agoda.com lights up Thailand with fabulous Loy Kratong deals

agoda.com lights up Thailand with fabulous Loy Kratong deals

2012-11-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq: PCLN), is helping travelers find great deals during Loy Kratong, Thailand’s most romantic and beautiful festival. Falling on the night of the 12th full moon – which this year is November 28th – it’s a tradition that dates back… Read the full press release

One Billion Tourists: One billion Opportunities – new UNWTO campaign calls on one billion tourists to make their actions count

Madrid,2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Small changes in travel behavior can contribute to positive change throughout the world. With one billion tourists traveling the world in a single year in 2012, transforming these one billion tourists into one billion opportunities is at the heart of the online campaign launched by UNWTO to celebrate this historic milestone. Recalling… Read the full press release

PATA and Travel Industry Criticize UK APD at the House of Commons

PATA and Travel Industry Criticize UK APD at the House of Commons

LONDON, 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) held a politicians’ and travel industry leaders’ dinner in the House of Commons in London, November 5. The aim was to draw attention to unfair taxation and ill thought-out schemes that are hurting the travel industry, especially UK outbound travel to longhaul destinations. The main… Read the full press release

IATA Successfully Developing MENA Aviation

Algiers – 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) outlined five areas in which opportunities exist to further develop aviation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to benefit the region’s economies. “MENA is a growing force in aviation. For example, over the last decade, the Middle East share of global international… Read the full press release

Chicago Hosts Fifth Annual Airports Going Green Conference

Airport CEOs discuss the airport sustainablity vision. (L-r) Panel moderator Tudor Van Hampton, Engineering News Record; Mark Gale, CEO, Philadelphia International Airport; Jeffrey Fegan, CEO, Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport; Jim Elwood, Aviation Director, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport; John Potter, President and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority and Rosemarie S. Andolino, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)

CHICAGO, 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The future of airport sustainability, aviation biofuels, green concessions, “net zero” energy strategies, as well as FAA reauthorization and sustainability mandates, are among the key topics of discussion at the Airports Going Green conference hosted by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in Chicago. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel welcomed the conference attendees… Read the full press release

LOT Polish Airlines obtained financing for purchase of Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Warsaw,2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today at the Polish Embassy in Washington Marcin Piróg, CEO of LOT Polish Airlines, Fred Hochberg, Chairman & President of Export-Import Bank of the United States and Jon Byron, Vice-President of Apple Bank for Savings signed the agreement for financing of the first of five Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, covered by the… Read the full press release

Hilton Worldwide Announces Opening of DoubleTree by Hilton in Merida, Mexico’s Yucatan Capital

Former Mansion Welcomes Guests to Historic Experience MCLEAN, Va. and MERIDA, Mexico – 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of a DoubleTree by Hilton in Merida – the largest city and capital of Mexico’s state of Yucatan.  Built around an early 20th century mansion, the four-story DoubleTree by Hilton Merida welcomes guests… Read the full press release

Travelport and Alitalia agree merchandising distribution

Italian carrier to distribute seats, bags, lounge access, insurance… Langley, 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, and Alitalia, Compagnia Aerea Italiana, today announce the implementation of a new agreement for the distribution of ancillary services to Travelport-connected agencies in Italy and worldwide. Fulfilled seamlessly via an electronic miscellaneous document… Read the full press release

Expansion of Accor in a new country with the signing of two hotels in Bangladesh

The Group continues to strengthen its network throughout South Asia 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator, announces that it will enter Bangladesh, the Group’s 17th market in Asia-Pacific. Accor will open two properties in the country under management contracts – Novotel Dhaka Gulshan Avenue in the country’s capital and Novotel Chittagong. These developments will add over… Read the full press release

FirstGroup Awarded Prestigious Accreditation for its Supplier Relationship Management Programme

2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The UK’s largest transport operator, FirstGroup, has become just the 25th company and the first public transport operator to be awarded the prestigious British standard, BS11000. BS11000 is the world’s first national standard for ‘collaborative business relationships’.  In achieving BS110000 status, FirstGroup, through its internal Supplier Relationship Management Programme, has formalised and… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels Group Third Quarter Results to 30 September 2012

2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Solid third quarter performance Financial summary1 2012 2011 Actual % Change YoY CER2 CER & ex. LDs3 Revenue $473m $467m 1% 3% 4% Operating profit $167m $153m 9% 9% 14% Total adjusted EPS 40.6¢ 36.2¢ 12% Total basic EPS4 59.8¢ 61.4¢ (3)% Net debt $472m $644m 1 All figures are before exceptional items… Read the full press release

Huge Chinese Incentive Group to Convene in Thailand in November

Bangkok, 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — More than 10,000 employees of leading Chinese health food supplement company Pro-Health are to be in Thailand between 4-20 November as part of their incentive award for meeting sales targets. The award-winners, who will split their annual conference and associated events between Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Pattaya, are the… Read the full press release

Revinate Goes Global

Revinate Goes Global with Increased Language Support and Regional Offices to Answer Growing Worldwide Demand for Online Reputation and Social Media Management Revinate Adds 12 of the World’s Most Common Languages to Upgraded Platform; New Release Supports Growing International Customer Base Featuring Top Global Brands in 120 Countries San Francisco, Calif.—2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Revinate, the new… Read the full press release

Marriott Honors Top Franchisees for 2012

Marriott Honors Top Franchisees for 2012

Prestigious Partnership Circle Award Given to Five Marriott Franchise Companies 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott International honored top full service franchise partners at their annual MINA Conference held last week at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort in Florida. Five companies – E.J. Del Monte Corporation, JHM Hotels, PCH Hotels & Resorts, White Lodging Services and… Read the full press release

Holiday Inn Express conversions open in Braintree, Shrewsbury and Birmingham UK

2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG has signed and opened three new Holiday Inn Express hotels in the United Kingdom following their fast track conversion from Hampton by Hilton. The hotels will be managed by Kew Green IHG Chief Development Officer Europe, Robert Shepherd, said the owner’s decision to convert the properties to Holiday Inn Express hotels was… Read the full press release

Schiphol hosts ACI Airport Exchange 2012

Over 1,500 aviation experts to convene in Amsterdam 2012-11-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — From Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 November, Schiphol Group will be hosting the Airport Exchange 2012, a leading conference for airports in Europe and Asia, organised in conjunction with Airport Council International. Over 1,500 aviation professionals will be convening at the RAI Conference Centre… Read the full press release

Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao Appoints Michael Williamson As General Manager

Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao today announced appointment of Michael Williamson as general manager. Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

SHANGHAI – 2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao today announced appointment of Michael Williamson as general manager. Michael’s experience in the hospitality industry spans nearly 30 years, of which the last 17 years with Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Until taking over the helm at Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao, Michael was the general manager of various prestigious… Read the full press release

August 2012: the long and short of travel to Canada

August 2012 the long and short of travel to Canada

Americans headed north in droves this past summer, according to latest CTC Tourism Snapshot 2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer witnessed millions of international visitors to Canada. Approximately 2.5 million travellers came for an overnight trip to Canada in August 2012, reports the new Tourism Snapshot, just off the Canadian Tourism Commission… Read the full press release

PATA Announces the 2nd China Responsible Tourism Forum

Bangkok, 2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ —   The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in collaboration with the Marketing & International Cooperation Department of China National Tourism Administration and the ASEAN-China Centre, will organise the 2nd China Responsible Tourism Forum (CRTF) on November 16, 2012 at the Parkview Hotel in Shanghai, China. PATA CEO, Martin Craigs, said: “We were… Read the full press release

PhoCusWright Joins PATA as a Preferred Partner

Bangkok, 2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce PhoCusWright as a new PATA Preferred Partner. PhoCusWright is the research authority providing information and analysis in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. It is headquartered in the United States with Asia Pacific operations based in India and local analysts on five continents…. Read the full press release

Consumers to benefit from Air New Zealand/ Cathay Pacific strategic agreement on New Zealand–Hong Kong route

2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific today announced a new strategic agreement on services operated by both airlines between New Zealand and Hong Kong, effective from 31 January 2013. Sales will commence on 12 December 2012. The agreement between the two airlines has received the required regulatory approval and is expected to… Read the full press release

DoubleTree by Hilton Signs its Third Scottish Hotel

Hilton Worldwide’s Fastest Growing Full-Service Brand Continues its Rapid Growth across the UK DUNDEE, Scotland – 2012-11-05 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with BDL Select Operations Limited, to open DoubleTree by Hilton Dundee, the brand’s third property in Scotland, joining hotels in Dunblane and Aberdeen. The deal will… Read the full press release

Jersey – Bus Timetable Changes proposed for January

2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — In partnership with new bus operator CT Plus Jersey, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services is putting forward alterations to bus timetables from 2 January 2013, as the first stage in a series of proposed changes towards a vision of a better bus service that meets the needs of Jersey. Most… Read the full press release

New research to help Australian tourism reach its potential

Key facts A major international tourism research project into how global consumers view Australia and what most motivates them to visit has been unveiled by Tourism Australia, identifying the barriers and ‘triggers’ to travel to our country. The original research, commissioned by Tourism Australia and conducted by leading marketing research consultancy BDA Marketing Planning, was… Read the full press release

Australian tourism industry moving in right direction

Key facts Details of Australia’s biggest ever global youth campaign and new consumer insights – were key highlights of the peak annual Australian Tourism Directions Conference, held today at Parliament House, Canberra. Over 300 industry leaders were told that Tourism Australia will build on the work it does with the global youth market as part… Read the full press release

EnglandExpert.com – Making England the Specialist Subject of Choice

VisitEngland’s New Online Training Scheme Sees 100 sign-ups in its First Week 2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Earlier this month at the ABTA Convention 2012, VisitEngland demonstrated its commitment to the travel trade by launching a new, comprehensive strategy aimed at inspiring and supporting travel agents and operators to sell more English holidays than ever before. Fundamental… Read the full press release

Flybe calls on Gatwick Airport to explain increased costs

Europe’s largest regional airline is serial recipient of ‘Gatwick Gold’ for on-time performance yet penalised with rising airport costs 2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Having, for the fifth consecutive Quarter,  been the recipient of London Gatwick Airport’s Gold Award for on-time punctuality, Flybe has once more renewed its call on the airport’s owners to explain why they… Read the full press release

AAAE Reorganization Creates Government, Meetings/International Business Units To Better Focus On Core Member Needs

Alexandria, Va. — 2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) CEO Charles Barclay announced today that he is reorganizing AAAE to acknowledge the reality of its growth into significant, varied business lines to better serve the association’s members. The reorganization creates two new business lines, AAAE Gov and AAAE Meetings and International, and names… Read the full press release

FREE VISITBRITAIN IMAGES SITE LAUNCHED FOR PRESS

FREE VISITBRITAIN IMAGES SITE LAUNCHED FOR PRESS

2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — VisitBritain can today announce the re-launch of its free image library www.visitbritainimages.com where thousands of high quality inspiring images will be available for media and the travel industry.   Press and trade will have access to dedicated areas with a refreshed collection of 3,500 photos. These pages will showcase featured images and Press will… Read the full press release

Australian Tourism Directions Conference – Geoff Dixon Speech

Australian Tourism Directions Conference - Geoff Dixon Speech

Full story My thanks to Martin Ferguson for his leadership of our industry since 2007. 2012-11-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Along with his many achievements, he has been a passionate advocate for quality – in terms of the Australian product, service and, of course, our marketing. These sentiments align perfectly with where Tourism Australia sees the future…. Read the full press release