UN General Assembly: ecotourism key to eradicating poverty and protecting environment

New York – Madrid, 2013-01-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — A landmark resolution recognizing ecotourism as key in the fight against poverty, the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (21 December 2012). In a significant acknowledgment of tourism as a tool for promoting sustainable development, the UN… Read the full press release

Bentley’s Whiskey Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Azerbaijan Introduces Live Music and Dancing

Bentley’s Whiskey Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Azerbaijan Introduces Live Music and Dancing

Popular new hot spot in the Azeri capital pulses with a new Latin beat three nights per week Baku, Azerbaijan – 2013-01-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Open just a few months, Bentley’s Whiskey Bar at Four SeasonsHotel Baku has fast become one of the city’s most exclusive meeting places. Azeris and international guests mingle as they relax and enjoy the… Read the full press release

Alaska Air Group to Announce Financial Results

SEATTLE — 2013-01-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Inc., and Horizon Air Industries, Inc., will announce its fourth quarter and full year 2012 financial results on Thursday, Jan. 24. A conference call is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time/12:30 p.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen… Read the full press release

Austin Reid strengthens Air Berlin PLC Board

Niki Lauda leaves the Board of Directors 2013-01-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Austin Reid will strengthen the Board of Directors of Air Berlin PLC with immediate effect as a non-executive director. He replaces the non-executive director Andreas Nikolaus (Niki) Lauda who has left the Board of Air Berlin PLC in order to be able to devote more… Read the full press release

CTC introduces Business Events Canada

CTC introduces Business Events Canada

Meetings, conventions and incentive travel sector gets a new name and new focus for 2013. 2013-01-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) means business. The meetings, conventions and incentive travel (MC&IT) unit is getting a fresh focus and a new name to take it forward: Business Events Canada (BEC). The change reflects the continuing… Read the full press release

Blanche van Berckel to head the Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels

Blanche van Berckel to head the Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Steigenberger will be represented in the Belgian capital of Brussels from 1 January 2013 in the form of the Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels to be managed by Blanche van Berckel in her new capacity of Director. The hotel will offer 269 rooms and enjoy an A1 location on Avenue Louise in the direct… Read the full press release

Bienvenidos: Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires Introduces Elena Restaurant and Pony Line Bar

Executive Chef Juan Gaffuri

Hotel’s USD 40 million renovation includes two fabulous new places to drink and dine in the heart of La Recoleta Buenos Aires, Argentina – 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the Argentine capital’s newest hot spots for dining, drinking and socializing: Elena, a stunning two story courtyard restaurant; and Pony Line, a club-like bar inspired by… Read the full press release

India’s Ministry of Tourism to Set-up multi-Lingual helpline for Tourists

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Union Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi, has approved the setting – up of a multi – lingual helpline to provide general information and assistance to tourists. To begin with, the helpline will be in the languages of the important source countries besides Hindi and English. The Minister has directed that the toll… Read the full press release

Wyndham Vacation Rentals Continues Global Expansion; Acquires Three Vacation Rental Management Businesses

Parsippany, N.J. – 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — World’s largest professionally managed vacation rentals company increases U.S. beach inventory and expands U.K. cottage portfolio with additions to its global rental network Wyndham Vacation Rentals, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), announced today that it has completed three tuck-in acquisitions as part of its ongoing… Read the full press release

Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels opens its doors

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — The New Year got off to a good start with the official opening of the Steigenberger Grandhotel in Brussels on 1 January 2013. The luxury hotel is housed behind an historic facade and forms part of the Wiltcher’s Complex in the elegant surroundings of Avenue Louise. It has 269 rooms including 40 suites and… Read the full press release

BA Bag Drop Takes Just 24 Seconds at London City Airport

BA bag drop assistant, demonstrating process.

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — London City Airport [LCY] and British Airways are expanding self-bag-tagging facilities for passengers checking in via self-service kiosks, following a successful trial last year. Passengers departing from LCY can use kiosks situated in the main concourse area to print their own baggage tags, affix them to their luggage and take it to… Read the full press release

Return the Gifts. Keep the Cash. Fly the Coop. Fares from $39

Purchase at FlyFrontier.com by Jan. 10 for travel through March 13 DENVER, 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Frontier Airlines is offerings its first sale of the year. Didn’t get what you wanted for the holidays? Return the gifts, keep the cash and fly the coop by traveling to your favorite city with fares as low as $39*… Read the full press release

Naturally Langkawi, a New Two-Night Package Offering Authentic Immersion at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia

Mangroves and Eagles Safari

Package includes mangrove safari and authentic Malay dinner Langkawi, Malaysia – 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Perfect for a weekend getaway, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi offers a new two-night package for a bite-sized discovery of Langkawi at its authentic, natural best. Naturally Langkawi combines luxurious Melaleuca Pavilion accommodation and daily breakfast for two with two unique Langkawian experiences: a thrilling naturalist-led Mangroves… Read the full press release

CTC appoints John Knubley to its board of directors

CTC appoints John Knubley to its board of directors

  New addition brings heavyweight federal government expertise. The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has strengthened its board of directors by appointing John Knubley. As Deputy Minister of Industry Canada, Knubley has a full plate of work, guiding his department as it looks for more ways for Canadian industry to be more competitive and productive to… Read the full press release

Chiranjeevi Launches Incredible India-2013 Calendar

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Shri K. Chiranjeevi, Union Minister for Tourism launched the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India – 2013 Calendar on – line today. The attractive Calendar is based on the theme “Find What You Seek” as part of Phase II of the Incredible India campaign, which was launched during World Travel Mart (WTM), London… Read the full press release

Kenya Airways Statement on Flight KQ320

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Kenya Airways would like to inform its passengers, customers, investors and the public that its flight KQ320/1st January 2013 from Khartoum to Cairo made an air turnback and landed safely at the same airport at 2136hrs local time due to an Engine Malfunction. The Captain elected to turnback to Khartoum International Airport as… Read the full press release

LUFTHANSA has the world’s Best First Class duvet and bedding comfort

LUFTHANSA has the world's Best First Class duvet and bedding comfort

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — After a year in which Skytrax staff have taken more than 5,500 flights assessing all cabin classes on over 130 airlines, the most comfortable airline bedding has been chosen in an informal poll of our audit staff. THE WINNER The First Class bedding on Lufthansa’s A380 is quite simply the very best!… Read the full press release

MIAT MONGOLIAN AIRLINES is awarded Skytrax 3-Star Airline certification

New Product standards for MIAT Mongolian Airlines on their new Boeing 767-300ER

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Opening the first of the 2013 Airline Star Ranking changes, Skytrax have announced that MIAT MONGOLIAN AIRLINES has been awarded the 3-Star Airline certification. MIAT Mongolian Airlines was previously ranked as a 2-Star Airline, but the recent level of Product and Service improvements have enabled their Star Ranking to be awarded at a 3-Star… Read the full press release

Norwegian opens seven new destinations from Helsinki Airport

Norwegian will introduce seven new direct routes from Helsinki in the 2013 summer season. 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — The destinations: Athens, Budapest, Burgas, Dublin, Dubrovnik, Prague and Venice. The company will also introduce more flights to some of the existing destinations, such as Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Nice, Palma and Split. Tickets are available for reservation on… Read the full press release

Shannon Airport celebrates ‘Independence Day’

Shannon Airport celebrates ‘Independence Day’

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tuesday, January 1st, 2013: Shannon Airport is today celebrating the beginning of a new era for Ireland’s most historic airport as it officially became an independent entity overnight. Separation officially took place at 11.59p.m. last night, with the first passengers to transit through the newly autonomous  airport arriving on board the Aer… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific to showcase popular local television drama series onboard

StudioCX, Cathay Pacific’s Inflight Entertainment library, offers passengers an enchanting array of entertainment options.

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — From January, Cathay Pacific is exclusively showing popular Cantonese television drama series onboard. The series, produced by leading local TV station Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), further enhance the entertainment selection available for passengers. Cathay Pacific is the first airline to offer TVB drama series onboard with new TV drama programming being added… Read the full press release

Agoda.com releases list of Asia’s top ten hotel spas for a great start to 2013

Agoda.com releases list of Asia’s top ten hotel spas for a great start to 2013

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — .com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is celebrating the New Year with the chance to relax, renew and rejuvenate your body and mind with some of Asia’s best hotels for relaxation and spa treatments. The New Year is traditionally thought of as a time to… Read the full press release

UK holidaymakers urged to pack peace of mind when booking

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Millions of UK holidaymakers can book their 2013 breaks with the peace of mind that their money is safe, thanks to the ATOL holiday protection scheme. The scheme is there to protect people against the risk of their travel company going bust: ensuring they can continue their holiday and return home safely… Read the full press release

The King Is In The Building At Hilton Birmingham Metropole!

Hilton Birmingham Metropole is excited to announce that this year's European Elvis Championships will be held at the hotel, welcoming Elvis tribute artist fans to take advantage of its excellent event facilities. Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

European Elvis Championships to be Held at Hilton Birmingham Metropole BIRMINGHAM, England – 2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Birmingham Metropole is excited to announce that this year’s European Elvis Championships will be held at the hotel, welcoming Elvis tribute artist fans to take advantage of its excellent event facilities. The hotel’s General Manager, Patrick Stapleton, said,… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip Introduces Spa Director Alice Leung

Spa Director Alice Leung

Bringing inspiration to the wellness sanctuary of the Hotel with her lifelong passion in spa Macau, China – 2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alice Leung, the new Spa Director at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, is no stranger in the Macau market as she has been working in luxury international spas before she joined Four Seasons family, and moved her way up to… Read the full press release

U.S. Travel Issues Statement on Nomination of Sen. John Kerry as U.S. Secretary of State

Washington, D.C. – 2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today addressed the Nomination of Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) as U.S. Secretary of State. Roger Dow, president and CEO, issued the following statement: “There are few jobs in the United States government more important to both our security and our economy than Secretary of State…. Read the full press release

Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International Calls on Leaders of Both Parties to Return to Negotiations to “Do No Harm.”

Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International Calls on Leaders of Both Parties to Return to Negotiations to "Do No Harm."

2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — “We’ve made good progress in 2012 in the hotel industry and in the general economy creating new jobs, re-building the real estate market and boosting consumer confidence. The last thing we need is another crisis of confidence in our political system and the economy like we experienced in August 2011. The fiscal… Read the full press release

British Airways adds flights from Toronto

Toronto, 2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — British Airways announced it will be increasing its flights between Toronto and London Heathrow, from March 31, 2013. Additional flights on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays make the total frequency on the route 17 per week.  The new frequencies will be served on a B767-300, offering Club World business class, World Traveller… Read the full press release

VisitBritain, THIRTEEN THINGS TO CELEBRATE IN 2013

The party continues in Britain as 3% increase in tourist numbers with record spend forecast  2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — As the curtain comes down on a spectacular year, VisitBritain looks ahead to 2013, identifying moments and events which can once again capture the imagination of a global audience. The national tourism agency predicts the volume of… Read the full press release

AMAZING THAILAND INVITES BUYERS TO EXPERIENCE THAINESS AT SATTE 2013

New Delhi, 2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — With the immense success of SATTE 2012, Amazing Thailand will once again showcase the best of Thailand during SATTE 2013 from 16-18 January 2013 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Amazing Thailand will occupy a bigger space at Booth No 1159, Hall No. 11. There will be a wide variety of… Read the full press release