The business of travel
Air passenger numbers forecast to keep climbing
The International Air Transport Associations has released its forecast of air passenger growth for 2012-2016. International passenger numbers are expected to increase from 1.1bn to 1.45bn in 2016.
Domestic passengers are expected to rise from 1.72bn to 2.21bn by 2016. Routes to, from and within China are expected to account for one in four of all new passengers over the period. Fastest-growing markets will be Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Uruguay, Chile, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Cambodia, Panama and the Russian Federation.
New York's Hotel Week opens up
Return to business in New York from January 4th to 20th and you can enjoy 17 days of great value rates for Hotel Week. Fixed prices in 24 citywide hotels will be from $100, $200 and $250 per night, half the usual rates in some cases. Hotels taking part include the Gansevoort Park Avenue, Hyatt 48 Lex, The James and the Cosmopolitan. See the full list and how to book on njfpr.com/hotel-week
Concierge app on hand at Conrad
Customise your stay at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin and 20 other Conrad hotels worldwide with a new concierge app. Order room service dinner and bathroom amenities, all from your smartphone.
Fastjet quickly on acquisition trail
In its third week of operation, new African airline Fastjet, founded by Easyjet’s Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is already on the acquisition trail, showing interest in buying South Africa’s failed 1Time airline. 1Time ceased trading last month. Fastjet is also in talks with Emirates about a partnership. Emirates flies to 24 destinations in Africa and Fastjet could provide connecting passengers from African cities.