Travel and Tourism

Video: TravelWise with Phil Blizzard looking at some of the colourful islands which make up the Republic of the Seychelles, as well as neighbouring Le Reunion. In Travel Talk the industry experts this time are Elisa Grandcourt, CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board and Pascal Viroleau, Director of Tourism, Isle of Reunion. They talk about the attractions of their respective destinations and how they are trying to broaden their markets. Did you know, for example, that self-catering guest houses are available in the Seychelles

Video: TravelWise with Phil Blizzard using the 2012 Arabian Travel Market as a backdrop for this edition, with a look at the latest regional travel industry news. This includes Emirates expansion into Europe and their return to Vietnam, India's Spice Jet arrival in Dubai and weekend getaways from Air Arabia and Rotana Jet, plus Flydubai on their 3rd anniversary.

Video: The InterContinental Group has been in the Middle East region for over 50 years and is still evolving. Pascal Guavi, COO, Middle East & Asia, IHG talks to Phil Blizzard about their numerous brands, including new entrant Indigo Hotels, their focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 5000 rooms in 22 hotels and how the group is develop brands for specific geographic regions.

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'.

Video: A roundup of the key travel and tourism news stories from the Arabian Travel Market and beyond. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths gives an update on their development plans, the UAE apply for full membership status with the UN World Tourism Organisation. Qatar Airways announces new routes and Phil Blizzard talks to some of the 'Travel Oscar' winners from The World Travel Awards.

Video: The theme for this years Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, organised by MEED and The Bench, was 'Adapting to a Changing Landscape'. With collaboration and innovation Phil Blizzard reports from Madinat Jumeirah at the event which saw the participation of regional and global hotel brands, investors and hotel owners.

Video: Hilton Worldwide are to become one of the largest hotel operators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a programme of 14 properties and almost 7,000 rooms in the next two years. At the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Hilton Worldwide talks to Phil Blizzard about the expansion plans across the region and how they are adapting to the changing landscape.

Video: TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and in Travel Talk the industry expert this time is Dermott Mannion, Deputy Chairman, Royal Brunei Airlines, a former top executive with Emirates and ex CEO, Aer Lingus. He talks about his aviation experience, the impact of the European tax on carbon emissions and how Royal Brunei will be one of the first to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into Dubai, later this year.

Video: Joe Sita provides an overview of the development of their projects in the GCC region and gives his view on adapting to the changing hospitality landscape. Talking to Phil Blizzard at MEED's Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) he also expresses what it means to their organisation for their CEO, Mr Talal Jassim Al-Bahar to receive the AHIC 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Video: TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and John Pelling, GM, St Regis Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi which hosted the Global Aerospace Summit. The latest regional travel industry news includes passenger growth for Abu Dhabi International Airport, Flyduabi's foray into Yemen, Emirates to consider foreign airlines and say Hello Tomorrow. We also preview the Arabian Hotel Investment Show, the World Travel Awards and the Arabian Travel Market.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and Travel Talk with Anton Bawab, Regional VP, Viceroy Hotels looks at the entry of this American luxury brand into the Middle East and their expansion plans for the regional. They also talk about the rebranding of the Yas Marina Hotel and the evolution of this iconic structure which straddles the race track at Yas Marina.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard from the Viceroy Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and the latest regional travel industry news. This includes the debut Abu Dhabi Air Expo, visitor figures to the UAE capital and expansion for Rotana Hotels, along with Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways.

The latest hotel to open on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai is the Rixos and the first in the region for the luxurious hotel brand from Turkey. Phil Blizzard went for an inspection and to find out how a new brand is marketed in a location of established hospitality players and what the plans are for Rixos in this region.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and the latest regional travel industry news which includes global success at the World Travel Awards for regional travel and tourism operators. Expansion continues unabated for airlines in the GCC with new routes to the USA and Europe, and we also look at the impact on airlines of the EU imposed 'carbon tax'.