Viva Mexico! Always on the Map - Travel World Newstravelworldnews.com/june2007/june.pdfViva Mexico! Always on the Map ... ern Yucatan peninsula and home to one of the cruise indus-

Dive Into Exciting Belize 2

Profitable World of Niche MarketsResource Directory 14

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm

e x e c u t i v e o f f i c e

50 Washington StreetSouth Norwalk, CT 06854-2710

Voice: 203-853-4955 • Fax: 203-866-1153

p u b l i s h e r

Charles Gatt, Jr., [email protected]

d e s i g n p r o d u c t i o n m a n a g e r

Linda [email protected]

e d i t o r

Jennifer M. [email protected]

Maria Rebello, Accounting ManagerCindy Johnson, Circulation ManagerCarol A. Petro, Design Consultant

c o n t r i b u t i n g e d i t o r s

Jacquie Balaschak • Andrew Bill • Mona Birch Jerry W. Bird • Ann Charles • Gail Dubov

George Hairston • Al Haut • Evelyn Kanter Marjorie Klein • Nancy Marcantonio • Anita Mason

D.O. Christian Rieger • Knox Robinson Mary Ellen Schultz • Helen Kitti Smith • Diane Terry

d i v e e d i t o rLorry Heverly

c r u i s e e d i t o rMichael Iachetta

s o u t h e a s t r e g i o n a l c o r r e s p o n d e n tJoan Gonzalez

w e s t e r n r e g i o n a l c o r r e s p o n d e n tConnie Skoog

s o u t h a m e r i c a c o r r e s p o n d e n tMark Zussman

[email protected]

Travel World News (ISSN 1044-4602) is published monthly byTravel Industry Network, Inc., 50 Washington Street, SouthNorwalk, CT 06854-2710. The cost of a subscription in the USA is$25, in Canada $40. For subscribers outside USA or Canada, therate is $80. Please send check or money order in U.S. dollarspayable to Travel World News. For change of address, pleaseenclose your mailing label and send to: Circulation Department,Travel World News, 50 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT.Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CT, and additional mailingoffices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes toTravel World News, 50 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT06854-2710. Address advertising inquiries and/or editorial copyto: Travel World News, 50 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT06854-2710. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Printed inUSA. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

All advertising in Travel World News is based on data submittedto the Publisher by the advertisers. The Publisher shall not be liablefor the accuracy or inaccuracy of any information contained inTravel World News and shall not be liable, including but not limited to consequential or special damages, to any party for anyproducts or services advertised or reported upon herein. ThePublisher shall not be responsible fortypographical errors. All information contained herein is subject to change without notice bythe parties providing such products and services.The Publisherreserves the right to reject any advertising that has been submittedat his sole discretion. Upon providing a refund of any amount paidto the party whose submittal was rejected, the Publisher shall nothave any liability to any party for such rejection.

i n t e r n e t w e b s i t e

www.travelworldnews.com

The Dominican Annual Tourism ExchangeDeals a Strong Hand 3

Caribbean Resource Directory 15

Viva Mexico! Always on the Map...Always Beyond Expectations 3

Peru: Beyond Cusco and Machu Pichhu 2

São Paulo Through the Sonesta Prism 9

Latin America Resource Directory 15

JUNE 2007 ISSUE NO. 228

S E C T I O N T H R E E • L A T I N A M E R I C A

S E C T I O N F O U R • P R O F I T A B L EW O R L D O F N I C H E M A R K E T S

C A L E N D A R 8

F A M T R I P S 15

S E C T I O N T W O • C A R I B B E A N

I N D U S T R Y E V E N T S

I N D U S T R Y N E W S 12

N O R T H A M E R I C A 11

E U R O P E 1 0

A capulco, Mexico’s Pearl-of-the-Pacific resort city,played host to the country’s 32nd annualTianguis trade show. Held in the AcapulcoConvention Center, the event drew nearly 1,000

international buyers and 2,300 suppliers (representing 500Mexican tourism service providers) to the four-day event,held March 25–28. Mexico’s premier tourism and trade fair(“tianguis” means “market”) featured seminars, trade showbooths and a marketplace (with 18,000 pre-arrangedbuyer/supplier meetings), giving delegates the opportunity tolearn about the country’s ever-evolving tourism products.

While many of the buyers were from the United States(Mexico’s largest tourism feeder market), the presence of del-egations from China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong,Hungary, India and Korea attested to Mexico’s growing pop-ularity in emerging European and Asian markets.

Event highlights included press conferences and educa-tional seminars, including a panel discussion on growth op-portunities through cultural tourism (a fast-growing, long-term niche market), and conferences on the MonterreyUniversal Forum of Cultures 2007 and the World HeritageAlliance/Expedia sustainable tourism program development,plus updates on the state of Mexico’s tourism industry, par-ticularly the cultural, natural and high-end offerings that theMexico Tourism Board has declared the primary focus of pro-motional efforts through the end of this year. Spotlighted op-portunities include prehispanic cultural richness/culturaltourism, eco-biologic diversity and business tourism.

Francisco Lopez Mena, newly appointed Mexico TourismBoard (MTB) CEO, announced the opening of an office inWashington, DC, in May for the new “United BusinessStrategy” program for U.S. and Canadian markets.

MTB veteran Eduardo Chaillo, who once led the MexicanConvention Bureau (MCB) and most recently directed MTB’spromotional efforts in the U.S. and Canada from MTB’sChicago office, will be heading up the D.C. office.

Noted Chaillo, “While our ‘0%’value-added tax (VAT) for in-ternational meetings and conventions held in Mexico createdindustry growth, currently, only 12.5% of U.S- organizedmeetings and conventions are held here. We want to stake aclaim for a larger piece of the United States’ business travelmarket, estimated by the Convention Industry Council atUS$122bn…it’s a tremendous opportunity.”

MTB will continue to promote Mexico’s myriad beach, cul-

ture and nature product segments, with particular emphasisplaced on meetings and conventions. According to theProfessional Conventions Management Association (PCMA),30% of organizers of the 300,000 conventions registered lastyear expressed a desire to hold events in Mexico.

Tianguis NewsNew developments were announced during Tianguis.A US$2mm renovation of the existing Acapulco Convention

Center — at 1.6 million sq.ft, the largest conference facility in Latin America — includes upgraded technological equipment as well as enhancements to its terraces and principal entrance.

Also in Acapulco, construction is underway on the MundoImperial, a new exhibition and convention center. With meet-ing space totaling over 360,000 square feet, Expo Imperial isdesigned to host conventions/exhibitions, while the adjacentImperial Forum, a 4,800-seat performing arts center, willshowcase cultural/sports events.

These facilities are part of the $2.2bn project, which also in-cludes Casa Imperial, an 879-room hotel/ resort complex, aChinese medicine concept Spa and Fiesta Imperial, a210,000-sq.ft. plaza comprised of restaurants, lounges, night-clubs and culture venues. The completed complex is slated toopen in Spring 2008.

Following a US$24mm renewal project, Cancun hasbounced back from Hurricane Wilma, with air traffic up38.6%, over 3.6 million arrivals since January 2006. The

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm JUNE 2007 • 3

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Viva Mexico! Always on the Map…Always Beyond Expectations

From its 6,000 miles of sun-kissed beaches to its 30 centuries of cultural heritage, Mexico’s32nd Annual Tianguis Turistico spotlights the country’s myriad offerings.

B Y M A RY E L L E N S C H U LT Z

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marking opening of Mexico's 32ndAnnual Tianguis Turistico in Acapulco.

ME

XIC

O TO

UR

ISM

BO

AR

D

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Cancun Hotel Association reported nearly 2 million hotelguests, general occupancy rates were up to 90% in January.Properties completing extensive renovations include the RitzCarlton Cancun and the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.Arturo Escalp Manzur, the new General Director of theCancun Visitors and Convention Bureau, commented, “It isa great honor to serve as General Director, and the challengesare exciting.”

Costa Maya, located four hours from Cancun on the south-ern Yucatan peninsula and home to one of the cruise indus-try’s fastest growing ports of call — attracting all the majorcruise lines to its shores — is predicted to emerge as one ofthe Mexican Caribbean’s new tourist destinations. Accordingto Teofilo Hamui, president and ceo of Costa Maya, “In fiveshort years, Costa Maya’s port ranks second in Mexico forpassenger visits and is one of the few ports in the WesternCaribbean to receive over one million passengers yearly.”Plans for the area break away from the Mayan Riviera andCancun’s tradition of all-inclusive resorts and high-densitytourism products. Here, the development strategy calls for amaximum of 10,000 rooms, all to be designed as eco-friendlystructures. The region will comprise smaller boutique hotelstargeting adventure- and culture-seeking travelers looking toenjoy its unspoiled land, sea and beaches. Beyond the port fa-cility’s expansion, infrastructure development includes newroads, an airstrip and a boutique hotel.

During the last six years, Mexico’s National TourismDevelopment Fund (Fonatur) has focused on revitalizing anddeveloping its Integrally Planned Resorts (IPRs) – Cancun,Los Cabos, Ixtapa, Loreto Bay and the Bays of Huatulco.These planned resorts have enjoyed considerable success, re-ceiving approximately 40 percent of international touristsand generating 54 percent of tourism revenue in the past twoyears. Fonatur’s record-breaking sales figures (in 2005, theyreached US$105.28 million, near double the 2000 numbers;2006 final numbers are not in yet, but are expected to top lastyear’s have become the organization’s engine.

As a result of Mexico’s recent elections, however, severalnew tourism promotion management teams are in place —one of which is at Fonatur.

Fonatur’s recent restructuring leaves it no less involved incompleting these projects — the method, though, haschanged. According to newly appointed director, MiguelGomez Mont, “Fonatur has demonstrated extraordinary suc-cess in the 34 years of existence. However, we need to adjustto what the times demand, and now, in addition to selling ter-rains, the fund will now concentrate on attracting nationaland foreign investors, acting as a facilitator from project in-ception to completion.” Fonatur’s plan is to play a strategicrole in developing Mexico’s sustainable tourism growth.

One of the projects being reevaluated is the Sea of Cortez

project, originally planned to connect marinas a day’s sailapart down the Baja Peninsula. The mega-project is comprised of the “Nautical Staircase,” integral tourism re-gions and coastal destinations. A canal connecting thechoppy Pacific Sea with the calmer Sea of Cortez is alreadyin existence.

The US$49M, CIP Nayarit Project is being created in threephases through 2025, the first one being 413-acre Litibu,which will boast a mile of beachfront property. Centrally lo-cated just north of Punta Mita, Litibu will feature seven lux-ury hotels, an 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed, upscale resi-dences, luxury condominiums/villas, shopping malls, andbeach clubs. Upon completion in 2025, Fonatur expects CIPNayarit to attract roughly one million visitors annually, mak-ing it one of Mexico's top destinations. As part the project,Nayarit’s government has launched a new brand — RivieraNayarit, a 100-mile stretch of beach between Bahia deBanderas and San Blas that comprises several different up-scale hotel zones, including Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita (siteof a new St. Regis property), Rincon de Guayabitos and SanBlas.

The Loreto Bay project seeks to convert the sleepy seasidevillage of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez into a major tourist des-tination, especially emphasizing environment protection.Just 150 miles north of La Paz and 700 miles south of SanDiego in the state of Baja California Sur, Loreto Bay has al-most 4,000 villas and approximately 1,000 hotels rooms slatedfor the project.

Along the Caribbean coast, Puerto Cancun, an importantaddition to Quintana Roo’s evolving tourism offerings, hasprogressed 60% (with a US$50M+ investment) since break-ing ground in 2004. The 800-acre residential/recreationalmegaproject, sidelined briefly following Hurricane Wilma, isslated for completion later this year, and will comprise a 330-slip marina, 18-hole golf course, a residential development,plus a hotel and commercial zone designed to entertain theover 5 million annual visitors to the region. Nearby, the moredeveloped Riviera Maya currently boasts 12,840 hotel rooms,60% four-star or higher. The PTI Costa Maya Project, alsobeing developed in phases, is located north of Chetumal andsouth of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a region rich inecological diversity.

This project includes 3,500 hotel rooms, a golf course, beachclubs, and retail venues. A new project this year will injectnearly US$50M into developing the fabled Pacific coast baysof Huatulco; 2,500 hotel rooms are slated for completion overthe next two years. Other destinations targeted are along the already-popular tourism corridor comprised of Teotihuacan,Palenque and Chichen Itza.

Passports and Planes Asked about the new passport requirement for U.S. visitors

wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm •• Travel World News4 • JUNE 2007

INDUSTRY EVENTS

TAINGUIS FROM PAGE 3

and its effect on U.S. arrivals, Carlos McKinley, Mexico City’sDirector of Tourism Promotion, noted its minimal affect onvisitors to the capital, saying, “Most Mexico City visitors arepassport-bearing business travelers; arrival loss should beless than 0.5% over the next few months. The larger impactwill be felt by younger travelers and in the cruise, beach andborder sectors.”

Also showcased were the expansion of airlines featuringnontraditional routs, a new theme following last year’s focuson low-cost carriers. Expanded air routes and destinationsannounced included Aladia, the only newly launchedMexican airline authorized to fly to/from the U.S.; it currentlyflies from Monterrey to Cancun five times weekly and Pueblato Cancun twice weekly. Flights to Canada, the U.S., Centraland South America and the Caribbean are to begin later thisyear. One-year-old Volaris, with its hub in Toluca, locatedone-half hour from Mexico City, services the country with a40% cheaper price point than its competitors, thanks to sin-gle-class service. Its routes from Toluca include direct flightsto Cancun, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Leon, Los Cabos,Monterrey, Tijuana and Merida, Culiacan, Mexicali,Aguascalientes, and Villahermosa. The airline provides shut-tle service between San Diego and Tijuana Airport, as well asfrom Mexico City’s Santa Fe neighborhood to Toluca Airport.

Mexicana Airlines announced new flights including servicefrom Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Monterrey,Nuevo Leon (effective in March) and to Culiacan, Sinaloa (ef-fective as of April), bringing the total LAX-Mexico connectionto 10 cities. To better serve the ever-popular Riviera Maya,the visiting governor of the state of Quintana Roo, FelixGonzales Canto, announced final plans for construction of anew airport nearer the archaeological treasure of Tulum,which will cost approximately US$120M.

During the closing ceremony, Mexico’s president, FelipeCalderon, told delegates, “Tourism is perhaps one of our mostvalued possessions — we should consider it our passport toenter the Mexico of the future,” and proposed convertingTianguis into an international fair with the participation of“sister countries.” Secretary of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondoechoed the sentiment, and heralded the dawn of a new, “glob-alized” Tianguis. Beginning next year, Latin American desti-nations and service providers will participate in Tianguis.“After 32 years of experience hosting Tianguis, we’re ready toopen up our country’s premier travel trade fair to competitionfrom other countries, which will encourage Mexico’s tourismrepresentatives to strive even harder to stay ahead of the com-petition,” Elizondo concluded. Mexico Tourist Board, www.visitmexico.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

TAIWAN TOURISMPROMOTION DELEGATIONVISITS U.S.

To build up Taiwan as the main travel des-tination in Asia, a delegation visited NorthAmerica to promote tourism activities, en-hance the visibility of Taiwan tourism inter-nationally through Taiwan’s varied and richculture, and attract more internationaltravelers to visit Taiwan.

For this Taiwan tourism promotional ac-tivity, the Taiwan Visitors Association hasformed a delegation. The Delegation Chiefis Jean Chang, Chairperson of Euro-USCommittee of Taiwan Visitors Association;delegates include Tourism Bureau of ROC,Golden Foundation Tours Corp, EdisonTravel Service Corp, HostellingInternational Taipei, The Howard PlazaHotel Taipei, China Airlines, Eva Air,United Airlines, Music Box Ensemble, andmore. The delegation left for NorthAmerica on April 15, and held travel work-shops and tourism promotions at the TaipeiEconomic & Cultural Office in New York onApril 16; at Hilton LA / Universal City inLos Angeles on April 18; and at CrownPlaza San Francisco International Airportin San Francisco on April 19. The delega-tion returned to Taiwan on April 22.

Aside from holding trade workshops forboth sides of the travel industry to conductexchanges and conduct presentations onTaiwan tourism resources, the Taiwan cul-tural art group the Music Box Ensembleperformed traditional Taiwanese folkmusic, traditional folk and Hakka music.

The promotional activity is under theguidance of the Tourism Bureau of ROC,handled by Taiwan Visitors Associationalong with the Oversea Offices Tourism

Bureau of ROC, and participated in by thedomestic travel industry, the hotel industryand the airline industry. United Airline’s di-rect flight to Taiwan will restart beginningin June, and will be the only American air-line company that offers direct flight ser-vice. They will join this promotion which isexpected to be instrumental in increasingAmerican visitors to Taiwan, creating awin-win situation between airlines, traveland hotel industries and consumers for bothU.S. and Taiwan.Taiwan Visitors Association, [email protected]

FIJI’S BULA SEMINARSTARGET CALIFORNIA

Over 500 travel agents attended lastmonth’s Bula Seminars across California,which was coordinated by the Fiji IslandsVisitors Bureau’s North American officefor its airline and hotel industry partners.The seminars covered Santa Cruz, SanFrancisco, San Rafael, Walnut Creek,Sacramento, Santa Monica and CostaMesa.

The Bureau’s Regional Director NorthAmericas, Ms. Ili Matatolu said: “Our cur-rent research shows that most of our bestprospects for Fiji travel live in California soit makes sense for us to concentrate our ef-forts in California.”

According to travel agent DebraReasonable of Tropic Travels: “I found theevening very informative with new things tolearn about Fiji and the Fijian dances andmusic created a unique point of differenceabout Fiji’s warmth and friendliness, whichsets Fiji apart from Fiji’s competition.”

Fiji partners, Happy Vacations, Sunspots,Air Pacific Limited, Air New Zealand, BlueLagoon Cruises, Vatulele Island Resort,Tokoriki Island Resort, Matangi IslandResort, Lomani Island Resort, SonaisaliIsland Resort, and Koro Sun Resort & Spajoined the Bureau in the seminars.

The Bula Seminars are held on a regularbasis to ensure travel agents are continuallyupdated on the latest information on Fiji,targeting 75,000 North Americans to visitFiji in the 2007 calendar year. Fiji Visitors Bureau, www.bulafiji.com

RECORD ATTENDANCE ANDSALES FIGURES AT TUR

Interest in travel and tourism continues toboom. This was proved at TUR 2007, whichturned out to be biggest commercial and in-ternational meeting place in the fair’s 24-year history. A record total of 100 coun-tries (compared to 94 last year) exhibitedat TUR through 1,245 direct exhibitorsrepresenting over 2,000 companies. Thenumber of public visitors was also unprece-dented: almost 50,000 visits wererecorded, including just over 20,000 on thespecialist days (Thursday and Friday).

Business was in focus at TUR this year –both on the specialist and public days.“Attendance was high and commitment wasstrong,” says Johan F. Lundberg, TURExhibition Manager. “Jöran Hägglund,Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry ofIndustry, Employment and Communication,took several new suggestions away withhim.” The Meetings Industry Day was alsoa great success, attracting leading interna-tional names from the UK, Ireland andSwitzerland.

4,000 business meetings were registeredduring TUR, slightly less than last year.Roughly 70 percent of these meetings wereregistered via the online meeting bookingsystem, a tool that helps match sellers withbuyers. The rest were booked when buyersand sellers met at Meeting Forum at thestart of the fair. “And these are only themeetings we know about,” says Lundberg.

Business was discussed at least as inten-sively on the public days, but here the focuswas on sales and travel auctions. More ex-hibitors than ever – tour operators andtransport providers – ran special offers atthe fair, which were sold straight over thecounter. For instance, SAS offered 2-for-1trips to China. A return ticket for two people from Göteborg to Peking was sold for SEK 5,980 – less than half the regular price.

TUR is Scandinavia’s largest travel andtourism fair, and has been held at theSwedish Exhibition Centre in Göteborgsince 1984. TUR 2008 will take placeMarch 13-16.TUR, www.tur.se


INDUSTRY EVENTS

ITB BERLIN EXPANDS TO ASIA

ITB Asia will have its first run at SuntecSingapore from October 22-24, 2008, aswas announced by Raimund Hosch, CEO ofMesse Berlin GmbH, the show organizer ofITB Berlin. The B2B trade show and con-vention will be designed to become the pri-mary event for the Asia Pacific travel in-dustry, much like its parent event, the ITBBerlin itself.

It will be targeted at creating new andcost-effective networking and business op-portunities for the outbound buyers fromthe Asia - Pacific, the small and medium en-terprises as well as the vast numbers of sup-pliers of products and services to the indus-try at large.

"The show is intended to ride the wave ofthe generational transition taking placeacross the Asia - Pacific, clearly the mostimportant travel market of this century,"said Mr. Hosch. Many of the doing-businessstructures upon which the industry wasfounded in the 1960s and 1970s are givingway to new ways.

Harald Wolf, Berlin’s Senator forEconomics, Technology and Women’sIssues, said: "Thus people all over the worldwill get to know the brand which the ITBBerlin represents, and this will increase theopportunities for Messe Berlin’s customerswho operate on the international stage, anaspect which not least will benefit Berlin asa business venue. Even large-scale tradeshows such as the ITB Berlin cannot caterfor the entire world market. By committingitself in this way Berlin is responding to in-creasing economic globalization."

Meeting the needs of the buyers and sellers will remain the primary focus of at-tention, especially buyers from the Asiantravel source markets looking for new prod-ucts to sell across Asia and also worldwide.This includes not just buyers of leisure prod-ucts but also meetings, business travel and conventions.

At the same time, ITB Asia will reach outto the small and medium size enterprisesfrom the Asian travel industry that couldnot afford to participate in global showsand did not find the regional shows useful to

make the right contacts."This is of utmost importance for emerg-

ing market players - e.g. small hotels, on-line travel agents, incoming agencies -- thatvery often have the most attractive and in-novative products but so far lacked the op-portunity to present themselves to the rightbuyers for their products," said Mr. Hosch.

Another feature that will differentiateITB Asia will be the convention to be organized alongside. Patterned along the lines of the highly successful event that is organized alongside the ITB Berlin, the Asian event will be designed toprovide a high level of intellectual value forthe new generation of young Asian travelentrepreneurs.

The needs and concerns of this new gener-ation will be targeted - particularly thosefrom the incoming, online travel, hospital-ity and aviation sectors.

ITB Asia will not only act as a "horizon-tal" market place for travel products butalso as a "vertical" one for suppliers of thetravel industry. Hence, it will feature thefull range of travel products, services andgoods from the supply side of the industry,especially in the hospitality and technologysectors.

Said Mr. Hosch, "Naturally, we will usethe full power of our global databases tomarket this show and help participants finduseful contacts."

The show is being organized upon the ini-tiative of the Singapore government whichapproached Messe Berlin, organizers of theITB Berlin, as part of a package deal to or-ganize Asian versions of the entire suite oftrade events held at the Messe Berlin.

Mr. Hosch said Messe Berlin was happy toaccept the initiative but has made clear thatit would like to position it as an "Asian"show and work with all sectors of the indus-try region-wide, including national tourismorganizations, associations, airlines, hotelgroups, tour operators, to ensure maximumattendance and the best possible exposure.

"We will do everything possible to ensurethat the costs are kept to a basic minimum.When the industry finds the show useful,both will grow together," said Hosch.ITB Berlin, www.itb-berlin.com

SATA TOUR DATES FOR 2007 SATA (South & Central American Travel

Association) will be on the road in 2007.Diversified South and Central Americansuppliers and quality travel agents will havethe chance to interact through SATA's wellestablished educational dinner programs.Features include guest speakers, new salestools, destination and product presenta-tions, door prizes, and networking potentialthat will open the door to more profitswithin the travel trade.

Upcoming dates are: Sep. 4, Denver, CO;Sep. 5, Phoenix (Scottsdale area), AZ; Oct.9, Philadelphia, PA; Oct. 10, Long Island,NY; Nov. 6, Raleigh, NC (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area); and Nov. 7,Greensboro, NC (Greensboro/HighPoint/Winston-Salem area).

Invitations to travel agencies in the vicinity of the above cities will be sent approximately three to four weeks prior to event.SATA, [email protected], www.sata-usa.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

ARTA100%

Travel Agents.We’re proud to say

that ARTAdoes not accept

airlines or other suppliers as members.

We work ONLY

for agents!

Sign up for our

FREE

30-day trial membership:

www.artaonline.com

UTAZAS WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL EVENTThe 30th UTAZAS /Travel/ International Tourism exhibition held

March 29-April 1 in the HUNGEXPO Budapest Fair Center was asuccess. Nearly 70,000 people visited the event, which featured900 exhibitors from 54 countries and the Carat JewelryExhibition, as well as 1st LEADER Expo.

The opening ceremony was held by Dr. Ujhelyi István, the StateSecretary - Ministry of Local Government and RegionDevelopment. The exhibition was visited by high-ranking officials,representatives of municipal governments, tourist organizations,and mayor’s offices. Mirek Topolanek, the Prime Minister of CzechRepublic, was a special guest of the exhibition.

The exhibitions and the programs were covered by national andregional newspapers, various television and radio stations, and online news portals. All of the main media, including TV channels,radios, and dailies, reported about the opening ceremony ofTRAVEL. During the exhibition, 300 journalists registered in thePress Center. UTAZAS, [email protected], www.utazas.hungexpo.hu

SUNSET JAMAICA GRANDE RESORT & SPAHOSTS JAPEX

Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, the 730-room, all-inclu-sive resort in Ocho Rios, hosted the 17th annual Jamaica ProductExchange (JAPEX) from April 29 –May 1, 2007. This was the firsttime that many industry decision makers experienced the newlyrenovated property. The event was sponsored by the Jamaica Hoteland Tourist

Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).“It was an extreme honor to host JAPEX 2007 at Sunset

Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa. Our team at Sunset Resorts workedvery hard to ensure that the event was seamless and productive forall involved,” said Sunset Resorts Managing Director Ian Kerr.“Jamaican owned and Jamaican run, Sunset Resorts offers the trueJamaican experience – it was a natural fit to host Jamaica’s key

partners and showcase the spirit and sensibility of what Jamaicahas to offer to travelers across the globe.”

Daniel Rice, Market Manager, Caribbean for Orbitz Worldwidesaid, "The Sunset Jamaica Grande is to be commended for its phe-nomenal execution of JAPEX 2007. With the friendliness of thestaff, delicious food, beautiful meeting space, and top-notch events,the event was both enjoyable and productive."

The entire staff contributed to make this leading industry event asuccess. Sunset Resorts Corporate Executive Chef Jose Riquelme,Sunset Jamaica Grande’s Executive Sous Chef and the entireSunset culinary team created gastronomic delights for JAPEX del-egates to enjoy on opening night. Martini bars, Champagne barsand tropical fruit cocktails and beverages were welcome libations.

Entertainment was equally impressive with the musical talent ofRory Frankson, the “50 Fifty Band,” and capped by the unveilingof the Lighthouse Waterslide with a laser light show and what manycalled the “best fireworks display they have ever seen.”

The Most Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister ofJamaica, addressed the delegates, along with remarks by theHonorable Aloun Ndombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism,Entertainment & Culture. Both joined other tourism officials in theribbon cutting to open JAPEX 2007.

The Most Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister ofJamaica stayed after the ribbon cutting and visited the Grande Hallto preview the booths of Jamaica’s many suppliers, including ho-tels, resorts, small inns, tour companies, villas and attractions.

Over the course of the three-day event, Jamaica’s travel industrypartners utilized the Grande Hall as a forum to interact and dis-cuss the industry in a dynamic professional setting. From leadingsuppliers of Jamaica tourism product, to travel wholesalers andtour operators from Europe and the Americas, Sunset JamaicaGrande hosted the best in the business.Jamaica Hotel & Tourism Association, www.jhta.org

OSSN TAKES RECORD CROWD TO INDIA FORSPRING CONFERENCE

The Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) welcomed 108home-based travel retailers to India for the 2007 OSSNInternational Conference (May 2-9).The group, a record-breakingnumber of home-based agents traveling to India for sales training,combined tours and events in New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipurwith comprehensive sales seminars conducted by India Tourism.

After departing May 1 from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York,the agents arrived in New Delhi for the start of the conference.Featured highlights of the event have included traditional Kathakdances and a visit to the famed Taj Mahal in Jaipur; an elephantpolo match, elephant rides, and tours of the Amber Fort, the CityPalace, and the Royal Observatory in Jaipur; and tours of the "Cityof the Lakes" region in Udaipur.Eastbound Tours operated the con-ference in partnership with Kartagener & Associates, Air India,and India Tourism.OSSN, 941-322-9700, www.ossn.com


INDUSTRY EVENTS

The Most Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller joins the entire SunsetResorts team at the JAPEX (Jamaica Product Exchange) official open-ing at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios on April29, 2007.

TO LIST YOUR EVENTS EMAIL: [email protected] • FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS VISIT: www.travelworldnews.com/calendar


CALENDAR OF EVENTS - 2007/08

J U L Y11-13 6th Mediterranean Travel Trade Show Denver, CO 800-247-332322-25 NBTA International Convention Boston, MA www.nbtaconvention.org

S E P T E M B E R5-7 La Cumbre 2007 Ft. Lauderdale, FL www.lacumbre.com6 Moscow International Travel Workshop Moscow, Russia www.moscowworkshop.com6-9 FITE 2007 Guayaquil- Ecuador www.fite.info9-11 The Trade Show 2007 Las Vegas, NV www.thetradeshow.org12-14 TravelMart Latin America Cartagena, Colombia www.travelmartlatinamerica.com17-18 BIT Peru 2007 Lima, Peru www.bitperu.com25-27 ITME 2007 Chicago, IL www.motivationshow.com25-28 Otdykh/Leisure 2007 Moscow, Russia www.euroexpo.ru25-28 PATA Travelmart Bali, Indonesia www.pata.org26-27 North American Ecotourism Conference Madison, WI www.ecotourismconference.org26-28 Top Resa Deauville, France www.topresa.com28-29 No Frills Travel & Technology Expo Bergamo, Italy www.nofrillsexpo.com

O C T O B E R3-5 CIS Travel Market St. Petersburg, Russia www.reidtravelexhibitions.com4-7 Adventure Travel World Summit Whistler, BC, Canada www.adventuretravelworldsummitt.com7-14 Guanacaste Marketplace Guanacaste, Costa Rica www.guanacastemarketplace.com10-12 Cancun Travel Mart Cancun, Mexico www.cancuntravelmart.com11-13 Central American Travel Market San Jose, CA [email protected] TTG Incontri Rimini, Italy www.ttgitalia.com16-18 BTC Conference 2007 Tallink Victoria, Baltic Sea www.balticsea.com31-Nov 3 DEMA Orlando, FL www.demashow.com

N O V E M B E R1-4 Philoxenia Thessaloniki Greece www.helexpo.gr6-9 BTC International Florence, Italy www.btc.it7-9 ALTA Airlines Leaders Forum Cancun, Mexico www.latamleaders.com12-15 WTM-World Travel Market ExCel London, UK www.wtmlondon.com12 - 15 Discover America Pavilion at WTM 2007 ExCel London, UK www.discoveramericapavilion.com 17-18 The Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show King of Prussia, PA www.phillytravelshow.com17-20 FIT America Latina Buenos Aires, Argentina www.fit.org.ar27-29 EIBTM 2007 Barcelona, Spain www.eibtm.com27-29 Travel Media Showcase Palm Springs, CA www.travelmediashowcase.com

D E C E M B E R3-6 International Luxury Travel Market Cannes, France www.iltm.net3-6 International Golf Travel Market Cancun, Mexico www.igtm.co.uk

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 86-9 SATH World Congress Orlando, FL www.sath.org11-13 Monte Carlo Travel Market Monte Carlo www.mctm.com13-15 Caribbean Marketplace 2008 Paradise Island, Bahamas www.caribbeanhotels.org18-26 ATF Bangkok, Thailand www.atf2008thailand.com30-Feb 3 FITUR 2008 Madrid, Spain www.fitur.ifema.es30-Feb 3 Discover America Pavilion at FITUR 2008 Madrid, Spain www.discoveramericapavilion.com

F E B R U A R Y21-24 BIT 2008 Milan, Italy www.bit.expocts.it21-24 Discover America Pavilion at BIT 2008 Milan, Italy www.discoveramericapavilion.com

M A R C H5-9 ITB Berlin 2008 Berlin, Germany www.itb-berlin.com5-9 Discover America Pavilion at ITB 2008 Berlin, Germany www.discoveramericapavilion.com 13-16 TUR 2008 Gothenburg, Sweden www.tur.se13-16 Discover America Pavilion at TUR 2008 Gothenburg, Sweden www.discoveramericapavilion.com

D A T E E V E N T L O C A T I O N C O N T A C T


EUROPE

BAGLIONI HOTEL LONDON JOINS LEADINGHOTELS OF THE WORLD

The Baglioni Hotel London has announced that it has recentlybeen accepted into the Leading Hotels of the World program.

The 5-star Baglioni Hotel, opened in London in March 2004, isone of the city’s most glamorous hotels and has a wonderful loca-tion overlooking Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.

Being part of the Leading Hotels of the World prestigious organi-zation means that the Baglioni Hotel London now joins more than430 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts and spas, including otherhotels in the Baglioni group in Milan, Venice and Bologna, all of-fering the highest level in luxury hospitality. In order to be ac-cepted, each member has to pass a rigorous, anonymous inspectioncovering 1,500 separate criteria.

Leading Hotels of the World features luxury hotels catering forthe discriminating few, where first class service is a norm ratherthan an exception.

Throughout Baglioni Hotels each guest is offered personalizedservice and returning clients will find their room prepared to their personal preference, right down to the contents of the mini bar.

The Baglioni Hotel has 67 rooms in total, over 50 of which aresuites. Recently, to meet the demand for larger hotel suites, a new

Royal Suite has been created. This lavishly appointed space consists of three bedrooms, four

bathrooms and two reception rooms opening onto a terrace over-looking Hyde Park.

Also within the hotel is the Brunello Lounge and Restaurantwhich, with its opulent and lavish design has become one ofLondon’s most popular meeting places and, for late night enter-tainment, the Boutique 60 private members club offers a wonder-ful cocktail list and great music in intimate, stylish surroundings.

To relax, the Rejuvenation Spa provides guests with pamperingtreatments using Espa products.

The Baglioni Hotel is one of the few hotels in London to providebutler service to each floor and guests also have access to thehotel’s Maserati Quattroporte courtesy car for short journeysaround town.

Leading Hotels of the World now joins American Express FineHotels and Resorts and Virtuoso in representing the Baglioni HotelLondon. The Baglioni Hotel London and Leading Hotels of theWorld working together to provide guests with a guarantee of ex-acting standards of quality and excellence in hospitality.Baglioni Hotel, www.baglionihotellondon.comLeading Small Hotels of the World, www.leadingsmallhotelsoftheworld.com

You know that success is a journey.You know that success is a journey.We help you stay on course.Our products and services bring customer satisfaction and improvedvendor relationships. That means more business for you.

• Automated Escrow Accounting System streamlines your efforts, improves efficiency and complies with DOT Public Air Charter Regulations.

• Travel Funds Protection Plan* (TFPP) places deposited travel funds in an escrow account controlled by National City.

• Special Purpose Depository Escrow Agreement (SPDA) protects deposited funds with specific requirements not otherwise covered.

Visit our Web site at NationalCity.com/corporate/ and click onTravel Financial Services under Asset Management.

For more information or to schedule a time to discuss your needs,call 248-729-8375 or 248-729-8372, fax 248-729-8803 or e-mail David Valpredo at [email protected].

Member FDIC©2007, National City Corporation®

*The TFPP is endorsed by ASTA and approved by the California Seller of Travel Law.CS-25183


NORTH AMERICA

WEEK-LONG VACATIONSFROM $1,439 WITH MAXXIMVACATIONS

Just off the eastern edge ofNewfoundland, the Atlantic Ocean providesa habitat that produces some of the world’smost memorable coastal experiences. It’swhere guests can find millions of seabirds,watch the rites of passage for humpbackwhales, and photograph a parade of tower-ing icebergs.

“Whales, Birds & Bergs” is a seven-night, self-drive vacation offered byMaxxim Vacations. With close to 35 years’experience, Maxxim is one of Canada’smost respected travel companies.Consistently offering appealing, affordablypriced tour packages, it has earned a solidreputation as the travel specialist forAtlantic Canada.

St. John’s is a friendly, lively destination.As North America’s oldest city, it is steepedin history. Attractions include Signal Hill,where in 1901 Marconi received the firsttransatlantic radio signal. Close to 30 wa-tering holes compressed into three shortcity blocks give Newfoundland’s capital thedubious distinction of having the highestdensity of bars per capita in NorthAmerica.

Traveling beyond St. John’s, enjoy thevast seascapes and hidden coves of theAvalon Peninsula and Conception Bay.Other notable stops include Quidi VidiVillage. This is a typical fishing village witha battery built by the French in 1762, andMallard Cottage, with a mansard roof andlow beams and ceiling, said to be the oldestcottage in North America.

Price for this tour is $1,439 per person in-cluding round-trip airfare on United or AirCanada from Boston, New York or Atlanta

to St. John’s, seven nights’ stay in hotels,b&bs and country inns, and a seven-daymid-size car rental. Also included is awhale-watching boat tour and free admis-sion to The Rooms (provincial museum, artgallery and archives). Departures fromChicago are priced at $1,479, from LosAngeles at $1,549 and from Miami at$1,749.Maxxim Vacations, 800-567-6666,www.maxximvacations.com

VAIL PLAZA HOTEL & CLUBTO OPEN THIS SUMMER

A touch of the Italian Alps comes to VailVillage late this summer when the 207-room Vail Plaza Hotel & Club opens itsdoors. The first hotel to open directly in theheart of Vail Village in more than 40 years,The Vail Plaza will provide guests with aboutique experience and luxury servicesand amenities close to the slopes and out-door activities.

“We are eagerly awaiting welcomingguests to what we know will become a pre-mier destination in Vail Village,” saidNicole Heim, Director of Sales andMarketing. “We will offer all of the extraspecial amenities and services that sea-soned travelers have come to expect andwith a wide range of accommodations weare the ideal option for couples, families orgroups who are seeking an upscale hotelchoice in the heart of the Village.”

The Vail Plaza Hotel & Club will featurean array of upscale accommodations fromstandard guestrooms up to four-bedroomsuites. All suites are outfitted with fullgourmet kitchens complete with a privatechef. Guests will experience luxurious in-room touches such as nightly turn downamenities and marble bathrooms. The ar-chitectural scale of the Vail Plaza Hotel &Club is reminiscent of structures found inthe Italian Alps complete with dramaticcopper towers and rooftops, gables and im-pressive stone work. The property featuresseven stories laced with decks, balconiesand theatrical windows.

Vail Plaza Hotel & Club will house tworestaurants, Ristorante Da Vinci featuringfine dining, gourmet Italian fare and world

renowned wines, and Galileo providingAmerican fare in a lively atmosphere idealfor families and large groups. Bacco’sLounge will welcome guests with live enter-tainment and an impressive list of wines,cocktails, beer and gourmet snacks.

Sorrento Spa will offer a high-end, innov-ative menu of body and facial treatments.Special menu items will include couplestreatments and revitalizing therapies.Additionally, a state-of-the-art fitness cen-ter, heated outdoor swimming pool andeight-person hot tub are also on site.

The Vail Plaza Hotel & Club will offer7,000 square feet of function space, includ-ing two grand ball rooms, providing theperfect arena for business functions, wed-dings and other special celebrations.Nightly rates at the Vail Plaza Hotel &Club are from $400-$600 during ski seasonand from $200-$300 off season. Rates areper room, per night (single or double); chil-dren under 12 stay complimentary. Vail Plaza Hotel & Club, 970-477-8000,www.vailplazahotel.com

NEW MEXICO’S HISTORICALTAOS INN WELCOMESGUESTS

The historic Taos Inn has been welcomingguests to this scenic village at the base ofthe Sangre de Cristo Mountains for 70years. They provide a unique combination ofamenities and have added eight new guestrooms and suites to bring their total to 44.Combine the historically decorated accom-modations with gourmet dining and the su-perb wine list (Wine Spectator winner for19 years) in Doc Martin’s Restaurant; plusthe ambiance, described as the ‘LivingRoom of Taos’, in the Adobe Bar, not tomention free, live entertainment, and this isa combination unlike anything available inNew Mexico.

Celebrities from Greta Garbo to RobertRedford to Julia Roberts and scoundrels,such as the infamous Arthur Manby havegazed into the fountain’s waters. The TaosInn continues to be the place for culture inthe town known for culture, style and art. Taos Inn, 800-TAOS-INN,www.taosinn.com

NATIONAL CITY BANK PARTNERS WITHNATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION

National City Bank (NCB) recently announced that the NationalTour Association (NTA), based in Lexington, Kentucky, andNational City Bank have entered into a Pilot EndorsementAgreement to promote the Travel Funds Protection Plan (TFPP) toits members. The agreement was approved by NTA’s Board ofDirectors at the NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet in Kelowna, BC,Canada.

The Travel Funds Protection Plan is a unique escrow program thatoffers protection for deposited travel funds and provides benefits totour operators, travel agents, their customers and suppliers ofground transportation.

Pre-payments and deposits to providers of travel services are al-lowed under the plan. It’s the only consumer protection plan en-dorsed by the National Tour Association and approved by theCalifornia Seller of Travel law.

“As the premier association for packaged travel, NTA strives toprovide its members with resources to strengthen their business,”said NTA Chairman and CEO Randy Julian. “With National CityBank and the Travel Funds Protection Plan, travelers who purchasepackaged travel through a participating NTA member can rest as-sured that not only will they receive a great travel experience, butthey will have piece of mind knowing that they and their travel in-vestment is in good hands.”

NTA is a trade organization of thousands of tourism profession-als involved in the growth and development of the packaged travelindustry.

They are committed to providing business opportunities and pro-fessional education in an environment where their members can

foster relationships with one another. NCB is one of the leading travel industry depository banks in the

nation with account relationships in the U.S. and overseas. NCB’sexpertise is in delivering customized financial programs to thetravel industry, including surety trust agreements, escrow agree-ments for public charters and single entity charters, special pur-pose depository escrow accounts and the Travel Funds ProtectionPlan escrow program. National City Bank, 248-729-8375, [email protected]

ACVB APPOINTS JULIE SAUPE ASPRESIDENT AND CEO

The Anchorage Convention & VisitorsBureau (ACVB) board of directors haveappointed Julie Saupe as President andChief Executive Officer (CEO), effectiveMay 16, 2007.

Saupe, a five-year veteran as VicePresident of ACVB's Community &Visitor Relations department, has extensive non-profit management experi-ence and a keen sense of the Alaskatourism industry.

Prior to her leadership role at ACVB, Saupe was the ExecutiveDirector for the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau and theCooperative Marketing Manager at the Alaska Visitor'sAssociation (AVA), now known as the Alaska Travel IndustryAssociation (ATIA). Specifically, Saupe's strengths bring long-term destination planning and development to ACVB, capitalizingon Anchorage's appeal to both visitors and convention delegates asa key travel market.

"Anchorage is a magnificent destination with limitless potential,"says Saupe. "The success of the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Centerwill be a primary focus that, combined with the appeal of the city'sadventurous travel surroundings, will provide tremendous opportu-nity for growth."

Saupe, a 31-year resident of Alaska who resides in Eagle River, was selected from a field of 60 applicants by an executivesearch committee consisting of five members from ACVB's boardof directors.

"During the past seven years under the leadership of departingPresident Bruce Bustamante, ACVB has developed progressive andgroundbreaking programs in key areas of consumer and traveltrade marketing, convention sales and community awareness," saysDave Karp, Chief Operating Officer for Northern Air Cargo andchair of ACVB's board of directors. "Julie's extensive travel indus-try background and strong marketing skills will be a tremendousasset toward moving Anchorage to the next level in a highly com-petitive arena."The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau,www.Anchorage.net


INDUSTRY NEWS

JULIE SAUPE

Shown at the NTA Tour Operator Spring Meet in Kelowna, B.C. arefrom left to right: Lisa Simon, CTP, President, NTA; Randy Julian,Chairman & CEO, NTA; Lisa Thompson, VP, Marketing, NTA; David J.Valpredo, Senior Vice President & Travel Services Manager, NationalCity Bank; and Lorrie A. Janick, Travel Services Officer, National CityBank.


INDUSTRY NEWS

ELDORADO HOTEL & SPA TAPS MICHELE O’MALLEY AS DIRECTOR OFSALES & MARKETING

Eldorado Hotel & Spa has namedMichele O’Malley as Director of Sales andMarketing. O’Malley, a 25-year veteranof the hospitality industry, will be respon-sible for all aspects of sales and market-ing of the 219-room hotel.

“I am thrilled to be joining the accom-plished executive team at Eldorado Hotel& Spa,” said O’Malley. “This dynamichotel has been Santa Fe’s premier prop-erty for many years; I look forward to

being a part of its continued success.”O’Malley has held leadership positions at some of the top hotels

and resorts on the west coast, including Director of Sales at TheHarvest Inn and National Sales Manager at the Silverado Resort& Spa, both in Napa Valley. Involved in the local tourism commu-nity, she was appointed President of the Napa Valley Conference &Visitors Bureau. O’Malley has also served as Director of Sales &Marketing for the Campton Place Hotel; she started her career inthe hospitality industry as Corporate Sales Manager for theStanford Court Hotel, both in San Francisco.Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 800-955-4455, www.eldoradohotel.com

DANNA WINKLER HIRED AS SALES MANAGER BY GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT

Gaylord Opryland Resort & ConventionCenter has announced a new addition inthe Travel Industry Sales department, asDanna Winkler joins the team as a SalesManager for the Midwest Territory.

Winkler's new responsibilities includeleisure groups in the Midwest Territory, aswell as the bank travel clubs and otherspecialty niche markets. This will assist incustomizing group leisure programs forGaylord Opryland's offerings.

The Travel Industry Sales team is focused on communicating andpromoting Gaylord Opryland's entertainment and events to thegroup leisure market. Famous for events like the Celebrity ChefSeries, Southern Gospel Festival hosted by Legacy Five, and the annual A Country Christmas, Gaylord Opryland offers some-thing for everyone. The Travel Industry Sales team is committedto continuing that experience by tailoring unique packaging forleisure guests.

Winkler comes to Gaylord Opryland from COMMON A UsersGroup in Chicago, where she spent two years gaining experience inboth sales and event planning. At COMMON, Winkler helped in ef-forts to reach a record number in sponsorship and advertising sales.

Prior to that, she was an account executive for HOSTCommunications, where she played an important role in executingsales for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, www.gaylordentertainment.com, www.gaylordopryland.com

LILY SHUM JOINS CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE China Travel Service (U.S.A.) has an-

nounced the appointment of Lily Shum asVice President, Marketing and BusinessDevelopment as of May 1, 2007.

Lily has previously served as RegionalDirector of The Hong Kong TourismBoard. She was instrumental in bringingover 2,000 agents to Hong Kong forASTA Conference and over 1,000 SITEmembers to the SITE Conference in HongKong; led the post-SAR rebound of traffic

to Hong Kong with a dynamic Partnership Program involving fiveairlines and 29 wholesalers; and took arrivals from the Americasto Hong Kong to a new height.

With the growing Outbound Potential to China (fueled by theforthcoming Beijing Olympics), and Lily joining the team, ChinaTravel Service will be in a perfect position to capture this dynamicgrowth.China Travel Service, [email protected], www.chinatravelservice.com

KATHRYN MAZZA-BURNEY NAMEDPRESIDENT OF NEST

It has been announced that KathrynMazza-Burney has taken the helm asPresident of NEST (Network ofEntrepreneurs Selling Travel).

Mazza-Burney, who has been involved inNEST since its inception, was promotedfrom Executive Vice President of Sales.As President, she oversees day-to-day operations and strategic planning. In addition, Mazza-Burney has been an integral part of the TRAVELSAVERSteam for the past 15 years, and continues

in her role as Executive Vice President of Sales and Service forTRAVELSAVERS. Speaking about NEST, Mazza-Burney said:“We were the first in the industry to dedicate an entire company tothe needs and success of home-based agents, and we believe sostrongly in them. The home-based sector, an idea whose time hasdefinitely come, is growing fast. We focus everyday on helpingthese agents to achieve even greater success financially, profession-ally and personally .” NEST, 888-245-6378, [email protected],www.jointhenest.com

DANNA WINKLER

MICHELE O’MALLEY

LILY SHUM

KATHRYN MAZZA-BURNEY


INDUSTRY NEWS

ARTA MOVES FORWARDWITH TRIP PROGRAM

On April 12, 2007 in Dallas, ARTA con-vened representatives from all travel indus-try sectors including air, hotel, car, rail,cruise, tour, and insurance, as well as U.S.and Canadian agency representatives, to re-view progress on ARTA's initiative to createa more effective travel agency accreditationand identification system.

The Travel Retailer IdentificationProgram (TRIP) calls for the creation of a joint, industry-managed, non-profit partnership to establish a more effectiveand useful system of providing recognitionand credentials to accredited travel retail-ers in the U.S. and Canada, including theimplementation of a new travel agent ID card.

"We were extremely pleased with the valu-able input which all the travel suppliersbrought to the meeting, and we are con-vinced that we are proceeding correctly tobring about much-need change in this im-portant component of an effective travelagency distribution channel," said ARTAChairman Barry Richcreek.

The focus group considered various ele-ments of a new industry designation ofAccredited Travel Retailer (ATR), an alter-native to the current TIDS and TSI pro-grams managed by IATA today.

"The ARTA group has put a lot of thoughtinto the discussion document they presentedto us. They are definitely moving in the rightdirection to offer the professional sellers oftravel a certification program that is totaltravel industry supplier related (not justairline) and will weed out those who want tobe in this business for the wrong reason. Ifsuccessful, suppliers will feel confident thissystem is not just another numberingscheme but a certification program that hasteeth and will give suppliers the opportunityto target their marketing efforts," said FredMiller, CTC, Vice President, TravelIndustry Relations for MarriottInternational.

In addition, the focus group reviewed aninitial budget and pro-forma organizationaldocuments to incorporate the non-profitbusiness entity, The TRIP Partnership,

which will manage the program on behalf ofthe industry.

"ARTA's initiative is extremely timely andvery important to the industry. After seeingso many others now taking a closer look atagency accreditation and ID cards follow-ing ARTA's announcement in mid-January2007, CSTAR wanted to see for itself if theindustry would support a jointly-operatednot-for-profit system. I must admit I wasoverwhelmed by the high marks given bysuppliers from every sector of the industryat the Dallas meeting. It's not every daythat senior vice presidents and key industrydecision makers from all quarters of traveldistribution not only convened together todiscuss this initiative, but also were so sup-portive of wanting it to succeed. CSTARwill lend its support as well," said BruceBishins, CTC, President of CSTAR, thelargest agency-only trade association inCanada.

The focus group will now become an offi-cial working group and meet again in twoweeks time.

The next step thereafter will be to inviteadditional industry leaders and potentialstakeholders to a mid-June 2007 meetingto validate the progress made and to legallyincorporate the partnership.ARTA, 800-969-6069,[email protected]

OSSN OFFERS NEW DIRECT-DESKTOP LINKS

Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN)has announced that they have teamed witheMarketing Solutions Group to create the“OSSN Passport to Profits” desktop link.

You can download a free program for yourcomputer – right on the screen, or in thelower right-hand corner of your desktop –that you can click any time to read the lat-est travel industry headlines, supplier deals,fam trip announcements, and other impor-tant notices. It is similar to a type of “in-stant messaging” (or an alert system likethe “ding!” program offered by SouthwestAirlines).

You can click on it whenever you want –or, you can simply ignore it. The program isnot intrusive, and it will help you to receive

OSSN updates that you want. And you don’thave to log in, remember passwords, orkeep checking your junk email folders.

This service will be tested throughout thespring. OSSN is also working on an AppleMac version of this software that should beready soon.OSSN, 941-322-9700, [email protected],www.ossn.com

NATIONAL TOURASSOCIATION HELPSMEMBERS REACH GROUPLEADERS

Tour operator members of the NationalTour Association say that nearly one-thirdof their business comes from the groupleader market. As part of the association’songoing efforts to facilitate business oppor-tunities for its members, NTA is helping itsmembers reach this important audience.

This September, NTA will release a spe-cial publication targeted to this market,The Trip Planner for Group Leaders. Thistrip planner will feature NTA tour operatorproduct, a variety of travel types, associa-tion updates and industry trends.

“NTA members are the best of the best,and we want to promote that,” said NTAChairman and CEO Randy Julian. “Withthis publication, we’re taking that right toone of our members most important cus-tomer groups. Through The Trip Planner forGroup Leaders, NTA members can connectwith group leader segments includingalumni, senior, bank travel, hospitals, reli-gious and travel clubs.”

The National Tour Association has aglobal membership of tourism professionalsinvolved in the growth and development ofthe packaged travel industry. Its member-ship includes more than 600 tour operatorcompanies — group, independent, inboundand outbound — and the destinations andsuppliers that partner with them.

The association is committed to providingbusiness results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative,caring environment in which to build relationships. National Tour Association,www.NTA.travel


FAM TRIPS

JAMAICASunset Resorts, the trio of all-inclusive resorts including Sunset

Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Sunset Jamaica GrandeResort in Ocho Rios, and Sunset at the Palms in Negril, announces2007 U.S. and Canadian travel agent familiarization rates.

Stay at any of these resorts for $119 per room, per night for sin-gle occupancy or $138 per room, per night for double occupancyvalid for U.S. travel agents. Canadian travel agents can stay for$109 per night for single occupancy or $118 per night for doubleoccupancy. Rates are per room, per night based on single or doubleoccupancy. Extra person rate is $69 per person, per night (maxi-mum of three adults) and child rates are $35 per child, per night(maximum of two children under 15 years old) for U.S. travelagents. For Canadian agents extra person rate is $59 per person,per night (maximum of three adults) and child rates are $35 perchild, per night (maximum of two children under 15 years old).

Rates include all meals, cocktails, wine by the glass, non-motor-ized water sports, daytime and nightly activities, taxes and tips.Travel agent rates are applicable to one room only and valid for amaximum of four nights, subject to availability and not valid overany holiday or high occupancy period. Additional rooms and nightsattract the lowest net rates applicable at time of booking. All reser-vations must be clearly identified as “Travel Agent Rate” and atleast one person in the party must be a registered Travel Agent andpresent an IATA number upon check in with valid identification. Allreservations must be sent directly to the hotel.Sunset Resorts Jamaica, 800-234-1707, www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com

JORDAN ASTA, the JTB and Ya’lla Tours USA present a Jordan specialist

educational trip November 10-20, 2007. This nine-night trip isthree nights Amman, two nights Petra, one night Aqaba, and threenights Dead Sea, with departures from New York or Chicago. Costis $1,495 ppdo and includes air from New York or Chicago onRoyal Jordanian Airlines, all accommodations, breakfast and din-ner daily, transfers, seven days of touring, entrance fees, Jordanentry visa, all taxes and service fees and more.

Completion of ASTA’s Jordan Specialist course is required priorto trip departure, IATAN card is required ($300 supplement fornon-IATAN members), no single rooms are available, no non-in-dustry spouses or companions allowed, full time agents only, oneagent per agency. Ya’lla Tours USA, 800-644-1595, [email protected],www.yallatours.com, ASTA, www.astanet.com

MEXICOThe Villa Group Resorts is offering special rates to agents at its

portfolio of properties in Cabo San Lucas, Nuevo Vallarta andPuerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Situated north of Puerto Vallarta in Vallarta-Nayarit, Villa delPalmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa is one of the newest prop-

erties on this stretch of beach. The upscale, family-friendly resortfeatures 275 ocean view suites. Here, agents can enjoy a $79nightly rate for a deluxe studio, with an all-inclusive option avail-able for an additional $69 per person daily.

Situated in the Hotel District between Marina Vallarta and down-town Puerto Vallarta, Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta BeachResort & Spa attracts both families and couples seeking a relaxedenvironment. This resort offers 562 guest rooms, and one- and two-bedroom suites with furnished balconies. Travel agents can take ad-vantage of a $69 nightly rate for a junior suite available for singleor double occupancy. An all-inclusive option is $50 additional perperson daily.

With a cluster of villa properties located on a prime beach loca-tion in Cabo San Lucas, The Villa Group offers travel agents spe-cial rates at its trio of properties.

The family-friendly Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa wel-comes agents with an $89 nightly rate for a junior suite. A mealplan option is $59 per person daily. At the ultra luxurious resi-dence-style Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa, travel agentsreceive a $119 nightly rate, while the upscale, family-friendly Villadel Arco Beach Resort & Spa’s nightly agent rate is $109.

At both properties, rates cover accommodations in a deluxe guestsuite and are based on single or double occupancy. Meal plan op-tions are $66 per person daily. Villa del Arco offers 231 deluxeoceanfront one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens,plus deluxe studios.

Available through December 20, 2007, all The Villa Group travelagent rates are subject to a 10 percent service fee and 13 percentroom tax (Cabo San Lucas) or 17 percent room tax (Vallarta). One-and two-bedroom suites are available at 50 percent off rack rates,European Plan. Agents must present a business card upon check-in. Reservations are subject to space and holidays are excluded. The Villa Group, 877-845-5247, TheVillaGroup.com

email: [email protected]: wtms.wtuglobal.org

B e i j i n g8 30 7O C T O B E R

2 n d W O R L D

Media Sponsor

Lead Global Partner:

W O R L D T R A D E U N I V E R S I T Y G l o b a l S e c r e t a r i a ttel: + 1-604-288-9548fax: + 1-604-648-8705

5550 Dieppe Street , ChilliwackBritish Columbia V2R 5Y8 Canada

WTMS Organizing Headquarters:

2 W T M S : O c t o b e r 2 8 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 7B e i j i n g C h i n a

nd

Host:

Beijing Tourism AdministrationThe People's Republic of China

Global Coordinator:

World Trade UniversityG l o b a l S e c r e t a r i a tC A N A D A

2nd World Tourism Marketing Summit---the power of marketingThe Second World Tourism Marketing Summitis an opportunity to network, exhaustnew business and engage with the brightestto develop strategies to enhance cooperationbetween the international businesscommunity and one of the world's largest touristmarkets. China's emergence as a global tourismpartner is growing at an explosive ratefor both inbound and outbound traffic.

Do you have plans or vision to capture a portionof this lucrative market?China is still relatively new terrain formost players, and a healthy dose oflocal expertise can be the differencebetween success and failure.

Join the leaders, 400 highly select executivesfrom over 50 countries, of the internationaltourism industry in discussing, exploringjoint venture opportunities and developingvarious platforms to facilitate businesscooperation in tourism marketing amonginternational partners and Chinese domestics.

The appearance of China as a leading tourismmarket only serves as a reminder of theimportance of effective marketing at theglobal level…you may redefine the possible!

Multilateral Investment FundU S A

Documents

Viva Mexico! Always on the Map - Travel World Newstravelworldnews.com/june2007/june.pdfViva Mexico! Always on the Map ... ern Yucatan peninsula and home to one of the cruise indus-