UNWTO launches Global Partnership for the Hotel Industry

Madrid, 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — UNWTO has launched, in cooperation with representatives of leading international, regional and national hotel associations, a Global Partnership for the Hotel Industry aimed to bring the industry together to share best practices and find common positions on issues such as hotel quality, distribution or major consumer trends (Madrid, Spain, October 4, 2012)…. Read the full press release

Massport Schedules October Board Meeting

Massport Schedules October Board Meeting 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — The next meeting of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at Massport’s Executive Offices located at the Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, MA. A draft agenda will be posted prior to the Board Meeting. View… Read the full press release

GBTA and Egencia® Study Shows Travel Professionals Gaining Control of Travel Policies in Europe

Report Ranks Top 10 Most Important Factors in Defining Policy  Alexandria, Va., Bellevue, Wash., Paris, London, Munich, 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel professionals are playing an increasingly large and influential role in shaping and controlling business travel policy, aided by online booking tools and fueled by a growing focus on cost-saving efforts, according to a new… Read the full press release

The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry commits to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics

Madrid, 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) has signed the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, joining the growing number of private sector companies and associations which have pledged to the principles of the Code (Berlin, Germany, 8-9 October). The signing, held in the… Read the full press release

News Brief: Aviation is a Critical Component of the Saudi Arabian Economy

IATA presents Benefits of Aviation Study to H. H. Prince Fahad Alabdullah 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Jeddah The International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a study quantifying the economic benefits of aviation to the Saudi Arabian economy. The study was commissioned by IATA and completed by Oxford Economics…. Read the full press release

ART Restaurant Introduces Bespoke Breakfast Menu at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

Healthy items include red quinoa skillet with sautéed greens and beans

New menu features sweet and savoury customized selections, to-go items and a Brekky Buffet at amazing value 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — ART Restaurant’s new menu at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers breakfast lovers and power breakfast-goers an assortment of items to start the day off right. ART’s friendly service and warm ambiance is paired with a customizable menu when creating a… Read the full press release

Durban International Airport site now in Transnet’s name

Durban International Airport site now in Transnet’s name

2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Company South Africa is pleased to report that the R1,85 billion sale of the  Durban International Airport site in Durban’s South Basin to Transnet has now been concluded, with the property  registered in Transnet’s name with effect from 1 October 2012. This is the conclusion of a lengthy process which started… Read the full press release

Ryanair Launches Foreign Exchange Services On Ryanair.Com With Moneycorp Partnership

2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (15 Oct) announced a partnership with foreign exchange specialists, Moneycorp, which will allow Ryanair’s UK passengers to access currency exchange services through the Ryanair.com website, have their currency delivered straight to their door and make huge savings on their transactions. Ryanair’s UK passengers can now… Read the full press release

Senior Volunteer at Midway Celebrates Milestone Birthday

Volunteer Airport Ambassador Lucille Serafin at a Midway Information Booth

CHICAGO, 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today is a special day for one Volunteer Ambassador at Midway International Airport. It’s birthday number 95 for Lucille Serafin, who has worked at the airport since 2001. Serafin volunteers for two, four-hour shifts a month. She says she has greeted many travelers from all over the world and that she feels… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines Begins Nonstop Service Between San Diego and Orlando, Fla.

SEATTLE — 2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Airlines today launched nonstop service between Orlando, Fla., and San Diego. The carrier will fly between the two cities five times a week. “We’re thrilled to launch our fourth new market in San Diego this year alone,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing. “Alaska’s new flight… Read the full press release

End of ‘BAA’

2012-10-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — From today the name BAA will be dropped. Heathrow, Glasgow, Aberdeen Southampton and Stansted Airports will operate solely under their own stand-alone brand. Heathrow Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said: “We are a different company today from when BAA was formed. Over the last few years we have sold our stakes in Gatwick,… Read the full press release

Travelport announces Commercial Team changes

New commercial management structure aligned to global business objectives Langley, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces a number of commercial team changes, all designed to further build on the delivery of its ongoing strategic business objectives. Focusing on accelerating the execution of Travelport’s strategic plan, the new… Read the full press release

CAA tackles ‘loss of control’ events with new training package

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — As part of its campaign to combat the seven most serious safety risks currently facing the airline industry, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has developed a pilot training aid on how to deal with loss of control incidents. The training package, produced in association with external safety experts, will be distributed… Read the full press release

Marriott Named Top Company for Supplier Diversity

Marriott Named Top Company for Supplier Diversity

Hotel leader has spent nearly $4 billion with diversity suppliers 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — During its Special Awards & Top Regional Companies event, DiversityInchonored Marriott International as the top company for supplier diversity. The company was recognized for demonstrating its strength in four areas– CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity. Over the… Read the full press release

Croatia to Host 2013 Travel Convention

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — ABTA today announces that Croatia is to host next year’s Travel Convention in the historic coastal town of Dubrovnik, from 21-23 October 2013. This will be the first time the Travel Convention has been held in Croatia. In the last 12 months Croatia has seen a substantial 22% rise in UK visitor… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines Raises More Than $600,000 For Ronald McDonald Charities At 27th Annual LUV Classic Charity Golf Tournament

DALLAS – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) raised more than $600,000 for the Ronald McDonald Charities at the 27th annual LUV Classic charity golf tournament held on Oct. 5, where Employees and sponsors teed up for the cause. This year’s contributions will be distributed between Ronald McDonald Houses in Dallas, New York, Fort Lauderdale,… Read the full press release

Alaska Airlines Orders 50 Boeing Aircraft

737 MAX comprises most of order—the largest in carrier’s history 10/11/2012 5:00 a.m. SEATTLE — 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alaska Airlines today announced an order for 50 Boeing aircraft, including the 737 MAX—the new engine variant of the world’s best-selling airliner. The aircraft, which will be delivered between 2015 and 2022, represent the largest order in Alaska… Read the full press release

Webcast Alert: Southwest Airlines to Discuss Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results on October 18, 2012

DALLAS – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) invites you to listen to a live webcast of its third quarter 2012 financial results.  Details are as follows: When: Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 12:30 PM Eastern Time Who: Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Tammy Romo, Senior Vice President… Read the full press release

Dragonair Expands Network In Asia With New Service To Yangon, Myanmar

Hong Kong, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Dragonair today announced it will launch a new four-times weekly service to Yangon, the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar, commencing on 9 January 2013 (subject to government approval). The new service will enhance Dragonair’s presence in the region and provide a significant boost to both leisure and… Read the full press release

FirstGroup Extends its Sponsorship of Ryder Cup Golfer, Paul lawrie

FirstGroup Extends its Sponsorship of Ryder Cup Golfer, Paul lawrie

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following Paul Lawrie’s heroics at the Ryder Cup, one of his sponsors, Aberdeen based FirstGroup, has confirmed it will continue its sponsorship of the former Open Champion throughout 2013. FirstGroup has been one of Paul’s valued sponsors since 2007 and its logo features on Paul’s right sleeve.  First has also been a… Read the full press release

The Chicago Farmers Market Program Presents First Ever Daley Plaza Outdoor Red Meat Market, October 18

Event to Preview National Food Day in Chicago Chicago, IL – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — In honor of Food Day, the City of Chicago’s Farmers Market Program will add a local Red Meat Market to their Daley Plaza Farmers Market on October 18, beginning at 7 a.m.  The Daley Plaza Farmers Market will sell local fruits, vegetables and,… Read the full press release

VisitEngland Announces New Commitment to UK Travel Trade at the 2012 ABTA Travel Convention

New Strategy Unveiled to Drive Domestic Business Through the Trade 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — VisitEngland’s Chairman Penelope Viscountess Cobham, announced today in a speech at the ABTA Travel Convention the national tourist board’s plans to further grow tourism in England by working more closely with the travel trade.   Unveiling a raft of activity aimed at inspiring… Read the full press release

Nomination to Prix Villégiature Awards 2012

Hotel Puente Romano nominated as Best Resort in Europe 2012  By Villegiature Awards 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Villegiature Awards created in 2003 gather a voting Jury composed of 20 international press correspondents and journalists from very famous medias covering all over the world. They reward the best of the best hotels in Europe, in Asia en Africa. The… Read the full press release

easyJet Announces New Service to Newcastle

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Low-cost carrier easyJet has confirmed it will start its fourth direct air service to Jersey with the launch of a twice-weekly operation from Newcastle. The flights will operate on Tuesday and Saturday, commencing 26 March 2013. Group Commercial Director for Ports of Jersey, Myra Shacklady, says ‘easyJet already operates three successful year-round services between… Read the full press release

SEMA and MAGIC Trade Shows Sign on to Stay at the Las Vegas Convention Center

SHOWS EXPECTED TO GENERATE $1.4 BILLION IN LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS LAS VEGAS – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Las Vegas is the No. 1 trade show destination in North America, and two long-time trade shows who helped Las Vegas garner that title will continue to call it home, generating an estimated $1.4… Read the full press release

Ryanair Announces 6 New Dortumund Routes

6 ROUTES & 200,000 PAX P.A. AT RYANAIR’S 11TH GERMAN AIRPORT 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (10 Oct) announced it will launch 6 new routes from Dortmund to Alghero, Barcelona (Gir), Faro, Malaga, Porto and Palma in March 2013 which will deliver over 200,000 passengers p.a. and sustain over 200… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia and Emirates expand joint marketing efforts to build international visitor appeal for Australia

Tourism Australia and Emirates have signed a global marketing agreement

Key facts Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tourism Australia and Emirates intend to collectively spend up to A$14.3 million over the next three years on a range of joint marketing activities. The joint marketing activities under the MoU will focus on some of Australia’s leading inbound visitor markets – the United Kingdom, Germany… Read the full press release

Fall Travel Trends & “Spooktacular” Insight

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the October edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review designed to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest travel trends. This month, we polled travelers to learn about their fall travel aspirations, including trips to view fall foliage and experience spooky Halloween destinations. We’ll also touch upon how travel… Read the full press release

Travelport and Air Botswana sign full content agreement

Gaborone, Botswana, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced the signing of a new global full content agreement with Air Botswana, the national carrier of Botswana. Effective immediately, the new multi-year agreement provides all of Travelport’s Galileo, Worldspan and Apollo-connected travel agents worldwide with access to the carrier’s… Read the full press release

Entrepreneur Magazine Ranks Hampton Hotels as Top Global Franchise

Hampton Hotels, recently named the top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine, is known for the value and quality it provides to both franchisees and guests alike. All Hampton hotels feature a free, hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, the Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed, modern amenities, proactive, friendly customer service and, by end of 2012, a newly redesigned and renovated Perfect Mix Lobby. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Halifax-Dartmouth in Nova Scotia, Canada (shown above) features the brand’s signature Perfect Mix Lobby design, which is intended to create an inviting space that ultimately becomes an extension of the guest room. Credit: Hampton Hotels

Hampton Hotels earns No. 1 franchise spot based on size, growth and financial strength MCLEAN, Va. – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hampton Hotels today announced that it has been named the top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine out of 200 franchisors listed in the publication’s October issue.  The international ranking follows two consecutive years as the No. 1 franchise… Read the full press release