Tag Archives: Geneva

Jumeirah Group acquires legendary Le Richemond hotel on the banks of Lake Geneva, Switzerland; the luxury hospitality company is focused on international expansion as it targets strategic gateway cities. Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, today announced the acquisition of its first property in Switzerland as it continues its growth trajectory and international expansion. The flagship property – Le Richemond – was founded in 1875 and is located on the banks of Lake Geneva in a prime location at the heart of the city’s business district and a short walk from the city’s luxury designer boutiques. The acquisition forms part of the Group’s strategy to build its brand profile in gateway destinations across the world. The move signals Jumeirah’s appetite for investment in key cities that support the diversification of its portfolio and build brand equity as a globally recognised luxury hotel operator. Geneva, as a thriving city, synonymous with luxury living, with a strong international business community and a robust high-end tourism sector, will support Jumeirah’s vision to become one of the world’s top five luxury hotel brands. The art deco property with its charm and grandeur has been a popular destination for well-known personalities throughout the years. The hotel features 109 keys with 87 rooms and 22 suites, boasting stunning views across Lac Léman and the mountain peaks of Mont Blanc. The property will undergo extensive renovations, which will commence as soon as possible, to reposition and elevate the guest experience to a level consistent with Jumeirah’s brand expectations. Jumeirah plans to introduce its signature wellness and fitness concepts and will also focus on bringing its culinary expertise to the banks of …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its first flights between the Kingdom and Geneva, Switzerland; Frankfurt, Germany; and London, the United Kingdom. To mark the occasion, SAUDIA designated a special flight from each of the three destinations, where guests were invited to celebrate at the airport terminals and onboard the flights. Guests across different cabin classes onboard the three flights were presented with commemorative souvenirs and access to the national carrier’s BISTRO service, providing them with a unique dining experience. Meanwhile, guests traveling on the Business Class enjoyed its Inflight Chef Service, with dishes cooked to their liking and expectations. As of the beginning of 2022, SAUDIA moved 348,800 guests aboard more than 3,500 flights to and from Geneva, Frankfurt and London, collectively covering 16.2 million air miles in 22.3 flight hours. The three destinations are served with SAUDIA’s latest, most efficient aircraft with comfortable seating and 5,000 hours of entertainment content to suit the tastes of every guest. The 55-year milestone solidifies SAUDIA’s standing as one of the world’s best airlines with extensive destination coverage. Through the celebration, SAUDIA sought to reward its distinguished guests for their trust and confidence in its services as well as their brand loyalty. On the occasion, SAUDIA also reiterates its commitment to providing ever-better services and launching new routes to more destinations to bring the world to Saudi Arabia in its capacity as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030.’

Geneva is all set to welcome travellers from the GCC and around the world, while still maintaining the necessary security measures to ensure the health and safety of all citizen and visitors. Geneva’s restaurants, shops, markets, travel agencies, museums, libraries and sports facilities were reopened with precautionary measures being applied. The re-opening plan consists of different phases where with each entity in Geneva will gradually take a step closer to being fully operational. On June 8; Phase 3 will take effect and swimming pools, theatres, cinemas, zoos, botanical gardens, animal parks and mountain transport services will be open to the public again. “We are optimistic about the current situation in Geneva and looking forward for more positive developments highlighted with the opening of airports for international flights soon,” says Franck Romanet, Market Manager GCC & India at Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation. “With the restrictions in Geneva being lifted and having more airlines announcing their return flights and connecting the GCC to our city, we hope to see more and more tourists from the GCC region travelling again to their favourite destination, Geneva,” Romanet continues. Every year Geneva welcomes the highest numbers of travellers from the GCC compared to other Swiss cities. This is linked to Geneva’s diverse offerings, natural scene and unique shopping opportunities which Arab travellers look forward to. The number of halal food restaurants and the hotels with Arabic speaking staff makes travellers from the Middle East region feel at home when visiting Geneva. Another important factor which makes Geneva an appealing destination for Arabs is its medical offerings which have a positive international reputation thanks to the number of clinics and hospitals available, the cutting edge …

Beginning with the summer schedule, Etihad Airways has launched its flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Abu Dhabi–Geneva route. The three-class aircraft, featuring eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats, replaces the Airbus A330s previously operating daily on the route, and offers additional cargo capacity. Peter Baumgartner, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “We are delighted that Switzerland, one of our most attractive markets for both business and leisure travellers, will now be exclusively served by our flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner.” “In addition to maintaining attractive timings for guests travelling between Abu Dhabi and Geneva, we will create further suitable connections in many markets that will benefit more travellers to conveniently connect to Geneva via our Abu Dhabi hub. Through our optimised schedule, more business and leisure guests from an increasing number of destinations will now have the opportunity to experience our next generation aircraft throughout their journey with us.” The new generation aircraft’s environmental performance brings a number of operational advantages, such as a 12 per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous aircraft on the route and a concomitant substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Emirates’ first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its first-class product will operate from Dubai to the airline’s Belgian and Swiss destinations from December 1. The new cabin will feature six private suites laid out in a 1-1-1 layout, compared to the eight private suites in a 1-2-1 layout on its existing 777 fleet. Prior to entering commercial service, the first Emirates aircraft to feature the new private suites will be on display at the Dubai Airshow from November 12-16, following a product reveal on the first day of the show. Operating as one of the two daily flights from Dubai to Geneva, travellers can enjoy the new product on flight EK083 departing Dubai at 14:50hrs, arriving in Geneva at 18:55hrs. The return flight leaves Geneva at 20:40hrs, arriving at Dubai International Airport at 06:05hrs on the following day. For travellers heading to or from Belgium, the new product will be available on flight EK183 which leaves Dubai at 08:20hrs, arriving in Brussels at 12:45hrs. The return flight leaves Brussels at 14:35hrs, arriving at Emirates Terminal Three in Dubai at 00:15hrs on the following day.

Etihad Airways will add three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney to operate a double-daily schedule from February 6, 2017. The morning departure from Abu Dhabi – EY450 – and the afternoon departure from Sydney – EY451 – will increase from four to seven flights per week. This enhancement to the airline’s Sydney schedule comes with the move by strategic partner Virgin Australia to shift its Australia to Abu Dhabi operation from Sydney to Perth from June 9, 2017. Expanding the code-share agreement, Etihad Airways will add its EY code to Virgin Australia’s new three weekly Perth-Abu Dhabi flights. The combined impact of the additional Sydney capacity and new code-share with Virgin Australia is an increase in the UAE flag carrier’s Australian footprint from a total of 42 to 45 weekly flights. To maintain schedule continuity, Etihad Airways will operate its three new weekly Sydney services at the same timings as Virgin Australia’s current Sydney-Abu Dhabi flights, on which Etihad Airways has placed its EY code since they began in February 2011. Among the new two-way connected markets for Perth are Athens, Beirut, Geneva, Istanbul, and a number of African destinations including Dar es Salaam, Entebbe, Khartoum and Nairobi. The additional Sydney flights will be operated by a three-class Boeing 777-300ER, the aircraft type operating the current EY450/451 pattern. The aircraft is configured with eight seats in First Class, 40 in Business Class and 280 in Economy Class.