Thomas Cook Group and Brand USA launched pan-European Social Media competition United Stories of America

Washington, DC, US, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Thomas Cook Group and Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States of America, have today launched United Stories of America – a pan-European Social Media competition that offer participants the chance to win a holiday to the USA every month. Following on from the announcement that Thomas Cook… Read the full press release

South African Airways awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2014 by Skytrax

London, UK, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — South African Airways have been awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2014 by Skytrax, the independent, global airline rating organisation. The 4-Star Airline ranking recognises continued quality improvement in South African Airways onboard product and service, also reflecting improvements to the home base airport product and service levels at Johannesburg’s OR… Read the full press release

Terminal 2 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport awarded Skytrax’s first 5-Star Airport Terminal ranking

London, UK, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Terminal 2 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is the first airport in mainland China to be awarded the first 5-Star Airport Terminal ranking, following the latest audit review conducted by Skytrax, the independent, global air transport rating organisation based in London, UK. Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: “We have been… Read the full press release

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) unveiled its Pro-Growth Policy Agenda for 2014

Washington, DC, US, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Lodging industry to focus on policies promoting economic growth and job creation The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) today unveiled its Pro-Growth Policy Agenda for 2014, highlighting the key areas on which the U.S. lodging industry will focus its advocacy efforts. From among the many areas that directly… Read the full press release

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) submitted statement to the House Ways and Means Committee for change in healthcare law’s full-time employment definition

Washington, DC, US, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Current 30-hour definition negatively impacts health coverage and working hours The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry, has submitted a statement to the House Ways and Means Committee on the need to change the current definition of… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines to start international flights from BWI Marshall Airport

Airline Announces Shift of Three International Markets from AirTran to Southwest Service Baltimore, MD, US, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines today announced that service on three international routes from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall) would shift from AirTran Airways to Southwest on July 1, 2014. Nonstop service between BWI Marshall and Aruba, Montego Bay,… Read the full press release

LondonTown.com: New Openings in London in 2014

Shakespeare’s Globe, the British Museum and Claridge’s reveal new spaces in 2014 London, UK, 2014-1-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — A new indoor theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe, the British Museum’s £135 million extension, and Heston Blumenthal’s new restaurant at the brand new £2.5 billion Heathrow Terminal 2 are just some of the exciting new venues to launch in… Read the full press release

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines partner with nonprofit organizations to transport 7,300 pounds of medical and educational supplies to Addis Ababa

Airline’s 19 th flight is the most of any carrier involved in Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flight program Everett, WA, US, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Ethiopian Airlines have partnered with non-profit organizations, Seattle Anesthesia Outreach and Evangelical Africa Mission Outreach, to transport 7,300 pounds (3,311 kilograms) of medical and educational supplies to the Ethiopian capital,… Read the full press release

160 people from less-advantaged families embark on journey of lifetime with the Cathay Pacific Spirit of Hong Kong Community Flight 2014

Hong Kong, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Cathay Pacific Spirit of Hong Kong Community Flight 2014 took off from Hong Kong International Airport today, taking more than 160 residents from 69 less-advantaged single-parent families into the skies over the city. The participants had never had the opportunity to fly together with their families before. The community flight… Read the full press release

Swissport International sign multi-year ground handling contract with low-cost airline Germanwings

Opfikon, Switzerland, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Swissport International (Swissport), the world’s largest provider of ground handling services for the aviation industry, and Germanwings, one of the most successful low-cost airlines in Europe, have signed a multi-year ground handling contract. In the context of this contract, Swissport commenced ground handling services for Germanwings at four locations, Birmingham, Geneva,… Read the full press release

Sochi 2014 Games the first winter games to have sports events broadcast in Super Hi-Vision digital format

Sochi, Russia, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — The 2014 Games in Sochi will be the first winter games to have individual events broadcast in Super Hi-Vision digital format, which has 16 times the resolution of HDTV with 22.2 surround sound. The Olympic and Paralympic events will be filmed using brand new spidercams, rail cams, and cameras mounted on… Read the full press release

2014 Sochi Games press-conference for accredited media at the Main Media Center in Sochi

Sochi, Russia, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — The first press-conference for accredited media took place at the Main Media Center next to the Olympic Park today. The way of journalists and broadcasters’ work is determined due to the international standards for the staging of major events. To ensure a productive and comfortable environment for journalists and broadcasters at… Read the full press release

Midway International Airport recorded its highest ever passenger total during 2013 with more than 20 million passengers

Chicago, IL, US, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mayor Rahm Emanuel announces that in 2013, Midway International Airport recorded its highest passenger total in the airport’s 86-year history with more than 20 million passengers. This passenger total exceeds Midway’s previous record, set in 2012, by nearly five percent. “Midway International Airport is a vital part of our city’s strong transportation network… Read the full press release

Japan Airlines introduces airweave® mattress and pillow in Business Class on JAL international routes

airweave mattress and pillow onboard JAL SKY SUITE 777 Tokyo, Japan, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Japan Airlines (JAL) has been providing airweave ® mattress and pillow in Business Class on JAL international routes. In response to the suggestion from many passengers, the airline has started to introduce them in First Class from January 1, 2014 on international routes. Highlights of the updated mattress include one… Read the full press release

Jové Kitchen & Bar opened on the ground floor at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Fresh, modern and uniquely Palm Beach Palm Beach, FL, US, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Jové. Named for the Italian god of the sky, it’s a word that evokes confidence, elegance and timeless vibrancy. At Jové Kitchen & Bar, the essence of Italian cuisine is infused with these qualities. With views that stretch out to the oceanfront pool terrace and… Read the full press release

Four Seasons announced more than half of its portfolio of hotels and resorts honoured with 117 awards by TripAdvisor

More than half of the brand’s portfolio recognized for excellence in family, luxury, romance and more Toronto, Canada, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Each year, TripAdvisor honours the world’s most outstanding properties with TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards in categories that include Top Hotels, Family Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Hotels for Romance, and Small Hotels. With a keen focus on maintaining the highest… Read the full press release

Southwest Airline to start service to Aruba, The Bahamas, and Jamaica from July 1, 2014

BOOK NOW! Service to Aruba, The Bahamas, and Jamaica Begins July 1 Integration of AirTran Airways into Southwest Airlines Enters Final Phase Dallas, TX, US, 2014-1-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today delivered Customers a trio of Caribbean beach destinations just in time for summer travel planning. The largest carrier of domestic passengers in the… Read the full press release

The UK Civil Aviation Authority updates the aviation industry of its recent structural reorganisation

London, UK, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released further details to the aviation industry of its recent structural reorganisation. The CAA had announced earlier in the year that it would be merging its airspace and safety functions to strengthen its oversight role. Now, all major stakeholders, including airlines and airports, are being contacted… Read the full press release

Lufthansa announced special flight timetable for the XXII Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Cologne, Germany, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today at 9.40 a.m. a Lufthansa Airbus A321 with flight number LH 1474 left Frankfurt Airport for the first flight to Sochi. Lufthansa is the Official Carrier of the German Olympic team and the National Paralympic Committee and has drawn up a special flight timetable for the XXII Winter Olympics… Read the full press release

The UK Civil Aviation Authority published the views of European holiday protection schemes stakeholders on proposals to revise the European Package Travel Directive

London, UK, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published a new report on the views of organisations administering holiday protection schemes across Europe on proposals to revise the European Package Travel Directive (PTD). The CAA has developed the report following a workshop held in London in November, which the CAA organised… Read the full press release

Enterprise Holdings to franchise its Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand to several Caribbean operators

Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana Offer Enterprise Brand to Customers St. Louis, MO, US, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Enterprise Holdings today announced that it is franchising the use of its Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand to several Caribbean operators. These franchisees include Guyane Car in French Guiana, L.A.M. in Martinique and S.G.L.V. in Guadeloupe. These new operations further expand… Read the full press release

Canadian Tourism Commission looks at some of the best social media travel campaigns across the country

Parks Canada teams up with Google to give visitors a new look, while WestJet has a blockbuster seasonal video hit. Canada, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — New technology sheds fresh light on marketing initiatives and no-one carries a bigger social-media torch in Canada than the travel industry. We at the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) are delighted to pull together another… Read the full press release

Marriott International opens the five-star Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana Hotel in Sochi, Russia

Luxurious ski and spa hotel ready to welcome Sochi visitors. Sochi, Russia, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott International has opened a luxurious ski and spa hotel under its signature brand, Marriott Hotels, at the heart of the new Gorky Gorod ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana.  The five-star Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana Hotel is ideally positioned at the foothills of… Read the full press release

Red Carnation Hotels acquires the Irish hotel Lisloughrey Lodge, County Mayo

Mayo, Ireland, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Red Carnation Hotels is delighted to announce a second Irish hotel in its growing portfolio – Lisloughrey Lodge, County Mayo. The property sits within the 350 acre estate of Ashford Castle, which was acquired by the luxury boutique hotel collection in June last year and is currently undergoing a glorious renovation programme to… Read the full press release

The Milestone Hotel named UK’s Best Hotel in TripAdvisor 12th Annual Travellers’ Choice Awards

The Milestone is named the UK’s number one hotel in the TripAdvisor 12th Annual Travellers’ Choice Awards London, UK, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Milestone Hotel has led the honours in the TripAdvisor 12th Annual Travellers’ Choice Awards and has been named the UK’s Best Hotel. Further to this achievement The Milestone has also been named the number… Read the full press release

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced 13 of its hotels awarded at 56th annual Forbes Travel Guide Five & Four Star Awards

Hong Kong, 2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group attained among the highest rankings for its hotels, restaurants and spas in the 56th annual ‘Oscars’ of the hotel industry: the Forbes Travel Guide Five & Four Star Awards with a record of 13 hotels being awarded. Of particular note, the Group’s flagship property Mandarin Oriental,… Read the full press release

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai unveiled new in-room gift shopping service in partnership with Shanghai Tang

Hong Kong,  2014-1-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has unveiled a pioneering new in-room gift shopping service in partnership with chic lifestyle brand, Shanghai Tang. Guests at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai are now able to browse and purchase stylish Shanghai-inspired gifts, accessories and souvenirs from Shanghai Tang at the touch of a button –… Read the full press release

Brand USA, British Airways, American Airlines confirm destinations and routes for the second annual Megafam 15 – 22 May

Washington, DC, US, 2014-1-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Brand USA, together with British Airways and American Airlines, has confirmed the destinations and routes for the second annual Megafam, a multi-destination familiarization tour for international travel agents. Taking place from 15 – 22 May, the familiarization trip is now sealed as an annual event in the Brand USA calendar… Read the full press release

Bahrain Airport Company launched new prayer room at Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Airport

Muharraq, Bahrain, 2014-1-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — In line with its’ mission to enhance the facilities and services at Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) launched today a new prayer room in the arrival hall at the airport whereby the previously existing facility will be allocated as a female prayer room. This initiative is also part of… Read the full press release

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts becomes strategic partner in ‘Iberia Plus’ frequent flyer programme

Madrid, Spain, 2014-1-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has become a strategic partner in ‘Iberia Plus’ frequent flyer programme. Luis Gallego, the Iberia’s chairman and CEO, and Aurelio Vázquez, European chief of the Iberostar Group, signed the collaboration agreement this afternoon at Fitur, Madrid Tourism fair. Under the agreement, the 5.5 million member of the… Read the full press release