Cheap Travel Hotels Travel News

Emirates maintains cutting edge on fares
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        SITA announced that Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has successfully migrated to the new SITA Airfare Insight platform in a strong endorsement of the industry's leading market-based pricing software tool.SITA, the air transport IT specialist, developed the breakthrough software tool in order to allow airlines to make informed fare changes in response to competitors in real-time. Emirates now has the integrated capability to manage and control the complexity of end-to-end fares management and distribution processes, and has implemented it across its global network of sales offices.

Godfrey Toerien, Emirates, Senior Vice President of Pricing and Reservation Services, said: "SITA's Airfare Insight platform ensures that we can offer the best value in the market to our customers, and at the same time manage our fares efficiently to maximise revenue. The quality and functionality of the product provides us with a unique edge when it comes to fares management."

SITA Airfare Insight, part of the Horizon passenger management and distribution portfolio, filters and displays what the airline decides are important competitor price changes allowing a fast, informed and considered response, through any specific and targeted distribution channels of the airline?s choice. It allows for airline savings through the decommissioning of legacy systems and a comprehensive ticket audit process.

Over 100 million fares are published worldwide at any one time, and a full-service airline will update fares throughout their distribution network of GDSs, travel agencies and websites, several times a day.  Airfare Insight has been configured to meet Emirates? needs across its award-winning fleet of over 140 aircraft flying to over 100 destinations, giving it a clear picture of what its competitors are doing in the market at any one time to support its decision making.

Hani El Assaad, SITA Regional Vice President Middle East and North Africa, said: "Airfare Insight is all about business transformation. Emirates is a cutting edge airline when it comes to early adoption of breakthrough technology. Our five-year agreement provides Emirates with the tools to execute pricing decisions much faster and supports automated distribution of the resulting fares."        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Stonebridge Companies hires Vizergy to enhance online marketing
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Stonebridge Companies, one of the nation's leading development and hospitality management companies, hired VIZERGY to manage hotel Internet marketing efforts and redesign two existing Websites. The partnership offers the hotels opportunity for short-term growth and unlimited long-term success, including increased online revenue. The new Websites will be managed on Vizergy's Web World Publishing system, a content management system that provides flexibility, instantly updated site content and extensive reporting options - all important factors in measuring the success of the Websites. Vizergy's Google certified search marketing team will manage the search marketing.Located in the heart of the Denver Tech Center, the Double Tree Denver Tech hotel offers more than 300 guest rooms and suites with beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to its prime DTC location, featured amenities include a complimentary shuttle service, the contemporary Zink Kitchen + Bar, and over 20,000 square feet of event space.

The Hilton Garden Inn Denver Downtown hotel provides guests a host of options for local Denver attractions, including proximity to three professional sports venues, the Denver Center for Performing Arts and the Colorado Convention Center. The hotel features 221 contemporary designed guest rooms and suites, 6,800 square feet of meeting and event space, and a favorite dining spot amongst locals, Pi Kitchen + Bar.

Both Websites highlight the properties' respective amenities, target the appropriate demographics and fit Hilton brand standards. With features like professional photo galleries, specials and packages sections and area guides, the sites are sure to turn lookers into bookers. Over 50% of the two Websites' current traffic is a result of search engine optimization. As the sites mature and cost effective marketing plans remain in place, VIZERGY expects the current number of bookings from the properties' Hilton booking engines to significantly increase.

"It's always great to add exceptional clients like Double Tree Denver Tech and Hilton Garden Inn Denver Downtown to our portfolio, but what's even more rewarding is the notable success our clients achieve after their new sites go live," says VIZERGY President & CEO Joe Hyman. "It's amazing the difference a well designed and marketed site makes. A sharp design, combined with a robust strategic marketing plan and customer engagement, is always a great equation for success."

"In this rebounding economy, it's imperative to have the best possible placement online. Stonebridge Companies is constantly re-evaluating its processes with respect to eCommerce initiatives," says Kevin Mahoney, COO at Stonebridge Companies. "Partnering with VIZERGY has assisted us in meeting these objectives and we look forward to continuously challenging these processes in today's world of constantly changing technology and eCommerce marketing. The new websites are well designed and showcase these innovative and strategic marketing objectives."

Founded in 1991 by Navin C. Dimond, Stonebridge Companies is a privately owned, innovative hotel management company headquartered near Denver, Colorado, which has developed over sixty hotels and operated more than seventy-five lodging properties. Currently Stonebridge Companies operates forty hotels comprising approximately six thousand guest rooms in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The diverse portfolio includes select-service, extended stay, mid-scale and full service hotels in primary and secondary markets.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Jeanine Pires leaves Embratur presidency
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        In a meeting on August 26 with Tourism Minister Luiz Barretto, Embratur President Jeanine Pires announced her departure from EMBRATUR to join the new government organization that will coordinate the actions, projects and delegates associated with the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Embratur (the Brazilian Tourism Institute) is the authority, associated with the Ministry of Tourism that works to promote Brazil as a tourist destination abroad."I was invited by Minister Orlando Silva, of the Sports Ministry, to bring together the organization that is being set up to coordinate the government's actions concerning the 2016 Olympic Games. Embratur participated actively in the process of capturing the Olympics for Rio and it is an honor and a marvelous challenge to work to bring about the first Olympics to be held in Brazil and in South America," said Jeanine Pires.

Pires was the first woman to assume the presidency of Embratur, and has held the position since 2006. From 2003 to 2006, she was Director of Business Tourism and Events for the institution.

"During my eight years of work, Brazil developed and established great credibility in the world tourism market, with operators, travel agents and the international press,” said Jeanine Pires. “The strong partnership and support we received from the state and municipal tourism departments and from private enterprise in Brazil were essential in building that credibility and in building Brazil's image of professionalism. "

Pires was instrumental in implementing a marketing plan for international tourism, the Aquarela Plan, positioning Brazil as a leading destination in 15 of the 21 countries given priority for international promotion. Under her tenure, foreign currency spending by foreign tourists in Brazil more than doubled. As a result, tourism is now second on the list of the country`s service exports. She aimed to communicate to all tourists that Brazil is a modern country with great natural, cultural and ethnic diversity. Not only did Pires help transform the leisure travel segment, but business travel as well. From 2003 to 2009, the country increased twelve places in the ranking of countries that host international events.

Jeanine Pires and Mario Moyses are committed to making this a smooth transition over the next couple months.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Skyscanner and hostelworld.com forge partnership
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Cheap flight comparison website, Skyscanner.net, is delighted to announce a partnership with the world`s number one hostel booking website, Hostelworld.com. The partnership is part of Hostelworld.com`s ongoing strategy to significantly enhance site functionality and user experience for its customers. Skyscanner`s comprehensive flight search tool will provide Hostelworld.com customers with comparisons on over 670,000 cheap flights across 600 different airlines.Commenting on the partnership Frank Skivington, Skyscanner`s Director of Sales & Marketing, said: "We are extremely excited to be rolling out our technology with such a hugely successful travel brand. Our monthly flight search tool is perfect for Hostelworld.com customers looking for the cheapest flights as users don`t have to specify dates or even destinations."

"The breadth of the Hostelworld.com customer base also presents a real opportunity for Skyscanner as they book online reservations for over 25,000 hostels and budget hotels in 180 countries worldwide."

Santina Doherty, VP of Commercial Development with Hostelworld.com said "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Skyscanner. Their comprehensive flight search tool will provide our customers with the added value of being able to search for cheap flights whilst booking accommodation, making travel even more affordable".

Ms. Doherty continued "This partnership further strengthens our commitment to our customers by providing them with the best possible tools for planning and booking independent travel".        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

KHBTCC is to be managed by Hilton as of September 1st, 2010
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Hilton Worldwide has commenced management of Jordan`s Dead Sea King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centre`s in the Middle East region. The reflagged convention centre will now operate under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.With almost 5,000 m2 of meeting space and 23,000 m2 of build-up area spread over 25 conference and meeting rooms and three floors, King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre is one of the largest in the region. It can accommodate approximately 5000 guests.

Hilton Worldwide manages the Convention Centre through an agreement with Dead Sea Resorts PSC Company. The Convention Centre is adjacent to the 285-room Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa that is currently under development and is scheduled to open in Q4 2014.

“This partnership will leverage the Hilton brand`s global expertise and innovative leadership in meetings and large scale events for the benefit of the region as Jordan continues its growth in this segment. Hilton is the leader in global hospitality and we are excited to expand our portfolio in this market,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

As part of Jordan`s strategy to capture MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) business, the convention centre has hosted and will host international conferences such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2007, 2009 and May 2011, the International Monetary Fund, as well as local and regional conferences, workshops and exhibitions. With fully-equipped conference and meeting halls that vary in size and capacity, the centre is able to accommodate numerous events with different capacity requirements simultaneously.

KHBTCC has dedicated itself to achieve, encourage and set a local and regional benchmark for excellence in managing and attracting significant international, regional and local conventions, trade-shows, educational, cultural and social functions as well as other events to its world-class facilities, while maximizing the benefits for the Jordanian economy and local businesses.

KHBTCC will further strengthen the Hilton portfolio in Jordan, becoming the first project managed by the Hilton brand in Jordan, as one of five other new developments for Hilton Worldwide in the country. KHBTCC will join three new Hilton brand hotels in Aqaba, Amman and Dead Sea areas as well as the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Aqaba.

“Jordan is a key development market for us in our regional development strategy. As an upscale resort and therapeutic area, the Dead Sea is an ideal location to increase our presence in the Jordanian Kingdom where modernization meets with a rich history. KHBTCC will benefit from a swift opening, with the full support of the Hilton sales and marketing engines as well as the support of the KHBTCC former General Manager, Naif Zureikat, who will stay on to manage the convention centre,” said Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East and Africa.

Lying within the folds of the Jordan Valley more than 400m below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Its richness in various minerals makes the Dead Sea, with its black mud, a destination of therapeutic tourism seeking its extraordinary curative powers. The growing resort area is also located 40-minutes away from the capital, Amman.

“As we face a surge in business travel across Jordan, Hilton Worldwide`s established credentials and well- positioned brands will help us manage demand and meet conference and incentive travellers` high expectations for this new conversion,” said H.E. Eng. Said Darwazah, Chairman of Dead Sea Resorts PSC.

Hilton Worldwide has an impressive brand footprint in the Middle East and Africa with 44 hotels across 14 countries, and another 25 properties in the pipeline.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Aerolineas Star Peru new UATP merchant
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Aerolineas Star Peru, Lima, chose UATP to address the needs of its corporate travelers and now accepts all UATP corporate cards effective immediately at all points of sale including online at starperu.com."Peru is in a growth phase for corporate travel and we chose to join the UATP Network in efforts to expand our corporate market share in the region," said, Roman Kasianov, General Manager, Star UP S.A. "We strive for excellence in our service and it quickly became apparent that to grow our corporate market share and meet customer demands, we needed to fulfill the requests for UATP acceptance."

Client satisfaction is the core value behind Star Peru and it concentrates on providing excellent service based on flexibility, technology and social responsibility.

"Airlines are listening to corporate customers and building UATP into successful business strategies," said President and CEO, Ralph Kaiser, UATP. "As the increasing challenge for market share gain continues, Star Peru joined UATP to position itself to capitalize on new opportunities."

Star Peru has been serving Peru since 1997, beginning its operations with porter and charter services. In 2004, a commercial operation to domestic routes began and was the fastest growing airline in Peru, now serving 10 domestic destinations.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Dublin tourism announces world-first for Dublin
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Dublin is the world`s first city to provide a pointing technology-enabled smartphone application (app), which allows users to point their mobile device at a building or object in the real world and retrieve information about it, it was announced on Wednesday, 1st September 2010.Launched by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, T.D., at The Gibson Hotel, Dublin, Dublin Tourism`s ground-breaking Visit Dublin app “delivers Dublin in the palm of your hand” and “will become the default way of visiting Dublin and inevitably be replicated by other leading tourist destinations around the world,” according to Dublin Tourism`s chief executive, Frank Magee.

The dynamic Dublin destination guide app is the flagship feature of Dublin Tourism`s digital strategy. According to Dublin Tourism, the tourism authority and its partners are investing Euro 10 million in a digital strategy that    promotes Dublin to consumers worldwide, which will deliver an additional one million visitors to Dublin by 2015.

Minister Hanafin said, “Using the very latest technology to get the most up to date information about Dublin - a city with so much history, culture, attractions and entertainment and with so much going on every day is a very    positive development. Some 3.8 million people visited Dublin last year and the city is hugely popular with leisure and business tourists alike. Mobile technology is part of more and more people`s lives, and a vast wealth of  information at your fingertips is what visitors will look for when visiting a vibrant city like Dublin. Having this new app with so many features on thousands of places of interest around the city shows Dublin Tourism is leading the way.”

Frank Magee said that the “prognosis for Dublin is good. Our outlook indicates that Dublin`s year-end performance will exceed original expectations with increases in both visitor numbers and occupancy levels. Hotels are set to    achieve last year`s figures at the very least while rooms rates are stabilising. Consumers are aware of the wide choice of tourist destinations available and seek value for their leisure breaks, using technology such as  visitdublin.com to search, which results in very late booking patterns. They are finding that value in Dublin and occupancy is up as a result. Dublin will also reap the benefits of key tourism infrastructural investments such as the opening of the Convention Centre Dublin, which will provide a sustained bounce for visitor numbers.”

The Visit Dublin app uses innovative technology to allow visitors to use directional search to move about Dublin and discover their interests. The Augmented Reality feature allows users to access electronically-stored data    regarding a point of interest they are looking at, for example overlaid images, opening times or playing audio. The app covers the greater Dublin area and operates within a 10 km radius from where the user is located.

It features extensive detailed content for tourists, sourced from the VisitDublin.com website`s 7,000 pages of information, that is geocoded and will initially cover approximately 1,400 points of interest. All the information has been validated by Dublin Tourism and is constantly updated. Dublin Tourism is targeting 100,000 app downloads in the first 12 months.

The app`s innovative features include:

• users can point and click at a real world point of interest to retrieve information about it;
• users can virtually move to destinations and virtually explore them before making a visit;
• it is the first to include the feature ‘Point to listen`, ‘Point to download` and ‘Point to call`;
• it can function without any network connection thereby limiting roaming charges. For example, the application will work in airplane mode;
• its intelligent caching allows the vast majority of tourist information to be stored locally on the mobile device thus improving search performance and playback;
• audio content featuring 81 audio clips that allows users to use directional search to find the closest point of interest with audio;
• a special offers screen voucher feature enables bar, restaurant and tourism attraction owners to provide discount coupons to users;
• it does not require image matching, tags or beacons.  The geocode for the point of interest is the only requirement; and
• a Daily Bulletin provides news updates on new attractions, events and other tourist-related information.

A facility is available to create channels within the app, which allows tourism providers to create their own app for inclusion in the Visit Dublin app.

A number of e-commerce developments are planned for the app including a more dynamic coupon serving engine that allows retailers to manage their own coupon delivery and campaigns; dynamic itinerary information; flight information and accommodation; and a booking engine. Dynamic app content is stored in the cloud and cached information is stored on the mobile device.

In addition to the Visit Dublin app, Dublin Tourism`s digital strategy centres on the visitdublin.com website, the recently launched VisitDublin.com TV, eZines, social media and the iWalk series.

“The tourism business is inextricably linked with engaging creatively with visitors. Innovation has been Dublin Tourism`s watchword for a long time. We were the first city tourism organisation in the world to use the ‘visit`   concept. The intuitive Visit Dublin app is another world-first that will help us punch above our weight by increasing visitor numbers and improving the Dublin tourist experience,” said Frank Magee.

Ann Riordan, Dublin Tourism`s chairman, said, “We have emphasised the importance of becoming ambassadors for the Dublin region. The Visit Dublin app will complement their invaluable work of word-of-month endorsement and on-the-ground assistance that enhances Dublin`s tourist offering. We believe that the app will be popular among Dubliners and Irish holidaymakers as it will be with visiting tourists.”

The Visit Dublin app costs Euro 2.99 and is available from the Apple App Store and Android Market, both accessible by visiting www.visitdublin.com/App. Dublin Tourism developed the app in conjunction with GeoGuides, an Irish    software company, and provides all of its content. It is the first worldwide tourist guide app deployed on GeoGuide`s proprietary platform, which is uniquely powered by GeoVector Corporation.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

American Airlines brings Barbados to Dallas-Fort worth three times a week
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        American Airlines customers will have greater access to beautiful Caribbean beaches this winter as the airline adds nonstop flights to Barbados from its Dallas- Fort Worth (DFW) hub.* This new nonstop, three times per week service begins Dec. 16, and will be an addition to American Airlines convenient selection of flights to Barbados.  Currently the airline provides daily nonstop service from New York-JFK and Miami International Airport."Barbados is a wonderful Caribbean destination and we're thrilled to expand our service to the island from our largest hub and international gateway in DFW," said Peter J. Dolara, American's Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "This new service will offer convenient connections and provide passengers with the opportunity to discover this great destination."

"We are extremely pleased to add American Airlines nonstop service from DFW to Barbados," said David M. Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Authority. "These new flights will provide our customers from the Central and Western regions of the U.S. easier and more convenient access to Barbados. We look forward to bringing more visitors to our beautiful island from so many key U.S. markets."

Currently available for purchase, the flight will be operated with Boeing 757 aircraft with 22 seats in Business Class and 166 in the Coach cabin.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

SECC and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau launch "The Glasgow Model"
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) will share event organisers` pain and gain with the launch this week of a revolutionary initiative, and the first venue support model of its kind, that will become known as “The Glasgow Model”.

The major new project is a collaboration between the SECC and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, offering an entrepreneurial approach to sharing the risk with those holding large scale events. “The Glasgow Model” has been developed in consultation with world leading professional conference organisers and is a pioneering business model that benefits both the destination and the client.

Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales, SECC comments; “The initiative is a direct response to concerns raised by clients worried about delegate numbers in this economic climate. We wanted to offer a way to reduce the risk to our client whilst sending a confident message from the destination that we can deliver on delegates.

“As a destination we`re set up to help organisers boost attendance using the resources and connections we have throughout the city. The Glasgow Model is an extension of a unique collaborative approach that has already put Glasgow on the map as a world class events destination.”

GCMB Chief Executive Scott Taylor added: “The Glasgow Model is a unique commitment to a jointly shared business strategy with the conference organiser. We explicitly understand the importance of reputation and brand, and have a clear responsibility to deliver success through creating equity and profit for the association.

“This Glasgow combination offers a highly-differentiated business model that is incomparable to other cities` schemes. Together we unlock an easy-to-buy solution with support when you need it and a 360-degree marketing package that quickly builds delegate attendance. We are delighted that it is the first in the market place and believe that it will set the pace of change in the industry."        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed

Canada to host its first LGBT Tourism Conference
2 September 2010, 11:00 pm

        Travel Gay Canada (TGC), Canada`s LGBT Tourism Industry Association, will host its first Annual LGBT Tourism Conference in Toronto on Friday, November 5, 2010, at the InterContinental Hotel.Tourism industry professionals from across North America will gather for a day-long conference to examine who the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travel market is, what they look for when travelling, and how to successfully reach them.

The North American LGBT travel market is estimated to be worth more than $70 billion. Canada is recognized as one of the most progressive and inviting countries in the world, and it is a choice destination for LGBT travellers. But as more and more countries from across the globe enter the market and start welcoming LGBT tourists, Canada must continue to actively reach out and promote itself to remain competitive.

Leading authorities on the LGBT market will present on topics as diverse as creating cost effective marketing strategies; using the power of online and traditional media; LGBT project development; and more. Confirmed speakers include such experts as David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto.

"This Conference will be valuable to any organization looking to build opportunities in the LGBT travel market," said Darrell Schuurman, President of Travel Gay Canada. "Delegates will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the industry and will also benefit from networking with like-minded colleagues. We expect TGC`s first annual LGBT Tourism Conference to be a great success and look forward to welcoming delegates to Toronto!"

Travel Gay Canada is the only Canadian tourism industry association that creates increased visibility, opportunities, and programs for its members to maximize revenues through LGBT tourism. By promoting LGBT travel to and within Canada, Travel Gay Canada works to increase the number of visitors for its members and to develop a sustainable network of tourism products and services to meet the demands and expectations of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) travel market.        

Source: Travel Daily News Feed