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The two have been working on a project that allows people to zoom in on the gallery’s main paintings. This is the first of its kind involving an art museum. The project involves 14 of the Prado’s best paintings, including Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas, Francisco de Goya’s Third of May and Peter Paul Rubens’ The […]

The Interactive Travel Services Association announced that a federal appellate court has affirmed the dismissal of a suit brought by Pitt County, North Carolina, which claimed that online travel companies, including Hotels.com, Expedia, priceline.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity are responsible for paying the county’s hotel occupancy tax.The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s decision

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA),the world’s airlines are expected to lose US$2.5 billion in 2009. Passenger traffic is expected to decline by 3 percent following growth of 2 percent in 2008. This is the first decline in passenger traffic since the 2.7 percent drop in 2001.Source: eTurboNews; find full article here>>.

The Montana House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would limit the liability of the businesses, and shift it onto the shoulders of thrill-seekers involved in the risky activities. The bill states that recreation providers, such as whitewater rafting companies or backcountry ski guides, cannot be held responsible for the “inherent risks” of an

Taiwanese authorities on Sunday banned smoking in all indoor public places including hotels, restaurants and airports. Smoking had previously been banned in public areas including hospitals, schools, theaters, libraries, office buildings and elevators.Source: AFP; find article here>>.

According to rules proposed by the Department of Transportation (DOT), passengers may be able to sue airlines for breach of contract if flights are delayed too long on the tarmac,.If adopted, the rules would require airlines to develop contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays — including time limits for such delays. Those contingency plans and

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) on Jan. 13 introduced the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in the Senate. The bill will give airline passengers legal rights by preventing them from being held indefinitely on planes, ensuring passengers’ needs are met, and helping airlines coordinate with government agencies.The main provisions of the

A passenger who was gassed with deicing fluid while aboard an Alaska Airlines flight on Christmas Eve has sued the Seattle-based carrier, claiming the blast of ice remover has caused persistent headaches. In an initial account, airline officials said passengers suffered from eye and respiratory irritation but did not require medical care.Source: nwsource.com; find article

According to Associated Press, Grenada began enforcing an indecent exposure law banning bathing suits away from the beach. While violators are usually just ordered to cover up, the law allows for a $270 fine or six months in jail.

Tanzania is looking at modalities and ideas from tourist stakeholders on best options that would help to grade tourist accommodation facilities and make them match with those in other countries in the East African bloc. In November 2006, the East African Community (EAC)’s Council of Ministers approved the EAC classification and standardization criteria to be