IDeaS integrates Newmarket solution

IDeaS Revenue Optimization,has announced the integration of Newmarket’s Delphi 9.2 with the IDeaS V5i 3.2 Revenue Management Solution.

The integration allows group sales managers to price potential Group business using the powerful IDeaS Group Pricing module without leaving the Delphi application.

“IDeaS has a strong history of providing group forecasting and pricing support to the hospitality industry,” said Linda Hatfield, Vice President Product Management, IDeaS Revenue Optimization. “Customers of Newmarket and IDeaS will now benefit from the enhanced efficiency and ease-of-use that comes from this level of integration.”

“We are committed to bringing increased value to our customers and prospects through collaborative partnerships with companies demonstrating material benefit and strength," added Shawn McGowan, CTO & Senior Vice President, Newmarket International, Inc. “By partnering with IDeaS, we are able to provide state of the art group pricing and analysis within Delphi.”

Participants at the NewmarketPLUS User Conference, held on April 8-9, 2008 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, will be able to see first-hand the integration between Delphi and IDeaS V5i.

IDeaS Group Pricing module, developed with some of the largest group house hoteliers in the world, arms hoteliers with a powerful solution that makes sense of any given group’s entire value as well as the value of any business being displaced.

Facelift for Puerto de La Cruz

It has been announced that Puerto de La Cruz, the popular tourist resort in North Tenerife, is to undergo a 12 million Euro facelift.

Three separate plans have been approved focusing on the regeneration of this charming old colonial town.

Tourism is the leading industry in Puerto de la Cruz, which has a tourism history dating back over a hundred years. The cosmopolitan town is very different from the modern 1970’s concrete resorts in the south of the island, which were purpose built to respond to the boom in tourism to Tenerife.

The Puerto de La Cruz regeneration project will bring the historical town up to date with aesthetic and structural improvements, whilst ensuring that its well-known charm and character is not compromised in any way.

The three different plans are:

Plan de Choque (Plan of Impact). This will incorporate 22 specific actions to improve, paint, remodel or restore pavements, streets, squares, facades and buildings, as well as beginning on the construction of a brand new Marina in Puerto de la Cruz. A total of more than €6,380,000 will be spent on this project which will be fully completed by 2009 and will allow visitors to Puerto de la Cruz to fully appreciate the town’s history, charm and beauty.

Plan del Mirador de la Paz (La Paz viewpoint project). From the area of La Paz in Puerto de La Cruz, visitors can enjoy fabulous views over the town and sea beyond from an ideally located viewpoint. With an investment of €500,000, this area will be rebuilt to replace damaged pavements and bring it in line with the style of the historical buildings located in the near vicinity, for example the Hermitage of San Amaro.

Renovación de la Playa Martianez (Renovation of Martianez beach). This project is to focus on the small beach of Playa Martianez. €5 million will be spent on the renovation of the beach, the boulevard and the rebuilding of two bars located on the beach’s edge.

A further project which has been agreed, although details of the specific developments and investment have not yet been disclosed, is the Plan Horizonte 2020 (Horizon plan 2020). This is a general plan for all Spanish tourist destinations, the aim being to focus developments in tourism on raising the competitiveness of resorts, as well as on the environmental, social and economic sustainability. Puerto de la Cruz, as an important and historic tourist destination, has been included in this plan and will receive public financing to improve the town and its facilities.

Snra. Dolores Padrón Rodriguez, Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz and recently appointed head of tourism, said: “We are keen to develop and boost tourism in Puerto de la Cruz and now have a dedicated team in the local council focused on promoting the best we have to offer in both the Spanish and international markets. The funding currently on offer – and there will be more to follow – is testament to the significance of the town as a major tourist destination and is key to bringing Puerto de la Cruz up to date following general wear and tear over the last 50 years as a booming tourist hub.

Puerto de la Cruz is and will continue to be a point of reference in the search for quality and excellence in tourism and it is in this objective that all current efforts are being placed.”

Tobago unveils impressive Jazz line-up

The line-up for the fourth Tobago Jazz Festival, to be held in April 2008 has been announced.

This year’s confirmed artists come from a range of musical backgrounds to suit all tastes, including soul, swing, pop, and jazz. The headline acts include the delightful Diana Ross, ‘Do you think he’s sexy?’ Rod Stewart and the ‘Queen of the Night’ Whitney Houston!

The festival begins on 25 April 2008 and will run for three days in the picturesque fishing village of Plymouth, Tobago. Rod Stewart and Diana Ross will be performing over the weekend at the festival. Smokey Robinson, Shakira and En Vogue are among the other international artists that will be performing.

The Caribbean’s newest music festival, held on the beautiful, un-spoilt island of Tobago, is already becoming the most anticipated and talked about festival in the Caribbean. Previous line-ups have included Sir Elton John, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Vanessa Williams and many more.

Nova Alexander, Manager (UK, Ireland, Holland & Scandinavia), Tourism Development Company (TDC) of Trinidad & Tobago said: “Tobago is delighted to be hosting such prestigious musicians at the Tobago Jazz Festival. From its inception only three years ago, the island of Tobago is now attracting some of the world’s greatest musicians to its shores to perform and enjoy the idyllic island paradise.”

The festival will also feature a fireworks display and great hospitality from the Tobagonians. Performers, celebrity guests and patrons can be assured of three days of fantastic entertainment in ‘Clean, Green and Serene’ Tobago.

Trinidad & Tobago are served by numerous direct flights from the UK, with many tour operators offering hotel and flight packages. Book now to avoid disappointment for the Tobago Jazz Festival.

Turks and Caicos plots green island first

The Turks and Caicos Islands is to give the Caribbean region its first “green island” in the near future as part of the government’s sustainable tourism programme, Premier, Dr. Michael Misick has said.

The 2.5 mile island of Salt Cay, once the centre of the Bermudan salt industry and the mainstay of the Turks and Caicos economy from the late 1600’s until the early 1960’s, has been chosen to be transformed into the “green island,” Premier Misick said at a news conference here.

“Any new development will be consistent with that philosophy (of sustainable development),” the Premier told journalists.

The news conference was being held to launch a public awareness campaign for the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-10) to be held here from April 28- May 1.

The conference, organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association, has as its theme, Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining the Caribbean Coastal Product

"It is hoped that by doing this conference, we are seen as leading the way in sustainable tourism development, but also it would help to educate some of the various people in the tourism industry and the people of the TCI of the need to preserve the environment, the need to have a clean surroundings," Premier Misick said.

The conference, which will be held at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa (by Sandals), a Green Globe Certified hotel, is designed to provide attendees with information on the development and implementation of tourism practices in a responsible manner.

The CTO secretary general, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, who also addressed the news conference, said that greater awareness of sustainable tourism among travellers means more people want to go to destinations that practice it.

“This is not only good business sense but it is profitable for the tourism product,” he said.

A number of prominent speakers, among them the noted Canadian naturalist, Dr. David Suzuki, will make presentations at the conference. It will also feature a dynamic programme, including study tours of the host country, Turks & Caicos Islands. One such comprehensive tour will include a visit to the world’s only conch farm. For more information or to register for the conference, visit, www.OneCaribbean.org.

Sponsors for STC-19 include the Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Turks & Caicos islands Tourist Board, Cayman Islands, Islands Magazine and the Caribbean Hotel Association.

WTTC backs Caricom decision

The World Travel & Tourism Council has announced its full support of the decision taken by Caricom on 11 March to devote a full day during its regular meeting of Heads of Government in July to focus on Travel & Tourism.

This is the first ever time that tourism has been given such high priority at governmental level in the Caribbean, despite the industry being one of the main contributors to economic wealth.

According to WTTC's latest research, Travel & Tourism contributes 14.8% of total GDP in the Caribbean, 12.9% of total employment, approximately 2 million jobs and 18.2% of export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods.

Overall the TSA results reveal moderate growth for Travel & Tourism Demand in the Caribbean in 2008, growing at a rate of 2.3%. Long-term forecasts point to a stable phase of growth between 2009 and 2018 averaging 3.2% per annum.

However, these forecasts are falling below the 2008 world average of 3.0%, which itself has decreased as a result of the global economic downturn, with a long-term forecasts over the next ten years reflecting an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

Considering these forecasts, WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten explained, "The Caribbean undoubtedly depends heavily on the Travel & Tourism sector for economic wealth and as a job creator. Globally we are seeing a major slowdown in mature economies, the impact of which is being cushioned by the rapid growth from emerging markets. These new destinations are undertaking massive tourism-related investment programmes and regions such as the Caribbean must focus on its long-term development in order to compete and to fully realise and maintain its full economic potential."

Regionally the Caribbean receives the highest contribution towards Travel & Tourism from government expenditure - 9.2% in 2008, compared to a global average of 3.8%. Expressing his support of Caricom's recent decision to prioritise tourism, Baumgarten urged "Travel & Tourism is vital to the Caribbean and it is crucial that decisions to drive this sector forward come from the highest levels of government. All the while maintaining private sector investment based on sound economic research."

Lufthansa inks Ethiopian codeshare

Lufthansa is further expanding its partnerships with African airlines and from 4th April 2008 passengers can fly with either Ethiopian Airlines or Lufthansa on routes between Frankfurt and the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Customers will then have a choice of seven flights per week on this route. The cooperation agreement was signed by Ato Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, and Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber.

The codeshare flights, which can be booked now, offer customers greater flexibility and a wider choice of connections. A Lufthansa Airbus A300-600 will depart from Frankfurt for Addis Ababa four times weekly, with a stopover in Khartoum. Ethiopian Airlines will operate a thrice-weekly Boeing 767 service on this route.

The codeshare agreement and the cooperation between Lufthansa and Ethiopian Airlines have established the basis for further collaboration. An extension of the codeshare agreement to onward flights from Frankfurt to European and US destinations as well as from Addis Ababa to destinations in Eastern and Central Africa is already under discussion.

“This codesharing agreement will benefit the customers of both airlines. It will boost Lufthansa’s flight offering in Africa and also give passengers from Ethiopia access to our global route network via our Frankfurt hub,” Wolfgang Mayrhuber said.

The frequent flyer programmes of both airlines have been linked since October 2007. Members of the Lufthansa Miles & More programme and Ethiopian Sheba Miles can thus earn and redeem miles on any of the partner airline’s flights.

Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with LSG Sky Chefs, which has assisted in managing and upgrading the airline’s catering division by improving the production standards.

“The codeshare flights between Addis Ababa and Frankfurt mark the beginning of a stronger cooperation to come as both airlines are planning to cover other markets in the future,” noted Ato Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines.

Alitalia deal collapses, new Chairman appointed

Takeover negotiations between Alitalia and Air France-KLM have collapsed and Maurizio Prato has resigned from his position as the company’s Chairman and Director.

Alitalia held an emergency board meeting "in order to take the necessary and opportune resolutions", and today the firm said Aristide Police would take over the Chairman position.

Maurizio Prato had warned the unions involved in the negotiations that the company risked going bankrupt if they did not accept the deal.

The Italian government has been trying for more than a year to sell its 49.9% stake in the Alitalia and says there are no other bidders.

Boeing flies hydrogen fuel cell plane

Boeing has, for the first time in aviation history, flown a manned airplane powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The recent milestone is the work of an engineering team at Boeing Research & Technology Europe (BR&TE) in Madrid, with assistance from industry partners in Austria, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Boeing is actively working to develop new technologies for environmentally progressive aerospace products,” said Francisco Escarti, BR&TE’s managing director. “We are proud of our pioneering work during the past five years on the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane project. It is a tangible example of how we are exploring future leaps in environmental performance, as well as a credit to the talents and innovative spirit of our team.”

A two-seat Dimona motor-glider with a 16.3 meter (53.5 foot) wingspan was used as the airframe. Built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, it was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional propeller.

Three test flights took place in February and March at the airfield in Ocaña, south of Madrid, operated by the Spanish company SENASA.

During the flights, the pilot of the experimental airplane climbed to an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level using a combination of battery power and power generated by hydrogen fuel cells. Then, after reaching the cruise altitude and disconnecting the batteries, the pilot flew straight and level at a cruising speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) for approximately 20 minutes on power solely generated by the fuel cells.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen directly into electricity and heat with none of the products of combustion such as carbon dioxide. Other than heat, water is its only exhaust.

According to Boeing researchers, PEM fuel cell technology potentially could power small manned and unmanned air vehicles. Over the longer term, solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes. Boeing does not envision that fuel cells will ever provide primary power for large passenger airplanes, but the company will continue to investigate their potential, as well as other sustainable alternative fuel and energy sources that improve environmental performance.

BR&TE, part of the Boeing Phantom Works advanced R&D unit, has worked closely with Boeing Commercial Airplanes and a network of partners since 2003 to design, assemble and fly the experimental craft.

The group of companies, universities and institutions participating in this project includes:

· Austria – Diamond Aircraft Industries

· France – SAFT France

· Germany – Gore and MT Propeller

· Spain – Adventia, Aerlyper, Air Liquide Spain, Indra, Ingeniería de Instrumentación y Control (IIC), Inventia, SENASA, Swagelok, Técnicas Aeronauticas de Madrid (TAM), Tecnobit, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and the Regional Government of Madrid

· United Kingdom – Intelligent Energy

· United States – UQM Technologies.

New director to head up Radius corporate sales in North America

Radius announced that Edyta Citron has joined the organization as Director, Multinational Corporate Sales North America to head up the corporate sales effort in the region. Citron works with Radius travel agencies in North America to develop service standards for their corporate clients that are consistent globally and tailored to reflect local conditions and capabilities.

Citron, based at the Radius head office in Washington DC, implements the Radius travel management consolidation sales strategy in coordination with Radius travel agencies. Citron has a background in GDS and travel technology product development. Previously, she worked for four years for Worldspan\Travelport in the UK and the US as a product strategist, and for three years for the Baltona Foreign Trade Company in Poland as tourism and logistics manager and department head for the ISO quality department.

Citron offered: “It is my aim to help Radius corporate clients continue to consolidate their travel needs. North America is pivotal in the growth of the travel consolidation trend, and I will serve as a vital link between our agencies in the region and around the world.”

Commenting on the appointment, Kieran Hartwell, Vice President for Multinational Corporate Sales noted: “Edyta is ideally suited to achieve the objectives of the Radius multinational corporate sales initiative. We will certainly benefit first-hand from her expertise to ensure that Radius is responsive, innovative and efficient in the complex US corporate travel management space.”

AMEX Business Travel increases its clientele

American Express Business Travel announced a series of recent new customer wins and contract extensions across a broad range of industry groups and geographies. To further capitalize on its early first quarter sales acquisitions momentum and to ensure that client needs continue to be met on every level, the Company also announced key reinforcements to its leadership structure, effective immediately.

During the first 60 days of 2008, new sales wins and renewals (signed contracts and letters of intent) increased 73 percent, compared to the same period of the previous year.

Contributing to the strong sales growth through new contracts or extended agreements are well-known household name companies and various public sector organizations. These include Bentley, Bobcat Company and GEA Dutch Holding from the automotive and manufacturing sectors; Rabobank a full-range financial services provider; Cadbury from the food industry; global IT services provider CGI Group, Inc.; Medical Counsel of Canada; Rip Curl, a French clothing manufacturer; Manpower, a global staffing agency; Conseil de l’Europe, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and Swedish Prison and Probation Service & Transport Service from the public sphere; and GSM Association from the wireless industry.

“We are seeing that in today’s environment, businesses across various industry sectors and geographies recognize the value of our brand and turn to us to provide the technology, expert insight and customer service they need to generate cost savings and optimize their business travel investment,” said Charles Petruccelli, president of American Express Global Travel Services. “Although economic stresses have placed pressure on the bottom-line for corporations worldwide, business travel remains an essential component of effectively managing and growing a business. Companies can keep travelers on the road by managing travel costs in a smart and careful way.”

Leadership alignment supports growth initiatives

American Express Business Travel has aligned its senior leadership team to provide a continued focus on growth while enhancing existing customer and supplier relationships. Additionally, the team will focus on continued innovation to set the pace in this dynamic marketplace. As a result, the following key appointments have been made:

Priyan Fernando, Chief Operating Officer also becomes President overseeing the Customer Group, reporting to Petruccelli. In addition to retaining his current responsibility for leading Global Operations, Fernando now adds Client Management and Advisory Services to his portfolio.

Andy McGraw is appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president and general manager, Worldwide Sales. In this role, McGraw will lead the American Express Business Travel sales organization across all regions, markets and industry segments worldwide.

Lisa Durocher is promoted to senior vice president, Marketing and Innovation. She will continue to lead all Marketing, Innovation, Product Management and Online strategy.

Andrew Winterton retains his role as senior vice president and general manager, Global Supplier Relations, Partner Network and Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The new alignment of our senior leadership team will fuel our growth potential and position us to achieve our target goals in 2008 and beyond,” commented Petruccelli. “Organizing our leadership this way allows for greater focus on innovation, acquisition and outstanding customer service and speaks to the competitive differentiation in our value proposition and the benefits we provide to our customers.”

EIBTM 2008 calls tech providers to enter the WorldWide Technology Watch competition

The WorldWide Technology Watch (WWTW) competition forms part of EIBTM’s increasing focus on new technology solutions for the meetings industry and will once again be taking place this year. The competition is dedicated to discovering the latest technological innovations that will have a positive impact on meetings, events, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions. The closing date for entries is Friday 5th September 2008 and the winner receives a free stand at the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM 2008 and the opportunity to present their product during EIBTM 2008 in Barcelona.

Mandy Torrens, EIBTM’s Event Director says, “After the great success of last year’s WWTW competition and the record number of entries we received, EIBTM is looking forward to seeing the calibre of this year’s entrants. The WWTW competition is an important part of EIBTM as it nurtures innovative technology products which will enhance the future of the industry.”

This is a great chance for these companies to receive recognition and gain increased exposure for their product.

The 2008 Judging Panel includes:

• Corbin Ball, CMP, Corbin Ball Associates, WA, USA – CHAIRMAN
• Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA- Amsterdam
• Bruce M. MacMillan, President/CEO, Meeting Professionals International
• Paul Hussey, Managing Director, Olive 360
• Charles Robinson, previously ITMA Executive Director

Corbin Ball, CMP, Corbin Ball Associates says, “Meetings technology is progressing at a rapid rate and is an increasingly important tool for the meeting planner. Of course products such as RFID, innovative registration and management software are very important but so are the new technologies that will start to impact on the meetings industry including Web 2.0 technologies, social software, multi-user virtual environment and more. The WWTW judges anticipate a wide range of products reflecting these latest innovations to enter the EIBTM WorldWide Technology Watch”.

The 2007 WWTW competition attracted a record number of entries from over 40 different international companies. The 2007 WorldWide Technology Watch (WWTW) winner was Shockfish SA with the new SPOTME. The judging committee felt that this product scored highly in all three judging criteria: innovation, completeness of concept, and value to users at events. The winners of previous years’ competitions have found positive publicity and commercial backing through presenting their products to the industry at EIBTM. The WWTW competition is the right platform from which to gain extra credibility within the industry.

Samuel J. Smith, Marketing Manager from Spotme, 2007 WorldWide Technology Watch winner says, “A special thanks to the EIBTM team! We listened to your advice, followed your recommendations and had a great show. 2008 is going to be the best year yet for Spotme! EIBTM helped us get off to a great start!”

FRA train accident investigation reports go online

To increase public awareness about the causes of specific train accidents and to reduce the need for individuals to submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is for the first time making its investigation reports of major train accidents and other incidents available online, FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman stated.

“There’s no reason that anyone who’s interested shouldn’t be able to find out the probable cause of a train accident,” said Boardman, explaining that formal FRA accident investigation reports generally focus on high-consequence train-to-train collisions, derailments, certain highway-rail grade crossing collisions, and all railroad employee fatalities.

Boardman said that the Factual Investigation Reports now posted on the FRA web site contain detailed narratives describing the circumstances of the accident or incident and provide an analysis of the facts and FRA’s conclusion as to why the event occurred. Making this information more accessible will benefit railroads, railroad employees, state and local officials, communities, shippers, insurers and others directly or indirectly impacted by these events, he added.

FRA accident investigation reports for all of 2005 and 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 are online now. The reports for the remainder of 2007 will be posted in the coming months, and those for 2008 as well as all future reports will be made available online as they are completed and finalized, Boardman said. A major train accident or incident investigation typically takes six to nine months to complete, and no portions of reports are made public until an investigation is finalized. An up-to-date listing of all active, open and ongoing investigations will also be posted online.

AH&LA hosts 2008 summer Summit in Oklahoma City

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) will host four fast-paced days of business, professional development, and networking at its third annual Summer Summit, June 8-12, 2008. Held at The Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City, OK, highlights of this year’s comprehensive events program include new and timely presentations on green initiatives, economic analysis and foresight from industry insiders at the Lodging Industry Summit, specialized certification and educational seminars, and AH&LA’s annual Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony.

Summer Summit’s green panel representatives from leading certification programs Green Seal, Green Key, the U.S. Green Building Council, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program will address challenges and opportunities for sustainable hotel development and operations, offering implementation strategies for new and existing properties.

Lodging business analysts offer attendees their collective perspectives and forecasts for the U.S. hospitality community during the annual Lodging Industry Summit. Presenters Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D., principal, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP; Patrick Ford, president, Lodging Econometrics; Jan Freitag, vice president, global development, Smith Travel Research; and Douglas Shifflet, president & CEO, D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., will analyze current industry performance and provide insight on future developments, offering key sector information to help hoteliers plan their development strategies.

AH&LA’s Educational Institute (EI) will offer a one-day Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) certification program, providing hoteliers the opportunity to review and test for this comprehensive designation. To take advantage of this special one-day program, participants must apply via the EI Website by May 12.

The Stars of the Industry Awards honor outstanding hotel employees, managers, and general managers across the nation. Hotels themselves are also recognized for innovative and successful programs in community service; guest relations; special events; diversity; and eco-friendly practices. In addition, EI honors educators who excel in advancing student interest in the field.

Many of AH&LA’s more than 30 specialized committees, comprised of top-level hoteliers, management companies, and other representatives from the diverse lodging industry, host meetings critical in strategically planning industry-wide programs and initiatives. Rounding out the Summit agenda, the conference kicks off at Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar & Grill,” a series of dinners benefiting the AH&LA Educational Foundation, and a lively Mix-n-Bowl bowling event to benefit the HotelPAC, the industry’s political action committee.

“As the hotel industry continues to grow and diversify; staying informed, connected, and prepared is essential, and AH&LA is helping our members do just that,” said the association president/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “The events at this year’s Summit allow our members and board of directors to build personal and professional relationships cultivating knowledge and generating business within the community.”

EC authorises Slovakia to grant fiscal aid to railway and inland waterways transport

The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the excise duty reductions and exemptions introduced by Slovakia for the benefit of railway and inland waterways transport. These measures are aimed at reducing external costs in the transport sector.

Since 1st May 2004 Slovakia applies excise duty exemption with respect to fuel used in inland navigation and excise duty reduction with respect to fuel used in railway transportation. The measures are in line with the provisions of the Energy taxation directive. The period covered by the State aid scheme is 10 years.

As railway and inland waterway transport do not allow for direct door-to-door delivery, they are exposed to a number of additional expenses, among which transhipment costs play the main role. At the same time, rail and inland waterway transport have much lower external costs in terms of accident, climate change and air pollution and their use is therefore beneficial for the society. Both transport modes also have considerable spare capacity and can therefore play a role in diverting traffic away from the congested parts of the road networks.

It is appropriate to bring down the cost of use of combined transport operations in order to put cleaner transport modes on equal footing with the road transport said EC. The Slovak Republic opted for excise duty exemptions and reductions to reduce the difference in costs faced by different transport modes.

These fiscal measures applicable to inland navigation and railway transportation are compatible with the European State aid rules[1].

Greek NTO renews EMEA sponsorship of CNN's program

The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) will sponsor CNN International’s feature programme ‘The Screening Room’ for the second year, it was announced yesterday (3 April). The advertising partnership will be executed across CNN International’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa feeds and will be complemented by a spot campaign on CNN Asia Pacific. Online presence includes GNTO sponsorship of several elements including ‘The Screening Room’ microsite within CNN.com/international, a twice weekly video podcast of exclusive-to-web footage and an online consumer competition. GNTO will also sponsor a tune-in campaign for ‘The Screening Room’ to run across online and print media.

The ongoing collaboration builds on the Greek National Tourism’s decade-long advertising relationship with CNN International and is part of the tourism body’s strategy to build Greece’s profile with CNN’s elite global audience.

Commenting on the deal, Rani R. Raad, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales at CNN International, said, “This renewal with the Greek National Tourism Organisation underscores the success of our 2007 partnership around The Screening Room in delivering on their objectives. This multi-media package enables the client to reach their target audience across a range of platforms.”

“We are honoured to renew our partnership with CNN, a global icon and one of most powerful news environments for advertisers. We expect that through the sponsorship of “The Screening Room”, CNN’s elite audience will discover the true experience of Greece” said Mr. Athanasios Oikonomou, President of GNTO. “Sponsorship of ‘The Screening Room’ underscores our strategy of spotlighting Greece as a world class filming destination and developing alliances with international calibre film industry professionals”

The Greek National Tourism’s sponsorship includes sponsor billboards attached to ‘The Screening Room’ television and web programming and a branded promotional campaign in major international media titles driving viewer tune-in to the show. The video podcast, online from 7th April and available for download via i-Tunes, will showcase exclusive footage including interviews, out takes and behind the scenes footage.

‘The Screening Room’ is CNN International’s monthly half-hour movie show. Hosted by British television personality Myleene Klass, the show brings viewers the inside track on all aspects of the film making business around the globe.

Euromic welcomes new members in Tunisia and the Baltic States

Euromic, the Destination Management Partnership in Europe and the Mediterranean officially welcomed two new members last week: Barclay’s Group Travel in Tunisia and Baltic Travel Group (BTG) based in Latvia. In a vote held in March, both companies were accepted unanimously by euromic’s membership. These additions have secured euromic’s place as the largest consortium of independent Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Barclay’s Group Travel, headquartered in Hammamet, about one hour from the city of Tunis, was founded in 2002 and has already established a reputation for reliability, creativity and value. Tunisia – famously the location for the first Star Wars film – offers an exceptional landscape, rich in both natural beauty and ancient Roman and Phoenician architecture. The combination of luxury resorts and exciting activities, including Sand Yachting and tours of the old cities such as Tunis and Kairouan, have made Tunisia popular with both special interest tour operators as well as meeting and incentive planners looking for destination that is unusual in all the right ways. “Joining euromic is a great opportunity for us,” said Moufida Ameur, Chief Office of Barclay’s Group Travel. “We are honored to have been accepted by the other members and we look forward to offering our high-quality of service to euromic clients.”

Baltic Travel Group Ltd. (BTG), founded in 2000 in Riga, Latvia, prides itself on client service and fresh ideas above all else. “Becoming part of euromic is likely to help us open our countries to the clients who have never considered Baltic States as a MICE destination, and gives us access to the know-how and experience of the best independent brands in the industry," said Vlad Koriagin, President of BTG, which offers full service meeting, incentive, and FIT programs in the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Long held under Soviet rule, these European Union nations contain some of the most cutting-edge destinations in the world, including the three capitals of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. The Baltic States are a bridge between East and West, linking Russia and Europe together, and enjoy close proximity with Scandinavia. It is easy to map the history of Europe through the Russian, German, Finnish, and Swedish influences, but the Baltic nations are founded on a unique and ancient culture, all their own, that still exists today. BTG and euromic are delighted to be able to bring this rapidly expanding region to life for any event.

“euromic is proud to offer its clients options in Tunisia and Baltic States,” said Giancarlo Carrera, president of euromic. “These are new and exciting destinations for many planners and incentive organizers. We have the utmost confidence in the professionalism of both Barclay’s Group Travel and the Baltic Travel Group and their ability to make their programs alive for participants.”

With the addition of these new members, euromic, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, has grown to include member or World Affiliate companies in 33 destinations.

Both Barclay’s Group Travel and the Baltic Travel Group will be present as euromic members at IMEX 2008 in Frankfurt, April 22-24.

ATA Airlines discontinues all operations

After filing for Chapter 11 on April 2, 2008 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Indianapolis, IN, ATA Airlines has discontinued all operations and cancelled all current and future flights. "Following the loss of a key contract for our military charter business, it became impossible for ATA to continue operations. Unfortunately, we were not in a position to provide our customers or others with advance notice," said the company in its statement.

"We apologize for the disruption caused by the sudden shutdown of ATA and regret the impact on passengers, employees, suppliers, and other parties. ATA customers should seek alternative arrangements for current and future travel. A list of other airlines serving ATA’s destinations is available here.

ATA customers who purchased tickets using a credit card should contact their credit card company or travel agency directly for information about how to obtain a refund for unused tickets."

Negotiations between Alitalia and Air France-KLM stopped

The negotiations between Alitalia, Air France-KLM, labour unions and professional associations were stopped as Alitalia announced. The deadline for reaching the effectiveness conditions set out in the agreement signed with Air France-KLM on 15 March 2008 was ended on 2 April and therefore, expired.

Maurizio Prato has resigned from his position as the Company’s Chairman and Director. The Board of Directors met yesterday (3 April) in order to take the necessary and opportune resolutions.

Air France-KLM accepts that there is no longer any basis for further negotiations

"When it submitted its final offer on 14 March this year, Air France-KLM indicated that the offer was contingent on prior agreement with the trade unions representative of the majority of the various categories of Alitalia employees (ground staff, flight crews); this agreement concerned the implementation of the Alitalia restructuring plan and its related severance measures," said the Groups in its statement.

"Air France-KLM know from experience that in the airline industry no restructuring plan has ever succeeded if it was not first agreed by employees. Consequently, Air France-KLM has always considered that the Alitalia industrial plan would have no chance of success unless it had the backing of the trade unions representing Alitalia's workforce.

After several lengthy negotiation sessions, the trade unions formulated a new proposal corresponding to a totally different framework to the one in which Air France-KLM had restricted itself since Autumn 2007.

In formal terms, Air France-KLM was thus regretfully forced to accept that there was no longer any basis for further negotiations. This is because Air France-KLM has no mandate from its Board of Directors to follow up this new proposal. As regards content, the new proposal, which would involve retaining a number of activities generating large scale-losses within the Alitalia group, seems incompatible with the target of a rapid return to profit."

Chairman Spinetta said: "I regretfully acknowledge the breakdown in negotiations, which is none of our doing. This is a project I have profoundly believed in and continue to do so, because it would have ensured Alitalia a rapid return to profitable growth”.