Hilton Hotels & Resorts Set To Debut On Istanbul’s Asian Side

ISTANBUL, 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Emaytaş Turizm Gayrimenkul Yönetim Hizmetleri Sanayi ve Tic A.Ş. to open Hilton Worldwide’s first Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded property on the Asian side of Istanbul. Hilton Istanbul Kozyataği Conference Center & Spa joins a fast growing portfolio of 40 hotels across Turkey… Read the full press release

The 2012 Jersey Customer Service Awards

Public voting opens today for nominations for the Jersey Customer Service Awards. 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Jersey public has from today until the 28 September to vote for their Customer Service Heroes, giving them the opportunity to walk away with one of the coveted 2012 Customer Service Awards. The Customer Service Awards, which are now… Read the full press release

VIA Rail looking to improve Halifax station property: Seeks partner to develop land adjacent to Halifax station

Halifax, Sept. 4, 2012, 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — As part of its ongoing modernization, VIA Rail Canada recently sought expressions of interest (EOI) from a number of potential investors to partner with VIA in the development of some four acres of its property in the area surrounding the Halifax train station. Pre-qualified candidates from the EOI… Read the full press release

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Announces Management of Holiday Inn West Bay Traverse City, Mich.

Hotel was Recently Acquired by Michigan-based ValStone Partners, LLC ARLINGTON, Va. /TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Interstate Hotels & Resorts today announced that it has assumed management of the 179-room Holiday Inn West Bay in Traverse City, Mich. The hotel was recently acquired by ValStone Partners, LLC, a Michigan-based private equity firm. The new owners… Read the full press release

Oman Air Launches New Service to Tehran

Oman Air Launches New Service to Tehran

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has on the 1st of September launched a brand new service between the Omani capital of Muscat and Tehran, the ancient capital city of Iran. In celebration of the inaugural flight, every passenger was presented with a rose and the aircraft was greeted… Read the full press release

New Hampton Inn Opens in Dahlgren

66-room property brings Hamptonality to Virginia DAHLGREN, Va., 2012-09-04 — /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 opening of its newest property, the 66-room Hampton Inn Dahlgren located at 16450 Commerce Dr. in King George, Va. “Hampton combines quality, innovation,… Read the full press release

Fall Travel Deal: Save 25 Percent off Stays at Marriott Vacation Club Resorts Worldwide

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Marriott Vacation Club is offering a world of travel opportunities through a limited time deal this fall. Reserve your stay with family or friends in a spacious and luxurious villa at one of our resorts and make vacation memories that will last a lifetime. Take 25 percent off regular room rates at over 50… Read the full press release

Celebrity Chefs Spice Up Silversea Voyages

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Renowned chefs and food writers are set to share some of the world’s finest gastronomic traditions on seven upcoming Culinary Artsvoyages aboard ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises. These unique culinary theme cruises showcase the skills of culinary experts and award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of… Read the full press release

ABTA Comments on Government Reshuffle

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Responding to the Ministerial changes announced by the Prime Minister today, Luke Pollard, Head of Public Affairs at ABTA – The Travel Association said: “It is all change for Ministers with travel and tourism portfolios. It is too early to read too much into a change of personnel at the top so… Read the full press release

RYANAIR CALLS FOR DEEP COST CUTS AT STANSTED TO REVERSE BAA’S TRAFFIC COLLAPSE

Prospective bidders should ignore BAA’s inflated £1.3billion RAB 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Stansted’s largest airline, today (4th Sept) called on airport regulator, the CAA, to confirm for prospective investors in Stansted what it intends to do about (a) Stansted’s 5 years of traffic declines, (b) Stansted’s grossly inflated £1.3bn RAB, (c) how it will reduce Stansted’s… Read the full press release

Africa First, Ethiopian 1st B787 Dreamliner Touches down in Accra

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ethiopian Airlines 1st Dreamliner, dubbed “Africa First”, touched down in Accra on Saturday, September 1, 2012, making Ghana one of the few countries in the world to receive the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft. Accra was chosen among the rotating destinations for the Dreamliner, as it is a major and fast growing metropolis… Read the full press release

Douglas Martell Assumes Role of Vice President, Operations, South West Asia for IHG

Douglas Martell

New Delhi, India, 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announces Douglas Martell’s commencement in his role as Vice President, Operations, for the company’s South West Asia region. He succeeds Chris Moloney, who has retired after a career spanning three decades with the company. In his new role, Douglas will spearhead IHG’s operations across… Read the full press release

MasterCard and eNett International form strategic partnership with exclusive 5 year deal to drive innovative payment solutions across the travel industry

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — MasterCard Worldwide and eNett International have signed a partnership agreement which provides innovative payment and reconciliation solutions for the travel industry through the use of Virtual Account Numbers (VANs).  The partnership aims to facilitate high volumes of global payments over a 5 year period and sets MasterCard up as the exclusive payment… Read the full press release

RYANAIR’S LOW FARES NOW AVAILABLE ON IPHONE

BOOKING & FLIGHT INFO APP NOW AVAILABLE ON iTUNES FOR JUST €3 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (4 Sept) made it even easier for passengers to access its guaranteed lowest fares with the launch of a new iPhone/iPad app, which is available on iTunes for just €3. Ryanair’s new… Read the full press release

Virgin Trains responds to FirstGroup’s proposals for West Coast

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Virgin Trains has responded to FirstGroup’s proposals for improvements on the West Coast Main Line which were outlined to Parliament today, 3 September 2012. Normally, under franchise process, the successful bidder sets out a range of ‘franchise obligations’ – legally binding commitments – but none has been published by FirstGroup or the… Read the full press release

Africa First, Ethiopian 1st B787 Dreamliner Touches down in Douala

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its first Dreamliner, “Africa First”, touched down in Douala, Cameroun on August 30, 2012. Ethiopian’s 1st Dreamliner flight to Douala is part of its tour of stations in the Ethiopian network. Douala is the economic and commercial hub of Cameroon and part of Ethiopian extensive network… Read the full press release

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Launches Exclusive Toiletries Partnership with Agraria

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will launch its exclusive partnership with Agraria, America’s oldest and largest luxury home fragrance company, from September 2012. Guests will be able to indulge in Agraria guest amenities at 169 InterContinental properties around the world by January 2013. Agraria has a shared heritage with InterContinental dating back to… Read the full press release

RYANAIR BOOKINGS SURGE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FLIGHTS

Ryanair Bookings Surge For Champions League Flights 2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (3 Sep) revealed a massive surge in bookings following last week’s draw for the Champions League group stages, which kicks-off on 18 & 19 Sep. Ryanair carries thousands of football supporters across Europe every week and excitement is… Read the full press release

China Airlines Launches Check-in Service Outside Shanghai International Airports

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — On August 20, China Airlines launched check-in service at Kunshan Terminal in Jiangsu Province,China, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to offer in-town check-in service on cross-strait flights. China Airlines passengers travelling from Kunshan to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or Shanghai Pudong International Airport can complete check-in procedures at China Airlines’ check-in counter… Read the full press release

Virgin Trains: Concerns were expressed on West Coast Bid process over three years

2012-09-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — Despite the Department for Transport(DfT) and Transport Minister, Justine Greening claiming that Virgin only started challenging the process once they had lost the Bid for the West Coast rail franchise, records show this not to be the case, Tony Collins, Chief Executive Officer for Virgin Rail Group said today: “There must be… Read the full press release

New Customer Parking Enhancements at Reagan National Airport

New Customer Parking Enhancements at Reagan National Airport

Convenient payment options now available; more improvements coming soon 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Labor Day weekend travelers who park at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have a new feature at their fingertips. A new automated parking system includes walk-up pre-payment machines, providing customers a speedy exit from the parking garage or lot. The new parking system… Read the full press release

SIA Charity Day In Support Of Children With Special Needs

Limited-edition panda toy collectible for donations of at least $20

2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Singapore Airlines, the Official Airline flying the Giant Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia from China to Singapore, will be raising funds this Saturday for children with special needs, with a limited-edition toy collectible. The collectible, in the form of a panda plush clad in the signature SIA Batik motif, will be… Read the full press release

Sir Richard Branson letter to Financial Times

2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The following letter from Sir Richard Branson appeared in the Financial Times on 1 September 2012 Dear Sir, Your assertion that Virgin is seeking to re-write the competition rules for the West Coast train franchise (‘No Second Act for Virgin Trains – August 29, 2012) is wrong.  On the contrary, we have… Read the full press release

Final days of summer programming at Woodland Park Zoo – Summer experience 2012 programs

2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — The final days of summer programming at Woodland Park Zoo are here. Programs are effective through September 30, 2012, and are free with zoo admission, except as noted. Locations of programs are posted at the zoo’s South Entrance (N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.) and West Entrance (Phinney Ave. N. between N…. Read the full press release

Africa First, Ethiopian 1st B787 Dreamliner Touches Down in Malabo

2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its first Dreamliner, “Africa First”, touched down in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on August 30, 2012. Ethiopian 1st Dreamliner flight to Malabo is part of its tour of stations in the Ethiopian network. Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea, one of the fastest growing economies… Read the full press release

WIZZ AIR ANNOUNCES 2ND BELGRADE AIRCRAFT

With 4 New Routes and 550,000 Passengers for 2013 Belgrade, 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Wizz Air, the largest low-cost, low-fare airline in Central and Eastern Europe, today announced that it will double its fleet investment at Belgrade by adding one new Airbus A320 and launching 4 new low fare routes to Basel, Corfu*, Oslo Torp and… Read the full press release

Pier south opening at Oslo Airport

2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — On Monday, 3 September, Oslo Airport will open a new domestic pier. The new pier is temporary, and is primarily built to maintain capacity during the renovation of OSL towards 2017. Opening the pier will prevent an increase in the scope of shuttling, even though existing gates must be closed during the… Read the full press release

Silicon Valley’s Airport the Best in the State for On-Time Performance

SAN JOSE, 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is ranked the best airport in California for on-time performance for medium to large size airports, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.transtats.bts.gov). Oakland International Airport ranked fifth in the state, while San Francisco International Airport came in last with the… Read the full press release

Financial Times story on Saturday 1 September 2012 on West Coast franchise issue

Branson denies contract loss led to concerns By Rose Jacobs and Jim Pickard 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Sir Richard Branson has denied the assertion that he only raised concerns about the UK rail franchising process after losing the lucrative contract to run the West Coast main line. In a letter to the FT, Sir Richard said… Read the full press release

LAX FLYAWAY® BUS AT IRVINE STATION TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE

Other FlyAway ® Service Sites Are NOT Affected by Contracted Bus Operator’s Bankruptcy Los Angeles, California, 2012-09-03 — /travelprnews.com/ —  FlyAway ® nonstop bus service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Irvine Transportation Center (Irvine Station) in Orange County will end tomorrow, August 31, 2012 at midnight, it was announced today by airport officials. Today’s announcement results… Read the full press release