U.S. Travel Association: Travel Continues to Lead Export Growth

Accounts for 23 Percent Rise in U.S. Exports Washington, D.C., 2013-03-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — David Huether, senior vice president of research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association, provides analysis on today’s Commerce Department announcement that the U.S. trade deficit widened in January. “The travel industry generated a trade surplus of $4.6 billion in January, which was up… Read the full press release

Macau Government Tourist Office promotes tourism at Mainland travel fair

2013-03-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is joining “Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2013” (GITF 2013) for the unparalleled opportunities to expand tourist markets and enhance connections with Mainland and worldwide travel industry partners, promoting Macau’s value and positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure in the acclaimed travel show. GITF 2013… Read the full press release

Palm Springs, California – Desert Living Home Spring Show Comes to Convention Center

Eco-Friendly Products, How-to Seminars and Home Improvement Tips Palm Springs, Calif. 2013-03-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — With spring cleaning season just around the corner, residents and visitors can work on their home projects and shop at the semi-annual Desert Living Home Show scheduled Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The… Read the full press release

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013 offered as free ebook to celebrate 1,000,000 fans each on Twitter and Facebook

2013-03-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — Lonely Planet, the world’s #1 guidebook publisher, reached 1 million fans each on both Twitter and Facebook this week. To celebrate, and thank its loyal community, the publisher has launched its “Thanks a Million” campaign. As part of the campaign, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2013, the latest edition of the annual series… Read the full press release

INDIANS JUST LOVE TO VISIT THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Tourism agency taps into burgeoning ‘friends and relatives’ market witnessing ten year record levels 2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — The likes of Wimbledon, Westfield UK and Historic Royal Palaces are in India this week, encouraged by the emergence of the country as a major player in terms of visits to friends and loved ones across Britain. They… Read the full press release

Best Job in the World is back: Australian tourism is hiring

2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tourism Australia is teaming up with industry and State and Territory tourism partners in a new A$4 million campaign targeting the international youth market – a segment which last year contributed nearly A$12 billion in tourism spending and a quarter of all Australia’s international visitors. At the heart of the campaign is… Read the full press release

‘Picture Jersey’ campaign asks islanders to share their favourite view

2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Luxury Jersey Hotels, the Jersey Evening Post and Jersey Post are all getting behind the Picture Jersey campaign which will give amateur photographers the chance to share their favourite island view as a postcard. The initiative has been developed by Luxury Jersey Hotels and launches next month with a photography competition in… Read the full press release

Qatar Tourism Authority to showcase Qatar’s finest at ITB Berlin, 6-10 March 2013

Largest Qatar hospitality institutions to participate – Souq Waqif, Diplomatic Club, Katara Hospitality, Katara Cultural Village, Ministry of Culture Arts & Heritage, and QMA      Major tour operators and tourism companies to share pavilion – Regency Holidays, Discover Qatar, Qatar International Adventures, Qatar International Tours, Gulf Adventures Tourism    18 Qatar Hotels to attend… Read the full press release

LAS VEGAS GLOBAL BUSINESS DISTRICT UNVEILED TODAY

Defining Moment for Las Vegas LAS VEGAS, 2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority unveiled its plans today for the Las Vegas Global Business District, an overarching vision for the Las Vegas Convention Center and the surrounding area. Envisioned to be completed in phases, the Las Vegas Global Business District creates an… Read the full press release

First Ever Chicago Music Summit September 20

To Be Held At The Chicago Cultural Center Conference Fulfills Chicago Cultural Plan Initiative 2013-03-04 — /travelprnews.com/ —  The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is proud to announce the first ever Chicago Music Summit to be held September 20, 2013 at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Street.) This free admission conference will shine… Read the full press release

New Annual Medical Conference To Launch in Houston in 2014

New Conference Part of Larger Initiative to Raise Global Profile of City’s Medical Industry HOUSTON, 2013-03-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) announced a new initiative today to create an annual medical conference that will raise the global profile of Houston as a medical hub while generating new revenue for the… Read the full press release

CTC appoints Robert Mercure to its Board of Directors

Newcomer brings vast experience in the hotel industry at home and abroad to the boardroom table. 2013-03-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — Robert Mercure, a man with hotels in his blood, is the latest addition to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s Board of Directors. Mercure comes from a family with a long tradition in the Canadian hotel industry: he is the… Read the full press release

HLABEKISA COMMUNITY FINDS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IN NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

2013-03-01 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Hlabekisa community in Mpumalanga (a rural community 20km or 12 miles from the world renowned Kruger National Park) is celebrating the opening of the Anton Bilton High School, thanks to the Africa Foundation,&Beyond’s social development partner, and through the generous donation of &Beyond guests Lisa and Anton Bilton.  Government representatives, Africa Foundation staff,… Read the full press release

Vermont, the Healthiest State, hosts several sports & endurance events from spring to autumn

2013-02-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Vermont is repeatedly ranked the Healthiest State in the nation. From its chiseled farmers to Olympic skiers and riders and mountain biking mommas, it shows. In the Green Mountain State, there’s an ultra-marathon, adventure race, century ride, distance swim or yoga-fest for all athletic appetites. Sports enthusiasts come to train, race, compete, tour… Read the full press release

Agoda.com announces colorful new hotel deals for India’s vibrant Holi Festival

2013-02-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), has announced great deals on Indian hotels in the leadup to the annual Holi Festival, India’s famously raucous and cheerful celebration of color. As with many festivals in Asia, the Holi celebration is a mix of astrological rituals, religious… Read the full press release

Spring Break Travel Trends

2013-02-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Welcome to the February edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE, a monthly review designed to provide you with up-to-date information on the latest travel trends. This month, we polled travel agents to learn about their clients’ spring break booking trends. We’ll also touch upon a handy tip to ensure smooth travels this spring break… Read the full press release

The ATPI Group and Travelport extend long-term partnership

Langley, UK, 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Leading business travel and events company, the ATPI Group, has confirmed a substantial contract extension with Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry. The partnership between the two businesses allows the ATPI Group access to Travelport’s travel booking technology in a multitude of countries.  Travelport is now the… Read the full press release

Virginia Wine & Dine Month to Celebrate Love by the Glass

-March celebrates local wines at restaurants statewide-  RICHMOND, Va., 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virginia is taking dining to a new level this March with LOVE by The Glass: Virginia Wine & Dine Month. For epicurean travelers, March is an ideal time to visit Virginia, as restaurants and wine shops statewide put local Virginia wines front and… Read the full press release

Lonely Planet Book Saves Three Queensland Boys

2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Global travel authority Lonely Planet has discovered that its book Not-for-Parents: How to Be a World Explorer has been directly responsible for saving three boys stuck in Queensland mud flats. As originally reported in the Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette last month, nine-year-old Port Douglas boy Vasco Gonsalves and two other boys… Read the full press release

U.S. Travel Association Launches 2013 “Travel Blitz”

Grassroots initiative will coordinate travel supporters to engage Members of Congress and reveal travel’s deep economic impact in communities nationwide Washington, D.C., 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Elected officials across the country will hear of travel’s broad and significant economic contributions thanks to a new program the U.S. Travel Association is launching called Travel Blitz. “Those of… Read the full press release

VISIT FLORIDA Welcomes New Chief Marketing Officer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today (February 19, 2013), VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – announced the hiring of Paul Phipps as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Phipps has 37 years of experience in sales, marketing, promotions and management having served in such high-profile positions as General Manager for Seminole IMG Sports… Read the full press release

Thailand’s Trang province to be featured in upcoming episode of ABC’s hit romance reality series THE BACHELOR

NEW YORK, 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — The breathtaking beauty of Trang, a province on southern Thailand’s Andaman Coast, will provide a scenic backdrop for the upcoming ninth episode of The Bachelor, scheduled to air Monday, February 25, 2013 (8:00–10:01 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. This season on The Bachelor, Sean Lowe, 29, the successful Dallas businessman and… Read the full press release

TAV Gallery Hosts The “History Of Commercial Aviation In Turkey” Exhibition

2013-02-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Located at Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Terminal, the culture-art platform TAV Gallery hosted an opening ceremony to present passengers the oil paintings produced by the famous painter Cumhur Koralturk featuring the history of the commercial aviation in Turkey. The opening reception was attended by Ataturk Airport Civilian Administration Manager Ali Bakoglu, DHMI… Read the full press release

Bartenders Compete for Annual Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge

Palm Springs, Calif., 2013-02-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Palm Springs is seeking the best bartenders at top clubs across North America and challenging them to stir up Palm Springs inspired cocktails as part of the 4th Annual Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge presented by Here Media and Alaska Airlines. Palm Springs will host Cocktail Challenges at… Read the full press release

Bath Tourism Plus to s’port Bath Rugby

2013-02-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Bath Tourism Plus (BTP) and Bath Rugby are teaming up to provide a range of promotional incentives that will encourage sport fans and visitors who arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath to experience the city’s most popular sport. For the first time in the club’s history, advisors in the… Read the full press release

Cathay Pacific New York City and Vancouver flights affected by severe snowstorm; passengers advised to check latest flight information

2013-02-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Cathay Pacific Airways announced that the following New York City and Vancouver flights today (8 February) and Saturday (9 February) have been delayed or cancelled due to the severe snowstorm approaching New York City and the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Details of the delayed flights are as follows:  Flight No.    Route                            … Read the full press release

Valentine’s Survey Finds Traveling Together Strengthens Relationships

Couples who take regular trips report increased satisfaction and romance Washington, D.C. – 2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Instead of buying jewelry and chocolate this Valentine’s Day, consider planning a trip for you and your sweetheart. New research commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association, found at TravelEffect.com, reports couples who travel together are significantly more satisfied with… Read the full press release

Airport’s Green Build Summer 2013 Grand Opening on Schedule and on Budget

Significant Construction Milestones Ahead in 2013; Dual-Level Roadway Canopy Installation Under Way SAN DIEGO – 2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Construction on The Green Build Terminal 2 expansion continues to move forward on time and on budget, looking toward a grand opening this summer. To date, nearly 6,000 workers have had a role in The Green Build, the largest construction… Read the full press release

Burning with passion for Canada? Ask CTC’s Tourism BizWiz

Burning with passion for Canada? Ask CTC’s Tourism BizWiz.

2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Get the latest info on the CTC and Canadian tourism industry. This time: visiting Canada from the Philippines. Hi BizWiz I want to visit Canada to see my boyfriend. What do I need to come there? And what papers do I need to visit him? I am from the Philippines. Thanks, Cherry… Read the full press release

Love is in the air: Gatwick Airport passengers pick Edinburgh and Belfast over traditional Valentine’s retreats

2013-02-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — Edinburgh and Belfast have flown into the top ten list of favourite Valentine’s destinations for Gatwick Airport passengers this year, with the two British cities coming third and seventh respectively in the airport’s top ten. Surprisingly, traditional romantic hotspots such as Venice and Rome did not feature at all in the top… Read the full press release