Emirates’ A380 route network extended to Germany with the launch of services to Munich.At the same time, Emirates became the first foreign carrier to offer a scheduled A380 service to Germany, a key country involved with its production, and supporting 40,000 jobs in Germany alone.Emirates’ VIP delegation prepare to leave on the inaugural Munich A380 flight, (from left to right) Thierry Antinori- Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales Worldwide and Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation The double decker will operate as EK 049, one of two daily flights from Dubai to Munich and among the airline’s 60 flights a week to four gateways in Germany; Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
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Best Western International has officially endorsed RateTiger as a preferred channel management vendor in Ireland, Denmark, Turkey and South America. “Best Western Ireland officially endorses RateTiger as preferred vendor providing channel management products for hotel properties in Ireland. RTSuite is an ideal application to manage multiple channels for rate and inventory updates and retrieving hotel pricing reports from electronic channels.
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The Board of Directors of AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR) (the "Company"), the parent of American Airlines, Inc. ("American"), has named Thomas W. Horton chairman and chief executive officer of the Company, succeeding Gerard Arpey, who yesterday informed the Board of his decision to retire. Horton will also succeed Arpey as chairman and chief executive officer of American. Horton will continue to serve as President of AMR and American."Today, we entered a new phase in the evolution of this great company with a talented and experienced new leader, Tom Horton, succeeding Gerard Arpey, who skillfully led our company through some of its most challenging times," said Armando M. Codina, lead independent director of AMR. "With more than 22 years at American, Tom is ideally suited to guide the company through this next important period. Tom's experience in a different company and industry gives him a unique blend of experience and objectivity that will serve the company well as we work through this process to achieve a competitive cost structure. The Board has great confidence that, together, Tom and the industry's best workforce and management team will reaffirm American's position of pride and leadership among global airlines.
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Tourism Australia will be inviting delegates to share a taste of Australia at their EIBTM stand on Tuesday 30 November and Wednesday 1 December. “The hospitality on the stand will celebrate the end of a year of solid performance for Australia’s business events industry,” said Lene Corgan, Business Events Manager for Tourism Australia, UK and Europe.From the UK, there has been a 14 per cent increase in convention and conference arrivals (year ending September 2011) and an eight per cent increase in total business arrivals during the same period. From Europe, Germany remains in Australia’s top 15 source markets with an increase of three per cent in business arrivals (year ending September 2011).
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As the flooding situation in Thailand has stabilized and flood waters are receding, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is accelerating its efforts to ensure travellers and tour operators worldwide to understand that Thailand’s tourism sector is open for business and welcoming visitors through a recovery campaign called “Beautiful Thailand.”The World Heritage Site in Ayutthaya, the most notable tourist attraction to be flooded, is undergoing restoration but is fully accessible. It has already seen an increase in the number of foreign visitors.TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said “For the past several months, the TAT has been reaching out to media worldwide and tour operators to give them an accurate picture of the situation in Thailand.”
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The U.S. Travel Association have announced its support of legislation that would provide members of the Armed Forces an expedited security process at U.S. airport security checkpoints.“Our country trusts the men and women of the Armed Forces with the ultimate responsibility – to protect and defend the United States. Yet when flying for official duties or en route to put their lives on the line for this country, they are met with the same skepticism, scrutiny and inefficiencies that every person receives in our ‘one-size-fits-all’ aviation security process,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
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More than a third of businesses and other organiSations around the world were victims of economic crime in the last 12 months, according to respondents to PwC's 2011 Global Economic Crime Survey. And nearly a quarter of victims said they were subject to cybercrime -- the use of technology as the main element in the economic crime.Overall, 34 percent of respondents said their organisations were victims of economic crime, a 13 percent increase since 2009. Theft or asset misappropriation (cited by 72 percent) was the most common type of economic crime reported, followed by accounting fraud and bribery and corruption (24 percent each) and cybercrime (23 percent). Overall, 11 percent of respondents, nearly half of them C-suite executives, said they did not know if their organisation had suffered a fraud.
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The most exciting story in aviation over the last decade has been written by members of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO). That was the message from James Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, as he welcomed 300 delegates from across the region to the 44th AACO annual general meeting (AGM) in Abu Dhabi.Referring to the last time Abu Dhabi played host to the AACO AGM in 1983, Mr Hogan said: “In 1983, no one in Europe lost any sleep over the threat of competition posed by Middle East carriers. European, American and Asian carriers were the kings of the sky.
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Responding to customer demand, Amtrak and its California passenger rail partners are launching free Wi-Fi service on all three state-supported routes. The launch coincides with “Cyber Monday,” the busiest Internet holiday shopping day of the year, allowing passengers onboard to shop online.Using any laptop computer or Wi-Fi enabled device, passengers traveling on the Capitol Corridor (Auburn-Sacramento-Emeryville/SF-Oakland-San Jose), San Joaquin (Sacramento-Oakland-Bakersfield), and Pacific Surfliner (San Diego- LA-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo) trains now can connect to the Internet through AmtrakConnectSM for general Web surfing and using e-mail. Passengers also can use the Wi-Fi service to access corporate networks through most standard Virtual Private Networks (VPN), turning train trips into productive work time.California state passenger rail agencies funded the implementation of Wi-Fi by reinvesting cost savings from prior completed rail projects, further improving the attractiveness of this green travel mode.
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AMR Corporation ("the Company"), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. ("American") and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation ("American Eagle") has filed for bankruptcy. The company announced that in order to achieve a cost and debt structure that is industry competitive and thereby assure its long-term viability and ability to continue delivering a world-class travel experience for its customers, the Company filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
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Hilton Worldwide and Les Roches Jin Jiang International Hotel Management College (LRJJ), China's top international hospitality management school signed an agreement to cultivate talent for China's rapidly expanding hospitality industry. Under the Hilton Class program, Hilton Worldwide will offer students from LRJJ's hospitality course rigorous workplace training and other curricula designed to equip them for successful careers in hospitality.
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Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills and OurStay have introduced the exclusive Luxury LA eConcierge, the new multimedia luxury guide for Beverly Hills and the surrounding communities.The Luxury LA eConcierge at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles delivers high-end brands and services directly to in-house guests via the iPad 2 devices in all of the Hotel’s 285 guestrooms and suites, which are linked to the new ICE technology from Intelity. This powerful eConcierge service revolutionises the manner in which guests discover the city.
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Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Inc., and Horizon Air Industries, Inc. announced it will webcast a presentation by Brandon Pedersen, Alaska's vice president of finance and chief financial officer, at the Rodman & Renshaw 2011 Airline Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Boston.
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Meliá Hotels International has announced the signing of their fourth hotel in Cape Verde, the first on the island of Boa Vista, in addition to the three already on the island of Sal. The Meliá White Sands hotel will be a luxury resort with 850 rooms operated under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand.
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For couples looking for a destination wedding with their own personal style then the Grand Palladium Resorts would make it a perfect one with wedding and vow renewal packages.Palladium Hotels & Resorts have teamed up with wedding designer extraordinaire, Karen Bussen, to create these Simple Stunning Wedding packages and details for a truly personalized and unique wedding in this picture-perfect location. Since every couple is unique, their packages offer different color options as well as a line of handpicked extras to create a sophisticated wedding experience that reflect the bride and groom’s own personal style. Extras such as Jamaican inspired Welcome Kits and Bridesmaid Tea and Cupcake Party allow couples and their guests to experience a truly exotic and memorable wedding from the time they arrive to the Resort.
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Rotana announced signing an agreement with Melissa Reid, who is considered to be the best young British golfer of her generation since Laura Davies. “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Melissa who has established herself as a leading Professional and is well on her way to being one of the top players in the world”, says Omer Kaddouri Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Rotana. “I consider myself very lucky to be able to call Rotana hotels my second home and proud to associate myself with such a hotel brand that is expanding across the region. Customers all over the world will recognize the Rotana branding as I will be carrying it with me when playing internationally”, comments Melissa Reid.
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The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) announced that it has secured accreditation in International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 9001 - Quality Management System and ISO 14001 - Environmental Management System. The implementation of these ISO standards throughout The CCD will help to maintain delivery efficiencies and ensure continual improvement. To retain ISO certification, The CCD will be audited on a regular basis.“Since the construction phase, we have been extremely focused on creating and operating a sustainable and efficient business,” said Nick Waight, CEO, The Convention Centre Dublin. “Our ISO accreditation solidifies our commitment to this long-term strategy and we are delighted that we managed to achieve certification just 14 months after opening. This is only the beginning of our ISO journey and we’ll keep reviewing our systems to ensure they are operating at optimum efficiencies, which should help us to achieve our goal to be the best conference centre in Europe by 2014.”
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Commenting on the reports that the Chancellor will announce about the details of a National Infrastructure Plan, involving billions of pounds of investment in transport links, as part of tomorrow’s Autumn Statement, Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association said:“The Chancellor clearly recognizes the importance of modern, efficient, national transport infrastructure to facilitate growth and investment in the wider economy but is ignoring a critical area of infrastructure provision which is desperately needed if Britain is to maintain its international competitiveness and global trading links.”
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Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) board of directors today announced David G. DeWalt as its newest member, effective immediately.
"We are delighted to have David DeWalt join the board of directors," said Daniel A. Carp, Delta's non-executive chairman of the board.
DeWalt served as president, chief executive officer and director of McAfee, a security technology company, from April 2007 until February 2011 when McAfee was acquired by Intel Corporation. From December 2003 to March 2007, DeWalt held executive positions with EMC Corporation, a provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions, including serving as executive vice president and president customer operations and content management software. DeWalt is the chairman of the board of Polycom, Inc., and a member of the board of directors of Jive Software.
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Rotana has announced that before the end of 2012, they will open Rotana’s first hotel in Bahrain, welcome guests to hotel in Amman, Jordan – first in the country, launch first resort in Salalah, Oman, open second hotel in Doha, Qatar and expand the portfolio with four additional hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE. UAE – DubaiAl Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana: Opening Quarter 1 2012 Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana is a 5-star property located in Deira, Dubai, offering 428 rooms and suites, designed with up-to-date technology and facilities catering to both business and leisure guests.
Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotan: Opening Quarter 1 2012 Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana is a deluxe hotel apartment is nestled in the heart of Dubai and is directly connected to the 5 star Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana.
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At a meeting in Moscow on November 21 and 22, 2011, European Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) committed to a wide-ranging strategy aimed at significantly improving aviation security at the national and regional levels.This Regional Conference on Aviation Security was the third in a series of similar meetings around the world aimed at implementing an ICAO Assembly Declaration on Aviation Security adopted as a global framework to deal with new and emerging threats through greater international cooperation on passenger and cargo security.
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Leon Linders, President of Alstom Netherlands, unveiled the first trainset of the Amsterdam metro at Alstom’s site in Valenciennes (Nord), where it was designed and manufactured. Representatives of the city of Amsterdam and the Dutch operator GVB were on hand for the event 1. The trainset is currently undergoing trials at Alstom’s Valenciennes site and at the Valenciennes Rail Testing Centre. It will be delivered next February and is due to enter commercial service in autumn 2012. All the trainsets will operate on the metro lines in Amsterdam.
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With direct flights from major airports across Europe, the spectacular seaside resort of Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is just a few hours away. Now, the Resort offers an exclusive flight credit for departures from Brussels, Luxembourg and Amsterdam until February 9, 2012.It's a chance to refresh and steal away to a tranquil poolside oasis, discover world class scuba diving and snorkeling, and explore the ancient storied sights of Sinai. Guests will enjoy a USD 1000.00 airfare credit while being pampered in the Spa and Wellness Centre, treated like royalty with private transfers between the airport and the Resort in a luxury vehicle, and indulging into the daily buffet breakfast in Arabesque restaurant. Never forgetting its younger guests, the Resort offers a complimentary breakfast for children 12 years old or younger.
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With the holiday travel season around, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces its mobile app – Hyatt Hotels – which is available for download on the App Store. The Hyatt Hotels app allows iPhone users to search and explore hotels using location-based technology, check-in and checkout, book new and view existing reservations, as well as join, find deals and track point balances through Hyatt Gold Passport, Hyatt’s guest loyalty programme.“Researching travel options can be time consuming – especially if you are on the road and need information immediately. We wanted our app to offer a clean design with an intuitive flow so travelers can easily have all the most important details at their fingertips to make their travels as simple and seamless as possible,” said Bill Bernahl, vice president, E-Commerce, Hyatt.
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Now travelers can use Marriott Rewards points to protect all their travel year-round with such services as 24/7 access to Consult A DoctorTM, no out-of-pocket medical expenses and coverage for emergency medical care anywhere in the world. With CSA's Protect Me Plan, they’ll have protection during travel for such events as travel delays, rental car damage, loss or delay of baggage and personal effects and much more. Whether traveling for business or leisure, staying in a hotel (even those outside of the Marriott® portfolio of brands), or just visiting family and friends, this program covers all travel1 throughout the year. This travel insurance plan from CSA is only available to Marriott Rewards members.
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Amadeus, a leading travel technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry announced the key strategic appointment of airport technology heavyweight John Jarrell, to lead its Airport IT business.Jarrell, who was most recently the General Manager of EMS Aviation at EMS Technologies, joins with a clear brief to grow Amadeus’ Airport IT proposition aggressively; holding end-to-end responsibility across the business unit reporting to Amadeus’ VP of New Businesses, Francisco Pérez-Lozao.
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Qatar Airways’ corporate jet division, Qatar Executive, has re-launched its website,www.qatarexec.com.qa, with new features offering an enhanced experience to the company’s private jet services.A new navigation system and homepage layout allows users to quickly locate information with detailed specifications and reviews of Qatar Executive’s wholly-owned fleet of six luxurious Bombardier private jets.Visitors to the site can enjoy an in-depth view of all three aircraft types currently operating in Qatar Executive colours – Global 5000s, Global Express XRS and Challenger 605s.
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With the holiday season in full swing, Four Seasons introduces the perfect last-minute solution with a gift that is sure to please. The new Four Seasons eGift Card can be purchased online and sent anywhere in the world on the exact date chosen by the purchaser. With eight appealing designs, it’s the easiest option for giving the ultimate gift.Four Seasons Gift Cards and e-Gift Cards are available in amounts from 50 to 100,000 dollars, and lucky recipients can choose an experience at any of 86 Four Seasons hotels and resorts around the world, with no expiry date.
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Etihad Airways urged all guests currently booked on flights to or from Damascus to contact the airline if they wanted to change their travel plans.Last night the Arab League voted to impose sanctions on Syria after it refused to allow independent monitors into the country, which has been wracked by conflict for several months.The sanctions include a ban on commercial flights between Syria and member states. The League said a decision on when the ban begins would be made within a week.
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The Minister of Popular Power for Tourism, Alejandro Fleming, said the arrival of foreign tourists to the country increased by 12.3% to the end of the third quarter. He explained that this positive increase is a result of the strategies created by the Bolivarian Government."The increase of 12.3% in foreign tourist arrivals to the country is an achievement of the revolution led by our Commander Hugo Chavez in order to diversify and strengthen the Venezuelan economy. The result is that the tourism sector accounts for the nation 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), "stressed the head of the national tourist office.
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Alaska Airlines launched its eight-day Cyber Monday sale today featuring low fares to most of the carrier's destinations for travel before and after the holidays. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 5 for travel between Dec. 6 and March 7, 2012, for most cities. Winter sale fares to Mexico are valid between Jan. 10 and Feb. 12, 2012, and to Hawaii between Jan. 16 and March 7, 2012. Tickets are available for purchase today at www.alaskaair.com.
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Mr. John Westoby, Managing Director - South East Asia of Absolute Hotel Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Alain Beaumont as the new General Manager of Eastin Easy GTC Hanoi. Mr.Beaumont, British national, brings with him an extensive experience in hotel and tourism business for more than 25 years.He strarted his career in United Kingdom at Kuoni Travel, British Airways and Aviatours in Germany respectively. Later his career path took him to Bangkok and started at Pinnacle Hotels & Resorts, Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok and Best Western Premier Suvarnabhumi Bangkok as director of sales and marketing.
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The renewed positive agenda between the European Union and was the main focus of the joint visit of European Commissioner for Turkey Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, and European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, to Istanbul.Both Commissioners met representatives from the Turkish government, the business community and civil society. "Our meetings will focus on the many things EU and Turkey have in common", Commissioner Füle said before the trip. "We cooperate in so many fields, we are interlinked in so many ways and that's why the fundamentals between the EU and Turkey are solid,“ he stated and added "But we need a renewed agenda which would focus on how to inject new life into our relations in general and into the accession process in particular."
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Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, today announced it would outsource the accounting of passenger and cargo revenues to aviation accountancy specialist Kale Consultants Ltd. from April, 2012. James Rigney, Etihad Airways’ Chief Financial Officer, said: “Revenue accounting plays a critical role in our fast paced growth and we want to align our process to industry leading practices and quality. We have chosen Kale because of its strategic focus, leading edge technology and expertise in revenue accounting.”
Resorts World Sentosa announced that on 31 December 2011, Universal Studios Singapore will launch its first-ever full-scale parade, adding even more colour and festivity to the region’s first movie theme park. Hollywood Dreams promises to excite guests of all ages with magnificent and intricately detailed floats, special effects, dancers, a custom musical score and some fan-favourite characters from throughout Universal Studios Singapore . Running through five of the park’s seven zones, the parade route is approximately 30 minutes long and gives each guest about a 10 minute viewing experience of the procession. The all-new parade will feature a cast of over 100 performers.
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The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) unveiled its new “Completely Philadelphia” video during its Annual Luncheon at the expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center. The new video (www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel/phillyvideo) joins a full suite of tools that are shaping the City’s image and making Philadelphia information even more easily accessible. According to World Travel Market’s Industry Report for 2011, half of the travel industry are, or will be, investing in mobile products.
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John Westoby, Regional Managing Director South East Asia of Absolute Hotel Services Group announced the appointment of Alan Porteous as the new general manager of U Paasha Seminyak Bali, effective immediately.A native of Australia, Mr. Porteous joins the hotel with over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He first established his career in accounting and finance with many hotels and resorts.Over the years, he rose up the ranks to become general manager of several premium resorts including Iririki Island Resort, Vanuatu, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Cook Islands, Mobys Beachside Retreat, Boomerang Beach and Peppers Balé Resort, Port Douglas.
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Dusit International named Alex Willats as General Manager of the group’s flagship hotel, the Dusit Thani Bangkok. Prior to his appointment, Willats joined Dusit Thani Bangkok as Resident Manager accepting a dual role as the Acting General Manager for the last six months. A British national, Willats came to Dusit in October 2010 from The Kingdom of Bahrain, where he was Executive Assistant Manager with Radisson Hotels and also held a consulting role for a luxury resort The Al Areen Palace & Spa.
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The Egypt Yoga Festival will take place at 5 star Domina Coral Bay Elisir Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. This festival will be staged from April 26 - May 1, 2012 with a theme of "Egypt Back to Freedom".
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Jet Airways announced three exciting new opportunities to earn JPMiles for its members with the addition of three new retail partners in the ever expanding retail category.JetPrivilege has partnered with a leading international denim brand - Jack & Jones. The denim is crafted with an aim to provide deep comfort to its consumers with its cool, casual and confident styles. All Jack & Jones lines reflect current trends and offer relaxed and stylish designs with super fits and the most innovative treatments. The Jack& Jones range offers funky tees, shirts, jackets and accessories as well as denims in a variety of washes, styles and fits.
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Mr. Upatham Nisitsukcharoen, Director of the Project Management Office of the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 and Dr. Suwit Chaikiatiyod, Director of the Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, introduced the one innovation of horticulture developed by the Thai – the largest color changing lotus in the world. This large lotus had the capability to change colors beginning from the first bloom to a total of 5 different colors.
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Passengers are set to benefit from £46m of improvements to stations across England after the latest round of successful bids for rail industry funding was announced.The 21 successful projects include new and extended car parks, park and ride projects, station redevelopments and new retail space and will be delivered by Network Rail, train operating companies, local authorities and other third parties committed to regeneration in and around stations.
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global traffic results for October. Cargo demand was 4.7% below the same month in 2010 while passenger traffic showed a 3.6% rise over previous year levels.“Cargo is the story of the month. Since mid-year the market has shrunk by almost 5% and this is far greater than the 1% fall in world trade. Air freight is among the first sectors to suffer when businesses confidence declines,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO. While business confidence has declined considerably in recent months, industrial output has not. But in anticipation of weaker economic activity, there is a shift to cheaper and slower modes of transport.In stark contrast to the decline in air freight, the trend for air travel remains upwards, but with very strong regional differences. Despite the deepening euro-zone crisis European carriers have showed above trend demand growth of 6.4%. “With Europe accounting for 29.2% of global air travel, this suggests that the current overall strength in air travel is based on fragile foundations,” said Tyler.
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The Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC), Canada’s newest and most sophisticated meeting place was presented with the New Business of the Year Award last evening at a gala event hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) at the Fairmont Château Laurier.“We are very pleased to recognize all Canadian Tourism Award winners as organizations and individuals who help make Canada a world-class destination." said TIAC president and CEO, David Goldstein.
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