Travel and Tourism

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and Travel Talk with Marco Heinrich, Regional Manager Destination Development Europe & The Americas looks at the holiday options in Argentina and Brazil. The two countries offer diverse holidays, in regions which range from tropical forests to glaciers in the deep south.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard and the latest regional travel industry news which looks at 2012, a year of global expansion for the major airlines based in the GCC. Travel Talk is with Nigel Page, Snr VP - Commercial, The Americas, Emirates and their route expansion into South America, with a look at the two way opportunities for both business and leisure travellers.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard looks at what Argentina has to offer the visitor, now that the country is connected to the UAE with direct flights by Emirates. South America's 2nd largest country has a diverse range of attractions and activities for the long haul traveler.

The opening on 11-11-2011 of the Dubai Metro's Green Line signified another big development in the infrastructure of the Emirate. Phil Blizzard rides the train, highlighting the major aspects of the 23km Green Line 18, which intersects with the Red Line at two stations.

The St Regis resort on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi marks the arrival of the brand's first hotel into the Middle East. In an exclusive preview of this elegant property Phil Blizzard talks to John Pelling, GM, St Regis, Saadiyat about the history of the brand, what it stands for and some key features of this development, which features residential properties alongside the hotel.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with the latest regional travel industry news, which includes new routes in 2012 for Qatar Airways, hotel openings on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat island and big orders at the Dubai Airshow. Travel Talk is with Stuart Wheeler, CEO, Seawings talking about their debut into Europe with deployment of aircraft to Venice for the summer season.

The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner is described as the aircraft of the future with numerous innovations, including the use of carbon composites in the mainframes and wings. This lightweight material offers advantages to both the airline operator and their passengers as Phil Blizzard discovered when he went on board this impressive aircraft.

Cruise tourism out of Dubai is growing at a significant rate and major operators are enhancing their services to cater for this demand. Gianni Onorato, President, Costa Crociere talks to Phil Blizzard at the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention about their development plans for this region and beyond.

The Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention sailed into Dubai with expert cruise industry speakers from across the globe on board. They key focus of the forum was the development of cruise tourism in the Middle East, which despite the issue of piracy in the Indian Ocean, contributes vastly to the economy of Dubai. Phil Blizzard reports from the event which was hosted by the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing

The latest property in the Middle East portfolio of European luxury hospitality brand Kempinski has opened on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai with a combination of hotel suites, penthouses and private villas. Phil Blizzard visited the luxury five star Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Dubai to preview the hotel and spoke with the general manager Mr Burkhard Wolter, who also talks about the expansion of the brand.

Three years on from the opening of Atlantis The Palm Jumeirah and AME Info looks, from a tourism perspective, at the way this iconic man-made island is evolving. Phil Blizzard talks to hospitality expert Mike Scully about the ROI for developers, who is investing and the introduction of apartment hotels.

The 23Km long Green Line of the Dubai Metro is now open to the public following its inauguration by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. In this the first of a series of reports Phil Blizzard, at the official opening, looks at the operation of the Green Line and who it will serve.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard visiting the desert of Ras al Khaimah and the Banyan Tree Al Wadi. This luxurious tented resort is the featured destination which is also a nature conservation reserve. The Travel Tip this month looks at how to avoid the excessive insurance charges which can be applied when hiring cars when travelling.

This travel and tourism special looks at the 2011 first half performance for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both which appeared to benefit from the uprising in the MENA region. Phil Blizzard talks to hospitality expert Mike Scully, MD, Seven Tides who predicts a strong H2 and makes a call for a more diverse approach to tourism in Dubai. He says opportunities are being missed by not embracing numerous sectors - ranging from those which focus on special family resorts to adventure tourism, singles holidays and also ones for the older generation.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard at the Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras al Khaimah looking at the latest travel news, which includes new routes into India from Qatar Airways, expansion of the Emirates A380 network and the World Travel Awards. Travel Talk is with Pascal Eppink, GM, Banyan Tree Al Wadi talking about the management aspect of running a resort in the heart of the desert.