Travel and Executive Breaks

Audio: TravelTalk from the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai and as the hotel enters its third year of operation Phil Blizzard talks to Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager about the opening of the Music Hall, and in the near future The Supper Club, both which will place the resort high on the elite entertainment scene.

Audio: A second year of profit for the UAE national airline Etihad Airways has been announced with a net profit of US$42 million in 2012. Phil Blizzard reports on the announcement made by James Hogan, President & CEO, Etihad Airways who said "This has been a game changing year for the airline".

Audio: In this edition of TravelTalk Phil Blizzard visits the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai to talk to Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager about key moments during their two years of operations. Christophe talks about how the resort is developing as it enters its third year and how they are introducing the first Supperclub into the region.

Audio: One of Dubai's most popular beach front resorts has just re-opened after being closed for 11 months. Phil Blizzard visits Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina to look at the refurbished property and talks to Stewart Selbie, GM, Mina Seyahi Complex about the new product and why it was necessary to close.

Audio: A round up of travel and tourism news from across the region with Phil Blizzard featuring the latest airline developments, including generator problems for Qatar Airways and their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, aircraft deliveries for Emirates and new destinations for both airlines. Hospitality developments include the opening of the first 4 star beach front hotel in Dubai and the arrival of Trader Vic's at Dubai Festival City. Plus a round-up of regional winners at the finals of the World Travel Awards.

Audio: Phil Blizzard meets up with Rupprecht Queitsch, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai to talk how this Emirates Group hotel will be integrated into their network, and in particular their premium class passengers, as well as the impact of two major hospitality brands, the Fairmont Palm Jumeirah and The Conrad, opening in the city. He also talks about the growth of the MICE sector which will eventually contribute to 50% of their business and the prime markets for their convention facilities.

Audio: The world's tallest hotel, standing at 355m has opened in the heart of Dubai with their focus being very much the convention market. Phil Blizzard meet up with Rupprecht Queitsch, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai to talk about the positioning of the property and the significance of the recent announcement by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum for the go-head to complete of the hotels second tower, which will take the number of rooms to beyond 1600.

Audio: Travel Talk looks at the 60th Anniversary of Holiday Inn with Phil Blizzard talking to Spence Wilson about some of the innovations which they introduced into the hospitality industry - from technology to the first use of credit cards. Pascal Gauvin, COO, India, MEA provides an overview of the regional presence of Holiday Inn and their expansion plans.

Audio: Travel Talk looks at the 60th Anniversary of Holiday Inn with Phil Blizzard talking to Spence Wilson, son of the founder, and also Pascal Gauvin, COO, India, MEA on regional developments. Travel News includes profits announced by Emirates Airline and Air Arabia, the arrival Qatar Airways Dreamliner and the opening in Dubai of the world's tallest hotel. Plus news on Dubai openings for The Conrad and Fairmont Palm Jumeirah.

Audio: On-line travel spend in the UAE during 2011 reach $4.7bn and is expected to double by the end of 2014, according to research released by Travelport, with Middle East on-sales to top $15.8bn. Phil Blizzard talks Rabih Saab, President & MD, Travelport, MEA about the key factors driving this growth, how on-lines will impact off-line travel agencies and the technology available to make access to data, both on-line and off-line, more streamlined.

Audio: Travel Talk comes from the landmark Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel, Abu Dhabi where Phil Blizzard talks to the general manager Doris Greif about the latest travel trends and the importance of the MICE market to both the hotel and the UAE hospitality sector.

Audio: Emirates and Etihad Airways have both cancelled flights in and out of New York as the Eastern Seaboard of the USA braces itself for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy. Phil Blizzard looks at the flights cancelled by Gulf carriers and points travellers in the direction to get updates on the operations of UAE airlines. Global estimates suggest that 6000 flights have been axed due to the imminent arrival of the 'super storm'.

Audio: Travel Talk comes from the UAE capital and the landmark Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel where Phil Blizzard talks to the general manager Doris Greif about its first year of operation. In the Travel News segment we look at Qatar Airways and the arrival of their first Boeing Dreamliner, the alliance with First World and their 7* Michelin chefs. There is also news on the Emirates A380s and India's Kingfisher airline.

Audio: In part two of Executive Views David Thompson, COO, JA Resorts talks to Phil Blizzard about their post branding developments which will include the opening of their first overseas resort, in the Seychelles, as well as a four storey hotel in JBR, Dubai.

Audio: The Jebel Ali International Hotels have undergone a rebranding process which will see a new image for the locally owned, Dubai based, company which has a 30 year heritage in hospitality. Talking to Phil Blizzard, David Thompson, COO of the new JA Resorts & Hotels explains, in part 1, the strategy behind the new brand, it's image and what it will mean to their guests.