LUGGAGE WOES WORSE THAN EVER FOR PASSENGERS
Airline passengers suffered more luggage problems than ever last year as 42 million bags went missing, 25% more than in 2006, according to a report. Of these, 3%, or one bag for every 2,000 travellers, were never found, said the report from SITA, which provides computerised services including baggage handling to the air travel industry. SITA said the cost to carriers of mishandled baggage in 2007 was €56.50 per piece, €2.3bn in total. The main cause (49%) was mishandling during passenger transfer at airports (down from 61% in 2005). Failure to load bags onto aircraft accounted for 16%, and ticketing errors and security issues 14%; problems at destination airports, space restrictions and tagging errors made up the remainder. Only 2% of checked luggage was affected and most was reunited with its owners within 48 hours.

‘GREEN’ TAX GOES DUTCH
Flights from the Netherlands will be pricier from 1 July when an “environmental” tax comes into effect. Short-haul passengers departing Amsterdam Schiphol or Rotterdam airports must pay €11; long-haul fliers must find €45.The tax will apply to those flying to and from Holland; however, those changing planes in Amsterdam will be exempt. The Association of European Airlines dismissed the Dutch government’s claims that there is a green motive behind the tax, calling it a money-raising measure” The government stands to make €350m a year from the tax.

RIGA GETS STARSTRUCK
Hotel Bergs in Riga has won five-star status – and become Latvia’s sixth five-star hotel – at the same time as the recently refurbished establishment is being marketed under the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) branding umbrella. Hotel Bergs was opened in 2002 and 2003 and it unites two historical buildings in Berga Bazars arcade. There are a total of 38 rooms in the hotel, each is individually designed. The SLH chain unites around 440 hotels from 70 countries, including the The Goring in London, Brandenburger Hof in Berlin, Ca’Sagredo in Venice and Hotel Art in Rome. Member hotels pay €20,000 to be included and the annual membership price, around €400 per room per year. In Estonia, the SLH chain is represented by the hotels Telegraaf in Tallinn and Pädaste Manor on Muhu Island. In Latvia, SLH chain is also represented by Promenade Hotel in Liepaja. Hotel Bergs says that its average occupancy last year was 72%. After joining the SLH chain, the aim is to increase this by 10%.

FROM HOST TO HOTELIER
Nikki Beach, famous for its South of France and Miami bars, has expanded into the luxury hotel and resort business with the launch of a full-service resort and marina complex in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Turks & Caicos, a €63m gated complex on the exclusive north-east tip of Providenciales, is the first of 15 new hotels and resorts planned for 12 countries including Mexico, Qatar, Spain, Dubai, Thailand and Bali. Phase one of the Turks & Caicos project includes a 48-room resort along with the signature Nikki Beach Club, VIP Ultra Lounge as well as the largest yacht marina in Turks & Caicos. Phase two, which will open in 2010, will add an additional 110-room resort, casino and spa. The resort features studios, one- and two bedroom suites.

RYANAIR IN U-TURN
No-frills carrier Ryanair has started charging online check-in passengers for “priority boarding”. Until now, passengers checking in online had enjoyed free priority boarding, but now they are be charged €5 for the service, the same as those checking in at the airport. The carrier says this is to ensure there is sufficient priority-boarding tickets for those wishing to buy them at the airport. This contradicts a statement made by the airline earlier this year in which it said that it remained “determined to encourage more and more passengers to travel with carryon luggage only, which allows them to use our free web check-in, skip airport queues and enjoy our priority-boarding service free of charge”. Rival Easyjet recently launched its Plus card, offering members “speedy boarding” on all flights, for a one-off fee of €125. Easyjet says almost all its flights fall under its target of 30 passengers using the priority-boarding service, although, if necessary, it might look to cap the service later this year in favour of card members.