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

BDRC Continental Crowns Hilton Hotels & Resorts UK’s Number One Provider Of Meetings Services

2012 UK MeetingsMetrix Research from BDRC Continental Puts Hilton Ahead of the Pack LONDON and MCLEAN, Va., 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the iconic hotel brand with 70 properties in the UK, has been awarded the title of the country’s number one provider of meetings services. The findings were revealed by renowned market research provider… Read the full press release

November 2012: the ins and outs of Canada travel

Astonishing growth in Brazilian visitor numbers kept total international arrivals to Canada on the up in November 2012, says CTC Tourism Snapshot 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travellers from around the world reached for the skies again in November 2012. According to the Tourism Snapshot hot off the presses from the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s Research department, more than… Read the full press release

Marriott to Double in Size in Thailand: Signs Landmark Deal with TCC Hotels Group for Seven Hotels

Marriott International expects to add 3,000 rooms to its existing portfolio of hotels in the country from 2016. BANGKOK, THAILAND, 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott International today announced the signing of seven management agreements with TCC Hotels Group which will see the US hospitality company operating seven TCC hotels across Thailand. These agreements make the TCC Hotels… Read the full press release

CAA statement on passenger rights claims

2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following this week’s rulings in both the UK and European courts, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today reiterated its advice to passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations. Passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled are entitled to assistance from the airline such as food, drinks and accommodation where necessary. In… Read the full press release

The Loews Regency Hotel Announces Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group As Partner for Hotel’s Two New Restaurants

Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group to open two new restaurants in the historic NYC hotel, which will re-open its doors after its first-ever full renovation in the fall of 2013 New York, NY, 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Loews Regency Hotel announced today a partnership with Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group to open and manage two new restaurants in… Read the full press release

First Great Western and First Capital Connect rail franchises

FIRSTGROUP PLC STATEMENT RE: FIRST GREAT WESTERN AND FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT RAIL FRANCHISES 2013-02-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — In response to the announcement by the Department for Transport (‘DfT’) today, FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, confirms the following with regard to its First Great Western and First Capital Connect rail franchises. The First… Read the full press release

Hull Trains achieves record score for overall customer satisfaction

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Figures released today by Passenger Focus, the independent rail industry passenger champion and watchdog, reveal that First Hull Trains scored 95 per cent in overall customer satisfaction – a seven per cent improvement on the autumn 2011 survey, and two per cent better than the score achieved in spring 2012. The figures put… 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

Loews Hotels Returns to Washington D.C. and Celebrates the Golden Anniversary of The Madison Hotel

WASHINGTON, D.C., 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Loews Hotels & Resorts returns to Washington, D.C. with a new running mate, the Loews Madison Hotel. The hotel, which recently completed a dramatic $23 million renovation, is celebrating 50 years as one of the most distinguished hotels in the nation’s capital. With fifty years of unprecedented success, past presidents, D.C…. Read the full press release

First Capital Connect passenger satisfaction score rises for third year running

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Latest results of a survey by industry rail watchdog Passenger Focus show that overall satisfaction with First Capital Connect (FCC) services has grown for the third year in a row. Of those customers surveyed in autumn 2012, 81% said they were satisfied or very satisfied (a 1% increase year on year, which is… Read the full press release

Gilles Bonnier is appointed Head of Accor’s new Property Management Department

Accor continues to adapt its organization structure and is creating a Property Management Department. 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — As announced by Chairman and CEO Denis Hennequin at the presentation of the half-year results, Accor is redefining its organization structure to create a less capital intensive, more effective business model. Gilles Bonnier is appointed Global Chief Asset and… 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

Customers voice satisfaction for First TransPennine Express

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — First TransPennine Express (FTPE) scored 88 per cent overall satisfaction in the independent National Passenger Survey. The research which canvasses the opinions of around 30,000 passengers was conducted in Autumn 2012. Results released today show that the train operator has improved in 19 of the 36 categories (since Autumn 2011) with customers particularly… Read the full press release

Jersey Tourism Shadow Board Chairman appointed

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the recent States decision to appoint a Shadow Board for Jersey Tourism, local businessman John Henwood has been appointed Chairman. The Board’s role carries a number of responsibilities, but the principal task is to advise the Minister for Economic Development on the optimum operational and governance structure for the future of tourism… Read the full press release

GHA Discovery Reaches Three Millionth Member Mark

Geneva, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Three is the magic number for the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) as it is on the verge of welcoming its three millionth member to its GHA Discovery loyalty programme which was launched in June 2010. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent… Read the full press release

Meliá to focus on globalisation in 2013 to strengthen its leadership and adapt to market conditions

With a consistent growth plan, the company added 15 hotels in 2012, with 80% of the room outside Spain The hotel company has doubled its portfolio in the last two years in Asia-Pacific, which will remain a strategic focus for growth Gabriel Escarrer announces openings in 2013 in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Germany and Austria, amongst… Read the full press release

Priority Club® Rewards Launches Cars Anywhere Rental Programme

New point redemption option adds instant car rentals to hotel loyalty programme’s travel offerings LONDON, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) Priority Club® Rewards, the first, fastest-growing and largest guest loyalty programme in the hotel industry, has launched a new point redemption programme for car rentals called Cars Anywhere. This new offering joins Priority Club’s suite… Read the full press release

AEROFLOT COMPLETED SALE OF JSC “AEROFIRST”

Moscow, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ —  JSC “Aeroflot – Russian Airlines” completed sale of CJSC “Aerofirst” stake to CJSC “ARIAL”. Sold equity stake amounts to 200 ordinary registered uncertificated shares, which total 66.66% of CJSC “Aerofirst” issued shares. The decision on cessation of shareholding in CJSC “Aerofirst” was taken by the Board of Directors of JSC “Aeroflot” on December… Read the full press release

McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Convention & Visitors Bureau unveil revamped websites

McKINNEY, TEXAS, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Prospective businesses and visitors alike now have new convenient tools to locate information about McKinney easily. The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) have rolled out new websites recently. Both sites underwent a transformation with the goal of a more user-friendly and easily navigated… Read the full press release

Iberia presenta a los sindicatos una nueva propuesta para lograr que Iberia sea viable

Desarrolla el acuerdo alcanzado en el Sima el pasado 17 de diciembre. Supone una reducción de plantilla de 3.147 personas, un 30 por ciento inferior al plan inicial de la compañía de 4.500. También la reducción salarial es menor, pasando a ser del 11 para Tierra y del 23 por ciento para TCP y pilotos… Read the full press release

KCI Airport Passenger Traffic Down Four Percent in 2012

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — The City of Kansas City, Mo., Aviation Department reports that Kansas City International Airport recorded 742,883 passengers arriving and departing through its gates in December, which represents a decrease of 11.4 percent from December 2011. Passenger boardings at KCI were down 11.6 percent, with a total of 377,375 during December. For the year… Read the full press release

Leaders of ten governmental entities sign off on collaborative, regional approach to airport-area development

IND AeroVision Committee to emphasize project-focused work INDIANAPOLIS, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — The municipal government leadership representing communities near the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) have signed the IND AeroVision Interlocal Cooperation Agreement designed to promote mutually beneficial project planning and development among participating entities. The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) joins the City of Indianapolis; the City-County Council of… Read the full press release

Merwin Grayson Jr. Appointed to Airport Board

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Merwin Grayson Jr. has been appointed to the Kenton County Airport Board by Steve Arlinghaus, Kenton County/Judge Executive. Grayson is President of Central Bank Northern Kentucky. He began his banking career with First National Bank of Cincinnati in 1964 and has been a banking leader for decades throughout Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. “I… Read the full press release

JANUARY ISSUE OF LAX CONNECTION E-NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

Los Angeles, California, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — The January issue of LAX Connection E-newsletter is now available online at http://www.lawa.org/LAWANewsletters.aspx.  The newsletter provides information to the public and the travel-tourism industry about Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) passenger services and air service developments. This issue features news on United Airlines launching a new same-day baggage delivery service; a hotline offering construction… Read the full press release

Major bond sale for San Diego International Airport receives significantly low borrowing cost

SAN DIEGO, 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Completion of a major bond sale for San Diego International Airport (SDIA) was recently announced by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. $379.6 million in Senior Airport Revenue Bonds were issued. Proceeds will provide the remaining debt funding necessary to complete The Green Build Terminal 2 expansion program and a… Read the full press release

Van Nuys Airport Earns National Award for Airport Training Excellence

Van Nuys, CA., 2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Van Nuys Airport has earned an ANTN Digicast Excellence in Airport Training award for training completed in calendar year 2012. The award, presented by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), signifies that Van Nuys Airport’semployees have completed a specified amount of federally mandated airport-specific and continuing education training using ANTN Digicast’s… Read the full press release

Bristol Airport helps raise a smile for local children’s hospice

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Bristol Airport has got 2013 off to a flying start for a local charity by announcing that over the last year it has raised £20,000 for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Airport employees nominated CHSW as their charity of the year for 2012, with staff organising a variety of fundraising activities throughout the… Read the full press release

oneworld adds more benefits for top tier frequent flyers

2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — oneworld® today unveiled two more benefits for the most regular customers of its member airlines, as part of its strategy of positioning itself as the first choice airline alliance for frequent international travelers. From midnight tonight, frequent flyer cardholders with oneworld Emerald status will be entitled to: An extra checked baggage allowance, above the standard… Read the full press release

KLM adds capacity on Bristol-Amsterdam service

Embraer 190 will bring extra seats and enhanced product  2013-01-31 — /travelprnews.com/ — Bristol Airport’s link with award winning European hub, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is set to be strengthened this spring when Dutch airline, KLM, introduces additional capacity on its four-times daily service between Bristol and Amsterdam Schiphol. KLM will increase capacity by over 12% from the… Read the full press release