Travel News Europe - #75 - July&August 2007 - (Page 4)

I news QATAR AIRWAYS LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO GENEVA Q atar Airways launched scheduled flights to Geneva – its second destination in Switzerland – flying onwards to New York (Newark) and signalling the airline’s maiden services to the United States. Flight QR083 from Doha arrived at Geneva International Airport this afternoon to a ‘fireman’s salute’ water arch ceremony, followed by traditional Swiss music and entertainment. The flight later continued its journey to New York. A number of government, business and media VIP dignitaries from Qatar and the GCC countries was onboard, hosted by Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. Guests included the US Ambassador to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Chase Untermeyer. Geneva State Councillor and Chairman of the Airport Board, François Longchamp and Airport Chief Executive Officer Robert Deillon were among the dignitaries at the welcome ceremony to receive the flight. The Doha – Geneva – New York (Newark) route is served four-times-a-week with the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A330 aircraft in a three-class configuration. Both Geneva and New York take the airline’s international route network to 77 cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Far East and America. The carrier operates a modern fleet of 58 all-Airbus aircraft. On arrival in Geneva, Al Baker said: “I am delighted to see Qatar Airways launch its second route in Switzerland with the addition today of Geneva. And as we fly onto New York, Qatar Airways’ first American destination, we are giving our passengers from Switzerland a greater choice of destinations to choose from. “I would like to personally thank the Swiss authorities for granting us the rights to fly to Geneva and beyond to the United States. I am sure our new direct route linking Doha with Geneva and onwards to New York will open up excellent opportunities for business and leisure travellers across our network. “2007 truly is an eventful year for Qatar Airways with nine new routes opening up during the course of the 12 months.” Qatar Airways has already launched services to Bali, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City this year. The airline’s A330 used on the Doha – Geneva – New York route features 12 seats in First Class – seats that convert into flat beds – 18 seats in Business Class, which offer generous space with 160 degree recline, and 208 seats in Economy. In three weeks’ time, starting July 19, Qatar Airways will operate daily nonstop scheduled services between Doha and Dulles International Airport in Washington DC. The airline will be the only Middle East carrier flying daily to the US capital. With a growing international network, more travellers have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers. The Premium Terminal features facilities including a spa, jacuzzi, exclusive duty free shopping, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just nine months, the US$90 million terminal is the world’s first commercial passenger building dedicated to First and Business Class passengers and offers departing and transit passengers an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind prior to their flight. I CZECH BEER FESTIVAL SUMMER 2007 arious beer festivals will run throughout the late summer and autumn period in different towns across the Czech Republic for Beer Celebration Season. The 13th year of the Beer Festival in Humpolec (www.bernard.cz) will be held on the 10th and 11th of August with a tour of the Bernard Brewery and a promise of high-quality entertainment and music programme. Vrchlabí will host the 10th Krkonoše Beer Festival (www.kpivislavnosti.cz) on the 11th of August with a programme that starts in the morning and ends two hours after midnight. Ten breweries will be participating and visitors will vote to decide which brewery produces the best beer. There will also be several contests with a beer theme, such as barrel rolling. The Master of Krkonoše, Krakonoš, will attend the opening ceremony in the town square, where culinary specialties will be sold and various bands will play throughout the day. The Traditional Beer Festival at the V Chodovar Family Brewery (www.chodovar.cz), in Chodová Planá near Tachov, will be take place on the 25th of August. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a non-traditional brewery tour and a cultural programme in the brewery yard, try old Bohemian cuisine in the Ve Skále restaurant, built in the former rock cellars, and use the only beer spa in the Czech Republic. The 31st of August and 1st of September the 50th Hop Harvest festival in Žatec (www.docesna.cz) offers hop picking and dancing with a pitcher of beer on your head as well as sampling 40 different beers. There will be four stages for the entertainment programme, which is set to include an elected king and queen of hops as well as German band Alphaville and Czech music star Karel Gott. There is no admission fee. The Beer Festival in Jindřichův Hradec (www.jh.cz) will be held on the 8th of September, with 8 breweries offering 30 kinds of beer. The event will be accompanied by a diverse music programme, contests for adults and children, a raffle and a typical Southern bohemian hog feast, grilled sausages and beer cheese. The admission fee is CZK 80 (€2.80). The Beer Fair in the Černá hora brewery near Blansko will take place on the 29th of September with a multi-genre music festival on three stages. The admission fee is CZK 90 (€3.20). The season will culminate in Pilsen, West Bohemia, where the well-known light lager Pilsner Urquell was first brewed by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll on the 5th of October 1842. The Pilsner Fest (www.prazdoj.cz) is held in honour of this, from the 3rd to the 7th of October. In addition to beer and cuisine the festival promises a wide cultural programme with well-known Czech bands, author readings at the Brewery Museum and a lively promenade of colourful festivities for the Pilsner Urquell Beer Olympics. The city of Pilsen is the co-organizer of the event and admission to all Pilsner Fest events is free. In addition to all of this, beer festivals will be organized in Vimperk (www.mestovimperk.cz) on the 28th of July and in Rokytnice nad Jizerou (www.rokytnice.com) on the 20th to the 22nd of July. The Traditional Regent Beer Fest in the Bohemia Regent Brewery in Třeboň (www.pivovar-regent.cz) on the 28th of July promises a day of entertainment and music ended in a firework display. I TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE July/August 2007 http://www.prazdoj.cz http://www.bernard.cz http://www.jh.cz http://www.kpivislavnosti.cz http://www.chodovar.cz http://www.mestovimperk.cz http://www.rokytnice.com http://www.pivovar-regent.cz http://www.docesna.cz

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #75 - July&August 2007

Cover&Contents
NEWS
- INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS & RESORTS INCREASES ITS ITALIAN PRESENCE
- PAFOS APHRODITE FESTIVAL PRESENTS VERDI’S “IL TROVATORE”
- QATAR AIRWAYS LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO GENEVA
- BRITISH AIRWAYS FAMILY DEAL
DESTINATIONS
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Thailand
BUSINESS
- Car Hire
- Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #75 - July&August 2007