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Hotels.com Survey Rates London Taxis as World’s BestThe Hotels.com annual taxi report has revealed that London taxis have been voted the best in the world for the third year running. The majority of travelers (59 percent) who were polled from across the world for the annual Hotels.com taxi report said that London’s black cabs were far and away the pick of the world’s taxis, fending off competition from New York (favorite among 27 percent of travelers) and Tokyo (26 percent). Berlin and Bangkok completed the top five.
Cheapflights.com Report Shows Rising Interest in Eastern EuropeEurope is the next subject in the Cheapflights.com series of Rising Stars Reports. The 2010 Europe’s Rising Stars Report ranks the 100 most frequently searched destinations in Europe at Cheapflights.com, according to their change in popularity over 2009. Eastern Europe destinations jumped in popularity with travelers using Cheapflights.com. U.S. travelers seem to be branching out to explore new places in Europe, especially ones where the U.S. dollar goes further. In fact, the relative strength of the euro and British pound have dulled the American zest for London, Paris and Amsterdam, landing them all on the falling stars end of the list. | | |
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Mexico Creates Tourism Routes to Celebrate BicentennialTo celebrate the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, Mexico has created eight commemorative tourism routes that pass through 100 different destinations and 17 states, highlighting the historical settings and emblematic monuments of the country. The routes can be covered between one week and 10 days and because of their circular paths, travelers can start from any point on the circuit.
Discover Dominica Authority Opens Waitukubuli National TrailThe Discover Dominica Authority and the Waitukubuli National Trail Project (WNTP) officially opened for the first two segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) at the Summer Adventure and Hike Event, that was scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 29.
JetBlue, Jamaica Tourist Board Partner on GiveawayThe Jamaica Tourist Board and JetBlue have launched the All You Can Jet Pass with an all-inclusive Jamaica trip giveaway. KISS 108, Boston’s number-one hit music station, announced a contest for which the prize is an all-inclusive four-day/three-night vacation for two with accommodations at Sunset Resorts’ Sunset Beach Resort, Spa & Waterpark in Montego Bay, plus two All You Can Jet Passes from JetBlue.
American Eagle Unveils New Facilities at Miami AirportAmerican Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, has unveiled its new location in the North Terminal of Miami International Airport (MIA). A state-of-the-art facility housing both American and American Eagle, the new terminal offers customers improved check-in and domestic baggage claim, with an array of shops and restaurants featuring the flavors of South Florida. American Eagle has completed the initial phase of its transition to new departure areas at gates D53, D55 and D60.
Mexicana Airlines Ceases All Flights IndefinitelyMexico's transportation secretary said debt-ridden carrier Mexicana de Aviacion is halting all operations. Juan Francisco Molinar Horcasitas told reporters the struggling airline ceased all flights and other activity as of last Friday at midnight.
Mexicana Airlines Purchased by Mexican Business ConsortiumA consortium of Mexican businessmen called Tenedora K has purchased 95 percent of Mexicana Airlines’ holding company in the hopes that they can save the struggling carrier. The consortium bought 95 percent of Nuevo Grupo Aeronautico as well as domestic airlines Mexicana Click and Mexicana Link.
STR Reports Increases in All Areas for U.S. Hotel IndustryThe U.S. hotel industry posted increases in all three key performance measurements during July 2010, according to data from STR. In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy was up 7 percent to 67.9 percent, average daily rate ended the month with a 1.3 percent increase to $99.14, and revenue per available room for the month rose 8.5 percent to finish at $67.35. |
Hilton Worldwide Announces Latin America’s First Waldorf AstoriaHilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with F&F Properties to introduce The Panamera, a 130-room luxury hotel in Panama City, Panama, to be managed by Hilton Worldwide under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand. Currently under construction, the hotel is scheduled to open in the second half of 2011 and will be the Waldorf Astoria brand’s first property in Latin America, and Hilton Worldwide’s fifth development in Panama.
Jamaica’s Jewel Beach Resort and Spa to Open Sept. 1The couples-only Jewel Beach Resort and Spa in Mammee Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica, will open officially on Sept. 1, outside of Ocho Rios, said Carol Bourke, the hotel’s general manager, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. Owned by Sagicor Pooled Investment Funds and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the hotel is the former Sandals Dunn’s River Resort.
Royal Caribbean Offers Holiday Cruises from Nine HomeportsRoyal Caribbean International is offering holiday cruises departing from nine domestic homeports, including Bayonne, N.J.; Baltimore, Md.; Fort Lauderdale; Miami; Port Canaveral; Tampa, Fla.; Galveston, Texas; Los Angeles; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Royal Caribbean will deck its ships with seasonal decorations to embrace the holiday spirit throughout December.
Oceania Now Accepting Advance Reservations for SpasOceania Cruises now lets guests reserve spa treatments up to 90 days before departure. Canyon Ranch operates the spas on the line’s fleet of upper-premium ships. Each Canyon Ranch SpaClub features a spa, wellness and fitness facility, plus a full-service beauty salon. |
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CancunBeachVacations.com Destination Website LaunchesA new website, www.CancunBeachVacations.com , has launched, selling consumers with deals and information about Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cozumel. The company also provides a comprehensive destination wedding and honeymoon program delivered by one of the top destination wedding planning teams in the business. In addition, there is a strong business focus on leisure group travel, as well as, a scuba program for new and experienced divers.
Europe by Air Uses Expedia As Hotel AffiliateEurope by Air said it is using Expedia as a hotel affiliate. “Continuing forward with our plans to add resources to better serve our customer’s travel needs, Europe by Air is delighted to announce its cooperation with Expedia as a hotel affiliate,” said Bill Wolf, president of EuropebyAir. | |
Starwood Continues Expansion of Four Points Brand in IndiaStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the signing of a Non-Exclusive Master Agreement with D.I.H (Cyprus) Limited, an affiliate of Duet India Hotels Ltd., and JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd. The agreement was signed concurrently with the execution of the agreement for the Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road.
Doubletree by Hilton Opens First Property in Southeast AsiaHilton Worldwide announced the opening of its first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Southeast Asia. The 540-room, 34-story Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur rises high in the skyline of Malaysia’s capital city within Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle district, just northeast of KL City Centre. Positioned along the Jalan Ampang at the Jalan Tun Razak crossing in Embassy Row, the Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur is managed by Hilton Worldwide, and owned by MGPA Asia Fund II and is part of an integrated property called The Intermark. Besides the hotel, The Intermark also has on site a Retail Podium, and a grade A office tower. Another new office building, which has been awarded Platinum LEED pre-certification, is scheduled for completion in 2012. | |
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TRANQUILITY IN THEME PARK PARADISE… Palisades Resort, Orlando, Florida. A talk with General Manager John WoodyBy Bill Milligan and Yndiana Montes Most families love theme parks and Orlando, Florida is the king, with Disney, Wet’n Wild, SeaWorld/Acuatica and Universal Studios Orlando being the big names, along with many smaller ones scattered over a radius of 30 miles. After walking under the Florida sun for 8-10 hours with kids, family or relatives, the first desire is to extricate oneself from the masses, get off the feet and seek refuge in a cool, quiet environment with some sort of liquid refreshment.
Wyndham Hotel Group Names Dan Kornick SVP-Chief Information OfficerWyndham Hotel Group named long-time Wyndham executive Dan Kornick as senior vice president and chief information officer. Kornick is tasked with overseeing Wyndham Hotel Group’s IT organization and providing the leadership and vision for the company to deliver against its technology objectives.
CLIA Reports Cruising Generated $35.1 Billion in 2009North American cruise lines, their employees and passengers generated $35.1 billion in gross output in the U.S. last year, including 313,998 jobs paying a total of $14.23 billion in wages and salaries, and direct cruise industry spending totaled $17.15 billion.
North American Cruise Industry’s Output Fell 12 Percent in 2009By Jerry Limone (posted by Travel Weekly) North American cruise lines, their employees and passengers generated $35.1 billion in gross output in the U.S. last year, a 12 percent decrease from the year before, according to an annual report prepared for CLIA by Business Research & Economic Advisors.
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