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edited by FREESUN - avenue Charles Plisnier 20 - 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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N° 299 - February 10, 2006
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Support Taiwan entry into the WHO
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Eurofly, a leading air travel provider in Italy, is introducing the addition of Rome as a new destination for non-stop, regularly scheduled, weekend flights originating from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. The direct Rome flights will conveniently depart every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout Eurofly's newly expanded season, from May 11 thru November 12, aboard brand-new Airbus 330-200 aircrafts from $659 round-trip. Eurofly currently offers non-stop flights from New York to more Italian cities than any other airline and is the only carrier with direct, scheduled service to Palermo. In addition to the new Rome flights, travelers can fly non-stop from New York to Naples and Bologna from just $659 round trip or to Palermo from just $709 round trip. Fly into Naples to explore the Amalfi Coast; discover the treasures of Venice or Tuscany from Bologna; or experience the intrigue and old world beauty of Sicily from Palermo.
ATLANTA, Feb. 6 -- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the international airline based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has chosen to become a Worldspan Interchange participating carrier. The Worldspan Interchange provides KLM with the global airline industry's leading Interline Electronic Ticketing (IET) product to help the carrier achieve the industry goal of 100 percent e-ticketing in 2007. KLM joins more than 100 airlines available through the growing Worldspan Interchange hub. In January, AIR FRANCE KLM posted a further strong increase in both activity levels and traffic revenues. Traffic increased by 9.5% on 8.1% higher capacity. The load factor improved by 1.0 point to reach the high level of 79.0%. The number of passenger carried increased by 6.9% to more than 5.4 million. Read more. EAGAN, Minn. -- (February 3, 2006) -- Northwest Airlines today announced a systemwide January load factor of 80.9 percent, 4.1 points above January 2005. Northwest flew 5.43 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 6.71 billion available seat miles (ASMs) in January 2006, a traffic decrease of 6.7 percent and a capacity decrease of 11.5 percent versus January 2005.  Air Berlin: de nouvelles lignes vers l'Allemagne - Maintenant des vols directs aussi à destination de Düsseldorf BERLIN, February 3 -- La compagnie Air Berlin qui, depuis le 1er novembre 2005, propose une liaison aérienne de Paris à Nuremberg, vient d'étendre, pour satisfaire à la grande demande, son réseau d'Euro Shuttle et propose dès maintenant des vols directs de Paris à Düsseldorf. En savoir plus.
BOGOTA, Colombia and PANAMA CITY, Feb. 2 -- Continental Airlines and Copa Holdings, parent company of Copa Airlines and AeroRepublica Airlines, today announced AeroRepublica's participation in OnePass, Continental Airlines' award-winning frequent flyer program, beginning March 1, 2006. SEATTLE, Feb. 2 -- The world's longest-range commercial jetliner, the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, now is certified by U.S. and European authorities to enter into passenger service with airlines around the world. The 777-200LR (Longer Range) is the fifth and newest member of the market-leading 777 airplane family. SHARJAH - Sharjah-based Budget airline Air Arabia has boosted services to Alexandria to two flights per day over the summer period. The carrier has also added the Afghan capital of Kabul as a destination, with four services per week starting this summer. SINGAPORE - Singapore-based low-cost carrier Valuair, sister company of Jetstar Asia, has begun a three-times per week service to the Indonesian resort island of Bali. Flights leave on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday, with fares to Bali from S$88 (US$54). Return flights are on either Sunday or Tuesday.
TORONTO - Air Canada will seek regulatory approval to begin daily Toronto-Los Angeles-Sydney flights. Services would start in the first half of 2007. With an elapsed westbound time of 21 hours and 15 minutes, the airlines's Toronto-Sydney flights via Los Angeles would offer the fastest elapsed time of any airline from eastern Canada to Australia.
 Singapore Exceeds 2005 Targets with 8.94 Million Visitor Arrivals and S$10.8 Billion Tourism Receipts" Singapore welcomed a record high of 8.94 million visitors in 2005, exceeding the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) target of 8.9 million, and posting an increase of 7% over 2004 figures. Australians continue to flock to the Lion City, with a record 620,000 visiting last year, up 10% on 2004 figures and making Australia Singapore's third largest visitor market after Indonesia (1.8 million visitors) and PR China (858,000 visitors) for the first time. Indonesia Tourism Set To Recover This Year Says UNWTO 09 Feb 06 -- Indonesia's tourism should start to show signs of "definite improvement" by the second half of 2006, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said following a meeting with the country's president in Jakarta. Read more. UK arrivals boost VisitBritain VisitBritain will increase its investment in new and developing markets over the next 12 months after a sharp growth in visitor arrivals during 2005. Read more. Phantasialand at Brühl will reopen with all its attractions on 1 April 2006. The leisure park will sweeten the season start with attractive savings offers such as the "Season Opening" ticket that can be bought in advance on 1 and 2 April 2006 for 18 Euro instead of 28 Euro. A special extra: those with the April savings ticket can enter Phantasialand on another day of one's choice until 31 October 2006 with the same ticket. INFORMATION: Phantasialand, Schmidt-Löffelhardt GmbH &, Co. KG, Berggeiststraße 31-41, 50321 Brühl, Tel. +49(0)2232/36200, Fax 36236, mailto:info@phantasialand.de, http://www.phantasialand.de A record 41 million visitors took a bite out of the Big Apple in 2005, with 6.7 million international guests making the World's Second Home the top destination in the United States for overseas visitors. The demand for New York continues to climb with a sharp increase in international travel anticipated. With nearly 5,000 new and renovated rooms on track, the planet's most exhilarating destination is set to welcome the world. Korea Now a Tourism 'Superpower' BANGKOK, February 2, 2006 -- The number of Koreans travelling abroad passed the 10 million mark for the first time in 2005, growing at a rate of 14.2% for the year. The upturn helped drive arrivals figures to new heights in popular Korean destinations such as China (PRC), Japan and the USA. Read more.  Duitsland van ongekende facetten In München breekt de WK-koorts reeds vroeg uit De Rijksburg Cochem: een bijzonder museum Boppard: schoenmaat is kamerprijs! 2006 is het jaar van de Neanderthaler Duitsland: Vakantieboek 2006 Paderborner Land: gloednieuwe fietsroute Lees meer.
De organisatoren van het Internationaal Vakantiesalon Antwerpen zijn bijzonder tevreden: de voorbije 6 dagen mochten ze meer dan 120.000 bezoekers verwelkomen. Het salon telde weliswaar 3 dagen minder dan vorig jaar, maar de opkomst was een succes. Ondanks het grote aantal bezoekers bleef de aangename sfeer gegarandeerd, mede dankzij de gezamenlijke inspanningen van organisatoren en exposanten. February 8, 200 - SEATTLE -- The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) (www.adventuretravel.biz ) today announced that it will host the second annual Adventure Travel World Summit in Seattle on October 19, 20 and 21, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Elliot Bay. aiGroup provides targeted marketing opportunities in Russia Moscow, February 3, 2006 -- Large, commercial exhibitions in Russia have grown in size, from their humble beginnings just over 10 years ago, to rival many major exhibitions around the world. Whilst the volumes of visitors are impressive many International suppliers are now looking for more specialized, B2B events. Read more.
HAMILTON, Bermuda, February 8 -- Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. (www.orient-express.com), owners and operators of 49 deluxe leisure properties in 25 countries, today announced its latest acquisition, a 75 per cent interest in Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for US$8.4 million. Orient Express Hotels will manage the property.  Worldhotels verhoogt commissie en dienstverlening aan reisagent De hotelgroep Worldhotels verhoogt met ingang van heden haar commissie voor reisagenten. Terwijl andere sectoren in de reisindustrie ( waaronder luchtvaartmaatschappijen, touroperators en reguliere hotelketens ) hun commissie verlagen of zelfs op nul stellen, zet Worldhotels verdere stappen om de relatie met reisbureaus te intensiveren. Behalve een stijging van de commissie van 8 naar gemiddeld 10% wordt, wordt deze vanaf nu ook een sneller uitgekeerd. Worldhotels zal de commissie tweewekelijks gaan voldoen, de gemiddelde termijn in de hotelindustrie is maandelijks. Op dit moment keert Worldhotels wereldwijd iedere maand ongeveer 750.000 euro uit aan commissie. Lees meer. LONDON, United Kingdom: Hosts of the 9th International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) have announced that Dr. Farhang Jahanpour will speak about “The Clash of the Civilisations” at the event to be held 6-8 March 2006 at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin, Germany. About Dr. Jahanpour, IHIF co-host Mike Malley of Questex said, “Travel and tourism is always impacted by geo-political issues and Dr Jahanpour’s keynote address will provide us with his views on the changing landscape.” PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, Feb. 3 -- The Riu Palace Riviera Maya, a luxury all-inclusive beachfront resort, will open its doors today. Riu Hotels & Resorts, the premier vacation hotel chain in the world, just announced a Grand Opening All Inclusive Special at the new Riu Palace Riviera Maya, from $185 per person/night, double occupancy, for stays from February 3 through April 16, 2006. Located in the heart of the world-famous Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun, right on a breathtaking white sandy beach, framed by tropical palm trees, this spectacular hotel boasts 400 elegant junior suites with hydro-massage bathtubs, spectacular entertainment and resort activities, and world-class fine dining. The resort also offers lighted tennis courts, kayaking, windsurfing, volleyball and introductory Scuba lessons in the pool. In addition to new properties from the Marriott, Hilton and Starwood brands, celebrity hoteliers including Andre Balaz (The Standard), Ian Schrager (Gramercy Park Hotel), Jason Pomeranc (6 Columbus Circle and to be named Allen Street), Vikram Chatwal (The Night Hotel) and Robert De Niro (The Downtown Hotel) are investing in New York City's thriving tourism product. New York City is expected to close 2005 with an 86% occupancy rate and 22 million room nights booked, an increase of one million over 2004. IRVING, Texas, Feb. 2 -- Omni Hotels continues its growth and expansion in the luxury hotel market with the purchase of two distinguished properties in San Antonio, the landmark La Mansion del Rio Hotel and the award-winning Watermark Hotel & Spa. The transaction is expected to close on March 16. Philippine Hotel Personnel Named # 1 In Worldwide Survey On Service MANILA - In terms of contentment of guests at hotels around the world, the Philippines is achieving the highest levels of service, according to the Market Metrix Hospitality Index survey for the third-quarter of 2005. Philippine hotels and resorts ranked number one in delivering a premier level of satisfaction, with a mark of 89.9 per cent. The results, noted Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano, underscores "the high premium and value we place on all our visitors. There is an unwavering commitment to give leisure and business travelers a superior overseas experience when visiting our islands." The Oriental, Bangkok Launches 130th Anniversary Promotion BANGKOK - To mark its 130th anniversary this year, The Oriental, Bangkok has launched a special 130 Reasons Anniversary Package. It includes, among other things, three night accommodation, daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, a dinner for two, afternoon tea set for two, chauffeured limousine, and a BBQ Dinner buffet for two. The package is priced at: for two persons sharing room US$1,800++, for one person US$1,500 ++, up to March 31st and October 16th-December 15th. For April 1st to October 15th the package is priced at: for two persons sharing room US$1,600++, for one person US$1,300++ City Inn, the privately owned group of contemporary hotels led by Sandy and David Orr with hotels in London, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow, has just been awarded "Best Business Hotel Brand 2006" at the annual Business Travel World Awards. The awards were held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London this week in front of an audience of 1300 business travel specialists. WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International's upscale, distinctive full-service brand, today announced that the Wyndham City Center Hotel in Washington, D.C. will become the Renaissance "M" Street Hotel this fall following an $18.5 million renovation. The 355- room hotel, located at the corner of M Street and New Hampshire Avenue, will immediately undergo a comprehensive refurbishment of its guest rooms, meeting space, lobby, restaurant and bar. The property was purchased by a joint venture, comprised of funds managed by Westbrook Partners, and an affiliate of Northview Hotel Group, Inc. The hotel will be managed by Marriott as the M Street Hotel until the re-branding to a Renaissance in the fall. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Checks Into Sydney SYDNEY, Australia, Feb. 1 -- The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which owns and operates Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, this morning officially opened and launched its newest acquisition BLUE, Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney. The 100 room, five-year old hotel, located on The Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo Bay, was formerly known as the W. The hotel is among the top hotels in Sydney and is Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces' first foray into Australia. HotelCaviar.be launches a complete listing of Belgian hotels. A new Belgian hotel website has been launched. HotelCaviar.be is a complete listing of ALL Belgian hotels. Indeed, the listing has been compiled from all officially registered hotel companies. The user can search for hotels by name, zip code or province. Comments on previous visits can be added, and compared. A booking module is being added, and already about a third of the hotels can be booked directly. The remainder will be coming on-line soon.
Vienna at Year Start 01.02.2006 -- The year got off to a good start for the Vienna Convention Bureau. Two major events were successfully bid for in the first month of the year, which are set to generate some 47,000 overnight stays in the Austrian capital in 2007. The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) will be holding its annual congress at the Austria Center Vienna from May 16-20, 2007 and attracting between 6,000 and 7,000 dermatologists. In autumn, the international media scene gathers at the Reed Messezentrum (October 8-11) for the EXPO staged by IFRA, the international association for newspaper and media publishing. The exhibition, accompanied by specialist lectures, will cover in the region of 25,000 sqm and boast an attendance of some 9,000. Vienna was given an exceptionally high vote of confidence during the bidding process, being the preferred venue of almost two thirds of the organization’s decision-makers. A significant factor in Vienna´s favor was the infrastructure and facilities that the Reed Messezentrum is now able to offer.  The Moscow International M.I.C.E Forum. Formally called the Moscow International MICE workshop, this event is Russia's only professionally organized MICE event offering fully equipped stands, pre-arranged meetings and a carefully selected level of professional MICE specialists in addition to Corporate Buyers. „MICE is a highly specialized form or tourism and we have created the Moscow International MICE Forum to provide a professional platform for this growing sector of the market". Full information at http://www.moscowworkshop.com/MICE/index.shtml
Eurostar introduit un dixième train par jour A partir du 13 février : un train supplémentaire l'après-midi, au départ et à destination de Londres Eurostar, le train à grande vitesse qui relie la Belgique et la France à la Grande-Bretagne, augmente le nombre de ses services et introduit le 13 février un dixième train en semaine. Grâce au lancement de ce nouveau service, un train au départ et à destination de Londres part quasiment toutes les heures dans l'après-midi. Ainsi, Eurostar répond toujours mieux à la demande des voyageurs d'affaires belges et britanniques. En savoir plus. Vakantiesalon Brussel: Bezoek de maquette van de TGV
 MEDITERRA annonce la parution de la brochure été 2006 Spécialiste incontesté sur la Turquie et les pays méditerranéens, MEDITERRA, soucieux de répondre à l'attente des clients, a considérablement modifié et étoffé sa gamme de produits sur sa destination « phare ». En savoir plus. La nouvelle collection des brochures du groupe Kuoni Printemps/Eté 2006 est arrivée. Vous pouvez la découvrir sur le site www.kuoni.fr, la commander ou la retirer dans l'une des agences Kuoni. Orion International : "Turkije 2006" De nieuwe zomerbrochure “Turkije 2006” van touroperator Orion International is uit. Het is een kanjer van een brochure van 161 pagina's (prijzenboek incl.) met een onweerstaanbaar aanbod van citytrips naar Istanbul, 10 begeleide rondreizen (8, 12 en 15 dagen) met gegarandeerde afreisdata, 8-daagse Blue Cruises vanuit Antalya en Bodrum aan boord van het guletboot en 85 hotels en clubs voor luilekkere strandvakanties aan de Turkse Riviera, in Bodrum en aan de Klassieke Kust. En dit aan de meest aantrekkelijke tarieven. Lees meer.
 Euro Relais double le nombre de ses logements pour les sports d'hiver Nouvelle destination d'Euro Relais pour les sports d'hiver: la République tchèque Eindhoven, le 2 février 2006 -- Le tour-opérateur Euro Relais, spécialisé dans la réservation de maisons de vacances, a considérablement étendu son offre pour la saison des sports d'hiver 2005/2006, par rapport au nombre de logements présentés pour 2004/2005. En savoir plus.
Découverte et exploration en profondeur du Sénégal, rencontre avec les habitants et leurs traditions. Les circuits sont effectués avec des chauffeurs-accompagnateurs en véhicule 4x4. Les Hébergement se font dans des « Campements », structures d'accueil simples et parfois rudimentaires, sélectionnés pour leur situation, leur personnalité et leur convivialité. Panorama Ces circuits offrent une approche originale de chaque région à partir d'hôtels confortables. Un chauffeur-accompagnateur vous guidera tout au long du séjour en voiture 4x4, à travers les points forts du Sénégal. Les hôtels sont également sélectionnés pour leur intégration dans la nature et leur charme.
Océade à l'heure des Caraïbes Bruxelles, 07/02/2006 -- Océade, le parc aquatique bruxellois à l'ambiance subtropicale, présente aujourd'hui la dernière phase de sa thématisation Caribéenne et sa nouvelle mascotte Captain "O". En 2006, cet investissement représente un montant de 350 000 euros en tout. Benoît Cerexhe, ministre de l'Economie et de l'Emploi de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, inaugurera officiellement le parc aquatique rénové en compagnie de Thierry Meeùs, administrateur délégué d'Océade. En savoir plus. Première mondiale à Walibi ! Attraction exclusive en 2006: MountainGlider Wavre, 2 février 2006 - De tous les parcs de loisirs en Belgique, Walibi Belgium est sans conteste celui qui donne le ton. Cette année, il ne faillit pas à sa réputation avec l’arrivée d’une toute nouvelle attraction, unique au monde, du type Mountain Glider. En savoir plus.
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