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 news article

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 news article

U.S. Travel Issues Statement on Chairmanship of Senate Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – 2012-12-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today offers congratulations to Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) as she prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Roger Dow, president and CEO, issued the following statement: “Sen. Mikulski has long championed travel in Maryland and across the nation. From export promotion to… Read the full news article

New Travel Guide Showcases Virginia’s Natural Beauty

New Travel Guide Showcases Virginia's Natural Beauty

Beaches, mountains, Main Streets and food favorites star in 2013 Virginia is for Lovers guide RICHMOND, Va. – 2012-12-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virginia is for Lovers is about love – pure and simple.  A love of the state’s natural beauty shines through on the pages of the new 2013 Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.  Available for… Read the full news article

Getting in the Mood – Marriott Hotels & Resorts Mood Reader Ranks as One of Spotify’s Most Popular Brand Campaigns

Getting in the Mood - Marriott Hotels & Resorts Mood Reader Ranks as One of Spotify’s Most Popular Brand Campaigns

2012-12-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Marriott Mood Reader, a new Spotify content experience from Marriott Hotels & Resorts, has become one of the most successful campaigns in the history of Spotify.  The Marriott Mood Reader matches music to the listener’s mood, allows users to create mood-based playlists and offers them the chance to win fun prizes…. Read the full news article

CTC, Competitive intelligence: Canada’s tourism rivals set ambitious travel targets

CTC, Competitive intelligence: Canada’s tourism rivals set ambitious travel targets

Middle-earth takes to the skies while new campaigns Down Under look to attract nature lovers and young travellers 2012-12-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — With the holiday season fast approaching, there is no let-up in the frenetic pace of the international tourism marketplace. No rest, either, for CTC News in gathering the last round-up of campaigns, promos and… Read the full news article

Canada serves up a seasonal treat at EIBTM

Canada serves up a seasonal treat at EIBTM

Canada cooks up a storm to wow attendees at mega meetings and global business show in Barcelona 2012-12-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The meetings, conventions and incentive travel (MC&IT) team at the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) ended 2012 with a splendid finale in Spain. EIBTM in Barcelona always ends the MC&IT year with a bang. The 25th-anniversary… Read the full news article

Rezidor appoints Elie Younes as Senior Vice President, Head of Group Development

Rezidor appoints Elie Younes as Senior Vice President, Head of Group Development

2012-12-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Rezidor Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Elie Younes as Senior Vice President, Head of Group Development effective 1st January 2013. Younes joined Rezidor’s regional office in Dubai in April 2010 as Vice President, Business Development Middle East & Africa, and took over the interim leadership of Rezidor’s corporate development… Read the full news article

RED CARNATION HOTELS PARTNERS WITH TRIPADVISOR

RED CARNATION HOTELS PARTNERS WITH TRIPADVISOR

2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Red Carnation Hotels, the family-run luxury boutique hotel collection, has partnered with TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site to display traveller ratings, reviews and opinions on its website. The partnership will provide an increased wealth of information on the site, increasing user engagement and enabling potential guests to make more informed booking choices…. Read the full news article

&BEYOND REBUILDS NGALA TENTED CAMP

&Beyond recently unveiled the rebuilt and freshly refurbished &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The camp’s nine safari tents celebrate the romance of canvas in natural bush surroundings. Each luxurious tented suite features an outdoor shower, deep bath and private wooden deck overlooking the seasonal Timbavati riverbed…. Read the full news article

Kirawira Serena Camp receives Condé Nast Gold list 2013 Recognition- one of the 510 Best Places to stay on Earth

Kirawira Serena Camp receives Condé Nast Gold list 2013 Recognition- one of the 510 Best Places to stay on Earth

2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — We are thrilled to announce that Kirawira Serena Camp has been named to the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Gold List – Top 510 Best Places on Earth! Each year, the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List serves as a unique source of the top travel destinations, hotels, cruises and airlines in the… Read the full news article

EXPEDIA APP ARRIVES FOR WINDOWS 8

EXPEDIA APP ARRIVES FOR WINDOWS 8

More than 140,000 Hotels, Mobile Exclusive Deals With Up To 60% Off Now Accessible Via The Windows Store; App Features Real Time Availability BELLEVUE, Wash., 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Expedia.com, one of the world’s leading online travel agencies, announced today that its highly popular Expedia app is launching on Windows 8. The app is available immediately for free download in… Read the full news article

Busiest Day for Expense Reports Exposes Potential Two Billion Dollar Waste for U.S. Businesses

Finance departments across the U.S. brace for holiday rush as expense report volume doubles on December 19th Redmond, Wash., 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — As many employees get ready for their holiday break, company accountants are bracing for one of the most chaotic and costly times of the year. Concur (NASDAQ: CNQR), a leading provider of integrated travel and expense… Read the full news article

LUX* Maldives Celebrates Festive Season in Island Style

LUX* Maldives Celebrates Festive Season in Island Style

2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — After the recent celebrations among the properties of LUX* Resorts for the first year anniversary of the group, LUX* Maldives showcases a thrilling Christmas and New Year program for its guests featuring pop up ice cream parlours, film screenings on the beach, special treats such as messages in bottles and honesty secret… Read the full news article

Arizona’s 2013 Travel Guide Available Soon

New Official State Visitor’s Guides and Maps Promotes State’s Vibrant Travel Destinations   2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Arizona Office of Tourism’s 2013 Arizona Official State Visitor’s Guide (OSVG), and accompanying Official State Visitor’s Map will be available free of charge to travelers by the end of the month. Abundant with valuable Arizona tourist information including traveling tips and statewide… Read the full news article

Qatar Tourism Authority showcases Qatar as a luxury destination at ILTM in Cannes

Qatar Tourism Authority showcases Qatar as a luxury destination at ILTM in Cannes

Qatar, Doha, 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) took part in ILTM, the International Luxury Travel Market held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France, from the 3rd to the 6th of December 2012. Hosted by the QTA, the Qatar Pavilion was located on stand G190 and featured a large… Read the full news article

Rezidor appoints Olivier Harnisch as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Rezidor appoints Olivier Harnisch as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Rezidor Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Olivier Harnisch (45) as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Harnisch will succeed Wolfgang M. Neumann who is taking over from Kurt Ritter as the company’s new President & CEO. Harnisch currently serves as Vice President, Northern and Central Europe at Hilton… Read the full news article

Escape to Toronto’s Boutique Towns for Unforgettable Holiday Fun

TORONTO,  2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The boutique cities surrounding Toronto have a lot to offer visitors who prefer small town charm over the hustle and bustle of a big city this holiday season. From festive carriage rides and carolers to exclusive winery events, do not miss your chance to experience the holiday spirit of Brampton, Streetsville, Mississauga and Niagara-on-the-lake… Read the full news article

U.S. Travel Association Statement on Sen. Daniel Inouye

Washington, D.C. – 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Roger Dow, president and CEO of the the U.S. Travel Association, issued the following statement on the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI): “Today, the U.S. travel community lost a close friend and ardent supporter. Sen. Daniel Inouye was a tireless champion for travelers. He understood the important role… Read the full news article

Tourism Australia and Etihad Airways join forces to increase visitors from the Middle East, UK and Europe

Tourism Australia and Etihad Airways join forces to increase visitors from the Middle East, UK and Europe Key facts Tourism Australia and Etihad Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bringing more visitors from the Middle East, UK and Europe to Australia by leveraging the airline’s expanding international network. Under the new… Read the full news article

YOUNG JAPANESE GOLF STAR TO CONTINUE AS THAILAND GOLF AMBASSADOR

YOUNG JAPANESE GOLF STAR TO CONTINUE AS THAILAND GOLF AMBASSADOR

Bangkok, Thailand, 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryo Ishikawa, one of Japan’s best and most popular young professional golfers, who has been “Thailand Golf Ambassador” since 2009, is to continue to enjoy the same status for another year, under an agreement with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The signing ceremony of the contract extension and the press… Read the full news article

Travel Guard® – 2012 In Review & 2013 Travel Predictions

2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the December 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 travel agents to learn about trends that shaped travel in 2012, and their predictions moving into 2013. We’ll also touch upon New Year’s resolutions and… Read the full news article

Wyndham Worldwide Receives Perfect Score On Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

Recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality” Parsippany, N.J. – 2012-12-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has announced it received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Right’s Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), and is recognized by… Read the full news article

Travelport appoints new distributor in Morocco

Alternative GDS provider now available in the region giving customers choice Casablanca, Morocco, 2012-12-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has today announced the appointment of Global Solutions Travel as its new distributor in Morocco. Under the terms of the new agreement, Global Solutions Travel will have exclusive rights to… Read the full news article

Allen Hermansen Donates $5,000 to AH&LEF Annual Giving Campaign

2012-12-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Allen Hermansen, a former Hilton Hotels vice president, contributed $5,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2012 Annual Giving Campaign, which supports key research and workforce development initiatives for the hospitality industry.  This marks Hermansen’s second consecutive donation of $5,000 to the campaign. A 40-year industry veteran, Hermansen got… Read the full news article

Travelport Agent of the Future Announced

Sydney, Australia, 2012-12-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced the 2012 Agent of the Future. Rajina Almeida from Bankstown TAFE in New South Wales has been recognised as Australasia’s most outstanding travel and tourism student from more than 60 tertiary colleges in Australia and New Zealand that offer… Read the full news article

Marriott Strengthens Focus on the Caribbean and Latin America by Naming First-Ever Regional President

Marriott Strengthens Focus on the Caribbean and Latin America by Naming First-Ever Regional President

2012-12-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Company cites strong local economies, growing middle class and an uptick in travel to and from the region as reasons for increased interest. Recognizing the increasing importance of the Caribbean and Latin America as a destination and source market for its portfolio of hotels, Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) has named company veteran Craig… Read the full news article

From Firewalking to Dog Sledding, Vermont Does New Year’s Eve Differently

From Firewalking to Dog Sledding, Vermont Does New Year's Eve Differently

Ring in the New Year Vermont-Style: 13 Varied Events to Celebrate 2013 2012-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — While hordes of revelers head to Times Square, those seeking a New Year’s celebration outside the norm head to Vermont. Yes, the Green Mountain State is host to traditional New Year’s Eve festivals full of fireworks and fanfare, but there’s also… Read the full news article

2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards go back to the future

2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards go back to the future

CTC’s annual event honours the best media coverage, tour operator and more in the UK 2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Groovy, baby! The UK office of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) dug out its flares and tie-dye shirts for the 2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards (BACTA). This year’s 23rd iteration celebrated 50 years of a tourism office… Read the full news article

St. Kitts and Nevis Demonstrates Global Leadership At Innovative Sustainable Tourism Awareness Forum

Forum Participants Identify and Develop Four Exciting New Sustainable Tourism Projects BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — In collaboration with Sustainable Travel International, the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Tourism and International Transport convened the island nation’s first-ever Sustainable Tourism Awareness Forum in late November. The forum brought together nearly 50 representatives… Read the full news article