Travel and Tourism

Video: Commenting on Peru's most famous attraction - Machu Picchu the Rolling Stone's Mick Jagger said "I'm completely bowled over". At the Arabian Travel Market Phil Blizzard, also bowled over, spoke to Alvaro Silva-Santisteban, Director, Ministry of Foreign Trade & Tourism, Peru for the key information on travel to this South American country. Watch to view the attractions and find out about flying time, visa requirements and where to stay.

Video: With 350 hotels worldwide and just one in the GCC Spain's Melia Hotels are looking at the Middle East with the aim of having 10 hotels in Dubai by 2020. Talking to Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Maria Zarraluqui, VP Development Worldwide, Melia Hotels International explains their development strategy, market positioning and the challenges they face as a new entrant in this region.

Video: The Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar al Baker talks to Phil Blizzard about the Boeing Dreamliner debacle and reveals his feelings when the revolutionary aircraft was grounded. He talks about their expansion plans, new routes and also reveals to AME Info that the airline will be ordering new Boeing 777s at the Paris Airshow.

Video: Displays in major European cities showing live webcam feeds from the major tourist attractions across Egypt is to form a major role in their strategy to grow visitor numbers. Mohamed Hisham Abbas Zaazou, Minister of Tourism, Arab Republic of Egypt talks to Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference about their development plans and projected figures for visitor arrivals.

Video: The 13th World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit took place in Abu Dhabi with the theme "A Time for Leadership". President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker at the event, which attracted travel and tourism leaders from across the globe. Phil Blizzard reports on the summit which focused on some of the key issues facing the travel and tourism industry.

Video: In the concluding part of this TravelWise special Phil Blizzard island hops across to the Jumeirah Vittaveli Resort talking to both Graham Kiy, GM of the resort and the Maldives Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb Adul Gafoor about changing trends in source markets and the significance of the new service by Flydubai.

Video: The arrival of Flydubai and the commencement of scheduled flights into Male, Republic of Maldives means the island resorts, like this one - Emboodhu Finolhu, home to the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, are more accessible. In this part, and following in the footsteps of the Arabic explorer Ibn Battuta, Phil Blizzard takes a look at what one of the 'Sultan Islands' has to offer.

Video: TravelWise for March comes from 'The Sunny Side of Life - The Maldives' with Phil Blizzard joining Flydubai on their in-augural service to the capital Male and the travels onwards the island of Emboodhu Finolhu. On route he takes a look at the latest Travel News from across the region which includes the new international airport in Doha, a battery solution for the troubled Boeing 787 Dreamliner and digital newspapers for Flydubai.

Video: Following the launch of thier first hotel in the UAE capital luxury hotel group Sofitel will also be opening properities at two iconic locations in Dubai. Philippe Van Der Brought, Senior VP - Finance, Sofitel Worldwide talks to Phil Blizzard about the parameters and requirements when deciding on future hotel openings and the importance of collaborating with the property owners. He also provides an insight into their developments in Dubai and the broader MENA region.

Video: The emerging destination of Ras Al Khaimah in the northern emirates of the UAE has recently established an government body to oversee the development of their tourism sector. Phil Blizzard talks to Victor Louis, COO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority about their plans to increase room inventory from around 3000 to over 10,000 rooms in just four years, the opportunities for private sector investors in what has been very much a government domain and what he means by 'affordable luxury'.