San Diego to get Japan nonstops
Japan Airlines plans to launch San Diego-Tokyo nonstops with 787 Dreamliner aircraft in December, beginning with four weekly flights and moving to daily service in March 2013. JAL said the move will mark San Diego's first nonstop service to any point in Asia. The carrier makes its U.S. Dreamliner debut on April 22 with the launch of Boston-Tokyo nonstops with Oneworld alliance partner American.
InterContinental inks Russia deal
InterContinental Hotels, which recently opened a new property under its flagship brand in Moscow, reached an agreement to open a 173-room InterContinental Hotel in St. Petersburg in 2016. Shaped like a trapezoid, the hotel will be part of the Europe Embankment project, a development near the Winter Palace that will incorporate the home of the Eifman Ballet.
Amtrak speeds up on Midwest route
Amtrak inaugurated 110 mph service on 80 miles of track in Michigan and Indiana on its Wolverine and Blue Water routes between Chicago and points in Michigan. The upgrade results in the railroad's highest speeds outside the Northeast Corridor.
St. Regis resort opens in Abu Dhabi
Starwood debuted its St. Regis brand in the Middle East with the opening of the 377-room St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. The first of three St. Regis hotels to open in the region this year, the property includes 33 branded villas and 259 branded residences.
Carnival brand sets U.K. course
Carnival Cruise Lines plans what it calls its first "extended" program in the U.K. in 2013 when it positions the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend in Europe from April through October. In addition to Atlantic crossings in April and November, the schedule includes 12-day cruises from Dover to the Norwegian fjords, Baltic ports and other European points plus Mediterranean cruises between Dover and Barcelona. The Carnival Destiny will also deploy to Europe in February 2013, but itineraries have not been published.
Debut set for Royal Princess
Princess Cruises set June 16, 2013, as the date for the maiden voyage of its next ship, the 3,600-passenger Royal Princess. The seven-day cruise from Southampton to Barcelona will kick off a series of 12-day Mediterranean sailings from June 23 through Sept. 27, operating between Barcelona and Venice. Bookings open on March 15.
Wyndham's Tryp opens in New York
Wyndham opened its first Tryp by Wyndham hotel in the U.S., the 173-room Tryp New York City Times Square South. Located on West 35th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues, the hotel features 23 large "family rooms" that can accommodate up to eight guests by including bunk beds for children and a sleeper sofa. The hotel also boasts LobbyFriend, "a temporary online social network" for guests. Tryp is a select-service, midprice brand that originated with Sol Melia. Wyndham acquired rights to expand the brand in 2010 as part of a strategic partnership with Sol Melia.
Friends & Colleagues
Bill Ayer, chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group, will retire on May 15. Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden will succeed Ayer as CEO of the air group and the company's two airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. He also will retain his current title. Tilden has been with the company since 1991. • • • American Express appointed Lisa Durocher as general manager and senior vice president of the American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network. Durocher replaces Claire Bennett, who was recently named executive vice president of loyalty and membership benefits. Durocher has been with American Express since 2002. American Express, No. 2 in Travel Weekly's 2011 Power List, also said that David Patron had been named vice president of marketing for the American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network. • • • Michael Mierzwa, above, is the new director of the Port of Galveston in Texas. He replaces Steven Cernak, who recently was named director of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Mierzwa, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, was hired by the Port of Galveston in 2000 as manager of the Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island. He was named deputy port director in 2005. • • • Cyprus-based Louis Cruises has named Kyriakos Anastassiadis to the newly created position of CEO, reporting directly to Costakis Loizou, executive chairman of Louis Group. Anastassiadis previously held management and executive positions with Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Polaroid.