Boeing, Jet Airways Announce New Order for 75 737 MAX Airplanes

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Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Jet Airways today announced a new order for 75 737 MAX airplanes as India’s premier international airline looks to the new and improved 737 jet to power its future growth. “Our new order for the additional 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will allow us to deliver a differentiated and  world class customer experience to our guests,” said “Vinay Dube, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airway. “This additional order reemphasizes our trust and confidence in Boeing and also reaffirms our commitment to operate extremely modern, reliable and fuel efficient aircraft as part of our fleet. Jet Airways’ partnership with Boeing goes back 25 years ever since the airline was conceived and took to the skies. This order underscores Jet Airways’ commitment to the growth and sustainability of the Indian aviation market” Jet Airways announced its first order for 75 MAX airplanes in 2015 as part of a strategy to refresh its fleet with the most modern and environmentally progressive airplanes. The newest order adds 75 more MAXs to support the airline’s future expansion. Jet Airways is set to take direct delivery of its first MAX airplane later this year. “We are honored that Jet Airways has again placed its trust in Boeing with its order for 75 more 737 MAXs,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific & India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “These additional 737 MAX airplanes will help Jet Airways continue to be an industry leader by combining a superior passenger experience with reliable and efficient operations.” The 737 MAX is a family of airplanes that offer about 130 to 230 seats with the ability to fly up to 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers). These jets incorporate the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, the Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays and other features to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,400 orders from 96 customers worldwide to date. For more information and feature content, visit www.boeing.com/commercial/737max. About Jet Airways Jet Airways is India’s premier international airline, which operates flights to 65 destinations within India and overseas. Jet Airways’ robust domestic India network spans the length and breadth of the country covering metro cities, state capitals and emerging destinations. Beyond India, Jet Airways operates flights to key international destinations in South East AsiaSouth AsiaMiddle EastEurope and North America. The Jet Airways group currently operates a fleet of 120 aircraft, comprising Boeing 777-300 ERs, Next Generation Boeing 737s, Airbus A330-200/300s and ATR 72-500/600s.

Bahrain Says Giant Discovery Holds 80 Billion Barrels Of Oil

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Bahrain announced on Wednesday the size of the oil reserves in the giant discovery that it had made, and figures dwarf the proved reserves that the island kingdom in the Persian Gulf had prior to the latest oil find. The huge discovery in west Bahrain, named Khalij Al-Bahrain Basin, is estimated to hold more than 80 billion barrels of oil, Oil Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa said at a press conference today. The volume of natural gas at the field is estimated to be between 10 trillion and 20 trillion cubic feet, AFP quoted the minister as saying on Wednesday. Bahrain announced a few days ago the biggest crude oil discovery in its history that will “dwarf” its current reserves, and details on the size of the reserves were expected to be released later this week. Before the latest oil discovery, Bahrain was estimated to have proved reserves of just 125 million barrels of crude. International oil companies are currently helping Bahrain to carry out appraisal studies at the new discovery, and to quantify how much of the oil and gas in place can be extracted, Al-Khalifa said. Oil extraction from the field is not expected to begin for at least five years, according to Yahya al-Ansari, manager of exploration at national oil firm Bahrain Petroleum Company.

Tradesy Acquires Fitz And Announces Tradesy Closet Concierge

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Tradesy, the world’s largest peer-to-peer marketplace for women’s designer fashion, has acquired Fitz, an in-home service that pairs customers with highly-trained stylists to organize their closets, edit their wardrobes and provide personalized styling services. With this acquisition, Tradesy is pleased to announce the launch of Tradesy Closet Concierge, a service that delivers luxury wardrobe management by professional stylists, including organizing, styling, and resale consignment services. The Tradesy Closet Concierge Stylists are a group of highly vetted professionals from design schools, fashion houses, and beyond. Items collected by stylists for resale will be sold on Tradesy. “The team at Fitz built an experience that absolutely thrills customers – women just fall in love with having a perfectly-organized closet, and form amazing relationships with their stylists,” said Tracy DiNunzio, Founder and CEO of Tradesy. “We’ve combined this top-tier experience with a new Tradesy consignment service that makes selling even easier. It’s everything busy, stylish women need to fully manage their modern wardrobe,” concludes DiNunzio. Tradesy Closet Concierge offers not only a high-touch, personalized service, it also offers women the opportunity to make the most out of the items they resell. The tiered commission structure is the lowest in the industry, enabling women to make up to twice as much as with other resellers. The launch of Tradesy Closet Concierge is another step towards Tradesy Inc.’s vision of creating a more sustainable model for fashion commerce. The service makes reselling effortless and fun, thus extending the life cycle of high quality goods, and leaving fewer items in landfills. Prior to the acquisition, Fitz operated in the New York City, where it rapidly became a must-have service for the city’s most stylish women. The company was the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Co-Founder and CEO of Fitz, and known for her roles as co-founder of Gilt and GLAMSQUAD. “Tradesy is the ideal partner for Fitz. With Tradesy’s robust technology, infrastructure and large fashion-savvy user base, the service we built will now be positioned to scale dynamically across the country with Tradesy’s millions of customers.” said Alexandra Wilkis Wilson. Tradesy Closet Concierge is currently serving the New York City area, including ManhattanBrooklyn, and Queens, with plans to expand to the Tri-State area and Los Angeles by the end of the year, hitting all major cities in the United Statesin 2019. Its most popular service is the 3-Hour Closet Curation, in which two Closet Concierge Stylists completely re-organize the client’s closet, typically evaluating more than two hundred items. Stylists work directly with the client to decide what to sell, donate, or keep, and make shopping recommendations on the spot, as well as after the appointment via email or text. ABOUT TRADESY Tradesy is the world’s largest peer-to-peer marketplace for women’s luxury fashion. The website and app enable sellers to easily earn money for apparel and accessories that they’re no longer wearing, while buyers save up to 90% on designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel. With $80m in funding from investors like Richard Branson and Kleiner Perkins, Tradesy has introduced collaborative commerce to women across America, making luxury fashion more sustainable and accessible to its 6 million members.

Saudi Arabia’s first cinema to open on April 18

Saudi Arabia’s first cinemas should be open by the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the Kuwaiti National Cinema Company (KNCC) and Dubai-based distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment. The two companies are already familiar with KSA cinema tastes, with so many Saudi nationals visiting Kuwait and Dubai to watch films in public cinemas. They have said a catalogue of Egyptian cinema will be among the films shown in the Kingdom. The pair already work in partnership producing, distributing and exhibiting films across the region, and have now secured three locations for 27 screens in Saudi’s biggest cities – Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam – through their Cinescape Cinemas subsidiary. ’12 multiplexes in the next 36-month period’ The pair said in a statement that they are currently in the final stages of negotiations to open this first phase of screens, while the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) is mapping out the rules and regulations for reopening cinemas. The initial 27 screens will be followed by a major expansion across the Saudi market, assuming conditions under the new system allow it. Cinescape already operates numerous cineplexes throughout Kuwait, while KNCC’s holding company, Tamdeen Group, operates several of the malls the cinemas are located in. KNCC’s Hisham Al Ghanim commented: “There is a high influx of Saudi audiences that flock to Kuwait to experience the cinema here because of the films we are able to show and the high standards of the sites themselves, so we have a keen understanding and appreciation of their tastes and habits. We expect to open a total 12 multiplexes in the next 36-month period.” Egyptian films to be shown Front Row’s Gianluca Chakra added: “Along with these distribution lines, there is a potential to grow once the lay of the land has settled. Front Row’s exhibition and distribution model can only help enhance the Saudi expansion. Added to that the strong Egyptian catalogue and the burgeoning market of original content development we are closely working on together and you will find that there is substantial potential for growth in the KSA.” Cinescape is the first regionally based company to secure cinema locations in KSA. The announcement comes hot on the heels of UK-based Vue Cinemas’ recent announcement that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi mall and leisure specialist Abdulmohsin Al Hokair Holding Group, and hopes to build “up to 30” multiplexes over the next three years, though Vue did not reveal when it expected its first doors to actually open. Canada’s IMAX, the US’ AMC and Dubai-based Vox are also known to be seeking opportunities in the kingdom following the reopening cinemas.

Abu Dhabi International Airport named 2017th Best Airport in the Middle East for the second year

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The ASQ is the only worldwide program to survey passengers at the airport on their day of travel. The program measures passengers’ views of 34 key performance indicators. 74% of the world’s top 100 busiest airports are part of the ASQ network, which delivers 600,000 individual surveys per year in 42 languages in 84 countries. The program served 343 airports in 2017, where half of the globe’s 7.1 billion travelers passed through. Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, said: “We are honored to have received such a high accolade for the second consecutive year. We consider ASQ awards as a key indicator to our performance and success as they are a transparent reflection of what our passengers think of us and our services. I am personally extremely proud of our team, our stakeholders, and all the entities operating at the airport, as I know the challenges they are going through day and night, yet they never fail in exceeding expectations, and delivering a world-class gateway to the Capital of the UAE. I look forward to their continued commitment and drive to excel as we embark on our next phase in our transformation journey.” As per the ACI announcement, this year’s award saw the winning of 16 airports for the first time, which reflects the increasingly competitive airport industry environment. Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) won the first position in the region, and came in number 57 worldwide. The ASQ Awards ceremony will be held during ACI Customer Excellence Summit in Halifax, Canada between 10th and 13th September 2018.

Insight Vacations Celebrates 40 Years of Innovative Travel and Immersive Experiences with Anniversary Gift to Travelers

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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 EuropeNorthern Europe & RussiaUSA & 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 FjordsThis 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 & PortugalThis 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 AdventureThis 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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COMPOSE YOUR APPETITE FOR A HARMONIOUS FOUR COURSE SYMPHONY AFTERNOON TEA AT JUMEIRAH CARLTON TOWER

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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. -Ends- 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

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Ice Ice Maybe… at Jumeirah Vittaveli opened with surprise celebrity performance by Evgeni Plushenko Maldives, 22 March 2018Jumeirah 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. – Ends – 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

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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 experiencesthis 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 InstagramTwitter, 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.