Destination News - Destination, Rail, Road

Airguide Online, July 7, 2008

7/7/2008

Air France KLM

Air France KLM confirmed on Friday it was considering offering high-speed rail travel and will adjust its winter seat capacity in the face of rising jet fuel costs. The Franco-Dutch airline pulled out of a bid to rescue Italy's Alitalia earlier this year and competes with the emerging transatlantic partnership of British Airways, American Airlines and Spain's Iberia. On Friday, it confirmed media reports it was discussing a high-speed rail alliance with Veolia -- a French utility that runs several rail connections but is not yet active in high-speed travel, which is dominated by state-owned SNCF, Deutsche Bahn and the equally state controlled Thalys and Eurostar firms. "As part of the opening to competition of rail transport in 2010, Air France and Veolia are looking into the possibility of a partnership to create a new high-speed rail player on the European scene," an Air France KLM spokesman said. Veolia Transport, part of French water utility Veolia, could run trains under the Air France brand from the airline's hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to destinations across Europe, the Financial Times said on Friday. 7/4/2008

Shangri-La Asia

Shangri-La Asia Limited will open Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila in 2012, located within the Fort Bonifacio former military base and city center. The mixed-use business, residential and retail tower is a 30-minute drive from the international airport. The hotel will have 500 guestrooms and 234 apartments guestrooms start at 560 square feet for a standard room. Dining options will include a Chinese restaurant, poolside bar and barbecue, and an entertainment and bar area that will occupy two levels and have its own direct street access. Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila will also have an extensive health club, swimming pools and tennis courts. The new hotel will complement the company[sup.1]s four existing hotel properties in the Philippines and the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay, scheduled to open at the end of 2008. 7/3/2008

Carnival Cruise Lines

Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain, a new attraction by Carnival Corporation & plc, Rain Forest Trams Ltd., a local bank and businessmen, had its soft opening Tuesday in Ocho Rios. Grand opening festivities for this eco-friendly attraction are set for late July. The multimillion dollar tourism attraction features a Jamaican bobsled ride through the tropical forest, a chairlift journey over the countryside, a zipline canopy adventure through the treetops, an island culture and heritage center, as well as mountaintop dining and shopping venues. 7/1/2008

Hotel Shangri-La

Hotel Shangri-La will reopen in October after a $30 million refurbishment the first renovation in more than 20 years (the hotel was built in 1939). The new look will embody key elements of the original Streamline Moderne design of the era while bringing it into the 21st century with a contemporary twist. The full-service hotel will include 71 rooms and suites (an increase of 17 rooms), a courtyard with elevated pool and cabanas, restaurant and rooftop bar. All rooms and suites have expansive ocean views. The hotel is located in the heart of Santa Monica, and is within walking distance to the Santa Monica Pier, premium shopping, and world-class restaurants. 7/1/2008

St. Lucia

St. Lucia's first residential-style, luxury and boutique hotel has been accepted to become a member of Preferred Boutique, one of the five brands of the Preferred Hotel Groupoa collection of independent hotels. Cap Maison is slated to open July 15. "We are proud to be the first St. Lucian hotel to become a Preferred Boutique property," said Ross Stevenson, general manager of Cap Maison, in a written release. 7/1/2008

NYC & Company

NYC & Company, the tourism and marketing office for the metropolitan city, has launched their summer tourism savings program, "Summer in the City." The program, which runs from July 1 to September 1, includes more than 200 offers throughout the five boroughs. Highlights of the program include savings at such NYC establishments as Beacon Restaurant and Bar, Gusto Grilled Organics and Sardi's; savings on tickets for Top of the Rock Observation Deck and New York Water Taxi; discounted admission to museums and savings on hotels. To access the Summer in the City 2008 Saving Pass,Also this summer, NYC & Company is offering the Third Night Free promotion in July and August. With this deal, participants are offered a third night free when booking two nights at 10 participating luxury hotels, which are part of The Signature Collection. 6/30/2008

Caesars Palace

Vacation.com will return to Caesars Palace, Las Vegas for their 11th International Conference & Trade Show, June 17 to June 20, 2009. The decision follows Vacation.comis recent conference also at Caesars Palace that attracted 1,400 agents and industry suppliers." Las Vegas provides an exceptional setting for our annual conference, offering significant air service from a variety of carriers, large convention space, plenty of entertainment, and very affordable hotel rates," said Lauraday Kelley, vice president, Conference and Special Events, Vacation.com. 6/30/2008