The Amazing Thailand Card (ATC) is the first ever loyalty discount card scheme from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Designed to promote Thailand as a value for money destination, the ATC offers a wide variety of discounts and special offers to consumers and can be used both in some countries in Europe and when on holiday in Thailand.

The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition 2010 (GIBTM – www.gibtm.com) taking place at ADNEC from Monday 29 – Wednesday 31 March has already attracted some of the leading names in the industry. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, IHG, Jumeirah, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Silversea Cruises have all already confirmed their attendance at next year’s show.

The fifteenth edition of MITM Americas, Meetings and Incentive Travel Market, was successfully held in the Melia Cohiba Hotel in Havana, Cuba, November 18th and 19th.

For MITM, held since 15 years ago throughout Europe, North Africa and South, Central and North America, the success of this edition in Havana was not a surprise, attracting important users and buyers of incentive travel, conferences, congresses and events from all Europe and the United States, forcing to close the visitors’ registration 3 months before MITM’s dates, proving that Cuba is an attractive destination for congresses, events and incentive travel.

ARIA Resort & Casino (opening 16th of December, 2009) will be a fusion of energy, inspiration and vision, featuring an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities. Even in a city such as Las Vegas, with its extraordinary history of dynamic cutting-edge developments, ARIA will be demonstrably different than anything that has preceded it.

Air Berlin: First approval for GLS approaches worldwide

Air Berlin is the world’s first airline to receive LBA (German Federal Aviation Office) approval for employing GLS (GPS landing system) technology on its flights. This satellite technology is already being used successfully in vehicle navigation devices and mobile telephones, and Air Berlin has been running trials since 2008. In future the airline will also be able to use it for normal flight operations. This makes the second largest German airline an international trailblazer.

Thailand-based Absolute Hotel Services has signed a management contract for a new resort in Bali. The new build 102-suite U Paasha Seminyak Bali is scheduled to open by August 2010.

U Paasha Seminyak Bali, which will feature 94 suites of 56 sqm and 8 penthouse suites of 70110 sqm, is located in a prime location of Seminyak with night and beach life close by. The suites will offer guests free Wi-Fi Internet connections in the rooms and throughout the hotel.