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Weekly UpdatesMay 24, 2009
Thanks to the continued strengthening of the dollar versus the rand, the Wayfarers is offering USD 850 per person savings on its 12-day exploration of the wild land of South Africa, an adventure filled with walking, game drives and wine tastings. Experienced rangers accompany all nature walks and game viewing excursions. The program is led by Chris Hague, founder of the Wayfarers, and his wife Malle, who was raised in South Africa. Accommodations are hand picked for comfort and uniqueness. Local cuisine and regional wines are featured at every meal. Offered Nov. 1-12, the Walk is priced at USD 7,645 per person double occupancy. www.thewayfarers.com. May 21, 2009
The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation has approved S. 1023, the "Travel Promotion Act of 2009." The bipartisan legislation, led by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and John Ensign (R-NV) creates a public-private partnership with a budget of up to USD 200 million annually to attract international travelers to the United States by better communicating America's security policies and competing for visitors. According to an analysis by Oxford Economics, the program could drive USD 4 billion annually in new spending by international travelers to the United States. www.ustravel.org. May 21, 2009
American Safari Cruises
American Safari Cruises is reintroducing savings of USD 500 per person on select sailings of its Alaska yacht adventures when booked by June 19. The savings apply to new bookings only. In addition, agents who book staterooms by June 19 will receive a USD 50-per-person bonus. Eligible dates for a seven-night cruise roundtrip from Juneau aboard the 36-guest Safari Explorer are June 19, Aug. 21, Aug. 28 and Sept. 4. The Sept. 11 two-week voyage from Juneau to Seattle also is available. For the 12-guest Safari Spirit, eligible dates for a seven-night cruise are July 4 roundtrip from Juneau and Aug. 15 from Petersburg to Juneau. For families or friends traveling together, a full-boat special charter rate of USD 69,695 saves USD 24,000 off the published peak-season fare; eligible charter dates are June 27, July 11 and Aug. 1. www.amsafari.com. May 18, 2009
Collette Vacations
Collette Vacations was selected as one of Rhode Island's 2009 Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year in the large companies category comprising more than 150 employees. Investment in employees is a key tenet of the competition, sponsored by Providence Business News, a business newsweekly for the Providence, Rhode Island, metropolitan area, and the reason that Collette has fared so well in this competition for the past three years. The final ranking of the Best Places to Work in Rhode Island 2009 will be unveiled at an awards ceremony to be held June 18 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island.www.collettevacations.com. May 22, 2009
Collette Vacations
Collette Vacations will upgrade clients traveling June 1 and beyond at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in Banff, Canada, on two of its Canadian Rockies tours. The upgrade is a selling advantage for travel agents, especially during the upcoming summer travel season. The free hotel upgrade at Fairmont Banff Springs will be a central highlight of ColletteOs eight-day Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park and the eight-day unpublished Rockies Rail Highlights programs. A symbol of Rocky Mountain elegance since 1888, the Fairmont Banff Springs is styled after a Scottish baronial castle earning it the moniker, "Castle in the Mountains." www.collettevacations.com. May 22, 2009
Crystal Cruises
Through a new cultural partnership with the Music Center[ETH]Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, Crystal Cruises is showcasing some of tomorrowOs brightest stars on cruises this summer. The new Emerging Artists Experiences of Discovery cruises will boast performances by grand prize finalists of the centerOs Spotlight Awards. The Music Center has fostered the development of arts education and mentored young talent for more than two decades. The Music Center Spotlight Awards is a performing and visual arts education program for teens, awarding over USD 100,000 in scholarships annually. www.crystalcruises.com. May 20, 2009
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
GOGO Worldwide Vacations is running a Viva Las Vegas sale, with land only packages as low as USD 65 per person. Hotel and resorts are offering added values such as show tickets and spa and resort credits. In addition, clients who book any of the following properties with air on Delta Airlines can enter to win one of seven prizes: 12 MGM Mirage Hotels, Wynn Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Book between May 21 and July 7 for Travel May 21-Dec. 21. www.gogoworldwidevacations.com. May 21, 2009
Holiday Inn
The new Holiday Inn sign is making its way around the world. Today the Holiday Inn National Airport in Crystal City announces this "green beacon" of hospitality to light the way for government, business travelers and tourists visiting the Washington, DC metropolitan area. InterContinental Hotels Group selected the hotel as a "Beacon Hotel" to promote the brand re-launch program based on its high visibility and outstanding guest service scores; ranking first in overall guest satisfaction in the immediate area, and 48th of 810 Holiday Inn Hotels in North America. Standing majestically over the Washington National Airport skyline, the hotel received the new sign as the seal of approval they exemplify the standards of the USD 1 billion Holiday Inn brand family re-launch. The initiative was established to create a more contemporary image, showcase improved quality & products and drive consistency. The modern guestrooms feature complimentary T-1 wired and wireless high speed internet and 32" flat panel HD televisions with HD programming. May 19, 2009
Kauai
The Kauai Visitors Bureau announced vacation deals and new travel and tour offerings. OThis is a great time to travel as our industry partners are offering special deals to enjoy KauaiOs natural beauty and diversity of activities,O said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau.O The luxurious Koa Kea Hotel & Resort opened on April 14 on Poipu Beach. The boutique 121-room hotel offers the Spa at Koa Kea and a new restaurant, Red Salt, featuring Executive Chef Ronnie Sanchez, who came from the three-star Michelin-rated El Bulli restaurant in Spain. www.koakea.com. www.kauaidiscovery.com. May 21, 2009
Las Vegas
Roaring Thunder Media, the leader in private jet terminal media, are set to host the VIP Lounge at the 2009 Swiss Watch by JCK, at the Las Vegas' legendary Venetian May 30th through June 2nd. Swiss Watch by JCK Exhibitors and retailers are invited to visit the Lounge anytime during show hours to relax with a snack and a beverage, to conduct an impromptu meeting or to go online to check-in with what's going on back at home. Every year JCK Las Vegas presents over 2,500 watch and jewelry manufacturers to the industry's elite retailers. Swiss Watch by JCK is just a segment of this extraordinary show and brings together a collection of the world's most illustrious and legendary Swiss watch brands. The Roaring Thunder-sponsored VIP Lounge is an inviting area set aside from the show's hustle and bustle. Visitors can enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch and may take advantage of the business center which includes a DVD player, fax and high speed Internet access. Guests to the Lounge may also familiarize themselves with the unique targeted media approach that Roaring Thunder Media offers in 90+ private jet terminals in the United States, the Caribbean and in Europe. May 20, 2009
MLT Vacations
MLT Vacations is making special offers for NWA WorldVacations and Continental Airlines Vacations products available to agents using VacationPort from Passport Online. This technology enables travel agents who use Passport OnlineOs marketing programs to promote MLT Vacations products or promotions directly to customers while easily integrating specials and features into e-mails, webpages, and other collateral. OThis is a great way for agents to promote the value-priced specials from NWA WorldVacations and Continental Airlines Vacations,O said Terry Morrison, vice president of sales for MLT Vacations. www.worldagentdirect.com. May 21, 2009
New York City
On Wed., May 20, 2009, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Designer Vera Wang, President and CEO of Macy's Terry Lundgren, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, and dozens of top designers and CEO's from major retailers announced that on Sept. 10, 2009 retail stores in all five boroughs will stay open late, offer discounts, host fashion shows, give styling tips, hold meet-and-greets with designers, and more in order to support local retailers and benefit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and New York City AIDS Fund. For more information, visit www.nycgo.com. May 22, 2009
New York City
America's Frontline is a special audio tour presented by the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy and the National Park Service aboard a New York Waterway Ferry. The tour celebrates the rich history of America's most famous harbor, regaling visitors with stories of the massive British invasion in 1776 (the largest invasion force the world would see until D-Day), the flotilla that evacuated Lower Manhattan on 9/11, and the role the harbor plays in today's homeland security efforts. Beginning Fleet Week and running throughout the summer, the National Park Service and the Harbor Conservancy present this boat tour saluting the Harbor's contribution to America's national defense. During Fleet Week the America's Frontline tour will have a special schedule that can be paired with a tour of the Intrepid. www.nyharborparks.org/visit/tour-military-history-nyharbor.html.
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