AVIATION

Air New Zealand new client of AVIAREPS
 
April 12, 2007 -- AVIAREPS wins a new client in Italy. Air New Zealand has appointed the global airline representative for the handling of all sales and marketing activities in the Italian market. Giulio Santoro, General Manager of AVIAREPS Italy will be responsible for all operations carried out in Italy on behalf of the airline. The branch office in Milan already services carriers such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air Madagascar, Condor and LTU.

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Acquisition Aero Groundservices par Aviapartner finalisée

Bruxelles/Amsterdam, 12 avril 2007 - Aviapartner et VCK Holding annoncent qu’ils ont finalisé l’acquisition par Aviapartner des parts de VCK Holding dans sa filiale de manutention de fret Aero Groundservices BV.

Les deux compagnies avaient annoncé cette acquisition le 7 mars dernier, laquelle intègre l’escale d’Aero Groundservices à Amsterdam dans le réseau de 38 escales d’Aviapartner.

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Eva Airways, CAL Expected to see Robust Profit Growth This Year

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) The nation's two largest air carriers are expected to see robust profit growth after fuel price pressure eases, analysts said Saturday.

Both China Airlines (CAL) and EVA Airways Corp. reported lackluster performance last year due to soaring oil prices, although fuel price pressures began to ease in the fourth quarter.

Read more.

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SWISS choisit BrouwerBetist

Schiphol/Bruges, 11 avril 2007 -- Après une compétition réunissant des bureaux néerlandais et belges, Swiss International Air Lines a décidé de confier ses activités de relations publiques pour le Benelux à BrouwerBetist.

BrouwerBetist est une agence PR & marketing spécialisée dans le secteur des voyages.
En Belgique, BrouwerBetist travaille entre autres pour Curaçao Toeristen Bureau Europa, Euro Relais, Oman Tourism, Turismo de Lisboa et Jersey.

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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. Notre site : www.bolchoi.spb.ru Moscou Tel : 7.495.510 50 41 Fax : 7.495.623 94 52 bolchoit@co.ru St. Petersbourg Tel : 7.812.740.20.32 Fax : 7.812.740.20.33 bolshoi.spb@rol.ru Paris Tél : 33.1.53.00.97.79 Fax : 33.1.53.40.84.85 bolchoi@nerim.ne

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South African Airways, United Airlines Expand Code-Share Service into More Cities Throughout the U.S.

Fifteen Additional U.S. Code-Share Cities will Offer Even More Options to Travelers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 10 -- South African Airways (SAA) and United are proud to announce that they have expanded into 15 additional code-share cities throughout the U.S., effective March 31st, further strengthening their Star Alliance partnership.

New South African Airways U.S. code-share cities serviced by United Airlines now include Atlanta, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Detroit, Mich.; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; Kansas City, Mo.; Miami, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; and St. Louis, Mo.

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SunExpress start vluchten Amsterdam - Izmir

SunExpress vanaf 29 april 2 x per week tussen Amsterdam en Izmir gaat vliegen.

SunExpress is ontstaan in 1989 uit een samenwerking tussen Turkish Airlines en Lufthansa, beide maatschappijen bezitten nog steeds elk 50% van de aandelen. SunExpress vliegt vanuit Turkije naar meer dan 40 bestemmingen in Europa. Vanuit Izmir wordt o.a. gevlogen naar Antalya, Kayseri, Trabzon, Adana en Van.

De vloot van SunExpress bestaat uit 13 machines, 9 Boeings B737/800 en 4 Boeings B757/200. De vlucht vanaf Amsterdam wordt uitgevoerd met een Boeing B737/800, dit toestel heeft een capaciteit van 189 stoelen.

Voor reserveringen en tarieven verwijzen wij u graag naar onze reserveringsafdeling, we zijn bereikbaar op 0031 (0)20-5200287 of per email: sunexpress.ams@aviareps.com.

Website : www.sun-express.nl

Vanaf 1 april 2007 wordt SunExpress door AVIAREPS BV vertegenwoordigd.

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Hong Kong : Nieuwe tour speciaal voor transit passagiers

Speciaal voor transit passagiers heeft het Hong Kong Tourism Board een nieuwe excursietocht samengesteld op Lantau Island, het grootste eiland van de meer dan 260 eilanden die Hongkong rijk is. Omdat het grenst aan Hongkong International Airport, is dit eiland de ideale plek voor deze tour. De tocht begint met een 5,7 kilometer lange rit met de nieuwste attractie van Hongkong, de Skyrail Ngong Ping 360. Lees meer.

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Northwest Airlines Reports March Traffic

EAGAN, Minn. -- (April 5, 2007) - Northwest Airlines (OTC: NWACQ.PK) today announced a March consolidated (mainline and regional) load factor of 85.7 percent,
0.4 points below March 2006. Northwest reported a mainline load factor of 86.6 percent, 0.5 points below March 2006.

In March 2007, Northwest and its Northwest Airlink regional carriers flew 7.02 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) and 8.19 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), a traffic increase of 1.3 percent and a capacity increase of 1.8 percent versus March 2006.

Northwest flew 6.59 billion mainline revenue passenger miles and 7.61 billion mainline available seat miles in March 2007, a traffic increase of 2.4 percent and a capacity increase of 3.0 percent versus March 2006.

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MARCH 2007 TRAFFIC

Dynamic passenger activity

•• Traffic up strongly by 7.5% and a 2.8 point rise in load factor to 82.3%

•• Further increase in unit revenue

Read more.

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Olympic Airlines is moving

Olympic Airlines Belux is moving as from May 01st 2007 from avenue Louise 138a, 1050 Brussels to Brussels Airport, B-1930 - PO 35.
Tel.: 32 (0)2 649 81 58 - Fax: 32 (0)2 753 24 50 - Email : brursoa@olympicairlines.be.

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SkyEurope porte son taux d’occupation à 88,4% en mars 2007 SkyEurope Airlines, la compagnie aérienne à bas prix, a transporté un total de 264.621 passagers en mars 2007, soit une augmentation de 48,5% comparé 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 14,0 points pourcentage du taux d’occupation, qui atteint 88,4%.
En savoir plus.

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Malaysia Airlines Ranked Again as 5-Star Airline Subang, 04 April 2007: Malaysia Airlines has been ranked as '5-Star' airline again by Skytrax, the leading research Advisors to the world's airline and air transport industry. The national carrier was assessed by Skytrax's Quality-Cost-Value-Satisfaction (QCVS) audit, conducted between November and December 2006, with focus on service quality and product delivery as well as customer service on long haul and regional routes. Read more.

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Japan pushes ahead with an airport expansion programme for Tokyo

Japan's government and airport authorities are taking further steps to alleviate lack of capacity at both of Tokyo airports, Haneda and Narita. Both airports are already operating to full capacity, offering a major challenge for a country which aims to increase the number of its international visitors from 7.3 million in 2006 to 10 million by 2010. At present, many international airlines are unable to land in Tokyo and must instead choose to fly to Nagoya or Osaka Kansai airports.
Read more.

CRUISES & FERRIES

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Pour la première fois en Belgique, Costa Croisières lance le plus grand roadshow jamais réalisé à travers tout le territoire belge. En savoir plus.

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Voor de eerste maal lanceert Costa Cruises de grootste roadshow ooit georganiseerd in België! In niet minder dan 43 steden worden interessante infosessies verzorgd door het team van Costa Cruises. Lees meer.

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A-Rosa River Cruises will operate four ships on the Danube this season offering five to sixteen cruises. A special highlight of the A-Rosa program are “Danube Gourmet” cruises departing May 12, August 18, and September 29. Guests can board ship at either Passau or Vienna for a culinary experience of superlatives on the Danube. The cruise calls at Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and in the Wachau. An exclusive culinary program featuring gourmet chefs and sommeliers aboard ship make for a truly unique cruise. Lectures, wine-tastings and a special four-course dinner in Esterházy Palace, as well as the always enchanting Danube panorama make this a trip to remember.

Starting this year, all A-Rosa Danube cruises can also be booked departing from and returning to Vienna.

Information: A-Rosa Flussschiff GmbH, j.pengel@arkona.de, www.a-rosa.de

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Celebrity Cruises to Add Series of Upgrades to Celebrity Mercury
 
MIAMI, April 5 – It takes 88 days for the planet Mercury to orbit the sun, but it will take only six for Celebrity Cruises to navigate through a significant "home improvement" program on Celebrity Mercury, highlighted by the addition of new verandas and a complete transformation of the ship's boutique boulevard. Read more.

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Nouveau at Celebrity Cruises: Europe Comes Onboard

Expanded activities program to enhance Mediterranean and Baltic sailings

MIAMI, April 10 -- Guests on Celebrity Cruises' Mediterranean and Baltic voyages soon will have the opportunity to delight in the rich cultures of Europe without even disembarking the ship. In June, the top-rated line will introduce "Passaporto di Europa," its newly expanded, Europe-themed onboard activities program. Read more.

DESTINATIONS

Click on the logo for the last issue

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The 7th International Carnival in St. Petersburg

March 2007 - On 26 May 2007 the 7th International Carnival will take place in St. Petersburg.
The carnival's grand finale will be a Ball in the Russian Museum organised by the Grand Hotel Europe.

On 26 May 2007 the 7th International Carnival will take place in St. Petersburg. 
The Carnival, held in celebration of City Day, is the city's most fun and colourful festival. 
The grand finale of the festival will be a Ball in the Russian Museum.
Read more.

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Latvia : 23 % tourism growth

Data from the Latvian Bureau of Statistic shows that Latvia experienced a record-high growth of 23 % in the number of incoming foreign travellers in 2006.

This figure could be compared to 2005 when Latvia and Turkey tied for the Nr. 1 tourism growth position in Europe.  Both countries then enjoyed an increase of 21 % of foreign travellers.

A total of 4,6 million foreigners travelled to Latvia in 2006 compared to 3,8 million in 2005.  Of the travellers that stayed for several days the growth was even higher. From 1,1 million in 2005 to 1,5 million in 2006, represents a growth of 37,5 %.  The most rapid growth was seen in travellers from Norway (109,7 % increase), Finland (84.4 % increase) and Lithuania (71,2 % increase) according to data from the Latvian Bureau of Statistics.

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La Havane

Depuis plus de quatre siècles, La Havane, capitale de la République de Cuba, est considérée comme une enclave privilégiée pour la communication et le commerce. Elle est aujourd’hui, en outre, le centre administratif, politique, culturel et scientifique du pays, et sur seulement 727 km2 (0,65% de la superficie totale de l’archipel) elle concentre près de 20% de la population cubaine.
En savoir plus.

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Farmhouse holidays along the Austrian Danube

Vacations close to nature are the trend, and what could be a more enjoyable and relaxing way to experience nature than at a farmhouse along the Danube? Some 400 member farms along the course of the Danube as it flows through Austria offer holidays far from the everyday rut.
Information: Bundesverband Urlaub am Bauernhof, Hans Embacher. Gabelsbergerstrasse 19, A-5020 Salzburg, Tel. ++43/662/880202, www.UrlaubamBauernhof.at

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Malte et Vlaanderen Vakantieland
 
Pendant le week-end des 21 et 22 avril, Vlaanderen Vakantieland diffusera un reportage consacré à Malte.

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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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Activity holidays gain ground in Romania

The offer of activity holidays started to improve in Romania, in an attempt to better face foreign competition and to overcome the disadvantage of the low season interval bringing few customers,.

An example is that of the Predeal mountain resort (north of Bucharest), better known its ski tracks. Here, hotels started to offer summer packages to include, besides accommodation and meals, such activities as rides with ATVs, paintball, rafting, trips and expeditions. The head of the tourism office based in Predeal Rodica Lazar says that hotel keepers in this mountain resort maintained their tariffs at the same level last year, expecting thus more tourists to come.

Investors from “Fratii Jderi Adventure Academy” also target “living in nature” concept, by promoting special stays and educational programmes based on adventure. A day in the holiday village costs around 150 euros, with participants to be “anyone who is in good shape.” There are included the transport, accommodation or camping equipment, the meal, the beverages and the sports and leisure equipment. (Rompres)

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Black Sea resort of Costinesti awaits tourists in summer season opening on May 1

The Black Sea resort of Costinesti, a traditional holiday destination of the Romanian youth, awaits a higher number of tourists from May 1, when the summer season opens.

The lowest tariff at the 2-star Forum Hotel is 52 lei (15 euros) a day for a double room, while the most expensive is a suite at 147 lei (45 euros), breakfast and VAT included.

The fans of the 2-star Albatros villa, which has a special offer for organising banquets, should pay 25 lei (7.5 euros) for accommodation in a double room over the weekend.
Costinesti is located 31 km south of the Black Sea port city of Constanta and it offers facilities that rival some of Europe’s most modern leisure spots.

The resort was founded in the 19th century; the largest part of the land was owned by Romanian industrialist Emil Costinescu, who had bought it from Vasile Kogalniceanu, the son of Mihail Kogalniceanu, a Romanian Prime Minister from 1863-1865 and president of the Romanian Academy from 1887-1890. In 1956, the students’ international camp was inaugurated at Costinesti.

The resort’s waterfront and beaches have been fully restored recently. (Rompres).

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Vilnius will become European Capital of Culture in 2009

There are only 644 days to go before we can hail Vilnius as European Capital of Culture. Lithuanian capital is the first city in the Post-Communist block to be designated this reputable title. The 20-year-old tradition, which has seen a total 30 European cities to win the honour of being European Capital of Culture, will now enable Vilnius to present to the world its distinguishable cultural identity. Read more.

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Découvrir l'Alsace à vélo. L'Alsace possède près de 2 000 kilomètres d'itinéraires cyclables ! Un maillage très dense de circuits qui vont du nord au sud et des Vosges au Rhin.

Que l'on recherche l'endurance ou la simple balade en famille, l'Alsace se prête à toutes les envies : VTT dans les Vosges et dans les vallées, pistes cyclables dans toute la plaine d'Alsace. L'Alsace à vélo : une façon originale de découvrir des lieux pittoresques ou méconnus. En savoir plus.

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Nieuw panoramaterras Peak Tower geopend

De Victoria Peak, kortweg de Peak, is één van Hongkong’s bekendste toeristische trekpleisters. Op deze berg, 552 meter boven de skyline van Hongkong, staat de Peak Tower. Dit gebouw heeft vele restaurants en winkels die schitterende uitzichten over de metropool bieden. Recentelijk is er een nieuw panoramadek geopend, meer dan 30 meter hoger gelegen dan het vorige uitkijkpunt. Op dit dek kunnen bezoekers genieten van fenomenale uitzichten in alle windrichtingen. Lees meer.

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Dubai is a safe Destination Dubai is one of the safest places in the world. The crime index in Dubai is one of the lowest and that the major crimes such as murder, kidnap, rape and physical assault represent 0.5 to 1 for each 100,000 population, compared to the world average of 6 to 8, said Dubai Police Chief Lt.-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim.

According to him, the murder crimes in the year 2006 reached 1.4 for each 100,000 people in Dubai, while the world average is 4 for each 100,000. The forced theft reached 13.6 for each 100,000 while the world average recorded more than 100 crimes for 100,000 population.
Read more.

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Un printemps jazzy en Louisiane
- Festivals de Jazz -
 
Le New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival et le Festival International de Louisiane proposent une programmation attractive pour un printemps en Louisiane sous le signe du jazz.
En savoir plus.

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Stiermarken, het groene hart van Oostenrijk

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Start of Summer Season 2007 Given in Bulgaria's Golden Sand Resort

Summer season 2007 will be officially opened on April 20 in the coastal resort of Golden Sands. In 2007, Golden Sands celebrates 50 years since its setting up.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said that he will attend the opening of the tourism season.

Before the opening of the season, the National Tourism Board will hold a summit, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

From April 23 to 28 the State Agency for Tourism (SAT) will host a spa and wellness tourism seminar. Representatives of Central and East European countries will attend the forum. Some of the countries that confirmed their participation include Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Macedonia.

Meanwhile the Interior Ministry said that it planned to introduce stricter security measures in Bulgaria’s coastal resorts.

Nearly 60 more policemen will work during the summer in the coastal city of Bourgas. Sunny Beach resort will get a video monitoring system to ensure the security of tourists.

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Nouvelles d'Allemagne

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Double-digit growth forecast for the Philippines

Following an excellent performance in 2006, the Philippines Department of Tourism forecasts 12% growth in international arrivals in 2007 to 3.2 million tourists, and it aims for 5 million foreign visitors by 2010. Read more.

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Macau's tourism booms as gaming facilities grow

Tourism to Macau continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, as the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China transforms itself into the Las Vegas of the East. With a population of only 600,000 inhabitants, this tiny territory received close to 22 million tourist visitors last year, up by 17.6% on 2005. Since 1999, the year that Portugal handed back the territory to China, the annual visitor count has increased by almost 200%. The majority of visitors either spend the night in Macau's casinos, or are day trippers - just 4.6 million visitors stayed in the SAR's accommodation in 2006 - up by 12.5% on 2005, but nonetheless still far short of the 22 million who crossed its borders. Read more.

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Québec City celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2008

Québec City, the cradle of North America's French community, is already preparing for 2008 when it will mark its 400th birthday. A host of events will take place, from neighbourhood parties to grand-scale stage productions, and from international meetings to activities showcasing local traditions.

The celebrations will begin with opening ceremonies on 31 December, 2007, ringing in the New Year. Over the summer 2008, Espace 400e, a thematic pavilion located in the Old Port of Québec, will serve as the heart of the celebrations. The festivities will culmi¬nate in a major urban event on 3 July 2008 in commemoration of the day that the city was founded by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Other international events throughout the year will include the World Ice Hockey Championships, the Sommet de la Francophonie and the 49th International Eucharistic Congress.

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More cultural highlights as Dresden restores its architectural heritage

Visitors to Dresden this year will be able to see the Neumarkt district taking shape. Much of this area around the Frauenkirche, which used to be the Baroque heart of the city, was destroyed during the Second World War. But it is coming back to life - painstaking work to restore the Frauenkirche was finished in October 2005 when the church was re-consecrated - and now townhouses, restaurants and shops are being renovated and opened to the public. Some 2 million people have visited the church since October 2005, and the area will remain a top tourist attraction for the city. Read more.

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Thailand will be linked via Laos through the construction of a third bridge over the Mekong in Chiang Rai province. The bridge, which will be built at the border-crossing at Huay Sai-Chiang Khong, will be part of the proposed Kunming-Bangkok highway.
The bridge will cost US$40 million and should be open to traffic in 2009, to coincide with the completion of a new 250-kilometre highway through Laos.

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Myanmar has started building an eight-lane highway to link Yangon to the new administrative capital of the country, Nay Pyi Taw. Once completed, the highway will shorten travel time from eight to four hours. In a surprising move, the Myanmar military government moved the capital overnight from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw in November 2005. Located 390 kilometres away from Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw still lacks most of the basic infrastructure such as housing, hotels or shopping facilities.

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Vietnam will promote the province of Thai Nguyen in the northern part of the coun¬try this year. The province has numerous natural wonders such as limestone mountains, rain forests, caves and grottos, and dozens of waterfalls. An art and culture festival of local ethnic groups will be organised in August, and the province expects to attract 750,000 tourists this year including 25,000 foreigners.

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French Polynesia had a disappointing 2006 as a result of a decline in visitor arrivals from France - the overseas territory's main market. The French visitor count totalled 42,000, a decrease of 7%. The Tahiti Office of Tourism explained that most France/Tahiti flights transit through the USA, and there are well-known difficulties in obtaining the necessary electronic passport, so some travellers have been deterred from making the trip. However, 2007 looks more promising with Tahiti Tourism forecasting over 46,000 visits from France. Two promotional campaigns will be launched in France - an investment of €610,000. A pre-booking tool on the internet (www.tahiti-tourisme.fr) will be made available, enabling travellers to compare the prices of packages offered by various French tour operators.

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Thessaloniki has started to promote itself as a city-break destination, following the inauguration of year-round direct flights from the UK - potentially the city's largest short-break market. Thessaloniki is an important cultural destination; it is home to the renowned Theatre of Northern Greece, and hosts a range of festivals throughout the year, including an international film festival, a jazz festival, an international month of dance, and - its newest event - the meeting of Balkan musicians. As well as its own architectural heritage, Thessaloniki is an ideal base for exploring important archaeological sites including Peila, Vergina, Toroneos, Meteora, and the Cave of Petralona. Thessaloniki has 66 hotels - 11 of which are five-star properties, accord¬ing to the city tourism authorities.

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Sulawesi is becoming a priority for Indonesia

The Indonesian island of Sulawesi has been earmarked as a potential international tourism destination. Located in east Indonesia, the island is the fourth largest in the archipelago, and has 16 million inhabitants. Air connections have improved over the last few years with non-stop flights from Manado to Singapore (Silk Air) and recently, direct flights from Singapore to Makassar (Garuda). More services by low-cost carriers look likely, and Makassar, the island's largest city, will open a new air terminal for 6 million passengers in 2008. Read more.

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Another boost for Ireland's golf tourism

Ireland, still basking in the aftermath of the Ryder Cup (held in September 2006 and estimated to have brought US$165 million to the Irish economy) will add another prestigious course this year, bringing its tally to over 440 courses. Read more.

FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS

"2007 Taipei International Travel Fair" The 2007 edition of the Taipei International Travel fair (ITF) is scheduled to be held December 14 through December 17. As in previous years, the venue of the Fair is Exhibition Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) in Taipei. Starting March 1st, 2007, the organizer accepts applications of travel related organizations from around the world. Applications can be filled online at the official website of ITF www.taipeiitf.org.tw. All exhibitors who apply before June 30 enjoy an early-bird discount on booth rental fees. Relevant forms details regarding show procedures, regulations and services are included in the 'Exhibitor Handbook' which will be available on the Taipei ITF website by June 1st, 2007. Taipei ITF continues to grow each year and as for the 2007 edition, predictions are that demand will far exceed the available exhibition space. Tourism-related organizations should therefore apply soon to make sure not to miss this great business opportunity! For further information, please check out the website www.taipeiitf.org.tw or contact +886-2591-9697

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Opportunities for Attendees to the International Tourism Fair Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hotel representatives, Air Lines and tourism professionals to take part at the 27th International Tourism Fair Cuba 2007 will be granted opportunities. Read more.

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China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM)

COTTM, the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (formerly BITTM), is the definitive annual trade event targeting the Chinese travel and tourism market with its enormous growth potential.

China is the world’s largest single consumer market and has the sixth largest share of global Gross National Income. Chinese expenditure on travel is currently growing at 27% per year. The number of departures is expected to grow from 31 million in 2005 to a massive 100 million by 2020.

China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market creates an annual platform where global and local industry professionals meet, discuss and contract the forthcoming seasons. Dedicated exclusively to business-to-business, COTTM provides the essential link between the rapid expenditure of the Chinese travel and tourism industry and the dynamics of the global industry needs.

HOTELS

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March 2007 - The Grand Hotel Europe's L'Europe restaurant has been named 'Best restaurant in St. Petersburg 2006' in the 'Best Food' category.  This interactive award was judged according to the results of voting on the Menu.ru website.

The Grand Hotel Europe is one of St. Petersburg's most famous hotels and brings together under its roof and name seven of the best restaurants in the city serving the best food in St. Petersburg.  The finest of these superb restaurants is undoubtedly L'Europe restaurant.  The restaurant's interior features style moderne décor and is adorned with a stained glass window by Leon Benois and coloured mosaic ceiling.  Balconies and five separate rooms lend the restaurant a particularly cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

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Dans 15 pays d’Europe, Ibis lance l’offre « Happy 30 » :
des tarifs irrésistibles pour les réservations faites à l’avance

Evry, le 10 avril 2007. A l’occasion de la sortie de son nouveau site ibishotel.com, Ibis lance l’offre « Happy 30 », des tarifs exceptionnellement bas réservés aux internautes pour les réservations effectuées au moins 30 jours à l’avance, sur ibishotel.com. « Happy 30, on a tout à gagner à réserver tôt ! ». En savoir plus.

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Accor se mobilise
pour le Développement Durable
à l'occasion de « l'Earth Guest day »

Le dimanche 22 avril, Jour de la Terre, et durant toute la semaine précédant cet événement, les collaborateurs Accor, tous métiers, marques et divisions confondus, se mobilisent autour du développement durable. Point d'orgue des actions menées tout au long de l'année, cette journée, baptisée «Earth Guest day» par Accor, fait la synthèse du programme «Earth Guest» lancé en 2006 par le Groupe pour fédérer les initiatives en matière de responsabilité sociétale et environnementale.
En savoir plus.

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Romance on the Rhine

The four-star-superior Rheinhotel Bellevue in Boppard pampers its guests in spring 2007 with high-quality musical treats combined with culinary delight in the "Restaurant Chopin."
On 29 April 2007, the artist Nick Dorobantu takes those interested in culture on a musical trip
"As Time Goes By" with songs by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, all the way to American musicals. The evening includes a five-course dinner and aperitif with accompanying wine and costs 60 Euro per person. The four-star-superior hotel is also offering a special package including one night's accommodations for 110 Euro per person in a double room.

Information & Booking
Bellevue Rheinhotel,
Rheinallee 41, 56154 Boppard,
Tel. +49(0)6742/102-0, Fax 102602,
info@bellevue-boppard.de -- http://www.bellevue-boppard.de

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The Phoenician Renovates its "Hotel Within a Hotel"

On March 1, 2007, The Phoenician completed a $5.5 million enhancement of the 60 guestrooms, private lobby, pool, cabanas and meeting space in The Canyon Suites building. The Canyon Suites, which originally opened in 1996, is a separate building from the main resort and features its own porte cochére, lobby, pool and cabanas, and parking garage. In addition to the physical enhancements, The Phoenician also added a new menu of highly personalized services for guests staying in this building. These special touches include a welcome amenity prepared by Executive Chef Paul Carter; a personal Phoenician Ambassador to take care of a guest's every need; a sterling silver coffee and tea service wake-up call; daily wine tasting with the master sommelier; and a chauffeured Mercedes to take guests to the spa, golf course or shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

To end the day, guests can enjoy the new Canyon Suites Therapeutic Turndown with bathwater drawn and a variety of spa salts.

The price for all of the added amenities and services at The Canyon Suites is included in the room rate, which is $75-$200 additional per night from the main resort, depending on the room/suite type. For more information, visit www.thephoenician.com or call (800) 888-8234.

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In oktober 2007 opent het luxehotel the Dominican haar deuren in het hartje van Brussel. Dit eerste design hotel in België is een combinatie van Brusselse tradities en de historiek van het pand met modern design.

De hoge vertrekken en de kloostergangen die het hotel een bijzonder karakter geven, zullen doen herinneren aan het Dominicaanse klooster dat in de 15e eeuw op deze locatie stond.

De 150 kamers en suites werden elk individueel ontworpen en kijken uit op de centrale kloostertuin. Het interieur in de kamers is een mix van hedendaags design, gestileerde meubelen, rijke stofferingen, warme kleuren, maar bovenal verzekerd van ultiem comfort. Het begrip 'thuisvoelen' staat centraal.

THE DOMINICAN · Rue Léopold / Leopoldstraat 9 · 1000 Brussels · Belgium · Phone +32 (0)2 203 08 08 · Fax +32 (0)2 203 08 07
info@thedominican.carlton.be · www.thedominican.be

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Golden Tulip Hospitality ajoute un nouvel hôtel à son portfolio Belge (de gauche à droite : Frank de Snoeck, Project Director Robelco, Aemilia Broekman, Business Development Manager Golden Tulip Hospitality Group, and  Hans Kennedie, President & C.E.O Golden Tulip Hospitality Group)

Amersfoort (NL) / Lausanne (CH) 5 avril 2007; Golden Tulip Hospitality est fier d’annoncer la signature d’un accord de gestion du Golden Tulip Antwerp Centre. L’hôtel ouvrira ses portes en septembre 2007.
En savoir plus. 

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Choice Hotels Comfort Suites vanaf 1 mei rookvrij
 
April 2007 – Choice Hotels International kondigt aan dat de Comfort Suites keten vanaf 1 mei 2007 geheel rookvrij wordt. Alle 433 Comfort Suites in de Verenigde Staten worden rookvrij, ook de gemeenschappelijke ruimten. Deze beslissing sluit aan bij het baanbrekende werk dat Choice Hotels in 1984 verrichtte, door als eerste in de industrie al haar hotels over de hele wereld van rookvrije kamers te voorzien.
 

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Rocco Forte Hotels Completes On The Sale Of
The St David's Hotel & Spa, Cardiff

5 April 2007 -- Rocco Forte Hotels has today completed on the sale of The St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff to Principal Hotels for £32.5m.

The proceeds from the sale will be used to fund further expansion of the brand in Europe. Hotels already under development in Munich, Geneva and Prague, as well as a golf resort in Sicily, will open within the next year.

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Crestline Hotels & Resorts Selected as the Management Company for the New Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suite Hotels Under Construction in Baltimore, MD

BALTIMORE and MCLEAN, Va. -- Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. today announced its appointment by an affiliate of Presidential Hotel Investors as the management company for two new hotels under construction at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The 183 guestroom Hilton Garden Inn and the 165 suite Homewood Suites Hotel are co-joined properties that are scheduled to open in the summer of 2007.

The hotels are located only one block from the city's picturesque waterfront and within walking distance to Baltimore's most popular neighborhoods for dining, shopping and entertainment. The location is perfect for business and pleasure, and is just a 15 minute ride to the Baltimore Washington International Airport.

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Cameroon moves nearer to privatising its state-owned hotels

In February this year, the Cameroon Government announced a shortlist of six companies which are permitted to tender for the privatisation of 29 state-owned hotels. No names have been revealed, but each company will have to produce a study with financial and technical details for the management of the hotels.

According to Cameroon's Ministry of the Economy and Finance, state hotels are in such poor condition that they are hindering the country in its bid to attract 500,000 tourists a year. This call for tenders will enable the government to identify a privatisation strategy for each hotel, and draw up an implementation process.

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The Singapore Regent Hotel, voted for five consecutive years by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the top 50 best hotels in Asia, is trying to operate as more than just a hotel. Since the hotel has one of the most outstanding art collections in Southeast Asia on display around the property, management has decided to use the collection as a tool to promote the property's uniqueness. Guided tours of the works of art can be organised for guests or convention attendees.

MICE

Click on the logo for more information

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Foires, congrès et incentives à Malte 

Plusieurs nouveaux hôtels ont ouvert leurs portes l'année dernière, avec une augmentation du nombre de salles de conférence à la clé.
 
Le Meridien St.Julian, Balluta Bay, a été inauguré l'année dernière, de même que le Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort, situé à Golden Bay. Ces deux hôtels cinq étoiles proposent environ 300 chambres et toutes les facilités modernes pour séduire les voyageurs et les hommes d'affaires les plus exigeants.
 
L'inauguration du Palace, autre hôtel 5 étoiles situé à Sliema, est prévue pour le mois de juin. L'hôtel compte 155 chambres et jouit d'une situation centrale, à quelques minutes à pied du bord de mer et du centre commercial. Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur www.thepalacemalta.com. Autre inauguration prévue pour cette année, celle du Grand Hôtel Excelsior situé dans la périphérie de la Valette, à Floriana. Plus d'informations dans nos prochaines éditions!
 

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Centre des Congrès et des Expositions (Malta Fairs & Convention Centre - MFCC)
 
Ouvert en octobre 2006, le MFCC est un complexe polyvalent situé dans le centre de l'île Ta'Qali. Le centre accueille des foires, des expositions, des conférences et plein d'autres événements. Il offre une capacité de 10.000 places assises et peut accueillir jusqu'à 20.000 personnes debout. Tous les détails sur www.mfcc.com.mt.

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Congress Tourism in Bulgaria Registers 25 per cent Growth

Congress tourism revenue in Bulgaria went up 25 per cent over the past three years, Bulgarian Convention and Visitors Bureau managing director Polly Karastoyanova said.

Revenue would grow even more after Bulgaria’s EU accession, Katastoyanova said as quoted by Dnevnik daily.

Still, Bulgaria lacks official data on exact convention tourism profit. The information so far is based on the income of the four biggest convention centres in the country, National Palace of Culture, Inter Expo Centre, Plovdiv Fair and Festival & Congress Centre in Varna.

Bulgaria will promote its convention tourism product during the international exhibition specialised travel expo IMEX. The fair will be held in the German city of Frankfurt from April 17 to 19 2007.

Bulgaria’s promotion will focus on the four biggest Bulgarian cities having the potential to develop convention tourism, Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and Bourgas.

Karastoyanova said that Bulgaria’s business could make use of its current base to develop convention tourism.

ORGANIZATIONS

UNWTO and FiFA Joins Forces Ahead of South Africa 2010

Madrid 10 April 2007 Big sporting events can promote tourism, which in turn can be streamlined into socio-economic development efforts. This close relationship is increasingly acknowledged and lies behind the close relations between UNWTO and FIFA ahead of the South African World Cup 2010. Read more.

PARCS & ATTRACTIONS

Le Préhistosite de Ramioul Encore plus interactif !

Rami, le mammouth, t'invite à jouer au musée !
Le Préhistosite de Ramioul propose une visite originale, interactive, éducative et amusante aux petits préhistoriens en herbe et à leurs parents.
Cette fois, ce sont les enfants qui font la visite ! Equipés de leur boîte à outils d'archéologue, les enfants partent à la conquête du musée pour remplir leur carnet de fouilles. En savoir plus.

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Orage tropical dans l'air chez Océade

C'est dans de tout nouveaux atours que le complexe aquatique tropical Océade entame la nouvelle saison. L'année dernière déjà, le parc s'est métamorphosé en une véritable île des Caraïbes. Dans ce même esprit, les sanitaires et le départ des toboggans ont été remis à neuf et décorés dans le vrai style pirates. Et chaque heure, un orage tropical éclate dans Océade: pluie, vagues, éclairs, tonnerres rendent l'amusement encore plus intense. En 2007, Océade aura investi quelques 300.000 euros dans ces rénovations.
En savoir plus.

RAILWAYS

New Eurail Regional Passes Expand Options for Discovering Europe Czech Republic-Germany and Germany-Poland Passes Available From April 1

UTRECHT, The Netherlands, April 2/PRNewswire/ -- Eurail Group has introduced two new Regional Passes that widen the options for discovering Europe.

Valid for travel in two bordering European countries, Eurail Regional Passes were developed to offer time-starved travelers the opportunity to explore two countries in depth. The two new combinations are Czech Republic-Germany and Germany-Poland, bringing the total number of Eurail Regional Passes up to 20 - and offering travelers more freedom and choice in planning rail travel. Read more.

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Explore 30 European countries with one InterRail Pass   Utrecht, the Netherlands, 5thh April 2007 -  InterRail, the Rail Pass which allows you to travel all over Europe by train, launched  a new product range and logo as from 1st April 2007.   This offer consists of the classic Global Pass valid in 30 countries and the InterRail One country Pass which gives the opportunity to explore one country in-depth. InterRail Passes are for young people who make the most of this Rail Pass but also for adults and families.

InterRail management  expects  2007 to be a good InterRail year, with events such as the Tour de France in July, and the Rugby World Cup in the autumn already generating strong  interest and demand in the market. 
  
All InterRail Passes are available now from www.interrailnet.com and all participating European Railway companies.

TECHNOLOGY

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aircanada.com revolutionises airline merchandising with Amadeus solutions

• New product functionality on aircanada.com allows online bookers to opt-in or opt-out on services, to best determine how they want to travel

• Travellers enjoy increased visibility and control over the attributes that make up the components of an air travel fare

• After four months, Air Canada registers significant improvement in user experience and increased on-line activity

Vilvoorde, Belgium, 05 April 2007: Amadeus e-Travel, the e-Commerce division of Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, offers Air Canada’s online customers a level of fare transparency and pricing options never before seen in the airline industry. Read more.

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Explosion des réservations en ligne sur ebookers.be

6 avril 2007 -- Ebookers.be enregistre pour le premier trimestre de 2007 une croissance inégalée de quelque 256% de réservations en ligne de billets d'avion, par rapport à la même période en 2006. Alors que depuis quelques années déjà, d'autres marchés faisaient état d'un chiffre d'affaires en ligne en nette évolution, le marché belge se montrait plutôt réservé et attentiste. Les chiffres de réservation atteints actuellement par le site internet www.ebookers.be semblent toutefois indiquer que la Belgique est en train de rattraper rapidement ce retard.
En savoir plus.

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Honderd miljoen iPods verkocht en meer dan 2,5 miljard nummers gedownload via iTune Store

Brussel, 10 april 2007 – Apple kondigde gisteren in de Verenigde Staten aan dat het bedrijf inmiddels meer dan honderd miljoen iPods heeft verkocht en dat er al meer dan 2,5 miljard nummers zijn gedownload via zijn online muziekwinkel, de iTunes Store.

De iPod is de snelst verkopende muziekspeler aller tijden. De eerste iPod ging vijfenhalf jaar geleden over de toonbank, in november 2001. Sindsdien introduceerde Apple meer dan tien nieuwe iPods, waaronder vijf versies van de originele iPod, twee versies van iPod mini, twee versies van iPod nano en twee versies van iPod shuffle. In combinatie met iTunes en de online muziekwinkel iTunes Store heeft iPod de manier waarop tientallen miljoenen mensen muziek kopen, verzamelen en beluisteren ingrijpend veranderd.

De eerste iPod (5 GB) ging in 2001 over de toonbank voor 555 euro. Vandaag heb je al een iPod voor 89 euro (iPod shuffle 1 GB), een iPod nano 2 GB voor 159 euro, een 4-GB iPod nano voor 209 euro en een 8 GB iPod nano voor 259 euro. De 30-GB iPod (met videofunctie) heb je voor 269 euro en de 80-GB iPod voor 369 euro. Dat is ruim 200 euro goedkoper dan de eerste iPod uit 2001, terwijl de opslagcapaciteit gestegen is van 5 naar 80 GB, de iPod inmiddels een kleurenscherm heeft en ook videofilms, foto’s en games afspeelt. De 4-GB iPod nano - die veel dunner en slanker is dan de eerste iPod uit 2001 (met 5 GB) kost 209 euro, ruim 350 euro minder dan de originele iPod. Bovendien zijn er meer dan 4000 accessoires beschikbaar voor de iPod, van Apple en talloze andere fabrikanten. De iPod wordt steeds vaker geïntegreerd in het autoradiosysteem van auto’s en zelfs in vliegtuigen.

TOUROPERATORS & TRAVEL AGENCIES

Virtuoso's 2007 Overseas Symposium

March 2007 - During March 2-6, 2007 St. Petersburg and the Grand Hotel Europe hosted the Virtuoso's 2007 Overseas Symposium. Virtuoso brought together some of the most influential people in luxury travel, both preferred travel providers and travel agency owners and managers, to discuss industry trends, challenges and opportunities, and the future of luxury travel. Attendance is by invitation only and capped at 350 participants.

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Leisure Invest rachète les parts de Belvilla

Leisure Invest, propriétaire notamment d'Euro Relais, a racheté au 1er janvier 2007 les parts de Belvilla Vakantiehuizen. Les deux entreprises spécialistes de la location de maisons de vacances continueront d'opérer au sein du groupe Leisure Invest sous leurs propres noms, mais profiteront pleinement des bienfaits de cette synergie dans les domaines d'Internet, du marketing multicanal, des achats et de la vente internationale.

En misant notamment sur l'expansion d'Internet, Euro Relais a vu ses locations de maisons de vacances fortement croître au cours des 6 dernières années. C'est aujourd'hui une entreprise qui donne le ton et qui fait partie des tour-opérateurs en ligne les plus actifs d'Europe, avec environ 80% des réservations effectuées sur Internet.

Belvilla et Euro Relais continueront à opérer comme des entreprises autonomes.

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Bike and ship

The Danube has for decades now been a favorite with cycling and cruise enthusiasts alike. Rad & Reisen tour operator has responded by expanding its 2007 program with bike tours from Donaueschingen to Hungary's fascinating capital. The cycling cruises which proved a great success last year will be run again in 2007 between Passau and Vienna with the three-star MS Florentina. Information: www.radreisen.at

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Welcome To The Same... New Europe ! Full service DMC dedicated to all incoming activities to the country, Romania Insight welcomes you to the same… New Europe! Email: office@romaniainsight.ro phone: 0040-21-2074766 fax: 0040-21-2074765 website: www.romaniainsight.ro

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TOURATREK.NL – Vind je track met tour-a-trek!

ARNHEM – Touratrek is dé reisorganisatie voor motorreizen buiten de gebaande paden in Afrika, India en Zuidoost-Azië. Een reis boeken met Touratrek is niet de start van een vakantie maar het begin van een onvergetelijk motoravontuur. Lees meer.

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Travel agencies in Hong Kong and Macau are now permitted to sell tickets from and to mainland China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) modified regulations concerning air ticket sales in January in a bid to increase competition in the market.

VARIOUS

'Ontdek Afrika'-magazine komt met unieke Kenia-special

In samenwerking met de Kenya Tourist Board in Amsterdam en verschillende reisorganisaties heeft het tijdschrift 'Ontdek Afrika' een special over Kenia uitgebracht. Het doel van de special is het onder de aandacht brengen van de minder bekende gebieden in Kenia. De uitgave ligt vanaf deze week in de winkels. Lees meer.
 

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"Metropolitan in Berlin"

Between 1 June and 7 October 2007, Berlin will offer its guests an international exhibition highlight. A total of 150 major works of 19th-century French art from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York can be seen in the New National Gallery.
Tickets can be booked starting at the beginning of April.
The ticket price of 30 Euro (plus pre-booking fee) includes an audio guide.

Information and booking :
Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH,
Am Karlsbad 11, 10785 Berlin,
Tel. +49(0()30/250025, Fax 25 00 24 24,
mailto: information@btm.de,
http://www.visitberlin.de

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FIA World Rally championship 2008 Jordanië in de schijnwerpers Met een gedegen trainingsprogramma en de Jordan Rally als generale repetitie in mei, zijn de voorbereidingen voor de FIA World Rally 2008 van start gegaan. Jordanië roept 2.000 burgers op een bijdrage te leveren aan een nationaal initiatief dat Jordanië wereldwijd onder de aandacht zal brengen. Lees meer.

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Foreign holidays remain a 'must' for the British

Even the recent doubling of the Air Passenger Duty (the departure tax paid by travellers leaving the UK) is unlikely to stem the flow of British holidaymakers abroad in 2007.
Foreign travel remains a major priority, and is now considered far more important than acquiring any kind of consumable goods, even if a lot of it is paid for on credit. Travel now, pay later is the motto for an increasing number of travellers within the lower to middle socio-economic groups. Read more.

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