Buy2Greece.com

Author: Buy2Greece

  • www.Buy2Greece.com-UnionPay global acceptance network expanded to 157 countries

    Ge Huayong, Chairman of China UnionPay, attended the ATM acceptance launch ceremony jointly held by UnionPay International and Central Bank of the UAE. He disclosed at the ceremony that UnionPay acceptance network has expanded to 157 countries and regions worldwide. And within this year, the UAE will become another overseas market where UnionPay cards are fully accepted at all ATMs and POS terminals. H.E Mubarak Rashed Al Mansoori, Governor of Central Bank of the UAE attended the ceremony, with the presence of representatives of several domestic commercial banks.

    Over the years, UnionPay International has kept improving its overseas acceptance network according to the trend of international tourism and cardholders’ payment needs, and has made breakthroughs in many overseas markets. Now, UnionPay cards are fully accepted in Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, and Cuba in general, and will be fully accepted in Jordan within this year. In South Korea and Pakistan, almost all POS terminals accept UnionPay cards, while in Switzerland, Austria, the United States, Thailand and Burma, UnionPay cards are accepted at almost all ATMs. In the next two years, the acceptance scope of UnionPay cards in Australia, Turkey and Russia will expand substantially.

    Currently in the UAE, UnionPay cards are accepted at all POS terminals and about 50% of ATMs. Through its cooperation with UAE SWITCH, a local switch network subordinate to Central Bank of the UAE, UnionPay International will enable the full acceptance of UnionPay cards at all local ATMs by this May. Then, UnionPay cards will be comprehensively accepted in the UAE. UAE SWITCH is the only local ATM switch network in the UAE whose members cover all the 45 local institutions with ATM business.

    Ge Huayong said, with a strategic vision of building a “Global Network, and International Brand”, UnionPay is not only optimizing its acceptance in the Chinese mainland, but is also devoting every effort to expanding its overseas acceptance network, improving its acceptance environment, enhancing its service capability, and optimizing its global cardholders’ card-using experiences. Now, UnionPay has generally built an extensive, secure and convenient international acceptance network. UnionPay will continue to expand its acceptance footprint. The UAE is a significant market to which we pay high attention. Based on our acceptance advantage in the market, we will promote large-scale card issuance as well as our innovative products and services, to better support the communication and cooperation between China and the UAE.

    H.E Mubarak Rashed Al Mansoori said, the cooperation with UnionPay International is critical to pushing forward the cooperation and exchanges between the UAE and China. It will support the travel and business exchanges between the two countries and will bring convenient and cost-effective payment services to UnionPay cardholders visiting the UAE.”

    On the same day, UnionPay International also issued the first local UnionPay chip card with MINT, a local financial service group. The two parties agreed to issue hundreds of thousands of UnionPay cards in the next three years. These cards all are international payment cards that are accepted by UnionPay’s global network including the UAE. In the future, more and more local residents will be able to enjoy the safe and convenient payment service provided by UnionPay.

    To date, UnionPay cards are accepted at about 34 million merchants and over 2 million ATMs across the world. In the meantime, cardholders are able to enjoy abundant UnionPay value-added services, including global hotline, emergency cash assistance, global tax refund, cross-border remittance, as well as global assistance, global concierge and airport VIP lounge which are exclusive for premium cards. Besides, UnionPay provides preferential privileges covering various fields of travel, airport, accommodation, shopping, catering, leisure and entertainment.

  • www.Buy2Greece.com – Global events drive changes to holiday plans for British tourists

    Fears that recent global events would have an impact on the British travel market were confirmed this week by travel management software specialists Multicom.

    The Bristol-based online travel software business, recently acquired by Swedish firm Paxport, reported sales in January showed a decrease in bookings for the Eastern Mediterranean of 40% year on year.

    Egypt, Turkey and Greece are the main destinations to suffer from the drop in confidence in the region report Multicom.

    In the same period bookings to Western European destinations including the Balearics, Spain and Portugal have noticeably picked up and appear to be the beneficiaries of the downturn further east.

    Additionally, some holidaymakers are making later decisions about their overseas trips with bookings for breaks within 30 days before departure increasing.

    Shorter length breaks booked during the period are also up year on year reflecting a further shift in consumer’s behaviour.

    Multicom Head of Business Delivery & Operations Chris Nourse said: “British holidaymakers are clearly taking a more cautious approach when planning their holidays this year.

    “Over the years they have shown they can be very resilient when faced with the threat of disruption to their travel plans or an increased risk to their safety for whatever reason.

    “However, the increased threat of global terrorism in light of recent events in Tunisia and Sharm-el-Sheikh and the appalling attacks closer to home in Paris has noticeably heightened concern among consumers.

    “We can already see the impact on bookings made through FindandBook and we expect confidence will be slower to return than we have witnessed previously, it is likely that the continuing threat will affect the balance for the longer term this time round.”

    Paxport is a leading ancillary merchandising and passenger management partner, enabling airlines and travel resellers to grow their ancillary revenues and provide a world-class travel retail experience for their customers.

    Source: Multicom

  • www.Buy2Greece-Hilton Launches Its Largest Campaign Ever with Exclusive Room Rates Not Found

    Hilton Worldwide today announced that Hilton HHonors members can now receive an exclusive discount on room rates by booking directly through its brand websites, award-winning Hilton HHonors mobile app and reservation call centers, or through preferred corporate travel partners and approved travel agents. This guaranteed discount is available at more than 4,500 hotels around the world.

    Hilton’s new “Stop Clicking Around” marketing campaign – the largest ever launched in the company’s 97 year history – will also emphasize the other benefits of booking direct and being an HHonors member. These benefits include HHonors Points that can be used for free room nights, free Wi-Fi, and the ability to check-in, choose your own room from a digital floor plan and use a Digital Key all via the HHonors mobile app on a smartphone. In addition, when HHonors members book direct with Hilton, hotels are able to provide more personalized and memorable experiences for each stay.

    “Our customers don’t need to worry about sorting through a dizzying array of websites, enduring hundreds of clicks and wasting hours of time. They can be assured that booking a room directly with us at any of our hotels doesn’t require extensive searching and price checking to find the best prices online,” said Geraldine Calpin, chief marketing officer at Hilton Worldwide.

    “Last year, 57 billion Hilton HHonors Points – or more than 1.6 million free nights – went unearned because guests booked their stay through a third party,” said Mark Weinstein, global head of Customer Engagement, Loyalty and Partnerships at Hilton Worldwide. “There is a huge misconception that third parties always offer lower prices for our hotel rooms, which is simply not true.”

    Source:-Hilton

    5

  • www.Buy2Greece.com-1st International Property Show in Mainland China

    Shanghai Overseas Property & Immigration & Investment Exhibition is the only expo of overseas housing that enjoys the most prosperous reputation in Shanghai. In the aspect of holding property shows, we are the longest running and largest Property & Investment Showcase in mainland China. With over 100+ expos in the 10 years, we have opened our doors to over 3,500 exhibitors, 500,000+ high end investors and welcomed the voice of hundreds of senior level industry experts.

  • www.Buy2Greece.com – 6.6M Europeans cruising in 2015 marks a new record

    Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that a record 6.6 million Europeans cruised in 2015, 200,000 more passengers than in the previous year, representing a 3 percent increase.

    Since 2008, the European cruise market has grown by a staggering 49 percent, proving both the cruise industry’s resilience to economic downturns and the value provided by a cruise holiday. This amounts to a 6 percent average annual growth rate in the past seven years. In fact, according to industry research, over the ten years from 2004 to 2014, global cruise vacations have grown faster in popularity than global land-based vacations by a 20 percent margin.

    This week at Seatrade Cruise Global, in Fort Lauderdale (Florida, United States), Kerry Anastassiadis, CEO of Celestyal Cruises and member of CLIA Europe’s Executive Committee spoke about the findings.

    The figures released today confirm the great shape of Europe’s cruise industry,” said Anastassiadis. “Cruising is a fantastic holiday choice, and every year more and more people realize the great value and amazing experiences offered by a cruise holiday. This is helping us emerge as the most attractive holiday choice and being a young industry representing a small portion of overall holidays taken, our opportunities to grow in Europe and elsewhere in the world have virtually no limits.”

    “While the cruise industry is ready to continue to expand in Europe we face a number of common challenges that need to be addressed in order to make sure the cruise industry stays on the right track,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises and Chairman of CLIA Europe. “To ensure future growth we call on European policy-makers to continue to work towards a more business friendly environment. We particularly need their support to reform the current EU Visa Code so as to encourage more foreign tourists to visit Europe. The cruise industry also needs a more consistent application of EU environmental legislation and port reform throughout the continent in order to avoid creating operational barriers in European waters.”

  • www.Buy2Greece.com – Frankfurt to host luxury tourism exhibition

    The only exhibition of luxury in Germany “loop – luxury on our planet” will open its doors for 100 international renowned hoteliers, hotel owners and providers of tourist luxury products to meet with 100 interested buyers from the German-speaking market.
    From April 10-13, 2016, Frankfurt will transform into a Mecca for the international luxury tourism industry. Registrations can be made immediately at loop-luxury-fair.com
    Among the applicants are the most exciting and luxurious tourist providers in the world.

    Epitome in Greece
    EPITOME is an invitation to cast your guidebooks to the wind. Just give your globe a spin and we’ll place your finger firmly on the most soulful hotels, thoughtful services and delectable products that will make Greece the only essential destination on your map.

    Anguilla Tourist Board
    Anguilla is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, small in size and contemporary in style with a big reputation. The island is renowned for its 33 unspoiled, tranquil white-sand beaches, for world-class accommodation and its fabulous cuisine. Inspired by the ocean and with an international flair, the island offers over 100 dining options and proudly boasts some of the Caribbean’s most talented chefs. Sailing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kitesurfing and diving are some of the water sports options. Laid-back by day, pulsating at night, Anguilla is a diverse mix of experiences on land and sea that go beyond size.

    Dream Escape DMC
    Dream Escape is the leading provider of exclusive and customized programs to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Our team of experienced creative planners will provide exceptional itineraries delivered by our expert curators and guides.
    – Villa Collection: A selection of amazing handpicked exclusive use properties for meetings, incentives and special events.
    – Events: Ascot, Wimbledon, Chelsea Flower Show, Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo.
    – Specialist Groups: Whisky, gardens, literature, culinary, equestrian & country sports.
    – Incentive Groups: Inspirational reward programs.
    – Golf: Private competitions and tee times on private and prestigious courses.

    Dubai Tourism
    Dubai – one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations: a glittering city with golden beaches, world-class shopping, dining and nightlife, hosting electrifying events and sporting championships – and an adventurous family playground.
    Tradition meets ambition, the past meets the future – welcome to a destination that has made it its mission to become “the world’s most visited city.”
    Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector, responsible for licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents.

    D-Hotels and Resorts in Turkey
    D-Hotels and Resorts is a young and dynamic hotel company that provides quality hospitality services currently in Turkey and expanding worldwide. All the D-Hotels and Resorts properties share a common vision and values.
    D-Hotel Maris, located in the stunning reservation area of the Datca Peninsula in the Southwest of Turkey, has five private white sandy beaches each with different concepts, ESPA, professional water sport and fitness facilities, a breakfast buffet and five a la carte restaurants, private excursions and transfers by hotel owned yachts, helicopter and seaplane. Resort, welcoming children as of 6 has 200 rooms & suits, plus an Exclusive Villa. D-Hotel Maris is a member of The Leading Hotels of The World and has recently been awarded by Six Star Diamond Awards.

    Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery in Italy
    Fully restored 11th century castle in Montalcino perfect for spa or romantic getaways, wine and relax breaks in Tuscany.

    Located 12 km from Montalcino, in the Val d’Orcia, a Unesco World heritage site, Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery is a haven of tranquility where all senses are awakened and body, mind and soul revitalized.

    Food and wine lovers will enjoy the hotels’ two restaurants, Velona Lounge Bar and Settimo Senso gourmet restaurant, both with panoramic terraces, where to taste regional and gourmet dishes of the Tuscan culinary tradition. The wine list is headed by the hotel’s own produced Brunello di Montalcino.

    Guests staying at Castello di Velona will love its 1500sq. Spa, a wellness paradise featuring the hottest mineral springs in Tuscany, 2 outdoor panoramic pools, 2 indoor thermal pools with Jacuzzis, 5 treatment rooms, 1 romantic couple room, emotional showers, two steam bath, and sauna.

  • Buy2Greece.com – Europe hotel industry outshines U.S. in growth for the first time since 2010

    According to data from STR, 2015 marked the first year since 2010 in which the European hotel industry passed hotels in the U.S. in year-over-year revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth.

    In U.S. dollar constant currency*, Europe’s year-end 2015 RevPAR growth reached +6.9% (to US$83.94), while growth in the U.S. hit +6.3% (to US$78.65).

    Both the U.S. and Europe have reported six consecutive years of RevPAR growth since each experienced a double-digit decline following the financial crisis in 2009. From 2011 to 2014, the U.S. consistently experienced a higher year-end growth rate. In 2014, U.S. RevPAR growth reached +8.1% compared to +4.3% for Europe.

    Despite recent safety concerns across Europe due to terrorist attacks and threats, which affected key cities including Paris and London at the end of the year, several markets in the region experienced strong overall performances in 2015. According to STR analysts, the weakened Euro and displaced demand from North Africa played major roles. European hotels reported exceptionally high performances in the summer months, reaching +9.9% RevPAR growth in June, +13.0% in July and +8.4% in August.

    Major European markets with notable RevPAR growth for year-end 2015 include:

    • Amsterdam, Netherlands (+12.1%)
    • Dublin, Ireland (+23.3%)
    • Barcelona, Spain (+11.3%)
    • Milan, Italy (+30.3%)
    • Warsaw, Poland (+9.8%)
    • Prague, Czech Republic (+14.6%)

    Europe’s strong performance trend has continued into 2016, with the region finishing the month of January at +3.0% RevPAR growth versus +2.5% in the U.S. This also marks the first time since 2010 that Europe has opened the year with higher RevPAR growth than the U.S.

    “Most European hotels had a fantastic 2015 and should be able to carry this momentum through to 2016,” saidRobin Rossmann, managing director for STR. “While the U.S. has maintained higher performances after recovering from the recession, Europe is definitely catching up and the future looks bright. While demand remains high in both markets, at 3.0% in the U.S. and 2.9% in Europe, it will be interesting to see how the high projected supply growth in the U.S. will put pressure on hotel occupancy, while Europe’s supply growth trend remains slow and steady.”

    Rossmann, who assumed his role at STR in January, will present at the 19th International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin on Tuesday, 8 March.

    Constant currency is an exchange rate that eliminates the effects of exchange rate fluctuations and is used when calculating financial performance numbers. All RevPAR calculations use 31 January 2016 exchange rates.

    Source: STR.

  • Buy2Greece.com-Why cruise travel is outpacing general leisure travel?

    Why cruise travel is outpacing general leisure travel?

    Cruise travel is becoming the vacation of choice around the world, quickly outpacing leisure or land-based travel. In fact, according to research from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), over the ten years from 2004 to 2014, global cruise vacations have grown faster in popularity than global land-based vacations by a 23 percent margin.

    Additionally, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2016 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook, the industry shows no signs of slowing down with 24 million passengers expected to sail in 2016, up from 23 million in 2015. Travel agents are also predicting a higher demand for cruise travel. Eight out of 10 CLIA Travel Agent Members stated they are expecting an increase in cruise sales in 2016 over last year.

    “Cruise lines are constantly updating their offerings and providing almost unlimited itinerary options for travelers so it comes as no surprise that cruise travel is outpacing alternative vacation experiences,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA’s Acting CEO. “A cruise vacation delivers amazing experiences in locations around the world at a tremendous value.”

    From the ease of travel to expanded destinations, here are the 10 Reasons Why Cruise Vacations Are On The Rise:

    1. Cruise Vacation Variety: Over the past 15 years, cruise vacation options have continued to evolve and, today, there is a cruise for every kind of traveler. Ranging from family cruises complete with kid-friendly brand experiences to high-end pampering at world-class spas, there’s a cruise experience for every travel desire.
    2. Best Bang for Your Buck: Cruise travelers state the “Return on Experience” offered by a cruise vacation is better than other vacation options. In addition to meals, accommodations and on-board activities that are typically included in the price, cruises also allow travelers to see multiple destinations in one trip, and for one cost.
    3. On the River and Beyond: River cruising is experiencing a big boost in cruise popularity and allow travelers to reach inland destinations that were never thought possible. River cruises now sail to more intimate spaces and lands previously thought hard to get to by cruise.
    4. A Tailored Trip: Cruises offer each traveler the chance to customize a trip specifically to personal travel preferences. Whether travelers are hoping to relax by the pool or explore ancient ruins, there’s a cruise and itinerary available.
    5. Cruise to Every Corner of the World: Cruising not only allows travelers to travel to multiple destinations but also makes touring foreign countries accessible and less intimidating. A cruise can take travelers to foreign lands without the worry of navigating airports, restaurants or tourist sites.
    6. Never a Dull Moment: Many cruise lines offer a variety of on-board activities to keep travelers entertained, day or night, as they travel from port to port. From simulated surfing and sky diving to wine and chocolate tastings, the offerings are diverse and abundant.
    7. Multi-Generational Cruising: It’s hard to please everyone when it comes to vacationing, but cruising is designed to appeal to every age from toddlers to seniors. From family reunions to the family vacation of a lifetime, cruise experiences are the perfect multigenerational travel solution.
    8. Staying Connected at Sea: While many like the appeal of being disconnected while on vacation, there are those that want or need to be connected while at sea. Today’s cruises offer a myriad of Wi-Fi, onboard texting and data options.
    9. A Healthier Vacation: With a growing emphasis on health and well-being, cruising offers a wide variety of health benefits. From the purity of ocean air to on-board fitness options, there’s a way for everyone to stay healthy in both mind and body while on a cruise.
    10. See the World, But Unpack Once: Cruising gives travelers the chance to see, do and experience all areas of the world. While one can pack as little or as much into their trip as they’d like, their suitcase only needs to be unpacked once.

    Source: CLIA

  • Buy2Greece.com – 10 most powerful passports of the world

    Do you often imagine a world without borders and boundaries? As the world travel and tourism industry is bound by visa rules and various other border security regimes, here is one country which has made considerate developments in allowing its citizens to as many as 177 countries without visa.

    According to the Visa Restrictions Index 2016, the German passport holders have the most freedom of access to countries compared to all other passports. They were ranked at the first place for the list of the best passports in the world.

    The report is published annually by the global leader in residence and citizenship planning, Henely & Partners in partnership with IATA. The rankings were done depending on how many countries a passport holder can travel to without a visa.

    The second place was taken by the Sweden passport which allows free access to 176 countries followed by Finland, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom with visa-free access to 175 countries.

    Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States ranked fourth with acceptance in 174 countries.

    Singapore maintained the fifth place for the third consecutive year, with its passport accepted in 173 cities and countries worldwide, sharing the same ranking with Japan and Austria this year.

    The Malaysian passport, however, dropped from its ninth position last year (with visa free access to 168 countries) to 12th place with the document accepted in 164 countries. It had remained in the “Top 10” for three years before being pushed out this year.

    Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan meanwhile, continue to hold the bottom four positions on the Index, with the holders granted visa-free access to only 31, 30, 29, and 25 countries respectively. They thus have again been labeled the worst passports in the world.

    According to the report, “the number of countries in the ‘Top 10’ remained static in this year’s Index at 28 countries, with Hungary joining the category after one year of being pushed out, and Malaysia dropping to 12th position after three years in the premier group.”

  • www.Buy2Greece.com – Ruble devaluations of 2014-2015

    Investor motivations

    The majority of respondents (74%) said they closed less deals with Russian-speaking buyers after the ruble devaluations of 2014–2015, but they also reported growing interest in income-generating property. In 2014, over half of all respondents (56%) noted the scarcity or absence of Russian-speaking commercial property investors. In 2015, 73% of respondents reported there were “many” Russian buyers, up from 44% in 2014.

    Most Russian-speaking investors are successful entrepreneurs, owning and operating businesses in Russia and/or CIS countries. Due to the volatile financial situation in the region, they are looking for income-generating property with moderate yields and stable returns in a dependable currency.