Wyndham Vacation Ownership Revolutionizes Its Sales Practices

ORLANDO, Fla., 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — A well-known innovator in the timeshare industry, Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE:WYN), is revolutionizing its sales practices by providing every member of its sales force a comprehensive sales tool center on an iPad platform…. Read the full press release

Japan Airlines to start operating between Helsinki and Tokyo on July 1st

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Japan Airlines starts operating the route between Tokyo (Narita) and Helsinki on July 1st, 2013, with daily flights. Originally the opening of the route should be in February but it was postponed. Since July 1st, Helsinki Airport will have total of four flights a day to Japan. In addition to Japan Airlines,… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels Group signs Crowne Plaza in Newcastle upon Tyne

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed Crowne Plaza Newcastle -Stephenson Quarter to anchor the emerging business district adjacent to Newcastle Central Station. Under the leadership of Newcastle-based developer Silverlink, the 251-room hotel will operate under a management agreement with IHG. Crowne Plaza Newcastle – Stephenson Quarter will stand at the gateway of… Read the full press release

Travelport, Porter Airlines sign new multi-year full content agreement

Multi-year Extension Includes Upgrade to Direct Sell Connectivity Level Toronto, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Travelport,  a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry,  today announces a new multi-year full content agreement with Porter Airlines, giving all Travelport-connected travel agents access to the airline’s full published fares and inventory, including… Read the full press release

Kenya Airways and Safaricom launch “Fly with bonga points” pact

Nairobi: 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Kenya Airways, the pride of Africa and  leading integrated communications service provider, Safaricom Limited, have partnered to launch a proposition that allows customers to pay for tickets using Bonga  points. The partnership, dubbed “Fly with Bonga Points”, will see customers with 28,000 Bonga points and more on their Safaricom lines buy… Read the full press release

Each year Virginia ranks among the top U.S. states in tourism

Tourism Benefits in Virginia Touted During National Travel and Tourism Week Richmond, Va., 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Each year Virginia ranks among the top U.S. states in tourism. Millions of visitors come not only from neighboring states and major U.S. markets but from all corners of the world, traveling with the intent of spending their time and… Read the full press release

Jonathan Grella appointed Senior Vice President of Public Affairs U.S. Travel Association

Trusted media advisor and political strategist to lead association’s campaign-style operation Washington, D.C., 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today announced the selection of Jonathan A. Grella as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. Grella, who begins at U.S. Travel on May 6, will lead the government relations, grassroots, research and communications components of… Read the full press release

Summer travel programs encourage travel in Nebraska

LINCOLN, NEB., 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Sen. Ken Schilz and state officials celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week by kicking off programs that promote travel opportunities across the state. National Travel and Tourism Week, celebrated during the first full week of May, is the annual salute to travel in America and its value to the U.S…. Read the full press release

2013 Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week

Palm Springs, CA, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — From chef-owned bistros to elegant poolside eateries, over 30 Palm Springs restaurants will showcase their culinary talents to thousands of foodies during the 6th Annual Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week scheduled May 31-June 16, 2013. The Restaurant Week’s signature “Eat. See. Stay.” Experience features dining deals, exclusive hotel packages, and… Read the full press release

Lufthansa upgrades in-flight service on long and short-haul flights

Attentive care in First and Business Class with new gastronomic flair 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Lufthansa has upgraded in-flight service on long and short-haul flights. Since 1 May, cabin staff have been indulging First and Business-Class passengers with new service ideas, creative menus served on quality tableware and further sophisticated details. Only a few months… Read the full press release

Eileen Cowin photographs on display at LAX

Los Angeles, California, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, announces a new photography installation by artist Eileen Cowin at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Cowin’s installation, titled Point of Departure, tells a story in four large-scale color photographs focusing on simple gestures and… Read the full press release

Lost $15,000 wedding ring returned to a guest at The Drake Hotel

CHICAGO, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — A $15,000 wedding ring was returned to a guest after being retrieved by a team member at The Drake Hotel from five tons of garbage in the hotel’s trash compactor. “It feels amazing to have it back on my finger,” said the giddy Jodi Eastgate while showing off the wedding ring she feared she… Read the full press release

Thomson announces new route to Turkey from Leeds Bradford Airport for Summer 14

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Thomson has announced the launch of its exciting new programme from Leeds Bradford Airport for summer 2014 with the introduction of a new route to Turkey in Turkey to complement the existing routes to Tunisia, Tenerife, Ibiza, Corfu, Majorca, Rhodes and Dalaman (Turkey) Flexible 11 night holidays are also now available to both… Read the full press release

Massachusetts Port Authority launches 2013 cruise season at Cruiseport Boston

Travelers now enjoy free wireless Internet access BOSTON, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — With Friday’s Bermuda sailing of the Norwegian Dawn, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) launches the 2013 cruise season at Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Terminal in South Boston. New this year, Massport is offering travelers free wireless Internet access at the cruise terminal to meet… Read the full press release

PATA pledges the association’s ongoing support for the complete visitor economy

UNTWO and private sector support goals of the ‘CVE’ Bangkok, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The PATA CEO Martin Craigs this week wrote to attendees and speakers of the PATA Annual Summit to pledge the association’s ongoing support for the complete visitor economy. The concept of the complete visitor economy was endorsed by private and public sector… Read the full press release

Residence Inn by Marriott kicks off a month-long celebration of moms – Moms’ Month

Renowned Chef and Lifestyle Expert Cat Cora Named “Resident Mom Of The Year 2013” 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Residence Inn by Marriott kicks off a month-long celebration of moms – Moms’ Month – by announcing its Resident Mom of the Year 2013: chef and lifestyle entrepreneur Cat Cora. A prominent figure in the culinary community, Cora… Read the full press release

Todd Cilano appointed Regional Vice President Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita to oversee Mauritius, Seychelles and upcoming projects in Africa. Todd Cilano, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, has been appointed Regional Vice President by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, effective May 1, 2013. In this new position, Cilano’s responsibilities will encompass Mauritius, which will… Read the full press release

U.S. Travel Association: The Travel Industry has Added 85 Percent of Jobs Lost During the Great Recession

Travel Employment Accelerates in April Washington, D.C., 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — David Huether, senior vice president of research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, provides analysis on today’s Labor Department announcement that the U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate edged down slightly to 7.5 percent: “The travel industry continues to lead the way… Read the full press release

IATA assumes Open AXIS license from ATPCO

Geneva, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) marked a major milestone in its New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative with the assignment by Airline Tariff Publishing Company (ATPCO) of its Open AXIS license to IATA. This makes IATA the custodian of the Open AXIS XML schema, with full governance over schema evolution, including… Read the full press release

Alaska Air Group Reports April Operational Results

SEATTLE, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported April and year-to-date operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, and on a combined basis. Detailed information is provided below. ALASKA AIRLINES – MAINLINE Alaska reported a 9.2 percent increase in traffic on a 9.9 percent increase in capacity compared… Read the full press release

airberlin says thank you to its Facebook friends with topbonus miles

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Germany’s second largest airline is delighted to have received more than 200,000 likes at facebook.com/airberlin. The German airline is thanking its fans with a competition in which a total of 200,000 topbonus award miles are being given away. airberlin CCO Paul Gregorowitsch explains: “Our social media team answers questions 365 days a… Read the full press release

Philippine Airlines partners with country’s leading newspaper Philippine Star for Digital Advertising

2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines ties up with the country’s leading newspaper – the Philippine Star – in the latest technological breakthrough in digital media. The innovation, a mobile application on iOS and Android-powered Smartphones, provides readers news and information with a variety of interactive features, allowing users to flip through articles like… Read the full press release