AVIATION

December 1, 2005 -- Ariana Afghan Airlines has appointed AVIAREPS as their GSA in eight markets. Besides Germany, France and Italy the airline representation will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities in Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Benelux and the Czech Republic.
Ariana Afghan is the national carrier of Afghanistan. Operating from the capital Kabul, the airline offers two domestic destinations and serves many international cities. In Europe Ariana Afghan flies to Moscow, Istanbul, Ankara and Frankfurt. Routes are used by passengers all over the continent, as the airline is the only provider of air services between Europe and Afghanistan.

KLM To Adjust Fuel And Security Surcharges
AMSTELVEEN, December 1, 2005 - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines intends to adjust the fuel surcharge on tickets worldwide effective December 21, 2005, in response to the downward trend in oil prices. KLM intends to reduce the surcharge by EUR 1 per stretch (coupon) within Europe, and by EUR 5 per coupon within its intercontinental network. That means the fuel surcharge will amount to EUR 12 per stretch within Europe, and EUR 33 per stretch within the intercontinental network.
In addition, KLM will, as of today, raise the security surcharge on all tickets by EUR 2 per stretch, to cover extra security measures that have been taken. The total security surcharge per stretch will amount to EUR 7.

HONOLULU, Nov. 30 -- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert J. Faris has confirmed Aloha Airlines' plan of reorganization, setting a course for the Hawaii-based airline to exit from Chapter 11 as early as December 15, 2005 -- less than a year after Aloha filed for bankruptcy relief.
Pending ratification of a new labor agreement by Aloha's pilots and resolution of certain issues, the Court gave its approval yesterday to the reorganization plan that will enable the Yucaipa Companies, Aloha Aviation Investment Group (AAIG) and the Ching and Ing families to recapitalize the Company with a combination of $50 million in equity and up to $50 million in debt financing.

SWISS staff in Amsterdam will move to the Star Alliance office
In order to further promote co-operation between SWISS and Lufthansa, the employees of SWISS Netherlands subsidiary will be relocated in the Star Alliance office at Schiphol airport on December 5th, 2005. This move is expected to provide beneficial synergies for both companies and their customers.
New address : Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., Triport 1, Evert van de Beekstraat 20, 1118 CL Schiphol.
Telephone numbers :
Reservation - Information : 0900 20 20 232
Marketing Dept. : 020 - 316 49 84
Pricing Dept. : 020 - 316 49 87
Fax : 020 - 316 49 91

IATA : Passenger Traffic Growth Slows, Freight Remains Flat
(Sanaa) - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today released industry traffic results for the first 10 months of 2005 showing a weakening trend for both cargo and passenger traffic. Read more.

JAL and Finnair Make Code Share Agreement
Tokyo, November 30: Japan Airlines and Finnair (AY) have concluded a code sharing agreement which will provide JAL passengers with a twice-daily service between Tokyo and Helsinki. Read more.

Quelque 8 mois après la pose de la première pierre, le 17 mars 2005, l'Institut Africain des Métiers de l'Aérien a été inauguré le 25 novembre à Bamako, Mali, en présence des membres concernés du gouvernement malien, de représentants de l'ASECNA (Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation Aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar), de Patrick Alexandre, Directeur Général Adjoint d'Air France et de jean Claude Cros, Directeur Général d'Air France pour l'Afrique et le Moyen-Orient.
L'IAMA, financé par l'Asecna en partenariat avec la compagnie Air France, vise à doter l'Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre d'une école dédiée à la formation aux métiers de l'assistance en escale d'un niveau de qualité internationale.

AMSTELVEEN, November 30, 2005 - Starting today, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is introducing an all-new catering model for all Economy flights within Europe. In so doing, KLM is responding to the wishes of its customers. This involves the inclusion of a number of A brands and the reintroduction of wine and beer on board. This change also brings the catering more in line with that of Air France's Economy product.
The new catering model arose from a variety of studies among KLM passengers and following discussions with a number of top-brand manufacturers. From now on, the Bertolli sandwich, already on offer on a number of European flights, will be accompanied by other A brands such as Old Amsterdam and Maaslander cheeses.

EVERETT, Nov. 29, 2005 – Air France has taken delivery of the first enhanced Boeing 777-300ER that will improve overall fuel efficiency by 1.4 percent. The savings, derived from modified engines, reduced aerodynamic drag and reduced weight, equate to an annual savings of approximately 200,000 gallons or 757,000 liters of jet fuel. The reduction in aerodynamic drag results from modifying the airplane’s vortex generators and its air-induction systems. All future 777-300ERs will include the enhancements. Boeing also plans to incorporate these changes into the 26 777-300ERs currently in service.




Finnair launches route between Helsinki and Delhi
Finnair is launching scheduled nonstop flights between the Indian capital of Delhi and the Finnish capital of Helsinki in November 2006. India has a population of one billion and air travel on both business and for leisure is increasing rapidly. The country's gross national product is booming at a rate of 5-7 percent per year. Read more.

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 28 -- Mexicana de Aviacion, the first airline of Mexico and the leading carrier serving the Mexico-U.S. market, announced today that it will launch a new service between Mexico and the Washington D.C. area starting December 1st with daily, non-stop service between Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).

For the first time British Airways is introducing the award-winning Club World flat bed as well as the premier economy cabin, World Traveller Plus, on its New York flights from Manchester.
The airline is currently fitting the revolutionary products on the Boeing 767 aircraft that operates the daily direct services from Manchester.

CAR RENTAL

Europcar en Thalys : innovatie ten dienste van de reiziger
Exclusief partnership voor 3 jaar
De partnershipovereenkomst tussen Thalys International en Europcar International werd op woensdag 30 november 2005 officieel in Parijs ondertekend in aanwezigheid van Jean-Michel Dancoisne, CEO van Thalys International, en van Salvatore Serio, CEO Europcar België en Europcar Frankrijk. Lees meer.



Europcar speeds away with five World Travel Awards
Paris, 30th November 2005 – For the third year running, Europcar is a winner at the World Travel Awards – this time in five different categories. This series of triumphs is a direct reflection and a fine confirmation of Europcar’s outstanding position in the car rental market. Read more.

CRUISES

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 -- When the Italian-owned MSC Cruises MSC Lirica begins year-round sailings from New York City in April 2007, it will mark the first time in several decades that a European-owned cruise line will homeport year-round in the Big Apple. Read more.



Four Costa Crociere To Be Dry-Docked By Fincantieri
Alliance Consolidated Between The European Cruise Leader And The World's Leading Cruise Ship Builder
Between November and January Fincantieri will do maintenance work on four of Costa's ships: the Costa Atlantica, Costa Fortuna and Costa Europa will be dry-docked in Palermo; the Costa Victoria in Genoa. Major upgrading planned for the Costa Europa.
The Palermo shipyard is also building the fore end section of the Costa Serena, the fleet's new flagship to be delivered in May 2007. Read More.

Slovene ski centers quickening preparations for new ski season
Slovenia’s ski centers are quickening preparations for the new skiing season, which starts in the middle of December. Numerous ski centers await their skiers with modernized lifts and snow-making systems, and joint ski passes good at ski areas in different parts of Slovenia are increasingly available. Ski areas cover 1,300 hectares, and last year Slovenia’s ski lifts transported 1.6 million skiers. The number anticipated this year is 1.7 million.
You’ll find the complete offer of winter pleasures on the www.slovenia.info web site and the latest information about winter ski centers at www.slo-skiing.net.

General review of movements in Slovenia’s tourism
In the last decades, tourism has developed relatively quickly to became one of Slovenia’s leading economic activities with great influence on the national economy, regional development, employment, and the way of life of a great number of people in areas where tourist activities, etc., take place. Read more.

Letter of intent signed for the construction near Nova Gorica of one of Europe’s largest entertainment centers
In early November, Nova Gorica’s Hit company, a well-known Slovene tourism company whose primary activity is operating casinos along with operating hotels, catering, entertainment programs, and related enterprises, signed a letter of intent in Las Vegas with Harrah’s Entertainment the world’s largest casino chain, for the construction near Nova Gorica of one of Europe’s largest tourist entertainment centers. This will be the largest investment of the type by a foreign company in Slovenia. The value of the project is estimated at about 800 million Euros, and the complex will cover five hectares. The emphasis will not be on gambling since most of the attention will be focused on congress activities, family tourism, golf, and some entertaining features. The entertainment center expects 20,000 to 30,000 guests daily, and annually Hit and Harrah’s Entertainment should attract about three million guests to Nova Gorica.



Nieuwsbrief Toerisme Antwerpen - december 2005. Hier klikken.



Nouvelles d'Allemagne
La Sarre, proche destination hivernale
Bar pour chiens à Hambourg
Nouvelle route touristique : la Route des Légendes du Rhin
Gala de fin d'année dans le Kurhaus à Wiesbaden
Nuremberg, ville du mondial 2006, est étonnante
La Haute Bavière en hiver
En savoir plus



The Costa del Sol Newsletter. Click here.

L'HIVER 2005-2006 dans les Cantons de l'Est
avec ou sans neige. Il y a plein de choses à voir ou à faire !
L'hiver précoce qui vient de commencer ce 24 novembre en Haute Belgique nous fait passer presque sans transition d'un été indien exceptionnel à la période hivernale qui va durer jusqu'en mars et durant laquelle les marchés de Noël, la gastronomie, le ski et le carnaval sont les principaux atouts de la région. En savoir plus.

HOTELS

Slovenia to get the first “bio” hotel
In accordance with its business strategy, the Hotel Zlatorog in Bohinj oriented itself toward healthy tourism and in the middle of September 2005 became Slovenia’s first “bio” hotel. The decision to offer guests a different quality of vacation was confirmed by the “ECO” certificate granted to them by the Institute for Supervision and Certification in Farming and Forestry, an independent supervisory organization.
The hotel excels with a bio-gastronomic offer of the highest quality. The dishes prepared for guests are made exclusively from ingredients produced in an ecological fashion on Slovene organic farms. Organic food is grown without the addition of artificial elements (fertilizers and insecticides) and without genetically modified seeds and is therefore healthier and has a full original taste. Ecological farms respect tradition and the natural rhythm of seasons, which makes the offer at the bio hotel especially seasonal, in harmony with the current season and with the characteristic food of Slovenia.

Brussels, 30 November 2005 - Keith Allardice has been appointed General Manager of the new Conrad Tokyo, the luxurious 296-room property located in the heart of Tokyo's Shiodome precinct. The hotel opened on 1st July 2005.
Joining from the Conrad London where he was General Manager for four years, Allardice has 26 years of experience in the hotel industry, including 12 years with Conrad Hotels.

Golden Tulip ajoute l'hôtel Golden Tulip Fontaine Neuruppin à son portefeuille allemand
Amersfoort (Pays-Bas), 30 novembre 2005 - Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts annonce la signature d'un nouveau contrat de franchise avec le Golden Tulip Fontane Neuruppin, hôtel de 193 chambres, à partir du 1er octobre 2005.
L'hôtel Golden Tulip Fontane Neuruppin est situé dans le coeur de Neuruppin et offre à ses clients loisirs et affaires, 139 chambres (dont 12 suites) toutes équipées et disposant d'une magnifique vue sur le lac de Ruppin. L'hôtel propose une combinaison de cuisine régionale et internationale dans son restaurant le "Parzival", son bar " lounge " avec cheminée, son bistro "Schinkelstube" qui propose des spécialités régionales et une terrasse côté lac de 60 places.



Dès 2006, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts proposera une nouvelle destination : Izmir
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts vient de signer un contrat de management avec Viltur Insaat Ve Turizm A.S. pour la reprise d'un hôtel d'affaires à Izmir. Cet hôtel 5 étoiles ouvrira ses portes mi-2006 après avoir subi une rénovation complète. Après le Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, dirigé depuis 2003 avec succès, cet établissement sera le second hôtel en Turquie de la chaîne hôtelière internationale d'origine suisse.
Bénéficiant d'une situation idéale, le Mövenpick Hotel Izmir se trouve au centre ville, non loin de la mer Méditerranée et à 30 minutes de route du Adnan Menderes Airport.

Accor Invest In Indonesia's Tourism Future
New projects target major Indonesian cities and resort locations
BANGKOK, 30 November, 2005 - Accor announced today a major expansion of its Indonesian hotel network with five new hotels, strengthening its position as the leading international hotel management in the country. Read more.

CONRAD BRUSSELS BRINGS THE WORLD TO BELGIUM
With New Creative Events Initiatives
Brussels -- With the organisation of creative events linked with the hotel, the Conrad Brussels brings a whole new dimension to luxury hospitality. Playing an active part in the promotion of the city's business and leisure attractions, the Conrad Brussels is launching annual events and partnerships, which are already proving highly successful. Read more.



Rezidor SAS Launches New Lifestyle Hotel Brand: Hotel Missoni
BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov. 28 -- Rezidor SAS Hospitality, the Brussels-based, multi-brand hospitality management company, has announced a worldwide license agreement with the Italian fashion house Missoni to develop and operate a lifestyle hotel brand of the same name: Hotel Missoni. Read more.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 -- Marriott International, Inc. announced today that the Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport hotel in Coraopolis, Pa., has been re-flagged as the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Located at 777 Aten Road, the 316-room hotel will undergo a comprehensive $10 million renovation early next year. The property is owned by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and is operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

Singapore, 28 November 2005 -To date, the eight operating Raffles hotels and resorts have collectively garnered a total of 51 awards and accolades this year. Throughout the bountiful year, Raffles Hotels & Resorts has consistently made it into World's 'Best', 'Top' and 'Leading' travel ranking lists and polls, and has repeatedly appeared in prestigious awards ceremonies around the world. It recently bagged four coveted trophies at the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony held on 13 November at London's Royal Opera House.

Garden Cliff Resort & Spa Pattaya Opens 1 December
Five-star luxury with a French flair starts from only US$97 a night
BANGKOK, 29 November, 2005 - Garden Cliff Resort & Spa Pattaya (managed by Sofitel) opens 1 December in Thailand's most popular beach destination, putting Pattaya on the luxury travel map as the resort continues to broaden its appeal. Read more.



Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Completes Acquisition Of The Le Meridien Brand     
25 Nov 05
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that it has acquired the Le Méridien brand and the related management and franchise business for the portfolio of 130 hotels and resorts globally for approximately $225 million, roughly equal to the amount of Starwood’s current investment, including accrued interest, in the debt of Le Méridien. The completion of this acquisition will significantly increase the company’s foot print in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Read more.

TOUROPERATORS

Met Midi Reizen naar de sneeuw
Op wintersport tijdens de kerst- en voorjaarsvakantie is een kostbare aangelegenheid. Maar wie niet met schoolgaande kinderen rekening hoeft te houden, vindt buiten deze weken interessante aanbiedingen. Daarom heeft Midi Reizen drie voordelige wintersportarrangementen samengesteld.
Boek deze (en vele andere inspirerende reizen) via www.midireizen.nl.

Nouvelles Frontières propose de retrouver dès aujourd'hui de très beaux voyages avec des réductions pouvant atteindre 45%.
Découvrez tous les jours un séjour de rêve, à vous offrir ou à offrir à ceux que vous aimez. Soyez les premiers à nous rendre visite ! Attention nombre d'offres limité !
La newsletter de Nouvelles Frontières est disponible ICI.

VARIOUS

Amsterdam, 1 december 2005 - Amsterdam krijgt er begin volgend jaar een echte hotspot bij: FLO Amsterdam. De Franse Groupe FLO Paris, vooral bekend om zijn wereldberoemde Parijse brasseriën als FLO, Julien, Bofinger en La Coupole, opent in februari een brasserie op de hoek van de Amstelstraat en Paardenstraat, nabij het Rembrandtplein. De hoofdstedelijke FLO Amsterdam komt naast het nieuwe Eden Rembrandt Square Hotel, dat begin januari zijn deuren opent. FLO Amsterdam zal de gast al buiten het Franse gevoel geven door een groot buffet van schaal- en schelpdieren bij de ingang, kenmerkend voor veel Parijse etablissementen. De menukaart zal geïnspireerd zijn door de typisch Franse ‘cuisine’ en ambachtelijk vakmanschap.

Winnaars van de toeristische Kalevala Travel Awards 2005 zijn bekend.
Op dinsdag 29 november maakten het Fins Verkeersbureau Belux, samen met Finnair Belux de laureaten van de "Kalevala Awards" bekend. Lees meer.

Du lundi 12 au samedi 24 décembre 2005, NAUSICAA propose à ses visiteurs de vivre un moment inédit à la découverte de la vie des coulisses des Lions de Mer. En effet, le Centre National de la Mer convie le public, tous les jours à 11 h 30, en salle de cinéma, pour lui présenter une séance spéciale « Lions de Mer ». Parmi les visiteurs présents dans la salle, un seul - tiré au sort - aura le privilège de rejoindre les Soigneurs pour participer à l'entraînement aux côtés des animaux. Les autres spectateurs pourront suivre l'entraînement en direct sur l'écran de la salle de cinéma et dialoguer avec l'équipe en coulisse. Cet échange sera suivi de la diffusion du film « Une espionne dans le Kelp ».
Cette offre est valable pour toute personne ayant acheté un billet d'entrée à NAUSICAA pour le jour même, sous réserve de l'inscription préalable en Médiathèque et dans la limite des places disponibles.

Ijssculpturen in Madurodam (Nederland)
Unieke expositie Chinese ijskunst keert terug in miniatuurstad
Van 16 februari tot en met 7 mei 2006 is in Madurodam de spectaculaire expositie 'Magic Ice' te bezichtigen. Een soortgelijke expositie is in de jaren 2000 en 2001 met zeer veel succes gerealiseerd. Lees meer.

AVIAREPS keeps being on the road to success: the Munich-based airline representation was appointed by many new airlines in the first half of 2005 and shows a tremendous growth. Besides the General Sales Agent itself the company's subsidiaries contributed to this success. In total, the AVIAREPS group shows an increase of turnover by approximately 65 per cent between 1st of April and 30th of September 2005 against the same period of the previous year.
As many as 11 new airline clients appointed AVIAREPS as their GSA in the first half of 2005 - among them SN Brussels, the Irish carrier Aer Arann and the French airline Air Austral from the island of Réunion. In total, 12 of approximately 30 markets, in which AVIAREPS is present, show new client business.
In the tourism sector the company could welcome many new clients as well: Among others, Abu Dhabi and Kenya now trust in the company's know-how and contacts, too.

GRAND CASINO BRUSSELS
Un nouveau concept prestigieux et unique en Europe
Bruxelles le 25 novembre 2005 - Alors que les derniers préparatifs avant la Soirée du Gala d’Ouverture, le 19 janvier 2006, du Grand Casino Brussels, battent leur plein, Mr. Freddy Thielemans, Bourgmestre de la Ville de Bruxelles, Mr. Bertin Mampaka, Echevin de la Ville de la Bruxelles, Mr. Paul Herzfeld, CEO de Casinos Austria International, Mr. Josef Leutgeb, CFO de Casinos Austria International, Mr. Tim Cullimore, Directeur Général de Grand Casino Brussels et Dr. Peter Ketzer, représentant de Casinos Austria International à Bruxelles, profitent de l’occasion pour présenter leur nouveau casino et pour montrer en avant-première à la presse les nombreuses attractions proposées. En savoir plus.


Grand Casino Brussels A prestigious new concept unique in Europe
Brussels, November 25, 2005 --- With final preparations in full swing for the Gala Opening Night of Grand Casino Brussels on January 19, 2006, Mr. Freddy Thielemans, Mayor of the City of Brussels, Mr. Bertin Mampaka, Deputy Mayor of the City of Brussels, Mr. Paul Herzfeld, CEO of Casinos Austria International, Mr. Josef Leutgeb, CFO of Casinos Austria International, Mr. Tim Cullimore, General Manager Grand Casino Brussels, and Dr. Peter Ketzer, Casinos Austria International Representative in Brussels took the opportunity to present their new casino and offer journalists a sneak preview of the many attractions on offer. Read more.


Sortie du Guide Michelin Benelux 2006
Le Guide MICHELIN Benelux 2006 sera en vente à partir du 1er décembre 2005. Pour ce nouveau guide, Michelin a sélectionné 3.340 hôtels et restaurants dans toutes les catégories de confort et de prix. Si, pour la plupart des gens, le guide est synonyme d’étoiles Michelin *, celles-ci ne représentent que 5% de la sélection. En savoir plus.

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