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 press release

Travelport announced the continuation of long-term relationships with three major travel agencies in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Establishing its footprint even further in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), business services provider Travelport has announced the continuation of its long-term relationships with three major travel agencies in the country – Asfar Travel, Transcontinents and Roibek Travel. The new contracts mark a new chapter in the solid… Read the full press release

GBTA Praises Bill to Increase International Business Travel

Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — The following statement can be attributed to Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO, following yesterday’s introduction of the JOLT Act (Jobs Originating through Launching Travel) by  U.S. Representatives Joe Heck (R-NV) and Mike Quigley (D-IL). “Opening U.S. markets to more international business travelers is exactly what our economy needs. … Read the full press release

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 press release

GBTA Announces New Exploratory Task Force For Atlanta And Surrounding Markets

GBTA Elects To Withdraw Arbitration Claim Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—the voice of the global business travel industry—today announced the creation of a new exploratory task force to develop a local chapter membership plan for Atlanta and the surrounding local markets. This task force will be led by Jim Wilkins,… Read the full press release

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 press release

GBTA Announces New Program: GBTA Spotlight on Transformation

Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association, the voice of the global business travel industry, launched a new recognition program: GBTA Spotlight on Transformation.  This new program will focus on the future thought leaders of business travel management and will highlight successful innovations that allow the travel manager and the corporate traveler to elevate… Read the full press release

GBTA Foundation Announces New Board Members

Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today announced four new appointments to the GBTA Foundation Board of Trustees.  Joining the Board will be Christie Hicks, senior vice president of Starwood Sales Organization at Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Volker Huber, president of… Read the full press release

PATA Annual Summit Speakers: Travel and Tourism Needs to Get More Political

Bangkok, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel industry leaders will issue a rallying call for politicians and government policy makers around the world to start “Embracing the Complete Visitor Economy” at the PATA Annual Summit, which takes place Friday April 26 in Bangkok. Mr Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “If you want the travel and tourism industry to be… Read the full press release

UNWTO welcomes travel facilitation measures by Jamaica

Madrid,  2013-03-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — UNWTO welcomes Jamaica’s decision to waive visa requirements for Eastern European nationals and to extend indefinitely the current visa waiver system for some Latin American nationals. These important policy steps are in line with UNWTO’s call for countries worldwide to revise their visa regulations and procedures underscoring the close links between… Read the full press release

Brooker Travel Group extends long-standing partnership with Travelport

Auckland, New Zealand, 2013-03-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has today announced that their long-standing partnership with prominent New Zealand travel agency, Brooker Travel Group, has been extended with the signing of a new multi-year agreement. The agreement, which sees Brooker Travel continue to use Travelport’s Galileo platform as… Read the full press release

GBTA Forecasts a Return To Double Digit Growth for Brazil’s Business Travel Spend In 2013

Brazil Currently Ranks 8th in the Business Travel Global Index Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2013-03-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (“GBTA”), the world’s premier business travel and corporate meetings organization, has released its latest GBTA BTI™ Outlook report on Brazil as part of its semiannual series.  Sponsored by Visa, key highlights include: GBTA BTI™… Read the full press release

New Format for European Conference Announced by Global Business Travel Association

Event To Provide Key Insights for Forward Planning Prague, Czech Republic, 2013-03-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – has released details of a new format and underlying theme for their annual European conference in 2013. The event, for approximately 400 industry professionals, will… Read the full press release

World Committee on Tourism Ethics praises growing private sector commitment

2013-03-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Twelfth Meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics commended the UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism Initiative and praised the growing number of signatory businesses who pledged to uphold responsible conduct in the tourism sector (Madrid, Spain, 4-5 March). As the body responsible for… Read the full press release

WTTC Regional Summit to take place in Korea due to Asia’s growing status as a global powerhouse in Travel & Tourism

2013-03-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is holding its regional Asia Summit in Korea in September, in recognition of the recent acceleration of Travel & Tourism in the region and the industry’s positive impact on global GDP and employment. The WTTC Asia Summit will take place in Seoul from 10th-11th September…. Read the full press release

Leaders of the Complete Visitor Economy to Convene at PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok

Bangkok, 2013-03-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Leaders of the Complete Visitor Economy will gather for the 2013 PATA Annual Summit (2013PAS) in Bangkok, April 25-28, 2013. The PATA Youth Forum will commence on Thursday, April 25, followed by the one-day summit on Friday April 26, and the PATA Board meetings and AGM on April 27-28 respectively. Under… Read the full press release

New Low-Cost European Carrier Volotea Chooses Travelport E-Ticket Technologies to Expand Reach and Revenue

Atlanta, 2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces a new long-term IT services agreement with Volotea, the new low-cost European carrier headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. Volotea, which commenced operations in April 2012, is the newest participant in Travelport’s electronic ticket database hosting service, and has also joined… Read the full press release

HLABEKISA COMMUNITY FINDS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IN NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

2013-03-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Hlabekisa community in Mpumalanga (a rural community 20km or 12 miles from the world renowned Kruger National Park) is celebrating the opening of the Anton Bilton High School, thanks to the Africa Foundation,&Beyond’s social development partner, and through the generous donation of &Beyond guests Lisa and Anton Bilton.  Government representatives, Africa Foundation staff,… Read the full press release

Travel Disruptions Will Stall Business Growth

Alexandria, VA, 2013-02-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — The following statement can be attributed to Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO, on the impact of the upcoming sequester deadline on business travel and the nation’s economy. “The country is fast approaching the March 1 deadline for across-the-board cuts in every program, project, and agency in the Federal… Read the full press release

Global Travel & Tourism industry defies economic uncertainty by outperforming the global economy in 2012 – and predicted to do it again in 2013

2013-02-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Travel & Tourism industry has outperformed the global economy in 2012 – growing faster than manufacturing, retail, financial services and communications. The industry has grown its total contribution to GDP by 3% and increased the number of jobs by five million to 260 million. It means that, for the first time,… Read the full press release

PATA Appoints Daniela Wagner as PATA European Coordinator

Bangkok, 2013-02-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Ms Daniela Wagner as PATA European Coordinator, effective February 22, 2013. Mr Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “I am delighted to welcome Ms Daniela Wagner to the PATA family. Her long and relevant career experience will add value as we build the PATA… Read the full press release

The ATPI Group and Travelport extend long-term partnership

Langley, UK, 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Leading business travel and events company, the ATPI Group, has confirmed a substantial contract extension with Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry. The partnership between the two businesses allows the ATPI Group access to Travelport’s travel booking technology in a multitude of countries.  Travelport is now the… Read the full press release

Martin Travel Strikes New Technology and GDS Partnership with Travelport

Atlanta, 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces a new long-term GDS and technology services agreement with Martin Travel, LLC, western Virginia’s leading leisure and business travel services provider. Through the agreement, Martin Travel has gained access to end-to-end travel management technologies, and comprehensive GDS content and services… Read the full press release

Call for PATA Face of the Future Submissions

Bangkok, 2013-02-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Face of the Future award is open for submission until February 28, 2013. The winner will receive exposure global media exposure via PATA Communications channels, a round-trip economy flight to Frankfurt with accommodation to visit the IMEX, May 21- 23, 2013, and an opportunity to attend the PATA… Read the full press release

ECTAA and Trenitalia working together

2013-02-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Recognising the increasing importance of rail transport in Europe, ECTAA has agreed to work closer with Trenitalia on the distribution of rail products through travel agents and tour operators. Trenitalia and ECTAA are implementing their strategic partnership agreement to help promote and distribute Trenitalia’s products through travel agents and tour operators in… Read the full press release

Travelport and Rickshaw Travels announce continued partnership

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2013-02-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, and Rickshaw Travel Group (Rickshaw Travels), a major East African tour operator, have announced the continuation of their successful business relationship with the signing of a three-and-a half year renewal contract. The new deal will see Travelport continue to provide Rickshaw… Read the full press release

Hit the Road with Lonely Planet’s Best Trips Series

2013-02-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Global travel authority Lonely Planet is releasing the first European guidebooks in its successful Best Trips series, with the publication of France’s Best Trips, Ireland’s Best Trips and Italy’s Best Trips next month. Lonely Planet’s Best Trips are expertly tailored for travellers who want to explore a specific region by car. Each… Read the full press release

Thailand Ranked Second Best Long-Haul Destination in Kuoni Travel Trends Report 2013

London – 2013-02-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Thailand has been rated the second best long-haul destination in the 2013 Travel Trends Report issued by the UK tour operator Kuoni. It has also been rated amongst the Top Ten in other categories such as for Weddings, Honeymoons and for Singles. Listing the top three selling destinations for 2013… Read the full press release

Competitive intelligence: Canada’s rivals spin the tourism wheel of fortune.

Las Vegas rolls the dice with a new campaign, Australia reaches for the skies and BRIC shoppers line up at the tills. 2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is one of many major players in the high stakes world of international tourism. Like a big casino, the tourism marketplace is crowded with risk-takers looking to get… Read the full press release

Houston Launches Largest Destination Image Campaign in City’s History

Chefs, artists and taste makers come together for major collaborative effort HOUSTON, 2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ —How do you tell the story of a city? Five years ago, the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) launched the My Houston campaign. The city’s celebrity sons and daughters touted what they love about Houston, and the unscripted results ran in a… Read the full press release