News


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JA RESORTS & HOTELS HEADS FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS


Fresh from revamping JA Hatta Fort Hotel in Oman, JA Resorts & Hotels is promoting the eclec- tic activities on offer at its properties in the region. Having first opened in 1981, JA Hatta Fort


Hotel offers a range of exciting activities, as well as being a peaceful retreat in the Hajar Mountains. David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at


JA Resorts & Hotels, said: “We’ve been working closely with local partners to offer our guests immersive outdoor adventures like kayaking at


the Hatta Dam and biking through the mountains. These types of activities are reflected in the global rise in both experiential and sports tourism.” Thomson added that, with international


sports tourism worth an estimated US$700 billion (AED2.57 trillion), JA Resorts & Hotels has staked a claim in the segment – pointing to the JA Centre of Excellence warm weather training facility at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai. He said: “The JA Centre of Excellence train-


ing facility, which offers three fully floodlit inter- national-sized football pitches, has hosted top European football clubs. JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort also caters to local triathlons and golf champion- ships, as well as teaching sports such as tennis.” JA Resorts & Hotels has also seen an increase


in group travel, and specifically extended families. “We are seeing a continuous rise in family


travel. Family-friendly experiences are embed- ded in our DNA,” added Thomson. ——— Visit stand HC0400


GULF PASSENGER BOOST FOR TURKISH AIRLINES


Turkish Airlines is expanding its reach amid growth in the number of inbound tourists to Turkey from the Middle East. According to the Ministry of Culture and


Tourism in Turkey, visitors from GCC nations in 2016 increased by 10.5 percent compared to the previous year, with the biggest boost coming from Saudi Arabian travellers at 18 percent. The second largest growth in tourist numbers was from the UAE to Turkey, with an increase of 14 percent. M. İlker Aycı, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the


Board and the Executive Committee, said: “2016 has been a successful year for Turkish Airlines in terms of our global fleet and network expansion as we continue to build momentum.


“Our network expansion has also been a


pivotal step in supporting increasing customer demand in all our markets, including the UAE and the wider GCC. “Through new and innovative features, as well


as having a growing fleet, our aim is to provide customers with the best possible options, both in terms of new destinations and innovative prod- ucts and services.” The carrier has experienced growth in both


its destination and fleet numbers. Its tally of inter- national and domestic destinations has reached 299 cities, up from 283 last year, while the fleet has grown from 306 to 339 in the same period. ——— Visit stand EU8130


SWISS RESORT EYES MICE POTENTIAL


Newly opened for functions and events, The Palace Hotel now offers the largest meetings facility in central Switzerland. The hotel is part of the Bürgenstock Resort


Lake Lucerne, a car-free environment featuring four hotels and a wide range of facilities, includ- ing an Alpine spa, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course and 12 restaurants. When the entire resort is complete, the new meetings space will offer 2,200 square metres


of space across 31 venues capable of accommo- dating up to 800 attendees. “In developing our strategic vision for the


Bürgenstock Resort, the MICE segment was one of our five pillars,” said Bruno Schöpfer, the resort’s Managing Director. “With a year-round resort, we knew it was


vital to have that important business, and we developed our concept with meetings and events in mind,” he explained. A four-star property, The Palace Hotel


features expansive meeting and event facilities, including spacious foyers, terraces and elegantly- appointed rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that take in stunning views of Lake Lucerne. The Salle Palace room and its adjoining foyer are ideally suited to large-scale events and wedding receptions, while the nine breakout rooms, two function rooms, boardroom and lounge are all equipped with the latest technologies. In September, Bürgenstock Hotel will open


its doors, offering five-star accommodation and a 1,500-square metre piazza for outdoor events. This will be followed by the launch of the


Waldhotel Healthy Living at the end of the year, a five-star holistic property featuring spa services and medical facilities, including physical therapy and wellness programmes. ——— Visit stand EU7010


A NEW DIGITAL GATEWAY TO AUSTRALIA


JC Travel Professionals (JCTP) has simplified arranging trips to Australia with a new portal, and during the show the firm is highlighting their new booking platform’s benefits. The inbound tour operator, which has offices


in Sydney, the Gold Coast and Auckland, has a strong background in catering to Gulf and Middle Eastern travellers–from families and honeymoon- ers to ministers and royal families. Freddy Mikhael, JCTP Owner and Manag- ing Director, said: “We’ve made it even easier


for our partners in the GCC to arrange travel for their clients.” He added: “Australia is known for iconic land-


marks and unique wildlife, but travellers tend to know little about events that make trips even more memorable. That’s where we come in. “For example, the Gold Coast 2018 Common-


wealth Games is going to combine world-class athleticism with remarkable scenic adventures.” ——— Visit stand AS2410


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