British Airways – Travel Industry News

Tourists eager to catch of glimpse of the Great Barrier Reef can now get a fish-eye view of the marine life, thanks to the new mini-submarines on Fitzroy Island, off the north coast of Brisbane.

The underwater experience is provided by Great Barrier Reef Submarines at Fitzroy Island, a 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns in the Australian state of Queensland.

» Read entire article

Visitors to Rome can rest assured they will still be able to see Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, as the Vatican is determined to avoid limiting the number of visitors to the Sistine Chapel.

Despite build-up of harmful dust and other pollutants, Vatican officials do not plan to put a limit to the growing number of visitors to the popular Sistine Chapel. “We will try to keep it open…in the conviction that it is possible to do so without risk to the paintings,” Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, wrote in the Holy See’s daily newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

» Read entire article

Elvis has left the building and is headed to Brazil in 2012, as a major new exhibition of Elvis Presley memorabilia from Graceland begins a South American tour in Sao Paulo.

Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc has announced it is partnering with 2Share Entertainment to present a touring Elvis Presley exhibition in South America starting in September 2012.

» Read entire article

With only one year left on the Mayan calendar, Mexico is counting down the hypothetical end of the world with a year-long party and tourism boom.

While certain interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar predict that 21 December 2012 will usher in the apocalypse, most Mexican archaeological authorities believe it is more likely to mark the end of a cycle.

» Read entire article

Holidaymakers will soon be able to experience the thrill of movies in real-life at a new theme park in Dubai.

Real estate company Meraas has announced plans to build a two million square foot movie theme park that will feature latest-in-technology games and new-generation rides, as well as food and beverage outlets.

» Read entire article

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proclaimed victory in his efforts to attract more visitors to New York, honouring the city’s 50 millionth visitors in a Times Square celebration on Tuesday.

Surrounded by balloons, placards and electronic billboards flashing “50MM,” British newlyweds Craig Johnson and Lucy Foulger were officially welcomed as the honorary 50 millionth visitors to the city this year, less than an hour after getting married in Rockefeller Center.

» Read entire article

Visitors to the Spanish city of Malaga can now take a journey to a real Smurf village.

The small town of Juzcar, near Malaga in Andalucía, was chosen as the set for The Smurfs 3D movie and underwent a makeover of the blue kind.

» Read entire article

Each year, the search for a hidden cross in cold bayou waters draws tourists to Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The Tarpon Springs “Cross Dive” is the centrepiece of what locals believe to be the largest Epiphany event in the Western Hemisphere.

» Read entire article