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Travel News from Just the Flight
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• Tourism 'can boost global recovery'
  The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) held a conference in Guilin, China this month that discussed how the tourism industry can help the global recovery from the economic downturn.Talks focused on the Asia Pacific region, which is one of the world's fastest growing tourism markets but has also been hit by the global slowdown this year.International arrivals in Asia and the Pacific are estimated to have risen by around three per cent between January and October this year, compared to an increase of 10.5 per cent during the 12 months of 2007.An initiative has been launched in China to boost travel and consequently stimulate the economy, which the UNWTO claims is an example of how the tourism industry can contribute to economic recovery.UNWTO assistant secretary general Geoffrey Lipman said: "Tourism can deliver more than most sectors for the economy as a whole. Mobility is hardwired into the human gene."Tourism – for business and leisure underpins trade – communication and modern lifestyles. It is one of the biggest export sectors and a vital increasingly important part of the development agenda."In October this year, the UNWTO set up the Tourism Resilience Committee, which will allow members to focus on the economic situation and share strategies on how to address it.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• 'New image' for Paris in 2009
  Holidaymakers have been invited to take a city break in Paris next year to experience the new image that the destination will take on in 2009.The government tourist office of France revealed that the Paris Ile-de-France region has been given a "facelift" through a promotional campaign and a number of new events planned for next year.Paris' artistic culture and heritage is at the centre of the promotions, with the artists Jeff Koons and Patrick Blanc involved in a recent advertising drive.Visitors will be able to attend a number of high-profile exhibitions in Paris next year, including a display at the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais dedicated to Renoir and a showcase of the work of Kandinsky at the Centre Pompidou.The Paris Museum Pass allows holders to experience a wide variety of the city's cultural offerings by visiting more than 60 museums and monuments.Some famous locations around Paris will be given a new look in 2009, such as the Centquatre, which will host several art projects, festivals and exhibitions.Music fans can head to areas such as Chatelet, which is famous for its jazz venues, or Montreuil to enjoy some live concerts.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• Ten reasons for tourists to see Western Australia
  The tourist board representing the state of Western Australia has offered travellers ten reasons to visit the region in 2009.Top of the list is the fact that the state will play a starring role in the new Baz Luhrmann film Australia, due to open in cinemas this month, which has been celebrated by the opening of a new driving route between Darwin and Broome.As 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, stargazers have been urged to pay a visit to Western Australia, as the state boasts "clear night skies" and low light pollution.Eco-conscious travellers will be offered a number of new green accommodation options next year, including the Pinctada Cable beach resort in Broome and the Eco Beach retreat in the Kimberley region.There will be plenty of events for tourists to be part of in Western Australia next year, including what is described as "the biggest Australia Day celebration" in Perth on January 26th.The Swan Valley wine-growing region will play host to the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament from February 19th to 22nd, before the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships come to Scarborough Beach from March 17th to 22nd.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• New York to present largest ever Restaurant Week
  NYC and Company, the tourism marketing organisation for New York, has announced that the city will host its largest ever Restaurant Week in 2009.The winter event will run from January 18th to 23rd and from January 25th to 30th, and for the first time will include Sundays as part of the programme.More than 250 of the top restaurants in New York will offer three-course fixed-price lunch menus for $24 (£16) and dinner menus for $35, excluding drinks, gratuities and taxes.Now in its 18th year, NYC Restaurant Week will involve dining establishments such as Cafe de Artistes, Gramercy Tavern and La Goulue, with newcomers this year including the Palm Tribeca and Lever House Restaurant.George Fertitta, chief executive of NYC and Company, said: "NYC Restaurant Week continues to bring together New York City's best restaurants to offer fine dining at an unbeatable price."With an expansion to include prix-fixe menus on Sundays, we now offer New Yorkers and visitors even greater value at more than 250 restaurants."Reservations for Restaurant Week will open to the public on January 5th and will be available on the NYC and Company website.Cheap Flights and Travel News - © 2008 - Just The Flight
• Aer Lingus to launch flights from Gatwick Airport
  Aer Lingus will open its first base outside Ireland and Northern Ireland next year when it launches operations from Gatwick Airport.The carrier is set to launch flights to the popular summer holiday destinations of Malaga, Nice and Faro, as well as the cities of Vienna, Zurich, Munich and Knock.These new services will complement the airline's existing flights from Gatwick Airport to Dublin.Aer Lingus plans to start its operations at the south-east airport with four aircraft and expand to a fleet of eight planes with the capacity to carry 2.5 million annual passengers within 12 months.Dermot Mannion, the airline's chief executive, said: "The Gatwick operation will complement our existing services out of London Heathrow, and position Aer Lingus for growth as we roll out new routes and bases in future years."Gatwick Airport commercial director Mike Luddy added: "We know Aer Lingus evaluated a range of airports across Europe for their first base outside Ireland and we are delighted that they chose Gatwick as their London base."Aer Lingus, which is currently the subject of a takeover bid by Ryanair, recently revised its profit forecasts for 2009 to predict that it could break even or make a profit, having previously anticipated a loss of €20 million (£19 million).