Destination News.

For more destination news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Jun 12, 2006

Monaco is often thought of as the most go-ahead of places. But it is not. Whilst in most of Europe you can shop on a Sunday that is not the case in the Principality. However, in a break from tradition, from 16 July to 13 August 2006, shops and boutiques in Monaco will open their doors for Sunday trading, enabling visitors to get the most from their stay. Mind you, the names of some of the outlets mean that you need a deep pocket: Hermes, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Bulgari and Cartier. Everything one can wish for is available. In addition to the famous trade names, there are unique retail stores and quirky shops scattered along the narrow streets of the old town. http://www.visitmonaco.com/ Jun 11, 2006

Coventry Airport, Europcar

Coventry Airport is to gain an airside car rental facility, thought to be the first in the country. For logistic reasons these are normally sited in the public access arrivals hall. The positioning Europcar desk will allow customers to fill out their paperwork and deal with any problems whilst waiting for their luggage. Europcar offers a range of cars at Coventry including various Mercedes, 7 seater people carriers, the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra. http://www.europcar.co.uk/ Jun 11, 2006

London

Passengers on the popular London Luton to Gatwick line, operated by newly installed incumbents, First Capital Connect, will not be able to use cheap day return tickets from 1630 until 1900. In fact the very short notice ban affects all travel between Bedford and Brighton, and also the Kings Cross to Cambridge services. This successor to Thameslink (surely a more sensible name) and WAGN had pledged better trains and says it will listen to customers. In another move it has cut down certain services, even at busy times, to just four carriages. Regulars are already pointing out that if the Gatwick Express were to go they would be hit by a double whammy. The ban does not involve users of the inner London services (protected by the GLA) and for those out past Ely. Travelers also say that the scheme is unworkable and has been introduced in an underhand and short notice manner. The statutory requirement is for three months notice of fare revisions. A new document entitled "Ticket Changes" from First Capital Connect, in which the adjustments are noted in small print, has been withdrawn. There are also calls for the franchise to be withdrawn. http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk Jun 11, 2006

Marriott

Marriott says it will shortly complete the introduction of wireless and wired high-speed Internet access in all of its UK properties. However, unlike many of its competitors who offer the service gratis, Marriott is proposing to charge $30 / [pounds sterling]15 (inc VAT) per 24-hour period. All guest rooms and most meeting rooms at the company's Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard hotels will have high speed access by the end of June 2006. All hotel lobbies already offer wi-fi connection. In the US Marriott's fine Courtyard product offers the facility for free. http://www.marriott.com/ Jun 11, 2006

Shangri-La

Kuala Lumpur's new 571-room Shangri-La owned four-star Traders Hotel is now taking bookings prior to its official opening in July this year. Uniquely the hotel has its own hot air balloon, which will be used for guests to get a bird's eye view of the city. The property is located as an integral part of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. It has 33 floors and an outdoor rooftop swimming pool. Other facilities include two restaurants and a lounge, a fully equipped spa, meeting and business center facilities and 24-hour room service. There are five floors of Traders Club rooms and a Traders Club Lounge offering a range of exclusive privileges including express check-in and check-out service, complimentary breakfast and purser service. http://www.tradershotels.com/ Jun 11, 2006