UK’s leading bus and rail operator FirstGroup picked up four awards and two commendations at National Transport Awards

London, UK, 2013-10-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — FirstGroup enjoyed a successful evening at last week’s (17 Oct) National Transport Awards.  The UK’s leading bus and rail operator came out on top as the most recognised private transport operator picking up four awards and two commendations. First Glasgow’s ‘The One’ bus service won the much coveted ‘Excellence in Travel… Read the full press release

Twin giant panda cubs at Zoo Atlanta officially named Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Huan (may hwaan)

Atlanta, GA, 2013-10-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Giant panda cub duo has been named Mei Lun and Mei Huan via national vote ATLANTA – October 23, 2013 – One hundred days of “Cub A” and “Cub B” are over, and the twin giant panda cubs at Zoo Atlanta have officially been named Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Huan (may… Read the full press release

Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) announced No Tricks, Only Treats This Halloween

New York, United States, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Legend has it the cats have nine lives. If indeed this is true, there are a number of fortunate felines who get to spend at least one of those lives residing at Leading Hotels. Here’s an inside look at a few whose living arrangements would make any Halloween cat’s… Read the full press release

The giant panda cub at Smithsonian’s National Zoo received her first vaccine

Washington, D.C., 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The giant panda cub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has gained almost another pound since Friday, Oct. 18, weighing in at 6.73 pounds (3.06 kilograms), and received her first vaccine at her veterinary exam this morning. Veterinarians reported that the cub is very healthy, and despite receiving a vaccine she rested… Read the full press release

Raffles Hotels & Resorts adds new hotel in Shenzhen China

Raffles Hotels & Resorts today announced the addition of a new hotel located in Shenzhen China, the economic centre of southern China. Raffles Shenzhen will open in 2018 occupying the top floors of an 80-storey tower in the new One Shenzhen Bay development. Raffles Shenzhen will be the prestigious new address in the city for… Read the full press release

Etihad Airways expanded its codeshare agreement with South Korea’s largest airline Korean Air

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has expanded its codeshare agreement with Korean Air, South Korea’s largest airline, to include six new destinations. In the second phase of cooperation, Etihad Airways will place its EY code on Korean Air services from Seoul Incheon to Honolulu,… Read the full press release

Etihad Airways supports global and national initiatives for early detection and treatment of breast cancer

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is supporting global and national initiatives for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer with a comprehensive programme of activity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The Etihad Airways 2013 breast cancer awareness campaign… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut celebrates two-year collaboration with CHANCE (CHildren AgaiNst CancEr) Association in Lebanon

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut celebrates a two-year collaboration with CHANCE (CHildren AgaiNst CancEr) Association in Lebanon and extends a new year partnership Beirut, Lebanon, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Four Seasons Hotel Beirut recently hosted an event for CHANCE, offering the donations of 2012 and 2013, and celebrating the third year of collaboration to support children with cancer. In its continuous… Read the full press release

Jeremy Sidman appointed Director of Banquets at Four Seasons Resorts Lanai

Hawaii, Lana’i at Manele Bay, U.S.A., 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Four Seasons Resorts Lanai announces the promotion of Jeremy Sidman to Director of Banquets. Previously, Sidman served as Food & Beverage Manager overseeing Kailani restaurant at Manele Bay. “Jeremy has been with our team here at Four Seasons Resorts Lanai since 2010 and I can’t think of a better leader to take our banquet team to… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Hotel Boston launched #1SoxFan Twitter promotion to celebrate 2014 World Series

Let the fun – and feast-worthy – games begin! Boston, U.S.A., 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Calling all Boston fans: in celebration of the 2014 World Series, Four Seasons Hotel Boston has launched a #1SoxFan Twitter promotion, plus a special Beer, Brats & Baseball menu at The Bristol Lounge. Both the Hotel and restaurant are celebrating in a big way… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways to offer non-stop flights from Doha to Miami beginning June 10, 2014

DOHA, Qatar, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways, the national carrier for Qatar, has announced Miami (IATA code: MIA) to be its sixth destination to the U.S. beginning June 10, 2014.  The airline will offer non-stop flights from its hub in Doha four-times per week aboard a Boeing 777. “The U.S. is a growing market for us… Read the full press release

Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) 46th Annual General Meeting in Doha 5th – 7th November

Doha, QATAR, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar Airways is looking forward to hosting the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to  be held in Doha from 5th – 7th November, at the Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. The AGM brings together… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ members can now earn double miles on flights from Seattle to LA, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Las Vegas

Seattle, WA, United States, 2013-10-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Airlines is offering members of its Mileage Plan™ double miles on nonstop flights between Seattle and five California cities and Las Vegas. Starting today through May 31, 2014, Alaska customers can earn double miles on all flights between Seattle and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa… Read the full press release

Cricket legend Merv Hughes flying the flag for men’s health with help from Qantas

Sydney, Australia, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Today, cricket legend and Movember Mo Mentor, Merv Hughes, announced he will be taking to the skies during Movember and flying the flag for men’s health, with a little help from Qantas. Immortalized for the month, his iconic moustache will be spreading Movember’s men’s health messages as it flies the length… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia to inspire more travellers to take a holiday Down Under with its revamped There’s Nothing Like Australia mobile travel app

Sydney, Australia, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Revamped travel app to inspire more visits Down Under Key quotes “We broke new ground when we launched this app back in June 2012, but it was always our intention that this would be something that we would evolve, in terms of content, functionality and usability. Apart from being visually stunning, the… Read the full press release

Vienna Airport announced 1.3% passenger decline in September 2013, cargo up by 13.8% YoY

Vienna, Austria, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — The number of passengers handled by Vienna Airport in September 2013 declined by 1.3% year-on-year to 2,145,988. Cargo traffic rose by 13.8% during this same period. Flight movements declined by 4.5%, while maximum take-off weight was 0.6% lower. The number of local passengers fell by 2.2% in comparison with September 2012. The number of transfer… Read the full press release

Hospitality investment company RENDE appointed Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to manage the ultra-luxury Rosewood Bangkok, scheduled to open 2017

Bangkok, Thailand, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has been appointed by hospitality investment company RENDE to manage the ultra-luxury Rosewood Bangkok, scheduled to open 2017. This latest signing marks Rosewood’s ninth management agreement to be announced globally, and fourth this year in the Asia-Pacific region, heralding an unprecedented period of accelerated growth for the group. Rosewood… Read the full press release

Arik Air launched sales promotion on long haul routes to celebrate its 7th anniversary

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest commercial airline has launched a special sales promotion to celebrate its 7th anniversary. The promotion is valid on the airline’s long haul routes; Lagos-London Heathrow, Lagos-Johannesburg and Lagos-New York. Lagos, Nigeria, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Guests travelling between Lagos and London will be able to buy a return economy class ticket… Read the full press release

Qantas announced Alasdair McLuckie as winner of the Visual Arts category in the 2013 Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA 365)

Sydney, Australia, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Qantas today announced Alasdair McLuckie as winner of the Visual Arts category in the 2013 Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA 365), which recognises outstanding young Australian artists. The Melbourne-based, talented young Artist becomes one of only nine recipients of the award. Hundreds of talented Australian designers entered SOYA 365 for a chance… Read the full press release

The Austrian aviation sector calls on future government to eliminate competitive disadvantages impacting business location Austria

Representatives of the domestic aviation sector jointly hand over list of demands to the future government Ticket tax is a stumbling block for business and tourism Improved air traffic links to Europe’s railway system is necessary Harmonization of European air traffic control is long overdue Austria, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — The domestic aviation industry, which accounts for 80,000… Read the full press release

Wizz Air Ukraine announced new route from Donetsk to Larnaca (Cyprus) starting on 30 March 2014

Budapest, Hungary, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Today Wizz Air Ukraine announced a new route from Donetsk to Larnaca (Cyprus) which will commence on 30 March 2014. The new service will initially operate two times a week. As of today, flights from Wizz Air’s new base in Donetsk are operated to Kutaisi, Dortmund, Memmingen, Rome, Milan Bergamo, and… Read the full press release

Wizz Air converted 26 of its future Airbus A320 deliveries to the larger Airbus A321 aircraft

Budapest, Hungary, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe* today announced that it has converted 26 of its future Airbus A320 deliveries to the larger Airbus A321 aircraft. The airline currently has a fleet of 45 Airbus A320 aircraft and the partially-converted order will accommodate its ongoing route network expansion. The… Read the full press release

Aeroflot Celebrates 10 years with Airbus A-320

Moscow, Russia, 2013-10-23— /travelprnews.com/ — Ten years ago Aeroflot received its first aircraft from the Airbus family — A320-A-319 which was named after the eminent Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Prokofiev. The A320 family airplanes meet all the requirements of security, reliability and passenger comfort. Aeroflot operates A320 aircraft on European and domestic routes. In terms of operational reliability and actual… Read the full press release

Iberia unveiled new image design

The new image is viewed as a substantive contribution to the goal of achieving a stronger, more modern, more competitive Iberia Nearly 9,000 people were interviewed in the research phase of the image design process Implementation of the new image, starting at end-November, will constitute a change in Iberia products and an improvement in customer… Read the full press release

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) reported increase in passenger numbers during Eid Al Adha and Hajj season 1 – 20 October

Muharraq, Bahrain, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ —  Bahrain International Airport (BIA) witnessed an increase in passenger numbers during Eid Al Adha and Hajj season, which occurred between the 1st and the 20th of October. During that period, the airport received 13,752 pilgrims, including pilgrims from the Kingdom of Bahrain and transit pilgrims from other countries. Bahrain Airport Company… Read the full press release

Parents can now borrow a stroller free of charge at Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt, Germany, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ — Traveling with small children can be exhausting. Especially when they get tired themselves. Often, the only solution is to pick them up and carry them. In those moments, you yearn for something to wheel them around in. No problem at Frankfurt Airport! Parents can borrow a stroller free of charge, making it… Read the full press release

Airport Business named CVG Vice President of Administration Scott Gibbons Top 40 Under 40

Hebron, KY, United States, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ — In the October issue of Airport Business, Scott Gibbons, Vice President of Administration for CVG, is recognized as a Top 40 Under 40. Scott Gibbons has been employed by CVG since 2002 and became Vice President of Administration in 2011. Prior airport jobs include director of Contract & Procurement Administration;… Read the full press release

Christchurch Airport won all three major awards at the New Zealand Airports Awards

Christchurch, New Zealand, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ — In what’s believed to be a first, Christchurch Airport has won all three major awards at the New Zealand Airports Awards – including New Zealand Major Airport of the Year. The airport also won Airports Project of the Year and its Chief Executive Jim Boult was named New Zealand Aviation Personality… Read the full press release

VIA Rail Canada awards contracts worth $4.5M to local firms for Winnipeg Union Station renovation and LRC car components

Montréal, Quebec, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ — VIA Rail Canada (viarail.ca) announced today that it has signed agreements worth $4.5 million with locally-based Winnipeg companies for the renovation of Winnipeg Union Station as well as for components for its Light, Rapid, Comfortable (LRC) Business Class cars which are used in the Québec City – Windsor corridor. $3.5 million granted… Read the full press release

Thailand’s tourism stakeholders organized Safety and Security brainstorm and forum to help improve standards within the Thai tourism industry

Bangkok, Thailand, 2013-10-22— /travelprnews.com/ — The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) has supported and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has sponsored the two-phase Thailand Tourism Marketing – Safety and Security brainstorm and forum by Thailand’s tourism stakeholders to help improve the safety and security standards within the Thai tourism industry. Organised by the Joint Foreign… Read the full press release