Tourism Ministers call for closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies at UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit

London, United Kingdom, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — Improving air connectivity through a closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies to ensure the sustained growth of the tourism sector and of air transport was the commitment stemming from the annual UNWTO & World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers´ Summit (London, United Kingdom, 5 November 2013). Critical issues related to… Read the full press release

PhoCusWright founder Philip C. Wolf shared his travel industry insights with PATA HQ Staff and Associates

Bangkok, Thailand, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — On 31st October 2013, Philip C. Wolf, founder of PhoCusWright (USA) shared his insights about the travel industry with the PATA HQ Staff and Associates; below are important developments taken from the session: The business world has always been centered on the ‘Business, Customer, and Government’ matrix model; in today’s world, the focus is… Read the full press release

IATA called on governments to adopt and adhere to global air transport safe, efficient and sustainable standards

Doha, Qatar, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to adopt and adhere to global standards that are necessary for the safe, efficient and sustainable operation of the global air transport system. “Aviation has changed the world for the better. This year airlines will carry over three billion passengers and 50… Read the full press release

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar named Senegal’s Leading Hotel at the recent World Travel Awards

Brussels, Belgium, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar has taken top honours of becoming Senegal’s Leading Hotel at the recent World Travel Awards held on 16 October 2013. “We are incredibly proud! Seeing Radisson Blu become the Leading Hotel in Senegal, in such a short period of the hotel’s opening, is a validation of… Read the full press release

Tourism Authority of Thailand: UK is now Thailand’s second largest market out of Europe

London, UK, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — The United Kingdom is now Thailand’s second largest market out of Europe. In January-June 2013, Thailand welcomed more than 410,538 UK visitors, up 3.07 percent over January-June 2012. Given the recent economic conditions in the UK, that is a very acceptable result. In 2013, TAT is projecting 838,000 visitor arrivals and… Read the full press release

Woodland Park Zoo extends free admission to all active, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013

Giraffe exploring spacious exhibit, but no set viewing hours Seattle, WA, United States, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — On a foggy morning last week, Misawa (pronounced me-saw-wah), Woodland Park Zoo’s male baby giraffe, took his first, long steps onto the African Savanna. Since his birth, the 3 month old has been on view to visitors in an outdoor corral. Introductions… Read the full press release

Radisson Blu honored as the Best Hotel Chain at the National Geographic Traveler Awards 2013 (Russia)

Radisson Blu has won the prestigious award of the National Geographic Traveler Russia magazine for the second year in a row Brussels, Belgium, 2013-11-8 — /travelprnews.com/ — Radisson Blu, operated by the Carlson Rezidor, the leading international hotel group in Russia, CIS & Baltics, has been honored as the Best Hotel Chain at the National Geographic Traveler… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia to expand its award-winning program Aussie Specialist Program (ASP) to include Australia-based inbound tour operators (ITOs)

The way we distribute and sell Australian tourism product is something we’ve been looking at closely in recent months, to see whether there are areas we can improve. Given its popularity and success with agents and wholesalers overseas, we know the Aussie Specialist Program works and see a real opportunity to extend the resource to… Read the full press release

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Nantes in France recognised as Opening of the Year 2013 at European Hospitality Awards 2013

Stunning hotel recognised as “Opening of the Year 2013” Nantes, France, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Radisson Blu Hotel, Nantes in France has been recognised as the Opening of the Year 2013 (Renovation or Conversion) at the European Hospitality Awards 2013. The hotel beat off strong competition from some of the world’s best new hotels to take… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia boasts 5 million Facebook page fans worldwide

5 million fans Reaching 1.5 million unique users daily Most popular destination page in the world Sydney, Australia, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tourism Australia’s ambition to create the ‘world’s biggest social media team’ has taken another big step forward with its Facebook page,www.facebook.com/seeaustralia, hitting five million fans worldwide over the weekend – confirming its status as the… Read the full press release

Vancouver and Guangzhou tourism industry professionals signed cooperation agreement

Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tourism industry professionals from Vancouver and Guangzhou signed a five-year commitment yesterday to share research, compare best practices, and provide mutual support for continued efforts to drive tourism demand between the sister cities. Tourism is a vital industry for Vancouver with an estimated value of $6.1 billion. It produces 69,000… Read the full press release

The International Silk Festival “Pook Xiao” Tradition and Red Cross Fair 2013 in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Khon Kaen,Thailand, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Silk Festival, “Pook Xiao” Tradition and Red Cross Fair 2013 is set to become the hub of silk cultural exchange and trading in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Highlights of the show will include the double-bill international seminar and business matching event entitled “Mekong Silk Road in the GMS”,… Read the full press release

Vancouver to welcome 48,000 people for 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous, single largest meeting ever held in the city

Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — Vancouver will welcome 48,000 people from around the world for the 2025 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. This will be the single largest meeting ever held in the city with a footprint spanning both the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium. The news was announced on November 4 during… Read the full press release

Golf Channel’s popular BIG BREAK reality competition series picked Amelia Island, Fla. for its 21st season competition grounds

Orlando, FL, United States, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — Golf Channel’s popular BIG BREAK reality competition series has picked Amelia Island, Fla. as the competition grounds for its 21st season, premiering Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. BIG BREAK FLORIDA, produced in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA and taking place at Omni Amelia Island Plantation, will feature a cast of 12 women… Read the full press release

The first two giraffes arrived at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s new Africa exhibit, scheduled to open in May 2014

Powell, Ohio, United States, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — The first two giraffes have arrived at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s new Africa exhibit, which will open in May, 2014. Two three-year-old male reticulated giraffes, Conner and Dasher, were transported yesterday from the Binder Park Zoo in Michigan. As part of the Zoo’s routine animal health protocol, the… Read the full press release

S7 Airlines и British Airways объявляют о расширении код-шерингового соглашения

Москва, Россия, 2013-11-7 — /travelprnews.com/ — S7 Airlines и British Airways, участники глобального авиационного альянсаoneworld®, объявляют о расширении код-шерингового соглашения, которое предусматривает выполнение совместных рейсов из Москвы в Лондон. Теперь пассажирам S7 Airlines доступны три ежедневных рейса между Москвой и Лондоном (аэропорт Хитроу), которые выполняются на современных комфортабельных воздушных судах British Airways – Boeing 767 и Boeing… Read the full press release

Sam Ioannidis appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Azerbaijan

Four Seasons veteran arrives in the Azeri capital for his first General Manager assignment Baku, Azerbaijan, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Sam Ioannidis has been appointed General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Baku, and it wasn’t long after he arrived that he felt right at home. “Having spent most of my career in the US and Canada, I was very excited… Read the full press release

VisitBritain research revealed more overseas visitors go to theatre than to live sporting event when visiting in Britain

VisitBritain research has revealed that more overseas visitors go to the theatre, musicals, the opera or ballet (2.8 million) than to a live sporting event (1.3 million) when visiting in Britain.  London, UK, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — These 2.8 million visits include 14% of all overseas holiday trips, whilst visits incorporating a live sport event make up… Read the full press release

Thailand promotes unique weddings and honeymoons at this year’s World Travel Market 4-7 November 2013

London, UK, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Promoting weddings and honeymoons is to be the highlight of Thailand’s participation in this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) to be held between 4-7 November, 2013, at the Excel Exhibition Centre, London. The WTM is the world’s second largest travel trade show. Thousands of   visitors attend the business-to-business event to… Read the full press release

Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey named among the top ten British Restaurants 2013 by TripAdvisor

Jersey, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel has been named among the top ten best places for fine dining in the UK alongside Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in the Cotswolds, Gidleigh Park in Devon and The Ledbury in London. Ocean has been ranked 6th in the entire country in the TripAdvisor Travellers’… Read the full press release

The GBTA Foundation unveiled the new GBTA Airline Crew-Hotel Request for Proposal (RFP)

New RFP Global Format Ensures Greater Accuracy and Time Savings  Alexandria, VA, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — The GBTA Foundation, the research and education arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), today unveiled the new GBTA Airline Crew-Hotel Request for Proposal (RFP). The new Airline Crew-Hotel RFP is prepared in a global, standard format and is available… Read the full press release

Emirates launched services to Sialkot, its fifth destination in Pakistan

Airline connects with its fifth destination in Pakistan  Dubai, U.A.E., 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Emirates, a global connector of people and places today launched services to Sialkot, its fifth destination in Pakistan. Emirates will operate four weekly flights with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration, offering 54 seats in Business Class and 183 in Economy… Read the full press release

East Belfast’s C.S. Lewis Festival 18-23 November 2013

Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — In just two weeks’ time, one of east Belfast’s most famous sons will be celebrated in a colourful week of song, drama, performance, readings, recitals, talks, tours and family events across the east of the city and beyond. The inaugural C.S. Lewis Festival, which takes place from 18-23 November 2013,… Read the full press release

FAA’s Christa Fornarotto to present Sustainability Guidance for airports at 6th Annual Airports Going Green Conference Nov. 12-14, 2013 in Chicago

Chicago, Il, United States, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation is pleased to announce that FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Christa Fornarotto, will join us at this year’s Airports Going Green conference to present Sustainability Guidance for airports. The Airports Going Green Conference will be held on November 12-14, 2013 at the Chicago Mart… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways named “Best Business Class” at Business Traveller Awards 2013 (UK edition)

London, UK, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways has been named as “Best Business Class” at the high profile Business Traveller Awards 2013 (UK edition), which was held in London at The Royal Garden Hotel, on 15th October. The Business Traveller Awards are based on votes by readers of the magazine with the results authenticated by an… Read the full press release

Qatar Airways announced 4 weekly non-stop flights to Hangzhou, China beginning 20 December 2013

Four Weekly Non-Stop Services to Capital of Zhejiang Province 7th Destination to China Begins 20th December DOHA, Qatar, 2013-11-6 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways announced it will begin flights to Hangzhou, China beginning 20 December 2013. The non-stop service from Doha to Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, will fly four-times-weekly. “This year we celebrate 10… Read the full press release

WTTC forecasts slower growth for the global travel & tourism industry in 2013

London, UK, 2013-11-5 — /travelprnews.com/ — The global Travel & Tourism industry will grow marginally slower in 2013 than previously indicated, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC forecasts that the total contribution from Travel & Tourism to the world economy will be 2.9% in 2013, down from the 3.2% growth initially forecast in… Read the full press release

The International Air Transport Association calls for global partnership to enhance aviation security

Istanbul, Turkey, 2013-11-5 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for a partnership between industry, governments and regulators to enhance aviation security by embracing a globally harmonized, risk-based system. “Aviation security stands at a crossroads. Global passenger numbers will be approaching four billion per year by 2017, and the ageing systems and outdated procedures… Read the full press release

FC Arsenal’s German stars beat their English team-mates in double-decker Emirates A380 landing challenge

Arsenal’s German stars compete to land an A380 London, UK, 2013-11-5 — /travelprnews.com/ — Three of Arsenal’s German players, Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Özil have triumphed after tackling a challenge from their English team-mates to land a double-decker Emirates A380. But don’t worry, it was all safely done in a brand new state of the… Read the full press release

TravelClick to present three free webinars on November 19 and 20 to review Q3 2013 hotel performance results and trends

Webinar Taking Place November 19 & 20, 2013 New York, United States, 2013-11-5 — /travelprnews.com/ — TravelClick, global provider of innovative cloud-based solutions that enable hotels to grow revenue, will present three free webinars on November 19 and 20 to review third quarter 2013 hotel performance results and trends. Findings will be presented by TravelClick executives John… Read the full press release