GBTA Announces that it will host the first ever USA Oil, Gas & Marine Travel Symposium

Event takes place in Houston, Texas Registration is now Open  Alexandria, VA, 2013-04-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—the voice of the global business travel industry—today announced that it will host the first ever USA  Oil, Gas & Marine Travel Symposium, in Houston, Texas.  This event has been very successful in Europe since it… Read the full press release

U.S. Travel Praises Senator Blunt for Legislation That Gives Federal Agencies Budget Flexibility, Helps Facilitate Travel Process

Washington, D.C., 2013-04-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today praised Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) for introducing the “Essential Services Act of 2013,” which would give federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection the flexibility to determine which employees are essential personnel as they manage sequester… Read the full press release

Quickbeds.com joins industry-leading hotel booking engine, Travelport Rooms and More™

Sydney, Australia, 2013-04-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, today announces that Quickbeds.com has joined its industry-leading hotel booking engine, Travelport Rooms and More™. The implementation of hotel content from Quickbeds.com will provide an additional 4,200 Australian-based hotel offerings to the already extensive… Read the full press release

GBTA Addresses Administration’s Budget Proposal

Applauds NextGen Investments and Trusted Traveler Programs  Increased Taxes and Fees Will Have Negative Impact on Economy Alexandria, VA, 2013-04-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — The following statement is attributable to Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO, following the Obama Administration’s fiscal year 2014 budget. The President’s budget request addresses several priorities of importance to a critical… Read the full press release

Guevara and Boyce will be keynote speakers of the 2013 PATA Annual Summit

Bangkok, 2013-04-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Former Secretary of Tourism, Mexico and G20 pioneer, Ms Gloria Guevara and President of Boeing Southeast Asia and former US Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Ralph ‘Skip’ Boyce, will be keynote speakers of the 2013 PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok April 26. With other world tourism industry leaders such as Taleb Rifai,… Read the full press release

Classic Vacations appoints Greg Bernd as Vice-Chairman of Industry Relations

New role will focus on strengthening industry partnerships SAN JOSE, 2013-04-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Classic Vacations, a top travel luxury wholesaler, announced today that Greg Bernd will assume the position of Vice-Chairman, Industry Relations. In this new role, Bernd will focus exclusively on strengthening industry partnerships and developing new relationships in the ever-changing travel landscape. Bernd… Read the full press release

“New Germanwings” on faster approach path

New fares can be booked now – Firm transition dates for routes ex Hamburg, Berlin and Dusseldorf – New codeshare agreement between SWISS and Germanwings Frankfurt/Cologne, 2013-04-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — The “new Germanwings” is evolving very much faster than planned: It´s new “Best” and “Smart” fares will be available for booking at travel agencies for flights… Read the full press release

Travelport Unveils Travelport Merchandising Platform

Dublin, Ireland, 2013-04-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to companies operating in the global travel industry, today unveiled the Travelport Merchandising Platform which transforms the way airlines deliver their products and the way that those products are displayed to travel agents. Travelport Merchandising Platform enables airlines to:… Read the full press release

WATA’s Nueva Vista and Anna Khachaturova awarded by the Prime Minister of Armenia

2013-04-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — WATA is proud to announce that Nueva Vista and Anna Khachaturova, Founder and Director of the company were awarded by the Prime Minister of Armenia as the best employer (headed by a woman) of Armenia. This is one of the most prestigious awards of the country and the winner is selected through a… Read the full press release

Global Business Travel Association Announces Impressive Advisory Board For GBTA Russia

MOSCOW, 2013-04-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) — the voice of the global business travel industry — today announced the names of Russian travel professionals who have been invited to lead the GBTA Russia chapter, first announced in January of this year. At the official launch event in Moscow today, Paul Tilstone,… Read the full press release

Travelport launches new direct commercial presence in Kenya

Latest Travelport investment in east Africa in response to projected GDP growth of 5.6% Nairobi, Kenya, 2013-04-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to the global travel industry, has today announced the launch of a new direct Travelport commercial presence in Kenya, one of Africa’s fastest growing travel markets. … Read the full press release

UNICEF and Amadeus partner to enable selected travel providers and sellers to raise funds online for UNICEF

New partnership will enable selected travel providers and sellers to raise funds online for UNICEF Madrid, Spain, 2013-04-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Amadeus, a leading technology partner for the global travel industry, and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, have come together to help shape a better future for the world’s most vulnerable children. The partnership will… Read the full press release

GBTA Asks DOT Not To Approve IATA Resolution 787

Not Enough Clarity to Assess Buyer Benefit or Harm Alexandria, VA, 2013-04-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—the voice of the global business travel industry—today filed comments with the Department of Transportation in Application for Approval of an Agreement (Resolution 787)  by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) filing seeking approval of their… Read the full press release

One of the UK’s leading online travel agencies, On the Beach, signs with Travelport

First GDS relationship for leading OTA to drive new hotel, car and flight content Langley, United Kingdom, 2013-04-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, today announces a new agreement with On the Beach, one of the UK’s leading online travel agencies. The agreement is… Read the full press release

GBTA announces the first step in a global translation project

Association Project Reinforces Commitment to Deliver Global Content Locally   Toronto, ON., 2013-03-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – today announced the first step in a global translation project, with the production of French translations of three key GBTA resources to support French speaking… Read the full press release

Ninth Annual GBTA Canada Conference Continues to Impress

Toronto, ON., 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the premier business travel organization in Canada, concluded its first full-day of their 9th Annual Conference. The conference being held March 25-27, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre includes more than 400 corporate travel professionals from across Canada and around the world, and over 55… Read the full press release

Travelport announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie

Langley, United Kingdom, 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, today announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie, a leading UK independent online travel agency. The new agreement builds upon 15 years’ technology partnership between Travelport and Holiday Genie, one of… Read the full press release

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

TUI connects Hamburg with the Caribbean

TUI connects Hamburg with the Caribbean – Market leader launches full charter long-haul flights from Hamburg in winter 2013/14 / Long-haul trend continues / 30 percent growth in winter Hanover / Hamburg, 2013-03-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Starting in the 2013/14 winter season, TUI will link Hamburg non-stop with the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Barbados. A Boeing… 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

Leading travel and expense management company, Gray Dawes keeps Travelport as technology provider

Langley, UK, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has today announced a new multi-year agreement with Gray Dawes, a leading travel and expense management company, and member of the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC), in the United Kingdom. In addition to this renewal, Gray Dawes also intends… 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