Hilton Worldwide Reinvents Dining at Full Service Hotels

Three New Concepts — Herb n’ Kitchen, Made Market and Brickstones Grill — To Debut in 2013 MCLEAN, Va., 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Casual dining is on the rise. According to a recent Mintel survey, sales at quick service restaurants have increased to nearly $30 billion in the past five years. This trend is being echoed throughout… Read the full press release

Travelport announces Commercial Team changes

New commercial management structure aligned to global business objectives Langley, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces a number of commercial team changes, all designed to further build on the delivery of its ongoing strategic business objectives. Focusing on accelerating the execution of Travelport’s strategic plan, the new… Read the full press release

Marriott Named Top Company for Supplier Diversity

Marriott Named Top Company for Supplier Diversity

Hotel leader has spent nearly $4 billion with diversity suppliers 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — During its Special Awards & Top Regional Companies event, DiversityInchonored Marriott International as the top company for supplier diversity. The company was recognized for demonstrating its strength in four areas– CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity. Over the… Read the full press release

Croatia to Host 2013 Travel Convention

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — ABTA today announces that Croatia is to host next year’s Travel Convention in the historic coastal town of Dubrovnik, from 21-23 October 2013. This will be the first time the Travel Convention has been held in Croatia. In the last 12 months Croatia has seen a substantial 22% rise in UK visitor… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines Raises More Than $600,000 For Ronald McDonald Charities At 27th Annual LUV Classic Charity Golf Tournament

DALLAS – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) raised more than $600,000 for the Ronald McDonald Charities at the 27th annual LUV Classic charity golf tournament held on Oct. 5, where Employees and sponsors teed up for the cause. This year’s contributions will be distributed between Ronald McDonald Houses in Dallas, New York, Fort Lauderdale,… Read the full press release

Chicago Aritsts Month Offer Lunch With A Featured Artist

Contest Information Available in this Week’s Time Out Chicago 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Chicago Artists Month offers aspiring artists an opportunity to have lunch with one of the 19 Featured Artists, highlighted by the citywide collaborative art event.  Each year, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) dedicates the month of October to shining… Read the full press release

Dragonair Expands Network In Asia With New Service To Yangon, Myanmar

Hong Kong, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Dragonair today announced it will launch a new four-times weekly service to Yangon, the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar, commencing on 9 January 2013 (subject to government approval). The new service will enhance Dragonair’s presence in the region and provide a significant boost to both leisure and… Read the full press release

LAST CHANCE FOR JAZZOO TICKETS!

WHAT: 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Last chance for tickets to the fifth annual Jazzoo, coming up Saturday, October 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Atlanta’s wildest creative cocktail party features food from 30 of Atlanta’s best restaurants; 20 full-service open bars throughout the Zoo; and live music on four stages. Jazzoo 2012 will be headlined by ‘80s cover… Read the full press release

Walrus Calf Coming to Indianapolis Zoo Curious Orphan Joins Several Other Rescued Marine Mammals

INDIANAPOLIS — 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — An orphaned male Pacific walrus calf found off the northern coast of Alaska will soon call the Indianapolis Zoo home. He is scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis later this week, and if all goes well with the acclimation to his new home, he could be on exhibit for the public to see sometime… Read the full press release

VisitEngland Announces New Commitment to UK Travel Trade at the 2012 ABTA Travel Convention

New Strategy Unveiled to Drive Domestic Business Through the Trade 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — VisitEngland’s Chairman Penelope Viscountess Cobham, announced today in a speech at the ABTA Travel Convention the national tourist board’s plans to further grow tourism in England by working more closely with the travel trade.   Unveiling a raft of activity aimed at inspiring… Read the full press release

Nomination to Prix Villégiature Awards 2012

Hotel Puente Romano nominated as Best Resort in Europe 2012  By Villegiature Awards 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Villegiature Awards created in 2003 gather a voting Jury composed of 20 international press correspondents and journalists from very famous medias covering all over the world. They reward the best of the best hotels in Europe, in Asia en Africa. The… Read the full press release

Tourism Australia and Emirates expand joint marketing efforts to build international visitor appeal for Australia

Tourism Australia and Emirates have signed a global marketing agreement

Key facts Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tourism Australia and Emirates intend to collectively spend up to A$14.3 million over the next three years on a range of joint marketing activities. The joint marketing activities under the MoU will focus on some of Australia’s leading inbound visitor markets – the United Kingdom, Germany… Read the full press release

Fall Travel Trends & “Spooktacular” Insight

2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the October 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 travelers to learn about their fall travel aspirations, including trips to view fall foliage and experience spooky Halloween destinations. We’ll also touch upon how travel… Read the full press release

KEN NAKANO APPOINTED HEAD CHEF AT ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA

Talented Vancouver chef joins esteemed culinary team at historic hotel VANCOUVER, BC – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver’s most historic hotel, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chef Ken Nakano as Head Chef responsible for directing the hotel’s five in-house dining elements Reflections, Room Service, Banqueting, 1927 and Prohibition. Chef Ken Nakano… Read the full press release

Travelport and Air Botswana sign full content agreement

Gaborone, Botswana, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced the signing of a new global full content agreement with Air Botswana, the national carrier of Botswana. Effective immediately, the new multi-year agreement provides all of Travelport’s Galileo, Worldspan and Apollo-connected travel agents worldwide with access to the carrier’s… Read the full press release

Entrepreneur Magazine Ranks Hampton Hotels as Top Global Franchise

Hampton Hotels, recently named the top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine, is known for the value and quality it provides to both franchisees and guests alike. All Hampton hotels feature a free, hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet access, the Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed, modern amenities, proactive, friendly customer service and, by end of 2012, a newly redesigned and renovated Perfect Mix Lobby. The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Halifax-Dartmouth in Nova Scotia, Canada (shown above) features the brand’s signature Perfect Mix Lobby design, which is intended to create an inviting space that ultimately becomes an extension of the guest room. Credit: Hampton Hotels

Hampton Hotels earns No. 1 franchise spot based on size, growth and financial strength MCLEAN, Va. – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hampton Hotels today announced that it has been named the top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine out of 200 franchisors listed in the publication’s October issue.  The international ranking follows two consecutive years as the No. 1 franchise… Read the full press release

JW Marriott Resorts Portfolio Christens October as Culinary Month With First-Ever Online Cookbook & Dessert Specials

Ten Resorts in U.S. & Mexico Offer Easy to Make Regionally-Inspired Recipes & All Resorts Will Feature Specially-Priced “Throwback” Desserts.

Ten Resorts in U.S. & Mexico Offer Easy to Make Regionally-Inspired Recipes & All Resorts Will Feature Specially-Priced “Throwback” Desserts.  2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — October is known as Cook Book Month and National Dessert Month and to celebrate, the JW Marriott Resort Portfolio has launched its own Culinary Month across the collection of ten JW Marriott… Read the full press release

CAMP SPOOKY: WEEKENDS OCTOBER 6-28

CAMP SPOOKY: WEEKENDS OCTOBER 6-28

KNOTT’S CAMP SNOOPY INVITES KIDS TO JOIN THE BIGGEST COSTUME PARTY EVER! BUENA PARK, CA – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Pirate, witch, cowboy, angel? It’s that time of year to decide who you want to be. Knott’s invites you to dress to the nines in your Halloween finery and come to “Snoopy’s Costume Party” in Camp Spooky. This… Read the full press release

Luminous Eyes and a Ghostly Gator Awaits Visitors During Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica

Hershey, Pa. – 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Visitors to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park during Halloween In Hershey are in store for an evening of adventure as they explore the nocturnal habits of its animals during its Creatures of the Night event. Offered over three fall weekends – October 19-20, October 26-28 and November 2-4 – guests are… Read the full press release

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Teams Up with US Club Soccer

Fairfield Inn & Suites becomes Official Hotel of US Club Soccer.

CHARLESTON, S.C.- 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — US Club Soccer members score a win today with the announcement of the organization’s exciting new partnership with Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. As the official hotel of US Club Soccer, Fairfield Inn & Suites will be the preferred brand for all of US Club Soccer’s national and regional… Read the full press release

SWISSÔTEL HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS IN CHINA WITH A NEW DELUXE HOTEL IN CHANGSHA

ZURICH, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The international hotel group Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its portfolio in China. The future deluxe hotel will be located in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province and the transportation hub in southcentral China. Swissôtel Changsha will be part of a mixed-use development featuring a Grade A office tower,… Read the full press release

Wyndham Hotel Group Announces 16 Hotels in India and Indonesia

The newly opened 120-room Ramada Resort Udaipur will add to Wyndham Hotel Group’s expanding portfolio of more than 40 hotels currently in operation or under development in India.

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham brand introduced into India HONG KONG, 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,170 hotels and a part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today signed deals for 16 hotels throughout India and Indonesia and announced the launch of the extended stay Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham® brand in… Read the full press release

Marriott’s Deals of the Week

Say Aloha to 55% Savings in Hawaii 2012-10-12 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Say goodbye to the work week and hello to a fall Hawaiian vacation. Hawaii’s swaying palms, golden sunsets, spectacular beaches and unique culture truly define paradise. For a limited time, guests can enjoy four nights in Hawaii with round-trip airfare from just $549 and… Read the full press release

Passenger volumes slightly down at Finavia airports in the third quarter

2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Passenger volumes at Finavia airports reached 4.8 million in the third quarter of 2012. The figure was 2.6 percent lower than in the same period in the previous year. The Asian volumes continue to increase at a slower pace than before. In the third quarter, a total of 4,843,974 passengers used Finavia… Read the full press release

Gather Around the Kitchen Table at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Chef Robert Gerstenecker

Park 75 invites diners to pull up a chair inside the kitchen 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Guests of Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta have enjoyed fabulous meals at Park 75 restaurant, or perhaps have ventured into the kitchen for the acclaimed Chef’s Table, but this fall Park 75 will issue ultimate insider’s invite. Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker invites guests to lose the tie,… Read the full press release

JetPrivilege offers its members an opportunity to learn with professionals at unique golf clinics

MUMBAI, 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Aimed at providing exceptional value to its JetPrivilege members, Jet Airways’ JetPrivilege, India’s largest frequent flyer programme will now offer its members the unique opportunity to learn golf from professionals in the sport. JetPrivilege members will now be able to get tips of the ‘Sport of Kings’ under the expert tutelage… Read the full press release

Traffic Results for September 2012: Austrian Airlines Increases Load Factor to Over 80 Percent

• January-September 2012: 2.1 percent more passengers carried • September 2012: Fewer passengers due to reduction of capacity 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Austrian Airlines Group increased the number of passengers carried in the first three quarters of 2012 by 2.1 percent from the prior- ear level to a total of 8.8 million passengers. The passenger load… Read the full press release

Jet Airways introduces its Full Service Première cabin on all JetKonnect Boeing 737-700/800 flights

MUMBAI, 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, has introduced its acclaimed full-service Premiere product on all JetKonnect Next-Generation Boeing 737-700/800 flights across India. These JetKonnect flights will now come equipped with a premium, front end Premiere cabin allowing guests to experience Jet Airways’ acclaimed Premiere service across its full service and low… Read the full press release

Austrian Airlines takes off with new long-haul cabin

• Austrian Airlines invests over 90 million euros in conversion of long-haul fleet • Entire long-haul fleet given modern cabin • Greater seat comfort with new Economy Class seats, improved entertainment experience with new inflight entertainment system, and full-flat beds in Business Class 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Austrian Airlines is converting its entire long-haul fleet and installing… Read the full press release

Streghe e Fantasmi Al Party Di Halloween Dell’ Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

VENEZIA – 2012-10-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Lo Skyline Rooftop Bar all’ottavo piano dell’ Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, l’elegante hotel del Gruppo Hilton situato sull’isola della Giudecca, propone per la notte del 31 ottobre una festa incredibile tra spiriti, mummie e fiumi di “bloody drink”! Il locale alla moda del prestigioso Hotel Hilton, offrirà un’esperienza ai confini della… Read the full press release