A new strategy to enhance growth and sustained value creation. Redefinition of the Group’s business model around its 2 core missions, for maximum operational performance & sustainable growth: HotelServices: a hotel operator and brand franchisor that will be fee-oriented and P&L driven. HotelInvest: a hotel owner and investor that will be yield-oriented and balance sheet driven.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Mr Mario Hardy as Chief Operations Officer, effective January 15, 2014. Based at PATA HQ in Bangkok, Mr Hardy will support CEO Martin Craigs. Mr Hardy has been Chairman of the PATA Foundation since June 2012 and has been at the forefront of the Foundation’s response to tropical storm Haiyan in the Philippines since November 8.

From April 2014, airberlin is expanding its flight schedule from Germany to Israel by five flights a week, so it will then be flying to Tel Aviv a total of 17 times a week from Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich and Vienna. “Since we first started flying to Tel Aviv in 2009, we have steadily increased our service so that we can offer our guests an even more attractive flight schedule.

Partner country presents its slogan and poster motif for the International Green Week Berlin 2014.Using the slogan “NATURALly Estonia“, the partner country of the International Green Week Berlin 2014 is drawing attention to the importance of its clean natural environment for agriculture and also for tourism. The presentation of the artwork conveying the message “NATURALly Estonia – Partner Country“ is also a visual reminder of the vital interconnections between intact eco-systems and healthy nutrition.

UNWTO and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) forged a new cooperation agreement consolidating efforts on sustainable tourism and the protection of natural and cultural heritage Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, in the margins of the UN Chief Executives Board Meeting,

Norwegian continues to expand in Europe and today, the company announced its plans to establish a new base in Barcelona, Spain, in spring 2014. Along with the new base, Norwegian will also launch new routes from Barcelona to Sandefjord Torp, Hamburg, Berlin and Warsaw.