Emirates launches A-380 flights to Malaysia

The first A-380 flight from Dubai arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Sunday.

"We have been eagerly awaiting the start of our Airbus A-380 service to Malaysia, a country that we have been operating flights to since 1996," said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates' senior vice president, commercial operations.

"The start of 2012 will be a busy time for Emirates, in addition to launching our A-380 aircraft on one of our three daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

"We are also expanding our network to include Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro from Jan 3 and Dublin from Jan 9, opening up more opportunities for Malaysian travellers and businesses," he added. (IANS)

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'Discover Bihar' roadshow launched

Exhibiting the culture and heritage of Bihar, the two day-long roadshow will have performance from the Sangeet Sangam Seva Group of Bihar on folk songs in local languages like Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magadhi and others.

People do not know about Bihar's wildlife and its camping sites, and adventure sports. We want people to know that our state also has all these things,? said Navin Kumar, deputy general manager, Department of Tourism.

In 2011, Bihar attracted about 1,32,33,304 tourists out of which only 5,27,773 were foreign ones.

To further increase the number of tourists, the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. unveiled the various plans it has undertaken to accomplish its objective of popularising the state's tourism, which includes developing basic infrastructure,? Kumar said at the launch.

It is the beginning and we hope that Bihar will do some good tourism. This event will be a window into Bihar tourism,? said Navin Kumar. (IANS)

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Foreign Tourist Arrivals grow 5.2pc

There has been a growth of 5.2pc in December, 2011 over December, 2010 as compared to a growth of 10.4 pc registered in December 2010 over December, 2009.

The growth rate of 5.2pc in December 2011 is higher than 4.7pc growth rate observed in November, 2011.

FTAs in India during 2011 were 6.29 million with a growth of 8.9pc as compared to the FTAs of 5.78 million with a growth of 11.8pc during the year 2010 over 2009.

The growth rate of 8.9 pc in 2011 for India is better than UNWTO?s projected growth rate of 4pc to 5pc for the world in 2011 and 7pc to 9pc for Asia and the Pacific.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of December 2011 were Rs. 8870 crore as compared to Rs. 7039 crore in December 2010 and Rs 7042 crore in December 2009.

The growth rate in FEE in Rs terms in December 2011 over December 2010 was 26.pc as compared to no growth in December 2010 over December 2009.

FEE from tourism in rupee terms during 2011 were Rs.77591 crore with a growth of 19.6pc , as compared to the FEE of Rs. 64889 crore with a growth of 18.1pc during the year 2010 over 2009.

FEE in USUSD terms during the month of December 2011 were USUSD 1688 million as compared to FEE of USUSD 1558 million during the month of December 2010 and USUSD 1510 million in December 2009.

The growth rate in FEE in USUSD terms in December 2011 over December 2010 was 8.3pc as compared to the growth of 3.2 pc in Decemmber 2010 over December 2009.

FEE from tourism in terms of USUSD during 2011 were USUSD 16564 million with a growth of 16.7pc , as compared to USUSD 14193 million with a growth of 24.6 pc during the year 2010 over 2009. (IBNS)

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Railway announces Pongal Specials

Chennai Central-Nagercoil Special and Nagercoil-Chennai Central Superfast Special (via Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Tirunelveli): T No 06021 Chennai Central-Nagercoil Special will leave Chennai Central at 2230 hrs on January 13 and arrive Nagercoil at 1400 hrs, the next day.

T No 06022 Nagercoil-Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Nagercoil at 1240 hrs on January 17 and arrive Chennai Central at 0330 hrs, the next day.

Chennai Central-Nagercoil-Chennai Central Superfast Specials (via Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Tirunelveli): T No 06023 Chennai Central-Nagercoil Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 2000 hrs on January 14 and arrive Nagercoil at 1100 hrs, the next day.

T No 06024 Nagercoil-Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Nagercoil at 1940 hrs on January 16 and arrive Chennai Central at 1040 hrs, the next day.

T No 06626 Coimbatore-Chennai Central Superfast Special will leave Coimbatore at 2345 hrs on January 17 and arrive Chennai Central at 0745 hrs, the next day.

T No 06625 Chennai Central-Coimbatore Superfast Special will leave Chennai Central at 2230 hrs on January 18 and arrive Coimbatore at 0650 hrs, the next day.

Advance reservation for the above trains will commence on January 7, a Railwasy release here said. (UNI)

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Pan Pacific Named as Official Partner Hotel for ITB Asia 2012

Pan Pacific Singapore has become the Official Partner Hotel for ITB Asia 2012.

On the opening day of the three-day trade show, Pan Pacific Singapore will be hosting an exclusive evening reception where guests will be able to enjoy the hotel?s service and ambience.

In addition to providing an excellent networking opportunity for industry leaders and professionals, the evening reception will showcase the hotel?s signature culinary delights inspired by the recipes and cultural influences along the Pacific Rim.

In addition, some 150 top buyers attending the travel trade show will also be able to experience the hotel?s accommodation and hospitality services.

Scott Swank, General Manager Pan Pacific Singapore, said, "We believe that there is no better platform than ITB Asia to showcase our properties across the region. ITB Asia has proven to be a great success in facilitating the growth of the travel market and we?re confident that this partnership will provide us with the opportunity to create memorable experience for ITB visitors in our hotel but also to meet potential business partners and network within the global travel market."

ITB Asia will allow first-time exhibitor Pan Pacific Hotels Group to showcase its portfolio of over 30 upscale Pan Pacific and ParkRoyal hotels, resorts and serviced suites across Asia, Oceania and North America.

ITB Asia 2012 is in its fifth year and will be held from 3 to 5 October 2012 at Suntec Singapore. This year, the show attracted over 7,500 attendees and 750 exhibitors from 70 countries.

"As a leading trade show that represents the Asian travel market, we are honoured to partner with Pan Pacific, a brand with similarly strong regional presence. Synonymous with impeccable hospitality and five-star service, Pan Pacific Singapore is conveniently located within walking distance of Suntec Singapore making them an ideal hotel partner for the show," said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director, ITB Asia.

New York City to Have 90,000 Hotel Rooms by Year's End

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has announced that New York city will reach a record 90,000 hotel rooms by year's end, representing a 24% increase since 2006.

More than 7,000 rooms are in the pipeline that will add to the city's hotel inventory, with an average 40% of new openings taking place in boroughs other than Manhattan, including in Long Island city, Queens, a hotbed of hotel development.

The increase in hotels reflects an overall upward trend for the city's $31 billion tourism industry. In September for instance, an estimated 323,000 people were employed in the travel and tourism sector, a record for the month. Last year, New York city welcomed a record 48.8 million visitors who collectively spent $31 billion.

The city is on track to reach a record number of visitors this year. Room rates are steadily increasing, and occupancy remained at close to 85%, the highest in the nation.

More people want to visit New York city than ever before, and with a record 90,000 rooms, we have great places for them to stay, said Mayor Bloomberg. That's good news not just for tourists, but also for the city's economy. Our tourism sector employs 323,000 people, and those jobs are now increasingly located outside Manhattan, as tourists want to visit all of the city's great neighborhoods.

There are now 17 hotels in Long Island city that are comprised of 1,500 rooms with five more properties and 650 rooms under construction. Major hotel brands in the neighborhood include the Four Points by Sheraton Long Island city/Queensboro Bridge; Fairfield Inn New York Long Island city/Manhattan View; Country Inn & Suites; Holiday Inn Long Island city Manhattan View; and opening next month, the Wyndham Garden Long Island city. Independent properties such as the Z NYC, which opened in July, join other LIC hotels such as the Ravel, the Queensboro Hotel and the Verve Hotel, among others.

'One of the reasons why New York's economy has rebounded faster than the rest of the country's is the growth and development of the city's tourism industry, Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel said. 'The tourism boom is driving a boom in hotel construction, which is creating thousands of jobs throughout the five boroughs.'

Overall hotel development in the city has been robust in 2011 with new properties recently opened or under construction in all five boroughs. Approximately 40 new projects are slated to open in the next 30 months, with about 13 properties representing 1,865 rooms in boroughs other than Manhattan (5 in Long Island city, 3 in Queens, 1 in the Bronx, 1 in Staten Island and 3 in Brooklyn). 22 new hotels representing 4,120 rooms are also under construction in Manhattan.

Qantas Launches Thailand - Australia Promotion

Qantas Airways Thailand has launched a 'Qantas 91st Birthday Sale' promotion offering customers departing Thailand reduced airfares until 30 November 2011.

Under the promotion, return air tickets between Bangkok and Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Adelaide) are from 16,000 Baht excluding airport taxes, service fees, insurance, fuel and other surcharges.

Customers are eligible to travel from 1 February 2012 to 31 March 2012, and the air tickets are for a maximum of 12 months stay.

Moreover, travellers can have one free stopover and an additional stopover at a charge of 2,000 baht. Date changes are not permitted, and other terms and conditions apply.

From Thailand, Qantas operates daily services to Sydney and passengers are able to connect their preferred flights to domestic routes throughout Australia. Additionally, the airline operates daily services to London from Bangkok.