Travelport announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie

Langley, United Kingdom, 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, today announces a new long-term technology agreement with Holiday Genie, a leading UK independent online travel agency. The new agreement builds upon 15 years’ technology partnership between Travelport and Holiday Genie, one of… Read the full press release

Finnair and Finavia’s Helsinki Airport launch Quality Hunters 2013 to seek out practical ways of improving the travel experience

What are the most memorable moments in travelling? How can the travel experience be made smoother and even more enjoyable? After two ground-breaking crowdsourcing initiatives, Finnair and Finavia’s Helsinki Airport know who to ask. In 2013, Quality Hunters returns — more interactive than ever. 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — On 26 March, Finnair, one of the world’s… Read the full press release

Travel industry warned not to mislead consumers when selling holidays

2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travel companies operating in the UK must provide consumers with clear, transparent and timely information when advertising and selling flights and holidays, states new guidance launched by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) today. The guidance is aimed at airlines, price comparison websites, travel agents and… Read the full press release

Heathrow is preparing for its busiest seven days of the year so far, with 1.2 million passengers hop off for Easter break

2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Heathrow is preparing for its busiest seven days of the year so far, with 1.2 million passengers expected to hop through Heathrow over the Easter break between Thursday 28 March and Tuesday 2 April. As Brits get ready to make the most of the long weekend, the UK’s hub airport forecasts that… Read the full press release

Lufthansa trains 747-8 pilots on an energy-efficient flight simulator

2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — It is the place where future pilots practise before flying the real thing. Simulator training is an integral part of pilot training. The Lufthansa Group naturally has a vested interest in training its pilots on the best and most advanced simulators. These are operated by Lufthansa Flight Training. But that is not… Read the full press release

ADAC appointed Taylor Woodrow International to carry out major expansion works at Abu Dhabi International Airport

Construction works to include 2 passenger buildings and link bridge in a joint venture with Fibrex Construction Group Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-03-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) appointed today Taylor Woodrow International Construction LLC to carry out major expansion works at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new contract is part of the… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Announces “We Time/Me Time” for Unique Family Travel Vacations This Year

Customized itineraries let parents be parents while finding time to be couples too. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Imagine travelling to Maui’s only five-star luxury resort with a teenager, young child and infant in tow. Question: vacation or nightmare? Answer: pure vacation at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where every detail has been orchestrated to create the perfect… Read the full press release

Australians urged to get entries in for Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Adventure seeking Australians hoping to win one of Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ have less than a month to apply and submit their 30 second video and convince judges why they deserve A$100,000 to land one of six dream jobs. The ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition is already proving… Read the full press release

CHRIS Brings Back the Meet the Opportunity Sessions

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — The upcoming Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) will bring back the popular Meet the Opportunity sessions in a new and improved format.  This year’s conference will be held on May 6-7, 2013, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami hotel in Miami, Florida, USA.  CHRIS is hosted by Burba Hotel Network (BHN). Meet… Read the full press release

SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE AND COLLABORATORS SUCCESSFULLY BREED ENDANGERED FROG SPECIES

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — The limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus), an endangered species native to Panama, now has a new lease on life. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project is successfully breeding the chevron-patterned form of the species in captivity for the first time. The rescue project is raising nine healthy frogs from one mating pair and… Read the full press release

Luxury travel network Virtuoso® unveils the latest hotel in its Preview program to open, The Alpina Gstaad

NEW YORK, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Luxury travel network Virtuoso® unveils the latest hotel in its Preview program to open, The Alpina Gstaad. The property is the first five-star hotel to debut in a century in the legendary Swiss resort. Nestled in the Bernese Alps, The Alpina Gstaad is set among five acres in the exclusive hilltop area of… Read the full press release

FAA Decision to Shutter 149 Contract Control Towers Beginning on April 7 Raises Serious Concerns for Airports, USCTA

Alexandria, VA, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — The decision by the Federal Aviation Administration, finalized today, to close 149 contract towers across the country beginning on April 7 raises serious safety, efficiency, and economic concerns that the agency has failed to consider, according to the U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), an affiliate organization of the American Association… Read the full press release

Matt Moran kicks off the world’s first blogger race around Australia

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Three of Australia’s top bloggers rose to Matt Moran’s gastronomic challenge this morning to mark the start of the T-QUAL Tick Race, a campaign that will see the bloggers racing around Australia to visit some of the country’s quality tourism experiences. During the eight day race, the bloggers from Mummy Smiles (Natalie Birt), YTravel (Caroline… Read the full press release

Two Promotional Videos by the Tourism Authority of Thailand win awards at ITB 2013 film competition

Bangkok, Thailand, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — One TV commercial spot and one video clip produced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) were among the top-three award winners at an international Tourism Film and Multimedia Competition held at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB 2013), the world’s largest travel trade show held in the German capital of Berlin… Read the full press release

COLORADO FOR THE BIRDS: BIRDWATCHING TRAILS AND FESTIVALS

DENVER, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — From the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the dry grasslands of the short-grass plains, more than 450 species of birds inhabit Colorado’s diverse landscape. Visitors can explore 27 designated birding trails that also highlight the state’s beautiful scenery and enjoy festivals celebrating various avian species across the state. A sampling of birding… Read the full press release

SSP to open two new Starbucks stores at Stockholm Arlanda Airport

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — SSP is opening two new Starbucks stores at Stockholm Arlanda airport. The first, located in the airport’s Terminal 2 will begin trading on March 26th. The new opening is part of a major redevelopment of the terminal by airport operator Swedavia, which will see all retail units at the airport refurbished or… Read the full press release

IHG signs first Holiday Inn Express in Australia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) will introduce one of the world’s fastest growing hotel brands to Australia, with the signing of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in a prime Perth CBD location. Perth-based developer Sunfire Asset has engaged IHG to manage a new-build 224-room Holiday Inn Express hotel, to be located at… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora Introduces the Surf & Turf Package

Package combines overwater bungalow and beachfront villa stay; includes sea and land tour with marine biologist. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Combining the best of accommodation experiences, Four SeasonsResort Bora Bora introduces the Surf & Turf package, providing its guests with a combination stay of an overwater bungalow (surf) and a two-bedroom beachfront villa (turf). The Resort’s 100 overwater bungalows range from… Read the full press release

Se prorrogan dos días más la campaña del “cinturón”, en la que Iberia ofrece un millón de plazas desde 39 euros por trayecto

Vuelos nacionales desde 39 euros por trayecto; Europa desde 59 y América desde 209 euros. Los viajes pueden realizarse hasta el 30 de noviembre de 2013. Doble puntuación Iberia Plus si los billetes se adquieren en iberia.com. Madrid, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Iberia ha prorrogado dos días más su campaña del “cinturón”, en la que ha puesto… Read the full press release

Tony Douglas has been appointed as CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Former London Heathrow Chief Executive Tony Douglas has been appointed as CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), it was announced today. Mr. Douglas, formerly CEO at Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), will lead the transformation of Abu Dhabi’s international gateway through one of the most ambitious… Read the full press release

Hilton Hotels & Resorts opens 158-room hotel in Alexandria, Egypt

DUBAI, UAE and MCLEAN, Va., 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the most recognised hospitality brand in the Middle East, today announced the opening of the 158-room Hilton Alexandria Corniche following a major refurbishment programme. The hotel represents the 19th upscale property in Egypt for Hilton Worldwide and its second in the city of Alexandria. With a key… Read the full press release

RYANAIR CALLS FOR IRISH TRAVEL TAX TO BE SCRAPPED AS WEF REPORT RANKS IRELAND AMONGST THE WORLD’S WORST FOR AVIATION TAXES

KAZAKHSTAN, MOZAMBIQUE & RWANDA MORE COMPETITIVE THAN IRELAND 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC), today (25 Mar) called on the Irish Govt to scrap its €3 travel tax after the World Economic Forum’s Transport and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Ireland in the bottom half in an aviation charges competitiveness study of… Read the full press release

London City Airport Most Punctual In the UK

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — London City Airport is the most punctual airport in the UK, according to figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority [CAA]. The data, which measures flights during October to December 2012, shows that 87 per cent of flights were on time at LCY, the only airport actually in London. LCY also had… Read the full press release

Swiss International Air Lines is to add Kiev to its European route network

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Swiss International Air Lines is to add Kiev to its European route network from the start of the 2013/14 winter schedules. The Ukrainian capital will receive daily service from Zurich from 27 October onwards. The flights will be operated with Airbus A320 equipment seating 152 passengers. “Alongside our new long-haul destination of… Read the full press release

Travelport announced the continuation of long-term relationships with three major travel agencies in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Establishing its footprint even further in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), business services provider Travelport has announced the continuation of its long-term relationships with three major travel agencies in the country – Asfar Travel, Transcontinents and Roibek Travel. The new contracts mark a new chapter in the solid… Read the full press release

Travellers Retreat to the Beach at Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies

Luxury beach houses with butler service offer snorkelling gear sized to fit and room service delivered right to the front deck. 2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — It’s not just another day at the beach when guests of Four SeasonsResort Nevis check into their own private Beach House on the Resort’s famed stretch of Pinney’s Beach. Just steps from the water’s… Read the full press release

Alitalia Increases Its Frequencies To/From London City Airport

Three Daily Flights from Milan Linate with Effect from 31st March. A New Direct Flight from Rome Fiumicino from 1st April  Rome, 2013-03-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — Alitalia focuses on London City Airport and, with the commencement of the summer timetable at the end of March, will increase its frequencies to and from the local airport of London’s financial… Read the full press release

Gatwick Airport today welcomes new airline Vueling – the first Spanish airline to serve Barcelona from Gatwick

Barcelona-based airline Vueling will provide extra links to Barcelona from Gatwick Gatwick continues to compete and win new airlines, creating more choice for passengers 2013-03-22 — /travelprnews.com/ — Gatwick Airport today welcomes new airline Vueling – the first Spanish airline to serve Barcelona from Gatwick – to its list of short-haul operators, serving the second largest… Read the full press release

SAS makes travelling easier – introducing SAS Go and SAS Plus

SAS is launching a new service concept, replacing the previous service classes with two brand new alternatives: SAS Go for customers who want to have a lot and SAS Plus for customers who want to have more. We have worked with our customers to develop these products, which meet the increasing demand for smoother and… Read the full press release