QATAR AIRWAYS CONGRATULATES WINNER AT WORLD SQUASH TOURNAMENT IN DOHA

World Champion Ramy Ashour from Egypt wins this year’s squash tournament in Doha

Airline Title Sponsor Of Key Sporting Event Doha, QATAR — 2012-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qatar Airways, Official Airline of the Men’s Qatar PSA World Championship 2012, congratulates World Champion Ramy Ashour from Egypt on winning this year’s squash tournament in Doha. In what can only be described as exhilarating, Ashour defeated fellow countryman Mohamed El Shorbagy… Read the full news article

airberlin connects Berlin and Madrid with daily non-stop flight

Inaugural flight takes off on 25th February 2013 Berlin hub offers seamless connection to destinations in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe 2012-12-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — airberlin is continuing to expand its network and will fly non-stop from Berlin to Madrid from 25th February 2013. Thanks to the daily non-stop flight, airberlin is sustainably strengthening its presence in… Read the full news article

2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards go back to the future

2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards go back to the future

CTC’s annual event honours the best media coverage, tour operator and more in the UK 2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Groovy, baby! The UK office of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) dug out its flares and tie-dye shirts for the 2012 British Annual Canada Travel Awards (BACTA). This year’s 23rd iteration celebrated 50 years of a tourism office… Read the full news article

Marriott Hotels & Resorts and WIRED Hosted an Evening of Music & Art to Entertain and Inspire

Marriott Hotels & Resorts and WIRED Hosted an Evening of Music & Art to Entertain and Inspire

An Evening of Innovative & Interactive Cultural Experiences with Critically Acclaimed Artist Todd McLellan and DJ KISS.    2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the signature brand of Marriott International, and WIRED, hosted Collective ReMix on Thursday, December 13, at the WIRED Store in New York City. Marriott Hotels & Resorts and WIRED curated… Read the full news article

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara To Join The IRFU As Ryanair Advertises “The Worst Job In PR”

2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Ireland’s favourite airline, today (Dec 14th) announced that Stephen McNamara, after 4 years of being battered and abused by Michael O’Leary on one side and the European media on the other, has decided to pursue an easier life and will, in February next, join the IRFU as their Director of Communications…. Read the full news article

VisitEngland congratulates Yorkshire on Tour de France bid

2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — In reaction to Yorkshire winning the bid to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive James Berresford said: “Congratulations to Yorkshire on winning the bid to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2014. This is a fantastic opportunity for Yorkshire and will showcase to… Read the full news article

New Hampton Inn Opens in Limerick

95-room property brings Hamptonality to Pennsylvania LIMERICK, Pa. – 2012-12-15 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hampton Hotels, the global brand of nearly 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced the official opening of its newest property, the 95-room Hampton Inn Limerick located at 430 Linfield Trappe Road. “Hampton combines quality, innovation,… Read the full news article

St. Kitts and Nevis Demonstrates Global Leadership At Innovative Sustainable Tourism Awareness Forum

Forum Participants Identify and Develop Four Exciting New Sustainable Tourism Projects BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — In collaboration with Sustainable Travel International, the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Tourism and International Transport convened the island nation’s first-ever Sustainable Tourism Awareness Forum in late November. The forum brought together nearly 50 representatives… Read the full news article

Le Club Accorhotels goes mobile!

A new service for loyalty program members  2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — For its 10 million members, Le Club Accorhotels, the Accor Group’s loyalty program, is now available on FidMe and Passbook, two mobile cardholder applications that allow users to store all their loyalty cards on their mobile phones. FidMe, developed by Snapp, is available on all mobile operating… Read the full news article

Maldives awarded with the “World’s Leading Island Destination” at the World Travel Awards Grand Final

Maldives awarded with the “World’s Leading Island Destination” at the World Travel Awards Grand Final

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Maldives has been awarded as the “World’s Leading Island Destination”, at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2012 which was held the Oberoi Gurgaon, New Delhi, Inadia “World Travel Awards exists to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate excellence in travel tourism and hospitality, which is why your company was chosen by fellow professionals across… Read the full news article

ENGLAND’S UNDERGROUND TREASURES

As London prepares to celebrate 100 years of The Tube, the national tourist board looks at other underground experiences not to be missed. 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — January 2013 marks 150 years of the London Underground, the world’s oldest underground network, familiarly known by locals as ‘The Tube’. Love it or hate it, London’s underground network… Read the full news article

Fifth DoubleTree by Hilton Opens In Turkey

DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of its fifth hotel in Turkey, in the Avcilar district of Istanbul. Credit: DoubleTree by Hilton.

DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul – Avcilar Becomes Upscale Brand’s Latest Istanbul Addition with Locations in the Historic Old Town, Moda on the Asian side, and now Avcilar. ISTANBUL – 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of its fifth hotel in Turkey, in the Avcilar district of Istanbul. DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul… Read the full news article

Travelport and Sharaf Aviation Services Academy announce a pioneering new partnership

Dubai, 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, and Sharaf Aviation Services Academy (SASA) – one of the leading providers of travel, cargo and aviation education in the Middle East – have announced a new partnership, which will see SASA become the first education facility in the Middle East to… Read the full news article

Oman Air Celebrates Success in Extreme Sailing Series

Oman Air Celebrates Success in Extreme Sailing Series

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, is celebrating a superb second position win by its team in Act 8 of the Extreme Sailing Series, the final round of races, which was held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil between 6th and 9th December. Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Wayne… Read the full news article

Hampton Hotels Tops Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® List for Third Consecutive Year

Hampton Hotels (www.hampton.com), the international brand of nearly 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced its number one ranking on Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500® list for the third year in a row. Credit: Hampton Hotels

Brand Maintains No. 1 Spot Through Continued Growth, Stability and Passion Among Owners MCLEAN, Va. – 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hampton Hotels (www.hampton.com), the international brand of nearly 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels, today announced its number one ranking on Entrepreneurmagazine’s annual Franchise 500® list for the third year in a… Read the full news article

Fairmont Announces New Resort on the Indonesian Island of Bali

Fairmont Bali Slated to Open 2016 Toronto,2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new development on the southern coast of Bali, Indonesia scheduled to open in 2016. Perched on a ‘bukit’, or bluff, on the spectacular Balinese coastline with a spectacular and unobstructed view of the Indian Ocean, Fairmont Bali will offer… Read the full news article

Second Upscale Wyndham Hotel Opens In Costa Rica’s Capital

The 230-room Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Conference Center is located just steps from downtown San Jose and offers free wireless internet, on-site dining, three pools and some of the largest meeting space in Costa Rica.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with nearly 7,260 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the opening of the 230-key Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel & Conference Center in San José, Costa Rica, the second Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts property to open in the country’s capital… Read the full news article

JÖRG SCHIFFMANN THE NEW VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS STEIGENBERGER BUSINESS HOTELS

Jörg Schiffmann, Vice President Operations Steigenberger Business Hotels at Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts.

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Jörg Schiffmann has been appointed new Vice President Operations Steigenberger Business Hotels at Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts. Since the middle of November, he has been in charge of the implementation of strategic measures to review performance and to secure and continue to develop operational standards in the 35 Business Hotels operated by Steigenberger… Read the full news article

IHG continues to expand in Germany: Group signs new franchise agreement

Contract for five hotels with Arcadia Hotel Hotelbetriebs GmbH Stuttgart 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s largest hotel companies, has signed a franchise agreement with Arcadia Hotelbetriebs GmbH Stuttgart to develop five hotels in Germany and Austria, continuing the growth of its Holiday Inn Express brand. The new agreement with… Read the full news article

11,400 jobs set for take-off as £650m plans submitted for UK’s first ‘Airport City’ at Manchester Enterprise Zone

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Manchester Airport’s parent company M.A.G has submitted plans for the £650 million development of a major new commercial location – including offices, hotels, manufacturing centres, retail outlets and leisure facilities – to attract global businesses to the North West, creating 11,400 jobs. Airport City Manchester is the core element of the Government designated… Read the full news article

Meliá Hotels International and the Chinese Greenland Group join forces to develop their presence in China and Europe

Palma de Mallorca, 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Spanish hotel company Meliá Hotels International and the Greenland Group, one of the largest real estate group in China, have reached a strategic agreement today to join forces to pursue their growth internationally, inside and outside China, respectively. For Greenland Group, an immediate impact of the agreement will be… Read the full news article

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES WARMS PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TORONTO WITH PARANG

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES WARMS PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TORONTO WITH PARANG

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travellers heading for the warmth of the Caribbean got an unexpected head-start at Pearson International Airport in Toronto when they were greeted, at the Caribbean Airlines check-in counter by the seasonal sounds of sweet Parang- a traditional musical favourite of the Southern Caribbean where Spanish roots run deep. Passengers checked in for… Read the full news article

ANDAZ TOKYO TO OPEN IN 2014 AS FIRST ANDAZ HOTEL IN JAPAN

Tokyo launch unites Hyatt’s boutique-style brand with world-renowned Japanese hospitality CHICAGO,  2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Mori Building Co., Ltd. announced today that their affiliates have signed an agreement to launch Andaz Tokyo, the first Andaz hotel in Japan. When it opens in the summer of 2014, Andaz Tokyo will join… Read the full news article

AH&LA 2013 Events Offer Top-Tier Programming for Hotel Owners, Operators

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the national trade association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, today released its 2013 schedule of industry events, which includes investment conferences, fundraisers, and industry tradeshows. These events provide forums for members to network with top executives, stay engaged on key issues… Read the full news article

RunWay Runaround: This Time It’s War – 24th March 2013

RunWay Runaround: This Time It's War - 24th March 2013

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Go behind the wire at RAF St Mawgan and Newquay Cornwall Airport and run 10k or 4k through Cornwall’s military history. Run passed Cold-War-era bombproof aircraft shelters, historic aircraft and through the active RAF St Mawgan camp. Battle the winter blues. Beat your personal best. or perhaps just combat those Christmas choccies!… Read the full news article

Four Great Walkers chosen for epic Kiwi adventure

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — After an extensive global search four Great Walkers have been chosen to take on all of New Zealand’s famous nine Great Walks in just nine weeks. Air New Zealand’s Great Walkers are Joel Cogger (Australia), Richard Harrison (United Kingdom) Stephanie Hathaway (United States) and Toshitake Suzuki (Japan). The Great Walker competition is being run… Read the full news article

Nevada Tourism awards more than $500,000 in marketing grants to rural Nevada communities

CARSON CITY, Nev. — 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT) awarded more than $500,000 in marketing grants to promote tourism in rural Nevada at today’s commission meeting, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki announced. In this grant cycle, NCOT funded a project to develop a mobile application for Virginia City as well as efforts… Read the full news article

Aeroflot celebrates one millionth passenger on Saint-Petersburg – Moscow route

MOSCOW, 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — On December 12 Aeroflot has carried the one millionth passenger on Saint-Petersburg — Moscow route. Alexander Lebedev was a lucky flyer taking his SU13 flight from Saint-Petersburg Pulkovo airport to Moscow Sheremetyevo hub. He received a return ticket to any destination point in Europe from Aeroflot and a free certificate for visiting business lounge from Pulkovo airport authorities. In November 2012 the annual passenger… Read the full news article

HYATT HONORED AS ONE OF THE TOP 50 BEST PLACES TO WORK IN 2013 BY GLASSDOOR IN ANNUAL EMPLOYEES’ CHOICE AWARDS

Voluntary employee reviews show high marks for Hyatt’s workplace environment, culture and commitment to fostering success CHICAGO, 2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hyatt has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Best Places to Work in 2013 by Glassdoor in its annual Employees’ Choice Awards. Glassdoor, a jobs and careers community website, compiles the annual award… Read the full news article

‘The Amazing Race’ to be Honored with ALIS Innovation Award

2012-12-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Emmy Award-winning reality television series, ‘The Amazing Race,’ will receive the prestigious ALIS Innovation Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), January 22-24, 2013, in Los Angeles. The award is being presented on the first day of the conference to the popular CBS show for the innovative spotlight it shines… Read the full news article