New challenger on the French rail tracks

 

SNCF, for decades the leading railway provider in France, is about to get some serious competition. 

Velvet, a start-up that aims to challenge SNCF on high-speed routes, has secured its operating license, bringing it a step closer to launching four western France services in 2028.

The company plans to launch four non-stop routes from Paris in 2028: Paris-Bordeaux, Paris-Nantes, Paris-Angers and Paris-Rennes.

The license, issued by France’s Transport Ministry, is one of two key authorisations required before a rail operator can commercially carry passengers, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Velvet still needs to obtain a Single Safety Certificate, demonstrating that it has adequate safety-management systems and can effectively control operational risks before its trains can enter service.

The newly granted license nevertheless allows the company to move into a more advanced stage of preparations, including requesting specific train paths from SNCF Réseau, France’s rail infrastructure manager.

“It’s an important step that allows us to go further in preparing our trains, teams and procedures,” said Velvet Ppesident Rachel Picard.

Picard, a former senior SNCF executive, founded Velvet with a business partner and has raised €1 billion ($1.17 billion) from French infrastructure investor Antin Infrastructure Partners.

Part of that funding has been allocated to purchase 12 next-generation Alstom Avelia Horizon trains. The same train is being introduced by SNCF for its own high-speed operations.

Velvet’s arrival is being welcomed by passenger advocates, who say additional operators could help address capacity shortages on some of France’s busiest routes. They point to heavily booked routes such as Paris-Bordeaux and Paris-Lyon, where trains can sell out for extended periods.

France’s high-speed rail market remains overwhelmingly dominated by SNCF despite the formal opening of European rail markets to competition.

Italian operator Trenitalia entered the French market in late 2021 and now operates services linking Paris with Lyon, Marseille and Milan. It is also targeting the Paris-London market, with cross-Channel services planned by 2030.

Adelaide to gain a new luxury hotel

Adelaide will gain a major new hotel before the end of the year.

Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts has officially opened reservations for Crystalbrook Sam (a peculiar name), which will be its first South Australian hotel, scheduled to open in late December. 

Set on Halifax Street, just three streets south of Adelaide Central Market, the luxury hotel will have 196 rooms. 

Described as "equal parts relaxed and lively@, Crystalbrook Sam "is designed as both sanctuary and springboard for exploring the city". 

Hotel GM Kelvin Dodt says: “Guests can settle into Adelaide's lifestyle without leaving the hotel, from spa afternoons and long lunches to a glass of wine downstairs or dinner with views across the city. 

"Step outside and Adelaide is right there: galleries, laneways, markets, neighbourhoods and festival precincts all within easy reach.”

Geoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts, said: “Crystalbrook Sam represents an exciting new chapter for Crystalbrook as we bring our personality-forward and locally inspired hotels to South Australia. 

"Adelaide has a distinct creative energy and an extraordinary food, wine and cultural spirit. Crystalbrook Sam has been designed to belong here, bringing together locally made art, South Australian produce and generous Adelaide hospitality.”

Matines restaurant will showcase South Australian produce cooked over fire, local oysters and coastal favourites with views across the city and towards the Adelaide Hills. 

Eléme Day Spa will offer massages, facials and restorative treatments, complemented by the hotel's heated outdoor pool and sauna. A fully equipped gym is also available. 

Interiors will showcase a collection of sculptural art, a program bringing together South Australian sculptors and local makers, with works through the lobby, corridors, guest rooms, wellness and dining spaces.

Opening rates start from $275 per night. 

See www.crystalbrookcollection.com/sam

Farewell to the Eurail pass; hello Interrail

Imagine building a globally recognised travel brand with 60 years of history.

And then deciding to change the name of that brand.

It is either incredibly brave, or very foolhardy.

Generations of travellers from around the world grew up using the Eurail Pass, first introduced in 1959. It has been known over the years as Europass or Eurorail. It is a pass sold to non Europeans, which allows travel on nearly all rail tracks in 33 European countries.

As of now, however, the brand will be known as Interrail, bringing European and international travellers under one brand.

While the Eurail name will disappear, the core product remains unchanged, with travellers continuing to access flexible rail travel across multiple European countries using a single pass that can be used for a set number of days within a defined time period.

The company told media that the unified Interrail identity better reflects its vision for the future of European rail travel and recognises that the experience of exploring the continent by train is universal, regardless of where travellers come from.

Interrail chief brand and commercial officer Ozlem Birkalan said the change was about more than adopting a new name.

"This is much more than a new name. Interrail represents a renewed vision for European travel that reflects how people increasingly want to explore today - more thoughtfully, more flexibly, and with greater curiosity,” Birkalan said.

Travel agents in Australia can purchase Interrail Passes through Rail Europe, International Rail, Klook and other Interrail distributors.

See https://www.interrail.com/

Halloween to spread over four days on the Sydney waterfront

 

Halloween used to be a purely American event. 

But, like so many American trends, it has spread globally. 

Sydney will be fully involved when Ghost In The Rocks runs from October 29 to November 1 - yes, a one-day festival now runs over four. 

Ghost in The Rocks is promoted as "transforming one of Sydney’s oldest precincts into a huge open-air Halloween playground", with more than 300,000 people expected across the festival this year.

George Street and the Overseas Passenger Terminal will close to traffic from 7pm to midnight on the Friday and Saturday, opening up The Rocks from end to end for live music, DJs, food and drink, roaming performers and large-scale Halloween installations.

The precinct will be transformed, with giant tentacles emerging from buildings, six-metre spiders taking over the laneways and streets filled with colour, lighting and Halloween theming. 

And the street festival and all live performances are completely free across all four nights. You's have to pay me to attend, but that's just me. 

See here for more details: https://ghostfestival.com.au/

A new name in the Australian accommodation business

Australia is to gain a major new player in the extended stay accommodation space with the arrival of the Staybridge Suites brand. 

Staybridge Suites is IHG Hotels & Resorts' globally established upscale extended-stay brand, which will be making its debut in Australia starting with two properties in western Sydney, in Parramatta and Leppington (top image). 

IHG has signed a Master Development Agreement with Australian property developer ALAND to launch Staybridge Suites Down Under. 

Under the agreement, ALAND will have exclusive development rights for Staybridge Suites in Australia, with a portfolio of at least 15 hotels comprising a minimum of 2,000 rooms to be developed across the country. 

The first two franchises will be the 130-room Staybridge Suites Sydney Parramatta and 112-room Staybridge Suites Sydney Leppington. The hotels will be managed by Signature Hotel Management Group.

“This is a significant long-term development agreement for IHG in Australia," says Matt Tripolone, managing director, Australasia & Pacific, for IHG. 

"Establishing a portfolio of at least 15 hotels and 2,000 rooms with one development partner gives us a clear pathway to build a meaningful position in the extended-stay segment, where we see considerable long-term opportunity.

“Importantly, this is not simply an agreement about future growth. We are announcing the first two 

Staybridge Suites has 355 open hotels and a further 152 in the pipeline globally. The vast majority are in the US and Canada. 

Designed for guests travelling for weeks or longer, the properties combine "spacious residential-style suites with the services and sense of community of a hotel".

Hobart gets a new luxury events space

Looking to host a luxury event, or product launch, in Hobart? A new venue option has just been unveiled. 

The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, today announced the opening of Lumina, a new event space it says will elevate Tasmania’s growing business events and incentive travel sector, while also hosting weddings and private celebrations.

Located in Parliament Square, overlooking Hobart’s waterfront, Lumina is open for bookings. 

The Tasman has been named among The World’s 50 Best Hotels and is home to Peppina restaurant and Mary Mary bar. 

Hotel GM Carolyn Smith said the opening marks an exciting milestone for both the hotel and Tasmania’s events sector.

“Lumina marks an exciting new chapter for The Tasman and for Hobart’s events landscape," she said.

"It gives us the opportunity to bring the hotel’s signature service, culinary identity and destination into a dedicated events setting.

“We have seen strong interest from corporate, incentive and private event clients and are delighted to have already secured 40 events." 

Lumina is designed by award-winning Australian practice fjcstudio, the architects behind The Tasman. 

The venue can accommodate up to 180 guests theatre style, 156 classroom style, 190 for a gala dinner, 166 for a wedding reception, 100 in an open elliptical format and up to 220 for a standing cocktail event. 

Menus will showcase seasonal produce, ethical sourcing and wellness-focused options.