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Work starts on creation of new Dubai island

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:26:18 -0400

Work began on Monday on the development of a man-made island in Dubai, 500 metres directly opposite the Jumeirah Beach Residence complex. To be known as Bluewaters Island, the new development will house five star hotels and resorts, al fresco dining and entertainment zones, and residential apartments and villas. The focal point of the island city, which will cost $1.6 billion, will be a 688 ...

Cleanliness drive in Kashmir provide impetus to tourism

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:10:02 -0400

Kashmir's Nageen Lake has got a new look following the construction of a state of the art Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), and due to a cleanliness drive that has attracted tourists and received applause from locals. The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) constructed the STP which has a capacity to treat 5.4 million litres of sewage per day. Saqib, a resident, appreciated the state ...

And the best and worst airlines in America are...

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:45:00 -0400

Spirit Airlines came in last place in a Consumer Reports ranking of America's best airlines. These days when most airlines are turning people off with their excessive fees and crowded flights, Virgin America is getting some of the highest customer satisfaction scores any airline has seen in years. According to ...

Best Worst Airlines of 2013 Ranked by Consumer Reports

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:21:30 -0400

Consumer Reports has shed some light on the variations of the flying experience that can be found on different airlines. The publication has ranked U.S. airlines from best to worst in its latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine. The rankings are based on a survey of 16,000 people conducted in February. The survey included questions about comfort, baggage handling, check-in service, fees, and ...

Airlines urged to improve punctuality

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:10 -0400

/enpproperty--> Chinese airlines haunted by poor punctuality will be forced to reduce flight and operating times, the top civil aviation watchdog said. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will request that airlines with a flight delay occurrence rate higher than the industry average reduce the number of flights and shorten their operating time, Xia Xinghua, deputy director of ...

National President of Skal meets with Thailand Director of Bhutans Tourism Council

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:09:33 -0400

BANGKOK, Thailand - Seen recently in Bangkok were Karma Lotey, Director of Bhutan's Tourism Council, President of the Association of Bhutan Tour Operators (ABTO) and CEO of Yangphel Travel, visiting friend Andrew Wood, National President of Skal International Thailand. Karma and Andrew discussed many topics during his visit to Andrew's home including the setting up of a Skal Club in ...

Tourism leaders from Dubai and Seychelles meet

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:09:31 -0400

Helal Saeed Almarri, the Director General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the principal authority responsible for strengthening Dubai's positioning as a world-leading tourism destination and commercial hub, met Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, when the Minister was in Dubai on a working visit a week and ...

Qantas Airlines To Offer In-Flight Books

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:23:12 -0400

Copyright © 2013 NPR. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required. DAVID GREENE, HOST: And our last word in business on this Wednesday is: Mile High Book Club. LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: We're talking about an in-flight library offered by the Australian airline Qantas. GREENE: They will still have movies on the plane, that right, Linda? ...

10 ways to spend Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:57:39 -0400

The unofficial start to summer is one of Las Vegas' most action-packed weekends. For Memorial Day, the city ups the celebration with plenty of live entertainment, banging beats from world-famous DJs and parties hosted by A-list celebrities. Here are some top picks for Memorial Day weekend in Vegas:Let the Clubs BeginThere's a slew ...

Delta Airlines wants to stop Ex-Im bank help on big jets

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:49:29 -0400

BA.N ), and would be willing to forgo such support for its own purchases of smaller jets if all such subsidies were eliminated, the chief executive said on ...

Paula Deen Museum in the Works

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:41:19 -0400

Image credit: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images Cork, Ireland, already has the butter museum. But Albany, Ga., might soon have the next-best thing: The Paula Deen Museum. The Albany Herald reported that the love-her-or-love-to-hate-her Southern chef’s museum would be housed in her childhood home. The venture has been led by B.J. Fletcher, an Albany businesswoman, and Deen’s ...

Virgin America getstop marks from Consumer Reports

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:55:21 -0400

The first Virgin America flight lands in San Francisco, California in this file photo taken August 8, 2007. In an era where fliers complain air travel can feel like riding a city bus in the sky, Virgin America soared above the competition in Consumer Reports' airline rankings released ...

Emiratis encouraged to enrol in tourism camp

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:36:35 -0400

Abu Dhabi: Young Emiratis aged between 15 and 17 are being encouraged to enrol in a three-week programme which will give them a better understanding of the tourism ...

Poolside eats at welcoming hotels

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:46:32 -0400

Ways to Experience San Diego list: basking by a swimming pool. Toss in a food menu plus numerous cocktails too, and you'll achieve Peak Pool Relaxation here. That's why we treasure hunt for hotel pools with dining options. And when we checked out these four welcoming places--and said we didn't have a room but wanted to order food and float around--we were ushered into these ...

Taking a tour of the Windy City

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:43:00 -0400

Chicago radio hosts Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart show off all their beloved city has to offer, from stunning architecture and miles of beaches to the famous Navy ...

Desiree Rogers Chicago is ‘a treasure’

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:42:59 -0400

The former White House social secretary, recently named chairman of Choose Chicago, talks about what makes the Windy City a special place, calling it "a world-class city" with "Midwest ...

Visa ease smooths path for savvy countries to benefit from Chinese tourism

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:39:01 -0400

Visa procedures undoubtedly mirror the relationship between two countries. The more intimate the two countries are, the more efficient the visa procedures between them can be. But there is also another side of the coin: Visa issuance can also be a micro index of a country's own level of development and opening-up.I felt this deeply the moment I walked into the South Korean visa center in ...

Royal Caribbean announces Quantum of the Seas itineraries

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:31:00 -0400

Royal Caribbean's newest ship, the long-awaited Quantum of the Seas, will open for booking next Tuesday for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members, and to the general public on June 4, the ...

Top 10 Most Popular BBQ Joints

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:14:23 -0400

With the unofficial kick off to summer just days away, travelers who can't get enough barbecue (and who can?) will need to get their rib fix while on the road. Foursquare looked at barbecue joints nationwide and found last summer's most popular establishments based on check-ins. If popularity is any indicator of deliciousness (and that's not always the case), make your plans to ...

Ajman regulates hotel and tourism sector

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:05:31 -0400

WAM AJMAN, May 22nde, 2013 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued an Emiri Decree regulating the hotel and tourism sector in the emirate. Decree No. 02 of 2013, issued on a recommendation by Ajman Tourism Development Department, responds to the growing movement of tourists into the emirate. The decree grants the Department the ...

Its a snap Americana

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:07 -0400

May 17, 2013 at 2:05 PM ET You really took our breath away and touched us this week with your excellent pictures capturing the spirit of AMERICANA. From shore to shore, field to flag, and all the inspiring and awesome places and smiles in-between, you showed what's great about these states united.Next week's photo assignment: NATIONAL PARKS!The U.S. government is sponsoring an amateur ...

Say aloha to Hawaiis best bets

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:06 -0400

Travel writer Brian Berusch gives an overview of each Hawaiian island to help you decide which is the best fit for your next trip to the Aloha State. Summer vacationers can find a range of activities in the Aloha state, from volcano tours to culinary gems to whale watching. But where does one go in the archipelago? Discover the best spots that Hawaii has to offer with these island trip ...

Weeklong traffic mess possible after Conn. derailment

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:06 -0400

Emergency personnel work at the scene where two Metro North commuter trains collided, Friday, May 17, 2013 near Fairfield, Conn. Traffic in southwest Connecticut could be a mess for as much as a week until service is restored to the commuter rail line affected by a derailment that injured scores of passengers, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy warned Sunday. Malloy used dire language to describe traffic ...

Your shiny happy vacation on Facebook is a lie and thats OK

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:05 -0400

After her trip to Thailand, Megan Winfield's Facebook wall was full of pictures like this one of the idyllic beach they visited. There were no photos or mention of her fever, or how much her family wanted to get off the island and back into air conditioned surroundings. Not only do people edit their vacation photos they post on Facebook -- selecting the ones of the best experiences, a little ...

Man rides Ferris wheel for 48 hours crushing old Guinness record

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:05 -0400

A man has set a new world record after riding a Ferris wheel for just over 48 hours. Clinton Shepherd's world has finally stopped spinning.The 32-year-old operations manger at ...

Airstream 2 Go offers RV rentals with retro flair

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:05 -0400

Airstream2Go.com offers the first-ever rentals of the distinctive "silver bullets" that have been icons of the highway for more than 80 years."Everybody recognizes them," said Al Hesselbart, historian at the Recreational Vehicle Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Ind. "If it's a bright aluminum trailer with rounded curves, it's got to be an Airstream."That ...

Front desks at some hotels are checking out

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:28:56 -0400

ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - When you walk into a hotel, the first thing you do is go to the front desk, get your keys, and go to your room. But the front desk may not be staying for long. At the St. Louis Airport Marriott, they're in the process of getting rid of the front desk. The reason is because it's big and some hotels believe it's a barrier between guests and employees. So, the ...

Ride the S.L.U.T. in Seattle and other transit tips

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:18:00 -0400

New York To avoid the wrath of Washington, D.C., residents, always stand to the right on the escalators in its underground Metro system.In San Francisco, don't attempt to jump on a BART train as the doors are closing. They lack sensors to make them reopen. New York's crowded subway cars can get hot. Wise riders carry water. And when using Seattle mass transit, including the South Lake ...

Deal watch Small ship line offers savings on New England cruises

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:17:59 -0400

Boutique line Blount Small Ship Adventures is offering a price break for New England cruises booked before May 31. The savings, of up to $1,000 per couple, are available on the six-night Islands of ...

Video Spirit Airlines CEO on bad ratings high occupancy

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:03:45 -0400

Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza speaks to CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg and the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about how his company manages to keep occupancy high, despite their low customer ...

Video Spirit Airlines puts low cost over comfort

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:03:44 -0400

South Australian Tourism Commission using short films to show new side to city

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

THE secret Adelaide night life that rivals Sydney's; Chinatown's hidden treasures; chef Simon Bryant joining the new food-truck culture - these windows into Adelaide life are part of a South Australian Tourism Commission campaign using films made by independent film-makers. The SATC commissioned 10 filmmakers to shoot a short feature showing why they love the state - and the results went ...

Hotels’ bid for tax perks rejected

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:59:40 -0400

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima. AP FILE PHOTO The Department of Finance shot down an appeal from a group of hotel owners for the revocation of a Board of Investments (BOI) rule that took away the income tax exemptions of it members. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima on Wednesday said that hotels and resorts in the country's most popular tourist destinations did not need an income ...

Captain of Costa Concordia shipwreck to stand trial for manslaughter

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:17:30 -0400

The captain of the Costa Concordia Francesco Schettino leaves at the end of the preliminary hearings in Grosseto October 15, 2012. The captain blamed for the sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise liner off the Italian coast in January that killed 32 people shook hands with survivors and apologised on Monday at a court hearing to decide if he should face a full trial (Max ...

Offices Hotels And Shopping Malls Brace For Millennial Makeovers

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:07:56 -0400

If you thought the Millennial influence on modern life confined itself mostly to pop culture and a deleterious effect on the good old American work ethic, think again. There's now a scramble to reflect Gen Y's whims and wishes in the construction and decoration of physical spaces ranging from hotels and malls to offices. Is it time to start worrying that the coffee machine is going to ...

Beachfront luxury 15 decadent hotels on the sand

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:30 -0400

Everyone loves a beach vacation, but where you stay can make a big difference on just how fabulous your beach trip is. That's why we've found the 15 most decadent hotels on the sand to ensure that you ...

Tablet use soars among U.S. airline passengers

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:27 -0400

Passengers are increasingly relying on their tablets and other personal electronic devices for entertainment and work on U.S. domestic flights, even though there is a ban on their use during takeoff ...

Whats in an airport name Sometimes its aviation history

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:27 -0400

Chicago's Orchard Field (the source of the ORD airport code) was renamed Chicago-O'Hare International Airport in 1949 to honor naval aviator Lt. Cmdr. Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, a Medal of Honor recipient from Chicago who died in World War II. An exhibit in the main hall of Terminal 2 includes a replica of O'Hare's Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat plane and memorabilia from ...

Uganda Uganda Hot On Turkish Airlines List

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:41:07 -0400

Kampala - Turkish Airlines, the two time winner of Europe's Best Airline Award and the people behind the popular ad of Lionel Messi dueling with Kobe Bryant, say they are ready to work with Uganda's Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders to promote the country's attractions. Speaking to the East African Business Week in an exclusive interview last week, Erbil Akgun, the ...

Former travel commissioner Bob Stewart is new Ky. tourism secretary

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:56:33 -0400

Bob Stewart, Kentuckys Commissioner of Travel from 1992-2003, has been named secretary of the states Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. As Business First reports, Gov. Steve Beshear announced the appointment yesterday. He will succeed Marcheeta Sparrow, who announced her retirement last week. Stewart has also worked as deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of the Arts, as executive ...

Kenya Kisumu Hotels Reaping From Seminars Tourists

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:30:57 -0400

KISUMU hotels are enjoying booming business since the March 4 elections. Kisumu Hotels Managers Group chairman Robinson Anyal says the influx in guests is due to activities the hotels are engaged in that were postponed during the electioneering period. Anyal told the Star that the first two weeks after the elections and especially during the Cord petition, business was very bad due to fears of ...

Uganda Publisher Appointed to Tourism Chair

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:22:53 -0400

Kampala - James Tumusiime, the Managing Director of Fountain Publishers Limited and founder of the Igongo Cultural Centre in Biharwe, western Uganda, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board. He replaces William Byaruhanga who was the chairperson until his tenure ended in 2011. The new chairman together with his board will serve for the next three years. A new Board of ...

Krivacek cruises in Duquesne

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:25:42 -0400

Duquesne Controller Elizabeth Kracinovsky and Councilwoman June Wilson are all smiles as Mayor Phil Krivacek gives a thumbs up on positive election ...

BoP tourism operators praising new campaign

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:33:54 -0400

Bay of Plenty tourism operators are praising a new campaign to promote national and international guests to the region next summer. Building the Bay of Plenty into one of the country's top-four destinations and increasing the amount of time visitors spend in the area is the aim of the new Tourism Bay of Plenty campaign. The campaign will target the Asian and Australian markets and ...

Tourism Australia starts LinkedIn contest

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:24:37 -0400

New Delhi, May 22 : In a first in India, Tourism Australia has presented India-based members of LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, with a fun opportunity of winning a refreshing week-long holiday in Australia, away from their daily ...

Hainan Airlines chooses Ghana as first African investment destination

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:18 -0400

On May 3, the first turbine of the Bui Hydroelectric Power Station in the Republic of Ghana, financed and built by China, started generating electricity, adding 133 megawatts to Ghana's electricity grid. Funded with a concessional loan and buyer's credit by the China Export-Import Bank and constructed by the China Sinohydro Corporation, the Bui Hydroelectric Power Station, with a ...

Intl congress on winter sports tourism to open in Sochi Wed

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:54:42 -0400

SOCHI, May 22 (Itar-Tass) - The 9th International congress on winter sports, tourism, and outdoor activities will begin here on Wednesday with a plenary session dedicated to mass sports in Russia. The congres is to be held at the Krasnya Polyana mountain skiing resort where ski competitions will take place during the 2014 Winter Olympic ...

Tourism New Zealand hopes golf will attract higher spending visitors

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:31:16 -0400

Tourism New Zealand is hoping to double the number of international tourists who come here to play golf as part of a new strategy to attract higher spending visitors. About 50,000 overseas visitors play golf while they're here and the government agency says the enthusiasts among them spend more than double the average spend by leisure tourists of $2500. While the number of international ...

Plans for bike tourism in the central west

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:27:57 -0400

Orange 2800 The Central West Off Road Bike Club says a mountain biking facility that could attract thousands of visitors to the region a year, is achievable.The Orange City Council last night gave permission for the club to access the Lake Conobolas Sanctuary, subject to approval from the Cabonne Council.The council also voted to consider giving the project 10 thousand dollars in its next ...

Get me out of here - Skiathos surfing in the Basque country BA seat sale

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:26:03 -0400

Now... Ionian & Aegean is offering a week at the Villa Kalypso in Skiathos, which has two bedrooms and a pool, for 531pp, based on four sharing. It includes Monarch flights from Gatwick on 31 May and car hire. Ionianisland ...

Deals of the week - Vineyard tours Austrian cycling tours Menorca

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:26:02 -0400

Less than 200... English Wine Week starts on Saturday. To celebrate, Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire has a two-for-one offer on the daily vineyard tour and tasting, priced at 9. It is valid until the end of June, but not on Thursdays or Fridays. Three-choirs- ...

Which European city will offer the best value for a high-season break at the end of August

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:26:01 -0400

Q. It's my daughter's 21st birthday in late August. I'd like to take her on a city break to somewhere not too expensive to get to, but which will give her great memories. By the way, we've been to Paris. Sarah Gee, ...

Global factors are strong drivers of Asia hotels revenues.

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:19:39 -0400

A study of global and local factors that drive changes in hotels' revenue per available room (RevPAR) in eight major Asian cities found that the revenues for the hotels in these cities are strongly subject to global forces. "When we initially interviewed the hotel managers, they listed many local events and factors as potential drivers of their revenue, and they were not focused on ...

Early Easter leaves Orlando hotels with April hangover

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:11:10 -0400

After four months of year-over-year growth, business dipped in April at Orlando-area hotels, likely because of an early Easter this year and the absence of a couple of big conventions in town.Hotels in the Orlando market filled 72.6 percent of their rooms last month, compared with 75.6 percent in April 2012, and the average daily room price slipped 1 percent to $105.66, according to the latest ...

River cruise line adds a second vessel to sail Pacific Northwest

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:16:50 -0400

The former Empress of the North has been acquired by the American Queen Steamboat Co. and will sail rivers in the Pacific Northwest. (The photo was retouched with the boat's new name, American ...

Conference focuses on ecotourism as tourism’s new paradigm

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:12:02 -0400

Santo Domingo. - Ecotourism as tourism's new paradigm will be the focus of a conference hosted by the Environment Ministry and the Science Faculty of the Santo Domingo State University UASD. Environment Ministry and South Korea ecotourism consultant Geraldo Yun will dictate the conference "Tourism Development and Lifestyle according to the paradigm of Ecotourism growth in the Dominican ...

Sanya farm tourism attracts large amount of foreign investment

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:13:38 -0400

Sanya, a famous tourism city at home and abroad, has great investment prospects in the tourism industry in its agricultural areas, which have been attracting a great deal of foreign investment in recent years. At the recent Pan-PRD Regional Economic & Trade Cooperation Fair in Changsha, the Hainan State Farms Bureau signed off on 9 tourism industry projects, and all of them are located in ...

Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies opens registration for Tourism Fair of the Americas

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:41:05 -0400

The Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV) has opened registration for visitors who wish to participate in the 41st edition of ABAV - Tourism Fair of the Americas, which will be held from September 4 to 8 at the Anhembi Exhibit Hall (SP). Those who wish to participate should log on to the event website and click Online Registration on the right side of the home page. After reading and ...

Mauritius tourism revenues down

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:41:04 -0400

(eTN) - Figures just out about Mauritius' tourism revenues, which show a decline of arrivals during Q1 of 2013 by 12.4 percent, have caused a storm of outrage across the island's tourism sector, and from calls and emails it is clear that the knives are now out for those thought responsible for the reverse of fortunes of the Indian Ocean's erstwhile tourism giant. While arrivals for ...

Centara works with EarthCheck as part of its green and sustainable tourism policy

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:41:04 -0400

BANGKOK, Thailand - Centara Hotels & Resorts, throughout its 30-year history, has always believed passionately in green and sustainable tourism, a policy that is at the heart of the company and which engages every property in its portfolio. With the company rapidly expanding, both in Thailand and overseas, this deeply embedded philosophy is more important now than ever. "Each of our ...

Hainan Island invites domestic tourists to enjoy summer tourism

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:01:56 -0400

A summer tourism promotion conference organized by the deputy director of Hainan tourism association Zhang Tie Jun and two other officials was held on the afternoon of May 13th. The summer tourism promotion conference was mainly to introduce the rich tourism resources and products of Hainan province to 10 of China’s major cities including Jiangsu, Shandong, Chongqing, Shanxi, ...

Oakland airport vying for international airlines

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:55:28 -0400

Oakland International Airport could soon land some big international carriers. According to industry sources, the city is in talks with a number of European airlines and close to inking deals with carriers out of Germany, Scandinavia and possibly the U.K. If the deals are sealed, one or two more international flights could be coming and going three to five times daily out of Oakland. Oakland ...

Beshear names replacement for tourism secretary

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:51:45 -0400

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A former gubernatorial aide to three governors will take over as tourism secretary on June 1.Gov. Steve Beshear announced Monday that Bob Stewart is his pick to replace Marcheta Sparrow, who is retiring at the end of the month.Stewart served more than 10 years as Kentucky's commissioner of travel beginning in 1992. He also has served as executive assistant to Govs. Brereton ...

United Airlines restarts Dreamliner flights after grounding

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:45 -0400

United Airlines put its 787 Dreamliner back in the air on Monday, with both the airline and Boeing hoping to put the plane's four-month grounding behind ...

American Queen to begin service in Pacific Northwest

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:40:28 -0400

American Queen to begin riverboat service in the Pacific Northwest The American Queen Steamboat Co., which revived riverboat cruising on the Mississippi last year, is moving west, announcing today a deal ...

Wichita City Council approves $200K forgivable loan for Starwood Hotels

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:37:55 -0400

Starwood's brands include ALoft, shown in this rendering. The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to approve a $200,000 forgivable loan for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., which plans to create hundreds of jobs in Wichita with a new call center. Starwood (NYSE: HOT) announced last week that its 50,000-square-foot call center, planned in the former Office This space on Harry Street ...

United Tech CEO sees stronger economy airlines

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:52 -0400

HARTFORD, Conn. -; The chief executive of aerospace giant United Technologies Corp. is optimistic about an improving economy and airline ...

Riverboats to resume 7-night cruises in Northwest

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:26:52 -0400

The company that resumed riverboat cruises on the Mississippi River a year ago said Tuesday that it will offer seven-night trips starting next year on the Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon and ...

United Airlines throws a big party on the east coast

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:20:03 -0400

United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek was on hand for all the festivities today at United Airlines Terminal C hub. They're celebrating at Newark Liberty International Airport with a special exhibit, cake and a fashion show, no less. Why? Because today marks the 25th anniversary of United Airlines' Terminal C hub at the New Jersey airport, one of three principal airfields serving the congested ...

Hotel Offers 24-Carat Gold iPads

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:09:24 -0400

Credit: @BurjAlArab/Twitter A hotel that bills itself as the world’s most luxurious is giving guests the ultimate in over-the-top amenities: A 24-carat gold iPad at check in. Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel claims to be the first in the world to offer the iPads to guests. No, the iPad is not yours to keep. Burj Al Arab teamed up with London-based Gold & Co. to offer ...

NZ missing boat on cruises expert

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:08 -0400

A cruise industry consultant says New Zealand risks missing out on most of the boom in the sector by not giving passengers what they want. Wendy London, of Cruise Strategy, said tourist operators were not tailoring their offerings to different size ships and different passenger mixes. The cruise industry is the fastest growing in the tourist market with 209,000 passengers making 756 port visits ...

Tourism drive attempts to hook big-spending overseas golfers

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:00 -0400

Gardeners world of botanical escapes

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:17:44 -0400

Sunvil (020-8568 4499; sunvil.co.uk) has a new one-week group tour of Sao Miguel, "the green island" in the Azores, led by renowned plantsman David Sayers. The group will visit private gardens as well as botanical and historic palace gardens and Europe's first tea plantation. The trip departs on 8 June and costs 1,691pp including flights and half board.More than 12,000 species of ...

Spirit Airlines We Board an A320 in 20 Minutes

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:15:06 -0400

Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-132 at Tampa International Airport (Photo credit: Wikipedia) As American has moved to change its boarding process in order to save time, Spirit is staying right where it is. Spirit says it can board an A320 in about 20 minutes. And it says its average "turn time," or the amount of time the aircraft spends at the gate, is about 35 minutes. That is somewhat ...

More hotels offering free breakfast

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:07:33 -0400

In a bid for more loyal customers, Marriott International is going after their stomachs.Starting June 22, Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum Elite members plus a guest will get free continental breakfast ...

United strikes deal with SkyWest to run regional jets

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:07:29 -0400

United Airlines has signed a deal with SkyWest Airlines to have the regional carrier operate 40 Embraer jets under the United Express brand. These will be in addition to the 30 Embraer 175 planes ...

Air France adds non-stop Twin Cities-Paris flights

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:07:28 -0400

It will now be easier to get from Minneapolis to Paris. Air France today began direct non-stop service from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. The new seasonal summer service ...

United Airlines steps out on the fashion runway

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:45:55 -0400

United Airlines will debut new uniforms on June 25. First came the new livery with the stylized globe on the plane tails. New comes a new look in uniforms at United Airlines (NYSE: UAL). Starting June 25, employees will don uniforms that further underscore the reality that United is a new airline sprung from the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines. United pilots, however, ...

Muscat the focus of Omans aggressive plan for a tourism push

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:31 -0400

Muscat is an enticing one for any visitor. Men and women in traditional dress chat and pose gracefully around the souk, one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world, often seen with scarcely a guidebook -wielding tourist to get in the way of a camera shot. But all that could be about to change is an aggressive plan ...

Comply with tourism levy regulations - GTA

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:54:49 -0400

Kumasi, May 20, GNA - The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has asked operators in the hospitality industry to ensure strict compliance with the new tourism levy ...