Nor-Shipping 2009 closed on 12 June after 4 days with record numbers of visitors and exhibitor representatives. A total of 15,599 visitors came to the exhibition venue during the exhibition, along with a total of 17,780 exhibitor representatives. This redesigned thematic exhibition layout was a success, and Nor-Shipping 2011 will feature a similar layout.

It is crucial to reserve hotel rooms as soon as participation in Nor Shipping 20011  is confirmed. The total number of hotel rooms in Oslo is much lower than that in most European capitals and this soon becomes problematic for all 15 000 visitors attending the event. Oslo even with its related suburbs and close-by towns is too small to accommodate everyone; during Nor Shipping 2009 all hotels, guesthouses and private apartments were sold out within 100 km from the fairgrounds. In spring 2011 the prices are expected to rise and double. Securing accommodation in advance will allow you to choose a strategic position close to the rail line as a trip from the city centre of Oslo to the exhibition grounds takes only about 15-20 minutes. The most important factor is to have a booking before the beginning of year 2011 in order to guarantee lodging within reasonable travelling distance from Lillestrom.

Ryanair raised full-year profit targets this morning after the budget airline said passengers will pay more for their fares this winter than previously expected. Ryanair’s average fare over the past six months, including baggage check-in fees, was €44 and fares will continue rising over the next year or two.

The average fares would rise by close to 10% over the next six months. Michael O’Leary,Ryanair’s chief executive, also warned that baggage check-in charges – which in the summer months cost £20 a bag and £35 for a second bag – will increase next summer. Add-on fees are a lucrative business for Ryanair and rose by 22% to €423.8m in the first half, more than double the rate of passenger growth – due in part to customers spending more on longer flights.

The content is taken from an article published on guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media 2010

The third ITB Asia has closed on 22 October, 2010 in Singapore with 6,605 attendees, a 7.4% increase on last year.

The event featured hundreds of exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel.

 ITB Asia 2010 included exhibition pavilions for small and medium-sized enterprises providing travel services. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry – airlines, hotels, theme parks, tour operators, cruise lines, meeting facilities and travel technology companies attended.

After the success in Asia, ITB returns to Berlin in March 2011 to once again prove that this is the leading B2B-Platform of all tourism industry offers.