Travel World News - April 2010 Edition

The Magazine for DestinationTravel SpecialistsThe Magazine for DestinationTravel Specialists

APRIL 2010

®

Chile’s Touristic GemsAre StillSparkling Brightly

TAIWANCelebratingtheYear

of theTigerby LightingUp

theSky

INDUSTRY EVENTSATF Launches “Southeast Asia –Feel the Warmth” in Brunei 4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 11

INDUSTRY NEWS 12

INSIDE TRACKCities Post-Olympics 13

NORTH AMERICADown by the Bay in San Diego 14

EUROPEDublin’s Fair City 16

FAM ANNOUNCEMENTSFor complete and current list please visit:www.travelworldnews.com/fams

CARIBBEANUpdate on Dominican Republic Resorts 20Everyone Wins With the ‘Anguilla 50/50’Incentive for Meeting Events 24Grand Case Beach Club Extends ItsFree Night Program 27

MEXICOValentin Imperial Maya Resort Takes Guestson Culinary Journey 30Kids Stay Free This Summer at Palladium Hotels & Resorts 31Trip Advisor Names Pepe’s HideawayBest Vacation Spot in Manzanillo, Mexico 32

LATIN AMERICAChile’s Touristic Gems Are Still Sparkling Brightly 33See Ecuador Program From May 16-22, 2010 38Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX) June 23-27, 2010 40Hotel Punta Islata and El Silencio Lodge & SpaJoin Elite Luxury Travel 42

ASIA-PACIFICTaiwan: Celebrating the Year of the TigerBy Lighting Up the Sky 44India’s Kingfisher Airlines Set to Join oneworld 47

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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 WorldNews, 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 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. No part of this publication maybe reproduced without permission.

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APRIL 2010 ISSUE NO. 262

COVER PHOTO CREDITS: Taiwan, Robin Swados

NORTH AMERICA/SANDIEGO - page 14

EUROPE/DUBLIN- page 16

LATIN AMERICA/CHILE - page 33

ASIA-PACIFIC/TAIWAN - page 44

CARIBBEAN/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - page 20

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The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) completed its29th annual convention and travel exhibition,TRAVEX, in Brunei Darussalam January 21 - 28,2010. The ten ASEAN member countries—Brunei,

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR (also known as Laos),Malaysia, Myanmar (also known as Burma), Philippines,Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam—were represented bytourism ministers, NTOs as well as booths at TRAVEX .

ASEAN tourism leaders collaborated on marketing their re-gion as a single destination. Many of its leaders emphasizedthe need to simplify travel between their nations and tostrengthen appreciation of each other’s tourist attractions.

“I can envision a time when traveling through southeastAsia will resemble a tour of Europe with tourists enjoying thesame ease of movement,” predicted Sheikh JamaluddinSheikh Mohamed, CEO, Brunei Tourism.

What’s In a Name?The first task for ASEAN tourism ministers was to adopt a

new brand name for a joint marketing campaign and web site.A hotly debated name change, from ASEAN to southeastAsia, was at the core of a proposed new image. Anyone whothinks this kind of branding decision is not important has for-gotten what Paul Hogan’s “Shrimp on the barbie” did forAustralia, or “Got milk?” did for milk!

ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) and ASEANCompetiveness Enhancement (ACE), an organization fundedby USAID, introduced a new marketing campaign:“Southeast Asia—Feel the warmth.” Despite the fact that allof the organizations that represent this ten-country region in-corporate the ASEAN acronym, those who were researchinga new brand discovered that most people had no idea whatASEAN represented and did not associate ASEAN withSoutheast Asia. On the other hand, polls proved that mostknew where Southeast Asia was located.

“Simply visiting the travel section of any bookstore will pro-vide a reason for this,” asserted ACE project director RJGurley. “All of the guides to our region incorporate ‘SoutheastAsia’ in their titles.” He went on to explain that “Feel thewarmth” described the one element that all ten nations, de-spite their diversity, had in common: a warm, welcoming pop-ulation. Some ASEAN members agreed that the old brand hadfailed, but others felt that abandoning ASEAN was a bad idea.

At the end of their discussions, the ministers “expressedsupport” for the change from ASEAN to Southeast Asia,though they did not “endorse” it.

Hands-on Website Available to Agents The launch of a new website, www.southeastasia.org, will

promote this new marketing campaign and will become avaluable tool for anyone planning a trip to southeast Asia.Though the site is online now, it will be officially launched atITB Berlin in March. Online bookings will be availablethrough WEGO and SOTA systems. WEGO represents largeproperties and clients while SOTA caters to smaller andmedium travel organizations.

When we asked if this large, interactive website would notbe another “nail in the coffin” for FIT travel agents, since itallows a potential client to make his or her own travel book-ings, the site’s creators answered that that would not be theresult of this website.

“The days of travel agents just booking a flight and a roomhave been over for some time now,” stated Rohizam MdYusoff, CEO/Founder of SOTA (Standard Online TourismArchitecture). “By using our software and/or becoming a partof a regional website such as this one, a travel agent in theUSA will generate more business, not less. Even an agentwho has no web site can take advantage of the reach of a web-site such as this one.”

He explained by using an example of an American agencywith a special expertise in southeast Asian travel. Thatagency could be listed and linked on the southeast Asia website as an expert available in the Chicago area, for instance,Yusoff pointed out that travelers still want the personal atten-tion that comes from a knowledgeable agent. A potentialclient surfing the web for information on southeast Asiawould find all of the usual links to properties, background in-

wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm •• Travel World News4 • APRIL 2010

INDUSTRY EVENTS

ATF Launches “Southeast Asia – Feel the Warmth” in BruneiC O N N I E S K O O G

Brunei Tourism’s Director of Marketing Jean Christophe RoblesEspinosa works with a buyer interested in selling Brunei travel.

formation and blogs found on many other travel sites, butthey could also find local retail agencies in their location thatfocus on a certain region of the world, on cruises, adventuretravel, or any other special interest.

Sustainable GrowthThe theme of this year’s convention, “ASEAN – The Heart

of Green,” was inspired by the World Tourism Organization’sdeclaration of 2010 as the year for biodiversity. ATF hiredProfessor Walter Jamieson to write a five-year strategic planfor sustainable ASEAN tourism growth. Additionally, BruneiDarussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia support a cooperativeproject aimed at protecting wildlife and rainforest called theHeart of Borneo; it was launched in 2006. Since a huge partof the appeal of southeast Asia lies in its rainforests, scubadiving, cultural exchange and other eco-tourism, all of themembers agree on the importance of protecting their environ-ments and their wildlife.

Wealth of DiversityNone of the 383 exhibitors from ten ASEAN nations, the 370

buyers from 52 countries, nor even the 167 media from 31countries who attended ATF would claim that 2009 was agreat year for growth in the tourism business. In addition to

the worldwide recession, the past few years brought the birdflu, a devastating tsunami, storms, and social unrest to somenations in Southeast Asia. Many of the exhibitors we inter-viewed, however, told us that they had experienced a slightdip or they were “about even” with 2007-8. Most ASEANNTOs gave encouraging reports for 2009 and forecast growthin the near future.

“We have maintained at least 85% occupancy in all of ourproperties in Indonesia though out this recession,” reportedNorbert Vas, VP Sales & Marketing for Aston InternationalHotels, Resorts and Residences. Indonesia was one of the fewcountries in the world to enjoy increased tourism this past year.

Indonesia, along with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand andthe Philippines obviously are the most developed destina-tions in southeast Asia. None of them, however, rely solely onpast recognition; each is pioneering new attractions and development.

Indonesia’s Bali has long been on most destination A-lists,but Bali is just one of 17,508 islands. The newest islands—stillcompletely unspoiled—to gain popularity in Indonesia areFlores and Komodo. Flores offers rainforests, trekking, andcultural interaction. Komodo National Park is home to theprehistoric lizards (up to nine feet long) named for the island

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INDUSTRY EVENTS

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

and is a unique dive spot with an abundance of whale sharksand manta ray.

In addition to its beaches and world-famous attractions,Thailand has become a major “wellness” destination. Oneproduct that intrigued me was an offering of “Thainess” stayswhere travelers “Live and learn the Thai way of life.” From 30different resorts in the Thai countryside, visitors learn crafts,live on an elephant farm or experience any number of Thaiadventures in education from Thai people.

Malaysia and the Philippines still offer great adventure andscuba diving travel, great shopping and luxurious resorts, butboth have added unique Euro-style boutique properties totheir accommodation.

Probably the biggest new attraction…literally the largesttourist development…is Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.There are so many superlatives connected to this urban resort, describing it becomes an exercise in “world’sbiggest/only/most…” Its 2500-room hotel consists of three55-story glass towers that support a “SkyPark” across thetop, the largest cantilevered structure in the world, with360-degree views of Singapore.

In addition to this awe-inspiring structure, designed byMoshe Safdie, the complex will offer 1.3 million square feetof convention space, 800,000 square feet of retail and din-ing, a Las Vegas casino, theaters, a museum and a marina.Envisioning a new icon for Singapore and the entire region,the integrated resort has been developed by Las VegasSands Chairman Sheldon Adelson.

According to Ailynn Seah, Director of Sales, this island ofsuperlatives could be the most expensive single tourist prop-erty development ever. The opening date will be in2010…nothing more specific. If you have a client who does-n’t mind spending money to be one of the first to experiencesomething unique, this is the place to book during its open-ing days. Celebrity chefs from around the world, “The LionKing” musical and lots of hoopla will accompany its opening.Check out www.marinabaysands.com for an update.

Four ASEAN member countries stand in stark contrast tothe wealth of Singapore’s newest development: Cambodia,Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. For example, Lao People’sDemocratic Republic reported, “of 1,493 designated touristattractions, only 465 are open. Of these 465 sites, many are inneed of improvement.” Adventurous travelers fill Internettravel blogs with upbeat, heart-warming stories of travelthrough these countries. Ancient ruins, unspoiled country-side and historical sites await the intrepid.

Brunei is unique among in this association. Though it hasattracts fewer visitors than the five ASEAN countries withwell-known tourist attractions, Brunei enjoys a high standardof living and a peaceful political climate as one of the last ab-solute monarchies. The people of Brunei love their royal fam-ily, their Moslem faith and their way of life. Many are anxious

to share their quiet little kingdom (about the size of Delaware)with the world. A few complained to me that few people out-side of the area have notion as to their location, or even theirexistence. As host to the 29th ATF, Brunei highlighted a tradi-tional community built over its river, its mosques, beachesand jungle lodge. This family-friendly kingdom (no drinkingand virtually no crime) would be a good stop on the way toSarawak or Sabah.

ATF 2011 will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Jan 15 -21 2011. wwwwww..aattffccaammbbooddiiaa..ccoommThe ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF)

TRAVEL + DESTINATION SYMPOSIUM™ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2010

Unicomm LLC, producers of the established Travel & AdventureShows and the Green Travel Summit™, has announced plans tolaunch the Travel + Destination Symposium™, which will focus ondestination selling, strategically designed to connect the U.S.’s top-producing travel agents with worldwide destinations and suppliers.

The event, set for September 27–28, 2010, in Palm Springs,California, is expected to draw close to 1,000 top-producing travelagents and 200 destinations and suppliers. The Italian GovernmentTourist Board has joined the event as a Gold Sponsor and FloridaKeys and Key West as a Silver Sponsor.

The Symposium’s formula of top-producing agents, high-calibereducation, and intense one-on-one networking will provide oppor-tunities for stakeholders to collaborate, accelerate tourism rev-enues and create new business opportunities.

The Symposium’s hosted agent program will position the event toattract top-producing agents through an extensive pre-qualifica-tion process. Selected agents will be fully hosted by the Symposiumprovided agents conduct a set amount of pre-selected appointmentswith participating destinations and suppliers.

The educational format will combine travel economist generalsessions, detailed presentations examining the opportunities andfuture trends of emerging domestic and international destinations,and PIVOT Sessions SM, which will lead attendees through hottravel niche trends.Unicomm LLC, www.destinationsymposium.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

Miriam Owiti, of Adventureland Travel in North Hollywood, CA, chatswith a buyer from Germany at the ATF Travex in Brunei.

ATF FROM PAGE 5

SHIP INSPECTION, POST-EVENT CRUISE TOBOOKEND VACATION.COM CONFERENCE

Vacation.com® will holds its 12th International Conference &Trade Show at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort fromJune 27 to July 1, 2010.

While training and education remain the true focus of the four-day event, other key elements—including a ship inspection andluncheon, a post-Conference cruise opportunity, entertainmentand four evening events—are generating record-setting pre-Conference enrollment numbers among Vacation.com memberagents.

“Each year, we find a way to deliver more education and excite-ment than we did the year before,” said Lauraday Kelley,Vacation.com’s Vice President of Conference & CorporateCommunications. “For Orlando, not only do we have keynotespeakers such as Richard Fain and Kay Urban, but we also haveexciting entertainment and a collection of off-site activities tokeep our attendees actively engaged.”

The first off-site activity will take place Sunday, June 27, with aship inspection and lunch aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom ofthe Seas, followed by the opening General Session, including aBroadway performance sponsored by Keith Prowse, and a festivewelcome reception sponsored by Marriott. Evening events includea VIP Evening at Universal Orlando and CityWalk, and aVacation.com signature party at Pointe Orlando.

“Throw in the farewell event with entertainment provided byRCI, and there will be a chance for attendees to have fun everynight during Conference,” added Kelley.

Attendees will enjoy special pricing on a three-night Caribbeansailing onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Monarch of theSeas July 2–5.

Educational components of Conference will include more than120 training venues, 46 preferred supplier/destination classes, thechance to earn up to 35 CLIA credits and three popular think tanksessions. Vacation.com, 800-843-0733, www.conference.joinvacation.com,www.joinvacation.com

GREEN GLOBE WORLD SUMMIT TO TAKEPLACE IN MAY IN GERMANY

The Green Globe World Summit, set to take place this spring inKassel, Germany, will provide an opportunity for meeting and net-working with Green Globe licensees, partners, auditors and affili-ates. Speakers from around the world will provide information andtalks about new developments and products, certification criteria,success stories and more. The event will be held at Kassel’s his-toric Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshoehe, located around 30 milesfrom Frankfurt. It’s easily reached via train directly fromFrankfurt/Main International Airport.

The program is as follows: On Friday, May 28, attendees will ar-rive in Kassel at the Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshoehe. A welcomereception will be followed by a dinner sponsored by Green Globe;Saturday and Sunday, May 29–30, will feature full-day confer-ences including lunch (The speakers and details will be releasedsoon.); Departure will be Monday, May 31. An optional auditortraining requires an additional night of stay.Green Globe, www.greenglobe.com

NEW DISCOVER AMERICA PAVILION AT TTG INCONTRI, LARGEST B2B-ONLY TOURISM SHOW IN ITALY

Over 35,000 trade visitors will convene at TTG Incontri, the lead-ing international, strict business-to-business show taking place inRimini, Italy, October 22–24, 2010.

TTG Incontri 2009 attracted 35,352 professional operators,agents and buyers. Italy is the fourth largest European source mar-ket for inbound U.S. travel and No. 8 of all overseas tourist-gener-ating markets. Italians vacationing abroad are considered bigspenders, staying at nice hotels, eating at upscale restaurants,shopping for souvenirs and gifts, buying excursions and tours.

B-FOR’s website details what the Discover America Pavilion of-fers and has information for applying online. The fee for participa-tion includes accommodation and daily lunch.B-FOR International, [email protected], www.discoveramericapavilion.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

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TURKEY’S LARGEST TRAVEL EXHIBITION,EMITT, BOASTS RECORD ATTENDANCE

The 14th edition of EMITT opened in February to a crowd of106,850 (up 10 percent compared to the previous year), including48,000 trade visitors and 58,850 members of the public.

Ertugrul Gunay, Minister for Culture and Tourism of Turkey, wasjoined by fellow tourism ministers from Egypt, Yemen and NorthCyprus, as well as a host of Ambassadors and Consuls. Turkey’stourism industry also came out in force, with more than 60 gover-nors and mayors from its municipalities.

Zoheir Garana, Tourism Minister of Egypt, EMITT’s guest coun-try, said that tourism has become an important source of income“but some countries do not attach adequate importance to this sec-tor. Turkey is one of the rare countries which is aware of the in-creasing importance of tourism.”

One reason for the increased interest was the presence of 500 morecompanies this year to total 3,500 exhibitors. New destinations in-cluded Algeria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Japan, Tanzania andTatarstan. In addition, there were many regular participants, in-cluding companies from 60 countries and more than 100 cities andresorts in Turkey. There was also a marked increase in exhibitorsfrom the education, culture, eco, health, sports, business, schoolsand restaurant tourism sectors, reflecting current trends in tourism.

According to independent research, over 90 percent were satisfiedwith the event; exhibitors were pleased with the level of visitor inter-est shown in their services, and visitors were impressed by the varietyof companies at the exhibition and promotional activities that at-tracted their attention like prize draws, traditional food tasting, musicand dancing, elaborate local costumes and craft demonstrations.

Ahmet Barut, Chairman of the Turkish Hotels Federation(Turofed) commented, “Turkey is one of the top ten growing coun-tries in the global tourism industry. The increase in EMITT’s par-ticipant number is proof of that. Turkey’s potential for outboundtourism is also increasing. Beyond offering promotional opportuni-ties, EMITT also generates an exchange of tourism.”

EMITT 2011 will take place February 15–18, 2011 in TUYAPFair, Convention and Congress Centre in Istanbul, Turkey. ITE Group Plc, www.travel-exhibitions.com, www.ite-exhibitions.com

IMEX AMERICA INCREASES HOSTED BUYER PROGRAM TO 2,000

Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group, has announced that due to strong demand, 2,000 qualified buyers will now behosted to IMEX America, the new Las Vegas trade show at SandsExpo October 11–13 next year, for the meetings, incentive traveland events industry—an increase of just over 30 percent on thefigure announced at launch.

Eighty percent of buyers will come from North America, with thebalance attending from around the world.

Says Bloom: “Our previous figures were confident but conserva-tive. Recent discussions with our partners and other new businessalliances make it clear that that there is pent-up demand. I’m con-fident we will see 2000 hosted buyers at IMEX America—an in-crease of more than 30 percent on our previous announcement. Asmentioned before, the IMEX hosted buyer program is set to be thelargest of its kind for any such US trade show and unique in this regard.”

Qualification for places on the program will follow the strictguidelines used to build the authority and credibility of IMEX inFrankfurt.

The program will bring top-quality association, corporate andagency buyers from every corner of the meetings and events indus-try onto the show floor to do business with exhibitors. In addition,according to the ‘IMEX model’ they will spend longer periods oftime on the show floor meeting exhibitors compared to non-hostedtrade visitors.

As Bloom explains, “IMEX puts extremely high levels of effortand detail into making sure that only buyers who are active, seri-ous and proven to place business attend as our hosted buyer guests.We already have some excellent partnerships with intermediarieswho are similarly committed to these high standards and to dri-ving serious business at the show.”

“Together we place the strongest emphasis possible on gettingthis aspect of IMEX America absolutely right from the start. This is what our exhibitors expect and this is why IMEX has anunparalleled reputation. MPI, Site, PCMA and ASAE are just some of the most important organizations we will work within the U.S. to drive buyer attendance. They know and understand our unique model and are highly committed to it. OtherU.S. and international partnerships will be announced shortly,”continued Bloom.

He summarized: “Although the first IMEX America is over ayear away, we have a very clear vision of what success will looklike for our exhibitors, hosted buyers and trade visitors and wehave a clear plan for bringing that vision to life at the Sands Expoin Las Vegas October 2011.”

Future dates for IMEX America are also now confirmed asOctober 9–11, 2012, and October 15–17, 2013.IMEX America,www.imexamerica.com/users_prereg_interest.php,www.imexamerica.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

BOSTON GLOBE TRAVEL SHOW TO BE HELDFEBRUARY 11-13, 2011

The Boston Globe has announced that the 2011 Boston GlobeTravel Show will take place February 11–13, 2011 at the SeaportWorld Trade Center in Boston. The 2011 dates are a weekend ear-lier than this year’s show, which took place February 19–21.

In its fifth year, The Boston Globe Travel Show continues to beone of the largest consumer travel shows in the United States. The2010 show hosted 300 booths, a 20-percent increase over 2009,bringing more diversity to the show floor.

The 21,734 people that attended included nearly 20,000 con-sumers and 2,000 travel trade professionals, making this year’sshow the most successful to date. Early feedback from exhibitorsindicates that on-site bookings will eclipse the $4 million bookedduring 2009’s event, making it a profitable event for exhibitors as well.

Established in 2006, the show brings travel industry experts toBoston to share new information and present vacation opportuni-ties to thousands of interested travelers from the New England re-gion.The 2010 Boston Globe Travel Show was sponsored by ArubaTourism Authority, JetBlue, Nova Scotia, Vacation Outlet, TheWorlds of Discovery Parks (including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens,Adventure Island, Water Country USA, Discovery Cove, SesamePlace and Aquatica), The Azores, TNT Vacations, Omni Mt.

Washington Resort, The Bethel Inn Resort, InnSeason Resorts,Cruise Travel Outlet, CruCon Cruise Outlet, Greater PortsmouthChamber of Commerce, and the Lakes Region Association. Boston Globe Travel Show, www.bostonglobetravelshow.com

GREEN TRAVEL SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON D.C. JUNE 10-11, 2010

Unicomm LLC, creators of travel events in the United States, hasrecently announced the second annual Green Travel Summit to takeplace at the Willard Intercontinental in Washington DC, June 10-11, 2010.

The Summit will assemble 350 executives from a cross-section ofthe travel industry including corporate travel managers, airline,hotel and ground transportation providers, meeting and incentiveplanners as well as travel marketing executives and destinationmarketing organizations.

SkyTeam having partnered with the event in 2009, and whose al-liance partners have contributed significantly to sustainability, willagain this year work closely with Unicomm LLC.

The format will include discussion-in-the-round plenary sessionsplus interactive workshops to provide an innovative exchange ofideas and sharing of best practices. Green Travel Summit, www.greentravelsummit.com; Unicomm, LLC, www.unicomm.org


INDUSTRY EVENTS

AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION 35TH ANNUALCONGRESS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) has announced that registra-tion is now open for the 35th Annual Congress o be held May17–20, 2010, at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa in TheGambia. Hosted by The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, The HotelAssociation, and private sector partners in The Gambia, the themeof this year’s event is Discover Africa’s Genuine Warmth.

The four-day international networking and learning event will en-gage delegates in discussions on a range of industry topics, such asmarketing and promotions, public-private partnerships, infrastruc-ture development, niche markets, industry trends, development, re-sponsible tourism, climate change, advocacy, and social media.Attending ministers will participate in a special roundtable discus-sion on tourism policy choices for the African continent. The pro-gram will include several evening events and receptions.

Special events include the ATA Business-to-Business Exchangefor Buyers and Sellers, offering travel professionals an opportunityto meet and develop business relationships and linkages with 15-minute face-to-face appointments. ATA’s Young ProfessionalNetwork will also meet with local hospitality professionals and stu-

dents during the congress and an African marketplace will be open.Finally, on two separate half-day tours, delegates will explore thehistorical sites of Albreda and Juffureh, among the country’s otherleading tourist attractions.

Royal Air Maroc, the official congress carrier, offers discountrates as low as $713 (plus taxes, available on a first-come, first-serve basis) on roundtrip airfares from JFK International Airportin New York City to Banjul, the Gambia via Casablanca, Morocco.Departure dates with this special rate extend seven days prior toand after the congress.

The congress sessions will take place at the Sheraton GambiaHotel Resort and Spa which, along with other members of theGambia Hotel Association will offer special rates for ATA dele-gates. Complimentary daily shuttles will be available.

Registration can be done online. Special early-bird registration isavailable for ATA members until April 14, 2010 at $400. Afterthis date, ATA members can register for $500. The non-memberregistration fee is $600. Advance media registration is also avail-able. Media wishing to attend the seminar must apply for media ac-creditation by contacting ATA’s info email address.

The deadline for registering for the ATA Business-to-BusinessExchange is April 15, 2010.Africa Travel Association (ATA), [email protected],

2010 IGLTA SYMPOSIUM AND FAM TO BEHELD IN BEIRUT, LEBANON, OCTOBER 13–18

The Lebanese LGBT community and IGLTA represented by Mr.Makso, the Ambassador of the IGLTA for Lebanon and the ArabWorld, are extending an invitation to IGLTA’s Symposium andFam, which will be held October 13–18 in Beirut, Lebanon.

This symposium is one of the first of its kind in the Arab World,and offers participants the opportunity to get to know Beirut, oneof the hottest tourism spots in the Middle East.

Lebanon is a country to be visited during all seasons. At the righttime of year, one can ski in world-class ski locations, featuringgreat runs and deep powder, go to the beach, with a choice of nat-ural beauty or fashionable beach clubs, and then party into the weehours of the morning—all in the same day.

The situation for the LGBT community in Lebanon has signifi-cantly improved over the past few years. Gay bars, cubs, restau-rants, saunas operate freely and an LGBT center has been createdto cater to the community’s needs. During the IGLTA Symposium,the diverse LGBT Arabian communities will be introduced and join-ing will be activists and representatives from around the region.

The participation fee for this event is $700 per person, per singleroom. All bookings made before June 10 are guaranteed a compli-mentary room upgrade. Reservations are being taken untilSeptember 10 with a $100 deposit required; members are urged toregister quickly, as places are limited. IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association),[email protected], www.beirut2010.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

LOS ANGELES TIMES TRAVEL &ADVENTURE SHOW SCORES AGAIN

Ronald Mracky and his wife Sylvia Frommer Mracky, membersof the SOCAL ATA Chapter, man their popular spot at the verysuccessful Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show inFebruary at California’s Los Angeles Convention Center.

The Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show is the largesttravel show in the United States. This year’s February event at-tracted hundreds of captivating destinations from enticingMalaysia and exotic Indonesia to captivating Lake Tahoe and thelaid-back Caribbean islands of St. Lucia and Jamaica.

Mracky gave the show a thumbs up, saying “The number of peo-ple who stopped by to tell us about the Africa cruises they’vebooked was impressive—and signals that the cruise companiesneed to get prepared with scheduled products on the West side andthe South…” He summed it up as “excellent—double the amountof consumers over last year! Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show, www.events.latimes.com/travelshow

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


CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 2010/2011

M A Y4-6 CHTIC 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico [email protected] ATM 2010 Dubai, UAE http://www.dicec.ae4-7 Discover America Pavilion at ATM 2010 Dubai, UAE www.discoveramericapavilion.travel 15-19 PowWow 2010 Orlando, FL www.tia.org/powwow17-20 ATA 35th Annual Congress Banjul, The Gambia www,africatravelassociation.org18-22 Bula Fiji Tourism Exchange Port Denarau, Fiji www.bfte.com.fj20-21 Expotur Costa Rica www.expotur.com24-26 OSSN Forum San Diego, CA www.ossn.com24-27 TRENZ 2010 Auckland, New Zealand www.trenz.co.nz25-27 WTTC Global Travel & Tourism Summit Beijing, China www.wttc.org25-27 IMEX 2010 Frankfurt, Germany www.imex-frankfurt.com25-27 Discover America Pavilion at IMEX 2010 Frankfurt, Germany www.discoveramericapavilion.travel28-31 Green Globe Summit Kassel, Germany www.greenglobe.comJ U N E2-4 Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2010 Bangkok, Thailand www.thailandtravelmartplus.com2-6 CLIA's Cruise 3sixty Vancouver, BC www.cruise3sixty.com3-6 KOTFA 2010 Seoul, Korea www.kotfa.co.kr/eng10-11 Green Travel Summit Washtington, DC www.unicomm.org14-17 Asia Luxury Travel Market Shanghai, China www.altm.com.cn23-27 BETEX 2010 Belize City, Belize www.betex.bz27-Jul 1 Vacation.com International Conference Orlando, FL www.vacation-corp.comJ U L Y1-2 BTC Rimini, Italy www.btc.it/en-en21-23 96th DMAI Annual Convention Hollywood, Florida www.destinationmarketing.comA U G U S T8-11 NBTA Intl. Convention & Expo Houston, Texas www.nbta.orgS E P T E M B E R8-10 La Cumbre San Diego, CA www.lacumbre.com8-10 Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Conf. Portland, Oregon www.ecotourism.org/estc201013-25 The Trade Show Las Vegas, Nevada www.thetradeshow.com14-17 PATA Travel Mart 2010 Macau SAR China www.pata.org19-21 16th World Route Development Forum Vancouver, BC, Canada www.routesonline.com19-22 Texas Travel Summit Galveston, TX www.ttia.org21-24 Travel Media Showcase Irvine, CA www.travelmediashowcase.com22-24 TravelMart Latin America Lima, Peru www.travelmartlatinamerica.com21-24 MATIW/Leisure 2010 Moscow, Russia www.tourismexpo.ru/en23-26 FITA 2010 Mexico City, Mexico www.fita2010.com27-28 Travel & Destination Symposium Palm Springs, CA www.unicomm.orgO C T O B E R2-3 Travel & Adventure Show New York, NY www.adventureexpo.com4-7 Adventure Travel World Summit 2010 Aviemore, Scotland www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com6-8 Ukraine International Travel Market Kiev, Ukraine www.autoexpo.ua6-8 MITM Americas 2010 Quito, Ecuador www.gsamark.com8-10 CATM 2010 Guatemala City, Guatemala www.catm2010guatemala.com12-14 The Motivation Show Chicago, IL www.motivationshow.com13-18 2010 IGLTA Symposium Beirut, Lebanon www.beirut2010.com20-22 ABAV 2010 Rio de Janerio, Brazil www.feiradasamericas.com.br/en/20-22 Discover America Pavilion at ABAV 2010 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil www.discoveramericapavilion.com20-22 ITB Asia Singapore www.messe-berlin.de20-22 Discover America Pavilion at ITB Asia 2010 Singapore www.discoveramericapavilion.com22-24 TTG Incontri Rimini, Italy www.ttgincontri.it22-24 Discover America Pavilion at TTG Incontri 2010 Rimini, Italy www.discoveramericapavilion.com25-27 ATS Conference Pristina, Kosovo www.americantourismsociety.orgN O V E M B E R8-11 World Travel Market 2010 London, England www.wtmlondon.com8-11 Discover America Pavilion at WTM 2010 London, England www.discoveramericapavilion.com13-17 NTA Convention Montreal, Quebec Canada www.ntaonline.com17-20 DEMA 2010 Las Vegas NV www.demashow.com18-20 Global Tourism Industry Expo Rome, Italy www.gtiexpo.it18-21 Philoxenia Thessalonika, Greece www.philoxenia.travel

COLLETTE VACATIONS NAMES ERIC WELTER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING Daniel J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Collette Vacations, has announced that Eric Welter of Marion,

Massachusetts, has been named the company’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. In this role he will overseeall global efforts relating to marketing database development and analysis, advertising, communications, publicrelations, partnership marketing, online marketing, print and broadcast production for the company’s group andtravel agent channel. Eric is responsible for developing and executing the company’s strategic marketing plan.

Most recently, Eric was Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer for Tweeter Opco, LLC. Prior to hiswork at Tweeter, he served as SVP of Marketing & Sales/Call Center/IT for Viking River Cruises, Inc., the largestriver cruise company in the world; and was SVP of Marketing Services at J.Jill (now a division of OrchardBrands), a multichannel retailer of woman’s apparel and accessories.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Eric to Collette. His wealth of experience in travel and retail with such travel com-panies as Viking River Cruises, Grand Circle and J.Jill will be an invaluable asset,” said Sullivan. “Eric will

work closely with our partners to drive new business using the latest technical marketing innovations in the industry.”Eric is a graduate of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota with a BS in Statistics and Mathematics.

Collette Vacations, www.collettevacations.com

VACATION.COM® OFFERS AIR-BOOKING ALTERNATIVE FOR AGENTS TO PROTECT CLIENT LISTSVacation.com® is helping member agents safeguard their clients’ information from online competitors with EZair, the air-booking func-

tionality for its comprehensive leisure sales platform, EZguider. According to a recent survey by Forrester Research, a third of travelagents make their clients’ air bookings online through a supplier or online travel agency. Such sites collect personal information, such asmailing and email addresses, credit card numbers and demographics, which they can then use to market travel services directly to theclient without involving the travel agent. Available through EZguider, EZair allows registered member agents to make stand-alone andadd-on bookings from more than 500 airlines worldwide from a traditional GDS feed, but without a GDS contract, monthly fees or pro-ductivity goals. Through EZair, member agents can add a service fee to the transaction as well as earn commissions of up to 23 percentfrom preferred air suppliers such as Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand and Mexicana.

EZair complements existing functionality within EZguider, a powerful Web-based tool for member agents to quickly compare similarproducts from multiple suppliers on one screen. EZguider users can shop, quote and book from 12 major cruise lines, preferred tour op-erators and third-party insurance providers, along with hundreds of airlines—all integrated into one passenger record and invoice whileinterfacing with Trams back-office system. Currently, Vacation.com member agents are earning up to an additional $2 incentive beyondtheir normal supplier commission for each qualified booking made through EZguider during 2010. EZguider is a free benefit exclusivelyfor Vacation.com members, and EZair is offered for a nominal, onetime set-up fee. Agents can visit to learn more about this all-in-oneleisure-selling tool.Vacation.com, 800-843-0733, www.joinvacation.com, www.EZguider.net, www.vacation.com

VIETNAM AND CUBA NAMED TOP EMERGING DESTINATIONS IN 2010 VIRTUOSO LUXE REPORTAsian and Latin locations rose to the top of the list as up-and-coming destinations in the 2010 Virtuoso Luxe Report released recently.

India, Vietnam and Cuba were voted top emerging destinations, providing insight into the future direction of high-end travelers. Roundingout the top emerging-destination picks were the Galapagos Islands, China and Chile. Based on expert feedback from its network of travelproviders and advisors, the Luxe Report results reflect booking trends, new travel destinations, comparisons to travel in 2009, and aboveall, forecast the travel aspirations of some of the most upscale travelers in the United States.

The top three trends ranked by Virtuoso providers as influencing clients’ vacation choices included: seeking authentic experiences innew destinations; rest and relaxation; and spending time or reconnecting with loved ones. Interestingly, the survey also found that privatevilla rental is booming, with 41 percent saying this sector will increase in 2010 over 2009 bookings, supporting the trend towards con-necting with loved ones in a private group setting. Of the travel professionals responding, 71 percent said clients are seeking internationaltravel for 10+ days. Weekend getaways to domestic destinations garnered the smallest share with only 18 percent.

The primary reasons for clientele booking their travel through a Virtuoso agent as opposed to booking directly were cited as: expertise; thecomfort level of working with their travel provider; the pre- and post-trip support they receive; and the ability of the travel provider to fully cus-tomize the trip for them. The largest influences on travel decisions are word of mouth, travel magazines and lifestyle magazines.

Advisors from Virtuoso travel agencies were invited to take the survey in November and December 2009. Results were tabulated from morethan 250 responses from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. The sampling represents 10,000 of the Virtuosonetwork’s 1.3 million-name database of affluent clients.Virtuoso, www.virtuoso.com


INDUSTRY NEWS

ERIC WELTER


TRAVEL TIPS

The Inside TrackB A R RY G O L D S M I T H

For me, the Olympics’ closing ceremony is just thebeginning because I'm drawn to visit the host city tojudge the Olympics’ impact. Having visited thesehost cities before and aafftteerr the Olympics, I have a

basis for comparison. My three tourism-friendly criteria: Didthe Olympics improve the city’s infrastructure? What of last-ing architectural value will remain after the crowds and cam-era crews have gone? Did the Olympics beautify the city mak-ing it even more tourist-friendly? (I hope the Vancouver CVBis reading this.)

Before the 2006 Winter Olympics, Turin had an image prob-lem similar to Seoul’s before its 1988 Olympics. Both citieswere perceived as grimy, over-industrialized and charmless.For both, the Olympics worked magic. For Turin, restoration,sandblasting, pedestrianizing streets and the addition of thecity’s first new subway permanently improved its image.(And the plethora of new Turin tourist guides in 2006 piquedcuriosity – reminding me of suddenly seeing travel sectionsof bookstores filled with Costa Rica guides twenty years ago.)

Olympics should improve a city’s infrastructure, whichshould help tourism. The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics didvery little to improve that city’s awful mass transit. And it did even less to add exciting new buildings. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics created Centennial Park – with fountainsstill beloved by children – and Olympic housing beloved by college students.

The 2000 Sydney Olympics was helped by an airport-rail con-nection and the largest Olympic stadium ever built. However,Sydney’s still looking for significant uses for its Olympic Park.

The 2004 Athens Olympics helped finally realize Athens’new subway lines and ttoottaallllyy new airport with rail link. Theold stadium was dramatically recreated by avant-garde archi-tect Santiago Calatrava. The Olympic Village gave much-needed green area to Athens. On the whole, the AthensOlympics was a success.

The 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics and 2008 BeijingSummer Olympics both take home the gold.

Barceleona’s Ramblas ends in a traffic circle with a statueof Christopher Columbus. If Columbus should be gazing overanything, it’s a dazzling, not derelict waterfront. Due to the1992 Olympics, he finally does. Before 1992, the largestMediterranean port turned its back on the Mediterraneanwith abandoned warehouses and other decaying facilities.Barcelona did not just build an isolated Olympic Park – it re-claimed land, created beaches, landscaped gardens, etc. Tohandle Olympic crowds, hotels and restaurants were added –and they stayed and multiplied long after the Olympics left.Now there are theaters, malls and an Imax theater. BeforeOlympics: Barcelona was Europe’s eleventh most visited city.

After Olympics: it’s fourth – behind London, Paris and Rome.Beijing practically reinvented itself for the 2008 Olympics –

everything was new: TThhrreeee new subway lines were added tothe six existing lines. (Ten years earlier, Beijing had only onesubway line.) By 2015, Beijing will have nineteen lines!)Norman Foster’s new airport is an architectural masterpiece– including its subway station that’s larger and more lavishthan most American train stations.

The Olympics gave Beijing a new air of reassurance. It alsogave them “new air.” Before this “Green Olympics,” Beijingmoved heavy industry outside the city center. It also crackeddown on other forms of pollution – including personal pollu-tion: smoking and spitting.

The Olympics’ best infrastructure aside, Beijing createdbold architecture at the Olympics site and aallll oovveerr the city.These buildings have achieved architectural icon status andhave become tourist attractions in their own right.

The new, strangely stunning Olympic stadium defies grav-ity. It “deconstructs” post and lintel supports – weaving themin and out in every haphazard direction – like twigs more thansteel, hence the nickname, “Bird’s Nest.” A few blocks fromTiananmen Square is the new, transparent, teardrop-like the-ater called “The Egg.” “The Egg” even came before “TheNest.” (We still don’t know whether the chicken came first.A question General Tso may be able to answer.)

Other great architecture abounds like the Olympic NationalSwimming Center – the “Watercube.” And the best is RemKoolhaus’ CCTV tower, which (from certain angles) looks asif it’s two skyscrapers dangling horizontally in mid-air. It’sthe 21st century’s Eiffel Tower.

Will my hometown, New York, ever get the Olympics? Westarted the unfinished Second Avenue Subway 38 years ago.At this rate, we have another 190 years to go until we com-plete our five new subway lines.

Barry Goldsmith is a professor of architecture and humor. Goldsmith isa television host of travel-related TV series in the USA and UK. And heis a regular on a new syndicated radio show, Let’s Travel Radio.

Post-Olympics photo of Beijing’s spectacular “Bird's Nest” Stadium.

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Near-perfect year-round weather,combined with a rich mix of at-tractions and events, makes SanDiego Bay a choice business

and tourist destination, be it for a quick visitor an extended stay.

San Diego’s waterfront—dubbed the “BigBay” six years ago and supported by a$500,000-a-year branding and promotioncampaign—is ready to receive visitors with:

•Fifteen hotels, providing 8,700 rooms.•A cruise ship terminal that handles about

300 cruise ships annually.•The 2.6 million-square-foot San Diego Convention Center,

host to about 70 events a year, with some drawing up to125,000 attendees.

•The world’s largest sportfishing fleet that can accommo-date individuals or groups on trips for a few days to a fewweeks.

•Seventeen nearby public parks.“It’s a working waterfront with style,” says Rita A.

Vandergaw, director of marketing for the Unified Port of SanDiego, whose group works with cruise lines, event and meet-ing planners, and other business partners.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the city is investing aggressively in its future. Construction began last summer ona new, $28 million, 52,000-square-foot, glass enclosed cruiseship terminal on Broadway Pier. Due for completion inDecember 2010, the port’s first “green” building will handle2,600 passengers.

Also on the docket is a plan to invest $200 million in publicinfrastructure improvements that will further connect the baywith the busy downtown area. In addition, another 440 hotelrooms are set to come online in San Diego in 2010.

Despite the recent economic downturn, San Diego has retained its share of the U.S. overnight visitor market.According to the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau(SDCVB), tourism is expected to increase in 2010 from 2009 levels.

To support meeting planners, the SDCVB recently launchedits “Have It All” program, offering group meeting discountsand site inspection and on-property meeting assistance.

Over the longer term, the master plan for San DiegoInternational Airport at Lindbergh Field—named afterCharles Lindbergh who began his epic 1927 flight from nearby Dutch Flat—calls for construction of 10 additional gates and roadway, parking, and airfield improvements.

A Taste of the Big BayWhen exploring the Big Bay, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Hotel, a 10-minute drive from the airport, provides a conve-nient base. It’s next to the San Diego Convention Center andequally convenient to the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park.This 30-story property, which opened in late 2008, has 1,190rooms—all with bay views—more than 150,000 square feet ofmeeting space, and a health club and spa.

Tightly linked with the modern history of San Diego is theU.S. Navy, which, along with tourism, ranks among the area’slargest employers. Today, Naval Base San Diego is home portto nearly a third of the Navy’s Pacific fleet, including morethan 50 ships, two U.S. Coast Guard cutters, and the onlyshipbuilding facility on the west coast.

The USS Midway, now permanently berthed downtown atNavy Pier after 47 tears of active service, opened as a mu-seum in 2004. Welcoming nearly one million visitors annu-ally, this supercarrier serves as a popular venue for businessand private events, along with a sleepover program for non-profit youth organizations. Elevators enable wheelchair ac-cess, allowing anyone to tour the ship’s 4.5-acre flight deckand inspect its 25 restored aircraft.

Further along North Harbor Drive is the Maritime Museumof San Diego which showcases one of the finest collections ofhistoric ships. Included is the Star of India, an iron-hulledmerchant ship. Commissioned in 1893, it still sails today,making it the world’s oldest active sailing ship. Nearby is theB-39, a 299-foot-long, Soviet-era diesel submarine that sawduty from 1974 to 1994 before it was bought by western busi-nessmen. Exploring every nook and cranny of these andother vessels lets visitors see what life was like on and underthe sea during the last century.

Walk a few more steps and join one of many readily avail-able whale watching cruises. Tens of thousands of graywhales, up to 50 feet long, pass through the waters just out-side the Big Bay as they make the longest annual migration


NORTH AMERICA

Down by the Big Bay in San DiegoP E T E R L O W Y

San Diego is investing heavily to make its downtown waterfront along the Big Bay — apedestrian-friendly area full of museums, attractions, restaurants, and parks — even moreinviting to tourists and business visitors.

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of any mammal – from the Bering and Chukchi Seas offAlaska to their breeding grounds along Baja California.

The best time to see whales is from December to April. Mid-January is the peak, when it’s possible to spot dozens in a day.While whales are the main attraction, it’s not uncommon forschools of dolphins, numbering in the hundreds, to arcthrough the air near your boat as they herd fish below the sur-face. Sea lions and leopard sharks are also frequently spot-ted. Most cruises last three to five hours, but it’s possible togo on four-, five-, and even 11-day expeditions.

The Big Bay area is pedestrian friendly. However, if you tireof walking and don’t have ready access to a bicycle, considerhopping on a pedicab. These human-powered, three-wheeled vehicles have blossomed in San Diego over the pastdecade. While they can take you anywhere in the city, theyconcentrate along the waterfront, Gaslamp Quarter, andPetco Park. Pedicabs can also be hired en masse in connec-tion with business events and meetings.

A visit to the Big Bay isn’t complete without seeing CabrilloNational Monument, commemorating Juan RodriguezCabrillo, a Portuguese explorer who was the first European toset foot on the West Coast of the U.S. in 1542. Situated atopPoint Loma across the bay, the park offers an excellent van-tage point for viewing the entire city and environs. The mon-ument, run by the National Park Service, features a visitorcenter, ranger-guided tours, and even a lookout for whalewatching. It is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Touring and exploring creates an appetite, and San Diegodelivers big time on this score. Seventy restaurants rim thebay with many focusing, of course, on seafood. For example,Anthony’s Fish Grotto on the Bay, a family operation that hasbeen serving visitors for more than 60 years, is located onNorth Harbor Drive near the Maritime Museum and otherwaterfront sites.

For a different visual and culinary view of the city, tryMexican nouvelle cuisine at Candelas in Coronado, a beachcommunity located across the bay. A short water taxi ride willtransport you from Embarcadero Marina Park at the conven-tion center to Coronado Ferry Landing.

Or drive down the Silver Strand, a narrow stretch of beachthat connects Coronado with Imperial Beach, the southernend of the Big Bay, and take a sunset gondola cruise onCoronado Cays, complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres, andsinging gondola pilots. Then step into the Mistral restaurantat Loews Coronado Bay Resort for Northern Italian andSouthern French fare – and a panoramic view of the city byits bay.

Getting to San Diego is easy. In addition to nine cruise linesthat dock there, more than two dozen airlines fly from morethan 40 airports across the U.S. and Vancouver. San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau,www.sandiego.org ; The Big Bay, www.thebigbay.com

TASTE OF ALASKA PACKAGE OFFERED BYALASKAN RAILROAD

With 365 million acres of land to cover, seeing all of Alaska canseem daunting. But travelers can check off many of their must-seesights in Alaska on a spectacular five-day Taste of Alaska vacationpackage from the Alaska Railroad.

Beginning in Anchorage, guests travel the Coastal Classic Trainto Seward where they’ll witness the stunning marine life andcoastal mountains of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords NationalPark, ride a dog sled and hike to Exit Glacier. After returning toAnchorage by train, guests travel the Denali Star Train north toTalkeetna, where they can circle Mount McKinley by plane, take ajet-boat tour and more.

Special features of Alaska Railroad trains include GoldStar ser-vice, large picture windows to capture spectacular scenery, for-ward-facing reclining seats, dining service onboard with views norestaurant can match, and informative commentary along the wayby Alaskan tour guides. Quality souvenirs are available in onboardgift shops and Anchorage Depot, and complimentary historicalroute maps and Panoramas magazine are provided.Alaska Railroad Corp., 800-544-0552, [email protected],www.alaskarailroad.com/travel/Vacations/TasteofAlaska,www.alaskarailroad.com


NORTH AMERICA


EUROPE

Alive, alive, oh!” The Dublin bal-lad sings of cockles and musselshawked through “streets broadand narrow”—the same may be

said of the “Fair City” itself. Sassy and spir-ited, Ireland’s capital is “Alive, alive, oh.”

Incidentally, you’ll spot Molly Malone, thefictional fishmonger, with her wheelbarrowat the foot of Grafton Street—a vibrantpedestrian mall with entertainment on tapfrom morning ‘til night.

Founded by Vikings and later the secondcity of the British Empire, the metropolis isa treasury of ancient churches, castles andgraceful architecture. Literary giants toohave left an indelible imprint—Swift, Wilde,Joyce and Shaw were native sons. Andthere’s no shortage of time-honored pubs –The Brazen Head has been around since1198; it harbored many a rebel (and, no doubt, many a spy)and still dispenses grub and grog along with rollicking Irishmusic. Guinness, another legendary landmark, just cele-brated 250 years of brewing “The Black Stuff.”

Yet for all its antiquity, Dublin is young at heart and contin-ually, and colorfully, reinventing itself. Staid establishments,in addition to docklands, army barracks and KilmainhamGaol, have evolved into innovative tourist attractions.Premier hotels—The Merrion and The Westin were onceGeorgian townhouses and an imposing bank; two formerschoolhouses, also popular hotels, merit an “A” for architec-ture. Temple Bar, a slum until its makeover as a bohemianquarter, pulses with exuberance as open-air markets, ethnicrestaurants, a film center, Children’s Ark, singing pubs,nightclubs, discos and a TradFest take over a web of cobbledstreets.

The City is alive too with the sounds of music – from GrandOpera’s high Cs to the hypnotic rhythms of Riverdance. TheDubliners, The Chieftains, Bono and U-2 all hail from herewhile the country’s premier music venue attracts the world’stop entertainers – The Point was a former train depot.

And while the arts flourish in parks, in theaters and on thestreet, there are treasures without measure in museums andgalleries: Europe’s finest trove of prehistoric gold still dazzlesafter 4,000 years; so awesome is the Book of Kells, illuminatedby monks in 800 A.D., it was believed to be the work of an-gels; thanks to the benevolence of an American miner, a“Holy Show” of sacred manuscripts, icons and exquisiteKorans goes on at the award-winning Chester Beatty Library

in the once infamous Dublin Castle; The National Gallery’scollection of Old Masters includes a lost Caravaggio that be-came the subject of a best-seller that reads like a detectivestory and a rare Vermeer that was held for ransom by the IRAand miraculously recovered—apparently they had weaknessfor fine art. The Hugh Lane houses top-notch Impressionists,contemporary Irish paintings and a gem of stained glass byHarry Clarke worth a trip from anywhere.

Dublin has morphed too into a gourmet destination. Smartcafés and bistros abound and five restaurants sport MichelinStars. A Fabulous Food Trail packs zest and lively commen-tary into a walking/tasting tour of prize-winning eateries for$45; their three-day all-inclusive weekend visits farms, mar-kets, cheese makers and a smokehouse in Connemara:$1,250. wwwwww..ffaabbuulloouussffooooddttrraaiillss..ccoomm

Besides Walking Tours, Literary Pub Crawls, Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours, Rock ‘n Stroll, Ghost Buses (Dracula’s creatorwas a Dubliner), there are Cruises on the Grand Canal andon the River Liffey. (What would Joyce think of Anna Livia’slatest metamorphosis?) Mary Gibbon’s acclaimed day toursvisit the sixth century monastic village in Glendalough andtravel back five thousand years to a UNESCO heritage site atNewgrange—the Stone Age passage tomb and astronomicalobservatory is 1,000 years older than the pyramids. $35.wwwwww..nneewwggrraannggeettoouurrss..ccoomm

Like everything else, Dubliners are mad about sports: track,horse racing, rugby, soccer, sailing and more. The GAA sta-dium at Croke Park is a state-of-the art arena and home ofGaelic football and hurling. It also features an interactive mu-

Dublin’s Fair CityM A R I E W H I T L A O’ R E I L LY

Barry Flanagan sculpture outside Irish Museum of Modern Art.

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seum that traces the history of Irish sports and its involvementwith nationalism. The entire country is a golfers’ paradiseboasting one-third of the earth’s links courses. Around Dublinalone, there are sixty clubs in spectacular seaside and moun-tain locations.

There are Christmas Markets and pantomimes and festivalsyear round; St. Patrick’s Day is a six-day event and on 16thJune Dubliners reJoyce in Bloomsday celebrations with read-ings and reenactments of Ulysses, the book that immortalizedthe City and changed the course of English literature.

More than 60% of Ireland’s tourists visit Dublin. In antici-pation of increasing tourism, Dublin Airport is undergoingrenovations. A new Convention Centre opens in 2010 and theCity has been designated for the Eucharistic Congress andthe European City of Science in 2012. Its proximity to theLondon Olympic Games also augurs well for the future.

And while Dublin is a stellar destination it’s also the perfectgateway for exploring the rest of the country. CIE Tours offers the largest selection of motor-coach tours and has been around for 78 years. A Taste of Ireland—six-days, four nights includes eight meals and begins in Dublin andends at Shannon: land only prices start at $768. A Jewel ofIreland Tour —15-days, 13 nights and 24 meals—follows theisland’s dramatic coastline and begins and ends in Dublin:land only prices start at $2,168. Similar itineraries are avail-able with self-drive car. Travel agents get 10% commission.wwwwww..cciieettoouurrss..ccoomm

Dublin Tourism offers theatre tickets; a popular Dublin Passwith entrance to 60 attractions and discount dining. A GolfPass is priced between $99 and $199, for three rounds of playwhich includes the legendary Portmarnock Links.

Speaking of conversions, Dublin Tourism’s office is locatedin St. Andrew’s Church. Dublin Tourism, www.visitdublin.com, www.discoverireland.com

EUROPEAN WATERWAYS OFFERS 6-WEEK‘JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME’ THROUGH EUROPE

European Waterways has planned a thousand-mile journey alongWestern Europe’s finest inland waterways between the southernFrench Provencal town of Avignon across Europe to vibrantAmsterdam in northern Holland. The six-week cruising expeditionwill pass through several European countries, capital cities and cul-tures along Europe’s famed Rhone, Seine and Rhine as well as en-joying smaller canals and rivers and lakes as the journey unfolds.

This voyage also follows the advance of the American, British andallied forces liberating the French, Belgium and Dutch populationsand passes through regions held by the French resistance, liberatedby General Patton and fought over by the airborne forces code-named operation Market Garden in September 1944 to try andcross the Rhine at Arnhem. For those interested in the historicalimportance of this period, the voyage is an extraordinary opportu-nity to absorb the importance and value of the Second World Warfollowing the D-day landings of June 1944 and the 60th anniver-sary in 2004. The majority of meals are taken aboard ship butevery week at least once passengers get to dine ashore. Anjodi gen-erally cruises only when all the passengers are aboard, but daily ex-cursions are programmed and on occasion the vessel may make upground while passengers are ashore. All accommodations on board,all meals, entry fees on shore excursions, wines and bar drinks areincluded in the price. Rates for the six-week cruise aboard Anjodiare $25,000 ppdo and based on a minimum of six passengers, or$185,000 for a full boat charter. This price is all-inclusive (exclud-ing travel).European Waterways, 800-394-8630, [email protected],www.gobarging.com

SYMBIOMED AT GRANDHOTEL LIENZ WINS SENSES WELLNESS AWARD

Grandhotel Lienz in Osttirol, Austria, has won the SENSESWellness Award 2010 in the category “Best Medical SPA in aHotel.”

SENSES editors and award jurors selected the hotel among 550other hotels and resorts worldwide in seven categories. TheSENSES Wellness Award, category “Best Medical SPA in aHotel” stands for service excellence, international world-classstandards and a medical spa that is an independent part of the reg-ular hotel spa, is guided and supervised by a medical professional(medical doctor or Ayurvedic doctor) and provides the symbiosesof the different medical branches, namely conventional medicine aswell as alternative medicines such as TCM.

The annual SENSES Wellness Awards held to coincide with theITB International Tourism Fair in Berlin has become an interna-tional barometer. When selecting a winner, the editorial team takesthe approach of an international jury, evaluating the nominated ho-tels according to a number of criteria such as the range of treat-ments available at the spa, quality of service, etc. Grandhotel Lienz, www.grandhotel-lienz.com

Golf at Luttrelstown Castle, Dublin.

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EUROPE

AUSTIN-LEHMAN ADVENTURES’ ‘HIGHLIGHTS OF HOLLAND’ BIKE TOUR IN PICTURESQUE SEASON

Vacationers will pedal past fields of brilliantly colored tulips thisspring on Austin-Lehman Adventures’ “Highlights of Holland”five-day/four-night excursion—capped at a maximum of only 12travelers per group—that winds along coastal dunes, passes overbridge-covered canals and fields bursting with color, and concludesat the world’s largest tulip auction.

Travelers will cycle to the world-famous Keukenhof gardens andflower fields—only open to the public for a two-month period eachspring; explore the expansive park with seven million blooms, asfamous for its stunning tulips and inspirational displays of color asits horticultural precision. They’ll then continue to the picturesqueneighborhoods of Haarlem, the seaside resort of Zandvoort, and thebulb-growing region of Lisse with its blooms, water-rich landscapeof canals, lakes and windmills. The next journey is via ferry to thequaint village of Kaag, and then on to explore Rembrandt’s birth-place of Leiden, also home to the world’s largest tulip painting.Completed in 2009 by Dutch landscape artist Leo van den Ende,this panorama of one million tulips is the compilation of an 11-yeareffort. The final stop is spent at Aalsmeer, the largest tulip auctionin the world. Designed for 12 adult bikers at a relaxed pace of 21to 44 miles per day, the springtime “Highlights of Holland” trip isoffered April 11–15, 18–22 and 25–25, 2010. The trip is also of-fered four times in the summer season. It’s priced at $1,998 ppdowith a single supplement rate of an additional $380. Austin-Lehman Adventures, 800-575-1540,www.austinlehman.com

CELTIC TOURS OFFERS TWO NEW TOURSHIGHLIGHTING ITALY

Celtic Tours is offering two new seven-day/five-night programs inItaly. Each is priced at just $299 (land) per person sharing a twinroom, perfect for groups wanting to travel together to experiencethe culture of Italy.

“Taste of Tuscany” will link traditions of past and present.Visitors will take a short walk from Villa Casagrande, a wine-pro-ducing villa constructed in 1392, which will serve as the programbase for five nights. The Villa is located in Figline Valdarno, a me-

dieval village of the 12th century located in the middle of the tri-angle made up of Siena, Arezzo and Florence. The independentland program features five nights at Villa Casagrande in Tuscanyincluding daily breakfast and transfers to the Villa.

“Sorrento Sunshine– Sorrento and The Amalfi Coast” is the secondnew tour. The Amalfi Coast, Italy (la Costiera Amalfi tana) is abreathtaking 35-mile stretch of mountainous coastline situated on theSorrento peninsula, just south of Naples, in the region of Campania.Considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, it is char-acterized by very steep, rocky hillsides plunging dramatically into theMediterranean Sea. Across the water lies the Isle of Capri, or theBlue Island. The Isle of Capri is renowned the world over as an exclu-sive holiday destination.There are 13 select departures for each tourfrom November 2, 2010, through February 22, 2011.Celtic Tours World Vacations, 800-833-4373,www.celtictours.com

KOMPAS LAUNCHES FOUR SMALL-SHIPSAILINGS TO CROATIAN COASTLINE, ISLANDS

Kompas Holidays International is introducing a series of fourweek-long cruises aboard the M/S Macek, a two-mast motorizedsailing ship that travels along the Croatian coast, allowing gueststo island hop for seven-nights starting in May through earlyOctober at savings of up to 70 percent on certain departures.

“Cruising the Croatian Coast” is offered aboard the 32-passen-ger M/S Macek on seven-day sailings featuring Dubrovnik and theancient city of Trogir, the Makarska Riviera, allowing guests toswim in Peljesac bay, visit the island of Mljet and Marco Polo’sbirthplace on the island of Korcula, and dine on Hvar, famous forits lavender fields. The series, “Cruising the Croatian Coast,” in-cludes four itineraries: Kvarner Bay & Northern Dalmatia;Northern & Southern Dalmatia; Southern Dalmatia &Montenegro; and Central & Southern Dalmatia. Prices range from$704 per person in shoulder season to $1,244 per person in highseason with deep reductions for children: 70 percent for ages 3–7,50 percent 8–14, sharing the cabin with two adult travelers.

The program includes full breakfasts and lunches cooked on-board using local ingredients—seasonal produce and fresh-caughtseafood purchased from local fishermen’s daily catches. Travelersdine on-board twice daily, disembarking in the afternoons to ex-plore, hike and get a close-up view of the islands where summerdays are long enough for travelers to spend hours on land. Otherovernights are in small fishing villages such as Slano; optional ex-cursions include a trip to Cavtat on the southernmost part of theCroatian coast; and the M/S Macek will anchor in bays along theway such as in the Elafiti islands or off the coast of Brac so travel-ers can swim in the cobalt, pristine waters of the Adriatic.

Kompas International Holidays sells vacations seven to 19 daysin duration as escorted tours, city stays, and cruises aboard its 25-member fleet throughout Europe. Kompas International Holidays, [email protected], www.kompas.net


EUROPE

‘ROMAN HOLIDAY’ TAUCK EVENT TO INCLUDEDINNER INSIDE THE VATICAN

To celebrate its 85th anniversary, Tauck is inviting its loyal guestson a comprehensive “insider’s” cultural exploration of Rome per-sonally hosted by members of the Tauck family, including companyCEO Dan Mahar. The six-day “Roman Holiday” itinerary will pro-vide an in-depth and intimate look into the rich history of “theEternal City” and its strong influence on art, religion, architecture,fashion, music and more. The itinerary will be highlighted by aonce-in-a-lifetime evening in the Vatican that includes an exclusivedinner inside a Vatican Museum gallery along with private guidedtours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Tauck will offer two “Roman Holiday” departures this fall, begin-ning on October 21 and 26. Along with the private evening at theVatican, the itinerary includes specially-themed half-day guidedcity tours that explore Rome’s history and culture.

The tour is priced from $4,790 ppdo plus air. Tauck has beguntaking booking on the departures; each is limited to 175 guests, tobe split into smaller groups of no more than 25 for daily sightsee-ing with a Tauck director and local guides. (All guests will join to-gether for special events including the welcome reception and din-ner, lectures, opera performance, fashion show and the privateVatican and villa evenings.)

Included in the price are five nights’ accommodations at the five-star Westin Excelsior, which is located near the Spanish Steps inthe heart of Rome. Also included are all sightseeing and specialevents, admission to all sites and attractions, all gratuities, mostmeals, Rome airport transfers and more.Tauck, 800-468-2825, www.tauck.com

BERLIN BREAKS NEW TOURISM RECORDS IN 2009

Despite the international economic crisis, Berlin closed its 2009tourism year with record visitor numbers. In 2009, 8.3 million(+4.5 percent) guests checked into Berlin’s hotels, spending a totalof 18.87 (+6.2 percent) million overnights. On the average, guestsstayed in Berlin for 2.3 nights; a slight increase over 2008. Visitor

numbers have been increasing steadily for the past six years.Berlin’s average hotel rate of approximately $103 remained ex-

tremely competitive, comparing very favorably to Paris, London,and Rome.

The USA, Berlin’s most important overseas market, continued toshow strong numbers. In 2009, over 238,400 Americans visitedthe German capital. This all-time high is a solid 3.3-percent in-crease over 2008. U.S. citizens spent more time in Berlin than inthe previous year, increasing the number of U.S. overnights by 3.6percent to 585,560.

In stark contrast to previous years, Canadian visitor numbers de-clined by 6.5 percent to 35,200.

Berlin’s meetings sector also reported record numbers. In 2009,the city hosted 108,500 (+4 percent) meetings, congresses andevents for about 8.26 million participants. According to statisticspublished by the Berlin Convention Office, meeting participantsspent a total of five million overnights in Berlin (+6 percent).Berlin Tourism Marketing North America, www.visitBerlin.de

AIR EUROPA NOW CONNECTING MIAMI AND MADRID

Air Europa, one of Europe’s most modern and fastest growingairlines, has announced new non-stop service from Miami toMadrid. Air Europa will offer convenient connections to more than20 cities in Spain and to some of the most important European cap-itals such as Paris, Rome and London.

Air Europa will operate a fleet of Airbus 330-200 with a capac-ity for 275 coach passengers and 24 Club Business passengers. Theplane will depart from Miami International Airport at 9:50 p.m.,arriving in Madrid Barajas at 12:10 p.m. the following day.

“Today marks another milestone for AirEuropa, as we expand ourinternational transatlantic route network in the United States” ex-pressed Javier Hidalgo, CEO of Globalia Group.

AirEuropa boasts a 96-percent punctuality rate and more officialquality, safety and maintenance certificates than any other Spanishairline. Air Europa is also a member of SkyTeam and the onlySkyTeam member to offer direct service to Madrid.

Business class travelers will enjoy privileges such as access toVIP lounges, bonus miles and priority disembarkation of luggage.Economy and business class travelers will also enjoy ergonomicseating, more space between seats, customized audiovisual leisuresystem for coach and Mediterranean cuisine.

Air Europa flies to the following destinations in Spain: Alicante,Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Granada, Ibiza,Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Mernoca, Oviedo, Santiagode Compostela, Sevilla, Tenerife, Valencia, Vigo and Zaragoza. AirEuropa’s international services includes: Buenos Aires, Cancun,Caracas, Dakar, Havana, Lisbon, London, Marrakech, Milan, NewYork, Paris, Punta Cana, Rome, Salvador de Bahia, SantoDomingo, Tunis and Venice. This year the airline also announcesnew service to Lima and Panama.Air Europa, 800-238-7672, www.aireuropa.com


CARIBBEAN

If you had a home in the West Indies overlooking theCaribbean Sea next to a vast expanse of tropical forest,Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge boutique resort would be it.What speaks well for the establishment is that it is a

member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This formercountry home is nestled in the hills of the southwest area ofBarahona with a commanding view of the sea below.Barahona is mostly visited by Dominicans and is pretty muchuntouched by big of foreign tourism. And how do you say“unspoiled”?

It is small, 12 rooms, cozy, comfortable and intimate. It isfamily owned. And family owned inevitably adds a degree ofservice unduplicated by large hotels. Meals are made forsmall numbers of people, so the quality is much like havingyour own professional chef. As well as the $130.00 weekdayrates and $170.00 weekend rates, they have introduced spe-cial packages.

The honeymoon/anniversary package is $825.00. PolibroSchiffino, the owner, says, “This gives the starry-eyed couplefive days and four nights stay and includes a two hour mas-sage per couple per day and daily breakfast in the room.” Addto this dinner with wine, a bottle of Champaign in the room,one hour of horseback riding and free entrance to a coldspring at a private estate and it is quite a deal.

Alternately, they have a family package at $999.00 for threedays and two nights. This is a minimum of three rooms withtwo adults and one free child per room. It includes breakfast,fruit juices in the rooms and entrance to the cold springs.wwwwww..ccaassaabboonniittaaddrr..ccoomm

Villa Punta GoletaAlso family owned is Villa Punta Goleta on the North Shore

of the country at Cabarete. As with Casa Bonita, it was for-merly a family’s country residence. It is built in the traditionalstyle before air conditioning with a two-story ceiling in theliving room area. Plenty of windows provide cross draft fromthe ocean at the main veranda door to the front entrance.Though not a member of the Small Luxury Hotels, it deservesto be.

Each of the nine, recently reconditioned bedrooms and onejunior suite is air conditioned. They are bright, airy roomswith two double or one king-size bed. Each has its ownSpanish Colonial style veranda overlooking the expansivelawn and ocean.

For some vacationers luxury is not a matter of large, sleekor new. It is a matter of quiet, intimate and not like-life-back-home-at-all. Villa Punta Goleta is that luxury. The staff is at-tentive, without being intrusive; are clean and very profes-

sional. Meals are cooked by a family chef, so the food does nothave an institutional character to it.

It borders a sandy bluff on the ocean at Kite Beach and is ashort walk to the, independently-owned, beach-side restau-rants in the main part of the small town of Cabarete.

Through December 15th, rates start at $115.00 for single oc-cupancy and go to $165.00 for double occupancy in the juniorsuite. It offers two nights free to travel agents and additionalnights at 50% off rack, and gives a 20% commission.

Punta Goleta resort closed two years ago for a completeoverhaul. The villa was the first part to open and now theSeaWinds suites with one, two and three bedroom suites andthree bedroom penthouses is opened. These units range from$115.00 to $700.00 through December 15th. The architectand the interior designer worked together so the furniture fitsthe rooms both quantitatively and qualitatively. All units havefloor to ceiling windows and unit-long balconies. All withocean views. wwwwww..ppuunnttaaggoolleettaa..ccoomm

Coral Hotels & ResortsAt the east end of Cabarete Bay is the 50 unit, boutique

Velero Beach Resort, a Coral Hotels & Resorts’ property. It hasrooms, apartments and seven penthouses thus offering arange of accommodations for a variety of vacation needs.

The largest of the penthouses has three bedrooms. All roomsand suites have a view of the ocean, air conditioning (and thedirect on-shore ocean breeze), internet and so forth.

All suites have a kitchen. For guests who do not cook on va-cation, there is a beach-side restaurant.

Diane Tremblay, the manager, says, “Not all the guests rentthe suites just for the spaciousness, some actually use thekitchen. Those who do, buy fresh fish, crab and lobster on thebeach next to the resort from fisherman when they come in

Update on Dominican Republic ResortsNew properties and new standards.D . O. C H R I S T I A N R I E G E R

Playa Blanca Punta Cana Dominican Republic.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22


CARIBBEAN

from the sea. They will buy a variety and cook them into aCaribbean Lobster Bake or into an aromatic Paella. It makesmy mouth water just thinking about it.”

A two minute walk from the hotel along the beach andguests have access to world-class kite surfing, and can dineat trendy restaurants and funky bars, like Jose O’Shay’s IrishBeach Pub. (O’Shay’s, along with Presidente beer, sponsorthe only St. Patrick’s Day parade on the beach in the world.)

From April 28th to June 9th, rates range from $83.00, for aunit that accommodates two people with one or two beds, to$276.00 with four beds and accommodates up to six people.Rates are per room.

At the beginning of the season Coral also opened an addi-tional resort in Cabarete, the all-inclusive, 320 room (andsuites), 62 acre Coral Sol de Plata Resort for adults, singlesand families. All meals, wine, local and international bever-ages, various non-motorized water sports and land sportswith equipment and instruction, entertainment and other ac-tivities are included in one single price. Spring and summerper person rates start at $125.00 for garden rooms and go to$149.00 for ocean view rooms. wwwwww..ccoorraallhhootteellss..ccoomm

Princess Hotels & Resorts2010 is a year of new features for the Dominican Republic

properties of Princess Hotels & Resorts. It has completed thefirst phase of remodeling rooms in the Bavaro Princess AllSuites Resort, Spa & Casino. “Remodeling has gone beyondmere furniture, fixtures and paint, to innovative concepts andservices. We seek to upgrade the total experience,” saysLeonardo Casaretto, director of e-commerce.

In this regards, Bavaro Princess created the Platinum BeachClub as part of its premium Platinum Club. This is a privatearea on the beach with butler service, Bali beds and refresh-ments. The Platinum Club has also instituted a weekly pianoconcert in the Platinum Lounge that includes Sushi, and wineand cheese tasting.

Additional Dominican Republic Princess Hotel & Resortsproperties that have changes are the Punta Cana Princess,Caribe Club Princess and Tropical Princess. All these resortsare in the popular Punta Cana area at the east end of thecountry.

Current rates: The bungalow suite is $151.00, theHoneymoon Spa Suite is $176.00 and the Platinum Suitesstart at $185.99. wwwwww..pprriinncceessss--hhootteellss..ccoomm

VIK Hotels in Punta CanaVIK Hotels has two resorts in the Punta Cana area on

the east coast of the Dominican Republic, the 4 star, 447 room, VIK Hotel Arena Blanca and the boutique 5 star VIKhotel Cayena Beach with only 47 deluxe ocean-front suites.Robert Petris, director of sales, says this is the hidden jewel ofPunta Cana.

He continues, “These two resorts are on one of the very bestbeaches on the planet, with an intact coral reef and well pre-served nature. For 20 years, Punta Cana has kept the con-struction law of the “Coconut Palm Tree,” which means, nobuilding can be taller than a mature coconut palm. This givesus a maximum of three story buildings in our hotels and theentire area. It is what makes Punta Cana so beautiful. This isa unique concept and gives the traveler a magnificent viewfrom a landing airplane.”

VIK Punta Cana hotels are conscientious about other greenand natural aspects to operating a resort. In January, theystarted a pioneering power plant powered by a clean liquidgas technology, almost no change to the fresh air quality as aresult. Mr. Petris says, “It is lowering our current astronomicenergy cost by almost 50%.” So they have found themselvesdoing well by doing right.

The two resorts offer two wedding packages. The standardone is $1300.00 and the deluxe at $1500.00. “This year we areoffering special promos, like a free wedding if ten or morerooms are booked.” These rates are in addition to the rooms.

Net rates start at $58.00 in May and June in Arena Blancaand at $65.00 in July and August, p.p.d.o., all-inclusive for agarden room. Add $5.00 net price for ocean view and $20.00for the ocean front suites or $35.00 for a deluxe Cayena Jr.Suite. wwwwww..vviikkhhootteellss..ccoomm

Punta Cana Resort & ClubPlaya Blanca is the newest addition to the Punta Cana

Resort & Club’s restaurants. Located directly on a white,white, white, white Caribbean sand beach, the staff servesfresh local seafood, grilled meats, and cocktails for lunch anddinner. Live music by local Dominican musicians rotatesweekly.

The Playa Blanca section is also the center for many on-sight activities including horseback riding, Segway tours,kite and windsurfing, bicycle and golf cart rentals.

The flat, waist deep water combined with steady cross on-shore trade winds that blow consistently from mid Novemberuntil the end of March, allow for a safe and controlled learn-ing environment. Punta Cana Resort and Club’s new kite-boarding school has only instructors certified by theInternational Kiteboarding Organization.

The resort’s 2010’s three-night summer golf and spa pack-age includes transportation to and from the Punta CanaAirport, daily breakfast, two rounds of golf at P.B. Dye's LaCana Golf Course, and one round on Tom Fazio's recentlyopened Corales Golf Course. This package is like golfheaven. And the package includes a hot-stone, couple’s mas-sage, and more. All for $1,685.00 per couple.

Does this sound like an anniversary or birthday present toanyone? hhttttpp::////wwwwww..ppuunnttaaccaannaa..ccoomm//To contact the writer: [email protected]

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FROM PAGE 20

DDoommiinniiccaann RReeppuubblliicc HHaass IItt AAllll

www.coralhospitalitycorp.com

CASA BONITA TROPICAL LODGE

Located in Barahona, in the stillunspoiled and secluded southwest regionof the Dominican Republic, adjacent tothe only biosfere reserve in the country.CASA BONITA sits on a hilltop with an

impresive view of the Caribbean Sea,nestled within a vast tropical forest

surrounded by rivers and mountains.This former private vacation retreat, still family owned, provides twelve

rooms caba a style, that dramaticallyoverlook its surroundings.

Comprised of Coral Hotels & Resorts, Coral Comfort Serviced Residencesand Coral Elite Serviced Residences...we bring over 20 years of experience

in Resort Operations, Sales & Marketing and Development. Within these

areas we will custom design a program that will suit the resort, its location

and its consumers.

www.casabonitadr.com

Princess Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain specializing in holiday and urban hotels in top class tourist resorts, which,from the start, has enjoyed the prestige, confidence and consideration of our customers. A chain with a business philosophy and methodology inthe management of large hotels.

princess-hotels.com

There are ecological tours of the resort to learn about the nature andculture of the area and arts andcrafts...an unforgettable experience.Additionally...first class spas, gourmetrestaurants, bars, lounges and a widevariety of activities and shows to top off the perfect family getaway.

Kids stay free this summer at Palladium Hotels & Resorts!

[email protected]

1-888-237-1226

www.fiestahotelgroup.com

Tel: 809-562-7475www.amhsamarina.com

TO ENJOY IT ALL AT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...IT’S OUR LIFESTYLE!

MAJESTIC RESORTS PUNTA CANA *****Punta Cana | La Altagracia | República Dominicana

Tel: (809) 221 9898 | Fax: (809) 468 49 95 email: [email protected]

DELTA TO RESUME SERVICE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND HAITI

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has announced it will resume ser-vice between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport(JFK) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, three times weekly starting onApril 3, 2010. Service from JFK to Port-au-Prince will expand tofive times weekly, effective June 10. Delta’s previous service be-tween New York-JFK and Haiti started June 20, 2009, but wassuspended following the tragic earthquake that struck the countryon January 12 this year. As part of its philanthropic efforts, Deltacontinues to contribute financial and in-kind support to Haiti reliefefforts through multiple organizations.

Delta will operate on the following schedule between New York-JFK and Port-au-Prince starting April 3: Flight DL 435 departsNew York-JFK at 9 a.m. and arrives Port-au-Prince at 12:08 p.m.on Monday, Thursday and Saturday (and Tuesday, Friday, effectiveJune 10); and DL 436 departs Port-au-Prince at 1:20 p.m., arriv-ing New York-JFK at 6:10 p.m., also on Monday, Thursday andSaturday (and Tuesday, Friday, effective June 10).Due to aircraft

weight and balance limitations, all customers will be permitted onecarry-on bag and one personal item, as well as two checked piecesof luggage on flights into Port-au-Prince free of charge, unlessprior arrangements have been made. Excess and overweight lug-gage charges will apply. Delta Air Lines, www.delta.com

EVERYONE WINS WITH THE ‘ANGUILLA 50/50’INCENTIVE FOR MEETING EVENTS

The island of Anguilla is a relatively new destination for incentiveand meeting travel. Anguilla, right off the coast of Puerto Rico, haseasy air access that is perfectly suited for executive retreats, inti-mate meetings and top-tier incentive programs.

Never-before-published rates for incentive and meetings groupsare now available with the “Anguilla 50/50” promotion. Beginningin April and running through October 2010, the “Anguilla 50/50”will reward a minimum group of 50 guests, with a minimum book-ing of twenty-five rooms at participating properties, with 50 per-cent off peak room rates. Sample room rates may include$448–$348 at Cap Juluca; $495–$247.50 at CuisinArt Resort &Spa; and $335–$247 at Malliouhana Resort & Spa.

Additional offerings and discounts may apply, rates vary, arebased on availability and subject to change. Blackout out dates,taxes and qualification requirements apply. Those interested mayaccess additional information on the website under the “Events &Promotions” tab; it’s important to include the term “Anguilla50/50” in details.

The sales representatives at the properties may also be contacteddirectly—with mention of the “Anguilla 50/50” promotion in orderto receive the package details.Anguilla Tourist Board, www.anguilla-vacation.com/meetings-incentives, www.anguilla-vacation.com/sites/default/files/ATB_IncentiveBrochure2008.pdf, www.anguilla-vacation.com

VALUABLE SUMMER SPECIAL RATES AT BIRD OF PARADISE IN ANGUILLA

Asian/tropical in style, Bird of Paradise villa on Sandy Hill Baybeach in Anguilla is an intimate compound of four buildings withmeandering, lagoon-style pools weaving between to create an inti-mate compound.

This summer, the secluded resort is offering special pricing effec-tive May 1 until September 15, with a starting rate as low as$1,390 including a rental car—compared to a high-season net ratebeginning at $2,285 per night.

High-level pluses such as whirlpool tubs, Bvlgari amenities, wetbar/ice maker and free US/EUR telephone are offered.

Low summer airfares are available to St. Maarten (PrincessJuliana International Airport). From JFK to SXM with connectingflights, the base rate is $239; Chicago to SXM rate is $216+.

Anguilla’s Greg Norman-designed golf course is now open.Bird of Paradise, [email protected]


CARIBBEAN

CAST, COTAL SIGN MEMORANDUM ONSUSTAINABILITY OF CARIBBEAN TOURISM

Attending to the importance of cooperation among entities in thetourism sector to strengthen Caribbean tourism development,Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) andConfederación de Organizaciones Turísticas de América Latina(COTAL) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to jointlysupport initiatives promoting sustainability in the Caribbeantourism industry.

Shown left to right are Manuel Castro Inocencio, Asociación deGuías de Turismo de la República Dominicana (AGTRD); TirsoCabral, President of AGTRD; Luis Felipe Aquino, President ofConfederación de Organizaciones Turísticas de América Latina(COTAL); José Mella, President of Dominican Travel Agents andTourism Association (ADAVIT); and Adolfo López, ExecutiveDirector for the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism(CAST).La Confederación de Organizaciones Turísticas de AméricaLatina (COTAL), Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism,(CAST); Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA),www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/CAST.php, www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com

THE SANDS AT GRACE BAY WINS BIG ATTURKS & CAICOS HOTEL ASSOCIATION STAR AWARDS DINNER

The Sands at Grace Bay took top honors at the annual Turks &Caicos Star Awards dinner in February. General Manager PierreBeswick was named “Hotelier of the Year,” the pool and beach at-tendant Christopher Suerte was “Employee of the Year” and thehotel’s developer Stan Hartling, the CEO of The Hartling Group,received the “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Only in its second year, the Star Awards honors local hoteliers andstaff for exceptional service and commitment to their community.Applications are submitted by each property and reviewed by apanel of judges, except for “Hotelier of the Year” which is voted onby all Hotel Association members.

General Manager Pierre Beswick joined The Hartling Group in2004 after five successful years with Chris Blackwell’s IslandOutpost Group. He’s served in his GM post at The Sands at GraceBay for the past five years.

Employee of the Year winner Christopher Suerte has been at TheSands at Grace Bay since 2007, emerging as a leader in the Pool& Beach Department.

As CEO and lead partner, Stan Hartling plays a vital role in allaspects of The Hartling Group’s development projects—from ini-tial design, feasibility studies, financing and promotion, to grandopenings and the ongoing operations of each project. He also ownsand operates Hartling Reality, a licensed real estate brokerage firmin the Turks & Caicos Islands.Sands at Grace Bay, 877-777-2637, www.thesandstc.com

LADERA’S EXECUTIVE CHEF ORLANDO SATCHELL APPEARS AT LE CORDON BLEU IN LONDON

Executive Chef Orlando Satchell of Ladera’s acclaimed Dasheenerestaurant appeared as a guest of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleucooking school in London last month. Ladera’s Dasheene and ChefOrlando are known for introducing the concept of sustainable cook-ing to St. Lucia and have successfully raised innovative WestIndian food to its rightful stature within World Cuisine.

“Ladera is proud to extend a taste of St. Lucia to this audience,all of whom possess the knowledge and passion to fully appreciatethe tropical flavors and creative renderings of island cooking,”commented Waddy Francis, General Manager of Ladera.

On the menu for the Le Cordon Bleu demonstration was ChefSatchell’s signature Lobster Salad on Watermelon with a cocoa bal-samic dressing and Cocoa Red Snapper on Sweet Potato Cake withginger rum fruit salsa. The menu is based on native ingredients andrelies on local bounty for a fresh, innovative take on West Indiancuisine. The produce is grown for the resort by island farmers andneighboring plantations. Fish is caught daily in the nearby watersand the spices are harvested from indigenous St. Lucian plants. Ladera, 866-290-0978, www.ladera.com; Le Cordon Blue,www.lecordonbleu.edu

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm APRIL 2010• 25

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CARIBBEAN

SAND DOLLAR WELCOMES GILBERTO LIRA AS GENERAL MANAGER

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort inBonaire has announced the appointmentof Gilberto Lira as General Manager.

Mr. Lira is of Antillean birth, and hasmore than twenty years’ experience inthe hotel, restaurant, and tourism indus-try within the Antilles.

He has worked in management positions in several highly regardedCaribbean resorts—Sunset BeachResort, Divi Flamingo Beach, and the

Plaza Resort in Bonaire, La Cabana and Divi Tamarijn in Aruba, and Pelican Resorts and Atrium Beach Resort in Sint Maarten.

Gilberto has a BS in Hospitality Management from FloridaInternational University and a diploma in Hotel & RestaurantManagement from the Aruban Hospitality Trade TrainingCenter, along with a certification in Leadership & Motivationfrom Cornell University and training certifications from theCaribbean Hospitality Training Institute. Sand Dollar, 800-288-4773, [email protected],[email protected], www.sanddollarbonaire.com

ANTIGUA’S COCOS HOTEL CELEBRATESSUMMER BRIDES WITH WEDDING,HONEYMOON PACKAGES

Cocos Hotel is toasting summer brides with a distinctive weddingand honeymoon package that provides value and personalized ser-vices for their special day.

With June traditionally the most popular month for weddings,couples are increasingly choosing July and August for their desti-nation weddings for greater choice and individual attention.

Celebrating this trend, Cocos Hotel, a Caribbean boutique hotelin Antigua, is offering for July and August their “Summer BridalPackage.” It features a dedicated wedding team, including mar-riage officer and witness, to assist with every detail to give couplesan island-style, stress-free Caribbean wedding. The package in-cludes personal selection of an intimate romantic location for thewedding ceremony, decoration with Caribbean elegance, coordina-tion of registration and legal fees, and provision of a one-tier wed-ding cake, bridal bouquet for the bride and button hole for thegroom—all value-priced at $950. Also offered is a fifth night freefor stays of five nights or more, free room upgrade based on avail-ability, an additional complimentary 30-minute spa treatment perperson, and a private intimate romantic champagne dinner on thebeach for bridal couples and honeymooners.

Cocos Hotel carefully manages the number of weddings at the re-sort to allow for dedicated service, so it’s advisable to reserve thedate of choice as much in advance as possible. Cocos Hotel, [email protected], www.cocoshotel.com

BREEZES RESORTS’ REBRANDING DELIVERSINCREASED BOOKINGS

Breezes Resorts & Spas’ November 2009 rebranding initiativehas successfully increased bookings at its expanded portfolio, eightproperties in six countries including Jamaica, Curaçao, theBahamas, Panama and Brazil.

Breezes Rio Bueno (formerly Grand Lido Braco), located onJamaica’s western coast, saw a nine-percent increase in Februaryoccupancy compared to last year. Breezes Panama in Santa Clara,which opened last October, got off to a solid start with a near sell-out during its introductory weekend and 100-percent occupancyboth during Christmas week and Valentine’s Day weekend. The all-suite Breezes Grand Negril has seen an influx of younger coupleswith its new pricing structure. Also expanding its customer base isBreezes Trelawny, now Super-Inclusive, has struck a chord withcouples seeking an active getaway and a convenient base for ex-ploring Jamaica. Slated to open this summer, Breezes Buzios willbe the second Breezes in Brazil, upping Breezes’ offerings to nineresorts. Located near bustling Rio de Janeiro, Breezes Buzios willentice guests of all ages. In addition to 330 rooms and suites, theresort will also feature 110 villas. All Breezes resorts also offerfree weddings, including government fees, for stays six nights orlonger. Tipping is prohibited at all Breezes Resorts.Breezes Resorts, www.breezes.com; SuperClubs, www.superclubs.com

GILBERTO LIRA

Emerald green mountains as a backdrop. The turquoiseCaribbean Sea at your feet. Could there be any placemore charming than this picture perfect cove called theGrand Case Beach Club? Two powder white beaches.Fresh water pool. Day and night tennis.Delightful dining. Invigorating water sports. Shopping and excursions.Everything your heart desires.

For reservations see your travel professional or call 1-888-845-5821.

www.grandcasebeachclub.com

The beach is so close,shoes are strictly optional.

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm APRIL 2010• 27

CARIBBEAN

ST. MAARTEN TOURIST BUREAU WELCOMESKRYSTLE RICHARDSON TO NEW YORK TEAM

The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau hasadded Krystle Richardson to its New YorkCity office team, joining industry veteranLouis Peters and travel agent liaisonCyndi Miller Aird.

The office is a portal for agents and con-sumers seeking information about St.Maarten, including brochure fulfillmentand representation at tradeshows nation-wide. St. Maarten has recently launched anew branding campaign and initiatives to

capture the lucrative North American leisure travel market.Richardson’s new responsibilities are to help promote awareness

of the island, including building relationships with tour operators,wholesalers, and consumers; delivering and scheduling seminarsand educational material to the travel agent community; and rep-resentation at tradeshows.

Richardson noted: “I believe that the exploration of new placesand new cultures is important to a person’s development and per-sonal growth and that traveling is essential for hands-on educationintertwined with recreation and relaxation. I embrace the opportu-nity to work with the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and add to theexperiences that visitors have during their stay.”

She holds a Masters Degree in International AppliedCommunication from the University of Central Lancashire inPreston, England, and has additionally studied in Utrecht,Netherlands as well as Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama.

Richardson has lived in St. Maarten, St. Croix and St. Thomas,as well as various other regions of the world. She currently residesin New York.St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, www.vacationstmaarten.com

ALL-NEW VERDANZA HOTEL IN PUERTO RICOHAS EARLY SUMMER VIBE PACKAGE

An off-season package at Isle Verde’s new Verdanza Hotel offersadded values for a sunny trip to Puerto Rico. Perks of the SummerVibe package include accommodation in a Superior Room; dailybuffet breakfast per adult; a $25 food-and-beverage credit perroom, per night; a welcome gift per room; one Rondanza (our sig-nature rum drink) per adult; a 20-percent discount in massagesfrom Body Healers, and a bonus certificate for a free night with thepurchase of three consecutive nights for a future stay.

The package starts at $90 ppdo per night, plus 9-percent govern-ment tax and 8-percent resort fee. Up to two children 16 years oryounger are welcome to stay in the same room with adults at no ad-ditional cost. Children up to five eat free at Eighty20 Bistro. Theminimum stay is two nights. The food-and-beverage credit may notbe applied to cover service gratuity and may not be redeemed forcash. Unused package features are not redeemable for cash. Theoffer is subject to availability, restrictions apply, and it’s valid

through April 30, 2010. The trip is commissionable for travelagents.Verdanza Hotel is also featuring the Official FoodiePackage for Saborea Puerto Rico Culinary Festival 2010, to beheld April 9–11. Verdanza Hotel, www.verdanzahotel.com/specials-packages,www.verdanzahotel.com

GRAND CASE BEACH CLUB EXTENDS ITSFREE NIGHT PROGRAM

The Grand Case Beach Club, located on the ocean adjacent toGrand Case village in St. Martin, French West Indies, has an-nounced it’s extending its fifth-night-free program to the summermonths. It is valid in all room categories for new bookings startedand completed between June 1 and October 31, 2010.

The free night only applies at the end of the stay and may not beused in conjunction with groups or any other promotion.

The Grand Case Beach Club offers a wide range of activities for itsguests, including the Sunset Cafe, open seven days a week for break-fast, lunch and dinner plus Happy Hour; a fully equipped kitchen andflat-screen satellite TV in each unit; swimming pool; tennis court,fitness center, island boutique and a water sports center.Room ratesinclude continental breakfast daily, a bottle of wine on check-in, andthe use of all non-motorized water sports equipment.Grand Case Beach Club, 888-340-3016, [email protected],www.gcbc.com

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CARIBBEAN

DELTA’S NEW FLIGHTS PROMOTE EASE OFTRAVEL TO THE EXUMAS

Expanded air service will make it easier than ever to visit the gor-geous Exumas in The Islands of the Bahamas. Beginning June 13,2010, Delta Air Lines will offer nonstop flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to George TownExuma International Airport (GGT) on Wednesdays and Sundays,making it possible to escape gridlocked highways for The Exumas’uncrowded beaches in roughly two hours. Travelers can book onlinefor summer travel to The Bahamas with fares starting at just $129each way, based on a required round-trip purchase. (Additionaltaxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply.).

The new flights operate Wednesdays and Sundays starting June13 on the following schedule: DL 5607 departs ATL at 10:55 a.m.and arrives GGT at 1:17 p.m.; DL 5606 departs GGT at 2 p.m.,arriving ATL at 4:34 p.m.

The Exumas have become a retreat for celebrities includingJohnny Depp and country music couple Tim McGraw and FaithHill, who both own private islands in the Exuma Cays. With cele-brated tour operators Dive Exuma and Four C’s Adventures, trav-elers can cruise past these private islands while experiencing one-of-a-kind activities such as snorkeling Thunderball Grotto, madefamous by 007; exploring Exuma Land and Sea Park; feeding

Exumas lovable swimming pigs and iguanas; and kite surfing aboveturquoise waters.

Resorts throughout The Exumas are offering specials on air-in-clusive packages, including the newly opened, all-inclusive SandalsEmerald Bay, the world’s first all-butler, oceanfront resort com-plete with a 16,000-square-foot spa. Vacation packages to TheExumas and other islands in The Bahamas, including free compan-ion airfare or air credit offers, are available for a limited time andmay be booked online or by calling the toll-free number forBahamas Ministry of Tourism. A portion of travel for some itiner-aries may be on Delta Connection carrier Atlantic SoutheastAirlines.

The 700 Islands of the Bahamas includes such diverse and beau-tiful islands as Eleuthera, Abaco, Nassau/Paradise Island andGrand Bahama Island. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, 800-Bahamas (224-2627),www.bahamas.com; Delta Air Lines, www.delta.com

MALLIOUHANA HOTEL & SPA HASGIRLFRIENDS AND STAY-FREE OFFERS FOR 2010

For 2010, the award-winning Malliouhana Hotel & Spa inAnguilla, British West Indies, has in place two stay-free offers. Thefirst—an offer to stay seven nights and pay for just five, in an OceanView Double Room in the Main House—is good through April 30.Then from April 1 through August 31, visitors can stay four nightsand pay for three in the Ocean View Double Room. These stay-freeoffers are good for new bookings only and not possible for use withother packages or specials.

A special ‘Girlfriends Retreat’ package is available for stays April1–30 and May 1–August 31, 2010. Gals can gather up mom, sis-ters, best friends and journey to Malliouhana Hotel and Spa for asoothing retreat, a renewed sense of connection and rejuvenationof mind, body and spirit.

The Girlfriends package includes four nights accommodationbased on double occupancy, a welcome greeting at the airport/ferry,transfers to and from the hotel, daily continental breakfast, a three-course dinner on two nights from the full a la carte menu, and threeMalliouhana Spa massage treatments per person (60 minutes) atthe 15, 000-square-foot ocean front spa, from the following: ther-apeutic massage treatments, Body Polish, facial treatments, anoasis manicure and pedicure.

The April 1–30, 2010, package, with an Ocean View Double/TwinRoom, is priced at $3,585 ($582 government tax and servicecharges additional). From May 1 through August 31, 2010, thepackage (with Ocean View Double/Twin Room) cost $2,985 ($462government tax and service charges additional).

Malliouhana Hotel and Spa has been named one of three BestHotels for Food in the Americas and Caribbean by Conde NastTraveler in its January 2010 Gold List.Malliouhana Hotel & Spa, [email protected],www.malliouhana.com

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VALENTIN IMPERIAL MAYA RESORT TAKESGUESTS ON CULINARY JOURNEY

Valentin Imperial Maya Resort, one of Riviera Maya’s newestadults-only, all-inclusive resorts, transports their guests from thewhite beaches of Playa del Secreto to explore the gastronomy ofItaly, France, Japan and more through the signature dishes of theirnine restaurants.

Ginger offers a fusion of traditional and contemporary Japanesecuisine with Peruvian influences. Guests can dine a la carte, at thesushi bar or at lively interactive hibachi tables.

Il Olivo specializes in using authentic Mediterranean ingredients. Lobster Pot offers casual dining at beachside. L’ Alsace, inspired by traditional French cuisine, addresses the

concerns of health-conscious travelers with its spa menu.Taman Sari’s specialty is Indonesian-inspired cuisine.La Hacienda combines traditional Mexican gastronomy with a

contemporary touch.Restaurant Mar & Tierra—by day at beachside—offers a fresh

selection of seafood, traditional Mexican dishes, salad bar, freshlysqueezed fruit juices and more. At nightfall, this restaurant istransformed into a classic American steakhouse.

Le Márche perfectly combines Valentin Maya’s gastronomic of-ferings: it’s the resort’s top choice for breakfast and lunch and of-fers an appetizing mix of traditional Mexican and American dishes.

In additional to these restaurants, a popular dining option for

couples staying at Valentin Imperial Maya Resort is a romanticdinner on the beach complete with a private wait staff. Valentin Imperial Maya Resort, www.valentinmaya.com

VACATION EXPRESS PARTNERS WITHPALLADIUM RESORTS AND RENOVA SPA ONSPA PACKAGES

Vacation Express is offering two free body exfoliations with everyspa package booked by April 30, 2010. The promotion is valid onlywith pre-purchased Renova SPA Packages at the Grand PalladiumResorts in the Riviera Maya, Jamaica and Punta Cana and at TheRoyal Suites by Palladium in the Mayan Riviera and Punta Canafor travel through December 22, 2010.

The following Spa Packages are available:Soft Delight includes two Swedish Massages and exclusive use of

the humid area including the hydro-river, biothermic, Scottish andchromotherapy showers, sauna, steam room and multi-temperatureJacuzzi.

Stress Cure includes two Stress Cure Massages, combining threedifferent techniques and is enhanced with warm, soft pillows andaromatherapy, as well as exclusive use of the humid area

Renova Combination Package includes two signature RenovaCombination Massages based on ancient massage therapies and en-hanced with modern wellness techniques, plus exclusive use of thehumid area.

Palladium Resorts is partnering with Renova Spa for services inthe Palladium Resorts properties throughout Mexico and theCaribbean. Guests visiting Palladium Resorts at the MayanRiviera, Mexico, and other Palladium destinations such asMontego Bay (Jamaica), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) maychoose among a broad selection of therapies to enhance their stayin any of these destinations.Palladium Hotels & Resorts, www.fiestahotelgroup.com

REINA ROJA HOTEL NEW ADDITION IN THERIVERIA MAYA

Reina Roja Hotel is a new boutique hotel in the center of Playadel Carmen in the Riviera Maya, only 40 miles from Cancun. Withits unique, avant-garde style, Reina Roja Hotel offers 63 comfort-able rooms, including thematic suites.

To celebrate the opening of the hotel, the following promotionsare being offered, valid until December 23 this year:

For those making a reservation for one night, a 15-percent dis-count is given, for two nights it’s 25 percent, and for three nights35-percent discount—the equivalent of one free night for every twopaid nights.

The hotel’s website lists all the promotions currently offered. GDS codes are: Apollo/Galileo: WV 68823; Sabre: WV 117230;Worldspan: WV73731; Amadeus: WV PCM731; and Pegasus: WV 73731.

A 20-percent commission is granted to U.S. agents. Reina Roja Hotel, 877-299-8639, [email protected]


MEXICO


MEXICO

‘MORE BEACH FOR YOUR BUCK’ AT SANDOS PLAYACAR BEACH RESORT & SPA’SEXPANDED BEACH AREA

Guests traveling to all-inclusive Sandos Playacar Beach Resort &Spa in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, can relax on an expanded stretchof white-sand beach as a result of the Beach Recovery project im-plemented by the Mexican government which restored beaches thatwere eroded by hurricane activity over the years.

Guests of Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa can now enjoy164 more feet of one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya hotelzone, featuring umbrellas, a bar offering refreshing cocktails,snack bar and daily activities with the Sandos animation team.Select Club guests also enjoy a partitioned area with waiter serviceand day beds.

The property has seven swimming pools, featuring one lagoon-style swimming pool, an adults-only pool, two pools designated ex-clusively to children, and one main activity pool.

For extra pampering, the modern Sandos Spa features 22 treat-ment rooms; sauna; steam room; two Jacuzzis (one hot and onecold); wellness program; thermal circuit; hydrotherapy zone;beauty salon on three levels; eco-massage area in an outdoor palmshelter; and a fully-equipped LifeFitness gym with rooms for spin-ning, floor Pilates, yoga and aerobics. Use of the fitness equipment,sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzis is free to all guests; spa treatmentsare available at an additional cost.

An all-inclusive Sandos vacation features accommodations; allmeals and beverages; sporting activities; access to the spa and fit-ness facility; daily activities program; nightly entertainment andentrance to the disco; and all hotel taxes, service charges and gra-tuities. Additional activities and services that can be arranged in-clude babysitting, golf at the nearby Playacar Golf Course, andother excursions such as deep sea fishing, visits to archaeologicalsites like Tulum, Cobá, Chichen Itza, Ecological Park Xcaret andXel-Ha, and scuba diving and snorkeling trips. Prices vary accord-ing to activity.Sandos Hotels & Resorts, 866-336-4083, www.sandoshotels.com

KIDS STAY FREE THIS SUMMER ATPALLADIUM HOTELS & RESORTS

This summer Palladium Hotels & Resorts is offering free accom-modations for kids—two children (up to 12 years old)—free ofcharge when sharing the room with two adults. To take advantageof early booking discounts and this special offer, reservations mustbe made before May 30, 2010, for travel May 1 through August31 in Riviera Maya, Montego Bay and Punta Cana; and April 11through August 31 for Riviera Nayarit. The special offer is avail-able via tour operators.

With connecting rooms especially designed for families andgroups, children’s menus, ecological tours of the resort to learnabout the nature and culture of the area and arts and crafts, chil-dren of all ages can enjoy an unforgettable experience on thesetrips. The Baby Club (ages 1–3), Mini Club (ages 4–12) andBlack&White Teenager’s Club (ages 13+) are also excellent op-tions for kids to have fun and interact with others their age fromall over the world.

Located beachfront in the most popular destinations, PalladiumHotels & Resorts also feature first-class spas, gourmet restaurants,bars, lounges, and a wide variety of activities and shows to top offthe family getaway. Palladium Hotels & Resorts, 888-237-1226, [email protected], www.fiestahotelgroup.com

SANDOS HOTELS & RESORTS ACQUIRES LE MERIDIEN CANCUN RESORT & SPA

Sandos Hotels & Resorts, with two resort complexes on theRiviera Maya, Mexico, is increasing its portfolio with the acquisi-tion of Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa, located in the heart ofthe Cancun hotel zone.

“The purchase of Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa is a wonder-ful addition to the Sandos Hotels & Resorts product line and offerssuperior accommodations, a world-class spa facility, and a para-mount location for our clientele,” said Alex Ferri, Director ofStrategy and Development, Sandos Hotels & Resort.

Situated on the magnificent Caribbean Sea, Le Meridien CancunResort & Spa offers the ultimate in relaxation and enjoyment forguests. With a world-class 15,000-sq. ft. spa facility, three-tieredcascading pool, and walking distance to downtown nightlife andfabulous shopping, the resort is sure to exceed the needs of even themost discerning traveler.

The Sandos Hotels & Resorts chain was established with the mis-sion of offering the most competitive product on the market and be-coming a benchmark hotel chain in the areas of the world in whichit operates.

The Sandos Hotels & Resorts philosophy is that each of the hotelspreserves the personality and customs of the region in which it islocated, while at the same time offering a unique brand of hospital-ity, facilities and comfort, as well as unbeatable value.Sandos Hotels & Resorts, 866-336-4083, www.sandoshotels.com


MEXICO

CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO JOINS MEXICO TOURISM BOARD AT BOSTON GLOBE TRAVEL SHOW

Dr. Fernando Estrada-Sámano, Consul General of Mexico inBoston, joined representatives from the State of Baja CaliforniaSur; Mexicana Airlines; and the Riviera Maya hotels: Excellenceand Hacienda Tres Rios in a ribbon-cutting ceremony February 19at the Boston Globe Travel Show. The Mexico Tourism Board ex-hibited at the show and featured a giveaway trip to Riviera Maya’sHacienda Tres Rios with round-trip transportation provided byMexicana Airlines. Mariachis took to the stage to promote thecountry’s rich musical history. The Boston Globe Travel show is oneof the largest consumer-attended travel shows in the United States. Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), 800-929-4555, www.magicofmexico.com, www.visitmexico.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOLMAR HOTELS &RESORTS CREATES LASTING MEMORIES AT LAND’S END

Located along the white beaches of Playa Solmar minutes awayfrom bustling downtown Cabo San Lucas, Solmar Hotels & Resortsprovides choice accommodations, on-site activities, close proxim-ity to some of Los Cabos’ most popular attractions and an amazing“Kids Stay & Eat Free with Parents” policy offered through spring,summer and fall months.

Solmar Resort offers suites with two beds, sofa sleepers, twobathrooms, separate living room areas and kitchenettes. PlayaGrande Resort & Grand Spa’s Deluxe Junior Suite includes a kingbed, queen sofa sleeper, full bath and kitchenette or a Luxury Suitewith king bed, queen sofa sleeper in the living room area, two fullbaths and kitchen. The Ridge Luxury Villas’s spacious suites havefull-size kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, two–three bath-rooms, king-size beds and twin Murphy beds. The Master Suite ac-commodates up to four and the Penthouse Suite up to six with sep-arate master bedroom and guest room including two twin beds inaddition to the Murphy bed.

Solmar Hotels & Resorts’ proximity to Los Cabos offers many ac-tivities. Kids can experience in-water interaction at Cabo Dolphins.Families can horseback along the beautiful Medano Beach or ven-

ture out to the desert landscape for a hike or safari ride. Anotherpopular activity is a glass-bottom boat tour that sails past the fa-mous El Arco and neighboring sea lion colony viewing the colorfulmarine life of the Sea of Cortes.

Playa Grande has a daily Kids Club for children 5–12 with poolgames, beach volleyball, dance lessons, cooking demonstrations,Spanish lessons, basketball and more. The cost of the program is$20 per day or $50 for the entire week per child; lunch is included.The Ridge Luxury Villas invites kids to enjoy the resort’s mini golfcourse. Its pool area, separate from the two adults-only pools onproperty, includes a special treat for kids with a twisty water slide.

Playa Grande Resort’s current offering, a “Five-Night FamilyPackage,” includes accommodations for five nights in a one-bed-room luxury suite, daily breakfast buffet, $50 certificate for din-ner at one of the on-site restaurants, daily access to the kids club, aCouples Baja Getaway treatment package at the spa that includesa neck, shoulder and back massage and a family four-pack of sun-set cruise tour tickets on the Buccaneer Queen. Its price of $1,299with taxes included is based on two adults and two children underthe age of 12.Solmar Hotels & Resorts, [email protected],www.solmar.com

TRIP ADVISOR NAMES PEPE’S HIDEAWAYBEST VACATION SPOT IN MANZANILLO,MEXICO

Trip Advisor recently declared Pepe’s Hideaway to be number onefor hotels in the heart of Manzanillo, Mexico.

“Pepe, an ex-fashion magnate from New York and Paris selectedeverything with exquisite taste; including the staff who work there,” says Trip Advisor member Pugigalante. “I have writ-ten quite a few reviews and never before did I find nothing to complain about.”

Guests at the hotel enjoy toiletries by Hermes of Paris, mono-grammed bathrobes, scented candles, handmade cups and dishesand high-quality handicrafts, effortlessly blending the sophistica-tion of a five-star resort with the native tradition of Mexico—a perfect combination of the old and the new.

That combination of sophistication and Mexican culture at Pepe’sHideaway carries over into the cuisine proudly served by Pepe’sstaff. Guests enjoy Colima coffee and tea served on a private deckeach morning and full breakfast anytime. Mexican snacks areserved around the pool, and each day concludes with a gourmetmeal featuring fresh fish, shrimp and Mexican dishes preparedfrom fresh ingredients daily.

No Mexican vacation would be complete without the opportunityto explore the local attractions. Each Pepe’s vacation comes com-plete with a Pacific paddling kayak tour or a trip to El Salto waterfalls or a half-day snorkel adventure or scuba experience or atrip to the turtle sanctuary or a day trip to the city of Colima dur-ing a week’s stay.Pepe’s Hideaway, www.pepeshideaway.com

Chile is welcoming visitors to its manyspectacular untouched regions, aftera catastrophic 8.8 quake February 27struck a small portion of its vast ter-

ritory, rocking tourist sentiment. The entire Chilean travel industry has had to

endure the whiplash of cancellations, althoughthe greatest part of the country was not im-pacted in its ability to operate normally. Whereservice was disrupted in many areas, it wasquickly restored due to the rapid responses of astrong government.

The U.S. travel industry has joined the rest ofthe world in solidarity for victims and their fam-ilies that took the brunt of the quake at its epi-center, and urges that people of good will everywhere con-tribute to relief efforts. The American Red Cross has a pagedevoted to processing donations to help victims of the disaster(see link at end).

But the travel industry can contribute also in another way, andthat is to communicate to their South America-bound clientelethat the vast majority of operations in this huge country—fromthe North to the South, from the Lake District to Easter Island—remain intact, and with their doors open to visitors.

Atacama Desert Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa currently has a promotion

whereby for the purchase of a three-night, all-inclusivestay,($1,290 ppdo), the hotel is offering a free night for guests

at The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, valid for travel through June 30. There are also two special-interest programs upcoming: a

gourmet program, “Gastronomic Adventure” with Ruth VanWaerebeeck, former instructor at Peter Kump’s NY CookingSchool, currently executive chef and culinary consultant forConcha y Toro wines, May 16–20, and special “Days of Wine”weeks in June. www.tierraatacama.com

Central ChileThe Santiago bicycle and walking tours of La Bicicleta Verde

are personalized to get tourists out of the bus, onto the streetand interacting with locals—in their homes and with visits tofamily-owned boutique vineyards.


LATIN AMERICA

Expedition CruisesPatagonia - Tierra del fuego - Cape Horn

“Explore the last frontier in South America in the comfort of a newly-built expedition ship. Special rates in selected 3-night departures from Punta Arenas, Chile between September and December 2006 aboard the M/V Via Australis.”

877-678-3772 • www.australis.com • [email protected]

Explore the last frontier in South America in the comfort of our newly-built expedition ships, Mare, Via and Stella Australis (under construction). We offer 3- and 4-night departures between Punta Arenas

and Ushuaia, exploring Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn in Southern Patagonia.

Chile’s Touristic Gems Are Still Sparkling Brightly


The Atacama Desert – Northern Chile.

For any tour booked between now and September 2010, op-erators will be granted a 25-percent commission. Per-personrack rates for 2010-2011 on bicycle tours range from $30 to$180 (minimum two) for Bike and Wine, and for walking tours$50 to $90 (full tour and food) for Santiago Huachaca.www.labicicletaverde.com

The forte of the tour company Santiago Adventures is wineand skiing, with popular four-day/three night programs inEaster Island, from $656 ppdo, and San Pedro de Atacama,starting at $609.

Week-long Ski Tours in 2010 in the Central Region includeHeli & Cat Skiing in the Chilean Andes priced at $6,995 pp,and their most popular: Best Chile Ski Tour for groups startingat $1,995 (single supplement $499), a skiing and riding tourthat takes skiers to four of South America’s best resorts withtwo days of cat skiing at Ski Arpa.

Commission paid to agents is 10 percent, and higher withvolume. The company will donate one percent of sales overthe next three months to earthquake reconstruction efforts.www.santiagoadventures.com

Five-star Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, is perfectly located be-tween world-class skiing and warm beaches, upscale shop-ping and the city’s most renowned businesses.

With the splendid Andean Mountain Range in sight, this lux-urious retreat in El Golf, one of the city’s most prestigious

neighborhoods, has since its creation received all the majorawards the local and international hospitality industry andleading consumer organizations can confer.

The elegant hotel is currently fully operational, with its pro-gram structure and rack rates as outlined on their website un-changed. The commission rate for agents is 10 percent.www.ritzcarlton.com

Located in the very stylish and cosmopolitan Providenciaarea, Hotel Diego de Velázquez is modern, elegant, variedand international. Streets are populated by execs, profession-als, artists, musicians, actors, foreigners, student—great num-bers of young and old flock to this lively spot.

There’s a huge upscale shopping area, financial and culturalgathering places, and a wide choice of exciting restaurants.

The hotel has just introduced for travel agents a spectacular30-percent discount over the promotional rates posted on theInternet. www.hoteldiegodevelazquez.com

Hotel Isla Seca is in Zapallar, Central Chile, approximately105 miles northwest of Santiago and about 37 miles fromValparaiso and Viña del Mar. It’s reachable by safe and rapidhighways.

The beach resort of Zapallar has long been recognized as themost exclusive and attractive on the Chilean coast. Isla Seca isthe principal hotel in the area; it offers 40 guest rooms decoratedin a classical style, with services designed to satisfy guests seek-ing peace and the natural beauty of the environment.

Rates are $150–350, depending on room choice; specifics arepublished on the website. The fee offered to travel agenciesand tour operators is 15 percent of guest payment.

The Hotel’s CALA restaurant serves high-level, gourmet cuisine, using local produce to create its menu. www.hotelislaseca.com

The experienced team at Style Travel Latinamerica orga-nizes Chile itineraries meeting specific client interests such asIntercultural, Food and Wine Routes, Farm, Meetings, Incen-tives, Conventions, Nature and Adventure, Photographers,Rural Villages, Academic, Agriculture, Biodiversity & Environ-ment, and others.

A 13-day/12-night tour—Pre-Columbian Heritage, Wine,Seafood and a Unique Experience at Patagonia—is currentlyfeatured.Highlights are Santiago, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varaswith Angelmo Market, Llanquihue Lake with Frutillar, PuertoOctay and Osorno volcano, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales,Navigation Glacier Balmaceda and Serrano, Milodon,National Park Payne Towers. There are visits to San Pedro deAtacama with Salt Lake Atacama including FlamingosReserve, Altiplanic ruins, Toconao and Moon Valley. Guestswill see Tatio Geysers at sunrise and Puritama Hot Springs.

Transfers, breakfasts, lunches/box lunches, Park entrancefee and overnights are included. Optional tours (not in-cluded) are a Santiago tour with wine tasting at San Cristobal


LATIN AMERICACHILE FROM PAGE 33


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METROPOLITAN TOURINGCome explore with us our

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A narrow band between the Andes and the Pacific, from the high plain of the Altiplano to the storm-whippedrocks of the Cape Horn...Chile unites the extremes in geography and climate within its borders: from theAtacama desert in the North to the windy pampa of Tierra Fuego, from the Lake District to the PatagonianIcefield, from the Mediterranean landscapes of Central Chile to the southern rainforest.Have fun surfing our site, and while trekking, kayaking and experiencing nature in Chile!

— Your Trekkingchile Team

Since 1962, a reliable partner providing high quality service.for further information and/or reservations email:[email protected]

www.sportstour.cl

CONTACT INFORMATION

Villarrica Park Lake HotelCamino Villarrica Pucan KM13IX Region - CHILE

Tel. (56) 2 207 7070 Tel. (56) 45 45 0000email: [email protected]

With a vast experience developing all inclusive arrangements through areliable network of in-house resources, local representatives and multilingual staff with courteous and prompt attention to every detail.

We offer travel services to Chile and Argentina for

travelers who want to live aninteracting experience with people, gastronomy, culture and extreme endless nature.

Our details for contact areWeb: www.styletravellatinamerica.cl

E-mail: [email protected]: styletravellatinamericaChile telephone: 56-2-9207582

Chile cell phone: 56-9-79777720Europe Representative

Cell phone: 31-6-22579737

Hill; Ancud at Chiloe Island, Santiago farewell dinner/folk-loric show and vineyard/wine tasting.

Prices (two-person minimum) based on hotel category are:Tourist $2,803 ppdo for double room, single supplement $522;Superior $3,107 ppdo for double room, single supplement$860; and Deluxe $3,402 ppdo for double room, single supple-ment $1,090. Prices valid April 15–September 15, 2010.

Style Travel gives priority to travel agents and tour operatorsover passengers who may wish to contact the company by vis-iting its offices. Agent commissions are 20 percent.www.styletravellatinamerica.cl

Trekking Chile arranges trekking tours in all regions ofChile—in the North with its open countryside, aridness, im-mense altitudes, and volcano ascents; Central Chile, fromSantiago to Los Angeles, offering everything for the heart's de-light in relatively compact areas, the Lake District with itsbreathtaking volcano landscape; and Patagonia, a trekkingmecca with the Torres del Paine National Park, and beautifulscenery along the Carretera Austral.

The foundation of Trekking Chile is based on fostering posi-tive impact on environment and society. In contrast to tradi-tional tourism, nature-based tourism does not require majorinvestments but an intact environment. The company main-tains that when this kind of tourism is accessible for a widerange of people, jobs are created and environmental aware-ness stimulated. Personal contact with the population, distinc-tive features of their cultural customs and traditional ways oflife are highlighted. www.trekkingchile.com

Lake & VolcanosFive-star deluxe Villarrica Park Lake Hotel is located in

Chile’s lovely Lake District. It features 70 deluxe rooms andsuites especially designed to provide comfort and harmonythroughout stays. Most rooms and suites offer a private terracewith amazing views of the great Lake Villarrica.

All rooms and suites are equipped with telephone, interna-tional direct dialing, air conditioner, heating, satellite TV,hairdryer, mini-bar and Internet.

The hotel’s Aguas Verdes Restaurant, whose broad windowsreveal the expansive beauty of the lake, features originaldishes inspired by the executive chef—meals that complete anexperience unique in the region.

Spa Aquarius, over 18,000 square feet, offers modern and ex-clusive installations for total relaxation and fitness. www.vplh.cl

Patagonia & AntarcticaLas Torres Patagonia in Punta Arenas is enveloped in the

breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park. Those who ac-quire a tourist package at Hotel Las Torres automatically be-come members of Ama Torres del Paine (Love Torres delPaine), an environmental organization dedicated to protectingand preserving the beauty of this area.

Packages at the hotel are all-inclusive, and transportation isin small groups of no more than eight. Twenty differentthrilling excursions are offered—either by car, trekking or onhorses. Virgin forests, pampas, and marvelous scenery andwildlife are experienced.

Guests choose between rooms with views of the snow-capped mountains of Almirante Nieto or the Sierra Contreraspampas. According to views, per-person high-season ratesuntil May 3, 2011 for the four-day/three-night AonikenkParadise package are $1,624 or $1,524 ppdo respectively, five-day/four-night Macizo Paine $2,043/$1,843 ppdo, and theeight-day/seven-night Secrets of the Nothofagus is $3,468/$3,168 ppdo. Single and triple accommodation accommoda-tions are also available.

Coiron Restaurant features exquisite Patagonia cuisine;white-covered Almirante Nieto Mountain can be seen fromthe Pionero Bar-Lounge.

The Boutique Spa offers beauty treatments at a 35-percentdiscount. www.lastorres.com

Antarctic Shipping S.A., based in Santiago, is the largestChilean company that operates cruises to Antarctica, with thehighest safety and quality standards as well as environmentalregulations laid down by the International Association of


LATIN AMERICA

Isla Seca is located in Zapallar, the fifth region of Chile, 170 km. northwestfrom Santiago and about 60 km. from Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.It’s reachable by safe and rapid highways.

We at Hotel Isla Seca, are proud to count with a very special boutique hotel with excellence in service and with an exclusive location that enchants everyone. Come on visit us!

Camino Costero Ruta F 30 - E,Zapallar – Chile Tel. 56 - 33 - 741 224

www.hotelislaseca.com

CHILE FROM PAGE 34


LATIN AMERICA

Antarctica Tour Operators, IAATO, for all companies. As the Antarctic Dream departs from Ushuaia in Argentina,

where there was no impact of any kind, the company will meetits commitments without problems, beginning a new ArcticSeason in June 2010. The itinerary is concentrated in the arch-ipelago of Svalbard (Norway), Greenland and Iceland, mainlyfocusing on the island of Spitsbergen, inside the Arctic Circle,where, among its attractions is Ny-Alesund, the most northernpopulated area of the world, the former mining port and nowa research center; Phippsoya Island, 540 miles from the NorthPole; and other remote locations such as the Hinlopen Straitsand the Prins Karl Forland island.

The Antarctic Season will start November 7. Tourists are in-vited to experience the lives of the explorers in one of the mostexciting places on the planet, discovering the awesome im-mensity of the White Continent and living the adventure ofcamping on the coast or adventuring in a kayak trip.

The ship’s polar explorers have a high level of expertise andthe value of this activity includes the equipment necessary tomake the experience unforgettable and enjoyable.

Company shareholders represent Chile and American inter-ests; Antarctic Shipping is a permanent member of theInternational Antarctic Tour Operators Association, IAATO. www.antarctic.cl

Vessels of the small-ship cruising company CrucerosAustralis—Australis, Via Australis, and Stella Australis (inconstruction around 200 miles from Concepcion)—are un-damaged, their base Punta Arenas over 1,200 miles south ofthe quake’s epicenter.

For a limited time during low season, a special PromotionalSeason rate is being offered for three nights from $840 forUshuaia–Punta Arenas voyages departing April 3, 7 and 14;and four nights from $1,120 for Punta Arenas–Ushuaia depart-ing April 3 and 10.

Their new cruise ship Stella Australis, currently in construc-tion, also remains unharmed and is set to begin its 2010–2011season December 18 this year.

Cruceros Australis’ Jorge Rodriguez expressed his concernfor the Chileans affected by the quake and his commitment totheir recovery: “We are committed with the rest of our countryto rebuild what was lost. We ask the world to remain excitedabout Chile as a destination. We welcome you with openarms.” www.australis.com

Chile is a strong and vital nation. Its government is well-de-veloped, its people hard-working, and its natural resourcesmagnificent and varied.

Go there. And raise a glass of fine Chilean wine to toast theresilience of this vibrant mecca of South America tourism.Donations: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle&s_src=RSG000000000 (select Chile Relief and Development)

MILA TOURS PROMOTING INTERESTINGCOLOMBIA

MILA Tours attended the Destination Colombia 2010 tradeshowFebruary 24–26 in Bogota, Colombia. Sponsored by Colombia’sTourism office PROEXPORT, the meetings of Colombian groundoperators and hotels held great interest for MILA. Much waslearned to support the value of the Columbian travel experience.“Colombia is passiona,” as its slogan says.

MILA Tours will be promoting the ‘Coffee Trianglea’ region madeup of the towns of Pereira, Armenia, and Manizales. With good ac-cess from Bogota by air or land, this area has been growing in pop-ularity and offers comfortable accommodations and a variety of ac-tivities such as visiting coffee farms, bird and butterfly watching,horseback riding, and floating trips.

MILA Tours features memorable trips throughout popular LatinAmerican countries. MILA Tours, 800-367-7378, [email protected], www.milatours.com

METROPOLITAN TOURING’S FINCH BAY ECOHOTEL INCORPORATES SEA LION FOR DAYISLAND EXPLORATION

Metropolitan’s Finch Bay Eco Hotel on Santa Cruz Island nowhas a second yacht to operate day tours in the Galápagos. This in-creases the capacity of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel’s Land & SeaPrograms, which will now operate with the Sea Finch for 20 guestsand the Sea Lion for 16.

Guests aboard both yachts enjoy an air-conditioned inside loungeand dining room, as well as the outdoors deck to bask in the sunduring inter-island navigation. The Galápagos National Park hasauthorized visits to North Seymour Island, South Plaza Island,Santa Fe (Barrington Island) and Bartholomew Island.

The 60.53-ton Sea Lion was built in 1987 by Van der HoevenYachts/Holland, and was completely renovated in Ecuador during2009; it has a crew of five, plus one or two English-speaking natu-ralist guides certified by the Galapagos National Park. Maximumpriority has been given to security matters, to comply with interna-tional safety standards

The Finch Bay Eco Hotel offers three-, four- and seven-night pro-grams starting Sundays and Wednesdays. The Land & SeaPrograms include transfers from the airport, all meals, a guidedvisit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and exploration ofneighboring islands on the hotel’s private yachts Sea Finch and SeaLion.

The Finch Bay Eco Hotel has added six new Oceanview suites witha private terrace; this is in addition to its 21 Premium rooms, allwith private bath, air conditioning and all amenities. The hotel, re-furbished in 2009, obtained the Smart Voyager Certification forbest practices in sustainable tourism, and applies rigorous environ-mental, social and safety standards throughout its operation.Finch Bay Eco Hotel, www.finchbayhotel.com; MetropolitanTouring, www.metropolitan-touring.com


LATIN AMERICA

TWO EXCITING PRODUCTS IN BOLIVIACOMING IN 2010 FROM CRILLON TOURS

Crillon Tours is developing a new project in the bay of Cocotoni,with the installation of a Hydro-Pier that will be ready mid-2010.A camping project will be developed in this paradisiacal bay as abase for their Highland Adventure program. Cocotoni was knownduring colonization as the “Lovely Corner,” chosen by elites astheir place to live; nowadays it’s abandoned, with just a few smallfishing communities.

Classic Lake Titicaca will set sail from the new Hydro-Pier ofCocotoni with an option of overnighting at Inca Utama Hotel &SPA, with all its respective facilities.

Adventure Travel Bag Camping at Cocotoni Bay at LakeTiticaca’s shores will feature treks through idyllic and bucolicsceneries, direct contact with the community of Cocotoni, bonfires,Aptapi (local picnics) and songs in the night.

And under clear Southern skies, the small village of Jirira at theshore of the Uyuni Salt Flats presents one of the most pollution-free zones on the planet; the Milky Way, Scorpio, Jupiter andCapricorn and the Southern Cross and Centaurs all shine strikinglyover Jirira. From there, gorgeous treks and unforgettable activi-ties are possible, such as bicycling on the flats; soft and short treksto an island with petrified cactus and a complete view over UyuniSalt Flats; and trekking to “Ojos de Agua” to watch pink flamin-gos that abound. Nearby is the cave with “chulpares” (nativegraves). The magnificent Thunupa volcano looms before Jirira, pro-viding a fantastic view and a moment for reflection.

Adventure with Comfort features “glamping”—glamorous camp-ing, with heating, beds, toilets, gourmet cuisine and spirits.

Adventure Travel Bag provides overnight at a local basic lodgeand local meals.

Once the paved road from Oruro to Salinas de Garci Mendoza isoperating in September, it will take just five hours to go from LaPaz to Jirira. There’s a one-hour ride through the desert road fromSalinas de Garci Mendoza to Jirira, greeting the fabulous contrastof green-and-red vegetation and Quinoa plantations against thedazzling white of the Uyuni Salt Flats.

Within the framework of strategic alliances with indigenous com-munities, Crillon has begun the projects in joint ventures withCocotoni and Jirira.Crillon Tours S.A., www.titicaca.com

SEE ECUADOR PROGRAM FROM MAY 16 - 22, 2010

Agents interested in selling Ecuador are invited to Ecuador fora week of seminars, workshops, site inspections, supplier meet-ings, and sightseeing in Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil. The cost is$195.

Those who have attended a recent “Meet Ecuador” Seminarpay a reduced $125 fee.

The fee includes: hotel accommodations, double occupancy (in-cidentals, taxes, gratuity not included); connecting flights be-tween Cuenca and Quito; presentations to “show & tell” allEcuador offers agents and clients—and how to promote the des-tinations; a Marketplace, pre-scheduled appointments with touroperators who will provide product, commission, and “how tobook” info; meeting suppliers who will actually be taking care ofclients; hotel site-inspections and sightseeing to help “SeeEcuador ” in a personal way; optional pre- and post-tours; a CDof marketing and contact information for following up leads: an‘Ecuador Encyclopedia.’

Specially-priced airfares to Guayaquil and returning from Quitoon American Airlines, official “See Ecuador ” airline, and otherparticipating airlines are available. Registration is limited.See Ecuador, www.seecuador.com

GOWAY INTRODUCES SOUTH AMERICAESCORTED TOURS

Goway Travel has introduced two new escorted tours to SouthAmerica, an expansion of the Holidays of a Lifetime brand.

The 20-day Magical Ecuador and Peru highlights the Galapagos Islands with a five-day cruise and Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.”

Travelers also visit Quito, Otavalo, Lima, Cusco and the SacredValley. The accommodation includes four designated Stays ofDistinction properties. There’s the opportunity to take a flightover the Andes, experience a cooking lesson in Peru and visitlocal native tribes at Lake Titicaca.

Prices start at $7,699 per person. Departure dates for 2010are June 8 and September 28. In 2011, the departure dates areApril 19, June 7 and September 27.

The 17-day Splendours of South America highlights Chile, Argentina and Brazil, with a Santiago wine tour, the Lakes District of Chile, the resort of Bariloche, Buenos Aires witha tour to Uruguay, Iguassu Falls (both Argentina and Brazil) andRio de Janeiro. The accommodation includes two Stays ofDistinction.

Prices start at $6,549 per person. Departure dates for 2010 areJuly 2 and October 22. In 2011, the departure dates are February18, July 1 and October 21. The February 18 departure allows fora stopover in Rio to experience the Carnival.

This being Goway’s 40th Anniversary, there will be celebrationson all departures.Goway, 800-387-8850, [email protected], www.goway.com

Belize – Land of AdventureBelize – Land of Adventure

Located on 72�� acres of private

reserve in the Northern Maya Mountains,

Hidden Valley Inn is the ideal base from

which to enjoy the many natural

wonders of Belize.

HIDDEN VALLEY INN

Toll Free: 1 866 443 3364Reservations:

[email protected]

www.hiddenvalleyinn.com

BETEX will help to extend your skills far beyond just selling travel to Belize.

BETEX will give you the first-hand experienceneeded for you to sell all the unique opportunities Belize provides to travelers.

REGISTER ONLINE OR EMAIL: [email protected]

You Are Here And We Are Here For You!

RADISSON FORT GEORGE HOTEL & MARINA

#2 Marine Parade, PO Box #321, Belize City

BELIZE

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Toll Free: 1-800-333-3333

www.radisson.com/belizecitybz

THE MAGIC OF THE JUNGLE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MAYA

WORDS ALONE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH...

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Situated on the banks of the Rio Grande river in Belize's southern Toledo District...located on a meander of the riverwith almost a mile of river frontage and features views towardsthe Maya Mountains to the northwest while the south easternbank faces the village of Big Falls...

The Lodge at Big Falls is the ideal base in the heart of Toledo for your Belize adventure!

Be Pampered in ParadiseTurneffe Flats has long been recognized as a premier saltwater fly fishing, scuba divingand marine ecotourism destination. It is thelargest and most biologically diverse atoll inthe Caribbean.

Ideally located to enjoy 250 square miles of expansive flats, healthy coral reef andremarkably rich marine habitat.

the newly renovatedSAN IGNACIO RESORTHOTELis Cayo s premier full service resort

* Green Iguana Conservation Project* Swimming pool with views of the jungle* Patio lounge, tennis court* Running W Steak House and Restaurant* Meeting space for 200* Luxury spa

toll free: 1-800-822-3274E-mail: [email protected]

www.sanignaciobelize.com

email: [email protected]


LATIN AMERICA

BELIZE TOURISM BOARD APPOINTS SELENI MATUS NEW DIRECTOR OF TOURISM

Beginning this month, Seleni Matus as-sumes her role as Director of Tourism forthe Belize Tourism Board (BTB), replac-ing Tracy Panton, who held the positionfor 12 years. A born Belizean, Matus hasover 10 years’ experience leading large-scale initiatives mainstreaming sustain-able tourism principles into key sectors ofthe tourism industry.

While with Conservation International’s(CI) Center for Environmental Leadership

in Business, Matus worked throughout Mexico and CentralAmerica to engage members of the private sector and governmentsto implement destination-level sustainable management plans andprograms; in particular, for the cruise and hotel sectors. She alsodeveloped many tourism planning and supply-chain managementtools, and provided capacity-building and technical assistance toCI’s country programs throughout Latin America.

Matus’ professional experience is deeply grounded in Belize,where she guided the development and implementation of the coun-try’s tour-guide training and certification program.She holds aMasters Degree in Corporate Strategy and Governance from theUniversity of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’sDegree in Personnel Management from Viterbo College in the U.S. Belize Tourism Board (BTB), www.travelbelize.org

BELIZE TOURISM EXPO (BETEX) JUNE 23 - 27, 2010

BETEX is a five-day business-to-business event organized by theBelize Tourism Industry Association, showcasing Belize travel desti-nations, hotels, tour operators, and other tourism service providers.It’s an exclusive opportunity for international travel resellers to meet,network, negotiate and conduct business with local travel suppliers.

By attending BETEX, participants gain immediate competitive ad-vantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest develop-ments in Belize. Travel agents and wholesalers can increase prof-itability through business interaction, destination education andpersonal encounters. Local tourism service providers will have achance to showcase their products.

Held every two years, the next BETEX takes place fromWednesday, June 23 (arrivals) through Sunday, June 27, with depar-tures on Monday, June 28, and is open to registered participants only.With four days of countrywide expeditions and nine itinerary options,international travel professionals will have the opportunity to visitdestinations countrywide, immerse themselves in the product, andlearn firsthand how to sell Belize. Suppliers will exhibit at decentral-ized marketplaces on three mornings, allowing for one-on-one busi-ness meetings between all suppliers and all buyers.

The registration fee—$299 or $399, depending on the selecteditinerary—includes all in-country meals, transfers, double-occu-

pancy accommodations, tours and functions as noted on the itiner-ary. This fee does not include international airfare to Belize, whichmust be purchased separately.

Upon approval of registration, trade attendees will be entitled to:participate in one expedition itinerary; attend three marketplacebusiness sessions; attend the educational seminar and orientationsession; attend all programmed tours, site visits and social functions;access programmed transfers between airport and hotels; access anydiscounted fares previously agreed to by BETEX and the participat-ing Airlines; and access any applicable hotel discounts as previouslyagreed to by BETEX and the participating hotels.BETEX, www.betex.bz

THE LODGE AT CHAA CREEK PRESENTSHONEYMOON VACATION CONTEST

The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belizean luxury eco-lodge in the junglesof Central America, is offering free five-day all inclusive HoneymoonVacation Packages to winners of its Belize Honeymoon VacationSweepstakes. Whether it’s a romantic honeymoon vacation getaway,renewing vows, or celebrating an anniversary, the honeymoon vaca-tion package will create rich memories for couples.

Couples can enjoy a Belize honeymoon in one of its luxurious suitesand villas surrounded by tropical gardens in the foothills of ancientMaya Mountains. They’ll receive a bottle of champagne in their pri-vate Jacuzzi, share a candlelit dinner under the thatched canopy of awell-appointed dining room, engage in numerous adventurous activi-ties within the 365-acre private reserve, and relax with a personal-ized assortment of professional treatments in the hilltop Spa.

To enter the Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes, an essay(minimum 300 words) must be written explaining why contestantswould want to celebrate a honeymoon in Belize and at The Lodge atChaa Creek. The essay must be submitted via email and will be pub-lished anonymously on the Chaa Creek Travel Blog. Upon receivingthe essay, a link will be forwarded to access a short list of questionsabout Belize and Chaa Creek. Answers to the questions can be foundon the Chaa Creek website. Entrants must score a minimum of 85percent in order to be entered into the final sweepstake drawing. TheSweepstakes closes May 1, 2010. All qualified entries will be placedin the drawing barrel and winning tickets will be drawn by the chil-dren of St Andrews Primary School and monitored by the Board ofDirectors of Chaa Creek Limited in the Cayo District of Belize.

Four prizes will be awarded; all include cottage accommodation fortwo persons, food, transfers, tours and activities, and spa treatments.The top prize is the complete four-night/five day Belize HoneymoonVacation Package or the Maya Wellness Rainforest VacationPackage for two. The other three prizes are a 50-percent discountedfour-night/five-day package for two, a 40-percent discounted pack-age, and a 30-percent discounted package. Each winner may chooseeither the Belize Honeymoon Vacation Package or the MayaWellness Rainforest Package. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, 877-709-8708,[email protected], www.chaacreek.com

SELENI MATUS


LATIN AMERICA

BAOBAB EXPEDITIONS LEADS BELIZE TRIBAL TREK

Travelers will trek in the footsteps of the Mayans, with a unique12-day Belizean adventure from Baobab Expeditions offered fromMay 9–20, 2010. Some highlights of the tribal journey include vis-its to Belmopan’s Belize Zoo; the Green Iguana Farm hidden on anIndian Reserve, the famous Mayan ruins of Caracol, the ToledoDistrict, the non-excavated Uxbenka site and Kayuko Cave andMound Group. The group will camp out in open-air evenings bycampfire, sleeping under the jungle’s thick canopy in hammocks,bashas and mozzy nets.

After several days, travelers will reach Sun Creek Jungle Lodgeand explore the Mayan village of Santa Cruz, the Pusilha Acropolisand the Maya Bridge, before proceeding on to several days in the sunat either the stunning diving destination of Caye Caulker or the beau-tiful beaches of Placencia. It will be back to Belize for return flightshome. (There must be a 24-hour layover between diving and flying.)

Pricing for Baobab’s tribal Belize journey begins at $4,444 ppdoand includes accommodations, all meals on expedition and breakfasts at hotels, local experienced guides, drinking water, alltransportation and excursions, and Royal Geographic Societymembership.

A luxury camp upgrade is available that provides higher-qualityhotels (where available), vehicle upgrades, faster boats (whereavailable) and the use of tents on expedition. The expedition, avail-

able to groups of up to ten, will require moderate to difficult physical effort.Baobab Expeditions, www.baobabexpeditions.com

HIDDEN VALLEY INN IN BELIZE IS A TRULY PRIVATE WONDERLAND

Located on 7,200 acres of private reserve in the Northern MayaMountains, Hidden Valley Inn is an ideal base from which to enjoythe many natural wonders of Belize.

The secluded Inn offers exclusive access to 90 miles of hiking andbiking trails, dramatic vistas and swimming in the many privatepools and waterfalls surrounded by broadleaf jungle. The bird watch-ing even for the uninitiated is spectacular. Orange Breasted Falconand Black and White Hawk Eagle are highlights for birders fromthroughout the world.

Still working closely with the Peregrine Fund and now the BelizeRaptor Research Institute, Hidden Valley Inn is committed to assist-ing various research projects on the extensive and dramatic land-scape of Hidden Valley Inn’s Private Nature Reserve.

The location of the Inn provides convenient access to the endless at-tractions of the area. Day trips to Mayan archaeological sites includ-ing Tikal, Caracol, Xunantunich and ATM Cave are available. Otherexcursions include caving, horseback riding and river trips.Hidden Valley Inn, 866-443-3364, [email protected], www.hiddenvalleyinn.com

PAUL AND KELLY GERMAN JOIN ECI DEVELOPMENT

ECI Development, Ltd., the regional Latin America resort and retirement community developer with properties in Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, has appointed the Canadian hus-band-and-wife team of Paul and Kelly German to drive strategictourism development. They are charged with attracting the worldwide rental community seeking high quality, oceanfront resort destinations.

Based at ECI’s Grand Baymen Resort in San Pedro, Belize, theGermans have 35 years of combined tourism travel experience aswell as a track record of regularly producing double-digit growth inbusiness volume and return guest ratios. Their initial priority will beto grow Grand Baymen tourism as the company integrates the ExoticCaye Resort oceanfront complex with its new San Pedro FitnessCenter. Earlier, they were adventure sports managers with a StLucia-based resort voted “Most Romantic Caribbean Resort” byCaribbean Travel and Life Magazine, and before that, GeneralManagers of Vancouver-based travel tourism companies focused onoutdoor adventure and wilderness tourism.ECI Development, [email protected], www.ecidevelopment.com; Grand Baymen, www.grandbaymen.com


LATIN AMERICA

PRISTINE BAY RESORT DEBUTS PHASE ONEOF LUXURIOUS BEACHFRONT RESORT VILLAS

Pan Caribbean Capital Partners I, Ltd. and Pristine Bay Resorthave introduced The Resort Villas at Pristine Bay in Roatan,Honduras.

The first 11 of an eventual 30 two-bedroom, two-bathroom lux-ury units—each with unobstructed views of the beach and ocean—have been released to the public for sale. There are three differentfloor plans from 2,700 to 3,400 square feet (inclusive of air-condi-tioned, covered deck and outside deck area).

The villas are inspired by Caribbean architecture with high,whitewashed ceilings; stained-wood trusses and trim; Italian terra-cotta tile roofs; wood shutters; and white plaster walls. Other de-sign features of the fully-furnished units include spacious bath-rooms with the finest fixtures; large great rooms; full-servicekitchens; dining and living areas with French doors opening to ex-pansive terraces; infinity edge pools and more.

Owners acquire the property in fee simple and enjoy full access toall resort amenities. They receive 60 days of annual use and excel-lent cash flow from the hotel rental pool. Prices range from$805,000 to $895,000.

Pristine Bay Resort’s amenities include Roatan’s first golf course,The Black Pearl, designed by Pete and Perry Dye, with ocean viewson 14 holes and a signature island-green, par-3 11th hole. A 155-slip, full-service marina near The Black Pearl clubhouse will pro-vide deep-water access for a wide variety of vessels. The five-star,120-room Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay is planned to open inFebruary 2011 and will be managed by Destination Resorts, Ltd.,which also manages Victoria House Resort on Ambergris Caye,Belize and Casa Encantada in Antigua, Guatemala. The Resort Villas at Pristine Bay,[email protected]; Pristine Bay Resort:[email protected], www.pristinebayresort.com

HOTEL PUNTA ISLITA AND EL SILENCIOLODGE & SPA JOIN ELITE LUXURY TRAVEL

Elite Luxury Travel has announced two award-winning CostaRican resorts have joined their ranks. Together, the beachfrontHotel Punta Islita and its inland sister, El Silencio Lodge & Spa,add the first eco-tourism options for Elite travelers. The resorts areideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway or unforgettable set-ting for an eco-wedding.

Hotel Punta Islita, located along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in theGuanacaste region, is one of the original eco-resorts, and features54 stylish thatched-roof bungalows and villas, tiered into a hillsideoverlooking a pristine beach.

Moving inland to the cloud forests of the Central Volcanic Valley,the intimate new El Silencio Lodge & Spa offers just 16 cottagesuites with private decks opening to mountain views.

Both are distinguished by sophisticated, locally sourced organiccuisine inspired by Costa Rican flavors, nature-inspired spas with afocus on local healing, and an unending array of activities, fromzip-lining above the forest canopy to river kayaking, horseback rid-ing, hiking and cultural tours led by expert guides.

Punta Islita and El Silencio were developed with an unyieldingcommitment to environmental stewardship, creating an excep-tional synergy between the hotels, their surrounding ecosystems,and the local culture. Guests can learn about the hotels’ responsi-ble tourism initiatives through activities such as complimentary educational tours at Punta Islita and tree-planting ceremonies atEl Silencio.Elite Luxury Travel, 877-437-1060, www.eliteluxurytravel.com

LA MANSION INN PURCHASES COSTA RICANVIRGIN FOREST

Harry Bodaan, founder of Hotel La Mansion Inn in ManuelAntonio, Costa Rica, has recently purchased 500 acres of virginjungle property in the Altos de Cerros area in order to protect thenatural resources of the region and offset the carbon emissions cre-ated through day-to-day operation of the La Mansion Inn Condo-Hotel complex, situated on an acre of land overlooking ManuelAntonio National Park.

Vegetation and soils have the ability to remove greenhouse gasesfrom the atmosphere. The jungle protected by La Mansion Inn hasthe potential to remove up to 32 tons of carbon dioxide per yearand produce enough oxygen per year to equal the amount consumedby 222 people annually.

As a world leader in developing conservation programs, the CostaRican government, under the leadership of President and Nobellaureate Oscar Arias, launched an initiative to convert Costa Ricainto a carbon-neutral nation by 2021. With the recent election ofLaura Chinchilla, a protege of Arias, the government is set to con-tinue moving forward with sustainable environmental policies.

The Costa Rican “Certification in Sustainable Tourism” (CST) isa pioneering initiative that categorizes and certifies tourism andhospitality companies according to how well operations complywith sustainability and socioeconomic requirements. La MansionInn is currently working to fulfill requirements of the CST pro-gram, as well as maintaining a strong presence in the communitythrough social programs such as Sister Cities International, thelocal Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and animalsupport and rescue programs.La Mansion Inn, [email protected], www.lamansioninn.com

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The Year of the Tiger began inChina on February 14. Two weekslater the famed annual lanternfestival, in which hundreds of

thousands of paper lanterns are illumi-nated—frequently with a live flame, driftingdramatically into the skies above—beganthroughout Taiwan, most specifically inChiayi, an ancient southwestern provincialcity of about 250,000, and ran throughMarch 7. For even the most jaded tourist,the festival is an eye-opener. There’s noth-ing else quite like it in the world.

Taiwan, the tiny island off the coast ofChina that is smaller than the size of NewYork State, and whose rapid economicgrowth over the course of the last half cen-tury has come to be known as the “TaiwanMiracle,” is unarguably an economic pow-erhouse whose technology industry plays akey role in the global economy. But for travel professionals(and their clients) under the impression that Taiwan is princi-pally a meeting place for businessmen in a hurry, think again.The U.S. forms the fourth-largest inbound market of Taiwan(Japan, China and Hong Kong top the list), with more than360,000 visitors from this country having visited the island in2009 alone, a stunning leap forward from 100,000 in 2008.

Special DealsFor visitors with a seven-to-24-hour layover in Taiwan who

come from countries eligible for visa-exempt entry to enterthe Republic of China—that would include the UnitedStates—the tourist bureau has offered a special promotional“free half-day tour.” This could include a sampling of thelively city of Taipei’s famously delicious cuisine, a strollthrough its wildly crowded night markets, or a visit to Taipei101, until recently the tallest building in the world. The threebranches of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in the U.S.—NewYork, San Francisco and Los Angeles—draw up their ownspecial program and promotion with local travel agents andoffer a very attractive reason to spend extra time in a countrynot many tourists may know.

But Taiwan is not content to merely serve as a stoppingplace en route to other countries. “The Taiwan Tourist Bureauis constantly coming up with new tourism products,” says

Kerry Wu of the bureau’s international affairs division. “Weare also raising the quality of our hotel facilities and servicestandards, with the aim of bringing satisfaction to touristsfrom all corners of the world.” Because Taiwan is relativelysmall, traveling around the island is both convenient and ef-ficient. Its public transportation system—including domesticflights and its Taiwan High Speed Rail, capable of whiskingthe traveler from the top of the island to the bottom in an as-tonishing 90 minutes—is one of the best in the world. Withinan hour of Taipei, tourists can enjoy a quiet hike up many ofthe surrounding beautiful mountains, soak relaxingly in a hotspring pool, or try fresh and tasty seafood in the coastal areas.

Ms. Wu added, “We have ecotourism, recreation farms, na-tional forest recreation areas and theme park tourism pack-ages that may be especially suitable for families with chil-dren.” And while a number of the hotels encountered on arecent trip to Taiwan—Taipei’s Formosa Regent; the beguil-ingly austere Silks Place in Taroko National Park;Kaohsiung’s 85-story-high Splendor—are on a par with theworld’s finest, many places on the island, such as KentingNational Park, situated at the southernmost tip of the island,have small, affordable hotels charging only $50 a night, orfamily-style resorts such as the Janfusun Prince Hotel, lo-cated at the entrance to the gigantic Janfusun Fancyworld


ASIA-PACIFIC

Taiwan: Celebrating the Year of the Tiger By Lighting Up the SkyCity of Chiayi Illuminates its Lantern Festival in Grand StyleR O B I N S WA D O S

The 2010 Taiwan Lantern Festival opens in Chiayi.

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Taiwan Tourism Bureau

http://taiwan.net.tw


ASIA-PACIFIC

theme Park, or the Nice Prince Hotel, based at the foot of Mt.Alishan, a mountain resort and natural preserve nestled inthe mountains of Chiayi that contains mountain wilderness,four villages, waterfalls, high altitude tea plantations, theAlishan Forest Railway and several hiking trails. Many ofthese include buffet breakfasts and swimming pools andcharge around $120 a night, everything included—an un-beatable deal. The stunning Sun Moon Lake, the largest nat-ural lake in Taiwan, is another family-friendly attraction. Thearea surrounding it is home to the Thao tribe, one of aborigi-nal tribes in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake surrounds a tiny islandcalled Lalu. The east side of the lake looks like a sun and thewest side looks like a moon, hence the name. Not only canfamilies and couples enjoy the gorgeous scenery; they canalso learn about Taiwan’s indigenous tribes and their uniquebut little-known cultures. Environmentally aware tourists willfind much to love among the abundance of flora and faunaand pure natural atmosphere, especially on the outlying is-lands of Penghu and Green Island. Formosa Regent, www.grandformosa.com.tw; Silks Place, www.silksplace-taroko.com.tw; Splendor Kaohsiung, www.thesplendor-khh.com.tw;Janfusun Prince Hotel, www.princehotels.co.jp/janfusun-e;Nice Prince Hotel, www.niceprince.com.tw

Children and adults alike will find fascination with the GoldEcological Park, located in the hills above Taipei, about anhour’s drive away. Once a booming town, with the decline ofthe local mining industry, the gold mining years became buta chapter in history. The beautifully preserved park allowsvisitors to go back in time, walking through the Benshan FifthTunnel, an actual gold-mining tunnel, to learn first-hand theworking conditions of miners in former times, including howthey extracted the gold and transported it out of the tunnel;inspecting the old copper refinery factory, wandering throughold Citang Alley, visiting Cyuanji Temple and visiting theMuseum of Gold. Gold Ecological Parkwww.gep.tpc.gov.tw

Although in the past it has focused largely on its manufac-turing and high-tech industries, Taiwan has an abundance ofnatural beauty—majestic mountains, magnificent coastalareas—that it has begun promoting in recent years. TheYehliu Geopark, a geographical curiosity, is located some 45minutes outside of Taipei. Known by geologists as YehlioPromontory, it is distinguished by the “hoodoo stones,” orrock formations, dotting its surface. Many of these have beengiven imaginative names based on their shapes. The mostwell-known is the “The Queen’s Head,” an iconic image inTaiwan and an unofficial emblem for the town of Wanli, wherethe park is located. Tourists in search of the out-of-the-ordi-nary will find much to love in Taroko National Park, with itsvast canyons, rushing streams, alpine lakes, natural cliffs andtunnels, to say nothing of the opportunity to visit with mem-

bers of the island’s Aborginial tribes, even sampling some oftheir mountain bamboo dishes and other unique cuisines.Every November, the Taroko Music Festival takes place, at-tracting many tourists and visitors, with shuttles fromXingcheng station available for convenient transportation.And now in its 10th year, the Taroko International Marathon,restricted to only 10,000 participants, also takes place inNovember, when cool breezes flow in with the onset of au-tumn. It’s a great opportunity to experience the Gorge’s lushparadise on your own two feet.Chinese Taipei Road Running Association, www.sportsnet.org.tw/en/

The Quest for the SpiritualFor the many travelers in search of spiritual enlightenment,

a visit to two of the island’s enormous Bhuddist monasterieswould certainly pave the way. The first, Dharma DrumMountain, is a worldwide organization, with 41 offices andsanctuaries in Taiwan alone. Its flagship location inKaohsiung is a vast, 55-acre complex of temples, sanctuaries,educational centers and libraries, as well as being the hometo Dharma Drum University. Some 3,500 monks and nunsdine in silence three times daily. The second, the Fo GuangShan Monastery, is an international Chinese MahayanaBuddhist monastic order based in the Republic of China(Taiwan), and one of the largest Buddhist organizations. Theheadquarters of Fo Guang Shan, located in Kaohsiung, is thelargest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. The organization itselfis also one of the largest charity organizations in Taiwan.Dharma Drum, www.dharmadrum.org;Fo Guang,www.fgs.org.tw

How to Get ThereChina Airlines offers direct flights to Taiwan from New York

and Los Angeles.China Airlines, www.china-airlines.com

A temple on the cliffs of the Taroko National Gorge.

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TAIWAN FROM PAGE 44

GOWAY ASIA GROWS ‘EXOTIC, SOFTADVENTURE’ ASIA DESTINATION PROGRAMS TO MONGOLIA

Goway Travel has expanded their product offering to one of Asia’smost intriguing countries—Mongolia.

Mongolia lies at the heart of Asia, on the balance between the‘East’ of China, and the vast wilderness of Siberian Russia. Thishuge, sparsely populated land encompasses a fabulous array ofpristine landscapes and a nomadic people whose lives are in manyways unchanged from the days of Genghis Khan and the mightyMongol Empire.

Some of the many travel ideas include a five-day MongoliaStopover starting at $1,029, which includes tours and sightseeing

in Ulaan Bataar, Kharkhorum and the Hustai National Park.Goway also offers a three-day Mongolian Adventure and Nomadic

Experience tour, a seven-day Mongolia In Depth program,Mongolian Nature Expeditions for eight days or their 21-day TransMongolian Express rail package.

Travel professionals can access detail on the packages within thelist of Goway’s Exotic products to Mongolia on their website.Goway, 800-387-8850, www.goway.com/asia/mongolia,www.goway.com

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES NEW ASIA & OCEANIA 2010-11 BROCHURE

Kumuka Worldwide is presenting a variety of new tours for the yearacross India, Nepal, South Korea, Borneo, Fiji and South East Asia,with its Asia & Oceania 2010-11 brochure. The smorgasbord in-cludes five new tours in South East Asia and three in South Korea aswell as new itineraries in India, Nepal, Fiji, Borneo and Papua NewGuinea.

Kumuka’s new Highlights of South Korea is a seven-day tour thatincludes travel to Seoul to experience the famous NamdaemunMarket, Gyeongbokgung Palace and national dish of Kimchi; to Geongju known as the ‘museum without walls;’ to Busan the portcity and finally to Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World HeritageSite.

Kumuka’s new 18-day Heritage India Discovered tour offers a styl-ish, indulgent experience, with stays in lavish Heritage Hotels inJaipur, Pushkar, Johdphur and Sardargarh, so travelers experiencethe opulent lifestyle of the Maharajas who previously resided in them.Trips to see the stunning Taj Mahal, Golden temple of Amritsar andHoly River Ganges can be added for a true Indian experience.

A new Romantic Vietnam tour is perfect for couples looking for aunique getaway. It combines the best sights of Vietnam like historicHoi An with relaxation time on the beaches of Nha Trang and QuyNhon. Couples get to indulge in massages, champagne and sunsetcruises.

Kumuka’s Fiji Relaxation & Adventure Holiday is a nine-day tourto Fiji that takes in beaches, highlands and rafting through stunningcanyon scenery—with an exhilarating jet boat safari to more remotetraditional villages.

New train tours through Thailand and Malaysia feature sevenmemorable train journeys through Thailand, Malaysia andSingapore, with visits to the idyllic islands and vibrant cities of each.

Kumuka’s more than 120 tours throughout Asia are comprised ofSmall Group Tours, Active Tours and Specialist Tours. Some have anage limit that takes into account suitability required for participa-tion—for the enjoyment and safety of themselves, and their fellowtraveling companions.

Travelers with Kumuka have the peace of mind to know that oncepaid in full, their tour price will remain the same regardless of ex-change-rate fluctuations.Kumuka Worldwide, 800-517-0867, [email protected], www.kumuka.com


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INDIA’S KINGFISHER AIRLINES SET TO JOIN ONEWORLD

Kingfisher Airlines welcomed by oneworld (from left): oneworldManaging Partner John McCulloch, Royal Jordanian Chief ExecutiveHussein Dabbas, Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler, BritishAirways Chief Executive Willie Walsh, Kingfisher Airlines Chairmanand Chief Executive Vijay Mallya, Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce,American Airlines Senior Vice-President Planning Virasb Vahidi, andFinnair Vice-President Alliances Paavo Virkkunen. India’s leadingdomestic carrier and only five-star airline, Kingfisher Airlines, is lin-ing up to join oneworld® after signing a memorandum of understand-ing as its first step towards full membership of the world’s leadingquality airline alliance, subject to Indian regulatory approval.

The agreement was concluded at a recent meeting betweenKingfisher Airlines’ Chairman Vijay Mallya and Chief Executivesfrom oneworld’s 11 existing member airlines, which include some ofthe best and biggest names in the industry.

Kingfisher Airlines has applied to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviationfor authority to proceed with its membership of oneworld. A targetdate for Kingfisher Airlines to join the alliance will be confirmed oncethis approval is gained. The process to bring any airline on board nor-mally takes around 18 months to complete, so Kingfisher Airlinescould be expected to start flying as part of oneworld during 2011.

Kingfisher Airlines’ addition to oneworld will link India’s most ex-tensive domestic network with oneworld’s unrivalled global network,as the only alliance with airlines based on every continent.

It will add 58 cities to the oneworld map—all of them in India. Thiswill expand oneworld’s network to 800 destinations in almost 150countries, served by a combined fleet of 2,350 aircraft operating some9,000 flights a day, carrying some 340 million passengers a year.

Established oneworld members American Airlines, British Airways,Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanianalready serve five gateways in India between them—Bangalore,Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

British Airways will support Kingfisher Airlines through its allianceimplementation program, as its oneworld sponsor. Kingfisher Airlines, www.flykingfisher.com; oneworld, www.oneworld.com

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Travel World News - April 2010 Edition