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Millions of Brits prepare for Jubilee holidays

2012-05-30T14:23:24+00:00

As many as four million Brits plan to make the most of the forthcoming double bank holiday weekend by taking at least one overnight stay in the UK, with 3.4 million people planning to take that trip in England. That is according to VisitEngland’s Diamond Jubilee Trip Tracker, which predicts the trend will generate some £700million in tourism spend for the UK economy, just under £600million of which will be spent in England.

Key appointments as Spaceport Abu Dhabi takes shape

2012-05-30T14:15:30+00:00

Virgin Galactic and Aabar Investments have announced the appointment of Steve Landeene to the role of chief advisor, Spaceport Abu Dhabi. Between 2007 and 2010, Landeene was executive director of Spaceport America in New Mexico and oversaw the development of Virgin Galactic’s operational hub and the world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport.

IATA reveals growth in aviation passenger numbers as cargo slips

2012-05-30T14:06:59+00:00

Officials at the International Air Transport Association have released global traffic results for April showing total passenger demand rose 6.1 per cent while freight demand was 4.2 per cent down on April 2011. Despite continuing economic weakness in some parts of the world, demand for air travel continues to grow.

Passengers diverted as Gatwick undergoes maintenance

2012-05-30T10:09:24+00:00

Weather conditions at London Gatwick Airport saw more than 1,000 passengers diverted to other airports last night as the main runway underwent repairs. Plans had been in place to utilise an emergency runway at the airport during the planned upgrade work, but weather conditions made this impossible.

Seychelles Tourism Board partners with Etihad for Saudi roadshow

2012-05-30T10:09:09+00:00

Officials from the Seychelles Tourism Board have outlined the unique selling points of the destination on offer to Middle Eastern travellers in a new presentation. The seminars, which were carried out in conjunction with Etihad Airways, are designed to entice corporate clients to spend their next holiday in the Seychelles.

Germanwings signs new airline distribution agreement

2012-05-30T10:04:01+00:00

Low-cost airline group Germanwings has announced a new long-term airline distribution agreement with Sabre. The agreement provides Sabre travel agencies and corporations in Germany and around the world with access to Germanwings’ fares, schedules and availability.

Britain set for booming cruise holiday season

2012-05-30T09:09:40+00:00

This year will see increased numbers of cruises sailing from UK ports as the appeal of basing ships in Britain grows. CruiseBritain reports that initial estimates of cruise embarkations for 2012 show a rise of 17 per cent year-on-year.

Scoot prepares to fly with Abacus deal

2012-05-30T08:55:43+00:00

Abacus International has announced a landmark agreement with Scoot, allowing all Abacus-connected travel agents across Asia Pacific full access to its fares from July 2012. A wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Scoot will be launching their maiden flight from Singapore to Sydney, Australia on June 4th 2012 and to Gold Coast, Australia on June 12th 2012.

RCI expands portfolio with India properties

2012-05-30T07:30:30+00:00

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, has announced three new resort affiliations located in the popular tourist destinations of Rajasthan and Panchgani in India. With these additions, RCI expands its Indian portfolio to more than 100 affiliated properties.

Amadeus: UK visitor numbers set to surge during 2012 Olympic Games

2012-05-30T07:13:33+00:00

Amadeus has unveiled a range of travel data trends, based on actual global air reservations, which detail the impact of the London 2012 Olympics on aviation. With approximately 50 days to go before the Games, the findings provide a country-by-country view of where visitors to London during the Olympics period are coming from.

Malaysia Airlines joins Airbus A380 club

2012-05-30T06:58:59+00:00

Malaysia Airlines has taken delivery of its first A380 aircraft at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, becoming the eighth carrier of the world’s largest and most eco-efficient airliner. The new aircraft will fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, three times a week, from July 2nd 2012.

Sabre Travel Network signs up with VIM Asia

2012-05-30T04:57:10+00:00

Sabre Travel Network has signed a full-content agreement to distribute VIM Avia fares, schedules and inventory. The deal means more than 350,000 travel agents connected to the Sabre global distribution system will be guaranteed access to all of VIM’s seats and fare classes.

ITF comes out in support of strike action at Turkish Airlines

2012-05-29T19:48:37+00:00

The International Transport Workers’ Federation has condemned the Turkish government’s continuing attempts to deprive citizens of their right to strike, and spoke out in support of airline workers who are resisting its draconian plans. The government is attempting to bring in a legislative amendment that would effectively ban strikes in the aviation industry.

New Direction for Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

2012-05-29T18:30:15+00:00

Spa treatments embrace authentic Balinese healing traditions.

NamibRand Nature Reserve recognised for conservation efforts

2012-05-29T14:01:41+00:00

NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the largest private nature reserves in Africa, has expanded its conservation role to include preserving the star-filled night-time skies above its dunes and mountains. These efforts in night sky conservation have earned the reserve high honours as the International Dark-Sky Association has just announced that NamibRand Nature Reserve is the world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve.

Royal Caribbean to boost China presence

2012-05-29T14:00:06+00:00

Royal Caribbean has confirmed it will boost its capacity in China in June 2013, when it deploys the 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas to replace the 1,800-passenger Legend of the Seas. Legend of the Seas, which has operated from Singapore and Shanghai for the past three years, will reposition to Europe.

Changi Airport signs new deal with Narita International

2012-05-29T10:39:41+00:00

Changi Airport Group and Narita International Airport Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to intensify collaboration between the two major air transportation hubs. The agreement was signed by Lee Seow Hiang, chief executive of Changi Airport and Kosaburo Morinaka, president of Narita, at the 7th Airports Council International Asia Pacific Regional Assembly held in Singapore last week.

BAA given final chance to appeal Stansted sale

2012-05-29T10:31:00+00:00

Airport operator BAA has been given a final chance to appeal against the forced sale of London Stansted Airport. The Competition Commission has fought a three year long battle with the operator in an attempt to force the sale in order to increase efficiency in the UK aviation sector.

Hilton signs local partner for Waldorf Astoria Chengdu

2012-05-29T10:19:44+00:00

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a management agreement with Chengdu Yincheng Property for western China’s first Waldorf Astoria branded hotel in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2016, the 300-room Waldorf Astoria Chengdu will be the fifth Waldorf Astoria in China, following the opening of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund in 2011 as well as further planned openings.

BritRail celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

2012-05-29T10:14:51+00:00

In honour of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, BritRail is offering up a promotion that transports visitors beyond the City of London and allows them to experience more of England’s coastal beauty and historic charm. From June 1st to June 30th, 2012 guests can get an extra travel day when you purchase a BritRail London Plus Pass and, for those looking to get a glimpse into the royal life, get a Historic Royal 4 Palaces Pass for the price of a Historic Royal 3 Palaces Pass.