Travel Briefs

Track Santa All the Way to Your House on FlightExplorer.com
With Christmas Eve fast approaching, Flight Explorer (FE), a leading provider of real-time global flight tracking information, in partnership with Santa's Workshop (SW), has launched its free Santa Claus tracking service. Site visitors can now view what Flight Explorer air traffic expert Rally Caparas believes will be Santa's flight route of choice around the globe and also watch Santa and his reindeer perform some practice runs around the North Pole.
On Christmas Eve, Flight Explorer and its Santa tracking helper www.SkylineGlobe.com  will begin tracking Santa at 6 am (EST) after he and his reindeer take off from the North Pole. Flight Explorer will provide 3D visual updates on Santa's location throughout the day to all www.flightexplorer.com visitors. In addition, visitors will also be able to track and see the likely route that Santa will take to get from his location to their house.
The following web address is live through Christmas Day:
http://travel.flightexplorer.com/tracksanta.aspx

New Website For US Passports
The travel industry has launched a new website, www.GetAPassportNow.com , to inform travelers about new passport requirements and to help them get passports. The purpose: to also educate travelers about pending deadlines contained in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) recently revised by Congressional action, and provide easy access to passport information.
WHTI requires all air travelers to the US to have a passport or other secure document by January 23, including Americans returning from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  In addition, all travelers by land and sea must meet this requirement by an unspecified deadline not later than 1 June, 2009.
The one-page site explains the new passport requirements, cites the deadlines, and provides links where citizens of the US, Canada and Mexico can get information about and applications for their respective passports. It is intended to supplement efforts by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to inform travelers about the new rules. 

The Rail Station Opens For The Holidays In New York
The model train exhibit held annually at the Citigroup Center in midtown Manhattan beckons both young and old to see this amazing display. Come on a fantasy train ride inside the Victorian-style train station and experience the thrill of following the train routes of over 30 colorful trains in O, S and H-O gauges as they chug up mountainsides, traverse bridges and pass through charming, animated cities, farmlands and mountain villages. It is a happy experience and one that children and adults will relish.
The show at the Citigroup Center, located at East 53rd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, runs until December 29, except for Christmas Day. Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; Sundays: noon to 5 pm. More information at 1212-559-1747.

Interest in Spa Vacations and Child-friendly Destinations are Growing
The Voice of the Traveler survey conducted by Travel Industry Association of America and Synovate shows the following results:
-- 54% of travelers said that they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves.
-- Almost a third of travelers said they were more interested now compared to five years ago in going to a spa.
--  Among those who are interested in spa vacations, the majority (40%) are 35-54 years old; however, interest is also strong among 18 - 34 years old (37%).
-- More than one-third of travelers said they were currently interested in traveling to places that cater to children.
-- More than half of travelers said that they were currently interested in taking an educational trip where they and/or their family can learn something. Nearly 22% of travelers said they were more interested now compared to five years ago in taking such a trip.                                                                        Source: Travelmole.com

Ethiopia is Voted One of Frommer's Top 12 Travel Destinations for 2007
Frommer’s Travel Guides, and Frommers.com, an online destination for those planning travel excursions, have announced that Ethiopia is one of the top ten travel destinations for 2007.  This year, the editors at Frommer's Travel Guides and Frommers.com scoured the globe and polled their stable of authors and experts to identify twelve surprising, thriving, or emerging travel destinations. After careful thought and consideration, the editors from Frommer’s proclaimed that Ethiopia is one of their top picks of the places not to be missed in 2007.
The selection of Ethiopia as one of their top travel destinations shows that Ethiopia is finally emerging out of the shadows caused by years of political strife and economic hardship. Improved infrastructure has made traveling there increasingly popular, especially among independent-minded travelers and those seeking adventure. Ethiopia is revered for its rich history as one of the earliest Christian kingdoms (the town of Axum is said to be the home of the ancient Ark of the Covenant). Visit the monolithic churches of Lalibela—in particular the Church of St. George, named after Ethiopia's patron saint, which is carved into the shape of a cross from a rock mountain and is perhaps the most exquisite of the monolithic structures. Visitors seeking additional information can refer to www.ethiopianairlines.com  or refer back to www.frommers.com for their online guide to Ethiopia appearing in 2007.
 New Tour Packages Available
To help visitors discover the wonders and magic of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines has developed exciting new packages designed with international appeal. (Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Africa and features four weekly flights from Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport.)
The programs and tours feature carefully designed itineraries that make even the most jaded traveler stand up and take notice. The new Ethiopian Airlines packages and tours include 1) The History and Magic of Ethiopia; 2) Ethiopia – The Total Tour: From North to South; 3) Historic Ethiopia & Kenya Safari Tour and 4) Historic North Ethiopia and the Tanzania Expedition. For more information, contact your favorite travel agent or visit Ethiopian Airlines at www.ethiopianairlines.com

Special Cultural Tour To Shanghai Offered By Guggenheim In 2007
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York, in partnership with the Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, has organized the first survey of American art to be presented in the People's Republic of China. Art in America: Three Hundred Years of Innovation will feature approximately 130 important works of American art spanning the Colonial period to the present age, focusing on painting drawn from major U.S. and European collections, including the Terra Foundation and Guggenheim Foundation. The exhibition will premiere in Beijing at the National Art Museum of China, from February 10 through April 5, 2007, and will travel to Shanghai where it will be co-presented by the Shanghai Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai, from May 1 to June 30, 2007.
Divided into six historical periods, Art in America: Three Hundred Years of Innovation demonstrates how the art of each era both reflected and contributed to a complex visual narrative of the nation during times of discovery, growth, and experimentation. The exhibition explores issues of identity, creation, innovation, and scale-characteristics integral to the American consciousness and derived in part from the variety and vastness of the cultural, political, ethnic, economic, and natural landscapes of the United States. The six sections, each marking significant phases of the country's development, are: Colonization and Rebellion (1700-1830); Expansion and Fragmentation (1830-1880); Cosmopolitanism and Nationalism (1880-1915); Modernism and Regionalism (1915-1945); Prosperity and Disillusionment (1945-1980); and Multiculturalism and Globalization (1980-present).
The exhibition features approximately 120 artists from the early 18th century to the present and includes: John Singleton Copley; Benjamin West; Charles Wilson Peale; Gilbert Stuart; George Catlin; Frederic Edwin Church; Edward Hicks; Winslow Homer; Martin Johnson Heade; John Singer Sargent; Albert Bierstadt; Mary Cassatt; Childe Hassam; Frederick Remington; Marsden Hartley; Robert Henri; George Bellows; Charles Demuth; Georgia O'Keeffe; Stuart Davis; Thomas Hart Benton; Grant Wood; Norman Rockwell; Jackson Pollock; Willem de Kooning; Mark Rothko; Robert Motherwell; Robert Rauschenberg; Jasper Johns; Andy Warhol; Roy Lichtenstein; Donald Judd, Dan Flavin; Brice Marden; Chuck Close; Lawrence Weiner; Richard Prince; Keith Haring; Jean-Michel Basquiat; Jeff Koons; Felix Gonzalez-Torres; Kara Walker; Matthew Barney;, among many others.
A fully illustrated color catalogue published in both English and Chinese will accompany the exhibition. Michael Leja, Professor of Art History at the University of Pennsylvania, contributes a main essay outlining the major movements in American art from the Colonial period to the present. Additionally, each section contains an overview essay written by a leading scholar of the period.

AMNH Celebrates Kwanzaa December 30
On Saturday, December 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the American Museum of Natural History celebrates Kwanzaa with an annual festival commemorating the seven principles of this African-American cultural holiday, in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group.  A feast for the soul and senses, this vibrant afternoon includes traditional African dance, spoken word, drumming, live gospel music, and a marketplace.  Highlights of the celebration include a performance by Harlem’s Repertory Theatre and African mask making and puppetry workshops for children and young adults.
This year’s celebration, held in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, will begin at 12 noon with a drumming call, traditional Kwanzaa candle lighting, and opening words encouraging self-acceptance and community consciousness. The Kwanzaa Festival will also include The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, one of the largest professional African dance and drum ensembles in the United States; Tsidii Le Loka, Tony-nominated and Drama Desk awardee for The Lion King on Broadway; Ed Babb and his electrifying band, McCullough Invaders; and a bustling African marketplace filled with merchants and artisans selling pottery, traditional textiles, jewelry, and other unique adornments from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas.  In addition, special Kwanzaa foods will be available at the Museum Food Court.
All performances and activities are free with Museum admission.  Suggested admission is $14.00 for adults, $10.50 for students and seniors, and $8.00 for children.  Neither tickets nor reservations are required for the Kwanzaa celebration. For more information, the public should call 212-769-5100 or visit www.amnh.org/kwanzaa.

Arrange a Tour of the Holiday Lights in Almost Any City in the U.S.
VIPRide.com says it can arrange a tour of the local holiday lights in almost any city in the U.S., all with just one phone call or a visit to its website.
Experience the lighted tree at Rockefeller Center, the White House tree, a boardwalk in San Diego or the Warf in San Francisco, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the majestic Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, or the local light shows and splendor featured in neighborhoods in almost any community in the USA.
A tour via town car, limo, trolley, bus or other local transport can be yours now without numerous calls to local transportation companies. Just contact VIPRide.com on the phone or via the Web and arrange local tours wherever your travels take you, or experience the holiday lights in neighborhoods in your own city with friends and family in chauffeured transportation and in safety and warmth. You can pick and choose your stops, or you can ask for the most popular local tour destinations.
To arrange your Holiday Light Tour, please visit the VIPRide.com Web site at www.VIPRide.com or call their corporate reservation offices at 877-474-4847 # 311.
VIPRide.com is the national ground transportation company used by companies such as Orbitz, Hotels.com, Expedia.com, American Express Travel and many others to arrange local transportation between airports and hotels and around communities across America. They have more than 700 affiliates and over 10,000 vehicles available in 2000 cities in the US.

Bermuda To Host 2007 PGA Grand Slam Of Golf
Visitors to Bermuda in 2007 will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s top golfers compete in The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase featuring golf’s premier foursome.  The high-stakes tournament, which featured a $1.25 million purse in 2006, will cross North America to the island of Bermuda, October 16-17, 2007 to be hosted by The Mid Ocean Club and The Fairmont Southampton. (The PGA Grand Slam of Golf concluded its 24th edition Nov. 22 at Poipu Bay Golf Course and Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hawaii, won by Tiger Woods for a seventh time.)
In 2007, the winners of the year’s Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship will earn the right to compete on the 6,520-yard, par-70 layout that was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald in 1921, and modified in the 1950s by the late Robert Trent Jones Sr. 
Travel packages to the high-profile tournament will be available with details to be announced in 2007.
The Mid Ocean Club has received a No. 45 ranking by Golf Digest for courses outside the United States and has hosted such heads of state as Presidents George H.W. Bush and Dwight Eisenhower; Winston Churchill, The Duke of Windsor, as well as baseball icon Babe Ruth.
As host hotel, The Fairmont Southampton is one of the island’s most luxurious properties, boasting its own 18-hole championship course on-site, and the acclaimed Willow Stream Spa. 
For more information on the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, please visit www.PGA.com .

Zaragoza To Host World Expo In 2008

This forward-looking city in the Spanish region of Aragon will host the 2008 World Expo under the theme: Water and Sustainable Development.  From June 14 through September 14, 2008, The expo will be structured around five themed pavilions and eight large eco-geographical areas comprising the 63 participating countries. More are expected to sign up along with private companies and non-government organizations.  And Cirque de Soleil is lending its creative talents for “Archipelago of the Desert,” the daily parade through the Expo’s grounds.
Founded by the Romans at the confluence of three main rivers: the Ebro, Gállego and Huerva, Zaragoza looks down over a fertile flood plain marked by the course of the Ebro, Spain’s longest river. With an eye to attracting visitors long after the world’s fair ends, officials have plans to beautify Zaragoza by adding gardens, pools and waterfalls, increasing green spaces and creating leisure and sports areas on the river banks. Designed to evoke a drop of water, the exhibition’s most emblematic feature will be the 196-foot transparent Water Tower by Enrique de Teresa Trilla. A 296-acre Metropolitan Water Park will include Los Sotos National Park along the Ebro, a wetlands area and a Botanical Garden.  
 Zaragoza still has vestiges of the Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian communities that once lived here. The city’s Roman past can be seen in the Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum, the city walls, the Forum and the Public Baths. Ajafería Palace is said to be the most important 11th century civil construction in the Islamic West with stunning patios and an impressive Throne Room. Along the Ebro River are three of the city’s emblematic buildings including the grandiose Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a Baroque gem completed in 1711. With its 11 brightly-colored tile cupolas it stands out among the other impressive historic buildings off the Plaza del Pilar.  La Lonja Palace is the region’s most important example of 16th century civil architecture.
Visitors will find medieval art mixing with Renaissance and Baroque styles at San Salvador Cathedral (“La Seo”), Aragon’s most significant monument. The exterior of the Parroquieta Chapel, on one side of the Cathedral, represents the pinnacle of Zaragoza’s Mudéjar architecture. The Museum of Zaragoza’s collection ranges from archaeological finds from prehistory and fine art through the Moorish period. Fans of Francisco de Goya – who served his apprenticeship here – can head to either the 16th century Renaissance Palace de los Pardos that now houses the Museo Ibercaja Camón Aznar, the Patio de la Infanta Museo or the basilica, to see some of his works.
For information about the 2008 world Expo and information about traveling to Spain, contact your travel agent or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7188) or go to www.spain.info.

                                    *********************************

 

                                                Air News & Offers

Airlines Alert Passengers to New 2007 Passport Requirements
The Air Transport Association (ATA), the industry trade organization representing leading U.S. airlines, today reminded passengers of new and more restrictive travel document policies set to take effect in early 2007 for all travelers entering or re-entering the United States by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
Beginning January 23, 2007, all travelers will be required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States, including U.S. citizens returning to the US by air from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
These new travel document requirements were issued by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). They are a result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, in an effort to enhance security and efficiency at U.S. borders. "These changes, while requiring slightly more advance planning, are vitally important to the security and safety of air travelers," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "This holiday travel season is the last time that passengers will be ably to fly throughout the Western Hemisphere and return to the U.S. without a passport, so we urge all travelers without a passport to act now to ensure a seamless journey."
ATA suggests that travelers without a passport take immediate action to begin the application or renewal processes, which can take as much as eight weeks. For information about passports and applications, U.S. citizens can use the following links:
  * How to apply for a new passport
    (http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html )
  * How to renew your passport
    (http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html )
  * Where to get a passport
    (http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ )
  * How to get your passport quickly
    (http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html )
For more information on travel documentation requirements, or to view the final WHTI rule, visit http://www.dhs.gov/ or http://travel.state.gov. The final rule is published in the Federal Register, where it can be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov.

JetBlue Airways Refiguring Airbus 320 Cabins
JetBlue is removing a row of seats from its Airbus 320 fleet and reconfigure the cabin with at least 36-inch pitch in rows 1-11, and at least 34-inch pitch in rows 12-25. Aircraft
modifications on the low-cost, high-value airline are expected to be completed by March 2007.  "The best experience in the skies just got a little better," said JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman. "Our customers love flying us because they get more value for their dollar, from 36 channels of free DIRECTV programming, to unlimited snacks, and now, more inches of legroom than any other U.S. airlines' coach cabin. Whether you are
flying for business or leisure, that extra legroom will help make your travel as good as the destination."
JetBlue estimates a net savings of $30 million over five years by removing six seats from the A320 fleet, as a result of reducing the inflight crewmember team to three, and by reducing the weight of the aircraft by approximately 904 pounds, which will lower the fuel burn. That figure includes lost revenue opportunities as a result of selling six fewer seats per A320 flight. The figure does not include any revenue improvement that may result from the enhanced JetBlue Experience.
JetBlue already offers customers industry-leading pitch—the distance between two rows of seats. On the Airbus 320 fleet, post-conversion, JetBlue will offer at least 36-inch pitch in rows 1-11, and 34-inch pitch in rows 12-25. On its EMBRAER 190 fleet, JetBlue offers 32- and 33-inch pitch and no middle seats. All JetBlue aircraft feature individual seat-back televisions with 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming, and the EMBRAER 190 fleet also offers more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio. XM Radio is being installed on all A320 aircraft.

Alaska Airlines Vacations Introduces Travel Packages to Europe and Asia
Alaska Airlines Vacations is introducing vacation packages to more than 25 popular destinations in Europe and Asia, including London, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The new travel packages are designed to make European and Asian vacations convenient to plan, especially for customers traveling from cities served by Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air. The new offerings continue Alaska Airlines Vacations' move to offer a wider range of vacation packages to destinations beyond the airline's own route system. The packages are provided in partnership with MLT Vacations and include international flights operated by Northwest Airlines, an Alaska Airlines travel partner.
Package pricing includes roundtrip airfare and a six-night hotel stay. Packages also are available for shorter or longer time periods; with additions such as ground tours, rental cars and transfers; and for travel originating in other cities served by Alaska Airlines or its sister carrier, Horizon Air. Pricing is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for travel between January 16 and March 20, 2007.
A sampling:
-- Seven-day Paris vacation from:           Package price*
  Portland or Seattle                                              $   990
  San Francisco                                                    $ 1,046
  Los Angeles                                                      $ 1,057
  Anchorage                                                        $ 1,272
-- Seven-day Bangkok vacation from:   Package price*
  Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland,        $   908
  San Francisco or Seattle
Alaska Airlines Vacations packages to Asia and Europe are available for sale at www.alaskaair.com  or by calling Alaska Airlines Vacations at (877) 777-3710. Customers who book packages at alaskaair.com receive 1,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles.

Judy Perl Cruises Selected by Virgin Galactic to Become Accredited Space Agent
"Fly me to the moon" is no longer a romantic notion, it's a request that Judy Perl Cruises can now provide as part of the company's expanded luxury and adventure travel portfolio. Today Virgin Galactic proudly announced that Judy Perl Cruises has been selected to become an "Accredited Space Agent" -- one of the first and only consultants in North America allowed to reserve seats aboard Virgin Galactic's suborbital space flights. Only an elite group of 45 consultants in the United States have been selected for this unique accreditation process.
Judy Perl Cruises will begin a comprehensive education program in early 2007, and once receiving the "Accredited Space Agent" designation the company can begin reserving seats, with the first flights launching in late 2008.
To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights that will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic, Judy Perl Cruises is poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for its clientele. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, "G force" acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours. At $200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic's flights are a mere fraction of the $20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism. And while Virgin Galactic's technology makes space travel more attainable for the general public, it takes a talented and skilled luxury travel consultant to sell a trip to space.
For more information about Judy Perl Cruises please visit http://www.judyperlcruises.com.

Visit 23 Cities in Asia With Cathay Pacific Airways' New All Asia Pass
Get a head-start on your 2007 travel plans and recognize great savings with Cathay Pacific Airways' new All Asia Pass. The luxury international airline has announced its most exciting offer yet for the popular annual promotion with the chance to visit up to 23 cities in 21 days from US$1,399. From the sights and shopping of magnificent Hong Kong, the magical floating markets of exotic Bangkok, through ultra-modern Singapore to legendary Tokyo, discover first-hand why Asia has become the most sought after region for travel.
Cathay Pacific's All Asia Pass offers passengers round trip economy class travel between San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York and Hong Kong and up to 21 consecutive days of travel to 22 Asian destinations beyond Hong Kong. Destinations include Bali, Bangkok, Cebu, Colombo, Fukuoka, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Jakarta, Karachi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Penang, Phuket, Phnom Penh, Sapporo, Seoul, Singapore, Surabaya, Taipei and Tokyo. The basic All Asia Pass airfare is US$1,599 with a US$200 discount for travelers who register online as a subscriber to Cathay Pacific eNews.
Basic departure dates are February 26 through May 17, 2007 and August 20 through December 1, 2007. Summer travel and extension options up to 90 days are available for an additional fee. All Asia Pass travelers can also select other U.S. gateways cities -- San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh Durham, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington DC/Baltimore plus extend their itinerary to Dhaka, Delhi, Mumbai, Hanoi, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney or Auckland, for an additional fee.
All Asia Passes must be booked through a travel agent. They cannot be booked through the airline directly. Some restrictions apply and all travel must be completed by December 8, 2007. This offer is only valid for U.S. residents living in the U.S. and travel must originate in the U.S. Travelers who are not subscribers of Cathay Pacific eNews can purchase the All Asia Pass for US$1,599. All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes.
Fares quoted for this offer are in U.S. dollars and available only to U.S. residents. Details on the All Asia Pass offer for Canada residents are available at http://www.cathaypacific.ca.

United Airlines Unveils Details About Its New International First Class Suite
United Airlines today unveiled initial details about the previously announced $165 million upgrade to its international widebody fleet that includes a new luxurious United First Suite, which provides passengers with more privacy, personal space and comfort on overseas flights. The new suite was designed to be the optimal space to work, sleep or relax while enjoying the latest entertainment and exclusive amenities.
The new First Suite is nearly three inches wider than the existing, popular United First Suite and reclines to multiple angles or serves as a fully flat 6-foot, 6-inch bed. Each suite offers a cutting-edge entertainment system providing a 15.4-inch widescreen flat panel monitor with an on-demand digital video and music system that offers multiple selections of movies, TV programs and video games. United also will offer 50 channels of XM-branded audio content, delivering more than 3,000 songs and a jukebox to create customized play lists. Both the entertainment system navigation controls and content will be offered in several languages.
United will begin introducing the luxury First Suites in the fourth quarter of 2007 and upgrade its entire 97 aircraft widebody international fleet, which includes B767, B777 and B747 aircraft.
United is the only U.S. airline that offers three cabins of service on all of its international, overseas flights. In addition to first and business services, United offers economy class that includes Economy Plus(R) seating, which provides up to five extra inches of legroom. Website at http://www.united.com

Italy Sets Timeline For Sale Of Alitalia
The Italian government wants to start its sale of Alitalia by the end of the year and complete it within six months according to Italian Economy Minister Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa. Padoa-Schioppa told a parliamentary hearing that the government, which announced on Dec. 5 its intention to sell a major portion of its controlling 49.9 percent stake, could keep some shares in the airline, but probably not a "golden" share.
"Alitalia has not been able to manage the transition from monopoly to a liberalized system," Padoa-Schioppa said. "It's desirable to have a strong flag carrier, but that does not mean it has to be the property of the state."
Alitalia said last month that it expected to post a loss of more than €221 million, or $293 million, in 2006. It has not made an annual profit since 2002.
The government has said it will seek conditions from any Alitalia buyer and not just accept the highest bid. These conditions may include guarantees on service and staffing levels. Alitalia's work force may be cut by a purchaser in an effort to turn the company around, Padoa-Schioppa said.

US Airlines In Merger Talks
United Airlines and Continental Airlines have been holding talks on a potential merger, a combination that would create the biggest U.S. domestic airline. The discussions, though far from complete, could spur a wholesale realignment of the troubled airline industry. The talks, apparently initiated by United, recently picked up pace after US Airways offered last month to buy Delta Air Lines for about $8 billion, these people said.
Large airlines like United, the No.2 U.S. carrier after American Airlines, and Continental, ranked fifth, have spent recent years lowering their costs to become more competitive with low-cost carriers and with one another. None of them wants to be at a significant cost disadvantage to competitors.
AirTran Holdings In Bid For Midwest Air
AirTran Holdings, a low- cost carrier that competes against Delta Airlines, said that it had made a $290 million offer for Midwest Air, a smaller rival that was rejected but that it would continue trying to acquire the carrier according to an AP report.
US Airways Makes Bid For Delta Airlines
US Airways has made a bid for Delta Airlines. Delta's management opposes the proposal and intends to file its plan to emerge from bankruptcy protection next week. A flurry of meetings this week among Delta creditors and others on the US Airways proposal could help decide whether Delta management will be forced to consider the US Airways offer. In 2005, US Airways merged with America West airlines but integration between the two companies has yet to be completed.                                      -- International Herald Tribune

Turkish Airlines To Join Star Alliance
The Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth™, has today voted to accept the membership application of Turkish Airlines. This now clears the way for Turkish Airlines to begin the integration process which will subsequently see the airline become the alliance’s 21st member carrier.
With its fleet of 101 aircraft and network covering destinations in the USA, Europe, Asia
and Africa, Turkish Airlines will allow the Star Alliance network to offer customers more than 17,500* daily flights serving 927* airports in 162* countries. Turkish Airlines’ home base, Istanbul, will in future become Star Alliance’s foremost hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and act as gateway to various new destinations in Turkey and new connections especially to Central Asia and the Middle East.
For Turkish Airlines, Star Alliance membership will allow the carrier to expand its customer offer in terms of network coverage, frequent flyer benefits, lounges and alliance fare products. At the same time, Turkish Airlines will participate in all Star Alliance initiatives aimed at reducing costs, while at the same time improving customer service, such as collocation at airports, joint lounges, electronic ticketing or joint media purchasing, to name a few. The integration teams at Star Alliance and Turkish Airlines will now begin the integration process, which should be completed within the next 16 months.

Virgin Atlantic To Launch Direct Chicago/London Service In 2007
Virgin Atlantic Airways is pleased to announce the launch of direct service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport with daily flights to London's Heathrow Airport beginning Monday, April 23, 2007. Chicago will become the tenth US gateway for Virgin Atlantic and the airline's 17th daily flight from the US to London.

Midwest Airlines Offers Sale Fares on Travel Through April 30, 2007.
Midwest Airlines is offering sale fares for travel through April 30, 2007. The fares are available Sunday, December 3 through midnight US central time December 11, 2006. No advance purchase is required. Additionally, members of the Midwest Miles program who book online at www.midwestairlines.com and use promo code DEC2X will receive double Midwest Miles for qualifying flights.
Sale fares are available from most cities served by Midwest. To make reservations, visit www.midwestairlines.com, or call Midwest Airlines Reservations at 800-452-2022 (in Milwaukee, 414-570-7000). Included in the fare sale is travel on Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect. Midwest Airlines Signature Service features seating altered from standard coach to a roomier two-by-two configuration; Midwest Airlines Saver Service provides low-fare flights to popular leisure destinations. Midwest Connect offers connections throughout the Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect route system, and point-to-point service in select markets. Travel Monday through Saturday for the lowest sale fares; slightly higher fares apply for travel on Sunday. Travel to/from California, Denver, Florida, Las Vegas and Phoenix is valid through Feb. 28, 2007. Travel is not permitted Dec. 22-23, 26-27, 30, 2006 and Jan. 2, 2007. A Friday- or Saturday-night stay is required; travel to/from Las Vegas requires a two-night stay.

Airbus A330 "HB-IQR" enters service for SWISS
The SWISS fleet welcomed its eleventh Airbus A330 and twentieth long-haul aircraft to commercial service this month. As announced in June, SWISS will use this additional aircraft to add frequencies on various intercontinental routes to North America, the Middle East and Africa.
On November 14 SWISS deployed the first of its newly-acquired Airbus A330s as a replacement for the aircraft leased in from Hapag-Lloyd this past summer. This leasing became necessary when SWISS introduced an additional daily flight to New York as of the summer 2006 timetable.
The SWISS long-haul fleet currently consists of 11 Airbus A330 and 9 A340 aircraft plus the leased-in PrivatAir Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) that operates on the Zurich-Newark route.

US Department of Transportation Tells Airlines To Shape Up
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun saying “enough’s enough.” At the request of Congress, the DOT’s Office of Inspector General evaluated the customer service of 15 U.S. carriers at 17 domestic airports and last week issued a 55-page report. Among the key findings:
Airlines don’t do a good enough job of informing passengers in the gate areas about the reasons for flight delays and the realistic expectations for their resolutions 40 percent of the time. And they don’t adequately let passengers know which are the more than 200,000 flights that are chronically delayed or cancelled.
The report suggests that the DOT should take enforcement action against airlines that “consistently advertise flight schedules that are unrealistic.” The report also acknowledged that the compensation paid to bumped passengers is woefully outdated (limits have not changed since 1978) and called for an increase.
The Inspector General’s office also said that airlines need to report their frequent-flyer program data in a more visible and uniform manner. Most airlines, it said, bury this information in annual reports or on websites; and the way in which the data is reported varies from airline to airline, making it hard for travelers to compare programs. The value of frequent-flyer awards is going down, the report said, due to fewer available seats.
After analyzing the loyalty program data, the report said that United’s Mileage Plus reward seats dropped from 9 percent of all the airline’s traffic in 2003 to 6.6 percent of its traffic now—a fact made even more significant by the fact that the airline’s capacity is down 22 percent overall. US Airways grew its awards program the most, the report said, from 6 percent of its seats in 2002 to 9.1 percent in 2005. The biggest growth in the actual number of seats available was at American’s AAdvantage
program, which has 2 percent more traffic using rewards tickets than it did
in 2000.

January 23 Is Starting Date For Passports For All Air Travelers Entering US
The US Department of Homeland Security has set January 23. 2007 as the new starting date for a regulation requiring airline passengers entering the U.S. by air within the Western Hemisphere to possess a valid passport. The new date for the regulation, pushed back the original January 8 start date by two weeks. However, the passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Rico and/or the U.S. Virgin Islands as they are U.S. territories. For cruise and land passengers, the passport requirement takes effect in June 2009, although that date could be moved up to as early as January 2008.

Spirit Airlines Resumes Service To Turks And Caicos
Spirit Airlines resumed service to the Turks and Caicos from Fort Lauderdale on December 8 with special holiday flights to Providenciales and Grand Turk on December 8, 11 and 17.
Regular Saturday service will begin December. 23. And on February 14, service to Grand Turk will switch to Wednesdays while the Provo flight will remain on Saturdays. The carrier had pulled out of the Turks and Caicos on September 3 after eight months of service, when it previously had offered a daily flight to Provo and twice-weekly service to Grand Turk.

Frontier Air Launches Daily Nonstop Denver/Vancouver Service
Frontier Airlines today announced it will launch daily non-stop service between its Denver International Airport (DEN) hub and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) beginning May 5, 2007. Passengers aboard the flight between Denver and Vancouver will enjoy the comfort and convenience of Frontier's new Airbus A319 aircraft, with 33 inches of legroom as well as 24 channels of DIRECTV(R) service and a choice of three pay-per-view movies in every seatback

JetBlue Adds Second Flight To Aruba From New York/JFK
JetBlue added a second nonstop flight between New York (Kennedy) and Aruba on December 2. The new Saturday service complements the existing daily roundtrip flight that began in September. In addition, a second daily flight will be added for the holiday season from December 21 through January 7.
Expands Service Out of Boston To Puerto Rico
JetBlue Airways expanded its presence at Boston's Logan International Airport with the launch of new daily nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Flights to San Juan, the low fare carrier's 22nd destination served nonstop from Boston, will operate for the peak
winter season through April 30, 2007.
In addition to the low-fare carrier's seasonal nonstop service, JetBlue provides Boston customers with convenient year-round connecting service to three cities in Puerto Rico—Aguadilla, Ponce, and San Juan through New York or Orlando. JetBlue also offers Boston customers daily connections to Aruba, Bermuda, Cancun, Mexico; and Santiago in the Dominican Republic via New York.

JetBlue Adjusts Fleet Delivery Plan Through 2016
JetBlue Airways has announced a revised fleet delivery plan designed to manage capacity growth while retaining maximum flexibility in order to respond to market conditions. On December 4, 2006, JetBlue entered into Amendment No. 3 to its
EMBRAER 190 Purchase Agreement to modify the timing of its EMBRAER 190
aircraft purchases. JetBlue forecasts a 2007 available seat mile (ASM) capacity growth of 14-17 percent, which assumes additional aircraft sales, leases and/or assignments, a
reduction from the 18-20 percent ASM capacity growth JetBlue previously expected.
"JetBlue has grown phenomenally since we first started operating in February 2000," said JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman. "We are now entering a new chapter in the JetBlue story—still a story of strategic growth, but more a targeted growth that builds on our market dominance on the East Coast, and in particular, our home base of operations at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport."

Air Jamaica Introduces Affordable Luxury
 Effective January 1, 2007, Air Jamaica introduces Executive Business Class, offering customers the highest level of comfort at exceptional value. The new Executive Business Class, which replaces First Class on all routes, offers a wide range of services. Passengers will enjoy more comfortable seats with extra legroom, gourmet cuisine, champagne, fine wines and premium liquors on all flights. Executive Business Class customers will also have exclusive check-in areas, three pieces of checked luggage, priority luggage handling and the use of Lovebird Executive Lounges. Additionally, these passengers will earn double 7th Heaven Rewards Miles every time they fly and therefore earn their next trip faster. “With the introduction of Air Jamaica’s Executive Business Class, we are now able to offer customers our superior standard of service at an exceptionally affordable price,” says Paul Pennicook, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales. “We recently introduced this service on our London route and the response has been overwhelming. Now all our customers will be pleasantly surprised at this incredible value for money and we invite you to fly with us and experience this new service.”
Air Jamaica provides more non-stop flights to Jamaica than any other carrier with more than 300 flights per week from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, and Philadelphia in the United States; Toronto in Canada; and from London in the United Kingdom to Montego Bay and Kingston. Air Jamaica also offers non-stop service between New York (JFK) and Grenada; and New York (JFK) and St. Lucia with continuing service to Barbados. Air Jamaica offers intra-regional service with flights between Jamaica and the Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Cuba, Curaçao, Grand Cayman and St. Lucia.
For more information on Air Jamaica’s schedules and services, visit www.airjamaica.com  or call Air Jamaica reservations at 1-888-FLY AIRJ (359-2475) from Jamaica; 1-800-523-5585 from the USA, Canada and the Caribbean; or 44(0)-208-570-7999 from the UK and Europe.

US To Ethiopia Air Service From Just $999
Ethiopian Airlines has launched the first great sale for travel to Africa in 2007 with roundtrip airfares from the United States to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from $999*. These incredible airfares are available from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and travelers from the East Coast can choose from 24 great African destinations for an additional $223. Travelers from all across the U.S. can take advantage of these great fares. Fares from Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas (Zone 2) to Addis Ababa start at $1,110, and fares from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver start at just $1,222.
Sample Ethiopian Airlines Spring Sale Fares:
New York City or Washington DC to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia….$ 999
Washington DC to Johannesburg, South Africa…$ 1,222
Chicago to Tanzania or Kenya…$ 1,222
Houston or Dallas to Nigeria….$ 1,333
Los Angeles or San Francisco to Ghana….$ 1,444
Atlanta or Charlotte to South Africa…$1,222
Boston or Philadelphia to Uganda….$1,110
*Fares as low as these, seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. To book, call Ethiopian Airlines at 1-800-445-2733. Travelers need to book their tickets by March 31, 2007, and travel must be completed by March 31, 2007 as well. Once reservations are made tickets must be purchased within 72 hours or reservations will be cancelled. Specific booking classes must be used on connecting airlines to the EAL flight that departs from IAD. Taxes and governmental fees are additional, and other restrictions apply.
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Africa and features four weekly flights from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport The airline offers both morning and evening departures, with the morning departure allowing seamless connections to 28 African destinations. The airline’s website, www.ethiopianairlines.com provides excellent information on additional flights, services and special web fares. Ethiopian Airlines provides seamless connections to 45 destinations around the globe including 28 in Africa via its Addis Ababa hub. Major destinations served include: Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Bamako, Bangkok, Beijing, Beirut, Brazzaville, Brussels, Bujumbura, Cairo, Dakar, Dar Es-Salaam, Delhi, Djibouti, Douala, Dubai, Entebbe, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Harare, Hargiesa, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lome, London, Luanda, Lusaka, Mumbai, Nairobi, N'djamena, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Tel-Aviv, and Washington, D.C.

75% Of British Travelers Say 'Yes' To Pay For Carbon Emissions On Flights
PURE - The Clean Planet Trust, the UK's first dedicated climate change charity, welcomed news that most British holiday-makers would be willing to pay a premium to carbon offset long- and short-haul flights. PURE offers travelers a quick and effective carbon offsetting package.
In a survey for online consumer products review agency Ciao, three quarters (73%) of respondents said they would pay a voluntary contribution to cancel the C02 emitted during their flights. British passengers said they would happily pay GBP5 to offset carbon emissions for a short-haul flight such as to Spain and GBP15 for a long-haul flight, for example to New York. The survey quizzed 500 UK residents who had taken flights within the last 12 months. According to PURE, if just 1 in 50 Brits flying to Europe offset their holiday flights, the charity could remove the pollution belched out by a medium-sized UK power station.
A donation via PURE's charity offset package benefits from Gift Aid. This means that a return trip to Spain can be offset for as little as GBP2.13, whilst the C02 emitted on a trip to New York can cost GBP8.18 to offset.
PURE - The Clean Planet Trust is a charity providing individuals and businesses the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions online at www.puretrust.org.uk and is a simple way for individuals to directly support the Kyoto process. PURE's trustees cancel the credits to put them beyond use. By removing these quotas, donations help finance projects worldwide that reduce emissions and limit the amount of carbon dioxide that polluting companies are allowed to release into the atmosphere. PURE was launched on November 29 in Hyde Park, London so that
organizations, businesses and individuals can quickly and easily calculate their carbon footprints online

New Non-Stop Service Between Hartford and Denver In 2007
Frontier Airlines announced it will launch daily non-stop service between its Denver, Colorado International Airport (DEN) hub and Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut. beginning March 2, 2007. Passengers aboard the flight between Denver and Hartford, New England's Rising Star, will enjoy the comfort and convenience of Frontier's new Airbus A319 aircraft, with 33 inches of legroom as well as 24 channels of DIRECTV(R) service and a choice of three pay-per-view movies in every seatback.
The new service will provide passengers with the only non-stop flight between Denver and Hartford. From Denver, travelers can make convenient connections to Frontier cities throughout the western United States and to three of Frontier's eight Mexican destinations, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
Frontier's new daily service from Hartford will launch just in time for Spring Break skiing in March, when Colorado resorts typically are blanketed with their highest snowfall totals of the season. Passengers who fly between the March 2, 2007 launch and April 15, 2007, can exchange their Frontier boarding pass receipt at any lift ticket window at Winter Park/Mary Jane (www.skiwinterpark.com ) or Copper Mountain (www.coppercolorado.com ), two of Colorado's most popular ski resorts, and receive two lift tickets for the price of one.
Frontier's service launch in Hartford marks the airline's return to New England.
To celebrate the new Hartford service, Frontier will offer special introductory fares as low as US$99*. All fares are one-way with round-trip purchase required, and must be purchased by 10:00 p.m. MST, January 10, 2007. In addition, Frontier will offer double miles for travel between Denver and Hartford through April 15, 2007, for members of EarlyReturns, Frontier Airlines' frequent flyer program. To enroll in the program, customers can visit Frontier's website at www.frontierairlines.com , pick up an EarlyReturns enrollment form at any Frontier airport counter, or call Frontier's EarlyReturns Service Center toll-free hotline at 866-26-EARLY.

American Airlines Offers Pre-Order Meal Option For US/Japan Flights
In a continuing effort to enhance the customer experience by investing in its premium-class products, American Airlines today announces a new option allowing First and Business Class passengers to pre-order Japanese-style entrées. Now, customers traveling between the United States and Japan can pre-select Japanese-style entrees prior to their flight. The new pre-order option is free and is intended to provide added confidence and convenience to customers traveling to and from Japan who wish to dine on a Japanese-style entree.
To place an order for a Japanese-style main meal entree, customers can call American Airlines reservations at 1-800-433-7300 in the United States and Canada, visit a local American Airlines ticket office or make arrangements through their travel agent. Orders must be placed a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the flight departure. Passengers who do not pre-select a Japanese-style meal will still be offered a choice between Japanese-style and Western-fusion dishes.
Recently, American unveiled redesigned First and Business Class menus that offer both traditional Japanese-style dishes as well as Western-fusion cuisine. For passengers with a taste for traditional Japanese cuisine, the new menus feature a kobachi dish of rice wine-marinated calamari accented by wasabi mayonnaise, presented with flying fish roe on a bed of radish sprouts, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, and leaf lettuce. In addition, American offers a hassun dish of grilled chicken topped with carrot paste, accompanied by cauliflower with seared dengaku miso, sweet-simmered herring, cod roe egg cake, and grilled shishito pepper filled with cream cheese. The menu also features traditional Japanese soups such as miso soup with wakame seaweed and tofu.
The Western-style menus feature cilantro chicken served with a summer noodle salad; fillet of beef with mango-chili demi-glace and bleu cheese potatoes; seafood risotto including shrimp and scallops served with roasted tomato risotto and a creamy goat cheese sauce; and a pork and shrimp noodle bowl with sautéed peppers and shitake mushrooms served on a bed of noodles with oyster sauce.
American Airlines, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, offers daily service on its Boeing 777 aircraft to Japan from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, New York John F. Kennedy Airport, and twice daily service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Website: http://www.aa.com

US Helicopter-Continental deal links Newark Airport with NYC
Continental Airlines has partnered with US Helicopter, which is expanding its service for the second time in its first year of operation, to offer shuttle service between Manhattan and the airline's Newark hub beginning December 18. The helicopter shuttle ride will take eight minutes and will cost $159 one-way, plus security fees. US Helicopter customers traveling on Continental flights will be able to check in and receive boarding passes for US Helicopter and Continental as well as complete security screening at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Wall Street. 
Bags checked at the heliport will be checked through to the passenger's final travel destination. At Newark Liberty Airport, customers will arrive at a dedicated US Helicopter parking location on the secure side of Terminal C, where they will then be able to proceed directly to the departure gate for their Continental flight.
US Helicopter, which launched service in February, already partners with American on its service from Manhattan to New York's Kennedy Airport. In June it began service from the airport in Bridgeport, Conn., to Manhattan and, via Manhattan to Kennedy. This past November, it acquired another $4.5 million in financing, which it plans to use for marketing and working capital.
US Helicopter has said it expects to add service from a second New York location, the East 34th Street Heliport, shortly after January 1. It currently operates from only the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at the foot of the East River and Wall Street, and opening the second location has been contingent on working out security arrangements.

Second Washington, DC/London Air Flight Added By Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Airways will add a second daily flight from Washington, DC Dulles
International Airport with service to London Heathrow.  The new service is
set to launch on April 24 and run through October.
Named to reflect the policy makers who connect two of the most powerful
cities, Flight 056 The Evening Envoy will offer an expanded schedule
during the summer season when demand is highest for travel between two of
the world’s most powerful cities. This past summer, May through September
2006, passenger volume grew 28 percent over the previous year. The new
expanded service will offer more flexibility and additional flight options
for Washingtonians traveling to London this summer.
The new flight is part of the 12% growth Virgin Atlantic plans for the
coming year. New routes and expanded service include the launch of a new
daily flight from Chicago to London, a second summer service from DC and
the launch of Mauritius as the latest leisure destination for the airline.
Recently, Virgin Atlantic increased capacity with the launch of a sixth
flight from New York: Flight 026 The Day Breaker, a daytime service from
JFK to Heathrow.  By changing to an A340-600 on key routes such as Los
Angeles and Newark, Virgin Atlantic has also added capacity to existing
flights.
Travelers can purchase tickets now by visiting www.virginatlantic.com.

Air France & Transavia.Com To Launch New French Carrier
Air France and Transavia.Com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air France-KLM, are poised to launch a French carrier on the international medium-haul leisure market. The new airline will be managed separately from Air France and will operate under the Transavia.com brand, its sister company in the Netherlands. By next summer, the carrier will serve about ten Mediterranean destinations in Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, Italy and Egypt via 67 weekly flights out of Paris Orly airport, with another five being considered by the following winter.

EOS Airlines & Red Carnation Hotels Offering Joint Promotion

Eos Airlines and Red Carnation Hotels are offering a joint promotion that enables Red Carnation guests to book a New York/ London roundtrip flight on the carrier by December31 and bring a companion for free. The offer is valid for travel through March 31. Flights serve London Stansted, and participating hotels include the Egerton House Hotel, the Milestone Hotel, 41, the Chesterfield Mayfair, the Montague on the Gardens and the Rubens at the Palace. Bookings can be made on www.eosairlines.com.  

Qantas Accepts Revised $8.7bn Takeover Bid
Qantas has accepted a revised proposal from Airline Partners Australia to acquire the airline for A$11 billion ($8.77 billion). APA consists of Allco Equity Partners, Allco Finance Group, Macquarie Bank, TPG, Onex and other foreign investment funds.
Airline chairman Margaret Jackson said the revised proposal followed negotiations with APA since the board's rejection yesterday of its initial offer. These negotiations had resulted in the removal of unacceptable conditions including a substantial break fee as well as an increase in the price from A$5.50 to A$5.60 per share. She added that the renewed proposal provided an attractive premium for Qantas shareholders, being 33 percent higher than the closing share price of A$4.20 on  November 6, the day before the first speculation about the offer, and 61 percent percent above Qantas' volume weighted average share price of A$3.48 over the six months to that date. "The directors believe this offer allows Qantas shareholders to realise significant value for their shares that has not been fully recognised in the public market."
Jackson said the consortium had expressed its support for core Qantas strategies, which would not change, including maintaining an extensive domestic and international airline network, using Qantas' two-brand (Qantas and Jetstar) strategy, continuing Qantas' commitment to high quality product and service, and improving the company's cost base to be globally competitive.
She added: "If this acquisition is successful, Qantas will remain a majority Australian-owned, Australia-based airline and the foreign-based consortium members are experienced airline investors with a long-standing association with the industry.
CEO Geoff Dixon confirmed he had committed himself to continue in the role for at least three years with two year options after that and that Peter Gregg would remain Chief Financial Officer under the new ownership structure.  -- TravelMole.com

  
                                    ************************************ 

Rail News & Offers

Kids Ride Free On Thalys Trains Through March; Travel Times To Shrink
Up to four children, aged 4-11 can ride free in 1st or 2nd class on Thalys routes to/from Marne La Vallée (Disneyland Resort Paris) if accompanied by a paying adult traveling January 7 – March 29 (certain blackout dates apply) when the ticket is purchased from Rail Europe in North America before March 29, 2007.  
In 2008, new portions of high-speed lines in Belgium and in The Netherlands will allow Thalys to operate at a speed of 186 mph (300 km/hr) on all segments, saving one hour on the popular Paris-Amsterdam, Paris-Cologne journeys over the current four hour-ten minute Paris-Amsterdam, and three hour 50 minute Paris-Cologne travel times.  At present, the train operates at 186 mph only between Paris and Brussels, taking just 1 hour 25 minutes to go between central Paris and central Brussels.
Thalys, the high-speed crimson train that dominates the Paris-Brussels transportation route, celebrates its 10th year in service and more than 6 million passengers. Rail Europe’s 2006 sales of Thalys tickets in North America are up 12 percent over 2005 sales for the same period (January-October).  Thalys sales worldwide grew at a rate of 5.5% per year in 2004 and 2005.  Recent surveys show 88 percent of Thalys customers rate the service satisfactory overall, and 95 percent feel the service is reliable. 
For more information or to book Thalys and trains operating in more than 30 countries, consult a travel agent or log on to www.raileurope.com  (US) or www.raileurope.ca  (Canada) or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).

Amtrak Offers New First Class Menu On Acela Express
Responding to Acela Express customers’ wishes for enhanced amenities, Amtrak is upgrading its First Class menu and meal service on its premier Northeast Corridor train this month. The change is highlighted by freshly prepared meals, a selection of lighter fare and a rotating selection of red and white wines, all served on china with glassware and flatware.
Beginning December 6, a choice of freshly prepared hot entrées will be available during breakfast and dinner time.  Breakfast options include omelets–Southwest, Tuscan, Mediterranean or three-pepper–and French toast or Belgian waffles, each with a fruit compote.
The dinner menu offers pesto chicken and seared salmon with an assortment of vegetables. The “lighter fare” is a sampling of bite-sized treats such as Genoa salami, mozzarella cheese, artichoke quarter and green and black olives served with crackers.  This continues to be a popular dinner option and has been added to the lunch fare, along with fresh sandwiches, a variety of entrée salads and soup.
A rotating selection of complimentary red and white wines is available by the glass during lunch and dinner service. The new series of Fall/Winter menus is comprised of four-week cycles to ensure that Acela Express’ frequent travelers experience a broad assortment of meals and wines. 
In addition to the new menus and improved service, some Acela Express trains now feature at-seat cart service in Business class. A selection of snacks and beverages are available for purchase from the cart, so passengers do not have to make a trip to the café car. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.amtrak.com.

                                    ****************************************

 

Hotel News & Offers

New York To Add Over 13,000 New/Renovated Rooms in the Next Four Years
New York City’s hotel inventory is expected to add nearly 13,000 new or renovated rooms by 2010, increasing the current inventory of 72,420. This rise in hotel development is specifically found in the smaller, mid-priced, limited service hotels throughout the five boroughs. A combination of record leisure and business travelers along with a robust economy are responsible for the increase in hotel building.  With hotel occupancy levels hovering at 85 percent and surging room rates, the hotel industry in New York City is realizing new trends in the market. 
New York City’s hospitality industry is trending toward new and improved hotels responding to business travelers’ needs with renovations and new builds being done with the corporate customer in mind. More mid-range properties geared toward business travelers are planting their flags in New York City—Comfort Inn, Four Points, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Wyndham Garden Inn to name a few. 
This past summer the The St. Regis Hotel New York, one of New York City's most legendary hotels, opened its St. Regis Residence Club, giving members the opportunity to call the famed property their New York home. The residences include studio, one and two bedroom apartments on the 8th and 9th floors of the hotel. Hilton Hotels Corporation through its timeshare division, Hilton Grand Vacations Company is developing a 28-story timeshare property on West 57th Street, marking the first building designed exclusively for timeshare accommodations in Manhattan. Donald Trump has also announced plans to build a 411-room condo-hotel in SoHo, the first of its kind.  Each unit will be sold individually to investors who may use their property for a number of days annually. 
The city’s first aloft Hotel property is scheduled for a mid-2008 opening in downtown Brooklyn. The full-service hotel will be paired with a newly built Sheraton Hotel and the two will have 500 rooms, meeting space, and a host of upscale amenities another Brooklyn property, the 93-room Smith Hotel will open in April of 2007 with an additional 50 luxury residential condominiums.
Lifestyle hotel and boutique properties are also in style. Ian Schrager recently launched the Gramercy Park Hotel after a major renovation. The Duane Street Hotel, part of the Luxe Hotels Group is set to open in TriBeCa, and Intercontinental Hotels is poised to introduce its Indigo brand to the Chelsea neighborhood.  LXR Luxury Resorts has just unveiled the London NYC (formerly the Rihga Royal Hotel) after a complete redesign by David Collins and Gordon Ramsay is set to open his first U.S. restaurant there.
New York City tourism is a $24 billion industry which generates $5.4 billion in city, state and federal tax revenues, further supporting essential services including the police and fire departments, public education, sanitation services and transportation infrastructure. Visitor spending supports nearly 330,000 jobs in all five boroughs. Millions of visitors each year enjoy live theater on and off-Broadway, an industry that contributes over $5 billion to the New York economy.

Experience Exotic Singapore With The Oriental Explorer Package
From visiting theme attractions and heritage sites to a moonlit river cruise and close encounters with wild animals, the Oriental Explorer package is the ultimate one-stop-shop package where guests can choose from an array of adventurous experiences coupled with a luxurious stay at the award-winning The Oriental, Singapore.
Priced at approximately $650 per night, for a well-appointed Premier Harbor or Ocean Room, the package includes:
-- Round-trip private limousine transfers
-- Breakfast for one or two persons at Melt ~ The World Café
-- Late check-out until 6pm
-- 20% off spa treatments at The Oriental Spa
-- Upgrade to a Suite with an additional of $130 per room per night.
For guests who wish to experience the ultimate in luxury, The Oriental can also arrange a personal tour guide and private transportation.
For reservations, please call +65 6885 3030 or email orsin-reservations@mohg.com or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore.
Special Package At Mandarin Oriental During Washington’s Cherry Blossom Fest
Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. overlooks the Tidal Basin that is home to the famous cherry trees. To celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival®, Mandarin Oriental will offer an exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom overnight accommodation package and a Cherry Blossom Bliss spa package, available March23 to April 29, 2007. 
As the only hotel in the District to overlook the Tidal Basin, Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. offers the exclusive Cherry Blossoms Bloom package that features overnight accommodations, valet parking, a trio of cherry treats including a homemade cherry dessert from our pastry department, cherry-flavored chocolates and gummy cherries, and American breakfast for two in Café MoZU.
The rate is USD $379 for a water deluxe weekend room or USD 979 for a one-bedroom suite and is valid 23 March through 29 April 2007.  Rates are per room, per night, based upon double occupancy and are subject to availability and change.  For reservations and further details on Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., please call +1 888-888-1778 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/washington .
This year’s 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival® marks the 95th celebration of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees in 1912 by the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C.  For two weeks, March 31 to April 15 2007, Washington, D.C. will explode with beautiful pink blossoms.  Come and enjoy the spirit of the season; for a complete list of events visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Wedding Packages Offer Exclusive Use of Chic Jamaica & Bahamas Resorts
Island Outpost, the boutique hotel group in Jamaica and the Bahamas, has now partnered with Luxe Destination Weddings to offer exclusive all-property destination wedding packages, creating truly private weddings in tropical paradise. The new Luxe-Island Outpost exclusive all-property wedding packages transform each of the chic hotels into a secluded hideaway for marrying couples and their guests only.  Family and friends connect and celebrate amidst lush surroundings and savory extras.  Couples can easily duck away for quality time in the spa or on the beach. These all-property wedding packages include all meals and drinks, champagne check in, airport transfers, a special group event, and other surprises!
Island Outpost, created by Island Records' founder Chris Blackwell, provides unique, lush backdrops for weddings.  The Caves, perched on the cliffs of Negril, comprises just ten oceanfront cottages—an ideal private location filled with romantic nooks overlooking the crystal blue ocean. Another option is Strawberry Hill, a unique mountain spa resort nestled in the picturesque Blue Mountains of Jamaica featuring 12 Georgian-style cottages that can accommodate a wedding group of 34.
To learn more about booking a Luxe-Island Outpost exclusive all-property wedding package, call 1-888-LUXE-WED or visit www.luxe-events.com.

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC Offers Georgetown Weekend Package
What could be better than a weekend at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC this holiday season and an irresistible package filled with pretty things to see and buy? It is a shopping extravaganza, so shop till you drop! Check into one of the hotel's luxurious guestrooms and receive the Just For You shopping card offering 20 percent off purchases at participating Georgetown merchants, from Anthropologie and United Colors of Benetton to local design stores like Random Harvest and the Keith Lipert Gallery.
Of course, shopping is a competitive sport, so it is important to start each day with the proper fueling with a full American breakfast for two either in Seasons Restaurant or room service. The two-night weekend shopping package also includes a $50 credit to use toward dining in any of the hotel restaurants and bar. Or, if relaxing in the spa is more like it then use the $50 credit toward any body treatment, facial or massage (treatment must be booked after 6 p.m. on either day).
The Shop Georgetown weekend package starts at $475 per night, plus tax in a deluxe king and is available in all room types excluding the Presidential suites.
The participating stores include: American Studio Plus, Ann Hand, Anthropologie, Attis Art Gallery, Gore*Dean, Jaryam Couture Lingerie & Swimwear, John Rosselli Associates, Justine Mehlman Antiques, Keith Lipert Gallery, The Phoenix, Piccolo Piggies Children's Boutique, Random Harvest, Sisley, Susan Calloway Fine Arts, and United Colors of Benetton.
Advance reservations are required for the Shop Georgetown weekend package and are subject to availability and offered only on weekends. The $50 credit is per stay and used toward a dining purchase or a spa treatment. For further information and to make reservations, contact 202-944-2055 or 1-800-332-3442. Website: http://www.fourseasons.com 

Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Releases 2007 Directory
Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. has just released the 2007 edition of its Annual Directory, with updated information on 432 members in 79 countries, introducing several new and emerging destinations.
Appearing in this edition are the following 18 new Leading Hotels:
  * Hotel Fouquet's Barriere, Paris, France
  * Hotel de Rome, Berlin, Germany
  * Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort, Saturnia, Tuscany, Italy
  * Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista, Verona, Corrubbio di Negarine, Italy
  * Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  * Le Richemond, Geneva, Switzerland
  * Donbass Palace Hotel, Donetsk, Ukraine
  * Grand Regency Hotel, Doha, Qatar
  * The Chedi Muscat, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  * Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate, George, South Africa
  * Parkview Hotel, Dongguan City, People's Republic of China
  * Mayfair Hotel & Spa, Miami, Coconut Grove, Florida, USA
  * The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  * Le Pavillon Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
  * The Alex Hotel, New York, New York, USA
  * The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary, North Carolina, USA
  * Faena Hotel + Universe, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  * Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
  The 24 new members of The Leading Small Hotels of the World are:
  * Schlossle Hotel, Tallinn, Estonia
  * Der Alphenhof, Bayrischzell, Germany
  * Schlosshotel Hugenpoet, Dusseldorf, Essen, Germany
  * Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa, Florence, Tavarnelle, Italy
  * Town House Galleria, Milan, Italy
  * Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy
  * Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza, Sicily, Mazara del Vallo, Italy
  * Grand Palace Hotel, Riga, Latvia
  * Hotel Casa Fuster, Barcelona, Spain
  * Gran Hotel Panticosa Resort, Panticosa, Huesca, Spain
  * Waldhaus Grand Hotel, Flims, Switzerland
  * Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad, Switzerland
  * Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Mauritius, Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius
  * Saxon Hotel & Spa, Johannesburg, Sandhurst, South Africa
  * BLUE Sydney - A Taj Hotel, Sydney, Australia
  * The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam
  * The Hazelton Hotel, Toronto, Canada
  * The Heritage House, Little River, California, USA
  * The Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, New York, USA
  * Fasano, Hotel e Restaurante, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  * Convento do Carmo Hotel, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
  * Royal Palm Hotel - Galapagos, Galapagos, Ecuador
  * Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club, Willemstad, Curacao
  * Tortuga Bay, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The collection of Leading Spas continues to expand, with the inclusion of 94 members in 36 countries. In the Annual Directory, the accredited Leading Spas are denoted by the Leading Spas icon. An independent 2007 Leading Spas Directory, with expanded details on each spa and its services, will also soon be released. Website: www.lhw.com

New Four Seasons Westlake Village Opens Just 45 Minutes from Los Angeles
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announces the grand opening of its newest hotel, an oasis of well-being just outside Los Angeles, California. Featuring an expansive spa, extensive meeting space, and myriad dining options, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California is for those seeking relaxation, a gourmet dining experience, or an ideal location for a meeting or social occasion.
Surrounded by nine acres of landscaped gardens, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village offers 270 guest rooms, a comprehensive spa with 28 treatment rooms, five distinct dining options, and indoor and outdoor meeting space for nine to 900; all technically state-of-the-art, and decorated in a relaxed, sophisticated style. The ground-breaking California WellBeing Institute offers an additional opportunity to experience this property, the seventh in the Four Seasons California Collection.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village offers a full range of options for travelers, including 26 suites and a 2,525-square-foot (235-sq-m) Presidential Suite. Showpiece antiques, hand-painted murals, intricate Italian marble inlays and semi-precious stone slabs accent the traditional decor. Outside, an authentic Chinese pagoda, an orchid greenhouse, a dramatic waterfall, an herb garden and boulders from the River Kwai are just a few of the special features of the grounds.
The 40,000-square-foot (3700-sq-m) Spa features four suites with fireplaces and private outdoor plunge pools and 24 additional treatment rooms for holistic therapies, massages and face and body treatments incorporating Eastern philosophies with Western sensibilities. A full fitness centre and two pools - indoors and out - along with plenty of space outdoors for meditation, jogging and exercise round out the activities available at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village.
The healthy approach extends into the kitchens and dining rooms as Chef Sandro Gamba creates innovative menus in a range of culinary styles - fine dining at Hampton's for contemporary California cuisine; sushi and authentic Japanese specialities at Onyx with its salt water aquarium and onyx and carnelian accents; The Lobby Lounge for lunch gatherings, afternoon tea and evening cocktails; and The Bar for billiards and libations. A Spa Cafe offers refreshments to complement a day at The Spa or Fitness Centre.
Just 45 minutes northwest of Los Angeles International Airport or Burbank Airport, and within 15 minutes of several private airfields, Westlake Village is conveniently located off Highway 101 near the Santa Monica Mountains in the Conejo Valley.

Upscale Getaway in Los Cabos Offers An Unforgettable Retreat in Mexico
 Inspired by the runaway success of their sultry Riviera Maya property, Desire Resorts recently announced the grand opening of its second all-inclusive, clothing-optional property in Los Cabos. 
Formerly a Fiesta Inn, the new Desire Resort & Spa in Los Cabos received a complete high-quality renovation from top to bottom, including the addition of a new spa, a Jacuzzi lounge with a translucent, open-air shower, a Beach Club and a disco. The hotel boasts a total of 151 rooms of which fourteen are brand new Jacuzzi suites and four are the brand's famous Passion Suites. All are beautifully decorated in an elegant red, white and chocolate brown color scheme, with crystal drop lamps, flat screen TVs with satellite signals, bathrobes and slippers, sensual lighting and décor in addition to the more mundane but oh-so-necessary amenities offered at five-star properties. Under the all-inclusive banner come all meals and premium alcoholic beverages in any of the three restaurants and five bars (including the discotheque), room service 24/7, day and evening entertainment programs, a sauna and steam room, access to the fitness room, hotel taxes and tips and more. It's the suites, however, that kick it all up a notch.
Appropriately named, the fourteen ocean view Jacuzzi Suites add a four-person hot tub to the mix, along with a variety of exotic candles for mood lighting, a Tantra essentials gift box, a selection of incense, daily hors d'oeuvres each afternoon and more. The four Passion Suites—ample enough to include two sitting areas (one right next to the Jacuzzi, great for entertaining guests)—include a mini bar stocked with premium beverages, daily breakfast served on the private terrace, souvenir bathrobes and slippers, unlimited reservations nightly at the specialty restaurants, as well as concierge check-in, private transportation to and from the airport and other excellent perks.
Outdoors, the splendid weather of the Baja peninsula beckons guests to the secluded beach area, dotted with lounging platforms built for two, made private with the addition of gauzy white curtains. The pool area is the heart of the resort, with its own batch of oversized chaise lounges, a swim-up bar and drink service all around. Après tanning, the Desire Spa is set up for restorative skin therapies and massages, with three double cabins for couples massages and a large Jacuzzi with a spectacular view of the ocean.
Built for pleasure, deliciously erotic, Desire Resort welcomes its guests with fantastic introductory specials: Save US$50 per couple, per night, on a four-night stay or longer.
Just 15 minutes from the International Airport, Desire Resort & Spa is steps away from great shopping and only 3 km (2 miles) from Los Cabos' colonial downtown area that is lined with trendy and traditional boutiques, the perfect backdrop for romantic evening strolls.
Mexican owned and operated, the all-inclusive Desire Resorts were created for uninhibited couples 21 and over. The first resort, located on Petempich Bay in the Riviera Maya, opened its doors in May 2003, with the newest addition in Los Cabos. For reservations and information dial 1-888-201-7551 or visit www.desireresorts.com.

Wyndham Hotel Group Agreement Calls for 10 New Ramada Hotels in India
Wyndham Hotel Group, the lodging unit of Wyndham Worldwide has announced it has signed an agreement with Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. of Bangalore, India, to develop 10 Ramada(R) hotels totaling at least 1,000 rooms in the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtr, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Chender Baljee, Royal Orchid chairman, said his company would invest 5 billion Indian rupees, or about $100 million, to build four-star-quality Ramada hotels during the next three to four years.
Wyndham Hotel Group franchises Ramada, Days(R) and Howard Johnson(R) hotels in India. Royal Orchid Hotels is one of the largest lodging chains in Bangalore. The company, established in 1973, operates four hotels: Hotel Royal Orchid, Royal Orchid Central, Royal Orchid Harsha in Bangalore and Royal Orchid Metropole in Mysore.
Wyndham Hotel Group encompasses more than 6,400 franchised hotels and approximately 534,000 hotel rooms worldwide. RCI Global Vacation Network offers its nearly 3.4 million members access to approximately 63,000 vacation properties located in more than 100 countries. For more information about Wyndham Worldwide, please visit the company's website at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Loews Hotels Bans Artificial Trans-Fats at Its 18 Hotels and Resorts
On the heels of New York City's recent ban on all artificial trans-fats in restaurants, Loews Hotels announced that the company's 18 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada will implement a full ban on all artificial trans-fats by June 1, 2007. The ban applies to restaurants, room service, banquet functions and even snack foods found in the in-room mini-bar. Loews Hotels, which laid out the framework of the ban over a rigorous six month period, is the first hotel brand in the U.S. to eliminate the use of artificial trans-fats.
Research on the direct link between heart disease and the consumption of artificial trans-fats has been well documented, creating a growing national health issue. "We are mindful of our guests' health and 100% committed to giving them the highest quality foods available," said Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. "We believe Loews Hotels' artificial trans- fat ban will set a new standard for responsible food & beverage policy in the hospitality industry."
The ban will be phased in over a six-month period. By February 1, 2007, Loews Hotels will eliminate the use of trans-fats in all frying oils and French fries. On April 1, 2007, salad dressings, pastry items such as pie dough, fudge and buttercream frosting, and other frozen foods will be trans-fat free. By June 1, the full ban takes effect, eliminating trans-fats from waffles, pancakes and prepared mixes. The phased-in time frame will allow hotel chefs to experiment with suitable substitute ingredients. In homemade cookies, for example, shortening will be replaced with real butter. In the mini-bar, Loews Hotels will replace trans-fat-filled snacks with trans-fat free products such as Sunchips, Miss Vickie's Ketttle Cooked Chips, Baked Lay's and Power Bars.
For reservations or more information on Loews Hotels, call 1-800-23-LOEWS or check www.loewshotels.com.

Award-Winning Program At The Balmoral Hotel Extends to Babies and Teens
Following the resounding success of The Balmoral's unique "Five-star Kids" Programme, Sir Rocco Forte's Edinburgh landmark is extending this award-winning formula to Babies and Teenagers. The Balmoral, which launched its "Five-star Kids" Program one year ago, has witnessed a steady rise in families staying at the hotel, including a 30 per cent increase during the Half-Term and Easter Holidays. This unique program recently won The Balmoral a prestigious Scottish Thistle Award within the Marketing Initiative category; the hotel introduced a range of innovative marketing tools to wow its younger guests (aged three-12), with a view to dispel the myth that five-star hotels are stuffy and unapproachable. Favorite highlights of this program include customized robes and slippers for children, Balmoral-branded ducks and dedicated children's menus.
In a bid to take this unique program to the next level, The Balmoral is now targeting babies (aged up to two years old) and teenagers (13-18 years old), in order to provide the highest levels of personalized service to meet the needs of all children visiting the hotel. Website: http://www.thebalmoralhotel.com

Bal Harbour’s Fashionable Beach Escape
The new Bal Harbour Passport Collection is designed to help fashion-savvy travelers pounce on the season’s newest collections while on their South Florida winter getaway.  Guests at Bal Harbour’s two beachfront hotels (the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort and the Sea View Bal Harbour Hotel—both across from Bal Harbour Shops) receive at check-in the new Passport with $2,000 in valued-premiums to shop around … dine … and shop some more.
Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Judith Ripka, Luca Luca, Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tourneau and Zegna are just a sampling of the luxe Bal Harbour Shops designers and stores participating in the new Passport. Sprinkled on are culinary treats at celeb-drenched, outdoor cafes like Carpaccio, Bal Harbour Bistro, Panini Café and Lea’s Tea Room. Top it all off with a prime location at the northern tip of Miami Beach, equidistant from Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. 
From January 3 through April 30, 2007, The Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort’s Passport rates begin at $349 per room, per night, based on double occupancy and includes full breakfast for two and a $50 resort credit per stay. Nestled on ten acres of tropical gardens and sandy beaches, the 645-room resort features Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds, a full-service spa, fitness center, and a swimming pool oasis with lush waterfalls, Jacuzzis and a waterslide for kids.
The Sea View Bal Harbour Hotel’s Passport rates start at $270 per room, per night, based on double occupancy and a four-night minimum, from January 3 through April 30, 2007.  It includes superior deluxe accommodations, two American breakfasts, two welcome tropical cocktails, V.I.P. turndown service, complimentary high-speed wireless internet, early-check-in or late check-out (based on availability).  The European-style, 220-room, oceanfront Sea View Bal Harbour Hotel features an Olympic-sized pool overlooking the ocean and private Key West-style cabanas.  Contact your travel consultant or the hotel directly: 800/447-1010, www.seaview-hotel.com or www.balharbourflorida.com.

Mandarin Oriental To Manage Exclusive Hideaway In Turks And Caicos
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage an exclusive hideaway and residences currently under development on Dellis Cay, Turks and Caicos, in the British West Indies. The private island retreat is scheduled to open in late 2009. Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay, Turks and Caicos will be located on an unspoiled 35-acre beachfront site on the scenic south western shore of the island, surrounded by pristine white sands, sheltered coral reefs and protected mangrove reserves. The secluded hideaway will offer an array of luxurious leisure experiences as well as unparalleled opportunities for exceptional home ownership. 
The hideaway will feature 25 exclusive suites, 17 private stand-alone villas and 78 multi-roomed apartments. Blending with the local environment, all accommodations will be designed with expansive outdoor terraces and balconies providing panoramic views of the ocean and beachfront. The renowned Italian architect, Piero Lissoni, has been retained to create a chic, contemporary style with delicate Asian touches in keeping with the luxury hotel group’s oriental origins.
The apartments and villas will be managed as Residences at Mandarin Oriental, for private use or to be included in the inventory of the hideaway’s accommodation.
Exceptional landscape design will be a major focus of the hideaway with infinity-edge swimming pools, sun decks, tennis courts, a beach club, a well-equipped reading library and resort boutiques. A choice of innovative cuisine will be featured at each of the four restaurants and bars in a variety of dining settings. As with all Mandarin Oriental hideaways, the comprehensive Spa at Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay will focus on a holistic approach to wellness with rejuvenating experiences to soothe, restore and revitalize.  Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has been commissioned to create the dramatic 22,000 square foot spa, which will be built over a tranquil lake. The spa will feature 15 individual rooms and VIP couples suites, state-of-the-art heat and water treatments, and an outdoor Watsu pool. 
The Turks and Caicos Islands are located 575 miles south of Miami, Florida, and comprise eight major islands and numerous uninhabited and protected cays. Featuring the third largest coral reef system in the world, the surrounding pristine waters are the playground of humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and manta rays, and are a haven for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. Dellis Cay, adjacent to Parrot Cay, is accessible by private boat from the main international airport on Providenciales on the main island of Turks and Caicos.  Direct flights are available from Miami, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Toronto and London.

                                    ***********************************

 

                                                Ski Destinations & Offers

Unique Ski Carrier Solves Well-Known Skiing Problem
Skicarrier, a smart invention of the Dutchman Ronald Swaneveld, which allows skis to be carried from and to the piste with ease, is now also becoming successful in the rest of Europe. Two years ago, Swaneveld, an enthusiastic skier, came up with a solution to a widespread skiing inconvenience: a carrier strap that allows you to carry your skis on your back so that you can keep your hands free. This way, the Skicarrier prevents fumbling and bungling because people have their hands full. It is not only a godsend for European local websites are: www.skicarrier.co.uk, - www.skicarrier.ch, - www.skicarrier.at, www.skicarrier.be, and www.skicarrier.de.

Global Warning A Threat To European Ski Resorts Says OECD
Global warming could devastate the ski resorts of Europe within decades, especially in lower-lying areas according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). "Of the countries studied, Germany is most at risk," the OECD said in a statement. Austria and Italy were next followed by France and Switzerland.”
Alpine resorts are experiencing the warmest weather in 1,300 years, according to one climatologist. Experts say the mildness may be a natural freak but many suspect it is linked to greenhouse gases caused by human burning of fossil fuels.
The Paris-based OECD said its work was a first, systematic cross-country study of the Alpine region, covering 666 slopes.
"Tourism in the Alps is a key contributor to the economy of Alpine countries," the OECD said. "There are 60-80 million tourists and some 160 million `skier days' in France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany each year." Making artificial snow was environmentally damaging and would in any case be useless above a certain temperature, the OECD said.
In terms of regions, the Alpes Maritimes area closer to the Mediterranean was vulnerable, as were Steiermark-Styria in Austria and Italian Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. The Grisons, Valais, and Savoie areas of Switzerland, and the Swiss-French border area were less at risk. "Plastic sheeting can protect glaciers but will not prevent the eventual loss of glaciers if warming trends continue," the OECD, a think-tank for 30 mainly industrialized economies, said.                                                -- Reuters

New Skiing Trend: Heli-Assisted Ski Touring
This winter marks the beginning of a new luxury adventure skiing product in Western Canada:  helicopter assisted backcountry ski touring. Mica Heliskiing in the Rocky Mountains, Eagle Pass Heliskiing in the Monashees, and Pantheon Heli Sports in the Coast Range are offering these unique trips as a way to broaden the appeal of helicopter skiing to backcountry skiers who like to earn their turns.  How does it work? Darryn Shewchuk of Mica Heli Skiing, notes that "a backcountry ski group is dropped off on a mountain peak where they can enjoy a fabulous powder run. Instead of meeting the helicopter at the bottom of the slope, the skiers then slap on their climbing skins and are given a guided tour of the surrounding peaks. At the end of the day, the helicopter picks the group up and returns them to the lodge where luxurious creature comforts await."  Pantheon Heli Sports in the Coast Range even has a remote backcountry base camp option for multi-day trips. In just its first season of operation, Eagle Pass Heliskiing near Revelstoke provides groups the opportunity to tour in entirely new terrain every day. More information at www.micaheliskiing.com ; www.eaglepassheliskiing.com; www.pantheonheli.com

January Powder Specials at Big White: Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort, located about 35 miles east f Kelowna, BC and one hour from Kelowna International Airport, is offering a variety of accommodation specials during its snowiest month—January.
From January 3 - February 8, stay and ski at either the Inn at Big White or the White Crystal Inn for as low as $85 CDN per day. The Inn at Big White is a full-service hotel, steps from the Big White’s action-packed Village Centre and features an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, fitness room, plus Carvers Restaurant and Lounge. The White Crystal Inn features unbeatable ski in/out access, outdoor hot tubs, a sauna and the Copper Kettle Grille. 
Price is per person, per day, midweek only Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday night packages are available from $95 CAD per person per day. Taxes are additional; price is based on double occupancy, subject to availability and new bookings only. Offer open to residents of Canada and the Pacific Northwest only. Two-night minimum stay required.  Please contact Big White Central Reservations to book at 1-800-663-2772 or e-mail cenres@bigwhite.com  and quote NB at time of booking. Website: www.bigwhite.com  

Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, MT, Opens 2006/07 Season with Expanded Services,
Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, opens its 2006/07 winter season with additional skiable terrain in its Lone Peak Pass, new services and facilities, as well as new direct flights from Atlanta and Chicago, making the "Biggest Skiing in America" even bigger, better and easier to access.
Moonlight Basin and Big Sky Resort's joint Lone Peak Pass is even bigger this year with the addition of another 212 acres, offering skiers and snowboarders unlimited access to America's largest interconnected trail networks. The resorts share the same mountain -- Lone Peak, roughly an hour from Bozeman, MT. The Lone Peak Pass provides seamless skiing between both resorts, including hundreds of acres of stunning summit snowfields, the second biggest vertical drop in the U.S., and more than 220 runs.
Moonlight Basin's Madison Base Area, which will ultimately become a core resort village, has added four new buildings to accommodate a new guest services center, ski rental shop, retail shop and its snowsports school.
The new Guest Services Center is home to a Mountain Concierge and a checkroom for personal belongings and ski equipment, and a new Ski Tuning Center featuring a Wintersteiger robotic tuning machine—the same type of machine ski manufacturers use to put a factory finish on new equipment.
Moonlight's Mountain Ambassadors program for first-time visitors, featuring a team of veteran skiers and riders passionate about the resort who are ready to share their insiders' knowledge, is accessible through the Mountain Concierge. Twice daily, volunteers take visitors on complimentary, ability-appropriate mountain tours that last for 90 minutes. These tours leave from the Madison Base Area at 9:15 am and 12:45 pm.
Moonlight Basin will also offer its first terrain park this winter. The new park will be located on the Runaway trail, which offers great viewing from the Six Shooter high-speed six passenger chairlift. The new park, to be named the "Zero Gravity Park," will incorporate over 30 features, including boxes, rails, berms, tables, rollers and small hits.
New direct flights from Chicago and increased non-stop service from Atlanta make traveling to the Biggest Skiing in America easier. United Airlines will offer weekly non-stop access from Chicago, and Delta Airlines will increase its Atlanta to Bozeman direct route to two round-trip flights for the 2006-2007 season.
Northwest, Delta, United, Horizon Air, Big Sky Airlines and Alaska Air all service Bozeman, and have improved access to this four-season destination with added flights from major hubs including Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Detroit, and Salt Lake City. Website: http://moonlightbasin.com 

Utah Ski Resort to Offer Free Lift Tickets as Part of California Passport Program
To highlight the Nov. 26 opening of Wolf Mountain Resort for the 2006/07 winter season, the resort announced today the California Passport Program. Any family member showing a valid California driver's license during the 2006/07 season will receive one opportunity for four all-day or night lift tickets for that day's skiing and snowboarding at Wolf Mountain Resort.
Wolf Mountain offers both day and night skiing on 100 acres of terrain that receives an average annual snowfall of 350 inches. Known for its family friendly slopes, the resort has long been recognized for its beginner and youth learning programs. This includes newly added beginner runs and a new first-timers terrain park. Additionally, there are two larger resorts within 12 miles of Wolf Mountain -- Snowbasin and Powder Mountain.
Wolf Mountain is part of a budding resort community located in the foothills of northern Utah's Ogden Valley called Wolf Creek Resort. While Wolf Mountain is open to the general public, it is also part of the Wolf Creek Resident's Club, where home owners at the resort's five neighborhoods -- Moose Hollow, the Cascades, Trapper's Ridge, the Fairways and the Highlands -- have priority access to the resort, as well as to a growing number of resort amenities, including the Pineview Lodge, exclusive golf privileges, and a hospitality yurt at the neighboring Powder Mountain Ski Resort.
Tickets for the California Passport Program can be picked up at the Valley Lodging/Wolf Creek Activity Center located at 3718 N. Wolf Creek Drive at the Wolf Creek Resort. For information on the program, guests can call 800-301-0817. For more information on Wolf Mountain or the Wolf Creek Resort, visit www.wolfcreekresort.com.

Ski Free in January at The BALSAMS
The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel is offering an irresistible rate during the month of January. From Sunday to Thursday, guests will have the opportunity to book the Ski Free Package for only $79 per night. This package includes lodging, breakfast in the dining room, lift tickets to the alpine ski area, and trail passes for cross-country skiing.
Located on 15,000 private acres in the Great North Woods high in New Hampshire's majestic White Mountains, The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel takes full advantage of its unique geographic location and surrounding wilderness to offer a world class experience to Nordic skiers second to none. Ninety-five kilometers of cross country ski trails -- including 77 kilometers of impeccably groomed trails on diverse terrain -- and New England's most dependable snow conditions create the ideal experience for cross country skiers of all ages and abilities.
In addition to Nordic skiing, The BALSAMS is known for its alpine ski area featuring 16 trails and five glades with runs up to one mile long. Families in particular will enjoy that all trails begin at the top of the lift and end at the base lodge, making it easy to reconnect after runs.
Adding to The BALSAMS' allure is the "Notch Effect," a term coined by natives to describe the area's favorable weather patterns. In winter, The BALSAMS boasts New England's most dependable snow conditions, with precipitation rarely changing from snow to rain. This makes for the most exciting array of winter activities in New England.
Package is subject to availability, and rate is per person based on double occupancy. For reservations and information about The BALSAMS, call toll-free at (866) 380-6798, or visit http://www.thebalsams.com/skifree.aspx  to book package online. Enter promo code SKIFREE when booking this package.