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Category: News

  • News: Azerbaijan gets set to host AITF 2013

    The 12th Azerbaijan International Travel & Tourism Exhibition, AITF, will manifest on the Baku Expo Centre from 4-6 April 2013. This year, the fair will gather over 200 companies and organisations showcasing over 60 destinations.

    Over three days, quite a lot of destinations and services can be presented on the show, displaying their latest offerings to eager visitors. Services include: airlines and aviation agencies; tour operators and travel agencies; hotels, health spas and corporations specialising in adventure holidays, luxury tourism and environmental tourism.

    AITF 2013 will see 19 national groups on the event, eight appearing collectively for the primary time: France, Hungary, Iran, Montenegro, Malaysia, Morocco, Thailand and Tunisia.

    International airlines also will exhibit within national group stands, in addition to individually. Turkish Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air Astana, Adria Airways and Azerbaijan Airlines will all present themselves individually.

    In response to the demands of the Azerbaijani tourist, the show will feature specialised sectors, including the vacation in Azerbaijan sector; the considerably-expanded Medical Tourism sector, and the new Real Estate Abroad sector.

    Maria Badakh, Event & Sales Director, ITE Group plc, comments “Over the past 12 years, the development has reflected the region’s travel and tourism trends, and has continued to be a key influence inside the regions tourist industry. AITF 2013 is determined to reconfirm its status as a high-quality meeting place where tourism professionals and travellers can find out about exclusive travel offers, new routes and the proper prices.”

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  • The World’s Best Airport for Transit Passengers

    The winner of the 2015 award for the “World’s Best Airport for Transit Passengers” as voted by air travellers in the World Airport Survey, was named as Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea.

    For anyone who has had to spend more than a couple of hours in transit, waiting to change planes, this can be a very tiresome and tiring part of a journey. However, a visit to Incheon Airport for transit passengers, appears to be more of a delight than an ordeal.

    So, what makes a good airport for transit? Incheon has several rest and relaxation areas with loungers for travellers to lie down and stretch out and modular couches for comfort. Transit at Incheon may offer the ideal opportunity to catch up on much needed sleep. Free showers are also available to use for those who wish to freshen up.

    If you have more than a couple of hours spare, pay a visit to the cultural experience zone where you can learn how to make small, traditional Korean gifts which you can take with you afterwards. The Museum gives visitors an insight into Korean culture and history and there is also the chance to watch performances of dance and music.

    Other attractions to entertain the transit traveller include a skating rink, several gardens, a casino, golf course and the possibility of a transit tour to places of interest outside the airport.

  • News: Un-Cruise Adventures adds two theme cruises

    Un-Cruise Adventures has added two theme cruises on Active Adventure sailings in Southeast Alaska this summer. The 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer welcomes guest experts on board for a photography theme on June 8 and an Alaska Insider theme on July 13.

    “Our guest experts offer additional insights to enhance our own expedition team and adventure activities,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice chairman of sales and marketing. “It’s an additional advantage for sailing on these two dates.”

    Photography with Amy Gulick
    On the June 8, 2013 Eastern Coves adventure, nature photographer and author Amy Gulick joins the trip to share photography tips, lessons and methods she’s learned over time as an award-winning photographer and writer. Gulick is a founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and her images were featured in premium publications consisting of Outdoor Photographer, Audubon, National Wildlife and Nature’s Best Photography. Guests will receive an autographed copy of her book “Salmon inside the Trees: Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest.”

    The weeklong Eastern Coves itinerary sails from Juneau to Ketchikan, Alaska while adventuring through Tracy Arm Wilderness, Frederick Sound, Thomas Bay, Behm Canal, Misty Fjords National Monument and a half-day port call in Wrangell, one in all Alaska’s oldest towns. Rates in this date begin at $3,195 per person, double occupancy. A $200 per person travel credit is available.

    Alaska Insider with John and Jan Straley
    On the July 13, 2013 Western Coves adventure, longtime Alaska residents John and Jan Straley board for per week of storytelling—fact and fiction—on all things Alaska and insights on humpback and killer whales. John, a poet and author of detective fiction, has won awards over time for his novels set in Alaska. John has worked as a secretary, horseshoer, wilderness guide, trail crew foreman, millworker, machinist, and personal investigator. Jan Straley, a marine biologist, is easily-known for her extensive studies of humpback and killer whales. She is assistant Professor of Biology on the University of Alaska Southeast and affiliate faculty at University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

    The weeklong Western Coves itinerary sails from Ketchikan to Juneau, Alaska and explores wilderness areas including El Capitan Passage, Chatham Strait, Frederick Sound, Stephen’s Passage, Endicott Arm and Fords Terror, and a half-day port call on the Tlingit village of Klawock. Rates in this date begin at $3,195.

    Both Active Adventure sailings include wildlife and whale watching, kayaking, hiking, skiff excursions exploring the coastline, glacier viewing, rise up paddle boarding and a guided tour in Klawock or Wrangell. Snorkeling and overnight camping ashore can be found for a fee.

    Un-Cruise Adventures also recently confirmed six theme departures on Luxury Adventures aboard the 86-guest Safari Endeavour in Alaska. Themes include photography, marine biology, ornithology and wine from two prominent Northwest wineries.

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  • Choice Hotels International checks in to new global headquarters

    Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the crucial world’s largest hotel companies, has completed its move and officially checked into its new state-of-the-art global headquarters at 1 Choice Hotels Circle in Rockville, Maryland inside the heart of Rockville Town Square.

    After greater than 40 years based in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland, the move reflects the company’s continued growth, the strong appeal of its hotel brands—which include industry icons Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, and Econo Lodge and the newer upscale brand Cambria Suites, and the original and upscale Ascend Hotel Collection membership program—as well as Choice Hotels’ like to remain rooted within the Montgomery County community.

    Choice Hotels worked with top level developers, architects, designers, project managers and sustainability consultants Foulger-Pratt Companies, WDG Architecture, VOA Associates, rand* construction corporation, AtSite, Inc. and Clear Real Estate Services to develop and manage the graceful new facility. The 135,000 square foot global headquarters maintains the texture of a hospitality company incorporating hotel elements comparable to check-in desks at reception, a trendy great room lounge, and a business center for visitors that helps to support tasks reminiscent of checking email or printing boarding passes. Featuring a large open, contemporary design, the theory helps to encourage innovation, efficiency and collaboration.

    Today greater than 400 headquarter employees moved in to their new offices at 1 Choice Hotels Circle. Innovative technology and connectivity ensure associates and guests can work and relax through the building and outdoors on greater than 3,500 square feet of patio space which offers an inviting open fire pit and outdoor living furniture in addition to cafe tables. Non-conference room meeting and gathering spaces on every floor were created knowing great ideas come from everywhere.

    Choice Hotels International selected Rockville, Maryland-based Foulger-Pratt Companies from a prestigious group of prominent owners and developers within the Washington Metropolitan Area to be the landlord, developer, and general contractor of its new global headquarters. Now celebrating its 50th year of operations, Foulger-Pratt is behind other notable real estate projects which includes the Park Potomac luxury residential and retail development and the Washington, D.C. Mormon Temple located in Kensington, Maryland for which it served as design consultant and general contractor.

    “We chose Foulger-Pratt to develop, own and be the final contractor for Choice’s new world headquarters due to their excellent history of developing and constructing successful and prestigious commercial office and mixed-use real estate projects inside the Washington, DC area,”  said Stephen P. Joyce , president and CEO of Choice Hotels International. “Foulger-Pratt was exceptional to work with throughout this process.  From the onset, they assured us they’d develop and construct Class A commercial offices that might meet all of Choice Hotels’ requirements, on time and within budget.  And so they did.  They were even sooner than schedule.”

    Designed to fulfill the ideas for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the facility’s sustainability features include water consumption that was reduced by 40%, locally sourced building materials and controllable lighting and thermostats. Energy consumption would be further offset through Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) sourced from wind power. Foulger-Pratt and building designers WDG Architecture are pursuing a LEED Platinum certification for the general facility.

    The Choice Hotels workspace on floors four through nine was designed by VOA Associates, the architecture firm behind Choice Hotels’ offices in Phoenix, Arizona which function the company’s global technology hub. Just like the Rockville headquarters, the Phoenix facility was in keeping with an open design to assist foster innovative ideas and teamwork. Other parties involved with this project include: rand* construction corporation, because the general contractor for the alternative Hotels workplace; AtSite, Inc. as project manager and LEED consultants; and Clear Real Estate Services as project manager.

  • News: New app lets travelers book airport shuttles

    The GO Group, LLC has launched an updated app that permits travelers to book a GO airport shuttle from their iPhones.  The hot version stores users’ personal information, which accelerates the booking process.

    To make a reservation, iPhone users simply access the app and enter their flight, arrival and/or destination information. The app will automatically access the user’s previously entered personal information, and make allowance them to simply make a reservation to and from any of the greater than 50 airports served by GO Airport Shuttle.  The app could be downloaded on the Apple app store and by looking for the phrase “go shuttle.” 

    “Mobile devices increasingly becoming the booking approach to choice for travelers, so this app allows one-stop purchasing for all travel needs, allowing anyone to book ground transportation quickly from any location,” says John McCarthy , president of The GO Group, that is made from 43 ground transportation companies, serving 52 airports within the Usa, Canada and Europe.

    The mobile application was developed by The Hudson Group, a Lawrence, Mass. reservation systems technology company. The app must be available for other mobile devices later this year.

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