Carnival Corporation Donates $2 Million to Hurricane Sandy Victims

To aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy, Carnival Corporation & plc announced today that they are donating $2-million in relief funds. The funds are earmarked to go to four different organizations providing relief, rebuilding and support to the families and areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy in October.

The Robin Hood Relief Fund will receive $1-million, Habitat for Humanity will receive $500,00, Save the Children and Mayors Fund to Advance New York City will both receive $250,000.

“Super Storm Sandy was one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and on behalf of the 90,000 global employees of Carnival Corporation & plc we are pleased to provide this financial support to those who were affected by the storm,” said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. “We also have a special relationship with the region, with several ships either homeported or visiting the area as a port of call, as well as  hundreds of thousands of  residents who sail on the fleets of our various cruise brands.”

According to Bloomberg, damage to the Northeast from Hurricane Sandy could reach $2.5-billion.

Global Cruise Industry Announces Support of Paris MOU’s Focus on Passenger Ship Safety

On behalf of the global cruise industry, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced its support of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control’s (MOU) Harmonised Verification Programme (HAVEP), through which its 27 member States will provide focused attention on passenger ship safety throughout the 2013calendar year.

During the HAVEP, Port State Control Officers will inspect passenger ships and witness a number of emergency drills and scenarios on operational controls that govern the safe operation of passenger vessels.  The Paris MOU is a system of harmonized inspection procedures implemented by 27 participating maritime Administrations and covers inspection activities in the waters of the European coastal States and the North Atlantic basin from North America to Europe.

“The global cruise industry welcomes the Paris MOU’s focus on passenger ship safety in 2013 through HAVEP, as the safety of passengers and crewmembers is the cruise industry’s number one priority,” said Bud Darr, vice president, technical and regulatory affairs, CLIA.  “Through HAVEP, crewmembers will have additional opportunities to showcase their preparation for emergency situations in addition to demonstrating the extensive knowledge and training through the conduct of comprehensive drills which are already required by both international and national laws and industry procedures and policies.”

The global cruise industry is committed to continually reviewing operational safety protocols and procedures to further improve safety, as evidenced by the ongoing Global Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.   Every aspect of the cruise experience is heavily regulated and monitored under both U.S. and international maritime law.  Due to the industry’s commitment to safety, backed up by strict regulations, vigorous enforcement mechanisms and initiatives such as HAVEP, cruising is the safest form of leisure transportation.

Source: CLIA

Carnival Corp. Looks to Recover in 2013

“As a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy in January, the past year has been the most challenging in our company’s history,” said Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival Corporation discussing financials of 2012.

Carnival Corp showed a net income of $98 million, compared to same quarter 2011 of $217 million.

Arison said, ““As a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy in January, the past year has been the most challenging in our company’s history. However, through the significant efforts of our brand management teams, we were able to maintain full year 2012 net revenue yields (excluding Costa) in line with the prior year.”

Looking forward to 2013 Carnival looks rebound from 2012.

“We remain well positioned for a recovery in 2013 and beyond evidenced by the demonstrated resilience of our global portfolio of cruise brands as consumers continue to capitalize on cruising’s superior value versus land-based vacation alternatives.”

Carnival Corp ordered two new-builds  in 2012 for Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines, both ships the largest builds for both lines.

Disney Wonder Makes Inaugural Call to Costa Maya

As reported by Cruise Industry News, the 2,400-guest Disney Wonder made its inaugural call in Costa Maya, Mexico recently where festivities took place celebrating the arrival of the 83,000-ton vessel. As standard for any vessel calling into port for the first time, a plaque ceremony took place commemorating the maiden call with officials and shipboard crew.

“Costa Maya has been a favorite destination for our guests who have sailed on the Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy, so we are extremely pleased to bring the Disney Wonder here,” said Disney Cruise Line Captain Haugen. “Just as families reconnect and recharge onboard our ships, they can choose to relax in the sun on picture-perfect white sand beaches or seek adventure by diving one of the largest reefs in the world while in Costa Maya.”

Located on the Caribbean Sea, just north of Belize, Costa Maya was destroyed by category-five storm Hurricane Dean in 2007, the port is now rebuilt and thriving welcoming multiple cruise ships at a time.  While the pier has a plethora of shops, a Margaritaville (for cruise passengers only) and a pool, you’ll probably want to venture out of the cruise port to experience real culture, snorkeling, dining and Mayan Ruins.

Disney Wonder will spend the winter in Miami offering four, five and six night Caribbean sailings.

ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ- MERRY CHRISTMAS

Arriving tourists to September in Chile up 15-9% and total over 2.5 million

The number of tourist arrivals in Chile increased 15.9% in the first nine months of the year (Jan/September) totalling 2.565.525, according to the Federation of Tourism Enterprises, which represents “an excellent accumulated growth”.

The Federation also points out that in the third quarter, August was by far the best month with a 26.9% increase over the same period in 2011, which in numbers meant 240.00 arriving tourists in a single month.

Regarding expenditure, the report from the Chilean federation indicates that in July/September 2012, tourists from the US and EU increased their outlays by 6.7% and 6.1%, which are “clear signals of recovery”.

However in arrivals the big star was Australia with an increase in August of the number of Australians visiting Chile of 65% and 41% in the nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

In the ‘neighbourhood’ arrivals from Argentina, Colombia and Brazil jumped 30%, 26% and 16% to September. However the Federation Vice-president also points out that the Argentine influx must be considered in their special circumstances.

“This year the number of arrivals is made up of numerous but very brief visits of Argentines who came to Chile for shopping or looking for those goods they can’t acquire at home, which also means a minimal use of our tourism potential”, cautions Eugenio Yunis.

Anyhow in the first nine months of the year the number of Europeans and Americans arriving in Chile increased 5% and 2%. “This means that Chile retains its third place as the South American country which receives most international arriving tourists behind Argentina and Brazil”, concluded Yunis.
Source: Mercopress

Emirates and Qantas Welcome Draft ACCC Determination on Partnership

Emirates and Qantas have welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) draft determination that proposes to grant authorisation for their partnership for five years.

The partnership will provide customers with a seamless international and Australian network, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world‐class travel experiences.

ACCC approval is required for Emirates and Qantas to coordinate on pricing, sales and capacity.

The ACCC has issued a draft determination with a final decision due in March 2013. The implementation of the partnership remains subject to the ACCC's final determination and regulatory approval in other jurisdictions.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, said the ACCC’s draft determination was an important step towards delivering a better travel experience for millions of customers.

“We put a strong case to the ACCC that outlined the benefits of this partnership, both for travellers and for Australian tourism,” said Mr Joyce.

“Our customer research has shown very strong support for the Qantas and Emirates partnership, particularly in terms of increasing one-stop access to Europe, cutting travel time and offering frequent flyer benefits.

“We will now focus on responding to the issue raised by the ACCC in relation to the trans-Tasman as we move to securing final approval of this landmark partnership,” added Mr Joyce.

President of Emirates Tim Clark said that the positive response from its customers had been matched with enthusiasm from the local tourism sector.

“The feedback since the Emirates and Qantas partnership was announced has been positive and reinforces what a strong match the two brands are for each other,” said Mr Clark.

“Australia is one of the top three destinations in the Emirates network, popular for our business and leisure travellers alike.  

“The partnership with Qantas means we can add regional destinations like the Gold Coast and Hobart to the growing list of places we offer Emirates customers worldwide,” added Mr Clark.

Since announcing the proposed partnership in September, Emirates and Qantas have started initial preparations that do not require regulatory approval, including connecting IT systems, designing frequent flyer benefits and establishing an operational base for Qantas in Dubai.

Submissions to the ACCC made in support of the Emirates-Qantas partnership included the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Victorian and Queensland state governments, Australian Tourism Export Council and the National Tourism Alliance. A final decision is expected from the ACCC in March 2013. The partnership is scheduled to start in April 2013.

Port Everglades Celebrates Grand Re-Opening for Four Renovated Cruise Terminals

State and local public officials joined executives from Carnival Corporation and the six Carnival brands that sail from Port Everglades to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of four fully renovated, expanded and modernized cruise terminals that opened in time for this year’s busy cruise season at the South Florida cruise port.

Cruise Terminals 2, 19, 21 and 26 are part of a $54 million renovation project that transformed existing facilities into modern, world-class, guest-friendly cruise terminals, capable of processing both debarking and embarking cruise passengers simultaneously.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a press release saying that he applauded the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) investment of $9 million to reconstruct and modernize four cruise terminals at Port Everglades. Richard Biter, FDOT Assistant Secretary for Intermodal Systems Development, represented Gov. Scott at the ceremony on December 12 and told the crowd of about 200 people: “Florida is the cruise capital of the U.S. and ranked first in the nation for cruise industry expenditures with $6.7 billion in direct spending, accounting for 35 percent of total industry direct expenditures.”

During the ceremony, Carnival Corporation’s Giora Israel, Senior Vice President of Global Ports Development, presented a monetary donation to Pastor Paul Schweinler to purchase items for the Port Everglades Seafarers’ House Shoebox Christmas gift drive.

Port Everglades committed to modernizing the terminals as part of an agreement, finalized in April 2010, between Carnival Corporation and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the governing body for Port Everglades. The landmark agreement, one of the largest in Carnival's history, calls for a minimum of 25.5 million cruise guests from multiple Carnival Corporation brands to sail to and from Port Everglades over the initial 15-year term, which will potentially produce almost half-a-billion dollars in Port revenue.

“Carnival Corporation and its cruise lines that are here at Port Everglades – Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn – account for nearly half (43%) of the cruise business at Port Everglades. Carnival is an important business partner for Broward County and we are happy to celebrate your success,” said Broward County Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief. “The cruise industry is a major contributor to the economic health of our tourism-based community in Broward County. Not only do cruise companies such as Carnival Corporation bring jobs and revenue to our Port, but they also bring guests who visit our hotels and resorts, and support the small businesses and attractions that are the lifeblood of our economy. In Broward County alone, the cruise industry accounts for nearly 12,000 jobs and contributes $1.8 billion in local economic activity each year.”

Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak, told the audience that the goal for the cruise terminal renovations was, “to deliver an expeditious and seamless curbside to ship guest experience.”

“Cruise ports today are challenged with the task of providing state-of-the-art facilities that can keep pace with and support their customers’ needs, and the cruise lines, as we know, are always on the cutting edge of the hospitality industry. Our cruise terminals must be efficient inside for quick embarkation and debarkation. Outside there must be an organized system for taxi, shuttles, buses and private vehicles to safely pick up and drop off cruise guests. We need state-of-the-art security facilities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, enough room to lay down 2.5 pieces of luggage per person during debarkation, Wi-Fi for waiting cruise guests, clear directional signs and aesthetics that warmly welcome the more than 3.6 million people who start and finish their cruise vacations at Port Everglades annually.”

Broward County's Public Works Department, Seaport Engineering & Construction Division oversaw the renovations. Moss & Associates was the general contractor, and Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Inc. was the terminal architect and project construction administrator.

Construction work for the cruise terminal created an estimated 1,000 construction jobs, equating to $40.7 million in personal income and $3.7 million in state and local taxes, according to an economic impact study by nationally recognized maritime research firm Martin Associates.

Port Everglades is one of the leading cruise ports worldwide with more than 3.6 million passengers each year and homeporting more cruise ships than any other cruise port worldwide. Twelve cruise lines and 42 cruise ships sail from the South Florida seaport including: Balearia's Bahamas Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn. The Port's wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Port Everglades, where the best cruiseships launch and the greatest getaways begin. Details on the latest cruise schedules from Port Everglades are available on the Internet at porteverglades.net.

More than 30 countries to be showcased at IITM Events in India

‘Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions’ announces the 2013 Calendar of ‘India International Travel Mart’ events to be conducted in eight major markets of India.

The events are:

IITM Cochin: 31 January - 2 February 2013
IITM Kolkata: 28 February - 2 March 2013
IITM Bangalore: 19 - 21 July 2013
IITM Chennai: 26 - 28 July 2013
IITM Mumbai: 6 - 8 September 2013
IITM Gurgaon (Delhi NCR): 13 - 15 September 2013
IITM Pune: 22 - 24 November 2013
IITM Hyderabad: 29 November - 2 December 2013

With this year’s edition of ‘IITM’, Sphere Travelmedia &Exhibitions completes fourteen years of providing the travel industry and discerning buyers from the travel – trade an opportunity to do and transact business. With organizations and tourism boards from over 25 Indian states and over 30 countries, ‘India International Travel Mart’ will showcase a variety ofdestinations from different spheres such as pilgrimages, adventures, culture & heritage, beaches, hills and many more.

The events for 2013 shall have over 400 participants from over 30 countries and over 25 Indian states. The participants include Travel agents & Tour Operators, DMC, Hotels & Resorts, National Tourist Offices, Online Travel Portals, Adventure Tour Operators, Eco – Tourism activities, etc.

Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia said, “India in spite of the present business environment is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive countries for the travel trade industry both for leisure andbusiness travel. A combination of factors is responsible for the growth and demand of travel trends from India”.

Tourism Studies and Trends indicate that the year 2013 – 14 will see more than 15 million tourists embanking on overseas travel and with the advent of low cost international airfares, holiday packages that are available on monthly instalments payable over a period of time, International Travel is no longer a luxury.

British Airways Launches New Flight to China

British Airways announced a new route to Chengdu in China, just weeks after starting services to Seoul in South Korea.

To celebrate the launch, and reflecting the Chinese belief that eight is an auspicious number, flights toChengdu are available from just £508 if booked between today and January 6, 2013.

The flight number for the inbound service is BA88 and BA89 for the London outbound flight.

British Airways will be the only UK carrier to offer a direct service between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and London Heathrow.

The thrice-weekly service, which is now on sale, will start on September 22, 2013. The route will be served by a four-cabin Boeing 777 with First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, who announced the route in Chengdu today, said: “I have visited China on many occasions and last year went to Chengdu to see for myself the progress that has been made at the airport. It is truly impressive and shows vision and ambition.

“I am delighted to announce this new route which demonstrates the importance of mainland China to British Airwaysand our commitment to grow our presence here.

“Economic growth in China is continuing to outstrip that of most other countries, and Chengdu is not only the capital of Sichuan Province in the South West of China but one of the country’s largest cities.

“Since 1990, Chengdu’s economy has expanded rapidly, consistently delivering double-digit rates of growth. We are confident that the new route between Chengdu and London will prove popular with customers travelling between the two major economic hubs.

“China is also a fascinating venue for leisure travellers, and the region is famed for its giant pandas, rich culture and excellent cuisine.”

In Summer 2013, British Airways will also be increasing frequencies on services from London Heathrow to Amman, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jeddah, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Toronto