Monthly Archives: January 2016

Starwood announces strong continued growth in North America; signs 92 new hotel deals in 2015

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Company Achieves 5th Consecutive Year of Increased Signings in North America with 92 New Deals Surpasses 600th Hotel Milestone with 43 New Openings in 2015 STAMFORD, Conn., 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — From the 2016 American Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced strong continued growth inNorth America, following its… Read the full press release

Starwood Hotels & Resorts to debut its eco-wise Element brand hotel in Yinchuan, China early 2021

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Element Yinchuan Hotel Marks Starwood’s Entry into the Capital City of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region inNorthwest China STAMFORD, Conn., 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), today announced it has signed an agreement with Ningxia Minsheng Real Estate Co., Ltd. to debut its eco-wise Element brand hotel in Yinchuan—the capital city… Read the full press release

Preferred Hotel Group announces 2015 year-end results; generated more than $1 billion in reservations revenue

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CHICAGO, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Preferred Hotel Group, the world’s largest global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels, today announced its 2015 year-end results. Last year, the company marked a major milestone in its 48-year history by generating more than $1 billion ($1.011B) in reservations revenue on behalf of… Read the full press release

Heathrow, Westfield Sportscars, and Oxbotica to bring Ultra POD technology on the streets of Greenwich

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Airport’s ”Ultra POD”  technology joins GATEway driverless car project in Greenwich  LONDON, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Heathrow will be working in collaboration with Westfield Sportscars, and Oxbotica, to develop new iconic automated pods for public trials this summer. Using entirely British engineering and software capabilities, the three companies will develop pods capable of operating… Read the full press release

Steigenberger Hotel Group to open The InterCityHotel Braunschweig in autumn 2016

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Braunschweig, Germany, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Second hotel to be launched by the Steigenberger Hotel Group in a region which has the highest density of scientific researchers in Europe – close cooperation with the B&L Group – opening scheduled for the autumn – interior areas styled by star designer Matteo Thun. The InterCityHotel Braunschweig… Read the full press release

IHG unveils newly-renovated Holiday Inn Resort® The Lodge at Big Bear Lake hotel in Big Bear Lake, California

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The Lodge at Big Bear Lake will be first Holiday Inn Resort location in California ATLANTA, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the opening of the newly-renovated 148-room Holiday Inn Resort® The Lodge at Big Bear Lake hotel in Big Bear Lake, Calif. This hotel is… Read the full press release

IHG signs the first Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants hotel outside of the Americas

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Amsterdam set to become home to the first Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas Denham, United Kingdom, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of the first Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants hotel outside of the Americas.  Debuting in Europe, the hotel will… Read the full press release

IHG announces the opening of InterContinental® London – The O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula

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LONDON, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies announces the opening of InterContinental® London – The O2 on the Greenwich Peninsula, London’s rejuvenated historic, entertainment and financial gateway. With 182 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts open worldwide and more than 50 hotels in the global development pipeline,… Read the full press release

IHG opens Holiday Inn® Houston Downtown hotel

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ATLANTA, 2016-Jan-29 — /Travel PR News/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the opening of the newly-converted 212-room Holiday Inn® Houston Downtown hotel in Houston, Texas. This is the first Holiday Inn hotel located in the downtown area of the city and joins the Crowne Plaza® Houston-Downtown hotel and the Holiday… Read the full press release

Destination Marketing Association International appoints Choose Chicago CEO Don Welsh as its new President & CEO

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Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) is proud to announce that Don Welsh, CEO of Choose Chicago, has been chosen as the new President & CEO. DMAI retained the executive recruiting firm SearchWide to manage the search process for a new CEO last fall. Washington, D.C., 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — “After a thorough search process… Read the full press release

Singapore Airlines launches service from Singapore to the capitals of Australia and New Zealand

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• New service to bring international flights to Canberra • First to link Canberra with Wellington SINGAPORE, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Singapore Airlines is to introduce services to both Canberra and Wellington with the launch of a new ‘Capital Express’ route. The new flights from Singapore will connect the capitals of both Australia and New Zealand…. Read the full press release

Wizz Air marks two million passengers carried on its Macedonia routes

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BUDAPEST, Hungary, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today celebrates a major milestone with two million passengers carried on its low fare Macedonia routes. The first WIZZ flight took off from Skopje in June 2011 and since then, the airline has constantly expanded its Macedonian… Read the full press release

HSMAI presents the 2016 HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference on February 17, at the New York Marriott Marquis

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McLean, Va., 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) presents the 2016 HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference on February 17, at the New York Marriott Marquis. The industry’s premier digital marketing event convenes key stakeholders to address the most critical trends affecting digital marketing in hotels today. With powerful educational… Read the full press release

Explore Minnesota’s 2015 spring/summer advertising campaign generated $337.4 million in traveler spending

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Explore Minnesota Efforts Generate $337 Million in Spending ST. PAUL, Minn., 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Explore Minnesota, the state’s tourism promotion office, announced today that its advertising efforts generated big returns for the state, resulting in 3.2 million trips, $337.4 million in traveler spending and $31.2 million in state and local taxes in 2015…. Read the full press release

Arik Air resumes flights from Lagos to Freetown, Sierra Leone

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Ikeja, Nigeria, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Flights from Lagos to Freetown were suspended in July 2014 at the outbreak of the Ebola in some West African nations. The resumed service will entail a new schedule with flights from Lagos to Freetown now routed via Accra, Ghana. This will be a three weekly flight to… Read the full press release

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou and Agent Provocateur to launch limited edition romantic package

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Hong Kong, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou has teamed up with luxury British lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur to launch a limited edition romantic package, effective from 1 February to 13 April 2016. This package features bespoke offerings including a night’s stay in a luxurious Deluxe Room with breakfast, complimentary private fitting appointment with… Read the full press release

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo named ‘Best Hotel in the World’ and ‘Best Hotel in Asia’ at the Institutional Investor’s “World’s Best Hotels” rankings

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HONG KONG, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group was again honoured in the  annual “World’s Best Hotels” rankings in Institutional Investor magazine. Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo took the coveted number one spot, as ‘Best Hotel in the World’ as well as the ‘Best Hotel in Asia’. The survey rated hotels on a… Read the full press release

Marriott Hotels further expand in China with the opening of the Zhuhai Marriott Hotel

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Zhuhai, China, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott Hotels, the iconic flagship brand of Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), accelerates its expansion momentum in China with the opening of the Zhuhai Marriott Hotel in the city of Zhuhai, China. Under a long-term management agreement with ZhuHai New Dragon Hotel Co., Ltd, the 332-room Zhuhai Marriott Hotel… Read the full press release

Marriott International opens its first dual branded property in India, the Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott

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Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott in Outer Ring Road Bengaluru BENGALURU, INDIA, 2016-Jan-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) expands its brand offering in Bengaluru with the opening of the first dual branded property in the country, the Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott. The property is located in… Read the full press release

Enterprise Rent-A-Car launches Exotic Car Collection in the UK

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LONDON, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Enterprise Rent-A-Car, part of the world’s largest car hire company, Enterprise Holdings, has launched its new Exotic Car Collection in the UK to give consumers access to some of the world’s most desirable vehicles. The launch follows a trial period, which has seen enquiries for some categories of its prestige… Read the full press release

SAS invests in more climate-friendly aviation; takes part in Avinor’s biofuel project at OSL

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SAS is the only Scandinavian airline to be taking part in Avinor’s biofuel project at OSL, which from January 22 will ensure regular delivery of the most eco-friendly aircraft fuel. This will make OSL the first international airport where biofuel is available on a regular basis. STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — SAS… Read the full press release

VisitFlorida: McKee Botanical Garden to host Guy Darrough’s Roar of the Dinosaur exhibit beginning February 2, 2016

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Vero Beach, Fla., 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — McKee Botanical Garden is pleased to announce that Roar of the Dinosaur, featuring the life-sized creations of well-known fossil collector Guy Darrough, will be on display at the Garden beginning February 2, 2016. McKee Botanical Garden. Roar of the Dinosaur offers a realistic glimpse into the prehistoric world, allowing visitors to experience what life was like millions… Read the full press release

Maldives to present at the 47th International Boat Show Düsseldorf 2016, from January 23rd – 31st

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MALDIVES, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Maldives will be participating in 47th International Boat Show Düsseldorf 2016 to be hosted in Germany from January 23rd – 31st. This is one of the largest sea sports exhibitions. BOOT fair is a consumer fair targeted to sea sport enthusiasts and diving. At this event, visitors can inspect,… Read the full press release

First Greater Manchester launches new Premium Busway Service ‘Vantage’

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MANCHESTER, UK, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — First Greater Manchester has today unveiled the new service brand ‘Vantage’ to be introduced on the Leigh-Salford-Manchester premium Busway later this year. ‘Vantage’ reflects the premium quality of the unique Busway service. The superior travel experience was revealed today on the first of twenty, new, high quality low-emission hybrid… Read the full press release

Woodland Park Zoo to re-open Night Exhibit in 2018

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SEATTLE, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Woodland Park Zoo is planning to re-open a new and renovated Night Exhibit in two years, bringing back a gallery of exhibits with nocturnal animals—animals that are primarily active during the night. The zoo closed the doors to the popular exhibit of nature’s night shift in the wake of… Read the full press release

Allegiant increases flight frequency to Destin / Fort Walton Beach from Cincinnati and St. Louis

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ALLEGIANT'S SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY - PRESS CONFERENCE AND "PACK YOUR BAGS" FLYAWAY CONTEST

DESTIN, Fla., 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announces that it will  offer more nonstop flights and low fares to Destin / Fort Walton Beach from  Cincinnati and St. Louis. Last week Allegiant announced Destin / Fort Walton  Beach as its newest destination in its network, with seasonal, twice weekly  nonstop flights… Read the full press release

Allegiant Travel Company names Jude Bricker as its new COO

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ALLEGIANT'S SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY - PRESS CONFERENCE AND "PACK YOUR BAGS" FLYAWAY CONTEST

LAS VEGAS, NV, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that it has named Jude Bricker to the position of Chief Operating Officer and expanded the role of Chief Financial Officer Scott Sheldon. This restructuring of the Company’s management organization will strengthen its operation and place a renewed emphasis on customer… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia launches its latest campaign focused on the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences

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New York, NY, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism Australia has launched its latest campaign, which is focused on highlighting the country’s world-class aquatic and coastal experiences, in a bid to lure more international visitors to Australia. The new creative, the latest instalment in Tourism Australia’s global There’s Nothing like Australia campaign, was officially unveiled… Read the full press release

TAP launches direct daily flights between Lisbon and Vigo (Spain) starting July 1

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LISBON, Portugal, 2016-Jan-26 — /Travel PR News/ — TAP strengthens its commitment to Spain with 16% more flights in 2016 On 1 July, TAP will begin offering direct daily flights between Lisbon and Vigo. In addition to the new route, Vigo will still be served from Porto, with the current overland transport service between the Spanish… Read the full press release

Charleston International Airport: temporary lane closures due to construction beginning Monday, January 25

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North Charleston, S.C., 2016-Jan-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Construction in front of the Charleston International Airport will result in temporary lane closures affecting those dropping off and picking up passengers beginning Monday, January 25. The center median that separates pickup and drop off traffic from taxi and shuttle traffic will be demolished and repaved. The… Read the full press release