EasyJet agrees 10 year deal with Luton Airport which will enable it to double its size at the London airport

EasyJet, the UK’s largest airline, has agreed a new 10 year deal with London Luton Airport which could see the airline more than double its size at the airport from four to nine million passengers a year. The expansion would also see the creation of 2,500 new jobs at the airport – the UK’s sixth largest – and in the surrounding region.

 
easyJet has 15 aircraft based at London Luton, its second largest London base, and plans to grow its capacity by around 20% over the next year – adding new business and leisure routes and increasing frequencies on some of its existing 39 routes from London Luton.
Carolyn McCall, chief executive of easyJet, said:

 
“This is a substantial, long term deal with London Luton Airport – our first base and the airline’s home – which will enable us to double our size at London Luton in the next decade and add an even greater range of business and leisure destinations. We are looking forward to working with the airport, and the new concession owners Ardian and AENA. Their financial investment and long term commitment to developing London Luton were a key factor in our agreeing to this new deal and will help us deliver our plans.

 
“The speed of easyJet’s expansion at London Luton is in part reliant on the airport’s plans for much-needed improvements being approved. Those improvements will unlock the airport’s potential by improving the customer experience of the airport while also increasing the numbers of passengers flying to and from London Luton. This will in turn drive economic growth and jobs for the region.

 
“London Luton can make a real and immediate contribution to the need for more airport capacity in the South East. It currently serves almost 10 million passengers a year and if the expansion plans are given the go-ahead would be able to grow to 18 million in the coming years – using the existing runway but with huge improvements to the rest of the airport’s infrastructure.“This demonstrates that our industry can make the best use of existing capacity in the South East of England before any new runway is built.”

WDC and WVG will invest $41bn in the tourism market of New Zealand by 2025

Whangarei District Council (WDC) and the Whangarei Visitor Group (WVG) are ready to play their part in building the $41bn tourism market in New Zealand by 2025.

The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand recently released its ‘Tourism 2025’ plan which sets out a framework that will guide tourism development in New Zealand over the next decade.

Employing over 172,000 people, tourism currently contributes $24 billion to the NZ economy and accounts for 3.7% of its GDP.

“We have already recognised the importance of tourism for Whangarei, but this national level framework helps to give greater focus on tourism not only nationally but also within the District,” says WDC District Promotions and Tourism Manager Paul Davis.

“Tourism is one of our major industries and Council has committed greater resources to developing tourism and working with the industry here through the Whangarei Visitor Group.

“We aim to boost tourism activity and performance in the District, particularly targeting the domestic market.

“The next steps for us are to align the interim Whangarei Visitor Plan, developed by WVG and the industry last year, with the 2025 Framework.

“This will give Whangarei an even greater synergy with tourism’s national direction and addresses the five key themes within the Framework,” said Mr Davis.

Kate Malcolm from the Whangarei Visitor Group said that the Tourism 2025 strategy has been developed with solid research and statistics, and provides a platform that enables our diverse tourism industry to work collaboratively together on common goals.

“It is a strong pat on the back for work that WDC and the WVG have been already doing in uniting our local visitor industry with the 2013-2016 Whangarei Visitor Plan, and reinforces the path we are on together is the right one.

“There are many ways we can work towards potential opportunities both individually and collectively and it [the framework] gives me immense confidence in our local Whangarei Visitor industry,” she said.

The duo said the next Whangarei tourism industry meeting will be on 30 April and detailed work aligning local strategies with the Tourism 2025 Framework would begin.

Disney Cruise Line Charts a New Course for Norway

In summer 2015, Disney Cruise Line is charting a magical new course for northern Europe – exploring for the first time the Norwegian fjords, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Plus, Disney Cruise Line is returning to the Baltic for all-new itineraries, including sailings from Copenhagen, Denmark to St. Petersburg, Russia. Cruises to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Caribbean and Bahamas also are included in the summer lineup.

Bookings open to the public on March 27, 2014. More details on 2015 itineraries can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2015 section of disneycruise.com.

JW Marriott Miami Invites Cruisers to Stay & Play

With spring and summer cruising season quickly approaching and Miami being the cruise capital of the world, JW Marriott Miami announced a convenient Pre or Post Cruise package to facilitate travelers’ vacation needs.

Located just 10 minutes away from PortMiami and in close proximity to many of the City’s major attractions, the luxurious, AAA Four Diamond hotel is an ideal option for cruisers spending extra time in South Florida.

JW Marriott Miami’s Pre/Post Cruise package includes 2o% off hotel rates, daily complementary buffet breakfast for two, complementary late check-out (based on availability) and $25 USD credit on your final bill upon departure. Upon reservation, guests must use the promotion code QZR.

Located in the heart of the bustling Brickell area, guests of JW Marriott Miami will appreciate the property’s central location that allows for easy exploration of the neighborhoods’ beautiful tree-lined streets filled with options for fine-dining, shopping and nightlife. The hotel is also ideal to unwind with its Salus Spa, a serene oasis full-service spa, as well as the stainless steel outdoor pool. The property also features several dining options including La Terraza, which offers indoor or alfresco seating.

Skytrax World Airport Awards winners reveiled

Changi Airport in Singapore has been voted the World's Best Airport by air travellers for the second year in a row at the 2014 World Airport Awards, held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Barcelona, Spain.

"Winning this prestigious award for the second year in a row, Changi Airport Singapore is showing itself to be much more than an airport," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. "Changi Airport offers a travel experience in itself and continues to develop its quality standards to be named the world's favourite airport again. Changi Airport is a well-known leader and innovator for the airport industry and genuinely delights and surprises travellers who are lucky enough to enjoy the airport facilities. Changi Airport demonstrates how to make the airport experience an enjoyable part of the journey that is so important in today's fast-moving world."

Changi Airport enjoyed double success at the Awards, also receiving the award as Best Airport for Leisure Amenities. The vast array of leisure and entertainment facilities are a unique, stand-out feature for Changi Airport, and underline the dedication of this airport to ensure maximum levels of passenger satisfaction.

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group said, "We are honoured to be named Skytrax World Best Airport for the second consecutive year. We appreciate the support given to us by travellers from around the world. This recognition is great motivation for us and spurs us to continue to aim higher. At Changi Airport, we remain steadfast in anticipating the needs of our customers, which is the cornerstone of the Changi Experience. We share this honour with our airport community, for their unyielding commitment to service excellence and with our passengers, for their vote of confidence."

The World's Best Airports 2014
  
1 Singapore Changi Airport SIN Singapore Singapore
2 Incheon International Airport ICN Seoul South Korea
3 Munich Airport MUC Munich Germany
4 Hong Kong International Airport HKG Hong Kong Hong Kong
5 Amsterdam Schiphol Airport AMS Amsterdam The Netherlands
6 Tokyo International Airport Haneda HND Tokyo Japan
7 Beijing Capital International Airport PEK Beijing China
8 Zurich Airport ZRH Zurich Switzerland
9 Vancouver International Airport YVR Vancouver Canada
10 London Heathrow Airport LHR London United Kingdom

World's Best Domestic Airports 2014
1 Tokyo International Airport Haneda HND Tokyo Japan
2 Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l Airport SHA Shanghai China
3 Durban King Shaka Int'l Airport DUR Durban South Africa
4 Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport CVG Cincinnati USA
5 Denver International Airport DEN Denver USA
6 Cape Town International Airport CPT Cape Town South Africa
7 Haikou Meilan International Airport HAK Haikou China
8 San Francisco International Airport SFO San Francisco USA
9 Sydney Airport SYD Sydney Australia
10 Johannesburg OR Tambo Int'l Airport JNB Johannesburg South Africa

The World Airport Awards are the most prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. The survey and awards process is totally independent and guaranteed free of any airport influence or interference in final results.

The World Airport Awards are based on 12.85 million customer nominations across 110 nationalities of air travellers, and included 410 airports worldwide. The survey evaluates customer satisfaction across 39 key performance indicators for airport service and product - from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration, through to departure at the gate.

YMT Vacations announces news for 2014 European river cruises

CALIFORNIA - EL SEGUNDO, CA - YMT Vacations, the leading provider of affordable group travel packages to older Americans, is pleased to announce an additional departure date and extended fall savings for its European River Cruises.

River cruising continues to be the fastest growing segment of group travel and an October 8th date was introduced in the latest River Cruises that is just now hitting homes. The Elegant Danube, Alpine Beauty & Bohemian Highlights includes stops in 5 different countries (Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary) and is an amazing value for a 14-day vacation.

"We are pleased that our European River Cruises continue to be so popular with the value-conscious senior traveler and we have responded to this increase in demand by adding capacity to our Danube itinerary. In fact, bookings are up 15% in 2014 compared to the same point in time a year ago," stated YMT President Jerre Fuqua. "When you realize all you get for the price, a 7-night river cruise with all meals, a 5-night land tour, baggage handling at hotels and on the ship, plus specific sightseeing and attractions, it all adds up to a great value vacation for the budget traveler seeking new ways to explore Europe."

YMT's 8-page mailer features a cover story on the famous Bavarian castles that are part of the Danube itinerary. Whether it's visiting Schloss Neuschwanstein, the real "Sleeping Beauty" castle and Linderhof Palace on the Danube or discovering the classic castles and churches of East Berlin and exploring the site of the original Oktoberfest on a full-day tour of Munich on the Rhine, YMT offers a unique experience with its value-priced land and river cruise combinations.

All YMT vacation packages include hotel and/or cabin accommodations, all meals aboard ship, the services of a professional tour director, sightseeing, and baggage handling to and from rooms. Additionally, every YMT itinerary offers value, flexibility, choice and exclusivity.   

destinations UNLIMITED unveils new Russian DMC partnership

destinations UNLIMITED, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and recently appointed the Russian based DMC in order to strengthen its reputable portfolio of ground handlers worldwide. 

Nikki Mitchell, Managing Partner at destinations UNLIMITED, says; “Creativity is so important and RUSMICE unique approach is testament to that. We are delighted in choosing such a reputable partner for our selection of professional DMCs.”

Natalia Stolyarova, Managing Director of RUSMICE, says; “I am really proud and excited about the fact that RUSMICE has become a member of DU Team! For us the UK market is one of the most important ones. I love Russia, its history, culture, nature, turbulent nightlife, bright traditions and hospitable people!  I do see my country as a great destination for truly exciting and unusual programs. My team and me work to make our guests feel special and to remember their trip to Russia as a life time experience."

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants checks in with ADP for delivery of Human Capital Management solutions and expertise

ROSELAND, N.J. - ADP, a leading global provider of Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, announced that Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the leading collection of boutique hotels and restaurants in the United States, has chosen ADP for an integrated HCM solution based on ADP Vantage HCM.

Kimpton, which pioneered the boutique hotel concept in the United States in 1981 and has successfully grown ever since, has selected ADP to provide an integrated HCM solution for its employees. ADP Vantage HCM provides large enterprises a globally scalable and integrated HR system with unmatched expertise and comprehensive unified services, innovative and intuitive employee and manager experiences, and valuable insights that help companies like Kimpton succeed.

In fact, Kimpton prides itself on the customer experience it delivers 365 days a year through thoughtful perks and amenities, distinctive design and a sense of fun for customers. With more than 100 employees in each of 60 hotels and nearly 70 restaurants and lounges in 26 cities across the United States, the company helps to ensure those employees are "cared for" so that they, in turn, can focus relentlessly on guests who rely on Kimpton when away from home.

The company needed the technology and expertise to help it manage its people, and give them tools to help enable them to manage their own HR information, said Cheryl Lovelace, Vice President of Accounting for Operations at Kimpton. She added that the company needed a solution that is easy to use, and provides access from anywhere at any time.

Going forward, Kimpton – which has been an ADP client since 2002 – wanted a solution that would deliver employee information in one central location. ADP Vantage HCM will provide Kimpton employees and managers a wide variety of HR capabilities including HR, payroll, time and labor management, talent management, and recruiting management.

"We're pleased that Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has chosen to continue and expand their long relationship with ADP for the technology and service excellence that will help their employees continue to delight their guests," said Mark Benjamin, President of Global Enterprise Solutions at ADP. "By letting ADP do what it does best, Kimpton can focus even more on doing what it does best."

Lovelace said providing a best-in-class HCM system is critical – and will help Kimpton continue to rank as highly as it does with employees and customers. This year, the company was included for the fifth time on Fortune magazine's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For." Kimpton has the highest customer satisfaction and emotional attachment scores of any hotel company in the United States, according to Market Metrix Hospitality Index.

In the past, Lovelace said discrete HR processes at each hotel limited the ability for Kimpton to manage employee careers on a companywide basis. With their new tools, Kimpton and its employees will benefit from more robust career-management capabilities. 

"We want to continue to be one of the best places to work and a great place for our customers to visit," Lovelace said. "Our investors and our customers continue to have faith in us, and it all starts with the people we hire".

GBTA Foundation research reveals impact of business travel on U.S. economy and jobs

ALEXANDRI A, VA. - A new report issued by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation highlights the positive economic impact that road warriors have on the nation's economy and explores the quantitative impact business travel has on the U.S. economy. According to the study, business travel was responsible for about 3 percent of U.S. GDP in 2012 ($491 billion), and for every 1 percent increase in business travel spending, the U.S. economy gains an additional 71,000 jobs, nearly $5 billion in GDP, $3 billion in wages and $1.2 billion in tax collections.

The impact study also found that in 2012 the nation's businesses spent $384 billion to send travelers out on the road on 452 million business trips. The study shows that the business travel industry supports 7.1 million jobs and generated $118 billion in federal, state and local taxes.  

"While the road warriors' focus is on closing deals, it comes as no surprise the huge impact the business travel industry has on the nation's economy," said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO, GBTA. "This study shows business travelers are spending hundreds of billions on hotels, airports and restaurants. And, if governments enacted pro-business traveler policies, companies would be incentivized towards optimal travel expenditures levels. This would add another $13 billion in travel spending and yield $915 billion in new sales and nearly $250 billion in additional gross profit." 

"Business travel matters," said Mike Fegley, vice president, America sales for Intercontinental Hotels Group, the corporate sponsor of this study. "Business travel is a driver of the economy and these numbers solidify its importance. The study shows we can really move the needle of the economy by getting out on the road for face to face meetings conducting business and generating jobs."

"Business travel is an important aspect of travel and tourism," said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). "As the Global Business Travel Association's study notes, nearly $500 billion was contributed to the U.S. economy by business travel alone in 2012. That same year, Florida's tourism industry supported over one million employees and contributed over $51 billion to Florida's economy. Business travel and the tourism industries are a crux of economic vitality across the country, and especially in states like Florida. The bottom line is that both international travel to the United States and domestic travel within our nation create jobs. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, I will continue to work to foster an economic climate that promotes travel and economic vitality."

"Electronic communication is important to our economy but it cannot completely replace the personal connection formed by meeting face to face," said Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif. and co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. "Business travelers play an important role in building our economy beyond just the deals they strike with a hand shake. Their time on the road supports the entire travel industry; injecting needed dollars into local businesses and creating jobs in every community across the United States."

More study highlights include:
In 2012, U.S. domestic business travelers spent an average of $540 per trip, including $147 on lodging, $230 on transportation, $100 on food and beverage, $28 on shopping and $22 on entertainment. These averages consider all trips – day and overnight – and all methods of transportation – air, rail, personal auto and rental car. Business trips that utilized air travel as the primary mode of transportation averaged $1,100 in total spending per trip.
Business travel in the U.S. contributed $491 billion to U.S. GDP in 2012. Essentially, every dollar of business travel spending generated about $1.28 in GDP. Of the $491 billion total, $208 billion accrued directly to businesses that served travelers or meeting attendees. The supply chain for these businesses received an additional indirect contribution of $120.5 billion. Finally, the downstream spending of business-travel supported wages generated an induced contribution of $162.8 billion.
The average business trip lasts 1.75 days and covers 268 miles (945 miles if primary transportation is by air). The typical U.S. business traveler takes about four daytrips and two overnight trips per month. Over the course of a year, a road warrior on average spends 19 nights in a hotel.
U.S. business travelers are most likely to be mid-career (age 35-55) and be employed in a managerial or professional position. Business travelers have an average annual household income of $102,329 and almost three-quarters of business travelers are married.

Rubell Hotels Restores Lord Baltimore Hotel

BALTIMORE—The Lord Baltimore Hotel has been restored by Rubell Hotels through a complete transformation in collaboration with craftsmen, artisans, artists and designers.

Built in 1928, the French Renaissance landmark features 23 stories comprised of 440 guestrooms and suites, more than 20,000 sq. ft. of event space, several dining and lounging spaces and a rooftop event spaces. The hotel is included in the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

Rubell Hotels, a family-owned business known for transforming architecturally significant historic hotels into affordable cultural hubs, acquired the property in March 2013. Interior designer Scott Sanders, formerly the lead interior designer at Ralph Lauren, who specializes in distinctive residential and commercial interiors for notable clients and properties, spearheaded the design.

The grand lobby is complete with a massive gold Murano glass chandelier, towering glossy white columns and intimate groupings of mid-century inspired lounge seating. The LB Tavern, just off of the lobby, is a communal gathering space where guests can enjoy cocktails in a library-like setting. Seven large, multi-colored Candida Hofer photographs of libraries of the world, on loan from the Rubell Family Collection's museum in Miami, are featured throughout this space, and additional lounge seating gives this corner of the hotel a chic and sophisticated atmosphere.

The guestrooms and suites feature dark wood tones with clean lines, contemporary art and velvet drapes. Every guestroom includes complimentary high-speed Internet, a TV with 60 HD channels, refrigerator, coffeemaker, digital safe and bedside charging station.

Four penthouses overlook the Lord Baltimore's two rooftop areas, which feature a panoramic view of downtown Baltimore. The rooftop gardens and penthouses are available for private events. The Lord Baltimore's updated Calvert Ballroom highlights the space's original scenic murals, crystal Baccarat chandeliers and six balconies, which are symbolic of the six Lords Baltimore.

The Lord Baltimore Hotel features dining options including its signature restaurant, French Kitchen, which offers classic French fare in contemporary preparations. Additionally, guests can enjoy the LB Bakery, a contemporary take on a small-town American coffee house, featuring house-made breads, pastries, salads and sandwiches.