Archive for December, 2009

The recession has forced a change in driver behaviour according to a new survey from Europcar, the UK's leading vehicle hire company. With winter on the doorstep, when reliability becomes even more important, drivers are turning to vehicle hire for long journeys and breaks away to bring peace of mind and reduce wear and tear on their own cars.

In the survey*, a staggering 85% of respondents in the UK said they have changed their driving habits to save money and 73% said they'd consider hiring a car to save wear and tear and maintenance costs on their own car.

Of those that have used or considered using car hire, 68% have already hired for a holiday or long trip in the UK and 73% plan to do so in 2010. In addition, 42% currently leave their own car at home and use car hire for weekend breaks while 49% of respondents confirmed that they plan to use vehicle hire for weekend breaks in 2010. This also creates the possibility for prestige or luxury car hire to make longer journeys even more comfortable.

Catriona Lougher, Marketing Director for Europcar said: "What this survey has told us is that motorists are getting savvier about the ways in which they keep their own cars in good condition and keep the mileage down so that when it comes to its re-sale they can get as good a deal as they can. It's also an indication of the fact that some families have downsized their cars for day to day use but find they need something bigger for trips away. Vehicle hire is playing an important part in this as it gives drivers access to vehicles suited to the job on average just 6 months from new so there's no compromise on the quality of the drive.

"As winter approaches the peace of mind offered by car hire is also invaluable – all cars are covered by 24 hour roadside assistance and are fully maintained. While most Brits won't be parted from their car, for longer journeys motorists are switching on to the benefits of vehicle hire."

Ends

Notes to Editors:
*The Europcar Observatory is an annual survey. The survey was conducted by Ipsos Marketing on behalf of Europcar from August to 14th September 2009. 5000 people who owned at least one car in the household or drivers were surveyed across 7 countries with a representative sample in terms of gender, age and region of each country.

About Europcar:
Europcar is the European leader in passenger car and light utility vehicle rentals. The company serves business and leisure customers throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Since March 2007 with the acquisition of Vanguard EMEA, its network comprises over 5,300 rental outlets in 160 countries. The Europcar fleet has an average CO2 of 158g/km compared to the average UK car parc** which has 164.9 g/km CO2. Europcar is the first company to win the World Travel Award for "the World's Leading Green Transport Solution Company." Today, over 99% of Europcar's fleet is certified "Euro IV" or above – the most stringent applicable European Union standards today in terms of energy consumption and emissions.

** Based on 2007 figures from SMMT

PR contact:
Dominic Dennis
HSL
Churcham House
1 Bridgeman Road
Teddington
Middlesex
TW11 9AJ
020 8977 9132
www.europcar.co.uk

— WebWireID109963 —

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has announced the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan in Italy. The existing hotel – originally opened in 2007 as the Chedi Milan – features 250 rooms and will be rebranded in the first quarter of 2010.

"Milan is a key market for us. The city is one of the world's fashion capitals, and we are delighted to be present in town with our chic, contemporary and design orientated core brand, Radisson Blu," said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan is Rezidor's second property in Italy – the company also manages the 232 room Radisson Blu Es. Hotel, Rome.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan is located north of the city centre, within minutes of Milan's two trade fairs. Its 250 rooms each offer an average size of 37 m2 and are decorated in an "Asia-meets-Italy" style designed by the reknowned Indonesian firm Jaya & Associates. Extras include elegant limestone bathrooms, flat screen TVs and free high speed internet access. Besides a restaurant and lounge bar, the hotel also offers nearly 800 m2 of meeting and conference space. Guests can also enjoy the spa and the indoor swimming pool.

Since its first opening in 2007, the hotel has received rave reviews from a number of publications. Fortune Magazine proclaimed it as one of the Best New Business Hotels in the World. The UK's Daily Telegraph called it a "super-chic urban retreat" and Vogue UK proclaimed it as "the place to stay if you want to mix with the high fashion crowd in the Italian capital of style". Under the first class and full service Radisson Blu brand, the luxury hotels sophisticated image will be developed further and brought to new heights.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 380 luxury hotels in operation and under development with 81,700 rooms in almost 60 countries including luxury hotels in London, luxury hotels in Dublin and luxury hotels in Rome.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the Goldpoints plus loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni. In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson Companies is the main shareholder.

PR contact:
Christiane Reiter
Director Corporate Communication
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avenue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brüssel
Belgien
Tel. +32 2 702 9222
www.radissonblu.co.uk

— WebWireID109962 —

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, expands portfolio with the addition of two new Park Inn hotels: The Park Inn Luxembourg City is scheduled to open in Q4 2010, and the Park Inn Abeokuta in Nigeria will welcome the first guests in Q4 2010.

The Park Inn Luxembourg City enjoys a prime location in the city centre of Luxembourg (which is linked to 30 cities via high speed train and is the gateway for the majority of visitors to Luxembourg). Located in one of the city's most important retail streets, the hotel will have great visibility and easy access to the centre. Besides 99 colourful guest rooms, the new build property will offer a restaurant and bar, a meeting room, fitness room and parking.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is located in the heart of Europe and has a population which is amongst the wealthiest in the world and, thanks to sustained economic growth, has seen a rise in highly-skilled expatriate workers. Luxembourg also hosts several key European Union institutions, including the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, and the European Investment Bank. Luxembourg also marks a new milestone for Rezidor, by being the 60th country where the company is present.

The Park Inn Abeokuta follows recent signings Rezidor has made in the emerging market of Nigeria – the group already develops hotels in the capital city Abuja and in Lagos. The city's existing "Gateway Hotel" will be completely renovated into a modern Park Inn property with 173 guest rooms, a signature RBG Bar & Grill, meeting space including a ballroom and auditorium, a swimming pool, gym and shops.

"These signings further underline and strengthen the ambitious growth of our dynamic mid market brand Park Inn", commented Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. "Launched in early 2003 only Park Inn today comprises more than 130 hotels with more than 24,500 rooms in operation and under development across Europe, Middle East and Africa".

About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 380 hotels in operation and under development with 81,700 rooms in 60 countries including luxury hotels in London, Luxury Hotels in Dublin and Luxury Hotels in Rome.

Rezidor operates the luxury hotels brand – Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, along with Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the goldpoints plus loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni. In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson Companies is the main shareholder.

For further information please contact
Christine Reiter
Director of Corporate Communication
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avanue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brussels
Belgium
+32 2 702 9331
www.radissonblu.com

— WebWireID109960 —

Post Office Travel Services research reveals favourable foreign currency exchange rates for big savings on fashion items and toys in the US (PRWeb Dec 20, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/travel/money/prweb3364634.htm

Burton rider, Gabi Viteri, has joined The House Boardshop’s snowboard team. (PRWeb Dec 20, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/12/prweb3366184.htm

Winter 2009/2010 – Silver Valley Inn in Kellogg, ID announces it's Ski/Ride packages for Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass.

One night queen room with 2 adult lift tickets
Silver Mountain – ONLY $159 + Tax
Lookout Pass – ONLY $119 + Tax
Higher rates apply during Holidays. Call for details.

Formerly the Baymont Inn and Super 8, the new owners are back and ready to make travelers stay comfortable and affordable. It's also the only hotel in the area to serve a HOT continental breakfast.

Contact Information:
http://silvervalleyinn.net
601 Bunker Avenue
Kellogg, ID 83837
Phone 208-783-1234
Fax 208-784-0461
email – silvervalleyinn@suddenlinkmail.com

Reservations: 1-800-785-5443

— WebWireID109920 —

Whether visiting relatives from out of town, or bringing family in for the holiday season, sometimes there just isn’t enough room to go around – make The Quincy (http://www.thequincy.com/?src=prweb_external_dec09) a home away from home and preserve those family bonds. With rates from as little as $99, and a central location just 2 blocks from two different metro lines, this is the perfect solution for all holiday accommodation needs. (PRWeb Dec 19, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/12/prweb3362064.htm

Blue moons are rare, but a 600-lb MoonPie is even more so. The City of Mobile, Alabama will be bringing the two together when the blue moon lunar occurrence happens during the city's “MoonPie Over Mobile” New Year's Eve celebration on December 31 in Cooper Riverside Park. (PRWeb Dec 19, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/MoonPie/Over_Mobile/prweb3362904.htm

Rediscover Colorado at her best. Adventures abound in Colorado – many of which are waiting to be discovered far away from the busy I-70 corridor. With a major interstate transporting skiers through central Colorado to ultra-expensive and excessively popularized ski slopes, the I-70 stretch has become overcrowded, overpriced and overhyped. But a short drive to the south reveals an abundance of outdoor excitement without the crowds and for a fraction of the cost. (PRWeb Dec 18, 2009)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/12/prweb3257304.htm

Warsaw/Berlin – As from January 2010, DB Schenker Rail Polska S.A. will offer rail freight customers a new international product in cooperation with DB Schenker Rail Deutschland AG: a new through train – the Silesia Line – will run twice per week between the city of Seddin in Brandenburg and central business locations in the south of Poland (Silesia). The new train will bundle previous products and reduce transport times in Poland roughly by half. Instead of the previous two weeks, the trains will now run on the basis of fixed timetables and will spend only seven days in Poland, where they will call, amongst other things, at Wroclaw Gadów, Kedzierzyn Kozle, Gliwice and Jaworzno-Szczakowa.

"After a lead time of just six months since the takeover of our Polish company, this train proves that we are successfully cooperating on the development of new rail products. The Silesia Line is an important step towards developing an efficient rail network for our company in Poland," stressed Dr. Alexander Hedderich, Chairman of DB Schenker Rail, in a presentation given to business enterprises and partners in Warsaw on Thursday evening. He explained that DB had made targeted investments in Poland to exploit the potential of this major economic and transport market and offer customers logistics services on an international network from one single source.

Taking stock of the integration process since the acquisition of DB Schenker Rail Polska S.A in July, Hedderich stated that he was pleased with the progress that had been made to date: "The basis for the successful restructuring of the former PCC Logistics Group and the PTK Holding is the recent appointment of the new management, headed by Mieczyslaw Olender, an experienced manager, and the jointly planned management structure. DB Schenker Rail Polska S.A. has coped well in this difficult business year."

Addressing other companies in the transport market such as PKP Cargo, Mieczyslaw Olender, CEO of DB Schenker Rail Polska, assured them that the corporate strategy was aimed at raising rail's share of the transport market as a whole. "Attracting a substantial volume of freight from road to rail is something that the railways can only achieve as a concerted effort, despite their competitive positions."

Other members of the DB Schenker Rail Polska management are Marek Staszek (Finance), Adam Czernik (Production/Asset Management), Zbigniew Pucek (Industrial Railways/Sidings) und Toralf Müller (Sales).

— WebWireID109892 —