Profits up 8-fold for Stena
Stena Line has posted its highest profits in nine years. The company reports profit of £8.5 million in 2004, up from £1 million the previous year. Stena claims that success on its five Irish Sea routes has buoyed profits, together with cost reduction and improvements in quality and service. The previously under-performing Irish routes were boosted by a new Fleetwood- Larne freight route and the introduction of the Stena Adventurer RoPax ferry on the Holyhead-Dublin route in 2003. Chief executive, Gunnar Blomdahl, said: “We have invested around £340 million in our vessels and route network in recent years. Our business investments are continuing and we are also investing in developing our customer service.” The next target for investment is Stena’s Scandinavian and North Sea routes. The company plans to spend £18 million refitting the Stena Baltica, which operates in Scandinavia, and will introduce two newly built RoPax ships on the Hoek van Holland-Killingholme route next year. Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026