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Collaboration of nations to deepen Iran-Russia relations

Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali Asghar Mounesan said in a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Tehran Levan Jagarian here on Tuesday evening that deepening the bilateral relations is possible through collaboration between the two nations. Tehran favors further improvement of comprehensive bilateral relations with Russia, but this is possible through upgrading the two nations’ ties, said Mounesan. Referring to his first visit to Russia, the Iranian official said the signing of the Shared Action Program and lifting the visa requirement for tourist groups of both countries are among the most important steps taken in that respect. Ambassador Jagarian, too, in the meeting referred to the ongoing visit of a group of Russian tourism industry activists in Iran and noted that the group in its visit identified Iran’s tourism potentials and is scheduled to depart for Russia tomorrow (on Wednesday). The Russian tourists are very eager to visit unexplored and adventurist destinations, and Iran with its historical background, natural attractions and unique potentials in ecotourism is an appropriate destination for them,” he said, referring to the Russians’ enthusiasm for visiting Iran.

Create: May 19, 2021 Edit: May 19, 2021 Regional News

Think In-Room Wellness to Welcome Back Post-Pandemic Guests

The concept we want you to remember is ‘post-COVID stress disorder’ (PCSD), inscribing those guests who are emerging from the pandemic, and most likely vaccinated, yet still have some lingering fears about travel and their exposure to the virus. To quell these doubts, and turn a buck while at it, consider the idea of merchandising spa and wellness products within the guestroom. As background, it’s important to note that with all the lockdowns of 2020 and repeated messaging about physical distancing and self-isolation, new habits have solidified and have caused many of us to become more introspective or introverted, even as we opt to set sail and explore the world once again. Thus, customers will expect hotels to respond to this behavioral shift with new amenities in the guestroom so that we can all still have a great hotel experience but without strictly relying upon access to onsite (and potentially high contact) facilities to achieve this. Indeed, most of the major brands are already seizing upon this in-room wellness trend, like Accor’s All Stay Well or Hyatt Together which are both on-demand content services offering a range of exercise, meditation, mobility, sleep or yoga routines, often through partnerships with leading players in the wellness space. What we emphasize here is that if the big chains are bolstering their brand standards in this regard, then you cannot allow your property to get left behind. The beauty therein is that wellness is such a catchall term these days that you can get as creative as your budget permits to build a unique interpretation. While you may not have the resources to put together a full-fledged app, this shouldn’t stop you from exploring your options. Get your team together; make it a fun brainstorming exercise. Here are some ideas: Onsite fitness, meditation or yoga calls, kept within the new guidelines for viral safety via clearly marked attendee floor circles, strict online booking for contact tracing and the option of a video alternative for those who want to remain in their rooms Basic exercise equipment like yoga mats, bands, roam rollers or light weights, available in the room or at request, and always disinfected prior to delivery Healthy foods with nutritional tidbits, available as a surprise-and-delight welcome amenity, as part of a rejuvenated room service program or in the minibar, again abiding by sanitization rules In-room aromatherapy, which can encompass flowers, allergen-free materials, essential oil diffusers or branded scents Anything else that can bring the calming experience of an onsite spa into the guestroom such as beauty product or grooming samples Personal wellness consultations, conducted either in-person with physical distancing, or via your preferred platform for videoconferencing Mindfulness enhancers such as stimulating in-room artwork, hydrotherapy, daily haikus or thoughtful materials accessible via a phone, tablet or TV Undoubtedly your team can come up with a myriad of incredible recommendations that are tailored to your specific region if you give them a day or two. Importantly with all of these ideas listed above, there’s the possibility for an upsell by making these prearrival purchases, add-on services at any extra cost, bundling them into a rooms package or incorporating them into a higher product tier. Take heed, though, as right now these wellness amenities can be marketed or sold as a value-add for your brand. Similar to what we’ve seen with the rapid adoption of upgraded cleanliness and safety SOPs this past spring, these aspirational trends can have a way of quickly becoming the expectation. The more that chains embrace in-room wellness, the more likely these amenities are to be perceived as hospitality standards rather than noteworthy value-adds. To get started, it need not be something so elaborate and comprehensive. Simple is often better.

Create: May 17, 2021 Edit: May 17, 2021 Hotel Management

Dubai International is the largest airport in the world in 2020

Dubai International Airport maintained its position as the largest airport in the world in terms of the number of international travelers, during the year 2020, for the seventh year in a row, according to the annual report of the International Airports Council, which monitors the performance of the air transport sector in the world. "Airports Council": in terms of the number of international travelers ... for the seventh year in a row Dubai International is the largest airport in the world in 2020 Dubai International Airport maintained its position as the largest airport in the world in terms of the number of international travelers, during the year 2020, for the seventh year in a row, according to the annual report of the Airports Council International, which monitors the performance of the air transport sector in the world. Council data, of which Emirates Today obtained a copy, showed that Dubai International Airport handled about 25.9 million international passengers last year, while the annual air freight volume in 2020 reached 1 million 932 thousand and 22 tons. Arrangement According to the data, Amsterdam Airport ranked second with 20.8 million passengers, a difference of more than five million passengers, compared to Dubai International Airport, which came in the forefront, while London Heathrow Airport fell to third place, recording 20.6 million passengers, while it ranked Paris airport ranked fourth with 19 million international passengers, while Frankfurt Airport came in fifth place with 16.8 million passengers. Passenger traffic The International Airports Council revealed that global passenger traffic in the 10 busiest airports in the world decreased by 45.7% over the past year, indicating that, in general, passenger traffic at the world's airports decreased by 64.6%, indicating the impact of the "Covid-19" pandemic. He explained that the impact of the pandemic led to a virtual halt of aviation in 2020, as the published data reveal the challenge that airports still face, stressing that it is still necessary to support the aviation industry through direct support to ensure aviation's ability to cope, rebuild connectivity and feed the global economic recovery. Recover The Council indicated that with some positive signs of recovery, especially in countries with high vaccination rates, a sustainable global recovery will only be achieved through the escalation of vaccination campaigns, the continuous development of digital health corridors, and the coordinated and coherent policy support of governments. Air shipments The Airports Council pointed out that air cargo was less affected by the pandemic, with volumes dropping by only 8.9%, to an estimated 109 million metric tons in 2020, equivalent to 2016 levels (110 million metric tons). He mentioned that airport operators also continue to work closely with their airline partners and other stakeholders to balance the current market realities and the cost of providing infrastructure while overcoming the crisis together. • Dubai Airport handled 25.9 million international passengers last year. • 1.9 million tons of air freight volume through "Dubai International" in 2020.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 International News

SERENA Hotel Aventura, Tapestry Collection by Hilton Opens in South Florida

SERENA Hotel Aventura, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, a 10-story, 100-room boutique hotel, welcomed its first guests on May 13. Infused with the dynamic spirit of this highly celebrated South Florida destination, the upscale hotel features a variety of in-demand amenities – a highlight of which is a vibrant rooftop entertainment area and pool with 360-degree city views. “We’re excited to introduce a unique new boutique hotel that embraces everything there is to love about Aventura – a hotel we know our local neighbors are going to love to visit, as well as those coming to the area from out of town,” said Ziad Chantiry, general manager, SERENA Hotel Aventura. “With superior amenities and a central location between two major South Florida cities surrounded by numerous top attractions, there is no doubt that SERENA Hotel Aventura is the perfect place to be — whether guests are traveling for work or for play.” Situated in the heart of the Aventura Medical District, SERENA Hotel Aventura offers a restful escape and proudly takes its name from the Latin word “serēnus” – meaning clear, tranquil or serene. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a modern and inviting atmosphere that will make them feel at home, while being treated with highly personalized service. Accommodations With a focus on contemporary design and upscale amenities, SERENA Hotel Aventura features 100 spacious guestrooms, 30 of which are suites outfitted with separate living areas, kitchenettes, dining tables and large bathrooms including a separate shower and tub. Standard guestrooms also offer seating areas with sofas along with work desks, creating a space perfect to welcome leisure guests or those with business to conduct during their visit to South Florida. Dining Paying homage to the area’s diverse and rich culture, SERENA Hotel Aventura offers a Mediterranean-Spanish inspired restaurant, Cielo Rooftop & Lounge, serving as a social gathering spot for locals and travelers alike. In addition, in the lobby, SERENA Hotel Café offers indoor and outdoor seating with selections including Lavazza coffee, sandwiches, paninis, pastries, beer and wine. Amenities A rooftop pool and entertainment area features lounge seating and panoramic city views, creating a relaxing, yet lively space for guests to unwind and catch Miami’s picturesque sunsets. Guests can also keep up with their workout routine in a 24-hour fitness center offering weights, treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bicycles. In addition, a dedicated room is available for business travelers to conduct small meetings. Location Positioned in the heart of South Florida midway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, SERENA Hotel Aventura offers nearby access to world renowned shopping at Aventura Mall, with brand names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Steve Madden and lululemon. Horseracing is nearby at The Village at Gulfstream Park, which also boasts an array of home stores, restaurants, art galleries, a bowling alley, fashion boutiques, and health and beauty services. Sunseekers can hit the shores of Sunny Isles Beach, just 15 minutes from the property. And, as the closest hotel to the Aventura Hospital & Medical Center, SERENA Hotel Aventura will be a safe haven for patients, families and medical workers. The hotel is also centrally positioned less than 30 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Guests visiting SERENA Hotel Aventura will enjoy peace of mind from check-in to check-out with Hilton CleanStay, Hilton’s new program for an even safer and cleaner stay. New procedures include contactless digital check-in through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, and a Hilton CleanStay room seal to indicate that the room has not been entered since being thoroughly cleaned. SERENA Hotel Aventura is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free Standard WiFi. SERENA Hotel Aventura is located at 2820 NE 214th Street, inside Ivory 214 – a new state-of-the-art, mixed-use project featuring retail and office spaces. The hotel is developed by Aventura-based Rieber Developments and operated by Driftwood Hospitality Management.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 International News

Element by Westin Opens the 460-room Element Philadelphia in Pennsylvania

Element Hotels – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 leading brands and designed for today’s healthy, active traveler – announce today the opening of Element Philadelphia, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Developed by Conshohoken-based Chestlen Development, the hotel will be the newest addition to Philadelphia’s reemerging hospitality scene, with travelers planning an average of 2.7 trips this year, according to a recent Visit Philadelphia report. Designed with a focus on sustainability and well-being, Element is ideal for families, groups and business travelers who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle while on the road. “Bringing the Element brand to Philadelphia was a strategic decision to appeal to the wellness-minded modern traveler, who is looking for self-sufficiency, more space to recharge, and amenities that align with their lifestyle,” stated Edward Baten, Complex General Manager, Element Philadelphia. “As the needs of travel, work and leisure have evolved over the last year, our offering is better suited than ever before to welcome guests with a range of work and life demands. Our flexible accommodations will open at a time when it’s needed most for leisure and business travelers alike.” Element Hotels has redefined the longer stay experience with a design philosophy that encourages guests to recharge and find focus. This approach is seen throughout Element Philadelphia, the brand’s largest property globally. The hotel’s 460 bright and modern guest rooms are positioned in an ideal Center City location and boast impressive views of Philadelphia’s historic architecture and skyline. The sunlit Sky Lobby will offer open seating for work and relaxation, and a range of safe, socially distanced amenities for guests to utilize. Fully equipped kitchens in every room, a business center, Motion Fitness center and guest laundry services create flexible work-from-anywhere possibilities. At Element Philadelphia, guests will be energized with a food and beverage program that prioritizes fresh, healthy ingredients. A complimentary Rise breakfast starts the day and the Relax evening reception invites guests to unwind together in the Sky Lobby. Balanced grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages are available from the Restore gourmet pantry, which features products from local producers. In addition, guests are invited to eat well from the comfort of their own room. With kitchens stocked with everything needed to create a home-cooked meal, Element hopes to inspire guests by introducing local culinary and nutritional voices to provide easy-to-follow recipes. These digital recipes and meal ideas, which will be accessible via in-room QR codes and in pre-arrival emails, will feature fresh, local ingredients that can be picked up at iconic neighborhood markets such as Di Bruno Brothers and Reading Terminal Market. Designed to get visitors moving, Element Philadelphia features a Bikes to Borrow program with its custom-designed Priority Bicycles in unmistakable Element green. The Bikes to Borrow program provides suggested routes to help guests experience the city’s history, art or nearby bike trails. Whether on two wheels or walking with a four-legged friend, Element encourages guests and their pets to explore more. Element’s pet-friendly program includes a signature dog bed, treats, water bowls, eco-friendly clean-up supplies and more for travelers visiting with pets. Element Philadelphia offers more space for guests to live their lives in rooms ranging in size from a Standard guest room, to Deluxe and Executive guest rooms, to One Bedroom Suites. The signature Westin Heavenly® beds and spa-inspired bathrooms feature rain showers designed to infuse a sense of calm. Element is proud to be green from the ground up and has built a smarter, better place to stay. When choosing materials, Element Philadelphia’s design team pioneered eco-friendly, sustainable design that improves hotel air quality, minimizes pollutants and chemicals, and gives guests ample access to natural light, resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment. The hotel also integrates eco-friendly materials and practices into its design in a variety of ways, including: Electric vehicle charging stations Guestrooms featuring carpets with up to 100% recycled content Wall art mounted on a base made from recycled tires Walls featuring low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints Bathrooms featuring low-flow faucets and fixtures Silverware and glassware provided, minimizing single-use plastics and disposable waste Recycling is made easy with bins in every guestroom and throughout public spaces Filtered water is available in all guestrooms and in the public spaces through a dispenser unit Element Philadelphia uses only 100% recycled postconsumer wastepaper for all printing and stationery needs Element Philadelphia will soon provide access to over 45,000 square feet of purpose-built event space, fully adaptable for the changing dynamics of indoor meetings, events and celebrations. Guests of Element Philadelphia can travel with confidence with services adapted for COVID-19, adhering to Marriott’s Commitment to Clean standards throughout their stay, including contactless check-in, social distancing, increased cleanliness protocols and new UV-light cleaning technologies. Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, the Marriott Cleanliness Council has redefined cleaning and safety standards.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 International News

Kish Island to become intl tourist destination for Fisher's New Year celebrations

Head of Tourism Development and Cultural Heritage office of Kish Free Zone has said that the Persian Gulf island will become an international tourist destination for Fisher's New Year or as it called in the local language Nowruz-e Sayyad day. Nowruze Sayyad Day or Fisher's New Year is being celebrated annually on July 19. Locals, especially fishermen in southern regions of Iran, celebrate Nowruz-e Sayyad day, meaning the Fisher's New Year. Fishing is a major part of the island’s life and different seasons and periods are defined according to its cycles. Unlike other parts of Iran which celebrate the costumery Nowruz in late March, local people in southern Islands celebrate their New Year as well which called the Fisherman’s Nowruz, (Norwuz-e Sayyad) at the beginning of the main fishing season in late July. In this ceremony, the villagers wear new clothes and paint their animals with a red mud called Gelak and take them to the sea, and the indigenous women receive guests with cooked pastries made from dates called Ranginak. The locals would not go fishing or eat fish or other seafood on this day and believe that all fish are free and should reproduce. Head of Tourism Development and Cultural Heritage office of Kish Free Zone Mahan Modavvan told IRNA on Saturday that his organization, according to its goal and duties, is seeking to hold Nowruz-e Sayyad Day or Fisher's New Year celebrations in the summer festivals that are being held annually in this region. He said that various festivals such as fishing, seafood, water-based activities, and handicrafts exhibitions are scheduled in this celebration too. Although Kish Island is active in different sections of trade as well as oil and gas - it was even the greatest trading hub in the Persian Gulf during the Seljuk empire (1037-1194 AD) - its economy today is based mostly on tourism. The Island has the required infrastructure so that it has been called "the most complete international tourist region in Iran". Hosting about 1.5 million tourists every year, Kish Island has an average of 20,000 internal and international flights annually. It has 52 hotels (12 5-star ones), 2 apartment hotels and 2 resorts. However, the coronavirus outbreak hit the Island's tourism industry this year, so that it is now using its minimum capacity after two months of total lockdown.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 Regional News

Intl. webinar to discuss ways to preserve Persepolis for future generations

A host of experts will be discussing archaeological findings and the latest attempts for the conservation of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis for future generations. “In this webinar, experts and researchers in the fields of archaeology, conservation and restoration, archeology, linguistics, documentation, architecture and civil engineering, geology, biology, law, statistics, etc. will discuss and exchange views on the ancient Persepolis during a four-day international webinar, which starts on Sunday,” CHTN quoted the organizers as saying on Saturday. Archaeological achievements in the World Heritage site will be discussed on the first day of the conference while decades of conservation, restoration, documentation projects would be topics for the second day. On the third day, applied research on conservation and restoration, documentation will be scrutinized. Moreover, comprehensive conservation plans for the architecture and conservation of the site are set to be conferred on the last day of the event. Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, whose magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) is situated 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars province. The ruined royal city ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. Persepolis was burnt by Alexander the Great in 330 BC apparently as revenge to the Persians because it seems the Persian King Xerxes had burnt the Greek City of Athens around 150 years earlier. The city’s immense terrace was begun about 518 BC by Darius the Great, the Achaemenid Empire’s king. On this terrace, successive kings erected a series of architecturally stunning palatial buildings, among them the massive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall (“Hundred-Column Hall”). This 13-ha ensemble of majestic approaches, monumental stairways, throne rooms (Apadana), reception rooms, and dependencies is classified among the world’s greatest archaeological sites. The site is marked by a large terrace with its east side abutting the Kuh-e Rahmat (“Mount of Mercy”). The other three sides are formed by a retaining wall, varying in height with the slope of the ground from 13 to 41 feet (4 to 12 meters); on the west side, a magnificent double stair in two flights of 111 short stone steps leads to the top. On the terrace are the ruins of several colossal buildings, all constructed of a dark gray stone (often polished to a marble-like surface) from the adjacent mountain. According to Britannica, the stone was cut with the utmost precision into blocks of great size, which were laid without mortar; many of them are still in place. Especially striking are the huge columns, 13 of which still stand in the audience hall of Darius I (the Great; reigned 522–486 BC), known as the Apadana, the name given to a similar hall built by Darius at Susa. There are two more columns still standing in the entrance hall of the Gate of Xerxes, and a third has been assembled there from its broken pieces. In 1933 two sets of gold and silver plates recording in the three forms of cuneiform—ancient Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian—the boundaries of the Persian empire were discovered in the foundations of Darius’s hall of audience. Several inscriptions, cut in stone, of Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes III indicate to which monarch the various buildings were attributed.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 Regional News

Intl. travels fall by 80% in Iran due to coronavirus

The average of international travels to and from Iran fell by 80 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (ended on March 20, 2021) from a year earlier. “During this period, 4,343,163 passengers entered the country, which included 3,030,464 Iranian passengers and 512,699 international travelers,” Mehr quoted Arezou Ghaniun, an official with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Customs Administration, as saying on Saturday. “From the beginning of 1399 to the end of it, we saw a significant reduction in passenger traffic to the country or vice versa in land, sea, rail and air borders, which were caused by various coronavirus restrictions.” International tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of the year when compared to 2019, according to data compiled by the World Tourism Organization. Restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hit global tourism hard, with the latest data from the UNWTO showing a 70% fall in international arrivals for the first eight months of 2020. Iran, however, has experienced different rates of downfall for inbound passengers over the past months. In the first three months of 2020 (January, February, March), the tourism industry of the country recorded negative rates of 90, 92, and 94 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year, according to the organization. The fall reached 96 and 97 percent in April and May. And in June, a negative 84% was recorded. But the interesting point in the statistics published by the World Tourism Organization is a steep slope of the improvement of Iran’s tourism arrivals during the last two months, as such growth has leaped 35% in July and August. Optimistic forecasts, expect the country would achieve a tourism boom after coronavirus contained, believing its impact would be temporary and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. According to the newest UNWTO Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% in July and 79% in August, traditionally the two busiest months of the year and the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop until August represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2019 and translates into a loss of US$ 730 billion in export revenues from international tourism. This is more than eight times the loss experienced on the back of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis. “This unprecedented decline is having dramatic social and economic consequences, and puts millions of jobs and businesses at risk,” warned UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This underlines the urgent need to safely restart tourism, in a timely and coordinated manner”. UNWTO’s Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in the current year, mostly in the third quarter. However, some experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022. Travel restrictions are seen as the main barrier standing in the way of the recovery of international tourism, along with slow virus containment and low consumer confidence. The lack of coordinated response among countries to ensure harmonized protocols and coordinated restrictions, as well as the deteriorating economic environment, were also identified by experts as important obstacles for recovery. The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, Iran aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: May 16, 2021 Edit: May 16, 2021 Regional News

Tehran, Yerevan discuss ways to deepen tourism ties

Iranian tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan and Yerevan’s ambassador to Tehran Artashes Toumanian on Monday discussed ways to deepen ties in the realms of tourism and cultural heritage. The officials exchanged views on how to boost travel when the coronavirus is controlled with help of vaccines. “We are ready to increase the tourism ties between the two countries. It seems, within the next few months, the tourism sector would resume as [COVID-19] vaccination is underway worldwide,” Mounesan said. The Iranian minister attached great importance to tourism as a tool, which can foster peace and friendship between various nations. “We pay special attention to tourism with our neighbors because we believe tourism, in addition to economic matters, helps to promote friendship between the nations. Such relationship with Armenia has been improved after the [implementation of] a visa waiver [program].” The envoy, for his part, said many Armenians are not being introduced to Iran’s attractions. “The people of Armenia do not know much about Iran's tourist attractions, if [enough] information is provided and tourism officials and tour operators of the two countries work in this regard, they would be interested in traveling to Iran.” Joint work on the restoration of historical sites and monuments was another issue discussed in the Tehran meeting. “The arena of Iranian cultural heritage is important to us because it dates back to thousands of years ago,” Toumanian said. “We have good experience in the field of intangible cultural heritage and there are many similarities between the two countries in this regard. Armenian specialists can also help to restore the engravings of Iranian churches,” the ambassador explained. Talking about the coexistence of religions in Iran, Mounesan said: “In different cities of Iran, including Yazd, there are places of worship for Muslims, Jews, and Christians, which makes a nation proud. We have even managed to register several churches on the World Heritage list.” Armenian churches To the untrained eye, Iran’s earliest churches may seem modest structures to some but they bear testimony to a vast panorama of architectural and decorative scenes associated with Armenian culture blended with other regional cultures: Byzantine, Orthodox, Assyrian, Persian, and Muslim. St. Thaddeus, St. Stepanos, and the Chapel of Dzordzor are three photogenic ancient churches that constitute the Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, which were collectively inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage in 2008. They are dotted in fresh and green lands of northwest Iran and are important pilgrimage sites for Armenian-Iranians and others from across the globe. Also known as the Qareh Klise (“the Black Church”), St. Thaddeus, as one of the oldest surviving Christian monuments in the country, is situated in Chaldoran county some 20 kilometers from Maku, adjacent to the borders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The Chapel of Dzordzor stands tall on the outskirts of Maku. The name narratively originates from a famous painter Hovans Yerz, known as Dzordzortzi, who supervised the chapel’s restoration for a while. The ancient Church shows off elaborate bas-reliefs of flowers, animals, and human figures on its façade and exterior walls. It bears verses of Old and New Testament in Armenian calligraphy as well.

Create: May 13, 2021 Edit: May 13, 2021 Regional News

Vast tourism complex under construction near Tehran

A vast tourism complex is being constructed in Pakdasht, near the Iranian capital, Pakdasht’s tourism chief has said. The project is expected to create 330 job opportunities directly, Asadollah Tajik added. The complex, which covers an area of 3,200 square meters, includes a traditional restaurant, traditional bathhouse, flower market, conference halls, museums, and accommodation units, the official explained. The project is scheduled to be completed within the next five years, he said. He also noted that establishing such complexes could boost tourism in the region. Hugging the lower slopes of the magnificent, snowcapped Alborz Mountains, Tehran is much more than a chaotic jumble of concrete and crazy traffic blanketed by a miasma of air pollution. This is the nation's dynamic beating heart and the place to get a handle on modern Iran and what its future will likely be. The metropolis has many to offer its visitors including Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar, Treasury of National Jewels, National Museum of Iran, Glass & Ceramic Museum, Masoudieh Palace, Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Carpet Museum of Iran, to name a few. The first time Tehran is mentioned in historical accounts is in an 11th-century chronicle in which it is described as a small village north of Ray. It became the capital city of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century but later declined with factional strife between different neighborhoods and the Mongol invasion of 1220. Photo: File photo depicts construction workers at a building site in Tehran.

Create: May 11, 2021 Edit: May 11, 2021 Regional News

Blue Origin to fly first people on New Shepard in July

Blue Origin announced May 5 that it will fly people on its New Shepard suborbital vehicle for the first time July 20, and will auction off one of the seats on that launch. The company said that, after years of test flights without anyone on board, it will start flying people on New Shepard. The announcement took place 60 years to the day after the vehicle’s namesake, Alan Shepard, became the first American space on the suborbital Mercury 3 launch. The scheduled date of the flight is the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. The company hinted during its most recent test flight of the vehicle April 14 that it was ready to start flying people on the vehicle. The company used the flight to test procedures for future crew flights, including having company personnel, playing the role of customers, boarding the vehicle during prelaunch preparations, and also practicing exiting the vehicle after landing. “We have flown this vehicle 15 times and, after the last flight, we said, ‘It’s time. Let’s put people on board,’” said Ariane Cornell, director of astronaut sales at Blue Origin, in a call with reporters. The company did not disclose who would fly on the vehicle, capable of carrying six people, beyond that it will make one seat available to the public via an auction. The company will accept sealed bids through May 19, then go into an unsealed bidding phase, concluding in a live auction June 12. Blue Origin said the proceeds of the auction will go to an affiliated nonprofit organization, the Club for the Future, that supports STEM education activities. When Blue Origin announced April 29 that it would disclose its plans for selling the first seat on New Shepard, many expected it would formally unveil long-awaited plans to start selling tickets. The company has said little about its ticket sales strategy, including how much they would cost. Cornell declined to discuss how the company would sell tickets beyond this initial auction. “We don’t have details on the prices for future seats, and we will announce the details of how those future seats will be sold in the future, after this auction.” She added the company will take notes of the “most active bidders” in that auction for follow-up on future ticket sales. She also said that, after the July 20 flight, “we will have a couple more crewed flights before the end of the year.” While the company didn’t disclose details on ticket sales, the company is sharing more information on the spaceflight experience. Cornell said that those who fly on New Shepard will arrive at the company’s West Texas site four days before launch and undergo three days of training. That will include working in a mockup of the New Shepard crew capsule learning procedures for getting in and out of the vehicle as well as emergency protocols. Those who fly New Shepard have to meet a number of physical and other conditions, according to a terms and conditions document posted on the company’s website. That includes being at least 18 years old, weighing between 50 and 101 kilograms, being between 152 to 193 centimeters tall, and able to withstand 3g’s of acceleration during launch and 5.5g’s “for a few seconds” during reentry. Blue Origin didn’t disclose how many people signaled an interest in flying on New Shepard by signing up on its website in the last week to find out how they could buy tickets. “I can say that the website has gotten a workout in the last week,” Cornell said. “Obviously, we hope that is a good precursor to excitement and participation in the auction on June 12.” Loizos Heracleous, professor of strategy at the Warwick Business School, noted that there are about six million people worldwide with a net worth of at least $5 million, and thus likely in the addressable market for a flight like this. “For some it will be about bragging rights, for others it will be an experience of a lifetime,” he said in a statement about why people would be willing to pay a premium to fly on a suborbital vehicle. “In strict financial terms it might not seem a wise decision, but if it’s a small part of their disposable income or net worth, they might want to do it.”

Create: May 8, 2021 Edit: May 8, 2021 International News

Senior Team Alignment Critical for Leisure and Group Recovery Success

The recovery in the leisure sector is imminent, and we argue that small groups aren’t far behind given that ‘revenge travel’ also implies a strong yearning to reconnect and congregate. A return to healthy numbers won’t be evenly spread across all hotels, though. It will favor those properties and those organizations that are already prepared for a diverse range of ramp-up scenarios, with others leaving revenue on the table by not having plans in place prior to this next phase. While hotels could hardly have predicted or prevented the advent of COVID-19, what we’ve witnessed in the latter half of 2020 is an industry that’s largely reactive to macroeconomic forces. Many operators have hinged their hopes on a near-complete reversal to 2019 demand levels and guest expectations without any earnest consideration for structural innovation and becoming more adaptable to the increased volatility in the market. Luckily, there are a few shining stars that highlight where hospitality needs to be for the decade ahead, and we’re excited to present one such case herein. Newport Hospitality Group (NHG) is a management company that’s been operating for 30 years and now has over 50 managed properties in its portfolio spread all along the Eastern Seaboard. Most fascinating for our current conversation is that the organization has some inherent ‘antifragility’ (to borrow a term from the brilliant statistician and option trader Nassim Taleb) in that it thrives relative to its comp set not only during good times but also during periods of economic turmoil. Upon reviewing their annual RevPAR growth metrics, they’ve beaten their respective markets in every year since 2005. Emphasizing this is that during the calendar year of 2020 NHG dropped 7.9% less than the US RevPAR average and the company also added 10 properties to its portfolio. This echoes their relative CAGR for the recession of 2008-09 where they also substantially beat the market. Success Starts at the Senior Level In trying to decipher the secret to the longstanding NHG playbook, we had an extensive discussion with Wayne West III, NHG’s President. He explained that success during turbulent times hinges upon decisive attention at the senior level combined with a thorough comprehension of the roles and responsibilities for the onsite operator, the corporate office team and the owner. Finding the best alignment amongst these entities – which may or may not have different goals – is an initial step that is often overlooked. So much time is spent in planning meetings and getting approval for changes and new initiatives that operations can easily get bogged down through ‘decision by committee’. In particular, hospitality is more exposed to this problem than other industries given our highly vertical organizational structures and lack of monetary empowerment at the property level. These types of inertial situations can easily be exacerbated by conflicting visions and orders stemming from the three-headed, ‘Cerberus-like’ discord amongst the owners, brand and management company. The key is to find a balance of responsibilities. “In many ways, the hotel industry’s current situation is like a street race,” quipped West as he explained how immobility can compromise a hotel’s success. “You don’t start revving your engine when the light turns green. You rev in neutral so that you can fly out of the gates once the countdown hits zero. This resembles the state of many hotels as we gear up for a roaring Q3 and Q4. At NHG, we established a playbook for swiftly reacting to hard times even before the Great Recession to the point where it’s now baked into our culture. All our managed properties have a clear chain of command and are staffed up to handle a surge of both transient guests and group RFPs.” Indeed, one case where having alignment at the senior level is mission critical pertains to the reemergence of groups, starting with reunions, corporate retreats and wedding receptions later this fall in advance of larger MICE-type travel sometime in 2022. With those small group gatherings taking place in the autumn or winter, the planning starts in late spring or early summer, and hotels must have a sales team and group rate plan fully set up to win these contracts. To this end, one reason for NHG’s success versus its comp set in 2020 was because it retained its sales team throughout. This meant that they were fully ready to enter any negotiation with attractive offers and coronavirus-specific programs such as full-floor or section buyouts and operational staff pods to limit cross-exposure. Emphasizing Succession Planning To ingrain the first lesson above, far better than a lengthy deliberation over the best possible approach is to implement a reasonably satisfactory course then act quickly to adjust the plan as market conditions evolve. To enable this ability to pivot, onsite leaders must have a certain degree of autonomy and freedom to act within a proscribed framework. But how do you develop a culture of empowerment? One critical point that West highlighted to that end was succession planning and how many hotels aren’t prepared for a return to normalcy because they furloughed too many of their team members. This is especially evident for sales teams, whereby without key managers kept up to speed on a property’s event capabilities, each RFP cannot be addressed through a preestablished process. This results in teams constantly playing catch-up and reacting week-over-week to new inquiries rather than looking ahead to new initiatives that will advance the hotel’s revenue prospects. To ensure this type of problem never sets in, NHG prides itself on promoting from within and executive retention, with nearly half of their senior teams staying with the company for over a decade and nearly a quarter staying for over 20 years. A sharp focus on retention like this means that the onsite operators are totally in sync with ownership and the corporate office, intrinsically knowing how to implement the latter’s directives and hastily deploy resources to make those changes a reality. “A property is only as good as its GM,” remarked West to close out our talk, succinctly describing how, if the GM gives his or her managers a clear and actionable plan without backtracking or indecisiveness, then success is all but guaranteed. In this sense, nurturing great teams, especially during hard times like the current pandemic, is vital for decreasing conflict and aligning operations prior to periods of increased demand. Particularly at the senior level, the time to make your organization nimble and imbue a clear command structure for rapid action was yesterday. But, with hindsight being what it is, a close second place would be today. It’s never too late to chart a course for a profitable decade ahead, and our hope is that you can learn from this brief examination of NHG to see how you can create a culture of success.

Create: May 8, 2021 Edit: May 8, 2021 Hotel Management