ITB Berlin News Page 68
InterContinental Hotels unveil reward card
Barclaycard and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) have launched the Priority Club Rewards Black Visa card, which offers loyalty club members more points on hotel stays and purchases which can be redeemed for free nights or a selection of other rewards.
Qatar Airways unveils futuristic seats
Qatar Airways has unveiled spacious new, high-tech Business and Economy Class seats for its highly anticipated Boeing 787 aircraft that will be added to the fleet this summer. The seats were unveiled during the opening day at ITB Berlin.
Mövenpick Hotels in green focus
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ 21 hotels in Europe have achieved Green Globe certification, placing the Swiss hospitality company on target to become the most certified hotel company in the world to receive the Green Globe seal. The news was announced at ITB 2012.
Tourism expected to pass $2 trillion in GDP
Travel and tourism is set for a milestone year as the industry’s direct contribution to the global economy is expected to pass $2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs, according to the latest findings released by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) during ITB Berlin.
Anita Cremer, Director of Sales and Marketing , Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE @ ITB Berlin 2012
Anita Cremer, director of sales and marketing at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, talks to BTN about the newly signed partnership with Robert Rock, champion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO of Johannesburg Tourism Company @ ITB Berlin 2012
Phelisa Mangcu, acting chief executive of Johannesburg Tourism Company talks to BTN about Joburg’s new booking portal and its recently formed collaboration with Cape Town and Durban.
Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways @ ITB Berlin 2012
Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial Officer of Etihad Airways talks to BTN about a milestone year in which Etihad has moved into profit as it continues its growth plans with new strategic partnerships.
John Lynch, Director of Tourism, The Jamaica Tourist Board @ ITB Berlin 2012
John Lynch, director of tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board talks to BTN about Jamaica’s increased bookings, its 50th anniversary celebrations and Prince Harry’s meeting with Usain Bolt.
Gerhard Mitrovits, General Manager, Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow @ ITB Berlin 2012
Gerhard Mitrovits, general manager of Hotel Baltschug Kempinski in Moscow talks to BTN about landmark refurbishment taking place at the property including upgrades to the public areas, new restaurants and a spanking new mediterranean bar.
Pegasus taps into mobile technologies
Pegasus Solutions is offering responsive web design for hotels, which allows hotels to deliver hotel content correctly formatted to any mobile device. The solution, OpenFlex, is available now through Pegasus’ Open Hospitality division, and is credited for helping one customer realise half a million US dollars through iPad bookings alone in January 2012. The product is being promoted today at ITB Berlin.
ITB Berlin 2012 opens its doors
Over 110,000 travel trade professionals from around the world have descended on Berlin today for the 46th ITB Berlin, which has officially opened its doors. All available space in the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds are occupied as 10,644 exhibitors from 187 countries are presenting every aspect of the value-added chain of the tourism industry.
Johannesburg Tourism in force at ITB
The Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) will be attending ITB Berlin in force, networking with international industry and business associates, media, tourism industry stakeholders and special guests, at various events, including a reception to be hosted at the South African Embassy in Berlin on 8 March.