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Travel Tips

The survey, based on industry figures and booking and rate data mined from major clients during the first nine months of this year, showed that room rates increased proportionally to the star rating of the hotel. Five-star property rates were up 15.2 percent over 2005, compared with a 4.8 percent increase for budget properties.

Regionally, Asia/Pacific showed the highest increase in room rates, up by almost 20 percent, because of rapid growth in India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo, according to the survey. Eastern Europe also showed a strong growth rate of 18 percent.

The survey noted the 10 most expensive cities as far as hotel rates. Moscow had the top position with an average rate of —219.19 per night, as business travel to the city is increasing while the city has a shortage of quality hotels for corporate travellers. New York City was second, with an average rate of —178.94 per night, followed by Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, Stockholm, Geneva and Rome.

It was Mumbai, however, that showed the highest growth, a 46 percent increase in room rates, according to the survey. Moscow and Singapore followed with growth rates of 29 percent. Two U.S. cities were in the growth-rate top 10: New York at 17 percent and Houston at 15 percent.

HRG also noted the increased push from hoteliers for dynamic pricing, saying that demand-based pricing that can change on an hourly or daily basis is now largely the industry standard. Travel managers, however, remain reticent to accept such a model.

The move follows the arrest in the United Kingdom of terrorism suspects plotting to blow up airliners using liquid explosives smuggled aboard in hand luggage.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile said the Government would introduce the new hand luggage restrictions in late March.

"As a result of vulnerabilities exposed in the UK in August with regard to liquids being carried in hand luggage onto international flights, the Government this week has taken a decision that as of March 31 next year, all international travellers, both outbound and inbound, ... will need to be restricted in the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels to 100 millilitre containers," he said on ABC radio.

"Those containers will need to be carried in a one litre clear plastic bag in hand luggage and separately screened in the way, for example, that laptop computer batteries are separately screened."

He said there would be exceptions for passengers with medical conditions who needed particular medications and also for quantities of baby milk or baby food required for the flight.

Prime Minister John Howard said the Government would look at extending the restrictions to domestic flights.

source = Australian

The credit-card sized APEC Business Travel Card provides you with pre-cleared short-term entry to the 14 APEC Member Economies participating in the scheme. Being a card holder means there will be no need for you to individually apply for visas or entry permits each time you travel, saving you valuable time. Other benefits of the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme include the capacity for multiple entries into participating economies during the three years the card is valid and faster immigration processing on arrival via access to fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major airports.

The current charge is $155 for more details visit: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/index.htm 

Technology Update

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