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  • New Zealand and Seychelles Ministers discuss tourism

    The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for East Coast Bays, the Hon. Murray McCully, who’s in Seychelles for the AIMS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Seas) sub-regional grouping meeting, made time to name on Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister liable for Tourism and Culture. The hot Zealand Minister was accompanied by Ambassador James Kember, the recent Zealand Ambassador just accredited to Seychelles.

    The two Ministers discussed the tourism development in Seychelles and likewise the moves to diversify the islands’ tourism source markets. At the marketing front they discussed their Tourism Board’s presence at tourism trade fairs and the usage of events to advertise tourism through culture and those. Minister McCully said as he was leaving the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Offices on the national Cultural Center in Victoria that he would discuss the participation of latest Zealand on the annual Carnaval International de Victoria that’s staged in Seychelles the last weekend of April along with his Minister liable for Tourism.

    “This annual carnival is quite much a festival of color because it is a chance for countries, as they do in tourism trade fairs, to fly their flags to showcase their unique selling points but this time using culture and folk as their key assets. This Indian Ocean Carnival remains the sole carnival where the suitable and most known carnivals parade together followed by cultural troupes from the Community of countries,” Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles told the brand new Zealand Minister.

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  • News: Boeing overcomes Dreamliner debacle to record strong financials

    Boeing has reported first-quarter core earnings per share increased 24 per cent to $1.73, driven by strong performance around the company’s businesses.

    First-quarter 2013 results included the anticipated good thing about $0.19 per share for the 2012 research and development tax credit; first-quarter 2012 included a advantage of $0.11 per share regarding a favourable court judgment on satellite litigation.

    First-quarter core operating earnings increased 14 per cent to $1.9 billion from a similar period of the prior year when excluding the advantage of $131 million with regards to the favourable court judgment.

    First-quarter revenue was $18.9 billion, earnings from operations were $1.5 billion and earnings per share were $1.44.

    The company reaffirmed its 2013 financial and deliveries guidance.

    “Strong core operating performance fuelled by productivity gains and solid program execution drove higher company earnings and double-digit operating margins in both major businesses throughout the quarter,” said Boeing chairman, Jim McNerney.

    “Commercial Airplanes worked across the clock to unravel the 787 battery issue while also successfully increasing production rates at the 737 and 777 programs.

    “Defence, Space & Security continued to accomplish exceptionally well, meeting tough affordability goals while investing in future growth.”

    “Our first priority within the days ahead is to completely restore our customers’ 787 fleets to service and resume production deliveries.

    “Our outlook for the year is positive, and our financial and delivery guidance is reaffirmed as we remain involved in the profitable ramp up in commercial airplane production rates, disciplined execution of our development programs, and continued growth in core, adjacent and international defence and space markets.”

    Operating cash flow inside the quarter was $0.5 billion, reflecting inventory build at the 787 program offset by timing of receipts and expenditures.

    Cash and investments in marketable securities totalled $11.8 billion at quarter-end, down from $13.5 billion at first of the year, primarily because of the pay-down of maturing debt.

    Debt was $9.2 billion, down from $10.4 billion at year-end, a result of maturities.

    Total company backlog at year-end was a record $392 billion, up from $390 billion at first of the year, and included net orders for the quarter of $20 billion.

    Boeing Commercial Airplanes first-quarter revenue decreased to $10.7 billion on delivery mix and lower services revenue.

    First-quarter operating margin improved to 11.4 per cent, reflecting the delivery mix and lower R&D, partially offset by higher period costs.

    During the quarter, Commercial Airplanes delivered the primary 777 aircraft produced at a record production rate of 8.3-per-month and reached a four-year contract extension with the Society of pro Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

    In April, Commercial Airplanes delivered the primary 737 produced at a record production rate of 38-per-month.

    In April, approval was given by the Federal Aviation Administration for airlines to start the method of returning the 787 to service with an enhanced battery system.

    Commercial Airplanes booked 209 net orders in the course of the quarter.

    Backlog remains strong with greater than 4,400 airplanes worth a record $324 billion.

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  • News: IAG and British Airways select the A350

    After a radical selection process, International Airline Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as component to the airline’s on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy.

    IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots which may result in firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is able to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.

    The number of the A350-1000 follows British Airways’ decision in 2007 to purchase 12 Airbus A380s, the primary of so that it will be delivered this summer. Operating the A380 and A350 together delivers real value to the world’s leading airlines since it lets them match aircraft capacity to traffic demand on any route.
    “The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet. Its size and range might be a great fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there’s a chance to function a brand new range of destinations profitably. This may increasingly not just bring greater flexibility to our network but additionally more choice for our customer,” said Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive.

    Across all its aircraft families Airbus’ new angle ensures that aircraft share the very best commonality in airframes, on-board systems, cockpits and handling characteristics. This reduces significantly operating costs for airlines. Further, with only minimal additional training, pilots can transition between these aircraft more efficiently.

    “This is a crucial announcement from among the many world’s most valuable and influential airline brands,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A380 and the A350 are perfectly matched for greener long haul operations and demonstrate environmental leadership. We’re simply delighted that British Airways has chosen the A350 to spread its global wings and its iconic livery.”

    The A350-1000 is the most important member of the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family seating as much as 350 passengers in three classes, with a variety capability of 8,400 nautical miles (15,500 km). The A350 XWB Family includes the A350-900 and A350-800 seating 314 and 270 passengers respectively, offering airlines the power to check the aircraft to their network needs and thereby guaranteeing optimum revenue potential. In comparison with its nearest established competitor, the A350 XWB Family reduces fuel burn by 25 per cent.

    British Airways currently operates a complete of 112 A320 Family aircraft. It really is some of the world’s only airlines to function all members of the A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321). British Airways first became an Airbus operator in 1988, when it all started flying A320s. The airline added the A319s to its fleet in 1999 and the A321 in 2004.

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  • NYC & Company releases industry overview

    Emily K. Rafferty, Chairman of the Board of NYC & Company and President of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, have announced the discharge of “New York City Tourism: A Model for achievement,” the 1st-ever official report on Long island City’s tourism industry.

    The report highlights the phenomenal growth of the tourism industry after the 2006 merger of NYC & Company, NYC Big Events and NYC Marketing to form a revolutionary public-private municipal marketing and tourism model that was emulated by destinations all over the world.

    Since the creation of the re-envisioned NYC & Company, town has seen a record 52 million visitors, an all-time high of $55.3 billion in economic impact and a 27 per cent increase in leisure and hospitality jobs—the most of any industry over the past seven years. The report was released to key local media and the leading 2013 mayoral candidates. 

    “Tourism’s robust growth since 2006 is not any accident—it was the results of an innovative model and deliberate method to target emerging international markets and promote the variety of tourism activities across all five boroughs,” said NYC & Company Chairman Emily Rafferty.

    “In order to keep this momentum and reach our goal of 55 million visitors and $70 billion in economic impact by 2015, the industry may be on the lookout for continued investment and support from the following administration.” Rafferty added.

    “New York City Tourism: A Model for Success” was distributed to key local print and broadcast media and to campaign headquarters of all eleven 2013 mayoral candidates. With the report, NYC & Company aims to begin a dialogue in regards to the importance of the tourism industry and highlight NYC & Company’s accomplishments because the official marketing, partnership and tourism organization for town of latest York. 

    “The story of recent York City tourism’s unprecedented success is one who we should always all be pleased with,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “Over the past six years we have got welcomed more visitors than ever before and feature generated billions of greenbacks in economic impact for the town. We plan to continue our efforts and “New York City Tourism: A Model for Success” marks the primary-step in an industry-wide effort to make sure that the 2013 mayoral candidates and other elected officials acknowledge and support Ny City’s fastest growing industry.” 

    Since 2006, the town has set new visitation records in six out of 7 years while the tourism industry created 78,200 new leisure and hospitality jobs. Over the last seven years numerous industry sectors experienced exponential growth including hotels, cultural institutions, the conventions and tradeshows market, dining, retail, Broadway and entertainment.

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  • GTA renews partnership with Accor at Arabian Travel Market

    GTA has renewed its distribution handle the leading hotel operator Accor ensuring businesses selling leisure travel can book greater than 3,500 hotels in 92 countries available under its brands.

    Together Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Ibis Styles, Ibis budget and hotelF1 serve the wishes of a wide variety of travellers with a wide range of accommodation options.

    Accor continues to learn from GTA’s growing business and unrivalled global footprint, which brings tens of thousands of travel bookings day by day.

    Martin Jones, GTA senior vice chairman for global sourcing & product development, said: “Thanks to the continuing strength of our longstanding relationship with Accor, customers can book an excellent greater number of accommodation for his or her clients.

    “Some 85 per cent of Accor’s hotels are inside the Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions which are key to GTA’s longevity and success.

    “The deal further extends the diversity of rate options for accommodation which we sell in over 190 countries.”

    GTA provides dynamic inventory and rates to reinforce its connections with people that sell fully independent travel.

    Its fast, flexible and reliable technology saves partners money and time and supports year-round business by helping them comply with seasonal fluctuations and market forces.

    “I am delighted to resume our strong partnership with GTA.

    “This agreement is completely according to our technique to develop connectivity solutions with major partners and may help us reinforce and optimise outbound flows from key emerging feeder markets into our European hotels, in addition to in Accor’s other high-growth countries, comparable to the Asia Pacific region,” said Carlo Olejniczak, senior vp, global sales, Accor.

    By sourcing global product with selective focus, GTA is engineering greater success for tourism businesses and giving consumers a much broader choice when booking through travel retailers.

    “It implies that retailers can provide customers the appropriate prices within the most effective destinations, but additionally access to a chain’s full portfolio of properties including the ‘long tail’ of less renowned accommodation.

    “Accor’s hotels further enhance GTA’s portfolio of 60,000 accommodation options, services and experiences, which pulls over 21,000 bookings day-to-day, selling 12 million room nights in additional than 25 languages online and inside the world.”