International Travel

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in close collaboration with private sector has introduced a sustainable hotel accommodation classification system that features online facility.

According to the joint survey conducted by ALTM (Asia luxury travel market) and TTG Asia (Asia’s travel trade newspaper) over a period of 2 months in quarter one of 2010, the numero uno luxury travel destination goes to Asia.

Marriott International, a global hospitality chain and legendary hotelier, Ian Schrager after having entered into a partnership has now unveiled a new brand known as ‘EDITION’ Hotels.

Hong Kong witnessed 40,938 Indian visitor arrivals for the period between January and March this year.

Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines in a bid to encourage tourism to Phuket has now launched an array of new destination travel packages and promotional campaigns, including the ability to book tickets through mobile phones.

Golden Tulip Hospitality Group, the global hospitality chain has opened a brand new resort in Phuket, Thailand.

Dubai’s tourism sector continues to boom as it records the highest occupancy figures and revenues worldwide for the first 4 four months of 2010, compared to the same period last year.

World’s largest lodging franchisor, Choice Hotels International continues to expand its footprint with the establishment of 24 newly-opened franchised properties during the month of May.

India’s Jet Airways that operates over 400 flights daily to 67 destinations worldwide has carried 8.69 lakh revenue passengers in the month of May,

Malaysia that continues to be a hot favourite destination among travellers has targeted to improve its position to be within the top 10, in terms of global tourism receipts by 2015.

LaTour Hotels and Resorts, which offers personalized hospitality management services for four and five-star properties worldwide has joined hands with Tri-Asia,

Great Britain’s tourist board have launched a campaign ‘The Visa-Ability Campaign’ to insist the UK government to relax Visa norms for Indian travellers.

Dubai’s Emirates Airlines has ordered an additional 32 A380 aircrafts from Airbus taking the total firm order to 90 super-jumbos costing $11.5 billion (AED 42.2).

Australia’s low-cost airline Jetstar will be launching daily flight services between Auckland, New Zealand and Singapore in time for the Rugby World Cup, 2011.

Brahmaputra Grand Canyon in Tibetan valley, world’s largest canyon will now be kept open to all the international tourists and will be further developed.

Middle East’s Air Arabia and Tantash Group, an Amman-based diversified investment company active in the travel sector have signed a Joint Venture (JV)

The much anticipated ‘One & Only The Palm’ in Dubai will finally open its doors in October.

According to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the country witnessed 35, 213 foreign visitors in the month of May.

Australian low-cost airline Jetstar has become the first airline to offer its passengers, the access to iPads for in-flight entertainment.

Malaysia’s low-cost carrier, AirAsia X will introduce daily direct flights between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur from August 4.

Costa Cruises, one of the most popular cruise liners in Asia, Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific has now entered into a new agreement with Starboard Cruise Services, Inc.

Middle East’s major airline, Emirates will start operating its second daily A380 service between London and Dubai from June 15th.

Damascus, the capital of Syria and a home to many historical sites has now got 11 brand new heritage hotels.

Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul will soon get an underwater seven-star hotel.

Qatar’s hospitality market will get a major boost up as a total of 4,689 new hotel rooms are expected to be added during this year.

Rezidor Hotel Group, a global hotel management company has decided to rename its mid-market brand Park Inn to ‘Park Inn by Radisson’.

Emirates airlines , an official airline of the 2010 FIFA world cup , has decided to operate extra flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg on July 12 and 13 following high demand for flights to South Africa

Thailand-based hospitality consultant, Mai-BS has launched a new internet- based hotel and resort directory for Southeast Asia.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in order to attract visitors from Japan has now launched the Japanese version of its consumer website www.visitabudhabi.ae.

Bangkok’s well-renowned ‘Chaophya Park Hotel & Resort’ has won the first-ever Skal Asia Ecotourism Award 2010.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hotel companies that has partnered with Nurol Insaat ve Ticaret A.S will be launching the Sheraton Batumi Hotel in Georgia.

Middle East’s Action Hotels will open a brand new Holiday Inn hotel in Seeb, Oman by December 2011.

Hilton Worldwide , the global hotel chain has opened its first Garden Inn hotel in Turkey. Hilton Garden Inn Kutahya that has been constructed at a whooping cost of $ 25 million

The City Lodge Hotels Group that operates a chain of hotels in and around South Africa has recently opened 2 new hotels in Pretoria and Bloemfontein respectively.

Global hotel chain, Tune Hotels.com has launched its latest property in the Kota Damansara township of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Tune Hotel Kota Damansara is the ninth hotel to open since Tune Hotels.com launched its first in 2007.

Luxury hotelier Elisabetta Gucci is planning to open 40 hotels in the Middle East, Far East and South America within a span of 15 years

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong have collaborated in order to increase the number of tourist arrivals in both countries and will be seen actively taking part in each other's cultural events.

Singapore, the top tourism destination among international visitors has been witnessing a major tourist influx in the past recent years.

Germany’s biggest airline, Lufthansa will resume flights to the Colombian capital, Bogotá from October 31st.

Accor, European leader in hotels and tourism has launched a new online search engine and booking system for the Group’s hotel brands.

Hilton Worldwide, a global hospitality company has launched ‘Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk’ which happens to be largest hotel in Asia Pacific.

Thailand's leading domestic hotel management company, Amari will launch a new hotel property ‘Amari Residences Bangkok’ in September.

Middle East’s major airline Emirates Airline has tied up with Armani Hotel Dubai and The Address Downtown Dubai to offer its First and Business Class passengers flying to or via Dubai, who hold a valid return ticket, complimentary hotel stays.

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates will begin flying its A380 aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia everyday from June 1st, following the super jumbo’s successful foray into the market in the month of February.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of UAE has expanded its Iraq network by launching a new service to the northern city of Erbil following the successful launch of a service to Baghdad in April.

Asia Pacific’s leading hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has unveiled a new global brand campaign entitled “It’s in our nature,” that reflects the group’s unique philosophy of hospitality during the past 4 decades.

Tourism Australia launched a new global tourism campaign on May 31st with the punch line-‘There’s nothing like Australia’ featuring personal holiday experience recommendations of the Australian people.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will set up a new hotel in Lhasa, Tibet in 2012.

Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline has launched over 100 free online travel guides on its website

The Royal Group, a premier investment and development company in Cambodia will be developing Asia’s first environmentally planned resort island.