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Weekly UpdatesJun 28, 2009
When close competitors cut their prices, the temptation for hotel operators is to follow with reductions of their own. While that strategy may increase occupancy, it reduces revenue per average room (RevPAR) when compared to a hotel's competitive group. This is the key finding of a new study from Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research, "Competitive Pricing in Uncertain Times," by Cathy A. Enz, Linda Canina, and Mark Lomanno. The study is available at no charge from the center at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr/pubs/reports/2009.html. Jun 24, 2009
AuthentEscapes
AuthentEscapes, a new concept in luxury travel that pairs iconic hosts with exotic destinations, announces its first exclusive journey of 2009. OBocelli in Italy, hosted by Salvatore FerragamoO will include a VIP experience at Andrea BocelliOs annual hometown concert in Tuscany, and then three days spent with Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the famous Italian designer, at his family villa. The exclusive journey takes place July 18 to 26. Only two spots for this unforgettable journey are available, book now for this authentic Italian experience. www.admiraltravel.com. Jun 23, 2009
Avanti
Avanti is offering a free additional day -- plus a USD 35 discount on Hertz car rentals of seven days or longer. Bookings must be made between now and July 31 for travel through Dec. 31. In Great Britain, Avanti offers the seven-day Celtic Connection, which follows the historic route of the Celts through England, Wales and Ireland, with stops in London, Conway or Llandudno (Wales), Dublin and Chester, priced from USD 979. In Germany, the company has a pre-planned six-day Romantic Road driving tour, featuring the panoramic byways, fairytale castles, medieval towns and shops of Bavaria. Among the highlights are the famed castle of King Ludwig II in Neuschwanstein, and the fascinating towns of Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl, priced from USD 723. In France, AvantiOs five-day Normandy Driving Tour includes not only the beaches of the D Day invasion, but the charming seaside town of Honfleur, Mont St. Michel and the famous Beaux Tapestry, priced from USD 599. www.AvantiDestinations.com.
Jun 23, 2009
Belgium
The French-speaking region of Belgium, Wallonia, is profiling special deals. The Chateau de la Poste, a 19th century castle completely refurbished with modern-style dcor, has rooms starting at 90 euros (USD 126); La Chamboise, a trendy B&B in a house with a winding staircase, has rooms from 110 euros (USD 154) with breakfast; La Balade des Gnomes, an imaginative bed and breakfast near Durbuy, offers themed rooms from 115 euros (USD 161); L'auberge du notaire, located near Spa, is a light-filled small hotel, with rooms from 189 euros (USD 265) including breakfast and dinner; Les Anges, a romantic former clergy-house in an Ardennes village, offers rooms from 70 euros (USD 98) with breakfast; Le Castel, a former castle converted into a boutique hotel, offers rooms from 113 euros (USD 158) with breakfast; and La Vigie, located in the heart of Spa, was originally built as the home of a sea captain around 1900 and has been entirely renovated and tastefully-decorated with rooms from 105 euros (USD 147). The hotel can offer guests aromatherapy massages. For more information, visit www.belgium.com. Jun 23, 2009
Europe Alps
At a presentation to area travel writers at New YorkOs Bryant Park Hotel, author and journalist Randy Johnson extolled the virtues of travel in the Alps on behalf of the Alpine Tourism Commission. Johnson said, OSomething else rarely revealed by magazine and newspaper articles about the Alps is that todayOs most sophisticated travelers can indulge their passion for culture, cuisine, architecture, history, and a greener, eco-friendly lifestyle all in this one region.O Johnson pointed out that the great cuisines of five European countries mingle in the Alps -- Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some of the Continent's finest restaurants are there, serving sought-after national favorites and Alpine specialties alike. www.alpseurope.com. Jun 23, 2009
Greece
Greece, one of Europe's biggest tourist destinations, expects visitor numbers to fall by between 7 and 11 percent this year because of the global economic downturn, the country's tourism minister said on Monday. The drop may be 10 or 11 percent but it may also be 7 or 8 percent,' Tourism Minister Costas Markopoulos said in an interview with radio station Alpha. Greece, a country with about 11 million residents, attracts about 15 million visitors each year, most from the UK and Germany. Jun 22, 2009
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations unveiled a new Hot Deals savings promotion through which it will release on the first and 15th of every month a list of guaranteed departures that are priced at least 10 percent lower than the brochure rate. Initially the promotion applied only to select European departures. On Monday, Insight released 10 new discounted Europe departures as well as 10 U.S., Canada and Mexico departures that offer a savings of at least 10 percent. Here are some example departures: Treasures of Mexico, departing July 11, brochure price, USD 2,475, discounted price, USD 2,225, savings per couple, USD 500; Capitals of Eastern Canada, departing June 28, brochure price, USD 1,790, discounted price, USD 1,610, savings per couple, USD 360; and Enchanting Canyonlands, departing July 11, brochure price, USD 1,650, discounted price, USD 1,485, savings per couple, USD 330. www.insightvacations.com. Jun 23, 2009
London
There are few better places to celebrate the United States and its Independence Day than London. Whether you prefer sipping bubbly at the wood-panelled home of America's brainiest founding father, Ben Franklin, or downing an ale on the jetty where the Mayflower set off for Massachusetts, the British capital is packed with options for a patriotic week away. Jun 23, 2009
Mucia
Mucia, on SpainOs Mediterranean coast, will be filled with the sound of jazz, blues, world and rock, from not one, but two major festivals. Running now, the 12th San Javier International Jazz Festival will feature 16 concerts with music greats like John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. And just 16 miles down the road, the city of Cartagena, rich with Roman ruins, will be presenting music, art and film at the 15th Ocean of Music, Art and Film Festival beginning July 4. CubaOs Buena Vista Social Club, AlgeriaOs Rachid Taha and EnglandOs Marianne Faithful are set to perform. www.jazz.sanjavier.es. Jun 26, 2009
Paris
A teenage tourist hurled herself to her death from the Eiffel Tower in Paris and crashed on to the roof of a packed restaurant 180 feet below. The 18-year-old Brazilian girl broke through a security barrier on the famous landmark's 350-foot-high second tier and leapt over a railing - as her own brother frantically tried to stop her. Diners on the tower's 170-foot-high first floor then heard her smash into the plastic roof of the restaurant five feet above their heads. Jun 26, 2009
Royal Spa Kitzbhel
The Leading Hotels of the World said it has accepted the following hotels into its collection: Opening in late 2009, the 124-room Royal Spa Kitzbhel is located in a ski resort in Austria. Rocco Forte the Augustine, with 101 rooms, is located in Prague. The recently opened One&Only Cape Town comprises 91 rooms and suites. The Leading Small Hotels of the World has added the following property to its roster: Slated to open in July, Le Gray, with 12 rooms and 75 suites, is situated in the historic center of Beirut. www.lhw.com. Jun 26, 2009
Scotland
According to a report in The Scotsman, a Scottish newspaper, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is Ofacing prospect of empty seats for first time in a decade.O Hotels and tour operators are being slashing package prices for packages for the Tattoo. The story quotes a Osenior councilorO who says the unsold tickets might act as a Owake-up callO to hoteliers who wholesalers are urging to cut rates. According to The Scotsman, advance hotel bookings for August are down 4 percent, at 62 percent full. For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com. Jun 25, 2009
Sweden
The Skansen zoo and open-air museum, re/Skistar, Sfsen Resort, Hckeberga Castle, the Vasa Museum, the Millennium Tour city walking tour and Wilderness in Vrmland are the seven best experiences in Sweden according to French, German, British, Dutch, Italian, Russian and American tour operators. A decision will be made on Oct. 22 as to which one will receive the OBest Experience in SwedenO award. The international OTRIP Global AwardO will be presented for the second time this year to the OBest Experience in Sweden.O Last yearOs winner was the Ice Hotel. www.visitsweden.com. Jun 23, 2009
Switzerland
SwitzerlandOs most popular museum currently attracts more than 820,000 visitors a year and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. With the OVHS 2009O investment project covering approximately 50 million Swiss francs, the management of the Swiss Museum of Transport launched and completed what might well be a record-breaking new building and attraction-enhancing program with a long-term impact on both the premises and content of the museum. On June 27, 2009, the 50th birthday of the Swiss Museum of Transport, the new two-story Road Transport Hall with a spectacular display store, an interactive car theater and theme islands was officially opened to the public. At the same time, the multifunctional open-air arena with a childrenOs traffic training area and a road building arena as well as the new documentary center with archive and reference library was opened. www.verkehrshaus.ch. Jun 26, 2009
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