“AIGO is proud to include in its portfolio such an important client. This means a return to Australia, a wonderful country with which we successfully worked in the past. We are extremely happy to start this new collaboration with Tourism Northern Territory for the promotion of the destination in the Italian and Spanish markets”, said Massimo Tocchetti, Chairman of AIGO.
“ We have been conquered not only by the destination but also by the promotion strategy of Tourism Northern Territory through the claim Share our Stories. The project for the year 2012 will be developed both on the trade, a crucial element for the distribution of Northern Territory, and consumer side with digital activities which are  becoming the direct way to reach the consumer” said Alessandra Bitetti, Director of Operations of AIGO. “We have built an ad hoc team leaded by Annalisa Costantino as Account Director who has developed a strong experience with Australia.

 Spoke Public Relations

“We are pleased to welcome Spoke Public Relations in the Pangaea Network” said Massimo Tocchetti, Chairman of AIGO and the Pangaea Network. “Brazil is one of the most dynamic and growing markets in the tourism industry both for the outgoing and for the incoming segment”.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company Board of Directors Chair and Metropolitan Museum of Art President Emily Rafferty today announced that New York City will reach 50.2 million visitors by the end of 2011, achieving the goal of attracting 50 million visitors by 2012 one full year ahead of schedule. Throughout 2011, the City maintained its position as the number one city destination and overseas destination in the United States. In recognition of this achievement, Mayor Bloomberg today presented the Johnson family from Lichfield, England with a “golden ticket” to New York City and named them the honorary 50 millionth visitors to New York City. The announcement was made in iconic Times Square – the crossroads of the world – as video screens flashed “50 million” and more than 100 members of the tourism industry joined to celebrate the historic moment. Mayor Bloomberg was also joined by New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council President Peter Ward and members of the City’s tourism industry.

“Five and half years ago, we set an ambitious goal to reach 50 million visitors by 2015, and in 2008, we accelerated that goal to be the end of 2012,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today, we know that we will exceed this significant milestone by year’s end.  New York City’s quality of life has contributed to this great success and we are confident we will sustain the success of our tourism industry in the months and years ahead.”

NYC & Company forecasts the City will attract a record-breaking 10.1 million international visitors in 2011, a 4 percent increase over 2010. The United Kingdom, which is home to the Johnson family, is the top market of origin for overseas visitors with more than 1 million visitors expected by the end of 2011 – a two percent increase. The City also expects to attract a record-breaking 40.1 million domestic visitors – 2.9 percent more than last year. New York City is also on track to generate $32 billion in visitor spending, $48 billion in economic impact and contribute to approximately 320,000 jobs across the five boroughs.  The City remains the number one U.S. city destination for tourism spending.

New York City continues to hold its position as the number one port of entry for the U.S. and the number one U.S. destination for overseas travel with approximately one out of every three visitors to the U.S. visiting the five boroughs. Since 2006, New York City has continued to increase its market share for all inbound international travel to the U.S. growing from a 28 percent market share to a nearly 33 percent market share for 2010. Each additional share point captured by New York City accounts for approximately $600 million dollars in spending to the five boroughs.

“Under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership, tourism has become one of New York’s most important economic engines,” Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel said. “Tourism brings visitors, investment – and most importantly, jobs – to neighborhoods in all five boroughs.”

“We’re thrilled to reach Mayor Bloomberg’s tourism goal one year ahead of schedule.  Our diverse cultural organizations throughout all five boroughs contribute so much to the continued success of our tourism industry.  We look forward to building on this milestone in the years ahead and inviting even more visitors from around the globe to experience the energy and excitement of New York City,” said Emily Rafferty, Chairman of NYC & Company and President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“Achieving Mayor Bloomberg’s goal of attracting 50 million visitors one year early is a huge milestone and a very proud moment for NYC & Company as an organization,” said NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta. “Without the Mayor’s vision and support, and with the partnership of our more than 2,000 members across the City’s tourism industry, this moment would not be possible. We have promoted New York City as a destination for all ages and interests that offers a new and different experience with every visit. As we continue to promote this message, we expect 2012 to also be a record-breaking year, and we look forward to building on our success to develop new initiatives that leverage the diversity, magnetism and vibrancy of the City to grow tourism across all five boroughs.”

“On behalf of the many thousand men and women working in New York City’s hotel industry, I would like to congratulate Mayor Bloomberg, George Fertitta and the NYC & Company team on this great accomplishment,” said New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council President Peter Ward. “With 25.8 million room nights sold in 2010, New York City has once again proven to be a place people from around the world aspire to visit. Of course, we will remain dedicated to providing world-class service and an unmatched visitor experience – as we set our sights on filling every single one of the 90,000 rooms across the five boroughs on a daily basis.”

“We are thrilled to be in New York City with our closest friends and family celebrating our marriage,” said newlyweds Craig and Lucy Johnson. “We traveled to New York City for the first time 10 years ago and it has always been our dream to return.  We can’t wait to experience a Broadway show, see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, do some holiday shopping and much more. We thank Mayor Bloomberg and NYC & Company for selecting us to represent the 50 million visitors who came to New York City this year and for making this an unforgettable trip for our family.”

During the Times Square event, and surrounded by members of the tourism industry including the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, the Radio City Rockettes and dozens of members of the City’s tourism industry, the Johnson family was presented with the “Golden Ticket to New York City,” and a once-in-a lifetime experience made possible by NYC & Company, its partners and members. American Express, a longtime supporter of New York City and NYC & Company, as well as a Founding Sponsor of NYC Restaurant Week, has provided the family with a $10,000 American Express Gift Card. American Express is also partnering with NYC & Company to give away 50 $25 American Express Gift Cards via Twitter through New Year’s Eve. To learn more, find NYC & Company on Facebook  and follow @nycgo on Twitter. To encourage the family to return again in 2012, NYC & Company hospitality partner, Travelocity, and the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, have offered the Johnsons a travel package to New York City in 2012 valued at $10,000.

During their trip to New York City, the family will be given $1,000 gift cards from NYC & Company members and retailers Bloomingdale’s, Century 21, FAO Schwarz, J&R Music and Computer World, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue; $400 dining gift cards to BR Guest Restaurants, Tribeca Grill and Union Square Hospitality Group and; tickets to the Tony-award winning Broadway show Memphis and tickets to Radio City Music Hall (MSG) for the 2011 Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Craig Johnson, a self-employed carpenter and Lucy Foulger Johnson, a homemaker, live in Lichfield England, near Birmingham, and have traveled to New York City to hold their wedding ceremony at Top of the Rock on Tuesday, which will be planned by NYC & Company member Ultimate USA Weddings. The Johnsons first visited New York City 10 years ago and, for this visit, are joined by members of their family including their children Grace, three years old, and Thomas, one year old, to celebrate their wedding.  The Johnsons are visiting New York City through December 22.

To mark the occasion, signs across Times Square carried the message of the 50 million visitor milestone.  Participating screens included: 1515 Broadway (SL Green Realty Corporation & Orange Barrel Media), American Eagle Times Square Spectacular, the Clear Channel Spectacolor screen at 1560 Broadway, Hard Rock Cafe New York, NASDAQ and Reuters screens (Times Square2, A Reuters/NASDAQ Alliance), the Walgreens Times Square Spectacular and the Toshiba Vision Sign.

By year’s end, New York City will be home to more than 90,000 hotel rooms throughout all five boroughs, a 24 percent increase since 2006.  The City is also on track to sell a record 27 million hotel room nights, 4.5 percent more than 2010, when NYC sold 25.8 million room nights. NYC & Company plans to build on its overseas tourism growth in 2012, a market that makes up 20 percent of total visitors, but 50 percent of total visitor spending. The organization has plans to launch new tourism development initiatives in North America, including Mexico and Canada.

NYC & Company has also expanded its efforts to promote New York City as a destination for meetings, incentive travel, tradeshows and major events.  The organization has sales offices covering Washington DC, the West Coast and Midwest regions, as well as in the UK. New York City hosts nearly four million convention delegates annually and convention travel to the City accounts for approximately one third of all business travel generating almost $3 billion in directing spending and $5 billion in economic impact.  Overall, attendance at the annual tradeshows is up this year, with many experiencing record-breaking attendance despite the national trend.

In June of 2006 Mayor Bloomberg created the new NYC & Company, merging the existing NYC & Company with NYC Big Events and NYC Marketing to create the world’s leading municipal marketing organization. Since that time, NYC & Company has created programs and partnerships with community groups and public and private partners including American Express, American Airlines, Travelocity and Google to maximize tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, build economic prosperity and promote New York City as one of the world’s premier destinations.  In 2007, NYC & Company created the City’s first-ever global brand campaign, “This is New York City.”   Also in 2007, NYC & Company launched the “Just Ask the Locals” campaign, the City’s first welcome and thank-you campaign targeting visitors.  Other key campaigns include Get More NYC, Nine in ’09, Go Local, NYC I DO, Broadway Week, Off-Broadway Week and the Signature Collection.  The organization has also continued to grow major initiatives such as NYC Restaurant Week, Fashion’s Night Out and NYC Mayor’s Cup.

AIGO launches “BVI Gold Summer”, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board winter adv campaign available online and on mobile devices of the Espresso Group until the end of December 2011. The creativity has been realised by AIGO. The aim of the BVI Gold Summer is to promote an unforgettable holiday experience at the BVI and boost sales during the winter season through the publication of the Italian tour operators travel offers on www.bvitourism.it/.

The media plan aims at achieving online visibility on the Espresso Group websites. In a few weeks it has already generated 3.620.211 impressions and 2.243.363 unique users.

AIGO, in partnership with The Sultanate of Oman Tourism Authority, closes 2011 with the realization of Oman Academy: the online training course for travel agents  www.omanacademy.it.

Oman Academy  is a fundamental and interactive tool: 10 lessons with useful links, pictures and videos for travel agents aiming at deepening their knowledge about this unique destination of the Arabic peninsula and all its peculiarities. The contents of the academy goes from desert to city from culture to sport activities. The program is completely free and it enables to get the qualification of Specialized Agent becoming an essential support both as an online manual and as a sales tool.

The community extends special several advantages to all its members, including  special offline initiatives dedicated to Italian professionals and the educational 2012: the most performing travel agents who will stand out their abilities on the online platform and on sales results, could discover the Sultanate of Oman.

A Boeing 747-400F – with a capacity of 117 tonnes – will operate every Friday between Dubai and Ghana, in support of the thriving import and export industry generated by one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

“Ghana is booming at the moment – exporting items such as oil and gas equipment, pineapples, mangoes, a variety of vegetables, fresh fish and lobsters – so strengthening our commitment to West Africa with the introduction of this weekly freighter makes great business sense,” said Hiran Perera, Emirates’ SVP Cargo Planning & Freighters.

Emirates has been operating a passenger service to Accra, with a weekly cargo capacity of 120 tonnes each way in the bellyhold of an Airbus A330-200, since 2004. The new service – to Kotoka International Airport – will operate via Lome, Togo, on the outbound journey and return to Dubai through Frankfurt, Germany.

“Ghana is rich in natural resources and recognised as one of Africa’s leading economies. This economic strength means it will play a pivotal role in the future development of Africa, making it an important trade route with tremendous scope for growth,” added Perera.

“Africa is a key market for Emirates SkyCargo. We already operate to 20 locations and with Harare and Lusaka set to join our network in February 2012, we look forward to contributing to its continued economic development by facilitating more international trade between the continent and our ever-expanding network of more than 110 destinations.”

Goods from Ghana will be distributed from Dubai to locations across the Middle East, Europe, the Far East and the United States. Goods going into Ghana include electrical equipment, clothing and mobile phones from the Far East and pharmaceuticals from Europe.

The freight from Frankfurt to Dubai will include car parts, machinery and a diverse range of general merchandise.

Check-in counters are open at least three hours before the flight departure and will now close 60 minutes prior to departure from 1st December 2011. However, passengers are requested to report to the check-in counters no later than 90 minutes prior to departure, in keeping with the airline’s commitment towards greater efficiency and an enhanced travel experience. Customers who check-in with less than 60 minutes to their scheduled flight will not be accepted to board the aircraft, ensuring that passengers who have already checked-in and boarded will not be inconvenienced by delays and possible missed connections.

“Emirates has taken these measures not only to ensure greater efficiency and on-time departures, but also in consideration of our customers who arrive on time for their flights. These steps will provide customers with a more seamless and comfortable travel experience and will give us the necessary minutes to ensure that the aircraft departs as scheduled,” said Mohammed H. Mattar – Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services.

Passengers who have opted for the online check-in facility with check-in baggage, are also required to check-in their luggage no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. Passengers holding an eboarding pass and travelling with carry-on bags only, can proceed directly for security clearance. All passengers are requested to be at the boarding gate no later than 35 minutes before departure and boarding gates will close 15 minutes before departure time.

Transit passengers from flights arriving late into Dubai will be escorted by airport staff through formalities to ensure they make their onward connections.

Passengers will also be given verbal reminders about the gate closure policy when they check in.  Written reminders have also been placed on boarding cards, quick transfer wallets, onboard airshow slides and other touch points.

The President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, was among more than 800 guests from local industries, the travel trade and the government, who gathered for a gala dinner event at Centro Costa Salguero to discover more about one of the world’s most successful airlines.

Guests also had the opportunity to experience elements of Emirates’ flagship A380 aircraft, with a replica First Class Private Suite on display.

“Emirates’ first destination in Argentina is a significant next step as the airline looks to broaden its reach across the Americas. In joining Emirates’ network of more than 100 cities worldwide, Buenos Aires will enjoy a new bridge to the world; one that spans from key trading partners in the Far East to important markets in the Gulf,” said Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President –Passenger Sales Worldwide.

“As well as attracting new trade and investment into Argentina, Emirates will play an important part in supporting the country’s US$4.9 billion tourism industry, introducing new audiences to Buenos Aires and drawing in visitors from far-flung points across the globe,” continued Mr Antinori.

Earlier in the day, Emirates officially opened its brand new Buenos Aires office, located in the heart of the city centre at SuiPacha 1111, Piso 25, Capital Federal (1008).

Following the office opening, the Argentine media met with Emirates representatives including Richard Vaughan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations Worldwide, Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas and Fernando Joselevich, Area Manager Argentina.  Also representing Emirates in Buenos Aires were Pradeep Kumar, Senior Vice President Cargo Revenue Optimisation, Luc Delcomminette, Vice President of Arabian Adventures, Robert Siegel, Manager Cargo Commercial – Europe & Americas, and Kashmira Motiwalla, Manager Product Development, Skywards.

“Emirates’ new service to Buenos Aires will accelerate the trade ties which have grown between the United Arab Emirates and Argentina in recent years,” said Walid Al Kaddour, Director of the Arab Argentine Chamber of Commerce. “Despite the challenges of the global economic downturn, the value of goods Argentina exports to the UAE has risen by over 40 per cent since 2006, totalling over US$270 million in 2010. With a direct air link between the two countries, we fully expect this growth pattern to continue,” he added.

Emirates will offer customers in Argentina the most efficient and comfortable route to the Middle and Far East, including the airline’s four gateways in China, now a key trading partner for Argentina accounting for over nine per cent of all exports.

The flight will also help to promote growing interest among Asian capital investors in Argentine industries such as mining, oil and gas production and textiles.

Emirates’ Buenos Aires flight will be a linked service with Rio de Janeiro, meaning that customers in South America can now travel between the two cities in unprecedented style and comfort.

“Argentina attracts more Brazilian visitors each year than any other country in the world,” said Richard Vaughan. “Now customers from Rio and beyond have another reason to visit Buenos Aires – a superior level of comfort in the air that will enable them to start enjoying their business or leisure trip from the moment they get on board.”

The Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering 8 First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat beds in Business and 304 seats in Economy.

Starting 3rd January 2012, EK 247 will leave Dubai daily at 0705hrs and arrive at Rio’s Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1537hrs. It will depart Rio at 1723hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0120hrs the next day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0310hours, arriving in Dubai at 2253hrs.

One of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, Emirates has a fleet of 162 aircraft and has become the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator.

With an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft placed at the Dubai Airshow earlier this month, Emirates now has 243 aircraft on order, worth over US$84 billion at list prices.

Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires will be the airline’s 116th and 117th global destinations respectively.  They will also become the second and third points to be added to Emirates’ South American network.