VisitBritain’s GREAT China Welcome programme aims to make Britain the most welcoming destination in Europe for Chinese visitors

LONDON, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — VisitBritain’s GREAT China Welcome programme aims to make Britain the most welcoming destination in Europe for Chinese visitors. The programme has over 250 member hotels, attractions and activities which all excel in looking after Chinese visitors. Here’s how just a few of them are celebrating or marking Chinese… Read the full press release

VisitBritain: New survey reveals that 2014 was a record year for both inbound visits and overseas visitor spending in the UK

LONDON, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — New full-year inbound tourism figures released today reveal that 2014 was a record year for both inbound visits and overseas visitor spending in the UK. The latest International Passenger Survey figures show that overseas visitors spent £21.7 billion in Britain last year, 3% up on 2013 and a… Read the full press release

Tourism Authority of Thailand’s new campaign “2015 Discover Thainess” unveiled at Borsa Internazionale del Tourismo in Milan

Milan / Bangkok, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — The new national tourism promotion campaign “2015 Discover Thainess” has been unveiled in Italy with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s participation in the Borsa Internazionale del Tourismo (BIT), the largest Italian travel fair, between 12-14 February, 2015, in Milan. The “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign will emphasise the… Read the full press release

Manchester Airport: Barcelona-based airline Vueling to launch direct service to Barcelona from 19th June 2015

MANCHESTER, UK, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Vueling, the Barcelona-based airline, part of International Airlines Group (IAG), is set to launch a direct service to Barcelona from Manchester Airport on 19th June 2015. The flight will depart Manchester on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday flying to Terminal 1 at Barcelona El Prat Airport, which… Read the full press release

Hyatt launches suite of innovative new loyalty benefits for its most frequent guests

CHICAGO, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Hyatt today introduced a suite of innovative new loyalty benefits for its most frequent guests.  Through its award winning loyalty program, Hyatt Gold Passport, Hyatt is delivering a more effortless and seamless travel experience beyond the hotel stay.  Hyatt Gold Passport members who achieve Diamond status through 25 stays or… Read the full press release

Hyatt Centric to open its first hotels in April – Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago and Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami

CHICAGO, 2015-2-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that Hyatt Centric, a new, full service lifestyle brand designed for business and leisure travelers, will open its first hotels in April. The hotels – Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago and Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami – will deliver on the brand’s mission… Read the full press release

Air France hosts special events at the boarding gates for flights to Brazil to celebrate Rio de Janeiro Carnival

Air France celebrates Carnival at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. PARIS, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Carnival is the most popular national holiday in Brazil, in particular in Rio de Janeiro where the celebrations last for nine days from 13 to 21 February. Air France has also organized its own celebrations, with special events at the… Read the full press release

Budapest Airport: SkyGreece Airlines to commence twice-weekly service to Toronto from Budapest starting from 21 May

BUDAPEST, Hungary, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — Budapest Airport’s high expectation for continued growth and heightened progress in 2015 gets underway with its first new route announcement of the year. Launching its inaugural route from the Hungarian gateway, SkyGreece Airlines will be commencing a twice-weekly service to Toronto from 21 May. The new carrier,… Read the full press release

South African Airways extends redemption period for its loyalty programme’s members

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, announced today that it will extend the redemption period for its loyalty programme’s members to enable them to continue to process AnyDay and MileageKeeper Awards to 28 February 2015 at 23h00, South African time. Whilst the majority of members… Read the full press release

South African Airways: yellow fever vaccinations no longer necessary for travel between Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — South African Airways (SAA) has welcomed the scrapping of yellow fever vaccinations, which is no longer necessary for travel between Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa. The announcement was made by the South African Department of Health and the requirement was lifted with immediate effect. The decision was made at the… Read the full press release

IATA: New data shows that aviation and aviation-related tourism contributes some $5.9 billion to Panama’s economy

Panama City, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced new data showing that aviation and aviation-related tourism contributes some $5.9 billion to Panama’s economy, an amount equal to 12.6% of the country’s GDP. This is much higher than the global average contribution of 3.4%, reflecting the positive impact of efficient… Read the full press release

Art for Amnesty and the Cape Town International Airport partner to create giant tapestry in memory of the 25th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison

Johannesburg, 2015-2-12 — /Travel PR News/ — On the 25th Anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison Art for Amnesty and the Cape Town International Airport today announced that they would partner in the creation of a giant tapestry in his memory. The tapestry (measuring approximately 30 square metres) will hang in the… Read the full press release

British Airways’ business class amenity kits for long-haul customers to get a new look

LONDON, 2015-2-11 — /Travel PR News/ — British Airways’ business class amenity kits are set to get an over haul for long-haul customers. Designed with the aim of revitalising travellers, the new wash-bags will continue to feature Elemis products and will include Pro Collagen Marine Cream, Pro Radiance Hand and Nail Cream and Lip Balm…. Read the full press release

British Airways: 1.5 million Brits expected to travel to take a break from the February freeze

LONDON, 2015-2-11 — /Travel PR News/ — More than one and a half million people are expected to travel with British Airways this February half-term as sunshine-starved Brits take a break from the February freeze. The busiest days for air travel are on Friday, February 13 and returning on Sunday, February 22, with over 120,000… Read the full press release

Southwest Airlines adds 75 nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations to benefit from the Southwest Airlines 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program

More than 100 hospitals and medical organizations to benefit in 2015 DALLAS, 2015-2-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that 75 nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations from across the nation will benefit from the Southwest Airlines 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program, with the total impact reaching 101 facilities. Through the… Read the full press release

Bombardier Transportation launched the first battery-powered train operating a passenger service in the UK in over half a century

First battery powered train operating a passenger service in the UK in over half a century Battery-driven BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTARtrain entered passenger operation as part of a trial on British railways London, 2015-2-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation is celebrating the launch of an Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit (IPEMU), which… Read the full press release

Qantas launches new online invitation-only bidding system for its frequent flyers, Bid Now Upgrades

SYDNEY, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Qantas Frequent Flyers now have another way to request an upgrade, with the launch of a new online invitation-only bidding system. Bid Now Upgrades, to be gradually introduced across the Qantas network from this week, allows invited Frequent Flyers booked in Economy and Premium Economy to make an… Read the full press release

Oakland International Airport enjoyed healthy year of growth in 2014, recording 12 consecutive months of increased passenger traffic

2014 Data Also Show Gains in Air Freight Oakland, CA, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — With more flights, new destinations and expanded cargo facilities, Oakland International Airport (OAK) enjoyed a healthy year of growth in 2014, recording 12 consecutive months of increased passenger traffic. For the year ending December 31, 2014, OAK recorded 10.3 million enplaned… Read the full press release

Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts announced Rugby Union Legend George Gregan and health professional Dr Ginni Mansberg as the first members of its “Crowne Plaza® Thought Leaders”

LONDON, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts has today announced Rugby Union Legend George Gregan and highly-regarded health professional Dr Ginni Mansberg as the first members of an elite panel, offering insights and expertise for Australian business travellers. The “Crowne Plaza® Thought Leaders” will share expert tips and advice, as well… Read the full press release

Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta again listed as the Top 25 Hotel in Indonesia by TripAdvisor

Hong Kong, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta is once again listed as the Top 25 Hotel – Indonesia by TripAdvisor® in its Travellers Choice Award 2015. It is the hotel’s third consecutive achievement having first received the award in 2013. TripAdvisor® has long been regarded as an unbiased source of advice and… Read the full press release

Christchurch Airport: China Southern Airlines’ B787 Dreamliner returns with its first summer charter flights arriving on February 15

Christchurch, New Zealand, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Hundreds of Chinese travellers will celebrate Chinese New Year this month by travelling to the South Island. Christchurch Airport and China Southern Airlines (CZ) will celebrate the return of the B787 Dreamliner, with the first of this summer’s charter flights arriving on February 15. Airport Chief Executive… Read the full press release

San Diego International Airport: Virgin America to move its operations from Terminal 2 East to Terminal 2 West

SAN DIEGO, 2015-2-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Effective Wednesday, February 11, 2015, Virgin America will move its operations from Terminal 2 East to a new location in Terminal 2 West at San Diego International Airport. Ticketing counters for Virgin America will be located between Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways. The airline will operate self-service… Read the full press release

airberlin has taken its 80th million guest to Palma de Mallorca

BERLIN, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — On Thursday airberlin has taken its 80th million guest to Palma de Mallorca. Statistically speaking, this means it has flown almost every German citizen to the Balearic island. Jubilee passenger Danny Sasse (in the center) arrived together with his wife Nicole and their children Adrian and Evelyn on… Read the full press release

airberlin again increased its number of available seat kilometers and revenue passenger kilometers in yearly comparison

BERLIN, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — airberlin once again increased its number of available seat kilometers (ASK) and revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) in yearly comparison. The increase in available seat kilometers is due to the greater number of long-haul flights, especially to Abu Dhabi and the Caribbean. The available seat kilometers increased by 5.7… Read the full press release

Deanna Brown named new Director of Catering and Conference Services at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

VAIL, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail announces the appointment of Deanna Brown as the new Director of Catering and Conference Services. Brown brings to Four Seasons Resort Vail more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She joins the property’s outstanding Catering & Events Services team,… Read the full press release

Four Seasons Hotels Limited and Hotel Corporation of Uruguay S.A announced Four Seasons will no longer manage Four Seasons Resort Carmelo

Change to take effect March 31, 2015 TORONTO, Canada, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Four Seasons Hotels Limited (Four Seasons) and Hotel Corporation of Uruguay S.A. (HCU), the Owner ofFour Seasons Resort Carmelo, announced today that Four Seasons will conclude its management ofFour Seasons Resort Carmelo effective March 31, 2015. Four Seasons and HCU… Read the full press release

HMSHost celebrates culinary innovation with Channel Your Inner Chef recipe contest open to employees and travelers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

“Channel Your Inner Chef” winner will attend HMSHost-sponsored James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago; Winning recipe to be featured on O’Hare menu CHICAGO, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Global restaurateur HMSHost, proud sponsor of the 2015 James Beard Awards in Chicago, is celebrating culinary innovation with Channel Your Inner Chef, the first-of-its-kind recipe contest open to… Read the full press release

Viking Ocean Cruises released new online video documenting the recent successful sea trials of its first ship – the 930-passenger Viking Star

Los Angeles, 2015-2-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Viking Ocean Cruises® (www.vikingoceancruises.com) today released a new online video documenting the recent successful sea trials of its first ship – the 930-passenger Viking Star – set to debut in April. The trials, which took place in the Adriatic Sea in mid-December, represented the vessel’s first voyage in open… Read the full press release

Frankfurt Airport inaugurated new ecumenical Christian chapel in Transit Area B of Terminal 1

Place of worship for Christians now also available in Transit of FRA’s Terminal FRANKFURT, 2015-2-6 — /Travel PR News/ — On January 27, 2015, a new ecumenical Christian chapel was inaugurated in Transit Area B of Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 1. The new place of worship for Christians of all denominations will be accessible around the… Read the full press release

London City Airport’s £200 million expansion granted decision on 3rd February

LONDON, 2015-2-6 — /Travel PR News/ — In a step forward in easing aviation capacity in the South East, plans to expand London City Airport have been given the go-ahead. The decision, granted on Tuesday [3 February], clears the way for a £200 million investment that will enable the airport to operate up to a… Read the full press release