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Volume 8, Issue 7, February 24, 2010 |
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According to the inaugural Green Traveler Survey Report, no travel brands stand out as industry green leaders. More than 1,700 eco-conscious travelers were surveyed between May and July last year. More than 60 percent of those surveyed could not name a single eco-friendly hotel brand; two-thirds could not single out an airline they considered environmentally friendly; and 73 percent responded “none” when asked about environmentally conscious cruise lines. Respondents graded travel segments on green practices and effective communication of practices. The hotel industry was graded “fair” by 28 percent, while 27 percent gave airlines a “terrible” ranking.
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Jet Airways announced new daily non-stop service to Johannesburg (JNB). The service, departing from Mumbai (BOM), launches April 14. The Airbus A330-200 service marks Jet Airways first foray into Africa. Première business class and economy class will be offered.
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According to the International Air Transport Association, airlines saw an increase in international-bound premium passengers in December. The number of premium passengers grew by 1.7 percent year-over-year in December 2009, marking the first rise since May 2008. Premium travel to the Far East was up 14.5 percent and to the South Atlantic up 7.7 percent, while premium travel to the North Atlantic was down 1.1 percent.
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Southwest Airlines and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) unveiled the recently expanded Terminal E last week. The new terminal will house Southwest flights. The $45 million expansion project included seven new gates, a 500-seat waiting area, new restrooms, a mini food court with new concessions and a new piece of permanent artwork.
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The results of the 2010 North America Airport Satisfaction Survey, released by J. D. Power & Associates, are in. The study measures overall airport satisfaction in three categories: large (30 million-plus passengers per year), medium (between 10–30 million passengers per year) and small (fewer than 10 million). The six contributing factors are accessibility, baggage claim, check-in/baggage check process, terminal facilities, security check and food and retail services, scored on a 1,000-point scale. For large airports, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) ranked highest. Kansas City International (MCI) was the best medium airport, and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) was the No. 1 small airport.
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Qantas is revamping its cabin offerings. The Aussie airline will replace its first-class cabin on Boeing 747s with additional business-class seating. Around AUD 400 million will be spent to reconfigure its 747s and its Airbus A380s. On the Boeing aircraft, Qantas will upgrade with fully flat business-class seats, upgraded economy-class seats and Panasonic IFE products. The 359 seats will be comprised of 58 business, 36 premium economy and 265 economy.
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New Zealand is known for its rugged terrain, making air travel more efficient than car travel. During a visit to New Zealand, I took five different flights with Air New Zealand, including international and domestic flights on a wide variety of planes, ranging from an Airbus 320 (to and from Rarotonga) to a 20-seater jet on a 45-minute domestic flight.
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Turkey was one of the world’s first wine-producing regions. Today, its more than 1.5 million acres of vine lands equate to the world’s fourth-largest producer of grapes. The country’s four wine regions are Eastern Thrace, the Aegean Coast, Eastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia. Experience the wine and culinary delights of Turkey with three vacation packages.
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Explore Beverly Hills in style at the Beverly Hills Hotel, one of the area’s landmarks. Through Aug. 30, the Beverly Hills Escape package represents a savings of 40 percent off normal rates. The offer includes a two-night stay in a deluxe guestroom with balcony and welcome Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.
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South African Airways is ushering in 2010 with a deal for travel to Cape Town. The nine-day Luxury Cape Town package starts at $2,299. The package includes round-trip international economy-class airfare on SAA, domestic flights within South Africa, four nights at the Orange Hotel in Cape Town, two nights at the Rijk’s Country House in Tulbagh, a complimentary wine estate tour, six breakfasts, two dinners and meet-and-greets.
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London’s Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf is reaching out to families with a specially designed package aimed at bringing parents and teenagers together to enjoy all the city has to offer. Two weeks before the vacation, a representative from Urban Gentry, a hip London tour company, will reach out to learn more about the teen’s interests. A customized tour will be created for the family.
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The Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel reopened in January 2010 after a multi-million dollar renovation. Formerly the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel, the property is celebrating its grand reopening with the New Beginnings rate. Through April 10, rates start at $269, a 25 percent savings.
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