Breaking Travel News

ITB Berlin 2018

ITB Berlin 2018

ITB Berlin is the leading travel trade show in the world. Around 10,000 companies and organisations from 184 countries exhibit their products each year to around 169,000 visitors, who included 109,000 trade visitors. Breaking Travel News here catches up with the major players at the event.

Videos

May Myat Mon Win, chairperson, Myanmar Tourism Marketing

May Myat Mon Win, chairperson, Myanmar Tourism Marketing

12 March 2018

With the country making its way onto the international tourism scene, Breaking Travel News here talks with May Myat Mon Win, chairperson, Myanmar Tourism Marketing, to discover what it can offer in a competitive marketplace. Also on the agenda is the security situation in the country, its potential as a year-round destination, and a look at how tourism can help Myanmar develop.

Efi Ella, general manager, Pepperclub Hotel & Spa

Efi Ella, general manager, Pepperclub Hotel & Spa

12 March 2018

Pepperclub Hotel & Spa general manager Efi Ella speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. Quick to allay fears over water shortages in Cape Town, he also tells us about the property and what it brings to this most vibrant of hospitality destinations.

Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, minister of tourism, Mauritius

Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, minister of tourism, Mauritius

12 March 2018

As the country celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence from the UK, Breaking Travel News talks with Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, minister of tourism, Mauritius, about how the destination will leverage the event. With the inaugural International Tourism Conference also set to take place this year, it is an exciting time for the country.

Rina van Staden, sales, marketing, and reservations director, Legend Lodges & Resorts

Rina van Staden, sales, marketing, and reservations director, Legend Lodges & Resorts

12 March 2018

With a rapidly growing portfolio of properties, Rina van Staden, sales, marketing, and reservations director at Legend Lodges & Resorts, here brings Breaking Travel News up to date with the latest from the company. Having also been recognise as the World’s Leading Safari Resort by the World Travel Awards, she tells us how important such industry accolades are for the development of the brand.

Marc Bennett, senior vice president, Discover Qatar

Marc Bennett, senior vice president, Discover Qatar

12 March 2018

With Qatar seeking to boost its reputation on the international tourism scene following a difficult few months politically, Marc Bennett, senior vice president, Discover Qatar, here tells Breaking Travel News what is on offer in the destination. With visa regulation being relaxed, a host of new activities coming to market, and Qatar Airways growing its route network, there may not have been a better time to visit.

Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, Jamaica

Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, Jamaica

12 March 2018

Jamaica minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett enjoyed a successful 2017, welcoming the UNWTO to the Caribbean island and overseeing a sharp rise in visitor numbers. Here he tells Breaking Travel News how he seeks to keep the momentum going into 2018 while also addressing concerns over the impact of tourism leakage in the destination.

Ammar Hilal, general manager, Fairmont Dubai

Ammar Hilal, general manager, Fairmont Dubai

12 March 2018

Breaking Travel News chats with Ammar Hilal, general manager of the Fairmont Dubai, about the hotel’s role as a cornerstone of the local hospitality scene, its plans for 2018, and recent recognition by the World Travel Awards with the World’s Leading Hotel Service Award.

Donald Payen, executive vice president, customer experience, Air Mauritius

Donald Payen, executive vice president, customer experience, Air Mauritius

12 March 2018

With the country celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence from the UK, Donald Payen, executive vice president of customer experience at Air Mauritius, is in a celebratory mood as he chats with Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. He tells us about the new aircraft the airline has on order, improvements to its on-board service, and the vital role Air Mauritius plays in local tourism.

Charlie Taylor, communications director, Jumeirah Group

Charlie Taylor, communications director, Jumeirah Group

12 March 2018

With Jose Silva having recently been appointed as chief executive of the company, the new Zabeel House brand rolling out, and a host of new properties in the pipeline, it is an exciting time for Dubai-based Jumeirah Group. Here communications director Charlie Taylor tells Breaking Travel News more about the latest headlines.

Utkarsh Faujdar, general manager, Hulhule Island Hotel

Utkarsh Faujdar, general manager, Hulhule Island Hotel

12 March 2018

Having taken the title of World’s Leading Airport Resort at the World Travel Awards, Hulhule Island Hotel has seamlessly taken its place at the top table of global hospitality. Here Breaking Travel News catches up with general manager Utkarsh Faujdar to find out more about the property and what it offers to the hospitality sector in the Maldives.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive, Ras al Khaimah Tourist Board

Haitham Mattar, chief executive, Ras al Khaimah Tourist Board

12 March 2018

With the destination breaking new ground in visitor figures, expanding its leading attractions, and welcoming a host of new properties, there is much to discuss as Breaking Travel News catches up with Haitham Mattar, chief executive of the Ras al Khaimah Tourist Board, during ITB Berlin. With the emirate also set to host the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference and World Travel Awards, it is an exciting time in the destination.

Markland Blaiklock, deputy chief executive, Centara Hotels & Resorts

Markland Blaiklock, deputy chief executive, Centara Hotels & Resorts

12 March 2018

As Centara Hotels & Resorts unveils an ambitious expansion plan, Markland Blaiklock, deputy chief executive with the Thai-based hospitality company, here tells Breaking Travel News what it entails. Also on the agenda are buoyancy of the Asian hospitality market, the importance of Germany as a source market, and his personal ambitions for the role.

M. P. Mall, chairman, Maharajas’ Express

M. P. Mall, chairman, Maharajas’ Express

12 March 2018

The only hospitality product directly controlled by the Indian government, Maharajas’ Express is an icon of the domestic tourism market. Here chairman M. P. Mall tells Breaking Travel News what the train offers to luxury travellers from around the world.

Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer, Dusit International

Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer, Dusit International

12 March 2018

Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer at Thai hospitality company Dusit International, speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. On the agenda are the company’s expansion plans around the world, the redevelopment of Dusit Thani Bangkok, and the buoyant mood in Thai hospitality.

Amanda Hills-Balfour, founder, Hills Balfour, and Craig Compagnone, executive vice president, MMGY

Amanda Hills-Balfour, founder, Hills Balfour, and Craig Compagnone, executive vice president, MMGY

12 March 2018

Hills Balfour has officially joined forces with MMGY Global, the world’s largest integrated marketing company specialising in travel and hospitality, with the deal announced at ITB Berlin. Here Breaking Travel News speaks to Amanda Hills-Balfour, founder, Hills Balfour, and Craig Compagnone, executive vice president of ‎business strategy for MMGY Global, about the deal and what it means for their respective clients.

Angela Christodoulopoulou, director of sales and marketing, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

Angela Christodoulopoulou, director of sales and marketing, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche

12 March 2018

Having just been honoured with the title of Abu Dhabi’s Leading Business Hotel at the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year, Angela Christodoulopoulou, director of sales and marketing at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, here sits down with Breaking Travel News to tell us about the property and what the titles mean to them.

Christoph Debus, chief executive, Thomas Cook Airlines

Christoph Debus, chief executive, Thomas Cook Airlines

8 March 2018

Thomas Cook Airlines chief executive, Christoph Debus, speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. He tells us about the company’s return to Tunisia after a lengthy break, improved services to the Caribbean, and the roll-out of a new Economy Plus cabin to savvy travellers.

Martin Cramer, general manager, Emirates Palace

Martin Cramer, general manager, Emirates Palace

8 March 2018

Newly appointed to the role, Martin Cramer, general manager of Emirates Palace, talks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. Chatting to editor Chris O’Toole, he discusses his ambitions for the job, the role of the prestigious property in the Abu Dhabi tourism sector, and how its all-important source markets continue to evolve.

Michael Marshall, chief operating officer, Minor Hotels

Michael Marshall, chief operating officer, Minor Hotels

8 March 2018

Michael Marshall, chief operating officer with Minor Hotels, tells Breaking Travel News about the recent launch of the Avani+ brand, the acquisition of Corbin & King in London, and the opening of the first Anantara hotel in the Americas, Maraú Bahia Resort.

Omer Kaddouri, chief executive, Rotana Hotels

Omer Kaddouri, chief executive, Rotana Hotels

8 March 2018

Omer Kaddouri, chief executive of Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels, speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin. Up for discussion are the company’s recent expansion in the United Arab Emirates, its growing portfolio of brands, and ambitions for the year ahead.

Rüdiger Hollweg, general manager, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

Rüdiger Hollweg, general manager, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

8 March 2018

Breaking Travel News chats with Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai general manager, Rüdiger Hollweg, during ITB Berlin. On the agenda are the recent investments the hotel has made in its MICE facilities and the vibrant hospitality scene in Chinese commercial capital Shanghai.