Destination News - Destination, Rail, Road

Cruise Guide, Dec 1, 2008

Nov 30, 2008

Gray Line of Alaska

Gray Line of Alaska is offering two escorted tours in 2009, each designed to highlight Alaska[sup.1]s top wilderness and cultural attractions. Both the Escorted Alaska Explorer and Escorted Great Land Explorer are designed for travel clients who prefer a Gray Line tour director accompany and facilitate their Alaska experience. The product is designed as a premium tour product, in which the tour director acts as a concierge and handles all the trip details and logistics. Gray Line has been leading tours in Alaska for more than 60 years. While the tour director handles planning and logistics, Gray Line[sup.1]s experienced driver guides provide expert narration throughout the trip including the area[sup.1]s history, flora and fauna, geography and native culture. The 2009 eight-day/seven-night Escorted Great Land Explorer takes clients from Fairbanks to Anchorage, highlighting Alaska[sup.1]s best wilderness and cultural attractions by boat, luxurious glass-domed railcar and deluxe motor coach. In Fairbanks, clients enjoy a cruise on the sternwheeler Discovery and pan for gold at historic Gold Dredge No. 8. Then guests board the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Denali National Park. Guests spend two nights at Denali, providing more day time for viewing Alaskan wildlife on the Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour and seeing Mt. McKinley, weather permitting. The tour travels by rail through scenic wilderness to Talkeetna, the town that inspired the hit television show [sup.3]Northern Exposure.[sup.2] For more information, call 800-544-2206, or visit www.graylinealaska.com. Nov 26, 2008

Amtrak

The City of St. Louis and Amtrak have announced the official grand opening of the Gateway Transportation Center (GTC), the city[sup.1]s new $26.4 million multimodal transportation hub. Mayor Francis G. Slay, Comptroller Darlene Green, Amtrak Board Member Thomas Carper, Greyhound, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Citizens for Modern Transit and other local officials dedicated the facility at 430 South 15th St. For nearly 20 years, a multimodal station to connect Amtrak, Greyhound, MetroLink and Metro Bus service has been an important concept in the overall design of St. Louis City[sup.1]s transportation systems, but until recently, it was only a concept. When he was first elected mayor in 2001, Slay joined with other city officials to make the completion of this facility a top priority. The Gateway Transportation Center is the City[sup.1]s state-of-the-art multimodal transportation hub operated by the City of St. Louis Comptroller[sup.1]s Office, led by Green. It is conveniently located in the heart of downtown St. Louis where Amtrak, Greyhound, MetroLink and Metro Bus service converge. This new facility provides passengers with a clean, safe and friendly transportation center featuring 24-hour operations staff, security and food service. For more information, call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.Amtrak.com. Nov 25, 2008

Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services

Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services has this week made a promise on the back of its recently launched travel industry program: If your clients aren't satisfied with Tristar's chauffeur services, they don't pay. The company, which is the largest chauffeur company in the UK and also provides service in 51 countries worldwide, has had widespread success in the airline and corporate markets but is keen to demonstrate its market leading services to TMCs, travel agencies, tour operators and DMCs. Initial feedback from the market place showed a widespread hesitation to make a recommendation for a chauffeur service without any experience of the quality, consistency and reliability of that service. For more info, please call her on 01895 432195 or email jane.moore@tristarworldwide.com. Nov 24, 2008

Balfour Beatty Plant

A partnership between Cranfield University and Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services (BBPFS) has resulted in the launch of a state-of-the-art driving simulator and psychometric assessment programme designed to reduce the risk of accidents and improve fuel efficiency. The Driver Risk Management Program (DRMP) was unveiled to BBPFS Directors at Balfour Beatty's West Service Road, Derby-based office during National Road Safety Week last Friday. BBPFS has selected Cranfield University's psychometric driver risk assessment - the Fleet Driver Risk IndexTM (FDRI) to assess their employees' strengths and weaknesses behind the wheel. On completing the FDRI, the drivers will undertake a number of bespoke simulator scenarios, based on Cranfield University research and designed to help lessen driver risk. The technology has the capability to focus on different driver personas ranging from aggression, confrontation, thrill seeking, driver fatigue and confidence. The effect is to create a highly realistic environment in which the driver can immerse themselves. The DRMP also consists of e-learning and the recruitment of an ex-police traffic officer to deliver a series of safety awareness seminars for employees. To find out more visit www.bbbol.com Nov 24, 2008