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Plans to close rail ticket offices have been cancelled – Business Traveller

31Oct

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Plans to close rail ticket offices have been cancelled – Business Traveller

Plans for the proposed closure of around 860 rail ticket offices in England have been abandoned after a U-turn in government policy. Rail Delivery Group (RDG) first announced the mass closure of staffed ticket offices this summer, citing that only around 12 per cent of tickets were still purchased this way. However the cost-cutting proposal sparked major backlash, particularly from unions and disability groups, with the Transport Committee saying measures went “too far, too fast“. Around 750,000 responses were received by public watchdogs during the consultation process, with 99 per cent of people opposing the proposals. Today, Transport Secretary Mark Harper revealed the government has told train operators to withdraw their proposals, as they “failed to reach the high threshold of servi...

IHG opens voco property close to New York’s LaGuardia airport – Business Traveller

IHG Hotels and Resorts has opened its fourth voco property in the New York area, with the unveiling of voco Fiorello – LaGuardia East. The 114-room hotel is located in Flushing, close to Chinatown, Citi Field and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and around ten minutes’ drive from LaGuardia airport. The property is named after Fiorello La Guardia, who served as the 99th Mayor of New York between 1934 and 1946. Features include an aviation-inspired design scheme, rooftop restaurant concept Little Flower’s Lookout for classic American-style breakfast and views of the Hudson River and Manhattan Skyline, and the soon-to-open Achille’s Lounge in the lobby area. IHG launched the voco brand in 2018, with the first property opening on Australia’s Gold Coast. There are currently around...

Marriott adds Delta property close to New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

Marriott has opened the latest US property under its Delta brand. Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square is located at 340 West 40th Street, around half a mile from the city’s famous intersection. An existing property has been refurbished to offer 310 rooms with platform beds, a lounge area and free wifi, as well as facilities including a lobby bar, George’s Nephew restaurant and a fitness centre. There is also a 24-hour Delta Pantry, where Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can choose from complimentary continental breakfast items, premium beverages and snacks. Marriott acquired Canada’s Delta Hotels brand in 2015, and has grown the portfolio to 120 properties across North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean. Pri...