism and leisure (25.5) and transport (43.6) fell further behind.

A reading above 50 signals production is that, while a reading below 50 suggests production is contracting.

In October, tourism and recreation dropped especially sharply behind the global benchmark following the introduction of multiple tiered lockdown steps as new hospitality curfews and social media constraints were implemented.

As a result, drinks and food also dropped dramatically, with suppliers in the sector reporting a decline in pub and restaurant orders.

The most notable upside outlier was metals and mining (70.3), retaining its place as the UK sector farthest ahead of the global benchmark for the second month in a row.

In October, the Global PMI reported a reading of 53.3, up from a revised 52.5 in September and above the reading of 52.1 for the UK.

The key contributor to the growing global benchmark was a vigorous rebound in market activity across the United States (56.3), alongside good results by China (55.7), India (58.0) and Brazil (580). (55.9).

Despite a slowdown in growth, the overall index of the United Kingdom was comparatively high compared to European nations that tightened Covid-19 restrictions earlier, with all production contractions reported by France (47.5), Spain (44.1) and Italy (49.2).

With a steep turnaround in industrial production underpinning the fastest expansion of private sector output since July, Germany was the only nation to defy the downward European trend (55.0).

Jeavon Lolay, Head of Economics and Business Insight, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: "The data from October shows that the UK's recovery slowed in the third quarter after a strong economic recovery."

"At sector level, in October, eleven of the tracker-monitored sectors reported weaker performance than during September."

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The return of Oman Air to Europe in October

On October 1st, Oman Air will return to scheduled operation with service to 17 cities in 12 countries.

Two flights per week between Muscat and London, Frankfurt and Istanbul will be included in the bid.

On Sundays and Wednesdays, flights to and from London will leave, while on Mondays and Saturdays they will depart for Frankfurt.

On Wednesdays and Sundays, Istanbul will see arrivals from Mascate, with return flights on Mondays and Thursdays.

Those timetables are valid until 24 October.

Throughout all elements of the travel journey, Oman Air will maintain its robust safety program to ensure that guests fly confidently.

When guests are on board an aircraft and at airports, masks are required.

Distancing is maintained as visitors board and leave the plane, which is thoroughly washed during each flight and at the end of each day.

Cabin crew all wear a complete set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been altered to further ensure protection, and a range of other steps have been taken to ensure that the guests and crew of the airline are still secure.

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Jet2 records significant summer season losses

For the six months to the end of September, Jet2 posted a loss after tax of £69 million, down from a profit of £279 million for the same time last year.

Over the half-year period, the leisure airline and tour operator saw sales fall by almost 90 percent, down from £ 2.5 billion to £ 300 million.

A total of one million single-sector passengers were flown by Jet2 during the time, down from 11 million last year.

The group achieved an average load factor of 69 per cent, down from 93 per cent last year, due to the "uncertainty created by the several changes in UK government quarantine guidance."

The company resumed operations on July 15th after grounding its aircraft fleet in mid-March, as the government lifted quarantine restrictions for an approved list of countries.

Although the group said the latest positive news was "welcome" about a possible vaccine, Jet2 added that it remained "cautious" about its next summer approach.

Present seat capacity will, however, be close to the rate of summer 2019.

"We have taken many steps over the period to improve our available liquidity and will continue to do so to ensure that we are best placed to react quickly as travel restrictions are altered and customer trust recovers," a statement clarified.

"In spite of these difficult choices, we will continue to take every step necessary to maintain cash and increase liquidity to ensure that both Jet2.com and Jet2holidays are equipped to deal with this most challenging trading environment and are also best positioned for all stakeholders to return to operations in a stable financial position."

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New route to Abuja, Nigeria Launched by Qatar Airways

From November 27th, Qatar Airways will operate three weekly flights via Lagos to Abuja, Nigeria.

This makes the city the sixth new destination declared by Qatar's national carrier since the start of the pandemic.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner will run the Abuja service with 22 business seats and 232 economy class seats.

Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of the Qatar Airways Group, said: "We are delighted to be launching flights to Nigeria's capital."

With the large Nigerian diaspora in Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom, in addition to our current Lagos flights that began back in 2007, we are excited to be flying to Abuja now.

"We look forward to working closely with our Nigerian partners to steadily expand this route and to support the region's tourism and trade recovery."

More than 65 weekly flights to 20 destinations in Africa will be operated by Qatar Airways by mid-December, including Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Durban, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Lagos, Maputo, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Seychelles, Tunis, and Zanzibar.

Even today, to mark two years to go before the tournament kicks off on November 21st, Qatar Airways unveiled a specially branded Boeing 777 aircraft painted in a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 livery.

To celebrate the airline's collaboration with FIFA, the bespoke plane, which features distinctive FIFA World Cup branding, was hand-painted.

The livery will be used on more aircraft in the Qatar Airways fleet and will visit many network destinations.

On tomorrow's operational flights QR095 and QR096 between Doha and Zurich, the Boeing 777-300ER will enter operations.

Al Baker said: "In introducing this unique aircraft to our fleet, we are extremely excited to celebrate our partnership with FIFA and Qatar's status as host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."

"As FIFA's official partner and official airline, with two years to go, we can feel the excitement building until we welcome the world to our beautiful country."

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Cunard makes 2022 itineraries available for sale

In 2022, Cunard placed voyages on sale aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

The 162 newly launched itineraries, covering the north of the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal, include more than 35 nations.

Highlights include Queen Elizabeth returning to Alaska with trips of seven and ten nights, leaving and returning to Vancouver, visiting Glacier Bay, Haines, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria.

Queen Elizabeth will cross the Panama Canal from Alaska to the Mediterranean, where she will embark on a series of seven-night and 14-night flying cruises, leaving Barcelona.

Queen Mary 2 will visit the North Cape for the first time, spending three days in Tromso, along with famous transatlantic crossings, with chances to see the Northern Lights, and calls to Bergen, Trondheim, Alesund and Stavanger. 

The highlights of Queen Victoria include four-night cruise breaks departing from Southampton, all planned to include a weekend, visiting Amsterdam, Rotterdam and St Peter Port destinations.

Simon Palethorpe, President of Cunard, said: "We are delighted to offer such a wide range of trips in 2022, from four night European city breaks to week-long Mediterranean fly-cruises to a five-week adventure sailing trip from Alaska to Spain."

The demand for our 2021 voyages has been strong, so we know how much our guests expect to sail again on iconic Cunard ships with many potential highlights, including a welcome return to Alaska.

"Due to our flexible booking options that provide the opportunity to move a booking unlimited times before the balance is due, guests can plan for their Cunard holidays in 2022 with extra peace of mind."

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FAA clears Boeing 737 Max for service return

The order to suspend commercial service of the Boeing 737 Max has been rescinded by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The move will allow airlines under the regulator's jurisdiction to take the steps required to resume service.

Boeing will be able to start making deliveries as well.

The type of aircraft has been grounded since March last year after 346 people were killed in fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Over the past 20 months, FAA personnel have worked to recognize and resolve the safety concerns that played a role in the loss of Flight 610 of Lion Air and Flight 302 of Ethiopian Airlines, the body said in a statement.

The FAA said it has cooperated closely with international counterparts on every aspect of the return to service during the process.

David Calhoun, chief executive officer of Boeing, said, "We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents that resulted in the decision to suspend operations."

"As a result, these events and the lessons we have learned have reshaped our business and focused our attention further on our core values of safety, quality and integrity."

Boeing has worked closely with airlines over the past year and a half, supplying them with comprehensive long-term storage guidelines and ensuring their feedback was part of the plan to safely return the aircraft to service.

An airworthiness directive issued by the FAA specifies the criteria that must be met before service can be resumed by United States-based carriers.

Changes include the implementation of software upgrades, the completion of modifications to wire separation, the conduct of pilot training and extensive de-preservation exercises to ensure that airplanes are ready for service.

"The FAA Directive is an important milestone," said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' president and chief executive officer.

"We will continue to work with regulators around the globe and with our customers to return the aircraft to worldwide service."

"Commenting on the news, Rob Morris, Cirium's global head of consultancy Ascend, said: "Although there is currently no demand for the Boeing 737 Max in the sense of fleet expansion, there are a couple of drivers in demand for new aircraft once the aircraft is returned to service later this week, which will mean that Boeing can start deliveries again.

"The first argument is that, of course, the aircraft will be about 15% more fuel efficient than the 737-800s it will replace.

While today's fuel prices are low and demand is also reduced beyond 2019 levels, fuel savings may still account for anything like $750-$1,000 per day per aircraft.

"That would soon multiply to savings in excess of $1 million per month for an operator like Southwest or United, which is very welcome in today's environment where airlines want to keep as much cash as possible."

Cirium data shows that 383 Boeing 737 Max aircraft are currently waiting to return to service, but not all are focused on U.S. carriers and may therefore have to wait for further regulatory approval.

There are also about 450 aircraft that were constructed, but were not delivered to airlines.

Morris added: "Airlines taking delivery of the new Boeing 737 Max will immediately be able to offer the aircraft on the market for sale and leaseback."

We have already seen an appetite for the sale and leaseback of Max with many lessors, and hence these airlines will be able to release the money they have paid for the aircraft (deposit, PDP, final payments) and maybe even book an immediate sales profit.

There are several airlines, such as Spicejet, whose business model relies on delivery sales and leasing, and these airlines will be very happy to see the Max back in service and deliveries available again.

Although there is currently little demand for the Boeing 737 Max at face value, we expect to see a handful of new deliveries this year and then something like 360 or so next year, which will include about 200 of the pre-built aircraft once it is returned to service.

"We expect the 737-800 to be replaced effectively on a one-for-one basis."

Steve Dickson, FAA administrator, addresses the final conditions for authorizing the grounded 737 Max airliner to return to commercial operation.

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Mandarin Oriental for Emirates Palace Management

In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mandarin Oriental has signed a management contract to run, and eventually brand, the iconic Emirates Palace.

From January 1st, the group will take over management of the house.

This will be Mandarin Oriental's second hotel in the United Arab Emirates, following the opening earlier this year of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai.

After two years of phased renovation, the hotel will be renamed as a Mandarin Oriental property, during which time the hotel will remain open.

The work would include substantial improvements to guestrooms and leisure facilities, as well as modern food and drink facilities.

Located on a 1.3-kilometer private beachfront, the Emirates Palace hotel features 394 guest rooms and suites, 12 restaurants and bars, 40 meeting rooms, an auditorium for concerts and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,500 guests.

A marina, two swimming pools, a spa and two fitness centres are among the leisure facilities.

This is a rare opportunity to run one of the Middle East's most high-profile properties and would be an outstanding addition to the region's portfolio.

"James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said, "We look forward to taking the Group's outstanding quality standards to Abu Dhabi and introducing the brand to a new audience.

Centrally situated in the heart of the city, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi is conveniently positioned for both leisure and business travellers.

A quick drive away are the Grand Mosque and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Marina Mall is close, and the town's shopping centre is conveniently accessible as well.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is 40 minutes from the hotel and Dubai Airport is 90 minutes away.

The collaboration with Mandarin Oriental represents a significant achievement and aims to bring the profile of the property into a new age," said Sultan Dhahi Sultan Al Humairi, Emirates Palace Company's managing director."

"We look forward to a fruitful and mutually successful partnership with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group," he added.

More Info

The Emirates Palace is known by voters at the World Travel Awards as the World's Leading Conference Hotel.

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