Prime Minister of Albania, H.E. Edi Rama accepted the UNWTO/World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on Travel and Tourism

Recognizing tourism’s vital contribution to sustainable growth, the Prime Minister of Albania, H.E. Edi Rama, has accepted the UNWTO/World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Open Letter on Travel and Tourism (Tirana, Albania, 20 October 2014). Tirana/ Madrid, 2014-12-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism calls upon heads of State and Government… Read the full press release

The Pacific Asia Travel Association will be supporting partner of the 2nd Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference (PAITC) in Vancouver, Canada from September 12 -14, 2015

BANGKOK, 2014-12-22 — /Travel PR News/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to be a supporting partner of the second Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference (PAITC), The event, organised by the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA) and Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (AtBC), will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia from September 12 -14, 2015…. Read the full press release

Qatar Airways to establish “Qatar Airways & Aspire Academy – Football Dreams Africa” with Aspire Academy

Young Footballers to be given an Unforgettable Experience of Training in Barcelona and Playing against the FC Barcelona Youth Team Qatar Airways Offers 20 Fans an Exciting Opportunity to Win Tickets to Barcelona and Camp Nou stadium tour Airline Reaches Out to Millions of Football Fans through Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative DOHA, Qatar, 2014-12-22 — /Travel… Read the full press release

Qatar Airway became the most ‘liked’ global airline on Facebook with eight million fans on its global page

In the Same Week that Qatar Airways Crossed the 8,000,000 Facebook Fan Milestone, the Airline Overtook its Nearest Competitor and Became the Number One Most “Liked” Global Airline DOHA, Qatar, 2014-12-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways reached yet another milestone when it became the most ‘liked’ global airline on Facebook, the world’s most popular social… Read the full press release

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation launched its U.K. Outdoor Adventure marketing campaign with Ray Mears as the official spokesperson

Attracting the U.K. Visitor with Personality Favourite Ray Mears Toronto, Ontario, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Ontario is a popular destination for the outdoor adventurer and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) welcomes the opportunity to share Ontario’s dynamic tourism offerings with visitors from the United Kingdom. The OTMPC has launched its U.K. Outdoor Adventure… Read the full press release

VIA Rail Canada signed a partnership with Hainan Airlines in China

Toronto, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has signed a partnership with Hainan Airlines, the first to be concluded with a company based in China. As well, for the first time, this partnership will allow an airline company to sell VIA Rail tickets. Hainan Airlines’ ticket offices and other travel agencies… Read the full press release

Qantas announced the launch of all-new Qantas First Lounge in Los Angeles with seats for more than 200 customers

Sydney, Australia, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Qantas customers travelling from Los Angeles are set to experience a new standard of luxury from this holiday season, following the unveiling of an all-new Qantas First Lounge. The new spacious and luxurious lounge is based on the flagship multi-award winning Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and… Read the full press release

Special fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours, plus Knott’s signature rides and attractions at Knott’s Merry Farm on to the New Year’s Eve

Featuring New Wholesome Entertainment, A Spectacular 2015 Countdown & Snow! BUENA PARK, CA, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — The countdown to the New Year is on at Knott’s Merry Farm! With special fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours, plus Knott’s signature rides and attractions, Knott’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the place for you and… Read the full press release

Oakland International Airport: Southwest Airlines adds new nonstop flights linking Oakland with Nashville and New Orleans beginning June 7, 2015

New Daily Nonstops to Link Nashville, New Orleans with Bay Area Starting in June Oakland, CA, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Southwest Airlines have announced the expansion of Southwest’s operations at OAK with the addition of new nonstop flights linking Oakland with Nashville and New Orleans beginning June 7, 2015. The… Read the full press release

America’s Largest Cruise Agency CruisesOnly® to add “free hotel stay” option to its already robust Loyalty Club

America’s Largest Cruise Agency Provides Unprecedented Benefits Program to Past Customers and Best Cruise Deals Wilmington, Mass., 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — CruisesOnly®, America’s Largest Cruise Agency, and flagship brand in the World Travel Holdings portfolio of brands, has announced that it is adding a “free hotel stay” option to its already robust Loyalty Club, the exclusive benefits… Read the full press release

SriLankan Airlines continues its extensive wide-body re-fleeting programme taking delivery of its second Airbus 330-300 on 19 December 2014

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Sri Lanka’s national carrier and oneworld member, SriLankan Airlines, continuing its extensive wide-body re-fleeting programme, took delivery of its second Airbus 330-300, on Friday, 19 December 2014. The new aircraft named “The City of Sihagiri ” will be utilised on the major Far Eastern markets of Canton, Shanghai,… Read the full press release

Marriott International signed up Dubai’s luxurious Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its Autograph Collection

Marriott International’s exclusive portfolio of independent hotels continues growth in world class destinations, makings its entry into the Middle East and Africa continent DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International, Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) has just signed up Dubai’s luxurious Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its Autograph Collection. This represents the… Read the full press release

Marriott International Autograph Collection welcomes two luxurious hotels from the Shahdag Mountain Resort in Azerbaijan into its collection

Introducing Four Luxury Properties to its Portfolio  Marriott International’s exclusive collection of independent hotels continues rapid growth in world class destinations  LONDON, 2014-12-19 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International, Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) Autograph Collection, an exclusive portfolio of hotels recognised for championing independence, is delighted to announce its entry into Azerbaijan, welcoming two luxurious hotels… Read the full press release

The Steigenberger Hotel Group’s founding hotel The Europäischer Hof to remain in the company’s portfolio for at least 20 more years

Frankfurt am Main, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The Europäischer Hof, the founding hotel of the Steigenberger Hotel Group, is to remain in the company’s portfolio for at least twenty more years. After completing an extensive renovation and modernisation programme, the Steigenberger Hotel Group will operate the hotel under a management agreement. Both –… Read the full press release

The Steigenberger Hotel Group takes over the Hotel Cologne Rudolfplatz in Cologne with effect from 1 January 2015

Cologne , Germany, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — The Steigenberger Hotel Group will be taking over the Hotel Cologne Rudolfplatz in Cologne with effect from 1 January 2015 and has now signed an agreement to this effect with the owner company Carey Property, S.L. of Madrid. €15 million has been budgeted for renovation and… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Group LLC for cash consideration of $430 million

– IHG has agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants (“Kimpton”) for $430 million in cash. – Kimpton is the world’s largest independent boutique hotel operator and a sophisticated food and beverage operator. – Kimpton is a fully asset-light business that manages 62 hotels in the most attractive cities and resorts in the US with… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels Group signed with PT. Ciputra Puri Trisula to develop InterContinental hotel in Jakarta

350-key InterContinental in Jakarta to comprise hotel and serviced residences LONDON, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with PT. Ciputra Puri Trisula, part of PT Ciputra Property Tbk, a leading property developer in Indonesia, to develop an InterContinental hotel in Jakarta. Located in the central business… Read the full press release

Austrian Airlines and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) launched ‘AIRail’ on the route between Linz central station and Vienna Airport

• Up to eight train connections a day in addition to the existing flights • Earn miles in same way as travelling by air VIENNA, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Yesterday, on December 14, 2014, Austrian Airlines and ÖBB launched the cooperation entitled ‘AIRail’ on the route between Linz central station and Vienna Airport…. Read the full press release

Central and Eastern Europe low-cost airline Wizz Air announced two new services from Budapest to Hurghada in Egypt and to Alghero in Italy

Budapest, Hungary, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today announced two new services from Budapest to Hurghada in Egypt and to Alghero in Italy for the 2015 summer season. The new routes will commence on 16 May and 15 June respectively. Wizz Air is… Read the full press release

airberlin to double its Berlin to Bucharest flights from the end of March 2015

BERLIN, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — As of 30 March 2015 airberlin will be doubling the number of flights from Berlin to Bucharest. The airline will then have two daily non-stop flights to the Romanian capital, offering 13 new connecting destinations to and from Bucharest. “Eastern Europe is an important growth market for airberlin…. Read the full press release

airberlin: sales partners are now able to order next year’s airberlin Counter Card

BERLIN, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — As from today, the sales partners of the full-service German airline are able to order next year’s Counter Card. With the airberlin Counter Card, travel agent staff receive reductions on flights with the airberlin group as well as on codeshare flights with Etihad Airways. The person accompanying the… Read the full press release

Bangkok tops the list of world’s favorite destination for ringing in the new year at Agoda.com’s Travel Smarts study

SINGAPORE, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), announced today the results of its most recent Travel Smarts study which shows Bangkok is the world’s favorite destination for ringing in the new year. It also showed that most people want to… Read the full press release

Agoda.com celebrates the end of 2014 with accommodation specials on some of the world’s most exotic and beautiful island destinations

SINGAPORE, 2014-12-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is celebrating the end of 2014 with accommodation specials on some of the world’s most exotic and beautiful island destinations. Travelers looking to end the year with a vacation to make their friends… Read the full press release

Travelport appoints Maria Chevalier as Global Vice President of Corporate Incubation

Langley, UK, 2014-12-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Travelport (TVPT), a leading Travel Commerce Platform providing distribution, technology, payment and other solutions for the $7 trillion global travel and tourism industry, announced today the appointment of Maria Chevalier as Global Vice President of Corporate Incubation, a newly created role to help develop Travelport’s corporate and commercial… Read the full press release

Air India played host to the first ever Star Alliance Chief Executive Board Meeting held in India

Member carrier CEOs reflect on busy 2014 Set priorities for 2015 NEW DELHI, INDIA, 2014-12-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Air India played host to the first ever Star Alliance Chief Executive Board Meeting (CEB) held in India. This follows the national carrier’s joining the world’s longest serving and most comprehensive airline alliance in July this year. Speaking… Read the full press release

Eurostar welcomes over 480,000 passengers during the holiday season; a 5% rise in passenger numbers compared to the same period in 2013

Over 480,000 people expected to travel by Eurostar during the Christmas period LONDON, 2014-12-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Eurostar is helping travellers get into the Christmas spirit, as it welcomes over 480,000 passengers during the holiday season– a 5% rise in passenger numbers compared to the equivalent period in 2013*. Almost a quarter of… Read the full press release

Prostate Cancer UK voted as FirstGroup’s new UK Charity of Choice partner

Aberdeen, Scotland, 2014-12-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Thousands of FirstGroup’s employees have chosen Prostate Cancer UK as the company’s new UK Charity of Choice partner after a recent vote. The new three year partnership between the leading transport operator and the charity hopes to raise £1m for men affected by prostate cancer, and their partners… Read the full press release

UK’s leading bus operator First Bus to operate local services across Britain on Boxing Day

Aberdeen, Scotland, 2014-12-17 — /Travel PR News/ — First Bus, the UK’s leading bus operator, today announced that it will run a record number of services this Boxing Day. Responding directly to people’s changing habits and the increased demand for travel on 26 December, around 1,000 buses and some 1600 staff will operate local services across… Read the full press release

Accor and Huazhu Hotels Group partner to create the most prominent and diversified hotel company in China

Combined access to over 2,000 hotels in China with long-term path for growth in the world’s largest travel market Connected distribution and loyalty programs with over 47 million loyalty members worldwide and a combined access to 5,600 hotels ibis, ibis Styles, Mercure, Novotel and Grand Mercure hotels in China to become part of Huazhu under a master-franchise for… Read the full press release