Insight Vacations Celebrates 40 Years of Innovative Travel and Immersive Experiences with Anniversary Gift to Travelers
RYE, N.Y., April 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Insight Vacations, the award-winning global leader in premium escorted journeys, is thrilled to be celebrating its 40th anniversary this April. While some might argue that 40 is the new 30, Insight couldn’t be happier to look back and remember every unforgettable moment from the past four decades, and all the experiences and innovations that have become a reality.
Over the last 40 years Insight Vacations has perfected the art of guided vacations, and has become the leader in its class through a combination of passion, knowledge and outstanding travel expertise. To celebrate this special milestone, Insight is offering great savings on its most exciting summer trips to Europe and North America. Travelers can save 10% on 40+ Premium Journeys departing between May and July 2018.*
“This significant milestone marks the time to look back on all that we have accomplished,” says Phil Cappelli, president of Insight Vacations. “We’re so proud to have brought immersive travel experiences to our guests, and can’t wait for them to see what we have planned for the next 40 years. Space is extremely limited on this superb Anniversary Celebration of 40+ Premium Journeys and this special offer won’t last, so we encourage travelers to book their dream summer vacation with us now.”
Travelers can choose from a wide selection of guided vacations , including Britain & Ireland, the Western Mediterranean, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe & Russia, USA & Canada and our European Discoveries collection.
Here are 3 unforgettable journeys that are on sale as part of Insight’s 40th Anniversary Celebration:
Spectacular Scandinavia & Its Fjords: This 16-day journey begins in Copenhagen where a Local Expert walks guests through Denmark’s charming capital. They’ll see Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic “Little Mermaid” gazing across the harbor before heading to Copenhagen Cathedral, where a real life royal wedding took place between the Crown Prince of Denmark and Princess Mary. From there, it’s on to Sweden to take in the charms of Stockholm with a Local Expert who takes guests through the cathedral where many Swedish kings were crowned, the courtyard of the Royal Palace, and City Hall, whose “Golden Hall” is covered with 18 million gilded mosaic tiles. Nature lovers will get their fill in Norway, where they’ll pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes, and snow-capped peaks around Geirangerfjord, and journey through Hardanger, Europe’s greatest mountain plateau, a true wonder.
Best of Spain & Portugal: This well-paced 16-day journey hits all the must-see attractions of each country, while leaving plenty of time for guests to indulge in local cuisines and cultures. In Lisbon, travelers tour spacious avenues and elegant squares, see the Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower, and visit Jeronimo’s Monastery, built during the city’s Age of Discovery. In Madrid, they enjoy an immersive Insight Experience at the Prado Museum, where an expert art historian guides them through the world’s finest collection of paintings from Spain and around the world. Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpieces await travelers in vibrant Barcelona, where guests spend time with a Local Expert learning about the history and architecture of the highly revered Sagrada Família. Later that evening, they enjoy a festive Catalan Celebration dinner with the freshest cuisine and regional wines.
Great Western American Adventure: This magnificent 15-day journey highlights the glorious landscapes and diverse cities of the American west, encompassing dramatic canyons, quaint coastal towns and verdant wine country along the way. In San Francisco guests spend a day seeing the iconic cable cars and visiting Haight-Ashbury, the home of the flower-power movement, before heading to the enchanting Sonoma Valley for a private dinner with local wine. As the trip heads down the California coast, guests stop at the legendary Hearst Castle, then follow the scenic 17-Mile Drive to the beachside town of Monterey. In Los Angeles they’ll take a sightseeing tour that includes Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then spend time browsing the historic LA Farmers Market. A thrilling ATV tour of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide is on the agenda in Utah, then guests head to Lake Powell for a leisurely cruise through the spectacular Antelope Canyon. The trip culminates with visits to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks before ending in Sin City itself, Las Vegas.
For reservations, contact your favorite travel agent, call Insight Vacations at 1-888-680-1241, or visit www.insightvacations.com
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #INSIGHTVACATIONS and #INSIGHTMOMENTS
* Terms & conditions: Prices are per person, twin share, land only. Single supplements apply. Full payment is required at the time of booking. Offer applies to new bookings made from April 1, 2018 – April 30, 2018 only, is subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. †Discounts featured in our brochure are subject to conditions and many can be combined with this promotion (incl. Frequent Traveler and Family/ Group Discount). Please contact Insight or your travel agent for further details. Last Minute Deals are not combinable with Early Payment Discount. Please quote promotional code at time of booking. About Insight Vacations As a global leader in premium escorted travel, Insight Vacations® has been crafting magical journeys for almost 40 years that embody The Art of Traveling in Style™. Through meticulous planning, detailed preparation and boundless passion, Insight’s collection of award-winning itineraries showcases the most outstanding destinations in Europe and North America. Guided by a highly-skilled Travel Director, guests can look forward to traveling in smaller groups, savoring authentic dining and enjoying a range of immersive Insight Experiences. To find out more, visit insightvacations.com About The TreadRight Foundation Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation‘s (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. Founded by Brett Tollman, Chief Executive, TTC, to date TreadRight has supported more than 40 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org.Insight Vacations is a member of the family-owned The Travel Corporation (TTC) and is renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability.
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http://www.insightvacations.comCOMPOSE YOUR APPETITE FOR A HARMONIOUS FOUR COURSE SYMPHONY AFTERNOON TEA AT JUMEIRAH CARLTON TOWER
Complete with the dulcet tones of our resident harpist, Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s brand new afternoon tea offering is guaranteed to hit a sweet note
London, 20 March 2018: Jumeirah Carlton Tower has launched its brand new afternoon tea offering this month, which will be served in the serene Chinoiserie dining area on an ongoing basis. Hand crafted by top pastry chef Lyece Major, the Symphony Afternoon Tea draws upon the four movements of a symphonic orchestral experience, presenting a masterpiece of flavour.
The taste performance begins with the Overture; a selection of savoury cones proposed to set the tone of your experience. Savoury Symphonies are next, including a contemporary twist on traditional afternoon tea savouries such as a Brioche bridge roll with Loch Fyne smoked salmon and duck egg mayonnaise. Following this is the sweet serenades, including a mini tiramisu with whipped coffee ganache and a Sicilian pistachio éclair with cranberry compote. As with every great Symphony, the Finale is last, and guests will finish their experience with a delicate coconut and lemongrass sorbet.
Located just off Sloane Street, Jumeirah Carlton Tower offers luxurious accommodation and generous hospitality in the heart of London’s most fashionable shopping district. Symphony Afternoon Tea will be served daily in the Chinoiserie lounge where Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s resident harpist creates the perfect atmosphere for opulence, by serenading guests with melodies from 3pm to 6pm every day. The Symphony Afternoon Tea experience costs £45 per person or £55 including a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier and is available until 25 March and from 9 April on an ongoing basis.
For more information on the Symphony Afternoon Tea, visit www.jumeirah.com/chinoiserie. To reserve a table for tea, call +44 (0)20 7858 7185 or email jctdining@jumeirah.com. Follow Jumeirah Carlton Tower on social media @JumeirahCT.
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Notes to Editors:
About Jumeirah Carlton Tower:
Jumeirah Carlton Tower, situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, is a landmark hotel acknowledged as one of London’s finest. The hotel is noted for its fine dining, exclusive Peak Health Club & Spa and enviable location off Sloane Street – the capital’s most fashionable shopping area. Jumeirah Carlton Tower offers 216 rooms and suites, individually styled with a calm and contemporary feel, together with dining in the Chinoiserie lounge, The Rib Room and The Club Room.
About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts manages properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Bahrain and Kuwait in the Middle East; Frankfurt, London and Mallorca (Spain) in Europe; the Maldives and Shanghai in Asia. Jumeirah Group also operates the new upscale-casual brand, Zabeel House by JumeirahTM and runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah LivingTM with properties in London and Dubai; the wellness brand TaliseTM; Jumeirah Restaurant Group DubaiTM; Wild Wadi WaterparkTM; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality ManagementTM; Jumeirah SiriusTM, its global loyalty programme; and isme by Jumeirah™ an app based rewards programme in the UAE. Future openings include luxury hotels in the UAE, Indonesia, China, Oman, Jordan, Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. www.jumeirah.com
FIRST ICE RINK IN MALDIVES OPENED BY RUSSIAN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST
Ice Ice Maybe… at Jumeirah Vittaveli opened with surprise celebrity performance
by Evgeni Plushenko
Maldives, 22 March 2018: Jumeirah Vittaveli inaugurated the first ice rink in the Maldives with a celebrity performance by Russian Evgeni Plushenko, a former Olympic Gold medallist figure skater.
The eco-friendly ice skating rink Ice Ice Maybe… is a world first to the Maldives and the 87 square meters offers plenty of space for pirouettes and ice hockey games.
Amit Majumder, General Manager, Jumeirah Vittaveli, said: “I congratulate the entire team for introducing a world-first to the Maldives. This eco-friendly ice skating rink on a tropical island is a true expression of our aim to ‘wow’ our guests, not just with genuine service from the heart but with innovative additions to our resort that provide extraordinary experiences to the adventurous traveller.
“An immense thank you also goes to the inimitable Evgeni Plushenko – we are honoured that such a world class skater and enthralling performer as Evgeni was the first to leave his mark on our rink. I look forward to seeing the many happy guests when they try out our beachside ice rink, while looking out over the ocean.”
The grand finale to the launch event was Evgeni Plushenko’s performance, he was later joined by his wife Yana Rudkovskaya and his 5-year-old son Aleksandr Plushenko, an ice skating wonderkid.
The country’s first ice skating rink Ice Ice Maybe… at Jumeirah Vittaveli has been manufactured using Glice®, a novel material from Switzerland that allows for eco-friendly ice rinks, eliminating the need to keep the ice rink cold. This enables guests to experience a world-first at Jumeirah Vittaveli when they go for a swim in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, followed by a quick stroll across the beach to put on their ice skates and glide along the picturesque backdrop of a tropical winter wonderland.
The rink will be open from 12 – 6pm daily and access costs at USD 75 which includes 2 hours of ice skating, rental of equipment, a delicious ice cream sundae to enjoy post ice skating and a host of giveaways and souvenirs. All following entries will be charged at USD 50 and include gear and an ice cream sundae. The rink will be open for all ages, children below 8 years of age will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Jumeirah Vittaveli offers romantic escapes as well as a variety of land- and water-based activities, including a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, six restaurants and bars, and two lounges; an underground tasting room and a wine library will be opened soon. With its focus on cultural connection and organic experiences in a luxurious setting, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers guests a true Maldivian island experience.
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Notes to Editors:
For high resolution photos of Jumeirah Vittaveli, please click here
About Jumeirah Vittaveli:
A 20-minute boat ride from Malé International Airport brings you to Jumeirah Vittaveli. Whether for an intimate escape or an indulgent family retreat, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration. Impeccable choice and seamless service shape the character of this resort paradise, where every detail has been meticulously crafted to inspire journeys of discovery and enjoyment. Whether beach-side or over-water, all villas feature stunning interiors with private pools and access to the sandy shores or glistening waters. The sprawling 5-bedroom Royal Residence comes with private beach, spa, gym, two swimming pools, and its own dedicated restaurant. An inspirational Spa, a well-equipped overwater gymnasium, a children’s club and 5 star PADI dive centre mean guests are always able to try something new. The country’s first ice rink invites guests for a world first – ice skating on an eco-friendly synthetic ice rink, overlooking the powder soft beaches and crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including the flagship Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts manages properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE; Bahrain and Kuwait in the Middle East; Frankfurt, London and Mallorca (Spain) in Europe; the Maldives and Shanghai in Asia. Jumeirah Group also operates the new upscale-casual brand, Zabeel House by JumeirahTM and runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah LivingTM with properties in London and Dubai; the wellness brand TaliseTM; Jumeirah Restaurant Group DubaiTM; Wild Wadi WaterparkTM; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality ManagementTM; Jumeirah SiriusTM, its global loyalty programme; and isme by Jumeirah™ an app based rewards programme in the UAE. Future openings include luxury hotels in the UAE, Indonesia, China, Oman, Jordan, Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
www.jumeirah.com
For further information please contact:
Tina Dotzauer
Director of Marketing Communications
Telephone: +960 664 2020
E-mail: tina.dotzauer@jumeirah.com
Autograph Collection Hotels Debuts In Georgia With The Opening Of Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili
Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott International’s distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels has announced its debut in Georgia with the opening of Paragraph Resort & Spa in the Black Sea coastal resort of Shekvetili. The hotel joins the diverse and dynamic portfolio of Autograph Collection Hotels around the world – all independent, one-of-a-kind hotels that champion values of vision, design and craft.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paragraph Resort & Spa to the Autograph Collection Hotels portfolio,” said John Licence, VP Premium & Select Brands Europe at Marriott International. “With its spectacular design and standout guest experiences, this hotel certainly delivers on the brand’s commitment to offering exactly like nothing elsemoments at one-of-a-kind hotels around the world.”
Nestled between the magnetic sand beaches of the Black Sea coast and an ancient pine forest, Paragraph Resort & Spa offers a unique array of features and exceptional meeting facilities, perfect for both leisure and corporate retreats. With a wealth of child-friendly facilities including kids club, cinema, zip line, bicycle trails and indoor aqua park, the hotel is also perfect for a family getaway.
An outstanding feature of Paragraph Resort & Spa is its expansive public spaces, which range from the lobby’s walkthrough aquarium full of exotic marine life, to a majestic winter garden with indoor waterfall and aqua park. The jewel in the crown, however, is the 115m-long filtered seawater pool built into a panoramic deck leading out over the Black Sea.
“We are excited to debut our first Autograph Collection Hotel in Georgia with the beautiful Paragraph Resort & Spa Shekvetili,” said Jennifer Connell, Vice President, Brand Marketing & Management, Autograph Collection Hotels. “With two additional hotels slated to open in Georgia by 2020, we look forward to expanding our footprint in the country, and continuing to grow our collection of more than 135 distinctive hotels around the world.”
The 220 spacious bedrooms and suites feature distinguished design and luxurious furnishings, including ergonomically designed tubs and Roberto Cavalli amenities in the bathrooms. All rooms offer private balconies, many with spectacular views of the Black Sea coast.
Guests are catered to at any time during their stay and will enjoy the hotel’s Lobby Bar, Winter Garden and all-day dining restaurant serving everything from breakfast to afternoon snacks and local delicacies for dinner. Sky Bar, located on the top floor of the hotel, offers a tailored menu of exotic drinks and expertly mixed cocktails to be enjoyed whilst soaking up the stunning 360⁰ views over both the surrounding coast and mountains.
Paragraph Resort & Spa is perfectly equipped to host corporate events with a total of six rooms offering over 8500sqft of event space. The largest of these is the 5000sqft ballroom featuring an aquarium wall and winter garden view. Additional facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre and spa offering a wide range of treatments for both adults and children, plus steam room and plunge pool.
About Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., celebrates individuality by curating one-of-a-kind travel experiences at 135 lifestyle hotels in nearly 30 countries and territories, among the world’s most desirable destinations. Exactly like nothing else, Autograph Collection properties are hand selected for their rich character and uncommon details. A personal realization of an individual founder’s vision, these hotels are defined by unique design, differentiated guest experiences and their meaningful role in locality. Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to learn more about championing the independent spirit that is #ExactlyLikeNothingElse.
About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitterand Instagram.
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 the company 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 the company identifies in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K; 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.
Etihad Airways inaugurates Eco Residence for cabin crew in Masdar city Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways has officially opened its Etihad Eco Residence, Abu Dhabi’s first purpose-built, sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rated cabin crew accommodation. The project is the result of a unique partnership between the UAE’s national airline and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar.
The Etihad Eco Residence was inaugurated in the presence of Khaled Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace, Renewables & Information Communications Technology (ICT) for Mubadala, by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. Also present was Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer for Masdar, alongside senior executives from Etihad Airways and Masdar.
The complex, which comprises 500 apartments in 11 buildings at the pioneering Masdar City development, was recently awarded ‘Sustainable Design of the Year’ at the 2017 Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) MENA Green Awards, and ‘Sustainable Construction Project of the Year’ at the Big Projects Middle East Awards 2017. The residence offers comfortable, high-specification one and two-bedroom apartments which include furniture and white goods provided by Etihad Airways.
Mana Mohamed Saeed Al Mulla, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Group Support Services Officer, said: “The opening of the landmark Etihad Eco Residence underscores not only the importance we place on providing superior housing to our valued cabin crew, but also our responsibility, as part of the greater Abu Dhabi vision, to play a part in transforming the capital into a global leader in smart urban planning, clean energy and sustainability.”
The residence reflects Masdar’s commitment to the three pillars of social, economic and environmental sustainability and is designed to promote biodiversity while minimising the use of ‘high embodied energy’ materials. The use of local suppliers has also helped to reduce transport-related carbon emissions. At least 20 per cent of materials were either sourced or manufactured within 800 kilometres of the project.
Yousef Baselaib, Executive Director of Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar, said: “This new development demonstrates how early project involvement by key stakeholders, including the end-user, developer, design team and contractor, results in a highly desirable end-product. We hope Etihad Airways’ cabin crew enjoy the amenities at their new building, as well as those at Masdar City.”
Etihad Airways employs over 5,800 Abu Dhabi-based cabin crew. The opening of the Etihad Eco Residence reflects the airline’s crew accommodation strategy of providing superior, environmentally-friendly homes with recreational, dining, health and lifestyle facilities, conveniently located close to the capital’s international airport for ease of transport and operational efficiency.
Mark Scoble, Etihad Airways Head of In-flight Performance and Operations, added: “Our brief to the architects and designers of the Etihad Eco Residence was to create a development that is in line with Etihad’s environmental principles as well as a safe, secure and commercially viable residential precinct that embraces our acclaimed cabin crew community, who hail from over 120 countries around the world.
“This new residence offers high quality homes and a desirable cosmopolitan lifestyle in a sustainable urban environment. We are proud that this has now been made a reality for our flying family here in Abu Dhabi.”
An enhanced microclimate has been created around each of the buildings using sustainable landscaping methods and massing the shape and size of the buildings, which captures the breeze for natural ventilation while offering protection from wind and dust. These features complement the urban environment and contribute to overall energy saving.
Each of the Etihad Eco Residence’s buildings has been designed using low environmental impact construction materials, which aid the reduction of strong sunlight yet maximise available natural daylight.
Solar hot water systems provide 76 per cent of the community’s water demand and the buildings’ design encourages greater water efficiency and the reduction of potable water usage, as well as smart waste management.
Masdar is collaborating with local stakeholders to pioneer a ‘greenprint’ for sustainable urban development at Masdar City using a holistic approach focused on integrating sustainable transportation initiatives, optimising waste management, reducing energy use, water consumption and carbon emissions, and accommodating rapid urbanisation.
In January 2018, autonomous vehicle producer NAVYA was awarded the contract to develop phase two of Masdar City’s personal rapid transit (PRT) system, which will be expanded along a new one-kilometre route linking Masdar Institute with the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Majid Al Futtaim’s My City Centre Mall. Emirates makes history with one-off A380 touchdown in Beirut
Arrival of A380 confirms readiness of airport to accommodate A380 operations
Dubai, UAE – 29 March 2018: The Emirates A380 touched down in Beirut today for a historic one-off service to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport (BEY), contributing to an aviation milestone for Lebanon and its hub airport. The landing demonstrated the airport’s readiness to accommodate the A380, the world’s largest commercial passenger jet.
The special A380 flight was operated by Captain Robert Nicholls from the UK and First Officer Hasib Bu Alwan, a Lebanese national. The 517 passengers travelling on EK 957, many of whom had made their bookings to be on this unique flight, were joined by a top-level delegation led by the airline, including; Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand; H.E. Hamad Saeed Sultan Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Lebanon; H.E. Elias Bou Saab, Advisor to the Lebanese President for International Cooperation; Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Skywards; Ali Jaber, Managing Editor – MBC Media; Marwan Rahbani, Owner – Rahbani Productions; Raymond G Khouzami, Chief Executive Officer – Al Thuriah Building Contractors Ltd; Joseph Nassib Ghessoub, Chief Executive Officer – CMS and Jihad Hitt, Chief Executive Officer – GETAC Group. Upon landing at 1030hrs at Rafic Al Hariri International Airport the aircraft was met with a ceremonial water cannon salute, and the Emirates delegation was welcomed by H.E. Avedis Guidanian, Minister of Tourism attending on behalf of H.E. President of the Republic of Lebanon; Deputy Ali Bazzi – Representing H.E. President of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri; H.E. Youssef Fenianos, Lebanese Minister of Transport; H.E. Raed Koury, Minister of Economy & Trade; H.E. Walid Al Boukhari – Chargee D’affaire of the Saudi Arabia Embassy to Lebanon, government officials and Rafic Hariri International Airport executives. After a welcoming ceremony, government officials, VIPs, media and members of the travel industry were given a guided tour of the A380 by Emirates cabin crew, several of whom were from Lebanon. Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand said: “The Emirates A380 is fundamental to our overall strategy, and bringing this popular aircraft to Beirut represents a significant milestone in our operations to Lebanon, a country we have been serving for over 27 years and we remain wholly committed to stimulating further growth within the market. We thank the Lebanese government, the Ministry of Transport and the government authorities who have worked hard to make today’s one-off service a tremendous success.” This year marks the Emirates A380’s 10th anniversary, and the iconic aircraft has transformed flying for over 96 million passengers on over 106,000 flights. The Emirates A380 flying to Beirut operated in a three-class configuration, with 429 generously pitched seats in Economy Class on the lower deck, 76 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites on the upper deck. Emirates’ A380 is renowned for its First Class Private Suites, Shower Spas and Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, offering a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as space to socialise or simply relax. Passengers travelling on the main deck in Economy Class enjoyed stretching out in seats with a pitch of up to 33 inches. Passengers in all classes enjoyed the 13 time award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system with a choice of up to 3,500 channels on-demand. As the largest operator of the double-decker aircraft, Emirates’ fleet of 101 A380s now fly to 48 global destinations. The Emirates A380 service today operated as EK 957 and EK 958, departing Dubai at 0725hrs and arriving in Beirut at 1035hrs. The flight departed Beirut at 1415hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1905hrs.Built for the Way We Communicate Today: Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ fuel new discoveries with Super Slow-mo video, best-in-class low light camera and AR Emoji for a more personalized way to express yourself.
Samsung Electronics introduces the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, the smartphones that reimagine the way people communicate, share and experience the world. Made for an age in which consumers increasingly communicate and express themselves more with images, videos and emojis, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ drive innovation with Samsung’s advanced camera. Redesigned with a new Dual Aperture lens that powers an innovative low light camera, Super Slow-mo video capabilities and personalized AR Emoji, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ ensure users do not miss a moment and make their everyday epic.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ deliver an enhanced entertainment experience with powerful stereo speakers tuned by AKG, immersive audio with Dolby Atmos® and a refined edge-to-edge Infinity Display 1– a key staple in Samsung’s design heritage. In addition, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ will come with the new SmartThings app, which unites Samsung’s existing IoT services into one single, smart experience.
“The way we use our smartphones has changed as communication and self-expression has evolved,” said DJ Koh, president and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the Galaxy S9 and S9+, we have reimagined the smartphone camera. Not only do the Galaxy S9 and S9+ enable consumers to shoot great photos and videos anywhere, it’s a smartphone that’s designed to help them connect to others and express themselves in a way that’s unique and personal to them.”
Camera Reimagined
Today’s cameras are for more than taking pictures – they’re for connecting and communicating. Consumers want a smartphone camera with state-of-the-art technology, so they can express themselves with high-quality images and tools to tell their own, unique story. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ cameras are built with these consumers in mind, with a Super Speed Dual Pixel sensor with dedicated processing power and memory to take amazing shots with high photo quality. The Galaxy S9 and S9+’s camera features include:- Super Slow-mo: Make every day moments epic with dynamic, slow-motion video that captures 960 frames per second. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ also offer automatic Motion Detection, an intelligent feature that detects movement in the frame and automatically begins to record – all users have to do is set up the shot. After capturing the Super Slow-mo video, users can select background music from 35 different options or add a tune from their favorite playlist. Users can also easily create, edit and share GIF files with a simple tap in three playful styles of looping to watch the action over and over again.
- Low Light Camera: Good lighting is the secret to any great photo. But often, photos are taken in less-than-ideal lighting conditions and most smartphone cameras have a fixed aperture that can’t adjust to low or bright lighting environments resulting in grainy or washed out pictures. Similar to the way the iris of a human eye expands and contracts, Samsung’s Dual Aperture2(F1.5 / F2.4) automatically lets in more light when it’s dark and less light when it’s too bright, taking photos that are crisp and clear.
- AR Emoji: Samsung lets users create an emoji that looks, sounds and acts like them. AR Emoji uses a data-based machine learning algorithm, which analyzes a 2D image of the user and maps out more than 100 facial features to create a 3D model that reflects and imitates expressions, like winks and nods, for true personalization. AR Emoji shares users’ real-life emotions not only in video but also with a range of stickers and uses a standard AGIF file format so users can share their emojis across most third-party messaging platforms.
- Bixby: Samsung’s intelligence platform, integrated into the camera, uses augmented reality and deep learning technologies to provide helpful information about a user’s surroundings.3 With real-time object detection and recognition, Bixby instantly generates information directly on top of the image that the camera is pointing at. Users can translate foreign languages and currency in real time with Live Translation, learn about their surroundings, purchase products seen in the real world and track calories throughout the day.4
Entertainment Reimagined
Smartphones are often our go-to choice for entertainment, which is why Samsung created a device that offers premium sound experiences with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Whether users are watching their favorite movie or streaming their favorite artist’s latest album, sounds are clear, crisp and rich in quality. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ also support Dolby Atmos, giving the effect of 360-degree sound. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ audio experience is complemented by Samsung’s revolutionary Infinity Display. First introduced on the Galaxy S8, the bold, bright Super AMOLED Infinity Display blends right into the phone with virtually no distracting notches. With adaptive contrast enhancement, users can use their device even in direct sunlight.A Device that Fits with the Connected Lifestyle
As the first smartphone to support the new SmartThings app, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the central hub to manage every facet of the connected lifestyle at home, at the office or on the go. The SmartThings app will be introduced with the Galaxy S9 and S9+ and will connect to other Samsung and non-Samsung devices. For those constantly on the move, the next-generation Samsung DeX empowers a mobile lifestyle by bringing a large, full-screen experience to the mobile handset. With the DeX Pad, a new docking system, users can easily connect the Galaxy S9 and S9+ to a larger monitor, keyboard and mouse to expand the mobile experience with enhanced document editing or even full-screen gaming.5Users can also transform the Galaxy S9 and S9+ into a Touch Pad with the DeX Pad.6The Best Comes Standard with the Galaxy Foundation
Samsung sets the gold standard for smartphones with IP687 water and dust resistance and wireless charging and goes a step beyond with the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The devices now support expandable memory of up to 400GB with a Micro SD Card and are equipped with the latest premium application processors offering powerful performance and sophisticated image processing. In addition, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ give users the peace of mind knowing that their phone is protected by Knox 3.1, Samsung’s latest defense-grade security platform. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ support three different biometric authentication options – iris, fingerprint, and facial recognition – so users can choose the way they want to protect their device and applications. The devices feature Intelligent Scan, a new verification that intelligently uses the collective strength of iris scanning and facial recognition technology to quickly and conveniently unlock a user’s phone in various situations. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ also introduce Dedicated Fingerprint, giving users the option to use a different fingerprint to access Secure Folder than the one used to unlock the phone. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ take health to the next level with an improved optical sensor built directly into the device, providing richer, more accurate information on users’ health status. This sensor allows the Galaxy S9 and S9+ to keep track of users’ Heart Load Factor, a new measurement of the real-time demand placed on the heart.8 The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available starting in March 16, 2018 in select markets and will be offered in Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, Coral Blue and a new hue, Lilac Purple. For more information about the Galaxy S9, visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsung.com/galaxy or http://www.samsungmobilepress.com.Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Product Specifications
| Galaxy S9 | Galaxy S9+ | ||
| OS | Android 8 (Oreo) | ||
| Display | 5.8-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:99,10 (570ppi) | 6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:99,10 (529ppi) | |
| Body | 147.7mm x 68.7mm x 8.5mm, 163g, IP687 | 158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm, 189g, IP687 | |
| Camera | Rear: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4) Front: 8MP AF (F1.7) | Rear: Dual Camera with Dual OIS – Wide-angle: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor (F1.5/F2.4) – Telephoto: 12MP AF sensor (F2.4) Front: 8MP AF (F1.7) | |
| AP | 10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.7 GHz + 1.7 GHz)11 10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.8 GHz + 1.7 GHz) | ||
| Memory | 4GB RAM 64GB/128GB/256GB12 + Micro SD Slot (upto 400 GB) | 6GB RAM 64GB/128GB/256GB12 + Micro SD Slot (upto 400GB) | |
| SIM Card | Single SIM: Nano SIM Dual SIM (Hybrid SIM): Nano SIM + Nano SIM or MicroSD slot | ||
| Battery | 3,000mAh | 3,500mAh | |
| Fast Wired Charging compatible with QC 2.0 Wireless Charging compatible with WPC and PMA | |||
| Network | Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18 | ||
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou)13 | ||
| Payment | NFC, MST | ||
| Sensors | Iris sensor, Pressure sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint sensor, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, HR sensor, Proximity sensor, RGB Light sensor | ||
| Authentication | Lock type: pattern, PIN, password Biometric lock type: iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, face recognition, Intelligent Scan: multimodal biometric authentication with iris scanning and face recognition | ||
| Audio | Stereo speakers tuned by AKG, surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology, Audio playback format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF | ||
| Video | MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM | ||
Amazon Music Announces Immersive Programming Experience The Soundboard with Elton John
Just ask, “Alexa, play The Soundboard”
“The Soundboard” provides an inside look at the making of Revamp and Restoration, two recently announced albums from Universal Music Group that celebrate the iconic artist’s legendary songs
Elton John and long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin present the music and stories behind their extraordinary catalogue and songwriting partnership, with commentary surrounding new interpretations of these classic songs from a diverse roster of some of the world’s biggest artists including Chris Martin, Demi Lovato, Brandon Flowers, Josh Homme, Chris Stapleton, Q-Tip and more
“The Soundboard” will begin streaming April 6 for Amazon customers across the U.S., U.K., Germany and Austria
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 3, 2018– (NASDAQ: AMZN) — Amazon Music today announces “The Soundboard with Elton John,” an immersive original audio program that offers fans an exclusive listen to intimate conversations and storytelling with today’s musical icons. Airing exclusively on Amazon Music beginning April 6, the day the two albums, Revamp (Island Records) and Restoration (Universal Music Group Nashville), are released, “The Soundboard with Elton John” tells the stories behind the music with the iconic artist and his longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, as well as a diverse roster of some of the world’s biggest artists including Chris Martin (Coldplay), Demi Lovato, Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Q-Tip, and more. Elton John stated, “When an artist loves a song enough to cover it, well, that’s the ultimate compliment. As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when people we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp and Restoration choose to add their own unique twist — it means our songs continue to resonate and reach new audiences. It’s been wonderful working with Amazon Music to bring our stories behind the new songs to life and I hope fans will enjoy listening to The Soundboard as much as we did recording it.” Available to Amazon customers across the U.K., U.S., Germany and Austria, the multi-hour collection of interviews and music will be broadcast globally for a limited time beginning April 6 by visiting www.amazon.com/eltonjohn. Those who begin listening to “The Soundboard” will immediately pick-up wherever the stream is currently in progress and will hear stories from iconic artists spanning the pop, rock, country, and urban music genres discussing the evolution of these timeless songs, and how they were brought to life through new interpretations within a modern-day tribute album. “For decades, Elton John and Bernie Taupin have collaborated with each other to produce timeless songs, and we’re honored to be working with them on a behind-the-scenes look at a new generation of artists who have reimagined these classics,” stated Alex Luke, global head of programming and content strategy for Amazon Music. “As fans, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the songs, and with our production of The Soundboard we celebrate one of the richest songbooks of the modern era from the perspectives of Elton, Bernie and the artists covering the music with original recordings and in-depth interviews.” Cindy Mabe, President of Universal Music Group Nashville, said, “Nashville is best known for honoring the craft of songwriting and the songwriter above everything else, and it’s been incredible to hear the stories behind the incredible interpretations of these classic songs featured in The Soundboard. It was genuinely an honor to get to completely reimagine and reinterpret some of the most timeless songs of the incredible writing duo of Elton John and Bernie Taupin through country music’s most gifted story tellers of our time. Restoration focuses on the gift of the storytelling inside the songs and takes a unique turn on these incredible songs which have left such an indelible mark on people from all walks of life. I’m proud of these new interpretations of classic hits and it was such a delight to see how much these interpretations moved both Bernie and Elton.” David Massey, President/CEO of Island Records, said, “I’m excited for fans around the world to hear Elton and Bernie tell the stories on The Soundboard behind some of the most memorable songs ever written. I couldn’t be prouder of the new perspectives these incredible artists offer on Elton and Bernie’s timeless songs.” “The Soundboard with Elton John” is available to listen on the Amazon Music mobile app and Web Player in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Austria, to all customers with an Amazon account, with or without an Amazon Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. The broadcast can also be accessed via the Amazon Music mobile app and Web Player, iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. “The Soundboard with Elton John” is the latest feature to launch within Amazon Music’s personalized natural language voice controls powered by Alexa, which has reimagined how customers experience music. When paired with Alexa, customers can ask for music by lyrics, mood, genre, era, activities and more, simply by voice. Learn more about Amazon Music by visiting: www.amazonmusic.com.Alibaba to Acquire Full Ownership of China Online Delivery Platform Ele.me
Hangzhou, China, April 2, 2018 – Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE: BABA, “Alibaba”) announced today that the company will acquire all outstanding shares that it does not already own in Ele.me, a leading online delivery and local services platform in China, in a transaction that implies the enterprise value of Ele.me at US$9.5 billion. Alibaba and its affiliate Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. currently own approximately 43% of the outstanding voting shares of Ele.me.
This acquisition will deepen Ele.me’s integration into Alibaba’s ecosystem and advance Alibaba’s New Retail strategy to provide a seamless online and offline consumer experience in the local services sector.
Daniel Zhang, CEO of Alibaba Group, said, “We are excited for Ele.me to become a part of the Alibaba ecosystem. Under the leadership of its founder and management team, Ele.me has achieved leading market share in China’s online food delivery and local services sector. Our shared belief that New Retail will create more value for customers and merchants has brought us together. Looking forward, Ele.me can leverage Alibaba’s infrastructure in commerce and find new synergies with Alibaba’s diverse businesses to add further momentum to the New Retail initiative.”
Ele.me’s fast local delivery service will build on its core expertise in food delivery to provide consumers with a wider range of products and services on-demand. This expansion of offerings will allow Ele.me to efficiently utilize its large delivery force that currently fulfills orders in cities across China.
Ele.me also complements Koubei, Alibaba’s affiliated local services platform and provides extended synergies. By combining Ele.me’s online home delivery services with Koubei’s consumer acquisition and engagement capability for a range of restaurants and service establishments, Alibaba will be able to offer an integrated experience to consumers both online and offline.
Zhang Xuhao, founder of Ele.me, said, “This acquisition shows that we have built Ele.me into one of China’s most valuable internet businesses. Our customers, merchants and partners will benefit from our further integration into the Alibaba family. We share the same strategic vision that New Retail has a bright future and being part of Alibaba’s ecosystem will take Ele.me’s growth to a new level.”
Ele.me will continue to operate in its own brand and work closely with its existing partners and merchants. Alibaba will lend its full support to Ele.me including access to its New Retail infrastructure, product offerings and technology expertise.
Upon completion of the acquisition, Zhang Xuhao will become Chairman of Ele.me and special advisor to Alibaba’s CEO on New Retail strategy. Wang Lei, Vice President of Alibaba Group, will become chief executive of Ele.me. Wang joined Alibaba in 2003 and has held a number of senior positions in Alibaba’s consumer e-commerce, B2B, O2O service and healthcare businesses.
About Alibaba Group
Alibaba Group’s mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere. The company aims to build the future infrastructure of commerce. It envisions that its customers will meet, work and live at Alibaba, and that it will be a company that lasts at least 102 years.
Safe Harbor Statements
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