The 3rd Silk Road Task Force Meeting defines future Silk Road Action Plan

Madrid/Baku, 2013-04-25— /travelprnews.com/ — Delegates from over 15 countries and representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations, gathered around the 3rd meeting of the Task Force of the Silk Road Task Force (22-23 April, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan). The strong… Read the full press release

PATA Youth Forum: Smart Businesses Are Embracing the Youth Travel Segment

Bangkok, 2013-04-25— /travelprnews.com/ — Next Gen travel industry professionals shared their forthright views with over 150 travel industry students and young professionals at the PATA Youth Forum on April 25 at Thammasat University in Bangkok. Interactive sessions debated on how new generations are finding, searching and connecting to travel and tourism industry now and in the… Read the full press release

The Pacific Asia Travel Association & PolyU released joint publication – Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2013-2017

Hong Kong and Bangkok, 2013-04-25— /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management (PolyU) released their joint publication, the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2013-2017, today. The new forecasts on the complete visitor economy will make it easier for tourism organisations to anticipate demand trends and… Read the full press release

Jersey’s Atlantic Hotel listed as one of the ‘50 Best British hotels’ by the Independent newspaper

2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Jersey’s Atlantic Hotel is this week celebrating being listed as one of the ‘50 Best British hotels’ by the Independent newspaper. The annual list, which appeared in the Independent’s Saturday Radar Magazine on 20th April, offers the experts’ guide to the nation’s greatest places to get away from it all. Highlighted in… Read the full press release

150 people have made it through to the next stage of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition

2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — 150 people from 35 countries have made it through to the next stage of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition, with successful candidates submitting video entries from as far afield as Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia and Mexico. Entries have proved extremely diverse and creative, including one Taste Master applicant… Read the full press release

Wyndham Worldwide Named Among DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity

Parsippany, N.J., 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of world’s largest hospitality companies, was named to DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity. This is the Company’s first year in the Top 50. The DiversityInc Top 50 includes companies from a wide range of industries whose leadership, procurement practices, communications and training best reflect… Read the full press release

Singapore Airlines To Increase Stake In Virgin Australia

2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Singapore Airlines has agreed to acquire another 9.9% of Virgin Australia in a move that will increase its stake to 19.9%. The strategic stake will be acquired through the purchase of shares held by the Virgin Group. Singapore Airlines will purchase 255.5 million shares at 48 Australian cents per share for a… Read the full press release

NEARLY 300 HOTELIERS CONVERGE ON CAPITOL HILL

AH&LA members provide Congress with direction on key issues 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Nearly 300 hoteliers from across the country are on Capitol Hill today as part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2013 Legislative Action Summit (LAS). In nearly 200 appointments with key members of the House and Senate, delegates are sharing personal… Read the full press release

Aeroflot is in the List of Global 2000 Leading Companies published by Forbes

2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — OJSC “Aeroflot – Russian Airlines” is in the List of Global 2000 Leading Companies. Two thousand biggest public companies from 63 countries are shown in one of the most prestigious business ratings annually published by Forbes since 2004. Aeroflot’s place among “the biggest, most powerful listed companies in the world” was determined… Read the full press release

SSP staff at Liverpool John Lennon Airport raise thousands for UK children’s charity, When you Wish Upon a Star

2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Last week saw SSP, located at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA), raise £3,700 for UK children’s charity, When you Wish Upon a Star. SSP has six catering outlets located within LJLA’s terminal building and all have been involved in this year’s drive to raise money for the charity, which aims to grant… Read the full press release

IATA launches New Distribution Capability (NDC) blog

Promoting Better Understanding of NDC Geneva, 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched a New Distribution Capability (NDC) blog. The blog site will present program updates, commentary and thought leadership pieces regarding the NDC initiative. Since the approval of Resolution 787 last October a vigorous public debate has evolved on how NDC—a new… Read the full press release

AIRPORT CITIES EARMARKED AS MAJOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DRIVERS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND GLOBALLY

Hosting the 2013 Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition (ACE) from 24 – 26 April – a major coup for Ekurhuleni / O.R. Tambo International Airport Ekurhuleni, South Africa, 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — Airports Company South Africa’s network of nine airports provides the connectivity, accessibility and location for economic growth and development locally and globally. The… Read the full press release

Spirit Airlines donates $10,000 to JDRF

Miramar, Florida, 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — In February, as one of Spirit Airlines’ many efforts of giving back to the local communities it serves, the airline launched its online Spirit Destination Give program in Houston. Spirit teamed up with a variety of organizations in the Houston area to generate awareness and support for five worthy causes,… Read the full press release

Gatwick calls for night flight quota limits to remain the same

Night flights are crucial for the economy in terms of tourism and trade Current night quota is key for creating new routes and passenger growth 2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — London Gatwick has asked that its current night flight quota remains consistent for the next regime in its response to the Department for Transport’s Night Flying Restrictions… Read the full press release

Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport Enterprise Zone becomes one of the largest planning free development areas in the UK

2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Aerohub @ Newquay Cornwall Airport Enterprise Zone was today established as one of the largest planning free development areas in the UK, after it was awarded its second Local Development Order (LDO). The new LDO provides a simplified planning process and allows development on the Aerohub site without the need for planning permission,… Read the full press release

The Holiday Inn Resort® Brand Launches “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” Offer

Priority Club® Rewards members can earn up to $100 gift card for consecutive nights stays this spring ATLANTA, 2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Your next vacation escape is just a plane, train or automobile ride away, and the Holiday Inn Resort brand wants to help get you there. IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced the Holiday Inn Resort® brand’s… Read the full press release

Fairmont expands sustainability efforts

Luxury brand expands its sustainability efforts to more effectively support its communities and achieve positive, long term change  2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — More than two decades after Fairmont Hotels & Resorts led the foray into environmental stewardship with the launch of its highly acclaimed and industry-leading Green Partnership program, the luxury hotel brand is again raising the bar… Read the full press release

Club Carlson to be the first hotel loyalty programme to commit to global carbon offsetting initiative

2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — Club CarlsonSM, the global loyalty programme for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, announced today, Earth Day, that Club Carlson has become the first loyalty programme in the hospitality industry to commit to a global carbon offsetting initiative. Carlson Rezidor will offset meetings for all Club Carlson For Planners meetings and events across the… Read the full press release

AAAE Calls on FAA to More Strategically Manage Controller Furloughs

Alexandria, VA, 2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — AAAE Gov President Todd Hauptli issued the following statement today on behalf of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in response to the wide-scale furloughing of air traffic controllers by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a result of sequestration and across-the-board budget cuts: “Sequestration was avoidable and so… Read the full press release

A year after the launch of PLANET 21, Accor plans to strengthen its leadership position in sustainable hospitality

2013-04-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — After nearly 20 years of environmental commitment, last April 21, Accor again demonstrated its pioneering spirit when it launched PLANET 21. A year on, the group’s sustainable development program has won over customers and employees alike and modified behaviors. The first results, both environmental and societal, are already visible! “Here we are… Read the full press release

Hard Rock International appoints Tim Maland as President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England

West Springfield, Mass., 2013-04-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hard Rock International – one of the world’s most-recognizable and iconic brands – is excited to announce Tim Maland, a seasoned executive in the resort and casino industry, as president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England. In his new role, Maland will lead the pre-development efforts for… Read the full press release

RwandAir Places Firm Order for Dual-Class Bombardier Q400 NextGen Airliner

Airline will become 12th operator of Q400 aircraft in Africa Toronto, 2013-04-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — Bombardier Aerospace and RwandAir of Kigali, Rwanda announced today that RwandAir has signed a firm purchase agreement for one Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner. Based on the list price of the Q400 NextGenaircraft, the order is valued at approximately $33 million US…. Read the full press release

Iberia, una de las empresas más atractivas para trabajar

En la cuarta edición de los Ranstad Award Madrid, 2013-04-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — Randstad, empresa líder en soluciones de recursos humanos en España y Portugal, y segundo mayor grupo del mundo, acaba de publicar los resultados de la cuarta edición de sus “Ranstad Award”, en el que basándose en la opinión de 7.000 personas en España, eligen… Read the full press release

Lufthansa: Near-normal operations to resume on Tuesday

Early shift will be on duty at German airports – Only minimal disruption expected over the next few days following today’s strike action 2013-04-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — After today’s flight cancellations due to the widespread warning strike called by the ver.di trade union, Lufthansa expects to return to a near-normal schedule tomorrow, Tuesday 23 April 2013…. Read the full press release

The Chicago Department of Aviation announces new Green Concessions Policy for O’Hare and Midway International Airports

CHICAGO, 2013-04-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — In honor of Earth Day 2013, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announces it has adopted a new Green Concessions Policy and Guide to Green Concessions Operations intended to provide concessionaires at O’Hare and Midway International Airports with guidance and standards for providing a more customer-friendly environment and experience that is healthier for passengers, employees and the… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines appoints Craig Maccubbin as New Chief Technology Officer

2013-04-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines today announced Craig Maccubbin will join the airline as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President of Technology Operations, effective May 6, 2013. In his new position, Maccubbin will be responsible for the Technology Operations for the airline, which includes all current Infrastructure and Services areas and Mobile… Read the full press release

airberlin and JatAirways plan codeshare agreement

2013-04-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — airberlin and JatAirways, the national carrier of Serbia, are planning a codeshare agreement, which will be put in place in the course of this summer. The agreement is aimed at collaboration between the two airlines on selected routes within Europe and to the United States of America. airberlin plans to place its… Read the full press release

The Heathrow Community Fund is looking for new Trustees

A grant making charity, set up by Heathrow Airport to help local communities, is looking for new Trustees. 2013-04-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Heathrow Community Fund has donated more than £1 million to local community projects in the past two years. Its grants come from three sources – an annual donation from Heathrow Airport, donations from… Read the full press release

Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak appointed as Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand

Bangkok, 2013-04-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Career politician and former provincial governor Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak has been appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports, effective April 9. He replaces the late Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa, who passed away last January 2013. Born 15 November 1951, Mr. Somsak is an electrical engineer by training and also holds a Master’s degree in… Read the full press release

Courtyard by Marriott continues expansion throughout Europe with New Hotel in Russia

London, 2013-04-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — As Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) continues its expansion throughout Europe, the company has announced plans to open its first hotel in Ulyanovsk, Russia, the 135-room Courtyard by Marriott Ulyanovsk.  The official signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Mr. Sergey Morozov.  The hotel, which will be… Read the full press release