To mark the 85th anniversary of its founding, Finnair joined the aircraft manufacturer Airbus and other industry experts in envisioning what flying would be like in 2093. The visions were published as a book and as an internet website in November. In a competition launched in March, people had the opportunity to vote on which aircraft of the future was the most captivating and to present their own visions of what the flying of the future might be like. The competition attracted a total of 14,000 entries.

by editor’s office, am

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa on the Maldives will have its opening on July 26, 2009. The first luxury resort on Addu Atoll in the southern Maldives will feature a spa village under Shangri-La’s signature spa brand CHI, The Spa. While CHI’s holistic concept is based mainly on ancient healing traditions from China and the Himalayan region, guests will also be able to choose from three newly created, region-specific treatments, integrating the natural treasures of the Maldives and Indian Ayurveda traditions, as seen, for example, in the use of so-called cowrie shells – or cowrie snail-shells, to be exact.

Sabah has long since been a favourite destination for many a visitor. Its capital Kota Kinabalu is a travel gem in its own right and is steadily being recognized as a vibrant city in the regional travel scene. KK, as it is affectionately known, is also the starting off point for those heading out to scale Mount Kinabalu, internationally renowned dive spots, various islands, orang-utan centres and other attractions.

Response to international workshop organized by Berlin Convention Office (BCO) exceeds expectations

Record attendance at “Meeting Place Berlin 2009”: 146 national and international hosted buyers are expected to visit the workshop in the German capital organized by Berlin Convention Office, a subsidiary of Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH (BTM). Event organizers for associations, companies and agencies will have the opportunity from July 02 to 06, 2009 to get to know Berlin as a professional and diverse convention destination.

The floating convention center at Mercure Hotel Hamburg City (www.mercure.com) placed second in the “event location” category of the Conga Awards, which are considered to be the most important awards for the meetings and conventions industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Accor hotel chains Ibis (www.ibishotel.com), Etap Hotel (www.etaphotel.com), Hotel Formule1 (www.hotelformule1.com) and hotelF1 (www.hotelf1.com) have entered a partnership with ISIC Association, international distributor of ISIC (International Student Identity Cards). This strategic cooperation will allow the economy and budget brands of hotel chain Accor to strengthen their position in student circles. Holders of said cards will be entitled to breakfast for 1 euro, or a free breakfast, at 900 hotels in more than 30 countries.