World Travel Awards arrives in Rwanda

World Travel Awards (WTA) has touched down in Rwanda ahead of its Africa Gala Ceremony 2017.

The prestigious event will take place in the country’s thriving capital, Kigali, on 10th October, with hundreds of leaders from across the hospitality industry expected to attend the glittering red carpet ceremony.

Local stars, George Ndirangu and Makeda Mahadeo – both hugely experienced as hosts and presenters – will compere the event which will take place at the five star Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and AviaDev Africa (10th-12th October).

The leading hotel investment conference that connects business leaders from the international and local markets, driving investment into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across Africa, AHIF is attended by the highest calibre international hotel investors of any conference in Africa.

Meanwhile AviaDev Africa is a unique event bringing together airports, airlines, governments, industry suppliers and tourism authorities to determine the future air connectivity and infrastructure development of Africa. The event provides an opportunity for the aviation and hotel development communities to share intelligence on their future plans, catalysing tourism development on the continent.

Speaking ahead of the event, WTA President and Founder Graham E. Cooke said: “It is an honour for World Travel Awards to be here in Rwanda, for the very first time.

"The heart of Africa, Rwanda has become rightfully known for its spectacular scenery – think thundering waterfalls, towering mountains and virgin rainforests – and rare wildlife.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Rwanda to claim its rightful place as Africa’s rising star and I can’t wait to welcome all our nominees next Tuesday, as we recognise the leaders among them."

A full list of nominees can be viewed on the World Travel Awards website.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

source - worldtravelawards.com

SIA And Lufthansa Group Joint Venture Partnership To Launch On 1 October

28 September 2017 (Joint Release with Lufthansa Group) - Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Lufthansa Group have confirmed 1 October 2017 as the launch date for their joint venture co-operation covering flights between Singapore, Australia and Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium.

Customers can choose from a wider range of travel itineraries and fare products that will be progressively offered by the airlines under the joint venture agreement.

Since November 2015, when both airline groups signed the joint venture agreement, they have expanded capacity between Singapore and both Germany and Switzerland. This includes the introduction of new SIA-operated flights between Singapore and Dusseldorf in July 2016. In March 2017, SWISS deployed its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on daily flights between Singapore and Zurich. Lufthansa has also announced plans to re-introduce services between Singapore and Munich from March 2018.

These benefits will further enhance existing Star Alliance arrangements that customers enjoy on SIA, Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines. On the same date, flights operated by SIA, Lufthansa and SWISS between Singapore and Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich will be included in a revenue-sharing agreement between the two airline groups.

The two airline groups have also significantly increased codeshare ties, with over 130 city pairs now offered between key markets in Europe, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific.

“We are pleased to launch our joint venture with Lufthansa Group, which has provided a strong foundation for us to work together to enable more flight frequency and enhanced travel options for customers of both airline groups. This joint venture demonstrates what we can achieve with the right partner, and we look forward to working even closer with Lufthansa Group,” said Mr Tan Kai Ping, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing Planning.

Mr Dieter Vranckx, Lufthansa Group Airlines Vice President Sales Asia Pacific said, “This is a remarkable milestone for both Lufthansa Group and Singapore Airlines. With the launch of this joint venture, the two premium airline groups are jointly able to optimise the product offerings and high-quality services in a very competitive market throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific. We are very proud to team up with Singapore Airlines, a reputable and reliable high-end partner, giving our customers greater choices.”

Source : SIA

#JetScreen – Don’t get bored, On – board @vohrabs

A journey by aeroplane is really very exciting for the first time flyers, but those who are the regular ones, feel bored as your most important companion i.e. your smart phone is to remain on the Flight mode. You can’t use many of its features such as Facebook, WhatsApp and so on, to pass your time.

Jet Airways has now introduced a new feature i.e. ‘#JetScreen’ on their flights. Now you can use your own smart phone as your very own screen in your hands and your earphones to get entertained while on board, without feeling bored.

All you have to do is to download the Airtime player, on your smart phone, before boarding a plane, and while on board, you have to get connected with the wi-fi in the flight, on the Flight mode, and a whole lot of entertainment will be available for you while moving from one place to another in the Jet Airways.

Once connected, you get various options such as  TV shorts, Movies, Games and Music. You can select any of the options available and once clicked, you will get a sub menu with lots and lots of options to view. You can simply scroll down to view various options listed in the submenu.

If you have clicked Movies, you will get a list of various movies available on board. You can select the one you prefer and can view it without any interruption, to pass your time, to get entertained, while on board, without getting bored.

Similarly, you can watch various trailers and TV shorts, can play various games out of a vast list, remembering your childhood days and you can also enjoy music. You have to just click the option and start your entertainment, on your own smart phone, with your own earphones and you can also keep on changing the options at your own will.

Truly, it’s a great feeling when instead of getting bored, you can relax and feel pleasure by watching the movie that you could not earlier, due to the busy schedule, along with the complimentary hot and delicious meals and a warm cup of Tea or Coffee provided by the Jet Airways.

I felt the same while I was watching a movie on board and the time passed so quickly that there was not a single second to feel bored. I just boarded the plane and got access to the Jet screen and started watching a beautiful movie. I also tried my hands on a few games, watched a few movie trailers and also enjoyed music.

Moreover, the smiling faces of the Jet Airways crew were always there to help and guide you in every possible manner. They looked very polite and very cooperative and were serving the passengers with a real smile.

Please view the video embedded above that certainly proves that you can enjoy the in-flight entertainment, on your own device, while on-board, without getting bored. Thanks to Jet Airways for offering #JetScreen to the flyers. Please log on to the LINK for more details.

Pics with thanks to #JetScreen Jet Airways