China’s new national tourism strategy set to increase outbound tourism

Madrid, 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — ‘The Outline for National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020)’, recently issued by the government of China, sets the ground for the redefinition of tourism development and management in the country, including a strong support for outbound tourism as well as a focus on a greater distribution of the economic, socio-cultural and environmental benefits… Read the full news article

Now Boarding: Two New Around-the-World Trips on a Private Jet, Four Seasons Style

Embark on a tour of the Americas or visit 10 legendary destinations in 2014. 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Departure. Few words in the English language carry such excitement and promise (especially when spotted at an airport). It means you’re going places – in more ways than one. Now, after selling out all threeAround the World by… Read the full news article

Travelport announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie

Langley, United Kingdom, 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, today announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie, a leading UK independent online travel agency. The new agreement builds upon 15 years’ technology partnership between Travelport and Holiday Genie, one of… Read the full news article

Finnair and Finavia’s Helsinki Airport launch Quality Hunters 2013 to seek out practical ways of improving the travel experience

What are the most memorable moments in travelling? How can the travel experience be made smoother and even more enjoyable? After two ground-breaking crowdsourcing initiatives, Finnair and Finavia’s Helsinki Airport know who to ask. In 2013, Quality Hunters returns — more interactive than ever. 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — On 26 March, Finnair, one of the world’s… Read the full news article

Travel industry warned not to mislead consumers when selling holidays

2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel companies operating in the UK must provide consumers with clear, transparent and timely information when advertising and selling flights and holidays, states new guidance launched by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) today. The guidance is aimed at airlines, price comparison websites, travel agents and… Read the full news article

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Announces “We Time/Me Time” for Unique Family Travel Vacations This Year

Customized itineraries let parents be parents while finding time to be couples too. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Imagine travelling to Maui’s only five-star luxury resort with a teenager, young child and infant in tow. Question: vacation or nightmare? Answer: pure vacation at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where every detail has been orchestrated to create the perfect… Read the full news article

Australians urged to get entries in for Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Adventure seeking Australians hoping to win one of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ have less than a month to apply and submit their 30 second video and convince judges why they deserve A$100,000 to land one of six dream jobs. The ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition is already proving… Read the full news article

SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE AND COLLABORATORS SUCCESSFULLY BREED ENDANGERED FROG SPECIES

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — The limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus), an endangered species native to Panama, now has a new lease on life. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project is successfully breeding the chevron-patterned form of the species in captivity for the first time. The rescue project is raising nine healthy frogs from one mating pair and… Read the full news article

Luxury travel network Virtuoso® unveils the latest hotel in its Preview program to open, The Alpina Gstaad

NEW YORK, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Luxury travel network Virtuoso® unveils the latest hotel in its Preview program to open, The Alpina Gstaad. The property is the first five-star hotel to debut in a century in the legendary Swiss resort. Nestled in the Bernese Alps, The Alpina Gstaad is set among five acres in the exclusive hilltop area of… Read the full news article

Matt Moran kicks off the world’s first blogger race around Australia

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Three of Australia’s top bloggers rose to Matt Moran’s gastronomic challenge this morning to mark the start of the T-QUAL Tick Race, a campaign that will see the bloggers racing around Australia to visit some of the country’s quality tourism experiences. During the eight day race, the bloggers from Mummy Smiles (Natalie Birt), YTravel (Caroline… Read the full news article

Two Promotional Videos by the Tourism Authority of Thailand win awards at ITB 2013 film competition

Bangkok, Thailand, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — One TV commercial spot and one video clip produced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) were among the top-three award winners at an international Tourism Film and Multimedia Competition held at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB 2013), the world’s largest travel trade show held in the German capital of Berlin… Read the full news article

COLORADO FOR THE BIRDS: BIRDWATCHING TRAILS AND FESTIVALS

DENVER, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — From the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the dry grasslands of the short-grass plains, more than 450 species of birds inhabit Colorado’s diverse landscape. Visitors can explore 27 designated birding trails that also highlight the state’s beautiful scenery and enjoy festivals celebrating various avian species across the state. A sampling of birding… Read the full news article

IHG signs first Holiday Inn Express in Australia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) will introduce one of the world’s fastest growing hotel brands to Australia, with the signing of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in a prime Perth CBD location. Perth-based developer Sunfire Asset has engaged IHG to manage a new-build 224-room Holiday Inn Express hotel, to be located at… Read the full news article

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora Introduces the Surf & Turf Package

Package combines overwater bungalow and beachfront villa stay; includes sea and land tour with marine biologist. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Combining the best of accommodation experiences, Four SeasonsResort Bora Bora introduces the Surf & Turf package, providing its guests with a combination stay of an overwater bungalow (surf) and a two-bedroom beachfront villa (turf). The Resort’s 100 overwater bungalows range from… Read the full news article

Travellers Retreat to the Beach at Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies

Luxury beach houses with butler service offer snorkelling gear sized to fit and room service delivered right to the front deck. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — It’s not just another day at the beach when guests of Four SeasonsResort Nevis check into their own private Beach House on the Resort’s famed stretch of Pinney’s Beach. Just steps from the water’s… Read the full news article

“Why Not” Celebrate Summer in Style at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Value and luxury combine to make it a summer to remember at Sonoran Desert retreat. 2013-03-22 — /travelprnews.com/ —  With rates beginning at USD 139.00 per night this summer, “why not” experience the best of AAA Five-Diamond luxury at Four SeasonsResort Scottsdale at Troon North. Guests enjoy casual comfort, renowned personal service, and temperatures up to… Read the full news article

VisitEngland: The Darker Side To Our Green And Pleasant Land

2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ —  This year marks the 125th anniversary of the notorious Jack the Ripper murders in East London in 1888. The identity of the killer of five – or possibly six – women has remained a mystery, but the case has continued to horrify and fascinate. In the run up to the anniversary… Read the full news article

Ocean College teams up with Leeds Bradford Airport to offer fantastic diving discounts for Yorkshire’s sun seekers

2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — To celebrate the launch of Leeds Bradford Airport’s (LBA) newest route to Sharm el Sheikh with Thomson and First Choice, the only tour operator flying customers to the popular holiday destination from Leeds Bradford in Summer 2013, renowned dive school Ocean College is offering aspiring Yorkshire scuba divers 20% off a Discover… Read the full news article

In the summer of 2013 Brussels Airport will be connected to almost 200 nonstop destinations

2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — In the summer of 2013 Brussels Airport will be connected to 191 passenger destinations served by 63 airlines. For the whole 2013 summer season from 31 March to 27 October over 115,000 passenger flights are scheduled, offering nearly 17 million seats. The average number of seats offered per flight increases from 141… Read the full news article

The Ritz-Carlton Hotels in the Middle East will support the single, largest global warming awareness initiative, Earth Hour

Dubai, UAE, 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — On Saturday, 23 March, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, will support the single, largest global warming awareness initiative, Earth Hour, by switching off non-essential lighting in its 82 properties across the world, for one hour at 8:30 p.m. local time. All nine properties in the Middle East, will participate in… Read the full news article

Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano offers beautiful private beach wedding venues

A Dream Wedding by the Shores of the Mediterranean at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano. A magical outdoor venue right on the Hotel’s private beach. 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Whether getting married barefoot, feet in the sand or have a wedding set-up in a stylish beachside terrace, Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano offers beautiful private beach wedding venues with… Read the full news article

Hilton Naples has been honored with a prestigious Bride’s Choice Awards 2013 for Best Wedding Venue by WeddingWire

NAPLES, Fla., 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Naples has been honored with a prestigious Bride’s Choice Awards 2013 for Best Wedding Venue by WeddingWire. The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Hilton Naples’ selection as a Bride’s Choice… Read the full news article

Innovative Technology Makes Booking Travel Easier and More Efficient

Atlanta, 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to companies operating in the global travel industry, today announces the availability of Travelport Smartpoint App, a powerful software upgrade for the Worldspan Go! Desktop. Smartpoint App reduces training needs and improves agents’ productivity and customer service. The application infuses… Read the full news article

Dusit Thani Maldives announces its participation in Earth Hour 2013

2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Demonstrating its commitment to protecting the environment, the recently-opened Dusit Thani Maldives announces its participation in Earth Hour, a global environmental awareness event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). On 23 March 2013, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. island time (GMT+6), the resort will switch off lights in majority of heart-of-house… Read the full news article

New World Hotels has launched the Residence Club floors with a dedicated new concept, design, name and signature amenities

New executive club lounge delivers enhanced benefits 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — New World Hotels has launched the Residence Club floors with a dedicated new concept, design, name and signature amenities.  Fittingly, Residence Club features a luxuriously comfortable environment reminiscent of a private home, with extensive benefits available exclusively for club floor and hotel suite guests. In… Read the full news article

Sheraton Maldives and W Maldives to stage special Earth Hour events on March 23

2013-03-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — It’s lights out for Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and W Retreat & Spa – Maldives. Both resorts will join millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2013 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action. Earth Hour 2013 takes place on March 23… Read the full news article

The Leading Hotels of the World continues to celebrate its 85th anniversary year with the launch of its newly redesigned website, LHW.com

2013-03-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Leading Hotels of the World continues to celebrate its 85th anniversary year with the launch of its newly redesigned website, LHW.com. The site has an entirely different look and feel, enhanced functionalities, and richer, more in-depth content. Completely rebuilt from the ground up, it operates on a state-of-the-art hardware platform and employs… Read the full news article

Jersey to join Earth Hour

2013-03-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Islanders are being urged to join millions of people worldwide who will be turning their lights off on Saturday 23 March as part of Earth Hour. The World Wildlife Fund is holding its annual Earth Hour on 23 March between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm. Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and… Read the full news article

Trenitalia – ECTAA partnership

BEST PERFORMANCES: Spain and the UK have recorded the highest growth rates of Trenitalia sales (Spain +170% in 2013 versus 2012 and United Kingdom  +200%) United States and Canada (35%), France (24%), Japan, Korea and Taiwan (21%) are ranking among the first markets for Trenitalia sales. 2013-03-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Trenitalia’s sales and ticketing across Europe… Read the full news article

CVG Has Warm-Weather Options to Beat the Winter Blues

2013-03-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Sick of the snow? Gray skies got you down? Winter-weather advisories ringing in your ears? CVG has the perfect solution: a trip to the beach. Local residents have the opportunity to cast off the winter and work on their tans with CVG’s non-stop service, including seasonal service by several carriers and charters… Read the full news article