September 2009 Edition by C Gatt

SEPTEMBER 2009

The Magazine for DestinationTravel Specialists

Chile

Just Possibly the Land for Which Coastal Cruising Was Invented

速

ISSUE NO. 255

SEPTEMBER 2009 executive office

28 Knight Street Norwalk, CT 06851-4707

INDUSTRY EVENTS New and Improved Features for World Travel Market 2009 in London

Voice: 203.286.6679 • Fax: 203.286.6681 i n t e r n e t

w e b s i t e

www.travelworldnews.com publisher

Charles Gatt, Jr. charlie@travelworldnews.com editor

Carol A. Petro editor@travelworldnews.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

THE INSIDE TRACK

FAM TRIPS

EUROPE Round-Trip, Off-Peak: Venice is Beyond Beautiful

NORTH AMERICA

design production manager

Linda Rogers linda@travelworldnews.com Maria Rebello • Accounting Manager Shawn Hebert • IT Manager Cindy Johnson • Circulation Manager dive editor

CARIBBEAN Superclubs’ John Issa to be Granted Indies’ Honorary Degree

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort Has Summer Sale with Savings to 40 Percent Off EP Rates

Turks & Caicos Premier Galmo Williams Heralds Arrival of Veranda Resort & Residences

Lorry Heverly cruise editor

Michael Iachetta southeast regional correspondent

Joan Gonzalez western regional correspondent

Connie Skoog south america correspondent

Mark Zussman mark_zussman@yahoo.com.br contributing editors

Mona Birch • Ann Charles • Gail P. Dubov Judith Glynn • Barry Goldsmith • Peggy Hageman George Hairston • Al Haut • Marjorie Klein • Peter Lowy Nancy Marcantonio • Anita Mason D.O. Christian Rieger • Knox Robinson • Mary Ellen Schultz Helen Kitti Smith • Robin Swados • Diane Terry Travel World News (ISSN 1044-4602) is published monthly by Travel Industry Network, Inc., 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. The cost of a subscription in the USA is $25, in Canada $40. For subscribers outside USA or Canada, the rate is $80. Please send check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to Travel World News. For change of address, please enclose your mailing label and send to: Circulation Department, Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Address advertising inquiries and/or editorial copy to: Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. All advertising in Travel World News is based on data submitted to the Publisher by the advertisers. The Publisher shall not be liable for the accuracy or inaccuracy of any information contained in Travel World News and shall not be liable, including but not limited to consequential or special damages, to any party for any products or services advertised or reported upon herein. The Publisher shall not be responsible for typographical errors. All information contained herein is subject to change without notice by the parties providing such products and services. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that has been submitted at his sole discretion. Upon providing a refund of any amount paid to the party whose submittal was rejected, the Publisher shall not have any liability to any party for such rejection.

LATIN AMERICA South America Direct – Chile

Ricardo Cruz a New Marketing Manager for TAM’s North American Operations

Travel + Leisure Accolade for Francis Ford Coppola’s Blanacaneoux Resorts

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS The Rhythm’s Gonna Get You! Selling Africa’s Music Festivals with West Africa Tours

Tauck Set To Operate Culturious Departures

Senior Executives Meet on Viking Legend During Inagural Cruise

COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Turismo Chile

October 26-29

AMERICAN TOURISM SOCIETY

2009 Fall Conference

NTA Product Development Post-Tour: October 29–November 1

MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN, GERMANY AmericanTourismSociety.org/events

Grand Hotel Heiligendamm

Help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall from behind the Iron Curtain in “Meck-Pomm” and Berlin, Germany! ATS 2009 Fall Conference Featuring speakers and panels covering topics relevant to the Meck-Pomm tourism industry, as well as the culture and transformational aspects of life in this burgeoning region of eastern Germany.

NTA Product Development Post-Tour to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin Includes visits to Rostock, Schwerin, a night at the renowned lakeside five-star Schloss Ulrichshusen and two days of experiences in Berlin, featuring highlights of life behind the “Iron Curtain.”

Special Programs

DETAILS See complete conference info and download a registration form here…

AmericanTourismSociety.org/events

“Become local” as you attend the ATS …or call… Tourism College at the University of Rostock. You will be joined by college (800) 556-7896 students representing four regional universities. Also includes the Tourism Cares Tree Planting, where you’ll visit the protected Klimawald (Climate Forest) for the first international tree planting event planned by the Meck-Pomm Ministry of Agriculture and the Meck-Pomm Tourismusverband.

3 nights at the five-star Grand Hotel Heiligendamm Admission to all events and expert presentations All meals, entertainment, sightseeing and transfers Priority access to government and tourism officials Education, networking and trade opportunities Become “local” with Tourism Cares and Tourism College 2 nights in Berlin featuring life behind the “Iron Curtain”

INDUSTRY EVENTS

New and Improved Features for World Travel Market 2009 in London Travel agents rewarded with points that further their careers, getting around vastly facilitated at the all-important industry event.

ondon ExCel will host the global event for the travel industry—World Travel Market 2009, Monday, November 9, through Thursday, November 12. The vibrant, must-attend event will present a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to travel professionals worldwide and, as such, represents a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof. Last year, a record-breaking 49,963 travel industry professionals were in attendance. Participants realize they stand to gain immediate competitive advantage for their businesses while remaining abreast of crucial developments in the industry through their presence at this valuable show.

Improved Policy for Admission A new admission policy gives exhibitors greater choice over who attends on the first day of the event and all WTM delegates more flexibility over when to attend. On Monday, November 9, WTM is open to all exhibitors, exhibitor invitees, ministers, press and WTM invitees. On Tuesday, November 10, the conference, seminar and event program opens to all exhibitors, Meridian Club members, travel trade professionals, exhibitor invitees, ministers and press. On Wednesday and Thursday, November 11 and 12, the exhibition and conference, seminar and event program is open to all exhibitors, Meridian Club members, travel trade professionals, exhibitor invitees, ministers, press and students (university and second-year college students only). Due to exhibitor and participant feedback, the deadline for exhibitor invitation submissions has been extended by an additional four weeks to Monday, September 14. Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “The invitation submission extension will allow exhibitors to invite even more of their key business contacts, giving them more time and greater flexibility when deciding who to invite to attend WTM on the Monday.” WTM remains a four-day trade event with a comprehensive conference, seminar and events program running from Tuesday through Thursday, November 10–12. Participants are welcome to attend these sessions and visitor numbers are expected to rise in accordance. To encourage exhibitors to invite key contacts, a new database initiative has been launched. If an exhibitor invites 50 percent or more of their invitee allocation before the deadline, they will have free access to the ‘My Invitations’ database. 4 • SEPTEMBER 2009

Busy floor, lots of buyer traffic always at WTM.

The database allows exhibitors to engage with pre-registered participants from Monday, September 28.

Agents Earn ATP Points For the first time, travel agents attending WTM can further their careers by earning a host of Accredited Travel Professional (ATP) points. World Travel Market has joined forces with the ATP organizers—ABTA, Institute for Travel and Tourism and People 1st—to offer ATP points to agents attending WTM 2009. ATP allows agents to demonstrate their commitment to their profession through continued professional development. Agents gain two ATP points for attending WTM and a further one ATP point for every conference seminar. WTM 2009 will hold around 70 seminars across three days from Tuesday, November 10, to Thursday, November 12. Furthermore, agents can earn six additional ATP points by attending the ITT Skills Zone Program taking place Thursday, November 12. The Program sessions are: 1–Selling During a Recession, two ATP points; 2–Maximizing Earnings, two ATP points; and 3–Dealing With Customers, two ATP points. ITT will also hold a special seminar on Tuesday, November 10, targeted toward senior industry decision makers, as well as a series of seminars on Thursday, November 12, designed especially for travel agents. Attendees at www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

INDUSTRY EVENTS the travel agent sessions will qualify for APD points.

Ethical Travel November 11 begins the recognition of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day at the show, with several valuable lectures and conferences planned throughout—for business, for profitability and for the planet. The focus is taking care of the world the industry seeks to promote, preserving heritage and cultures and taking into account the views and needs of local communities. Travel and tourism companies and organizations in the world are under increasing pressure to handle this more responsibly. Some of the world’s leading Responsible Tourism experts will explain how ‘going green’ can help improve the bottom line as well. A unique conference on November 12 called “The Business Case for Responsible Tourism” will provide access to specialists with case histories and world-class advice on how this worthwhile approach can be successfully introduced.

Barbican, Mercure City Bankside, and Quality Crown Kensington. The Docklands Light Railway has promised to increase frequency of peak trains for all four days. The reopening of Tower Gateway Station for WTM 2009 will help to ease congestion at Canning Town Station by allowing people to commence their journey from an earlier station. WTM has expanded its bus transfer operation from Canning Town Station to and from ExCeL to supplement the DLR. For 2009 WTM will run a fleet of London Bendy Buses from Canning Town Station, increasing the number of passengers by 65 per bus. A clearly signposted walking route from Canning Town Station will mark an alternative route to and from the event. Commuter boat operator Thames Clippers is increasing the frequency of its catamarans to pick up delegates from a number of piers along the Thames and drop them off at Canary Wharf where buses will take people to ExCeL–London.

The Organizer Free Travel WTM is giving away 5,000 off-peak London Travelcards for Thursday of the event. The free cards are available to senior buyers who are all members of WTM’s Meridian Club, good for travel on London Underground, Docklands Light Railway and London train services after 9.30 a.m. November 12. Meridian Club members can collect the free Thursday Travelcard at WTM on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10–11 (first-come, first-served basis). Senior industry buyers will also be treated to an inspirational speech by Amir Latif, founder of tour operator for the blind The Traveleyes Team, who, despite losing his sight in his twenties, went on to become a TV personality and entrepreneur. He’s appeared on the BBC2 series ‘Without Boundaries’ and earned the Chambers of Commerce International award of Young Business Entrepreneur of the World. Complimentary shoe shining and reflexology services will be on offer in the Meridian Club Lounge along with free newspapers, refreshments and Internet access, with special exhibitor networking opportunities including the M Bar and meeting room facilities, welcome packs and Meridian Club badge, allowing exhibitors to identify buyers on the show floor. Meridian Club members are also invited to the World Travel Market 30th Birthday Party on Wednesday of the show.

World Travel Market 2009 is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the leading events organizer worldwide. Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

World Travel Market (WTM), www.wtmlondon.com

Free Hotel Coach Transfers WTM is operating a free hotel coach transfer service from eight central London hotels for the show: Millennium Gloucester, Millennium Mayfair, Quality Crown Hyde Park, Radisson Marlborough, Radisson Kenilworth, Thistle City Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

INDUSTRY EVENTS THE GAMBIA TO HOST ATA’S 35TH ANNUAL CONGRESS IN MAY 2010

Honorable Nancy Seedy Njie, The Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, and Edward Bergman, Executive Director of the Africa Travel Association (ATA), have announced that the Republic of The Gambia will host ATA’s 35th Annual Congress in the capital city of Banjul in May 2010. Known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” the West African country is famed for luxurious beach resorts, quaint fishing villages and magnificent coastline. Affordable and safe, with peaceful and friendly people it offers eco-tourism, sports fishing, bird watching and safaris, music, dancing and traditional wrestling matches, and visiting trans-Atlantic slave trade sites. ATA’s hallmark international event will be attended by African tourism ministers and industry experts representing tourism boards, travel agencies, ground operator companies, airlines, and hotels. Participants from the travel trade media and the corporate, non-profit and academic sectors are also expected to attend. The four-day event will engage delegates in discussions on industry topics such as public-private sector partnership, marketing and promotion, tourism infrastructure development, industry trends, and social media. ATA member countries will organize a few evening networking receptions and ATA’s Young Professionals Network will meet with local hospitality professionals and students. For the second year, the congress will also include a marketplace for buyers and sellers specializing in Destination Africa. Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore the country on pre- or post-congress trips, as well as on the Host Country Day. The Gambia, the smallest country on the African continent, has an estimated population of 1,600,000. With the exception of a small shoreline, the English-speaking country is surrounded by Senegal. Approximately 120,000 charter tourists, mainly from 6 • SEPTEMBER 2009

Europe, arrive annually. The Ministry plans to attract 500,000 arrivals by 2012 by targeting the US marketplace and “up-market” tourists, and by lengthening the tourist season to year-round. Public-private sector plans to increase the accommodation stock and build a conference center are underway. Travel and tourism accounts for sixteen percent of Gambia’s GDP. The 2010 Congress builds on the success of the West African country’s longstanding ties with ATA. In 1984, ATA held its ninth congress in Banjul, immediately following the association’s eighth congress in Cairo, Egypt. “ATA is excited to return to Gambia and anticipates that the 2010 congress will help Gambia reach its goal of bringing in more tourists and industry investment,” said Bergman. “We are especially grateful to our private sector partners, particularly Starwood Hotels, who have been instrumental in bringing the Ministry and ATA together to organize this important continental event.” Africa Travel Association (ATA), info@africatravelassociation.org, www.africatravelassociation.org; Gambia Tourist Authority (GTA), www.visitthegambia.gm/

WORLD MAJOR ITB COMES TO INDIA CO-BRANDED WITH SATTE World major ITB Berlin, a product of Messe Berlin, has announced a co-branded show with SATTE for 2010. The endorsement reflects commitment to the India market and the entire South Asian region. It recognizes the power of the Indian traveler and India as a major generator on the travel and tourism circuit of Asia, and also identifies the leadership position of SATTE as the premier tourism product of the region. SATTE and ITB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi. Present at the event, Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel and Logistics at Messe Berlin, saw the developments as most positive, coming from ITB Berlin, regarded as the world’s biggest tourism business platform. ITB has been looking to increase its international presence and last year embarked upon its first show in Singapore, launching the first edition of ITB Asia. A co-branded show in India is a significant recognition of the Indian market and of SATTE in particular. SATTE and ITB have been working together over the last four years. This new agreement will secure a world-class experience at the 17th annual edition of SATTE January 28–30, 2010. ITB Berlin 2010 will take place Wednesday to Sunday, March 10–14. The show will be open to trade visitors only from Wednesday to Friday. Parallel with the event, the ITB Berlin Convention, the world’s largest specialist convention for the industry, will be held Wednesday to Saturday, March 10–13, 2010. In 2009 a total of 11,098 companies from 187 countries exhibited their products and services to 178,971 visitors, including 110,857 trade visitors. ITB Berlin, ITB Berlin Convention, www.itb-kongress.com, www.itb-berlin.com, www.itb-convention.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

INDUSTRY EVENTS 21ST ANNUAL GRAMADO TOURISM TRADE FAIR FEATURES MATURITY AND INNOVATION The 21st anniversary edition of Brazil’s Gramado Tourism Trade Fair will take place at Serra Park complex in Gramado, November 19–22 this year. Showroom for more than 2,600 brands, the trade fair is expected to assemble around 13,000 professionals— operators and executives, along with representatives from the international press. Following the format of trade fairs around the world, the Gramado fair has its showrooms in different areas, all having a new layout this year. The edition will open with the LGBT Trade Show, in partnership with the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association). The representative for LGBT in Brazil and commercial manager of TAM Airlines, Clovis Casemiro, commented, “We will work with the LGBT tourism in niches, with its differences and needs, like in any other segment, with a trade show concerned only with professionals.” In the area of Special Destinations, two popular destinations will share the new space: South Africa (World Football Cup 2010) and the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazilian state-represented by the FAMURS (association of cities of Rio Grande do Sul). The exPresident of this association, Elir Girardi, believes tourism leads to opportunities, and that to encourage tourism is to encourage the commerce and development of cities. “The participation in the 21st Gramado Trade Fair represents an opportunity to show the Rio Grande do Sul’s destinations to the international market and do business,” he says. The Agrarian Development Ministry (ADM) will be returning to the fair this year. Their support has been confirmed by Marta Rossi, director of the event, with Minister Guilherme Cassel and the Federal Deputy Affonso Hamm (PP-RS), president of the Tourism and Sport Committee. The Minister has guaranteed support especially to the rural tourism area—he deems this space very important because it presents different products and culture. He’s also impressed with the importance of the event in the tourism market and the opportunities the Trade Fair presents to rural workers. Deputy Hamm says that rural tourism has great space in the event and with MDA participation, rural tourism has an incredible chance of growing in the tourism market. Gramado Tourism Trade Fair, www.festivalturismogramado.com.br

AMERICAN TOURISM SOCIETY HOLDS FIRST TOURISM COLLEGE SEMINAR IN THE U.S. By holding a tourism training session for students from the German state of Mecklenberg-Vorpommern recently in New York City, The American Tourism Society’s Tourism College program has undertaken a jump-start of its fall educational program. The ATS Tourism College program will take place during the ATS Annual Conference to be held at the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm in Heligendamm, Germany October 26–28, 2009, as students from area universities have been invited to attend all activities of the Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

conference. Additionally, ATS industry professionals will teach courses under the auspices of the ATS Tourism College at the University of Rostock, which will be attended by some 200 students from around Mecklenberg-Vorpommern. ATS recently hosted 21 students at a training session in New York City, which took place in the Board Room of Travel Bound. This was the first time that the ATS Tourism College conducted a tourism seminar on the U.S. market for visiting students. These participants included tourism and economics students from the University of Applied Sciences, Stralsund. Don Reynolds, Executive VP of ATS moderated the session together with Jan Rudomina, Director for North America, The Polish National Tourist Office, Nico Zenner, General Manager of Travel Bound, and Dave Spinelli, ATS Vice President and Secretary, and Director of Strategic Business Development at Vacation.com. “For me this event proved once again how motivated and hungry future travel industry leaders are for up-to-date knowledge about key travel destinations…” said Mr. Rudomina. Spinelli, noting the resounding success of the ATS Tourism College’s first seminar in the U.S. said “This was the most interactive exchange ATS has had with tourism students to date.” American Tourism Society (ATS), don.reynolds@americantourismsociety.org, info@americantourismsociety.org, www.americantourismsociety.org

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INDUSTRY EVENTS ICRT–BELIZE CONFERENCE RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER

In May 2009, Belize was slated to host the Third International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations. But due to an unfortunate presentation of H1N1 Influenza, a postponement was taken. After consultations with partners, however, ICRT-Belize is making re-adjustments to hold the conference on October 19–22, 2009. The Third World Conference on Responsible Tourism will be held in Belize’s capital of Belmopan City. The four-day conference, as previously planned, is expected to have in attendance over 200 international and local delegates that will convene to participate in discourses and presentations from both local and international experts in: Tourism and Local Economic Development; Impact of Tourism on the Marine and Coastal Zones; Impacts of Cruise Tourism in Belize and around the world; Second homes, condominiums, and their impact on local communities; and Climate Change and Tourism. The purpose of the conference is to expound on these areas and showcase how they influence the country of Belize, the region and the world at large in its development toward the responsible use of the earth’s resources, especially through the sustainable management of tourism. The registration fee of $300 for all delegates includes access to all conference seminars, coffee breaks, lunch breaks and an invitation to the closing ceremony festivities. Registration can be made electronically on their newly-constructed website. International Centre for Responsible Tourism-Belize, info@icrtbelize.org, www.icrtbelize.org

ITTFA’S INCHEBA IS HOLDING ITS OWN IN CENTRAL EUROPE ITTFA member Incheba, responsible for the successful shows Slovakiatour and Holiday World, originally came about through the first Exhibition of Chemical products held in June 1967. This was the start of a new exhibition tradition in Bratislava, which had its roots in the 18th and 19th centuries when various markets were organized, later to become the Danube Trade Fair. Holiday World’s 18th event, held in February this year, hosted 8 • SEPTEMBER 2009

868 exhibitors from 47 countries. In 2010 the fair will be held February 4–7, the first two days for specialist visitors only with the weekend days open to the general public. As well as a broad representation from foreign exhibitors, the fair will present all of the domestic regions under the umbrella of ‘Region World.’ It will include an extensive program for professionals, including seminars, presentations, conferences and an interesting World Travel Films feature. Increased interest in the Slovak market has assisted in the prosperity of Holiday World’s sister show, ITF Slovakiatour for Central Europe. In January of this year, the 16th fair Hunting and Leisure and the first exhibition Wellness and Fitness took place at Incheba Expo Bratislava. A record number of exhibitors (536) participated in the show, representing 32 countries. Over 65,000 attended the show over four days, 9,000 of which were registered as industry professionals. Bearing in mind the current global financial crisis, Incheba will focus on ‘Quality’ for the 2010 IFT Slovakiatour to be held January 21–24 in Bratislava, based on the conviction that exhibitors will need to concentrate on the kind of customer satisfaction resulting from quality product and experience. ITTFA, International Tourism Trade Fairs Association, represents successful travel trade events worldwide. International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), info@ittfa.org, www.ittfa.org

ST. LUCIA, FCCA COUNTDOWN TO ANNUAL CRUISE CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW IN OCTOBER St. Lucia is getting ready to host hundreds of delegates for the 16th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Convention and Trade Show October 26–30, 2009. FCCA officials said preparations were in full swing for the industry event at which cruise executives, destinations, suppliers and tour operators meet with key players in the industry to analyze trends and discuss current issues. FCCA President Michele Paige said her organization’s mandate is to “foster a better understanding of the cruise industry and to develop cooperative relationships with our destination partners at both the public and private sector levels, in order to create a winwin situation for all.” The conference’s business sessions, social functions and trade show will again provide a forum for cruise industry partners to network, exchange information, share ideas and cultivate valuable business relationships. Paige explained that the trade show allows industry stakeholders to stay in the forefront during tough economic times, by showcasing destinations and products to member lines’ cruise executives representing destinations spanning the globe from Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Information regarding registration and securing trade show booth space are available on the website. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), www.f-cca.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

INDUSTRY EVENTS VACATION.COM CHOOSES ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT RESORT AS SITE OF 2010 CONFERENCE

After successfully hosting its annual meeting at Caesars Palace for the last two years, the marketing organization Vacation.com® has selected the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort as the site of its 12th International Conference and Trade Show, to be held June 27 through July 1, 2010. The world’s largest Marriott, the Orlando World Center is a centrally-located golf and spa resort set on 200 lush Central Florida acres, with over 2,000 guest rooms and suites, along with 450,000 square feet of event space. Along with an outstanding educational lineup, world-class entertainment, product demonstrations, thought-provoking general sessions and a packed trade show, 2010’s Conference plans include pre- and post-event cruise opportunities, a ship inspection with lunch and a golf tournament. Even before the Orlando site was announced, many Vacation.com member agents were already planning to attend. Results from a survey given at the end of the 2009 Conference showed that 90 percent of attendees were committed to returning next year, mostly due the event’s 95-percent overall satisfaction rating. U.S. members receive one complimentary registration to Conference, while additional employees and Canadian members can take advantage of the $79 early-bird rate until October 31. Vacation.com members may visit AgentNet for more information and to register for the 12th International Conference & Trade Show. Vacation.com, 800-843-0733, www.joinvacation.com

DEMA SHOW SITUATED TO STRENGTHEN DIVE INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS The Power of DEMA Show 2009 to provide networking, education, and face-to-face connections is strengthening the dive industry’s ability to strategically market to consumers and creatively retain current customers. This year DEMA will sponsor 24 new learning and networking opportunities that will focus on understanding the dive consumer’s buying style, marketing to potential Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

customers utilizing marketing materials such as those provided by DEMA’s “Be A Diver” advertising campaign, and improving sales during the current economic downturn. This DEMA-Sponsored year’s seminars will focus on five tracks—Track 1: Selling to the Target Customer; Track 2: Be A Diver: Tools for Tough Times; Track 3: Keep Your Current Customers Buying; Track 4: Tough Times Call for Smart Business; and Track 5: Protecting the Underwater Environment. Each seminar is conducted by an expert in the respective field including representatives from the Disney Entrepreneur Center and Smithsonian Scientific Diving Program. A complete schedule of DEMA Sponsored Seminars is available on their website. DEMA Executive Director, Tom Ingram, the DEMA Board of Directors and staff will provide the annual DEMA Member Update on DEMA’s 2010 membership benefits and industry programs, Thursday, November 5, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in room S210CD. The meeting will also include a free continental breakfast, free member pins and ribbons. DEMA Show 2009 will take place November 4–7, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA), www.demashow.com/dema-sponsored-seminars.html, www.demashow.com

AGENTS TO GAIN RECOGNITION AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS MEXICO CEREMONY Leading North American travel agencies and tour operators will be recognized for their exceptional achievements over the last 12 months during the World Travel Awards North American and Central American ceremony in Mexico on September 21. Mexico, always been a top destination for travelers, is gearing up for this exciting event that will take place at the new luxury Caribbean resort, Hacienda Tres Rios near Cancun. Graham Cooke, president of the World Travel Awards, commented, “Over the past 16 years these awards have been built on fostering the very highest quality in every aspect of travel and tourism, but this year has taken on an even greater significance due to the challenging economic climate, meaning each nominated company has had to go that extra mile.” The award scheme, described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the international travel industry, has nominated more than nearly 200 North American destinations, operators, hotels, airlines and car rental in 26 categories, which include; North America’s Leading Business Travel Agency, North America’s Leading Tour Operator, North America’s Leading Tour Operator. The complete list of nominees for the World Travel Awards North American and Central American Ceremony 2009 is available on their website.The event will be followed by the World Travel Awards Grand Final, set to take place November 8 immediately before World Travel Market, at the five-star Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott hotel in London. World Travel Awards, www.worldtravelawards.com SEPTEMBER 2009 •

2009/10 • CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE EVENT LOCATION CONTACT OCTOBER 6-8 Intl. Ukraine Travel Market Kiev, Ukraine www.ukraine-itm.com.ua 8-9 Home Based Travel Agent Show Atlantic City, NJ www.travelindustryshows.com 10-11 Adventures in Travel Expo New York City, NY www.adventureexpo.com 14-16 CIS Travel Market St. Petersburg, Russia www.cistravelmarket.com 14-16 Cancun Travel Mart Cancun, Mexico www.cancuntravelmart.com 16-18 TTG Incontri Milano, Italy www.ttgincontri.it 25-30 ADHT 2009 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania www.adht.net 20-22 Adventure Travel World Summit Quebec, Canada www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com 21-23 Discover American Pavilion at ABAV 2009 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 21-23 Discover American Pavilion at ITB Asia 2009 Singapore www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 29 - Nov 1 Philoxenia Thessaloniki, Greece www.helexpo.gr NOVEMBER 3-5 BTC 2009 Rome, Italy www.ittfa.org 7-11 ICCA Exhibition Florence, Italy www.iccaworld.com 9-12 WTM London, England www.wtmlondon.travel 9-12 Discover American Pavilion at WTM 2009 London, United Kingdom www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 14-16 WRTA Expo 2009 Reno, NV www.wrtareligioustravel.com 14-18 NTA Annual Convention Reno, NV www.ntaonline.com 16-19 IGTM 2009 Malaga, Spain www.igtm.co.uk 16-19 Pure Life Experiences Marrakesh, Morocco www.purelifeexperiences.com 19-20 MITM Americas Havana, Cuba www.mitmamericas.com 19-22 Discover American Pavilion at CITM 2009 KunMing, China www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 20-24 UFTAA Congress Kathmandou, Nepal www.uftaa.travel 21-24 Travel Counsellors Conference Marbella, Spain www.travelcounsellors.com DECEMBER 1-3 EIBTM 2009 Barcelona, Spain www.eibtm.com 1-3 Discover American Pavilion at EIBTM 2009 Barcelona, Spain www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 5-6 Adventure in Travel Expo Seattle, WA www.adventureexpo.com 8-10 USTOA Annual Conference Banff, Alberta, Canada www.ustoa.com JANUARY 2010 12-17 Vakantiebeurs The Netherlands www.vakantiebeurs.com 20-24 BTL Lisbon, Portugal www.btl.fil.pt 21-24 MATKA Helsinki, Finland www.matkamessut.fi 21-24 Moroccan Travel Market Marrakech, Morocco www.mtm.ma 21-24 Slovakiatour Bratislava, Slovak Republic www.incheba.sk 21-24 Tourism & Leisure Show Ljubljana, Slovenia www.tourism-fair.com 27-31 Discover American Pavilion at FITUR 2010 Madrid, Spain www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 28-30 SATTE 2010 New Delhi, India www.satte.org/exhibit-2010.asp FEBRUARY 4-7 Holiday World Czech Republic www.holidayworld.cz 7-14 Discover American Pavilion at OTM 2010 Mumbai/New Delhi, India www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 11-14 EMITT Istanbul, Turkey www.emittistanbul.com 18-21 Discover American Pavilion at Bit 2010 Milan, Italy www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 21-23 Jordan Travel Mart Dead Sea, Jordan www.jordantravelmart.com 24-28 IFT Belgrade, Serbia www.ift-belgrade.com 26-28 2010 New York Times Travel Show New York, NY www.nytravelshow.com MARCH 8-9 TTG Polish Travel Mart 2010 Warsaw, Poland www.polishtravelmart.pl 10-14 ITB Berlin 2010 Berlin, Germany www.itb-berlin.com 10-14 Discover American Pavilion at ITB Berlin 2010 Berlin, Germany www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 17-20 MITT Moscow, Russia www.mitt.ru/en 17-20 Discover American Pavilion at Mitt 2010 Moscow, Russia www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 25-28 TUR Gothenburg, Sweden www.ittfa.org 25-28 Discover American Pavilion at TUR 2010 Gotehnburg, Sweden www.discoveramericapavilion.travel MAY 4-6 CHTIC 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico events@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com 4-7 Discover American Pavilion at ATM 2010 Dubai, UAE www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 25-27 Discover American Pavilion at IMEX 2010 Frankfurt, Germany www.discoveramericapavilion.travel TO LIST YOUR EVENTS EMAIL :

10 • SEPTEMBER 2009

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INDUSTRY NEWS SERA CAWANIBUKA APPOINTED NEW REGIONAL MARKETING OFFICER FOR TOURISM FIJI Sera Cawanibuka was recently named new regional marketing officer for Tourism Fiji Americas, according to Regional Director of The Americas, Ili Matatolu. In her new position, Cawanibuka’s responsibilities will include the coordination of Fiji’s trade and consumer calendar, developing priority niche markets, progressing its leads generation program, and maximizing marketing opportunities in Canada and second-tier markets. Prior to her appointment as regional marketing officer, Cawanibuka served as the regional coordinator for Tourism Fiji’s Matai Specialists Program, where she was responsible for the implementation of training new Matai Specialists, overseeing annual awards, organizing Fiji Super Fam trips and developing marketing materials for the Matai Specialists Program. Cawanibuka was also charged with overseeing incentive-based initiatives, the Matai newsletter, Bula seminars SERA CAWANIBUKA and yearly road shows. “Cawanibuka will continue to be a valuable asset to our North American team here in Los Angeles and we look forward to working closely with her in her new capacity,” said Matatolu. Cawanibuka is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management & Public Administration. Tourism Fiji, infodesk@bulafiji-americas.com, www.fijime.com

KEMPINSKI HOTELS APPOINTS JEFFREY THOMAS DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL GROUP SALES EAST COAST USA & CANADA Jeffrey E. Thomas has been appointed as Director of Global Group Sales East Coast USA & Canada, based at Kempinski’s global sales office in New York. In his new role he is managing Kempinski’s existing and acquire new MICE accounts on the East Coast and Canada and will actively drive an increase of business opportunities for Kempinski’s global portfolio. Jeffrey reports directly to Christian Renz, Vice President Global Sales for Kempinski Hotels. Jeffrey joins the corporate sales team from the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay Bodrum, Turkey, where he worked as Director of International Sales overseeing the MICE and leisure sector. Prior to his time with Kempinski, Jeffrey gained ample sales experience by working for Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort in Bahrain, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah in Oman, Radisson SAS Hotel Kyiv and the Hilton Salalah Resort Oman. JEFFREY THOMAS Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, Jeffrey grew up in Germany, where he graduated from the University of Hotel and Business School in Bavaria and additionally completed his apprenticeship in hotel and restaurant management. He is bilingual in German and English. Kempinski Hotels, www.kempinski.com

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM WELCOMES DAVID DI GREGORIO AS NEW MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER South African Tourism has announced the appointment of David DiGregorio to the position of Manager: Marketing & Communications USA. DiGregorio comes to South African Tourism with a wealth of marketing experience, including several years at Grey Global’s G2, where he was responsible for the design and implementation of integrated marketing programs for multinational clients including Kraft, Dannon, Shell, Absolut, and Nokia. David’s international experience spans four continents and includes time working in Sydney for the AustraliaIsrael Chamber of Commerce, in Europe consulting on corporate renewal for the French wine industry and in China managing media relations at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. David supplements his marketing skills with over a decade of experience as a web developer and Internet marketer. DAVID DI GREGORIO “We are delighted to have David on board,” said Sthu Zungu, President, South African Tourism, North America. “He brings a fresh perspective and unique skill set to our team; he will be responsible for the development and implementation of all our communications above, below and through the line.” David will be based in South African Tourism’s New York office, at 500 Fifth Avenue. South African Tourism, www.southafrica.net Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

INDUSTRY NEWS NATURALIZED KOREAN CHARM LEE TO HEAD KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has appointed German-born naturalized Korean Charm Lee, 55, as their new President and CEO. At a press conference, Lee pronounced: “With my extensive understanding and experiences of cross cultures, I will do my best to elevate the Korean tourism industry through such as strengthening overseas marketing and expansion of tourism infrastructures from the perspective of a consumer.” Lee is the first naturalized Korean to take a top government post in Korean history. His appointment reflects the Korean government’s willingness to open up a high-level government public office to a foreign-born individual that possesses professionalism, which is in line with the new wave of globalization as Korea becomes more preeminent on the international stage. It is also expected to impact positively on attracting foreign investment to Korea. CHARM LEE Lee arrived in Korea in 1978. Since becoming naturalized in 1986, he’s been actively involved in various fields in corporate management and major media including TV, which has made him a well-known public figure, recently hosting a program regarding tourism and globalization of Korean food. A chronology of his vast experience includes posts as Director of Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; CEO of Charmsmart; a member of Visit Korea Year Committee (Ministry of Culture and Tourism); President of Bigwell Inc.; Outside Director of KT Freetel Co., Ltd.; and Corporate Adviser of both Kia Motor Company and Yeil Accounting Corporation. Lee has authored “A Native Korean Made in Germany” and “Korea, Stuffy with Unlimited Possibility.” Korea Tourism Organization (KTO),

ELDORADO HOTEL & SPA TAPS KAREN BUTLER AS DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico has appointed Karen Butler Director of Sales and Marketing. Butler brings 26 years of hospitality experience to the helm of the sales and marketing department of the 219room hotel. In her new role, Butler is responsible for achieving revenue goals, developing hotel-wide sales and marketing strategies for the leisure and group segments and maintaining the highest levels of guest and associate satisfaction. “I look forward to playing a key role in further enhancing our guests’ experience at Eldorado Hotel & Spa,” said Butler. “This dynamic hotel has been Santa Fe’s premier property for many years and I’m thrilled to be a part of its continued success.” Butler was director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza for two years before joining the Eldorado Hotel & Spa executive team. Butler has also served as director of sales for Country Inn & Suites by KAREN BUTLER Carlson in San Diego Sorrento Mesa, Residence Inn San Diego La Jolla and Hilton Pasadena in California. Butler began her career in the hospitality industry as a front-office manager at the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, MI. Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 800-955-4455, www.eldoradohotel.com

CHTA SIGNS STRATEGIC PARTNER ALLIANCE WITH MASTERCARD The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and MasterCard Worldwide have announced an agreement in which MasterCard has been designated as a Strategic Partner of the Caribbean hospitality industry and is now the “Official Card” of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. CHTA Strategic Partners are leading organizations and companies involved in a wide range of industry sectors and activities for the betterment of the Caribbean. “We are excited about the addition of MasterCard to our elite group of supporters of the Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, president of CHTA. “MasterCard brings a new strategic focus and dimension to our hospitality industry and will enable our entire membership to, in some way, experience the benefit of their participation. We are pleased that MasterCard, like our other Strategic Partners, recognizes the importance of tourism and the hospitality sector and our impact on the region’s economy.” The addition of MasterCard as a Strategic Partner will create opportunities for developing a number of new initiatives with the CHTA membership including hotels, attractions and restaurants. In addition to year-round recognition and exposure alongside CHTA, benefits of the Strategic Partnership include the sponsorship of all CHTA conferences and events and the designation of “Host” at Caribbean Marketplace 2010 in Puerto Rico, among other benefits. MasterCard joins ARDA, Eventstar, Caribbean Travel & Life, FirstCaribbean International Bank, Fosters Group, Interval International, Tropical Shipping and Utell Hotels & Resorts as CHTA Strategic Partners. Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com; MasterCard Worldwide, www.mastercard.com 12 • SEPTEMBER 2009

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TRAVEL TIPS

The Inside Track BARRY GOLDSMITH

Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

BARRY GOLDSMITH

ne of the questions that a leading online dating service asks to determine a couple's compatibility is, “Do you like cities or the beach?” Why do I have to decide? Vacation at one of the many great urban beaches – relax and sightsee at a single destination. Great American beach cities are San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, Honolulu...Of those I like Honolulu best. Honolulu has great international-caliber museums – the Bishop Museum and the Hawaii Academy of Art. It also has the only palace in the United States – Iolani Palace. But only Honolulu has Pearl Harbor. Seeing the oil still oozing from the USS Arizona will haunt me forever. I enjoyed staying at two luxurious, historic landmarks on Waikiki Beach – the Moana Surfrider Westin and the recently renovated Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Yes, I had rooms facing the ocean. In fact, my room at the Moana Surfrider had double exposure – windows faced the ocean on two sides. Even though it was hot, I slept with all my windows open. What’s the sense of being on the beach if you can’t feel the ocean’s breeze, hear the ocean and smell the salt water? Ironically, I had to call maintenance to open my windows – which were permanently shut since air conditioning was installed decades ago. Why pay extra for an ocean view if you eliminate three senses of appreciation – touch, sound and smell? I travel not only to see – I travel to feel, hear and smell. My favorite American urban beach? Chicago. Surprised? Not many people consider Chicago a great beach town. The last time I stayed at the beautiful Drake Hotel, I asked reservations for a beach view. The reservationist replied, “What beach?” What are the greatest beach cities in the world? South America has Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Copacabana beach – and many more beaches including Ipanema, Leblon...There are so many beaches in Rio – and so many natives crowding them every day – the city just doesn’t import enough fabric for everyone’s swimsuit, so they have to ration it. That accounts for the world's skimpiest bathing suits – and not just for women, but also for men. The Rio man of any age looks good in his Speedo, which on me would be a “Speedon’t.” Brazil has many large cities with urban beaches. Among them are Recife and Brazil’s amazing first capital, 16thcentury Salvador de Bahia with its UNESCO-restored 400year-old downtown – which is actually uptown – on a hill. Its vibrant-colored buildings and ornately carved church facades are now easily visited on direct flights from the U.S. on American Airlines. Another South American surprise is Montevideo, where I

Montevideo’s urban beach.

rediscovered their incomparable Art Deco buildings on the Sheraton/American Airlines press trip I led. I’m now helping Montevideo achieve UNESCO status. Sophisticated travelers hearing the name “Ramblas” think of Barcelona’s main esplanade. Montevideo’s Ramblas is an even longer esplanade – bounding a thirteen-mile beach. My favorite Caribbean beach is Cartagena. (Yes, Colombia is Caribbean.) Cartagena is a UNESCO 18th-century walled city with plazas, fountains and Botero sculpture. Cartagena even has its own Inquisition Museum. Cartagena has a tropical beach with a Miami-like resort, the Cartagena Hilton. A convent within the walled city displays numerous antiques around its fountained cloister. It’s the Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara – a convent converted to a resort hotel. My favorite European urban beach? Venice. Surprised? Yes, Venice has its own lido (beach). This is another category: the city and distant beach. A beach that’s far from the developed urban center, but still within the city limits. How does this urban-with-faraway-beach qualify as an urban beach? My credo: If you can’t see the beach from the highest point in the city (natural or manmade) – the beach is too far to fall into my “urban beach” category. Hong Kong, one of the world’s densest cities, has a beautiful beach that’s in the movie Love is a Many Splendored Thing – the beach at Repulse Bay. No, it can’t be seen from the other side of Hong Kong Island – the urban part. Nor can Macao’s excellent beaches be seen from downtown Macao. Why do I still consider Venice’s lido my favorite European urban beach even though it is separated from the rest of city by water? Because everything in Venice is separated by water – even your next-door neighbor. Venice is a city of islands. And besides, when I take the elevator to the top of San Marco’s Campanile, I can see the lido – with my binoculars. Barry Goldsmith is a professor of architecture and humor. Goldsmith is a television host of travel-related TV series in the USA and UK. And he is a regular on a new syndicated radio show, Let’s Travel Radio. SEPTEMBER 2009 •

FAM TRIPS GRENADA An Amazing All Inclusive Holiday at LaSource in Grenada is being offered to travel agents for just $135 per person. This is the rate for agent and adult person staying in the same room. This rate includes all that guests receive: complimentary limo airport transfers, complimentary scuba dive per day, free nine-hole executive golf course, premium-label drinks/afternoon tea and room service for Continental breakfast, free daily spa treatment, yoga t’ai chi and meditation, and Internet access. Those booking now through December 9 for travel now through December 16, 2009, get two nights free in the Luxury Oceanfront category, so paying for five nights allows them to stay for seven nights. The single supplement is waived for bookings for travel to October 31, 2009. Restrictions apply; offer subject to availability; not combinable with other offers and applicable to Luxury Oceanfront categories only. Air Jamaica has increased its non-stop flights from New York to Grenada to four weekly flights. LaSource (on-property), 888-527- 0044, reservations@theamazingholiday.com, www.theamazingholiday.com

and The Benjamin for Friday, Saturday and Sunday stays through September 7, 2009, three-night stay maximum per agent. The rate is available at Affinia Chicago and The James for stays from Sunday to Wednesday through September 7, 2009. The travel agent must present IATAN card upon arrival. When booking, agents must mention promotion code TAPROM. Affinia Hotels, 866-233-4642, (The James) 877-JAMES-55 (526-3755), www.affinia.com/taprom

TANZANIA Agents can experience Tanzania first-hand by signing up for United Travel Group’s fam slated for November 1–11, 2009. Travel will be throughout the full northern circuit that includes Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti. Luxury accommodations, most meals, and full game viewing are all included. Space is limited, so early booking is necessary. The price of the tour is $2,595 per person including air from NYC. Add-ons are available from all BA gateways. Departure taxes and full surcharges are additional. The itinerary can be viewed online. United Travel Group, www.unitedtravelgroup.com

MEXICO The Westin Resort & Spa in Cancun has a Special Travel Agent Rate that starts as low as $59, and includes a 20-percent discount on massages, 20 percent off food and beverages, and free Kids Club use. Agents’ IATA cards are required at the moment of check-in. Rates, valid until December 10, 2009, are subject to availability at booking time, and also to a 10-percent VAT tax and 2-percent lodging tax. Agents may contact Yuliana Ferreira at the email address provided to book under the special rate. Westin Resort & Spa, yuliana.ferreira@westin.com, www.westincancun.com

NEW YORK / CHICAGO / WASHINGTON, D.C. Denihan Hospitality Group (DHG) is offering exclusive travel agent rates this summer at Affinia Hotels, The Benjamin, The James and affiliate hotels from $69 per night. These weekend rates are exclusive to travel agents only. The Buckingham, the newest property managed by DHG, is now part of GDS code NY. The rate at Affinia Chicago, Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel (Washington, D.C.), and Eastgate Tower Hotel (NYC) is $69 per night. At Affinia Hotels in New York City (Affinia Shelburne, Affinia 50, Affinia Manhattan, Affinia Gardens and Affinia Dumont), and The Buckingham (NYC), it’s $79 per night. At The James Chicago and The Benjamin New York, the rate is $99 per night. Special travel agent rates available at Affinia New York hotels 14 • SEPTEMBER 2009

TURKEY, EGYPT, GREECE FLO-USA has arranged several interesting fam trips for the upcoming fall season. An Eastern Turkey Fam Trip is scheduled for October 1–14, 2009, that includes land plus air for $3,395, with companion supplement $460. The trip includes international flight from JFK on Turkish Airlines, all domestic flights, all meals, travel insurance, all admissions and all transportation. A Deluxe Turkey Fam is planned for October 21–November 4, 2009, at $1,795 land only. The cost for land plus air from JFK is $2,545. A companion supplement is $550. The trip features all five-star hotel accommodations at Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia, and Bursa. Also included are all buffet breakfasts and dinners, travel insurance, all transfers and tours, all entrance fees and all local taxes and service charges. The Deluxe Egypt Fam Trip is set for October 10–November 21, 2009, at a price of $1,399 land only; companion supplement $290. This deluxe fam includes five-star hotel accommodations, a three-night Nile cruise on a five-star ship, all meals, travel insurance, all entrance fees, all taxes and service charges. A fam called Ancient Greece Fam Trip is scheduled for November 3–10, 2009. It is priced at $1,299, with a companion supplement price of $400. The price includes four-star accommodations with daily breakfasts, transfers, tours, entrance fees and trip insurance. FLO USA, 888-435-6872, shebby@flo-usa.com, www.flo-usa.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

EUROPE

Round-Trip, Off-Peak: Venice is Beyond Beautiful In the off-season, one of the world’s most ravishing cities is the answer to your winter blues. R O B I N S WA D O S

A Palace You Can Live In The Palazzo Dandolo, known today as the Hotel Danieli, was built at the end of the 14th century and transformed into a real hotel in 1822. Entering its lobby—a visual interplay of sun and shadows—guests are immediately immersed in a glorious walk into the past, confronted first with the amazing “golden staircase,” then soaking in the marble columns, wooden moldings, beams, precious original 18th-century doors and Murano glass chandeliers. Numerous renovations to the hotel’s 225 guest rooms over the course of the last hundred years have moved the Danieli into the 20th and 21st centuries while still managing to preserve its historical accuracy and beauty. A highlight of a nine-month renovation in 2008 is the hotel’s Terrazza Danieli Restaurant, an extraordinary rooftop space renovated in Venetian Gothic style and overlooking the Venetian Lagoon not only from the outer deck but Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

ROBIN SWADOS

inter’s coming to an end. Before the fares go sky-high, tourists weary of the cold, the snow, the slush decide to take off on a vacation to Europe. Venice sounds good, yes? Imagine that they arrive at the head of the Grand Canal swathed in typical winter paraphernalia—coat, gloves, scarves, boots. Then imagine their shock and delight as it begins to dawn on them: It’s March. It’s sunny. It’s almost seventy degrees. Why didn’t I bring a couple of T-shirts? The fact is, Venice in early spring or autumn can, just possibly, come close to being one of the most perfectly beautiful places on the face of the earth. In summer, this city—unarguably one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations—can be wildly overcrowded, oppressively hot and humid, and, how shall I say, malodorous. In the dead of winter, Venice can turn bone-chillingly frigid, with icy winds whipping at your back. In the off-season months, however—March, April, May; September, October, November—Venice can transform itself into a magical paradise of dazzling sunshine, gentle breezes, and laid-back hospitality. On a trip to Venice late last winter, I not only joined my traveling companions in shedding our winter clothes for shorts and T-shirts, I was also afforded the privilege of staying in one of the city’s most fabled hotels, the Danieli. I also took a visual and gastronomic tour of two more legendary hotels—The Gritti Palace and the Westin Europa and Regina—as well as a couple of fantastic lunches at yet two more of the city’s most historic dining establishments, the Caffè Florian and the Caffè Quadri.

Breakfast outside the Terrazza Danieli Restaurant at the Hotel Danieli.

from every corner of the interior of the restaurant as well. The kitchen, also completely refurbished, is run by Executive Chef Gian Nicola Colucci, who has developed a tasting experience that ranges from traditional Venetian recipes to Oriental touches, different salts and spices, and a carefully selected variety of olive oils. As for breakfast, I ate it on the outdoor deck each day while the early-morning sun reflected on the water five stories below made the use of sunglasses an absolute necessity. As the hotel’s publicity material proudly states, “There are palaces in Venice you can visit, and one you can live in: Hotel Danieli.”

The Palaces Next Door For the traveler interested in an ultra-luxury vacation, two alternatives to the Danieli would leave not the slightest trace of dissatisfaction: The Gritti Palace and the Westin Europa and Regina (formerly the Europa Regina). The Gritti Palace, originally built in 1525 as a residence for the Doge Andrea Gritti, comprises 91 distinctive rooms detailed with Murano glass chandeliers, chatoyant draperies, marble tiles, and original gold-trimmed ceilings. Smaller and more intimate than the Danieli, the hotel has nevertheless frequently served as the destination of choice for the world’s royalty, from presidents to movie stars. Many of the rooms contain large terraces or balconies, one of which (for example) served as the scenario of the 1999 hit film “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. The “Golden Book” of guests who have stayed at the Gritti Palace boggles the imagination, ranging from Charles Dickens in 1884 to Fred Astaire, Sean Connery, Catherine Deneuve and Richard Gere, to name but a few. CONTINUED ON PAGE

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

EUROPE VENICE

FROM PAGE

15 ROBIN SWADOS

A floral arrangement in the lobby of the Westin Europa and Regina.

The Westin Europa and Regina, directly next door to the Gritti Palace, offers 185 rooms, many offering direct views on to the Grand Canal. Three suites on the seventh and top floors contain terraces even larger than the rooms themselves. Lacquered furniture in pastel colors, typical of the Venetian style, help to make the Europa’s rooms especially warm and inviting, and all its bathrooms are made of marble in colors that perfectly match the décor. Dinner at the hotel’s elegant restaurant La Cusina was superb, and the recently refurbished Bar Tiepolo, featuring a gorgeous terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, serves as a perfect gathering place for international visitors.

Where to Eat If luxury is the visitor’s goal, two dining establishments stand out in Venice: The Caffès Florian and Quadri. The former, founded in 1720 and set under the arcades of the Procuratie Nuove in the Piazza San Marco, has always been frequented by an incredibly illustrious clientele—ambassadors, merchants, fortune hunters, men of letters and artists. Today, the Florian is still a place for a glittering array of personalities to meet, and it is actively engaged in present-day Venetian life, organizing top-quality events, with an emphasis on art and music. From April to October, Florian’s offers live music just outside its doors, presenting a repertoire of classical music, pop, and operettas. Its meals comprise an elegant and scrumptious array of fresh ingredients, as well as amazing desserts, sweets and coffees. The lovely Caffè Quadri was one of the earliest coffee shops to open in Piazza San Marco and boasts the only aboveground-level view of the world-famous square. The Quadri’s sumptuous dining room and magnificent menu offer the visitor in search of high-end Venetian cuisine a stunning variety of appetizers, pasta, fish, and meat.

Hotel Danieli and Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, www.starwoodhotels.com; San Marco, www.westin.com/europaregina; Caffè Florian, info@caffeflorian.com; Caffè Quadri, www.quadrivenice.com 16 • SEPTEMBER 2009

DUBROVNIK TRAVEL HAS PACKAGE DEALS FOR LAST-MINUTE AND EARLY BOOKINGS Croatia destination-management company Dubrovnik Travel DMC has announced the recent opening of two new Dubrovnik hotels geared to business travel and the meeting industry. The Valamar Lacroma Resort is situated in the Mediterranean greenery of the Babin Kuk peninsula, and the Radisson Blu Resort and Spa features cascading terraces that extend toward the sea. Both hotels have gone a long way in increasing Dubrovnik’s room capacities, with 385 rooms at Lacroma and Radisson Blu’s 201 rooms and additional 207 luxury apartments. Dubrovnik has now become a viable destination for large congresses and meetings. Dubrovnik Travel DMC has created promotional meeting package deals for last-minute bookings as well as early booking for 2010 for the two properties, starting at $199 for a two-night, all-inclusive meeting package. The new hotels are expected to become European hotspots for business and meeting travel. Dubrovnik Travel, www.dubrovniktravel.com

VIRGIN VACATIONS OFFERS DELUXE EXPERIENCE IN HIP HOTELS AND PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFERS Virgin Vacations, a leading travel operator to the UK, Europe and South Africa, now includes HIP Hotels in its distinguished brand to offer deluxe affordable and personalized escapes. Virgin seeks boutique properties with HIP Hotels—a collection of Highly Individualized Places (HIP)—for their design, architecture, and style unique to their setting. Virgin Vacations and HIP Hotels unite to offer air and hotel packages from affordable to extravagant, and now even private roundtrip airport transfers are included. Virgin’s London offerings include three hotels from trendy to grand. Designed by Philippe Stark, The Sanderson is a sophisticated yet funky urban retreat. At the important Edwardian building One Aldywch, there’s music piped-in to the pool. A short walk from the glamorous neighborhood of Knightsbridge, The Metropolitan offers stunning views and some of the city’s best sushi at Nobu. London packages begin at $799 per person for three nights ppdo; guests can add-on additional nights. Virgin Atlantic brings a stylish air feature to the packages. In Upper-Class Suites, the seat becomes the longest full-body flatbed in any airlines’ business class. The Freedom menu services allow eating what you want whenever you want it. Premium Economy or spacious Economy seats offer at least 31 inches of seat pitch. Virgin Vacations now offers more of Europe and new Virgin Atlantic destinations such as India and Hong Kong. More recently, Africa has been added, with the option of visiting Sir Richard’s private game reserve Ulusaba. Virgin Vacations/HIP Hotels, 866-674-6209, www.hotels.virgin-vacations.com; Virgin Vacations, 888-937-8474 www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

EUROPE FLO USA PLANS SPECIAL TO CELEBRATE ‘THANKSGIVING IN TURKEY’

Flo USA has a special eight-day/six-night trip planned to celebrate ‘Thanksgiving in Turkey’ this year departing JFK November 21, for only $1,599 ppdo including airfare ($1,345 single), plus airport taxes, $282. Included in the price are: arrival and departure transfers if international tickets are issued by FLO USA, two domestic flights (Istanbul/Cappadocia/Istanbul), hotel accommodation at Cappadocia’s boutique Gamirasu Cave Hotel and in Istanbul Germir Palas Hotel (also boutique), all sightseeing tours as stated in the itinerary, a special Thanksgiving feast, the services of an English-speaking local tour guide, trip insurance (FLO USA TPP), entrance fees, meals as stated in the itinerary (six breakfasts, two dinners), portage fees, and all local taxes and eight-percent VAT charges. Not included are: international flights, visa fees, tips for tour guide and driver, personal expenses, and any meals and drinks unless stated in the itinerary. Some highlights are Topkapi Palace that served as the Imperial Residence to 25 sultans and 4,000 people during the great Ottoman Empire, and Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar with almost 5,000 shops arranged according to their trade—a giant maze of small streets and passages. Guests will also see the Hippodrome, originally built in 203 by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus; St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), the magnificent Byzantine church, fourth largest in the world; the Sultan Ahmet Mosque—the Blue Mosque, its walls along the galleries covered with 21,000 17th-century Iznik tiles with flower motifs in a dominant blue color; and a cruise on the Bosphorus. In Cappadocia, guests will tour Goreme open-air Museum, with its dozens of painted cave-churches, a surrealistic geological formation that’s one of the wonders of the world. Other highlights are the Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians hid from persecutors, and the Soganli Village famous for dolls. Here’s where guests will enjoy their special Thanksgiving feast at a local restaurant. This tour is scheduled as a special one-time departure and the group size can be more than Flo’s maximum group size of 16. Flo USA, 888-435-6872, info@flo-usa.com, www.flo-usa.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

IMAGE TOURS’ 2010 EUROPEAN BOOKINGS OPEN Image Tours has posted its 2010 Escorted Europe Tour schedule, with numerous departure dates and applicable discounts online— so groups can avail themselves of the opportunity to book early in order to secure plans. These escorted tours are highly popular for group departures, family vacations, and church group travel. In 2010, Image Tours has arranged ten uniquely designed itineraries, including their signature Heart of Europe tour. This 15-day panoramic adventure features seven popular countries: Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Another popular tour is the 16-day Heart of the British Isles tour. An enchanting journey through England, Scotland, and Ireland provides an impressive combination of historically rich and entertaining attractions including Edinburgh Castle and Stonehenge. Image Tours will be offering special initial pricing for reservations made prior to October 30, 2009. Departure dates are available online for the 2010 tours including the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. There is currently a $400 per couple discount. Image Tours offers tours of Western Europe and the British Isles, with itineraries ranging from 9 to 22 days. Full pricing and details for 2009 are currently available on the company’s website. Image Tours, www.imagetours.com

ICELAND, ITS ECONOMY ON THE MEND, SLASHES PRICES TO STIMULATE AMERICANS TO VISIT Expecting stimulus dollars from American travelers, Icelandair just announced a new $469 per person package in November that includes airfare from New York or Boston, two nights’ lodging in three-star FossHotels in the capital city of Reykjavik, and huge Scandinavian-style breakfasts for two mornings. The same package in October is just $90 more. Although September travel is slightly higher, costs are still generally 20–30 percent lower than peak season rates. (Taxes and other restrictions apply.) Here are some upcoming events that lure travelers: The Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF), September 17–27;Lighting of Yoko Ono’s Peace Tower, October 9. The Imagine Peace Tower is a work of art located on Videy, a little uninhabited island just outside Reykjavik harbor; Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, October 14–18. Iceland Airwaves is an international music festival that showcases hot new bands from Iceland and the rest of the world. Visit Reykjavik Welcome Card—A Welcome Card from Visit Reykjavik discounts some of the capital city’s best attractions. Available for 24-, 48- or 72-hours starting around $11, the Welcome Card offers discounts at restaurants, shops and tours, in addition to free admission to museums and thermal pools. Iceland Tourist Board, iceinar@goiceland.org, www.icelandtouristboard.com, www.icelandnaturally.com, www.icelandair.com; www.riff.is, www.imaginepeace.com, www.icelandairwaves.com, www.visitreykjavik.is SEPTEMBER 2009 •

NORTH AMERICA CAPELLA TELLURIDE NAMES BILL MARSHALL DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Bill Marshall has been appointed director of sales and marketing for Capella Telluride (Telluride, Colo.), the region’s newest luxury resort and residential property. Previously senior sales manager for Capella Telluride, Marshall’s new post will include the oversight of all sales and marketing strategy and activities for Capella Hotels and Resorts’ first U.S. property, which debuted February 2009. BILL MARSHALL “Bill has been an invaluable contributor to our successful launch and first five months of operations,” said Capella Telluride’s general manager, John Volponi. He continued, “We are thrilled to announce Bill’s promotion, and know that under his guidance, Capella Telluride will continue to thrive as we introduce the resort and Telluride to new guests and welcome back newly-made friends.” With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries, Marshall brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to Capella Telluride. Prior to joining the team in November 2008, he served as director of sales and marketing for Snake River Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He has also held executive sales and marketing positions at The Lodge at Vail, SaddleRidge at Beaver Creek, Resort at Squaw Creek, the Telluride Ski & Golf Company and several established hotels in Telluride including The Inn at Lost Creek and Wyndham Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa.An outdoor enthusiast, golf fan and former ski instructor to the stars, Marshall is a great ambassador for Telluride’s outdoor adventures. He lives in the community with his wife, Diana, and their seven year old daughter, Ashlyn. Capella Telluride, www.capellatelluride.com

AMARA HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND SPA HAS SPECIAL PACKAGE THAT SHOWCASES GRAND CANYON Amara Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, the AAA Four-Diamond award-winning property in Sedona, Arizona, has created a travel package for a real Grand Canyon adventure. Guests staying at Amara get to experience one of the top ten scenic drives in America when traveling up Oak Creek Canyon via luxury minibus to the ultimate destination—the Grand Canyon, where they then spend a day on a professionally guided tour of the natural marvel. Travelers will be in the heart of Sedona, Arizona—what USA Today calls “the most beautiful place on earth.” Sedona’s natural beauty, climate, clean air and water make it one of Arizona’s most popular tourist destinations. Guests enjoy red-rock views beside the tranquil waters of Oak Creek at Amara Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, chosen one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” by the discriminating voters of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. With an award18 • SEPTEMBER 2009

winning restaurant, top-notch spa and an outdoor recreational paradise too, the Grand Canyon package at Amara Hotel, Restaurant and Spa offers plenty of pleasure. Included in the package are lavish two night’s accommodations, full-service breakfast for two each morning at award-winning restaurant Hundred Rox (value up to $35 per day), and a full-day Grand Canyon tour for two by Red Stone Tours (departing 8:30 a.m. and returning 5:45 p.m.). Rates are from $685 for the entire two-night package, available now through December 17, 2009. Amara Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, 866-455-6610, www.amararesort.com

LA QUINTA RESORT AND CLUB TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL DESERT CLASSIC CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE The third annual Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance will take place Friday, February 26, through Sunday, February 28, at the iconic La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California. Celebrants of the motorsports lifestyle will view the most rare automobiles in the world alongside cocktails and cuisine prepared by La Quinta’s culinary team. Exhibit areas will also include displays of other collectible items such as jewelry, watches and art. “We are delighted to host The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance,” said Ralph Vick, managing director of La Quinta Resort. “La Quinta Resort has a long history of bringing together the world’s most exciting people and hosting signature events.” Paul Merrigan, founder of the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance, commented, “La Quinta Resort is the perfect setting for our event. As one of the top destination resorts in the world, La Quinta provides a spectacular backdrop for some of the most beautiful and historically significant cars seen anywhere. It’s a classic meets classic partnership.” Guests will view more than 150 legendary classic, sports and racing vehicles elegantly displayed at the La Quinta Resort Mountain Course. The exclusive selection of marques will include Bugatti, Delahaye, Mercedes Benz, Packard, Alfa Romeo and more. The cars will be displayed with detailed information so that spectators can learn about the history and significance of the vehicles. Awards will be presented to more than 30 automobiles in 14 categories. In its third year, The Desert Concours has established itself as one of California’s premier classic car events. Last year, it attracted more than 4,500 spectators from around the world and received recognition from national media as well as automotive aficionados. Advance tickets to the Sunday Concours d’Elegance are $25 per person. Tickets will be on sale beginning November 1, 2009. Children 12 and under receive complimentary admission. The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance is a 501©3 non-profit corporation; proceeds benefit Coachella Valley charities. La Quinta Resort & Club, 800-598-3828, www.laquintaresort.com; Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance, www.desertconcours.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

NORTH AMERICA THE MAYFAIR HOTEL & SPA OFFERS A ‘SUITE’ SUMMER DEAL

The newly revitalized Mayfair Hotel & Spa, located in hip Coconut Grove, is offering a “suite” summer deal with an exclusive More Space, Less Rate offer. Now through September 31, 2009, guests can enjoy room upgrade to an Executive Suite from a standard Mayfair Suite for just $15. This affordable perk gives guests more space to stay and play, without breaking the bank. Having completed a multi-million dollar transformation, the Mayfair has re-emerged as Coconut Grove’s newest hot spot, complete with rooftop Cabana One Pool Club & Lounge and famed New York steakhouse Angelo & Maxie’s. Gaudí-inspired design defines the enclave, complete with an orchid-filled, open-air atrium and Japanese soaking tubs on private bougainvillea-covered terraces. Situated on the rooftop of the legendary Mayfair Hotel & Spa is Cabana One Pool Club & Lounge, offering panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and escape from the bustle of South Beach. Among the 7,000 square feet of space, a floating cabana roof and planks of teakwood comprise the bar area. A bench built into the parapet winds around a fire feature and white curtains enclose eight private cabanas with sofas, flat-screen TV’s and private safes. Cabana One offer Nintendo Wii centers and with high-end bottle service. Angelo & Maxie’s opened its only location outside of New York City at the Mayfair. The restaurant is reminiscent of an old Cuban sugar mill, featuring vintage stones, extensive millwork and La Cantina doors that open up into the open-air atrium. Drawing from Eastern and Western philosophies on well-being, the Mayfair’s Jurlique Spa specializes in a variety of services ranging from manicures and pedicures to massages, facials and signature treatments. Jurlique exclusively utilizes its own line of organic products following a holistic approach to outer beauty and inner health. Mayfair’s ‘Suite’ Summer Deal is not valid for existing reservations. It’s based on availability and can be booked only by phone. Mayfair Hotel & Spa, 800-433-4555, www.mayfairhotelandspa.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

ANDALUZ OPENING DATE RE-SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 1, 2009 Due to unavoidable delays in receiving products from the factory, the official reopening of Andaluz (formerly the La Posada de Albuquerque) has been delayed from September 1 to October 1. “We’re shooting to achieve Gold LEED certification for Andaluz,” said Paul D’Andrea, Regional Director for Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, manager of the property. “A big part of that certification comes from the use of eco-friendly materials in everything from custom built furniture and fixtures, to products such as carpet padding made from recycled material. There is unprecedented demand for these eco-friendly products and as a result, some of our vendors are simply not able to get their products delivered to us in time for us to meet our targeted opening date of September 1. Because of that, we felt the most prudent thing was to delay the opening 30 days to accommodate those revised product delivery schedules. All of our vendors are as committed to sustainability as we are, and they are doing their best to get us the products we need as close to their original delivery date as possible.” D’Andrea said. Andaluz, www.hotelandaluz.com

FAMILY VACATION CONNECTION TWO-ROOM DEAL IS A STEAL AT ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT RESORT At the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, a two-room package deal is now in play to enhance family vacation connections. Accommodations in a resort-view room with king bed and a guaranteed connecting room with two double beds from only $279–$419 per night are available through April 30, 2010. The 200-acre outdoor playground is an oasis of excitement for all ages, encompassing one-million gallons of liquid in six pools including the signature lagoon-shaped pool with cascading waterfalls, 106-foot waterslide and daily poolside kids’ activities ranging from beach ball drop to dive-in movies. An indoor pool; two children’s pools; a secluded spa pool and six revitalizing whirlpool spas round out the experience. Games like water volleyball and basketball are entertaining and fun, as is building a castle in the sand, or visiting the arcade center for a game of pinball, air hockey or ping-pong. Guests can enjoy a round on the championship 18-hole Hawk’s Landing Golf Club which wraps around the resort; take in a golf lesson at the Bill Madonna Golf Academy at Hawk’s Landing Golf Club; schedule a spa treatment or a spirited workout inside the 10,000 square-foot spa and fitness center. The Orlando World Center Marriott Resort is exceptionally located only a mile and a half from Walt Disney World® and just minutes from SeaWorld® Orlando, Discovery Cove®, Aquatica™, and Universal Studios® Orlando. Interested vacationers should ask for rate code LLR when booking. The offer requires three-day advance booking and is subject to availability. The package is commissionable to travel agents. Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, 888-99-World (888-999-6753), www.marriottworldcenter.com SEPTEMBER 2009 •

NORTH AMERICA HOTELIER HARRIS ROSEN RECEIVES LEGACY AWARD FOR GREEN EFFORTS

Harris Rosen, President and COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, poses in 1987 in front of his fourth hotel, the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista.

Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen was honored with a Legacy Award, Sustainable Florida’s highest honor, during the organization’s 11th Annual Best Practices Awards held at Rosen Shingle Creek June 9. Sustainable Florida, a program of the Collins Center, is a publicprivate alliance of organizations and businesses that promote sustainable best management practices, protecting and preserving Florida’s environment while building markets for Florida’s businesses by enhancing their competitive advantages today through collaborative educational efforts. Nearly 80 Best Practices nominees, including city and county governments, businesses and individuals, vied for wins in seven categories with the Legacy Award presented as the finale. This marks only the third year the Legacy Award was presented in the awards’ 11-year history. According to Tim Center, Vice President of Sustainable Florida, the Legacy Award is presented “to a unique one-of-a-kind individual, initiative or collaborative project” and “one of the major criteria regarding judging the nominations is the ability to replicate the project.” Rosen was recognized by the organization for “operating a business for the betterment of the triple bottom line—economically, environmentally and socially.” Center cited Rosen Hotels & Resorts’ eco-friendly and conservation efforts, as well as Harris Rosen’s groundbreaking medical care program for hotel associates, his multi-million dollar charitable gifts, his philosophy of operating his business free from debt and other example-setting corporate social responsibility programs. Stated Center, “Sometimes you come across an individual who stands out more than any other—who is not only committed to creating a more sustainable Florida, but has made an incredible impact in our state and beyond. It is why we created the Sustainable Florida Legacy Award and it is why we are pleased to honor Mr. Harris Rosen.” Rosen Hotels & Resorts, www.rosengreenmeetings.com. www.rosenhotels.com; Sustainable Florida, www.sustainableflorida.org, www.collinscenter.org 20 • SEPTEMBER 2009

NAPLES BAY RESORT INTRODUCES ‘ELITE GOLF PACKAGE’ Naples Bay Resort on Florida’s Paradise Coast has introduced an exclusive ‘Elite Golf Package’ for summer and fall 2009 that enables guests to play any of 17 world-class, private courses: the Arthur Hills-designed Quail West in Naples; renowned Tuscany Reserve Golf Club of Naples, featuring courses designed by Pete Dye and Greg Norman; Twin Eagles, also of Naples, with courses designed by golf greats Jack Nicklaus, Jack Nicklaus II and Gary Player; Olde Cypress of Naples, featuring a course designed by renowned architect P.B. Dye; Miromar Golf Club in nearby Miromar Lakes with a course designed by master architect Arthur Hills—his only ‘Signature’ course in southwest Florida—all among a dozen additional private and exclusive members-only courses. Specific information on each is available from Naples Bay Resort’s concierge. In addition, they have access to the Spa at Naples Bay and full use of the resort’s health amenities at the Club at Naples Bay, as well as tennis on Har-Tru courts and six unique pools, including a meandering lazy river pool. The ‘Elite Golf Package’ includes access to 17 private, membersonly, world-class golf courses; 18 holes of golf and cart for two; luxury guest suite for two with marina, water and yacht club views; hotel concierge scheduling of tee times for two; access to the health and lifestyle amenities of the Club at Naples Bay; access to the renowned Spa at Naples Bay; valet parking; and wireless Internet access. Naples Bay Resort Elite Golf Package is from $169 per couple per night ($25 for each additional guest accompanying a couple; from $139 for single occupancy) and is available through October 31, 2009. Naples Bay Resort, 866-605-1199, www.naplesbayresort.com

EXTENSIVE OFFERINGS AT THE BROADMOOR FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS, CONVENTIONS Minutes from downtown Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor has 744 rooms and suites, including the brand new Broadmoor Cottages; 18 restaurants, cafés, and lounges, a newly renovated tennis club, three championship golf courses, 25 retail shops, and a world-class spa, in addition to special perks that make meetings, weddings and events rewarding. The 60,000 square-foot Broadmoor Hall is a pillarless, carpeted facility that functions as ballroom for general sessions and dining, as well as serve as a state-of-the-art exhibit space. Adjacent to the 20,000 square-foot International Center and the 18,000 squarefoot Colorado Hall, these facilities make up The Broadmoor Events Center Complex, offering 185,000 total square feet of adaptable and flexible function space throughout the resort. Partner hotels within five minutes away provide up to 1,700 peak night rooms for groups, and are able to provide inclusive transportation to and from The Broadmoor. The Broadmoor, 800-634-7711, www.broadmoor.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

CARIBBEAN RAFFLES CANOUAN WELCOMES WAYNE KAFCSAK AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER Raffles Hotels & Resorts has recently appointed Wayne Kafcsak as General Manager of Raffles Canouan, The Grenadines. Mr. Kafcsak has held senior positions in properties located in British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands and Turks & Caicos in British West Indies over a period of 30 years. He joins Raffles Canouan following 12 years at Peter Island Resort WAYNE KAFCSAK & Yacht Harbour in the British Virgin Islands, first its General Manager and then Managing Director. Chris Cahill, Chief Operating Officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, said, “With Wayne’s specialist knowledge of the Caribbean, we are confident he will lead Raffles Canouan from strength to strength and maintain Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ premier position in the Caribbean. We are delighted to have him join us.” Raffles Canouan is Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ award-winning resort in St Vincent and The Grenadines. It attracts private jet travelers and last year extended its aircraft runway to 5,900 feet. Canouan Airport now accommodates the landing of most private jets including the Airbus 319 and Boeing 320 as well as ATR 70seater planes at full capacity. Raffles Hotels & Resorts is consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the annual Conde Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards. Raffles Hotels & Resorts, www.raffles.com

SUPERCLUBS’ JOHN ISSA TO BE GRANTED WEST INDIES’ HONORARY DEGREE This November, SuperClubs’ Executive Chairman Hon. John J. Issa, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. Issa pioneered the all-inclusive hotel concept on the island when he opened Negril Beach Village in 1976. He introduced the adults-only playground Hedonism II in 1981, and launched the isJOHN ISSA land’s first all-inclusive family resort, Boscobel Beach, in 1983. Issa’s vision has grown beyond the isle of Irie, with 11 all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean and two more to open in Panama and Brazil in fall 2009. Issa has deep roots in Jamaica, having served as a senator 1983–1989, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board during the same years, and president of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association in 1972. He even has his own 40-cent postage stamp, Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

which was created to commemorate the centenary of the Jamaica Hotel Law (1904-2004). Issa was honored with the Order of Jamaica, the country’s fourth highest national order (1998), and the Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross (Officer Rank, 2001). Ernst & Young named him “Caribbean Master Entrepreneur of the Year” (2003); he received the Jamaica Tourist Board’s “Trail Blazer Award” (2005); “Caribbean World” named him “Premier Hotelier of the Year” (2006) and most recently, the magazine extended Issa the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Travel and Tourism” (2007). Along with Issa, 16 distinguished recipients are set to receive honorary degrees from the university during graduation ceremonies, including Barbados’ former prime minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford; governor general of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Frederick Ballantyne GCMG; journalist and environmental activist John Maxwell; prolific scholar and historian Prof. Colin A Palmer; and chairman and managing director of The Gleaner Company Ltd., Oliver Clarke. SuperClubs, 1-800-GO-SUPER (467-8737), www.superclubs.com

TRAVEL AGENTS RECEIVE UP TO 40 PERCENT OFF STAY AT THE SANDS AT GRACE BAY With overwhelming response to The Sands at Grace Bay’s 10th Anniversary Travel Agent Rate program, the resort has filled their allotment of these rooms through the end of the year. However, to “thank” travel agents for their continued support, The Sands at Grace Bay will be offering up to 40 percent off the rack rates when agents book their own stay at the family-friendly Caribbean resort. Agents are always welcome to stay at The Sands at Grace Bay at significantly reduced rates, based on availability and certain restrictions. “We know that being a professional travel agent can feel like a thankless job these days… but that’s not the case at The Sands at Grace Bay,” says General Manager Pierre Beswick. Agents must call the hotel directly (649-946-5199) and request the travel agent discounted rate to register, supplying their ASTA, NACTA, IATAN or CLIA number and present the card at the front desk upon check-in. The Sands at Grace Bay has Caribbean classic style accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet. Most come with fully equipped kitchens; studios are equipped with kitchenettes. Accommodations are distributed throughout six three-story buildings amid a garden courtyard and three free-form swimming pools. The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of beachside Hemingway’s Restaurant and Bar, presenting gourmet specialties all week. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are available by appointment. Guests are also welcome to enjoy the indoor fitness center, non-motorized water sports, tennis court, and bicycles as well as complimentary WiFi. Just ten minutes away, the Provo Golf Club offers one of the best and most challenging courses in the Caribbean. The Sands at Grace Bay, www.thesandsresort.com SEPTEMBER 2009•

CARIBBEAN AGENTS GET CREDIT FOR VIP SERVICES AT BUCUTI BEACH RESORT

requests on their client’s behalf by e-mailing Biemans at susan@bucuti.com. A 10-percent commission on all bookings, including oceanfront wedding packages, is available. Travel agents specializing in couples travel can experience the intimate resort with travel agent FAM rates starting at $167 ppdo, including a full American breakfast daily for a Superior Gardenview room, now through December 22, 2009. Bucuti Beach Resort, www.bucuti.com

MANGO BAY VACATIONERS CAN TEE OFF IN PARADISE WITH CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

Bucuti Beach Resort guests who are part of the resort’s VIP program will receive a personalized welcome from their travel agent along with a complimentary bottle of wine or fruit basket upon arrival. “Bucuti recognizes the important role travel agents play in booking romantic retreats,” said Susan Biemans, director of sales and marketing. “Through this program, we hope to build a stronger relationship with the agents themselves, as well as foster a personal relationship between agents and their clients.” Bucuti’s award-winning management is committed to the success of this program, and each day a list of VIPs and their agent’s requests is automatically generated so staff members can personalize each couple’s experience from the second they arrive at the resort. To start, Bucuti’s management team welcomes VIP guests with a customized greeting from their travel agent. Guests appreciate this personal touch, which is one of the ways Bucuti maintains a high percentage of repeat guests. Nearly half of them pay a return visit and the resort averages occupancy of more than 90 percent year round. When booking each reservation, agents are encouraged to include specific details on the couple—if they are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or just vacationing to reconnect—anything to enhance their Bucuti experience. Daily in-room gifts and island activities designed especially for two can also be arranged at an additional charge. To make reservations, agents should complete the online reservation request available at Bucuti.com and enter booking code “TAV,” flight information and services requested for their clients in the special requests section. Agents can also submit personalized 22 • SEPTEMBER 2009

Golf enthusiasts experiencing an all-inclusive vacation at the 76room Mango Bay in Barbados can enjoy challenging play at a variety of 18-hole golf courses throughout the island. “Visitors of Mango Bay continuously rave about the island’s exceptional courses,” said Peter Odle, owner of Mango Bay. “The added convenience of enjoying the all-inclusive program at our resort in between tee times makes for an exceptionally relaxing vacation.” Mango Bay can arrange tee times for guests once they arrive on property at an assortment of golf courses including: Royal Westmoreland, five minutes away, with its 6,870-yard, par72 course, and pro shop, tennis academy, restaurants and children’s facilities. The member’s only golf club is exclusively available for select hotels in Barbados. Sandy Lane, where golfers of every skill can enjoy three courses—The Old Nine Course (3,345-yard, par 36), providing an exciting nine holes due to the narrowly designed fairways; The Country Club Course (7,060-yard, par 72), with five lakes and flawlessly cut fairways, home of the 2006 World Cup of Golf; and The Green Monkey Course (7,343-yard, par 72), carved out of an old limestone quarry awarding dramatic play, tropical ocean views and incredible elevation changes. Rockley Golf and Country Club on the South Coast, the oldest golf club in Barbados, offering a nine-hole, 5,610-yard par 70 course, with alternative tees for a back nine. The Barbados Golf Club, designed by notable architect Ron Kirby. The 6,705-yard, par 72 course is the island’s first public 18-hole championship golf course. Amenities include a pro shop, practice putting and chipping green, warm-up nets, equipment rental, and a bar and restaurant. All green fees are not included in the cost of a vacation at Mango Bay. A Mango Bay all-inclusive vacation features hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including wine with dinner, watersports (waterskiing, hobiecat sailing, kayaking and snorkeling) and nightly entertainment. Spa treatments can be arranged on property for an additional fee at Elements Spa. Rates begin at $385 ppdo in Standard accommodations now through December 14, 2009. Mango Bay, reservations@mangobaybarbados.com, www.mangobaybarbados.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

CARIBBEAN MALLIOUHANA TIME WARP SET WITH ROLLBACK OF RATES FOR ANNIVERSARY

This November Malliouhana Hotel & Spa in Anguilla, British West Indies, celebrates its 25th anniversary. In honor of the, Malliouhana is rolling back rates to match its inaugural year. From November 1–23, for the first time since 1984, guests have the opportunity to book a four-night stay in a luxurious Ocean View double room for as low as $900 EP per couple with additional nights available for $225 EP. From December 1–16, rates are $1,200 EP for four nights per couple and $300 EP for each additional night. Rates are subject to 10-percent service charge and 10-percent tax. The opening of Malliouhana Hotel and Spa in 1984 by the Roydon family began a legacy of luxury hospitality that continues today. On a bluff overlooking the ocean, the picturesque 55-room hotel is owner-managed by Leon and Nigel Roydon. The Malliouhana Hotel & Spa is a member of Small Leading Hotels of the World and one of the prestigious hotels listed in the Condé Nast Traveler 2009 Gold List. Malliouhana Hotel & Spa, 800-835-0796, www.malliouhana.com

THIRD NIGHT’S FREE AT SUPERCLUBS THIS FALL SuperClubs is inviting sun-seekers to prolong summer with its “Third Night’s a Charm” promotion, where guests will enjoy every third night free at any of 10 resorts in Jamaica, Curaçao and The Bahamas. Rates start at just $172 per person for the minimum three-night stay in Jamaica, and $258 ppdo in Curaçao. Luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Jamaican Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa and sister property Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa provide complimentary manicures and pedicures, 24-hour room service from award-winning restaurants, and even dry cleaning— no tips allowed. Super-Inclusive three-night rates start at $398 per person. (Note: On November 1, the resort will be renamed Breezes Grand Resort & Spa Negril). On the other side of the isle, Braco’s charm and Jamaican hospitality await with three-night rates from $378 per person. This resort will be renamed Breezes Resort & Spa Rio Bueno November 1. At Super-Inclusive Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica, three-night getaways start at $290 per person; fun includes beach volleyball, kayaking and snorkeling, and verandah suites with private plunge Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

pools. Super-Inclusive Breezes Bahamas on Nassau’s famed Cable Beach has three-night stays starting at $278 per person; features are glass-bottom boat sails, dives, tennis and bike and jogging trails. Guests at Breezes Curaçao in the Netherland Antilles has SuperInclusive three-night vacations at the recently renovated resort start at $129 per parent per night, with children two–13 free. Family favorite Starfish Trelawny (which becomes the SuperInclusive Breezes Resort & Spa Trelawny November 1) has minigolf, a rock-climbing wall, Circus Workshop, a star-shaped pool with slide, and a SuperIce Ice Skating Rink. A three-night break at the Jamaican resort starts at $86 per adult per night, with kids two–13 just $50 per night. Both Curaçao and Starfish offer afterhours babysitting, a complimentary Kids Club, and the full-service Blue Mahoe Spa for R&R sans kiddies. Hedonism Resorts feature 22 acres of sandy-white beach and lush jungle at Hedonism II in Negril, and Hedonism III with disco and see-through water slide in Runaway Bay. Rates at both start at $298 per person for three nights. Both have an on-site restaurant and bar, swimming pool, gym and tour desk with three-night fall rates from just $178 per room. The “Third Night’s a Charm” promotion is valid for new bookings only, made by October 7 for arrivals September 1 through October 31, 2009. All prices cited are ppdo for the minimum threenight stay (except ROOMS). If guests choose to stay for six nights, they will pay for four, as every third night is free. Blackout dates apply. SuperClubs, 800-GO-SUPER (467-8737), superclubs.com/3rdnightfree.asp, www.superclubs.com

BOLONGO BAY BEACH RESORT HAS SUMMER SALE WITH SAVINGS TO 40 PERCENT OFF EP RATES Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas has introduced a Summer Sale featuring savings up to 40 percent off nightly EP rates when booking a minimum of three nights at the resort. The offer is valid on all reservations made by September 30 for travel now through December 22, 2009. Between September 1 and October 31, 40 percent savings are given, with nightly discounted rates starting at $146 per room. Fall in the tropics can be enjoyed with a 25-percent discount offered November 1 through December 22, 2009, with nightly reduced rates from $199 per room. All rates quoted are ppdo, and reflect the savings offered by the resort. Tax and service charges of 15 percent and $5 per day energy surcharge are additional. To take advantage of the Summer Sale promotion, reservations must be made by contacting the resort’s reservations department by phone or email and mentioning the name of the promotion. This program is valid on new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other offer. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, 800-524-4746, reservations@bolongobay.com, www.bolongobay.com SEPTEMBER 2009•

CARIBBEAN RAÚL BUSTAMANTE OF CONRAD SAN JUAN CONDADO PLAZA HONORED AS TOP TOURISM PROFESSIONAL

Pictured left to right: The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Edgardo Bigas; Managing Director Raúl Bustamante of the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza and PRCC President José Julian Alvarez.

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) presented Managing Director Raúl Bustamante of the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza with its highest honor—the Zenit Award, recognizing Bustamante as the top tourism professional of the year. The ceremony took place during the PRCC’s annual convention in June, with the award presented by the organization’s President José Julian Alvarez and Executive Vice President Edgardo Bigas. Among Bustamante’s recent achievements are his successful oversight of the hotel’s renovation, which included all guestrooms, the lobby, restaurants and meeting space; and his spearheading of the hotel’s recent re-flagging as it became part of the Hilton Family’s luxury Conrad brand, making it the brand’s first offering in the Caribbean. As a result of the hotel’s re-branding, guests will not only enjoy luxurious surroundings at the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, but will also benefit from the wider Hilton Family network, including the Worldwide Reservations Network and the Global Distribution System, making it easier for guests to access reservations information. Each property will also participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with no blackout dates. As an added bonus, meeting and event planners now have the ability to earn Hilton Event Planner Points by booking a meeting at the Condado Plaza, and may take advantage of other beneficial Hilton programs, such as E-Advantage and E-Events when booking meetings. Conrad® San Juan Condado Plaza, 866-317-8934, www.condadoplaza.com

PUERTO RICO’S NEW W RETREAT & SPA–VIEQUES ISLAND OPENS IN NOVEMBER Set to open in November, W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island is located eight miles off Puerto Rico’s Southeast coast on a 55-squaremile island that’s a private paradise for those seeking a respite 24 • SEPTEMBER 2009

from the rhythms of city life. W Vieques is home to renowned Chef Alain Ducasse’s first Caribbean outpost, miX on the beach, where he and his executive chef will offer a sophisticated menu of Latino Caribbean flavors with an artful French twist. One of the world’s most decorated chefs, Ducasse is the only one in the world to own and operate three signature restaurants each honored with three Michelin stars. miX on the beach is the signature restaurant of W Vieques and includes both indoor and outdoor dining with impressive ocean views. W Café offers hot and cold beverages, fresh juices and pastries for the morning. The restaurant will also serve light and healthy snacks great for those on the run. “Take away” meals are packed in gourmet picnic boxes for guests planning excursions. W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island was created by an innovative team: designer Patricia Urquiola, of Milan-based Studio Urquiola; well-renowned designer, David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group who consulted on the project; San Juan-based architect, Sierra Cardona Ferrer; and Ft. Lauderdale-based landscape firm, EDSA. W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, www.whotels.com/vieques

‘FREE NIGHTS’ INCENTIVES FOR FALL AT LA BATELIÈRE HOTEL IN MARTINIQUE The Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA is teaming up with hotels to offer “Free Nights” incentives available exclusively for travel agent bookings to help boost agency sales and travel to the “Isle of Flowers” during the summer/fall periods. At La Batelière Hotel, guests can Stay 7 Nights/Pay for 5, or Stay 13 Nights/Pay for 10. Located in the historic town of Schoelcher, just nine miles from the airport and three miles from downtown Fort-de-France, La Batelière offers a unique mix of Creole elegance and modern conveniences. The four-star property spreads across a 12-acre park overlooking the Caribbean Sea with 198 expertly appointed rooms and suites. From the hotel’s pier, charter boats take guests on fishing, sailing, scuba diving and sightseeing excursions. Gaming enthusiasts also enjoy the hotel’s walking distance proximity to the Casino Bâtelière Plazza. The Caribbean island with French flair, The Isle of Flowers, The Rum Capital of the World, The Isle of the Famed Poet (Aimé Césaire)—by any one of its many names Martinique remains one of the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world. Named “Best Gourmet Island of the Year 2008” by Caribbean World Magazine, Martinique has much to offer: distinctive culinary delights, inspiring natural beauty, and a rich cultural history. La Batelière’s “Stay 7 Nights/Pay for 5” and its “Stay 13 Nights/Pay for 10” offers are available exclusively through travel agents on new bookings for hotel stays completed by December 31, 2009. Blackout dates apply. La Batelière, corinne.picaut@orange.fr (sales), www.hotel-bateliere.com; Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA, www.martinique.org www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

CARIBBEAN HILTON PONCE GOLF & CASINO RESORT DEBUTS UPGRADES TO FITNESS CENTER, POOL AND CASINO

This summer, travelers are experiencing the renovated Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort at a tremendous value with the Summer Escapes promotion, including a fourth night free, as well as credits and discounts valued at up to $250. This is valid through September 30, 2009, with rates starting as low as $139 ppdo. Guests can enjoy the redesigned fitness center featuring new Precor® cardio, strength, and core balance equipment. The 1,350square-foot club also boasts flat-screen LCD televisions, sound system, and personal trainer. There’s also a new outdoor workout area. The tennis complex was completely redone, featuring four tennis courts resurfaced and painted. Additionally, the court’s surrounding fences were repaired, wind breakers replaced, and drainage system inspected. The main building outdoor swimming pool has been completely renewed with a resurfaced marble floor, brand new pool tiles, new depth markers inside and outside, installation of new LED lighting, and the repair and painting of the pool’s surrounding cool deck. The area’s Jacuzzi also received resurfacing, new tiles and new LED lighting. The resort’s casino added new generation slot machines and now offers more than 350 seats. All slot machines feature the TITO (Ticket In-Ticket Out) concept, which require no coins, register all transactions electronically, and provide users with loyalty points. The 11,600-square-foot casino is the largest in Puerto Rico’s southern region, with 336 slot machines, as well as blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette tables. An adjacent “Player’s Club Bar & Lounge” offers daily bingo games, nightly entertainment, and televised sports events. When making reservations, guests must request the Summer Escapes package. The offer is subject to availability and restrictions apply. Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, 877-GO-HILTON (877-464-5866), www.hiltoncaribbean.com/ponce Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

TURKS & CAICOS PREMIER GALMO WILLIAMS HERALDS ARRIVAL OF VERANDA RESORT & RESIDENCES Turks & Caicos Island’s Premier, Galmo Williams, in a press statement on the resilience of tourism in Providenciales, welcomed news that the highly anticipated Veranda Resort & Residences on Grace Bay Beach would be complete prior to end of 2009 and would open for business early 2010. “The opening of Veranda Resort & Residences shows the resilience of our tourism industry in today’s volatile marketplace. It is no secret that the worldwide economy is experiencing tremendous challenges at this moment in time,” says Premier Williams. The Veranda Resort & Residences is owned by Faez Ltd., a Turks and Caicos company founded by UK entrepreneur, Andre Surreys. Surreys and US-based real estate veteran Ron Sutherland of the Hemisphere Group purchased the resort in April 2008. In January 2009, Surreys and Sutherland appointed Grace Bay Resorts, the company behind the celebrated Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos, to manage the new $80-million luxury resort property. The 10-acre resort will feature the Island’s only private beachfront homes, each enjoying their own private pool, as well as 126 beautifully-appointed residential units. In addition, the resort enjoys two elegant oceanfront restaurants, a dedicated 1,700-squarefoot conference center, three pools, an Asian-inspired Wellness Centre, Spa and Fitness Facility and a kids club. The Veranda Resorts & Residences, www.verandatci.com

TWO NIGHTS FREE, $100 F&B CREDIT AND VIP SAVINGS AT WYNDHAM RIO MAR RESORT & SPA Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa is offering Wyndham ByRequest guests two nights free, a $100 food and beverage credit and a VIP value card for discounts throughout the resort. VIP discounts include 25 percent off spa treatments, excursions, golf, water sports and more. The special requires a four-night stay and is available for bookings now through December 20, 2009. Located on a 500-acre hideaway between Puerto Rico’s El Yunque rainforest and a mile-long stretch of Atlantic shoreline, the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa features two beachfront swimming pools, a newly-renovated casino, two championship golf courses, 11 Har-Tru tennis courts, and 11 restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues. Rio Mar recently added a new fire pit overlooking the beach, where guests can enjoy cocktails at sunset, sizzling s’mores and theme evenings by the fire. Travelers are invited to join Wyndham ByRequest free of charge and enjoy the benefits of the brand’s customized guest recognition program as well as Wyndham Rewards’ loyalty program. Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, 877-999-3223, www.wyndham.com/specialoffers/category/ WyndhamByRequest.wnt SEPTEMBER 2009•

CARIBBEAN COMPLIMENTARY CANOE RIDE THROUGH NATURAL WATERWAYS AT SANDOS CARACOL

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has launched an intimate Romantic Trip for guests to explore one of the 16 natural cenotes that exists on the property. Guests who upgrade to Select Club accommodations can enjoy a free Romantic package that includes a variety of amenities. “In an effort to uncover the natural beauty of the Sandos Caracol property, we cleared out many of the resort’s ‘jungle-like’ areas and discovered approximately 16 natural cenotes,” said Jacques De Paep, director of Sales and Marketing, Sandos Hotels & Resorts. “What better way to bring couples closer to nature than with an intimate trip down these passageways that are surrounded by tropical fauna and filled with water as clear as the Caribbean Sea,” he added. The Romantic Trip is free to guests as part of an all-inclusive Sandos Hotels & Resorts vacation, and reservations must be made in advance at the hotel’s front desk. For couples seeking a romantic vacation experience, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa offers Select Club accommodations in Sandos Select Club Standard, Select Club Deluxe and Select Club Junior Suites. Guests staying in these accommodations can enjoy a free Romantic Package, offered year-round that includes a romantic toast in the privacy of the guest room each evening, romantic dinner for two in an a la carte restaurant with VIP service and a special menu (requires reservation at Concierge desk), aromatherapy gift set, 15-percent spa discount that can be used throughout the stay on all treatments in the new spa facility, 10-percent discount on motorized sports including banana boat rides, jet skiing and parasailing and a framed photo of the couple. The Romantic Package must be added to the reservation at time of booking. All-inclusive rates start as low as $59 ppdo for travel through October 31 in a standard room. Guests can upgrade their room category to Select Club accommodations for a small fee of approximately $30 per night to receive additional in-room and on-site. Rates are subject to change without notice. Sandos Hotels & Resorts, 866-887-5601, www.SandosHotels.com 26 • SEPTEMBER 2009

FUN AND ADVENTURE OF POPULAR PARKS ON OFFER WITH CEIBA DEL MAR PACKAGE Mexico’s five-star Ceiba Del Mar is offering families who book a four-day/three-night stay now through December 22 a passport to explore Xel-Ha Eco Park or Xcaret—two popular parks with water attractions, shopping, beaches and restaurants. The following features are included in the package: two children (under 12) stay and eat free, sharing room with parents; complimentary wireless Internet access in room; in-suite organic bath amenities; complimentary use of The Spa Humid areas; sauna, indoor-heated Jacuzzi, steam room and gym; yoga, Pilates and Aquafit classes; complimentary use of land and water toys like snorkel equipment, kayaks and bicycles; afternoon tea time; and a welcome champagne cocktail.The Aquatics Adventure Experience starts at $1,186 ppdo (per three nights stay), plus 12-percent taxes and five-percent service charge. Packages and specials are not available for group reservations. At Xel-Ha Eco Park, visitors can “Snuba” (combination of snorkeling and scuba diving), and descend safely into a reef zone to view its underwater beauty. Traditional snorkeling is available also to experience the Xel-Ha inlet. A technology-advanced helmet (no previous experience necessary) allows interaction with the docile-but-friendly stingrays. Or, one can take a dip with six friendly dolphin residents who are part of the park’s educational program. A nature walk, featuring lots of curious iguanas, takes guests through the jungle around the park. Ceiba Del Mar Beach & Spa Resort, www.ceibadelmar.com

HACIENDA PETAC IN YUCATÁN OFFERS “THE BEST OF THE MUNDO MAYA” Hacienda Petac, a private estate and spa reserved for small groups, is including an extraordinary excursion package with 2010 bookings. For a limited time, groups will receive the “Best of the Mundo Maya” tours as a complimentary addition to Hacienda Petac’s seven-night luxury experience. The package offers a choice of tours and adventures in the state of Yucatan, the heart of the Mayan world. Included in the special seven-night package are any three of the following guided excursions: The Back Roads of the Yucatan—small villages that surround Merida; Picnic at the Beach (Gulf Coast); Flamingos—100,000-acre estuary at Celestun, one of two; Cenotes of the Yucatan;Merida—“Paris of North America”; The Ancient Cities of the Maya. Back at the hacienda, guests can enjoy a massage, learn about the 300-year-old hacienda or about local crafts like sisal weaving or piñata making, or how to make tortillas or guacamole—or just relax poolside margueritain-hand. Price for rental is $8,400 for one to five persons ($240 per room) and $10,500 for six–10 persons ($300 per room) Hacienda Petac, www.haciendapetac.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

LATIN AMERICA

South America Direct – Chile TravelMart Latin America meets this month in the Lakes Region town of Frutillar — an occasion to salute a distant land of excruciatingly gorgeous wilderness, albeit with luxury touches to surprise and delight even those who think they’ve seen everything. MARK ZUSSMAN

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or reasons that obviously have everything to do with Chile’s Through-the-Looking-Glass geography, much recent tourism to this land down at the bottom of the world has been via cruise vessel. Chile may in fact be spectacular, dazzling, awesome (every visitor will find his or her own preferred adjective) from virtually any vantage point. Still, there’s nothing quite like having a stretch of chilly blue South Pacific ocean at your feet, then a colorful little fishing village at the edge of a fjord in the middle distance and, for background, a series of peaks of the majestic snow-capped Andes. These cruises, though, come in various colors and sizes, so either be pretty sure you know what it is you’re buying or consult a tour operator specialist. The 64-cabin Mare Australis (built in 2002) and its sister ship the Via Australis (2005), each with 64 cabins, for a total capacity of 136 passengers, cruise up and down and back and forth through the legendary waterways at the very foot of the South American land mass. Go south from here and, except for a couple of islands, there’s no more land until Antarctica. Board one of the two virtually identical cruise ships on Saturday or the other on Tuesday, September through to April, in the Chilean Patagonian city of Punta Arenas on the strait named for Ferdinand Magellan and sail for five days and four nights through inlets, bays and fjords, then into the Beagle Channel (named for the vessel on which Darwin visited, nigh unto two centuries ago) and along through so-called Glacier Alley to disembark at Cape Horn National Park, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans come toe to toe. Disembark again at Puerto Williams, the southernmost regularly inhabited settlement in the world, and wind up on Day Five in the almost equally southerly, but larger, Argentine Patagonian city of Ushuaia. Cruceros Australis, the owner and operator of these vessels, will bring a third and somewhat larger cruise ship, the Stella Australis, on line for the 2010-11 sailing season. In the meanwhile, passengers booking a double cabin (but not on every departure, so check the fine print) earn a bonus two free nights at a luxury Patagonia hotel. Book by December 31 this year and there’s also a 10 percent discount. (Yes, the cruise is available in the other direction, Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, as well, but then you’re opting for a three-night version, not a four-night version, of the experience.) Skorpios Cruises’ M/N Skorpios II sails every Saturday from the Patagonian city of Puerto Montt for a seven day/six night excursion south through picturesque channels and fjords and estuaries to a stunning climax at the San Rafael Glacier whose

Frutillar — where TravelMart takes place this month.

icy fingers rise hundreds of feet above the level of the sea. The ice here is 30,000 years old, and, following an old tradition, passengers are encouraged to toast it, as they slide between icebergs on the ship’s tender, with specially aged whiskey. Cabins have an agreeable luxurious coziness — as if you were in a lodge, not on board a ship — and the dining room features the finest South Chilean seafoods from local king crab to giant mussels, oysters, sea urchins, barnacles, salmon, croaker, sea pike, an eel-like creature called kingclip, as well as, for carnivores, red and white meats, and let’s not forget the curanto. Curanto is the South Chilean signature dish. Combine clams, mussels, sausage, potatoes, various vegetables, chapaleles (look it up in the Wikipedia, if you need to know). Cover each layer with Chilean rhubarb leaves. Stew. The wines available on board are Chile’s best. The M/V Skorpios III sets sail every Saturday from Puerto Natales, some 150 miles north of Puerto Arenas, for a five-day cruise through the channels and fjords of Patagonian Chile’s Southern Ice Field to the Pío XI Glacier, the largest in South America, in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and then, climactically, to the half mile-long Amalia Glacier, whose spooky towering whiteness appears to hang suspended from the craggy mountains behind it. See for yourself why, by its “Natural Beauty” yardstick, FutureBrand’s Country Brand Index lists Chile among the Top Ten destinations on the planet. With discounts, rates can run as low as $1,120/PAX on the II and $1,600 on the III. During the South American cruise season, which coincides with the North American winter, there are also numerous CONTINUED ON PAGE

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well-known cruise vessels plying Chilean waters all the way up to Valparaíso, the picturesque port city serving Chile’s capital of Santiago, and then, in some cases, continuing even farther north to the fringes of the Atacama Desert, often on their way to Peru or even the Panama Canal and points beyond. Passengers who want to see Chile this way might board in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Rio or Santos (Brazil), or, for those who want a real running start on the Chilean experience, on a repositioning cruise that starts all the way back in Lisbon or Barcelona or Genoa. I haven’t done one of these round-the-Horn cruises myself but I have friends who have. They started off in Rio. They capped the cruise with what they say was a great week in and around Santiago, and they took particular pleasure, they report, in their daily mild stewing in Chilean cabernets, carmenères, merlots and malbecs. (The repositioning cruises, by the way, aren’t necessarily even so very expensive. For many clients, time availability will in fact be more the issue than money.) Also be aware of Antarctic Shipping’s 39-cabin cruise ship Antarctic Dream, which between the months of December and February operates 11-day cruises between the Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica itself, and this is not necessarily an experience only for people who’ve been everywhere else on the planet. Antarctica, to be sure, may not capture the imagination of all. It does capture the imagination of many. Antarctic beauty is different, needless to say, from the beauty of a palmshaded tropical beach, but if you take the trouble to look at some photos of the towering mountains of ice and snow you can bear witness yourself that this remotest of continents, larger than all of Europe, is astonishingly beautiful in its own special way. Its beauty is an awesome beauty. Yes, there are shore excursions to the Antarctic land mass itself — as many as ten of them, weather permitting. The Dream is generally escorted both down and back by albatrosses, storm petrels Whales allow themselves to be observed up close.

Cruceros Australis, www.australis.com; Skorpios Chile, www.skorpios.cl; Antarctic Shipping, www.antarctic.cl

Mid-Summer Skiing At publication time, the Chilean ski season is beginning to wind down, but that means only that it’s time to start thinking about the 2010 Chilean ski season — particularly for those skiers who, like certain golfers, will never succeed in wrestling their obsession to submission and the problem in the Northern Hemisphere summer months can be summarized in one very brief lament: Where? Chile’s best-equipped ski resorts include Portillo (with one five-star hotel — this is the only South American ski center ever to host the Ski World Cup); Valle Nevado (with one five-star, one four-star, and one three-star hotel as well as an apartment complex — this is the most extensive ski resort in Chile and it’s a mere 27 miles 30 • SEPTEMBER 2009

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CHILE

This is the month of August, folks.

from Santiago); Termas de Chillán (with one five-star with spa and casino, one smaller and somewhat less grand hotel, and apartments — this one’s a touch harder to get to but it’s got 28 gorgeous runs including one, eight miles in length, that is South America’s longest). Most ski packages are booked directly with the resorts themselves, but both PowderQuest in the U.S. and Chilean Ski.com are good for sorting out the doubts and the uncertainties. Of course, to name Chile’s Big Three ski resorts is just to scratch the powdery surface — both of resorts with good or extravagant infrastructure (lifts, snow-making equipment) and those of modest infrastructure. And there are other places to ski that aren’t resorts at all. Here the solution is heliski (or, so as not to risk confusion with the capital of Finland, heliski). Interested? Read on.

Ski Portillo, www.skiportillo.com; Valle Nevado, www.vallenevado.com; Termas de Chillán, www.termaschillan.cl; PowderQuest, www.powderquest.com; Chilean Ski.com, www.chileanski.com

Nomads of Sea and Ski You can in fact get a lift on a helicopter out of very accessible Valle Nevado (see above) to any number of untrodden slopes for prices as low as $720 for a group of four and with an experienced guide thrown in as part of the package. What follows is for people who do not count pennies. For the past couple of years, a company called Nomads of the Sea has been operating a cruise vessel, by name Atmosphere, with 14 staterooms (for a maximum passenger count of 28) and further accommodations for a crew of 32 out of the South Chilean port of Puerto Montt. More than comfortable enough. Excellent food. Fine wine. What justifies the price tag of $8,600 a week/person (plus VAT) for non-fishermen and top prices bordering on $30,000/week for people eager to go full blast is the array of adult toys deployable from the aft decks and still more to rendezvous with at remote locations — an 18-passenger Zodiac Hurricane RIB with engines powerful enough to crank the speed to 55 mph, four inflatable Zodiacs, half a dozen 250 and 400 hp Rogue jet-boats, an www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

LATIN AMERICA equal number of drift boats, ocean kayaks and touring kayaks and, for the cherry on the cake, two bright red six-passenger Bell 407 choppers to carry passengers and equipment alike into otherwise inaccessible rivers and streams for what many people now tout as the world’s best fly fishing. In the months of September, October and November, the Atmosphere is available for charter to skiers. Sail typically on a Saturday evening out of Puerto Montt. Early Sunday morning, the two helicopters will start airlifting skiers to unbelievable downhill locations, some quite possibly never previously explored except by Nomads’ own experts, along the mountainsides as far south as Aysén. Says Nomads’ marketing manager Pablo Negri, “You go out and do four or five runs in the morning. Return to the Atmosphere for lunch. Then, if you like, go out and do some more runs in the afternoon.” The pilots are Chilean Air Force veterans with thousands of hours of experience in high mountain flying. Chief guide Bob Echene is a pioneer in Andean heliskiing.

Nomads of the Sea, www.nomadsoftheseas.com

Special-Interest Chile The comprehensive two-week tour of Chile — comparable to a comprehensive two week tour of Spain or a comprehensive two-week tour of Italy — has been something of a rarity to date. (But see the sidebar “Enter Metropolitan Touring.” Things may be changing.) Problem is that, though Chile is somewhat larger than France in total area and roughly one and a half times the size of Spain, it’s France as if squeezed through a sausage machine. Whereas most of Chile has a girth of give-or-take 200 miles, you start off in the other direction, north-to-south, and you’re committing to a trek roughly equivalent to that between Los Angeles and New York. People wonder: What does the top end, which is desert, have to do with the bottom end, which is alpine? Foreigners, as a result, simply haven’t had much drive to know the country top-tobottom as a single coherent unit. Middle-class and even upper-middle-class U.S. tourists typically pass through Chile, if at all, on shore excursions from cruise vessels, sometimes on ski vacations, or maybe on the Grand Tour of all of South America — a little samba and a little Sugar Loaf in Rio, a peek at Iguazu Falls, a little tango and a little shopping in Buenos Aires; then comes the breathtaking high-mountain crossing from Bariloche, Argentina to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt in Chile, some breath-catching in Santiago and on to Machu Picchu in Peru, not that there aren’t variations. Americans who spend extended time on the ground in Chile, business travelers aside, are for the most part either the very rich or what financial institutions nowadays sometimes call the mass affluent, one notch down from the very rich, and, for these two groups, Chilean tour operators offer special interest CONTINUED ON PAGE

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LATIN AMERICA CHILE

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tours galore. Puerto Varas-based Protours, for example, makes something of a specialty of what might be called “directed” self-drive programs that include both vehicle and hotel bookings — the latter implying obviously that travelers are not totally free to wander wherever their noses might lead them; when they set out each morning, they already know where it is they’re going to be in the evening. A six-day/five-night program called Volcano Country, to take a single instance, has travelers picking up a car at the airport at Temuco, the capital of the Araucanía Region, taking a look at the local crafts market and then driving an easy 78 miles up to the Malalcahuello National Reserve — with great views along the way of the Tolhuaca, Llaima and Lonquimay Volcanoes. After an overnight in or close to the reserve, Day Two is devoted to exploring the native forests, waterfalls, hot springs and lagoons of the Malalcahuello Reserve and the Tolhuaca National Park. Day Three, with a drive of approximately 100 miles, is given over to the Conguillío National Park, with its centerpiece Llaima Volcano. Day Four, with a drive of a mere 35 miles, focuses on the historic town of Villarrica at the eastern end of the lake that bears the same name, and so on. Among the many other selfdrive options: Northern Chile Highlights, Grand Patagonia. AquaMotion, also Puerto Varas-based, offers a ten-day motorcycling tour of the Lake District; an 11-day Patagonian Classic Car tour in which you cross the Andes in a convoy of vintage Studebakers; three days of bird watching in the wetlands and prairies of South Central Chile; a 16-day Chile/Argentina golf tour; a 15-day motorcycle journey in Chile and Peru; a five-day so-called “stardust” tour devoted to archeo- and ethnoastronomy, as well as to astronomy proper (sorry, you’ll have to do your own investigation if you want to understand why Chile is such a privileged location for astronomical observation), and this is not to exhaust it. Cascada Expediciones offers a nine-day rafting adventure on the rugged Futaleufu River. Or, if that’s not enough, why not the same company’s seven days of hiking in the savage Torres del Paine National Park? Sorry, it would just take too many words to describe this. Suffice it to say that this is not

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an outing for the faint of heart. Numerous tour operators offer beautiful and spooky Easter Island, the Chilean territory far out in the South Pacific, with its ranks of hulking stone monoliths like apishly mannered chess pieces on steroids. Two other categories of specialinterest Chilean tourism merit special mention, below.

Protours Chile, www.protourschile.com; AquaMotion, www.aqua-motion.com; Cascada Expediciones, www.cascada.travel

The Grape Doesn’t matter if you live in Oregon or New Jersey. If you’re eating fresh asparagus or fresh grapes in the North American winter months, chances are pretty good that the place they’ve just gotten off the plane from is Chile. Chile is one of South America’s great economic success stories and Chilean agriculture is a significant part of it. If you are visiting Chile in person, though, or if you are sending clients to Chile, likelihood is that the agriculture that’s going to be of primary interest to you is viniculture. Chile has risen to fourth place among the countries from which the U.S. imports wines. Concha y Toro, Cousiño Macul and other Chilean labels have come to be widely recognized — and sought after — in the U.S. Chilean wines have consistently taken high honors in blind tastings and other competitions. Chilean vineyards, as it happens, are spread out along a north-south corridor nearly 1,000 miles in length — though, happily for the short-legged, there are more than enough fine ones in the valleys right around Santiago. SportsTour, a Santiago-based company, has a nice program of four days and three nights for people who like both wine and golf. The first day involves a tour of Santiago itself. On Day Two it’s off by car to the nearby Colchagua Valley for a visit first to the Viña Bisquertt with its vineyards, its cellars, its gardens, its collection of old horse-drawn carriages. Then it’s on to Viña Viu Manent for a look at the wine-making process itself — and tastes of reds that have been touted in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Sommelier Journal and elsewhere. In the afternoon: a visit to the Colchagua Museum with its unusual

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LATIN AMERICA catch-all collection ranging from 300 million-year-old fossils to colonial liturgical art to modern agricultural equipment and there is much much more. Day Three gets devoted to golf at the Hacienda Santa Martina. Other tour operators — and there are many — offer other sallies, of various sizes and shapes, both fully-escorted and self-drive, into the Chilean wine country. Most tour operators will also be happy to arrange for the Wine Train, which starts off convivially at 10:30 on Saturday mornings on early 20th century rolling stock (and behind a coal-fired antique locomotive) on a 90-minute snail’s-pace crawl through the Colchagua Valley vineyards for an early afternoon lunch rendezvous at the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel and then yet more conviviality and bibulousness at the nearby Viña Santa Cruz. Another two invaluable resources: The 11 “wine routes” recommended by Sernatur, the Chilean government tourism authority, and the Wines of Chile pages.

Chile by SportsTour, www.sportstour.cl; The Wine Train, www.trendelvinochile.cl; Sernatur, www.sernatur.cl; Wines of Chile, www.winesofchile.org

The Desert Some visitors to Chile head south to the mountains and the snow and the ice fields. Others head north to the Atacama Desert, supposedly the world’s driest, where the town of San Pedro de Atacama functions in effect as Chile’s Palm Springs. See, for example, the four-day/three-night excursion to the sere landscape that’s offered by Santiago Adventures. Or, just for the visual pleasure of it, take a look at the Web sites of a couple of the local lodgings: Awasi, the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa, the Tierra Atacama Hotel and Spa, the Kunza Hotel and Spa, the Terrantai Lodge.

Santiago Adventures, www.santiagoadventures.com; Awasi, www.awasi.cl; The Alto Atacama, www.altoatacama.com; Tierra Atacama, www.tierraatacama.com; Kunza, www.hotelkunza.cl; Terrantai Lodge, www.terrantai.com

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ENTER METROPOLITAN TOURING There is all of a sudden a major new player on the Chilean travel scene — with official launch, and lots more details to be announced, at the TravelMart Latin America at the end of this month of September, in Frutillar and Puerto Varas. The player is Metropolitan Touring, founded in 1953 in Ecuador and winner of the 2008 Latin American Travel Association’s award for Best Ground Agent in South America. Chile will now become the fourth country in which Metropolitan has established ground operations. Metropolitan’s own native Ecuador came first. Peru followed. Next was Argentina. Metropolitan Touring’s CEO, Mr. Roque Sevilla, emphasized that the move into Chile reaffirms the company’s commitment to provide clients with a Latin America one stop shopping solution, combined with the Destination Management expertise of specially trained hands on local staff in each country and an extremely light and gentle footstep that will always contribute to preserving, or even enhancing, the integrity of ecosystems. Metropolitan’s new Chile brochure features a product that has been in relatively short supply previously, and that is a tour designed to familiarize visitors with this remarkable country as a whole. The 16 day/15 night extravaganza starts off in Santiago, with its mix of modern hotels and restaurants, its old city center, its fascinating museums, and its world-class shopping. There’s a pass through the nearby Casablanca Valley, famous for its vineyards and in particular for its Chardonnays. There’s a visit to the quaint port city of Valparaíso. There’s a jump of 2,200 miles off the coast to Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, with its monumental stone statuary. Then its up to the arid Atacama Desert on the border with Bolivia and at last down to the lakes and glaciers of the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. A 12 day/11 night version of the experience leaves out only the Patagonian South. Metropolitan’s manager in Chile will be former LAN Airlines’ executive Critóbal Luna. Metropolitan Touring, www.metropolitan touring.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

LATIN AMERICA RICARDO CRUZ A NEW MARKETING MANAGER FOR TAM’S NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

RICARDO CRUZ

Ricardo Cruz has joined the TAM team as Marketing Manager for TAM’s North American operations, including the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. In his new endeavor he will oversee all aspects of TAM’s international marketing operation. This new phase in the marketing structure, will allow TAM to extend its presence and image to new heights, during a strategic time in TAM’s growth in the in-

ternational market. Ricardo was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has been with the company for the last seven years. He has a degree in marketing from UMESP in Sao Paulo, and completed his internship at TAM Cargo. He’s worked in Endo-marketing, Sponsorships, Product Promotion, and was Regional Marketing Manager at TAM’s Sao Paulo headquarters. TAM has expressed enthusiasm over his arrival, certain that his marketing talents will be of maximum benefit to TAM Airlines. TAM Airlines, ricardo.cruz@tam.com.br, www.tam.com.br

GOWAY OFFERS CARNAVAL, THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PARTY IN RIO Goway Travel, through their adventure division, ADVENTURESIncorporated, is offering packages to Carnaval in Rio, a four-day celebration that will take place February 13–16, 2010. The party officially closes on Fat Tuesday to time with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. “It is an exciting event where people dance, sing, and party. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnival. It allows travelers to see one of Brazil’s and the world’s truly most remarkable events,” stated Don Forster, Product Manager for ADVENTURESIncorporated. “The showcase event of Rio’s Carnaval is undoubtedly the two night parades put on by traditional samba schools— spectacles costing up to $2.5 million each with thousands of drummers, dancers and meticulously designed floats. The Samba Parade—the central focus of the celebrations—is something everybody should experience at least once in their life,” continued Forster. ADVENTURESIncorporated is offering packages to Rio during Carnaval that include four nights accommodation and daily breakfast. Additional nights, city tours, transfers, and Samba Drome tickets are all available to be added to the packages. Prices for various accommodations begin at: Astoria Copacabana, $655; Plaza Copacabana, $1,070; and Excelsior Copacabana, $1,510. 34 • SEPTEMBER 2009

ADVENTURESIncorporated has a wide choice of accommodation options for Rio Carnaval as well as some excellent pre- and post-options such as Amazon Jungle stays, Iguassu Falls visits, as well as diving and beach options on the beautiful and famous Brazilian coastline. Full details on the Rio and Carnaval deals are available on the website. ADVENTURESIncorporated, 800-469 2946, info@adventuresincorporated.com, adventuresincorporated.com; Goway, info@goway.com, www.goway.com

ALL-INCLUSIVE TIERRA ATACAMA HOTEL & SPA SERVES UP ADVENTURE AND INDULGENCE Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa sits at the gateway to the Atacama Desert in the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, a desert oasis in the dramatic Chilean Altiplano. Positioned in the highest and driest place on earth, Tierra Atacama guests are surrounded by surreal sandscapes, salt valleys, lush river basins, and massive volcanoes. Tierra Atacama is centered on an adventure spa concept and offers guests daily excursions through the altiplano as well as indulgent, locally inspired treatments at the Uma Spa. Garnering exceptional feedback since its opening in February 2008, Tierra Atacama has been named to Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List,” Travel + Leisure’s “It List” and has been featured as a Travel +Leisure’s top 10 Dream Trip. Owned by the Purcell family, which operates the renowned Chilean ski resort Ski Portillo, the 32-room Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa is an all-inclusive luxury resort. Rates include accommodations, three meals a day and open bar, daily excursions (either two half-day excursions or one full-day excursion), use of the spa facilities, and transfers from the Calama Airport. In 2009, Tierra Atacama debuted three new themed vacation experiences, pairing photography education, wine tasting and culinary adventure. The “Gastronomic Adventure,” with guest chef Ruth Van Waerebeeck, was highly successful, and hands-on cooking classes as well as visits to local artisan cheesemakers, farmers and restaurateurs were well received. With nearly every traveler seeking cost savings, Tierra Atacama offers a free night at The Ritz-Carlton Santiago, immediately before or after visiting Tierra Atacama, with the purchase of a minimum four-night, all-inclusive package at Tierra Atacama. The offer is valid from November 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010. All-inclusive rates start at $840 ppdo for two nights. Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, 800-829-5325, reservas@tierraatacama.com, www.tierraatacama.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

LATIN AMERICA LOS ALTOS BEACH RESORT & SPA WILL OPEN IN COSTA RICA IN OCTOBER Los Altos Beach Resort & Spa, the latest luxury boutique resort on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, will officially open in Manuel Antonio in October 2009. Combining five-star services and the rainforest, the new property is part of Graces Distinctive Properties Ltd collection. Los Altos has 16 suites, eight superior suites and four superior penthouse suites with grand ocean views. The one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites are outfitted with all the comforts of home featuring large grand salons, gourmet kitchens and elegant furnishings of modern Balinese design. Los Altos’ neighbor, Manuel Antonio National Park, is the region’s largest national park, featuring exotic wildlife, various species of birds, and nature trails that lead to magnificent Costa Rican beaches, noted as some of the best in the world. Los Altos is family-oriented, with horseback riding, nature walks, wildlife viewing, sport fishing, rafting, kayaking, world-class surfing, and canopy tours. Guests can enjoy world-class amenities such as on-site dining, spa, gymnasium, conference center, swimming pool and direct beach access. Complimentary local airport and park transfers are provided, as well as requests for off-site dining and activities. “Los Altos Beach Resort & Spa is a spectacular hotel nestled

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along one of the most beautiful natural environments of Costa Rica,” said Grace Grillo, President of Grace’s Distinctive Properties. Introductory rates at Los Altos Beach Resort & Spa start at $490 per night. Los Altos Beach Resort & Spa, 888-982-5867, reservations@losaltoscr.com, www.losaltoscr.com; Grace’s Distinctive Properties, Ltd., 866-655-2200, www.gracesdistinctiveproperties.com

LA MANSION INN’S NEW “SKY LOUNGE” OFFERS COMPLETE 360-DEGREE VIEWS Costa Rica’s luxurious five-star La Mansion Inn in Manuel Antonio has expanded its views of the Pacific Ocean and National Park with the recent addition of its Sky Lounge sun deck, accessed steps from the garden-side pool with swim-up bar.Items from the lunch and cocktail menu are served at the deck on request. Guests are able to wake up to fresh air and the sounds of the forest while they enjoy an outdoor breakfast and relax with outstanding views of the Pacific at twilight. After dark, large golden lamps light up the deck, creating romantic ambiance long into the night. The Sky Lounge is open 24 hours a day for guests’ enjoyment. La Mansion Inn, 800-360-2071, reservations@lamansioninn.com, www.lamansioninn.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

LATIN AMERICA SUMMER SPECIAL FROM DUPLOOY’S GOOD TIL END OF OCTOBER

Travelers seeking fun, adventure, and learning can find it all in one vacation at duPlooy’s in Belize for a special price of $480 per person net until October 31. The three-night/four-day stay in a duPlooy Jungle Lodge room (double occupancy, two queen beds) includes meals and transportation between Belize City and duPlooy’s with an optional stop at the Belize Zoo enroute if time permits. The first day begins with a guided tour of Belize Botanic Gardens, then lunch at duPlooy’s and an afternoon visit to Barton Creek

Cave and Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. The next day features a horseback ride to Flour Camp Cave with a return to duPlooy’s by inner tube. Or guests may choose to horseback ride to Xunantunich Maya site, or canoe to San Ignacio and visit Xunantunich by road. The next morning there’s an optional early bird walk before returning to Belize City. The trip also includes guides, entrances, taxes and gratuities to duPlooy staff. Other activities are available at a 20-percent discount. Those booking the special should mention Travel World News. Adjacent to duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge is 45-acre Belize Botanic Gardens, open to the public. A self-guided tour booklet is provided in the rooms. Lunch is available at duPlooy’s, from a menu that features local organic meats and vegetables where possible. duPlooy’s offers on-site birding (over 300 species), spa services, horseback riding, canoeing, tubing, swimming, hiking and off-site guided tours to Maya sites in both Belize and Guatemala, caves, waterfalls and more. With a completely commissionable “Create Your Own Vacation” package, guests pay one price and may choose activities each day once they arrive. Everything’s included except entrance to sites and bar. These may be paid in advance for $35 extra per day per person, making the package all-inclusive. A 10-percent discount is granted for four or more traveling together. Prices are ppdo and single supplement is–$50 per day. Kids under six are free, those six–12 half price. duPlooy’s has family or group units for private conference, classes or wedding, and groups of 25–40 can book the whole facility. duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge, info@duplooys.com, www.duplooys.com; www.belizebotanic.org

COSTA RICAN NIGHTS TOUR AT PUEBLO ANTIGUO IN SAN JOSÉ On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings from seven to 10, visitors can enjoy a Costa Rican Nights Tour at Pueblo Antiguo in San José, Costa Rica. Pueblo Antiguo is the theme park and one of the principal attractions of Parque de Diversiones. Filled with buildings and natural environments reminiscent of Costa Rica at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, it’s a center of amusement, culture and tradition conserving Costa Rican customs, and permitting visitors, foreigners and natives to better understand its history. During the three-hour tour, given under the concept of dinner/show, visitors are greeted with fireworks and a welcome cocktail, followed by the show Historias Ticas, highlighting historical anecdotes, customs, traditions and characters. The tour includes a typical buffet dinner in “El Ventolero” restaurant accompanied by “marimba” music, and it concludes with a guided tour visiting the historical buildings of San José in Pueblo Antiguo. Pueblo Antiguo, reservaciones@puebloantiguo.co.cr, www.puebloantiguo.co.cr; www.parquediversiones.com 36 • SEPTEMBER 2009

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LATIN AMERICA POSADA DEL ANGEL PRESENTS SOPHISTICATED HIDEAWAY IN GUATEMALA

“I have tried to create the hotel I always dreamed of staying at: comfortable, stylish, beautiful and elegant. I dreamed of a hotel where someone would give me good advice on what to do and what was going on in town, a hotel where you are just as comfortable being single as being married, a hotel where you get to know other guests and the local residents or you can be left entirely alone.” That was the wish of Mary Sue Gibson Morris, who in 1993 created Posada Del Angel at La Antigua in Guatemala, and managed it for 13 years. She died of cancer in 2006. In 2007, two young entrepreneurs, Mr. Ricardo Balzaretti and Mr. Enrique Urruela, purchased the hotel. With profits generated through the sale, Morris left her legacy: “Becas Mari Sue,” a foundation to educate children in Guatemala managed through a trust under her name at Banco Internacional and supported by Posada del Angel. Winner of the 2007 Andrew Harper Hideaway Report, the seven-suite boutique hotel welcomes guests in a colonial house with rustic details—a terrace with a full view of the valley and three immense volcanoes, a classical warm lap pool, a cozy chapel serving as a romantic dining room, a living room with a fireplace, and, most important—a staff of eight bilingual personalized experts. Each room and bathroom is decorated in the style of colonial La Antigua using warm colors featuring smooth fabrics and cushions. Snacks and typical Guatemalan food are offered during breakfast hour, at room service, and the chapel-style dining room at guests’ request. Refined music fills the hotel lobby like a living room. Posada Del Angel has been honored with visits from Guatemalan ex-President and Mrs. Alvaro Arzu, ex-President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton, ex-Prime Minister of Canada HRH Alexander Prinz von Sachsen of Saxe-Gessaphe and his wife Princess Gisela of Baviera, Pierre Trudeau, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Marcus and musicians Liona Boyd and Fernando de la Mora. Posada Del Angel, www.posadadelangel.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

TRAVEL + LEISURE ACCOLADE FOR FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S BLANCANEAUX RESORTS Blancaneaux Resorts has announced that both its Belize properties placed in the top five resorts in Central and South America at the 2009 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Blancaneaux Lodge was voted Best Resort in Central and South America, with Turtle Inn placing fifth in the same category. Blancaneaux Lodge also made the Travel + Leisure 500 World’s Best Hotels 2009 list. Anne Wood, Managing Director of Blancaneaux Resorts, commented: “I’d like to dedicate the award to Mr. and Mrs. Coppola’s unique vision and to the wonderful staff of Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn. The awards reflect two world-class locations and superb amenities yet it is the individual service, creativity and flexibility offered by our dedicated team that has ultimately been recognized by the readers of Travel + Leisure. We work hard to differentiate ourselves through attention to detail, personal service and unique experiences and the staff are proud to know that their efforts have been recognized”. Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure, said: “This year’s results reflect our readers’ travel interests in this challenging economic reality—value, intimacy, service, and discovery are top priorities.” Blancaneaux Resorts, www.blancaneaux.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS

The Rhythm’s Gonna Get You! Selling Africa’s Music Festivals with West Africa Tours From Mali’s Festival in the Desert to its annual musical extravaganza along the Niger River, this Bamako-based company offers foot-tapping, hip-swaying programs. M A R Y E L L E N S C H U LT Z WEST AFRICA TOURS

our mad-for-Africa clients are planning another adventure, but want something different from, say, their Uganda gorilla trek or South African wine tour…something off the been-there/done-that track. How about going to the source of some great music in Mali? Anyone with even a passing interest in global music knows that Mali is hot, right up there on the world stage. Bordered by Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Algeria, West Africa’s largest country measures more than 807,000 sq. mi. (roughly half the size of Texas). Dotted by towns along the mighty Niger River, the Tuareg-inhabited Sahara desert and home to one of the most exotic cities of all time — Timbuktu — Mali’s been intriguing curious travelers for centuries. Although the U.S. market’s been small (mostly for lack of marketing), Mali’s travel treasures — ancient, modern and musical — are now more easily accessible, especially with West Africa Tours (WAT).

Inspired by the Sahara: musicians during Mali’s Festival in the Desert.

to put — and keep — WAT on the radar. Key are prompt service, constant communication and, she promises, “we answer all queries within 24 hours.”

Who’s WAT? Timbuktu-born Mariama de Lys founded WAT in 1995, specializing in customized cultural/adventure journeys throughout West Africa. Most tours start in Bamako (Mali’s capital and company headquarters) and take in Mali’s World Heritage Sites, including the mythical desert outpost of Timbuktu, Biandagara (remote homeland of the cliff-dwelling Dogon people), Djenne (site of the world’s largest mud brick mosque) and Mopti (Mali’s “Venice” on the Niger River”). Single- and multicountry itineraries can include neighboring Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo. De Lys hopes to expand her U.S. client base via more aggressive marketing, saying, “We want Americans to come and know this part of Africa, to experience our rich history, stunning landscapes and long tradition of welcoming visitors…plus, we live here and are proud to introduce you to our treasures! Our guides speak fluent English, and we provide the best transportation and accommodations available at each stop.” She personally reviews every itinerary and frequently acts as tour leader. Asked what she loves best about her business: “Easy — happy clients! Many times, they say every day’s a new discovery, with no time to get bored…they like our improvisation…for example, we’ll arrive somewhere with a traditional ceremony, birthday or marriage happening, and our guides always manage to get us invited to the fiesta!” Despite current market challenges, Mariama is determined 38 • SEPTEMBER 2009

WAT Festivals? Festivals abound in Africa and two of the continent’s most exciting musical celebrations take place in Mali, so why not build programs around two upcoming events: The Festival in the Desert and the Niger River Festival. Some of the country’s stellar artists will be on the roster of at least one (and usually both) of these festivals: Salif Keita, Tinawaren, Amadou & Mariam, and Oumou Sangare, to name a few. WAT has programs for both festivals. “Advance scheduling makes it easier to sell a combined tour…and what makes it exciting,” Mariama enthuses, “is that all the attractions a client wants are combined into one festival: cultural heritage, interaction with local people, traditional music and art…plus the fun of being part of it!” The following festivals can easily be combined with WAT’s introductory Mali tour; sample itineraries follow event descriptions. Festival in the Desert in Essakane, Mali (January 7–9, 2010). The Festival Au Desert (Festival in the Desert) is held annually in remote Essakane, two hours north of Timbuktu. Based on traditional tribal exchanges among Mali’s southern Saharan Tuaregs (a.k.a., the dashing Blue Princes of the Desert) with songs, dances, games and camel racing, today’s version welcomes all and includes an Africa/globe-spanning artists’ roster. Participants are immersed in desert traditions www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS with all the trimmings (yes, that includes sleeping under the stars in Tuareg tents) with a nonstop, real-time Saharan music soundtrack. Celebrity-watchers note: paparazzi last year spied Monaco’s Princess Caroline strolling the sand dunes during a concert break! Festival on the Niger River, Segou, Mali (February 3–7, 2010). Set along the banks of the serene River Niger in Segou (capital of the ancient Bambara kingdom), this festival celebrates Mali’s — and all West Africa’s — vibrantly diverse ethnic groups and rhythm-rich musical traditions. Beyond the plethora of world-class artists (think: Toumani Diabaté serenading you along the riverbank), the program also features cultural forums, arts and crafts expositions and workshops (pottery, sculpture, mud-painting, textiles and jewelry), traditional dance and puppet troupes, even boat races!

PRESIDENT KIKWETE INAUGURATES BILILA LODGE KEMPINSKI IN SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

WAT’s Where? Customizable programs (land-only/agent-commissionable) can include Mali in 7 Days/6 Nights tour which takes in Mali’s former colonial capital Segou, medieval-flavored Djenne (of the “wow!”-inspiring mud brick mosque and shopping nirvana of a market), the remote Biandagara cliff region, home to stilt-dancing, mask-making Dogon people; Mopti (of the Venice-like canals and gold-hoop-earringadorned Fulani women, and on to legendary Timbuktu, fabled desert caravan stop where salt was traded for gold. Cost ppdo approx $1,550; single supp. $700. The Festival in the Desert 12-day/11-night program combines Essakane’s nomadic Saharan-flavored festivities with Mali’s other magical attractions: Timbuktu’s Djingariber mosque (Islam’s oldest university center) and Ahmed Baba center (housing 14th-century books); thatched-roof Dogon villages spilling down onto the sand dunes below and islandhopping/gold-shopping at Mopti. Cost $2,420 ppdo; single supp $254. The Niger River Festival 10-day/9-night program blends Segou’s riverside West African cultural jamboree with the Mali intro tour. Other highlights: Mopti’s lively fishing harbor, where slabs of salt are still sold as in yester-year; Djenne’s medieval market (dilemma: to trade your camera for a bowl of chili peppers?) and Bandiagara, birthplace of Amadou Hampate Bah, famous author who penned: “The death of an old man in Africa is like a library that burns.” Price $1,941 ppdo; single supp $254. Major air carriers connect via London, Paris and Frankfurt; South African Airways and Delta fly direct to Dakar from New York and Washington, DC; Royal Air Maroc to Bamako via Casablanca.

West Africa Tours; www.westafricajourneys.com; www.touringmali.com; westair@afribone.net.ml; mariamaludovic@yahoo.com Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

(Left to right) Kempinski Bilila Lodge Manager Carine Witter and His Excellency, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, of the United Republic of Tanzania at the inauguration of Kempinski’s first Lodge in the Serengeti National Park.

The Bilila Lodge Kempinski held its grand opening in July 2009, with His Excellency, President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in attendance. Also present were Ali Saeed Albwardy of ASB Tanzania Limited, Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels, and Lodge Manager Carine Wittwer. The Bilila Lodge Kempinski is the first luxury lodge for Kempinski Hotels in Serengeti National Park and their third property in Tanzania. The Bilila Lodge Kempinski features 74 rooms fitted with private telescopes for game viewing, all of which overlook the plains of the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage site and world-famous for the annual animal migration. With its own private game drive and an infinity pool overlooking a watering hole where animals come to drink, President Kikwete states that the Bilila Lodge is “the ultimate Serengeti experience in terms of luxury and comfort amidst the beauty that the Serengeti is.” It is conveniently located 45 minutes away from Seronera airstrip by car, which is only a 50-minute flight from Arusha, the nearest international airport. Kempinski is one of several upscale hospitality brands expanding their base in Tanzania. In addition to Bilila Lodge, Kempinski has the Kilimanjaro Kempinski in Dar es Salaam, the Zamani Kempinski in Zanzibar and is building a hotel in Arusha. Peter Mwenguo, Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board, noted that the expansion of Luxury properties in Tanzania by prestigious brands such as Kempinski are a good indication of the healthy investment climate for tourism in Tanzania as well as the continued demand for luxury travel despite the recent economic challenges. Bilila Lodge Kempinski, www.kempinski-bililalodge.com; Tanzania Tourist Board, www.tanzaniatouristboard.com SEPTEMBER 2009 •

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS ULTIMATE SIX-WEEK CRUISE TRANS EUROPE BY EUROPEAN WATERWAYS

European Waterways’ luxury hotel barge Anjodi will take passengers along the canals and rivers of central Europe, from Avignon in Provence all the way to vibrant Amsterdam on a unique 1,000-mile cruise planned for November 8 to December 18, 2009. Anjodi is the hotel barge that achieved “film star” status following its appearances during the hugely popular BBC TV series ‘Rick Stein’s French Odyssey,’ when she carried celebrity chef Rick Stein and a full film crew on a 400-mile voyage of culinary discovery through Southwest France. The six-week cruise takes in such famous cities as Lyon, Paris and Cologne, with local highlights and culture along the Rhone, Seine and Rhine, and enchanting smaller waterways like the Canal de Bourgogne. It will blend cruising, sightseeing and city stays with a chance to discover the regional cuisine and wines of Provence, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace and the Moselle and Rhine valleys. Anjodi is a hotel barge of classic Dutch design completely refurbished in the tasteful tradition of Africa hardwoods, hand-crafted paneling and shining brass. The accommodation offers a choice of four air-conditioned twin/double staterooms, each with full en-suite facilities. The shaded sun deck has a heated sunken Jacuzzi and teak deck furniture. The majority of gourmet meals are taken aboard, but at least once a week passengers dine ashore. The cruise is priced at $25,000 per person based on a minimum of six passengers, or $185,000 to charter a whole barge for up to eight. Rates include all meals, wines, open bar, excursions, admittance fees and transfers. European Waterways, 800-394-8630, sales@gobarging.com, www.go-barging.com

EXOTIC JOURNEYS PRESENTS VALUE LUXURY PACKAGE TO INDIA Luxury and deluxe tours conjure up the image of ‘expensive and pricy trips’ with five-star lavish hotels, private escorted airport transfers in private air-conditioned cars, private guides, and escorted sightseeing at a price not every tourist can afford. At the moment, however, thanks to present economic conditions, luxury tour packages have become more affordable as airfares and hotel rates have lowered their rates. The Chicago-based luxury tour operator, Exotic Journeys, is offering dozens of tour packages to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Sri Lanka and Myanmar at rates 40 • SEPTEMBER 2009

that are considerably lower than previous seasons. One such package by Exotic Journeys Group is “Incredible India”—a 10-day trip visiting Mumbai for two nights, Jaipur for two nights, Agra for two nights and Delhi for two nights. It is priced at $1,995 ppdo. Airport security fees and taxes are extra. The price includes airfare from New York, Newark or Chicago in economy class, eight nights’ accommodations at the famous Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces properties, private escorted airport transfers, private guided sightseeing tours and excursions, flight between Mumbai and Delhi and ground transportation on the Golden Triangle route of Delhi–Jaipur–Agra–Delhi. An upgrade to business class travel from the U.S. to India is available for an additional $2,700. Exotic Journeys pays 12-percent commission to agents. Exotic Journeys, 800-55-INDIA (800-554-6342), info@exoticjourneys.com, www.exoticjourneys.com

GOWAY LAUNCHES GREAT VALUE OKAVANGO ADVENTURE AFRICAExperts by Goway has introduced a 14-day active vacation option to Botswana—Okavango Adventure. This 13-night experience is perfectly suited for active travelers looking for an exciting, adventurous holiday.Highlights of this trip include a game drive and boat cruise in the Chobe National Park, three nights in the Okavango Delta with mokoro excursions and bush walks, game drive and boat cruise on the Kwando River and finally two nights in Livingstone to finish off in the adventure capital of Africa. Prices start at $3,252 and include 13 nights’ accommodation, flights Maun–Delta–Maun, some meals, Mokoro and bush walks in the Okavango Delta, Chobe game drive and boat cruise, game drive in Kwando. Goway, AFRICAExperts, 800-245-0920, www.goway.com

HEALTH AND WELLNESS UNDER ONE ROOF AT GRANDHOTEL LIENZ Relaxation, recuperation and modern medical care and health provision await, with a new state-of-the-art spa that includes its own lift on ground-floor level and reaches over two floors at the Grandhotel Lienz. An indoor swimming pool connects to an outdoor pool, whose lounging area and garden offer views of the Dolomites and the river Isel flowing next to the hotel. Local herbs and moon phases are respected with the spa treatments used. The highlight is a private spa for two people, which includes a steam room, a whirlpool and quiet zone. There’s also a Finnish sauna, Bio sauna and steam rooms. The medical team works closely with Head Chef Thomas Gruber. Smoking cessation therapies, acupuncture, and sports medicine exams are also featured. The hospital of Lienz five minutes away makes further exams with state-of–the art machines. Every guest receives a doctor’s letter with results and recommendations to ensure a smooth and speedy communication with one’s own doctor. Grandhotel Lienz, www.grandhotel-lienz.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS TAUCK SET TO OPERATE CULTURIOUS DEPARTURES

STRONG CUSTOMER DEMAND SPAWNS NEW U.S. AUSTIN-LEHMAN ADVENTURES

Tauck World Discovery launched its new Culturious journeys this August. The collection of itineraries, which each deliver an indepth, culturally immersive experience, represents Tauck’s first new brand since the 2003 launch of its Tauck Bridges family travel packages. Culturious journeys are designed to complement the company’s more traditional tours, and appeal to a younger, more active, boomer-age clientele. The trips will explore a more regionally focused destination in greater depth, incorporate more immersive, hands-on cultural experiences, and also provide more time for independent exploration. Culturious departures average approximately 16 guests, allowing groups to enjoy a more interactive experience within each destination and visit smaller, lesser-known sites and locations. The average Culturious trip ranges from seven to nine days, and the company expects trips to serve an audience from age 45 to about 65. “The Culturious trips fill a void in our portfolio,” said Mahar. “Our Tauck World Discovery itineraries are perfect for our traditional customers, and our Tauck Bridges trips allow us to reach young families.” CULTURIOUS ITINERARIES FOR 2009 ARE: Tuscany and Cinque Terre (eight days, from $3,790 ppdo, plus air) to Florence, Carrara, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza and Lucca; Peru (12 days, from $5,490 ppdo, plus air) to Lima, Cuzco, Reserva Amazonica, Urubamba, and Machu Picchu; Manitoba (seven days, from $4,550 ppdo, plus air) to Winnipeg, Churchill, and Hecla Island. NEW CULTURIOUS ITINERARIES FOR 2010 ARE: South Africa and Namibia (13 days) to Cape Town, Langa Township, Bushman’s Kloof, Cederberg Mountains, Franschhoek and winelands, Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Skeleton Coast/Walvis Bay, and Etosha National Park; Provence (8 days) to Aix-en-Provence, Gordes, Joucas, St. Remy, Arles, and Avignon; Costa Rica (8 days) to San Jose, Poas, Bajos del Toro, and Punta Islita. Tauck World Discovery, www.culturious.com, www.tauck.com

Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), rated top tour operator for 2009 by Travel + Leisure magazine readers, is offering two new U.S. adventures in answer to increased client demand for domestic, weeklong programs. One is a cycling tour through the Black Hills of South Dakota, with an itinerary that includes the historic Old West town of Deadwood, hiking the base of Mount Rushmore, a tour of the Crazy Horse Monument (in progress) and Wind Cave National Park. Participants will pedal back roads from open prairie to mountain forests including a section of the new Michelson Trail, an abandoned railroad grade that traverses a number of bridges and rock tunnels. The all-inclusive rate is $1,998 ppdo ($425 single supplement), one of ALA’s best bargains for 2010. Departures are set for June 6 and 13, and September 5, 12 and 19. ALA is also resurrecting its Glacier National Park Multisport Adventure in Montana to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary next year. Trained naturalist guides take guests on bikes, hikes and rafts into the backcountry while explaining the dramatic meltdown of the region’s once-mighty glaciers. The all-inclusive rate is $2,498 ppdo ($680 single supplement). The new trips, as with ALA’s other domestic programs, last six days from Sunday through Friday, allowing Saturdays for travel to the locations. “Austin-Lehman delivers an exceptional and intimate customer experience,” explains co-founder Paul Lehman. “Smaller is indeed better…our guest to guide ratio is six-to-one. But most of all, it’s our passion for delivering over-the-top surprise and delight that make our trips so memorable and meaningful.” Austin-Lehman Adventures destinations include iconic national parks and backcountry regions of North, Central and South America as well as southern Africa and Europe. Other new trips slated for 2010 include Utah’s Canyonlands, Wyoming’s Grand Tetons and a Greek Isles trip that features kayaking, hiking and cultural exploration. Austin-Lehman Adventures, 800-575-1540, info@austinlehman.com, www.austinlehman.com

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PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS VILLA SANT’ANDREA IN CORTONA, ITALY, IS PRIVATE RESIDENCE FOR SMALL GROUPS

1100s, comfortable beds with high thread-count linens, an extensive organic garden maintained and ready for guests to harvest for a meal plus attentive staff—all is provided by Vantage World Travel at Villa Sant’Andrea. Private cook, cooking lessons, wine tastings with selections from the cellar to wine tours, bike tours and more can be arranged. Bookings for 2010 made by December 31, 2009, will earn agents 10-percent commission on rentals of one week, and an additional five percent on rentals of two weeks or more for the second (or more) consecutive week(s). Vantage World Travel/Vantage Adventures, vantage@travelvantage.com, www.travelvantage.com; (villa) www.santandreacortona.webs.com

PINK JEEP TOURS FIRST INDEPENDENT TOUR COMPANY OFFERING IN-PARK SERVICE IN DEATH VALLEY

Vantage World Travel has announced that Villa Sant’Andrea in Cortona, Italy, has acquired over 13 acres of agricultural land to be dedicated to the production of biologically sound, economically responsible products, including Cortona D.O.C. red wine. The spacious, privately-owned Villa and Guest House—over 5,000 square feet—is set on more than 20 acres of olive groves and vineyards. It accommodates families and small groups with five double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom (renovations due for completion by spring next year). There are also extra beds and sleeper sofas in some rooms for extended families with children allowing accommodations for 15 in total. The Villa is fully air-conditioned. Janette Wesley, its owner, claims different types of groups have enjoyed the villa. It’s perfect for families—grandparents and all, and especially groups desiring an intimate setting. It’s been the locale of weddings, special birthday celebrations, and a spot for business owners or managers to entertain special clients or have best employees rewarded. Colleges and universities have used Villa Sant’Andrea for art faculty renewal and for Continuing Education groups, as the location is rich with history and art along with culinary and wine delights. Villa Sant’Andrea is about halfway between Florence and Rome and Siena and Perugia, around seven minutes’ drive to Cortona in Tuscany. Day trips to Siena, Assisi, Florence, or the wine country of Montalcino and Val d’Orcia are simple by rented car or train. Oriental carpets, original oil paintings, handmade artisan iron works and antique gates, antique and reproduction furniture, a hand-carved stone sink from the 1700s, a functioning 14th-century wood-fired oven, antique fireplaces, hand-hewn beams from the 42 • SEPTEMBER 2009

Beginning this September, Pink Jeep Tours is the first independent tour company to offer in-park service at Death Valley. These new tours allow guests to visit the remote areas of the park too difficult for most vehicles to access. This is made possible by Pink Jeep Tours’ new Tour Trekker, the first-of-its-kind, high-end, stateof-the-art sightseeing vehicle. This comfortable four-wheel drive vehicle has seating for up to 10 passengers so guests may truly enjoy the “small group” experience. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available from most park hotels, including the four-diamond Furnace Creek Inn, the Furnace Creek Ranch and the popular Stovepipe Wells Village. Tours originate and conclude inside the park. To make this possible, Pink Jeep Tours has partnered with Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the nation’s largest park concessions management company and leader in park and resort hospitality. Xanterra oversees and manages most resort, dining and retail offerings at Death Valley. “Pink Jeep Tours has one of the most respected names in the tour business,” says Rich Jones, regional general manager, Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “All too many past guests have not been able to visit some of the most famed attractions due to the type of vehicle they drive. We are pleased Pink Jeep Tours will soon provide an affordable way to see these attractions in four-wheel luxury.” Once inside the park, guests can visit secluded areas such as Racetrack Playa, Titus Canyon, Charcoal kilns and Mosaic Canyon, and West Side Road. In addition, guests can also join Pink Jeep’s classic Death Valley tour when it arrives from Las Vegas. This two-hour segment visits Badwater Basin, Devil’s Golf Course, Zabriskie Point and Artist’s Palette. “Demand is there and we predict fall will be busy,” says Alix Reed, General Manager of Pink Jeep Tours. “This is a brand new way for visitors to experience areas of Death Valley they wouldn’t otherwise be able to see and will be able to do so in an exciting, yet educational way thanks to our highly-trained guides.” Tour prices range from $65 to $165. Pink Jeep Tours, www.pinkjeep.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS ROMANTIC TUSCAN SPA BREAK AT ADLER THERMAE

Adler Thermae is the result of a careful merging of the traditional thermal spa and the modern fitness resort. Its concept is based on enjoying good health, good food and service and exploring treatments, and fitness in a natural and beautiful environment. Adler Thermae Spa and Wellness Resort, www.adler-thermae.com

FORMULA 1 SPECTATORS OFFERED PACKAGE BY TOURS BRASIL

Adler Thermae Spa and Wellness Resort in Orcia Valley, the heart of Tuscany, has planned a “Romantic Spa Break” and a “Balance Program” as inviting special programs for guests to add to their visit to the Italian countryside. The Romantic Tuscan Spa Break includes: five nights in a deluxe double at Adler Spa and Resort; sparkling “Prosecco” and strawberries in room on arrival; half board with romantic candlelight dinner in “open-air restaurant;” access to thermal pools and saunas, one “Argillae” clay bath for two, a “Vineyard Ritual” body treatment with wine; one “Grotta Salina” underground salt grotto for two; two days’ rental of vintage car for romantic tours in the countryside; and a personalized “Road Book” with itineraries and tips on what to see and where to shop for typical Tuscan products.The price, approximately $1,509 per person, is valid until March 28, 2010. The Balance® Mind & Spirit Journey is designed to promote psycho-physical relaxation, improve the quality of sleep, enhance the capacity for self-perception, build up the body’s energy and help maintain a healthy emotional balance. The program includes: four nights in a deluxe double room, full board with a wide choice of biolight cuisine or individual program based on diet meals, a consultation on natural remedies, one Bach Flowers remedy, one Bio-energy test, a private meditation and breathing class, one energy balancing treatment, one Watsu (45 minutes), one Tui-Na (a form of Chinese manipulative therapy), a private mind and spirit session, one final medical consultation, one set of natural food supplements, personalized herbal teas during the stay and free access to Adler Aquae with thermal pools and saunas and to Adler Fit with a varied program of fitness activities and sports.The price is approximately $1,774 ppdo in the room superior double. Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

Tours Brasil has arranged a Formula 1 package that brings visitors to the great Grand Prix race this year. The tour extends from October 15–19 and includes transfer from airport to hotel, four nights in the hotel with a buffet breakfast, transfer from the hotel to Autodrom and back to the hotel, and transfer from the hotel to airport. The following options are available for hotel accommodations: Three-star Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi, with a rate of $1,175 for a Single standard room and $790 ppdo for Double standard. Four-star Bourbon Convention Ibirapuera at a price of $1,590 Single standard and $920 Double standard. (Map included.) Four-star Hampton Park–Chambertin, with a Single standard room priced at $985, and Double standard for $640. Four-star Pergamon Hotel with rate of $930 for Single standard and $625 Double standard. All above prices cited are net, not commissionable and subject to change without previous notice. Prices are per person. Services are in SIB (Sit-in bus) with English speaking driver/guide. Tours Brasil, director@toursbrasil.com.br, toursbrasil@toursbrasil.com.br, marcia@toursbrasil.com.br; www.toursbrasil.com.br; www.hinnbrasil.com.br, www.bourbon.com.br, www.hamptonpark.com.br, www.pergamon.com.br

CORAL SPAWNING 2009 AT ALL WEST/OCEAN ENCOUNTERS WEST This year Ocean Encounters West is holding special events for the coral spawning taking place during September and October 7–12: a presentation evening on September 10 and also on October 10, including a night dive with food and drinks after the dive. Over these few months the yearly “Coral Spawning” which occurs is the phenomenon during which several coral species (but also other organisms) release their gonadal secretions into the water column at the same time under the influence of environmental circumstances such as water temperature and a very special position of the moon. All West Apartments & Diving is in the small fishing village of Westpunt. Ocean Encounters West is located at Playa Kalki in the West End of the island. With a satellite location at All West Apartments, diving services are provided to the Westpunt area including Marazul Dive Resort. Detailed information is available on their websites. Ocean Encounters West, www.oceanencounterswest.com; All West Apartments & Diving, www.allwestcuracao.com; www.reefcare.org SEPTEMBER 2009 •

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS BOLONGO BAY BEACH RESORT INTRODUCES DIVE SPECIAL FOR $700 PER PERSON Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is offering a five-night Summer Dive Special featuring six dives per person with the St. Thomas Diving Club, a five-star PADI training facility located on-property at Bolongo. The Summer Dive Special is $700 ppdo, valid for travel now through October 31, 2009. Included are accommodations for five nights in an oceanview room, six dives per person, complimentary use of non-motorized watersports (snorkel gear, paddle boats, sunfish sailboats, windsurfing equipment, and kayaks), all taxes, service charges and energy surcharges. Regulator and BCD rental charges are not included. Reservations must be made by calling or emailing Bolongo’s reservations department, with mention of the name of the special at the time of booking. This promotion is not combinable with any other offers. Bolongo features 65 beachfront rooms curved around crescentshaped, palm-lined Bolongo Bay. Accommodations are in the midst of a makeover with new color schemes and soft goods. Bolongo offers WIFI access hotspots around pool and lounge areas, all of which can be accessed via a guest’s wireless laptop. Guests can also purchase phone cards in Bolongo’s gift shop to

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be used in conjunction with the resort’s Internet kiosk located in the lounge. Bolongo’s two seaside restaurants—The Lobster Grille and Iggie’s Beach Bar & Grill—are among the most popular on St. Thomas. The Lobster Grille is the best place for lobster, fresh seafood and steaks, and Iggies was voted the best beach bar by the readers of Caribbean Travel & Life. The St. Thomas Diving Club provides dive programs for people at all levels of the sport as well as open-water certification courses. Scuba divers can enjoy excursions to offshore reefs with incredible coral formations, the wrecks of the Cartanser Sr. and the Warwick, tunnels, tower pinnacles and mini walls. Visitors may learn of Bolongo’s latest specials visiting the hotel’s website and clicking on the mailing list and RSS feed icons to sign up. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, 800-524-4746, reservations@bolongobay.com, www.BolongoBay.com

AQUANAUTS GRENADA ADDS ‘REBREATHER’ FEATURE FOR TECHNICAL DIVING “Diving with rebreathers is like having gills—you don’t make any bubbles and come very, very close to marine life such as eagle rays, jacks, sharks and even the tiny jaw fish,” says Peter Seupel, owner of Aquanauts Grenada. With this new service, facilities are offered for traveling rebreather divers—scrubber material, two and three L tanks for rent, O2 supply through a booster pump and washing/storage space. As of November, Trial Dives and CCR certification course can be booked, and provision for Trimix will be ready as well. Diving on closed circuit units also allows for extended bottom times on Grenada’s deeper wrecks and reefs. One can imagine spending an hour exploring the Bianca C or diving the whole Marine Park in one dive for a few hours. Best of all: the diver breathes warm and moist air to prevent getting cold easily. Mike Fowler, President of Silent Diving, who conducted the training; stated: “The Grenada dive sites are perfect to dive with a rebreather—for their depth and marine life.” The technical diving is further complimented by TDI courses such as the Advanced Nitrox course and decompression procedures. Aquanauts is featuring dedicated rebreather weeks, where boat and guide are only for the silent divers, beginning September 27 until October 3, 2009. Rebreather divers may carbon offset dive time, as during that time you do not exhale CO2 into the atmosphere, which on average a human being does about 1.6 L per minute. A complete package including accommodation at True Blue Bay Resort may be arranged through secure online booking or by calling toll-free. Information and prices may be found on the website. Aquanauts Grenada, 800-513-5257, dive@aquanautsgrenada.com, www.grenadadiveresorts.com, www.aquatecgrenada.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS HOTEL FLAMINGO COZUMEL EXHIBITING WORKS OF ART BY LOCAL ARTIST, GALO RAMIREZ

In Cozumel, Mexico, Hotel Flamingo is supporting local artist, Galo Ramirez, by exhibiting his art throughout the hotel. Tom Fryer, owner of Hotel Flamingo, met Galo 13 years ago when he purchased the hotel where Galo’s watercolors decorated the rooms. Galo, no longer a struggling artist, displays his art in his private

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studio and on his website (www.galoartstudio.com), where his works can be purchased. Additionally, visitors to Hotel Flamingo may take a painting home after a stay for prices ranging from $300–$600 per painting. The official “exhibition” will be held in September. Hotel Flamingo is a 22-room boutique hotel with tastefully decorated accommodations and a high level of guest services. The Hotel Flamingo’s Aqua Restaurant and Bar offers complimentary breakfast with all stays, and serves lunch along with cocktails throughout the day and into the evening. Live jazz is also available on Thursday and Friday nights. Scuba Diving, horseback riding, snorkeling, sailing, parasailing, fishing and tours of Mayan ruins are available for booking by Hotel Flamingo’s English-speaking staff. Hotel Flamingo currently has on offer two diving specials: four nights with two days of diving for $260 ppdo, and seven nights with five days of diving at $567 ppdo. Rates include Courtyard accommodations, full breakfast each morning, two tank morning dives with aquatic sports, transfers to diving and all taxes. For non-diving guests, Flamingo is offering 35 percent off nightly room rates with a minimum stay of two nights for travel through September 18, 2009. Hotel Flamingo. 800-806-1601, info@hotelflamingo.com, www.hotelflamingo.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS VISIT BY H.E. THE FRENCH MINISTER OF TOURISM ONBOARD LOUIS CRUISES MV ORIENT QUEEN

The head of Louis Cruises in France Mr. Vassilakopoulos (left) welcomes Mr. Novelli, French Minister of Tourism.

The French Ministry of Tourism and the AFFC (Association of French Ferries and Cruise Companies) held a meeting on board the Louis Cruises MV Orient Queen in July highlighting the continuous growth of the French cruise market and its important contribution to the overall French tourism industry. The French Minister of Tourism, Mr. Herve Novelli arrived at the Marseilles Provence Cruise Terminal, which is now managed by the Costa, MSC and Louis consortium, and was welcomed by the head of Louis Cruises in France Mr. Yannis Vassilakopoulos in the name of the said consortium. The Minister then embarked onboard MV Orient Queen whereby her Master and Officers provided a guided tour. In his welcome speech Mr. Vassilakopoulos as Vice President of the AFFC, underlined the fact that cruising is the fastest-growing tourism sector in the world and stated that the Marseilles Provence Cruise Terminal and France in general are already capitalizing on their key position in the Mediterranean and thus attracting an increasing number of passengers to the French shores and the port itself. It is precisely for this reason, Mr. Vassilakopoulos said, that the consortium has committed to substantially increasing the number of passengers using the Marseilles port and remains focused on achieving this cause. Mr. Vassilakopoulos also highlighted Louis Cruises’ continuous efforts in further developing cruising in France and briefed the Minister and other officials on the multifaceted action that is being taken in promoting cruising in France but also France and Marseille as a cruise hub in the Mediterranean. The French Minister of Tourism in his speech acknowledged the importance of cruising and its immense potential as well as its role in enriching the French tourism product. He applauded the development of Marseilles into a major cruise hub in the Mediterranean and the fact that it is increasingly becoming popular with cruise operators and passengers alike. Louis Cruises, 877-louisus (877-568-4787), lclusa@louiscruises.com, www.louiscruises.com 46 • SEPTEMBER 2009

TAUCK ADDS TWO NEW RIVER CRUISES FOR 2010 Next year Tauck World Discovery is adding two new itineraries to its European river cruising and two Oberammergau extensions. Land journeys that combine with selected Tauck river cruises and include premium-seating tickets for the village’s famous Passion Play performances. “European river cruising continues to be a very robust and vibrant segment of our business, and we’re excited to continue with the careful and measured expansion of our river cruise offerings,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “By growing our river cruise portfolio slowly, we’ve been able to maintain the same high standards, quality of guest experience, and strong value that Tauck has been known for since 1925. Along with the launch of our new MS Swiss Jewel in April, these two new river cruises represent important steps in our efforts.” The 12-day “Strasbourg to Prague Serenade” cruise (from $3,990 ppdo, plus air) begins with two nights at Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile, sightseeing in Strasbourg and exploration of the Alsatian wine country. The following seven days visit Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nurnberg and Regensburg, before two days at the Hilton Prague Old Town with guided sightseeing. The 19-day “Romance of the Rhine and Danube” (from $6,790 ppdo, plus air) also starts with a two-night stay at the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile and visits to many of the same cities along the Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal. The 14-day cruise then continues along the Danube visiting Passau, Linz, Salzburg, Durnstein, Vienna and Bratislava, before concluding with two nights at the InterContinental Budapest. Tauck’s four-day Oberammergau extension begins in Munich with welcome reception/dinner at traditional Spatenhaus. Next day in Oberammergau, guests view the Passion Play from Tauck’s specially-reserved seating, before enjoying in-town accommodations at Hotel Maximilian. Day three visits opulent Linderhof Palace and explores Munich before conclusion the following day. The five-day extension also begins in Munich with a walking tour of the city plus visiting 17th-century Schloss Nymphenburg. Days two and three provide time in the market town Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Passion Play in Oberammergau. A guided walking tour of Salzburg highlights the fourth day, with the extension concluding last day. Tauck will offer nine European river cruises total in 2010. Tauck World Discovery, 800-468-2825, www.tauck.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News

PROFITABLE WORLD OF NICHE MARKETS BRENDAN LAUNCHES DELUXE EGYPT CRUISE SERIES INCLUSIVE OF DOMESTIC AIR AND TRANSFERS Brendan recently launched a number of deluxe cruise products to Egypt featuring three- to seven-day packages. This includes the legendary Nile River cruise, which departs Aswan and concludes in Luxor. Partnering with such four-star establishments as the Oasis Hotel and Novotel Cairo Airport Hotel in Cairo, all packages include transfers, cruise meals, hotel breakfasts and all hotel taxes and service charges. The packages will also include a Cairo Highlights Tour that includes lunch. Sample packages include: Egypt Three-Night Cruise—seven days/six nights from $1079 land and intra-tour air (Cairo–Aswan, Luxor–Cairo): two nights at the Oasis Hotel, one night at the Novotel Cairo, three nights on the Deluxe Nile River Cruise, all meals inclusive on board the ship, hotel breakfast daily, the Cairo Highlights Tour, pre- and post-transfers and all hotel taxes and service charges; Egypt Four-Night Cruise—eight days/seven nights from $1,149 land and intra-tour air (Cairo–Aswan, Luxor–Cairo), two nights at the Oasis Hotel, one night at the Novotel Cairo, four nights on the Deluxe Nile River Cruise, all meals inclusive on board the ship, hotel breakfast daily, the Cairo Highlights Tour, pre- and post-transfers and all hotel taxes and service charges; Egypt FourNight Cruise—eleven days/ten nights from $1,399 land and intratour air (Cairo–Aswan, Luxor–Cairo), two nights at the Oasis Hotel, one night at the Novotel Cairo, seven nights on the Deluxe Nile River Cruise, all meals inclusive on board the ship, hotel breakfast daily, the Cairo Highlights Tour, pre- and post-transfers and all hotel taxes and service charges. Additional information and full terms and conditions available on the website or 800 number. Brendan Vacations, 800-421-8446, www.brendanvacations.com

Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com

SENIOR EXECUTIVES MEET ON VIKING LEGEND DURING INAUGURAL CRUISE

Members of the executive team of Viking River Cruises held a meeting this summer on board Viking Legend’s inaugural cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. (Left to right) Tony Hofmann, Senior Vice President of Operations; Richard Marnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing; Guido Laukamp, Senior Vice President of European Marketing and Sales; and Ted Sykes, Chief Financial Officer stand on board deck as Viking Legend approaches Cologne. Viking Legend sails on Grand European Tour, Viking’s most popular itinerary, from Amsterdam to Budapest. At 443 feet, the three-level Viking Legend is the longest in the Viking fleet, and accommodates 189 guests in 98 staterooms. Viking River Cruise, 877-668-4546, www.vikingrivercruises.com

SEPTEMBER 2009 •