M&S Money Urges Travellers to Put Insurance at the Top of Their Christmas Card List

December 11, 2008

M&S Money, the financial services division of Marks and Spencer, has reported that up to one million people are planning on visiting friends and family abroad this festive season. As such, the financial services company is encouraging those travelling to make sure travel insurance is at the top of their Christmas shopping list.

M&S Money has revealed that DIY holidays have become more popular than traditional package holidays in recent times, increasing by six million in just five years*, with fewer than half of Christmas trips abroad booked as complete packages from a travel agent.**

The rise of independent travel makes insurance even more important, but further research reveals that 49%*** of consumers don&39;t know what their travel insurance (http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.aspPageId=home&Product=TI ) covers them for. For example, most policies don&39;t offer cover for the collapse of an airline, as thousands of people found to their cost in recent months.

However, M&S Premier Travel Insurance now includes independent traveller cover (http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.aspPageId=ITC&Product=TI ) as part of its annual multi trip policy and as an optional extra with single trip and standard trip travel insurance. This means people who book a holiday without using a tour operator will be covered if their flight is cancelled and if other parts of their holiday are affected.

Judith Roberts, M&S Money Insurance Manager, commented: "For most people, Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family, even if that means making a trip abroad. Travel insurance was originally designed for the package holiday market and we felt that it was time to improve our policy as so many people now book independently. For example, if your flight is cancelled you may be unable to claim for subsequent connections and face the cost of new flights or accommodation. M&S Premier Travel Insurance is one of only a few policies that covers these types of situations that are often not included in traditional policies."

Notes To Editors:
*Mintel - Holiday Review, Leisure Intelligence, March 2007 - 19 million holidays booked independently in 2002, compared to 26 million in 2006.
** YouGov - 2,002 adults (18+) surveyed online between 14-16 April 2008
*** YouGov - 2,002 adults (18+) surveyed online between 14-16 April 2008

About M&S Money:
M&S Money (a trading name of Marks and Spencer Financial Services plc) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top-ten credit card (http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.aspPageId=home&Product=CC ) provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance (http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.aspPageId=home&Product=HI ) and car insurance (http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.aspPageId=HOME&Product=CI ), as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks&Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC, one of the world&39;s largest banking and financial services organisations with over 9,500 offices in 85 countries and territories.

With a market capitalisation of US$190 billion (as at 7 October 2008), the HSBC Group is one of the world&39;s largest financial services organisations. Over 100 million customers worldwide entrust HSBC with US$1.2 trillion in deposits. With a tier one capital ratio of 8.8% and a loan to deposit ratio of 90% as at 30 June 2008, the Group remains one of the most strongly capitalised and liquid banks in the world.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks&Spencer.

The company employs 1,200 staff at its headquarters in Chester, delivering personal financial services to its customers, reflecting the core values of Marks&Spencer - quality, value, service, innovation and trust.

PR Contact:
Liz Neild
Marks&Spencer Money
Kings Meadow
Chester
CH99 9FB
01244 686 068
www6.marksandspencer.com

Hot Tips for Valentines Gifts from Kiki James

London, UK February 6, 2007

To help those looking for that something special, Kiki James has pulled together a list of hot Valentine&39;s gift ideas to help customers make the most of buying luxury leather goods online. Most products are available with personalisation, meaning that customers can still get that personal touch whilst shopping online.

Hot gifts from the Kiki James ladies&39; range include cute heart shaped key rings, heart trinket boxes, jewellery boxes and a gorgeous range of ladies&39; purses that will add a touch of elegance to any handbag. Kiki James&39; selection of handmade leather bound journals are the perfect place to write down love&39;s sweetest dreams.

Wallets and credit card holders, handmade in a range of stunning Italian bridle leathers and crocodile print calf hides, are proving to be among the more popular gifts for men. And for the city slicker boyfriend who rushes around the globe the luxurious range of travel accessories is a must. Sleek travel wallets, passport covers and luggage tags are just a few gift ideas to add a bit of luxury to his hectic world of business travel.

The combination of superb gift ideas, coupled with the option of personalisation, professional gift-wrapping and hand-written messages, means that Kiki James&39; customers have access to a range of gifts and services which deliver a rare touch of elegance and class.

Emirates airlines-CAE Flight Training signs three-year contract with Abu Dhabi Aviation for Bell 412 helicopter pilot training

18th November 2008 Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has signed a contract with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) to train ADA’s Bell 412 helicopter pilots over three years at ECFT in Dubai. “By training our more than 100 pilots in the CAE-built Bell 412 full-flight simulator at Emirates-CAE Flight Training, we will significantly reduce our fuel costs, maximize the time we use our helicopters for operational needs and at the same time increase safety, said Nadir Al Hammadi, ADA’s Managing Director. ECFT is home to the only Level D Bell 412 full flight simulator (FFS) with JAA and FAA approval in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. To date, more than 30 clients including offshore operators, police forces and companies specializing in search and rescue, train their pilots through various programs offered by the ECFT.

ad:tech Miami Conference and Exhibition

Miami, FL May 9, 2008

ad:tech expositions, LLC (http://www.ad-tech.com), the leading conferences and exhibitions organizer for the global marketing community, today announced its second annual show in Miami, the only digital marketing show with a Hispanic focus. The event will take place from June 3 - 4 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

ad:tech Miami is a 2-day conference providing an in-depth look into the rapidly expanding Hispanic and Latin American online audiences and how best to reach them in a world that is becoming more and more digitalized and globalized. The Miami conference brings together some of the biggest names in the marketing industry, offering attendees the opportunity to learn first-hand the latest trends and innovations shaping today&39;s market.

"ad:tech Miami aims to demystify the untapped potential of Hispanic and Latin American online users through the insights of pioneers in the digital marketing space," said Drew Ianni, Chairman, Programming&Senior Global Analyst for ad:tech. "Our inaugural show last year was well-received and it further opened the dialogue for marketers. For 2008, we have assembled an impressive lineup of speakers and exhibitors who will address the diverse channels and methods to engage these key audiences."

Anchored by an opening day keynote address from Monica Gadsby, CEO of SMG Multicultural, ad:tech Miami will feature more than 125 speakers from the United States, Mexico and Latin America. This includes CEOs and marketing executives from major brands and leading media companies such as, American Airlines, Batanga, Procter&Gamble, Carnival Cruise Lines, General Motors, Mercado Libre, Yahoo!, Terra Networks, Grupo Televisa, Telemundo and many others who will provide their opinion on the growing importance of the Hispanic market and the advantage of addressing this market segment.

According to the 2008 Terra comScore Hispanic Digital Study, 66 percent of online Hispanics report that they are early adopters and influencers among their family and peer groups. The study goes on to highlight that online Hispanics have replaced television time with Internet usage, with 56 percent spending more than 1 hour a day online.

"Hispanics are leading the adoption of new technologies driven by culture and demographics. Culturally, Hispanics who tend to have family outside of the US, embrace digital technologies to communicate more efficiently with loved ones," said Lee Vann, Founder and CEO, Captura Group, and ad:tech Miami guest speaker. "In addition, Hispanics are younger when compared to the general market and, as a result, tend to adopt digital technology related to entertainment and social networking at a more dynamic pace."

The exhibit hall will showcase more than 25 key exhibitors from Latin America, Mexico and the United States. The Convention Center will also house multiple meeting rooms and business presentation rooms for domestic and international organizations along with ample room for networking. For a list of current exhibitors, please visit http://www.ad-tech.com/miami/adtech_miami_exhibitors.aspx

Platinum Sponsors include: Batanga; Terra Gold Sponsors include: cyloop.com; Latin3 Silver Sponsors include: Casale Media; Prodigy MSN; Yahoo! Bronze Sponsors include: Google; iContact; mixplay Media Partners include: CNN en Espanol; Produ; Portada; Merca 2.0; Su Inversion; Advertising Age; Forbes.com; revenue; UOL; Fast Company; iMedia Connection; Digital Moses Confidential; DM News; Folha Online Association Partners include: ahaa; OPA; mma; IAB in Argentina and Mexico; SFIMA; SFAMA

For public information, please visit http://www.ad-tech.com.

Editors: For interviews, images or more information, please contact Gracia Larrain at Edelman, ph: 305.358.7643 or gracia.larrain@edelman.com or Latiffe Ghanem at Edelman, ph: 305.358.8042 or latiffe.ghanem@edelman.com

About ad:tech: ad:tech expositions, LLC is the leading organizer of conferences and exhibitions for the interactive marketing community worldwide. ad:tech produces the world&39;s largest interactive marketing events held in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and Sydney. ad:tech is produced by dmg world media; based out of the company&39;s headquarters in Larkspur, California. For listings of exhibitors, speakers, events and upcoming conference offerings, visit http://www.ad-tech.com.

About dmg world media: An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg world media produces over 300 market-leading trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs each year and publishes 45 related magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports. dmg world media employs 700 people and maintains a worldwide presence through more than 30 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the United Arab Emirates, China, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. dmg world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), one of the largest and most successful media companies in the United Kingdom. Additional information on dmg world media can be found at http://www.dmgworldmedia.com.

Cornell Study Finds Pricing Issues Top Hotel Revenue Management Concerns Worldwide

Ithaca, NY August 12, 2009

Hotel revenue managers worldwide are looking for ways to maintain rates and avoid price wars, according to a new survey published by Cornell&39;s Center for Hospitality Research. The study, "Hotel Revenue Management in an Economic Downturn: Results from an International Study," by Sheryl E. Kimes, is available from the center at no charge at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/2009.html . In addition to the results of the survey, the report presents commentary from participants in a revenue management roundtable, held in May 2009 in Singapore.

"I conducted this 2009 survey to capture the changes in revenue management that have come about due to economic challenges between 2008 and 2009," said Kimes, who is the Singapore Tourism Board Distinguished Professor of Asian Hospitality Management at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. "Not surprisingly, the revenue managers&39; top concerns were all marketing and pricing related, including customer rate resistance, contract renegotiations, competition, and price wars. Just a year ago, the top issues involved human resources and technology."

Looking at the results of the survey, participants in the Singapore roundtable agreed that pricing power has shifted considerably toward the customer. However, many hotel revenue management professionals are finding ways to maintain rates by targeting their rate adjustments and focusing on adding value by bundling packages.

In her report, Kimes explains several hospitality revenue management tactics, including those that do not include price manipulation. These non-price techniques include competing on the basis of quality, creating strategic partnerships, taking advantage of your loyalty program, developing additional revenue sources, and developing additional market segments.

Thanks to the support of the Center for Hospitality Research partners listed below, all publications posted on the center&39;s website are available free of charge, at http://www.chr.cornell.edu .

About The Center for Hospitality Research
A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the center&39;s 77 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. To learn more about the center and its projects, visit http://www.chr.cornell.edu .

Center Senior Partners: American Airlines Admirals Club, General Growth Properties, Inc., job.travel, McDonald&39;s USA, Philips Hospitality, Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc., Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, and TIG Global

Center Partners: AIG Global Real Estate Investment, Davis&Gilbert LLP, Deloitte&Touche USA LLP, Denihan Hospitality Group, eCornell&Executive Education, Expedia, Inc., Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Fox Rothschild LLP, FX Real Estate and Entertainment, Inc., HVS, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jumeirah Group, LRP Publications, Marriott International, Inc., Marsh&39;s Hospitality Practice, Mobil Travel Guide, Inc., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proskauer Rose LLP, SAS, Smith Travel Research, SynXis (a Sabre Holdings Corporation), Thayer Lodging Group, Thompson Hotels, Travelport, WATG, and WhiteSand Consulting

Center friends: 4Hoteliers.com American Tescor, LLC Argyle Executive Forum Caribbean Hotel and Restaurant Buyers Guide Cody Kramer Imports Cruise Industry News DK Shifflet&Associates ehotelier.com EyeforTravel Gerencia de Hoteles&Restaurantes Global Hospitality Resources Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) hospitalityInside.com hospitalitynet.org Hospitality Technology Magazine Hotel Asia Pacific Hotel China HotelExecutive.com Hotel Interactive Hotel Resource HotelWorld Network International CHRIE International Hotel Conference International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) iPerceptions Lodging Hospitality Lodging Magazine Milestone Internet Marketing MindFolio Parasol PhoCusWright, Inc. PKF Hospitality Research The Resort Trades RealShare Hotel Investment&Finance Summit Resort+Recreation Magazine RestaurantEdge.com Shibata Publishing Co. Synovate The Lodging Conference TravelCLICK UniFocus WageWatch, Inc. WIWIH.COM

Virgin Atlantic Cargo Steps Up Payment Flexibility With CrossCheck Guarantee

ROHNERT PARK, CA July 22, 2003 -

&194;– CrossCheck, Inc., the nation&194;’s largest privately-held check guarantee provider, has announced that Virgin Atlantic Cargo locations in Miami, New York, Norwalk, Conn., and San Francisco have begun using CrossCheck&194;’s services.

The locations will be protected against bad checks with CrossCheck&194;’s Standard Guarantee and Stop Payment programs, while being able to accept more checks with Premium Approval and COD coverage. They will also be able to accept incremental payments for services with the Multiple Check program.

&194;“We are excited to be serving Virgin Atlantic Cargo,&194;” said CrossCheck President and CEO, J. David Siembieda. &194;“Both CrossCheck and Virgin Atlantic are known for their high-quality customer service. With our programs, the locations can further enhance their customer service by providing payment flexibility while being able to safely and efficiently accept check payments.&194;”

Virgin Atlantic Cargo&194;’s services are aimed at giving freight the &194;“kid gloves&194;” treatment and providing customers with first class, headache-free service from any of its 57 worldwide offices. Virgin Atlantic Cargo is a department of Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the world&194;’s most-acclaimed carriers.

The airline serves London from nine U.S. gateways and Africa, the Caribbean, China, Hong Kong, India, and Japan. For more information, please visit http://www.virginatlantic.com.

Founded in 1983, CrossCheck provides payment guarantee solutions to more than 79,000 retail and dealer outlets nationwide and handled more than $10.2 billion in guaranteed transactions in 2002. Its goal for nearly two decades has been to provide merchant customers with increased profitability while reducing their financial risk.

CrossCheck is known for industry firsts and cutting-edge technology in the point-of-sale financial services marketplace. For more information, visit CrossCheck&194;’s Web site at http://www.cross-check.com or call (800) 654-2365.

For More Information Contact:

Kristin Coughtry

Phone: (707) 586-0551, ext. 9504 Fax: (707) 586-1884

Email: KristinC@cross-check.com

http://www.cross-check.com

Transportation Development in Hubei Province during 12th Five-year Plan

Luo Qingquan, secretary of Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and head of standing committee of Hubei Provincial Committee, Li Hongzhong, deputy secretary of Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and governor of Hubeit, Yang Song, deputy secretary of Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and secretary of Wuhan Municipal Committee, Zhang Daili, member of standing committee of Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and deputy governor of Hubei discussed with Li Shenglin, minister of National Transportation Ministry and Weng Mengyong, executive deputy head of the ministry in Beijing Hubei Building yesterday. They talked about making Hubei transportation program during the “12th five-year plan”period, speeding construction of comprehensive transportation hub and development modern transportation industry.

Wuhan to Accelerate the Ethylene Project Construction

In the first half of this year, Wuhan chemical zone vigorously promoted the riverside avenue, Bajifu Road, and the reconstructions of ethylene ferry. The water and electricity facilities of ethylene have been completed and its external environment has also been further optimized. And 6 major projects including the core plant area of ethylene project, the main 220 KVA substation, and the heat and power project are proceeding smoothly.

Tu Yong, municipal deputy secretary stressed that the 800,000 tons ethylene projects has entered into the comprehensive construction phase. It is important to take advantage of current favorable progress, overcome the difficulties, co-operate and to accomplish all the targets this year successfully.

Sri Lanka likely to set up consulate in Chengdu

Embassy of Sri Lanka in China has presented notes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on establishing a consulate in Chengdu.

Early this month, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama led a group to visit Sichuan. During his visit, the foreign minister had an interview with representatives of local enterprises and

talked with earthquake victims in the province.

Chengdu is a central city and transportation hub in western China, and it is very important to set up a consulate in Chengdu to further promote the cooperation between Sri Lanka and western China, said Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Karunatilaka Amunugama, member of the visiting group, before leaving Chengdu on July 5.

Up to now, Chengdu has eight consulates of foreign countries, including the USA, Germany, France, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Pakistan and the Philippines.

City to highlight architectural features in construction

Chengdu Construction Commission said on Monday that the construction and reconstruction projects in the city should be architecturally characteristic.

It said such stylized construction should cover all the cities, counties and districts under the administration of Chengdu, not just the downtown areas. Governments at all levels are urged to establish streets and communities with distinctive architectural features based on careful stud of local architecture, culture, history and natural environments.

China National Tourism Administration (CNTA)|beijing travel

China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) is directly regulated by the State Council, responsible for developing, promoting and regulating China tourism industry.

The main responsibilities of CNTA are as follows:

1. Studying out guidelines, policies and plans for the tourism development; Working out solutions to important problems in the economic tourism operations; Drawing up the industry regulations, rules, and standards and supervising their implementation;

2. Coordinating the implementation of the related tourism policies to ensure the smooth development of tourism activities, especially in the fields of the Holiday Tourism, the Tourism Security, Tourism Emergency Assistance as well as Tourism Insurance;

3. Studying out strategy to explore and develop international tourism market; Organizing important promotions and publicizing the whole identity of the national tourism; Organizing and directing development of important tourism products;

4. Fostering and developing domestic tourism market; Studying out strategic measures and directing implementation; Supervising tourism market order and service quality; Handling the complaints of the tourists and maintaining the rights and interests of tourism customers;

5. Organizing the investigation and evaluation of tourism resources; Directing planning and developing important tourism regions; conducting tourism statistics;

6. Working out outbound tourism policies responsible for foreign, Hong Kong, Marco and Taiwan affairs; Guiding tourism communication and cooperation with other countries; Representing Chinese Government to sign the international tourism protocols; Studying out and supervising the implementation of the rules and regulations concerning outbound tourism and frontier tourism;

7. Directing tourism education and training; Studying out License System and Qualification Criteria System for tourism employees and implementation.

8. Directing local tourism authorities to develop regional tourism;

9. Being responsible for Party-masses relationship of CNTA and affiliated organizations; Directing and Conducting management of the affiliated organizations;

10. Carrying out other projects issued by State Council.

CNTA has seven departments: General AdministrationComprehensive Coordination Department, Policy and Legal Department, Marketing & Communications Department, Industry Management Department, Planning and Finance Department, Human Resources Department and Office for the retired.

CNTA has six affiliated organizations: CNTA Logistics Center, CNTA Information Center, China Tourism Association, China Tourism News, China Travel and Tourism Press, China Tourism Management Institute.

CNTA has set up sixteen overseas representative offices in thirteen important tourism generating countries and regions, they are: China National Tourism Administration Tokyo Office, Osaka Office, Singapore Office, Kathmandu Office, Seoul Office, New York Office, Los Angeles Office, Toronto Office, London Office, Paris Office, Zurich Office, Madrid Office, Zurich Office, Sydney Office, Moscow Office and Asia Tourism Exchange Center Limited in Hong Kong.

By Subway|beijing travel

2009-03-26

The subway is a good way to quickly get around the city and a traveler can easily figure it out through the station maps and English signs and language. Be warned that due to the decrease in ticket prices the network is extremely overcrowded right now, especially on line 1 and at rush hour. Beijing now has eight subway lines (beginning August 1, 2008):

Line 1 runs in a straight line from the Western Hills through Tiananmen Square in the city centre to the eastern suburbs at Sihui. It follows Chang'an Avenue and connects major commercial centres, Xidan, Wangfujing, Dongdan and the Beijing CBD.

* Line 2, a rectangular loop line, traces the Ming-era city wall that once surrounded the inner city. Line 2 stops at each of the wall's 12 gates (ending in men), now busy intersections, as well as the Beijing Railway Station.

* Line 5 runs in a straight north-south line just east of the city center. It passes the Temple of the Earth, Lama Temple and the Temple of Heaven.

* Line 10 forms an inverted "L"-shaped half-shell to the north and east of Line 2. In the north, it follows the Yuan-era city wall, passing south of the Olympic village. At the Sanyuanqiao stop northeast of the city, Line 10 turns straight south and follows the eastern 3rd Ring Road through the embassy district and Beijing CBD.

* Olympic Branch Line extends straight north off of Line 10 with 3 stops in the Olympic Village.

* Line 13 arcs across suburbs north of the city and channels commuters to Xizhimen and Dongzhimen, at the northwest and northeast corners of Line 2.

* The Batong Line runs from Line 1's eastern terminus at Sihui East to even more distant suburbs in Tongzhou District.

* The Airport Line connects the Beijing Capital International Airport, 27 km northeast of the city, with Line 10 at Sanyuanqiao and Lines 2 and 13 at Dongzhimen.

Seven additional subway lines are under construction in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

The subway station entrances are identified by a large blue stylized letter G wrapped around a smaller letter B.

Purchase tickets at the window. Note that if you want two tickets, do not show your thumb and index finger, the Chinese way to signify numbers is different from the west, thumb and index finger mean eight not two.

The subway ticket have cost 2 yuan since October 7, 2007. From March 2008 the flat fare of 2 yuan will be replaced by a new charge by distance similar to the systems used in Hong Kong and London. There is a pre-paid card system .There is a 20 yuan payment for the card. It can also be used for reduced-price bus rides.

Seizing a Parking Space at Hot Shopping Spots in Beijing|beijing travel

Here is the information regarding seizing a parking space at a hot shopping spot collected by a shopping talent. Free parking is the priority for shopping, let’s see her strategies.

Golden Resources Shopping Mall

Golden Resources Shopping Mall Both the ground and underground parking garages are free and so sufficient in parking spaces that the residents in around residential quarters always park their cars there and the parking spaces are still easy to find, but Golden Resources Shopping Mall is very big, you’d better have a definite object in view. Solana Both the ground and underground parking garages are free and sufficient in parking spaces, but the parking spaces are a bit far from the stalls in the east, you have to walk for a while. IKEA The underground parking garage has three storeys, many parking spaces are available but always run out of space, every storey you go down, you have to go around the parking space for half a circle, the probability of congestion is increased, and moreover, IKEA always are overcrowded. In December last year, it was changed to be parking charge, but only for 8 days, it came to a deadlock; many cars parked on the ground for saving money caused serious traffic jams, even affecting the main and auxiliary 4th Ring Roads. And so it is suggested that everybody should park your cars in the underground parking garage, queue patiently.

Viva It is a new shopping center, and it is expected that no measures for parking charge will be taken in the future.

Longqings an ice spectacle to rival Harbin|china travel

On arriving in Beijing in August 2001, I was so desperate to cram everything in that by winter I had been to most of Beijing's famous sites, and many in the surrounding districts.

I planned to go to the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival in Yanqing county, but it wasn't a major listing and in an entire decade I never quite managed it. The godfather of ice festivals, Harbin in Heilongjiang province, was much higher up on my agenda and I have yet to realize that trip.

This year marked the 25th Longqing spectacle, and one day during the Spring Festival, my friend and our two children found ourselves on Bus 919 from Deshengmen to Yanqing, home of the ice sculpture massif.

And now I cannot understand why this spectacular exhibition is so understated.

It requires a few layers of clothing and a little perseverance, but then you are in for one of the most stunning gems around wintry Beijing. Nowhere in my home country, the United Kingdom, would you stumble over something like this, and not just because of the unsuitably warm weather. It would simply be too much hard work for anyone to bother to do.

Giant snowballs at the entrance (originally elephants), gaudy lanterns and Peking Opera masks do not prepare visitors for the spectacle within.

There are two huge areas filled with national and international landmarks - the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, pagodas, galleries, European buildings - and they are entirely constructed with bricks of ice.

Transparent hallways, pillared passages, flights of steps, curly roofs - all carved out of the smoothest, flawless ice - tower above, so impressive it's almost possible to forget the freezing temperatures.

At night, the best time to go, subtle colored lights illuminate your route as you glide on polished ice along glassy corridors. At the end of the dazzle there's a real frozen waterfall, and like the Buddha in the Lama Temple in downtown Beijing, it is so high that any decent photograph is impossible.

For track lovers the ice festival is a feast. Colored lights are strung around the surrounding mountains to resemble the meandering serpent of the Great Wall. An enormous ice dragon stretches its tail way up the mountainside, with six escalators running through its neck and body to end up in the One Hundred Flowers Cave.

As is so often the case with so many things Chinese, one can always expect the unexpected. Who could have predicted arriving in sub-Saharan Africa in the midst of the freezing mountains, where the temperature suddenly rises and an equatorial paradise with plastic elephants, zebras, giraffes, jungle and burbling streams, accompanied by recorded parrot squawks, opens up.

This oasis of warmth toward the end of the tour is not mentioned in any of the advertisements, but is nevertheless one of those charming features that pop up out of nowhere for no apparent reason.

So are the snow slides and Potala Palace near the exit, which are a bit slippery but nonetheless, a delight for smaller visitors.

In the location itself is a comforting sign for coffee, although the caf did not appear to actually serve the beverage. There's a Holiday Inn just nearby, which will order cabs for you. Other options are local farmers' houses.

The gates close at 8 pm and the festival itself will finish at the end of the month. But for the Lantern Festival, which falls today, for those with the time and the daring, there is surely no better destination.

Harbin is still on my list. Perhaps we'll make it by 2021.

For China Daily

(China Daily 02/17/2011 page20)

Rickshaw tales of Shichahai|china travel

Besides bars, Shichahai's older attractions also have their own stories to tell, and these may involve anything from narrow hutongs to courtyard houses to the frozen lake. Provided to China Daily

Beijing

Sometimes the best stories are those passed down through word of mouth. Wu Wencong takes a ride and listens to some legendary hutong tales.

This lakeside stretch is among the most often touted by the tourist guides, along with the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Shichahai is famous for its bar streets by the lakeside, but local Beijingers say there is much more under the surface a quieter, more retrospective side.

The best way to discover that is to hop on a rickshaw with a paper cup of hot coffee and allow the rickshaw rider to tuck a thick cotton quilt over your lap before he rides off with you on a hutong tour.

Some visitors may prefer to measure the length and width of the hutong with their own legs, but they would be missing the best part - the fascinating stories told by the rickshaw riders.

Forty-year-old Li Gang is a native Beijinger and his family has been living in the hutong of Shichahai for generations. For the last decade, he has shuttled visitors back and forth along the lanes, telling stories passed down from his grandfather.

The tour starts off from the memorial arch at the Lotus Market, passing over the 700-year-old Wanning Bridge and cruising by the 1,000-year-old Temple of Fire. The rickshaw stops in front of a restaurant named Kao Rou Ji, which mainly serves broiled beef and mutton and Islamic stir-fried dishes.

Li says not many people know that the restaurant shares an illustrious history about as long as that of Quanjude, the iconic Peking duck restaurant. There is only this one store, and there are no others in the country.

Past the 500-year-old Yinding Bridge, which was recently rebuilt, the roads become narrower, sometimes just wide enough for the rickshaw to pass.

Li says this stretch used to house the weaving and dyeing workshops of the Ming Dynasty, producing the fancy clothes the nobility demanded.

His next stop is at the entrance of a quadrangle dwelling, the classic Beijing courtyard house. These have a history of more than 2,000 years and although there are many similar styles throughout China, these in Beijing are special as there are rooms on every side.

The northern rooms, the tallest buildings, are reserved for the senior members of the family, while sons lived in the rooms on the right and daughters on the left.

Rooms in the south wing are the lowest and reserved for servants. Before the Qing Dynasty ended, only Manchurian nobility were allowed to live in Shichahai.

The owner of the courtyard house we were looking at said his grandfather bought it in 1948 for 2,000 silver dollars.

The original north wing is 380 years old, and guest rooms built in the other wings are open to tourists who want to experience the typical day of a Qing noble, who probably did little except coax songs from a bird kept in an ornate bamboo cage, indulge in cricket-fighting or perhaps play a game of chess.

If the culture experience gets too heavy, take to the frozen lake on skates. Or, as the afternoon sun slants across the sparkling ice, pedal an ice-bike with your sweetheart.

After so much history, pure childish pleasures may be just the thing to relax you.

(China Daily 01/23/2011 page15)

Chinese Restaurants|Ningbo travel

Yongjiang Pearl Restaurant 181,East Zhongshan Road Tel:87276777
Shipu Seafood Restaurant 7,Gongqing Road Tel: 87307470
Ningbo Xiangyang Seaport Restaurant Zhongxing Road
Ningbo Wenchang Hotel 2, Wenchang Street, Tel:87268668
Ningbo Kaili Hotle 76,Qicao Street, Tel:87337888
Red Leaf Hotel Ningchuan Road Tel:87333051
Hantong Hotel 54,Qicao Street, 87374751
Gangyagou Tangyuan Shop 7,Xianxue Street, Tel: 87295339
Fanjing Yuanhe Hotel 288,Yucai Road Tel:87218030
Dongfuyuan Restaurant East Zhongshan Road261，East Dongshan Road Tel:87368711
Chenghuamiao Restaurant 22,Xianxue Street, Tel:87296953
Aike Hotel 70,Mayuan Road, Tel:87113070
Tongxing Vegetarian Restaurant - 79 East Zhongshan Road
Ningbo Muslim Restaurant - 78,East Zhongshan Road
Ningbo Tangyuan Shop - 37, East Zhongshan Road
Cixi Modern Hotel, Tel: 63652379
Cixi Green-leaf Hotel 243,Ciban Road Tel: 63802861
Fenghua Libang Hotel Huizheng Road 88516222
Fenghua Huayi Restaurant, 88, Nanshan Road Tel:88525101
Jiangbei Yongtong Hotel 52,Daqing Road (N) Tel:87636236
Ningbo Caihong Fast Foods 6, Leigong Lane Tel:87337442
Ningbo Haitian Restaurant, 50,Haohe Street Tel:87307731
Ningbo Jiangdong Chunyuan Hotel 202,North Jiangdong Road, Tel:87332516
Ningbo Jiangdong Fuhai Hotel, 106,Zhongxing Road, 87708190
Ningbo Jiangdong Haitian Restaurant, 478,East Zhongshan Road Tel:87336746 87336827
Jiangdong Hualian Hotel North Jiangdong Road, Tel:87378517
Ningbo Jiangdong Shuguang Restaurant, 68 Shuguang Road, Tel:87333116
Friendship Restaurant(Ningbo ETDZ), Ningbo ETDZ, Tel:86221285
Ningbo Beilun Fast Foods 1,Xingzhong Road, Tel:86882868
Ningbo Haishu Chunlai Restaurant 119,Zhenming Road, Tel:87317975
Haishu Dongfang Restaurant East Zhongshan Road79, Tel:87296825
Haishu BlueSky Restaurant 56,Liuting Street, Tel:87313495
Ningbo Marine Restaurant 12,Yucai Road , Tel:87213348
Jiangbei Joy Restaurant 3,North Jiangbei Road, Tel:87355208
Jiangbei Good-friends Fast Foods 141,South Daqing Road, Tel:87385032
Zhenhai Donggang Restaurant 216,Chenghe Road (E) Tel:86274318
Ninghia Datong Restaurant 34,Zhongda Street Tel:65562671
Ninghai Jinmen Restaurant 2, Taoyuan Road (S), Tel:65562012
Xiangshan Juexi Restaurant Tel:65601139
Xiangshan Huaqiao Restaurant North Yonggang Road, Tel:87339932
Yuyao Jiaotong Restaurant , 38 West Yangming Road , Tel:62637979
Yuyao Taoyuan Restaurant 144,Shunshui Road (S) Tel:62703957
Zhoushan Baifeng Restaurant Baifeng Ferry, Tel:62022543

New technology to improve capacity at Copenhagen Airport

“The purpose of determining the positions of passengers in the airport is that we want to get a true picture of the passenger flows in the airport. By determining passenger flows in the airport we get a very accurate overview of where we need to optimise capacity. With this information we can become even better at serving our passengers, says Christian Poulsen, head of IT at Copenhagen Airports A/S, and continues:

“It is unique to Copenhagen Airport that we have such a finely meshed Wi-Fi network and that we can determine the positions of our passengers on their way through the airport. That gives us very good information to be used as a basis for deciding where to improve capacity in order to create the best possible conditions for a pleasant and flexible travel experience for our passengers. br />
Christian Poulsen emphasises that Copenhagen Airport cannot see who owns the mobile phones, and passengers are therefore 100% anonymous. The information is not stored for any other purposes.

Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines Stimulus Fare: $69 to California, Arizona and Nevada from Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, WASH. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines announced a new fare of only $69 for travel from Bellingham to popular destinations throughout California, Nevada and Arizona between April 3 and May 31, 2009, when tickets are purchased by April 10.

"With all the talk in the news about the government's stimulus package, we thought we'd offer our own stimulus in the form of this too-low-to-pass-up fare," said Dan Russo, Horizon vice president of marketing and communications.

Bellingham-departing passengers connect in Seattle to Horizon and Alaska flights to Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Reno, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.

Even at this low fare, travelers on Horizon and Alaska still get a variety of amenities at no extra charge. Unlike some other airlines, Horizon and Alaska charge no extra fee for online reservations, advance seat selection, or checking one bag. Onboard, there is no charge for water, soft drinks and snacks, or the use of pillows and blankets.

Thrifty travelers can save even more by choosing a convenient and economical Alaska Airlines Vacations package. Airfare and two-night accommodations start as low as $174 at Circus Circus Las Vegas and $243 at the Clarion Hotel Anaheim, per person double occupancy.

And every flight on Horizon and Alaska brings members of the award-winning Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flier Program closer to earning free travel worldwide. Members who book an Alaska Airlines Vacations package online receive 1,500 Bonus Miles per person.

Reservations are available now at horizonair.com or alaskaair.com. For phone reservations, call Horizon at 800-547-9308 or Alaska at 800-252-7522 (TTY 800-682-2221).

Together,

###


*Fare rules: Valid from Bellingham. Advance purchase: 7 days. Purchase by: 4/10/09. Travel from: 4/3/09. Complete travel by: 5/31/09. Blackout dates: None. Additionally, package prices shown are per person and include roundtrip airfare and hotel indicated. Las Vegas package price shown requires select Monday and Tuesday departures. Other departure days, hotels and length of stay available; price will vary. All terms and conditions of Alaska Airlines Vacations apply. Not Included in the fare or package price shown: U.S. Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 (amount depends on itinerary), U.S. Federal Segment Tax of $3.60 per segment (take-off and landing), and U.S. Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement. Other important information: All taxes and fees shown are based on one-way travel and may be doubled if traveling roundtrip. Tickets are nonrefundable, but can be changed for a $75 fee when changes are made online at horizonair.com ($100 when changes are made through our reservation call center or ticket counters and $125 when originally booked through a travel agent and changes are made through our reservations call center or ticket counter) and any applicable changes in fare. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. All fares, taxes, and fees are subject to change without notice and other restrictions apply. Passengers may check one bag for free. A second bag may be checked for $25. A fee of $100 will be assessed for each additional checked bag. Additional fees apply to overweight or oversized checked baggage. Complete fare rules available at horizonair.com.

World Expos Sichuan Hall set up

The Sichuan Hall at The World Expo 2010 in Shanghai was completed on Monday. With an area of 600 square meters, the Sichuan Hall is intended to be a showcase of local culture, history and landscapes.

Highlights of the hall will include the giant pandas, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, the balanced development in urban and rural areas and the efforts for earthquake rescue and reconstruction after the disaster.

Programs to stir up panda fever

Chengdu kicked off a series of activities with the theme of I Love Pandas on Wednesday to promote the theme-related tourism industry and the public concern for the protection of the species. Programs will include the experience travels to museums, panda reserves and breeding centers in or near the city.

Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Offer Holiday Travel Tips

In anticipation of the busy holiday travel season, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer the following tips for stress-free travel:

Check in online or at a kiosk. Passengers can check in online for domestic and international flights up to 24 hours before departure at alaskaair.com or horizonair.com. International passengers also can enter passport information online. Alaska and Horizon also provide more than 440 convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many off-site locations. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 miles the first time they check in online or at an Alaska or Horizon kiosk. Passengers should leave ample time to check any luggage at the airport.

Know the carry-on limits. All airlines allow one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a briefcase, laptop or purse. Details on size limitations for carry-on items are available at alaskaair.com. Customers planning to transfer to flights on Alaska or other carriers must adhere to standard carry-on limits. Customers should always keep valuables with them on the aircraft.

Properly label all luggage. Passengers should provide a clearly printed label on the outside and inside of each piece of luggage. Tags should include name, address, e-mail address, permanent phone number and a phone number at the passenger's destination.

Be aware of new or increased fees.

Baggage: Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air charge $15 for a first checked bag, $25 for a second and $50 for a third. First class and Gold-level Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members, and customers flying to or from Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico, may check two bags free of charge. Customers on flights within the state of Alaska may check three bags free of charge. Additionally, passengers boarding in Santa Rosa, Calif., can check one properly packaged box of wine free of charge. The charge for an overweight bag (more than 50 pounds) is $50. To avoid airport congestion, passengers can pay for baggage fees with a credit card online during the Web check-in process, or at the airport through an Alaska or Horizon check-in kiosk or customer service agent.

Unaccompanied minor and pet fees: The charge for transporting pets in the cabin is $100 one way. The fee for unaccompanied minors (children traveling alone) is $75 one way. Horizon Air prohibits pets from traveling as checked baggage during peak holiday travel between Nov. 23-29, and Dec. 21-Jan. 3, 2010.

Change fees: The airlines' reservation change fee is $100 for changes made through an Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air call center or airport ticket counter. A $75 fee applies to changes made at alaskaair.com.

Be aware of passport requirements for international travel. Passengers traveling between the United States, Canada and Mexico are required to have a passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov.

Know when to go. In general, passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international departures. Specific information for each airport is available at alaskaair.com. Regardless of the size of the airport, passengers must be checked in, at the gate and ready to board at least 30 minutes prior to domestic departures and 40 minutes before international departures. Passengers checking bags must have their luggage processed at least 40 minutes prior to domestic departures and 60 minutes before international departures.

Plan for transportation to the airport. Passengers should allow extra time for parking, as some lots may be full. Passengers are encouraged to take a shuttle to the airport or park at a satellite parking lot nearby.

Prepare to line up at security checkpoints. Passengers should avoid bringing prohibited items through the security line. A list of prohibited items is available at tsa.gov. Passengers can pass through security more quickly by limiting the number of electronic devices they carry and by removing shoes, metal objects and laptop computers before entering the screening area.

Be familiar with rules for liquids. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules for packing liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags. Each passenger is permitted to bring these items in three-ounce or smaller containers, and all containers must be packed in one quart-sized, clear plastic zip-top bag. The TSA requires each passenger to place this bag in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. TSA rules do permit some exceptions for breastfeeding mothers and people traveling with infants. Full TSA rules are available at tsa.gov.

Carry-on valuables, fragile items and medication. Passengers should carry prescription medications, passports, cameras, film, electronics, cash, jewelry, business papers and other valuables in carry-on luggage to keep control of these items. TSA rules permit prescription medications through security checkpoints and require them to be declared.

Leave gifts unwrapped. Wrapped packages are subject to inspection regardless of whether passengers carry them through security or in checked luggage.

For more news and ticket reservations, visit alaskaair.com.

Emirates extends partnership with Western Force

31st January 2010: The standing of the Emirates Western Force as a world-class sporting organisation has been reinforced with Emirates, the Dubai-based global airline, extending its naming rights partnership for a further three seasons. Emirates airline has partnered the West Australian Super Rugby franchise as naming sponsor since the club’s 2005 inception and the new deal will see Emirates maintain pride of place on the front of the ocean blue jersey until at least the end of the 2013 season. The strength of the relationship between Emirates and the Emirates Western Force was evident throughout positive negotiations, with approval of the new three year extension, set to come into effect following the 2010 season, finalised at a recent meeting in Dubai. In extending the partnership Richard Vaughan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide, said the Emirates Western Force had proved to be a valuable addition to the airlines stable of high-profile sporting associations across the globe and was in no doubt the benefits for both organisations would continue to flourish into the future. “Emirates is delighted to confirm the continued naming rights sponsorship of the Emirates Western Force, Mr Vaughan said. “Emirates enjoys a long-standing global commitment to sport sponsorships and is passionate about rugby. RugbyWA Chief Executive Officer, Vern Reid, said securing an extension to the naming rights partnership with still a year to run on the current contract highlighted the brand strength of the Emirates Western Force and the positive impact the team had achieved in their short history. Mr Reid said, “It is a significant vote of confidence in the strategic direction we have worked hard to implement for sustained growth and success of the Emirates Western Force both on and off-field. “Emirates is an international success story and a highly visible brand. Its continued commitment to rugby in Western Australia is a huge fillip for the code and also recognises the wonderful support we receive from the community across the state. Rugby’s footprint in Western Australia has grown significantly since the introduction of the Emirates Western Force with participation rates in junior and senior competitions recording increases, while support off the-field continues to flourish in both corporate and membership sectors. The 2010 membership campaign has seen Emirates Western Force members renew at a faster rate than ever in anticipation of the action and atmosphere at a dedicated rectangular stadium. Emirates is part of an impressive list of corporate leaders who have recently re-committed to the Emirates Western Force for season 2010 and beyond. These include health insurer MBF, who will continue to appear on the front of the playing shorts, apparel sponsor ISC, Tooheys and TS Marine who has upped their involvement and will be emblazoned on the collar of the jersey. “We are proud to have a host of loyal and dedicated partners at the Emirates Western Force, each of whom share a philosophy of striving for excellence, Mr Reid said. The Emirates Western Force will kick-off its 2010 Investec Bank Super 14 season on Friday, 12 February against the Brumbies at ME Bank Stadium.

Alaska Airlines Launches Hawaii Service From Bay Area

OAKLAND Alaska Airlines will inaugurate four-times-weekly service between Oakland, Calif., and Kahului, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, and tomorrow will begin thrice-weekly service between Oakland and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

"Known for its beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets, the Hawaiian Islands are among our most popular leisure vacation destinations," said Alaska Airlines' President Brad Tilden. "Customers will enjoy Alaska's low fares, convenient schedule and award-winning service."

Start date

City pair

Departure time Arrival time Day of week Nov. 9 Oakland-Maui 7:45 a.m. 11:05 a.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat Nov. 9 Maui-Oakland 12:05 p.m. 7:10 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat Nov. 10 Oakland-Kona 7:45 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Tues, Thur, Sun Nov. 10

Kona-Oakland

12:15 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Tues, Thur, Sun

All times based on local time zones
"Travelers will start their vacation with a smooth departure from Oakland International, where they can park close to the terminals and quickly access their flight," said Deborah Ale Flint, the Port of Oakland's acting director of aviation. "Oakland's on-time performance record allows passengers to easily begin their Alaska Airlines experience," she added.

Flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).

The new flights are operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights to Hawaii offer Hawaiian-themed beverages and meal service. Customers in the main cabin are offered complimentary Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and a complimentary Mai Tai or POG juice, as well as a Hawaiian-themed meal-for-purchase option for $6.

Inflight service includes Alaska Airlines' digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features.

Alaska Airlines Vacations offers a full line of vacation packages for travel to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. Packages include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and tours. For more information about Alaska Airlines Vacations, visit alaskaair.com/vacations.

Note to news media: High quality broadcast footage can be downloaded at alaskaair.com/media or by contacting Alaska Airlines Media Relations.

For more news and ticket reservations, visit alaskaair.com.

Kings XI Punjab stars hit for six by new cricket pitch at 7he Sevens

1st March 2010: There were sixes at 7he Sevens today as Kings XI Punjab stars Yuvraj Singh, Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Abdulla tested out the sporting venue’s first new cricket pitch. Australian fast bowler Lee had the honour of delivering the first ball which India’s Singh smashed towards the pavilion which is destined to become a focal point of the UAE cricket community. Once complete, six pitches will be available for use at Emirates dedicated sporting facility, which is expected to be a hub for the thousands of cricket lovers in Dubai who have not had a major meeting point since seven pitches in Al Jadaf made way for construction projects in 2006. He was speaking after a press conference at 7he Sevens where Gary Chapman - President Emirates Group Services and Dnata announced that the first pitch will officially open this month. Gary Chapman said: “It is a great pleasure to have Yuvraj, Brett, Irfan and Yusuf, as well as Kings XI Punjab CEO Anil Srivatsa, here to help us celebrate the latest stage in the development of 7he Sevens. “In less than two years the venue has grown to cater for a diverse range of sporting interests, from rugby to football, basketball, gaelic football, hurling, netball, tennis and Australian Rules Football, becoming a key part of the sporting community in the process. The construction of the six pitches two with full grass outfields and four with an all-weather sabka surface is being coordinated by the Dubai Cricket Council, which has enlisted the services of a leading curator. Rathey Shyam, a member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been overseeing the project, giving his stamp of approval on the wickets grown on special clay imported from Pakistan. Pitch one is floodlit and will be tested to the full later this month by Shahid Afridi, the Pakistani all-rounder who will be competing for Fly Emirates XI in the Emirates Airline Twenty20, which also includes the Cape Cobras, from South Africa, and English County sides Sussex and Surrey. The players including England stars Monty Panesar, Ed Joyce and Mark Ramprakash will be able to warm up in practice nets at the facility, while the pavilion with four dressing rooms will be able to host all the teams. The tournament will give cricket fans the chance to enjoy the new complex, which will include a shaded viewing area overlooking both grass pitches, while they will also have the option of sitting on banks which will surround each of the six pitches once finished. The pavilion will have a snack bar, while a full menu will be served at the Players Club, which is only a few minutes walk away, and with 12 dressing rooms - will also be available for use by cricketers during the season.

Arabian Adventures set for further expansion as it opens new operations centre

7th February 2010: Arabian Adventures, the regions leading Destination Management Company (DMC), has opened a brand new, state-of-the-art, operations centre at Dubai Investment Park. The new facility, the biggest of its kind in the region, is designed to support Arabian Adventures rapidly growing business, and will service business requirements for the next 20 years. Occupying 2.4 hectares, the centre provides easy access to the Northern Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The largest and most modern operations centre of its kind in the region, it will allow better integration of Arabian Adventures safari and general transportation operations. Additionally, it will be able to accommodate a five-fold growth in Arabian Adventures fleet of vehicles including coaches, medium-sized buses, mini buses, private cars, four-wheel-drives and luggage trolleys. According to research from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), annual travel and tourism revenues in the region will increase by 89 per cent over the next 10 years and will be worth some US$279 billion by 2016 alone. The industry already accounts for 21 per cent of Dubai’s GDP and is expected to continue to grow. Arabian Adventures, which is part of the Emirates Group, is expecting to capitalise on this growth. The new centre has, therefore, been designed to accommodate this significant business growth and places Arabian Adventures in a very strong position for the future. “The location at Dubai Investment Park is perfect as it provides easy access to all of the emirates, in addition to Dubai and the new airport, placing us in a position to offer our customers the best service ever, Mr. Bardin added. The new facilities include two buildings totalling 3,500 square metres of built-up area and housing a massive warehouse; spacious office area; staff briefing, training and meeting rooms; a five-storey car park for 400 cars; inspection bays; and vehicle washing areas. It will also provide ancillary staff amenities such as male and female prayer rooms, a cafeteria as well as showers and rest rooms for drivers.

Mercator brings innovative product to trade show

22nd February, 2010: Mercator, the Dubai-based business technology provider, will attend and exhibit at Flight Global’s Loyalty 2010 event being held this week. In its second year, “Loyalty which will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow and Wednesday, is the only dedicated conference with a focus on frequent-flyer and loyalty programmes. It provides a forum to discuss industry best practices and an opportunity for delegates to network with experts from leading airlines, partners, and suppliers. Mercator has been involved in this event since its inception and along with other airlines, the company recognises that in order to gain market share and sustain profitability in todays fiercely competitive and economically demanding environment, it must develop new ways to manage its customer relationships to maximise loyalty, satisfaction, and ultimately revenues. Mercator aims to help airlines differentiate themselves from their competition, evaluate opportunities to invest in initiatives with a high return and respond to the business needs and aims of their customers. Duncan Alexander, Mercator’s Vice President, Sales and Market Development, said: “By taking steps to apply a truly consumer-centric approach to customer relationship management (CRM) airlines will be better positioned to both attract and retain high-value customers. CRIS, developed by Mercator in Dubai, has been designed to effectively manage customer relationship and frequent flier programmes in a single integrated system. The loyalty solution is versatile and flexible and can also be used for non-aviation businesses. Recently the solution was implemented at Etisalat, the U.A.E.’s largest telecommunications provider. Other CRIS customers include: Philippine Airlines, Air Astana, Emirates Airline, Virgin Nigeria, Kuwait Airways, Air Nuigini and Cyprus Airways.