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Weekly UpdatesFlorida
Shrouded by smoke from detonated explosives, a former World War Two U.S. troop ship was sunk off the Florida Keys on Wednesday to become a massive artificial reef that authorities hope can revive the local economy and environment. After the controlled explosive charges were set off, it took only three minutes for the rust-streaked 523-foot (159 meter), 17,000-ton gray bulk of the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg to slip below the surface. It sank 140 feet to settle on the sandy bottom, seven miles off Key West on the southern tip of Florida. May 27, 2009
Hyatt Hotels
Through a new collaboration with National Geographic Kids, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts re-launches its well-known, year-round Camp Hyatt program, providing more opportunities for children, ages 3 to 12, to experience fun and culturally authentic activities at participating Hyatt resorts in North America. The new kids program kicked off on May 29 with the debut of a Camp Hyatt-National Geographic Kids website, www.camphyatt.com. Also beginning this month, new Camp Hyatt program elements, including exclusive National Geographic Kids' activities adapted to each participating resort location, will be available. The new website and the reinvigorated Camp Hyatt program will be dedicated to teaching kids about animals, culture, recycling, and water in ways that are fun, interactive, and age-appropriate. While these themes will be the foundation for every Camp Hyatt experience, no two Camp Hyatt programs will be the same, since all will offer an authentic sense of place with experiences inspired by the cultural traditions and natural environment of each Hyatt resort location. www.hyatt.com, www.classicfamilyvacation.com, www.NationalGeographic.com. May 30, 2009
InterContinental Hotels
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has officially topped off the InterContinental New York Times Square hotel. Premiering in the summer of 2010, the Gensler-designed InterContinental New York Times Square will rise 35 stories above Eighth Avenue. The hotel will have over 600 rooms and suites that offer 360-degree panoramic views of Times Square and the Hudson River, with vistas stretching uptown to Central Park and downtown to the World Trade Center site. Keeping sustainability in mind, the Jeffrey Bears-designed interiors will feature recycled material including gouged and carved reclaimed wood. Additionally, 13-foot-tall lobby columns echo the texture of tree bark in metal. Natural stones and caramel millwork set a neutral backdrop for vibrant pops of color, introduced in wall coverings and textiles throughout the hotel. www.ihg.com. May 30, 2009
Kona Village Resort
This resort is how many people in their mind's eye imagine Hawaii: thatched hales (houses) by the beach, swaying palms, tiki torches, tropical drinks; you get the picture. While honeymoons at Kona Village Resort are hugely popular, it's also an excellent choice for a south seas destination wedding. There's something for everyone, regardless of age, in fact, with the hales spread so far apart, it's ideal for couples who want their families close by, but not TOO close. With an array of room catagories, with the "Royal" being the snazziest, there is also a price for every budget. Kona Village Resort offers customized weddings for two to two hundred people. These are folks that run a resort using a coconut on the porch as the do not disturb sign, so you know you will be able to create an original destination wedding with loads of creative touches. Tip: if you have older guests in the wedding party, be sure they are equipped with a cell phone as hales are phone free + often it's a long, long walk to reach the lobby in case of an emergency. www.KonaVillage.com May 26, 2009
Las Vegas
President Obama recommended Las Vegas as a good place for a quick trip, but offered no apologies for earlier comments that critics say have damaged the city's convention business. "There's nothing like a quick trip to Vegas in the middle of the week," Obama said during a speech at Nellis Air Force base. The president has faced criticism from state leaders, including Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, for his earlier remarks that companies accepting bailout funds should not travel to Las Vegas using taxpayer money. May 27, 2009
Lorien Hotel & Spa
KimptonOs newly opened Lorien Hotel & Spa, in Alexandria, Va., is offering a summer-long weekend escape. Available now through Aug. 31, 2009, the Lorien Hotel & SpaOs OAlexandria Weekender PackageO includes use of the hotelOs retro-chic bikes, gourmet picnic lunches, biking maps, tickets to historic Mount Vernon and a picturesque Potomac River Cruise. The package starts at USD 398 per room for a two-night stay (only USD 199 per night), and is based on double occupancy. An upgraded package, with inclusions for a family of four, is available for an additional USD 60 (USD 30 per night). www.lorienhotelandspa.com and ask for rate code PFUN. May 30, 2009
Marriott Hotels
For the next two weeks, Marriott is offering unprecedented summer savings with its new ODeal of the Day,O with up to 60 percent off leisure rates. MarriottOs Deal of the Day rates and packages can be found exclusively on the companyOs Twitter feed at www.Twitter.com/marriottintl and www.Marriottdealoftheday.com. Starting Monday, June 1, 2009, Marriott will list one new ODealO each day, for 24 hours, only at resorts in the Caribbean, Hawaii and California. New deals will be announced daily at 7 a.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, with the last deal announced June 12. This MondayOs inaugural Deal of the Day is from the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. Guests can book a room with a private balcony for USD 120 per night -- a 55 percent discount -- for stays of three nights or more through July 31, 2009. www.Twitter.com/marriottintl or www.Marriottdealoftheday.com. May 30, 2009
Marriott Hotels
The Orlando World Center Marriott Resort is offering Advance Purchase Rates from USD 129 to USD 209 per room, per night through Sept. 30, 2009. Celebrate summerOs holidays at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort. From June 28 to July 6, 2009, rates start at USD 139 per room, nightly, and from Sept. 3 to 9, 2009, rates start at USD 129 per room, nightly. Be sure to use code ADP at the time of reservations. www.marriottworldcenter.com. May 30, 2009
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises said that television star, best-selling author and entrepreneur Suzanne Somers will welcome the MSC Poesia to North America when the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 10 for its inaugural Caribbean season. During a welcoming ceremony, Somers will present a plaque to Richard Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises USA, and the master of the MSC Poesia. The plaqueOs inscription reads: OOn behalf of the diverse inhabitants of the New World, I wish the MSC Poesia and all who sail with her safe passage and fair seas on the occasion of her inaugural visit to our shores -- Suzanne Somers.O It will be displayed in the lobby of the MSC Poesia during her Caribbean sailings. Somers will also offer a champagne toast to the Poesia, its crew and MSC Cruises before she sails on the shipOs inaugural five-night Caribbean cruise. www.msccruisesusa.com. May 28, 2009
OneWorld
Airline alliance OneWorld has produced a series of free to view videos with tips for business travellers. The videos, which last up to 90 seconds, include advice on finding your way around a foreign city, how to travel light, how to stay wired, how to reduce stress and how to save time. The series has been put together in co-operation with travel guide book Lonely Planet. www.oneworld.com May 28, 2009
Panama City
This summer, Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is holding a contest and giving each winner USD 10,000 in cash and prizes, including customized beach vacations. There will be five winners in all for a grand total of USD 50,000 worth of prizes. From Memorial Day, May 25, through July 31, 2009, you can enter this competition for a personalized vacation package to this destination known for family attractions, award-winning cuisine and 27 miles of sugar-white-sand beaches and emerald green waters. Every package includes a five-night stay in plush, waterfront accommodations, plus customized vacation experiences, cash prizes and more. Contestants register and take a quick quiz about your travel personality. Are you an Eco-Seeker, Wave Warrior, After Dark Shark, Soul Surfer who loves long strolls on the beach, or part of the family-friendly Sandy Bottom Bunch? Then produce an original travel personality video. Fifty semi-finalist videos -- the top 10 videos for each travel personality -- will be showcased for online voting. Winners get USD 10,000 each in cash and prizes, including five-night vacations in Panama City Beach with experiences just right for them. Deadline for submissions is July 31. For more information, visit www.realfuncontest.com. May 29, 2009
Pizza 4 Patriots
Pizzas 4 Patriots, a non-profit organization, is teaming up with DHL, the worldOs leading global express delivery and logistics company, and Uno Chicago Grill[umlaut], the inventor of deep-dish pizza, to dish out up to 28,000 pizzas to U.S. servicemen and women throughout Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Independence Day, 2009. Dubbed OOperation Pizza Surge,O the mission to show appreciation and bring reminders of home to the men and women in uniform overseas was conceived by Ret. Master Sergeant Mark Evans of Elk Grove Village, IL. In 2008, EvansO 15-year-old son Kent asked if there was a way to deliver freshly-frozen Chicago-style pizzas to servicemen and women stationed throughout Iraq in time for July Fourth Independence Day Celebrations. The initial effort required 2,000 pizzas and was extremely well received. So much so, that with the support of DHL, Evans was able to ship over 2,000 pizzas for this yearOs Super Bowl. Now, Evans has a unique new challenge [ETH] how to get 28,000 perishable deep-dish pizzas delivered fresh to servicemen and women serving in extreme temperatures and in a hostile environment. To pull it off, Evans has once again teamed up with DHL to fill up an entire donated cargo jet with the ready-to-bake, deep-dish pizzas from Uno[umlaut], which is celebrating sixty-five years since inventing ChicagoOs original deep-dish pizza. May 26, 2009
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