Kenya tourism news – Swahili Beach opens its doors just in time for Christmas

SWAHILI BEACH HOTEL OPENED JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

The first major new 5 star resort development over the past decade has opened in time for the Christmas and New Year season at one of Kenyas top beaches, Diani Beach south of Mombasa putting a smile on the faces of the owners, the management team and the guests who were booked into the brand new hotel.
The 140 suite and room resort was designed by renowned coastal architects Tibor Gaal and Associates, who have for decades developed resorts and hotels along Kenyas beaches from Malindi to Mombasa and beyond.
This latest state of the art 5 star resort offers roof top terraces for some of the penthouse suites, where guests can enjoy the full view across the resort and the Indian Ocean beaches and yet cannot be seen from anywhere below, ensuring total privacy in the comfort of their own.
Four restaurants and several bars underscore the intention of the Swahili Beach to swiftly claim their spot amongst the most acclaimed resorts along the Kenya coast and an elaborate Spa, set near the beach, is bound to make waves amongst those seeking to not just relax while on vacation but also take advantage of a range of wellness programmes and elaborate treatments.

Visit www.swahilibeach.com for more information, reservations and bookings.

Rwanda hospitality breaking news – Hotel star awards set for today at the Kigali Serena Hotel

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN HOTELS AWAIT STAR RATING
The Rwanda Development Board Tourism and Conservation, has concluded the first phase of the East Africa wide grading and classifying of hotels, resorts, lodges and other hospitality businesses and today about 30 hotels in Kigali will be awarded their stars at a ceremony held at the Kigali Serena Hotel, itself expecting to reap a full 5 stars of course, arguably being Kigalis finest hotel at present.
The ceremony will also highlight the rationale behind the exercise and tell the story of a country wide roll out to ascertain that visitors to The Land of a Thousand Hills will be assured of quality which will across the East African Community use the same criteria.
Ms. Rica Rwigamba, the Head of Tourism and Conservation within the RDB, has already in advance of the ceremony later today announced that as many as 16 types of establishments would come under the scrutiny of trained assessors before being given the coveted stars, a seal of quality and approval now unfolding across the EAC. Rwanda is second only to Tanzania to commence the exercise in earnest while logistical as well as political issues still need resolving in neighbouring Burundi, Uganda and even Kenya, where the present system of rating will have to give way to the community wide new method, using a jointly developed catalogue of criteria to accomplish one rating system for the entire region.
Miss Rwigamba has quantified the cost of the exercise to this point as approximately 120 million Rwanda Francs, a considerably expense for one of the smaller EAC countries but generally thought well worth it as the country seeks regional leadership through innovation, variety and quality in the tourism and conservation sectors. Well done indeed and advance congratulations to those who will today be confirmed to be on top of their class.

Bahrain Air Show 2012 – Where ‘luxury and exclusivity’ make up for size and numbers

BAHRAIN AIR SHOW 2012 THE NEXT BIG STAGE FOR AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS

The worlds leading aircraft manufacturers are gearing up to showcase their latest models, improvements and show off future aircraft designs, amongst many other presentations of keen interest to the aviation industry, during the upcoming Bahrain Air Show 2012. The second edition of BIAS is due to be held at the Sakhir Air Base, right next to the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit between 19th and 21st of January.
Generally considered one of the smaller aviation showcases BIAS 2012 seems to go along with the slogan small is beautiful while professing to luxurious and exclusive settings and expectations are high that the 1 billion US Dollars in terms of transactions during the inaugural show in 2010 will be exceeded in January, probably substantially.
Bahrain Civil Aviation, together with the UK based Farnborough International and the Bahrain Air Force are the key organizers and promoters of the show while Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain is not only the official carrier but also the key sponsor of the event alongside Bahrains leading communications company BATELCO.
Gulf Air, now Bahrains national airline but formerly THE Pan-Gulf carrier with a number of other Gulf countries holding shares, dates back to 1950 and has since the incorporation of other national airlines in the Gulf transformed itself into a relatively smaller compared to the big league from the UAE and neighbouring Qatar but hungry and ambitious airline with the claim to operate the widest network of destinations across the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf countries, while at the same time also serving key European, Asian and African destinations. Gulf Air on 05th December commenced flights from Bahrain to Entebbe / Uganda four times a week and is due to start flights to Juba / Southern Sudan from late January with initially three frequencies planned for that destination.
This correspondent will report live from the Bahrain Air Show, courtesy of Gulf Air, and cover all the key events, flight displays and media presentations via Twitter and through daily articles from BIAS 2012. Watch this space.

Kenya aviation news – Kenya Airways set to double lounge spaces for frequent flyers and premium class passengers

KENYA AIRWAYS SET TO DOUBLE LOUNGE SPACE

The Pride of Africa and its partner airlines KLM and Air France are poised to provide yet more space and a better environment to their frequent travelers and business class passengers, as an expansion of the upstairs JV Lounge is presently underway, literally doubling the available seating spaces.
Served on completion by a common reception, travelers then have a choice of using either wing, the present lounge or the new part of it, though the facilities and services will be identical.
Demand for business class travel has considerably revived since the end of the last global financial crisis and more and more travelers have now also signed up to the frequent flyer programme Flying Blue which, depending on the level, i.e. Gold or Platinum, and the miles accrued permits even economy class passengers to use the lounge prior to their flights departure, including inviting one guest. Notably are the same lounges also available to passengers of Precision Air, KQs Tanzanian partner airline as well as for business class travelers using RwandAir to Kigali.
In addition, Kenya Airways also operates a downstairs lounge near the main immigration counters, named Simba Lounge, where business class passengers on the airlines regional and African services can take time out from the otherwise hustle and bustle of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in particular during rush hour which now extends almost around the clock.
It is not only about travelling in style in the front cabin but also, and equally important, about being able to spend time prior to the flight in a quiet environment similar to a members club lounge, where one can work, read the latest papers and magazines, watch news programmes on wide screen TV, enjoy a wide range of snacks and drinks or else meet fellow travelers and exchange views and news.