Millennium & Copthorne’s FGR (Frequent Guest Recognition) Club members can now accumulate FGR points with every qualified stay at any M & C participating hotel. Members can use the points earned, towards complimentary stays, room upgrades, F & B voucher redemptions and more.

Offered in two tiers - FGR Classic and FGR Gold - the FGR Gold member enjoys additional complimentary privileges and benefits including complimentary Broadband access with every stay.

Other FGR Gold benefits and privileges include welcome beverage, express check-in, early check-in and late check-out, best available room upon arrival, upgrades as well as birthday and special occasion celebratory treats.

www.millenniumhotels.com

6/1/2008 4:30:29 PM UTC     

bmi is testing an innovative new paperless boarding system, allowing customers checking in online for bmi flights to have their boarding pass delivered electronically to their mobile phone or PDA (personal digital assistant).

The new paper-free system will deliver a two-dimensional barcode boarding pass to mobile phones with picture messaging (MMS) capabilities. The service is part of bmi’s commitment to reducing time spent at the airport and will assist in maintaining its position as one of the UK’s most punctual airlines.

Peter Spencer, managing director of bmi, said, “bmi’s new paperless boarding system is a significant step forward and will offer customers the opportunity to bypass check-in processes at the airport. Customers who check in online can have a boarding pass delivered straight to their mobile phone allowing them to proceed straight to security or to bmi’s fast bag drop stations if they have luggage to check-in.”

bmi’s new mobile check-in service will initially be launched on services from London Heathrow to Edinburgh and Manchester (one way) and from Belfast City to London Heathrow (return), with plans to roll the system out to more destinations on the airline’s network soon after.

www.flybmi.com

6/1/2008 4:16:46 PM UTC     

Spa trends are evolving as quickly as changes in the fashion industry.  In 2005 it was stylish to have LaStone therapy, 2006 was the time for caviar facials and 2007 saw the launch of gold treatments.  This year Orient-Express Hotels has identified a new trend in its spas around the world and declares 2008 ‘The Year of the Poultice’!

The practice of applying poultices to the body dates back to medieval times, where it was used to achieve medical results in curing injuries.  Poultices were made of a moist material like mud, mixed with a healing ingredient such as herbs or oils.  Over the years, they have become more sophisticated, with the herbal mixture enveloped in a muslin bag and steamed, and sometimes combined with ancient therapies and products to create a relaxing and effective spa treatment.

“The poultice massage is incredibly effective due to the synergy of therapeutic techniques administered during a treatment.  Moist penetrating heat, detoxifying bio-available herbs, energising essential oils and Thai Meridian point massage combine to create an intoxicating experience.  The muscles are softened, the breath moves freely, the mind is relaxed and the entire body feels cleansed and rejuvenated,” says Jenny Ferrand, spa director at The Inn at Perry Cabin, USA.

www.orient-express.com

5/26/2008 5:57:08 AM UTC     

Titan Travel, the award-winning tour operator of quality escorted tours, is building on the success of its VIP Home Departure Service, to launch a new luxury private transfer vehicle service for business and leisure travellers across England and Wales, using a fleet of over 150 VW Caravelle people carriers. Each air-conditioned vehicle will carry a maximum of six passengers from their front door to their destination.

The service is predominantly aimed at travellers needing transport to and from airports and ports and through monitoring all flights, clients will be met by a uniformed driver in the airport arrivals hall, or for cruises passengers at the UK dock of their choice.

The service can be arranged from any location in England and Wales and is exclusive to each booking, so they will not pick up any other passengers en route.

www.titanprivatehire.co.uk

5/26/2008 5:55:39 AM UTC     

Etihad Airways has opened a new dedicated business class lounge at its Abu Dhabi airport home base which offers the airline’s business class customers a wealth of state-of-the-art relaxation and entertainment facilities in addition to around-the-clock dining.

The new Terminal 1 business class lounge follows the opening in January of a separate new lounge dedicated to first class customers and is part of a major overhaul of Etihad’s premium customer experience at Abu Dhabi airport.

The new business class lounge includes a Wi-Fi area, library, relaxation zone, well-being spa, hi-tech electronic games room, smoker’s lounge and gallery showcasing work by local Arab artists.

www.etihadairways.com

5/26/2008 5:53:57 AM UTC     

Kempinski has opened a new hotel in China. The Kempinski Hotel Suzhou is set amidst a large estate, which encompasses a 27-hole Jinji Lake International Golf Course and a state guesthouse of five villas. The hotel is surrounded by the stunning scenery of Dushu and Jinji Lake, and is located 150 km from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport and 90 km from Hongqiao Airport.

The hotel features 381 rooms and 77 suites on 21 storeys, most of them overlooking either the lakes or the golf course. All rooms offer modern amenities and necessities for business travellers; wireless LAN is available throughout the property. The meetings and banqueting facilities include one of the largest grand ballrooms in Suzhou covering 1,850 m2 and catering for up to 1,600 guests, eight meeting rooms starting from 100 m2 in size, and a state-of-the-art business centre.

From 1 June to 31 August 2008, guests can enjoy a deluxe room for single or double occupancy, including breakfast, at a special opening rate of RMB 1288 (£94.00) + 15% per room, per night, subject to availability.

www.kempinski.com

5/26/2008 5:47:43 AM UTC     

Emirates Airline has launched Business Rewards, an innovative new rewards programme tailor-made for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE that will be rolled out in other markets soon.

An online-based programme, Business Rewards offers SMEs the opportunity to benefit from employee flights. Each time a registered employee books their Emirates flight through Business Rewards, the business earns Business Rewards Miles while the individual traveller continues to earn their Miles from Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer programme. The company can then redeem accumulated Business Rewards Miles against future flights.

Keith Longstaff, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide said, “Business Rewards is a result of months of research and planning, to understand what our SME customers want in a reward programme, and how we can transact and add value to them in an online environment. We believe the SME community in the UAE will embrace Business Rewards, and we look forward to introducing the programme to other markets in the coming months.”

In addition to reward miles, Emirates’ Business Rewards programme also provides a convenient online portal for administrators in SMEs to manage employee travel on Emirates Airline. The company must register with Business Rewards in the country where it is located, but it can accumulate Miles for travel undertaken by employees at all their branches into one central account.

www.emirates.com

5/26/2008 5:38:09 AM UTC     

Singapore Airlines is to add an additional A380 service on the Singapore-London route on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays bringing the number of Singapore Airlines A380 flights between the two cities to 11 times.

The new service between will take effect from 16 July 2008. However, there will be a temporary break when the aircraft will be deployed to Beijing for a week, to cater for increased demand in the lead-up to the start of the Olympic Games.

www.singaporeair.com

5/26/2008 5:23:21 AM UTC     

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has just launched their new website. It is precisely tailored to user needs and reflects the upscale image of the international hotel group with Swiss roots. User friendliness, regular updates, information content, clarity of presentation and design were the most important criteria for the re-launch.

The welcome page provides space for special offers and with a new look and feel, the individual hotels present themselves through more and larger images and comprehensive information. The online reservation process is much easier and faster: prospective guests can now book their rooms in just five simple steps. In line with the new website, the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts newsletter also appears in a new outfit.

“The re-launch of our website is a vital e-marketing measure”, explains Steven Nikolov, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. “Our website is becoming increasingly important. www.moevenpick-hotels.com visitor numbers are soaring year after year and it is already our strongest electronic booking channel.”

www.moevenpick-hotels.com

5/26/2008 5:07:50 AM UTC     

Carlson Hotels Worldwide has launched a “points to go” promotion. From June 1 through August 31, 2008, both current and new goldpoints plus members can earn up to 100,000 bonus points at all Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn, with more than 990 hotels located in 71 countries.

In addition to the standard Gold Points earned with each stay (earnings range from 15 points or 20 points per U.S. Dollar/Euro for stays); guests will receive bonus Gold Points during this promotion as follows:

- Stay five nights, earn 5,000 bonus points
- Stay 10 nights, earn 10,000 bonus points
- Stay 15 nights, earn 25,000 bonus points
- Stay 20 nights, earn 50,000 bonus points
- Stay 25 nights, earn 100,000 bonus points

Rewards examples range from in-room movies, laundry service to four nights in Paris or six nights in Chicago.

Members may also choose to donate points to the World Childhood Foundation or CarbonNeutral.

www.carlson.com

5/26/2008 4:59:31 AM UTC     

Passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport can enjoy free Wi-Fi access from June 1.

www.abudhabiairport.ae

5/26/2008 4:55:52 AM UTC     

For the first time in 10 years, a new low-cost scheduled transatlantic air service between any European airport and Fort Lauderdale, took off today (Thursday). Zoom Airlines’ inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale took off at almost full capacity with 241 passengers onboard revolutionising air travel to one of the most popular US summer holiday destinations.

The service will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays with fares starting from as low as £299 return including all taxes and charges. The commencement of this new route confirms Zoom’s position as being the leading low-fare airline across the Atlantic.

Launching the service today (Thursday), Jonathan Hinkles, Managing Director of Zoom UK said: “We are delighted to be launching the start of the London to Fort Lauderdale service which has proved extremely popular with not only the UK, but the European travelling public. What’s appealing is that all our flights are high standard at low-cost and offer a full scheduled service onboard with economy and premium economy seating available.

Zoom operates an ‘easyJet-style’ booking service with flexible one-way fares and the flights offer Economy and Premium Economy services with allocated seating, meals and soft drinks included in the fare in all cabins, and an enhanced service available in the Premium Economy cabin.

Zoom’s new service from London Gatwick to San Diego will commence next month.

www.flyzoom.com

5/22/2008 10:56:56 AM UTC     

OpenSkies, the new transatlantic airline from British Airways, will take flight on June 19th, the airline announced today.  Tickets for premium flights between Paris and New York on OpenSkies will go on sale this Thursday, May 22nd, Bookings can also be made through travel agents, all British Airways channels including the BA.com website, and via the OpenSkies Concierge Desk - featuring personalized services available to all customers commencing with the purchase of their ticket and throughout their journey.

With no more than 82 passengers on each flight, OpenSkies will offer a unique travel experience between Paris’ Orly Airport and New York’s JFK Airport.  The company’s simplified pricing approach is designed to provide true value for money compared with what has been traditionally offered by the long-time incumbent carriers operating on the Paris-New York route.  OpenSkies will feature three cabins:  Biz, a business class service featuring the only fully lie-flat beds in that market will be offered at prices starting at EUR2269 roundtrip; Prem+, a completely new service category featuring reclining seats with a 52” pitch will be offered from EUR1159 roundtrip; and economy, featuring a cabin containing only thirty seats that will be offered at prices beginning at EUR830 roundtrip.  Prices include fuel, insurance and security surcharges and have limited availability but require only seven days advance purchase.

OpenSkies will initially operate one daily round-trip flight on a fuel-efficient Boeing 757.  A second Boeing 757 is scheduled to join OpenSkies later this year from the British Airways fleet and it is planned that there will be six OpenSkies aircraft in total by the end of 2009.  OpenSkies plans to serve additional routes from European cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Milan to New York.  
OpenSkies received approval to begin operations from the U.S. Department of Transportation last week.  It is the first airline created as a result of the Open Skies agreement, which allows airlines to fly between any U.S. and E.U. destination.

www.flyopenskies.com.

5/22/2008 4:45:05 AM UTC     

The lives of travelling Brits just got easier. Aer Arann’s new website makes flight bookings quick, simple and crystal-clear.

One of Europe’s fastest growing regional airlines, Aer Arann has simplified its previous five step booking process into an easy three steps with no hidden costs. Hopeful travellers booking through other online providers are forced to click through several pages of additional expenses while watching flights double and triple in price. Aer Arann customers can select and book their flights without all that hassle and uncertainty.

“A lack of price transparency is too often practiced in the airline industry, much to the displeasure of hopeful passengers,” says Colin Lewis, Head of Sales and Marketing at Aer Arann. “Our new website has no unexpected charges.  What our customers see is exactly what they pay – tax, luggage and check-in included.” 

Aer Arann’s website has no price add-ons or click-throughs. The full cost of the ticket is reflected in the first and only total, making bookings user-friendly and fully price transparent. Future travellers need only enter their origin and destination and click once to see their truthful flight costs. No hidden fees, no click-throughs and no scrolling required.

www.aerarann.com

5/22/2008 4:44:07 AM UTC     

Taking care of guests is something that has always been fundamental to Hyatt. With this in mind they have now taken the next step in customer care by extending it to the health and physical welfare of their guests.

Hyatt has enlisted the help of Brazilian Nutritionist Patricia Teixeira, who has counselled international football stars at clubs in France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. She has created an exclusive range of nutrition-based healthy juices and smoothies made exclusively for the luxurious hotel chain, which are now available at the sumptuous Park Hyatt’s in Dubai, Paris and Moscow.

In recent weeks, a survey of 9,000 people emerged to highlight vast variations in attitudes towards food and weight. This survey suggested that the UK is the country most attached to fast food, closely followed by the United States, and 40% of UK citizens felt that this is due to the lack of good, nutritious food that is readily available to them.

Many people are becoming more aware of the food they are eating, but even the people that are trying to eat more healthily still have many bad habits. This can have a menacing affect on both body and mind, causing nutritional imbalance which can lead to headaches and general irritability, and also lead the body’s immune system to breakdown, allowing for a greater likelihood of cold and flu.

Malene Rydahl, Director of Public Relations for Europe, Africa and Middle East at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, says, ‘We are delighted to have Patricia on board. It is important to us that our guests feel as well looked after as possible in all our hotels, and this is a great way to show our dedication to their wellbeing’. This is not just a temporary ‘health fix’ however. Detailed menus have been created, openly sharing all information with guests to encourage guests to continue to keep an eye on their consumption. These menus include the exact ingredients of each smoothie, Patricia’s comments about them, their nutritional value, information on the best time to drink them, and even details of how to make them and what they do to your body.

5/22/2008 4:42:47 AM UTC     

Qatar Airways has announced an increase in capacity on the Doha – Bahrain route with the addition of five flights a week, beginning June 1. The new early evening departures from the Bahraini capital Manama offer excellent connections via Qatar Airways’ operational hub of Doha to a host of cities across the airline’s global network covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Indian subcontinent and North America.
 
Addressing Bahrain-based media in Manama, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the extra capacity would be a great boost for the travelling public from the Gulf state to cities around the world. “The addition of five new flights each week increases capacity between the two Gulf capitals from 42 to 47 flights a week and ensures the route only goes from strength to strength,” he said.
 
From November this year, Qatar Airways takes delivery of the first of its Long Range version Boeing 777-200 aircraft, capable of flying to virtually any key city in the world non-stop from Doha. The first Boeing 777-200 will be introduced on the Doha – Houston route from November 10 with a non-stop flying time of 17 hours.
 

5/22/2008 4:38:30 AM UTC     

Air Mauritius is delighted to announce the launch of its new business class product across all of its UK routes. The new offering includes lie-flat cocoon seats which offer guests a 60-inch seat pitch and a recline capacity of 172 degrees. The front cabin of each aircraft departing from the UK will be equipped with 34 of these state-of-the-art business seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration.

Also new to Air Mauritius, Audio & Video on Demand (AVOD) will now be standard in both the new business class and economy on all flights from the UK, allowing passengers to view 50 digital-quality, multi-language video options together with a vast library of CDs.

Iqbal Bhayat, Air Mauritius Regional Manager UK & Ireland, commented: “We are a proud ambassador of Mauritius and believe that our new business class design will let our passengers experience our passion for the island first hand from the moment they step on board. “The unveiling of our new business class, enhanced by exquisite attention to detail and service excellence, reinforces our commitment to the provision of exemplary service for all of our passengers flying from the UK.”

New Air Mauritius economy cabins will also feature new generation seats allowing for extra personal space, in addition to a superior food and beverage service.

The new two-class configuration will be rolled out across the whole Air Mauritius fleet on July 1 2008, with the cabins featuring a fresh layout including exotic décor inspired by the tropical flora and fauna of the island allowing passengers to truly experience Mauritius.

5/21/2008 12:50:39 AM UTC     

Park Plaza Riverbank London has a sizzling summer package for those wanting to while away a weekend by the Thames this August Bank Holiday (22-24 August).

With some of London’s most popular attractions and iconic landmarks close by, Park Plaza Riverbank is located on the Albert Embankment, the perfect base for a long weekend break. Culture vultures can take a trip to the Tate Britain across the river from the hotel or marvel at the architecture of the Houses of Parliament and the iconic clock tower, while the London Eye and Aquarium are just a stroll away along the vibrant South Bank with its exciting shops and restaurants.

For guests who prefer a lazier weekend experience, the hotel’s Chino Latino Brasserie, Bar and Lounge is the place to be where you can sip cocktails or dine on Pan-Asian cuisine in an upbeat glamorous surrounding. Guests can enjoy their modern and stylish guest room and make full use of the facilities at Park Plaza Riverbank, including the fitness suite. Prices start at just £89 per room per night (room only, excluding VAT).

www.parkplazariverbank.com

5/21/2008 12:44:22 AM UTC     

National Express Dot2Dot, London’s first large scale airport transfer provider has expanded its service further with a dedicated door-to-door transfer service between London King’s Cross and Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Working alongside the UK’s leading intercity train service, National Express East Coast, Dot2Dot is making the journey to the airport simpler.

With a single ticket to Heathrow costing only £22.00 the cost is around half that of a taxi, with further discounts available for group bookings. Operating as an on demand service, passengers who arrive in Kings Cross Station can travel directly across the city to Heathrow Airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Passengers are required to book at least two hours in advance.

The new Dot2Dot Kings Cross service has been announced following Dot2Dot’s recent successful expansions. In the last six weeks alone Dot2Dot has extended its services to include Terminal 5, residential and business addresses across Canary Wharf as well as hotels, and has expanded the dedicated Gatwick service to operate around the clock.

www.dot2.com

5/20/2008 5:48:35 AM UTC     

The Terrace at Conrad, Chicago’s premier al fresco dining experience, will reopen this month and is tipped to be the city’s new hot spot. This season, the Terrace at the Conrad Chicago offers guests refreshing spirits from the exclusive ‘Bubble Bar,’ which provides effervescent blended alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including several trendy new bubble teas. Also new at The Terrace this season is Executive Chef Zafar’s StaxX menu: an innovative menu bringing dinner to new heights by stacking multiple meal selections in separate eco-chic bamboo steamers.

The Bubble Bar, a new addition to The Terrace at Conrad’s full bar, includes several varieties of bubble tea, a beverage of Taiwanese origin that is quickly rising to fame in North America, which combines a tea (usually black or green) with a variety of fruit juices, ice, pulp and occasionally milk. In addition to bubble tea, the bar offers several blended mixtures of fresh fruit juices and purees, syrup, shaved ice, spirits (optional), creating a smooth and refreshing cocktail. The distinctive garnishes of all the Bubble Bar drinks are homemade tapioca pearls, which create the necessary “bubbling” effect. The current Bubble Bar menu, which will expand throughout the summer, features selections like mango delight with mango puree, complemented with fresh squeezed citruses and rum; and the sinister framboise with sweet raspberry puree, fresh lime juice and vodka.

www.conradhotels.com.

5/19/2008 7:43:05 AM UTC     

Oman Air said it has resumed its commercial flights to the Lebanese Rafik Hariri International Airport, with the first flight that operated on Sunday 18th May 2008.
 
A spokes person stated that the national carrier of The Sultanate of Oman has been assessing the circumstances on a daily basis and is at this stage, content that resuming flights, as affirmed by the company’s security and operational specialists, is completely safe. The flights will operate on daily basis, and Oman Air office in the Lebanese capital is open for booking. Corporate Communications & Media of Oman Air notified that Oman Air has brought it operations to Beirut to a standstill on May 7 2008 due to the unstable circumstances, which the sisterly Lebanese Republic was going through, and for the safety of our valued passengers.

5/19/2008 7:42:13 AM UTC     

Aegean Airlines celebrated its inaugural flight between Stansted and Athens on the 15th May by welcoming passengers with champagne, gifts and a party atmosphere.

The introduction of the twice-daily, year round service between Stansted and Athens provides passengers with a real alternative for their travel to Greece. Aegean Airlines, Greece’s fastest growing full-service airline, is providing its customers with a premium 2 cabin service and in-flight catering.

Prices on Aegean’s route to Athens start from just £67 one way, including taxes. Aegean Airlines flies to 12 international destinations (London, Larnaca, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Rome, Milan, Sofia, Bucharest, Cairo and Tirana) and 17 Greek destinations (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Mytilene, Chios, Alexandroupolis, Mykonos, Santorini, Kavala, Limnos, Corfu, Ioannina and Kefalonia)

www.aegeanair.com

5/19/2008 7:41:12 AM UTC     

The W Istanbul has celebrated its grand opening.  The hotel features 134 luxurious guest rooms, including 26 suites, the signature W Living Room experience, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Spice Market restaurant, and a signature spa.

Located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, known for its destination restaurants, bars and cafes, the W Istanbul will be in close proximity to the Bosphorus Strait and Nisantasi, the SoHo of Istanbul. The hotel will also be a stone's throw away from the Museum of Painting and Sculpture and a short drive to the Old City, the Blue Mosque and the Istanbul Modern art museum.

www.starwoodhotels.com   

5/18/2008 6:15:08 AM UTC     

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is re-launching its conference and meetings product, Meetings@. The initiative, first introduced to the market in 2005, has already contributed to a 10% rise year on year in the group’s meeting and event revenue, but in 2008 is being evolved to stay in tune with the changing needs of the meeting planner.

The refreshed Meetings@ will continue to follow the same principals of, attention to detail, fresh and innovative food, and a consistent complete meetings product, throughout the group’s four and five star properties. The re-launch includes additional facilities in meeting rooms, enhanced customer service, and crucially, closer liaison with meeting planners, ensuring Meetings@ remains in sync with their needs.

“Meetings@ was a tremendous success when it was launched and whilst it was proving to be very popular, we were conscious that we couldn’t let it become tired in what is a very competitive market place. This investment has shaken the cobwebs away and enabled us to not only enhance our core product but reinvigorate the passion in our teams,” comments Andrew Watson, Senior Marketing Manager at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. “Meetings@ is a seal of quality that meeting planners can trust, wherever they book in the UK.”

www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk

5/18/2008 6:10:14 AM UTC     

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional low cost airline, today announces it has implemented a further three new Interline e-ticket partnerships, namely with Korean Air, US Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Unique in the low cost environment, today’s news brings the total of Flybe's Interline e-ticket partners to 11, now including an impressive list of names that also includes American Airlines, British Airways, bmi, Brussels Airlines, Emirates, Northwest, TAP and Virgin Atlantic.

Stephen Hobday, Flybe’s Head of Sales, says: “Our continued pursuit and implementation of interline e-ticket projects endorses Flybe’s commitment to increasing our interline partnerships.  It also enables our travel trade partners to issue more tickets to an even greater number of destination options and demonstrates our determination to expanding and strengthening our connecting route network.”
 
Flying from more UK airports that any other airline – and with a core network of 170 domestic and regional European routes - Flybe offers frequent, affordable and convenient regional connections into London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

This, enabled by its new Interline e-ticket partnerships, offers Flybe’s business and leisure passengers increased choice to an even wider range of worldwide destinations. This has been further enhanced by the airline’s growth into European city airports over the past 12 months, attracting new partners to the Flybe interline portfolio and offering additional connections through Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam and Milan.

www.flybe.com

5/18/2008 6:07:27 AM UTC     

Ryanair announced the launch of Ryanairvillas.com, which will give property owners the chance to advertise holiday rentals on Europe’s largest travel site. In partnership with Web Reservations International, Ryanairvillas.com will afford property owners the chance to create and publish their own advertisements, including photos, maps and property descriptions, while providing the necessary online tools to manage booking enquiries.

Ryanair’s Sinead Finn said: “Ryanairvillas.com gives property owners an unrivalled advertising opportunity on Europe’s largest travel website. Property owners now have the chance to promote holiday rentals to Ryanair’s 60 million passengers, while Ryanairvillas’ simple design will enable owners to manage advertising content and booking enquiries at the click of a mouse.

www.ryanair.com

5/18/2008 6:06:04 AM UTC     

Spend a romantic weekend at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore and enjoy some 'Fantastic Packages' to spoil yourself with pampering treatments from the luxurious The Oriental Spa. 

The package includes:

• Two nights accommodation for two persons
• Welcome in-room drink
• Complimentary access to Fitness Studio

Day 1 (for two persons):

• Welcome foot ritual
• Aromatherapy body scrub (25 mins)
• Body massage – Rescue / Reviver / Relax / Refresh (55 mins)

Day 2 (for two persons): 

• Yoga session (60 mins)
• Express facial treatment for ladies (25 mins)
• Reviving foot refresher for gentlemen (25 mins)
• Scalp massage (25 mins)

Rates start from around £250++ and the promotion is valid until 31 December 2008.

www.mandarinoriental.com

5/18/2008 6:04:17 AM UTC     

Enjoy a taste of the Tudor lifestyle featured in “The Other Boleyn Girl” with a break at Bolebroke Castle in Sussex, the hunting lodge where Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn.

This truly memorable break features dinner in Henry VIII’s great hall, overnight accommodation and breakfast. Many ghostly sightings have been reported in the castle including the figure of a headless women thought to be Anne Boleyn. Those who are brave enough can also take part in a castle ghost hunt, dowsing, séances, table tipping and glass divination.

Bolebroke Castle features stunning tapestries depicting scenes from the Tudor period, one of the finest Elizabethan staircases in existence and an exhibition devoted to Henry VIII.

Haunting Breaks is offering a one night stay in this historic building on 1 November from just £140 per person.

www.hauntingbreaks.co.uk

5/18/2008 6:02:03 AM UTC     

Flying from Dubai has just become even simpler for Emirates passengers following the introduction of a new facility at Dubai International Airport.

Emirates passengers can now print their official boarding pass at home or office and if carrying only hand luggage can now bypass check-in and proceed directly through passport control and security to their boarding gate.

Passengers with check-in baggage may also use the facility in conjunction with the "Quick Bag drop" counters.

The eBP was developed by Emirates Airport Services, and has been launched in collaboration with Dubai Police, Immigration and Security.

www.emirates.com

5/18/2008 5:55:21 AM UTC     

Zoom Airlines are to begin new direct flights from London Gatwick to San Diego in June. Zoom will be operating the only direct non-stop air service between Europe and San Diego with twice weekly flights departing on Mondays and Fridays. The service commences on June 20th.

www.flyzoom.com

5/18/2008 5:50:49 AM UTC     

The Conrad Centennial Singapore, a luxury hotel located in the heart of Marina Bay has launched an accommodation package to complement an indulging shopping holiday experience during the Great Singapore Sale (23 May to 20 July 2008), an annual shopping extravaganza offering great discounts and fantastic bargains island wide.

Guests will be able to enjoy a luxurious Classic Room with a selection of complimentary benefits, and at the same time enjoy direct access to some of the city’s most popular shopping malls, including over 1,000 shops in the Suntec City area; Marina Square, a one-stop shopping haven and upscale lifestyle shopping centre, Millenia Walk, located just across the hotel.

The promotion starts from around £115.00++ per night and is also inclusive of buffet breakfast for two persons, daily fruits, a box of gourmet chocolates, 10% off on selected souvenirs at the Gift Shop and two tickets on the Singapore River Cruise (subject to availability).

The offer is valid on weekends, eve of and on public holidays until 20 July 2008.

www.conradhotels.com

5/18/2008 5:49:48 AM UTC     

As a member of Global Hotel Alliance, Pan Pacific is now awarding 500 miles per qualifying stay at all its participating hotels for members of Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Jet Airways JetPrivilege and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

The three additional airline partnerships will bring Pan Pacific’s total airline frequent flyer partnerships to 13.

“The three new partnerships will enlarge our global travel partnership portfolio so that we can reach out to more travellers, who will be able to experience and enjoy the Pan Pacific’s hospitality and luxurious accommodations and be rewarded at the same time. At the same time, our guests who are members of these frequent flyer programmes are able to earn miles with their preferred airlines, thus giving them another reason to stay at Pan Pacific’s hotels and resorts,” said Kevin Croley, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.

www.panpacific.com

5/18/2008 5:47:34 AM UTC     

American Airlines is now offering double AAdvantage miles for passengers who purchase qualifying First Class, Business Class or Economy Class fares for travel between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and London’s Stansted and Heathrow airports.

The offer applies to trips booked and comleted before June 30, 2008.

To participate in this offer, register prior to travel using promotion code NYL08 on American Airline's website.

www.americanairlines.co.uk

5/18/2008 5:46:43 AM UTC     

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has opened its first property on the Indian subcontinent, the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. The hotel’s 33-storey gleaming glass tower has 202 rooms and suites comprise with excellent views of the city skyline, Mahalaxmi Racecourse or the sea through floor to ceiling windows.

The hotel has over 500m2 of indoor meeting and function space, a 24hr Business Centre, concierge services and a fleet of 20 BMW 7-Series limousines. In addition, the top floor “The Club” on the 33rd floor, offers its Members an exclusive selection of meeting and dining venues.

 “It’s a real privilege to be planting the Four Seasons flag in India,” said Armando Kraenzlin, General Manager. “Mumbai is a big opening for the group and the hotel is in an exciting part of town. It sets new standards in the city for luxury and service and is sure to challenge many Western preconceptions of what India has to offer.”

 www.fourseasons.com

5/18/2008 5:44:29 AM UTC     

El Al who is celebrating its 60th anniversary in September has announced the launch of its newly upgraded website www.elal.co.uk, including an express online check-in service for London Heathrow.

One of the most important changes has seen the introduction of a simpler and more flexible and user-friendly booking system, designed to enhance the customer online booking experience. Previously, passengers were only able to see the prices for the flights on their selected dates but in a significant change, the site will now also allow passengers to see prices for preceding and following days all on one simple screen.

The upgrade will be of particular benefit to leisure travellers with flexible dates, as it will now be much quicker and simpler to find the best fares in a single, rather than multiple, search.

In the second big change, London Heathrow airport has become the first airport outside Israel to offer El Al passengers an express online check-in service. The new service will enable passengers to check-in online between three and 24 hours prior to departure, pre-select their seats, print their boarding passes and then proceed straight to the bag drop-off or departure gate security on arrival at the airport.

The new web facility will provide a further huge benefit to passengers using the twice-daily London Heathrow-Tel Aviv service by enabling them to reduce their overall travel time. The move is expected to be particularly welcomed by frequent business travellers using the route but also popular with leisure guests looking to reduce airport waiting times.

www.elal.co.uk

5/18/2008 5:43:23 AM UTC     

Due to the high level of fuel prices, Air France is increasing its fuel surcharge by 2 euros per segment on domestic flights, by 4 euros per segment on medium haul flights and by 10 euros per segment on long-haul flights.

This increase is valid on tickets for trips from France, issued as from 16 May 2008. 

Half of this increase (i.e. 1 euro on domestic flights, 2 euros on medium haul flights and 5 euros on long haul flights) will be withdrawn as soon as the price of the barrel is stabilized over time below 110 US dollars.

The remaining of that increase (i.e. 1 euro on domestic flights, 2 euros on medium haul flights and 5 euros on long haul flights) will be withdrawn as soon as the price of the barrel is stabilized over time below 105 US dollars.

5/16/2008 8:26:05 AM UTC     

Etihad Airways will launch flights on 1 August 2008 from its Abu Dhabi home base to Kozhikode (Calicut) and Chennai (Madras). The airline will operate a daily service to both cities. Flight EY250 will depart Abu Dhabi at 11.35pm and arrive in Kozhikode at 5am the next day. Return flight EY251 will depart Kozhikode at 5.45am arriving in Abu Dhabi at 8am the same day.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “Etihad has made no secret of the fact that it wants to build up its Indian services and looks forward to expand its flying programme to the country with the launch of these two exciting new destinations. “The governments of the UAE and India, and particularly the Department of Transport of Abu Dhabi, deserve great credit for further opening up air links between these two emerging nations and allowing Etihad to grow its services to these developing cities in India.”

The addition of the two new cities brings the number of Indian destinations served by Etihad to six and follows successful bi-lateral talks between the governments of the UAE and India, aimed at further liberalising flying links between the two countries.

5/16/2008 8:25:22 AM UTC     

Virgin Atlantic, announced that it has an amazing seat sale on until the 24 June for Upper Class tickets to selected destinations until December this year.  The fares, from as little as £1099, are available for travel up to and including the 31 December to destinations such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, San Francisco & Los Angeles in the US and Worldwide destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Dubai, Lagos & Nairobi.

Paul Dickinson, Sales & Marketing Director, Virgin Atlantic, said: "Now that the Upper Class passenger journey is better than ever with our new Upper Class Wing at Heathrow, passengers are getting through to our award winning Clubhouse quicker than ever giving them time to relax before their flight, so these Upper Class sale fares on offer for travel throughout the year make the opportunity to fly Upper Class too good to turn down!”

5/16/2008 8:24:27 AM UTC     

OAG (Official Airline Guide), the world’s authority on flight information, today unveiled the shortlist for the 26th OAG Airline Industry Awards. The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 4 June in the opulent art deco setting of The Bloomsbury Ballroom in central London. Boeing is the Awards’ headline sponsor.

A total of 45 different airlines, three more than in 2007, have received nominations in 15 regional and global categories. Leading the field in terms of multiple nominations for 2008 is last year’s “Airline of the Year”, British Airways, which along with Singapore Airlines has six nominations. British Airways and Singapore Airlines, both five times winners of the coveted “Airline of the Year” title, are followed by American Airlines, Ca