Departure gate
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-22 09:23
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Your passport to the latest destinations and airline promotions
Island getaways getting popular
Travelers from China and India are boosting the surge of tourism in Mauritius. The island has reported an 8.5 percent rise in tourism receipts in the first six months of 2010, according to its Central Statistics Office.
Arrivals from the Asian market rose 21.2 percent year-on-year, with India leading the surge, closely followed by burgeoning numbers from China and Russia.
What do presidents do on vacation?
US President Barack Obama is planning to hike, laze at the beach and visit an ice cream parlor or two while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard, although world affairs may occasionally interfere.
While Obama was on holiday last year on the Vineyard, Senator Edward Kennedy died and the president delivered the eulogy at his Boston funeral. In December, the president's Hawaii vacation was interrupted by the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner.
Virgin Blue quits Kiwi ops
Even the maverick baron will finally call it quits. After years of heavy losses, Richard Branson's Virgin Blue Airlines is axing Pacific Blue, which flies domestic routes in New Zealand. It will divert its planes and staff to trans-Tasman flights to Australia.
The cost of flying within New Zealand is expected to rise with Air New Zealand and Jet Star now the only two remaining domestic carriers.
Virgin Blue's chief executive, John Borghetti, said Pacific Blue was losing money in New Zealand because three airlines were competing for travelers in a country of just 4 million.
Bikes for hire around London
London has launched a bicycle rental program that allows cyclists to borrow bikes from 400 docking stations throughout the city. Initially, users will have to sign up online for a membership and to be sent a key, but from September on, tourists will be able to use a credit card to hire a bike. The first 30 minutes are free. (www.visitlondon.com)
Take an autumn walk in Jersey
Jersey is holding an autumn walking week from Sept 11 to 18, featuring 42 free guided tours of the Channel Island. Visitors will have the chance to experience a different side to the island on foot, following cliff paths and woodland trails.
Highlights of the festival include a two-day cross island walk from Gorey in the east to St Ouen's Bay in the west, and a five-day walk around the island past towers, castles and ancient burial chambers, which takes in nearly all of Jersey's coastline. (www.jersey.com/walking)
150 years of the Elblag Canal
The Elblag Canal in north-eastern Poland is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a series of events organized between Warmia and Mazury to mark the occasion. According to the Polish tourist office, the high point of the celebrations will be a festival on Aug 28 in Ostroda.
The canal was designed by Georg Jacob Steenke, a German architect and a royal construction councillor of the Kingdom of Prussia. (www.ostroda.pl)
Airline deals and news:
JetBlue brings back 'All You Can Jet' passes
JetBlue is bringing back its popular All-You-Can-Jet pass. For those with wanderlust, stamina, and $700, it's a continual ticket to any destination in the US and Caribbean for 30 days.
The pass is valid for flights between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6, the company said. There are two price tiers: an unlimited pass for $699 or a $499 pass that excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays.
Compensation for delay
China Eastern Airlines has scored a first in promising compensation for flight delays or cancellations.
According to the company, any passengers who are club members can get up to 600 yuan compensation if their flight is postponed for at least four hours or cancelled when they join the company's Travel Protection Plan. China Eastern also promises to pay 1,000 yuan for luggage delayed more than eight hours.
New branding for UA/Continental child
United Airlines and Continental Airlines will reveal the branding for the new global airline that results from their proposed merger. It will combine name, logo and livery of both parent airlines with the blue-gold globe image on its aircarft tails and the new-style UNITED name on the fuselage.
Both airlines have earned strong brand recognition in one of the world's most visible and highly competitive businesses. The new visual identity builds upon the significant value of each airline's current brand, while advancing the combined airline's future brand image.
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