Tourismembassy Blog

Sydney Harbour sparkles as the 3rd annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (21 March - 13 April) opens with its spectacular water-top stage playing host to a new production of Madama Butterfly. Under the stars and on the water's edge, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is the city's grandest cultural event. Unique to Sydney, this world-class event is like no other, turning the iconic Sydney skyline into an operatic backdrop for a nightly audience of 3,000.

Today MSC Cruises signed a letter of intent (LOI) with STX France for the construction of two new cruise ships with an option for two more. The two ships will join MSC Cruises' fleet, currently counting 12 ships, all built in the Saint-Nazaire yards. The signature took place at the Hotel de L'Industrie in Paris in the presence of Gianluigi Aponte, President of MSC group, Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, and Pierre Moscovici, French Minister of Economy and Finance. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, and Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises were also in attendance.

Ambassador Hotel Collection, a Tulsa-based hospitality company, opened its doors in Oklahoma City on March 19. The latest in the Ambassador's portfolio of hotels boasts traditional elegance with contemporary touches adding to the Midtown District's mix of entertainment, commercial and residential culture.

The newest addition to the Innside by Melia hotel brand will bring a lifestyle business experience, efficient and smart service, contemporary design and the latest technology to New York City's NoMad area when it opens 2016. With the signing of a new hotel in New York City, Melia Hotels International continues progressing with its global growth strategy, which during 2013, achieved the milestone of hotels in 40 countries around the world.

TOKYO, PARIS, and HONG KONG, March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic, global event, guests and cast members at Disney Parks around the world will unite in song to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "it's a small world," the classic Disney Parks attraction that opened as a tribute to peace and hope at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Fans from around the world can join the festivities in a first-of-its-kind, online global sing-along at SmallWorld50.com.

Today Hello Vino, Inc. announces the acquisition of Corkbin, a popular social networking app for wine enthusiasts to save and share photos of their purchases.

Europeans can still take advantage of reduced InterRail fares until March 31st, 2014. InterRail Global Passes currently offer a 15% discount, making rail travel a more affordable travel experience for all age groups.  Promotional passes can be used for travel until the middle of June.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts( http://www.hilton.com ) and Hilton Worldwide( http://www.hiltonworldwide.com ) today announced the opening of Hilton Zhengzhou( http://www.zhengzhou.hilton.com ). The opening marks the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Henan Province. Strategically situated in the center of Zhengzhou, the 39-story hotel features 448 contemporary guestrooms and suites and is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Henan Sheng Long Real Estate Co. Ltd.

Jin Jiang International Hotels will be sponsoring the conference venue and hosting a Welcome Reception on 31 March at its historic flagship heritage hotel, Jin Jiang Hotel, located in the Former French Concession in downtown Shanghai. Steeped in a long, rich history, the hotel was the official state guest house of the People's Republic of China, having had witnessed many great political events in modern Chinese history, including the initial signing of the Sino-U.S. joint communique.

abba hotels, an exclusive urban Spanish hotel chain, is primed to bolster its sales and marketing efforts in Argentina, France, Italy, Mexico, Russia and the UK with its new Discover the World partnership.

 Interstate Hotels & Resorts – the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company – announces new UK management contracts for ibis budget Hotel Derby and ibis budget Hotel Leicester. The new hotels increase Interstate's rapidly expanding UK portfolio by 154 guestrooms and cements its position as the premier hotel management company in the UK, raising its collection to 49 hotels managed and signed.

A new survey indicates that the only thing we all have in common when it comes to a good night's sleep is that our needs and preferences are diverse, and for those seeking rest away from home, the demand for a personalized sleep environment is increasing. For the 92% of survey respondents who expressed distinct preferences on the firmness of a bed, there's especially good news.

Plans to add more than 500 new jobs in the region in response to record revenue growth and customer momentum in Europe

Plans to open new data centres in U.K., France and Germany

Companies of all sizes in Europe, including BMW Group, Pernod Ricard, and Zeiss, turn to salesforce.com to transform for the Internet of Customers with Salesforce1

Mazatlan, Mexico's "Colonial City on the Beach,"  is prepared to host more than one million international and domestic tourists at its Carnival 2014 celebration.  With hotels booked to capacity, thousands of day visitors expected and cruise ships in port, Mazatlan is ready to welcome a record-breaking number of guests.

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today was named to FORTUNE's 2014 list of World's Most Admired Companies for the 20th consecutive year. Southwest was ranked as the 9th Most Admired Company and is the only commercial airline to make the Top Ten.  FORTUNE worked with the Hay Group, a global management consulting firm, and asked executives, directors, and analysts which companies they admired most from a list made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25 percent in last year's survey, plus those that finished in the top 20 percent of their industry.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Guest rooms sell out months in advance for the festivities of Awards Season and the unique gifts provided during each Awards Season give the VIP's another reason to return, beyond the impeccable service and amenities of the hotel.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced today that Micky Arison, Chairman of the Board of Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc, has advised Carnival Corporation that trusts organized for his benefit plan to sell up to 10 million shares of Carnival Corporation common stock ("Shares") in market sales, representing up to approximately 1% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation & plc. Arison indicated that he is selling for tax planning, estate planning and diversification purposes. All Arison Shares are held either directly or indirectly in various trusts for his benefit.

For the first time, guests of Catalina Island Vacation Rentals will be able to experience a luxurious new lodging opportunity in Two Harbors, at the island's remote West End.

More than 350 Excursions Already Planned for Luxury Line's Sold Out Global Voyage

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME announced today that Travel and Tourism's overnight visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for calendar year 2013 surpassed another benchmark with a record-breaking 14.2 million overnight visitors, a +2.2% increase over 2012.

Sun Vegas Casino's [http://www.sunvegascasino.com ] recent rebrand has certainly paid
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LOT Polish Airlines is allowing passengers to use their personal electronic devices (PED) on board LOT's aircraft in flight mode beginning Feb. 17, 2014.

In honor of Valentine's Day, Barbados is offering a "gift of love" to travelers with the return of the wildly successful Barbados Island Inclusive offer for those looking to book their dream Caribbean getaway. Whether planning a quintessential island escape to master Barbados' art of fine living or to discover the rich cultural heritage of the island, guests can use free spending money for a variety of island experiences! With many more hotels, attractions, activities and restaurants to try, this exciting offer is available for travel May 1 - December 19, 2014 inclusive but trips must be booked from February 14 - March 31, 2014.