MAS ranked 5-star airline
JEDDAH: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has been ranked as a 5-star airline for the 4th consecutive year by Skytrax, the leading research advisers to the world’s airline and air transport industry, according to Shahrunnawi Mohamed Saleh, sales manager and acting area manager of the airline. This year, he added, MAS’ crew won the World’s Best Cabin Crew award by Skytrax for the sixth time. “Our airline has launched its stimulus package, which covers domestic, ASEAN and international travel. The package offers something for everyone with nine deals covering first, business and economy class travelers,” he said. “MAS will match the price of one’s previous travel on another airline for flights above three hours. This applies to first and business class passengers,” Saleh said while explaining the stimulus package. “Those who pay Economy class fares will be able to enjoy business class travel privileges,” he added. During the recent MATTA Travel Fair, MAS revenue increased about three times to 11.7 million from 3.4 million ringgit, he said. The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair in February recorded a 36 percent growth to 95 million ringgit in 2009 compared to 70 million last year.
Rosewood Corniche wins top award
JEDDAH: Jeddah’s Rosewood Corniche was crowned Saudi Arabia’s leading hotel at the World Travel Awards, the travel industry’s version of the Oscars, in Dubai recently. Over 170,000 travel professionals around the world cast their votes online in favor of the Jeddah hotel. This was the first time that the hotel was nominated in the category of Saudi Arabia’s leading hotel, following its successful opening in September 2007. “It is a tremendous honor to be named Saudi Arabia’s leading hotel,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, MD, Rosewood Corniche. “We are extremely proud to be the standard-bearer for hotels in the Kingdom, and this award represents the culmination of our tireless efforts to provide the highest levels of service and excellence while constantly seeking to surpass our own achievements.” Shamel Droubi, director of sales and marketing, said: “The win is especially meaningful as travel industry professionals around the world have voted, bringing global recognition of our well-deserved reputation as the top ultra-luxury property in the Kingdom.”
Singapore unveils new attractions at TM
DUBAI: Singapore’s transformation was revealed at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held here recently with new iconic attractions and the unveiling of the ‘Singapore Kaleidoscope’ pavilion concept. Like a kaleidoscope that produces vibrant colors and designs with constant movements, Singapore is a multifaceted city that is constantly evolving. Singapore’s tourism landscape has transformed, with recent developments such as the successful hosting of the world’s first Formula 1 night race, and the launch of the Singapore Flyer, claimed to be the world’s largest observation wheel. These transformations are set to intensify with the launch of Singapore’s two integrated resorts — Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa — set to open at the end of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010 respectively.
“Singapore offers a unique blend of East and West, the traditional with the modern. With the city-state having undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, we feel that the ‘Singapore Kaleidoscope’ concept will pique the curiosity of visitors at ATM, and inspire them to learn more about Singapore,” Jason Ong, area director for Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.
SWISS offers new A330-300 to ME market
DUBAI: Swiss International Air Lines, the national carrier of Switzerland, is in full gear with its ongoing investments in products and services and has chosen the Middle East to be the second market to receive the all-new A330-300 aircraft fitted with the latest innovations in seats and in-flight entertainment in June. SWISS, named the ‘Best Airline: Europe” for its short- and long-haul flights by the Skytrax 2009, showcased the A330-300’s new SWISS Business Seat at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Marcel Biedermann, MD and head of intercontinental markets of Swiss International Air Lines, said: “SWISS has a total investment of over $878 million for the nine new Airbus A330-300 aircraft and we expect to raise the airline’s earning capacity by replacing nine smaller aircraft of the present Airbus A330-200 fleet. The first of the new A330-300 took off from Zurich to New York last April and the second aircraft is due to arrive in Dubai next month. We expect complete delivery by 2011. Also, the new aircraft will reduce SWISS’ CO2 emissions by around 13 percent.”
