The legend of King Arthur will be brought to life this summer as a new live experience launches in north Cornwall. Set at the Arthurian Centre near Camelford, ‘Knight Time Extravaganza’ promises visitors a unique evening of entertainment with fantasy, feasting and adventure. Starting on Tuesday 24 July, fighting knights, live action, jesters and slapstick [...]King Arthur Lives On In Cornwall is a post from: Global-Travels England


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Work has commenced on a multi-million pound overhaul of Brighton’s iconic Grand Hotel – set to re-establish it as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. The refurbishment extends to the rejuvenation of all 201 bedrooms and update of the eleven syndicate spaces to become state of the art meeting and conference rooms, [...]The Grand Hotel Brighton Overhaul is a post from: Global-Travels England


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It’s time for New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar visitor industry to “get its house in order” to achieve its potential, new Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Martin Snedden says. Speaking at Local Government New Zealand’s annual conference in Queenstown today, Mr Snedden said the visitor industry’s challenge was to commit itself unconditionally to [...]Tourism Seeks New Partnership is a post from: New Zealand Travel


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Those looking for a festive getaway need look no further than our selection of August's must-see summer highlights

* Jazz in Marciac (Marciac, Midi-Pyrénées) - 27 July-18 August: Nightly jazz concerts from new and established talent, at one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe.

* Les Misérables Sound & Light Show (Montreuil-sur-Mer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) - 3-6 August: Enjoy a dynamic way to re-discover a musical classic that brings the community together.

* Porto Latino (Saint Florent, Corsica) - 3-6 August: Saint Florent turns into a South American and Spanish music hub with concerts and dance classes.

* Grande Nuit Vénitienne (St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Riviera) - 4 August: The town is taken over by a fiery evening including a parade, fireworks, flame throwers and a ball.

* Fête du Lac (Annecy, Rhone-Alpes) - 4 August: Watch a stunning pyrotechnic show with a view over the beautiful Lake Annecy.

* Route du Cirque (Nexon, Limousin) - 10-18 August: This festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary with 58 circus shows from 13 companies.

* Féria de Béziers (Béziers, Languedoc- Roussillon) - 11-15 August: This city-wide celebration will host 5 bull-fights with concerts and events to accompany them.

* Jazz en Ré (Ile de Ré, Poitou-Charentes) -17-20 August: the 15th edition of this free jazz festival will host well-known jazz artists as well as new and upcoming musicians.

* La Chaise-Dieu (Chaise-Dieu, Auvergne) - 22 August-9 September: Savour a combination of a heady mix of styles performed in a sublime setting at this French music festival.

* Festival d'Art Pyrotechnique (Cannes, Riviera) - 7, 15 and 24 August: This international pyrotechnic competition will blow its viewers away and award its final prize on the 24th.

* Festival entre Cour et Jardin (Dijon, Burgundy) - 26 August-18 September: This performing arts festival will put on shows in remarkable gardens around the region.

In Summer 2012, YAT teams up with partners across YorkshireÂ*to bring you the first annual Yorkshire Medieval Festival!Â*Celebrating all things medieval, including the 800th anniversaryÂ*since York became a self-governing city, there is something forÂ*everyone including events with a royal and sporting theme. Featuring: Archery Medieval encampments Birds of Prey Banquets Yorkshire Goes Medieval is a [...]Yorkshire Goes Medieval is a post from: Global-Travels England


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THAI Smile, the new sub-brand service from Thai Airways International (THAI), is delighted to announce their first direct flight from Bangkok to Macau in the newly delivered Airbus 320 - 200 aircraft, which set off on July 7th 2012.

Mr. Ampon Kittiampon, THAI's Chairman of the Board of Directors presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony of the first departure flight TG750 from Savarnabhumi Airport's Boarding Gate D5 to Macau International Airport. Upon arrival of flight TG750, Miss Suning Liu, Executive Director of Macau International Airport Co Ltd (CAM) welcomed VIPS, guests and passengers travelling onboard.

Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development and also Acting President, for THAI comments: "THAI is pleased to introduce Macau as its first destination with roundtrip twice-daily flights from Bangkok. Thereafter, THAI Smile will operate roundtrip domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai-Phuket.

"The THAI Smile brand character 'Trendy- Friendly-Worthy' reflects the new generation lifestyle of business travellers who seek a relaxed, stylish on-board atmosphere, placing greater importance on smart choices with value for money."

The new fleet of Airbus 320 - 200 means THAI Smile can carry a total of 174 passengers, with the first five rows designated for 'Smile Plus;' a short-haul business class service providing extra pitch and enhanced service elements.

The aircraft type is cost-effective for short to medium-haul routes with passengers having the flexibility of two-class cabin fares, which include on-board snacks and beverages, free pre-seating selection and counter check-in procedures, mileage accrual on the Royal Orchid Plus programme, baggage allowance of 20 kg in economy and 30 kg in Smile Plus, and connections to the THAI network worldwide.

Sixty-two South East based companies, from App design technology to GAA gear, hope to generate more than €1.5 million in sales at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. The South East Enterprise Village, launched today (Wednesday 11th July) by the South East County and City Enterprise Boards at Dunbrody Ship, New Ross, will showcase companies from [...]Business Anticipates Ploughing Championships is a post from: Ireland in One


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[FONT=&quot][/FONT]Pretoria - South African Airways (SAA) has been voted the best airline in Africa for the 10th year in a row.

"SKYTRAX (a global aviation research organisation) has again confirmed that SAA, with our excellent service and very convenient connections to 26 African destinations via our Johannesburg hub, ranks with the best in the world," said SAA chief executive officer Siza Mzimela on Thursday.

SAA won the best airline in Africa award for the 10th time in a row and also the Best Staff Service in Africa award for the third time in succession.

"We are immensely proud of our staff, because it is their consistent, professional and dedicated approach combined with our reliable fleet, our hospitable and advanced on board product and the convenient connectivity we offer through our global route network that led passengers to again rate SAA number one in Africa," she said.

The awards were awarded today at the Farnborough International Air show currently underway in the UK and received by the chairperson of the SAA Board, Cheryl Carolus and Mzimela.

The SKYTRAX awards are based on customer responses to a survey which is run over a period of 10 months. In 2012, over 18 million businesses and leisure air travellers from 100 countries were polled by telephone, questionnaires and online. The survey covered over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to the smallest domestic airlines.

The survey measured passenger satisfaction across nearly 40 key performance and service indicators including the airport and on-board environments; from check-in to boarding, on board seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food and beverages as well as staff behaviour and service standards and consistency.

SKYTRAX chairman Edward Plaisted said SAA's success was a clear indication of the esteem that passengers had for the airline and the dominance SAA has.

The World Airline Awards are the global benchmarks of airline excellence. Other accolades that SAA has received this year include a four star rating in February by SKYTRAX. – SAnews.gov.za

Jet Airways, India's premier international airline, has reported an operating profit of INR 11,686 million (approx £135 million) with a 16 per cent upsurge in passengers for FY12, delivering further 'Eastern promise' to the sluggish aviation sector.

With a system wide seat factor increase from 78 to 83 per cent for the final quarter (year on year), the Indian market leader has continued in its robust trajectory despite high fuel costs and the depreciation of the Rupee. International traffic grew by 26 per cent in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year, generating 56 per cent of total revenues. Domestic traffic grew by 22 per cent compared to an industry average of just seven per cent.

The success has partly been attributable to close monitoring of costs and network rationalisation. The airline's world class level of service and unrivalled in-flight product are other key contributing factors to the ongoing success.

The Middle East routes continue to be a primary driver for FY13 with Jet Airways having introduced a fourth daily service between Mumbai and Dubai in May, and a second frequency four times weekly to Kuwait effective June 2012. The UK continues to feed other key international destinations besides Mumbai, Delhi and domestic India - namely Bangkok, Dhaka and Kathmandu.

Jet Airways has also consolidated its low cost product under the JetKonnect brand. The outlook on the bottom line remains positive with initiatives such as enhancing ancillary revenues, discontinuing loss making routes and the sale of aircraft.

"In the current climate of rapid change in market dynamics, our focus remains on enhancing the guest's experience through creative marketing initiatives and social media tools. Jet Airways has established itself as a prestigious brand in a relatively short period of time on account of the warmth of its service and quality of its in-flight product, a testament to our commitment to putting the customer first," commented Lydia Nazareth, General Manager for the UK and Ireland, Jet Airways.

The Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, Ministers of Tourism, International Corporation, Foreign Affairs and Interior have just announced for the first time ever, changes to obtaining tourist visas on arrival to all Egyptian Ports for a variety of tourist nationalities.

It is hoped that the changes will actively encourage tourism to Egypt and benefit the following nationalities of tourists travelling in groups; Moroccan Nationals, Algeria, Tunisia and the Chinese. All on the provision that travel agents assure departure prior to the expiry date of the visa obtained.

Tourists arriving as individuals or FIT’s (Foreign Independent Tourists), or in groups including; Jordanian Nationals, Lebanese, Turks, Indians and other nationals from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan may also obtain visas upon arrival, again, provided their tour companies are held accountable for their departure date prior to expiry.

The Egyptian Ministry has also announced they are to waive visa fees for Russian Tourists for a duration of three months starting from the beginning of June until 1 September 2012.

The Minister of Tourism, Dr. Monir Fakhri Abdel Nour stated:

“This unprecedented decision has come about to actively encourage tourism to Egypt. This is the very first time we have done this and hope it will attract and benefit different nationalities to our country and will help to disseminate the message that Egypt is always a welcoming country to all tourists.”

These privileges are granted for the first time ever to these country nationals whereby they have already been granted to Gulf Country Nationals, the EU, United States and Canada who have been enjoying these privileges for many years.