Travel And Tour Americas (TTA) indeed is delighted to receive such remarkable positive reception from the entire world on its debut issue last month. This awe-inspiring success led us to bring you better and more compact edition of TTA in the month of February.[TRAVELTOURAMERICA.COM]
Ryanair called for an end to the EU Commission’s discrimination against low fares airlines which was again highlighted by the EU Commission’s ban on booking flights on low fares airlines or reimbursing travel expenses to/from Brussels Charleroi Airport.
Flight attendants at US Airways represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), have voted to not ratify a proposed five-year collective bargaining agreement. US Airways and AFA reached a tentative agreement on January 27, 2012 that would cover the airline's 6,700 flight attendants who are based in its three hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix and its Washington, D.C. focus city.
The 54th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products U.S and the City of Chicago will return to the lakefront with headliners the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs. The show will run August 18-19, 2012 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm daily.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, representatives of the Missouri Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Union Pacific Railroad and Amtrak officially broke ground for a new $20 million, 1,200-foot railroad bridge across the Osage River that will add capacity and is designed to reduce delays on the route used by Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains between Kansas City and St. Louis.
The Boeing Company will focus on the innovative and enduring capabilities of a wide array of aviation, training, support and technology solutions at the 2012 Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Annual Professional Forum and Exposition. This year's event takes place April 1-4 in Nashville.
As part of its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, the Tampa Port Authority announced the beginning of the 2012 annual migratory bird nesting season in Tampa Bay.
With a target of 150 locations by 2015 and a network of 45 hotels around the world, the MGallery collection is continuing its development in France in the heart of the Bordeaux wine-producing region or even right in the centre of a medieval city.
VisitEngland launched a new Android version of its official Enjoy England app. This new version is free to download and provides over 1,000 up-to-the-minute ideas for unmissable destinations and attractions across the country, enabling more smartphone users than ever before to plan the perfect day trip or holiday in England. Containing the same rich visitor information as the existing iPhone version, the Android app also offers new functionality, with an inbuilt QR Code reader allowing users to scan 2D barcodes and access information on the go.
With more vessels and itinerary choices in Alaska than any previous year, un-cruise adventure operator InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises has unveiled 2013 rates and dates for its fleet of expedition vessels and yachts. New in 2013, a refurbished Safari Legacy joins the fleet of yachts and InnerSea Discoveries schedules three Alaska Unleashed cruises for the utmost in active adventures.
The International Olympic Committee's (IOC's) Coordination Commission concluded its tenth and final visit to London with the message that the 2012 Host City is ready to welcome the world’s best athletes and Olympic and Paralympic fans this summer. LOCOG Chair Seb Coe with IOC Chairman Denis Oswald at the Coordination Commission closing press conference. Chairman of the IOC’s Coordination Commission Denis Oswald said: ‘With only 119 days to go until the Games begin, London is ready to welcome the world this summer.
InnLink, LLC customers will have access to one of the most advanced and popular competitive hotel rate intelligence solutions by RateGain - PriceGain. InnLink, LLC has formed a partnership with RateGain, a pioneer in competitive price intelligence solutions. With this new partnership, RateGain’s rate intelligence solution – PriceGain is now integrated with InnLink’s Central Reservation System (CRS). With this integration, InnLink offers and empowers its hotel customers with access to accurate and decision making data on their competitors on a real-time basis.
Silversea Cruises announced the appointment of Cecilia S Blevins to the position of corporate and incentive sales director. Blevins will officially join Silversea on 2 April, reporting to Sean J Mahoney, global vice president of corporate and incentive sales. Based at the company's Fort Lauderdale office, she will be responsible for developing the line's corporate and incentive business and strengthening relationships with meeting and incentive travel partners throughout parts of the United States and all of Latin America.
There's no better time than winter to seek out sun-soaked, exotic destinations, and there's no better way to experience them than immersed in modern luxury.
Hike, drive, ride, fish, climb, sail, row, bob, fly or surf in locales from western France up to the Arctic Circle and over to Iceland with Crystal Cruises in Northern Europe from May to September. The ultra-luxe line has set more than 100 new boutique Crystal Adventures to take maximum advantage of the region’s abundant outdoor opportunities and stunning natural beauty.
Enjoy the special package exclusively for travel industry and media at The Chedi, Muscat from 1 May 2012 – 30 September 2012.
Bombardier Transportation will deliver 16 BOMBARDIER TWINDEXX Vario multiple units to Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) for operation on the Kiel-Hamburg and Flensburg-Hamburg railway lines. DB AG was awarded a contract to operate services on these regional lines in a Europe-wide tender process. The order is valued at approximately 160 million euro ($208 million US) and is part of a framework agreement between Bombardier and DB AG from December 2008. DB AG has already ordered 135 of the variable double-deck coaches for intercity transport as well as 18 intermediate coaches and three double-deck power cars for regional services.
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is rolling out several new shore excursions in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe this summer designed for those travellers whose wanderlust is guided by a passion for fine food and wine. New options, such as a sunset stroll and wine tasting in one of Croatia's largest vineyards, a hands-on lesson in Ukrainian cookery, and an exquisite lunch at a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Bordeaux, are joining an already expansive collection of shore tours tailored to the traveller who is a gourmet at heart.
Estonian Air ticket purchases through the website has compared to the first two months of the last year, doubled (108%).
Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, Calin Rovinescu, provided the following remarks to the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities following the closure by Aveos Fleet Performance Inc., a separate and independently owned and managed supplier to Air Canada, of its operations in Canada: "Let me state clearly and unequivocally that we continue to be in full compliance with the letter and the spirit of the Air Canada Public Participation Act - despite the demise of Aveos.
Jumeirah Group announced the appointment of new General Managers for several of its hotels around the world.
Managing Directors of Ovation Global DMC, Padraic Gilligan and Patrick Delaney, have earned their Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) accreditation from the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME). Both were named in the February 2012 class list unveiled by the association this week.
Lufthansa Malta Blues LP announces its intention to offer notes due 2017 exchangeable into shares of common stock of JetBlue Airways Corporation at the option of the noteholders. The notes will be guaranteed by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and are to be offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers that are also qualified purchasers in an institutional private placement without registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers has been awarded the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC) following a recent sustainability audit.
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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)and VDR, the German business travel association, announced a formal partnership after a successful one year trial which commenced in 2011. The deal between the associations will see VDR act as the German partner to GBTA in Europe. As part of the deal, Mr. Hans-Ingo Biehl, VDR’s Executive Director, will fulfill the role of lead advocate for GBTA in Europe as part of his VDR role
After a month-long $54 million dry dock, Royal Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas has emerged from Singapore's Sembawang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.) as a virtually new ship. The newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas will deliver guests a host of exciting new dining options, visually stunning entertainment and unique amenities after the ship's bow-to-stern transformation. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all of Rhapsody of the Seas' new signature features as they sail in awe-inspiring Alaska this summer or vibrant Australia in the fall.
In celebration of the Miami Marlins and their new, first-class baseball stadium, Mandarin Oriental, Miami has launched the “I Love Marlins” package. Guests will enjoy accommodations for two nights in a luxury suite, chauffeur transfer to and from Marlins Park, two Marlins baseball jerseys and caps, and two Therapeutic spa treatments.
On June 4, SAS will begin flying direct from Copenhagen to Tel Aviv. The route is one of 28 that SAS is opening in 2012 and is line with SAS's strategy of strengthening its product offering to both business and leisure passengers.
SWISS will be providing daily non-stop service between Zurich and Newark (for New York) using its own Airbus A340-300 equipment from 31 March. The new arrangement provides a total of 219 seats per flight in a three-class cabin configuration. SWISS thus now offers three daily non-stop connections between Zurich and New York.
Qantas announced further increases to international fuel surcharges and domestic fares in response to high global jet fuel prices.
ASTA announced that Pamela Bonin has been hired to the position of director, Market Development, for the Society. As part of her new job, Bonin will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing ASTA’s membership marketing efforts, as well as working with key and prospective ASTA partners in order to develop stronger and more strategic relationships.
The River Lee Hotel in Cork was the venue for the board meeting of Tourism Ireland this week. The board members took the opportunity when they were in the city to meet with local tourism operators, to discuss the forthcoming season and the extensive promotional programme which Tourism Ireland is rolling out across the globe right now. After the meeting, the board members visited Cobh – taking in the Titanic Trail, Titanic Experience Cobh, and Fota House. With the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the maiden voyage of Titanic, Tourism Ireland is highlighting Cobh in its promotions around the world, reminding people about the famous ship’s association with the town as its last port-of-call.
Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, and the U.K.-based Energy Institute (EI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperatively develop global aviation fuel-handling standards.
Aéroports de Paris and Air France united at Paris-Charles de Gaulle to develop services at the leading European hub.
Airbus has won its first corporate jet sale in Japan, adding a new customer and building on its widespread and growing presence in the important Asia-Pacific market.
Virgin Australia announced the next phase of its alliance with Singapore Airlines, the commencement of codeshare on Singapore Airlines flights to Asia and beyond.
Airbus forecasts that Chilean Airlines will need 164 new passenger aircraft above 100 seats over the next 20 years to meet the demand of a growing air traffic market. The new 108 single-aisle, 53 twin-aisle and three very large aircraft, such as the A380, will represent a market value of US$19.8 billion.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(NYSE: HOT) announced today that it will release the company’s first quarter financial results prior to market open on April 26, 2012, followed by a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The conference call will include a brief discussion of the quarter and a question-and-answer session. It will be moderated by Stephen Pettibone, Vice President of Investor Relations.
After 20 years of pioneering luxury resorts in some of the globe’s most fascinating destinations, GHM Hotels is doling out complimentary nights to travel agent partners at all seven of its properties, including The Nam Hai Hoi An in Vietnam; The Setai South Beach in Miami, USA; The Legian Bali in Indonesia; The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah Ubud on Bali; The Chedi Chiang Mai in Thailand; The Chedi Muscat in Oman; and The Strand Yangon in Myanmar.
CEOs from the nation’s largest travel companies met with senior Administration officials in the White House to express support for President Obama’s national travel and tourism strategy and urged policies and initiatives that would further economic growth and job creation in the nation’s $1.9 trillion travel industry, which supports 14.4 million U.S. jobs.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar met with tourism industry operators from around the island of Ireland at the ‘Best of Britain and Ireland’ (BoBI) travel trade exhibition, which took place recently at the NEC in Birmingham.
Innovation abounds at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo so it was highly appropriate that the Crystal Cabin Awards for innovation in aircraft cabins were presented at the show at 1100 on Wednesday 28 March, after the formal awards ceremony took place on the previous evening.
Aircraft Interiors Expo 2012 opened its doors on 27 March with more than 500 exhibitors from 30 countries participating – and a record amount of exhibition space taken by industry.
Lodging Interactive is unveiling a new Hotel Website Solutions program designed to offer online marketing services at a low, month-to-month fee with all upfront costs removed. The service will include website design and management, reputation management, search engine marketing, real-time analytics and accountability, PLUS Lodging Interactive's Content Management System and its coveted Guest Review System.
Southwest Airlines in conjunction with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), announced the opening of "Dandole Alas a Tu Exito/Giving Flight to Your Success," its annual education travel award program for undergraduate and graduate students. To participate, students each submit an essay explaining why they deserve the travel award and what inspires them to pursue a college degree. Online applications will be accepted through April 30, 2012, at www.hacu.net.
Air New Zealand plans to operate daily services to China within the coming 12 months.
Amid a global shortage of trained revenue management professionals, IDeaS Revenue Solutions has announced an expanded partnership with The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration to further advance the revenue management profession within hotels. Under the new agreement, IDeaS will double the number of scholarships it offers within its Revenue Management Scholarship Program. The program now includes 12 scholarships annually for basic and advanced revenue management courses from Cornell University..jpg)
Interstate Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its new global corporate identity, logo and website. The new imaging was revealed internally to the Company’s 1,200 corporate and hotel leadership teams at its Global Leadership Conference last week. The rebranding initiative was undertaken to better communicate the Company’s position as the only large-scale, U.S.-based hotel management company with a global footprint.
Red Lion Hotels Corporation announced that its board of directors has authorized Bank of America Merrill Lynch to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including a potential sale of the company or a strategic combination with a third party. The board has formed a Strategic Alternatives Committee comprising independent directors Ryland P. (Skip) Davis, Melvin L. Keating and Ronald Taylor. This Committee will work with Bank of America Merrill Lynch in its review.
VIZERGY recently won three awards, including one of the highest possible honors, in the Web Marketing Association’s (WMA) Internet Advertising Competition (IAC), which helps establish a standard for Internet marketing and corporate web development.
