The Most Decorated Fútbol Player in History Will Welcome the World’s Best Family Vacation at an Exclusive Celebration in January 2024 (IN SHORT) Royal Caribbean International has announced that sports icon Lionel Messi will be the official Icon of their upcoming cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set to debut in January 2024. Messi, regarded… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) River Wonders, part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, bid farewell to giant panda cub Le Le as he prepared to join China’s giant panda conservation program. Approximately 1,000 guests attended a farewell party at the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest to celebrate Le Le’s departure. The event featured heartwarming stories and a communal… Read the full press release
Blue Skies is the first new permanent art installation since 2008 (IN SHORT) The Indianapolis International Airport has introduced “Blue Skies,” a captivating suspended art sculpture created by local artist Brenna McCarty. This remarkable installation, supported by a grant from the Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, marks the airport’s first permanent art addition in… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is gearing up for the upcoming summer travel season, which begins on March 31, 2024, by enhancing its flight offerings and increasing capacity for flights to the USA and Asia. (PRESS RELEASE) Stockholm, Sweden, 2023-Dec-17 — /Travel PR News/ — To accommodate the rising demand for travel to the USA… Read the full press release
New pick up/drop off area to open early in the new year Projected to more than double the amount of public pick up/drop off area currently on offer (320m or a 200% increase) Built for 650 vehicles throughput p/hr at peak times Transport Hub development paves the way for new domestic terminal development Carparks and… Read the full press release
Busiest travel days revealed, with the days leading into Christmas set to be the busiest, with 17,900 travellers expected to depart internationally on Friday 22 December Preparations for the busy summer period have been well underway and it’s a great opportunity for ‘Airport Dad’ spotting Extra ‘Santa’s elves’ on hand to help travellers get away… Read the full press release
EFTA has graduated over 162 cadets to-date, currently has over 300 cadets enrolled (IN SHORT) Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) marked another significant milestone with the graduation of 58 cadet pilots who have completed rigorous training. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, faculty, graduates, and their families. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) dnata, a global provider of air services, has been honored with the “Ground Support Services Provider of the Year” award at the 2023 Aviator Middle East Awards for the 13th time and fourth consecutive year. The award was accepted by Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Senior Vice President, Airport Operations UAE and MEA, who was… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest has appointed Adrien Poul as its Director of Food and Beverage, leveraging his over a decade of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. Adrien’s journey began at École Hôtelière de Paris Jean Drouant, where he developed his passion for the industry and honed his culinary skills. He… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Caprice, the renowned three-Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong, is hosting a culinary extravaganza to celebrate Executive Chef Guillaume Galliot’s 20th anniversary in Asia. From January 17 to 20, 2024, Chef Guillaume will be joined by 26 world-renowned chefs, boasting over 30 Michelin stars combined, to curate a… Read the full press release
The all-suites hotel brand welcomes its 500th hotel in Virginia, the state where TownePlace Suites first debuted in 1997 (IN SHORT) TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, is celebrating the opening of its 500th hotel with the launch of TownePlace Suites Richmond Colonial Heights in Virginia, the same state where… Read the full press release
Calls to follow other countries in setting mandates for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Support for reform to the slot system at Sydney Airport Push for more effective regulation of airports Outlines recent improvements Qantas has made to customer experience, complaint handling (IN SHORT) The Qantas Group has submitted its response to the Federal Government’s Aviation Green… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Booking Holdings Inc. has announced the appointment of Ewout Steenbergen as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective March 15, 2024. Steenbergen, previously the CFO at S&P Global, will lead Booking Holdings’ global finance organization, overseeing various key functions. He will report directly to Glenn Fogel, the CEO, and will… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has unveiled the most popular in-flight entertainment choices among its passengers for the year 2023. From blockbuster movies like “Avatar: The Way of Water” to beloved TV series like “Friends” and a diverse range of music, travelers on Emirates flights enjoyed a wide array of entertainment options…. Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) dnata, a global air and travel services provider, has announced the appointment of Willy Ruf as the Managing Director for Switzerland. In his new role, Willy will be responsible for overseeing dnata’s ground handling and cargo business operations at Geneva Airport (GVA) and Zürich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland. He will lead a team… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Japan Airlines (JAL) has achieved recognition in the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific Index) for the second consecutive year, attaining the highest score in the airline industry category. The DJSI is a renowned Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment index that evaluates the sustainability efforts of over 13,000 global… Read the full press release
Loyalty Program doubles the number of college sports experiences redeemable for 2024 season after 24 football experiences sold out in 12 hours after launch (IN SHORT) Choice Privileges, the loyalty program of Choice Hotels International, is expanding its popular college sports gameday experiences to include basketball and hockey. In collaboration with Learfield, a media and… Read the full press release
Company’s Expertise and Experience in Integrating Hotel Brands Results in Rapid Onboarding of Hundreds of Radisson Properties (IN SHORT) Choice Hotels has achieved a significant milestone by completing the integration of the Radisson Hotels Americas brands, just 16 months after acquiring them in August 2022. The integration involved migrating hundreds of Radisson Americas hotels onto… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Marriott International’s EDITION brand has opened its second Tokyo location, The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza, in collaboration with renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. This boutique hotel offers a unique blend of modern luxury and traditional Japanese culture in the vibrant Ginza district. The hotel features a Japanese-tinged modern brasserie, innovative bar concepts, including Japan’s… Read the full press release
Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer members can enjoy more ways to earn rewards and accelerate to higher membership statuses (IN SHORT) Marriott International and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced an expansion of their strategic partnership, providing members of Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer with more ways to maximize their loyalty program benefits. Eligible members of both programs… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay, the latest addition to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Holiday Inn brand, has officially opened its doors in the heart of Dubai’s business and recreation hub. The hotel offers 275 modern guest rooms and suites equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and some with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa. One… Read the full press release
Located on Hayat Island, the developement will be designed to meet the needs of extended-stay business and leisure travellers. (IN SHORT) RAK Properties PJSC, a leading property developer in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced an expansion of its partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts with the introduction of “Staybridge Suites Mina Al Arab” on Hayat… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) IHG® Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company, has signed a management agreement with A.R Resorts & Hotels Pvt Ltd to develop voco Amritsar Airport, a new 139-key hotel in Amritsar, India. Set to open in December 2024, this marks the brand’s fifth voco hotel in India and its first in the… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) KLM has announced its intention to appoint Bas Brouns as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Managing Director, effective April 24, 2024. He will take over from Erik Swelheim, who will step down as KLM’s CFO after serving for 12 years. Bas Brouns, currently the Senior Vice President Corporate Controller at KLM, brings nearly… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) Swissport has secured an extension of its operational license for the prestigious Skyview Lounge at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, valid until 2030. In a competitive tender, Swissport presented an investment and refurbishment plan, elevating the lounge experience with its renowned ASPIRE brand. The comprehensive renovation will introduce distinct lounge segments, including Skycafé for a cozy… Read the full press release
(IN SHORT) The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has successfully completed the Gastronomy Tourism Project in Ubud, Indonesia. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, seeks to establish Ubud as a global center for sustainable gastronomy tourism. The project, initiated in 2018 but paused during the pandemic, resumed… Read the full press release
Agadir joins British Airways’ short-haul network from London Gatwick (IN SHORT) In an effort to enhance its route network, British Airways is set to introduce several exciting additions. The airline is returning to Agadir, Morocco, offering a four-times weekly service from London Gatwick starting March 31, 2024, after more than a decade’s absence. Additionally, British… Read the full press release
From January 2024, Qatari retirement card holders will be entitled to discounts of 25 per cent for First and Business class tickets, and 50 per cent for Economy class tickets on all Qatar Airways flights, along with other benefits Qatar Airways Group GCEO described the announcement as a way to give back to the community… Read the full press release
Qatar Airways and Iberia now jointly offer three daily flights between the Spanish and Qatari capital cities, further strengthening the long-standing cooperation between IAG, Iberia’s parent company, and the Qatar Airways Group. Iberia will also join and significantly expand the existing strategic alliance between British Airways and Qatar Airways, with the three carriers operating the… Read the full press release
Engr. Badr Al-Meer is also announced as a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) (IN SHORT) Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group, has been elected to the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA represents approximately 320 airlines worldwide,… Read the full press release