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Work starts on creation of new Dubai island

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:26:18 -0400

Work began on Monday on the development of a man-made island in Dubai, 500 metres directly opposite the Jumeirah Beach Residence complex. To be known as Bluewaters Island, the new development will house five star hotels and resorts, al fresco dining and entertainment zones, and residential apartments and villas. The focal point of the island city, which will cost $1.6 billion, will be a 688 ...

Golfer Sharmila set for Deloitte Ladies Open

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:10:01 -0400

Indian golfer Sharmila Nicollet is raring to go at the Deloitte Ladies Open after her recent success at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open at Antalya, where she finished tied 17th. Sharmila, the only Indian at the Ladies European Tour (LET), is playing in the prestigious tour for a second successive year and will compete against some of the top lady golfers in the world. The 250,000 euro ...

Snapshot Sunny today + 1 child dead in Twin Cities field trip + Man hacked to death on London street Video

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:08:39 -0400

May 22 (Bloomberg) -- Ivan Bart, managing director at IMG Models, lets you in on the three qualities you'll need to become a successful model. He speaks on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown." (Source: Bloomberg) Lois Lerner, the director of the IRS division that oversees nonprofit groups, told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she did nothing wrong and then ...

Boeing gets green light from China for 787s

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:41:35 -0400

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner Boeing Co. has reportedly received approval from China's aviation regulator for the 787 Dreamliner to begin commercial service with the nation's airlines. Chinese airlines have ordered a total of 35 Dreamliners, the Wall Street Journal reports. The regulatory approval will help the airlines replace their older planes at a faster pace and expand their fleets to ...

Turkish Airlines open flight to Lankaran

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:37:52 -0400

Turkish Airlines plans to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan opening the Istanbul-Lankaran air flight. "We are negotiating with the Azerbaijani side on the opening of a flight to Lankaran. It will presumably open in summer of 2014", head of the company Temel Kotil told Azerbaijani journalists as part of the International Transport Forum in Leipzig. Lankaran will be the fourth ...

Dubai reveals new aviation vision to 2045

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:28:12 -0400

Dubai is working to extend its ambitious aviation growth plan by an additional 15 years to 2045, emphasising the emirate's desire to remain a global leader in the ...

Cleveland tourism agency recruiting volunteer city ambassadors

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:21:19 -0400

Positively Cleveland wants to get more people in service-related jobs involved in promoting the city. Cleveland tourism group Positively Cleveland will train about 500 bartenders, taxi cab drivers and other people in service-related positions to become ambassadors of the city, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The group outlined that plan and other visions for the city's future at its ...

Extra security on deck for soccer game tonight

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:15:51 -0400

Tonight's soccer game at Busch Stadium between Chelsea and Manchester City will bring an international flare to downtown and also tighter security. St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson told KMOX the department started planning with the city, county, state and feral authorities shortly after the game was announced. Among the federal agencies involved are the Department of Homeland Security and ...

Two new roller coasters now open at Fun Spot USA

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:03:10 -0400

Bill Kitchen, founder of Orlando-based U.S. Thrill Rides LLC, was the brains behind the SkyCoaster, which is set to debut at Fun Spot America on June 8. Fun Spot USA announced Wednesday two new roller coasters are now open to guests, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The coasters, which are part of Fun Spots 15-acre, $20 million expansion, include White Lightning Orlandos only wooden coaster and ...

St. Louis County loans Metro Transit $400 million

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:31 -0400

St. Louis County is handing Metro Transit a check for $400 million to pay off debt, with the funds coming from the Proposition A transit sales tax. Metro will use the money to pay down its $500 million debt that still remains from the cross-county Metrolink expansion, KMOX reports. Metro CEO John Nations told the radio station the agency plans to refinance the remaining $100 million. Metro has an ...

Sequestration to impact Memorial Day travel

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:59:04 -0400

AAA estimates that 1.31 million Ohioans plan to travel this Memorial Day weekend, down slightly from the 1.33 million who took a trip last year. Slightly fewer people are expected to hit the roads for long trips during the upcoming holiday, and sequestration may be playing a factor. AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 0.9 ...

Crying baby preferred to smelly adult on flights survey says

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:43:28 -0400

A new Harris Interactive poll gauging airline passenger preferences found that 58 percent of people who travel by commercial airline would pay more for extra legroom on flights that are three hours or more. And 63 percent of people surveyed said they would rather sit next to a crying baby than a smelly adult. The Harris Interactive poll of 2,276 U.S. adults was conducted online from March 13-18, ...

Solar-powered aircraft makes historic landing at DFW Airport

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:33:08 -0400

Pilot Andre Borschberg talks about his record-breaking flight with media on the runway at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport immediately after finishing his 860 mile journey from Phoenix. Glowing red and green lights pierced the night sky as I stood on the runway at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Then, a row of LED lights came on, revealing the 200-foot wingspan that's entirely ...

Emirates set to add more Sri Lanka flights

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:58:56 -0400

Emirates Airline has announced plans to increase capacity on its services to Sri Lanka from June 30, with the addition of three more flights per ...

Kerala Tourism to kick off seaplane project by this month end

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:16:51 -0400

Kerala News: The first seaplane aircraftfor Kerala has reached New Delhi for the mandatory clearances from the Customs and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and is expected to arrive in Kochi, the base of the seaplane operations, later this ...

Fujita Kanko’s tips for summer vacation Kyushu Japan is a destination on the rise

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:55:35 -0400

Destination of the Month'; is a ';how to sell'; special column which aims to fulfil the travel agents need of information. Tourism Authorities ...

Introducing Conrad Koh Samui’s newest residence

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:45:05 -0400

Situated on the south west tip of the island, Conrad Koh Samui provides a relaxing retreat with great views of Koh Samui's fabled five islands and its majestic ...

China celebrated its third National Tourism Day

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:45:03 -0400

Destination of the Month'; is a ';how to sell'; special column which aims to fulfil the travel agents need of information. Tourism Authorities ...

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre rolls out its innovative and distinctive culinary philosophy

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:45:02 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> FRANKFURT - There is so much to look forward to at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) as it rolls out its signature food and beverage (F&B) offerings with "Culinaria" the latest experiential campaign designed to highlight its ...

Yunnan gets invited to the next Thailand Travel Mart

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:45:01 -0400

Destination of the Month'; is a ';how to sell'; special column which aims to fulfil the travel agents need of information. Tourism Authorities ...

The Philippines hopes to generate buzz from an art exhibition in Paris

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:45:00 -0400

Quai Branly Museum in Paris, which displays arts outside Europe, is hosting one of the most comprehensive exhibitions ever organized in France about the Philippines. The exhibition is called Philippines: An Archipelago of Exchange (Philippines: Archipel des changes) and has received the support of the government but also airlines such as Cathay Pacific or Philippine ...

Amadeus confirms that Asia has the world’s highest number of top air routes

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:44:59 -0400

300 world 'super routes' attract 20% of all air travel, Amadeus reveals in new analysis of global trends. From the top ten busiest routes in passengers, Asia has seven of ...

Mexico Germany vow to promote tourism

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:50:14 -0400

Mexico and Germany pledged on Wednesday to promote bilateral tourism, air connectivity and the flow of visitors, Mexico's Ministry of Tourism said in a ...

Turtle tourism booming in Trinidad village

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:47:20 -0400

UP CLOSE: In this May 2 photo, a tourist takes photographs of a leatherback turtle as it heads to the ocean after burying her eggs in the sand at daybreak on a narrow strip of beach in Grande Riviere, Trinidad. Officials with the US-based Sea Turtle Conservancy say Trinidad is now likely the world's leading tourist destination for people to see ...

Arena International Aviation to train Chinese pilots for Hainan Airlines

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:28:37 -0400

HUNDREDS of Chinese cadet pilots will amass crucial flight training in Port Macquarie to kickstart a ticket to the skies across the world. About 150 pilot cadets a year from China will train under the guidance of Port Macquarie-based Arena International Aviation in a step towards becoming pilots with Hainan Airlines. The relationship between Arena International Aviation and Hainan Airlines ...

Thawatchai Arunyik named next governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:55:21 -0400

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thawatchai Arunyik, deputy governor for domestic marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has been selected as the TAT's next governor to replace Suraphon Svetasreni, whose contract with TAT will end on December 21. The decision to appoint Thawatchai to the top post at the state enterprise will not come as a surprise to the tourism industry, as he had been seen ...

Hanoi considering tourism police to protect tourists from street vendors

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:55:18 -0400

HANOI, Vietnam - The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has been asked by its department in Ha Noi to establish a tourism police force dedicated to protecting visitors who are increasingly suffering from tourist scams in the capital. Cases are reported daily of foreign tourists being overcharged by taxi drivers and cheated by hotel employees. This has negatively affected the image of both ...

Philippines eyeing to double its tourism receipts to $8 billion in 2016

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:47:05 -0400

MANILA, Philippines - In line with heightened efforts to boost the country's tourism industry, the government is eyeing to double its tourism receipts to $8 billion in 2016, a tourism official said. Tourism Promotion Board chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III, in an interview with The STAR at the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Convention, said for this year alone, tourism receipts - ...

Thailand tourism up from January to April

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:47:03 -0400

International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a growth of 19.04% during January to April this year, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports' data. Released late last week, the ministry's research registered 8,841,730 trips to the country during the first 4 months, up from 7,427,772 visits during the same period last year. In April alone, there were 2,013,012 trips, up 19.38% ...

6 travel agents rewarded for tour promotions in Haitang Bay Sanya

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:09:08 -0400

The Haitang Bay Management Committee in Sanya hosted a conference to award top-performing travel agents as part of a tour sales incentive scheme at Hainan Bay on May 16. This March, the Committee invited travel agencies to develop and promote tours to Haitang Bay. The drive started on April 1st and will last until September 30th. In April, the hotels and scenic spots in Haitang Bay received ...

Forum for 2013 Sanya Tourism held in Yalong Bay

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:09:07 -0400

Jointly hosted by Sanya Tourism Development Commission and Sanya Tourism Association, the Forum for 2013 Sanya Tourism was held in Yalong Bay on May 16th. More than 120 hotel general managers, sales directors and other relevant people attended the meeting. The forum provides a platform for participants to exchange ideas and discuss the potential for the development of Sanya’s hospitality ...

Tourism boom takes a breather in April

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:52:17 -0400

South Florida’s booming hotel market hit a lull in April, but stay tuned. The latest hotel numbers from Smith Travel Research mostly showed modest growth in the revenue South Florida hotels generated from their rooms, a big change from the double-digit growth seen during the high season of 2013. But with April a notoriously fickle month — spring vacation bookings tend to shift year to ...

Palmer House Hilton hotel up for sale

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:41:05 -0400

Thor Equities LLC is hoping to get $500 million for Palmer House Hilton. The historic Palmer House Hilton, the citys second-largest hotel, is being put up for sale. The hotels owner, New York-based Thor Equities LLC, has hired Jones Lang LaSalle to sell the 1,639-room hotel for as much as $500 million, according to Crains Chicago Business, citing people familiar with Thors plans. Thor Equities ...

Cruise industry adopts passenger bill of rights

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:57 -0400

mechanical failure , and a backup power source on every ship to keep emergency systems running in the event of a main generator failure. The announcement by the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 25 major companies including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America and Cunard, comes in the aftermath of the Carnival Triumph debacle. The ship drifted for ...

And the best and worst airlines in America are...

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:45:00 -0400

Spirit Airlines came in last place in a Consumer Reports ranking of America's best airlines. These days when most airlines are turning people off with their excessive fees and crowded flights, Virgin America is getting some of the highest customer satisfaction scores any airline has seen in years. According to ...

Best Worst Airlines of 2013 Ranked by Consumer Reports

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:21:30 -0400

Consumer Reports has shed some light on the variations of the flying experience that can be found on different airlines. The publication has ranked U.S. airlines from best to worst in its latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine. The rankings are based on a survey of 16,000 people conducted in February. The survey included questions about comfort, baggage handling, check-in service, fees, and ...

SeaWorld sees 12 increase in revenue in 1Q

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:14:06 -0400

SeaWorld Orlando should see an uptick in business due to the May 24 opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. reported a 12 percent increase in revenue during the first three months of 2013. The Orlando-based, 11-parks theme park operator (NYSE: SEAS) earned $238.6 million in combined admission and food, merchandise and other services sales, up from $212.4 million ...

CDOT asks Is there money for I-70 mountain rail project

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:43:55 -0400

Building a high-speed rail line along Colorados I-70 mountain corridor is technically feasible, but the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hoping that the private sector will step up to help pay for the multibillion-dollar project. Building a line from Denver International Airport to Eagle County, about 150 miles, would cost an estimated $15 billion to $20 billion, said David ...

Megabus to offer additional low fares next month

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:43:12 -0400

Megabus.com is expanding to 28 U.S. cities and is rolling out special low-cost fares during the month of June. Megabus.com, which has turned heads and filled seats with its $1 fare promotion, is lowering the price of travel on additional routes. During the month of June, Megabus.com will offer thousands of $5 and $9 seats for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The low fares will be ...

Airlines urged to improve punctuality

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:10 -0400

/enpproperty--> Chinese airlines haunted by poor punctuality will be forced to reduce flight and operating times, the top civil aviation watchdog said. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will request that airlines with a flight delay occurrence rate higher than the industry average reduce the number of flights and shorten their operating time, Xia Xinghua, deputy director of ...

T Magazine Happenings | The Parties at the First Week of the Cannes Film Festival

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:13:24 -0400

The spread at ';The Hunger Games'; Cannes Party at Baoli Beach. The best-dressed set has taken over the French Riviera, where the promise of great films is rivaled only by the number of enviable parties at the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival. Here, where the partygoers have wined, dined and danced their socks off for the first half of the ...

National President of Skal meets with Thailand Director of Bhutans Tourism Council

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:09:33 -0400

BANGKOK, Thailand - Seen recently in Bangkok were Karma Lotey, Director of Bhutan's Tourism Council, President of the Association of Bhutan Tour Operators (ABTO) and CEO of Yangphel Travel, visiting friend Andrew Wood, National President of Skal International Thailand. Karma and Andrew discussed many topics during his visit to Andrew's home including the setting up of a Skal Club in ...

Tourism leaders from Dubai and Seychelles meet

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:09:31 -0400

Helal Saeed Almarri, the Director General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the principal authority responsible for strengthening Dubai's positioning as a world-leading tourism destination and commercial hub, met Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, when the Minister was in Dubai on a working visit a week and ...

New eateries announced for remodeled Denver Union Station

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:48:48 -0400

"." Larimer Associates, leasing company for the Denver Union Station remodel, on Wednesday announced the names of three restaurants coming to the historic terminal when it opens next year. They are Snooze, an A.M. Eatery; The Kitchen Next Door, and a new concept restaurant by the chef of Fruition Restaurant. Larimer Associates is part of the Union Station Alliance (USA) team that is ...

Clear Channel wins deals at OHare and Midway

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:46:41 -0400

O'Hare International Airport Chicagos City Council has voted to award Clear Channel Airports a new five-year contract with five one-year extension options to provide indoor digital media programs at OHare and Midway International airports. Clear Channel Airports, a division of San Antonio, Texas-based Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CCO), said the contract could give the city more ...

Qantas Airlines To Offer In-Flight Books

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:23:12 -0400

Copyright © 2013 NPR. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required. DAVID GREENE, HOST: And our last word in business on this Wednesday is: Mile High Book Club. LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: We're talking about an in-flight library offered by the Australian airline Qantas. GREENE: They will still have movies on the plane, that right, Linda? ...

Hilton Albany unveils $14 million renovation slideshow

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:32:44 -0400

Celebrating the completion of the renovations at the Hilton Albany are (left to right) Chris Shaffer, food and beverage director; Miten Negandhi, conference services director; and Michael Melnick, manager of Charter restaurant The new Hilton Albany was unveiled this week after more than a year of renovations that cost $14 million. The 385-room hotel, the largest in the Albany, NY, region, ...

Why Chicagoans wont be flying so much this Memorial Day

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:13:02 -0400

Chicago airports and their security lanes won't be as busy this Memorial Day weekend. Air travel from Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend will take a big hit this year. According to figures released today by the AAA Chicago, the number of people flying to their holiday destination from Illinois (which is largely the Chicago market) will total just over 88,000, a sharp 7.3 percent decrease ...

Kemper Arena replacement must be priority

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:56:11 -0400

Plans for the area around Kemper Arena call for a smaller venue more focused on agricultural events. The quest to replace Kemper Arena is like a duck on a pond moving quietly forward on the surface, with turbulent paddling going on underneath. It's been a year-and-a-half since the American Royal and the Kemper family released a proposal to raze Kansas City's Kemper Arena and replace it ...

Delta Airlines wants to stop Ex-Im bank help on big jets

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:49:29 -0400

BA.N ), and would be willing to forgo such support for its own purchases of smaller jets if all such subsidies were eliminated, the chief executive said on ...

In Transit Blog Fees Take on New Altitude

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:48:53 -0400

American air carriers took in more than $6 billion in fees from passengers in 2012, an increase of 3.8 percent for baggage and 7.3 for reservation changes over 2011, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. At the same time, passenger volume increased only slightly, 0.8 percent from 2011 to 2012. Delta Air Lines (above), which carried more passengers than any other domestic airline ...

Heads Up Haiti An Unlikely Location for Luxury

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:48:52 -0400

The Ptionville suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has long been a tourism-friendly area, with a smattering of boutiques, galleries and ...

Update Luring Tourists Back to Greece

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:48:50 -0400

Kostas, a waiter at the Diodos taverna, which offers a splendid view of the scene, smiled. A year ago, amid a political and economic crisis that fueled protests in central Athens and pushed Greece toward the brink of exiting the euro zone, the surrounding streets were hauntingly empty. But on a recent Saturday afternoon, Kostas, who only gave his first name, was scrambling to find an empty ...

What the Hotel Industry Can Learn From Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky - By Vikram Singh

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:11 -0400

I recently finished reading Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky. To be clear: I am not writing a standard book review. A book is going to have a different impact on every reader. Id rather tell you what what the book meant to me, and to the hotel industry. First, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed this hilarious and very readable book. Now down to business. I think the hospitality industry is ...

VFM Leonardo Names Elana Palmer Vice President Global Sales

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:11 -0400

VFM Leonardo has named Elana Palmer Vice President, Global Sales. In her new role she will assume leadership of the sales teams servicing enterprise solutions for corporate chains and marketing solutions for properties and management companies. "Elana has demonstrated her ability to getting the job done, which is why we’ve chosen her to handle our global sales effort," said John ...

New Las Vegas Mega Resort Announced - Eurasia

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:10 -0400

The Eurasia project intends to focus on providing spectacular, world-class entertainment concepts at a mega resort that complements and extends Las Vegas' various market offerings. Eurasia Resorts International, Ltd. - Global Financial Trust, Ltd. (GFT) announced a new project for Las Vegas. ...

California Hotels Corporation to Develop 17 Acre Hotel in Troy Michigan

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:10 -0400

California Hotel Corporation through its subsidiary Met Hotel Partners LLC, will be expanding the operation at the 200 Room Met Troy Hotel in line with the economic improvements in the Michigan Market. New California Hotels Corporation after meeting with the city on several occasions will be modifying the 17 acre site to gain advantage of the upswing in ...

Business Coalition Calls for Swift Senate Confirmation of Penny Pritzker

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:10 -0400

Nominees experience crucial to continuing job creation and economic growth The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), along with a coalition of 18 other associations representing a broad cross section of the business community, today sent a letter to the members of the Senate Commerce Committee to press for a swift confirmation for Commerce Secretary-designate Penny Pritzker. ...

White Lodging Names New General Managers for Four Properties

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:09 -0400

White Lodging announced the following individuals have been named general managers within the last month across the company. Stan Iliev has been promoted to general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Valparaiso, Ind. Previously, Iliev was the operations manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway in Bedford Park, Illi. Iliev joined White Lodging in 2011 as the front desk manager at ...

HVS Report - Overview of Health Wellness Resorts Market Sochi Russia - By Alexey Korobkin

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:09 -0400

This publication focuses on the market of wellness resorts of Sochi, Russia. In light of heightened media attention to Sochi, we examine the market evolution caused by the recent social & economic changes and development opportunities in the market. A lot of attention of government, developers and business community has been lately drawn to Sochi. The main interest is focused on ...

Gregory J. Larson Named CFO for Host Hotels

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:09 -0400

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST) announced as part of a broader leadership reorganization, that Gregory J. Larson , its current executive vice president, corporate strategy, has become the chief financial officer of the Company. Struan Robertson, the current chief investment officer, will, in addition to his investment activities, assume leadership of the Company's disposition ...

Hotel Industry in the Americas Region Reports Positive Results For April 2013

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:45:08 -0400

In April, the Americas region reported a 3.5-percent increase in occupancy to 63.8 percent, a 3.4-percent rise in average daily rate to US$112.31 and a 7.0-percent growth in revenue per available room to US$71.67. The Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars during April 2013, according to data compiled by STR and STR Global. ...

National Aquarium taps NOAA official to lead conservation efforts

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:34:03 -0400

Eric Schwaab has been hired to lead the National Aquarium in Baltimore's conservation efforts. The National Aquarium in Baltimore has named a federal employee with a background in Maryland conservation as its first senior vice president and chief conservation officer. Eric Schwaab will step into the role July 1 after leaving his post at the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and ...

InGenesis Alamo Travel Group among fastest growing inner-city firms

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:23:58 -0400

Veronica Edwards, CEO of InGenesis, leads one of the fastest-growing Inner City firms in the country. Two San Antonio companies have been ranked among the fastest growing inner city companies in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). InGenesis, a staffing and management consulting company founded in 1998, ranked No. 4 on the list while the Alamo ...

Oregons earliest pinot noir grapes get a plaque

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:21:31 -0400

Oregon Travel Experience will honor the spot where the state's first pinot noir was planted in 1961. A marker at HillCrest Winery and Distillery in Roseburg will honor an important moment in Oregon history. Oregon Travel Experience will install a plaque in early 2014 at HillCrest, which planted the states first pinot noir grapes in 1961. HillCrest released its first wine in 1967, signalling ...

Oregon pinot noir Put a plaque on it

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:21:31 -0400

Behind the numbers of SeaWorlds Antarctica Empire of the Penguin

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:06:03 -0400

SeaWorld Orlando's Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin expansion opens on May 24. However, the OBJ theme park crew got a sneak peek behind the guardrails of Antarctica to see just what to expect when the expansion opens to guests later this week. We've already shared what to expect in Antarctica's main area and some of the cool features within the new attraction Empire of the ...

Emiratis encouraged to enrol in tourism camp

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:36:35 -0400

Abu Dhabi: Young Emiratis aged between 15 and 17 are being encouraged to enrol in a three-week programme which will give them a better understanding of the tourism ...

Cityzenbooking Certified for ERevMax Channel Eco-System for Seamless Connectivity

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:20 -0400

Cityzenbooking will be able to gain access to broader inventory supply, improve booking conversion and increase revenues as part of its growth plans across Europe. Cityzenbooking, a leading online sales channel dedicated to serviced apartments, has become an eRevMax certified channel following the creation of a two-way XML interface. Cityzenbooking will be able to gain access to broader ...

AHLA Applauds Committee Passage of Immigration Reform Bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:20 -0400

Lodging industry emphasizes importance of final bill reflecting needs of todays economy The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) commends the Senate Judiciary Committee for its 13-5 vote to pass the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744) and issues the following statement: "With committee passage of this bill, the Senate is one ...

Maestro Launches Big Data Mobile Business Intelligence and Performance Management Dashboards for Faster Time to Information Decisions

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:20 -0400

Maestro BI Gives Operators Real-Time On-The-Go Access to Comprehensive Performance Numbers for Single Hotels or Multi-Property Hotel ...

LBA Hospitality Increases Business for 72-Property Portfolio with Web Booking Pages and Corporate Sales System

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:19 -0400

'Sales is All About Qualifying,' LBA Combines Savvy Web Strategy and Centralized Account Management to Qualify and Close New Business "LBA specializes in Hilton and Marriott properties that extend from the Carolinas to Houston and down to South Florida in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets. Our properties have strong leisure segments that use the internet to shop and book, ...

The secret benefits hiding in your frequent-flier points

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:13:43 -0400

You would think moving up your frequent travel rewards program would make things easier. But if you want to take advantage of travel reward programs, you're going to have to work a little harder to get what you want, when you want it. Another "definitive" frequent-flier award-seat availability survey hit the media last week. As usual, most media types played it up. As usual, however, ...

Southwest adds Reagan National-Houston nonstop

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:09:24 -0400

Southwest Airlines will start a daily nonstop flight from Reagan National Airport to Houston Hobby Airport. Southwest Airlines will start a daily nonstop flight from Reagan National Airport to Houston Hobby Airport, taking over slots given up by Spirit Airlines when it moved its Washington-area flights to BWI/Marshall Airport last year. While it will be one of the longer nonstop flights out of ...

Visa ease smooths path for savvy countries to benefit from Chinese tourism

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:39:01 -0400

Visa procedures undoubtedly mirror the relationship between two countries. The more intimate the two countries are, the more efficient the visa procedures between them can be. But there is also another side of the coin: Visa issuance can also be a micro index of a country's own level of development and opening-up.I felt this deeply the moment I walked into the South Korean visa center in ...

In Transit Blog Speeding Customs

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:22:09 -0400

The Chicago O'Hare International Airport will be the first airport in the United States to implement Automated Passport Control, a new technology designed to expedite customs clearance, the Chicago Department of Aviation announced recently. The program is expected to help travelers with American passports move more quickly through the United States border clearance process by allowing them ...

Ajman regulates hotel and tourism sector

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:05:31 -0400

WAM AJMAN, May 22nde, 2013 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued an Emiri Decree regulating the hotel and tourism sector in the emirate. Decree No. 02 of 2013, issued on a recommendation by Ajman Tourism Development Department, responds to the growing movement of tourists into the emirate. The decree grants the Department the ...

$6 million SA tourism campaign unveils commercial featuring Nick Cave promoting Barossa Valley

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

NATURAL elements, local producers and a soundtrack by Australian musician Nick Cave feature in a new television commercial promoting the Barossa Valley as Australia's premier food and wine destination. The commercial, launched today as part of a $6 million campaign to promote SA tourism, uses the tagline "Barossa. Be consumed". It will appear on major television networks around ...

Fort McHenry boat tour aims for a Francis Scott Key experience

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:48:24 -0400

A new boat tour on water taxis will give visitors the chance to see Fort McHenry by boat just how Francis Scott Key saw it. Baltimore natives and visitors can get a taste of what Francis Scott Key saw at the twilights last gleaming with a new 45-minute Fort McHenry boat tour starting June 1. The tour is being funded by a $33,706 grant awarded to the Living Classrooms Foundation from the Maryland ...

787 Dreamliner back in service at DIA Video

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:30 -0400

United Airlines Flight 1087 touches down at Denver International Airport on a flight from Houston with 216 passengers at 11:12 a.m. MDT on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, marking the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's return to DIA after its three-month grounding. The Boeing Co.'s 787 Dreamliner returned to passenger service at Denver International Airport Tuesday following its three-month grounding for ...

La Tagliatella Opens Second Location in Shanghai China

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:13:28 -0400

SHANGHAI, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AmRest HK Limited, a HK Company, recently celebrated the grand opening of its second La Tagliatella Italian restaurant in Shanghai, China. Built just behind the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower, one of China's most iconic modern structures, the new La Tagliatella features a breathtaking location along the Huangpu River. The physical address of the ...

Argo Travel expands into the Southeast Asia market

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:05:58 -0400

Destination of the Month'; is a ';how to sell'; special column which aims to fulfil the travel agents need of information. Tourism Authorities ...

VFM Leonardo Hosts Visual Storytelling Strategies Webinar for Hotel Marketers

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:52 -0400

Show and Tell: Attracting More Guests Through the Power of Visual Storytelling Webinar on May 23rd to Feature Speakers from 200rooms.com and Granite Hospitality. When it comes to attracting more travelers to a particular hotel, using visuals to tell a story online is incredibly effective because travelers rely on hotel visuals as they research and evaluate their options online. Research by ...

AHLA Summer Summit - June 18-19 at The Brown Palace Hotel Spa in Denver Colorado

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:52 -0400

Conference features mid-year statistics/social data trends, a special meeting of members, and national awards The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) annual Summer Summit, held June 18-19 at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in Denver, Colorado, will include a session featuring top-line forecasting and social data trends, a special meeting of members to vote on a proposed ...

A Restaurateurs Guide to Successful Digital Marketing - By Emily Ditman

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:52 -0400

The restaurant website, its online presence and corresponding digital marketing efforts have become the main point of contact with would-be patrons. And yet, many restaurateurs who willingly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on décor and furnishings suddenly become cost-conscientious when the restaurant website is concerned. They also completely ignore digital marketing to prospective ...

Holiday Inn Express Manhattan West Side Opens

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:51 -0400

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)[LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG] announced the opening of the new Holiday Inn Express® Manhattan West Side, conveniently located near the Broadway Theater District, Times Square and a short walk from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The new 177-room hotel in the midtown west Manhattan area, at 538 West 48th St., is the closest hotel to the Manhattan Cruise ...

Can You Change a Culture Emphasizing Civility - By John Hendrie

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:04:51 -0400

This may be a lofty goal for other societies, but just might be heeded in China. A national tourism behavior would be something. I am not sure that politeness has ever been the norm for tourists, for that always begins with a respect for culture and practices for the country you visit. We sure did not learn lessons from the Huns and the Romans, much less the Crusades or even the Spanish in the ...

Video Spirit Airlines CEO on bad ratings high occupancy

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:03:45 -0400

Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza speaks to CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg and the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about how his company manages to keep occupancy high, despite their low customer ...

Video Spirit Airlines puts low cost over comfort

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:03:44 -0400

South Australian Tourism Commission using short films to show new side to city

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

THE secret Adelaide night life that rivals Sydney's; Chinatown's hidden treasures; chef Simon Bryant joining the new food-truck culture - these windows into Adelaide life are part of a South Australian Tourism Commission campaign using films made by independent film-makers. The SATC commissioned 10 filmmakers to shoot a short feature showing why they love the state - and the results went ...

Sahara Sams Berlin park to celebrate expansion

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:30:01 -0400

With summer around the corner, Sahara Sams in West Berlin, N.J. underwent a $6.5 million expansion, according to the Courier Post. The waterpark includes a 25-meter leisure pool, a childrens play zone, and a ...

Uganda Uganda Hot On Turkish Airlines List

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:41:07 -0400

Kampala - Turkish Airlines, the two time winner of Europe's Best Airline Award and the people behind the popular ad of Lionel Messi dueling with Kobe Bryant, say they are ready to work with Uganda's Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders to promote the country's attractions. Speaking to the East African Business Week in an exclusive interview last week, Erbil Akgun, the ...

Former travel commissioner Bob Stewart is new Ky. tourism secretary

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:56:33 -0400

Bob Stewart, Kentuckys Commissioner of Travel from 1992-2003, has been named secretary of the states Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. As Business First reports, Gov. Steve Beshear announced the appointment yesterday. He will succeed Marcheeta Sparrow, who announced her retirement last week. Stewart has also worked as deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of the Arts, as executive ...

Emirate Sharjah to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Korea

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:52:23 -0400

-Korea Economic Partnership Forum, hoping to make the most of the new avenues of economic opportunities and possibilities," said HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre. HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi will be heading the Sharjah delegation, comprising the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ...

Giant solar plane flying into DFW Airport tonight

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:44:41 -0400

The SolarImpulse aircraft will land at D/FW Airport at 1 a.m. Thursday morning and will be on display for the public from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. The SolarImpulse aircraft will make history Wednesday as it flies nonstop from Phoenix to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg took off today at 4:45 a.m. from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is expected ...

Ruisanchez named president of Pinnacle

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:39:46 -0400

Pinnacle CEO Anthony Sanfilippo Former Pinnacle Entertainment President and CEO Anthony Sanfilippo has dropped 'president' from his title, and Pinnacle's CFO Carlos Ruisanchez has been named the company's new president. Sanfilippo will continue in his role as CEO, and Ruisanchez will also retain the title of chief financial officer in addition to serving as president, according to ...

Gasoline prices remain the same as last week

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:15:08 -0400

The average gasoline price in southwestern Pennsylvania remained the same this week at $3.488 a gallon, lower than the national average and less than the local price a year ago. Pittsburgh prices are $3.55 a gallon. AAA East Central's Fuel Gauge said it's 18 cents cheaper per gallon than Memorial Day weekend a year ago, and higher than the $3.654 a gallon nationally today. The national ...

IRS hits Miccosukee tribe with $170M tax bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:51:54 -0400

MIAMI -- The Internal Revenue Service has hit the Miccosukee Indians with a $170 million bill for failing to report and withhold taxes from its distribution of gambling profits to tribal members.The Miami Herald ( http://hrld.us/11aX4mY) reported Tuesday that the IRS also sent bills totaling $58 million to hundreds of the South Florida tribe's members for failure to pay personal taxes on ...

Turbulence drama injures 13 on Emirates flight

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:24:27 -0400

A number of passengers and crew on an Emirates Airline flight from Dubai to Jakarta sustained minor to serious injuries after the aircraft was caught in heavy ...

Uganda Publisher Appointed to Tourism Chair

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:22:53 -0400

Kampala - James Tumusiime, the Managing Director of Fountain Publishers Limited and founder of the Igongo Cultural Centre in Biharwe, western Uganda, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board. He replaces William Byaruhanga who was the chairperson until his tenure ended in 2011. The new chairman together with his board will serve for the next three years. A new Board of ...

Plasticity 2013 Hong Kong serves up sustainable plastic solutions

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:22 -0400

Plasticity Hong Kong is a full one-day conference designed to inspire, excite, and help move the world to follow the innovative leaders who use plastic in new ...

OpenJaw forms strategic alliance with TravelSky to bring t-Retailing to China

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:21 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> DUBLIN, IRELAND - OpenJaw Technologies , a leading online technology partner of the world's biggest travel brands and TravelSky Technology Limited , the leading provider of information technology solutions for China's air travel and tourism industries, announced a ...

ICCA announces destination for 2016 Congress

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:20 -0400

Destination of the Month'; is a ';how to sell'; special column which aims to fulfil the travel agents need of information. Tourism Authorities ...

AIME pre-tours boost business for Victoria

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:19 -0400

Survey results revealed extremely high levels of satisfaction across the board, with 96% satisfied with the accommodation and regional tour hosts, 94% with the transfers, 88% with the choice of pre-tours available and 87% with site inspections and ...

Haute Dim Sum at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:18 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> BEIJING - Cai Yi Xuan, meaning "the art of dining" in Chinese, serves regional Chinese cuisines from Beijing, Shandong, Guangdong and Zhejiang but the highlight of its menu is undoubtedly the authentic and artistically made dim sum - so fresh and delicious, it can be ...

Best Western arrives in magical Myanmar

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:16 -0400

The six-month-old Green Hill Hotel, which features 189 light, contemporary rooms and suites, will now be operated by Best Western International under its midscale Best Western ...

MAX Atria Singapore EXPO marks its first anniversary

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:15 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> SINGAPORE - MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO celebrates one year of transforming and redefining its client's convention experience. In March 2012, Singapore's largest meetings venue unveiled its newest offer: MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO, managed by Singex . Since then, ...

Lebua Bangkok offer benefits for unforgettable girls’ getaway with its Girl Getaway Package

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:14 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> BANGKOK - For an affordable, short break with all the essentials a girl needs luxurious accommodation, five star dining and relaxation. An award-wining all-suite & all-club hotel, Tower Club at lebua offers an ...

Surprising resilience of Europe to Japan

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:12 -0400

Most European markets to Japan show an increase since the start of the year, especially from Russia, Germany and France as shown by statistics referring to the period January-March ...