Huge win for Houston. Delegates of the World Petroleum Council (WPC) voted Thursday to bring the World Petroleum Congress to Houston in 2020. The vote followed the Houston WPC Bid Committee’s final presentation this week in Bahrain. Houston was competing against Vancouver for the global event that’s expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees from nearly 70 nations and direct expenditures of more than $60 million.
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Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services, has reached 500,000 fans on Facebook. This milestone makes Interval the first company in the timeshare segment to achieve the half-million mark on this important social network. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market since 1976. Today, Interval's exchange network comprises more than 3,000 resorts in over 80 nations.
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Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Holdings and of Copa Airlines, has been elected as the new Chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). He succeeds Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, who held the post for the last four years. In his role as CEB Chairman, Heilbron will conduct the two annual board meetings and act as the designated spokesperson for the board.
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced in Geneva yesterday that it expects the global airline industry to make a net profit in 2017 of $29.8 billion. The strongest financial performance is being delivered by airlines in North America. Net post-tax profits will be the highest at $18.1 billion next year, although down slightly from the $20.3 billion expected in 2016.
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Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will sail a collection of voyages in spring 2017 that include calls on Cuba’s capital of Havana. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. becomes first U.S. cruise operator to have full portfolio of brands approved to sail to Cuba. The company’s first cruise to Cuba will set sail from PortMiami on Oceania Cruises’ Marina on March 7, 2017.
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In a world first for destination marketing, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched the 24/7 digital TV network – “Hello Sunny TV” – to highlight its growing appeal to affluent and millennial travelers. The major initiative to deliver exciting new content and exposure for Greater Fort Lauderdale was launched on Saturday, December 3.
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