LAX GATEWAY PYLONS TO GO DARK IN SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL EARTH HOUR, SATURDAY, MARCH 23

Los Angeles, California, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The 100-foot-tall LAX Gateway pylons that illuminate the main entrance to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will light solid green one hour before Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23.  Then, during Earth Hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., the pylons will be turned off as part of a coordinated worldwide… Read the full press release

Airport Ambassadors Aim High with Customer Excellence

2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Leeds City College Principal Peter Roberts and Leeds Bradford Airport’s Commercial Director, Tony Hallwood today celebrated the successful completion of a bespoke training programme by the airport’s frontline employees. Seven Airport Ambassadors were presented with certificates for the ‘Standards of Excellence – Leeds Bradford International Airport’ qualification – a ten-week training course… Read the full press release

Gatwick opens new routes to high-growth markets

Gatwick today opens a new route to Moscow with easyJet This follows new routes recently launched to other key emerging markets Gatwick is helping to improve connectivity with the capacity we have today 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today’s inaugural flight from Gatwick to Moscow comes as the airport reveals its increasing number of connections to key… Read the full press release

Virgin Trains urges customers to book seats as Easter trains fill up

2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Trains is urging those planning to use its services over the Easter weekend to firm up their plans and take advantage of free seat reservations. 100,000 tickets for Virgin Trains services have already been sold for the period from Thursday 28 March to Tuesday 2 April. With significant engineering works taking… Read the full press release

GBTA Foundation Announces New Board Members

Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today announced four new appointments to the GBTA Foundation Board of Trustees.  Joining the Board will be Christie Hicks, senior vice president of Starwood Sales Organization at Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Volker Huber, president of… Read the full press release

ICAO and UNWTO Affirm Cooperation on Joint Aviation and Tourism Goals

Montreal/Madrid, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and UNWTO signed a special Joint Statement on Aviation and Tourism today, acknowledging the intention of the two UN agencies to begin cooperating more closely on issues of common priority. The Joint Statement was signed by ICAO Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin, and UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb… Read the full press release

PATA Annual Summit Speakers: Travel and Tourism Needs to Get More Political

Bangkok, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel industry leaders will issue a rallying call for politicians and government policy makers around the world to start “Embracing the Complete Visitor Economy” at the PATA Annual Summit, which takes place Friday April 26 in Bangkok. Mr Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “If you want the travel and tourism industry to be… Read the full press release

Executive Chef John Johnson Presents An Egg-ceptional Easter Brunch Menu at Four Seasons Hotel New York

Sunday, March 31, 2013 in The Garden Restaurant. 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Executive Chef John Johnson has created a delicious Easter Brunch menu to share with friends and family alike at The Garden at Four Seasons Hotel New York. His three-course Brunch features Garden favourites as well as new items that are sure to please. To start, enjoy the Catskill smoked salmon pizette served with… Read the full press release

Southwest and AirTran Finish Connecting Their Networks

2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has successfully completed the connection between the Southwest and AirTran networks. Customers are now able to purchase itineraries to the airlines’ combined 97 destinations, including international, in one transaction. The newly connected itineraries are on sale now via all Southwest and AirTran sales channels… Read the full press release

ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS INTRODUCES A MODERN-DAY CALIFORNIA CLASSIC AS EL ENCANTO OPENS IN SANTA BARBARA

2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — It is a recipe for a California Classic: Take one hotel with a star-studded Hollywood past, add stylish American Riviera décor with one knock-out ocean view, and combine with a sprinkling of art created with diamond dust, California coastal dining at its very best (with the help from one very pampered cow)… Read the full press release

David Bowie exhibition is most popular ever staged at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum

Bowie retrospective reveals the Londoner behind the creative cultural icon 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Victoria & Albert Museum’s David Bowie exhibition has broken records, even before it opens on Saturday 23rd March 2013. As the most popular in the museum’s history, it is undoubtedly one of the must-see London events this spring. On display at… Read the full press release

See the summer season route selection for Helsinki Airport and step into a wonderful holiday feeling

Dreaming of a holiday in Central Europe? Planning a trip to Asia? See the summer season route selection for Helsinki Airport and step into a wonderful holiday feeling. 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Helsinki Airport provides regular connections to beautiful scenery, such as the culture-rich cities of Central Europe and beach resorts of the Mediterranean. There are… Read the full press release

Civil Aviation Authority: Passenger numbers at UK airports up 1.4 million, but still below 2007 peak

UK airports handled 1.4 million (0.6%) more passengers in 2012 than 2011 London airports grew by 1.3 million and regional airports by 0.1 million Overall passenger numbers are still 8% below the peak reached in 2007 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — UK airports handled 221 million passengers during 2012 according to figures published by the Civil Aviation… Read the full press release

Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin Opens

Hong Kong, China, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott International announces the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin today. Located next to business, commercial and cultural attractions in the New Territories district of Hong Kong, Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin is the exciting new addition to the Courtyard brand in Asia… Read the full press release

Official Rental Car of the NCAA® Helps Hoops Fans Follow the Tourney While Staying out of Trouble with the Boss

St. Louis, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — With Cinderella teams and upsets abounding, remaining calm, cool and collected on the job in March isn’t always a layup. That’s why Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the official rental car of the NCAA and the largest hirer of recent college graduates in the U.S., is offering its own list of “Elite Eight®” tips… Read the full press release

Leading travel and expense management company, Gray Dawes keeps Travelport as technology provider

Langley, UK, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has today announced a new multi-year agreement with Gray Dawes, a leading travel and expense management company, and member of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), in the United Kingdom. In addition to this renewal, Gray Dawes also intends… Read the full press release

Abu Dhabi International Airport named best Airport in the Middle East by Airport Council International

The Capital’s Airport registered the biggest improvement in ASQ overall satisfaction results in the region for 2012 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) celebrates today winning the title of “Best Airport for the Middle East region’ for Abu Dhabi International Airport in the recent Airports Council International (ACI) ASQ… Read the full press release

Olympic spirit lives on at Heathrow’s Terminal 1

2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the success of Heathrow’s London park themed Games terminal for the London 2012 Olympics, Heathrow have recreated the traditional park set within Terminal 1. Terminal 1’s gate 20, which sees over 270,000 passengers from all over the world, has been transformed into a neighbourhood green, complete with park benches, iconic images… Read the full press release

Travelport and Alitalia complete merchandising deployment

Italian carrier distributing bags, lounge access and insurance to Travelport-connected agents Rome, Italy, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, and Alitalia, Compagnia Aerea Italiana, today announce the completed rollout of ancillary services to Travelport-connected agencies in Italy. The content, which includes the… Read the full press release