Jetsettersblog

Company Expects 50-50 Leisure and Business Travel in the Kingdom

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 10 July 2011 – Dollar Rent a Car, a franchisee of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc (NYSE: DTG), and one of the Middle East’s fastest growing car rental companies, today announced their expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a franchisee agreement with Al Wefaq Rent A Car. The office in Al Rawabi, Riyadh, will serve as the Dollar headquarters for car rental services in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Jubail.

Dollar’s office in Saudi Arabia will be managed by Nasser AlQahtani who will act as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company. Dollar will target corporate customers in the Kingdom as well as cater to holiday makers and short-term business tourists. “Saudi Arabia is a hub for regional and international investment at the moment,” said Nasser Al AlQahtani, Chairman and CEO, Dollar Rent A Car. “Tourism is increasing at a steady pace. We have an influx of business tourists with the opening of new offices for international corporations and local businesses.”

The Leisure business will be driven by residents who frequently opt to rent cars for drives to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. “Saudi has also been a hub for religious retreats, and we are prepared to serve the tourist this Ramadan season,” continued Mr. AlQahtani.

Dollar Car Rental expects a 50-50 split between leisure and business travel in the Kingdom over the next few years. The World Travel and Tourism Council reports that Leisure travel spending (inbound and domestic) is expected to generate 54.7 per cent of direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2011 compared with 45.3 per cent for business travel spending.

“The inaugural Dollar Car Rental office in Saudi Arabia is a major success for the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, as we have been eying penetration into the country,” said Sam Eltibi, Executive Director, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group MENA & Asia Pacific. “We leave the valuable business in the very capable hands of Mr. AlQahtani, who has been in the industry for 11 years. His enthusiasm and activeness in the Kingdom’s tourism industry is real asset to drive Dollar’s business in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.”

The fully operational office in Saudi Arabia is equipped with the market’s most sought after fleet, ranging from 4x4s for regional road travelers, to small and medium size cars for holiday visitors. The company will be using Al Wefaq’s workshops for car maintenance and service ensuring customers that their rental experience is up to the standards of Dollar Rent a Car.

Dollar Rent A Car opened its Middle East office in 2004 and operates in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey and now Saudi Arabia.

About Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (“the Company”) is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission “Value Every Time,” the Company’s brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-conscious travelers in over 80 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada, operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The Company’s approximately 6,000 employees are located mainly in North America, but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international franchise network. For additional information, visit www.dtag.com

UAE, Dubai– Emirates is responding to strong passenger demand in Sudan by launching an extra weekly flight to Khartoum, boosting its frequencies to four each week.

Operated by A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration that includes 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class, the additional flight will add over 950 seats per month in each direction, and contribute significantly to economic and tourism growth in Sudan.

“This additional service will offer customers greater flexibility in choosing their travel times as well as help support further business and tourism opportunities in Sudan,” said Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa.

The additional weekly flight, EK733, will depart Dubai every Thursday at 14:35 hours, arriving in Khartoum at 17:40 hours. The return journey, flight EK 734, will depart Khartoum at 19:15, arriving in Dubai at 00:15 hours.

Customers in all cabins will enjoy meals prepared by gourmet chefs, award-winning service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over 120 countries, as well as the airline’s award-winning ice (information, communication, entertainment) system that offers over 600 channels of on-demand entertainment and the facility to send and receive emails and text messages.

Emirates airline operates a fleet of 153 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 113 destinations in 66 countries and has placed orders for an additional 199 aircraft, worth more than USD$66 billion

For more information or to book, visit www.emirates.com  or call your local Emirates reservations office.

Sardinia is one of the best kept secrets in the Mediterranean. The island is best known for its crystal clear, turquoise tinted water that laps the tiny bays, rocky coves and long sandy beaches. The majority of holiday accommodation has been tastefully built and carefully dotted around the stunning coastline offering spectacular views across the sparkling sea. Sardinian food and wine has an excellent reputation and the ice-cream is not to be missed! Fig, olive and wild orange trees cover the countryside intertwined with vineyards that are heavy with fat and juicy grapes come the end of the hot summer.
The Island of Sardinia has a huge appeal for all the family and many have fallen under its spell over the years.

Essential Italy is pleased to extend these two early booking offers for two different accommodation options on the island, both suitable for a family holiday.

Tanka Village – http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_hotels_tanka-village.php

15% off published rates for all bookings made before 30th April, 2012 (11 – 17 August excluded)

New on Essential Italy’s portfolio, this is a very large hotel, but for families who want children’s entertainment and a fabulous beach, it’s absolutely perfect!
Set on a kilometre of fine white sandy beach and crystal clear water, the layout of the village ensures that the rooms are comfortably dotted around the extensive and beautifully cared for grounds which gently slope towards the inviting sea. A large Italian-style piazza is the heart of the village with a super selection of shops, bars, seating areas and the Olympic size pool (plus separate children’s pool) surrounded by shady trees and pretty flowers.

Activities available include windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, tennis, swimming, archery, yoga and even dancing. A diving school, a riding stable and a fantastic 18 hole golf course are all on site and payable locally. A chic spa completes the picture with thalassotherapy pools, sauna, multi sensory showers, Turkish bath plus private cabins with various beauty and massage treatments on offer.
For the younger guests at Tanka Village there is some great care and entertainment at Tankaland with qualified staff catering for babies to teenagers!

Price: From £76 – £295 per person per night HALF BOARD depending on room type and season

Location: Costa Rei 14km, Villasimius 1km, Cagliari 65 km, Olbia 280km

Casa Qandra (sleeps 4) – http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_villas_casa-qandra.php

20% off published rates for the for all bookings made before 28 February, 2012

A 2 bedroom country retreat set amongst the natural greenery and the magnificent granite rocks, this is a simple but original cottage in beautiful and tranquil surroundings. The cottage offers a brand new swimming pool set slightly away from the house on a terrace with incredible views.

Price: From £830 – £1590 per week depending on season
Location: San Pantaleo village centre – 4kms, nearest beach 7kms, Costa Smeralda 10 kms, Olbia airport 35kms, Alghero airport 150 kms

Christmas is a truly memorable time of year especially for families, and the athenaeum is surrounded by the buzz and excitement. The magic will begin with complimentary ice-skating tickets to Winter Wonderland* located just a stone’s throw away in Hyde Park. Bikes, kites and bird-seed are also all provided by the hotel so that guests can really feel that they have earned their Christmas pudding.

After an exhausting day out what could be better than curling up in front of a movie? A Christmas library will be open in the hotel’s playroom filled with Christmas books, DVDs and music all available to borrow. Complimentary hot chocolate, warm mulled wine and mince pies will be delivered to guests’ rooms.

On the last night of their stay children will find a named stocking hanging in their room with a surprise gift from Father Christmas that they can take away with them as a souvenir.

*Prices start from £478+VAT for four people based on two interconnecting rooms. The package includes 4 ice-skating tickets, 2 embroidered stockings with a gift from Father Christmas, access to the Christmas library and breakfast for four people

Create the idyllic winter wedding, set in stunning countryside with seasonal food at the glorious Fishmore Hall.

While exchanging nuptials in the sunshine can be dreamy; nothing epitomises romance more, than the warmth of an intimate winter celebration; and the exquisite Georgian Manor, Fishmore Hall in Ludlow, Shropshire allows couples the opportunity to create their own perfect day each winter.

The food at Fishmore Hall is infamous across the country, with their magnificent restaurant Forelles gaining 2AA rosettes within only ten days of opening. Only recently, the restaurant was awarded 3AA rosettes along with 3 red stars for the hotel.

The privately owned boutique hotel offers their own personal wedding coordinator, who will work with the bride and groom to be, liaising with Chef to create the perfect wedding dishes.

Laura Penman, owner of Fishmore Hall said: “The beauty of winter weddings is that our chef, David Jaram can create a delectable seasonal menu which can include spiced wine, egg nog or warm pumpkin soup, encompassing the occasion and time of year.”

Fishmore Hall not only offers a breath-taking backdrop for pictures to document your special day; the contemporary 15 bedroom retreat can offer exclusive use for up to 250 guests. With their newly extended conservatory, they can open up the glass dividing walls that can create an intimate space for smaller weddings and can also offer up to 250 for an evening reception; all while taking in the unrivalled views of the Shropshire countryside.

In a country with unpredictable weather, Fishmore Hall owner, Laura believes we should embrace the one season we can rely on and create dream winter weddings. She said: “There’s something about a winter ceremony that encapsulates the intimacy and romance of such a remarkable occasion and we look forward to helping guests achieve that magical day.”

For further information about Fishmore Hall’s wedding packages, visit: http://www.fishmorehall.co.uk/Your+Shropshire+wedding+

Win a host of prizes simply by making a booking between 20 October and 20 December 2011

The UK’s leading independent tour operator Premier Holidays is celebrating this October to mark its 75th birthday.

To kick-start the festivities, Premier Holidays is offering agents the chance to win 75 fantastic prizes, simply by making a booking between 20 October and 20 December 2011.

“Premier Holidays which formed from Premier Travel Group began as a coach operator in 1936. Premier Travel Group is one of the most respected names in the UK travel market. Our people, product, independence and commitment to the trade is what differentiates us from our competitors. Our staff are passionate about travel and committed to providing a high standard of service to all our clients,” says Susan Papworth, Managing Director of Premier Holidays.

“We are delighted to have reached 75 years of service and we credit our success to the fact we always listen to our customer’s needs. Our hands-on approach and the fact we are independent means we can adapt to the ever changing travel industry,” says Papworth.

“We have some amazing prizes up for grabs, including a five-night luxury break to Oman, staying at the five-star Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, a luxury six-night holiday to the Seychelles and short breaks to New York, Jersey and Guernsey,” adds Papworth.

In addition, for every booking worth more than £7,500 during the celebration period, agents will be entered into the prize draw twice. All long-haul bookings over the value of £7,500 will earn at least £75 of shopping vouchers. With weekly spot prizes on offer, the more bookings an agent makes, the higher their chances are they will be picked from the draw.

Having launched their first Beach Property Awards last month handpicking the best beach-side properties to stay in around the world, Beach Tomato has announced its final winners. The judging panel, made up of Beach Tomato Editor, Kirsty Hathaway and co-founders, Tom Marchant, James Merrett and Matt Smith, together with the team of Beach Tomato travel experts selected the winning properties with three categories open to the public vote.

Co-founder, Tom Marchant, says, “Beach Tomato has become the go-to destination for honest, discerning advice on all things beach. We want to share the very best of beach culture, so the Property Awards was a fantastic opportunity to provide our readers with insightful, first-hand information on the most desirable beach properties from around the world.”

Editor, Kirsty Hathaway, adds, “Since the launch of Beach Tomato we have uncovered the best of the beach for 2011, discovered some of the most exciting emerging design talent and revealed the beauty products that genuinely work. So for us bringing beach-side property on to the site was a natural progression. We’re delighted to finally announce those beach properties we felt truly outshine the rest.”

The Winners: The Beach Tomato Beach Property Awards were divided in to nine categories including the Judges Choice categories: Private Sands, Sexy, Scene, Local Flavour, On Water, Spa and the Public Vote categories: Iconic, Unique and View. On top of this one lucky voter will win four nights at the luxury Kenoa Resort, Brazil, alongside a hamper of indulgent spa products.

The Public Voted Categories -

Iconic (voted for) Shutters – USA

Unique (voted for) Stokkøya Sjøsenter – Norway

View (voted for) Sri Panwa – Thailand

The Judges Choice Categories -
Private Sand Ariara Island – Philippines

For Two W Hotel – Maldives

Scene The Surf Lodge – Montauk

Local Flavour The Caves – Jamaica

On water Likuliku Lagoon Resort – Fiji

Spa Kauri Cliffs – New Zealand

100 chances to win a stay at a luxury Hilton hotel to celebrate the launch of Hilton HHonors ‘Fast Ways to Free Stays’ promotion

A grand pyjama party at a mystery central London location has been announced to celebrate the launch of the Hilton HHonors ‘Fast Ways to Free Stays’ promotion. Some lucky HHonors members will even get the chance to win a luxury night away a Hilton Worldwide hotel as 100 ‘Free Stays’ will be awarded to revelers on the night.

On 18th October Londoners will discover the closely guarded mystery location via the @HiltonHHonors twitter feed the secret location and be in with a chance to win a one night stay at a luxury Hilton hotel. The Party doors will open between 6 – 7pm and the first people to check in at the mystery location will win an amazing free stay.

The Hilton HHonors Twitter (www.Twitter.com/HHonors ) and Facebook pages (www.Facebook.com/HiltonHHonors ) will begin leaking clues about the location . Once launched, @HiltonHHonors followers and Hilton HHonors Facebook fans around the world will start receiving specific clues and tasks, along with hints about locations, rallying participation in the chase to win one of 100 grand prizes.

Simultaneous events will be taking place in four further mystery locations around the world, with a total of 500 grand stays being given away to lucky Hilton HHonors members. The winners worldwide will be awarded with a free night certificate, redeemable any property in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton. To redeem their reward, winners must be Hilton HHonors members.

“The Fast Ways to Free Stays social scavenger hunt goes beyond promoting our latest global rate sale, helping to shift the Hilton HHonors conversation from points to possibilities,” said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president, global customer marketing, Hilton Worldwide. “Hilton HHonors members, followers and fans in five different cities worldwide will have a chance to take part in a unique, on-the-ground experience that we hope they will continue to share even after they’ve crossed the finish line.”

Hilton HHonors is the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s ten distinct hotel brands – including the world renowned Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands – and honors its 28 million members by allowing them to turn earned points into experiences worth sharing.

The Hilton HHonors Fast Ways to Free Stays promotion offers members either double HHonors points or a free night certificate after four stays or 10 nights for hotel stays completed before December 31, 2011. Members can book their hotel  through December 31, 2011.
To participate in the Fast Ways to Free Stays social scavenger hunt, follow Hilton HHonors on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/HiltonHHonors ) or Twitter (www.Twitter.com/HHonors ).

Members can register for the Fast Ways to Free Stays promotion, select bonus offering or review full terms and conditions at HHonors.com/FastWays. Bonus selection cannot be changed during the promotional period. There is no limit to the number of bonus points or free night certificates that can be awarded. For more information or to become a Hilton HHonors member, visit www.HHonors.com

The Vatican Gardens are one of the hidden wonders of the Eternal City. For centuries they were restricted and kept secret; now they are open to visitors from around the world.

Originally planted in the 13th century for Pope Nicholas III, and embellished over time for various Popes, the Vatican gardens speak of the history centuries of Papacy and represent a marvellous intersection of nature, art and faith.

The gardens are an oasis of peace, where Popes have continued to seek out a quiet contemplative place in which to reflect and rest. This garden restricted and secret for centuries, is an unique tapestry of nature, history and religious memory, woven by the genius and talent of artists and builders through the centuries.

An audio-led tour organised by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi on board the Roma Cristiana mininbus.

www.operaromanapellegrinaggi.org

Classic Collection Holidays (www.classic-collection.co.uk 0800 294 9318) is offering 7 nights from £1252 per person, 3 nights from £699 per person, this November at the Hotel Majestic Roma, located in the heart of the Via Veneto, Rome. Price based on 2 adults sharing a double superior room on a bed & breakfast basis and includes return flights from Gatwick to Rome and private transfers.

SHEEPSKIN OFFERS YOGA WEEKENDS AT ITS LARGE LUXURIOUS HOUSES

Stylish self-catering company, Sheepskin, is offering yoga weekends at two of its large luxurious houses in November 2011 and at three properties in January 2012. The breaks cost from as little as £225 per person based on eight or ten sharing and up to £450 for groups as small as four (www.sheepskinlife.com  01865 764087).

Each break includes: three nights accommodation, morning and evening yoga and relaxation sessions on Saturday and Sunday and a complimentary tapas selection as well as Sheepskin’s standard welcome gift bag full of self catering essentials and tasty treats.

The yoga and relaxation sessions are run by experienced yogi Deirdra Barr of Ompathy.com who will tailor make the classes to suit the experience, fitness and wishes of the group. Making the weekends a perfect introduction for someone who has never tried Yoga before or a great refresher or challenge for someone who has.
Dates and venues for the yoga weekends are as follows:

Weekend commencing 18th November, a three night break at Knightsfield in the Brecon Beacons for between five and ten people from £225 per person based on ten sharing or £450 per person based on a minimum 5 people sharing.

Weekend of 25th November, a three night break at Shell House in Porlock Weir, Somerset for between four and eight people costs £225 per person based on eight sharing and £450 per person based on a minimum four people sharing.

Sheepskin is also offering a yoga weekend break commencing 20th January 2012 at any of the above properties or at its Peak District property the Music Mill.