|
| In a grim season for Caribbean tourism, an island just north of Venezuela stands out: Hotel rooms are scarce and discounts unavailable. |
| According to a recently published report, Oneworld affiliate member LAN Ecuador has gained rights to launch domestic services within Ecuador. This move will, in turn, bulk up Oneworld’s offerings by adding more new destinations to the alliance’s network. |
| American Airlines will launch service from Dallas/Fort Worth to Madrid, Spain next year. Beginning May 1, 2009, American will inaugurate daily nonstop flights between Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) and Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) aboard a 225-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft in two-class configuration. |
| The British Virgin Islands is to get at least three daily flights with LIAT airline between Tortola and San Juan, Puerto Rico. An agreement to this effect was signed on Monday between LIAT and the BVI government. |
 | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced a long term agreement with S.C. Sigma Hotels S.r.l. to manage the first international hotel brand in Cluj, Romania –the Sheraton Cluj Hotel and The Residences at Sheraton Cluj. |
| With a $14 million investment, the 28,000 square foot water park features exciting rides including the Dragon Revenge, a dual slide; and the Buccaneer Tower, a tube tower with slides for two and four rides. |
| The Amanyara in Turks and Caicos opened a new Serenity Villa. The new villa will be home to massages, scrubs, wraps and beauty treatments, along with yoga and Pilates classes. |
| Oscar-nominated Hollywood actor John Travolta’s teenage son died after a seizure while the family was vacationing in Bahamas, the US media reported today.
The 16-year-old Jett was the only son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, also an actress. The couple also has an eight-year-old daughter, Ella. |
| Dubai is introducing a fleet of water taxis to help alleviate the congestion problems and lack of public transport. The first of ten catamaran-based vessels will be powered by Rolls Royce waterjets, and serve as a modern version of the traditional water taxi. |
| The city of Melbourne is opening its brand new tourist attraction this weekend, the Southern Star observation wheel. |
|
 | SuperClubs Resorts is ringing in 2009 with a free night offer at nine of its all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, Curacao and the Bahamas. Participating properties are Grand Lido Resorts & Spas, Breezes Resorts, Hedonism Resorts, and Starfish Resort. |
| The Dominican Republic’s Agua Resort & Spa is offering a package that includes accommodation in a junior suite with 753 square feet of space complimented by French doors leading to a private tropical terrace overlooking the sea, welcome drink and daily continental breakfast. |
| Casanova by Rafael Hotels, in Barcelona, Spain, is featuring a Helicopter Package for two that includes four nights’ accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, two gourmet tasting menus in the hotel’s Mexiterranee restaurant, the chopper ride above Barcelona and Montserrat, and a cocktail from the Lobby Bar. |
| Montpelier Plantation, an 18-room Relais & Chateaux property, has incorporated more local elements including locally grown and raised products. While many spices and other ingredients of the cuisine served at the property’s two gourmet restaurants, the Mill and the Terrace, have been grown in its own gardens, Montpelier is now seeking to purchase as much of its food products as possible from local sources, from vegetables grown by neighboring farmers to the town fishermen’s catch of the day. |
| Dominican President Leonel Fernandez led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Punta Perla tourist complex in the company of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The project has a projected investment of $2.5 billion, and is the third tourism initiative of this type to be launched in the country since November. |
| Small-ship exploration supplier Cruise West is following the precedent set by the big three cruise lines, and others such as MSC Cruises, by waiving its fuel surcharge on all 2009 cruise itineraries for guests who pay in full by January 30. |
 | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has agreed to borrow up to 485.6 million euros (about $680 million at Wednesday’s exchange rate) from Germany’s KFW IPEX-Bank. |
| Government regulators want to know more about how a proposed alliance between American Airlines and British Airways could affect competition on overseas flights. The U.S. Transportation Department asked the airlines to provide more information about the planned partnership, including its impact on Heathrow Airport in London, cargo operations, and service in Asian and Latin American markets. |
| Sabre Holdings has acquired EB2 International, a London-based supplier of e-commerce products and services to airlines. |
| Outrigger Enterprises Group was one of the earliest hotel companies to realize the importance of travel agent training programs. Over the years, the company has continually fine-tuned its approach and added components to its programs. Over the years, they’ve continually fine-tuned their approach and added components to their programs. |
|
|
|