Travel Search Engine Sprice.com launches hotel search application for iPhone
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closed) Singapore, September 27, 2009: Leading travel and hotel search engine Sprice.com (www.sprice.com) has gone mobile. iPhone users worldwide will now be able to search over 120,000 hotels (http://www.sprice.com/hotels) globally on their iPhones using the power and convenience of the innovative ‘Sprice Hotels’ app. All it takes is a quick download of Sprice Hotels app, absolutely free, from the online Apple App store. Compatible with all iPhone generations including the latest 3G S version, the Sprice Hotels application allows users to quickly and easily search for hotels in an intelligent manner. Sprice Hotels generates important data with the search, including information about the hotel such as location map, photos, hotel guest reviews and amenities, as well as real-time offers and discounts on room rates. In addition, users can choose to filter the search results by the hotel’s room rates, user rating and even the distance from whichever landmarks they choose as the start point.
“The launch of our mobile application Sprice Hotels is a natural progression for our travel search engine, as the pool of mobile users around the world continues to expand exponentially. Since Sprice.com was launched in 2007, we have received positive feedback from consumers all over the world and in Asia Pacific. Demand for our online hotel search product has consistently been on the rise with visitorship reaching a record of three million globally,” said Vikas Gulati, Vice President of Sprice.com, Asia Pacific.
“The Sprice Hotels iPhone App empowers travellers to make last-minute booking decisions, even as they are en route to their destinations. Like Sprice.com, the mobile application is also very user-friendly. We are pleased to be working with Apple to extend such a powerful travel search tool to millions of iPhone users worldwide.”
Sprice Hotels serves as a dynamic marketing platform for travel providers. Earlier this year, Apple announced that its global iPhone sales peaked and grew by 245% in 2008, and it expects this growth to continue. Over 200 of Sprice.com’s travel partners around the world, including online travel agents and hoteliers, can reach out to tech-savvy consumers on the move directly and more effectively through Sprice Hotels.
About Sprice.com
Sprice.com (www.sprice.com), the leading real-time travel search engine in the world, allows travelers to search for cheap flights, find and compare over 120,000 hotels with hotel reviews (http://www.sprice.com/hotel-reviews), and get the best travel deals (http://www.sprice.com/travel-deals). Sprice.com is a product of Sprice Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-registered company. Sprice operates in Europe through its office in France, while the head office in Singapore serves the markets in the Asia-Pacific. Sprice.com offers detailed information on over 120,000 hotels around the world, hotel reviews and cheap flights (http://www.sprice.com/flights).
For more information, please contact:
Julia Lai
Tel: +65 6534 7250
Email: spricesg@lewispr.com
Asia Vacations & South Pacific Vacations - Globus family of brands
Posted , comments closed) Travel to Asia and South Pacific regions of the world has increased with travelers’ growing interest in exotic travel. Whether they list China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tibet, Mongolia or Vietnam on their “must-see” lists for 2010, the Globus family of brands has unveiled a deep offering of vacations designed to enhance the lives of Americans venturing abroad.
“We are not only revealing new itineraries in Asia, our vacation styles to exotic locations worldwide have increased,” said Scott Nisbet, president and chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands. “We’re giving travelers a plethora of tours, river cruises and independent vacation packages to choose from.”
As part of its 2010 vacation offerings, Globus has unveiled several NEW vacations, including two tours: Essence of China and Exploring Australia vacations. And, Monograms the company’s independent travel arm has substantially increased offerings to Asia with NEW Tokyo & Kyoto, Beijing & Shanghai, Beijing & Hong Kong, China Escape and Bangkok & Phuket itineraries. On these vacations, travelers will traverse the Asia Pacific region of the world independently, with help from a Local Host.
“Our Monograms product has witnessed the most growth in these exotic destinations,” said Nisbet. “This expansion, in part, is because Monograms is the perfect choice for first-time travelers to a destination people who want the security and convenience of having an English-speaking Local Host on-hand to point them in the right direction and ensure they explore all of the ‘must-see’ sites.”
To celebrate its exotic vacations, the company is providing travelers $400 off per couple on the air-inclusive price on 2010 Asia & South Pacific vacations when booked before October 13, 2009.* Visit www.globusjourneys.com for more information.
2010 ASIA & CHINA VACATION HIGHLIGHTS:
NEW Essence of China (8 days), priced from $1,599 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Mystical Thailand (12 days), priced from $1,969 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Magical China & the Yangtze River (12 days), priced from $2,799 land/cruise- and intra-tour flights only.
Fascinating China & Mongolia with Yangtze River Cruise (17 days), priced from $5,389 land /cruise and intra-tour flights only.
NEW Bangkok & Phuket (9 days), priced from $989 land- only.
NEW Beijing & Shanghai (7 days), priced from $909 land- only.
2010 SOUTH PACIFIC VACATION HIGHLIGHTS:
NEW Exploring Australia (20 days), priced from $5,919 land- and intra-tour flights only.
South Pacific Sampler (13 days), priced from $3,139 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Naturally New Zealand (10 days), priced from $2,089 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Australia Escape (10 days), priced from $1,329 land- only.
Aussie & Kiwi Explorer (14 days), priced from $2,139 land- only.
*Book a 2010 Globus, Monograms or Avalon Asia or South Pacific air-inclusive vacation. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between August 12 and October 13, 2009 for travel commencing through December 31, 2010. Offers not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club and applies to new 2010 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
ABOUT THE GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States. Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package, river and small ship cruise options. Considered the world’s largest tour operator, with more than 80 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.
Hawaii Vacations - Globus family of brands
Posted , comments closed) Hawaii entices millions of travelers each year with its promise of sun, beautiful landscapes and island culture. Offering a selection of Platinum and Regional Discovery tours and Cruise & Tour options with Globus, as well as independent travel packages through Monograms, the Globus family of brands has developed 2010 Hawaii getaways focused on fun in paradise.
“Our Hawaiian vacations including two new getaways offer exciting excursions and opportunities to enjoy all the Hawaiian Islands have to offer,” said Scott Nisbet, president and chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands. “On our vacations, travelers can choose to explore some of Hawaii’s most awe-inspiring national parks, enjoy lunch at a plantation, snorkel, watch the sun set on a cruise, learn about island history or simply take in the view and the sun from one of the destination’s breathtaking beaches year round.”
New in 2010, the award-winning company has unveiled an Enchanting Hawaii Platinum guided tour with Globus and seven-day independent travel package Maui & Kauai through Monograms. Perfect for honeymooners, girlfriends or families, on this vacation travelers will explore two beautiful islands on their own, equipped with a plethora of special discounts and offers as well as 24-hour on-call service to ensure the vacation is filled with fun and free of stress.
In addition to unveiling new getaways, also new in 2010, the Globus family of brands is promising travelers ocean views from their hotels as part of its standard accommodations
And, in the Aloha spirit, the company is giving travelers $250 off per person on the air-inclusive price on all Globus and Monograms Hawaii vacations when booked before October 13, 2009.* Visit www.globusjourneys.com or www.monogramstravel.com for more information.
2010 HAWAII VACATION HIGHLIGHTS:
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL (Monograms Hawaii Vacations)
NEW Maui & Kauai (7 days), priced from $829 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
Oahu & Maui (7 days), priced from $889 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
Oahu, Maui & Kauai (10 days), priced from $1189 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
TOURS (Globus Hawaii Escorted Tours)
NEW Enchanting Hawaii (8 days), priced from $2,469 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Best of the Hawaiian Islands (9 days), priced from $2,289 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Grand Hawaii Vacation (12 days), priced from $3,059 land- and intra-tour flights only.
CRUISE & TOUR (Globus Hawaii Cruises)
Cruising Hawaii’s Paradise (11 days), priced from $1,909 land and intra-tour flights only.
*Book a 2010 Globus or Monograms Hawaii air-inclusive vacation to receive the $250 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between August 12 and October 13, 2009 for travel commencing through December 31, 2010. Offers not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club and applies to new 2010 Hawaii bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
ABOUT THE GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States. Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package, river and small ship cruise options. Considered the world’s largest tour operator, with more than 80 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.
How Melbourne became Australia’s hottest destination
Posted , comments closed- Australia needs your input
- Victorian Tourism Minister Tim Holding slams Sydney's top spot
- German tourist attacked, stabbed in Melbourne
- Qantas names 75th Boeing 737 after famous New Zealand aviator
- Australia tourism launches contest on Facebook
- Have you heard the one about the dumb Australian?
- China-Australia rift threatens Australia's tourism
- Rare all-white humpback whale sighted near Great Barrier Reef
By
Diana Plater, Paul Mulvey and Gabrielle Dunlevy, theage.com.au |
Sep 30, 2009
It’s a miracle - culture has grown in popularity in Australia.
Well at least that’s what the numbers suggest.
For the first time, more Australians are visiting Victoria for a holiday than Queensland.
Data released by Tourism Research Australia shows NSW still heads the list with 7.2 million domestic visitors in 2008-09, followed by Victoria with 5.4 million and Queensland with 5.1 million.
Victorian tourist chiefs believe that during tough economic times, Australians’ tastes have shifted toward short breaks to experience Victoria’s cultural activities and away from Queensland’s physical attractions.
“The offer of big events, cultural events, retail, food and wine is considered more attractive than stuff like theme parks, Big Pineapples and gee-whizzy type of stuff,” Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief Anthony McIntosh says.
McIntosh says Victoria’s 20-year marketing campaign promoting its big events, such as the spring racing carnival, its shops, wineries and culture has paid off.
But he admitted visitors come for a good time, not a long time.
“The marketing has positioned Victoria as the place for short stay holidays, the place for dirty weekends basically,” he says.
“It’s a romantic, cultural, exciting place to visit for a short stay. People don’t stay here for weeks, they come and stay for a weekend or three or four days.
“They go to things like stage plays and big sporting events, musical tours, they go to wineries, they go to restaurants.”
As an example, both the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum recorded record crowds for their exhibitions on artist Salvador Dali and the ruins of Pompeii.
And the other blockbuster has been the musical Jersey Boys.
Melbourne Museum has had a record number to its exhibition, A Day in Pompeii.
And the NGV has had more than 150,000 people for its Salvador Dali Liquid Desire exhibition. Both exhibitions continue until October.
The gallery’s director Dr. Gerard Vaughan says the exhibition is second only in popularity to the NGV’s most attended Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, The Impressionists.
“Once again, the exhibition has proved extremely popular with visitors from Melbourne, regional Victoria, interstate and overseas,” Dr Vaughan says.
A Day in Pompeii tells the story of life in the ancient Roman city which was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, AD79. It covers everything from food and dining to shopping, medicine and religion.
The CEO of of Museum Victoria Dr Patrick Green says no other ancient city had been found so complete and intact.
But it remained lost and forgotten until rediscovered by archaeologists in the early 1700s.
Of particular interest are the the body casts, made by pouring plaster into hollows left where victims of the eruption were buried.
It’s particularly moving to observe their positions. They were most likely to have been covering their faces with their hands or clothes to relieve themselves from the gases that eventually suffocated them.
It’s highly recommended that people book online (museumvictoria.com.au/Pompeii) for a specific time so they don’t have to queue or come either in the afternoons (when the school kids have left) or Thursday nights when the Piazza Museo cafe is also open with musicians playing.
Both shows are part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, a Victorian government initiative that brings outstanding exhibitions from around the world exclusively to Melbourne. In its first five years it has attracted more than 1.34 million people.
Meanwhile, we found the audience at Jersey Boys playing at the historic Princess Theatre lively and friendly.
We got into the swing of things, playing a game of get up, sit down as other audience members climbed over us in the packed theatre.
The Australian version of the Tony Award-winning musical didn’t disappoint.
Written by Rick Elice it’s about the 60s pop group The Four Seasons, starring four relatively unknown Aussie actors.
It shows how Frankie Valli and his band were influenced by the mob influence of New Jersey in the 1950s and 60s but went on to sell 175 million records.
The show, which is running on Broadway and in more than six other cities, features their hit songs including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
The actors/musicians for this version were chosen with the help of some of the original band members, including Valli.
They include Irish Dance champion and former Australia Mamma Mia star Bobby Fox as Valli, actor and musician Scott Johnson as Tommy DeVito, Glaston Toft as Nick Massi and Stephen Mahy as Bob Gaudio.
Some other places to visit and things to do in Melbourne:
Federation Square: Corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street. Call: (03) 9639 2800 or visit www.federationsquare.com.au. It’s a complete inner city block, connecting the central business district with the Yarra River and is a fusion of arts and events, leisure, hospitality and promenading.
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Federation Square: Flinders Street. Call: (03) 8663 2200 or visit www.acmi.net.au. It celebrates, champions and explores the moving image in all its forms - film, television, games, new media and art.
National Design Centre: Federation Square Flinders Street. Call: (03) 9654 6335 or visit: www.nationaldesigncentre.com. Combining a gallery space and resource centre, the NDC also hosts the annual Melbourne Design Festival which showcases the latest and greatest in local product and celebrates the classics.
Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia Cnr Russell and Flinders Sts. Call: (03) 8620-2222 or visit: www.ngv.vic.gov.au. Current exhibition: John Brack - runs until August 2009.
Eureka Skydeck: 88 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank. Call: (03) 9693-8888 or visit www.eurekaskydeck.com.au. It’s on Level 88 and is the highest public vantage point in Melbourne, Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors are able to take in the 360 degree views through floor to ceiling glass windows, from the CBD to the Dandenong Ranges and across Port Phillip Bay.
Deadly quake rocks Samoa, triggers killer tsunami
Posted , comments closed- Samoan airline suspends operations
- Fight over driving side switch brewing in Samoa
- Many Australians and New Zealanders no longer want to visit Fiji
- Health alert as dengue fever rages in Pacific
- German tourist attacked, stabbed in Melbourne
- Man trap set to maim tourists
- To protect tourism Palau creates shark sanctuary
- Discover Raiatea
By
David Beirman, eTN Crisis Expert |
Sep 30, 2009
The earthquake that rocked Samoa at 0648 local time measured 8.3-magnitude on the Richter scale and subsequently generated a killer tsunami that has hit various parts of American Samoa, the south coast of Upolo (the most populated island of Samoa) and the smaller island of Manono. The death toll is estimated at 40 people on both American Samoa and Samoa and is expected to rise.
“As the earthquake struck sirens wailed in Apia, the capital of Samoa and bells rang in coastal villages all over Upolo,” eyewitness Elizabeth Angus said. “People who have been well prepared for a tsunami, immediately moved to higher ground and thousands of people were walking from Apia to the nearby hills.”
However, the tsunami struck on the southern coast of Upolo so quickly and with such ferocity that many people in low-lying areas could not evacuate, according to Angus. “One of the people who drowned in the tsunami was Tui Annadale, wife of Joe Annadale the owner of the upmarket Sinalei Resort on Uplolo’s south coast. Tui was much-loved by the thousands of Australians, New Zealand and American guests who have enjoyed the hospitality of the fabulous resort and Tui’s own commitment to hospitality.”
Although full details are not yet available, several popular tourist resorts on Upolo’s south coast are feared to have been affected by the tsunami, which followed the massive quake.
In Samoa, many of the beach fales and small resorts are literally located on the water’s edge and would have had little warning of a tsunami.
Damage to Apia is reported to be modest although media reports on American Samoa suggest that damage to coastal settlements there has been considerable.
The Samoan Tourism Authority is expected to provide updates in the coming hours.