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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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  • Focus: FORMIA Extends Relationship with Turkish Airlines

    FORMIA today announces an additional extension to its commercial relationship with Turkish Airlines. In 2011, the 2 companies signed an extended term contract for the availability of more than a few FORMIA’s advantageous inflight service amenity kits for passengers. Now, the airline has awarded the availability of more than a few FORMIA’s promotional bags and cases to be used in its widening international on-ground marketing activities.

    The items to be supplied under the agreement include FORMIA’s i-Pad bag and the company’s widely recognized tin box and pencil case. They are going to be supplied empty of products allowing the airline itself to fill them with a number of high value, quality Turkish produce, equivalent to Turkish Delight, for handing out at travel fairs and to corporate clients and VIP frequent flyers on special occasions.

    Commenting, Roland Grohmann, Managing Director of FORMIA, said: “We are delighted with the feedback we’re receiving from Turkish Airlines concerning the range of goods we’re already supplying to the airline. As one of several world’s leading airlines, Turkish Airlines is happy with its complimentary promotional items. This new order demonstrates their confidence in FORMIA’s design capabilities, products and provide infrastructure and we glance forward to continuing to work with the airline to fulfill their requirements inside the years ahead.”

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  • Avoid taking a taxi from Tokyo airport to city centre, it is going to cost you nearly £200

    For the millions of Britons avoiding this summer to holiday destinations worldwide, or in case you go on regular weekend breaks to mainland Europe, taking a taxi from the airport to a city centre hotel is frequently the handiest and fastest thanks 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 upfront – from the various major international airports in Europe and the remainder of the sector, to the town centre. Moneycorp checked out the hottest destinations for British holidaymakers, and results were ranked by cost per kilometre, as some airport to city centre transfers were costlier as a result of the journey distance. The outcomes 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 head 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 the town, 66 km away, will set tourists back almost £200, or a value per km of £2.90. That’s inspite of sterling strengthening against the yen since last summer by greater than 24%. Take a taxi both ways, and also you can be observing a watch-watering £400 additional expense on top of your whole 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 purely 8km, the common fare is £34.08, which equates to £4.26 per km. The subsequent most costly is Geneva (Switzerland) to centre of Geneva. Again the adventure is brief, only 6km, but will set holidaymakers back an ordinary of £22.63 or £3.77 per km.

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

    In terms of the lowest priced 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. That is 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 is 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 the 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 promoting for Travel Money at Moneycorp, comments:  “Taking a taxi from the airport isn’t the cheapest option when compared with taking the train or bus, but it surely is often the most well-liked option as a result of the 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 desire to do is navigate foreign transport systems. We wish to get to our hotel as quickly as possible, without hassle.

    “What our research into airport taxi costs reveals is the wide variation in taxi fares reckoning on which country you’re visiting. And this additional cost can make an enormous dent on 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 stands out as the only option – so it’s worth sorting out the local transport system beforehand. Alternatively, you are capable of book a taxi before you travel, which may be significantly cheaper than flagging down a taxi outside the airport.

    “It’s interesting that many of the biggest variations in taxi costs are in mainland Europe. For instance, 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 can be much more expensive in Europe this summer.”

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  • News: Ryanair places largest plane order in European history

    Ryanair has signed an agreement with the Boeing to buy 175 new Next Generation 737-800 airplanes. 

    When finalised, the deal may be worth nearly $15.6 billion at current list prices, and may allow Ryanair to grow its airline to greater than 400 airplanes, serving greater than 100 million passengers per year across Europe by the tip of the delivery stream in 2018. 

    The agreement was signed by Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary and Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Ray Conner in Big apple.

    Upon approval by Ryanair’s shareholders, the acquisition becomes Boeing’s largest deal up to now in 2013 and can be the biggest ever aircraft order from a eu airline.

    It will sustain thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs in Boeing and its supplier companies and could represent the most important ever capital investment by an Irish company in US manufacturing and US jobs.

    These Boeing airplanes will create greater than 3,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers at Ryanair’s growing choice of aircraft bases across Europe.

    Approximately 75 of those new aircraft will replace a number of Ryanair’s existing fleet of 305 Boeing 737s, however the remainder will drive new growth of Ryanair’s fleet of young, highly efficient airplanes.

    These airplanes will allow Ryanair to grow its low-cost airline service by about five per cent every year over the following several years, taking Ryanair’s traffic to over 100 million passengers by March 2019.

    As Ryanair continues to plot its future as Europe’s low-cost airline leader, it continues to judge the advantages of Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft which enters service in 2017.

    Announcing the order, O’Leary, said: “Ryanair is pleased to sign this agreement with Boeing to buy 175 new 737-800 jets, as a way to expand our fleet to over 400 units, creating over 3,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers, while allowing us to grow our low-cost airline service by about five per cent once a year over the subsequent several years and take our traffic to 100 million passengers by March 2019.

    “Ryanair is proud to purchase Boeing, who’ve always made great aircraft and the 737-800 was the cornerstone of Ryanair’s success as a result of its great engineering and phenomenal reliability.

    “These 175 new airplanes will enable us to lower price and airfares even further, thereby widening Ryanair’s cost and cost leadership over other airlines in Europe.

    “They provide Ryanair with the extra capacity to milk substantial growth opportunities that currently exist as a lot of Europe’s flag carrier and smaller airlines are restructuring and reducing their short-haul operations.”

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  • Waldorf Astoria Panama opens

    Hilton Worldwide announced the growth of its Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand into Latin America with the outlet of Waldorf Astoria Panama.

    With a commitment to customized service and delivering a brand new sense of luxury to the booming Panama market, Waldorf Astoria Panama blends the prestigious sophistication of the luxurious brand with the heat of the local Panamanian personality.

    “Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts are committed to a presence in landmark destinations around the globe, so Panama is an ideal venue for our brand’s entry into Latin America,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, Global Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, Hilton Worldwide. “The Waldorf Astoria Panama is perfectly positioned to create the outstanding experiences and unforgettable moments which are hallmarks of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in any respect of our greater than 20 destinations all over the world,” added Vanderslice.

    Featuring 248 guest rooms, suites and comfort residences, Waldorf Astoria Panama boasts timeless elegance and alluring ambiance displayed during the hotel’s public areas and accommodations. Designed by the Miami-based firm ba-haus/KNF, the most recent hotel in Panama unveils a mixture of clean, luminous tones and reflective materials, in addition to high ceilings, which inspire a polished social atmosphere, using rich exotic woods, metallic pieces, multi-dimensional panels, glass and crystals.

    From arrival to departure, guests aren’t only embraced by this striking design, but additionally welcomed by True Waldorf Service – a service initiative that assigns an individual concierge to every qualified guest who acts as their primary contact, before, during and – an industry first – after a stay, to ensure every want and request is met.

    Guest rooms are tastefully appointed to mix luxurious comfort with a recent appeal, delivering the most recent technology in a spacious, relaxing environment. Featuring the best linens and amenities, all rooms offer plush bedding, high-definition flat screen television, alarm clock with MP3 player connection, wired and wireless Internet access and spacious marble bathrooms with walk in rain showers.

    “Waldorf Astoria is legendary during the world as representing the suitable in luxury and hospitality, and we’re proud to bring this unparalleled service and quality to Panama with the primary ever Waldorf Astoria hotel in Latin America,” said Danny Hughes, senior vice chairman, Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, Hilton Worldwide. “Waldorf Astoria Panama is an amazing addition to our consistently growing portfolio in Latin America, and we glance forward to welcoming travelers to the flawless service synonymous with the Waldorf Astoria name.”

    Waldorf Astoria Panama boasts a formidable array of various culinary experiences, led by award-winning executive chef Kalych Padro Alvarado. Featuring four distinct restaurants and bars, Waldorf Astoria Panama, tempts guests with the renowned Peacock Alley, an advanced and intimate lobby bar; Ginger, an authentic and exotic lounge and sushi bar that includes ginger in its Asian specialty menu; Bungalow Terrace & Pool Bar, a welcome oasis in a calming poolside atmosphere; and BRIO Brasserie, an informal all day dining restaurant perfect for a fresh meal made with local ingredients that mixes modern French and American cuisine.

    Providing luxury at every turn, Waldorf Astoria Panama indulges guests with Waldorf Astoria Spa, a 2,000-square-foot retreat where visitors can rejuvenate inside the heart of Panama City. Offering five treatment rooms, including a couples-only space, Waldorf Astoria Spa features acclaimed beauty brand Babor. Founded in 1956, Babor employs pioneering technology to remodel the secrets of nature into innovative products so Waldorf Astoria Spa can offer invigorating body and facial treatments including signature experiences and strategies. Wellness facilities at Waldorf Astoria Panama also include a 2,000-square-foot gymnasium by Life Fitness® and an out of doors swimming pool uniquely designed with mosaic gold tiles.

    In addition to the hotel’s exclusive dining and wellness facilities, Waldorf Astoria Panama features Level 5, a multi-event venue for meetings and social gatherings where Manhattan penthouse design blends with a modern Latin American ambiance. The greater than 3,500 square feet of meeting space includes three multi-purpose meeting rooms and a ballroom, complemented by a flexible business center where guests can access various services.

    The luxurious Waldorf Astoria Panama offers guests a trendy getaway in an exclusive area of town. Located steps faraway from Calle Uruguay, within the heart of the entertainment area, Waldorf Astoria Panama is approximately 25 minutes from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and two blocks from the town center and fiscal district. The hotel’s enviable location puts guests at the doorstep of what many talk to as “Restaurant Row” where seemingly limitless dining options are only footsteps away. Within walking distance of Cinta Costera, one among Latin America’s best running and walking trails overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the posh hotel is solely 20 minutes from the Panama Canal and 10 minutes from the historic center called Casco Viejo.

    The hotel participates in Hilton HHonors®, the single guest rewards program that permits members to earn Points & Miles® for a similar stay and redeem points at no cost nights with out a Blackout Dates at greater than 3,800 hotels worldwide.

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