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  • Avoid taking a taxi from Tokyo airport to city centre, it’ll cost you just about £200

    For the millions of Britons warding off this summer to holiday destinations around the globe, or if you happen to go on regular weekend breaks to mainland Europe, taking a taxi from the airport to a city centre hotel is mostly the handiest and fastest approach to travel. But how much or little are Brits deciding to buy this convenience

    New research from travel money specialist Moneycorp looks on the cost of a taxi ride – not booked beforehand – from a few of the major international airports in Europe and the remainder of the area, to the town centre. Moneycorp checked out the most well-liked destinations for British holidaymakers, and results were ranked by cost per kilometre, as some airport to city centre transfers were dearer because of the journey distance. The consequences revealed huge differences in price, even within mainland Europe, with taxi fares potentially adding hundreds of pounds onto the price of a vacation or weekend break.

    European destinations fill six of the pinnacle seven places for many expensive airport to city centre taxi transfers. But top of the pile is Tokyo. A taxi ride from Tokyo Narita airport to the centre of town, 66 km away, will set tourists back almost £200, or a price per km of £2.90. That’s even with sterling strengthening against the yen since last summer by greater than 24%. Take a taxi both ways, and also you might be watching an eye fixed-watering £400 additional expense on top of all of your other holiday costs.

    Ranking by £ per km, Copenhagen (Denmark) is the costliest airport-city centre taxi transfer in Europe. Although the taxi journey from Copenhagen airport to the town centre is barely 8km, the common fare is £34.08, which equates to £4.26 per km. A better costliest is Geneva (Switzerland) to centre of Geneva. Again the adventure is brief, only 6km, but will set holidaymakers back a regular of £22.63 or £3.77 per km.

    On price alone, the 45km taxi ride from Oslo’s Gardermoen airport to the town centre costs an eye fixed-watering £73.45. That implies a round trip will set people back almost £150 (£146.90). Oslo is closely followed by Milan Malpensa airport to the centre of Milan, with a purpose to leave holidaymakers out of pocket by the princely sum of £70.25.

    In terms of the least expensive airport-city centre taxi rides, Delhi’s Indira Ghandi International to the centre of Delhi, will set you back just £2.69 for the 16km journey, or £0.17 per km. It’s closely followed by Thailand’s Suvernabhumi airport to Bangkok central, where a 30km taxi ride costs just £5.63 or £0.19 per km.

    The next three cheapest destinations are in Europe; Sofia airport to city centre (£0.22 per km), Istanbul Ataturk airport (£0.24 per km), and Ottopeni airport (£0.28 per km), that’s 17km outside Bucharest. On price alone, Sofia airport-city centre transfer works out cheapest at £2.17, followed by Bucharest (£4.79), Istanbul (£6.01) and Warsaw (£8.11).

    In terms of distance, the international airports that are furthest from town centre are: Tokyo Narita (66km), Reykjavik Keflavik (48km), Milan Malpensa (46km), Oslo Gardermoen (45km), Stockholm Arlanda (43km), Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini (35km) and Hong Kong (34km). The nearest are Geneva (6km), Copenhagen (8km) and Lisbon’s Portela airport (9km).

    Tracey Tivnan, head of selling for Travel Money at Moneycorp, comments:  “Taking a taxi from the airport isn’t the cheapest option in comparison to taking the train or bus, however it is often the well-liked option as a result of sheer convenience of being taken from right outside the terminal to a hotel. For those arriving late at night in unfamiliar territory, the very last thing any folks wish to do is navigate foreign transport systems. We wish to get to our hotel as quickly as possible, with out a hassle.

    “What our research into airport taxi costs reveals is the wide variation in taxi fares looking on which country you’re visiting. And this additional cost can make an enormous dent for your holiday budget if you’re not careful or prepared. If the airport to city centre taxi ride is especially expensive, like in Tokyo, then taking the bus or train could be the only option – so it’s worth finding out the local transport system earlier. Alternatively, you are ready to book a taxi before you travel, which can be significantly cheaper than flagging down a taxi outside the airport.

    “It’s interesting that a few of the biggest variations in taxi costs are in mainland Europe. As an example, the taxi fare from Milan Malpensa airport to the town centre will cost you greater than £70. This compares to only £2.17 from Sofia airport to the centre of Sofia. And with sterling greater than 6% weaker against the euro since last July, taxi fares may be much more expensive in Europe this summer.”

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  • News: Hilton opens dual-branded properties

    Home2 Suites by Hilton, announced the outlet of its first dual-branded property in collaboration with Hampton Hotels, the international brand of nearly 1,900 mid-priced properties worldwide.

    Located in Huntsville, Ala., the hotel houses two distinct brands under one roof — the 77-suite Home2 Suites and a 98-room Hampton Inn & Suites — each catering to diverse market segments with enhanced amenities and offerings.

    “Home2 Suites by Hilton’s dual-branded model is designed to maximise resources while minimizing costs for owners and developers,” said Bill Duncan, global head, Home2 Suites by Hilton. “These cost savings allow two leading brands to provide business and leisure travelers access to a price-conscious product and high-quality services in a single convenient location where they would like to remain.”
    “Hampton Hotels is in the middle of an exhilarating growth period and this new dual-branded property is a hallmark of what’s to come back from us someday,” said Phil Cordell, global head, focused service and Hampton brand management, Hilton Worldwide. “This kind of project is an innovative way for us to open the door to travelers new to the Hampton brand, allowing them to experience our signature amenities including our free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi and the clean and fresh Hampton bed®. We’re excited to peer this hotel open as dual builds are an awesome solution to streamline operating costs for our franchisees and confirm efficiencies around the board.”

    Located at 7010 Unit #3, Governor’s West Drive in Huntsville, Ala., the four-story hotel complex features shared meeting spaces, pool facilities and a joint health club that may be enjoyed by all guests. The valuables services business travelers visiting Fortune 500 companies, manufacturing centers and retail corporations located within the area. Huntsville could also be home to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Cummings Research Park, among other industries. The hotel also caters to tourists visiting the area’s many attractions, including the Huntsville Botanical Garden, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and the Alabama Constitution Village, among others.

    Hilton Worldwide has selected premier hotel development/management services firm LBA Hospitality to function this project’s third-party manager. Beau Benton, LBA President says, “We are thrilled to be a key a part of another Hilton Worldwide first; our General Manager Chrissy Wadsworth and her team are fully-prepared to offer our guests with ‘Southern hospitality’ at an awesome value.”

    Home2 Suites currently operates 16 hotels with 14 under construction and a powerful development pipeline of nearly 70 planned properties in the next eight years. For Hampton Hotels, the brand new property joins nearly 1,900 mid-priced properties worldwide and greater than 80 domestic and international properties expected to open in 2013. Additionally, the brand new property is anticipated to bring 45-50 jobs to the Huntsville area.

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  • Holiday Inn Express Romulus/Detroit Metro Airport opens

    IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces the outlet of the hot Holiday Inn Express® Romulus/Detroit Metro Airport, lower than a mile from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and fewer than half-hour from the downtown business district.

    The new hotel opens following a multimillion dollar remodeling that included renovations to every of its 110 guest rooms and the addition of a brand new business center, exercise room and guest laundry. Located at 7680 Merriman Rd. at Interstate 94, the hotel offers a free airport shuttle service 24 hours an afternoon and 7 days per week, in addition to a Park and Fly package, which incorporates a one-night stay and 8 days of parking at a safe facility next to the hotel.

    “We’re pleased to be welcoming the vacation Inn Express Romulus/Detroit Metro Airport into the vacation Inn brand family,” said Heather Balsley, senior vice chairman, Brand Management, Holiday Inn Brand Family, The Americas, IHG. “With greater than 2,100 properties worldwide and 450 more hotels within the pipeline, the vacation Inn Express brand portfolio continues to supply our guests with an enhanced-stay experience at a terrific value.”

    The Holiday Inn brand family’s $1BN global brand relaunch, the biggest project of its kind in hospitality history, continues to drive increased quality and consistency around the global portfolio. The hot hotel will feature a up to date image with emphasis on arrival and welcome services, guestroom and guest bath comfort and a redesigned logo and signage.

    “Holiday Inn Express is a fresh brand that matches well with the desires of tourists to the Detroit area, whether or not they are here for business or leisure,” said Chris Edwards, general manager. “Our goal is to present guests with unmatched comfort and convenience, and we’re sure they may enjoy each of the comforts our new Holiday Inn Express hotel has to present.”

    Business travelers will benefit from the hotel’s proximity to the business centers of Dearborn and Detroit – home of Ford Motor Company® and General Motors Company® respectively. The hotel can be near Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus. Leisure travelers will find the hotel location convenient to the Henry Ford Museum, Noah Webster’s home – where the 1st American dictionary was written – and Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory.  Additionally, the Detroit sports venues of Comerica Park and Ford Field are only a brief drive away.

    The new Holiday Inn Express Romulus/Detroit Metro Airport hotel offers guests a cozy, yet affordable, stick with innovative, preferred-guest upgrades to make sure a pleasurable experience. The complimentary Express Start® breakfast bar encompasses a full range of breakfast items, including Smart Roast® coffee.

    The SimplySmartTM shower features a signature Stay SmartTM Kohler showerhead, upgraded 100% cotton terry towels and a custom line of cinnamon-scented bath products.  Guests will benefit from the SimplySmartTM bedding collection, where they’ll find crisp fresh bedding that includes a stunning decorative throw, a medium-weight duvet blanket and soft, 200 thread-count sheets. As well as its 24-hour business center, the hotel also offers a small meeting room and free wireless Internet service during the hotel.

    The Holiday Inn Express Romulus/Detroit Metro Airport, owned by the Koza family, and managed by Group 10 Management, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG. Reservations could be made by calling 1-800-HOLIDAY or by going to IHG.com/HolidayInnExpress.

    Holiday Inn Express hotels take part in IHG’s guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards, the industry’s first and biggest guest loyalty program, with 71 million members, offering free membership by enrolling online, via phone or by inquiring on the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG’s greater than 4,600 hotels worldwide.

    Holiday Inn Express hotels are modern hotels for value-oriented travelers.  Fresh, clean and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers.  Guests Stay Smart® at Holiday Inn Express hotels where they enjoy a free hot Express Start® Breakfast Bar, free high-speed Internet access and free local phone calls (U.S. and Canada only).  There are currently greater than 2,100 Holiday Inn Express hotel locations worldwide.

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  • Western & Oriental launches new USA programme

    Following on from the success of its existing North American ranch portfolio, luxury travel specialist Western & Oriental has launched a dedicated USA programme with a purpose to include an expansion of city breaks, fly drive itineraries and escorted tours in addition multi-centre holidays. The operator is aiming to provide a programme showcasing the various cultural highlights in addition to stunning destinations of the us including; cities, winelands and national parks.

    David Pointer, Head of Product for Western & Oriental says, “We have tried to supply something a piece different with our new USA programme, the core of that is tailor-made and goes far beyond a regular flight and hotel booking. The united states offers such diverse highlights and we can prepare personalised route maps for our fly-drive holidays in addition to delving deeper into the accommodation available to supply smaller boutique hotels for our city breaks.”

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  • News: Cruise Show 2013 at Olympia

    ‘The UK’s biggest event for locating an international of voyages’, the distinguished Cruise Show is coming to London Olympia on March 23-24, bringing exclusive deals from top cruise lines akin to Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Fred Olsen and Thomson Cruises.

    As a number one travel operator offering packages from most of the cruise liners featuring at this year’s event, Thomas Cook looks ahead at just what you are able to anticipate finding.

    Celebrity Cruises
    Setting a global standard for quality, luxury and indulgence, Celebrity Cruises include your entire features you’d traditionally expect from a cruise holiday. Cruising at the seven seas in lavish style, you are able to expect to benefit more about their impressive range of on-board activities and delightful level of service.
    Exclusive deals will also be on offer for those inquisitive about taking full benefit of this chance. You can get the prospect to be told more about a number of their luxurious ships consisting of the fame Eclipse and the fame Solstice; both boasting passenger capacities of two,850.

    Norwegian Cruise Line
    Proving there’s room for change in every industry, Norwegian offers a distinct cruising experience that’s bound to draw attention at this year’s Cruise Show. Ships akin to their Norwegian Epic combine top-quality entertainment, including the Blue Man Group – functioning on board – with an unlimited array of dining options and versatile accommodation for ultimate luxury.
    Learn more about their impressive range of award-winning ships, or research the main points in their famous Freestyle Cruising – whatever you do, you won’t be disappointed.

    Fred Olsen
    Featuring alongside a few of the biggest names within the cruise industry, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are proud to function with a smaller fleet of liners. Their cruises, all of which set sail from one in every of nine UK ports, give you the possibility to begin off your holiday stress free.
    The Balmoral is their largest ship, containing 710 cabins with enough space for 1,300 guests, whilst smaller ships along with the Black Watch and Boudicca cater to around 800 passengers each. Setting sail from UK departure points, discover more about their onboard services, worldwide destinations and themed cruises by taking a visit to their exhibition at this year’s Cruise Show

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