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Egypt's Tourism Industry Breaks Record

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities announced a record-breaking influx of 14.9 million tourists to the country in 2023, marking a new milestone in Egypt's tourism history.In the final quarter of 2023 alone, 3.6 million tourists visited Egypt, surpassing the previous record set in 2010. The Minister of Tourism also highlighted a 9% increase in tourist arrivals during the first 19 days of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International News

Using taxis in Dubai is getting cheaper

A new auction-based taxi service called Drife has been launched in Dubai, which can significantly reduce fares for passengersThe Drife app is the first decentralized transportation system in the United Arab Emirates, allowing passengers to view different drivers' offers for a trip and choose the best option. This system benefits everyone, as passengers pay lower fares, and drivers earn more income by eliminating commissions. Drivers pay a monthly subscription fee to use Drife.The company's app and website will be launched later this month, and initially, 100 limousines from a private company will be registered in the system.

Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International News

The Impact of Television Advertising on Tourism in France

A recent study by the French National Cinema Center indicates that more than half of international tourists who visited France last year were persuaded to travel to the country after watching a French film or TV series. The study also examined the length of stay and budget of tourists. The results show that on average, Chinese and American tourists stay longer in France compared to European tourists, with their first trip to the country being their initial exposure. Among those who watched a product filmed in France, 80% said they were influenced to visit the country. This study demonstrates that television advertising, whether in the form of films or series, can be a powerful tool for attracting tourists to France.

Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International News

India is the second most searched country on Google for travel

Data collected over one year showed India coming in second on Google searches for travel. While the Maldives grabbed the first spot, Singapore came in third.With a plethora of heritage sights and opulent palaces such as the ones in Delhi and Jaipur, and, of course, the tranquil beaches of the south and the magical beauty of the hills up north, India is an excellent place for cultural exploration and immersive travel

Create: Feb 12, 2024 Edit: Feb 12, 2024 International News

Increasing demand for international tourism in Türkiye

The tourism industry started 2024 reservations early. Tourism professionals say that demand from abroad is more intense than last year, and that prices will increase by 20 percent in foreign currency in 2024. The European market in the tourism sector will grow in the range of 10-15% in 2024, while the CIS market will remain the same, especially drawing attention to the growth in the UK market. It is estimated that travel will increase by 5-10% in 2024. Industry representatives are of the opinion that the European market will grow in the 10-15% range, while the CIS market will remain the same. President of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association, stated that the first reservations came from the British market, and 50% of the sales were completed from the British market at the beginning of the new year.

Create: Jan 25, 2024 Edit: Jan 25, 2024 International News

Summit Hotel Properties Completes Acquisition of NewcrestImage Portfolio

Today announced that it has completed an initial closing of the previously announced portfolio acquisition through its existing joint venture with GIC from affiliates of NewcrestImage. The initial closing included 26 of the 27 hotels totaling 3,533 guestrooms, two parking structures, and various financial incentives. The remaining hotel to be acquired is the currently under construction 176-guestroom Canopy by Hilton New Orleans which is nearing completion, and the joint venture expects to close on the acquisition of the hotel during the first quarter 2022 (collectively with the initial closing referred to as the “Transaction”). The total consideration for the Transaction is comprised of $776.5 million, or $209,000 per key, for the 27-hotel portfolio, $24.8 million for the two parking structures, and $20.7 million for the various financial incentives. The Transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to adjusted FFO per share, generate a stabilized net operating income yield of 8.0% to 8.5% including future capital investment and excluding any ancillary joint venture fees earned by Summit, and be leverage neutral to the Company’s balance sheet while preserving existing liquidity of nearly $450 million.

Create: Jan 15, 2022 Edit: Jan 15, 2022 International News

Female Iranian crafter wins top prize at Intl. Craft Awards

Arabian, who is a master of metalwork and Minakari (enamel), participated in the event with one of her exquisite works, a lavishly-decorated metal bowl designed for serving gaz (nougats with pistachios and almonds), CHTN quoted Vida Tavahodi as saying on Friday. Minakari is an ancient art of painting natural motifs such as flowers and birds on the surface of metals, mostly copper. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the event was held virtually in India, but the artist will soon be awarded the prize at a ceremony, the official added. The award for the Male Craftsperson of the Year went to Dalavayi Kullayappa from India, while Zohra Said from Morocco and Ismael Arturo Rodriguez Moreno from Mexico named Female Craft Designer of the Year and Male Craft Designer of the Year respectively. ICA is organized by Craft Village, a social organization, based out of New Delhi, India, working towards training and promotion of handicrafts. ICA sets a new benchmark in the world with the highest level of skill and design excellence. The awards provide an open platform for makers working in a wide variety of materials and media to have their work assessed by a professional jury and international craft experts. These awards promote, inspire and encourage talent of the highest standards, making International Craft Awards an annual global feature. With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the number of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with four, and India with three ones come next. In January 2020, the cities of Shiraz, Malayer, and Zanjan and the village of Qassemabad were designated by the WCC- Asia Pacific Region, putting Iran’s number of world crafts cities and villages from ten to 14.

Create: Jan 15, 2022 Edit: Jan 15, 2022 Regional News

World’s first hotel for camels in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to the first hotel in the world to serve and comfort camels. The hotel, called Tatman, includes 120 hotel rooms that provide all services to camels, local media from the gulf country reported on Sunday. According to Arabic daily, English Al-Arabiya, more than 50 people serve in this hotel and they are divided between room services, care, attention, and protection as well. Tatman hotel, provides a 5-star service, including preparing meals for camels, taking care of the appearance and general appearance, in addition to providing hot milk, and making sure to clean and heat the rooms. “This hotel is the first of its kind in the world, but in a different and new style. Everything is available ranging from cleaning rooms to warm air-conditioning,” the official spokesman for the camel club in Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Al-Harbi said in a presentation video.

Create: Jan 11, 2022 Edit: Jan 13, 2022 International News

The Case Against QR Menus

Menus are an important aspect of the overall presentation of a hotel restaurant. Indeed, a whole book on proper menu design could be written, with inventory arrangements, fonts, graphics, spacing, types of paper, menu backings and all other stylistic concerns outlined as contributing factors for a guest’s overall appreciation of the dining outlet. The pandemic has thrown a wrench in this marketing and sentiment-boosting tool as many customers now expect menus to be accessible on their phones via a QR code. The benefit for the restaurant is certainly there in the form of saving on printing costs, but it’s nonetheless a tradeoff. The concern that we have over the proliferation of QR menus is that they don’t build guest satisfaction as much as their physical antecedents, and this reduced sentiment can halo back onto room revenues in a negative way. Here’s why: paper is palpable. You feel the slight roughness of a thick paper stock, subtly smell the ink, are delighted by the way the room’s lighting creates soft shadows on the page and are soothed by (what we ideally hope that you would use for your establishment) the touch of the leather menu backing on the palm of your hand. Viewing a menu on your phone gives you none of that. Yes, you get graphics, color and the ability to keep the webpage updated in real-time as inventory changes, but everything beyond the straight visuals are lost in the endless scroll of a two-dimensional screen. And building on this notion of scrolling, one critical difference is that a physical menu presents all items together for readers to consider, whereas a responsive webpage (over simply displaying a PDF version of the menu) will usually configure all items into a single column so as to keep everything legible and to avoid lots of pinching. This second drawback is one of perception, where a narrowly focused column on one’s phone can increase the observed length of the menu, resulting in patrons ‘dropping off’ before perusing the entirety of it. We see a similar trend in website readership where it falls precipitously after around the first quarter of an article or page. In sum, on digital-first menus, you have to put your most expensive items (or highest margin) items at the top or they will likely be missed. At this point, with the end of the pandemic still very much a question mark, optionality and fitting your theme is what works best. Paper menus should be readily presented at high-end restaurants so that the theme is congruent and customer satisfaction isn’t deteriorated, while at more casual settings a QR code access may be just fine. While there are both paper and labor costs associated with QR menus, you must still consider the above downsides.

Create: Jan 1, 2022 Edit: Jan 1, 2022 F and B

Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle Hotel Celebrates Opening

Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle, the third Hyatt-branded hotel and the first Hyatt Place branded hotel in Switzerland, is officially open, expanding the Hyatt Place brand’s footprint globally in markets that matter most to guests and World of Hyatt members. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi everywhere and 24-hour food offerings. Because Hyatt’s efforts are grounded in listening and fueled by care, Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy-to-navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle is situated in the Circle destination and directly linked to Zurich Airport, representing one of the most central locations in Switzerland. Guests can conveniently enjoy the business and lifestyle offerings of the Circle, which includes shops, restaurants, a park, airport facilities and The Circle Convention Center. After a productive day, guests can unwind in the park or take advantage of the great outdoors, as the Swiss Alps and Lake Zurich are nearby. Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle offers: - 300 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper - The Market serving a selection of perfectly packaged grab-and-go items from snacks to salads as well as beverages available 24/7 - ZOOM Restaurant with all-day dining and take-out options, delivering responsibly sourced, regionally inspired fare as well as international classics, including small bites such as wraps and waffles and heartier options including salads, burgers, fries and Zurich specialties - Necessities program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free - Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and guestrooms - Convenient Workspaces and Event Spaces including a communal table in the lobby and over 30,000 square feet (2,800 square meters) of function space at The Circle Convention Center - Fitness Center open 24/7, featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens, along with the nearby park offering outdoor jogging and walking

Create: Dec 29, 2021 Edit: Dec 29, 2021 International News

UNESCO-designated Persepolis launches UAV documentation

Authorities of Persepolis have launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) documentation project to help study and analyze the neighboring lands and properties, which encircle the UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Iran. “A documentation project has been commenced on the closest boundaries of Persepolis to gather needed information to monitor possible changes and interventions in this area,” said Hamid Fadaei, the director of the World Heritage site. The first purpose of this documentary is to prepare a cadastral map of agricultural lands in the first-grade boundaries of Persepolis, and the second purpose is to record the current status of historical monuments, including historical sites and hills that are dotted in that area, Fadaei explained. “In that regard, we operate close-range photogrammetry and UAV in the documentation of architecture monuments…..And the project is expected to become to an end by the yearend (March 20, 2022),” the official noted. 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. It was the seat of the government of the Achaemenid Empire, though it was designed primarily to be a showplace and spectacular center for the receptions and festivals of the kings and their empire. Persepolis ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. 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 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”). 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. Narratives say that 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.

Create: Dec 29, 2021 Edit: Dec 29, 2021 Regional News

AC Hotel St. Louis Opens in the Central West End After a $44 Million Ground-Up Build

AC Hotel St. Louis Central West End (215 York Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108), a seven-story 192-room hotel, is now open after a multi-million dollar, ground-up build by St. Louis’ Koplar Properties in partnership with Homebase Partners and Concord Hospitality Enterprises. Located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, the hotel sits in the heart of the city’s upscale retail district and at the eastern edge of Forest Park. The 94,300 square-foot hotel features a state-of-the-art fitness center, small meeting and event space, and curated food and beverage program with inspiration from the hotel’s Spanish and European roots at the AC Kitchen and AC Lounge. The hotel is a new modern and sophisticated destination for culturally-minded travelers and locals alike. This is the first AC Hotel to enter the St. Louis market. Located in the upscale Central West End neighborhood, the hotel is surrounded by sidewalk cafes, smart Italian and Asian fusion restaurants, local coffee shops, chic boutiques and more. Directly across the street sits St. Louis’ award-winning Forest Park with expansive lakes, woods, a golf course and free museums and attractions including the St. Louis Zoo and Saint Louis Art Museum. Steps away are Barnes Jewish Medical Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Washington University in St. Louis campus and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. AC Hotel St. Louis plans to immerse itself in St. Louis’ local culture, specifically in the arts, attractions and cuisine. HomeBase Partners’ Founder and Owner Andy Holloran said “Together with the Koplar family and Concord Hospitality, HomeBase Partners is excited to bring the AC St. Louis hotel to market in the heart of the vibrant Central West End. Within walking distance to so many restaurants, bars, coffee shops, Forest Park and the incredible medical campus anchored by Barnes Jewish, Children’s and Washington University, the AC Hotel is a much needed and welcome addition!” AC Hotel St. Louis Central West End blends St. Louis’ urban landscape with minimalist, sophisticated design, and features artwork from a local and nationally renowned artist. St. Louis born artist John O’ Hara was commissioned for a signature piece featured in the AC Kitchen and dining area of the hotel. O’Hara is a self-taught artist known for his abstract decorative art. His work is included in public and private collections around the world, including famed designer Michael Kors’ showrooms in Milan, Paris, London and New York. AC Hotel St. Louis Central West End seamlessly fits into the modern and upscale surroundings of the neighborhood, among its world-class art galleries, eye-catching public artwork and stunning turn-of-the-century homes. The sleek design creates a perfectly precise retreat for guests – both inside and out. On the exterior, a natural facade stands out with contemporary wood accents, ivy walls and greenery. Renowned design firm DLR Group worked on the hotel’s interior design, which hosts a blend of European-inspired motif and comfort, with modern decor, touches of natural wood and clean marble throughout the property. Upon entering the lobby, check-in-desks are flanked with a striking leather mosaic in sleek blacks, deep grey and metallic colors. The lobby also includes a welcoming communal space with a massive double-sided fireplace built into a floor-to-ceiling marble wall, which serves as a living room and informal business hub for guests to gather. The space is filled with modern furnishings and artwork, approaching every space with optimal comfort and utility which is intentionally designed to maximize space and minimize clutter. “The hotel design is purposeful, simplistic, and elegant while staying true to our unique aesthetic,” says General Manager Candice Woodring. “We’ve tailored our experiences for business travelers, leisure enthusiasts and locals to all find something at our property. Whether it’s a chic guest room after a long flight or Spanish tapas, signature cocktails and local craft beer with friends, we’ve got something for everyone – business or pleasure.” Furnished with 192 guestrooms, including 114 King sized beds, the design is classic modernism with clean lines, sharp angles, pops of marble and effortless European sophistication. Thoughtful design elements help guests unwind, including plush bedding, a spacious workspace, open closet concepts intuitively designed to create ease of access and visibility, as well as Korres bath amenities made with natural ingredients. Each guest room features precisely placed outlets for ultimate ease of access, a personal in-room coffee maker, temperature-controlled smart refrigerator and a safe. Rooms also feature the latest technologies including 55-inch smart televisions with app streaming and free high speed internet access throughout the property. In addition to in-room amenities, each guest floor features a state-of-the-art sustainability-focused hydration station equipped with glass carafes and purified water. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton, cardio equipment, free weights, and the AC Store, curated with locally-sourced snacks, sweets, beverages and other local products. Self-parking is available in the Argyle garage located directly across the street from the hotel. From breakfast in the AC Kitchen to cocktails and tapas in the AC Lounge, guests will enjoy flavors that are perfectly curated, poured and plated. The hotel’s European sensibility touches every aspect of the guest experience, including on-site dining. Breakfast at the AC Kitchen features gourmet selections such as fresh baked Delifrance buttered croissants, as well as Berkel sliced La Quercia prosciutto. The AC kitchen will also offer a full menu for guest’s and locals to enjoy with items such as Breakfast Cazuela, and Nutella & Orange Belgium Waffles. The AC Lounge provides guests with a warm and inviting atmosphere to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat with an ambient double-sided fireplace, ample cocktail and lounge seating and modern minimalist design. A harmonious gathering place with a touch of influence from its Spanish roots, the AC Lounge features curated European-inspired small plates after 5 p.m. as well as local libations and signature cocktails like its namesake AC-GT (a custom gin and tonic), served in a scientifically engineered cocktail glass with etchings that discreetly guide the perfect ratio of ingredients. AC Hotel St. Louis Central West End will also serve as an excellent destination for business meetings and social events. The hotel has flexible space to accommodate small business meetings, social functions, rehearsal dinners and celebrations. A dedicated conference room looks out to the bustling neighborhood and is equipped with complimentary high speed internet, 137” drop screen and projector, as well as a separate pre-function space. The hotel can provide a distinct area for private meetings and networking events. The property has also partnered with neighboring restaurant, Edera Italian Eatery, to host larger events with chef-curated menus from Edera’s Executive Chef, Andrew Simon.

Create: Dec 22, 2021 Edit: Dec 22, 2021 International News