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Weekly UpdatesJul 12, 2009
American Tourism Society
The American Tourism Society's Tourism College program held a tourism training session in New York City for students from the German state of Mecklenberg-Vorpommern in advance of its regular program, which will take place during the ATS Annual Conference at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm in Heligendamm, Germany, Oct. 26 to 28. Students from area universities have been invited to attend all activities of the conference. Additionally, ATS industry professionals will teach courses under the auspices of the ATS Tourism College at the University of Rostock, which will be attended by some 200 students from around Mecklenberg-Vorpommern. Jul 7, 2009
Amsterdam
The city of canals has launched one of the largest outdoor Wi-Fi networks in continental Europe. (The UK has a number of outdoor networks that may be as large.) The network is free for residents, and in September will be opened at no cost to people who work or study in the city. Also in September, visitors can pay EUR5 per day for access, although advance-purchase discounted passes are also available as part of a visitors' program. Jul 7, 2009
Auto Europe
Auto Europe, a leader in European car rental services for over 55 years is offering a guaranteed free one-car class upgrade with car rentals in France, Germany, Italy and Israel. For example, in Germany, reserve an economy class, Seat Ibiza, normally USD 249 per week, and receive a guaranteed free upgrade to a compact class, manual transmission Volkswagen Golf, normally USD 277 per week. Reserve the compact class, manual transmission Volkswagen Golf at USD 277 per week and receive a guaranteed free upgrade to an intermediate, manual transmission Audi A3, normally USD 317 per week. This upgrade offer in Germany is valid for reservations now through July 31, 2009, for travel through Sept. 30, 2009. Upgrade offer validity dates, available locations and applicable car categories vary depending upon rental location and are available in select European countries only. Jul 7, 2009
Belfast
BelfastOs rich and often troubled history, its maritime tradition and its intriguing Victorian architecture may prove to be a pulling point for many visitors. But there is no doubt that itOs the cityOs newer attractions, particularly its growing number of shopping venues, which are helping to attract record numbers of tourists to the city. Latest research from Belfast City Council shows an unprecedented 1.7 million people visited the city last year and spent GBP 436.5 million (EUR 507 million) during their stay. The figures show the overall number of visitors to the city rose by just 3 per cent in 2008 [ETH] but the volume of people visiting from outside of Northern Ireland increased by 43 per cent. Jul 8, 2009
Berlin
In a commitment to advance green meetings and sustainable tourism, the Berlin Convention Office (BCO) has launched www.berlin-green-meetings.com, an Internet platform profiling environmentally conscious providers and services, as well as introducing BerlinOs green initiatives and projects. Developed by the BCO in cooperation with Berlin Preferred Agencies, the website lists local service providers who have actively implemented ecologically sustainable measures and are engaging in ecological practices. Divided into 13 categories -- from catering to incoming agency to entertainment to venue -- meeting planners obtain a quick overview of BerlinOs green suppliers, including company profiles and contact information. Jul 6, 2009
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Corporation & plc announced today that the 1,488-passenger Costa Europa, currently operated by its Costa Cruises brand, will join British travel company Thomson Cruises under a 10-year bareboat charter beginning in April 2010. Under the agreement, Thomson has an option to purchase the ship any time after five years. Costa Europa, which joined the Costa fleet in 2002, was one of the first ships to operate on regular cruises in the Arabian Gulf, with departures from Dubai, and the Indian Ocean out of Mauritius. Jul 6, 2009
China, Italy
China and Italy should work together to expand bidirectional flow of tourists amid the current difficulties arising from the financial crisis and global spread of A/H1N1 flu (also called swine flu), a top Chinese tourism official said on Sunday Jul 6, 2009
CIE Tours International
CIE Tours International introduced a new Ireland West With Dromoland Castle or Ashford Castle, six-day/four-night group tour programs, priced from USD 775 land only or from USD 1,215 with airfare from Newark. According to Brian Stack, managing director of CIE, OZeroing in on the scenic west coast of Ireland, this trip is designed for clients who want a quick yet relaxing getaway at a reasonable cost. To top it off with a special experience, we add a stay at deluxe Dromoland Castle or Ashford Castle on the last night.O Jul 9, 2009
European Hotel Review
The five European cities where revPAR (revenue per available room) has fallen least in the past year are all German, according to the latest European Hotel Review for May. The report by hotel consultants STR Global said Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin all fared better in a "tough market" than cities like London and Paris. STR, which with data company Fairmas surveyed 2,245 hotels in Europe, found Cologne fared best with a revPAR drop of only 6.5 percent compared to May 2008. It was followed by Hamburg (7.5 percent), Frankfurt (9.9 percent), Munich (12.3 percent) and Berlin (14 percent). The next five, Salzburg, Zurich, Glasgow, Helsinki and Rome all showed year-on-year drops of between 14.5 percent and 16.3 percent. Jul 9, 2009
Eurostar
Cross-channel train operator Eurostar has reported a 22 percent rise in travellers between London and Amsterdam since full service resumed in February. Eurostar said demand had grown since the channel tunnel fully re-opened following September's fire. The announcement comes as Dutch and Belgian Railways unveiled a new high-speed service between Brussels and Amsterdam. The Fyra high-speed service will connect with Eurostar services at Brussels-Midi than call at Antwerp, Rotterdam and Schiphol on its way to Amsterdam. Eurostar said it expects demand for travel to Amsterdam to continue to grow when the new high-speed link-up begins next year. www.eurostar.com Jul 8, 2009
German Hotels
A fall in average daily rates in German hotels is predicted over the next 24 months by STR Global. The hotel consultants said the drop will be the "main cause of the industry's sluggish performance" in the country. It said in its May 2009 Hotel Forecast report that limited improvements in occupancy will be "offset by the rate declines." In cities like Hamburg and Munich where STR predicts increases in occupancy of 2-3 percent, room rates are forecast to drop by 6-7 percent. The cities expected to be worst hit by rate falls are Dusseldorf, cologne and Hamburg. Jul 6, 2009
Greece
Europe's highest court, the European Court of Justice, has fined Greece 2m euros (USD 2.8m; GBP 1.7m) for failing to recover state aid from Olympic Airways. The case dates back to 2002 and relates to 41m euros of state aid which was given to the airline as part of an unsuccessful restructuring. Since the case began the carrier has been renamed Olympic Airlines. Jul 8, 2009
Greece
Greece's tourism industry has shed more than 19,000 jobs after arrivals at airports dropped by nearly a tenth in the first six months of the year, a trade group said on Tuesday. The country's 13 biggest airports, which account for the bulk of tourism traffic, saw a total of 3.9 million arrivals in the period, down 9.6 percent from last year, said the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE). Jul 7, 2009
Heathrow and Gatwick Express
Heathrow and Gatwick Express have launched the first ever environmentally friendly door-to-door service to and from the airport with Carbon Voyage. Travelers can book a pick up from either their home or office in a Carbon Voyage car and travel to Paddington or Victoria Stations where they will board the express train service to Heathrow or Gatwick Airports. This new integrated service, which is booked online, means customers will only need to make one booking to arrange a Carbon Voyage vehicle and train ticket. Train tickets will be sent electronically to the customers, saving postage and paper. For more information, visit www.carbonvoyage.com. Jul 9, 2009
Hurtigruten
HurtigrutenOs 18-day Greenland-to-New York cruise, departing Sept. 22, will feature Benedicte Ingstad, professor in medical anthropology and daughter of the famed Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad. Ingstad was with her parents, Anne Stine and Helge, on their 1960 expedition to LOanse Aux Meadows in Newfoundland, when they made their groundbreaking historical discovery, excavating what is considered to be the OVinland settlementO of Leif Eriksson from circa AD 1000, or 500 years earlier than Christopher ColumbusO arrived in North America. Through a series of lectures, she will share memories of her familyOs adventures and the story of her fatherOs life as well as show photographic material and unique films. Jul 8, 2009
Isramworld
Isramworld is planning to operate ORussia, A Deluxe Educational Fam ExperienceO to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Nov. 5 to 12. The program is designed to acquaint travel professionals with RussiaOs most famous cities. The program includes roundtrip air from JFK on Air France, deluxe hotel accommodations (three nights in each city), express train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, comprehensive sightseeing, hotel inspections, transfers, breakfast daily and two dinners in each city. Participation is USD 1,556 per person and companions are welcome at a USD 200 supplement. Space is limited and restrictions do apply. For more information or reservations call 800-223-7460, ext. 3, and ask for Laura or Leonora in the Eastern Europe Department. www.isramworld.com. Jul 7, 2009
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