The 246-room Hilton Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has welcomed its first guests after becoming the third Hilton to open in the Finnish capital.

Located at Helsinki airport's international terminal, the newly built Hilton is the airport's first upscale hotel, offering traveller's state-of-the-art facilities and contemporary design with a Finnish twist.
 
To better address traveller needs, the lobby will feature arrival and departure display screens, as well as airline self-check in kiosks for international and domestic flights operated by Finnair, Finncom Airlines and KLM, with other airlines to be added shortly.
 
The hotel has extensive meetings, events and conferences facilities, a dedicated Executive Floor and Lounge, and a 24 hour business centre.

www.hilton.com 

9/1/2007 10:09:35 AM UTC    Comments 

Accor is to revive the Pullman brand of hotels and be targeted at business travellers, while introducing an All Seasons brand for economy travellers.

The Pullman brand was lost when Accor merged it into Sofitel during the 1990’s. The new Pullman will be revived in the world’s major cities and will be given a kick start with 45 Sofitel and Grand Mercure hotels in 23 countries being re-flagged.

Meanwhile Accor wants to see 10,000 All Seasons rooms by 2010, with numbers coming from re-branding existing hotels and new franchise deals. 14 hotels have already been marked for re-branding and All-Seasons is expected to be introduced into the UK next year.

www.accor.com

9/1/2007 9:32:40 AM UTC    Comments 

Lufthansa is to fly from London City Airport (LCY) to Berlin-Tegel from 14th January 2008. Lufthansa Regional partner Eurowings will operate the twice daily non-stop flights Monday to Friday with a single service at the weekend. The flights will rise to three a day from the start of the summer timetable. The new flights will increase Lufthansa’s services out of the Docklands airport from 66 to 78 weekly. (84 as of March 2008)

“The positive economic climate in the UK and the rest of Europe is resulting in a growing demand for new city routes serving the mobility needs of both UK and German business travellers”, said Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa’s General Manager UK & Ireland. “With Lufthansa’s new non-stop service, Europe’s emerging conference and exhibition metropolis, Berlin, is now just around the corner from London’s financial district and the perfect destination for this speedy new service.“

Richard Gooding OBE, Chief Executive of London City Airport commented: “The launch of the Berlin-Tegel route is exciting news for London City Airport and perfectly complements the range of German destinations available to the business traveller. We are very proud of our long-standing 14 year relationship with Lufthansa and Star Alliance, with successful existing routes to Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Nuremberg currently operating out of London City Airport and Stuttgart to be added next month.”

www.lufthansa.com

8/31/2007 9:30:26 AM UTC    Comments 

El Al is to launch a Monday morning flight from Heathrow to Tel Aviv with its refurbished 767 fleet. The service will operate from the end of October to the end of March next year and will compliment the existing twice-daily service.

Departing Heathrow at 08:05 and arriving in Tel Aviv at 14:50 this new flight will allow business travellers to arrive into Tel Aviv early afternoon for a more productive working day.

This year, the airline completed a £3.5 million refit of its business class cabin throughout its 767 fleet. Seat pitch has been increased from 48 to 55 inches and new "cradle" seats recline 165 degrees. Each seat also has an 110v power point for passengers with laptops and satellite phones.

www.elal.com

8/30/2007 11:21:34 AM UTC    Comments 

From September 1, Air China is adding its upgraded premium-cabin services, “Forbidden Pavilion” First Class and “Capital Pavilion” Business Class to its Beijing-London, Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Shanghai-Milan-Rome, and Shanghai- Paris routes.

The “Forbidden Pavilion” First Class seat features the private-compartment style of seating with individual partitions and a fully flat in-flight bed that extends to nearly 6 feet 3 inches in length. In the new “Capital Pavilion” Business Class nearly five feet of seat pitch separate 21-inch wide seats that extend and recline170 degrees.

Each seat in both premium class cabins is equipped with a multi-system power socket providing standard AC power for laptops or other electronic accessories, and passengers can also enjoy 60 DVD films, 98 music CDs, and various electronic games on 10½-inch personal TV sets.

Along with the cabin upgrade, Air China has also made similar improvements in other premium class services including free pick up service, free transfer to hotel accommodation, gourmet onboard food, and mileage reward bonuses.

www.air-china.co.uk

8/30/2007 10:18:32 AM UTC    Comments 

The InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong has opened its new state-of-the-art Club InterContinental Lounge. The lounge, featuring panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, is eight times larger than the former facility.

Peter Pollmeier, General Manager of InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong said, "The enhanced sense of space was a key design element in the new lounge. Club InterContinental is incredibly popular, particularly during peak season making expansion a logical next step, to accommodate the demand. We anticipate Club InterContinental will be a signature facility for guests who stay in the Tsimshatsui East area."

www.ichotelsgroup.com

8/30/2007 8:25:59 AM UTC    Comments 

The Venetian(R) Macao-Resort- Hotel opened its doors today and with it ushered in a new chapter in the history of Macao.

"In this day and age its commonplace to throw around phrases like historic, groundbreaking, and revolutionary," said Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the parent company of The Venetian Macao. "But it is no overstatement to say that the opening of The Venetian Macao represents a massive paradigm shift for Macao and the future of tourism development in Asia."

At a cost of US$2.4 billion Venetian Macao is the largest single structure hotel in Asia and the second largest building in the world. Like its sister-property in Las Vegas, The Venetian Macao is a renaissance Venice-themed property featuring stunning replicas of Venice landmarks such as St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, Campanile Tower, and three indoor canals with gondolas and singing gondoliers.

The hotel has 3,000 all-suite guest rooms and with one million square feet of retail space, which the hotel claim is more than any shopping mall in Hong Kong. The casino floor, at 550,000 square feet, is the largest in the world and is home to 870 table games and more than 3,400 slot machines.

The Venetian Macao also has 1.2 million-square feet of meeting, convention and exhibition space, more than twice the amount of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The facility features the largest pillar-less ballroom in Asia and has the catering facilities to provide a five-course banquet for 15,000 guests. Early next year, the 1,800 seat Venetian Theatre will open featuring an original production from world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.

www.venetianmacao.com  

8/29/2007 3:26:19 PM UTC    Comments 

Together with its Star Alliance partner United Airlines, Lufthansa has put together 100 dream destinations to choose from right across the United States – from Boston to Honolulu, from Miami to Portland – with flights at special prices.

Go Christmas shopping in New York for as little as 369 euros, enjoy powder snow and après-ski in Aspen from 579 euros or go surfing in Hawaii from 899 euros. Starting in November, flights will be available to Orlando, a new Lufthansa destination in Florida, from just 499 euros, while fares to the popular West Coast city of San Francisco start at 599 euros.

The special fares are for a return flight in Economy Class from Frankfurt or Munich. Flights can be booked until 29 September 2007, depending on availability. Tickets are valid between 1 November and 13 December 2007, and from 24 December 2007 to 29 February 2008. 

The fares quoted include all taxes, fees, surcharges and the Lufthansa Ticket Service Charge of 15 euros for bookings made online.

www.lufthansa.com

8/29/2007 9:31:51 AM UTC    Comments 

Vietnam Airlines has begun operating its international flights from the new International Terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

www.vietnamairlines.com.vn

8/29/2007 8:52:24 AM UTC    Comments 

To mark the one year countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games Air China has announced its Olympic slogan, “Carrying the Olympics, Flying your dream,” in a ceremony at the foot of the Great Wall of China. The slogan was selected from more than a thousand slogans submitted by Air China employees around the world.

Air China is the country’s sole designated flag carrier and the Airline Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It serves 78 domestic and 39 international cities with an extensive network from its Beijing hub, conveniently linking passengers between China and destinations around the world.

www.air-china.co.uk

8/28/2007 4:28:40 PM UTC    Comments 

Following the announcement in July of its initial plans for a new service between Stansted and JFK beginning October 29, 2007, American Airlines has announced a second daily Stansted - JFK service to commence April 8, 2008. The additional service will give passengers the choice of a morning or late afternoon departure.

American has also announced that from May next year it would begin two new routes to New York JFK from Milan, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.

www.americanairlines.co.uk   

8/28/2007 10:55:41 AM UTC    Comments 

Passengers booking an economy or business class ticket with Oasis Hong Kong Airlines between August 25 and September 28, can get a free return flight with Hong Kong Airlines to one of 11 cities in China and Vietnam. Passengers have to travel between September 15 and December 14.

Terms and conditions apply and can be viewed on the Oasis web site.

www.oasishongkong.com

8/28/2007 10:05:00 AM UTC    Comments 

InterContinental Hotels Group has re-opened the InterContinental Nairobi following an extensive multi-million dollar refurbishment to cater for the significant increase in demand in Nairobi.

The refurbishment project covered four floors of the property, 150 rooms in the casino wing, the boardrooms, Club InterContinental and public areas.

With the final part of the renovation now complete the hotel has already seen a high level of demand, in particular from business travellers looking for premium accommodation and amenities.

www.hilton.com

8/28/2007 9:10:59 AM UTC    Comments 

Continental Airlines is extending its complimentary helicopter transfer service in New York for BusinessFirst passengers until March 31, 2008.

Continental Airlines and US Helicopter Corporation launched the shuttle service between Manhattan (Wall Street or 34th Street) and Newark Liberty International Airport in December 2006 and launched a codeshare agreement to simplify the booking and ticketing experience for customers in June 2007.  A one-way transfer takes eight minutes and normally costs US$159.00 (£80.00), plus applicable security fees and of course a great view of the city.

www.continental.com

8/28/2007 8:58:36 AM UTC    Comments 

Marina Mandarin Singapore will be introducing a new level of comfort with the Executive Deluxe Rooms and Suites on 4 September 2007 aimed at business travellers.

160 rooms and suites formerly tagged in the Deluxe Category will be given a makeover to complete the transformation into the new Executive Deluxe Rooms and Suites.

Rooms will have new upholstery and fixtures include, a 32-inch flat screen television, a larger work desk and an ergonomic work chair and 6 hours of complimentary broadband Internet access to keep in touch with work and loved ones.

Mr. Tony Cousens, General Manager of the Marina Mandarin said, “In the face of growing demand for rooms in the hospitality industry, our guests’ expectations of service and product offerings are also increasing in tandem. Thus, the introduction of the enhanced Executive Deluxe Rooms will not only provide the added edge to our 5-star quality of offering, but also bridge the gap between our ‘Economy Class’ Deluxe rooms and ‘Business Class’ Premier rooms. The opportunity to add variety to our product offerings will provide more options for the consumers.”

www.meritus-hotels.com

8/28/2007 8:44:12 AM UTC    Comments 

Virgin Blue and its three year old New Zealand subsidiary Pacific Blue are gearing up to launch a new domestic airline for New Zealand in November, with fares from NZ$39.00.

Initially the carrier will fly on New Zealand’s key trunk routes Auckland-Wellington (5 daily return), Auckland-Christchurch (2 daily return) and Wellington-Christchurch (3 daily return) from 15 November 2007.

The internal flights will complement Pacific Blue’s existing international services, providing convenient connections from within New Zealand to Australia, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

www.virginblue.com www.flypacificblue.com

8/23/2007 8:58:47 AM UTC    Comments 

After three years of extensive renovations and revitalization, LaSource, a luxury spa resort, is set to open its doors on December 15, 2007.

Nestled along Pink Gin Beach on the Spice Island of Grenada, LaSource with just 100 rooms offers a personalised first-class, all-inclusive holiday experience that combines the best of an active holiday with a relaxed spa retreat.

Guests can enjoy a variety of land and water sports, which include snorkelling, waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, ocean kayaking and hydro-boarding. Certified divers are entitled to one complimentary dive per day during their stay.

Land activities include tennis, archery, fencing, aerobics and stretch classes and a nine-hole, par three executive golf course. LaSource also offers a range of holistic activities such as yoga, Tai’Chi and meditation.

To complement the holistic nature of the resort, Cuisine LaSource is globally influenced and designed for healthier eating without sacrificing flavour. There are buffet and a la carte dining options in the Garden Restaurant, the Great House Restaurant and Oscar's Beach Restaurant.  LaSource has three bars – The Terrace Bar, Beach Bar or Piano Bar – for a pre-dinner cocktail or evening nightcap.

www.theamazingholiday.com

8/22/2007 4:18:07 PM UTC    Comments 

Hertz has expanded its Green Collection of rental vehicles in the USA, to now offer almost 35,000 cars at 50 major airports.

For every vehicle rented from the Green Collection in America prior to 13 June 2008, Hertz will contribute US$1 to the National Park foundation.

www.hertz.com

8/22/2007 9:23:33 AM UTC    Comments 

The 92 room, 5-star Mövenpick Resort Bodrum in Turkey, located in the hill top location of Bitez and offering breathtaking views of Gumbet Bay and the Aegean Sea, has opened its doors following an 18 month construction process at a cost of US$12 million. The hotel is only a ten-minute drive from the centre of Bodrum and a thirty minute transfer from Milas-Bodrum airport.

Created in a stylish Mediterranean using the colours and characteristics of Bodrum, the emphasis has been placed on individuality and privacy and a chill out atmosphere.

A range of leisure facilities are available within the resort, including two outdoor pools, one indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a wellness centre. The wellness centre offers a Turkish bath (hammam), sauna and treatments such as Thai, Shiatsu, anti-stress, sports and deep tissue massages, aromatherapy and hot stone therapy.

A business centre is also available and offers three rooms ideal for conferences and banquets for up to 100 people. State-of-the-art AV equipment also complements the hotel's in-room wireless LAN connectivity to offer business delegates the complete support package they need.

The new resort is a member of Great Hotels of the World's niche luxury romantic and business & incentive travel collections.

www.moevenpick.com

8/22/2007 9:17:19 AM UTC    Comments 

Hong Kong Express Airways is to launch flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok. Set to commence in early September, the new service will be the second of three scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Thailand that Hong Kong Express Airways will operate before the end of the year, Chiang Mai having been launched in June 2006.

Commenting on the new service, Hong Kong Express Airways President Mr. Guo said, “While we await the liberalisation of routes to promising mainland China markets, we decided to diversify our fleet capacity to popular points in South East Asia. As well as offering more options to passengers flying from Hong Kong, the introduction of flights to Bangkok and other destinations we plan to unveil over the coming few months will also create a network of connecting traffic from our existing mainland routes.”

Hong Kong Express Airways will expand its regional route offering with an additional five routes presently being planned for introduction later this year, which will include the airline’s third route between Hong Kong and Thailand – Phuket

www.hongkongexpress.com

8/22/2007 9:03:23 AM UTC    Comments 

In an effort to curb pollution in the build up to the Olympic games China has experimented by pulling 1.3 million cars off the streets of Beijing each day over a four day period in an effort to reduce emissions by 40%.

Experts said the air quality during the test was rated as ‘fairly good’. During the test 200,000 extra people used the city’s subway system.

It is also hoped that pollution and congestion in Olympic City will be eased further by the availability of 50,000 bicycles for rent at 230 outlets close to subway stations, commercial districts, Olympic venues, hotels and office buildings as well as in big communities.

Beijing Bicycle Rental Services has so far put 5,000 bikes for rent at 30 franchise outlets. Bicycles can be hired at one outlet and dropped off at another.  

8/21/2007 8:46:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Accor has opened its 20^th hotel in China, the Sofitel Wanda Beijing. The hotel is located on Jianguo Road between The World Trade Centre and Dawang Bridge with easy access to the China International Exhibition Centre, the city subway, major attractions and is only 30 minutes via airport expressway to Beijing Capital International Airport.

The 27-storey Sofitel Wanda Beijing has 417 rooms and suites, including 63 Club Sofitel rooms and a dedicated Club Sofitel executive lounge.

Business travellers are well catered for with free wireless broadband, an executive desk and top loading depository safe in every room as well as comprehensive business services.

There are Special Opening Packages where guests can enjoy Club Sofitel benefits when they book a Deluxe Premium Room and are valid until 30 November 2007, subject to 15% service charge.

www.accor.com

8/21/2007 8:20:09 AM UTC    Comments