Press Release: FAMILY HOLIDAY COSTS DEBATE IN UK

FAMILY HOLIDAY COSTS DEBATE - GOVE & HEMMING GET BOTTOM MARKS.

Birmingham businessman hits out at 'ill-informed'comments. Colin Matthews, the owner of one of the UK's top travel agencies has spoken up in defence of the UK's retail travel industry. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - February 27th, 2014 - Colin Matthews, the owner of one of the UK's top travel agencies has spoken up in defence of the UK's retail travel industry, claiming that some remarks by John Hemming MP & Michael Gove, Education Secretary are ill-informed & untrue. 'Gove & Hemming need to go back to school & re-do their Economics 'O' levels', he said. 'It is astonishing to hear Mr. Gove claim that travel agents are 'ripping off' consumers. The rise in costs at peak dates is simply the economic laws of Supply & Demand at work. Also, Mr. Hemming has no understanding of the industry at all, when he claims that travel agents are putting up prices. Any price increases are set by tour operators, not agents - however, the good news is that some agents may be able to offer discounts.'  'It is clear that British families are routinely paying too much for their holidays, simply because they don't check for the best deals'. Award-winning Travel Club Elite, based in Birmingham, has been a Member of ABTA for 28 years & says it has saved, collectively, 'seven-figure sums' for British holidaymakers. 'We regularly offer savings of hundreds of pounds on a single booking', says Matthews, 'our great relationships with family holiday specialists such as Neilson, Mark Warner & Club Med mean that we often have exclusive deals & are able to winkle out the elusive free-child places & family rooms that others miss.' 'Additionally, we offer our own incentives, which mean that families (or couples) could expect a minimum 5% extra savings on most holidays'. 'If people let us have their holiday details, or wish-list & budget, before booking, we can almost always find extra savings. When it comes to holidays, every little really does help!' 'If the Government want to do something useful on this, they should immediately introduce staggered holiday dates, to smooth peaks in demand', added Matthews. ###

CONTACT INFORMATION:   Contact Name: Colin Matthews Phone #: 0121 213 0012 Email: info@travelclubelite.com Web: http://www.travelclubelite.com/

Press Release: MAHARAJAS EXPRESS ANNOUNCES HIGHLY RESPONSIVE WEBSITE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      MAHARAJAS' EXPRESS ANNOUNCES MORE USER FRIENDLY, DYNAMICALLY INTERACTIVE AND HIGHLY RESPONSIVE WEBSITE A website is the starting point for customer interaction, providing information and with this in mind the Maharajas Express website has undergone a thorough makeover, making it more user-friendly and highly responsive. (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - February 24th, 2014 - "Nothing can touch the Maharajas' Express when it comes to sheer, enchanting, immersive and totally out of this world royal experience. That the Train has won the WTA award the second time running in 2013 as the World's Leading Luxury Train is proof enough of its unequalled superiority in the Luxury Tourist Train Segment and IRCTC promises to continue making incremental improvements. One of the most noticeable improvements is in the total makeover of the Maharajas Express website," announced a representative of IRCTC. As about 30% of the visits to our website are from Mobiles and tablets, we have revamped the site to be responsive and hope this will help the user to browse comfortably. The website is the first place any intending guest will refer when he wants to know about the Maharajas' Express, its itineraries, facilities, history and rates. Keeping in mind expectations of our select clientele, the Maharajas Express website has undergone a facelift. The first thing visitors to the website will notice is a prominent, clickable banner that shows images of the exteriors of the world's leading luxury train, glimpses of restaurant cars and guests enjoying themselves and images of welcome arrangements at the railway stations. We have used the latest technologies to create fast loading web-pages with attractive images and informative content. Further, our website now features an exclusive Maharajas Club for past members. Members become eligible for special incentives and schemes on future travel as rewards for loyalty. The revamped Maharajas Express website, your gateway to luxury train trips in India, also features blogs, feedback pages and a testimonial page. Guests who have booked a journey or those who have completed one can give feedbacks and help make the lavish train trip even more splendid. Then there is a "press room" link where visitors can read all about the latest happenings and news about the most prized luxury trains of India. There are links to pages that describe each journey in detail with tabs that display information on places and activities. On the whole, the all newMaharajas Express website is far more user friendly, interactive and responsive that it was in its previous iteration. It should be a joy for visitors to browse the site and be inspired to become a guest on one of its delightful journeys. ###   CONTACT INFORMATION:   Contact Name: Anup Kumar Madhavan Phone #: 9717635915 Email: maharajas@irctc.com Web: http://www.the-maharajas.com/ About TravPR.com TravPR.com enables direct distribution of news and announcements to key travel trade press, travel magazines & national newspaper travel editors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand.    TravPR.com also provides immediate exposure for company news in the major Search Engines, Social Media Platforms & News Portals.  Find out more at www.TravPR.com or contact editor@travpr.com.

Press Release: WTA Announces First Ceremony In Greece

World Travel Awards announces first ceremony in Greece

London, 19th February 2014

World Travel Awards (WTA), the "Oscars of the travel industry", has unveiled plans to visit Greece for the first time, with Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, Athens, set to host its Europe Gala Ceremony on 2nd August 2014.

Senior representatives from Europe's finest travel brands are scheduled to attend WTA's Europe Gala Ceremony 2014 as they vie to win the most coveted accolade in the industry.

The red-carpet evening is being held in partnership with the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises and Divani Collection Hotels, and will include a gala dinner, top entertainment as well as the presentation of the most coveted awards in the industry.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a full itinerary over the weekend, a "journey through Greece," giving an insight into both its illustrious history and its vibrant contemporary culture.

The WTA organisers highlight the significance of hosting the VIP ceremony in Athens.

Graham E Cooke, President & Founder, WTA, says: "We are delighted to host our first ceremony in Greece, a decision that reflects the crucial contribution that tourism makes to the national economy. The Greek tourism sector is enjoying a renaissance, with last year's double-digit growth predicted to continue in 2014 as it continues to grow market share."

He adds: "The selection of our hosts is fundamental to the success of our awards programme, and Athens possesses all the ingredients to rise to the challenge of hosting our Europe Ceremony 2014. As Europe's oldest city, Athens beautifully balances its 2,500-year history with a vibrant contemporary culture scene."

The ceremony will take place at the luxury beach resort of Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso. Situated in the exclusive area of Vouliagmeni, just 18km from Athens city centre, the resort's stunning beachfront location combined with one of the most luxurious Thalassotherapy centres in Europe make it a destination for well-being and relaxation.

Niki Fotiou, Marketing & PR Manager, Divani Collection Hotels, says: "Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso is privileged to host the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony. We are proud to bring this event to Greece for the first time and to offer an impressive 'journey' through Greece to more than 500 travel tourism and hospitality professionals."

The Europe Ceremony 2014 will mark the third leg of WTA's Grand Tour, a global search for the world's finest travel brands, which also includes regional heats in Dubai, Ecuador and Anguilla. The winners of these regional heats will progress to the Grand Final, which will take place in December 2014.

Notes to Editors

About World Travel Awards

Hailed as 'the Oscars of the travel industry', World Travel Awards celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade and aims to celebrate those brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence.

WTA's global media partner network includes International New York Times, TV5Monde, CNBC Arabiya, Newsweek, Outlook Traveller, Travel & Leisure, Khaleej Times, Trade Arabia, TTN, Trav Talk India, Publituris, ASTA Network, Breaking Travel News, eTurboNews, Travel Daily News International and Focus on Travel News.

This global media partner network has a monthly readership of 1.7 million and a TV audience reach of 90 million.

For more info about WTA's Europe Ceremony 2014 & bookings visit:
www.worldtravelawards.com/event86

To download WTA logos visit:
www.worldtravelawards.com/logo

About Divani Collection

www.divanis.com

Divani Collection owns and operates seven hotels in Greece (Athens, Meteora, Larissa and Corfu). One of the oldest hotel companies in Greece (more than 53 years), Divani Collection is a leader in the Greek hotel industry through innovation, consistency, exceeding customer expectations and superb service. All properties enjoy a premium location, top-of-the-line service and extensive conference facilities.

Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso is a proud member of the Leading Hotels of the World, and offers an impressive variety of services and facilities in a superb location. The hotel offers two outdoor swimming pools, including a sea-water pool. Other facilities include a private sandy beach, water sports, extensive gardens, tennis court, a jogging route just outside the hotel, and an 18-hotel golf course nearby.  Each bedroom offers panoramic sea views with a front row seat to the Saronic spectacle, exuberant sun rising, romantic sunsets and the never ending azure blue sea.

The glorious Divani Athens Spa & Thalasso Centre is the soul of this resort. The 3,500 m² Spa and Thalassotherapy centre is the only facility offering Thalassotherapy in the Athens region, offering a variety of treatments which are tailored to your personal needs, ensuring an experience of the highest quality.

Press Release: World's Best Islands Recognized As TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award Winners

World's Best Islands Recognized As TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award Winners

Top Islands Revealed Based on Reviews and Opinions of Millions of Travelers on TripAdvisor

NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice Islands. In its second year, the annual awards recognize more than 100 islands globally, including top 10 lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63177-tripadvisor-travelers-choice-award-winners-world-s-best-islands

"There is something transporting about an island vacation, and these Travelers' Choice Islands winners will help travelers find their next escape," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From the coral reefs of Ambergris Caye to the beaches of Ko Tao, these winning islands have been highly rated from travelers around the globe."

Travelers' Choice Island winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor gathered during a 12-month period.

Top 10 Islands in the World:

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
4. Marco Island, Florida
5. Lewis and Harris, Scotland
6. Naxos, Greece
7. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
8. Nosy Be, Madagascar
9. Easter Island, Chile
10. Ko Tao, Thailand

Top 10 Islands in the U.S.:

1. Marco Island, Florida
2. Chincoteague Island, Virginia
3. Anna Maria Island, Florida
4. San Juan Island, Washington
5. Maui, Hawaii
6. Kauai, Hawaii
7. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
8. Nantucket, Massachusetts
9. Hilton Head, South Carolina
10. Key West, Florida

For the complete list of winners from the 2014 Travelers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveler photos, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, bargain, and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

About TripAdvisorTripAdvisor^® is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching more than 260 million unique monthly visitors** in 2013, and more than 125 million reviews and opinions covering more than 3.7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 34 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 20 other travel media brands:www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com,www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk,www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com,  www.onetime.com,www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com,www.virtualtourist.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

 *Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, December 2013
 **Source: Google Analytics, worldwide data, July 2013

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63177-tripadvisor-travelers-choice-award-winners-world-s-best-islands

SOURCE TripAdvisor

Press Release: Abacus Launches Trip Alert

 

NEW ABACUS TRIPALERT TAKES ON TRAVEL DISRUPTION

New Delhi, February 18th,2014 – Abacus, the leading travel solutions provider in Asia Pacific is today launching Abacus TripAlert, a new digital service designed to give travel management companies actionable insights in order to move travellers out of danger should an incident arise that threatens their safety.

Aligning early warning data on natural disasters, health pandemics or terrorist attacks with bookings captured on Abacus systems, Abacus TripAlert instantly locates affected travellers, presenting their agents with the opportunity to react, changing flight, hotel, car rental or other reservations, before options narrow.

With Abacus handling over 30 million transactions daily, some involving travel within high-risk areas, Abacus TripAlert has huge potential value.

Martin Symes, Chief Marketing Officer at Abacus explained, “The timing of the alert is vital, to give travel professionals a window to reschedule. We’ve partnered with a specialist to ensure Abacus has the edge on early detection, with AidCom providing a stream of reliable data pinpointing the hotspots where travellers may be vulnerable. Our travel agents can then quickly identify the nearest airports and available seats out.”

The service monitors all the participating agencies’ PNRs for the two days ahead of departure and in-trip, sending subscribers electronic event summaries and an ‘Impact Traveller List’ to share with their corporate accounts or to contact directly.

“Corporations responsible for occupational risk will want this service to mitigate their exposure to elements outside their control,” added Peder Kvendset, CEO of AidCom. “It is also a positive investment in terms of their duty of care. We are delighted to be working with Abacus on this important shared endeavour.”

Abacus users can sign up for a trial period and monthly subscription which includes a license to repackage the technology as a service offering to contracted corporate accounts.

For more information on Abacus TripAlert contact: marketing@abacus.com.sg.

#ENDS#

About Abacus International

Singapore-based Abacus International is Asia-Pacific's leading provider of travel solutions and services with more than 20,000 travel agency locations in 31 markets. With over 25 years of experience in fusing international best practices and local expertise with global and local partnerships, Abacus provides travel information and reservations specifically tailored to the Asia-Pacific region.

Abacus International is owned by Sabre and a consortium of Asia's leading airlines including All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Dragonair, Philippine Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines. Sabre is the global leader in the electronic distribution of travel and travel related services.

More information on Abacus can be found at www.abacus.com.sg.  

About AidCom

AidCom is a technology and media company with HQ in Norway. The company specialises in travel security, and has developed mobile alert services and crisis communication systems for organisations with international travel activity.

The AidCom team is passionate about news. We run a 24-7 global news monitoring operation, and will notify and update our clients around the clock in the event of the unforeseen.