Air Arabia, the Middle East's first low-cost carrier, transported 1.76 million passengers last year (up 54% over 2005) and posted a net profit of US$27.52 million, up 222%. Average load factor stood at 81.2%. The company has applied to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Ministry of Economy and relevant regulatory authorities for approval to launch an IPO (Initial Public Offering) this year. Air Arabia, which began operations in October 2003, would then become the first airline in the Gulf region to go public. The airline recently expanded its network to South Asia with flights to Ahmedabad and Delhi in India as well as Kathmandu in Nepal. It started flights to Karachi and Peshawar in Pakistan in early March.
Maestro France confirme la cessation de ses activités
Maestro France confirme la cessation d'activités à compter de ce jour.
Pour mémoire, Maestro devait commencer ses vols de Paris le 10 mai 2007. A ce jour toutes les réservations seront intégralement remboursées aux clients. Aucun d'entre eux ne sera lésé.
Pour plus d'informations ou pour connaître les procédures de remboursement, le n° de téléphone est 01 53 43 79 07.
"Je remercie chacun d'entre vous de sa confiance dans le projet Maestro et des marques de sympathie qui nous ont été témoignées" déclare Alain Quéré, Représentant Général, France & Belgique
Boeing, First Choice Airways Sign Contract for Four Additional 787s
First Choice becomes largest customer in Europe for the 787
LONDON, March 07, 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and First Choice Airways of the United Kingdom reached agreement on an additional four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. By exercising options for these airplanes, First Choice Airways has placed a third consecutive order for the advanced-technology 787.
First Choice became European launch customer when it announced in July 2004 that it would order six 787s. It placed the order in February 2005, then followed with a second order in September 2006 for two more. Today's announcement brings First Choice Airways' order total to 12 Dreamliners, making it the largest 787 customer in Europe.
Aviapartner neemt belangrijke vrachthandelaar Aero Groundservices
op Amsterdam-Schiphol over
Brussel/Amsterdam, 7 maart 2007 – Aviapartner en VCK Holding kondigen aan dat zij in verregaande bespreking zijn over de acquisitie door Aviapartner van het belang van VCK Holding in Aero Groundservices BV, actief in het verwerken van luchtvracht (vrachtafhandeling), Een voltooiing van deze overname is afhankelijk van de toestemming van de relevante autoriteiten.
Deze acquisitie markeert een belangrijke stap voor zowel Aviapartner als Aero Groundservices, dat zal worden geïntegreerd in Aviapartner’s Europese netwerk, bestaande uit 38 locaties. Beide bedrijven zullen profiteren van de integratie, die zal leiden tot verschillende commerciële en operationele synergievoordelen.
Strong Improvement In Operating Performance And
Result Situation Despite Extraordinary Effects
Financial result of Austrian Airlines Group for business year 2006
Read more.
Finnair-vluchten vanuit Nederland online inchecken
Het is nu mogelijk om ook in Nederland Finnair-vluchten online te boeken en in te checken. Het online inchecken kan vanaf één dag tot één uur voor vertrek. Het is eveneens mogelijk online een stoel te reserveren. Met de geprinte boardingpass kunnen de passagiers met louter handbagage op Schiphol meteen naar de veiligheidscontrole. Bij meer bagage dient men zich nog wel bij de incheckbalie te melden. www.finnair.com.
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SkyEurope maintient une forte croissance et réduit ses pertes opérationnelles au 1er trimestre 2007
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- 45% de hausse du nombre de passagers, avec 10,5 points pourcentage de hausse du taux d’occupation
- 8,4% d’augmentation de la recette unitaire et 4,4% de diminution des coûts unitaires
- amélioration de la marge EBIT de 16,6 points pourcentage, avec pour objectif un EBITDAR positif en 2007
- lancements de vols depuis Vienne en mars 2007
En savoir plus.
SkyEurope augmente son taux d’occupation de 11,1 points pourcentage,
à 86,2% en février 2007
SkyEurope Airlines, la compagnie aérienne à bas prix, a transporté un total de 202.851 passagers en février 2007, soit une augmentation de 39,5% comparée au même mois de l’année précédente. La politique active de SkyEurope en matière de taux d’occupation dégage ainsi des résultats positifs menant à une hausse de 11,1 points pourcentage du taux d’occupation, qui atteint 86,2%.
Pour les 12 mois s’achevant en février 2007, la compagnie a transporté 2,85 millions de passagers, en hausse de 45,7% par rapport à la même période de l’année dernière. Le taux d’occupation des 12 derniers mois a progressé de 1,7 point pourcentage, en s’établissant à 78,8%.
Plusieurs faits marquants pour février 2007
Le 1er février 2007, SkyEurope a introduit un nouveau programme pour ses clients d’affaires. Les clients SkyEurope affaires peuvent maintenant profiter des avantages d’un nouveau service taillé sur mesure. SkyEurope offre la flexibilité totale, une réservation aisée, des billets électroniques, le changement de destination ou le remboursement intégral en cas d’annulation ainsi que de nouvelles fonctionnalités avantageuses accessibles sur le site www.skyeurope.com.
Le 13 février 2007, SkyEurope a fêté le 5è anniversaire de son vol inaugural sur la route intérieure Bratislava-Ko?ice. A cette occasion, le CEO de SkyEurope, Christian Mandl, a convié des invites de renom et des journalistes à bord de l’un des derniers arrivés dans la flotte de la compagnie, un tout nouveau Boeing 737-700 NG. SkyEurope relie aujourd’hui trois fois par jour Bratislava à Ko?ice, transportant sur cette liaison quelque 130.000 passagers par an.
En février, SkyEurope a pris livraison de deux Boeing 737-700 NG supplémentaires.
Panneels & Partners assure les relations média de SkyEurope en Belgique
Bruxelles, le 7 février 2007 • Panneels & Partners prend en charge, dès aujourd’hui, les relations média de la compagnie aérienne low cost SkyEurope. Cette agence de conseil en communication assurera ainsi tous les contacts avec la presse belge.
SkyEurope ( www.skyeurope.com) a été créée il y a six ans par les belges Alain Skowronek et Christian Mandl. Le réseau de ce transporteur low cost comporte 100 routes vers 42 destinations dans 19 pays européens. La flotte compte actuellement 14 Boeing 737.
Vers la fin 2010, la flotte de SkyEurope s’élèvera à 32 Boeing 737-700. En 2006, la compagnie a transporté 2,75 millions de passagers. SkyEurope n’a pour le moment qu’une seule liaison avec la Belgique mais, bientôt, l’offre au départ de Brussels Airport sera largement élargie.
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Zomer 2007 : meer keuze voor de zakenpassagier
Aberdeen en Bern nieuwe bestemmingen
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Brussels Airport, 6 maart 2007 - Frequente rechtstreekse bestemmingen zijn erg belangrijk voor de zakenpassagier. Korte reistijden, zonder overstappen, brengen een steeds groter aantal Europese bestemmingen binnen zijn bereik. Voor het komende zomerseizoen komen er alvast twee belangrijke zakenbestemmingen bij vanaf Brussels Airport: Aberdeen en Bern.
Lees meer.
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JAL & Korean Air Lines Expand Code Share Agreement to Jeju Island Routes
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Tokyo March 6, 2007: Japan Airlines (JAL) and Korean Air Lines (KAL) agreed today to expand their code share operations to include KAL’s non-stop daily flights between Jeju Island, Korea - Tokyo (Narita), and Jeju Island - Osaka (Kansai). The agreement will come into effect on March 25, 2007, and is subject to government approval.
Jeju Island will be the third destination in South Korea that JAL offers its customers. Jeju Island, also known as the "Island of the Gods," is a popular destination for Japanese tourists due to its warm climate, stunning natural volcanic scenery, and beautiful beaches.
At present, JAL including Korean Air Lines code shares, serves South Korea on 9 routes with a total of 186 round-trip flights per week, linking Seoul and Busan to 8 cities Japan.
JAL & Hainan Airlines Expand Code Share Agreement on Japan - China Routes
Tokyo, Thursday March 8, 2007: Japan Airlines (JAL) and Hainan Airlines (HU) will expand their code share agreement to include flights the Chinese carrier starts operating on the Osaka – Beijing route from March 25, 2007.
At the end of this month, JAL will be able to place its ‘JL’ flight code on Hainan Airlines’ new 5 times a week Osaka (Kansai) - Beijing service. As a result, JAL will be able to offer passengers a total of 12 flights per week on this route, as JAL already operates its own daily service between the two cities.
The new code share flights further strengthen JAL’s network between Japan and China: the largest network linking the two countries. JAL’s Japan-China network serves 12 cities in China on 29 routes. The new code share will increase flight frequency between the two countries from 271 to 276 flights per week.
The two airlines initiated a bilateral passenger code share agreement in October 2004, when JAL started code sharing on Hainan Airlines’ Osaka (Kansai) – Haikou route.
From May 2005, the code share agreement was extended to cover Hainan Airlines’ operated Beijing-Chengdu route, and Japan Airlines’ Osaka Kansai-Tokyo Haneda route.
JAL also started code sharing on daily flights operated by Hainan Airlines between Beijing and Chengdu from June 1 2005, and from April 10, 2006 was allowed to place its flight number on Hainan Airlines’ flights serving between Beijing and the cities of Kunming and Xian.
Continental Airlines Ranked No. 1 Most Admired U.S. Airline
By FORTUNE Magazine
HOUSTON, March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines today announced it was rated the most admired U.S. airline on FORTUNE magazine's 2007 list of America's Most Admired Companies. The list and related stories appear in the March 19 issue, on newsstands March 12, and at www.fortune.com .
Continental ranked No. 1 in seven of the eight categories measured to determine the most admired airlines, including quality of products and services, people management, quality of management, long-term investment, innovation, social responsibility, and use of corporate assets.
Northwest Airlines Reports February Traffic
EAGAN, Minn. -- (March 5, 2007) - Northwest Airlines today announced a February consolidated (mainline and regional) load factor of 79.9 percent, 0.9 points below February 2006. Northwest reported a mainline load factor of 80.9 percent, 0.9 points below February 2006.
In February 2007, Northwest and its Northwest Airlink regional carriers flew 5.64 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 7.06 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), a traffic increase of 2.8 percent and a capacity increase of 3.9 percent versus February 2006.
Northwest flew 5.30 billion mainline revenue passenger miles and 6.56 billion mainline available seat miles in February 2007, a traffic increase of 4.4 percent and a capacity increase of 5.6 percent versus February 2006.
SAS - first in Scandinavia with direct connection to Dubai
Dubai's development into the business and tourism giant that it is today is attracting a large number of visitors every year. SAS is now acting on this demand for non-stop flights from Scandinavia to Dubai. SAS is the first airline to open a direct connection between Scandinavia and Dubai. |
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The inaugural flight Copenhagen-Dubai will take off October 31, 2007. The new service will operate three times a week in both directions until March 29, 2008. The launch of this route makes it possible to satisfy business as well as leisure travelers' needs and the timetable is optimized to suit both these groups, whether going on a business trip or on a golf trip.
Travellers will have access to the very best comfort with the newly configured Airbus 340 equipped with SAS comfortable seats, and new SAS Business Sleepers, throughout Business Class. Customers on all intercontinental flights can select between travelling Business Class, Economy Extra or Economy Class. Economy Extra offers a secluded cabin, upgraded service, broader seats and more legroom
This new service will also offer SAS Cargo's customers a better access to the Dubai market.
Les Caraïbes à petit prix…pour un voyage confortable.
Air France lance une promotion jusqu'au 29 mars, pour des voyages du 1er au 17 juin 2007 (dernier retour) et du 4 septembre au 19 octobre 2007 (dernier retour) :
• Cuba
• Saint Martin
• la Guadeloupe
• la Martinique
• la République Dominicaine
à partir de 599 €*.
Voyagez dans les meilleures conditions de voyage possibles à bord des nouveaux B777-300 introduits sur la Guadeloupe et la Martinique.
Les nouveaux sièges sont équipés d'écrans vidéo individuels et d'un système audio-vidéo du dernier standard. De nouvelles harmonies et couleurs habillent l'intérieur de l'avion tandis que les nouveaux Espaces du voyage sont déclinés dans toutes les cabines.
Excellentes correspondances depuis Bruxelles-Midi via Paris CDG avec les 39 vols hebdomadaires proposés vers ces destinations
Pour de plus amples informations ou pour réserver, contactez votre agence de voyages, Air France au 070 / 22 24 66 ou surfez sur www.airfrance.be ou www.airfrance.lu
* Vente : jusqu'au 29/03/07. Voyage : du 01/05/07 au 17/06/07 (dernier retour) et du 04/09/07 au 19/10/07 (dernier retour). Séjour minimum : 7 jours. Séjour maximum : 1 mois. Réduction enfant: 25%. Réduction bébé (sur le même siège que l'adulte) : 90%. Non modifiable, non remboursable. Nombre de places limité. Tarifs à partir de, aller-retour en classe économique, taxes et frais de service inclus sur la base d'un achat sur www.airfrance.be, susceptibles de modifications sans avis préalable.
Trafic de février 2007
Activité passage
•• Hausse de 3,5% du trafic et progression de 1,2 point du coefficient d’occupation à 78,9%
•• Poursuite de la hausse de la recette unitaire
En savoir plus.
Air France And KLM In Favour Of Aviation Agreement
Between The European Union And United States
On March 2, European and American negotiators reached an agreement that - if approved by the EU Council of Ministers on March 22 - will provide a more harmonized regulatory framework in which to promote a free trade area for air transport between the 27 countries of the EU and the US starting in the 2007/2008 winter season.
This agreement would enable European and American airlines to access any markets between the EU and U.S. It would particularly allow Air France and KLM to sell their non-stop air services between any point in the European Union and the United States (for example Frankfurt/Atlanta directly operated by Delta under an Air France marketing agreement).
Air France and KLM would therefore be in a position to expand the SkyTeam alliance network and offer their customers new transatlantic routes.
Air France and KLM have always supported the principle of such an agreement insofar as it would allow European and American airlines to pursue their activity in a stable regulatory framework. This agreement would supplement the bilateral open skies agreements signed by the majority of EU member states with the United States and certain provisions of which the European Court of Justice had deemed contrary to community law.
The aviation agreement between the EU and the US would mean that the concept of an EU airline would be recognized.
AIR FRANCE KLM, Europe's leading air transport group, would like to publicly express its full support for the finalization of this agreement.
EVA Air ontvangt award
voor meest originele
vliegtuigdesign
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27 Februari 2007 - De Taiwanese luchtvaartmaatschappij EVA Air mocht de prestigieuze award voor het meest originele vliegtuig design ontvangen, uitgereikt door Wallpaper Magazine.
De award werd toegekend aan de in Azië alombekende "Hello Kitty" jets van EVA Air.
Editor Jeroen Bermans (Wallpaper Magazine) gaf een woordje uitleg over hun beslissing:
'Hoewel luchtvaartmaatschappijen steeds investeren en innoveren in luxe, design en stijl, blijven lounges er dikwijls te zakelijk en karakterloos uit zien. Maaltijden in first en business class zijn dan wel perfect, service aan boord van topniveau, maar zelden komt men een product tegen dat grappig en eigenaardig is, en zo hard aanspreekt als een reis aan boord van de 'Hello Kitty' jets van EVA Air. Lees meer.
bmi fête ses 15 ans de présence en Belgique
Bruxelles, le 5 mars 2007-- Le 29 mars, bmi, la deuxième compagnie aérienne britannique, membre de Star Alliance, célèbrera ses quinze ans de présence en Belgique. bmi a transporté près de trois millions six cent mille passagers entre Bruxelles et Londres Heathrow et connu une augmentation de 48 % du trafic annuel entre 1992 et 2006 sur cette ligne. En savoir plus.
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VLM Airlines se dote d'un Jet
Le BAe 146 assurera la liaison très demandée entre London City et Rotterdam
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Anvers, lundi 5 mars 2007 – VLM Airlines annonce qu’elle introduira pour la première fois un Jet dans sa flotte. Le BAe 146-300, comptant 92 sièges, entrera en service le 16 avril 2007 sur une des lignes les plus demandées de la compagnie aérienne, reliant London City et Rotterdam.
Aux Fokker 50 actuels de la flotte de VLM Airlines s’ajoute le Jet qui aura pour but d’augmenter la capacité de transport d’une des lignes les plus demandées de la compagnie. VLM Airlines assure à ce jour dix vols aller-retour quotidiens entre London City et Rotterdam, dont quatre seront effectués par le BAe 146. La compagnie aérienne a transporté plus de 130.000 passagers sur la ligne en 2006 et prévoit d’en transporter 190.000 en 2007 sur cette ligne.
Le BAe 146-300 accueille jusqu’à 92 passagers avec une configuration spacieuse comptant cinq personnes de front (3+2), des sièges en cuir et un écart généreux de 32 inches (81 centimètres) entre les rangées. Ce choix contraste fortement avec les autres grandes compagnies aériennes qui installent jusqu’à 110 sièges dans des avions de ce type, avec une configuration étroite comptant six personnes de front (3+3) et seulement 28 à 29 inches (72 centimètres) entre les sièges.
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Icelandair augmente ses fréquences et ouvre Halifax
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2007 sera l'année de l'expansion pour Icelandair qui fête ses 70 ans. La compagnie aérienne islandaise ouvre de nouvelles destinations et plus particulièrement, Halifax au Canada. En même temps, elle augmente de manière significative ses fréquences et équipe bientôt ses appareils de nouveaux sièges proposant un système individuel de divertissements.
Icelandair France, filiale du Groupe Icelandair, propose depuis cet hiver pas moins de 4 vols hebdomadaires reliant Paris (aéroport de Roissy-Charles de Gaulles/Terminal 1) à Reykjavik, en Islande (aéroport international de Keflavik-KEF), soit le double de fréquences par rapport à l'hiver dernier. Le nombre de vols reliant "la terre de feu & de glace" à Paris atteindra pour la première fois, 10 vols hebdomadaires cet été, ce qui représentera une progression de près de 10% de la capacité totale pour l'année 2007. En savoir plus.
Exclusive DO & CO Catring On Board
Entire Austrian Airlines Group From Summer 2007
Perfect combination of top quality and creativity
The Austrian Airlines Group has closed a new contract with the listed company DO & CO AG. This is based on the purchase of the catering arm of Airest Restaurant- und Hotelbetriebsges.m.b.H. by DO & CO. Presumably from the summer of 2007 onwards the passengers across the Austrian Airlines Group will have the opportunity to enjoy DO & CO inflight catering. In future DO & CO will also be responsible for the culinary treatment of business class passengers in the Austrian Lounges at the Vienna International Airport. The DO & CO brand is used exclusively for the Austrian Airlines Group in the airline business in Austria.
LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador to join oneworld on 1 April
01 March 2007 -- oneworld® today confirmed the dates when LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador will join the global alliance as affiliate members.
Both airlines will board on 1 April, when Japan Airlines (JAL), Malév Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines will also start offering the alliances services and benefits as full members. Five other members of the JAL Group will also join oneworld on the same day, as affiliates -JALways, Japan Asia Airways, JAL Express, J-AIR and Japan Transocean Air.
Dragonair, which has also been elected on board the grouping as an affiliate member, will follow later this year, after all necessary joining technicalities and processes have been completed.
As affiliate members, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and Dragonair will offer the full range of oneworld services and benefits.
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Dollar Rent A Car Adds Four New Franchised Locations
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Tulsa, Okla., March 6, 2007 - Dollar Rent A Car, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG), continues to expand, recently adding four new franchised locations to its network of U.S. locations. To date, DOLLAR(r) has 255 locations in the U.S., 105 of which are franchise-owned and operated.
New locations are opening in markets that include Idaho Falls, Idaho; Buffalo, NY; Sanford, N. Carolina; and Wickliffe, Ohio.
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Hertz Exclusively Offers Rental Cars To Online
Brussels Airlines Customers
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Brussels, 1st March 2007 - Hertz, the market leader in car rentals, signed an exclusive contract for the next four years with Brussels Airlines, the largest Belgian airline. All customers who book a flight online through Brussels Airlines can benefit from very interesting offers when renting a Hertz car.
From now on Brussels Airlines customers get off the plane and hop straight into a rental car without any worries at exclusive, exceptional conditions and they enjoy great promotions. The earlier a customer makes his online booking, the greater the price advantage. Moreover, customers can always choose from the latest models in the Hertz fleet, a wide variety of small, large and even luxury cars in the various destinations. A number of extra services are offered, such as the Neverlost navigation system, child seats and ski racks.
Hertz often announces its special promotions on the Brussels Airlines website. There are also special rates for Hertz customers who have not booked online in advance through Brussels Airlines but have chosen to book at the Hertz counter.
What's more, passengers receive these promotions, mostly relating to Brussels Airlines special offer destinations, by e-mail.
Hertz is also a partner of Privilege, Brussels Airlines' frequent flyer loyalty programme. Privilege members can also save miles through Hertz and benefit from extra advantages such as the Gold Service. Hertz #1 Club Gold is the most appropriate answer to the needs of business travellers and bears in mind people who hate waiting at counters.
The procedure is very simple: when the customer picks up his previously rented car, he or she goes to the Gold counter, shows his or her driving licence, takes the car keys and… drives off! Fast and efficient: no more documents to be completed or signed. Moreover, the customer's name and the location of the rental car are indicated on an illuminated notice board.
The Swiss only know Switzerland from pictures
A recent study from the Swiss LINK Institute, conducted for Switzerland Tourism and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), has come up with a surprising conclusion: most of the Swiss have only seen their country's most famous sights on postcards or in books. Although nine out of ten Swiss citizens know the Jungfrau Mountain, almost half of them have never visited it and another quarter visited it for the first time in the past five years.
The best-known and most-visited Swiss tourism sight is the Rhine waterfalls: 91% of the Swiss know about the falls and 79% have already been there. Mount Pilatus, near Lucerne, is known by 82% of the Swiss, but has been visited by just half of them. According to the study, Swiss citizens who are the most likely to have visited their own tourism icons are frequent excursionists, who travel at least 11 times a year within the country.
Indonesia is committed to revive its tourism
Indonesia's government is making positive moves to get its ailing tourism industry back on its feet. According to the Minister of Tourism, the country predicts tourist arrivals will increase from 2006's total of 4.8 million to an estimated 5.3-5.5 million in 2007.
Among the developments designed to boost foreign arrivals this year are: a 25% increase in the marketing budget for 2007 to US$12 million; new representative offices, run by the private sector, for Australia, Europe and the Middle East (offices in China, Japan and Korea have recently been opened); and a new, more 'catchy' marketing slogan. Visas on arrival, which are currently provided to the nationals of 52 countries, could be extended to another 19 countries. In addition, several new flights will provide better links between Indonesia and the rest of the world - Garuda will re-open its flights to Europe (Amsterdam) in June and Qatar Airways will start non-stop flights from Doha to Bali this summer.
Among Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia is the only one to have experienced no growth over the past decade. In 1996, Indonesia received 5.09 million foreign visitors. After reaching an all-time high in 2004 with 5.3 million arrivals, the visitor count declined in 2005, and again in 2006 when 4.8 international arrivals were recorded (- 4.5%). But, as a spokesman at ITB points out, Indonesia has faced some exceptional difficulties over the past three years - the tsunami, the Bali bombing and an earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java. A trouble-free 2007, together with the implementation of the ministry's new positive measures, should help reverse the decline. But this week's air disaster in Yogyakarta, will of course not help re-instil confidence in the market.
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Cyprus expects a tough year
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Cyprus hoteliers are predicting a very tough tourism season in 2007 with Cyprus Hoteliers Association Chairman Haris Loizides saying that the country had missed out on the global growth trend recorded in 2006. More worrisome, however, is the very slow trend in bookings for the current season.
However, Tourism Minister Antonis Michaelides described 2006 as a “bitter sweet” year for tourism in the sense that arrivals were slightly down but revenue was up. The situation is not cause for panic or disappointment, he said. “But it does concern us that there has been a fall in arrivals, although results are better than in 2004 and 2003.”
The Minister conceded that a great deal needed to be done to facilitate recovery, but he said there had been a number of positive developments. The launch of flights by three new low-cost carriers (LCCs) to Cyprus this year is an important development, as are the repositioning of the destination's relationship with large tour operators, a new advertising campaign and a new creative approach to tourism marketing.
However, there are a number of serious concerns, such as stagnation of the British market. Following a period of crisis, the Russian market is recovering, but Cyprus has slipped from number three in the Russian favourites' ranking to 11th position. Meanwhile, one of the biggest challenges for tourism in Cyprus is expected to be the introduction of the euro next year.
The eastern state of Pennsylvania is promoting itself to the European market as a diverse destination ideal for a fly-drive holiday. Five new scenic driving trails have been introduced: through the mountainous wild region of north-central Pennsylvania, home to a large herds of elk; along the byways of southwestern Pennsylvania, taking in the city of Pittsburgh (a prominent centre for the arts); through the south-central region, passing Amish farms, local wineries and breweries, and including Reading (for tax-free shopping); through the northeast state parks and mountains trails; a historic trail through the southeast area past civil war battlefields including Gettysburg.
Vietnam experienced a slowdown in tourism growth in 2006, attracting 3.6 million international arrivals, up by 4% on 2005; international arrivals increased by 21% in 2004 and 18% in 2005. Officials from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) offer several explanations for this slowing of growth, citing last year's flooding and typhoons and a lack of hotel rooms, especially during the APEC meeting in Hanoi last November. Last year, Vietnam's top markets were China (516,000 arrivals), South Korea (421,741) and the USA (385,654). France remains Vietnam's number one European market with 132,304 visitors, followed by the UK (84,264) and Germany (76,745). The VNAT forecasts between 5 and 6 million international arrivals by 2010.
Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho's Shun Tak Holdings plans a $10 billion gaming and tourism resort on the Kapchagai lake near Kazakhstan's financial capital Almaty to tap the nation's burgeoning oil wealth. It will not just be just a gaming centre, but a city that will attract tourists from all over the world, according to Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The centre will include a new international airport, sporting complexes and schools.
Myanmar saw its total number of foreign arrivals decline by 4.6% in 2006 to 630,000. However, the number of international tourists who entered the country through either Yangon or Mandalay international airports of increased sharply to 263,500, a growth of 13.5%. (This count is thought be a more relevant indication of genuine leisure and business trips to Myanmar, as it discounts those simply involved in cross-border trading, or needing to renew their Thai visas.) Western Europe represents close to 30% of all international airport arrivals, with Germany and France leading with 18,000 and 15,500 respectively. Myanmar is targeting one million visitors by the end of the decade.
Singapore received 9.7 million international visitors last year, up 9% on 2005, and posted an estimated US$8 billion in tourism receipts, up by 14.5%. Top source markets in 2006 were Indonesia (1.92 million), China (1.04 million) and Australia (0.69 million). Looking ahead, Singapore forecasts 17 million visitors by 2015, boosted by the opening of two new resorts, which will both include a casino.
A 5% increase in international tourism receipts is the Croatia Tourist Board's target for 2007. Last year saw a record 10.3 million tourist arrivals - a 4% increase over 2005. Foreign holidaymakers accounted for 8.6 million (a 2% rise), and the number of domestic tourists climbed by 13 % to 1.7 million. Revenues from tourism in the first nine months of 2006 totalled €5.8 billion.
The region of Marrakech is launching a US$400,000 promotional campaign for 2007, with support from both the public and private sectors, to promote high-yield tourism activities such as golf, ecotourism and business travel. In a second move, the Marrakech region has signed an US$1 million deal with the Moroccan Office of Tourism to develop new promotional activities, including new festivals and other tourist attractions. Marrakech is one of Morocco's leading destinations; it attracted 1.53 million international visitors in 2006, staying 5.68 million nights. Marrakech currently has a capacity of 38,780 beds, of which 32,000 are in classified accommodation. Average occupancy in the city's hotels during 2006 was 66%.
Finland recorded just under 12% in overnight volume in 2006, enjoying exceptional growth rates in the last four months of the year, of between 11-19% depending on the source market. The main factor was the rapid economic growth in Russia and China and a strong increase in inbound visits from these markets, but there was also encouraging growth from Japan and India. The EU Presidency of Finland has also helped to boost business tourism. One thing is clear, the Finnish Tourist Board maintains - growth can be expected to slow in 2007.
Iceland attributes its14% increase in international arrivals last year to favourable exchange rates, which also generated higher turnover for the industry. SAS and British Airways also resumed winter flights to the destination for the first time in many years. The increased turnover does not mean that the bottom line has improved to the same extent, since there have been higher labour costs and inflation. But there is a trend for visitors to spend more on extra activities when they are getting a better rate for their currency.
Monaco is one of the few European states without a national art gallery, but this will be remedied by 2008, when a new National Museum will open in the Paloma Villa, a 19th-century mansion. Highlights in the gallery will be a Van Dongen collection, utopian architectural projects developed for Monaco over the past century, and a retrospective of art related to the Monte Carlo Ballet and to circus performances.
German Tourists Less Interested In Bulgaria
Bulgaria loses positions on the German tourism market, research on the attitude of German tourists showed.
08 Mar 2007 -- The research was presented at the opening of ITB Berlin tourism exhibition.
Major German tour operators registered a decrease in bookings for summer vacations in Bulgaria, Dnevnik daily said.
The number of German tourists to visit Bulgaria in 2006 was five per cent lower than figures for 2005. Tourism agencies predict further decrease of two to 10 per cent.
Still, companies tried to offer attractive packages to attract tourists to make early bookings, Dnevnik said. Most German tourists prefer last-minute booking.
The market research also showed that expenses of German tourists will increase by two per cent in 2007. Germans spent 60.5 billion euro on tourism in 2006, Dnevnik said.
Berlin Tourism Reaches New Records in 2006
In 2006, a top performance in tourism was achieved by Berlin once again. With 15.91 million bed nights and around 7.08 million hotel guests from both within the country and abroad as shown by current visitor statistics, the year 2005 has already been supplanted as the record holder just one year later. Hanns Peter Nerger, general manager of Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH (BTM), assessed the situation: "Above all else, the double-digit rate of increase in the number of international overnight guests in commercial operations is responsible for these particularly pleasing results.
The international portion of the total during the year of the FIFA World Cup™ increased for the first time to 37.2%. Eleven years earlier in 1995, that figure was still only 25%. This development clearly demonstrates the great popularity of the destination in international markets, a popularity that continues to grow. It is therefore also one of our important goals for the future marketing of tourism in the German capital to build upon this potential even further."
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NYC & Company Expands International Marketing
Reach To Promote New york City Worldwide
—Unprecedented Financial, Creative Resources Elevate Campaign To New Level for Travel and Tourism Industry—
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Berlin, Germany (March 7, 2007) — NYC & Company, New York City’s tourism, marketing and events organization, today announced a slate of international office openings, the latest in an ambitious campaign to build a global network—and in the process remake the face of New York City’s travel and tourism industry. Read more.
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VisitBrighton announces an incredible calendar of events to make this year’s festival the biggest yet!
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Brighton Festival is back this May (5-27), celebrating a wealth of local, national and international talent with an exciting calendar of events spanning three fun-filled weeks. England’s largest and most innovative arts festival has a growing reputation as the most exhilarating arts festival in the UK. Offering an unrivalled programme of high calibre entertainment, Brighton Festival gives a platform to some of the best Brighton-based creative talents, as well as bringing together the very best national and international artists.
Read more.
Holiday In Bulgaria As Costly As Shopping In Romanian Mall
The Romanian coastal region will suffer lack of tourists, resulting from the much lower holiday prices in Bulgaria.
Romanians who will spend Easter in Bulgaria will pay for the vacations less than if they stay home, Romanian newspaper Evenimentul Zilei said.
A four-day vacation in a three-star hotel in Albena coastal resort is the most inexpensive offer. It costs 80 euro, a sum barely sufficient for food shopping in Romania.
The article said that it was surprising how Bulgarians could afford such prices.
Prices resulted from a well-considered strategy, mobilised foreign investors and a lot of money of suspicious origin, Evenimentul Zilei said.
The newspaper quoted tourism expert Vanya Dimova as saying that low prices were part of the government strategy.
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Tourism Thailand – March 2007 Newsletter
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Sawasdee! Welcome to our very glamorous green edition of E-news. With the start of spring almost upon us this month we have been inspired to go green. Look out for our two new sections this month - Green Gossip is where we discuss all things eco, sustainable and organic and Lost in Translation is a fun and informative Thai lesson!
Remember, Green is the new CHIC! Happy Spring!
Team Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand London
Read more.
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St. Patrick's Day à l'horizon
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Saint Patrick (385-461) qui est fêté le 17 mars, selon une tradition vieille de plusieurs siècles, est le saint patron qui fait partie intégrante de l'Irlande et de tout ce qui a une âme irlandaise, partout dans le monde. Saint Patrick est le plus célèbre missionnaire catholique d'Irlande, qui a répandu le christianisme dans ce pays encore païen à l'époque.
Il fut aussi à l'origine de l'emblème du "shamrock" (feuille de trèfle), car il s'en servit pour symboliser le concept de la sainte Trinité de la foi catholique. Saint Patrick aurait même débarrassé l'Irlande de ses serpents, d'après la légende populaire…
En réalité, il fut surtout pendant très longtemps l'évêque d'Armagh, d'où il aurait fondé des centaines d'églises. A Downpatrick (Comté de Down/Irlande du Nord), on peut visiter une exposition multimédia au St. Patrick's Centre, et on trouve, tout près de la vieille cathédrale, une pierre tombale qui lui est dédiée. Pour plus d'informations, consultez le site www.saintpatrickcentre.com.
Aujourd'hui, Saint Patrick occupe avant tout une fonction symbolique. Les Irlandais ne se soucient pas tellement des origines historiques de leur célèbre porte-drapeau et personnage identitaire. A Dublin, le St. Patrick's Festival (15-19 mars) est essentiellement une fête très exubérante avec de la musique, du théâtre de rue, de la danse, des cortèges et toutes sortes de spectacles comme activités principales. Le St. Patrick's Day est célébré avec des défilés et de joyeuses parades non seulement dans la capitale de l'Irlande, mais partout dans le monde. Pour plus d'informations, consultez le site www.stpatricksday.ie.
Les Irlandais présents en Belgique participeront aussi à l'événement. Dans tous les pubs irlandais, l'ambiance battra encore plus son plein que d'habitude. Un très grand nombre d'activités festives seront organisées, comme sur le stand de Tourism Ireland durant le salon B & B, qui aura lieu les 17 et 18 mars à Bruxelles. Participez à ces réjouissances: 'Come and drown the Shamrock', comme disent les Irlandais!
Tourism Ireland est à la disposition du public pour de plus amples informations concernant l'Irlande. Contact par téléphone au numéro 02/ 275 01 71, par courriel via info.be@tourismireland.com ou via Internet sur www.discoverireland.com.
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Slovenian Incoming Workshop (SIW)
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Slovenia Names The Date
Slovenia Tourist Board has announced the date of its annual travel trade incoming workshop as June 14th and 17th, 2007. The 10th Slovenian Incoming Workshop (SIW) will take place in Lifeclass Hotels and Resorts in Portoroz, one of Slovenia’s main resorts on its 45km Mediterranean coastline.
SIW is Slovenia's largest annual tourism trade event, at which more than 130 Slovene tourist companies and agencies present their offer to over 180 overseas invited guests.
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The entire event takes the form of a full day’s business workshop and organised meetings, after which participants join a choice of study trips to experience Slovenia's tourist offer first hand. Travel agents, tour operators and event organisers are warmly invited to attend.
For more information write to us at siw@slovenia.info
or contact us by telephone ++386 1 560 88 22.
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ITB Berlin 2007 - Opening Ceremonies
Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin; I.E.Smt. Ambika Sohi, Minister of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of India and Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at the opening ceremony of the ITB Berlin 2007. |
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The ITB Berlin Message:
Not a bad year for European outbound travel…
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In his annual presentation yesterday to ITB delegates, under the theme The Berlin Message, Rolf Freitag, President and founder of IPK International, shared some of the highlights of the World Travel Monitor results for 2006. Read more.
Visit USA Workshop à Bruxelles
Le traditionnel VUSA Workshop s'est tenu le 5 mars 2007 dans les très beaux salons du Stade Constant Vanderstock à Bruxelles.
Plus de 50 exposants étaient venus à la rencontre des professionnels de notre pays à la recherche d'informations et de nouveaux contacts. Le workshop 2007 peut être qualifié de très bon cru et tout le monde se montra on ne peut plus satisfait de cette intéressante soirée.
Une importante délégation venue de Floride était également présente
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Notre photo : Norbert Simon, Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks; Hervé Duxin, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel; Yves er Ines Vrielynck, Florida Keys & Key West; Fernando Harb, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB; Adam Magyar, International Plaza resort and Spa; John Weed, Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau; Ron Rodriguez, Macy's; Nancy Massé, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Jack Wert, Naples, Marco Islands, Everglade CVB; Nikki Johnson, Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate; Eva Cooper, Orlando/Orange County CVB; Eva Henss, St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB; Eli Marie Rodriguez, Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort et Philip L. Chryst, Directeur Europe du Visit Florida.
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Mexico attracts three new Starwood vacation ownership products
Starwood's timeshare/vacation ownership product (currently only represented in the USA and Caribbean) is poised to enter Mexico for the first time, with three new projects underway. Most recently announced is the Westin Los Cabos Ocean Villas complex, to be built next to Starwood's existing Westin resort in Los Cabos overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Owners of the new villas will have full access to the hotel's amenities - pools, spa, golf, etc. Construction and villa sales start this year.
A second Starwood vacation ownership property, the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort, is already under construction in Cancun overlooking the Caribbean. The first of the resort's villas - which will range from studios to one- or two-bedroom units - will be ready in 2008. Starwood's third vacation property in Mexico, the St Regis Residence Club, is located on the Pacific coast. Construction of the 40 or so villas is due to start this year.
Raffles to manage luxury resort in Gaafu Alifu Atoll
Singapore, 8 March, 2007 – Raffles Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage a 49-villa luxury resort, Raffles Resort Konottaa, its first venture in the Maldives. The resort, owned and developed by Platinum Capital Holdings Pvt Ltd, is located at the pristine and the newly-developed Gaafu Alifu atoll, in the southern part of the Maldives.
Scheduled to open in Spring 2008, Raffles Resort Konottaa features 49 duplex villas, all with individual plunge pools. The duplex villas, of which 22 are over-the-water villas, are the first of its kind in Maldives. The water villas which have an additional Jacuzzi pool, are set in secluded surroundings and enjoy unobstructed spectacular ocean views.
Saudi Prince and Microsoft's Bill Gates in Four Seasons' sale
Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels is looking to its shareholders' meeting next month for an agreement to sell the luxury hotel chain for US$3.8 billion to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and investment companies owned by two families, including a Saudi prince.
One of the prospective buyers is Cascade Investment LLC, which is owned by Mr Gates. Another buyer is Kingdom Hotels International, a trust created for Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud and his family. The third buyer is Triples Holdings Ltd, a holding company owned by the family of Four Seasons Chairman and CEO Isadore Sharp.
If the deal is completed, Sharp will get about US$289 million under the terms of a long-term incentive agreement adopted in 1989, said Four Seasons in a press release.
Marriott's best year ever
Marriott reported unprecedented growth to ITB delegates at yesterday's press conference - an annual highlight of ITB - with international lodging President and Managing Director, Ed Fuller, claiming “lots to celebrate” including US$12.2 billion in sales in 2006, a system-wide revPAR of 9.5% and average occupancy of 73%. Read more.
TUI Hotel Content to Become Available in Worldspan
through Landmark Global Distribution Agreement
BERLIN, 7 March 2007-The TUI Group, Europe's largest integrated tourism group, and global travel technology provider Worldspan, L.P. jointly announced today at the ITB in Berlin that they intend to enter into a partnership, by which TUI hotel content, featuring up to 26,500 properties, will become available through the Worldspan global distribution system (GDS). The intended new relationship will mark the first time that TUI properties will be marketed through a GDS, and will provide Worldspan travel agencies access to substantial new leisure and destination content. Read more.
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Hoteliers Benefit from Double Digit Growth Generated by WORLDHOTELS in 2006 for Revenues and Room Nights
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08 Mar 07 -- Independent hotel members of WORLDHOTELS benefitted from double digit growth in sales generated by WORLDHOTELS in 2006 for both revenues and room nights.
In addition they were offered a variety of new products and services which helped them to successfully operate in an increasingly complex, interconnected and transparent world. Over 400 applications for membership, resulting in the addition of 82 carefully selected hotels, show that independent hotels increasingly seek support for their global sales, marketing and distribution activities and want to take advantage of a global brand without having to abandon their entrepreneurship and their local identity.
Read more.
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Best Western organise le « World's Largest Thank You »
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Bruxelles, le 7 mars 2007. Best Western vous présente la semaine du “World's Largest Thank You”. Cet événement exceptionnel se tient du 19 au 23 mars 2007 et est dédié aux agences de voyage. Nous tenons à les remercier personnellement pour leur collaboration régulière durant l'année 2006 car ces agences sont une des plus grandes sources de revenu pour Best Western.
L'année dernière plus de 12.000 visites ont été effectuées à travers le monde, cet événement a été fortement apprécié dans le monde des agences de voyage. En savoir plus.
W Hotels Debuts in the Fashion and Design Capital of the World with W Milan
The World's Fastest Growing Luxury Brand Announces Plans
for its First Italian Property
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2007--Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans with Statuto Group to open a W Hotel in Milan, in a deal representing another significant milestone in W Hotels' aggressive global expansion. Scheduled to convert in December 2008, W Milan will be the first W Hotel in Italy, bringing the brand's signature style and sophistication to the world's fashion and design capital.
W Milan will be located in the heart of the Brera district, a former artists' enclave and now one of Milan's most energetic cultural centers. Guests will enjoy close proximity to Milan's famed restaurants, art galleries, retail shops and cafes crowding the narrow pedestrian streets surrounding the hotel, which will occupy a converted mid-20th century building, notable for its iconic character.
Maritim continues positive Growth
Bad Salzuflen/Berlin. Maritim Hotels have improved their results yet again during the year 2006. With 378 million Euros the total turnover was some 41 million Euros above the previous year's figure. At the same time the GOP improved by 20 million Euros, underlining once more the stable returns for the second-largest German hotel company. The 47 hotels operated by Maritim - ten of them outside Germany - were able to increase their occupancy by one percent point to 57 percent. At the same time the average room rate was raised to 83.32 Euros (previous year 78.32). The RevPAR consequently rose by 3.68 Euros on the previous year. Read more.
Maritim with further three hotels in Egypt
Bad Salzuflen/Berlin. Three popular resorts soon under the Maritim flag
The expansion of German Maritim Hotel Company is accelerating. From 1st January, 2008, three popular resorts, the Jolie Ville Golf & Resort Sharm El Sheikh, the Jolie Ville Resort & Casino Sharm El Sheikh and the Jolie Ville Luxor Resort will join the Maritim family. Respective contracts were signed on 6th March, 2007, in Berlin by Maritim and Khaled H. Salem, Vice-Chairman of the Egyptian HKS Group and Chairman of Jolie Ville Resorts. All three five-star hotels were previously run as Mövenpick Hotels. With this move Maritim further establishes itself in the international resort hotel business and at the same time lays the foundation for a promising future partnership with the HKS Group and Jolie Ville Resorts. Further joint projects are planned.
The future Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort Sharm El Sheikh with 418 rooms and suites and four luxury villas is situated on the south tip of the Sinai Peninsula directly on the shores of the Red Sea. It comprises of ten restaurants and bars where guests can find a wide choice of international specialities and refreshing drinks. Two pools including an impressive adventure aqua park for kids, a health club, four tennis courts and a diving and water sports centre offer a range of activities. This is the ideal spot to discover the underwater life of the Red Sea, one of the most beautiful dive areas of the world. An 18-hole PGA Championship golf course with driving range, putting greens and a 3-hole short course for practising as well as a clubhouse are also part of the resort. The spectacular backdrop of the Sinai Mountains adds a very special touch to every round of golf. The adjoining conference centre accommodates up to 800 persons.
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Boutique Hotel Apartment Opening in Hong Kong
Spring 2007
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07 Mar 07 -- An exclusive über-luxurious boutique hotel apartment is due to open in Hong Kong in Spring 2007.
The development, known as The Putman, is a collaboration between world renowned designer Andrée Putman and Hong Kong’s leading luxury property developer National Properties Holdings Ltd. Citigroup Property Investors, the real estate investment management business of Citigroup, is the financial partner in this development.
Occupying a spot in Central, The Putman’s 28 apartments will provide executive accommodation for discerning long-stay business travelers who are looking for comfort, space and designer-style in a central and convenient location.
The building is entirely purpose-built to Madame Putman’s specifications as she oversaw site design, development, space-use, exterior elevation and interior decoration.
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Hotel package from Plaza Athenee Bangkok,
A Royal Meridien Hotel
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07 Mar 07 -- Discover a world of Chic & Culture to our Thai hospitality with “City Break” at Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel with rates from $145 per room per night until 31 March 2007 for minimum 2 nights. The price included are accommodation in finest deluxe room with the city view, fully buffet breakfast at the Rain Tree Café, daily newspaper and in-room tea and coffee making facilities.
Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel is located in the heart of Bangkok on Wireless Road, about 30 minutes from the recently opened Suvarnabhumi Airport and only 3 minutes walk from Bangkok’s famous BTS Ploenchit station, connecting you to all the shopping hotspots. In addition to the superb Spa Athénée, featuring traditional Thai amenities, there is also a fully equipped gymnasium, squash courts and a breathtaking outdoor pool surrounded by stately gardens available for you to continue you on your path to well being.
Terms & Conditions
* A Minimum 2 consecutive nights stay is required
* All the above rates are quoted per room per night, exclusive of 10% service charge and 7% VAT
* Not available for group bookings.
* Rate is subject to availability and change.
* Advanced reservations are required
* * Any unused portion/s of the bonus package is not transferable to other dates or for cash/credit.
* Applicable for single or double occupancy
For reservations contact reservation.bangkok@lemeridien.com or call 0 2650 8800
www.lemeridien.com/bangkok
Slip level suite ingericht door Ruud De Wild
Restyling kamers Amsterdam American Hotel voltooid
Amsterdam, maart 2007 – Met een grootse verbouwing, gestart medio januari, heeft het Amsterdam American Hotel, onderdeel van de Eden Hotel Group, 101 riante kamers waarvan 13 junior suites volledig gerenoveerd. De sfeer van de nieuwe kamers is strak en tegelijkertijd klassiek, passend bij de stijl van het uit 1900 daterende karakteristieke Art Nouveau hotel. Op de kamers is de opvallende vloerbedekking – met de afbeelding van een dame uit die tijd – speciaal voor het hotel ontworpen. En een van de twee nieuwe split level suites is compleet ‘wild’ geworden; deze is ingericht met spannende en kleurrijke schilderijen van Ruud de Wild, die ook de rest van het interieur van ‘zijn’ suite ter hand heeft genomen.
De andere 73 kamers van het hotel zijn in 2001 al helemaal gerenoveerd zodat ‘American’ met in totaal 175 hotelkamers nu helemaal up-to-date is. General Manager Claire van Campen is trots op de renovatie: ,, In tegenstelling tot andere hotels die op ‘hip en modern’ overstappen, behouden wij onze klassieke uitstraling in de kamers die zo prachtig past bij de hele vorm van het hotel. Er is gewerkt met verschillende lichte tinten bruin, beige-zandkleurig, en ijsblauw als tweede kleur. De kamers ademen warmte en ruimte uit. Ik kan me voorstellen dat hotelgasten het hier heerlijk vinden en dat is natuurlijk precies de bedoeling”.
info@AmsterdamAmerican.com
http://www.amsterdamamerican.com/
W Hotels Heads for the Heart of St. Petersburg Where Classical Art, History and Culture Meet a Vibrant Future
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 5, 2007--In its continued demand to select only world class destinations, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans for a new W hotel in St. Petersburg, Russia. Scheduled to open in mid 2008, W St. Petersburg represents a rare development in the main historic area of this vibrant city. This is the first W to be announced in Eastern Europe and marks another important step in W Hotel's global expansion.
For the project, Starwood has entered into a management agreement with Real Estate Development LLC, which was founded by two of St. Petersburg's oldest industrial groups. Financing will be provided by Russia's largest bank - Sberbank. With exterior architecture that recalls St. Petersburg's history, and timeless yet contemporary interiors, the W St. Petersburg will be an exciting addition to the other five W hotels announced for the brand in the Europe, Africa & Middle East region: Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Dubai and Doha.
The W St. Petersburg is centrally located south of the Neva River in the historic centre of St. Petersburg, with many of the city's cathedrals, museums and palaces accessible by foot. The hotel will be located on Voznesensky Prospect, between St. Isaac's Square and the Admiralty, just a stone's throw from the lavish Winter Palace which houses the world famous Hermitage Museum. From their rooms, hotel guests will enjoy spectacular views of the landmark gold-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral.
"St. Petersburg is a fascinating destination full of art, culture, history and romance," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood's Luxury Brand Group. "The ongoing regeneration of St. Petersburg combines the culture and history of Russia's past with the energy and style of the country's future, making this one of the most intriguing destinations in the world and a perfect fit for W."
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Hilton lance la première formule "Worldwide Short Breaks"
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Mars 2007, Bruxelles - Hilton présente les "Hilton Mini Breaks". Le Mini Break, grande primeur dans les formules vacancières, a été intégré dans sa stratégie pour renforcer sa position sur le marché des vacances mais aussi pour offrir à ses clients une gamme de produits innovante.
En savoir plus.
Accor to Sell 91 Hotel Properties in Germany and the Netherlands for 863 Million Euros
PARIS, March 5/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its real estate management strategy, Accor said today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to sell 72 hotels in Germany and 19 in the Netherlands to Moor Park Real Estate for 863 million euros, including a 43-million-euro renovation program to be paid for by the owner. The Novotel, Mercure, Ibis and Etap Hotel properties involved in the transaction represent a total of 12,000 rooms.
Read more.
Click on the logo for more information
Travel with the World of Incentives at IMEX 2007, the Worldwide Travel Trade Show being held in Frankfurt from 17-19 April.
Milan, April 2007 -- World of Incentives (WOI), the global network of Creative Destination Management Companies, will again be present at IMEX, the prestigious worldwide exhibition for Meetings and Incentive Travel. With an even bigger and more impressive stand than last year, WOI waits to meet its guests, friends and business partners, at the show where in 2006 a record 3,300 exhibitors attended from 150 countries representing national and regional Tourist Offices, major Hotel chains, Airlines, Destination Management Companies, Service providers, Trade Associations and many more.
With highly respected member DMCs from such destinations as Austria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and the USA, the WOI network offers their clients the security of successful events with a distinct flair of creativity for all their events.
Those who are ready to rendezvous with the World of Incentives personnel or the DMC representatives at IMEX are asked to send an email to info@woinetwork.com and schedule an appointment. World of Incentives looks forward to meeting you!
Stand G-280
Young people will lead future travel demand, says WYSE Travel
Future Day at the ITB Convention 2007 kicked off yesterday in high gear. Young travellers aged 16-24 are the travel industry's fastest growing sector, representing more than a fifth of all international visitors around the world, yet most countries do not market specifically to the sector. Compared with average tourists, adventurous young backpackers stay longer, spend more, seek out alternative destinations and enjoy a wider mix of travel experiences. Not surprisingly, they are increasingly being viewed as the future of global tourism by the travel industry. Read more
UNWTO Emergency Response Portal - www.sos.travel
Madrid/Berlin, 7 March 2007 -- UNWTO announced today at ITB that it is to use ".travel" for the domain name of its Emergency Management System. This portal currently focusing on Avian Flu preparation will be extended to a one stop shop tracking system for all emergencies and crises affecting tourists and the sector.
"We decided to use SOS.travel as the signature domain of our global system because it describes exactly our goal the place on the internet for industry stakeholders and tourists themselves to go for essential information in emergency situations, UNWTO Assistant Secretary-General Geoffrey Lipman said. "SOS is the international call sign for help and the .travel domain clearly identifies the sectoral focus."
The President of Tralliance, Ron Andruff, underscored the importance of the linkage between UNWTO and .travel noting that "Tralliance is becoming an Affiliate Member of UNWTO to contribute even more to the development of the sector and to contribute particularly to its social responsibility and poverty initiatives".
All .travel domain holders worldwide will receive an electronic version of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which is the basic framework for responsible and sustainable tourism and the organization's link to the UN Millennium Development Goals.
WTTC President Awarded ISHC Pioneer Award
Berlin, Germany - 7 March 2007 - Today Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) was awarded the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Pioneer Award.
As the European hotel investment community came together for the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Patricia Monteson, ISHC President and Angelos Loizou, member of the board of directors and ISHC treasurer presenting the ISHC Pioneer Award to Jean-Claude Baumgarten.
Each year ISHC recognises a industry leader for their outstanding contribution, vision and improvement to the hospitality industry. Previous winners include Regis Bulot in 2004, Costakis Loizou in 2005 and Sir Stelios Haji-Iannou in 2006.
Countries agree on transfrontier game park
Five southern African countries have agreed to establish a second transfrontier wildlife park, a development that will boost regional tourism and conservation efforts and facilitate cross-border travel.
Tourism and environmental ministers from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the second transfrontier park mainly along the Zambezi River, which straddles all five countries.
Wildlife populated conservation areas like the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Caprivi in Namibia and the adjoining area in Angola, the Kafue Wetlands in Zambia and the Victoria Falls in both Zimbabwe and Zambia will form part of the new transfrontier park.
Zimbabwe's Tourism and Environment Minister Francis Nhema says the project would cover an estimated 30,000 square kilometres of such diverse ecosystems as the savanna, woodlands, rivers and wetlands in the countries concerned.
Work is progressing on Vertigo Park, a major new theme park in Columbia, though an opening date has yet to be announced. The Vertigo Park at Estancia, near the pilgrimage city of Buga (which is visited by over 4 million pilgrims each year according to Vertigo's owner/operator), will include a huge shopping centre, restaurants, cinema, 300 luxury timeshare vacation rental units and an outdoor equestrian sports complex. Owners, Vertigo Theme Parks, say the venue's focal point will be six coaster rides designed to cater to all ages; the main Vertigo ride will be over 100 metres high, almost 3,000 metres long, and will travel at 160 kilometres an hour.
Disneyland Resort Paris souffle ses 15 bougies
et lance une année entière de fête dès le 1er avril 2007
MARNE-LA-VALLÉE, France - Disneyland Resort Paris s'apprête à célébrer son 15e anniversaire durant toute une année de festivités à partir du 1er avril 2007.
Tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour que la fête soit parfaite : une toute nouvelle parade de rêve, des dizaines de Personnages Disney, trois attractions inédites et le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant en habits de fête. En savoir plus.
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Good times for Eurostar
as more passengers switch to rail travel
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Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK with France and Belgium, saw record sales and passenger numbers in 2006 as it attracted thousands more travellers away from the airlines. Sales volume rose by 11.7% to €766.6 million, with passenger numbers growing by 5% to 7.9 million. While leisure traveller numbers increased by a slightly lower 4.5%, business passengers were up 17%, generating an 18% increase in business sales revenue. Read more
Deense treinen krijgen draadloos internet
Vanaf volgend jaar kunnen passagiers in treinen van de Deense spoorwegmaatschappij DSB die tussen Kopenhagen en Århus in Jutland rijden gebruik kunnen maken van draadloos internet. DSB gaat ervan uit dat op alle grote lijnen op zijn laatst in 2010 internet beschikbaar zal zijn.
In totaal zullen rond 800 rijtuigen moeten worden uitgerust met speciale apparatuur om het internetten op de rails mogelijk te maken, zegt DSB.
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Thalys, partner van de tentoonstelling
« René LALIQUE, bijoux d’exception, 1890-1912 »
Musée du Luxembourg - van 07/03 tot 29/07
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Heen- en terugreizen Brussel-Parijs in Comfort 1 voor 100 € !
In het kader van zijn partnerschap met het Musée du Luxembourg in Parijs biedt Thalys zijn reizigers de mogelijkheid om naar de tentoonstelling over Lalique te reizen in Comfort 1 voor slechts 100 euro heen en terug*!
Deze tickets zijn te koop tijdens de volledige duur van de tentoonstelling, van 7 maart tot 29 juli 2007.
Geen zin om aan te schuiven in een ellenlange wachtrij?
Geen probleem! Alle houders van een Thalys-ticket of een Cybelys**-kaart kunnen een ticket voor onmiddellijke toegang kopen tegen 10€ in plaats van 13€.
* Aanbieding onderworpen aan voorwaarden – Inlichtingen en reservering op www.thalys.com).
** Cybelys = Getrouwheidsprogramma van Thalys.
French travellers are increasingly using the internet to book their holidays, according to France's Ministry of Tourism. Last year, 50% of them booked their main annual holidays through the web. Half of all online purchasing in France is now related to tourism products. The ministry estimates that between 20% and 25% of all trans¬actions with travel agencies are carried out online.
Amadeus wins “Best Technology Provider” Award
at Buying Business Travel Diamond Awards 2007
Vilvoorde, Belgium, 07 March 2007: Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, has been awarded ‘best technology provider’ in this year’s Buying Business Travel Diamond Awards.
The Buying Business Travel Diamond Awards, which take place annually, seek to honour excellence in the travel industry and are voted by the magazine’s readership of business travel buyers, managers and arrangers. The award recognises Amadeus’ commitment to the business travel sector as well as its success in working in partnership with the travel industry.
This year’s Awards and Christmas Ball took place at London’s exclusive Hurlingham Club.
Ian Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing, Amadeus said: “We are delighted to have won this award for our technology solutions for the business travel sector. As a company we are continually investing in technology that reflects the ongoing developments in the market in order to help our clients optimise their IT investments.”
“In 2006 we invested €300 million in travel technology R&D to ensure we continued to lead the way and we are delighted that this has been recognised by one of the most highly regarded awards in the industry,” he added.
Dynamische Worldspan Go! e-Pricing Tool verandert de computer van de reisagent in een grafische low-fare shopping portal
Brussel, 1 maart 2007 - Worldspan reisagenten hebbennu toegang tot de nieuwe Worldspan Go! e-Pricing Tool om opeen dynamische manier wereldwijd te shoppen naar lage tarieven.
De tool geeft reisagenten toegang tot Worldspan's hooggeprezen waaier van e-Pricing low-fare shopping oplossingen, en dat alles van één enkel startpunt op de Worldspan Go! desktop. Het is de nieuwste telg van een serie intelligente desktop tools van Worldspan, de wereldwijde reistechnologie leverancier, die het shoppen en boeken door reisagenten vereenvoudigt.
Wereldwijd hadden reisagenten al toegang tot de e-Pricing technologie Nu biedt de nieuwe Go! e-Pricing Shopping Tool een one-stop toegang tot alle e-Pricing oplossingen en functionaliteit - zonder dat je de GDS formaten moet kennen.
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Bolshoi Tourism
Votre réceptif francophone en RUSSIE vous fera découvrir des destinations fabuleuses,
de la Mer Noire à la Sibérie et de l'Asie Centrale jusqu'aux Pays Baltes.
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TUI welcomes Hamed El Chiaty as new shareholder
The TUI executive board welcomes the fact that Egyptian investor Mr Hamed El Chiaty has become a shareholder of TUI AG.
TUI chief executive Dr Michael Frenzel said on the sidelines of the International Tourism Fair (ITB) in Berlin: “This investment in our company is proof of the faith in TUI’s growth prospects. We have gained in Mr Hamed El Chiaty a shareholder who has been associated with our company for very many years.“
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EURAM and Choice Hotels International
Launch Direct Link Between Company’s Reservations Systems
Technology to Facilitate European Travel
To Choice’s North American Hotels
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| Peter Keijers, President of EurAm and Gail Sayadian, Director Marketing and Sales, Choice Hotels International |
EurAm has with DINO 3.5 a unique technology that is only accessible for travel agencies. In a few years, EurAm became leader in this important segment of the market and it is widely praised by its users, 5.000 travel agencies in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Germany. Moreover, EurAm decided to work exclusively with travel agencies, thus making a clear choice for their added value.
Euram and Choice Hotels International have decided to establish a direct link and are confident this technology will boost travel to North America.
“We are very excited to introduce a direct link with our central reservation system utilizing EurAm's technology,” said Gail Sayadian, Director Marketing and Sales, Choice Hotels International, "By partnering with EurAm to establish a direct XML link for over 1,500 of our North American properties, we are enabling European travel agents to book our hotels in a seamless, user-friendly manner."
“Since we started working with Choice Hotels in 2003 we felt that we had a partner with the same dynamic vision on the industry,” says Peter Keijers, President of EurAm, “Choice understands the importance of the travel agency and their system is an innovative one. Since EurAm is also one of the first in the industry to use the Web 2.0 technology the integration of a direct link with Choice Hotels was an exciting experience.”
Test je kennis van de wereld op www.jezietmeer.nl en...
win je droomreis met het online Summum spel
Amsterdam, maart 2007 – Summum Reizen, aanbieder van onvergetelijke reizen naar alle uithoeken van de wereld, daagt je uit om het Summum Spel te spelen. Dit is een nieuw online game, waarmee je aan de hand van prachtige foto’s jouw kennis van de wereld test. Door mee te doen maak je kans op schitterende Summum-reizen, met als hoofdprijs een 16- daagse rondreis naar Costa Rica voor twee personen!
Online magazine en nieuwsbrief
Het Summum Spel is onderdeel van het nieuwe online magazine www.jezietmeer.nl.
Op deze website verzamelen de Summum-reisexperts nieuwtjes, tips en aanbiedingen.
Via www.jezietmeer.nl kun je je ook abonneren op de digitale nieuwsbrief van Summum, zodat je als eerste op de hoogte bent van bijzondere aanbiedingen en acties.
Meer informatie: www.summum.nl en www.jezietmeer.nl.
Le Festival International de la Randonnée ELDORANDO
se déroulera en Pays Cathare à Quillan dans la Haute Vallée de l'Aude Pyrénées (11) - Du 17 au 20 MAI 2007
Ce Festival va rassembler pour sa troisième édition tous les amoureux de la randonnée, des voyages, des grands espaces et des Pyrénées. Le Pays de la Haute Vallée de l'Aude est une terre qui fut jadis marquée par « l'épopée Cathare dont les citadelles du vertige rappellent qu'ici des « bonshommes » se sont battus (Puilaurens, Arques, Puivert, Peyrepertuse). Terre d'histoire certes, mais aussi terre des DINOSAURES*. Ici, vous comprendrez comment vivaient ces animaux et les sentiers vous feront faire un bond de 4500 millions d'années en arrière en vous initiant à la paléontologie, la géologie, l'écologie et même aux fouilles. Si l'on ajoute le labyrinthe vert où la nature n'en fait qu'à sa tête, le sentier des Plâtriers…Vous l'avez compris, la Haute Vallée de l'Aude est gorgée d'escapades thématiques. A la croisée des chemins entre Pyrénées et Méditerranée, Quillan attend plus de 40 000 visiteurs pour ce Festival ELDORANDO parfumé aussi de musiques du monde…
Toutes les infos sur www.eldorando.com
Mail : contact@eldorando.com
Sticky Fingers Festival pour les tout-petits
Les jeunes sont de plus en plus concernés par des événements culturels créés sur mesure pour eux. Mais jusqu'il y a peu, les très jeunes enfants devaient rester sur leur faim dans le domaine de la culture. On remédiera bientôt à cette situation grâce à l'organisation du Sticky Fingers Festival. Il s'agit du tout premier festival pour les enfants de moins de 8 ans, en Irlande du Nord.
Le Sticky Fingers Festival s'adresse même spécifiquement aux enfants de 0 à 5 ans. L'événement a lieu du 16 au 23 mai 2007, et le cadre choisi pour l'accueillir est l'idyllique Narrow Water Castle, situé dans une exceptionnelle zone boisée du Comté de Down.
Sticky Fingers Early Years Arts, fondé pour organiser et promouvoir un art et une culture de qualité pour les jeunes enfants en Irlande du Nord, est le grand maître d'œuvre qui a mis sur pied ce festival.
Le programme vise une participation tant active que passive. Des compagnies en provenance de toute l'Europe seront invitées pour initier les tout-petits aux diverses formes de l'art, par le biais des histoires, des spectacles de marionnettes, du théâtre, de la musique, de la danse, etc. Les enfants qui ont envie de gribouiller, auront l'opportunité de participer à leur tour.
Contact pour obtenir des informations: www.stickyfingersarts.co.uk
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