Travel World Online

Visa launches Luxury Hotel Collection for cardholders in Asia Pacific : Visa has launched Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, giving Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cardholders in Asia Pacific a way to now find, book and enjoy unique benefits at a hand-selected group of prestigious hotel properties throughout the world.
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TripAdvisor Media Group launches private sale site for travel deals : TripAdvisor Media Group has announced the launch of SniqueAway.com, a new private sale website dedicated to travel deals. Operated by Smarter Travel Media, SniqueAway, is the first members-only site where each travel deal is endorsed by the people.
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GoI’s Visa on Arrival scheme availed by 4,022 foreigners from January – August 2010 : According to a release, as a facilitative measure to attract more foreign tourists to India, Government of India had launched Visa on Arrival scheme for citizens of five countries, viz.
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Starwood launches Global Spa Concept for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts: Starwood has launched Shine for Sheraton, a global spa concept designed exclusively for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
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Etihad Pilot Qualifies to Become Airline’s First Female Captain: Etihad Airways is celebrating the maiden commercial flight of its first female Captain, Sophie Blanchard.
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China Airlines Expanding Cargo Routes to China: China Airlines is launching three new all-cargo routes linking Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with Xiamen, Nanjing and Fuzhou
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Deal averts strike at Virgin Atlantic: Pilots at Virgin Atlantic have reached a deal with airline representatives averting the threat of strike action.
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Cruise West to sell Spirit of Oceanus: Cruise West has confirmed a suspension of all bookings and voided all current trips on the Spirit of Oceanus.
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Indian Railways revenue up by 7.95 per cent during April- August 2010 : According to a report, the total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis during April 1–August 31, 2010 were Rs 37015.28 crore compared to Rs 34289.58 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 7.95 per cent.
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Munich , a Shopping Extravaganza: shopping in Munich a treasure hunt of sorts, probing into the heart of the city, nosing around the many charming street markets, designer boutiques, large department stores and street side shops.
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Lanka's Latest Attraction: Sinharaja Rainforest: Teeming with diverse forms of life -an important part of Sri Lanka’s ecosystem, a visit to the Sinharaja Rainforest is an experience that will enthrall every soul on earth.
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U.S. Travel Launches Portal Site to Inform Travelers of Gulf Coast Destination Updates: The U.S. Travel Association announced the launch of GulfTravelUpdate.com, a portal site that centralizes links to up-to-date travel and recovery information on Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi—the states directly affected by the BP Oil Spill.
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U.S. Travel Community Mourns Passing of Former Senator Ted Stevens: Leaders of the travel community expressed their condolences to the family of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens was widely recognized as a champion of travel.
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U.S. Travel Industry Applauds President Obama’s Plan to Improve Roads, Rails and Airports: The head of the U.S. Travel Association applauded President Obama’s new initiative to focus on America’s roads, rail systems and airports, calling it “a positive and much-needed step toward rebuilding and expanding the national transportation system and strengthening our economy.”
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SpiceJet to commence international operations to Kathmandu and Colombo early next month : SpiceJet has announced that it will commence its international operations with its first flights to Kathmandu and Colombo early next month. The airline will flag-off its first international flight from Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal on October 7, 2010.
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Finnair to start daily flights between Helsinki-New Delhi from January 6, 2011 : According to a report, Finnair will start daily service between Helsinki and New Delhi from the first week of January next year. Kari Stolbow, Director for Indian Subcontinent, Finnair said, “Our passenger load factor has been the highest from Asia, notably India.
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CTTC launches India specific website : The California Travel and Tourism Commission yesterday launched an India specific website – www.visitcalifornia.in at the US Travel Association trade mission in Mumbai. The website, along with providing unique itineraries also has the option of creating custom-made packages.
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The House of Dancing Water in Macau: The latest entrant on its roll call of attractions in Macau is the House of Dancing Water, the world's largest and perhaps the most spectacular water-based extravaganza that took five years in the making and cost USD 250 million.
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Roofers Hotels to invest Rs 150 crore for new hotel projects in West Bengal in 2010-11 : Kolkata-based Roofers Hotels, a unit of Roofers Group, will invest around Rs 150 crore in new hospitality projects in West Bengal in 2010-11. According to Nirmal Saha, Vice President, Roofers Hotels Ltd, the investments will be made to develop four ongoing hospitality projects across West Bengal.
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Kingfisher Airlines informs on flight disruptions due to 24-hour Bandh call in Kolkata from 8 Sep. : In view of the 24-hour Kolkata Bandh call given from 6:00 am tomorrow to 6:00 am on September 8, 2010, Kingfisher Airlines has announced cancellation of 29 flights and rescheduling of two flights as per details given below. Guests are requested to note that there will be no transportation available to and from Kolkata Airport while the bandh is in force.
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Tourism Australia introduces Self Drive and Experiential Luxury products for India : At the recently concluded Indian Travel Mission (ITM) 2010 in Hyderabad, Tourism Australia introduced Self Drive and Experiential Luxury products for the Indian market. The itineraries of these products, to be introduced in a phased manner, were launched at ITM 2010 with an objective to educate top agents about the itineraries that can be offered to families, honeymooners and DINKs.
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DoT, Govt of Karnataka to introduce new products in Kochi from 8 Sep. : A high-level delegation of Department of Tourism (DoT), Government of Karnataka officials will be in Kochi from 8 Sep. to introduce new offers, products and packages for the upcoming tourism season. According to a report in Business Standard, the state tourism department is currently on a ten-city road show across the country to promote its destinations.
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Indian Railways to cancel ‘Maitree’ Express train service on September 11-12, 2010 : According to a press release, on the request from Bangladesh Railway, the Indian Railways has decided to cancel the trip of ‘Maitree’ Express train on September 11, 2010 (Saturday) from Kolkata and on September 12, 21010 (Sunday) from Dhaka to avoid operational complications arising due to non running of trains in Bangladesh on Eid days.
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Air France prepares for air traffic controller unions strike: Within the framework of the national strike in France to be held tomorrow, some air traffic controller unions have called for strike action.
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MoCA grants final nod for Kariakal Airport project: According to a report, a proposal to set up a private Greenfield airport at Karaikal in Puducherry has been cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The Super Airport Infrastructure (India) Private Limited (SAIIPL), a Coimbatore-based infrastructure promoting company has obtained final clearance within a month after getting 'No Objection Certificate' from the Puducherry government to its proposal this year.
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26th IATO Convention Inaugurated- National Apex body of Travel & Tourism Industry : The 26th Annual Convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) was inaugurated with fan fare on Thursday at Hotel Inder Residency, Udaipur. The Convention was inaugurated by Mr. R.H. Khwaja, Secretary Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
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A New Head at Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, India: Mr. Malraj B. Kiriella has recently been appointed as the Acting Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
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Tourism Victoria to promote self-drive tours in India: Tourism Victoria will promote self-drive holidays targeting honeymooners and other segments of travellers in the Indian market. According to Celia Ho, Regional Manager – South & South East Asia, Tourism Victoria, leading a six-member travel mission from Victoria region to India, self-drive holidays are becoming popular in Victoria region, and the tourism board will try to push the product in a big way through travel trade in India.
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Emirates Airline to operate daily flights from Dubai to Al Medinah al Munawarah from October 31, 2010: Emirates Airline will increase services to Al Medinah al Munawarah by seven flights per week from October 31, 2010 underscoring the important economic and cultural ties between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The service is operated by an A330-200 aircraft, offering 12 seats in First Class, 42 seats in Business Class and 183 seats in Economy.
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Hotel Sea Princess Mumbai joins Luxe Hotels: Hotel Sea Princess Mumbai has taken up Luxe Hotels affiliation and will be a member of its ‘Elite’ collection of properties. The soft branding will entitle Luxe Hotels to carry out sales and marketing and distribution services for the hotel for a period of five years. The affiliation is expected to come into effect from mid September, 2010, post which the property will also be available for booking via Luxe Hotels website.
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Travel Industry Global Leaders to Gather in Singapore for Prestigious World Savers Congress: Global leaders from the travel industry and non-profit organisations will meet in Singapore in October, when the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Congress will be held outside the United States for the first time.
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TAT New Delhi Bags 2 Awards in A Month for Outstanding Marketing: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office was the recipient of two of India’s most prestigious travel awards when its director received the Best Professional – Marketing Award from Safari India magazine on August 18th in Gurgaon and Best Outbound Destination Promotion Award in the ITM Travel & Tourism Awards 2010 on August 26th in New Delhi.
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Mauritius Annunced India as their Main Asian Source Market: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has announced India as their primary source market in the Asia region and its strategic aim to target 100,000 Indian arrivals.
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UAE ranks 65th on freedom to travel list: The UAE has been ranked 65th globally in terms of the number of countries and territories which can be entered without a visa by a UAE citizen, according to Henley Visa Restrictions Index created by Henley & Partners, an international residence, citizenship and government advisory firm.
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Saudi Arabia decision angers tourism sector: Riyadh Saudi Arabia has stopped granting of visas to those who wish to visit the kingdom only for tourism, Gulf News learnt yesterday.
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2. GoAir adds four new routes - Patna, Pune, Leh and Lucknow, inducts two A320 aircraft: GoAir has announced the addition of four new stations - Patna, Pune, Leh and Lucknow and two new A320 to its growing network. The services on these new stations and new aircraft will start from September 2, 2010 for Patna and for Pune, Lucknow and Leh from October 2, 2010 onwards.
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China eyes South Africa high-speed rail: China’s largest construction company has confirmed it is in talks about building South Africa’s first high-speed rail line.
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1. Air India to monitor competitors’ fares, plans to install FTS: According to a report, Air India plans to keep a tab electronically on fares offered by its peers, both on domestic, as well as international routes, and accordingly chart out its strategy. The airline has decided to implement a Fare Tracking System (FTS) which would enable it to monitor and compare various basic fares, taxes and other charges by airlines across geographies.
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Guwahati's Hottest Tourism Hub to Get a Makeover: Guwahati’s well-renowned tourism attraction, Dighalipukhuri Park is now likely to undergo a makeover from the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC).
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Star Alliance launches Brazil Airpass: Star Alliance has launched the Brazil Airpass which allows travel across entire domestic network of more than 45 destinations served by TAM Airlines. The routing can be selected and needs to cover between four and nine flight coupons.
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Qatar Airways to increase services from Delhi, Amritsar and Kochi from September 1, 2010 : Qatar Airways has announced frequency increases on flights from Delhi, Amritsar and Kochi to be phased in over a two-month period, effective September 1, 2010. With an additional 14 flights a week from the three Indian cities, Qatar Airways raises the number of services between India and its Doha hub to 88 flights a week – representing a 20 per cent increase in frequency.
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Kumari Selja, Union Minister for Tourism inaugurates reservation centre at RGIA, Hyderabad: According to a report, Kumari Selja, Union Minister for Tourism recently inaugurated a 24/7 tourist information cum reservation centre at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad.
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Air Seychelles to add Chennai as stopover on Mahe-Singapore route from November 1, 2010 : Air Seychelles will add Chennai as a stopover on its Mahe-Singapore route effective November 1, 2010. Responding to the increased number of arrivals from the Indian subcontinent and demand from the local Indian community, Air Seychelles, has decided to launch this service, which will provide a direct air-link to India.
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'Ladies Only Floor' in Brisbane for Travel Chicks: The Best Western Portal Hotel in Brisbane, Australia, has joined the growing number of international hotels in the region to cater to independent female travellers by offering a special Ladies Only floor that boasts luxury and security in equal measure.
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Hilton Hotels joins Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience : Hilton Hotels has joined the Thai marketing cooperative Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience. As new hotel partners, Hilton properties across Thailand, in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket, are now preferred lodging options, alongside some of the country’s top golf courses, in a variety of stay-and-play itineraries offered and executed by tour operator Golfasian.
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ITDC hopeful of completing furnishing of hotels in Delhi by August 31, 2010 : India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is hopeful of completing the furnishing of their hotels in Delhi by August 31, 2010. According to Dr Lalit K Panwar, Chairman and Managing Director, ITDC, the remaining work at Hotel Samrat New Delhi will be completed by August 31, 2010.
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Le Passage to India expands its operations in Rajasthan : Le Passage to India has extended its operations beyond Jaipur in Rajasthan by opening four new offices in the cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. These new offices are in line with the company’s corporate strategy of establishing operations in high footprint cities to ensure clients are looked after by professional service teams.
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Singapore receives 1,095,000 visitor arrivals in July 2010: STB : Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced that Singapore received 1,095,000 visitor arrivals in July 2010, registering a 24.1 per cent growth, the highest ever recorded visitor arrivals in the month of July. This is also the first time that visitor arrivals have exceeded one million in a single month.
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Aegean Airlines and Continental Airlines launch codeshare flights: Star Alliance partners Continental Airlines and Aegean Airlines have started codesharing on Continental Airlines flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Athens, as well as on selected flights operated by Aegean Airlines in Europe.
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Seychelles Joins the World of Carnivals : The Tropical Creole Islands of the Seychelles has now confirmed that they are organizing an annual carnival for the first time due on March 4-6, 2011.
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