Pro-X-Travel

InterRail Launches Two New Passes

Special Global 60+ Pass Introduced Across Europe

Preceded by students and young globetrotters, mature travellers have discovered that the InterRail Pass offers a comfortable and economical way to explore Europe by train. Following this development, the Eurail Group launches a special InterRail 60+ Pass at the 2010 Vakantiebeurs, on which '60 plussers' can travel through Europe on a special tariff.

This special tariff, available exclusively for the InterRail Global Pass, was officially launched at the Vakantiebeurs (Dutch Travel Fair) last week in the Netherlands. It will continue to be promoted at similar European travel fairs throughout Europe, spreading the message about the benefits of travelling with an InterRail Pass to young and old alike.

"60 plussers form an exciting new group of InterRailers because they have the time and the means to travel. Plus, they are starting to discover that travelling by train is less expensive than flying and there are lots of interesting destinations across the European continent that can be reached by train," Marketing Director, Ana Dias e Seixas of the Eurail Group, explains. Among youth travellers, the InterRail Pass has been the most popular European rail pass for decades and 70% of all passengers are still under 26. Despite these statistics, InterRail Passes are designed for all ages, allowing the pass holder unlimited train travel to or through 30 European countries at a relatively low cost.

Considering that the majority of visitors who come to the Vakantiebeurs are 45 and above, the Eurail Group chose to start the promotion of the InterRail 60+ Pass in the Netherlands. Furthermore, the InterRail Global Pass, valid for 15 consecutive days, was also launched during this Dutch Travel Fair. In the past, Global Passes were only valid for 22 days, one month or for shorter periods of time. 15-day passes are targeted towards people who wish to travel by train every few days during a fortnight's holiday, or for those who wish to travel to and from their holiday destination by train.

InterRail also acknowledges the growing popularity of Eastern European destinations, such as Romania, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. During the Dutch Travel Fair, around 80% of visitors to the InterRail stand were particularly fond of the idea of travelling through Great Britain with InterRail. For southern European countries like Spain and Portugal, passengers sometimes favour the option of arriving by plane so that they can explore their chosen country in depth, with the help of the InterRail One Country Pass.

SOURCE InterRail

Eurail Pass Expands Into Chinese Market

New Campaign Launched in the Asian Market

The Eurail Group G.I.E. is swiftly expanding by inviting the Chinese market to discover the European continent by train. Every year the number of Asians travelling through Europe with a Eurail Pass continues to grow and the number of Chinese travellers increased by a staggering 25% in 2008. Eurail launches a new marketing campaign starting with two Travel Trade seminars in Beijing and Shanghai on 23rd and 24th November, 2009.

According to Zhu Shanzhong, from the China National Tourism Administration "China remains Asia's largest source of outbound tourism and exceeds the average world level," Eurail supports this trend by further endorsing the Eurail Pass sales in China. For this purpose, representatives and journalists from the Chinese Travel Trade industry will participate in the Eurail marketing seminars in Beijing and Shanghai to further educate and inform the Chinese market about the advantages of travelling through Europe by train.

During 2009, Eurail Group celebrated its 50th Anniversary and in the five decades since 1959 (when only one type of pass was available), Eurail has become the market leader in European rail passes. From humble beginnings when little more than 5,000 passes were sold to overseas travellers in their first year, the idea of a pre-paid pass allowing unlimited mileage across the European continent has become a huge success story. In fact, a staggering 430,000 international Eurail Pass holders trekked across Europe in 2008.

Ever growing concerns about climate issues coupled with recent major European rail investments means that travelling the continent by rail is a cleaner, less expensive and more enjoyable choice. With 160,000 miles of track in today's European railway system covered by Eurail Passes, many major towns and villages are connected and offer excellent international connections.

The jointly promoted student offer with ISIC (the International Student Identity Card Association), makes travelling with a Eurail Pass even more appealing to the youth. Nevertheless, the Eurail Group offers a broad product range to attract all age groups by accommodating most budgets and, the brand name continues to be universally appealing with pass sales transcending across the globe.

Eurail Group will further continue to boost the development and expansion of Eurail Pass sales in the Chinese market during 2010 via the strong distribution network. "China is one of the most important new markets for Eurail and shows huge potential," Ana Dias e Seixas, Eurail Group's Marketing Director, says. "We would like to embrace this opportunity to highlight the many advantages of the Eurail products to more Chinese customers. In the coming year, we will concentrate on offering additional customer benefits to make the product range more attractive."

SOURCE Eurail Group G.I.E.

The China Guide Launches Online Train Ticket Service

New online database offers convenience for travelers throughout China

The China Guide, an American managed Beijing-based travel Company, has launched a new online Train Ticket Booking Service for China. The database driven system is designed to clearly show travelers schedules, pricing and seating options. Popup photographs show various types of seats visually. For convenience, train schedules may be sorted by departure time or length of trip.

Trains offer inexpensive travel between Chinese cities, however without a system like The China Guide's, tickets are hard to book and schedules are very unclear for tourists. Unlike Europe, the USA and other regions with large train systems, China does not have a centralized train ticket booking system.

According to The China Guide's Operating Manager, Peter Danford, "The new system allows users to search a database of train routes to the major destinations in China, listing time schedules and seat availability with pricing. Not only have we created a database of information but we will also provide ticket bookings at competitive discount rates. Our English speaking staff give service on a level foreigner travelers expect."

The new train booking service includes routes for the most popular cities in China. Short distance train bookings are available such as Shanghai to Suzhou, which takes under an hour and is a popular day trip for tourists. Long distance train routes, by day or overnight, are also available at discount rates. Travelers can choose their train preference by time and by seat selection. Photos are accessible on the website so that users can see the train layout and seating options which can include private sleeping cabins, soft and hard sleepers and different seat classes.

Train tickets are not easy to arrange in China as there is no computerized system. Tickets only go on sale 5 to 20 days in advance depending on the route and time of year. Sometimes the tickets sell out in minutes. Communication can be a big problem for travelers trying to purchase at ticket windows, especially as tickets are in Chinese and sellers usually do not speak English.

"After listening to client and tourist comments, we knew a better system with up to date information was needed," adds Danford. "The China Guide alleviates communication problems with its new ticket booking service. Discount tickets will be reserved by the office team at the appropriate time with China-wide delivery available. Travelers can avoid the ticket hassle and let us handle the bookings. Train travel can also be part of a larger China itinerary."

Train travel is popular, safe and economical in China and is less expensive than air carriers, even saving accommodation costs for those traveling on overnight sleeper trains. It is a great way to experience the culture and interact with locals. The China Guide can make train ticket purchases for individuals or include the bookings in multi-city travel itineraries.

For train schedules, visit http://TheChinaGuide.com/tcg2/tours/trains/index.php

For China tour itineraries visit http://www.TheChinaGuide.com

SOURCE The China Guide