Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
MAY 2011
e x e c u t i v e o f f i c e
28 Knight StreetNorwalk, CT 06851-4707
Voice: 203.286.6679 • Fax: 203.286.6681
p u b l i s h e r
Charles Gatt, [email protected]
d e s i g n p r o d u c t i o n m a n a g e r
Linda [email protected]
e d i t o r
Carol A. [email protected]
Shawn Hebert • I T m a n a g e r
Cindy Johnson • c i r c u l a t i o n m a n a g e r
c o n t r i b u t i n g e d i t o r s
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
Helen Kitti Smith • Robin Swados • Diane Terry
c r u i s e e d i t o r
Michael Iachetta
s o u t h e a s t r e g i o n a l c o r r e s p o n d e n t
Joan Gonzalez
w e s t e r n r e g i o n a l c o r r e s p o n d e n t
Connie Skoog
Travel World News (ISSN 1044-4602) is published monthly byTravel Industry Network, Inc., 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT06851-4707. The cost of a subscription in the USA is $25, inCanada $40. For subscribers outside USA or Canada, the rate is$80. Please send check or money order in U.S. dollars payable toTravel World News. For change of address, please enclose yourmailing label and send to: Circulation Department, Travel World
News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Periodicalspostage paid at Norwalk, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Address advertisinginquiries and/or editorial copy to: Travel World News, 28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851-4707. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. No part of this publication maybe reproduced without permission.
All advertising in Travel World News is based on data submittedto the Publisher by the advertisers. The Publisher shall not be liablefor the accuracy or inaccuracy of any information contained inTravel World News and shall not be liable, including but not limited to consequential or special damages, to any party for anyproducts or services advertised or reported upon herein. ThePublisher shall not be responsible for typographical errors. All information contained herein is subject to change without notice bythe parties providing such products and services. The Publisherreserves the right to reject any advertising that has been submittedat his sole discretion. Upon providing a refund of any amount paidto the party whose submittal was rejected, the Publisher shall nothave any liability to any party for such rejection.
w e b s i t e
www.travelworldnews.com
MAY 2011 ISSUE NO. 275
INDUSTRY EVENTS 3
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 6
INDUSTRY NEWS 7
EUROPESix Smart Ways to ‘Sell’ Central EuropeTo Your Clients 10
Central Europe Experience B2B Exchange 11
Europe’s First Music Hotel, nhow Berlin Dazzles 14
Malta Is Magic in the Springtime WithCommemorative and Open-Air Celebrations 15
Malta B2B Exchange 17
FAM ANNOUNCEMENTSFor complete and current list please visit:www.travelworldnews.com/fams
CARIBBEANSandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa, Greenest in Riviera Maya 20
Caribbean B2B Exchange 23
Spring/Summer Deals at Ladera 24
Verdanza Hotel, San Juan, Celebrates theArrival of Summer in Advance 26
LATIN AMERICATara Tours Celebrates 30 Years 28
Peru B2B Exchange 29
Ecuador B2B Exchange 31
Book Latin America Destination Specialists 35
Central America B2B Exchange 37
AFRICABook Africa Destination Specialists 39
There’s Something Special About Senegal 40
Great Safaris’ Rangers Report Fast ApproachingGreat Migration on the Serengeti 42
South African Airways Now Non-Stop ExclusivelyFrom Johannesburg to New York 44
Africa B2B Exchange 45
EUROPE / Berlin Germany - page 14
EUROPE / Central Europe - page 10
AFRICA / Senegal - page 40
LATIN AMERICA / Peru - page 28
EUROPE / Malta- page 15
THE TICKETING EXPERT
Problems issuing a ticket? Simply use HR-169
e-documents!To issue e-tickets on an Hahn Air e-document (HR-169), simply follow the standard ticketing process of your GDS.
1. Book flight segment(s) and complete booking2. Quick check airline(s) on www.hahnair.com3. Get fare quote using Hahn Air as validating carrier4. Issue electronic ticket on HR-169
No HR segment required for ticketing on HR-169.
Log on to www.hahnair.com today to find out more about smart ticketing and to register with Hahn Air.
No HR segment required for ticketing on HR-169.
Hahn Air Lines GmbH, [email protected]
Service partner and local helpdesk:Airworld AllianceToll-free number: 1 877 [email protected]
LA CUMBRE CONTINUES HOSTED BUYERPROgRAM IN LAS VEgAS THIS SEPTEMBER
La Cumbre, The Americas’ Travel Industry Summit will take placeSeptember 7–9 at The Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino in LasVegas, Nevada.With the goal of expanding support and helping in-dustry growth, La Cumbre is continuing its Hosted Buyer Programfor the third consecutive year. A continued benefit offered by thisProgram is the reimbursement of the registration fee—which in-cludes three nights of accommodation at The Venetian—for thosewho meet the requirements.
The Hosted Buyer Program provides not only incentive for regis-tered buyers but also benefits participating exhibitors, who often seean increase in quality throughout various segments, as well as agrowing attendance at the Meetings and Incentive sector. By
February 1, registered Hosted Buyers were up 34 percent comparedto the same date in 2010, clearly showing the program’s popularityamong potential attending buyers.
Hosted Buyer applicants must comply with these requirements:submit registration and complete payment before July 1, 2011 (lim-ited availability); pre-schedule a minimum of 25 appointmentsthrough the show’s online system; attend all pre-scheduled appoint-ments during the event; attend at least one of four destination presentations; and submit the passport at the entrance of the closing luncheon.
Over 250 exhibitors from all over the Americas, and 300 buyersfrom around the world are expected to attend. There will be a fullday of conferences and seminars, and two full days of pre-scheduledbusiness meetings.During this year’s event, La Cumbre will be pre-senting its new golf tourism segment, as well as continuing growthof its high-end segment.Registration is currently open for Buyers,GSAs, and Exhibiting companies. La Cumbre 2011, [email protected],
[email protected], www.lacumbre.com;
Reed Travel Exhibitions, www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
CHTA ExPANDS CONFERENCES WITH NEWEVENTS IN BARBADOS AND ST. LUCIA THIS YEAR
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has addedtwo new conferences for 2011 with a new Caribbean Hotel &Tourism Conference planned for Barbados June 1–3 and theCaribbean Boutique and Intimate Hotel Conference October 13–15in St. Lucia.
The Conference in Barbados will take place at the Lloyd ErskineSandiford Center and will air forecasts, trends and ways to over-come the specific challenges affecting the Caribbean tourism indus-try. The theme is linked to CHTA’s Advocacy campaign, “Tourism IsKey,” which creates awareness throughout the Caribbean’s variouscommunities of the importance of tourism to the region, based ondata from the Oxford Economics tourism economic impact study.CHTC will be followed by CHTA committee meetings, board meet-ing and the annual general meeting.
The October Caribbean Boutique and Intimate Hotel Conferencewill bring together owners and managers of the finest Caribbeanboutique and intimate properties to learn about the latest trends intheir unique and ‘quintessential Caribbean’ market segment.
CHTA’s calendar for 2011–12 includes: 15th Annual CaribbeanHotel and Tourism Investment Conference May 10–12, 2011, atMontego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica; Caribbean Hotel andTourism Conference June 1–3, 2011, at Lloyd Sandiford ErskineCentre, Barbados; Taste of the Caribbean June 22–26, 2011, atHyatt Regency Miami, Florida; and The Caribbean Boutique andIntimate Hotel Conference–The Quintessential Caribbean, October13–15, 2011, St. Lucia; Caribbean Marketplace January 22–24,2012, at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA),
www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News4 • MAY 2011
INDUSTRY EVENTS
ARTA100% Travel Agents.We’re proud to say that ARTA
does not accept airlines or
other suppliers as members.
We work ONLY
for agents!
Sign up for our
FREE30-day trial membership:
www.artaonline.com
DISCOVER AMERICA PAVILION AT TTg INCONTRI IN ITALY
The 48th edition of TTG Incontri will be held October 6–8, 2011,at the Rimini Fiera expo center in Italy. The country’s leading B2B-only international travel and tourism trade show brings tour opera-tors, professional buyers, travel agents, and travel retail distribu-tors from around the world to Rimini each year. Last year, the showexperienced a 21-percent increase in attendance—to over 42,000trade visitors. The three-day event is used to present the main newfeatures of tourism operators to the market. More than one thou-sand direct exhibitors and a total of 2,400 companies representing100 countries brought action to the floor in 2010.
The Discover America Pavilion is a strong USA feature at TTGIncontri. International travel and tourism shows offer some of themost cost-effective opportunities for making new and maintainingexisting contacts, developing overseas markets, introducing newproducts, and finding buyers, and the Discover America Pavilion, or-ganized in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, providesU.S. exhibitors with a choice of economical and hassle-free partici-pation alternatives. According to USDOC/OTTI Inbound TravelData, U.S. inbound travel from Italy reached 746,498 in 2010 andis projected to increase another 23 percent by 2015.B-FOR International, [email protected],
www.discoveramericapavilion.com, www.b-for.com
ATS FALL CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER IN CzECH REPUBLIC
At the invitation of the Czech Tourism and the Slovak Tourism Board, travel professionals are invited to attendAmerican Tourism Society’s 2011 Fall Conference and Post Tour, with the event’s venue the beautiful Czech Republic andSlovakia.
The Annual Meeting will take place in one of the top spa townsin the Czech Republic: Luhacovice.
Scheduled for October 23–27, an outstanding conference pro-gram is being planned including the renowned Tourism Collegeoutreach.
A superb post tour will be offered in the picturesque regions ofMoravia and Slovakia October 27–30 and will take participantsfrom Luhacovice to Bratislava with visits along the way to SpaPiest’any and the Tatra Mountains.
Requests are already coming in, so those interested should email Dave Parry, ATS Chairman, supplying name and company affiliation to be sure they’re placed on the priority reservation list.
Space is limited.American Tourism Society (ATS),
www.americantourismsociety.org
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com MAY 2011 • 5
INDUSTRY EVENTS
D A T E E V E N T L O C A T I O N C O N T A C T
TO LIST YOUR EVENTS EMAIL: [email protected] • FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS VISIT: www.travelworldnews.com/calendar
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News6 •MAY 2011
2011-12 • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
jUNE1-3 Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Conference Barbados www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com3-5 Karibu Travel Fair Arusha, Tanzania www.karibufair.com9-12 ITE Hong Kong Hong Kong, China www.itehk.com 13-16 Intl. Luxury Travel Market ASIA Shanghai, China www.iltm.net13-17 U.S.V.I. Destination Symposium St. Thomas, USVI www.usvihta.com17-19 BITE 2011 Beijing, China www.bitechina.com.cn21-23 AIBTM Baltimore, MD www.aibtm.com22-24 CULTOUR Quito, Ecuador www.cultourfair.com30-Jul BTC Rimini, Italy www.btc.itAUgUST23-25 going on Faith Conference Richmond VA www.gofconference.com30-Sept 1 CIBTM Beijing, China www.cibtm.comSEPTEMBER7-9 La Cumbre Las Vegas, NV www.lacumbre.com11-13 Travel Mart Latin America Florianopolis, Brazil www.travelmartlatinamerica.com11-13 THETRADESHOW Las Vegas, NV www.thetradeshow.org20-23 IFTM Top Resa Paris, France www.iftm.fr20-23 Travel Media Showcase Oklahoma City, OK www.travelmediashowcase.com21-24 Astana Leisure Astana, Kazakhstan www.leisure.kz/en22-25 FITA 2011 Mexico City, Mexico www.fitamx.com28-30 PRHTA 25th Annual Convention San Juan, Puerto Rico www.prhta.orgOCTOBER4-6 The Motivation Show Chicago, IL www.motivationshow.com4-6 Ukraine Intl. Travel Market Kiev, Ukraine www.ukraine-itm.com.ua6-8 TTg Incontri Rimini, Italy www.ttgincontri.it/en-en11-13 IMEx America Las Vegas, NV www.imex-america.com12-14 Cancun Travel Mart Cancun, Mexico www.cancuntravelmart.com13-15 Caribbean Boutique & Intimate Hotel Conf. Saint Lucia www.saintlucianow.com17-20 Adventure Travel World Summit Chiapas, Mexico www.adventuretravel.biz 19-21 ABAV Rio De Janeiro, Brazil www.reedtravelexhibitions.com19-21 ITB Asia Singapore www.itb-asia.com21-23 Akwaaba: African Travel Market Lagos, Nigeria www.africantravelquarterly.com23-27 ATS Fall Conference Czech Republic www.americantourismsociety.org27-30 CITM 2011 Kunming, China www.citm.com27-30 ATS Fall Conference Bratislava, Slovakia www.americantourismsociety.orgNOVEMBER1-4 Pure Life Experiences Marrakech, Morocco www.purelifeexperiences.com2-5 DEMA Orlando, FL www.demashow.com7-10 WTM London London, England www.wtmlondon.com11-14 Taipei International Travel Fair Taipei, Taiwan www.taipeitf.org.tw14-17 Intl. golf Travel Market Antalya Expo, Turkey www.igtm.co.uk16-18 Cruise Shipping Asia Exhibition Singapore www.cruiseshippingmiami.com16-18 MITM Americas El Salvador, CA www.mitmamericas.com18-20 Philoxenia Thessaloniki, Greece www.philoxenia.travel29-Dec 1 EIBTM Barcelona, Spain www.eibtm.comDECEMBER2-4 Monte Carlo Travel Market Grimaldi Forum, Monaco www.monte-carlo-travel-market.com5-9 NTA Convention Las Vegas, NV www.ntaonline.com11-13 USTOA Annual Conference & Marketplace Marco Island, FL www.ustoa.comjANUARY 201211-15 Vakantiebeurs Utrecht, The Netherlands www.vakantiebeurs.nl14-15 Travel & Adventure Show Los Angeles, CA www.adventureexpo.com14-15 The Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show Philadelphia, PA www.inquirertravelshow.com18-22 FITUR Madrid, Spain www.ifema.es
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com MAY 2011 • 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
KUMUKA WORLDWIDE ExPLORES A FRESH NEW LOOKAfter 28 years of operating tours around the globe, Kumuka Worldwide has unveiled a new
logo that reflects their diverse destinations and the freedom offered to explore the world.“Kumuka Worldwide began the start of its journey with a one-vehicle Trans African expedi-
tion in 1983. Now we have on offer tours to destinations right around the globe including Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Latin America, NorthAmerica, Europe and the Middle East,” said Steven Murphy, National Sales Manager for the US.
Kumuka caters to an array of traveling styles, with overland expeditions, family adventures, coach tours, luxury lodge holidays, energetictreks and cycling tours. Its diversity has made Kumuka Worldwide stand out among its clientele, many of whom are returning customers.With them in mind, the idea to formulate a new logo developed. “We wanted a new brand to say something about the people who travelwith us,” Murphy said. “Our clients are fun, professional and adventurous.”
Testimonials from returning travelers often speak not only of the great time they had, but also the amount of time given to take in sightsand make their way to places they’ve never imagined. One such testimonial was received from Karen Harkness who took a 30-day EuropeanCoach Tour: “I think what I enjoyed most about the tour was that on the free days you were given the information, given the tools, and yougot to choose what to do with it. On these days, you have no real restrictions on what you can do and when.”
These words resonate in Kumuka Worldwide’s new slogan, ‘the freedom to explore.’Careful planning has gone into developing itineraries allowing clients time to actually see the places they want to visit. Many trips allow
two-night stops. With so many different tours on offer around the world, there’s something to suit just about any type of traveler.Kumuka Worldwide, 800 517-0867, [email protected], www.kumuka.com
gOWAY’S BRUCE HODgE HONORED FOR COMMITMENT TO AUSTRALIAN TOURISM At the South Pacific’s largest trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange,
the Chairman of Tourism NSW, Leslie Cassar (pictured in photo, left), gave aspecial tribute to Bruce Hodge (right), Founder and President of Goway, for histireless promotion of Sydney and NSW as a tourist destination. The event washeld at Sydney’s waterfront overlooking the iconic Opera House and was at-tended by all international buyers, as well as suppliers and tour operators fromaround the country. Cassar recognized that Bruce has been promoting the Stateof New South Wales to international travelers in the United States and Canadafor the past 40 years and acknowledged Bruce’s longstanding contribution to
tourism and on behalf of Tourism NSW and its Board, presented him with the inaugural Chairman’s Award for Long Service to Tourismin NSW. The award came at the end of a three-week trip to Australia for Hodge, who had traveled with delegates from the US TourOperators Association around the country, discovering experiences available and business opportunities promoting Australia.
Bruce Hodge, originally from Nambucca Heads in regional NSW, moved to Sydney then relocated to Canada in 1970 and started thefirst company to operate camping tours across the US and Canada. His company began to sell Australia to North Americans in theearly 1980s. Today Goway works with all major airlines and markets to both the USA and Canada, and is now the largest mover ofpeople from North America to Australia.goway Travel, www.goway.com
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News8 • MAY 2011
INDUSTRY NEWS
USTOA OPTIMISTIC ON AUSTRALIA TOURISM, DONATES TO RELIEF FUND Queensland is in top condition and eager to welcome US visitors, according to
a delegation of USTOA members returning from the association’s Out of CountryMeeting. The meeting, which took place March 27 to April 6, visited Brisbane,the Gold Coast, Cairns/Port Douglas, Hunter Valley and Sydney areas.
“Our members were impressed with how well Queensland has rebounded fromthe floodsand the tropical cyclone,” says Terry Dale, USTOA President. “Wewant to encourage agents to book Australia, and especially Queensland, and weare confident clients will have an exceptional travel experience.”
“We want to get the word out that Australia—and more specificallyQueensland—is open for business,” said APT President and Vice Chairpersonof USTOA, Bronwyn Wilson. “Australia offers unique, exceptional life experi-ences, plus unrivalled vacation opportunities.” she added. USTOA, www.ustoa.com
HAHN AIR SIgNS INTERLINE AgREEMENTS WITH FOUR NEW PARTNER AIRLINESHahn Air has now activated Interline e-ticketing (IET) with four new partner airlines: Ukraine International Airlines (PS), Dutch Antilles
Express (9H), Czech Connect Airlines (CQ) and Arik Air (W3).As part of the continual extension of their e-ticketing platform with newpartner airlines, Hahn Air announced a new Interline agreement with Ukraine International Airlines, the national airline of the Ukraine,based in Kiev. The carrier operates scheduled domestic and international passenger and cargo services to cities in Western Europe. Thenew partner airline Dutch Antilles Express flies between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, and international services to Venezuela.Czech Connect Airlines operates scheduled services to Russia and charter services to various popular summer destinations. The Nigeriancarrier Arik Air offers domestic, regional and international routes, mainly from Lagos and Abuja.
Travel agents can issue all new partner airlines on electronic Hahn Air documents (HR-169) through all Global Distribution Systems(GDS) worldwide. They can always refer to the Quick Check tool on Hahn Air’s website to receive real-time results and to check the ticket-ing availability of one of Hahn Air’s 238 partner airlines or a combination of airlines in their country.Hahn Air, www.hahnair.com
CORINTHIA HOTELS CELEBRATES OPENINg OF NEW FLAgSHIP IN LONDON Alfred Pisani, founder and Group Chairman of Corinthia Hotels was in New
York on a promotional tour to mark the opening of Corinthia’s new flagship,the Corinthia Hotel London, which opened April 16, and to promote theCorinthia brand.
The Corinthia collection includes luxury, five-star hotels and resorts createdin some of the most intriguing areas of the world: award-winning CorinthiaHotel Budapest in Hungary, Corinthia Hotel Prague in the Czech Republic,Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg in Russia and Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa inMalta. Their portfolio also features Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay in Malta,the superior five-star Corinthia Hotel Tripoli in Libya, and the modernCorinthia Hotel Lisbon in Portugal.Corinthia Hotels, www.corinthia.com
ROYAL CELEBRITY RESIgNS USTOA MEMBERSHIPEffective in March, Royal Celebrity Tours, located in Miami, Florida resigned its membership in USTOA and as such no longer partici-
pates in the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.“Travelers and travel agents should be aware that purchases of Royal Celebrity Tours, Inc. products made prior to March 21, 2011, are
fully protected under the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. Client payments thereafter will not be covered by the USTOAprogram,” advises USTOA President Terry Dale. USTOA has valued Royal Celebrity Tours’ membership, and we look forward to welcom-ing the company back to the association in the future,” he adds.
“We have enjoyed 10 years as members of USTOA. We wish them continued success in their role supporting the tour operator industry inthe US,” notes Craig Milan, Royal Celebrity Tours’ President.USTOA, [email protected]. www.ustoa.com
USTOA Vice-Chairperson Bronwyn Wilson (left) andUSTOA President Terry Dale present $10,000 to ThePremier’s Diaster Relief Appeal Fund, a trust designed tohelp affected entities and individuals and to aid recovery toAnthony Hayes, CEO, Tourism Queensland.
Alfred Pisani Founder and group Chairman, CorinthiaHotels (left) with Terry Dale, President, United States TourOperators Association.
turkishairlines.com | 1 800 874-8875
Full flat-bed seats. The best of in-flight entertainment. Flying chef on board. Servicing more than 170 destinations via Istanbul on our brand new A330-300 and B777-300 ER aircraft.All globally yours.
What do the culturally-diverse countries of
Austria, the Czech republic, Germany,
hungary, Poland and Slovakia have in com-
mon? They’re all being promoted under OnE
great marketing concept, the “Central European Experience.”
It’s a win-win situation for the six tourist boards involved, as
well as the U.S. travel agents who want to promote OnE attrac-
tive destination and six different countries, including the excit-
ing Star Cities of Central Europe, Vienna, Berlin, Prague,
Budapest, Munich, Salzburg and Bratislava.
In addition, CEE Coordinator, Sandra Tharas, points out
that it was back in 2004, the national tourist offices of Austria,
the Czech republic, Germany, hungary, Poland and Slovakia
created a joint marketing group called “Central Europe
Experience” (CEE) to promote the wealth of culture of
Central Europe.
As she put it, “with the region’s joint history and an abun-
dance of authentic experiences in culture, music, architecture
and food, it was a natural fit to join forces and present Central
Europe as a distinct region to the American traveller. The part-
nership was soon joined by many of the main city destinations
in the region.
however, she said that when it came to marketing, CEE’s first
strategy was to contrast “The Old and The new” of this region
via various marketing channels such as Pr (public relations),
online marketing, travel agent communication, and print ad-
vertising. Since the financial crisis in 2008, the group focuses
even more on “Great Experiences, Great Values,” reflecting
Central Europe’s riches of history, architecture and culture at
still reasonable prices. Today, the partnership is going strong
and the annual marketing plan focuses on strategic alliances
in the travel industry, as well as travel agent communication
and training, and Pr activities.
As stated by Ms. Tharas, “there are plans to enlist more
travel agent support by promoting Central Europe to the travel
agent community via a weeklong roadshow in a specific
region in the U.S. electronic newsletters, and a partnership
with Signature Travel network. During April, a roadshow was
held on the U.S. Westcoast. There are also country specific
and regional training programs (Austria, Germany and the
European Quartet).
Especially appealing to members of the travel trade is their
information-packed website, www.gotocentraleurope.com.
The website provides details on getting to Central Europe from
the United States via several U.S. and national airlines. And
once your clients get there, there are some terrific tips on get-
ting around by boat, car, train, and air. Practical information on
passport requirements, health concerns, safety and keeping in
touch, are included, too.
Any CEE inquiries should be addressed to the individual
country offices (see contact information on website) or via
email to: [email protected].
Generally speaking, what most travel agents like about the
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News10 • MAY 2011
EUROPE
Six Smart Ways To ‘Sell’ Central Europe To Your ClientsA n n C h A r l E S
Krakow Market Square, Poland.
po
lis
H n
atio
na
l t
ou
ris
t o
ff
ice
Panorama of Budapest, Hungary.
Hu
ng
ar
ian
na
tio
na
l t
ou
ris
t o
ff
ice
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
www.danube-river.org www.danubiushotels.com
www.tradescotours.com
www.itstours.com
www.smolkatours.com
www.polandtravel
Move Your IMagInatIon
a holiday in Poland does not need to be a strain on your pocket. Find out what discounts are available to visitors and get the best value for your Polish money.
The Danube Tourist Commission brings together countries with such variedhistories as Germany, Austria, Slovakia,Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Serbia. The Republic of Moldova takes part as
observer. Ukraine is not currently a member of the Danube Tourist Commission.
Hotels in Hungary, the UK, Czech Republic,Slovakia and Romania
Budapest Hotel London Hotel
Marienbad Hotel Piestany HotelSmrdaky HotelSovata Hotel
As one of the leading and most experiencedtour companies to Europe, for many yearswe have been providing some of the bestquality programs at the most economicalprices to thousands of tourists and also to
hundreds of professional, university, alumniand special interest groups.
at smolka toursthe customer comes first.
our high standards, personalized serviceand great travel value are the reasons
our customers keep coming back.for over 30 years, we have been
specialists in travel and tours to europe.Book with us and we can make a dream
vacation come true.contact our travel experts today
Specializing in Central & Eastern Europeproviding reservation in hundreds of Hotels
and other travel related services.Includes Luxurious & First Class EscortedTours, Hosted Tours, Rail Tours, Deluxe,
First Class and Standard Class hotel accommodation, sightseeing, transfer,
cultural programs and more. Your memorable journey and satisfaction
is guaranteed when you travel with
Tradesco Tours.
www.gotohungary.com
There is something
that keeps bringing
visitors back to us –
the legendary
Hungarian
Hospitality!
CEE website are the six Travel Themes, namely, Art & Culture,
Food & Wine, Shopping & Gifts, history & heritage, Active &
Outdoors, and Spas & Wellness. For example, check out The
Performing Art Festivals, Traditional Events, Capitals &
Elsewhere under Art & Culture. You can also find on this web-
site a listing of tour operators to Central Europe, including
American Travel Abroad, General Tours and Globus & Cosmos.
If your clients are looking for diversity, check out Germany
and the other Central European countries in the region.
“Germany is a great destination because it is so diverse
with the Alps in the south, the north and Baltic Sea in the
north, a great metropolis like Berlin, cozy villages, fascinat-
ing landscapes, castles and world class culture and
museums,” says Tim rosenkranz of the German national
Tourist Office. Check their website for an overview,
www.germany.travel.
let’s face it, travel agents must be well informed as to what
each Central European country has to offer, and be able to
pass that information onto their clients. For example, when
asked what makes Austria such a unique destination, Teresa
Faudon of the Austrian Tourist Office said: “A mixture of
breathtaking landscapes and bustling cities, and thousands of
years of history and a thirst for innovation, a thriving architec-
ture scene, as well as culinary experiences of the highest cali-
bre are integral parts of Austria.”
As Maria rachidi of the hungarian national Tourist Office
points out, “hungary may be a small country, but it packs an
awful lot within its borders. There is diversity in its landscape,
which ranges from flat and grassy plains to lush peaks and val-
leys and in its culture, which makes room for both traditional
wooden churches and vibrant modern nightclubs. “
“Budapest ranks among the world’s most scenic and enter-
taining capitals and is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the
Danube.’ It is the perfect city destination: beautiful architec-
ture, rich, cultural life, delightful gastronomy and appealing
thermal spas. This is a place of variety, color and passion. Visit
hungary and discover love – for life.’”
The logo Slovakia, Little Big Country is a very effective at-
tention-getter and a clever way to get travel agents to recom-
mend this Central European country in the first place. Maria
Jasenakova of the Slovak Tourist Board shared these descrip-
tions with Travel World News:
“Slovakia, the unique country located in the middle of
Europe. Slovakia is the country somewhere you have never
been before. The people are warm and welcoming. The coun-
tryside is brimming with unspoiled natural beauty. You can trip
over a multitude of outstanding cultural treasures and the food
and drinks with influence of the Slovak, hungarian, Austrian
and Czech regional cuisines are out of this world. Take a city
break. The capital city of Slovakia –has an excellent location –
close to the borders of Austria, hungary, and Czech republic.
Bratislava is a compact city with several major hotels located
in the historic Old City area.“
Besides the marketing strategies used by the CEE, Mr. Pavel
Kosar, Director, Czech Tourism USA considers the European
Quartet (V 4) a very effective marketing vehicle for promoting
the four Visegrad countries, namely, the Czech republic,
hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The V 4 marketing group dates
back to 1991 when the four countries signed a declaration of
close cooperation on their way to European integration. They
work closely together in joint tourist promotions involving
overseas markets.
“The countries are located very close to each other, and for
this reason, we have the cooperation, promotion and necessary
funding to market these four countries.” said Mr. Kosar re-
cently. “later on, the common strategy was applied to Japan,
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News12 • MAY 2011
EUROPECENTRAL EUROPE FROM PAGE 10
Schöenbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria.
© W
ien
to
ur
ism
us
/ m
aX
um
© a
us
tr
ian
to
ur
ist o
ff
ice
Prague, Czech Republic.
cz
ec
H t
ou
ris
m u
sa
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com MAY 2011 • 13
EUROPE
China, the United States and the Asian part of the russian
Federation. Of course, with the U.S. market, we work very
closely with the travel trade, and offer destination specialist
programs for all four countries, as well as roadshows.”
“Before 1989, we did not have the opportunity to promote the
countries in our region, but, of course, all that has changed,”
said Mr. Kosar. “Today, many travel agents sell the region –
not just one country. For example, travelers can start out in
Buda-pest, and then travel to Prague. Or they can start out
in Prague, and go onto discover several other cities in
Central Europe.”
The only airline flying to Prague direct is Delta Airlines.
"This year," says Mr. Kosar, "we are planning roadshows in
Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. in the United States,as
well as Toronto, Canada. In addition, he states that "during
October, the American Tourism Society will present a ATS con-
ference in Prague." Travel agents who sell spa vacations will no
doubt use this opportunity to visit the Czech republic which
has 37 spa towns.
In an effort to trace the origin of the Central Europe
Experience (CEE), “Travel World news” discovered that the
idea of launching the CEE actually came from Michaela
Klare, at that time, Director of the German Tourist Office and
Jan rudomina, Director of the Polish national Tourist Office.
however, they never made it formal, never elected any
governing bodies (board, executives, etc.) They simply got
together, as needed, and worked out the marketing plan for
the upcoming season or year. It was purely an informal
marketing initiative.
In terms of the marketing plans for 2011-2012, Mr.
rudomina said that “we as the European Quartet/V-4, will
continue our online Destination Specialist Program and are
planning to of-fer alumnus from selected markets to partici-
pate in a study tour to our countries at the end of the year. In
addition, since Poland will host the European Soccer Cup in
June 2012 , entire travel-related, infrastructure ( hotels, rail-
roads, highways, airports, etc.) is undergoing a major over-
haul and development now.”
When asked what makes Poland so special, Jan W. rudomina
replied:” From July 2011, Poland will hold the Presidency in
the Council of the European Union. Every six months, a differ-
ent member state of the European Union holds the Presidency,
presiding over the work of the Council of the EU. At the same
time, Poland becomes the host to most of the EU events and
plays a key role in all the fields of activity of the European
Union. It is responsible for the organization of EU meetings,
sets the EU’s political direction and ensures its development,
integration and security.”
“regardless of the EU Presidency, Polish former prime minis-
ter, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, was elected to the position of speaker of
the European Parliament in July 2008 for a three year term,”
Mr. rudomina added.
The Central Europe Experience, www.gotocentraleurope.com;
Austrian National Tourist Office, www.austria-tourism.at/us;
Czech Tourism USA, www.czechtourism.com;
German National Tourist Office, www.cometogermany.com;
Hungarian National Tourist Office, www.gotohungary.com;
Polish National Tourist Office, www.polandtour.org;
Slovak Tourist Board, www.slovakiatourism.sk;
European Quartet , Visegrad Four (V4),
www.european-quartet.com/roadshow
Odeonsplatz und Theatinerkirche, Munich, germany.
mu
nic
H t
ou
ris
t o
ff
ice
; c. r
eit
er
The Main Square in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
cit
y o
f B
ra
tis
la
va
, slo
va
k t
ou
ris
t B
oa
rd
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News14 • MAY 2011
EUROPE
Directly on the banks of the river Spree, and at the
epicenter of the music, fashion and creative scene,
a new lifestyle hotel opened in november that’s
unique in Europe: the nhow Berlin.
In recent years, Berlin has been at the cutting edge of culture
globally, with spectacular film festivals, avant-garde fashion
events, and lively trade fairs. And with over 700 music compa-
nies flourishing among its countless museums, theatres, clubs
and concert venues, Berlin has become a hub of creativity.
What could better fit this dynamic scene than a hotel inspired
by music? like a symphony for the senses, nhow Berlin is a so-
phisticated composition that fuses design, music, and culinary
and cultural specialties. Providing every convenience for those
enjoying the stimulation of sound, the hotel has its own music
manager and an integrated high-end recording studio in coop-
eration with hansa-Studios, where stars like rEM, David
Bowie and U2 have recorded international hits.
Cosmopolitan business travelers, jet-setters, party animals
and the hottest bands are awe-struck by the brilliance that
went into developing every aspect of this hotel. new York de-
signer Karim rashid is behind its interior design. his style
strikes the perfect chord with the building’s modern exterior,
designed by star architect Sergei Tchoban. The result contrasts
a rather strict architectural style with a playful, sparkling inte-
rior that breaks all the rules of convention.
The design is ‘color-coded’—the East Tower is pink, blue
dominates the West Tower and the Upper Tower is a subdued
grey. Wireless Internet and a huge choice of videos-on-de-
mand are available in every room, along with current connec-
tion cables and charging stations. Some of the TVs are inte-
grated into the mirrors. A high-end sound system provides
incredible audio quality. Thick mattresses, as well as windows
that can be totally blacked out, enable sumptuous sleep, while
warm wooden floors impart a welcome atmosphere (also ideal
for allergy sufferers).
rooms range from standard and superior to the breathtaking
2,777-sq ft nhow Suite with two floors and its own roof terrace.
A special feature of the suite is that it is directly and digitally
linked to the music studios. This means that instrumental and
vocal recordings can be performed with backup from the com-
plete range of studio technology, making the hotel suite a cre-
ative suite as well as suitable for receptions.
Planners will find a unique spot for their events with room for
up to 600 in seven different meeting rooms totaling over 10,000
sq ft. Presentation technology is top-notch, with a high-end
projector and five others that can be flexibly controlled from a
computer. Modular seating with high-end Bakura designer
chairs provides flexible seating arrangements.
The large hall overlooks the river through floor-to-ceiling
windows, and terrace access. At over 6,000 sq ft, it’s Berlin’s
biggest event space, with beamers built into the ceiling and an
entrance that will even admit a car. Standard services include
concert and conference recordings and top-quality streaming
all over the world. The facility for digital image recording at dif-
ferent points in the hotel coupled with in-house processing,
means interviews can be broadcast in real time, or put into cir-
culation after editing.
The bar at nhow regularly hosts international and local DJs,
and there’s loads of room for chilling out on vast terrace space.
Steam baths and saunas refresh spa-style, and an adjoining fit-
ness area is equipped with the latest Precor exercise machines.
The hotel’s bike rental makes it easy to set out on spontaneous
adventures in Berlin.
Paintings, sculptures, design objects and multimedia instal-
lations are arranged within a framework of constantly chang-
ing exhibitions and events. The in-house gallery launches a
new program three times a year, marking each with a special
party. Supplemental music and fashion events add to the buzz.
The restaurant at nhow is overseen by head chef Patrick
rexhausen, a true Berliner who learned his craft locally and
cooked his way from junior chef at the Adlon and ritz Carlton
hotels to chef at the Aspria Berlin and the Grand hyatt Berlin.
Guests will savor modern Franco-German cuisine of the high-
est quality, made with a regional touch from carefully selected
ingredients. In summer, there’s a breathtaking view over the
Oberbaumbrücke (bridge) from the panoramic terrace.
At the nhow Berlin, guests are truly in another world—a
world where everything is kicked up a notch, electric with en-
ergy. This exciting atmosphere, full of cheerful stimulation and
the best technical support, is the ideal breeding ground for the
creative experience. It needs to be felt firsthand.
nhow Hotel, www.nhow-hotels.com
Europe’s First Music hotel, nhow Berlin Dazzles haute and hot, this new property in Germany’s lively capital is really in tune with the times.
Where else can you request room service to bring a Gibson guitar to your room?
The hotel’s Seven Star gallery, cutting-edge and always changing.
Travel World News • www.travelworldnews.com MAY 2011 • 15
EUROPE
The Maltese Islands—
an archipelago in the
Mediterranean con-
sisting of Malta, Gozo
and Comino—are small in size,
but are overflowing in cultural
and international events this
year. This European Island, with
direct and frequent flights from
all major E.U. cities, is a mere
two-and-a-half hour trip waiting
to entertain you this spring.
From art exhibitions, concerts
with your favorite pop or rock
artists, outdoor re-enactments
and medieval festivals, the
choices are never ending.
This May, an exhibition entitled
‘In Quest of Beauty,’ by world
renowned Czech artist Alphonse
Mucha (1860–1939), including
paintings, lithographs, sculpture,
jewelery, photographs, drawings
and other artifacts, will be held at
the Salon of the national
Museum of Archaeology, in Valletta. This Art nouveau person-
ality is widely known and acknowledged as one of the world's
greatest decorative artists of his time. The city of Valletta is a
UnESCO World heritage City, built in 1566, a year after the
infamous Great Siege, by the Knights of St John.
The In GUArDIA PArADE is a re-enactment that portrays
an authentic event that took place regularly inside Fort St.
Elmo. The re-enactment is about the inspection of the fort and
its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of
St. John in charge of military affairs and runs from the begin-
ning of May until november. The Medieval Mdina Pageantry
and Flower Festival transforms the Silent City into days-gone-
by mode, enhancing it with fragrant varieties of flowers and
music. All museums, historic palaces and churches, including
the Co-Cathedral, are open throughout the festival for every-
one to enjoy from May 6–8. Mdina is the old capital city of
Malta and home to the noble Maltese Families. The Malta
Spring Fest organized in Qormi on May 7 and 8, encompasses
entertainment, traditions, exhibitions, Maltese food, cultural
experiences, music, fun and traditional folk music, with the
highlight of this edition being the attempt to bake the biggest
bread loaf in the World! Maltese fruit, traditional food, stalls
with vegetables and animal exhibitions, together with ancient
bakeries await your visit. Qormi is one of the oldest villages in
Malta with bakeries and other historical buildings dating back
pre-1400 AD. Also on May 7, Malta invites you to the 5th an-
nual Mechanical Ground Fireworks display, where ten towns,
villages and firework clubs come together to put on the most
splendid displays to behold your eyes.
From May 13 to 15, the village of luqa celebrates its People
and heritage, with open air festivities in the Piazza (village
square). This and so many more festivities or concerts such as
Santana in concert this July, the Malta Music Week end of
June, the Jazz Festival mid-July, renowned and internationally
celebrated Tenor Joseph Calleja, Ballets, Earth Garden Festival
and more, all beckon you to Malta’s Mediterranean shores.
Combine all this with an Island rich in history,
Mediterranean gastronomy, sunshine and friendly hospitality
and you have the perfect recipe for a unique European Island
holiday,
log on to the Malta Tourism website for more details and a
full calendar of events in the Maltese Islands.
Malta Tourism, www.visitmalta.com
Francesca Vincenti ©
Malta Is Magic in the Springtime WithCommemorative and Open-Air Celebrations
Mount Carmel Feast.
ma
rio
ga
le
a
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News16 • MAY 2011
EUROPE
MALTA’S MANY ATTRACTIONS BEST ACCESSED FROM CENTRALLY-LOCATED PALACE AND VICTORIA HOTELS
Malta’s location in the center of the Mediterranean, with its nat-ural harbors and experienced sailors, has for centuries establishedit as an important port of call. Over the past years, cruise liners haveincluded Malta as one of the top year-round destinations in Europe;Malta was awarded a Seatrade Insider Award as Destination of theYear (2008).
The imposing historical bastions enclosing the harbor welcomeover 250 cruise ships a year, and over 400,000 passengers all eagerto come ashore and explore the beautiful island, if only for a day.The Grand Harbour is Europe’s largest natural harbor and sees alarge number of cruise ships as port of call, turnarounds, as well ashome porting. Today, the Valletta Port is one of the top ten cruiseports in the western Mediterranean region.
Whereas some city centers are often located miles away from theport, Malta’s capital city Valletta is within walking distance of thewaterfront. Valletta is a UNESCO world heritage site and a centerof theatre, history, café life, wine bars and shopping. The newValletta Waterfront Cruise terminal is itself a one-stop shopwhereby cruise ships and their passengers can find all their needscatered to—check-in and baggage facilities, porterage, tax-freeshopping, a tourist information service, food and beverage facilities,retail facilities, taxi services, and a public bus service.
Thanks to Malta’s small size, a lot can be seen when stopping overby cruise liner. Visitors can book a range of guided tours to the threecities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua), Valletta, the Medieval“silent city” of Mdina or the prehistoric temples. One can also visitthe Crafts Village in Ta’ Qali. If the stopover allows for a full-daytrip, visitors can also experience the small tranquil sister island ofGozo. Many are so impressed with Malta, that within a few months,they come back for a longer stay in order to explore the Maltese cul-ture and way of life.
When the cruise begins or ends in Malta, it’s wise to plan on stay-ing a few days to explore what the islands have to offer. The Palaceand The Victoria hotels, centrally located, make it easy to travel toall corners of the island while being taken care of in two of its mostmodern and luxurious hotels. The Palace Malta, www.thepalacemalta.com;
The Victoria Hotel, www.victoriahotel.com
CARAVAN-SERAI TOURS HAS SPECIAL TOUR TOEgYPT, WELCOMINg VISITORS WITH OPEN ARMS
Visitors are invited to join Caravan-Serai Tours this month, May 14–24, for their Egypt: Post Revolution Tour. The tour will visitthe historic places of the Egyptian Revolution, and it will includemeetings with their contacts in Cairo—Dr. Jere Bacharach and Dr.Amal Sedky-Winter, sightseeing in and around Cairo andAlexandria, and a Nile cruise. This tour will be a great opportunityto see the monuments and sites of Egypt without the throngs of peo-ple usually present. Also, visitors will hear firsthand from peoplewho were present during the many days of protests at Tahrir Square.This tour is priced at $1,345 ppdo, land only (single supplement$435), and there is a group rate on the air from Egypt Air out of New York.
The first Caravan-Serai tour group to go to Egypt since the revolu-tion has just returned home and the had a great experience. The sitesdo not have the usual crowds, the hotels are not crowded and the peo-ple are very happy to see visitors coming back to their country.Travelers are urged to reserve their space and get flight information.Caravan-Serai Tours, 800-451-8097,
www.caravan-serai.com/tours/NewEygptMay2011.htm,
www.caravan-serai.com
TRAVELIVE LAUNCHES NEW LUxURY BRAND,TRAVEL2TURKEY
Travelive, the luxury travel and leisure company specializing incustom-made, upscale vacations, honeymoons, cruises and privateyacht charters in the Mediterranean, Africa & the Middle East, hasannounced the launch of its new travel brand, Travel2Turkey.Travel2Turkey offers packages that clients can customize with theirown travel dates, hotel selections, cruise preferences, and tours tothe sights they would like to experience.
“Travel2Turkey is modeled on the successful Travel2Greece andTravel2Italy brands,” said Mina Agnos, Vice President of Sales andClient Services. “Our vision in Turkey is to give our clients the abil-ity to plan a personalized, once-in-a-lifetime experience with the as-sistance of a Turkey expert who has traveled to each destination, in-spected each hotel, taken each tour, and who is able to provide thebest recommendations for the individual traveler. Our business isfounded on the belief that each traveler is unique and that theirtravel experiences should be, too.”
Travel2Turkey launches with eleven luxury vacation and honey-moon itineraries. Packages include a customizable mix of destina-tions, accommodations and private tours of the exceptional histori-cal sites of Istanbul, the cultural treasures and natural wonders ofCappadocia, Kusadasi, Pamukkale and Antalya and the luxuriousbeach resorts and gullet charters along the Turquoise Riviera.Travel2Turkey specialists consult with clients to determine the bestservices for them, and to package those elements into an excitingand unforgettable travel experience.Travelive, www.travelive.com; Travel2Turkey,
www.travel2turkey.com
Experience a journey through 7,000 years of history. The Maltese islands will capture your heart with their unique cultural heritage, diversity and hospitality.
Truly Mediterraneanwww.visitmalta.com
www.personalescapetravel.com www.arrigogroup.com.mt www.cavalierihotel.com.mt
www.hotelfortina.com www.maltawed.com www.mcc.com.mt
www.onsitemalta.comwww.sit.com.mtwww.topteamincentives.com
OUR HOTELS
Plaza Hotel, Plaza Regency Hotel,
Osborne Hotel
OUR VENUES
Villa Anna Theresa and Villa Arrigo and
has exclusivity on Palazzo Parisio.
OUR CATERING
Osborne Catering is the largest
catering establishment in Malta
Located on the doorstep of the Portomaso Yacht Marina,
easy walking distance to the popularresort’s attractions – Malta’s most
popular nightlife area, the Dragonara Casino and Spinola Bay –
the heart of St. Julians.
The ideal hotel to indulge in a variety of Spa treatments, excellent cuisine in achoice of six restaurants and one of the
best locations on the island. Four spa centers, conference facilities,
five swimming pools, hair salon, a state of the art dental clinic,
cosmetic surgery, a fitness center and a pilates studio.
Contact us for a list of tailored wedding packages.Find all the right reasons tocelebrate your Wedding orHoneymoon in the sunnyislands of Malta.One can marry in a typicalMaltese Palazzo and spend ahoneymoon at one of our outstanding 5-star properties.Enjoy a fantastic environmentwith a historic backdrop.Catering receptions or banquets at specificvenues are priced on request.
We provide total solutions
for any type of MICE
event in Malta, be it an
8-person management
training seminar or an
incentive for 600 sales staff.
We listen, very carefully, to our
clients’ requirements thus
ensuring each and every project
achieves the desired result.
on site malta
Characterized by its enthusiasm to go the extra
mile – with over threedecades of experience as
a Destination ManagementCompany in Malta hostingCorporate and Incentive
Travel groups in the MalteseIslands, SIT ensures the bestpossible arrangements and
guarantees service dedicatedto quality.
Top Team Incentivesoffers a varied array of services, including:
~ Transfers to and from designated points in deluxe coaches and minibuses
~ Limousine transfers~ Handling and assistance of groups
from time of arrival to departure~ Traditional karrozin rides
(local horse drawn carriages)~ Day trips to Sicily~ Cultural excursions.~ Combination group travel Malta/Sicily~ Day cruises on luxury yachts
and traditional fishing boats
We are Maltese and speak Maltese.We have contracted fares with most
major airlines from the U.S. andcan issue tickets originating in Malta to most major U.S. cities
and cities within Europe.We also have villa rentals, hotels,
tours and sightseeing.
www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News18 • MAY 2011
EUROPE
EUROPEAN WATERWAYS REFURBISHESSEVERAL OF ITS LUxURY HOTEL BARgES
European Waterways has just completed its latest series of expen-sive upgrades to several hotel barges as part of its ongoing fleet im-provement program. Some of the vessels have recently spent timeout of the water in various specialist boatyards where skilled crafts-men have refurbished the vessels for the new 2011 season.
These luxury, fully-crewed ‘floating hotels’ take passengers onunique voyages along canals all over Europe, including France, Italyand the UK and to keep them in tip-top condition, several hundredthousands of dollars have been spent on them this winter.
In particular, La Belle Epoque, cruising the Upper BurgundyCanal, has received some real TLC after 15 years loyal service as thecompany’s flagship. She has brand-new air conditioning, wood pan-eling, insulation, electrics and even new beds have been installed.
Anjodi, cruising on the bucolic Canal du Midi in SouthwestFrance, now features new luxury bathrooms, saloon furniture andnew soft furnishings throughout.
And L’Impressionniste, which glides sedately through the heart ofBurgundy’s wine growing region, has also benefited from interiorimprovements, including one new bathroom, stylish new furniture,light fittings and bedding.
Prices for a six-night cruise in 2011 aboard Anjodi start from$4,190 for an individual booking and $29,500 for a full boat char-ter, La Belle Epoque and L’Impressionniste from $4,550 for indi-vidual bookings and $48,900 for a full boat charter.
European Waterways are also currently offering 25 percent or$5,000 off the full boat charter price on selected hotel barge depar-tures, including the three featured here, and approximately $815off per cabin on specific departures May to July.European Waterways, www.gobarging.com
AMAWATERWAYS INTRODUCES NEW MSAMAVERDE
Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways is introducing itslatest custom-designed new-build ship in Europe, the MSAmaVerde, sister to the MS AmaBella, with spectacular, innovativedesign and luxurious amenities.
The 161-passenger AmaVerde boasts the exclusiveAmaWaterways “Twin Balcony” stateroom design, consisting of aFrench balcony for unimpeded views and fresh air, plus a full-size
balcony enabling passengers to step outside and experience the riverfrom the privacy of their stateroom.
The ship offers large staterooms and suites ranging from 170 to350 square feet. All staterooms include such amenities as flat-panelTVs providing complimentary Internet access and first-runHollywood movies; plush terry robes and slippers and marble-ap-pointed bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads.
Passengers will enjoy exquisite cuisine by the line’s culinary ex-perts, members of the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs. Fine din-ing is enjoyed in the main restaurant and authentic Italian fare inthe Bella Cucina. A Wine Room is available for private dining andthe intimate Erlebnis Chef’s Table offers a private chef special tast-ing menu. Additional options include an “Early Riser’s” breakfast,light lunch and late-night snack in the Main Lounge plus Sun Deckdining on select days.
Public areas include the spacious Main Lounge and Bar, site ofnightly evening entertainment and piano music. The ship also fea-tures a relaxing fireside library; Observation Lounge; 24-hour spe-cialty coffee and tea station; fitness center and sauna; massage, hairand beauty salon; elevator; heated swimming pool on the Sun Deckplus complimentary Wi-Fi for those who choose to bring laptops,iPads or smart phones.
Currently on charter to the Australian market, the AmaVerde willbe available to the North American market for cruises beginning inOctober. Fourteen-night “Magnificent Europe” itineraries fromAmsterdam to Budapest are available for reservations now. AmaWaterways, 800-626-0126, www.amawaterways.com
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO ‘MOONLIgHT SONATAzAgREB’ WINS FIRST PRIzE AT ITB BERLIN
At the largest international travel trade show, ITB Berlin, heldMarch 9–13, the Zagreb Tourist Board won first prize in the musicvideo category with the promotional video “Moonlight SonataZagreb” performed by Ana Rucner.
Das Goldene Stadttor (The Golden City Gate), was awarded by a45-member jury from a long list of competing entries. The video’s ex-ecutive producer was Jakov Sedlar, and the award was received byZagreb Tourist Board Director Amelia Tomasevic, DSc, at the awardceremonies March 10. The award was handed to Tomasevic by theorganizer and jury president of this prestigious award,WolfgangÜHuschert.
The Zagreb Tourist Board attended this year’s 45th ITB jubilee to-gether with representatives of the Zagreb tourism economy, as wellas 11,163 exhibitors from 188 countries, an ITB record. In 2010,guests from Germany ranked the highest in number of visits toZagreb and overnight stays – 37,715 visits and 67,408 overnightstays. This success confirms that not only visitors, but also experts inthe field recognize Zagreb’s merits. This is a valuable award and in-valuable recognition for all the efforts and professional undertakingsinvested promoting Zagreb as a tourist and convention destination.zagreb Tourist Board, [email protected],
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
![MAIN CV Trevor Harrison16 - Copy[4762] - Copy](https://img.pdfslide.us/doc/110x75/589aa06b1a28abfc1a8b546b/main-cv-trevor-harrison16-copy4762-copy.jpg)
