Opening of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Occupying the top floors - from the 102nd to the 118th - of the International Commerce Centre, the Ritz-Carlton dominates the whole of Hong Kong from the top of this 490-metre skyscraper.
IHG revises its Priority Club Rewards loyalty programme
IHG is giving a facelift to its Priority Club Rewards loyalty programme, which was launched 28 years ago and has gone from strength to strength ever since, welcoming 600,000 new members a month for a total of 56 million members.
Palaces - Rain of stars on the banks of the Seine
Africa, air travel on the road to maturity
For decades, French air transport has dominated intercontinental African routes due to its historical links with this part of the world. This dominance is now being challenged by the rise of certain African airlines and the major alliances in search of new markets.
Le Méridien Montparnasse changes its name
The Paris hotel became the Pullman Paris Montparnasse at the beginning of the year.
The Marriott group expands its operations in France
Drawing on its catalogue of brands, Marriott is launching its JW design brand in France with the management buyout of the Palais Stéphanie in Cannes.
Mint Hotel, the new name for the City Inn group
The British hotelier, both design and budget, has chosen to illustrate its evolution on the occasion of the opening of its two latest establishments, which double its number of rooms and mark its international debut.
Continued expansion for Accor
Accor continues to expand with the opening of several Mercure hotels in the United Kingdom, Ibis hotels in Latin America and Sofitel hotels around the world.
Room Mate Hotels, chic design at an affordable price
To be welcomed in the heart of Madrid, Barcelona or New York as if you were a friend: this is the credo of the Room Mate Hotels group, whose establishments each bear a name - Mario, Oscar, Laura, Emma - to make this promise a reality.
Thalys launches ThePass business and ThePass premium
Gone is the Lys Card: Thalys is revamping its subscription offers with ThePass, available in two business versions. Starting with ThePass Business, which is unique in that it can be used on the entire network, and not just on the France-Belgium routes. Sold at €1,000 per year and €650 for 6 months, passengers benefit from a discount of 50 % on the full fare in Comfort 1 or Comfort 2 for early bookings and 30 % for last-minute purchases.
Airport under the microscope
2010 better than expected
After predicting a mediocre 2010, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) - which represents 93 % of the world's scheduled airline traffic - has regained confidence in the results of recent months. According to its Director General Giovanni Bisignani, passenger traffic has returned to a growth rate of between 5 % and 6 %, returning to its historical averages.
Emirates continues to strengthen its Dubai HUB
Lufthansa rethinks the comfort of its aircraft in Europe
More space and more services on board for all its passengers in Europe: that's what Lufthansa is offering from this year. The airline will install some 32,000 seats on its 180 aircraft flying on European routes, an operation which will be completed in early 2012 and will cost 170 million euros.
Skyteam continues to soar
The SkyTeam alliance intends to match Star Alliance in terms of market share, as demonstrated by the announcement of the integration of seven new airlines in just under six months!
Bars and lounges: New dates
Mythical places, trendy decor, fabulous cocktails, famous clients... Through their lounges and bars, the great Parisian hotels are vying with each other to become the capital's must-visit meeting places. The aim is not only to attract guests staying at the hotel, but also Parisians.
Relaxation areas : The art of the living room
Originally designed to offer First and Business Class passengers the comfort of an exclusive space, lounges are increasingly becoming the calling cards of airlines, which are constantly reinventing these convivial spaces.
3 questions to Pierre Jasinski, Director of France and Benelux for LOT...
Concept: Low-cost chains gain ground
While American Airlines and Air France created their own five-star hotel chains to welcome their customers, it is now the turn of the low-cost airlines to repeat the experience.
Brand: Geneva's largest hotel goes independent
On 1 January, the Crowne Plaza Geneva banner will no longer exist, and will be replaced by the Starling Geneva Hotel & Conference Center. With its 4,000 m2 of meeting space and 496 rooms, Switzerland's largest hotel has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with the InterContinental Hotels Group, without going under the banner of another group.
