Private aviation operator Regent Jet says it has created a new concept in the fractional ownership industry and a new way for individuals and companies to manage their private aviation requirements. Its Private Jet Hedging services aims to give jet membership programme subscribers a way to reduce their cost-per-hour by hedging against their fixed-rate programmes.

The company says Private Jet Hedging offers clients access to pristine, late-model aircraft through a network of vetted aircraft operators, often at substantial savings over fixed-rate programmes.

“Jet membership programmes offer a generally high level of service with fixed pricing designed to produce outsized profits on some flights to offset other ‘loss-leader’ flights,” says Justin Sullivan, managing director of Regent Jet. “Regent Jet advises clients whether their programme offers the best value on a trip-by- trip basis. More often than not, we deliver a superior value.”

“Working with us is very simple – there are no fees or up-front deposits. We simply build a travel profile so that we understand each client’s preferences and requirements, and then provide clients with a 24- number to access our team. Clients either call or e-mail their travel requirements, and we analyze each trip, presenting a portfolio of options. Clients than choose the aircraft that is right for them, arrange for payment, and fly. There are no long-term commitments, no contracts and no strings attached,” said Sullivan.

Marriott International Inc., the largest U.S. hotel chain, plans to double the number of rooms in Europe to 80,000 by 2015.

"Europe is the largest lodging market in the world and holds enormous potential for Marriott," Amy McPherson, managing director of the company's European unit, told Bloomberg News in an e-mailed statement today. "We are confident we are well-positioned to achieve this ambitious expansion goal."

Marriott, based in Bethesda, Md., currently operates 174 hotels in 24 European countries, which generate annual revenue of almost $3 billion. It will open hotels in Moscow, Budapest and Ankara, Turkey, this year.

The company, which operates hotels and timeshare resorts across 66 countries and territories, has proportionally fewer overseas hotel rooms than rivals such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Three-quarters of its 35,000 full-service hotel rooms under development are outside the U.S.

THERE will be a trial over allegations that five people connected to a holiday marketing firm in Exeter were involved in unfair trading practices.

Mark Herbert, Michael Girvin, John Girvin, Carol Small and Karen Henthorne pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges, at Exeter Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Philip Wassall said he was directing not guilty pleas for St Frances Marketing Ltd, as it had not sent a representative to the hearing. The firm will also face trial over the same 15 charges, whether or not a representative attends.

Allegations include selling holidays which were similar to timeshare schemes without telling customers; not giving them enough time to make a decision; claiming holidays were free when they involved a fee and wrongly informing them that they could not cancel a holiday product.

Judge Wassall said there would be a further plea and case management hearing on a date to be set. This could be on May 14 or the soonest date available after then.

A trial could potentially be held on November 1, although this has not been confirmed yet. The court heard that the trial could last up to five weeks.

Small, 45, is of Ide Lane, Exeter; Henthorne, 44, is also of Ide Lane. Herbert, 55, is of West Huntspill, Somerset; Michael Girvin, 49, of Salterton Road, Exmouth and John Girvin, 46, of Newlands Avenue, Exmouth. They were all jointly charged with 15 offences with dates in 2008 and last year, in a prosecution brought by Devon Trading Standards.

Three of these charges alleged that they engaged in unfair practices, by telling a customer that a holiday product was not a timeshare product.

The charges said that this was likely to have deceived the customer as the information was factually correct but the product was so similar to timeshare as to be indistinguishable.

They denied two charges of telling a customer that they had a free holiday, when in fact £49 had to be paid.

Four alleged offences were of fraud, involving dishonestly representing to customers that a holiday company was associated with organisations such the Association of British Travel Agents.

Another two charges involved allegedly falsely stating that a holiday product was only available for a limited time.

The charges said this would lead the customer to make an immediate decision and deprive them of time to make a considered choice.

A further charge of fraud involved dishonestly representing to a couple, in a letter, that they could not cancel their holiday product or contract.

The defendants also denied three further charges. The nature of these offences, or details of what they involved, were not explained when they were read out in court.

The court clerk said these were specimen charges, involving offences in 2008.

Details of the potential financial value of the 15 charges were not stated in the charges.

Judge Wassall released the defendants on bail until the next court hearing.