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World’s Largest Comfort Hotel Opens at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden

Nordic Choice Hotels opened the doors to the Comfort Hotel Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden on January 30. The 503-room hotel is the largest in the Comfort brand system worldwide. A select-service brand, Comfort hotels are environmentally conscious and challenge the traditional image of what hotels offer to guests. Hotels are situated in central locations and offer a welcoming environment and amenities that make for a good night's rest, all at the best possible price in their segment. The hotel is actively trying to counter food waste by using smaller plates, fruits and berries are made into smoothies, palm oil is banned and there is no beef on the menu. Last year, the hotel removed all disposable plastic and the goal is for only 1% of everything consumed to go to incineration.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 International News

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) Opens Devi Ratn, A Seleqtions Hotel In Jaipur

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the opening of Devi Ratn, Jaipur. This hotel will be a part of the SeleQtions brand. Located a short distance from the city centre, the resort is spread over 20 acres of lush green landscapes. Each of the spacious 60 rooms and suites offer a view of the Aravalli hills. Vyom, the all-day dining restaurant, with its 18-feet towering pillars, serves contemporary Indian and European cuisine. Mandala, the eclectic bar serves inventive Jaipur cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a quiet meal at Jal, the poolside café. The hotel’s conference room, banquet halls and sprawling lawns are geared for grand occasions – be it corporate off-sites or fairy tale weddings. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have nine hotels in Jaipur, including three under development.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 International News

Iran to pursue visa-free travel with Russia at Moscow tourism fair

TEHRAN – The Iranian tourism minister on Monday said that the country will follow up on the issue of visa-free travel for mutual tourist groups with Russia at the upcoming [27th edition] Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT), which will be held from March 17 to 19. “The Russian fair is very important [for us] so that we should have a strong and influential presence in this exhibition… One of the major issues is to pursue and finalize visa cancellation for Iranian and Russian group tours,” Ali-Asghar Mounesan said, CHTN reported. He made the remarks at a meeting with representatives of the private sector active in tourism projects. In December, Mounesan announced that Tehran was considering to allow Russian tourists to visa-free entry into the country to boost tourism after it granted the same privilege for some other nationals including Chinese and Omani passport holders. In 2017, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin inked a preliminary visa-free agreement for certain tourist groups during their meeting in Moscow. Based on the agreement tour groups of 5 to 50 people heading to [easternmost parts of] Russia from Iran or vice versa are granted a visa-free stay of up to 15 days. MITT is the largest B2B travel & tourism trade show in Russia, attracting representatives of the tourism industry from Russia, regions and all over the world. According to organizers, a total of 22,289 travel industry professionals visited MITT in 2019. The participants ranged from the representatives of tour operators, travel agents to various other companies involved in the travel industry such as airlines, transport companies, hotels, and IT businesses.

Create: Feb 18, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 Regional News

Tripadvisor launches 'Review Hub'

In its continued quest to help restaurants better manage their business and take control of their reputation online, Tripadvisor® launched Review Hub, a new interactive portal that allows restaurant owners to view consumer reviews of their business and quickly respond to them all from one convenient dashboard, whether the review was shared on Tripadvisor, TheFork, Google, Facebook, Yelp, or other major review sites. "Few restaurant owners have time to log into each of the various restaurant sites one-by-one to respond to their diners' reviews, so we're excited to give them one tool to manage these reviews in less time," said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president of Restaurants, Tripadvisor. "Review Hub is the latest example of Tripadvisor's efforts to make online restaurant marketing and management a breeze for busy owners." How Review Hub Works Review Hub displays a snapshot of ratings and reviews from multiple platforms, and lets owners click through to explore their unique review trends in more depth — so restaurateurs can see what's working and where they can further improve their customer experience, with a complete range of reviews from multiple sites. There, they can quickly respond to each review with a thoughtful management response, thank their guests for their feedback and share their side of the story. The management response they share is then automatically posted on the site or app where the review was originally submitted by the diner, making online reputation management easier and less time consuming. Review Hub is a subscription-based product available to all restaurant owners, operators and digital marketing teams, and can be subscribed to on a monthly or annual basis, and is now available in all markets where Tripadvisor operates. The Importance of Responding Research shows that over 90% of diners say restaurant reviews matter when choosing a place to eat, showing how important it is to pay attention to what customers are saying online. Online reviews not only show the experiences of past customers, but also allow owners to show the best of a business to potential future customers looking for a place to eat. The IPSOS Mori Study, which polled over 23,000 diners worldwide, also showed that six out of ten (63%) respondents said they would be more likely to book if the owner responds to the majority of reviews. And when a restaurant owner leaves personalised responses to reviews, over three-quarters (77%) of respondents said they were more likely to book as a result. IPSOS Mori study Methodology The Power of Reviews project surveyed 23,292 Tripadvisor users across 12 markets (Australia, China, France, German-speaking, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States) between May and June 2019. The survey targeted users who had visited the site in the last 12 months. The sample is made up of Tripadvisor users who had opted into a survey panel and were invited to participate in the research via an email link directing them to an online survey platform. Ipsos MORI were involved in questionnaire design and data analysis. Results are weighted to represent the residency profile of Tripadvisor users across participating markets.

Create: Feb 9, 2020 Edit: Feb 9, 2020 International News

IHG debuts voco brand in Africa

nterContinental Hotels Group has signed voco™ The Bank, Rosebank in South Africa in partnership with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa. Last year, IHG announced the signing of a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa to roll out multiple franchise hotels over the next 10 years, across IHG’s portfolio of brands in midscale, upscale and luxury segments. This is the first signing under the MDA and adds to IHG’s growing pipeline in the Middle East and Africa whilst strengthens the growth of company’s new upscale brand, voco in the region. voco, combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The brand allows guests to enjoy an upscale experience with the freshness of a unique, independent hotel under a name they can trust. Since being launched globally just over a year ago, voco has enjoyed rapid growth with multiple signings across the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), and signing of voco The Bank, Rosebank marks the brand’s debut in the African continent. A new built property, voco The Bank, Rosebank, will open its doors to guests in 2020 and feature 131, well-designed rooms. Reflecting brand’s unstuffy service style, the hotel will welcome guests with little personal touches and offer a memorable stay experience. Located in Rosebank, a cosmopolitan commercial and residential suburb close to central Johannesburg, the hotel will provide easy access to all key business districts and directly links into the Rosebank Mall and pedestrian precinct, and is located at a convenient distance of 19kms from the city airport, (Gautrain Metro station is directly under the Hotel). The hotel will feature an expansive dining facility which will include a two-level restaurant, a lounge and bar. Catering to the needs of the corporate guests, the hotel will feature 3 meeting rooms, accommodating approximately 80 people. Speaking on the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said: “We are pleased to announce the first hotel under our agreement with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa and debut our newest upscale brand voco, in the African continent. Receiving immense interest from owners and partners, voco has gained tremendous momentum in the EMEAA region, and we are excited to be expanding the brand footprint further in the region. True to the brand promise, the new hotel will offer a unique hospitality experience to guests, and will cater to the increasing number of domestic and international travellers looking for quality branded accommodation in South Africa. He added: we look forward to signing more hotels under our agreement with our valued, long-term partner, Valor Hospitality Partners Africa and expand our offering across key markets in the continent.” Euan McGlashan, Global CEO and Founder of Valor Hospitality Partners added: “We are excited to announce our first hotel with IHG on the African continent. voco, IHG’s latest upscale brand is a unique offering and we have received significant interest from the owner community in Africa. In partnership with IHG, we look forward to developing this distinct hotel with an individual character, to welcome leisure and business guests visiting South Africa and offering them a dependable upscale experience. We are also confident that the hotel will benefit from the strength and scale of IHG’s global systems, best in class technology and capabilities and the world’s largest loyalty programme – IHG Rewards Club.”

Create: Feb 8, 2020 Edit: Feb 8, 2020 International News

Enabling the Service Experience - Chapter 2

Frontline Employee Training Technique 16 Ingrain the Ten Feet Rule; During new employee orientation, it must be emphasized to all new employees that they must greet guests whenever they pass within 10 feet of them. It is never acceptable to not greet a guest. If the guest is on his/her mobile phone then a smile, a nod, and a wave can serve as the greeting. Technique 17 Help Employees to Remember Guest Names; During new employee orientation, everyone should be provided with some tactics regarding how to remember repeat guests’ names. Technique 18 Offer Body Language Training; During new employee orientation, all new frontline asso- ciates should be provided training regarding how to manage their body language cues when interacting with guests. Such cues include items such as smiling, eye contact, hands in pockets, etc. Technique 19 Incorporate Surprise Stories in Shift Huddles; In every daily shift huddle, one associate should be ran- domly selected to tell the group how s/he positively surprised a guest in the past 48 hours. Technique 20 Incorporate Encounter Stories in Shift Huddles; What guest did you meet today? In every daily shift hud- dle, one associate should be randomly selected to name a guest s/he met and tell the group something about the guest such as where they are from, their family, etc. This practice in the huddle will encourage the staff to talk to the guests. Technique 21 Conduct a Core Value Rotation in Shift Huddles; Every hotel should have between 8–10 core values that define the organizational culture. At the end of each daily shift huddle, one of the core values should be discussed so that each one is covered in an 8–10 day rotation. Technique 22 Conduct a Core Value Rotation in Shift Huddles; Every hotel should have between 8–10 core values that define the organizational culture. At the end of each daily shift huddle, one of the core values should be discussed so that each one is covered in an 8–10 day rotation. Technique 23 Use Foreign Language Greetings When Appropriate; In hotel properties with an international clientele, the front desk agents should know greetings in various languages and use them when appropriate. Technique 24 Ingrain the Drama Metaphor; All associates should be taught that they are on-stage whenever a guest can see or hear him/her. Such on-stage behavior applies to associates regardless of whether or not they are clocked-in for work. In other words, a guest perceives a uniformed employee as a representative of the hotel whether the employee has begun his/her shift or not. Technique 25 Train the ‘Again’ Effect; If an associate recognizes a guest as being a repeat patron, but cannot recall his/her name, the associate should be trained to say ‘nice to see you again.’ Inserting the word ‘again’ helps strengthen the relationship between the guest and service provider. Technique 26 Express Gratitude to Guests; A guest must feel appreciated and cannot be thanked too much. Associates should be trained to thank them for their business throughout their stay: “Thank you for staying with us”, “Thank you for dining with us”, etc. Technique 27 Teach Proper Response to ‘Thank You’; All associates should be trained to reply with ‘thank you’ when a guest says ‘thank you’. Intense competition in the hotel sector mandates that guests feel appreciated for their business. Replies to ‘thank you’ such as ‘no problem’ do not communi- cate appreciation or leave a lasting impression. Technique 28 Set the Tone During the Reservation Process; When a guest makes a reservation via the hotel, it creates a great opportunity to get them excited about coming to the hotel. The tone of the reservationist’s voice is very important and has the opportunity to start the exceptional guest service before they even arrive at the hotel. Reservationists should be trained to speak with enthusiasm, so the guest will feel it too. This enthusiasm sets the tone for their stay. Technique 29 Smile While on the Telephone; A mirror should be hung in front of all hotel reserva- tionists and they should be trained to check their smiles in the mirror when conversing with potential guests. Smiling changes voice tone and inflection. Technique 30 Do Not Unnecessarily Disclose Overbooking; Reservationists should be trained never to tell guests that they are overbooked on a requested night. Simply stating that the hotel is full would suffice in the conversation. Overbook- ing is viewed by many consumers as an unethical and greedy practice. Technique 31 Use Hospitable Responses to ‘How are you?’; If an associate is asked by a guest ‘how are you?’ the asso- ciate should not respond that s/he is happy because s/he is ‘off tomorrow.’ Expressing happiness because of an upcoming separation from guests does not communicate a hospitable culture. Technique 32 Tell Jokes and Riddles to Children When Appropriate; All frontline associates should be instructed to learn at least one children’s riddle that can be told when children move through their areas accompanied by their parents. A basic Internet search reveals numerous websites listing children’s jokes and riddles. Technique 33 Use Strong Telephone Greetings; An associate’s name is important to a guest. All associates should be trained to state their names when they answer the telephones in their departments. Technique 34 Make Guests the First Priority; Who’s more important, the manager or the guest? The entire management team should understand that when an employee is engaged with a guest, the guest is most important. Likewise, some employees think that “Oh there is a manager, I better acknowledge him/her.” Both management and staff should be taught to focus on the guest first. Technique 35 Check Websites for Accuracy; During off-peak times, front desk associates should be trained to routinely check websites that describe the hotel for accuracy. Are the hours of operations correct for the various departments? Are the hotel’s features and amenities listed correctly? Technique 36 Learn the Language of Guest Segments Do you know who your guests are? If you are near a uni- versity, medical center, or in a leisure market—bring in “spe- cialists” to talk and train the hotel staff on what to say, ask and explain. These specialists normally will do it free of charge. The more knowledge your staff has, the easier it is to provide a more personalized style of service. Technique 37 Eliminate Hairs; All housekeepers should be trained that the most com- mon cleanliness problem in the guestroom experience is hair in the bathroom (on floor, tub, or vanity). Technique 38 Offer Luggage Assistance; All hotel staff should be trained to spot guests carrying bags and to tell the guests that they would like to help carry the items for them. If the guests decline, the service offered signals care and attention to detail. To be continue...

Create: Feb 1, 2020 Edit: Mar 31, 2020 Hotel Management

Occupancy Softens in London’s Hotels in Q4 2019, Says Hotel Market Tracker

Hotels in London saw RevPAR growth of 0.9% in Q4 2019, to £135.25 compared with the previous year, according to the latest UK Hotel Market Tracker: Q4 2019, produced by HVS London, AlixPartners and STR. Average occupancy for hotels in the capital dropped back slightly in the final quarter of the decade to 84.8%, although average room rates rose 1.9% to £159.53. The UK’s regional hotels saw RevPAR [rooms revenue per available room] fall in the quarter, down 2.7% to £50.73 and occupancy down marginally to 73.6%, while room rates fell by 2.1% to £68.94. “Softening occupancy will be a concern in London, particularly given the high number of hotels projects in the pipeline, although the fact room rates have risen by nearly 2% is encouraging,” commented HVS chairman Russell Kett. “Any improvement in yields will take longer to reach provincial hotels but they should start to see some change as we move through 2020. However, the active hotel pipeline, currently at 6% of supply outside London, will continue to prove challenging as it will in the capital.” With greater political certainty coming from the general election, transaction volumes in London saw an increase in Q4 to a value of £1.5bn, although transactions in the regions were down 38% to £2.2bn. The largest transaction in Q4 was the sale of the 211-room Fairmont St Andrews golf resort in Scotland to Great Century for a reported £135m. Moving forward investors are expected to be cautiously optimistic about a resurgence in transaction activity. “The recent UK election result and the ensuing Brexit decision is likely to make the UK more attractive to many investors,” commented HVS chairman Russell Kett. “This is likely to have a more immediate impact on transaction yields in London during 2020, although any improvement may be tempered by the pipeline of luxury hotels in inner London.”

Create: Jan 31, 2020 Edit: Jan 31, 2020 International News

NewcrestImage and Baywood Hotels Start Joint Venture Canopy by Hilton in Downtown New Orleans

Dallas-based NewcrestImage and Baywood Hotels, Inc., based in Columbia, Maryland, will begin historic renovation construction in early February of a 176-room, 14-floor Canopy by Hilton in downtown New Orleans. This joint venture launches the third hotel in New Orleans for NewcrestImage and the fourth hotel in Louisiana for Baywood. Canopy by Hilton New Orleans Downtown is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021 at 1100 Tulane Avenue in the heart of the Central Business District, immediately adjacent to the French Quarter. It will revive the former Oil and Gas Building, which originally opened in 1959 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 for its innovative use of glass, steel, and abstract geometry in a skyscraper. “We are a development company that is very much about preservation, conservation, and adaptive-reuse,” said Mehul Patel, Chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. “This new hotel will preserve the past and make it work for the present.” According to Patel, Canopy New Orleans Downtown will incorporate the stylish furnishings, latest technology, and elegant amenities of upscale brands – all offered with the feel of a lifestyle property that respectfully and creatively connects with the local community. Special features will include a fine dining concept restaurant and meeting space with a terrace balcony. Added Al Patel, President of Baywood Hotels, “We are combining the glamour of yesterday with the cool and comfortable of today. Our guests will enjoy a little bit of classic, a little bit of modern, and a whole lot of the neighborhood character.” “We can’t wait to open our doors in New Orleans,” said Gary Steffen, global head, Canopy by Hilton. “Our Canopy hotel will celebrate the city’s spirit and enable locals and visitors to enjoy its renowned food, architecture, entertainment and culture.” The property is located within walking distance of such attractions as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; the Audubon Aquarium; Harrah’s Casino; and two historic squares – Jackson and Lafayette. Also nearby is the warehouse and arts district, as well as a wide range of medical facilities, notably the Tulane Medical Center; the University Medical Center of New Orleans; and the LSU Health Center, including its School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Established in 1975, Baywood Hotels owns and operates a portfolio of more than $1 billion in hotel assets that includes more than 110 properties in 18 states and Gujarat, India.

Create: Jan 31, 2020 Edit: Jan 31, 2020 International News

Marriott International Signs Agreement to Bring Iconic St. Regis Brand to New Administrative Capital of Egypt With St. Regis Almasa

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) (www.Marriott.com) today announced that it has signed an agreement to open a St. Regis in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt, just outside of Cairo. In the second quarter of this year, The St. Regis Almasa is expected to occupy an existing luxury hotel at the entrance of the up-and-coming city that is slated to become the administrative and financial hub of Egypt. “We are delighted to be working with the National Authority for Management & Investment on this exceptional conversion opportunity to bring St. Regis to Egypt’s New Administrative Capital,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “This signing further enhances the St. Regis brand portfolio in Middle East and Africa and underscores the tremendous momentum that our luxury brands have in the region.” Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Waleed Samy Salama, CEO, National Authority for Management & Investment commented, “The National Authority for Management and Investment is pleased to start a relationship with Marriott International. The St. Regis Almasa will be positioned as the luxury hospitality hub in the New Administrative Capital and with the largest state-of-the-art convention center in Egypt, the hotel will be the ideal host to the country’s largest events, conferences and summits. We are confident that this deal signing will play a vital role in the development of tourism in Egypt.” Also present during the signing ceremony were General Mohamed Amin Ibrahim Nasr, Advisor to the President of Egypt for Financial Affairs and Liam Brown, Group President Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. With the population of greater Cairo expected to double in the next few decades, the government in Egypt announced plans to build the New Administrative Capital. Almasa Royal Palace, which the owner has operated for the past two years, is located adjacent to a 42,000-square-foot convention center that hosts official government conventions and events, as well as official foreign presidents’ visits. The hotel consists of 270 rooms, 90 suites, 60 apartments and 14 villas. Other facilities include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a gym, spa, club house and 20 food and beverage outlets. When it opens, The St. Regis Almasa is expected to encompass the hallmarks of the brand such as its rich traditions and rituals, and signature St. Regis Butler Service. Through a phased approach, areas across the hotel will undergo a refresh to deliver an on-brand experience in New Cairo whilst remaining open to guests.

Create: Jan 31, 2020 Edit: Jan 31, 2020 International News

Rosewood continues global growth with Rosewood Residences

A Life Without Reservations: As a new decade started upon Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the ultra-luxury hospitality company is intensely focused on the global expansion of its branded residential business, Rosewood Residences. With 15 existing residential projects globally and an additional 14 in the pipeline, Rosewood is intent on continuing to grow its residential business with a guest-centric approach, while staying true to the brand's A Sense of Place® philosophy. This strategy has been at the core of the brand's remarkable hotel growth and will remain central to the company's ascent as the preferred option in luxury living. Rosewood Residences occupy the most sought-after locations at select Rosewood Hotels & Resorts properties around the world. Perhaps the best-known precursor to today's branded residential lifestyle is The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, located on New York's Upper East Side. Conceived in the 1930s, few hotels have risen to global prominence like The Carlyle, which was known as the "New York White House" during the Kennedy era in the 1960s. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is building upon the success and heritage of its existing properties through the development of new hotels and residences across the globe. "Approximately 50 percent of Rosewood's pipeline properties have a residential component and we expect this ratio to increase over the coming years," said Karl Bieberach, chief development officer for Rosewood Hotel Group. "As we set off into a new decade, we are expanding our residential resources in order to better support our owners and developers in their sales and marketing processes while strengthening relationships with buyers of Rosewood-branded residences. We remain focused on delivering truly differentiated products for Rosewood Residences owners, who, by choosing to live a Rosewood-branded lifestyle, are among our biggest brand loyalists." A Residential Vision for a New Decade Rosewood Hotels & Resorts residential offerings include two main categories; for-sale residences and for-lease serviced apartments. The brand's unrivalled design ethos and genuine residential style offer a unique opportunity to enhance the way affluential explorers live, by making a larger array of residential offerings available, regardless of category. In addition to residential components within mixed-use hotel projects, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts plans to embark on stand-alone residences. "We are excited to continue the growth and development of Rosewood Residences, a sector of the brand beloved by our most loyal Rosewood guests," said Irene Hoek, vice president of global residential development for Rosewood Hotel Group. "Within each ultra-luxury Rosewood Residence, the unique culture of the dynamic locale is embraced and showcased from start to finish. This model will continue to be at the forefront of all future developments we lead across the globe." A Life Without Reservations Whether clients rent or own a Rosewood-branded residence, living the Rosewood lifestyle comes with perks and benefits that are unmatched in hospitality. Aside from a myriad of luxury amenities and the highest level of security, the Rosewood lifestyle unlocks the opportunity to savour more of life's precious moments. From taking care of party planning, running errands, organizing social agendas and home repairs, the qualified team at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will oversee the residences' needs. Complementing the brand's renowned, intuitive service and recognizing the most loyal owners, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has launched Rosewood Reserve, an exclusive program available to residence owners, offering advantages and benefits at all properties across the globe. Benefits of Rosewood Reserve include preferred rates on rooms, food and beverage and spa, room upgrades, and additional VIP courtesies including access to a global concierge to assist with all travel-related requests. Rosewood Residences span a collection of unique properties in dynamic cities with for-sale residences and serviced apartments such as at Rosewood Abu Dhabi, as well as within quiet vacation destinations like Tuscany, Italy at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is enhancing the portfolio with the development of residences around the world.

Create: Jan 31, 2020 Edit: Jan 31, 2020 International News

‘Country-size guesthouse of Iran wholeheartedly ready to receive tourists’

Iran’s tourism minister on Saturday issued a statement, inviting all travelers and holidaymakers to visit the ancient land, saying that the country-size guesthouse is wholeheartedly ready to receive tourists from around the world. Ali-Asghar Mounesan emphasized that the Iranian government is trying its best to host incoming tourists by improving tourism infrastructure, offering attractive and pocket-friendly packages, as well as incentives such as visa waivers or 90-day visas on arrival. Mounesan’s statement comes weeks after the country’s tourism suffered losses in the wake of recent tensions in the region by mistakenly downing of a Ukrainian airliner, with 176 people aboard, by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) air defense system in Tehran airspace. “Nowadays, the world is even more involved in fast and surprising upheavals and ups and downs as a result of unprecedented progress in technology and industry. As such, the modern human is also influenced by the urban, mechanical life and his soul needs some refinement and relief,” the statement reads. “In such a situation, only travel and tourism can give us relief, joy, and sympathy and provide us with unforgettable experiences and memorable coexistence. In fact, tourism can be thought of as a familial or friendly gathering, the pivotal contents of which are kindness, cooperation, and synergy. In this chaotic era, tourists are like a delightful breeze endearing our souls and uniting all the people from around the world, regardless of their race, country, language, and beliefs.” Referring to the advantages of visiting the country, the minister explained, “With a deep and practical faith in this attitude, the Iranian government is trying its best to pave the way for incoming tourists and this is why there is a significant growth in tourism infrastructure in our country. In this regard, some incentives such as visa waiver, 90-day visa on arrival, standard residence services, attractive tourism routes and packages, and cheapest and most secure tours to Iran along with the last international tourism standards have enabled us to experience a 53% growth in our inbound tourism, winning the first place in the world in this regard. In addition, when it comes to the prices, Iran has the most competitive prices for tourism in the world and has emerged as a new phenomenon in the world of tourism, attracting the attention of many countries.” “Even if we disregard all that has been said, the unique tourist attractions of Iran are a good reason to have a journey to the land of history, civilization, and nature. With 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 34,000 nationally registered heritage sites and 600 active museums, Iran has a huge capacity to receive international tourists. In addition, high security, cheap tours, premium travel facilities, hospitable people, numerous historic and natural treasures, unique ecotourism facilities, diverse tourism packages (historic-cultural tourism, sport tourism, marine tourism, food tourism, medical tourism, etc.), interesting rituals, and diverse handicrafts and traditional arts provide enough reasons to visit Iran.” Pointing to unique and unparalleled beauties of Iran, Mounesan said, “The rich history and civilization of this land, the numerous and spectacular tourist attractions, four-season weather, and high cultural and ethnic diversity have made an invaluable treasure of Iran and put this country in the top 10 tourist destinations in terms of tourism, cultural and natural attractions. Astonishing mountains, breathtaking glaciers, beautiful volcanos, pristine forests, green foothills, delightful lakes, springs and waterfalls, picturesque beaches and wonderful islands, historical sites and distinct architecture, globally registered cities and villages, diverse and colorful handicrafts, delicious traditional cuisine and organic, healing drinks, etc. are only a small part of the beauties you can visit while staying in Iran.” “With such advantages, each day the beautiful and safe cities of Iran are hosting thousands of tourists from different countries, having enjoyed the unique experience, most of whom decide to return and bring new fellow travelers with them.” “Hereby I invite all the tourists from around the world to visit Iran during these last months of the Persian year, as well as the spring, and experience a distinct journey to the land of history and civilization,” the minister concluded. Mounesan said earlier this month that the country’s tourism sector has suffered a major setback but it will certainly return to “normal”. On Thursday, he unveiled an action plan, aiming to increase and improve [international] interactions for introducing Iran and clarifying its safety conditions to the target countries. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Jan 26, 2020 Edit: Jan 27, 2020 Regional News

Simple Steps Hotels Can Take for Climate Consciousness

Unarguably, the climate has noticeably changed in recent years. Weather patterns are more erratic and less predictable. Along the eastern side of North America, this currently means less snow. But for other places, like Australia, the perilousness of the situation may result in swift corrective legislation. Despite any rhetoric or debate, the fact is that every hotelier needs to recognize that being a good corporate citizen means doing your part. At all costs, you want to avoid being labeled a violator of our planet’s ecosystem, especially when there are many simple yet visible steps that you can take to reduce both your carbon and plastic footprint. I’ve arranged the following checklist in order starting with those items that have the least cost or minimal disruption to your operations. Importantly, I am not advocating that you in any way ‘badge’ these activities as doing your share, as there is always more that we all can do. 1. As a very basic requirement, separate guestroom waste into trash and recyclable materials. Many properties I’ve visited still do not consider this worthwhile. 2. Importantly, if it is separated by the guest, it is a real faux pas to have your housekeepers combine the trash on their laundry carts. 3. If you have not already eliminated plastic straws, shame on you! While paper straws are less elegant and arguably a less efficacious substitute, the simple fact is that plastic straws are no longer acceptable. 4. Eliminate plastic drink swizzle sticks. There are alternates here made of bamboo and wood. Yes, they cost a little more. But you’ve gone through the process of eliminating plastic straws, so why would you not go that extra step? 5. Replacing plastic water bottles with glass or recyclable aluminum cans. The single use plastic bottle should be outlawed. But with manufacturers pumping out a million plastic water and soft drink bottles a minute – albeit with many producers now using a large share of recycled plastic in the process – recognize this as being more of a symbolic gesture because plastic is a visible and emotional enemy of environmental health. 6. Plastic laundry bags? I know they are not used by most guests, but while you’re expunging your property of plastic waste, consider a move to cotton bags or even paper. There’s a marketing opportunity here when the bags are attractive and reusable. 7. All other forms of plastic in the restaurant should also be on the chopping block. If you give out plastic cutlery or utilize plastic wrappers, there are alternatives available. Moreover, any made from Styrofoam needs to be looped into this conversation. 8. Single use plastic shampoo, conditioner and body gel bottles are clearly sending the wrong message. Many different dispenser systems are readily available, with the one-time dispenser expense easily offset by bulk amenity purchases. 9. A countertop liquid soap pump dispenser in guest washrooms is a way of reducing waste through the elimination of soap bars and their often-plastic wrappers. Again, there are some very alluring units that can be purchased. 10. In-room coffee Keurig and Nespresso both offer complementary recycling programs for their used coffee dispensers. Reach out and learn how to make this happen. 11. Smart thermostats that switch down heat and air conditioning when the room is not occupied can pay for themselves through effective power savings. 12. In Europe, it is not unusual to require guests to insert their key cards into a slot that activates the lights in their room. Not recommended for a retrofit due to cost, but if you’re planning a major renovation or added rooms, this should be considered. 13. Motion detectors that activate indoor garage lighting are logical, while using the same strategy for hallways is probably not a great approach! 14. If you have a courtesy corporate car, consider an electric vehicle, or at a minimum a hybrid. Although likely more expensive than any gas-guzzling counterpart, it’s the statement you are making that’s vital. 15. Make sure all of your air conditioning and refrigeration units operate on HFC-134a instead of freon which is known to damage the ozone layer. Or if you must, make sure that the freon is properly disposed. 16. Lastly, for those of you still operating any lighting that is not LED, it’s time to finally pull yourself out of the 20th century.

Create: Jan 26, 2020 Edit: Jan 26, 2020 International News