LONDON: Around 2,000 beacons have been installed across Gatwick Airport’s two terminals providing an indoor navigation system that is much more reliable than GPS and that enables augmented reality way finding for passengers – a world first for an airport. Sometime weak satellite signals makes road-based navigation systems, such as Google or Apple maps unreliable indoors, so Gatwick has deployed a beacon based positioning system to enable reliable ‘blue dot’ on indoor maps, which in time can be used within a range of mobile airport, airline or third party apps. The beacon system also enables an augmented reality way finding…
Author: holidayweekly
HAMBURG: Employees from Etihad Airways and Airbus gathered at the European plane-maker’s Hamburg Finkenwerder plant in Germany, where the aircraft was officially handed over to the UAE national airline before commencing its delivery flight to Abu Dhabi, on 25 May. The airline’s award-winning double-decker A380s are the most customised aircraft of their kind in commercial service and feature unique innovations such as The Residence, a three-room living space for up to two guests, including a living room, a private shower-room, and a bedroom. The aircraft also boasts nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, a Lobby Lounge, and 415 Economy Smart…
NEGOMBO: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented a series of awards in recognition of contributions made to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. The following awards were presented during the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Negombo, Sri Lanka: PATA Life Member, PATA Award of Merit, PATA Chairman’s Award, and PATA Face of the Future Award, a PATA Certificate of Appreciation, and the PATA Honorary Membership Award. “PATA understands that the success of any destination is dependent upon it people. Therefore it is only appropriate that we take the time to recognise some…
WASHINGTON: The US Department of the Treasury is reviewing licenses for Boeing Co. and Airbus to sell aircrafts to Iran, while it will do its best to impose additional sanctions on Tehran. [huge_it_slider id=”38″] Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made the comments before a House of Representatives panel Wednesday. “We will use everything within our power to put additional sanctions on Iran, Syria and North Korea to protect American lives,” he told members of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I can assure you that’s a big focus of mine and I discuss it with the president,” Mnuchin told lawmakers. Most…
While most places around the world welcome tourists with friendly arms, there are some that would rather tourists went elsewhere. According to a survey, there are eight destinations that are particularly fond of hating on tourists. Koh Khai islands, Thailand The Koh Khai islands are home to beautiful coral and scenic beach views, however, as of May 2016; tourists have been banned from visiting the island because of the harm being done to the marine ecosystems and island environment. According to The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, up to 80 per cent of the coral reefs had been damaged,…
NEW YORK: Roger Dow, the President and CEO of the US Travel Association, has issued a statement questioning proposals to scrap funding for Brand USA. [huge_it_slider id=”37″] The statement was issued after it emerged that plans to eliminate the tourism marketing agency were included in President Donald Trump’s federal budget document. “With all that’s going on in the world, unilaterally disarming the marketing of the US as a travel destination would be to surrender market share at the worst possible time,” said Dow. “It’s especially perplexing that the elimination of Brand USA is on the table when both commerce secretary…
SYDNEY: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Monday, 22 May that it was cutting 600 jobs, its biggest head count reduction in almost two decades, as it seeks to return to profitability. Asian carriers like Cathay and Singapore Airlines Ltd have had to contend with competition from mainland Chinese airlines that are expanding international routes aggressively. The job cuts are the first step in a three-year reorganization plan announced this year by Hong Kong’s flagship carrier. It posted an annual loss last year, its first since 2008, and is expected to be in the red again this year. Singapore Airlines,…
Written by Ch Faisal Mahmood As we wrote earlier that this summer we shall not forget; we should not forget. Not because it had the free fun which the civil society in Europe generally associates with the Season, but because of the unrelenting heat which the weather gods threw down upon Pakistan. The mercury is going high to a dangerous level. 2 years before the heat terror first hit the pilgrims at Sehwan Shareef during the annual URS of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. As if that was not bad enough, damaging the image of our cultural events, no lessons were…
ISLAMABAD: Hashoo Group and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will create a framework of collaboration on capacity building, hospitality education, entrepreneurship and impact investment. This joint contract will combine the technical expertise of USAID with the largest hospitality company in Pakistan to improve tourism and private sector growth in a sustainable way. The partnership with USAID will enable Hashoo Group to provide programs that achieve significant development results. Hashoo Group of companies, as owner and operators of the Pearl Continental Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Hotel One brands with properties…
DUBAI: Hotel operators in the Gulf region may need to modify their room rates and their overall fee strategy starting next year to continue to appeal to consumers following the introduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT). VAT, which will be imposed at a 5 per cent rate starting 2018 across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), has the potential to alter consumer behaviour by discouraging guests from booking hotel rooms, according to a report from HVS, a global hospitality consultancy. HVS said the tax is likely to impact price-sensitive, millennial travellers, and said that hotels may need to alter their pricing to…