AVIATION

Emirate Launches Dubai Summer Packages 
With the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS-2006) around the corner, the Emirates airlines has announced the launch of exceptional value-for-money packages starting from as little as US $43.
 Valid from June 21 until September 1, the packages offer customers a choice of 22 city and beach hotels in various price-brackets and are available to all Emirates passengers regardless of class of travel.
Prices are on a per-person per-night sharing basis and include all accommodation-related taxes and service charges. Passengers must book for a minimum stay of three nights, but have an option to extend.
 The airline has tied up with Wafi City, one of Dubai’s premier malls, to offer customers exclusive discounts at the mall’s stores, coffee shops and restaurants. To facilitate this, discount voucher booklets will be provided to passengers as part of the Arabian Adventures Welcome pack. Emirates flies to over 80 destinations in more than 55 countries and is promoting the event worldwide with a full-scale PR and advertising campaign.

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Vueling strengthens its presence in Andalusia during the summer season
Vueling, the new generation airline, is increasing it operations in Andalusia, as a response to greater demand over the summer season. The company hopes to carry more than 230,000 passengers on more than 1,600 flights between the months of June and September, in flights operating out of Seville, Malaga and Granada. This growth represents a 50 per cent increase in the number of flights and passengers with respect to the same period last year.

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China Southern Expands Baiyun Airport Ground Service Staff To More Than 2,000;
Largest Airline In China Providing Ground Handling For 140,000 Flights Per Year
GUANGZHOU, China, May 31, 2006 - China Southern Airlines - www.cs-air.com/en - with the largest and most technically advanced aircraft fleet in The People's Republic of China is pleased to announce that its ground handling staff is currently managing 140,000 flights per year at more than 10 airports throughout China. Read more.

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Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Saint-Denis de la Réunion pour 1,4 million de passagers d'Air France du réseau Caraïbes-océan Indien • plus de confort et d'espace à bord des tout nouveaux Boeing 777-300 ER • un écran vidéo individuel pour chaque siège • plus d'un milliard d'euros investis En savoir plus.

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AMSTELVEEN/GUANGZHOU/CHENGDU, May 30, 2006 - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the Chinese carriers China Southern and Sichuan Airlines today reached agreement to significantly expand cooperation. This will offer passengers flying with all three airlines noteworthy benefits in the form of new routes and additional frequencies in China and Europe, connecting flights between Amsterdam and Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai. Read more.

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DESTINATIONS

European Weeks in Passau
This year's international European Weeks festival that will take place June 16-July 23 at various locations in Passau, Bohemia and Upper Austria has been conceived as a tribute to Mozart. One of the high points of the varied trans-border cultural event is the “Passau Organ Night” on June 23-24 at St. Stephen's cathedral, which lasts from 11:10 at night to 5:05 the following morning.
Information: Europäische Wochen Passau, Tel. ++49/851/752020, ew@ew-passau.de., www.ew-passau.de

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Danube delights-“History and Wine” at Artstetten castle
“The Danube-Pure Delight” has been proclaimed this year's annual theme by the Danube Tourist Commission. Many Danube lands have taken up the theme and put together very appealing programs. Hungary has even adopted gastronomy as a special focus for 2006.
At Artstetten castle visitors not only have the opportunity to explore the life and times of Archduke Franz Ferdinand but can also sample prized Wachau vintages as part of a tour through the vaults of thousand year-old rock cellars.
Information: Schloss Artstetten, Tel. ++43/7413/8006-0, museum@schloss-artstetten.at, www.schloss-artstetten.at

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Re-opening of Budapest's Béla Bartók Museum
Following restoration lasting a year, the former home of the world-famous Hungarian composer Béla Bartók was reopened to mark his 125th birthday. The museum, which is located in the villa district on the Buda side of the Danube, was expanded and shows objects that illustrate Bartók's daily life, including original pieces of furniture, as well as notes made and items collected on the field trips he undertook to study Hungarian folk music. The museum is an interesting and attractive complement to the Bartók archive at Budapest's Institute of Musical History. Information: www.ungarn-tourismus.at

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Royal palace in Belgrade
Dedinje palace-in fact two palaces-was built in the 1920s and now serves again as the residence of the former royal family. The magnificent interiors, with the exception of the private quarters, can now be viewed on guided tours. Particularly impressive are the colourful state rooms on the palace's ground floor, and the Gold Hall's coffer ceiling, The tour also includes the royal chapel and White Palace.
Information: Tourist Organisation of Belgrade. dvor@belgradetourism.org.yu, www.tob.co.yu

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Romanian Danube counter brochure
A new counter brochure about Romania's Danube region contains a wealth of useful information about transportation, accommodations, places of interest, events and excursions, as well as hints and tips about getting to and around Romania. A handy glossary provides useful phrases. This introduction to Romania is also available on DVD.
Information: Romanian National Tourist Office, rumaenien@aon.at, berlin@rumaenien-tourismus.de, muenchen@rumaenien-tourismus.de

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Nouvelles d'Allemagne

Nombreuses expositions florales en Allemagne
L'Allemagne à bon marché pendant le Mondial
Les belles plages invitent à un séjour estival
Semaine familiale sympa à Sasbachwalden
Ahrtal en fête du 15 au 18 juin
En savoir plus.

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Travel Alberta versterkt haar promotie in de Benelux
De Canadese provincie Alberta constateert een nog steeds groeiende belangstelling vanuit de Benelux. Daarom heeft zij besloten de marketing en promotie activiteiten te intensiveren met de aanstelling van Inside Travel News als communicatie & mediabureau Benelux.
De samenwerkingsovereenkomst voor de promotie van Alberta in de Benelux is getekend door Alida Hume, Sales Division Director Europe Travel Alberta en Karin Gomes, Managing Director van Inside Travel News.

FAIRS

Travel Turkey 2006 Welcomed Tourism Professionals from All Over the World
• 180 exhibitors from the tourism sector at the 2nd travel event
• Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mr. Atilla Koç opened Travel Turkey by setting high targets for tourism industry
• Show attracted more than 7.200 visitors from 23 countries and 100 international buyers
• Conference opening was honoured by the Pakistan Tourism Minister Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar. More than 20 well-known travel experts presented their papers in the conference. Country presentation and panel discussion were held alongside.
Read more.

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Unprecented visitor recored for Arabian Travel Market
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 -- Arabian Travel Market 2006 attracted a record number of trade buyers from 99 countries to the Dubai World Trade Centre – with total numbers up 10% on last year’s figures to reach an all-time high of nearly 11,674. ATM 2006 was  attended by 974 media – up 29% - with nearly a third travelling from overseas.
The show had 38% more allocated floor space – spanning 22,229 square metres - to accommodate 1,750 exhibitors from 59 countries - including 114 first time participants.