The attached speech is the content of an announcement made in New York regarding AIBTM 2011. Vanessa Cotton, Chair Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentives Events was highlighting the support from the industry’s leading associations and outlining how AIBTM will reflect the needs of the US market.

Qatar Airways continued its award-winning streak as the Five-Star-ranked carrier was named World’s Leading Airline – Business Class for the second year running.

Almost 1,000 decision makers from the global travel and tourism industry gathered for the 16th World Travel Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.

Qatar Airways once again beat stiff competition to win the title as decided by thousands of travel professionals from over 180,000 travel agencies, transport companies and tourism organisations in over 160 countries worldwide.

Hunold: More than pleased with the profit – Increased revenue per passenger and per seat kilometer

In the third quarter of 2009, Air Berlin PLC increased its net profit to EUR 95.2 million, i.e. an increase of 111 percent over the previous year’s quarter. Despite a challenging economic environment, operating profit improved by 33.5 percent to EUR 118 million. Revenue decreased by 8.2 percent to EUR 974 million, due to targeted capacity adjustments based on lower demand.

The year may be drawing to a close, but by the looks of it, the pace of tourism doesn’t seem to be slowing down! This is definitely reflected in the huge increase in tourist arrivals last month, i.e. 2,078,485 tourists visited Malaysia in October, marking a significant increase of 14.3 per cent in tourist arrivals compared to 1,818,304 arrivals received in October 2008.

Star Cruises has announced that it has changed its name from ‘Star Cruises Limited’ to ‘Genting Hong Kong Limited’ with effect from November 10, 2009. The change of company name is to align with the corporate strategy of the company in diversifying into land based integrated resorts and entertainment business, in addition to its existing principal business of cruise and cruise related operations. It also reflects the company’s primary place of listing and its affiliation with the Genting Group.

Absolute Resorts & Hotels announced the appointment of Ms. Manatsavinee Racharit also known as Khun ‘Orn’ as the Manager of the exclusive Absolute Bangla Suites in Thailand. Khun Orn is presently the sales, marketing and public relations manager at the upmarket White Box Restaurant & bar in Patong’s Kalim district.

Having previously worked for Centara, she progressed from management secretary during the pre-opening of its flagship property the Centara Grand, while later becoming Group Executive office secretary.