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

GBTA Australia & New Zealand Sells Out in Advance of Inaugural Symposium

Canberra, Australia, 2013-02-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—the voice of the global business travel industry – today announced that the inaugural Government Travel Symposium has sold out for delegate attendees. The Symposium will open on Tuesday March 5th with the Fundamentals of Business Travel Management Education and Buyer-Sponsor networking and follows by five dedicated … Read the full press release

Travelport starts 2013 with a win in Poland

INT Travel, a leading IATA accredited agency in southern Poland, switches to Travelport Warsaw, Poland, 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has today announced a new multi-year agreement with INT Travel, one of the largest independent IATA accredited travel agencies in the southern part of Poland. As part of the… Read the full press release

Attractions and Tour Operations at Royal Caribbean Private Destination CocoCay Certified to a Globally Recognized Sustainable Tourism Standard

Royal Caribbean Island Awarded STEP Gold-Level Eco-Certification Portland, Oregon, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — The attractions and tour operations at CocoCay, a private cruise destination managed by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., have been awarded the Sustainable Tourism Education Program™ (STEP) Gold-Level Eco-Certification for its attractions and tour operations. This certification is a flagship program of Sustainable Travel International, a… Read the full press release

Concur Reports Strong Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2013

REDMOND, Wash., 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Concur (Nasdaq: CNQR) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2012. Concur reported total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 of $122.8 million, up 22% from the year-ago quarter and up 4% from the prior quarter. Fiscal 2013 first quarter non-GAAP pretax income was $17.2 million,… Read the full press release

Package travel rights: The European Commission examines options

Brussels, 2013-01-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — The European Commission will this week meet with consumer groups and business leaders in the travel industry to discuss the review of the current EU legislation on package holidays. The 1990 Package Travel Directive protects European consumers booking pre-arranged package holidays. For example, the rules ensure that holidaymakers will always get… Read the full press release

Red Sea Holidays Launches Brand New Leeds Bradford Route

2013-01-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Leading Egypt specialist Red Sea Holidays has announced that in order to meet increased consumer demand it will be offering new charter flights from Leeds Bradford to Sharm el Sheikh on 2 May 2013. This is the first time that Red Sea Holidays will offer flights from Leeds Bradford. The new flights… Read the full press release

The Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators commits to UNWTO Code of Ethics

The Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR), representing 200 tour operators and 1,400 travel agencies in the Netherlands, has pledged to observe the principles of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (Utrecht, the Netherlands, 9 January 2013). 2013-01-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — The ANVR joins the growing number of tourism companies and… Read the full press release

Agoda.com releases list of Asia’s top ten hotel spas for a great start to 2013

Agoda.com releases list of Asia’s top ten hotel spas for a great start to 2013

2013-01-02 — /travelprnews.com/ — .com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is celebrating the New Year with the chance to relax, renew and rejuvenate your body and mind with some of Asia’s best hotels for relaxation and spa treatments. The New Year is traditionally thought of as a time to… Read the full press release

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 press release

Corsica specialist announces new flight to Corsica

Corsica specialist announces new flight to Corsica

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK’s leading tour operator to Corsica announces its decision to launch a new flight service from Bristol to Bastia (North East Corsica) for summer 2013. Corsican Places will offer the service for 13 weeks from June 23rd through to September, chartering the airline bmi regional. This new flight will provide holidaymakers… Read the full press release

TripAdvisor Becomes PATA Strategic Partner

Bangkok, 2012-12-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) are pleased to announce TripAdvisor™ as a new PATA Strategic Partner. TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, offers trusted advice from real travellers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor has the largest travel community… Read the full press release

Travelport launches new merchandising capability

‘Extra Bags’ feature introduced in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and United Kingdom Auckland, New Zealand, 2012-12-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces a substantial merchandising milestone with the introduction of the new Prepaid Extra Bags feature. The new agreement enables Travelport-connected travel agents in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland… Read the full press release

ABTA Issues Guidance on Medhotels Case

Ruling reinforces the need for agents to understand their business practices 2012-12-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — ABTA has today updated guidance for Members in response to yesterday’s Court of Appeal ruling on an important test case relating to the tax liabilities of UK travel businesses. The decision of the Court of Appeal in the case between HMRC… Read the full press release

TRAVEL IN STYLE WITH PREMIER HOLIDAYS PRESTIGE SERVICE

Take a luxury break from just £879 per person 2012-12-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK’s leading independent tour operator Premier Holidays has launched their new Prestige brochure. This luxury brochure focuses on Far East destinations as well as India, Indian Ocean, South Africa, Middle East, Australia and the USA. Packages start from only £879 per person… Read the full press release

Top Russian consolidator signs new deal with Travelport

Aviacenter extends agreement with Travelport for a further three years Langley, 2012-11-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport and Aviacenter, one of Russia’s leading consolidators, have today announced a new contract extending their relationship until at least 2015. As part of the deal, Aviacenter will use both Galileo Web Services and Travelport SmartPoint App™ to deliver a leading service… Read the full press release

New Internet platform for travel agents: www.steigenbergertravelagents.com

Steigenberger Hotel Group New Internet platform for travel agents

2012-11-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Steigenberger Hotel Group has launched its own dedicated website for travel agents. Individually tailored hotel offers and information are now available to travel agency and tour operator staff at www.steigenbergertravelagents.com. Good news for travel agents, who have been able to book specially designed offers from the Steigenberger Hotel group since 22… Read the full press release

VisitBritain, JAPANESE OUTBOUND TOURISM GROWING ONCE AGAIN

Bond, Manchester United’s Kagawa and GREAT activity lead to 30% increase by 2020 2012-11-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — VisitBritain is leading a tourism delegation to Japan, the home of 1.7 million High Net Worth Individuals second only to US, to build on the profile Britain received in 2012. The national tourism agency will introduce key travel trade… Read the full press release

Serena Beach Hotel & Spa wins Ecotourism Award 2012

Serena Beach Hotel & Spa wins Ecotourism Award 2012

2012-11-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Serena Beach Hotel & Spa is this year’s winner of the coveted Ecowarrior Awards 2012. The resort was given the recognition at a colorful ceremony held on Friday night at the Nairobi Serena Hotel, one that saw several competitive entries in the Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year- Holiday Homes and Villas Category…. Read the full press release

CAA and OFT consult on consumer rights GUIDANCE FOR TRAVEL SECTOR

2012-11-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Holidaymakers booking in the UK should have access to fair, clear and transparent information at the right time according to draft guidance for travel agents, tour operators and price comparison websites published today for consultation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The joint guidance… Read the full press release

Florida Tourism Industry on Pace for Another Record Year

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – 2012-11-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — According to preliminary estimates* released today by VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – 21.9 million visitors came to Florida in the third quarter of 2012 (July-September), an increase of 3.5 percent over the same period in 2011. Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.5… Read the full press release

ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS APPOINTS JOHN M. SCOTT AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

2012-11-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. www.orient-express.com today announced that it has appointed John M. Scott III as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Mr. Scott, 47, is an experienced operator of luxury hotels who previously served as President and CEO of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw a portfolio of 17… Read the full press release

ABTA Research Shows Popularity of Mobile Devices for Online Bookings

2012-11-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — When it comes to booking holidays online many people are using their mobile devices to book, according to the latest research* from ABTA. When asked what device they used when booking a holiday online in the last twelve months (either through a travel agent, tour operator, bookings engine or direct), nearly a… Read the full press release