GOOGLE BUYS FROMMER’S TRAVEL GUIDES
Google now owns the travel guidebooks brand Frommer’s as the internet company ramps up its bid to become the premier destination for local reviews and listings online. Frommer’s launched in 1957 when Arthur Frommer published his Europe on $5 a day guidebook. The deal gives Google a vast archive of digital reviews for its local listings, maps and mobile applications. It comes nearly a year after Google bought Zagat Survey, the restaurant review and ratings service.
Google said the Frommer’s purchase — which includes more than 300 guidebooks — would complement its aim to provide “a review for every relevant place in the world”.
— Guardian News and Media 2012
EMIRATES TO RESUME LIBYA FLIGHTS
Emirates will resume flights to Tripoli in October with a new schedule. Emirates’ four-weekly flights to Tripoli will leave Dubai starting from October 29 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9.25am and arrive at Tripoli International Airport at 2pm.
Flights to and from Tripoli will be served by an Airbus A330-200. Emirates will launch five new destinations over the next six months: Washington DC on September 12, Adelaide on November 1, Lyon on December 5, Phuket on December 10 and Warsaw on February 6, 2013.
OCTOBER LAUNCH FOR BANYAN TREE SHANGHAI
The luxury resort group Banyan Tree is opening its newest “urban resort” in the Chinese city in October. Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund is close to the historic landmarks of old Shanghai and the modern centres of China’s commercial hub, facing Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district and the HuangPu River. There are 130 suites, including a signature suite with panoramic views and a private dipping pool and the Banyan Suite with swimming pool; four food and beverage outlets including an alfresco roof top bar Stars; and a Banyan Tree Spa.
PUTT WITH THE PROS AT FOUR SEASONS’ ANAHITA RESORT
The AfrAsia Golf Masters 2012 will take place at the property from December 9-16, with professional players from the European Tour and 20 of the best French players playing on the Ernie Els-designer oceanfront course. The hotel, with pool villa accommodations and a calendar of gala dinners and cocktail events, has a package with seven nights in a private pool villa, daily breakfast, lunch at Four Seasons Golf Clubhouse; and all the gala dinners, cocktail events and restaurant dinners for each evening for 2,750 euro (Dh12,449) per person (plus 15 per cent VAT), based on two people sharing a Garden Pool Villa. Amateur golfers wishing to join in the action can register for the two-day Pro-Am and two half-days of Open Amateur competition as part of a set package, with registration priced at 600 euro.
LANGKAWI INSPIRATION FOR FOUR SEASONS RESORT’S SPA
Inspired by its location inside Langkawi’s Unesco Geopark, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi this month opened a spa with natural treatments by ila, in four treatment series that reflect the four life requisites of the creatures within the Geopark — Nourishment, Water, Light and Air.
“Working with ila to create bespoke treatments has enabled us to tap into the very specific, indigenous benefits of Langkawi — its rocks, crystals,mud, herbs, abundant water and unique flora,” said Spa Director Livia Reddington. Each series of treatments is accompanied by a recommended yoga programme and corresponding bathing rituals and in-resort activities such as the Mangrove Safari and Rainforest Walk.
