The World Travel Awards recognized Avis and Europcar in this years awards for Europe on Oct. 6.

Avis was honored as Europe's Leading Business Car Rental Company. This is the fourth year in a row Avis has received the award. Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt were the other nominees in the category.

For the 10th consecutive year, Europcar was recognized as the Leading Car Rental in Europe. Other nominees included Auto Europe, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Sixt and Thrifty.

Europcar UK Limited received the Responsible Tourism Award for the first time. This years nominees in the category included Eagles Palace Hotel Greece, Hotel Omm, NCL Freestyle Cruising - Norwegian Epic, The Alnwick Garden and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

The World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

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Avis, Europcar, Europcar UK Limited Recognized in Europe’s World Travel Awards

FCm Travel Solutions continues its reign as Europes Leading Travel Management Company (TMC) after winning the World Travel Awards title for the third consecutive year.

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 10 October 2012

FCm accepted the prestigious accolade at the World Travel Awards Europe Ceremony held 6 October at Conrad Algarve Portugal.

FCm currently holds the mantle of Worlds Leading Travel Management Company and earlier this year was also confirmed by the World Travel Awards as the Leading Travel Management Company for the Middle East, North America, South America and Central America. In 2012 FCm also took out the award for Africas Leading Corporate Travel Company.

FCm Global Leader Gregory Lording, said FCm Europes three-year winning streak in the World Travel Awards reiterated the companys market leading position and reputation.

We were delighted to win the award for Europe for the first time back in 2008, but then to take out the title for a further three years in 2010, 2011 and 2012 is an outstanding achievement, Gregory said.

This latest award reaffirms the strength of our brand and business network in Europe, and cements FCms reputation as a leader in the corporate travel market.

Brand Leader of FCm UK Jo Greenfield congratulated FCms sales, travel and account management teams and said the award recognised their high level of customer service.

During the past 12 months, our FCm teams in the UK and across Europe have been working extremely hard to deliver more value, higher levels of service and more innovative business travel solutions to create greater efficiencies for our corporate customers, Jo said.

These efforts have resonated with clients and our industry partners, and supported strong growth for FCm across the region. This award is a fitting tribute to this growth and success.

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Hat Trick for FCm - Voted Europe's Leading Business Travel Management Company for Third Year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 10, 2012) - We Blog the World, an online culture andtravel magazine that focuses on off-the-beaten pathcultural events,international festivalsand unique adventure and high-end travel experiences for discerning travelers, re-launched its new travel site today.

A globaltravel blog network made up of independent voices from around the world, the new travel magazine will add in-depth coverage of cultural events, including festivals.

Geographically, We Blog the World has coverage on every continent in the world, including the best U.S. travel destinations, the top U.S. cities to travel to, the top European destinations, the best places to go in Asia, where to go in Australia and the Pacific, tips on traveling to South America, top things to do in Canada, hot spots in the Caribbean and where to go in Central America, Africa and the Middle East.

Focused on the human side of travel and storytelling, We Blog the World has added four new sections: Travel Products, LIFE,Style and Spas & Retreats, and has expanded its coverage of Hotels & Resorts in its Lodging Section.

"The new site, focused onglobal travel and culture,will capture ideas from untold and told travel stories for the discerning and well-traveled globetrotter who has already been to many of the most popular destinations in the world," said Renee Blodgett, founder and editor of We Blog the World.

Events and Festivals: While there are sites that list cultural events for a particular region, We Blog the World covers events on every continent. The expanded focus on Events and Festivals will include topics We Blog the World readers value, such as Arts, Culture, Music,Food & Wine, Entertainment, Green, Technology, Style and Women.

"Coverage of international events and festivals from a global perspective is fragmented and limited," said Blodgett. "We provide comprehensive and in-depth coverage of unique global cultural events, as well as other things important to a successful travel experience."

Products: The Products section will cover in-depth reviews as short pieces on products writers discover that will help travelers on and off-the-road. Travel products can range from clothing, bags and shoes to camera equipment, mobile devices and mobile apps, net books, laptops and social media apps that focus on food and wine or help travelers navigate their way to and around a new destination.

LIFE: We Blog the World explores the human side of travel, from storytelling, human interest stories and unique experiences that shape the world today. Inspirational and life-changing stories will be told in the LIFE section through feature stories and a Q&A format.

"The site incorporates a community of independent voices from around the world who discover remarkable people and experiences and then share their unique perspective with readers," said Blodgett.

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We Blog the World Re-Launches Online Travel Magazine to Bring Unique Cultural Events & Experiences to Discerning ...

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Tours4Fun teams up with WorldTravelBuzz.com to bring travel savings to Southern California college students. Students interested in seeing the world before they graduate should stop by the World Travel Buzz booth at their local Study Abroad fair to snag some free travel goodies and take advantage of amazing travel offers, including the chance to win an airline voucher.

Make sure to pick up a copy of the World Travel Buzz magazine, which is not only filled with hot insider travel tips and info, but also contains a valuable Tours4Fun travel discount code valid toward the hundreds of destinations Tours4Fun offers. Simply scan the QR code or visit the landing page to take advantage of this student-only offer. Students too busy hitting the books during their campuss Study Abroad fair can find extra copies of the magazine at the Student Center & Study Abroad Center.

Tours4Fun strives to make travel accessible to everyone, but we recognize that students have an extra challenge to fit travel into their budget, explains Kevin Du, co-founder of Tours4Fun. Thats why were offering a special student-only discount to make our already low prices even more affordable.

Dates & College Campuses Where You Can Meet World Travel Buzz & Tours4Fun:

10/11/2012 California State UniversityLos Angeles 10/15/2012 University of CaliforniaRiverside 10/16/2012 California State UniversityFullerton 10/17/2012 California State UniversityLong Beach 10/18/2012 University of California Irvine 10/19/2012 Orange Coast College 10/22/2012 University of California San Diego 10/23/2012 San Diego State University 10/24/2012 California State University San Marcos 10/25/2012 Mira Costa College

About Tours4Fun

Tours4Fun, founded in 2006, is an online travel supplier dedicated to providing the finest online purchasing experience for all your travel needs. Tours4Fun strives to be the ultimate online travel superstore with the widest selection and best prices. http://www.tours4fun.com.

Social Media:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/tours4fun Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tours4Fun Press Room: http://www.tours4fun.com/pressroom.php Newsletter Signup: http://www.tours4fun.com/newsletter-benefits

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Tours4Fun and World Travel Buzz Create Travel Discounts for Students

London (PRWEB UK) 9 October 2012

World Rainbow Hotels (WRH), the gay & lesbian travel organization which made the headlines two years ago as the first ever supplier of gay-friendly hotels on the GDS, launched an online booking platform for travel agents on Oct. 1, 2012.

WRHs website, http://www.worldrainbowhotels.com, which was unveiled earlier this year as a consumer portal allowing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) consumers to find and book genuinely gay and lesbian-welcoming hotels, now also offers travel agencies the possibility to book online more than 850 gay & lesbian-welcoming hotels in 129 of the worlds most popular destinations.

This new online portal for travel agents is the latest addition to WRHs current distribution channels: the four GDSs (WHR reach out to 60,000 agencies monthly), WRHs consumer portal and 100+ affiliated websites.

Travel agents using WRHs online booking platform earn up to 12% commission, have access to exclusive discounted and promotional rates, can create their own agency profile as well as personalize and brand their agency confirmation emails.

WRHs website features image and content-rich information on hotels and destinations, aimed to help agents and consumers fully understand what makes a hotel gay-friendly and appealing to this niche market.

Other features have also been added, helping users make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a gay-friendly hotel:

Your Voice An interactive section of the website in which LGBT consumers post their comments and suggestions about member hotels, destinations and their local gay scene.

Out & About A recommendations list of local bars, restaurants, clubs and events of appeal to gay & lesbian guests, created by each hotel. These guides, named Out & About, can be downloaded directly from the hotel profile on the website, giving consumers and travel agents an insiders look into the local gay and lesbian scene.

Additionally, WRHs website now features a members portal, enabling member hotels to edit their own profiles (i.e. descriptions, pictures and amenities) and giving them access to information on gay & lesbian trade organisations, events, exclusive advertising offers and additional marketing opportunities.

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World Rainbow Hotels (WRH) launch online booking platform for travel agents

The Ambergris Caye hotel and resort wins the countrys top award, as voted on by more than 213,000 professionals worldwide.

San Pedro, Belize (PRWEB) October 09, 2012

We are so honored to receive this momentous award from our peers, says David Hesse, General Manager of Las Terrazas Resort. We are grateful to our colleagues that they have again honored us for our hard work and effort in making Las Terrazas Belizes top resort destination.

The World Travel Awards were started in 1994 to encourage the international travel and tourism community to embrace the pursuit of excellence in everything it does from customer relations to creativity, product innovation and business acumen. The awards and judging are strictly controlled to ensure total fairness.

An awards ceremony took place September 14 at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa where World Travel Awards founder Graham E. Cooke underlined the depth and quality of the travel and tourism sector across the Caribbean and the Americas. He said Our winners are also drawn from the breadth of the Caribbean and the Americas, reflecting the strength and depth of the travel and lodging sector in the region.

Belize, the only English speaking country in Central America, has quickly become one of the premiere tropical vacation destinations for North American vacationers. Each year, tens of thousands of vacationers head south to the popular island of Ambergris Caye in Belize to scuba dive, honeymoon, hike, or just get away for a little while. The nation's warm water oceans, tropical inland forests and ancient Mayan ruins are enough to keep even the most adventurous travelers occupied.

Las Terrazas Resort in Belize prides itself on its alluring combination of luxurious oceanside accommodations and natural tropical adventure. Located on the beaches of the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize, Las Terrazas has its own onsite PADI certified dive shop and dive team. Having a luxury resort less than a mile from the northern hemisphere's largest underwater barrier reef, some of the best scuba diving in the world, and an underwater explosion of color including almost 400 species of fish and coral could make most resorts comfortably rest on this advantage alone. However, Las Terrazas continues to strive to improve and offers its guests opportunities to take excursions to ancient Mayan ruins and provides its guests complimentary use of on-site kayaks and Hobie cats. Vacationing at Las Terrazas truly is a natural way of life, says Hesse.

Since spring of 2008, when Las Terrazas first wowed guests with its modern designs, clean architectural lines, and beautiful signature infinity pool, guests have been giving rave reviews to the newest of the Belize resorts on the island of Ambergris Caye. Guests to Las Terrazas continue to enjoy luxurious yet laid-back island living with town home style suites of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. These vacation suites have been fully furnished and handsomely appointed with Egyptian linens, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, flat-panel televisions and everything necessary for guests to enjoy their tropical vacation in style.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit the luxury Belize hotels website at http://www.lasterrazasresort.com or call toll free at 1-800-447-1553.

About Las Terrazas Resort

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Belize’s Las Terrazas Resort Wins Prestigious 2012 World Travel Award and Is Named “Belize’s Leading Resort” for the ...

Readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have named Tauck the Worlds Best River Cruise Line for Families. This honor comes just as Tauck begins to announce its exciting 2013 portfolio of Tauck Bridges family travel itineraries. This portfolio of tours includes a new 10-day river cruise itinerary Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise which is packed with fun and engaging activities for families.

Norwalk, CT (PRWEB) October 09, 2012

This latest Travel + Leisure honor comes just as Tauck is announcing its 2013 portfolio of Tauck Bridges family travel itineraries. Launched in 2004, the Tauck Bridges collection is comprised entirely of land journeys and cruises designed specifically for families traveling with children. Rather than dividing families with age-specific activities or facilities, Tauck Bridges trips are crafted to deliver shared enrichment through common experiences that allow family members to build strong, intergenerational bonds (or bridges).

New Tauck Bridges River Cruise

Featured prominently in Taucks 2013 Bridges collection is its new river cruise itinerary, Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise. The 10-day itinerary (from $4,690 per person, plus air) begins with an included two-night hotel stay with guided sightseeing in Paris that highlights the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and a special dinner at Fouquets. Guests and families then travel on the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, where theyll board Taucks MS Swiss Emerald for a seven-night cruise on the Rhone.

Tauck is including a number of fun and engaging activities for families throughout the itinerary, including a scavenger hunt in Paris Louvre, a lesson in petanque (a ball game similar to bocce) in Viviers, a hayride in the Camargue, bicycling in Avignon, and a hands-on French culinary experience in Tournon. Three departures of Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise, will be offered in 2013, on July 11, July 25 and August 1.

In all, for 2013 Tauck will operate departures of 17 Bridges itineraries highlighting destinations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. Each Bridges trip is fully inclusive, with all accommodations, ground transportation, entertainment, sightseeing, gratuities, most meals, airport transfers, luggage handling and much more built into the price.

Complimentary Hotel Night for Returning Tauck Bridges Travelers

Returning Tauck Bridges travelers can also benefit from the companys Gift of Time offer, which allows them to extend their 2013 journey with a complimentary hotel night. Guests can choose to redeem their free night at either the beginning or end of their Tauck journey, at the hotel normally featured on the first or last night of their itinerary. To qualify for the Gift of Time, returning guests must book their 2013 Tauck Bridges trip and secure it with a deposit no later than December 28, 2012. Other restrictions may apply.

Information on Taucks full 2013 family travel line-up is contained in the companys new 76-page Tauck Bridges brochure, which is currently mailing to travel agents and consumers. Those interested in more information can visit their local travel professional, call Tauck at 1 800 468 2825, or visit Tauck online at http://www.tauck.com

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Tauck Named “World’s Best River Cruise Line for Families” by Travel + Leisure

New display space for LGBT market close to selling out at London World Travel Market. Only three display booths remain. Latest exhibitors announced. One month to go.

LONDON, UK (PRWEB) October 09, 2012

London World Travel Market is the world's leading event for the global travel industry and in 2012 they are hosting their first dedicated trade show space for businesses wanting to tap into the highly sought after LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) tourism market.

'Out Now Business Class at WTM' combines the power of the world's most innovative travel trade show with the market leadership of Out Now Global - the world's most important global LGBT marketing specialists.

This exhibitor space includes 12 months Executive Membership in the global networking membership association Out Now Business Class http://www.OutNowBusinessClass.com for each exhibitor - delivering a powerful suite of ongoing LGBT marketing benefits including research, global online networking and staff training.

The latest exhibitors have just been announced for 'Out Now Business Class at WTM'. These include World Outgames and Antwerp Tourism & Convention.

LGBT Confex http://www.lgbtconfex.com - Latin America's leading producer of events and conferences targeting the LGBT market - is the newest exhibitor and joins other market-leaders including THE OUT NYC, Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau, Pride Tours (Israel), Berlin Tourismus & Kongress and Out Now Global.

Ruben Sandoval, CEO of LGBT Confex, said that his company's business decision to exhibit at WTM was a strategic one.

"This is the premier event for the global travel industry and as a business interested in building relationships to help our clients connect with LGBT people, we simply could not afford to miss this opportunity," Sandoval said. "Just having a presence on a mainstream exhibitor stand at WTM would not work anywhere near as effectively. The 'Out Now Business Class at WTM' exhibition space is quite simply going to be the place for businesses to connect and develop LGBT market opportunities at WTM. Not exhibiting in that dedicated trade environment would mean us losing valuable business connections. LGBT Confex is delighted to be exhibiting with 'Out Now Business Class at WTM' in London this November."

Darren Cooper, Out Now Senior Consultant based in London said he is very pleased with the response to exhibiting at this year's LGBT space at WTM.

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Strong Response to Lesbian and Gay Tourism Market

8 October 2012 Last updated at 08:11 ET

Edinburgh has beaten London, Paris and Barcelona to the title of Europe's Leading Destination in 2012.

The prize was given at the World Travel Awards in Portugal at the weekend, described by the organisers as the "Oscars of the travel industry".

The awards are intended to highlight and reward those travel brands that have made the greatest contribution to the industry over the past year.

Edinburgh City Council leader, Andrew Burns, said it was "fantastic news".

He added: "This is a terrific endorsement from the people who work in the travel industry.

"Edinburgh is already a multi-award winning city and this is further confirmation that Edinburgh is a world class tourist destination steeped in history with a great atmosphere which hosts numerous world-renowned cultural events."

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Edinburgh wins world travel award

The World Travel Awards has unveiled the list of winners for the Europe region, revealing the most popular travel brands and destinations across the continent for 2012. Turkey and the UK were the clear winners, scooping most of the awards.

The World Travel Awards, also known as the Oscars of the travel industry, unveiled the winners for 2012 on October 6 in the Algarve, Portugal, following pre-selection of nominees in over 50 categories by travel industry experts. These include best travel destination, best airline and best hotel.

Members of the public were asked to vote on winners for each category. Europe's winners will go head-to-head with the winners from other regions and compete for the best of the world awards.

The World Travel Awards for Africa and South America have already been announced. The world winners will be announced at a ceremony in New Delhi, India, on December 12.

After its time in the Olympic limelight, London was voted as Europe's best city break destination, winning over Venice, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Madrid, Prague and Paris. The EDF Energy London Eye, the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, located on the banks of the river Thames, was voted as the best tourist attraction. Edinburgh, Scotland, was selected as the best tourist destination.

Family-owned Htel Le Bristol in Paris claimed the title of Europe's Leading Hotel. Located just two blocks from the Elyse Palace, the Hotel offers a roof-top swimming pool with views of Paris, a 3-Michelin star restaurant, The Epicure, and a renowned spa.

This year Turkey featured as the rising star, claiming awards for Europe's Leading Tourist Board, Europe's Leading Luxury Hotel (Mardan Palace), Europe's Leading Luxury Resort (Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa), Europe's Leading New Luxury Hotel (Angel's Peninsula), Europe's Leading Cruise Destination (Izmir) and Europe's Leading Presidential Suite (Mardan Palace Antalya Royal Suite).

Voters selected the German carrier Lufthansa as Europe's best airline and Swiss International Air Lines as the best business class carrier. EasyJet was voted as Europe's best low-cost carrier.

Other winners include

Europe's Leading Airport: Zurich Airport, Switzerland

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Lufthansa, Disneyland Paris, Norwegian Cruise Line among best travel brands in Europe

"Beyond All Inclusive Beyond All Compare" Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit Win Prestigious Spa Industry Accolades in 2012

Riviera Maya, Mexico (PRWEB) October 07, 2012

The $15 million architecturally striking spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the regions largest spa sanctuary. Inspired by the jungle and natural water pools of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexican architects Elias and Elias preserved the stone, plants and streams specific to the Riviera Maya landscape and incorporated them into its curved, organic design. The two-level, 89,000+ square foot spa also has a 40,000 square-foot Water Lounge. Specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world, the spa was named Best Spa" in the world by Virtuoso and earned a SpaFinder Readers Choice Award.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a member of Leading Spas of the World is home to a 16,500 square feet spa sanctuary, featuring 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. A place where health and well-being brings visitors to a sense of equilibrium, the spa offers luxurious European treatments and soothing Oriental therapies that invigorate the body and restore the spirit. Enjoy the special hydrotherapy area, spa reservation center, spa concierge and personalized service at the breathtaking oceanfront resort.

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

Featured in Forbes roundup of the 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, is the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience. This Leading Hotels of the World designated resort is the preeminent one of its class boasting 491 suites, each more than 1,000 square-feet, in three separate ambiances-- premium ocean-front Grand Class Suites wit h terrace plunge pools for families with children 12 and up, family-friendly ocean-view Ambassador Suites and Zen Grand Suites embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsulas jungle. The resort presents a gastronomic tour of the Yucatan, Europe and Asia offering seven restaurants with world-class chefs from France, Spain and Mexico; dedicated butler service for each guest, and the regions largest spa sanctuary at over 89,000 square-feet specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world. The spa was named Best Spa" in the world by Virtuoso and also earned a SpaFinder Readers Choice Award. The resort was designed by lauded Mexican architecture firm Elias and Elias and features the sleek and modish interiors that fuse the serenity of the Caribbean with the vibrancy of Yucatan cultures. Making its debut on Travel + Leisures Worlds Best Survey in 2012, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was ranked both 2nd amongst the Top 25 Best Hotels in Mexico and 38th amongst the Top 100 Best Hotels Overall.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, an all-suites and spa resort located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award. The resort features 267 spacious ocean-view suites. The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, tennis court, 25,321 total sq feet of meeting space and a Kids Club. Nearby are championship golf courses, numerous options for soft adventure, and the charming town of Puerto Vallarta with its many shops, art galleries and nightlife. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has received numerous accolades within the industry, including one of Forbes 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts.

Megan Sterritt KWE Partners (305)476-5424 Email Information

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Grand Velas Spas in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit Named One of World’s Best Spas by Travel + Leisure and “30 Hot ...

City of New Orleans, Jorie Butler Kent, and Oman Sail were named the 2012 World Tourism honorees at Corinthia Hotels New York press breakfast. Award will be presented at the World Travel Market in London on November 5, 2012.

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) October 07, 2012

This is a tremendous honor for the city and testament to the more than 74,000 New Orleanians who work in the cultural economy. Despite all that our city has endured, the word is out that we are still one of the best and most unique destinations on the planet for a vibrant, unforgettable experience, said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

The awards, said to celebrate extraordinary vision and leadership, will be presented on November 5, 2012 at the Excel Centre on the opening day of World Travel Market in London. Each honoree will be presented with an exquisite Baccarat Crystal shooting star, created by David Tisdale.

President/CEO Mark Romig of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation represented the city at the October 1 breakfast and said, New Orleans is honored to be singled out for its successful efforts in overcoming both Hurricane Katrina and the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Our city has come back stronger than ever and our visitors are returning in larger numbers each year to enjoy our authentic food, music, and culture.

The other winners are Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent and Founder & President, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy; and Oman Sail. All three distinguished 2012 honorees are being recognized for their commitment to sustainable tourism, contributions to tourism development, and for transforming tourism to overcome challenging times.

Mr. Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Hotels said New Orleans was chosen in recognition for its extraordinary success in the transformation and rebirth of the tourism industry post-Katrina and in the wake of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, spurring new economic growth and jobs, to make tourism New Orleans largest industry once again.

In addition to Corinthia Hotels, other sponsors include American Express, International Herald Tribune and Reed Travel Exhibitions.

###

About The World Tourism Award

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City of New Orleans Receives World Tourism Award from World Travel Market in London

Gloria Bohan is where I would like to be when I reach age 70.

She is the founder and president of a 524-employee travel agency based in Fairfax City, Omega World Travel, which she built with her late husband, Dan.

(Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) - Bohan built Omega from scratch, starting with a small office in Fredericksburg. It now bills more than $1 billion in travel and has offices from London to its headquarters in Fairfax.

Dan Keating, Scott Higham, Kimberly Kindy and David S. Fallis

Wealthiest third of lawmakers were largely immune from recession, Post investigation reveals.

Brad Plumer

Here's our primer on what that means--and why it might not work.

Im writing about her because I just passed my 57th birthday, and as I think about a path forward, I was energized by Bohan, her engagement with her surroundings, pride in the company she created and her continued appetite for work.

Bohan sat next to me last week at the Washington Nationals game (my seats), poking her iPhone as she answered e-mails between reminiscences about her childhood in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where she developed a romantic fascination with the cruise ships steaming through New York Harbor.

Omega World Travel which she built through scrappy persistence is nicely profitable, allowing her a comfortable life in leafy McLean and a place in New Yorks Hamptons.

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Value Added: D.C.’s travel queen talks about building her $1 billion business

DURHAM -- You can learn all about the world of wine starting this weekend. Metroland Durham Region Media Group wine columnist Chuck Byers has a new 13-week series starting on Oct. 6. It will air on Channel 12 at 10 a.m. Saturdays.

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Wine show will travel the world

CHEF Lance Seeto will lead a food safari in Fiji in September, while SoulFit kicks off healthy running, hiking and yoga tours through Tuscany next year.

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What's new in the travel world

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 05, 2012

Jim Sano, one of the foremost experts in adventure travel and sustainable tourism, has joined World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as Vice President of Travel, Tourism and Conservation.

Sano, the long-standing president of the San Francisco-based adventure travel company Geographic Expeditions, will work on the nexus of travel, conservation and philanthropy. He will serve as WWFs senior advisor on sustainable tourism programs, develop new opportunities for WWFs most engaged members to experience WWFs work, and bolster the organizations philanthropic initiatives.

This is a natural fit, said Mr. Sano. The most magnificent and pristine places on Earth that WWF is working to protect are also premier tourist destinations. Travelers to these locations receive great joy from their experience and are looking for a way to give back.

Sano joined Geographic Expeditions in 1988, growing it from a company of just eight employees to one with a staff of 50 and multiple accolades, including the distinction of best adventure travel company in the world in 2012.

He previously worked as a National Park Service ranger at Yosemite National Park in California. Additionally, he was the founding president of the Mono Lake Foundation, founding director of the Natural Step and the Yosemite Restoration Trust, and director of the Trust for Public Land and WWFs National Council. Sano received five National Park Service Special Achievement awards, and also led the first American men and womens expedition to Mt. Everest in Nepal. He is a frequent speaker at U.S. and international tourism conferences because of his commitment to conservation and his expertise in adventure and sustainable travel.

Jim is a rock star in the active-adventure travel field. He knows how to build adventures that show people the heart and soul of the places we cherish, and engage them in making a difference. We're grateful he's chosen to bring his talents and experiences to WWF to advance our mission, and I can't wait to work with him, said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of WWF.

WWF is working to increase the number of ecotourism programs within local communities around the world. Currently, WWF works in the Galpagos on sustainable tourism to both support conservation and improve peoples livelihoods. In Namibia, WWF helps to manage conservancies to foster a growing ecotourism program as well. In Nepal, WWF supports community-based tourism initiatives by training local people in establishing a sustainable tourism infrastructure. Furthermore, WWF offers a variety of member tours in which a portion of the trip cost goes to support WWFs global conservation efforts.

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND WWF is the worlds leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit http://www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

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Sustainable Tourism and Adventure Travel Leader Jim Sano Joins World Wildlife Fund

Travel Channel to visit Holiday World Theme Park this weekend to shoot footage for its new "Halloween's Scariest Thrills" show. Costumed visited will be invited to ride The Raven and The Legend - both Halloween-themed wooden coasters - on camera.

Santa Claus, IN (PRWEB) October 05, 2012

Travel Channel is specifically looking for roller coasters with Halloween themes for their Halloweens Scariest Thrills show, says Holiday World President Dan Koch. They were pretty excited to discover our Raven and Legend wooden coasters both fit the bill.

As part of Happy Halloween Weekends' special activities, visitors to Holiday World are welcome to wear family-friendly costumes. Travel Channel is looking for costumed coaster riders to include in their two-day shoot this weekend and will select featured riders from each days visitors.

Halloweens Scariest Thrills will air on Travel Channel next fall.

This is the third Travel Channel production crew to visit Holiday World this year. Over the summer, the park's Mammoth and Wildebeest water coasters were featured in the networks Xtreme Waterparks series and Voyage took top honors in the Splintering Speedsters episode of Insane Coaster Wars.

The Travel Channel is available in nearly 96 million U.S. households.

For more information about Happy Halloween Weekends, visit HolidayWorld.com or call 1-877-Go-Family.

Paula Werne Holiday World & Splashin' Safari 812-937-5209 Email Information

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Travel Channel Returns to Holiday World this Weekend for New Halloween Coaster Special

NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, has revealed the top 10 brewery tours in the U.S., according to the TripAdvisor Popularity Index.These tours show lager lovers how the beverages are crafted and provide tasty samples from some of the country's top breweries.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57935-tripadvisor-top-10-american-brewery-tours

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/MM84871)

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1. New Belgium Brewing Fort Collins, ColoradoLocated 65 miles north of Denver, this sustainable wind powered brewery was the first of its kind in the United States. Beer lovers can enjoy one of their frothy beverages at the Liquid Center tasting room or take the 90-minute Tour de New Belgium where travelers will have the chance to learn about the brewing process and sip on some suds. Complimentary tours operate Tuesday through Saturday.

2. Allagash Brewery Portland, Maine Since 1995, this New England brewery has crafted Belgian inspired ales often using the finest wheat rather than barley, combined with a unique blend of spices. Thirsty travelers can take a free, hour long tour of this coastal brew house while enjoying a refreshing taste of their seasonal specialties or year-round brews.Free tours operate Monday through Saturday.

3. Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour Saint Louis, MissouriDuring this hour-long tour, travelers will see and learn about the iconic Clydesdale horses and explore the architecture and history of the oldest Anheuser-Busch brewery. Hop fanatics interested in learning more about the brewing process can check out the acclaimed Beermaster Tour. Complimentary tours operate seven days a week.

4. Samuel Adams Brewery Boston, MassachusettsLocated in the Hub, hop-enthusiasts will learn about the brewing process from start to finish during this 60-minute tour. Guests will also taste the special malts used to brew the beer and smell the aroma of the Hallertau hops.Free tours operate Monday through Saturday; a $2 donation is suggested to benefit local charities.

5. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Chico, California Known for its flagship pale ale, this northern California brewery offers a 90-minute tour offering travelers the inside scoop on how the ales and lagers are crafted using select malted barley, whole hop flowers, brewer's yeast and pure water. Complimentary tours operate seven days a week.

6. Heinzelmannchen Brewery Sylva, North Carolina Travelers visiting the Great Smoky Mountains can enjoy tasty beverages at this microbrewery run by a German-born "brewmeister". Guests are encouraged to stop in for a tour where they will sample a variety of Deutschland-style beers and non-alcoholic sodas including sweet and tasty root beer and red autumn birch beer.Free tours operate Monday through Saturday.

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TripAdvisor Serves Up Top 10 American Brewery Tours

Thursday, October 04, 2012

As the closest U.S. destination to Japan, the Northern Mariana Islands joined forces with Brand USA at last month's Japan Association of Travel Agents World Travel Fair 2012 in Tokyo.

The Marianas Visitors Authority, which participates annually in the travel fair, joined other U.S. destinations under the Brand USA umbrella on Sept. 21-23, 2012, with positive results.

By having our booth physically situated with Brand USA this year and by coordinating with them, the MVA's overall impact and outreach to travel fair attendees was greater, said MVA managing director Perry Tenorio. We look forward to the new promotional opportunities this partnership has opened up.

The MVA joined the Brand USA signing ceremony launching Japan-U.S. Tourism Exchange Year, aimed at stimulating general travel demand from Japan to the United States with activities scheduled from September 2012 to August 2013, involving major Japanese travel wholesalers and agents with major airlines flying in and out of Japan to the United States. The MVA has formally endorsed the proposed activities.

The Northern Marianas also garnered stage time on the Brand USA stage by featuring a magic show by SandCastle Saipan and providing Saipan-da! backpacks for a charitable auction.

Other activities organized by Brand USA were a VIP reception at the U.S. Embassy on Sept. 20 and a happy-hour reception for 200 travel trade and media representatives on Sept. 21. Brand USA has spent over $5 million in the last three months advertising the launch of new programs to increase travel between Japan and the U.S.

The JATA World Travel Fair is the largest annual travel fair in Asia, attracting 125,989 attendees this year, a 7-percent increase over last year's. (PR)

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MVA gets boost at JATA World Travel Fair

BOSTON, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Vantage Deluxe World Travel (www.vantagetravel.com) today announced that the ms River Splendor and ms River Venture, the newest, most state-of-the-art vessels for American travelers in the European river cruise market, will depart on dual inaugural voyages from Antwerp to Amsterdam on March 13, 2013.

"Our travelers, mature Americans who have an interest in, and a curiosity about, the world and its people, have discovered the magic of river cruising," says Debbie Allen, CMO of Vantage Deluxe World Travel. "We've had an overwhelming demand for the up-close, just-unpack-once experience that European river cruising provides. These new vessels will help meet that demand by providing a Deluxe river cruise experience in a convivial, casual environment."

Designed with the American traveler in mind, the 442 ft. ms River Splendor and the 360 ft. ms River Venture will offer luxury amenities and the best crew-to-passenger ratios in the industry, says Allen. "Our extensive selection of river cruise itineraries is really changing the way travelers experience all corners of Europe."

The two vessels are part of a $120 million fleet investment program, which will double Vantage's river cruising fleet by 2014. They follow the successful inaugural season of the ms River Discovery II, which launched in March 2012. In addition to new amenities, passengers can choose from new itineraries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, a new Grand River voyage in France, and revamped itineraries in Portugal and Russia.

Vantage continues to be the leader in river boat innovation and passenger satisfaction with many industry firsts. The modernized new fleet is a testament to Vantage's commitment to meet the American traveler's growing expectations. The newest ships offer an array of luxurious guest accommodations such as:

Vantage has been a pioneer in the riverboat industry since 1999 and was the first river boat operator to offer their guests spacious statements with increased storage space, deluxe suites, upper level staterooms with two single beds which convert to double, and flat-screen television sets in every cabin. Vantage was the first company to introduce headsets, allowing passengers the freedom to listen to guided commentary without having to stand next to the guide, a European Vantage Program Manager per coachload to give personalized attention to each passenger and more included activities than any other company. Its famous Cultural Connections Program allows passengers to get closer to the local culture by experiencing authentic and quintessential experiences such as participating in local village chores, dining in local homes, and partaking in educational lectures and historical walking tours.

About Vantage Deluxe World Travel- Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2013, Vantage Deluxe World Travel is a world-renowned tour operator known for delivering the best popular programs, and the company owns a fleet of luxurious river cruise ships that sail the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Saone and Rhone rivers in addition to exclusively chartering a number of others. Vantage's Memorable Journeys include upscale escorted tours to a variety of destinations in North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the South Pacific. Vantage Travel programs offer the industry's most comprehensive sightseeing journeys making guests feel like locals instead of tourists and turning a vacation into the trip of a lifetime. Vantage provides quality travel experiences and services that exceed the expectations of customers. For more information on current travel programs, please visit http://www.vantagetravel.com/.

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Vantage Deluxe World Travel Launches Two New Ships for its Deluxe European River Fleet