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			    <title>JLC Travel &amp; Tourism News Source</title> 
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			<title>&#039;Sensuous Steel&#039;: See stunning vintage cars in Nashville</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/sensuous-steel-see-stunning-vintage-cars-in-nashville</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Exhibition includes sleek cars that might have driven off the silver screen.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>GAO: Airline merger will reduce competition</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/gao-airline-merger-will-reduce-competition</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Airline passengers may lose choices in merger, GAO says.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Hilton Edinburgh Airport appoints Stuart Cran as new General Manager</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/hilton-edinburgh-airport-appoints-stuart-cran-as-new-general-manager</link>
			<description><![CDATA[EDINBURGH, Scotland – Hilton Edinburgh Airport has appointed hospitality professional Stuart Cran as its new General Manager.


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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>UNWTO to work with Arab countries on promotion of sustainable tourism</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/unwto-to-work-with-arab-countries-on-promotion-of-sustainable-tourism</link>
			<description><![CDATA[UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai and Casa Arabe Director General Eduardo Lopez Busquets have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote sustainable tourism development and strengthen instituti


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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Thailand Skal visits South Korea</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/thailand-skal-visits-south-korea</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Skal International (SI) National President for Thailand, Mr. Andrew J. Wood, recently visited Seoul and took the opportunity to meet executives of SI Korea. 


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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:20:02 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Mango Festival in Trinidad and Tobago pays homage to the kings of tropical fruit</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/mango-festival-in-trinidad-and-tobago-pays-homage-to-the-kings-of-tropical-fruit</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago is known for its superb cuisine and spectacular street food, but on July 4 and 7, the nation of foodies will pay homage to the king of tropical 


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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Rodrigues Island works to enhance tourism in the Indian Ocean region</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/rodrigues-island-works-to-enhance-tourism-in-the-indian-ocean-region</link>
			<description><![CDATA[STOWE, Vermont  - Rodrigues Island forming part of the Indian Ocean islands and part of the Republic of Mauritius inaugurated its Duty Free Shop at the Airport with a view to enhance the tourist secto


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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Google’s Lesser-Known Travel Apps</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/google’s-lesserknown-travel-apps</link>
			<description><![CDATA[
The headlines are full of news about Google Glass, futuristic eyewear that has the search and alert capability of a smartphone and could revolutionise travel by providing instant, geographically relevant information about unfamiliar areas on the go. But until the expensive device hits the market at the end of 2013, Google has a few lesser-known and more affordable apps to help travellers learn about their destination. The apps are free, useful and – to be frank – far less geeky.
Google Now is an Android app that suggests things you might be interested in based on personal data, such as events in your calendar, your search history and your travel patterns. For instance, if it discovers an upcoming boarding pass and hotel reservation in your Gmail account, it will alert you on the day of departure to the status of your flight, provide a traffic report from your location to the airport and, after you touch down, present driving directions between the arrival airport and your hotel. Once you reach a destination, it can suggest nearby restaurants based on your past selections, and sometimes will even recommend dishes to try. The app may be iPhone-ready before summer, and the Android version only works in the US and UK so far.
Given that iPhone users can’t use Google Now, they may want to consider Grokr, a US-only third-party app that also alerts you to relevant information by analysing your device’s data and – in a trick that Google Now can’t do –tapping in to your social networks, analysing what you and your friends have posted on Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter and 70 other services. For instance, after seeing which artists I have followed or listened to, Grokr began sending alerts when these artists were scheduled to perform nearby. Grokr’s general search is also as smart as Google Now’s. For example, if you search for “Massaman curry near me”, it will only recommend nearby restaurants that serve that dish.
A pocket tour guide If you don’t like an app tapping into your private data, you may prefer Google’s Field Trip, which susses out nearby attractions based solely on the interests you’ve chosen, such as architecture, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife, galleries and things that are “unique”. The app can also suggest nearby promotions, such as a free drink at a pub, local tours and activities.
Both Android and, as of March 2013, iPhone versions are available, but they only work in the US and UK. All versions of the app notify you when you’re near something interesting by vibrating and flashing a message on your home screen. You can adjust the frequency of these alerts, or you can turn the alerts off and only see interesting places (in list form or plotted on map) when you open the app. If something catches your eye, you can save it or share it with a friend by email, Google+ or Twitter.
Google Field Trip has other advantages over the traditional printed guide. As I was walking down Bow Street through London’s Covent Garden neighbourhood, Field Trip sent an alert that the street was created in 1637 and had once been home to many notable people including author Henry Fielding and actor Charles Macklin. Similarly detailed street-level historical insight might have easily been overlooked in a paper guidebook.
The app’s information comes from blogs and publications such as Cool Hunting, Eater, Thrillist and Time Out, and you can opt to only receive tips from a selection of the publications on offer. The app even includes an option for a voice to read the discoveries aloud if you need to keep your eyes on the road.
Unlike these multi-talented predictive apps, Google Translate does only one thing – provide translations of words and phrases between 65 languages – but it does it well. You can look up a translation by typing it in or speaking the words into your phone’s microphone. In most cases, a computerised voice will then pronounce the translated word or phrase. In tests, the app was quick to return text-based answers, but the speed of the voice-based answers depended on the strength of a mobile’s network connection and the amount of background noise.
Google Translate has been free for Android and iPhone since February 2011. But in March, a new version for recent Android systems (2.3 Gingerbread and higher) added offline support, meaning it can now be used to download free language packs in advance and receive translations even when you’re not connected to a network. Google says it will soon add this capability to other versions of the app, but in the meantime, all versions let you save already translated words and phrases for easy access when you’re offline.
As great as Google Translate is, a faster way of getting your idea across is often to skip the precise translations and instead use pictographs – or illustrated symbols of words or phrases – to get your point across. The app Image It lets you quickly look up travel-relevant pictographs, such as a drawing of a stamp to indicate you want to buy one to mail a postcard, from an array of travel-related topics, from food to transport and medical emergency to shopping. Drag and drop up to three images to make a hieroglyphic sentence of a thought. Show the app to a local, and he or she can point at an illustration that represents their answer. The $0.99 iPhone and Android app uses French as the primary translation language, but you can switch the default language to English, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese or Arabic.
Source: www.bbc.com
HT Editor




		
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]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:01 PDT</pubDate>
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			<title>Marriott to Run IKEA Hotels</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/marriott-to-run-ikea-hotels</link>
			<description><![CDATA[
International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF)  conference in Berlin, Germany, Marriott announced a partnership with  Inter Hospitality, the property division of Inter IKEA Group, to create a  new brand called Moxy Hotels.
The new brand will be Marriott International’s first entry into the economy tier, three-star hospitality segment in Europe.
Designed to capture the rapidly emerging millennial traveller,  Marriott said the new brand “combines contemporary stylish design,  approachable service and, most importantly, an affordable price”.
The brand will debut in Italy, with the first Moxy Hotel expected to open in Milan in early 2014.
To grow the brand rapidly, Marriott is working closely with Inter  Hospitality who will be the initial developer and owner of the first  Moxy Hotels properties.
Inter Hospitality was established in January 2012 to “create long  term value for the Property Division of Inter IKEA Group by developing  and investing in hotel properties and student properties across Europe”,  according to the company.
Marriott has selected Nordic Hospitality to be its first franchisee  to operate the brand. Nordic Hospitality is an experienced hotel  operator that currently manages several Marriott brand hotels in  Scandinavia.
“Moxy Hotels is the essence of the next generation traveler, not only  Gen X and Y but people with a younger sensibility, for whom  contemporary style is paramount,” said Marriott International’s  President and CEO, Arne Sorenson.
“Every aspect of the hotel was thoughtfully researched and crafted to  reflect and deliver on the changing lifestyles and expectations of this  fast-growing customer segment.
“We believe Marriott will lead the way in redefining the traditional  economy hotel experience throughout Europe [and] we are thrilled to be  able to launch the brand with Inter Hospitality as an owner and Nordic  as our franchisee.
“With a dedicated real estate partner and an experienced operator, we  expect a fast start and the exceptional customer service that is  associated with all of Marriott’s brands.”
Marriott plans to add 150 franchised Moxy Hotels in Europe over the  next 10 years, aiming for locations in Germany, Austria, United Kingdom,  Ireland, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and  Sweden.
“The agreement with Marriott and Nordic Hospitality gives us a great  opportunity to use our development expertise to build a high-quality  hotel property investment portfolio,” said Inter Hospitality’s Managing  Director, Peter Andrews.
“Our initial focus is on acquiring sites for the new brand in  Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Austria.
“Over the next five years we aim to secure at least 50 sites for development.”
The new brand will help fuel Marriott’s companywide growth in the region, which is expected to reach 80,000 rooms by 2015.
“We see a huge opportunity to expand our market share in Europe with  Moxy Hotels,” said Marriott International’s President and Managing  Director of Europe, Amy McPherson.
“The economy tier in Europe represents nearly half of total room  supply, yet only 20 percent of these hotels are branded. Moxy Hotels  will be a great addition to our portfolio of brands in Europe.”
According to Marriott, Moxy Hotels has been in development for nearly  two years. Marriott, together with Nordic Hospitality, has conducted  extensive consumer research across Europe including construction of  sample rooms for focus group studies.
“No design element was too small to test with these tech-savvy  consumers,” said Moxy Hotels’ Brand Vice President, Ramesh Jackson.
“We learned that these confident explorers are wildly  self-sufficient, but still want a chance to connect with each other in  inviting social spaces in person or digitally. Based on the concept test  results we believe Moxy Hotels will revolutionize the industry.”
He said guestrooms would be functional and well-designed, with  upscale bath amenities, large flat screen televisions and built-in USB  ports located within each wall socket.
The color palette features calming neutral tones reminiscent of rich  brown leather, combined with natural materials to evoke an organic,  comfortable and restorative feel.
Each room will also feature a floor to ceiling signature “art wall”  that is hand selected to reflect the local city or surroundings.
Moxy Hotels will also public spaces for guests to relax and socialize  offering healthy continental breakfast and an evening bar featuring  wines by the glass and local brews.
In addition, hotels will have two ‘Plug and Meet’ meeting spaces on  the lobby level designed with modern ergonomic seating, large writing  walls and 56-inch televisions for presentation projection.
The lobby will boast state-of-the art computers and 24/7 market featuring snacks and drinks.
Guests will enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and may opt to check in using their mobile devices.
Moxy Hotels will also be part of Marriott Rewards, Marriott  International’s award-winning global guest loyalty program with more  than 40 million members worldwide.
Source: www.hotelmanagement.com.au
HT Editor




		
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]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:01 PDT</pubDate>
			</item><item>
			<title>China Pushes Red Tourism</title>
			<link>http://www.jlctraveltourism.com/rss/news/china-pushes-red-tourism</link>
			<description><![CDATA[
For many, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were watching the tanks and women with guns march in Beijing for the 60th anniversary of the PRC; but China is now pulling the party hats back out as it prepares for the 90th anniversary of the founding of its Communist party next July.
Part of the pre-party festivities leading up to July 1, according to recent piece in the Telegraph, is developing many of the country’s once famous revolutionary sites that young Chinese are now visiting to reconnect with China’s past.
Dubbed Red Tourism, this type of reverence for national sites is not new, but has taken on additional importance in recent years. Now supported by the government, Red Tourism is seen by many as a way to unify, or dare we say harmonize, Chinese society, which has come under a growing amount of stress in the past few years.
“Chinese people cannot forget their history, and the best way to do that is to go and remember it, to study it — that’s where Red Tourism comes from,” said Chen Doushu, the head of the agency organizing the red tours.
The Telegraph identified five sites as the major stops on a Red Tourism trail — sadly, the first meeting place of the Communist Party in Shanghai’s Xintiandi doesn’t make the cut.
The top spots are: Yan’an, known as Chairman Mao’s wartime base (people go to see the caves where the party plotted many of its major decisions), Shaoshan where Mao was born (don’t miss the hongshao rou there, a Mao favorite), Jinggang Mountain, which boasts more than 100 “revolutionary” attractions, and Zunyi and Nanchang.
Chinese people cannot forget their history, and the best way to do that is to go and remember it, to study it — that’s where Red Tourism comes from.— Chen Doushu, the head of the agency organizing the red tours
Do we see a road trip in the making?
According to the Chinese National Tourism Administration, the number of visitors at the country’s top 10 Red Tourism sites has grown by more than 50 percent a year for the last few years.
Although these five sites make up the main trail of China’s Red Tourism, other lesser known sites are benefiting from the trend, like Qionghai, Hainan.
Although Hainan is mainly known for its beaches, Red tourists can visit Pan Xianying, a 95-year-old mother of seven who is one of three surviving members of an all-female Red Army unit that was based in Qionghai.
Qionghai authorities have decided to capitalize on the town’s importance as the base of the all-female detachment, starting tours of the group’s former training grounds and meeting spots.
360 people went on the tours in April.
More than creating a spirit of national unity as the government hopes, Red Tourism also creates jobs and investment.
In 2004, the Chinese government spent more that RMB 2.15 billion on developing sites like Chairman Mao’s hometown of Shaoshan. The investment has paid off, creating over two million jobs, according to the Telegraph.
Although the campaign has the potential to do a lot of good, China blogger Stan Abrams points out on his China Hearsay blog that, “If the nation’s socialist roots can be used, via tourism, to remind everyone (particularly the rich) that they are all in this together, that could be constructive.”
“For example,” he writes, “perhaps it could convince a few greedy company execs that adding poison to food products is not in the best interests of society.”
He adds that if this is just tourism for tourism’s sake, that this will be a short-lived trend, and that no constructive lessons will be learned.
Source: CNN
HT Editor




		
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			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:01 PDT</pubDate>
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