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Diversion of flight fails to save passenger from Ireland

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:57:42 -0400

A flight from Melbourne to Qatar was diverted to India on Wednesday, in a desperate attempt to save an Irish man on board. The man, Raymond McMorrow, 68, is believed to have had a heart attack on board Qatar Airways flight QR 031 while in transit from Melbourne to Doha, the Qatar capital. The Qatar Airways plane landed without incident at Cochin Airport, in southern India, where an ...

Pakistani plane forced to land near London two held

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:01 -0400

Britain had to scramble fighter jets Friday to escort a Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) plane down to land after it was diverted from Manchester. Later, two people were arrested from aboard the aircraft on suspicion of endangering the flight. The Royal Air Force Typhoon jets were scrambled to escort the passenger plane, originally heading from Pakistan's Lahore city to Britain's ...

Two held over Pakistani planes mid-air alert

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:10:01 -0400

Britain had to scramble fighter jets Friday for escorting a Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) plane after it was diverted from Manchester. Later, two people were arrested on suspicion of endangering the aircraft's flight. The Royal Air Force Typhoon jets were scrambled to escort the passenger plane, originally heading from Pakistan's Lahore city to Britain's Manchester city. Police boarded ...

Britain sends up fighters as Pakistani plane diverted

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:30:02 -0400

Britain had to scramble fighter jets Friday for escorting a Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) plane after it was diverted from Manchester. The PIA plane was diverted from Manchester to Stansted airport, reported BBC, citing a Manchester airport spokesperson Friday. The plane, flight number PK709, carrying 297 passengers, had reportedly left Lahore at 09.35 a.m. and was due in at Manchester ...

American Airlines CEO Tom Hortons Proposed Severance Pay Is Too Big Trustee

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:00:51 -0400

Thomas 'Tom' Horton, chairman, president and chief executive officer of AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty ...

I-5 bridge collapse will cause headaches for tourism B.C. trucking industry

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:24 -0400

Court ruling is wrong The court ruling to allow teachers to post political messages in schools is so wrong. When did the B.C. Teachers Federation stop being a professional organization entrusted with ...

China Airlines adding nonstop flights between Taiwan and Hawaii

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:47:51 -0400

China Airlines said it will begin flying two weekly nonstop flights between Taipei and Honolulu, using Airbus A330 aircraft. Seen here is a China Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft. China Airlines will launch regular nonstop flights between Taiwan and Hawaii on June 2, the airline said Friday. The airline will fly nonstop between Taipei and Honolulu International Airport using Airbus A330 aircraft ...

Thailand-Japan plan two-way tourism traffic flows.

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:57:06 -0400

In an effort to address a gap in travel between Thailand and the island of Kyushu in Japan, a tourism exchange was recently organized in the city of Fukuoka between the Thai Government and the private sector of ...

Russian fed agency asking tour operators to inform tourists on coronavirus

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:57:27 -0400

MOSCOW, May 24 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism /Rostourism/ has asked the tour companies across the country to inform the customers planning trips to Qatar, Jordan, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, France, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia on the importance of observing safety precautions in the wake of the outbreak of diseases caused by a new strain of ...

Frances luxury industry tourism hurt by Paris street crime

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:27:19 -0400

The streets of Paris are getting a reputation of being unsafe for tourists and is threatening the great brand names of French fashion. A leading association that counts Chanel and Dior as members urged the authorities to take action on the climate of insecurity which it said could keep cash-flush tourists away. Several recent incidents have tarnished the image of Paris - the world's most ...

How long will it take to fix the collapsed I-5 Skagit bridge

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:26:36 -0400

It took just over 13 months to replace the I-35 West Bridge in Minneapolis after it collapsed in 2007. The bridge was eight lanes, compared with the four-lane Skagit River bridge on I-5 that collapsed Thursday night. Contracting experts think that the collapsed Interstate 5 Skagit River bridge can be fixed quickly. David DHondt, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of ...

Skagit bridge collapse spurs hotel cancellations in Anacortes

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:13:12 -0400

Anacortes Majestic Inn and Spa started getting cancellations soon after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River collapsed Thursday evening. An hour after the Skagit River bridge collapsed Thursday evening, the phone at Anacortes Majestic Inn and Spa rang with the first of several cancellations for the Memorial Day weekend. Anna Holm, owner of the Majestic's Apothecary Spa, said both spa and ...

Men arrested after RAF jet is scrambled to escort Pakistan Airlines passenger plane to London Stansted Airport

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:28:41 -0400

Two men have been arrested at Stansted today after a passenger plane heading to Manchester airport was diverted to Stansted by an RAF Typhoon jet following reports of threats on ...

Pakistan Airlines flight accompanied by fighter jet for emergency landing in UK

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:18:18 -0400

Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK709 headed from Lahore to the UK with 297 passengers onboard was diverted from northwestern England's Manchester Airport to Stansted when two unruly passengers threatened an air stewardess that they would blow up the plane. The air stewardesses contacted the pilot, who contacted UK air traffic control. The UK Defense Ministry immediately sent a ...

United offering more premium perks from New York

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:48:39 -0400

United Airlines says it now offers flat-bed seats and on-demand personal entertainment systems in premium cabins on every international flight from New York area airports. No matter what the surveys say about the quality of its service, Chicago-based United Airlines is charging ahead with upgrades of its service in a variety of ways. Today, United bragged that it is now the only United ...

Top of the List Tourist Attractions

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:29:17 -0400

Red Mountain State Park This weeks Birmingham Business Journal lists the areas most notable tourist attractions, listed alphabetically. Click here to see a photo map of the Birmingham Tourist Attractions, or check out our slideshow below to see the entire List. Click the white arrow in each picture to collapse or expand the description of each attraction. One Birmingham outdoor adventure venue ...

QA Finding the Spa Experience for You

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:40 -0400

A. A destination spa, you usually go to by yourself, though not always, and usually for a minimum of seven nights. The results can be profound, physically and mentally. My personal ...

Footsteps In Pennsylvania Exploring Wyeth’s World

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:38 -0400

The house in which the artist grew up -- a red brick building that his father, the illustrator N. C. Wyeth, built for the family in 1911 -- is down the road from Andrew Wyeth's own prim, white clapboard and stucco house and studio, which the Brandywine River Museum opened to the public last summer. And just over the hill, perhaps a 20-minute walk down private back roads, is the farmhouse ...

Pursuits Hunting the Bounty of Turkish Markets

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:36 -0400

I was traveling the region having been inspired by a cookbook, "Aegean Flavours," written by Didem Senol, a New York-trained Turkish chef whose penchant for cooking in season is on display at her Istanbul restaurant, Lokanta Maya, and her tiny cafe there, Gram. Many of the book's recipes are informed by the time Ms. Senol spent heading the kitchen at her father's hotel, the ...

Slow Travel Walking in Wales

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:34 -0400

My idea of heaven is a long walk. Aimless hours pass, thoughts drift. I was never ambitious about how many miles I covered -- until I read a biography of Johann Sebastian Bach. He loved to walk, too, and thought nothing of walking to a town hundreds of miles away to try a new organ, or to look for a new job. He walked for weeks -- months, even -- humming to himself, I hope. I wondered why I ...

Taking a Walk Where Wales Meets the Sea

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:32 -0400

For the May 26, 2013, issue of the Travel section, Dominique Browning wrote about a five-day walk she made along the coast of Wales. Here are photos of places in and around her ...

Urban Beach Week adds to Memorial Day weekend crowds traffic

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:06:02 -0400

Tens of thousands of people will flock to South Florida tocelebrateduring Memorial Day weekend. Although thousands of people will head to the airports this weekend to kick off the summer traveling season, many will remain in town for some of the crowd-inducing events. Tens of thousands of people will flock to Miami Beach this weekend to participate in the annual holiday party referred to as Urban ...

Watch 2 Arrests in Pakistan Airlines Flight Scare

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:02:23 -0400

Fighter jets scrambled in Britain today after an incident on a plane but officials say it is not terror related -- royal air force jet escorted to Pakistan International Airlines plane to ...

Flexjet sees business take off as economy improves

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:34:16 -0400

A Challenger private jet. Dallas-based Flexjet reported that new business grew 83 percent in the first quarter. Flexjet, the world's second largest fractional jet ownership services provider, said that sales of fractional shares grew 108 percent in the quarter and that new jet card sales grew by 48 percent. The company offers fractional aircraft ownership, jet card and whole aircraft ...

Palace Theatre collects $58000 at fundraising event

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:28 -0400

Holly Brown, general manager of the Palace Theatre. A fundraiser generated $58,000 for The Palace Theatre in Albany, NY, officials said. The May 9 fundraiser, called Salute to the Palace, featured a live performance by Sandy Hacketts Rat Pack Show. The fundraiser is an important event for the non-profit theater, which is on track to finishing its second consecutive season with a surplus after ...

State pushes for more Amtrak train service in wake of I-5 bridge collapse

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:25:55 -0400

An Amtrak Cascades train in Seattle. The Washington State Department of Transportation is trying to add additional Amtrak Cascades train service to the route between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, to help travelers circumvent the collapsed Interstate 5 bridge at Mount Vernon. Currently Amtrak Cascades operates four trains daily on the route two northbound and two southbound and a goal ...

Planemaker Embraer Sees American Closing Out US Regional Jet Cycle

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:25:44 -0400

SAO PAULO -- Embraer SA, the world's third-largest commercial jet maker, expects just one more big regional jet order as a result of its current U.S. sales campaign, Chief Executive Officer Frederico Curado said in an interview, after the Brazilian planemaker clinched three of four major deals since December. "After the American Airlines competition, the game is over for a ...

I-5 bridge collapse hits Skagit County as economy shows more life

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:22:55 -0400

Washington State Employment Security Department chart The collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge over Skagit River comes at a time when Mount Vernon and Skagit Countys stubborn unemployment rate has recently shown signs of real improvement. Skagit Countys unemployment rate for April was 8.3 percent, according to the states Employment Security Department. Thats an improvement from 9.2 percent in ...

Tourism chiefs back golf resort

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:18:55 -0400

Tourism chiefs have insisted plans for a controversial £100 million golf resort near the Giant’s Causeway should proceed without delay, despite the objection of a world heritage body. Unesco has called for a halt to the proposed Bushmills Dunes resort at Runkerry on Northern Ireland's scenic North Coast, citing concerns on the potential environmental impact on the famous ...

Passenger traffic at PTI declines 8 percent in April

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:16:42 -0400

Passenger traffic at PTI dipped 8 percent in April. Passenger traffic at Piedmont Triad International Airport decreased 8 percent in April versus a year earlier, marking the fourth straight month of year-over-year declines for the Greensboro airport. The number of passengers traveling through PTI in April stood at 72,725, down from 79,160 in April 2012, according to the latest statistics from ...

Tourism Ministry marks Du Bois death anniversary

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:13:46 -0400

Accra, May 24, GNA - An exhibition and bazaar to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr W.E.B Du Bois was on Thursday opened by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in ...

WSDOT Replace dont repair the Skagit River bridge

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:09:03 -0400

A spokesman for the Washington State Department of Transportation said the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River should be replaced entirely, though lawmakers will have to examine cost and other factors. The Washington Department of Transportation is recommending the entire Skagit River bridge be replaced after a section of the 1950s-era steel-truss bridge collapsed into the river Thursday evening, ...

In Transit Blog Calendar Coming Events in Isle of Wight Sydney Waukesha Wis.

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:58:10 -0400

In Transit is a blog on travel news, deals and tips, written by the editors and reporters of the Travel section. It's also the home for Globespotters, a travel blog that covers news and events from 10 cities around the ...

US travel industry optimistic for summer

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:56:22 -0400

hotels and campgrounds are commanding higher rates and seeing more customers than a few summers ago, and luxury hotels are selling out. Local businessmen and state officials are optimistic.But for a travel industry still stinging from the Great Recession, the best it can likely hope for is another summer of steady, but slow, recovery. The blockbuster crowds seen in 2007 have become a distant ...

Total Revenue and Profit Growth for European During April 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:54:48 -0400

European Chain Hotels Market Review - April 2013 Total Revenue and Gross Operating Profit growth was achieved throughout Europe from Amsterdam to Warsaw, according to the latest HotStats survey. Amongst the eight cities surveyed this month, the biggest year-on-year profit gains (+76.7%) were experienced in Cologne followed by Dublin (+50.2%), Paris (+20.8%) and Amsterdam (+19.1%). Whilst ...

Hotel group rates up 30 percent and meeting planners arent happy

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:43:24 -0400

San Franciscos compressed hotel market is causing more disruption in the meeting spac. As I reported last month, San Franciscos popularity is squeezing the citys limited room supply, giving hotels the upper hand when negotiating average daily room rates. While meeting planners expressed frustration that rates are slightly up, hotels argued that rates are still a bargain compared to other big ...

Ohio State Global Gateway program measuring worth before pitching Brazil office

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:31:02 -0400

Chris Carey, the director who oversees operations of Ohio State's Global Gateways program, said the university is still tinkering with the three-year-old initiative. Ohio State Universitys global initiative to open embassy-like overseas offices has plans for a third site in Brazil next year. But first, it has to collect enough data on efforts in China and India to convince trustees that the ...

1001 Chinese Tales Birth tourism reveals collective Chinese anxiety

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:25 -0400

Does the thought of turning a 100,000-yuan ($16,280) investment into a profit of 9.8 million yuan make your heart skip a beat? If your answer is yes, then consider delivering your baby in the US.Of course this kind of "investment" has no guarantee, but the astonishingly high "rate of return" has attracted many pregnant Chinese women to take the risk.While "birth ...

Strong room rate gains mixed occupancy for Hawaii hotels

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:46:00 -0400

Kauai hotels had the highest increases among Hawaii hotels last week in average daily room rate and occupancy, according to a report by Hospitality Advisors LLC and Smith Travel Research. Seen here is the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Hawaii hotels had strong average daily room rate increases and mixed occupancy lats week, in comparison to the same week last year, according to the latest ...

April First Month of Profit Increase in 2013 for London Hoteliers

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:41:27 -0400

UK Chain Hotels Market Review - April 2013 Despite a slight decrease in occupancy by 0.2% at a stable average room rate (ARR) of £135.29 bringing revenue per available room (RevPar) down by 0.2%, hotels in London experienced a profit increase of 1.6% for the month of April. This was achieved thanks to a 6.3% growth in revenues from beverages and a 3.3% increase in food revenues per ...

Summer Travelers Seeking Value over Budget

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:41:26 -0400

A new consumer survey focused on travel for the upcoming summer season unveils some surprising trends, from a renewed interest in planning ahead to a primary focus on value rather than strict budget considerations. Results from the 2013 study conducted ...

New Advisory Board Members Named by Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:41:26 -0400

The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship (PIHE) recently welcomed four new hospitality industry leaders to its advisory board. In this role, they will help shape the entrepreneurship curriculum at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and support entrepreneurial students through such programs as the Hospitality Business Plan Competition, Entrepreneurs ...

Canadian Occupancy ADR RevPAR - Week Ending May 18th 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:41:25 -0400

Published in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes weekly occupancy and average room rates from major cities in ...

Best Hotels in San Francisco for mixing business with pleasure

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:33:58 -0400

Donatello Hotel Plenty of business people find themselves traveling to San Francisco for work. And while the city has plenty to offer all kinds of travelers, it can be tough for business travelers to find some time to enjoy the citys many perks. Fortunately, weve found the top business hotels that are perfect for mixing business and pleasure. For the Food Fanatic: The St. Regis San Francisco If ...

Hotelier anticipates March 2014 opening for SpringHill Suites near airport

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:20:10 -0400

Mitesh Patel is building at 121-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott near Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. Weather slowed his hotel project by about a month, but Mitesh Patel is aiming for a March 2014 opening of the SpringHill Suites by Marriott hes building near Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. The hotel will have 121 rooms and include 3,000 square feet of meeting space and a bar. The project is on ...

Bringing back Pennsylvania Avenues glory Video

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:14:11 -0400

Pennsylvania Avenue is a gem of black history. Today, though, its known more for crime than for culture. But locals are striving to restore the once vital corridor. Cab Calloways jazz tunes wafting from the Royal Theatre. Couples window shopping. Thurgood Marshall strolling to elementary school at P.S. 103. Picture it. Peering down Pennsylvania Avenue now, its hard to imagine what the Upton-Druid ...

Business New tourism Secretary outlines ministrys recovery plans

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:54:05 -0400

Tourism Act of 2012 and a new national tourism strategy that will look into funding to revitalise tourism. Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce ...

How much might Expedia et al owe D.C. for back sales taxes Theres a formula for that

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:49:45 -0400

Sales price times the District's tax rate minus sales taxes paid to hotel on net rate equals sales taxes still owed to the District. That formula, if accepted by the courts, would bring tens of millions of dollars into D.C.'s coffers. Quick background: In March 2011, the District sued nearly a dozen members of the online travel broker community Expedia Inc., Hotels.com LP, Hotwire Inc., ...

SeaWorld Orlando President Terry Prather talks Antarctica expansion Video

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:23:49 -0400

SeaWorld Orlando Parks President Terry Prather chats on the theme park's latest addition Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. (Megan Anderson and Richard Bilbao/Orlando Business Journal) SeaWorld Orlando's Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin opened to guests on May 24. Its official, folks. Strap on your fur boots and grab a coat because SeaWorld Orlandos Antarctica is open for business. The ...

Cambodias Booming New Industry Orphanage Tourism

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:50:45 -0400

It's the end of your three week vacation in Southeast Asia. You did good. You managed to hit all the locations on the backpacker's circuit; lounging on the tropical Islands off the Thai Peninsula, experiencing the street food of Bangkok, exploring the temples of Siem Reap, and shopping on the floating markets of the Mekong River. Now, with just a few days left before your flight home, ...

Pakistan Airlines flight diverted in U.K. - CNN

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:42:24 -0400

NEW: An unruly passenger prompted the diversion, a top airline official says The plane from Lahore, Pakistan, had 297 passengers aboard Two men were arrested and removed from the diverted aircraft, Essex Police say The Pakistan International Airlines flight to Manchester was diverted to ...

T Magazine Lush Life | A Fairy Tale Retreat in Wales

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:27 -0400

Country Life magazine when they came across a story about a restored Elizabethan folly that they had admired for years from afar. The property, tucked away in a secluded valley a few miles from Usk, Wales, was up for sale, so they took a drive, and shortly thereafter became its new owners. Now the pair’s primary residence, the house also functions as a year-round bed-and-breakfast, and its ...

Everest tourism and climate change provide new challenges

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:33:31 -0400

Researchers say they suspect that the decline of snow and ice in the Everest region is a result of changes in global climate. Photograph: Rafal Belzowski/Getty ...

Nova Scotia moves ahead with five-year tourism strategy

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:54:21 -0400

HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Tourism Agency has released a five-year strategy aimed at attracting more first-time visitors. Tourism Minister Graham Steele released the strategy Friday at a tourism conference near Liverpool. The strategy includes a new marketing campaign branding for the province. Agency chairman Tom Ruth says that since the agency was created in September, it has already ...

A closer look at Universal Orlandos Springfield expansion

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:52:15 -0400

Universal Studios' Springfield is set to open this summer with several new restaurants, drinking stations and a new attraction. Universal Orlando Resort guests will find themselves in the middle of Springfield once the park opens its expansion this summer. As reported yesterday, Universals expansion will include several new storefronts, restaurants, drinking stops and a new attraction Kang and ...

Consumer Reports readers not Frontier fans

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:49:06 -0400

Readers of Consumer Reports like Virgin America a lot more than they like Denver's Frontier Airlines, USA Today reports. The July issue of the magazine rates customer satisfaction with the airlines, based on a survey of 16,663 subscribers who flew a combined 31,732 domestic flights. They were asked to critique such factors as baggage handling, in-flight entertainment and cabin ...

More drivers fewer air travelers this Memorial Day weekend

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:30:17 -0400

The Cape Flyer, the MBTA Commuter Rail's Boston-to-Hyannis train service, opens Friday for a Memorial Day weekend in which lighter travel is expected. About 200,000 fewer people will be heading to the airport this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA's annual forecast for the holiday that marks the official start of the summer travel season. With gas relatively cheap, more of those who ...

Minnesota resorts expect stronger summer than 2012

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:19:16 -0400

After a long winter, Minnesota's tourism businesses are betting that state residents are eager for summer. The Pioneer Press reports that 84 percent of Minnesota resorts and campgrounds expect the 2013 summer season to be as good or better than last year. Nearly half predict higher revenues, according to state tourism agency Explore Minnesota. One thing that could put a damper on expectations ...

Snapshot High of 71 + Twins blow lead + Highway bridge collapses + Boy Scouts end ban on gay marriage Video

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:08:06 -0400

Perryman, who took over as CEO of the company when it was near bankruptcy in 1987, is the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Women in Business Career Achievement winner. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, speaks at the 24th Annual Conference of the Professional Business Women of California (PBWC) in San Francisco on Thursday. Sandberg received $26.2 million in ...

Pee-wee Herman shoots down Louisville festival planned in his honor

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:05:51 -0400

Pop culture icon Pee-wee Herman had one word for Will Russell: stop. As in, cease-and-desist. Russell, co-founder of the now-famous Lebowski-fest and current proprietor of the Why Louisville Store, had announced plans for Pee Wee Over Louisville to honor the entertainer who he believes is under-appreciated. The idea caught on like wildfire, garning 4,000 Facebook fans in short order. But as ...

S.D. tourism officials expect good summer season

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:04:49 -0400

AAA says that mirrors an expected drop nationally. Officials point to high gas prices as the main reason. AAA South Dakota spokeswoman Marilyn Buskohl says the gas prices are cutting into ...

Fly here often Virgin breaks the ice

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:03 -0400

Fans of Virgin America have said they feel like they are stepping into a nightclub when they enter the planes cabin. Mood lighting and ambient music greet passengers as they take their seats. Now the Burlingame-based airline has taken the club feeling a bit further by helping passengers work on their pickup lines. OK, thats not how they are pitching it. But much as at a club, where you can send a ...

Brazilian TAM Airlines appoints Claudia Sender as new CEO

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:47:15 -0400

Claudia Sender appointed CEO of TAM Airlines The CEO of the holding company - TAM S.A - Marco Antonio Bologna, who had accumulated the position, announced Sender's appointment on 23 May. Sender currently serves as the airline's vice president of the Brazil Domestic Business Unit So Paulo, 24 May 2013 - Claudia Sender, previously vice-president of the Brazil Domestic Business Unit of ...

United Airlines Offers New Yorkers All Flat-Bed Seats

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:47:14 -0400

Effective today, United Airlines is the only U.S. carrier offering 180-degree flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in premium cabins on every scheduled, long-haul international flight from the New York area. United has outfitted 182 international aircraft with all-new United Global First and United BusinessFirst cabins. With more than 450 daily departures to more than 150 cities, ...

Cruise industry adopts Passenger Bill of Rights

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:35:55 -0400

The bill of rights was adopted by 26 North American-member cruise line. The Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise industrys trade group, has adopted a 'Passenger Bill of Rights' in the wake of several high-profile cruise disasters. The list was backed by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and it will be part of passengers' "contract of carriage" that gives ...

For Fidelitys BostonCoach a slowdown then a sale

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:15:48 -0400

Fidelity Chairman Ned Johnson founded BostonCoach in 1985. Fidelity is selling BostonCoach to Harrison Global, a Boston-area car service competitor. Ubiquitous in Boston, the limo, charter bus and livery car service BostonCoach has been part of the Fidelity Investments empire since its founding in 1985. Now the mutual fund giant is selling BostonCoach for undisclosed terms, after years of ...

Royal Caribbeans Explorer of the Seas to be based at Port Canaveral

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:53:38 -0400

Royal Caribbean International plans to base a third ship at Port Canaveral Explorer of the Seas for the winter of 2014-201 Royal Caribbean International plans to base a third ship at Port Canaveral Explorer of the Seas for the winter of 2014-2015, Florida Today reports. The ship has been sailing for the last eight years from Cape Liberty Port in Bayonne, N.J. Once based at Port Canaveral, ...

Dayton airport flights among cheapest in nation

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:47:05 -0400

The Dayton International Airport ranked among the cheapest to fly out of among the nation's 100 largest airports. The Dayton International Airport posted an average domestic fare of $362 for the fourth quarter of 2012, placing it in the bottom half among the nations 100 largest airports, according to a data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Dayton airport ranked No. 63 on ...

Hotel occupancy rates rebound in Albany region

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:40:46 -0400

Revenue per available room in the Capital Region, rose 5 percent, to $60.49. Hotels in the Albany, NY area rebounded in April after eight consecutive months in which the average occupancy rate fell. The average occupancy rate at 137 hotels in the area increased 3.4 percent, to 59.6 percent, according to STR, a hospitality consulting firm in Tennessee. The average daily rate increased 1.6 percent, ...

South Florida Science Centers new look exhibits -- slideshow

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:02:38 -0400

Lew Crampton, president and CEO of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, inside the new viewing tank. After a $5 million renovation, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is set to reveal its new look on June 7. The museum is looking to engage children and adults with hands-on, mind-on exhibits that promote science, technology, engineering and math skills to fill the widening ...

SeaWorlds new Antarctica area a precursor to global expansion Video

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:00:00 -0400

OBJ's theme park crew goes behind the scenes of SeaWorld Orlando's Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin attraction to see the ride intro, cars in action and the post-ride penguin habitat. Bilbao and Anderson periodically join forces with Photographer Jim Carchidi to become OBJs theme park squad, known as Sparkle Team 6. They have to restrain themselves from jumping SeaWorlds guard rails to ...

Uganda Tourism Sector Is Crying Out for More

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:56:38 -0400

At the inauguration of a new Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) in Kampala recently, the minister of Tourism, Maria Mutagamba, called on the members to find alternative ways of funding the all-important sector, given that the government's current allocation is insufficient. While the minister is right to advise the sector, which she says has a funding gap of Shs 17bn, to find alternative resources ...

Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines confirm Boeing 787s orders

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:19:42 -0400

CHINESE regulators have approved the Boeing 787 to fly in the country, a move that opens up a large potential market to the US aerospace giant. "I can confirm that the Civil Aviation Administration of China has granted type certification for the 787 Dreamliner," a Boeing spokesman said on Thursday. Chinese airlines have yet to take delivery of the high-tech 787, which last month ...

Muscat tops MidEast tourism performers in 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:44:29 -0400

Hotels in Muscat have witnessed the strongest growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) so far this year, according to data released by STR ...

North Korea town opens to Western tourists Travel agents

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:26:14 -0400

BEIJING: North Korea's authorities have opened the border town of Sinuiju to Western tourists, Chinese-based travel agencies said, despite international tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear test in February. The move opens up the possibility of foreign tourists being able to make day tours to the secretive state, a considerably cheaper option than the more expensive multi-day trips ...

Art and culture offer exciting opportunities for tourism

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:10 -0400

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

Tasmania budget a dissappointment for tourim

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:09 -0400

'ATEC is very concerned by the short-sighted budget handed down today which fails to recognise the significance of the tourism industry and the need to invest in its growth as a large contributor to the State's overall economy,' said ATEC Managing Director, Felicia ...

No Vacancy conference returns to Bangkok

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:08 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> No Vacancy , Asia's most dynamic and relevant accommodation industry event, returns to Bangkok on June 25 at Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok with fantastic speakers, a fast-paced, issued-based program and excellent networking. This year's theme is Beyond Price. Big topics are ...

Hotels G announces expansion of trendy lifestyle brand Hotel G

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:07 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> HONG KONG - Hotels G , a hospitality management group headquartered in Hong Kong, has announced its major expansion and development plans of its trendy lifestyle brand, Hotel G. The award-winning hospitality concept, with Hotel G Beijing as its flagship, is adding two more ...

Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi honoured with Certificate of Excellence for Top Performance by Trip Advisor

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:06 -0400

The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most - ...

Lights camera action as The Hotel Windsor becomes a canvas for artists

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:24:05 -0400

?????? ??? ???????? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?. ?????? ?????????? ???? 41? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??? ?.?.?- --> Artists from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) at the University of Melbourne , will transform Melbourne's historic landmark, The Hotel Windsor , into an inspiring and captivating art space later this year. The exhibition from 26 July to 5 September will feature ...

W Singapore - Sentosa Cove electrified The Audi Fashion Festival 2013 as the Official Music Partner

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:29:50 -0400

W Singapore, with official event partner INTEL (who created a live twitter wall in the event to connect the show with the guests intimately) presented the Audi Fashion Festival - FASHION NEXT PARTY at the Great Room at W Singapore on 17th ...

Sofitel Luxury Hotels expands So Spa concept in Asia Pasific

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:29:49 -0400

Designed to help guests relax, restore and rejuvenate, So SPA combines ancient wellness traditions from around the world with the refinement and skills of modern French ...

Heritage city of Ayutthaya wants to become a shopping destination

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:29:48 -0400

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

Spain supports Vietnam’s sustainable tourism development

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:29:47 -0400

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

Tourism promoters hoping for nice summer

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:20:37 -0400

PARKERSBURG - Local tourism officials are anticipating a strong showing for the approaching summer travel season.. With attractions like Blennerhassett Island and the West Virginia Motor Speedway to a number of special events, fairs and festivals throughout the summer to the opening of the Boy Scout's Summit Bechtel Reserve in southern West Virginia, the area is poised to see a number of ...

Backlash against tourism budget cuts

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:02:04 -0400

Tasmania’s tourism industry is set to take another hit, according to industry leaders, who claim the government’s decision to cut tourism funding could restrict growth in the tourism-dependent state. This week the government proposed a one-off commitment of AU$1 million for joint marketing with air and sea carriers, however, the budget does little to counteract the 45 percent ...

Egypt tourism recovery forecast for 2014

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:02:03 -0400

While tourist numbers to Egypt have risen in the first four months this year, a full recovery would not be likely until at least 2014, according to economist forecasts. The number of travellers visiting Egypt in the first four months of 2013 rose 11.8 percent from a year earlier, after falling by a third in the year after the uprising revolt, Reuters reported. Tourism revenue rose 16.2 ...

Suns former residence to be tourism center

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:59:44 -0400

For decades, Sun's self-designed residence, a two-storey building with arches on the ground and top floors, has attracted countless visitors from around the world as part of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial ...

Isle of Capri to open new Pa. casino July 1

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:09:53 -0400

A rendering of the Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin Officials from Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort announced Thursday that Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Fayette County, Pa., will open July 1, pending required regulatory approvals. The approximately $60 million resort casino includes 600 slot machines, 28 table games, a restaurant and a lounge. Isle and Nemacolin Woodlands ...

UAE bucks Middle Eastern post-Arab Spring tourism decline.

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:48:11 -0400

International arrivals to the UAE increased healthily in 2012, reaching an estimated 11 million tourists delegates heard at the latest WTM Vision Conference - Dubai.Overall performance of inbound trips to the Middle East region were down 5% last year mainly due to the decline of arrivals to those countries hit by the Arab Spring, which took place in 2011 effecting countries such as Saudi Arabia, ...

Overnighter North of Berlin a Quiet Land of Lakes

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:37:16 -0400

When I moved to Berlin more than a decade ago, I read that what seemed to be hundreds of construction cranes across the city could swerve and escalate in tandem, a triumphant chorus of reunification and progress. There was a lot of talk back then about what the new country would look like and how East Germany would reinvent ...

Kenya to Venture in Sports Tourism

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:31 -0400

By Thomas Ochieng API Kenya 21/5/2013 Kenya is in pursuit of harnessing sport tourism and the honor of underscoring this initiative has been bestowed on the Sotokoto Safari Marathon. The ...

Hainan to launch wedding tourism promotion in Seoul South Korea

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:53:49 -0400

In order to further explore the tourism market in Seoul, South Korea, a Hainan delegation will attend the 2013 Korea World Travel Fair and hold a Hainan wedding tourism promotion conference at the Lotte Hotel Seoul in Seoul city on May 30. About 30 representatives from tourism boards, travel agencies, scenic spots and hotels are going to attend the event, and the leader is the deputy director ...

Eco-tourism making a big splash in Jackson County

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:52:39 -0400

The picture of a George County dog set on fire is disturbing. Authorities say the circumstances surrounding how fire consumed the dog are shocking. According to George County Sheriff Dean Howell, ...

HTNG Announces Series Specifications to Improve Guest Satisfaction and Front-office Efficiency

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:21:30 -0400

New guestroom technology and point-of-sale interfaces available, as well as expanded customer profile and distribution specs Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG), the premier technology solutions association in the hospitality industry, today announced a series of specifications that help hotels improve guest satisfaction and front-office efficiency. The specifications create standard ways ...

Japans weak currency means tourism

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:09:49 -0400

The number of tourists coming to Japan dropped dramatically after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. But between the weak currency and fading memories of the disaster, tourism saw a record high last ...

St. Regis San Francisco on market for $140 million

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:48:07 -0400

Hoping to ride the profitable wave of recent hotel sales, the San Franciscos St. Regis just landed on the market for a whopping $140 million asking price. With 260 rooms, 46 suites and 15,000 square feet of meeting space, thats in the range of more than $530,000 per key. If the hotel snags a buyer at the suggested price which has been the trend lately it would be the biggest deal in recent ...

United Airlines makes changes in Seattle

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:45:45 -0400

The new United Club lounge at Seattle-Tacoma is styled after the prototype that opened late last year at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. United Airlines has opened its newly remodeled United Club lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The revamped lounge comes as the Chicago-based carrier is completing a consolidation of its operations in Concourse A at the Seattle airport and a ...

International Institute for Peace through Tourism announces launch of Peace Tours Morocco

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:07:22 -0400

STOWE, Vermont; TORREMOLINOS, Spain & CASABLANCA, Morocco - The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is pleased to announce the launch of Peace Tours Morocco as its second "Legacy Project" commemorating the 25th anniversary since its first global conference, "Tourism - A Vital Force for Peace," held in Vancouver in 1988. Peace Tours Morocco is a ...

A look at weekend Thoroughbred racing

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:58:28 -0400

The Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer and, with no Triple Crown hopes to extend the spring, also kicks off a "second season" of racing. There are important turf races at Churchill Downs, Belmont Park, Hollywood Park and Arlington Park. Some of the nation's top steeds will be on display in the Grade I Met Mile at Belmont. Fillies and mares are in action from coast to coast and ...

SeaWorlds Brian Morrow chats Antarctica Empire of the Penguin Video

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:45:26 -0400

SeaWorld Orlando Creative Director Brian Morrow talks about the story and design of the park's new attraction area Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. (Megan Anderson and Richard Bilbao/Orlando Business Journal) SeaWorld Orlando is just 24 hours away from its May 24 opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. As such, OBJ's team was able to do a quick media day tour of the 4-acre ...

Kenya County chief vows to grow tourism sector

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:21:17 -0400

County Governor Kinuthia Mbugua said he is determined to create thousands of jobs for the youth through the tourism industry besides other sectors. To realise this dream, the Governor said he would devise ways of promoting local tourism and convince residents to visit tourist resorts in the county beginning with Lake Nakuru National Park. "Other tourist resorts worth visiting are Hells Gate ...

Business Kenya rises to second spot as conference tourism leader

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:20:57 -0400

The two countries had previously dominated top spots. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) also rated Kenya at 58th position globally in the 'Country& City rankings 2012' Ruth Solitei, Permanent ...