Mobile Edition
Print
Get the Mag
Weekly UpdatesJun 14, 2009
Developing countries, where medical care systems are weak and supplies of antivirals insufficient, will be the frontline of the World Health Organisation's battle against pandemic flu. The new H1N1 virus has caused mainly mild illness among people in rich countries such as Canada and the United States, with most patients recovering without even going to a doctor. But experts fear it could prove far more deadly to poor populations already weakened by malnutrition, chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, or low immunity due to HIV/AIDS. Jun 12, 2009
The World Health Organisation appears ready to declare the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years, after calling an emergency meeting of experts on Thursday to discuss the spreading H1N1 outbreak. There have been 27,737 cases reported in 74 countries to date, including 141 deaths, according to the WHO's latest tally. Jun 11, 2009
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is on the verge of declaring the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years, but wants to ensure countries are well prepared to prevent a panic, its top flu expert said on Tuesday. Keiji Fukuda, acting WHO assistant director-general, voiced concern at the sustained spread of the new H1N1 strain -- including more than 1,000 cases in Australia -- following major outbreaks in North America, where it emerged in April. Confirmed community spread in a second region beyond North America would trigger moving to phase 6 -- signifying a full-blown pandemic -- from the current phase 5 on the WHO's 6-level pandemic alert scale. Jun 9, 2009
Customer satisfaction with hotels remained strong (unchanged at 82.9) but airlines (-1.9 to 75.8) and rental car (-0.3 to 79.0) scores declined in the first quarter of 2009. Mandarin Oriental Hotels, JetBlue Airlines and Enterprise Rent-a-Car ranked number one in hotel, airline and rental car industry customer satisfaction, respectively. Jun 9, 2009
Courtyard
CourtyardOs newest hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii, travelers can now enjoy the value and comfort of the brand in all 50 U.S. states. Courtyard is the first Marriott brand with a property in every state and has grown to more than 830 hotels worldwide. In the U.S., the brand is currently undergoing an extreme makeover by redefining the hotel lobby experience. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by bright, vivid colors and a completely new check-in experience. The latest news, local attractions and directions are available through the lobbyOs GoBoard technology and the standard front desk has been replaced by more intimate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions. The lobby also features enhanced food and beverage service at The Bistro-Eat. Drink. Connect; a 24/7 market for food, drinks and sundries; a variety of flexible seating options; and free Wi-Fi. Nearly 50 hotels currently feature the new Refreshing Business lobby design and another 75 are expected to have it by the end of the year. Already in 28 countries, Courtyard plans to open hotels in nine additional countries by the end of 2010. www.gocourtyard.com. Jun 12, 2009
Cruise West
Cruise West held a launch event for its epic world cruise, OVoyages of the Great Explorers,O at the Explorers Club in New York City on June 3. Chairman and Managing Director Dick West and President and CEO Dietmar Wertanzl presented the concept to more than 70 journalists and travel agents. A grand prize drawing for a suite for one of the voyages was won by Maureen Stevenson, manager of AAA Travel New York City. www.cruisewestagents.com/training. Jun 10, 2009
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., unveiled OSummer Nightastic!,O featuring a new fireworks show; OMagical,O starring Dumbo the flying elephant; Tinker BellOs OPixie MagicO in DisneyOs Electrical Parade; and new characters and special effects in its OFantasmic!O show. Special ticket offers and vacation packages, including the OTwo Nights FreeO (with the purchase of three nights) offer at Disneyland Resort hotels and Resort Good Neighbor hotels, are available. www.disneytravelagents.com Jun 11, 2009
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC and two of its affiliates have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, shutting down a USD 2.9 billion Las Vegas development project and dealing yet another blow to the cityOs struggling tourism industry. The bankruptcy petition stemmed from several funding hiccups and a long legal battle between Fontainebleau and a group of lenders who retracted an USD 800 million loan, which would have gone to completing the lavish resort. The lawsuit has since been withdrawn and refiled in a Miami bankruptcy court, along with the Chapter 11 petitions. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas was set to be a massive destination resort that would encompass a 1,000-square-foot casino, nearly 4,000 rooms and condo-hotel units, a 60,000-square-foot spa, multiple restaurants and lounges, retail space, and conference areas. At this stage, the project is about 70 percent complete. The site had employed about 3,000 construction workers, and the property was expected to employ 6,000 hotel and casino workers after opening later this year. Jun 10, 2009
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations launched a new savings promotion through which it will release a list of guaranteed departures on first and 15th of every month that are priced at least 10 percent lower than the brochure rate. By booking any of the departures listed on the Hot Deals flyer posted on www.insightvacations.com, clients will save a minimum of 10 percent off the brochure land rate. Bookings must be deposited within seven days of booking. Bookings that are made 45 days within departure must pay in full at time of booking. Offer applies to new bookings only. Every other week beginning June 1, a new list of departures will be posted. Jun 11, 2009
Lion World Tours
Lion World Tours plans to launch a new section on its website dedicated to auctioning off trips to Southern and East Africa. The site will go live on June 22. The auction site allows clients to bid on packages and shows the regular retail prices listed. The site will launch with two trips that highlight South Africa open for bidding. Trips will be added frequently to countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles. The bidding for each of these trips will typically last for 10 days. The first two auctions will include luxury properties such as Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, The Blue Train, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, and the Table Bay Hotel. One of the first two auctioned trips includes three nights at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, one night on The Blue Train, and two nights at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, transfers and many meals. This package would sell at a retail price of approximately USD 7,000 for two people. The starting bid for this auction is USD 1,700 for two people, a potential savings of 75 percent. www.lionworldtours.com Jun 12, 2009
PhotoTrek Tours
PhotoTrek Tours, which combines an officially licensed New York City tour with professional photography, is celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2009. PhotoTrek Tours offer a personalized private walking tour of New York City in which a professional photographer will take pictures of the group and deliver a CD with their digital images to their hotel within 24 hours. Founder and licensed New York City tour guide Marc Samuels will teach people everything they wish to know about the city while taking their photos in Time Square, Central Park, on the Brooklyn Bridge or by several of the many landmarks and neighborhoods that makes New York City the most recognizable in the world. PhotoTrek Tours was featured in New York magazine as one of the top tours in New York City. The tours are all private. A detailed calendar on the website provides the dates and times of availability. More than 300 people have given reviews of PhotoTrek Tours, (www.zerve.com/phototrek/rating), with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. Jun 12, 2009
TourCrafters
Though air fare to Italy is currently USD749, TourCrafters is offering a Summer Special to Florence for USD 699, including roundtrip air from New York, four nights in a four-star hotel and four buffet breakfasts. The offer is open for booking until June 30. In addition to air, hotel and breakfasts, the package includes entrance to Florence's Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a 24-hour city bus pass, a 20 percent discount on admission to OGalileo, Images of the UniverseO at the Strozzi Palace, a 10 percent discount on bike and scooter rentals, and a 10 percent discount on CAF Tour & Travel's city tours, excursions to other cities, outlet shopping tours, cooking classes and horseback riding. In addition, for every USD 20 a couple spends, they will get a USD 1 voucher to spend for a winter vacation in Italy. www.tourcrafters.com Jun 12, 2009
ZZ AirGuide 090615
Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com For Air Transport & Travel Business Experts contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com For Advertising and Marketing: advert@AirGuideOnline.com For Custom Content: content@AirGuideOnline.com ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright [c] 2009 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
FEED