A fall in Abu Dhabi‘s hotel prices has prompted a record year for the Emirate so far, according to figures released July 27.

The first six months of 2011 showed the best hotel results in the history of the country, with the number of visitors climbing 11 percent to just over one million.

Authorities hope to break the two million visitor target for the first time this year.

Online travel agent Expedia has revealed that it is seeing an increased interest in cruises to Europe in response to cuts in air capacity between America and Europe.

The year so far has seen increased interest in European cruises from US consumers. There was “tremendous value” to be secured for travelers right now.

According to the firm, cruise lines are currently cutting rates for European tours, “without cutting services,” sometimes giving travelers a cheaper option than flying to the region and staying in a hotel.

Thailand’s capital Bangkok has been named the world’s best city by influential US travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

Announced as part of its World’s Best 2011 Awards issue to be published July 22, the prestigious title was awarded based on the votes of thousands of Travel + Leisure readers who voted for cities around the world.

It is the second year in a row that Bangkok has been named in the top spot, despite a period of civil unrest last year which did considerable damage to Thailand’s international reputation as a tourism haven.

A report released last week by the French airports group Aeroports de Paris has suggested that Zurich’s airport boasts the highest customer satisfaction in Europe.

Nearly 90 percent of travelers said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their travel experience through Zurich International in Switzerland, by far the highest score of the 16 airports surveyed by BVA on behalf of Aeroports de Paris.

In second place, with 87 percent, was Paris Orly, the smaller of the French capital’s airports, while Schiphol in Amsterdam took third place with 86 percent.

Flyers with US budget carrier JetBlue can now buy themselves speedy access through security lines, an idea which could catch on further afield.

At select airports, passengers who purchase the “even more speed” package will be able to use dedicated lanes, or those reserved for premium passengers, to ensure they pass through security checkpoints faster than the rest.

Although many airports around the world offer a premium security package sold by a third party, such as Privium at Schiphol and London Heathrow‘s “Fast Track” program, an airline bundling the service with a flight is an interesting development.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed the new cabin designs to be used on its new ships set to come into service over the next three years.

The cabins, unveiled June 21, are described as “modern boutique hotel meets the sea” and are built on the experience of Norwegian over the past ten years — during which time it has launched ten new ships.

The two new vessels, currently codenamed Project Breakaway, are scheduled for delivery in April 2013 and April 2014, and can carry around 4,000 passengers.