January 2009

Every quarter we draw a winning name from the list of all eNewsletter subscribers in our Prize Draw. We would like to congratulate Gemma Marshall on being the lucky winner for Q4 2008.

The winner receives a £100 voucher, redeemable against any form of holiday booking (combination of travel and accommodation) made through us to the value of £500 or more, and is valid for a period of 18 months from the date of issue. It will be transferable, providing the winner advises Medway Travel of the name of the eventual recipient.

From a City break to a Cruise, from an all-inclusive package to a tailored holiday, the choice is yours. Just take a look at the Leisure section of our website to see the massive range of outstanding holidays on offer. Our team of consultants is highly qualified to research and advise on all aspects of your trip.

Free to enter, the odds are far better than winning the lottery, so anyone who has not already done so should subscribe to our free eNewsletter, and be in with a chance of winning the draw for the 1st quarter 2009!

Travel Vouchers

Medway Travel Vouchers are not limited to prize winners. Why not consider buying them as a birthday or wedding present, surprise your loved one for Valentine's Day or your mum on Mother's Day. Our vouchers are an ideal solution for any celebration and are not limited to set denominations. Contact us now to find out more and take a look round the Leisure section of our website for ideas of how to spend!

Travellers to the US should be aware that the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) operated by the US Authorities is now compulsory.

Although your Viewtrip itinerary will include a link to the ESTA application site, Medway Travel recommends that the visa is applied for prior to making travel arrangements, as those who receive a non-authorisation to travel on ESTA will not be able to use this as a valid reason when claiming on travel insurance for any non-refundable trips.

If you are a regular traveller to the US, we suggest that you apply now in advance of making any travel reservations.

The information required is the same as was required to complete on board the aircraft i.e. the green visa waiver form (I-94W). However, the authority needs to be applied for at least 72hrs prior to departure. We therefore suggest that regular travellers to the States should apply now by logging on to www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.

Once applied for, you will be given an immediate response, either giving or denying authority to travel:

• Authorise
• Not Authorised: in this case the passenger must obtain the authorisation through an Embassy or Consulate before departing for the United States
• Pending Authorisation: the passenger must check the ESTA website over the following 24 hours

Once the trip is authorised, passengers receive an authorisation ID number that will be required at the airport check-in or upon arrival at a port.

The electronic authority is then valid for 2 years or until your passport expires if that is sooner.

The details you are asked to complete online are Passport details, Flight number, destination address and questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, plus past history of any visa refusal.

This information is in addition to the requirement to submit APIS data that we already request from you prior to travel to the US.

Due to the level of personal information required when applying for the ESTA, we do not feel it appropriate for Medway Travel to apply for this on your behalf. However, if you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that even when approved, this does not guarantee entry into the United States. ESTA approvals only authorise passengers to make the journey to the US under the terms and conditions of the Visa Waiver Programme (see www.cbp.gov/travel for more information).

As of 22nd December, British Airways will now only refund government and/or airport taxes for otherwise non-refundable tickets. This will mean that fuel surcharges will not be refunded for unused tickets of this type. The fuel surcharge, along with government and airport taxes, will be refunded for refundable fares.

For partially refundable tickets – for example where only 80% of the fare is refunded in the event it is not used - any fuel surcharge refunds will be in line with the fare rules.

When making your travel arrangements, Medway Travel can provide a range of alternative flight options, so why not consider another airline for your journey? Not only may the fare be more competitive, but the fare rules may offer more benefit to you and, in times of difficulties (such as the recent troubles in India) may offer more assistance. Contact your Travel Consultant to discuss the best option to suit your requirements.

We would like to thank all of our clients who took the time and trouble to respond to our November Quality Survey. We had a record number of respondents, providing us with valuable feedback.

As an incentive to clients to complete the survey, all respondents’ names are entered into a prize draw and this time the prize offered was an M&S Christmas Hamper. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the Christmas Hamper was Barbara Laird of ISG Technology.

The feedback from each of our Quality Surveys is thoroughly analysed and the results used to provide guidance on which areas we should concentrate on in order to improve our service. Clients are asked to mark our performance in 14 specific areas, using a scale of 1 – 10 where 1 = unacceptable, 5 = good and 10 = excellent.

As in previous surveys, we were very pleased with the results, with the average score for overall performance being 8.89.

The results were as follows:

 

 

    A    Our staff are knowledgeable and friendly    9.07

    B    The information we provide is accurate    8.98

    C    Our fare quotes are accurate    8.56

    D    Our fare quotes are competitive / good value for money    8.07

    E    Our travel documents are accurate and informative    8.91

    F    The timing of our fulfilment service is reliable    8.86

    G    We provide proactive support    8.91

    H    We respond effectively to any reported problem    8.75

    I    Our response is friendly and cheerful    9.23

    J    We answer the telephone promptly    9.23

    K    Our visa service works efficiently and speedily    8.42

    L    We provide a solution during the initial call wherever possible    8.93

    M    Where necessary we call you back within an agreed timescale    8.93

    N    Our accounting procedures are accurate and helpful    8.32

As you will see, our highest scoring elements were “Our response is friendly and cheerful” and “We answer the telephone promptly”. This reflects our mission to provide a very personal, friendly and helpful service to our clients at all times, as we believe this is key in forming a lasting relationship.

Our lowest scoring element was “Our quotes are competitive / good value for money”. Whilst we do always try to be as competitive as possible, we do not claim to be the cheapest nor attempt to price match internet-site quotes. Medway Travel provides a quality service which we will not risk undermining in an attempt compete with those who provide little or no service. Nor will we use unknown, and possibly unreliable, sources for our travel products.

Our staff are dedicated to continue to strive for higher scores each year, so please do let us know if at any time we fail to meet excellent service standards.

Whilst fewer people responded in the leisure section, the average score was 9.2, with the spread between an excellent 9.67 for "we respond effectively to any reported problem", down to the lowest (8.62) for "our quotes are competitive and good value".

With this snapshot of our excellent overall Leisure Travel Service experienced by others, if you haven’t yet tried it, why not contact us for your next holiday requirements, so you can make a direct comparison with the agent you have historically used? We are sure you will be pleased you did!

With the pound continuing to plummet, we will be getting fewer Euros to the pound than at any time since the introduction of the single currency. The consequences are clear: holidays are going to cost a lot more in 2009.

However, to get the best value holidays, why not look at an All Inclusive option or even non-Euro destinations such as Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco. South Africa should also be a consideration, where Sterling is currently worth 14.10 rand compared with a five-year average of 13.05.

The popular resorts in Bulgaria are located by the Black Sea (Sunny Beach, Varna, Golden Sands, Nessebur, Sandanski). The main attraction is for a beach holiday due to sunny weather, sandy beaches and the inexpensive prices. The country is also largely located on a mountainous area, attracting skiers in the winter season.

Turkey offers a wide range of holiday choices, from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. It’s not just a great beach holiday destination, but has plenty of historical and archaeological sites to explore.

For alternative suggestions, don’t forget to read our articles on South Africa and Villa Margot in Morocco.

 

 

Medway Travel can help you to find the best holiday to suit your requirements so contact us now to discuss your perfect holiday solution.

Concorde Hotel Singapore, the former Le Meridien Singapore, is to undergo a major refurbishment as part of its rebranding to a four-star business hotel in the central Orchard Road area. The revamp is expected to be completed by 2010 and will see updated suites and rooms with upgraded amenities.

For the first phase in the refurbishment plan, the number of Premier Rooms will increase from 53 to 124 rooms. Guests of Premier Rooms can expect a classy new Premier Lounge for private check-ins as well as the privileges of comfort and refreshments. In addition, the lounge will feature computer workstations with complimentary Internet access.

The Concorde Hotel Singapore is geared towards the business traveller. Combining the finest in comfort with unmatched hospitality and service, it will offer its guests the ultimate in affordable luxury. Centrally located on Orchard Road, the hotel is in close proximity to well-known shopping complexes and worldwide corporate offices and has easy access to central expressways leading to the Changi Airport and major industrial parks.

Owner, HPL Hotels and Resorts groups, already has three other Concorde-branded hotels in Malaysia and has signalled that it intends to extend the brand into countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and India.

Medway Travel has access to many fantastic negotiated hotel rates, for both overnight accommodation and meetings / conferences. Contact us now with your requirements and let us find the perfect solution for you.

Carnival's first-ever Quebec Voyages will set sail this summer from New York. The 2758-passenger Carnival Triumph will conduct three nine-day round-trips in June, July, and August. They'll cruise the Atlantic and St. Lawrence River and will visit Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and Havre St. Pierre.

The Carnival Triumph offers a family-friendly cruise, with all the trademark activities and non-stop party action the cruise line usually delivers. Boasting a 'Cities of the World' theme, the Carnival Triumph has a host of public rooms named accordingly (London, Paris and Rome), adding an international and diverse feel to the ship. The ship has 13 decks, 18 bars, a 214-foot cascading water slide and kids' clubs. Costa Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the most familiar names in the cruise line industry, offering cruises to over 60 destinations around the world. The company focuses mainly on non-stop entertainment, and its cruise liners enjoy a bright party-like atmosphere, with its 'fun ships', as it calls its cruise liners, well-known for their wealth of on-board amenities and activities.

For details on this, and many other cruises, please contact us now or check the Cruising section on our website.

Airborne Excitement

Live out your fantasies with a flying adventure package. Ex-military instructors will fly with you so that you can experience aerobatics, along with combat missions where guests fly in pairs. You can also participate in an air race. Packages start from £195.00 per person and are held in the Cotswolds.

Create your own Fragrance

Allows guests to create and blend a 20ml scent while Perfume Master Class features a qualified perfumer giving a talk on the history of the subject. You can also try the ‘Bespoke Perfume Event’, which allows an organiser to design a package to their requirements. Prices start from £40.00 per person for more than 45 guests.

Comedy Classics

Book a Kara-jok-e package and fill your next conference with laughs. The package allows you and your guests to perform classic comedy routines by reading the lines from a monitor. A compere will provide tips on comic timing and will take to the stage to show you how it is done. Using classic routines by such comedians as Jimmy Carr and Richard Pryor, Kara-jok-e can take place at any location and costs £650.00 for a minimum of ten people.

Contact our specialist conference staff for advice and ideas about your next big meetings and benefit from their experience and expertise in venue finding and arrangements, to optimise your budget and the success of the event. More details can also be found on our website.

Medway Travel has access to one of the largest portfolios of specially negotiated contract fares open to any travel agent in the country. This means we can - subject to availability at the time of booking - offer unusually low prices for many long-haul and certain European routes.

This month's examples (all in £) are:

Economy Fares:

Route	Airline	Fare	Taxes
Bahrain via Istanbul	Turkish Airlines	168.00	169.55
Dubai via Doha	Qatar Airways	130.00	165.25
Abu Dhabi via Doha	Qatar Airways	161.00	156.43
Cairo via Amsterdam	KLM Royal Dutch	54.00	246.70
Delhi via Mumbai	Kingfisher Airlines	255.00	75.35
Calcutta via Mumbai	Kingfisher Airlines	255.00	73.35
Mumbai	Kingfisher Airlines	255.00	63.55
Bangalore	Kingfisher Airlines	276.00	78.35

Business Class Fares:

Route	Airline	Fare	Taxes
Bahrain via Istanbul	Turkish Airlines	908.00	209.55
Dubai via Doha	Qatar Airways	1096.00	205.25
Abu Dhabi via Istanbul	Turkish Airlines	1021.00	209.65
Cairo	BMI	654.00	297.90
Delhi via Doha	Qatar Airways	966.00	209.55
Calcutta via Mumbai	Kingfisher Airlines	1295.00	75.35
Mumbai via Doha	Qatar Airways	966.00	200.73
Bangalore via Mumbai	Air India	972.00	394.15

 

Each month we bring you a small selection of the millions of fares we have available, to illustrate the level of fares you can enjoy as a result of our extensive connections and research.

So if your next destination isn't on the above list of examples, please do contact us. There is every chance we will have a real bargain to offer you! 

With some 1.1 billion people, diverse regions and a vibrant democracy, India has been making progress on a scale, size and pace that is unprecedented in its own history. Becoming one of the world’s fastest growing economies with average growth rates of 8% over the past three years it has emerged as a global player in information technology, business process outsourcing, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. It is now the world’s fourth largest economy in purchasing power parity terms.

Wyndham Hotel Group already has 12 hotels operating in India, namely Ramada and Howard Johnson hotels, with more scheduled to open in 2009 and 2010.

Ramada Powai – Mumbai

Ramada Powai offers 134 elegantly furnished guest rooms including exquisite grand suites featuring panoramic views of the lush green valley and the lake. The hotel is near Powai and Vihar Lakes and is located in close proximity to Hiranandani Gardens. The hotel is equipped with wireless internet allowing guests to access the internet from any part of the hotel. There is a conference hall and business centre, which has state of the art telecommunication, internet and on-call secretarial services. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness and health club with a steam room, Jacuzzi, massage facilities, games room with pool table, table tennis, NINTENDO Wii, chess and Carrom.

Ramada Bangalore

The Ramada Bangalore comprises 83 rooms, all equipped with satellite TV, high-speed internet access, locker facilities, mini bar and 24-hour room service. The hotel is located in the central business district, five minutes from the Cantontment Railway Station as well as all major government offices. The hotel’s all-day dining, multi-cuisine restaurant, ‘Tiger Trail’, is famous for Indian and Tandoor food. The hotel has banquet and conferencing facilities and the banquet hall can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Ramada Gurgaon BMK

With 89 rooms, the Ramada is situated in the business hub of Gurgaon and offers a perfect mix of luxury for both business and leisure travellers. Ramada Gurgaon BMK is a short drive from the trendiest of shopping malls and cinema complexes. It has four meeting rooms of which the largest can hold a total of 200 delegates. The hotel offers free high speed internet access throughout, including the conference and boardrooms.

Ramada Plaza New Delhi

A landmark hotel located in the heart of the city, Connaught Place, a business and shopping hub. The hotel consists of 18 floors, 445 luxury guest rooms, suites and serviced apartments appealing to the varying needs of business and leisure travellers. There is a variety of food and beverage outlets including: Lutyen’s Coffee Shop, Spice Club Indian restaurant offering ‘North-West Frontier Cuisine’, The Orient Pavilion, Onyxx Bar and Addict and a multi-cuisine lounge providing excellent dining to suit any palate.

New Routes

Aer Lingus to fly from Gatwick to mainland Europe

From April, Aer Lingus will serve seven new destinations from Gatwick, including three key business cities. The airline will offer daily flights to Zurich and Vienna and twice-daily flights to Munich. Knock, Faro, Nice and Malaga will also be served from the Gatwick base. The new Munich, Vienna and Zurich routes will be of particular interest to business travellers.

There has been no London Gatwick-Munich service for several years, with British Airways the last airline to offer the route. BA is currently the only carrier to offer flights from Gatwick to Zurich but this service will end next summer, so Aer Lingus will effectively be replacing British Airways on this route.

Aer Lingus flies from Dublin and Knock to European destinations and the new base at Gatwick will be the airline’s first outside Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

BA returns to Saudi

British Airways will resume flying to Saudi Arabia in March after a four-year absence. They will fly five times a week from London Heathrow to both Jeddah and Riyadh.

The new flights will commence on March 29, with services to Riyadh departing Heathrow T5 at 2050 and arriving in Riyadh the next morning at 0530. Return services depart at 0745 or 0715 (depending on the day of the week) to reach Heathrow before midday.

Services to Jeddah are set to depart Heathrow between 1915 and 2050 (depending on the day of the week) to arrive early the next morning. Inbound services depart at around 0915 to land back in Heathrow at 1400.

These schedules compliment those of bmi. By contrast bmi operates to Saudi during the daytime but returns to London overnight.

Airline Services

Continental to introduce lie-flat seats

Continental Airlines will start rolling out its new business class lie-flat seat on flights from the UK in summer 2009. The airline, which now operates three daily flights from London Heathrow to New York and two to Houston, said the installation will start in its Boeing 777 aircraft, which fly on the transatlantic routes. The roll out will then move to its 757 aircraft, used from regional airports, then to its 767-400s, and will be fitted on its 787s, due to be delivered in 2010.

Etihad Airways plans launch of new first class

Etihad Airways is planning a significant upgrade in its first class seating in 2009, with a new suite-style product promised, as well as a refreshed business class seat, and a focus on service in economy.

The product strategy is designed to position Etihad Airways as a premium luxury brand, with a new first class suite planned for its long haul fleet. Etihad’s executive vice-president of marketing said that the new first class seats would offer “privacy on demand” with a “single seat cabin” as well as the option of a double cabin suite. In addition the cabin is to be altered and refreshed.

Etihad is also planning to upgrade the business class seats, although these changes are believed to be more of a refreshing of the fully flat bed seat introduced in 2006, with a larger table, wider armrests, more storage space, increased privacy for the middle seats in the business class cabin, moving the TV screen closer to the passenger and enhanced in-flight entertainment throughout the aircraft. There would also be a new in-flight food and beverage concept allowing passengers to have further choice over the menu and meal times in business and first.

The improvements are all part of Etihad’s product strategy to establish the Etihad brand as a premium luxury brand of undifferentiated superiority.

New SWISS business class

With the phase-in of the new Business Class for SWISS Airbus A330-300 aircraft set to begin in Spring 2009, the airline is establishing a new global benchmark and creating added value for SWISS customers. The current Airbus A330-300 will gradually be replaced by the bigger and more technically advanced A330-300. The first four new aircraft will enter commercial service with SWISS by the end of 2009, with five more to follow in 2010 and 2011. In conjunction, the new Business Class will also be installed on the Airbus A340 fleet starting mid 2009.

The new SWISS Business sets standard:

• Unique sleeping comfort with lie-flat seat two metres in length
• Dynamic adjustable air cushion – adjust to your personal preference, from soft as a waterbed to firm as a futon. An integrated massage function provides additional relaxation and wellbeing.
• Direct access to seats with a great degree of privacy.
• Generous personal room and space.
• Individual selection of films, music and games.
• Enjoy latest cinematic releases, TV series or documentaries and computer games on a generous 30cm screen as well as a wide range of programmed music.
• USB/iPod dock fitted in every seat – view your own movies, photos or listen to your own music.

 

The boutique hotel Villa Margot, located in Marrakech, Morocco, is a new ARTEH(R) Hotel located next to the road to Ourika, near the centre of Marrakech and only 10 minutes from the famous Jemaa El Fna square. Here you'll find a harmonious fusion of luxury, tranquillity and considerate personalised service.

This villa, with the typical charm of the Moroccan architecture, is surrounded by a garden that involves us with endless floral fragrances. The impressing Atlas mountain range and its snow-topped mountains that can be seen in the distance are the backdrop for this charming setting.

The eight suites are spacious and have a terrace facing the garden and a refreshing swimming pool. In its interior we find a comfortable, contemporary style, with refined details and up-to-date technology. In the restaurant you'll be able to opt for an international cuisine or uncover the exotic flavours of the local gastronomy. In the parlour you have at your disposal several beauty treatments and massages, as well as a hamman for a perfect integration with the local culture.

The owners of the Villa Margot will do everything to guarantee a formidable stay and it's with pleasure that they receive us and serve as guides in this cultural adventure.

Virgin Trains is to launch onboard wi-fi in mid February. A spokesman for Virgin Trains advised that the service is likely to be complimentary for first class passengers with standard class passenger charged a fee, although the pricing has not yet been finalised.

Virgin Trains already offers wi-fi in its business lounges at some stations on its network.

 

Please be aware that Medway Travel can make UK Rail reservations on behalf of your travellers. Using our in-house rail reservation system, our Consultants are able to research timetables and best fares and provide you with the most cost-effective ticketing options. These tickets can then be sent via regular mail, special delivery, or set up for ticket on delivery (TOD) at over 500 UK Rail Stations. Contact us now for more information and fare quotes.

In co-operation with our specialist Wildlife Tour Operation, we are pleased to be able several new tours for 2009, including:

Chile's Blue Whales & Pumas

A 16-day wildlife holiday in southern Chile, departing in March.

Widely distributed in the oceans of the world, but always scarce and elusive, the magnificent Blue Whale wanders from pole to pole following seasonal imperatives of feeding and reproduction but tends to frequent the open ocean in the northern hemisphere where sightings are invariably from boats and rarely predictable. Despite being the largest living mammal, their diet is almost exclusively limited to tiny euphausiids and swarms of these plankton components often influence the appearances of these whales. In recent years scientists have been astonished to discover significant concentrations of Blue Whales lingering throughout the southern summer months in the cold waters of the Corcovado Gulf off Chiloe Island in Chile and it is the opportunity to attempt to observe this unique gathering that will form the highlight of the first half of this exciting new Chile tour.

After a short flight south to Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of Chile you will then journey into the stunning beauty of the Torres del Paine National Park which supports one of the largest Puma populations in South America.

Although the Blue Whale and the Puma represent the star species, the abundance of wildlife in southern Chile ensures an exciting supporting cast during every excursion.

Sweden in Spring

A 4-day weekend break in May to the forests and wetlands of the Black River.

Explore a peaceful rural landscape of forests, lakes and wet meadows, the stillness only broken by the trumpeting of a passing flock of Cranes, the ‘crex crex’ call of a Corncrake, or the lively song of a Thrush Nightingale.

The patchwork of habitats within and around Svartådalen are home to an exciting variety of northern birds. Whilst birds such as Three-toed Woodpecker, Capercaillie and Hazel Grouse are much appreciated by British birders, the most sought-after denizens of these northern forests are the owls. Here live the great and the small of the owl world, from the diminutive Pygmy Owl to the majestic Great Grey and Eagle Owls. Add to these extremes Ural, Tawny, Longeared and Tengmalm’s Owls, plus an exciting supporting cast of woodpeckers, warblers and waders, and you have the makings of an unforgettable long weekend of boreal birding.

As exciting as the forests can be, we must not ignore Svartådalen’s wetlands. Blackthroated Divers nest commonly on the forest lakes whilst, in the Black River Valley, Black Terns and Little Gulls hawk for insects over the flooded fields and Thrush Nightingale, Scarlet Rosefinch and Red-backed Shrike nest in adjacent scrub and willow thickets. Reedbeds hold Bitterns and Spotted Crakes, and overhead soar White-tailed Eagles, Honey Buzzards and Marsh Harriers. There is even a chance of a mammal or two, for Elk, Roe Deer, Red Squirrel and Mountain Hare are all common, whilst Wolf and Lynx still roam the region, although the latter are only seen by a very fortunate few!

We have access to a huge range of wildlife tours, including:

• Austria’s Steppes and Wetlands
• Bulgaria’s Butterflies
• India – Tiger Marathon
• Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza
• North Spitsbergen – A Polar Bear Special
• Pilots, Dolphins & Mantas – A Maldives Cruise
• Snow Leopards of the Hindu Kush
• Sub Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia
• Vietnam – A Bird Watching Tour

For more details on each of these tours, including itineraries and prices, contact our Leisure Team now.

If you or your colleagues are planning to visit any overseas trade fair in the future, please contact us as soon as possible about your arrangements for travel and accommodation. The earlier we can make the bookings for you, the lower the cost of the airfares will be, and the greater the selection of hotel accommodation available.

We also suggest you take a look at our website Trade Fairs page from time to time, to help with your forward planning.

JANUARY 2009

11th – 14th, DUBAI  ARABPLAST: International Plastic & Rubber Industry Trade Show

21st - 22nd, Paris FRANCE  PHARMAPACK 2009: Show for Packaging Manufacturers that serve the Pharmaceutical Industry.

FEBRUARY 2009

1st - 3rd, Dusseldorf GERMANY  GLOBAL FASHION: This trade Fair presents non-branded producers addressing volume buyers and branded manufacturers for production orders.

3rd - 6th, Moscow RUSSIA  CABEX 2009: International specialised exhibition of cables, wires, fastening hardware, and installation technology.

4th – 6th, Berlin GERMANY  FRUIT LOGISTICA:Provides an opportunity for industries involved in fruit trading to present their range of services from growing to selling.

18th - 20th, Mumbai INDIA  FIRE INDIA: Fire Protection Industry Show & Conference

MARCH 2009

3rd - 5th, Montreux SWITZERLAND  AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS EUROPE CONFERENCE: Automotive conference for senior logistics executives worldwide, debating the future direction of the automotive industry, with direct access to top-level speakers, panellists and key industry decision makers.

3rd – 6th, Munich GERMANY  EMBEDDED IN MUNICH:The best place to exhibit everything from software, hardware and components to systems integration and development platforms.

5th - 9th, Brussels BELGIUM  FOIRE DU LIVRE DE BRUXELLES: Book Fair

APRIL 2009

1st - 3rd, LUXEMBOURG  MED-E-TEL:International Educational and Networking Forum for eHealth, Telemedicine and Health ICT.

1st - 3rd, Warsaw POLAND EXPOTHERM WARSAW 2009: International Trade Fair for Heating, Sanitary Equipment & Air-conditioning, including Exothermic Pool - Expotherm Bath - Expotherm Eco.

20th - 22nd, London UK  London Book Fair

MAY 2009

5th,  Boston USA  REAL-TIME & EMBEDDED COMPUTING CONFERENCE: Complimentary, technical and educationally-focused seminars, workshops and keynotes. Plus, demonstrations of the latest technologies from industry leaders.

5th - 8th, Stuttgart GERMANY  CONTROL 2009:International Trade Fair for Quality Assurance

7th - 10th, Riga LATVIA  AUTOMECHANICS 2009: Specialised Exhibition for Automotive Repair Tools, Service Equipment, Automotive Parts, Care and Accessories.

11th - 14th, Birmingham UK  INTERNATIONAL FIRE EXPO: Event for the Entire Fire Industry

12th - 14th, SINGAPORE  IMDEX ASIA:International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference

JUNE 2009

2nd - 4th, Torino, ITALY  INTERIOR MOTIVES EUROPE DESIGN CONFERENCE:Annual forum for leading designers and experts from automotive design and technology to combine concepts and ideas with the external design world - such as fashion, architecture and furniture design.

5th - 7th, Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA  EXPOFARMACIA 2009:Pharmaceuticals Trade Fair

13th - 16th, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA  CAPE TOWN BOOK FAIR: International Book Fair

21st - 25th, Bordeaux, FRANCE  VINEXPO 2009:International Wine & Spirits Exhibition

23rd - 25th , Shanghai, CHINA  P-MEC CHINA 2009: Pharmaceutical Machinery and Equipment Convention

 

REMEMBER, if there are a number of you travelling together, there are major savings possible for groups of 9 or more, when we negotiate group rates with the airlines. Click here to see more about our Group Travel.

PLEASE NOTE:

We have secured some client reservations for the Fruit Logistica event in Berlin next month. If you are interesting in attending this event, please contact us now as we may still be able to secure your accommodation.

We are also currently holding accommodation in London for the London Book Fair in April 2009. If you wish us to hold any of these rooms please contact us as soon as possible as availability is limited at this time.

Lufthansa has launched its new “Lufthansa Italia“ brand. The new airline blends traditional Lufthansa values, notably reliability and high quality, with Italian flair. With an initial fleet of six aircraft, Lufthansa will be offering the best of connections from major European destinations to northern Italy from February 2009, including a new non-stop, four times daily service from London Heathrow to Milan Malpensa, operating from the end of March 2009.

Flights from Barcelona and Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to Milan Malpensa will be operated from 2 February 2009 with flights from Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest and Madrid to be added to the timetable four weeks later. Flights from London (Heathrow) and Lisbon to Milan will be brought into the network with the start of the 2009 summer timetable at the end of March.

An Airbus A319, seating 138 passengers in Business and Economy Class, will be operating the flights under the Lufthansa Italia brand. The discreet cabin design betrays its Italian origins. The passengers will be served by Italian flight attendants with Italian delicacies adding a note of originality to the in-flight menu.

Opening in 2010, Resorts World at Sentosa will be a world class integrated resort and will incorporate Universal Studios Singapore and a Marine Life Park as well as six hotels, spa and meetings and events venues that will cater for everyone from the major M and I groups to the MICE Elite.

The meetings and incentives facilities can accommodate up to 35,000 delegates at any one time, with more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues, 26 meeting rooms, a 1,600 seat hall and a grand ballroom with a capacity of 7,300. Universal Studios Singapore has an amphitheatre that holds 3,500 people, as well as a 1,500 seat theatre in its Hollywood zone.

A selection of the many offerings for corporate groups include:

• Throwing a wild party among the dinosaurs in ‘The Lost World’ or at the stunt spectacular ‘Waterworld Amphitheatre’.
• An exclusive street party in exteriors such as New York Street or Hollywood Boulevard.
• Going beyond the screen to ‘ride the movies’.
• Holding a reception in the resort’s oceanarium, Marine Life Park, the world's largest with 20 million gallons of water and more than 700,000 marine creatures.

Be one of the first companies to offer a truly unforgettable experience. Contact our specialist Groups & Events Department now.

South Africa's culinary variety is vast, seafood is abundant, thanks to a coastline bordering two oceans, and with more than 15 wine-growing regions producing internationally acclaimed wines, gastronomy is excellent.

In Cape Town, venues include the dinner-dance venue, Pigalle, along with Five Flies, Baia and Azure at the 12 Apostles hotel, on the outskirts of the city. Azure offers food and wine pairings with award-winning sommelier Luvo Ntezo, and also lays on a decadent seafood buffet at its Rock Pool Deck, with a stunning mountain backdrop.

In Stellenbosch, the Spier Estate's Moyo restaurant, where Bedouin tents and garden gazebos recreate the feel of a nomadic African village, is popular. Meanwhile, at the luxurious Lanzerac Manor and Spa, where Pinotage was first bottled, typical South African braais (barbecues), wine tastings, cellar tours and 'spa safari' options are all on the menu.

But South Africa has so much to offer – from Safaris to Shopping - and is an ideal location for both holidays and corporate events.

Safaris

Covering an area roughly the size of Belgium, the Kruger National Park offers world-class safari experiences that rank among the best in Africa.

As well as game drives, the park offers a host of safari options - including guided wilderness walks and mountain bike trails, bush breakfasts, astronomy tours, motorised adventure trails - and even a nine-hole golf course. The Kruger is skirted to the west by some of Africa's most luxurious private game reserves, among them Sabie Sabie, Ulusaba, Kapama, Lion Sands and Thornybush and all offering high concentrations of game, gourmet cuisine and excellent service. Fronting the Sabie River, the new Ivory Lodge at Lion Sands is particularly exclusive. There are just six palatial suites, each with its own day pavilion, outdoor shower, sun deck and splash pool.

Outdoor pursuits along the Garden Route

With its lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches unfolding against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains, the Garden Route is a soft-adventure wonderland. Quad-biking, skydiving, canoeing, tubing on Storms River, abseiling, caving, hiking on the world-renowned Otter Trail and canopy tours at Tsitsikama, river-rafting, whale watching (Mossel Bay, Hermanus) and golf are all possible, as is a more sedate champagne picnic on an unspoiled beach with a catch of Knysna oysters.

The Garden Route offers ten top-quality golf courses in a 90-mile stretch of fabulous coastline and for the adventurous there is cage shark diving which is unique to South Africa.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the air gateway and business hub for South Africa's, and among its newest venues is the Sandton Convention Centre, with its group of five-star hotels and prestigious shopping complexes and restaurants.

Top names in town include Intercontinental, Hilton and Hyatt, while boutique options include The Grace, The Saxon and The Westcliffe. The capital offers jazz clubs, nightclubs and plenty of casinos.

The five-star Emperor's Palace is a hotel, casino and convention resort - ideal for larger groups on a stopover. As well as extensive convention facilities catering from 30 to 1,500 delegates, the casino features an exclusive Salon Prive, while the multi-purpose entertainment venue Monsoon Lagoon trades as South Africa's leading nightclub. Cocktail seating and an exclusive VIP area make it perfect for a glamorous gala dinner or drinks reception.

For a fun, high-adrenaline day, Fantastic Racing offers world-class motorsports at Jo'Burg's famous 'big Z' F1 track at Kyalami.

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country and it was at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, that Operation Rhino successfully revived the White Rhino from near extinction.

The Phinda Game Reserve is sandwiched between uMkhuze Game Reserve and the World Heritage Greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is home to seven luxurious safari lodges. Phinda is a very educational experience - CC Africa's conservation policies underpin every aspect of your guests visit. Phinda has an ongoing investment in sustainable conservation and community empowerment and Mkizi Agri Village, for example, has a long-term aim to provide 385 houses and a self-sustaining commercial agricultural programme.

For more information on South Africa as a venue for your next conference, contact our specialist conference staff and benefit from their experience and expertise in venue finding and arrangements in order to optimise your budget and the success of the event.

Likewise, if you are interested in South Africa for your next holiday destination, please do contact our Leisure Travel Department.

Some readers may already know that we have a page on our website entitled "Worldwide Leisure Events", to give surfers information about some of the most famous, interesting and fun events happening in the coming months, one or more of which you may wish to incorporate into your next holiday.

We have highlighted below some of the events taking place in the coming months, details of which can be found on our website by clicking here.

JANUARY 2009

• Sydney Festival, Australia

• Beijing Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival

• Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Tampa USA

FEBRUARY 2009

• 6th – 8th : Chiang Mai Flower Festival

• 8th – 1st March : Viareggio Carnival, Italy

• 13th – 24th : The Venice Carnival, Italy

• 21st – 24th: Rio Carnival, Brazil

MARCH 2009

• 7th – 8th & 14th –15th : Dana Point Festival of The Whales, California USA

• Carnival, Cyprus

• Spring Equinox at Chichén Itzá

APRIL 2009

• The Grand National, Aintree UK

• 2nd – 18th : Cayman Arts Festival, Cayman Islands

• 6th - Chakri Day, Thailand

• 18th - Tin Hau Festival, Hong Kong

MAY 2009

• Canadian Tulip Festival,Canada

• 2nd : Bun Festival, Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong

• 3rd : Bike New York – The 5 Borough Bike Tour, New York, USA

• 19th – 23rd May : Chelsea Flower Show, London UK

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Travel Arrangements for the above Events

We have not listed travel arrangements, as there are often countless options available, and of course, we can build them in to a longer holiday for you, if you wish. So, please contact us about any events in which you are interested, and we will research the most best itinerary to match your requirements.