DIFC Unveils The Exchange Building

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The Exchange building, the latest addition to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Gate Village was completed in March to bring a total leasable area of 147,000 sq. ft, of which 114,000 sq. ft. is office space and 33,000 sq. ft. is retail space. The AED 180 million development is a Ground + 8 storey building that comprises 5 basement levels, bespoke modern and efficient office space, a new conference centre, as well as ‘The Exchange Square’, a landscaped piazza, serving as an extension of the existing Gate Village podium. 84% of The Exchange building has been leased, with Nasdaq Dubai, a long-standing client of the Centre, being the first occupant. DIFC continues to develop its world-class infrastructure to meet the requirements of its growing community and retain its reputation for providing the most attractive, sought after business environment in Dubai.

The “Extraordinary Voyages Prize” honours five ambitious projects

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Fondation Lombard Odier awarded the Extraordinary Voyages Prize at Lausanne’s Théâtre de Vidy to seven female students. These seven young women have been honoured with the opportunity to embark on five outstanding and ambitious travel projects. The trips will cover all corners of the earth, ranging from the Mekong to Iran. “I am happy to say that in presenting the projects of these women from French-speaking Switzerland, the Extraordinary Voyages Prize has fully achieved the objectives that Fondation Lombard Odier set itself when it launched eighteen years ago. The ambition and desire to witness and be enriched by what makes others different can leave no one unmoved”, says Patrick Odier, President of Fondation Lombard Odier. On Wednesday 16 May, at the Théâtre Vidy in Lausanne, the 19th Extraordinary Voyages Prize was awarded to seven female students from French-speaking Switzerland. The students came from different Genevan colleges, displaying very different but equally ambitious projects. From a celebration of leisure in Japan in the footsteps of an artist, to a rediscovery of poetry in Iran, and a perspective of the status of women at the world’s highest-lying regions in China and Tibet; there’s no doubt that these journeys will be extraordinary. The winners inspired enthusiasm in the jury who, this year, had to evaluate 24 submissions by 35 candidates from Geneva, Jura and Fribourg. Created in the year 2000 to celebrate Lombard Odier’s bicentenary, and open to all young people from French-speaking Switzerland in their last year of school, the Extraordinary Voyages Prize has enabled 95 young people to make their dreams come true and share their experiences with the general public, through the Prize’s own website or through other media. There are five grants awarded ranging from CHF 2,500 to CHF 6,500 for the 2018 prizewinners:

5th prize: Matilde Ravano – “Engraving Japan on the go”

Fascinated by the precision and possibilities of engraving, as well as its richness and history, Matilde Ravano from Collège Claparède has decided to travel to Japan. Matilde hopes to follow in the footsteps of Hiroshige, and discover his works and landscapes. Undertaking this journey will also enable her to “physically” reproduce a work of art that is inspired by her travels. That is why Mathilde wants to journey by foot, bike or bus, which will enable her to develop a new style, in a leisurely way.

4th prize: Mauranne Falise – “Rooted in the future”

Mauranne Falise, from Collège Sismondi, has decided to visit six European cities (Freiburg im Breisgau, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Reykjavik) famous for their sustainable development endeavours. She will contact at least one local business or association in each city that promotes sustainable, innovative or fair values. She will spend a month with each of them, doing voluntary work and finding out how they operate, their ideas and, above all, getting to know the men and woman who are part of these change-making companies.

3rd prize: Apolline Dufeil – “Down the Mekong and into my dreams”

Apolline Dufeil, from Collège Claparède, will travel through three Asian countries – Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. She will travel by boat, along the Mekong, so that her work will capture memories made along the water. Afterwards, she will intertwine her artistic notebooks to capture the complexity of the people she will meet and of her dreams. The notebooks are a reminder of the fact that everyone has the right to dream. Every aspect of this work of art will showcase a part of her journey.

2nd prize: Rayane Chraiti and Philippine Coutau – “The way of poetry”

Inspired by Amin Maalouf’s book “Samarkand”, Rayane Chraiti and Philippine Coutau, from Collège Claparède in Geneva, have decided to travel to Iran and Uzbekistan, to discover these countries through poetry. They will travel by bicycle to enjoy the countryside and reduce their environmental footprint. They will create an anthology of poems from different sources and eras, illustrated by memories of the journey. Rayane and Philippine will keep artistic and writing journals.

1st prize: Chloé Bazin and Paola Arizzi – “In search of matriarchal societies on the roof of the world”

Chloé Bazin and Paola Arizzi, students at Collège Calvin in Geneva, want to meet matriarchal societies in China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and in Tibet. They will travel mainly by foot, train, bus and bicycle to meet people from different areas, in different ethnic groups, who follow different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In these three areas, the status of women greatly differs. Inspired by Nicolas Bouvier and Ella Maillart, they will endeavour to record their trip using photography, drawings and stories. The 2019 Prize will be opened to applicants in the autumn. Further information is available on the website here www.prixdesvoyagesextraordinaires.ch

The QE2 Launches Exclusive UAE Residents Offer

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Experience the legend of the QE2 during its summer soft-opening phase and take advantage of this exclusive offer for UAE residents – ahead of the October grand launch. Valid until 30 September 2018(excluding public holidays), the package includes 15% off the best flexible rate online, complimentary buffet breakfast for two, an upgrade to a higher room category and 25% off food and beverage throughout the stay. On September 20 1967, Queen Elizabeth named the QE2 after her mother in the company of Prince Phillip and 30,000 spectators arrived at John Brown’s shipyard on Clydebank in Scotland. On 2 May 1969, she made her maiden transatlantic voyage. In her lifetime, the QE2 would complete 1,400 voyages, sail some 6 million nautical miles and play gracious host to almost 2.5 million passengers. She would complete 25 tours around the world and, after 39 years, retire in 2008 to join Dubai as a prized and prestigious attraction.

IHG® makes major reinvestment in Burton upon Trent

As part of a major reinvestment, IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies known for its popular brands such as Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, is creating over 70 jobs and refurbishing 60,000 square feet of office space at its three-storey corporate facilities in Branston, Burton upon Trent.  Working alongside IHG’s existing Branston-based talent, many of the recruits will form part of the hotel group’s newly created Finance Centre of Excellence. Due to go into full operation later this year, the Finance Centre of Excellence will be a centrally located corporate support hub. It will provide financial insight and analytics expertise to IHG’s wider business, which covers its regional headquarters and nearly 5,400 hotels in almost 100 countries.

John Evans, Head of Finance Transformation, IHG, commented: “At IHG we put huge effort into making our business a great place to work. We looked at several potential locations for our new Finance Centre of Excellence, including outside of the UK, however our existing Branston site won hands down. We have a long history here and experienced talent in place, as well as a great location, strong local labour market and excellent transport links. As an organisation, we’ve laid out ambitious growth plans and our recruitment campaign and reinvestment in the facilities here will create a real hub for finance talent in Burton.”

Work is already underway to completely modernise the office space. The interior of the building has been re-designed to create new workspace and recreation areas, which include state-of-the-art technology, new coffee shop, restaurant and gym. IHG’s newest recruits will be joining 100 colleagues currently based at the site. IHG traces its origins back to 1777 when William Bass first opened a brewery in Branston. The business later transformed from a domestic brewer into a global hospitality company. IHG has been accredited as a Top Employer for corporate employees in the UK for four consecutive years, in recognition of its exceptional employee environments, with a focus on nurturing and developing talent across the organisation.

Boeing Business Jets Grows Order Book With New Sales

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Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) [NYSE:BA] have won four new orders in 2018 as elite customers continue to favor Boeing’s portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes, the company announced today at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE). The new orders this year follow an impressive 2017 in which customers purchased 16 Boeing Business Jets. “We continue to see a lot of customer interest in Boeing’s family of business jets and that is translating into new orders and a growing backlog,” said Greg Laxton, leader of Boeing Business Jets. “Customers seek more space and greater range, which is driving significant growth in the large cabin segment.” Two of the new orders this year are for the BBJ MAX airplane, adding to a backlog of 19 airplanes and making the BBJ MAX one of the selling business jetliners in history. Based on the new 737 MAX airplane, the BBJ MAX delivers 14 percent better fuel efficiency thanks to advanced engines and improved aerodynamics. The model also features 787-style flight deck displays and multiple advanced new systems. The BBJ MAX family offers customers more range, comfort, and space than any business jet in its class. The jet is capable of flying 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) and features a lower cabin altitude, and bespoke interiors to match any preference. “The performance advantage of the BBJ MAX is a big sales driver,” said Laxton. “The airplane is perfectly suited for discerning customers who want to fly further without stopping.” Boeing celebrated the first BBJ MAX 8 flyaway in April 2018. Additional deliveries of BBJ MAX airplanes are expected in the coming months. About Boeing Business Jets Boeing Business Jets offers a portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes that are perfectly suited for private, charter, corporate and head-of-state operations. The product line includes the BBJ MAX family and high performance versions of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, 777, and 747-8. Since its launch in 1996, Boeing Business Jets has delivered 233 jets on 259 orders. The BBJ Demonstrator, Boeing’s Next-Generation 737-700 based business jet, is a winner of the industry leading 2018 International Yacht and Aviation Award in a prestigious Interior Design and Completion category. For more information, visit: www.boeing.com/bbj Contact: Keelan Morris Boeing Business Jets Communication keelan.j.morris@boeing.com +44 77 9882 8790 Dmitry Krol Boeing Business Jets Communications Dmitry.krol@boeing.com +1206 661 2903

HILTON COMMITS TO CUTTING ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT IN HALF AND DOUBLING SOCIAL IMPACT INVESTMENT

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Hilton today announced it will cut its environmental footprint in half and double its social impact investment by 2030. With this commitment, Hilton will become the first major hotel company to institute science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions and send zero soap to landfill. The company will also double the amount it spends with local and minority-owned suppliers, and double its investment in programs to help women and youth around the world. These goals are part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose corporate responsibility strategy to further the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. New consumer research reaffirms Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy. According to a survey of 72,000 Hilton guests, social, environmental and ethical considerations are central to their buying preferences, especially those younger than 25 years old. The six-day survey was conducted in May 2018 and asked travelers if they research a hotel company’s environmental and social efforts. It discovered:
  • 33% actively seek this information before booking – of those, 60% conduct research even if the information is not easily accessible
    • 44% under the age of 25 actively seek this information
    • 36% of leisure travelers actively seek this information, compared to 29% of business travelers
  • Female travelers (39%) are more likely to actively seek this information before booking than male travelers (29%)
  • Guests staying in Central/South America (46%), the Middle East/Africa (45%), Asia Pacific (41%) and mainland Europe (35%) are more likely to seek this information before booking
“For nearly 100 years, Hilton has been driven by our mission to have a positive impact on the communities surrounding our hotels,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton, and Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council. “In this Golden Age of Travel, we are taking a leadership role to ensure that the destinations where travelers work, relax, learn and explore are vibrant and resilient for generations of adventurers yet to come.” In April, Nassetta joined Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to engage travel and tourism industry leaders in a “common agenda” to take action on climate change, implement the Paris Climate Agreement and adopt science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions. Hilton’s new 2030 Goals include the following environmental and social targets: Cut Environmental Impact in Half to Help Protect the Planet
  • Reduce carbon emissions by 61%, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
  • Reduce water consumption and produced waste by 50%
  • Remove plastic straws from managed properties
  • Sustainably source meat, poultry, produce, seafood and cotton
  • Expand existing soap recycling program to all hotels and send zero soap to landfill
Double Social Investment and Drive Positive Change in Communities
  • Double the amount spent with local, small and minority-owned suppliers
  • Double investment in opportunity programs for women and youth, including partnering with local organizations and schools
  • Contribute 10 million volunteer hours through Team Member initiatives
  • Double monetary support for natural disaster relief efforts
  • Advance Human Rights capabilities in Hilton’s value chain to eradicate forced labor and trafficking
Hilton is already an environmental leader in the industry. Since 2008, the company has reduced carbon emissions and waste by 30% and energy and water consumption by 20%, saving more than $1 billion in operating efficiencies. LightStay, an award-winning performance measurement system calculates, analyzes and reports the environmental impact at each of Hilton’s more than 5,300 hotels. Hilton will use LightStay to track its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 61% across its portfolio by 2030. “The World Tourism Organization commends Hilton’s focus on sustainability, which is in line with our overall commitment as the UN’s agency that is dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism for development worldwide,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). “Hilton has been our partner in this endeavor, raising awareness among customers with examples of best practices for the hospitality industry.” “Companies play an integral role in solving our climate crisis,” said Sheila Bonini, Senior Vice President, Private Sector Engagement, World Wildlife Fund. “By committing to significant intensity emissions reductions based on science, Hilton is setting in motion a plan that will have ripple effects across the hospitality industry while providing more sustainable options for travelers. Click here to learn more about Travel with Purpose and the 2030 Goals. About Travel with Purpose Travel with Purpose is Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy to redefine and advance sustainable travel globally. By 2030, we plan to double our social impact and reduce our environmental footprint in half. We track, analyze and report our environmental and social impact at each of Hilton’s 5,300 hotels through LightStay, our award-winning performance measurement system. Travel with Purpose capitalizes on Hilton’s global scale to catalyze local economic growth; promote human rights; invest in people and local communities and preserve our planet by reducing our impact on natural resources. Our strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals. Visit cr.hilton.com to learn more. Contact: Natalie Godwin Corporate Communications + 1 703 883 6085 natalie.godwin@hilton.com
ABOUT HILTONHilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising more than 5,300 properties with more than 863,000 rooms, in 106 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time. The company’s portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. 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 exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else, and free standard Wi-Fi. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information and connect with Hilton on FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.

THE HYATT REGENCY BRAND ENTERS THE HOLY CITY OF AMRITSAR

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 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the rebranding of the Hyatt Amritsar into a Hyatt Regency hotel. Hyatt Regency Amritsar is the 11th Hyatt Regency property in India and joins a strong network of more than 180 Hyatt Regency properties worldwide. Located on Grand Trunk Road, Hyatt Regency Amritsar is the closest upper upscale hotel to the magnificent Golden Temple. The hotel is conveniently located within three miles of the Golden Temple and a mere 25-minute drive from the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International airport. Offering an experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips, Hyatt Regency Amritsar also delivers a full range of intuitive services and amenities, including notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; the space to work, engage or relax; and expert planners who can take care of every detail. “We are excited to bring the Hyatt Regency experience to Amritsar,” said Sunjae Sharma, vice president- operations, Hyatt, India. “This transition reflects our continuous effort to do what we do best – providing local knowledge and connecting guests to what matters most; all within the close vicinity of the iconic Golden Temple.” The hotel offers 248 comfortable and modern guest rooms, inclusive of suites and Regency Club rooms, with an indoor and outdoor area of more than 11,000 square feet, a spa, a swimming pool and a vitality pool. All rooms feature a bay window providing a view of either the pool or the picturesque cityscape. “The Hyatt Regency brand is loved by our guests in India and across the world and with its rich culture, heritage, cuisine and history, Amritsar has always been a city of significant interest for tourists,” added Sharma. “We believe the city of Amritsar and our guests from across the world will love the Hyatt Regency Amritsar experience.” Several intriguing dining experiences within the hotel include Punjab Province, a North Indian bistro offering authentic, signature experiences and fabled street food from the highways of Punjab. Scotch Haus offers a range of beverages from premium scotch and single malts to innovative cocktail mixes, coupled with an enthralling ambience of live music and a DJ, making for the best lounging experience in town. Tarteriaoffers a wide selection of homemade confectioneries and pastries, catering to guests looking for cakes and other baked items. Hyatt Regency Amritsar offers banquet facilities with best-in-class technologies accommodating up to 500 guests. The ballroom, Istana, can be divided into two sections with a dedicated pre-function space and exclusive entrance, making the hotel a perfect destination for both leisure and business travelers and small or large-scale group events. The White Box is a versatile space for intimate social occasions such as family get-togethers, private parties, and celebrations. Ideal for weddings and celebrations, the hotel also has an expert team of in-house wedding planners to create tailored memorable experiences. With a wide range of options such as yoga, Ayurveda and exotic western therapies, the hotel offers a modern well-being experience with landscaped outdoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, gymnasium and a spa to help rejuvenate guests. Hyatt Regency Amritsar has something to offer to all business and leisure travelers, as it is within close proximity of historical and cultural sites including the Golden Temple, Wagah Border, the War & Partition Museum, the bustling shopping streets of Amritsar, and provides the ideal retreat to relax after a long day of sightseeing or working in this leading business center. For more information about Hyatt Regency Amritsar or to make a reservation, please visit www.hyattregencyamritsar.com
About Hyatt Regency The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on connecting travelers to who and what matters most to them. More than 180 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in over 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient business meetings to memorable family vacations. The brand offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips. Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; and expert event planners who can take care of every detail. For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow @HyattRegency on FacebookTwitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #AtHyattRegency. About Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 14 premier brands. As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s portfolio included more than 700 properties in more than 50 countries across six continents. The Company’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company’s subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Andaz®, Hyatt Centric®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt ZilaraHyatt Residence Club® and exhale® brand names. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com. MEDIA CONTACTS: Simone Loretan Hyatt International (Europe Africa Middle East) LLC +41 79 920 12 18 simone.loretan@hyatt.com Gloria Kennett Hyatt 312-780-5506 gloria.kennett@hyatt.com

IHG announces opening of Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace

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IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies has today announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace in partnership with DUR Hospitality. The 304-room hotel adds to the growing portfolio of IHG hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace is strategically located in the Ministries Quarter, a popular business district that is close to major Saudi financial institutions and Government offices. The hotel is conveniently located 15 minutes from King Fahd Stadium and the King Fahd Cultural Centre, and is less than 30 minutes’ drive from King Khalid International Airport, making it easily accessible for visitors to the city. Productivity and rejuvenation go hand in hand at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace, which is redefining the business travel experience and offering a comprehensive range of facilities to meet the needs of corporate and MICE travelers. For those in town on business, the hotel features five meeting rooms spanning 1,400 sqm and a dedicated team to execute seamless events. With free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel, the guests can stay connected to their business or home. Additionally, the 24-hour business center is fully equipped with the latest technology and amenities, providing a great working space to the hotel guests. During downtime, guests can enjoy the hotel’s outdoor pool, Club Lounge or rejuvenate and relax at the spa. The guests staying at the hotel can keep their workouts on track at the well-equipped fitness centre. At the end of a busy day, guests can sleep better with help of the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage System, which includes a relaxing aromatherapy kit and ultra-soft premium bedding, so that they are more alert, productive and energized the next day. Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace offers exceptional dining options, including 24-hour room service, to guests staying at the hotel for business or leisure. Guests can enjoy an array of delectable food options at the poolside restaurant, while soaking up the sun or spend time at the lobby lounge for a casual business meeting or relaxing with friends over afternoon tea.

Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of the Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace. Tourism is an integral part of Vision 2030 as the country endeavours to attract more foreign visitors as part of the economic diversification strategy. As a result, the hospitality landscape is developing at an astonishing pace and we are keen to take advantage of this massive opportunity. We are delighted to be working with a reputed industry player such as Dur Hospitality and look forward to extending true hospitality to our guests staying at Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace.”

Hassan Ahdab, President of Hotel Operations Dur Hospitality added:  “We are proud to build on our existing partnerships with IHG, who clearly understand the Saudi market and have a proven track record of success here. This opening demonstrates our shared confidence in the future growth of the Saudi tourism sector and we have no doubt that Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace will add significant value to the city’s hospitality offering.”

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Announces First Female Chinese Global Explorer

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The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Golden Horse Award Winning Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu as the newest Global Explorer in China.  As the first female Chinese Global Explorer appointed by the brand, Zhou joins other well-known tastemakers from around the globe including designer, producer and actor Waris Ahluwalia, supermodel, photographer and creative director Helena Christensen, designer Margherita Maccapani Missoni, and graphic designer and creative director Sofia Sanchez de Betak. As one of the most well-respected actresses in China, Zhou Dongyu’s naturally graceful composure has won her critical acclaim in film and with Chinese audiences in a variety of roles including the girl-next-door Jingqiu in Under the Hawthorn Tree and the rebellious heroine Ansheng in Soul Mate, winning her the prestigious Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress. As an ambassador for The Luxury Collection, Zhou traveled to Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto to shoot a video for the brand, sharing her thoughts on travel and how exploring different indigenous cultures impacts her personal life as an actress. Through her role as a Global Explorer, Zhou will continue to share a fresh and unique Chinese perspective on the brand’s captivating destinations when she travels to locales in China and Europe later this year. Her personal insights and travel tips will be compiled into a travel journal, exlusively available to The Luxury Collection hotel guests around the world. “Appointing our first Chinese female Global Explorer underscores the importance of the Chinese market to us, and this partnership with Zhou Dongyu marks our effort to enhance the brand’s image among the next generation of Chinese travelers. Zhou shares our passion for seeking quintessential travel experiences that showcase the true spirit of a destination, and we are excited to be collaborating with her,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “I frequently travel for my job and prefer hotels with distinct nature and style that inspire me while I’m working,” said Zhou Dongyu, “Every Luxury Collection hotel tells a story that is inextricably linked to its destination which allows guests to become even better connected with the city they’re in. I’m so excited to be a part of the Global Explorer program!” The Luxury Collection’s Global Explorer program celebrates the vibrancy of the world’s most enchanting destinations through the eyes of leading cultural voices. Representing a broad selection of creative endeavors, these personalities are united by a deep understanding of world cultures, while identifying travel experiences in their own personal way. The brand recently debuted the launch of its second collaboration with Global Explorer Sofia Sanchez de Betak – a capsule collection of dresses, jackets and kimonos inspired by her travels with The Luxury Collection in Japan. The Luxury Collection is dedicated to helping travelers from all over the world to embark on extraordinary journeys and one-of-a-kind experiences. “The Luxury Collection is continuously seeking global explorers who want to engage in visual storytelling that helps to showcase what makes each destination in the portfolio so unique. Today’s global luxury traveler defies traditional stereotypes, moving far beyond the notion of ‘time’ being the ultimate luxury. The next generation of Chinese guests are seeking international experiences and advice from travelers who truly understand and personify experiential luxury,” said Bruce Ryde, Asia-Pacific Vice-President for Luxury Brands and Brand Marketing at Marriott International. The Luxury Collection brand boasts a collection of over 100 of the finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories, a broad spectrum of geographic locations that enables globetrotters to stretch their lives with authentic and indigenous experiences. The brand now has seven outstanding properties in cities across China, including Shanghai, Nanjing, Sanya and Changsha. The pipeline includes four additional Luxury Collection hotels in Nanning, SanyaHaitang Bay, Suzhou and Xiamen. About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts The Luxury Collection®, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble, recently surpassing 100 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow TwitterInstagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including the number of lodging properties Marriott International may add in future years and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts.  We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in market conditions; changes in global and regional economies; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; and other risk factors that Marriott International identifies in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply here.  We make these statements as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Emirates Skywards introduces enriched family programme to allow 100% pooling of Miles

Emirates Skywards has revamped its family offering to provide a richer, more rewarding programme called ‘My Family’. Family members can now pool up to 100% of Skywards Miles earned on Emirates flights, allowing them to redeem rewards faster than before.

Each member can pool up to 100% of their miles earned on Emirates flights and the nominated contribution of Miles from each member can be adjusted at any time. Emirates Skywards has a global membership of 20 million and all members are eligible to join ‘My Family’. Each account can have up to 8 family members including a nominated Family Head. “We’re always working to enhance our offerings to ensure our members are given greater value, choice and flexibility at every touchpoint across the Emirates Skywards programme.  The new enriched ‘My Family’ programme will provide our members with a better, more intuitive customer experience, allowing them to consolidate up to 100% of Skywards Miles earned on Emirates to reap faster rewards as well as tailor the proposition to meet their travel needs,” said Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Senior Vice President, Emirates Skywards. The new Emirates Skywards ‘My Family’ programme complements the airline’s exceptional family offering both on board and on the ground. In flight, young travellers can look forward to special toys, activity packs, child-friendly meals and dedicated kids’ content on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system. On the ground, Emirates provides a dedicated family check-in area and complimentary strollers in Dubai and priority boarding for families across all airports. ‘My Family’ is part of the continued evolution of the Emirates Skywards programme to introduce more features giving members greater opportunity than ever to earn Miles and access rewards across its wide range of flights, travel and lifestyle partners. In the last month, the programme gave members increased flexibility in managing their Miles by introducing reduced rates for buying, gifting and transferring of Skywards Miles. Emirates Skywards membership is free. Besides flight rewards and upgrades, members can earn and redeem Skywards Miles through over 100 programme partners including airlines, hotels and retail & lifestyle outlets. Members also enjoy money-can’t-buy-experiences at popular events worldwide and access to 41 Emirates lounges in major cities worldwide. Other benefits include lounge access, priority check-in and boarding and special privileges for Wi-Fi and advanced seat selection on board. For more information visit www.emirates.com/Skywards