Marriott aims for 80+ UAE hotels in five years Marriott International expects to end 2018 with 11 new properties and more than 2,600 guestrooms added to its United Arab Emirates portfolio. Year-to-date, the company has added six new properties and is scheduled to add five more in the country, bringing its portfolio in the UAE to 59 properties and more than 17,000 rooms across six Emirates by the end of the year. Two of the company’s openings this year are regional brand debuts: the eco-conscious Element Hotels brand, which opened in Dubai, and the Edition brand, which is scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi later this year. Windstar Partners on Shore Excursion Planning with Utrip Windstar Cruises has announced a pilot program with the online recommendation engine, Utrip. The data-driven software helps guests plan shore excursions based on seven areas of passenger interest. Namely: arts and culture, outdoors, adventure, shopping, history, relaxation, and food and wine. Utrip also … [Read more...] about Travel News: October 11, 2018
Europe news
Travel News: October 10, 2018
American Airlines reduces options for travelers with delayed, canceled flights American Airlines has reduced options for travelers whose flights are delayed or canceled. Under a new policy, passengers without status in the airline’s frequent-flyer program will not be rebooked on other airlines except in special circumstances. Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant Now Taking Reservations Norwegian restaurant Under will be Europe’s first underwater eatery and those clamoring for a seat at the table can now make a reservation. The restaurant is expected to open its doors in April of 2019, and it’s no wonder that visitors are lining up to dine at the unique establishment. Located at the country’s southern tip, Lindesnes, the restaurant is a design marvel, resembling a rock formation rising out of the sea. W Hotels Launches First-Ever Hotel Music Label W Hotels, the modern luxury hotel chain under Marriott International’s portfolio, announced … [Read more...] about Travel News: October 10, 2018
Pop star vies for gong at MTV Europe Awards
Viet Nam News HCM CITY — Pop star Minh Hằng of HCM City will compete in the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) Best Southeast Asia Act 2018 in Spain next month. The singer will compete with five others from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore via the website asia.mtvema.com. The nominees were chosen based on their professional activities, including record sales, frequency of appearances on radio and television, online watching and listening, popularity on social media, and ticket sales. Votes for the Best Southeast Asia Act award will be taken through MTV EMA networks, including websites, Facebook and mobile applications. The MTV EMA 2018 awards ceremony will be held on November 4 in Barakaldo. The event will attract international stars from the Europe, the US and Asia. Born in 1987 in HCM City, Hằng began her professional career in both music and film when she was at school. She performed as the lead singer in … [Read more...] about Pop star vies for gong at MTV Europe Awards
Travel News: October 5, 2018
Dubai expands tourism ambitions, sets new target for 2025 Dubai has extended its tourism ambitions, announcing new targets for attracting visitors to the emirate up to 2025. Building on the efforts to attract 20 million tourists annually by 2020, the year of Dubai Expo, Dubai Executive Council has now revealed new targets. The Council’s members witnessed a presentation by the Department of Tourism on its directives and commercial marketing strategy, which aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the emirate’s economy. Governor Cuomo Announces $13 Billion Plan for JFK Makeover New York governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a plan to give the city’s John F. Kennedy International Airport a major makeover. The $13 billion plan calls for two new terminals and new roadways that will improve vehicle access, according to a report from CBS New York. According to Cuomo, construction will begin in 2020 and is scheduled to be completed by 2025. Rosewood Washington … [Read more...] about Travel News: October 5, 2018
Travel News: October 4, 2018
Royal Caribbean Issues Refunds After Cruise Gets Out of Control Officials from Royal Caribbean International have apologized and reimbursed passengers on a September cruise after the ship became a floating bachelor party. According to 9news.com.au, the Voyager of the Seas was preparing for a three-night sailing near Australia when an estimated 1,300 employees from Indian tobacco company Kamla Pasand boarded the vessel and began to party. Marriott testing home-sharing in more European cities Marriott International is expanding its home-sharing pilot beyond London to include units in Paris, Rome and Lisbon, bringing its offering to 340 properties. To extend the pilot, which Marriott branded Tribute Portfolio Homes, the company is continuing its partnership with home rental management company Hostmaker. Marriott did not say how long the pilot would run — its London testing has been underway for five months now. Crystal Cruises ship Serenity to sail another epic world voyage in 2021 … [Read more...] about Travel News: October 4, 2018